THE ALPHA’S ADDICTION

Emma untied her work apron from her waist, while thinking of the strange request she had made to her history professor. She had pleaded with him to keep on with the hypnotism he had placed on the people in the cafe, while she rushed inside to gather her stuff. She didn’t want to be assailed by their thoughts again. And she wanted to go home.

She let out a deep breath as she dropped the apron in the cabinet meant for it. Day by day, things were getting out of her control. She thought, picking up her back pack from the brown tiled floor. Her history professor was something she didn’t know of, other than what she knew of his powers, just like the other five. She had tried to get his identity by trying to read off the thoughts of the five, but she had discovered that she couldn’t. She wondered why. She also couldn’t hear the thoughts of her professor again, after she had cited that migraine had been the cause of her discomfort.

“Did he find out about my new ability?” She muttered, flinging her bag on her shoulder, and making her way out of the small room to the serving area.

Everyone was talking. But she knew that whatever they were talking about were tidbits of what her history professor had inputted into their minds. What a power. She thought. She wondered how long he could keep it this way.

She walked up to her boss who was serving table two. As she did, her eyes, of their own accord, searched out the five at their table. But they weren’t there. They must have left. She thought.

“Ms. Brenda…” She called the thin faced woman, who turned sharply at the sound of her name.

“Yes dear…” The woman replied with a smile.

“I will be going now.” She said, feeling a bit guilty for robbing the woman her ability to think, even if it was just for a short while. But she had to, if she wanted to remain sane. She also wondered how long she would keep utilizing the professor’s gifts. She was going home. Would he continue to hypnotize people until she got home? And what about tomorrow? She thought worriedly, feeling a sheen of sweat at the base of her neck.

“Okay dear. See you tomorrow then.” The woman stated, before turning away, and walking robotically to the kitchen.

Well, her boss would be fine once she leaves the cafe. She thought, refusing to let guilt swamp her up, as she watched the woman’s involuntary steps.

She shrugged her shoulders, letting out a bout of hot air, before turning around and walking out of the cafe.

*****

Professor Perkins was waiting for Emma outside the cafe, leaning on a black corolla jeep, with arms crossed over his chest. As he watched her leave the cafe and walk towards him, he couldn’t help the stirring he felt in his dead heart. Even in her tired state, she was beautiful. He had never seen such redness of hair, with white streaks. He proposed to ask her later if the hair color was natural, or artificial, because he couldn’t really tell at this point. He also couldn’t wait for her to keep her promise.

When she had requested him to keep up with the hypnosis of the people in the cafe, he had been surprised, more like shocked, just like the clique which had stared at her in confusion. Like them, he hadn’t understood the reason for her request, but he had granted it under the condition that she would tell him why as soon as she was out of the cafe. To his relief, she had agreed.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

‘If only she knew how this act drained him of strength and power…’ He thought. He could keep compulsion quite alright, but he couldn’t remember when last, he had done so on such a large crowd of people. And then, there was the fact that he hadn’t fed in the last 24 hours. His strength was running thin now. He decided that he would hold his hunger till he had led the redhead home.

“Thanks for your help back there.” He heard her say as she got to him, her two hands holding and resting on the strap of her back pack which was hanging from her shoulder.

“You’re welcome.” He replied, not finding it necessary to call to her attention that she hadn’t included ‘sir’ in her statement.

“Where did the five go to?” She asked, staring around the car park.

“They left, as soon as you went in to change.” He replied, easing out of his reclining position on the car.

“Oh, okay.” She said, already starting to walk away.

“Is your place far from here?” He asked, as they began walking together, side by side, out of the environs of the somewhat large cafe.

“Not really.” Emma replied.

“Can I ask you for another favor?” She asked, biting her lips.

“Another favor? You will have to fulfill your promise first.” He stated, wondering what kind of favor was making her lightly nervous and unsure. He had discovered that she always did that whenever she was a bit nervous.

“They are related though.” She mentioned, looking up at him.

“How so?” He asked, returning her look with one of his. But she shifted her gaze as soon as their eyes met. He knew that she was wondering whether she could trust him with the piece of information.

“You can trust me.” He said, smiling a bit as she returned her gaze to him.

“Well, Professor Perkins, it seems that I’m gifted like you guys, and I don’t know why.” She stated, halting in her movement.

“In the cafe, I could suddenly hear people’s thoughts. It was too loud and disconcerting.” She said.

“That’s why you had asked me to keep up with hypnosis; their brain activities were slightly halted by that.” He mentioned, trying to keep the element of surprise out of his voice. She could read thoughts?! What was she?

“Yeah.” She admitted. “My head was buzzing with so much noise that I thought it would have exploded.”

“No, it wouldn’t have.” He assured, smiling widely at her assumptions.

It was obvious that she didn’t know what she was. Hell! He didn’t know too. She was supposed to human. Perhaps she was. But a gifted one. A strong psychic. He thought, referring back to his earlier deduction. He couldn’t detect any trace of paranormality in her. The other quiet guy had it at least.