The sun cast a warm glow over the water, shimmering like liquid gold as Zack and Deb walked hand-in-hand along the edge of the University pool. In his mind, it felt more like a picturesque lakeside scene than the mundane reality of their campus. Deb''s laughter filled the air, her eyes sparkling behind her glasses as she turned to face him. He couldn''t help but smile back, feeling his heart swell with affection for this intelligent and curious girl who had unexpectedly come into his life.
"Zack," she whispered, leaning in close, "I''ve been wanting to tell you something."
He could feel the heat radiating from her body, as she pressed herself tightly against him. "What is it?" he asked, his voice barely audible.
"I... I think I''m falling in love with you."
His heart raced at her words, and he leaned in to kiss her tenderly. But just as their lips were about to meet, something shifted in the atmosphere. The once-gentle breeze grew harsh and cold, the skies darkening ominously. Panic gripped him as he realized that his powers were spiraling out of control, and before he could warn Deb, a telekinetic force erupted from him, violently hurling her through the air and into the water with a sickening crash.
"Deb!" he screamed, watching in horror as her lifeless body floated on the surface of the pool, tendrils of blood spreading out around her. Tears streamed down his face as he stared at his hands, now tipped with sharp claws, and he knew that he was the monster responsible for her death.
"Zack! Zack, wake up!" Rob''s voice pulled him back to reality, and he jolted awake, drenched in sweat. His friend''s concerned expression hovered above him, and he struggled to catch his breath.
"Rob... I had the worst dream," he choked out, the image of Deb''s lifeless body still haunting him.
"Tell me about it, you were screaming in your sleep. What was it about?" Rob urged, sitting down next to Zack on his bed. As Zack recounted the chilling details of his nightmare, Rob listened intently, he could see that the dream really affected Zack.
"It felt so real, like we were really there and she really got hurt. Can these powers give you visions?" Zack asked, hoping Rob would tell him they couldn''t.
"Honestly Zack, I know as much as you do now, there isn''t much about vessels online. But we can go to the pool now and prove that you don''t have vision powers." Rob suggested.
Zack nodded and the pair quickly pulled on their sweatpants and hoodies before heading out into the autumn air.
"Look, dreams can be weird sometimes," Rob said as they walked together toward the pool. "I don''t think this means anything. I once dreamt I was a talking bookcase that ate rubber boots."
Zack couldn''t shake the feeling that there was more to the dream, he still didn''t fully understand his powers and how they worked. They approached the entrance to the pool, and Rob pushed open the door with a reassuring smile.
"See? Nothing to worry about-"
His words caught in his throat as they stepped into the room, their eyes widening at the sight before them: a puddle of blood by the side of the pool. The air was thick with tension as Zack stared at the crimson stain, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Rob," he whispered, his voice trembling, "this is just like my dream."
"Okay, let''s not jump to conclusions," Rob replied, trying to maintain his composure. "There has to be an explanation for this." But even as he spoke the words, he knew that something was very wrong, and Zack''s powers could be darker than he imagined.
Desperate to find Deb, Zack left Rob standing at the pool and hurried through the university parking lot towards St. Jerome''s campus, his eyes scanning back and forth for any sign of her. Panic gnawed at him as he began to believe that his nightmare had become a reality. He gritted his teeth, trying to keep his powers in check. The last thing he needed was a surge of uncontrollable energy.
"Deb!" he called out, his voice cracking with fear. "Where are you?"
As he turned a corner, Zack''s foot slipped on a patch of loose gravel. Unable to stop himself, he reached out instinctively to break his fall, sending a wave of telekinetic energy toward a nearby car. The vehicle crumpled under the force, its metallic frame groaning in protest.
"Damn it!" Zack hissed, realizing that he had just damaged Boon''s car. Guilt and shock mingled with the mounting anxiety that threatened to overwhelm him. As he tried to regain control over his emotions, he spotted Deb walking toward him, her face etched with concern.
"Zack? What''s wrong?" she asked, clearly puzzled by his panicked expression.
"Deb!" Relief flooded through him like a wave, making his knees weak. "I- I just... I had this really weird dream about you, and I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Of course I''m okay," Deb replied, her confusion giving way to a small smile. "Just a little confused as to why you seem so worried about a dream."
Zack let out a shaky laugh, forcing a grin onto his face. "Yeah, well, nightmares can do that to you." He glanced back at Boon''s mangled car, knowing he had to get away before anyone discovered what he had done. He noticed Deb''s gaze following his own and panicked "Come on, let''s get a coffee and I can tell you all about the weird night."
As they left the parking lot together, neither of them noticed Boon arriving on the scene. His eyes widened in shock as he took in the damage to his car, his jaw dropping open in disbelief.
Later, in chemistry class, Zack leaned toward Rob and whispered, "I found Deb. She''s fine."
"Thank God, I called the police and they are sending an officer to investigate." Rob breathed a sigh of relief before his expression changed to a mischievous one. "I also caught a glance of Boon''s car, you wouldn''t happen to know what caused the damage would you?"
Zack winced at the memory. "I... I lost control for a moment. It was an accident."
Before they could discuss it further, their professor caught them talking and separated them with a stern glare. Zack''s mind raced, trying to piece together how his dream could be partially true when suddenly, a commotion from outside drew everyone''s attention to the window.
A clearly traumatized man, his clothes torn and blood-stained was being placed onto a stretcher and into the waiting ambulance. He stared blankly ahead, his expression haunted and empty.
"Did you see what happened?" one student whispered to another.
"No idea, but he looks like he''s been through hell."
As Zack watched the paramedics tend to the injured man, a chilling thought crept into his mind: Was he somehow responsible for this? The question hung heavy in the air, was this what his dream was trying to tell him?
----------------
Zack stared into the depths of his lunch at the Student Life Center, as if it held the answers to the mystery that haunted him. The steaming heap of mashed potatoes offered no revelations, and he sighed heavily.
"Still thinking about that guy in the ambulance?" Rob asked, picking at his own meal with a plastic fork.
"Maybe," Zack admitted, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on his shoulders. "I can''t shake the feeling that I had something to do with it."
Before Rob could reply, the clatter of chairs announced the arrival of Ahmed, Deb, Leona, Boon, and Wes. Boon gave Wes a dismissive wave sending him to eat somewhere else, and the group settled around the table, their boisterous energy filling the space.
"Did you guys hear about what happened earlier?" Leona asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Hard not to," Boon snorted, rolling his eyes. "Some druggie went nuts and tried to break into the pool. Real winner, that one."
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"Actually," Rob interjected, pulling out his phone and tapping the screen. "He was just identified on the local news." He held up the screen for everyone to see, revealing an image of Greg Simons, a local car salesman. "Apparently, he''s been missing for a few days."
Zack studied the man''s face, a jolt of recognition running through him. He''d met Greg once before while browsing cars with his father. A chill snaked down to his very core as the unsettling possibility that he might be connected to Greg. The building number of coincidences surrounding him made it impossible for him to deny he had something to do with the attack.
"Hey, let''s talk about something else, okay?" Ahmed suggested, sensing the dark turn in the conversation. "What are your plans for Saturday?"
Deb smiled at Zack, and he felt a flicker of warmth in his chest. "We were thinking of going on a date."
"Mind if we join and make it a friends thing?" Ahmed asked, his grin infectious. Boon eagerly nodded in agreement, clearly excited at the prospect of a group outing.
"Uh, sure," Zack agreed hesitantly, his mind still clouded with worry. "But we don''t really have any plans yet."
"Let''s play pool!" Ahmed suggested, glancing at Boon who practically beamed at the idea. "Boon loves it, and it''s something we can all do."
"Zack, are you any good at pool?" Boon asked, raising an eyebrow teasingly. The challenge in his voice was unmistakable.
"Of course," Zack lied, feeling a flush crawl up his neck at the attention. The last thing he wanted was to appear weak or inferior, especially not to Boon of all people.
"Perfect," Deb said, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "It''ll be a fun night for all of us."
As the conversation turned to lighter topics, Zack couldn''t help but feel like an actor playing the role of a normal teenager. Between the unsettling dream, Boon''s damaged car, and Greg Simons'' traumatized state, it was clear that somehow he needed to figure out his powers before anyone really got hurt.
The dim lights of the club flickered as Zack helped Paulina set up for the night. The air was thick with anticipation and the scent of stale alcohol lingered in the shadows. As he adjusted the microphone stand on stage, his thoughts remained preoccupied with the strange events that had been unfolding around him.
"Thanks for helping me out, Zack," Paulina said, her voice soft and measured. There was a certain gravity to her presence that both intrigued and unnerved him.
"Of course," he replied, offering a weak smile. "I''m just trying to keep my mind off things."
"Sometimes it''s good to distract yourself," she agreed, glancing over her shoulder as the sound of footsteps echoed through the empty club.
Zack''s heart leaped into his throat as Lindsey appeared from around a corner, her gaze sharp and focused. He couldn''t help but feel his breath catch, wondering if the officer had come to question him about the bizarre incident at the pool.
"Paulina, do you have a moment?" Lindsey asked, her tone professional as she approached them. "I need to speak with you about the campus curfew." even Zack knew that wasn''t what she was really there to talk about.
"Sure, officer," Paulina responded smoothly, her expression unreadable. "What can I do for you?"
As Zack watched their hushed conversation, he noticed Lindsey pull out several gruesome crime scene photos, her face tight with concern. She held them up for Paulina to see, asking, "Do you know of any animal that could do this?"
For the briefest of moments, Zack saw something flicker across Paulina''s face—an unspoken knowledge that she quickly masked with an enigmatic smile.
"No, I''m afraid not," she lied, her voice steady and unwavering. "I don''t know anything about that."
Lindsey nodded before excusing herself and leaving the club. Zack''s mind raced with questions, but he knew it wasn''t the time or place to press for answers.
Later that evening, Zack swung by Grand River Hospital, carrying a bag of takeout for Kenzie who had left her dinner back at the dorm. As he approached her station, he couldn''t help but feel a pull towards Greg Simons'' room. The weight of guilt and uncertainty gnawing away at him, Zack decided to face his fears head-on.
"Hey, Kenzie. I brought you your dinner," he said casually, trying to mask his true intentions.
"Thanks, Zack. You''re a lifesaver!" she exclaimed gratefully, taking the bag from him.
"Actually, I was thinking of checking in on Greg, my dad is old friends with him. Do you know where his room is?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of anxiety.
"Sure, it''s just down the hall," she replied, pointing him in the right direction.
As Zack entered Greg''s dimly lit room, he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Greg''s eyes widened in terror at the sight of him, and he began to panic, thrashing against his restraints.
"Stay away!" Greg screamed, his voice hoarse and strained. "Please, just stay away!"Zack''s heart pounded in his chest as the reality of the situation sank in. His dream had been real and he had attacked Greg. His powers were growing stronger, but this was proof that he really was dangerous. Zack decided he needed help to find answers and there was only one person he knew that was like him.
Zack stood outside Ethel''s home, his hands stuffed deep in his pockets to fight off the chill. The sky was a tapestry of dark clouds, reflecting the turmoil he felt inside. He hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door.
"Come in," Ethel called out, her voice barely audible above the relentless wind. Zack entered, finding her seated by the fireplace, a book open in her lap.
"Ethel, I need answers," Zack began, his voice strained with desperation. "Will I hurt or kill someone?"
Ethel closed her book and looked him straight in the eye. "Yes."
"But I don''t want to.." Zack started, Ethel raised a hand cutting him off.
"You are a vessel, you don''t have a choice it is in your nature now," Ethel explained, her expression almost appearing annoyed.
"Then teach me how to control my powers," he demanded. "So I can prevent it from happening. I had a nightmare and now I think it was real."
"A vision?" Ethel seemed to analyze these words. "There is a way to know if what you saw was really a vision" she replied as she placed the book on a side table, her expression unreadable. "Go to the pool. As a vessel, you are connected to the auras of everyone and everything. If you can concentrate on Greg''s aura then you will be able to read what happened."
"Thank you," he said, turning to leave.
"Before you go Zack." Ethel''s expression suddenly shifted to a very serious one. "If it should happen that you did attack Greg, then I will not help you the next time you run into the exorcists." She then returned to her book.
Zack stood there for a moment, a mixture of shock and fear filling him. As the clock ticked forward, Zack found himself leaving Ethel''s home and wondering if he really wanted to know the truth.
At the witching hour, Zack and Rob approached the deserted university pool. The overhead lights cast eerie shadows across the water''s surface, adding to the growing unease in Zack''s chest.
"Keep a lookout," Zack instructed Rob, who nodded reluctantly.
"Fine, but hurry up. I don''t like this place at night," Rob complained, shifting uncomfortably on his feet.
Closing his eyes, Zack focused on his senses, trying to pick up on Greg''s aura.
"Anything?" Rob asked.
"I just started," Zack said, trying to remain focused.
"Right, right, I just wasn''t sure how long it would take," Rob explained, not noticing his friend struggling to focus.
"It will take longer if I keep getting interrupted." Zack shot Rob a look and Rob immediately took the hint.
Zack returned to his meditation and finally, he could feel the auras all around him, one that radiated fear and drew him in. Images flashed through his mind: Greg, struggling against an unseen force; a mysterious figure looming in the darkness; and he witnessed it all but through somebody else''s eyes, like watching a movie.
"Rob," Zack whispered urgently, opening his eyes. "I remember now. I wasn''t the one attacking Greg. I was connected to someone else aura, I saw what they did. I think it was Ethel."
"Wait, what?" Rob asked, his brow furrowing in confusion. "But why would Ethel help you if she was the one who attacked Greg?"
"Maybe to cover her tracks," Zack suggested hesitantly, struggling to piece together Ethel''s motives. "Or maybe she''s working with someone."
"Zack, someone''s coming!" Rob exclaimed, interrupting his thoughts.
Without a second thought, the two friends sprinted away from the pool, their hearts pounding as they tried to process the revelations that had just unfolded. As they disappeared into the night, the unanswered questions hung heavy in the air.
Elsewhere, Deb sat cross-legged on her colorful dorm room rug, the vibrant patterns swirling beneath her as she and Ahmed shared a bag of chips as they discussed their plans for Saturday. The laughter that filled the room was cut short when the door swung open with a bang. Jessica stood in the doorway, a stern expression on her face.
"Campus-wide curfew," she announced, her eyes sweeping over Deb and Ahmed. "No one is going out at 10 pm from here on out."
"But we have plans on Saturday," Deb protested, her voice tinged with disappointment. She was excited to finally have her first proper date with Zack, without a loud party or food poisoning to get in their way.
"Plans change," Jessica replied curtly before turning to leave. The moment the door clicked shut behind her, Deb exchanged a conspiratorial glance with Ahmed. She wasn''t going to let a curfew ruin their night of fun.
"Curfew or not, we''re still going," she whispered determinedly. Ahmed''s eyes sparkled with mischief as he nodded in agreement.
"I like this rule-breaking side of you," Ahmed said with a smile.
"We just need to meet at my car on Saturday and head out from there. There are a ton of ways to sneak out of a dorm." Deb reasoned as she started putting her plan together.
"Of course. We can''t take your car though, I am sure someone will notice if it missing and we don''t want to get caught," he said, already thinking of possible escape routes.
Meanwhile, Ethel slipped into Greg''s dimly lit hospital room, her footsteps silent on the sterile linoleum floor. She approached his bed cautiously, her heart hammering in her chest.
"Greg," she breathed softly, hoping for answers about the night at the pool. Recognition flared in Greg''s eyes as he struggled to focus on her face.
"Ethel? Is that you?" he rasped, his voice hoarse and weak.
"Greg, I need you to remember what happened at the pool," Ethel urged, her hands gripping the railing of his bed. "Who attacked you?"
But instead of providing the answers she sought, Greg simply repeated, "I''m sorry" over and over again, his eyes brimming with unshed tears.
"Shut up, you aren''t making any sense, tell me what did this to you!" Ethel demanded, but Greg was too far gone as he continued to repeat his apology over and over again.
Frustration welled up inside Ethel as she realized she would find no answers here. With a sigh, she turned away from Greg''s bed and left the room, the door clicking shut behind her. At that moment, Kenzie happened to glance up at Greg''s heart rate monitor while doing her nursing rounds.
"Flat-lined?" she gasped, dashing into Greg''s room only to find him lying lifelessly on the bed, his eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. She rushed to his side and paged the doctors before performing CPR.
As Ethel walked away from the hospital, her thoughts raced with confusion and concern. She had come for answers but left with even more questions. The image of Greg''s desperate apology haunted her, making her wonder what he could have possibly done to warrant such remorse. Was there a deeper connection between them that she was unaware of?