Illusionary

by LeAnn Mason

  The room exploded in noise and movement. Devlin and Dane shot up from their chairs and began launching booming questions at the commander, while Steve and Trent took a quieter, though no less urgent approach.

  Not Jade though. No, she and Holden remained sitting to either side of me. She sat, turned sideways in her metal chair to better gape at me. She was struggling. Once again, I had not told her something of major importance. Her brow was furrowed, her mouth turned down and her mind working overtime. Holden watched and listened to the commotion around the room. Watching, waiting to see if he would be needed to break up anything that escalated.

  The whole room faded out of my conscience as I tried to implore Jade about my part in this.

  "Jade, I didn't know the whole of it—" I stopped, wondering how to explain that I knew, but I didn't know. "I saw a nanosecond of thought from Commander James last night at the hospital, that's it." I pleaded, trying to convey the truth of my position through my eyes, my face, my emotions.

  Jade sat back in her chair, about as far from me as she could get without physically moving from the seat. Her eyes were still worried, as were her thoughts, but as our silent communication continued, I saw her relax. She looked down at hands which were knotted in her lap, chewing on her bottom lip before taking a heavy breath, finally letting her body sag in relief.

  "Okay. I get it. You knew, but you didn't know." Deep breath. "And didn't want to say anything to get my hopes up." She nodded, still looking down at her fidgeting hands. Finally she looked up, her eyes now pleading with me. "No more, Nat. No more secrets. We're in this together. Completely."

  I brightened and nodded vigorously. I was choking up, but I couldn't lose it now, not here. Not in front of my new team. I needed to be strong so they didn't turn on me. They knew the stakes now though.

  We might not like each other, but I didn't think anyone wanted to be the reason that Enhanced had to stay locked away. We all had the same goal now, as if the safety of our town wasn't incentive enough, and we needed to show that we were effective. Enhanced who strayed from the moral path and brought harm could be caught, could be stopped.

  "If we’re all done gaping and chin-wagging," Commander James said, his deep voice rumbling through the space. I was fairly confident that if the room weren't filled to the brim, that his words would have echoed a good while. It slowly quieted as everyone realized there was more to learn. Everyone was enthralled now. The commander had effectively captivated us all.

  Commander James surveyed each of us, drawing out anticipation and putting everyone on edge, except me. The good commander had not yet mastered shielding and was concentrating way too hard on the current conversation to keep from broadcasting his thoughts.

  I heard everything loud and clear, but once again, I didn't say anything. It was not my place, and he hadn't pissed me off to the point I didn't care about etiquette or his privacy, so I sat quietly, leaning back in my rickety chair with arms folded across my chest, and just waited.

  "Yes, this team is like a test. The ninn--" cough, "the Non-Enhanced in power within the country at the moment see that global connectivity has virtually eliminated our exile. The relative secret of the Enhanced. There are now many NEs choosing to live within our walls and even more who take the position that it is civilly criminal to treat us as threats without proof or prior offense."

  "Hot damn! I knew we'd break through!" Trent was lit up like a firework. His eyes alight, a huge grin splitting his face. "I knew social media would be our savior. Gain the sympathy of the masses, and the government will fold." He scoffed. "So predictable."

  "Well, it worked in our favor, why do you care though?" Steve jeered.

  "I’m just as stuck here as you are." Trent continued, his attention back on Commander James. "I'm assuming this is privileged information."

  "You would be correct. No one is to learn of this. There would be upheaval. Whether they wanted the opportunity, or feared it, we would have chaos." Commander James began picturing riots and attempts to forcefully leave Minefield, making him grow pensive.

  "Commander, you do realize those reactions you are envisioning, they will happen no matter what? There will be no ‘single file line’ going on." I raised my eyebrows and looked around the table, everyone was now riveted back on me. "We will have our hands full when this comes to fruition, our people don't—won't—know how to handle freedom."

  I took a deep breath whispering the truth I hadn't thought about as a negative before. "Everything will change."

  The meeting settled down a bit after that. There was still plenty of excitement, but it was tempered with thoughts of how this would all play out. There were so many variables. The whole thing may have hinged on our success, but that was far from the end of the battle.

  Once we had the go ahead to integrate into Non-Enhanced societies, we would then have the monumental task of learning how to live in the world. Learn to live among people who were not like us, people who may fear us. It was the fear I was most worried about, as should we all.

  Wars were waged, and genocides attempted out of fear.

  Once Commander James was able to bring attention back to the present and our current challenges, he told us to be back at the gym at “zero eight hundred” to begin training. I had forgotten about the military time clock. I really needed to get the conversion down so I wasn't early or, more likely, late for training in the future.

  We were told to wear clothes we could easily move in, running shoes, and to bring an overnight bag. Then we were dismissed to go on our merry way for the evening. Holden stood and accompanied Jade and me on our walk back to my house.

  The walk began as a rather tense experience. Jade and I more so than Holden. He and his uncle had spoken on the matter previously. Who better to tell than someone who couldn’t speak, didn't hurt that he was also family. I had my headphones in, completely lost in my own head and the pulsing beat, at times watching the cars and bikes, the people, as we walked.

  People were so open, using their enhancements without thought or trepidation. We knew what to expect here. In the real world, we would be like children experiencing the big city for the first time. It reminded me of that movie where the kid gets left behind when his family goes on vacation.

  It would be a new freedom, and like children, we would push boundaries and explore limitations to see what we could get away with. Not everyone would test limits, that was true, but enough would that it might make our integration that much harder. Add in the fact that not everyone would want to leave. Would they have the option to stay?

  I was so lost in my thoughts that when my headphones were ripped from my ears, my consuming melody falling away, I jumped sideways straight into Holden. He wrapped his hand around my elbow to steady me as we continued walking. I cast a quick glance at him, giving a small smile of gratitude.

  "So what do you think of everything going on now, Captain?" Jade asked through a knowing grin while twirling my headphones about her fingers playfully. "You obviously saw this coming," she chided.

  "I think that proving ourselves capable of handling one or two rogue Enhanced at a time will not prepare us, or the Non-Enhanced for the…enthusiasm and ignorance the Enhanced will display once we are freed. Our segregation has made us prisoners. Some of us may not adapt well," I declared solemnly. "What about you, Holden? You knew well before me, and more in depth, I assume," I said, switching my attention his way.

  I couldn't say anything. You have to know that.

  I nodded. "What do you know about it?"

  "What did he say?" Jade asked.

  I totally forgot that she couldn't hear him, and that made me flush. I felt the heat radiate from the tips of my ears as I relayed to Jade what Holden had said.

  She nodded thoughtfully, and with a look which said she understood his decision.

  I shifted back to Holden, "So?"

  So, I know basically what we were told today, just…sooner.

  "Does your uncle realize the effec
t this news will have on the general population of Minefield? On other Enhanced communities?"

  He knows adjustments will need to be made. He has spoken to the council about steps that need to be taken prior to actual cohabitation, should we make it that far.

  Jade cleared her throat, her non-verbal reminder that she was not privy to our conversation. She was also growling at me in her mind. I chuckled at her impatience and relayed what Holden had just said. Once again, she nodded thoughtfully, happy to be in the conversation.

  Our chatting continued all the way home. I had to stop thinking of it as mine. I would soon be relocating to a frat house, as I had dubbed it, to live with the other members of the team. Another measure taken to ensure cohesion. Didn't they realize it was more likely that the close quarters would end in some form of a showdown? Hadn't they ever watched those reality TV shows? This is the kind of stuff that brought in the big ratings. Come to think of it, I wondered how no one had exploited that little niche market yet.

  Best not to explore that thought as I'd hate to see it brought to light.

  Holden walked Jade and me past the vibrant flower beds planted at the base of the steps and onto the porch where Jade excused herself and headed into the house. "What's for dinner, Mrs. Dae? It smells fantastic!" I heard my mother answer we were having roasted chicken and potatoes. The smells wafting through the open doorway were once again mouth watering.

  I stood awkwardly on the porch facing Holden, not wanting to leave, but not sure what to say. He seemed to be having the same problem, as we continued to stand in silence. His mind was a jumble, though, and I let a chuckle tumble out listening to his mental tennis match. Should he or should he not kiss me? So I took the decision away from him, leaning in and lifting onto tiptoe, I snuck a fast one on him. Just a quick peck to show him my affection.

  "I'll see you in the morning," I said as I reached for the screen door and pulled it open, a self-conscious smile on my face as I looked back over my shoulder. He was still standing where I left him, staring after me, with his fingertips pressed to his lips.

  Tomorrow.

  Then the screen door slapped closed and I walked into the living room, leaving Holden alone on the porch. After a moment, he turned and headed back down the steps and away from the house. I released the breath I had been holding and fell onto the couch, closing my eyes and laying my head to rest along the back of the furniture. So much to think about.

  "Hey there, kiddo." My dad sat next to me on the couch as the cushions depressed, causing me to fall to the left and into the newly created indent.

  Sprawled into Connor Dae's side, I closed my eyes once again and wrapped my arms around his waist. "I'll miss you, Dad."

  "Oh, Nat, we won't be but a ways away," he said as he stroked my hair. "I'm proud of you. You'll be so good at this." I looked up into his smiling face and warm hazel eyes. I needed this. I needed my dad, and I wasn't sure how I would get along without him, so I melted into his side, enjoying his embrace and the comforting silence he afforded me.

  CHAPTER 20

  MORNING CAME ALL TOO soon, and zero seven hundred…earlier. I felt as though I had just laid my head on my pillow, when I was jolted awake by the blaring screech of the alarm clock pulsing its re-occurring beep bouncing around the confines of my room. Definitely not the sound I preferred to wake to.

  I rolled out of bed and began my morning ritual of rushing about, trying to get all that I needed done and get out the door early enough to not be late for my first official training day. Without Jade here to prod me into oblivion, my wake-up routine was back to chaos.

  Luckily I wasn't one for fashion, so my wardrobe was filled with semi-appropriate clothing to "train" in. The house was quiet except for the distant tones of my mother's thoughts while she worked in her gadget room.

  I hopped across the hall and finished readying: brushing the snarls out of my too long sandy blonde hair and pulling it up into a trademark ponytail. They're just so practical. I brushed my teeth and decided to swipe a coat of mascara over my eyelashes in an attempt to look a little more alert. It definitely brightened the blue-green of my eyes but did nothing to dispel the dark bruise like coloration below them. Oh well, it'll have to do.

  By the time I emerged from the bathroom, I had about four minutes to get my butt out the door. The walk to the facility would take at least fifteen minutes and the clock in the kitchen read 7:37. I popped a piece of bread into the toaster and pulled out the butter from the fridge. I swiped honey from the pantry when the toast popped up. I quickly added my toppings and grabbed a bottle of water, shoving my feet into my tennis shoes as I reached the door and pulled it open with one hand.

  I squealed and dropped both the bottle of water as well as the toast I had been gripping with my teeth. Holden stood on the porch, a small smirk on his lips and a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he appraised his handiwork of scaring the crap out of me.

  Morning. His hands were shoved deeply into jean pockets, his shoulders scrunched almost to his ears as he rocked back on his heels before tipping back forward. He looked so good, standing there all innocent-like on my front porch. Like he wasn't sure of the reception he would receive.

  His demeanor was almost childlike, though nothing else about him could be confused for anything other than a virile male. Ugh, Nat! Pull your head out! I shook my head to dispel the distracting feelings, though the smoldering look in his vibrant blue eyes showed he knew my thoughts.

  His black V-neck shirt was tight and left little to the imagination. Realizing I was once again sidetracked by all that was Holden, I blinked rapidly and looked away from his shirt, into his face. I needed to show that I could have a perfectly controlled conversation with his body—I mean, him. Him. I could hold a conversation with him.

  "What are you doing here?"

  Holden's mirth dimmed at my curt question. I came by to escort you to training. You know, make sure you made it on time. The laughter was back in his eyes by the end of his statement. It made me smile, just a little.

  I crossed my arms at my chest. "Don't trust me to get there on my own, huh?"

  Where's your overnight bag? He raised his eyebrows in question, knowing full well that I had forgotten.

  "Damn it." I opened the door and waved him in as I turned on my heel and trudged back to my room, deciding to nosh on the floor toast as I went. The ten second rule applies after all, and in a Sage house, it could be indefinite. I now had about two minutes to leave and know for sure I wouldn't be late. I grabbed my backpack, shoving in a change of clothes, including undies, then ran to the bathroom and gathered essentials. Given my rushed timeframe, I was sure I missed something, but I'd worry about it later. Now, I needed to leave so I could arrive on time.

  Turns out "training" meant running the Sages until we puked. At least, that's how it started. Commander James was letting Devlin handle the physical portion of our assessment. All the disdain from yesterday was back, and then some. He really hated that we Sages, and even Trent, had just about zero fitness capabilities.

  Jade was severely asthmatic, Steve had a heart murmur and Trent, well, Trent was just out of shape. I had no room to talk. I didn't have any major physical ailments which kept me from exercise. No, it was just that I didn't want to broadcast my differences to other Sage. I guess I needed to stop thinking like that.

  I wasn't Sage, not fully anyway. I was a hybrid. I could do this training thing. Eventually. So as Jade puffed her inhaler in huge gulps and Steve and Trent panted with me, recovering from their bouts of vomiting, I vowed to do all in my power to transcend the Sage label.

  I needed to be more, to be me. With everything that entailed, even if I didn't know what that meant yet or that my jellified legs and cramping sides were telling me it was going to be a long, hard road.

  I still needed to try to keep my healing abilities under wraps, at least for now. There was just too much animosity within the team, and that little bit of knowledge would only drive the wedge deeper, though,
it may give Devlin and Steve some common ground. We would see if I could trust this team with my secret if we ever got past the divide of Sage versus Primal and were just Enhanced, or better yet—human. So I drew myself up through the pain that rocked my chest and legs, and waited for the next test.

  The Sages continued to fail the tests that were presented. Pull ups? Nope. Ten push-ups? Nuh uh. Most of us did manage to hold the plank position for a minute, the first time. While I was strong, I was most definitely not in shape so my capacity was flimsy. Finally, Devlin had enough and threw up his hands in both defeat and disgust. He eyed all of us with barely concealed contempt, his blond hair long since disheveled from all the times he'd pushed his hands through the locks and grabbed hold as if he wanted to rip it out by the roots.

  "We're done," he growled at us.

  "Thank God." Trent breathed and flopped backward onto the blue squishy mat we were currently sprawled upon in various poses of defeat and recovery. I didn't fail as hard as Jade and Steve, though Trent outpaced me in some areas. I guess I fell in the middle of our pathetic ranks in terms of current ability. I knew I needed to rock this. The faster the better, so I vowed to work on training my body the way I had been taught to always expand my mind. I was strong, but I had no endurance or technique.

  Here, in the confines of this sweat and heat filled center for physical excellence, I could truly explore my physical limits like I never could in the open. My parents had decided long ago, with the route our town had taken to separate within itself, that it would be best to not broadcast my differences, to not remind everyone that I was more.

  But here, in the situation which I willingly put myself, I could bridge the divide. I could be both Sage and Primal. I could be useful, pivotal even. A lynch pin. Maybe we could begin to mend the divide the Enhanced found themselves in.

  Someone snapped their fingers in my face. The loud sound, coupled with the gesture performed directly in my sight line was an effective tool for getting attention. Steve stood to my right, smiling like I had just gifted him with ammunition for many jokes to come.