Tanner's Story: The Before

The Family

I just want to say Hatch doesn't have his glasses because Ian most likely was captured yet. Those of you who haven't read the book, Ian in a glow who can see through echolocation.

I was sitting on my small bed trying to wake up from the nightmare. Even though I had already fallen asleep for I think a couple of hours, I still never found out. Suddenly there was some soft beeping and the door opened. A man walked in followed by Nichelle. Even though I was terrified, I had somehow found it incredibly easy to glare at them. Though I should have known not to do that around Nichelle. The shrieking noise from before came back, along with it horrible pain.

"Stop it," I cried.

"Stop. Leave" the man snapped.

"But sir."

"Now!"

I looked up and for the first time took on what he looked like. He wore an expensive suit and what looked like a Rolex on his wrist. His hair was dark brown with side burns, it was nicely styled. He had what I believed to be a apologetic look on his face, though I know better than that now.

"I'm sorry about Nichelle, she has some... anger issues," he said.

"She's like me, isn't she," I said softly.

He looked pleased, "She is, but her powers are kind of like a vampires." I had a confused look on my face so he elaborated, "Nichelle can suck the electricity out of things. Even though I was still a bit confused I nodded.

He smiled, "We haven't been properly introduced, I am Doctor Hatch, director of Elgen Academy."

I just looked at him. We sat in silence for a few minutes, before I broke it.

"I assume there is no need for me to say who I am," I said sardonically.

"Your quite right Tanner," he said with a sigh. "And I know this all may have happened really fast, but at least let me explain what we do here."

I hesitated, but finally nodded.

I remained quiet while he talked about how their failed machine created something even more important, the glows. Then he told me about the other children like me and the Elgen dream to give the world free energy by creating an electric race.

"I know you may still be to young, but have you ever heard your parents talking about all the things that could be solved by access to energy."

"I guess," I said uncertainty.

"I understand that this may be a lot to take in. Tomorrow one of our students will come down and ease your transition, but until then good night."

"Wait."

He turned back, "Yes Tanner."

"My family and friends what happened to them?"

"Don't worry," Hatch said with a positive smile. "They are fine."

I didn't know if I actually believed him or not, but just hearing the words made me feel a lot better.

"Thank you," I said softly.

"Sleep well." As he left I felt like that was the last thing I was going to do.

The next day

I woke up to a cheerful voice saying, "Come on sleepy head, time to get up."

I groaned a bit and opened my eyes a bit. I'm front of me wearing a cheerful smile on my face was a kid about the same age as me. He was blond and very tall. He seemed friendly. I swung my leg over my bed and saw a small pile of clothes on the floor.

Since I didn't know who he was all I could saw was, "Ummm"

"Oh sorry my name is Quentin, but you can call me Q."

"Ok, I would tell you my name but I have a feeling you already know all about me."

He shrugged, "Well anyways Dr. Hatch gave me these clothes, they might be a bit big or small, but they will work for today."

I looked at him not understanding.

"We're going shopping," he explained. "Tara one of the students will be coming with, but she will meet us at the car.

"Ok"

"I'm going to step out so you can change, ok. I'll see you in a few."

After he left I looked through the clothes. They were really nice, though not quite my size. Despite myself I thought about how just the day before I woke up to a little brother jumping and singing. I tried to push it from my mind, I reminded myself that Dr. Hatch confirmed their safety. Though it was hard, finally I shook myself and picked out random clothes and changed, ignoring the camera. After I finished I looked around wondering what to do. Finally I just pushed the door and found that it was unlocked. Quentin was outside and smiled when I came out.

"Ready to go," He said.

"I think so"

"Excellent, we are going to grab breakfast on the way out. Is a banana smoothie fine?"

"Ya, but why banana?"

"That's a good question, it's because the scientists have found that a non-sugar and high potassium diet actually enhances our powers."

"I understood about half of what you said, but I'll take your word for it."

Q laughed, "Don't worry about it, you'll figure it all out soon enough. Anyways, before yesterday you had no idea you had powers right?"

I nodded, "I mean I knew I glowed, but I only suspected the powers since they hadn't "shown" themselves yet."

"Ya that makes sense, oh look we're here."

Besides a door that lead to the cafe was a pretty girl that looked to be about our age. She had long light brown hair and eyes the color of maple syrup.

"About time you got here," she joked before turning to me. "Hi you must be Tanner, I'm Tara."

"Hi"

She smiled before she said, "Well what are we waiting for, you know I don't mess around when it comes to shopping."

"Shouldn't we get breakfast first," Quentin asked.

She sighed and said, "fine but only a smoothie K."

"I think that is what we were getting anyway," I said with a grin.

"Ya ya let's just do this quick."

Quentin smiled at me and lead the way into the cafeteria.

After we got the smoothies I followed them to the cars. I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I was able to leave, but went anyway. For a few hours I felt like the luckiest kid ever, that wouldn't last.