by H. D. Gordon
I picked up my pace into a jog and felt my body relax a little with the exertion and open air. I liked to run, and I was fairly good at it. Running cleared my head and made feel like I was in control of things. It reminded me of my sister. It made me feel strong. So, I reached the Brocken school building rather quickly, as all the schools are located within a reasonable distance of each other. I'd decided to start with the easiest people on my list to investigate and work my way up to the harder ones. This made Alexa's teachers my first stops. I'd walked with her to her first class a few times, so I had a general idea who her first period teacher was. The rest of them I would figure out later. I only had time right now for one anyway.
The entrance to the Brocken school that was nearest to Alexa's first period class opened up into a long hallway. On either side there were glass windows that looked in on the classrooms; which really looked more like gymnasiums. They were so big that there were only two to choose from; the gym on my left, or the one on my right. I chose the one on the right for no particular reason.
Upon opening the heavy door to the gym the strong smell of stale sweat and body odor engulfed me. The bright florescent light bulbs attached to the high ceiling reflected off the shiny wooden floor in a way that I found distracting. I wouldn't want to have to train to fight on this surface; it looked hard and unyielding. Though I suppose that was the point.
The gym was empty, and I guess I hadn't really expected Alexa's teacher to be here during the lunch period. But, taking some sort of action made me feel better, and it's not like I could've eaten the food at lunch. I preferred being hungry in a smelly, empty gymnasium to being hungry in a crowded cafeteria any day.
I crossed the shiny floor to the other side of the room, where practice dummies stood lined up against the wall. I wondered how Alexa had felt about training with the dummies, but I was pretty sure I knew. She probably thought they were stupid. My Mother had never used one in her training. For all intents and purposes, Alexa had been the practice dummy. I never let her see me do it, but when we were younger, there were many nights that I would go to sleep crying because of some of the injuries she sustained. I hated watching her get thrown around. Even when she was little, if she was conscious after one of my Mother's blows, she would just get back up. My Mother had never taken it easy on her, and Alexa took it all without ever shedding a tear over any it, so I'd cried for her.
I walked up to one of the dummies and threw my fist into its gut. One of my fingers popped and pain singed my hand. I'd underestimated the density of the dummy. Big time. And it didn't help any that I didn't really know how to throw a punch.
Can I help you? said a deep voice behind my back.
I spun around, startled. The man standing ten feet away from me was everything you'd expect a fighting instructor to be. His brown hair was trimmed short, almost in a military crew cut. He was of a medium height, but his build was sturdy and impressive. He looked to be in his late thirties to early forties, and had big brown eyes the same color as his hair. The expression on his face was suspicious, and I got the feeling that he probably always looked like that. I should have known that he was in the room with me. This was another reason I needed to practice my abilities. My mind should have felt his approach. I'd become distracted with the thoughts of my sister.
I hadn't thought out too much of what I was going to say to Alexa's teachers, but I had my opening line down. Yes, well, I hope so. I'm Alexa Montgomery's sister, I said. I paused for a moment. I'd opened with my sister's name for a reason. I wanted to gage his reaction to it. His face was incredibly inscrutable, though, so I steeled myself for what I needed to do next. My mind slowly began to stretch out like cramped-up legs.
The instructor lifted his right hand, as though he was getting ready to give me a handshake, but dropped it back to his side. If I hadn't been paying so much attention, I wouldn't have noticed his second thought. Some people don't like making unnecessary physical contact with Searchers. He was wiser than his battle-ready appearance gave him credit for. He introduced himself verbally instead. Patterson, he told me. He made a gesture to the practice dummy that I had just hurt myself punching. You'd think a Warrior's sister would know how to throw a punch.
I was at the edges of his mind now. His soul's protective walls were much stronger than Victoria's had been, and I didn't want to risk letting him know what I was doing by pushing in too hard and too fast. I could tell that his last statement was his idea of humor, though, so I smiled at him. You'd think, I said, But by the time I get a chance to even think about punching anyone, Alexa usually has them unconscious on the ground.
A smile formed on his lips, and his guard dropped a little. I continued on, speaking slowly so as to have more time to complete my intrusion in his mind without being detected. It was kind of like sneaking around a guard with his back turned, tiptoeing over the threshold of a place you have no business being. She asked me to stop by her classes for her and let her teachers know that she would be out for a while, I said. And, like that, I was in.
His face became indifferent once more, and he replied, Yes, I've been informed of that.
What he didn't say out loud, but what sounded off clear and strong in his head was this: &can't believe she left wonder if Gavin knows shit I'll have to tell him at the meeting tonight damn she'll come back I know she will but &
I was completely caught up in his thoughts, so it amazed me that my mouth seemed to be able to produce a response at all. Okay, then. I didn't say it was an articulate response. I slipped out of his head as easily as a caged bird left with the latch unfastened. It was nice to meet you, I added, because I felt like I should say something halfway intelligent.
Then, to my utter astonishment, I got a strike of luck on this horrible, unlucky day. Patterson extended his hand to me.
Nice meeting you too, he said. I took his hand, and with the physical contact, I easily stole from him a very specific piece of information along with the handshake. The smile that followed on my lips was perceived as polite, but it was born of self-satisfaction. If you ever want to learn how to hit something without breaking your wrist, he continued, you're welcome to stop by one of my classes sometime. Even a Warrior's sister should learn to protect herself.
For whatever reason, these earnestly stated words struck a chord with me. I'd never thought much about learning how to physically defend myself. I guess I'd always just figured that Alexa would be there to do that for me. Thinking about it made me feel foolish and selfish.
Thanks, I replied. I just might do that.
The bell that signified the end of the lunch period sounded, informing me that I had fifteen minutes to get back to the Searcher school building and into my next class. I said goodbye to Patterson and marked the information I'd stolen from his mind down in my head. I repeated it over and over so that I wouldn't forget.
After school today, at eight pm, in a place where I only knew how to get to because of Patterson's thoughts, I had a meeting to attend. Well, secretly attend.
Alexa
The first thing I became aware of when waking up in the morning was the stiffness and soreness of my body. I felt considerably better than I had the night before, though, mainly because the nausea had disappeared. Still, it took me a couple of seconds to remember where I was. It was one of those mornings that only come when something horribly life-changing has happened the day before; when you wake up and yesterday seems so surreal, too surreal, in fact to have truly been. And, your mind goes through a few rapid stages as soon as you open your eyes, having left the safety that only sleep or death could bring you.
Physically, the first thing that registered was the moderate pain of my battle wounds, but mentally, I had a few split seconds of ignorant peace before I regained all my memories of yesterday. And, when I did, I felt like just closing my eyes again, and not getting out of bed. If I could just lie here, pretending to still be asleep, maybe I could steal a few more minutes of blissful nothingness.
Then
I remembered I was sharing a room with Kayden, and my eyes opened up and stayed. I pulled myself up to a sitting position, and my rib ached a little. Not as much as it had last night, but noticeably nonetheless. I looked over at Kayden's bed to find it empty. The covers weren't ruffled or disheveled in the least, and I wondered if he'd remade the bed or if he just hadn't slept in it last night. I looked over to the bathroom next, but the door stood ajar and the dark interior suggested its vacancy. I guess Kayden had left.
For a moment, alarm shot through me. I didn't want him to leave me now. I would continue on my mission either way, but I had accepted and been comforted by the thought that he would be beside me in my madness, at least for the immediate future. My monster cracked its eyes open and offered its begrudged comfort.
Eh, he'll be back.
I rolled my eyes, pushed off the covers, and swung my legs over the side of the bed. I stood up and stretched. A glance at the digital clock on the nightstand between the beds told me that it was half past eleven. I'd slept half the damn day away. I went to the bathroom and flipped on the light, shutting the door behind me. Then, I glanced in the mirror.
The dark circles around my eyes had diminished a little with the long sleep I'd gotten. My long, dark brown hair hung in waves around my shoulders and my cheeks had regained some color. I stood there for a few moments, studying the girl in the mirror. My monster spoke up once again, and I sighed.
What? You need a pep talk again?
No, I said out loud. I don't need your pep talks.
Ha. O-kay. If it weren't for me you would still be curled up in a ball on the floor of the shower.
Give it a rest, I said, between gritted teeth. And, amazingly, I was alone with my thoughts again. I felt a little smug for a moment. Then, I realized how crazy that was since I'd been arguing withmyself. I turned from the mirror and hopped in the shower.
This time, I just took care of business. I had all kinds of mixed feelings about the day before, but selfishly, one of the biggest things I felt was stupid. There were too many items on my plate right now to go breaking down and acting like a baby. And, I never, ever wanted anyone to see me in the state I'd been in last night. So, I washed my hair and rubbed the soap over all my wounds, which were considerably better than yesterday. Kayden's blood had sped the healing process, but I would certainly have many scars. Whatever. I brushed my teeth and my hair. There was a hair dryer connected to the wall in the bathroom, so I went ahead and blew out my hair as straight as it would go. Finally, feeling clean and awake, I wrapped a towel around me and exited the bathroom.
Kayden still hadn't returned, and another glance at the clock told me that I'd been in the bathroom for about twenty minutes. I went over to my backpack and pulled out some clean clothes. I had only just donned my undergarments when the door to the hotel room opened and Kayden stepped inside.
He closed the door behind him, and turned the lock on the knob without looking at it. A brown paper bag was clutched in one hand, Tommy's car keys dangled from the other. He wore a new pair of jeans and a new white t-shirt. And, he was staring at me. I felt my cheeks flood with heat.
His golden eyes scanned my body, seeming to take in every curve and nuance. I became incredibly self-conscious, and almost afraid to move. Kayden said nothing, and neither did I. So, I just stood there, watching him watching me. Then, I swallowed hard once, and settled my eyes on something safer; the brown paper bag in his hand. Food, I said, because I'm a genius.
Kayden didn't open his mouth to respond. He didn't remove his eyes from their target. The only response my one word statement received was a low sound that came from deep in his throat. I bent down and snatched my shirt from the bed. He didn't move or speak, or even seem to breathe until I became fully clothed.
I took a seat on the bed once I was dressed, and Kayden finally broke out of his trance. His next words were surprisingly random. When is your birthday? he asked.
He sat down on the bed beside me, placing the brown bag on my lap and the car keys on the nightstand. I shifted a little and furrowed my brow. It's sad that I had to think for a minute before I could come up with the answer. But, thinking about anything with Kayden around was difficult. Still, I found it funny that others had to keep reminding me about my eighteenth birthday.
Day after tomorrow, I said.
Kayden nodded. Eat. We should get on the road soon. I'll go return the room keys. Be right back.
Kayden stood up and left the room once more. I opened the brown bag and found a blueberry muffin and a banana. I was shoving the last of the muffin in my mouth when Kayden returned. Ready? he asked.
I sighed and stood up, grabbing my backpack and slinging it over my shoulder. As I'll ever be, I replied.
Nelly
I made it to my next class just as the bell was ringing. I sat down in my seat and tried to even out my breathing so that the people around me wouldn't hear me panting. The teacher, Ms. Baker, was already standing at the front of the class, and most of the students around me already had their pens and notebooks out on their desks. I reached down to my backpack to retrieve my materials, but the teacher's voice stopped me.
You can put your notebooks away. There won't be any notes today. We're going to do some exercises that won't require them, she said.
The other students began returning their materials to their bags, and my hand fell away from the zipper of my backpack. I did my best not to let my disappointment show on my face. I wanted to practice my abilities, but not in a classroom full of Searchers who were going to return the favor. I hated these exercise days.
Ms. Baker went around the room and handed out notecards to everyone. Then, she returned to the head of the class. Each of you has a notecard with a number on it, she began. One other person has the same number on their notecard as you do. Now, keep in mind that what I want you to attempt to do is very difficult, and most of you are not going to be able to do it, but it is important for you to push yourself to become a stronger Searcher. The stronger the Searcher you become, the stronger your walls become. And, while it's not so much an issue here at Two Rivers, there are Searchers out there who don't abide by the rules. It is because of them, and of course, if you ever encounter an Accursed, that you want to develop your abilities as thoroughly as possible.
Yeesh. That was a lot of uncomfortable subject matter for me. Not only did I break the rules of civilized Searchers, I was half of an Accursed ; a Lamia. It seemed to me that this exercise was designed to help my classmates protect themselves against me. I looked down at my hands, and had to stick the top of my pen in mouth so I wouldn't start chewing my nails off like Alexa.
So this is what I want you to do, the teacher continued. Drop your walls as much as you possibly can.
The students in the classroom began mumbling and looking at each other uncomfortably, but I was absolutely sure that none of them were as horrified by the idea as I was. My toes scrunched up in my shoes and hotness crept up my back. Thirty Searchers in a closed room with me with all of their walls dropped? The only intelligible thought I could process was: Oh God.
I knew for a fact that none of the students had followed these instructions yet, and apparently, Ms. Baker had anticipated this. Now, I know that none of you are comfortable with letting your walls down in a room full of Searchers, she said. No crap, I thought. But, no one in this room, or anywhere, for that matter, has the ability to see all of your souls at once or dig too deeply without making physical contact. So, just relax, and try to gain control of your minds. All I want you to do is try to project the number that is written on your notecard, and try to seek out the person who has the same number as you. Let's move our desks into a circle so that we can all see each other. It may be easier that way.
Oh, yeah, easy like Sunday freaking morning.
Everyone was still mumbling and grumbling as we rearranged our desks into a wide circle around the edges of the classroom. I became nervous as heck, but on the plus side, the side I usually try to look at,
this is pretty much what I'd wanted. I'd decided to practice my abilities anyway, so I may as well try and make the most of it. And, the teacher was right about one thing, no one in this room was strong enough to do anything other than skim the surface of the soul without making physical contact. No one except me, that is.
Now everyone just relax, she repeated. Try and open up your mind. Let it stretch out. Think only of your number, and of finding the number that is its match.
Around me, the protective walls of the souls of the students slowly started to lower. I felt like putting my thumb in my mouth and staring down at my shoes, but in this stupid circle, my discomfort would be so clearly evident to the others. So, I just let my eyes scan the room as naturally as possible, and concentrated on not hyperventilating.
As the walls lowered, the onslaught of feelings, desires, and secrets began.
If you are someone who doesn't like secrets, or who doesn't understand the sheer necessity of them, then just take my word for it that some of things that people hide and lie about are just as much for your own good as they are for theirs. Everyone who breathes and thinks has things floating around in their heads that no one else should be privy to, pasts and histories of ugly times, secrets and desires that they would never admit to, even under the most rigorous torture. When we are unlucky enough to gain this kind of information, whether we were seeking it or not, and whether it was offered freely or came to light on its own accord, it is usually heartbreaking, and alters our view of that person forever. It is a blessing that these things usually come to light in small doses. And, that is the reason my forehead was beginning to sweat and my heart was racing like a prize horse at the moment. With thirty souls sitting around me, purposely dropping their guard with the trust that no one could invade the most intimate dealings of their minds, I was understandably overwhelmed. Actually, overwhelmed isn't a strong enough term to define it. I was overcome with the secrets of their souls.
