Fear Power

by C. C. Bolick

  “There’s no bomb,” I said. “Louis admitted he lied to get me there.”

  “Are you sure?” Dad asked.

  I nodded. If only the room was empty and I could tell him about Mama.

  “What did he say to you?” Senator McCall asked.

  “He wanted me to talk to Bethany.”

  “Bethany was there?” Sylvia asked.

  “Tending his garden,” I said. “She was clipping roses.”

  “Roses?” Dad choked.

  “Did you learn anything about his plans?” she asked. “Did Louis mention the location of any future bombs?”

  “Nothing like that. He left me with Bethany to take a call. After we talked, Travis showed up and brought me back.”

  Dad leaned forward. He put his elbows on the table; anyone who didn’t know him might think he was trying to intimidate me. I knew the almost imperceptible shaking of his voice revealed fear.

  “What did she say?” Dad asked.

  “That she was helping Louis to keep Louis away from me.”

  In the silence that followed, Sylvia glanced around the room. Her eyes stopped on Travis. “Agent Payne, take Miss Mason to the security level. I want to be sure Louis didn’t plant any tracking or listening devices on either of you.”

  “No problem.” Travis took my arm. “What did Bethany say?” he asked when we appeared at the agency’s security center.

  “You’ll think I’m crazy.”

  “I just teleported us halfway around the world and back. What did she say?”

  “That she agreed to work for Louis so he doesn’t need me.”

  “How can she take your place?”

  “Because she’s my mother. She said Hannah was right about me needing to fly.”

  “No wonder you didn’t want to leave.” He walked me to an area and told security we needed to be ‘scrubbed.’ I didn’t like the sound of that word. My suspicions were confirmed with orders for me to strip off my clothes, change into a pair of black sweats and a black t-shirt, and stand inside of a full-body scanner.

  All I could think about during the entire process was Travis’s less than excited response over hearing Bethany was my mother. Was he laughing at me during the scan? Did I have a chance of convincing him and did convincing him even matter? The longer I stayed away from Bethany Kruger, the less sure I was of our conversation.

  Maybe Louis had put her up to this. He’d insisted that we talk, that I could somehow convince Bethany that she was my mother. At our first meeting in Atlanta, Louis insisted she was alive. He’d get her back with my help. Had he found Bethany and convinced himself she was his dead wife? Had Bethany preyed upon his desperation to find Mama and lied about what happened when she woke from the coma?

  After the security staff finished with us, I met Travis in the waiting room. He wore the same black sweats and black t-shirt. Travis held his phone to his ear, lowering it as I walked up.

  “I’ve got someone who might make you feel better.” He held out the phone.

  To my surprise, Angel’s voice came through the phone. “How’s it going?”

  I sighed with relief and dropped into the nearest chair. “Like crap. Louis demanded I visit his house in Spain. Travis teleported me there, but I still can’t control my powers. How about you?”

  “The local police think we’re with the FBI. People are suspicious of me and Skip leading a team since we both look like we’re barely out of high school.”

  “You are barely out of high school,” I said.

  She laughed. “This whole place is something out of a horror movie. I keep expecting a werewolf to jump out of the woods or a—”

  “Vampire?”

  Her laughter deepened. “Don’t think there’s much chance of that. Although, I do have a better chance of convincing these people that vampires exist than most.”

  “I wish I was there.”

  “No you don’t. I wish I was back at the base, for what it’s worth.”

  “How much longer do you have?”

  “I don’t know. A teacher was murdered and at least ten students are prime suspects. Everyone is lying, even the police. I’ve never seen such a mess. Even with my power to feel emotions, it’s hard to sort out.”

  “Sylvia said something about shape-shifters.”

  Muffled sounds of commotion came over the phone and Skip took the phone. “This place is spooky. Sylvia was wrong to send us here. She knows I don’t like scary movies.”

  I laughed, which was exactly what I needed. “Want Travis to teleport us to Virginia?”

  “No,” he said. “As long as the sun’s up we’re all good. About ten o’clock is when the sounds start.”

  “Sounds?”

  “Have you ever heard dogs begin to bark and then every dog in the neighborhood follows? Think of that but with every animal sound imaginable.”

  “Are you sure there are no vampires?”

  Angel took the phone back. “Is my brother taking care of you?”

  “Yes, he’s only lost me once so far. He took me to a cliff and tried to make me fly.”

  “Did you?”

  “No, but he caught me before I hit the ground.”

  She swore. “You’ve got to be careful. I don’t want to get a call that your head’s been splattered over a highway.”

  “We’ll be careful,” I said.

  “Promise me.”

  “I promise.”

  With those words, the call ended. I looked up at Travis. “What should we do now?”

  “I think we should eat something special. When I see Sylvia again, it might be my last meal.”

  * * * * *

  That evening, Travis took me to a Thai restaurant, one of only two restaurants at the base I hadn’t tried. To my surprise, Dr. X stood near the hostess stand in a short black dress. Her hair was tied back with a butterfly clip. The hostess stopped and took her name for the wait list.

  “I’m good with waiting,” Travis said. “The food here is great if you like spicy.”

  “I’m good with spicy.” Maybe I’d get another chance to talk with Dr. X.

  He noticed Dr. X. “Isn’t that one of the doctors you’ve been interviewing? She’s looks younger than in the picture Skip showed us.”

  “She’s the youngest,” I said. “But she’s not that young. I kind of like her.”

  “Not that young?” he asked with sarcasm. “She’s not much older than me.”

  “Since when does age matter around here?”

  I spun to where Sylvia stood behind us. “I didn’t see you walk up.”

  “Maybe I should have waited longer to speak.” She flashed Travis a smile. “Do you think her age makes her less qualified, Agent Payne?”

  He shrugged. “Having powers is one thing, but I want to know if she has enough knowledge to benefit this agency.”

  “From the files I’ve read, the girl does nothing but study and train,” Sylvia said. “A program that would have taken most eight years to complete took her five.”

  “We’re talking about a medical degree, right?” Travis asked.

  “She took dual-enrollment for her undergrad,” I said.

  Travis raised an eyebrow. “Dual enrollment?”

  “Like I did when I took classes in high school for college credit. I was hoping to finish my engineering degree in three years.” As if I’d ever have the chance now.

  “Perhaps one day you shall,” Sylvia said. “The agency encourages continuing education. You came here to apply your powers, but there’s no reason why you can’t expand your mind in the process.”

  I choked up. It was the nicest words she’d said to me.

  “For two years, Dr. X trained under a doctor who focused on genetic testing to find cancers. If only I could have recruited him before he died.” With a sigh, Sylvia looked at the woman who stood by the hostess stand holding a menu. “Through their research, she was able to formulate a new test to find cancer in its earliest stage.”

  “She took cr
edit for his work?” Travis asked.

  “She gave him one hundred percent of the credit, though the test was completed after his death.”

  “So she’s smart,” Travis said. “Graduating in five years is a huge accomplishment. The only question left is if you think she can survive here. Three weeks is hardly enough time to show her the dangers we face daily.”

  Sylvia pressed her lips. “She might handle the dangers better than you. At least she might listen when I give a directive and follow my orders.”

  “Most people don’t handle the truth about special powers or alien technology well,” Travis said. “That’s why you keep Agent Lockhart busy erasing the memories of people who have seen more than necessary.”

  “If you could trade your life for one with no powers and blissful ignorance, would you?” she asked.

  Travis hesitated. “I’d have to think about that answer.”

  I froze at Sylvia’s laughter. Had I ever heard the woman make a happy sound?

  “You’d never be happy working a nine-to-five job,” she said. “Grocery shopping on the weekend and binge-watching Netflix every night to feel some manner of excitement. It’s ridiculous to even consider what you think is normal. I guarantee that millions of normal humans would trade their lives for yours.”

  “Are you going to join us for dinner?” I asked.

  Sylvia shook her head. “I came here to have dinner with your favorite doctor on her last night. Tomorrow we will make our decision.”

  “Sounds like the decision has already been made,” Travis said. “For her at least.”

  For several uncomfortable seconds, Sylvia gave him a cold stare. Then she smiled. “It sounds as if you’re unconvinced, Agent Payne. Perhaps you should have dinner with Dr. X instead of me.” She walked to Dr. X, said a few words, and pointed our way. Dr. X nodded and Sylvia passed us on her way out. “Enjoy a meal on me.”

  Dr. X gave me a questioning look as we approached. “Table for three instead of two?”

  “Looks that way,” Travis said.

  I shoved an elbow into his side. “Don’t be rude,” I whispered.

  She laughed. “I like your boyfriend.”

  “Don’t give his ego any reason to grow.” I thought back to our meetings. “I never said anything about a boyfriend.”

  “Maybe you didn’t.” She looked at Travis. “Sylvia recommended this restaurant for my last night. She said it was better if I didn’t eat here too soon during my time here. That way I wouldn’t regret having to leave the excellent food.”

  The hostess appeared and led us to a table that had been cleared in front of a large fish tank.

  Dr. X took the seat next to me and Travis sat across from her. “I’ve never eaten Thai before,” she said.

  I raised a hand. “First time for me too.”

  “After bombing my last interview, I’m looking forward to trying something new before I go home.”

  Travis raised his menu. “What did they feed you in med school?”

  It was a casual question, but his voice held a serious edge. She watched him carefully before answering. “I ate what I could squeeze in during study sessions.”

  He didn’t break eye contact. “What about vacations?”

  “I finished college in five years. I never took vacations.”

  “What about your residency?”

  “Dr. Car… Sorry, I’m not supposed to use names. A doctor who was a master of genetics chose me to be his protégée.” She let out a long sigh. “He died back in the spring.”

  A glint flashed in Travis’s eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  “He had a rare genetic disorder, which explains his interest in the field. When we met, he hid the fact that his time was running out. He brought me on as part of his team a few months before I finished school. He said he didn’t have time to wait for me to be trained properly.”

  “Why leave your job for this?” he asked.

  She glanced around. “Wouldn’t anyone love to work here?” Her eyes stopped on me. “Don’t you love being here?”

  “I’m not the best person to ask.”

  Her humor faded. “After he died, the job became more of… well, a job. I wanted to help the kids, but my heart wasn’t in it anymore. It’s sad and I feel incredibly guilty because he chose me to continue his work.”

  “This job is for a genetics specialist,” I said. “Why interview if you don’t want to be in that field anymore?”

  “I still want to do genetic research, just not where he trained me. Too many memories.”

  Travis stared between us as a waiter arrived and brought glasses of water. Dr. X ordered and then Travis. He looked at me; I hadn’t bothered to open my menu.

  “Order for me,” I said.

  He nodded and chose a meal with noodles.

  “I was right about the boyfriend comment.” Dr. X stared at the tank next to us as fish swam through the arms of a living coral reef. “That’s an interesting fish tank.”

  “It has an interesting story,” Travis said. “This tank has been replaced three times since this base was built.”

  She laughed. “Why not give up after it broke the first time?”

  “The people here are stubborn,” I said. “No one gives up on anything.”

  “I like to hear that,” she said.

  “Why are you here?” Travis asked.

  Dr. X gave him a look of confusion. “Job interview. I thought we covered that already.”

  “No,” Travis said. “Why are you here?”

  “To make a difference.”

  “Doesn’t the thought of working around people with inhuman powers freak you out?”

  She glanced at me. “So far, so good.”

  “I’m not just talking about humans,” he said. “We also monitor alien activity.”

  I bit my lip to keep from laughing.

  Her eyebrows rose. She reached for her glass of water and took a sip.

  “How did you hear about the job?” he asked.

  She looked at me strangely, probably because she’d already answered this question. “Sylvia approached me at the hospital where I worked with an opportunity. She said she’d make coming to Atlanta worth my while.”

  “You can’t be much older than me,” Travis said. “Why would you want to work for this agency?”

  “Why do you want to work here?” she fired back.

  “I don’t have a choice. This work is hard, with a paycheck that doesn’t match the number of hours you’ll work. You won’t have a life.”

  “I don’t have a life now,” she said. “Rena already told me how cheap the agency is. I can eat Ramen noodles a few nights a week if it means helping people.”

  Travis sneered. “Don’t give me the canned speech you gave Sylvia. I want the truth.”

  She laid her hands on the table. “I knew a boy once who had a special gift like Rena. He saved my life.”

  “If you’re here because of a guilt trip—”

  “I believe in these special powers because I’ve seen it firsthand. I’ve devoted my time to studying DNA because of something he said to me. If he could have been normal, he would have. But he wasn’t born normal and no one knew how to help him. I swore that one day I’d find a way to make him normal.”

  Travis took a long drink and placed his glass carefully back on the table. “Have you?”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not?” Travis asked. “Why are you here if you don’t believe in your skills? What good are you to this agency?”

  “I can’t because he’s dead,” she said, raising her voice.

  People from the surrounding tables looked our way. Travis waved them off.

  I reached for her hand and squeezed. “We’ve all lost someone.”

  Travis flexed his hands. Maybe he felt guilty for pushing her over the edge. “That’s not a good reason for being here.”

  “It’s the only one I have. That reason is my life now.”

  His voice lowered. “Did you
ever tell him?”

  “I waited too long and missed my chance.” She wiped a tear that slid down her face. “Damn it. I haven’t fallen apart like this in over a year.”

  “It’s okay to fall apart,” I said.

  She glared at Travis. “You wanted the truth. I have no life, no one to go home to at night. I only have my patients. Recently I was able to create a test that will save lives, but it wasn’t enough. More lives aren’t enough. I’ve got to save them all.”

  “You can’t save everyone,” Travis said.

  “Sylvia said this agency does cutting-edge work when it comes to saving people on a global scale. I’d be fighting outbreaks of genetically engineered viruses. I’d have access to technology that can be used to figure out what makes some people different and isolate gifts that make their lives difficult.” She glanced at his gloves. “I assume there’s a reason why you keep your hands covered, Agent Payne.”

  “It’s cold down here,” Travis said.

  “You know I’m right. I can save more people from this base than from that hospital in Chicago.”

  Travis froze with his glass halfway to his mouth. He lowered the glass and looked at Dr. X as if seeing her for the first time. “Did you say Chicago?”

  I looked between them as she covered her mouth. “I’m sorry,” she said with shock and anger on her face. Anger at herself. “I didn’t mean to reveal anything personal. It was an accident.” She jerked around to face me. “Are you going to turn me in?”

  Something haunted Travis’s eyes. “Should I?” I asked him.

  He shook his head. “Her outburst was my fault. I think we should talk about something else.”

  For the rest of our meal, Travis watched Dr. X as if she was the most dangerous person in the room. She left after picking at her food, with an excuse about not feeling well. Dr. X practically ran from the restaurant.

  I never had the chance to ask about my DNA test.

  * * * * *

  The next morning, Sylvia held the closing meeting for the doctor interviews immediately after her morning meeting. Everyone not already in the conference room filed in quickly. Dad left the room, along with Travis.

  “Good luck,” Dad said.

  Travis smiled with encouragement.