Chapter 4

Ga’Min thought the Teaching Mothers to be very lovely, very beautiful. For years, they taught her of her ways and powers and how to control them.

She marveled as little bits of static electricity came from her fingers, but at first, she could not control the arcs. Years of practice made that possible.

“Are there others with powers like mine?” Ga’Min asked one of the Teaching Mothers one day.

The Teaching Mother nodded. “There is.”

“When can I meet them?”

The Teaching Mother shook her head. “That cannot be, for it is dangerous.”

Ga’Min cocked her head to one side. “Why?”

“Because it is so,” the Teaching Mother said.

Ga’Min did not like the answer but still nodded in agreement.

The years grew, and so did Ga’Min. Her powers grew greater. The Teaching Mothers agreed that they had not seen a child with her powers.

On the morning of her Age of Reasoning, Ga’Min excited her morning bath, arms spread like always, awaiting the mothers to cover her. That moment did not come.

She looked around in confusion as five mothers stood around her, then all at once, they removed their garments, standing in front of the girl completely naked. Ga’Min twisted her brow, an unasked question on her face.

“You are no longer a child, but are a woman,” said one of the Teaching Mothers. “You have no need anymore for garments, for they only get in the way, but your two belts. You are now free to walk the earth as you were the day you were born.”

Ga’Min dropped her arms to her side. “Why is this?”

“This has always been.”

Though she did not like the answer, Ga’Min nodded.