The Thought Pushers (Mind Dimensions #2)(17)

“I have no idea,” I say honestly. “I didn’t realize that was a possibility until Mira suggested it just now. It was so confusing in there, I’m not sure if I would’ve been able to figure out how to do that, even if I wanted to try. Our minds were as one. I could’ve just as easily Pushed myself to do something while trying to influence him. And, of course, I wouldn’t want to try it, especially with Caleb or you, Eugene. Him, because if it failed, he would kill me or worse. And you, because . . . well, I just wouldn’t.”

“There, you see, Mira? He wouldn’t Push me,” Eugene says. “And if I Join with him, that would beat any lie detector test when it comes to learning the truth.”

“Do you even hear yourself?” She gives him an exasperated look. “Of course he says he wouldn’t Push you. And besides, why are you trying to use truth-seeking as an excuse? Didn’t your test just prove that he’s telling the truth?”

Eugene says, “Well, yes—”

I’m beginning to get tired of their bickering. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Eugene,” I say, “but this isn’t necessary. I don’t want to do any Joint Reading with you. The one time with Caleb was enough, trust me.”

Mira gives me a grateful look. I guess I’m her ally in this. Eugene is doing a terrible job hiding his deep disappointment. I can’t believe he still wants to do this, given what Mira just told him. If I thought someone could Push me under some circumstances, I’d avoid the said circumstances at all costs.

“It wouldn’t be the same if you did it with me,” he says pleadingly. “It wouldn’t be like what you experienced with Caleb. This thing varies depending on participants’ Depth and intellect. The higher those things are, the deeper the Joining. Also, the mind of the subject might make a difference. And possibly—”

“You’re not helping your case with that,” I say. “It was deep enough for me. I wouldn’t want to make it deeper.”

“Think about it,” Eugene insists. “I think if we did it, you wouldn’t regret it. You had a bad experience, so you’re obviously going to be wary. I probably would be too, if I glimpsed something as frightening as Caleb’s mind.”

“Hey, that’s not fair. Caleb saved me,” Mira reminds him. “No need to get all high and mighty.”

“So Caleb is a good guy, but me, who also saved you, you’re ready to shoot,” I say bitterly. “Did Eugene tell you why I did this crazy thing with Caleb to begin with? That it was actually payment to your precious Caleb for saving you?”

“Is that true?” she asks Eugene, giving me an odd look.

“Yes. I didn’t get a chance to tell you.” Eugene looks uncomfortable.

“I see,” she says slowly. “Okay, Darren. Maybe I won’t shoot you anytime soon. And I’m not a rat, so your secret is safe with me. Even if we don’t really even know what that secret is. Are you happy now?”

“Yes. Thank you,” I say, relieved. I’m okay with her attitude for now. It beats being shot or revealed as a potential Pusher.

“Great. Now that it’s settled, can we get some breakfast?” Eugene gives us a big smile. “I’m starving.”

Mira rolls her eyes. “How are you not much, much fatter?” she asks rhetorically before saying, “Sure. Let’s go get something. I have some more questions for Darren, and we might as well kill two birds with one stone.”

“I’m in,” I say, though I’m not sure I want to answer any questions Mira is thinking of asking me. The green smoothie I had earlier was more of a snack, so a real breakfast sounds like a wonderful idea.

It takes them a few moments to put on shoes. One elevator ride and a flight of stairs later, we’re walking through the lobby.

We approach the door. I feel chivalrous for some reason, so I hold open the glass door that leads outside the building. I’m doing it for Mira, of course, but Eugene benefits too.

“Thank you,” Mira says, exiting after Eugene. “Where are we going to eat?”

“The diner?” Eugene suggests hopefully.

As I follow them, I have a sense of déjà vu. She’s about to bring up the food poisoning story again. They’ll fight. Then she’ll get her way and choose the breakfast place she wants. I guess it’s a thing with siblings; they have the same fights over and over, with the same results. Must be kind of nice.

Suddenly, there is a loud noise—a strange sound that scrapes at the inside of my ears.

I’m caught off-guard. Instinctively, I phase into the Quiet.

The argument between Mira and Eugene stops, their faces frozen. The sound also stops.

I turn around.

It’s the glass door. It’s shattering in a strange pattern. From a spot in the middle, the glass is flying out in small fragments. Farther out, the glass is falling in larger chunks.

Something struck that glass at high speed and with high force.

I feel cold as I rush into the building, fearing what I’ll find there. It takes me less than a minute to discover the culprit.

It’s a bullet.

A bullet is lying on the floor in the hallway.

I run outside and cross the street, frantically looking around. I see nothing, so I go through the park, straining my eyes as I scan the area. Finally, I spot something in the distance. I run toward it. As I get closer, I hope against all hope that it’s just a large fly.