Chapter 5
While we ate, everyone was quiet and I thought about everything that had happened throughout the day. How would I just go about my regular day tomorrow knowing all of this? Now that I knew what I could do, I was pretty sure I would soon blow something up. That was just how my life went. Before I spiraled too low, though, Bryce cut into my thoughts, “Bre, we need to set you up on a training schedule. You will need to work with each of us to develop and control your gifts. I think you need to work with Harrison first since that is the gift that can get you into the most trouble.”
“I agree. Can you come back on Friday to start training?” Harrison asked between bites.
“Yes, but someone will need to pick me up. I don’t drive,” I replied.
“You don’t have a car or you don’t drive?” Chase asked.
“I don’t drive,” I said.
“Why? Has no one ever taught you?” Carter piped in.
“I can drive, I just don’t,” I said. I knew what was coming next and I dreaded it. I had just met these guys. How could I tell them the most horrible part of my life? I already felt a connection to each of them – well, except Chase – but I wasn’t sure I was ready to spill my guts about the worst day of my life yet.
“Why don’t you drive?” Mason asked. There it was, the question I had been able to avoid for four months. Bryce said that Chase investigated me already, so he may have already known. If not, I’m sure he would have figured it out eventually. I should probably get it over with. I just really hated the look I always got when people talked about the wreck.
“I don’t drive, because the last time I did, my best friend died,” I blurted out.
“What? How?” Bryce asked.
“My best friend Callie and I were leaving school on the last day of our senior year and we were in a head-on collision and she died,” I said.
“So the wreck was your fault then?” Chase asked.
“Not directly. A man hit us on purpose and I think he was trying to kill me. He was driving normally and at the last second before he would have driven past us, he swerved into our lane and hit us. He then walked off, leaving his truck in the middle of the road. I was okay, but my best friend was dead. I may not have wrecked the car, but I know he was after me and got her instead. So her death was my fault,” I said shakily.
“No, it wasn’t! The man that hit you on purpose is the one that killed her, not you,” Carter said as he came and sat next to me. He put his arm around me to comfort me. All it did was make me want to cry.
“I used to love driving. I had the most beautiful Mustang GT I got for my birthday. I have not been behind the wheel since that day,” I said.
“That is insane. You are insane,” Chase yelled at me.
“Tell me how you really feel about me, Chase!” I yelled back.
“You have survivor’s guilt. You feel guilty that your friend is dead and you are not. It is not your fault that she died. The man who hit you is to blame. You shouldn’t deprive yourself of something you honestly love because of a murderer,” Carter said as he squeezed my shoulder.
“I know. That’s what my shrink said when my parents made me go for therapy after the wreck. I know in my heart that I did not kill her, but every time I think about getting behind the wheel, I start to panic. I almost didn’t come to university either. Callie’s parents had to convince me. Why do I get to experience this and she doesn’t? He was after me and she paid for it,” I confessed. “Let’s talk about something else. Why do you think I have all five gifts when no one ever has before?”
All of them paused in thought before Bryce said, “Honestly, we have no idea. We have never heard of anything like this. No one has ever been born with more than one gift.”
“What about asking the Elders you spoke about. Shouldn’t they know?” I questioned.
They all looked at each other with grim faces. “We are not sure we should tell them about you yet, at least not until we know more. We are afraid of how they will react. They may see you as a hope for the future, that children can be born with more than one gift; or they will see you as a threat. We really don’t know what you are capable of yet,” Bryce answered. “For now, I think we should work with you to control your gifts before we talk to anyone about you.”
“Obviously someone knows something about her if they tried to kill her and kidnap her,” Carter said. “We need to teach her how to defend herself in case she gets into trouble again.”
“Well, that will definitely happen again. Story of my life,” I replied.
“Let’s just take it one day at a time and see what happens, then make a decision,” Bryce said. “Bre, are you ready to go? I can take you home.”
“Yeah, today has totally wiped me out,” I said.
Bryce drove me back to my dorm and left; I was back to being alone. I had forgotten what it was like to be around people who cared about me and who I cared about. It had only been four months, but I had gotten used to being alone. I did not want to get used to it again. It made each day harder. I made a promise to myself then and there that I would make more of an effort to meet people and make friends. Once I could control my gifts, I wouldn’t have to worry as much about crazy things happening and might be okay around others.
After taking a long, hot shower, I collapsed in my bed and fell asleep immediately. I dreamt of driving my Mustang on a long windy road. I had the windows down and the radio blaring; it felt wonderful. I looked to my right and Chase was in the car with me. He was smiling at me, really smiling. I felt lighter than I had in months. I felt like I could breathe again.