Chapter Three

Of course, Madeline passed Annika’s little test, and they began to meet in secret, on her days that she couldn't meet with others. Slowly, she began to reveal more about herself, like her name and relationship with the owners of the farm she lived on. When Annika was seventeen and Madeline was fifteen, however, she asked about her isolation.

“Why do you never leave this place?” Annika asked, spreading an arm. “And why all the secrecy?”

She sighed. “Annika, you don’t know what I’m capable of.”

Annika groaned. “You say that every time I try to ask!”

“Well, it's true, okay? You really don’t!”

They suddenly grew quiet, until Annika whispered, “Show me then. Please, you can trust me.”

Madeline sighed. “Look, I can’t leave here because my powers could make me a target! It's the same reason I can’t tell you what they are! What if you accidentally tell someone?”

She pouted. “So you don’t trust me?”

“I trust you! But it could put *you* in danger.”

“Please? Show me real quick and I promise I'll never say another word about it!”

She sighed. “Fine. But you have to come over into my yard.”

“Okay.”

Five minutes later, Annika had managed to struggle over the tall fence and into the grass, with much instruction from Madeline. “Ugh!” she said as she fell into the grass with a thump. “So show me.”

“Okay… but stand back.”

Once Annika stood out of the way, Madeline pointed a finger at the ground. Slowly, a rock started to come out of the grass… and then a nightmare pulled her in.

*No, not my child! Please!* A woman’s voice.

*Dad!* Varian’s. Madeline started to lose control. Rocks started shooting everywhere, like little blades of death. Annika was white as a ghost.

*Madeline! Please!* Varian still. Then he heard his voice, screaming, and it entered her ears, not just in her vision, but in real life. With the last of her willpower, Madeline slammed her hands into the ground, breathing hard, and then… silence. The rocks slowly sunk back into the ground.

Annika took a shaky breath. “Whatever I was expecting… it wasn’t that.”

Varian ran to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Madeline! Are you okay? Why did you do that? And what is she doing here?”

Madeline took one, two, three deep breaths and then said, “I’m sorry. I’ve known this girl for a few years now- Annika Danporth, that’s her name.”

“I know who Annika is,” Varian replied. “She lives around here, but that doesn't mean you can trust her!”

“She’s kept my existence a secret for two years, and she didn’t even tell you, and she *knew* that you knew about me,” she pointed out.

“Okay… but still, you know Dad’s rules! Don’t use your powers, don’t talk to strangers-”

“*Your* dad’s rules,” she pointed out. “Honestly, I felt like I could trust Annika, and I wanted to show her my powers.”

He sighed, “Maddie, I care for you. That’s why I’m doing this.”

“I know,” she whispered. “But… I feel like the Princess felt. Rapunzel, the one you know. We’re so similar…”

“We’re not trying to use you, you know that,” he said, helping her to her feet.

“I know, but I wish I could see the outside world.”

He considered. Then he whispered, “Tomorrow evening, meet me at the eastern edge of the gate. I’ll unlock it for you.”

Then he turned to Annika and said, “You have to go. Madeline, it’s getting dark. You should go inside.”

Annika struggled over the fence as Madeline returned to her cottage alone.

## Trivia

* This was the second chapter not to include a mood song.