by J. J. Melvin
It was only 11am. I was starving, and we were supposed to have battle training after this. Are these people trying to kill me?
We arrived at the next class. We were in a large room covered with mats. Mats on the walls, mats on the floor… it looked like one big quiet room in an insane asylum. In the middle of the room stood a figure holding a sword wearing all white: white gloves, white shoes, and a full white hooded mask with netting over his face. I was surprised when the mask was taken off. It wasn’t a he like I’d expected, it was a beautiful, tall, red-haired woman in her mid-twenties.
“Hi, you must be Erika. I’ve been waiting to meet you. I am your fencing teacher, Karen.” She turned to the rest of the group. “Today we are going to be pairing off: Erika against Sofia and Liam against Jayson. Erika, have you ever fenced before?”
“Uhhhh no, never. I’ve never even seen this except for on TV.”
“That’s okay, I will teach you. Sofia, why don’t you practice with Jayson and Liam while I teach Erika a few things and then the two of you can pair back up.”
Great, I thought, what a perfect opportunity for Sofia to kill me. We all put on our outfits, and I was pleased to see that with our protective gear on, Sofia wouldn’t be able to stab me through the heart.
Fencing was surprisingly fun and exhilarating. After about half an hour of explanation and training, Karen had Sofia and I spar together. What started out as fun sparring quickly turned into a fight to the death. Sofia and I were bouncing off walls, our ‘Rapier-style’ swords clinging together. She tried to behead me a few times, but she wasn’t quick enough. She ran towards me and I quickly stepped to the side. As she passed, I spun around, hitting her in the back with the end of my sword.
“That’s it!” Sofia ran towards me, throwing off her mask.
She grabbed my arms, placed her legs in between mine and tripped me backwards. I fell to the floor, my head dizzy from the impact. Sofia turned around and walked away as if that finished things. I threw off my helmet, stood up, and ran towards Sofia as Karen screamed to stop. I knocked Sofia down and climbed on top of her stomach, her hands ferociously blocking mine from connecting with her perfect unblemished face. With a sweeping motion the side of Sofia’s forearm forced me off of her, now Sofia was on top of me. I blocked her swift furious fists, bringing my leg up wrapping around the front of her body and forcing her off me once more. Again, I was on top, I continued to try to connect one punch, one slap to her face, with each swing I was blocked. We switched places several times, one person never getting the upper hand. I was getting exhausted. I was unscathed, she was untouched and after several more flips, the spinning began making me dizzy. My eyes met Sofia’s a smile intruded on my angry face and I couldn’t help but start to laugh. At first Sofia looked befuddled until a smile appeared on her face, joining in on the laughter we finally came to rest side by side on our backs. Jayson, Karen, and Liam looked at us as if we were insane.
“Girls are certifiably cuckoo in la cabeza,” Jayson said.
“You can say that again,” agreed Liam.
“Okay girls, enough horsing around, class is over. I’ll see you all tomorrow, hopefully in a more serious mood.” Karen clapped to get our attention as if she were a preschool teacher.
Sofia and I were still on the floor laughing uncontrollably as everyone exited the room.
“That was fun, I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard.” Sofia’s curly, blondish-brown hair was partly in my face. I brushed it away as I nodded in agreement.
Sofia got up first, holding her hand out to help me up. I took her hand and pulled her back down to the ground. I stood over her and we stared each other down. “I could’ve taken you, ya know…” I offered my hand.
Sofia took it, standing up with a smile. “You’re more of a bitch than I expected Erika. I like bitches.”
“Takes one to know one.” I smiled at Sofia.
“We’d better go. Can you believe we only get half an hour to shower and get ready for classes after all this exercise?” Sofia patted down her wavy curls as she spoke.
“I completely agree. Who came up with this crazy schedule?”
“Mr. Blithe,” we both said at the same time as we started laughing again.
Sofia and I walked back to the castle talking about how unfair it was to think that we could get ready just as quickly as the boys when we both have long hair that we have to wash and dry. At lunch, Sofia and I talked the day away as Liam, Jayson, and Mr. Blithe looked completely perplexed at the new friendship they were witnessing. I was glad Sofia and I were getting along. I didn’t have any girlfriends back at home, and I missed the closeness I used to have with my sister. It was nice to have some sort of semblance of that.
Chapter 17
ACADEMIA
My first academic class at Oxford, if you want to call it that, was mindreading taught by neuroscientist Mr. Schwartz. Mr. Schwartz was a leading researcher in the art of telepathy. He was, of course, a Watcher.
“Where is everyone else?” I asked as I looked around the sterile room that I had toured the day before.
“It’s just me and you,” Mr. Schwartz said. “We are going to have private lessons. We can’t let anyone else see the extent of your powers, now can we?”
During class, he held up cards with words only visible to him, the side facing me was blank. I read them with ease. He thought of sentences, I repeated them to a T. It was exciting to Mr. Schwartz, but to me it was all a little bit boring.
“Erika, I’ve been doing research on the Readers who came before you, and I believe that with the powers of telepathy, you can do a lot more than just what we know you can do.”
“And what do you know I can do?”
“Well, all Readers can read minds and control minds, but I believe you can control objects too, by influencing their molecular structure.”
“Okay…” I said. I was confused, as I hadn’t even known that I had the ability to control minds.
“What that means, Erika, is that I believe you have the powers of telekinesis— also known as psychokinesis. We are going to try and see if you can move things with your mind.”
“Have other Readers in the past been able to do that?” I asked.
“Not that we know of, but because you’ve shown that you may have these powers, I am confident that we can tap into a new strength. Are you willing to try?”
“Yes, I guess, but how?”
“Mr. Blithe told me that a Watcher witnessed you bend the gates at your school with your mind. Do what you did that day.”
Mr. Schwartz placed a pencil on the table and asked me to concentrate on making the pencil move. I tried and tried, but the pencil would not budge.
“That’s okay Erika, you’ll get it next time.” Mr. Schwartz was looking at the clock, our session was over.
“Make sure you keep practicing and I’ll see you tomorrow okay Erika.”
“Okay,” I agreed, but I couldn’t help but thinking telekinesis was a lost cause. If Readers in the past couldn’t do it, I was pretty sure I would not be the first.
As I walked into my English class, I was overwhelmed by all the noise. No one was talking, but it was so loud. Liam was right. I had opened up the gates of mindreading and could hear everything. I remembered that this is how it was when I was little, before I learned to make the voices go away.
I had always thought that when people were whispering or looking at me that they were thinking negatively about me, saying that I was too skinny, or just making fun of me in general. I was surprised to hear that was not the case. Two girls were huddled together whispering, looking my way. I was amazed to find out that they weren’t even talking about me. They were talking about a cute guy in one of their classes. A boy that looked at me thought I had pretty eyes. I was especially surprised at the thoughts from the guys in my class, most thought I was beautiful. It was weird to hear how others saw me. Everyone’s thoughts were so different from what I believed they were. I thought bac
k to Riverton, how I’d always kept my head down at school because I felt people were constantly judging me. Could I have been wrong?
I took a seat next to a girl who thought I had pretty hair, but hated the jacket I was wearing. I couldn’t help smiling. My sister had always hated that jacket too. English class was interesting. The teacher, Mrs. Norwin, recited poetry and the class discussed the similarities and differences in the two poems being compared. Math and history rounded up my day. My classes at Oxford were no harder than the ones at home, they just seemed more interesting. Everyone focused on school, and the cliques that had existed in high school seemed to dissipate at the college level, which was nice to see. All the kids were so friendly here. My class was filled with a lot of Diamonds. I was astonished to find that I could tell who a Diamond was. It’s hard to describe, but it feels like déjà vu. It feels as if I know them. All the Diamonds gravitate to each other without understanding why, they’re just compelled by the same comfortable familiarity with each other that I feel.
As I met Diamond after Diamond, I saw how smart and full of life these young kids were. Knowing they will be our world’s leaders, the future of good, I felt terrified. I was terrified because their fate was in my hands— well, four pairs of hands. I was one of the protectors of these precious people and they had no idea they were in danger.
When classes were over for the day, I wondered how I was going to get back to the castle. It wasn’t far, but there were really no sidewalks. Sofia had dropped me off, but we never made arrangements for her to pick me up.
As I walked out of the building, to my surprise there was Liam standing against his black Tesla smiling at me. I walked towards the car, he opened the door to let me in. “Madam,” he said, gesturing a wave. I smiled taking Liam’s hand as he helped me into the car, closing the door behind me. I watched Liam walk around the front of the car before getting into the driver’s seat.
“Thanks for picking me up, Liam. I was wondering how I’d get home— I mean, to your home.”
“Home. I like the sound of that from your lips. And it is your home too, so please call and think of it as such.”
“Thanks.” I blushed.
We were home in no time, and I was exhausted. I hadn’t realized how tired I was until we got to the castle.
“Dinner won’t be ready for another couple of hours. Are you hungry? Do you want a snack?” Liam asked.
“No, I’m exhausted. I think I’m going to just take a nap. Is that okay?”
“Mi casa es su casa, you can do whatever you want.” Liam smiled.
Smiling back I started to walk away, lugging my heavy legs up the winding staircase.
“You know, you can take the elevator,” Liam called.
“The elevator is too far,” I whined.
“I can carry you,” Liam shouted as I was halfway up the stairs. His comment made me smile but I did not reply.
I went to my room, laid down on the bed, fell asleep and to my disappointment had a new nightmare. I thought my nightmares were over. I dreamt I was protecting a couple of the Diamonds I’d met today and the only way I could save them was if I made the pencil move. But I couldn’t do it. The Collectors were coming closer and closer and the only way to stop them was to throw the pencil at them, but the pencil was across the room. I willed it and willed it to move, but it wouldn’t budge. I watched as each of the Diamonds I met today died at the hands of the Collectors, blood spilling from their mouths just as I had witnessed Robert’s blood spill from his. A faint distant knocking slowly pulled me from my dream, bringing me back to reality.
“Dinner is ready, miss,” Nicholas called through the door.
As I walked down the stairs, I could smell a familiar aroma. As I turned the corner to the dining hall, I saw it was a huge Korean feast: Korean grills, barbeque, and Banchan. It smelled delicious.
“I hope you like Korean, it’s Jayson’s favorite.” Liam pulled out a chair for me at the table.
“Aahhhhhmm,” Jayson agreed shaking his head up and down, his mouth stuffed with food.
“Tomorrow we’re having my food: South African.” Sofia was flipping the meat on a table grill as she spoke.
“I’ve never had South African food, is it like American food?”
“No, Erika,” Sofia said in a condescending tone. “South African food is more influenced by indigenous, European, Dutch, and Malaysian cuisine, but not American.” She smiled at the end of her sentence, obviously realizing the tone she started in. Sofia was actually making an effort to be nice to me.
“Well, I am starving, but I have to admit that I can barely move my arms to pick up the chopsticks and eat.”
“You know what’s great for sore muscles is a dip in the spa. You should see the indoor pool room, spa, and sauna, it’s amazing,” Sofia said.
I looked at Liam. “You have an indoor pool?”
“No Erika, we have an indoor pool,” he replied.
“I’m down to go in after dinner,” Jayson said. “I am going to have to work off all this Kalbi, or melt it off in the sauna.”
“Me too,” Sofia added.
“Count me in,” Liam raised his hand.
“Not me.” Mr. Blithe was pointing to his forehead. “I have enough wrinkles on my body. I do not need hot water to give me more.”
“Erika, you have to come. I’m tired of being the only girl,” Sofia begged.
I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to, but I didn’t want them all to see me in a bathing suit.
“Maybe,” I replied. “I’ll decide after dinner. I’m still really tired.”
“Fair enough, but you know I am making you go,” Sofia added with the determination and confidence that made me think of my sister.
“Mr. Blithe,” I said, turning my attention away from the thought of having to be half naked in front of people, “Why would the Collectors come looking for us if they know we are the only ones who can stop them?”
“Because they have to. They can only gain immortality if they kill all the Points. When a Collector kills a Diamond they suck out their soul. This gives them strength for a while, another life, but it does not allow them to live forever. They hunt the Diamonds for energy. These Collectors want immortality, they can only move from body to body for so long. Every time they jump, it weakens them. To stay in this world forever, evil must reign, and that only happens if they first kill off good. That’s why they hunt Diamonds— but the real Diamonds they want are you four. But before they come, they will make sure they are prepared. They know it’s dangerous to face you, especially if the four of you are together, so they will try to take you out one by one.”
“Well that is great news,” I said sarcastically.
“I do have some good news, four more Diamonds were found. They are on their way here now,” Mr. Blithe said, his voice singing with relief.
“That is great news Mr. Blithe,” I said as the others cheered in agreement. “Can I ask one more question, how will we know who a Collector is?”
“They will be the ones trying to kill us Erika,” Jayson said through a mouth full of kimchee.
We all agreed that would probably give them away. After dinner I announced I would not be joining the others for a swim.
“I’m sorry,” I said, “I just remembered I didn’t bring a bathing suit with me since I always thought of England as being freezing.”
“I have a bathing suit you can borrow,” Sofia replied.
“No that’s okay, really, plus I’m not sure it will fit.”
“Come on, Erika.” Sofia tugged at my arm. “I have a ton, I am sure one will fit.”
Sofia dragged me away from the table, telling the guys we would meet them at the pool in 15 minutes. When we got to Sofia’s room I sat on her bed as I watched her throw twenty to thirty different bathing suits out of a drawer. She was worse than my sister.
“Sofia.”
“Yes,” she replied.
“Why are you being nice to me all of a sudden? Just yes
terday you couldn’t stand me.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. At Audrey’s, Jayson and I talked about things and he made a lot of sense. He asked if I really liked Liam, or if I was just bothered that Liam didn’t like me. After thinking about it, I realized he was right. I am so used to everyone liking me that it did bother me to see Liam interested in you. Not to say you’re not pretty, but come on, he was choosing you over me. No offense.”
“None taken,” I replied.
Sofia had a point. She was beautiful, a girl who made every head turn when she walked by. Any girl in her presence would be immediately eclipsed by her.
Sofia continued, “And after thinking things over, Liam is really more like a brother to me. I really just want him to be happy.”
“Well, you do know that Jayson is completely infatuated with you, right?”
“Yes, I know, most boys are… but Jayson is way too nice. He doesn’t have that… that… well, you know… swagger. He’s just nice.”
I understood what she meant. Liam had this infuriating quality about him. He was well-mannered and nice, but not too nice.
“What about this one?” Sofia said as she held up a blue-and-white laced bikini.
“Sofia, I do not have enough on top to fill that one.”
“It’s okay, it is completely padded. This is an old one of mine— you know, before these came in,” she said, touching her boobs.
“I’ll try it on. Where’s your bathroom?” I took the bathing suit while scanning the large room.
“Why don’t you try it on here?” Sofia started taking off her clothes.
“Uh, no thanks,” I said as I found the bathroom on my own.
I put the bathing suit on and looked in the mirror. It did fit, and it helped to push up what I did have. It didn’t look half bad, and I felt okay until I saw Sofia.
“Really Sofia, you look like a freakin’ Sports Illustrated swimsuit model.”