Yesterday's Tomorrow People

Tiks and Toks

The sun was still far from rising. The forest was still and active at the same time. Critters rustled about looking new things. Yesterday's snow slowly slopped off bare tree branches. Some snow melted in yesterday's afternoon and refroze during the chilly night forming icicles which dangled from the overhang on the roof of the house. Outside, the house looked abandoned and dark. Inside, warmth flooded every room.

John woke before the alarm. He lied on the sheets wide awake. He had been waiting for the alarm occasionally giving a glance to the blue digital numbers flicker on the clock. He had switched off the alarm soon after he woke. Even without the sun, the room had enough light to see around. He sat up in the bed with his back against the cool headboard. He looked out the window to see the lively forest. The snow looked almost muddy. He remembered seeing movies as a child where the people would create a snowman and angels out of snow. With his experience yesterday with snow seeping into his socks, John decided snow wasn't that important to him.

He glanced back at the clock. Time passed quickly when he wasn't watching it so closely. Five o' seven flicked on the screen of the clock. John threw he legs over the side of the bed. The cool wooden floor surprised him. When he began walking toward the bathroom, the wood creaked with the pressure of his feet. The tile in the bathroom was colder than the wood. He ran the water in the shower waiting for it to get warm. He undressed quickly and hopped in.

After his shower, John grabbed a towel from under the sink. He walked into his room to go into the closet. He grabbed his underclothes, the closest shirt hanging, socks, and a pair of casual shoes from the back wall. He dressed himself and walked back into the bathroom. Hair and teeth now brushed, he shaved the stubble from his face quickly but cautiously. He walked from the bathroom and gave another glance at the clock.

Five-twenty-three.

He walked to the closed hall door. He listened and heard clinking in the kitchen. He decided it was Jed and opened the door. He passed a hallway mirror when walking to the sitting area.

John thought about his attire from yesterday. A formal suit, tie included. Nice, polished shoes. What he wore today was of great contrast to yesterday's outfit. He couldn't remember ever wearing anything but the suit while working for Ultra. He felt like he always wore this casual dress. John thought it might have been from his time spent held as hostage with the Rogues. Even with the suspicious thought, he continued down the hallway on a mission for breakfast.

John saw Jed eating a bowl of cereal with a newspaper in hand and folders on the small table in the kitchen. He thought he would do the same.

"Where are the bowls?"

"Drawer left of the stove," Jed replied sleepily.

John found the drawer in the brightly lit kitchen. He grabbed the cereal box from the counter and milk from the refrigerator. He made the bowl and placed everything back in its place. With the cereal bowl, he walked to the table and sat across from Jed. Jed had been drinking coffee as John sat down.

"Dressing casual now, are we?" asked Jed as he looked up from the newspapers to see John. "Being held hostage for years must have made you believe Ultra is an informal get together rather than a highly respected government organization of professionals that are trying to save humanity and target and stop Rogue supernaturals."

John felt his ears redden slightly. He sniffled to pause the silence for a brief moment. He felt the air vent on the floor near the wall pour warm air out into the kitchen area. The heat bringing reassurance to him.

"John, Ultra has changed, but not in the way of its mission. Many of our agents went through an experience similar to yours. They left, many either by choice or against their will, to go other places. This happened when Ultra had lost the necessary funding for finding Tomorrow People. Some left because the agency was too much for them, and we agreed to let them go," Jed said while glancing away from the breakfast on the table. "As far as I know, you are the only agent to return after the Rogue's attack. I believe this is best for the agency. We are still looking for those with potential like you, but I've a feeling that none can top you."