The Angel Among Us

Chapter 3

Virgil learned about the tests when he was 10-years-old. He was in the 4th grade, and he had been called down to the guidance office. He almost didn't hear the call through the headphones he had to wear. He got up from the desk, avoiding the stares of the other students.
He took off the headphones in the hallway. He could hear the other teachers teaching, a conversation between fifth graders in the girl's bathroom, the passing of cars on the street. It was relatively quiet at that time, which is why Virgil could keep the headphones off. Otherwise all the noises would force him into shutdown mode.
There were too many noises in the guidance office, so he put the headphones back on. He didn't want to hear the typing, the sound of writing, the breathing of the reception lady. He scrunched his shoulders up a little, feeling uncomfortable.
"Hello Virgil, please sit down." The headphones were connected to a device that singled out voices, so Virgil could listen in class and not have all the distractions. It was faulty sometimes when other kids were talking, but it worked well for the most part.
"I'm sure you're aware of your special... talent." Virgil didn't know why she paused before saying talent. Perhaps because it wasn't really a talent and more of a problem. Still, he nodded his head. "Well, it looks like it's because your brain is special. It's more advanced than other people's brains. You process certain information better, and it may be due to evolution. Scientists will want to study your brain when you are older."
Virgil's stomach dropped at the word "study". He knew what that word meant. It meant that he wouldn't live through the process. Virgil's whole body went numb at the thought. He would never be able to live out his dreams. He would never be able to finish college and do what he wanted. Tears started to leak out of his eyes. The guidance counselor did nothing but let him let it out.
He didn't go back to class that day.
~
Virgil was reincarnated in the middle of November. He was confused for a little bit, but slowly and surely his memory came back to him. He asked Abraham to drop him off within 20 minutes of Patton. He was on the border of some woods, right on the brink of a highway. His senses were telling him to go opposite of the way he was facing. It was likely Abraham telling him where Patton was.
Truthfully, he didn't want to get up. He felt like he had gotten hit by a truck. He wanted to stay where he was lying down for the rest of the day. You have to do this, Virge. He gathered up the will to get up.
The first thing Virgil noticed was that his hearing was back to how it was when he died. He could hear every little sound that was being made. It made him uncomfortable, but he had a mission to complete. He couldn't retreat back to the way he would when he was 7.
Still, some of the noises irritated him. The buzzing of the cicadas, for one. He kinda wished he hadn't lost his headphones long ago. Maybe he'll buy a normal set one day that they make it to a town. It'll be better than nothing.
Virgil found Patton not too long afterwards. He was just sitting next to a tree, looking kind of sad. It made sense, after considering what his "specialty" was. He probably needed to be around people often.
Virgil circumvented until he would be approaching Patton from the front. He walked slowly so Patton would hear him. "Hey, are you alright?"
Patton jumped a little at the sudden noise. "I'm sorry. I didn't see you there."
"I've gotten good at making no sound." Virgil sat down next to him. At this close, he could hear Patton's heartbeat. "I'm Virgil, what's your name?" He already knew, but asked anyway.
"Patton." He didn't say anything else, and an awkward silence fell between them. Virgil could sense Patton's nervousness, and it was likely that Patton sensed his.
"Why are you just sitting under a tree alone?" Virgil took the chance of asking the first question. It wasn't likely that he'd answer fully, but you never know.
The chance was a success. "I..." Patton took a deep breath. Virgil heard a woodpecker nearby. "I couldn't live at home anymore. I had to run away." Virgil could feel that Patton was hesitant. The cicadas stopped buzzing. "I'm supposed to be sent away when I turn twenty. Do you know what the Special Tests are?"
Virgil nodded. "I know them very well. I'm running away from them."
Patton's eyes grew wide. "You're a Special too?" he practically yelled. Virgil winced a little at the sudden loud noise. Patton noticed this and quietly apologized.
"Yeah, I have super-sensitive ears." The sound of a deer running through the trees floated through Virgil's ears.
"Woah, that's pretty cool." Virgil didn't think it was, but Patton never experienced it. "It's a lot cooler than mine, at least."
Virgil already knew what Patton's was, but decided to ask anyway. Virgil was just amazed at his own acting skills.
"I know what people are feeling at all times. Like right now, I can tell that you're a little anxious, yet you're hiding it really well." Patton shifted a little, leaving rustling underneath him. "How long have you been on the run?"
"A little over a year." Virgil had rehearsed this part a thousand times in his head, and even a few times with David. "I'm from Washington, but I'm not the fastest, nor do I have the best sense of direction. My plan was to go to New Jersey, save up money, and get a plane ticket elsewhere." Virgil took a deep breath. "What's your plan?"
Patton started to look uncomfortable. "I, um..." He looked sheepishly at the ground, "don't really have one. Me running away was kinda in the spur of the moment. I was also pretty much halfway through a panic attack."
While Virgil did know that Patton ran away, he didn't know the circumstances of Patton's leaving. He decided to not comment about the panic attack bit, as he knew himself that talking about that stuff was hard. "Do you wanna come with me?" Virgil stood up. "You looked really lonely when I approached you. Plus, I bet you have a better sense of direction than I do." He stuck his hand out and smiled. "So, what do you say?"
Patton took Virgil's hand, pulling himself up, and smiled too. "I would love that."