Doctor Anderson led us through the now empty auditorium, through a hallway, and into a small office adorned with two leather seats and large mahogany desk. It was as if someone had decorated the office based solely off of movie depictions of a professor’s office.
“Please, sit.” She indicated for the two of us to take the two seats in front of the desk. As I sat down into the large leather chair, I sunk down an inch or two. It was easily one of the most comfortable chairs I have ever sat in.
Doctor Anderson took her seat as well and looked at the two of us curiously. Neither one of us knew what to say, so we simply sat and waited for her to start the conversation.
“Do you two know why the government keeps tabs on every human with powers?” It was clearly a rhetorical question. Eric and I waited for her to continue. “It only took a few powerful powereds with a lack of morals to cause public panic. I’m sure you two know what I’m talking about. The Californian Tragedy is still fresh on everyone’s minds.” She pulled out a bottle of seemingly expensive whiskey from the bottom drawer of her desk. She slowly poured herself a glass. The sound of the amber liquid slowly filling the glass felt overwhelming. I was too scared to even look over at Eric. She was clearly hinting that she knew we were powered humans. Unregistered ones at that.
“Now, society has a list of signs we need to watch out for in our colleagues, friends, and family. We’re expected to turn on each other for the good of the country. You, Mitch, in particular have a startling number of these telltale signs of a powered. Yet, neither you nor Eric are registered as powereds. It’s very odd.”
I couldn’t stay quiet anymore, I had to say something. “I’m merely sleep-deprived professor. My classes this semester have been taking their toll on my sleep schedule.” She just chuckled, “Don’t lie to me, Mitch. You’re not very good at it.” She finished off her first glass and poured another as I felt my heart sink further into my chest. This was it. My life as I know it is going to be over. All she would need to do is notify the government that I exhibited a sign of being powered and they would be banging on my door the next day.
“I don’t wish to turn you in, so you can relax. I’ve heard stories about how the program they use to monitor a powered is inhumane. I don’t think it’s fair that you will have to lose any chance you have at a normal life.” I let out a sigh of relief, which in retrospect was almost admitting to what she had said outright. A mistake I couldn’t take back.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
She smiled devilishly at my nonverbal confirmation of her theory. “I do wish for a small favor in return for my silence.” Looking at our nervous looks, she quickly followed up, “It’s nothing to difficult. I simply wish to know what powers the two of you have.”
I looked over at Eric, “I don’t think we have much of a choice.” His head dropped in agreement, “You’re right. It was bound to come out eventually...My power is minor teleportation. It is limited to myself and any items I have on my person.” Doctor Anderson pulled out a notebook and started scribbling excitedly. “That’s an uncommon one! I can understand why you have kept it a secret. Society as a whole no longer underestimates the power of a teleporter.” She pointed to me with her pen, “And what about you?” I hesitated, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to tell her the entire truth, but figured she would see through any attempts I made to lie. “I have the ability to see other’s memories and manipulate them in minor ways.” She was scribbling furiously once more. “Now that’s a power I haven’t heard of yet! Although, that explains the lack of sleep and nightmares. The memories must stay with you.” She immediately saw through the drawback of my power.She was frightening in her own right.
“Thank you for sharing boys. I promise, I will not tell a single soul about the two of you.” I was doubtful, but at the moment I just wanted to get out of the room as quickly as possible. It was starting to feel suffocatingly uncomfortable. The seat that was initially so comfortable now felt as though it was stabbing me in multiple places. Eric noticed my discomfort and spoke up, “If that is going to be all, we need to start heading to our next class.” She nodded and waved us off. Completely lost in thought, likely thinking what the advent of my powers could mean to the future of the world.
The second we got back outside I turned to face Eric, “We need to leave. We aren’t safe here anymore.”
Eric just looked at me with a peculiar expression, “I don’t think we are yet. For whatever reason I trust her not to tell others.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Our secret was now out in the world. We needed to move as far away as possible and likely change our names if not our entire appearances. “You’re only saying that because you can teleport away if the situation gets too dangerous. I don’t have that luxury.”
It was then that I saw what I never expected to, a glint of red at the corner of my vision. I held up my hand to silence Eric. He didn’t take offense to it and instead started looking around cautiously.
“He’s here.” I was certain the man with red eyes was watching us right now. Now that I think about it, it was strange how he kept getting closer and closer to our location everytime we would spot him in a memory. How did we never notice it before. As we looked around, more and more flashes of red kept appearing in my peripheral. He was getting closer and closer, but was somehow always out of our line of sight.
I then felt a sudden chill. I knew he was right beside us, yet even now we couldn’t see him. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you boys.” A gravelly voice seemed to come out of thin air. “I know you’re interested in knowing more about me, I feel the same about the two of you.” A piece of paper suddenly fluttered to the ground at our feet. “Come to this address tonight at nine. I’ll be looking forward to it.” Eric and I just stared at the piece of paper on the ground as we felt the man’s presence disappear. I looked over at Eric and he looked back. I’m sure my face looked similar to his. A strange mix of fear and excitement. Our search was coming to an end.