by Enid Titan
“What?”
“You’re not supposed to talk about visions from the temple,” Ajax said, “You’re not from here, you wouldn’t know.”
“Why not?”
Castor’s cheeks flushed dark blue to match Jason's.
“Visions are deeply personal. Spiritual.”
“Really, Poppy. We’re sorry for prying.”
“Wait, what? But I finally felt like I was close to —“
“DON’T TELL US!” The three shouted at once.
“Jeez. Fine.”
“What is this jeez? Are you trying to say cheese?”
“Never mind,” Poppy muttered.
“I don’t know what happened but it happened because you three did… well, you know what you did.”
“The kiss?” Castor asked, his embarrassment quickly replaced by that cocky smirk of his.
“Yeah. The kiss.”
“Jazad, I didn’t know we could have such a strong effect on you.”
“Shut up…” Poppy grumbled.
“Would you like another?” Ajax suggested, a shit-eating grin spreading across his face.
“No, thank you. I don’t want to pass out in the hallway again.”
“We could help you,” Castor suggested, “If you have another… you know.”
“Isn’t it intrusive for you to help?”
“You really don’t know anything about telepathy, do you?” Ajax muttered.
“You could explain it to me,” Poppy huffed.
“Jeez, Terran,” Castor replied, his nose wiggling as he mocked her.
Poppy rolled her eyes.
“Just explain!”
“If I touch your head, right here,” Castor said, miming where he’d place his fingers, “I can connect with you and strengthen your telepathic experience.”
“You won’t be able to…”
“No! I would never intrude on a woman’s visions… I was raised properly you know.”
“Okay, okay. Fine. So let’s say we do this. How do we do this?”
“Well, we get to kiss you again,” Ajax said, smiling a little too broadly for Poppy’s liking.
“Ugh. Do you have to.”
“We can go further if you want, jazad.”
“Shut up, Jason…”
“I’m just saying… you know we have—“
“That’s enough!” Poppy huffed, “Why don’t you kiss me and then Castor can put his hands on my head and whatever.”
“You don’t sound too excited,” Ajax said, somewhat solemnly.
“Why would I be excited?”
«Don’t play games, jazad. We can get in your head, remember.»
«Yeah. I remember.»
Poppy’s eyes fluttered shut. Could Jason feel how excited she was as he stepped closer to her? She hated herself for the pounding in her chest but she couldn’t help it. A rush of energy surged into her fingertips as Jason took another step, his body so warm and close. She wanted to reach out and touch him but stopped herself from showing any reciprocation.
«You don’t have to hold back, jazad. I know you like it.»
Poppy bit down on her lower lip. Jason leaned in and pried her lips apart with his as he kissed her. No. No. No. She wasn’t supposed to enjoy this, Poppy thought. She wasn’t supposed to kiss him back.
She reached for his cheeks and pulled his face in deeper. Jason thrust his tongue into her mouth and Poppy’s hands ran through his long, straight hair, parting the strands with her fingers. His tongue split apart into two. Poppy gasped.
Jason pulled away, his cheeks flushed dark blue.
“Damn. It was that good the first time, huh?”
“Shut up, Jason. I’m just doing this for my vision.”
Pointing out that he had two tongues might make him think she enjoyed kissing him. Which she didn't. Not at all. Jason winked. Ajax butted him out of the way, that crude grin of his still spread across his face.
“My turn.”
Ajax’s grin forced Poppy to avert her eyes. He grabbed her chin and turned her face to look at him.
“Don’t look away, Penelope.”
When he used her full name like that, Poppy’s throat tightened and her body got all tense. Ajax pressed his forehead to hers, his yellow eyes glowing brightly.
“Cool,” he whispered before he leaned in and kissed her softly.
She’d expected him to be rough and forward like before. He held her chin still, making sure she stayed in one place but then he kissed her so slowly and softly that the kiss nearly felt as if it lasted forever.
“Ajax…” she whispered, as she pulled away.
Before she could tell him how soft and wonderful the kiss was, she stopped herself.
“Hey don’t get all sentimental,” Cas said, grabbed Ajax by his cloak and yanking him back, “I’ve got to open up this alien chick’s brain…”
16
Final Touch
Kissing Castor was different from kissing Jason or Ajax. He was always so weirdly confident about kissing her like he could read deeper into Poppy’s mind than he let on. This time, he started by pushing sable hair out of her face. Then he twisted his hand so his thumb pressed against the top of her jaw and his pinky finger rested against Penelope’s temple.
“Ready, Terran?” Castor whispered.
Poppy could feel his minty breath on her face as he whispered. His fingertips were so warm and he made her so nervous standing so close to her. Poppy tried to nod.
“Good,” he murmured, “I can tell you’re scared. Hold on…”
He closed his eyes and Poppy could feel his calm, flowing from his fingertips into her.
“No matter what you see, Penelope, don’t forget we’re here…we’re right here… and nothing can happen to you.”
“Mmhm…”
Poppy’s eyes fluttered shut. A pleasant euphoria started from her temple and washed through her head. Castor leaned in, his cheek so close to hers she could feel his heat. He kissed her softly.
«Kiss me back, Poppy.»
Poppy realized she’d been reluctant, trying to hide from herself what she wanted. She reached for Castor’s cheek and touched him back. Then his fingers started to burn against her face. Poppy’s eyes snapped open and she was back on the rocking boat… her father was there, but she couldn’t see his face.
«What am I supposed to do? Why do I keep having these visions?»
This vision was more real than any of the others. Poppy licked her lips and she tasted the sea spray. As the water splashed over the edge of the boat, she was wet, genuinely wet.
She heard Castor’s voice whispering into her ear.
«Go deeper, Penelope. You don’t have to be afraid. You’re in control.»
Penelope nodded and she tapped her father on the shoulder. Poppy’s stomach turned. He felt so real. Her dad… He was standing right there… and he was real. He wasn’t dead. And now, Poppy could see his face.
It looked different than what she remembered. His skin was gray, not a warm pink like hers.
“Dad?”
“Yes, dear.”
“Dad… I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I wish you were here. I miss you so much and you would know! You would know what I’m supposed to do!”
“Penelope…”
“No… Don’t say my name. It hurts so much to hear your voice. Just tell me what I need to know.”
“Beneath your visions there is darkness. You need to go into the darkness, my child. You must discover what your mother and I hid…”
His voice trailed off. A wave splashed over the edge of the boat and knocked Poppy over again.
“DAD!”
“DAD! COME BACK! DON'T DIE AGAIN! YOU’RE NOT DEAD! YOU CAN’T BE DEAD!”
Her eyes snapped open. She collapsed forward in Castor’s arms, soaking wet and screaming, wailing, sobbing. Castor wrapped his arms around her and pulled Poppy into his chest.
“Shhh, you’re fine. You’re fine. I’ve got you.”
“NO! I WAS SO CLOSE
!”
Poppy let out an ugly wail and before she could break from Castor’s grasp, Ajax sidled up next to her and put his arm around her. Even Jason joined in, holding her as she wept. Before Penelope could let herself feel ashamed for having this sort of outburst in front of the boys who had previously treated her like dirt, Castor kissed her again. And she could feel his warmth, his comfort, and her tears dried up.
She sniffled and he pushed the hair out of her face.
“Did that help?”
“I don’t know,” Penelope whispered.
She started to realize what was happening. There she was, standing between three alien men, crying — looking weak. Looking so pathetically human compared to calm and cool Devorans.
“I’ve got to go,” Poppy whispered…
“Penelope, wait. Are you sure you’re okay?” Jason asked.
A lump formed in Poppy’s throat. For once he wasn’t calling her “jazad”.
“Yeah. I’m fine. Please… just… don’t tell anyone about this.”
Poppy pulled her cloak over her shoulders and hurried down the hall. She sensed all three of them staring at her and hurried down the hall even faster. Poppy rounded the corner and ran face-first into the last person she expected to see — Daphne.
Daphne had been waiting there, arms folded, a cruel glare on her face.
“What the hell were you doing?” Daphne asked.
“Nothing. I’m trying to go back to the room.”
“I saw that.”
“Saw what?” Poppy scoffed.
Her heart raced. It was obvious what Daphne saw. Poppy didn’t know how much she’d seen, or what she assumed because of it.
“I heard alien women were sex-crazed sluts, but I didn’t expect to see such a slut up close.”
Poppy’s mouth hung open.
“You can’t talk to me like that!”
“Or what? You’re going to run off and have these stupid horny boys take your side?”
“Whatever you think you saw, you don’t get it. I don’t like them.”
“Is that why you had not one, but three of them kissing you? Yeah, I saw that. Slut.”
Shit. Daphne saw everything. Poppy tried to speak but she couldn’t. Daphne’s eyes possessed an angry golden glow.
“You’re so stupid. Do you think my idiot brother and his lame friends would care about an alien? They’re using you — probably because they know all alien girls are sluts.”
“Whatever, Daphne. I’m just trying to get back to my room.”
Daphne raised her left hand and balled it into a fist.
«Oh yeah? Is that what you think?»
Poppy screamed as searing pain surged through her skull. Daphne’s eyes glowed brighter and brighter. The blood vessels in Poppy's head throbbed and pain spread throughout her skull and neck.
She fell to her knees.
«You’d better stay away from my brother, you stupid slut.»
“STOP!” Poppy screamed, “DAPHNE, STOP IT!”
Pain seared through every inch of her. Her powerlessness thrust Poppy into greater agony.
17
Devoran Bullies
“Daphne! Get away from her!”
“Stay out of this, Jason.”
“Leave her alone.”
Poppy screamed, writhing on the ground as her eyes rolled back into her head. She could hardly tell what was happening around her. Voices pierced into her head in bits and pieces.
Castor slammed his body into Daphne, breaking her focus and breaking her ability to twist pain through Poppy’s mind. As Daphne broke free, Poppy bent forward, her face pressed to the ground and threw up. Her vision blurred but slowly returned as Daphne's grip on her loosened.
She heard Daphne shriek as Castor slammed her against the wall. His tousled hair was even messier than usual and at first, all Poppy made out through her obscured vision was the glow in his eyes.
“You leave her alone, Daphne.”
Daphne balled up a wad of spit in her mouth and it went flying at Castor’s face. Huge mistake. Castor punched the wall near her head. Daphne screamed.
“Leave her alone or I promise, I won’t be so forgiving.”
“You’re going to let these savages threaten your sister, Jason?”
“Shut up, Daphne. And get out of here. Castor, come on… Let her go.”
“The human’s ours. So back off.”
“Yours? She’s not a pet,” Daphne snarled.
“I don’t care what you think.”
Castor finally let his grip up.
“Leave Penelope alone,” Ajax tossed out.
Indignant, Daphne spat at their feet again.
“You guys are all idiots. Don’t think I won’t be telling mother about this,” Daphne sneered at Jason.
Jason wasn’t listening to her. He already rushed to Penelope’s side.
“She’s bleeding.”
He pressed his finger to her upper lip. Poppy brought her hand to the spot he’d just touched. Her hand was covered in blood.
“W-what happened…”
“We heard you screaming. Daphne was… hurting you.”
“I don’t remember what happened when I turned the corner,” Poppy whispered.
She was a mess. Her mouth still tasted like acid and filth. The blood from her nose started trickling past her lips. Poppy tried to get up but she fell back down.
“Help her up, Ajax,” Castor commanded.
Ajax listened to him, and Jason took her other side.
“No… What will people think?” Poppy whispered.
Snippets of what Daphne had yelled at her came rushing back. Is that what people thought about her? Would they think she was a slut just because she’d kissed… well, three boys. Okay, three was kind of a lot, but she had a good reason for kissing them.
“You’re hurt. You shouldn’t care what anyone thinks.”
“Please… I don’t want to be embarrassed…”
«Don’t argue, jazad. A psychic attack can kill someone. We should tell the headmaster.»
“No!” Poppy squealed, “Don’t!”
If she told the headmaster, she’d have to explain the reason for Daphne’s attack. The last thing she wanted was for word to get back to Uncle Monty that she’d been in a four-way make out when she was supposed to be figuring out this whole telepathic powers thing.
They helped her out of the rink and were thankfully discreet enough to take a back way to the dorms so that fewer people would notice the distinct alien hanging off the necks of two Devoran males.
Once they entered the dorms back entrance, Poppy heard Ajax whisper, “We aren’t supposed to be in the girl’s dorm.”
“We’ll get her back to her room. Hecate will take care of her.”
“Daphne’s not there,” Jason said, “Trust me, I’d know.”
Poppy faded in and out of awareness until Castor thrust the door to her room open. Hecate shrieked.
“What are you freaks doing here?! The girls’ dorm is off limits! If I’m caught, my ass will be— “
Hecate gasped.
“Is that Penelope?”
“Please, help her,” Castor said.
“What the hell did you guys do to her?”
“We didn’t do anything,” Jason sneered.
“Oh yeah? She told me you assholes were bullying her but I didn’t think you’d actually go this far. Poppy! Poppy, can you hear me?”
Poppy nodded.
“Did they hurt you?” Poppy shook her head.
Jason and Ajax carried her to the bed where she flopped backward onto her pillow.
“Why is there blood on her face?! I want answers, you blockheads!”
“It’s not our fault,” Ajax grumbled, “It was your other roommate.”
“Daphne? Why would Daphne do this?”
“You boys are hiding something and I want answers, NOW!”
“Listen, Hecate,” Castor said, trying to be smooth, “What’s important is, Poppy got hurt an
d you need to look after her. And don’t leave her alone with Daphne. Like you said, we can’t be here.”
“So you’re just going to leave me to deal with this?”
“Uh… yes.”
“Asshole,” Hecate grumbled, “Fine. Get out of here.”
“Cool. Thanks.”
“Bye.”
The three men must have left because the next thing Poppy felt was a warm cloth wiping blood off her face.
«What did those assholes do to you, Poppy?»
Poppy’s head cleared with each passing minute. She remembered the hurt and the pain and whatever damage Daphne caused fizzled away slowly.
“They didn’t do anything,” she whispered.
Telepathic communication was too much for Poppy to handle. She winced and sat up.
“They’re right. It was Daphne.”
“Why would Daphne do this?”
“I told you, she doesn’t like me.”
“Yeah. You also told me that those three idiots didn’t like you.”
Poppy bit down on her lower lip. That wasn’t exactly true anymore, was it? Or maybe Daphne had been right about the fact that they’d been using her. To them, she was nothing more than a little pet.
“You’re holding back, just like they were,” Hecate whispered.
“I’m sorry. It’s just… Daphne got really mad at me and I’m embarrassed. I threw up. I look like a mess. I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Fine. Fine. Are you at least getting help with telepathy from Jason? It will make you less vulnerable in the future.”
“Yeah. He’s helping.”
“Good.”
18
Do NOT Show Me!
It would have been Thanksgiving back on Earth. Days here were weird, but only four hours longer than Earth days. Poppy was getting used to a long night’s sleep and waking up earlier than all the other Devorans. She’d met with Jason a few times to practice telepathy and she’d been surprised at what she could accomplish.
He taught her — finally — how to keep her thoughts to herself so that everyone who passed her by didn’t have to be subjected to her awkward musings. When she finished helping Jason with math or when he finished a telepathic lesson with her, sometimes Poppy would run into Castor and Ajax, but she always felt awkward around them and made an excuse to leave.
