Read Benjamin Dragon - Awakening (The Chronicles of Benjamin Dragon) for Free Online Page B

from. Each of us has our own theories. Some say it’s God, some say it may be something else. I, honestly, have never been too sure. Either way, most of us are in agreement as to WHY we have these gifts. It is generally thought that gifted individuals exist in order to bring balance to the world. That may seem a bit grandiose, but once you think about it, it makes sense. That brings me back to an earlier thought. I mentioned we’ve seen a slight uptick in the number of our newly gifted. I’m sure if you watch the news you’ll see the problems all over the world. It’s as if nature is correcting itself. The same thing happened during the Second World War. As far as we can determine, the World War Two era birthed the most gifted in our long history. There were upwards of one hundred of us. I was in Europe at the time. Nasty business. Saw some horrible things…” Kennedy’s voice trailed off and his eyes clouded for a moment.
    “Ahem,” Kennedy cleared his throat in his hand. “Today there are close to twenty of us, and likely more to come.”
    Benjamin’s mind swirled. It all sounded too farfetched. He wished he could pinch himself to make sure he was really still awake.
    “That brings us back to you, Benjamin. You’re still a bit young for questing and whatnot. That does not mean you cannot start thinking about your chosen path. I can see I’ve confused you again.”
    Benjamin nodded and Kennedy scratched his beard.
    “Let’s see. How to describe it? A chosen path is exactly as it sounds. For example, some healers set their minds to becoming doctors because they can use their gifts in a more public way. More on that in a minute.
    “Many Growers live in the wild and cultivate magnificent forests and habitats for animals. There is a particularly talented gentleman by the name of Esteban who is doing extraordinary work in the Amazon. He’s reviving the decimated rainforest. I’d love to see him at his craft if it weren’t so bloody hot down there.
    “What about destructors?” Benjamin interrupted.
    Kennedy glared at his pupil for a moment, reminding Benjamin of one of his second grade teachers, Mrs. Graverton. She had a talent for making kids cry.
    “I’ll let the extra question pass because you’re new. We destructors are the most varied in our chosen path. I suppose I could be a very effective builder, or some such thing. I’m almost sure there was a destructor involved with the construction of the great pyramids in Egypt. Regardless, we destructors are what you might call the wild card of our kind. There are fewer of us. We fit in where needed. I’ve devoted my life to travelling and helping during times of war or natural emergencies. I’m quite skilled at removing debris after hurricanes. It also allows me to spend time on beautiful islands in the Caribbean.”
    Benjamin liked the sound of that.
    “Another destructor I know is sort of a vigilante, meaning he helps the police catch criminals. He’s quite good at it. I once helped him nab a gang of crooks in the middle of a bank theft. You should have seen the looks on their faces!”
    Kennedy finished his ice cream and held up his spoon.
    “Now, my warning for you as a fellow destructor. I already told you that destructors have the largest chance of going down the wrong path.”
    Kennedy let go of the plastic spoon. Instead of landing on the table, it hung in the air. Benjamin gawked once again.
    “I want you to remember that you have the power of destruction.” Kennedy stared keenly into Benjamin’s eyes. “Watch the spoon.”
    Benjamin watched as the spoon started spinning slowly in the space between them. Its momentum picked up and it was soon only a whirl of white blowing a miniscule amount of air at Benjamin’s face.
    There were no squints or hand motions from the older man. He merely stared at Benjamin.
    Without warning, the spoon halted in midair and began folding on itself. It made a tiny crackling sound as if it were screaming. It