Exposing ELE (ELE Series #3)

by Nuckels, Courtney

  Not sure what to say to Mr. Leroy, Tony and I wait in silence. “Have you ever been to the maze ruins?” I ask Tony in my mind.

  He shakes his head. “They’re creepy and I’m really not looking forward to it, that’s for sure.” He gives me a look of surprise. “You’ve been there?”

  I nod my head. “When I was young,” I finish the thought as the door opens. A young woman, who looks to be about my age, enters with a pink scarf around her neck. I notice this first since it’s not the least bit cold outside…at least not cold enough for a scarf. She's a few inches shorter than me with strawberry blonde hair. I have to admit that she's very beautiful. It's strange when a small ounce of jealousy runs through me as I hope that Tony doesn't find her as attractive as she obviously is. I push that away, knowing how absurd such a feeling is.

  Her eyes dart around the room and she seems on high alert, waiting for something bad to happen. I’m not sure why I do it but I use my power of controlling emotions. I’m sure as rain that my eyes are black right now. I use this power to calm the poor girl. Chances are, if she can chill out, she’ll be far more helpful to us. It doesn’t take but a second before I see her visibly relax.

  She gets further into the room and I notice her eyes are golden. They glimmer in the most interesting way… like they’re flecked with pure gold.

  My heart begins to race knowing I’m about to receive a new power. I walk over to her and extend my hand. “Hello, my name's Willow. And we’re all glad you’re here.”

  She reaches out her hand and hesitantly takes mine in hers. “I’m Marya, it’s nice to meet you.”

  Marya. It's such a unique and beautiful name. I like the way it rolls off my tongue. “Please, have a seat.” I pull out a chair for her. She sits down and places her hands in her lap.

  “We rescued Marya from the maze ruins. You may notice the scarf she wears around her neck,” Mr. Leroy says. Marya’s hand instinctively reaches up towards her neck. Tony and I nod our heads. “Marya, would you mind removing the scarf?” Mr. Leroy asks politely.

  She hesitates for a moment but then begins loosening the fabric. I inadvertently gasp when the scarf comes off. I place my hand over my mouth, praying I didn’t offend her. She stares at the floor in obvious shame. My heart goes out to this dear girl. Her neck is raw and red. Several puncture wounds are spaced about one inch apart around the circumference of her neck.

  I kneel down next to her chair and look her in the eye. “Marya, I don’t know what happened yet but anyone that can do this to a girl like you ought to have a death sentence. I give you my word we will take care of you and put an end to whoever did this.” I know I don’t exactly know what happened but rage has already taken over my reasoning.

  She gives me a small smile and looks back down at her hands.

  “Do you mind if I ask you what power you possess?” I hope she doesn't mind my asking.

  “Telekinesis,” she says simply. My eyes go round with shock.

  I instinctively look up to see what Tony’s reaction is. He looks like a deer in headlights. It’s most definitely because he knows that now I’m going to have that gift too.

  “This should be interesting,” I say to myself and Tony. His thoughts come back to me in a jumbled mess. My guess is he’s trying to let it sink in. To be able to move objects with my mind has to be the most powerful gift I've seen as of yet. I truly can’t fathom it.

  I focus my attention back to the girl. “Marya,” I say hoping I can get her full attention. She has the information that could make or break our next mission. “Can you tell me what happened to your neck and any other information you feel is important. We’re about to send a team that way to try to rescue the other people that you were with. Anything you tell us, no matter how small, may be key to a successful reconnaissance.”

  She seems to ponder this for a moment before answering. She takes a deep breath and looks me dead straight in the eyes. “My neck is like this because of the collar. All of us had one. They are used to control us and to keep us sedated so we can’t use our gifts to escape. I was completely out of it when I was rescued. All I remember was the pain around my neck as they were trying to remove the collar. But even then I couldn’t understand the pain.” She stops momentarily, gathering her thoughts. “The leader…he’s…ruthless. He’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants.”

  I put my hand on hers in a comforting gesture. “Do you know who the leader is and what he or she's after?” I have a horrible suspicion already of course; I just want to hear it come from her.

  She purses her lips together looking me dead on. “Power. He wants power. As to who it is, I’m not sure, but they do refer to the person as a ‘he’. It doesn’t seem like anyone knows his real name. One person will say one name; another one will say a different one. Whoever it is, is after one thing and one thing only… gifts. He wants them all and right now he can’t have them all. It’s been rumored that there’s only one person who can give him what he wants and that person isn’t there. That the only reason we were being held captive is to lure that person to him so he can collect what he supposedly deserves.”

  Mr. Leroy and Tony share a look and then they both turn their attention to me. “You’re not going,” Tony tells me telepathically.

  I stand to my feet. “Darn right I’m going!” I yell a little too loudly. I may be a liability… but I’m the only hope of getting those people out of there. “You see this woman’s neck… these people are being treated like barbarians! I can’t just sit around on the sidelines twiddling my thumbs while you all risk your lives! None of this would have even happened if it wasn’t for me…” My voice gets softer as the guilt sinks in. I hate that so much of this happened because of my accidental injection of the red serum. If I could only go back in time… my thoughts wander. I get up and pace the room trying to sift through this new information. I feel like this is all a big puzzle and we’re missing some of the corner pieces. I know she didn’t directly say Zack is involved but I’d put money on it! The question is, how in the world does he think I can help him get powers? I think back to his dad asking for my blood in return for my mother's life. The rage starts filling me as I consider the demand. It makes no sense! Zack took my blood back in the shelter and said the tests were inconclusive. What does he expect to find with more of my blood? What would he need with an entire pint of it instead of just a tube or two? I shake my head. Too many questions and nothing adds up. Unless he's just trying to lure me there to kill me since I took his father’s life...

  Tony starts pacing the room, looking very agitated. I'm sure his mind is considering ways to keep me here, to keep me safe. Mr. Leroy looks back and forth between the two of us. Confusion in his eyes is shortly replaced with a realization that there might be more to our friendship than meets the eye. “Do you mind telling me what's going on between the two of you?”

  “Yes, I do!” Tony spins on his heel and directs his frustration at Mr. Leroy. “This mission is too dangerous for Willow. She shouldn’t be able to go.”

  Mr. Leroy seems to ponder it for a moment and for a second I worry that he's going to take Tony's side. Then he says, “We need her on this mission. Her powers are beyond the most powerful weapon we could go into this mission with. Plus, she can flush the leader out if it is in fact her that he wants.”

  “So you want to use her as bait?” Tony spits, looking none too pleased.

  His tone breaks Lee's cool. His face reddens and he opens his mouth. I cut him off before he can give Tony a reprimand for speaking to his superior in such a way. “If I have to dangle myself in the water like a freaking minnow, I will. Those people don't deserve this type of treatment.” I point to Marya's neck for emphasis. She looks down timidly and I turn back to Tony. “I will not stand by any longer and let those people suffer because someone thinks I am some freaking key to unlocking a universe of powers.”

  Its Tony's turn to turn red. He's livid and I can feel it rolling off of him in waves. He doesn't want me
to go flitting around in front of Zack, putting my life on the line. “Fine, you want to risk your neck so be it.” He stomps out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

  I'm left feeling cold and a bit terrified at the upcoming mission. I don't understand how Tony can think that I would just sit down and let other people do the dirty work. Does he not know me? He can't expect me to do anything other than what he would do if he were in my place. I look to Marya, who is still sitting in the chair calmly. The use of my power over her emotions seems to have worked unbelievably well. I wonder how much further I can use the gift. “I apologize that you had to see this. We are going to get the others out, I promise.”

  She nods her head. “Thank you.” She stands up to walk towards the door. “I better get back downstairs. My cousin is waiting for me.”

  I wonder who her cousin is, but I figure that I will have to get to know her better when this mission is completed. “Thank you for the information,” I tell her sincerely.

  “Good luck on your mission.” She walks to the door and pauses for a moment staring at the closed door. Without reaching for the knob, the door swings open.

  I look to Lee with surprise. He nods his head. “It's a powerful gift,” he says.

  “It sure is.” I think of how many times I used to lie in bed not wanting to get up to grab my tablet or the remote control. How I'd think how cool it would be to be able to just make it come to me with my mind. How completely odd it is that now someone can actually do that. And I will be able to do it soon as well.

  “How did they get the collar off her?” I ask Mr. Leroy.

  “It was actually her cousin who did it. He's one of our guys. When he saw her, he refused to leave without saving her. He found a button on the back of the collar. It came off as easily as pushing the button. The problem is though, that the people wearing it are either too medicated or they are being controlled in some way that makes it to where they don't even think about taking the thing off,” he answers.

  Wow, I'm amazed that the solution to removing such an atrocity would be a single button release lever. I assumed it would have been something tricky or nearly impossible to remove. That tells me how much control the medication or mind control has over the prisoners. “We need to make sure everyone else knows about this button so we are prepared to save the others.”

  “The teams are being briefed on it as we speak,” Lee says. “We better get down there and join the others.”

  I follow him downstairs. In the briefing, we discuss team assignments and the general layout of the facility; although we don't know the exact layout of the maze itself, I hope I will remember some details from the past when I enter it. After more discussion and planning, we head to the cafeteria for dinner. Personally, I wish we would leave for the mission tonight. The others who had done the reconnaissance urged us to leave at first light tomorrow. They said that the maze ruins are not well lit and a nighttime mission would probably leave us at a greater disadvantage.

  I eat dinner with my friends, sans Tony. I'm not sure where he stomped off to. He wasn't even at the meeting. After dinner, I stop in to my dad’s room and spend an hour with Sebastian and him. I read Sabby a story and then kiss them goodnight. I can feel the nerves rolling off my dad about my upcoming mission. I do my best to assure him that all will turn out alright. Then I head to my room.

  I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.

  CHAPTER 9 (Harbinger)

  The next morning I’m jostled from my sleep by a soft rapping on the door. Half asleep, I roll over and pull the covers over my head. “One more hour,” I mumble to whoever is trying to interrupt my beauty sleep.

  A few more seconds pass and another knock raps on the door. I grumble under my breath. It feels like it’s still dark outside… at least light isn’t coming in through the windows. “What is it?” I say loud enough that the person on the other side of the door can hear me. Not that I really want to hear what they have to say at this ungodly hour.

  The door creaks open and then closes. I hear footsteps heading to my bed and immediately I can tell it’s Tony. “Good morning, sunshine,” he tells me in my head.

  I grumble some more under my breath and pull the covers down from my head. He brushes some of the hair away from my face with the tips of his fingers. I melt inside just a little at his touch.

  “We need to get up and get breakfast if we want to make good time out of here,” he says to me. I rub my eyes trying to wake up. I hate mornings. Tony smiles at my obvious sleepy attitude. “I’ll give you a few minutes to get ready,” he says. “Meet me downstairs in ten?”

  I nod my head. He lightly kisses my forehead and then leaves the room.

  As soon as I hear the door catch, I place my hand on the spot where he placed his lips. It might just be my imagination but it feels warm and tingly. Somewhere deep inside I kind of wish it wasn’t my head he kissed… What I still can't understand though is how Tony can switch gears so fast. Yesterday he stormed away and didn't even show up to dinner. Then this morning he's all lovey-dovey? His hot and cold mood swings are giving me whiplash. I can't help but wonder if any of this has to do with the change that's coming.

  I roll out of bed and stumble around getting ready, still half asleep. I put my hair up in a messy bun and brush my teeth. That’s about all I feel up to doing so I head downstairs.

  I find Claire on the way downstairs and she waits for me. “Mornin’, Claire Bear,” I say.

  She snickers. “Mornin’ yourself. Sleep okay?”

  I nod my head. “Slept like a rock.” We continue the small talk until we reach the dining hall. Tony, Connor, and Alec wave us over to a table in the far corner. Seeing Tony with Alec seems bizarre but gives me a small inkling of hope that maybe, just maybe, we could all be friends. Candy joins us with Jake a few moments later and we end up having to pull a few more chairs up. Jokes and laughter fill the room as we act our age. It feels nice to act carefree and enjoy my friends, even if for only a little while.

  Tony is the first one done. He tells me he needs to go take care of a few things before we leave and asks me to meet him at the Command Post when I’m finished eating. He gives my shoulder a squeeze and leaves.

  I can’t help but feel the jealousy emanating from Alec. I brush it off and give him a smile. Breakfast this morning was fun and light. There’s no need to make it more complicated. I know things are awkward right now. Perhaps if I just came out and said that I think I may be falling for Tony, it would add some closure. I just don't feel as though I can break that kind of news to Alec just yet. I mean, it’s only been a few days. Can those types of feelings truly build in such a short period of time? I may have had to grow up rather quickly, but I’m still extremely immature in the love department. I will always love Alec though, that will never change. I don't want him to hurt. A small part deep inside me also tells me that I don't necessarily want to close that chapter just yet, even though I know it's for the best.

  By the time I leave breakfast, my sides hurt from laughing so much. Connor was laughing so hard his drink came out of his nose, landing on Claire’s food. The look she gave Connor was priceless! Leave it to Connor to provide the comedic relief. I give everyone a hug before I leave, just in case I don't get an opportunity to before we all head out on the mission. Alec’s hug seems to last a bit longer than the others, but maybe it’s just me.

  I stop by my dad's room. Sabby and him haven't woken up for the day. I tiptoe in and give each of them a kiss on the forehead. I whisper, “I love you,” before leaving the room again.

  I meet Mr. Leroy and Tony in the makeshift command center. They are going over some more hand drawn maps. We further lay out our plans. We will have two different teams going in and another team will stay along the perimeter. One will start at the end of the maze and the other team will start at the beginning. The goal will be to find Zack and trap him in the middle. We will have to contain him until Candy can get there. We are hoping she will be able to get throu
gh to him. She still believes there is good in him. I can only hope that she's right, but chances are she's not. I’d like to give her the benefit of the doubt, even when it seems senseless.

  After we plan some of the more grueling details, we head out into the conference room. The room is full to the brim with at least a hundred people. Unlike times in the past, I am not looking out at a sea of only yellow eyes. Instead, there are a myriad of different shades present. Everyone is talking amongst themselves but once Mr. Leroy and I stand up at the podium, they quiet down.

  “We want to thank you all in advance for being here. This won't be an easy mission and the number of volunteers for this particular one is phenomenal. We will be going over team assignments first, and then you will break away with your team leaders, who will outfit you with the appropriate gear and weapons. Our goal is to run this mission so smoothly that no lives will be lost...” Mr. Leroy continues hashing out the plan and calling out assignments. Since Tony refuses to be on a different team than me, he announces that Tom will be leading the third team who will be patrolling the perimeter. Knowing the details of the mission, I take the time to memorize each person's face. I heed the fact that these soldier’s lives will be partially my responsibility. I refuse to take that responsibility lightly.

  I don't realize Mr. Leroy has finished talking until all eyes turn on me.

  “Willow, would you like to add anything?” Lee asks me.

  I wasn't aware that I'd be talking. I feel ill prepared. I stand up anyway and take his place in front of the podium. “Thank you, Lee...” At first, I'm not sure what to say, but then it hits me. I swallow back the emotion that threatens to overcome me. “Seeing all of you, who have volunteered to go on this mission, it's quite moving. We all know how dangerous this undertaking is. Some of you have friends and family who are being held prisoner that you want to save. Some of you don't know anyone in there but you are going on this mission to save the lives of strangers because it's the right thing to do. Every one of you has counted the cost and realizes that this assignment is going to be tough and that it could cost you your life, yet you still stand with us. When I look out at this sea of dedicated soldiers, I can't help but feel the pride that my mom must have felt each time she stood before you. I know that had she been here today, she would be immensely proud, just as I am. Thank you for your service.”