“We are officially declaring a nationwide emergency. The infected have turned violent…”

  “…supplies are in demand. Families who did not start stockpiling their supplies are now starving in their homes, afraid to go outside…”

  “We are calling it the Awakening. Those who have been harmed by an infected person or have had direct contact with them will either become one of them or will awaken abilities…”

  “These abilities all coincide with those in our ancient histories. Control of elements, enhanced bodies, etc. The government has been keeping a close eye on those awakened…”

  “We can’t help but ask what is the government doing about this outbreak, there have been no immediate responses only instructions with basic health tips for keeping from being infected…”

  The news was bursting with stories of those who had awakened abilities.

  Lián Liwei would shake his head. “Foolish people are just asking to be taken advantage of.”

  “They can’t help it, Grandpa. To them this is a strange new world.” Lián Xīng glanced at the news channels that were still functioning, “The energies that keep this world alive have long been forgotten; to them, abilities were once just a myth, not reality.”

  Lián Xīng looked out the door toward the hallway that led to the twins’ rooms.

  “They’ll be alright. They are strong.”

  She wasn’t sure if he was talking about the experience at the grocery or the fact the twins had both gotten fevers when they were back. They were sleeping fitfully the last she checked, so she decided to check on them again.

  “I’ll check on Mùchén; you check on Měi Lán.”

  As Lián Xīng walked down the corridor, her heart pounded in her chest. She knew there had been no telling of infected dying (except for the frenzies), but it was still terrifying to see her favorite children laying in their beds tossing and turning.

  Měi Lán had dark circles under her eyes and was mumbling.

  After patting her dry from the sweat on her brow, she gathered the now crying child in her arms. Her eyes fluttered open, glowing faintly amber in the light.

  “No matter what happens, Měi Lán, I’m here for you.”

  The crying mumbling continued, and she put her ear closer to Měi Lán’s head.

  “…leave me.”

  “I won’t leave you. I don’t care what they say outside, you will always be my little sunflower.”

  She held Měi Lán throughout the night, occasionally rocking her as the cries continued. That’s how Mùchén and Grandfather Lián Liwei found them. Lián Xīng curled up around an infected Měi Lán who no longer was feverish. Měi Lán's eyes were open, but she made no move to get out of Lián Xīng’s hold as if sensing Lián Xīng meant her no harm, even her different state.

  Lián Xīng woke to Mùchén crying in the doorway, held by Lián Liwei. She feared the worst, looking down at Měi Lán, and found relief to see Měi Lán only infected and not dead. She made slow movements and kissed the top of Měi Lán’s head that had an almost opalescent sheen to it now. Měi Lán’s eyes glanced at her but didn’t make a move to get out of the bed. Her gaze to the sunlight shining across them from the window.

  “I’ll heal you, Měi Lán. I promise.”

  The new Měi Lán only moved to stand beneath the window. Her face turned up to the sunlight as if…

  Lián Xīng watched over her, perhaps a kind of photosynthesis?

  “Měi Lán?” She always approached with slow movements, remembering how the other infected reacted to fast movements. “Are you hungry?”

  Měi Lán’s new bright amber gaze peered at Lián Xīng, her head tilted to the side before turning back to look straight into the sunlight.

  “Měi Lán, can I touch your hand?” Lián Xīng telegraphed her movements as she raised her hand to touch her niece’s before carefully turning it over to see the opalescent look wasn’t just on Měi Lán’s skin but in her veins. It hadn’t completely taken over all of them, but it was most noticeable on her hands and around her eyes. Kneeling beside Měi Lán, she held her hand and focused on the energies of the planet before then focusing on what Měi Lán’s body was giving off. She tilted her head much like Měi Lán had. How curious, Měi Lán’s energies felt similar to her own but different. It was more like something more organic.

  Each day for half a week, Lián Xīng focused on healing, only to realize it wasn’t that simple. The infection activated the abilities, so somehow she needed to give it something in return. A theory came to her mind: the Caretakers could give abilities that were capable by themselves. She was nearly a complete hybrid; yes, she could do it. Focusing on her energy, she envisioned in her own mind’s eye replacing the infection bit by bit with her ability. It was only when she closed her eyes and focused that she could almost sense Měi Lán in her mind, a small star reaching out to her. In her mind, she imagined her starlight embracing hers, turning the amber light into her white gold.

  She woke that night to a voice that she sorely missed.

  “Auntie?”

  Looking up, she saw that Měi Lán’s eyes had returned to their dark amber, no longer glowing, and her skin no longer opalescent.

  She pulled the girl into her arms, a sob coming from her throat.

  “You never gave up on me.” Měi Lán whispered as her small arms tightened around her aunt.

  “Never.” Lián Xīng kissed Měi Lán’s cheeks. “We missed you.”

  Instinctively, Lián Xīng knew Měi Lán would never return to being infected, but she also knew she was changed. She could sense her, feel her heartbeat; she was just right there in the corner of Lián Xīng’s mind’s eye.

  Wiping her tears, she stood, and just as she did, she heard Měi Lán’s stomach grumble.

  She let out a joyful laugh. “Let’s get you some breakfast.”

  Her niece’s hand in hers she took her down the hall to where the other remaining household sat quietly their gazes staring into their porridge sadness in their features.

  “Grandpa, could you get another bowl?”

  He glanced up only for his eyes to widen and him to jump from his seat, startling Mùchén, who looked up only for his eyes to widen too.

  Mùchén stumbled from his chair, almost falling, only to catch himself using a strong breeze that lifted him back on his feet.

  “Sister!”

  “You’ve got superpowers, Mùchén!”

  He let out a joyful laugh as he ran to his twin and held her tightly in an embrace.