Elementa

Chapter 2

There are a few things you should know about my life. I'm a sophomore at Spring City High School, even though I'm only 13. I'm a qualified genius, so I'm the youngest person at school. At home, it's just me and my dad. My mom and sister died in a fire when I was three. My Dad, Alex Goldenburn, is the best dad ever. He always drives me to school, and we listen to cool music. He's the best single dad ever.

When Vanessa left, I pinched myself to check that I wasn't dreaming. I heard my dad's footsteps coming, so I sat up, and tried to look like I hadn't just been told a life-changing fact.

"Paige! Thank god you're okay! If I lost you too, then I wouldn't be able to live with myself!" He cries as he bursts into the room. He's always been known to be dramatic. He hugs me and I feel the wetness of tears on my shoulder. He hasn't cried like this since mom and Olivia died.

"Nice to see you too, Dad. Can you let go? It really hurts when you squeeze me like that."

"Oops! Oh kiddo, you really scared me there. You were in a coma for three days. I've been here with you every day, hoping you would wake up. Your friends visited too. I saw Samantha, Joey, and Hannah. I was just down in the cafeteria when I was told you woke up, and I rushed up here so I could be the first face you saw."

How did Vanessa get past Dad and the doctors? Surely he must've noticed her walking out of the hospital room. "Did a doctor tell you that I was awake?"

"Yes. If I recall it was a woman, a Dr. Blumeberg."

Ok, so maybe I'm being a little paranoid, but that could have been Vanessa, disguised as a doctor. I guess I'll just find out tomorrow.

Wait a second! "Dad, did you say I was in a coma for three days?

"Sure did honey, why do you ask?"

"Oh my god. I have so much to catch up on, and my science fair project was due yesterday!" Squeezing my eyes shut I shouted, "I wish I could just stop time!"

There was a long silence. That was unnatural for my dad. He loves making jokes. I open one eye and gasp. My dad was frozen. Like not moving. In one position. I look at my watch. I look at the mini fountain on my bedside table. It was as I feared. I had just stopped time.

I released my fist in shock. But all of a sudden, things started moving again, slow motion at first, and then sped up, back to normal. I sighed a breath of relief. Then Dad continued to talk.

"Hey kiddo, don't get stressed, it will work out. I called the school and they're going to let you catch up. What's the matter kid? You look like you just saw a ghost."

Oh nothing, I just stopped time, no biggie. Vanessa has some serious explaining to do tomorrow. "Hey Dad, can I get some rest? Being in a coma is exhausting."

"Of course hon. Feel better okay? I'll see you tomorrow to take you home. For now you should order some food and get some rest."

He leaves the room and I pick up the phone and press the room service button while scanning the menu for something good. I end up getting a grilled cheese with tomato and a side of fries. A soda to drink. Hey, I'm as surprised as you are. I only drink Coke every so often. I couldn't help myself. It's been a long day. I move the bed back to lying down position and think, "What have I gotten myself into?"

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The next morning I woke up and Vanessa was right where she was yesterday.

"God, I wish you would stop doing that."

"Good morning Paige. I see you have discovered one of your abilities."

"Are you saying that I can stop time whenever I want? And how did you get past my dad without him noticing you? And you never explained who Ash was!"

Vanessa sighed. "I suppose I did promise you some answers." And then she went in my head. Again.

"Why do you keep doing this!" I think to her. "It's seriously annoying!"

"This is the only way I can disclose this information, while keeping it classified."

I sigh "Of course. Well then, shoot."

"First off, A.A.S.H is an organization, not a person. It stands for The American Association for SuperHeroes. Secondly, every staff member of A.A.S.H has some kind of power. I can make illusions and bend people's minds to my will. Or simply put, I'm telepathic. That is how I got past your father. I made an illusion that made everyone believe that I am Dr. Blumeberg."

Aha! So it was Vanessa that told my dad that I was awake. "Was I really out for three days? It felt like it was only a few hours."

"Unfortunately, yes. You have been asleep for three days. And yes, you can stop time whenever you please. Allow me to show you the proper way to trigger that power."

"Okay." I say reluctantly. I don't want to freeze Vanessa. But I need to know how I trigger it so I don't accidentally do it again.

"Good. All you do to trigger your power is  snap three times. Can you manage that?"

"I think so." I snap three times and suddenly everything starts moving in slow motion, then stops.

(AUTHOR'S NOTE: After she unfreezes time Vanessa will start to talk out loud.)

"Excellent job, Paige."

I whip my head on Vanessa's direction. She isn't frozen! "How?"

"Ah, that's the other thing forgot to mention. People who have controlled powers, like you and I, are not susceptible to time freezes. We are able to sense the time stop but, our bodies  are still paralyzed. Also, when you stop time there are a few things you should know. One, the time freeze only exists in a two mile radius. Those who are outside the radius will not be affected, and those who enter the radius will see everything as if time was not frozen at all. Secondly, you can only halt time for a few minutes. If you want to resume time, all you do is snap once."

I did, and time started moving once more. "Can you leave? I have a lot to think about."

"Of course. Your father is on his way.

Oh, and just so you know, you shouldn't drive for the next few days."