Finding ELE (ELE Series #2) Written By: Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels (4 page)

"I recently turned eighteen." He
answers.

I look up at him. I don't know why, but I
imagined Tony was a bit older than eighteen. Maybe it's the way he
carries himself or perhaps it's all of the pent up emotions that
show as turmoil in his bright yellow eyes. "How long have you been
fighting?" I ask.

He looks away at first and seems to take a
few seconds to contemplate his answer. Finally he responds, "I've
been fighting beside your mother for two months now. She saved my
life."

I raise my hand up to my heart and ask,
"Really? How?" Pride wells in my heart thinking about my mother
being a hero.

"It's a long story, but the short version is
that my parents tried to inject me with the red shot. Your mom got
to me just in time and saved me from becoming a Reaper. I've been
indebted to her ever since." His features turn stoic but the hurt
is still noticeable in his eyes.

There is no way to mask the horror that
flashes in my expression. "That had to have been...I mean...I'm
sorry Tony." I whisper the last part not sure what to say.

"It is what it is. No time for pity now
though, we've got to go. Your mom asked me to get you outfitted for
the trip. Are you ready?" He stands up and takes my tray and his. I
still had some grits left on it but I don't complain. I stand up
and follow him to the trashcan.

I block him as he starts to head out into
the hall. "I don't pity you by the way. You are very strong."

He raises an eyebrow and his lip turns up at
my statement.

"I mean, of course you are strong...You have
that ability..." Get it together Willow! I do everything in my
power not to slam my hand into my forehead. "What I'm trying to say
is that inside, you are strong. I would never pity you. You've been
through something horrible, but I can tell that you are the kind of
guy that will use that for good." I mumble out quickly, feeling
thankful that I was able to get my point across. "Anyhow, thank you
for telling me your story."

"Thank you for listening." He smiles.

With that, I step aside and allow him to
head out into the hall. I follow him down to a large meeting room
where a crowd of around twenty people have gathered.

"I'll be right back." Tony tells me leaving
me in the giant room with these people.

I look around the room. I can't help feeling
a bit creeped out by the sight of all of them harboring military
grade weapons. Some carry large guns while others have opted for
machetes and scythes. They look like a low grade militia, what with
their grim, tired faces and stunning yellow eyes.

I swallow rather loudly and look at the
floor. Tony comes and stands next to me. I jump a little to the
side when I see the large gun he’s got strapped to his chest.
Goosebumps form along my arms. The size and amount of their weapons
gives me a hint as to how dangerous life really is out there.

The random chatter stops immediately as my
mother walks into the room. Everyone stands at attention; all eyes
on her. I look around at their faces and see nothing short of
ultimate respect and loyalty. My heart races at the sight; I
couldn’t be more proud.

“
If I could have your attention
please,” as if she didn’t already. “As you have probably heard, my
daughter has come to join us. She came from inside.” A few gasps
and murmurs wave through the crowd of people. I’m guessing the
gossip must have either not reached them, or they didn’t believe
what they heard.

“
Most of you are probably wondering
how she got out.” My mom pauses as heads begin to bob in
acknowledgement. “What I’m about to tell you has to remain top
secret…it is of upmost importance.” She looks around the crowd. It
amazes me the way she seems to be looking at each person
individually.

“
My daughter, Willow, has been
exhibiting multiple abilities for some time now. We haven’t had
much time to discuss all of her abilities yet, but I will tell you
that the abilities that she possesses are both rare and of great
importance to us. At all cost, we need to protect her and keep her
safe. I have already spoken with Tony in private yesterday evening
and he has agreed to be her protector, always staying by her side
when we are on the outside.” My stomach does summersaults and my
cheeks turn an unnatural shade of crimson. I didn’t realize I
needed my own personal bodyguard! The thought makes me feel weak
and vulnerable. I try not to let it get to me though…I know my
mother only wants the best for me.

Tony gives me a sideways glance and I
quickly look away embarrassed.

“
I know you all must have many
questions for Willow about life on the inside.” Again, murmurs
surface from the crowd. My mother turns towards me. “Willow, honey,
would you mind coming up here? I’m sure there are a few questions
these people would like to ask you.”

I swallow the bowling ball that’s lodged in
my throat and make my way up to the front. As I pass through the
crowd people move aside making a clear path for me.

When I reach my mother, she wraps her arm
around my shoulders and gives it a squeeze. “Go ahead and introduce
yourself,” she whispers in my ear.

I take a deep breath. “Hello,” I squeak,
then clear my throat. “My name is Willow Mosby. I guess I’ll open
the floor for questions.” I shrug my shoulders as everyone’s hand
shoots up. A feeling of shock peruses my body as I realize these
people are very curious. They must have family on the inside. I
point to a man holding the least intimidating weapon. He looks to
be around twenty years of age with a pointed nose and hollow
cheekbones. His five o' clock shadow has come and gone and he has a
permanent scowl etched across his face. The only thing bright about
the man's appearance is his yellow eyes.

“
Yes, Willow, can you tell me what
abilities you have exhibited thus far?”

Good question. I nod my head. “Sure. As of
now, I've been able to listen to people’s thoughts, go invisible,
heal myself and others, pass through objects and use something I
can only call compulsion which allows me to manipulate people’s
actions by mental suggestion.” I hope I’m making sense.

His eyes go wide and then he furrows his
brow. “So, you’re telling me that you possess all of these gifts at
any given time?”

I nod my head, “Yes sir, I do. I know it
seems unbelievable but what I say is the truth.”

Surprisingly he follows by saying, “Prove
it.”

I'm a little taken aback by his audacity but
what the heck. Why not get it over with? “Sure.” I say simply.
“Would you mind being a volunteer?” I mentally laugh at his
expression. I don’t think he was expecting to become a Guiney Pig.
He shrugs his shoulders and makes his way up front. I give him a
small smile then I address the crowd. “I guess I’ll start with the
first ability I possessed which is mind reading. I’m sorry, what is
your name?” I ask turning to the man now standing next to me.

“
Chris,” he says simply.

“
Okay, Chris, would you please think
of a number between one and a million in your head.” It doesn’t
take long after I let my guard down that I begin to hear his inner
voice, clear as a whistle.

“
Like she’s ever going to get this
one…how about 769,384
.” Wow, he’s a smug
one.

“
769,384,” I say simply. All eyes turn
to the man next to me.

“
Yes,” he says addressing the crowd
bewildered.

Voices are heard whispering in the crowd to
one another as I continue. “I’m not really sure how to show my
healing ability…” I look to my mother.

She answers, “I don’t think there’s a need
for that. There were several witnesses that were there the day you
saved me.”

A woman from the crowd speaks up. “I have a
small burn on the side of my hand from preparing breakfast this
morning. Could she heal that?”

I grin, “Of course.”

She makes her way to the front and gives me
her hand. I place it in mine and turn it to see a nasty red blister
running down the side of her hand. She must be trying to be tough
because anyone can see this is not just a small wound like she was
making it out to be. It looks extremely painful. I give her an
empathetic smile and concentrate on healing her hand. Slowly, her
blister begins to disappear leaving new, pink skin in its
place.

She takes her hand back and runs her other
fingers over the place where the blister was moments before. She
looks at me with awe, “Thank you. Thank you so much!” She turns and
walks back into the crowd.

Chris is still standing next to me and I
turn back to him. He has his hands crossed over his chest and looks
peeved. I guess the concept of multiple gifts doesn’t sit well with
him. I’m not sure if it’s jealousy or what.

“
Next, I’d like to show you the gift I
call compulsion." I say.

Chris squints his eyes at me. He doesn’t
believe in me…oh, but he will after this! I try and suppress the
grin that’s forming on my face. I look into Chris’ eyes: “You will
turn to the audience in front of us and do the chicken dance for
ten seconds. Complete with full arm motions and sound effects.”

Chris is desperately trying not to follow
orders but lo and behold his eyes finally gloss over as he turns to
the crowd and completely embarrasses himself. The crowd erupts in
laughter…even my mother. After the ten seconds are over his face
turns an unnatural shade of white as the realization of what he
just did dawns on him.

I try and suppress my giggles but fail in my
attempt. He just did the chicken dance while holding on to a very
intimidating gun. The two just don’t go together at all. “Thank you
Chris,” I say to him. “That’s all I’ll need you for.”

He gives me a spiteful glare then disappears
back into the crowd.

“
This one speaks for itself,
invisibility,” I tell my audience. I concentrate on becoming
invisible and watch as my body disappears before my eyes. Everyone
erupts in cheers at this one. I smile to myself as I become visible
again. I hear people through the crowd saying things like: amazing
and how does she do it? I try not to let the comments go to my
head, but it’s not easy.

“
The last one is the ability to pass
through objects. I walk over to the closed, double doors of the
meeting room. I concentrate as my body moves through the door. As
soon as I’m through, I turn around and go back through it again.
Claps and cheers erupt from all the people…except Chris. They
huddle around me patting my back and congratulating me. I can’t
help the grin that spreads across my face. I’m usually not one for
attention, but this feels nice. After all that I’ve been through in
the past few months, it’s nice to feel this love and
appreciation.

Chris walks back up to the front of the room
and addresses the crowd by giving a slow thunderous clap. Once the
crowd quiets down he gives me a cold look. Then with a snarky
expression he says to my mother in a voice loud enough for everyone
to hear. "So, your daughter is a Reaper."

The crowd gasps and my mother's eyes narrow.
"You of all people know about Reapers. You can see that obviously
my daughter is not one of those monsters."

"Yes, yes I do know very well about Reapers.
They are able to take powers and hold multiple gifts. They have red
eyes. They are evil." He says with a cynical tone to his voice.
"Nobody can deny the red spot in your daughter's eyes, can they?"
The crowd that had huddled around me suddenly takes a step back in
unison.

My mouth is hanging wide open and I have no
idea what to say to this man. I obviously pissed him off to the
core. Note to self: don't make people do the chicken dance against
their will. Could something so goofy put him over the edge? Talk
about low self-esteem issues. I finally gain my bearing and start
to speak up but Tony steps in front of me.

"Don't be a fool Chris!" Tony says
vehemently. Then he turns to speak to the crowd. "Willow is not a
Reaper. She has done nothing to threaten anyone's safety. In fact
she healed her mother and just healed Sherry a moment ago. No
Reaper has ever shown any compassion whatsoever. I think we can all
agree that Willow is NO threat to us, or anyone for that
matter."

The crowd mumbles in acceptance of what Tony
said but they still keep their distance.

"Fine, believe what you all want. It's your
funeral. Mark my words, there is trouble coming and Willow Mosby is
going to pull us all in head first if we let her." Chris focuses
his beady yellow eyes back on me. If looks could kill!

My mom faces him full on. Her posture is
rigid, her hands are on her hips and she's giving him the momma
bear stare down. "Your comments and assumptions are uncalled for.
You have no reason other than your own fragile ego to say such
things about my daughter."

Score for mom! Pride for having such a woman
on my side fills me.

Chris sticks his foot in his mouth.
"Exactly, she's your daughter. Do you think you have the best
judgment when it comes to your own blood? Next thing we know you
will be declaring her princess over this messed up world that we've
been left in."

"You are dismissed for insubordination.
Leave now Chris." My mom says boldly pointing towards the exit.

He arches his eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"Is your hearing messed up? You do not
question the judgment of your commanding officers. You are
dismissed." She doesn't back down.

He gives her a look filled with menace, as
he turns to leave. He walks in my direction since I'm still
standing in front of the door. With his hateful glare my first
instinct is to step to the side. I look up at my mom and I decide
that the new Willow is going to be brave just like her. I stand up
even taller and put my hands on my hips. He keeps walking towards
me and I'm sure he's going to pummel me but Tony once again steps
in front of me.