Envision

Chapter 11- Logan

I couldn't believe Violet. Three days ago, we finally had a full family again. It wasn't perfect yet, but our dad had finally come back and we could be happy. It would all work out.

But Violet wouldn't accept it. She won't even give our father a chance and is clinging onto this Academy. We've only been here a few days, done nothing but go through random tests to test our potential and abilities, and she gets excited with every one while I want my old life and home. On my free time, I sneak off and try to send anything I can back home to my parents. Other than that, I stay in my room to avoid having too much contact with Violet. I just can't look at her without thinking about home. But today I get to go with my sister and find out where we fit into this freak-house.

I meet Violet in the central courtyard and follow her toward the mountainside surrounding part of the Academy. We walk through a small stone archway and push through to steel doors. On the other side, I stop abruptly and gape at the vast expanse before me. The majority of the mountain is completely hollow with catwalks spanning randomly across the gap. Several carved corridors wind off further into the mountain and the floor below teems with activity. Violet tugs on my sleeve and we descend down to the floor.

"So what exactly are we here for," I ask looking around.

"No idea. I was only told to come down to the floor level," Violet says.

I scoff, "Oh wonderful, nothing like standing around for nothing."

"It's not the standing around that bothers me; it's that everyone is staring at us."

Violet's right. We're slowly attracting quite a bit of attention. The hum of voices steadily swells, echoing off the walls. The other students start edging closer creating a bubble around us. I protectively step partially in front of Violet and she in turn rests her hand in my shoulder to showing her support.

"You're both newbies aren't ya?" a guy says as he steps out from the surrounding people. He looks to be about 17, the same age as us, with soft brown hair falling in curls onto his shoulders. He looks relaxed but confident and the other kids closest to him back up with looks of respect.

"What gave it away?" I snap at him.

The boy smiles and yells, "Buzz off everyone. You have better things to do than gawk at these two. So newbies I'm Wyland. Welcome to ground zero of the Academy."

"Um okay well nice to meet you then. I'm Logan and this is Violet," I say.

He laughs, "I'm sorry. It's probably a little nerve racking to be seeing so many people. I could show you around or answer any questions. I'd like to think that I'm pretty big here so you won't be bothered."

"Oh the concern is appreciated, but it's not needed," Avery says as he walks up behind me.

"Ah the mysterious and dark Avery has come out to spare us a few words. What brings you out here pal," Wyland says with a bite of sarcasm.

"These two," Avery says, gesturing to us. He motions for us to follow and begins to walk off. I go after him with Violet at my side and we leave the open area. After moving down a few hallways, Avery holds open a door to a room that resembles a gym. Once inside, a girl around 15 years old steps out in front of me.

"Who the crap are you?" she demands.

Avery sighs, "Chloe leave them alone. They're new here and are with our little group."

"What? That's so stupid! I don't want these losers here."

"Chloe that's not fair. They have every right to be here," Avery says.

"Oh really? What can they do then?"

"We don't really know," Violet says.

Chloe glares at us, "Well isn't that perfect."

"If it's any consolation I don't want to be here much either," I tell her. She just gives me another look and storms off to go sit in a back corner.

"Sorry about her. She's been really moody lately. Anyways welcome to our little family of specials. The ball of sunshine you just met is Chloe, that guy is Samuel and that little dude over there is Echo," Avery says gesturing to each of the other kids. The boy who he called Echo, who looks no more than eight, shifts his head in our direction, and gives a small acknowledging nod. The other boy Samuel gives a small hello and then continues fiddling with some weapons.

Violet smiles to them all, "Sorry to be thrown on you like this but it's nice to meet you all. I'm Violet and this is my brother Logan."

Avery turns to us and says, "So basically we're the weirdest of the weird. No one else has a power really like us. I can control shadows and light. Chloe has control over gravity. Samuel can regenerate and multiply. Echo is even more different though 'cause he's blind and his power kinda developed to compensate him for that; so he can at least make sound waves for a type of echo location, thus his name. Not sure if it can be used any other way though. So that's us and now you guys get to train and learn here while I push you to figure out who you are."

Samuel walks over to us. Lean muscle defines him as a strong fighter and the calluses on his hands show his work and determination. The floorboards creak slightly as he shifts his weight back and forth, raking his gaze up and down me.

Finally, after thinking for some time he says, "Avery get on the sparring floor with him and go at it."

Right away Avery comes at me with a frightening speed and precision. I feel the air rush around me and the small sting of his fist connecting with my face. Samuel stands off to the side next to Violet, occasionally yelling some random tip as I get my ass beat by Avery. After about an hour, he switches me with Violet and Avery with Chloe. At first Chloe gets the upper hand and has her fun with Violet, but soon Violet gets used to her style and starts avoiding the punches and kicks.

Samuel laughs next to me, "She still has no clue of how to throw a punch, but at least she catches on and can dodge."

"So is this what training us consists of? You guys beating on us," I ask him

"Don't worry, we actually have a trained instructor that will teach you how to fight. I just run lessons when he's not here. And beating on you is the first step to have you guys learn and think for yourselves."

Shortly after, Samuel calls off the sparring match and has them rest. He watches over us all silently and then goes to clean up any of his training equipment. Afterward, Samuel said, "I have one last little lesson for the day. Follow me."

We trail after him as he leaves the room. He moves airily through the corridors and stops once he reaches the beach at the Academy's southern border. Our little rag tag group spreads out behind him with Violet and I standing to one side. Avery and the others reclined on a few large rocks, waiting and relaxing. A soft breeze rippled across the water, stirring the sand around us.

Samuel picked up a small stone and skipped it on the waves. Once it disappeared under the water, he picked up another rock and threw it. He continued skipping the rocks for a while longer.

After standing silently for so long, I got restless and asked, "What are we standing out here for Samuel?"

"You're a scared wimp," he said over his shoulder.

"What the hell are you on about?" I growl at him.

He whips around, "you're all timid and afraid. I've seen you're initial reports of what you both capable of; whatever your abilities are they're amazing and strong. You have so much potential. So much skill. But that's not the way you see it; you see weakness and difference."

"You done ranting yet?" I ask.

Samuel stares me down, "I know this is all new to you and your sister and that you don't really care, but this is who you are. It's your life and crying over being a freak isn't helping anything. Just accept and embrace your abilities; I know you're strong. So let's see what you can do."