“YOU’RE SURE YOU’RE all right? You had me worried sick.” Rachel sat in the seat across from Sarah, her petite frame and short blonde hair contrasting with Sarah’s taller frame and shoulder-length brunette hair. They had just finished eating a couple of scones and enjoying some coffee before Rachel had to leave for work.
The two women had become friends after Sarah began working at the bookstore over six months ago. Although opposites physically, they both shared common characteristics. They’d each lost both sets of parents and they had both ended up at the bookstore after unexpected events: Sarah after the loss of her corporate job, and Rachel after moving away from home to follow her boyfriend Todd to a new workplace.
“I know. I’m sorry,” replied Sarah. “I was really sick, though. It took me by surprise. It was a week before I felt strong enough to even call you.”
“Well, it’s a good thing your Aunt Gerry was there to take care of you. I tried to call, but your phone wouldn’t connect.”
“Sorry. It died, and I was so out of it, I never thought to charge it.” Sarah hated lying to her friend, but she knew she had no choice.
Rachel studied her with a worried gaze. “What about work? You planning on coming back? I could use your help with that awful computer.”
Sarah smiled at her request. Rachel never did have any success when it came to computers. “Arnie gave me a leave of absence for now.”
“Why? Are you not able to come back? Are you still sick?”
“No, I’m better now,” said Sarah, looking down at the table. “I’m just dealing with a few things that I haven’t worked through yet. It may take some time.”
Rachel stirred her coffee. “Well, I’m glad you called,” she said. “I was beginning to think I’d never see you again.”
“I know. I’m sorry it took so long.”
“To be honest, I thought maybe you ran off with some guy.” Rachel grinned. “I sort of wondered if it was that man in the bookstore.”
“That man?”
“What was his name? Ramsey? John Ramsey. The one you spilled coffee on?”
Sarah kept her face still, revealing nothing. “He stood me up. Remember?”
“Yes. But there was something about him. I felt sure he had a thing for you. I wondered if he might have showed up later and whisked you off your feet.”
Sarah took a sip of her drink and didn’t look at her friend. “It’s a good story,” she said.
“It’s a great story. Part of me hoped it was true.”
“Yeah, well, sorry I don’t have something more exotic to tell.” If Rachel only knew the truth, she thought.
Rachel looked at her watch. “I hate it, but I’m going to have to go. It’s going to take me a few minutes to walk to work.”
They had met at a coffee shop a few blocks from the bookstore, one they’d been to only once before. Sarah suggested it, knowing that Ramsey would look for her in their usual meeting spots.
Sarah was surprised the time had passed so quickly. It felt as if they had just sat down. “Okay,” she said. “Tell Arnie I said ‘Hi.’”
Rachel stood and swung her purse over her shoulder. Sarah stood, too. The two hugged warmly.
“Don’t make we wait so long before seeing you again, okay?“ asked Rachel. “Keep in touch.”
They broke apart. “I will,” said Sarah. “I’m sorry it took as long as it did.”
Rachel held her gaze. “And whatever it is you’re going through, I hope you figure it out. I‘m just a phone call away, you know.”
Sarah felt the well of emotions within her bubble up, but she didn’t let it show. “Thanks, Rach. I appreciate that. You’re a good friend.”
“I mean it.”
“I know you do.”
“Okay, then. I’ll see you soon.”
“You will. You better get going. I don’t want you to get in trouble with Arnie.”
“Take care.”
“You too.”
Rachel headed for the exit as Sarah watched her go. Through the windows, Sarah saw her friend head down the street and disappear from sight.
Sarah felt the sadness of watching her leave. It was the first normal conversation she’d had in a month, and she missed her old life. Sitting back down, she battled her uncertainty. She knew she had to go back to the safe house, but the thought of going home, of sleeping in her own bed, being around her own things, made her homesick.
She knew Ramsey would be looking for her by now. But after his refusal to let her leave yesterday, she’d been so angry with him that she didn’t care what he thought about her absence. And she was supposed to meet with that Councilwoman this morning. She imagined Ramsey’s face when he’d found her gone. Earlier, the thought of it had given her satisfaction. Now, though, it made her feel guilty. She knew he would worry. Every action he took and every thought he had was intended to protect her. Considering the circumstances, she understood that, but everything they’d hoped to see in her had disappeared. All the sensitivity, heightened awareness, and surge of power she’d felt when she’d summoned it had ended. No matter what she did, it hadn’t returned, and it didn’t take extra powers to know that her new “special” friends were disappointed, even concerned.
The pressure of that weighed on her mind, and it had taken its toll until she’d finally snapped, using Ramsey’s anger as the trigger. She considered calling him now, but looking at her phone, she saw only a blank screen. At some point, the batteries had died. She thought that was odd, since she’d charged it last night. Now, she realized, she’d have to find a phone to call another cab or call Ramsey. She wasn’t sure yet which one it would be.
“You mind if I sit down?”
She looked up to see a man standing by her table. Holding a cup in his hand, he looked down at her as he waited for her response. He wore a crisp white shirt, open at the collar, and nicely cut gray pants with polished black shoes. A large black and silver watch peeked out from the cuff of his shirt. Caught by surprise, she viewed the room, noticing now that the little shop had grown busy and that all the chairs were occupied. Rachel’s chair, now empty, had attracted his interest.
“Sorry,” he said, “I don’t mean to bother you. I’m just waiting for a friend. He should be here soon. I promise to leave you alone.”
He smiled at her, and she noticed his pearly-white, perfectly straight teeth. His handsome features included shiny, well-cut sandy blond hair, gray eyes, and a closely shaved jawline. Even from her seat, she could tell he was tall. That, along with his slender build and the hint of musculature that his shirt only partially obscured, made him very attractive.
Seeing no reason why he couldn’t sit there, she answered, “No, that’s fine. I don’t mind.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” He sat and looked at his watch.
She went back to looking at her phone, wishing she had battery power so she could look busy. She didn’t feel like making light conversation. Again, she thought of Ramsey, wondering where he was right now and hoping he wouldn’t be too angry with her.
“You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind. Having one of those days?”
She hid her disappointment that he wanted to talk. Trying not to act distracted and choosing to be polite, she looked back at her table companion. “You could say that. I’ve had better.”
“I’ve been there. I hope it improves.”
“Thanks. Me too.” She looked back down at her phone.
“Anything I can do?”
She silently groaned when he kept talking. “Excuse me?” she asked, thinking his question sounded odd.
“I don’t mean to presume anything. I just figured I’m sitting here, waiting. You want to talk?”
“Talk?”
“Yes. We don’t know each other. Anything you say will be held in the highest confidence.” He smiled again as if to convince her.
She didn’t know how to interpret that. “No, thanks,” she said, putting her phone away.
“Whatever you say.” She could feel him watching her. “You waiting for someone?” he asked.
Apparently, the possibility of avoiding light conversation was too much to hope for.
“No. Not really.”
“Just taking time for yourself?”
Sitting there, looking down at the coffee cup she held, Sarah felt the first pangs of discomfort. She didn’t have her alien extrasensory powers to rely on, but her basic human ones appeared to be working fine. Something about him made her feel uneasy. Her fingers sought out the comfort of her necklace but found nothing on her neck. She’d forgotten to put it on this morning in her rush to leave.
“I met with a friend earlier,” she said, glancing up. “In fact, it’s almost time for me to go.”
Her anxiety evidently becoming obvious, he dropped his smile. “I’m sorry. I’m bothering you. Sometimes my personality turns people off. I can be a bit verbose.”
She felt bad, then, feeling that practiced behavior of always being nice kicking in. But she couldn’t ignore the feeling in her gut. Suddenly, all the concern that Ramsey had expressed over her safety came into glaring focus. The discussions they’d had about someone coming after her played in her head. Goosebumps popped out on her skin.
“Don’t worry about it,” she said. “I’m just not feeling very social. Nothing personal.”
“Well, I need to go anyway. I can’t wait any longer.” He sat for a second, watching her, and she felt her unease edge higher. He stood to leave, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. Before actually moving, though, he leaned toward her, reaching out his hand. “By the way,” he said, “my name is Yates. And no, I’m not named after the poet.” His smile returned, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
She considered not shaking his hand, but social convention won out and she reached out and took it.
“Sarah,” she said, feeling his fingers contact hers. His skin was soft, and his grip firm.
“Nice to meet you, Sarah.”
He held her hand in his. She started to pull away when she felt his fingers apply just enough pressure to keep her hand in his for another brief second. The subtlety of the action made her heart jump as the warnings flared, growing stronger. Now regretting her decision to leave the house, she tried not to visibly react when she felt the almost imperceptible graze of his thumb against her skin. Before she could pull away, he released her hand.
“I hope your day gets better.” His intense stare relaxed and he straightened. “I know mine has.” His eyes remained on her for a few more seconds until he finally turned and walked away, never looking back as he left the shop.
Sarah released a held breath and swallowed, but her mouth was so dry, she could feel the inside of her throat stick. She brought her coffee up to take a sip. The drink was cold, but she barely noticed, the man who’d left taking her full attention. She considered leaving, but she decided to sit and wait, allowing her heart to regain its normal tempo. He’s gone, she thought to herself. No harm done. Just some guy who thought he could pick me up.
Somewhere, though, in the back of her mind, she feared it was more than that. She continued to sit in the coffee shop, hoping he wouldn’t come back but not quite ready to depart either, afraid he could be out there, waiting for her. She picked up her phone and ran her fingers over it, wishing she could call Ramsey.
**
Three blocks away, Ramsey’s car pulled up into a metered spot just outside the bookstore. Declan had called about ten minutes earlier. Sarah had been dropped off at this very spot a little over an hour ago. He got out of the car and dropped some coins into the meter while Morgana finished her phone call. On the way over, she had contacted her assistant, Jenkins. While she waited on the phone, Jenkins pulled the files of research they had done on Sarah prior to her Shift. As Jenkins went through them, he gave Morgana the information she needed. After thanking him, she hung up the phone and exited the car.
“What did you find out?” asked Ramsey.
“We kept files on her whereabouts up until you took over. I’m hopeful they might lead us in the right direction.”
Ramsey looked over at the doors to the bookstore and remembered walking through them that first day over a month ago. He hoped Sarah was nearby. He’d deliberately avoided any thoughts of disaster, knowing they served no purpose, but the longer they looked for her, the harder it became to push them back.
Watching him, Morgana said, “Why don’t you go in? Look for Rachel. Maybe Sarah’s in there right now talking to her.”
He glanced back at her. “What will you do?”
“Based on the information I have, I’ll do some looking around out here.”
“I thought you said she’d never go to her usual places.”
“That’s not where I’m going.” She moved away and headed down the sidewalk. “Let me know if you find her.”
“You too,” said Ramsey, watching her go.
He turned back to the doors, walked up, and went inside. The familiar kaleidoscope of books, shelves, and signs greeted him as he entered. He immediately looked for the register, almost expecting to see Sarah’s face smile back at him. He felt disappointment when he saw only a young man behind the counter. Caught up in his work, the employee paid no attention to arriving customers.
Moving deeper into the store, Ramsey occasionally stopped at a bookshelf or magazine rack as if he were browsing, but he kept an eye out for Rachel. He expected her to arrive at any moment.
As if on cue, a door marked “Employees Only” opened and out she walked, looking the same as he remembered her. He ducked behind a shelf and watched her move toward the Customer Service counter to assist a customer who was waiting there.
He debated his next move. Should he approach her? Doing so could stir up a lot of questions he didn’t want to answer. Had she already met with Sarah? There was no way to know. He considered leaving the store, but he visualized Sarah walking in just after he left. Looking at the large clock on the wall, he thought, fifteen minutes. I’ll wait fifteen more minutes.
Not far away, Morgana walked down the sidewalk. Looking at the information Jenkins had retrieved for her, she had noted that there were three places that Sarah and Rachel had frequented often. Ignoring those, she focused on the one place left. They had been there only once. Being no slouch herself when it came to certain abilities, she focused in on the location, letting the activity around her soften into a quiet buzzing and allowing her senses to give her the confirmation she sought. Receiving it, she turned her attention back to the location indicated and headed that way. She picked up her pace, hoping to get there in time.
Turning the corner a few minutes later, she found the place. A big neon coffee cup blinked in the window. Looking inside, she perused the few tables within the shop. Seeing one of them occupied by the object of her attention, she opened the door and went inside.
Much calmer now that the man had not returned, Sarah began to think she may have overreacted. With all the warnings that Ramsey had given her, it was no wonder she jumped at the slightest concern. It surprised her that she didn’t suspect everyone she came into contact with during this impromptu adventure. Taking a deep breath and releasing it, she felt herself relax.
“Hello, Sarah.”
She startled at the voice and looked up to see an older woman standing next to her. “Do I know you?” she asked. Did she have some sort of stranger magnet on her, she wondered?
“Not yet. But I know you.”
The woman sat down across from her. Sarah couldn’t help but notice her polished look and how elegantly she carried herself. She moved with a lithe grace that belied her age. She pulled her chair in and put her hands on the table. “We’ve been looking for you.”
Sarah’s shoulders slumped, and she instinctively looked out the windows, expecting to see Ramsey at any moment.
“He’s at the bookstore, waiting to see if you’ll show up.”
Sarah eyed the woman across from her, admiring her stylish silver hair, which was swept up and held by a vintage clip.
Morgana looked over at the counter. “You want something to drink?” she asked.
Sarah looked at the woman. She felt no discomfort in the way she had with the man who’d previously sat there. “Sure,” she said. “Coffee. Black, please.”
The woman stood and made her way to the counter.
Sarah’s mind raced as she wondered how they’d found her. She could only assume they’d used some sort of as yet unknown alien tracking method, or they had a spacecraft watching her. Neither possibility made her feel better. Apparently, there was nowhere she could hide.
The woman returned carrying two Styrofoam cups with lids, one of which she placed in front of Sarah. She sat back down at the table.
“Thank you,” said Sarah.
“My name is Morgana,” the woman said. “We were scheduled to meet this morning.”
Sarah felt her face redden. This was the Councilwoman Ramsey had spoken of last night. As Sarah had prepared to leave this morning, she couldn’t have cared less about the meeting, but sitting across from the woman now, she couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.
“Sorry,” she said.
Morgana’s eyes never wavered from Sarah’s. “Never apologize.”
Sarah shifted in her seat. It was not what she expected to hear.
Morgana watched Sarah’s reaction, and Sarah could not ignore her piercing gray eyes.
“Women of a certain stature never apologize, Sarah. It weakens them. Remember that.”
Surprised, Sarah had no idea how to respond.
“Unless, of course,” Morgana continued, “you think you did something wrong.” She took a sip of her drink. “Do you?”
Sarah tried to keep up, but she was still back on the “never apologize” comment. The authoritative air that Morgana exuded held her in an almost trance-like state. Finally thinking about it, she responded with more confidence than she’d felt in a long time. “No,” she said. “I don’t think I did anything wrong.”
“Okay, then,” Morgana answered, maintaining her gaze. “Let’s move on.”
Feeling the pressure on her lighten, Sarah took a sip of her drink. She grimaced when the hot liquid touched her lips. “Ugh. What is this?” She held her cup away from her.
“Green tea. Drink it. It’s better for you than coffee.”
Sarah put down the cup and picked up her napkin, then dabbed at her lips. “Sorry. I wasn’t expecting green tea.”
“What was that?”
“I said sor—” Sarah stopped herself, realizing what she’d been about to say. “I mean… I didn’t realize what it was.”
“Understandable.”
Sarah took another sip from her cup. Now that she knew what to expect, it wasn’t too bad.
“So what happens now?” she asked. “You guys going to drag me back to that house?”
Morgana continued to stare at her with that penetrating gaze. “Do I look like someone who drags anyone anywhere?”
She most certainly did not. “Then what happens next?”
“That is entirely up to you.”
“What?” asked Sarah.
“I think you heard me.”
“But…”
“But what?”
“I thought I was some, some…sort of super alien…” Sara sputtered, not sure how to put it.
“How about we say that a little more quietly?” Morgana asked. “Let’s use a different word, since we’re in public. How about ‘manager’?”
“Manager?”
“Yes.” Morgana’s posture never changed. She sat straight and tall across from Sarah as if they were talking about the weather.
“Okay,” said Sarah, drawing out the word. “I thought I was supposed to be this great ‘manager’ or something?”
“You are.”
“And I’m supposedly in danger.”
“You very well may be.”
“Ramsey says I need protection. That I can’t be on my own. That I need to develop my, my ‘management’ skills as quickly as possible. He never lets me leave.” She could feel her frustration rise.
Studying her, Morgana put down her cup. “Sarah, if there’s one thing I detest more than anything else, it’s when a woman blames all her troubles on a man.”
Sarah sat shocked at Morgana’s answer and her eyes widened. “What? Are you saying I had some choice in the matter?”
“Didn’t you?”
Sarah just stared, trying to understand. “You mean I could have left at any time?”
“What was stopping you?”
“Well, come on, Morgana,” Sarah sputtered as she suddenly found herself defending her actions. “Learning I’m a ‘manager’—and apparently a higher level ‘manager’ at that—requires a little adjustment time. That, and discovering my new ‘management’ skills, was a little overwhelming. Not to mention I’m also apparently responsible for somehow saving all the other ‘managers’ out there.”
“It’s a lot to deal with.”
“Yes, it is. It scares the hell out of me.”
“Management work is difficult.”
Sarah didn’t know what else to say. She’d voiced her justifications, and Morgana had argued with none of them.
“So, what? That’s it? I can go home?”
“Do you want to go home?”
“I…I don’t know. I thought so.”
“So go.”
Sarah stared at her with doubt, all her insecurities suddenly firing at once. “But what about my ‘management’ skills?”
“What about them?”
“Don’t you need me? Don’t you need me to use them for some reason?”
“We do.”
Sarah wasn’t sure she understood. “But you’re willing to let me walk away?”
Morgana leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “Sarah, you know everything you need to know, save for a few details here and there. Ramsey got you through your Shift and told you who you were. He also told you about a likely adversary, one we know very little about. Now I realize Ramsey is an intense man and he has a certain undefinable quality about him that some may find appealing, but he’s still just a man. He takes his job very seriously, and because he does, he has made it seem as if you have no choice here. But don’t let him stop you. You are now at a crossroads. As I understand it, your duties have ended for the moment. Unfortunately, we don’t know much about your style of management, so it’s difficult for us to assist you. All we can do is keep waiting and hope that at some point, your duties will be reinstated. But that being said, you still have the choice.”
“The choice?”
“Yes. You can choose to walk out of here and reenter your life as it was. Return to the bookstore, your apartment, your life, leave all of us behind you. I can’t promise that you won’t be in danger. I have no idea what our other ‘manager’ out there plans for you, if anything. I can only assume if you make the choice to vacate your position that, in all likelihood, your duties will end and your value to the competition will be greatly reduced, if not eradicated completely. Or you can make the decision to embrace your new role at the firm. If you do that, though, then you leave your old life behind and you take on a new one, including all the responsibilities that come with the position. And I hate to say this, but you’ll be stuck with Ramsey for a little while longer.” Morgana watched Sarah as the options were presented to her. “But the decision is completely up to you.” She sat back in her seat.
The two women stared at each other, saying nothing. The silence broke when Morgana’s phone began to ring. She took it from her purse and answered it. “I’m here,” she said. She paused, listening to the caller. “No need. I’m with her now.”
Sarah could hear a raised male voice coming from the phone. She knew immediately it was Ramsey.
“I’m telling you now,” Morgana continued, listening again as Ramsey spoke, her facial expression unchanged. “It’s not important where we are.” Another loud shout emerged from the phone. “Your use of foul language changes nothing. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.” And with that, she snapped the phone shut and turned it off.
Sarah could only marvel at the woman across from her.
Morgana put the phone away and looked back at her. “Well?”
“Well, what?”
“What is your decision?”
“Now? You want me to decide right now?”
Morgana paused, but not for long. “You already know what to do.”
“I do?’
“I find that most people know the answer to a question the moment it’s asked. They only lack the courage to commit.”
Sarah said nothing. She played with the lid of her plastic cup.
“I’ll give you five minutes. I’ll wait outside.” Morgana stood and picked up her purse. “If you choose management, then we’ll return to the bookstore, find Ramsey, and head back. If you choose the other, then simply walk home from here. You know the way.” Passing Sarah, she stopped and said, “Five minutes. And I don’t mean six.”
She moved away from the table, headed for the door. A man in his mid-twenties stood from an adjacent table as she passed. “Excuse me, ma’am?” he asked.
She stopped and looked at him. “Yes?”
“I couldn’t help but overhear. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but it sounds like your firm might be looking for some new management. May I give you my resumé?”
Morgana didn’t bat an eye. “Did I give the impression we were hiring? How unfortunate.” She turned and walked out the door, leaving the man staring vacantly after her.
He turned back to Sarah before returning to his seat. “Nice lady,” he said.
Sarah checked her watch. She had four minutes left.