Talent Storm (18 page)

☼☼☼

After the explosion, Lilly and I sat on her bed. I squeezed my eyes shut and rubbed my head, which still throbbed from hitting the ring floor.

I looked at Lilly, glad for her presence. “I’m shaken up about the explosion. I always thought we were safe in the Coalition. First Ben and now this. What’s going on?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “I know what you mean. The last border war was still going on when we were kids, but that was outside of the Coalition. There has never been violence this close. I don’t feel safe anymore.”

I nodded. It was nerve-wracking. “I’m just glad Deo stopped the guy. Maybe we’ll get some answers this time.”

“What do you mean, this time?”

“We got nothing from the guys that killed Ben. One escaped and the other killed himself during interrogation.”

She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Ughhh. How incompetent could they be?”

“Seriously. Hopefully they’ll make changes to protect us better. I don’t want to have to watch my back all the time.”

She shrugged. “We might have to after training anyway. You never know where we’ll be placed.”

The overhead light flickered, drawing my attention. For a moment, I stared at it, then tugged my eyes away and refocused on her. I nodded, feeling sick to my stomach. “You’re right.”

☼☼☼

The next few weeks, I trained with a kind of madness. If I defeated Sid in The Gamut, the final competition, then I could take a break. Throughout my training, I ignored everyone’s gossip about the explosion, preferring to wait for real information. All I knew was that someone tried to kills us and people were angry about it.

I stayed up late to practice, supplanting my sleep with meditation, which also bolstered my stamina and improved my focus. During my more intense training, I developed a new sense of awareness of the world around me.

Each night, I sat in my room mentally juggling rice bags to improve my control. I threw the same bags at a target to improve my accuracy. I lifted large rocks and smashed them down hundreds of times each day to boost my power. I also practiced touch talent, performing athletic feats like no other human. When Lilly and I trained together, I leapt, climbed, and spun through my self-made obstacle courses. My mastery over my talent had surely improved, but was it enough; could I protect her?

☼☼☼

I casually flipped over a high steel bar holding on with one hand and waving to Lilly with the other. I’d made amazing progress in just a few weeks. Lilly smiled, waving in return, as did the ten or so identical Lilly’s beside her. Following through with my swing to build momentum, I marveled at her illusionary talent. She was going to be special. At the end of my third revolution, I released vertically, tucked my arms and legs, and somersaulted high into the air. Rapid Park spun around me. In turn, I saw the shining sun in the brilliant blue sky and then scores of chatting and picnicking citizens.

I felt delightfully uninhibited while in the air, like a hawk soaring on the wind. After descending, I grasped the bar again. I spun around once, twice, and then launched myself into the sky. I threw my arms out, enjoying the wind whipping by and the sun warming my back. A second later, my feet thudded onto the earth with an impact that would have shattered a normal person’s ankles.

The telekinetic talent that enshrouded my bones, muscles, and skin enhanced me, increasing my durability, speed, and strength to superhuman levels. Without a moment’s rest, I sprung into the air from a crouch to land on a high stone wall only to immediately leap forward again. The lounging citizens gasped as I glided above them. Just before landing, I tucked, then rolled in an open grassy plain. Finally, I flopped on my back exhausted and dizzy. People clapped and cheered for me. It felt good.

“Impressive, Jaden.”

I jerked my head up. Instructor Deo stood over me.

“You’re skills have improved since the explosion.”

I sat up, clenching my fist. “I’ll never fail like that again.”

“Let’s hope not. It ended well this time. Next time, someone might die.”

I lowered and shook my head. “I know.”

“I also saw what you did to that tree.”

Heat suddenly coursed through my cheeks. I didn’t look up.

“You have great power,” he said, “but you need to improve your control and focus. Your anger isn’t the key.”

I looked up and nodded. I knew he was right. It was why I had been training so hard. Even though anger gave me power, it was dangerous. “Did they get anything out of the guy you captured?”

“Not yet, but they will. There will be no mistakes this time. The wall guards are on high alert due to the recent attacks. We should be able to stop anything else coming our way. The commissioner and high general are working on a more permanent solution as we speak, but these things take time.”

They had better come up with something soon or someone else might die, I thought but nodded, saying nothing.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what you can do at The Gamut.”

I raised my chin. “You’ll see me win.”

He nodded, his lips pursed. “I hope so.... Enjoy the rest of your day. I’ve got work to do.” He waved at Lilly with a smile, then left.

Lilly strolled up. “Sounds like you have a fan.”

“Maybe. He seems to care.”

She gave me a warm smile and took my hand. “Come on, let’s walk.”

I resisted her pull. “I wasn’t done training though.”

“You looked stunning up there. I think you’re ready for The Gamut. Let’s enjoy the beautiful day together.”

When she tugged my hand again, I followed.

I hoped she was right, and I was ready. “What’s it like to be an illusionist anyway?”

“It’s amazing. The world is at your command. Anything I wish to see materializes. Sometimes, the worlds I create are so real I could get lost in them. You can make life appear perfect.”

“Walking with you on this beautiful day, that’s perfection.”

She looked down shyly, her cheeks blushing. “Who’s to say this isn’t an illusion?”

I quickly glanced around, trying to notice anything out of place, anything unreal, but the world was flawless. Was she this good? I eyed her as she broke out into a huge smile. I laughed. “Good one.”

“How about you? What’s it like to have such control over the world, to be able to practically fly?”

“It’s liberating. When using my talent I feel alive and powerful. Sometimes, though, I feel like my talent could hijack my mind if I give in too much.”

“I know what you mean. Talent makes us powerful, but we need to remember to be in control, to be responsible”

“Responsible,” I said with a big smile. “You don’t have to worry about that. I’m the model of responsibility.”

She threw her head back laughing. “Like when you responsibly lifted my skirt up at that responsible party you had?”

“Hey. I said I was going to throw a party and responsibly followed through with it. Then I followed through with my responsibility to get revenge on my friend. The fact that it was you instead of her was just a mistake. Unfortunately everybody makes them... or fortunately.”

Putting her hands on her hips, she turned to me, with pursed lips. “What does that mean?”

“I was fortunate to see your long legs and lingerie.” I laughed.

She giggled, then poked me. “If you ever want to see them again, you better watch it.”

“Sorry. Honestly, it was fortunate because we might never have talked otherwise, and I wouldn’t be with someone so wonderful.”

“And I wouldn’t be with someone so clumsy,” she said while looking down.

My eyes widened as they followed hers. Before I could react, I tripped over her outstretched leg. When I stumbled, she reached out and caught me, holding me upright. Feeling her soft body pressed into mine, thrilled me.

☼☼☼

I stood alongside The Gamut when Lilly walked up, wringing her hands. She bit her lip, and tears welled in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Just a few hours ago I talked to Instructor Deo. He said that whoever wins today, will be paired up with me during saboteur training. The pairing would last for our entire careers. I’m worried. I want to be with you.” She blinked out tears before eyeing the ground.

The realization that I might not see Lilly flooded through me. My heart raced, and a deep frown tugged down my lips. Now I had even more incentive to win. If I won, we’d be together. I’d be able to protect her. I raised my chin, sticking out my chest. “I’ll win.”

She looked up, her eyes narrowing. “But you always lose to him. Students are betting five to one against you.”

“It just means I stand to make more with my bet,” I said, poking her in the ribs.

She smiled, but her face still held tension.

“I’ve got to go warm up. Want to send me off at the starting line?”

“I’d love to.” She threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly.

I hugged her back, steeling my resolve to win. I wanted to be with her more than anything. After a bit, we separated and walked up to the starting line, where Sid stood. I grimaced while looking at his greasy face.

He scratched his wide nose, his glasses bobbing with the motion. “Do you think the miniscule amount of training you engaged in will let you defeat me? You were pathetic during the explosion, and I’ve never lost to you,” he said.

Lilly stepped up, her mouth set in a thin line. “In the looks competition you did.”

I laughed, glancing into her eyes, loving her support. “Thanks, Cutie.” But he was right. I choked when I was needed the most.

“No problem.”

Sid’s eyebrows dipped down as he bared his teeth at Lilly. “Be quiet, street walker.”

I scowled at him, stepping close. “Don’t talk to her like that.”

Turning back to me, he locked my eyes as he stepped closer. Puffing out his chest, he stood straighter, his body suddenly glowing blue. Unmoving, I matched his gaze with my face set in stone. We stood like statues for countless breaths before his eyes finally darted away. It felt great to exert my dominance over him. I hoped this small victory wasn’t diminished by a big loss.

“Whatever,” he said as he walked away. “I’ll prove myself in the competition.”

I focused a faint stream of talent and flicked his ear. He jerked his head, then spun around, scowling. I shrugged, lifting my hands. He growled and rubbed his temples before stomping away.

Lilly laughed. “He deserved that.”

I clasped her hands, meeting her eyes. “We make a good team.”

Her smile brought dimples to her cheeks. “We do.”

“Wait for me at the finish line. We’ll celebrate tonight.”

She nodded, chewing her fingernail and then left me.

I surveyed the several—mile long course that looped around the training and defense buildings. The first obstacle, the Crank Bridge, stood four stories above the ground. The two parts of the bridge were separated by a thirty-foot gap. The crank’s purpose was to extend a platform from one bridge half to the other. Next, stood the black enclosed structure of the Endless Maze. I’d only ever heard rumors of the inside. Beyond that were hills, walls, and pits before the course disappeared behind the advanced training building.

I dynamically stretched my arms and legs before the Instructor called us to the line. “Jaden, Sid, this is it. Let’s see who’s better. Today, you’ll race in The Gamut, an obstacle course for telekinetics. The only rule is that you must not interfere with each other. Do not break it. Now, line up.”

Waiting for the Instructor to fire the starting gun, my palms were sweaty. Could I really win? If I didn’t, I’d lose Lilly. My hard training had better pay off.

Bang
, the starting-gun rang out.

Sid launched like a rocket, pulling ahead. Refusing to be outdone, I enhanced my legs to catch up. We spun up the spiraling staircases of the bridge in unison. At the top, I grabbed the three-foot long steel crank. My muscles bulged, but it wouldn’t budge. Sid, who was glowing blue, was already twisting the crank. His platform began to extend toward the other side.

I increased my urgency, now glowing myself, and jerked the crank down. The shaft sheared off with a snap. Sid’s eyes flicked over as my handle clanged on the bridge at my feet. He laughed and shook his head, then skipped across his fully extended platform. I growled low in frustration. Talent, what do I do now? There was only one option. I jogged to the beginning of my bridge, wheeled, and sprinted for the gap. At the last second, I leapt into the air and soared forty feet above the ground. At first, it was exhilarating and then terrifying when I began to descend before reaching the other half of the bridge. Students below screamed.

Panicking, I flailed my arms above me as I passed under the bridge. My right hand caught only air, but the glowing fingertips of my left gripped the edge of the steel structure. For a second, I hung there, death taunting me, then I flared green and yanked on the ledge. My body shot upward onto the platform, and the class applauded.

Sid glanced back before entering the maze. I sprinted down the stairs and then shot into my entrance of the black structure. Hot air engulfed me, making it difficult to breath. I rolled my eyes. Couldn’t they at least have painted the building white? I jogged forward, ignoring side passages on the way. At a dead end, I turned left, then right. When I arrived at another wall, I turned right only to end up at another impasse. Talent, how was I supposed to know where to go? I smacked the wall, then ran back the way I came before jogging down another path. Another dead end. After several more backtracks, I’d lost any sense of direction. The black walls and dim lighting disoriented me further.

I lumbered down another path until I found a three-way intersection. My sweaty shirt stuck to my arms and chest. Breathing heavy, I peeled it from my skin and oscillated my hand up and down to shoot puffs of air over my heated body. Where was I supposed to go? I must have been in the maze for over fifteen minutes. Sid had to be out by now.

I shut my eyes and consciously relaxed my body. My shoulder and head sagged as I breathed deeply. Then I remembered what Deo said in class all those months ago. ‘Powerful talent wielders can feel the invisible auras and their direction.’