by C. S. Harte
“It certainly felt real. This isn’t the first time I dreamt of Tommy before. It felt real then too.”
“Hmm. Very interesting.”
She gave him a puzzled look. “How so? What’s going on?”
Masa refocused his attention on Kayla. “I don’t mean to change the subject, but I need to get through all my questions before Helen comes back.”
Kayla raised her eyebrows. Were Masa and Helen not working together in running this house?
Masa stood. “Can you lift the chair I was just in with your talents?”
Kayla tried to comply with his request. The chair would not lift. She concentrated harder, but to the same end. “Sorry, I'm still tired I guess.” Sweat beaded on her forehead.
He shook his head. “No apologies needed, your powers have been taken away from you.”
Kayla nearly jumped out of her bed. “WHAT? HOW?”
Masa rested his hand on her shoulder, urging Kayla to lie back down. “Do you remember when I said you had a surge?”
“I… I think so.”
“A surge is when your talent overloads and becomes uncontrollable. Some gifted people have a larger Chi base than others. You are such an example. This allows you more potent actions or to do actions over a longer period of time.” Masa paused as if ensuring she followed every word.
Kayla nodded her understanding.
“When we were in the maze, you were captured by my ice spider sim. Before I could stop the training, your Chi surged, and you became a bomb so to speak. You destroyed everything around you; the cocoon you were in, the ice spider, and roughly half the maze. Unfortunately, that half included Haley who was next to you.”
“I killed Haley? No!” Kayla squeezed her eyes shut.
“Haley is not dead, in a manner of speaking. I promise to explain that later. For now, it is best to stay away from Emily as you do not have your powers to protect yourself.”
“I didn’t know. I didn’t mean to.” She sobbed into her hands.
Masa looked at the door then back at Kayla. He placed both his hands on her shoulders pressing down past a point of comfort for her. “Listen to me. Haley and Emily are not important right now. Do you want to escape Eden House or not?”
Kayla was not used to a forceful, intense Masa. His grip on her was firm. All she could do was nod her head ever so slightly.
Masa released Kayla. “Do not trust anyone but me. Do not believe anyone but me.”
She nodded.
“I have to go. I can’t be found in here. But I will try to see you soon.” Masa exited the room.
Act III
31
“Hello, Kayla.” Helen shifted into visibility, standing at the foot of Kayla's bed.
Kayla nearly jumped at Helen’s voice. Was she here when I was talking to Masa? How much does she know?
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to you appearing randomly. You should wear a cowbell or something.”
Helen smiled. “Apologies, my dear. I shall endeavor to be less startling.” She moved closer to Kayla. “I see that you are doing better. Evident by your sense of humor returning. We were all terribly concerned.”
“Thank you, but I’m fine. My headaches are gone.” Kayla took in a deep breath. “I feel different somehow. Smaller.”
“Yes, I suppose you would. Your talents have been taken away.”
Kayla feigned a surprised face.
Helen eyed her suspiciously. “I believe Masa already told you this before he left?”
“He mentioned things have changed with me and you would be a better person to explain. You know Masa. Hard to get a straight answer out of that guy.” Kayla followed the lie with a half-hearted laugh.
Helen nodded. “Indeed. He is a man of few words. When you first arrived, I explained it was for your own good and the good of the people around you. Gifteds not in control of their powers are guaranteed to hurt themselves and those they love.”
Kayla closed her eyes as she listened.
“Talents, especially your talents, are simply too powerful to be left unchecked. Poor Haley was an unfortunate example of this. Hopefully, she will be the first and last casualty of your powers.”
Kayla gasped. “I killed Haley? Is that what you meant by casualty?”
“There is no easy way to say this. I’m afraid Haley is no longer with us in this house,” Helen said, her voice soft with sympathy.
But Masa told me she was fine. Kayla covered her face, shaking her head. “Wait, but that shouldn’t be possible. I thought the circuit suit protected us. Jaime said that you couldn't hurt people with our talents.”
Helen sat in the chair next to Kayla’s bed. “Indeed the circuit suits should have protected Haley. You have proven consistently to be the exception to the rule. You are the first Telekinetic that we’ve had in this house. Perhaps maybe even the first Telekinetic ever. As such, you've presented unforeseen dangers beyond the safeties we had in place.”
Kayla’s voice strained. “I wouldn’t call Haley a friend, but I felt like we were getting there. Please. I just want to know what happened so that I can never hurt anyone again. No one will give me a straight answer.”
“Well, I assume you recall everything up until the point in which the ice spider cocooned you?”
Kayla nodded.
“You and Haley were not technically defeated nor did any of you port out of the simulation. Therefore, the mission continued with both of you trapped. The next part was rather remarkable even when you consider the world we live in.”
Kayla tucked her elbows in, trying to shrink herself and her shame.
“What happened next was an explosion, but without the usual fire, burning, or heat of one. A reverse implosion, in a sense. All matter within a 50-meter vicinity to you was simply pushed away — like dropping a bowling ball into a bucket of water. Everything was displaced to make room for the bowling ball.”
Kayla’s mouth gaped open. “I… I didn’t know I could even do that.”
Helen placed her hand on Kayla’s shoulder. “You were unconscious when we reached you.”
“And Haley? Where was she ‘displaced’ to?”
“These details are not important. I know the kind of person you are. I know you didn’t intend to do what you did. No one blames you for what happened to Haley. It’s imperative for you to understand this.”
Kayla squeezed her eyes shut, pushing out tears. She clutched at her mother’s locket. I killed Haley! Helen continued to speak in the background, but Kayla was deaf to the words. I’m not a killer. I would never. Kayla made a fist and kneaded her chest, ironing a painful knot.
Helen snapped her fingers in front of Kayla’s face. “Don’t fall asleep again. We need you here with us.”
Kayla wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “I’m sorry, what were you saying?”
Helen stared at Kayla for a moment before answering. “All of this was rather unfortunate which is why we took the extreme measure of taking away both of your talents as a temporary precaution.”
Kayla's eyes exploded open. “Both of my talents?”
“Yes, one of your many curious traits is that you have both an offensive and a defensive talent.”
“Do other people have multiple talents?”
“No. No one does.”
Images of Haley flashed into her consciousness. “I don’t care anymore. I don’t want my talents. I never asked for them. I just want my old life back with Tommy. And I want Haley to be alive again.” Who would’ve thought that my life bouncing around the foster system was better than this?
“We may have disabled your talents, but they are still there. I cannot stress this enough. It’s important that we continue to train you to sharpen your mind and focus.”
Kayla rolled on her side facing away from Helen.
“I know you don’t want to hear this now, but your talents are a gift. It is up to you how you decide to use them.”
“I’m tired. I'd like to lie down now.”
“Of course. I’ll leave you be. You are free to rest here or back in your room.”
Kayla closed her eyes and listened for Helen’s footsteps, waiting for her to leave.
“I will check on you later.” Helen closed the door as she exited.
Who is telling me the truth about Haley? Masa or Helen? Who can I trust?
Kayla tossed around in her infirmary bed. Images of Haley haunted her mind. She got out of bed and touched the wall behind her. “Porta. Bedroom.”
Helen went straight to the garden from the infirmary. She sat in her usual place on the wooden bench and waited for Jochi to make his presence known.
After several minutes of waiting, the air next to Helen shimmered. Then as if reality was light projected onto a fabric canvas, a rip appeared. Male hands slid through the tear, spreading it wider. Jochi stepped through the hole unveiling himself.
“That’s a new one,” Helen said.
Jochi bowed. “Sometimes reality is a thinly-veiled illusion.”
“It is just as you predicted. Kayla manifested two talents. Telekinesis and her shield generation — Ergokinesis. How did you know that was even possible?”
He didn’t answer Helen’s question. Jochi walked to a nearby rose bush and plucked a large bloom, bringing it close to his nose, smelling the blossom. He fixated on it as he rotated the flower between his fingers — studying every petal meticulously.
Helen cleared her throat, reminding Jochi of her presence.
“Events are moving faster than anticipated,” Jochi said.
“You did say you wanted to stress her. What were your exact words…” Helen paused. “Ah yes, ‘Kayla’s talent seems most potent when her mind is stressed.’ Mission accomplished.” Helen smirked.
“The speed of the events does not affect our priorities or agenda.”
Helen nodded. “May I ask again, how did you know Kayla had multiple talents?”
Jochi returned the rose he was holding in his hand, aligning the broken stem with its parent. It fused together without lines or scars as if it never separated. He walked to another section of the garden, a plot full of turquoise lilies. Several minutes passed as he examined each lily. His hand waved around the patch, seeking something in particular. He finally settled on one and pinched it from its stem. “I have spent a lifetime studying flowers. It is second nature to notice when a unique blossom comes along.” He brought the lily to his nose, inhaling its scent. “Kayla reminds me of a daughter I once had. A daughter who was taken from me very early in her life.”
“I’m very sorry to hear that. Did you ever find out what happened to your daughter?”
“It was a difficult time for me. I did not have the resources to save her then.”
Helen could hear the pain in his voice and changed the topic. “What happened to Haley? We can’t find her body.”
Jochi dropped the lily. It disintegrated before hitting the ground. “Physically she is fine and in stasis at the Nest. Her vitals are normal.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I would not be concerned.”
Helen stood up. “You told me she was… nevermind. Why hasn’t she rejoined the house?”
“A curious question, indeed. I do not have an answer. It's as if her mind is asleep and I cannot wake her.”
“Emily will try to retaliate against Kayla.”
“I am aware. Do not try to stop her.”
“Without her powers, Kayla will be defenseless,” Helen said in a shrill voice.
“I suspect that Kayla will continue to surprise us. In that respect, she has not let us down yet.”
Helen nodded in agreement. “One last topic. I believe you already know what it is.”
“Masa has turned on us.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“You shall do nothing. Everything is as it was meant to be.”
Helen tilted her head as confusion washed over her face. “To be clear, you want me to do nothing while Masa and Kayla continue to plot against us?”
“They are going to escape this house,” Jochi said matter-of-factly. “I think you should escape with them.”
Helen took a step back from Joichi. “Why would I do that?”
“Because you will plant the seeds of rebellion. Against the other factions. The other Creatores. You will cultivate that seed. Grow the idea to take down all Creatores, leaving our house, our faction, the only one standing. You must do this soon. I sense a fierce storm approaching.”
Helen brows furrowed. "What are you sensing? What's going to happen?"
"I can't say anything with certainty, but know that the skies will not be blue forever. We must act soon."
32
“It’s important that we keep up appearances,” Masa said. “We have to continue your training. You may not have access to your talents, but you still need to learn focus and discipline.”
Kayla sat facing Masa in the middle of the dojo. She emulated his sitting style with her calves folded underneath her bottom. “That’s why I’m here.” Her voice was barely audible.
“A lot has happened to you. Before this is all over, more will happen to you. You must be able to accept the challenges ahead and will yourself to get stronger so you may overcome them.”
“I am. I will.” Kayla lifted her head, her chin quivering as she held back tears. “Be honest with me. Is Haley dead?”
Masa did not blink at the question. “No.”
“How are you so confident? Helen said —”
He raised his hand, stopping her from speaking further. “I have been here a long time. I have seen other gifteds hurt during training. This was before the circuit suits were invented. They would disappear for a few days, a few weeks, or even a few years. They always come back at some point.”
Kayla pressed her lips together. “Helen very clearly said that Haley died.”
“It is not clear what death means here.” Masa walked towards the weapons wall, picking up a spear. “This looks real. It feels real. Has a weight to it.” He entered an attacking pose with the spear pointing forward. His eyes closed as if he was mentally choreographing his sequence of moves. They remained closed as he began showcasing his proficiency of the weapon, swinging it around his body, switching between various stances.
Kayla opened her mouth in awe. Masa is so graceful at everything he does.
After a flurry of moves, he rushed towards Kayla, jumped in the air, rotated his body, and completed one somersault before landing in front of her. He handed the spear to Kayla. “But this is not real. The room is not real. This house is not real.”
Kayla followed his lips as he spoke, paying close attention to every word.
“You know this studio can change with a simple command. Think about how that is even possible. It’s not just the studios capable of changing form. This whole world is an illusion. How exactly did it come to be, I do not have the answer. I just know it is.”
“So Haley is dead in this world, but maybe alive outside of this illusion?”
“I believe that to be true.” Masa took the spear from Kayla and returned it to the wall hooks. “I have another theory. It is something I did not think possible until I met you. I need your help to test it.”
Kayla pointed to herself in confusion. “Me? I don’t know how much I can help. My powers are sealed.”
“I would hope by now that you understand you are more than just your talents.” Masa placed his palm on the weapon wall. “Initus. Kamogawa River, Kyoto, Japan, April 1868.”
The dojo became dust, blowing away.
Kayla lifted herself from the ground and stared at Masa, scratching her temple. “Did something go wrong? I don’t see anything.” She swiveled in place, scanning everything around her.
Masa stood quietly, studying her intently. “Do you not recognize this place?”
Kayla shook her head. “There is nothing for me to recognize.”
“What exactly do you see?”
“I see you, and I see white. There are no tr
ees, no bridge, no river, no sky. The land is gone, same with the sky, and the horizon. I don’t even see the sun or any source of light. This doesn’t make sense. We’re not in a room anymore. There are no walls that define the room — the white extends forever.”
Masa rubbed his chin. “I suspected this.”
Kayla dashed toward Masa and grabbed his arm. “At least I can feel you. Trippy! It’s like we’re a drawing on a piece of paper where the artist hasn’t drawn the background yet.”
“Do you remember the last time you visited Kamogawa River in your mind. It was right before your Telekinesis talent overloaded and destroyed my Ice Fortress Simulation.”
Kayla nodded. “I remember I created an earthquake. Then everything was swallowed up by the ground. But that was just something in my mind. I didn’t actually destroy Kyoto… Right?”
“No, you did not. However, you remember it as such. Therefore, it is gone from your mind.”
She opened her mouth but said nothing.
Masa took Kayla’s hand. “I see everything here. The bridge is where it is supposed to be. The sakura blossoms are falling as they should. Let me show you.” He guided Kayla a few steps to her right. “Please sit.”
Kayla glanced at him. “Where?”
Masa made a sitting motion, stopping in mid-air.
Is he messing with me?
“Sit. Please.” He patted the space next to him.
Kayla slowly lowered her butt, bracing herself should she fall. Something solid stopped her descent. Her jaw dropped. The bench materialized before her eyes. “HOW?”
Masa grabbed her hand and faced it palm up, positioning it a few inches in front of her chest. “Wait.”
She held her hand as instructed. “What am I waiting for?”
A sakura blossom drifted into her palm. It was invisible before touching her skin.
Masa made a sweeping motion with his arm. “The world — this illusion is still here. You are blocking it from your reality.”