Awakening Book One of the Trust Series(8)
“Yes. I am here to guide you and to teach you. Could you imagine going through this on your own? We try to find every Potential before they Awaken. It can be a very daunting task.”
“So when I met you several weeks ago, you just pretended to be my friend.” Caitlyn responded sharply, unable to keep the hurt tone out of her voice.
“I didn't pretend anything, Caitlyn. It was easy to become friends with you. You are a very likable person and a good one at that. While yes, our initial meeting in the bar was premeditated, our friendship was… is, genuine. Becoming your friend first is not a requirement. I became your friend because I like you as a person. I am fond of you, Caitlyn.”
She made the decision to turn the doorknob. She needed to get out, she was suffocating and he was mad as a hatter. The walls were closing in around her and she recognized that she was having a panic attack. She fled from the apartment as fast as her feet would take her. Garrett quickly rose from his seat, following her.
She practically sprinted out of the main entrance to the building. She thought that the fresh night time air might make it better, might clear her head, but it only made it worse. Caitlyn was assaulted by the sound of the cars on the street, feet shuffling along the pavement, and the putrid smell of the garbage can by the door. Her eyes scanned the scene in front of her. Just like with Garrett, everything was sharper, clearer. She could see that even in the dark, the building that was across the street had small fissures throughout the foundation that were too small for the human eye to see. Caitlyn could pick out the individual blades of grass from the yard down the road, and could smell the cherry pie they must have had for dessert that evening from inside the house.
Could he be telling the truth? Was she really some evolved human with super abilities? She knew that all of this was not normal. It was all too much. Caitlyn bent her head down between her legs, resting her palms on her knees. Shaking, she felt like she was going to be sick. She wanted to make it stop.
She felt a set of hands touch her shoulders lightly, steadying her, raising her body back up. Concern outlined Garrett’s face. “It will be okay. I know this is a lot of information to absorb and we have barely skimmed the surface. I am sure it feels like everything is flying out of control and you are holding on for dear life. The best thing to do right now is take it day by day and it will get easier.”
She saw the truth that was in his eyes. With a deep breath, she knew she needed to make a giant leap of faith. Caitlyn was not one for taking leaps so blindly. “So, where do I go from here?”
“Well, that is up to you. We suggest that you take time out of your real life to absorb all of this and to train. The Trust is very well funded and will pay for your sabbatical. But of course, there are others who feel they cannot do that for personal reasons, and we don't force it. But whatever you decide, I will stay where you are, guiding you.”
Again, furrowed brow. “Trust Corporation?”
Garrett shook his head and winced a little. “Ah... I can see I am going about this all wrong with you.” He rubbed his forehead. “Sorry, I've never mentored anyone before and well, apparently, I need a little finesse. Let's do this. Remember that beach you took me to a week ago?”
“Yes.” That was the day that Garrett had opened up to her, telling her about his childhood, his virtually non-existent father, his compassionate mother, and being an only child. Caitlyn wondered now with frustration how much of his past he had made up and had manufactured to get in her good graces that afternoon.
“Everything I told you that day was the truth. I may have left things out, but I never lied to you.”
The words rang clearly and loudly. She was startled. She had been staring at Garrett the entire time and his mouth had never moved, never wavered even. He looked at her with an amused expression. “Telepathic, remember? You don't know how to block your thoughts yet, so I could hear yours unintentionally, just like you can hear mine now. Don't worry, I am big on privacy, so it will be one of the first things I will teach you. I hate people that try to pry, and in the Trust, it's important that you know how to block thoughts. There are certain factions that would love to get the information that is stored in here.” He pointed with his index finger to his head.
“Factions?” she thought. She could not believe she was communicating telepathically. This was insane.
“We will get into all of that later. There is so much information for you to learn and I don't need my student getting sensory overload on the first day. That would go over great with the Council.” He commented dryly. Caitlyn was surprised when he stated that last part out loud.