Page 63 of Gifted

The thought turns my blood cold. “No, that can’t be. No!” They’re not going to help me, and I can’t take their indifference anymore. “Forget it. I’ll figure it out on my own!” I storm away, hating the fear that washes over me. They call after me, but I don’t stop. If parts of my recent past are gone, how much more have I lost? How will I even know what’s missing?

Footsteps clap behind me, and I assume one of the staff members saw me leave and launched a pursuit. I glance back and nearly jump when Daniel grabs my arm and pulls me into a deserted classroom.

“Ben’s a dick for making a big deal out of nothing. He was trying to get to you. It’s what he does,” he says, shoving his hands in his back pockets.

“But you remember this too, don’t you? I can see it on your face.”

“I don’t remember it being such a major thing. It’s not unreasonable that it would’ve slipped your mind.”

“You know that’s not true. And you’re admitting that we’ve had contact before yesterday. I don’t remember ever talking to you before then. Why wouldn’t I remember that?”

“I don’t know. I guess I didn’t make much of an impression?”

“You’re lying. You know something! What’s happening to me?” Desperation floods me, and I grab his wrist. He jerks away, but it was too late.

My pulse pounds as my body burns hot from the vision. “Was that the past or the future?” I breathe out, eyes wide.

“I don’t know what you saw. You can’t do that to people.”

His warning hardly registers. How could it after that volcanic scene?

“We were together. I…” I gaze at him and my blood continues to sear through me, lodging in deep forbidden places.

He curses. “I should go.”

After that scene, I can’t allow it. Not with the inexplicable fire ripping me apart. “What aren’t you telling me? How did you know I saw something? I never told you about my visions.”

He shifts in his seat. “Everyone knows about that.”

“Does everyone also know I’m in love with you?”

His smile fades. “No, that’s not possible. I told you, I don’t get close to people.”

I shake my head. “I know what I saw! I… God, I was desperate for you. I’ve never felt like that before.”

“I shouldn’t have come,” he says, moving toward the door, and I run after him.

“No, that’s not good enough!” I grab his hand, and another vision flashes through me. This scene is darker, more violent. I flinch and throw his hand back at him. “What’s going on? What is this place? Who are you?” The hall is spinning, and I grab the doorjamb for support. He glances around in alarm before leading me into another room.

“Calm down, Rebecca. You have to calm down.”

“How can I calm down? I don’t even know who I am right now!” I’m practically sobbing. Dammit, Ben was right. This boy makes me cry!

“Don’t do this.” He’s struggling with my distress, and it suddenly occurs to me that of all the people in the gym, he’s the last one who should’ve come to my aid. The familiar way he says my name. His discomfort every time we’re together. The vision. The hunger.

“Help me, Daniel. I know you understand what’s happening!”

He closes his eyes and runs a hand over his face. “I can’t. I just… We worked so hard to get here.”

“Get where? What are you talking about?”

He shakes his head in anguish. “I can’t. I made a huge mistake, and now I’m making it again. I have to go. Stay away from me.”

“What mistake? Daniel, please. Don’t leave me!”

But I’m alone again and have no doubt that those lost meetings ended in tears after all.

“Rebecca, what is it?” Anna asks as I rush into her office and slam the door.

---