The Legend by Melissa Delport

found her; her mother had died and she had collapsed on the street, no match for the coyote that had attacked her. Henry had not rated her chances of survival very highly but, astonishingly, she had pulled through and made a full recovery. We discovered that Brooke possessed the ability to heal. What we don’t know, is the why or the how – my father had performed extensive tests and concluded that Brooke had never been Gifted through any procedure. He theorised she may have inherited her ability, but this didn’t make any sense. As far as we know, no other child, with the exception of Alex, has ever inherited their parent’s abilities, but when I pointed this out my father had simply maintained that evolution could not be explained. Idly, I wonder if my dad is mistaken, and if Brooke’s mother may have known the elusive Jupiter. A clever and confident little girl, she and Alex have become firm friends, the fact that they are the only two Gifted children in our community making them ideal playmates.
    â€œWhat are you two up to?” I ask. “No school today?”
    â€œMom, it’s Saturday!” Alex rolls his eyes at me.
    â€œIndeed it is,” I grin. “So, what would you like to do?” Anything to distract him from what he has just witnessed.
    â€œPlay ball?”
    â€œYou got it.”
    Galloping around the field, I forget for a moment the difficulties I am facing. Like a breath of fresh air, the two children revitalise me. Thankful that I don’t need to use my hands to play, I am relieved when the familiar tingling starts in my fingers. My healing, at least, is working. But even without my abilities, I am still a hero to the children, and Alex whoops with glee as he scores yet another goal. He and Brooke high-five each other and then get back into position. I am so caught up in the moment that I don’t notice when Aidan strolls onto the field, until he scoops Alex up from behind. Alex goes into peals of laughter and kicks his legs vigorously, trying to escape his father’s clutches.
    â€œBe on my team, Dad?” he hollers when his feet finally touch the ground.
    Aidan nods. “The girls don’t stand a chance, champ,” he grins mischievously.
    â€œWe’ll see about that,” I retort, calling Brooke over to my side.
    I can’t help but laugh as our competition intensifies. Unlike this morning with Michael, it doesn’t matter now if I win or lose. Alex’s delight is infectious and Aidan is relaxed and happy, stealing the ball away from right under my nose and running up towards their goal. I sprint after him, trying unsuccessfully to swipe the ball back, but I trip over my own feet and he grabs my arm as I stumble. Looking up into his warm brown eyes, his words come back to me. This is what my life would be like if I had never been Gifted, if I had chosen a different path. A lifetime of laughter and happy memories, with Aidan always by my side. Playing football with my family without the weight of the world on my shoulders. Frozen in the moment, our eyes locked, neither of us notices when Alex sneaks the ball away and speeds towards his goal.
    And then reality asserts itself, and I wrench my arm away from Aidan as though he has burned me.
    â€œRebecca,” he groans as I pull away, sounding exhausted.
    â€œI think we’re tied,” I say, deliberately looking back to where Alex is still dribbling the ball. Brooke, standing beside him with her hands on her hips, looks petulant.
    â€œDon’t do this, don’t pull away from me,” he pleads, but I ignore him and jog over to give Alex a squeeze and console Brooke over their recent goal.
    â€œWe’ve got them on the run, Brooke,” I grin at her. Her startling green eyes crinkle at the corners as she realises we are still playing.
    Later, I swallow my pride and pay the good doctor a visit.
    â€œI still don’t understand why my abilities aren’t