Destiny (1)

I was falling through the air, scrabbling for grip on a non-existent ledge, and a familiar mean face smiled back at me. Breathing heavily, I gazed at the beast as it opened its two centre mouths and practically roared with laughter. Wishing to look at anything other than that, I switched my view down at the ground. Big mistake.

About thirty metres away and falling, the hard tarmac stared me in the face. I funny feeling filled up my stomach, like when I had food poisoning when I was younger. My throat was itching like it had a frog in it, and I suddenly became aware of how numb my toes and fingers were.

“How do you like your fate, fishy?”

I looked up one more time, before my cold body slammed against the damp rock.

My eyes snapped open abruptly, and I sat up quickly. Too quickly. My head spun inconveniently.

“Hey, take it easy, you took quite a fall then,” Ash flicked his eyes down at me and smiled. But a warm smile, not like the ones I had been having from Sasha recently. I nodded, so slight it was almost imperceptible, and turned to examine where I was. Surrounded by rattling walls, I took in the glass windows and panel separating us from the driver, and instantly decided that we were in a London taxi. A shuffling noise came from next to me, and I turned to see Ash squirming uncomfortably in his seat.

“So…” Silence filled an odd space.

“So.”

“Do you believe me?” His question was so straightforward that I wasn’t sure how to answer for a second. I paused, considering. He seemed so genuine, but his request to be believed was so odd given the circumstances. But then again, what I had experienced recently should have convinced me to believe anything. Right then and there, I made up my mind.

“Yes,” I replied simply. “but tell me this. How? How do you know? And how do I use my powers?”

For a beat I realised how stupid my question sounded. Powers? What kind of world did we live in?

“Which do you want to know the answer to first?”

“The order I said them in.” I was beginning to get impatient.

“I knew, because, well, I went through that too. When you transform, that mark appears on your arm. For some reason, our hair is affected too. I think if you were bald, you would just grow it on the spot. You were so shifty, I already knew something was up. And then your hair changed colour… well it was a sure sign. How are you not freaking out by the way? Anyone else would be crying from being overwhelmed right now.”

I shrugged noncommittally. “I guess I’m just a weird person. But what you’re saying makes so much sense, even though it’s so far-fetched. Now can you answer my other question?”

He cocked his head and paused.

“If you want to know how to use your powers, you’re doing it wrong. It just… comes naturally. Do you know what yours is? Come on, I’ve worked it out, you just need to think about the clues you’ve been given,” and he grinned again, but cheekily this time, and crossed his arms.

I let my mind wander around the last day. The leaf on my arm. A symbol for something, life maybe? No, I can’t control life, that’s just wrong. The green hair… I guess, trees? Yes, that would make sense. It crossed my mind, nature, but that’s literally the whole world. No one should be that powerful.

“Maybe, trees?”

He smiled all-knowingly.

“Good try, but no. Second chance?”

I gasped.

“The only other thing it could be is nature! But no one should be that powerful. That’s dangerous. As they say, you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket. What if I wasn’t a good guy?”

He put up his hands.

“Slow down. You’re kind of right. You control plants. That’s how you strangled Zach. The vine replied to you. And yes, I know, that’s still very powerful. My dad used to tell me stories of the plant controller, who sheltered the wildlife with leaves, and saved the crops… you’re legendary. I’ve read about all the things you can do. Power beyond your imagination.” His voice trailed off, allowing me a moment to process it.

My mind whizzed. I could practically hear the gears turning, as if I was a clockwork robot. I was like Mother Nature. I could save the bees if I wanted. Just grow thousands of flowers to house them.

Only I couldn’t. I had to stay secret.

Trembling very slightly, I lifted my hand and placed it on the seat to steady myself. I looked up, and was not surprised to see Ash scrutinising my expression. I guessed that he was worried I would break down crying and refuse to accept it again. But I wouldn’t.

To test his theory, I lifted my hand. Shutting my eyes, I imagined a small rosebud peeking out from between the seats. My ears popped, and I opened my eyes again. Instead of being greeted with a small green ball on a stem and a little pink, I got a dahlia stroking my tights (not literally, it just brushed me).

Ash blinked in surprise.

“Wow. Usually it takes a few weeks to master a skill,”

“You said it comes naturally!”

“It does, but to have complete control you usually have to train.”

“I didn’t have complete control. I wanted to make a rosebud.”

“Oh. Well, that’s fine anyway. It’s really pretty.”

We sat in silence for a moment, and I got the feeling Ash was one of those people who wasn’t so good with small talk.

“We’re here! Pay up.” the driver shouted, making us both jump.