The Psychic Circle: Chapter 12

Jake’s house was not the most ideal place to meet, but Alexia wasn’t going to fight with Ben about bringing strangers into the house. Just because he didn’t know them, that didn’t meant they were strangers! She shook her head to clear the thoughts of the imaginary fight she was already having with her stepdad.

Jake opened up the bachelor flat and gestured for the girls to enter. “Make yourself at home, ladies.” He added that grin of his which added a hint of cheeky intension on a perfectly innocent sentence. Usually Alexia would roll her eyes and ignore him, but for Nikki’s sake, she frowned at Jake in an attempt to tame him. He smiled in amusement and proceeded forward into the house flicking on lights as he went along.

It was fairly spacious, a modern and comfortable space, surprisingly well kept for a bachelor’s abode. The metallic black and white kitchen was an open plan design and visible from the lounge. The only thing out of place was an empty take out box on the counter from Gourmet Burger.

Jake led the way through the kitchen to the lounge. There were four rounded couches, with short metallic legs, and each were different bold colours that were of the same design. Alexia settled on the large red couch which faced the television but was farthest from it. The bright blue, green and yellow couches varied in size and were arranged in an oval shape around the living room.

She looked up and saw Nikki standing in the space which acted as an invisible boundary between the kitchen and the lounge. Alexia gave her a warm smile and beckoned her over to sit next to her.

Nikki shrugged and held her right elbow with her left hand. “Can I take a shower please?”

Alexia got up, flustered. “Of course! Let me sort that out for you. Jake!” Soon she collected all the things that Nikki needed, and let her wash off the dirt of the streets in the modern bathroom with square taps. She joined Jake downstairs as she once again reflected how something as simple as a shower meant a lot to someone who lived on the streets.

Jake soon helped her forget her depressing thoughts when she saw him in the kitchen with candy shaped as vampire fangs between his teeth. She giggled and grabbed some candy for herself as they caught up some more.

By the time Nikki came downstairs, back in the same clothes but looking more refreshed, Alexia had convinced Jake to put out some juice and biscuits – he needed reminding since he wasn’t the hosting type.

Alexia sat with Nikki on the red couch while Jake took the green armchair. “Nikki, the others will be coming soon, I’ve told them we’re here.” Alexia said. “That’s my power; I can create mind links with other psychics and communicate thoughts and feelings to them.”

“And she can be incredibly annoying and invasive about it at times.” Jake added. Alexia rolled her eyes at Jake. “And hella useful as well.” He continued with a knowing smile.

“We’ve all got gifts that have come in handy in one nasty situation or another.” Alexia said, turning to Nikki again.

“What is your power, Jake?” Nikki asked abruptly.

Jake turned to Nikki, clearly surprised that she had directed her attention to him. After a pause he answered “Charm.” He smiled. Nikki frowned, not understanding.

Alexia came in “Well Nikki, what Jake means is that when he focuses, he can influence the moment when someone makes a decision. Generally he uses it to ask a girl out on a date.”

Jake scowled at Alexia but couldn’t help grinning. “Alexia is oversimplifying, but basically I have overcharged charisma. It’s harmless. Here, let me show you-”

Nikki withdrew her hands and shifted away from him. “You make people do what they don’t want to do?”

Jake froze, his mouth open as if to speak, but he was at a loss for words. He looked down then straightened himself up before addressing Nikki again. “I get them to the decision they were going to make anyway.”

Nikki shook her head her lip curled and her breathing intensified. “What you do is wrong! No one should be forced to do anything they don’t want!”

Alexia jumped in, taken aback that the conversation had gotten so serious so fast. “Nikki, Nikki, it’s ok! We don’t use our powers like that. Not on each other.” She moved closer to Nikki and was glad when she didn’t withdraw. She glanced up at Jake. He had his lips pressed shut and was avoiding eye contact.

He stood abruptly. “I better make sure the security system is on, it’s getting dark.” He left the room and went upstairs. Alexia watched him go and thought twice about telling him to come back.

When she gazed back, Nikki was looking down at the coffee table, scratching the edge with her nail and biting her quivering lower lip.

“Oh, Nikki, hey...” Alexia rubbed Nikki’s shoulder. “I know you didn’t mean to lash out on Jake. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through and I don’t pretend to know. Just tell me what you need. Do you want to talk about it?”

Nikki shook her head.

Alexia sighed and tried a different approach. “Ok, well we have been open to you and told you about our powers. I am a Communicator, I can link all our minds and send one way messages. What is your power?”

Nikki hesitated just long enough to make Alexia think she wasn’t going to tell her. Then she spoke. “I make people feel what I feel. As if they experienced it themselves.”

Alexia gave her an encouraging smile. “Perfect empathy, right? That’s pretty awesome, I’d like to get my stepdad to walk in my shoes for a minute.” Nikki didn’t return her smile, and her face dropped further.

“There is nothing in my life but pain. That is all I can pass on.” Nikki said and covered her face.

“Ok, you know what, we don’t have to dwell on that right now. Let me make you a cup of hot chocolate, how’s that?” Alexia said, getting up to go to the kitchen. Before Nikki could respond, there was a knock on the door. Alexia looked at Nikki’s crouched figure and decided she just needed to have some space now. She went to open the door.

“Alexia!” Naomi squealed and wrapped Alexia into an affectionate hug. Alexia returned the embrace warmly and immediately brightened up.

“Naomi, how have you been? It’s so great to see you. How is your mother?” Alexia said as they stepped inside linking arms. Naomi was a hugging person and Alexia loved that. They chatted a bit, then Alexia stopped her before they entered the lounge. Naomi looked expectedly at her.

“I called you here because I think we’ve found a girl who is a really powerful psychic. Her name is Nikki, and she... has been through a lot. ” Alexia spoke in low tones. Naomi was immediately concerned and asked a bunch of questions like if Nikki had eaten, what happened to her, and Alexia quickly cut in, and told her about Nikki’s reaction to Jake’s powers.

“Shame, poor girl. Can I meet her?” Naomi asked. Alexia nodded and gestured to where Nikki was sitting.

Soon afterwards, the other Psychic Circle members began filing in. Hanson was as gawky as she remembered, and his hair was close shaven to the same length it was two years ago. He greeted her with barely a glance in her direction as he slouched in. If he wasn’t looking at his shoes he was looking at anything else but straight at the people who he conversed with. Alexia couldn’t honestly remember the colour of his eyes.

Finally, when Casey Richman arrived, everyone parted for her to pass. They never knew when she was going to be in a bad mood, and who the next target would be.

There was a lot of milling around, “Haven’t seen you in so long’s” and catching up, but Alexia urged them to gather in the lounge. Nikki was still on the couch but it seems she wasn’t immune to the Naomi effect either. She was sitting up attentive to one of Naomi’s larger than life stories, with a ghost of a smile on her face.

After a few announcements, Alexia got everyone into the lounge, where Hanson and Casey passed curious glances in Nikki’s direction and, except for Naomi, kept their distance from the stranger.

Jake was still missing. He must still be upset about earlier. Alexia thought. She considered going up the stairs, but decided he probably liked his space up there private. Instead she took a breath and closed her eyes as her mind searched for his.

The gang is all here aren’t they? Jake’s thoughts reached hers.

We need you down here. Sorry about before, I know she didn’t mean it. Alexia thought back at him.

You saw how freaked that guy was back at Angel. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.

Have you got a bad feeling, or did she hurt your feelings?

...Just don’t expect us to be best friends. I’m coming down. Jake cut the psychic link after this. Alexia was glad for Naomi, because now between Casey, Hanson and an uncharacteristically moody Jake, this meeting could end up being a bigger downer than an AA meeting.

Alexia turned back to the room and looked at each of them and couldn’t help smiling. “Reunited and it feels so good, am I right?”

“Woohoo!” Naomi yelled a decibel too loud.

“Yeah, just like the good old days. Alexia, what’s going on here and who is this?” Casey said, pointing at Nikki. Hanson stood a bit closer to Casey, staring at Nikki as well. Jake came downstairs and entered the room at that point, and strolled too casually to the furthest couch from Nikki’s.

“Ok guys, let’s take a seat please. I know I didn’t give you much information over our Link, but that was because I wasn’t sure exactly what we are dealing with.” Alexia walked over to Nikki, and Naomi gave her space next to Nikki. “This is Nikki. I met her when she saved me from some grimy dudes who hang out on 5th Street.”

Hanson widened his eyes and he gawked at her. “You went down 5th street?!” he exclaimed. This was the first time he had spoken up, and Alexia noticed that his voice was much more grating than she remembered. Had he started smoking?

“I know, Hanson. It was dumb, but thankfully nothing bad happened. But Nikki has had a rough life and I think we can help her.” Alexia said.

Casey’s eyes narrowed. “Alexia, we know nothing about her. Being a psychic doesn’t mean she is going to fit in here. What is she capable of?”

There was a silent moment when everyone turned to face Nikki. She looked startled at the attention. She glanced at Naomi, pleading with her eyes. Alexia noted the quick bond they had already formed, in true Naomi style. Few were immune to her unbridled friendliness and openness. It was Naomi who sat up and addressed them on Nikki’s behalf.

“Casey, I get what you’re saying, but it was this same group who accepted your power when you thought no one else would wasn’t it?” Naomi’s voice was always soft and low, even when she was delivering a challenge. Casey flinched with annoyance. There had always been tension between the two of them.

Jake spoke up for the first time since he came downstairs. “Naomi, don’t be an idiot. Casey is right, before we became an oh-so-happy family, we all demonstrated our powers and assessed what we could do, so,” he turned to Nikki “it’s only fair that our newbie does the same.”

“Ok guys, that’s not necessary.” Said Alexia as she moved towards Jake. She chose to send her thoughts to him silently. Don’t take your personal issues out on her! This is neither the time nor place.

Jake shot her a dirty look. It’s rude to talk about people behind their minds.

Shutting her out he walked to the centre of the room to address everyone. “You know what, we’ll make it fair. We’ll show you our powers and then you show us what you can do, Nikki. I’ll start...” Jake gave Alexia a look. “I’ll begin by telling you what Alexia’s power is. She can force mind links and insert her thoughts into anyone’s head without their permission. She did that just now, talking about all of you.”

Alexia curled her lip as she gave Jake a furious glare. “Jake, you’re out of line! We’re not going to do some show-and-tell to satisfy your-”

“Wait, Alexia...” Naomi cut in. She stood up to address them all. “Jake, I think you have a point. We all know what each other’s powers are, but Nikki doesn’t. Why don’t we discuss this in a safe space? It’ll make Nikki feel more comfortable, and all of us too.” Naomi glanced around, reading their faces, before finally facing Alexia expectedly.

Alexia cleared her throat and talked to Nikki. “I’m sorry about this, Nikki. Is it ok if we do that? It seems like everyone is a bit tense. If Jake is ok with it,” she glanced at his stony face, “Then we can all move to his basement for a power demonstration. Sounds good to everyone?” She kept her gaze on Jake. He scowled and nodded. Nikki bit her lip and said “Ok.”

Casey flashed a rare grin. “I hope you suckers have been practicing, ‘cause I have!” She strode purposely past Jake towards the basement door, and after a second Hanson shuffled in the same direction. He shook his head and sighed as he sauntered down the stairs after them.

Naomi linked arms with Nikki in her sisterly way, and guided her to the door. Alexia scanned the room, quickly went to lock the front door – they didn’t need any interference - and headed to the basement. Naomi and Nikki were starting to descend down the stairs, and Alexia followed.

Nikki turned her head and stared wide eyed at Alexia. She shook her head as she let out a whimper of fear before Naomi led her downstairs.