Power

by Theresa Jones

  Chapter 11

  Artists

  ***Allison***

  Sharon was in my room waiting for me to return when I finally got back into the Compound that night. Sam had run right up to me and given me a big hug; she had already showered and eaten dinner and was ready for bed. I let her sit on my lap, cuddling in my arms, as I spoke with Sharon.

  “So… how did it go? Mark told me he didn’t see you in the Hall or the cafeteria today,” she asked.

  I smiled as I spoke, “It was amazing, Sharon. We went outside to this meadow with a pond and a gazebo. It was gorgeous!” I knew I would never be able to explain how gorgeous it had been, or how wonderful everything had felt.

  “Yes, I heard you uprooted a whole rose bush!” Her features changed to mock horror and then we laughed together.

  “I did, it was so empowering. It was like… I just stopped worrying and could feel my power so completely. I felt so in control of it like it was just an extension of my body! It was easier somehow once I was outside since I didn’t feel so weighed down… ya know?” I paused, hoping I didn’t have to explain the heavy feeling I had while in the Compound. Everyone knew that it was hard to be in here with so much power held captive inside these walls. She nodded though, showing she understood.

  “Yeah, once I walked outside, I felt like I could fly!” I chuckled again, because I remembered asking David if that was an ability that we might have. Unfortunately he said no. I had been pretty bummed about that. “Anyways, we started practicing, and almost instantly I just… got it! I mean, I could hear him, when he wasn’t speaking. I could hear what he was thinking! I could move things, and both my shields were strong and did not falter at all! It was so amazing!” I was gushing, and I knew it. But I didn’t care. Today had been one of the coolest days of my life. I finally felt strong again. I felt hope that I might actually be able to do this. I didn’t believe I was the one, the Descendant as David had called it, but I did believe I would be able to kill Damien eventually. I had to.

  “I’m so happy, Allison! I knew you would be able to. I’m so glad you convinced him to take you out.” You could tell just by looking at her face, her genuine smile and her deep eyes, she meant it. She really was happy for me. I knew that she wanted me to be successful here. She knew how badly I wanted it, and she was one of those truly good people that really wanted everyone to be happy. “And I cannot believe you did so well!” she was still saying. “You were able to maintain your shield the entire time you practiced?”

  “Sharon, I did it instinctively as soon as we were outside. It was amazing; I didn’t even have to think about keeping it up – it was effortless!”

  “That’s so good, dear!” We hugged, which was a little awkward with Sam squished and tangled between us but I just couldn’t contain myself. I was so excited I had to get up, to move. She continued, “When Mark and I were training, it took us 6 months before we were able to maintain our shields outside the Compound!”

  Mark was Sharon’s older brother. We often ate together in the Cafeteria. He was almost as easy to get along with as Sharon. It must be something in them genetically that just made people feel comfortable around them. I would often talk to Mark about my practices. He and David seemed to get along well, so it was easy for us to all sit and chat together.

  After chatting over her drooping head for some time, Sam fell asleep and I took her to her room and tucked her in bed. I had been thinking for several days now about what I wanted to ask Sharon next. I just wasn’t exactly sure how. So as I walked into the living room where she was still waiting for me, I decided to just come right out and ask. The confidence I had been feeling all day was still strong.

  “Sharon, I was wondering if you would mind me watching some of the practices tomorrow? My lessons shouldn’t take too long after a day like today, and I wanted to see if I might be able to learn some dances myself.” It felt strange asking the question. No matter how close I felt to Sharon, I still had an uneasiness and self-consciousness about the rules here. I didn’t know if joining the dancers was allowed since I already had a teacher, and I was already in the middle of taking classes, but I craved that experience after watching my own daughter dance so beautifully. I wanted to be able to dance with her, side by side. So I had to ask, even if she might say no. I went to sit next to her to await her answer.

  “Allison, dear, you shouldn’t even need to ask. You are always welcome in our studio!” The genuine smile that accompanied that statement was gorgeous; I could not help but smile back. Sharon always had a way of making me feel at ease. “Anyways, Samantha is already dancing so gracefully, I cannot wait to see how beautifully you will!” she said, flashing a hopeful grin in my direction as she grabbed my hand and patted it.

  The next morning I woke up the same as I always did. But for some reason, I felt different. I knew today would be different. I had finally opened my eyes to all the power I really did have and to everything that I could do with it. I knew what I was capable of and that despite where I was or what was happening, I would be able to control my power.

  I would never again panic feeling my power grow inside me, worried it would take control and overwhelm me. I would never again feel it hurt and burn me. No, now when I called upon my power, and allowed it to grow from within, I would be controlled. I would let it flow to my fingertips and down to my toes, fill me entirely, but it would always be at my command. I had that control now. I had the strength, the understanding, the focus to keep it controlled and make it do my bidding. I no longer feared it. I loved it!

  I hopped out of bed ready to start the day. Finally I was able to wake at my normal time, a yawn-inducing 6am. I had been plagued with nightmares for weeks before I arrived, and since getting here, was haunted by thoughts of my power being too powerful for me. I was going to make breakfast, wait for Sharon to come to take Sam to her studio, and then go to meet with David. Today I would not practice with him though. Today I would go to spend the day with the Dancers!

  ***Lilith***

  “Lilly? What a beautiful name,” he said after I introduced myself. I was already feeling around in his head and, of course, he thought I was gorgeous. But he was also suspicious since he was not anything special to look at and beautiful women rarely approached him.

  “Thank you… Mr?” I batted my eyelashes, and tried to seem shy. Ugh. Though it had always been easy for me to intrigue men and women, it didn’t mean I enjoyed it. At times I did, if it was anyone worth my time. But this one was so weak and meaningless. His existence didn’t matter. Me being here talking to him would at least give him some amount of purpose; as long as he could give me something useful. I would not allow this worm to ruin my good standing with Damien. I would never allow anyone to ruin that.

  “Mr..? You can just call me Mark.” He smiled, already feeling more comfortable with me. I allowed my power to flow over him, calming him. And just like that, I could see the look in his eyes change from one of suspicion to one of awe. How easy it was to take control over the male mind.

  ***David***

  I have always been a morning person and usually I love it. I love being able to get up to start the day before the sun does. The earlier you rise, the more time you have to accomplish all the things you have to do on a daily basis. Until Allison arrived. She always claimed she was a morning person, though I had yet to witness that. Each morning I came to the hall and waited for her to arrive, counting the minutes until I could see her. It was sad how utterly taken with her I had become.

  Yesterday had been incredible. Seeing her transform from a trainee to a fully trained woman with confidence and strength was a memory I would keep with me forever. It brought me such joy to see her so happy, so proud of herself. Looking into her brown and purple eyes, seeing my own reflection there, I never wanted to look away. It was like I finally found what I had been lacking for so long.

  Allison continually made me want her in ways I had never allowed myself to want a woman before. She ignited a passion
in me. I had been waiting for her for what felt like forever, but I also felt young again. Though I looked like I was in my late 20’s or early 30’s, I had actually already been here for 30 years and was 21 years old when I got here. I recalled the conversation I’d had with Allison just two days ago, “We all are much older than we appear, because we age so slowly. All the members of the Council are far beyond the young age of 100 years. The youngest, I believe, is 140 years old, and the oldest is already almost 200 years old. This is probably what gives us our hope for success. Rising members are usually killed off too quickly to see how long they could last, though we assume they would live as long as we do merely because they too have power. We don’t know for sure though, their power, seeing as it is rooted in evil, could kill them from the inside, just as ours helps us to live.”

  She asked me then, “How old are you, David?” I cringed away from the question and looked down, I couldn’t tell her. She would think me too old for her, and despite my better judgment, I hoped that one day she might see me as I saw her.

  “Ha!” I said out loud, not really to anyone specific. How could she ever see me as I saw her? Why would she? If she knew how I felt, or what I was thinking, or how she occupied every thought I had, she would think me disgusting. What other conclusion could she come to? What kind of man would hope for a woman’s affection so soon after she lost a man she loved, a man she promised her hand to in marriage?

  “What’s so funny?” Allison asked, walking up from behind me. Because it was much earlier than she normally turned up, I hadn’t noticed her arrival.

  Today she was wearing a blue short sleeved top, with black pants that fit her perfectly. She had a body most women would kill for, and blue always complimented her rosy skin perfectly. I made myself focus on our present conversation and would not allow myself to contemplate her feelings or the feelings she aroused in me anymore.

  I smiled, “Nothing, just an errant thought. How was your night? I assume it was better since you are early this morning.” I did not want to tell her what I had been thinking about. I could not allow her to know how I really felt about her and what I secretly wished for.

  “It was amazing!” She was beaming as she spoke. “I haven’t slept that well in ages. And, this is normal for me, David. Now that I feel more confident and am getting better sleep, I plan on always getting here at this time. So don’t you start getting lazy on me!” She smiled wide as she said that; trying to prove that she really was a morning person. She was happy, and well rested, and every fiber of my being wanted to touch her, to reach out to her, to bring her to me, and hold her close.

  I felt the joy surge through me. It was nearly an hour before she usually got here, that would mean an extra hour with her every day. I tried, unsuccessfully, to extinguish that joy as soon as I felt it… but I couldn’t. I was thrilled. I felt my smile widen as I said, “That’s good to hear! I’m glad you slept well.”

  I was going to start to lead her to our spot, but she paused again, just like yesterday. She couldn’t be ready to go outside again. I knew yesterday had to have been exhausting for her. Even if she was not consciously holding her shield the whole time, that amount of control and power takes a toll on your body. I stopped and looked at her, waiting to see what she would request today. Knowing her, I was sure I would be surprised.

  “David, I thank you so much for taking me outside, but…” she looked down. I noticed a subtle pink tint in her cheeks. She was blushing! She was gorgeous when she blushed.

  I knew that once again, no matter her request, I would not deny her. She could have asked for the moon and I would have never stopped trying to bring it to her. Is this what it felt like to be in love?

  “I am exhausted!” she said. This I had known. I waited for her to continue, but she didn’t. She just looked down, then at me, then down again. I assumed she was trying to figure out what to say.

  The suspense was killing me, “Allison, please tell me what’s on your mind!” Woman, don’t you know I would never refuse you anything?

  ***Allison***

  I felt so dumb. All I did yesterday was actually use my power, but I was just too tired. I so badly wanted to spend the day with him. I loved being around him. But today I also wanted to go to watch the dancers. I didn’t want to tell him how weak I felt, but I didn’t think I would make it through any training. I felt myself blush, ugh how I hated that! I must look like an idiot.

  “David, I don’t want to practice today.” I almost whispered it. Were you allowed a day off? I didn’t even know. And honestly I didn’t want a day off, so to speak, I just wanted to shift my focus to something different today. I felt even worse because this is the second day in a row I was asking him to change his plans. I didn’t want to upset him, and I didn’t want him to think I wasn’t capable, but I also didn’t want to make him feel like I didn’t want to spend time with him. How confused and jumbled my thoughts were when I was around him. Normally I could think in a straight line, in a complete sentence, but around him, everything turned upside down and inside out.

  I saw his lips twitch the slightest bit down. He was upset. I could see it even though he quickly tried to hide it with an apologetic smile. He asked, “Is that what was so hard for you to say? You haven’t had a break since you got here. Yesterday you did so much, and worked so hard, of course you can have a day off.” When he said it, he sounded genuine, so I let out a sigh of relief. I couldn’t help it. I could tell he meant what he said. And he didn’t sound upset. But there had been something there; I just couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

  I hugged him, I couldn’t help it. We hugged every morning, and I wouldn’t let this morning be an exception.

  However, today was different. I woke up different. I felt different. I would be doing something different today, and that hug was very different. I felt his arms go around my back, but it wasn’t just the slight touch it normally was. He really hugged me. He pulled me to him and my head rested on his chest. I could feel his muscles through his cotton shirt under my face, under my hands on his back, and around me. I had noticed shortly after I arrived that everything and everyone smelled so beautiful and potent here. I ended up asking Sharon if everyone had some special perfume or cologne, but she said it’s our power. It makes us smell, for lack of a better word, good. So, as I leaned my head against his chest, and he pulled me closer still, I held on too tight for a regular hug and I smelled him. I inhaled sharply through my nose and let his scent cling to my insides.

  It made me want him to hold me even closer, despite that being impossible. It made those sweet butterflies return to my tummy and made my skin warm. In fact, it made me boil over. I looked up into his eyes, pulling as little away from him as possible and he looked back down at me. His expression had changed, which surprised me. He looked… hungry. Not hungry for food, but hungry for me! The thought alone made my tingle with excitement. He made me remember all those feelings I had for Alex, so many years ago.

  But with David it was different, it was stronger. I realized I wanted him to kiss me. I imagined how it would feel, how he would taste. I vaguely became aware that I was leaning into him and rising up in a subconscious effort to get what I wanted. I thought he might return the feelings. And as he leaned down, his eyes smoldering, I knew he did. I knew he wanted to kiss me just as badly as I needed to kiss him.

  “Hey, Allison, Sharon wanted me to ask…” Mark came around the corner and stopped as he noticed me and David in each other’s arms. He started to mumble something like, “Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt…” then went back around the corner he had just come from.

  When Mark had first come into view, David stepped away from me. We were no longer touching and he looked uncomfortable and conflicted. He cleared his throat and said, “Well, I hope you have a nice relaxing day.” I felt the wave of disappointment wash over me, realizing just how desperately I had wanted him to kiss me.

  I also cleared my throat and decided I would not let him see how badly I
wanted to be near him. I had to hide the flood of rejection that I was drowning in. “Yeah, I plan to. I am going to spend the day with Sam and Sharon in the studio.” I said, pretending the last intense moments hadn’t just happened.

  “I’m sure you will have a great time. The dancers put on quite a show, especially when they have an audience. And since this will be your first time spending any real time there, I’m sure they will not disappoint.”

  We just looked at each other then, neither of us knowing what to say but not wanting to say good bye. Part of my mind considered throwing all the rules out the window and risking that flood of rejection all over again to throw my arms around him and make him kiss me. I didn’t think he would say no. The way he had looked at me made me feel like he wanted me back. Of course I couldn’t be sure, and it would probably be inappropriate. Not to mention, if he did push me away, I didn’t think I was ready for a hurt like that.

  Finally breaking the silence he said, “Have a good day, Allison. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then he turned and I watched his back as he walked away.

  ***

  On the stage in front of me were the dancers, sometimes it was only one dancer, sometimes it was a whole group of 15 or 20 dancers moving in sync. To the left of the stage were five people painting a mural that covered the entire wall. The right side of the stage, which they had already completed, was angels dancing. Now they were working on the left side, but I couldn’t tell what it was going to be yet. They moved so quickly, I thought the whole thing would probably be completed within a few days.

  To the right of the stage was a large mismatched band. There were probably 20 or 25 people sitting together playing all different instruments and two ladies singing in front. Like the musicians had no sheet music, the singers didn’t sing words; just let their voices add depth to the music.

  My attention was torn between the dancers to the front, the painters to the left and the musicians to the right. As I watched them, my mind dazed. Before I had come here, I had gone to find Mark. He had only wanted to relay that Sharon wanted me to bring a change of clothes to dance in. I had been angry at him at first for interrupting, though I realized he didn’t do it on purpose. I had just been so certain that David would kiss me. I could feel him radiating want just as badly as I had been. His eyes had been screaming at me, and his body had been demanding mine.