Before the event, he had received a text from Tessa that she was about to go through the portal, so at least she should be okay. The news was not looking good though. It seemed that someone in one of the planes taking off from the local airport manifested some kind of power that caused multiple planes to crash, which triggered other people manifesting abilities. Most people couldn't figure out how to control their powers actively, so it was not clear if they should be treated like victims or criminals. Psychologists were putting out the idea that more stressful situations seemed to be leading to more extreme power awakenings, but the police were refusing to budge and had isolated everyone that released some kind of power into a supermax in solitary confinement.
'That seems like a terrible idea. If they have a problem there, that will likely cause a prison break,' Terrance thought, 'and if the prisoners start awakening powers, then what is going to happen?'
It had been several hours after the incidents, but first responders were still dealing with some of the aftermath according to the news and the local social media pages. An emergency alert had gone out across cell phones telling everyone to stay indoors unless they were in the affected areas. Terrance had sent her a text saying he was okay, so at least she should get that when she came back through the portal first. Now he was writing up a summary of what he had pieced together along with a few links to some news articles. He sent that over in an email since it was lengthier and so it wouldn't worry her at first. He followed with a text saying he sent her an email outlining what had happened.
Now it was time to research what was going on in the world. This was a much more explosive start to his new reality than he expected. Learning you are going to get minor superpowers is one thing, but seeing your world turn into a comic book is something else. Based on what Tessa told him, he still probably wouldn't get his powers for another few weeks. Would he even make it that long? This incident was in his city, not somewhere else. He thought he understood the reality of the situation, but this made it literally hit closer to home. The news from across the world was pointing to a few similar types of incidents happening across the world, and that was worrying. Terrance was currently powerless, and this was not helping his anxiety. There was literally nothing proactive he could do right now, so he would try to block out the world until he could fall asleep. He would have to pick a book or game to pass the time, but first, he would take a nice hot shower.
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Terrance awoke in a cold sweat, but he couldn't remember the dream. He had flashes about atoms changing or maybe something with chemicals, but he couldn't figure it out. He lay there awake for a while until he managed to drift back off to sleep.
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The next morning, he awoke to his phone going off. He looked at it and it read nine A.M. He was getting a call, but it was too early for this. He apparently had slept through all his normal alarms. He answered the phone without even registering who was calling.
"Terrance! This is the seventh call in a row! What were you doing? Are you okay?" Tessa's voice came out panicked and rapid-fire.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
"Uhhh, ummm sleep" Terrance managed to get out.
Tessa had learned that Terrance was not a morning person and slept very hard. She was still frustrated, but she understood he had not been ignoring her calls and he was okay. Her heart was still racing and she was still fired up though.
"Don't scare me like that! This world is going crazier faster than expected." Tessa said, sounding like she was just getting warmed up.
"Sorry," Terrance managed to groan out.
"I was going to be back late last night, but with your email last night and the incoming news, I had to return for another session. The Council of Terrance has approved some drastic measures. You will have company soon, sorry you don't have more warning, but I've been trying to call you."
"Fine. Not all way. Working yet." Terrance got out. He always had trouble getting his speech to work for a bit after waking up. His brain was coming online, but the rest was slow even in this situation.
"Terrance, don't go back to sleep. You are moving." Tessa said firmly.
Terrance had no idea how to respond to that, especially right now, so he just made a grunt sound.
"We will be there in thirty minutes," Tessa said. Terrance started a timer on his phone for thirty minutes.
"I'll get up" Terrance responded as he sat up in bed. It was times like this that Terrance wished coffee worked for him, but it did not, and too much caffeine wasn't the best for his migraines in the long run. He would just go make a pot of decaffeinated breakfast tea and let the warm cup and liquid help him as much as it could.
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Terrance was still groggy but functional when he greeted Tessa arriving. There was also a large moving van behind his car in the driveway.
"Terrance, the Council has procured a bunker for you for the next few months to keep you safe. I know this is a big change, but if an airplane comes down on your house or something else like that happens, there isn't much I can do to protect you if you stay here. My psychic powers help against people, but things like what is happening in your world are beyond me." Tessa said.
"I have nothing packed up, you know" Terrance replied grumpily.
"I know. We didn't just hire movers, they are expert packers too. They often handle things like estate sales, so they know what they are doing. Get your main stuff and your computer stuff. I can give you an hour, but we really need to be on the road to the bunker. I'll help you get some things. I know you have a general-use bug-out bag, so you will be fine for a day or so while they get your belongings moved." Tessa said.
Terrance was working hard to stay functional with this sudden drastic change. Change was hard to accept, and now he was having to leave his home with basically no notice. Tessa took his hand and peeked inside his mind. She saw that Terrance was having a really hard time and that he was running through way too many worst-case scenarios and lots of anxiety thoughts railing against the change.
Tessa tried to be more compassionate and less strict, "Terrance, I will help you. Things will be okay, this is a huge change and I know it's scary. I'm scared too, but I and the rest of the Council are just trying to keep you safe. If everything gets better, then your home will still be here for you. If not, then moving you was the right call to keep you safe. I'm here to help, I won't leave your side again right now. I'll help you pack up the essentials and then I'll drive you out to the bunker. I'm here for you, everything is not terrible."
Terrance pulled Tessa into a hug and she hugged him back.
"Okay, thanks Tessa," Terrance responded softly.
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