Neiva's eyes widened with Sametta's statement.
"Oracle? Gifted? What are you talking about?" She demanded.
"Just what I said, child. I am the oracle. These," She gestured towards the playing children, all of which were gathered around Lodema "Are my gifted kids."
"Then why am I here? I'm just a street kid."
"No-one is 'just' anything, sweetheart."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you're more than you think you are."
"I don't even know who I am! I've up on the street without a home, name, or parents since who knows when? How can I be more than I think I am?"
"You had a name, child. You simply forgot. You were called Moncha once."
"How could I have forgotten that? And how do you know?"
"As for your first question the traumatized mind does funny things, Neiva. As for the second question, the reason I know is because I am the oracle."
"But, why are you re-naming me?"
"It's complicated. You'll find out soon enough. You're how old now, Neiva?"
"I don't know for sure. I remember my sixth birthday, then a fire, and then running away." Sametta looked her over again.
"You look about 13 to me." Neiva shrugged. A moment of silence passed as Neiva looked over to the other kids playing, and wondering about the events that were transpiring. Finally, she looked back at Sametta, and spoke.
"So I'm gifted or something?"
"Yes, you are. As long as you are here, you'll be safe, and you'll be able to strengthen your gift." Neiva's glance returned to the children and Lodema. Could she really be one of them? Would she fit in? She watched the laughing children, noticing all of them seemed so happy, so carefree, and so naive. She wondered how many of them would survive a night on the street.
"Cynicism will get you nowhere, Neiva." Sametta commented. Neiva turned her glance back to Sametta.
"How did you-"
"-I'm the oracle, remember?" Sametta finished, smiling still. "Come. I'll introduce you to the kids." Sametta and Neiva walked into the living room, and the children all immediately took notice of Neiva.
"Kids, this is Neiva. She'll be joining us here, and will be developing her gift. Now, everyone introduce yourself to her." One by one, the kids introduced themselves. There was Isidora, (the puerto- rican girl jumping rope) Deryck, (A Caucasian boy with a toothy grin) Cassidy, (A girl with more curly red hair and freckles than she knew what to do with) Alvina, (A somber looking middle-eastern girl with bright eyes) Monique, (A taller girl with a french accent) Alhraed, (An East- Indian girl with a pretty smile) Quinn, (A black kid who looked pretty tough for his small stature) Bryan, (Another Caucasian guy with light, sandy hair and blue eyes) Cecille, (A slightly chubby, but bubbly girl) and Todd (A tall Caucasian kid with black hair and even darker eyes). As they introduced themselves, Neiva nodded distractedly, trying to get a grip on what was happening. She didn't believe in these 'powers' that Sametta described, but here they were in front of her, in living color, in these kids. Todd regarded her strangely, but seemed to back off when Neiva caught his glance. Sametta smiled, and placed a hand on Neiva's shoulder.
"Neiva, we need to clean you up and get you some clothes dear." Neiva nodded, and Sametta began to walk down a hall. Following, Neiva regarded her surroundings carefully-out of date décor filled the place, but it was comforting in a way. Sametta opened a door to a cream colored bathroom, and gestured for Neiva to enter. She did, and Sametta closed the door.
"There's a towel on the counter for you, dear. Come out when you're ready." Neiva stripped out of her dirt-encrusted black sweatshirt, stained white tee-shirt, and ragged blue jeans. Looking into the mirror above the sink, Neiva observed her own face. A girl with dirty skin, pale blue eyes, and matted, dark brown hair stared back at her, confused. Neiva quickly turned away, ashamed of what she had seen. Stepping into the shower, she turned the knobs, starting a flow of warm water. Neiva stood in the makeshift waterfall for a few moments, just feeling the water against her skin-it had been a while since she had last washed.
Half an hour later, Neiva returned to the living room, her hair no longer matted, and her skin clean, revealing a slightly tanned complexion. Dressed in new clothes (A pair of drawstring khakis, and a baggy white tee- shirt), she stood at the entrance to the living room, watching all the others as they continued to play, as they had been before Neiva arrived. Cassidy was levitating blocks over in the corner, giggling at her own skill. She noticed Neiva standing there, and the blocks all dropped instantly. Cassidy got up, and ran over, beaming impishly.
"You wanna play with me?" She asked.
"Sure." Neiva said, unsure of what else to say. Cassidy grinned from ear to ear, and grabbed Neiva's hand, leading her over to the corner. Neiva examined Cassidy more closely as they sat down. Cassidy couldn't be more than eight, Neiva guessed.
"I'll get the blocks up, and you take them, then pass them back to me, ok?" Cassidy said, as she placed her hands a good foot above the blocks. Cassidy closed her eyes, and seemed to hum for a moment, and the blocks began to rise up. Cassidy's eyes flickered open, and her smile grew even wider, if that was possible. She raised her hands slightly, and the blocks flew above them, floating in midair about half a foot above her hands as Neiva looked on in amazement.
"Now, take them!" Cassidy said, almost challenging Neiva. Obediently, Neiva reached towards one of the blocks, and plucked it out of the air.
"NO!" Cassidy gasped, her eyes growing wide. "Not like THAT!" She said. "You're supposed to take them the way I lifted them! With your mind!" Neiva looked down at the little block in her hand.
"I don't know how." She said, turning the block over.
"Ooooooh." Cassidy said, lowering the blocks until they fell to the ground. "Sametta hasn't taught you yet. You're new!"
"Yeah." Neiva said, clutching the block a little tighter.
"I could show you if you wanted." Cassidy said, her voice becoming instantly more mature. Neiva looked up at Cassidy, and noticed something happening. The little girl's appearance seemed to have changed too. She looked older somehow. Neiva couldn't tell if it were the light, if it was real, or if it was even happening. Regardless, she tore her glance away from Cassidy, and looked at the block in her hand.
"I think I'd like that." She said, somewhat unsure of herself. Cassidy clapped her hands together, and smiled-somewhat awkward, considering how much older she looked. Cassidy took a deep breath, and spoke.
"Ok. The first thing you need to know is that there are no blocks." Neiva looked up at Cassidy, obviously confused.
"But they're right there." Neiva replied.
"No, they're not. There is nothing!
"Nothing? How can there be nothing?"
"Everything is nothing! There is nothing!"
"So, I'm nothing?"
"No, and yes.."
"How can that be?"
"We just are. We exist, but not as we are."
"How can THAT be?"
"Think of it as two different worlds. We exist on another world, but perceive what we are shown on this one."
"Ok. So there's no blocks."
"Precisely." A moment of silence passed.
"But if the blocks are not there, then how can you lift them with your mind?"
"Perception and visualization."
"What do you mean?"
"We visualize the object as it is perceived by our eyes. Using your minds, you're go into the actual object by way of visualization, and then, once you have a firm enough grip, you can lift it. It's all based on human ideas of chemistry."
"What ideas of chemistry?"
"Nothing is solid, according to chemistry. All things are made up of tiny particles gathered together, and held together by invisible bonds. The trick is to use your mind to get in between these particles, so you can get a strong enough grip with your mind to lift it."
"But if it's not real."
"We're manipulating what we see as reality. We're not actually doing anything." Neiva sat in a silent stupor, looking at the little block in her hand.
"How can we not do anything, when we are?"
"We just don't. Since what we are manipulating doesn't exist, by the laws of physics, we are not technically doing anything."
"Physics?"
"In order to accomplish something, according to the law of physics, something must be moved. Since the block does not exist, it cannot be moved. Therefore, when we move it, we are doing nothing."
"Ok. I think I get it. Can I try now?"
"You might not be able to do it the first time."
"I'm willing to take that risk."
"Suit yourself. We'll start you with one block. Look at it. Feel it. Hold it and play around with it if you like. Just get a feel for it. KNOW it." Neiva nodded. She passed the block she held from hand to hand, feeling it's softened faces, taking in all that it was. Or, rather, what it appeared to be.
"That's right. Good!" Cassidy said, breaking into a childlike grin. "Now, place it on the ground again." Neiva did as she was told.
"Now, close your eyes. See the block. See where it's sitting. See the area around it. Look at it for a moment. Know what it looks like in your head." Neiva closed her eyes, and followed Cassidy's directions. A moment passed as Cassidy watched silently.
"Now, zoom in mentally to the block. Go in so close you can see the holes between the molecules. Now imagine your mind can send out long white tentacles. Send them into the block, and get them to grip the molecules. Keep sending them out until you feel you've connected to it enough." Another moment of silence passed between the two girls as Neiva focused. This was an amazing experience for Neiva-she was seeing the molecules and tentacles so clearly within her mind, it was hard to believe that wasn't actually happening.
"Now, this is the tricky part. Once you've gotten enough of the tentacles into the block, and have a strong enough grip, focus on moving the tentacles upward, lifting the block." The innocent block sitting in front of Neiva began to shake, and lifted a little off the ground.
"Is it working?" Neiva asked nervously. The block shuddered, and fell to the ground as Neiva opened her eyes.
"It was, a little. You had it going up, but you lost confidence in yourself. You have to believe in yourself or you want be able to do it." Cassidy said as she closed her eyes, and lifted the blocks. After the blocks were floating in the air, Cassidy opened her eyes, and noticed the hurt look on Neiva's face.
"You did really well for your first time though." She added, hoping to console her. "Don't worry. It gets easier with practice." Cassidy lowered the blocks, and Neiva smiled somewhat.
"You really mean that?" Neiva asked.
"Yeah. Sametta chooses everyone here for a reason. If there was no hope that you would be able to develop your gift, then you wouldn't be here."
"Thanks Cassidy." Neiva said, smiling slightly. Cassidy simply hugged the older girl, and went off to go play with the others.
"Oracle? Gifted? What are you talking about?" She demanded.
"Just what I said, child. I am the oracle. These," She gestured towards the playing children, all of which were gathered around Lodema "Are my gifted kids."
"Then why am I here? I'm just a street kid."
"No-one is 'just' anything, sweetheart."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you're more than you think you are."
"I don't even know who I am! I've up on the street without a home, name, or parents since who knows when? How can I be more than I think I am?"
"You had a name, child. You simply forgot. You were called Moncha once."
"How could I have forgotten that? And how do you know?"
"As for your first question the traumatized mind does funny things, Neiva. As for the second question, the reason I know is because I am the oracle."
"But, why are you re-naming me?"
"It's complicated. You'll find out soon enough. You're how old now, Neiva?"
"I don't know for sure. I remember my sixth birthday, then a fire, and then running away." Sametta looked her over again.
"You look about 13 to me." Neiva shrugged. A moment of silence passed as Neiva looked over to the other kids playing, and wondering about the events that were transpiring. Finally, she looked back at Sametta, and spoke.
"So I'm gifted or something?"
"Yes, you are. As long as you are here, you'll be safe, and you'll be able to strengthen your gift." Neiva's glance returned to the children and Lodema. Could she really be one of them? Would she fit in? She watched the laughing children, noticing all of them seemed so happy, so carefree, and so naive. She wondered how many of them would survive a night on the street.
"Cynicism will get you nowhere, Neiva." Sametta commented. Neiva turned her glance back to Sametta.
"How did you-"
"-I'm the oracle, remember?" Sametta finished, smiling still. "Come. I'll introduce you to the kids." Sametta and Neiva walked into the living room, and the children all immediately took notice of Neiva.
"Kids, this is Neiva. She'll be joining us here, and will be developing her gift. Now, everyone introduce yourself to her." One by one, the kids introduced themselves. There was Isidora, (the puerto- rican girl jumping rope) Deryck, (A Caucasian boy with a toothy grin) Cassidy, (A girl with more curly red hair and freckles than she knew what to do with) Alvina, (A somber looking middle-eastern girl with bright eyes) Monique, (A taller girl with a french accent) Alhraed, (An East- Indian girl with a pretty smile) Quinn, (A black kid who looked pretty tough for his small stature) Bryan, (Another Caucasian guy with light, sandy hair and blue eyes) Cecille, (A slightly chubby, but bubbly girl) and Todd (A tall Caucasian kid with black hair and even darker eyes). As they introduced themselves, Neiva nodded distractedly, trying to get a grip on what was happening. She didn't believe in these 'powers' that Sametta described, but here they were in front of her, in living color, in these kids. Todd regarded her strangely, but seemed to back off when Neiva caught his glance. Sametta smiled, and placed a hand on Neiva's shoulder.
"Neiva, we need to clean you up and get you some clothes dear." Neiva nodded, and Sametta began to walk down a hall. Following, Neiva regarded her surroundings carefully-out of date décor filled the place, but it was comforting in a way. Sametta opened a door to a cream colored bathroom, and gestured for Neiva to enter. She did, and Sametta closed the door.
"There's a towel on the counter for you, dear. Come out when you're ready." Neiva stripped out of her dirt-encrusted black sweatshirt, stained white tee-shirt, and ragged blue jeans. Looking into the mirror above the sink, Neiva observed her own face. A girl with dirty skin, pale blue eyes, and matted, dark brown hair stared back at her, confused. Neiva quickly turned away, ashamed of what she had seen. Stepping into the shower, she turned the knobs, starting a flow of warm water. Neiva stood in the makeshift waterfall for a few moments, just feeling the water against her skin-it had been a while since she had last washed.
Half an hour later, Neiva returned to the living room, her hair no longer matted, and her skin clean, revealing a slightly tanned complexion. Dressed in new clothes (A pair of drawstring khakis, and a baggy white tee- shirt), she stood at the entrance to the living room, watching all the others as they continued to play, as they had been before Neiva arrived. Cassidy was levitating blocks over in the corner, giggling at her own skill. She noticed Neiva standing there, and the blocks all dropped instantly. Cassidy got up, and ran over, beaming impishly.
"You wanna play with me?" She asked.
"Sure." Neiva said, unsure of what else to say. Cassidy grinned from ear to ear, and grabbed Neiva's hand, leading her over to the corner. Neiva examined Cassidy more closely as they sat down. Cassidy couldn't be more than eight, Neiva guessed.
"I'll get the blocks up, and you take them, then pass them back to me, ok?" Cassidy said, as she placed her hands a good foot above the blocks. Cassidy closed her eyes, and seemed to hum for a moment, and the blocks began to rise up. Cassidy's eyes flickered open, and her smile grew even wider, if that was possible. She raised her hands slightly, and the blocks flew above them, floating in midair about half a foot above her hands as Neiva looked on in amazement.
"Now, take them!" Cassidy said, almost challenging Neiva. Obediently, Neiva reached towards one of the blocks, and plucked it out of the air.
"NO!" Cassidy gasped, her eyes growing wide. "Not like THAT!" She said. "You're supposed to take them the way I lifted them! With your mind!" Neiva looked down at the little block in her hand.
"I don't know how." She said, turning the block over.
"Ooooooh." Cassidy said, lowering the blocks until they fell to the ground. "Sametta hasn't taught you yet. You're new!"
"Yeah." Neiva said, clutching the block a little tighter.
"I could show you if you wanted." Cassidy said, her voice becoming instantly more mature. Neiva looked up at Cassidy, and noticed something happening. The little girl's appearance seemed to have changed too. She looked older somehow. Neiva couldn't tell if it were the light, if it was real, or if it was even happening. Regardless, she tore her glance away from Cassidy, and looked at the block in her hand.
"I think I'd like that." She said, somewhat unsure of herself. Cassidy clapped her hands together, and smiled-somewhat awkward, considering how much older she looked. Cassidy took a deep breath, and spoke.
"Ok. The first thing you need to know is that there are no blocks." Neiva looked up at Cassidy, obviously confused.
"But they're right there." Neiva replied.
"No, they're not. There is nothing!
"Nothing? How can there be nothing?"
"Everything is nothing! There is nothing!"
"So, I'm nothing?"
"No, and yes.."
"How can that be?"
"We just are. We exist, but not as we are."
"How can THAT be?"
"Think of it as two different worlds. We exist on another world, but perceive what we are shown on this one."
"Ok. So there's no blocks."
"Precisely." A moment of silence passed.
"But if the blocks are not there, then how can you lift them with your mind?"
"Perception and visualization."
"What do you mean?"
"We visualize the object as it is perceived by our eyes. Using your minds, you're go into the actual object by way of visualization, and then, once you have a firm enough grip, you can lift it. It's all based on human ideas of chemistry."
"What ideas of chemistry?"
"Nothing is solid, according to chemistry. All things are made up of tiny particles gathered together, and held together by invisible bonds. The trick is to use your mind to get in between these particles, so you can get a strong enough grip with your mind to lift it."
"But if it's not real."
"We're manipulating what we see as reality. We're not actually doing anything." Neiva sat in a silent stupor, looking at the little block in her hand.
"How can we not do anything, when we are?"
"We just don't. Since what we are manipulating doesn't exist, by the laws of physics, we are not technically doing anything."
"Physics?"
"In order to accomplish something, according to the law of physics, something must be moved. Since the block does not exist, it cannot be moved. Therefore, when we move it, we are doing nothing."
"Ok. I think I get it. Can I try now?"
"You might not be able to do it the first time."
"I'm willing to take that risk."
"Suit yourself. We'll start you with one block. Look at it. Feel it. Hold it and play around with it if you like. Just get a feel for it. KNOW it." Neiva nodded. She passed the block she held from hand to hand, feeling it's softened faces, taking in all that it was. Or, rather, what it appeared to be.
"That's right. Good!" Cassidy said, breaking into a childlike grin. "Now, place it on the ground again." Neiva did as she was told.
"Now, close your eyes. See the block. See where it's sitting. See the area around it. Look at it for a moment. Know what it looks like in your head." Neiva closed her eyes, and followed Cassidy's directions. A moment passed as Cassidy watched silently.
"Now, zoom in mentally to the block. Go in so close you can see the holes between the molecules. Now imagine your mind can send out long white tentacles. Send them into the block, and get them to grip the molecules. Keep sending them out until you feel you've connected to it enough." Another moment of silence passed between the two girls as Neiva focused. This was an amazing experience for Neiva-she was seeing the molecules and tentacles so clearly within her mind, it was hard to believe that wasn't actually happening.
"Now, this is the tricky part. Once you've gotten enough of the tentacles into the block, and have a strong enough grip, focus on moving the tentacles upward, lifting the block." The innocent block sitting in front of Neiva began to shake, and lifted a little off the ground.
"Is it working?" Neiva asked nervously. The block shuddered, and fell to the ground as Neiva opened her eyes.
"It was, a little. You had it going up, but you lost confidence in yourself. You have to believe in yourself or you want be able to do it." Cassidy said as she closed her eyes, and lifted the blocks. After the blocks were floating in the air, Cassidy opened her eyes, and noticed the hurt look on Neiva's face.
"You did really well for your first time though." She added, hoping to console her. "Don't worry. It gets easier with practice." Cassidy lowered the blocks, and Neiva smiled somewhat.
"You really mean that?" Neiva asked.
"Yeah. Sametta chooses everyone here for a reason. If there was no hope that you would be able to develop your gift, then you wouldn't be here."
"Thanks Cassidy." Neiva said, smiling slightly. Cassidy simply hugged the older girl, and went off to go play with the others.