I sit there examining the hospital’s idea of food. I can’t afford to be picky, yet here I am judging it. 

“Sinead, what ya doing after this?” My friend Blake asks curiously, breaking me away from my train of thought. 

I shrug with a sigh. “Babysitting you.” I remark as I warily take a bite out of my chicken wrap. It tastes awful, but I chew and swallow the small bite to avoid spitting it out. I pull a face and slap it back onto the smeared plate. 

He lets out a laugh, his hazel eyes lit with amusement. “I know, it’s horrible, but I’ve gotta survive, right?” He has already polished off his plate of vile pasta. The smell is still making me gag.

I don’t get how he’s so happy, he’s the one who’s hurt. And it was my own damn fault. 

“Hey, cheer up. We’ll leave soon. Even though the food is shit, I desperately needed that after fucking six hours in A&E just to get some plaster on my damn leg.” He exclaims. 

You’d think he’s exaggerating, but no, literally six hours sitting there waiting. He kept on telling me to leave, but how could I? Not only is he my friend, and I would’ve stayed no matter what, I’m also the reason his leg is broken. 

Well, it’s only my fault because he told me to fly him into a tree so he could get a good view of some drama happening down the main road. And what did I do? Actually did as he said like a mug, and for some reason didn’t think my clumsy ass friend wouldn’t fall. He’s lucky he’s only walking away with some cuts and a broken leg. Could’ve been a hell of a lot worse! 

I lean forward. “Don’t think I’m flying you anywhere anymore.” I whisper in an annoyed tone. 

He pouts like a little kid. “But, mum!” He whines then immediately giggles as my glare burns into him. 

What am I talking about? ‘Like a kid!’ He is a bloody big kid! Older than me! 

Right on cue, his mum Kerry returns from the coffee counter with her tenth cup of tea wearing a scowl. “How many times, Blake? You’re lucky I’m here at all at your age.” She scolds him.

Luckily, she didn’t hear the first part of the conversation, she thinks he broke it playing football on the icy field.

Blake rolls his eyes and sighs dramatically. “Oh, Mum, really? You insisted on driving me here!” He moans, aptly like a child. 

Kerry narrows her eyes towards him, slowly drifting her tired eyes onto me. “Sinead, you haven’t even touched your food. You need to eat.” She stresses. 

She paid for it, too, as she knows I never have any money. I insisted she shouldn’t, but being the lovely person she is, she did it anyway.

I shrug, forcing a smile. “I’m fine, thank you. Sorry about that.”

Before she can push for me to eat a little, my hands begin to shake uncontrollably. I quickly hide them under the table to avoid her worrying further. 

Shit, I haven’t used my powers in a while. This always happens. 

Blake takes notice of my trembling and conjures up an excuse on the spot for me. “Hey, Sinead, can you go get me a chocolate bar from over the street? You know, the one I really like?”

I furiously nod, barely able to stand with my shaking legs. I slide my trembling hands in my coat pockets then exit the building as quickly as I possibly can. Breathing in the fresh air calms my shakes slightly, enough for me to fly up with confidence. Invisible, of course. 

I shoot into the night sky, falsely illuminated by artificial light, and hover over the many buildings beneath me. 

I recline back as if I'm cozying up on a king size bed I've never owned, folding my arms behind my head with a heaving sigh. 

Ah, that's the stuff… I should probably address the whole superpower thing, huh? 

I have no idea what comes over me when I haven’t used them in a while, still have no clue to why I have them in the first place, if we’re being honest. 

One day, when I was roughly eight years old, I was at school and literally everyone blanked me as I walked by, awkwardly smiling and waving. Popularity never took a shine to me, but they looked through me as if I was a ghost.

The more hysterical I grew in the girls’ bathroom, the more I began to believe the whole ghost thing. I know it was silly to think that, but remember my age. Plus, I never really spoke to anyone but close family, social anxiety crippled me; still does. 

My one response to the whole situation was to cry silently in the toilet stall until the lunch bell sounded, signalling the end of the break. So, when I’d finally gathered the courage to leave, I soon realised my silly fears were true. 

There was a massive mirror above the line of sinks, and my reflection was non-existent. Obviously, this isn’t normal. Now my little brain is thinking I’m a vampire instead, or some mashup of the two. Mortifying, I know.

Now this part I remember the most, and the most fond, believe it or not. I dropped to my knees on the dirty tiled floor, begging in my head that I was having an awful nightmare. Cue Blake, my best friend, who was pushed into the girls toilets as a cruel joke. He was hysterical, as I was, but this led to the most extraordinary moment… He spoke to me, asked if I was okay, even when he clearly wasn’t either. I’d never been so relieved in my life at that point. 

Overwhelmed with emotions, I charged into him and attacked him with a hug. I thanked him endlessly for seeing me and vowed he was my bestest friend in the world. 

A tear escapes my eyes thinking back on the memory, which the wind soon removes from my cheek with an icy touch. 

I can’t remember much after that day. I’d say the classic line ‘long story’, but I’m not too sure if it is. I know I’m around nineteen, judging by Blake’s rough calculations, and that I escaped my horrid life years ago. But the rest? Haven’t a clue. I’m prone to flashbacks, which I get far too often than I’d want, for sure, though I never remember them. Only tiny snippets here and there.

I do remember that Blake helped me discover my other powers years later when we finally crossed paths once more. We always had the best time, but it always ended in him getting hurt. Take today for example!

I’m always riddled with guilt, but Blake is obsessed like some adrenaline junkie. He always tells me that the time he’s spent with me is the best he’s ever had. Honestly, he’s insane, he’s annoying, but I wouldn’t change him for anything. I often think if he wasn’t the way he is, he would never understand me or my powers. Hell, he would never have believed me in the first place! 

Yeah, I have no clue to who or what I am, but I’m content with that. Sod googling it, the government will get a ping of my location and cut me open! Use me as a weapon! I don’t care if you think that’s Hollywood shit, I’m not chancing it! 

I sigh deeply. The fresh winter air is refreshing, though its relaxing properties are reminding me how tired I am. 

Better get back to the surface, don’t want them two worrying down there. 

I make a safe landing in the hospital car park then rush to the automatic door whilst a group of people walk through so I can remain invisible to nick Blake’s chocolate bar. 

Once successfully ‘bought’ from the canteen, I find a crowded spot to become visible and search for Blake’s massive head. 

I eventually see it leaving the canteen through a different exit to the one I used and rush over. “Sorry! I got lost!” I announce, catching their attention. 

They both turn to face me, well, Blake is turned to face me considering his leg is in plaster and is in a hospital loaned wheelchair. I say hospital loaned, but these ones stay on site and are a bitch to manoeuvre, as well as being like gold dust due to the severe lack of them. No doubt we'll be watched like hawks on the way to the car, a crowd of people waiting to tip him out and grab it for themselves. 

Blake's face is twisted in agony, but he manages an appreciative nod and a muttered thank you as I pass it over. Those meds and his adrenaline must be wearing off, for sure.

“I need to get this man-child back home, will you be joining us, Sinead?” Kerry asks, his tone as exhausted as she looks. 

I shake my head slowly, trying to ignore Blake’s now annoyed look. “No, thank you. I’ll help you to the car, then I’ll be on my way.” I say with a smile that’s heavy to lift. 

She nods and gratefully accepts my offer to push Blake. It’s a nightmare to move, super strength is clearly not an attribute of whatever-the-hell-I-am. 

“Come back with us.” Blake grumbles as we exit through the automatic doors. His mum is quite a few paces ahead, clearly desperate to leave this place. Who can blame her?

I heave a sigh as well as the chair. “I’m fine, Blake. I can’t keep staying over every night. It has already felt like I’m taking advantage of your mum’s kindness over all these years. If I need help or a safehouse, you know you’re my first option. Always.” I try to assure him. 

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

The side eye cast over his shoulder tells me my assurance does anything but.

“I better be.” He huffs then glares forward the rest of the trip to the car. At least he doesn’t purposely go limp when I transfer him from the wheelchair to the passenger seat to spite me. 

“Heavy git.” I tease, to which he just rolls his eyes, still in a strop about me leaving. Definitely a child. 

I motion to turn around with a laugh and stop dead, my stifled laughter almost choking me. A horrible sense of… I don’t know what, but it washes over me like a waterfall of mud. Makes all the little hairs on my arms prick up as if I'm being… hunted.

I gulp back my fear and force a smile more so than before. With a quick glance to Blake, who's thankfully glued to his phone, I bid my goodbyes and casually walk away with the wheelchair to find someone in need of it.

I'd like to pretend the sense of feeling watched is for the chair, but my gut knows better than that. And pretending will work on the outside, I hope. 

It proceeds to grow stronger, the feeling, physically sickening me. 

God, the urge not to scope the area is overwhelming me. So is the urge to not turn invisible on the spot out of pure fear. Never used to be able to control that, almost got me in far too many sticky situations… 

Who the hell could give me this awful sensation? I've never had this before, is this a superhero thingy? 

Too deep in thought, I attempt to shake it off. 

“Having your head in the clouds isn't the greatest idea when you're possibly being hunted.” Edi pipes up in their usual irritated tone. 

“Obviously.” I grumble aloud. 

Didn't think it would take long for them to reappear. I should probably explain… except I can't! Well, not factually. 

Even though the past is super foggy, I know for sure Edi's been in my noggin from day one. Oh, and it's not pronounced ed-dee, it's ed-eye. 

Blake always got it wrong when I first told him about them, and boy, did I get an ear bashing each time? 

Edi can only communicate with me as far as I know, and they do NOT like shutting up. I've learned to work with them rather than against them over the years, but that doesn't mean to say I don't rebel. Take Blake's injury, for example. 

“I know I complain about him, but that doesn't mean I wanted him to get hurt. You could've led our only safe haven to his demise!” They stress.

“You can't make me feel anymore guilty than I already do, Edi.” I reply telepathically then sigh. 

Is it even telepathic if you're saying that to your own brain…? Edi doesn't sound like me, so I can easily tell their voice apart, though… Ugh, it already hurts, no need to question that right now. 

“Excuse me, miss?” A posh masculine voice calls out from not far behind me. 

I halt, my entire body freezing, alerting me, begging me to shoot up into the sky this instant. 

This is the guy sending my being into shutdown mode. My gut knows it. 

“Turn for God's sake, Sinead, don't show weakness!” Edi yells at me. 

I hastily follow their order to find the guy had already caught up with me. Though he towers over my average mid-size frame, it surprisingly doesn't feel threatening in nature. 

He slides one hand into his dark, slim fit jeans and gives me a small wave with the other. I strain my neck a little to get a proper look of his face. 

Most likely in his early twenties, has seemingly natural blonde locks, expertly tamed. His eyes a rich forest green, lashes to die for, and a kind smirk with a dimple completing the natural beauty look. 

Judging by his high end cable knit jumper and wool coat, as well as his Chelsea boots, he's not a threat to the eyes. 

“That sounded like you're calling him easy on the eye, not what I'm sure you meant; unlikely a threat with that attire.” Edi remarks. 

I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

They know what I meant clearly, so why pipe up? 

His expression now morphs into one of concern as I just stand there blatantly examining him from head to toe. 

“Well done. Say something!” 

“Sorry.” I blurt out, shaking my head in disbelief at myself. “Do you need this? I was just about to put it back.” I ask, gesturing at the chair.

He shakes his head then brushes the locks that fell away from his eyes before shooting me a keen smile. I notice he's wearing white leather gloves with gold piping and stitching. Fancy. “No, thank you. I was just about to jump in my car when I sensed you. I've never seen you around before.” He explains cheerfully. 

My eyes widen at his wording for more reasons than one. 

Sensed me…? As in the way I sensed him!? 

My jaw almost drops, but I manage to catch it. “No, um, I don't work here or anything. Here for a friend who's waiting on me.” I reply awkwardly.

Right, at least I've planted the seed that someone is expecting me. Act cool, act natural. 

His smile is unwavering, almost got a cocky air to it now. “That human friend who just drove away?” 

My breath just stops… breathing. 

Did he just say human…? 

His smile widens into a triumphant grin. “Good riddance. A lady, especially one like yourself, has no place in a dark, public space on her lonesome.” He winks at me then glances at my hands. 

As soon as the words ‘good riddance’ left his mouth, I'm knocked out of the shocked trance. I instantly move into a wider stance and ball my hands into fists beside me. 

“I'm no threat.” He hurries to assure me. “I'm simply interested. You can imagine my relief when I noticed you weren't taken.” He gestures at my hands. 

My face screws up in confusion. “No ring doesn't mean I'm not taken.” I point out bravely. 

“Are we forgetting the danger we felt? Yeah, this is weird as hell, but this guy is most likely, you know, the bloody threat!” Edi screams frantically. 

I flinch from the screech as the mysterious guy chuckles, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Thank you, miss, you've just proven my suspicions perfectly.” He tells me gratefully, reaching into his coat pocket.

Fuck this shit, I'm out!

I shoot up into the sky, backing off as I do so. Considering he's not human and it's pretty much pitch black, it should be okay. Surely nothing can be worse than him right now? 

“Never jinx us like that, dickhead.” Edi scolds. 

He soon shoots up, also flying, because why not make this even more of a shit show? 

He still doesn't look pissed in the slightest, just thoroughly amused and most likely wanting a mouse to chase. “Did I excuse you?” He urges like I'm a naughty child removing themselves from the naughty step. 

Okay, now I see their point. Note to self, never jinx yourself again.

“You've never said that before.” Edi points out bitterly.

I roll my eyes at Edi and him. “Silly me, sir, shall I make it easier for you to make the worst mistake of your life?” I taunt. 

I really shouldn't rile him up, but everything he's saying is so demeaning in a sickly sweet tone. And not the nice kind. 

His brows raise, clearly taken aback, yet not enough to properly faze him. “Feisty, aren't you, miss?” He licks his slightly chapped lips then presents a pair of gloves to me fit for a Disney princess. Proper ‘I'm going to a fancy ball’ vibes as they appear to be a soft silk and would reach your inner elbow. I can't really tell the colour as it's so dark, but I think it's embroidered in some parts. 

I pull a face, eyeing him up and down suspiciously. His smirk never leaves his damn face. “You must be freezing in such a thin excuse of a coat. Please accept these.”

What the actual fuck…? Why offer me gloves, especially such fancy ones he just happens to have?

“I'm struggling to see how this benefits him. The only thing I can think of is that they're laced with itching powder.” Edi murmurs. 

“Why?” I ask warily, slowly leaning back to gradually put more space between us. 

In a blur, he closes the space and holds open the glove for me to slide my hand in. I gasp at the sudden movement. “I won't trouble you much longer. Please, just wear them. Your fingers must be frozen.” He says softly with a pout. 

I scowl against the freezing force of the wind sending even more shivers through me. Sadly proving his damn point. 

“Will you leave me the hell alone if I entertain this?” I demand. 

He nods, his grin so sinister, I should really reconsider. 

What's the worst-

“Stop that thought right there! You nearly jinxed us again!” Edi complains.  “Just do it then fly far enough away so you can turn invisible.” 

With pursed lips, I push up my baggy coat sleeves then warily slide my left hand into the glove. 

Nothing happens. 

They fit a bit baggy and most likely will fall down once I place my arm back at my side, but they're coming off as soon as I'm sure I've lost this weirdo. 

“See? Nothing to fear.” He tries and fails to assure me as he readies the other glove. 

“Who are you?” I question as I push my hand into it. 

He takes the tips of my middle fingers between his index fingers and thumbs then hums, taking no notice of my question. Weirded out, I desperately try to withdraw my hands. It's no use. 

Fuck, why did I accept them? He's probably putting some kind of curse on it! 

Considering my hands are useless and his eyes are closed as he hums, I use my only option: a knee to the balls. 

I swiftly launch my knee up towards my target, gasping when he drops my hands and cartwheels to avoid contact in the blink of an eye. 

Not only that, the gloves suddenly don't feel baggy anymore. They feel very much the opposite, almost like a second skin from the tips of my fingers to the inside of my elbow. 

How the fuck did he do that!? They're not vacuum bags! 

As I attempt to pull and pinch at them, I realise it's no use. It's like pinching my own flesh; it's got no give. 

“What have you done!?” I demand the cocky prick onlooking the situation with great amusement. He might as well be watching with a bucket of fucking popcorn. 

“Saved you, of course.” He says like I should be thankful. 

My eyes narrow towards him, my hands yet again balling into fists at my sides. “Of course? Yeah, you obviously know I'm oblivious to who and what we are. If we even are the same class, species, whatever.” I growl, pausing in hopes for an answer to my ignorance. 

He doesn't supply one, of course. Instead, he has the front to check his phone and start texting, ignoring me completely. 

I scoff and throw my hands into the air in emphasis of my frustration. “Fine, you've glued gloves onto me, now what? Your weird little fantasy satisfied?” I rage then shake my head furiously. 

A smirk plays on his lips, his eyes not leaving his phone. “Yup.” He confirms, popping the p. “You're excused.”

I start laughing hysterically before I break down into tears. 

I'm excused? After all that? No explanation, no nothing? Okay, I see how this is. Two can play at that game. 

“I wasn't looking for permission.” I state shortly. 

Flying past him with a shove, I manage to nick something oddly shaped from his coat pocket. I don't dare sneak a peek at it yet. That'll happen when I'm sure I've lost him. 

One thing’s for sure, though. He’ll regret ever messing with Sinead Parker.