2050: A Time of Courage

Chapter 22: Rosalie/Shemik

Rosalie

After we get back to the mansion, all of us seem to go our separate ways.

Jason, Theo, and Lili all go back to their rooms, Dimitri ends up wandering around, and the two oldest have disappeared without a trace.

I find myself looking for something to do, too bored to sit still but not desperate enough to go back to my room.

That is how I end up outside, on a second-floor balcony, practicing my talent.

As hard as I try, I can't seem to fight off the round of nightmares that has been threatening to drive me crazy over the past couple of days.

I see my parents' death over and over again, followed by nightmares of the torture I faced in real life. I don't know why they're getting worse again, but it scares me.

For a while, I was done with all the dreams, with reliving it all.

Now it's like my past is coming back for me again, like the dreams are determined to beat me for good.

Normally I would talk to someone, with my voice or a silent method, but everybody I would tell has their own problem to handle.

Emilio has his parents, Shemik has whatever is going through her mind, and Dimitri ... He's been through enough too.

I sigh, closing my eyes as I concentrate on the air currents that tickle my cheek.

It's not really windy today, I think. We could do with a breeze to cool the temperature a bit.

I focus on this for several moments before the force of a surprisingly-strong gust of wind brings me out of my stupor.

Too much, I think, that's way too much.

The wind is whipping around the balcony, making a terrifying howling sound as it considers sweeping the handful of flowerpots up and over the railing.

Stop it.

My own annoyance seems to make things worse, sweat covering the palms of my hands as I continue to focus, imagining the breeze slowing down and eventually disappearing into nothing. Behind me, the door to the balcony opens again, but the sound barely seems to register.

Having finally convinced the air to do what I want it too, I all but fall into one of the fancy-looking metal chairs.

"So, that is what you can do."  Alessa's voice makes me jump, "I got Emilio to tell me that Shemik reads minds but the rest of you ... I could not get him to say. It is nice to know another Superior with an element-based power, though. You are one of the rare ones, Shorty."

I glare at her with as much annoyance as I can manage.

I'm not that short, and if she thought I would talk to her about my powers, she is very wrong.

I give her a shrug, trying for the blank expression I've seen Shemik wear a thousand times.

"I know," Alessa rolls her eyes, "You are the one who doesn't speak. A choice, no?"

I look away from her, my expression not changing. I don't know her, and she isn't getting any of her answers today.

I don't trust her.

Alessa laughs.

"Fine, I will do all the talking then."

I pretend to be more interested in one of the flowerpots, looking at the small white flowers as though they are the most fascinating things to see.