But I'm sure the cut was bigger before. This was what I was thinking as I lay in my bed that night. My arm would sting if I moved it around, so I just lay there thinking.
Since it was only the beginning of winter break, I decided that I would confront Gilbert about what I saw, and I wouldn't take no for an answer. With this plan in mind, I fell into a dreamless sleep which was welcomed with open arms.
Instead of waking up late, I got up from bed at around 7, and I got ready. I decided to wear some normal jeans, a random concert T, my old converse, and a different hoodie. My old one was in my dads room, since he was good with a needle. Any who, as I was changing, I texted Gilbert and asked if he was awake. He said he had been awake for half an hour, so I asked if we could meet at the local coffee shop at 8:30. He agreed and then left, saying he had to get ready. Before I went, I left a note for dad to find telling him about where I was and by 8:15, I was sitting at one of the tables, drinking a coffee that sat right in-between my hands. As I sat there, I was wondering on how I was going to ask the question.
I am 98% sure that the cut was bigger and that he did something to it that made it heal so that I wouldn't have to get stitches or anything of the sort. But then again, I was worried that maybe I was crazy and it was just a mild concussion that made me think that. Having these thoughts on my mind, I subconsciously looked down to where the wound was and stared.
I don't know how long I was staring, but when I heard my voice get called, I looked up and saw that Gilbert was standing there looking at me. "Seems the awesome me finally has your attention." he said, His eyes looking directly at mine. He sat at the seat right across from mine, silence overtaking our little space. "Sorry, were you standing there long?" I asked, wanting to get to the question right away, but unable to. "No, I was at the front of the store ordering a coffee. Come on, let's go somewhere more private." he said standing up. I took this as a cue and followed him out of the little cafe.
We walked in silence for a while, just walking side by side, until we reached a small clearing at the park. It was surrounded by trees and there was a small stream that seemed to flow towards the big lake in the middle of the park. I liked it, it seemed nice and closed, private, but it didn't seem to choke you. I sat next to the little stream and looked at the frost that was at the edge, forming on the wet grass.
"So what did you want to talk about?" asked Gilbert from behind me, finally breaking the ice. "I know what I saw yesterday. The wound, I mean. I know it was a lot more serious before you came over to me. How did you do it?" I finally asked.
"Damnit. I thought that maybe you would forget." I here him mumble. "The reason it got smaller is because I used my power to make it less serious." He finally says after thinking it over. Before I could think, I said, "So you have them to." At this, I flung my hands to my mouth and covered them.
This seemed to have caught Gilbert's attention, because as soon as the words were out of my mouth, he crouched down to my level and stared into my eyes. "What did you say?" I just shook my head, saying "nothing" at the same time. "You said, and I quote, 'So you have them to.' Does this mean you have them to. Not just your brother?" "No! I don't know what you are talking about. And how do you know my brother has powers?" "You have to answer my question first. Do you have powers?" he replied, his face getting closer and closer to mine. He kept getting closer until his nose was touching mine. This just caused me to let out a squeak before I just said yes.
Having heard me, he jumped up and did a little dance. At first this surprised me, but then he slipped on the wet grass, falling on his but. This just got a small laugh out of me. He just looked at me and said, "That isn't funny! The awesome me does not fall, I was just checking to make sure gravity still worked!" At this, I just laughed out louder. Gilbert finally just gave a smirk before laughing along with me.
When we finally calmed down, he came over and sat next to me. "So, what is your power?" I asked, curiosity getting the better me. "I can control water. That is how I was able to help you yesterday. I just sped up the healing process using your water molecules."* he replied quickly after before asking his own question of, "What about yours?" "I can control fire and heat in general, that's how I am able to were only a hoodie at any time of the year." I said lifting my arm so he could see it compared to his jacket. "Can I see?" he asked me. I responded with, "only if you show me yours first." a smile clearly on my face.
Birdie was looking at me with a smile when he said I had to show mine first. I just got up and walked over to the little stream. "Come here," I called back at him. He got up and came over to where I was standing. "Just watch," I said before I held my hand over the water. I let my thoughts drift as I saw the water lift. I separated some from the stream and held it in my arms. Letting my thoughts come a little closer, I started to form an image in my mind, that also showed in the waters shape. I started thinking of wings and a beak and two little eyes. When I looked back at the water, I saw that it was in the shape of Gilbird. I got more control on the water and I froze the first few small layers of the water on top, which did me a bit. All throughout the thing, I could feel Birdie watching me.
When I finally looked at him, he had a look of amazement in his eyes. I gave him a smirk and I handed the little bird to his hands, our fingers brushing. Now, I am NOT a preteen lovesick schoolgirl, so I so did not blush and I was NOT squealing inside my head.
After a while, I broke the silence, "So... Can I see what your power now?" He looked at me with a bit of fear flashing in his eyes every now and then, but it seemed like confidence was overtaking the fear. He handed ice Gilbird back. "Stand back," he warned. I did as I was told and I was amazed at what I saw.
He closed his eyes a little before I saw something in his hand light up. At first it looked like a firefly, but then it grew bigger and I saw that it was a flame. I grew bigger until it was the size of a notebook. I then saw that it started to hover a bit more in the air until it was about a foot in the air, Some of the fire started to separate from the rest until there were three little fires next to each other. The one to the far left must have turned really hot because its color changed from orange to a bright blue and turned into a small sphere.
The fire that was in the middle turned into a medium sized ring and hovered over the sphere. The last one turned into a ring as well and made its way over to the middle ring. From where I was standing, it looked like a bulls eye. "That is awesome," I said in awe as I stared at it. He just gave a small proud smile before he nodded his head slightly to make the fire go out. "When the others here this..." I muttered to myself. Birdie must have heard me because when I looked at him, his gaze was questioning. "There are...more?"
"There are...more?" I asked. When I hear Gilbert muttering about how the others would something if they heard about this, my curiosity got the better of me. He turned look at me and I gave him what I hoped looked like a questioning gaze. It must have worked because when his mouth opened up, all that came out was a small and barely noticeable, "yeah."
After staring a bit more at him, he finally gave a small sigh before beginning. "You see, we two are not the only ones. There is an entire community of us Beings that coexist with the Strugglers. I found out about your brother because he came out and told Arthur, who himself is a Being."
Hearing these words, I started to become really confused. "Beings? Strugglers? I don't think I understand, Gilbert." I say before I can let my thoughts get to tangled together.
"Oh! S-sorry. I completely forgot to explain what those meant," he responded, scratching the back of his head sheepishly in the process. "A Being is someone who is a descendent of the gods. There were many gods when the earth was still young. Before scientists found 'human' bones, there were these Demi-god type things, somewhat like children of the gods. They looked like modern humans, but each had there own little powers. When they died after about a 200 year life span, there powers along with anything that they owned turned into a sort of energy that was returned to there host god. Eventually, the gods decided to take a break and stopped creating the demi-gods, letting nature make its wave. When humans first showed up, the gods thought that they would let them suffer for taking over there home, but decided to help them when the humans started to worship them, appearing occasionally to keep them believing. Up until the beginning of civilizations like Mesopotamia and other early civilizations, the gods only stayed close enough to help them. Then they started taking a liking to the people and eventually they had kids."
"Okay, I think I understand what a Being is now, but what about Strugglers? Are they the powerless people? And are they called Strugglers because they go through life without powers?" I asked, my voice getting a little irritated because of the arrogant sounding name Beings gave the powerless.
"Yes, Strugglers are people that are powerless, but no, they are not named because of it. They are named that because they struggle on who to side with. Either the good beings, us, or the bad beings who also coexist with them. The bad ones lie to the Strugglers, telling them that if they help them, they will gain unimaginable power and fame. And then in the end, they either kill them or keep them prisoner."
"Why do they want to hurt people?" I asked, my voice full of concern. "They think that they are superior to the powerless. That if they get enough to submit or die, then they will get the power they crave. It's sick, but it happens." Gilbert says, disgust clearly on his face.
Seeing that look on his face, I decided it didn't look right on his features. Wanting it off his face, I went and changed the topic. "Come on Gilbert, lets go to my house. It's starting to get colder." "You don't have to keep calling me Gilbert, just Gil will do, or better yet, Your Awesomeness. Besides, I thought you said you could wear your hoodie through any kind of weather?" Gil shot back. I just gave him a little smirk before replying, "I never said it was cold. You on the other hand, are shivering."
We decided to leave the park to go to Birdie's house. When we got to the houses door, my nose was a slight pink from the cold and my hands were like ice. Birdie on the other hand, looked completely comfortable, his face a warm peachy color. Seeing that, I looked at his eyes which were a dark purple blue and then his hair, a soft warm butter yellow. I know I sound like a schoolgirl but with the snow that was starting to fall, he looked like an angel. This effect was ruined however when someone opened the door.
Having reached the door to my house, I had to look through my pocket for my keys. It only took about a few seconds, but I could feel eyes staring at my head. Without putting my head up, I looked at Gilbert through my eyelashes. I could see his maple leaf red eyes staring at me. I quickly studied his facial features, seeing a very faded scare over his left eye, and nice cheekbones. Then I looked up to his wild mess of white hair. You would think that they would make him look older, but all it did was give him a mischievous feel. All in all, he looked like a good looking snow spirit with the snow falling around him.
Just as I was about to put my head up to unlock the door, it opened to reveal Alfred. Before Gil or I could say a thing, Alfred shouted. "MATTIE! DAD WOULDN'T TELL ME WERE YOU WERE! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME, YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED MY NINJAS! OH MY GOD! WHO ARE YOU AND WHY DID YOU TAKE MATTIE?!" The last question was directed to Gil, who just stood there, confusion clearly written on his face.
*alright, so I don't know if this is actually true, but for the story, it is
Okay, so I know you people were expecting this Saturday, but I was out of town and Sunday, I didn't get home until 11 pm. I hope you enjoyed it, it was a little longer. Also, next maybe 2 chapters will be from Alfie's point of view.
If this offended anybody for any reason, sorry. Please review and favorite!