Second Chance Fate

by Ella J. Smyth

  “You were told when we brought you here that you must stay here until we’re convinced you can control your powers. But your teachers tell me you've hardly made any progress. And, unfortunately, there are consequences for one of our special students trying to escape their governmentally advised stay."

  My head pounded as I listened to her. I was really scared, scared to my bones. Were they about to tell me I couldn't be trusted and had to be neutralized? Dragged to some underground bunker and locked away for good? I glanced back at Strickland pleadingly, but his face had shuttered, his eyes as cold as those of his colleagues.

  I felt myself freak out, my anxiety rising higher and higher. And just as had happened a few times before, my magic bubbled up inside my chest. I knew once it reached my head, I wouldn't be able to control it.

  I had the power to blast everyone in this room and turn them into charred lumps. I didn't want to lose control, to do this to more people. I closed my eyes, focusing inwards, and tried my hardest to fight the spark that was growing brighter and brighter inside of me.

  The other teachers must have noticed my internal struggle, because somebody whispered, "Oh shit, she's gonna blow."

  20

  Chairs shifted and clothes rustled as the teachers jumped up. I couldn’t open my eyes because I was so focused on stopping lightning from shooting out of my every pore. Inside my head, I was screaming, “If you want to kill me, do it now. Just don’t wait until I lose control!”

  I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for somebody to do something. To hit me with the final blow that would end my life. When two cool hands cupped my cheeks, I nearly lost control completely.

  "Focus on my hands, Amber. Focus on how cold they are, how soothing."

  Ms. Farkas's voice had taken on a hypnotic resonance. I did as she told me, loosening the tight hold I had on my power and paying attention instead to the cool skin on my face.

  The more I focused on it, the more the cold seemed to soak into my being, like a bubbling mountain stream extinguishing a bed of glowing embers. It felt wonderful, soothing. It was working. Maybe I could let go and allow myself to be taken care of.

  My breathing slowed, and I inhaled deeply. The air flowing through my nostrils and mouth was equally cool, like a balm. In no time at all, the white-hot glow inside my core receded until all there was was calmness and serenity.

  Ms. Farkas whispered, “Open your eyes. You’re okay now."

  I couldn't help but lean into her hands as she pulled away. She’d done her job, and I was calm again. But with the head witch moving back, my initial fear returned. I still didn't know what they were going to do to me. Before I could stop myself, the words tumbled from my mouth. "Are you going to kill me now?"

  Ms. Farkas’s eyes opened wide in surprise. "What do you mean, kill you? We have no intention of hurting you."

  What? She was serious. The relief that washed over me made me weak in the knees. "So what are you going to do with me?"

  "We will show you what happened the first time your powers manifested, so you understand the potential damage you could do if you won’t allow us to train you."

  "How can you do that? There was no one there to film it."

  Ms. Farkas laughed. "One of the rare but useful powers within our magical community is being able to record what people see in their memories. One of our operators went to visit the witnesses of the lightning storm. I was able to bundle the images, and this is what we will show you.”

  Wow. That was a super-useful power to have. One of my teachers, Mr. Odwell, stepped forward. As usual, he was dressed in tweed with leather elbow patches, but this time, he carried a large crystal ball. Through it, the walls of the room were visible with a slight distortion.

  Ms. Farkas asked me to turn my chair around so that we were all facing the same empty wall. Then she sat the crystal ball on a table and covered it with both hands. Her eyes closed, and after few moments, the ball began to glow.

  An image was projected onto the wall. It was a panoramic view of the street I’d walked along every day on my way to and from school. There was a young woman clearing tables at the small cafe, and one of our neighbors, old Mr. Miller, chatting to her.

  And then suddenly, out of nowhere, the lightning storm started. At first, the powerful energy bounced off buildings and cars, running down the side of awnings and hitting the ground with loud explosions. Sparks flew everywhere as people were screaming and running away.

  As I watched with big, horrified eyes, one of the lightning strikes sought out Mr. Miller as he shambled across the street. He limped to the left, then to the right, pursued by a bright-white streak of energy that homed in on him like a heat-seeking missile.

  I wanted to jump up and warn him, but all I could do was sit on the edge of my chair and watch events unfold. Old Mr. Miller never had a chance. He turned around, fully aware of what would happen next. When he screamed, I screamed with him. The lightning hit and lit him up in blinding light. Then everything grew dark. On the street, there was nothing left but a smoking body.

  It wasn't until Mrs. Palmer shook me hard that I realized I’d never stopped screaming. Tears were streaming down my face, and I couldn’t stop making those desperate sounds.

  The scene continued, windows exploding, glass cutting jagged red lines into people's skin. A child, separated from her mother, toddled behind a car just as more lightning hit the vehicle. I had no idea what happened to the child, but she didn't appear again.

  And still I whimpered and begged them to stop. Through it all, Mrs. Palmer stood next to me with a hand on my shoulder. When the memories finally stopped playing on the wall, her face was as wet with tears as was mine.

  Nobody said anything for a long time. Then Mrs. Palmer's quiet voice broke the silence. "Do you understand now why you can’t leave, Amber?”

  I nodded before covering my face with both hands and dissolving into sobs again. I had no dignity left. It had been stripped from me after witnessing the massacre I was responsible for. I’d been told over and over again that my power had caused injury and death, but somewhere in the back of my mind I’d still refused to believe it. Now there was no doubt left.

  Mrs. Palmer spoke again. "Will you stay? Will you try your hardest to gain control of your gift?"

  Some gift. I nodded. Yes, I would never trust myself again if I left now. I needed to stay and learn everything I could. Eventually, all the teachers filed out of the room while I sat in my chair, numb with shock. Mr. Strickland and Ms. Farkas stayed behind. The head witch asked, "Malcolm, will you make sure Amber gets home okay?”

  This time, her casual use of the word “home” didn't grate on me. I had admitted to myself the academy was going to be my home for the foreseeable future because it wasn't safe to let me go back to my old home. Even though there might be dangers here, outside I was the danger.

  Strickland nodded. When Ms. Farkas had left, he walked behind me as I trotted outside, my head hanging low.

  "Amber."

  Julian stood in front of me. "Amber, what happened? Beth said Lawson took you away, and I was worried."

  Behind me, Strickland’s sarcastic voice pulled me up short. "Really, Julian? Why would you be surprised? Wasn't it your testimony that informed us of Amber's plan to escape?"

  I didn't think I had it in me to be angry after my ordeal. But, apparently, there was no limit to my temper. "Seriously? It was you? You couldn't have just asked me? You had to go blab on me?"

  Julian paled. He threw an angry glare at Strickland. "Beth said you were adamant. I didn't know what else to do. I know how much power is bottled up inside of you. And everybody on campus knows what brought you here. You're not the kind of girl that could live with herself if you caused any more damage."

  I got right in his face. "How dare you? You hardly know me, Julian. How am I supposed to trust you now?"

  Strickland took my arm and pulled me past Julian. "It's late. You two can make up in the morning."

  The teacher
walked next to me silently, staring ahead. I didn’t mind the lack of conversation. Instead, I brooded over what I’d just found out. Not only had Beth talked to Julian behind my back, but Julian had gone straight to the administration and denounced me.

  In the back of my mind I knew the panel could have punished me severely. Instead, they’d worked to convince me it was for my own good to stay. They really had tried to help me.

  But then there’d been Strickland's gesture at the start of the interrogation. I was sure he’d tried to stop me saying anything about my escape attempt. Which meant he was working actively against Ms. Farkas and the panel of teachers.

  This put things in a different light. I might be able to forgive Beth and Julian once I’d calmed down. But Strickland was still a conundrum. I didn't know what his game was. He’d told me weeks ago there was something strange going on at the academy, but now I began to wonder if Strickland wasn't part of it.

  The teacher hadn’t said a word since we’d run into Julian. We were yards away from the dorms. If I wanted to ask him, I’d have to do it now. “Mr. Strickland, what is going on? You gestured at me earlier—”

  Strickland put his finger to his mouth. “Not now. Julian has drawn so much attention to you that you’re probably safe for the moment. Every teacher and member of staff will watch you in case you try something else. I suggest you go to class, do your homework, be a good girl. I’ll tell you when it’s time to move.”

  I froze. He’d been there. He’d seen how dangerous I was. Why was he still telling me to escape? What was his game? A feeling of dread shivered through me. Something told me it would be dangerous to challenge him right here and now. Fighting to keep my face emotionless, I nodded and walked the rest of the way wordlessly.

  I was glad when I’d finally made it back to my room. I’d had enough for one day and needed to digest what Ms. Farkas had shown me. Strickland could wait.

  21

  I was on my way to lunch two days after facing the panel when Beth called after me.

  “Amber, wait!”

  I was still pissed at her for ratting me out, so I didn’t react as she approached. I’d ignored her since her betrayal, which was difficult, given how we lived on top of each other.

  Beth stopped in front of me, bending over and gasping. I waited until she got her breath back. Finally, she straightened and smiled tentatively.

  “What?” I asked. I knew I sounded short, but I wasn’t in the mood to be nice.

  “I’m sorry, okay?”

  My eyes narrowed. “That’s it? You’re sorry? Do you know what could have happened to me? I could have been expelled and brought to an underground FBMA prison. Maybe worse.”

  Beth’s face fell. “I didn’t know. Honestly. But I was so worried about you. You’re one of my only friends here, and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  I was taken aback by the tone of her voice. What did she mean she had no friends at the academy? I saw her hang out with people daily. But she sounded so unlike her usual bubbly self, my anger evaporated. Instead, I interlinked my arm with hers and pulled her in the direction of the cafeteria.

  “Look, I’m fine. I got off lightly. Ms. Farkas was actually really cool and promised to help me. And I totally consider you my friend. And as a friend, I need to ask you if you’re okay? You seem different.”

  I suddenly realized Beth had been acting weird ever since the time I’d followed her into the forest. I had pushed it from my mind and dismissed it as unimportant. Unease pearled in my stomach. Beth might consider me her friend, but I certainly hadn’t acted like one.

  When we arrived at the cafeteria and had gotten our food, I pulled her towards a free table. We needed to talk, right after eating whatever slop was on the menu today. I sniffed at my bowl. It may have looked like dog food, but it smelled okay. Some kind of goulash with the savory aroma of onions, tomatoes, and paprika spice.

  Mom cooks this all the time. Shaking off the pang of homesickness had become second nature. I pushed the feeling down and dug into the food. After I’d swallowed the last bite, I moved the empty bowl away. Time to talk.

  “So first of all,” I began, “I’m not angry with you anymore. You apologized, and Julian explained why he went to tell the head witch. But I have to confess something. Beginning of the month, I saw you in the forest.”

  Beth paled as she listened.

  Well, that’s an odd reaction. “Are you not feeling well?”

  The question seemed to startle her even more. With a visible effort, she pulled herself together, gave me a wavering smile, and gestured for me to continue. For a moment, I hesitated. Should I mention the halo I’d seen around her head? It had probably been nothing but a trick of the light.

  “I’m sorry I followed you, but you seemed really upset. Is there something I can do for you?”

  Now Beth’s face turned the color of cottage cheese. I ran what I’d said through my mind, but I couldn’t figure out why she’d look so fearful.

  “Beth?”

  My roommate shook her head as if coming back to herself. “I’m sorry. I had some bad news when I went to visit my dad.”

  I wrinkled my nose. At least she gets to visit her family. And that train of thought is taking you nowhere. Snap out of it.

  “You know, I’m happy to listen if you want to talk,” I said slowly, giving her time to pull herself together.

  Beth gave me a watery smile. “It’s just so stupid. My dad told me he expected me to… to stay a virgin.”

  What? I wasn’t sure I’d heard her correctly. “A virgin?”

  Beth nodded. Her eyes were filling up, even though she made a great effort to not break into tears in front of the whole cafeteria. I stared at her. What was I supposed to say to that? What century did her father live in? But there was something else. She was hiding something. I was sure of it.

  “Is it a religious thing?” I finally asked.

  Beth seemed surprised as if that had only just occurred to her. She nodded rapidly, a relieved expression on her face. “Yes. My father is very religious, and he doesn’t believe in sex before marriage.”

  She’d just lied to me. Why had she done that? Not that long ago, Beth had told me her parents hadn’t been religious. But I didn’t have the heart to call her out on it when she was struggling so hard to stay in control. Maybe I should try another tack.

  “So why is that a problem? It’s not like you’re having parties all night.”

  “No, but Kenzy and I are getting serious.”

  Beth and her redheaded friend had been hanging out more and more often. But I still didn’t get it. “So? You’d still be technically a virgin even if you messed around with her.”

  “Yes, but then there’s Luke.”

  I frowned. “I don’t understand. Are you cheating on Kenzy with Luke?”

  “No, of course not. We’re all dating each other.”

  “But how? At the same time?” I couldn’t get my head around this. “Is Luke okay with that?”

  Beth looked at me, the confusion written all over her face. “Sure. Why shouldn’t he be?”

  “But… won’t he get jealous?”

  “Of course not. We’re all together.”

  “So you and Kenzy and Luke. Is that legal?”

  My roommate laughed. “Why shouldn’t it be? There’s quite a few throuples on campus. It’s not that unusual.”

  Man, these magical folks are weird. I didn’t want to be appear prudish, though. If they were happy, who was I to judge? Timidly, I asked, “Are you happy?”

  Beth nodded, a faint smile appearing on her face like the sun peeping out from dark clouds. “Yes. It sounds silly, but I feel that we were meant for each other. When we’re all together, it’s magical.”

  I laughed. “I get it. You’re in love.”

  My roommate turned serious again. “But now what? I’m going to have to tell Luke he can’t join in. What if Kenzy and Luke get to have sex, and I…”

  “Hey, come on
,” I said, putting my hand on her arm. “They won’t push you out. I’ve seen you and Kenzy. She would never do that. And I’m sure Luke wouldn’t either.”

  “You think so?”

  I nodded. “I know so.”

  Glancing at the cafeteria clock, I mock-panicked. “Oh no, we’ll be late for PE. Again. Castle is going to make us do burpees until we puke.”

  Beth laughed at that. We got up and walked arm-in-arm to our next class. And I’d been partly right. Castle made us do suicide runs and stupid dodge ball. I’d been getting a lot fitter and had no problem keeping up. At least until one of the students lost control of the floating ball and landed it right against the side of my face. The impact knocked me on my butt and left me winded.

  “Watch it,” I shouted once I got my breath back. “That’s going to leave a bruise, dammit.”

  22

  Two weeks later, Ms. Farkas was still concerned with my lack of progress. She intercepted me on my way to class. “It looks like we’ve finally figured out why you’re having such trouble tapping into your powers.”

  “So it’s not my fault?”

  She shook her head. “No, I really don’t think it is. After you collapsed in class, we may have turned them up too much to protect you. But adjusting the dampeners to somebody’s magical signature is not an exact science. The tech crew think they figured out what went wrong. They’re adjusting the parameters today. If they are successful, you should notice a difference very soon.”

  That afternoon in the Elemental Magic class, my abilities were unfolding exponentially. The first time I controlled a tiny flame in my palm, I nearly screamed with delight. My other elemental skills also improved. I practiced every moment I got. Exams were only two weeks away, with the end-of-term ball following straight after.

  Every night in my dorm room, I bent water from the faucet with the power of my mind and created little droplets for Slug to chase. I even collected seeds and forced them to pop little green shoots.