Ciarán?" a voice queried from the side of the room. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisA6NonTRN
The person in question, a boy currently in his teenage years, stares blankly at the John McLaughlin painting hanging on the wall in front of him. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki0lt8RDCk
It was the only splash of color that he could see in the otherwise pristine white walls or perhaps even in the whole sparsely decorated room. The settee provided for him to sit on was upholstered in soft white velvet. The smooth linoleum floors glistened like cold hard marble. The table in front of him, though made of stainless steel was topped with white-ash wood, tinted and glazed to an almost-white color, muting down any hint of warm hues from its natural state. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEQpsiwGdO
Ciarán lowers his gaze for a moment, watching how the meager rays of sun light floats into the room and hits the glass covering the painting. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H6JOIL4u4
He frowns. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo26tmN16b3
Though the painting was a truly a classically modern work of art in its contemporary genre, he still felt the colors were too subdued.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfmtpwbOAo
Too structured. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V7yxnhWae
Too pale. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewlzE3uMHM
Too enforced to be in their respective place. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXj5Vmn2Yc
For Ciarán, his preferences were more widely attuned with the abstract, where warm and cool colors collide while the viewers' eyes are captivated by the vibrantly wild and raw quality of the piece at hand, never truly sure of whether where it belongs or stay in one place. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1lernXowh
Even he would prefer a Noland. Though similar in style it at least had a vivid quality that would contrast well with the sterile whiteness of the room. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9aEQxO2vS
Ciarán could see it now, images begin to swirl in his head.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug15WRIMnk
Colors all around him, hazy and blurred, they appear almost like sfumato except for a form that sharpens in the middle. Its shape resembles a silhouette, obscured by the bright light at its back yet Ciarán could still make out the details. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQMNpj6iTn
Closer and closer, he manages to focus his eyes to the silhouette.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKcM1ekS0i
"Mr. Byrne." The voice calls again. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3sa6uKRyt
This time, the tone laced in subdued impatience.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7dvDeNwfU
And like a pin bursting through his bubble of thoughts, Ciarán snaps back to reality and to the white-clad room.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDBKQHSVwP
Slowly, he lowers his eyes further until they land on the stern-looking figure behind the table1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh72LABSK9k
His wayward gaze meets her cold calculating stare. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0l8OlPjMB
The same stare she had gifted him the first time he met her a few weeks ago. The same stare that always made him feel like there's something more lurking from her albeit reserved appearance and charismatic smile. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvqAPVfjDS
It made him feel like she's waiting – waiting for something to happen. Only, he wasn't sure what it was. It was times like this that he always dreaded the past few weeks, having to attend sessions with her. Sitting on the same old chair and facing her as he pours out all his thoughts of delusion while she writes them down, each paragraph labeling him closer to being mentally insane. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgNeZOjTRT
" Ciarán, are you with me?" She asks, a slight crinkle etched on her brow.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQnyOxrlqh
"Yes?" He hesitantly replies, his voice a bit too husky for his age.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG14sjW2pzZ
"Do you know why you're here?" 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rDiQPuDYV
It was always the same question she asks to start their session. One that which Ciarán always fail to answer coherently.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUTvUyzhwI
"Uhh," he gulped, the sound almost audible in the room. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA7eQOjpyg
He looks around, his eyes darting from side to side, as if the whole room was closing in. He never was good at being asked on the spot. Or being the center of attention – be it in a crowd or with just another person. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppXmUznuzz
With a deep inhalation, he replies "No."1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNCZc4qvaP
He watches as she scribbles something on her notepad. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3glCHR7hu
He glances at the clock on the right side of the desk, listening as it ticks away by the second.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH5G6X0gXN
TICK! TOCK! TICK! TOCK!1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcH59XwZbT
" Ciarán, are you aware of the events that led you here?"1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNycGreY8r
He gives her what he hopes to be a sheepish smile. "Honestly Doc, I don't really kn-"1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPrstOUywu
TICK! TOCK! TICK! TOCK! 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdPBeE0Su0
The clock goes on. Louder and louder like an echo.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3rx5m0dmb
Like being in the deepest depths of the sea, it drowns his ears until all that he could hear was the drumming sound of his own pulse.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vWiv8BUWl
" Ciarán?" The doctor asks again, her pen dangling a few centimeters from her notepad. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnlMAbAb3U
Ciarán barely hears her, as if the very waves of sound were stuck, suspended on the surface as the waves they were. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQhFrn5dN6
Ciarán rubs his temple as a new sound begins to appear. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPWV3rmAXD
This time, it was a piercing sound, almost like a slow drumming of static before turning into a constant ringing. His childhood physician had jotted it down as a mild case of Tinnitus but he knew it wasn't the case. The ringing kept on occurring in sporadic rates throughout the years. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMWeTZzSPO
He continues to rub his temple, shaking his head until it finally disappears. At least, for the meantime.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFhufB1WPU
He clears his throat. "I'm sorry, you were saying something?"1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N6tE5zYUY
She sighs and walks around the table. She stops in front of him, leaning gracefully on the side of the table. Arms planted by her sides, she looks down and looks at him again in the eye. This time her expression lacks most of their icy reserve.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2L2NNcaDg
"Ciarán, I know our last few sessions didn't exactly start on the right foot. I also know that you don't want to be here but please remember that I'm just trying to help you."1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj044j2jIh3
Right, as if he hadn't heard that spiel before. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0pWzQbBbg
"Well, I don't exactly recall myself asking for help." He mutters, unable to conceal the bitterness in his voice. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LBeTWRGmP
He turns his head away, not wanting to see her reaction. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3E7aRGrE3
When he did glance her briefly through his periphery, he adds, "So you might as well just write that down because that's all you're gonna get."1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6glYEklmq
He didn't see her gaze softening but he did hear her sigh. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC2EXvex49
"Unfortunately, I can't do that." 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FrUPkAtun
She reaches in the right pocket of her slacks and pulls out a small silvery object. When she raises it to his view, it got caught in the reflection of the light. The fleeting bounce of light was enough to catch his attention.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOkL2tzZCF
"Ciarán, what do you see?" she asks, holding up the object closer to him.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzSyD7VNb9
"A quarter?" he responds skeptically, not sure of where the sudden shift of subject would lead to.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PlmHC1Jd0
"Now, that's where you're wrong. This," she gestures at the coin, "is more than just a quarter. It's a memorabilia passed down through generations and it holds a certain part of a past almost like a story." 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yFtAj58Vd
She places the coin on the table by its rim where both sides can be seen. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVuNLWZxJH
Still not letting go of the coin, she adds, "In fact, on my grandfather's word and many of those before him, had sworn that they still see glimpses of the past and helps them remember. Now, I don't particularly believe in such phenomena that can't be logically explained and experienced in a non-vicarial manner. Shall we try to find out?"1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYMq0IKfzq
Ciarán merely shrugs before the doctor spins the coin. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJgLNUQMYX
Round and round, it goes, until all the naked eye could see was a flashing blur. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HIsqdusza
"Ciarán, if you may, I need you to look at the coin. I want you to focus on it and slowly, take a deep breath and let it out."1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0GhAcDB9G
Eyes transfixed, he follows the instructions of her lulling voice. Breathing deeply, he exhales, letting go of the tensions that once knotted his shoulders.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTtpCecAha
"Good. I want you to keep on doing that while I ask you some questions. You're gonna answer them, won't you Ciarán?"1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PdDt0WNbk
"Yes," he breathes out.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkawaXkogzD
"Very good. Now, let's start all over again. Why do you think you're here?"1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ0kBh9KP9
"I," he licks his lips and gulps, a slight a hesitation in his voice. "I'm here because-because... I can move stuff with my mind."1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6PBtFoK8w
"What sort of stuff?"1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0me4BMKkC
Another gulp. The clock ticks twice before he answers. "Anything. I 'pushed' the end of a crane to crush Sam's dad. I-I swear I didn't," he breaks off, his chest shaking at the memory, "I didn't mean to... do it."1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eDZs3X9PV
The doctor lays a comforting hand on his shoulder. Its warmth temperature brought a much-needed respite to calm the cold vicious nerves entangling his lungs. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdJ1zqnrpl
"Hush, relax, Ciarán. Nobody thinks that you did it on purpose."1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE5Dtu2yAr
"But they do." He mutters harshly, "you should've seen them. Sam... Mike... Mrs. Lopez...the other kids at school, even- even my sister. They've always looked at me like I'm some sort of a freak." 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwAsngxNZ6
He bites out the last word, remembering the cruel words the others had called him. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVAz62rERG
"But are you?"1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFl5RG56re
"No!" He breaks his gaze from the coin, facing her squarely and shrugging her hand off his shoulder. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTITiPKLiPE
He looks her straight in the eyes before turning his head back towards the coin, "At least, I don't want to be. Maybe I am a freak, I wouldn't know if I were one."1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZc2wfUUPM
"I don't." 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYxt9PwJt9
His eyes, while never leaving the coin, widen in surprise. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4316q4nRj
"How would you know?" He snorts incredulously. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAkaag3Wrx
The doctor merely shrugs. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOvypzuf4i
"I don't know for sure. But what I can say is you're a special young man."1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheXFbWiVxz
"Come on, doc. You can't possibly think I would believe that nonsense. You're just saying this for my sake." 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKOtJanQOY
She tilts her head to the side, a confused expression on her face. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHp5q7Gio6
"You keep insisting that gift of yours is a curse, and here I am telling you otherwise. Yet, you still won't believe. What really eats you up from the inside? What else makes you think that you're a freak, besides the telekinesis?" 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vUIwc7cn1
He shakes his head, his voice rough, "No, you just don't get it doc. It's not just the mind-moving-telekinesis-shit you're going on. I'm a freak!"
Out of nowhere, the painting hanging on wall dropped on the floor in a loud thud. The glasses on the wall vibrating in a moderate hum, cracks threatening to break the surface. The forgotten glass of water on the table bubbles, slowly tipping off the rim of the glass.
Ciaràn leans in, his eyes clouded with an eery gleam. The coin spins faster than ever, losing its own shape in its motion and appearing like a blur.
He grits,"I'm a freak because whenever I sleep inside my room, I always wake up in who-knows-where. The recent one was in my neighbor's house. In bed. With his daughter. I'm a freak because wherever I go, I see her while no else does– and she distracts me like hell!"
CRACK!
The glass from the windows finally breaks, the water spills upward.
He can feel it now. The power he had been keeping at bay flows through this veins in an electric rush. He clenches his fist to reel it back in. He barely succeeds.
The water stops in midair, the splashes like rain drops floating above them. It suspends on an invisible force.
He motions his head to her and asks bitterly, "So you tell me, doc, do you still deny that I'm a freak? An insane freak?"
"Yes." She simply replies.He grunts and takes a deep breath. Slowly the water falls back down to the glass. The cracks on the window recedes.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YUNgyiZAR
Ciaràn grits his teeth, his gaze unblinking and still focused on the coin. As if by looking away, he would lose grip over his sanity and temperance.
"From what you've just told me, I don't think you're special,"
Ciaràn scoffs.
"Rather, you are a very special young man who had been through so much pain and enmity and in need to relax." 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEhu5qD4cc
She places her hand again on his shoulder, applying a bit of pressure this time. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzcwYhBYlG
"Breathe."1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMs8Zdldsr
He defiantly does so. Again and again he breathes until the flow of air comes easier into his lungs.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwgILU249k
"Better," she remarks. "Now, about the girl. Can you tell me more about her?"1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOObVnMDA6
"What about her?" he asks, unsure at the turn of their conversation.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8huOFcgIr
"Anything. Any thing you can think or remember about her."1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kNnSPO9ES
"I don't-" he tilts his head to the side, "I don't know what to say."1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOoWxacsJI
Ciaràn thinks back to the blurred form earlier, to the silhouette who had her back against the bright light. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRIfuD71DT
Slowly, he can see her clearly now. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx05ZXn45x
The haze disappears, showing the fine details of her face kissed by the warm sunlight. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmfP65R5v4
Threading across a field towards him, floating like a nymph. Hair as dark as grey ash whipping wildly against her ethereally stunning visage. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZbwFm6bdh
He blinks, and all of a sudden he finds himself mere inches from her. She slowly turns her back to him, silently urging him to follow her. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5k7ZTnF3a
He respires as he watches as her movement in the wind causes the silk strands to lightly caress a pair of wide sensuous lips. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuodiJnC5F
Her eyes. Christ, her eyes! 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPucTFODOj
Like the misty sky from the mountains tops after a cold wintry night and speckled with light silver-grey specks, captivates his senses. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NmK7jn9Am
And when she smiles sensuously, when those beautifully curved lips meet, a merest hint of a dimple appears and he finds his jaw slacks.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oNeB4kkWo
He really was insane. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5bCOiBHhA
He had to be. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWFpZIUJCI
No one could be that beautiful as her and still be real.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj0SYN0ytR
"It's alright, take your time. Just think and say something about her like a"-1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc76r5wFlMD
"Like a story?" he inquires, the side of his mouth quirking as if amused at the idea.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVPFzMSrJj
"Yes. Exactly. Like a story," she nods encouragingly.1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH3Oz81bqA
Ciaràn lets out a shaky laugh to himself. 1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjycQAxrjJ
"I don't even know where to begin."1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLSonIndZn
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Copyright © 2018 by Andrea Cassandra Lei Meñosa1006Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ208Cg4TV94
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