Beyond the Thorns: A Novel

“Meanie Mist,” I grumble as I walk over to a group of conversing kids.

“And then he was all, ‘I am your father’- like no duh.” A relaxed boy says, leaning back casually. His dark features contrast with his blue-gray eyes. Which lit up as a cup of water darted to his hand, turning a beautiful aquamarine as he bore them into the cup.

“Wow, you have such a cool power!” A blushy tween girl says in awe.

“Not really. If I could do it without making eye contact though it’d be amazing,” he chuckles lightly.

“No really! I wish I could have something that practical,” I join in.

“Yeah it’s nice and all, but the Curio refuse to believe I can pick up anything nonliving,” he sighs exaggeratedly. The mini-harem giggling and flushing in response.

“Wow, that’s nicer than my testing. I’m so jealous,” I humor the charismatic male, who rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

“Heheh, yeah… I guess I’m kinda lucky ‘cause of it,” he replies awkwardly.

BRRT- a large sound resonated through the hall, signaling everyone to enter the Yard. Everyone stopped what they were doing or saying and mindlessly started to walk off. The blue-eyed boy fell in beside me and whispered in my ear, “my name’s Luke by the way.”

I subtly nod, “I’m Cana, we want your help with-”

THWAK- a large whip crashed down somewhere in the crowd, making some nearby flinch in fear.

“No talking!” A deep voice rumbled, sending further fear into the fellow Tested. We walk in silence until we reach the Yard and the Curio leave us.

“So what do you want my help with…?” Luke blinks after a pregnant pause.

“We want you to help with breaking outta’ here,” I stare at him dead in his lightly colored eyes.

“Who is ‘we’?” He tilts his head endearingly.

“You’ll see,” I smirk, pulling his wrist and running off to find Mist.

What just happened? I jolt as Cana grabs my hand and darts, me fumbling behind.

“Mist look! I told you so!” She releases me once she stops before another girl.

“That’s… shocking…” the said girl blinked, foggy eyes clearing up for a second.

“Don’t act so surprised!” Cana whines almost dog-like, “anyway, this is Luke! He can totally help us!”

“Did you force him over here?” The so-called Mist asked skeptically.

“Maybe…” The blonde looks down at her feet guiltily.

“I’m interested though, what’s this ‘escape’ thing about?” I ask animatedly.

“Mist can see the future and she saw us escaping and she told me and-”

“I saw something that can- if we trigger the right timeline- result in our freedom,” Mist explains, cutting off a now pouting Cana.

“That’s cool but how could that even happen, escaping I mean,” I blink.

“We don’t know, but I have an idea for doing so,” Mist replies.

“That is…?”

“We find someone with a spatial ability to map out the Lab fully so we can know our planned route of escape. Then we have to find the time of least non-Tested in the building and during that time, a telekinetic can undo all the locks in our way and we’re free.”

I blink, confused as a bird hitting glass, “wha…?” I say in unison with Cana.

Her features frowned as if calling us dumb with her bleary eyes, "if we get a schedule from the Curio, a layout of the Lab, and someone who can manipulate locks, we can escape.” Mist reiterates.

“Wow, Mist! You’re a genius!” Cana praises the girl cheerfully, I nod in agreement, but say nothing. Seems cool, like me.