S33 - The Me in Team
I flew over the fence at HQ and up to Dr. Atom's lab. The window was open for me. I glided into the room and moved to the curtain at the back corner. 8th Wonder's light left my body. I pulled on a patient's robe and walked back to the center of the room.
The lights were blinking on the lab's consoles, but no one was in the room. I didn't know where they'd be taking care of Streak, so I asked Dr. Atom.
"I'm in your lab. Where are you?"
Jet appeared in the doorway. "Hey." She smiled at me. "The doc sent me. We're down in the medical wing. You can come with me."
I nodded and followed her into the hallway. "Thanks for coming to the park."
"No problem. You had everything taken care of when I got there."
"How's Streak? Is he awake?"
"Doc says he'll be fine. Streak woke up with a headache, but otherwise he's okay. Good thing you were there, though. Who knows what Mayhem would've done."
I shrugged. "Kill him."
Jet looked sideways at me. She held the door open for me, and I walked over to Ryan.
"Hey." I smiled at him and looked him over. He had a few bruises on his arms and legs, but nothing serious considering his fall.
He reached out for my hand. "Hey yourself. I hear you saved my life."
I nodded. "Part of the deal. Get superpowers, help people." I looked up as Dr. Atom came back into the room.
"Hi, Molly. Streak is going to be fine, so you don't have to worry about him. You did good work out there. Discreet. Efficient."
"Thanks. 8th Wonder and I make a great team."
Ryan sat up in the bed and Jet moved in so we were in a circle. Ryan, me, Jet, and Dr. Atom.
"About teams," Jet said, "we've got an invitation for you."
I looked over at Dr. Atom.
"What do you think, Molly? Will you join the Super Seven? We could use you on our side."
I glanced at Ryan and then replied. "I'll always be on your side, Dr. Atom. That's not the question." I shrugged. "How about I start part-time and we'll go from there."
Dr. Atom nodded. "Sounds good to me."
Ryan squeezed my hand and smiled when I looked at him. He didn't say a word, but I heard what he wanted to say: "The girl next door with a secret. Who would have guessed you'd be the blazing light in the sky?"
- fin -
The lights were blinking on the lab's consoles, but no one was in the room. I didn't know where they'd be taking care of Streak, so I asked Dr. Atom.
"I'm in your lab. Where are you?"
Jet appeared in the doorway. "Hey." She smiled at me. "The doc sent me. We're down in the medical wing. You can come with me."
I nodded and followed her into the hallway. "Thanks for coming to the park."
"No problem. You had everything taken care of when I got there."
"How's Streak? Is he awake?"
"Doc says he'll be fine. Streak woke up with a headache, but otherwise he's okay. Good thing you were there, though. Who knows what Mayhem would've done."
I shrugged. "Kill him."
Jet looked sideways at me. She held the door open for me, and I walked over to Ryan.
"Hey." I smiled at him and looked him over. He had a few bruises on his arms and legs, but nothing serious considering his fall.
He reached out for my hand. "Hey yourself. I hear you saved my life."
I nodded. "Part of the deal. Get superpowers, help people." I looked up as Dr. Atom came back into the room.
"Hi, Molly. Streak is going to be fine, so you don't have to worry about him. You did good work out there. Discreet. Efficient."
"Thanks. 8th Wonder and I make a great team."
Ryan sat up in the bed and Jet moved in so we were in a circle. Ryan, me, Jet, and Dr. Atom.
"About teams," Jet said, "we've got an invitation for you."
I looked over at Dr. Atom.
"What do you think, Molly? Will you join the Super Seven? We could use you on our side."
I glanced at Ryan and then replied. "I'll always be on your side, Dr. Atom. That's not the question." I shrugged. "How about I start part-time and we'll go from there."
Dr. Atom nodded. "Sounds good to me."
Ryan squeezed my hand and smiled when I looked at him. He didn't say a word, but I heard what he wanted to say: "The girl next door with a secret. Who would have guessed you'd be the blazing light in the sky?"
- fin -
S32 - Hands Off
At 9:55 I called 8th Wonder so that by 10, I was on the roof and ready. Ryan came up in his suit. He nodded and pulled on his mask. Then we spoke telepathically.
"Thanks for coming along tonight," he said.
"No problem. Any specific reason why you wanted me to come?"
Streak floated into the air and I followed. "We wanted to see how you do on patrol. I thought it'd be fun if you and I went together."
"By 'we' you mean the Super Seven?"
"Yes."
We rose higher in the sky and glided over the skyscrapers.
"So is this a test or are we just patrolling?"
Streak shook his head. "No, this is normal patrol. No tests planned." He turned toward East Park and I followed. Streak looked over at me and smiled. "Looks like you're comfortable flying now. Definitely doesn't seem like you've been up in the air for only a few weeks."
"Well, thank you. 8th Wonder is a good teacher." 8th Wonder smiled in my mind. "Look, Ryan, is this leading to an invitation for me to join the Super Seven? Because I'm not sure--"
"I don't know." He cut me off. "Atom hasn't said anything, but it seems like you'll get an invitation."
We were over the trees of East Park now. I could see a breeze moving through the upper branches. Night had set and I could feel a chill in the air. Streak and I circled around the park. A bolt of energy shot up into the sky. It rushed between us, closer to Streak. He turned and spun in the air. I flew over and below him as he regained his balance.
"What was that?" he asked as he straightened in the air above me.
I scanned the ground below. 8th Wonder helped me trace the energy downward. "There." I pointed. "I'll check it out." I dove downward toward the source. As I was heading down, another energy bolt rushed past me, but whoever shot it wasn't aiming at me. I turned and looked upward. Ryan! The bolt hit him square in the chest. He seemed suspended in the air for a second and then he fell.
I looked between his body and the ground. He had about a hundred feet to fall. Not much time for me to figure out what do to. What could I do? I'd set him on fire if I tried to catch him. I looked down again, but I couldn't see the source of the energy bolt. I flew over, in the area between Streak and the ground. 8th Wonder sifted through my thoughts, giving me ideas while I panicked.
I lifted my arms, or rather, 8th Wonder told me to lift my arms. Air rushed around me, up above me and around Ryan's body. I felt the whirlwind circling tightly, creating a cushion of air between Ryan and me. "This is good," I thought. "But can I...let me see." I moved out to the side and turned, holding the whirlwind under Ryan but I wasn't under him anymore. His fall slowed and I lowered him to the ground. I looked over his body. He was breathing but unconscious. "Find where that energy came from," I thought. 8th Wonder was already on it. I felt my senses strain, reaching out in every direction.
Then I felt a spark. I turned and moved so that I was between Ryan and the source of the energy. "Try to finish him if that's what you want." I thought. A dare to the open air.
A moment later, a short, fat man came out of the brush. He was wearing a black hat, black mask, and a blue vest over a black shirt and pants. The vest formed a large M over his upper body. He reminded me a little of the Burglar from those old McDonald's commercials, but I knew who this was: Mr. Mayhem.
He stopped when he moved into the clearing. "What do we have here?" He looked at me and started to circle. I saw he wore some sort of backpack with buttons and switches on the side. That's what generated the energy he shot at Streak.
I moved so that I stayed between him and Ryan.
Mr. Mayhem stopped and smiled at me. "Well, I heard the rumors, but I didn't know what to believe. Here you are, the burning woman. 8th Wonder."
I couldn't say anything to him. Didn't have anything to say anyway.
He peered around me. "I'm a good shot sometimes, but I guess you won't let me finish him off. Arrogant 'superheroes' in this city. I spent a year in jail because of Streak." He pointed at Ryan behind me. Then Mr. Mayhem laughed and paced back and forth. "Well, technically I have lots more time to spend in jail. They should tighten up security. No special powers and I got out."
I watched him carefully.
He looked up at me again. "Oh, you're new in town. Right, how rude of me. I'm Mr. Mayhem." He tipped his hat to me. "Last year I blew up Liberty Bridge and Streak there interfered. I was in my prime, in the middle of Big Plans, and then the heroes had to step in." He pulled the energy gun from his backpack and aimed at me. "Move aside."
I held my ground. 8th Wonder reassured me that I could absorb and manipulate nearly every kind of energy without getting hurt. I wasn't going to let Mayhem get past me.
"Last chance, 8th Wonder."
I didn't move.
Mayhem pulled the trigger and blue fiery energy rushed toward me. I held out my hand and the energy curved around me, dissipating in the air. He flipped a switch on the gun and shot again. This time the energy came out more focused, into a bolt. I deflected it and it shot back at Mayhem's feet. He jumped back in surprise. I shot my own energy burst at him, and he fell on to his back. I floated over his body. He was unconscious, but otherwise uninjured.
"Dr. Atom," I thought, "I'm in East Park. Streak is hurt. I stopped Mr. Mayhem. I need police, and I need one of the Super Seven for back up."
Dr. Atom replied a few seconds later. "On it. Are you hurt, Molly?"
"No, I'm fine."
I felt a rush of wind and then Jet was standing next to me. She smiled at me and gave me a small salute. She glanced at Mayhem and then knelt next to Streak. She felt his pulse at his neck and deftly moved her hands over his ribs, his arms, and his legs. "Nothing seems to be broken," she said aloud. "I can take him to back to headquarters. Will you come?"
I looked back at Mr. Mayhem.
"Oh."
A white blur circled the nearest tree, then came back toward me. Jet picked up Mayhem and then circled the tree a few more times. When Jet stopped, she walked back to Streak. I looked at Mr. Mayhem tied to the tree. Good enough until the police showed up.
"So I'll see you back at headquarters?"
I nodded.
"Okay. You did a good job here." She bent down and lifted Streak in her arms. Then she ran, air whooshing behind her.
I rose up into the air. Above the trees, I could see police cars parking on the street. They'd be untying Mr. Mayhem from the tree in seconds. I turned and flew back to HQ.
"Thanks for coming along tonight," he said.
"No problem. Any specific reason why you wanted me to come?"
Streak floated into the air and I followed. "We wanted to see how you do on patrol. I thought it'd be fun if you and I went together."
"By 'we' you mean the Super Seven?"
"Yes."
We rose higher in the sky and glided over the skyscrapers.
"So is this a test or are we just patrolling?"
Streak shook his head. "No, this is normal patrol. No tests planned." He turned toward East Park and I followed. Streak looked over at me and smiled. "Looks like you're comfortable flying now. Definitely doesn't seem like you've been up in the air for only a few weeks."
"Well, thank you. 8th Wonder is a good teacher." 8th Wonder smiled in my mind. "Look, Ryan, is this leading to an invitation for me to join the Super Seven? Because I'm not sure--"
"I don't know." He cut me off. "Atom hasn't said anything, but it seems like you'll get an invitation."
We were over the trees of East Park now. I could see a breeze moving through the upper branches. Night had set and I could feel a chill in the air. Streak and I circled around the park. A bolt of energy shot up into the sky. It rushed between us, closer to Streak. He turned and spun in the air. I flew over and below him as he regained his balance.
"What was that?" he asked as he straightened in the air above me.
I scanned the ground below. 8th Wonder helped me trace the energy downward. "There." I pointed. "I'll check it out." I dove downward toward the source. As I was heading down, another energy bolt rushed past me, but whoever shot it wasn't aiming at me. I turned and looked upward. Ryan! The bolt hit him square in the chest. He seemed suspended in the air for a second and then he fell.
I looked between his body and the ground. He had about a hundred feet to fall. Not much time for me to figure out what do to. What could I do? I'd set him on fire if I tried to catch him. I looked down again, but I couldn't see the source of the energy bolt. I flew over, in the area between Streak and the ground. 8th Wonder sifted through my thoughts, giving me ideas while I panicked.
I lifted my arms, or rather, 8th Wonder told me to lift my arms. Air rushed around me, up above me and around Ryan's body. I felt the whirlwind circling tightly, creating a cushion of air between Ryan and me. "This is good," I thought. "But can I...let me see." I moved out to the side and turned, holding the whirlwind under Ryan but I wasn't under him anymore. His fall slowed and I lowered him to the ground. I looked over his body. He was breathing but unconscious. "Find where that energy came from," I thought. 8th Wonder was already on it. I felt my senses strain, reaching out in every direction.
Then I felt a spark. I turned and moved so that I was between Ryan and the source of the energy. "Try to finish him if that's what you want." I thought. A dare to the open air.
A moment later, a short, fat man came out of the brush. He was wearing a black hat, black mask, and a blue vest over a black shirt and pants. The vest formed a large M over his upper body. He reminded me a little of the Burglar from those old McDonald's commercials, but I knew who this was: Mr. Mayhem.
He stopped when he moved into the clearing. "What do we have here?" He looked at me and started to circle. I saw he wore some sort of backpack with buttons and switches on the side. That's what generated the energy he shot at Streak.
I moved so that I stayed between him and Ryan.
Mr. Mayhem stopped and smiled at me. "Well, I heard the rumors, but I didn't know what to believe. Here you are, the burning woman. 8th Wonder."
I couldn't say anything to him. Didn't have anything to say anyway.
He peered around me. "I'm a good shot sometimes, but I guess you won't let me finish him off. Arrogant 'superheroes' in this city. I spent a year in jail because of Streak." He pointed at Ryan behind me. Then Mr. Mayhem laughed and paced back and forth. "Well, technically I have lots more time to spend in jail. They should tighten up security. No special powers and I got out."
I watched him carefully.
He looked up at me again. "Oh, you're new in town. Right, how rude of me. I'm Mr. Mayhem." He tipped his hat to me. "Last year I blew up Liberty Bridge and Streak there interfered. I was in my prime, in the middle of Big Plans, and then the heroes had to step in." He pulled the energy gun from his backpack and aimed at me. "Move aside."
I held my ground. 8th Wonder reassured me that I could absorb and manipulate nearly every kind of energy without getting hurt. I wasn't going to let Mayhem get past me.
"Last chance, 8th Wonder."
I didn't move.
Mayhem pulled the trigger and blue fiery energy rushed toward me. I held out my hand and the energy curved around me, dissipating in the air. He flipped a switch on the gun and shot again. This time the energy came out more focused, into a bolt. I deflected it and it shot back at Mayhem's feet. He jumped back in surprise. I shot my own energy burst at him, and he fell on to his back. I floated over his body. He was unconscious, but otherwise uninjured.
"Dr. Atom," I thought, "I'm in East Park. Streak is hurt. I stopped Mr. Mayhem. I need police, and I need one of the Super Seven for back up."
Dr. Atom replied a few seconds later. "On it. Are you hurt, Molly?"
"No, I'm fine."
I felt a rush of wind and then Jet was standing next to me. She smiled at me and gave me a small salute. She glanced at Mayhem and then knelt next to Streak. She felt his pulse at his neck and deftly moved her hands over his ribs, his arms, and his legs. "Nothing seems to be broken," she said aloud. "I can take him to back to headquarters. Will you come?"
I looked back at Mr. Mayhem.
"Oh."
A white blur circled the nearest tree, then came back toward me. Jet picked up Mayhem and then circled the tree a few more times. When Jet stopped, she walked back to Streak. I looked at Mr. Mayhem tied to the tree. Good enough until the police showed up.
"So I'll see you back at headquarters?"
I nodded.
"Okay. You did a good job here." She bent down and lifted Streak in her arms. Then she ran, air whooshing behind her.
I rose up into the air. Above the trees, I could see police cars parking on the street. They'd be untying Mr. Mayhem from the tree in seconds. I turned and flew back to HQ.
S31 - Before and After
For two weeks, 8th Wonder and I went out every other night. She said we have to be careful until my body is used to the energy I expend when I'm with her. We're building up to an optimal level.
I'm in superhero training. That's something I wouldn't have guessed a few months ago.
But it's been going well. Transitioning (that's what I'm calling it when I go from normal to burning/glowing to normal) has been faster and smoother. My mind is so close with 8th Wonder's now that when we're communicating, it feels more like a single stream of thoughts than two sides of a conversation. It's scary, but it's also exciting. We synchronize, harmonize with each other.
Last night I asked 8th Wonder what she did before she found me. I know there were sightings of her before I had blackouts. I guessed that she had another host body, and she said I was correct.
"So what happened to them?" I asked. I couldn't help thinking about burnt bodies, with no explanation of what happened, but 8th Wonder reassured me that wasn't the case.
"I did go to other people before you," she said. "But when I realized we were not compatible, I simply searched for someone else. I did no harm to the ones before you."
"Did they have blackouts like I did at the beginning?"
"Yes. I suppose they have a night or two that they can't explain. But they are perfectly well, I promise."
That was a relief. One of the things about telepathy is that you cannot lie without a lot of effort. 8th Wonder and I were too close to lie to each other, so I knew she was telling the truth. "What makes me compatible with you?"
Something like a shrug flitted through my mind. "I cannot explain it, I'm sorry. But when I am with a person, I can tell. You have qualities that the others lacked."
That was pretty much the end of our conversation. Last night was a patrol with no activity. I went back to my apartment, slept, and went to work today. When I came home, there was a note under the door. It said:
"I know you've been out a lot but wanna go together tonight? - R"
Ryan wanted to go on patrol with me. I wondered why.
I closed my eyes and sent a message to 8th Wonder. "Can we go on patrol tonight? Streak wants to fly together."
Her reply came immediately. "Are you rested?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Call me when you're ready."
I opened my eyes and took out my cell phone. I texted "Yes. When?" to Ryan.
He wrote back. "Ten on the roof."
My first patrol with a superhero. Look at that.
I'm in superhero training. That's something I wouldn't have guessed a few months ago.
But it's been going well. Transitioning (that's what I'm calling it when I go from normal to burning/glowing to normal) has been faster and smoother. My mind is so close with 8th Wonder's now that when we're communicating, it feels more like a single stream of thoughts than two sides of a conversation. It's scary, but it's also exciting. We synchronize, harmonize with each other.
Last night I asked 8th Wonder what she did before she found me. I know there were sightings of her before I had blackouts. I guessed that she had another host body, and she said I was correct.
"So what happened to them?" I asked. I couldn't help thinking about burnt bodies, with no explanation of what happened, but 8th Wonder reassured me that wasn't the case.
"I did go to other people before you," she said. "But when I realized we were not compatible, I simply searched for someone else. I did no harm to the ones before you."
"Did they have blackouts like I did at the beginning?"
"Yes. I suppose they have a night or two that they can't explain. But they are perfectly well, I promise."
That was a relief. One of the things about telepathy is that you cannot lie without a lot of effort. 8th Wonder and I were too close to lie to each other, so I knew she was telling the truth. "What makes me compatible with you?"
Something like a shrug flitted through my mind. "I cannot explain it, I'm sorry. But when I am with a person, I can tell. You have qualities that the others lacked."
That was pretty much the end of our conversation. Last night was a patrol with no activity. I went back to my apartment, slept, and went to work today. When I came home, there was a note under the door. It said:
"I know you've been out a lot but wanna go together tonight? - R"
Ryan wanted to go on patrol with me. I wondered why.
I closed my eyes and sent a message to 8th Wonder. "Can we go on patrol tonight? Streak wants to fly together."
Her reply came immediately. "Are you rested?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Call me when you're ready."
I opened my eyes and took out my cell phone. I texted "Yes. When?" to Ryan.
He wrote back. "Ten on the roof."
My first patrol with a superhero. Look at that.
269
I would tell you funny stories about people you haven't met. That's what happens when you stop talking to your friends.
S30 - Numb
I put on a t-shirt and sweat pants. Then I locked the window, grabbed my key, and knocked on Ryan's door.
He opened it, saw me, and opened it wider. "Hey."
"Hi," I said. "Is it too late?"
"No, come in."
I walked into his apartment and sat on the couch.
"Want anything to drink?"
"Glass of water, thanks."
Ryan came back with a glass of water, handed it to me, and sat next to me. "So what's up?"
"I was just at HQ as 8th Wonder. Saw Dr. Atom."
"Ah, how was that?" The look he was giving me said he had an idea about how it went.
"Atom treated me like a science experiment. Data collection time."
Ryan nodded. "That's what he does. I'm sorry."
I shrugged. "It wasn't a big deal. What's a big deal is that I can communicate with 8th Wonder. I finally have answers to what's going on. But all Atom cared about was classifying 8th Wonder's energy."
"Yeah, that's what he cares about the most, cold science. But how did the test run go? Everything okay?"
"Oh, yeah. It was really good." I smiled. "I'm sorry, I just needed to vent and you're the only one I could talk to."
"I know, and it's fine. I've been wondering about something, now that you remember when 8th Wonder comes."
"Yeah?"
"Does it hurt?"
"When she's with me."
Ryan nodded. "I mean, it looks like you're burning."
I shook my head. "But I'm not. It's weird, I know. I saw myself in the mirror and everything is bright, burning energy, but I feel fine. Normal." Ryan yawned, and then I did. I stood up. "Well, it looks like we're both ready for sleep. Thanks for letting me vent."
"Any time." He smiled at me. "Good night, Molly."
"Good night." I went back to my apartment and straight to bed.
He opened it, saw me, and opened it wider. "Hey."
"Hi," I said. "Is it too late?"
"No, come in."
I walked into his apartment and sat on the couch.
"Want anything to drink?"
"Glass of water, thanks."
Ryan came back with a glass of water, handed it to me, and sat next to me. "So what's up?"
"I was just at HQ as 8th Wonder. Saw Dr. Atom."
"Ah, how was that?" The look he was giving me said he had an idea about how it went.
"Atom treated me like a science experiment. Data collection time."
Ryan nodded. "That's what he does. I'm sorry."
I shrugged. "It wasn't a big deal. What's a big deal is that I can communicate with 8th Wonder. I finally have answers to what's going on. But all Atom cared about was classifying 8th Wonder's energy."
"Yeah, that's what he cares about the most, cold science. But how did the test run go? Everything okay?"
"Oh, yeah. It was really good." I smiled. "I'm sorry, I just needed to vent and you're the only one I could talk to."
"I know, and it's fine. I've been wondering about something, now that you remember when 8th Wonder comes."
"Yeah?"
"Does it hurt?"
"When she's with me."
Ryan nodded. "I mean, it looks like you're burning."
I shook my head. "But I'm not. It's weird, I know. I saw myself in the mirror and everything is bright, burning energy, but I feel fine. Normal." Ryan yawned, and then I did. I stood up. "Well, it looks like we're both ready for sleep. Thanks for letting me vent."
"Any time." He smiled at me. "Good night, Molly."
"Good night." I went back to my apartment and straight to bed.
267
Whispers in her mind, she hears them all the time. She hears them, and doesn't know why. Sometimes they're just chatter, chattering she can't understand. But sometimes they are stories. Stories unraveling in her mind with characters she doesn't know, but they're off on an adventure.
She watches them go, go where she can't. And when she turns over on her pillow, when her brain switches from chaotic creativity to cold logic, she sees him. Just for an instant. Just for a moment, he looks up and smiles at her.
And then she wakes up.
She watches them go, go where she can't. And when she turns over on her pillow, when her brain switches from chaotic creativity to cold logic, she sees him. Just for an instant. Just for a moment, he looks up and smiles at her.
And then she wakes up.
S29 - Dry Run
I opened the window in the living room and turned off all the lights. I sat on the floor, closed my eyes, and cleared my mind. This was the easy part.
I focused on the link 8th Wonder had put in my mind. I needed to open the connection to her. If I could communicate with her when she wasn't in my mind, I'd be able to talk to her when I needed her to come.
I know physical distance doesn't matter with telepathy, but for a moment I wondered where 8th Wonder was. What did she do when she wasn't with me? Where did she go? Maybe I would ask her later.
I shook my head and refocused, got rid of those tangential thoughts. Then I felt it: something switched over in my mind and I knew she was listening. I told 8th Wonder I was ready and then I waited for her to come. I kept my mind clear. I could feel her moving, coming closer.
I opened my eyes as a golden light entered through the window. It hovered over me, sank into my skin, and then my body rose off the floor. The light filled me, head to toes, and I could feel it reverberating through my entire being. Energy swirled around me. I straightened my legs and flew out the window and up above the windows.
I looked down at Prima City. This was the first time I had seen the city from above as 8th Wonder. I wondered where we would go tonight and 8th Wonder replied inside my mind. "Your choice tonight, Molly. You'll do the flying."
"Okay." I moved my body and started flying toward HQ.
I knew 8th Wonder gave me a lot of information last night, including how to use her abilities. All that knowledge was in my head and I could access it. The strange part was how naturally I could access that knowledge. I felt like I always knew how to fly, not that 8th Wonder had simply placed the instructions in my mind. I felt confident and I maneuvered through the air smoothly. I wished Ryan could see me.
"You may ask him to come." 8th Wonder's thoughts flitted in my mind. I was having a conversation with myself but not with myself. I have to remember that she knows everything I'm thinking when we're together.
"No," I replied. "We can save that for another time." I just wanted to talk to Dr. Atom.
The buildings blurred beneath me as I flew faster. Skyscrapers and city lights became dots and streaks as I sped towards HQ.
I paused outside the gate. Or rather, above the gate. Jim works regular office hours, so no one was at the entrance. I could fly over, no problem, but I didn't know how to get into the building except through the main door. I flew up and circled around the building. A light shined in one of the top rooms: Dr. Atom's lab.
I hovered outside the window and looked inside. I couldn't see him, but someone must be in there. I floated back from the building a few feet.
"Dr. Atom?" I sent out a telepathic message. "It's Molly, with 8th Wonder. I'm outside your window I think..."
I waited. No response.
"Dr. Atom, are you at headquarters right now?"
I had never communicated with Dr. Atom telepathically, and the first contact is always the most difficult. Link says it's a matter of trust. You can't communicate with a mind that doesn't trust you, so the better you know the person, the better the telepathy goes. Dr. Atom has been keeping me at a distance. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't trust me.
Images flashed through my mind of my body going through the window, passing through the glass as light would. 8th Wonder was showing me alternatives. Could I really pass through glass like that? I wondered what it would feel like for my body to transform to light waves. How would I become solid again?
But then Dr. Atom was at the window, undoing the lock.
"Oh, it really is you!" He smiled at me, and I nodded.
His eyes moved over me and he shook his head in awe. It was the most emotion I have seen him show.
He backed away from the window and motioned to the room. "Um, come in. Please come in."
I floated into the room and hovered a few feet above the floor. "Hi, Dr. Atom." I was trying telepathy again. "8th Wonder and I worked out the psychic link, so now we can communicate."
"Good, that's great." He replied aloud. One-way telepathy. He didn't mind if I was open with him but he wouldn't be open with me. Dr. Atom motioned for me to move farther into the room. "If you don't mind, I'd like to run a few scans."
I nodded and moved onto the examination pad. The examination pad is a large, square gray mat in the middle of Dr. Atom's lab. There are all kinds of sensors in the mat and scanners all around it. I was careful not to touch down on the mat. I wasn't sure what material it was made of, but I would probably set it on fire.
Dr. Atom went to the control panel and flipped a few switches. Monitors behind him flickered on and he turned around to study them. The scanners were feeding the displays my temperature readings, X-rays, anatomy. One monitor was trying to classify me. It was blinking "Human hybrid" at the top of the screen but the computer couldn't figure out what the non-human part of me was.
Dr. Atom looked over at me. "This is excellent. No one else has had such close contact with 8th Wonder. Molly, can you separate from it at will?"
I floated to the far corner of the room and moved behind a curtain that closed around a bed and some medical supplies. I know that Dr. Atom is very focused on gathering facts. He was treating me like his specimen to study. I thought something like this might happen, but I wasn't getting any response from 8th Wonder.
The energy moved away from my body and I stopped glowing. My bare feet touched the cold tile floor. I pulled on a hospital gown. 8th Wonder was hovering to my side and above my head. I walked back out to the main room and the floating energy followed me.
Dr. Atom smiled. "It's good to see you, Molly. I'm happy that you've figured out how to work with 8th Wonder."
I nodded. "Thanks." I spoke aloud now that I could. "Why did you want me to separate from 8th Wonder?"
Dr. Atom waved for me to look at the monitors. "The computer couldn't classify what 8th Wonder is when you were joined. I thought maybe it could when you were separated." He looked up at the energy floating near me. "I guess it understood that I wanted it to stay."
"I understood, so she understood." I walked back onto the examination pad and 8th Wonder followed me.
The computer scanned us again and the monitors showed two beings now. Me, the human, and 8th Wonder. The computer settled on 8th Wonder being some type of energy but the monitors didn't show anything specific.
"Hmm." Dr. Atom rubbed a hand through his hair. "Well, thank you for coming tonight. I have a lot of new data to work with, but it seems we still won't know exactly what 8th Wonder is."
Maybe it's better that way, I thought. Then I shrugged. "I'm glad I could be of some help. I'm tired, so I think that's enough for tonight." All I was supposed to do is tell Dr. Atom when I worked out the connection with 8th Wonder. Task completed.
"Yes, okay."
I walked back behind the curtain and took off the gown. 8th Wonder's light filled my body again and I floated above the floor. Out in the main room I waved goodbye to Dr. Atom and then I flew back home.
I focused on the link 8th Wonder had put in my mind. I needed to open the connection to her. If I could communicate with her when she wasn't in my mind, I'd be able to talk to her when I needed her to come.
I know physical distance doesn't matter with telepathy, but for a moment I wondered where 8th Wonder was. What did she do when she wasn't with me? Where did she go? Maybe I would ask her later.
I shook my head and refocused, got rid of those tangential thoughts. Then I felt it: something switched over in my mind and I knew she was listening. I told 8th Wonder I was ready and then I waited for her to come. I kept my mind clear. I could feel her moving, coming closer.
I opened my eyes as a golden light entered through the window. It hovered over me, sank into my skin, and then my body rose off the floor. The light filled me, head to toes, and I could feel it reverberating through my entire being. Energy swirled around me. I straightened my legs and flew out the window and up above the windows.
I looked down at Prima City. This was the first time I had seen the city from above as 8th Wonder. I wondered where we would go tonight and 8th Wonder replied inside my mind. "Your choice tonight, Molly. You'll do the flying."
"Okay." I moved my body and started flying toward HQ.
I knew 8th Wonder gave me a lot of information last night, including how to use her abilities. All that knowledge was in my head and I could access it. The strange part was how naturally I could access that knowledge. I felt like I always knew how to fly, not that 8th Wonder had simply placed the instructions in my mind. I felt confident and I maneuvered through the air smoothly. I wished Ryan could see me.
"You may ask him to come." 8th Wonder's thoughts flitted in my mind. I was having a conversation with myself but not with myself. I have to remember that she knows everything I'm thinking when we're together.
"No," I replied. "We can save that for another time." I just wanted to talk to Dr. Atom.
The buildings blurred beneath me as I flew faster. Skyscrapers and city lights became dots and streaks as I sped towards HQ.
I paused outside the gate. Or rather, above the gate. Jim works regular office hours, so no one was at the entrance. I could fly over, no problem, but I didn't know how to get into the building except through the main door. I flew up and circled around the building. A light shined in one of the top rooms: Dr. Atom's lab.
I hovered outside the window and looked inside. I couldn't see him, but someone must be in there. I floated back from the building a few feet.
"Dr. Atom?" I sent out a telepathic message. "It's Molly, with 8th Wonder. I'm outside your window I think..."
I waited. No response.
"Dr. Atom, are you at headquarters right now?"
I had never communicated with Dr. Atom telepathically, and the first contact is always the most difficult. Link says it's a matter of trust. You can't communicate with a mind that doesn't trust you, so the better you know the person, the better the telepathy goes. Dr. Atom has been keeping me at a distance. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't trust me.
Images flashed through my mind of my body going through the window, passing through the glass as light would. 8th Wonder was showing me alternatives. Could I really pass through glass like that? I wondered what it would feel like for my body to transform to light waves. How would I become solid again?
But then Dr. Atom was at the window, undoing the lock.
"Oh, it really is you!" He smiled at me, and I nodded.
His eyes moved over me and he shook his head in awe. It was the most emotion I have seen him show.
He backed away from the window and motioned to the room. "Um, come in. Please come in."
I floated into the room and hovered a few feet above the floor. "Hi, Dr. Atom." I was trying telepathy again. "8th Wonder and I worked out the psychic link, so now we can communicate."
"Good, that's great." He replied aloud. One-way telepathy. He didn't mind if I was open with him but he wouldn't be open with me. Dr. Atom motioned for me to move farther into the room. "If you don't mind, I'd like to run a few scans."
I nodded and moved onto the examination pad. The examination pad is a large, square gray mat in the middle of Dr. Atom's lab. There are all kinds of sensors in the mat and scanners all around it. I was careful not to touch down on the mat. I wasn't sure what material it was made of, but I would probably set it on fire.
Dr. Atom went to the control panel and flipped a few switches. Monitors behind him flickered on and he turned around to study them. The scanners were feeding the displays my temperature readings, X-rays, anatomy. One monitor was trying to classify me. It was blinking "Human hybrid" at the top of the screen but the computer couldn't figure out what the non-human part of me was.
Dr. Atom looked over at me. "This is excellent. No one else has had such close contact with 8th Wonder. Molly, can you separate from it at will?"
I floated to the far corner of the room and moved behind a curtain that closed around a bed and some medical supplies. I know that Dr. Atom is very focused on gathering facts. He was treating me like his specimen to study. I thought something like this might happen, but I wasn't getting any response from 8th Wonder.
The energy moved away from my body and I stopped glowing. My bare feet touched the cold tile floor. I pulled on a hospital gown. 8th Wonder was hovering to my side and above my head. I walked back out to the main room and the floating energy followed me.
Dr. Atom smiled. "It's good to see you, Molly. I'm happy that you've figured out how to work with 8th Wonder."
I nodded. "Thanks." I spoke aloud now that I could. "Why did you want me to separate from 8th Wonder?"
Dr. Atom waved for me to look at the monitors. "The computer couldn't classify what 8th Wonder is when you were joined. I thought maybe it could when you were separated." He looked up at the energy floating near me. "I guess it understood that I wanted it to stay."
"I understood, so she understood." I walked back onto the examination pad and 8th Wonder followed me.
The computer scanned us again and the monitors showed two beings now. Me, the human, and 8th Wonder. The computer settled on 8th Wonder being some type of energy but the monitors didn't show anything specific.
"Hmm." Dr. Atom rubbed a hand through his hair. "Well, thank you for coming tonight. I have a lot of new data to work with, but it seems we still won't know exactly what 8th Wonder is."
Maybe it's better that way, I thought. Then I shrugged. "I'm glad I could be of some help. I'm tired, so I think that's enough for tonight." All I was supposed to do is tell Dr. Atom when I worked out the connection with 8th Wonder. Task completed.
"Yes, okay."
I walked back behind the curtain and took off the gown. 8th Wonder's light filled my body again and I floated above the floor. Out in the main room I waved goodbye to Dr. Atom and then I flew back home.
S28 - Understood
In the morning, I showered, got dressed, and knocked on Ryan's door.
"Hey." He smiled and nodded for me to come in. He was wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants. I saw the pot of coffee on the counter.
"You working later today?"
"Yeah, just have some errands to run before." He walked over to the counter and poured coffee into his mug. He held the pot higher. "Would you like a cup?"
I shook my head. "No thanks."
He looked up at me. "Are you okay after last night?'
"Yeah, fine." I sat down at the kitchen table after Ryan sat. "I'm guessing you want to tell Dr. Atom about it. But 8th Wonder is coming back tonight for a sort of test run around the city. I was hoping we could wait until afterwards to tell Dr. Atom."
"Yeah, that's fine. Do you need me to come with you on this test run?"
I shrugged. "I'm not sure. 8th Wonder didn't specify."
"Well if you need me, you know how to get a hold of me." Ryan tapped the side of his forehead. "That was cool last night, the telepathy. Unexpected, but cool."
"That describes my whole night." I looked at my watch. "I should get to work. I'll let you know how it goes later." I stood up.
"Yeah, okay." Ryan and I walked to the door. "Good luck," he said, and I left.
"Hey." He smiled and nodded for me to come in. He was wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants. I saw the pot of coffee on the counter.
"You working later today?"
"Yeah, just have some errands to run before." He walked over to the counter and poured coffee into his mug. He held the pot higher. "Would you like a cup?"
I shook my head. "No thanks."
He looked up at me. "Are you okay after last night?'
"Yeah, fine." I sat down at the kitchen table after Ryan sat. "I'm guessing you want to tell Dr. Atom about it. But 8th Wonder is coming back tonight for a sort of test run around the city. I was hoping we could wait until afterwards to tell Dr. Atom."
"Yeah, that's fine. Do you need me to come with you on this test run?"
I shrugged. "I'm not sure. 8th Wonder didn't specify."
"Well if you need me, you know how to get a hold of me." Ryan tapped the side of his forehead. "That was cool last night, the telepathy. Unexpected, but cool."
"That describes my whole night." I looked at my watch. "I should get to work. I'll let you know how it goes later." I stood up.
"Yeah, okay." Ryan and I walked to the door. "Good luck," he said, and I left.
S27 - Mutual
I had a headache tonight after I took a shower. I put on my robe and was brushing my hair when I felt a pulsing in my head, behind my forehead. I went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. A shiver ran down my spine and my whole body tensed.
I don't know how I knew, but I knew that was the signal. I went out to the living room and opened the large window. I could see it coming, a faint orb of light. 8th Wonder was coming. I left the window open but I went back to my bedroom. No burning clothes this time. I took off my robe and lied it on the floor. I sat crossed-legged on top of it and closed my eyes. Made my mind blank out.
Link said if I ever thought 8th Wonder was coming, I should try meditating. I should see what happened if she came to me when my mind was clear and open. Maybe we could communicate.
I took deep breaths. Inhale, exhale. Think of nothing. Open, be open.
I saw brightness in front of me, even with my eyes closed. But I tried not to break my state of mind. Just let it happen. That's what Link said.
Then I felt it. A warm, tingling sensation over my whole body. My body temperature was rising. Then I was rising off the floor. Stay calm. Stay calm. I tried not to think about floating or how high off the ground I must be.
If it was easier to change seats in a car without exiting the car, and someone could shove you in the back seat and stop you from coming back the front, I imagine it would feel like this.
I was conscious. I knew 8th Wonder was taking over my body, but I think this was the part where my brain shuts off. Except this time it stayed on, watching. But she was in charge of moving.
My body relaxed. I uncrossed my legs and shifted into a standing position. When I opened my eyes, I could see and everything was brighter. Everything was more defined. Stronger images.
I moved--8th Wonder--moved me over toward the mirror on the wall. Floating there, I saw what Ryan must have seen a few times now. A glowing, burning figure. Woman-shaped, but not obviously me. My eyes and hair were bursting with yellow and white light. With the energy and light shifting around me, it was hard to make out my exact shape. I don't look naked. That works for me.
I felt better about that time Ryan found me.
Then I remembered I was supposed to try to communicate with 8th Wonder. I thought about introductions and mixed in some of my feelings of confusion. I thought about curiosity and questions. I tried to make her understand the uncertainty and fear that I felt, less so now than when this all began but both feelings are still there.
8th Wonder didn't respond in any way that I understood but I could feel her moving around in my mind the same way Link did the first time.
Then I felt something close to calmness from her. Reassurance.
And a whisper in my mind. "Hello?"
I echoed it. "Hello?"
"You are called Molly?"
"Yes." Was 8th Wonder really communicating with me in English? I was so sure I'd have to stick with pure telepathy. This was a nice surprise. "What do I call you?"
"You've been calling me 8th Wonder. You may continue with that name. I don't know of one more suitable."
I shrugged. We shrugged?
"So you can understand English?" I asked her.
"I share the skills you have, as you share mine."
She knows English because I know English. I liked this set up.
"Did you understand what I communicated to you before?"
"Yes."
"Okay." I looked at myself in the mirror again. What now?
"I have a question for you, if I may ask."
"Yes?"
"Before tonight, I was never aware of when you came to me. Why am I aware now?"
"You were not prepared before. But now your discipline has made you ready."
"The meditation work?"
"Yes."
"I have another question. You being here, in my body. Does that hurt me? Is it dangerous?"
"I mean you no harm, Molly. My presence does not hurt you and it is not dangerous."
"So why me then?"
The outer door clicked open. "Molly?" Ryan.
I floated out into the main room. 8th Wonder was careful to keep my feet off the carpet and not set flame to the apartment.
Ryan saw me and froze. "Oh."
"It's okay, Ryan. I'm finally awake for this part." He understood me. Everyone has low-level telepathy. It's a matter of learning how to use it, and everyone who worked with the Super Seven learned.
He looked up into my eyes, even though all he would see is light. "Am I speaking to 8th Wonder?"
The thing about telepathy is, I keep thinking people's thoughts in my mind will sound different from their voices. But they're very similar. I'd know this was Ryan talking to me even if I didn't see him.
"No, it's me. Molly," I answered. Then I wondered if my thoughts sounded different from my voice when 8th Wonder possessed me. I made a mental note to ask Ryan later.
"You're aware of what's going on right now. That's great!"
I smiled, but I don't know what it looks like when I'm like this and smile. Hopefully it still looks like a happy smile.
"Molly, are you talking to her too?"
"Yes. It's better than I expected."
Ryan laughed. "Good, good." Then he said aloud, "Are you planning to go out? Should I grab my suit?"
8th Wonder conveyed a 'no' to me. I shook my head. I think all I can do when 8th Wonder possesses me is use telepathy. I tried forming words but none came out. So instead I thought, "No, we're staying in. Just talking I think."
Ryan nodded. He moved back to telepathy. "Okay, good. I'll let you two alone then. I'll be next door if you need anything."
"Okay, thanks."
He left and shut the door behind him.
The rest of what happened that night is hard for me to explain here. Writing down telepathic conversations is easy when they're in English, but what 8th Wonder told me after Ryan left was in pure telepathy. Concepts and emotions. She explained to me what her purpose is, why she chose me, and how this connection between us works. It's all in my head now, but it's hard for me to explain. Maybe it'll be easier after I've had time to think about what she told me.
I woke up the next morning in my bed. I didn't remember when 8th Wonder left or if I dreamed, but I felt rested.
I don't know how I knew, but I knew that was the signal. I went out to the living room and opened the large window. I could see it coming, a faint orb of light. 8th Wonder was coming. I left the window open but I went back to my bedroom. No burning clothes this time. I took off my robe and lied it on the floor. I sat crossed-legged on top of it and closed my eyes. Made my mind blank out.
Link said if I ever thought 8th Wonder was coming, I should try meditating. I should see what happened if she came to me when my mind was clear and open. Maybe we could communicate.
I took deep breaths. Inhale, exhale. Think of nothing. Open, be open.
I saw brightness in front of me, even with my eyes closed. But I tried not to break my state of mind. Just let it happen. That's what Link said.
Then I felt it. A warm, tingling sensation over my whole body. My body temperature was rising. Then I was rising off the floor. Stay calm. Stay calm. I tried not to think about floating or how high off the ground I must be.
If it was easier to change seats in a car without exiting the car, and someone could shove you in the back seat and stop you from coming back the front, I imagine it would feel like this.
I was conscious. I knew 8th Wonder was taking over my body, but I think this was the part where my brain shuts off. Except this time it stayed on, watching. But she was in charge of moving.
My body relaxed. I uncrossed my legs and shifted into a standing position. When I opened my eyes, I could see and everything was brighter. Everything was more defined. Stronger images.
I moved--8th Wonder--moved me over toward the mirror on the wall. Floating there, I saw what Ryan must have seen a few times now. A glowing, burning figure. Woman-shaped, but not obviously me. My eyes and hair were bursting with yellow and white light. With the energy and light shifting around me, it was hard to make out my exact shape. I don't look naked. That works for me.
I felt better about that time Ryan found me.
Then I remembered I was supposed to try to communicate with 8th Wonder. I thought about introductions and mixed in some of my feelings of confusion. I thought about curiosity and questions. I tried to make her understand the uncertainty and fear that I felt, less so now than when this all began but both feelings are still there.
8th Wonder didn't respond in any way that I understood but I could feel her moving around in my mind the same way Link did the first time.
Then I felt something close to calmness from her. Reassurance.
And a whisper in my mind. "Hello?"
I echoed it. "Hello?"
"You are called Molly?"
"Yes." Was 8th Wonder really communicating with me in English? I was so sure I'd have to stick with pure telepathy. This was a nice surprise. "What do I call you?"
"You've been calling me 8th Wonder. You may continue with that name. I don't know of one more suitable."
I shrugged. We shrugged?
"So you can understand English?" I asked her.
"I share the skills you have, as you share mine."
She knows English because I know English. I liked this set up.
"Did you understand what I communicated to you before?"
"Yes."
"Okay." I looked at myself in the mirror again. What now?
"I have a question for you, if I may ask."
"Yes?"
"Before tonight, I was never aware of when you came to me. Why am I aware now?"
"You were not prepared before. But now your discipline has made you ready."
"The meditation work?"
"Yes."
"I have another question. You being here, in my body. Does that hurt me? Is it dangerous?"
"I mean you no harm, Molly. My presence does not hurt you and it is not dangerous."
"So why me then?"
The outer door clicked open. "Molly?" Ryan.
I floated out into the main room. 8th Wonder was careful to keep my feet off the carpet and not set flame to the apartment.
Ryan saw me and froze. "Oh."
"It's okay, Ryan. I'm finally awake for this part." He understood me. Everyone has low-level telepathy. It's a matter of learning how to use it, and everyone who worked with the Super Seven learned.
He looked up into my eyes, even though all he would see is light. "Am I speaking to 8th Wonder?"
The thing about telepathy is, I keep thinking people's thoughts in my mind will sound different from their voices. But they're very similar. I'd know this was Ryan talking to me even if I didn't see him.
"No, it's me. Molly," I answered. Then I wondered if my thoughts sounded different from my voice when 8th Wonder possessed me. I made a mental note to ask Ryan later.
"You're aware of what's going on right now. That's great!"
I smiled, but I don't know what it looks like when I'm like this and smile. Hopefully it still looks like a happy smile.
"Molly, are you talking to her too?"
"Yes. It's better than I expected."
Ryan laughed. "Good, good." Then he said aloud, "Are you planning to go out? Should I grab my suit?"
8th Wonder conveyed a 'no' to me. I shook my head. I think all I can do when 8th Wonder possesses me is use telepathy. I tried forming words but none came out. So instead I thought, "No, we're staying in. Just talking I think."
Ryan nodded. He moved back to telepathy. "Okay, good. I'll let you two alone then. I'll be next door if you need anything."
"Okay, thanks."
He left and shut the door behind him.
The rest of what happened that night is hard for me to explain here. Writing down telepathic conversations is easy when they're in English, but what 8th Wonder told me after Ryan left was in pure telepathy. Concepts and emotions. She explained to me what her purpose is, why she chose me, and how this connection between us works. It's all in my head now, but it's hard for me to explain. Maybe it'll be easier after I've had time to think about what she told me.
I woke up the next morning in my bed. I didn't remember when 8th Wonder left or if I dreamed, but I felt rested.
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