Page 26 of Gifted

I nod and allow my eyes to speak the volume of emotion tearing through me. “I saw her, Daniel. I saw her here with you.”

A muscle moves in his jaw at the mention of his mother. “Go. Tell no one.”

Out of excuses, I surrender with one last gaze. I’ve never hated myself more as my painful retreat echoes through the dark hallway.

After leaving Daniel in the basement, I push through the stairwell door to return to the main floor and rattle the latch on the other side. This time the lock holds, and I lean against the cold glass in defeat. One day as a student at Madison Academy. My first day should be filled with massaging a sore jaw from smiling too many introductions. Nervous about remembering names and whether I’m wearing the right shoes. At one day, my life should be simple, not crammed with a decade’s worth of drama. I don’t know what to do with this one day, how to engage crisis after a lifetime of forced apathy. Maybe I’m not strong enough for this. Probably not, but until I can eject Daniel from my soul it doesn’t matter.

One day of feeling something real for the first time in my life.

I never knew passion for anything. I thought I didn’t need it until I brushed it. Now it’s a drug, igniting a survival instinct I didn’t know I had. Daniel is more than an attraction. His complex story has rewired my existence. The how baffles me, but not the what. I’ve been scarred with purpose. Terrifying, electrified purpose.

Daniel’s mystery may have become my cause, but his hatred of those around him seems genuine. I don’t doubt those years of isolation for someone else’s sins have led to bitterness he keeps in check through detachment. Somehow I’ve broken through his wall, and I suspect he knows more about what’s happening between us than he’s letting on. Maybe it has something to do with his gift. Does he know all of my secrets as well? I havenothing to hide, I just don’t know if I’m ready to take on the war that comes with it.

As the volume of residents grows in the hallway, I start to understand Daniel’s attempt to protect me with ignorance. All my efforts to tear back the layers of this new reality don’t erase my obligations to the old one. I’m still Rebecca Carson, new student extraordinaire, and I have exactly three minutes to figure out how to fake the part. Daniel plays the game to perfection, but I can’t imagine waltzing into a silly group session knowing about that room. Knowing why there’s an empty chair in our circle. But I rejected his warnings, and now, for his sake, have to force the impossible trek back to our other world—even if I have no idea how I’ll pull it off.

I draw in a deep breath and join the line filing into Chambers’ classroom. The instructor singles me out for a greeting, and I force a smile.

“You returned. I hope you have more to share this afternoon. We welcome your thoughts.” Her words sound hollow, fitting for these shallow wastes of time.

“Thanks. I don’t want to cause trouble, though.”

Chambers pats my shoulder as I pass. “Don’t worry about that. We’re all free to speak our minds here.”

I take my seat, not at all comforted. Another girl sits beside me and hesitates before leaning in. “Hi, I’m Sara.”

Surprised, I smile back. “Hi. Rebecca.”

Sara clears her throat. “Look, I just wanted to say that I really respect what you said this morning. Most of the time, if anyone talks, they only tell random stories about crap that happened at breakfast. No one ever says anything important.”

I shrug, not surprised. “I said what needed to be said. If you really want to get close to someone you have to let down your guard, and I don’t think that can happen here.”

“I know. I’ve been at Madison for a couple of years now and don’t feel close to anyone.”

“Well, you already know what you’re going to get from me.”

Her smile brightens into a genuine expression I truly believe. “That’s why I’m here. So what’s your gift?”

“I see things about people,” I say, already liking this girl. “Memories mostly. What about you?”

“Wow! Mine’s not nearly as interesting.” She pulls off a glove and traces her finger along the chair, creating a dark line.

“You draw with your finger?”

She chuckles. “Yep, that’s it.”

“You never have to worry about forgetting a pen, I guess.”

“Just have to wear gloves all the time.”

“So you can’t control it?”

“Can you?”

I shake my head. “Some people can. Do you think we’ll ever learn how?”

“That’s one of the things they try to teach here. It’s taken a while but sometimes I can. I really have to concentrate though, and the second I lose focus…” She points to the line on the chair.

“Does it come off?”

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