"Daddy! Daddy!"
Spirit's voice echoed through the hallway as she pounded on the door.
It swung open.
Kendra stood there—tense, eyes sharp.
Before Spirit could say anything, she rushed inside.
"Daddy—I'm a gift!"
The words burst out of her, bright and unstoppable.
But the room—
Felt wrong.
Too quiet.
James and Esther sat on the bed. Rachel and Luke leaned against the wall. Peter sat stiffly in the chair. Deborah slept, unaware.
And Naveen stood in front of them all.
Serious.
Heavy.
Spirit's smile faltered.
"…What happened?"
Kendra didn't answer.
She grabbed Spirit by the ear.
"OW—Mom, what are you doing?!"
Kendra dragged her forward and dropped her onto the bed beside James.
Then—
Smack.
The sound cracked through the room.
Spirit gasped, clutching her hand.
"What did I do?!"
Her voice trembled, eyes filling with tears.
"I didn't do anything—"
"Yes, you did," Kendra snapped, her voice cold and sharp."I gave you one simple instruction: do not leave this room without me or your father."
Spirit froze.
"You disobeyed us," Kendra continued, stepping closer. "And not only that—you lied. You said you were in the bathroom."
Her finger pointed straight at Spirit.
"You could have been kidnapped."
The word hit like a stone.
"I searched everywhere. I asked every staff member if they'd seen you." Her voice cracked—not weak, but strained. "I was scared."
Spirit's chest tightened.
"And then," Kendra said, her tone turning bitter, "you walk back in here like nothing happened. Calm. Carefree."
Her lips curled slightly.
"And the first thing you say is—"
She mimicked her voice.
"'I'm a gift.'"
Laughter broke out.
Rachel. Luke. Esther.
Even James tried to hide his smile.
Spirit felt something inside her collapse.
"I asked you a question," Kendra said sharply. "Was that fair to your family?"
"…No," Spirit whispered.
"Did we teach you to lie?"
"No."
"Did we teach you to disobey?"
"No, Mom, I'm sorry, I just—"
"Stop." Kendra cut her off instantly. "You do not get to justify your actions. Especially not with this 'I'm a gift' nonsense."
More laughter.
Quieter this time—but it still cut.
Spirit lowered her head.
"We're not done," Naveen said.
The room stilled.
His voice wasn't loud—but it carried weight.
He pointed at James.
"And you."
James straightened slightly.
"That stunt you pulled earlier? That wasn't funny. It was disrespectful."
Silence.
"And in the restaurant—playing with your ability like that?" Naveen's jaw tightened. "You know better."
Kendra stepped in, her voice rising again.
"There is a line between being funny and being disrespectful—and you crossed it. Completely."
She folded her arms.
"And let me remind you why we have these rules."
The room grew colder.
"If people find out what you can do… you won't be treated like a person."
No one moved.
"You'll be an object. A tool. The palace will take you—and they won't care about who you are."
James swallowed.
"Is that what you want?"
"…No," he said quietly.
"And you, Rachel," Kendra continued, turning sharply.
Rachel stiffened.
"You are older than Spirit. Yes, she acted out of line—but that does not give you permission to lower yourself to that same level."
Rachel said nothing.
Then—
Kendra turned back to Spirit.
Her gaze softened—only slightly.
"You're nine years old," she said, quieter now. "That behavior… is not something I expect from you."
Spirit's throat tightened.
"I raised you better than that."
The disappointment hurt more than the slap.
Kendra stepped back.
Naveen exhaled slowly, running a hand over his face.
"I know," he began, his voice calmer now, "that our family… is different."
The children listened.
"We don't live like other families. And your mother and I—we're doing the best we can."
He looked at them—each of them.
"We love you. Everything we do… is to protect you."
A pause.
"I know it feels strict. I know it feels unfair sometimes."
His eyes lingered on James and Esther.
"But the world outside… is not kind to people like you."
Silence settled over the room.
"Yeah," Spirit said suddenly. "I need to learn how to control my gift."
Rachel groaned loudly, dragging her hands down her face.
"Not again. Spirit—just stop."
Her voice turned sharp.
"You are not a gift. Got that?"
Spirit lifted her chin.
"I actually am. I can prove it."
Rachel scoffed.
"I'm not wasting my time watching you sit in a swamp doing nothing."
"I don't care what you believe," Spirit said, her voice steadier now.
She turned to Naveen.
"Daddy… I am a gift. Please. Come with me. I can show you—it won't be like last time."
James flopped back onto the bed.
"This is getting annoying."
"So what kind of gift are you?" Peter asked, curious.
"Don't encourage her," James muttered.
"Everyone," Naveen said, his voice heavy with exhaustion, "it's time for bed."
But Spirit didn't stop.
"I'm a water gift."
The room—
Exploded.
James. Esther. Rachel—laughing again.
Luke grinned, trying to hold it in. Even Peter struggled.
"Well," Peter said, nodding toward a bucket in the corner, "there's water right there. Show us."
"No," Kendra said immediately. "We're done for tonight."
"Wait," Naveen said quietly.
He placed a hand on her waist.
"Let her try."
Kendra hesitated.
"Dad… you actually think she's a gift?" Luke asked, surprised.
"Seriously?" James added.
"Enough," Naveen said. "Let her show us."
Spirit moved quickly.
She dragged the bucket into the center of the room and sat down.
Her heart pounded.
Focus.
She dipped her hand into the water.
Closed her eyes.
Breathed.
The room faded.
The laughter.
The doubt.
Everything.
I'm liquid.
We are connected.
The energy came—stronger than before.
Rushing.
Alive.
"Ugh. I'm going to bed," Rachel muttered, turning away.
Spirit lifted her hand.
The water rose with it.
Gasps.
Real this time.
The laughter died instantly.
The water hovered—shimmering, suspended in air.
Spirit's eyes stayed locked on it.
Unmoving.
Certain.
Naveen dropped to one knee beside her.
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"…You are."
Spirit's chest swelled.
She shaped her hands—
And the water folded inward.
A perfect sphere.
"Whoa…" Luke breathed, inching closer.
"How are you doing that?"
He reached out and touched it.
Nothing happened.
One by one, the others stepped forward.
Touched it.
Felt it.
But only Spirit controlled it.
"You didn't believe me," Spirit said softly, a small smile forming. "So… what is this?"
Silence.
Then—
Kendra spoke.
"We were wrong."
Her voice was quiet.
Filled with awe.
"You are a gift. A water gift."
"Can you change the shape?" James asked, now fully leaning in. "Like… a square? Or something?"
Spirit nodded.
She tried.
Forced it.
The water resisted—shifting, slipping.
No.
She stopped.
Go with the flow.
She relaxed.
And the water responded.
A snake formed—fluid, alive.
It moved as she moved.
Effortless.
"Wow," Kendra whispered. "That's… incredible control."
Spirit grinned.
"Watering the plants is going to be so easy now."
"You're right!" Rachel said, stunned.
"Mom," Luke said suddenly, voice small. "I want to be a gift too."
"It's not fair…"
Rachel nodded slowly. "She's younger than me…"
Kendra stepped forward.
"Listen to me."
Her tone was firm—but gentle.
"Gifts do not make you better than anyone else."
Naveen nodded.
"Never think that."
"Spirit," Kendra said softly, "put the water back. It's time for bed."
Spirit lowered her hands.
The water slipped back into the bucket.
The candles were blown out.
The room fell into darkness.
One by one, they drifted to sleep.
But Luke stayed awake a little longer.
Staring at the ceiling.
Wondering.
Will I ever become a gift?
Even a small one.
Anything.
Anything at all.