Journey in the Aftermath

Chapter 2: Mind Games

This Chapter is told by the POV of Steven

I look over at Jessica laying down under our shelter she made with some fallen trees and branches. She is too good at making stuff out of random objects, much like what Devin used to do. Jessica actually reminds me a lot of Devin. I wonder what happened to him and Antonio and the others. Jessica stirs and wakes up

"Hey, you doing ok?" I ask quietly

"Yeah I'm good, feeling the same actually" she says following a yawn "we need to talk though"

"Is it about the smoke? And what that weirdo Robert said to you?" I ask knowing what's coming next

"He said the smoke would kill everybody except those with the special genetic mutation right? The genetic mutation that would give people powers? And since I am still alive does that mean I have a power? Does that mean I'm special?" She asks giving me an excited, scared, and confused look all at once

"Well, yes, probably. What has your past been like? Like where did you grow up? Where are your parents? How did you learn everything you know how to do?" I ask trying to figure out just what is going on. It'd be pretty cool if Jessica ends up having powers as well

"Well.. the thing is.. I don't remember my past, I don't remember anything that has happened before meeting you. The first memory I have is being across the street from a farm house and seeing cops and FBI agents all pull up to the house. I remember seeing you and thinking I had to protect you at all costs. And you know everything that happened after that..." she says trailing off

"Yeah, I know" I say and put a hand on her shoulder "it'll be ok, you'll remember one day"

Thank you Steven

"Thank you Steven" she said. I could have sworn she just said it twice

"Umm Jessica..?" I start

Go on

"Never mind" I say then begin thinking, I think the gas is getting to me. I hear her talking but my eyes don't see her mouth moving. Wait that's it!! "Jessica, think of a number between one and a hundred"

"Why?" She asks

"Just do it!" I shout out excited

What the hell? Alright, 74

"Alright, I have it" she sighs

"Its 74!!" I scream out. Her eyes get huge in amazement and wonder. I focused on her and listened closely

What is he doing? And is that a booger? Steven wipe your nose man

"Steven you need to-"

"Wipe my nose?" I say cutting her off. She widens her eyes again then narrows them

"Get out of my head, Steven. I know about your mind powers. Get out!" She yells and pushes me. So I can read minds huh, wait that gives me an idea

"Jessica, let me read you mind, let me look deep inside your head, and find your past" I suggest trying to help her

"Fine. Only my memories, nothing else" she says crossing her arms

"Can do!" I say super excited. I close my eyes and focus really really hard until I start seeing things. I focus harder until I can see things clearer. I see a man.

I look straight ahead and see a large target in front of me. I raise my arm up and launch it back down releasing something from my hand. Three metal stars stick to the bulls eye of the target, I fall to my knees breathing heavy. I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn around to look up at a tall man around his late thirties or so. He is dressed in a weird sort of armor like a dirty samurai type thing without the mask or sword

"Good job Jessica, your father would be proud" he says to me, so this is Jessica's memory. This is so cool! I feel my mouth open and hear words start to come out

"Thank you Steven! I wouldn't have been able to without your help!" Jessica says. Wait, Steven? His name is Steven?! Jessica hugs him tight and I get a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach

"You're now completely ready for your journey" Steven says to Jessica. Journey? What is he talking about?

"I'm going to miss you! Ill make you proud!" Jessica says tearing up a bit. Steven gets down on his knees to be eye level with her. He looks into her eyes and then gets wide eyed as if he sees something frightening then he smiles and relaxes. He hugs her then begins to talk again

"You need to watch yourself and the others. Protect them, they will need you and your amazing ability. Please be careful" he says softly then looks into her eyes again. Wait no. He is looking past her eyes. He is looking into mine! He sees me! He closes his eyes and leans his forehead against hers then speaks again, but this time I can tell that he is not talking, much like when I read Jessica's mind

"You be careful too. Take care of her. Please. I remember what happened, and I hope things change this time around. Good luck Steven" he says into my mind

I fall back onto my hands sweating uncontrollably and am breathing heavy. What the hell just happened?!

"Steven what happened?! Are you ok?!" Jessica asks worried at the sudden act. I look into her eyes and suddenly know exactly what happened

"Jessica. I entered your memories. Well, only one memory actually. But.. you we're talking to a man. A man named Steven. He told you to take care on your journey. He told you to take care of the others. Then he talked to me. He knew my mind was inside yours at that moment. He knew who I was. I think I just had a conversation with my future self"