Fascinating Villains

{27} - Strangers

My date with Colin went well. I did not register a single thing from the movie we watched, on account of I was experimenting with receiving and listening to the colossal amount of thoughts around me. I built my opinion of the movie thanks to what the other moviegoers thought. The crowded streets and restaurant were also ripe with minds to explore, but I had to focus on speaking with my date.

My coworker and I inevitably gravitated toward discussing hospital or paramedicine adjacent subjects. There has been an increase in violence against transgender or non gender-conforming citizens of Gotham lately, which has yet to have been addressed by anyone in a position of authority. The victims are often found injured inside Sixes or areas near the neighborhood, and that is all we know. I am hoping my new gifts will help me discover more.

According to one of Colin's patients, her assailant was a member of Bane's gang. She was certain of this, apparently having seen the man inject Venom - Bane's trademark super-steroid - into his forearm before going berserk and assaulting her. She had survived by stabbing him in the throat with one of her seven-inch heels. Of course, the police officers that questioned Colin and his patient were not overly convinced by her testimony.

The young man and I eventually realized our inadvertent obsession for our work and changed topics. Neither of us shared profoundly emotional or personal information, but we sustained our usual banter with ease.

I enjoyed our late afternoon together, and Colin asked me if I would like to go on a second date. We were in my apartment building's parking lot, so I knew Joseph was watching every second of our exchange, smoking next to his own car only fifty feet from us. And that, even if his cigarette burned entirely, he would stay put. Therefore, I ignored my well-meaning - but nosy - neighbor and agreed to Colin's invitation.

Now, I sit on my couch, exercising my mind. I am starting to not only gather my thoughts within the borders of my psyche, but also to separate them into categories to neatly store them, until they naturally disappear from my immediate consciousness and become memories.

My stomach rumbles softly, reminding me of my hunger. I refuse to enjoy a snack or prepare even the smallest dinner. My meal tonight will be exclusively comprised of whatever Cedric and his husband have planned.

Eating is the best way to avoid speaking. In case I panic because of my telepathy, I can always shove crackers or egg rolls into my mouth and pretend to choke... Which, now that I think it over, could cause me to truly choke, so I might need other evasion tactics.

~

The evening sky is pitch black and sullied by clusters of dark gray clouds, ominous and prepared to discharge hundreds of thousands of humongous icy pellets. The weather broadcast announced the first snowfall of the season around midnight. In Gotham City, the "first snow" is always hail, somehow hardened by the habitual wafts of pollution. The only advantage this year is that my car cannot look much worse than it currently does, hailed on or not.

Cedric opens his front door, greeting me with his candid smile.

"Hello, Tanza! Come on in."

A wave of music reaches my ears, it sounds like a house remix of The Nutcracker Ballet.

Amused and glad to see him, I comment, "Hey, Cedric. Looks like it's going to hail tonight."

"Yeah, Joseph took Ruth to the covered parking yesterday, thank God. They're doing discounts over there now for new clients, you know. If you buy a new car, just ask us and we'll put in a good word."

Ruth is the name the couple has given their prized collector's automobile.

I have entered the apartment and followed my host as he spoke. He adjusts his glasses, then motions at Joseph who is conversing with a short stout person and an elderly woman sporting a gorgeous turquoise braid.