A Diamond in My Pocket (4 page)

“Noted.” I couldn’t believe that
she was saying there were real witches and wizards in the world. I tried to
keep my mind on my present situation and asked, “What else can Runners do? I
mean, do we just run or are there other abilities?” Not that I was completely
buying into this craziness, but after hearing her list off all the other
superhuman powers, I felt a little cheated I couldn’t be a Mind Reader or Seer.
How cool would
that
be?

“Calli, you are intelligent as to
question the value of our ability. Being able to run as fast as Runners can
allows us to cross right over the top of bodies of water or swim through them faster
than any fish. We can travel as the crow flies without roads, but that’s not all,
our ability originates in our nervous system causing our impulses to fire at
extremely rapid intervals. We can catch a hummingbird effortlessly because of
our enhanced reflexes, and with enough distance from a shooter, we can dodge
bullets, well, that is if we know a bullet is about to head our way. Because of
these supernatural abilities, we are able to avoid knife blades, steer clear of
punches and simply disappear in a flash. This is why we are selected to run
errands; not only can we run, we are our own security force and are not good
people to be cornered.”

I had to admit this description
sounded pretty good. I asked, “What kind of errands are you talking about?”

“Other clans employ us to deliver
goods and messages that are too high profile to be trusted to standard delivery
services. Even governments have used Runners for top secret assignments. In
fact, during the Civil War, many orders were delivered by our clan.”

“Civil War? These powers have been
around that long?”

“Longer, Calli, since the ancient Egyptian
times.”

“Well, how did they stay hidden? Why
hasn’t the rest of the world picked up on them?”

“The world
did
pick up on
them. Think about big blockbuster movies and best-selling fiction books. Consider
the subject matter for the fantasy/science fiction titles and you’ll recognize
the existence of these powers and abilities have always been. Even historical
fiction exposed these elements. The clans have endeavored to fictionalize the
powers throughout history because regular people function better when they
think these powers are fantasy.”

“What about Vampires and
Werewolves?”

“They existed at one time, but not
in the way you’ve learned about through fiction and movies.”

“This is too much for my mind to
handle. The next thing you’re going to tell me is there used to be dragons,
fairies and leprechauns.”

“Well, I don’t know about fairies
and leprechauns, but dragons very much existed.”

I rolled my eyes. “Of course they
did. And you know this because of all the scientific evidence that exists in
the world today?”

“No, I know this because I use
powdered dragon bone in some of my recipes. There are no bones remaining for
science to study. Anyway, Calli, try not to let all this information overwhelm
you. Focus on this: our Seer
‘saw’
you four weeks and two days ago. His
vision revealed your powers would emerge at a high school track meet. I was
there to collect you, to keep you alive. Once you learn how to protect
yourself, and if you so desire, you can return home. But leaving too soon, without
the knowledge we can give you here, would be disastrous.”

I bent forward and put my head in
my hands. This couldn’t be happening. I definitely recognized a strange
occurrence in my body at the track meet, but was it possible I had some kind of
a superhuman power? Her description almost made sense in my mind, but I couldn’t
help but think this was all a joke. Yet, I had felt the impulses she spoke of,
I knew what she meant because I’d experienced it firsthand. Unless … unless I
was caught up in some kind of a hypnotic session in which my mind was being
toyed with to think this was real? Yes, that would be more realistic. My mother
used hypnotherapy to help people in her clinic, and this woman might be using
the same on me with evil purposes.

A knock on the office door pulled
me out of heavy contemplation. I looked over at the half windowed door to see
the profile of an extremely handsome guy. Not that it was out of the ordinary
to see a good looking guy at this crazy-house compound, everyone was off the
charts hot! But this guy was much more than handsome or good looking, he was
ultimate masculinity, a walking euphoria, and the total embodiment of every
girl’s dreams; of my dreams.

“Come,” Mrs. Winter answered and
the perfect specimen of manhood entered the room. He walked with a purpose
straight to her desk without even acknowledging my presence. From my vantage
point I again admired his commanding profile and realized I’d forgotten to
breathe. He wore a uniform that was more like a jogging outfit made of
extremely thin material that hugged his muscular body in all the right places
accentuating his well defined shape and making me lose even more precious air
from my lungs.

“Clara,” his voice was like liquid
satin and musk, or maybe it was his delicious aroma filling my nose. “They
never reached their destination. I searched with the Hunter for trails or clues
but it appears they’ve simply vanished mid journey.”

“I’ve had word the Healers are
missing three as well,” Mrs. Winter answered back quietly.

My brain began to spin due to lack
of oxygen making my body take charge and inhale much needed air, lest I keel
over and die. My sudden intake of air pulled the attention of both of them to
me.

Mrs. Winter realized she’d
forgotten to introduce me. “Chris, this is Calli Courtnae, Calli, Chris
Harding.”

I reached my hand forward to shake
his in courtesy. I suppose it was out of habit from all the many business trips
I’d taken with my parents where they’d introduce me to their colleagues. Chris
wasn’t making any attempt to reach for my hand so I brought it back down to my
lap, all the while our eyes were locked on each others. His eyes were deep
blue, like … like the summer sky I used to gaze up at dreaming of all things
good and wonderful. I couldn’t look away. However, his eyes held strange
emotions that I couldn’t identify as he looked my face over. Was he confused?
Was he angry? He almost looked like he recognized me, but that couldn’t be. His
mouth parted as if he was going to say something and I waited impatiently to
hear his beautiful voice again. Instead, he closed his mouth and started to
slowly turn his head back to Clara, his eyes remained connected with mine until
the last moment when he had to look away. As he spoke again his tone was
admittedly different. I picked up on utter confusion which matched the strange
emotions in his eyes. “Why did the Healers send
her
? Why not the leader?
This is a highly unusual move on their part to send Cal — um, a beginner.”

“Chris, Calli isn’t a Healer, she’s
a Runner. This is her orientation.”

His eyes darted over to me once
again, only this time his eyebrows were scrunched together causing a few
vertical lines between his brows. His jaw had fallen open during the short
journey from twelve to three on the imaginary overhead clock and he actually took
a step backward. I felt his immediate hatred for me, not unlike everyone else
in the compound when they first saw me. What was it about my presence that caused
such a physical reaction in everyone? Was I that out of place here?

“Clara, may I speak with you in the
hall?” he asked through tight lips.

I watched as they both walked to
the door. Chris held it for Mrs. Winter and exited pulling the door closed
behind him. Through the window, he stared at me with an unreadable expression. Mrs.
Winter’s back was to me but I could tell she was talking to him. I read his
perfectly formed lips as he replied back, “She’s not a Runner, she’s a Healer.”
Mrs. Winter said something else and he replied with, “I know she can’t be both,
Clara, but I
know
she’s a Healer … well, they were wrong. She doesn’t
belong here.” Chris looked over Mrs. Winter’s shoulder at me. His eyes were
narrowed and his jaw set in anger. Why would my presence tick him off so much? And
why does he think I’m a Healer? Is he confusing me with someone else? Before
turning and leaving my sight, he said to Mrs. Winter, “I don’t like this one
bit.”

She reentered the room and forced a
smile back onto her face, “Alright, now where were we?”

“What was that all about?” I tried
to sound innocent.

“Nothing. Let’s get back to—”

“He thinks I am a Healer. Why?”

“I’m not sure. What I
do
know is you are a Runner. The Seer foresaw your powers emerging, I witnessed
your speed, and no one holds more than one cosmic power. Calli, you belong here,”
she reemphasized. I could tell in her facial expression this was bothering her
immensely. She took a deep breath, “You overheard information here that needs
to be kept quiet or else widespread panic could erupt. Yes, we are missing three
of our own Runners, but there aren’t enough details to make an announcement
just yet. I need to ask you to keep this quiet. Will you, please?”

“Yes, of course.” I’m the Fort Knox
of secrets. I’ve never indulged in spreading gossip; not even the juicy stuff
like when I found out through a lip-read that big time cheerleader Mindy
Mickelson was pregnant. She was so distraught and crying. That’s what drew my
attention across the library to where she was whispering to her friends. It
turns out the boy in question was bad boy, Spike Kruger. Mindy had made such horrible
verbal attacks on him to her friends, but her behavior was all a ruse to throw
them off the fact she was seeing him. I didn’t tell anyone then and Mrs. Winter
could count on me now to keep my lips sealed.

A thought came to me, “Clara, why
don’t you ask your Seer what is going on?”

“Seers’ powers are quite limited. They
can only view the future four weeks out. If something is going to happen sooner
they cannot envision it, only the changes to the future a month from now. Therein
lies the problem; there seems to be a cloudiness or fog where the future of our
clan is concerned. Our Seer is unable to interpret our Runners’ futures. He’s
communicated with his clan who are also confused by the mysteriousness of the
situation.”

And here I sat, only moments
before, having wanted to be a Seer. How frustrating would it be to only be able
to see four weeks out and not sooner? It sounded like the Seers got the bad end
of the cosmic powers deal.

Mrs. Winter’s phone rang interrupting
our conversation. “Excuse me, Calli.”

I sat back in the cushy couch while
she spoke on the phone with so many thoughts running through my mind. The
appearance of Chris and hearing of his investigation into the missing Runners
had helped my mind to begin to accept the reality of my new world.

Chris spoke of me as if he already
knew me. I don’t remember ever meeting him, and I know I wouldn’t forget
that
!
Thinking bake on his last angry look he gave before leaving my view made me
slightly disheartened. Oh well, he was way out of my league anyway. Plus, he’s
older, perhaps in his twenties, and most likely has a significant other what
with all the beautiful girls floating around here.

“Calli, why don’t we take a one
hour break?” Mrs. Winter whispered with her hand covering the phone.

“Alright.” I got up and left her
office and headed to the main staircase. In the daylight the ornate, precision
crafted woodwork was beautifully polished reflecting the skylights in the
vaulted ceiling. I climbed the stairs as a few girls were heading down. They
paid me no attention and that was fine by me. After visiting the ladies’ room I
headed to my bedroom and found Beth.

“Got your mind messed up, didn’t
you?” Her smugly laced jab hurt. She knew exactly what I’d been through in Mrs.
Winter’s office. I had to suppose every individual here had gone through the
emotional roller-coaster I’d just experienced. I nodded at Beth and lay down on
my bed.

“Well, don’t you go all feelin’
sorry for yourself, no one here will waste any time feelin’ sorry for you
either. There are no pity parties at the Runners’ Clan Compound.”

“What are you, the head cheerleader
for team-depression?”

Beth grunted some curse words and
left the room. Even though she had left, her attitude lingered with the decor. I
recalled Beth’s words from the night before when she called me a human and a
muck. With the new insane information I’d just been indoctrinated with, I
understood that to be called a human was worse than a muck. At least a muck had
cosmic powers.  I closed my eyes and tried to imagine my normal life back in
Ohio, but I couldn’t get Chris’s face of out of my head. I re-envisioned his
fantastically perfect features and his determined scowl as he tried to convince
Mrs. Winter I was a Healer and not a Runner. Information overload threatened to
short circuit my mind.

Chapter 3

Shadow Demons

“Calli, wake up,” Mrs. Winter’s
voice pulled me out of my sleep. “It’s time for lunch, after which we will pick
back up in my office.” She turned and left the room.

I rubbed my eyes with my palms
realizing I’d slept for three hours. I stood and walked over to Beth’s full
length mirror to make sure there weren’t any unruly hairs standing straight up
on my head. I studied the face looking back at me in the mirror and ran my
fingers through my short brown hair to fluff it a little. It echoed in my mind
that I now had superhuman powers. Even though I didn’t look any different, my
green eyes were the same, cheekbones still stuck out too much and nothing about
me had physically altered; yet on the inside I had changed.

At sixteen, I’ve always made a
mental comparison of myself to other girls, to their body shapes and
dimensions, to try to figure where I stood in contrast. My conclusion, prior to
arriving here at Camp Beautiful, was I ranked a bit better than average. I have
normal breasts and hips for my age. However, my thighs are too muscular; but
perhaps they developed that way because of my running ability.