Windy (Manipulators Series Book 1)

by A. Kennedy

  Mom squeezed my hand again and looked up to see if I was awake, “Windy,” she cried.

  She tried hugging me as best as she could without yanking on any cords or hurting me, but the task was unsuccessful. I grunted, and immediately she let me go.

  “I’m so sorry. Oh, I need to get the nurse.” She ran out like a schoolchild running for the playground.

  My mom and the nurse came into the room. The nurse started taking my vitals and said, “Everything looks to be okay. Ms. Gale, I must say you are a miracle. Can you talk?”

  I tried to speak again, but nothing came out.

  “Can you move your legs?”

  I was able to lift my legs a little, but not much.

  “Good. Now can you move your arms?”

  I was able to lift the left arm a tad, but the right arm hurt to move; I noticed the arm was in a sling and braced to me.

  The nurse nodded. “As expected, your right arm is broken.”

  Broken? How did I break my arm?

  The nurse turned toward my mom, “Mom, you may need to fill Windy in as best as you can on what happened. She is probably confused and delirious still. Waking up from any kind of trauma can be scary, and maybe telling her what happened will help her transition.”

  My mom nodded and the nurse left the room.

  “Windy,” she started crying.

  Two days later, I left the hospital with two broken ribs and a broken arm. I was able to get around on my own, eat on my own and go to the bathroom on my own. The doctors were impressed with how well my body repaired itself. They called me a miracle.

  Mom wasn’t really able to fill me in on what happened since she had yet to hear the whole story herself. She told me bits and pieces until I was able to get answers from the others. The story the hospital had was that a gang abducted and beat me, leaving me for dead. I was surprised the doctors bought the story.

  We were in the car heading back to the beach house where everyone else was waiting for me. Everyone except Boa. My throat became tight as we pulled up to the beach house. The boy who had been my friend since I can remember tried to save my life and was killed in the process. A tear rolled down my cheek, and I swiped it away. Now was not the time to mourn. Now was the time to get answers and see what steps were next. I took a deep breath and exited the car.

  Ryan, Jason, and Mr. Spence greeted me. To see all their smiling faces again made my heart fill with gratitude, but sorrow followed. I knew Kate wouldn’t be there. She was probably back home with her parents mourning the loss of Boa. If only Boa wasn’t waiting for me that night, would it have been different? Then my dad’s secrets to life reminded me that it happened for a reason.

  Jason looked like he was still recovering; his arm was in a sling just like mine. Ryan, who hugged me carefully, looked like he might have been in a bar fight. He had bruises all around his neck and his right eye was almost swollen shut. In my mind, I could see Zac on top of him strangling him. I shuddered as I recalled pulling the trigger.

  “Don’t look at it. I’m okay. I promise.” Ryan’s voice was soothing. I sent a small thank you up, knowing that I couldn’t have done it alone.

  We went in quietly and sat down for dinner. The entire night was a blur, and no one knew where to start.

  “I'm sorry,” I told everyone, choking back the tears and breaking the silence.

  “For what?” Ryan asked.

  I looked down at my lasagna, barely touched. “For bringing that monster here. I didn't mean—”

  “Windy,” Jason shook his head. “It's not your fault.”

  I looked up and made eye contact with each person. “I'm the one who went wandering off.”

  Ryan, sitting next to me, grabbed my hand. “Windy, he would have found us anyway.”

  “I tried coming up with a plan, but I couldn't think of anything to do. I couldn't run, couldn't get the gun and kill him. I was stuck.”

  “We knew you were stuck. And we're glad you came for help.” Ryan's thumb was rubbing back and forth on my hand, comforting me.

  “But, I didn't want help. I wanted him to die before anyone got hurt.”

  “There's no changing what has been done,” Dan said, almost unsympathetically. “The past is the past.”

  I studied my food again, watching it turn from lasagna to a blur of orange.

  Ryan nudged my hand to get my attention, “You saved my life. If it weren't for your nice shooting skills, I'd be dead.” I looked up and saw tears forming in his eyes. He was almost the next one on Zac's list of kills. “Boa sacrificed himself for you. He knew what the risks were.”

  “Windy, we also need you to know some information,” Dan said, waiting for me to nod again. “The authorities believe that you were attacked by a guy that was part of a gang. The guy, Zac, killed Boa and started assaulting you. His death resulted from your self-defense. Do you understand all this?” His eyes were wide with anticipation.

  I nodded again. The information was becoming overwhelming. “Can I go have a seat by myself, outside?”

  The entire room stopped eating and looked at me.

  “Please.” The tears were starting to come one after the other. “I can't sit here right now.”

  “Promise me, you'll sit on the porch and won't wander off,” Dan replied.

  “Promise,” I croaked.

  I could feel everyone’s eyes watching me as I exited the house. I sat on the back porch alone and cried. I looked at the spot I last saw Boa, his ghost still standing there, waiting. I had hoped that maybe, just maybe, Zac would have missed Boa and maybe hit his arm or leg, but he hadn't.

  My head turned to the sound of the sliding glass door. Ryan was cautiously walking onto the porch.

  “Hey. I know we said you could be alone, but I had some news I wanted to deliver.” Ryan smiled broadly, melting my heart.

  “No, no. You’re fine. Come sit.” I tried to smile back, but it fell short of convincing.

  He joined me on the bench and wrapped his arm around me then kissed me softly on top of my head. “Ginger said you have been released.”

  “What? Really?” I felt like a weight lifted from my shoulders.

  “Yup. Said you proved yourself to the Society. Took down their number one threat. However, as soon as you are able, we have a mandatory meeting.”

  I sarcastically laughed. “Bad news always follows good.”

  “Yeah, well here is more good news. I thought that since you will be staying in the same house as me, I thought maybe you and I could ...”

  I put my finger up to stop him from continuing. I knew what he was going to say next. With his headstrong attempts to pursue me, I knew I wasn’t ready. I shook my head no.

  “Well that’s bad news for me,” Ryan said, a little saddened.

  “Ryan, I can’t. I have too much going on right now. I just killed a man. My best friend ...” It took me a minute before I could speak again “... he’s gone. My mom needs me more than ever, and I’m sure Ginger has something up her sleeve for me.”

  “I understand. But just know if you ever change your mind, I’ll be waiting.”

  I nodded my head. Those were almost the exact same words Boa said to me. Ryan walked back in, leaving me to my thoughts. I laughed aloud—years ago I made a personal pact with myself that I would never manipulate the wind, and here I was embracing my powers and stepping into a completely new world. Fate was laughing at me, but I knew the road that was ahead of me. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, and I knew it would take time, but I could do it. I knew because I was told long ago that I was going to do great things.

  Acknowledgments

  I want to thank my family and friends for supporting me on this crazy adventure. You know who you are. Without you, I would have never finished the book.

  Thank you, Tori, for making my dream evolve into reality. It was that day long ago, sitting on a barstool, drinking a beer that brought the character Windy to life.

  To my editors, you three are lifesavers. It was
your hard work and belief in Windy that helped me along in this journey. I’m sorry for all the crazy comma use, irrational tenses, and vague descriptions. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all for your help and support.

  About the author

  I’m a wife, a mom, a student of life, a daughter, a sister, a friend, an author, a journalist, and most definitely a dreamer …

  I’m always dreaming and writing.