17

Derp seemed to fit in with ease, not only showing remorse for his actions but as they drove back to the city he started to talk freely about some of the things he had experienced.

"But five of us to a group seemed their preferred number. Then, they would make us do things until they had us down to two. Then … then the real mind games"

"What sort of thing?" Gwen asked as she turned in her seat to look at the one sandwiched between Ianto and Owen.

"It would start with us each being taken in to a room, told what the others were saying about us and asked if we had any complaints about them. It was all a trick, to try to get us to fight. Bicker. Of course it happened, five. Bound to be one who believes them and retaliated. The first to do so was the first gone. Then the whisper that they had been promoted and we were being held back for our weakness. Soon another would crack and show dominance in the hope of pleasing them."

"Like Stockholm Syndrome. Wanting to please your abductors" she sighed "How old were you?"

"I was ten? Yeah the group was mixed, the oldest about thirty. So they basically picked at me and the ones in charge protected me, I was like the pet. I think that was the point, each group had one Junior Alt. You know … it was not always the women who protected the kids either. It was nasty."

"And in the end, just the two of you?"Owen asked with interest.

"We were told we were partners. Of course we hated each other by this stage and they would watch to see which one got thrown under the old bus" Derp let his head fall back "I killed him. He tried to kill me and I fought back. Finally fought back and they were so pleased. He lay there choking in his own blood and I was crying my heart out and … they were celebrating."

"What happened next?"

"They placed me in another room full of the victors from the groups. Then to our horror they grouped us up again." Derp looked at Ianto who was staring at him intently "Only … this time it ws to see who could fight dirty. I kept out of it, defended and in the middle of a massacre one day when three groups splintered all at once I found myself yanked out of the fray and placed aside. Seems they had finally realized my skill and didn't want to risk it. I was assigned a handler with a similar skill to help he hone it, understand it. Use it better as a weapon."

"You see? That's the difference. Our gifts are not weapons, not in my world. They re jus that… a gift. To be nurtured and respected. Maybe even afraid of. Not flashed about and flexed like a muscle." Into explained to the youth "Forcing it to exhibit for protection soon can actually stifle it. Your gift is not fully active why it presents as it does. You know … you are capable if invisibility? I think you are a Jumper. A Jumper can jump forward or back a short way like … five minutes in the past or future? Rare. You don't know how to do that, do you. Instead you pause yourself or … the time around you fluxes. It's a great gift and you've done well but it's not complete."

Derp stared at Ianto "You mean … I could be … more?"

"With the right training yes. If you can learn to meditate … connect to your inner self and release rather than force … yes. You could possibly jump. I've met some, you feel the same in the soles of my feet. A tingle. I am a Gleaner after all … I feel that … sort of seismic tickle."

The youth stared at Ianto for a long time then smiled "I can do that. I … I thought it was something another had done. In a fight and suddenly I was not there but somewhere else. I thought they had done it to get me out of the fray. I did it myself?"

"Jumping someone else is a rarity and one that takes years of honing your power. No, someone else did not move you from the danger … you did. The first time is often missed or misunderstood. Jumping is an art." Ianto smiled as the boy seemed to perk up, looking over at Owen with wild excitement.

"What do you think?"

"I think I would like to see that. You could be like the Flash or whatever. Zoom, bam, pop. Shit, it would be great for scaring the shot out of people." Owen laughed "I am sot of glad it is not my gift. I would be a horrible twat with it."

"Yes, my trays of drinks would be constantly flying as I jumped with fright" Ianto frowned "You would be insufferable… well … more so."

"Yeah" Owen said wistfully as he imagined a world where he got one over the great Tea-boy.

"So. You are taking me to them? Your people" Derp asked.

Jack replied "No. We are going home. My daughter needs some cuddles before bedtime, I am sick of this mission and really … I like you and don't want to lock you up. I think we can trust you. I like you Derp. Wanna come home with me and Ianto for the night? We have a pull out couch."

"We…." Derp looked at Ianto "You two …"

"A couple. Yes. Jack is my mate" Ianto nodded "W have a daughter from his previous marriage and his brother Gray is about your age, just a tad older. He lives with us too. Do you like video games? He loooooves them."

"And you would let me in your home. After everything I did."

"Because of everything you did" Ianto smiled as he reached out and patted the young man's knee "We have to stick together. Us freaks. It's a big, bad world out there and if we are to be wolves amongst the sheep … best form a pack for protection."

Derp liked that analogy and grinned as he settled back. His fear slowly fading as he saw that he was not in danger and unlike the previous group, this one did not want to exploit him.

Could he really be free?