Chapter 9 Training with Kate
"Compulsion?" Kate said confused. "That doesn't seem so bad to me."
"He doesn't feel that it fits with his personality on a trully fundamental level." Carlisle interjected.
"So you don't enjoy the idea of being able to control people?" Tanya asked.
"No." Jack replied. "I find the idea repellent."
"I can understand that." Kate said to Jack.
"What ability do you have?" He enquired.
"I am able to run an electric current through my skin. At first it was just my palms, which was hard. Imagine electrocuting everyone you touched."
"It sounds hellish." Jack replied.
"It was until I learned how to control it. It wasn't easy and it took a long a time."
"Which is why we are here Jack." Carlisle said. "I can think of no one better to help us."
"After all, what's family for." Irina smiled.
"When do you want to begin?" Kate asked.
"As soon as possible." Jack replied.
"Why don't we start in the morning. It's been so long since you were last here Carlisle." Tanya suggested.
The six of them sat chatting, catching up on all the lost time, until the next morning. Jack soon learnt how close Carlisle was to the Denali sisters. He also learnt that the six of them were the only vampires of their kind that any of them had come across. It was a special thing, keeping hold of your humanity. He liked the idea that there were others that chose to live as Carlisle had been showing him. It made him feel less like a monster seeing how happy the others were.
Once the sun was up, Jack joined Kate outside to begin their training.
"Jack, this will not be easy. It took me years to train myself to control my ability. I can now radiate the current throughout my skin or turn it off entirely. Hopefully, we can get you to complete control but don't expect too much too soon."
"I understand Kate. I appreciate the help." Jack replied.
"Okay, so to start we need someone to practise on. Carlisle, would you be so kind?"
"Sure." Carlisle responded.
Jack and Carlisle faced each other while Kate stood to the side coaching.
"Now Jack, I need you to think of something, let's say, for Carlisle to walk to that tree over there. We need you to want that more than anything so we can see how the compulsion works and once Carlisle does it, we'll take it from there."
Jack nodded and tried to think of what made the compulsion work the first time. He remembered the utter desperation with which he wished for Carlisle to let him out into the real world. He tried to bring those feelings back. He closed his eyes and concentrated with all his might. Carlisle walking to the tree was a mantra in his head. No matter how hard he tried, they had no result.
"Jack." Kate pulled him back to the present. "What exactly did you do when it worked on Carlisle the last time?"
"Well let's see. Carlisle and I were speaking about going into town. I really wanted to go but Carlisle was apprehensive with me being a new born. I understood his reasons entirely but I was desperate to be with people again; and I just thought if only he would say "Yes Jack. Just this once" and that was exactly what he said."
"And that's all you did?" Kate asked.
"Yes." Jack replied simply.
"Actually Jack, it isn't." Carlisle interjected. "We were looking at each other when it happened. I looked you straight in the eye."
"Well, then we need to try that again." Kate suggested. "Let's try it again like last time, except Jack, this time keep your eyes open."
"Okay."
Jack tried again. Desperately wishing for Carlisle to move. Carlisle looked into Jacks eyes but felt no urge to move anywhere.
"Still nothing!" Jack said, frustrated.
"It's okay Jack. It's only your second attempt. I think we need to rethink this. The last time it was almost as if you were beseeching him mentally. It might be easier to start with some desperate need."
"I think you have a point Kate." Carlisle agreed. "You know I was thinking Jack, just until you have complete control of your ability, that you should stay here for the next few years. Don't risk going into town. We don't know how your ability might affect humans." Carlisle said plainly.
Jack could not believe what he was hearing. Carlisle couldn't do this. He would go out of his mind.
"Are you serious?" Was all Jack could ask.
"I'm afraid so Jack." Carlisle responded.
No! Jack thought in despair. "Please say you are joking. I can't live in isolation!"
No sooner had Jack thought the words, than Carlisle said out loud, "I'm joking. You can't live in isolation." Carlisle had not even thought the words and knew immediately that they had come from Jack, who was in shock.
"It just happened Carlisle!"
"I know." Carlisle smiled wryly.
"You just tried to get a reaction out of me." Jack accused.
"Well, it was something you said. You said you were a free spirit. If I got you to think that you were being caged, you would naturally panic."
"Sneaky." Jack laughed.
"This is progress." Kate said. "Do you remember the feeling of doing it Jack?"
"I do. I think we should try again. Carlisle, are you up for it?"
"I am."
Jack then tried to mentally convince Carlisle to walk over to the tree Kate had initially pointed out. He concentrated with all his might and to his utter amazement, Carlisle turned around and trudged throught the thick snow towards the tree. However, he stopped halfway there, turned around and came back to Kate and Jack.
"That was the strangest experience. It was as if I stopped thinking and automatically walked over there." Carlisle said.
"But you stopped." Kate replied.
"Yes. It was as if my sense had returned to me and so I walked back."
Jack had a genuine smile on his face. He was already making progress. He was overjoyed that Carlisle had brought him here.
Over the course of the next few days, Jack spent most of his time with Kate. He was either practising or learning about control. She would coax him into visualizing his ability to better understand it and work with it. Jack was starting to feel like Carlisle had given him more than just a second chance; he had given him a family as well.
The better Jack got at controlling the compulsion, the better his mindset had become. He felt less depressed, hunted with the others and felt more like the human Jack. On one particular morning, Carlisle had announced that he would be going to get supplies but Jack elected to stay behind and train some more. Kate was really impressed with him and Jack was showing signs of being able to control his compulsion even when it was a reflex reaction. It was a good day only made better when Carlisle arrived back.
"I have something for you Jack." Carlisle announced. He handed over a bag. In it Jack found a new sketch pad, graphite pencils, charcoal and various tools.
"Carlisle." Jack said dumbstruck, "I don't know what to say!"
Carlisle clapped a hand to his shoulder and smiled. "You don't have to say anything Jack."
The gesture meant more to Jack than Carlisle could ever know and slowly, everyone was getting to meet the Jack of old.
That night the five of them sat round the fireplace. Jack was curious to know the history of the family and how they all met Carlisle. Tanya was happy to tell their tale and so she launched in to the story of the Denali clan.
