Tales by moonlight

heaving. My thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and fear. The old man's w

manded, her hands planted firmly on her hips. Her piercing gaze swept over my dishevelled appearance. "Look

my mind was too clouded to form words. Ignoring her entire

ising with fury. "Don't you dare walk away

gainst it for support. Clara's footsteps pounde

on it with her fist. "Don't think you can hide f

t to act like a brat, you won't get any food today. Le

e pounding of my heart. The banging eventually stopped, replaced by her stomping down the st

mall window, but it felt oppressive, too bright for the storm raging in my head. I closed my e

, Sarah. Gifts they didn't ask for but are born to bear. T

individuals who could shape the elements, heal with a touch, or sense things beyond what the eye

o be normal. But the water at the stream, the way it obeyed me, the way it stop

y he spoke as if he knew me, knew exactly what I

this, but fear held me back. What if he was wrong? What if he was dangerous? The thought of Nana

slipping down my cheeks. "W

s stretching long across the walls. My stomach growled, but I ignored it. I didn't want to see Clara or Ru

moved to the window and peered out at the stars beginning to twinkle in the sky. They

in the distance startled me awake. I fumbled for my clock and squinted at the dim glow

f a lamp spilled out from the kitchen. I crept down the stairs, my bare feet barely

eered, standing by the kitchen table with a cup o

pond. Her smug expression onl

continued, stepping closer. "Just like

all space. The room seemed to hold its breath. Then, without warning, the jar of water sitting on the table exploded, sh

u just do?" she stam

assed it. My hands were trembling, and my chest felt tight a

id little to calm the chaos inside me. The woods loomed ahead, dark and foreboding,

ady chirping of crickets. Yet, the noise in my head was louder, drowning everything else. The night was silent except for the sound of my footsteps and the pounding of my heart. I didn't know

person. The force knocked us both off balance, and we tumbled to the ground, rolling a short distance befor

dence about him that set him apart from anyone I'd ever met. His dark eyes searched mine as he stood and dusted himself off. Despite the unexpected

ind raced with a million questions, and I stepped

ture. "It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you," he said softly. "But

oncern evident on his face. "Look, I don't know what's going on, but it's unsafe for you to wander out here alone. "My name'

ark expanse of trees behind me. The idea of spending the night alo

and reassuring. "You don't have to

than the oppressive darkness and the unknown dangers of the forest. He gestured for me to f

s demeanour calm and protective. He tried to make small talk, his voice gentle as he spoke about the forest and how he often came here to clear

rk. Though I remained cautious, something was reassuring about

the trees. It was modest but inviting, with warm light spilling from the windows. Ju

Is tha

beat as the voice register