Million Dollar Gift

by Ian Somers

  ‘How could he do that?’ I asked. ‘You can’t change a person’s nature.’

  ‘Unfortunately you can,’ Romand said sombrely. ‘He found a way.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘He found that by murdering a relative or a spouse of a gifted person he could make them desire revenge, which leads to retribution and also to psychological damage and can make a person instinctively violent.’

  I looked across the table at Romand. ‘Did he do that to you?’

  ‘Yes … I do not speak of it though.’

  June rested her hand on Romand’s. ‘And you don’t have to speak of it now.’ She turned to me. ‘Romand didn’t give in no matter how hard they tried to hurt him. He remained a good man with a clean conscience. Others weren’t so lucky though.

  ‘Golding’s most powerful employee was always his sister, but she had limits to what she would do for money. And so, in 1993 he had her husband murdered. She was in London at the time and Golding’s men paid a young thug to carry out the despicable act. A few days later, Golding gave his sister the name and address of the teenage brute and allowed nature to take its course. She went to a run-down flat with the intention of tearing that kid to shreds. She never left the flat. The teenager did though.’

  ‘He had a gift too?’

  ‘No. Only a gift for killing and violence. He somehow outsmarted her and stabbed her to death in the kitchen with a steak knife. Golding was quite infuriated, as you can imagine, but was so impressed by what the thug had done that he hired him as his personal bodyguard. The boy grew into a man and he injected even more malice into Golding’s activities.’

  ‘How could anyone do something like that?’ I wondered. ‘That’s the most disgusting thing I’ve ever heard! He actually hired the man who murdered his sister.’

  ‘Yes,’ Romand said. ‘Golding’s desire for money was much powerful than his love for family. Golding saw a killer instinct, a ruthlessness, in the youngster that he believed could make the corporation money, or at least protect it from losing money.’

  ‘Who was this youngster?’

  ‘His name was Derek Shaw.’

  ‘The same—’

  ‘The very same,’ Romand said. ‘They intended for me to take Sarah Golding’s place, but I managed to escape them with the help of June and her late husband who was a talented electro-psych.’

  ‘We,’ June said, ‘are part of a network of gifted people from all over the world. We help each other and we keep our eyes open for others with the true gifts and try to save them before Golding, or someone worse, finds them.’

  ‘Where does Marianne Dolloway come into all this?’ I wondered.

  ‘She was discovered when she was eight years old,’ Romand said, ‘in 1994, living rough and alone on the streets of Birmingham. There had been strange reports that a child had attacked a group of teenage skinheads, killing three of them and seriously injuring the rest. No one really believed it, but someone had killed those men, so the police were investigating. Golding thought the story pointed to a gifted being involved and his people picked her up before the authorities could find her. I was still part of Golding’s corporation at the time and was one of the first to meet her. She was exceptionally powerful even at such a young age but displayed the gift in sinister ways …’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘She could do things that took me, and even Sarah Golding, years to learn. It seemed that she had already been trained by people who knew much more than us about the true gifts. She knew how to use her metallisir gift to melt moving objects like bullets, she had already started to use her emotomagnet gift, which most don’t until they’re almost in adulthood, and her psychokinesis appeared to be most developed in combat scenarios.’

  ‘But who could who train her better than Golding’s staff?’

  Romand and June looked at each other worriedly and didn’t give me a direct answer.

  ‘We have no idea,’ June said finally. ‘But she was everything that Golding had been searching for.’

  ‘Which meant I was surplus to requirements,’ Romand added. ‘That is when I escaped. Shaw and his men hunted me like a dog until June found me and hid me here.’

  ‘Marianne became the most powerful psychokinetic there has ever been,’ June told me, ‘and she had a violent streak in her. This was exploited when she was fifteen years old and had fallen in love for the first time. Shaw killed her boyfriend, a boy called Peter if I remember correctly, and she became a flesh and blood weapon. Unfortunately Marianne’s emotomagnet skills were still underdeveloped at the time and she could not read Shaw’s emotions and see that he was the true killer. She might even have been saved if she’d discovered the truth back then. Alas, Golding and Shaw poisoned her young mind and she is now forever blind to the truth. She has grown bitter towards all others who have true gifts.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Shaw told her, and provided false evidence to prove, that Romand had murdered her boyfriend. Shaw is a snake. A despicable human being. He told her that Romand had been jealous of Peter, and that was why he murdered him. Romand had been Marianne’s mentor and only friend up to that point. The sense of betrayal shattered her fragile mind and formed her into the monster she is now. After that deception she was capable of committing horrendous crimes: she brought down a plane full of passengers, tore down an office building, sank a ferry in the North Sea and maybe even worse. She has become an abomination.’

  ‘She’s practically a hired killer!’ I muttered.

  ‘The worst there has ever been,’ Romand nodded.

  ‘She’s exactly what Golding always wanted, but in recent years she has caught his own disease: greed. She has demanded more and more money for using her gifts. This inspired them to set up The Million Dollar Gift to find a replacement.’

  ‘You know the rest,’ Romand said.

  ‘Not quite,’ I replied.

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘Tell me about the sixteenth gift.’

  ‘You’d be better off not knowing,’ Romand said. He grew quite agitated and poured a glass of wine for himself and took a mouthful. ‘It is little more than a myth.’

  ‘But it’s mentioned in your paper. There was an incident in 1989.’

  ‘You already have a lot to ponder,’ June said. She began gathering cutlery from the table. ‘Forget about that story. You need to focus on improving your skills. These are dangerous times for us; you need to be able to protect yourself if something bad was to happen.’

  ‘Does Golding have other gifted people on his payroll?’ I wondered.

  ‘You have enough to think about for now,’ Romand said. He blew a cloud of smoke over the table. ‘In time, we will tell you more.’

  ‘In time… how long will I have to stay here?’

  ‘At least for the summer. You’re still all over the TV and in the newspapers.’

  ‘Can I give you some money,’ I said to June. ‘I don’t want you guys paying for me like this.’

  ‘You don’t have any money,’ Romand snorted.

  ‘I have a lot of money, Romand.’

  ‘But you can’t access it. ATMs have cameras built into them; you would lead Golding’s people right to our doorstep if you withdraw any cash.’

  ‘You mean I’ll never be able to access the prize money?’

  ‘You have no need for money right now. When the public attention has died down, I will help you get your money from the bank.’

  ‘You know, Romand, it was never really about the money. I just needed to prove something to myself. That’s why I entered. I wouldn’t have even considered it if I’d known the trouble it would cause.’

  ‘I know, Ross. When we joined our gifts and moved the elevator together our minds connected. I read your thoughts. I know there is no evil in you.’

  ‘You sneaky—’

  ‘I had to be sure about you before I brought you here.’

  ‘And are you sure?’

  ‘Yes. He is,’ June answered. ‘We are a
ll very happy to have you as part of our family, Ross.’

  My mind was racing that night and I didn’t get much sleep. Although they kept telling me I was in peril, I felt very at ease, as though I’d discovered my true purpose in life. I’d found the right road after so many years wandering through obscurity and confusion. I was ready to face my fate.

  Everything I used to be meant little to me now and even those I had once been so attached to seemed very distant and almost meaningless. I didn’t want to return to my old life; the new life I was exploring was full of excitement and discovery and nothing could compare to it. Romand was like the big brother I never had, June was like the mother I had lost so long ago and Cathy was more and more alluring as the hours passed in the peaceful English countryside.

  How could I ever go back to Dullbrook and be content? How could I ever turn my back on the true gifts and have peace of mind? There was so much to learn and experience, I would never be able to drag myself away from this new world I’d entered. This was the life for me.

  One thing did bother me though: Dad. Even though I’d managed to reassure him for the moment, if I stayed here all summer, he’d be going out of his mind with worry, but I was under strict orders not to contact anyone close to me. I couldn’t leave the old man like that though, I’d have to find some way of contacting him again and letting him know I was all right.

  CHAPTER TWENTY -

  Kingfisher

  Eight days passed quickly at the Atkinson house and I trained night and day with Romand. He kept referring to combat training and advanced techniques, but all he was teaching me were the basics, which was beginning to infuriate me.

  As the days went by Cathy seemed to warm to me and we often shared jokes over dinner or poked fun at Romand’s accent. She still wasn’t happy that she was staying in the pokey little spare room, but her mother insisted that I was to be made welcome, and was to get a good sleep each night.

  On my ninth morning with the Atkinsons I moped down the stairs and fell into a seat by the table. Romand had pushed me hard the previous day and I felt like my head was made of stone, but I straightened and tried to look as vigorous as ever when Cathy joined me at the table.

  ‘Morning,’ I said, grinning like a fool. ‘Sleep well?’

  ‘You trying to be smart?’

  ‘No! It’s polite to ask people how they slept … isn’t it?’

  ‘Bit of a stupid question if you ask me.’

  June put some toast, eggs, bacon and a box of cornflakes in front of us and I tucked in immediately. I was expecting the usual scolding from Romand, but the room was quiet. He was nowhere to be seen.

  ‘Where’s Romand?’ I wondered. ‘He’s usually nagging me to finish my breakfast by this time of the morning.’

  ‘He had to go to London,’ June said. ‘Bit of urgent business, don’t expect he’ll be back until late evening.’

  ‘What about the training?’

  ‘He said you could take the day off.’

  ‘A day off …’ A smile grew on my face. I looked at Cathy and caught her smiling and staring at me, as if the news that I’d be at a loose end for the day pleased her. She quickly looked away and continued eating.

  Later that morning I went to the training area in the barn and practised some of the techniques I’d been taught. I also spent over an hour trying to open the briefcase containing Romand’s paper on the true gifts, but to no avail. I’d have given my new fortune to read the rest of the pages.

  ‘Goddamn it! I need to know what the rest of paper says. Curse Romand and his secrets!’

  The case would not open and boredom got the better of me at midday so I went strolling around the boundaries of the property, listening to music on an iPod Cathy had lent me. I was surprised by how good her music library was, it was almost as good as my own. Almost.

  It was so peaceful and I was able to clear my mind of all anxieties about my gift, my home and the danger Marianne and Golding represented. I had left Dullbrook in search of a busy place to fit in and, ironically, I found myself feeling at home in the quietest location imaginable.

  I went roaming and as I walked along the eastern fence of the property, beyond which was a yard filled with old tractors, cars, vans and machinery, I felt my precog gift awakening then sensed someone was approaching. I turned off the iPod and looked over my shoulder to see Cathy and Pepe walking through the field.

  The big kangal suddenly rushed forward and jumped on me, he was as tall as me, and started vigorously licking my face. He looked like a killer, and probably could have killed me, but he was as playful as any young pet dog.

  ‘Get him off me, Cathy!’

  ‘Say “please”!’

  ‘Come on, tell him to get down.’

  ‘Magic word?’

  ‘Please,’ it killed me to say it, ‘get him off. Quick, he just licked my eye!’

  ‘Down, Pepe,’ she commanded. The giant dog immediately leaped away and started running around us in circles.

  ‘You look bored, Ross.’

  ‘No, not really. I was just looking at this … junk yard.’

  ‘It wasn’t always a junk yard. It used to belong to Mr Barnes, he used to sell farm vehicles to the local farmers. He died three years ago and nobody has ever showed up to take this stuff away. Kinda sad really, he was a lovely man, but he was totally alone in life. No family and hardly any friends.’

  ‘At least he spent his years here,’ I said, looking over the sprawling countryside. ‘It’s a beautiful place, you know. You must love it here.’

  ‘I guess. It’s a bit quiet though, I’d like to spend some time in a city, just for a change.’

  ‘I was like that too until recently. The place I grew up is old-fashioned and nothing ever happens there. I spent most of my life wanting to live in a big city, then I spent one week in London and I’d had enough!’

  ‘You’re rich now! You could probably buy a place like this of your own if you wanted.’

  ‘True. Maybe I could buy Mr Barnes’ place. We could be neighbours.’

  ‘Oh God, that would mean we’d always be bumping into each other.’

  ‘Very funny.’

  ‘I thought so.’ Cathy smiled at me. ‘You know, it wouldn’t be so bad having you around … Kinda.’

  ‘Wow. That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me since I arrived.’

  There was a silence between us for a few moments before Cathy said, ‘How about some training?’

  ‘I’ve had enough of those boring exercises that Romand comes up with.’

  ‘I wasn’t talking about Romand’s beginner course. How about we have a go at something more challenging?’

  ‘That would be cool,’ I nodded. ‘That would be really cool. Anything in mind?’

  ‘Follow me,’ she said playfully.

  We headed out into the fields and I expected her to go to the barn but she took to a dirt path that led away from the house and down a sloping field and into a small woodland. When we were surrounded by the thick, old trees she searched out a small clearing and said, ‘This place is perfect.’

  ‘Perfect for what?’

  ‘Combat training.’

  ‘You aren’t qualified to teach me combat training.’

  ‘Oh, there’s a university where people study combat training for the gifted?’

  ‘Smart ass! You know what I mean.’

  ‘Romand likes to keep his skills up to date and I usually help him out with his combat exercises.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘I wanna do the same training that he does.’

  ‘You might not be up to it …’

  ‘Shut up! Bring it on, Cathy.’

  ‘Right, Ross. You see the fallen tree trunk behind you?’

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘Use your gift to lift it and stand it upright.’

  ‘What’s that got to do with combat?’

  ‘Just do it!’

  I took a long look at the dead tre
e, that was still very robust and looked very heavy, then focused my powers. I sucked in a sharp breath and the tree rolled over before one end was raised into the air. When it was perfectly upright I turned to Cathy. ‘What’s next?’

  ‘You have to hold it in that position no matter what happens.’

  ‘I can do that.’

  ‘Take one last look at the tree before we begin.’

  I did and when I turned back around Cathy was sitting on the ground, her eyes closed and her chin resting on her chest.

  ‘Are you okay?’

  She didn’t answer.

  ‘Cathy?’

  Suddenly there was a deep growl coming from within the trees. It shook me to my bones when I heard it and the tree almost fell. I maintained my focus as best I could, but the growling continued and got louder and more aggressive. Then Pepe emerged from the shadows between the trees. He was not the passive dog that I had gotten used to, he was now a snarling, giant beast with black eyes full of murderous intent.

  The kangal stalked into the clearing and showed his fangs. I was nervous, but now that I was looking out for it, I soon realised that I wasn’t facing a vicious dog; I was facing Cathy who was just using the enormous canine as a vehicle for her mind.

  The dog rushed forward and lunged at me with his jaws snapping. I leaped out of his way and rolled across the dirt. I saw the tree leaning to one side. I focused, but the dog snapped at me and caught hold of my sleeve.

  I managed to escape by unzipping my hoody and freeing my body from it. Pepe ripped the hoody up, then came at me once again. I fired a slight blast of energy that jolted the dog backward. It didn’t do much good because it only further infuriated the kangal, or Cathy, I couldn’t quite figure it out.

  Again I summoned a power from deep within myself and the dog was flung into the air and crashed into the bushes by the base of a tree. I was winning so far; the dead tree was still upright, but I was getting tired and didn’t know much longer I could carry on.