The dull roar of the school day faded behind me as I stepped into the quiet embrace of the forest. Forks' endless rain had let up for once, leaving the trees glistening under a muted sun. Here, I could think clearly. Away from the whispers of the students, away from Alice's persistent presence, away from the suffocating weight of her golden eyes.
The bond tugged faintly at the edge of my awareness, like a whisper in the back of my mind. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was there, a thread tying me to her that I couldn't sever. Every time I felt it, I clenched my fists, reminding myself that I was more than some cosmic force's pawn.
I'd spent my entire life deciding my own fate, and I wasn't about to stop now.
The small apartment I'd rented upon arriving in Forks felt stifling now, its peeling wallpaper and creaky floorboards a constant reminder of how little I had when I was first pulled into this world.
But I didn't have to live like this anymore.
I closed my eyes, focusing on the energy that churned inside me. It had grown stronger since yesterday, no longer a chaotic storm but a steady current waiting for me to channel it.
The first thing I needed was money—not stacks of cash lying around suspiciously but something more legitimate. My mind worked through the details, visualizing the feel of crisp bills, the texture of paper, the exact design of legal tender.
I held out my hand, feeling the energy pool in my palm. Slowly, a roll of bills materialized, each note perfectly detailed, right down to the security threads and watermarks.
It wasn't just an illusion—it was real, tangible, created from the energy within me.
But I knew better than to go overboard. A sudden influx of wealth would draw attention, and the last thing I needed was questions I couldn't answer.
Satisfied with my work, I set the money aside and turned my attention to something bigger.
I drove to the outskirts of town, parking the beat-up sedan near an overgrown trail. This place was quiet, far enough from prying eyes that I could work without interruption.
I stood in the clearing, letting the energy flow through me as I envisioned the structure I wanted. It started small in my mind—a cabin, simple and sturdy, with warm wood tones and large windows that let in natural light.
But as I focused, the image expanded. A modern house took shape, sleek and minimalistic, with clean lines and dark glass that reflected the forest around it.
The ground trembled beneath my feet as I channeled the energy outward. The air shimmered, and slowly, the house began to form.
Walls rose from the earth, smooth and seamless. Glass panes slid into place, catching the sunlight as if they'd always been there. The interior filled itself—furniture, appliances, even the faint scent of cedarwood lingering in the air.
When it was done, I stood in the doorway, staring at what I'd created. It wasn't just a house—it was mine, a place where I could be alone with my thoughts and my power.
I stepped inside, running my fingers over the cool surface of the kitchen counter. Everything felt real, solid, but I knew it was more than just matter. It was a part of me, an extension of the energy I carried.
The next step was transportation.
The sedan had served its purpose, but it was far from ideal. I needed something that wouldn't fall apart the next time I pushed it too hard.
I focused again, picturing the car in perfect detail—the smooth lines, the roar of the engine, the sleek black exterior that gleamed under the faint light.
The car appeared in front of me, its surface flawless and shining. It was a work of art, every detail crafted to perfection.
I slid into the driver's seat, the leather soft beneath my fingers as the engine roared to life. The sound sent a thrill through me, a reminder of what I was capable of.
But as I drove back toward town, a nagging thought lingered in the back of my mind. This power—this ability to create anything I wanted—wasn't just a gift. It was a responsibility, one that I was still learning to navigate.
Back at the house, I set to work honing my abilities.
The key, I realized, wasn't just visualization. It was understanding—knowing exactly what I wanted to create and why. The more I focused, the easier it became, and soon I was creating objects with increasing complexity.
A bookshelf filled itself with volumes I'd never read but now had access to. A sleek laptop appeared on the counter, its screen glowing faintly. Even small details—like the scent of coffee brewing in the air—came naturally.
But it wasn't just about objects. The energy within me was vast, capable of more than I'd even begun to explore.
I tested its limits, creating structures that stretched into the sky, only to watch them dissolve into nothing. I crafted intricate designs in the air, patterns that shifted and flowed like living things.
Each creation left me feeling drained but exhilarated, the energy within me renewing itself as quickly as it was spent.
By the time night fell, the house felt like a sanctuary. The hunger I'd been battling for days had subsided, replaced by a deep satisfaction that came from creating something entirely my own.
But even in the quiet of the night, I couldn't escape the pull of the bond.
Alice's presence was like a faint echo in my mind, distant but persistent. It wasn't just attraction—it was something deeper, something that demanded my attention no matter how hard I tried to resist.
I leaned against the window, staring out at the dark forest.
"I don't belong to anyone," I muttered, the words more for myself than anyone else.
The bond tugged again, a silent reminder that fate had other plans.
But I wasn't ready to give in. Not yet.
The next morning, I arrived at school in my new car, its sleek exterior drawing more than a few stares. I ignored the whispers as I stepped out, my focus on the day ahead.
Alice was waiting near the entrance, her expression unreadable as her golden eyes locked onto mine.
"Nice car," she said, her tone light but carrying that familiar edge of curiosity.
"Thanks," I replied, keeping my voice neutral.
She tilted her head, studying me with that same piercing gaze. "You're full of surprises, aren't you?"
I shrugged, brushing past her without another word.
The bond tugged at me, but I pushed it aside, forcing myself to focus on the present.
Whatever this connection was—whatever fate had in store for me—I wasn't going to let it control me.
Not now, and not ever.