by C. S. Harte
Kayla's other hand began exploring the bench, tracing the wooden seat and the iron hand rest, testing its cohesion. It feels real.
“You have a third ability. This one is passive. And was not sealed away because no one realized you had it at the time.”
Kayla gasped. This is too much.
“I believe you have Illusion Awareness — the talent to see through illusions and as you can imagine, something that is very powerful in our current situation.”
Kayla dropped the blossom onto the ground. It disappeared as it left her hand. “You said you suspected this. How did you know?”
“When you were in the infirmary, you mentioned visiting Tommy a number of times. The only way this would be possible was if you could pierce through the illusion of Eden House.”
“Wait, does that mean all the dreams I had weren’t dreams? Everything I saw truly happened?” Was Tommy really cheating on me with Izzy?
Masa gave a blank stare. “I’m sure in time we will discover more about you, but we have very pressing matters today.”
She nodded. “Right. We need to escape this house. Do you have a plan?”
“I don’t have all the answers yet, but I suspect and hope that once you sharpen your focus and discipline, you will be able to use your Illusion Awareness to get yourself and others out.”
“How exactly do I do that?”
“Let’s do a simple exercise. Close your eyes and empty your mind.”
“OK.” Kayla closed her eyes, relaxing her breathing.
“I want to see what level of control you have over your passive ability and whether you can switch it on and off. And if you can control how strongly it expresses.”
Kayla stilled her mind and body.
“Do you remember how Kamogawa River looked like before your earthquakes destroyed everything?”
“Yes,” she said, breathing out her response.
“Picture it in your mind. Try to think about the lines, the shapes. Then reflect on the colors. Remember the sounds, the smells, the feeling of air on your skin.”
Kayla's eyes shifted wildly behind her eyelids. When she opened her eyes, the whiteness of the world was no more. Black lines appeared, defining shapes like a coloring book before the colors were added. In the next moment, large swaths of colors were brushed in — as if an artist was painting the world in real time. “Wow!”
Masa nodded his approval. “So it would appear you do have some degree of control over your passive ability.”
Kayla smiled.
He patted her on the back. “Keep practicing. We will need it later for our escape.”
“If you know this much already, you must have some ideas on how to escape?”
“I have some ideas, yes. But it is better that I do not share it now.” Masa stood and placed his hand on a tree trunk. “Exitus.” The hallway lights poured in as a doorway appeared. He looked at Kayla. “I have much preparation and so do you. We can continue our training tomorrow.”
Kayla gave him the thumbs up signal and headed towards the exit. As she was about to leave, she turned around and flung herself at Masa, giving him a mighty bear hug. “Thank you… For everything.”
33
“Jaime!” Kayla yelled.
“Kayla!” He yelled back.
“Why do I find you in the library so much?”
“Why do you stalk me so much?”
Kayla giggled. “Shut up! I’m not stalking you.” She kept a distance between him.
Jaime approached Kayla as she stood still. “Hey, we’re still cool.”
His words left a stinging pain in Kayla’s chest. “I… I honestly didn’t mean to hurt Haley.”
Jaime closed the remaining gap between them and wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her tight. “I know. I saw it on the monitor.” He rubbed her back. “You were just scared, and your mind protected itself. Everyone who was there saw it that way. It’s not your fault.”
“Riiiight. I’m sure Emily agrees it was accidental.”
“I would stay away from her for a little while. Her baseline state is anger. She’s been something different lately. What’s above anger? Rage? Fury? Conniption? Let’s just say it’s some level of extreme displeasure.” He walked back to his chair and motioned for Kayla to follow.
Kayla sat next to him. “So, how is Emily?”
“I haven’t talked to her much since what happened to Haley. She hasn’t been herself. She spends her time locked in her room all day. Not wanting to speak to anyone.”
Kayla lowered her forehead onto the table. “If I could take it all back I would. All of it.”
Jaime massaged her back. “It sucks that we were taken here. Well, sucks is an understatement. But it’s true that we need to learn how to use our powers.” Jaime stared off into the distance. “Sometimes I think about baseball in high school. And the catcher tells me to throw a high heater. Would I have literally, thrown a fireball at him?”
Kayla’s ears perked. “Are you saying that you’re glad you’re here?”
“If I had a choice, I might have come here on my own. I mean, you have to admit this place is kinda cool. Beach party every night — go anywhere in the world. Access to everything we could possibly want. And it’s all free! If they had just asked me and if I could leave when I wanted to see my family and friends...”
“Hmm, I never thought about it like that.”
“That’s why I’m the complete package. Beauty and brains.” He flexed his biceps in front of her.
Kayla pushed them out of her face. “Nothing bothers you, huh? You always seem to find the bright side of things.”
“I guess so. Maybe it’s my sunny SoCal upbringing. Every day is a beautiful day.”
Kayla laughed. “Stop making me laugh when I wanna feel sad.” She huffed. “I definitely think you were experimented on when you were a child.”
“Then I hope my parents were paid well.” He shrugged.
A blanket of silence fell.
Jaime seemed lost in thought.
Kayla slid halfway down her chair.
Jaime sighed softly. “I really miss home.”
“If there was a way to leave this house, say today or within the next few days, would you leave?”
Jaime’s eyebrow raised. “That’s an oddly specific timeframe. Do you have an equally specific plan?”
“Can’t answer a question with a question. That’s so annoying.” She smiled playfully.
He looked around to check if anyone else was in the library. Then he leaned in close to Kayla and whispered “yes” into her ear.
Kayla shivered. “Why did that feel so weird?”
Jaime laughed. “I think you meant to say ‘right.’ Why did that feel so right?”
“No, seriously,” She pushed him away. “Masa is working on the way to get us out of here and…” She dropped her voice, “I have another talent.”
Jaime crinkled his forehead. “Girl, you think we’re on a game show here. Eden’s Got Talent?”
Kayla let out a big laugh. She hadn't done that in awhile.
“Did you enter and win the talent lottery without telling anyone?”
“Wow, are you done?”
“One more. How many times did you get smacked in the face with a talent stick?”
“I can always count on you to make me laugh.”
“OK. Serious face.” Jaime waved his hand over his face, and his smile disappeared. His eyebrows lowered as his eyes shrank.
“Don’t do that. You look kinda stupid now.”
Jaime chuckled. “OK, OK. What’s your new talent?”
“I think it’s easier just to show you.” Kayla grabbed Jaime’s hand and closed her eyes.
He closed his eyes matching Kayla’s. “This feels funny,” Jaime said. “My fingers are tingling.”
Kayla shushed him.
“Open your eyes now,” Kayla said.
He shook his head. “I don’t think I want too.” Jaime squinted his eyes open. He yanked his hand from Kayl
a and jumped up. “Where are we? What did you do? Why is everything so white? Am I blind?”
Kayla reacquired his hand, rubbing it, calming him down. “Masa said I have a passive ability called Illusion Awareness. Apparently, I can turn it on and off too. We call this The White Room.”
“I don’t want this. This is too freaky. Bring us back.”
Kayla nodded and closed her eyes. “We’re back now.” She released his hand.
Jaime paced around the table. “First off. Good showmanship. Very impressive. I would buy whatever you’re selling.” He applauded. “Second. What just happened?”
“Well, Masa can explain better than I can. But this house isn’t real. Nothing is real here. And I’m a human lie detector.”
“Wait, are you saying I’m dead?”
“I didn't say that.”
“That’s good. I’m glad I’m not dead. So how is your new talent going to get us out?”
Kayla opened her mouth and stuttered a few words. Masa hasn’t told her yet. “I can’t say right now. It’s a secret.”
“You know I want to leave. What do I have to do?”
“Most important thing is to not let Helen know.”
Jaime nodded. “Makes sense. First rule of escaping Eden House — don’t tell the person in charge that you want to escape. Anything else?”
“Do you think you can convince the others to join?”
“I don’t see why not. It wouldn’t be a rebellion with just three people. Gotta have at least half the house or something.”
“And Emily?” Kayla bit the inside of her cheek.
Jaime made a pained face. “You know, I dunno.”
Kayla sighed. “We may have our differences, but I don’t want to leave her behind. She was taken against her will too.”
“I know. I’ll talk to Emily.”
“Talk to everybody. Bring the people who want to leave to Masa’s dojo tomorrow. We can explain everything during training.”
“I will. What are you going to do?”
“Masa says I need to learn more focus and discipline so that I can better control my talents.”
Jaime rubbed his chin. “I have some books that could help you. Give me a few minutes.” He got up and disappeared into the stacks.
Kayla stood to stretch her legs. She walked to the nearest bookshelf, running her fingers over the books, reading the titles in her head. Kayla felt the hair on her neck standing up like someone was watching her. Could Helen be here? She pivoted. “Jaime?”
“Over here,” Jaime said, slightly yelling, two aisles over.
Kayla went back to the table and waited for Jaime.
Jaime returned and unloaded an armful of books. “Were you just behind me?”
He shook his head. “No. Why?”
“No reason, I guess.” Kayla surveyed the library. I could’ve sworn someone was behind me.
“I’ve inhaled these books in the past. I thought they were useful.” He grabbed each book and read the title out loud.
Daily Self-Discipline.
21 Days to a Better Self.
No Excuses to a Better You.
10 Proven Ways to More Focus.
Focus Your Hidden Talents.
Hocus Focus: Trick Yourself Into Better Discipline.
“And you don’t need this last one. You already know how to make friends and influence people.”
Kayla smiled. “You’re the best!” She hugged him.
“I’ll see you later. You gave me a lot of homework to do.” Jaime waved and left the library.
Kayla waved back. I wish I met Jaime earlier in my life.
During Kayla’s conversation with Jaime, Emily walked down the grand foyer stairs and entered the library. As soon as she saw Kayla with Jaime, she hid behind a tall bookshelf and observed the two. Her distance was too far for eavesdropping. She did, however, watch them sitting at a table together laughing. Jaime was caressing Kayla’s back. She saw Jaime leaning in close to Kayla and whispered something that made her laugh. Kayla did the same, and he laughed. They were having a good time together. She watched Kayla hold Jaime’s hand far too long a time for it to be platonic.
Emily’s eyes lit up with rage. She said to herself, “It’s not enough that she took my sister away from me. She has to try and steal my boyfriend. I will get even with her. I don’t care what I have to do or who I have to hurt.”
34
Kayla woke in her bedroom after a long night at the library. The conversation with Jaime and his show of support placed her in a positive mood. She hasn’t experienced this since she scored the winning goal against her high school rivals. She slept well without any weird dreams. Kayla looked at the alarm clock on her bed table. 9:45am. I overslept a bit. She pulled herself out of bed and headed toward the bathroom.
Someone knocked on the door.
“Just a minute, I’m getting dressed.” As Kayla ran towards the door, she saw a letter slide underneath.
Meeting today in Studio G for training.
Kayla opened the door. Whoever left the note was gone — the long corridor was devoid of any other life. She couldn’t tell by the handwriting whom the letter was from. I guess Masa switched studios for whatever reason. Maybe to confuse Helen.
Almost 10 am. Kayla double timed it to Studio G. She entered the studio to see Masa’s dojo simulation running. I guess he did switch studios.
He was sitting in the center of the dojo facing away from her. The lighting was much dimmer than usual.
“It’s so dark in here.”
The entrance closed after she walked in. Precious hallway light subtracted away.
“Why did you switch studios?”
She moved closer to him.
“Masa? Where is everyone else?”
No response.
“Masa? Everything OK?” She gently touched his arm.
He fell over. Someone had beaten him. Blood pooled around a deep slice in his abdomen, soaking his karategi in crimson.
Kayla screamed, louder than she had ever screamed in her life.
The entrance behind her opened again.
Emily came through. “What happened? Is that Masa?” She immediately armed herself with a Chi katana. “I knew you couldn’t be trusted.”
“It… It wasn’t me.” She felt a stone in her stomach weighing her down. Her legs were too weak to lift her up. Kayla collapsed onto the ground.
“Stay there. Don’t move.” Emily cautiously approached Masa’s corpse. Her sword trained on Kayla.
The sick feeling moved into Kayla’s chest. Her face was wet with tears as her arms fell listlessly by her side. Hope had abandoned her — all was lost.
Emily examined Masa. He appeared dead for some time. “I knew you couldn’t be trusted. I don’t know why people ever did, why everyone thought you were so great and special. You’re not.”
She ignored Emily. Her words passed through Kayla, unrecognizable, unimportant. Streams of tears thickened on Kayla’s face.
Emily raised her voice.
Kayla remained unstirred.
Emily charged forward, halting in front of Kayla. She lowered her head till it met Kayla’s eyes. “Why? Why did you kill Masa?” She shoved Kayla to the ground.
“Emily —”
“No! You don’t get to say my name. Not after you killed my sister. Then you tried to steal my boyfriend. What kind of a sick person are you? I saw you in the library with Jaime. Did you think you could get away with this? And now Masa?” Haley spat in Kayla’s face.
Kayla didn’t react. Her eyes fixated on her hands covered in Masa’s blood.
“Stay here. I’m going to get Helen.” She pivoted and headed for the exit.
“I didn’t mean to… I didn’t do anything that you just accused me of.” Her words tumbled out of her mouth.
Emily spun around. “What was that? Now you’re going to deny everything? You’re pathetic! I have no idea why they brought you here. I would be doing the world a favor if I killed you right
now!” She punched Kayla hard in the face.
Kayla landed on her back. The taste of iron filled her mouth. Crimson droplets dripped onto the mat. “I didn’t kill your sister. I’m not trying to steal —“
Emily kicked Kayla hard in the stomach. “I don’t care what you have to say. Why would I believe a lying whore?”
Kayla curled into a ball, instinctively protecting herself.
Emily launched another fist into Kayla’s jaw. “Your mom is probably glad she’s dead, so she never has to see your face anymore.”
A surge of rage filled Kayla. She leg swept Emily.
Emily jumped back, dodging.
“You don’t get to talk about my mother,” Kayla screamed.
Emily wielded her katana.
Kayla dashed to the weapons wall, seizing her own katana.
Emily charged at Kayla, sword up.
Kayla parried the strike, countering her blow.
Their blades locked, each trying to push their sword into the other.
With neither side making any progress, Emily hopped back then backflipped twice. By the end of the second flip, her katana morphed into a halberd. She dispensed a menacing stare.
Kayla dropped her katana, switching it for a broad sword and shield. “I swear. I didn’t kill Haley. She’s still alive.”
It was unclear if Emily heard Kayla’s appeal. She stared at Kayla without blinking, her eyes were filled with murderous intent. The halberd easily dwarfed Emily's body. Emily began swinging the weapon around her back, twirling it around.
Kayla spat another mouthful of blood.
Emily raced towards her enemy. Her aim steady at Kayla’s chest.
Kayla sidestepped, deflecting the onslaught with her shield.
Emily spun to steady her balance and with her free hand, summoned a dagger. She swiped at Kayla’s thigh with the knife.
Kayla wailed in pain at the gash. Her muscles became exposed to the air. She fell to one knee unable to stand, blood flowing freely from her thigh.
Emily released her halberd, replacing it with a mace. A grin appeared on her face. “This was long overdue.”
Kayla attempted to crawl away. The pain from her leg wound flared as she moved, forcing her to stop after a few agonizing feet. She reached for the shield she dropped earlier.