My heart beat increased as soon as I felt my body fall into ice cold water. I couldn’t cry out from how much pain I felt; I felt like someone was the life out of me. I couldn’t move, or open my eyes; I felt numb once the cold water seemed to make the pain simmer down. The feeling of those flames all over me, spreading across my chest was absolutely horrifying; it literally drained me out, and even if the cold water soothed a bit, it wasn’t enough. It didn’t feel like it was enough.

            I could feel myself slipping into obscurity.

            The pain is too much for me to handle. It hurts so much. Please free me from it…before it consumes me.

            ‘Donghae…’ I heard a soft voice above the water call for me; it was a kind voice, but something about it made my heart feel odd. Is it an angel?    

            ‘Donghae, take my hand, and I’ll take away the pain.’ He whispers gently, I could somehow feel his hand going into the water, but I couldn’t open my eyes. I was far too weak, but his voice somehow gave me the will to force myself to listen.

            I extend my arm above my head and soon I feel his hand grasp my hand gently. The person was strong but maybe it felt that way because I was immensely weak. He squeezes my hand and I nearly whimpered from the feeling that ripped into me; it was an odd-yet pleasant feeling. His hand felt warm and I could feel his energy flowing into me; it sort of tickled my wrist for some reason, but I only kept my eyes shut and felt myself being succumbed into his power.

            I felt the power traveling all over every inch of me and I gently shook from how strong it was. I was becoming stronger already as I held onto his hand tightly. I slowly opened my eyes and the last thing I saw were light blue electric sparks coming off his hand and onto me.

            I passed out.

            The overflowing strength knocked me out completely.

            I woke up in my father’s strong arms, I exhaled deeply and stared at his jaw line while trying to remember what exactly happened to me. He was sitting on his King sized bed and I was settled in his lap with his arms draped around me. My head was pressed against his chest, “Appa…” I whispered meekly and he seemed to tighten his grip around me from the sound of my voice.

            “I was so afraid…” he whispered, his voice shook as he buried his head on top of mine. I felt my heart pounding in distress; it sounded like he was going to cry and that was something I never wanted to see from him.

            I always saw Appa as the strongest man alive, he was not only strong in mind but in power as well. I didn’t expect to ever see him cry so I, myself, was near in tears just by the sound of his harsh breathes, “I’m sorry…” I whisper. My lower lip was already quivering.

            “No.” he says and shook his head, “I’m sorry…” he stayed quiet for a bit longer while I sniffled and buried my head in his shoulder, “I’m sorry that I cannot protect you enough, Donghae. I’m what puts you in danger…just being around me is a huge risk for you.” He says gently, his voice nearly giving away.

            I looked up and met his gaze. He wasn’t crying, but he did look torn up by what he was saying. “What do you mean?” I asked in a whisper. I was shaking for some reason, I didn’t like where this was going.

            “Donghae…what did you see when they took you? When you were in the water I could feel your power was close to nothing….” He didn’t look at me as he spoke, he stared at my lightning bolt mark; his thumb ran up and down the black mark.

            “Fire.” I shivered as I remembered the flames destroying the house around me and the lighter flames that all over me as it drained me. I shook while the memory was still vivid in my mind, but appa gently pecks my head and the image went away as I turned to look at him.

            “You definitely aren’t safe with me.” He whispers, “I’m sorry Donghae…but in order to keep you safe I have to stay away from you….” He didn’t look at me as he spoke.

            My heart was pounding in my chest as I stared at his face, he didn’t look at me though. Tears welled up into my eyes and I quickly looked away as they began to fell. I cried gently while he only wrapped an arm around me and hugged me close.

            “I know you are not ready to hear this…or to understand this, but one day you will.” He spoke softly while I cried gently; I wrapped my hands around my mouth to keep quiet, “You have something that everyone wants…you have gifts Donghae.” He was hesitant while I didnt understand what he was trying to tell me.

            “Gifts? Do you mean the ability to control water?” I frown. Why would anyone want that from me?

            “You have more power than just that Donghae….but you yourself have to discover it on your own…” he whispered and carried me as he stood from the bed, “We have to get your stuff ready.” He didn’t look at me as he set me down on the ground and walked off.

            We were in the car with my entire luggage in the trunk.

            Jiyeon was driving us to my destination. I sighed heavily as I stared out the window, trying to memorize my way back home, but I was becoming sleepy.

            “Jiyeon…” my father spoke, “When you chose the….” His eyes seemed to have glanced at me but he looked back towards Jiyeon, “guardian…did you know who he was?” his voice was strong, but I couldn’t understand what he was saying. What guardian?

            “N-No Sir…” Jiyeon said softly, “I had no idea he would be back into our lives…it really didn’t occur to me that he was the same boy.” She sounded scared as she spoke, even apologetic, but appa didn’t show any remorse; he glared at her but then his eyes soften when he notices I was looking at him.

            “I see…” he whispered.

            I closed my eyes and pretended to fall asleep.

            “Donghae always told me it was fate that brought them together….I guess he meant what he said.” He whispered softly.  

            When did I say that? What brought me to whom? I was so confused; my head was beginning to spin.

            “I’m surprised you didn’t know it was him, Sir…you’re the one that can control time. Why didn’t you see it was him who was in your arms?” she sounded like she was teasing him.

            My father stayed quiet for a while before he says, “I didn’t think I’d ever see him again.”

            I opened my eyes and stared out the window with a small frown. I didn’t understand anything, but for some reason I felt happy. I went away from the window and scooted closer to appa, I leaned my head on his shoulder and sighed while I closed my eyes once more.

            “Donghae….you cannot stay with me anymore. It’s far too dangerous and I’m not willing to risk it. Do you have any idea how many people are after you? I would do anything to keep you away from harm…” he seemed to ramble as he petted my head gently, “I’m sorry, but I’ll come back for you after some time…” he said.

            Jiyeon parked the car and my father helped me out while Jiyeon walked back for the luggage.

            I stood in front of the building and I just stared at it; my breathing increased while my heart sped up. In big letters it said, ‘Children’s Orphanage’. I felt my throat closing in on my as hot tears threatened to fall again.

            I looked down and couldn’t help but smile at the way my father dressed me. He made me wear a cute Lego t-shirt, black pants, and converse. He told me he wanted me to fit in, so he took away all my fancy clothes and traded them for clothes that any regular (not rich) kid would have. I gulped and stared at my feet as my father turned to face me.

            “Do you know why we’re here?” he stared at the top of my head while I just looked down at my feet.

            My eyes were half closed but I didn’t stare at anything in particular; my heart ached while my body shook in nerves. “I’m in danger…” I said simply while shutting my eyes tightly.

            “Do you know why?”

            Not really. “b-because of the gifts…” my voice was small. I struggled to keep the tears from falling, I tried to tell myself to be strong, but it wasn’t working out for me. I didn’t want to disappoint someone like my father by allowing myself to cry. He once told me ‘men never cry’.

            “There are many things you do not understand, Donghae. You are too young to comprehend the dangers that await you.” He stood in front of me, but got down on his knees to look me in the eyes; he pressed his gentle hands on my shoulders.

            I struggled not to cry, but tears escaped my eyes.

            “Many bad people will be after you…you cannot trust anyone so easily, Donghae.” He stopped himself and frowned a bit as he stared at the lightning bolt mark on the side of my wrist. “Mostly every one will be after you…” he whispered while cupping my cheeks with his palms. “I would do anything for you Donghae…” he sounded so sincere.

            “I would do anything for you, Appa.” I cried heavily and hugged him tightly; I never wanted to let him go. Hot tears fell from my eyes and my heart beat pounded faster into my chest. “Don’t leave me…” I whispered a small plea but Appa remained quiet as he hugged me tightly.

            Jiyeon stood nearby, “Sir…the luggage is inside now…” she says softly, but I didn’t look at her. My eyes stayed glued to my father as he pulled away and slowly stood up. I watched him with wide eyes, my heart unable to let go but my body stayed frozen in place. My eyes scanned his face, memorizing every feature on his skin; I shook a bit as tears kept falling.

            “Stay away from people with special colored eyes, Donghae.” He warned. He could see I was confused, “Stay away from people with purple eyes…with silver eyes…with pink eyes…with yello-”

            “Why?” I managed to ask in a quivering voice.

            “They’re greedy, Donghae. They would kill you in a heart beat just to be powerful….” He stared into my eyes and I stared back into his dark eyes; they were almost black, “Don’t trust anyone.” He warns once again before he holds out his hand for me.

            I gulp and hold his hand tightly before he pulls me inside the building. I trailed behind him as we went deeper into the orphanage. It wasn’t as dreary as I expected it to be, it was filled with colorful pictures everywhere and the floor was a deep purple color. I hid behind my father when I see a nun approaching us with an unusual grin on her smile. My hands clutched onto his legs and I hid behind him.

            “Don’t worry, Mr. Lee, your secret is safe with us.” She said with a smile.

            “Don’t think that just because this place is filled with helpless children I won’t burn it down. If you deceive me, I’ll make sure it’ll be the last thing you ever do.” His tone made me shiver, he could be scary sometimes.

            Jiyeon stared at me and smiled warmly, “Come on Donghae, I’ll show you your room.” She says and I nod and take her hand. She pulls me away and appa and the nun talk a while longer.

            “You’re really gonna like it here, Donghae.” Jiyeon carried me and sat me on the small bed. She smiled warmly and I couldn’t help but match her smile; there was something about her that I really liked.

            I don’t have an umma.

            She died when I was born which has always made me feel terribly guilty. Appa once told me it wasn’t my fault…things just happen for a reason. I stared at Jiyeon and wondered to myself if my mother was anything like her. Was she as caring as her? As pretty? I actually imagined my mother to be far more beautiful than anyone I’ve ever seen….I looked down at my feet and blushed a bit while Jiyeon pecked my head.

            Does my umma know about this power I supposedly have? I sighed heavily, “Jiyeon…how long do I have to stay here?”

            “Just until you’re strong enough.” She says gently and stared at me with a huge smile, “Listen,” she takes my hands into hers and cups them sweetly, “I know it’s difficult to believe that you’re something else Donghae…I bet you’re confused…maybe scared?” she studied my expressions and I just stared at her with none. I didn’t know how to take any of this honestly.

            I