Free The Geneva Project - Truth by Christina Benjamin

the flame completely.  I was swallowed in the heavy cloak of blackness that dwelled in the forest.  I was frozen in my place and wanted to call out to Nova but I had lost sight of him before the flame went out and I was scared of the voice I had just heard in my head.  What if it was coming for me and Nova?!
    Light!
    “ Oh, thank god!” I gasped and ran towards Nova, wrapping my arms around him.  I was out of breath and shaking. 
    “ Tippy, it’s okay, you did great!  What’s wrong?” Nova asked as I clung to him.
    “ That voice!  Did you hear it too?  It was shouting in my head, and it’s not the first time I’ve heard it.  I think it’s what led me out here tonight.  I think we might be in danger, Nova.”
    “ Tippy, don’t be mad okay, you have nothing to be afraid of.”
    “ What do you mean?  Why would I be mad?”
    “ It was me that you were hearing in your head.  Just now I was trying to help you concentrate on Jemma, and earlier it’s how I told you it was time to meet me.  It’s another power I have.”
    “ What!?  You not only can read minds, you can control thoughts?  What are you!?  What do you really want with me?!”
    I was shouting now and backing away from him.  I felt overwhelmed and angry.  I knew I was different, I’d always been the outcast, the one with no friends or family.  Why did he have to point that out?  Why did he have to take advantage of me, too!?
    “ Tippy, stop it.  You have me, you’re not alone now.” he said, coming closer to me. “And you’re not an outcast, you’re special, look what you can do.”
    His words shook me and instantly brought tears to my eyes.  Nova softly draped his arm over my shoulder and I began to cry.
    He knew so much about me!  It wasn’t fair.  I barely knew anything about him. Everything about him was mysterious.  The fact that he knew his name, the secret hiding spot he had in the courtyard, the mysterious punch he saw me give to Jemma, the way he unlocked the window in my room, the magic flame, the mindreading, the way I hear his voice in my head…
    Suddenly I stiffened.  Nova was so open about his other powers, but he didn’t say anything about being able to talk to me in my mind, only that he could read minds.  What if he can implant thoughts?  Was any of this real or was he just manipulating me?  Was this all a trick to get me out here?  I was suddenly frightened of him.  I was alone in the forest with a boy I barely knew and he had strange powers.  How had I been so stupid?  Well if he did have other plans for me I wasn’t going to make it easy on him.  I ducked from under his arm and took off running aimlessly into the forest.
    “ Tippy!” he shouted after me.  “Stop, it’s not like that, I swear. You have to trust me.” 
    Even though I’m an excellent runner, I didn’t make it very far before Nova caught up to me.  I couldn’t see where I was going and kept stumbling and I eventually slammed my shin into something solid and fell down completely.  Nova had no problem finding me with his handy little fire light.  I felt so cornered and vulnerable as he approached.  I was breathing heavy when he stopped at my feet.  He stood looking down at me for a moment and then just decided to sit on the large stump next to me.  It must have been the source of the throbbing pain in my shin.  I scrambled to a standing position and stared at him.  Why was he just sitting there? 
    “ What are you?!” I shouted at him.  “Why did you bring me here?” 
    He just sat there staring at his feet.  This infuriated me.  My fear was suddenly gone, replaced by anger, fueled by my need for survival. 
    “ I don’t know what your problem is, but I’m not a freak like you and I don’t want you in my head anymore!  Got it?  Just leave me alone!”
    “ Tippy, I’m sorry.  I understand how you’re feeling, but I’m only trying to help you.  I promise,” he pleaded.
    “ You may be able to hear