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Nula ascended the hill beaming at the dreamy dark sky. She cheerfully crept beside the hollow of a fallen oak tree to breathe in the moment. From small anthills to tiny rock crevices and tree branches, Nula gently ignited small fires with her fingertips leaving little trails of flames in her path. Her eyes lit up and she smiled.
The forest on the hill behind the flat where she lived with her aunt was her happy place. She always felt shrouded in the thick foliage and gentle whispers of the night. There, she revealed parts of herself that she tucked safely away from the world.
Nula’s eyes darted to a small squirrel. It appeared to be struggling with a nut on top of a delicate branch. Nula knelt beside it marveling at its little world. Slowly, with her eyes still fixed on the squirrel, she leaned against the tree trunk. Then she picked up a twig and closed her eyes. Gently, she poked its rough tip, and a tiny flicker of light appeared slowly engulfing the branch where the squirrel struggled. Its eyes lit up. “There you go,” she said softly reaching out.
Before Nula could touch the squirrel, a shadow dashed through the foliage surrounding the slightly illuminated space. Nula’s fingers trembled and her heart raced. Suddenly, a bunny hopped across to a mahogany tree.
“Do that again!” a small voice jolted Nula. She clutched her fingers together trying to stop them from twitching. A girl just about her age peeked from behind the mahogany. “Did you do that with your fingers?” She emerged from hiding. “Are you a witch?”
“Shsh!” Nula quickly walked up to the girl. “I’m not a witch. It is a secret and you have to promise not to tell anyone. Please!” Nula begged.
“Okay, I won't. But only if you'd be my friend and teach me how to do that. I'm Shina by the way.”
“Ummh! Okay Shina. I'm Nula. Do you come from around here?” Nula agreed hesitantly.
“My family and I live in the woods not very far from here. I like to wander around on my own sometimes.” Shina smiled.
“Okay. See you around. I've got to go now. My aunt must be looking for me.” Nula began to walk away. She looked down at the almost pitch-black city before descending the hill.
The entire city had been experiencing a power outage for months without end. Some of the citizens had even started a protest accusing the government of neglect.
Nula tiptoed into the house hoping her aunt, Rena would not notice her absence.
“I hope you haven't been out there lighting everything in your path, young lady,” Rena said as she set the dinner table.
Nula froze. Then she nodded.
“Come on. Dinner’s ready.” Rena pulled a chair for Nula before she sat across the table. With her fingertips, she lit a candle and began eating.
“As you know Nula, it was at a time like this we lost your mother. Just like you, she wanted to help - to use her power for the greater good but she was greatly mistaken, and it cost her life.
“We are Lighters and our first duty is to remain safe. Now more than ever, you need to be careful.” Rena swallowed and continued. “Not a single soul must learn about the light that's within you. Our kind has been in existence from the beginning of time. People didn't understand how such a thing could exist so they-”
“Called us witches?” Nula’s brows furrowed.
“I wish it stopped at that. In the past, we were mere witches to the people. Then there were those who had the power to shift shape. To become and unbecome. But they could only reach their highest potential with the power of a Lighter. They sought us and they did unspeakable things your fifteen-year-old mind could never imagine. So-”
“You think that's what happened to my mother?” Nula’s eyes were filled with terror.
“Yes. That year, there was another power outage. The night they took her, the street poles suddenly lit up. Then a siren, like a signal followed. We never saw her again after that day.” Rena paused and recollected herself. “Our kind has since gone into hiding and with time, our existence became a lore. And the shapeshifters? Just like us, some say they are still lurking now in the streets, government, media, and even schools. Nula! This light-out is not by accident. It is meant to find us. It is easier to find light when the world is dark. So Nula, you must take care. Starting unnecessary fires only draws the enemy closer.”
A tear rolled down Nula’s cheek and they both ate their dinner in silence.
For a while, Nula didn't go back to the
hill again until one evening when she just could not stop herself.
“Hi fire girl. I thought I'd never see you again.” Shina startled Nula as she sat alone beneath a tree.
“You scared me!” Nula exclaimed.
“I'm sorry. I've just been so bored. Can you do that fire thing again?” Shina grinned.
“No. I shouldn't be doing that. My aunt says there are bad people out there looking for us,” Nula said.
“But your secret is safe with me remember? We are friends now. Besides, you are doing good things with your power. The world needs you.” Shina smiled.
Nula smiled back. She was starting to relax around Shina. A couple of weeks passed and the two girls became very close. The neighborhood and evening forest became their playground. From lighting torches to powering small light poles and generators, Shina convinced Nula that she was helping light up the world.
Nula loved the euphoria and adrenaline. She was now exploring the depths of her powers and layers of herself that she could not manifest in the past.
“Let's go to the national grid,” Shina announced one windy evening.
“No! That would be too much. There are already rumors of strange lights around the city.” Nula protested. “I’m supposed to be hiding, remember?”
“Don't you want to know what it feels like to power an entire city? Think about all the people you'd be helping. You were born for this. Besides, I haven't seen any bad people. Have you?”
Nula pondered for a while. Moments later, they were both passing through train tracks, hidden paths, and shortcuts to the machine that used to power the city before the outage.
“There,” Shina pointed.
Nula caught her breath. She placed her hands on the fence of the structure and inhaled deeply. Instantly, her fingers began to twitch and tremble. Sparks of light radiated from her fingertips through the walls and then the machine. The ground vibrated and a powerful mechanical sound filled the air. One after another, switches, poles, and circuits turned on. And just like that, the city became illuminated.
Suddenly a siren much like a signal echoed through the city. Shina looked at Nula and her smile turned into a smirk.
Nula was weak and confused. Her mind began to spiral. “The light, the signal. You are a-”
Before Nula could finish, Shina transformed into an old man with flaky skin and a drooping face right before her very eyes.
Nula jerked with a wide-opened mouth. “-shapeshifter,” she muttered. She began to back off.
“You can't run away you foolish girl. We all know where you are now and we are coming for you.” The shapeshifter echoed in a croaky voice as Nula staggered away.
“What have you done?” Rena looked at Nula with disappointment in her eyes when she walked through the door.
“Aunt Rena, I am so sorry.” Nula sobbed uncontrollably. “I've been such a fool. I thought she was my friend. She deceived-”
“We don't have time. We must leave now.” Rena’s gaze softened as she held Nula.
Suddenly, Nula stopped crying and looked her aunt in the eyes. She’d let Shina make a fool out of her but she'd also unlocked new levels to her powers and she was convinced that she'd be ready when the shapeshifter arrived. “No more running aunt Rena. No more running.” Nula wiped her face.