Gifted Connections 4

I was lying in bed with Jaxson when my phone went off. Jaxson was already sleeping, with his head cradled on my stomach, and his hand on my bare hip. I was unable to sleep, so I had broken out my music book and was playing with some new lyrics and music that had been playing in my head.

I reached over to my nightstand and pulled out my phone. I was confused at the unknown number.

Unknown number: What the hell is happening to me?

Blake: Who is this?

I didn’t have to wait long for the next text. It was brief and concise like the man.

Unknown number: Lincoln

I saved his name into my phone since he refused to give it to me initially.

Blake: I tried to tell you that we were all feeling the effects of the loss of our gifts. No one knows what’s happening to us. It has never been this drastic before.

Lincoln: How did you know I was in trouble?

I felt like explaining it would take longer than just showing him. I opened my nightstand drawer where I stashed Ella’s picture. I pulled it out and took a picture of her drawing. I sent him the image and another text.

Blake: Ella, my sister, is a precog. She saw it.

I waited with bated breath. Finally, my phone chimed once more.

Lincoln: Where are you? Let’s get this connection made so I can have my life back.

I had to stifle my noise of frustration. I didn’t want to wake up Jaxson. I still didn’t think he understood the entirety of the situation.

Blake: It’s a little more complicated than that. I can’t just send you an address, and you show up at my door.

Lincoln: Can we not play games? For someone that was so eager to jump my bones yesterday, you seem so reluctant to do so today

.

I squelched another scream. Why, oh why, did God think that he could ever be my connection? He was so infuriating, arrogant, and a grade A ass.

Blake: I’m sure you have confidence that I wanted to ‘jump your bones’ but contrary to what your overinflated ego believes, I’m just as reluctant if not more so about this situation as you are. I’m worried about my other connections. It was never about jumping your bones. Not every female wants to sleep with you.

I don’t know why I wanted to strike at his ego, but I did. I couldn’t help myself. He had wheedled himself under my skin once more.

Blake: I’ve seen you in action, and I wasn’t impressed.

I waited for his response and waited and waited some more. Now I was cursing myself because I may have genuinely ticked him off this time.

Chapter 13

The simulation room was more than I anticipated. It was beyond all my expectations. It kind of reminded me of a laser tag arena—or an indoor paintball course on crack. It wasn’t even a room; it was part of the lower level of the mountain, adjoining the greenhouses. The rock walls were exposed, enclosing our simulation area.

When we got downstairs, we noticed that they had erected a glass enclosure much like you would see at a zoo for viewing animals. They had put up bleachers the right and left of a rectangular structure that was raised above the arena. The lighting was dim and created a dark ambiance. From the looks on everyone’s faces, they seemed just as impressed as I was.

“I think we go up there,” Jemmy stated, pointing to the structure in the middle.

“You think?” Rachel asked in confusion. “This is Gavin’s baby. Haven’t you been down here to help him?”

“Um no.” Jemmy screwed up her face in distaste.

“Why not?” Remy asked in confusion. “It was something he’s passionate about, and you were getting really good with the computers and programming.”

“That’s their thing, not mine,” Jemmy said defensively.