“Mom, are you okay?” I asked as I ran over to her room.

There was some kind of creature, leaning over her, who was about slash her with their claws.

I wasn’t thinking, so I ran over there and tackled the creature. I grabbed its arm and realized I was burning him.

The unknown creature threw me over towards the wall.

They started walking towards me. “

Get away from her!” my mom yelled.

Then something strange happened.

My mom held up her hands and energy blasts came out.

It didn’t affect the monster.

He beat up my mom, and as he was about to kill her .I yelled “Get away from her!!” all I remember was a bright light then the monster was gone.

“Mom, are you ok?” I asked.

“Yes, I’m fine. None of this ever happened, just go to school and live a normal life, go to bed.” She told me.

Weird things are happening in Washington DC.

I nodded my head and did what she said.

One

I barely got any sleep, thinking of that monster in my house, attacking my mom.

I looked at the clock 6 o’clock.

Screw it; I guess I’ll wake up an hour early.

I got ready for school, and tried out my powers just to see if that was the real thing.

I closed my eyes and concentrated, breathed in and out. I put one arm up and aimed it at my door.

All of a sudden, I felt this blast of energy come out, and a hole in my bedroom door.

“What was that?” my mom asked.

“Nothing, I got to go to school, bye!” I said, as I sprinted out the door.

I decided to walk to school, instead of taking the bus.

Then I did a little experimenting, I tried to see if I had super speed: nope.

Then I tried to fly: success, Sort of.

I kind of crashed into a building, I’m fine by the way, I sort of destroyed one half of the building, and no one was hurt though.

I walked up to the school.

“Flora. You’re here early.” The principal said.

“Oh my goodness, what happened to you, you look a mess!” she said.

“I fell… in a ditch.” I said.

“Well, are you ok, are you bleeding in some sort?” she asked.

“No.” I replied.

“Ok, well you should get to class now.” She said.

I went to class, sat at my usual desk, and then that’s when it went downhill from there.

Then the most popular girl in school, Jennifer, walked in with her clique, took a look at me and chuckled.

“If it isn’t the nerd.” Jennifer said.

“Ok, I’m a nerd, but at least I can count to 30 without help.” I said.

“Cute comeback, so how’s your dad, oh wait he’s not around.” She said.

I just wanted to blast her head off.

But she was right, my dad wasn’t around, he didn’t walk out on us. He just disappeared.

“Leave her alone.” A voice from across the room says.

I realized it was one of my best friends, Ethan.

Jennifer stopped, and averted her attention towards Ethan and smiled.

He smiled back, not a sincere smile, but a smile you make when someone is looking at you, and you’re uncomfortable.

He sat in the desk next to me and said, “I think Jennifer likes me.”

“Ya think.” I stated.

“You knew?”

“Everyone knew, I’m surprised you just now figured it out.” I said.

“Well, actually I don’t feel the same way, she scares me.”

I shrugged my shoulders, and reached for my water bottle,

As I was taking a sip, he asked me,

“Can you pretend to be my girlfriend?”

Well that resulted in me: choking on my water.

“You OK?” he asked.

I nodded.

“Ok, let me get this straight, you want me to pretend to be your girlfriend, to make

Jennifer back off.” I said.

“Yes.” He said.

“Well…. Sure, anything for a friend.” I said.

“Thanks, you’re a life saver.” He replied.

Then he hugged me in a couple sort of way.

I felt my face turn really warm.

Jennifer sent me a dirty look, so I smiled in return.

Then Jeanelle walked in and walked towards me and immediately figured out what happened.

“Oh no.” she said as she sat down to my left.

“You pissed off Jennifer, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, pretty much.” I replied calmly.

Then she looked at me and realized something happened.

“What happened?” she asked.

“Nothing.” I replied.

“You’re blushing.” She said.

“What? You can barely see it on my skin tone.” I said.

“You can’t see it on mine either on mine, but still.” She said.

“Yeah we can...” He said out loud.

“Explain, please.” She said.

Then I explained everything.

“Interesting...” she said.

Silence fell between all three of us, until class started.

“Ok, class we’re going to do something a little different today.” My homeroom teacher, Ms.Coleman said.

“Trust exercises.” She said.

“Pair up.”

All of a sudden, Jeanelle got paired up with Tyler, her crush.

Jennifer got to Ethan before me.

I ended up with Cody, he’s sort of a creep, he’s Jennifer’s brother.

“Ok, close your eyes, and fall.” Ms. Coleman said.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall.” He said. “Cody, I swear if you touch me in an inappropriate way, I’ll kick your ass.” I said quietly.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He said.

I suddenly felt woozy, so I asked to be excused, walked out of the room, and leaned on the wall, I slowly fell to the ground and sat there.

My hands started to burn, I had this insane headache, and I felt dizzy, and I blacked out. I

wake up in my bedroom, my mom putting a wet towel on my forehead.

“Oh, she’s awake.”

“Mom, you have to tell me about these powers.” I said.

“Fine.” She replied.

“When I was your age, around my 16th birthday, I started going through some changes, first my hands started to burn a lot, then I started floating in midair, then I had super strength and I was able to hear and see better than others.” She said.

“So, you think all those powers were passed down to me.” I said.

She nodded in reply.

“What time is it?” I asked.

“Its 7 PM, you were unconscious for about 12 hours, Ethan found you and brought you home.” She replied.

“I don’t have homework, do I?” I asked.

“Not that I know of.” She replied.

I get out of bed and walk downstairs to see if I can get my hands on some food.

Then I hear a knock on the door.

I open it and I see Ethan standing there.

“Hey, I see your feeling better.” He said with a smile.

“Yeah, come in.” I said.

“Hi, Mrs. Johnson.” he said.

“Hi Ethan, I’m going to head out and I’ll be back soon, you kids have fun….but not too much fun.” She said, as she walked out the door.

“I don’t have homework, do I?” I asked.

“Nope.” He said.

“Oh, thank goodness.” I said.

“So, do you wanna watch a movie?” I asked.

“Sure, which one do you suggest?” he replied.

“Well, we have Camp Rock; I Am Number Four, or, Raise Your Voice.”I explained.

“I Am Number Four.” He said.

I gladly put in I Am Number Four, and watched the movie.

Throughout the movie, Ethan put his arm around me.

Okay, I’ve only told two people this Jeanelle and my mom, I actually have a crush on Ethan, ever since the 7th grade, we’re in 11th grade now…

Anyways, so the movie got to the kissing scene between John and Sarah.

I kind of freaked out, just a little bit, but that’s just me….and Jeanelle.

After the movie was over, I started thinking if I could both discover more powers, and learn how to control them.

“Well, I had a great time.” He said.

“Yeah, me too.” I said.

“I was thinking… this is kind of hard to say, so I’m just going to say it, maybe we should stop being fake boyfriend and girlfriend, and actually..Well be girlfriend and boyfriend.” He said.

“I…um…. ok, am I blushing?” I asked.

“Yes.” He said.

All I did was nod for his question. He smiled and said goodbye. I went inside and sat down, grabbed the pillow over my face and screamed. I pulled myself together, and went down into the basement.

Put up a couple punching bags and grabbed a few boards and started training. I held up my hand to one of the boards and concentrated, closed my eyes, and then a blast of fire flew out of my hands.

“Yes!” I said.

Then I realized the fire started to spread, I grabbed a towel, and to put out the fire, but it didn’t work, so I put out my hands, and it was like I absorbed it. I walked back up to the main floor and walked out the front door and went flying. It was the greatest feeling ever, just defying gravity, all of a sudden, I hear all types of noises going on in my head and it was too much to handle, which caused me to fall straight down from at least 20 ft up all the way down to the ground.

I felt a hand grip the area around my wrist and pulled me gently to the ground.

“Flora, what happened?” my mom asked.

“So much noise, going on in my head, it hurts.” I said. I felt like I just pounded my head into a wall.

“Calm down just delete one sound one at a time.” She told me.

It worked; all of a sudden I heard a high pitch scream, and someone screaming “SOMEBODY HELP ME!!”

Me and my mom flew towards the scene, without saying a word to each other, because we knew what to do.

“Cody, get away from me.” The voice was familiar, it was Jeanelle.

“Come on, I’m not going to hurt you, I just want to go on a date with you.” He said, as he leaned towards her, trying to kiss her.

“Get away from me!” she said as she punched him in the face.

I smiled while she did but my smiled faded away, when he pushed her against the wall.The thing she was actually able to do was knee him in the crotch, which probably didn’t hurt, because I did it to him before, he could be used to it.

I grew angry, as she tried to break free, my hands started to burn, my mom told me to calm down. So instead of burning him, I tackled him.

I grabbed him by his collars, and lifted him against the wall.

“You don’t like being cornered huh?” I said.

“I don’t usually like the pushy type, but I guess you’re an exception.” He said.

Then I let go of him, then I kicked him in the shin, and kneed him in the stomach.

“Jerk.” I said.

“Thanks Flora.” Jeanelle said.

“No problem, but why were you screaming?” I asked.

“I wasn’t screaming.” She said.

“Well, we have to go, see you tomorrow!” I said.

My mom and I fled to the scene, and heard the screaming again, so my mom went one way, I flew another direction.

There was an abandoned factory, I walked in, and found a girl tied up to a chair.

She had Blonde hair, and green eyes, and she was crying her eyes out, I could tell she tried to escape, but paid consequences, she had a bruise on her right cheek.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“No, I can’t see very well, he took my glasses.” She replied.

“Who did this to you?” I asked.

“My boyfriend, EX boyfriend I broke up with him earlier and he totally lost his mind.”

“I’m going to get you out of here.” I explained.

All of a sudden, someone grabs me by my hair and pulls me up, and holds a knife to my neck; the metal was slowly seeping into my neck.

“Actually, you’re not going anywhere.”

“Dylan, don’t, she’s just a kid.” She said.

“Shut up, Kylie.” He said as he removed the knife from my neck and pointed it towards her.

I moved my head backwards and hit him in the nose, which caused him to bleed severely.

He let go of me and cupped his nose.

I burned the ropes tied around Kylie’s wrists and legs.

“Run.” I said.

“What about you, we both have to get out of here.” She said.

“That doesn’t matter right now just go.” I said.

Then she ran as fast as she could.

“You know, I find you very annoying, maybe I should just kill you and go on with my life.” He said.

This guy needs some help.

He grabbed me by my hair, and grabbed the knife and stabbed me.

He let go of me, letting me fall to the ground, I grab the knife, and pull it out of my stomach.

I slowly stand up and felt my stomach slowly healing.

I lifted my shirt up to see no wound.

“What are you?” he asked.

“You don’t need to know that.” I said.

In confusion, and frustration, he pulled out a gun, and shot at me, I jumped over him, and pressed his pressure point, to let him fall unconscious, and me and my mom left him at the police station, but someone saw me and asked who I was, I just said what came to mind, don’t judge me, but I said my name was “Midnight Rose”, seriously it was the first thing to came to mind.

I’m in the abandoned factory, I saved Kylie from. It was barren and dead, not a single hint of sunlight, just darkness.

Something was coming up behind me, I couldn’t quite explain what it was, I turned around, it came straight at me, even though I couldn’t see, I could see its face, it was terrifying, but I can’t describe it.

If I could, I would think of it as the Boogeyman, but scarier.

As soon as it came at me, I woke up terrified, I tried to get out of bed, but I was so traumatized, I couldn’t even move. I didn’t tell my mom, about the dream, because it’s scary just thinking about it.

When I was finally able to get out of bed, I didn’t say a word or make a single sound. I got ready for school, and trudged down the stairs.

I went into the kitchen, and asked, “What day is it?”

“Your birthday.” she replied.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I lied.

She was suspicious, but she dropped the subject, she dropped down a plate of waffles. Usually I would’ve finished that in about two seconds, but I wasn’t hungry at all.

“Mom, no offense to your cooking, but I’m not hungry, sorry.” I said.

“It’s ok.” She said.

“I got to go, bye.” I said.

“Have a good day at school.” She said.

When I get to the bus stop I don’t say a single word, when the bus arrived, I sat in the back, mostly I was getting side glances, and hearing whispers about me. When I was hoping my day would at least get better, it got worse.

Jennifer got on the bus, walked towards me and said, “Um loser, you’re in my seat.”

“Well, too bad, find another seat.” I said.

She chuckled.

“Just because it’s your birthday, doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want.” She replied.

“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I’m hearing this from you of all people. You are such a hypocrite, except you do that every day.” I replied.

“Let me do you a favor, just get up, or I’ll have to kick your little behind.” She said.

“I’d like to see you try.” I said.

“That’s enough, Jennifer leave Flora alone, and find another seat.” The bus driver said.

When we got to school, I cheered up a bit.

When I got to my locker, Ethan wished me happy birthday, then he realized I wasn’t in a good mood.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing, just a bad morning.” I said.

“Oh, well hopefully this news will help you feel better.” He said.

“Okay, so what’s the news?” I asked.

“Your mom is throwing you a surprise party.” He said.

“Oh, do you know who she invited?” I asked.

“Nope.” He replied.

I nodded, and then we walked to homeroom.

“So, I heard you and Jennifer almost threw down on the bus, is it true?” she asked.

I nodded.

“Over a seat, on the bus.” I replied.

“I would’ve moved, but I wasn’t in the mood.” I said.

“Oh, Flora I see your feeling better.” Ms. Coleman said.

“Yeah.” I replied.

We didn’t really do anything in class, just sat there and read, talked to each other.

After “class”, we went to lunch; I thought my day was getting a little better, got a lot worse.

We walked into the cafeteria, and there was a big banner talking about my personal life, my mom and dad, my late brother.

I saw it before I walked into the cafeteria.

It said ‘some of you may think you know Flora, as the girl who tries not to get in people’s ways, the only reason she only opens to Ethan and Jeanelle, because they know her story, her life, her.

Honestly, I totally hate Flora, so to see how much I hate her, I’ve brought up a couple of things, some people should know about her, her mom lost her job, she and her mom claims her dad disappeared, and she had a little brother no one knew about, but he died, I guess that’s all I know about Flora anyway, I mean other than that, Oh and Flora if you’re reading this, Happy Birthday!’

I clenched my fists and tried to calm down.

“Uh, Flora are you ok, your hands look like they’re glowing.” Jeanelle asked.

“I’m fine.” I said.

Jennifer came over to me and said, “So I see you found your birthday present, like it?” she said with a devious smile.

I didn’t do anything, I didn’t say anything, because I couldn’t, I wanted to, but all I really wanted to do was hit her, to get my anger out.

“Hey Jennifer, I have something to give you, and it’s from me and Flora.” Jeanelle said.

“What is it?” she said, right before Jeanelle’s fist hit her straight in the nose.

So, that was totally unexpected, I felt like everything was going in slow motion.

“What the hell is your problem?” she asked.

“Well, lots of things, how your brother totally hits on me and is very aggressive and you are really such a…, y’know I think you can finish the rest of that sentence.” She replied.

“Thanks.” I said.

“What are friends for?” she said.

I felt better, but I still had to think about where my dad could be, and that dream. “I’ll catch up with you guys later.” I told them. As we all went our separate ways.

I went to the school gym, and went to the workout section, and started channeling my anger and frustration, into the punching bag, and I just lost it.

I hit it again, and came off the chain, and sort of went across the room. I turned around and saw Jeanelle standing there.

“Awesome.” She said.

I know she’s not going to tell anyone, I’ve known her for so long to know that.

“Oh, Ethan wanted me to give this to you; he said you’ll get 15 more later. How cheesy.” She said giving me a rose.

“I don’t know; it’s sweet.” I replied.

“Okay, can you explain this to me?” she asked.

I nodded, and I told her everything.

“Interesting, and so about this dream, it was terrifying, so you couldn’t describe it.” Jeanelle replied.

I started to think about it, big mistake, I got a major headache, and I was unconscious, I couldn’t wake up, the dream was longer this time, after the creature came at me, it didn’t attack me, it seemed like it was trying to tell me something, it showed my dad, trapped, dying.

I snapped out of it, still had a raging headache, but I’ll get over it.

“Flora, you okay?” she asked.

“Yeah.” I replied.

Anyways, we finished school, and I rushed home.

I went up to my room, just sat there, concentrating. I closed my eyes, and it wasn’t as clear, as it was at school, just flashes of images going on and on in my head.

It didn’t really help, so I had to leave to the abandoned factory.

“Hey, you’re leaving?” she asked.

“Yeah, I just have to take care of something, I won’t take long.” I said.

“Okay, hurry back.” Mom said.

When I reached the factory, I sat inside, tried to put everything together, but it wasn’t working, I closed my eyes, and when I opened my eyes, the “thing”, was right in front of me, it stared at me, with its black emotionless eyes.

I made not a single move, didn’t make a single emotion.

“I know why you’re here.” It said.

“Oh gee, I wonder why, it’s probably because you were in my head, and gave me a migraine.” I said.

It started to choke me, with its hands.

“Don’t sass me child, don’t you want to find your father?” it asked.

“Yes.” I said, after it let go of me.

“Well, close your eyes and I’ll take you to him.” It said.

I closed my eyes, and I felt a pain going through out my body.

I felt my body slam against the wall, I opened my eyes and who laid there in front of me, was my dad.

“Dad!” I screamed.

I ran towards him, but there was barrier blocking us. I tried to break through it, but when I touched it, it sent an electric shock throughout my body, causing me to fall.

“Flora?” he said.

“Yes.” I replied.

“It’s good to see you again, I’m sorry I went missing.” He said.

“It’s ok, I’m going to get you out of here.” I said.

“No, it’s too dangerous.” He said.

“I don’t care.” I said.

I got back on my feet, and walked towards the barrier, I started to walk through it, it was really painful, usually for a normal human, at the first touch of this barrier, they would’ve been paralyzed.

I grab my dad’s hand, and pulled him out.

I fell onto the ground, I wasn’t moving, I wasn’t sure, if I was breathing.

After that, it was mostly a blur, it wasn’t the best birthday, and I mean I almost died.

Anyway, I went home, to a surprise party, which I already knew about.

When my dad walked in, the smiles faded into shocked expressions, and tears.

“Oh. My. Gosh.” Jeanelle said.

My mom walked towards my dad. Well the usual, they hug, she cries, happy day right? Well, it was, until I saw someone sneak down to the basement.

I followed them down the stairs, and nearly saw my training area. I cleared my throat; they turned around and saw me.

“What are you doing down here?” I asked. They didn’t answer me, but they didn’t have to, I already know who it was.

“Jennifer, lose the hoodie, I know it’s you.”

She took off her hoodie, and said, “Just trying to find proof that you’re a freak.”

“You look confused, so I’ll explain it to you. I saw you.” She said.

“Saw me where, doing what?” I asked.

“In the gym, at school, I saw you punch the punching bag across the gym.” She said.

“I didn’t punch it, across the gym, it fell off the chain.” I explained.

“But, you carried it back to the chain, Jeanelle wasn’t the only one who saw you.” She replied.

“So what? You don’t have proof, so go ahead, search, you’re just going to see the place, where my mom teaches me self- defense.” I lied.

“Why are you even here anyway? I don’t remember my mom inviting you.” I said.

“I let myself in.” she said.

I found a way to get her to get out of the basement, without forcing her.

“Flora’s a freak, and I’m going to prove it.” She said. She walked out the door, and climbed up a ladder onto the roof.

“Oh my gosh, Jennifer get down from there!” Cody says to her.

“No, I’m going to prove Flora’s a freak, by jumping off this roof.” She said.

“Wow, you won’t give that up, this is stupid, and just get down from there.” I said. “Fine, I’ll get down, as soon as you come up.” She said.

I climbed up there, and I looked into her eyes and started to hear her thoughts

‘Maybe I should push her off, or better yet I’ll jump, and she would have to save me.’

She pushed me, but what good was that going to do, except it wasn’t as weak as I expected it to me. She’s as strong as me.

I let myself up, and then she didn’t care what anyone else said.

She jumped off, and ran towards me, and held me in a choke hold.

“I’ve waited for so long to do this.” She said.

Instead of getting my windpipe busted, I put both of my feet under her stomach, and pushed, which caused her to go through the window.

She came out, and called me a name that I didn’t appreciate, she ran towards me and I ran towards her, then all of a sudden Ethan, and Cody came between us.

“Stop.” Cody said.

“You can’t make me.” Jennifer said.

“Yes, I can.” He said.

Jennifer didn’t care what he could do; she grabbed him by the arm, and threw him.

She walked towards me, but Ethan was blocking my way.

“Move.” She said.

“I can’t believe you seriously think, I’m going to move.” Ethan replied.

All of a sudden, she pulled out a knife, and nearly stabbed him, but I blocked the way, it was extremely painful, then it extended, and she turned it, which caused even more damage.

When my mom saw what was happening, she came up behind Jennifer and put her into a sleeper hold, and rendered her unconscious.

Then something came out of her, and I realized that wasn’t her.

My mom pulled out the sword, and I fell to the ground.

“Flora, stay with us okay.” Ethan said, as Jeanelle came to his side.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” I said.

“No, you’re not, you’re losing a lot of blood, and we need to cover that wound…” he said.

“It’s gone.” He said.

“I have cellular regeneration.” I said.

“She got that from you.” She said to my dad.

“Now, will you excuse me, I’m actually really tired.”

I walked inside, looked around and said, “Well this party totally sucked.”

I dragged myself up the stairs, and went into my bedroom, and crawled into bed.

Don’t you just hate it; when you’re tired, then crawl into bed the poof! You’re not tired anymore.

I just laid there, I didn’t want to move, eventually, I fell asleep, when I woke up I found 16 roses, by my bed, which made me smile.

I go downstairs to find sweet yet disturbing scene going on downstairs.

“Ew, dad I know you just got back, but can you two at least make out in your room, with the door closed, and possibly locked.”

I walk out of the house, just to get some air.

“Hey.” A voice came from the distance.

“Hi.”I replied.

“Today was..interesting.” he said.

“Yeah. So, are you okay about it?” I asked.

“Yeah, but I have a question.” He said.

“Okay.”

“What other powers do you have?” he asked.

I kindly demonstrated by showing fire coming out of my hands, I read his mind, and I flew, and lifted him up, and demonstrated good hearing and eyesight.

“Wow.”

“There’s something I want to give you.” He said.

“Okay.” I replied.

He told me to close my eyes, and put out my hands.

I suddenly felt like he was closer, and he put his hands on my hips and I put my hands on his shoulders.

Suddenly, I felt myself starting to overheat, and I couldn’t breathe, I clutched onto his shirt, and slowly fell to the ground.

“Flora?” he asked.

I literally felt my heart slowing down. I only croaked out one word. Help.

I don’t remember what happened after that, all I know I was rushed to the hospital.

I couldn’t wake up, I could breathe, but I’m still overheated.

‘Flora, can you hear me?’

‘Yeah..’

‘ I can’t speak to you directly, because you’re overheating, in a catatonic state and you’re falling into coma.’

‘What?’

‘is there a way I can talk to mom and Ethan?’

“Yeah, I’ll link them.’

‘Flora, are you okay?’

‘Yeah, I’m fine. I don’t think I’m in a coma, because a coma is like death until you die.’

‘Don’t say die.’ My mom thought.

‘But Mom-‘

‘No.’

‘How do you think this happened?’ my mom thought to me

‘Well, when Ethan left after our movie, I was practicing my powers, and the house almost set fire, and I kind of absorbed.’

‘What are you crazy; you don’t absorb the fire, only if it’s an emergency, with a lot of consequences, which is what you’re experiencing now, you’ll wake up in a couple of days.’

‘and what if I don’t?’

‘I don’t know.’

We stopped talking, I realized I couldn’t contact with them anymore.

“Flora?” a voice called out to me.

“Who’s there?” I reply

“hey, calm down, it’s me, Amelia.” She replied.

Amelia?

“Amelia was my grandmother’s name.” I said.

“Well, I am your grandmother, sort of.” She replied.

“But ….”

“Yeah.” She replied.

“Well, I guessing you’ve reached the peak of your powers.” She said.

I nodded.

“You’re here for a reason, there is a force coming.” She said.

“What kind of force” I asked.

“Asteroid.”

“An asteroid, what do you want me to do, redirect it.” I said.

“Yes, but I may warn you, that’s how I died.” She said.

“What, then how did you give birth to mom?”

“I had her at 19, I died at 20.” She informed me.

“Oh, I’m sorry you didn’t get to spend time with mom, she turned out great.”

“So, you’re a ghost…. That’s really creepy.” I said.

“Yeah.” She agreed.

“The asteroid will come in about 2 days.”

“2 days, you tell me now, why couldn’t come earlier?” I asked.

“Because certain things take time.” I said.

“Here just take this, and please tell your mother, I’m sorry because I wasn’t there for her.”

She handed me a bag.

Then everything went black.

“Hey, I think she’s gaining consciousness.”

“Hey Flora, How you feeling?” my mom asked.

“Good.”

“Mom, grandma came to me in a dream, and handed me this.” I said. I gave her the bag; she pulled out an outfit, a dress sort of thing with a background of darkness with stars and a rose in the middle.

“Grandma Amelia says she’s sorry for not being there for you.”

“So, when can I leave?”

“In a couple of weeks.” The doctor said.

I kept the rest of the information to myself.

I have 2 days left to save the earth, even if it means dying to protect it.

‘I so wish I could tell him about the asteroid’ I thought.

“What?” Ethan asked.

“I didn’t say anything.” I replied.

“Are we still linked up?” I asked.

“No.” my dad replied.

I looked at Ethan.

“You’re a telepath.” I said.

“What, no I’m not?” he lied.

“Don’t lie to me, I can tell whether you’re lying or not, and you’re blocking me, and only telepaths can do that.” I said.

“Fine, I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone, not even you.” He said.

Silence made the situation awkward.

Afterwards, everyone left, except Ethan.

It was still awkward, just him sitting there, staring me down.

“What asteroid?” he asked.

I didn’t answer him.

“C’mon Flora, What asteroid?” he asked again.

I tried to answer him, but it was like something was holding me back, so he tried to read my mind, but all he heard was a screeching high noise going on in my head, which caused him to fall to the ground, covering his ears, all I was able to do, was watch him on the ground, as some blood trickled down his hand.

I tried to snap out of it, he looked up at me, and then squinted at me, I felt something, that same eerie feeling, I realized the “thing”, was in the room, and then it disappeared.

I snapped out of it, Ethan went up to me and asked.

“Are you okay?”

I nodded.

“What about you?” I asked.

“The bleeding stopped.” He said.

“Sorry, I don’t know what happened.” I said.

“It’s ok, it wasn’t your fault, you had no complete control over anything.” He replied.

I grabbed a wet towel; they tried to use to cool me down, and wiped the blood away.

“Ow.” He said.

“Hold still.” I said, pulling him closer.

It was pretty quiet, for a while.

“There, all gone.” I said.

“Thanks.” He replied.

Ethan went and opened the window; I closed my eyes and breathed in the fresh air.

I felt Ethan getting closer, his presence I mean.

What did you think I meant?

Anyway, he got closer, and then I sort of read his mind, what?

Sometimes I can’t help it. His thoughts said, ‘ok, Ethan just go ahead and kiss her.’

He got even closer, and then the nurse came in and ruined everything!

“Oh, I’m sorry, but you have to go.” she said. When Ethan and the nurse left, I was pretty upset, like when something upsetting happens on your favorite show, and you’re like WHY??

That’s how I felt.

‘I’ll come back tomorrow.’ He thought to me.

So I sat there, I slept, but just an average dream, that a girl could have, you’re with your crush on a date and he finally kisses you, then the dream ends.

Yeah, that’s how it pretty much went for me.

I woke up; I couldn’t leave as much as I wanted to.

So I ate not the best food so all I really enjoyed was pudding and vanilla ice cream.

It still wasn’t enough, and I was technically dying of hunger.

“hey.” Ethan said.

“Oh, hey.” I replied.

“I bought you something.” Ethan said, as he handed me a Chick Fil A bag.

“Oh, Thank You!” I said.

“No, I already ate.” He replied.

“Okay...” I replied.

I reached in and pulled out a chicken sandwich and an 8pc. of chicken, and saltines, and water.

Let’s just say I kind of ate everything at once.

Ethan’s reaction: when I finished in about 3 minutes. o.o

The water just washed everything down.

“Thank you.” I said.

“No problem, after I saw you literally dying, I decided to bring you some food,

I was here earlier, I tried to sneak in through the window.” He said.

I nodded in reply.

It seemed like the right moment but to make sure I went to brush my teeth.

So, we were sort of communicating telepathically.

I knew he wanted to ask about the asteroid, but I didn’t want to answer. But I couldn’t just ignore him or the situation or how my parents would feel; it’s really all I ever think about anymore.

“So, will you tell me?” He asked.

I didn’t say anything out loud, I was afraid someone would hear.

“In two days?” he said.

“Yeah, actually a day now.” I replied.

I don’t know why this happened, but I just broke down crying.

“Hey.” He said, pulling me closer in a hug.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen.” I admitted.

“As much as I don’t want to go, I have to save the earth, even if it means dying to protect it.” I said.

Ethan flinched, and then he hugged me tighter.

“You’re not going to die.” He said.

We didn’t say anything else, we didn’t have to, and I just felt safe in his arms.

The thing is I fell asleep in his arms.

I had a dream.

I saw the asteroid hurtling towards Earth, I was in space, I flew towards it, and I tried pushing it, but it wouldn’t budge, so I pushed harder, but I felt like it was pushing me, like it had a mind of its own, it was getting into the earth’s orbit, then caught on fire, I really had no other choice, I absorbed the fire, but after I absorbed it, it was too much to handle.

The asteroid fell out of orbit, but I started to fall down, into the earth, very quickly.

I crashed, my clothes were burned, I couldn’t breathe, and every part of my body hurts, my vision starts to blur, my family and friends surround me, crying, paramedics try to help me, but one of them shook her head. My eyes closed, I felt my heart stop.

I died.

I feel myself being shaken awake.

“Flora! Flora, snap out of it.” Ethan says.

I wake up, catching my breath.

“Are you ok, breathing correctly?” he asked.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be breathing?” I asked.

“Because when you were sleeping, you didn’t have a pulse.” He said.

“Was it because of your dream?” he asked.

I nodded.

“I died...in the dream.” I said.

He just sat there, like his whole world was turning upside down.

He grabbed my hands and looked me straight in the eyes, and said,

“Flora, you literally died in my arms, I’m not leaving you here alone.”

“But-.”

“Flora, please don’t argue with me, I just don’t want you to die, I don’t know what it’s going to be like, without you around, you’ve always been by my side ever since we were only toddlers, and you knew Jeanelle ever since you were only in diapers, I’m staying here.” He said.

I hugged him, for after all he really did care, my parents and Jeanelle were supposed to come tomorrow, and they don’t even know.

It was a nice moment within the midst of something terrible, either the end of the world or the end of my life.

Afterwards, I turned on the T.V., and saw a news report about a missile failing to hit the asteroid.

I quickly turned off the TV, and just sat there.

“Ugh, I need to get out of here.” I said.

“It’s not like you can just sneak out.” He replied.

“Maybe I can.” I said.

I went into the bathroom to change, and I saw the bag, so I opened it, tried on the suit.

Perfect fit, so I just put it on under my clothes.

“Okay, I’m ready.” I said.

“After you.” He said.

We jumped through the window, then landed on the tree, the climbed down.

“So, where are we going?” I asked.

“Don’t worry, I have a place in mind.” He said.

Then we got into his car, and I had to keep my eyes closed throughout the whole car ride.

“Okay, now you can open your eyes.” He said.

“Oh, I remember this place.” I said.

It was the place where Ethan and I first met.

It was the summer of ’99, my mom took me to the park, and that’s when it happened, I bumped into Ethan,”Sowwy.” I said, before I could pronounce my ‘R’s.

“It’s ok.” He said.

Then we started playing, then our mothers kept in contact, and that’s how it all happened.

We played on the playground, as a normal teenager, taking a piece of their childhood back.

“This is refreshing, I mean being cramped up in that hospital room, nothing to do, not food worthy enough of being called food, and I was only allowed to watch the news and couple of soap operas, the only good show on there was ‘One Tree Hill’, but that’s not a soap opera, I at least enjoyed that one.” I said.

“It sounds like it sucks.” Ethan replied.

“Well it does, since I got the mean nurse.” I said.

He nodded in understanding.

“Crap.” I said.

“What?” he asked.

“She does check- ups in a few minutes.” I said looking down at my watch.

He grabbed my hand, we got into his car, and we drove as first as we could.

But then we got pulled over, but me and Ethan, made it seem like we were never there.

We eventually drove away, by the time we got to the hospital, I was only seconds to spare.

“Hold on.” He said.

“Yeah?” I replied.

“I need to give you something.” He said.

“Okay, what is it?”

He grabbed my hands, and sort of pulled me close, and I technically fell on him.

Great. Now we’re close and awkward, and I can’t feel my arms and legs.

So here I am, technically laying on Ethan, while he was sitting, I can’t look away from his grey eyes as the moon reflects into them, my heart is beating really ,really fast, and I’m pretty sure he can hear it, and my mouth is getting dry and it’s hard for me to swallow.< p>He leaned in, and I still didn’t know what was happening until it actually happened, he lips brushed against mine, I was completely out of it, but my body responded perfectly, because I kissed him back, like total lip-lock, and I still can’t believe it.

I pushed away and said, “I can’t breathe.”

He smiled and I blushed.

I was able to feel my arms and legs and got up, and flew inside through the window, and I waved goodbye.

I actually felt happy.

I lay in bed, electrified, way too excited to fall asleep, so I just stared at the ceiling for a long time.

“Hey, how you doing?” Jeanelle said.

I smiled at her, or at least I tried to stop smiling.

“What happened?”

‘We kissed!’ I spoke to her telepathically.

“What was it like?”

“You want me to describe it?”

“Yes, it’s your first kiss, I want to know.” She said.

“This is so weird, but anyway, we were close and awkward, then his lips sort of brushed against mine, but I was too busy freaking out, I didn’t even know, but I kissed him back.” I explained.

“Aww.” A voice from behind Jeanelle said.

“Oh sorry.” The nurse said.

“Hey, what happened to Nurse Layla?” I asked.

“She’s on vacation now, I’m Nurse Helia, by the way.”

Nurse Helia left the room.

“Hey, look I have to show you something.” I said.

“Okay.” She replied.

“Whoa, what are you doing, I’m not planning on seeing you nude.”

“Shut up, Jeanelle, I’m wearing something under my clothes.”

“Whoa.”

“What, is it bad?”

“No, it’s pretty cool.”

“Oh, and look, it came with a little mask.” I put on the mask,

“See?”

“Oh come on, Flora, who wouldn’t recognize you with that tiny little mask, over your eyes?”

“Someone who doesn’t know me, I guess?”

“Hey, can I see something?”

“Sure.” I replied.

She took my hair out of my ponytail, and let it fall down onto my shoulders.

“There, all better.”

“Now I look like a superhero.”

Jeanelle noticed the hint of hurt going across my face.

“What’s wrong?”

“I have to tell you something.”

I told her about the asteroid and my dream.

“What?!, no..”

“Yes.”

“It was just a dream; it’s not going to happen.”

I put my hands on the side of her head, and showed her what I saw.

She sat there quietly, and put her hands over her face.

“I don’t want you die.” She said.

“Don’t worry, it’s not going to happen, I’ll make sure of it.” I said.

I hope, I thought.

Jeanelle eventually went home, I stayed there, thinking.

Could I really save the world?

Could I save my life at the same time?

What would it be like without me?

I covered my face with my hands.

I decided to make my escape, I grabbed a bag, put my clothes in it, then through the window.

I snuck into my room at home, and I told my parents, but I didn’t wait for a response, I ran off.

The thing is I ended up sleeping in a tree…

I figured I didn’t sleep that long, since the sun was rising, when I woke up.

I don’t know how I’m just going to randomly fly up into space, without any type of oxygen tank.

So I decided to go to NASA, yeah, it wasn’t the best idea, but I had no choice.

“Sorry kid, you’re not getting in.” the security said.

“But, it’s an emergency.” I replied.

“What type of emergency?”

“Oh, ‘well the type where the world is about to end and I’m the only that can stop it’ emergency.”

The security didn’t budge.

“Sorry, I had to do this to you.”

I held up my hand and closed my eyes and rendered them unconscious until I got in, and they would have no memory of what happened.

“Excuse me, but you can’t be in here.”

“Look, I’m the only one who can stop the asteroid from hitting earth, please just hear me out.” I said.

“Fine.”

I told them what I knew.

“Okay.”

“Chief, you can’t be serious, sending some kid into space.”

“Well, listen to our options; let the asteroid hit earth, destroying life as we know it or we send this girl into space, which is our only hope in stopping this asteroid.”

The assistant only nodded, then asked me a couple of questions.

“How long can you hold your breath?”

“I don’t know.”

“How do you not know?”

“Maybe, because I don’t keep track of how long I hold my breath.” I snapped.

So they told me to hold my breath, it lasted for about 10 minutes.

“Okay, you take this oxygen tank with you just in case you’re out there longer for 10 minutes.”

“I have a suit to wear, so no one would recognize me, do you think you can make some changes, so maybe I wouldn’t like explode in space?” I asked.

“I’m in charge of that, hi I’m Bethany.”

“Hi.” I replied.

“Come with me.” She said.

I was led to a room, and she told me what the astronaut suits were made of and she added some of those things, to the suit.

“Okay, are you sure you can do this?” she asked.

“Yes, I have to.” I replied.

‘Flora?’Ethan thought

‘Yes?’

‘Where are you’

‘I’m at…NASA.’

‘Okay, hold on.’

“Flora?”

“Ethan, how’d you get here so fast.” I asked.

“Your mom, it was hard to get her to leave; now I see where you get your stubbornness from.”

“I’ll leave you two alone.” Bethany said eager to leave.

“There’s no need in trying to make me give up, it’s not going to work.” I said.

“I know, so I’m going to support you, no matter how much it hurts me.” He said.

He came closer, and held me in his arms.

“Um, Flora, are you ready?”Bethany came in and asked.

“Yeah.” I replied.

I left the warmth of Ethan arms, and possibly walked right into the hands of fear.

I went outside, embracing the sun.

Ethan came with the rest of the NASA employees; I ran towards him, grabbed the collars of his shirt, pulled him close, and kissed him.

“Just in case, I don’t come back.” I said.

I turned around and flew up into space, holding my breath, just watching the asteroid, come towards me, I braced myself, and waited for the right moment to speed towards it, it broke into pieces, then something came out like an egg, it opened, and something came out and attacked, coiling around me like a snake, squeezing me.

I screamed in pain.

I felt it’s hands or claws on my neck, squeezing the life out of me, but I recognized the grasp, the pain, it was the thing, from before, I’m not sure if it helped me, just to watch everything break down. I grabbed its hands and burned them with all my might. I

t let go of my neck, but it was still coiling around me, it was harder and harder to hold my breath.

I stopped breathing, for that moment, it was like I was shaken awake like from before, my eyes popped open, and I felt like my entire body was burning, just like my dream.

“I think I might enjoy watching you die.” the “thing” said with a raspy voice.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because, Amelia the previous Midnight Rose, destroyed the last of my heritage, so we took her with us and your mother, we didn’t get involved with her, but when I do, let’s just say I’ll let you live long enough to see your mother and everyone else you love die a slow, and painful death.” It said.

That really set me off, I felt a fiery passion deep inside stronger than hate.

I was able to free my arms, and put my hands onto its face, and I felt like fire and energy was combined, the blast was way too much for it, and it disintegrated.

But the thing is, I used way too much power, and then I felt weak, I couldn’t move, and I fell towards earth.

I crashed into the ground; everything from my dream was happening all over again.

Except after the paramedics left, I was still breathing, but barely, Ethan and Jeanelle came in, Ethan stood there, didn’t say a word, and paced back and forth. Jeanelle tried to say a couple words, but quickly broke down, then she grabbed my hand, then something happened, I felt a surge of warm energy, coursing through my body.

I gasped, quickly catching my breath, also I heard Ethan’s voice in my head over and over and over again, that said, ‘Wake up, Wake up, Flora, WAKE UP!’

It was like, Ethan was working on my brain, and Jeanelle was working on my heart and all the other vital organs in my body.

“Oh my gosh.”

“Do you know what both of you just did?” I asked.

“What?”

“You healed me, Jeanelle healed me woke me up, but so did you, with his mind.”

“I Love you guys.” I said.

Ethan actually sort of blushed, in a cute way.

“Well, this is a great moment, but I’m actually starving.” I said.

“Leave that to me, I knew I would be able to wake you up, so I grabbed some food.” Jeanelle said.

“Wait for how long did you have these powers?”

“Since yesterday, I fell and scraped myself, and held my hands around it, then I reached for a band-aid, then I saw this glow, I looked at the scrape and it disappeared.”

I turned on the TV, and I saw news reports about a raging monster, going across Washington D.C., terrorizing the people, and got into the White House.

“Flora, I don’t think-.” Jeanelle began

But I already made my way out the window.

“Jeanelle, there’s no way in stopping her.” He said

I usually don’t do dramatic entrances, but I couldn’t resist, I crashed through the windows of the oval office, secret service, tried to attack me, but knew who I was.

The monster was the same thing that attacked my mom.

“It has the president as a hostage.” One of the agents said.

I went in, and just went for; I grabbed the president right before the monster could slash him into shreds.

I did what I did the first time when I first encountered this monster, I blasted it, but I felt something weird, like when its mind, it was like I heard someone crying out for help,within it’s roar.

There was something around its neck, so I went for it, I realized as soon as I removed the necklace, the monster turned to a regular woman, and then something came out of here, just like Jennifer, and went inside the necklace, I destroyed the necklace, and burned the crushed pieces.

“Mrs. President, are you okay?” I asked.

“Yes, I’m fine, what’s your name?” she asked.

“Midnight Rose, I came up with it back in the 5th grade, but it came back to me a couple of days ago.” I said.

I didn’t stay; I quickly flew back to the hospital, only to stay in for a couple of days.

Afterwards, I partially lived a normal life, except if someone needs my help, like say in the middle of the day, someone just yells ‘Midnight Rose’ at the top of their lungs, and I have to make up some crappy excuse to leave class.

At night, they made a sign in the sky with a rose in the sky, if they need me.

I guess you could say that’s normal for a teenage superhero.

Well it’s just my life. I guess it just has to stay that way.

Kristina's Story List and Biography

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