Chapter 15: Time for an Upgrade

~It is surprising how the smallest things can make all the difference to how you are feeling if we receive them at the right time. ~

I have to be honest, suddenly having your vision change apparently to look like a thermal camera is terrifying. So, my reaction was well founded. I tumbled out of my room, blinking my eyes, covering them with my hands, hoping that maybe it was some weird thing that if I blinked enough, it would go away. As I came into the hallway, I heard Thomas' voice, and as suddenly as my vision had changed, it changed back to normal, astigmatism and all.

"Are you okay?" Thomas asked. He looked worried as he approached me.

"No, my vision is – was, all red and orange, like some type of weird thermal camera, and I have no idea what caused it." I was still waving my hand in front of my face, worried that my vision was going to go back to whatever happened if I wasn't ready. As I looked though, Thomas looked curious, as if he was thinking about a math problem, and then he smiled.

"I did that."

"What do you mean, you did that?" I was getting frustrated, thinking that Thomas thought it was some type of game.

"I can't really put it into words Liam, but I know that I did that. Don't worry though, you're fine."

"Alright, well next time warn someone before you do that, I thought I was dying or something."

Thomas chuckled, "Alright Liam, I'll do my best to give you a warning next time." Thomas then walked back into his room.

As I entered my room again, I sat back down on the bed, trying to get back to the state I was before. I was trying to meditate like Dr. Hawkins said, but it just felt weird, like it was wrong. So, I put on the jacket and began pacing around the room, hoping some movement would help me think, as well as maybe having the Heirloom on would help me too. After a few minutes, a thought began forming. I needed to be moving more. It didn't feel like me, but either way, it was the only thought I had. Everything else seemed to be shut out, as fast as they were created, all other thoughts disappeared, the only thought remaining telling me I need to move more. I began jogging around the room, and as I did, I realized that to be able to connect with the Heirloom, I had to go against what was suggested, instead of meditating and sitting, the more I moved, especially if I was just focused on the movements of exercises or activity, the more I could feel a connection with the Heirloom itself. As I was able to note the connection, I felt stronger, as if all the aches and pains of the past day hadn't even occurred. After a while my stamina got the best of me, and I crashed to my bed. As I laid there, the voice became quieter, but this time it didn't go away. It was almost like instead of leaving, it was inactive, almost like it was asleep. I took off the jacket, laid it carefully over a chair in my room, got up and went to take another shower after the workout I had done without realizing. As I made my way to the shower, I couldn't help but smile. I was nervous, but even more so, I was excited for whatever was going to happen next.

~ ~ ~

I woke up to hearing yelling outside of their room. As I slowly opened my eyes, I wondered if I should see what was wrong, but as the thought came across my mind, it was quickly crushed by a single thought. Stay hidden, stay quiet. I took a deep breath, realizing my hands were curled into fists as the thought presented itself. At least I know now that it was the Heirloom, and I wasn't going crazy. Still, considering how long it has been present, it has never gotten any easier. I thought back to Dr. Hawkins' advice to get a better understanding of their Heirlooms, and I couldn't help but smirk. There wasn't much else I needed to understand about my Heirloom, but it was going to be interesting now that I knew where the thoughts originated from, what was going to change. As I laid down to sleep, I thought to myself, almost as if reaching out to the Heirloom, "Let's see what we can really do, shall we?" and with that, I drifted off to sleep. ~~~

I awoke to a knock on their door and a small voice.

"Akira, can you get up, we need to go through some things today with all of you."

I grumbled a reply, turning towards the wall. As I did, a much louder bang echoed throughout the room. I could hear Q on the other side.

"No, Dr. Whitlook, you gotta put some force behind it, like this. Akira! Get up, we got some work to do today!" Q accompanied this with some more slamming of the door.

"Alright! I'm up, I'll be right out!" I hopped out of bed, grabbing a jacket and my hat, slid into some flip flops, and walked out. The others were doing the same thing or were already walking toward the end of the hall. Seeing Evelynn just walk out of her door, I stepped forward, trying to catch up. Once I caught up, I asked Evelynn if they knew what was going on.

"Not at all, I just got a bang on my door saying that we had something we were doing. I was kind of hoping you would know."

"Nope I am clueless. Well, I guess we are about to find out." As I finished talking, we caught up to everyone, as the others had stopped in the connecting area. Suddenly, Q's voice was heard as if speaking to an auditorium instead of a group of five teenagers.

"Alright everyone, listen up! Dr. Whitlook here is going to take each of you and go over what your uniform is going to look like in the field, make sure to ask for anything you think you will need, and make sure Dr. Whitlook is given as much information as possible about your Heirloom so she can best assist and set you up for success. Once you are done, meet me in the sparring area, you all are about to get informed on your first assignment! Does everyone understand?"

We all in unison replied, "Yes Q!" We didn't feel like getting yelled at like last time. After Q and Dr. Whitlook left, we all looked at each other to see who was going to go first. After a few different games of rock, paper, scissors, as well as some debate, I drew the short straw and went in to see Dr. Whitlook.

"Akira, you're lucky contestant number one? That is actually perfect, your uniform is probably going to take the most time out of everyone. So first I want to make sure of some aspects of your Heirloom. Its ability deals with making you invisible to the naked eye. Is that correct?"

"That's right."

"Perfect alright, so we have some good news, because the issue is making sure you have a uniform that will completely cloak along with you. Since it seems we have your Heirloom on file, we already have that taken care of. So, is there anything you want with your uniform added?"

"I mean, I like skateboarding, is there anything we can do with that?"

Dr. Whitlook seemed to think for a moment, writing down something on her clipboard. "I think I can work something out. I'll let you know by the time you get your uniform. Is there anything else?"

"I don't think so."

"Alright then. So, if you could please step on this little platform right here so we can get a scan of your dimensions, and then we can make sure the uniform fits you perfectly."

As she finished, she gestured to a platform that looked like a scale, as I stepped on it though a small arm extended out and over me. After a few seconds, some type of laser came out of it, and it slowly moved back down from the top of my head all the way back down to the base of the scale. After doing this a few more times at different angles, the arm seemed to fold back in on itself, and it went back into the scale. After a few more seconds, Dr. Whitlook spoke up again.

"Alright I think that's everything, you get to choose who comes in next, and then like Qamar said, go on into the sparring area. I'll make sure that once these are done, I'll make sure the uniform gets sent to your room. Have a great day Akira!"

"Alright. Thank you!" I began walking back out towards the sparring area. Once I made it out, I pointed at Liam, "You're up." And went to the sparring area. I was excited for what could be happening soon, but I was still cautious. As I sat there, the thought came back. Stay quiet, stay hidden. This time there was an additional portion though. Stay safe. I took a deep breath to try and calm down and waited for everyone else to join.