It all started when her granola bar floated up off the counter while she was getting ready to rush out the door. Before any of her siblings or her dearest mother could see she snatched it out of the air. She darted out of the door and ran for the bus, not letting any of her other siblings know it was here. Correction they are her half-siblings. Riley had a different father than the rest of them. He wasn't a deadbeat like her stepfather. Yes, he was a busy man but at least he made time for her when she went out to see him. Floating granola bars shouldn't phase her because of her father and his job. It was the fact that he wasn't around to make things levitate that worried her because that meant it was her that did it. She didn't want to make things levitate. Most teens probably would find that amazing and cool that they developed superpowers but she didn't want them. She knew exactly what happened to those people. They pretty much lose any right to be a human being and will always have someone after them the rest of their lives. If anything she planned on hiding it to the best of her abilities. The first day of being a junior while hiding telekinesis. What could go wrong? Famous last words.
Well, she'd survived September all the way to April without much incident. Well, there was the one time she thought she was going crazy but that was just the rabbit in the prek room crying for help. That was in November and then right around tournament week she almost got caught and sent to the looney bin again.
Tournament week is the worst time to start reading minds. But the art teacher Mrs. Raya, who she spent all afternoon with every day, discovered she was telekinetic in early October and actually didn't report her. Ever since then Mrs. Raya let her use her telekinesis whenever she wanted as long as they were alone in the art room. Riley had to start small and throughout the school year started getting better and more precise.
Originally she'd only been able to move one paintbrush at a time or maybe a paint bottle. Now she can set up for a whole elementary class art project at once, moving various supplies at once. Or cleaning up after a giant project in a previous class. Paint trays and brushes magically float into the sink and bottles fly back into their boxes on their appropriate shelves. While she's cleaning brushes and paint trays, freshly soaked sponges clean the tables. It was awesome. She couldn't wait for this summer where she'd go spend the entire summer with her father.
Although he'd probably laugh that she trained and used her telekinesis to move art supplies all over. She was still working on kneading clay with her mind. Her other gifts wait no legacies is what they're called were harder to train. Today though was Wednesday, she had no play practice tonight and would catch a ride with one of her "friends" and go to youth group. She'd go to Mila's house until youth group probably.
"So nothing remarkable today? You're awfully quiet." Mrs. Raya spoke casually.
"I've just been thinking about what Mrs. Lake's announced in history this morning." Riley shrugged. She kept kneading the clay like nothing changed.
Mrs. Raya sighed.
"You heard about our speaker tomorrow didn't you? That's what she announced was who was our chapel speaker tomorrow isn't it?"
Riley frowned and punched the clay in frustration. "Yes! That is what has been bugging me all day!" Riley huffed. She looked and noticed she'd punched straight through the clay and slightly dented the table.
"Sorry. I still can't control myself." She apologized. She wiped the clay off her hands.
"Because I could just admit it and I'd get to go live with my father. Also, I'd get away from my pathetic excuse for a family. But I know what happens when you're found out. They go through all sorts of crap with the government. They are practically stripped of their rights and no matter what they'll never be free again. Someone will always either want to be controlled by them or be controlled by someone. It's so unfair." Riley ranted kneading the clay faster and faster.
Mrs. Raya sighed again. "Do you remember Casey?"
"Of course. We've practically grown up around each other. He was a grade ahead of me. When I was in seventh grade bad things happened in May. We were running the mile and he like ran in it in two minutes. Mrs. Altima had him run it again to make sure of it. Agents came to collect him but he'd escaped. He went to the boy's locker room to change and that was the last anyone saw of him." Riley nodded.
"I understand your conflict but you're sure your father couldn't help your case?" Mrs. Raya inquired.
Riley snorted. "If my father could help anyone he'd fix such a corrupted system but he's just one cog in the whole system."
Mrs. Raya nodded in understanding. "Two agents and a spokeswoman are coming tomorrow to speak to us at chapel about what human Garde are and the Human Garde Academy." Mrs. Raya told her.
"Let me guess they're stuck here all day aren't they?" Riley scoffed.
"Yes, they want to stay and observe. See if they can find any here while they're at it." Mrs. Raya solemnly answered.
"No pressure." Riley half-heartedly joked.
Mrs. Raya gave her a small smile. "Just relax. I'm sure you'll be fine. You've done excellent so far."
"With my luck, I'll get another one tomorrow that won't be easy to hide." Riley drawled.
"Feel free to hide in the back room. There's always clay to be kneaded." Mrs. Raya chuckled.
"I think I'll be conveniently sick tomorrow. If I appear on my father's doorstep he'll be excited and furious at the same time." Riley groaned.
Just her luck the deadbeat was going to be having an important business meeting at home today and everyone needs to go to school, sick or not. He was probably just having a bunch of buddies come over for a poker game or to sit around, scratch their bellies and eat all the food. So sadly she had to go to school.
When she got there though it was most definitely not going to be a typical school day. Mila told her they were separating out classes. Juniors were to go to the gym.
Fun, she could at least watch the boys play basketball for a final time. Or maybe Lawrence would want to play one on one with her. She sucked at basketball but it was just fun to play. There was going to be no chapel, these people were going to interview each high school student one by one. It produced more results than in a group supposedly. She knew she was screwed the minute they called her name. She just needed to work on accepting her death sentence.
"Cheer up. I don't think any of us are what they want. Unless being incredibly immature is a legacy." Mila joked.
Riley chuckled. "Sadly I don't think I've read about that one in the in the big book of legacies at the academy."
"Which would be awesome. Why don't you sound thrilled? You could go live there away from your family." Mila replied.
"Mila, trust me you don't want them to take you. Honest." Riley sighed. She massaged her forehead again. She had a massive headache this morning. Then she saw a mischievous grin peek out into the gym before disappearing from sight.
"I'll be back Mila." Riley absentmindedly told her friend. She got up and ran out of the gym for the elementary wing.
He was looking out the window when she got there. She managed to smile for the first time today.
"And what brings you here professor Nine?" Riley teased. He chuckled and looked at her.
"Only my students call me that Riley."
She sighed and rubbed her one arm. What a bad combination of words.
"Riley?" Nine started.
She couldn't force the words to come out or even look at him.
"Ri? What's wrong?" Nine softly questioned.
She morbidly stared at her feet. How could she tell him this? Why was it so difficult for her to tell him she was like him even more now? He walked over to her and lifted her face to his.
"Hey, it's okay. Whatever it is you can tell me Ri." He reassured.
She started tearing up at his face. He was completely honest and true in his concern. Loric fall in love for life supposedly. If he'd had her back on his home planet he'd never get to raise her. That was the grandparent's job. It was depressing in a way. But she didn't quite believe that Loric fell in love for life. If they did then her parents would still be married. She was pretty sure though that logic applied to him and her. He'd always loved her, it was a pure and unending love he had for her. Very few people could see that side of him. Many saw his more gruff side, like his students for example.
"It happened." She muttered before burying her face in him in shame.
"What happened Ri?" He whispered into her ear. He wrapped both his arms around her.
"Them. They came. I'm like you." She gasped out between silent sobs.
"Oh Ri". He sighed, resting his head on hers.
"Hey, it's okay. We'll be okay." He soothed. "Can you tell me what and how long?"
"Beginning of school year," Riley mumbled.
"What came first? Was it telekinesis?" He whispered.
She silently nodded. "Then animals started talking and then human thoughts." Riley softly spoke.
"That's called Anima and telepathy Ri." He quietly answered.
"I know their names. I've read Malcolm's catalog." Riley sighed.
"I promise this summer I'll help you train them but please try to keep them under wraps for Linda please." He sighed, running his hand through his shaggy black hair.
"I'll try my best." Riley halfheartedly smiled.
"But be careful with that necklace now please." He sighed, pointing to her necklace he gave her for her tenth birthday. It was a black string with green crystals.
"Why?" She questioned, touching the green stones carefully.
"I'll tell you this summer, Ley. Go back to class before anyone gets wise." Nine suggested.
"This isn't over." She challenged before running back into the gym.
"Oh, Ri if only you knew." He sighed. He could sense the woman was already waiting for him by the other window right on the other side of the trophy case.
"I know how you feel." She spoke solemnly.
"You're positive it'll work?" He questioned.
"I'm sure she'll be safe with them. They've been hiding and training since that fateful accident." She answered.
They talked without looking at each other. They never acknowledged each other in their small conversation.
"I just want my daughter safe. That's all I've ever wanted. I knew someday they'd come." He spoke before walking away.
"Isn't that every parent's wish?" The woman muttered walking back towards her classroom.
Riley half-heartedly listened to Mila as she waited. She was fidgeting again and couldn't stop. She would be last because they were going in alphabetical order. Riley Worthington was the last one. She knew it was any time now. Mila was only a few last names away from her. She was Mila Small. So far everyone was normal. One of the guards came into the gym again.
"Riley Worthington." He called.
She froze in place. Her blood ran cold at the sound of her name. She forced herself up and across the gym to the guard. She followed him up to the office.
"Go right on in." The peacekeeper ordered.
She saw Linda waiting for her in Mr. Printwell office.
"Come on in Riley," Linda called.
Riley put her hands in her pockets to keep them from shaking. She knew Linda, she was the therapist at Human Garde academy. Linda had pretty much watched Riley grow up, for she spent every summer with her father at the academy. It was the custody agreement between her mother and father.
"I presume no introductions are needed, Riley." Linda joked.
"No." Riley nervously chuckled.
"So how's your family?" Linda inquired, steepling her fingers on the desk.
"Normal." Riley shrugged.
She squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. She'd been timing her classmates. This went anywhere between ten and fifteen minutes. She just needed to last that long. But sadly she couldn't shut off her telepathy. It kind of had its own ideas.
She seems nervous. Wonder what's making her so uncomfortable?
Fantastic. This woman was on to her. Play it cool. Play it cool. How long had she already been in here?
"Riley, are you feeling uncomfortable in here?" Linda questioned, her gaze seemed to be searching for something to grasp onto. Find some crack to wiggle into.
"No." Riley simply answered.
"Is there trouble at home? Are you feeling left out?" She was definitely searching for something now. Trying to trip her up.
"No"
"Are you having any difficulties in school?"
"No"
"Problems with your friends?"
"What friends?"
Linda smiled in success Riley had given her a crack. She silently cursed to herself. She gave the woman something to go on.
Linda frowned in disappointment and wrote on her tablet. Riley squirmed again. When would this be over? She couldn't believe she was actually wishing she was in chemistry class right now.
"Anything different happen recently? Anything unusual?" Linda questioned.
"Absolutely nothing. Everything's been pretty normal." Riley answered with the best smile she could manage.
"You haven't witnessed any objects randomly floating or someone becoming more active suddenly or even hearing voices when no one was talking?"
Riley had to force herself to remember how to breathe.
"No, ma'am. I've only seen things floating around in the academy."
"You're absolutely positively nothing unusual has been happening?" Linda pressed.
What did she think she was digging for?
"Cross my heart and hope to die." Riley nervously joked.
She's hiding something. She's suddenly become even more fidgety and nervous.
"Are we done yet?" Riley inquired.
"Why do you feel the rush to leave? There's no need to feel threatened. This is a safe space." Linda reassured.
She couldn't be could she? Are legacies really genetic? Maybe it's just normal teenage problems. If only she could tell me what was wrong. Maybe I should go get her father.
"Why did my father come?" Riley asked.
Crap, had the woman spoke that or thought that?
"How did you know your father was here?" Linda raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
"I saw him." Riley quickly covered. Woah that was close.
How'd she know I was thinking about him when she asked? Is she reading my mind? Could Nine's daughter be telepathic?
Great, she's suspicious now, Well I'm screwed. Riley morbidly thought.
"Did you talk to your father about anything important?" Linda suggested.
"It was just a quick casual chat." Riley shrugged. Now she was really done for. She'd given the woman a very good fact to latch onto.
"Do you want to be like your father Riley? Some teens are just late bloomers. You still have time to develop legacies." Linda casually explained.
Oh, you have no idea lady. Riley wasn't going to take this much longer. Time to knock her down a few pegs.
"I want to be as brave, noble, and kind as my father but I would never want to develop legacies. If I did I'd end up at the academy. I've heard their children are stripped of their rights and will never be in control of their lives ever again." Riley simply answered. Like she was presenting to the class.
Linda's calm demeanor faded some, what was that surprise or shock on her face? Riley looked at her lap to disguise the smile on her face. Then she realized her right hand was transparent and then gone. Riley quickly pulled her jacket sleeve over it.
What is this karma for dissing legacies and the academy?
She is her father's child that's certain.
Linda recovered her composure. "Now Riley you know the goals of the academy is to protect the public and provide a safe place for the human Garde to practice and train." Linda gently scolded.
"Excellent discussion as always. May I go now?" Riley pressed. She pulled her jacket closer to her neck in case her shoulder disappeared next.
"There's just one more thing," Linda replied.
"What?" Riley winced.
"A short physical examination. Please take your jacket off." Linda answered.
Think fast. Think fast. "Why? I'm perfectly fine." Riley blurted. Smooth, very smooth, like the steel wool pads in the art room.
"I promise it's nothing, just a simple examination and we take some of your blood," Linda reassured.
For all Riley knew the minute she took her jacket off her whole right arm could be missing! Of all the days to develop invisibility it had to be today? It had worse timing than Mother Nature!
"Riley, is there a problem?" Linda raised an eyebrow.
"No, No problem at all."Riley quickly answered. Just her right arm might be missing. She slowly took her jacket off, left arm first then right. Linda gasped when Riley's right arm wasn't there.
Yep, she's toast.
"I thought so." Linda smiled, putting her tablet down.
"Yes, it's very annoying." Riley retorted, rolling her eyes.
She planned to go down fighting. Linda grabbed a portable before Riley could stop her.
"Found one." She spoke into it.
Almost instantly the two peacekeepers opened the door and stepped in. Riley felt ready to throw up.
"Sorry, my friends but no." Teased a male voice. "Sleep."
Both peacekeepers dropped to the ground. A tall, buff teenage boy stepped in. He had shaggy black hair tied back in a messy ponytail and intense green eyes. Linda went to protest but he stopped her.
"Sleep." He commanded pointing at her.
She collapsed back into the chair. He grabbed Riley's arm and pulled her out. A smaller more slender girl sat at the entrance of the office. She had short and wavy black hair and hazel eyes. She sat in the weirdest wheelchair Riley had ever seen.
"Hit it!" He commanded.
"Everything off!" The girl hollered, motioning down with her hands. Suddenly everything went dark. He grabbed the handles and they all went down the hall.
"Who are you?" Riley asked as they fled down the darkened hallway.
"The calvary. Hold your questions." He quickly replied.
Something in the back of her head screamed that he was familiar. They hit the elementary wing full speed. Riley telekinetically grabbed her bag. The boy grabbed it with one hand and slung it on his shoulder. He let the girl proceed ahead of them, the girl spinning her wheels as fast as possible.
"Riley!" Nine called. He was back by the windows.
"I'm sorry. It just happened." Riley looked at her feet.
"It's okay. You'll be safe with them. Take this with you though." He placed a small velvet pouch in her hand.
"I love you." She told him hugging him quickly.
"I love you too Ri. To Lorien and back." He replied, wrapping her in his
embrace.
"To Lorien and back." She answered.
"Come on we gotta go." The boy insisted.
With tears in her eyes, she turned away from her loving father and ran after the boy. Once outside he tossed a yellow crystal to the girl. She caught it and sat ready. He put both straps of Riley's bag on and without asking scooped Riley up like a sack of potatoes.
"Let's blow this popsicle stand." He told the girl.
Then he took off. Well, the girl's wheelchair with the touch of a button compacted into a backpack and she took flight. They could both fly. This was definitely not how Riley saw her day going. Not at all.
I apologize for the lack of page breaks, I had cool looking stars and moons as my page breaks but I just noticed they didn't transfer so sorry but I did put line breaks in now. Sorry. I appreciate the reviews I've already gotten. Thanks 😁