Cassy, Awakening Power

day 1

ough all the trees nearby, but nothing moved within the circle of people around her. She pleaded with her eyes to the faceless individuals who closed in on her. Her arm burned and she could feel the blood running down into her hand. She felt as thoug

y flowers had been her own choice when she was nine and she still loved it now. Lavender grew in a box on her windowsill. Some things changed over time, but Cassy considered this her special place. Her books filled two bookcases and more, piled high on her desk, were

d felt she needed everything that would help. She wanted to teach. That meant going t

ay, and she did not want to miss one minute. Thundering down the stairs, she heard h

r a child. At sixteen, she believed people would welcome her opinions, she felt she was an adult. She was more mature than most pe

ottom of the stairs, she heard her mother c

own the stairs properly young lady. You wi

y birthday." Without waiting for a reply,

reakfast her mother always made on a Saturday. Through the week, she grabbed toast on her way out to school, but every weekend, Jennifer, her mother, ma

chool and tutoring most evenings and Jennifer was a lawyer, so spent a lot of time in her office or court all week. Because of this, they usually

Jen had always thought it strange that Cassy never seemed to notice her looks. She was not vain or self-centred, but without even trying Cassy could pull every eye when she walked into a room. Her strawberry blond hair flowed down her

of her knees. Her light brown hair tied into a loose bun on top of her head and her make-up was so light it could barely be seen. Cassy was always telling her she should use brighte

if we get you that suit we saw

.. What time will you be finished at Toms? There's

assy said as she washed her plate and h

****

k in the familiar surroundings. It was their favourite restaurant, and they had been

, spread around in no particular order, covered in their red, white and blue tablecloths, gave a chaotic feel to the room. The chairs around them were chrome with the seat covers matching the tablecloths. One thing was different each time they came. The centre table. There were always fresh iris's, which Pierre had once told her was the national flower of France, French memor

rush. but they had made reservations and knew they would get a good table. Being situated on a small side road the restaurant got little su

h this lot." Jen puffed, leaning

e you again. The best table in the house is all yours lady's." He was from Sussex, but he had worked

enus. Everyone knew that Pierre could easily have made the restaurant exclusive. Taking in only the rich and influential, but he preferred to keep the prices reasonable, the food excellent an

strolled in through the front door. He threw himself into a chair and nodded to Pierre and a few of the ot

we saw last week, the pale blue one I told you about last week. We got the socks and tie you wanted, but Mum said no to the

Although, I must say, I agree with your mother on the suit." Sam flashed Jen a smile to show he was not angry. "Still, I suppose

Cassy at school, there seemed little time to be together as a family, so when they made time to be together, it was special. They all cherished the time together. Even though they

Cassy laugh for as long as she could remember. Pierre passed, shaking his head but smiling indulgently. "Don't you think she's a little too old for

it very difficult to be angry. It was his sense of humour that had first caught her attention. "Her daughter has just passed her collage exams and is going on to university." Mary-Anne was Cassy's aunt, they did not see each

rtant as family." Sam hated people who put work first. He knew he and Jen worked a lot, but they both always made time for Cassy. If s

st entered the navy. He wants to be a seal.

mething to help not jus

ir children were doing and then to what Cassy wanted to be. The problem was, she had not told them yet. Cassy had always pushed herself to try everything but had found nothing she felt she would be interested in doing for the rest

t to what you want to do Cass

want to have a little fun first. You always told me life isn't just about what job you do. I was thinking of maybe travelling around for a while after I fin

ds great."

The conversation was dropped. Cassy was the only thing they ever disagreed on, Sam though

red in lilac coloured roses and ribbons with sixteen white candles on the top, burning away as the whole restaurant sang happy birthday. Cassy turned bri

e as he pulled her to sta

pushing them out of the kitchen door way. Cassy looked around confused, wondering if this was something her parents had planned. Each man

t. "Now, my men will come round to each table. We want all your valuables. Purse's, watches, jewellery, everything. Clear. Hold a

and he had a small scar under him right eyebrow. He took Sam's wallet, and it fell open to reveal his po

wait, no, what does it say here? Chief inspector! I think we had better have your

ing, calmly, to approach the man. "Check me

think I should just shoot you.

but a strange power seemed to flow through her. She did not understand it, but felt little need to, something inside her propelled Cassy forw

ams of the other diners. She noted them all, then pushed the sounds and the smell of fear and gunpowder aside as the bullet whizzed through the air

dy." Applying pressure to the wound Cassy looked into Sam's warm brown eyes. Shock showed clearly on his face, pain in his eyes. Then they changed. Cassy was sure she saw fear. It was not fear of the people arou

r grow. She felt hot, but calm. Very calm. She wiped away the tears that scolded her face a

then louder. "Burn in h

sy. His hands trembled as he reached for support and his whole body quivered with fear. He unconsciously knocked over the candles that had been standing on the centre table in the doorway then just stood there, gazing around stupidly. The flames licked at his clothes.

rned back to her father. She saw the fear in his eyes, again, before the darkness swept o