The Weapon Within: A Paranormal Dystopian Adventure (The Unexplainables Book 1) (5 page)

*

I woke up feeling refreshed and full of energy, after the best night’s sleep I’d had in a long time. Esther insisted that I stay in bed, though, and brought up endless trays laden with chicken noodle soup, homemade bread and all sorts of wonderful treats that she’d baked for me. When Oscar came to see me on the Friday evening, I practically begged him to talk to her.

‘
Actually,’ he grinned, ‘I was going to speak to her anyway. My friends and I are going to meet up at the diner tomorrow. Would you like to come?’

‘
Really? Are you serious?’

‘
If you want to.’

‘
I do, I do! Absolutely I do!’ Flinging my arms around his neck I hugged him then, realising what I’d done, I scampered back under the covers, my cheeks blushing furiously. Oscar threw back his head and laughed loudly.

‘
So that’s a yes then?’

‘
Yes, it’s a yes,’ I replied.

‘
Great. Well I’d better go check its ok with your guardians.’ He got up and walked across to the door.

‘
Oscar?’ He paused and looked back at me, his eyes shining with humour. ‘What’s a diner?’

He let out a bellow of a laugh and left the room shaking his head.

E
sther made me sit downstairs in the lounge for the entire next day so that she could keep an eye on me. When three o’clock came, she looked me over with a critical eye, pushed some money into my hand then bundled me out of the door into Oscar’s car. Music blared from somewhere by my knees and Oscar sang along cheerfully.

The diner was situated to the north of the town in a small industrial park. It stood alone, in front of a huge shoppin
g centre. Inside, there were tables in the middle of the room and large booths around the edges. Neon lights flashed overhead and a large juke box stood against one wall, churning out pop songs. At the far end of the room was the kitchen area. Dozens of people in yellow aprons were rushing around trying to get orders ready. Oscar led me over to a booth which was already occupied by Noah, Kenzie, Lissa and Skye, who gave me a strange look and went back to her conversation with Kenzie. Remembering my exit from the barbeque, I felt the warmth of a blush creeping across my cheeks. Noah was the only one who greeted me as though nothing had happened. He gestured for me to sit next to him and I did so gratefully. Skye patted the seat next to her and Oscar slipped in beside her.

We
’d been there about five minutes when a harassed looking girl wearing a yellow cap and apron approached our booth.

‘
Hiya, what can I get you?’

‘
Hey, Beth, how are you?’ Oscar smiled at the girl.

‘
Oh, it’s you,’ the girl smiled back, wiping the back of her hand across her brow. ‘I’m ok, thanks. Is it the usual tonight?’ She looked around the table and stopped when she got to me. ‘Oh, hi!’

‘
Sorry, Beth, this is Ava. Ava, this is Beth.’ We smiled at each other. Beth had a pretty face with gentle pale blue eyes, freckles across her nose and dark red hair which was tied back in a chunky plait. ‘And yes,’ Oscar continued, ‘we’ll have the usual. How about you Ava? What would you like?’

‘
Um . . .’

‘
The others have the burger and fries,’ Beth explained, ‘apart from Kenzie who has the veggie burger. Would you like to try one of those?’

‘
I’ll try the veggie one please.’

The diner door
opened and a group of youths entered. Beth looked over at them and groaned. ‘Oh, great. Just when I thought this evening couldn’t get any more fun,’ she muttered before rushing back to the kitchen.

For a while I sat
quietly, watching the other customers. The little group that had just come into the diner caught my eye more than the rest. They’d headed over to a booth directly opposite where I was sitting, which had been occupied by a couple of younger boys who’d vacated their seats immediately, leaving half their meals behind. The three boys and two girls then slouched into the booth and sat waiting to be served, banging their fists on the table and shouting insults at the waiting staff.

‘
They’re a right bunch of idiots,’ Noah said quietly in my ear. ‘They’re always upsetting someone.’

‘
Why?’

‘
Because they can,’ he shrugged. ‘The one with the buzz cut is Connor. His dad, Marcus, is the security manager who came to the farm looking for you. Connor thinks he’s untouchable.’ Noah scowled. ‘The others just follow in his shadow really.’

‘
I’ve seen them before,’ I realised. ‘The first night I came into town. They scared me. Are they Nexes?’

Noah snorted.
‘The only power they have is the power to cause chaos and get away with it. Doesn’t make them any less dangerous than us though. Oscar told me what happened at the bus stop. Funny how there’s never any security around when it’s them that’s causing trouble.’

‘
Tell me about it,’ Oscar agreed, twisting around to see the group. ‘Connor’s a nasty piece of work at the best of times and Tariq – that’s the guy with the longish dark hair; he’ll do whatever Connor tells him to. He’s big into martial arts. The other guy, Nathaniel, is ok when he’s on his own but when he’s with that lot he turns into a right tosser.’

‘
What about the girls?’ I asked. The one with the long blonde hair seemed to be draped across Connor and the other was talking animatedly to Tariq. ‘Is that Connor’s girlfriend?’

Kenzie let out a bark of a laugh.
‘She wishes! It’s disgusting really – just look at her. She’s all over him! You’d think she’d have learnt her lesson by now but she just lets him string her along no matter how badly he treats her. You should see them at college – Chantelle practically sits on his lap half the time.’

‘
When she’s not in the bathroom crying because he’s been flirting with another girl,’ Lissa put in quietly. I was about to ask another question when we were interrupted by a waiter who carefully unloaded a tray full of food and drinks on to our table. The smell was incredible and I was happy to immerse myself in the new flavours and textures for a while.

Across th
e other side of the diner, Beth emerged from the kitchen area carrying another tray, which had several plates of food on it. She was walking with a look of grim determination on her face towards the booth where Connor and his friends were sitting. Tariq stuck his foot out just as Beth came level with them. She didn’t see it and tripped, squealing loudly as she fell forwards. The tray flew up into the air and the plates and their contents came crashing down, all over the floor. Sitting with my burger halfway to my mouth, I watched in shock as poor Beth tried to pick herself up whilst Connor and his friends doubled up with laughter. A middle-aged man rushed out of the kitchen and across to the table. Connor contorted his face into an angry expression and spoke loudly enough so that the whole restaurant could hear him.

‘
For fuck’s sake, she’s ruined our dinner! Can’t you employ some decent staff?’

‘
That’s quite enough.’ The man glared at the group. ‘There’s no need for that kind of language. This is a family establishment.’

‘
There’s every need,’ Connor retorted. ‘She’s splashed my shirt, look!’ He pulled the bottom of the fabric up so that the manager could see. ‘The very least you can do is replace our dinner for free.’

‘
It was an accident,’ the man replied coldly. ‘I will sort out some replacement food straight away and we’ll bring you some free desserts when you’re ready. Can you clear that up please, Beth?’

‘
Why did they do that?’ I turned back to the table and realised that Noah was standing up, his jaw set and his fists clenched as he watched Beth placing bits of broken crockery on to the tray.

‘
Because she’s friends with us,’ Oscar said in a disgusted tone. ‘There’s a big divide between the Nexes and the Duds. Beth is a Dud like me but we don’t have a problem with the Nexes, which as far as that bunch of idiots is concerned makes us Nexes anyway. Don’t worry, we’re used to it. Noah, sit down, don’t make things worse.’

At that moment, the diner door opened again and Marcus walked in
, followed by two men in uniform. Noah sat down immediately and pushed the rest of his food away in disgust.

‘
Everything all right, Dale?’ Marcus called out. The middle-aged man looked up as he carried a replenished tray across to the table.

‘
Wonderful,’ he replied sarcastically, slamming the plates down in front of the youths. ‘Is there something I can do for you?’

‘
Oh no, just checking everything’s ok,’ Marcus replied airily, waving a hand in the air, ‘the usual.’ He looked slowly around at all the tables, his eyes coming to rest on me.

He
smiled and strode over, watched carefully by the uniformed men. ‘How’s everyone doing?’

Noah opened his mouth to answer then winced and
quickly shut it again.

‘
We’re fine, thank you,’ Oscar replied politely.

‘
Good, good. Kids should be allowed to enjoy themselves a bit at the weekend, I reckon. And how are you, Ava?’

The entire table tensed.

‘I’m fine thank you,’ I replied.

‘
That’s great news! I bet you’re a bit sore though, aren’t you?’

‘
A little but it’s getting much better.’

Marcus nodded his head slightly.
‘Well that’s good to hear. I guess those powers of yours must come in handy at times like this. Are you settling in ok? Getting to know everyone?’

‘
Yes thank you.’ I was trying to read his expression but it was difficult. He was smiling but he looked reserved at the same time.

‘
And have you been enrolled at the college yet?’ he asked.

‘
Have I what?’ I looked over at Oscar in alarm. He was looking at Marcus but he shook his head a fraction.

‘
Brock is making enquiries,’ he answered for me.

I knew my face was reflecting the
horror I felt inside but couldn’t do anything about it.
College? What on earth are they thinking?

‘
I’m sure you’ll fit in fine.’ Marcus was speaking to me again. ‘Be sure to let me know if there’s anything you’re worried about.’ I tried to focus and nod to show I understood but my body wouldn’t function. Apparently it wasn’t necessary as Marcus gave a little wave and began to walk away. But then he paused and looked back at us. ‘By the way, be careful when you’re going home, won’t you? Make sure everyone’s got lifts. There have been reports of a wild animal hanging about – some sort of big cat. I’m sure it’s nothing but just to be on the safe side . . . take care guys.’

Stunned, I looked down at the rest of my meal but my appetite had gone. The rest of my group seemed to have come to the same conclusion and a few minutes later they were gathering their belongings together. I excused myself and headed for the bathroom.
Splashing my face with cold water helped bring me back to my senses a little.

The others were waiting
outside in the car park when I came out. As I reached the door someone stepped in and blocked my way. Taking a step back I recognised Tariq, Connor’s friend. He was leaning against the door with his arms folded and his head tilted to one side as he watched me with unblinking eyes.

‘
So you’re Ava.’ Connor was standing right behind me. Nathaniel and the two girls were watching from the booth with stony expressions on their faces. ‘You run really fast!’ Connor laughed and the boys joined in. The memory of sitting in the bus shelter, looking up into his face whilst his friends banged their fists against the glass made my stomach flip. I turned to leave but Tariq held his ground.

‘
Maybe next time you could warn us that you’re an Olympic athlete,’ Connor mocked from behind me.

‘
Maybe next time you’ll let me know that you’re trying to keep up and I’ll slow down for you,’ I retorted.

A snort of laughter came fro
m behind me. Noah and Tariq squared up to each other, their faces centimetres apart.

‘
You want to be careful, you know,’ Connor spat, his eyes on Oscar. ‘You’re getting close to curfew. Wouldn’t want any of you freak babies out after hours now would we?’

His lips pressed into a thin line, Oscar turned his face away from Connor and looked at me.
‘Are you ready to go?’

I nodded.

‘See you around,’ Connor winked.

*

Brock and Esther were watching TV in the lounge when I got in. They looked at me in alarm when they saw my expression.

‘
Has something happened?’ Brock sat up straight in his chair.

‘
Connor happened.’ I scowled, slumping down on to the sofa. ‘And Marcus happened too. He said I have to go to college. Is that true?’

Brock shifted uncomfortably.
‘I was going to talk to you about that.’

‘
So it’s true.’

‘
Yes it is. One of the government’s rules is that all under eighteens must be in full-time education or a work apprenticeship. There aren’t many apprenticeships about so most of the kids go down the education route.’

‘
But what about my powers? What about the fact that I’m not used to being around people? I might lose control.’

‘
You won’t,’ Brock assured me. ‘You’ll be absolutely fine. The others will look after you and don’t forget that you’re not the only one with powers. You’ll just have to be careful to avoid conflict whilst you’re there. You’ve got a couple of weeks of holiday left before you have to start so try not to worry too much about it.’

‘
Is there no way around it?’ I thought briefly about running away with my panther. Brock winced, making me feel guilty. ‘I don’t want to go, not really. It’s just . . . college?’

‘
Ava, I wouldn’t ask you to do this if I thought for a minute that you couldn’t cope. Being around other young people will be good for you. Will you give it a try?’

‘
I suppose so. At least Oscar will be there.’