Zachary's POV

The sound of thunder rumbling and heavy downpour stirred me from my slumber. I sat up on my bed and listened. The wind was strong but deterred from slashing at me by the strong windows. It was evidently a storm. This I knew before I even went to take a look.

The storm was strange. It was fall and a storm in fall was unusual and and I remembered that a sunny bright day had been forecast the previous day.

I watched the rain beat down heavily and with each drop grew my uneasiness. I couldn't decide what to do. The storm was strong but not strong enough to cause damage of properties or loss of life but was strong enough to ruin plans a person has set and to cancel flights or any form of movement. I wondered how a storm could have a mind of its own. I knew of people with abilities to control the weather but they weren't strong enough to cause a storm of this sort and at such wide range too; I could see farther into the distance. I shut the blinders and plopped onto my bed, deciding that I might as well take advantage of the situation and get much needed rest.

As I closed my eyes, an image of Phoebe floated in and I bolted upright. I quickly snagged up my night robe and wore it over my grey t-shirt and pj pants before dashing out of the room, into the passage and straight for Phoebe.

I tapped on her door a few times but no reply came. Slowly, I turned the knob of her door and peeped in. The curtains were being swept about by the wind and the room had no light turned on but it wasn't in absolute darkness. I scanned the bed for Phoebe but could tell she wasn't in it as it was empty and there was no movement at all. I stepped in, shutting the door behind me. I moved quietly towards the bed but a whimper made me stop. I listened and sensed it came from the other side of the bed. I swiftly turned towards that side where my eyes caught the silhouette of a girl curled up into a ball. Phoebe.

I quietly advanced towards her but suddenly, despite the darkness, her eyes met mine. We both froze for a moment but she spoke first.

"I did this, Zach." She said in almost a whisper. "I don't know how but am so sorry." She managed as sobs choked her words. In a reflex almost foreign to me, I stooped and took her in an embrace. I gently stroked her hair and let her sob into me.

"Hush now. It's not your fault. It's fine. We'll figure it out." I said quietly. She pulled back and looked me in the eye.

"What if I hurt someone? What if I hurt you? I have no control over my abilities Zach and it scares me. What if I get out of control? Will you still be here then? I won't blame you if you run off in the other direction." She effused.

"I believe in you, Phoebe. I believe you can handle this gift. Believe in yourself too, just a little bit." She looked at me for a while, her eyes mysteriously filled with tears before she embraced me gently. I was taken aback but I let her. Having had experience with Phoebe before, I continued stroking her hair until I sensed she was going to fall asleep again. She didn't flinch as I carried her back onto her bed and pulled up the covers up to her chin. I wanted to leave. To give her the space she needed to rest but she gently put an arm over mine, stopping me. Without her eyes opening, she asked me to stay. Unsure of what I heard, I asked for a confirmation.

"Stay with me, Zach. Please? I don't want to be alone this night. I need to hold someone." She whispered, her eyes shut close. Reluctantly, I eased myself onto the bed, giving her a safe distance but she instinctively drew closer and rested her head on my chest, her hands on my torso and chest. The intimate position was so familiar and one I missed so much but there was something different about it this time. Back then, it only evoked comfort and safety but now, I imagined more, expected more and that was when I knew that there was a big problem. I was developing strong feelings for Phoebe and at the rate I was going, it could get out of hand. I tried to move but she stirred and with it, guilt stirred. She asked me to stay. Phoebe was the kind of person who was not comfortable with just anyone's presence, that I knew and she trusted me to stay with her. I couldn't break that trust. I just stayed in bed with her constantly fighting against my carnal urges.

As I was slowly falling asleep, I heard Phoebe panting. I peered into her face and saw beads of perspiration forming on her brows. I wiped at them with a finger frowning. Was she having those nightmares again? She suddenly jolted up panting but relaxed as soon as my finger grazed her skin. She turned on her bed side lamp, picked up an exercise book and a pen. She flipped it open to an empty page where I watched her scrawl on a date, the day's date and entered a single statement. She put away the book and pen and shut her eyes. I watched in confusion.

About then, I noticed that the storm was settling. It had abruptly stopped raining and the wind had stilled to a regular breeze. I turned to Phoebe questioningly and before I could ask anything, she spoke.

"I had to stop the storm. I felt I had to. Don't ask me anything else because I wouldn't know the answer." she said weakly. And so I didn't ask anything. I just embraced her and placed a kiss on the crown of her head. When we fell asleep, I didn't know but that was surprisingly the most refreshing sleep I've had in five years.

Phoebe was still asleep when I awoke. I gently pulled her hands and head away from me and tucked it into her bed covers. She didn't stir, she slept on looking relaxed and calm. Satisfied, I took my leave and headed straight for my room. I thought of the previous night and a small smile formed across my lips and the smile remained even as I turned the knob of my bedroom door and stepped in,

"Well, look who is here up and early. Zach, where have you been?" Xavier asked with a characteristic smirk of his as he sat on his favorite seat. I paused. I had not expected him to be there that early.

"Am returning from a walk." I lied as I made for my bed and plopped onto it.

"A walk? That's funny because no one said they saw you taking a walk and you don't look like you are coming from outside. You are too dry and too clean." he observed, his eyes roaming over me. I gritted my teeth. Why Xavier?

"I slept elsewhere." I admitted. "I could not fall asleep last night."

"The storm could not let you?" he asked.

"Yes. I fell asleep after it pulled up." I answered nonchalantly.

"Sorry to hear that. But it's a relief you look so bright this morning. You look like you slept fine to me." he said.

I shrugged. "I guess that is a good thing." I mused.

"It is and you know what is better? I have training with Phoebe this morning. I could set things right finally." he said with a big grin. Something hit me in the gut at his statement but I managed to look impassive.

"Good for you." I muttered.

"Yes. I have been coming up with what to say since last night and I think that I finally got it right." he said. My cell phone beeped with a message and I unlocked it to see the message. It was from my father.

"Xav, I gotta go. Dad needs to see me now." I informed getting off my bed and heading to my closet.

"Why would he want to see you so early?" Xavier asked.

"Don't know but it seems important." I said as I changed out of my night t-shirt into a fresh grey one.

"Everything your father needs you for is important, Zach." he reminded.

"Since you already know that, then it must true. Gotta go. See you later." I said as I stepped out of the room.

As soon as I greeted my father good morning and he replied, he turned on the television with a remote control where the news was ongoing about the storm the previous night. A lot of reporters were on the field reporting at different terminals about the mysterious and unexpected storm of the previous night. It had different impacts in different places but one thing was common, there was no loss of life but a few properties were damaged in some areas. What was more, the storm had broke out in three different countries which were all expecting a regular day in the fall. Several news anchors sat with weather forecasters as they discussed what possibly could have gone wrong with the climate to warrant such storm out of nowhere. In fact, the storm issue had become a global conversation where everyone were trying to figure out what could have caused such.

Dad said nothing as we continued watching the news. A news flash came up all of a sudden where it was reported that child traffickers were caught near a foreign boundary laden with a trunk filled with children which were found to be enabled on further observation. The news correspondent reported that these children were kidnapped from their homes and bound with technology that could contain their abilities and were set to be taken over the border to a foreign nation and exploited. The police and the law were involved fully in the case and the children were not only set free and put under care of psychiatrists and other social workers, but their families; as much as they could trace, were contacted without further ado.

Further investigation also found out about other children overseas who had earlier been taken over and the plan to bring the home was executed at once. More about the trafficking ring was investigated and more and more traffickers brought to justice. It was indeed a day of reckoning for many offenders of the law. Huge drug cartels who had ties to these traffickers had very narrow escape and many were arrested and set to be tried and punished. Even money and connections couldn't buy them a way out of the mire they were in.

Another news flash came where it was reported of a failed terrorist attack on an important monarch which had saved millions of lives as a bomb was planted on a ship set to sail in the wee hours of the morning but couldn't depart as a result of the sudden storm impending. A mad scientist who was set to release a certain virus was also deterred by the storm and brought into custody. The criminals were screeching in their different languages that they would have had their way save for the storm and the blithering curse that caused it. They reminded me of the villains from scooby-doo. As a head of a nation were giving a speech, father turned off the television. Already seated on a couch, he asked I did the same. I had not realized that I had been standing the whole time, I complied.

"How is Phoebe doing?" he asked. I was not surprised to say in the least. My father is a very analytical man and so I've learned just to brace myself for the surprise he came up with, however it may be.

"Fine." was my simple reply.

"When did you last see her?" he asked.

"Last night, right before the storm."

"Did you stay with her through the night?" he asked. I nodded. "Good."

"Good?"  And I thought I was past when whatever he did surprised me.

"Yes. She needed you there and am glad you were." his words struck me as personal and wistful but I didn't want to pry. "For today, she won't train and you should watch her very closely. I know she did this and no matter what we say to her, it would never convince her easily that her gift can be used for good. Also, we have to watch out for the revolution. If the wind of Phoebe's existence comes to them, it just might all be over." he relayed. I nodded quietly.

"About the Portugal guests, Phoebe says she wants to play a part in what she can. She offered to be a translator. What do you think, dad?" I asked

"You are in charge of her, Zach. Whatever decisions she makes now is your responsibility and hers, but mostly yours so I trust you know what is best." he said and I groaned inwardly. Why does he never give me anything when I need it the most?

"I understand, Dad." I said. He released me after a few instructions on the final preparations for the arrival of the guests.

I sighed in relief as I went back up to my room where I washed up quickly and went to see Phoebe. She was awake and looked like she just washed up. Unlike the previous night, she looked bright and refreshed.

"Are you up for training today?" I asked as casually as I could.

"Can I not?" she returned.

"You can skip out today if you want." I informed and her eyes widened in astonishment.

"No kidding. For real?" she asked smiling.

"For real." I confirmed.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you. And... I need a favor." she said sheepishly.

"Go on."

"May I stay in all day? Am still recovering from last night. I can't handle facing anyone today. Will you help me?" she said in a pleading tone.

"What do you need?" I asked in resignation.

"Get me these books from the library," she started handing me a sheet of paper with a list of books on it. "Then breakfast. A lot of it, am quite hungry and lastly, could you cancel my training with Xavier?"

"Done." I said folding the sheet of paper.

"I like you today." she said smiling. "You are carefree."

"I did promise you yesterday evening that I'd try." I reminded.

"I thought you were just saying. I didn't actually think that you meant it." she confessed. I sighed and stepped closer to her until I could feel her breath on my chin. I lifted her chin gently.

"Listen. I mean anything and everything I tell you. Always remember that." she gulped as she nodded nervously and I put my hand away and stepped back. She wasn't the only one affected by the close proximity. "I'll go get what you need. Sit tight, I'll get back soon. I promise." she nodded.

"Oh, if Elaine and Alvina asks, am not feeling too well but I'll see them in the evening." she said.

"Got it." I flashed her a reassuring smile before taking my leave.

I was able to perform all that Phoebe asked of me without suspicion before returning to her with what she asked for. In truth, I realized I was too eager to get back to her and I missed her already despite I left her not long ago. I should have been scared about this feeling or guilty, since I was betraying Xavier but in truth, I felt none of that. I just longed for her company.

Phoebe and I ate breakfast together on her bed where we talked about many things, she mostly did the talking any way. Some of which I clearly do not remember but I definitely enjoyed listening to. I could not remember the last time I enjoyed female company so much, perhaps never. Most of the girls I've gone out with or interacted with were either too fake, were cowering for attention or simply wanted me for the Ellicott name, prestige and money. They had all been flings but I didn't want that with Phoebe. I realized I have a problem, I liked Phoebe too much and there was no running away now. I wanted to see her laugh every time, I wanted to see that sparkle in her eyes when she spoke of something she loved and I wanted to sleep beside her every night as I used to and that was when I realized what people meant when they said that love makes you pathetic. I don't mind being pathetic if it meant I got to be beside Phoebe even for a little while but what happens after that? I didn't want to find out, that is for sure.

"...and Lexi just stared at Dylan weird and asked, 'was that a dance or were you just trying to pull your pants up?'" she chuckled. "That was so so hilarious." she turned to me still smiling. I decided that was it. I'd rather do what I had to now and face the consequences rather than endure it and wonder what would have happened if I did. The tray we ate on was already on the night stand.

"Phoebe, promise not to hate me." I said. Her brows furrowed in confusion but I didn't give her time to register what I wanted to do as I tilted her chin and captured her lips with mine. I kissed her slowly at first, loving the fruity taste of her mouth. But then, the kiss grew needy and I was satisfied when she kissed me back, not nervously, not unsure but with as much passion as I kissed her. I explored her full sensual lips and kissed her ardently until we pulled apart for air. She lowered her eyes and moved away from my arms. She took time to meet my gaze.

"What was that about?" she asked calmly, too calmly.

"If you expect me to apologize, just know that I won't. I don't regret kissing you Phoebe. Am only sorry that it took me this long." I said.

She just stared at me, her expression mysterious. "You have a girlfriend." she said.

"I don't. I and Denise were over for a while now." I informed.

"There's Xavier. He is my friend too." she reasoned.

"I know. I won't ask anything of you Phoebe. Just do what you feel is right. I will leave now but I'll be back. I did promise to stay with you today after all." I said as I picked up the tray and left the room.

As I shut the door behind me, I sighed. What happens now? I was afraid for the first time in my life. Afraid that I'd be rejected and by Phoebe.

There goes chapter 13 people. Dearest readers, please tell me what you think and I'd be happier to know who you are rooting for. The next chapter will look at Phoebe's point of view. And please, Emerging is still a work in progress. Even I don't know what happens next. I need your comments, your support and your votes. Thank you very much.