I drifted in and out of consciousness. I heard sirens wail, and felt the cold snow-blinding white of hospital walls behind my eyelids. Something soft... a gentle prick... a beeping sound...

When I finally awoke from my haze, I was no longer hooked up to tubes, but a wire was taped to my inner arm monitoring my pulse. I closed my eyes and pretended to still be sleeping so that I could listen to what the doctors were saying.

"...miracle," one female doctor was saying. "No burns, no signs of smoke inhalation. I can't believe it!"

"And you say that when you found her in the fire zone, there was no fire at all?" a male voice said.

"None, Dr. Trilon." I recognized Mrs. Halton. "There were signs of course, such as burn marks and charred wood, but no fire left."

"But was particularly strange was that there was a circle of burn marks surrounding where we assume she was standing, said a man whom I knew to be my principal, Dr. Kirsguard. "It was very odd, almost like... I don't know, magic...?"

I had to stop this conversation before it went any further. I opened my eyes and yawn really wide, stretching my arms in an exaggerated fashion.

"Well, look who's up?" the doctor said. "My name's Dr. Trilon. And you, Pyra, are a very lucky girl. Someone must be looking out for you." He winked.

Dr. Trilon was a tall, sturdy man with a fuzz of short-cropped brown hair. His skin was the color of chocolate fudge of the rich variety. His warm brown eyes smiled at me. He wore a long, intensely white doctor's coat over his clothes, which matched the color of his teeth.

i shrugged. "Guess I was lucky. The fire was practically encircled around me before I managed to spray it with fire extinguisher," I lied smoothly. "I must have passed out from all the smoke."

"Really?" Dr. Trilon's eyebrows raised. "We found no evidence of smoke inhalation."

I was expecting that. "It wasn't a lot, doctor," I replied, my lie coming together perfectly. "Just enough to make me pass out. It must have cleared up before you tested me for it. After all, the smoke was mostly gone by the time I passed out."

His eyebrow arched. "You seem so sure of these facts, Pyra. Almost too positive. Are you certain there's nothing—"

"Of course she's telling the truth, doctor," a new woman's voice said. Mum! I just noticed her standing in the corner, but now she stepped towards the others. "My daughter wouldn't lie. She's an honest girl, who's also very intelligent." Good old Mum, coming to the rescue. I could only imagine the lecture I'd get on the way home. If she's willing to lie to say I was being truthful, it's either seriously bad, or she's just really angry.

"Of course," said the other woman doctor. She had fair skin, auburn hair pulled back into a high pony tail, and freckles dotting the bridge of her nose and spilling onto her cheeks. I recognized her by her voice as the one who had given the evaluation of my condition while I was eavesdropping.

"I'm Dr. Chase. Good news Pyra," she said, her voice pulling me out of my evaluation of her. "You get to go home today. Seems like all you needed was a good rest. It was only exhaustion." Internally I groaned. That meant I would have to listen to "the lecture" today. Ugh.

Mom led me out of the room and into the lobby, where my dad was waiting.

"Guess what, John?" Mum addressed my father. "Pyra can come home today," she said cheerfully.

"That's great, Nora dear," he smiled. "Oh Pyra sweetie, come here," he said, opening his arms for a hug. "I was so worried about you!" I looked up from his arms and read the deeper meaning in that statement. I nodded solemnly.

"I was worried too, Pops," I said, reflecting that same dark message.

"That was a close one," my Mum said with the same reflection. "Let's go home."

"Bye Dr. Trilon, Dr. Chase," we said.

"See you on Monday Dr. Kirsguard and Mrs. Halton," I waved.

"Bye Pyra," Dr. Kirsguard replied.

"I hope you feel better," Mrs. Halton added. "Have a good weekend!"

They turned back to each other and started talking as Mum led me down to the car. I hopped in and buckled my seatbelt. Dad sat down in the driver's seat, and Mum in the front passenger's seat.

"Seatbelts guys!" I reminded them.

"Oh, thanks sweetie," Dad said. Mum buckled her seatbelt silently and waited until we had rolled up the windows and pulled away from the curb and were well on our way.

Mum drummed her fingers on the windowsill, then opened her mouth to speak.

"Pyra. You know not to use your powers in public, especially now that they're getting stronger faster as you're growing into adulthood." Her voice was steady and stern. "Explain yourself."

I swallowed. "Well I saw the hall of the school on fire, and it was huge! I didn't think the firefighters would have been able—"

"Was everyone evacuating safely?" Mum interrupted.

"Yes, Mum."

"Then there was no reason to put your safety on the line." Her voice softened. "I understand you were only trying to help," she said, seeing the protest in my eyes, "but the firefighters could have handle it. Besides, the school is insured by the government. They could easily pay for any extra damage the building would have taken in those few more minutes it would've been for the firefighters to put it out."

"She does have a point, honey," my dad cut in. To my surprise, he was talking to my mom. "Pyra was only doing what she thought was right."

Usually when it came to my powers, my mom was the sole authority, having more experience with the likes of it than my father. Pops was standing up for me this time.

Mum looked at him, just as surprised as me. They had a silent conversation, which I couldn't read.

Suddenly Dad said, "We're just concerned for your safety, dear." Mum nodded. I knew.

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So, not the most active chapter, but it's got plenty of important background stuff I think u ought to know. As always, comments, corrections, advice are welcomed and encouraged! I've decided on a new idea that the first person to comment will get a dedication, but it has to be more than something like "Hi" or "first!" or "sup" etc. Let's make it at least five (appropriate) words that make sense and relate to my chapter. @CassieSeeley left a comment on my last chapter that pretty much made my day, so I dedicated that chapter to her. (I know u were looking forward to this chapter, so I hope u enjoyed it ;)   ) And that's really all. Remember to show that little star some love by clicking on it. For more frequent notifications on my updates, follow me. I keep my profile page (mostly) updated. Have a good day y'all!

-Misty out