Books piled up on the desk, surrounding Kismet on all sides like the pillow forts she'd used to make. They smelled of dust and mildew. The scent brought her comfort, like how she imagined it feels to come home. Despite the dry, academic content, the author’s passion for the subject stained the pages in ribbons of deep crimson. A red so intense it nearly veered into purple. Kismet remarked how similar the colour could be to the nearly neon red of rage. While other books had almost no colour or sensation at all.
Over the past three weeks working at the library, Kismet had taken to reading any books she could find relating to energetic abilities. She couldn’t be picky about the type. Now she was down to the last one, a short text book on manipulating kinetic energy. It didn’t do much to help her, but she figured Angel might be able to get something out of it.
I’ll bring it back with me, but I doubt he’ll actually look at it.
Angel hardly glanced at the books she brought to the woods. He seemed to prefer the practical side, experimenting through trial and error rather than cementing any kind of theory. For his sake, she read the relevant passages and gave him the notes.
Daisy’s lessons also proved to be quite useful for both of them. Since learning with her every morning before work, it got easier to shut out the voices and create a barrier between herself and the emotions of others. Going to the woods with Angel offered her the peace and space to put the lessons to practice without interruption. However, teaching the exercises and meditations to Angel was another challenge all together, but he’d been getting a lot better lately.
I just wish I could tell him the truth. It’s not fair that he’s been so honest with me about his abilities, and I haven’t returned the favour. Maybe once I know more about whatever the heck Operation Pomegranate is, I can decide what to tell him.
Watcher Liz emerged from the back room, heading for the door. The library had closed an hour ago.
“Will you be ok to lock up?” Liz asked.
Kismet looked up from her book. “Sure.”
Maybe I could read her mind? If anyone on the island would know about Operation Pomegranate and how Angel got his powers, it would be Liz… No. It’s not right, no matter what the reason is. Molly was an accident and look at the trouble I’m in. No way I’m making the same mistake on purpose.
“Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” said Kismet.
Liz stopped, her hand on the door knob. “What can I help you with?”
“Are there any more books on energetic abilities? Or do you know where I could get any?”
Liz frowned in thought, tucking a strand of black hair behind her ear. “Sadly, that’s all we have. The Old Academy didn’t publish any of the findings from their experiments, and what they had was destroyed during the war. There may be more books at The Academy. Ivy has permitted new studies to take place with willing participants. If you’d like to advance, it seems you’d have to go there.”
“Oh.” Kismet couldn’t hide her disappointment, slouching back into the chair.
It seems all roads to Operation Pomegranate also lead to Ivy. There’s no way around her.
“It’s not such a bad place,” said Liz. “You’d do well there. Maybe you’d even become a Watcher someday?”
Kismet flushed, imagining herself wearing all black, dragging along the signature cloak. “Oh, no, I couldn’t possibly -”
“Never say never,” Liz chuckled.
They said their farewells and The Watcher left Kismet alone in the library.
She returned to the book, pouring over its pages and taking notes on a thin scribbler. The window behind her darkened. Kismet started to squint, not breaking concentration to turn on the light.
Ever present, the cold nausea of guilt churned in her guts, gnawing on the back of her mind. No matter how much she tried to help Angel, it wasn’t going to make up for sitting on this secret.
Maybe I should just bite the bullet and tell him. Then we can work together to figure this out.
A heavy knock on the door made her jump.
Did Liz forget something?
She looked to the door and saw Alistair waving vigorously at the front window. The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in a tangerine and salmon pink glow behind him.
Shoot, I lost track of time.
Kismet hurried to the door and let Alistair inside. The faint glow of his golden aura was a light in the dim library. Mist from the dense fog outside dampened his floppy hair, sticking his shirt to his skin.
“What are you doing out here?” She flushed and looked at her feet. “I mean - not that I mind of course, but -”
“I stopped by Nyx’s and you didn’t come home in time, so she sent me after you,” he said.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to upset anyone,” Kismet apologized. “I got caught up reading.”
“Find anything good?” Alistair wandered over to the desk and examined the haphazard pile.
She gestured to her scribbler. “I wrote what notes I could, but I’m kinda at the end of the line now.”
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
“I’ll see if I can find you some books when I’m on the mainland next? Their shops would have more variety,” Alistair suggested.
“Liz says there isn’t much. I don’t want to send you on a wild goose-chase.”
“Regardless, I’ll keep my eyes open.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Kismet said, twisting her sleeves.
“Well, I’m not being entirely altruistic. You’ve helped Angel a lot. Seriously. I know this whole situation with his powers isn’t ideal, but it seems he’s turning things around. Nyx seems happier too. So, thank you.”
Kismet winced and bit her tongue.
“I can’t take much credit for that,” she said, her cheeks burning.
I fear I’m doing more harm than good at this point. I gotta tell him, but when? How? What if it all blows up?
“Come on, I’ll give you a ride home,” Alistair said, heading to the door.
She followed him outside to where he’d parked his car along the side of the street. The cool evening air chilled her warm cheeks. Fog had encroached on the village, flooding the streets in an eerie mist that made her think of werewolves and vampires lurking around every corner.
I’m the real monster.
The car had been thoroughly cleaned, but a slight stain lingered in the upholstery. Alistair had placed a throw blanket across the backseat to hide it, but dark speckles persisted across the head rest.
She buckled up in the passenger seat and Alistair got in on the driver’s side, putting the keys in the ignition.
“Have you picked your references yet?” he asked, pulling the car out onto the road.
Kismet chewed the ends of her sleeves and shook her head.
I don’t have the right to ask any of them to speak for me.
“In that case, I volunteer if you’ll have me?”
“Sure,” she squeaked, wringing her sleeves tighter. Saying ‘no’ would be suspicious, and the fact still remained, she needed references if she wanted to stay on the island.
“Don’t be nervous,” Alistair said, misunderstanding her squeamishness. “You’ll do great. Do you think Daisy will let you be open about your telepathy once it’s all said and done? I may be wrong, but you seem to have gotten better at controlling things.”
“I don’t know what she’ll decide. I haven’t asked her. Either way, I’m willing to just be an empath so far as anyone else is concerned. The only thing is, I wish I could tell Nyx and Angel at least. I feel so grubby about hiding it from them.”
At least she could be honest with him about that part. A slight weight lifted from her shoulders, though bottling the full truth left her feeling like her body was dipped in tar. Her own turmoil flooded in to replace the energy and voices she’d worked so hard to rid herself of. All she was left with now in the silence was herself and she was perhaps the most uncomfortable she’d ever been.
I wonder what Kevin would think if he could see me now? Would he be happy I’ve finally gotten on the path to getting better or would he hate me even more than he already does?
She rubbed the exhaustion from her eyes, hating herself for still caring about what he might think.
“It’ll be safe once the council meeting is over,” said Alistair. “I’m sure Daisy won’t mind telling them then.”
The car turned up the gentle hill past the colourful cabins. The balmy evening seemed to draw people outside. Some sat on their porches or in lawn chairs. Kismet had not gotten used to the vastly diverse appearance of mutants on the island yet. Horns and tails still managed to turn her head, but she’d quickly avert her gaze, not wishing to offend.
“Who are you gonna pick for your second reference?” Alistair asked.
“I dunno,” she said. “I can’t choose. As much as you say I’ve helped Angel with his powers, he’s done a lot for me too. It’s hard to be self conscious about my abilities around someone so confident with theirs. Then Nyx has been so gracious to let me stay on her couch all this time and she’s been a great friend.” The sudden sting of tears burned in her throat, taking her by surprise. “Really, you guys have been the best friends I’ve ever had.”
More like the only friends I’ve ever had, and all I can repay them with is lies.
“You’re not too bad yourself,” said Alistair with a smile. The street lamps, glimmering through the misty haze of fog, reflected off his silver piercings. His emerald eyes sparkled.
Kismet looked away, digging her fingernails into her palms. She stared out the window instead, distracting herself with the scenery. The community gardens and cabins sat in stillness. A group of young children chased a soccer ball down the sloping hill, laughing and racing each other. Alistair slowed the car even further, careful to avoid them.
Nyx’s cabin came into view and Alistair pulled into the driveway.
“Thanks for picking me up,” she said, reaching for the door handle.
“Of course,” said Alistair. “Are we still getting coffee tomorrow?”
She nodded, popping the door open. He gently reached out to her, nearly touched and pulled away at the last second.
“Are you ok?” he asked.
“Oh, yeah, I’m fine.” She forced a smile.
Alistair frowned. “You know you can talk to me, right?”
The truth burned on her tongue. She longed to tell him what she had seen in Molly’s mind. Perhaps he could offer some kind of insight into how to proceed, especially concerning how to handle Angel’s reaction.
Her heart quickened. The mist outside congealed into water droplets on the car window, sliding down the glass like rain.
She recalled the night Jade told her of the murder. Rain thrashed against the bungalow as she hunkered in bed and her foster mother rushed into the room. The look of horror and disgust on her face. They could hear the sirens coming from across the street. Jade drug her into the living-room, pressing her to the window. The lights of the cop car distorted in the storm.
It’s all my fault… if I hadn’t opened my big mouth. I can’t spill any more secrets. Nothing good ever happens.
“I know, thank you.” Kismet looked down at her lap, scratching her fingernails across her jeans.
If I tell them, Angel will be destroyed. I couldn’t imagine being lied to like this my whole life. I’m just one more. A shiver ran up her spine. Why did I have to see that? I can’t do this to him. I can’t be the one to rip him apart… but sitting on this could be worse… They’ll hate me.
Alistair didn’t push the issue and after their final good-byes, she hopped out of the car. Nausea swirled in her stomach as she approached the cabin. Her hands balled into fists.
Maybe I should just run away? But there’s nowhere to go except The Academy. Then what would the others think? I can’t leave them without an explanation… but I can’t keep lying either.
Kismet lingered on the porch and took a breath. Now the sun had fully set, casting everything in a monochromatic pallet of blues, black and purple. Moths clustered and fluttered around the dull porch light. She could hear the muffled sounds of Angel and Nyx laughing alongside the dull murmur of the television.
The council meeting is only one more week away. After, I’ll tell them about my telepathy, and maybe I’ll tell Alice what I saw and he can help me decide what to do. Angel might take it better coming from him or he can at least help me figure out what to say. Maybe there's a chance Julian will tell Angel after all. That would be the best thing.
After a few more breaths, she steeled herself and went inside.