Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 88119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
The older man nodded. His slicked-back black hair didn’t move an inch. “Yes. I’m Major Antonio Sanchez. I was about to speak to your father about the reason for our visit.”
“He’s not my father.” The words shot out before I could stop them.
“Ungrateful brat.”
My skin burned from Carl’s words. He’d called me worse but not in front of strangers. I knew better than to bring anyone home.
“Go get us some cigarettes. I’ll handle this alone,” Mom said, surprising me and maybe even herself. I couldn’t remember her voice ever sounding as firm when she spoke with one of her boyfriends.
Carl glanced between the two men and Mom, probably deciding they would interfere if he hit her before he stumbled toward the front door. “Whatever. Suit yourself. The brat’s not mine.”
Major Sanchez waited for the bang of the door before he spoke. “As we discussed on the phone, this is the best for your daughter. She’ll be safe and cared for, and live among people like herself, other Variants, and learn to control her Variation.”
The younger guy nudged me. “Nice to meet you. I’m Alec.” He pushed a hand into his black hair, tousling it even more. “I heard about your talent. The agency has been talking about nothing else since your mother called us.”
Mom had called them to get rid of me? She’d told strangers about my abnormality? But she’d always tried so hard to hide it.
“So you’re taking her with you?” Mom asked, calm and controlled, hopeful even.
Screams built in my lungs.
“Yes. But you can keep in touch and visit Tessa whenever you like.”
She shook her head. “No. It’s for the best if we don’t remain in contact.”
My insides collapsed and the silent screams with them. I’d come to terms with the fact that she didn’t love me, that she could barely tolerate me most of the time but that she despised me enough to leave me to the mercy of strangers?
“Okay, everything’s settled then,” Major Sanchez said. “Tessa, we’re taking you with us.”
Mom’s back was the last thing I saw. She left the room as they led me away and didn’t even turn around once.
“Tessa?”
I snapped out of the past, only now realizing that I was clutching the kettle in a death grip. Devon stood in the doorway, a look of deep worry on his face.
“Sorry,” I croaked. “I got lost in memories for a moment.”
“I figured.” He approached me slowly, as though he was afraid I might break down or bolt at any moment.
I turned the faucet on and filled the kettle with water before putting it on the stovetop. Devon didn’t say anything as he watched me wait for the water to boil. I put three heaps of instant coffee in a semi-clean cup and poured the hot water on top. I gave it a few quick stirs with a dirty spoon before heading toward the living room. Carl was sitting on the sofa. He looked much more alert than before. I set the coffee cup down in front of him.
“Extra strong,” I said. “The way you like it.”
He downed the first gulp of the black liquid. He sputtered and coughed. “Fuck that’s hot!”
That was the language I was used to from him. No please or thank you, just criticism. I settled on the armrest and waited for the caffeine to kick in. Devon sat down on the armchair across from me. From the state of the living room, no one had cleaned it for months. I wondered if anyone besides Carl had set foot in the house in about as long. Beer bottles, dirty clothes, used tissues, and empty cans of meatballs and baked beans littered the ground, and the layer of dust and grime on every surface was as thick as my pinky.
“You changed a lot,” Carl said eventually.
“People do change,” I said coldly. At least most people do, I thought. Except for the fact that he had less hair on his head and more on his shoulders—which were sadly uncovered thanks to his grayish-white tank top—Carl’s life hadn’t changed.
“Suppose they do,” he said. For a moment, he seemed far away. “Sometimes all it takes is a little push.” A strange smile flitted on his face, but then he pulled himself out of his zone. “What do you want? I got no money.”
I had to stop myself from snorting. As if I’d ask him of all people for money! “I’m looking for my mother. I thought you might be able to help me find her, or have some idea where she is.”
“The bitch left me a few weeks after they took you away.”
Devon’s eyes grew wide at the insult, but I’d heard far worse from Carl’s mouth.
“Did she find someone new?”
Carl shrugged. “Don’t think so. Guess she’d lost interest in me.”
“Have you seen her since then? Or did she tell you where she was heading?” I could see Devon’s eyes taking in every inch of the room and my body heated with embarrassment.