A Different Beginning - KOTLC AU

A New Beginning

The next morning, as Sophie headed out for school, Mr. Forkle was already outside tending to his garden.

"You're out earlier than usual," she said while walking by.

He looked up, but didn't look surprised to see her. In fact, he usually-joyful face was filled with anxiousness and anticipation. He didn't even notice when he began overwatering the plant next to him.

"I don't think sunflowers need that much water," Sophie said after a few awkward seconds of staring.

But Mr. Forkle simply set the hose down and continued staring. "Sophie, you need to listen to me very carefully. There's a lot to do and a lot to explain, but you have to trust me. There are bad people after you, and we are the only ones who can protect and train you."

Sophie stood there for a few seconds.

And then she burst out laughing.

"Protect me?" she asked in-between giggles. "Train me? For what, a zombie apocalypse? And who are these bad people? Why would they want me?"

Mr. Forkle shook his head and sighed. "This isn't a joke, Ms. Foster. We must leave immediately if you want to survive."

Sophie stopped smiling when she realized he was completely serious. "Survive?" She was starting to think he was the one who hit his head on concrete all those years ago, not her.

He walked out to the sidewalk and grabbed her wrist. "I'm sorry. I know this is a lot to take it, but I'll explain everything later. Right now there are some . . . Bad people following us. I would like to lose them."

Sophie struggled against his grip. What was he talking about? "Let go!"

He ignored her and began dragging her towards her house, not using much effort to do so.

Her heart began beating louder, like a drum. Why was he taking her towards his house? Was he crazy? Was he a sociopathic killer out to murder her?

I'm not trying to do anything like that, his voice said in her mind.

Her eyes widened. Did he just . . . speak to her? In her mind?

She took in deep breaths. So she wasn't the only mind-reader. There was someone else.

In made sense, since he was the one who found her after she hit her head those years ago. She'd woken up with these powers, so he must've given them to her while she was knocked out.

That still didn't mean he was a good person, though. First of all, she hated reading minds! And Mr. Forkle was also trying to kidnap her right now.

Just trust me, he said.

They were almost at his door, so Sophie struggled harder---especially when she heard his voice in her head. She was used to hearing other people's thoughts, but it was like he was pushing his into her mind.

That's when she realized: Just like yesterday, she could no longer hear his thoughts.

She gasped. "You---creepy, lying---liar!" Now his hand was on the doorknob, so she turned around and tried running. His hand on her wrist, stopping her, but then she froze.

Behind the trees, she spotted silhouettes of people, staring at her. She tried calling out for help, but they simply stayed in the shadows, as if afraid to get closer. 

No, not afraid. They were waiting for something. And something told Sophie that these people weren't normal.

"They're not," Mr. Forkle said. Sophie jumped, but was thankful he spoke out loud this time. "Those are some of the bad people after you. I'm sorry; this is all my fault. But we have to go."