An Extraordinary Few

by Pam Eaton

  I have to fight the smug smile threatening to take over. I’m like a twelve-year-old with my first crush. “All right, your turn to ask a question,” I say.

  We sit there in silence for a moment. “Anything you’re missing out on during your senior year?”

  I don’t know if he realizes the complexity of that question. I’m missing everything back at school. Friends, grades, sports, not to mention graduation, getting into college, and living out the rest of my childhood before I become a legal adult, but there’s one thing in particular.

  “There are a lot of regrets with what I am missing out on, but you can’t make fun of me for what I’m going to tell you.” I take a deep breath and rush out the words. “I really wanted to go to prom.”

  Okay, it sounds lame, but I want that Cinderella night where I get to be in a beautiful dress and have a handsome guy escort me across the dance floor. It’s a part of me that I don’t ever let out, but the idea has always appealed to me.

  He stares at me, blinking those green eyes, and then starts to laugh. “I would never have imagined that coming out of your mouth.”

  “I know, I know…but for a girl, there’s something about transforming into a beautiful woman. I usually only do it once a year at homecoming, but I like doing it regardless.” I would do it all: makeup, hair, dress.

  He looks me over. “You’ve already transformed into a beautiful woman.”

  My face turns bright red, and his does as well. “I’m sorry, that was out of line,” he says.

  I place my hand on his shoulder, but only for a moment. “It’s okay, thank you. It made me feel a lot better.”

  If I could jump up and down right now without looking like a complete idiot, I would. I don’t care how silly and dorky it is, because he called me beautiful and that’s amazing.

  Awkwardness follows for the next few moments, because neither of us is saying anything. It’s like we’re both trying to think of ways to break the silence. “Soooo…do you want to try boxing again?” I ask.

  He jumps up. “Oh yeah, definitely. That sounds like a great idea.”

  I don’t know if it’s because he said I was beautiful, but my confidence level definitely just got a boost.

  After a while of me throwing punches into his hands, he decides to actually spar against me. He’s a lot quicker than I imagined and it causes me to work harder, but I’m able to keep up with him. Working with Ania has given me an edge. We trade blows and blocks. An abrupt voice from behind me interrupts us. “It looks like you two are dancing.”

  I turn and find Sariah standing at the door. “It’s time for lunch,” she says and then walks back out the door. Okay, because lurking by the door isn’t weird or anything.

  We head for the dining hall, and when we enter, the feeling is the same as the night before. At least this morning I avoided all this, when I grabbed breakfast and raced back to my room. Gregory and I sit alone at a table, but we’re soon joined by Sariah. “What is this, round two?” I whisper.

  She puts her hands on her hips. “Are you really not going to tell us about where Tony is?”

  I turn and look at Gregory, and thankfully he answers for me. “He’s with Ania at a different location, training for a mission. That’s all I can tell you right now, and that’s all you need to know.”

  She wrinkles her nose. “So then, why are you two back?”

  Instead of letting him answer this time, I look her straight in the eye. “Some additional training.”

  She stares at me, probably waiting for more of an answer, but that’s all she’s going to get.

  She stamps off to her table and quickly starts whispering to the other trainees.

  I turn back toward Gregory, and he has a small smile on his face. “What?” I ask.

  He’s got a dorky smile. “Way to rise above.”

  Seriously?

  “So when are we leaving here?”

  “I really don’t know. Mr. Smith is the one who’s going to make the decision. I bet you’re wishing that we were back at the cabin rather than here.”

  I shoot a disgruntled look at him, because I know he’s right and that Mr. Smith is right. I’ve taken for granted the opportunity of being away from this place. Sucks being wrong.

  My chest feels heavy and it’s difficult to breathe. It takes me a minute to register what I’m staring at. There are at least a hundred pairs of eyes looking back at me, but they’re looking at me like I’m an intruder. I hear screams in the distance, but I can’t seem to make them out.

  The ground I’m standing on starts to tremble. I feel my feet moving, almost of their own accord. Dirt is flying through the air near my face and I hear the roar of an engine. I see a vehicle pulling away from me at a fast pace. My body hurdles toward the open door of the car, but no matter how much I try, I can’t reach it.

  Tears are streaming down my face and I can hear someone crying. Wait…I’m crying. This is all so confusing. It’s as if my mind and body are not working together. The sound of an explosion echoes in my ears. I smell the smoke behind me.

  I’m inches from the handle of the car door. Just a few more steps. If only my body would move faster. I close my eyes and my body lunges forward.

  When my eyes open, I’m not in a car or running down a street. There are no explosions or vengeful eyes. There’s only darkness. I can’t make out any shadows or shapes. It’s a complete and utter void. All around is nothing, encircling me. I reach my hands around and feel something hard above me. And that’s when I hear the sound. At first I think it’s rain. I move my hands to my sides and underneath me. I must be in a box. I listen more closely to the sound above me. Definitely not rain.

  The smell of dirt hits my nose. “You should have prepared better, like I told you,” a voice says from above.

  It hits me like a ton of bricks…I’m being buried! I kick and scream, but no sound comes from my mouth and there’s not enough room for my kicking to help. I keep hearing the dirt pound above me. The smell of it is nauseating. I try pounding my fists, but more dirt falls and suddenly the top of the box collapses, engulfing me.

  I try to move, and the shaking and screaming snap me back to life. Gregory is holding my wrists and Sariah stands there with a pitcher of water ready for another round. It’s not only them in my room; the door is filled with other trainees and mentors staring at me like I’m a lunatic. I take a deep breath. “It’s okay. I’m fine now.”

  Gregory tells everyone to go back to their rooms as I grab a towel to dry myself off. “Fantastic, now everyone is going to think that I’m back here because I went mental while we were training.”

  “What’s going on with you?” he asks.

  “I was having a nightmare. Didn’t realize I woke up everyone.” I try to shrug it off.

  “Becca, we couldn’t get you to wake up. You were flinging your body all over the place, screaming, crying…it was pretty intense.”

  I wipe off my face. I don’t want him to see how embarrassed I am. I walk back over to my bed and suddenly realize that he’s standing there with no shirt on. It’s like a car crash: as hard as I try, I keep looking down at his well-defined abs. I can’t cover my face fast enough, because he can see I’m blushing. “Oh sorry, I didn’t have a chance to grab a shirt. It sounded like you were being murdered,” he says sheepishly.

  “I’m okay now, so you can go back to your room.”

  “What’s in your hand?” he asks.

  I look down at my clenched fist. I know the freaking coin is in there, but instead I tell him, “Nothing.”

  He excuses himself and I plop back down on the bed. Great, everything is wet and has to be changed. These nightmares are getting out of control. I’ll bet tomorrow everyone will be staring at me like I’m a freak.

  Twenty-Two

  At breakfast I’m met with a lot of stares, hushed voices, and avoidance by anyone and everyone. They all got to witness my night terror, and who knows what horrible things they’re all thinking about me right
now. I understand now how lucky I was to be able to leave this place. I can truly call Ania and Tony my friends, but here I’m just the crazy girl who woke everyone up with her screaming.

  A head pops in the door of the cafeteria. Dex finally sees me and gives me a bright smile. He walks over and everyone stares. I give him a big smile in return and my body finally relaxes.

  “How you doing?” he asks.

  “Were you there last night?” I ask.

  He winces. Guess that answers that. “Just a bad nightmare,” I tell him.

  He nods his head in understanding. “I’ve got to get going to a meeting, but I wanted to say hi.”

  And man, do I appreciate that. More than I think he knows.

  “Meeting, huh?”

  He cheeks redden a bit. “Been to a couple of them lately, nothing too exciting. That’s why you haven’t seen me around.”

  “Well, good luck,” I tell him, and he smiles at me and then turns and walks back out.

  A few minutes, and lots of stares later, Gregory finally joins me at the table.

  “Are you sure you want to be seen with me?” I ask. “Everyone is looking at me like I’m a zoo exhibit.”

  “Maybe you should act like a monkey.”

  We both start laughing hard, causing more stares and whispering.

  “I’m glad you’re here with me. I don’t think I could do this alone,” I say reluctantly.

  “Starting to understand the value of life on the outside?”

  I give him a rueful smile. I wonder what it would be like to be trapped in here for months. Do they even get to breathe fresh air? I’ve definitely taken my little bit of freedom for granted.

  Gregory’s voice snaps me out my thoughts. “Instead of training after breakfast, Mr. Smith wants to meet with you…alone.”

  I sink a little lower in my chair. Maybe if I play possum he’ll go away.

  We haven’t really worked on my ability to transport effectively, and I’m praying that he’s not going to try to force me to do it again. If that’s not the reason he wants to see me, though, then I have no idea what he wants. Maybe he’s heard about Sariah and me not getting along so well. Or maybe he’s going to tell me that I’m going back to the cabin.

  We finish up breakfast. “I’m going to wait for you at the training center. Meet me there when you’re done,” he tells me.

  I walk down the hallway like I’m walking to my doom. Just the other day Mr. Smith pulled a gun on me; who knows what he’s going to do now? I can’t really figure him out, but then again, I don’t really know him.

  I knock on his door, my heart screaming in my chest. My mind is telling me to turn and run. But I have to believe that all of this craziness stems from losing so many agents recently. “Come in,” he calls out.

  When I enter, he’s sitting at his large oak desk. His eyes are fixed on me, but he’s like a master of emotion; I can’t read his face. He motions for me to sit down. I feel sweat dripping down my back and my palms feel like they could be wrung out.

  I sit cautiously, since our last greeting was anything but normal. He studies me, my uneasiness. “Don’t worry, Becca. I’m not going to be pulling a gun on you this time.”

  Even with that assurance, I can’t relax in his presence. Everything in my body and mind is telling me to book it for the door. He folds his hands and places them on the desk as if to show me he’s unarmed. “I want to know the nature of the relationship between you and Gregory.”

  His question catches me completely off guard. “What?”

  He takes a deep breath, sighs, and gives me an annoyed look. “I guess I’m going to have to be blunt. What are your feelings toward him?”

  The question rattles me. What are my feelings for Gregory? I’m attracted to him and I enjoy being around him, but is there anything more to that? “I will admit that I do find him attractive, but beyond that, I don’t know.”

  He scratches his chin and seems unsatisfied with my answer. “You do remember the rules, don’t you?”

  “Yes, of course I do. Why are you asking?”

  He straightens up in his chair, and it’s almost as if he’s surprised by me questioning him. “My job is to know your business and keep you alive. I’m glad that nothing has transpired between the two of you. Let’s keep it that way. Remember, no improper fraternization.”

  There is such a ring of arrogance in his address. Apparently as long as he has my best interests at heart, then nothing I think matters. “Is that all?”

  “Unfortunately not. I called you in here to give you some bad news.”

  I grip the arms of the chair.

  “Your grandfather is very sick. It’s vital that you work hard, harder than you have been. The sooner you’re ready for this mission, the sooner it can be executed and the quicker you can get home to him.”

  I don’t even let the information sink into my brain. “Wait, you aren’t even going to let me see him right now?”

  Mr. Smith blows out a harsh breath. “It’s too dangerous for you to go see him now. How many times do I need to reiterate that to you? Did you forget about being followed before you came here?”

  My hands clench into fists. It would give me the greatest pleasure to get up and storm out of here, but I know that’s not realistic. How can they keep me from the only people who have ever loved me? “You know I didn’t ask for this life, and now you’re keeping me from my own grandfather. What’s even wrong with him?” I ask.

  He leans forward in his chair. “He has a bad case of pneumonia. Now, are you going to keep acting like a child, or can I address you as an adult?”

  I cross my arms and motion for him to proceed.

  “You were born this way, as we all were. I gave you the opportunity when you came in here with your grandfather to back out, but you chose to be here. And I am so glad you did. You have this power for a reason, just like your ancestors. You aren’t the only one here who is missing loved ones. We’ve even taken in some of the children of the missing.”

  I haven’t even thought about them. He’s right, as much as I don’t want to admit it. I sometimes forget that all of us trainees are in the same boat. None of us have had the chance to talk to family or friends. I can feel the anger and tension leave my face and then my shoulders.

  “I understand this is hard for you. This is why I need you to work harder with Gregory.”

  All I can do is nod my head. The past few days here have been nothing but insanity and constant curve balls.

  I get up from the seat and head toward the door, but he stops me before I can leave. “Becca, don’t forget what I said to you about Gregory. Keep it friendly and professional, understand?”

  I don’t even bother turning back to look at him. I dip my head in acknowledgement and walk out the door.

  Instead of meeting Gregory, I head back toward my room. I didn’t really get good sleep last night, and the news that Mr. Smith has given me makes me feel drained. I don’t get to relax for that long, though, because soon Gregory is knocking at my door. I let him in and lie back down. He joins me, sitting on the foot of my bed. “Forget that you were supposed to meet me?”

  “Honestly, no, I didn’t forget. I just really needed to lie down.”

  I can feel him shifting on the bed. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  I relay everything that Mr. Smith told me about my grandfather. I decide to leave out the conversation concerning him, because it would be too embarrassing to talk about. “It’s just so hard being here and not at home, helping my grandma or being with my grandpa.”

  He starts playing with the blanket on my bed, his eyes looking down, but it’s like he’s seeing something else. “I came here rather young. As soon as I knew what was going on with my powers, I went back to my grandparents. I love them. And there was never a doubt that they loved me. A year ago, though, I lost my grandmother.”

  His face emits such vulnerability at this moment, as if he still hasn’t dealt with her death. I sit up and lean i
n closer to him. His eyes reveal honesty and pain. “I didn’t get to be there when she died, and I regret that every day. My grandfather told me that she knew whatever I was doing was important, but it doesn’t take away the guilt.”

  His words strike pain into my heart. I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I lie back down. I don’t want him to see me cry. I can’t hold the tears at bay long. I feel his strong hand on my knee. “I’m sorry that these are probably not the words you want to hear, but I would have moved heaven and earth to go back and make sure I saw her before she died. There’s a simple solution, Becca. Work harder.”

  I don’t know why, but I sit back up and wrap my arms around him. Slowly, his arms encircle me and he strokes my hair. Life has gone from zero to sixty over and over again. This path is just too hard sometimes.

  I pull away from him and wipe my tears. “I’m sorry, I…I just needed a hug,” I say.

  He smiles so sweetly at me. “It’s okay, as long as you remember that I am here for you. Always.”

  Twenty-Three

  It’s been two days since Gregory told me to work harder. I’ve pushed my body and mind harder than ever before. I finally see light at the end of this tunnel. Gregory has been working every single muscle group in my body. I’ve been running, boxing, weight lifting, swimming, and doing martial arts. I’ve been doing it all. With every pound of my fist, step of my foot, and drop of sweat, I’ve accomplished what he thought would take a week.

  The hardest thing, though, has been perfecting my powers. To try to catch me off guard, Gregory will scare me on purpose to make me transport. Sometimes it works, and I end in my room, and sometimes I start laughing. The real challenge has been making sure to keep my powers a secret. I still don’t understand why that is, but we are under strict orders to be careful. It’s been extremely hard to follow through on those, because Sariah keeps lurking around every corner. I can’t figure her out, but Gregory seems not to pay any attention to her.