TELEPATHY

CHAPTER TEN

I awoke with a start, arms flailing. Voodoo mewed, annoyed. She stretched and hopped off the bed as I sat up, wiping the sheen of cold sweat off my forehead. I untangled myself from the cocoon of blankets I had created in my sleep, and walked stiffly into the bathroom to wash my face. I squinted at the light-up clock above the toilet. It was 02:36, and I had to back into work at 06:00. I decided to go for a jog.

After I walked off the stiffness and grabbed a snack, I ruffled through my drawers and found some sweatpants, a tanktop, and my favorite Everlast jacket. Voodoo rubbed against my ankle as I pulled on my sneakers. I stroked her head. "Don't fret, Voo. I'll be back soon."

I've always loved living in the city, after my transfer. You could jogging at 02:30, and no one gives you a second look. The strangest things could happen, and not one true New Yorker would bat an eyelash.

I slowed my jog. 'Speaking of strange,' I thought.

I front of me was a woman, about thirty, I estimated. She was in a parka, too thick, even for the crisp autumn night. Her hood was up, and she was intently studying a Japanese bamboo water balance,  muttering to herself.

As I walked past, she looked up. "Little Missy! Little Missy! Come here." She had a thick Russian accent, and waved me over with a hand missing its pinky finger.

I strode over, not wanting to be impolite. "Yes, ma'am?"

She squinted at me. "What's your name, Little Missy?"

"Annalise, ma'am."

"Ah, yes. Annalise. Very pretty. You can address me as Madness. Tell me, dear, what do you hear?"

I was confused, but I humored her. "City sounds, ma'am. Madness. I hear cars, and horns, and people talking. I hear a radio, probably from an apartment above."

She shook her head. "No, no. Silly." Shse tapped the side of her head. "I said, what do you hear?"

I was surprised. I pointed to my head. "You mean, in my mind?" I leaned close and whispered, "what other people are thinking?"

She nodded her head. "Yes. What do you hear?"

I closed my eyes. I extended my gift, not just next to a certain person like before, but all around me. At first, all I heard was a blur of noise, like a thousand radios turned on at once, all tuned to different stations. But, then I focused on each one, one at a time. The noise became more defined, easier to bear. "I hear.. A couple, around the corner, planning a date. I hear an artist above us, searching for inspiration for his next work." I opened my eyes. "There's more, of course, but I'm sure you get the idea."

She chuckles, the cackle of a madwoman. "Unique, but you could have done better."

I shake my head. "I do not understand what you mean."

"I mean.. Meet me here tomorrow."

"Ma'am- Madness- I do not understand."

"Meet me here tomorrow, and I will teach you how to better your gift. In return for letting me help you, I will find a way to repay you."

I narrowed my eyes. "You mean to say, I would be doing you a favor by letting you instruct me?"

"Exactly, I'm glad you understand. Now, begone." She made little shooing motions with her hands, and I took the hint.

"Yes, ma'am. Madness." I continued on my path, digesting the conversation over and over in my head, trying to figure it out. I eventually made it back to my apartment, and shrugged as I walked in the door.

I guess I'll just have to go see her again tomorrow.