In the year 3112, over one hundred children were selected a year after they learned to walk, and given a special “virus”. Of all the ones selected, only thirteen reacted to it: Seven girls and six boys. The children who had no reaction were sent back home to live with their families. The children that did react, each had a different power based on the most intriguing, and crucial points in their family history, although none of them were related. Two with Royal Spanish Blood: José Comete and Ynes Mexía. Two of Swedish Hierarchy: Alexander Sandberg, and Ellie Dalin. Two from Italian Mafias: Jack ‘The Ripper’ Hawker, and Foca ‘The Reaper’ Bavaro. Two with very Biblical pasts: Jahmni Tobias and Destiny Riley. Two from the line of King George: Morgan Pratt and Julia Langsdale. Three from American History: Two from the civil war, Aura Lee, and Tyler Willis; one from World War II, Melanni Shannon.
Each of these Thirteen had a special talent given to them at a very young age: Aura was the first to undergo tests, and gained the ability to fly. Then Tyler with the ability to actually speak to machines, and understand their noise. Melanni could read minds and feel other people's pain. Quite literally. Jahmni gained the ability of healing through touch. Destiny could breathe underwater for long periods of time until she became exhausted. Morgan got the power of voice, and the ability to persuade. Julia got an understanding of advanced sciences, and mechanics. Ynes could speak to animals of all kinds. José could see long distances at will, and plan aerial strikes without using spyware. Alexander could use Black Magic and summon the spirits of the dead. Ellie could use Celestial Magic, and summon the beings in the stars. Jack and Foca are the only ones with the exact same specialty: Weapons and Assassination.
These children underwent test after test until they were about eleven years old. After that they were put into a special training room designed just for them. They practiced and trained with their new abilities everyday. They were never allowed to actually see their parents, but could communicate through hologram messages. They were allowed three hours every day until they turned fifteen, then it was reduced to one hour every other day. Sometimes they didn't have time to talk at all. Every conversation was the same though:
“Hi mom, hi dad.”
“Hi honey!” “How are you kiddo?”
“What are they teaching you? What is it like there?”
“Well mom, they're teaching us how to use our abilities, and we have special rooms that help us practice, and are specifically designed for us. And it’s kinda boring, with the gray walls, floors, and ceilings. Everything is pretty much the same color, and it all looks the same.”
“Well that doesn't sound very fun. Do you have any new friends? Have they taken on any new people?”
“Yes and no. They bring in two new people every day, but I haven’t made many new friends.”
“That’s a shame. The more friends you have the easier ‘-or more dramatic,’ some situations become.”
“I know, but we’re not really given time to socialize.”
“That really is a shame.”
Then the timer for the holograms would beep signaling that there were five minutes left. The parents and the kids would say goodbye, and how much they miss and love each other. Then it was back to the routine of things: eat, train, relax, study, train, eat, relax, study, eat, then go to bed. It was the same thing every day. But usually not every night was the same.
Sometimes the girls would all get together and have ‘group nights, meaning they would all stay in one girls room. The guys thought they were too manly for that, so they would set up the holographic projector and would hang out that way. During one of the projector meetings Jack said he had to go early, but didn’t say why. They said their good nights, and Jack turned off his hologram.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
He leaned back in his seat, and looked over to his bed and stared long and hard at the bouquet he picked during the rest period after lunch. It wasn’t much, but he felt it enough to show Aura how much he loved and cared for her. He got up and grabbed the bouquet then headed to go find her.
At the same time during one of the group nights, while Melanni was braiding Aura’s shoulder length brown hair, she asked: “Do any of you have someone you have a crush on?” They were quiet, and trying to suppress secret smiles. Julia was the first to speak up.
“Well it’s not really a huge crush, but I do like someone…’ she said fidgeting with her hands.
“Well who is it?” They all asked.
“Alexander…” she said with a small blush.
“Aww.” They kept saying making her blush grow deeper by five shades.
Aura looked at the desk clock on the other side of the room, and made up an excuse to leave.
“Melanni, are you done braiding my hair yet?”
“Yeah.”
“Good, ‘cause I have to use the bathroom.”
“Hurry back.”
“Don’t tell me how to live my life!” She joked.
They laughed, and she headed to the door that separated the bathroom from rooms where they slept.
When they weren’t looking she quietly slipped out through the other door and quietly walked the hallway. Her bare feet quietly slapped against the white linoleum of the hallways. She turned a corner and ran into Jack. He grabbed her and pulled her to him before she could fall onto her tailbone. They looked into each other’s eyes for a minute or two, before Jack blushed and let go of her.
“S-sorry.” He silently cursed himself for stuttering.
“You’re fine. Thanks for catching me though. I would have had a sore tailbone if you didn’t.”
“I’d never let you fall, unless you fell for me.” He said with a wink, causing her to blush, and his smile grew.
‘God, she’s so damn adorable…’ he thought.
“So are you doing anything after lunch tomorrow?”
“Wasn’t planning on it. Why?”
“I was wanting to know if you wanted to hang out with me?”
“Sure. Who are the flowers for?” She said looking at the now squished flowers in his hand.
“Oh, they’re for me. My sister, well my mom sent them, but the tag said from my sister. But they were for my birthday.” he lied.
“Why did you do that? Way to go you yellow bastard!”
“That’s so cute! How old is she? Your sister?”
“She’s only five.” Jack said laughing.
They stood there looking at each other, waiting for someone to make a move. Without thinking or hesitation, he kissed her, then turned around and walked back to his room. Aura stood there and watched him walk away, almost in a daze she turned around only to turn around and see the other girls were standing there and were actually watching the whole time.
“So. Jack huh?” Said Ellie teasingly.
“Shut up.” Said Aura defiantly, and laughed as she went to join the rest of her friends.
She walked by Melanni and stopped.
“I thought you liked Tyler?”
“I do. But I think I like Jack too.”
Melanni paused for a moment, and shrugged her shoulders.