When the ferry finally docked, and the all-clear was given to disembark, Alistair raced for the shore, practically dragging Kismet behind him. Their sneakers pounded on the wooden planks as they ran, weaving in and out of frustrated pedestrians. Some cursed him by name.

She barely had a moment to take in her new surroundings. Most of the people they ran through looked disgruntled, but average enough. Others had horns, scales or even wings. They glared at them with red, yellow or purple eyes and pupils in the shape of slits or rectangles. Someone whacked her with a thick lizard tail.

"Watch where you're going!" The lizardman called after them.

When they finally reached the shore, Alistair let go of her hand and she had a moment to absorb the view and catch her breath. The air was lighter here; fewer thoughts were floating on the wind compared to the heart of the city and it didn't strain her as much to shut them out.

The small terminal was a squat brick structure. Trucks lined up expectantly near the mouth of the dock Kismet had just sprinted away from, their tarps rolled down from the top to allow crates to be stacked inside.

Forklifts delivered pallets teeming with wooden crates and barrels while workers steadily unloaded them, taking them to the trucks. Some were able to carry the large boxes with apparent ease. One person even levitated a crate a few feet ahead of them as they walked.

As they approached the road, Alistair lamented letting his sister borrow the car. Now they'd have to walk. Kismet never learned to drive and was much more accustomed to going by foot than Alistair seemed to be.

“I’ll take you to Daisy,” Alistair explained, huffing for a full breath. “She can help you get settled in. Plus, even if we don’t find Angel along the way, she’ll know what happened.”

… It’s gotta be a terrible mistake…

“Ok,” said Kismet, wringing the loose and floppy cuffs of her sleeves. “I don’t mean to cause you any trouble. I can figure things out on my own if you’d rather go -”

“It’s no trouble to bring you along with me,” he assured her. “There’s nowhere for you to go otherwise. There’s no hostels or motels or anything here.”

Despite the guilt, there was also a sense of relief. The further from home she traveled, the more over her head she began to feel. Now she could no longer touch ground and struggled to tread water.

I’m so lucky he found me. I wouldn’t have the faintest clue where to begin. I wish there was something I could do to help find his friend.

Kismet tucked her hands into her sleeves, wringing the loose cloth.

I didn’t realize leaving would be so burdensome to others.

The journey wasn't far. After leaving the port, they wove through a warren of residential lots with neat little homes splashed with vibrant colours. The shifting colour trails of emotion drifted along the streets and sidewalks, interlacing amongst each other. It seemed no one here ever mowed their lawns. They were all completely overgrown, allowing bees and butterflies to hover around the blooming wildflowers. Some kept more manicured garden beds tucked amongst the long grass and weeds, but they were few and far between.

Alistair gave a tour as they went, pointing out the houses of people he knew like historical monuments. Magenta swirled through his gold aura. Throughout their walk, he’d tried to keep his composure but seemed to jitter. Despite Kismet’s best efforts, his worried thoughts had drifted into her mind. The fluid ease he’d carried himself with when they first met had all but disappeared. Tension didn’t seem to suit him, though she understood the panic.

They rounded a corner and stopped in front of a russet house. The lawn was still wild, but kept more in check. The garden under the front window seemed more purposeful. Birdfeeders and little houses decorated the yard.

“This is Daisy’s,” he explained, leading her down the stone walkway across the lawn. He turned and pointed further down the road where it sloped into a hill. “See that grey cabin, there?”

Kismet squinted, following his finger and nodded. It was a bit larger than the house they stood in front of. The grass and flowers were much taller, nearly swallowing the front deck.

“That’s my house,” he said. “Or, my parent’s house really. My mom and dad, Daisy, Aiden and Julian all came to the island together when they were young, right before the war, and they all moved in super close to each other.”

Kismet chewed on the ends of her sleeves as they approached the door. After a quick rap, Alistair let himself in. The scent of sage and sandalwood struck Kismet, and immediately her shoulders dropped as a wave of tranquility swept over her. She breathed in nice and slow through her nose and into her chest. The absence of anxiety left her shaking. Then there was the deafening silence. No longer able to hear the hum at the base of her skull, or even Alistair any longer, there was room in her head. Kismet’s body didn’t know what to do with itself.

“Hey, it’s me,” Alistair called.

They turned the corner into the living-room. A woman sat on the sofa with a tea cup in her hand. Her long paisley maxi-dress matched the burnt orange walls and dark wooden accents of the furniture. Gold-hooped earrings decorated her ears. The bangles on her wrists jingled as she stood to greet them with a brilliant smile and warm brown eyes. Her long hair, braided into micro-locks hung to her waist, loose and dyed blue at the bottom.

Kismet’s eyes darted around the room, taking in the eclectic trinkets on the far bookshelf and ferns dangling from wicker baskets hung overhead near the window. The over stuffed furniture and floor poufs filled the room so completely, she almost didn’t notice the lack of a television.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

The woman embraced Alistair. Though he was much taller than her, she pulled him close and he suddenly seemed quite small.

“Angel is fine, just an idiot,” the woman assured him.

Is she a telepath too? What is up with this place? Why can’t I hear, or feel anything?

“What happened?” he asked when she let him go.

They followed the woman into the living-room where she resumed her seat on the sofa. Alistair sat in the armchair. Unsure where else to sit, Kismet perched on the edge of a wicker pouf.

I should be anxious, I normally would be, but all I feel is this serenity, curious and confused.

“Another fight,” Daisy said with a slight eyeroll.

“Oh,” Alistair exhaled, the weight of the world slipping off his shoulders. “That’s good, then. Well, not great, but better than I thought at least.”

“Your sister has finally come to her senses and got her own place around the block,” Daisy continued. “That little red one. Aiden’s off helping her move.” She turned to Kismet. “I’m sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Daisy.”

“Kismet.” She stuck out her hand and they shook. Kismet had braced herself for the intensity of contact, but was relieved to find nothing but the smoothness of the other woman’s skin and the cool chill of gold rings around her fingers.

“What brings you to the island?” Daisy asked. “Not to be blunt, but we don’t get many visitors.”

Her heart rate accelerated, but the sense of safety persisted. She studied her lap. “I’m a telepath, and I need help with my powers,” she confessed.

“The Academy may be the best place for you,” said Daisy.

“Oh, I’m not sure I want to go there -” Kismet began.

“Can’t she stay?” Alistair asked. “Ivy is -”

“Fair,” said Daisy, completing his sentence. “I understand she’s not everyone’s idea of a soft place to land, but despite her… flaws… she’s dedicated her life to helping mutants in your exact position. You’ll be better off with her.”

No, no, please don’t send me away.

“You’re an empath,” Alistair continued, “Maybe you could -”

Daisy shook her head. “Uncontrolled telepathy is too dangerous to have on the island.”

The tension rising in Kismet’s chest surged. Tears pressed the inside of her sinuses as she struggled to hold on to them. To her horror, the aura of safety opened a space for her emotions to surface.

“Daisy, please,” Alistair argued. “You can’t send her to Ivy. How is it fair to judge her based on her abilities? What kind of precedence does this set?”

“I know what’s best for this island. It might not seem like it, but this is best for Kismet too.”

Alistair crossed his arms and shook his head. “I can’t believe this. After everything you guys had to go through to dodge the old Academy, learn your own powers by yourself and you -”

“This isn’t the same,” Daisy said, but she looked down at her teacup.

“I won’t use my abilities, not on purpose,” Kismet pleaded. The pressure in her chest mounted. “I’ll do my best to learn them, to keep them under control. Please don’t send me to Ivy.”

Daisy’s soft brown eyes were sympathetic, but she would not relent. “I’m sorry. I’ll inform Watcher Liz and Aiden can get a portal set up for you in the morning.”

Maybe I’ll just run away before they can send me away… but where will I go?

“This is so not fair,” Alistair argued. “I’m so sorry Kismet.”

“Please understand, it’s too much of a risk,” said Daisy.

Kismet hung her head, wringing her sleeves in her hands. Tears stung the edge of her eyes and burned the back of her throat. “It’s ok, I get it,” she whispered. “I know very well how dangerous my powers can be. I’ve spent most of my life trying to control them, but it doesn’t ever seem to be good enough.”

Alistair reached out and took her hand. “It’s ok. This isn’t your fault.”

The gentle touch of his calloused hand on hers pushed Kismet over the edge and she burst into tears.

I thought I’d finally found a place to at least be accepted for my abilities, but they don’t even want me here. So where can I go? I can’t go to The Academy. I can’t.

“Fine,” Daisy sighed, placing her teacup onto its little plate on the coffee table. “Stay, but on a few conditions.”

A wave of soothing energy washed Kismet head to toe. She sniffled, tears stopping in their tracks. The tension in her chest had jiggled loose, if only a little. Kismet blinked, startled even through her relief to have her emotion altered so suddenly.

“There’s no need to cry,” said Daisy quietly. “I can tell you’ve been through a lot and you seem sincere. So how does this sound; I’ll teach you what I know about controlling and using empathic abilities. Keep in mind, I’m self-taught and these methods may not be entirely applicable to you, but we can try.”

“Really?” Alistair exclaimed.

“Don’t get too excited,” Daisy continued. “I said there are conditions.”

“Anything,” said Kismet, almost too scared to breathe.

“Don’t tell anyone you’re a telepath, just say you’re an empath until we can get everything sorted to avoid any bickering over it. Hopefully, if our sessions go well, you’ll get things under control and there won’t be an issue anyway. Finally, please don’t cause any trouble.” She turned to Alistair. “I’m holding you personally responsible, understood?”

He nodded. “Yes, ma’am, you got it.”

Kismet’s throat cinched.

I really hope I don’t let either of them down. Maybe I should go home and forget this whole thing.

“The council will meet in a months time,” Daisy continued. “We’ll decide then if you’ll get to stay permanently. I’ll get you the paperwork.” She got up, headed for the hall with her long dress swishing around her bare feet.

Relief and exhaustion made Kismet’s bones feel heavy. She slouched in her seat. It occurred to her that Alistair still held her hand, but didn’t pull away.

How can a total stranger be so kind to me?

“I hope I haven’t made things difficult for you,” said Kismet.

Alistair shrugged, grinning at her. “Not at all. Since Nyx just got her own cabin and all, I’m thinking maybe you can stay with her until the council makes their decision?”

“Do you think she’ll mind?”

“I doubt it, but if she says no, we’re kinda low on options. There’s Angel, I guess, but you really don’t want to live with him. Maybe the shed?”

“I’ll stay anywhere, honestly, so long as I don’t have to go to The Academy.”

Daisy returned with a slim folder and handed it to Kismet. “Fill these out and give them to Watcher Liz at the library. I’ll see you again tomorrow, alright? I think we should start trying to get a handle on your abilities as soon as possible.”

They got up and Daisy led them to the door to see them out. Stepping outside, the incessant hum of thoughts rose up to greet Kismet once again. Tension squeezed itself into her muscles all at once and she grimaced.

“You ok?” Alistair asked.

“Yeah, I think I will be,” she said.