New Novel Chapter 5 and 6

By: Asa Montreaux

Chapter 5: The Ember Within

Fiona Graves stood at the gates of The Andrews School, a sprawling campus tucked deep in the heart of the Adirondacks. The impressive stone walls and towering buildings loomed before her, casting long shadows in the golden light of the afternoon. She could still feel the lingering warmth of the hearth back home in Rothbury, where her friends Clara, Tom, and Jake were undoubtedly planning another one of their weekend adventures. Yet here she was, miles away from them, in a world that felt like a distant dream.

She tightened her grip on her suitcase, the weight of her decision still heavy on her heart. Pyrokinesis. A gift that both fascinated and terrified her. She’d been honing it for years in secret, always careful to stay in control, always fearful of what might happen if she didn’t. But here, at The Andrews School, she was about to face a new challenge: embracing her power without holding back.

Fiona took a deep breath and stepped forward, the crunch of gravel under her boots echoing in the stillness of the grand courtyard. Other students—some her age, some younger, some older—moved around the campus, some practicing their abilities out in the open while others lingered in groups, chatting and laughing. She felt a pang of loneliness. Here, in this place, she was a stranger. 

But that would change soon enough.

As Fiona walked through the courtyard, she caught sight of a few familiar faces from orientation—students she’d exchanged brief conversations with earlier, their powers just as varied as hers. There was a boy who could manipulate water, a girl who could create force fields, and someone she swore had just vanished into thin air before reappearing across the yard.

Lost in her thoughts, Fiona almost didn’t notice the approaching figure until he was right in front of her.

“Fiona, right?”

She looked up to see a tall boy with tousled dark hair and sharp blue eyes. He was grinning, a little too confidently for someone she’d just met. She vaguely recognized him from orientation.

“Yeah,” Fiona replied, adjusting her bag. “And you are?”

“Hugh Clark,” the boy said, sticking out his hand. “I think we’re in the same classes.”

Fiona shook his hand, feeling a slight jolt of energy as they made contact. There was something about Hugh—an intensity behind his eyes that made her uneasy. She had heard whispers about him among the other students, something about telepathy and a mind sharper than anyone else’s. But there was something else, something darker.

“Well, I guess we’ll be seeing a lot of each other then,” Fiona said with a small smile, trying to ease her nerves. “It’s my first day, so I’m still figuring things out.”

“Same,” Hugh replied, though his grin suggested he had already figured out far more than he was letting on. “It’s a lot to take in, but we’ll manage. We all have our… strengths, after all.”

Before Fiona could respond, a sudden gust of wind swirled around them, rustling the leaves of the nearby trees. A figure descended from the sky, landing gracefully in the middle of the courtyard. Fiona blinked in surprise—it was a girl, around their age, with long brown hair and a look of quiet determination.

“Eliza!” Hugh called out, waving her over.

The girl approached, her feet barely touching the ground as she glided across the cobblestone path. Fiona recognized her from orientation as well. Eliza Carter, the girl who could levitate. She had a natural grace to her movements, like she was born to float.

“Hey, Hugh. Hi, Fiona,” Eliza said, her voice calm and friendly. “Settling in okay?”

“Still getting used to it,” Fiona admitted. “But I guess that’s part of the deal.”

Eliza smiled sympathetically. “Yeah, it’s a lot at first. But you’ll get the hang of it. We’re all in the same boat.”

Fiona nodded, feeling a little more at ease. Despite the overwhelming newness of the school and her powers, there was something comforting about knowing that others were going through the same thing. She glanced over at Hugh, who seemed to be watching the conversation with interest, though his mind seemed elsewhere.

“So,” Hugh said, his voice casual but with an edge of curiosity, “have you decided what to do about the, uh, fire?”

Fiona stiffened, her heart skipping a beat. “What do you mean?”

He raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. “Your powers. The pyrokinesis. Have you tried pushing your limits yet?”

Fiona felt a knot form in her stomach. How did he know about her powers? She hadn’t shown them to anyone yet. “I—uh…”

“Don’t worry,” Hugh said, cutting her off. “I haven’t told anyone. But you should be careful. You don’t want to accidentally burn the place down.”

Fiona bristled at his words, a flicker of heat rising in her chest. “I have it under control.”

Hugh smiled faintly. “I’m sure you do.”

Before Fiona could respond, Eliza stepped in. “Come on, Hugh. Give her a break. We’re all figuring things out.”

Hugh shrugged, his expression softening slightly. “Just a friendly warning.”

Fiona exhaled, trying to push down the surge of heat that had built up inside her. She wasn’t sure if Hugh meant to provoke her or if he was genuinely trying to help, but either way, she wasn’t about to let him rattle her. She’d spent years mastering her control, and she wasn’t about to lose it now.

As the three of them continued walking toward the main building, Fiona couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched. Not by Hugh, not by Eliza, but by something unseen—something lurking beneath the surface of this place. The Andrews School was more than just a school for gifted individuals; it was a crucible, a place where they would be tested, pushed, and maybe even broken.

Fiona glanced over at her new companions—Hugh, the telepath with a dark side, and Eliza, the graceful levitator—and wondered how they would fit into her life here. Would they become friends? Allies? Or something else entirely?

Only time would tell.

Chapter 6: A New Horizon

The morning sun bathed The Andrews School in a warm golden light, illuminating the intricate architecture of the main building, which resembled a castle more than a school. Eliza Carter awoke in her new dorm room, the walls painted a calming blue that reminded her of the sky on a clear day. She took a moment to soak in the quiet, letting the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves drift in through the open window.

Eliza swung her legs over the side of the bed and padded across the cool wooden floor. She pulled her hair back into a messy bun and dressed quickly, excitement bubbling within her as she thought about her first full day of classes. Today, she would finally get to explore the magical arts that had so long seemed like a dream.

After a quick breakfast in the communal dining hall, where the aroma of freshly baked pastries filled the air, Eliza made her way to the classroom building. She passed by clusters of students, some practicing their powers openly while others shared laughter and stories. The energy in the air was electric, and Eliza felt a thrill of anticipation.

As she entered her first classroom, she was greeted by a tall, imposing figure: a man with a long, flowing cloak and a beard that cascaded down his chest like a waterfall of silver. He stood in front of a chalkboard filled with intricate symbols and diagrams, his presence commanding the attention of the room.

“Welcome to the Fundamentals of Telekinesis,” he said, his voice deep and resonant. “I am Professor Hargrove. Here, you will learn to harness your abilities to manipulate objects with your mind.”

Eliza took a seat near the front, her heart racing. She had never had formal training before, and the thought of learning from someone so experienced was exhilarating. The other students around her—some familiar faces from the orientation, including Hugh and Fiona—chattered in excitement.

Professor Hargrove began the lesson with a demonstration, effortlessly lifting a stack of books from his desk and suspending them in the air. The books floated, swirling in a gentle dance, as he explained the principles behind telekinesis and the importance of focus and intent.

“Remember,” he said, his eyes scanning the room, “the power you wield is a reflection of your will. Channel your thoughts and emotions; let them guide your actions. But beware: lose control, and chaos may follow.”

Eliza’s stomach fluttered at the reminder of the stakes. She had always been careful with her powers, but the idea of what could go wrong lingered in her mind. She glanced over at Hugh, who seemed engrossed in the lecture, his brow furrowed in concentration.

After the introduction, Professor Hargrove instructed the students to partner up for a practical exercise. Eliza paired with Fiona, who looked equally eager and apprehensive. As they moved to opposite ends of the room, they both focused on a small ball placed on the floor between them.

“Let’s see what we can do,” Eliza suggested, feeling a rush of determination. 

“Right. I’ll try to lift it on three,” Fiona replied, her voice steady despite the uncertainty in her eyes. “One, two, three!”

Eliza concentrated hard, extending her hand toward the ball. She felt the familiar tingle of energy coursing through her fingers as she tried to lift it. At the same moment, Fiona’s fire began to flicker gently at her fingertips, casting a warm glow in the room.

The ball wobbled slightly but remained stubbornly on the floor. They exchanged glances, a mix of determination and frustration.

“Okay, maybe we’re both a little too tense,” Eliza said, trying to lighten the mood. “Let’s relax a bit.”

They took a moment to breathe, their eyes fixed on the ball. Eliza felt the warmth of Fiona’s fire mixing with her own energy, creating a comforting atmosphere. This time, when they tried again, Eliza focused not just on the ball, but on the bond of trust they were forming.

“One more time. Together,” Eliza urged.

“Together,” Fiona echoed.

On three, they lifted their hands, channeling their powers into a unified force. The ball trembled, then rose slowly off the ground, hovering between them. Eliza's heart raced with exhilaration as she watched the ball float higher and higher, a tangible representation of their combined abilities.

Suddenly, the ball shot upward, hitting the ceiling with a soft thud before falling back down to the floor. Eliza laughed, her relief washing over her. “Well, that was unexpected!”

Fiona giggled, her fire dancing brightly in her excitement. “We did it! Sort of.”

As they joined the other students in discussing their experiences, Eliza felt a sense of camaraderie forming among them. Each student had their own challenges and victories, and the room buzzed with shared energy and laughter.

After class, as they walked out together, Eliza couldn’t help but feel lighter. “I think we make a pretty good team,” she said, nudging Fiona playfully.

“Definitely! I feel like we could really help each other grow,” Fiona replied, her eyes shining.

They made their way to the courtyard, where the sun was now high in the sky, casting warm light over everything. Eliza spotted Hugh talking to another student, his expression animated. She and Fiona approached, and Hugh turned, his gaze brightening when he saw them.

“How did it go?” he asked, genuinely interested.

“Pretty well, I think,” Eliza replied, glancing at Fiona for confirmation. “We actually lifted the ball!”

Hugh raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. “Nice work. Just be careful not to launch it into orbit next time.”

Fiona laughed, but Eliza felt a rush of determination. “Next time, we’ll control it even better. You’ll see!”

As they continued to chat, Eliza felt the weight of her old life begin to lift. Here, surrounded by others who understood her struggles, she felt she could truly explore her powers without fear. She still missed her friends from Maplewood, but the bonds she was forming here promised a new sense of belonging.

That afternoon, as the sun began to set, Eliza stood in the courtyard with her newfound friends, the horizon stretching before them like an open book waiting to be written. The excitement of the unknown washed over her, and she knew that this was just the beginning of a remarkable journey.

Together, they would face the challenges that lay ahead, and Eliza felt a surge of hope. This was her new horizon, and she was ready to embrace it.