The Insiders

Chapter 8*

CHAPTER 8- Sharlene
The next day Amy and I go to training early to explain to Steve what we did the night before. We explain how actually telling each other things about ourselves helped our friendship. We thought that if we did it together as a group instead of training it would help the team come together as a family, like he wants. Steve agrees and decides that we will do that today. Once breakfast is over, the rest of the group begins to come in. We sit in our spots from the first time we came here. I do not know why, but none of us have even tried to change seats since the first day. I am not complaining, I like the way we sit. 

"Now that we're all here," Steve begins. "Sharlene and Amy have suggested we use this time to become a closer family." We all share annoyed looks with each other at the word family. Steve has gone on and on about it, but we still do not get it. 

"Becoming a family will help you guys use your powers more effectively. You can also work off of each other." Steve begins to get mad. He slowly relaxes as he leans back into his chair.

"Who would like to begin?" Steve looks around. I nod at him as I stand up. There is so much I could tell them. I could tell them about my parents or the day I arrived. If I were brave enough I would tell them about Peter, but there is one person that stands out.

"I have a younger sister named Reina," I smile at the idea of her. "She is nine years old and is the bravest and most beautiful girl I know."  It's easy yet painful to talk about her. It is hard to talk about her without knowing when I will see her next, but it is easy to talk about her. She is so wonderful and pure which makes it hard to stop talking about her. With that, I sit down. Next, Amy and Bryce stand up together. They hold hands as they reveal that they are in a relationship. There is a moment of silence then sudden laughter. Like me, nobody is surprised.

"I'm sorry, but that was so obvious." Coren laughs. This makes Amy mad. She sits down with her arms crossed. To calm her down Bryce whispers something in her ear that makes both of them smile. He sits down beside her with a giant smile on her face. Bryce has his arm around her shoulders for the rest of the class. They are good together. It is something normal and we need normal right now. Next to stand up is Thomas. Without hesitation, he begins his confession.

"I knew about my power because my math teacher told me the day we got here." He confesses. Mr. Rasdear told him? Why did Thomas or Mr. Rasdear not tell me about it then? Is that why Mr.Rasdear wanted to have that meeting that night? I finally figure out that, that is what was going on in class that one day. That is why Thomas was suddenly serious during the laughter of his friends. They asked him what Mr. Rasdear meant, and Thomas knew the answer. In that moment he discovered what I would have to wait hours to know. 

"Do you know how he knew?" Steve asks with clear concern in his voice.
"I could, I guess." Thomas laughs slightly. We join him with smiles. 
"Do you want me to ask you?" Steve checks. There is one grave downfall with Thomas's power; any question you ask him he answers factually. Steve has warned us to be careful with what we ask around him. If we ask him certain things, the answer may be dreadful to him or anyone else. 
"It doesn't seem relevant enough." Thomas shrugs his shoulders. 
'well I do' I hear Steve think. I shift awkwardly. Last we have Coren. Coren moves uncomfortably.
"Share anything you'd like." Steve reassures him. Coren waits a while. I can tell he is thinking hard.
"I've never had a home." He finally says. Coren doesn't look at anyone, he just stares at the ground.
"I'm sorry to hear that." Steve says. Steve is the only one who reacts. The rest of us are silent. We do not look at each other nor speak to each other. Even Coren doesn't reply. He just continues to stare at the ground like it's the most interesting thing in the world. I try to reach his mind to find out what he's thinking. I close my eyes to focus.
'Change the subject.' I hear. I open my eyes in shock to see Coren staring at me with pleading eyes. This worked, it actually worked? 
"Steve what about you," I blurt out in a hurry. "Is there anything you can share with us?"
Everyone turns to Steve. Steve looks like he's debating whether or not to answer. I am just about to enter his thoughts when the speakers that are in every room goes off.
"All instructors to the dinning hall immediately. All children back to their rooms." Liane interrupts. I hate how they call us children. 
"I'll see you guys tomorrow. Have a good night." Steve says as he dashes out the door. The rest of us look at each other with questioning eyes. After a moment, we stand up and head out the door. We stand with the door open for a moment. Our mouths drop in shock. The other doors are open and the halls are full of students. I think in this moment, we really realize how many people were taken from their homes to get here. Bryce shoves us forward and we begin to walk down the crowded hallways. Amy and Bryce are hand in hand talking, Coren and I are side by side with Thomas in front of us. Neither Coren or I speak. I am slightly afraid to talk to him. Coren still has pain in his eyes. I think it is from what he told us. 

"Are you okay?" I ask him reluctantly. 
"Yeah." He responds sharply and coldly.
"You sure?" I ask again. 
"Yes. I am fine, Sharlene." He replies viciously.
"Sorry." I say earnestly. Coren does not say anything, he just looks away. The conversation never continues. Our group of friends begins to lose each other in the crowd. When we arrive at my room, I turn to say good bye to Coren, as we always do. Though, when I turn around, Coren is already rushing down the hallway away from me. For some reason I feel like I should go after him, but I do not. I shut the door and embrace my lonely room.