Ann rushed down the stairs, clutching her backpack tightly. She effortlessly leaped over the last two steps, only to collide with an invisible barrier in mid-air. The impact felt soft, almost like colliding with a human body.
Startled, Ann took a step back, her voice filled with uncertainty. "John?"
His laughter resonated through the room as John materialized before her. "You're quite hard to scare."
Rolling her eyes, Ann shook her head. "And why do you waste your powers on such childish pranks?"
John shrugged, a mischievous glint playing in his eyes. "Well, at least I use them."
"Touché," Ann conceded. Perhaps her anxious mind had exaggerated things. After all, John was her dear friend, always capable of bringing a smile to her face.
"I find it useful to hone my magical abilities," John explained. "Annie, you shouldn't fear your own powers. To control my Gift of Invisibility, I practice it daily. You could do the same."
"By walking around and scaring people?"
John burst into laughter, his amusement contagious. "I swear, I don't do it often. Well, mostly."
She couldn't help but smile, anticipating the fun-filled day ahead with John. "Alright, let's get going."
As Ann took a step towards the door, John suddenly caught her hand, causing her to pause. "Didn't you forget something?"
Confusion flickered across her face. "I don't think so. Why do you ask?"
John shrugged, a hint of worry in his eyes. "I just have this strange feeling. It's spring, and there are plenty of snakes in the forest."
Realization dawned on Ann, and she slapped her forehead. Uncle Greg had warned her about the potential danger of snake bites. "The antidote!"
Without wasting a moment, Ann hurried to the kitchen and swung open the cabinet doors. The shelves were neatly organized, each medication labeled and sorted. 'Cold and Flu Potion', 'A Potion against Insomnia' ... Ann scanned the stickers on the tiny glass bottles until her eyes landed on a single vial containing yellow liquid labeled 'Snake Bite Antidote.'
The medicine was always kept in the kitchen cabinet, just in case. Uncle Greg, who spent most of his time in the greenhouse, had encountered a snake there once, but it was just a harmless garden snake that had never bitten anyone. Still, as a precaution, Uncle Greg had insisted that Ann and Peggy each carry a tablespoon of the antidote.
Carefully, Ann slipped the bottle into the inner pocket of her jacket and closed the glass cabinet doors. A glimpse of John's grinning face reflected in the glass, causing her to cringe.
"What?" she asked, turning to him.
John's grin only widened. "It seems we both share the same concern about snakes."
A small smile tugged at Ann's lips. "That's true."
"I can't wait to show you just how many other things we have in common," John said, extending his hand toward her. Without hesitation, Ann reached out and took it, ready to embark on their adventure together.
* * * * *
The sun hung high in the clear blue sky as Ann and John sat on an unrolled blanket by the river shore. Their horses stood nearby, happily drinking from the fresh water and swishing their tails.
"I wonder if Marie and Elajio got lost," Ann said. The four of them had initially set out on this ride together, but the couple had opted for a different trail to explore.
John chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "They're a young married couple. They're probably enjoying each other's company in the woods... if you catch my drift."
A blush crept up Ann's cheeks, and she quickly turned her gaze towards the river, allowing the cool breeze to soothe her face. Discussing such matters with John was too awkward.
"Alright, so now we know you're even shyer than I am," John remarked playfully.
"I've always known that," Ann replied, turning to face him. "But tell me, how have these past four years been for you? How has life treated you?"
John shrugged nonchalantly. "It's been good. As you know, I was studying in college, and Uncle Greg helped me out during my first year. After that, I managed to find a job at a bank and was able to support myself through the rest of my education. Once I graduated, I started working in Middle Lake, and that became my life."
Ann nodded, recalling their previous conversation. "You mentioned that you returned because of a new job. Is that true?"
John's smile widened. "Yes, it is. But to be honest, I also missed home. I was longing for an opportunity like this. It wasn't until I met Marie a couple of years ago in Middle Lake that I realized just how homesick I truly was. We bumped into each other at a coffee shop near my place. It was unbelievable to discover that my schoolmate from our small town was living on the same street. We started talking about the idea of both having families and being friends, both of us feeling overwhelmed by our busy lives and considering the possibility of settling down in a smaller town. Then Marie and Elajio left for Mountville, and I felt lonelier than ever."
"Really? Even with so many people around?"
He nodded. "In bigger cities, people are often caught up in their own lives. They're more distant, and while I had a few good acquaintances, we never truly became close."
Ann contemplated his words for a moment. "So, maybe I didn't miss out on much by staying here."
"Perhaps. But having experienced both lifestyles, it made me more confident in my choice to return."
"I'm glad you chose to come back."
"Me too," John replied with a warm smile. Then, his expression turned curious. "But why won't you give your powers another try?"
His question caught her off guard. "I can't... You know what happened the last time I used them."
John's smile remained reassuring. "Annie, the chance of something happening in the Mountains is always there. What happened before was an accident."
"It was my fault," Ann insisted, her voice filled with guilt.
"Trust me, it wasn't. You were using your Gift for the first time, and you were inexperienced. You couldn't have foreseen all the consequences."
Ann let out a sigh, torn between his logical arguments and the lingering guilt in her chest. "I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't use my magic again. Ever."
He gently took hold of her hand, his touch comforting and reassuring. "Okay, if making this deal helps ease your worries, then it's fine. But let's make another temporary deal, just for today."
"What deal?"
"I'll watch you as you use your power," John proposed. "I'll be right by your side all day, ensuring that nothing bad happens. How does that sound?"
His presence and confidence were difficult to resist. Maybe John was right, and her worries were unfounded. Perhaps it was time to confront her fears and give her power another chance.
"Fine," Ann agreed. "But remember, you promised to keep watch."
"And I will."
Ann closed her eyes, allowing the wind to brush against her face. It felt fresh and pleasantly cool against her bare shoulders. Memories of the past resurfaced, but now she was an adult, and her relationship with John had evolved in many ways. Perhaps he was meant to be more than just a friend; maybe he was destined to be her husband. Only time would tell.
John was right – it was time to test herself, to ensure that she wasn't cursed or bound by fear. She could start with something simple, like trying to control the wind.
Ann focused her attention on her surroundings, channeling her energy to calm the wind until it ceased its blowing. Opening her eyes, she noticed that the once vibrant river had turned gray, and the air felt heavy and damp.
Extending her hand, Ann watched as a single raindrop fell onto her open palm.
"Was it you?" John asked.
"Yes," she confirmed, her gaze shifting to the dark and murky sky above. She hadn't anticipated causing a storm, and it was clear that she needed to learn how to control her power. Thunder rumbled overhead, causing Ann to jump to her feet. "We need to find shelter."
John quickly grabbed the blanket, and together they ran towards the shelter of a massive oak tree. Their horses were already huddled beneath its branches, seeking refuge from the impending storm.
As the rain poured down around them, John turned to Ann with a questioning look. "So, you can cause the rain... But can you stop it?"
Ann shook her head. "I don't think I can. It's irreversible at this point. We'll have to wait it out."
John raised his hand, catching the pouring water in his palm. "Your power is fascinating."
"I think it's a useless thing."
"No, not at all. When the Divine grants you a Gift, it's not just for amusement. We just need to learn how to use it for the right purposes."
She met his gaze, her eyes searching for reassurance in his gray eyes that mirrored the stormy sky above. If she ever wanted to move forward, she needed to let go of doubt and self-blame. But the fear lingered, a constant reminder that something unexpected could happen at any moment.
Suddenly, a loud hiss pierced the air, drawing Ann's attention downward. A black snake slithered out from under the tree, likely awakened by the rain. Frustration welled up within her. Once again, the rain she had caused had led to unpredictable consequences. It was a mistake to use my Gift.
The snake slithered towards them, seemingly drawn to her distressed state. Ann let out a yelp and instinctively jumped back, but the creature continued to approach, undeterred. Fear gripped her, rendering her unable to move.
In that moment of panic, John swiftly grabbed a thick branch and thrust it into the ground just before Ann's feet. The snake hissed in offense and retreated into the tall grass.
John approached her, his arms enveloping her in a comforting embrace. Ann welcomed the gesture, grateful for his quick thinking and rescue. She couldn't believe she had narrowly escaped the threat her uncle had warned her about.
John patted her shoulders gently. "Nothing bad will happen as long as I'm here."
"Thank you." Tears of relief welled up in her eyes. "I owe you now."
* * * * *
As the shadows lengthened and the sun hung low in the sky, Ann approached her home, only to find the front yard crowded with people. Her heart sank, a sense of foreboding washing over her as she spotted a man in a white gown on the porch – the local doctor. Misfortune hung heavy in the air.
Dismounting her horse, Ann made her way towards the commotion, her feet unsteady beneath her. Peggy, their servant, rushed towards her from the crowd, embracing her tightly without uttering a word.
John, who had been riding closely behind Ann, caught up to her and witnessed the scene unfolding. "What the hell happened here?"
Ann's mind was racing, and she had momentarily forgotten about John's presence. But now, she was glad to have him by her side.
Peggy released Ann from her embrace, tears streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry. Uncle Greg..." she sobbed, struggling to find the words. "The snake bit him."
Dread settled in Ann's chest as she asked, her voice trembling, "Which snake? Is he alright?"
Peggy's voice quieted, filled with sorrow. "No. He... He died."
Ann's legs turned weak, and the world around her seemed to start spinning. She took a clumsy step back, stumbling. Just in time, John reached out and caught her, preventing her from falling to the ground.
In memory of Gregory Storm, Ann's favorite uncle.
~ • ~ ☆ ~ • ~ ☆ ~ • ~ ☆ ~ • ~
To be continued...
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P.S. So, the victim is Gregory Srotm, a nice uncle. How do you think, was it really an accident or a murder?