Chapter 17: What We Are

       The game was strange, and lasted for at least an hour. I had nothing else to do, but I noticed it was getting dark by the time it was – once again – my turn to ask a question. Surprisingly, Alex's questions never got too personal. They stayed around the specific school topic, but occasionally he'd drift off and ask a few personal questions: "When's your birthday?" "Do you have any siblings?" "What's your favorite pet animal?" "Have you lived here all of your life?" …. "Was your mother always an alcoholic?"

       I had shifted positions somewhat during Alex's visit. Now I was lying on my bed, belly up, staring at the ceiling and occasionally glancing over to ask or answer questions. I kept my answers pretty subtle as well. Noticing it was dark out, however, I knew there must not have been much time left to play this little game of ours. It was Alex who first mentioned the lack of light outside, although.
       "It's getting late. Sorry I kept you so long. Surely you have homework to catch up on? I'll be going," Alex said as he stood up and headed for the door. He walked slowly, so I used that time to get out my last few words –
       "Nah, I already finished my homework. But wait! I have one more question for you." Alex turned around, his eyebrow raised with curiosity. I giggled, snuggling closer to my pillow and watching him carefully. His eyes sparkled just slightly, making them look like liquid lilac orbs. I couldn't help my smile. He was waiting for my question, I was sure.
       "There's a lot about you that I don't think even I could figure out. And I'm naturally one of those people who can pry another person open," I began with a short giggle, rolling my eyes as a sign to say, "Well, not to brag!"
       I continued – "But still, I'm determined to crack open that hell-of-a thick shell of yours, Mr. Cahill.'Scuse my language." I couldn't help but flirt a bit, the temptation was irresistible.
       "So what's your question?" he smirked, taking a single step for the door. I raised my hands in my defense.
       "Chill, I'm getting there. So, I have this feeling you might not answer this question entirely honestly, but I want to take a shot at it.
       "You're much different than other guys that I have met, even for a senior. I know there's something you're hiding…from all of us. Not just me. I want to figure this whole thing out. You're unique. You're different, but in a good way. Sure, you're a little hard to get close to, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try.
       "Still, it's going to take some prying. So…I'm going to use 'our little game' to my advantage. I know that this has something to do with your unique…ness," I would wait for his reaction first before starting. What I saw was not a frown, nor his disgusted look, and it wasn't like he was annoyed or thought this was stupid, either. Instead, I swear I spotted a glimpse of fear…well, more like terror. His lilac eyes were widened, pupils slightly dilated. It was like I was ready to reveal some big secret of his…
       "Continue," he muttered, eyes still widened. I grinned and then took a deep breath before continuing.
       "…So… what's with your eyes?" There was no way to make that question seem nicer…well, the way I put it at least he'd know that I meant business. My grin disappeared to show how serious my question really was. Still, Alex looked away. I frowned. There was silence, and I knew there was something up. However, I knew how to respect individuals; if Alex decided that he didn't want to talk about it, whatever it was, I would let it go. With some resistance, no doubt, but only for teasing and flirting purposes.
       He finally turned his head back to look at me. His eyes were still lilac, but they were no longer a beautiful liquid. Now they were beautiful…but like stone. I bit my lip to silence myself. Honestly, it wasn't like I was going to point at him like a little idiot and say, "Your eyes changed colors."
       "I'm different than normal people, Kittie. Really different. My father doesn't usually let me tell people what we are…who we are. Anyone, really. But I trust you, okay? I very much trust you, but you must be sure to vow never to tell a single soul." I stood up as Alex approached me, and flinched to his icy touch as he grabbed my shoulders firmly. His expression was stern. "You swear, Kittie?" I nodded with a straight face, and did not protest when Alex forced me to sit down on my bed. He sighed as he sat down beside me.
       "It's fairly complicated. Mind if I stay a bit longer?" he looked at me, his expression gentle and his eyes once again liquid, warm lilac. He stared straight in my eyes and I knew immediately I couldn't breathe. The look was intimidating – seductive. I tried extremely hard not to let my mouth drop open like a drooling idiot…like when he first showed up at my door. I nodded, still silent.
       "Well, like you guessed, there is something different about my family. Deirdre included," he began, and I grabbed my pillow and hugged it again.
       "I thought Deirdre wasn't related to you?"
       Alex shook his head. "She's not. That's the thing."
       "Then what's-?"
       He held up his hand to stop me from speaking. I stopped immediately. "Please, Kittie, I'll explain everything. Interrupting will just make this visit longer. Promise you won't interrupt again?" He gave me a seductive little smirk, and I nodded obediently like a puppy. Alex looked down at his lap for a moment, and then sighed and our eyes met again.
       "Anyways, I'm guessing you've noticed how, uh…How paler Deirdre and I are compared to most other teenagers. To begin with, this is natural, for what we are, I mean. Everyone in my family have as pale skin as I do. I don't see what girls find so attractive about it, however. It's not that amazing. Although I have to admit, and not to brag of course, the entire Cahill family is naturally attractive like this. Haha…
       "Second off, you may not have figured this out yet, but we have powers…like, not political or government powers. Not those kinds of powers. Supernatural powers.
       "We, um… We're fast. Very fast. And we can climb very steep heights, entirely vertical – like up walls – without breaking a sweat. It's so very easy for us. Naturally, our kind has perfect athleticism and endurance.
       "Sound and sense. Even when something is very quiet, we have no problem with it. We have perfect hearing; better than perfect. Unnaturally – or supernatural, if you prefer – good hearing. Senses…we have amazing noses. Still supernatural, of course. Haha, it's hard, however, when anyone from our family passes by a candle store or a flower shop…
       "Remember how I was talking about endurance and athleticism? We're also incredibly strong. Just for a future reference. That's why you never see me active in gym. Throwing a football…haha… Well, there's always that chance that the football goes through the brick wall… Still, I have my ways of keeping straight A's in all of my classes," he explained, winking and smirking at me. I couldn't help but giggle at the thought of it, and hugged my pillow tighter. My heart was on fire, it was beating so fast.
       "Also… We have our own way of speaking to each other – those within the family. It's not a secret; it's merely an easier way to speak to each other without actually…well, speaking. Telepathy, I guess you could call it. It only works for those in the family. In other words, we can only read each other's minds… "
       "So you mean you know everyth-!" I caught his stern expression and put my finger over my mouth. "Sorry," I mouthed, and Alex was smiling again.
       He continued after slightly shifting on the seat. I tried to fantasize that he was scooting closer to me. "Some people…however, have the ability to read other people's minds. We can read the minds of only our kind, normally. Some of us are gifted with special abilities. Whether it is reading minds of any human, turning invisible – those, if not the good guys, are the most dangerous – having infinite knowledge, or having the ability to see through inanimate objects."
       With a sigh, he seemed finished, so I dared to ask a question…
       "Does Deirdre-?" I stopped when he nodded.
       "She does. Deirdre has a very unique ability. She can see a person's aura. It sounds crazy, true, but it is a power. And her ability works on everyone. Sometimes she chooses whether to read a person's aura or not, and while other times…that person just stands out from the others. It's a mysterious fact, honestly. Those whose aura naturally pops out at Deirdre are usually special in some way. That's also something Deirdre can do. She uses the strength, smell, and sound of the aura – yes, yes, it's still strange – to determine why this person is so special. It's almost as if she can see the future, but not so much. It's hard to explain…I can't tell you everything yet. Some other time. Maybe Deirdre will explain…maybe," he muttered. I couldn't control my mouth now, however, and it dropped open with awe and surprise. Deirdre was so powerful!
       Something snapped in my brain and I cupped my hands over my mouth.
       "What's wrong?" Behind my hands I couldn't help but smile. He sounded concerned about me! I felt him rest a careful hand on my shoulder. It was so cold, yet so comforting…
       I uncovered my mouth and my mouth was once again agape. "You're like a family of supermen!" I whispered loudly. He chuckled. I watched him patiently as he leaned his head back slightly and caught his breath. He looked beautiful…
       When he brought his head back up, he looked much calmer. Alex's eyes were sparkling slightly again; that godly, liquid-warm lilac.
       "You see, we're really-!"
       The door suddenly flung open and crashed against the back wall with a floor-shaking slam. I jumped slightly, and my eyes widened even more when I saw who it was. Mother.

                                             To Be Continued...