Chapter 20: Spies?

Summary: Alex feels a little paranoid.

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"Alex! Dude, how come I didn't see you yesterday? I can't believe you're back!"


"Hey Carmen! Don't worry, I wasn't avoiding you, I was just getting used to the school. I left when I was nine years old. Gimme a break," Alex laughed.


"There's something different about you, did anything exciting happen while you were gone?" Carmen asked.


"Pah, hardly. I went skiing and face planted a few times but that's about it. But dude, I gotta go, I have to get home. See ya."

Alex walked out of the school quickly. Why do I suddenly feel that everyone is working for the enemy? Alex wondered. All day he'd had a sinister feeling. Suddenly everyone's eyes knew him, everyone searched his thoughts. He stood naked, open to anyone, and with his powers limited he didn't stand much of a chance if someone were to try and get a peek at his thoughts. I need to figure out a way to strengthen my powers, Alex thought.


"Hey Alex!"


Alex inhaled his gum and turned red faced to the voice. He coughed hard to get the gum up. "Cody?"


"I'm sorry Alex, are you OK? You seem...nervous." Cody said.


"Nah, I'm OK, I was just, uh, deep in thought. What's up?"


"Nothin' real exciting, I was just wondering if you were going to go to the coffee house tonight, Mrs. Mae really misses your voice."


"I don't know, I'll have to see."


Cody looked long at him.

He avoided eye contact.

"What's wrong Alex?" She asked. "Ever since you moved back you've been acting really weird. Did something happen in Colorado that you haven't told me about?"

"Look, Cody, it's just that Dakota's parents death...after their death, I don't know, I don't really want to talk about it," Alex said. It's not exactly lying, Alex thought.


Cody put her hand on his arm. "I understand, but if you ever want to talk, you know I'm here," she turned and started in the other direction. Then turned over her shoulder. "Call me tonight, OK? Let me know what you decide about coming to the coffee house."


"All right I will, see ya," Alex climbed into his truck. Man, this may be harder than I thought.


In the distance the foreboding clouds inched closer, pregnant with rain. Thunder snarled as lightning reached out across the sky, stretching for a victim. Slowly, the clouds forced the sun into an early bow and the curtain closed on it. Alex started his car, the sound of the engine and thunder mingled as he exited the parking lot.