Talent Storm (10 page)

The crowd exploded in applause.

I gasped, and my jaw dropped, practically slamming into my knees.

“Impossible,” said Danessa.

Ben slowly shook his head side to side, his mouth hanging open. “He could be the most powerful talent wielder ever.”

The crowd took a moment to clap, but when they did, it was deafening. I abstained from clapping, but not just because I hated him. I was simply too shocked to move.

Shantice raised her hands again, motioning for the crowd to be quiet. “It’s exciting when we find record potential, but remember it’s just promise. There are no guarantees that anyone will achieve their full potential. It takes work and training to succeed.”

It was good that I didn’t want to succeed. Hard work sounded terrible.

Many other names were called including Danessa’s. She was found to be Proficient. While it was the lowest rank of talent wielder, most other citizens called were discovered to be talentless.

“Ben Lockhart,” Shantice said.

I patted him on the back as he slipped out of the row. “Good luck,” I said.

Danessa blew him a kiss.

Ben walked down to the preparation area and waited, tapping his foot as he did. His name was called again, and he approached the podium. Shantice touched his face. I held my breath, refusing to move. The announcement would shape Ben’s life.

After a few seconds, she shook her head with a frown. Ben’s shoulders slumped, and his head dropped like a man sentenced to death. He plodded back to his seat. I felt horrible for him. Even though he was better off, what would his father think? When he reached us, he sat silently. Danessa draped her arm behind Ben and hugged him.

“I'm sorry man,” I said.

He refused to look at us, his head and eyes low. I knew what thoughts must be running through his head. This moment, this failure had been lurking in his mind his whole life. He’d now have to face his dad’s disappointment.

“Guys I’m going to head out now to find my dad,” Ben mumbled without looking at us. “I might as well get this over with.” He stumbled to his feet, slid by me, and shuffled toward the exit.

Danessa and I exchanged glances. Her frown matched mine. “What should we do?” she asked.

“I haven’t had my assessment yet. Will you go make sure he’s all right?”

“Yeah, I better.” She leaned over, and her warm lips pressed against my cheek. “Good luck,” she said, then left the hall.

The assessments continued. There were more celebrations and more disappointments. Finally, I was called to the preparation area. When I arrived, I waited anxiously, tapping my hand against my thigh. Perspiration dotted my arms and coated my hands. Although I repeatedly wiped them on my pants, I couldn’t keep them dry.

Shantice motioned toward me, her robe sleeve dancing with the movement. “Citizen Jaden Stone.”

I ambled up, my eyes darting around and my heart pounding. Talent, there were a lot of people watching me. After I reached the podium, I viewed Commissioner James up close. Her grandiosity and the power she exuded overwhelmed me. She was an elite, after all.

Her arms extended before she placed her long fingers on the sides of my head. Energy surged into in my brain, reverberating around and stunning me with its complexity. Suddenly her talent faded as she opened her eyes wide. Frowning, she removed her hands, shaking her head. Did that mean that I had weak talent potential? She stood, her brow furrowed. The audience’s silence filled the room. My muscles grew increasingly tense as I waited. She touched me again, sending the now familiar surge through my mind. She gasped, shaking her head.

She faced the audience, then threw her hands into the air. “Jaden is a telekinetic and one of the elite!”

My eyebrows rose. I was elite, just like Sid. The crowd roared. I smiled wide, knowing that they cheered for me. For a few breaths, I basked in my body’s unusual tingly feeling, then raised my hands for even greater cheers. After a moment, Shantice signaled for silence. The crowd leaned forward, eyes wide.

“He has the potential to emit Psi waves of over six-hundred cycles per second, destroying today’s new record.”

My jaw dropped; the room fell silent. What? How could that be? My heart slammed into ribs, my head swimming. The audience began to murmur. My vision darkened, and I gasped for breath. The world spun around me, sickening my stomach and weakening my legs. Strong hands steadied me before I fell. After a moment, I opened my eyes to see the commissioner holding me upright. How embarrassing. When my mind cleared, I tried to wrap my brain around the revelation.

It was impossible. Potential at those levels was unheard of. Could I possibly become more powerful than Tema Locke, The Immortal Illusionist? Sid topped her level, which was crazy, but just by a little. My assessment exceeded hers by two fold, how could that be? It must have been a mistake.

I looked up toward the godlike telepath, seeking confirmation. We locked eyes and she nodded. It was true then. My potential was greater than Commissioner Shantice James, greater than Victor Deo, the Iron Will, and greater than Sid, the Pudge-ball. Now I had something to rub in his face.

I looked back up at the audience. A man with gray eyes and a fleshy nose nodded at me with a strange little smile on his face. His look unnerved me, twisting my stomach. I looked away as a few people slow-clapped before more joined in. Suddenly the audience’s clapping thundered while their cheers roared like a thousand frenzied lions. A woman yelled my name, drawing my attention. I smiled as I admired her large dark eyes and larger chest. Holding my gaze, she blew me a kiss.

Another cry of Jaden drew my attention to a curly-haired beauty. Her red locks bounced as she yelled, “Marry me. I love you.”

Hundreds of other women shouted my name in adoration, and a smile spread across my face. Maybe it wasn’t so bad being talented.

☼☼☼

When I exited Tema Hall, amongst the mass of citizens, I glimpsed Lilly across the road. Finally, I had a chance to apologize. I jogged across the street, my heart thumping in anticipation and waved to her. “Lilly.”

She eyed me, scowling, then strode away. I ran to catch her, unwilling to admit defeat. I wouldn’t give up that easily. I liked her too much.

“Wait up. Lilly.” I jogged after her until I caught up.

After halting, she faced me, her body stiff. She crossed her arms, her eyebrows lowering as she stared at me. “What?”

My hands went cold, sending a nervous shiver through my body. I remember calling her intimidating all those years back. She was. I had to gain her forgiveness, if nothing else. I steeled myself. Despite her anger, her pouty scrunched up face was beautiful. Her pinned up, golden hair contrasted nicely with her midnight eyes. A few buttons of her green shirt were unbuttoned, tempting me, but I knew better. Her mouth was set in a thin line, her head was tilted, and she tapped her foot.

“I want to apologize,” I said.

She rolled her eyes. “Well, go on then.”

Bile tickled my throat as I shuffled around. “I’m sorry about lifting your skirt at the party.”

She glanced away, her face flushing. The complete departure of her scowl lent me courage. When she rounded back on me, it fled again. “That’s it?” She scrunched her face, flipping her hands.

I grabbed the back of my neck. “I thought you were my friend Danessa. I was just trying to get her back.”

She huffed and rolled her eyes again. “I was still embarrassed in front of everyone.”

Hmm, I counted on that working. I frowned and shook my head. “I know. I’m really sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I would never intentionally do that.”

“Why?”

The question threw me. Did I tell her the truth? Did she even remember me? “I don’t like to hurt people. It makes me feel bad, and I know what it’s like.”

“Huh.” She tapped her lips, looking down. “I’ll forgive you... if you can stand on your hands for five seconds.”

What a piece of cake. I was a telekinetic. She must know since she just saw me at the TAT. I reached high, stretching my arms.

“Oh, and don’t use your talent.”

Damn. There we go. She knew I couldn’t do it without my talent. It wasn’t fair, but I had to try if I wanted a chance with her. I nodded, sticking out my chest. “All right, watch.”

She flipped her hand. “Begin.”

I set my jaw while lowering to all fours. Heart thumping, I crouched down before launching my feet into the sky. My body reached its peak, supported by toned arms.

“One one-thousand,” she said.

Taking a deep breath I wobbled, but adjusted my hands to maintain balance.

“Two one-thousand.”

I was going to make it. Her challenge seemed ridiculous, but I’d do anything for her forgiveness. I wouldn’t fail.

“Three one-thousand.”

Only two more seconds.

I gasped as a long centipede sped toward my hand, spiked pincers twitching. I didn’t want anything to do with it and nearly pulled my hand away, but it veered just in time. I exhaled.

“Four-Mississippi.”

It spun around, charging for me again, and she giggled. At the last instant, I jerked my hand away. My other arm buckled, spilling me to the ground. I grunted as my shoulder crunched against the road. When the rest of body landed, I moaned, knowing I’d lost. I watched the insect speed away, then disappear. An illusion. Damn.

“Hey. You cheated.”

She shrugged, the corners of her full lips dipping. “Oh well.” She wheeled around before striding away.

☼☼☼

That night, lying in bed, I couldn’t sleep. I turned relentlessly pulling the sheets with me, unable to stop thinking of the day’s events. My failure at being turned down by Lilly stunned me. I thought she’d forgive me for sure. The girl from the park was warm and caring. Did that girl still exist in Lilly? Maybe trying to gain her forgiveness wasn’t worth it. I didn’t know, but I had to find out.

As if failing with Lilly wasn’t enough, the TAT opened my eyes to my grim future. Not only was I one of two telekinetics found in fifty years, I apparently had the potential for limitless power. What would the Coalition expect from me? Was I going to have to be their savior? I scowled, disgusted at the thought. I couldn’t believe I thought talent was a benefit, for even a second. If I was talentless, I’d be free. Now, after advanced training, I’d be forced into the military that killed my parents and left me with my uncle. In the military, my anxiety would soar in the face of future dangers, stressful missions, and forced violence. I could only hope we’d have peace forever, because I wasn’t built for war.

After the TAT, I had stopped by Danessa’s house and then Ben’s. Danessa was amazed and couldn’t stop touching my leg and making eyes at me. Ben, only got more upset about the news. He wished he were the talented one and in many ways, so did I. He didn’t tell me how his dad took the news of him being talentless. I didn’t ask, but based on his puffy, downcast eyes and deep frown, it wasn’t well.

I still couldn’t believe that I wasn’t the only elite telekinetic. I pictured Sid, his beady little eyes, his thick-rimmed glasses, and his flabby frame. I never liked him and now he stole my thunder. What were the odds that there’d be another elite telekinetic? I huffed, annoyed at Sid and my lack of sleep. It’s not like I really wanted to be special. In fact, it was probably the last thing I wanted, but still... Sid, seriously? My goal of a stress-free life with a wonderful woman was slipping away. Everything was going wrong. I hoped tomorrow would be better.

☼☼☼

Ben's Journal:

Earlier today, I found out that I don’t have talent potential even though my dad is a bio. I always suspected I didn’t but held out hope. Now, that hope is dead, and with it, any chance of ever impressing my dad. He’s told me my whole life about his accomplishments and all the ones I’d have someday. Now I’m useless, and I’ll never live up to him. He made that clear when I told him the news. He wasn’t mean, but I could tell he was stunned, as if he thought it was inevitable that I’d be talented. After that, he was clearly disappointed to the point where he wouldn’t talk to me. I can’t take it. I’ve always improved my mood with women, but even that seems trivial now.

I also feel separated from my friends Jaden and Danessa now. Since they both have talent, we’ll be trained separately. I won’t see them as much. If they get shipped outside the Coalition afterward, I won’t see them at all. Our childhoods went by so quickly.

It seems like just yesterday when Jaden and I were playing tag in fields and teasing girls that we liked. He’s always been there for me. I guess I took our lives for granted. Now everything is changing, and I don’t even know what the point to life is. Maybe if I wasn’t around, my dad could get over this disaster easier.

☼☼☼

A few days later, the first day of advanced training was upon me. All the newly found talented, were to report at eight o’clock. It was going to be strange to have class without Ben. At least Danessa would be around.

After entering the building, I approached what appeared to be the front desk. The skylight lit, vast entryway was decorated with banners and paintings. Interspersed were portraits of men and women who I assumed were either former instructors or famous students. I wondered if I’d make the wall someday. At the front desk sat a scrawny, young man with big, protruding ears. He was drawing something when I approached, but he immediately looked up, covering the picture. The glimpse I caught of his illustration was of shapely long legs in knee high boots.

His face was flushed. “You’re late if you’re a new student. What's your name?”

Late. That was a bad first impression. “Jaden Stone.”

His eyebrows rose. “Oh, it's you. Your Psi wave count has the entire academy in an uproar. People are really excited about you.” He looked me up and down, squinting. “You don't look so special though.”

I rolled my eyes. “Thanks. So where do I go?”

“Sign in here.”

He pointed at a page while handing me a pen. I scribbled something that resembled my name.

“Go down that hall to the door marked ‘talent Training’.” He pointed down the hall to his right.