Thirteen

Clues.

    My eyes are open-wide in a second and I notice Kevin watching me.

Kevin 'Sorry, I didn't want to wake you up!'
Lore 'Ahm... ' I don't know what is really happening. Was I asleep? Everything was the result of my imagination? 'It's ok.' I continue eventually.
Kevin 'How are you feeling? Have you thought about what we disscused?'
Lore 'Not really. Time is a big problem in my life.'
Kevin 'Don't let that be your excuse for blinding yourself from the truth.'
Lore 'Could you be more specific, Kevin?'
Kevin 'And where would your award be then?You just need to realise how important you are. Remember the test we gave you before we left the hospital? I read your questions and answers a few days ago. You're connected to people in a way that I will never be able to. Why aren't you happy and the other teenagers  are? Why are you trying to fight against us and the rest embrace us as a warm way to their new life? You should consider it as something you're eager to find out.'
Lore 'Are you referring to my ability? 'Cause I don't have one.'
Kevin 'I won't be that sure. Fight for yourself and the people you care about, Lore! Don't give up your purpose from the first disappointment!'

I blink and a cold hand is touching my arm and I get up from bed really fast. It's January. So, the talk which I have just had with Kevin was part of my dream too? Am I not capable of realising the reality anymore?

Lore 'Oh God, why are you so cold?' I ask January puzzled.
January 'It's snowing, Lore!' she seems happy.

   I've been so focused on my plan that I forgot it's already December. Our first snow from a while.

Lore 'That's so great! But, what are you doing in my room? I don't quite remember us to be... friends.'
January 'I asked for your help at the hospital and now I need it. You are very smart. Despite our conflicts, I am able to see the potential hidden inside of you.' I actually can not believe January says all these good things. I have the impression that my dream is still going awake. 'You must act like you know what's happening today with no second thoughts.'
Lore 'What are you talking about?'

   She looks so worried and I can feel her nervousity.

January 'Let's go downstairs and you'll see.'

   We come in the kitchen and a lot of noise mixed with conffetti make an appereance in front of me.

Kevin, Maison, David, Lyvia, Primer, Liam, Tessa, Stephanie 'Happy birthday, Lore!' Steph is the first one who hugs me followed by the others.

   Kevin is whispering next to my ear to follow January's advice. I look at her because I don't know what to do and she makes me a sign to continue on this spirit.

Lore 'No way! I never thought you'll actually remember!'
Maison 'How are you feeling? You're twenty now! You have turned so beautifully into such a brave adult.'
Lore 'I'm excited for this day and to find out what this new part of my life has to bring in.'
Stephanie 'Have a wonderful year, my dear! Thanks for being my friend and trusting me!' she smiles. 'Do you like your surprise?'
Lore 'Stephanie... ' I'm doing the only thing January has told me not to do: to look thoughtful. 'Who told you it's my birthday today?'
Stephanie 'Maison has arranged all these to make you happy. I feel guily that I didn't know, but we talked so much about other things, so we forgot the essential.'
Lore 'The essential... You're right.' I realise now every clue Kevin has been trying to send me. I'm running over him wanting to take him in a more silent place.
Lore 'Let's take a short walk, please!'

   We get out the house and step by step we're creating our way.

Kevin 'So, what's going on?'
Lore 'This is what I want to ask you. What's going on today, Kevin? I can't understand a thing of what you and January are trying to do.'
Kevin 'We want to help you. The rest of the doctors are making bad decisions about your future that January and I do not agree with. I know you are aware of the real danger, so we decided to make your 'journey to outside' easier.'

   A few days ago. -The doctors talking-.

Maison 'I think we can pass to the next phase of the experiment.'
Kevin 'Lore hasn't discovered her ability yet.'
Maison 'I'm sure she will very soon. Now let's focus on the teenagers with the strongest abilities. We have to make them become even more powerful. To reach their full potential.'
January 'We risk thirteen lives, Maison!'
Maison 'Twelve. Well, actually, eight. Andy, Klaus, Melissa are safe at the hospital for now. We still need to figure out what it's been happening with Jo.'
Liam 'Let's administrate them the new medicine in food, as usual.'
Kevin 'Are you crazy?!' he starts yelling. 'Those pills could completely erease their old memories or turn them into people who won't be able to control themselves; not to be rational. Absolutely not!'
January 'I agree with Kevin. We need to think about the succes of the experiment, not at the time it takes to get there. We mustn't hurry the process.'
Maison 'We have been waiting for over fifteen years. I think it's been already enough.'

   Back to present.

Lore 'Do you expect me to believe you? 'Cause I don't!'
Kevin 'I could have warned the doctors about your intentions, but I haven't!'
Lore 'Why did I lie today?
Kevin 'Everyone is watching January, Stephanie, you and I. I can't tell you everything on detail, so you need to figure it out. The only clue I can give you is that one of the teenagers left hasn't shared the same experience and beliefs as the rest of you. Pay attention.'

    He is telling the truth, but he is worried. I need to change the subject of our conversation because he seems very uncomfortable, so I tell him about what I might have discovered.

Lore 'I can feel people's emotions. Whenever someone light up a strong new feeling inside of them, that person sends it to me through her movements, gestures, words and I am able to find out their true feelings and honest thoughts at that very time. I can hear their heart beatings louder, too. That's my ability and I brought it out due to your help!'
Kevin 'It wasn't so difficult after all, was it?'
Lore 'I guess because of my ability I was capable of overhearing everything and feeling the cold in those frozen years. I have never said this before, Kevin, but... THANK YOU! You're the reason I could get over my first bad days.'
Kevin 'It's my job, Lore. I am here to make you find the right way. WE are here to help you even some of us aren't making smart decisions.'

   Why is he still playing the good guys part? He has just told me that he's aware of my real thoughts.
   But he never mentioned something about the experiment... so doesn't he found out that I also know this?

Kevin 'Anyways, did you feel the cold while you were in those tubs?'
Lore 'Never mind, talk to you later!'

   I'm rushing back home, to Stephanie.

Lore 'Steph, Steph, Steph!!!! Come upstairs!'
Stephanie 'Where have you been?'
Lore 'Close the door!'

    She does it.

Stephanie 'What is happening? You leave, miss all your party and now you're becoming extremely nervous.'
Lore 'Stephanie, it's not my birthday! I was born in April, not in December. Kevin made me understand that one of us, the teenagers, are with the doctors. If that's true, it means we are twelve, but everything is planned based on number thirteen. Thirteen tubs, thirteen wards, thirteen beds, thirteen phones.
Stephanie 'Maybe they just took caution, like a back-up... '
Lore 'No... One of us is missing and I have just realised that the "E" from Kevin's tattoo doesn't represent my last letter, it means the first one of his or her name.'