was as she left it.  This life was frozen in time — a relic of someone who once was.

Tessa laid awake in bed staring up at her ceiling.  Sleep was hard to find.  This place of her past gave her a moment to pause and contemplate her future.  She wondered how she evolved from a simple farm girl to the leader of a rebellions.  She wondered if she even had any control of her life anymore.  Things were spiraling so fast she wasn’t sure she was making the right decision.  How could she know what was right?  What if she was wrong?

Her head spun in a tailspin for hours with anxiety.  Eventually the stress drove her to wear herself out and sleep took her, but dreams didn’t offer any solace.  Her worries in the waking world plagued her subconscious much the same.  There was no escaping her own self-doubt.

The next morning Tessa awoke and ate breakfast with her family. For a moment, it felt like old times. She almost left the table to head for the barn, but Tessa had a new mission in life now. One with higher stakes and heavy responsibility. Somewhere Tessa never imaged she would be.

Instead of working on farm equipment, Tessa prepared for an appearance at the local farmers’ market. She had gone to the market so many times before, but this time would be different. Tessa wouldn’t be representing the farm; she would try to save the people of Stillwater. To achieve her goal, she needed to convince the townsfolk to align with Evos, which went against all their teachings.

Evos in H.I.V.E propaganda were represented as bloodthirsty savages who were enemies and considered a danger to humanity. Since becoming an Evo, Tessa learned that wasn’t true. Some Evos followed a dark path and used their gifts for personal gain and to terrorize humans. But Tessa also met plenty of peaceful Evos who only wanted to live their lives. Tessa had to convince the people of Stillwater Evos could be allies and not enemies.

Tessa rode in the farm truck with her brother Andy and learning Tessa was an Evo didn’t seem to faze him. Andy still gave Tessa a hard time. As her older brother, she expected nothing less from him. She threatened an Evo retaliation, but he knew she was all talk.

Tessa helped Andy set up the stand and sensed all the eyes watching her. News travels fast in a small town, and everyone knew about Evie’s death and Tessa’s abduction. Tessa also presumed that by now, everyone learned why H.I.V.E took her. Everyone figured she was an Evo. The sidelong wary glances she received from people she had known her whole life offered all the affirmation she needed.  They were aware of what she was and feared her.

Tessa didn’t need to wait long for her first confrontation with frightened folks. She watched as an armed group of men led by her old bully Brock Turner marched down the farmers’ market headed straight for her. Tessa walked out into the street and put her hands up in submission. Brock was always hostile toward her, and she wanted to diffuse any tension right away and showcase a peaceful presence.  It would be a challenge to defuse Brock, but she figured herself smart enough to outwit the meathead.

Brock pointed his shotgun at Tessa, and the others did the same, “We don’t want your kind here.”

“I’m not here to start trouble.” Tessa tried to remain cool and calm.

“Your kind don’t know nothing but trouble. Pack it up and leave town.” Brock puffed his chest attempting to establish his dominance; an archaic show of male peacocking.  His display to assert authority didn’t surprise her, but she wondered if it even crossed his mind how powerful she might be.  It just showed his ignorance to run into conflict with no plan when he was clearly outmatched.

“I’m here to save your life. Even if I don’t think you deserve it.”

He smirked, “You think I need saving?  Does it look like I need saving?”

Tessa shrugged, “Maybe, I remember beating you with no Evo powers.  So what would happen now?”

Brock cocked the shotgun and raised his voice, “Is that a threat? We got snipers set up all around here.”

Tessa sighed. She would never convince Brock to trust her, but she needed to set an example and prove she didn’t intend to harm anyone. “I’m here to talk, and that’s all.” With a twist of her wrist, Tessa pulled the guns from their hands. The firearms floated toward her illuminated in the pinkish-purple light of her power. She also disarmed the nearby snipers. There were only a few of them positioned on rooftops. Tessa let the guns drop at her feet. “So, let’s talk. I can’t concentrate on what’s important with guns pointed in my face.”

Brock backed away, “You’re a monster.”

“I’m not a monster. I’m here to share the truth.”

Brock shook his finger toward her, “I heard your speech. Why should we believe you?”

Tessa held out her hands like an open gesture of peace, “What reason would I have to lie? I could build my own arc and let you all waste away here on Earth, but I’m here to save as many as I can both Evo and human.”

By this time, most of the farmers’ market vendor had their eyes on her and Brock. Tessa seized her opportunity to captivate the audience, so she climbed up in the back of Andy’s pickup. “Most of you are curious about why I’ve returned. The answer is simple; to see my family and help my community. I grew up here, and I serviced most of your equipment in my time here. I care about Stillwater, and it holds a special place in my heart. Let’s clear the air of rumors. Yes, I am an Evo. I’m an Alpha.” Gasps echoed through the crowd and the

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