The Flame of the Crimson Rose

"How do you know about my dream?? What were you doing?"

Caleb saw Coles temper noticeably flare. Caleb was many things, but he wasn't a liar.

"I was reading your mind to find out what sort of power you were developing. I was hoping for the classic super speed, but it looks like something else. Weird. Ok stop looking at me like that, why do you hate your powers? Its a gift! Its unique! Useful! And you can hide it if you want, but why would-"

Caleb's headache worsened, and he slumped down the shelf, into a sitting position.

'That boy will not like what you've done to him, I suggest killing him. Besides, he took all your chocolate. I was hoping you would eat some for yourself, I do love chocolate,' Chaos mused inside Caleb's skull.

Caleb laughed.

"Yes Chaos, I'm going to kill Cole because he took my chocolate. Great Idea, right up there with windows vista," Caleb said out loud.

'Everyones staring,' Chaos replied.

"Oh Great."

 

Cole eyed Caleb warily. Did he just threaten to kill him?

"Look you little freak," Cole took an aggressive step towards the younger boy as his pulse quickened. "I don't know what's going on with me, OK?! I don't want to be a freak like you, I just want to be normal! I just want everything to go back to the way it was!"

Cole quickly reached forward and gripped Caleb by his button down shirt. He cocked his free hand into a fist, threatening to punch.

"And if you ever get inside my head again, I'll - " Cole had no intention of hurting the kid, but the stress of the situation and the weird things happening to him had pushed his frustration to an all time high. Before he could finish his sentence however, he heard a slight ripping sound from beside his ear.

His jacket sleeve tore open and something snapped forward straight at Caleb's face. Cole dropped Caleb immediately and jerked his arm back just quickly enough for Caleb not to be impaled by the 14 inch blade.

Cole looked at his arm in disbelief as Caleb fell to the floor. There it was, spattered with blood from where it had ripped through the unusual wound he'd gotten the week before. Hinged below his wrist the extension protruded like a extension of his arm, tightly muscled and terminating in a knobby joint. From that joint the slender scythe shaped blade of flat white bone extended.

With a snap the limb retracted, mantis like, to rest against his forearm.

"HOLY MOTHER OF F@#$!!!"

 

"HOLY MOTHER OF F@#$!!!"

All of Caleb's anger at being called a 'freak' dissipated, when a scythe esque arm sprung from Coles arm.

As Cole stood in shock, Caleb casually lifted Cole's arm, peering at it intently.

"Thats Odd," he said.

He tapped the mutant arm experimentally, then recoiled back, in case it struck. It didn't.

Caleb patted Cole on the shoulder and let his arm drop, "Like it or not, that looks like powerish," he lowered his voice, "If Bob was right and we have a doomsday cult after us, would you rather fight them by screaming how normal you are, or would you rather have some extraordinary abilities. Being normal isn't going to stop these people. A huge scythe arm, well, it has a better success rate I'm sure."

 

"HOLY MOTHER OF F@#$!!!" Cole screamed and broke Adam from his reverie.

For all he knew, something had attacked them. Adam leapt to his feet, unsure as to what he would do, and his eyes met Cole - a giant blade sticking out of his arm. Okay, so they weren't attacked. Adam eased up a little, but he was still scared nonetheless. More extraordinary powers. No matter how much Cole had tried to deny it, he couldn't anymore. How soon would it be before others showed their powers too?

 

"HOLY MOTHER OF F@#$!!!"

Addison stared at Cole. Thats unexpected. She thought. So now Caleb, Cole, and potentially Sam had powers. Adam, Kaz, Nathan, Susanna didn't seem to have any, or if they did, they weren't letting on. She didn't have one, she knew that; well she was pretty sure. Everything that had happened just in the last couple hours was making her begin to question the ordinary. She looked down at her hands warily. Could she do something? No, thats ridiculous, she thought to herself, if she could do something she would know by now.

"Ridiculous." She muttered aloud, then turned back to Cole, "Umm...is your arm ok?" She was still eyeing him cautiously, not sure what the right thing to say was.

 

A huge scythe arm, well, it has a better success rate I'm sure."

"Umm...is your arm ok?"

"DOES IT LOOK OK!?!?!" Cole began to pace aimlessly with his hand held to his head. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell."

"OK, so my 'super power' is a big freakish arm. What the hell, what the hell what the hell..." Cole began to mutter to himself as he continued to pace.

"This is all your fault you know Caleb," Cole pointed his finger, but couldn't help but break out into a feeble laugh. He knew it couldn't possibly be Calebs fault, but it broke the ice for him to place the blame somewhere. Regaining his composure slightly, he continued "Alright, so I've been growing an arm thing, that must be why I've been so hungry and tired. Does anyone know anything about these powers people have been getting? Is there anyone else here with some wierd power or something?"

 

As Cole jabbered incoherently, cursing his powers and condemning himself as a 'freak' Caleb made his move.

He grabbed Cole's arm, and looked him square in the eye.

"Listen Cole. You are not a freak. You have the potential, if anything, to be a hero," Caleb pointed forebodingly at the door, "There are psychopaths out there, who want to kill your family. They want to butcher your parents! They want to murder your siblings!"

Caleb tapped Cole's deadly arm, "This gift has given you the ability to do that! These bastards destroyed this entire city! When they come knocking on your front door, wouldn't you rather you be able to defend them?"

Caleb didn't let his gaze falter. He knew Cole would see reason, he had to.

 

"Dude! stop touching me!" Cole jerked his arm away.

"I've got it OK, I hear you. I don't quite know what you think a giant crab leg is going to do against whoever those guys are, but I get it." Cole avoided Caleb's intense stare. It seemed the kid could really pull it out when he needed to. Maybe he wasn't such a useless idiot after all.

"You seem to know a lot Caleb, tell us what you know about these powers." Cole sat down on a crate across the room and tried to relax. He pointed at Caleb once again and the bladed limb shot forward, emphasizing his next words, "And by the way the threat I was making still stands."

 

"You seem to know a lot Caleb, tell us what you know about these powers and by the way the threat I was making still stands."

Caleb inclined his head respectfully, "Thank you for giving this a chance."

Caleb stood in the centre of the group, his shoulders back, proud and confident.

"My powers manifested a mere day after the Crimson Flame in central park. Ever since I have been researching the effects on other people. Cases have been cropping up all over the world about people with extraordinary abilities. I have found that I myself am rare even amongst these people. Most are only able to wield one power, one. I have at least 5 powers that I can manipulate. The catch is, they change randomly. Sometimes I can mind read for a whole day, other days, it will change from mind reading to the manipulation of Aether in an hour."

Caleb paused for breath, and looked at his audience.

"If you think this makes me a freak, then you are wrong. I am human, powers or no, but I am happy to be bestowed with these gifts, and I believe they were given to me for a reason. And I cannot also help but notice various other powers cropping up in this group. Myself, and Cole are obvious. But I saw Sam conjure food up earlier, after sketching something in his note pad."

Caleb glanced apologetically at Sam.

"When I read Nathan's mind, I felt the beginnings of a power manifesting in him too. And as I speak Adam is muttering to himself, as he has been for the past hour. This is not a power of mine, I am simply observant. If anyone wishes... I could probe his or her mind, to discover your power," he offered, glancing specifically at Addison as he did so.

A grin finally broke through his sombre face, returning it to its former mirthfulness, "And I promise, no mutant scythes this time. Well I'll try at least..."

 

"If anyone wishes... I could probe his or her mind, to discover your power," He was looking pointedly at her.

"Oh no. I don't have a power. I don't need you to read my mind to tell me that." Something akin to nerousness had flared up inside of Addison. She realized that while she didn't necessarily have anything against people with powers, she didn't want one. An urge to back away from Caleb overcame her though, not from fear of him, but fear of him finding that she did infact have a power. With a small clatter her laynard with the keys felt out of her pocket again.

"Dammit." She muttered bending down to pick it up. The nerves in her stomach were still there. Automatically she began flicking the flashlight on and off, it had always been a habit of hers. On. Off. On. Off. On. On. On. Something inside the light got stuck and was causing the switch to not turn the light off. She shoke it hard and it finally went out. She looked back up at the group her cheeks slightly red as she realized that they had all been watching her play with the flashlight. "Seriously though, I don't have a power."

 

"Seriously though, I don't have a power."

Caleb threw his head back and laughed, "No, I don't suppose extreme cuteness can be considered a power."

He took a small step forward, "however, you can't run from it. If you have a power it will come out soon, prolonging it will only make it worse."

Another step.

"If what Bob said was true, we need everything we can muster against these people."

One final step bought Caleb face to face with Addison, "Not wishing to be insulting, but your reluctancy to embrace your power could harm people."

Caleb softened his voice as much as he could, a pleading look entered his eyes "Please Addi, I need you. We need you. I promise this won't hurt a bit. Besides, I most likely won't be able to interpret the nature of your power, just whether it exists or not."

He let his hand hover an inch away from her forehead, "What do you say?"

 

"Please Addi, I need you. We need you. I promise this won't hurt a bit. Besides, I most likely won't be able to interpret the nature of your power, just whether it exists or not."

He let his hand hover an inch away from her forehead, "What do you say?"

"Look, it's not a matter of me refusing to admit I have a power. It that I don't have one. Who says we all do? Sure you and Cole and maybe Sam, Nathan, or Adam have one, but it doesn't mean we all do." The nerves were still there. To some degree the idea that she might have a power scared her. But she didn't want to admit that to Caleb. More than anything that was what was stopping her from letting him probe her mind and discern if she did have a power. She bit her lip nervously and started twisted the laynard with her keys around her hands.

 

Nathan shook awake from his slight dozing off. It only been a few minutes, but it was needed. What bothered him was what awoke him, Cole yelling. He sat bolt upright and looked at the freakish arm he wielded now. What the hell is that thing? I thought he was just really fast. He didn't say anything though, Caleb seemed to have the talking handled. Nathan just wanted to watch and see what came out of this. So we do have powers, but what could I possibly have? Everybody seems to know theirs, except Addison, but I really don't know. He worried about never finding out and only being human with a group of powerful people. He didn't want to be the dead weight for the group.

Nathan looked over at Susanna and shook his head again. "What do I have?" he asked, "What can I do?" He tried to think about it, but never did come up with an answer. He didn't want to ask Caleb to help though. Nathan still didn't trust Caleb, he couldn't have him infiltrating his mind. These people must not know what I've done, they will think even less of me.

Nathan saw Caleb reach over Addison's head and heard what he asked her. As much as he didn't like Caleb roaming in people's heads, he wanted to know what she could do. Nathan wanted to understand this group, but he didn't want to ask.

He laid back down and listened to the conversation, from a good safe distance.

 

"Look, it's not a matter of me refusing to admit I have a power. It that I don't have one. Who says we all do? Sure you and Cole and maybe Sam, Nathan, or Adam have one, but it doesn't mean we all do."

Caleb smiled, and lowered his hand.

"If your certain you don't have a power, then whats the harm in checking?" he exclaimed this loudly for the group to hear.

Then he whispered to Addi, "I know your scared. I know exactly how you feel. Let me tell you something, when I first discovered I had a gift, via making the entire kitchen disappear, I was scared as hell. I curled up into a ball, crying in the shower for two days. Two whole days, completely immobile, unable to accept it. There is nothing to be embarrased about, fear is what makes us human. Well fear and lust, greed, happiness, sadness, etc etc."

Caleb held out his hand once more, "The fact that you remain on your feet is astounding. The thought of it made me pass out, at the beggining. You have nothing to lose, and lots to gain. Last chance, say no, and I'll never bring this up again."

Caleb winked, "What'll it be?"

 

The fact that you remain on your feet is astounding. The thought of it made me pass out, at the beggining. You have nothing to lose, and lots to gain. Last chance, say no, and I'll never bring this up again."

Caleb winked, "What'll it be?"

Addison glanced at his outstretched hand, then back to his face and his reassuring smile. Then back to his hand again. He did have a point, if she was really sure that she didn't have a power, which she didn't, then there really was no harm in checking. Plus everybody was standing around watching them, watching what she would do. If she stepped back then they would all assume she had no guts at all. The fear still remained, hanging over her mind like a dark shadow. She looked once again at his calm, reassuring smile.

"Fine." She squeezed her eyes shut and leaned forward slightly, "go ahead. But there's nothing there to find."

 

Caleb beamed happily. Addison's eyes were shut tight, Caleb lightly stroked a strand of her hair, "Its all going to be fine."

Caleb abruptly plunged into her subconscious, memories rapidly flashing past. Caleb sped on, until he reached what he believed was the centre of her being. And there, right next to the very essence of her mind, was her ability. Caleb supposed it looked like a bud, waiting to blossom. A faint glow softly emanated from within it, its form rippled with power. Caleb tentively stepped forward, and paused, before touching it.

Suddenly cracks snaked along its surface, beams of light burst through where the cocoon had shattered. Caleb's jaw dropped as the dull orb transformed into a pulsing sun.

Caleb smiled. As he was about to leave however, he noticed a memory he had missed on the way in. Caleb moved closer, and then without warning Caleb was transported into a shopping mall. He realised his body was not his own, but Addisons, then the Caleb/Addison hybrid witnessed Gage become engulfed by the flames.

Caleb was flung from Addisons mind, and he fell to the floor whimpering.

"Gage... It was so real," He looked sadly up at Addi and managed a grin.

"Got in too deep it seems. Bad news, you have a power," Caleb rolled over and looked at the ceiling, "And I think I may have sped it up."

 

Addison couldn't feel him in her mind at all. Then suddenly he was pushed back and fell down.

"Gage... It was so real," Tears stung her eyes once more as she looked down at Caleb. He tried a small smile, as she felt her lower lip begin to tremble as she though of Gage again.

"Got in too deep it seems. Bad news, you have a power," Caleb rolled over and looked at the ceiling, "And I think I may have sped it up."

It took a minute for his words to reach her as she was engulfed once more in sorrow over Gage.

"Wait...how can I have a power? And how the hell did you speed it up?"

 

"Wait...how can I have a power? And how the hell did you speed it up?"

Cole grimaced.

"Hey Caleb, maybe we should just chill on the probing of people's minds for a bit. It's kinda freaking me out, and we've all been through a lot today." Cole was slowly adjusting to the idea of powers, but the way Caleb seemed to wield his mind reading ability so lightly made him uncomfortable.

Cole looked up to the balcony where Nathan and Susanna were sitting.

"Hey Nate, I'm feeling pretty good physically. I don't think I'll be able to sleep any time soon though. If you want I'll take your watch."

 

"Hey Nate, I'm feeling pretty good physically. I don't think I'll be able to sleep any time soon though. If you want I'll take your watch."

Nathan sat there, and thought about it. I took a nap, but oh well. I wouldn't really be sleeping tonight anyways.

"Yeah go ahead, I'll take the one after ya. Just...uh...kick me when it's my turn."

I can maybe try to figure out my power while everybody is sleeping, he thought, I really hope I'm not the only person here without a power. It really concerned him, but he vowed to make the best of it nevertheless. I won't go down without a fight, no mater what I am.

 

"Yeah go ahead, I'll take the one after ya. Just...uh...kick me when it's my turn."

"I don't think i'll be able to get to sleep. Maybe i can take your watch." said Kaz. He was leaning against a wall. His face was calm, but inside he was worried and exited, so he couldn't get to sleep. He wanted to check on his family. But how?

 

As the group talked about who would take watch Caleb walked over to the motionless Addison.

He was wracked with guilt, and fear that Addison would hate him for what he did.

Fearing his legs would be unable to support him, he edged along the shelf.

"Addi, I'm so sorry. But your gift could help you find Gage. Once again, I'm sorry I pried."

With his apology completed Caleb retreated to the back of the warehouse, just under the balcony where Nathan slept.

Caleb had no intention of going to sleep however, not yet anyhow. He wanted to get a look at that rock. Caleb snapped his fingers experimentally; nothing.

He sighed disappointed, he was still stuck with mind reading. He grabbed one of the blankets, curled up into a ball, and drifted into the beckoning arms of sleep.

 

"I don't think i'll be able to get to sleep. Maybe i can take your watch.

Cole looked at Kaz, they were about the same age and size though Kaz had the thick build of a wrestler, in contrast to his own leaner physic. Though Kaz was well known around school, Cole didn't know much about him.

"I think I've got this one, but you can hang out with me if you can't sleep."

Across the room Cole saw Adam still standing and looking rather nervously around the room. Adam had supported him back at the statue, and he seemed like a good kid. He was also the youngest guy in the group, and Cole thought he should probably make sure he felt included.

'Oh, yeah that'll work,' he thought, ''Hey Adam, how are you? want to see my freakish bug hand?' I don't care what Caleb says, this is NOT cool. I'll probably never get a girl again.'

Cole released a heavy sigh and looked disdainfully at his mutated arm. Still, he figured he should try to make sure Adam felt included and it would be a good distraction from such depressing thoughts.

"Hey Adam," he said approaching, "I hope your not too freaked out... and uh, I'm sorry for knocking you over earlier too. How are you holding up man?"

 

"Hey Adam," he said approaching, "I hope your not too freaked out... and uh, I'm sorry for knocking you over earlier too. How are you holding up man?"

Adam suddenly turned his attention to Cole, who had walked right up to him. He knows my name? He thought. Nobody had been paying much attention to Adam, other than Caleb, but he was buzzing around non stop. In a way, Adam kind of preferred it. They didn't pay attention to him; he didn't have to pay attention to them. Nonetheless, Cole's company was strangely comforting.

"Uh, it's okay," he began, speaking at his voice's normal volume for the first time in hours, "No problem, really - you were hungry." Adam smiled lightly. But the smile was gone as fast as it had come. He sat back down.

 

"No problem, really - you were hungry."

"Yeah, I'm still sorry though, I think it had something to do with this," he held up his 'freak' arm keeping the blade tucked tightly against his forearm. Cole sat down with his back against the wall near Adam. He didn't want to get too close, he knew he would have felt a little wary of a freak like himself and assumed the same for Adam.

"So I've been thinking, I dunno if we've seen the last of Bob. I know he was dead and all, but some of the stuff he said makes me think he could still turn up. What do you think?" Cole was usually good at small talk, but the current situation didn't lend itself too well.

 

"So I've been thinking, I dunno if we've seen the last of Bob. I know he was dead and all, but some of the stuff he said makes me think he could still turn up. What do you think?"

"I know, i thought that at first, but then think of how he died. It was.. Weird. Though not as weird as the mayor. Anything compared to the mayor is supernatural. If something like that is after him, i reckon he'd want to stay dead. Maybe meet god." Kaz said as he searched in his pocket. He was trying to make a joke, but was still confused. He kept searching his pocket as he waited for an answer.