Breaking her limits

I approached the crater, and let my feet slide on the steep edge.

It was my mother, holding a swaddled baby. Her eyes full of warmth and exhaustion.

It was my uncle Neil, playing with an infant me. He sat cross legged, pushing me over, knocking me off balance, and messing with me. Sparring, on the most basic level.

And Dean. Beautiful, sweet Dean, walking beside me.

I watched the scenes change, rotating.

Is this you?

There was only one thing connecting those people to me.

Fragile one?

Only one sentiment.

I blinked rapidly, and then wiped away tears.

One place, that all of these feelings and connections had come from, at least at these points in time.

Something 'clicked'.

I was so stupid, fighting it all this time, being so guarded. It had saved me, but I'd still kept walls up. Thinking that was where it started and stopped.

I unfurled my forcefield.

It stopped at my skin.

I pushed it out further, then pulled it in again.

I love you too, I thought.

***

The only thing that would tie these people together would be if they were the sources of my powers. And as much as my family had tried to prepare me for the fact that the powers came from a dark place…

Mine didn't. At least, not like this.

"A little spooked," Chicken Little said.

"Can't have that," I said. I tore myself away from the images, and floated over his way. "Sorry."

"You're okay?"

"I am better than I think I've ever been, Chicken Little."

"Oh?" he asked. He looked a bit confused. "Okay."

Infrared 19.8