Swinging from the ropes, I dodge another person trying to tag me. The game of grounders evolved from a small group of eight to twenty people. The slide that leads outside the fence is off-limits for obvious reasons. Running around like maniacs, the jungle gym is in full swing-teens, adults, and the three kids all playing in a gigantic game of grounders.

Liam walks around on the ground, eyeing Sam up as he looks at the obstacles in front of him. "Come on, Sammy! Come to the ground; it's nice and soft here," Liam says, jumping up and down on the sand that I made to surround the jungle gym.

Sam sticks her tongue out at him, staying on her perch out of his reach. "I quite like it up here, Liam," she says, swinging her legs over the edge playfully.

Liam sighs, grabbing the closest rope and hoisting himself up onto the metal platform, closing his eyes once he is safely off the ground. "Come here, Sammy dear," Liam calls, slowly moving in the direction of Sam with careful steps, feeling around with his hands.

Laughing under my breath, we all start to move around as quietly as we can, out of his reach. Slowly lowering myself to the ground, I tiptoe along the sand, reaching for the next rope on the other side from where I was.

 "Grounders," Liam calls.

"Oh, ballocks," I exclaim, stomping my foot in the sand.

Liam, Sam, Jen, Kaylee, and Jordan laugh "Ballocks, Kain, really?" Jen asks.

I shrug "Children," I say.

They laugh, moving higher up out of my reach. Bella sits against the fence, watching us play as well as using magic to limit my sense for when I'm it, like right now. Grabbing hold of the rope I was after, I hoist myself up, eyes closed. The triplites squeal, running to the other side as my feet land on the metal platform. Laughing, I feel my hearing and smell limited to what I assume are human levels for the time being.

Feeling around, I slow my breathing, focusing on the small sounds and sensations of the eyes on me and the shifts in the air. Grumbling, I begin to move slowly, making my way around the jungle gym. Minutes pass as I lock in on the small sound of a person breathing. Edging my way over, I launch myself over the railing, taping the person on the back as I fall to the ground.

"Holy smokes, man," The person says, slowly coming to the ground. Quickly I climb up once again, joining the others up top.

The game goes on till dinner, everyone is dirty and slightly breathless but spirits high. Dinner today is light, the tension that normally stands in the air from the zombies lightened after our game.

As the evening progresses, I look around at my family and friends, grateful for this brief respite from the chaos outside. It's moments like these that remind me of why we keep fighting-why we keep pushing through the darkness.

"Are the animals put away?" Someone asks.

"Yeah all safe and sound, the doors are locked with food and water, inside" another responds.

"Is everything inside?"

"Almost."

"Is everyone inside."

"Soon, some are still grabbing the last of the supplies."

"Come on guys quickly we have to close the doors."

"Quickly quickly it's getting cold in here the storm is coming."

"Has anyone seen my coat?"

"Is all the wood inside?"

"Are the solar panels safe?"

"Are the back doors all locked?"

"Is everyone inside now?"

"Come on close the doors everyone is in, the wind is picking up."

Everyone runs in as the doors close and lock. I giggle, pulling my scarf tighter around my face to block out the harsh winter wind. Sliding down the slide, I land on the trunk of a car just outside the fence. Sprinting away, I note how all the watchtowers are now sealed so that people can be in them in winter and not freeze to death. They're blind due to the sudden winter storm.

Breathing in the winter air, I shake my head, forcing back the discomfort as the loud wind rings in my ears, blocking out all sound and whirling the scents in mad disarray. Clearing my throat, I begin my search for Christmas presents. Christmas is in a few days, and I still haven't gotten any presents for anyone. Running through the wind, I begin my search through the houses. 

I've been in almost every house looking for presents with little success. The Triplites and Jordan are so hard to shop for. But I can't give up. They deserve something special. I push on, determined to find the perfect gifts despite the storm.

Sighing, I rummage through a forgotten box of a house, the wind howling like crazy above. "Gold mine," I screech, pulling out three small glass bottles fit for a necklace. Pocketing my find, I continue my search, finding chains for each of the little bottles. "Now I just need to figure out what to put in these for the kids," I murmur, shrugging, a problem for later, I place them in the shadows and continue my search for Jordan's gift.

Four houses later, I look at the sky. Due to the winter storm, the sun's light is muted, but the light is getting closer to non-existent. A vampire may be able to see slightly better in the dark, but not much-especially with the loud wind I feel vulnerable and blind. Beginning my trek back, I skip the fence and shadow directly into my room, my winter clothes off and put them away once I exit the darkness like I was always here.

Shockingly, the room is empty. Sam and Jen fall through the door, their eyes wide "Kaindra, where have you been? We've been looking all over for you. You have to come quickly," they chorus, grabbing my hands and dragging me out the door.

"Sorry guys, I was checking something," I say, brows nit. "Why are we going to the front? Aren't we all waiting out the storm?"

They nod "We are, but some people showed up in the storm well you were away so everyone is helping at the front." Sam says.

"What?" My face crunches more. People showed up, but when? How? I should have been notified once they crossed the barrier. The last time people came was in the fall, a small group with a couple of kids was being chased by zombies, and we helped them out. New people haven't come since. But I felt when they entered our area - why didn't I feel these people?

As we slow down, rounding the corner to the stairs leading to the front, I spot Jordan and Bella in the crowd, their bodies tense. Jordan stands rigid, his fists clenched and jaw set. His eyes dart between the newcomers. Bella, usually so composed, has her arms crossed tightly across her chest, fingers digging into her own skin. Pulling my hands free, I rush down into the crowd to Jordan and Bella "What's going on?" I ask, my voice urgent.

Jordan turns to me, his expression grim. "A group of survivors just showed up, out of nowhere. They seem...different."

Bella nods, her eyes scanning the newcomers warily "We didn't sense them crossing the barrier, which is strange. They might have some sort of cloaking ability."

I follow their gaze, observing each of them closely. "You're right. All demons and vampires, other than the witches. I don't see what's up, though?"

Jordan huffs "I don't know what it is, but it's making me tense."

I nod, feeling it too, my body tensing. My hands flex nervously at my sides, itching to draw a weapon. "Could be the storm mixed with the unfamiliar supernatural's?" I suggest.

He nods, uncertainty in his eyes "Could be?" 

We go silent after that. Bella removes the silence spell as we observe the new arrivals. The storm rages outside, adding to the unease. The newcomers huddle together, casting wary glances around.

One of them steps forward, a tall vampire with piercing green eyes "We mean no harm," he says, his voice steady but weary. "We were driven here by the storm. Please, let us stay until it passes."

Mr. Jones nods "Of course, please come in."

I exchange a glance with Jordan and Bella.

The storm has slowed down a little the past few days, going off and on as it begins to settle. Jordan and I are still tense even as the storm fades. Bella comes over as Jordan and I look over to the other supernaturals in the room. "Okay, you two need to go cool off. It has been like this ever since they came," Bella says firmly.

Jordan looks at her, pouting "But Bella I-."

She holds up a finger "Shush, I don't care. You two, outside, go."

We both stand, looking at her guiltily as we leave the garden room. Bumping into Jen and Kaitlyn as we go, they spot our downcast faces. "What happened this time?" Kaitlyn asks.

I look at her, flashing my best puppy dog eyes "Bella scolded us and told us to leave."

Kaitlyn sighs "Then you two should leave."

My mouth falls open at her words "Traitor," I say.

She shrugs "If Bella said so, then you should."

I slump. Ever since Bella came, Kaitlyn and she has been teaming up against Jordan and me. Brightening, I look at my two close friends "Do you guys want to come with me?"

Jen beams "Can we? It's not like we have much to help with right now?"

Kaitlyn looks at the two of us, now giving her puppy dog eyes as Jordan tries to hide his grin. She sighs, breaking "Fine, I don't see why not."

"Yippee," we cheer, high-fiving.

"Should we get Sam and Liam as well?" Jen asks.

I tap my chin "I don't think so. Last I saw them, they were being all lovey-dovey outside helping with the animals."

Jen nods, grabbing my hands "That's fine. They can have their love time."

Jordan laughs "Aww, to be young again."

I slap him "Stop it, Grandpa. You have a wife and kids already."

He swats my hand away "I know, I know. I was just saying how sweet it was to be young."

I huff "Yeah, like a thousand years ago."

He grumbles, "It was only 130 years ago when I was your age."

I laugh "Yeah, and I still have 130 years till I'm your age. Now, stop whining, Grandpa, and go get your winter clothes."

He goes to swat at my head, missing as I duck under dragging Kaitlyn and Jen with me to our room. He heads to his own. "He was 17, 130 years ago?" Jen asks.

I nod "Yep, he is 147 as of May."

Jen nods "damn."

I chuckle, grabbing my winter clothes and bundling myself up like a marshmallow. After the three of us marshmallow up, we head on outside, waving to the gatekeepers as we go. We laugh as Jordan almost faces plants as he runs after us.

Running through the snow, we kick at the drifts in the roads, leaving footprint trails as we go, our sides hurting from our laughter. Spotting a tree in the distance, I pick up speed, leaving the others behind. Stopping in front of the tree, I remove my glove, placing my white skin against the cold bark. The sensation of the rough, icy bark sends a shiver through me. 

Grinning, I pull the three little glass bottles from the shadows, tossing them lightly in my palm. Huffing, my two friends get closer, gasping behind me "Kain, why did you suddenly take off?" Jen asks, falling onto her back as she catches her breath.

I grin "I got an idea to finish my present for the triplites."

Jordan walks forward, sitting in the snow beside the two gasping girls "And what might it be?" He asks.

I show him the three bottles "I'm going to fill these with earth energy," I say.

He raises an eyebrow "How?"

Rolling my eyes, I remove my winter gear taking a seat under the tree. "I'll show you," I say, leaning my back against the tree holding the three bottles in my open palms as I sit crisscross applesauce.

"Won't you get cold?" Kaitlyn asks.

I open an eye, peaking at her "I'm dead; the cold doesn't bother me."

She 'ohs,' staying silent. Shaking my head, I close my eyes, blocking out everything around me. Focusing solely on earth, my weakest element, I tap into the tree on my back, allowing myself to branch out into the earth hidden under the snow.

Following the path that the energy is taking me, I dive deeper. Faintly, I hear Jordan whisper to the girls, "This might take a while."

Returning to what I was doing, I continue to dive into the world's energy. The roots connect to every piece of the earth, from the grass to a small grain of sand. Each root pulses with life, branching out into a vast, intricate web of continuous life and death. The web shimmers with a luminous energy, each strand a vibrant thread connecting all living things. Cords get cut as they die, and new ones form as they come to life.

I dive deeper, feeling my energy drain from my body as I begin to reach my limit. Finally hitting a wall, I stop, barely even scratching the surface of what there is and could be. I reach out, sensing the loose tendrils of energy floating around me. I pull them forward, feeling their ethereal presence flow into my hands. Using my body as a conduit, I gently siphon the energy into the three glass bottles, each one glowing softly as it fills with the essence of life. Once the bottles are full, I lock them closed, trapping the energy within.

Slowly, I retract back to myself, feeling the connection gradually fade. Opening my eyes, I cut the final thread, returning to the present. Blinking slowly to clear the haze from my vision, the first thing I see are delicate snowflakes falling from the sky. Glancing up at the sound of squealing, I stare at my two friends having a snowball fight in the falling sun. Their laughter is a stark contract to the exhaustion washing over me.

A smile tugs at my lips as I watch them, the bottles in my hands glowing softly, filled with the earth's energy. This small victory feels monumental, a reminder of the magic and wonder still present in our world. A power lost to us, slipping through the fingers of history and becoming the stuff of folk tales. Tales whispered through generations told of ancient beings and forgotten spells; to most, these were merely stories. That is, until I arrived and confirmed their truth. My existence confirms that the ancient powers and individuals once thought to be mere legends are indeed real. The magic, once believed to have vanished, now thrives within me, bearing witness to the realities concealed within myths.

Clutching the bottles, I watch the energy dance inside, a reminder of the magic that thrives, even in the darkest moments. It's a fragment of history, revived in the now, infused with the hope and resilience we need to face what lies ahead.

Rubbing my eyes, I glance at Jordan, who is still sitting in the same spot "How long was I?" I ask, my voice tinged with fatigue.

He looks up "Four hours."

I nod, dusting off the snow and slowly putting my winter clothes back on. The average for how far I went into the chain of energy is around 4 hours when trying to go as deep as possible. Never have I gone longer or been able to go deeper. I can barely manipulate the energy into the bottles as is. Mother won't allow me to do more.

Pocketing the now glowing green and white vials into the shadows, I stand up, stretching my stiff muscles.

Jen glances over, "Hey, she's up," she says, just as a snowball hits her face. "Hey that was unfair."

Kaitlyn shrugs "Fair game till we call it quits."

Jen puffs up her cheeks, huffing as she walks over. "So what were you doing? It looked really cool when green and white veins started to form from your arms and into the vials."

I yawn "I tapped into the earth's energy and siphoned loose energy into the vials."

Jen's eyes widen, "Ohh, cool. What else does that do?" Jen asks.

I begin walking sluggishly back the way we came. "I can look at the condition of the earth and build a map of the land in the first layer of energy if needed."

Kaitlyn nods, eyes glimmering "What if you go lower?"

Yawning again, their eyes widen at the act as I continue to yawn and walk "AAAA-well, with how far I can go, just those two things...I barely even make it past the first layer, and it takes me four hours till I hit a wall. It drains all my energy. The deeper you go, the more complex it...AAAA...the energy web gets. It turns into a labyrinth where every turn could lead to something unknown, or trap you." 

They nod "We can see that."

Going quiet, we continue our slow walk back. "Did you guys stay that whole time?" I ask.

They nod "Yep, the first few hours were boring, so Jordan showed us into some house, and we looked around. We watched as you moved the glowing stuff into the bottles, then played around outside well we waited." Jen says, skipping in front of me.

I nod "Cool." Yawning again, we wave to the gatekeepers as they let us in. "I think I'll head to bed now."

"Okay, have a good sleep, Kain," Jen says, waving.

They all say bye as they leave to go put their stuff up in the drying area to dry off. I leave my stuff on, drying it as much as I can before putting it away. Falling onto my bed, I pass out almost immediately. My energy will take a long time to return. 

Comment, vote, and share