Chapter 13

Grueling Schedule

The general set a grueling schedule for the next few days, driving the entire team to exhaustion. I watched my father collapse on a cot in the corner every night and found myself worrying sick about Abigail.

Whether Dad's fears were grounded in fact or not, I didn't manifest any other powers. Neither did I get to see or talk to Abigail. Every time I was allowed to call the house she didn't answer the phone. Feeling sorry for myself despite the promise I'd made, I devolved into a cranky, petulant brat who more often than not refused to participate in my tests until my father threw up his hands and stalked off.

I tried to make some friends with the younger soldiers in the first couple of days, but no luck. I guess my unusual talents made connecting with other people as unnatural as the ability to crush whole vehicles with my bare hands. Amazing what you can become accustomed to.

I gave in at last and let them have their way, if for no other reason than to alleviate the crushing boredom. Even the food was getting tired.

On my last failed attempt to reach Abigail, I slammed the receiver down with more aggression than I intended and spent the next several minutes apologizing to the guard at the desk for crushing his station into the concrete. My father happened to be looking for me at the same moment and gave me one of those looks I started to despise.

He led me away, only because I let him, and hissed at me when we were far enough the soldier wouldn't overhear.

"I thought I told you to be careful!" His eyes snapped behind his glasses.

"It was an accident," I said.

"You don't have accidents, Wyatt," he said. "You are one!"

I stopped in my tracks and glared down at him, now topping him by a good four inches. "I was trying to reach Abigail." Suspicion grew inside me. Had he gotten rid of her when I wasn't around to do anything about it?

Dad looked uncomfortable enough I was afraid it was true.

"It's too bad you keep missing her," he said. "But it's no excuse for losing your temper! Or acting like a spoiled child like you have the past few days."

I crossed my arms over my chest and tried to muster up my anger. "Whatever."

"You need to start working with us," he said. "The general is disappointed in your performance."

"The general can kiss my-"

"Wyatt!"

Abigail's training was still ingrained in me enough I blushed.

"Sorry."

He sighed and ran his hands through his disheveled hair. Much more mad scientist lately. I was starting to have my doubts.

"Look, I know this can't be easy for you. But you need to focus. These powers of yours are valuable and you have to master them."

"I know," I said. "It's just…"

"What?" He was paying attention. I had to get it right.

"They keep doing the same things over and over," I said. "Maybe a little variety would make it easier for me to test myself." An idea popped into my head. "Some outdoor stuff would help."

"I've already set it in motion," he said. "Anything else?"

I was shocked it was so easy. "Um… a change in menu?" The food was getting to me. "And I really want to see Abigail."

My father motioned toward the lab. "You do for me," he said, "and I'll do for you. Okay?"

Feeling better about the whole thing, how negotiation was actually working with some degree of success, I headed for the lab.

"I swear," Abigail's voice came in loud and clear, "if you don't let me through this gate right now I'm going to drive my car through it!"

I spun on my father, furious. "Why didn't you tell me she was here?"

He looked surprised. "Abigail? Where?"

I flew toward the elevator. "The gate. They won't let her in!"

I ignored him shouting after me and pulled apart the elevator door, zooming upward to slide back the ceiling panel and fly up the shaft faster than the machinery could lift me. The surface arrived with a whoosh of air, winning a startled shout from Forbes as his chair toppled over, a bowl of something spilling all over him. Didn't matter. Not with Abigail in reaching distance. I smashed through the roof of the surface building and headed for the gate.

My temper clenched inside me like a living creature as I dove for the fence line. It took concentration to block out the argument between Abigail and the soldier on duty, and somewhere in my more logical mind I filed the note excessive emotion made it harder to control. That didn't matter either. As I settled on my feet outside of the fence, my anger came rushing back.

A soldier in full camo and gear had Abigail face-first against the side of the SUV, her hands twisted behind her back, silver cuffs holding her delicate wrists. A second guard stood in the booth, talking to someone on the hand-held. His eyes widened, the walkie slipping from his hand as he watched me land.

Two steps and I liberated the first soldier from his firm stance on the ground. Abigail gasped as I shook him oh-so-gently, noting the sound of scuffling feet as the second guard left the shack.

"Just what do you think you're doing to her?" I used my very quiet voice, worried about speaking with too much volume. It might free my need to hurt him and I didn't want to do any damage no matter how much of a jerk he was being to Abigail.

"Gah!" he said.

Abigail came to my side, turning sideways to touch me with her cuffed hands. I felt the warmth of her, enough of a distraction I looked down. My anger left as she smiled at me.

"My hero," she said.

I grinned. "Hi, Ab."

"Release him now!" Oh, right. Jerk number two. I turned, keeping myself between Abigail and the shaking rifle the second guard pointed at me.

"You don't want to do that," I said. "Trust me."

The gun wavered even more as he watched me, grizzled face white as a sheet. "What are you?"

I ignored the question. "Why don't you get on the radio and tell the general we're coming in."

He hesitated one more moment, eyes flickering to his struggling companion. Smart guy, he retreated. I ignored his desperate background call for help as I returned my attention to Abigail.

She hugged me as best she could with her hands cuffed behind her back and my burden in the way.

"Maybe I should put him down," I said.

She looked up at the offending soldier and shrugged. "If you like."

The guard's face had turned mottled red.

"Well?" I said. "Would you like down, now?"

He nodded so fast I was worried his head might spin off.

I set him on his feet and brushed the wrinkles out of the front of his jacket, registering the rumble of an engine from behind me, the thundering voice of the general on the radio.

Before they could stop me, if they could stop me, I lifted Abigail into my arms and rose off the ground. She squealed then sighed, leaning her cheek on my shoulder. I couldn't help grinning. Yeah, I had a crush on her. Always did, despite the fact she was twice my age. There were quite a few long and lonely nights in my old life I thought of being her knight in shining armor and sweeping her off her feet. Now I was able, I was over the moon.

"Thanks for the rescue," she said as we neared the entry to the lab.

"My pleasure," I said. "I've been trying to reach you all week."

"Funny," she said, "same here."

"You haven't been answering the phone." I tried not to let the whine enter my voice, but Abigail knew me too well.

"I haven't been home," she said. "I've been scouring this desert looking for the base. I just found the gate and was trying to get them to let me in."

I felt terrible, then furious. By the time I settled on the bottom of the elevator and opened the door at lab level, I was ready to tear my father and Mill to shreds for lying to me about Abigail.

They both waited on the other side of the door, the general chewing on his unlit cigar so hard I thought it would break into a million bits. My father, on the other hand, was smiling.

"What the hell was that display?" Mill's mustache always fascinated me with its animation. I was sure the little gray bristles had a life all their own.

"My, um, support staff was being unfairly handled." I winked at her as I set her carefully on her feet. I had learned the lingo in the past week. "I need her here to, um, to…" I trailed off, scouring my brain for something.

My father beat me to it. "Abigail Franks, General Harrison Mill. Ms. Franks is Wyatt's teacher."

"Pleased to meet you, General," Abigail dimpled, tossing her mussed red hair back over her shoulder, not for a moment showing a hint of concern she'd just been handcuffed and flown down twenty-four levels to a secret underground facility.

Aw, heck. Her poise had nothing to do with it. I didn't know anyone who could resist her dimples.

"Ms. Franks." Mill seemed taken aback, clearing his throat and running one hand over his smooth scalp. I think he was expecting a tongue-lashing, not an eyelash batting.

"There has been a misunderstanding," she said in her sweetest tone. "I was just trying to reach Wyatt, but I was stopped by the most unpleasant men." She faked a shudder.

"You don't have clearance," the general said, but he sounded like he was repeating something from rote, not a fact he believed in.

"But, sir," she said, "I'm a part of this particular team. Wyatt's stable state of mind is my priority."

I coughed a laugh behind one hand. "That's right. No wonder I've been such a jerk." I smacked myself in the forehead. Abigail kicked me and though I didn't feel it, I did catch the movement out of the corner of my eye and took the hint.

She was a great actress, but I sucked.

"This is unbelievable," the general said, regaining some of his gruff ill humor. "You!" He jabbed one thick finger at me. "You will not leave the base again, ever, without authorization! And you!" He swiveled his finger at Abigail, "will keep him," he jerked his head at me, "in line or so help me…" his face flushed so red I expected an aneurysm was imminent. "I will not have this base turn into a circus side-show!"

We all nodded dutifully. It seemed to appease him somewhat. He spun to go.

"Oh, General Mill?" Abigail called after him. He stopped, but didn't turn around.

"The handcuffs?" I think if she squeezed any more honey out of her voice a swarm of bees would have appeared to worship her as their goddess.

"Sergeant!" The general barked like an angry dog. The entry guard snapped to attention.

"Yes, sir!"

"Relieve her of her restraints. And have the gate guards contact me. Now!"

Free at last, Abigail hugged me, laughing now that the general was out of earshot.

"Well played," Dad said.

She dimpled again and dipped a saucy curtsy.

"Much obliged."

"I need to apologize," I said to my father. "I thought you got rid of Abigail."

He winced as she laughed. "Oh, he tried," she said. "But I refused to leave. Just try dragging me out of the house again, Edison Simons."

"If you two are done playing," he said, "I have something to show you." He seemed in great humor, though whether from the arrival of Abigail or the new thing he wanted me to see, I had no idea. I was just happy to take it.

Reunited, hand-in-hand, Abigail and I followed my father, no questions asked.

***