* * * *
Bryn came around with a start. He wasn’t sure what had woken him but had a vague sense that it had been a sharp noise. His headache had faded a bit but he wasgroggy and confused. “Where the fuck am I?” He was sitting on a plastic chair, head lolling, in a room that was in serious need of interior decoration. The gray walls were less than inviting. There was one door and a large interior window across one wall. He lifted his head, wincing at the crack his neck gave.Has to be an interrogation room. There are probably people behind that window watching me.It was then he realized that his wrists were cable-tied together.This just gets better and better.He raised both hands then gave the window the finger.Juvenile, I know, but it makes me feel better.There was a table in front of him so he laid his head on his arms and closed his eyes.They’d better not have lost my shades.
A few minutes later, the door opened. Footsteps crossed the room and someone occupied the chair on the other side of the table. Bryn’s curiosity got the better of him and he raised his head. The man facing him looked to be in his forties, with silver-flecked dark hair and gray eyes. Everything about him was nondescript, as if he dressed deliberately to blend into the background. He pinned Bryn with a sharp gaze.
“How are you feeling, Bryn?”
“Like someone drugged me without my permission,” Bryn muttered. “Where am I?”
“You were drugged specifically so that you wouldn’t know your location. It means you can’t tell anyone else and that helps us protect you.”
“Protect me from what, exactly?”
“If you turn out to be what we think you are, it makes you valuable. Criminal elements will want to get their hands on you and at the moment, you’re defenseless.”
“So why are my hands tied? Unless you guys have a bondage fetish?”
“That’s to stop you accidentally touching someone. It makes you more aware of where your hands are.”
“And you don’t want me touching anyone because…”
“We think you may be an augur.”
Bryn stared at him. “And what exactly is that?”
“I think you already know that. There have been two examples in the last thirty years of blue tests like the one you had today. Both of those people were able to see the future in some way. One could also look into past memories.” The man paused. “Charlie told me that he thought you’d already experienced something like that today. Tell me about that.”
“How about you tell me who you are and why I should trust you, because I have to say, you’re not making the best first impression.”
“I work for the government, Bryn. For the organization that monitors and takes care of those who are gene gifted.”
“Gifted. Right. You have a name?”
“Call me Warden or Sir, whichever you prefer.”
“I wish I hadn’t asked.”
“The more cooperative you are, Bryn, the easier things will be. Now tell me what happened this morning.”
Bryn sighed. He didn’t want to spend more time than was necessary on the uncomfortable chair. “My housemother, Annie…after we saw the test this morning, she grabbed my hand. In my mind, I saw her in a courtroom. Then, after I realized that trying to get away is what would put her there, and I decided not to run, I touched her again. The images changed and she was safe and happy.”
The warden grunted. “Sounds like you saw her future intent. And you haven’t had visions about anyone else since?”
Bryn shook his head. “Nope, but your thugs knocked me out, remember?”
“Okay, this is what’s going to happen. You’ll be taken from here to a training facility. A kind of school, if you like. There, specialists will endeavor to gauge your abilities and test them. Alongside that you will receive a college-level education, a health and fitness program and psychological support.”
“And I guess I get no choice in the matter?”
“None. This is a government requirement for somebody like you, and is all clearly defined in law.”
“And how long am I supposed to stay at this place?”
“Between two and three years, depending on your progress and the strength of your abilities.”
“And after that?”
“To be determined. Potentially, a job in the security services.”
