"Trust me, you don't want to know what." Brina supplied.
"Damn, funny, embarrassing, and safe? Is that even possible? I guess ... ask that girl you like to kiss you?" the only thing they could hear for a few minutes is the sound of Ty internally screaming.
"You. Are. My. Favorite. Person. Ever!" Raye declares. "Brina, can you find out where she is right now?"
"On it!" The girl says before disappearing.
"Well Ty, it's been a good run. Just a few months shy of fifteen, at least I can take comfort in the fact that Tilda will be the last person I see before she kills me." The boy monologued to himself.
"What makes you think she'll kill you?" Mason asks, trying to hold back his grin.
"Because we're friends. Yeah, I like her. I'm not stupid, I know you guys all know ..."
"Technically, I have no idea who we're talking about right now." Polly interjected.
"... The point is, I'm pretty sure she only sees me as a friend. And If I go up to her trying to get her to kiss me, she's never going to talk to me again. It's going to be so awkward now!"
"But hey, I'm right. She's not going to kill you."
"That might not be such a good thing." This was the moment Brina returned.
"She's at the Fishing Point. Do you need me for anything else?"
"No. Thanks for everything, Brina."
"Cool. I'm off!"
"... Um, this is a bit embarrassing, but I don't exactly know where that is." Raye admitted.
"Me neither. Let's go home!"
"Wait, I think I know where that is." Lys said.
The Fishing Point was in fact the same place Lys and Rosie had met the old woman. The location itself was technically a spot on top of the force field where the most congestion of fish were. Telekinetics would use their abilities to fly up there and gather the fish that would swim past. Tilda seemed to be there for some training. It didn't take her long to spot her friends below. She came down to meet them as fast as she could. "Hey guys! What are you doing here?"
"We just came by to see you. Oh, I don't think you guys have ever met yet. Tilda, this is Mason. He used to live with us. And this is his sister ..."
"Polly Keid. I know you. My cousin speaks highly of you."
"Your cousin?"
"Lacey Darin, I'm Tilda Soulbinder, by the way."
"Pleasure to meet you, Tilda." Mason responds.
"Ah, you're Lacey's cousin. I really don't deserve the kind words. I don't do anymore than she does. Plus, she's a telekinetic, so really she does more than me." Polly answers dismissively.
"Well, we still think ... I'm sorry, but where's your shirt Ty?" Tilda said after finally noticing Ty's current state.
"Right here!" Raye said as she waved it gleefully.
Ty sighed in embarrassment, tightening his arms around himself. "I lost it in a game of Seeking."
"Ah, that would do it."
"And now as my punishment I have to ask ... I only have to ask!" He declared as he had an epiphany.
"What? No, you're ruining the game!"
"I don't care! Polly, I only have to ask right?"
"Fine by me." She said indifferently.
Raye exaggeratedly pouted. "No one ever let's me have fun." she over-dramatically muttered.
"Okay, so are you going to ask me something or not?"
"... Right. I have to ask you. Okay, Tilda. I'm going to ask you something, and you do not have to respond, or anything. Just don't worry about it, I'm just doing this because I lost, and ..."
"Argh! You're killing me, Ty! Just ask already!" Tilda exclaimed in frustration.
"Okay, here it goes ... Tilda, will you ... kiss me?"
Everybody holds their breath in anticipation. "Like on the lips?" She tried to determine.
"It doesn't really matter, because all I had to do is ask. Phew, glad that's ov ..."
Before he could finish his words, Tilda pecked him on the mouth. Polly dropped the shoes. Lys clapped her hands over her lips. Raye gasped loudly, and Mason's eyes widened considerably. "See you around, Ty." Tilda said as she rejoined the other telekinetics, a shy smile never leaving her face. Raye got there on time to catch him when he collapsed.
"You can have your shirt back. You've earned it."
"Wow, I haven't seen something that precious in a long time. I'm really glad I took this day off." Polly admitted.
"Well, it looks like Ty is broken. So we're gonna call it a night. Lys, you coming?"
"Actually, I was hoping I could sleep over by the Keids tonight." Polly gave her a curious look. "I mean, I've never spent any real time at your place, and I kinda miss living with you. You can say no if you want. I just sorta thought it up now ..."
"Hey, it's fine. Right Polly?"
"Yeah, our place isn't big, but it's just the two of us. One more person won't be a big deal. Particularly a little one like you."
Lys actually smiles at the teasing.
Before they know it, they are already back at the house. Once they step in, the girls begin yawning, the day having caught up with them. Mason looks tired himself, but doesn't display it quite as clearly.
"Okay, I don't know what you two are doing, but I'm finding a good place for these shoes and hitting the sack. Don't stay up too long."
"Goodnight, Polly. I'm glad we could talk." Polly gives her a non-committal wave as she heads to her room.
"So, I see you found my locket."
"Is that okay?"
"Yeah, it looks better on you anyway." She feels her face heat up at this, and doesn't quite understand why.
"... Do you have some sleep drought around here? I'll make you some tea."
"Right over there. Let Mia know that I appreciate it."
"... I will ... So, does it help at all?"
"Just a little. I've never had problems falling asleep and it does help with that. But ever since the burn, I've been forced to sleep on my belly. It feels unnatural. Sleeping on my side isn't so bad, but if I turn in my sleep the burn wakes me instantly."
"It still burns?"
"Only when you touch it. That ointment was a lifesaver, though. I can't thank Rosie enough."
"You would have gotten the ointment eventually."
"But thanks to her we got it faster."
The tea maker began to hum. "It's ready!" She said, as she looked for some mugs. The two clinked their mugs together, before taking a cautious sip.
"Thanks for today, Lys. I really needed this."
"Your welcome. Did you have fun?"
"And then some! Polly would have never let me touch her knife. I really hope the Havens surrender soon. So we can have more days like this."
"... Yeah, wouldn't that be great?"
"Definitely." they enjoyed their teas in somber silence. After spreading a little ointment onto his back, Mason settled down to sleep too. Lys lay down on the mattress provided for her, but only watched him until she heard his breathing settle. Slowly, she got up again. When the door squeaked a little she paused and looked back. Nobody, moved to follow her so she very slowly shut the door behind her.
It didn't take her long to reach the Power Core. She wasn't surprised to see Rosie there already. The presence of the rest of the clairvoyants was unexpected, but understandable.
"You really didn't tell him."
"Even if it was only for today, I wanted him to enjoy it without worrying. I wanted all of them to."
"I suppose that makes sense."
"How much time do I have?"
"You can go in anytime, but you won't go in for another 17 minutes 51 seconds, give or take."
"Wow, that's a lot of time. Okay, all the rebels are very grateful to you. I don't know if you know this already, but Ty had his first kiss."
"Yes, Raye told me all about it." She chuckled.
Lys chuckled too. "... Tell Mia, that Mason appreciates the drought. And thank her for taking us in."
"I will."
"Phew, I didn't think I'd be so nervous."
; "Why are you so nervous?" A voice she was hoping not to hear suddenly interrupted them. Lys went completely still. "Lys, what's going on here?"
Chapter 14
Still she didn't answer.
"Lys, what are you doing in the middle of the night with Rosie and these creeps?"
"I thought you were asleep." She answered hesitantly.
"Come on, Lys! You think I didn't hear that squeak? The sleep drought just makes falling asleep easier, not deeper. Now tell me what's going on?"
"Mason,... I need to go."
"Go where?"
She looked up towards the Power Core in response. "I wish you would have stayed home."
"I don't understand. What does the Power Core have to do with...” As he spoke his face slowly morphed from confusion into gradual realization. His eyes widened, as he finally assigned meaning to her words and actions. “Lys, no!"
"I've already made up my mind."
"Well I'm here to stop you. You must need me to stop you. Why else would you have spent the night to risk waking me?"
"I spent the night, because I knew I wouldn't get another chance."
"What are you even trying to accomplish? You'll only get yourself hurt!" He cried frantically.
"The Core lives, Mason. I know that now. And so do they." She says as she looks towards the clairvoyants. "Besides, if this wasn't going to work, Rosie would never let me go. So I know this is the right decision."
"And what even is this? What are you doing?"
"I'm saving us. All of us. We'll never have to fear the Havens anymore, or send off Shore Children. And whoever is left, will safely join us. That's what they're here for." She indicates the clairvoyants again.
"We'll be consulting with the Telepaths to keep this project running smoothly." One of them informs. She is one of the older ones, and her clothing is slightly more distinct than the others. If Lys had to guess, she would say that this clairvoyant woman was probably the leader. She has no time to follow that train of thought as Mason once again tries to change her mind.
"But why do you have to do this? Why you?!"
"... Rosie, remember to say goodbye to all of them for me." She says instead of answering.
"I will, I'll do everything." Her friend promises quietly.
"Goodbye, Rosie. Goodbye, Mason." She turned towards the Power Core, and went into the entrance. The Core itself was a sight to behold. It seemed to be a vaguely electric energy suspended in the air by nothing. The hum she had been hearing all this time was much clearer now. It felt comforting. She rose to meet it, but was suddenly stopped. She turned to see Mason grabbing her leg, tears running down his face.
"Are you doing this to punish me? For joining the Rebellion, getting burned? I'll quit. I don't care what my sister says. I can't let you do this! Aren't you scared?!"
“Yes, I am scared. But I can't let that stop me from doing this. Not if I'm helping." She hopes he doesn't hear the way her voice quivers as she tries to reassure him.
Mason gasps in shock, then his face darkens in defeat.
"... You know,... Rosie can only predict the future up to a year. Who knows how long this will really take." She doesn't know if there really is a chance that this decision wasn't permanent, but this is the only thing she can think of saying that might comfort him at this moment.
He hesitated, until Lys was afraid she would have to use force. Finally, he let her go reluctantly.
"You better come back." He muttered as he wiped the tears of his face. She smiled at him one last time before heading to the Core unimpeded. She expected entering it to be painful and braced herself, grabbing a hold of Mason's old locket to give her courage. Although it did sting, much like the humming, it had a comforting property to it. Once she had entered, it became difficult to describe the feeling of the Core, as she became overwhelmed with the energy. She could feel her telekinetic force flow out of her in torrential amounts. It covered everything from the tip of the dome to the deepest root of every bit of plant life in the Commonwealth. She could sense every building, every lifeform, and even the fleeting thoughts of the various telepaths within her grandest construct. Once she had gotten connected, she settled her scattered emotions, and raised Gentry.
Epilogue
Think. Thinking was the predominant activity. It's all that's happened for an unfathomable amount of time. Thoughts about fortifying the force field, settling Gentry in a suitable landmass briefly, navigating the land. Also helping new charges into the home, and quickly expelling the intruders. There was never any confusion, the outer thoughts ensured that. Sometimes, there were other thoughts, not the outer ones that informed on threats and discussed strategy, or the prime thoughts that carried actions out. But thoughts that seemed older, slightly disjointed, tied with the surrounding energy. Rarely did it convey anything concrete, just brought about a sense of encouragement, reassurance. It felt like hums. That was the only thing left to feel. The actions pondered, could not be confirmed, yet the fact that new actions were pondered was tranquilizing. Another blueprint for a maze, only a few traps required.... What is this? This isn't the hum, or the outer thoughts. Why is nothing being explained. Must resist, so much to be done. Gentry needed to be navigated, protected, what would happen now? They couldn't force this, they still needed her. Her?
It was coming back, she was more than thoughts. She was a ... Shore Child a long time ago, a ... telekinetic. She had friends, she was learning how to read. The names, the faces, were still far, but they were approaching her. The first thing that reached her was a last thought, one that must have have been lost in the panic of being moved earlier. 'We have found an alternate solution, you can rest now.' Rest, what a droll concept. Although she knew she had been working constantly, she had never felt more rested. Waking was a tad more challenging. As she tried to piece together the memories she had put away while she descended. She was slightly disoriented. 'I'm still a bit jumbled, but wasn't there something surrounding me?' She wondered, as she observed the circular debris that once was some kind of cover for the ... Core. She looked back up, curious to see what had become of it. The Core seemed to be even bigger than she remembered it, and was now surrounded by other telekinetics facing outwards. One of them resonated with her, made her think of ... Lace? The presence of the telekinetics soothed some kind of unease she felt from leaving the Core. She resumed looking downwards, where she spotted a figure looking up towards her. He definitely resonated with her, made her touch the ... locket on her neck. The locket, of course! She knew him! She hastened her trip down. He was older now, but not by much. He wasn't as tall anymore, or perhaps she had grown some. He looked at her with a mix of emotions, hope, suspicion, relief, caution, joy.
"A friend of mine told me to come here today."
She wasn't sure how to proceed, when she remembered that she should probably say something as well. "... Oh, I'll have to thank her ... if she has time ... How long since you've last been here?"
He smirked. "I see time up there has made you intuitive. It's been about two years." Two years, she could hardly comprehend it. Something washed over her; it reminded her of the old hum, but slightly different. "What just happened?" She could detect a slight panic in his tone.
"... Hm? Did something happen? I thought it was just me. I'm sorry, I don't really know how this works anymore."
"It's fine ... Welcome home, Lys."
Lys. Home. Yes, she had the final pieces now. All that was left was to put them back together.
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