Chapter 83: My Ability

Charles Dalton was having a hard time. He had faced many perils, brush past death many times and in the past if anyone ask him to spy on a man, he'll ask how long. If you ask him to sneak into the mafia, he'll ask as who. If you ask him to steal an artifact he'll ask, steal what. 

But asked him to pick a flower for a woman, that he has no idea. 

He stuck still, standing in front of a batch of flower decorating the front store of a flower shop. There were roses, lilies, daffodils and orchid. He could have picked a random flower for all he cared but he had once bought a flower a bouquet flower he picked whatever he thought was good and his sick mother complaint if he was preparing her funeral. 

Besides that, it has been long since he was an actual Interpol agent so he was aware he was getting rusty. 

"Professor Dalton?" 

He looked up to his side, responding to the sound of his name. He hid the confusion he had at the sight of an unfamiliar girl. She was maybe around 14-15 years old, blond bob cut hair, a grayish blue eyes, a bit of tan on her skin and angular face. "Yes, do I know you?"

The girl smiled and pointed toward the name on her apron. Charles Dalton was a little bit ashamed that the name 'Miley J. Ross' didn't ring a bell on his head. The girl, Miley noticed his blank expression meant he still had no clue who she was. "I guess you still don't remember me, seeing as you only taught my class for a year"

Then a flashback flashes in his mind and he remembered one normal girl who was alone at the corner of her class. She used to have her hair in ponytail and he had never noticed her problem because she kept smiling all the time. Literally! Charles never knew anyone who could smile even after that incident where the whole class was covered in mud. He took a double take on her and his heart warmed that smile wasn't as hollow as 3 years ago. Her bob cut looked a lot nicer on her and Charle hope she was in the same class as her two best friends.  

"Ah, sorry about that Ross, it's hard to keep track all the students I've taught before"

She chuckled, "That's fine, can I help you picking up flowers? Is it for an injured friend?"

Charles raised an eyebrow, "how can you tell"

"Well...considering what happened after...you know...I thought you would be visiting someone who got hurt in the aftermath, and you didn't look gloomy so I was hoping it wasn't somebody who died and you're not the first to pick up flowers for someone of the incident" she looked bashful at the impressed look Charles was giving her. 

"Yes, a friend of mine was shot and I was hoping I could get a flower or bouquet for the right occasion"

"Then should I recommend a few flowers?"

"Please, I'd be more than grateful if you could arrange a bouquet, whatever's fine with me anyway"

Miley nodded and clip a few fresh flowers that was starting to bloom. It was a mix of......and Charles felt at peace watching her repetitive work with grace. "Have you worked here long?" He tried making a small talk. 

Miley glance up, looking taken aback and switched to a mocking look. "You haven't read the full signboard have you?" 

Charles wasn't sure what she meant and recalled the signboard hanging above the entrance door that said 'Ross's Roses and Flowers'

He slap his own face at his stupidity, "you lived here...I should have figured that"

Miley couldn't help but chuckled, "It's fine professor and here...the flower is ready" Miley looked satisfied at her finished work and so did Charles. He took the flowers and paid her accordingly. "Professor, you're paying a bit much don't you think?" But Charles was already out of the door and sent a wink at her. 

"Think of it as a small tip" 

Miley looked like she wanted to complaint but Charles was already long gone, much to her surprise. "How did he left so fast?" She asked herself in wonder, and yet she was glad he left as fast as he did because her heart couldn't take more of him or the giddy smile she was trying to suppressed. 

#

"She'll be at room 2026, would you like a nurse guide you there?" Said the receptionist. Charles politely decline and made his way to the second floor. He found the room quite quickly and made a knock. 

"Come in..." he heard the soft woman's voice from behind the door. 

He did just that and he was greeted by a friend and mentor to him and he smiled at the fact she looked well. "Good to see you alive Ms. Fley"

She groaned but she went back to her lopsided smiled, "Good to be alive Charles" she chuckled. It didn't took long for him to realize the drug was still affecting her. 

"I hope there wasn't any difficulties of using your ability at that state"

Catherine Fley began to laugh once more and Charles was beginning to feel worried and uncomfortable. "You have no idea how scary and funny this is, I mean...all my life I've always thought my ability was useless and undesirable and I pretty much live a normal life unlike most espers. I even hated my ability at first, but then...a massive group of terrorist had a gun on you and boom, it saved my life!"

"Ah right, you're ability...what was is called again?"

"Cryonic...the ability to put my body into suspended animation. First time that ability is actually useful for something"

"I actually thought you died at first if it weren't for Professor Laxon reminding me that you couldn't be dead"

"By telling you I'm dead over and over again, how does that even work?" Charles only smirk in respond and put the bouquet into the empty vase. "Lovely flower by the way, who picked it for you?"

"Ignoring the fact you didn't think I could pick them myself, I'll keep that small fact to myself Cat"

Her lopsided grin became a bit more meaningful and her hazy look became more focused and amused, "You just gave this a cat a curiosity to crack"

"Let's hope she doesn't die from it then shall we?" Charles jokingly responded. 

#

"Today we broadcast this news surrounding the mystery of the masked girl sightings and what back story behind her action. While there are viral videos of her defending the FBI from overwhelmed by out of control espers, there is astonishing news from last night that the very same person was sighted by the FBI threatening the famous professor, Dr. Ars. Furthermore..."

I tuned out the news, knowing the content. Is this how those heroes feel in comic book? Being a hero then turned to a criminal by the media? I wasn't trying to be a hero but the sentiment is the same. 

"Honey, what's wrong? Aren't you eating your cereal?" My mom asked in concern. It had only been recently I left the hospital so she's in my case in every mood swing I had. 

"I'm fine mom, just wondering what I'll do today with no school today, or tomorrow, or the few days until further notice"

"Yes that's true" Dad chimed in, "your school is fine..." he stopped short at the glare from the rest of his family, "I mean barely fine, but many students were left traumatized and preferred to transfer or better yet move out of the city. Lots of things are damaged so until the school is appropriate to attend to, they'll send you two to another school for the time being?"

"Wait, two?" Beth questioned. 

"Because the high school section is undamaged they'll go there as if nothing happened apparently, some parents protest at that but that's why there's a week off, to make sure the school is danger free" 

"So...when will we get assigned to the other school then?"

"An email will be sent to one of us and it'll probably be in public school seeing as they're isn't any other private school for espers. Claudia and Beth would have to go to a public institutions as well for your weekly ability checkup"

Huh, so that's how it works. I almost thought I would have the rest of the month off until the school is back into track. My thoughts were interrupted from the door bell ringing. Karen took the liberty to checked on our mystery guest and came rushing back with two unexpected character and one of which was my living nightmare. 

"Hello Adrianne...Mike...kids, it's great to see you all well and healthy since the incident."

"Uhm...Uncle Steve, who's that?" I asked with a surprisingly normal tone despite the nervousness taking over me. Three times I see his face and he can't seem to stop popping out. 

My uncle pointed the man beside him, "This is Hawkins, he is an acquaintance of mine and had recently moved here. I planned to show him around the city after I visit and see for myself how the kids are doing" he explained briefly. 

"Sean Hawkins, pleasure to meet the rest of the Robertson's family" that wretched Hawkins politely said with a small smile on his face. If my parents weren't here I would have gladly welcome him then merrily asked when he would leave. 

Oh I'm sorry, you must have been dying to know why I hate this mature and smart looking man that I've been bashing in my mind. If you insist in knowing then he happens to be a knight in my past life and my personal hunter, because every time I get into trouble he pops up like weeds. Wherever I go, there he is! It's like he could read my mind from mile away! I already had enough with him chasing me in my past life, I do not want to have the same experience in this life as well. 

My life just can't get any easier. 

Mr. Hawkins met eyes with me and gave me a warm smile. I thought there's nothing wrong with acting childish at this moment and stick out my tongue on him. 

I know why you're here, and let me tell you. You've never caught me then and you'll never catch me now. 

Unknown to me, Hawkins had noticed the challenging gaze I gave to him, but didn't ponder about it. 

#

I've always known there was a dormitory set a few blocks from the school. I just never visited, but hot damn they sure have great facility. The lounge reminded of a 4 star hotel or more, there was a game room at the side open only for the weekends, a cafeteria, and even a small home theatre. Praetor Academy really goes all out with this. 

I waited for the ginger head boy at the lounge as I read a novel about a girl dating a sparkling vampire. I heard the ding sound of the elevator and I glanced to the side to find Rick strolling his way here. He paused a three feet away from and pointed at the book, "That's a chick flick"

"Seriously, this is an adult book and that's what you pointed out?"

"But you hate chick flicks"

"Well reading a grown adult went into depression and attempted suicide because of a guy reminded me that my life doesn't suck so much" 

Rick rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile, he leaned in closer to me as we had a silent staring before he started to ask, "so...why did you call me here?"

I snapped the book shut and put it back at the small book shelf, "Want to take a little walk?" I said, tilting my head to the door. 

Rick made a curious look as he crossed his arm, but he shrug his shoulder then said, "No probs, anywhere in particular"

"Just walking around the neighborhood should be fine" I made the first step to walked out and Rick soon followed and we walked side by side. My arm reached out to scratch the back of my neck, "I need your help Rick"

"To the point...that's good, so why would you need me for?"

I pulled out a wrinkled letter from my pocket and had him read it. He must have noticed how nervous that letter made me and decided to read it aloud.

"Dear Mr and Mrs. Robertson. We send you this letter to notify that you're child, Claudia Robertson will be attending Emerson Elementary School and will continue her education until further notice. However it is to our knowledge that your child has not awaken her ability so if she wishes to continue her education as an esper she would need to demonstrate her ability at the 3rd Public Institution. Please contact us if you do so but if she fails to pass or no contact has been made, she will not be welcome to Praetor Academy as an esper."

A moment of silence stretch between us, Rick turned to me with a curious look. "So what's the problem? Can you do magic to pass this?"

"That's the problem Rick, there's limited thing I can do and I can't use magic without revealing it's magic! I thought if I came to you I could ask you if you could somehow help me with one of your ability to pass it because I need to"

"I could...but then what happens afterward?"

"What do you mean?"

Rick's shoulder slumped down as he sigh, "Look, once they registered you with the particular ability, they're going to ask you to do it repeatedly every week and I can't always be there when you need it."

That was a point Rick made that I can't refute. "So...I guess I'll have to be normal then"

"If you're so strung about hiding your magic, why didn't you be normal in the first place?"

I looked up to him and met his bright nocturne eyes, eyes that resembled him so much that constantly reminded me he had the soul of a family I loved deeply and yet at the same time he is not. "Because I don't believe I could lead a normal life"

Rick leaned back and he looked at me as if recalculating my value. "True, if I were you, being normal would just suffocates me" he put his hand on his chin and tried to come up with something. "Hey one question, why were you trying to kill a professor last night?"

My feet halted and my spine shuddered. I was too nervous to meet him in the eye and kept my head straight. "Was it that obvious?"

"Gee a woman wearing an owl mask and had a silver sword now who else fit that description?" His sarcastic tone was more than obvious and I relented with a sigh. 

"He was the one who made that mind controlling bracelet which he guise as a 'limiter'"

I wasn’t sure what kind of answer he was expecting, but my answer was certainly not on his mind. "What? How did you...you've got to tell Dale about this, this is major news! One of the Research Department’s head was in cahoots with terrorist, do you know how serious this is?"

"Off course I do, but how am I supposed to tell him? That I knew he killed someone and he was the one who design the bracelet so I just put two and two together. He just admit it to me last night when he had a sword on his neck"

"Wait...how did you know he killed someone before, I'm getting confused here."

I cursed inwardly in how much I talk, I wasn't sure I was ready to say out loud my other secret. The one I wished it never exist and a reminder of what I become. "I could feel ill will"

"You could see what now?"

"I said...I could feel someone's ill will like an aura. From the small feeling of trying to hurt someone to those who actually enjoys it. It's not a pleasant thing to feel" 

"...what did his aura feel like?" he asked with unsure tone, I don’t think its everyday he asked about people’s aura.

"...like iceberg, as if my bones were encased in ice, his stench was filled with copper and he was pitch black from head to toe. All I wanted to do when I saw him was to get away from his sight" what raises my goose bumps the most though, was the fact that ill will was intended for me. 

I gripped my arms to reassure myself he wasn't really here. I usually find ill will in everyday lives but I had perceived it as flies surrounding someone or the stench of molded food. It was easy ignoring that but being with him just reminded me how abnormal I am. Well...more abnormal than I already am. 

I waited for a reaction but he was looking thoughtful, I remembered he had that face when he was close to an answer he had been searching for a while. "That ability of yours, you don't need spell or the like right?"

"...yes..." I answered attentively.

"And just to be clear, you could tell whether someone has ill will toward somebody else"

"Yes...Rick where are you going with this?"

"Don't you get it? You could use that as your suppose 'ability' there's no record of such ability so it explains the 'unknown' label and that way you'll prove that you're an esper"

That...is a brilliant idea. Without a need for a spell my magic will be categorized as an ability which they will examine every other week. 

"No" I said flatly. 

This seem to take Rick aback, "Why not, isn't that the perfect opportunity?"

I shook my head sadly, "You don't understand Rick, my power is just...not something I'm comfortable with. You don't know what it's like to feel whenever someone wishes to hurt somebody. To know…to feel they're never what it seems, you don’t understand!"

Silent befell us and Rick had an expression I never saw him wear before. 

Disappointment. 

It irked me that he had the nerve to be disappointed with me when he knew nothing what I was going through. "What? If you have something to say spit it out!" I snapped at him.

"No, I have nothing really to say" he turned his heel and walked away from me, I stayed stood, watching his retreating back. "Just so you know Claudia," he turned to me and kept his slow pace as he walked backward, "you're not the only one having a hard time" 

#

The nerve of him! 

Who the hell does he think he is to judge me that way, and what did he mean I’m not the only one having a hard time? As if I need someone to point that out, that jerk. My door was slammed loudly that I cringed, but with no one but my sisters at home, I didn’t care much and just rest at my bed alone and screamed at my pillow. Letting out all the frustration I had.

After a while, the anger inside me subsided and I fell to my bed with a thud and recounted his reaction. “What do you want from me Rick?” I whispered thoughtfully.

I heard the knocked door and without waiting for my answer, Beth came in looking obviously concerned. I guess I wasn’t hiding my anger very well. “Do you want to talk?” she asked. I didn’t answer her because no, I didn’t want to talk. However, she wasn’t taking a no for an answer as she slipped beside me on my bed. “What’s wrong? It’s not like you to get this emotional”

“As if you have any clue what I’m like” It came out wrong from me and instantly I felt bad when my sister was just being concerned. “Sorry…” I said in the end.

“Its fine, you just had a bad day, anything you like to share?”

And say what? That I’m a witch capable of seeing the evilness of people and my friend wants me to exploit it so I could stay as an esper? Yeah, not likely.

“I don’t think you’ll understand even if I tell”

“Now why would you think that?”

“Because you’re not me” I answered simply.

Beth scowled, “You really are weird”

I scowled in return, “What makes you say that?”

“You’re sometimes like that, assuming no one would understand you or that you think you’re different from others. That bothers me”

“Well it’s none of your business if I am different!” I snapped at her loudly.

Beth kept her calm though and looked at me like I was a troubled child who needs help. That look of hers is what makes me tick even more because I don’t need help, I’ve never need help! Beth sat upright along with me and she made me hold out my hand along with hers, “Do you see this, what do you see Claudia?”

“…a hand?”

“Does it look any different with one another?”

“…no…”

She then softly pulled my hand to her chest and my other hand with mine. “Can you feel this? What do you feel?”

“…heartbeat”

“Not that different with one another right?” I nodded, feeling unsure where this is going.

“So we look similar, our insides the same, we both eat and we both sleep, I’m sure you know what I’m trying to say but if you ask if we’re different…yes, despite how much we are the same we are different. Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to understand each other, because I think we were born different so we could learn to understand our differences but at the same time, learning to never ignore that we’re also the same.”

I blinked a few times, hearing her inspiring little speech to make me, her little sister better, but despite that, “Beth, did you just re-enact and quote a scene from the Animal Squad again?”

Beth blushes and threw my hand away from her, “Way to spoiled the mood”

I snickered but came up to hug her in the end, regardless of the source she did made a point. I was so focused thinking I was different I didn’t let Rick or anyone to understand me.

What’s the point? A voice in my head said. Do you think they’ll accept you just like that? You’re a hero to them now, but one little mistake and they’ll turn your back and leave you to the dogs. A memory flashed in my mind, a man who I trusted with my life. Turned his back and watch me burn and he didn’t even look the slightest remorse.

Would the same thing happened again?

I wasn’t sure why but my eyes stung and tears had almost broken out, and like a real child I held my sister tighter and asked her, “Beth, how are you sure someone will understand me?”

Beth made a knowing smile with one eyebrow raised, “…Claudia, do you really think I didn’t go through the same thing? Almost all espers go through this which is why we stick together often” I looked at her in bemused, not sure what she was talking about. I didn’t get to chance to ask before she continued, “Listen Claudia, we’re espers, so it’s understandable if someone normal would sometimes sneer or bully us. Especially those who has a useless ability. One time, I had a few kids threw me trashes and asked me to throw it away for them” 

WHAT?! When did that happened and what kind of kids actually do that? Somehow the conversation turned oddly here. 

“It’s normal really but I do have some normal friends, they aren’t scared or anything and know I’m not some kind of different species, so don’t be dramatic and give whoever it is a chance. More importantly, don’t let anyone tell you you’re anything but special. That’s what mom told me anyway”

The new fact that I never even considered blown me away as if someone just told me I was pregnant. “Beth aren’t you afraid? That someone may not be what they seem and was just using you?”  

Beth looked thoughtful, “Hmm, I guess that might happened. If someone did was using me I’ll just get revenge”

“No, I’m serious. What if, for example, someone used you and got you kicked out of school as result and you can’t get back?”

“Huh, never thought of that. You’re questions are weird Claudia but I guess I have to say though I’ll hold a grudge to whoever it is but then I’ll have to move on. I can go to a different school, I can still stay contact with my friends, and I’ll just live as life goes on. It’s not like I would think of revenge 24/7 but it’s better to think how I will make things better for myself”

“…is that another quote from Animal Squad?”

“Jeez Claudia, do you have to point out every good advice I make as a quote I took?”

“Is it?”

“…yeah…” she said with shy admittance.

I thought a bit of her answer and decided to ask the other thing that’s been on my mind, “What if…what if the teachers had you used your power for something you don’t like, something that makes you uncomfortable?” to my surprise, when Beth heard my question she laughs.

“Oh sorry Claudia, I just never imagine you have normal worries I could actually relate too, you usually be so mature at my problems I wasn’t sure if I could ever made a good sisterly advice”

Wait a second, it’s a normal concern?

“I’m not sure what the professor says to have you think like that or whoever said it but don’t be afraid. The teachers always consider what you’re capable and if you’re mentally strong enough to do it, off course they would ask your consent if it’s something weird like when they ask if I was capable to turn a pipe into a few screw driver. Altering shape are always hard for me and mentally taxing, I almost faint the first time I did it. Anyway, you could always talk to me or mom and dad if you ever feel they give you strange experiment so you don’t have to be scared all right?”

A thought formed at one side in my mind and I began to nervously asked, “Do most kids have this concern?”

“Oh sure, I mean…they are a lot of kids with weird abilities right? So sometimes there are kids who don’t like using it, doesn’t mean they can ignore their ability which is the institution is for” the faces of my friends in Class S popped in my mind and the few stories Foax had told me about them. Didn’t Dean had the same problem as me, and what did I say to him?

Your ability is something you should love, otherwise you couldn't love yourself.

Talk about hypocrite.

Yet there’s no way I ever liked my own ability but…do others feel that way. Not liking their ability, a reminder of difference, failure, and their own darkness?

You’re not the only one having a hard time. I remembered Rick saying.

…

I’m officially a world class idiot.  

Hey readers, good news!

My laptop is FINALLY working swell again so now the Glossary is editable again and makes it easier for you to go there. And gosh, looking at the counter we're almost reaching one million! 

Thank you so much guys, remember I love you all