Discovery

by Allison Rose

  Nola hurried to shower and dress and then grab a bite to eat. She barely nodded at her parents before rushing out the door into the sunlight.

  And the sight nearly caused her to collapse in shock.

  It was as if she was seeing the world through a different lens. Everywhere she looked the trees and plant life glowed and pulsed. It felt kind of like the gray substance, like a heightened sense of life and energy. She could see the faint outline of the roots in the ground and the faint lines as they traveled up into the trees. The effect was stunning.

  Then reality hit hard.

  There is something wrong with me. Nola closed her eyes and opened them again. That gray stuff messed with my vision, my perception. As much as she blinked, the vision remained.

  Then noises in the house behind her reminded Nola of the time. I’ll just have to get used to it, she thought as she fast-walked down the sidewalk. Maybe it will fade in time anyway.

  The task was easier said than done. As she neared the school building, she found her eyes being drawn every which way, as much as she tried not to be distracted by the eerie splendor.

  Get it together, Nola told herself. They’ll be watching.

  “Don’t you look paranoid,” as if in answer to her thoughts, a voice startled Nola as she walked up the school steps.

  She looked over to see Jeanine leaning casually against the railing and barely caught herself from flinching. Nola forced a look of nonchalance. “I’m fine,” she lied.

  Jeanine did not look convinced, though the tall beauty always kind of had a permanent scowl on her face anyway. “How was your night?” she asked sweetly.

  Nola’s heart pounded as the older girl looked her over with razor sharp eyes. “Restful,” Nola said flatly.

  “Great.” The older girl’s tone implied the opposite. Then a fake smile split her face. “You will sit with us at lunch today.”

  No, no, no. Nola frantically tried to think of a way out, but Jeanine breezed down the hall and the bell rang. They are going to keep me under close watch even here. Nola’s heart sank as she realized what this meant for her life at school. She blinked tears out of her eyes as she hurried to class.

  Nola recalled Derek’s threat from the night before. Your friends might make good test subjects.

  She tried to calm her breathing and harden her heart. Tris and Lauren can’t be a part of this. They can’t be involved. And I can never tell them.

  Nola forced herself to be strong once lunch rolled around. She tried to convey how sorry she was through her eyes as she silently passed her best friends a note, much like Derek had done the day before. This note, though, begged for forgiveness and vaguely explained that she couldn’t sit with them anymore. And that she would explain later. That part may not be true, but she could at least hold on to the hope that it would.

  Lauren and Tris gave her hurt and fearful looks as she gave them the note. Fearing her voice would break, Nola turned away without a word. But Tris silently grabbed her arm.

  “Find us later,” Lauren muttered. “We can handle the truth.”

  No, you can’t. Nola stepped away, and they let her this time.

  This is for their own good, she reminded herself as she turned away from her friends, feeling for the world as if it was a forever goodbye.

  Derek gave her an evaluating look as she stiffly sat down next to Cameron. This feels wrong on so many levels. There has to be a way out of this.

  “Any changes?” he asked in a hushed voice, his gaze daring her to lie. Jeanine, Cameron, and Adam, though focused on their food, listened intently.

  “Tired, that’s all,” Nola said, letting the sadness and fatigue she felt color her voice. Then she made a show of pulling her food out of her lunch bag.

  Derek gave her a disbelieving grunt. The others seemed to deflate, hopes dashed.

  “You will keep us informed,” Derek said, a dangerous edge to his voice. “And you will come when we call you.”

  Nola stiffened at his words, then forced herself to relax. His words mean nothing. Play along until you can find a way out.

  Cameron nudged her with his elbow. “It’s not all bad,” he said with a secretive smile.

  Nola stared at him. It suddenly occurred to her that she was sitting next to Cameron. My dream come true. And it’s nothing like I ever wanted it to be.

  She managed a nod and sat in silence, wishing she were anywhere but here. For the moment, thoughts of discovering what the group had planned were far from her mind.

  It was stupid to take that vial. How will I ever get out of this without getting myself into even more trouble?

  Chapter 6

  Being among the trees with her bare feet on the ground with the sunlight beaming down on her through the leaves calmed Nola after the hard day at school. The glow was still distracting, as well as the pulse of life she felt from the trees and plants of the wood, but she was slowly adjusting. Closing her eyes helped. And as Nola sat on the ground, she felt a peace come over her like never before, like nature was throwing a blanket of calm over her.

  It certainly helped to center her thoughts. This sucks, but I can overcome this, she thought after some time. There is no going back, which means there has to be a way I can use this new vision of mine against them.

  For however long it lasts, at least. For all I know, it’s just my perception and the plants don’t really possess this energy I’m feeling. At least I do not appear to be in any danger from it.

  Nola explored the woods with a newfound purpose. She traced the outline of the glowing lines in the trees and ran her hand over the leaves. None twirled around her finger as the plant in her room had that night, but she felt the energy from them in the same way. The few animals that crossed her path glowed faintly as the plants did, though theirs were more gathered around their center rather than coming up from the ground.

  It’s actually kind of cool, Nola admitted to herself as she walked deeper into the forest, admiring the glow of the plants and what seemed to be the flow of nature’s energy. It was stronger in some areas and almost nothing in others, even if the plant life looked somewhat healthy.

  A sudden flash of light startled Nola into ducking behind a bush. She shook her head at herself and took a deep breath. Must’ve been a bird or something, she thought as she looked skyward.

  Movement caught Nola’s eye again, and what she saw when she turned toward it shocked her to her core.

  No, no, no.This is not happening. But as the seconds ticked by, it got harder and harder to think of it as a trick of the mind.

  What Nola thought she saw perched a few feet above her on a tree branch was a short humanoid female with skin the color of violet, silver hair, and wings like that of a butterfly, also of a shimmering silver. Looking to be just shorter than Nola, approximately four feet tall, she wore a wrapped tunic of a simple brown, and her feet were bare. She glowed brilliantly to Nola’s vision.

  And Nola wanted nothing more in that moment than to climb up the tree to be closer to the creature who didn’t even notice her.

  There really is something wrong with me, Nola thought, eyes still glued to the creature’s movements. She stayed in the branches overhead. Flitting from tree to tree, she ran her hands over the bark, the light of the tree flaring as if in welcome.

  That gray stuff screwed with my brain. Images of a straight jacket and white walls in a mental institution flooded Nola’s mind. This can’t be happening.

  Nola’s cell phone vibrated in her pocket, jolting her back to reality. Right. With shaking fingers, she took the slim piece of tech out of her pocket. Ignoring the message that flashed across the screen, she opened the camera.

  A few minutes later, Nola had a bunch of pictures of a purple blur among the green of the leaves and one stunningly clear photo of the creature when she paused to observe a rowdy group of children pass beneath her.

  Pictures are proof, Nola thought numbly. Either something within me is seriously broken or this being really exists. I
wish I could tell which one of those it is.

  Nola tracked the creature through the trees. She was extraordinary, moving with grace among the branches overhead. The word “faerie” crossed Nola’s mind. Of all the mythical creatures I’ve heard of, faerie does seem like the most likely. I wonder what she calls herself, the winged forest spirit.

  She flew out of sight a few times, those few moments filling Nola with an unexplainable anxiety before she located the faerie again.

  What is wrong with me?I never even met this creature. I don’t even know if she can talk.

  The faerie avoided the other humans in the park, but did not seem too concerned about concealing herself. Only one thing about her actions was clear. Wherever she paused and touched her hands gently to the stems or trunks, she glowed brighter and the plants and trees grew subtly brighter and taller, fuller.

  She is a healer. A part of Nola calmed at this realization. If my mind conjured up this faerie, at least she seems nice, Nola thought, a little hysterically.

  “Hey.”

  Nola practically jumped twenty feet in the air at the sudden voice. She turned to see Lauren standing behind her.

  “We can’t be seen together,” was the first thing that came out of Nola’s mouth. She glanced out of the corner of her eye to where she had last seen the creature. Disappointment spread through Nola as she realized the faerie was gone.

  “Really?” Lauren challenged her. “Or are you just making that up to be part of Cameron’s group?”

  Nola’s mouth dropped open as she turned her attention back to her friend. “That’s not it, I swear,” she said, willing her friend to believe the truth. “You will be in danger if we continue to be friends. Cameron has nothing to do with it. Actually, I’m pretty much over him.” The sting of betrayal rose to the surface as she remembered him holding her down that night.

  Lauren was silent then, to the point where Nola got a little nervous. But there must have been something in her face that convinced her friend.

  “This is only temporary,” Lauren said with determination. “Figure this out quick so we can go back to being friends.” She turned on her heel and left.

  Nola let her go. I will come back tomorrow, she vowed. And the day after. And I will figure out if I’m broken or if I really have been given a gift. Either way, I will have to use it to get myself out of this mess somehow.

  Chapter 7

  Almost a week passed. Nola tried to embrace her role as one of Derek’s group. She had no choice after all. Derek continued to ask her about her health daily. Nola’s reply was always, “Fine.” She wasn’t naive enough to think he bought that, but for now he wasn’t pushing it. The day after her discovery in the park, Jeanine unceremoniously dumped a black cloak in her lap at lunch. Nola stuffed it into the back of her closet immediately after getting home.

  She missed Lauren and Tris already, though she did her best to hide it at school. Her ex-best friends avoided her as well. And, after the one attempt made by Lauren, they didn’t try to corner her and offer to help get her out. Though relieved, Nola couldn’t help but feel hurt.

  This is my life now, she told herself daily. Doesn’t mean it will be my life forever.

  Her parents had the opposite reaction about her change of friends.

  “Derek tells me you’ve taken more of an interest in our work,” the Scientist gave her a little secretive smile.

  It made Nola want to vomit, but she smiled back at him anyway. “It’s fascinating,” she said through thin lips.

  He really is clueless. How can he be so blind? If I can ever tell him the truth, he will never believe it.

  It was a relief to slip back to their usual silence. I have more important things to deal with anyway.

  Her strange new ability remained as strong as when she first noticed it. And the faerie remained in the park, Nola finding her by the trail of purple energy she left. Though Nola was no closer to an explanation of the creature or her enhanced perception, she at least came to a certain peace with her new abilities. At least they seem to be centered around a force of life and goodness.

  The winged forest spirit continued to amaze Nola. She both longed to interact with the faerie and was afraid of it at the same time. The whole experience was surreal and yet strangely comforting, like she had entered an entirely different world, a more peaceful one.

  Maybe I’ll like being crazy, she thought one afternoon. The faerie had stopped to rest in an oak overlooking the pond. Nola sat beneath it, and it was almost like they were each other’s company.

  “What are you looking at?” the voice cut through the air.

  Nola jumped up and whirled around to face Derek. How did he do that? Is he following me? Nola tried to calm her pounding heart. She casually glanced around and realized they were alone. Not good.

  “Just enjoying nature. You should try it sometime.” Nola forced a smile on her face.

  The corner of his mouth lifted up in a sneer and then his normal passive look replaced it. “No use in getting attached to it.”

  Nola’s heart froze. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  He gave her an evaluating look. “You really want to know?”

  “I am one of you now, aren’t I?” Nola gave him a challenging look despite her fear.

  “Tonight then. It’s been a while since we tested. We can give you a little demonstration.”

  “The cabin?” she asked tightly.

  He nodded, then turned and left without another word.

  Nola shivered. Her shoulders sagged in relief at his absence. She turned her face up to the trees just in time to see a flash of purple duck out of sight. Was she listening? Nola wondered. Did she understand?

  Would she be able to help me if I asked? Would I even have the nerve to attempt to speak to her?

  Nola sighed in frustration and sagged against the tree. Answers. I’ll get answers tonight about what he plans to do in my woods.

  Chapter 8

  It felt like a million tiny butterflies were flying around in Nola’s stomach as she approached the cabin that night. She tugged at her skirt. In a moment of rebelliousness, she had cut off the bottom of the cloak and cinched a belt around her waist so the short skirt flared out a bit. I hope it doesn’t set off Derek too bad, she thought now.

  The sight of them was less startling this time around, but it still left Nola with an uneasy feeling. Cameron almost couldn’t hide his smile when he saw her cut-off cloak. Jeanine gave her a sneer, though Nola suspected it was mostly out of jealousy. Adam hardly glanced at her.

  Nola squirmed as she felt Derek’s gaze on her. His expression was apathetic as usual, but something like anger flashed through his eyes. He didn’t say a word, though, as they gathered.

  Cameron flipped Nola’s hood up over her head as they formed a circle. At her questioning glance, he just shrugged.

  The group was silent until Derek drew a box of matches from his pocket. With a quick strike, he lit one and dropped it on the dirt floor in the center of the group. The others then removed their hoods.

  This is a special kind of insane, Nola thought, trying to keep her composure as she copied the others’ actions. They better not have some weird kind of initiation ceremony.

  Derek abruptly turned to her. “If you will play nice, we can forgo the ritual.”

  Nola barely managed to nod. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Adam hide a smirk behind his hand.

  “I’ll move on then,” Derek said.

  At some signal Nola missed, the group relaxed their stances. Cameron leaned up against the table, and Jeanine copied him. Adam busied himself with some papers on the table. Nola remained standing as Derek was. I’m playing along, now tell me what your deal is, she thought desperately.

  “When I saw your father’s discovery, I knew we could use it for so much more than what he planned. Fool didn’t have anything planned besides trying to recreate it, actually. Though we only have so much. Maybe he will prove useful.”

  Nola
bristled at the insult to her father. “Do you know where he got it?”

  “No.”

  “Then how do you know you will run out?”

  His eyes narrowed in irritation. “He did let that much slip about it.”

  “And what do you plan to do with it?” she asked without pause.

  He gave her a little smirk. “It enhances the strength of plants. After some modifications, I’m sure it could work for humans as well. Among other things.”

  Nola stared at him, then glanced at the others. Their faces were dead serious.

  “You are trying to make yourselves superhumans?” she said, trying not to sound incredulous. “How do you know it will have the same effect on humans as plants?”

  “Now we know it doesn’t,” Jeanine said sourly as she stared at her nails.

  Right, Nola realized, some of the anger from the other night resurfacing.

  “That has yet to be decided,” Derek said darkly. The words caused a chill to go up Nola’s spine. She forced a casual expression onto her face.

  “Well, we aren’t dumb enough to think superhumans can exist,” Jeanine continued, oblivious to the undercurrent in the room. “We just want to be better and stronger.”

  And how is that any different? Nola attempted to use the girl’s words to distract her from Derek’s unspoken accusation.

  “And rich,” Adam added. Jeanine nodded. But Derek threw them a glare. “The money isn’t the point,” he said. “What we discover may strengthen the human race.”

  “While impressing your father,” Jeanine added. Her comment earned her a dark look.

  So he needs to impress his father, too, Nola took a mental note of the irony.

  Cameron spoke then. “But so far we’ve only been able to destroy things.”

  Derek’s expression darkened further. “We will break through,” he said in a voice of dangerous quiet. “And in the meantime make use of what we have accomplished.”