Prologue
Europe, 1915
"Elesiah, you don't know how proud of you I am." Elizabeth said joyfully. "You tell me this every day, mom. I think its scarred on my brain now."
"Well, you never know what could happen. So I figured you should hear it as much as possible."
Elesiah shrugged. He knew his mom worried about him and the war going on, but he didn't see what was to worry about. As if in response to his thoughts, a bracelet crashed into his head. "Oops, sorry El. My aim has been off since I got this silly headache." Elizabeth rushed. Again, Elesiah shrugged. Elizabeth had been blessed with the ability of telekinesis. Elesiah didn't know the full extent of the abilities, but he knew it had to do with the bracelet.
Picking the bracelet from the floor, he examined it. It wasn't anything special: several strands of gold thread braided together, and hardened into a bracelet shape. Apparently, an heirloom or something, it had been passed on throughout several generations of his family's women. 'Just my luck that I end up being an only child.' Elesiah thought, handing the bracelet to his mom.
Elizabeth sat for several seconds, twirling the glinting jewel in her hands. "Ever since your.. Your father left for the war, I have stayed up many a night worrying about you both. And when I received notice that he.. wouldn't be returning home, I began to cling to you even more. I'm sure you must have noticed." Elesiah grunted. "That's what moms are for."
"It is tradition for this bracelet to be passed on to the next female in the family. Though since there are no other women, I'm passing it onto you. I must tell you the rules first, and I'm quite sure that you will dislike what I have to say. Please, Elesiah, do not interrupt." Elesiah sat on the edge of his mom's bed, and motioned her to continue.
"This bracelet, as you know, is special. It somehow messes with your body, giving you abilities. Now, no one yet knows how or why the bracelet does this. The reason for only the women receiving the bracelet is that we tend to be more mature." Elizabeth laughed aloud, before becoming serious again. "The abilities are first discovered when the person is in need of assistance. Your Aunt Helene received her strength trying to carry a heavy pail of water. There is a catch though. The possessor of the bracelet can only pass it on to her.. Or his child. If they come across someone not related that needs an ability, the bracelet has a way of knowing, and letting you know. If that occurs, you must let that person try the bracelet on. The ability doesn't come immediately when it is put on. As I said before, it will first appear when needed."
Elesiah nodded, actually keeping up with his mother's story. "What happens if you give the bracelet to someone who isn't your child?" "That has only happened once several generations ago. The bracelet lost all its power and the possessor was deathly ill until the bracelet was returned. It was not a pretty site. There is one more rule I must speak of. This is the rule you will not agree with. The time for the possessor to pass the bracelet on.. Is when they are close to their end."
Elesiah continued to sit, not understanding what Elizabeth was saying. When he finally did, Elesiah jumped off the bed. "Wait! What are you talking about?"
"While you were in classes today, I had a visit from the doctor. We at first thought that my headaches and other illnesses were from the common winter cold. We were mistaken. Elesiah, I have the Spanish flu, as the doctor called it."
Elesiah groaned and rolled his eyes. "Well, that's nothing then. Its rare that people die from that flu. Don't worry me like that." He plopped back onto the bed.
Elizabeth stared down at her hand folded into her lap. "The doctor was baffled too. He said the same thing you said. Then again, he also said this is the worst case he has ever seen. My love, I am going to die, and we cant stop it."
Feeling his eyes fill with tears, he looked away. He knew she was telling the truth. Too many nights had he been awaken by her cries of pain and nausea. She tried to hide how much and often she hurt, but he wasn't completely oblivious. The room was silent for several minutes, while the pair pondered over their thoughts. When Elesiah finally looked at Elizabeth, she was holding the bracelet out to him. "El, it's time for me to pass on the heirloom. Do this for me, please."
Nodding with the feeling of a broken heart, Elesiah slid the bracelet onto his arm. Elizabeth smiled peacefully, laying back on her pillow, and falling into a deep sleep. It was the first time in a while that Elesiah saw her sleep happily.