Page 45 of Gifted

I flinch and draw in a ragged breath. “What do you want me to do? How do we get out of this?”

He meets my gaze. “Honestly? I’m not sure we can. This is why I don’t get close to people.”

I stare at him in disbelief. That’s it? After everything: “You’re just giving up? You’re just going to accept it?”

“I didn’t say that but—”

“We can’t just let them win!”

“And what do you propose?”

“I’ll lie to them.”

Daniel leans his head back against the wall, studying me. “I’ve had years to become a convincing liar. What about you? Besides, it won’t take them long to find out you only see events and memories, nothing deeper.”

“That’s not what they want?” I ask, and he shakes his head. “Please, Daniel. Tell me what you’re hiding.”

He’s at war with something in his head. I see it all over his face in the silence. “I can’t. I just…”

“Then tell me what you want me to do. I’ll do it.”

The tension inside him must be too much to contain now. The room pulses with it. “I don’t know. I don’t know what to do this time. I wish I could tell you everything, but I can’t. Just know that I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“What do you mean?”

He lets out his breath and shifts away. “You shouldn’t be caught up in this. I keep my distance for a reason. I can’t afford to give them a weapon.”

“Don’t blame yourself. I pursued you. You made a valiant attempt to push me away, but I wouldn’t let you. It’s not your fault.”

“But you didn’t know. I did.”

Even the strongest soul can’t survive a lifetime completely alone. Especially not in this nightmare. His weak smile tugs at me as he reads my thought meant for him.

“Why are they so rough with you?” I ask, hoping for more answers now that he’s finally willing to share. “Why risk damaging such a valuable asset?”

He settles back into wry rebellion. “I wish I had a brilliant explanation, but it’s just conditioning, plain and simple. It’s a power struggle. They treat me like a prisoner so I become one. Plus, it fits the narrative.”

“Is that why they make you go to class? It seems absurd to me.”

He nods. “Same idea. It’s part of the charade. It’s a lot easier for all of us if everyone thinks I’m some delinquent. Helps deflect the masses. Everyone’s afraid of me so they stay away. I’m fine with that.”

“So they really don’t care that you hide.”

“Oh, they care. They don’t like not knowing where I am at every moment of the day.”

“Do you ever worry that they might lock you downstairs once and for all?”

His expression darkens and he studies the floor. “They tried that too. I told you, eleven years. We’ve been through it all.” I shudder at the thought. “Anyway, that was a while ago. They learned that didn’t work either. Compliance is much more efficient. We’ve got ourselves into a rhythm now. They’re starting to let down their guard.”

“Until I came along, and they got a new secret weapon.”

“Don’t blame yourself. They’re always creative.”

“The awful table in that room?”

“You should go. You’re going to be missed if you don’t get to your afternoon session.”

I stop at a sudden thought. “Wait, what if we avoid this whole dilemma and I just agree to help them?”

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