Free Talent Storm by Brian Terenna Page A

too.”
    She squinted at me, but then nodded. “
    What are you up to this summer?” I asked.
    She bit her lip, looking off into the distance. “Oh, I’ll probably volunteer somewhere like I always do.”
    Impressive. I was just going to bum around with Ben all summer. “I could use some help cleaning my room.”
    She laughed. “That’s not exactly what I was thinking.”
    After that, we talked about our life goals, beliefs, and interests. We traded stories until the campfires were quenched. Boys and girls gathered their things in the moonlight and began to leave. I looked up as a brunette in a short sundress approached.
    “Let’s go Lilly. I’m tired,” she said to girl next to me.
    Her name was Lilly. What a beautiful name.
    “One sec,” said Lilly.
    Next thing I knew, her warm sweet lips were pressed into mine. My first kiss. Although the kiss lasted but a second, I’d worship it forever. I was hers; I’d do anything for her. She squeezed my hand and left. I stood, watching after her, smiling the whole time.
    “Hey, Jaden. I haven’t seen you all night,” said Ben from behind me.
    “She was the one for me, Ben. She was so compassionate, so caring.”
    “Awesome, so you hit it off?
    My smile stretched. “She kissed me.”
    He slapped my back. “Stunning. Did you get her address? Maybe we can hang out with her again this summer.”
    I frowned. “No, I didn’t.” What had I done? How was I supposed to see her again now?
    “You know her name at least, right?”
    “Yeah.” So there was hope. I’d ask around. Someone must know where she lived.
    ☼☼☼
    Present Day
     
    Two weeks later, I sat in Ben’s living room with Ben and his mom, playing cards. I hadn’t seen Lilly yet to apologize. Waiting was agony, but I didn’t know where she lived. I’d have to wait to see her again, just like last time. I sure hoped it wasn’t another four years until I saw her again. A successful apology became my top aspiration. She was so perfect for me. Damn Danessa for fooling— Bang, bang, bang . A pounding at the door startled me from my thoughts.
    “This is the police. Open up.”
    My hands chilled at the threat in their voice.
    “Oh, Talent,” Ms. Lockhart said as she jumped up from the couch and scrambled over to the door.
    Ben and I shared a look. Did my uncle turn me in? Maybe it was the bullies. Either way, I was in trouble.
    After she opened the door, two officers with swords at their hips pushed her aside to enter the room.
    “There he is,” one of them said as he pointed at me. “Get him.”
    Ben jumped up to stand in front of me. I sat frozen, with sweat dripping down my sides. The officers marched across the room before tossing Ben aside. He sprawled on the ground with a thud.
    “No,” I yelled, leaping to my feet, my body glowing.
    His mom gasped, her hands covering her mouth.
    The lead officer eyed me, shaking his head. “Back down, son. You’re already in a lot of trouble. Using your talent to assault a police officer is punishable by death.
    My eyes flipped open, my talent fading to oblivion.
    “Turn around. I’m going to cuff you.”
    “What did he do?” asked Ben’s mom.
    “He assaulted three citizens with his talent. He’s under arrest and that’s all you need to know,” said the officer.
    I turned around and felt cold steel clamp around my wrists. So it was the bullies. What was I supposed to do, let them beat me up? I had been abused my whole life by bullies and no one ever helped me. Finally, I stood up for myself and now I’m being arrested. What a joke. Why did they wait so long to turn me in anyway?
    Ben jumped to his feet, his face red. “He didn’t do anything.”
    The officer who cuffed me laughed. “Save it, kid.”
    Something pierced my back, and I felt cool liquid enter my body. What were they injecting me with? A sedative? The two men grabbed my arms and tugged me out the door.
    ☼☼☼
    A single officer escorted me into the prison through iron-studded