Zero

12 : The Truth

A/N: Hey guys! Just to clarify in case you're confused- mindjournals are the perspectives of Jarren. Here's Part 12, happy reading!

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P A R T 1 2

I remember the backup that is still in my pocket and take it out. After a moment's consideration I wave Jarren over.

Since he is a Fourteen, I figure I can trust him.

I push the button that is on the side and the screen flickers to life. Paige's face appears and she is speaking calmly.

"Okay, this is just in case Cobbs does not find you in time. I'm going to tell you the truth about A Hundred Numbers.

"Remember that scientist from the rebellion who started this entire system? Well, there were flaws in his formula. The Zero to Nine was not forever. Sooner or later there would be higher numbers. You are the first of these people.

"We have found out that these people have enhanced abilities. A Hundred Numbers was set up to find the people who are above Nine.

"Should Cobbs not find you within the next twenty four hours, you will have to find as many of the others as possible. You can do it. By the time you have gathered these individuals, Cobbs will have found you."

The screen turns black again. "You can do it" - she said it like it's so easy.

"Well," Jarren says. "At least now we know what to do."

We? "Oh, so you're in on this?" I ask skeptically, then regret it.

"Or not," he replies easily, throwing up his hands. "Either way is fine."

I consider this. It will be good to have a psychic on the team. Wait, since when is this a team? Nevermind - the important thing is to get Paige's task completed.

"Yeah, you're in," I declare. "That is, if Cobbs does not get here by tomorrow. In the meantime, I guess I'm staying here."

I do not like the idea of staying in a stranger's house/shed, even if the stranger is a really cute guy. But I have nowhere else to go as I cannot go back to Zero.

If I do, I'll attract too much attention and Paige told me to keep quiet about my Ten. If the government's suspicion is raised, I won't be able to stay unnoticed.

Jarren points me to the bed and tells me that's where I can sleep. "Where will you sleep, then?" I question.

"It's not a problem," he says evasively. I decide not to pursue the subject.

It is a long twenty four hour wait. At night, Jarren does something surprising. He takes some chicken from the fridge, potatoes and a bottle of oil, then starts cooking using a pan.

"Yes, I can cook. Big surprise," he answers the question before I can ask.

Before long, he has fried up two plates of fries and chicken. He sets them down at the wooden table, then gestures for me to go over.

He slides a plate over to me. "Your portion."

I thank him while he stares at me indifferently, then we begin eating.

Over dinner, we discuss what enhanced abilities I may have, since Paige said people above Nine have them. Jarren's is enhanced psychical abilities.

When I ask how can his abilities be enhanced if nobody else has them, he replies, "Everyone is a little bit psychic."

After dinner, he disappears into a smaller place off to the back of the shed. He tells me that's where the toilet is.

Then, when he returns, he gives me an odd look. "I have a vague idea of what your abilities are," he reveals. "When I searched your mind this afternoon, before I promised to stop, it seems like you can... stretch out more. Like with your senses."

"Why not test it out right now?" I suggest.

That is how we end up outside in the night. I stand at the end of the alleyway while Jarren walks deep into the forest. It is not completely dark. There is moonlight filtering through the trees.

He continues on until he reaches the boundary fence of Five, then murmurs, "Can you hear me?"

When he returns, I tell him, "You'd better stay away from that fence. The Central Government Building is close to there. And yes, I could hear you."

He stares at me indifferently. I'm beginning to think that's his neutral expression. Then he replies, "You have enhanced senses."

It has occurred to me before that I can see and hear further than I should be able to. It always seemed like an added factor to my oddness, though, so I just waved the thought away.

Now, I cannot pretend. So I just nod.

At night, I sleep in the bed that does not feel as though it has been slept in for quite a long time.

Jarren stretches across the two beanbags, lost in thought. I assume he's sleeping there.

I pretend to be asleep while I think about the events of the day. I can't help but feel that there is something off about Jarren.

For one thing, why is he living in a shed?

And why is it on the outskirts of Four, away from the rest of the village?