Exceptional (11 page)

The Institute receptionist directed Luke to the elevator, which he was told to take to Level U4.  He had forgotten that the training center was underground.  Upon exiting the elevator he was greeted by one of the doctors, who must have been alerted to his arrival.

“Good morning Lukin.  I’m Dr. Chal.  Shall we begin?”

Luke was led into a large, open room where other Exceptionals were already gathered.  One young male was moving large metal boxes around without touching them.  A female was shooting fire from her palms, aiming at targets set up a dozen yards away from her.  He tried to observe more of the occupants but the doctor led him into a smaller room off to the side.

“Before we begin the physical tests, I’d like to see a short preview of what you can do with your abilities.  It will give me a better idea of where to begin.” Dr. Chal leaned against the desk that was placed on the back wall, lifting his porta-comp to a writing level.

Luke decided this would be an easy test.  He raised his hand toward Dr. Chal and focused his mind on the doctor’s presence, sensing the space surrounding him.  With one thought, he was able to cancel the gravity in a small radius around the doctor.  It was almost amusing to watch Dr. Chal startle and yell out as he floated up into the air.  He scrambled to grab his porta-comp as it threatened to drift away.  Just as easily, Luke released the energy, causing the man to fall back to the ground.

“Sorry, I haven’t had the chance to work on landings.”  In truth, yesterday had been the first time he had used his ability on another human being.  He always practiced on objects in his room, being careful enough that no one would discover his secret.  Even Pax and Maver didn’t know.  At least, they hadn’t until yesterday.

“That is something we will work on.” Dr. Chal straightened his jacket and picked his porta-comp up off the floor.  “We’ll also work on controlling your ability with just your mind so that you no longer have to use your hands.  It helps to disguise your power.”

He thought back to how his father had raised his hands in the dining room the previous day.  “Does everyone learn to use their ability with out their hands?”

    Dr. Chal nodded.  “Yes, but many chose to use their hands anyway, thinking it adds style to their abilities.”

Luke let out a small laugh. That sounded just like his father.

BY HIS THIRD DAY at the training center, Luke had made significant progress on projecting his ability with out having to reach his hand out.  It took more energy out of him when he did, and he was not always successful.  Still, Dr. Chal seemed impressed that he had mastered it so quickly, saying it took some Exceptionals months.  His father had taken a gamble that day in the Institute, relying on Luke to be in the right place at the right time.  If Luke hadn’t had such a fast reaction time, that afternoon could have ended very differently.  He used that information to fuel the fire burning through his insides, telling him to push himself to be as strong as possible.

Luke continued to excel in his physical tests and the younger trainers came to watch him work, since his ability had never been seen in their time here.  Luke wasn’t sure why it was considered so powerful.  He figured the boy who could move objects, or even the woman that could throw fire from her hands, would be of more use.

At the end of his training session that day, Luke stepped into Dr. Chal’s office for his end of the day assessment.  The doctor looked over his porta-comp, scrutinizing notes he had taken during the training sessions.

“Why am I so important?” Luke decided to ask.  “Is it because Aden is my father?”

Dr. Chal put down his porta-comp and clasped his hands in front of him.  “Do you know the full extent of your father’s abilities, Lukin?”

    Luke rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.  “I’ve experienced a few, seen others, and even heard rumors.  I know that he is the most powerful Exceptional in the City, maybe even what remains of the county.”
   
       
Dr. Chal smiled and nodded.  “That is correct.  I was a new doctor when your father came into the training center.”
   
       
Luke hadn’t noticed before, but Dr. Chal did show signs of old age.  Exceptional bodies didn’t break down and wrinkle like Ordinarys, but their hair diminished to a silver color, and their abilities started to weaken.
   
       
He continued, “When your father came to see me, his abilities were far less than they are now.  Even he was unsure of his use to the City at that time, considering himself the weakest of the trainees.”
   
       
“Why?” Luke asked.
   
       
“Because when Aden first came into the training center, he could only perform one ability.  The ability to cancel gravity.”
   
       
Luke leaned back against the wall, gritting his teeth together and clenching his hands into fists.  No wonder his father had been so excited back in the Institute.  He had seen a younger version of himself in Luke, and he saw the potential for Luke’s abilities.  And no matter how hard he tried to move in the opposite direction, it appeared that Luke was destined to become just like his father.  Because despite what his father was putting him through, despite what he was doing to Ally, Luke couldn’t help but feel excited at all of the possibilities.

“She’s pretty,” a female voice said.  It sliced through the silence that Ally had found herself trapped in for an undetermined period of time.  

“She belongs to Aden’s son,” a different female voice spoke this time.

Ally tried to open her eyes, finding that her eyelids felt heavy and somehow sealed together.

“I think she is waking up,” the first female said.  

Ally felt a small hand touch her arm.  “Ally?  Can you hear me?”

She attempted to open her eyes again and this time she succeeded.  She blinked several times as her eyes adjusted to bright light overhead.  Two female Ordinarys were leaning over her, assessing her condition.

“I don’t believe for one second that that Guard didn’t realize he was using an Exceptional tranquilizer on her and not an Ordinary one.   He is lucky she didn’t die,” the female on the right, whom Ally identified as the second female voice she heard, said.

The first female just nodded her head.  “I’m sure Aden will make him pay dearly.”

Ally wanted to tell them that Aden probably would have been thrilled had she died.  He didn’t seem to have much interest in her other than using her to gain power over his son, and from what she could remember from after her fall at the Institute, he had gotten his way.

“How long was I out?” Ally’s throat was dry so her voice came out extremely hoarse.

“Here, drink some water.”  The second female held a cup of water up to her mouth.  “You’ve been asleep for four days.”

“Four days?” Ally attempted to sit up but the motion made her nauseous.  She leaned back onto what appeared to be a small, white bed, and rubbed her head.  “Where am I?”

The first female put on a friendly smile.  “You’re in the infirmary.  Now that you’re awake, Dr. Hudson will want to see you and make sure you are well enough to receive your own room assignment.”

She had hoped for a broader answer, one that explained what building she was in, but it didn’t seem like she was going to get it.  She had heard Aden mentioned the ORC, but she still didn’t what exactly this place was used for.  Was she in a hospital of some sort?  Maybe an Ordinary processing building, a place for new Ordinarys entering the City?

“We’ll get the doctor”, the second female said before they both disappeared from the room. Ally closed her eyes again.

A few minutes later a male Exceptional entered the room.  He was tall and thin, having to duck down when he stepped through the doorway.

“Glad to see you awake Ordinary J102.”  He looked down at a small screen in his hand.  It looked just like the one a Guard had used to check her into the city, and Ally had heard Sabine call it a porta-comp.

“J102?” she repeated slowly.

Dr. Hudson nodded.  “Your identification number.  Your permanent paper work came in yesterday morning.”

She raised her wrist and sure enough, the paper bracelet she received when she arrived in the City was gone. Dr. Hudson pulled some metal instruments from the pocket of his white coat and began to check Ally over.  Back in the settlement they had a doctor, and he had many of the same instruments, except they were rusted and had been taped together in many places. Dr. Hudson helped her to sit up slowly and this time Ally didn’t feel dizzy.   He checked her breathing, looked in her ears and mouth, and tested her reflexes.

“Thankfully the tranquilizer did no damage other than putting you to sleep for a few extra days.  You seemed to have recovered from the effects well, and the blood panel we did when you first arrived came back normal.” Dr. Hudson picked up the porta-comp and pressed a few buttons.  “I’ll have them come and take you to your assigned room now.”

It wasn’t long after he left that the two female Ordinarys from earlier returned to the room.  They helped Ally off the table and led her out into the hallway.  It was long, white, and well lit by large lights hanging from the tiled ceiling.  She was led to the left and through a door at the end of the hall.  They stepped into another hall just like the other one, except this one had a wide desk at the end.  A female Exceptional sat at the desk, watching their approach.

“Wrist please,” she said in a malevolent voice.

The two females each held out their wrist and the Exceptional scanned their arms.  Ally followed suit, surprised when the Exceptional held the scanner over her arm and something beneath her skin lit up blue.

“They implanted your micro-chip yesterday after your paperwork arrived.” The first female said as they walked past the desk.

Ally lifted her sleeve and gasped.  “My mark.  Where is my mark?”

The place where her Oak tree once appeared was now completely bare.  Her skin smooth and shiny, as if nothing had ever been there.  She ran her finger along the area and felt a small bump under the skin.

“All Ordinarys from the settlements having their marking removed when the micro-chip is implanted.  It is a symbol of where you once lived, not where you currently reside.  The micro-chip is your new marking”, the second female responded.

Ally fought back the tears that were threatening to spill from her eyes.  She had never suspected that her mark would be taken away.  It was the one thing she had left from home, and now even that was gone.

The next area they entered was best described as a large foyer.  Another Exceptional sat behind a desk that was blocked off by a wall of glass.  Two hallways ran in opposite directions, and benches filled the open space.  Ally followed the females up to the window.

“We have a new Ordinary for processing”, the first female said through small holes in the window.

The Exceptional nodded and pressed a button on her desk.  Moments later another female Exceptional appeared from the hallway to their right.

“I’ll take it from here.” She dismissed the two female Ordinarys and Ally watched them disappear back the way they had just come.

 “This way, J102.”  The Exceptional started back down the hallway and Ally jogged to catch up.  “My name is Mrs. Hughes.  We’ll have to stop in processing before I can take you to your assigned room.”

They entered a door on the right and entered a large room filled with instruments and beds like the room she had just seen the other doctor in. Mrs. Hughes led her to a shower in the back corner of the room.

“Undress and leave your clothes on the floor.  You may then enter the shower.”

Ally waited for Mrs. Hughes to lead her to a changing area, or at least turn her back, but she did neither.   Ally stripped down to nothing, trying not to feel embarrassed as her body was scrutinized.