Chapter 26

It was early the next morning as the mist hung low on the ground. Mia found it hard to sleep after hearing that she could go to jail so she made the decision to get back to training even though her father wasn't there to train her anymore.

She started by running through the forest very early the next morning. As the sun's warm rays touched the roof of her cottage Mia found herself breathing heavily as she placed her hands on her knees after her jog. "You up early in the morning?" came a familiar voice.

Mia looked in the direction the voice came from and recognized Reds immediately. "I think it's better for people with to keep training. My father used to say, that as long as you keep training you will always be in control. My uncle mentioned I might go to jail for losing control. It can not happen again," Mia siad.

"He told you that even though he knew he was too busy to train you," Red replied. "Yes well, I found a job with the rangers as a dog handler for elite search and rescue missions and patrols in the forest for illegal hunters and stuff," Mia replied.

"You got in already, congratulations," Red replied. "Yes well, I was told that I did the best out of everyone who applied in ten years. Got full marks all thought I did use my training with my dad a lot," Mia replied.

"So what is your plans for today?" Red asked. "Well I was planning on training this morning and doing research this afternoon," Mia replied. "What research will you be doing?" Red asked. "Well I have never had a dog before, I want to know how to take care of it? What will it need?" Mia replied.

Red raised an eyebrow and asked, "you agreed to be a dog handler but you never handled a dog before?" Mia looked around embarrassed and siad, "Dad always said it would be too much for us, besides out there is the best place for me to keep my powers under control," Mia siad.

"Yes well, I was going to say they dismissed the charges. No one got injured just a lot of people that got stuck but everyone got out. There is a fine though since you will be required to pay for the repairs and stuff. Your uncles agreed to share the cost so you dont have to pay this time. I am glad to know you are training again but are you going to train alone?" Red asked.

"What choice do I have Red? My uncles are too busy to train me if they can only see me once a week it's going to be a problem. So I need to practice on my own," Mia siad. "Mind if I train with you in the mornings. This way I get my exercise and I get to keep an eye on you. At least your not alone?" Red asked.

"Yes, all thought it feels weird doing all this alone. My father used to do it with me," Mia siad. "Yes well I can not replace your father but I do have a dog. I can show you how to take care of your new partner and help you set up the perfect environment for him or her?" Red said.

Mia's face lit up and said, "you can, that would be such a big help," Mia said. "Well, I need to report to my superior for now but I will see you tomorrow," Red siad. Mia trained on her own that morning doing situps and pushups. She stretched her mussels and practised her skills.

That afternoon she hit the shower feeling hot and sweaty. Once she got out she found Sally waiting in the living room. "You trained really hard this morning?" she siad. "Yes well I thought it would be best if I get back into training," Mia replied.

"You're not going to wait for your uncles?" Sally asked. "Yes, I am but I thought I should get an early start by practising what I already know. I dont want to lose control again so I decided to do what I needed to do to stay in control," Mia siad.

"I saw Red was with you this morning?" Sally said. "Yes, he came to check in on me and offered to help me prepare for my job as a ranger," Mia said. "Ranger, what are you talking about?" Sally asked. "Mary - Anne came to see me last night. They want me, my score was the best in ten years. I was chosen as a dog handler and we will do both elite search and rescue but also patrol the forest for illegal hunting and such," Mia siad.

"Mia that's good news but have you ever owned a dog before?" Sally asked. "No that's why Red agreed to help me. He already has a dog so he will help me get ready for her or him," Mia replied. "That's good of him, all though he does not need to go out of his way. Mia, you do know that you will need to get a drivers licence soon. If this is the path your choosing," Sally siad.

"I can not say I didn't see it coming but won't it cost money to get a licence?" Mia asked. "Yes it will and for that, you will need money since training doesn't guarantee you will have money of your own yet. This is something you will need to talk about with your uncles," Sally siad.

Mia watched Sally walk back to the main home. All though it wasn't so far. Mia noticed she got into a golf car and drove the rest of the way. That evening Mia phoned her uncle Mike to inform him of the good news. He was happy for her but also worried. "Mia are you sure this is the right path for you?" he asked.

"Uncle as long as I have my hearing living on the base will be a problem. I need to start a career as an adult and what better way to start as a ranger. I know it's not ideal but it's just what better choise is there. What if we never find mom and dad? Can I really wait for them to show up and give their approval?" Mia asked.

"You dont understand the dangers of being alone Mia," Uncle Mike siad. "Yes I do, I know they will come for me but what am I suppose to do. I am not allowed to live with either you or uncle Kevin. In case you didn't know, I am alone right now," Mia siad.

"Sally is there with you, once you start working you will be alone and that's what I am worried about," her uncle Mike said. "So what do you want me to do, hide for the rest of my life?" Mia asked. "If it keeps you save, yes," her uncle replied. "Well in case you didn't notice uncle hiding from the world is why I am in trouble with the law," Mia said.

They spoke for what felt like hours and when Mia was done talking she was fuming with anger. She could hear the thunder and lightning dancing in the sky. "Why is it that I am the one with this stupid power," Mia shouted. She went outside and sat on the ground legs crossed.

Closing her eyes she started to take deep breaths and focused on listening to the forest. She heard the birds singing and the river dancing. She heard the dogs barking and the horses galloping. She felt the gentle wind and the warm rays of the sun. Mia opened her eyes and got up on her feet.

"Good job calming down your anger like that Mia but why are you angry?" Sally asked. "Uncle Mike thinks it's better than I am locked up," Mia replied. "Locked up, why would he want to do that?" Sally asked. "Well, I suppose it's the hunters mostly, I mean why else?" Mia said.

"O Mia don't you mind him, he lost his sister and he does not want to lose you," Sally said. "Yea and locking me up is exactly what he needs to do," Mia siad. The clouds started to gather again and Sally said, "calm down if that cloud hits the ground you will be locked up that is a guarantee," Sally said.

"Not you too, Sally," Mia siad. "We are only doing what is best for you Mia," Sally said. "You dont have my hearing Sally, it hurts being around the base," Mia said. "You will get used to it," Sally replied.

Mia went out for a run that night again and when she got back it was dark. She was surprised that no one came looking for her but when she got inside her uncle Kevin was sitting there waiting for her. "Where were you?" he asked. "Trying not to lose control, today I almost lost control of my storm element twice. Honestly, why do I have a mega-storm ability connected to my emotions," Mia said.

Kevin raised an eyebrow and asked, "you lost your temper and decided to go for a run instead but why were you angry?" Mia looked at him and siad, "you probably would agree with uncle Mike and Sally so why bother telling you?" Mia said.

"Tell me what?" he asked. "I passed the ranger test. They asked me to be a dog handler elite search and rescue plus, illegal hunting and some other stuff," Mia siad. Mary - Anne came to see you?" he asked. "After you left last night, I agreed but right now I suppose I need to phone her and quiet," Mia said.

Kevin looked at Mia and said, "it might be for the best Mia." That night Mia phoned Mary - Anne and delivered the difficult news to her. "Mia we have never had anyone as skilled as you. How can you just leave us when we need more help?" she asked.

"I know Mary - Anne and I would love to help but I got my family in a lot of trouble. I am afraid I need to do as they said," Mia replied. Mary - Anne was not happy with the news and said, "I won't stop asking Mia. You have a lot of potentials," she replied and ended the call.