Secret

Chapter Seven

"You don't know what parents are?" I ask, and he shakes his head.

Rebecca, what's wrong with him?

He's been here since he was three. Ms. Meyer is wiping his memories, and she started with his parents. Cole and I have seen kids leave here, and they aren't right. Johnny will be the next to go...if he even makes it.

What do you mean, 'If he even makes it'?

He's so young, Cassidy, and Ms. Meyer is running some very strong tests. I don't know if he can handle it. That's what me and Cole and all the other kids are trying to stop, and we need you to do it. You're our last piece to the puzzle.

You're lying.

Are you really going to put this kid's life at risk because you won't believe me?

I don't reply, and ignore Rebecca's constant thoughts inside my mind.

"Can you show me a rainbow?"

"Me. Meyer tells me not to use my power."

"Please? It can't hurt."

He thinks about it for a moment, and then sighs. "I guess not. I'll give you a mini one."

I smile. "Thank you."

Johnny closes his eyes and shape his hands into a cup and smiles as well. A couple seconds later, a rainbow starts sprouting like a plant. First the red, then orange, then yellow, and all the way on until pink. The colors blur together, and the rainbow seems to symbol happiness and hope. I can't really explain it, but it's so beautiful that I don't want it to go away.

And then it does. Johnny's glorious smile fades along with the rainbow, and his eyes are filled with depression. Like his happiness, his sadness is contagious, and I find myself losing my glee.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Timothy," he answers. "I miss him."

"Were you two best friends?" I guess, and he nods.

"He was seven like me," Johnny explains. "And he could make plants grow with a smile."

"Like Gracie?"

"He was Gracie's brother."

"Oh," is all I can think to say. It strikes odd that Gracie never mentions him. "Why did he leave?"

"Ms. Meyer said that he had tamed his ability," Johnny replies. "And that he was free to go."

I remember what Cole told me and ask, "Did Timothy seem different?"

He nods again. "Yeah. He wouldn't talk and he wouldn't laugh or smile anymore."

Once again, I'm lost for words, and turn to Rebecca. 

Did you know this? 

Yeah. Gracie doesn't like to talk about him.

I can tell.

Now do you believe us? Ms. Meyer changes people, and Timothy was one of them.

You don't know that. Maybe he just...whatever.

I want to tell myself that Ms. Meyer didn't change Timothy, and that she doesn't hurt anyone, but I still feel weird inside. I can't bring myself to say it.

You already did.

Go away, Rebecca.

You already admitted it to yourself. Join us, Cassidy, and stop her.