Breaking Free

by Alicia McCalla

  She’d been a fool.

  “Well, Brandon, you certainly get around. I thought I saw you with the little Patterson girl. What’s her name, XJ?” She couldn’t believe how smooth the words came out. She was certainly getting better at this undercover stuff.

  Brandon turned red. Heather said, “Oh, no. He broke up with her. He’s with me now.” XJ watched Heather stroke Brandon’s arm and plant a kiss on his left cheek.

  “Isn’t she your sister?” She wanted to punch Heather in the mouth.

  “Oh, yes, ma’am, by marriage of course. My mother married her father. But we aren’t close, like you’d imagine.”

  XJ felt the saliva build in her mouth. The anger pooled. She narrowed her eyes. What kind of game is Brandon playing? He looks like a deer caught in the headlights. But then he didn’t stop Heather from saying those things either. He just has this stupid look on his face—like he’s a puppet or something.

  “Brandon are you alright?” She showed motherly concern; but she really wanted to smack him.

  “Um…, yes. Yes, ma’am. I just. Well, XJ is just a really good friend that’s all. She’s been through a lot and I….”

  “Oh, dear. You always take hardship cases,” Heather simpered. “You’re such a bleeding heart. That’s why I love you. My sister is just his latest project. She obviously needs help with her mother being a criminal,” she finished in a matter of fact voice.

  “Is that true, Brandon?” XJ fumed.

  He looked like he was going to combust. “Well, I…. Could you check on XJ for me? My family … I mean my dad, er, Todd Miller, would really appreciate it.”

  Did he just use his dad’s name? Brandon was trying to manipulate the social worker because his father was the school’s benefactor! He’s acting like the rich brat that he is. He has a blond girlfriend, a rich father, and now his little pet social work project … me.

  XJ’s hair bristled on the back of her neck. Smacking is in order, for sure, but I’m gonna chill. “Well, I’ll do that. So nice of you to take social work cases. You all carry on.” XJ smiled a really fake big smile as she watched Brandon and Heather stroll towards the exit.

  Their image was picturesque against the evening sky through the mall doors. The perfect couple held hands and smooched. She slumped her shoulders and almost broke down in tears.

  It looked like she was on her own with a fresh broken heart.

  Chapter 35

  “GEPs play lots of games, but when they lose it’s bad.”

  —Anonymous

  Brandon finally escaped from Heather. She was like a smothering snake and he was glad to be away from her.

  What a freak! It was late, but he had to see XJ. What would he tell her?

  Truth be told, he’d begun to have very deep feelings for her. Just being with Heather proved to him that his heart couldn’t hide. Inside, he was riddled with guilt although he was sure XJ would understand. Should he tell her?

  If he could just hang out with XJ tonight, he knew that being in her presence would help calm him down so he could think. His Mustang tires crunched up the gravel to her driveway. He’d really missed her.

  He wanted to know how her day went, and tell her why he couldn’t text. He wanted to help her in the morning even if he had to skip school. He’d had such a day with horrible Heather. But he could spend his night with the love of his life.

  He put his car in park and sat still. Finally, he raked his hands through his hair and took a deep breath. He hadn’t decided yet how to tell XJ about Heather or if he should tell her at all. It might be better just to keep it to himself until he got the information. XJ would never know; and it wasn’t cheating, after all.

  He and XJ weren’t really dating, yet. He’d have to fix that as soon as he got what he needed from Heather. Then, he’d make her his girl.

  The night sky was pitch black, as Brandon walked up to the door. He knocked once, but didn’t hear any movement. He rammed his hands deep into his pants pocket and danced from one leg to the other. He needed to see her bad. He hoped she wasn’t sleeping or mad about him not texting back.

  He knocked again and the door swung open. She looked so beautiful! He just wanted to hold her.

  “What do you want Brandon Miller?”

  “You’re mad at me. I can explain.” Brandon knew he should’ve tried to text her back.

  XJ folded her arms. She looked really pissed. “I never want to see you again.” She began to close the door, but he put his foot in the way as a brace.

  He’d beg if he had too. “I’m sorry. I was just wrapped up today. I have another case that I’m working on….”

  She looked at him with contempt. “Another case? Are you freaking kidding me?”

  It all started to come out his mouth awkward and weird. “I just had to do this thing,” he stammered. “I mean, this thing—it’s not more important than you—but someone has information that I’ve got to have for my next story and I’ve got to….”

  Before Brandon knew it, XJ was hysterical. Her eyes turned gray and her mouth twisted. He tried to grab her to calm her down, but she jumped back from his reach. Before he knew it, she reached back and slapped his face hard.

  Boy, he thought, this girl has a canon for a hand!

  “You are such a LIAR!” She’d used her whole body to push him out the door; and then she slammed it in his face. It locked before he could respond.

  What just happened? Brandon rubbed his tingly face. Was she really that angry with him over not texting?

  He needed to explain—to plead with her. He assaulted the door with knocks. “XJ. Please! Open the door! I can explain why I didn’t text you back! I need to talk to you!”

  The house went dark. There were no lights. No movement. No anything. He so needed to talk to her. Brandon sat down on the porch and opened his mind.

  He used his ability to drop into her house’s network. Since CAGE had cameras stationed around the house, he’d be able to locate her and knock on the window. She had to talk to him. He searched the whole house.

  It was like she’d vanished.

  He felt like crying. With learning the information about his mom’s murder, forced to be Heather’s boyfriend and now the loss of his true love; Brandon was on the verge of homicide. He jiggled the keys in his pocket and ran to his car. He needed to clear his head.

  Chapter 36

  “We all become something even if it hurts.”

  —Dorothy Kates-Patterson

  XJ had a bad “all night” crying hangover. She rolled over and crawled out of her makeshift bed in her grandfather’s lab. Her throat tightened, and she put her hands on the edge of the cot to steady herself. She stood up, slumped and tried to shake off the stiffness in her body.

  She sighed, hanging her head low to stretch it as she stared at a spot on the floor. She took uneven breaths. Her yoga moves helped but the depression remained. How had all of this happened?

  I need to get my mind right. She stood tall, grabbed her braids up into a makeshift pony tail, and walked on shaky legs to find some rations.

  Her mother was good at making sure food was stashed everywhere. She found a brown package and ripped it open with her teeth. This was an MRE or Meal Ready to Eat.

  I always loved the dehydrated breakfast—not! The MRE felt like a brick in her stomach—just like Brandon. How could he do this to me?

  She couldn’t afford to be weak. She guzzled a bottle of water and fixed herself so she was combat-ready. She brushed her teeth and washed up quick. Her meeting was in an hour, so she screamed for her granddad to materialize.

  “Okay, doll, I’m here.” A holographic Dr. Kates appeared, looking concerned. “What’s going on?” His eyes were like lasers.

  XJ did not want to talk about it. “I’m fine.” She folded her arms tight. “Let’s just get on with it. I picked up everything you needed.”

  Her grandfather smiled. “XJ, your mind has got to be right when on a mission. Or you’ll get sloppy.”

&
nbsp; “I know this.” She slapped her hands to her sides. “I don’t need a lecture. I’m fine.”

  She let the anger rolled off in waves. Her heart raced, but she had to do this. Her mother and father needed her.

  Dr. Kates sighed. He started talking about being careful and such. XJ tuned him out. Finally, he got to work. She lay on the gurney … and in a short time, she was Joanne Chesimard, the 40-year old social worker again.

  She stood up and allowed the sensation of the new body to hit her. This time she was able to handle the transformation better, even though it was still weird. Her heart ached. She ignored it. She dressed and was out the door after her grandfather had given her all his advice about the dangers of Information Retrieval GEPs.

  They didn’t seem all that dangerous to her. They were the GEP librarians and everybody knew that librarians weren’t a threat.

  She hopped in the car and cranked it up. She skidded out the driveway and raced down Rockbridge Road. It took her seven minutes to get to the Extended Stay Motel on Memorial Drive. Her mouth was dry and her lips tensed. She thought about Brandon and how she missed his support.

  But she couldn’t trust him. He’d never know her secrets. She’d cried and dried out.

  Focus. She heard her mother’s voice whisper inside her head.

  She whipped the car into the parking lot and pulled into a spot. XJ swallowed deep and wet her lips with her tongue. She pulled the rear view mirror down and looked at herself.

  You can do this. You must do this. You will do this.

  She got herself together and looked up at the four-story motel. Apparently, Information GEPs co-existed in one location like a beehive. They needed to be in close proximity to one another. She pushed her door open and got out.

  The residents peered over the side. Their stares were creepy. When she looked back, some retreated in fear. What was that all about? She took a deep breath and grabbed her briefcase.

  Here goes nothing. She didn’t like doing this but she wanted to save her mom.

  A husky, Latina voice echoed from the motel, “Good Morning Miss Chesimard. Here to take our niños so early?”

  XJ heard the sounds of an infant crying and a mother trying to calm the child so as not to draw attention. Her gut lurched.

  She rubbed her nose. What’s that smell?

  XJ stopped and watched the yellow bus come for the elementary kids. The little GEPs hopped on the bus one-by-one. She slumped her shoulders and felt sad for them. They had to live in a place like this.

  As her heels clicked, she heard a whispered gasp. “Not again! What does she want this time?” Hushes came out in a rush.

  “Is she going to take our children to Zone 6, again?”

  Had her mother done that? Would her mother have harmed innocent children? XJ allowed the knot to crawl up her spine. She was horrified but she couldn’t come undone. She held her head up high. Thank God she had on a Navy blue suit so they couldn’t see the sweat running down her back.

  Her heels clicked on the motel catwalk. She had to find room 3b. Great, it was on the third floor. As she clicked up the stairs, doors slammed and people hid in fear. The stench continued to grow. She wanted to throw up.

  “Is this the last time?” She heard another whispered voice. Her mind felt heavy, woozy.

  “Tell Ector to give the cow what she wants! So she’ll stop torturing our mind cell!”

  What had her mother done? XJ felt a lump in her stomach. The stint up the stairs made her stop and catch her breath. But the long walk down to 3b made her jumpy and nervous. She kept looking behind her. These people were afraid of her. And people in fear did dangerous things.

  She wished Brandon were here to watch her back. But she had to face this alone.

  Chapter 37

  “Certain drugs help GEPs improve their abilities, but they also give a false sense of confidence.”

  —Dr. Winfred Robinson, CAGE Medical Team

  Heather walked through the school doors with her head held high. She’d put on her hot pink, power heels. She was back on top, confident, and empowered. Brandon was her man, again. She was right inside and everybody would see she was on her game. Best of all, she’d received a special shot from Dr. Robinson. She felt good.

  “Hey, Heather!” Different students were jockeying her, but she ignored them. She didn’t have to speak. They were beneath her. She sauntered over to her group.

  Raven spoke first. “Hey, you look good today.” Her other friends just stared. She knew they were in awe.

  Heather swung her hair back and looked at Raven like she was under her shoe. “Brandon and I are back together, again. He loves me.” Heather allowed her new-found confidence to puff up her chest.

  Raven smiled a fake smile, and yawned. “Sounds good, I guess.”

  Heather didn’t like her tone. The other girls moved back. She’s just jealous!

  Heather dug her nails into her palms, as the waves of fury crashed into her calmness. Why are there always so many haters?

  “Well, we got back together and we had a great time yesterday. He treats me good.” Heather moved closer to Raven and stood taller.

  Raven snickered, showing her dimples. “Are you that foolish?” The other girls backed away, gawking.

  Heather took a deep breath, but the anger railed. It wanted to be let free. She could feel it stinging inside.

  “What the hell is funny?” Heather moved closer to her face. “Brandon is taking me—me—to the Miss GEP High School Pageant as my boyfriend! He’s going to marry me! I’m on my way to being one of the richest GEPs in the world!” She squared her shoulders with her jaw set.

  “Okay. If that’s what makes you happy. Cool.” Raven backed up and turned around to walk away. Heather’s vision turned red and she zeroed on the back of Raven’s outfit.

  She thinks she’s so cute in her hooker gray pumps, short skanky black skirt, and nerdy suspenders.

  Heather let out an angry breath. Her hands shook, then her mind became unglued. Voices railed inside. She rubbed her temples and a headache blossomed. She wanted to scream, but people were looking at her so she chilled.

  Raven should be happy for her. Raven always hated her. Heather grabbed Raven’s shoulder and whipped her around. The girl’s heels swooshed, clicked and slid on the tile floor. Raven had really made her mad.

  What an ungrateful…! “You’re jealous because you want Brandon for yourself. He’s the best looking guy in school.” Heather pointed a pink manicured fake nail at Raven’s chest.

  Another small group of students stopped and stared. They’d begun to build an audience. Heather’s abilities took over. The headache spread, but she exercised control. She wanted to slap Raven, hard.

  The young woman shrugged.”If you say so … I’ve got to get to class.” She backed away like Heather was a rabid dog or something.

  Tramp! The voices swirled inside her head, a heavy whisper. The extra noise inside her mind made her irritated.

  “Stop!” Heather yelled.

  Raven froze. Heather wasn’t talking to her or was she? Since she’d stopped, Heather sized Raven up. The hatred spread. She thought she was cute with her sassy bob cut, dark hair and skinny figure. It was time to put her in her place.

  Heather’s voice got louder. “I can’t believe how jealous you are! Brandon loves me and you want him for yourself.” Heather allowed the hatred to radiate throughout her body.

  Raven’s dark eyes turned coal black then flickered. Heather couldn’t move as those eyes pierced her soul. Heather sensed the girl’s ability slither deep.

  Raven hesitated, looked a little uncomfortable. She said in a spiritually calm way, “I’m not interested in Brandon. I just think you’re wasting your time. He doesn’t love or care about you.”

  Heather warmed inside as Raven’s calm smothered her anger. She felt trapped. Everyone could hear this!

  The small crowd instigated as they gawked, giggled. “Ooh, she’s doing her.”

  How could R
aven do her like this? Heather’s hands began to shake. Her mind clouded. Her hunter abilities sprung to life. She wanted to scratch Raven’s face, pull her hair, and smack her down.

  “You’ve always wanted Brandon.” Heather’s voice sounded even, restrained and enraged.

  Raven’s coal black eyes gazed deeper into Heather’s soul. She felt a trickle inside that made her woozy. She wouldn’t fall for that, not again.

  Raven’s face turned vampire pale. She looked as if she were giving a premonition. “Saskia is your soul mate, not Brandon.”

  Heather lost it. ”I don’t like girls!”

  She barreled into Raven and tried to dig her way to China through Raven’s face. How dare she not be happy for her and Brandon! Heather straddled Raven as she choked her and gazed into her coal black eyes. Was that fear?

  Heather didn’t care, she just wanted the slut to be quiet. Heather continued to choke Raven, but it wasn’t working. Raven was still snaking inside her mind. She gave Heather a creepy smile.

  Heather’s hunter abilities went wild. This skank would stop laughing at her! They all would stop laughing at her!

  She really thought she was cute with her perfect super model face. Didn’t she know that blondes were better? Heather forced Raven to turn those eyes away by clawing her pretty face. No one would think she was pretty again.

  Raven screamed and bucked underneath, but Heather had her pinned. “Shut your mouth!”

  Heather’s entire existence turned red. She grabbed Raven’s skinny shoulders and lifted her up and down. Heather bashed and banged Raven’s head on the tiled floor several times. It felt good to let it all out on Raven. Heather’s mind calmed with every bang of Raven’s head on the floor. Now, that stupid smile was gone. That tramp wouldn’t cross her again.

  Someone pulled Heather from behind.

  “No! No!” Heather screamed. “ Let me hit her! Let me hit her!” Heather lunged forward to try to stomp Raven’s still form on the floor, but steel arms stopped her. She shrieked into the large chest that held her back.