Connected: Book 1 Connected Series

by Kat Stiles

  “Looks worse than it is.” He grabbed my hands and put them back on his stomach. “Get back to work.”

  “Okay, okay.” He let out a deep exhale, his body fully relaxed beneath my hands.

  I felt a powerful connection in healing him. The energy flowed through me like a current, exiting out through my hands. The heat from my hands coupled with the heat from his body became unbearable. Nearly unconscious, he didn’t seem to notice me briefly take my hands off him to remove my hoodie.

  His ribs were next. I remembered what Judy said about the energy, so I focused my thoughts on the love I felt for him. The temperature grew more intense while I continued to heal him, moving to his knee, and then to his face. To my amazement, the bruise under his eye healed and the cut on his lip completely disappeared.

  The heat subsided, right when there was a knock on the door.

  “Come in,” I said. I lifted my hands from Tommy’s head, but he didn’t stir.

  Demetri cracked open the door and popped his head in, an insufferable smirk on his face. “I see you managed to get his shirt off.”

  I sighed, but was grateful he couldn’t see Tommy’s face from where he stood.

  “Wanted to warn you it’s about nine.” He retreated back out.

  “Thanks.” I took a couple of deep breaths and rubbed my face. “We’re done,” I said to Tommy.

  His eyes opened slowly. He moved to sit up, and I went to the side of the bed to offer him help. He appeared surprised when he rose.

  “My stomach… It’s not sore.”

  He about collapsed trying to stand, but I grabbed his arms before he fell.

  “Whoa, why don’t you sit for a while first?” The effects of the healing obviously wore off slowly. “Take some deep breaths. It’ll help clear it.”

  “That was intense.” He breathed a few times as instructed, stood, and carefully walked over to the mirror. Only a little redness remained where the large bruise was on his ribs, and the skin under his eye had no discoloration whatsoever. He touched his face, where he had been hit. “It’s not even tender. And my knee…” His eyes clouded over. “You…I…”

  I handed him his t-shirt. “Come on, your parents are probably on their way home right now.” He slipped his shirt back on, still disoriented.

  We made it down the stairs in time to see his parents walk in.

  “Oh hello, Emily. I didn’t know you were visiting,” his mother said.

  “We were watching a movie,” Demetri said. He flashed us a grin, but then his eyes widened. Oh, no, did he notice?

  “I’ve got to get back home now,” I said, my attention on the floor. “Can’t miss curfew.”

  “It’s nice to see you again, Emily,” his father said.

  “Nice to see you, too.” I kept my head down on the way out, avoiding Demetri’s eyes.

  We made it to the car, and I was about to get in when Tommy grabbed hold of my arm. As I turned to face him, his lips found mine.

  Continuing the kiss, he moved in closer, edging me back until I was against the car door and his body pressed against mine. He grasped me tighter, kissed me deeper. The heat that flared inside manifested itself in a shudder, a reaction of exquisite warmth running through me. In my entire life, I never felt more complete, more connected.

  He eventually slowed down, kissing me lightly a few times before he pulled away. “Guess I gotta take you home.”

  “Yeah,” I breathed.

  After a couple of unsuccessful attempts, Tommy finally managed to pry the passenger door open, and we started the drive to Cannondale.

  “Totally unbelievable,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like that. I mean, there’s hardly a trace left. You saw how bad the bruising was, right?”

  I smiled.

  He interlaced his fingers through mine. “You are incredible. Thank you.”

  At the corner by my house, Tommy hugged me goodbye.

  The tight embrace was unexpected. “Aren’t you still sore? Doesn’t this hurt?”

  “No. I feel brand new. It’s strange. I can still feel the heat inside, like it’s still healing. Making me stronger.”

  It was the longest healing I’d performed, and the most powerful connection I’d ever made. Maybe it was still working.

  He kissed me passionately again, and I swear the energy flowed between us, not only within me. It made me feel even more connected to him.

  I strolled back to my house. Still buzzed from the healing and the kiss, it hadn’t occurred to me I didn’t contact anyone at all about where I went that evening.

  My mother was waiting for me in the living room. I froze. From her look of quiet reservation, I knew I was in trouble.

  “I don’t really care what you do,” she said, “but I’d appreciate it if you can let me know who you’re with and where you are.” Her voice remained calm, but I couldn’t sense any anger from her. She continued, and I finally understood what happened. “I shouldn’t have to chase down your friends to find you.”

  Roz covered for me. “I’m sorry. I’ll call you next time.”

  “That’s all I ask.”

  I went to leave for my bedroom, when she spoke again.

  “I love you.”

  I couldn’t feel anything from her—not a single emotion. How can you say those words and not feel anything inside?

  “I love you, too, Mom.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The following morning, I gave Roz a great big hug at the bus stop.

  “Thanks for covering for me.”

  “You’re welcome,” she said. “So what happened with you?”

  “Tommy got jumped by Scott and two of his friends.”

  Her eyes grew large. “Oh my God, is he okay?”

  “Yeah, I got his brother to help, and then I healed him afterwards.”

  “I can’t believe it. What a total jerk.” She sighed, and I could feel her guilt.

  “It’s not your fault, Roz.”

  The bus pulled up and we boarded, settling down in the fourth row.

  “Besides, he’s good as new,” I added.

  She was on the verge of speaking when we heard the voice of a boy in the row behind us.

  “Roz?” And then a tapping on the seat followed. She turned around to face him, and of course I couldn’t resist the show. This one was way out of her league—looked like a member of the computer club. But, clearly, he was ballsy enough to try. I love to root for the underdog.

  He flashed a nervous smile. “You simply must go out with me,” he said, the words themselves bolder than his intonation. He must’ve rehearsed it in his mind at least a dozen times, if not a hundred or more. And, still, faced with the real thing, he could barely speak without his voice cracking.

  But his attempt at tenacity impressed me, and in recognition, I commenced a slow clap for him. Right when I got to a normal clapping speed, Roz yelled at me, smacking my hands together.

  “I’m sorry, I’ve got plans,” she said to him.

  He was disappointed for sure, but his anxious smile resurfaced. “It’s okay. I understand.”

  I felt genuinely sorry for him. He was adorable in his conviction and graceful in his defeat. He didn’t try to play it off all cool like the rest of them. Although he wasn’t much to look at, I did get a warm fuzzy from him, like he had a good energy.

  “Too bad for him,” I whispered. “He seems like a nice guy.”

  She glared at me, and I knew better than to say anything else to her.

  I turned back to him and asked, “What’s your name?”

  Roz punched me in the arm.

  “Wes,” he said, and smiled.

  Settling back in my seat, I noticed Roz’s pissed-off expression. “I think he’s officially the first one, now that you’re sixteen,” I explained in a whisper, referring to Dad’s dating age mandate. “Just wanted to know his name.”

  She shook her head at me. “It’s like you enjoy this.”

  I smiled. “Yeah, I guess I do someti
mes. But not him. I like him.”

  “I’m so glad you approve.” She brought her voice down to a whisper. “I had a new vision last night. It was a woman this time.”

  My stomach dropped. Not another one. “The same thing happened to her?” I asked, dreading the answer.

  She nodded. I sensed her fear and anxiety, or maybe it was mine. I couldn’t help but wonder, Can we stop the attack this time?

  * * * *

  I met Tommy at his locker after the bus dropped us off.

  “Hey, beautiful,” he greeted me. “Look.” He raised his shirt to show me his ribs. The small patch of redness last night had vanished. “I feel phenomenal.”

  I smiled. “Good.”

  He hugged me, lifting me off the ground. “You are amazing.” Then his eyes became serious. “Em, there’s something I have to tell you.”

  “What?”

  “I had to tell Demetri about you. You were right. He noticed.”

  “You scared me.” I began to breathe again. “That’s okay. You trust him, right?”

  “Completely. He figured me out, too, like the day after I got my powers.”

  “He’s more observant than you give him credit for,” I noted.

  “Guess so.” He held my hands and gazed into my eyes. “Pale blue today.”

  “Yours are still green.”

  Leaning in close to me, he took a deep breath and whispered, “And you still smell delicious.”

  I shivered at the warm sensation and leaned in closer to him, experiencing his perfect energy. My eyes closed, and for a moment, it was as if we were the only two people in the entire universe.

  * * * *

  I felt a chill the entire morning, and it wasn’t until lunch that I realized I was missing an extra layer of clothing. Air conditioners are brutal in the summer.

  Tommy smiled at me from his seat at the lunch table.

  “I think I left my hoodie at your house.” I dropped my books down.

  “Yeah, I noticed it this morning.”

  “Oh, so it’s in your locker then?”

  “Not exactly,” he said. “I brought your other shirt. I meant to give it to you earlier.”

  My bewildered expression seemed to entertain him. “You want my hoodie instead?”

  “The shirt is losing your scent. If you can wear it again, I’ll be happy to return your hoodie.”

  I raised an eyebrow at him, not sure what to think.

  “I even washed it for you,” he beamed.

  “What do I do if I get cold?”

  He took my hands into his. “I’ll keep you warm.”

  My face flushed. “No doubt.”

  Roz bumped into the lunch table, her eyes fixed across the room. She finally broke her gaze and sat next to me.

  “So, Tommy…that’s your work?” she asked, motioning to where Scott sat. I noticed the damage: Scott’s face was swollen and bruised badly, and his two other friends looked worse.

  Tommy grinned. “I can’t take all the credit. Demetri helped with the big dude.”

  “I still can’t believe it. You don’t even look like you were in a fight.”

  “You should’ve seen me yesterday. I was worse than they are.”

  Roz looked over at me. “That must’ve been some healing.”

  “Yes, it was,” Tommy agreed, turning his gaze to me. The look appeared on his face, and I blushed again, smiling back at him. “I feel better than ever, thanks to Em.”

  Roz fidgeted in her seat. “This is all my fault.”

  “No,” Tommy said. “It was my decision to talk to him. Besides, as you can see, I’m fine.”

  “Did your brother get hurt?” she asked.

  “No, he came in at the end. Didn’t get hit once,” he said.

  Roz took a deep breath and exhaled. “You’re not going to retaliate, are you?”

  “I have no reason to,” Tommy said. “Unless he’s bothering you again. Has he said anything?”

  “Not a single word,” she said.

  Tommy suddenly laughed. “They’re telling their friends we jumped them. And that we had weapons.” He paused, still listening. “Oh, and there were five of us.”

  Roz rolled her eyes. “Why am I not surprised?”

  Tommy was positively gleeful, glancing in the direction of Scott’s table.

  Scott caught sight of Tommy and gaped. Then his eyes found me, and he mouthed the word, “You.”

  I looked away, more than a little freaked out.

  “Tommy, did Em tell you?” Roz said. “I had a new vision.”

  “Seriously? Damn…” He shook his head. “When is it going to stop?”

  “We have to stop Adam,” Roz said. “I can’t live with another person dying.”

  Tommy and I nodded in agreement.

  “Let’s trail him. See what he’s up to,” Tommy said.

  “Cool,” Roz said. “But I’m busy tonight. Will you two do it?”

  “I’m free,” I said.

  “I’ll pick you up after school,” Tommy said.

  * * * *

  I did a quick-change into my new clothes once I got home. I let my mother know I would be with Tommy, and her expression was a mixture of annoyance and exhaustion.

  “You’ve been spending a lot of time with him, haven’t you?” she said. Her fingers rubbed at her temples. Sometimes I wondered if I was more work than her job. My stomach sank when I noticed how long her hair appeared.

  “Not really.”

  I knew what was coming next—the look of mild disapproval. She didn’t disappoint. “We talked about this.”

  “It’s not like he’s proposed or anything,” I mumbled.

  She sighed. “Fine. Be home by ten.”

  I gave Tommy the directions to get to Adam’s house. He parked a few houses down and killed the engine. Adam’s car was parked in his driveway when we arrived.

  I slid close to him on the bench seat. The faint mechanical scent that always lingered about him filled my nose. It was all I could do to keep my composure and not attack him right then and there. I took a deep breath and rested my head against his shoulder.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Of course. I’m here with you. How could I be any better?”

  He put his arm around me and squeezed. “Couldn’t agree more.”

  We sat and watched the house for a while. I dozed off a time or two, leaning next to his warm body, but I was awake to see the lights on the bottom floor turn to black. Adam left his house shortly after, driving a black Suburban, of all things. He doesn’t have children, why would he need a vehicle like that? To transport the bodies, the horror movie archive part of my brain answered. Tommy followed him at a safe distance behind, and to my surprise, Adam ended up at a sports-bar restaurant in town. I half-expected to arrive at a deserted warehouse on the outskirts of town.

  “You hungry, Em?”

  I smiled. “Sure.”

  The restaurant was moderately crowded, and we headed to a table with a good view of Adam. Tommy slid in next to me on the bench seat. The waitress came and took our drink order, then left.

  “Wait, isn’t that…” Tommy said, turning around to see the entrance. I followed his gaze and saw Judy.

  “Quick, hide,” I said, positioning my menu to cover my face. Tommy did the same.

  “Do you think she’s meeting him here?” I asked.

  “No. She’s not alone,” Tommy said.

  I covertly glanced in her direction and my stomach tightened. I couldn’t believe it.

  My shrink.

  She and my creepy doctor? Together?

  “Looks like Adam spotted them,” Tommy observed, peering over his menu. “She’s going over to his table.”

  It appeared Judy was making introductions, but I couldn’t hear a thing.

  The waitress returned with our drinks. “What’ll it be?”

  I frowned at the intrusion. “Could you give us a minute?”

  “Take your time,” she said.


  A huge grin formed on Tommy’s face, right before Judy nervously smiled at Adam and walked off with the doctor to their own table in the far corner of the restaurant.

  “What was that all about?” I asked, lowering my menu.

  Tommy chuckled. “Some major dick-swinging going on there.”

  “Well? Don’t keep me in suspense.”

  “Judy’s real boyfriend is threatened by her sometime boyfriend,” he said.

  “Oh my God, she really is dating him?” I couldn’t believe she would be with my doctor, he was so… Eww.

  “Yeah, that was pretty clear by the way she introduced him. Why? Do you know him?”

  “He’s my creepy doctor,” I said.

  Tommy’s jaw dropped. “No way, how crazy is that?”

  “I don’t understand it. Judy seems like such a nice person. What’s with her taste in men?”

  He laughed before turning to his menu again. “You know what you’re ordering?”

  “No, I was too busy trying to listen,” I said. “You have no idea how awesome a power that is.”

  He smiled. “How are the burgers here?”

  “I don’t know, but that sounds great,” I said. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Shoot.”

  “Are all of your senses heightened? I mean, I know your vision, hearing, and sense of smell are amazing. I was wondering about the other two.”

  “Yeah. Can’t eat French fries anymore—all I can taste is the salt.” He put down his menu and reached for my hands, caressing them gently. “Touching is definitely more intense. But I’m not sure if that’s just you.”

  I blushed. The waitress returned and took our order.

  “What else did you hear?” I asked.

  “They talked about work. Adam’s social worker stuff.”

  “You said there was a lot of…” I trailed, stopping myself from repeating his unique choice of words. “Competition, between the two of them?”

  “The doctor dissed Adam. He went on about Adam’s name on all these referrals he got, acting like Adam was incapable of helping the families on his own. Adam was pissed—they were really getting into it, but then Judy got all nervous and wanted to leave.”

  I remembered Adam’s files for the Kenneys. Were they referred to my creepy doctor? “Wow. Did you hear anything else? Can you hear what Judy’s saying now?”