The Gifted Read Free Page A

to me. I mean,
one time at home, just to be silly, I came downstairs for breakfast
and my mom was in the kitchen and my dad was at the table and I sat
down like I usually do, except I was only wearing my underwear.
They never even said anything. Not even when I opened the door to
go to school. Just before I walked out, I pretended I had forgotten
something and I went upstairs to put on some pants and a
shirt.”
    “Guido,” said the doctor, “has the gift of
unobtrusiveness.”
    “The what?” I said.
    “Like Un-noticeability,” said Guido. “And
there’s no doubt about that, I'm a clothing optional kind of guy. I
could probably tap-dance naked on a table while you all ate dinner
and you wouldn't even know I was there.”
    “Gross!” said Tracy again. “You’re
weird.”
    “Let's not call him weird, Tracy,” said the
doctor. “Setting fire to things at will is not entirely normal, is
it?”
    “I guess not,” she said.
    “Han, why don't you go next,” said the
doctor.
    The kid behind me said in a low, quiet tone,
“Hi, I'm Han.”
    “Yeah, Han, so what's your gift?” said Guido
clearly curious.
    Han adjusted his glasses and without even
looking up, said, “I like to make Origami.”
    “That's not anything special,” said Tracy.
“Anyone can fold paper.”
    “What Han is referring to,” said the doctor,
“is that when he makes something out of paper, he can infuse
energies into that paper, that to all observers might look like. .
.how do I say this?”
    “They come to life,” said Han looking up
now.
    “Wow,” said Tracy. “Wow, that is so cool!”
    Dr. Denay motioned to us with his hands,
“These gifts you have are so exceedingly rare that you are the
first to be found in the U.S. In fact, your existence has only been
documented within the last few weeks. We’re assembling a list of
kids, which right now is very short.”
    The doctor pushed his glasses up on his nose.
“I am here to help you begin the adjustment to your remarkable
abilities, although my services are mostly for this introduction.
If, however, you would like to talk further, I will be on the base.
You may have noticed the high security getting in here. That is for
you. Who knows what would happen if others got ahold of you
kids.”
    “For now, you will remain here. Each of you
were in danger of being kidnapped and two of you were rescued, so
you will not be able to go back home for awhile. They are still
after you. Anyway, just know that in this place, you are safe.”
    “You mean we have to sleep here?” said Guido.
“What about our parents?”
    At the mention of the word parents, Tracy
jerked back in her seat as though she had been hit with
something.
    Dr. Denay didn’t seem to notice “They should
be safe, since your kidnappers were only after you.”
    Tracy jumped to her feet, “Safe! Safe? You
call that safe?” She banged her fists on the table, her hair flung
over her eyes, and she ran out of the room. When I looked at where
her fists hit the table, I could see a wet smear shining on the
surface.

Chapter 4: Tricksters
    Dr. Denay paused for a few seconds like a
boxer between rounds. He took three deep breaths and looked tired
as he stared down at the table, contemplating something.
    His gaze came back to us. “It’s getting kind
of late and I’m sure you’re tired. You each have rooms to the left
down the hallway; through the door marked with a ‘D.’ Have a good
night’s sleep.”
    We stood and began to leave. As we reached
the door, Dr. Denay said, “As I said, I will be available if you
need me, but tomorrow they have you scheduled to begin
training.”
    I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I was too
tired to ask. After what happened with Tracy, I no longer felt
angry. Whatever she was keeping inside, it was much stronger than
what I felt.
    Han, Guido and I walked down the hallway to
our rooms. At first we walked quietly because of all that had
happened with Tracy. Then Guido, even though I didn’t