“Connie, it’s me!” Rakwena forces his way into the bathroom.
“Oh, thank God!” I throw myself into his arms, weak with relief. “I thought you were Thuli. He’s crazy, Rakwena, he’s after us both! He thinks… he thinks…”
He leans against the door, pushing it shut, and holds me close. “It’sOK, you’re safe now. What the hell did he do to you? Did he hurt you?” I feel the sparks rising through his skin.
“No, I’m OK.” But I’m not. The fear and panic has subsided, but a wave of humiliation washes over me. How could I be so stupid? I’m supposed to be a telepath! I was so wrapped up in the fact that Thuli wanted me that it never occurred to me to wonder why. The tears come in a rush, huge, rolling sobs, like a toddler in a supermarket. I’m embarrassed and furious, but I can’t stop myself.
“Connie,” Rakwena whispers into my hair. “Don’t cry. I promise, it’sOK.”
We stay there in the dark until my sobs have subsided and his shirt is soaked through. His fingers run up and down my bare arm. Slowly his power starts to seep into my skin, and the entire episode no longer feels so terribly devastating.
“You were right,” I whisper against Rakwena’s chest.
“I’m sorry.”
I pull back. “I can’t see, but I think I’ve ruined your shirt.”
“I forgive you.”
I squint up at him in the darkness. “What are you doing here, anyway?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I came to keep an eye on you. The minute he saw me he took you away, and I had to follow and stop him before… well, you know.”
“Huh.” I feel a pang of embarrassment. “So that’s why he kept looking at the door. He was waiting for you to show up. What did I ever see in that guy?”
Rakwena chuckles. “Don’t ask me.”
I sigh. I know I should probably move, but it’s comfortable in Rakwena’s arms. He’s big and strong and safe, unlike some people. I also know that once we’re no longer in physical contact I won’t be able to draw strength from him, and I don’t want to go back to feeling lousy and stupid and hurt.
“We should go. Wiki and Lebz are probably worried.”
I pull away reluctantly. He releases me, then takes my hand and opens the door. All is quiet outside; I guess Thuli gave up. Rakwena and I walk back to the party. We don’t look at or talk to anyone until we find Wiki and Lebz outside, searching for me at the back of the house.
“Connie!” Lebz flings her arms around me. “Are youOK? Did he…”
“I’m fine. And still innocent.” I smile at Wiki, who is standing still with an expression of such horror on his face that I almost laugh. “Really, I’m fine.”
Lebz pulls away and looks at me, her brow still wrinkled in concern, searching for signs of trauma. “Well, it’s still a couple of hours before midnight. But if you want to leave I can call Mogapi.”
“No, stay and have fun,” I tell her. “I’ll just hang out in Rakwena’s car until Mogapi comes.”
“Are you sure?”
I nod, my hand still in Rakwena’s.
“OK.”
Wiki clears his throat. “Actually, I think I’ve had enough of –”
“Let’s go, Wiki,” Lebz cuts in, taking his arm and pulling him towards the house. She glances over her shoulder and gives me a reassuring smile.
Rakwena and I head to the car, parked way up the street, and sit inside in the dark.
“How much does he know?” he asks.
“Not much. It’s mostly speculation. He’s seen the light in your eyes. He suspects I can read him, but I haven’t given him proof. I don’t think he’s told anyone else.”
“He wouldn’t,” says Rakwena in disgust. “That would be like telling the world you know where treasure is buried. We’ll have to be careful.”
I exhale and take his hand again. “Sorry, but I need to feed off you for a while.”
“No problem.”
We sit in silence for a long time. “Rakwena?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks.”
“For what?”
“Everything. Coming to my rescue. Being my friend.”
“You’re welcome.”
I lean over and rest my head on his shoulder. I’ve been supremely stupid, and not just about Thuli. I’m done trying to be normal. I’m lucky to have a gift and from now on I’m going to cherish it.
“Connie? I need to go inside for a minute.”
I raise my head to look at him. “What for?”
“Food.” He grins sheepishly. “I’m starving.”
I can’t help but laugh.
01:10
“Lerumo here. If it’s urgent –”
Oh, it’s not urgent. Five girls are being subjected to rapidly worsening abuse by someone with great and dangerous supernatural powers. I was almost raped by a psychopath who’s obsessed with the gifted. I am under tremendous stress and I desperately need the help of my wise old grandfather, who is nowhere to be found. Urgent? Nah.
Chapter Twelve
A few days later, I collapse onto the bench at lunch time, exhausted.
“You look terrible,” Lebz murmurs from behind the pages of a newspaper.
I glance at her. “Since when do you read newspapers?” She holds it up. It’s not a newspaper after all – it’s The GC Chronicle, a lowly tabloid. “Ah. That explains it.”
“They’ve got some really interesting exclusives these days,” she remarks. “They must have hired new reporters or something.”
“Aren’t they supposed to be in debt?” asks Wiki.
“Who cares?” I heave a theatrical sigh. “Guys, I’m in serious trouble.”
They both turn to me, eyes wide with concern. Lebz clutches my arm. Since hearing the ugly details of what took place in Thuli’s lair, their mild dislike of him has escalated into loathing. Lebz tried to convince me to go to the police, but let’s be realistic. Thuli’s father owns half the country – who’s going to win that battle? Besides, there’s magic involved. I have to be careful.
I gently pry Lebz’s fingers away. “It’s not Thuli. He’s been smart enough to stay out of my way. I’m talking about this thing with Rose.”
“Oh,” they reply, relieved.
Trust them to prefer five possessed kids to one freak hunter. I’m about to give them a piece of my mind when my phone rings. “Ntatemogolo!”
As usual, he gets straight to the point. No greeting, no chit-chat, no apologies for making me worry. “Come and see me after school.” He hangs up without another word.
I turn to my friends, who are watching me curiously. “He wants me to see him today. I think he must have found something.”
“That’s good news, right?” says Wiki. “Hopefully whatever he’s found will help the girls.”
I nod, but I don’t have a good feeling about this.
Ntatemogolo’s house is quiet when I knock on the door. I hear his footsteps approaching and then the door opens. His face is gaunt and there are rings around his eyes. His legs look like sticks under the dull brown corduroy of his trousers. He beckons to me to enter, then closes the door behind me.
“Ntatemogolo, are you all right?”
He sighs. “It’s been a long, difficult journey. The things I was working on… they were complicated.”
I know better than to ask for details. Whatever he was doing out there must have been very dangerous. He looks like he’s used up a good deal of his power, and it will be a few days before he’s back to normal. I almost feel bad asking for his help when he’s in this condition, but I don’t have a choice.
“You said it was important,” I begin, sitting cross-legged on the floor of the consultation room. “Is it about the girls?”
He nods, lowering himself slowly onto the mat. “How are you, my girl? I think it’s been difficult for you, too.” I can tell from his voice that he sensed something while he was away.
“I’m OKnow. There’s a boy… but that can wait.”
“Tell me first.” He may be
exhausted, but he hasn’t lost any of his authority.
I take a deep breath and tell him about Thuli. Not everything, of course. I leave out the part about my being head over heels for the idiot, and the part about him trying to get me into bed. My story, unencumbered by the nastier bits, is still alarming.
“He’s a freak hunter,” I conclude. “He suspects that there’s something unusual about me and Rakwena. I haven’t told him anything, but I’m keeping an eye on him.”
Ntatemogolo nods solemnly. “I’ve heard about people like him. They thrive on discovering the undiscovered. They are dangerous. Be very careful, my girl. And tell your friend to be careful, too,” he adds, with a note of disdain.
“I will, Ntatemogolo.” I clear my throat, eager to steer the conversation back to Ma-fourteen. “What did you want to tell me?”
He looks at me, his eyes bright in the semi-darkness. “The traditional doctors have been talking – it appears there’s a new person in the area. A foreigner. There are many foreign traditional doctors, of course – this is nothing new. But this one is different. When they speak of him, their voices tremble.”
“They’re afraid of him?” I ask incredulously.
He shrugs. “It’s difficult to say how much of what I heard is true and how much is gossip. But there is a lot of mystery surrounding this man. No one knows exactly where he’s from or what his name is or even what he looks like.”
I’m disappointed. “He could be anyone.”
“True. But I know he’s in town, and he has been for several weeks.”
“Which could coincide with the time Rose and her friends started acting strangely.” I look at Ntatemogolo. “Do you think he’s the one we’re looking for?”
“I don’t think anyone should be looking for him, least of all you,” he replies firmly.
“But if he’s behind what’s going on –”
“Let the traditional healers deal with him. If he is guilty, he will be caught.”
“There is no way I’m backing off,” I tell him. “I don’t mean to be disobedient or disrespectful, but Rose is my friend and I promised to help her!”
“You can help her by trying to find out what she and her friends have been up to.”
I close my eyes, trying to keep my temper in check. “Ntatemogolo, I can’t get past the fog in her head. This man has put up some very strong barriers. I need to get the necklace away from Rose, but every time I touch it she attacks me. I know if I can get it from her and give it to you, you can find out what spells he’s put on it.”
“Ah.” His tone has changed now, from stern and anxious to curious. “And you think you know how to get this necklace?”
“Yes. Rose trusts me, and I can get into her head. If I knew how to plant thoughts, I’m sure I could persuade her to give it to me willingly.”
His eyes narrow. “Have you tried this already?”
I bite my lip and hold my tongue.
He sighs. “What have I told you about experimenting with techniques you have not yet mastered?”
“I’m sorry. I was just –”
“You can’t use people as guinea pigs! We don’t know what this Puppetmaster has done to the girl. What if you make a mistake?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Good,” he says, and lets me sweat for a few more minutes before a smile creases his face. “So you want to twist my arm now, eh? You’ve been wanting to learn how to plant and now you finally have a good reason.”
“It’s not like that,” I protest, though of course that’s exactly how it is.
He chuckles. “OK. If you’re going to go around putting thoughts into people’s heads, you should at least learn to do it properly.” He takes a deep breath. “You’re lucky – I’m a bit more vulnerable now. It might be easier for you to plant when I’m weak. But before we start, there are three things you must always remember.”
I nod, impatient to get started.
“One – be subtle. It is better to change someone’s attitude than to force their hand. If you want me to show you the tools in my chest, you don’t plant ‘show me your tools’. You don’t want me to realise I’m being manipulated. I should feel as if I’m making my own choice. You want me to let you in. You want me to see that you’re not a threat.”
It sounds a lot harder than just planting an instruction, but it makes sense. “I understand.”
“Two – always be prepared for the possibility of failure. The mind is a complex thing; there are no guarantees. Your subject might have powers of his own, or he might be a pawn. Your plant might get distorted or it might not take root at all. You might make things worse instead of better. As you get better at planting, you’ll learn to tell when a mind is fertile ground and when it isn’t. Sometimes you don’t need to plant. Sometimes all you need is to look around.”
I nod slowly, taking in every word. I think of Thuli, and what might have happened if I had tried to plant to get him away from me. He would have known right away what I was up to, and it would have made him worse than ever.
“And three – never, ever plant thoughts that will make the subject harm himself or anyone else.”
I frown. “What if someone is about to attack me?”
“There is always another way,” he says. “You can make him drop the weapon or turn away. Your gifts are meant to protect you and others, not to inflict pain. And if it backfires the subject might end up hurting you, anyway. Just follow the rules and you should be fine.”
I nod. “Be subtle, be prepared for failure and never use planting to hurt someone. I won’t forget.”
“All right.” He turns his steady gaze on me. “Then you may begin.”
I have no idea what I want to plant. Ntatemogolo wears an ancient gold watch – maybe I can work on that. I take a deep breath, focus on his face, then close my eyes and hold his image in my head. I make my way into his thoughts slowly, step by step. He’s mildly curious about what I’m about to do, but otherwise there’s not much else going on in his head, or at least nothing he’s willing to let me see. I open my eyes.
Your watch. His thoughts flicker. It has served you well over the years, and it’s still in mint condition. He chuckles – he knows where I’m going. Connie has always loved that watch. She’s a big girl now, able to appreciate a valuable gift. Maybe it’s time… I let the thought hang in the air, but Ntatemogolo doesn’t take the bait. Her birthday is coming up too, and it would be the perfect opportunity. She’ll take good care of it, and you can always get a new one.
Ntatemogolo smiles. “Well done.”
I release his mind, suddenly feeling very tired. “It didn’t work.”
“Of course not,” he laughs. “But I was expecting it. Generally your subjects won’t know what you’re doing. They will think the thoughts are their own. You should be more subtle – you don’t want your voice to disrupt the subject’s own thoughts. But you did well for the first try.”
I smile, feeling proud of myself. “Thank you.”
“You want to try again?” He flashes a mischievous grin, challenging me.
“Sure,” I tell him, though I know there’s no way I can win.
Rose comes to sit beside me on the bench, lowering her bag to the ground.
“I have some news,” I tell her. “My grandfather has heard about a new traditional doctor in town. We think he must be the one who bewitched your necklaces.”
Her eyes widen with fear. “Who is he?”
I shrug. “No one knows, but we’ll find out. How are you doing?”
She sighs. “I have some news, too.” She throws a wary glance over her shoulder. “Emily wants out.”
“Really?” I let out a little squeal of excitement. “She told you that?”
She nods. “I told her you might be able to help. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Mind?” I pull her into an impulsive hug. “I definitely don’t mind. I’m so glad you got through to another one of the girls – this is great news!”
; She smiles shyly. “I was worried that I had said too much. She wants to meet you, but she’s still at Hillside. Maybe after school?”
I think for a moment, rearranging my schedule in my head. “How about tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow’s fine.” She runs a hand along the chain of her necklace. “Do you want me to try and remember some more?”
“No, not today.” My gaze slips to the necklace. “We’ll work on it tomorrow. Tell me about Emily. The more I know about her, the easier it will be when I meet her.”
“Are you sure your father won’t mind?” Rakwena asks for the hundredth time, as I lead him into my living room.
“How many times do I have to say it? Dad is cool. Besides, he’s not even here.”
“Not yet,” he grumbles.
Auntie Lydia is inside, drinking a glass of water. “Oh, hello.” She raises her eyebrows at Rakwena.
“This is my friend Rakwena. Rakwena, Auntie Lydia.”
“Pleased to meet you.” He puts on his most charming smile, but Auntie Lydia’s gaze shoots straight to the scar.
“What happened to your face?”
Rakwena’s smile falters. “I had an accident.”
“Ah, shame.” She shakes her head and tuts in sympathy. “And such a handsome face. At least you’re alive. Thank God for that, eh?” She beams at him suddenly, and I watch his expression change from reserve to confusion.
Poor thing – he’s not used to such forthright people. I bite my lip to keep from laughing. “Are you leaving now, Auntie?”
She nods. “There’s food in the fridge. Give some to your friend. And tell Ray I won’t be in for the rest of the week – I’m going home for a funeral.”
“I’m sorry. Who passed away?”
“Don’t be sorry, my darling – it’s my uncle.” She makes a face. “He was a nasty character and I’m surprised he lasted this long. But blood is blood, eh? We must pay respects.” She shoots one last curious glance at Rakwena. “Bye!”
Rakwena watches her leave, his expression puzzled. “I don’t think she likes me.”
“She likes you,” I counter. “If she didn’t, you’d know about it. Hungry? Wait – stupid question.”
“Are you making fun of me, Connie?” He leans against the counter and grins.
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