Talent Storm, page 12
I shivered at the similarity to Ben’s last words. All this time his dad was right about how important talent was. I nodded to him, not knowing what to say and moved off into the crowd, where I found Danessa. Her typical wry expression was now stark.
“Hey kiddo, how are you holding up?” she asked.
I shook my head, knowing that I wasn’t doing well. “It’s been tough, Danessa. I’m glad I still have you.” I hugged her.
“I’m glad I have you too.”
We held each other until a bell tolled. It was time. We took our seats. After a few people spoke, it was my turn. Releasing Danessa’s hand, I made my way to the podium. I stood before the audience and surveyed those in attendance. Ben’s parents, dressed in black, sat slumped. Lilly sat with a couple who must have been her parents, her eyes lowered, biting her lip.
Seeing her there, I knew I couldn’t help but be with her. She was all I ever wanted. I wasn’t a good person, but maybe I could become one. I’d have to apologize after my speech.
I spotted Jasmine in the back row, looking stunning in her black dress. Despite her exotic beauty, I wouldn’t choose her over Lilly in a million years. After my eyes landed on the Melmens, I noticed their daughter, a cute, pale-faced redhead. I thought of my conversation with Ben so long ago and nearly smiled. Embarrassed, my face hardened into a frown.
Clearing my throat, I steeled myself before beginning my speech. I wouldn’t break down. “I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to speak today, but I’m glad I’m making the effort. I stand before you on this tragic day, a tragedy brought to us by lawlessness, by scum. As a child, I believed we were safe in the city, somehow free of the outside horrors. Now, I realize that we aren’t safe. If we want to be free, to live and to love, we must fight for it. We must work hard to protect our friends and loved ones. I must work hard.”
I saw my Instructor nod. “Ben was my best friend and what happened was terrible. It eats me up inside every day that I couldn’t stop it, that I couldn’t save him.” My voice quivered, my eyes watering. “Every day, I blame myself... Mr. and Ms. Lockhart, I’m so sorry, if only I could have stopped them. If I was just a little stronger... a little more focused...” I turned away hiding my flowing tears. “I’m sorry...,” I said, then ran from the podium, unable to continue. When I was well away from everyone, in an open field, I stopped to let my tears flow freely.
After sometime, a human shadow slid up in front of me, and I flinched. Lilly? Glancing up, my eyebrows rose. Jasmine stood before me, wringing her hands. My face grew hot, and I turned away to hide my tears.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“No.”
I jumped as her hands surrounded me, then settled against her. She already saw me crying. What did it matter now? It just felt comforting to be near someone.
“I’m so sorry for what happened to Ben,” she said.
“It’s been rough,” I said through tears. “I’m just trying to get through these days. Thanks for coming to see me.”
“No problem. I guess as a healer, I always want to make people feel better.”
I wished she were Lilly. “Thanks. You are.” She held me back, then abruptly leaned in, her soft lips pressing against mine. I pulled back. What was she— “You Pig!” I jumped at hearing a woman shout near us. Lilly stood with her arms crossed, her brow furrowed, and her mouth clamped. She huffed, then stomped away.
I threw up my hands. “She kissed me,” I said. “I didn’t do anything.”
Jasmine faced me. “Are you guys going out or something?”
“I wish, but we keep having problems and misunderstandings.”
“That happens with my boyfriend and me sometimes.”
I gapped at her. “Boyfriend? Why did you kiss me?”
She shrugged. “I just thought it would make you feel better.”
“Talent.” I covered my face and shook my head. “Just leave me alone.”
“Sorry,” she mumbled and walked away.
☼☼☼
Late that night, I hunched in the corner of my bedroom in my wicker chair. Questions kept stomping in my mind, making sleep impossible. Would Lilly forgive me? Would Ben’s parents have shaken my hand if they’d known what really happened? What would Danessa have thought if she heard Ben beg for his life? Thank Talent she stopped reading my thoughts. I could never reveal the truth, but I wouldn’t forget it. My instructor was right. If I wanted to protect those I loved, I needed to sharpen my skills and meet my potential. Maybe I’d even beat Sid after a while. He needed to be put in his place.
Feeling resolute after my decision, my mind cleared. I yawned and stretched, cracking my back. It was time to sleep; it was time to move forward. That night I dreamed of my parents.
CHAPTER 8
The next morning I rose early. I picked up cracker wrappers, then swept up the glass. After righting the lamp and piling my laundry, I showered and shaved. Then I spiked up my hair before spending a few minutes admiring my now clean chiseled jaw-line and captivating eyes. After I was satisfied with my appearance, I dressed in a crisp, clean uniform and departed for class. I wondered what it would be like to return. Would people think poorly of me? Would it be hard to catch up with the class?
When I arrived at the facility, I walked down the halls viewing the pictures of former exemplary students and instructors with new meaning. How many of these students had died protecting the Coalition? How many of them had lost friends and loved ones?
Upon entering the class, I scanned the room. Danessa, who sat in the back, met my eyes and smiled. I winked in return. A few seats from her, sat Sid. My scowl was met with a smirk.
“Jaden,” said Sid. “Nice of you to return to your required duty. We haven’t seen you in a while. It’s good to see you though.”
I squinted at him. Was he serious?
“So I can humiliate you again,” he said.
Of course he wasn’t. He laughed, his belly jiggling. His new buddies snickered along with him.
“You didn’t see me, but I’ve seen you...”
The class turned to me.
“Three nights ago, you left your dorm in a sundress and red stiletto heels. Talk about humiliating.”
The entire class broke out into laughter. Even Deo smirked.
Sid’s round cheeks grew rosy. “That never happened,” he said through clenched teeth. “You filthy Wilder!”
“Quiet Sid and grow up,” said Deo. “His friend was killed by a Wilder. Show some respect. We’re all on the same side here. Remember that.” He faced me. “It’s good to have you back Jaden.”
Sid scowled, massaged his temples, and lowered his eyes. When I faced Lilly, she looked away crossing her arms. I frowned, feeling my stomach sink. I’d stop by her room after class to apologize.
The remaining few students shuffled in. After everyone was seated, the Instructor cleared his throat. I turned forward, my pen ready, giving him my full attention.
☼☼☼
After class, I visited Lilly’s room, but she wasn’t there. Waiting for her forgiveness was torture. The next morning, on our day off, I went to see her again. She was gone again. I couldn’t take it. I paced around the halls, chewing on my lip, lost in thought and mired in anxiety before finally returning to my room.
I drank a glass of water and ate some crackers. My intercom buzzed, and my eyes jerked toward it. Who was calling? I walked over and pressed a red button, accepting the call.
“Jaden, it’s Lilly.”
Lilly! Finally! “Lilly, can I come by? I want to talk about—”
“There’s no time for that,” she said. “Security will be at your room any second.”
My stomach soured familiarly.
“Tell them you were practicing with me all day.”
Before I could respond, the intercom shut down. Perspiration dotted my forehead. What did they want from me? Maybe I could exit the window. When I took a step toward it, pounding on the door froze me in place.
“It’s security. Open up.”
I inhaled slowly and deeply. Fleeing was stupid anyway. They’d find me eventually. I reluctantly opened the door. Two burly security guards stood before me.
“It was reported that you stole Peacemaker from Instructor Deo.”
I flinched back, my brow furrowing. What? I didn’t expect that. “I didn’t take anything.”
Despite my assertion, I looked around the room. When my eyes passed my bed, they shot open. An iron fist at the end of a rough handle stuck out from my covers.
The security guards’ eyes followed mine. “What’s that?”
“I didn’t take that. I don’t know how it got here.”
“Sure.”
One security guard stepped over to the bed before pulling Peacemaker from it. He gasped as the mace ripped from his hands and slammed on the ground with a thud.
“Damn this thing is heavy. Help me with this.”
The other guard walked over, grabbed one end, and together they slowly hefted the huge mace, their faces growing red with the effort. The wooden floor had a deep dent where one flange craved into it. The two men shuffled by me, their breathing labored.
“Follow us. The Instructor wants to see you,” one managed to say.
I lowered my head and followed the men. When we reached the Instructor’s office, we entered.
“Jaden,” Deo said. “Have a seat. He waited until I sat in front of his desk before continuing. “I received a disturbing report that seems to have been true.”
He grabbed the offered mace with one hand, his arm glowing purple. The guards stepped away, breathing heavily, sweat on their brows.
I clenched my jaw, shaking my head. “I didn’t take it. Why would I want your mace?”
He squinted. “It is quite famous. Where were you earlier today?”
“I was practicing with Lilly all day. I just got back to my room when security showed up.” Did her warning mean she forgave me? Maybe she was so attracted to me that she couldn’t resist.
“Where?”
“In her room,” I said. She didn’t specify. Hopefully we were on the same page.
The Instructor nodded toward one of the security guards.
The guard activated the intercom. “It’s security.”
“Yes.” Lilly’s sweet voice sounded through the device.
“Is it true that Jaden Stone was with you all day today?”
“Yeah, we had a great time today. Why, what’s going on?”
“Don’t worry about that. Where were you and what were you doing together?”
“We were practicing in my room all day. Tell me what’s going on.”
“It’s nothing. Sorry to bother you.” He clicked off the intercom.
The Instructor cleared his throat, and I turned back to him. “I didn’t think you’d take it anyway. I have an idea of how it got there.”
I jumped up, my chair falling behind me with a thud. “Sid!” I marched to the door, my body sparking green. “This time he’s gone too far.”
“Stop,” Deo said.
Refusing to listen, I strode closer to the exit before reaching for the knob. Suddenly, my hand froze, inches from the door. Stubbornly, I strained to reach the knob until sweat ran down my sides. Then I slowly and involuntarily rotated an inch off the ground, feeling the influence of the Iron Will.
He stared at me with his cold blue eyes. “Do not get revenge.”
Squeezing my fists, I huffed loudly. “Fine.”
“This feud of yours ends now. If Sid wants to be punished, let him dig his own grave but don’t retaliate.”
With my mouth set in a thin line, I turned before exiting his office. I seethed at his control over me as I plodded back to my room, my head low. When I noticed Lilly walking toward me, my face suddenly softened.
I waved. “Hey, Lilly. Thanks for helping me out back there.”
She eyed me, crossing her arms. “It wasn’t right for Sid to frame you. Besides, as much as I hate you, I hate Sid more.”
I gapped at her, thinking of something to say.
My hesitation must have annoyed her. She huffed, throwing her arms up, then stomped off.
“Wait.”
She slowed, then wheeled around before stomping up to me. “What?”
“Sorry,” I said, momentarily lowering my eyes.
She pitched forward, glaring at me. “For telling me to go away when I was trying to comfort you? Or for kissing Jasmine? Or worst of all, for not remembering our night at the park?”
My skin tingled, sending a shiver through me. She remembered. Did that mean she’d been thinking about me all these years? I met her alluring dark eyes, feeling more confident. “I loved that night at the park.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I wanted to see you after that, but you disappeared.”
She looked down, shaking her head. “I know. My dad got a new job in Alliance City. I didn’t know how to find you.”
“It doesn’t matter now. Our day at the park was the best day of my life. I want a thousand more with you.”
She smiled broadly, her dimples brightening her face. “Really?”
I stepped closer and clasped her hands. “Yes.”
She pulled away, her brow furrowing. “What about Jasmine?”
“There’s nothing between us. She only kissed me because she felt bad for me. I didn’t want her to and pulled away as soon as she did. She has a boyfriend anyway.”
She shook her head. “That’s weird.”
“It is. Right?”
“You and Danessa are just friends?”
I nodded. “Just friends. I only want to be with you.”
Her smile beamed with delight. “I want to be with you too.”
She took my hands, leaning close, her lavender perfume exciting me. She closed her big eyes before tilting her head up with puckered full lips. My desire battled my anxiety, and I hesitated. After a moment though, I leaned in and thanked my desire for winning.
“Ooo, what are you guys doing? Something inappropriate it appears.”
I pulled away an instant before my lips touched Lilly’s. Sid. Damn him. Lilly’s face grew red as she looked down. Whirling around, I clenched my fists. It was bad enough that he set me up. Interrupting a kiss from Lilly was the last straw.
Raising my balled fists, I flexed my telekinetically enhanced muscles. “I’ve had enough of you. Let’s see whose better, once and for all.”
He shrugged before removing his glasses. “I would like nothing better than to destroy you.” He raised his now glowing blue hands, his jaw clenched. “Bring it.”
Just as I was about to strike him, I felt Lilly’s hand on my shoulder. “Jaden, it’s not worth it. Let’s go for a walk.”
I open and closed my fist once, grilling Sid.
“Please.”
At her tone, my anger melted away. Nothing could have stopped me from destroying him, nothing but her request. Besides, I’d soon get my chance to fight him in The Ring. I slowly turned from Sid, breaking eye contact at the last second. With our backs turned on him, Lilly and I walked away.
“I thought so,” he called after us.
For an instant, I wanted to charge him but decided against it. It was much nicer to walk with Lilly.
☼☼☼
A week later, Lilly and I sat on a large blanket, eating dinner in the park. We had been together every day since our confessions. When I was with her, I felt like a different person, one who didn’t lose his best friend a few weeks ago. When alone, especially at night, I was haunted by guilt and horrible images.
“It’s beautiful out today,” Lilly said, pulling me into the present.
I smiled and then gazed into her dark brown eyes. “Thanks to you it is.”
She blushed before lowering her head, grinning.
“What do you do for fun now that you’re all grown up?” I asked.
She angled her head, her hair swinging to the side. “Steal, cheat, and smash mailboxes.”
“What? Did you break your own?”
“I couldn’t help it. Sometimes I fly into rages.”
I raised my eyebrows. “I’ll have to be careful around you.”
“Yes. You better.”
We exchanged smiles, captured by each other’s eyes.
“Hey guys, what are you doing?” someone asked next to us.
My gaze jerked toward the direction of the speaker. Danessa stood a few feet from us, twirling her hair.
“Hey, Danessa,” Lilly and I both said.
She flashed me a sideways smile. “Jaden, your eyes look stunning in this sun.”
I felt my face flush as I glanced at Lilly’s frown. Danessa pointed at our lunch. “Having a little picnic? Are you guys on a date or something?” She smiled devilishly.
Lilly looked away, blushing.
I stared blankly at Danessa, not knowing what to say.
“Ooo, it is. Lilly and Jaden sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, first comes love—”
I waved my hand, shaking my head. “All right, come on Danessa, enough.”
She pouted. “Aww, somebody’s sensitive. Giving up on me already?”
Lilly squinted at me, pressing her lips together.
“What?” I asked. “We haven’t been together in years. And, if I remember correctly, you’re the one who broke up with me.”
“I know, I’m just kidding. Have fun you two,” she said and walked off.
A distance away, Danessa turned back with a frown focused solely on Lilly. She glared for a moment, then left.
Lilly glowered back, her brow furrowed. “Sometimes she gets to me.”
“She’s just kidding around. Don’t worry about her.” Gently touching Lilly’s thigh, I brought her attention back to me. “Let’s enjoy our day.”
She smiled broadly at me, once again her cheerful self. “I’d love to.”
We enjoyed the rest of our meal in the sun, as if Danessa had never intruded before going our separate ways for the night.
☼☼☼
I lay on the cold ground, in a dark forest, staring at the black sky. No leaves rustled, no sticks cracked, and no birds sang. The ominous silence weighed on me, filling me with dread. I propped myself up to scan the area. Thick, gnarled trees surrounded me like a cage, and a blanket of gray fog hung in the air, distorting my vision.
