The Secret

by A. Taylor, Taryn

  “Lanie, so nice of you to join us.” Dr. Luth raised a glass of wine over the raging fire with one hand and pointed a gun at me with the other. “When your friends called and told me to meet them here, tonight, I have to confess I wasn’t convinced you’d be here. But I’m proud of them.”

  Confusion ran through me. They called Luth?

  “Don’t worry.” His eyes were bright. “You’re going to get what you want, Lanie.”

  Everything felt like it was in slow motion. “What?”

  “To get rid of your powers—to be normal.” He spit the words out and tucked the gun behind his back. “Jake told me that’s what you wanted.”

  My heart stopped at the mention of Jake’s name. It was true—they’d betrayed me—he’d betrayed me.

  I looked over the fire and met Jake’s eyes. His jaw was tight and he shook his head back and forth. Scanning the faces of the others, I felt myself calm. Luth was lying.

  Luth followed my gaze. “Well, that’s an interesting development. You made friends with them. Isn’t that sweet?”

  Calm. Control. I turned back to him. “What do you want, Luth?”

  “To celebrate, of course. I’m getting what I want—everyone’s powers. And you’re getting what you want—to be normal.” He gave the others a patronizing look. “Yes, it is tragic that you’ve had your powers this whole time. I couldn’t take chances after you saw Lanie at the Foundation that night. I couldn’t have you poking around and asking questions. Plus, it was good for you to think you were without them for a while…and I needed time.” He put his hands in the air and looked around the cave. “But Nicholi could only do a simple block on them. We had to wait—for tonight.”

  My heart raced. “Somehow giving up my powers to you doesn’t feel quite right—does it?” I kept my voice steady and I tried to smile sinisterly back at him. “Maybe I should have stayed after you killed my father. We could have celebrated then.”

  His lip turned up. “Sorry to disappoint you, Lanie. I know your father’s death is something you’ve used to turn this gift of yours into a cross, but it wasn’t me.”

  Anger swept over me. “I was there.”

  Pointing at me, he held his glass mid-air. “No—you blacked out.”

  I glared at him, disgust and anger raging through me.

  “Don’t look at me like that, Lanie. I, personally, thought it was bad form. I thought we could use you—your powers are special.” Thoughtfully, he raised his finger. “And I couldn’t block yours, like I could your father’s—” He stopped at once, turning away from me.

  The block…the puzzle started clicking together; my father had been controlled by Nicholi. It all started to make sense now. “My father had been coming for us. And Nicholi killed him. Didn’t he?”

  Luth threw his hands up in the air. “Look, he’s the boss. It’s basic—sometimes a few have to be sacrificed for the greater good.”

  My hands started to shake. “And what good is that, Luth? What good is worth the lives of my parents?” I looked at the others. “And their parents?”

  Turning his head sharply, Luth walked over to Jake. “I didn’t kill your mother, Jake. She—she was precious to me. You have to know that. She worked with me. She helped me. I never wanted to see her dead.”

  Jake glared up at him and I saw him pulling on the ropes that bound his hands.

  Luth pulled away from Jake, gripping his glass and throwing it into the fire. “Astra inclinant sed non obligant.” He cackled like a crazy man. “It’s absurd. They thought it was about this noble thing…to make the world better. They thought they could change the world with their powers—with all of your powers.” He scanned the others. “What did they think they were—gods? That they could control everything? They were such naïve idiots.” He shook his head. “But not Nicholi. He sees the true potential of that power.” He turned back to Jake. “We’ll get your mom back, Jake. We will.”

  Sweat started streaming down my forehead. “What do you mean, Luth?”

  His eyes smoldered and his voice went low. “We all want to bring back those we love the most—and then to live with them—forever. Don’t we?”

  My heart started thumping in my chest. The portrait of the young girl came into my mind. That was why he needed my power. To bring her back. “It doesn’t work, Luth.”

  Luth smiled. “Oh, it will. Funny thing is—it might take more time now. But, since we have the book, it doesn’t matter. Nicholi is working on more spells. And, once we have that—we won’t need the Equinox.” He looked at Marsha. “Your sister just started exhibiting signs of her power. Yes, she will be very useful to us.”

  Marsha started flailing and grunting.

  Luth laughed. “I’ll put you all out of your misery in a moment.”

  My heart was pounding. It would not happen—not tonight. I started to draw a gun in the air—but, before I could finish, Luth’s eyes bulged and he grabbed his neck.

  Rob turned visible behind him with a chokehold around Luth’s neck. “I’ve been waiting to do this for a long time, Luth.”

  Shock crossed Luth’s face. He bent forward—throwing Rob over his back and into the flames of the fire.

  “Rob!” Rushing forward, I put my hand up and pictured Rob out of the fire.

  Instantly Rob’s body flew out of the flames and onto the ground at Luth’s feet, unscathed.

  Rubbing his neck, Luth’s eyes widened and he turned to me. “Your power has grown.”

  Blinking in amazement, I looked at my hand.

  “I guess we’ll start with you.” Luth closed his eyes and words that sounded like gibberish came out of his mouth.

  Cracking pain ripped through me. I clutched my left ear. It was the mark—the pain was coming from the mark.

  Luth continued, his words coming faster now—the sound of them started to rip through my whole body.

  “No!” The scream tore out of my throat.

  “Lanie!” Rob tried to stand, but Luth kicked him in the head.

  Tornado-funneling winds surrounded Luth and me. I tried to focus—but the pain started pulling me to the ground.

  Just then I saw Jake, Reed, Marsha, and Karen running toward me. Reed was holding a pocket knife in the air. “I guess you should pat down your victims before you tie them up!” He threw the knife at Luth.

  It hit Luth’s shoulder and he fell to the ground, the stream of words stopping.

  The pain instantly left me. Shaking, I stood. I knew what I had to do. I thought of Luth’s gun and put my hand out for it. Promptly, the cold metal appeared.

  “What are you doing, Lanie?” Jake was beside me. “Give me the gun.”

  I focused on Luth. “I’m acting Jake. I’m doing something about this. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

  “No, Lanie. You don’t want to do this. You’re not a killer. Put the gun down.”

  I looked at Rob, unconscious on the ground. He’d sacrificed everything to protect me. I looked at Jake and the others. I couldn’t let any of them die. “I can’t run anymore, Jake. If I don’t kill him—he’ll kill us.”

  Luth struggled to get up, holding his shoulder. “I guess I’ll do this in one fell swoop.” He started the gibberish speak again.

  This time it affected everyone. We all grabbed for the mark behind our ears and fell to the ground. Luth’s voice got louder and the pain grew, intensifying with each word. After what seemed like an eternity, I felt myself give in to it and go numb. This was it. It was over.

  “Lanie...”

  I looked up into my father’s eyes. I knew it must be a dream or a vision, but happiness filled me anyway. “Dad. You came for me.”

  He gently took my hand. “Of course I did. You’re my daughter. Now—use your powers, Lanie. You have the power to choose—choose to be free.”r />
  And then my father was gone.

  “Dad!” The pain increased and my insides felt like they were trying to get out of my skin. Focusing my mind, I thought of Luth. I thought of him flying back against the cave wall.

  Abruptly, the pain stopped.

  Luth cried out, slamming into the wall of the cave with a loud thud.

  Opening my eyes, I tried to move, but exhaustion seeped into every muscle in my body. White hovered at the edges of my vision and I wondered if I would pass out. I could hear the others moaning around me.

  “Lanie.” Turning my head, I saw Jake inching his way over to me. “Are you okay?”

  Shuffling came from Luth’s direction.

  “No.” Jake stood on wobbly legs and started toward Luth.

  As I turned onto my side, the white around my vision grew larger. I watched as Jake rammed into Luth, knocking them both to the ground. A small book fell out of Luth’s jacket and they both scrambled to get it.

  Luth grabbed Jake and punched him. “Don’t you get it—I’m doing this for us. I can bring her back to us. You’re my son, Jake. You’re mine. I wasn’t going to let you die.”

  Stunned, Jake fell back. “What?”

  Luth went for the book, and with all the energy inside of me, I imagined the pain of the wound in Luth’s shoulder intensifying.

  Screaming out in pain, he turned to me.

  I visualized the book in my hand, then felt the leathery binding against my skin.

  “No!” Luth stood, starting toward me.

  Opening my eyes, I pulled the book to me. “Don’t make me kill you, Luth.”

  Luth stopped, rocking back on his heels and seeming to weigh his options. A smile flickered across his face. “Good, Lanie. I see you’re beginning to realize your true potential.”

  “Leave…now.” I didn’t know how much longer I could hang on. Focusing on his wound again, I visualized it getting deeper.

  Wincing in pain, he turned to the others, who were starting to stand. “This isn’t over.” He looked at Jake. “I’ll have what’s mine.”

  Then, backing away…Luth turned and ran for the darkness.

  Episode 13: Wants

  Jake. The way his eyes went to shades of grey every time he looked at me, I knew he was suffering. And he wouldn’t talk to me.

  Stewart sat in the kitchen chair across from me, sipping from his steaming mug. “Are you thinking about a certain young man?”

  Pulling back from the sadness, I tried to smile.

  When I didn’t respond, Stewart leaned forward. “My lake house would be a nice break from all of this.”

  Letting out my breath, I stood—ignoring his comment.

  He watched as I rinsed my plate and put it in the dishwasher.

  I felt guilty. Stewart wanted us to leave—hide at his lake house. And he’d been doing so much for us—sitting by Mom all day and then helping Rob work on the language software at night. “Stewart—I’m sorry, but we can’t leave. Mom…she’s going to wake up soon and she needs the care she gets at the Facility.”

  Stewart sighed. “I know. She will wake up. I believe that.”

  Loud pounding thumped through the kitchen.

  I reached for the door, swinging it wide. “Seriously, do you have to break the house down?”

  Heading straight for the counter, Reed poked me in the arm. “Food—I need food. Don’t bother holding the door; Jake’s going to be late today. And Marsha and Karen are driving in Marsha’s car.” Picking up a plate and loading it with eggs, pancakes, and bacon, Reed nodded at Stewart. “I didn’t like you, at first, but the food has definitely improved since you’ve been here—I’ll give ya that.”

  Stewart smiled in amusement. “You’ve grown on me, too…like the smell of sour mold.”

  “Ha, a…that’s funny. Mold can’t go sour. I get it.”

  Rob walked into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes and glaring at Reed. “Can you be any louder?”

  Reed thumped his chest. “Hey—just because you and Karen stay up half the night doesn’t mean the rest of society should have to be quiet at 7:30 in the morning. I’ve already run five miles this morning—what have you done?”

  Cocking his head to the side and giving Reed an irritated look, Rob started piling food on a plate. “Some of us are doing something important—like important for your survival kind of thing, if you haven’t noticed.” He cleared his throat with exaggeration—he hated it when Reed teased him about his relationship with Karen. “Some of us have a focus right now…” He broke off, dropping his plate and leaning against the counter for support.

  I went to his side, worrying over him. “Are you okay?”

  Stewart stood, walking to Rob and putting his hand on his other shoulder. “Son, this stuff takes a while. You’ve been working yourself like a dog for a week. Believe me—the software you are developing is more advanced than anything I’ve seen. You have talent. You’ve got to have patience.”

  Rob let out his breath, but he smiled at Stewart. “Thanks.” The compliment meant a lot coming from Stewart.

  Shoving the last pancake into his mouth, Reed wiped his face with the back of his hand. “So, you’re basically no further than before.”

  Scowling at him, Stewart shook his head. “No—he’s a lot further than we were a week ago. I just wish I could stick around to help him.”

  I turned to him. “Where are you going?”

  “They usually don’t pull their consultants in—but something is going on and I’ve been summoned to Washington.” He glanced at Reed. “I was going to suggest a group meeting tonight. I’ll cook.”

  Reed snorted and rinsed his hands in the sink. “I’m in.” Then he turned to Stewart—like something had just occurred to him. “Are you some type of spy or something?”

  Rolling his eyes, Stewart picked up Reed’s dishes. “I break spies.”

  Marsha sniffed and looked around the lunch room. She was like a bottle rocket ready to explode with the slightest touch. “I want to leave.” Bumping my shoulder, she pulled my attention back to the group. “We are like sitting ducks here, just waiting to be taken or killed. I can’t even think clearly enough to pick out a decent prom date. No offense, Reed.”

  “Ahem,” Reed said, spitting his tongue at Marsha. “I wasn’t going to ask you anyway.”

  I frowned. “Keep your voices down. We’ve talked about this, Marsha. We need to decode the book and get your powers back. That’s the only thing that will protect us.”

  I closed my eyes and turned my attention back to the Twinkie inside Reed’s brown lunch sack.

  He reached inside for the Twinkie and I exploded it all over his hand.

  “Ahh—Lanie! I wanted to eat that!” But his eyes were happy and he laughed like a little boy discovering he could fry ants on an ant hill with a microscope.

  Pleasure rushed through me and I felt as though I was showing off a new magic trick. “Cool, huh?” I smiled at him, reflecting that it’d been fun, lately, exploring my powers. For the first time in my life I wanted to know what they could do—really do. And Reed was the perfect person to explore them with. He’d spent hours with me, experimenting.

  Leaning forward, his eyes turned conspiratorial. “You know what I want? I want you to do something to Jake when he sits down.” He put his Twinkified hand on top of mine and gulped back a laugh. “Make milk go up his nose—that would be sick!”

  Marsha’s hand pounded between us. “You get mad at me for talking about this at school, and here you are, playing childish pranks like a bunch of juveniles.” Scowling, she looked between us and sighed. “I don’t understand why Mr. Drake won’t leave. He’s holding us back.”

  Karen tapped her iPad. “Marsha—has your sister said when she’s coming out here?”

&nbs
p; Marsha leaned back, pulling her drink to her lips. “No—the Foundation has been hush-hush. They’ve told everyone Luth’s taking a leave of absence. She doesn’t think it’s safe to leave, yet.”

  I crossed my arms. “Yeah, they’ve got one thing right—Luth’s probably exhausted from trying to kill us.”

  Marsha shrugged and said, “I get that Mr. Drake doesn’t want to uproot his family—but this…this is our lives. Why doesn’t he just tell them?”

  I gave her a ‘simmer down’ kind of look. “We all keep secrets. That’s life.”

  She raised her eyebrows at me in question.

  Pushing my hair behind my ear, I sighed. “Plus, Luth could be watching us right now. We’re not safe anywhere. The key is being able to fight back.”

  Jake sat down beside me and I could immediately feel his suffering start to resonate through me.

  “Hey,” I said, giving Reed a slight shake of my head, and sucking in my bottom lip. Jake would not think the milk thing was funny right now. I wanted to reach out to him, make him talk to me about how he was feeling.

  Jake picked up his milk and started drinking.

  Reed’s face pleaded at me. “Oh—c’mon.”

  I shook my head again.

  Moaning, Reed took a gulp of his own milk.

  I mentally pushed the milk up inside of Reed’s nose then put my hand over my face, trying not to explode with laughter.

  Snorting and coughing ensued and Reed pointed at me. “You did NOT!”

  Marsha stood, picking up her bag with a look of disgust on her face. “I should just go back to Boston—it’d be better than all of this waiting.”

  Reed coughed, but turned to her. “Lanie’s right—no one knows where Luth is, Marsha. Tell your sister to get her butt out here. She needs to be with the rest of us.”