UNIQUE (A Powers Novel)

Five

The corners of Paragon Diagnostics twist the building symmetrically, giving it the illusion of a giant double helix reaching into the sky. The gleaming glass spire reminds me of the infinite possibilities their research can offer. Curing talent-related diseases. Improving the life of those with weaker abilities. I can't help wondering if maybe they have some magical cure. Some way to give me an ability. Any power would do at this point.

City life hums around me. People move along sidewalks with purpose. A building down the block is under construction. Two workers lift a steel beam so the cables can be easily connected around it, which serve to help the Telekinetic worker in lifting the beam into the sky to where another team of Somatics wait to pull it in and set it down in place.

I close my eyes and listen, the warmth of the sun makes everything surreal, and I imagine what will happen when I walk in. Maybe Joyce will see my potential despite my disability. Maybe, just maybe, after this clinical stuff finishes, I might be able to convince the people at Paragon Diagnostics why they should hire me as a researcher. But for now, this is just a foot in the door.

The massive glass doors slide apart as I step up, granting entry into doors the large lobby of the building. The ceiling rises through the center of the building as many stories as I can see, lined with glass panel railings at each level. Pristine whites and deep blacks make the slashes of red stand out in striking contrast on walls and fixtures. It's beautiful and clean and everything I remember it to be. Employee pass-stations block off the far end of the lobby where another foyer and a bay of elevators waits. To the left of them, a long desk is attended by a host of receptionists.

"This is it," I whisper, then march over to check in.

The bright, white-tiled floor screams in contrast to my dirty shoes. Everyone who passes through is just as put together and clean as the lobby. And their passing glares, each loaded with suspicion and disgust, slow my step.

"Can I help you, sir?" One of the women behind the counter is looking at me with a scrunched smile on her narrow face.

"Um, yeah," I say, stepping up and touching the marble countertop. It takes everything in me not to pull my hands away for fear of leaving a smudge. "I have an appointment with... um, Joyce Cass."

One of her thin brows quirks upward, giving me a critical and curious once-over. "Name?"

"Ugene Powers."

The phone floats to her ear and dials itself.

"Hi, this is Marge at the lobby desk," she says. "I have a Ugene Powers here to see Ms. Cass, but I don't have access to her schedule."

My stomach sinks.

"Okay. Thank you."

The receiver floats back down to the base as Marge gives me that small smile again. It's fake. Of course, it's fake. She deals with the same thing all day. Who could smile about it all day long?

"Please have a seat, Mr. Powers." Marge motions toward an alcove of cushioned chairs and sofas. "Someone will be down to retrieve you momentarily."

I swallow the lump in my throat and as instructed, choosing a chair facing the elevators beyond the employee pass-station. The chair is incredibly comfortable, like sinking into a cloud. Probably Naturalist-made with Naturalkinesis—the manipulation of one or more of the elements. I go back to people-watching and just absorb as much of the environment as possible.

Everything in the lobby is cutting edge. A large wall projection in the sitting area showcases the current breakthroughs in genetic research and technology. The woman in the projection talks about the various diseases Paragon is on the verge of curing.