by C. C. Lynch
If his fits were anything like some of the episodes I had seen at Glaston Academy or Replyx, then I certainly did not want to see him upset. “Like big boom explosion fits or…”
“No,” she dropped her arms to her sides. “Frankie, my brother, isn’t well. He makes these loud noises and starts throwing and hitting things.”
“I’m so sorry.” I hated not knowing the correct thing to say in those situations. It was always awkward.
“It’s fine,” she shook her head, “he’s normal otherwise. He just has bouts of anger.”
“Normal,” Aiden scoffed.
Her eyes went to slits and she pointed her finger at his chest. “Aiden Ryan Briac, if you say one more thing about Frankie I will kick you into next Wednesday.”
“It’s fine,” an annoyed voice called out from behind the door.
We shuffled our way into a room full of electric gadgets. Metal toys and parts lined steel shelves. A scrawny guy with deep brown curly hair resting on his shoulders was bent over a chip with a soldering iron in hand. On the far side of the room drawers and shelves filled with extra parts were neatly labeled.
“Hey buddy,” Draxe began cautiously. “What are you making?”
Draxe’s athletic shoulders blocked my view of Frankie, but I could hear the tinkering continue. Several moments passed before Frankie sighed, but refused to answer Draxe’s question.
“So,” Draxe began to try once again, “we kind of need to get you and Ovolina to someplace safe. There’s some bad people that want to take you and your sister to do mean things to you.”
“Oh my goodness, Draxe,” Liz gritted, “he’s not five.” She walked to the other end of the table that Frankie was working on and stood until his attention was on her. “If you’ve heard of gifted students disappearing or anything like that, it’s because it’s true. There’s this group of people that are taking students, experimenting on them, and brainwashing them. You are on the list so we wanted to warn you and make sure you get somewhere safe.”
Frankie stood up and put the soldering iron neatly away then sat back down across from Liz. I walked by her side and met Frankie’s gaze with as much compassion as I could. Deep brown eyes matched the messy curls draping his skinny face.
He leaned on his elbows and brought his index fingers to a point underneath his chin. “How do you know we’re on the list?”
Feeling Liz stiffen beside me, I took over. “We have a friend that is pretty much a double agent and knows everything to do with the group.”
Ovolina took a step next to her brother and leaned her hands on the table. “Or your ‘friend’ is a double, double agent and is getting you to gather all the gifted students on that list because everyone will trust a mellow empath.” She sneered at me, “and if we go with you, we’ll be playing right into the hands of the ‘bad people,’ as Draxe so patronizingly put it.”
I shrugged and ran my hands through my weather-tangled and matted hair, still wet from melted snow. “You’re right, we have no idea if we can completely trust him.” Vlaine, Aiden, Draxe, Frankie, and Ovolina were watching me intently, lingering on my breath preparing for what I would say next. “Look at everyone in here. Two guys can look like anyone they want and completely mess with people’s minds, one can turn invisible, another can mess with time, and you can do, well, whatever you do. I’m pretty sure we can all take care of ourselves if we stick together as a group.”
Frankie looked down and planted his hands firmly on the tabletop. “We are safe here. We do not need to go anywhere.”
“What is your ability, anyhow? You’re an empath, right? Are you going to feel bad for people to death?” Ovolina’s stance was deceptively tough. If I could not feel her worry I would have been intimidated by her.
“What’s yours?” I mimicked her stance.
Her eyes were glued to mine as a chair in the room lifted into the air and was placed behind her. She took a seat gingerly and exhaled proudly.
“Telekinesis,” I whispered to myself.
I could do that. Searching around the room for something to move on my own, I settled on the hat atop Draxe’s head. Trying not to over think it, I lifted the cap with my mind and rested it on top of mine.
“Telekinesis, too?” Her snotty question was interrupted by Vlaine’s excitement.
“See, Abbs,” he came over and spun me around in a tight hug, “you didn’t need to touch her or anything. You were fearless!”
My cheeks grew red and I giggled. “It was pretty cool, right?”
“Amazing,” he smiled before kissing me quickly.
“Hold on, love birds,” Ovolina waved her hands in the air. “You’ve never used your gift before?”
“Not that one.” I bit the inside of my cheek to hide the proud grin pushing its way onto my face.
“She’s a replicator,” Draxe said, snatching his hat off my head and placing it back onto his own.
“Replicators are myths.” Frankie shook his head looking down at his hands that were now pressed stiffly on top of the table.
Aiden’s eyes were challenging with a glimmer of chaos mixed in. “We are myths. We do the impossible. We vibrate differently than most humans, we do things people can’t do.” With a chuckle he finished, “I can manipulate time. If you believe in my gift, it’s a short fall to believe in someone that can replicate.”
Frankie looked quickly to me before looking back down at his project. “Can you replicate his gift?” Without looking up he pointed to Aiden.
“Well, no, I’ve never tried. I heard that it’s the only thing that we can’t imitate.”
An annoyed gurgling sound rumbled in Frankie’s throat. “Like I said, replicators are myths.”
“This is exhausting,” Liz shook her head. “I’ll be by the fire if you need me.”
She had the right idea. I had no energy to try and force a cantankerous girl and her close-minded brother to believe me or follow us to safety. I wanted them to be safe but I had no idea it would take so much effort just to get someone to believe us. Aiden was smirking as if he knew this was going to be the result of the conversation.
Balancing on my heels I gave a defeated shrug. “I’m going up with Liz. Whatever you happen to decide, let’s figure it out before tomorrow night so that we can try and warn the rest of the Replyx’s most wanted list.”
I closed the door softly behind me and tip-toed my way up towards Liz’s side. She was staring at the fire, the light shimmering off her blonde hair. I pulled my legs to my chest and rested my chin on my knees. My eyes grew heavy as the warmth licked my skin. I closed my eyes and listened to the muffled voices of the people in the other room.
The level for the “revered” was comforting in a way I did not expect. Nestled several stories underground, it seemed impossible Jeremiah or anyone else could find us. It was quiet and homey but the comfort was deceptive. The place we were hiding had its very own symbol indicating where Jeremiah could find those he most wanted to get his hands on.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs and I looked over to the group of people entering the room. Ovolina’s face was solemn as she made her way to me. Her ability to be incredibly off-putting was actually something I admired. She was protective of her brother and did not trust him in the hands of strangers.
“Okay replicator girl, our lives are officially in your hands now so if anything happens to Frankie, anything at all,” she lowered her voice to an angry growl, “it’s on you.”
It took every ounce of patience not to roll my eyes at her threat. Being nice to her seemed like it would be a chore, so instead I nodded and remained tranquil in front of the fireplace.
Watching me ignore the hostility of Ovolina, Vlaine communicated to me telepathically to give me a bit of background history on the floor we were on. It seemed that after several violent incidents the headmaster found it necessary to give Frankie his own shop away from any interruptions. Ovolina stayed with her brother whenever she could so that she could help to control any angr
y outbursts he may have. Aiden was down there simply because he was truly revered. Aiden swore that the headmaster was the only person who knew that he stayed in the school because of the sensitivity of his rare gift.
I gave Vlaine a quick nod letting him know I heard him before his attention was drawn to Aiden and Draxe.
Nearly an hour had passed before I grew too restless to remain in Ernvlik Academy. I needed to check on Nicholas and see if he was okay. Vlaine was completely against the idea until Aiden agreed to accompany the two of us. Liz and Draxe had no qualms with staying at the academy; in fact, Liz seemed a bit excited by the idea.
Before leaving, Ovolina showed me the old classrooms on the floor that could now serve any purpose we deemed fit. Most rooms were storage and were filled with organized clutter. I memorized one of the empty ones and decided it would be the safest place to teleport back to in order to avoid any students or professors spotting us.
After the tour, I stuck my arms out to Vlaine and Aiden to teleport to New York. Vlaine hadn’t disclosed the hospital Nicholas was at so I transported us to the backyard of my mother’s house.
As soon as we arrived I was on my rear gasping for breath. Aiden’s hand was outstretched, waiting to help me up.
“This is becoming a habit.” I laughed as I grabbed for his assistance.
Vlaine’s brows were drawn together in observation. “Does that happen every time you teleport?”
“Yeah.” Losing my breath with each teleportation replication was starting to wear on my nerves.
“Next time try breathing like you’re about to shoot an arrow. Full breath in, a half one out, shoot, and finish the exhale once you’ve made your shot.”
I pulled my arms into my sweatshirt to try and cut the bitter chill that was biting into my skin and nodded. “I’ll give it a shot.”
Trying his recommendation at that moment was a bit nerve-racking. If he was correct, I would not know if I had managed it on my own or if I simply needed his support to do anything properly. Vlaine was there with unwavering patience while I learned how to use my different gifts. He helped me to save animals at the shelter, to improve my telepathy, and even to explode targets. What if I depended on his guidance so much that I subconsciously needed his approval?
There I was contemplating my fears; it was silly, really. Seeking the approval and guidance of someone you care for is normal. After the internal debate, I finally decided to try his suggestion. Inhaling deeply and partially exhaling, I placed myself a few meters away. I lost balance as usual, but was not sputtering for air. I repeated the sequence to my previous spot.
“Looks like that solved my breathing problem, but I still lose balance.” My cheeks grew hot with embarrassment over my failure. “Where exactly is Nicholas?”
“He’s at Wellesen Hospital,” he replied quickly with a look of frustration that made my stomach twinge.
“Okay,” I nodded before hesitantly asking what was wrong.
His lack of response was disheartening, but I wanted to get to the hospital as soon as possible. I lead the two to the garage. I knew my mother would be working and would have no idea if I took my car to visit Nicholas.
I tapped the steering wheel nervously for the bulk of the forty-five minute drive to the hospital. Being out in the open was terrifying. Someone at the tree house surely must have been on the lookout knowing that I would check up on Nicholas.
I kept a keen eye out for anyone looking suspicious which, when afraid of being recaptured, happened to be everyone. Having the two guys with me helped to ease the paranoia. I hoped that if anything bad were to happen Aiden would simply stop time and resolve the issue.
Vlaine and Aiden were on my heels as I ran out of the car and to the front desk to find out where Nicholas was. Once we had the room number I sprinted to the gift shop to buy a stuffed animal and Nicholas’s favorite candy with the secret cash stash I kept underneath my steering wheel.
Nicholas’s parents were in the room and eyed Vlaine and Aiden warily when I walked in. “Hey,” I nodded to his parents, “this is Vlaine and Aiden. They go to school with me. How is he?”
His mom stood and hugged me tightly. “He’s been in and out of consciousness but he’s stable. Some park ranger found him in the woods. They thought he was,” she sucked in a sob, “he wasn’t responding when they found him.”
I pulled a chair next to the bed and put Nicholas’s hand in mine. “Do we know what happened?”
His mother shook her head and shrugged. “The story is spotty. I guess he skipped school one day and was partying in the woods with some friends. It sounds like he went to use the restroom and got lost.” Her lip trembled and tears slid down her cheeks. “He was gone for so long. It’s a miracle he’s alive at all. We don’t know how he survived. There must have been someone looking out for him.”
I nodded in agreement. After a few minutes of sitting in silence Nicholas’s hand squeezed mine. His eyelids opened slowly. “Hey, Abrielle.” His voice was raspy and low.
My heart fluttered hearing him say my name. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and hugged him gently. “I was so worried about you.”
He gave a faint smile and breathed deeply a few times. “Mother Nature can beat me up, but she can’t kill me.”
I chuckled, “yes, Nicholas, thank goodness you’re indestructible.” I ran my hand through his hair gently.
“You know, I had a dream about you.” He took a deep breath as if simply speaking was expending too much energy. “It was weird.”
“You can tell me all about it once you’re out of here.” I hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go. “I’ll let you rest. Get better and call me when you’re well enough to have company.”
With closed eyes, he nodded before falling back asleep. I kissed his forehead quickly, grateful that my friend was safe and away from the clutches of the tree house. I asked his parents to keep me updated on his health before leaving the hospital.
The drive back to my mother’s house was silent until Vlaine finally spoke. “Are you okay, Abbs?”
“Yeah,” I nodded. “It’s tough though. It’s my fault Nicholas was even at the tree house in the first place.” I looked over to him before adding, “you know they keep ungifted people in cages there? I don’t know what else they did to him, but I know he was tortured when I acted out of line. I mean, look at how skinny he is.”
Vlaine shook his head. “It’s not your fault.”
“It is,” I declared. “Erik thought that Nicholas was my boyfriend. He was there as collateral. If I had just disappeared from Glaston when I knew there were people after me, I never would have gotten anyone involved in this.”
“Abbs,” Vlaine shrugged incredulously, “Jeremiah wouldn’t have stopped until he found you. If it weren’t for you, there wouldn’t be a plan in place to stop this from happening to anyone else.”
“He’s right,” Aiden added, “you’re more hero than culpable in this situation.”
“Thanks,” I whispered, allowing their words to sink in.
15
Once we returned to Ernvlik I stressed the importance of determining our very own safe house. If we were going to help other students, we were going to need a secure place to keep everyone until Replyx was no longer a threat. The level of the academy that Aiden, Ovolina, and Frankie called home seemed safe enough to me but I did not want to take over their quarters without their indubitable permission.
After a few moments of debating, Ovolina finally declared that there was no safer spot than Ernvlik Academy and it was to be the sanctum of those wanted by Jeremiah. We still did not have her complete trust and she made her fears of us bringing the nefarious people directly to her abode well known, but she trusted Aiden’s judgment on the matter.
Everyone aside from Frankie huddled in a circle staring at the sheet Luther had given us of scribbled names and the particular skills that person possessed. There were nine students that Jeremiah wanted to get his hands on, ten including Frankie
. For whatever reason, Ovolina did not make the cut. I assumed it was because she was not a technological connoisseur like her brother.
“You’re telling me this kid at Intervael can turn into animals?” I stared at Aiden wondering if Luther had played a trick on us. He gave a swift nod in response. “Like shape-shift, suddenly a bird, caw-caw type of turn into animals?”
“Oh, that’s Shane!” Ovolina’s face turned red when we all turned in surprise to her enthusiasm. “Intervael and Ernvlik get together once a year for the Annual Gifted Consortium,” she shrugged. Our eyes remained on her as the pink tint on her olive cheeks turned crimson. “It’s when we get to share the ways our gifts can enhance the topic of our choice. Environment, politics, science, so on and so forth. Kyle and I share a common interest in the security of the gifted and the need for our own government.” She shrugged and looked away.
Suppressing a chuckle, I tried to turn the subject away from Ovolina’s obvious crush, but not in a way that made her feel even more embarrassed. “Do the other academies ever have these sorts of consortiums?”
“No,” Draxe shook his head. His hands were tucked into his jeans and he thumped his thumbs on his thighs. “I knew that Intervael had them because Ivan and Erik would talk about it, but the other schools weren’t into the whole gathering and sharing thing.” He flashed a handsome smile and added, “it’s not like any of the schools are really close to one another.”
“I believe that’s a huge problem.” Ovolina stated matter-of-factly. “There are too many gifted people that were without assistance growing up. The schools shouldn’t just serve as a college. We need academies that begin at the preschool age. A government…”
“Yeah, yeah,” Aiden cut Ovolina off, “we’ll all vote for you for special people president.” He shook his head in an irked manner and grabbed the list of students we needed to try to help. “What’s the plan here?”