United (Magics AU - Part 1)

Chapter 33 - Linda

Because Linda was asleep, she wasn't able to use her telepathic ability to block out people's thoughts and even dreams - which meant she saw dreams and nightmares that weren't even hers. Most of the time, she didn't care much for the images in her head while she slept, mostly because she knew that they weren't real. Sleeping for her was like watching scenes unfold before her that weren't under her control, and usually she could control things. It made her quite uncomfortable, but she dealt with it for the most part. 

There were several times, however, when she woke up to someone else's startling nightmare or waking thoughts. Because she couldn't put up a block while she was sleeping, she was capable of waking up in seconds if something bad was happening around her - because she could hear the panicked thoughts of either the victim or the witnesses. 

This happened to take place on this particular morning. Linda had been watching a dream that included her own face - which meant that it was probably Rachel's - when she was startled awake by a panicked female voice screaming in her head. 

Her heart in her throat, Linda sat up abruptly and threw aside her blankets, inhaling sharply. The voice slowly died away into incoherent words that blurred together in Linda's half-awake mind, but this didn't tamp down her confused panic. Trying to wake herself up, Linda blinked a few times and rubbed her eyes, throwing her thick hair out of her face. 

Once she had woken her tired mind, Linda tentatively reached out to listen to the panicked voice. Once she found it again, she latched onto the mind and listened carefully; but made sure not to make her presence known. 

Why did they have to hurt him? the voice thought with the crushing weight of frightened sadness. Why did they come? Who are these people? Why is she hurting him?!

As Linda listened, she realized that the mind was that of a young girl, someone innocent and terrified. Frowning, Linda pulled away from the girl's mind and slowly stood up from her bed. She had never head this girl's thoughts, but that didn't mean much. What was concerning Linda was the part about someone hurting "him". 

Linda quickly threw on a large over-shirt and ran her hands through her hair before heading toward her closed door. She knew the royalty wouldn't care if she went through the halls barefoot, and even if they did care, Linda didn't. 

Reaching out again, she listened for anyone who seemed to be near the girl's panicked voice. She could still hear the child's subdued fright, but she was looking for someone whose thoughts were rooted to help her find the way to where the little girl was. Thankfully, Linda found Marcus's head almost immediately. 

Ozai and Nanami? the king was thinking pensively, obviously racking his brain. It took Linda a moment to realize that the words he had thought were names, which meant that they were newcomers that Marcus didn't know. 

Where are you? Linda thought abruptly, thrusting it into his mind to allow the king to hear her voice. She almost smiled when she pictured his surprised face the first time she'd spoken in his head. His mind was simple - focusing on one task at a time, unlike some people she knew (Amy.). 

Goodness gracious, Marcus thought, his train of thought somehow managing to sound shocked. You have to warn me before you do that. Also, maybe don't do that. It's not something I like. We're in the royal doctor's office. ...Does she even know where that is? 

I can still hear you, Linda said bluntly. Yes, I know where it is. I'm coming down there, so wait until I get there.

Without waiting for a response, Linda slammed a wall over her mind to block out anything else he would have thought. She quickly snapped her focus back to where she was going, but it was too late.