Gifted Connections 4

“We got to get moving,” Jace said quietly. “We have…three people coming our way.”

I closed my eyes and reached out to the three people using my gift of empathy. I could feel their giddiness. I knew in a typical situation they wouldn’t be expressing these feelings. I’m sure to them this was like a game of manhunt.

I smiled as I felt them draw nearer. Should I end this exercise now? I asked the guys silently. At the last second, I included Lincoln in the connection.

“I hear people coming our way,” Elvis cried out quietly.

What are you suggesting? Remy asked. He held up his hands at the Nons, letting them know to stand down.

I can have the three guys that are getting ready to join us find the other abductors and shoot them. I said mischievously, making sure to include the rest of my team in our communications.

It’s not against the rules, Jace said with a smile in his voice. Let’s see if we can end this in less than ten minutes.

Jace, Jaxson said with a mock gasp. Have we finally corrupted you?

Shut up, Jaxson, Jace and Remy said simultaneously.

The three men were almost upon us when I pushed my thoughts onto them. “Find the rest of your team,” I compelled them. “Shoot them.”

“They’re leaving?” Elvis asked in confusion.

Jaxson looked over at him with a smile. “What did you think she meant?”

Elvis looked slightly embarrassed as he shrugged.

“Okay team, did you move?” Darren asked.

“Negative,” Remy answered back.

“We have a problem,” Darren sighed. “Some of these rooms were built identically. One’s at the end of the hall and to the left. The other’s at the end of the hall and to the right.”

“Okay, let’s go,” Remy stated. “We’re checking the left hallway first.”

“Okay,” Darren commented. “Once you get to the left hallway, you are looking for the third hallway to the right. Then it will be the sixth door to your left.”

“Copy that,” Remy said. “Third hall, sixth left door,” He repeated back.

“That’s correct,” Darren stated.

As we continued into the mock “hotel”, I took in the amazing authenticity of the place. It even had the gaudy printed carpet some hotels had. As we passed doors with numbers on them, I noticed the simulation also went as far as to put the numbers in braille.

In the distance, I could hear the occasional yell and scream. Jace stopped abruptly and held up a fist. He held up four fingers.

We all nodded, and I went to reach out to them. I didn’t bother conferring with the guys I just decided to tap into my inner Jaxson. Find some paper and a pen. I want you to write: ‘It’s not nice to hunt Team Four’ five hundred times.

“That should keep them busy for a while,” I smiled impishly.

“What did you do?” Jaxson asked.

“I made them go write sentences,” I shrugged.

Some of the guys chuckled, and I suddenly felt a shift in feelings.

“Drake, shields!” I heard Jace cry out.

I was glad Drake had quick reflexes as Micah and a Non with a gun popped up five feet away from us. The Non had his weapon trained on Remy. Drake dropped the shield right in time as the laser beam deflected off the guard.

Drake’s shield looked like it had transformed. It shimmered and pulsed, effectively protecting our team.