The Mind

Chapter 7

Over the next couple of days, Killian worked to try to get his strength back. It was hard because every time he did, he would get major headaches. The Mind hadn't shown up to any crimes or accidents in the last few days, and the people of Springtide City were growing concerned. They wondered if their beloved superhero had just vanished, or if he decided he wasn't going to help them anymore. Being stuck in the lab also prevented Killian from seeing Emma. Because he couldn't fight crime and save people, he was stuck working at his boat rental place. It was a boring Friday. People were excited to get out on the water and it made Killian anxious to know that this was the last day of work for the week. His other employees would take over for the weekend. Killian turned to the register to get the man's change when he saw a flash of golden curls fly by the window. He handed the guy his change and smiled as he saw Emma.

"What can I do ya for today, love?" He asked, leaning his arms on the window.

Emma held up a paper bag. "Lunch from Felix's?"

"Lucky for you, I was just gonna close up for lunch. Come around back and I can let you in and we can eat in here."

She nodded and went around the building to a heavy metal door. Killian let her in and they walked to the center of the room where papers were piled up on top. He cleaned them up and Emma put the bag of food on the table. "I have to say, I have a lot of guts coming here after you stood me up for breakfast."

Killian's jaw dropped and he leaned back in the seat. "Oh my God! I can't believe it! Love, I am so sorry! I was feeling a little under the weather and I was sleeping all day and that's why I didn't call you." He leaned forward and grabbed her hand. "Forgive me?"

She leaned forward and smiled. "I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. I'm pretty good at knowing when someone is lying to me. Let's call it my little superpower."

"I'm telling you the truth."

"I know." She smiled, "thank you for being honest with me, Killian. Not a lot of people in my life have been."

"What do you mean by that?" He asked, taking a bite of his sandwich.

She shook her head, "it's nothing. Don't worry about it."

Killian couldn't resist entering her mind. He knew that she was a guarded woman, and he just had to get the answers to his question. He had never been much of a patient person growing up, so in a way, his mind reading ability was beneficial to him.

All he could see was a blonde teenager surrounded by other children and one adult. He could see a girl getting into a station wagon with an older couple. The teenager was holding back her tears. He could only guess that the teenager was Emma, but he wasn't sure where she was at or what she was remembering. He blinked rapidly and she seemed to be off in a daze. He waved his hand in front of her face, and she came back to her senses.

"Are you okay, love?" He asked.

"Yeah, totally fine. How about we have dinner Saturday night? To make up for our missed breakfast date," she suggested.

"I love that idea." They ate their food with more small talk. But once the clock hit one, Killian sighed and leaned back in the chair and ran his hand down his face. "Lunch is over. I have to get back to teaching people how to sail a boat." Emma laughed and put all the garbage in the back in the bag and Killian took it from her. "Thank you so much for lunch." He reached for his wallet but she held her hand out to stop him. "Take it, love. You paid for me and now I'm paying you back."

She rolled her eyes but took the money. "Fine." She hugged Killian and put the cash down on the desk behind him before pulling away. "I'll see you Saturday."

"Aye, love," Killian said. He watched as she left and went out to her car. He watched her drive up the hill and out of the parking lot, and turned around and chuckled to see the twenty dollar bill that he had handed to her a few minutes ago. "Oh, Swan," he sighed. He grabbed the money and put it back in his pocket and waited for more customers to show up or the other boaters to come back.

Emma drove away with a smile on her face. She felt as if she could tell Killian anything, even though she was reluctant to. All the alarms in her head was going off in her head whenever he would ask a question about her past, and she would come so close to telling him. He just had that look in his eyes that said that he knew what she was going through and that we would understand the feeling of abandonment. But, she didn't want to take that chance that he could be like her. But, right now, they were friends who were getting closer with every friend date they went on and each time they saw each other.

Neal had been the only person she let in her walls her entire life. Just when they were going to start the next part of their lives together, and then he was ripped from her life. She didn't want the same thing to happen to Killian. What she needed was a survivor. She didn't need a hero or someone to save her, but she needed a best friend. Where they could fight side by side, not with one person on the sidelines. She couldn't ruin Killian's life if she were to worm her way into it.

Remember: I have a one shot contest going on. The book with the rules and the first contest is written down. I need more entries so don't be afraid to enter.