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  Demarcus suddenly noticed a lanyard with a picture badge around the guy’s neck. He wondered where he was from. His skin had a darker hue and his accent sounded, well, he couldn’t quite place it. Middle Eastern? Maybe Spanish or even Greek?

  “Uh, so I’m Demarcus. This here is my new friend Harry.” Harry looked up with a start. “Are we in trouble? I knew we shouldn’t have gone off campus.”

  John chuckled, a bass sound rumbling from his chest. “Foraging for food? No, you are quite all right there, young Harry. In fact, please partake of your food before it gets too cold. I understand these sandwiches are best enjoyed warm.”

  Okay. The dude was definitely an immigrant. Demarcus wasn’t going to argue with the permission to eat, so he pulled the burger into rough halves and slid one over to his roomie. A loose pickle plopped onto the table, and in a blink, he nabbed it and popped it into his mouth.

  “So you said something about super powers. Yeah. That was something we were goofing on. What kind of power we’d like to have if we could.” Demarcus followed with a nervous laugh. Was John senile enough to buy it?

  John folded his arms across his chest, his bushy eyebrows furrowed. “I have seen many things in my time. I know when I’ve seen something amazing, so don’t try to fool me, son. My body may be tired, but my mind knows what it saw.”

  Demarcus shivered with the realization that he had been caught.

  “I saw destiny. I saw gifts being used. I saw the Lord’s anointed. Thankfully, I saw what I have been waiting to see for a long time. There are a few of you here that I have been looking for.”

  Demarcus set his milkshake down, his appetite suddenly diminished. “Um, that’s cool. What does that all mean?”

  “It means we have a lot to talk about.”

  Harry ran a hand through his hair. “Mr., uh, John? How can this be destiny? I almost got killed out there because of this crazy thing that happens to me. I didn’t ask for it. I don’t want it.”

  “Boys, let me tell you a story. There was a man born in a time of great need. His people lived in peril. They needed a deliverer. His parents made a promise that their son would be held to a special vow before God.

  “This boy grew up with great strength, and he soon defended his people against the evil ones who tried to rule them. He became a man, but a man who was proud and foolish, thinking he was unstoppable. In a moment of weakness, he revealed his one vulnerability: his hair.”

  Demarcus stopped chewing. “Samson?”

  John pointed a bony finger at him. “Exactly right. He gave his secret to the temptress Delilah. His hair was shorn, and he lost his power. His enemies captured him, put out his eyes, and paraded him in their temple during a festival. His hair had started to grow back, and in a final moment of humility, he cried out to the Lord for his strength to be returned. His prayer was answered, and he knocked the pillars of the temple down, dealing a terrible blow to the enemies of Israel, at the cost of his own life.”

  Harry looked confused. “I’ve heard the Bible story before. What does that have to do with us? I wish I had strength instead of whatever it is I have.”

  John’s wizened hand rested on Harry’s shoulder. “The story means, my young friend, that the Lord gives gifts to His people as He sees fit. Samson was not the best example for Israel. He was prideful, haughty, and a fool. He was not chosen because of who he was. All of God’s children are given gifts. It is up to them to determine how they will be used. Will we use them to serve the Lord, or serve ourselves? If we think only of ourselves, we ultimately serve the Enemy.”

  Demarcus leaned in, the implications of the conversation hitting him like waves of surf. “Wait. You mean I can run fast and Harry can teleport or whatever he does for a reason that only God knows?”

  “Yes! In your case, you have been given extraordinary gifts for a special time.”

  Demarcus tried to swallow. No saliva worked its way down his parched throat. “Okay. This is freaky.”

  Now John raised a finger to his mouth, paused, and then cleared his throat. “I am still figuring out the nuance of your tongue. I do not understand ‘freaky.’”

  “Well, I go to church. I believe in Jesus and all that, and I thought that God had given me this gift, because where else would it come from? But to be like a Samson? Does that make us some kind of deliverers?”

  “Precisely.”

  Harry groaned. “I’m only fifteen. I don’t shave yet. I can’t drive a car. And I sometimes blip up into a tree or across the street in the middle of traffic. Yeah, I’ll be a lot of help.”

  “Don’t worry, young man. This can be a very confusing time. Why else were you brought here, but because of your gift?”

  Harry stood up. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I want to be a part of this. Demarcus, I’ll see you at the room.” Before John could react, Harry ducked out of the room. The outside door slammed shut.

  Demarcus could’ve caught Harry, but the guy needed time to sort things out. And Demarcus had just taken another bite of his hamburger. His own mind buzzed with the revelations. Harry could … teleport? Their abilities were ordained?

  “Oh, dear. I do need to work on my communication with the youth. What is the gap I’ve heard about?”

  Demarcus scratched his chin. “You mean the generation gap?”

  “That’s the one. Well, at least you are still here. What do you think of this? I suppose it is a lot to share with someone all at once.”

  “Sir, my mother almost died when I was born. I never knew my father. We haven’t ever owned a ton, but my mom always believed in two things: that God saved her and that God created me for a reason. Now Biblical heroes are big shoes to fill. Er, sandals … whatever. Anyway, you seem to know something, so I’m ready to listen.”

  John started to respond when Demarcus recalled Rosa’s disappearing act earlier.

  “Sorry, but you said you were looking for others like us? Are there more than Harry and me?”

  John’s grey head nodded. “There is a growing darkness, and your gifts were foretold long ago. I believe there’s more than you and your confused friend. That is why I am here.”

  “Wait. You don’t usually work here?”

  John nodded. “I would have liked to retire a long time ago rather than pushing a broom around here. This conference is not by accident. Others are looking for you too.”

  Demarcus shook his head. This was getting way too deep. “What do you mean?”

  “It is no coincidence that the Alturas Collective came around with this conference for special children, paying your way, right when you started running fast. I do not know the ultimate agenda here, if Alturas is the source, or if they’re just a tool. Just know that other people are looking for you as well.”

  Demarcus pondered a shadowy conspiracy as he slurped the last of his vanilla shake.

  “We have just met, and I know it is a lot to take in, yet I must ask for your help. I need assistance in discovering what is going on at the conference. Will you take an old man on faith and help?”

  “Um, I guess I’ll do what I can.”

  John beamed, his teeth crooked but otherwise looking good for an old guy. “This is wonderful news. I will meet with you after lunch tomorrow on the next step. Until then, please keep this between us.”

  No problem there, dude. If Demarcus told the staff about this, they’d think he was crazy.

  The sound of a door closing made both of their heads jerk toward the hallway. “It seems the security is making their rounds,” John whispered.

  Demarcus’s heart spooked like that of a stray cat. “What are we going to do? The light’s on—they’ll know someone’s in here.”

  John reached over and snatched the fries and shake out of Demarcus’s hands. “I am sorry to do this. I will replace your meal as soon as I can.” He spread the food out as if someone had been eating there, and even dumped a glob of ice cream on the table. “Duck under the table. I will distract the security guard. Use your speed to get out of the building. I have an excuse to be here.”

  Demarcus started to protest, when the sound of approaching footsteps silenced his argument. He slipped under the table right before the door opened. The chairs along the table made it a tight fit. He tried to slide over toward the end closest to his escape route.

  “What’s going on in here?” a gruff voice asked.

  All Demarcus could see was the dude’s huge legs.

  John let out a breath of air, mimicking disgust. “I was making my last check and I find this mess. Can you believe it?”

  “I’ll need to see your badge.”

  The guard stepped over toward John. This was his chance. Time to bolt.

  Demarcus flashed into the hallway. No one else appeared to be there, and nothing sounded suspicious with John and the guard.

  Way to push your luck. Don’t get kicked out the first night. With that thought, Demarcus tiptoed to the front doors, hoping to avoid any more security on the way.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Lily wandered the halls until she found a quiet nook and broke the news to Clara about her new roommate. At least Clara’s indomitable spirit had lifted Lily out of the blues, suggesting several pranks to pull on Missy, each more ridiculous than the last. Lily’s favorite was shaving one eyebrow. Not that she—or Clara—would actually do any of them.

  Still, she’d been so excited for the conference, only to have her biggest rival as her roommate? It had to be a cruel trick.

  When she returned to the room, the chill in the air could’ve frozen lava. The two danced around each other as they got ready for bed. This morning, Lily made sure to get up early. Missy had barely stirred by the time she tiptoed out of the room.

  Now Lily stood motionless in the doorway of the cafeteria li
ke it was the first day of high school. Who were the cool kids? What cliques were forming? Memories of prior experiences in Washington and again at Everett Academy bubbled inside her gut, a stew of anxiety and fear. Ugh. And Missy would be waiting for her back at the room. Was the conference worth it?

  She thought of Clara’s encouragement the night before. Here she was, chosen for a special gathering, yet paralyzed by the thought of sitting at a table—the dark side of adolescence. She could do this. She would do this.

  A woman brushed by her, and Lily instinctively flinched. However, a familiar face turned. Jennie Lin escorted another girl through the doorway.

  “Lily, so good to see you. How are you doing today?”

  “Uh, I’m fine. I guess,” Lily said.

  “Would you like to join us? I need to talk to you about your roommate situation.” Jennie pointed to the girl at her side. The girl shyly lifted a hand in a meek wave. “Sarah, this is Lily.”

  “I actually go by Sarah Jane, if you would.”

  Lily offered a wave of her own. Sarah Jane pushed a strand of strawberry blond hair behind her ear. A smattering of large freckles covered the girl’s round face, and her pink complexion flushed brighter.

  “Sure, I’ll join you,” Lily said, wondering when she’d be able to ask Jennie about Missy.

  The girls joined one of the food lines. An efficient buffet served all sorts of fruit, muffins, and hot breakfast foods. Lily picked out an egg-white omelet with spinach and mushrooms. Her Seattle roots required a trip to the espresso bar, so she joined her companions a few minutes after her steaming cup of dark liquid energy was ready to go.

  Jennie wasted no time. “I’m very sorry about the situation with your current roommate. I understand the girl you were paired with is not a good match.”

  Understatement of the year. “Yeah, we go to school together. She’s kinda my nemesis. Last night was not cool.”

  “I understand. She was on the phone to her advisor, uh, rather forcefully last night. We have made arrangements to trade rooms. We’re going to have you move in with Sarah here.”

  Lily and Sarah Jane regarded one another. She seemed nice enough, and anything would be better than Missy Austin.

  Their attention shifted as monitors flickered on across the meal hall. Simon flashed onto the screens with a plaid button-down shirt and a large smile.

  “How is everyone this morning? Are you ready for a world-changing day? I hope you got some good rest, because we’re off and running now. Report to your group labs after breakfast, and I’ll talk to you at lunch. Here’s to your potential!”

  The sight of Simon’s handsome face on the TV feed lifted Lily’s spirits immensely. It might be stupid, but she pictured him speaking directly to her.

  Jennie took a drink of her green tea. Strange. A faint, dark aura glowed around her head again, just like at their first visit at her house. Lily needed to ask what conditioner she used, to get such an effect.

  Jennie noticed Lily’s stare. “Is everything all right? You seem distracted.”

  “Oh, I just need my eyes checked when I get home is all.” She turned to Sarah Jane. “Where are you from?”

  She spoke with a quiet, high-pitched voice. “I’m originally from Phoenix. Terrible place for someone with my complexion. We just moved to Fremont in January.”

  At least she had enough self-confidence to kid about herself. Lily didn’t know if she could do that right now. She took a swig of her cappuccino. Why couldn’t her magic coffee elixir grant her that kind of moxie?

  Jennie clapped her hands. “I’m so excited for you girls to experience all that we’re offering this weekend. I’ve grown so much working for Alturas, and the opportunity to spend the next few days drawing out your gifts will be invaluable.”

  Lily twisted the ring on her right hand, a silver band topped with a black onyx. A present from Kelly to commemorate the big trip. Kelly was still trying to reach out, and this little gesture had actually made a difference. She seemed to realize Lily had some darkness to deal with, and she didn’t fight against it. The onyx was a good touch.

  “Will we learn how we were selected? I’ve been going over your visit since then, and I still don’t get the potential and influence bit,” Lily said.

  Sarah Jane nodded. “Really. I’m the last person I would’ve picked from my school. This is cool, don’t get me wrong. It just doesn’t make sense.”

  Jennie’s eyes widened, and she picked at her Flare band while seemingly searching for a response. Weird. Normally she came across as so confident. “Everyone is different. That’s what makes this conference unique—that the attendees are all unique. Lily, we saw something in you that will be different for Sarah.”

  Lily noticed a mild scowl from Sarah Jane at the continued whiff of her name. She waved her hand at the other kids. “So that’s it? There’s a generic uniqueness that we all happen to share.”

  Jennie didn’t let herself get ruffled any further. “All I can say is that you’ll be amazed. We need to hurry up though, or you’ll be late for your group labs.”

  Lily followed through with a last bite of her omelet while Sarah Jane munched on an apple. The girls stood up and deposited their plates at the trash, except for Lily’s coffee. Nope, she would drain that cup of everything it contained.

  Jennie checked her phone. “You girls have a change in your group lab. You will report to lab 11-M, upstairs in the Golden Hall. Do you remember where that is from orientation?”

  “We’re both changing groups?” Lily asked.

  “Yes. We had some last-minute inspiration, and there was a little shuffling. You’ll find being at Alturas requires some flexibility. Off you go.”

  Lily shrugged at the change. Since she didn’t have any expectations, shifting around didn’t bother her. At least her awful roommate had been changed. Now she could avoid Missy and enjoy the opportunity.

  She followed Sarah Jane out the door, and they headed for their assigned lab.

  Simon waited at the conference hall across from the cafeteria. The teens had filtered out of the building and headed toward their labs. He remained confident that their screening process had picked up kids with influence and malleability, each with the ability to go back home and be Alturas’s ambassadors on a local scale. Now, if their further winnowing could pick out the few who were truly special, their plans could advance so much faster.

  He popped a yellow gummy bear into his mouth. Not as confident as green, but a good sign nonetheless. Simon continued watching recordings from security of the attendees spilling out of the cafeteria toward their appointments. He smiled as the level of excitement amongst the teens remained buoyant. No signs of anyone special so far this morning.

  A few of his staff trickled in, having gone through to find particular individuals at breakfast and redirect them to their special labs. Jennie Lin and four others took their seats around the table. They discussed things for a few minutes, then their group went silent.

  Simon turned from the monitors to address them. “So, were you discreet? And did you get everyone?”

  Jennie stood up to report for the group. “Yes, sir. We intercepted all of the girls who had light colored hair. They’ll be in 11-M.”

  Simon couldn’t identify the girl who’d glowed out of the crowd. All he could tell from the stage was a golden aura around her hair. It couldn’t be any with dark hair, so with a little targeted adjustment they’d whittled down the investigation group. The next test should narrow things down further. Who would be the one with the gift his project desperately needed?

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Come on. You’re going so slow.”

  Harry jogged to the stairs. “Hey, I’m not the one with super speed.”

  Demarcus did a facepalm. Did the kid really say that out loud?

  After talking with John for a while, he’d left the mysterious custodian and found Harry asleep in their room. No chance to talk about the revelations from the evening and why Harry had left.

  Then he hadn’t heard the alarm on his phone. Harry had forgotten to set his, and they’d managed to sleep through all of the others in their hall leaving for breakfast. If it weren’t for Harry falling out of his bed, they still wouldn’t be awake yet.

  They scurried down the stairs and out the doors. Demarcus had to consciously hold back, for Harry’s sake. His arm appreciated avoiding any jarring, as it still throbbed some from last night.