Chapter 1
When I first became conscious, I was laying on my back. The tiny tickles on my bare skin and singing of the birds allowed me to determine that I was lying in the grass, in what I assumed to be a meadow. I wasn't ready to open my eyes yet. I was unable to come face to face with the changes that had happened to my Earth while I was away. What would have changed? Would it still be as beautiful as it once was? I begin by moving my fingers. Just tiny little twitches of each hand. When I feel I have mastered this task, I begin clenching my hand into a fist and then unclenching. I wiggled my toes and bent my knees to get used to the feeling of having an actual body again. After what felt like several hours, I slowly began to raise my eyelids. The sun was shining through the canopy of the trees above me. Enough that I didn't have to squint, but still casting a green light on the forest floor.
I slowly began to sit up, taking in my surroundings. I was definitely in a forest, surrounded by many different types of looming trees and short shrubs. The ground was a combination of green, grassy patches and hard, dirt and rocks. There was even a small pond about 10 feet from where I had awoken. Turning to be on my hands and knees, I slowly began to push myself up until I was fully standing. Before I could take my first steps through, I found myself beginning to sway, and before I knew it, the ground was coming at me at a very alarming rate. I instinctively stuck my hands out before catching myself. I quickly looked around to ensure that I was alone and that nobody had witnessed my first attempt at walking in 300 years. When I was sure that no one was around, I quickly forced myself to stand again. After gaining my balance, I stood still, making sure I wouldn't fall again. When I was sure that I was capable, I lifted my leg and took my first step towards the pond. My steps were shaky, and I reached out to nearby trees to hold onto so my knees wouldn't give out.
When I was close enough, I let myself fall to my knees and I looked over into the pond to find the same person from 300 years ago staring back at me. My blonde, mid-back length, curling hair, my striking green eyes, my pale skin, and pink tinted lips. This was the first time I thought to look down at my outfit. I was dressed in my normal outfit, a light green dress with thin straps, that hugged my chest and torso tightly before opening up. The front of the dress fell down to around my knees, while the back fell closer to my ankles. I had on my usual black, floral patterned slip ons. I then looked down to my right wrist, to find my weapon wrapped snugly around it. It looked similar to a vine, slowly crawling its way up my arm. It looked innocent, but it could really become anything I wanted it to be, making it incredibly dangerous.
This wouldn't do. I could be found like this. I suddenly became over taken with an overwhelming feeling of guilt and my eyes began to water as I thought that this wasn't what I wanted to be. Before I could begin to understand, I had once again lost consciousness.
When I peeled my eyes open, less than what I assumed to be 30 seconds later, I slowly lifted my head again. I peeked into the pond, this time, to find a different girl staring at me. Nothing has changed except my hair, turning from a pale blonde to a dark brown, but I looked like an entirely different person. I gingerly touched the girl in the water, causing the reflection to ripple, becoming distorted. I could work with this. I could make a new life. I could live as a human and continue to do my jobs as a spirit, all while living under the guardians radar. This thought caused me to smile. I could find a new way to be happy. I quickly climbed to my feet, and without a second thought, I willed the wind to take me away. I didn't care where.
As my feet lifted off the ground I let out a laugh. Before I knew it, I was lifting above the trees and blasting towards the city that the meadow was located so close to. I forgot how great it felt to have the wind hitting your face and blowing your hair in every direction. I felt free. Free from all my guilt, my past, everyone and everything didn't exist to me in that moment. As I got closer to the city I saw buildings, some taller than I was flying. People were dressed in stunning suits and flowing dresses and blouses. The world was different, but it was nothing that I wouldn't be able to get used to. That night, I flew all around the world, changing weather patterns here and there, most of them matching my cheerful mode. I was careful to avoid any spirits that might be around, using my internal GPS that allows me to detect them. By the time I began to head back towards the meadow, the sun is beginning to set. The moon is just beginning to rise behind the mountains and I begin to mentally prepare myself for the conversation that I have to have with Manny when I get back.
I carefully set myself down on the branch of a tree in the same area that I awoke, assuring my knees won't give out before I set all my weight on them. "Manny?" I ask to the wind.
"Yes, my child?" I hear him say in return.
"Thank you. For everything. I'm glad that I get to restart like this. I just hope that over time I'm able to forget them. Especially him."
"My child, do not forget. We must learn from the mistakes of our past. Do not try something like again."
"I won't let you down. I promise. But can I ask you something? What do I do from here?"
"You will attend school. I have taken care of everything. Starting tomorrow, you will be a grade 10 student at North New York High. Upon graduation, you must find a new city to start all over again. Now, you must rest my child. There will be a backpack filled with all you will need in the morning."
"Manny?" I don't get a response. Just the sound of the rustling leaves as the wind blows lightly against them. I then seat myself on the branch, my back leaning against the trunk and my legs set out along the branch. I straighten out the wrinkles in my dress and then close my eyes. Although I don't have to sleep, closing my eyes and allowing myself the chance to relax could really do me some good. After all, tomorrow is the beginning of my brand new life.
Things will begin to start picking up soon, so just bear with me! Please like and comment to let me know if I should keep writing or not.