Weeks passed and Lilly's condition began to worsen. Her eyes looked like the were sunken into her face and her flesh was pale and dry. She looked like a walking skeleton. Soon, her teachers began to notice her condition. It wasn't until after sixth period that Literature stopped her after class. "Lillian." He called to her as she stepped down the stairs to ground level. Her head snapped up, causing her black hair to shift. Her brown eyes drawn to the graying teacher, wondering what it was he wanted from her.

"Yes sir." She replied in a dry tone.

"Are you all right?" He asked, bluntly.

Lilly's brown eyes looked her teacher up and down, studying his facial features. She should tell him the truth, things would go much easier. But she didn't want to cause Ian Archer trouble. She could lie and say it was something else. But if she let Literature know what was really going on, they might sned her to the Nurse or isolate her... A million ran through her head within those split seconds. Finally she spoke.

"I am decent." She finally said, looking her teacher straight in the eye.

"I couldn't help but notice that your appearance has changed over the past few weeks."

Lilly inclined her head.

"And I am concerned for your well being."

"I thank you for your concern sir, but I am decent. This is a side affect, if you will, of my gift."

"Are you sure?" He asked, challenging her slightly.

She narrowed her eyes. "Yes."

"There are several Emocognitions here at Tower Prep. There have been several more that have graduated, but none have shown the symptoms that you now show."

"Your point being sir?" She questioned.

"I just think you should have a nurse take a look at you. I am very aware that your special abilities can be a bit taxing on your body, but never like this. I just want you to be careful and talk to someone about it." His voiced soften. "I am very found of you as a student Lilly. You are one of the best in the class. Not to mention this year."

The girl smiled lightly. "Thank you sir. But I will be fine."

Literature looked at her for a moment before nodded his head. "Very well."

With that, Lilly left quickly, entering the hallway of the school and down to her dorm.

Lilly's mind began to race with all sorts of questions. Obviously, her condition was more serious than she realized. People were starting to ask questions. She would have to be careful. But why me? Why is it me that is having all these drastic changes? Is it all because of Ian? Or is it because of me? Am I something more? Lilly thought to herself. She sighed as she flashed her ID to the reader and walked into her room. Letting her book bag fall from her shoulders she sat down on her bed and fell back. Her choppy black hair fanned out slightly around her as she closed her eyelids, brow irises enclosed in darkness.

It was dark; Pitch black. No visibility what so ever. Labored breathing could be heard. But everything was so quiet. There was fear in the air. A heart beat frantically. Nostrils flared as a sound was heard. Tension filled the air before a deep burning sensation began to rise. Wind was hollowing through the ear drums. Breath laboring even more. Pine filled the air now as someone began to run. Their sides and legs began to burn with the exertion of power. Their heart pounding louder and louder. Then suddenly, nothing.

Lilly sat bolt upright in her bed. The room was dark and quiet. Not another soul was there. Her breath was heavy as her chest rose and fell. Lilly sighed as she placed her hands over her face and sighed. That dream was by far the most intense on she had had so far. But what puzzled her the most was, she had no idea who the person was. Let alone if it was male or female. Literature was right. She was going to have to talk to someone about this. But first she needed information.

Heaving herself off of her bed, she stumbled slightly. Not only was she becoming thin and pale, her muscles were starting to deteriorate as well. Only, she was unaware of this fact until now. Slight fear began to rise in her. Lilly was not one to be frighten easily. But this was starting to get to her. Albite her being a strong person, everyone had their breaking points. Opening the door, she went out into the hall.

Students passed by, heading on their merry way. Lilly made sure to keep her head down, hair covering her face. She was on a mission and she didn't want to be stopped by anyone. Her footsteps were rapid, yet heavy. Her brown eyes trained on her feet. She was totally consumed by watching her black shoes skim over the tiled floor that she was unable stop herself from plowing straight into another student. The Emocongnate bit her lip to keep from yelping as the physically contact between her body and that of the other student caused her skin to prickle and burn slightly. Lilly stumbled backwards and began to fall. But, suddenly, she was grasped by the wrists and hauled upright. Her skin began to burn again. She wasn't the only to feel it. Because the person who had stopped her from falling quickly withdrew their hands and rubbed them against their jeans.

Looking up, Lilly took a quick breath. The person she had run into was Ian Archer. His blond hair was slightly askew as his eyes scanned over the person in front of him. "I am sorry." He apologized. "I wasn't paying attention."

Lilly brushed his apology aside. "No, it was my fault, I wasn't looking where I was going."

He smiled slightly at her then asked. "Are you sure you're OK." His eyes shown slightly with concern as he took in her appearance. He didn't know her very well, but he did know she didn't look like this few weeks ago.

The Emocognate sighed, slightly annoyed. "Yes, I am perfectly well. Thank you for asking. Now, I must be on my way." And with that, Lilly shoved passed him.

Ian stood there slightly dumfounded at the sudden mood swing. He watched the girl walk off and noticed something odd about her. She had a slight trace of pine needles that could only be found deep in the woods where students were not supposed to go. Was she trying to escape herself? He shook his head and continued on his way to the observatory.


CJ, Suki and Gabe were all waiting for him when he opened the wooden door. "Where were you?" Gabe asked.

"Sorry, I ah, had a little run in with another student."

"Really?" CJ asked. "What about?"

"Well, when I was coming up here to meet you guys, I ran into this girl, I think her name is Lilly. And I mean physically ran into her. She was about to fall backwards but my preflex kicked in and I was able to catch her before she did. But the odd thing was, when I touched her skin, my hands began to prick and burn slightly."

"Hmm... that is odd." Suki replied.

"Do you know what her ability is?" Ian asked.

"She's a Emocognate." CJ replied. "She as the ability to feel and see the affects people actions will have on those surrounding them."

Ian pondered this information for a moment. "Does it also affect their physical appearance?"

"Not that I know of." CJ replied. "I mean, it can be a little taxing on the body, but nothing too serious. Why?" She questioned.

"Well, it's just wen I grabbed onto her wrists, she was paper thin. Practically a walking sack of bones. She also had deep circles under her eyes, making them look sunken, almost."

The group was quiet for a moment.

Then, Gabe spoke up. "I don't think that is normal for an Emocognate. Maybe she's just really stressed about something or anorexic."

Ian pursed his lips together. "No, I get the strange feeling that it is something more."

"Look, maybe when I pass her in the hallway next, I'll take a reading and see what I can find." CJ said.

Ian nodded his head.


Meanwhile, back in the library, Lilly sat at a computer desk. Headphones where covering her ears as she began to search Whispers database. Her light brown eyes scanned the rolling text, trying to find more information about her ability.

An Emoconate has the power to feel and see effects of actions. It takes over their mind as they see with their inner eye what people are going to experience. Some see this is a power asset to help others decide which path to take. Others see it as unhelpful and an annoyance because they are constantly plagued with horrendous effects. But here at Tower Prep, you will learn the ability to sift though each person's choice and affect it will have on society as well as connect with a person and influence their mind and choice directly.

Some side affects of an Emocognate are dreams, minor physical decline, and emotional suffering. But nothing that is permeant and damaging to the Emocognates health.

There have only been a report of about 80 students at Tower Prep who posses this ability.

Lilly took off her headphones, not wanting to hear any more of what Whisper had to say. She knew everything about what a Emocognate was. Though, the part about being able to influence others was new. They hadn't gotten to that part yet. But the most baffling thing to Lilly was, why hadn't she learned any of this yet? She had been there for three years, and she felt she had made no advancement. Lilly sighed as she got up from her chair and headed back to her dorm. Maybe she could get a few moments of shut eye before the nightly cycle of dreams started.