Cherry Blossoms in Winter
By: Cheryl and Richard Gardner
Ghostwritten by: June Gilbert
Chapter Three: Telepath Emerging
I silently dropped the bunch of roses into Dad's grave, on top of his coffin. Then, I wheeled back to stay near Richard's seat. His normally tanned skin had whitened under the weak sunlight and the black suit. I wore a black velvet dress with long, voluminous sleeves and a laced skirt edge.
I clasped his hand as the preacher recited a eulogy for our father. I soothingly rubbed my bony finger over the back of his other hand. He leaned into my wheelchair and closed his eyes. Richie had been very sleepy lately, ever since he woke up that day Father died.
Speaking of which, I had been having harsh migraines ever since Dad's death, resulting in Richie having to play interference with the little ones of our host family. I was so incapacitated; the Johansson's became worried and called in a doctor.
The doctor tried to put me on pills, but I refused even when Richie pointed out I would have to fake it through the migraines that I was okay. I was not going to dull my senses by some drug that could kill my brain. I didn't really know enough about the Johansson family to trust them, so the only one I felt I could truly trust was Richie now.
After the service ended, I asked Richie to help me put on my coat. After a little startle awake, and a repetition of my question, he complied. A light snow began as we moved back to the black car that had brought us here.
It seems many things in my life are black now.
"Darlings, I have some news that may not please you," a syrupy sweet voice said.
I sighed softly as I firmly put my hand in Richie's, who glared mutinously at our social worker, Theresa Sugars. He had nearly knocked her block off when they first met, instigating a fistfight. I had no idea what was going on with my little brother, but he wasn't acting his age.
"Really? Please, get on with it, Ms. Sugars," I said, with all the politeness I could muster.
"The Johansson family can't afford to keep you both now, I'm afraid. So, dearies, you have to go to another foster home."
"What's the problem with that, Ms. Sugars?" I asked wearily. I was very tired, as I had been up late reading to the brats in our host family.
"Well, sweeties, you would most likely go to different foster homes," Theresa said, trying to look sad. I knew she just wanted Richie off her hands.
I felt something ignite within me.
"No."
"What do you mean dearie? Please, sugarplum, tell me what you-"
I snapped. God forgive me, but I went off!
"SHUT UP! NOBODY IS TAKING MY ONLY BROTHER AWAY FROM ME," I howled, anger pumping adrenaline through my veins.
I didn't even notice when rocks started to levitate. Then the cars started to float. I was glaring vicious hatred at the woman. She had her eyes open wide, her pupils dilated in fear. This felt… good. To be the one feared instead of the prey.
I willed silently for my pain to spill over into her mind. I remembered the sight of my mother, crippled beyond repair and drawing her last breath before my unbelieving eyes. I remembered the screaming, the wailing, and the ripping pain that tore me apart when they tried to move me after the accident.
I remembered the horror on Richie's face when he first saw me in the wheelchair. The broken misery of my father's suicide was another incident I remembered.
And, dear God almighty forgive me, I poured all this pain into Theresa's brain.
Her screaming was intense. But I didn't want to end it. I wanted her to know the misery of my world. Exactly WHY she would never separate us. Because I'd kill her first.
But it didn't end, and I was paying for it. My head was flooding with sensations. Too many sensations. Too much! My head was feeling like it was ready to explode. Nooooo….
"HEEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPP MEEEEEEEE!"
To my surprise, I felt a gentle hand on my arm almost immediately. Against my will, I unleashed a pain blast at the indistinct figure. It reflected, to my surprise. Surprise turned to rage when a snake like metal pole wrapped around my body.
I screamed for all I was worth and unleashed a pain blast so powerful that my target even howled in rage- filled pain. I grinned maliciously and whammed him again. That last assault left me suddenly drained.
I could feel my strength draining. My newfound power was ebbing from my body like water down a waterfall. The metal snake loosened and I was slowly levitated into calm, but uncompromising pair of arms and a warm, living chest.
I felt so cold. Like a wave of death was already stealing into my veins, icing them over and sending me into hypothermia. I nosed into the only warm object in my frozen, shrinking existence: the chest of the man who cradled me so carefully.
I heard a soft, low exhale as the man drew in his chest. I looked up with dimming vision and saw blue-grey eyes, steely hair and a helmet.
That was the last thing I saw before I fainted clean away.
This is just to see if anyone at all is looking at this story anymore. I'll post up til the chapter I've got, but it's not done. Reviews might encourage me to post the revamped version of this story on the site.
Love, hugs, and smiles to all who review
-June