by A. Kennedy
He nodded. “You're in a dream state, and yes, I am really here.”
Tears formed in my eyes and my throat tightened. He closed the gap between us and hugged me. The hug was the most comforting embrace I’ve had in a long time. “Daddy,” I choked.
“We only have a few minutes, Windy.”
I nodded, not trusting myself to talk.
“Windy, there’s something I never told you about yourself—you’re unique and special.”
“Daddy, you told—”
“Windy, you’re more unique than that. You have powers that no Manipulator has. It would be useless trying to teach you. Just remember to follow your gut instinct, and never second-guess anything. My beautiful baby girl, you’ve grown so much, and you will do great things, but unfortunately, you will be tried and challenged because of the blood that runs through your veins.”
Daddy leaned down and placed a kiss on my forehead.
I woke up and felt the wet pillow where I had been crying. The dream played through my head over and over. It felt as if he were actually there. I could even smell his aftershave. Did that mean the things he was telling me about my powers were true? They did seem to surprise everyone. I still puzzled over the look on Jason’s face. Was it fear of me or for me? I guess it could have been both.
I shot up out of the bed as I heard my door creak open. A short, stubby, bald man walked in. I became speechless as I registered who the man was.
“Hello, Windy,” he purred. “Nice to finally meet the person causing all this uproar. I’m Mr. Dan Spence.”
“I ... I ... you ...ummm—what are you doing here?” I finally spat out. Why was my psychology teacher standing in front of me? Did he really need to introduce himself? I closed my eyes tight, trying to push away the hallucination. I opened them. He was still standing there, content with my baffled demeanor.
“Yes.” He stepped closer. “You are definitely causing trouble.”
“How am I causing trouble?” Disbelief laced my words. I was innocent. “I haven’t done anything but run for my life the past two, three days.” I scrunched my nose up. “Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be teaching?”
“You shouldn’t get snippy with someone who is trying to help you. And, just so you are aware, I don’t teach. I never liked teaching.”
“But you—” I began.
“I have never taught anything.” His eyes were wide and intense.
“But—”
“You must have me confused with someone else,” he raised his voice. “Do you suffer from some type of early dementia, Ms. Gale?” He took his glasses off and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
He was my teacher. He even used his teacher tone when he said, Ms. Gale. “So if you don’t teach, then how do I—”
He placed his glasses back on. “Like I said, you must have me confused with someone else.” His eyes bore into me as if he were trying to communicate telepathically. “Now let’s continue with why I am here. You will only answer my questions and nothing more. Understand?”
I nodded, feeling deflated and confused.
“Do you know that your power is unique?”
Instead of a formal answer, I shook my head.
“Do you know that it is impossible for anyone else to change a pattern like you did with Ginger?”
Once again, I shook my head.
“Do you know the last Manipulator that was capable of power like that was Hitler?”
I felt my eyes bug out of my head a little bit. “What?”
“Calm down, it’s not as bad as it seems.”
“Not as bad? Are you crazy?”
“Did I give you permission to talk outside of my questioning?”
“No, Ginger,” I let her name roll off my tongue slowly and mockingly.
“My name is not Ginger, Ms. Gale. Furthermore, I expect respect. In order for us to leave this room, you must respect me.”
“Leave?” Hope filled my chest.
His mouth curved into a smile. “Yes, leave. And I believe you spoke out of turn.”
I didn’t know what game Mr. Dan Spence was trying to play, but if it would get me out of here, I was willing to play, whatever the cost.
“Good. Now I’ll go talk to Ginger and see what we can work out.”
He exited the room, leaving me alone to puzzle over his unexpected appearance. My final was scheduled this week, and Mr. Spence would have other finals to hand out. I studied the ceiling for answers. Could I have imagined the entire conversation? Was I still dreaming? I didn’t feel like I was. I was pretty sure I was awake.
Chapter 14
Mr. Spence talked Ginger into letting me leave the house as long as he was with me. Riding in his car, I had no clue where we were going and I didn't dare ask. He hadn’t said much of anything to me, except to inform me that I was not to talk unless asked. My stomach growled. To me, the gurgle was loud. I looked over at Mr. Spence to see if he heard, but he hadn’t. Watching the road before him consumed his full attention. I watched as several fast food restaurants passed. I began to salivate, and my stomach growled even louder at the sight of the greasy food chains. I put my hand over my belly and willed it to be silent.
We reached the second bridge that led to Tybee before I realized the car was heading toward the same area where my mom, Boa, and Ryan should be. I held my breath as we approached the road that led to them. Mr. Spence continued to drive by, and I watched with longing as we passed. I closed my eyes in frustration. This trip was too good to be true. I knew it deep down, but I had hoped it would be different. We took a turn and parked next to a small house that overlooked the ocean.
“This is where we will talk further.”
I jumped at the sound of Mr. Spence's voice. “Talk? You brought me here to talk?”
“Yes, now out of the car,” he barked.
I stepped out of the car and awaited orders.
“Follow me.”
I trailed Mr. Spence down the side of the house. We stopped at the back where the sand met a footpath. Mr. Spence turned to look directly at me with an intensity that almost scared me.
With a low harsh tone, Mr. Spence said, “You will speak nothing of this to Ginger. She doesn’t know you’re training. She would kill us both if she found out. I have convinced her into letting me be your caretaker, so she thinks I am just getting you out of her hair.”
He started to walk again before he twirled on his feet and almost knocked me down in the process. “You are able to talk here, and I can answer your questions here. Just do not mention that I was your professor to anyone. And for heaven’s sake, please don’t open your mouth unless told to do so while in the car or Ginger’s house.”
My jaw dropped.
“Go ahead.” He motioned with his hand. “I know you've been holding stuff in.”
I took a deep breath. “So, I haven’t lost my mind. You are my professor.”
Mr. Spence took a deep breath. “Yes, but Ginger and the Society have no idea.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you have finals to give out this week?”
“They are being proctored,” he said while he nodded his head. “Did you go through the notes I gave you?”
“No,” I huffed. “I never had time to.”
His face reddened. “I noticed something was amiss with you. In the notes, I mentioned things only you would understand as a Manipulator. I wanted to get your attention before things escalated.”
“Little late for that.” I looked down at the sand. My words were sharp and I wanted them to cut, but I wasn’t willing to see if they did.
“Windy,” Mr. Spence said softly, “I wanted to talk to you more. I wanted to help you, but I couldn’t.”
“Why do you want to help me?”
His eyes welled up. “Because it was the last request from a dear friend of mine.”
I studied Mr. Spence. Who would ask this man to watch over me? My mom wouldn’t have. At least, not to my knowledge. He couldn’t possibly be talking about my
dad, could he? I shook my head in disbelief.
He nodded as if he read my mind. “My friend was your father.” “Daddy,” I said in a whisper, more for myself.
“He asked me to watch over you long ago. You were just a tiny little thing.” He smiled remembering the moment. “I came to the hospital. Your father never asked anything of me. Ever. No matter what was stacked against him. He asked me in the hospital if I would watch over you if anything ever happened to him. Of course, I told him yes. But nothing happened for several years. A week before he passed, he called me. I remember like it was yesterday. He gave me a whole list of things that needed to be taken care of. It’s like he knew his days were numbered. He said if he died he needed me to find a way to be close to you. I needed to watch over you and your mother. Yet, I had to stay at a distance unless the Society found you.” He began to laugh. “Can you imagine how shocked I was when I saw your name on my roster for your first Psychology class?”
I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry. I felt bubbly knowing that this man was so close to my dad, yet a deep sadness filled me. My dad planned as if he knew about his death.
“So I’ve been living a double life. Lives that need to be kept separate from one another. One as a trustee of the Society. Second as a professor.”
Mr. Spence nodded his head toward the back of the house and began to walk. I followed close behind and stopped at the back deck. “As far as training goes, I don’t possess the powers the Manipulators have, but I do know the perfect candidate to help you.”
Jason sat on a bench connected to the deck, looking comfortable and content.
“Well, well, well. You’ve come back to me,” Jason said, already being haughty.
I crossed my arms. “Not intentionally, so please don’t flatter yourself thinking I came willingly to see the biggest jerk in the world.”
“I’m hurt that you would feel that way after what we shared together.” He put his hand over his heart as if he were trying to keep the broken pieces from falling. “But being the biggest jerk in the world should be in the Guinness World Records, right?”
I rolled my eyes. “Knock it off, Jason. You know we have never shared anything together and—”
Mr. Spence butted in “Jason, please. We don’t have very much time in our training sessions. Cut the wisecracks, and let’s get her trained.”
“Yes, sir,” Jason replied in a way that showed absolute respect. I was shocked—impressed, more than anything.
“Follow me,” Jason said. We walked toward the ocean. The sun was over the water. Rays of yellow and orange reached out and warmed everything they touched. Seagulls floated in the air, singing to one another. The day was gorgeous, too pretty for the emotions that were running through me. Last time I walked on this beach, I was with my dad, and we had an argument about me using my hands for wind manipulation.
Jason cleared his throat, “Windy ... I really don't know how to train.”
“What do you mean you don't know how to train?” I wasn't surprised that he didn't know how to train. I was more stunned that he admitted it.
“Well, I've never had to train anybody, but I had a good teacher. So I might not be all that bad.”
I recalled my dad had mentioned that Jason's mom was great at controlling the wind. “Where is your mom?”
His face contorted and he looked a little confused. “I don’t know where she is. I haven’t seen or heard from her for two years.”
“Oh ... I didn’t know. Jason ... I’m—”
“It’s okay. I was never really close to her. She wasn’t the one who really trained me. Sure she taught me stuff, but your dad was the one who trained me.”
“My dad?”
“I remember almost every lesson he ever taught me. Mostly with manipulating, but he taught me some life lessons, too.” I could hear the admiration he had for my dad in his voice as he peered out over the ocean thinking of a distant memory. For a moment, he looked younger and less arrogant.
“Good luck on training me, then.”
“Why's that?”
“My dad wasn't even able to train me. He always became frustrated with me during our lessons.”
“Pshh, I'm not worried about becoming frustrated with you. You've got this in the bag.” Jason gave me a sideways glance, “I do remember one thing he told me.”
“What's that?” I asked before I could stop myself. I probably didn’t want to hear the answer.
“He told me when you were old enough, I could have your hand in marriage.”
“What?” I slapped him hard on the shoulder.
“Hey, I’m just kidding. Well partially. But yeah, just trying to lighten the mood.”
There went the respect he just earned. “Well, knock it off and let’s get to training.”
“First things first.” He stretched his arms to the sky. “Clear your mind.”
“What do you mean clear my mind?” I asked mockingly.
“Clear it of everything. Don’t think about anyone or anything.” His gray eyes studied me.
I tossed my hands up. “That’s impossible. I at least have to think about something.”
He was quick to smile. “Well, if you must think about something, then think about my naked—”
My hand shot up to stop his words from falling out of his mouth. “Don't even go there.”
Jason held his hands up in a surrender motion, “Just kidding. Jeez. Just think about the wind and nothing else.”
“Okay. Then what?”
He shrugged. “Think of pushing it around.”
I closed my eyes and tried to clear my mind. The wind. The wind. The wind. Wind. Wind. Wind. I kept repeating to myself until all other thoughts had cleared my mind. Then I pushed the wind away from me. A big gust came and moved my hair away. I opened my eyes and looked toward Jason for confirmation that I had made the gust.
He was shaking his head. “Nope, that was the breeze from the ocean.”
“What do you mean that was the breeze from the ocean? I cleared my mind and pushed, and then I felt the breeze.”
“Had that been you, you wouldn’t have tasted the ocean with the breeze.”
“I didn’t taste the ocean.” I wanted to stomp like a child.
Disappointment filled his face, “Windy, you know how everyone puts off a distinct smell?”
I nodded my head in frustration.
“Well, Wind Manipulators do the same thing. The air you push off will smell different than the air I push off.”
“So let me get this straight … the air I manipulate will smell different than the air that you manipulate?”
He nodded. “Correct.”
This was ridiculous. Why was he training me again?
“Look, I’m being dead serious. When you showed off the other night in front of Ginger, you had a scent like your dads.”
“I did?”
“You did. Anyway, I think we'll call it quits today. You need to concentrate on clearing your mind first.”
“But we just got here,” I said laced with disbelief.
He shook his head. “Yeah, but if you can't clear your mind, then moving forward is pointless.”
I balled my fists up, irked. “Well, seeing that I am incarcerated at Ginger’s, I should have plenty of time to learn.”
Slowly, I followed Jason back up the beach toward the little house. I had no intentions of rushing, but Jason did. He was taking three steps to my one. He reached the back porch where Mr. Spence sat watching the waves roll in. They were talking, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. They looked back at me, displeasure filling Jason's face. I knew the look well. It looked similar to my dad's when I would fail to listen to him during a lesson.
“How did it go?” Mr. Spence asked as I approached the deck.
My eyes rolled in irritation. “It looks like you've already discussed how it went, so why ask?”
“Because I'd like to hear your side of the story.”
I looked at Jason who w
as ignoring my gaze. “I didn't clear my mind the first time and then Jason called it quits. He wouldn't even give me a second chance.”
“There's no reason to give you a second chance when you can't clear your mind,” Jason snapped.
“Well, I'm sorry.” My eyes narrowed with irritation. “I have a lot on mind. It's not as simple as turning off a switch.”
“It needs to be,” Jason seethed.
“And why is that?” I asked.
“Because, when you're in a battle, your emotions get in the way, and clearing your mind becomes harder.” Jason stepped closer to me to get his point across. “You need to learn to clear your mind completely, especially during emotional times.”
“And you expect me to believe you've had experience with being in battles?”
I hit a nerve. Jason's eyes tossed daggers at me, and I immediately regretted my words. I didn't know him, or his past. “Jason—”
“Don't,” Jason snapped. He turned and headed inside, stopping at the door he looked back at me. “How do you like your eggs?”
I hesitated as guilt crept in like the cold on a winter day. “Scrambled.”
“With cheese?”
I nodded.
He motioned for us to follow him.
I sat at a small table that occupied part of the kitchen with Mr. Spence. I didn't want to say anything for fear of making a bigger fool of myself, so I listened as they talked.
“Another was murdered last night,” Mr. Spence said to Jason.
Jason's whipping motion for the eggs almost came to a stop before he replied, “Do we know who?”
“The body hasn't been identified, but it was definitely one of ours,” Mr. Spence replied.
“Was Zac behind it?” Jason asked.
My body stiffened, and I looked at Mr. Spence. Surely, they knew Zac was my ex. I didn't tell them directly, but I assumed others would have filled them in.
Mr. Spence looked at me. “Yes,” he nodded slowly.
“He went to the same college,” I managed to say.
“I know,” Mr. Spence replied.
“Did you know we were dating?” Jason turned and looked at me in disbelief. “What?” I said defensively. “I didn’t know he was a murderer.”