The Orientation

The entire crowd of students gasped at the sight of the gigantic hologram towering above us. The mere virtual presence of this unusual woman kept us in suspense. 

“I am Chancellor Emola Thorne,” the hologram said. “Here at Zen Academy, my faculty and I have made it our objective to seek out each of you based on your exceptional abilities. We know many of you come from households and cities that do not understand your capabilities, or the reason you have frightening gifts. Some of you may have been exploited or hunted by those closest to you because of this. But rest assured, you are safe in this environment. You’ll learn to use these abilities for the betterment of yourselves and all mankind.”

I didn’t know why, but I felt safe listening to her talk. I felt enchanted by her words, but reluctant to trust her. I looked at the other students gazing at her as if she was their savior. 

“My security drones shall escort you to your dorms,” the chancellor stated. “Please follow the drone assigned to you and follow them throughout your tour. Orientations shall commence in three hours so be sure to unpack and meet us in the main hall. Thank you for your cooperation. Enjoy your stay.” 

The hologram vanished while the drones flew towards the students. 

While one of the drones flew toward me, a familiar voice came from the crowd of students, as I gave the drone my bag. 

“Maddie,” Adrian said. She rushed towards me and gave me the tightest hug I’ve gotten since Marcy visited me in the hospital. “Que pasa, chica?” She asked me how I was doing in Spanish. “Finally, I get to meet my favorite psychic in person. Whoa, I didn’t know you’d be close to my height in real life.” 

“Nice to meet you in the flesh too, Adrian.” 

“Oh my gosh, I love your skin. Its smooth peanut butter texture is incredible. It’s movie-star beautiful.” 

“Um, Thanks,” I said nervously. I’m not a fan of physical touch. I’m an introvert. But I wonder if associating with kids who have different personalities than mine would be fun. 

“Wait, are you reading my mind?” she asked. 

“No, I swear.” 

“Oh good, I thought maybe you were making me think something you’d thought of.” 

We gave our bags to the drones and walked toward the school. 

“Huh?” I asked. Trust me, not even a mind reader could keep up with this girl. She seemed to have such a bright, sanguine attitude. 

“By the way, sorry for being a grouch on the train,” she said, ignoring my confusion. “Ever since I learned about my powers, it’s been hard to trust anyone.” 

“Don’t worry, I felt the same way.” 

“Yeah, but based on what you showed me and Eric, your mom was civil until your powers popped up and she went all Area 51 on you. My mom was always a monster to me.” 

“Sorry to hear that.”

She shrugged. “It is what it is.” 

“Wait, where is Eric? I’d feel better knowing all three of us were going in together.” 

“Relax.” She chuckeled. “I’m sure our third musketeer will show up any a minute.” 

“Someone mention my name?” Eric asked, jogging over to us.

“Hi, Eric,” Adrian said. 

“Did you girls get everything?” 

“Yeah, got everything from our bags to our invites,” Adrian said, waving her invitation. Then a stiff breeze blew her invitation toward the main circle of the campus. 

“Oh crap!” Adrian said. “I’ll get it. She hurried through the crowd while Eric and I followed her. 

***

Adrian caught her invitation and clutched it in her fist. She turned around and signaled where she was. 

“Hey, guys,” she said. “I got it.” 

She bumped into a girl wearing a purple hood, causing the girl to drop something she was staring at. It seemed to be a photo with a frame around it. 

“Hey, watch it,” the girl said, removing her hood. 

“Sorry, chica,” Adrian apologized. “Let me pick that up for you.” 

The girl grabbed Adrian’s arm, putting her in a nasty head lock. 

She moved precisely, as if she’d done it before. 

“Ow! What’s the big deal?” Adrian asked. 

“Keep your hands off my stuff.” The girl snarled. 

Eric and I rushed toward her. 

“Hey, let her go,” Eric yelled. “What’s going on here?”

The other students around us watched intently. I recognized her as the girl in my vision who used the orange and black weapons. 

“Stay out of this,” she said. 

I tried to enter the angry girl’s mind, hoping to shut her down and free Adrian in the process. But I was only partially successful. 

I could access a few short clips of her life, including an older man calling her Natalie, an image of her creating a bow and arrow to shoot down an army jeep, and a burning village. 

“What was that?” Natalie asked. I think she could sense me inside her head. “Which one of you is a psychic?” 

“Let her go, Natalie,” I demanded. 

“Your read my mind.” She released Adrian and turned her attention to me, her glare icy cold.

Natalie summoned a sword created from orange and black energy. I would have been nerding out if she didn’t want to kill me. 

“You spineless bitch,” Natalie said. “I’m sick of telepaths messing with my head.” 

“Wait, you mean there are more telepaths like me?” 

“After I’m done with you, they'll be one less telepath in my way. 

The crowd of students stopped everything they were doing to watch her outburst, concentrating on the four of us. 

“Calm down,” Eric told Natalie. He lifted his left hand, charged with dark energy. “You’re not the only one willing to use their powers.” 

“You want to die with your friend?” Natalie said, generating a mallet in her other hand. “Be my guest.” 

Adrian charged to our side, ready to take Natalie on after crystallizing her hands. So much for keeping out of trouble on the first day of school. 

“Hold on.” I held my hands up. “Maybe we can work this out. We are not here to hurt you, Natalie.” 

“Too bad I can’t make the same promise to you and your friends,” she sneered. 

It was clear we couldn’t change her mind, but I could try to shut down her thoughts and knock her out. 

But my attempt wasn’t successful. I learned only that she was a mercenary years ago. 

Apparently, someone jammed my mind probe. 

“Hey,” I said. “I’m trying to shut her down but something is keeping me from doing it.” 

“Can you tell us anything about her?” Eric said. 

“I learned she was a mercenary.” 

Adrian said, “Great, how can we take down a trained killer who creates creepy, glowing weapons?” 

“Can you shut her down if we buy you some time?” Eric asked. 

“Maybe, but you must keep her distracted and protect yourselves.” 

Eric nodded. “Deal. Adrian and I will fight her. 

“Sweet,” Adrian responded, “Let’s beat this bitch.”