Dark clouds loomed above her, and she could smell the rain that had been seconds from failing. It had been her favorite scent, the rain, and she loved the way it carried the scent of the pine trees down the river bank. The authorities had explained her duties for the day, and that had been far from it, but she simply needed it.

“Sylvie… what are you doing?” she heard Cam say across their private channel.

“I know, I know. I’m done, okay? Is this better?” she said, exasperated.

As she waved softly through the air in front of her, she watched as the clouds began to disperse, and the sun finally made its appearance for the morning.

“Thank you.”

Sylvia sighed, and dropped her gaze from the beautiful, picture perfect sky that she alone had created. The farmers didn’t need their crops watered, they needed the sun. The children didn’t request a rain filled day for playing in, but a warm day with a spring breeze to enjoy.

The woods had been a few yards away and she took her time going to them, enjoying what she could of her creation, as well as Cam’s. He had done well, as he always had, and the trees were as vibrant and as tall as they’d ever been. The pine needles seeped in their aroma, and the wildlife had begun to thoroughly enjoy the thick bark and the tart sap that came from them.

Each of their abilities intertwined, bringing life and color to the world, every single day. It was their job- everyone’s, not just those at the facility. Centuries ago, around the beginning of 3022, a chemist discovered how to alter and reprogram what a person was capable of doing.

It certainly wasn’t limited to average every day things, such as the ability to farm well and fruitfully, or the ability to tame any animal. Those that resided at the institute as she and Cam had, had extra abilities- such as the ability to change the weather, and growing plants at an accelerated rate.

Cam could create thick trees whose rings showed them to be hundred of years old- except they weren’t. Instead, it had been merely a single minute for its creation. That same tree was enjoyed by thousands of their people, hanging items from them as they did in the old world, for things like wishes or prayers.

Sylvia enjoyed that part of the forest the most, and as she neared it, she saw the familiar colorful streams of fabric, blonde haired dolls, and other various mementos scattered across the branches. Following their trail, she found the ancient looking tree, filled to its brim with countless gifts.

The only times she felt that she was doing anything good at all, was when she went there, reminding herself that their people truly did appreciate their extraordinary abilities and how they used them, always appreciative of a good crop year because of her weather, or providing someone with a perfect day to propose to their significant other.

Outside of her little reminders- she hated being “special”.

The idea had occurred to her that perhaps it was because she wanted to fight for something, to be the best at something because she, and she alone, made it happen. Instead, she was given tasks and jobs and schooling that revolved around her abilities.

“Hey.”

Sylvia turned, and found Cam leaning against a tree, it’s branches releasing their grip on him as he was set down against its base.

“Hey yourself.”

They settled against a large brightly colored boulder that sat in the center of the space, their normal place to meet when they could. Their duties generally took up most of their day, but plenty of free time had always been allowed and greatly promoted.

“What was that today?” Cam asked, concerned.

“You know exactly what that was.” she said in a sigh. “I want… more than this.”

“What’s more to have Sylvie?” he asked her gently, brushing his hand across her arm. “We have everything we could need here. Shelter, food… a purpose.”

“That’s exactly it though. Do we really have a purpose? What does it mean to have a purpose that you were almost literally born to do? I want something I’ve worked for, something that doesn’t come from genetics alone. I want something that’s mine.”

Turning her hand over against the flat of the rock, she intertwined her fingers through his. He had always been her comfort. The warmth, the gentle ease in the way he was with her.

“Uh… Sylvie? You’re doing it again.”

Sylvia looked up and found the air had begun to shimmer in an early morning mist, light and beautiful as it snaked through his trees. After a few moments, she waved it away as if it had never been there, apart from the light dew it left against the tall grass.

“I’m sorry. I just wish… I wish we weren’t like this.”