I'm going to Almerita

(Mrs. Craig's residence)

"Mum," Charlene murmured as she opened her eyes. "Y...you're awake," Mrs. Craig stammered, surprised for a moment. Part of her was scared, while the other part was incredibly excited that her daughter was alive again.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I was just too scared to think," Charlene pouted cutely as she tried to stand up.

"Stay back, princess. Don't hurt yourself," Mrs. Craig panicked.

"I'm fine, Mom. Trust me," Charlene winked and stood up straight before walking with her mom to the living room.

"You have healing powers too? Multiple powers," her mom smiled.

"Why are you smiling, Mum? Don't tell me you're happy about all of this?" Charlene asked, disappointed.

"Charlene, what has happened cannot be changed, so I don't see a reason why I shouldn't be happy," her mom replied, trying to be understanding.

"You're happy that your daughter has strange powers?" Charlene half-yelled, her eyes turning red with anger because she thought her mom would be against her being supernatural.

"Calm down, princess. Please calm down," Mrs. Craig said in a soothing tone.

"I don't want to," Charlene yelled, and all the photo frames on the wall and books on the shelf came crashing down at once.

"HELP, MUM! I don't know what's happening to me," Charlene yelled, and immediately the television fell off the wall and broke.

"Oh no," Charlene whispered, clutching her dress tightly, and ran out of the house.

Mrs. Craig stood with her hands on her hips, mouth agape, as she looked at her disheveled living room.

"A half Amazon can only have three powers, right?" she asked herself, trying to understand Charlene.

****

Charlene kept running until she reached a park. She spotted an empty bench not too far away and walked towards it, sitting down and making sure to lean back comfortably.

W

hat her life was turning into was the main thing on her mind. Getting expelled on her second day of college, suddenly destroying things and hurting people, being unable to control her temper, and discovering that she's not human. Slowly, tears began to trickle down her face as she quietly sobbed.

"Pretty ladies shouldn't cry," a young guy around her age teased as he sat in the empty space beside her. Even without looking at him, she couldn't find the words to speak, as her tongue felt too heavy.

"

Have this," he said, offering his handkerchief to her.

"Thank you," she mumbled, nervously staring at her fingernails. She wasn't too scared to look at him, nor was she too embarrassed to meet his gaze. She just had a feeling that if he looked into her eyes, he could see the real her - the young adult who is too scared to accept her identity, one who is afraid of facing her fears.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

"No," she muttered.

"Why? You can talk to me," he replied with a gentle gaze.

"I don't want to talk about it. Thanks for caring, though," she replied, and he scoffed.

"Sooner or later, you'll have to accept your identity because nothing you say or do will change who you are. So it's best to accept it now," he said seriously, and for the first time since he joined her, she looked into his eyes, noticing his beautiful blue eyes. Still, she said nothing.

"You can only be the best version of yourself when you accept yourself for who you are," he replied and walked away, while she continued to ponder his words.

"How did he know?"

she mumbled, trying to search for him with her eyes, but he was gone.

****

After picking up her necklace and making sure to hide all her important belongings, Melanie closed her eyes and imagined herself in front of the waterfalls. In an instant, she appeared before it.

"I've finally made the decision to leave. I hope it's not a mistake. I hope I won't regret it," she muttered and put on her necklace. Suddenly, she found herself in the woods.

****

"Maybe he wasn't talking about me. I don't think I can leave, Mum. I'll just wear gloves and eyepatches all the time, then maybe I can prevent the effects of these strange powers," she muttered quietly.

"Charl, you know that's not possible, right? You need to go back now," an old man said, sitting beside her.

"It's you, from the dream. How did you get here?" she asked in one breath.

"Charlene, we don't have much time. You need to return as quickly as possible before the Nickels find you," he replied, pleadingly looking at her.

"So... what Mum said is true? I'm really not human?" Charlene stuttered.

"Yes, Charlene. You need to be in Almerita. I've learned that your powers are destructive. Trust me, that's because you don't know how to control them. To be blessed with so many powers, I must say, Mother Nature really favors you," the old man smiled.

"I don't want to be an Amazon. I don't want any supernatural powers. I want all of this to be an illusion," she said, hoping that something could be done.

"It's okay to feel that way, Charlene. I mean, accepting a new version of yourself all of a sudden is always difficult. Trust me, everything will be fine," he assured her.

"And my mom? She'll be lonely living all by herself," Charlene mumbled.

"The Supreme Being will send someone to her," the old man said and stood up to leave.

"I'll go with you," Charlene said, having already made up her mind.

"No, Charlene. You can't come with me. Your mom has your necklace. It will guide you home," he replied and walked away.

****

Mrs. Craig sighed, looking at her messy living room.

"Charl," she muttered, tapping her forehead in frustration. "And the maid is off duty," she grumbled, imagining how she would clean up.

****

"I should go home now," Charlene muttered and turned to leave when she spotted a young girl not too far away, sitting alone and hugging her knees to her chest. Reluctantly, Charlene found herself walking towards the girl.

"You look sad. Mind sharing what's wrong?"

Charlene asked, sitting on the grass beside the girl.

"Nobody wants me," the girl whispered sadly.

"Don't say that," Charlene said in a calm, soothing voice.

"Why shouldn't I? I don't have any family. My mom, and dad abandoned me. I don't have a home," she said, pain evident in her voice.

"What's your name?" Charlene asked.

"I'm Pearl," she replied, and Charlene stared at her for a moment before letting out a sigh.

"I'm going home. Would you like to come with me?" Charlene blurted out.

"I'd be more than happy to meet your family. Your parents can be my parents too," Pearl replied innocently.

"It's just Mom, actually. And she'd be more than happy to have you around since I'm leaving soon," Charlene replied.

"Leaving for where?" Pearl asked curiously.

"Never mind, sweetie. Let's go," she replied, and they walked away, holding hands.

***

"You're finally home. I was worried," Mrs. Craig said as soon as she opened the door, revealing Charlene, and hugged her.

"You shouldn't worry about that, Mom. I'll be gone soon," she chuckled, and Mrs. Craig abruptly let go of the hug.

"Have you made up your mind, princess?" Mrs. Craig asked with mixed emotions, hoping she had misheard.

"Yes, Mom. I'm going to Almerita," Charlene dropped the bombshell.

To Be Continued...