Chapter 4: The COLA project

I stared at all the little crystal like drops, running down the car window. It was so strange. I was leaving. For good. The words sent a fizz of energy down my spine. Just this time yesterday [wait, 3 days ago, because I was under for two days], I was talking with my best friends about homework. Maybe I'll e-mail them, I thought. But are you allowed to write letters to people outside of Fenton lodge? That made me uneasy. I quickly put on capital FM. I recapped what was happening, so I knew it wasn't a dream.

I was driving with my dad over to a McDonalds, where Owen and the SG's [Security Guards] were waiting to put me in their vehicle and drive the half hour to Fenton lodge, across 5 miles of countryside. It made me feel valued, that they wanted me safe so much. Or, I thought suddenly, they wanted OTHER people to be safe, from ME? That almost made me burst out laughing. Me? Georgia? Dangerous? But maybe I was. Maybe I could be-

I was suddenly cut off by a huge whirring noise above me. It looked just like...Wait a second? A helicopter! The huge military helicopter flew down beside the car, and who stepped out... Owen Hind. This was way too drastic! I can't believe the military would make all this effort to protect ME!

As Owen stepped out, his hair caught the sun, making it gleam like crazy. He was wearing a white and blue jacket and jeans, which made him, look oddly stylish, even though he was- I squinted at him- 45 years old?

I stepped out of the car, and was suddenly being crushed by my dad, hugging me tightly. "I'll visit you" he promised. "Me and Anna and the new baby". I almost laughed. Three days ago, this would have made me livid, but now, it made me kind of sad. I hoped the baby didn't turn out to be just like Anna. It would need a big sister to help it. Owen walked over, grinning.

"Sorry Mr. Parker, but were ten minutes over schedule, and I need to host the Illusionist matches. Dad nodded, and then gave me a kiss on my head. "Prove the Parkers proud Georgie. Prove your family proud", he whispered.

And as I got into the helicopter, I swear I heard my mother laughing...

"Okay, I demand answers", I announced to Owen. He sighed noisily. "Right", he began, "you are a COLA, which stands for Children Of Limitless Ability, and your ability is Telekinesis". I took in that. Telekinesis. It seemed to roll off my tongue. "Carry on", I said expectantly. Owen nodded, and then continued. "I am Owen Hind, part of the COLA project. I guess you want to know the history of it"? He looked at me, and I nodded. "Okay then, let's start" he began. I leaned over in my seat, expectantly, with bated breath.

"The COLA project was created 4 years ago, when a group of children doing amazing things- such as disappearing, healing, getting messages from beyond the grave, making people see stuff that isn't actually there, and moving stuff with their minds – were discovered". Owen turned round to see how I was doing so far. I managed a weak attempt at a smile. "So", he continued, "we gathered them all up in a top secret school- much like the one you are going to now, actually- and a couple of...err... bad events occurred". I shivered. Could they be anything to do with my dream?

Owen noticed my sudden shiver, and turned to face me. "What's the matter" he asked, concern spelt all over his face. I hesitated, not really sure if I should tell him.

"A year ago, I kept having dreams about"- I paused and gulped, starting to remember those dark, scary nights- "about a huge wave, drowning, and a girl with black hair, yanking my tongue out, and then a boy, as a falcon, and lots of spinning, terrible pains in my arms, then a burning sensation, a smile, a letting go of fingers, and then falling, the cold, and.. and..." I stopped, the horror of those dreams making my throat clench up. I looked at Owen. His face was clenched up in horror. I started crying, remembering the dreams.

"Does it mean I've gone mad" I asked him. He shook his head, and then stared at me, making notes on a dark blue notepad. I tried to peek, but he whisked it into his pocket before I could. "No, in fact it might be because you have some psychic ability, I just was caught of guard. You know the part with the smile, and the letting go of fingers, and the... and the falling? Well, that was me, about two years ago; I faked death to get out of the COLA club. But when I heard the 'new' batch of COLAS had been discovered, I had to return, which was a bit difficult to explain, to say the least". He chuckled.

I stared at him. Wow, I thought, this man had been through a lot. And what does he mean by the 'second batch'. So this has happened before? But as I was just getting used to this, he sprung another thing on me.

"Right", he announced, "your dorm is ... Oooh, room 45, lucky magic, as it has been called." He laughed. "You're 'lucky', get it, it's the best room if you like breathtaking views of the lake in the morning and sunset. Ah, wait a second"- he rummaged in a file, then took out a sheet of paper- "your dorm mates are... Morgan, Jessica and Autumn".

Before I could react, the driver in front turned round and said; "We will be landing in two minutes". I quickly scrambled about for my bag, checking for any items that may have fallen out.

As I rummaged through, I noticed something like an envelope in there. Maybe it was the one I was looking at before all this happened?

On the front it had written: Baby's first photo. Inside was a fuzzy black and white picture. Underneath in Anna's elegant script was written:

IT'SABOY! Lot'so love from all of us; and your dad, me and baby wish you luck. I thought you should choose his name. How about Ben?

Or Liam? Love from,

Jeanne. Xxxxoooo

I could feel my eyes well up with tears. Owen turned round, and I showed him the letter. He gave a soft smile. "Well, maybe they can book a date at the cabins" he asked. I smiled, and put the envelope away. Then we both felt a bump as we were landing. I peered out the window, and then gasped.

"Yep, we have arrived", said Owen, "welcome to the COLA club"...