Empath: The Flawed Series Book One

by Becca J. Campbell

  “Yes, it is. I come often. I find it very moving.” In most ways a true statement. “So, who has the pleasure of accompanying you to this special show?” He adopted a most innocent expression.

  “I don’t really know anyone else who has a taste for this kind of music.”

  “What a shame. It’s rare to find people who appreciate this caliber of talent.”

  They talked casually for a few more moments, Ethan asking questions and utilizing her passion for the topic. He didn’t need to reveal much about himself. Listening was the easiest way to draw her in.

  The old couple returned from intermission, interrupting their conversation. While the lights dimmed right before the performance resumed, his sight returned and Gabrielle’s face slowly came into focus in the darkness. She looked disappointed at the briefness of their conversation.

  It would all be very easy. Playing on the sense of compassion, on the nurturing kindness that was innate to nearly every one of the weaker sex—that was the way to get what you wanted out of them.

  Ethan would resume their conversation after the performance. When she offered her arm to lead him out of the opera hall and to his apartment a few blocks down the street, he would accept. It was his turn to be weak now, but it would be her turn soon enough. And then he would be strong.

  He would have to relocate within the next few days, to be safe. Somewhere farther away, this time. But more than anything, he wouldn’t be going alone.

  As Jade drove north on I-25 to her parent’s house in Castle Rock, a rocky structure rose on her right from the flat, scrubby terrain. It was topped by a rectangular formation that resembled a castle. The town was less wooded than Colorado Springs, especially in the newly developed areas, but as she approached her parents’ house, the tall pine trees scattered in clumps around the yard greeted her. The closest neighbor was half a mile away, making the house an ideal location to raise a young daughter with a social handicap. The two-story house peeked from behind the trees as she turned into the driveway. She sighed as she made her way up the front sidewalk, hoping her mother could help her make sense of the Cam and Logan dilemma.

  “Hi, sweetie. It’s so nice to have you come visit,” Cynthia Edwards said once Jade had entered the kitchen. She put down the carrot she was peeling and came over to give her daughter a hug. Cynthia’s short, dark hair hung below her chin, streaked with gray and cut in a youthful bob. Her pretty, heart-shaped face had only recently begun to show traces of laugh lines, mostly at the corners of her brown eyes where they crinkled when she smiled. Cynthia’s happiness engulfed Jade for a moment, and gradually receded rather than the abrupt way Logan’s emotions did.

  “We’ve missed you so much. How are you?” Cynthia asked, returning to her vegetables at the sink.

  Jade had a momentary pang of guilt—her own. It had been over three months since she’d visited her parents during spring break. Moving out had been a relief for her, not because she disliked living with them, but because it meant fewer emotions to handle. She’d been a little too busy with her own struggles to consider what effect the distance would have on her parents.

  “I’m great, Mom. I’m really sorry it’s been so long. School and work have kept me really busy, and I’ve been spending my free time with my new friends.”

  “Well, I’m glad you’re getting along well. And that you’re making friends.”

  Jade sat down on one of the stools at the kitchen counter. “It hasn’t been as bad as I’d thought. Cam’s helped me with the homework. I’ve been spending a lot of time with him and his brother and sister. They took me rock climbing and whitewater rafting.”

  “Rafting? That doesn’t sound like you.”

  “I’ve been branching out. Trying new things is fun.”

  “Well, honey, I’m glad you’re getting new experiences, but I hope you’re being careful.” It was impossible to miss the concern in her voice. Jade decided not to mention Chloe’s accident.

  “I am, Mom, but it’s good that I’m getting out more. All my life I’ve been so sheltered. I’m only now figuring things out.”

  “I thought you wanted to avoid public situations and crowds, other than what’s necessary—class and all that. How has that been going?”

  Jade took a deep breath. “It was hard, at least at first, but I’ve gotten better at staying calm.” On the outside, anyway. “The point is, this is something I have to do. I need to learn how to adapt, or at least to deal with my empathic sense.”

  Cynthia frowned. “That doesn’t sound easy.”

  “It’s not. And it would be easier now if you and Dad hadn’t kept me so isolated growing up.” Even as she spoke the words, she instantly regretted them. She hadn’t meant to be harsh. But it was a thought that had haunted her since she moved out.

  Cynthia sighed, and Jade felt a stab of her mom’s pain for a second before it ebbed away. “Maybe so, but it was difficult to think that way at the time.” She put her hand on Jade’s shoulder and looked sadly into her eyes. “Sweetie, I know some things are hard to understand, but your father and I did the best we could with what we were given.”

  “You mean with me?” Jade asked, fighting her own hurt at her mother’s implication.

  “Of course not, dear. I mean with ourselves. The weaknesses in our knowledge to raise a child, let alone one with such special needs. We were first-time parents and everything was new to us. Our primary concern always was your safety and protection, whether or not it was wise in the long run. I know you might have felt stifled by some of our choices, but in our minds, it was all for the best.”

  Jade felt love flowing from her mother, so strong and true that her own frustration completely melted under its influence. She wondered if her mother had let that one slip through to prove her point.

  “All we could think about was protecting you from pain and from being violated, emotionally or otherwise. It was obvious how sensitive you were to other people. The only thing we knew to do was to shield you with distance.”

  “I know it was hard, Mom. I don’t hold anything against you for the way you raised me.”

  Cynthia smiled and put an arm around Jade’s shoulder, giving her a squeeze and making her mood lighten. “So, you mentioned your new friendships, but what about prospective boyfriends? What about Cam? Anything new to tell? Did he ever ask you out for real?”

  “Well, actually we have been on a few dates, but I don’t have feelings for him. He’s just a really good friend.”

  “Is there anyone else?”

  “Well…” She might as well tell the truth. “There is someone, but I don’t think he’s interested in me in that way. We’re friends, and he really helped me out in one of my classes.”

  “Oh? What’s his name?”

  “Logan Henry. But he’s… different. He’s not like other people. What I mean is, he’s sensitive. He understands.”

  Her mother halted the food preparations, taking in Jade’s expression. “Did you tell him about your… quality?”

  “Yeah, I did.” After thinking for a minute, Jade added, “Mom, it’s weird. He has more control over his emotions than anyone I’ve met. Even before he knew the truth about me. I’m talking the kind of control you and Dad have—but better.”

  Cynthia raised an eyebrow. “And after you told him?”

  “Perfect control. He’s almost completely closed to me in that way.”

  “Hmm.” Cynthia was quiet for a moment, but returned to slicing vegetables. “So, is that a good thing?”

  “It’s amazing. I feel so free around him—like I can be myself without worrying about being compromised.”

  Her mother smiled and reached to pat Jade’s hand.

  “But sometimes,” Jade added, frowning, “I wish I could feel his emotions. It’s so hard to know what he’s feeling.”

  Her mother gave a sympathetic half-smile. “Welcome to the real world, honey. Men can be difficult to read. I couldn’t figure out your father for the longest time before we final
ly got together.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.” She and Brandt had often displayed their affection for each other outwardly when Jade was growing up. It wasn’t weird to see her parents kissing or holding hands, because it was the only thing she’d known. The love they shared was something that influenced her as well—it always had.

  “But I always thought you and Dad could read each other’s minds,” she said.

  “Not in the beginning. It took time to learn what each other was thinking. And to read our daughter, too. Remember, we’ve had over twenty years of marriage to work on it. And sometimes I wished your sense went both ways.”

  “Huh. I never would have thought that.”

  “Just be patient with him. If it’s meant to be, it’ll all work out.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  ~

  Ethan led Gabrielle into his apartment building, his eyes adjusting as they left the bright street and entered the dimly lit space. It was an old structure that rose six stories with a rickety staircase leading to the upper floors. They ascended the stairs, Ethan’s vision dimming each time they approached a landing where the light from a wall sconce illuminated the area. His sight gradually became clear again as they passed into darkness and continued upward.

  When they reached the third floor, he stopped, retrieved the key from his pocket, and felt around for the lock. He could see well enough to open the door, but he waited, letting her take the initiative. Her hand found his and guided it to the keyhole. Her fingers were delicate, and her touch sent chills down his spine. The more gentle they are, the more easily they fall…

  They entered into a long hall. Ethan’s vision was acute in the pitch black. He locked the door and put his key up on the hook. After memorizing Gabrielle’s location and posture, he flicked the light switch on and his world went white.

  Keenly, he heard her gasp at the sight before them. He relished the moment, picturing the look on her face as she surveyed his prized collection of insects, rodents, arachnids, and snakes that lined the long entry. They were housed in varying habitats, from glass jars to rectangular aquariums.

  “I’m a bug and reptile enthusiast,” he said with an apologetic smile. “That doesn’t bother you, does it?”

  “Uh… no, of course not.”

  Ethan tried to read the tone of her voice in attempt to separate shock from fear. He couldn’t quite tell which she felt. But there was plenty of time for that. Anticipation rumbled inside him.

  “This is my collection.” He gestured with a wave of his hand to the shelves as if he were introducing her to his dear friends. In some ways that was accurate. “Do they frighten you?”

  “No. Growing up, my brother loved bugs and snakes. He was always bringing them into the house, trying to make pets of them.” He could hear the smile in her voice now. “Maman would get quite put off with him, but they never really bothered me.” Her sentimental tone turned his stomach.

  Ethan led her into the small living room. He was still blind, but had memorized the layout. It was sparse, like the rest of the apartment, containing only three club chairs and an end table.

  “Make yourself comfortable. Would you like some hot tea?”

  “That sounds great. But why don’t you let me get it?”

  “Oh no, you’re my guest. Don’t worry, I know my way around.”

  He rummaged in the dim kitchen, able to make out only hazy forms. It was enough to perform his task. He heard her call to him from the next room.

  “Can I use your restroom?”

  “Of course. Through the bedroom. The door to your right.”

  “Thanks.”

  Ethan picked up the items he required and froze, listening carefully to the minute sounds of her movement. Before she could turn on the light, he fled the kitchen, flicked off the hall light, and joined her in time to hear the gasp escape her lips.

  “What is this?” She’d turned on the light in the bedroom.

  “My other collection. Much more impressive, don’t you think? These are my souvenirs. Memories of all the places I’ve been. And all the women I’ve seen.” He beamed with pleasure.

  “Are these human?” Her tone held a note of revulsion, but she was still too shocked to grasp the full meaning of the room’s contents. Otherwise she would’ve already been out the door.

  Instead of answering, Ethan quickly flicked off the light switch, flooding the apartment with blackness and enlightening his own vision. The sudden darkness paralyzed her and, before she could react, he grabbed her wrists and quickly secured them with a zip tie. She managed to get only part of an earsplitting shriek out. He clapped a hand over her mouth and taped her lips shut. The stifled sound reverberated in his head, making his thoughts swim with pleasure.

  He secured her to a chair with the duct tape and looked around to admire his surroundings, namely his prey. The bedroom was completely empty aside from a twin bed and the ceiling-high shelves that lined the walls. In the absolute dark where his sight was at its best, he could clearly see the pattern of small, glass jars, neatly aligned in rows on the shelves. Some had been pickle jars or jam jars, while others had been used for canning food. The tinted liquid in them was not murky enough to lessen the impact of their contents. More than a hundred white, round orbs floated calmly, one in each jar, surrounding him in a sea of eyes that all stared simultaneously in as many different directions.

  They were eyes that had seen a multitude of things but now lacked a means of sharing their dark secrets. Eyes crafted with the perfect potential for sight, unlike his own.

  Gabrielle’s would soon join his collection.

  On Sunday afternoon Jade closed up the shop to the thundering of storm clouds overhead. The rain pelted her back as she hunched and darted to her car, trying unsuccessfully to shield her head with her arms. Turning the wipers on full speed, she mulled over her options for the evening: go home and curl up with a book, zone into the television, or attack the rapidly growing pile of dirty laundry overtaking her closet.

  None of them sounded especially enticing. She felt restless and wasn’t in the mood to go home. Instead, she drove onto the deserted campus, parked the car, and entered the student center. She wandered around the various food service counters until she came to the small coffee shop down the main hall at the back corner of the building. It was deserted except for two girls at a table near the entrance. She was about to sit down when she overheard part of their conversation.

  “Who do you have next semester?” asked a lean brunette.

  “Keaton for English, Marsh for College Algebra, Conner for American Government, Henry for History. Have you heard anything about any of them?” The question was from the blonde with wide-set eyes.

  “Oh!” The brunette’s eyes lit with enthusiasm. “Professor Henry? I have heard about him. Sophia McKinney had him last semester and she could not stop dishing on him. Apparently he’s really mysterious—and really good-looking.”

  Jade stood frozen mid-stride, caught off guard by the mention of the name that had been lingering in her mind. The emotions coming from the girl crushing on Logan were painfully familiar.

  The blonde leaned forward in her chair with matched eagerness showing plainly on her face. “What does he look like?”

  “She was going on and on about his eyes, and he has ‘simply amazing hair’ and she kept mentioning his deep, sultry voice—” Her words were drowned out by a sea of giggles from the blonde. “—and, his first name is Logan,” she added as the giggles receded. “Isn’t that hot?”

  Jade couldn’t take it any longer. She left the building and headed across the campus. She wanted to walk, but had no destination in mind.

  As the rain poured down all around, she dashed into the first available building. Once out of the storm, she exhaled deeply, releasing with the breath all attempts at controlling her thoughts or feelings. A melancholy wistfulness crept over her, thinking about Logan. She remembered their day of hiking together, and their embrace. Clo
sing her eyes, she daydreamed about another ending to that day—one that involved Logan confessing his feelings for her. Mentally she held the idea for a few moments before realizing how she might appear to any casual observer, and quickly opened her eyes again.

  Enough childish fantasizing. This wasn’t any better than the silly freshmen who had been drooling over him in the coffee shop. She needed to come back to reality.

  Looking around, she noticed for the first time that she was in the art building. An impulse struck. She didn’t see any harm in exploring, so she strolled over to the elevator and pressed the down button.

  The photography department was empty. She roamed the hall pensively, studying each of the photographs on the concrete walls. The last time she’d been here, her impression of the artwork had been brief, and she hadn’t taken time to scrutinize each of the pictures. Now she had the time to really admire them. Individually, any of them could stand alone and wow a room.

  “L. Henry” appeared on the majority of the pictures lining the narrow hall. She shook her head. He’s amazing… But her internal musings were interrupted by a voice from behind.

  “That’s one of my personal favorites.”

  Jade spun around in surprise.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Logan’s low voice was calm, and a subtle smile lit his eyes.

  “The no-emotions thing can do that to a girl.”

  “So, what are you doing down here? The art building’s a little off your normal route, isn’t it?”

  “Oh…” She faltered. “I’m not really sure. I was just wandering the campus, and somehow ended up here.”

  “Don’t know what to do with all the free time now that you’re out of school?”

  “I guess not.”

  “Only a few more weeks left to worry about that before it starts up again.”

  “Yeah. I can’t imagine how busy I’ll be next semester. Summer finals had me slammed as it was, and work got really busy, too, all at the same time. I haven’t had a free moment to relax until this week.”