Chapter 3
September 27, 2040 - The Next Morning*
Azalea woke up with a start, the memory of her dream still vivid in her mind. She lay still, staring at the ceiling, replaying the strange figure's words. *You are not meant to be ordinary.* She could still feel the thrill and fear that pulsed through her veins when the shadowy figure had spoken.
She dragged herself out of bed and got ready for school, trying to shake off the lingering unease. As she brushed her hair and tied it into a loose braid, she couldn't help but glance at her reflection, half-expecting to see something different staring back at her.
---
Downstairs, the usual family chaos was underway. Her younger brother, Cyril, was slurping cereal as if it were a race, while her mom, Monica, hovered over the stove, making pancakes.
"Morning, sleepyhead," her mom called out with a warm smile. "You look like you didn't sleep much. You okay?"
Azalea shrugged. "Yeah, I just… had a weird dream."
"Anything you want to talk about?" her mom asked, glancing over her shoulder.
Azalea hesitated. She wasn't sure how to explain it without sounding paranoid. "Not really. Probably just stress from work and school."
Monica nodded, though she seemed unconvinced. "If you're sure. Just remember, you can talk to me about anything."
Azalea managed a small smile, grateful for her mom's support. But this was something that felt different, something she wasn't ready to share.
---
At school, Azalea tried to focus on her classes, but her mind kept wandering back to the dream. The feeling of the shadow's presence, the words about power, and the warning to control it—it all felt too real. She glanced at her best friend Lea sitting beside her in class, taking notes with ease. Lea seemed so normal, so grounded. Azalea envied her for it.
"Hey, you okay?" Lea whispered, noticing Azalea's far-off look.
Azalea snapped back to reality. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired."
Lea studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Well, if you need to talk, I'm here. Oh, and remember, we're going to that coffee shop after school, right?"
Azalea blinked, trying to recall if they'd planned this, but she nodded anyway. "Yeah, of course."
Lea's face lit up, and she went back to her notes. Azalea let out a breath, thankful for the distraction.
---
After school, they headed to a cozy little coffee shop tucked away near campus. Azalea ordered a chai latte, hoping the warmth would ease the strange tension in her chest. She and Lea chatted for a while about classes, their annoying teachers, and their dreams for the future. For a moment, Azalea could almost forget about the dream.
But as she took another sip of her latte, she felt an odd tingling sensation in her fingers. She looked down, noticing her hands trembling slightly. Frowning, she clenched them into fists, but the sensation only intensified.
"Azalea?" Lea's voice was soft, concerned. "Are you okay? You're really pale."
Azalea tried to force a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just… I think I need some air." She got up, her hands still tingling, and headed outside.
The cool air hit her face, grounding her a little, but the tingling persisted, now accompanied by a faint hum in her mind. She took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself.
"Azalea…" a deep, echoing voice murmured from somewhere within her, sending a chill down her spine. It was the same voice from her dream. She spun around, half-expecting to see the shadow figure lurking in the shadows, but the street was empty.
"Stop it," she whispered to herself, trying to ignore the strange sensation. But the voice continued.
*"Your power is stirring, Azalea. You cannot ignore it. Embrace it… or be consumed."*
Her heart pounded as a strange energy started pulsing through her veins, filling her with a mix of excitement and dread. She felt stronger, but also unsteady, like her body couldn't contain the force building inside her.
She closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing, willing the sensation to subside. Slowly, the tingling faded, leaving her feeling drained and exhausted. She opened her eyes, letting out a long breath. Whatever this was, it was growing stronger.
When she turned to head back inside, she froze. Leaning against the side of the building, arms crossed and a smirk on his face, was Liam.
"Rough day?" he asked, his tone laced with curiosity.
Azalea felt a surge of anger, both at his smug expression and the fact that he'd seen her so vulnerable. She straightened, giving him a cold glare. "What do you want, Liam?"
He pushed off the wall, his smirk fading slightly. "Relax. I just wanted to make sure you're okay. You looked… intense."
"Well, I'm fine, thanks. You can leave now." She turned, ready to go back inside.
But he stepped in front of her, blocking her way. "Come on, Aza. You don't have to shut me out."
"Shut you out?" she echoed, incredulous. "You think we're still close after everything?"
Liam held up his hands, but his gaze held something dark, something she hadn't noticed before. "I'm just saying, you might need a friend. Someone who understands what you're going through."
Azalea narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
He leaned closer, his voice lowering. "That power you have… I know it's not normal. And I know you feel it growing."
Her heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to stay calm. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Liam shrugged, giving her a knowing look. "Suit yourself. But don't say I didn't warn you." He stepped back, slipping his hands into his pockets, and walked away, leaving her shaken and uneasy.
---
Later that night, Azalea sat alone in her room, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Liam's words echoed in her mind. *That power you have… I know you feel it growing.* How could he know anything about her dream or this strange power within her?
As she gazed into the mirror, her reflection seemed to shift, just for a second, her eyes flashing a deep, inky black. She blinked, and the vision disappeared, leaving her staring at her own wide, frightened eyes.
Taking a shaky breath, she whispered to herself, "What is happening to me?"
The voice from her dream whispered back, low and filled with something that felt like both warning and promise. *You must choose to control it… or it will control you.*
Azalea closed her eyes, her fists clenched. Deep down, she knew that whatever was happening was only beginning, and it wouldn't wait long for her to figure it out.
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The picture of Liam is he good?.