Jaden Baker

by Courtney Kirchoff

  He assumed Dalton feared Jaden might get ideas from books, escape plans perhaps. At first Jaden wondered why Dalton always provided him with books, whether Dalton was around or not. He gleaned, through something Dalton had said, that reading helped Jaden’s PK skills and speed of learning. As long as Jaden performed at high levels, Dalton didn’t care what he did. It was why he didn’t object to Jaden exercising in his cell, jumping jacks, push-ups, crunches. Everything helped.

  It was then that Dalton supplied materials with no entertainment value at all, a move indicative of changes to come. Dalton provided books on physics, chemistry, and human anatomy. Jaden read these with such voracity it alarmed the staff, but Dalton promised their safety. Jaden smiled at their gullibility, at Dalton’s sense of trust.

  At last Jaden knew why he was here. Dr. Dalton wanted Jaden to become a medical instrument. Once he had devoured the anatomy and science books, he knew how the body worked, a spectacular weapon for him, and curing device for Dalton. His captivity had always been for the Greater Good. It was how Dalton went home to his family: knowing he helped humanity, instead of holding a boy captive for his own selfish reasons. Jaden’s incarceration benefited the world.

  After Jaden finished breakfast, he brushed his teeth and washed. Dalton would soon retrieve him for another day of tedious and needless exercises. Jaden was no longer a novice or intermediate. He had surpassed expert and was something of psychokinetic virtuoso. But Dalton had no idea just how good Jaden was. He never would.

  The instant he mastered multiple levitation, there had been no need to continue recording brain activity. Dalton allowed Jaden to grow his hair, perhaps hoping it would make him feel less alien, or like a subject under the microscope. Baldness left him feeling exposed and violated. Having his hair was better—he was still a prisoner.

  Dalton entered the room as Jaden finished washing his hands. Jaden glanced at him from the corner of his eye, his way of a morning greeting. If it was morning.

  He figured he was on an alternate shift from the rest of the world. His morning was everyone’s night. He came to this conclusion because Dalton only conducted exercises for a few hours, probably after Dalton was done doctoring wherever he practiced. He also frequently caught staff members yawning toward in the middle of their shifts, and looking extremely exhausted by the end.

  Jaden walked to Dalton, looking at his necktie, not in his eyes.

  When Jaden first arrived, Dalton’s many colored ties fascinated him, the only color present. They had always been businesslike and conservative, matching the suit he wore underneath his white coat. Recently the patterns had changed. His ties were chaotic, riskier than before, like Dalton was nervous. When he’d worn his mundane ties of pale blue checkers, he had been confident, sure of himself. These new ties, red spirals on gray, or blue zig zags on black, signified a shaken demeanor.

  Today was bright yellow circles on blue.

  Something was changing. The ties by themselves could have been coincidence. Combined with his new exercises, the advanced books, and the briskness of Dalton’s manner, Jaden was sure something was different. Something was coming.

  Test room two, the place of his first controlled PK miracle, was where Jaden did most of his exercises. Today was no different. Inside were hundreds of soft orange footballs, some stacked one on top of the other. The floor was littered with them. Jaden kicked them as he walked.

  He didn’t need anyone telling him what to do. He felt each and every ball, as if his fingertips brushed them all at once. Dalton had been gradually increasing the quantity of objects for months now, so Jaden could adjust to the feeling—that’s exactly what it was: a feeling, a constant, pressing sensation of being connected to everything. It made perfect sense. You could only move what you could touch. Since he moved everything, he touched everything, too. Tactility, in his mind.

  The balls instantly filled the air, spacing equally apart as if in a three dimensional grid.

  Jaden felt Dalton’s heart rate increase.

  He reminded himself that now was not the time. He didn’t know how to get clear of here, so killing Dalton would be premature and foolish. The doors worked on a cog system; they were long and penetrated deep into the concrete floor. The mechanics lay far beneath him, out of Jaden’s mental reach. If he knew how to operate the doors, he could open them. The doors were the only things he couldn’t control.

  He wondered if the facility had a lock down emergency system. There were at least four people on staff at any given time, yet these days he only saw two at a time.

  To give Dalton a greater thrill, Jaden manipulated the footballs to circle the room and pop up and down to the rhythm of Dalton’s heart beat. Jaden watched as the visual orchestra beat in time with Dalton’s pulse, increasing the pace with the aortic metronome.

  When Jaden bored of that, he called the footballs to spiral and coil around him, creating a funnel, with him at the center. He conducted the balls to spill at the ceiling like a water fountain, and made them bounce as if splashing once they reached the floor.

  Jaden observed greedy delight in Dalton’s eyes. Dalton picked up a fallen football and tossed it at Jaden, who suspended it in mid air then drew it toward him, hovering it inches above his right hand. The football spun there, first slowly, then gained speed and eventually moved so fast it was nothing but an orange blur.

  “Exceptional,” Dalton said, covering his mouth so he could hide his grin.

  Jaden stopped the ball and dropped it into his hand.

  “I want to move you into the next room for something more challenging,” Dalton said.

  They moved to test room one. On the table were three items: a glass punch bowl filled with water, a candle stick, and a chemistry book. Dalton sat and had Jaden do the same. Dalton flipped the page to the molecular structure of water, showing Jaden—he already knew about H2O. But he let Dalton teach, assuming that’s what Dalton wanted.

  “The principle is simple,” Dalton said. “To make water hot, one adds energy and the molecules get excited. The faster they move, the hotter the water, until they become so excited they vaporize.”

  So Dalton wanted him to work with water. Water was a cohesive molecule, meaning it liked sticking together. It also had adhesive tendencies with certain surfaces, like glass. To change from a liquid to a vapor, he needed to excite the molecules. Heat was traditionally applied. Now Jaden was the Bunsen burner.

  The concept was simple: accelerate the molecules. Theoretically it was possible. If he could move things on the macro level, he should be able to manipulate on the micro level.

  Dalton was still yammering. Jaden ignored him. If he could sense a beating heart and a stomach contracted with hunger, he thought he could heat a bowl of water. He stuck his finger inside and concentrated on the molecules within.

  Water molecules always moved, even as a solid. As ice they moved slowly, bumping against one another, locked in. These molecules were moving at the pace of...well, he had no other analogy than that of a car. If ice was a parked car, then the molecules in this bowl were going 15 miles per hour—the water was freezing cold. If he wanted it boiling, he needed 100 miles per hour.

  With his finger still in the water, Jaden stared in the bowl, feeling the absolute wetness of the water inside it. Since he couldn’t see the molecules, like he saw the footballs, Jaden would have to imagine them instead, willing the water to heat.

  He saw them in his mind’s eye, bouncing off each other and gradually drifting away. Then he saw them hitting one another with urgency, spiraling and colliding with other molecules in turn.

  His finger warmed and Jaden withdrew it as steam rose from the bowl. The surface rippled, coming to a soft, then rolling boil.

  Dalton gaped.

  Jaden allowed the water to boil a few seconds, giving Dalton the effect, then he slowed the molecules to a stop, freezing the water, first the surface then deeper until the bowl filled with solid ice.

  “Impressive,” Dalton said, looki
ng at Jaden. “Turn it back to water.”

  Of course. The ice bowl was heavy and could be hurled through space and kill someone. Jaden liquefied the ice.

  The candle was a trickier matter. Jaden correctly assumed Dalton wanted him to create fire. Unlike boiling water, fire needed a reaction.

  “The water was already in the bowl,” Jaden droned. “I can’t create fire.”

  Dalton lit the candle with a lighter from his pocket. With his other hand on the chemistry book, and one lighting the candle, nothing held the remote control in Dalton’s left jacket pocket, the remote that powered the shock collar. The shock collar’s purpose was to break Jaden’s concentration should he use PK to harm someone.

  But he didn’t know how to get through the doors, so Jaden tried ignoring Dalton’s slip. Maybe it was better this way. Dalton made a mistake, and still had not realized it. He trusted Jaden would not harm him.

  “Can you increase the size of the flame?” Dalton asked.

  The chemical properties of fire were more complex than water. Jaden thought Dalton must have forgotten his basic chemistry in all his excitement. Three things were needed to create fire: oxygen, fuel, and heat. While Jaden could make water hot by exciting the molecules, he could not provide the flaming candle with more oxygen, fuel, or heat.

  “No,” Jaden said. “How would I do that?”

  Two mistakes in one day. The second being the most significant. A mental slip, an error in his fundamental education. That was significant. Whatever weighed on Dalton’s mind, it vented through more than his poor judgment of neckties.

  “I suppose not,” Dalton said. He blew out the candle.

  Jaden expected he would be sent back to his cell now Dalton was done with him. What else could Jaden do? He’d proven expert in everything.

  His initial strategy with Dalton was to take it slow, go at his pace. Jaden had learned the basics quicker than he anticipated, so he decided it was better to speed up, not slow down. He didn’t know what else Dalton wished with him. Whatever Dalton had planned, Jaden wanted it over and done, so he could move on with his life.

  Dalton had not risen from the bench, his eyes darted between the water bowl and Jaden’s face. He got the impression Dalton wanted to say something. Dalton’s pulse quickened.

  “I need to tell you something,” Dalton said. “It’s important and you need to know about it, since it involves you.”

  Jaden resisted his common urge to mouth off. Sometimes Dalton said the dumbest, most obvious things. Everything here was about Jaden. This whole facility revolved around his existence.

  Dalton pinched the bridge of his nose. “There’s going to be a presentation. A number of people will be there to see you.”

  That made sense. Dalton was nervous about Jaden’s performance for a great big show. Everything led to this moment for Dalton. The exercises, the brain scans, the frequent absences...all of it. Dalton reported to someone else.

  “This is very important, Jaden,” Dalton said. “You have a gift, you can change the world with your ability.”

  Jaden wanted to know who it was for, then his eyes landed on the tattoo on his right forearm. It was a symbol of some kind...or a logo.

  “Who is the presentation for?” he asked, wondering if he would get the answer.

  Dalton tapped his fingers on the table, considereding his answer. “My peers,” he said.

  “Your peers?” Jaden echoed. Dalton’s equals. His doctor and lawyer friends. People he respected and trusted with a nefarious secret.

  “Yes. They need to see what you can do.”

  “They don’t believe you?” Jaden said.

  Dalton scratched his temple and smirked. “That’s not quite it.”

  “What is it then?” Jaden asked.

  Dalton stood and Jaden pushed away from the table.

  Jaden understood chemistry and physics in a way Dalton never could. Jaden’s mind was, in Dalton’s words “exceptional” and yet he didn’t think Jaden would understand? Intelligence and understanding had nothing to do with this. The pending presentation had everything to do with this place and the people and secrets behind it. If Dalton needed to conduct a show-and-tell then he wasn’t the all powerful being. Someone sat higher on the totem pole.

  He found himself back in his cell without further explanation from Dalton regarding the presentation. And Jaden didn’t bother asking. He didn’t need to know when, he could guess. He didn’t need to know who because he was past caring. Why did it matter who incarcerated him? He was here and he didn’t want to be. His only real concern was breaking free.

  Jaden sat in his corner and took a book from the box. It was Jane Eyre, the story of a governess who fell in love with the mysterious Mr. Rochester. Jaden had read it because he had nothing else, and though he had enjoyed it, he did not intend to read it again.

  He flipped the book to the inside cover.

  Molly Dalton had left her name here, too. Her writing had become more elegant as she grew older, yet it still had a playful quality. Her twice-curled Y smiled at him.

  She only penned her name in the books she liked, or so he assumed, and her tastes had evolved over time, like his had. He’d read this book hoping to find any clue about Molly and what she was like. But she hadn’t even dog-eared a favorite page. Jaden was afraid to ask Dalton about her, fearing Dalton would revoke his reading privileges.

  He wished he had a pen so he could leave her a message. Whenever he found a book with her name written inside, he imagined letters he would leave for her, messages inscribed under her name, or inside the back cover. Things like “Your dad has me hidden in a secret laboratory. Send help and apple pie.” She would think it a joke at first and write a note in her next book saying: “Couldn’t send pie. Dad’s an asswipe. I’ve carved out the pages of this book and included a pocket knife and a shortbread cookie.”

  Jaden traced her name with his index finger, thinking of her.

  “Dear Molly,” he would write, “Thanks for the cookie, it was perfect. I used the pocket knife to threaten your dad into letting me go. It didn’t work. Could you please send something bigger next time? Hope you’re well, Jaden.”

  Dear Jaden,

  Here is the biggest dictionary I could find. I’ve hollowed out the pages (wow, was that a chore!) and inserted a large and jagged rock. That ought to do the trick. There was enough room for a couple of brownies. Enjoy!

  With love,

  Molly

  Molly,

  The rock was brilliant. Rock always beats scissors, and your father is a real tool. It was pointy enough to break through paper, so I should be out of here soon. The brownies were amazing, I only wish I had some milk to go with them. Next time bring the book yourself. I can’t wait to meet you. I hope to see you soon.

  Love,

  Jaden

  Dearest Jaden,

  This is the last note sent by book. I’ll be down soon to rescue you. I can’t wait to meet you. I’ll bring a cheesecake with me. We can share a piece and then shove Dad’s face in it. Then we’ll get the hell out of there! It’s wonderful up here, you’re going to love it.

  I’ll see you soon,

  Molly

  ten

  The pending presentation explained Dalton’s many absences over the coming weeks. He popped in occasionally, once without a necktie, to review the basics with Jaden. He, Jaden, wondered if Dalton thought PK was like muscles and would lose their tone and athleticism without exercise. Jaden didn’t think of PK that way, but went along with Dalton’s ideas. It was nice to get out of his cell from time to time.

  His absence also meant he and Alan had time to spar, an activity he looked forward to. He’d gotten quite good. Because he was so aware of his surroundings, Jaden knew exactly what Alan did, even with his eyes closed.

  Alan laughed as he picked himself off the floor after Jaden threw him over his shoulder.

  “You’ve gotten strong,” Alan said, clapping Jaden’s back. “You’ve come a long way!”
He grinned at Jaden proudly.

  “Thanks,” Jaden said, exchanging a faint smile. Then he had a reckless thought.

  Alan had spent a lot of time teaching Jaden to fight and enjoyed it. Jaden knew he did it at great risk, as Dalton would not be pleased knowing Jaden could inflict harm with or without PK. He suspected Alan was uncomfortable and felt guilty about Jaden’s incarceration.

  “Alan?” Jaden said.

  “Yeah?” he said.

  “What will happen to me after the presentation?”

  Alan’s grin slid from his face like a drop of rain down glass. His big eyes were reproachful. He picked at his shirt nervously, averting his eyes.

  “What’ll happen?” Jaden asked forcefully, grabbing Alan’s elbow. “I have a right to know.”

  Alan pulled away from Jaden and stormed towards the door.

  “Damn it, tell me!” Jaden yelled.

  “I don’t know!” Alan said. “They haven’t told us. Now I need to go, I’ve already said too much.” He left without looking back.

  Jaden stormed into his bathroom and stripped off his sweaty shirt and pants, getting under the lukewarm stream of water and thinking. Alan had “said too much.” Jaden didn’t think he had said anything...

  They haven’t told us.

  Jaden was right. Dalton was not the top dog, he reported to someone. Everyone here reported to someone. This presentation wasn’t just to peers. It had Dalton in a right state, frantic, panicked, and clumsy.

  This was it. This presentation was his way out of here. It was the only way out. Jaden couldn’t believe the time had finally come.