Learning Me (Lightworker Trilogy #1) (8 page)

“The suspense is killing me here. You
are
planning to tell me when we leave right?”

“I promise, I’ll tell you as soon as we get out of here… as long as you promise to keep it to yourself. That goes for you too,” she said, nodding to Matthew.

Matthew held up his right hand. “I solemnly swear.”

Courtney rolled her eyes at the sight, unable to control the giggles that came with his theatrics. She causally surveyed the area, pleased to see no one appeared to have noticed their conversation. “So, what do you think of our chances at the next game?” she asked them.

“We’re going to kill ‘em as usual,” Matthew declared confidently.

“I don’t know… those other players were working out here last week and they looked awesome,” admitted Lauren. “I think they’re going to be a lot tougher than the clowns we played tonight.”

“You think so?” asked Sam.

The group turned around, clearly startled by his sudden appearance. “How long have you been there?” Courtney asked.

“Just a few seconds. Lauren’s probably right, by the way. Those bastards are tough. I know a few people who go to that school, and they haven’t been beaten yet this year.” He moved next to Courtney and put an arm around her. “So what’s the plan?”

“They’re going to come with us. Lauren stopped by my house earlier and she’s full of questions. How about we park at that old drive-in place to talk?”

“If you all want, let’s go.” Sam stepped aside and walked to his car with the others following close behind.

“I’ve got my car, so I’m going to have to meet you guys there, okay?” Lauren said apologetically.

“That’s fine. We’ll see you in a little bit,” Courtney said.

Courtney, Sam, and Matthew waved goodbye to Lauren and got into the car. Once Lauren closed her door, Sam started the engine and pulled out. Courtney kept up a steady stream of idle chatter to keep Matthew from asking any questions now that Lauren had opened the floodgates. She didn’t feel like explaining everything twice.

****

The space where the Elkswood drive-in used to be had been empty for over a decade. Courtney had no idea why something else hadn’t taken its place, but she was glad for the oversight. The large screens still littered the landscape alongside poles that once held speakers. The empty concession stands added to the desolate atmosphere, but somehow Courtney couldn’t help but enjoy it. There was something appealing about being in a place so full of history that the rest of time seemed to have forgotten.

The group settled onto the hood of Sam’s car, forming a square. Courtney, sensing her cousin’s patience was nearing empty, spoke first. “Okay, before I say anything, I need you both to promise that you won’t tell
anyone
what I’m about to tell you. I’m serious.”

“I promised, didn’t I?” Lauren said, putting a reassuring hand on Courtney’s shoulder. “You know you can trust me. What’s going on?”

“Ditto,” added Matthew.

“Okay… you guys are going to think I’m completely insane, but here’s the deal.”

Courtney told them everything she’d learned so far on her own, along with what her parents had said. The story took forever to get out, but when she did, they were both staring at her as if she’d spontaneously combusted.

After a couple of minutes, Lauren recovered enough to say, “You’re joking, right?”

“Not even a little. Sam was there and he heard everything they said.”

“She’s right,” he affirmed. “They looked like they were being serious. I don’t know how true all this really is, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they believe it.”

“So what are you going to do?” Matthew asked.

“I’m not sure.” Courtney absentmindedly played with the zipper of her jacket as she continued, “I think I want to try and find my real parents.”

Lauren shook her head, throwing her hands up in the air. “This whole thing is insane. Seriously… you really think there’s some other family out there with some weird powers or something? Even if there was, what makes you think they’d want to see you? If, and that’s a big if, they are out there, they obviously thought it was better for you to keep your distance. Do you really want to go digging around where it might be dangerous?”

Courtney couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She’d expected Lauren to be at least somewhat supportive of her. If she couldn’t count on the person she thought of as a sister to back her up on all of this, who could she turn to?

“I don’t know! There’s just so much stuff out there I still have to figure out, and it’s driving me crazy. If there is another family, though, don’t you think I have the right to know more about them? Where I came from?”

Sam reached over and gently touched her thigh. “Look, why don’t we all chill a minute. Court is obviously upset about this and arguing over everything isn’t going to help. What we have to do is figure out how to help.”

“I think she should go for it,” Matthew chimed in. “Her parents could be making all this up, or they might not be. If they are, you have to wonder what they’re really hiding. Either way, at least she’ll know the truth.”

“Thanks,” Courtney said. She glanced over at her cousin, annoyance settling in for the first time at the sight of her. They’d never really disagreed over much, but when they did it was something minor. Courtney resented her attitude. This was possibly the biggest thing to happen to her in a long time and this was the way Lauren reacted to it? “The question is, how can I prove any of this? I’ve been all over the house and there is nothing but that note and picture I mentioned.”

“That’s a tough one,” Matthew agreed. After several minutes of thought, Matthew snapped his fingers. “Yes!”

“What?”  Sam asked.

“Well, you said your parents told you these people have weird talents and all, right?”

“Right,” Courtney confirmed.

“So, there are tons of books out there about Telekinesis, ESP, and other paranormal stuff. Why don’t you try studying some and see if you can actually do any of it?” He smiled, looking proud of himself for having suggested she study.

Courtney raised an eyebrow at him, wondering who this alien creature was. He’d never cracked a book in his life, even though he managed to get nothing less than a ‘B’ in school. “You want me to try moving things with my mind? Are you kidding? I’ve never tried anything like that before.”

“So?” he countered. “There’s no history of something until it happens, right? Give it a try. At the very least, it’ll prove part of their story.”

“I don’t like this,” Lauren interjected. “You’re talking about a lot of mumbo jumbo here, but if any of it has any basis in reality, should she really be playing around with it? It doesn’t sound natural to me.”

“Thanks a lot,” Courtney said with a glare. “You’re sure being helpful tonight. I don’t know why I even told you any of this.”

Lauren held her hands in a gesture of surrender, her voice softening as she furrowed her brow in concern. “Hey, calm down a minute. This is a lot for me to deal with too. I mean, you’re telling me you’re not really my cousin. All I’m saying is, assuming this stuff is true, couldn’t it be dangerous? It sounds like your real parents thought so… assuming this isn’t a huge joke.”

“Come on, guys,” Sam said. “Let’s not argue over this. That won’t help anything at all. What we need to do is get to the truth, and then Courtney can decide where she wants to go from there.”

“I think what I want right now is to go home,” Courtney said as she climbed down from the car. “I need to think by myself.”

“Sure,” Sam said. “Come on, Matt, let’s get out of here.”

“Courtney,” Lauren said. “I didn’t mean—”

“I know,” Courtney interrupted, holding her hand out to discourage any further explanation. “I just need to be alone right now. We’ll talk another time.”

“Okay, if that’s what you want. Sorry…” Lauren held her hand out in a peace offering.

“It’s okay.” Courtney reached out and shook Lauren’s hand, using the secret gestures they’d come up with when they were little.

The three watched Lauren as she walked to her car and climbed in. Lauren watched them through the window a moment before waving and starting the engine. She peeled out of the empty drive-in, dirt and other debris spraying from her tires.

“What was her deal?” Matthew turned to the others with a quizzical look.

“I don’t know… I guess maybe this freaked her out. They’re her family too.” At least, Courtney hoped that was all it was. The thought of her cousin not trusting her was almost too much to take.

Chapter Eleven

The dark made her want to cry. It was lonely without her parents, not to mention scary. As soon as her mother closed the door, her lips began to tremble and she sniffed quietly. After a few minutes, she couldn’t take it anymore. She let out a wail that shook her body, tears flowing like a river that had just broken free of a dam.

For several minutes, she unleashed her terror and sadness until she saw light peeking through the doorway. Her mother approached her and scooped her in her arms.

“Sweetie, please don’t cry,” her mother said in a soothing voice. “It’s time for bed, silly goose. You need to get to sleep.”

A gentle melody sounded through the room, barely over a whisper. Her sobs gradually subsided until they were little more than an occasional hiccup. The sound calmed her, fading into silence as she drifted off to sleep.

Courtney awoke, desperately clinging to any memory of her dream. All that remained were vague images that left her feeling as though a part of her had been ripped away.

The more she woke up, the less she remembered, and the more convinced she became that it was important. There was something familiar about the setting that made her unable to entirely shake it. Courtney yawned and checked the time. Her eyes widened and her stomach clenched.
Crap, I’m late!

She couldn’t remember a time when her parents had failed to find out why she wasn’t downstairs on time on the rare occasions she slept in, and now it had happened twice. A minute later, she realized why. “It’s Saturday,” she grumbled to herself.

Relief seeped into her bones at not having to deal with school that day. She wasn’t sure she could put on a happy face and go through the motions. Her mind was too focused on the images she tried desperately to remember. While she dressed, Courtney struggled to recall what her parents’ plans were that morning. Usually, they had some work-related event or other to go to. She sighed as she realized it was too early for them to be gone yet.

“Oh well,” she mused quietly. “I guess I can get through a good morning before I make a quick escape.”

Courtney trudged through the hallway toward the kitchen. She pushed open the door and stepped inside, a genuine smile spreading across her features as she took in the empty room. She got herself some iced tea while mulling over how to spend her day.  A noise from behind stopped her cold.

“Good morning, Courtney.”

“Hi, Dad.” It felt wrong to call him that now. She couldn’t get over the looks on their faces when she showed them the picture of her real parents, not to mention the sting of betrayal when the truth — or what they said was the truth — came out.

“So, what have you got going on this morning?” He poured himself a cup of coffee, taking a long sip before he sat beside her at the kitchen table.

“Nothing,” she mumbled. “Might just go for a walk or something.”

“Courtney, I know that you must be mad that we didn’t tell you everything sooner, but I promise you, we meant well. We did exactly what we were asked and we agreed that it was best.”

“And what about what I might want? I’m about to turn eighteen, shouldn’t I have some right to decide what I can or can’t handle now? Especially if I might start getting weird powers?”

“Young lady, that tone really isn’t necessary. You have no idea what we were all dealing with.”

“Then why don’t you explain it some more? Will I or won’t I start getting the same abilities? What is so dangerous that they didn’t keep me? You have to know more than what you’ve already told me.” She couldn’t imagine her real parents would just hand her over like that without warning them about the possibilities.

“As we told you before, there’s a chance you could develop some of the same abilities they had, but we just can’t be sure until it happens — if it does.”

“You didn’t answer my other questions. What was so dangerous they had to send me off to live in hiding? I mean, that is what you’ve been doing all this time. Is Courtney even my real name?” Despite the doubts lingering in her mind, she couldn’t help wanting to hear more of their story.

“We were never told exactly what the threat was. It could be that they didn’t know, or that they were afraid of us knowing too much. All I can tell you is, we were asked to keep you under the radar and that’s exactly what we’ve done.” He took another sip of his coffee, staring down at the steaming liquid before adding, “Your name used to be Amelia.”

“Amelia?” She leaned back in the chair, allowing the name to roll off her tongue and through her mind. For some reason, the name sounded right to her. She reached out and traced the pattern of the tablecloth with her finger, saying, “I like it.”

“Courtney, I hope you know we didn’t want to lie to you. We had no choice; we had to think about your safety. I hope you’ll keep that in mind before you try to do anything with that information.”

“I don’t know what you think I can do with just a first name, but I would like to know more about them. Wouldn’t you?”

“Of course, but these are difficult circumstances. We really don’t know what you could stir up if you dig too deeply. That’s exactly why I didn’t give you a whole name, but I know you’re stubborn enough to try, and I just want you to be careful.”

“Okay,” she agreed. Courtney chugged the rest of her tea and stood from the table. “I’ll see you later.”

“Where are you going?”

Courtney shrugged, annoyance creeping in at the suspicious tone he took. “I don’t know. I just need to be alone right now, to think. I’ll be back by dinner tonight.”

Her father frowned, but nodded. “See you then.”

“Bye.” Courtney put her glass in the sink and hurried out of the house as fast as her legs could carry her. She found herself making a left at the end of her street. She had no idea where she was going, but she knew it was away from them.

****

Courtney ended up in a park she used to play in as a child. She sat on one of the swings, using her foot to move herself back and forth. She gradually increased her speed until the wind whipped through her hair and she was nearly touching a nearby tree branch with her toe. Courtney forgot how freeing this could be and the emotions it could stir.

It was strange to her how she’d never realized just how confined she felt until that moment. All the other times her parents had refused to let her audition for anything other than a school production, all the times that she had to decline entering a contest because it could lead to her being in the paper, and the times they wouldn’t let her travel with friends’ families ran through her mind with an intensity that took her breath away.

She’d practically been a prisoner most of her life and hadn’t even realized it. To her, it didn’t matter that it was done for her protection. It’d left her sheltered and unsure of what she really wanted or who she was. What had they expected her to do when she graduated in a few months? They obviously knew they wouldn’t be able to stop her from doing whatever she felt like, but had they conditioned her to play along to an extent where she would keep it up even when she was on her own?

No.

Courtney came to a stop and stood up. They may have had good intentions, but that didn’t excuse it all, and she couldn’t keep living under a cloud of secrecy and fear of being discovered by some mysterious thing she had no clue about.

The only question was how to find her birth parents. She had nothing but a first name for herself and her mother, which was next to nothing. For all she knew, her birthday wasn’t even her real one. The thought caused a wave of sadness to wash over her.

“Stop it,” she muttered to herself as she made her way out of the park. “You
will
figure this out.” Courtney pulled her phone out of her pocket and scrolled through her contacts until Sam’s name came up. She pressed dial and waited through a series of rings she thought would never end.

“Hey, what’s going on?”

His voice never sounded better to her. She’d been worried he wouldn’t answer, leaving her stuck.

“I’m glad you finally answered! Can you meet me in a half-hour back at the lot? I’m calling Matthew in a minute to see if he can come too.”

“Yeah, what’s going on?”

Courtney checked to make sure no one was nearby before continuing, “My father gave me some more information this morning and I want to see what we can do with it. I really need to talk to you about it in person.”

“I’ll be there,” he promised. “Do you need me to come get you? Where are you now?”

“That’d be good. I’m at that old park on Stevenson.”

“Got it. See you in a little bit.”

“Thanks!”

Courtney ended the call, then dialed Matthew. After explaining everything again, she hung up with a smile on her face. They would both be there. Out of impulse, she searched for her cousin’s name as well, but stopped herself from completing the call. Given her attitude before, it might not be a good idea to get her involved.

****

“Okay, so what's the latest?”

The three friends sat on the hood of Sam’s car again. Matthew rested his back against the front windshield, while Courtney sat cross-legged on the passenger side. Sam sat with one leg draped over the side of the car, facing the other two, while Courtney explained what she’d learned from her father earlier that day. After she finished, they both appeared to think over what she’d said.

“So, he didn’t give you a last name?” Sam looked as though he were still trying to wrap his mind around his girlfriend’s real name.

“No, but that doesn’t have to mean a dead-end. We can find something, right? Especially with the town name from that note. It’d make sense they were in the same area at the time.”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you were born there,” Matthew pointed out.

“I know, but it’s all I have to go on right now.” Courtney considered the issue some more before adding, “If they kept what they did, there could be more information hidden in the house—I just have to find it.”

“And you want us to help search the house,” Matthew concluded.

“No, if they found out I let you all dig through their stuff they’d flip. I could use some moral support, though. Are you guys up for the challenge?”

“I don’t know,” Sam said. “This whole thing is freaking me out. What if they’re right and there’s some kind of danger out there? I don’t want you to get yourself hurt or worse. Not that I’m saying I believe their story, exactly, but if they’re lying about it…”

“I know. They might be dangerous too, but I don’t think so. Come on, they raised me as their own daughter all these years. Do you really think they’d do anything to hurt me?”

He reached for her hand. “Who knows? I don’t think so, but if they’re hiding something more, you never know. People do crazy things when they need to cover their own asses.”

Courtney sighed. “Look, one way or another, everything has changed and I can’t pretend that it didn’t. I have to know the truth or I’ll be wondering my whole life.”

“When you put it that way, I guess I’ll be there,” Sam relented. “You really know how to get under my skin, you know that?”

She laughed. “Yeah, and you love it. Thanks. Okay, my parents are going out of town overnight on Tuesday for some business thing. Can you guys come by then?”

“I can make it,” Matthew affirmed. His eyes shone with excitement at the plan.

“We’ll be there,” Sam said.

“Good.” A thrill ran through her at the idea of finally getting the truth. Still, a small part of her shivered at what she might learn. She couldn’t believe how fast her world had turned upside down and she didn’t know what possibility to hope for.