Meet Kianna Morris, a regular teen living middle of crescent city and everything is good in her life. She has a perfect grades, a loving family, the best friend in the world, and the best dog anyone can ask for, Blaze.
Everything is fine up until K...
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The storm had passed, but the echo of thunder still rolled through Kianna's mind.
Blaze padded beside her, his paws soft against the sidewalk, his eyes sharper than they'd ever been. The scar on his side—small, barely visible beneath his short black fur—still pulsed with a strange energy. Just like the tingling in her fingertips that hadn't gone away since the lightning strike.
Kianna knew something had changed. She could feel it humming under her skin. She'd seen it—how Blaze had moved faster than her eyes could track. How her own hand sparked when she tried to pet him. It was real. It was wild. And she couldn't tell anyone. Not even Amara. Not yet.
By the time Kianna stepped onto the cracked pavement outside Crescent City High, rumors were already flying.
"Yo, I heard she killed her dog with a taser." "Nah, someone said she was trying to bring it back with electricity or some freaky witch stuff." "That dog was glowing, I swear to God."
Kianna kept her head down, Timberlands hitting the floor like a warning. Blaze had stayed home—probably a good call.
In the hallway, Amara found her at her locker. "Girl," Amara said, pulling her into a quick hug. "You good? People talkin' crazy. You know I don't believe none of that, right?"
Kianna nodded, trying to smile. "Yeah. Just noise." But her fists clenched when she caught a group of juniors whispering and side-eying her. Her mom's name—Brandi—etched on her wrist in delicate ink, felt like a small anchor. A reminder to breathe. Control it, Kianna.
"Let 'em talk," Amara muttered, looping an arm through hers. "They'll find someone else to hate on by next week."
They were halfway to class when Lola strutted around the corner. Platinum ponytail, too much lip gloss, and a vibe that screamed trouble.
"Well, look who's still alive," Lola sneered. "Thought you and your mutt fried each other to death." Amara stepped forward, but Kianna stopped her.
"You jealous or just bored, Lola?"
Lola smirked. "Neither. Just waiting to see what crazy thing you'll do next."
Amara stepped forward and Kianna stopped her "She's not worth it. Let's go" she said while looking at Lola with an intense death stare before walking away
The rest of the day dragged. Math felt like static. History felt like noise. Kianna couldn't focus, not with every kid taunting her and questioning her every four minutes.
After school, Kianna ducked into an alley two blocks from her house. Her hand lit up faintly, like a flickering bulb, as Blaze stepped out from the shadows. His eyes met hers, glowing ever so slightly with that strange energy.
Far above them, perched in the broken remains of a radio tower, a man in a black coat watched through binoculars.
Zane smiled. "The test worked," he whispered. "Time to collect what's mine."
