User blog:HopeReborn FanFiction/Rising Star - Chapter 1 - A New Beginning

Chapter 1 – A New Beginning



''Gabriel's Point of View ''

January 9, 2008

Even though my flight from Atlanta to Seattle wasn’t leaving for four hours, I arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson airport early. I couldn’t stay at home. Everything there reminded me of the only ones I loved and every moment was overwhelmingly depressing.

Following the security procedures, I quickly walked to the gate and found a chair to settle in. I chose one away from others because I was in no mood for casual conversation, about the weather or other inconsequential subjects. I wanted peace and quiet to contemplate the things that had landed me in this situation in the first place.

Who would have thought that I'd be on my way to live in Forks? Not me, never in all my life. But, here I was at the age of twenty, moving into a house in a city that wasn't of my choosing. It was my parents' choosing when they moved there for retirement. I'd always enjoyed visiting Forks; it had been my refuge, but now, also my prison. A place where I felt I couldn't trust anyone to keep my secret. No one knew this secret…and no one could.

My name is Gabriel Edison Carlson. I was born in Atlanta, Georgia on June 24, 1987. I have my father's straight, dark blond hair and bushy eyebrows and my mother's olive skin. The only thing that was unusual about me was my eyes, which were deep set and an unusual shade of sapphire blue. My father, Andrew Carlson, was one of the most prominent nuclear physicists in the world, and he worked for the American government on experimental and highly classified projects. He was also a medical doctor but never worked as one officially in the field. My mother, Rebecca Edison, was a chemical and biological scientist specializing in genetics. Like my father, she was one of the most important scientists in her field.

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They met at MIT. My mother was visiting the university with some friends to check the facilities, and my father was already studying there. He had been late for a class and rushed down the hall, literally running into my mother. He hadn't seen her and knocked them both to the floor. After he'd apologized several times, she thought he was cute and invited him to her birthday party that was a week later. At the party, he kissed her for the first time. From that moment, they were never apart.

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Even in death.

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They died two months ago in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. It was a shock to me, one I doubt I'll ever get over. Since then, I have been completely lost. They had been more than parents; they were my only friends, especially after my strange abilities began to appear early in my life.

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">My parents always told me that I was their miracle. My father had fertility problems, and doctors were unable to help him. After many years, my mother secretly developed an experimental drug, and after some extensive tests, they agreed that it was safe for my father to use. The new medication reversed all of my father's fertility problems and my mother finally became pregnant. During the first three months, she took lower doses of the drug that had been modified for her use, which helped maintain the pregnancy. They were in their forties at the time and any pregnancy held risk, but this one even more so.

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">I was born without any complications, and was completely normal. If being a genius could be classified as normal. I was healthy, full of energy, and could challenge any other person in most areas of human knowledge. No one has defeated me in a strategy game since I was nine. My parents believed that this was due to the fact that they also had very high IQs. They were kind and friendly people who always had a sparkle in their eyes, amplified by their deep love for each other. People loved and admired them, not just for what they did in science, but also for their genuine goodness.

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">It was almost my tenth birthday, when my life changed drastically. My abilities started to appear for the first time. I remember the exact day as clearly as if it happened yesterday:

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">I was in my room, reading one of my favorite books by J.R.R. Tolkien. My mother was in her office, discussing a new chemical compound with one of her partners on the phone. It had been a heavy discussion, and when she finished the call, I went in to see if she was okay. I always hated it when she was upset. She was distracted and didn't realize that I was lurking inside the doorway. She finally saw me, and a smile appeared on her face. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">My problems at work are nothing compared to the life that I have. Your father has given me some of the happiest moments in my life, and you are the best one of all. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">"Thank you, Mom. I will always love you," I replied, a little bit embarrassed. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Her eyes widened and her chin dropped, like she had encountered something unbelievable. At first, I hadn't understood why she reacted that way, but then something clicked in my mind. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">I had answered her thoughts, not something she had said. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">"Mom, what…? How…?" I said, completely confused. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">"I don't know, my love." She held my hand and walked back to her desk. "I will call your father. He'll be home soon." There was a nervous energy in the tone of her voice, but she smiled at the same time. Her analytic mind was dueling with her mother's instincts…Finally, her analytical mind won. "I think that you have a... gift, but I'm not sure yet. Everything is okay. Don't worry," she spoke with a calm voice. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">My mother called my father to explain what had happened. I could hear his voice through the phone and it was frightened and surprised at the beginning, but like my mother, it calmed down towards the end of the call. When my father arrived home, they started talking in low voices. I wasn't paying attention, lost in my own thoughts I fell asleep. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The next day, my parents conducted some tests on me. I hoped in vain that what had happened the day before had been a fluke. But the results said otherwise, and my parents made an agreement. For my safety, nobody could know about my ability. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">My parents helped me to develop my gift – it was known as telepathy. I could read minds and project my thoughts into the minds of others. My father believed I was also able to invade and control the minds, or worse, kill. I refused to believe it, and decided that even if I were capable of it, it was definitely something I'd rather not explore further. With some practice, I was relieved to learn that I was able to turn my gift off. It was completely weird to hear all the true intentions and not the edited versions of their thoughts. I've learned since, that silence is an irreplaceable gift.

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">In addition to telepathy, I also developed telekinesis, the ability to feel and move solid objects from one place to another using only my mind. I'd discovered this new power six months later. I was in a bad mood because my mother was cooking scarlet eggplant for dinner. Suddenly, the cutlery at the table began to move and levitate in response to my aversion to the dish. My mother had a fit of hysteria when she saw the scene. It was so bad that my father had a tough time trying to calm her down.

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">By the time I'd turned sixteen, I was able to control my gifts. With my mind, I could lift heavy objects without much effort and throw them a considerable distance. In addition, I could read or send my thoughts to many people at the same time. My life returned to a more stable rhythm. Not normal, but at least with no more surprises.

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Then it all changed. Two months after I turned eighteen, I was involved in an accident.

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">I had been walking alone to the grocery when a motorcyclist lost control. He fell on the asphalt, sending the motorcycle sliding at high speed in my direction. I was distracted and facing the other direction, thinking of an experiment with Tachyons that my father and I were conducting. Everything happened so fast, I never knew what hit me. The bike struck me in the left leg, causing a terrible pain to radiate through my body. I fell to the ground over the bike and rolled to the side. After a few moments, I used my telekinesis to determine I had a closed fracture in the femur. I felt my body burning, especially the place where the bike had hit. Summoning all my concentration, I took a deep breath and using my mind, I immobilized my leg, like a kind of splint. I knew the paramedics would be here soon, given the number of people around. The crippling pain was so intense that I didn't even notice when they arrived, appearing out of nowhere. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">When the paramedics came to me, I was focused on my efforts to not hear the other minds and was feeling an immense pain, more than I'd ever felt before. It was as if my leg was burning from the inside out. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A man hovered over me. "Are you okay? Can you understand me? How do you feel? Are you feeling any pain?" ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">"Yes, I can understand you," I replied to the medic, "but I think I broke my left leg. The pain is terrible." ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">"Let me check." He turned to the growing crowd. "Please, we need space! Move back!" ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">I saw two others approaching with a gurney. They took me carefully and put me on it. The medic started to examine my leg, his expression worried, but after a few seconds he looked confused. "You're okay, no broken bones, but I need to examine you more carefully to be sure that you don't have any other internal injuries. Do you have any parents or relatives that you'd like to call?" he asked. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">I nodded. I knew my expression was one of confusion, but I gave him my parents' phone number. I was in shock. How could this be? I'm sure, I wasn't wrong. And the pain was terrible! ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">When we were inside the ambulance, I started to read the mind of the paramedic who had helped me. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Something is wrong with the leg. Surely it was broken a few minutes ago, wasn't it? ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">He shook his head. Either I'm losing my mind or I've been working too many hours with no sleep. I must be imagining things, he thought. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">At the hospital they did the X-Rays. Before the doctor could return with the results, my parents arrived at my room. My mother had a pained expression on her face, and my father looked like he wanted to kill whoever had hurt me. I waved to them, and when they were close to me, I projected my memory of the accident to them so they knew everything. My father asked me mentally if I was sure. I replied with a scared "yes" in a low voice. He took my hand and told me not to tell anyone. I was panicked enough to not say anything, but I understood the reasoning behind his request. The doctor came and let me go home with my parents, as I didn't have any injuries, but asked my parents to call him if I had headaches or any strange symptoms. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Once in the car, I finally had my thoughts under control. I couldn't wait any longer. I needed answers. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">My mother saw my face, and said, "Gabriel, I know that you need answers, but please, wait until we arrive at home. Could you wait?" ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">"Yes, Mom, but I'm scared! What's happening to me? What will be next?" ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">"We're not sure yet," my father replied. "In my opinion, this will be the last of any new abilities to appear. Honestly, I believe you have had this since you were born." ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">I frowned, annoyed and confused. My father had hidden something from me? Why? Or more importantly, how had he done it? ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">He drove the rest of the way in silence, and I was so furious that I didn't ask anything again. He parked the car in the garage, and I went into the house without saying a word. My father tried to grab my arm, to stop me and talk, but I pushed him away with an angry shout, "Don't touch me! Forget that I exist, you jerk!" I climbed the stairs and went into my room, locking the door. I didn't want to hear anyone or anything. I wouldn't even think or exist. After an hour, someone started knocking at the door, and I heard my father's voice. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">"Son, please. Open the door!" ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white; mso-themecolor:background1;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">"No! Get out! I never want to see you again in my life! ''<span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">How could you hide this from me?" I screamed, angry and scared. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"Gabriel, please! Give him some credit! We always did everything to protect you, you know that. Let him explain what is happening." My mother was scared, and I felt guilty. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">I sighed and took a deep breath. My mother was right. I couldn't blame my father; he always did what was best for me. I turned around, unlocked the door, leaving it closed, and then sat on my bed. My father opened the door with a mixture of pain, guilt, and sadness on his face. My mother was looking at him with a compassionate expression. I swallowed hard. I stood up and hugged him, crying. After some time, when I was able to catch my breath and finally stopped sobbing, I released him and held my mother's hand. I turned to see his face and asked my most burning questions. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"Dad, what is happening? Why am I a freak? I want this to stop!" ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"Son, you are not a freak. You are more gifted than most humans, that's all. I know… someone like you," he said, thinking a moment. "Do you want to know my theory?" ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"Yes, I would like some explanations. What do you mean, you know someone like me? How could you hide it from me? I'm not blaming you, but…" ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"I know what you mean. Well, I'm gifted, too. Have you ever noticed that it is easier to read your mother's mind than mine?" ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">I looked at him, trying to understand what he wanted to explain. All this time my father's mind was very difficult to hear, but with some effort, I could read it. I figured out there was something wrong with him, too, but not in this way. I always thought it was related to his job, since he worked with radiation. Thinking about it now, it was a miracle that he hadn't developed cancer. I think that he was more gifted than he told me that day, but he never knew it. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"Dad, what are you talking about?" ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"Well, when you started to show your gifts, I did some research. I studied our DNA, and though I didn't find anything wrong in your mother's DNA, the same does not apply to me. I have some strange DNA combination, but not like you. I can hide my thoughts. Not exactly all my thoughts, but I can block you from reading some of them in my mind. If I really want to hide specific thoughts or memories, I can do it. I accidentally discovered it around your thirteenth birthday when I bought your gift without you figuring out what it was. I told you the reason was because someone bought it without telling me what the gift was, but I was lying. Sorry for that." ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">I was stunned. My father had a special gift, too? This could partially explain my mental abilities, but not the healing, the terrible burn, and pain that I felt. It was obvious that a fracture was something very painful, but to me, it seemed that my whole body had been tortured. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"Dad, it’s no problem." I took a breath deep breath, and continued after a moment. "This could explain why I have my mental skills, but how can it explain the healing, the burning, or the pain? This does not have anything-" I stopped short when my father interrupted me. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"They are related. As you know, your mother used some experimental chemical components to develop the drug that healed my infertility. One of these components was, in fact, a potent healing drug, which speeds up the healing factor in humans a thousand percent or more. I believe that this component changed your DNA and heightened your mental abilities. You were probably born with them, but they may not have been as strong as they are now. I believe that this chemical component inside your body is the main reason for your healing abilities. You're producing it naturally, which I discovered when your mother asked me to do a blood test. I didn't tell her my opinion, because you never had any strange healing abilities before, and I was not sure what that meant. However, after today, I realize that I should have told her. You never got sick in your life, not even the flu or a cold! Now, I know why." ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"But what will happen to me? How is this related to the pain I felt? I showed it to you at the hospital, and it is far from normal." ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"That was an unfortunate surprise. I don't know exactly, but I believe that because of your ability to heal, the pain is equivalent to what someone would feel during the normal healing process. It's just concentrated in your case. Keep in mind one thing, don't try to do anything dangerous that would put your life at risk, and everything will be fine. You will probably survive without any scars or injures, but I'm concerned that your mind wouldn't recover from the pain. You've never done anything dangerous before, so don't start now." My father hugged me tightly. "You know you can count on us. We would never allow anyone or anything to hurt you." ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"I know. Sorry for the things that I said. I will never blame you or yell at you again," I whispered to him. In that moment, I accepted the fact that I could never have a normal life, and realized that the best I could do was to accept the facts and deal with them. I'd never be able to really relate with other people very closely. I had very few friends, and none of them knew my skills or weaknesses. They were nice, but I couldn't trust them to be strong enough to deal with what I was. How would someone accept a freak like me? ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"Give him some time to understand everything that happened today. He needs to rest. And you, Mr. Carlson, owe me some explanations." My mother was so upset. I thought that my dad was a dead man until she smiled at me and I realized it was just a reaction that would not last long. "Gabriel, I will call you when dinner is ready. I'll make the shrimp risotto that you like." ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"Thanks, Mom. I'll try to get some sleep. I am really tired." Sleep. I wasn't sure I could sleep after all that happened. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">They left my bedroom, and I lay in the silence. My mind was completely delirious, thinking about all my dad had said and the consequences. I made a promise to myself that day; I would never blame them for what was happening to me. They loved me and they did a great job, despite my strange abilities. Not everyone could have handled it, but they did, and I would do everything in my power to make them proud of me. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">A month later during Sunday lunch, my mother was happier than usual, even a little euphoric. She had always been a happy person, though quiet and reserved, but today she was ecstatic. I knew she was hiding something so I read her mind and discovered the reason: family vacation! ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">The plan was to travel across the west coast for two months. I couldn't believe it! We’d never had a family vacation before, and two months was a long time. Usually, my parents didn't have time for it. I was amazed, and immensely happy. My mother saw my expression, and gave me an earful. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"Gabriel, what is that? Since when do you read my mind without authorization? Where are your manners?" She was not really upset, and she had wanted to surprise me, but my ability to read her mind had spoiled it. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"Don't blame him, Becky. You couldn't control yourself. Even if he wasn't telepathic he would have realized that you were hiding something," he laughed, and winked at me. Obviously he already knew, but even without the ability to hide thoughts, he was better at controlling his emotions than my mother. "Well, Gabriel, are you ready? Do you want to travel with us?" ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">"Why in the world would I not want to go? West coast, here we come!" ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">Two weeks later, our trip began. I hadn't known at the time, but it would be the first and the last we would travel together. It was wonderful. We travelled through Nevada, Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington State. Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Phoenix, Portland, and Seattle. My parents really fell in love with the Olympic Peninsula, especially Forks and La Push. I never understood why. It was a really small town, with very few things to do. I could read their retirement plans and desire for a calm life in their minds and I understood. They were probably tired of being surrounded by their high tech research. They bought a house near to the Sol Duc River, out of the main town area. It wasn't close enough to see the river, but we could hear it in the distance at night. I could agree with them on one thing, it would be peaceful to stay there sometimes. With all the wild area around, I could let my gifts and mind wander free without concern for others. It was...refreshing. ''

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">After the trip, we returned to our normal lives. They returned to their jobs, and I returned to my university degree. I was onto my third degree. As my parents were hired by the government for special projects, I could attend special classes for people with especially high IQ's. I had degrees in Nuclear Engineering and Biological Engineering, but these were chosen by my parents. I chose the third, and I was studying Computer Science. I finished my degree in one year, and spent the last year helping my parents in their research and improving my control of my gifts. I never went to Forks again. I never needed to because my parents hired a local company to take care of the house. My mother stayed there for two days, six months ago when she visited Seattle for a workshop, to make sure everything was alright. She was planning to stay one week at Forks, but she never had a chance to do it.

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">They died four months later.

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">After their death, the law firm they hired years ago to take care of their estate and intellectual property, got in touch with me. The lawyer took care of all the legalities associated with their passing, which in and of itself was a relief to me. My parents had few relatives, a few distant cousins, and few friends at work. The funeral was discreet, and their bodies were cremated, as had always been their desire.

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">The lawyers all talked to me about the estate, but I didn't want the money. I only wanted my parents back. I couldn't stay with my relatives because they didn't know anything about my skills. I couldn't stay in Atlanta because it was painful to be in the home we had all shared.

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">A month after their deaths, one of the lawyers called me about the Forks house. I had forgotten about it, and the only reason it mattered was because I remembered how much my parents liked the house. I decided that I wanted to keep it and move into it. I sold the house in Atlanta and was now getting ready for my move.

<p style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height: 200%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1">So here I was… waiting for my flight. Running away from my life and what happiness I knew. I didn't believe that I would find peace again in my life, but I needed to stay far from others. My parents would wish for me to try for a new beginning, and Forks was as good a place as any to start over.