What's Your power?

The Lab

Thomas POV:

the research lab is on campus, technically. It in reality is mere feet from the fence that blocks us in. The moment I step in the floor is polished to the point it looks like there is a layer of glass above the tile floors. The place never has anyone walk in as placidly as I did. In reality people are more rushed in here in an emergency. After a minute when not one of the 10 or so nurses noticed me I cleared my throat. All of the looked at me "I, um, I think I just experienced a code 2015 and wasn't possessed so...?"

One of the nurses removed their mask "Child, you'd better not be kidding"

They all pushed me into a small room and poked and prodded me. One looked in my eyes, another in my ears, there was one in my throat. "Alright, describe what makes you think it was a 2015 and not some other random crap"

I told them everything from the figure to the goop to what it said to me. All of them crossed their arms and one stepped forward to hand me a clipboard. It was a sheet to check myself into the hospital.  They were simple questions name, occupation, power, age, and emergency contacts (aka friends). I lightly handed them the clipboard back. "so does my experience receive a passing score or am I faking it?"

The nurse who handed me the clipboard grabbed my wrist firmly and led me down a slim hallway. It was the kind of dimly lit hallway that you see in horror movies, you know the one that people die in. There were doors on both sides they each had small windows on them. I couldn't see in but I felt something watching me from most of them. There was a purple door covered in small blue eye charms. As we stepped up I noticed I was stepping on some grit. I looked down "Don't you worry child" she had a very thick southern accent "it's only salt you'll be fine. He's trying to ward off the evil eye at the moment. He spilled olive oil in his kitchen last night and in his culture that is real bad luck. I can see why he would want to protect himself in this kinda place"

The door creaked open revealing a small, frail man. He looked at me and smiled "Ah , il mio ragazzo , la tua anima mi parla . Si prega di venire più vicino, devo sapere che cosa dice"

I smiled at him. I speak Italian so I know what he said. The nurse however is lost as all heck, which makes it obvious that he doesn't do that often. So I played translator. "Ah, my boy, your soul it speaks to me. Please come closer, I must know what it says" The nurse looked down at me and smiled. I took a step closer to the old man. "what does my soul say sir?"

His eyes were transfixed on my chest. He stared for what seemed like ages. I stood there awkwardly, I mean what else am I going to do. A smile spread across his lips. "I knew it" his Italian accent was extremely thick. "You communicate with souls boy. Do you not understand? This is monumental."

I stepped back. I communicate with souls? That isn't right I communicate with animals which according to some religions do not have souls, but there are some religions that disagree with that notion. "sir, I don't understand. I've always been told I can talk with animals not souls."

He shook his bald head aggressively "My boy, I read souls that is my power. I know everything there is to know about anyone I come into contact with. You are the only soul that talks. How do I put this easily? Most souls read like books yours however is more of an audio-book."

I shook my head this still really doesn't make sense. "Then how do I talk to animals?"

He crossed his arms "You really don't get it do you, boy?" I shook my head obviously I don't "Fine you talk to souls allowing you to hear the souls of others. With people that's just talking same with animals, but you could connect with even more if you really tried. Try making friends with a ficus next chance you get"

Oh, I understand ... I think, at least a little. "But what does that have to do with the black goop and being possessed?"

He pulled one of the eye charms off his door. "This is an Nazar Boncugu, an artificial blue eye to protect against the Evil Eye, it is much like your soul only difference is that your soul protects against possession and even more evil entities if you train. You just have to establish a solid connection for some talking is enough, like the spirit that attacked you, for others it will require much more"

Nodding I stood firm. This still doesn't fully make sense but I'm willing to try and learn. He placed the charm in my hand. Firmly closing my hand around it I felt somehow safer. "Sir if it's all right with you I would like to stay here and try working with some of the patients you have I need to learn how to control this better and you never get better without practice"

He smiled lightly before showing me to my room. It's small ... and empty except for me and a massive bed. I climb in and get comfy but I can't seem to fall asleep. I walk back to the lobby and pick up the phone. "Hello, hey it's Thomas this is really embarrassing, but I left my overnight bag at home can you please pick it up for me. I'm at the hospital on the outskirts. Yeah, I know could you throw in some extra clothes I don't know how long I'll be here. You always know what I look good in. REALLY,  Thanks see you get here. Love you"