••••••Abel Johnson's world imploded at the tender age of 13. A catastrophic car crash snuffed out his parents' lives, leaving him with a perpetual reminder of that fateful night: a maddening tinnitus that shrieked in his ears like a banshee.Foster care proved a hollow solace. The cacophony of his new "family" - the cacophony of life itself - threatened to consume him. Abel retreated, seeking refuge in the silence that had become his constant companion.But silence bred desperation. As he navigated the harsh landscape of adolescence, he discovered that the shadows held a siren's call. He honed his skills as a thief, always staying one step ahead of detection.Yet, the silence that had shielded him began to feel suffocating. Abel's soul cried out for more - for purpose, for connection, for redemption.Then at the age of 22, like a whispered promise, it began.A strange, tingling energy coursed through his veins, awakening dormant strengths. Abel's muscles flexed with newfound power, a

•••••"Any luck" Claire asks."No. I don't even know what's wrong. I usually go with them in their head, but right now, I can't see anything" Michael replies, staring deep into my eyes."Maybe in those times it was your choice" Claire says, still keeping her distance from us."Huh?" Michael utters, turning towards Claire.Immediately, he shifts his gaze back to me. "Sorry""I mean, whenever you do go inside their heads, it is because you choose to. That's why you can literally do whatever you want in their head" Claire voice, eyes scanning for signs of Saint."Just focus, calm your mind and bring him back" she says calmly.••••••"Okay, are you ready?" I ask as I place dad's violin on my shoulder."Of course, go ahead, legs" dad smiles.Mom chuckles as she sits down on the couch next to dad. "Yeah, baby, we are"*I'm gonna go all out*Then I begin to play.••••••Michael POV••••••*Okay, calm down, and breath.*I focus on North's tranquil face, my gaze delving into his eyes. Claire's

••••••North POV••••••"So, are you guys ready?" Saint asks as I and Michael approach the cliff next to the waterfall."Yeah, let's do this" I reply as my confidence begins to build.Michael nods.••••••30 minutes ago"I could choke if I eat another plate of instant ramen" Michael said as we gather fire wood.I chuckled. "Same"We stayed silent for a while, searching for the right wood.Then I broke the silence."Hey, Michael"He turned towards me."Yeah?""I uhmm, I think we haven't gotten to summon our wings because we don't fully trust ourselves yet""Mm" he nodded. "What do you suggest?""Honestly, I think we should just jump off and know that we wouldn't fail. We shouldn't doubt our capabilities. We are Avatars after all" I replied.He smiled. "You make it sound so easy. And I guess it is. Yeah, no room for doubt""Right"••••••NowMichael nods.Claire is standing next to Saint, patiently waiting. Her eyes fixed on us."Great" Saint smiles as Michael and I turn our backs to th

The drive home begins.••••••I enter the house, trying to hide my limp."Hey, mom" I greet."Hi, baby. Welcome back," she says, removing muffins from the oven.Her eyes sparkle as she turns to face me, stopping from rushing up the stairs."So, how was camping?" She asks.I attempt a nonchalant smile."It was great. Saint and the others were awesome."Mom's gaze drops to my ankle."Awesome, huh? And what's with the fancy ankle wrap?"I chuckle, caught."Oh, uh, just a little mishap."Mom's eyebrows rise."Mishap?"She sets the muffin tray down, marching toward me."Let me see."I hesitate, but she's determined.She gently unwraps the bandage, revealing a bruise.Her expression changes from curiosity to concern."North! What happened?"I shrug."Minor slip during a hike. No big deal."Her hands on her hips."Minor slip? Saint was supposed to keep an eye on you, not turn you into a human sling."I laugh."Mom, it's really fine."She sighs. "Get ice on that. Now."As I obey, Mom mutters

•••••To master our abilities."Alright, let's go again!" Saint declares, as he wraps his blindfold around his eyes."Right!" Michael, Claire, and I exclaim in unison, our determination palpable.We give some some distance from him."Begin" Saint utters.We charge into the fray, blindfolds secure, senses heightened.The sound of our footsteps echoes through the room.Saint's giggles resonates, taunting us. He is having fun.I track his movement by sound.A faint rustle of fabric.A soft creak of the floor.A subtle shift in air pressure.I fire blindly.A paintball whizzes past Saint's ear.He spins and returns fire.The paintball explodes against the wall.Michael's gunfire intensifies.Claire's shots ping off the floor.Saint dodges using echolocation to evade our shots.He leaps over a stray paintball an lands softly.He fires a paintball, it grazes Claire's arm.She gasps, adjusts her aim and fires back.Saint's grunt confirms a hit.Michael seizes the opening and release shots ag