Under the Pale Moon

Lexi Thompson had always felt like there was something missing in her life, like a piece of her was hiding just beneath the surface. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she felt it in her bones.

As she walked home from school on a crisp autumn afternoon, the leaves crunching beneath her feet, Lexi couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. She glanced over her shoulder, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

That was when she saw it: a sleek, black SUV following her. Lexi's heart skipped a beat as the vehicle pulled up alongside her. The tinted window rolled down, revealing her parents' anxious faces.

"Lexi, get in," her mother urged, her voice tight with worry.

Lexi hesitated, her mind racing. What was going on?

"Mom, what's happening?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Just get in, sweetie," her father replied, his eyes scanning the surrounding area. "We need to talk to you about something."

Lexi's instincts screamed at her to run, but her parents' urgency was palpable. She reluctantly opened the door and slid into the backseat.

As the SUV sped away from the curb, Lexi's parents exchanged a weighted glance. Her mother turned to face her, a mix of fear and determination etched on her features.

"Lexi, you're not like other girls," she began, her voice measured. "You're...different. You have a special gift, one that's been hidden from you for far too long."

Lexi's confusion deepened. What gift? What were they talking about?