Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Savannah and I continued to work on my training every day.  She had lesson plans each morning, and we worked for hours at a time, pushing my mental abilities to their limits.  Each night I called Dustin, praying that he would answer, but for a week straight, there was no word.

I checked in with my parents periodically, hoping they wouldn't notice the depression seeping into every word I uttered.  They rattled on and on about their plans for the upcoming holiday season, making me more determined than ever to get a handle on my "issues".  I wanted to go home and feel the warmth and dependability of my family.  Now more than ever, I was missing what had always kept me going when times get tough, my loved ones.

"How are you feeling this morning?"  Savannah was at the dining room table, a huge plate piled high with breakfast delicacies.

"A little tired, but otherwise, okay."  I sat down and began filling my plate.  "What's on the agenda for today?"  I noticed that Kaitlyn wasn't at the table.

"I figured we could start working on your telekinesis control, if you feel up to it."

I nodded.  "I'm fine.  I just want to get as much training in as possible, so I can get back to my regular life."  I knew Savannah could feel my angry disposition.

"Katie, you have to be calm during this section of your training.  Telekinesis can be very dangerous in the hands of someone who is emotionally compromised, as you have already experienced.  Maybe we should do something different today."

"No."  I argued.  "I really need to get that under control.  I have done a lot of damage because I can't control it, and it seems to be tied to my emotions, no matter what.  I can calm myself enough to work through it, I promise."

She studied me a moment, and then replied, "We will see how it goes, but if I feel like you are too emotional to continue, I will stop the lesson."

I finished my bagel.  "Fair enough.  Where will we be working?  Somewhere without a lot of glass, I hope." I replied, referring to the total destruction of my room the night Dustin had left.

She caught my sarcasm.  "I've planned for us to work in one of the empty rooms in the west wing.  Of course, there are windows, but the furnishings are minimal, and we can introduce small objects for you to work with, and increase them depending on how well you do."

"Alright.  When should we start?"

"Right now, if you are ready."  She pushed her chair back and stood up.

"Where's Kaitlyn?"  I followed Savannah up the stairs.

"She had some things to take care of."  She didn't elaborate.

The room Savannah had chosen was indeed empty.  She had placed two chairs in the middle of the room, surrounding a small card table.  On the card table was a soccer ball.  I looked at her, confused.

She smiled when she caught my expression.  "It's not made of glass."

"Touché.'"  I replied, as I sat in one of the chairs.

I gave myself a mental pep talk.  No more messing around.  If I was going to finish my training, I was going to have to man up and focus. I cringed as I thought of all of Savannah's property that I had already ruined.  Maybe I could get a credit card...

"Okay," She began.  "We are going to work on controlling your telekinetic abilities today.  We know that you're currently emotionally triggered, and we need to stabilize that, so you don't do any harm to yourself or anyone else."

"I know.  I can't apologize enough for all the damage I have done to your home since I got here.  Someday, I hope I get the chance to make it up to you."

"As I've told you many times, materialistic things mean nothing to me.  I can always buy more vases, and as you noticed, it took less than 24 hours to replace the windows in your room.  Collateral damage is a side effect of proper training."

I realized that she truly meant it, and I tried to dispel my personal feelings of responsibility.

She grabbed a candle from the corner of the room and set it on the table, as she took her place in the chair in front of me.   "You have gotten good at elemental control, but you need to be able to do it in your mind, without having to close your eyes.  I want you to light the candle again, but this time I want you to keep your eyes open, while still looking into your mind.  Does that make sense?"

I nodded, hesitantly.  "I think so."  I stared at the candle in the middle of the table, and tried to focus.  I felt my subconscious take over, as the candle began to flicker.

I started to close my eyes, but Savannah put her hand over mine.  "Keep your eyes open.  See everything in your mind."

I narrowed my eyes at the candle, and gave a push of energy.  The wick immediately lit, and the candle glowed a strong orange.  "Yes!"  I exclaimed, in triumph.

Savannah looked on, with approval.  "Now, extinguish the flame."

I turned back to the candle, and reversed the process.  The flame went out with a puff of smoke.

"Again."  Savannah ordered.

I worked with the candle for almost an hour, igniting and extinguishing with my eyes open, until I felt like I could do it with no effort.  Savannah gave me continuous praise, telling me that once I had it, I would always be able to do it.

"Now, we are going to shake things up a bit.  I want you to pick up the soccer ball.  See it in your mind, just like you do for lighting the candle, but this time, see it rising from the table."

I tried to focus on the ball in my mind, seeing it levitate and hover in the air over the table.  Unfortunately, it didn't move.  I tried again with the same result.  "It's obviously not the same as lighting a candle."  I glared at the insolent ball.

"It's the same type of energy transfer."  She said, matter of fact.  "It's all about seeing it happen in your mind."

I took a deep breath and tried again, but the ball still stayed where it was.

Savannah narrowed her eyes.  "Have you heard from Dustin yet?"

I spun around and glared at her.  "No, but thank you for reminding me of the most painful thing in my life right now."  I felt my heart break at the sound of Dustin's name.

"I wonder if he's going to come back," she mused.  "And if he does, will he see a girl who has mastered her powers, or a girl who's still just pretending?"

I looked back at the ball and willed it to move with every fiber of my being.  It vibrated for a moment before it levitated two feet above the table.  I turned to her, my face a mask of pure determination.  "He will see whatever I want him to see."  I returned the ball to the table with one quick look, and headed out of the room.

Savannah followed me out the door.  "Katie, wait."

I stopped, but refused to meet her eyes.  "What?"

"I'm sorry, but I needed to trigger your emotions.  Your power is tied into the emotional responses your body creates, and I figured you would be able to achieve your task easier if you were angry."

I gave her a side glance.  "Seriously?"

"Don't be mad.  I did it for your own good.  Now you know how to trigger your power."

I stopped and thought for a moment.  "Tricky.  What now?"

"Let's try a few more levitations, and then we can be done for the day."  She led me down to the library.  "Why don't you try and pull one of those books off the shelf?"

I pictured Dustin standing in front of me, and immediately felt the emotional pull I needed.  The book flew off the shelf and crashed to the floor.

"Excellent."  Savannah confirmed.  "Now put it back, and this time, control it so it goes in gently."

I fixed my stare on the book, and imagined it slowly rejoining the others on the shelf.  Without hesitation, the book levitated back to its original spot.

Savannah threw her arms around my neck.  "Katie, you are amazing!  I'm sorry I had to bring up such a painful subject, but it's exactly what you needed to unblock your power."

"Am I going to have to feel emotional pain every time I want to do that?"

She linked her eyes with mine.  "I don't know.  It's still so new for you.  Only time will tell, but I suspect the more you do it, the less emotional encouragement you will need."

I pulled away from her.  "Can we be done for the day?"

She nodded, and stepped aside.  "If you need anything..."  She trailed off.

I brushed past her and headed to my room.  I wasn't in the mood for girl talk, and all I wanted was a hot shower and a nap.

I spent the rest of the day working out in my room, trying to keep my mind off the ever-growing loneliness in my heart.  Each day without Dustin was more painful, and I wasn't sure I could keep from going crazy if I didn't see him soon.  I finished my last set of push-ups and curled up on my bed, letting exhaustion take me away.

I awoke to the sound of my phone ringing.  It was dark, and I had to fumble around to reach it before it went to voicemail.  "Dustin?"  I answered, with hope.

"Katie?"  It was Dani.  "How are you?  Is everything okay?"

I sat up and rubbed my eyes.  "Hi.  Have you heard from Dustin?"

She sighed.  "I talked to him briefly yesterday.  He didn't say much, except that he needed some time alone and he would call me again soon."

I felt the tears coming again.  "Did he mention where he was?"

"No."

I tried to keep my voice even.  "Okay, I guess I deserve it."

"What happened?"  She asked, concerned.

"It's a long story."  I replied.  "But it's totally my fault, and I may have lost him forever."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but you sound terrible."

I lost my battle of strength, and began to cry.  "Dani, it's awful.  I feel like my heart is literally tearing apart.  I never imagined that something could hurt this badly."

"Oh Katie. Okay," She interrupted.  "I'm going to come out and see you tomorrow.  I'll call Savannah and let her know."

It made me feel better knowing that I would see her familiar face.  Savannah and Kaitlyn were kind and I considered them friends, but Dani was almost like family, and that's exactly what I needed.

"I'll see you tomorrow.  Love you."  She disconnected.

I checked my voicemail one more time, and was disappointed once again.  I dialed Dustin's number, even though I knew he wouldn't answer.  "It's me.  I miss you.  Please come back.  I love you."  The same message over and over.

I wondered whether I could send him a telepathic message.  I closed my eyes and conjured up his face in my mind.  His beautiful green eyes and perfect heart shaped face, his strong arms and sculpted chest.  I could feel my heart pounding with anticipation.  "Dustin, please hear me.  I can't stand being without you.  I love you more than you will ever know and I'm so sorry."

I tried to project it, but without his beautiful green eyes to fixate on, it just felt like I was talking to empty air.  I curled up under my blanket, and fell back to sleep.

A/N-Katie's depression is getting the best of her. Can Savannah keep her focused or will her broken heart ruin all her hard work? Let me know what you think in the comments! Luvs as always!! AM