Ciarán?" a voice queried from the side of the room. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoixAUqkQO
The person in question, a boy currently in his teenage years, stares blankly at the John McLaughlin painting hanging on the wall in front of him. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU3uKnBWfu
It was the only splash of color that he could see in the otherwise pristine white walls or perhaps even in the whole sparsely decorated room. The settee provided for him to sit on was upholstered in soft white velvet. The smooth linoleum floors glistened like cold hard marble. The table in front of him, though made of stainless steel was topped with white-ash wood, tinted and glazed to an almost-white color, muting down any hint of warm hues from its natural state. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7pgBZ64Yo
Ciarán lowers his gaze for a moment, watching how the meager rays of sun light floats into the room and hits the glass covering the painting. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmL3upTIuj
He frowns. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP27U44elF
Though the painting was a truly a classically modern work of art in its contemporary genre, he still felt the colors were too subdued.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtdwYqjieb
Too structured. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbNZ45mnRM
Too pale. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MFQ9aH7kN
Too enforced to be in their respective place. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDguxs4HsF
For Ciarán, his preferences were more widely attuned with the abstract, where warm and cool colors collide while the viewers' eyes are captivated by the vibrantly wild and raw quality of the piece at hand, never truly sure of whether where it belongs or stay in one place. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmGcCoIN2P
Even he would prefer a Noland. Though similar in style it at least had a vivid quality that would contrast well with the sterile whiteness of the room. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85EJ4LhGmy
Ciarán could see it now, images begin to swirl in his head.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbwPOC8xvl
Colors all around him, hazy and blurred, they appear almost like sfumato except for a form that sharpens in the middle. Its shape resembles a silhouette, obscured by the bright light at its back yet Ciarán could still make out the details. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJB73MzvOh
Closer and closer, he manages to focus his eyes to the silhouette.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh1ZcCUjYq
"Mr. Byrne." The voice calls again. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKzZ9ikTwe
This time, the tone laced in subdued impatience.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0YE786cpc
And like a pin bursting through his bubble of thoughts, Ciarán snaps back to reality and to the white-clad room.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKS03aeSPf
Slowly, he lowers his eyes further until they land on the stern-looking figure behind the table1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXTsR4i6oa
His wayward gaze meets her cold calculating stare. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYv9Uf0LT8
The same stare she had gifted him the first time he met her a few weeks ago. The same stare that always made him feel like there's something more lurking from her albeit reserved appearance and charismatic smile. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbureTJ9U0n
It made him feel like she's waiting – waiting for something to happen. Only, he wasn't sure what it was. It was times like this that he always dreaded the past few weeks, having to attend sessions with her. Sitting on the same old chair and facing her as he pours out all his thoughts of delusion while she writes them down, each paragraph labeling him closer to being mentally insane. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz6jfnvoMl
" Ciarán, are you with me?" She asks, a slight crinkle etched on her brow.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtvllKCMzk
"Yes?" He hesitantly replies, his voice a bit too husky for his age.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0x5Pb9eES
"Do you know why you're here?" 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MOGUelQaP
It was always the same question she asks to start their session. One that which Ciarán always fail to answer coherently.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQnshuBnFW
"Uhh," he gulped, the sound almost audible in the room. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3Nbb0dD1p
He looks around, his eyes darting from side to side, as if the whole room was closing in. He never was good at being asked on the spot. Or being the center of attention – be it in a crowd or with just another person. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzZCFYTND8
With a deep inhalation, he replies "No."1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UT81Y2m2a
He watches as she scribbles something on her notepad. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmpFfUlsQB
He glances at the clock on the right side of the desk, listening as it ticks away by the second.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8TFLUY6At
TICK! TOCK! TICK! TOCK!1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRv13LJkc8
" Ciarán, are you aware of the events that led you here?"1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTJH1bFm1H
He gives her what he hopes to be a sheepish smile. "Honestly Doc, I don't really kn-"1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05rGEp1giT
TICK! TOCK! TICK! TOCK! 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBMM0ZOVdg
The clock goes on. Louder and louder like an echo.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7VZdcrUCN
Like being in the deepest depths of the sea, it drowns his ears until all that he could hear was the drumming sound of his own pulse.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6OVGQhSGW
" Ciarán?" The doctor asks again, her pen dangling a few centimeters from her notepad. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjfmkpG3mA
Ciarán barely hears her, as if the very waves of sound were stuck, suspended on the surface as the waves they were. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj9qKBlr9Q
Ciarán rubs his temple as a new sound begins to appear. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQAmHBK6MP
This time, it was a piercing sound, almost like a slow drumming of static before turning into a constant ringing. His childhood physician had jotted it down as a mild case of Tinnitus but he knew it wasn't the case. The ringing kept on occurring in sporadic rates throughout the years. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9yjpk09TT
He continues to rub his temple, shaking his head until it finally disappears. At least, for the meantime.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo615A7HPjA
He clears his throat. "I'm sorry, you were saying something?"1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncLvYmWlPn
She sighs and walks around the table. She stops in front of him, leaning gracefully on the side of the table. Arms planted by her sides, she looks down and looks at him again in the eye. This time her expression lacks most of their icy reserve.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwl65d7mcD
"Ciarán, I know our last few sessions didn't exactly start on the right foot. I also know that you don't want to be here but please remember that I'm just trying to help you."1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Zz4WLQo9y
Right, as if he hadn't heard that spiel before. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkbZ0IORmw
"Well, I don't exactly recall myself asking for help." He mutters, unable to conceal the bitterness in his voice. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqzEHT8wYQ
He turns his head away, not wanting to see her reaction. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQxhIVtB0e
When he did glance her briefly through his periphery, he adds, "So you might as well just write that down because that's all you're gonna get."1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE41RxhH9z
He didn't see her gaze softening but he did hear her sigh. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXV5kC3wZi
"Unfortunately, I can't do that." 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQoyvJfD7R
She reaches in the right pocket of her slacks and pulls out a small silvery object. When she raises it to his view, it got caught in the reflection of the light. The fleeting bounce of light was enough to catch his attention.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TCs94zVmh
"Ciarán, what do you see?" she asks, holding up the object closer to him.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1lzHi1IeO
"A quarter?" he responds skeptically, not sure of where the sudden shift of subject would lead to.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkbyrcKzRf
"Now, that's where you're wrong. This," she gestures at the coin, "is more than just a quarter. It's a memorabilia passed down through generations and it holds a certain part of a past almost like a story." 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0aw34ZXaq
She places the coin on the table by its rim where both sides can be seen. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3LWkYUe71
Still not letting go of the coin, she adds, "In fact, on my grandfather's word and many of those before him, had sworn that they still see glimpses of the past and helps them remember. Now, I don't particularly believe in such phenomena that can't be logically explained and experienced in a non-vicarial manner. Shall we try to find out?"1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNwZ8edpwV
Ciarán merely shrugs before the doctor spins the coin. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8DexlYpLv
Round and round, it goes, until all the naked eye could see was a flashing blur. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDivT1QrWW3
"Ciarán, if you may, I need you to look at the coin. I want you to focus on it and slowly, take a deep breath and let it out."1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvb3Xr9iF6
Eyes transfixed, he follows the instructions of her lulling voice. Breathing deeply, he exhales, letting go of the tensions that once knotted his shoulders.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAdcQxFYyr
"Good. I want you to keep on doing that while I ask you some questions. You're gonna answer them, won't you Ciarán?"1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxYo7iq2d5
"Yes," he breathes out.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVbOAlopeC
"Very good. Now, let's start all over again. Why do you think you're here?"1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAbIUPv3Yf
"I," he licks his lips and gulps, a slight a hesitation in his voice. "I'm here because-because... I can move stuff with my mind."1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66m8yRPcBU
"What sort of stuff?"1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobZ0K3aQEA
Another gulp. The clock ticks twice before he answers. "Anything. I 'pushed' the end of a crane to crush Sam's dad. I-I swear I didn't," he breaks off, his chest shaking at the memory, "I didn't mean to... do it."1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd3ar5yzXf
The doctor lays a comforting hand on his shoulder. Its warmth temperature brought a much-needed respite to calm the cold vicious nerves entangling his lungs. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZyvON5Fir
"Hush, relax, Ciarán. Nobody thinks that you did it on purpose."1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5S0Ov3Xxy
"But they do." He mutters harshly, "you should've seen them. Sam... Mike... Mrs. Lopez...the other kids at school, even- even my sister. They've always looked at me like I'm some sort of a freak." 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBLR0TbMil
He bites out the last word, remembering the cruel words the others had called him. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWFMq6mOlx
"But are you?"1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21ASjEEw1r
"No!" He breaks his gaze from the coin, facing her squarely and shrugging her hand off his shoulder. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThWaZCDbpP
He looks her straight in the eyes before turning his head back towards the coin, "At least, I don't want to be. Maybe I am a freak, I wouldn't know if I were one."1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcZ4yExaEM
"I don't." 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgR4wgoisc
His eyes, while never leaving the coin, widen in surprise. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugCWbWPA7r
"How would you know?" He snorts incredulously. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGe5JA19vP
The doctor merely shrugs. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH36JeYk4I
"I don't know for sure. But what I can say is you're a special young man."1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkDLuKpGDd
"Come on, doc. You can't possibly think I would believe that nonsense. You're just saying this for my sake." 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowJPxepDNY
She tilts her head to the side, a confused expression on her face. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptlgKwZFlN
"You keep insisting that gift of yours is a curse, and here I am telling you otherwise. Yet, you still won't believe. What really eats you up from the inside? What else makes you think that you're a freak, besides the telekinesis?" 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcYtZaz89d
He shakes his head, his voice rough, "No, you just don't get it doc. It's not just the mind-moving-telekinesis-shit you're going on. I'm a freak!"
Out of nowhere, the painting hanging on wall dropped on the floor in a loud thud. The glasses on the wall vibrating in a moderate hum, cracks threatening to break the surface. The forgotten glass of water on the table bubbles, slowly tipping off the rim of the glass.
Ciaràn leans in, his eyes clouded with an eery gleam. The coin spins faster than ever, losing its own shape in its motion and appearing like a blur.
He grits,"I'm a freak because whenever I sleep inside my room, I always wake up in who-knows-where. The recent one was in my neighbor's house. In bed. With his daughter. I'm a freak because wherever I go, I see her while no else does– and she distracts me like hell!"
CRACK!
The glass from the windows finally breaks, the water spills upward.
He can feel it now. The power he had been keeping at bay flows through this veins in an electric rush. He clenches his fist to reel it back in. He barely succeeds.
The water stops in midair, the splashes like rain drops floating above them. It suspends on an invisible force.
He motions his head to her and asks bitterly, "So you tell me, doc, do you still deny that I'm a freak? An insane freak?"
"Yes." She simply replies.He grunts and takes a deep breath. Slowly the water falls back down to the glass. The cracks on the window recedes.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0kQb2hEOA
Ciaràn grits his teeth, his gaze unblinking and still focused on the coin. As if by looking away, he would lose grip over his sanity and temperance.
"From what you've just told me, I don't think you're special,"
Ciaràn scoffs.
"Rather, you are a very special young man who had been through so much pain and enmity and in need to relax." 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmoVxxCvew
She places her hand again on his shoulder, applying a bit of pressure this time. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY9NcLn1X5
"Breathe."1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8cgatSr5A
He defiantly does so. Again and again he breathes until the flow of air comes easier into his lungs.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35l06meO6M
"Better," she remarks. "Now, about the girl. Can you tell me more about her?"1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2NVN9eYoE
"What about her?" he asks, unsure at the turn of their conversation.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSg7j0oXLRF
"Anything. Any thing you can think or remember about her."1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaqUNryMY2
"I don't-" he tilts his head to the side, "I don't know what to say."1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWFgTidAAP
Ciaràn thinks back to the blurred form earlier, to the silhouette who had her back against the bright light. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWwhAyMfKF
Slowly, he can see her clearly now. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdqIireBG4
The haze disappears, showing the fine details of her face kissed by the warm sunlight. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIhpaMXDqt
Threading across a field towards him, floating like a nymph. Hair as dark as grey ash whipping wildly against her ethereally stunning visage. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvkChot7Yw
He blinks, and all of a sudden he finds himself mere inches from her. She slowly turns her back to him, silently urging him to follow her. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqvLSh371a
He respires as he watches as her movement in the wind causes the silk strands to lightly caress a pair of wide sensuous lips. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3VEr2xzYA
Her eyes. Christ, her eyes! 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOFHGXHvF9
Like the misty sky from the mountains tops after a cold wintry night and speckled with light silver-grey specks, captivates his senses. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDtxCyLK7I
And when she smiles sensuously, when those beautifully curved lips meet, a merest hint of a dimple appears and he finds his jaw slacks.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHHjMfpMpR
He really was insane. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTn2j4G9K8
He had to be. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9WGMRZIg2
No one could be that beautiful as her and still be real.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE08F4SRqx
"It's alright, take your time. Just think and say something about her like a"-1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgURirA1Exx
"Like a story?" he inquires, the side of his mouth quirking as if amused at the idea.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuexgtF4BWU
"Yes. Exactly. Like a story," she nods encouragingly.1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9CeeTcIBb
Ciaràn lets out a shaky laugh to himself. 1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CzjRIIk3W
"I don't even know where to begin."1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezgqGhYFVH
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Copyright © 2018 by Andrea Cassandra Lei Meñosa1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FxcRdl9Rg
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