The directions Peera gave me led me to a small town. It seemed quiet enough. Some neighbours were sitting on a porch, kids were playing in a yard with their dog, etc. As I walked down the street, a man walked up to me. He wore a red plaid shirt over his well-built frame. His black hair was entirely unkempt, and his facial features could make the most grizzled drill sergeant look like a rookie. The only thing that kept me from walking as fast as I could in the opposite direction was the warm smile on his face.
"Hullo," he said extending his hand, which I grasped firmly. "I don't believe I've seen you around here before."
"I…just moved here," I lied.
"An American, eh?" he said. "What brings you all the way up here?"
I shrugged. "I guess I just wanted a change of pace. I'd heard that people in Canada tend to be nicer than the average American."
"You've got that right, no offense," he chuckled, slapping me on the back.
"None taken," I responded.
"Come on," he said, beckoning for me to follow him. "I want you to meet my family. What's your name by the way?"
"Jonathan," I said as I followed.
"Pleased to meet you. My name is William, but you can just call me Bill."
He led me to a nice looking two-story white house. On the porch, a brown haired woman sat with a baby cradled in her arms. When Bill and I walked up the porch steps, the woman stood up.
"Hello," she said, extending her free hand. "I'm Lynda." While she smiled at me, her eyes darted nervously towards Bill (who I presumed was her husband).
"I'm Jonathan," I said, grinning back, not letting her know that I noticed the look she gave Bill.
As Lynda sat down again, Bill and I took seats in wooden chairs placed on opposite sides of her.
"This lad just moved here from the states," Bill explained.
"Oh, very nice," Lynda said. "So, where do you live?"
When I didn't respond, Bill asked, "Do you even have a place to stay?" I shook my head. "Well then," he said, clapping his hands together. "You can stay with us!"
Lynda shot Bill a warning glance.
"No, it's okay," I said. "I don't to be any trouble."
"Nonsense!" Bill said, not noticing his wife. "It wouldn't be any trouble at all! We have a spare bedroom upstairs you can sleep in. I might even see about getting you a job working for me as a lumberjack."
"Bill," Lynda said sternly. "A word with you?"
"What?" Bill asked as he followed her inside.
I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I have very acute hearing, and they were having their conversation right by the front door.
"What are you doing?" Lynda demanded.
"I'm just trying to be nice."
"Do you even know who that boy is?" There was a pause. "He's the mutant from the news. The one that put twenty-three people in the hospital!"
"Lynda, you know that the news will show the worst side of any incident involving a mutant. For all we know, it could've easily been an accident. He seems like a good enough kid, he's certainly well-mannered."
"What if he has another 'accident'?"
"We'll just have to be careful." His voice suddenly turned soft. "Dear, try to imagine how he must be feeling. First, he accidentally injures all of those people…"
"That's assuming it was only an accident."
Ignoring her, he continued, "Which is a traumatic experience in and of itself. Then he is likely forced to run for his life from the police, and whatever else the government throws at him, leaving his family and friends behind. He's probably one of the loneliest people on the planet right now. So, please show some decency and at the very least give him a chance."
At this point, I just couldn't hold it back anymore. The levee had broken and tears began to flow freely. When Bill stepped outside again, and saw my tear-stained face, his smile turned into a look of sympathy. "How much did you hear?" he asked.
"All of it," I said. After a moment, I asked, "Do you think they'll be okay?"
"I think so," he replied.
When Lynda stepped outside, she opened her mouth, but before she could utter a single word, I said, "I really didn't try to hurt anyone. I slipped on a wet floor, slamming my head on the ground and I lost control. It truly was an accident." Wiping the tears from my face, I stood up. "I understand your worries about me, and I really don't want to harm anyone, especially anyone as generous as you. I should probably go now."
As I proceeded to walk down the steps, Lynda said, "No, please don't go,"
I stopped, but didn't turn around.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking," she said. "It would be fine if you stayed with us. In fact, I insist that you do so."
Turning around, I asked, "Are you sure?"
She nodded, a smile touching her lips. "Of course."
"I would hug you, but I don't want to accidentally shock you."
"Speaking of which," Bill said, ushering us all inside. "What kind of powers do you have anyways?"