The days that followed felt like a balancing act for Clara. She tried to keep up with her schoolwork, her chores at home, and the swirling storm of emotions inside her. The book became her lifeline, the only thing that gave her any clue about what was happening.
But the more she learned, the more questions she had.
---
At home, Evelyn's mood didn't improve. If anything, her coldness toward Clara deepened.
"You're late," Evelyn said sharply one evening as Clara walked through the door.
"I stayed after school to study," Clara explained.
"You should've told me. Dinner's cold now." Evelyn didn't look up from the vegetables she was chopping.
Clara swallowed her frustration. "I'll warm it up."
Alan entered the kitchen, his smile breaking the tension. "There's my star student," he said, ruffling Clara's hair. "Studying hard, huh?"
Clara nodded, smiling faintly. "Yeah."
"You keep it up, and you'll go places," Alan said, winking.
Evelyn made a sound of disapproval but said nothing. Clara could feel her mother's eyes burning into her back as she grabbed a plate and warmed her food.
Later that night, as Clara sat in her room, she thought about her parents. She didn't understand why Evelyn seemed to dislike her so much. She tried so hard to please her mother, but it was never enough.
"Why does she hate me?" Clara whispered to herself, the question twisting in her chest like a knife.
---
That night, Clara had another strange dream. She was standing in a vast forest, the trees towering above her like ancient giants. The air was thick and heavy, and a faint glow emanated from the ground.
"Clara..."
The voice was soft and distant, like a whisper carried on the wind. She turned, searching for its source.
"Who's there?" she called.
The glow grew brighter, and a figure emerged from the shadows. It was the same creature she had seen before, its glowing eyes fixed on her.
"Your power is growing," it said. "But you are unbalanced. You must learn to control it."
Clara stepped back, her heart racing. "I don't want this power. I never asked for it."
"The choice was never yours to make," the creature said. "But now it is yours to bear."
"What does that mean?" Clara demanded.
The creature didn't answer. Instead, it extended a shadowy limb, pointing to the horizon. "Beware the ones who seek the light within you. They will come, and they will not stop."
Before Clara could ask more, the dream faded, and she woke with a start.
Her room was dark, but her heart was pounding as if she had run a mile.
"What's happening to me?" she whispered.
---
At school, Clara tried to focus on her classes, but her mind was elsewhere. Emily noticed.
"Clara," Emily said during lunch, her tone gentle. "You've been so distant lately. What's going on?"
Clara forced a smile. "I'm fine, really. Just tired."
Emily frowned. "You've been saying that a lot. Are you sure there's nothing you want to talk about?"
Clara hesitated. She wanted to tell Emily everything, but she couldn't. The warning still echoed in her mind: "You must not tell anyone."
"I'm fine," Clara said again, her voice firmer this time.
Emily sighed but didn't push further. "Alright. But I'm here if you need me."
Clara nodded, grateful for Emily's kindness but weighed down by the secrets she couldn't share.
---
After school, Clara decided to take a different route home. She wanted some time to think. But as she walked, she felt like someone was watching her.
She glanced over her shoulder but saw nothing.
The feeling didn't go away. Her heart raced as she quickened her pace, her eyes scanning the street.
"Clara..."
She froze. The voice was low and unfamiliar, coming from somewhere nearby.
"Who's there?" she called, trying to keep her voice steady.
A figure stepped out from the shadows—a man dressed in dark clothes, his face partially obscured.
"You have something I need," he said, his tone calm but menacing.
Clara's stomach dropped. "I don't know what you're talking about."
The man took a step closer. "Don't play dumb. I know what you are."
Panic surged through Clara. How did he know? What did he want?
Before she could think, her hands tingled with that strange energy. The man noticed, his eyes narrowing.
"So it's true," he said, almost to himself.
Clara didn't wait to find out what he meant. She turned and ran, her heart pounding in her chest.
---
When Clara finally reached home, she slammed the door behind her and leaned against it, her breath coming in short gasps.
"Clara?" Alan called from the living room. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah," Clara lied, her voice shaky. "I just ran home. Needed the exercise."
Alan chuckled. "Alright, but don't overdo it."
Clara forced a smile and headed to her room, her mind racing.
Who was that man? How did he know about her powers? And what did he mean by "what you are"?
Clara didn't have answers, but one thing was clear: her life was no longer safe. And she was running out of time to figure out why.