Luke`s Ability

As Rose finished her account, a heavy silence fell over the room. Mr. Kepler's brow furrowed in deep thought, while Mrs. Kepler's face had turned an alarming shade of red. Luke sat with his head bowed, fidgeting nervously.

Rose threw a glance at her brother`s reaction. He was also visibly shocked and angry that his little sister nearly died, his face pale and his breath ragged. His fists were clenched and it probably took him all the patience he had to hold back and shout at her.

Rose felt really bad. If possible she didn't wish for him to know about her entering the portal, for him to be unaware that she nearly died. But he needed to know. The world was about to change and the ignorant ones were the ones to suffer most and die. The earlier he knew everything and process it, the better in the long run. Though, she had hoped to break it to him more slowly, it was still better than in her last life. At least, they were together. 

Finally, Andrew broke the silence first. "So, you're saying that Luke now has some kind of... ability?" There was a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Rose nodded. "Yes. It's how we managed to escape."

Mrs. Kepler suddenly stood up, yelling at the top of her lungs. "How can you think about that! Luke nearly died being eaten by a monster and all you can think about is that ability?"

"Mom!" Heather stood up from her chair and took her mother`s arm in an attempt to pacify her. 

Rose felt disgusted seeing Heather act that way. She was much better at keeping up a false front than her mother. While she presented herself as an innocent, charming girl that only wanted peace and happiness for everyone, she was actually a scheming witch. If not for the way she influenced the people around her, Rose wouldn't have suffered so much in her past life.

"It isn't Rose`s fault that this happened. How should she have known, that a portal would appear?" Looking at Andrew and Rose she said with a wry smile, "please apologize my mother's behavior. She is so worried and shocked by everything that she is not herself."

It seemed as if her words had an effect on her mother, who sat down on the couch. 

Rose bit her tongue, resisting the urge to lash out at Heather's false display of concern. She knew all too well the manipulative game she was playing. By saying this, she had pacified all sides, while not taking the blame off of Rose in the slightest. Though it first sounded that way, but her indication was, that though she didn't know about the portal, she was responsible for Luke straying outside.

Rose would have loved to take off Heather`s fake mask, but now was not the time. They had more urgent things to discuss and no one would probably be on her side, the situation being as it was. She would bid her time, before giving Heather everything back, what she had been given in her previous life.

Andrew, who hadn't reacted in the slightest at Mrs. Kepler`s outburst. He couldn't care less about a stupid woman making a fuss. What he was more interested in, was the ability that Luke had gained and if it would be useful to them. Thus, he directed his gaze back on Luke. "Could you demonstrate this ability to us?" he asked.

Luke lifted his head. Though he still showed a demure expression, a light smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He held out his hand and furrowed his brows in concentration. A small flame flickered to life in his palm, dancing and swirling in the air. 

Mrs. Kepler let out a strangled gasp, her anger momentarily forgotten in the face of this impossible sight.

"Luke!" Mr. Kepler exclaimed, his usual composure slipping. "How... what is this?"

The small smile turned to a cheeky grin, while the youth played with his ability and let the tiny flame dance over his knuckles, then up and down his arm. Though he could feel the heat that was emitted by it, it didn't hurt or burn him at all.

"That is my ability, Dad. I can control fire! Isn't that awesome!"

"Stupid! Is this worth risking your life for?" His boasting earned himself another slap on the back of his head from Mrs. Kepler, which caused the flame to vanish into thin air.

"Mom!" he protested, only to be immediately silenced by another hit.

Rose watched the scene unfold, torn between amusement at Luke's childish excitement and concern for the gravity of the situation. She knew that this was only the beginning of the changes they would face.

"Mrs. Kepler, please," Andrew interjected, his voice calm but firm. "We need to focus on understanding what's happening. Luke's ability could be crucial in the days to come."

Mrs. Kepler's hand froze mid-air, her face a mixture of fear and confusion. "Days to come? What do you mean?"