Free Mutation by Kevin Hardman

hysteria.  I went further, still looking for…I’m not sure what, just something out of the ordinary.
    I’d never tried to read this far out before, and I was getting ready to withdraw when I felt it.  It was an odd sensation - something akin to fervent excitement, but more like the emotional equivalent of a hyperactive child trying to get a parent’s attention:  “Look at me!  Look at me!  Look at me!  Look at me!”
    It originated from the other side of the mall - a surface parking lot near the back that saw limited use since the parking garage had been built.  Telepathically, I peeked inside the mind of the person who was sending the emotional broadcast.
     said a mental voice that I pegged as belonging to a child - a girl.
     I was a little confused.  I had tried to tiptoe into her mind, but had obviously been heard.
    
    
     she stated indignantly. 
    
     At that moment, I got an image of her as well - a young girl with an olive complexion, green eyes, and curly brown hair.
    This was interesting; I hadn’t expected the precog to be on my side. 
    
    I felt a kind of mental nudging and peeked out of the Mustang’s window.  A group of about a half-dozen mall cops had shown up and had their weapons drawn on Estrella’s team.  The security guards were clearly outmatched, but kudos to them for trying to do their job.  It also occurred to me that, with my pursuers preoccupied, this would be a good time to put some distance between me and them, and I shared that with Rudi.
     she said. 
    
    
    I certainly had to acknowledge that teleporting hadn’t been a big help to me thus far.  That being the case, I hesitated only a moment before acquiescing.
     I noted, indicating the security guards. 
    
     I cut her off. 
    I heard her laugh, mentally, at the nickname I’d given him.  At the same time, I heard a hollow sound - like a weird echo - in the background of her thoughts. 
    
     She giggled.
    I frowned, not liking what I’d learned at all.  Collectively, Estrella’s team mimicked a bunch of my own powers, meaning they were probably assembled specifically to deal with me.  Moreover, they had a precog on their side, Rudi, who – based on her last response – had obviously foreseen my conversation with Gray.  That brought up the subject of her abilities.
     I said. 
    
    
    
    Not far away, an obviously nervous mall cop – probably the head of security – was engaged in a heated war of words with Estrella.