I tried to brush it off, laughing awkwardly. "Yeah, maybe I'm just getting more coordinated or something. Anyway, guys, I should get going. See you tomorrow!"
Austin and Greg exchanged concerned glances, but they nodded and said their goodbyes. I quickly paid for my snack and headed out of the café, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety.
As soon as I got home, I locked myself in my room and focused on the alien presence in my mind. "Zha'thik, what just happened?" I demanded. "I reacted in a way that's not humanly possible. What's going on?"
Zha'thik's voice responded, calm and detached. "Your body is adapting to the core's energy, Gillian. You're developing abilities beyond human capabilities. The incident at the café was a manifestation of your growing powers."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. "What kind of powers? And how do I control them?"
"Your powers are still evolving," Zha'thik replied. "But rest assured, I'm guiding the process. You'll learn to harness your abilities in time."
I wasn't sure if I should be reassured or terrified. "What about my friends? They noticed something was off. What if they figure out what's happening to me?"
"Don't worry, Gillian," Zha'thik said. "I'll help you manage your interactions with humans. You'll learn to keep your abilities under control."
But I wasn't convinced. I felt like I was losing control, and Zha'thik's assurances didn't ease my concerns.
"Okay, let's try to understand this," I said to Zha'thik. "What exactly can I do now?"
"Your abilities are still developing," Zha'thik replied. "But you've shown potential in energy manipulation and enhanced reflexes. The incident at the café was just a glimpse of what's to come."
I focused on my hands, wondering what I was capable of. "Show me what I can do," I asked Zha'thik.
"Very well," Zha'thik said. "Let's try a simple exercise. Focus your energy on that book on your desk."
I concentrated, feeling a strange tingling sensation in my fingers. To my amazement, the book began to levitate off the desk.
"Whoa," I breathed. "This is incredible!"
Zha'thik's voice was calm. "You're making good progress, Gillian. But control is key. Let's work on precision and stability."
I nodded, eager to learn more. As I continued to experiment with my powers, I felt a rush of excitement and trepidation. What other abilities lay hidden within me?
As I experimented with my powers, I felt a sense of exhilaration and wonder. I tried lifting various objects, manipulating their movements, and even attempted to create small blasts of energy. But after a while, I started to feel a dull headache creeping in, accompanied by a sense of fatigue.
I stumbled over to my bed and lay down, rubbing my temples. "Zha'thik, what's going on? I feel... drained."
"The energy manipulation is taxing on your body, Gillian," Zha'thik explained. "Your brain is still adapting to the core's power. The headache is a minor side effect, but it will subside as you learn to control your abilities more efficiently."
I winced, feeling a bit worried. "And what about long-term effects? Will there be major changes in my body or personality?"
Zha'thik's response was measured. "There will be changes, Gillian. Your body will adapt to the core's energy, and your abilities will continue to evolve. As for your personality... it's possible that your experiences will shape you in ways you can't yet anticipate."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. "What do you mean? Will I still be... me?"
"You will be... different," Zha'thik said. "But the essence of who you are will remain. The core's influence will enhance your capabilities, not erase your identity."
I wasn't sure if I should be reassured or concerned. The uncertainty hung over me like a shadow, dark and foreboding.