My arm buzzed, the new stats Leo and his father set up today alerting me to absolutely every single change in my body. It was infuriating. I wouldn’t mess with the notifications until I learned about my limits, which could take days, if not weeks.
I glanced down at the newly updated screen, missing the simplicity of the gamma stats I was familiar with. But these ones granted me a more detailed look at what was going on in my body and specific ability limits with hardly any guesswork.
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 44.8138%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 26.6667%" valign="top">
</td>
<td style="width: 37.4379%; text-align: center" valign="top">
Current
</td>
<td style="width: 35.8955%; text-align: center" valign="top">
Maximum
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 26.6667%" valign="top">
Ability Pool
</td>
<td style="width: 37.4379%; text-align: center" valign="top">
30
</td>
<td style="width: 35.8955%; text-align: center" valign="top">
33
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 26.6667%" valign="top">
</td>
<td style="width: 37.4379%" valign="top">
</td>
<td style="width: 35.8955%" valign="top">
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 26.6667%; text-align: center" valign="top">
Statistic
</td>
<td style="width: 37.4379%; text-align: center" valign="top">
Gamma Level
</td>
<td style="width: 35.8955%; text-align: center" valign="top">
Physical Condition
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 26.6667%" valign="top">
Strength
</td>
<td style="width: 37.4379%; text-align: center" valign="top">
1
</td>
<td style="width: 35.8955%" valign="top">
-6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 26.6667%" valign="middle">
Constitution
</td>
<td style="width: 37.4379%; text-align: center" valign="middle">
1
</td>
<td style="width: 35.8955%" valign="middle">
-2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 26.6667%" valign="middle">
Intelligence
</td>
<td style="width: 37.4379%; text-align: center" valign="middle">
2
</td>
<td style="width: 35.8955%" valign="middle">
- 15%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Farley Tech, through all their extensive tests and data collection from the bio-screens and in-house assessments, had discovered that our bodies processed gamma radiation in specific regions. For Leo and I, most of it happened in our brains and central nervous systems. Since both of our abilities were mental, it made sense that the majority of gamma would end up in Intelligence. There was still residual gamma buildup in other areas, like our muscular-skeletal system, Strength, and other internal organs and systems, Constitution.
Because there was no baseline to go off, everything started at zero and went up. Over time, and with continued use of abilities, the Gamma Level would rise. We didn’t know what that rising level would mean long-term. Preliminary data showed that it was a strengthening of not only abilities, but also of the human body. Leo was particularly interested in that volunteered to take charge of monitoring the changes, continuing testing, and analyzing the data.
The Physical Condition stats continually changed throughout the day and caused all the alerts on my bio-screen. How I fueled my body, how much sleep I got, how stressed I was, and literally anything else that affected me calculated a modifier to show how effective my ability would be.
At the end of my work day, I’d been told my negative fifteen percent in Intelligence was because I was mentally exhausted, likely from trying to wrap my head around all of this…newness. My attempts to argue against that point had been proven moot when I’d begun repeating myself.
The bio-screen’s calculations didn’t lie; it continually tracked my stats, like oxygen, hydration, heart rate, all the normal stuff it was initially created to do, and adjusted the percentages as needed. Which was why I received another notification that my modifier dropped to negative fifteen percent.
The most useful category was Ability Pool, which is why I made Leo put it at the top. It was calculated based on how much predicted gamma my body could safely process. Practice helped increase the Ability Pool. Bonuses could also be granted if I took good care of my body, increasing the effectiveness of whatever I did. After twenty-four hours, previous uses of my ability would fall off, or could be removed after I’d gotten a solid night of sleep. Leo had explained it wasn’t a perfect system and I’d have to keep track of my own symptoms—primarily, tingling hands—to make sure it was accurate while any kinks were worked out.
Today while calibrating the new stats at work, I’d used my ability thirty times of the thirty-three it predicted I could use. I’d considered pushing for thirty-three to see if I started tingling but wanted hold off on the last few uses, just in case.
Because I was meeting my dad for dinner tonight on the other side of town. After the Leo incident, I always wanted to make sure I had an escape route. Even if I knew my father would never do anything to me, the same couldn’t be said for the general public.
I flicked at the screen, turning it on dark mode and switching a second setting to keep it from lighting up. I didn’t want it distracting me or grabbing my father’s attention tonight.
He knew nothing. While I tried to convince myself it was for his own good, I had no idea how to tell him I was no longer dying without revealing everything. There was no way he could be told. In part, because he wasn’t one of us. I couldn’t deny that there were significant risks with anyone outside of us knowing about this. Hopefully Leo’s promise of a game plan would be enough.
But until then, my dad was left in the dark. I’d come up with something to tell him eventually. Maybe I could say the bio-screens proved extremely useful in figuring out how to better manage symptoms? It was a long shot but also a part of the original goal of the bio-screens. And it wasn’t like my dad to ask a lot of questions about my diagnosis. Not after he went through it already with my mother.
I pulled out my phone and checked his location, then Alex’s. Alex offered to come tonight, in part to support me, another part to meet my remaining relative. After asking my dad if I could bring someone, he’d answered with “The more, the merrier! Maybe I’ll bring someone, too.”
It was a bit hypocritical of me, but I didn’t want him bringing anyone. Maybe that’s because I was holding onto the idea that I was the single, most important person in this city for him to meet for dinner like this. He’d told me about his job, how well he was getting along with his coworkers, how promising this position was. It was reasonable to expect him to have made friends, even if they’d just met in person recently.
The train slowed to a stop and I stood. My fingers were tingling in anticipation. Or was it my ability reacting to my nerves?
I needed to keep it together. There could be absolutely no use of teleportation tonight except in an emergency.
No matter what.
It was a delicate balance that needed to be maintained.
Once I reached the correct address for the restaurant, I shot off two separate messages to my father and Alex telling them I had arrived. My father had picked this one from a recommendation of a new coworker. I stepped inside to get out of the chill and had to hide my surprise when there was a coat attendant waiting expectantly. I handed mine over and scanned the code on the hanger with my phone, linking it to me. After, I stepped up to the host station and provided the reservation name.
My father replied, letting me know they were a few minutes out.
So, he was bringing a friend.
That’s okay, I told myself. He’s allowed, just like I am allowed my boyfriend.
And speak of the handsome devil.
Never had I seen Alex so dressed up before. Clearly, he knew what type of restaurant this was when I’d sent him the name and address, or else he looked it up. I was lucky that I’d chosen a classic black velvet dress and some simple jewelry. I’d almost picked up my mother’s necklace, but didn’t want to bring up sad memories the first night I was seeing my father after so many months.
Alex approached me and immediately leaned in for a less-then-chaste kiss. Thank goodness for smudge-proof makeup.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he greeted. He pulled away only slightly and wrapped his arm around my back. “You excited to see your dad?”
“Hey, yourself, handsome. Yes. Very. It’ll be nice. And what about you? Nervous at all?”
Alex gave a noncommittal grunt, which I interpreted as most definitely nervous but obviously not going to say so.
“Have you been here before?” I asked, looking around again.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
It was the opposite of modern infrastructure. The wood tones were dark and inviting, the lights a warm, dim yellow glow, the chairs draped in dark fabrics. The only white in the entire establishment was the tablecloths, but even those were covered with burgundy and forest green and jewel-toned blue napkins.
“Twice,” Alex responded. “Both were work parties.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Must have been one hell of a party.”
He chuckled, his body shaking slightly against mine. “It was. I think I remember one of the interns getting so wasted, he tried to turn it into karaoke night.”
I laughed. It sounded like a fun time. “What happened?”
“We called him a rideshare and sent him home. He tried to get one of the servers to go with him. Thankfully, the guy was a good sport and wasn’t upset about it. He got a lot of tips for that night.”
Before I could ask any other follow-up questions, the door behind us opened, bringing in the cool pre-winter bite that had bumps trailing down my arms and legs.
“Callie,” came my father’s voice.
I turned in Alex’s arms and was moving before my brain could catch up.
My father caught me, squeezing tight and trying to hide a slight sniffle that gave away his watering eyes. He never cried in front of me, believing that he needed to always be strong for me. I’d tried to disagree with him, saying that tears were a healthy show of emotion, but he’d been insistent. After that, I had called him old and stuck in his ancient ways, and he’d tossed a pillow at my face. I’d been eleven.
It was good to see him, to hug him, smell his cologne again. I’d made the right decision in moving here, but had always felt like I’d left him behind. Now he was here and my life felt a little more complete.
“Hi, dad,” I whispered into his shoulder where I’d automatically buried my face. The man was not tall, only a few inches above me, which meant he was perfect hug-height.
“It’s so good to see you.” He gave me a solid squeeze before gently pulling back. “You look good, Callie. And this is your someone?”
“Yeah. Dad, this is Alex. Alex, my dad.”
Alex held out his hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Navie,” Alex answered smoothly. “You’ve raised quite an impressive woman.”
Both my father and I flushed at the compliment. I pinched Alex’s side. Who knew he could be this smooth?
A gentle throat clearing brought my attention back to the woman standing slightly behind my father, presumably his coworker.
“Oh, yes, I’m so sorry, Veronica,” my dad apologized. He stepped aside and gestured a bit awkwardly to the woman. “This is one of my coworkers, Veronica. She’s been with the company for years and has been so helpful in getting me here. Even though she didn’t have to.”
Veronica had the sort of timeless grace any person hoped to have thirty years down the line. Her graying blond hair was expertly styled, her dress modest but attractive, the pearls at her throat the perfect compliment to her skin tone. I almost hated how incredible she looked, but I hated how she eyed my father more, like she wanted to eat him up.
Not that I’d begrudge my dad any bit of romance. But after my mother’s passing, he’d spent all his time and effort focused on raising me. It felt wrong that he could be interested in another woman. It was probably more of a me problem, unfortunately. Now that I was living my full life, and not the half-life I’d stuck myself in for years, I knew that it wasn’t going to just be me and my dad against the world like when we were younger.
Veronica held out her hand, making me realize I hadn’t said a word to greet her.
“Thanks for helping my dad,” I said, reaching for outstretched hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
As soon as my skin made contact with hers, a cool jolt traveled up my arm.
My bio-screen buzzed.
Damn. I couldn’t look to see what the newest, latest update was in front of them. It would be rude. Right? Like taking a phone call at the dinner table. Later, I’d excuse myself to the bathroom to check it out.
Because a part of me was convinced that Veronica, as sweet-faced as she appeared, was an opponent with an ability.
Which was absurd. My brain was actively looking for reasons to hate her, which was a bit embarrassing. It was probably another modifier being modified.
“It’s my pleasure,” she said to me before turning her gaze to Alex.
I, too, turned my gaze to Alex, and he shook her hand a little more stiffly than he had my father’s.
“Shall we?” my father prompted, leading the way further into the restaurant as we followed the host to our table.
Grabbing Alex’s arm, I tugged on him to give us a bit of space. I reached up on my tiptoes to ask, “Does something feel off about her, or am I just paranoid?”
Alex laughed and wrapped his arm around my shoulders to carefully drag me forward.
“What are you paranoid about?”
“Shhh!” I hissed, looking ahead to make sure they hadn’t heard him. “I don’t know! I just…as soon as she shook my hand, my screen alerted.”
That got his attention for a moment. Then, “Didn’t you say you got your stats updated today?”
“Yes,” I answered, scrunching my nose. “It was so annoying. I’ll have to tell you about it later. But I don’t think it’s related!”
“Well, are you going to check?”
“Not in front of them.”
“Do you think she has an ability like us?”
“I don’t know. Maybe?” I sighed, resisting the urge to run straight to the bathroom to check my screen. “Am I overreacting?”
Alex hesitated. “It’s hard to say. You never know what type of person you’ll meet. But…yeah, you probably are.”
“Damn,” I muttered, looking down at my feet. “Keep me in check, okay?”
Alex gave me a befuddled expression like he didn’t know the first thing about subtle communication. Hand squeezing. Code phrases. Tapping a glass three times. Something. Anything.
The last thing I wanted was to ruin this for my father.
We were shown to a table near a window where the blustering fall wind swirled leaves against the tinted glass. Alex took the seat across from Veronica, and I gave his thigh a squeeze under the table as I sat. He jerked, moving his thigh away and smacking at my hand.
Too high. Oops.
I weaved my fingers together and placed them in my lap. We already had enough unresolved tension between us, and adding to it while at dinner with my father was absolutely not the right time. Me practically groping the poor man was the opposite of helpful.
After that little mishap, dinner was mostly uneventful, except for the part where I accidentally knocked my water onto my appetizer plate, soaking the bread. We chatted about superficial things, like the changing weather, how his move went, how my new job was treating me, all safe topics for the presence of new acquaintances. Before dessert, which my father insisted on, I snuck away to the bathroom to collect and reassure myself that there was nothing to worry about with Veronica.
Locking myself in one of the stalls, I swept up on my forearm to pull up the screen. I was definitely getting better with this.
I navigated across the tabs at the top, trying to remember where just the gamma stats were located. Instead of them being on the home page, they’d been relocated to a background tab or something. Leo and Andrew wanted me to focus on improving my overall health to see how it impacted everything. Moving the old gamma stats was a way to encourage what they wanted.
“Where the fuck did it go?” I muttered to myself, scrolling down a detailed list of my other, biological stats like oxygen, cortisol, heart rate.
A voice came from outside the stall. “Callie? You okay in there?”
I froze, immediately recognizing Veronica’s tone. Had she followed me? What that on purpose, or a coincidence? It wasn’t like I’d been gone long enough to warrant being searched for.
“Yeah,” I answered. “I’m fine. Just looking for something is all.”
“If you need any menstrual products, I always keep some on me,” she offered.
Ew. I appreciated the gesture, but I was so not going to accept something from the woman who might be into my father. That was just…no.
“I found it,” I answered. “But thanks.”
My screen would have to wait. Damnit.
I used the toilet to not be suspicious, and left the stall to find Veronica dabbing at her lipstick with a tissue. After washing my hands, I went to leave and return to our table when she stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
Again, I froze, this time with a rush of adrenaline flooding my system. I was alone in a place without cameras with someone I just met who may have an ability. I felt cornered, trapped, even though I had an out.
But I’d thought that last time, and had failed, hadn’t I? Not to mention that I was running on low, if not almost empty. And the greater the distance I zapped myself, like from here to my apartment, the more of it I would use up. I wasn’t sure I had enough left in me to get all the way there and I didn’t want to find out what happened if I ran out mid-teleport.
“I hope you don’t mind I tagged along tonight,” Veronica said sweetly. “I’ve been working with your father for a bit now, and want to get to know him.”
“My father’s pretty great,” I hedged. This was not a comfortable conversation.
“I also wanted to meet you,” she added, taking a step closer. I shuffled back half a step,, trying to be subtle about it. “He’s talked a lot about you, you know. I had to meet the famous Callie.”
I forced out a laugh. “Oh, I’m not famous. Pretty average, really. But I appreciate the compliment. We should probably get back to the table before they miss us, or before we miss dessert,” I suggested, edging to the side to step around her.
“Of course. But I hope to get to know you better, Callie.”
I paused with my back to the stalls. I was about five steps away from the door, which anyone could walk through at any time.
“I’m not sure why anyone would be interested in getting to know their coworker’s daughter,” I stated, watching as the implication registered on Veronica’s face.
“I wouldn’t say he’s just a coworker.”
“I see.” I took another couple of steps towards the door, feeling a rush of relief when my hand grabbed the handle. “I’m glad my father has a friend in you.”
Was it what she actually had meant? Maybe, but my gut was telling me no, that this woman had a more specific interest in my father than just being his coworker or friend.
And I didn’t really care to get involved.
My father’s love life was his own. I was a grown woman myself and didn’t need a step-mother to try to take my mom’s place. My dad had filled that role almost my entire life.
Was I reading into things too much? Perhaps. But I would be keeping an eye on Veronica. Something was telling me that there was more going on that I should keep tabs on.
When I arrived back at the table, Veronica trailing closely behind me, I shot Alex a Look. He didn’t know what that look meant, of course, but he was smart enough to know something was up and to ask about it later.
Our desserts came shortly after that. The entire time, Veronica kept her focus on my dad. For her talk about wanting to get to know me, she wasn’t doing a very good job at the moment. Or maybe she was trying to show me how she was genuinely interested in my father?
It was all so awkward.
I kept my eyes on my plate or on Alex as the conversation transitioned to discussing how great the dinner was, how nice it was to catch up in person, and when we were free next to plan something else.
Originally, I’d planned on inviting Alex and my father over to my apartment afterwards, assuming that his coworker would head home, but Veronica complicated things. I didn’t want to specifically exclude her but I sure as hell wasn’t inviting her over either.
“Remind me what hotel you’re at?” I asked as we collected our coats.
“Oh, I’m staying at Veronica’s,” he answered. “She was so kind to offer me her guest room instead of dealing with a hotel.”
“How generous of her.” If either of them caught on to the insincerity in my tone, they didn’t react.
Veronica smoothed the front of her coat, the waist cinched tight. “Well, I had the space, and it’s gone unused for so long. I figured that your father might prefer to stay somewhere a bit more homey while he works on finding a place of his own.”
I nodded, not trusting myself to keep the snakiness out of my tone.
Alex came to the rescue in the silence that followed. “I should get home. Long day. It was so nice meeting the both of you.” He extended his hand first to my father, and then to Veronica. “Here, Callie, I’ll walk you to the station.”
I gave my dad a hug goodbye and settled on a polite wave for Veronica.
As Alex and I turned and left, he wrapped an arm around my middle and tugged me close. Leaning down, he whispered, “You good?”
I swallowed and nodded. “Yeah. It’s probably nothing. Well, not nothing. I think Veronica has a thing for my dad. It’s…weird to me.”
Alex dug his fingers into my ticklish side, making me flinch into him. “Yeah, I bet it’s weird seeing someone flirt with your parent.”
“Right? It was so weird. And also, like, why bring a date to meet your daughter? It’s not like they’re actually together.” I stopped in my tracks. “Wait. Do you…you don’t think they could actually be together, do you? It’s way too early. They’re coworkers.”
Alex moved to stand in front of me and placed his hands on top of my shoulders. “Do you want me to give you the truth, or make you feel better.”
“Ugh. Truth.”
“I asked you out on a date the first time we met, remember? And look where that got us. It’s totally possible they’re dating and didn’t want to tell you yet. Gauge the situation first, figure out how to break it to you gently.”
I let my face fall forward onto his shoulder. “I don’t want to think about that,” I moaned into his coat. He rubbed his hands up and down my arms before I pulled back.
“How about we go back to my place and you can show me these fancy new stats you have,” he suggested.
“It’ll probably make my brain short-circuit.”
“Then you won’t keep thinking about your dad and Veronica,” he countered.
I gasped in mock-offense. “Ew, don’t say that. You just ruined the mood.”
He winked at me. Winked! “I bet I can fix that.”
Alex grabbed my hand and pulled me along while I sputtered.