Jungle of Creation

Maybe this was a bad idea.

Okay this was definitely a bad idea.

I think I’ve turned down the same hallway for the sixty-first time—I’ve been counting—and I still haven’t run into any open doors or other people. How is that even possible?

This must be my alter ego’s fault. The girl who acts on a whim and asks questions later; who runs on instinct alone and doesn’t give reason a moment’s notice. All I know is this sure isn’t my usual logical and overthinking self. I’ll need to try and introduce my two personalities to each other at some point. See if they can actually work together for once.

Right now, though, I’m on a mission whether I like it or not. Playing the role of the super spy isn’t as easy as it sounded when I was five. I’m constantly checking around every corner in fear that someone will shove me back to my room; I’m blending into walls that my black hair and tan skin do not coordinate with. Luckily, I’ve had practice being a wallflower.

In high school, I kept to myself, didn’t join any sports, didn’t date. Sure, I noticed some guys looking at me—I’m too observant to not notice—but I was preoccupied with other things, with family. My only friend was a girl named Tara, a true Irish beauty. After we graduated, she moved to Georgia to get her teaching degree in English, and I stayed in Florida. Our friendship fell through after that—because of me.

I come up around another corner that I’m convinced will just lead to nowhere again. These white walls and white doors look so similar that I don’t know how anyone could tell them apart. Turning my head to the right, I have to bite my tongue to keep from screaming in joy. A door at the end of the hall is cracked just slightly, a tennis shoe keeping the door from closing fully. I take a quick glance around and then creep my way over to the open door, my pulse rising with every step I take. I’m only a few feet away from the door now. So close to seeing what lays behind it.

“Ouch! I thought we agreed on no boulders!”

I stand stock-still. I know that voice.

“Ash, what the hay?”

And I know that voice. My two lunch buddies from earlier are behind this door. And apparently throwing boulders at each other?

I would’ve never guessed, considering no sound is coming out of the room even with the door ajar. They must have some serious sound-proofing for boulders to make less sound than their yelling. Wait a second. They’re throwing boulders?! Before I can give it a moment’s thought—annoying alter ego—I’m barging into the room to see what is going on. Then I’m stopped in my tracks yet again.

Standing before me with the guiltiest looks on their faces are Ash and Jere. What really gets me, though, is the fact that Jeremy is casually holding what has to be at least a 150 pound boulder over his head, ready to chuck it at Ash. Meanwhile the redhead with her short hair tied back has both hands pointed at Jeremy in a measly defensive position. My eyes move around to the room with white walls and black mats covering the large floor space. The walls are lined with racks upon racks of various weights, weapons, and—of course—boulders that are ripe for the choosing. The room is simple, but it looks like it is just waiting for a major battle.

My wide eyes flick back to their wide eyes, and I can feel my breathing becoming short and pitchy. Jere’s light brown eyes are nearly black; Ash’s eyes are swimming again. There are smashed boulders laying at Ash’s feet; there are scorch marks around Jere and burns on his arms. What the hell is happening?

“I… um… what…” No coherent words are coming out of my mouth. I need to be alone. I need to process whatever this is without their frightened eyes staring back at me. I need a game plan. I wanted answers, but never in a million years did I expect these answers. Casting both of them one more wary look, I turn tail and race away as fast as I can. I don’t have a clue where I’m going, but I can feel my stride lengthening, my sight and hearing sharpening. I’m in fight or flight mode, and right now I choose flight.

I hear a distinct ‘Oh s**t!’ behind me, but I pay no mind to it and just run as if my life depends on it. It might for all I know. At this point, all pretenses of stealth are gone and I can make out confused faces as I race down the white halls. Bounding around a corner, I sneak a peek behind me, relieved to see neither Jere nor Ash. Until I run right into a rock hard wall.

No. Not a wall. I look up slightly to see Jeremy staring at me with wide-eyed concern. How can such a scrawny guy feel like a ton of bricks? I step back and notice Ash directly behind Jere, a satisfied smirk on her face. That’s when I realize, in my rush, I took three lefts to get to this point. This hall must be one big circle because they went the other direction to cut me off. No fair.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I stand there half-pouting, half-irritated that these whatever-they-ares couldn’t take the hint that I want to be alone. Jeremy speaks up first, which is honestly a surprise, but I guess the situation calls for a softer touch than Ash is capable of. He’s about my height, so I have the perfect angle for direct, smoldering eye contact.

“Look, Mi—”

“Don’t call me that! Not right now… Just explain please.” Jeremy’s face deflates a little, making me a little guilty for snapping at him. Wait, no. I’m not guilty. He should be guilty. Either way, this is not the time for childhood nicknames. Especially when all I want to do right now is sink into Dad’s comforting embrace.

“Okay, I can do that,” Jere clears his throat rather loudly and takes a deep breath. Apparently I’m not the only one who needs to prepare for this conversation. “We’re genetic anomalies. Think of us as superheroes like—”

“Captain Marvel, Superman, the Hulk, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Huntress. Oh, you can’t forget Batman. You know, all the superheroes in all the Universes,” Ash interjects quite enthusiastically, naming different heroes in rapid fire. I just stare at her and Jere, waiting for some cameraman to hop out of the shadows and tell me all this is a big, fat, whopping lie. No one does. My defense: sarcasm.

I let out a nervous chuckle, “Who knew you would be a comic book lover?” Ash just smirks and shakes her head and I can feel my own tip up a little, but I don’t feel any joy. I feel nothing. Numbness. A cold callousness has taken over my body, leaving no room for a normal human being’s emotions—dismay, shock, outrage. Instead there’s a whisper in the back of my mind telling there’s no point in denying what they are saying, the nonsensical garbage they’re sprouting. Who am I to judge, though? Honestly, in the past 48 hours alone I’ve been kidnapped, investigated a murder site, witnessed green blood, and learned about a murderous medicinal agency. Why not add in superhuman abilities? Just perfect.

I look away from the wall I didn’t realize I was burning holes in—figuratively, thank the Lord—and turn back to the two ‘superheroes’ in front of me. I stare for a moment longer before coming to a decision and speaking, “Okay.”

Jeremy lets out a breath he was holding, while Ash just gapes at me like I’ve grown a second head. “Okay? Okay?!” Ash’s voice heightens to a fever pitch, “You just learned the coolest, most unbelievable thing in your life, and all you have to say is okay?!”

“So, I didn’t know you were going to get so worked up, but yeah. Until someone proves you wrong, I’ll believe you. But I want to know it all.” Jere lets out the brightest grin I’ve ever seen him sport, while Ash quietly simmers beside him. Did they expect me to run again? Or maybe pass out right where I’m standing? They truly underestimated my resilience if they thought I was going down that easily. I’m about to ask how these powers of theirs work when a warning light goes off in my head.

“Wait. What did you mean by ‘we’? You just meant you and Ash, right?” Jeremy hesitates. He takes a deep breath. Then he slowly releases it. “Jere, I swear, if you don’t tell me right now I will wring your neck on a lightning rod.”

Great. Now he’s taking frantic breaths instead of deep ones.

“No.”

“No?”

“No.”

I grit my teeth. I’ve had just about enough of him avoiding what should be a simple question. I mean, I’ve already absorbed some of the most shocking information on the planet. What else is there? That warning light has turned into a whole dang siren. “Please. Enlighten. Me. What do you mean by ‘no’?” I’m fuming at this point. I like my answers quick and to the point. No small talk. No detours.

“What the mouse is trying to say is that you’ve got powers too, Sister.” Ash’s long awaited revelation has me backing up into the wall. My breathing now more erratic than Jere’s, while inside my head, I swear I here a little voice shouting, ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’. My gaze is flipping back and forth between the two. Jeremy’s mouthing ‘I’m sorry’ to me. Ash is keeping her face carefully blank, arms crossed. It’s my move. They’re waiting for me to react. For me to overreact. As shocked and terrified as I am, I refuse to prove their assumption that I can’t handle it. Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

“Alright, then,” My voice is firmer than I thought it would be, but there is still a distinctive shakiness, “What am I? What do I do?”

“Ummm…” Even Ash is hesitating now, showing the nerves beneath the mask, “That would probably be best explained by Dr. Howard. We can take you to his office in a minute, but I’d like to explain Jere and I’s abilities first.” I nod, not trusting my voice anymore than necessary. “Okay, so, like Jere said, we are genetic anomalies. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, but we don’t. We could have an extra chromosome, or maybe we lost one. Whatever it is, that defect is combined with the environment we grew up in—like I lived on the streets in Maine for about six years—and we develop some sort of ability for survival.” Ash’s eyes connect with mine, showing how sincere she is being. I believe her. As crazy as it sounds, my instincts tell me she isn’t lying.

Jeremy must have recovered from his speechlessness because he finally interjects again, “You can probably figure it out, but my ability is strength. Ash’s is heat.” Ah, the boulder and the burns. Jeremy was throwing boulders and Ash was shooting fire at—

“I know what you’re thinking. My ability is heat, not fire. It’s a lot better, actually, because there’s no smoke or flames to give me away.” Ash pastes on a rabid grin, obviously pleased with her talents. “Jere’s clunky boulders are so easy to dodge, but he can’t dodge something he can’t see.”

Jeremy glowers at Ash, calling her attention, “Yeah, and these burns won’t be going away anytime soon either.”

Ash just bursts out laughing, which causes Jere’s scowl to deepen before his lips tip up involuntarily.

I clear my throat. As nice as it is to see them laugh, this is my mini interrogation session. “So, it doesn’t enhance healing or anything?”

Jeremy answers, “No, our abilities are restricted to just what we developed for survival. You know, Survival of the Fittest. Of course, someone could probably develop healing abilities.”

I nod as he speaks. It makes sense, or at least as much as it can. “Does everyone at the compound have powers?”

Ash pipes in, “No there’s only three of us right now, not including you. Me, Jere, and Cole.” If I had been drinking water it would have ended up all over Ash and Jere’s black exercise outfits.

“Really? Cole? Is that why the two of you are always secluded at lunch? Because of your powers? Why doesn’t Cole sit with you guys?” My questions come spilling out, one after the other, putting my shock on full display.

“Jeez, chill out girl. Yeah, we sit all by our lonesome because the other workers and guards here don’t feel comfortable mingling with the freaks,” The way Ash says freaks indicates that she has never felt that way and never cared for a second in her life, “Cole doesn’t sit with us because he’s been here a lot longer, higher up on the totem pole. He just doesn’t have time to hang with us commoners.” Ash finishes her explanation with enough eye rolls for a dozen people.

“Oh. What’s his ability?”

“He’s a speedster. Runs really fast.” I can hear that Ash doesn’t want to talk about Cole anymore by her sharp tone. Fine by me. That jerk! He always appears out of thin air. His speed. That’s how he kept sneaking up on me! That’s how he freaking assaulted me to get me here! I throw my hands on my hips, before crossing them over my chest, and then resting them at my sides again. I’m upset, but I shouldn’t take it out on Jere and Ash.

I rack my brain for another question instead, “Can you pass it down? Like will your children have it?”

Jeremy is on a roll it seems as he speaks up again to give Ash a breather, “No. None of our parents had the abilities, and our children won’t have them,” Of course he flushes ever so slightly at the mention of kids, “It’s sort of a mystery why people get the powers. They kind of just happen without rhyme or reason. The only trend between us is some life-threatening backstory, like the hidden ability popped out at just the right moment. That’s why we stay here. We can’t risk revealing abilities we don’t understand, and the scientists here do a good job at researching our powers.” Jeremy seems satisfied with his answer, and I can’t think of any more questions right now, so I suppose it’s time to find Dr. Howard. He needs to explain all of this. Especially why he never told me about my powers. No wonder I’ve gotten so many looks. Everyone’s known I had powers except me.

“Mi, you should know…” I turn back to her, patiently waiting for another bomb to drop. Ash hesitates for the briefest of seconds, making my own nerves spike through the roof, “Our powers aren’t hereditary. No one that we know of has a familial trait.” Okay, she’s just repeating what I’ve already heard. I’m waiting for the punchline, but Ash doesn’t seem sure of how to say what needs to be said. So Ash doesn’t say it.

“Until you.” Jeremy’s whisper is barely heard but shakes my understanding nevertheless.

“I’m just not getting it. Why am I different?” My mind is running circles around itself, like a puppy chasing its own tail. Jeremy said my power is hereditary, that my mom had it, that it is the first power ever known to be passed down. Apparently my mom is a legend here at the compound. Years ago, she was known to aid S.C.’s research—shortly after she left me—before she disappeared and didn’t return. As far as anyone knows, she’s dead. Of course, Ash and Jere day that Dr. Howard is still in denial. He refuses to believe she’s gone for good. But I’ve already made my peace with her absence. My family is Dad and Lyla, and they’re still waiting for me. Of course, now Ash and Jere refuse to tell me anything else.

Jere stops his advance toward Dr. Howard’s office, turning back to me with the closest thing to irritation I’ve seen on his face, “Mi, we already told you we don’t know why. You’re just as much of a mystery as the rest of us—even more. As for your abilities, which I’m sure you’re anxious to know, Dr. Howard can explain them much easier than we can.” I’m a little surprised by the forceful tone in Jere’s voice, as all I’ve seen of him is his mousy side, but he seems to be really keen on rules and thorough explanations. Can’t say that surprises me, or that I blame him. I’m the same way, or at least about the thorough explanations part.

Fine. What else can I ask? At this point, I’m just trying to keep my frantic brain busy before we get to Howard’s office. “Um…”Oh, yeah, “What about your eyes? Every time you use your heat, Ash, your eyes start… swimming.”

Ash lets an amused chuckle, “That’s an interesting thing to call it. I normally refer to it as a flare. You know, because of the gold, and they fly kinda like sparks? Get it?”

“Yes, I get it. But why?” I don’t usually appreciate when someone diverts away from a question. This is not an exception.

“Well, we still don’t know why. You’ll find that’s a bit of a theme around here. It’s what makes everyone so nervous around us, like this is a virus that will zombify the entire compound,” Ash pauses to embellish with an eye roll, clearly demonstrating her opinion of the others at the compound. Ash makes it sound like just about everyone but the scientists would be more than happy to see them go. “What we do know, though, is that while our powers manifest, it triggers some hormone that releases and affects our eyes. It’s actually a really good way to identify the gifted, though.”

“Oh. So your eyes ‘flare’ and Jere’s eyes…?”

Jere jumps in to answer, “My eyes turn black while I’m calling on strength. Neither Ash or I can do it often, though. It’s pretty tiring.”

“You mean freaking epically exhausting.” Ash’s hands fly up in the air for emphasis. Okay. So using the powers take a lot out of you apparently. I don’t know that I’ll ever fully absorb all of this stuff. I haven’t even learned what my powers are yet.

With that fleeting thought, we come to another white door with a keypad next to it. This one, though, is just down the hall from the infirmary I woke up in, and I recognize the large door to the outside down to the right. I actually made sure to pay a bit of attention to the layout of this place on our walk here after my failed escape attempt too. The compound seems to be laid out in a large circle with little hallways branching off. The cafeteria, the infirmary, and the training room are all on the main circle, while my room—and others I assume—are split off into the arteries.

Ash punches in a code too quickly for me to pick out the numbers, but I can tell it’s not the same one I used to get out of my room. Alright. Different codes for different doors. The door automatically slides open, revealing a dark room, resembling what appears to be a mid century-style study. The walls are a deep beige, but the classic artwork lining the walls gives them a traditional feel. The furniture itself resembles Director Kline’s office, but Howard’s desk is ebony-stained wood, and the two sitting chairs in front of it are a burgundy velvet material.

Dr. Howard looks up from the paperwork and medical records lining his desk in neat piles, with surprise, confusion, and then apprehension lining his blue gaze. He adjusts his bandanna and sits up a little taller, straightening the gray sleeves of his suit.

Clearing her throat, Ash steps forward from the door to explain, “Amira knows.” I don’t think I’ve ever seen two words cause so much shock as those did. Dr. Howard doesn’t necessarily look scared, but he’s definitely not happy either, so Ash continues, “Jeremy and I were training, and the door was cracked. We didn’t know Amira was there until it was too late but—”

Dr. Howard holds up his hand and Ash is silent immediately. To my surprise, he turns to address me, “Were you trying to leave?” Huh? Not what I expected. I look at him for a moment, trying to dissect why he wants to know, but all I see is a blank mask.

“No, I was just curious about the compound.” And what it’s hiding. But I don’t mention that part. Of course, superpowers are a pretty big secret, so I don’t know what else could be within these walls. Dr. Howard regards me for a moment, trying to discern my honesty, before nodding in acceptance.

“Okay. Well, Ms. Faller, I assume you are curious about these abilities.”

“Dr. Howard, we already explained the basic abilities, but she still doesn’t know how she plays into it,” Jeremy’s quiet yet confident voice fills the room as he addresses Howard.

“Ah, I see. Thank you Jeremy and Ashley. I can handle the situation from here on. You may resume your training or go to bed, as you wish.” Both of them take a quick glance my way, an expression I can’t decipher on their faces, before turning and exiting the room. The door closes shut behind them. Now that I’m alone in the room with Dr. Howard, he gestures me to one of the armchairs before him. I take a seat and wait before I let my questions spill out of my mouth. Yeah, screw that.

“What were they talking about I’m different? What am I? What can I do?”

Dr. Howard takes a deep breath and prepares before answering my hurried interrogation, “Ms. Faller, you need to calm down and I will explain. Did the other students inform you about your mother’s history with the agency?”

“Yes. They told me about her, but not much else.”

“Well then. That is where we will start. Your mother joined the agency about twelve years ago and aided our research for about two years before she left again. We have not heard from her since, but her contributions are still highly valued here.” Twelve years ago? She joined the agency right after she left us. She left her family to work for some scientists. But she left the agency after only two years… Why didn’t she come back? I shake my head slightly. Now is not the time to worry about what should’ve been.

“Alright, but what does that have to do with me?”

“Well, I am sure the others told you about the nature of the abilities.”

“Like how it doesn’t pass down?”

“Exactly. Your ability, though, is hereditary. Your mother had it, just as you have it now.” Dr. Howard pierces me with his stare, though this is information I’ve already heard. He looks at me for another moment to make sure I understand, and I give him a small nod to continue. “We do not understand why this is occurring, but it is the only ability of its kind. That’s why your mother stayed to aid the research, and why you are also such a valuable asset. We knew your skill set would be able to help us with this murder.”

“My… skill set?” This is it. This is the big ball drop, when I find out what exactly I can do. Everyone seems so hesitant to tell me.

“Ms. Faller, you have the ability to transform. It is unlike anything we have seen previously, aside from your mother of course. All other abilities we have witnessed are survival tactics—heat, strength, speed. Things that are necessary in a given situation. Yours is an innate ability. You have always had it, and its purpose is for you to decide.”

Um, what? He said transform, but transform how? Does he mean like a shape shifter type deal? “Can you, um, tell me what you mean by transform?”

Dr. Howard lets out a soft chuckle and a lukewarm smile, “I’m getting there, Ms. Faller. You have the ability to shift into a Panthera onca, a black panther, or jaguar to be more precise.” My jaw drops to the floor. I’m a cat. But I’m human. How is this even possible? Wait. Cole called me a feline. That slimy nincompoop. That jerktard. That… that idiot. I really need to work on my insults. I can’t even comprehend how I would go about becoming a cat. A… black cat. With… green eyes maybe? It makes since. My amber eyes are slowly evolving into the green eyes from my dreams. The first time I noticed the green was the week after finding Charley. How did I find Charley? I was miles away… Unless my powers somehow came alive, letting me hear and smell what I shouldn’t have been able to. The green appeared after that. I had been too sulky about Dad not believing me that I wasn’t paying attention to my eyes, but the green must have been there. Those were just specks of green, though. Until claws sprouted from my nails later that day, allowing me to defend myself against Cole. Not much good that did. Then the green spread. It must be tied to my abilities, just like gold is to Ash’s and black is to Jere’s. Still doesn’t tell me how the heck I actually used those powers.

For a good fifteen minutes I just sit here, staring into space, while Dr. Howard waits for me to absorb it. Finally, my mind seems to have worked through the bulk of new facts, allowing room for more answers. “So, my mom had this ability too?” I pause, watching Dr. Howard look up from his desk and nod. He stays silent, like he knows that I’m working through it bit by bit. “How did she activate her powers?”

Dr. Howard sets aside his paperwork to give me his undivided attention, “That is a common point for everyone with abilities. You need to discover your center, the thing that aids your focus and creativity more than any other thing. You may find you can activate your powers when you are in danger, simply because your abilities are meant to aid your survival. Without knowing your center, though, you will not be able to control when or how your gifts manifest. Your mother never told anyone her center, but a person’s center is often unique to them anyway. Though, in the case of you two, a lot of things are uncertain.”

Great. So I find out I have a cat living inside me, and no one knows how to get it out. At this point, I’m still trying to decide whether it’s super epic to shape shift, or it’s unnatural and weird and I’d rather be a normal old human with a normal old human body.

Somehow Dr. Howard senses I’m spent from this crazy night and pipes up again, “That is all the information I really have at the moment. I’m going to begin a training schedule for you now that you know about your abilities and others’. I’d much prefer you to be able to handle yourself, and try to practice your abilities, find your center,” Dr. Howard pauses and gets up to lead me to the door. His eyes dart from mine for a millisecond, maybe less, but I notice. He’s considering whether to say what’s on his mind.

“Thank you, Dr. Howard. For explaining.” Howard nods and I turn to go, hoping I can find my way back to my room.

A hand closes around my wrist, turning me back to the doctor, “Ms. Faller, you do understand why we need you here now, don’t you? For Charley?” His crystal blue gaze is insistent, wary, like he’s sending a secret message that no one knows but him.

“Of course. I’m as much a part of his investigation as you are now. Besides, I guess I can’t leave until I get this ability under control anyway.”

Dr. Howard’s eyes fill with what looks like relief, his shoulders sagging under the weight. He straightens up quickly, maintaining his professional image, before speaking, “Good. Have a goodnight, Ms. Faller.” Dr. Howard steps back into the office as I step out, then the door quietly slides shut. I’m left to navigate the silent hallways, everyone already in bed. Does everyone live here, or just the gifted? I don’t mind the silence or the feeling of being halfway lost in every hall, though, as the nagging suspicion in my gut and the lingering shock is keeping me plenty busy.