Break Me If You Can (Anthony Padilla)

Chapter 15 || Up To Me

I glance up nervously at the nurse as she walks back into the room, now accompanied by the doctor.

"Uh, Miss Holmes," the doctor says. "It seems that you have something irregular in your brain.  Changes have been made to a a few of your nerves which would result in, well, telekinetic abilities."

I look left and right, not knowing how to explain this.

"Where do you live?" he asks curiously.

"A place," I mumble.

I'm not telling them anything.

The doctor gives me an annoyed look.

"Katia," he says. "Please cooperate with us. This is all for your benefit. So please, just tell us some basic information and we'll leave you alone."

Fine.

"I live in the Midwest Paranormal Testing Facility," I say. "In Chicago."

The doctor nods.

"How long have you been living there?"

"Since I was about 9 or 10 I think," I anwer. "I barely remember anything from back then."

"Well, thank you," the doctor says. "You can, um, wait out there and we'll get back to you."

I nod and walk out into the main room, where Anthony is sitting.

He stands up as I come closer to him.

"Did they hurt you?" he asks right away.

I shake my head.

"No," I reassure him. "I'm fine."

I sit down in one of the chairs and Anthony sits down next to me.

As I rest my head on the back of the chair, I hear a door open and the doctor walks into the room, holding a clipboard.

"Hello," he says. "I have some news for you."

Anthony and I both stare at him in nervous anticipation.

"If you would like," he begins. "We could perform a surgery that would change your nerves back and take away whatever abilities you have.  It's a very complex procedure, but if it is successful, you would be able to live a normal life.  We've already cleared it with the lab, it's all up to you now."

I sit there for a few seconds, staring at him.

Should I say yes?

"I- I'm not sure," I stutter.  "I need time to think."

The doctor nods understandingly.

"That's fine," he says. "The lab booked a room for you two at the motel across the street. You can have the rest of the day to think, but we need an answer by tomorrow."

I give him a shaky nod.

Anthony and I stand up and walk out of the room.

We walk through the hallways of the station, huddled close together.

We go across the empty road and up to the front doors of the small motel.

-Part 2-

I sit on the bed next to Anthony, munching on a bag of Doritos and watching Bones on the TV set.

Anthony looks at me, somewhat concerned.

"What do you think you're gonna do?" he asks softly.

I shake my head and look down at my lap.

"I honestly don't know," I say. "But I think I'm most likely gonna do the surgery.  I mean, yes, my powers are good defense, but I hate them, and they get in the way of my life."

I bury my face in my hands.

Anthony gently wraps his arm around me.

"It's okay," he whispers. "Don't worry about it. You have until tomorrow to make your decision."

I lean my head onto his shoulder.

"Thanks," I say. "Now, I really need some rest."

He nods in agreement.

I get up and turn off the TV and pull on the string of the lamp to turn it off as well.

I go into the tiny bathroom and change out of my bloody, dirty clothes and into a pair of athletic shorts and an oversized sweatshirt.

I leave and walk back into the main area of the motel room and climb into the bed, where Anthony is already half-asleep under the covers.

We lay close together, trying not to worry about tomorrow.

But, in my mind, I know something will go wrong.

Something always does.

Author's Note: The remainder of the story will be told from Anthony's POV. Thanks so much for reading and enjoy! :)