Chapter 1: The joys of flying?
The day was beautiful, in midsummer. I was racing my sister petunia to the park. We hadn't been living here long; dad said we needed to move for his job. We raced because there was only one swing set here, she won.
I guess it was four years ago now, magic hadn't come into my life yet, I was seven. When Petunia won I got upset but I ignored her, it was one of my talents. After a few minutes she got bored, my turn!
Playing on swings; the highlight of my life, before magic of course. I'm younger than Tuni; she's two years older than me. I liked to make her worry, that's the job of a younger sister after all. She always had such a funny reaction. That's what led to me swinging so high. I got higher and higher, I got as high as I could; "No, Lily, stop it!" she was screaming now.
I decided to have a little fun, giggling, I pretended to slip, she ran to catch me. I laughed aloud, "Don't be silly, Tuni, I'm fine!" Just as I said that, I did slip. It happened so fast, one second messing with Tuni, the next falling. I was done for, I was falling, further down, down, down, I had fallen from the top of my swing; I had no chance.
Just as I seemed to be destined for a painful end, I gently gained height. I dropped onto the grass quietly, calmly, carefully. My head was spinning, it took me a few seconds to realise I was being shaken. "Lily, Lily, LILY! Are you ok? How did you do that? Lily?" The words seemed fussy and distant.
I wished I knew what had happened. Was I ok? How did I do that? I had no answers all I could do was sit there in silence. I was in complete shock, I couldn't move, Petunia had to drag me home.
The next couple of hours were a blur, as petunia explained to my mum and dad what had happened. When I finally seemed to come to my senses, the whole family was silent. Tuni stared at me with shock and, I thought, anger. Mum and dad both looked a little scared, but seemed to be more worried.
"What's wrong with me? Am I ill? Is it terminal?" My face, as I said this, must have been a picture because dad broke the silence with a volley of laughter. "What's wrong with you Lily? I have no idea, it was I miracle, I know that for sure." Dad had a grin on his face that was making me think this was all a practical joke.
"What is it? Why are you all so... so happy?" I was confused I thought they would be angry. Mum looked up at me; "We are happy Lily because you are ok, we love you." She smiled that loving smile that always reassured me.
"Also Lily, my baby, do you know what terminal means?" I wracked my brains for an answer, I had none. I had heard it said in about an illness. What it meant? I had no idea. I simply shrugged and smiled a little. "Well, Lily, babe" If I had known my dad's patronising tone then, I would have recognised it. "You don't have a terminal illness, terminal means life threatening. Whatever this is, it saved your life, definitely not terminal." I smiled at him.
He looked at me, with that all knowing look that always made me feel better. "You shouldn't be afraid of this gift, Lily, Hun. It's Good, I guess it's magical."