Ten

Chapter 10 of The Watchtower Chronicles I - Water

After that day, my life settles into a semi-normal routine. I get up, I swim, I go to class, I swim again. But after my second swim, I make the drive to Arlen's house to continue my training with my element. I soon learn that I can manipulate water in places I didn't expect it to be; from deep within the ground outside to the long dry faucets in the abandoned shed behind his house.
"Anywhere where there is the slightest trace of water, you can channel it and it will come to your aid," he tells me on a chilly afternoon in early January. We had taken a break during the Christmas holidays when he insisted I keep as much of my normal life as possible; as Christmas is my favorite time of year, I quickly agreed. Outside his house we try to find traces of water along the grounds, and I discover an underground tributary that I quickly turn into a spouting geyser. I watch with amazement as the water that is falling on the ground slowly turns to frost. It reminds me a lot of the holidays that have just passed and I can't help but smile to myself.
"Even the fire sprinklers at the school?" I ask with a laugh, not really being serious. Arlen laughs along, to my relief.
"Of course Ms. White, even those. But I wouldn't try it unless it was an absolute necessity," he cautions. I nod, and we walk back to his house.
"We'll continue with your combat training now," he tells me, waving at Jax as he pulls into the driveway. Jax has been helping me train in hand to hand combat, and the better I get the more bruises he develops. He always complains that Adam will suspect him of being in a gang or something of the sort, but I know he is all too happy to help in my journey.
"Alright Ren, this time I brought some additional padding," he says, pulling out football gear from his trunk. I raise a brow, and he blushes.
"Max plays football, and I told him I wanted to practice to learn the game before the big game on Christmas," he explains. I run over and give him a big hug.
"You know if it wouldn't make him want to put you in an insane asylum, I'd tell you to tell him everything," I begin, but Jax just shushes me.
"I understand that this is a hell of a lot bigger than my relationship Ren don't worry. And I am being tackled sometimes, so it's not too much of a stretch," he reasons. Arlen comes over and smiles at Jax's get up.
"So Coach why does Ren have to learn hand to hand combat? Can't she just you know, drown the bad guys," Jax asks hurriedly.
"There will be times where Serenity cannot use her elemental powers, for example, she might be in a place where water isn't readily accessible. Her power comes from the amount of water in the area, which is why she was able to control it so easily in your pool Jax. We want to make sure she is prepared for every possible situation," he explains. Jax just nods, taking in the idea of me being a trained fighter.
"Arlen, are you planning on transporting me to a desert or something?" I ask, only half joking. Arlen shakes his head with a smile.
"Not at all, but we should be prepared for anything," he tells me. I shrug and nod in agreement, hoping that it isn't going to come down to my strength to defeat Nerine and any minions she might have. We venture down into Arlens' basement, and start my daily combat training with my personal dummy.

-
Later that evening, I am home having a family dinner with my parents. On the outside, I was glad that everything is out in the open; I know my true identity, I know what I have to do, and they don't have to worry about me finding out about it all the time anymore. On the inside however, I cannot seem to shake the idea that something is not quite right with them. Over the holidays they put on an air of being content, loving parents, but when they don't think I can hear them, the fights begin again. Since my secret is out in the open, I don't believe their arguments concern that, but I cannot bring myself to listen to what they are fighting about, but it is almost a nightly occurrence.
Tonight is no different. Both my parents are sitting quietly at the dinner table, smiling over at me every once in a while between bites of chicken, but otherwise no conversation is had. Finally, I decided that I have had enough and put my fork down with a clatter.
"What's the matter Serenity?" my mother asks in surprise. I look at them both incredulously.
"Are you serious? What's the matter?" I ask, my voice rising in anger. "Maybe it's the fact that the two of you can't seem to stop fighting since we had the talk about my real identity. Maybe it's the fact that you don't seem to think I can't hear you fight every night about God only knows what! Or maybe it's the fact that even after eighteen years of protecting me, you still seem to think that I can't handle whatever it is you're fighting about!" All three glasses of water shatter onto the table, and I sit back, blinking rapidly. I haven't let myself get out of control since my birthday; while I feel the power of my element coursing through my body like a warm bath, I also feel ashamed.
Both my parents look at me in shock, and then back at each other. My father rubs the bridge of his nose with his hand and my mother sighs; I can see that I have convinced them to tell me their news.
"Sweetie, we didn't know how to tell you this. You turned eighteen, you discovered your powers, your background, the fact that we're...we're not really your parents," my mom begins, and I can see the tears starting to trickle down her face. At this point, my dad takes over.
"This has been something we've been trying to work on for months, years even. We've tried to hold it together for your sake; we were entrusted by Arlen to protect you together no matter the circumstances. But now that you're about to go off on your journey to protect mankind, we've come to a difficult decision." He pauses, and I realize that I know exactly what he is about to say.
"Divorce," I whisper. My dad says nothing, and my mom reaches to take my hand. I instinctively draw back, and look down at my plate.
"I am so sorry Serenity, but your father and I are no longer in love, and we're both unhappy being married to each other. We tried to stay together as long as possible to protect you, but we can't do it anymore," my mother whispers, then hurriedly excuses herself with the dinner dishes into the kitchen. I can hear her crying through the running water of the sink. I turn to my father.
"How long have you wanted this?" I ask, though I know I would rather not know.
"Years, Serenity. Your mother and I are just not the same two people who fell in love in college anymore," he tells me quietly.
"Is this because of me? Did I cause you to fall out of love? Did the stress of my protection cause this?" I demand. The slight hesitation before he answers does not match the words he speaks next.
"No sweetheart, we knew what we were getting ourselves into. We couldn't have a child of our own and we got a wonderful daughter in you. Children blame themselves so often for their parents divorces but of course you're not responsible," he tries to explain, but I am already up and pushing my seat in.
"I have to go," I say abruptly, and run upstairs two at a time. I can hear my father call after me, but the blood pounding in my ears refuses to let me hear the words. I burst into my room and grab a few sets of clothes and my laptop. I run into the the bathroom and grip my vanity. The sink turns on automatically on high, but this time I am not surprised. I turn it off and try to take deep, composing breaths to keep myself from falling apart. I grab my toiletries back and throw on a sweatshirt. With my bag over my shoulder, I run back down the stairs and sprint towards the front door. Suddenly, both of my parents are standing in front of it.
"Where are you going?" My mother asks. She has dried her face, but I can see the watery look in her eyes as though she is about to start up again.
"I just need to not be here right now," I tell her. My father goes to grab my shoulder but I shrug it off.
"Serenity we're still you're parents," he begins, but I cut him off angrily.
"No! No you cannot use that argument anymore Peter," I say scathingly. "You are not my real parents, my father died protecting me and my mother is being held captive by her evil sisters! You've been my protectors for all these years, and congratulations, I'm eighteen, I have control of my powers, so you're off the hook! Go, get divorced, I'll be busy tracking down my three siblings and making sure that you all don't get killed in the process!" The sprinklers turn on as I finish my rant, and I run towards my car. I fumble getting the keys into the ignition, and my tires squeal against the pavement as I shoot back out of the driveway and onto the road. I glance into the rearview mirror and see them standing their helplessly, and I want to turn back. I want to collapse in their arms and beg them not to get divorced, to try and work things out, for me. I realize though that this is impossible; knowing them they have had their minds made up for a while, and have waited because of me.
As if in a dream, I drive directly to Jax's house. I sit in the driveway for a few moments, taking gasping breaths of air and trying not to cry. I hoist my bag over my shoulder, I head up the steps onto the front porch and ring the doorbell. I hear Jax telling his mother that he would get it, and opens the door.
"Ren?" Jax says surprised, then immediately notices that I am about five seconds from collapsing. He opens his arms wordlessly, and I fall into them, allowing the tears and dry, chest heaving sobs finally escape from my body.
"Shhh, it's okay Ren, I'm here for you," he murmurs, holding me tightly. He leads me into his living room and sits me down. I hear his mom come in and question what 's the matter, but I hear Jax shooing her out of the room.
"Hey, hey Ren, talk to me what's wrong? Did Nerine come back to you again?" he asks. I shake my head.
"It has nothing to do with her or my powers Jax, it's my parents," I say, sniffling loudly to try and clear my nasal passages. Jax hands me a box of tissues and I blow my nose loudly.
"What about your parents; and I'm assuming you're talking about Peter and Claire," Jax asks, and I nod.
"They told me tonight that they are planning on getting divorced now that I know about my identity and such. They've been planning this for several years," I say, and start crying again. Jax cradles me once more.
"I'm so sorry Ren, but you know it's not your fault right?" he tries to comfort, but I sit up and look at him.
"That's just it Jax, it is my fault. The stress of keeping me protected from the Daughters of Darkness is what caused all the fights, and for them to divorce. It's ALL my fault,"I wail, putting my face into my hands. Jax just sits their silently, patting my back.
"Did your parents say that to you?" he asks quietly. I give him a half shrug.
"My dad, he paused just one moment too long before answering if I was the reason they were divorcing. That pause was all I needed to know," I tell him, my lower lip still trembling. Jax sighs, shaking his head at the news.
"Ren I don't even know what to say. Except that you're staying here tonight, and I'm going to call Mara and we're going to do our best to cheer you up," he says. I look at him, and then fling my arms around him.
"Jax, I sometimes wish you weren't gay," I mumble, and he laughs.
"Oh sweetie, if I were straight we wouldn't have had nearly as much fun," he says, and I giggle a little bit.
"There's the Serenity I know and love. Now you stay right here; I'll turn on the television for you and I'll be right back," he tells me.
About a half hour later, Maren arrives with several boxes from my favorite pizza parlor.
"All your favorites Ren, pepperoni pizza, garlic bread and those little chocolate cakes that ooze in the center! " she says, and then comes and gives me a hug.
"I'm so sorry Ren, you know my parents are divorced too, so when you're ready I'm here for you," she tells me, and I give her an extra squeeze. I feel slightly guilty that I have not been paying attention to her the past few months, and I can tell she feels the same about ignoring me since Jax's party. With that hug, it feels that all is forgiven and we can move on. We spend the night stuffing our faces and watching guilty pleasure soap operas, and I almost start to feel a bit more like myself.
That is, until the next morning, when I wake up to a text from my mother.
Ren, I'm so sorry you had to find out like this. Please come home tonight so we can talk. Love you xx Mom.
I turn my phone off and sink back into the pillows with a sigh. I know I can't hide out in Jax's guest bedroom forever, though I know he would tell me otherwise. I decide that it is for the best that after my training that day I go home and face the music.

I arrive to Arlen's house about five minutes later than usual, and I expect him to scold me for my tardiness. Instead, he surprises me and gives me a hug.
"Your mother called me last night and explained everything. Serenity if you do not want to train today, I will understand," he tells me. I smile but shake my head.
"No, I need to train, I want to be ready for whenever Nerine and her minions come back to take me on again," I tell him. He nods understandingly.
"You are a true hero in the making Serenity, your father...your real father, he'd be so proud of you," he tells me, and I can't help but swell with pride.
"It feels good to hear you say that," I say softly.
"Oh and Jax telephoned to say he would be running late, his mother has him running some errands before he can come," he mentions as we walk down into the basement. I nod; it is typical of Mrs. Funke to get Jax to do things for her around the holidays so she can focus on getting their house decorated.
Jax however, doesn't show up, and by the time our two hours are up there is no sight of him. Confused, I walk back up from the basement to find that my phone has missed several texts and voicemails from various people. The first is from Jax.
"Hey Ren, I'm sooo sorry but these errands are taking forever and I don't think I can make it to training today. Let me know if you're sleeping over again tonight; my mom's making strip steak. Love you, bye!" I laugh and move onto the next message.
"Serenity, honey? It's your mother. I hope you got my text this morning. Anyway, I know you're training right now but I wanted to let you know that I love you, and I hope you come home tonight." I blink back the tears that have suddenly formed in my eyes and scroll through my texts. One from Mara asking me how I am holding up, another from Jax, and then one from a number I have deleted off of my phone but will never forget; Josh.
Hey are you home, just passed by there's something strange going on over there... It reads. I stare confusedly at the message, and then almost drop my phone as Josh's number flashes across the screen; he is calling me now. I take a deep breath, and answer.
"Hello?" I say, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible, but the squeak in my voice betrays me.
"Serenity?" I hear him cry out in relief. His tone of voice puts me on the edge.
"What's wrong Josh?" I ask abruptly.
"Serenity, it's your house, I saw the smoke after I texted you and turned back. It's on fire, I just had to make sure you were out of the house," he stammers, and this time I do drop the phone in shock.
"Serenity?" I hear Josh call from the ground, and I slowly bend down to pick it back up.
"Josh I have to go," I say quickly, and hang up. Arlen has come outside and stops short when he sees my face.
"What is it?" he asks.
"My house is apparently on fire. Arlen you don't think-" I begin to say, but then he cuts me off.
"Yes, I do indeed think. We'll take my car," he says, and we rush off to get into his truck. I find myself gripping the armrest with a great force. Arlen glances over and grabs my hand.
"Do not let your emotions get the better of you, not just yet Serenity. If your house is on fire and your parents trapped in it, you will need all of your strength," he tells me. I nod, my mouth set in a straight line. I close my eyes and take deep, calming breaths. I tell myself I can't think the worst, not yet. I can't think about Nerine, or what she has done to my house or with my parents.
We get to the house in minutes, and I see that Josh had not been lying. The flames engulf my house, the black smoke curling wickedly into the air. I hear myself screaming and sink to my knees.
"Serenity, use the sprinkler system in your yard! Concentrate, use them!" Arlen shouts. Forcing myself to stand, I stretch out my arms and focus on all of the water stored underneath the ground. The ground begins to tremble and shake, and then the water shoots up from the lawn. I force it into a wave and send it crashing over my house. The windows shatter, and some of the roof caves in, but after I am done the fire seems to be mostly put out. With that, I run towards my house, with Arlen on my heels.
"Stay alert Serenity for any falling debris. We are not sure how much damage the fire was able to cause before we got here," he reminds me. Trying to stop my hands from trembling, I enter my sodden house.
"Mom? Dad?" I scream, trying to keep hope that they are still alive. I hear Arlen call out their names as well, and I move into the office.
"Dad?" I call out, and suddenly I hear a weak groan. I run around my father's toppled over desk and find him lying underneath it, barely conscious.
"Arlen, I need your help!" I scream. He turns his head to the side and reaches out a bloodied hand to me and I take it, trembling.
"You're alive...that's good," he whispers softly. Arlen enters and swiftly picks up the desk to free my father. He kneels down and checks my dad out for injuries. I can see the way his facial features are contorting that the news isn't pleasant.
"It's doesn't look good...but if we can get him to the hospital now he may turn out just fine," he tells me, and I cry out in relief.
"Ren, I'm so sorry," my father is talking again but I shush him, tears streaming down my face.
"No, I'm sorry Dad, I shouldn't have run out like that," I say and then pause.
"I love you."
"I love you too Ren," he says weakly, and squeezes my hand.
"I'll get your father to the truck, Serenity, then I'll come back and join in your search for your mother," Arlen tells me, and scoops up my father, who groans with pain.
"Gone," I hear him faintly whisper. The word freezes me in place, and I look at him.
"Not…dead?" I ask, not wanting to hear the answer. To my relief my father shakes his head.
"They took her," he says. I walk back over to him and look up at Arlen. We both know the 'who' it is, but it is my father who says it out loud.
"Nerine."