MInd's Eye

Chapter 1

    Leaning against a corner, hidden behind shadow, and scrutinizing a child from a distance at the orphanage, Kira knew she had found what she was looking for. From here, she noticed the child’s short, mushroom hair and sharp chin, mistaking the child for a boy.

    But at a closer glance, she realized the child was a girl, but her lack of feminine features would daze people for years.

    The child was roughhousing and playing with boys and they accepted her like she was one of them. The child‘s voice was deep for a girl, even most of the boys her age had higher pitched voices than her.

    The child was energetic and active, racing toy cars, running and playing tag, rarely still for long. Kira was sent to search for the one and only tomboy in the orphanage.

    She hadn’t planned on it being this obvious and easy, but she kept her guard up, prepared for any surprises, for her mission wasn’t over yet. She still needed to retrieve the target…

    Revealing herself, Kira darted out of the shadows, her black leather heeled boots clicking with every step. She weaved through the children swiftly with her spidery long legs and slim body.

    Dressed casually, she easily blended in with the other adults in the orphanage. At first it was difficult for her to appear human, and it wasn’t for her to say that her experiment didn’t have its faults, but for now she would be safe, as long as she avoided any physical contact.

    She was alone and quiet, which raised eyebrows. How simple life was for these people. Their only goal in life was to settle down and grow a family. She never even had the chance to even consider settling down. Kira didn’t dwell on the thought, because it was already too late for her now. Her destiny had changed along with her life. She remembered her mission and rushed over to the child.

    This child was her last hope and, seeking help from a five-year-old girl, bruised her ego, but she was out of options and that had made her desperate.

    Kira questioned the child’s capability, wondering if the child actually could handle this new burden on her delicate shoulders. She felt empathy for the child knowing that her life was about to change and never be normal again.

    For a second, she considered aborting the mission to spare the child of the hardship she would live through. No, the little girl was her people’s last hope.

    Kira approached the child, towering over her like a giant. She sighed as she knelt down to meet the child’s height. The child remained calm and composed. Good.

    Faking a wide, overly enthusiastic smile, Kira met the child’s gaze. With silver, piercing eyes, she seemed to stare into Kira’s soul. Kira shuddered and suddenly felt naked. She broke away from the intense gaze with relief.

    She noticed the mischievous glint in the child's eyes, wild and conspiratorial, as if she knew what Kira was up to. The child gave a condescending smirk and then the smile faded and she became solemn.

    The child suddenly glanced around cautiously and muttered under her breath, "I know who you are and why you're here. You're here for me, aren't you?" The child looked up hopefully and grinned, as if she was waiting for a present.

    "Yes." Kira replied automatically. Kira sighed again.

    The child seemed to know what was bothering Kira and whispered, "Don't worry, I'm not afraid. I'm ready. This is my destiny and I accept that. You are doing the right thing by seeking me. It is my decision and I am happy to make it. It is fate that brings my pain, not you. Let’s go..." She paused and then added, “Kira.”

    Kira was taken aback by the fact that the child knew her name, but as she looked at the little girl, she knew instantly that she was going to have to get used to it because this child was full of surprises. She looked down at the child and smiled, smiling bigger when the child reached for her hand, leading her to the receptionist's desk.

    The plump, short receptionist looked up from her desk as the two approached. The overly cheerful woman clutched her fuzzy pink pen tighter as the automatic smile fell from her face. She looked up at the tall, slim woman in front of her, her jaw dropping. Kira’s long dark hair fell down naturally down her back,  ending in curls. She wore big round sunglasses, concealing her eyes and half her face. She looked down at the receptionist impatiently, and eyed her gray secretarial suit condescendingly.

    Kira said, "I would like to adopt."

    "Oh, of course. You'll have to fill out some paper work and other legal documents. Just enter the back room and talk to Sister Katherine and she'll give you your papers." The receptionist gestured to the door behind her and then asked, "So what child are you wanting to adopt."

    The little girl popped out from behind Kira and presented herself, grinning from ear to ear. Kira replied, "Just this one behind me, Alex Renir..."  

***

    I woke up with a start, drenched in sweat. My heart was pounding, my nerves were fried, and I was out of breath. I recalled the dream I just woke up from and, somehow, it struck fear into my heart.

    IN my dream, I was in the orphange and I was a child. Then there was the woman who had come for me. She had some kind of plan for me. She had no thoughts of becoming my guardian; her real mission was much more than that. It was part of something bigger. Much bigger. And it involved me.

    Nothing about the dream was really clear, except that the woman seemed familiar, but I couldn't remember how. The dream seemed so real, yet there seemed to be no real connection between my dream and reality.

    I glanced at the clock on my bedside table and groaned. It was only 5:17 a.m. My mind was frazzled from the dream. I decided to pay my orphanage another visit, hoping I would find some answers there. The concept of sleeping was unappealing, so I left the comfort of my bed and got up.

    Dressed, I went downstairs and brewed myself a fresh pot of coffee. Chugging down three cups, I headed out to my car.

    Minutes later, I was there. "Hello, Ms. Renir. Are you here to see the children?" She spoke to me, brimming with fake enthusiasm. Her attitude bored me and I responded with a less than mutual attitude.

    "Yes. Yes, I am." I answered the receptionist rigidly, who was now idly tapping her fuzzy pink pen.

    Her nametag read Katie Rimzden. She was plump with round, rosy cheeks. Her smile seemed frozen in place, revealing sparkling, white teeth that hurt my eyes. I think what annoyed me most was that she always seemed so happy, as if she had no problems in her life. I think I envied it mostly.

    She was a poser, a fake. NO real person could be that happy. No one like me.     Her graying hair was severely pinned back into a bun and she wore a boring gray secretarial suit.

    I was forced to deal with this aggravating, hyper woman every time I stopped by. To think she has been here since I was an orphan made my head hurt.  She hasn't changed much, except that she got even fatter and even more irritating.   

    You'd think she'd look old by now, but the amazing invention of Botox and hair dye has prevented that.

    She was nosy, too, trying to find out what my intentions were for my inheritance. And she was pretty greedy, always asking for donations.

    The thought of her having a tip jar made me smile. I snickered to myself as I imagined her begging for tips like a puppy dog.

    I wondered if I could pay for her to get fired. Now that was a pleasant thought. Normally, she wouldn’t have bothered me so much, but I just didn’t have the patience to deal with her insensitivity and selfishness anymore.

    There was little left in my life and she made sure I didn’t forget it. Prodding me with her cruel and nosy comments: It’s what your dad would have wanted. How the hell does she know what he would have wanted? She acts like he was her closest friend. If anyone knew him, it was me. He’s my dad and we are close. I mean, he was and we were.

    My dad, Thomas Renir, died from a heart attack when I was five and I immediately was sent to this orphanage, because it was his favorite one. He often came to visit the children and now I was following in his footsteps. My mom, Susan Renir, had died in labor with me and my father was devastated, struggling to be a single parent.

    After Mom died, he was depressed, even when at four years old I could tell he would never the same. He really missed my mom and so did I. He was really stressed because of work and heartbreak. She was the love of his life.

    Dad told me a lot about her. About her beautiful smile and dorky laugh. He told me I looked just like her and I was proud of it. I wish I could've met her and I wish she didn't die because of me. Dad told me it wasn't my fault, but I still felt responsible. I never forgave myself for everything. I’m older now, but life was hard without both my parents. Though, financially, I was covered.

    One thing about my father was that he was rich. Filthy rich. He made millions of dollars as an inventor, and I became the heir of all that money when my mom died. Dad was a famous inventor. He created all sorts of things, from house appliances to children’s toys to the latest flying technology like hovercrafts and the fastest and safest airplanes. Yep, my dad was a genius.

    Unfortunately, I didn't inherit his intelligence. I was smart. All straight A's in school, but I didn't have an amazing gift in Science, or any subject for that matter. I bet my dad would have been disappointed in me, not sharing his gift and love of science.

    I am not an outstanding student in science and I never will be. I don’t even like science. In fact, I hate it.  I don’t know what I’m good at and I’ve never tried to figure it out. I wish I could be great like my dad, but I am only fooling myself if I believed it was possible.

    I wish I had some sort of gift, any gift or talent, but I didn't. I was born normal. One hundred percent normal. Nothing is special about me. I’m totally average. And that will never change.

    As I zoned out from Ms. Rimzden's dull voice, I considered telling her to shut up, but I didn’t even have the energy to yell at someone. And I love yelling at people. I left the desk area. Ms. Rimzden didn’t notice and was still talking after I left.

    I headed to the children's play area. I walked into a dim room lined with beds. There were two lines of beds, each one against opposite sides of the room. There were about ten beds on each side of the room. Each bed was neatly made, the  blue linen blankets and warm quilts neatly tucked and a white soft pillow topping it like a cherry on a sundae. The room was empty except for the beds. I walked past the beds and headed to the door at the end of the space.

    The door in front of me lead to a room filled with playing children. There were chests full of toys; its contents scattered everywhere. Girls jump roped and boys zoomed by with their toy race cars, inputting their own SFX. Each child was busy playing. The room was filled with happy faces and giggles resonated in the small space.     The floor was bare and the room lacked furniture. The only light in the room came from the large window at the end of the room.

    Children ran around, playing tag, and giggling when they were ‘it.’ A flood of memories entered my mind as I looked around the room. I visited the children here often and they always cheered me up.

    I walked closer to the pack of children and made my presence known, "Hey, kids."

    The kids turned to face me.

    "ALEX!!!" A stampede of children rushed over to me and gave me a group hug. They pulled me to the ground, crowding around me expectantly, sitting on the floor patiently waiting.

    "We all missed you, Alex." A four-year-old girl named Ann shyly whispered to me.

    "YEAH!!! WE MISSED YOU!!!" The crowd of children shouted in unison.

    I chuckled, "I missed all of you guys, too. Sorry I haven't been around for a while, I was pretty busy with school."

    An eight-year-old boy named Billy asked excitedly, "Is school fun!?"

    I was silent, I thought about how to answer that.

    "Of course it isn't, right Alex!? It's really boring, huh?" A little boy stuttered for me.

    I smiled. "Yes, it is. It really is."

    Billy explained, "Yeah. I bet school is so boring. I'm glad we don't have to go. Instead, we get to play all day long!"

    "YEAH!!!" The children all agreed. Then they looked up and suddenly jumped up and raced to the door.

    "JT!!!" They ran over to the guy leaning against the doorway. I turned and watched as the children greeted their new visitor.

    "Hey!" He greeted them, smiling down at them as they jumped around and roughly attempted to hug him.

    "Where were you!?"

    "Yeah, where have you been!?"

    "We missed you!" A flood of questions escaped the children's mouths, echoing in the room.

    "Ha ha. I've been busy with school. I missed you guys, too! I'm sorry I haven't come in a while, but I'm here now!"

    "YAY!!!!" The children screamed, jumping up and down.

    "Okay, well you guys go and play." He ushered them away. The children gave him one last group hug and reverted back to their toys and games. He smiled and watched them as they ran around, filling the room again with happiness and laughter. He came over and sat down next to me. "Hey, Alex." He smiled at me, a gleam in his eye.

    "Hey, JT. It's been a while." I answered back slowly.

    "Yeah, it sure has." He went silent and so did I. We sat there and watched the children playing happily together in solitude. We sat there for a long time, respecting the peaceful joy in the room.

    I met JT when I was four at the orphanage after my dad died and we've been friends since. His real name is Jonathan, but everyone calls him JT. His parents died when he was very young, too. He stayed in the orphanage for a few years and then was adopted by a nice family with many sons. He fit in well and they all got along. I remembered how he always wanted to be in a family with lot of brothers.

    I was only in the orphanage for a year, because my dad's sister had gotten custody of me: Aunt Vicky. Though she despises me because she didn’t get any of my dad’s inheritance. I will inherit the full 3.8 million dollars when I turn eighteen in a couple years, but for now I’m allowed to pull out $5,000 a week, which is way more than enough, but I guess Dad just wanted me to live comfortably. I don’t owe her a thing, but she expects me to buy my own food and clothes. I also had to pay her rent, just because she knows I can afford it. I recently emancipated from her and I’m planning to move into my Dad’s glass house at a private beach, miles and miles away from her in a few days, where we spent our summers as a family.

    My mind focused back to the room and I was ready to leave and so was JT. We got up and sneaked away quietly, as if afraid to disturb the children and break the pattern of noise in the room. We shared a conspiratorial smile as we exited the orphanage.

    I headed home and he went to back to his gigantic family. He was looking forward to seeing his family, but as I headed back, I dreaded the visit back to the hellhole I once called my home.

    Even driving my car reminded my of Dad. He loved fast cars. He also took an interest in sports, because he could tell I was going to be a great athlete. Dad had always wanted a fast car, but before Mom passed away she lectured him, persuading him to drop the idea since they were dangerous, so he did. 

    When Dad was dying, he knew his time was almost up so he rewrote his will. He made sure that I would have the money I needed to buy the kind of car I wanted and, even though I was only four, he knew it was going to be expensive and sporty, so he wrote me a check for a quarter of a million dollars as a birthday present for when I turned sixteen.

    When I received his check, I cried all day, missing him like crazy. He knew me so well, even when I was just a child. I didn’t know how, but he could tell what kind of person I was going to be and he was right. I was grateful that he cared so much, but I would trade all his money just so I could have my parents alive for just one day.

    A year ago, on my 16th birthday, I passed the driving test and got my license. Straight after, I went and bought a special edition Lamborghini Gallardo Nera. To see the how the salesman’s jaw hit the floor as I handed him the check would’ve made Dad crack up. It was a nice ride, with a high speed of over 200 miles per hour and a sleek black finish. It  didn’t make me that happy, but it was the one thing me and Dad still shared: a love for fast cars.

    My good mood quickly disappeared as I walked up to the front door, I walked inside and sped up the stairs and into my room. I shut the door behind me and locked it. I looked around the room, staring at my walls. Posters of my favorite bands covered the walls along with many other posters of fast cars and rock stars.

    I glanced at my closed guitar case that that had never been opened. I always wanted to learn to play the guitar, maybe even form a band. I had the time and the money, but the desire faded away over the years and I never got to it.

    My ambition was dead, but all that needed to change. I was going to turn a new leaf, all this self-pity and wallowing was depressing. It had been thirteen years and it was about time I started living life to the fullest. I needed to find my passion, my desire, the thing that would fill the hole in my heart.

    I carefully removed my posters and packed them away in a cardboard box. There were stacks of boxes everywhere, piled high. I was moving into a really big, empty house, but all the household items I needed were already there, so all I grabbed were my personal belongings.

    The doorbell rang. He was here. Thank God. I rushed to the door and swung it open. It was JT. “Hey.” A smile crept on my face. I was happy to see him, he was better than any movers.

    “Hey, I brought my truck like you asked. So, let’s do this.” He enthusiastically muttered. His hands were in his pockets, a habit he only exhibited when he was nervous. I wonder what there was to be nervous about?

    “ALEX!” Then it became clear to me. He was nervous because my Aunt Vicky still frightened him.

    Rolling my eyes, I followed the shrieking that came from the kitchen. God, she was like a banshee. Or a howler monkey. At least it was last day in this prison. As I walked in, I could have sworn I was looking at the Devil, but unfortunately I was looking at something more evil and uglier: my aunt. “Yes, ma’am.” I replied sarcastically, shuddering at the sight of her.

    She was wearing a skimpy, pink floral silk robe, fortunately obscuring most of her body. She had an avocado mask on, her hair in curlers, a cigarette in her hand, and she was wearing too much makeup, but I didn’t object. The more she covered her face, the less ugly I had to look at. Ugh, she was disgusting. Her witch finger nails were painted blood red. How could my sweet mother be related to this…this monster.

    Her red lips revealed yellowed teeth as she unclamped them and spat at me, “Why are you still here!? And don‘t call me ma‘am, it makes me sound old, and you and I both know I look at least twenty years younger.” She said narcissistically, batting her lashes like a school girl.

    “Don’t worry, I’m on my way I just gotta load up my boxes and I’ll be out of our hair.” That’s falling out anyway, I silently thought to myself.

    I turned to leave, but was stopped. “Wait! Aren’t you forgetting something?” she held out her hand expectantly, a wry smile appeared on her face.

    “Oh, yeah. Here’s this month’s rent.” I handed her a check cautiously, as if trying to pet a vicious, rabid bulldog. She snapped the paper from my hands greedily, shuddering with pleasure. Wow, if only she greeted me with a quarter of that excitement and I would think she liked me an ounce. I laughed at the sight in front of me.

    “Well, what are you still doing here!? Get out of my house, you little brat. You don’t live here anymore and if you stay any longer, I’ll call the cops.” She threw out dryly.

    “I’ll miss you, too.” I lied bitterly, as I left the room. I heard no response, she was too preoccupied admiring her check, as if it was the thing she loved most in the world, besides her own reflection.

    I popped into my room, my eyes widening with surprise. “Ready to go?” I pivoted, meeting JT face to face.    

    I eagerly embraced him, “Thank you.” Looking into his eyes, I added, “For everything.” His eyes were so blue and as dark as a storm, glinting with mischief.

    “Huh? Oh. Yeah, no problem.” He grinned wide, revealing a toothy, adorable smile. He ran his hand through his hair timorously. Why was he acting so weird? We had been friends for thirteen years, why was he so fidgety and shy all of a sudden. He wasn’t acting normal.

    Flustered, I forgot about it and gave my old room one last look. It looked so empty, and lifeless, it looked a lot like me, but that was going to change.

    With a determined attitude, I left the place that was my home for the past twelve years. Forgetting JT was right behind me, I collided into him, bonking heads, tumbling to the ground, and bruising my ass. “Ouch.” I whined, rubbing my head.

    Still standing, a shaken JT rushed to my side and helped me up frantically. Um, OK. “Are you ok?” JT was freaking out.

    “Yeah…I’m fine. Are you?” I questioned, wanting to get to the bottom of his awkwardness. 

    Clearing his throat, he looked at his feet. “Yeah, I’m good.” He looked down at me, his nervousness diminishing. Finally, this was getting old. I was starting to wonder who had kidnapped my best friend for a moment there. He grinned, this time with confidence, and looked me intensely into my eyes.

    He lifted his hand to my face, sweeping and tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear. I felt heat rise to my face. I looked away. Now I felt awkward and nervous and…just plain weird. I darted past him, exiting to the driveway, and into his truck. He was right behind me, closing the door for me like a gentlemen.

    If my act of exiting the building like it was on fire bothered him, I couldn’t tell. He impassively went around and entered his truck, sitting next to me, his face expressionless. He silently revved up the engine, then put it in drive.

    The back of his truck contained the contents of my life. Strapped down, my cardboard boxes laid in the truck securely. He had done all the work, apparently wanting to get us both out of there quickly.

    On the drive back, we sat in silence, our awkwardness like an elephant in the vehicle. It was an hour long drive, but we finally arrived to our destination.

    Water rolled onto the beach in soft, calm waves, hitting the white sandy shore. We drove around the corner and a huge, glass building came into place, towering over us like a skyscraper. We got out of the vehicle and as JT grabbed a few boxes, I raced ahead to head inside. Getting out my key, I noticed the alarm system on the wall inside.     The door unlocked, I entered a hallway for coats and shoes. Removing my sneakers, I opened the next door, entering a room that seemed to be the living room. The floor was marble, and the couches were made of leather. The décor followed a black and white pattern. The couches and walls were white, while the rugs and the rest of the furniture and décor was black.

    I explored the rest of the house, the building was two stories high. The walls were covered with large glass panes. The walls supported all the glass and were white on the inside and the outside. The tables were made of glass with a black base. The kitchen was packed with food and contained marble counters, a large fridge, a stove, and a gorgeous table. Art filled the house, from sculptures to paintings to glass hangings from the ceiling. I was sure that the art was authentic and original and created from famous dead artists that I did not know the names to.

    There had to be a bazillion rooms! There were six bedrooms, two kitchens, a living room, a dining room, four bathrooms, and a bunch of closets and hallways. There was also a balcony with a Jacuzzi and there was a swimming pool outside with a huge lawn and patio.

    I rushed to see JT and my happy expression fell. “Um, my room’s upstairs, the third door on the left.”

    “Ok.” he said with boredom and went on his way.

    I just realized how alone I’m going to be now. I have more than I would dare ask for, but I had no one to share it with. Aunt Vicky was going no where near this place and JT was happy with his huge family. He was lucky to have siblings. To have parents.

    “What’s wrong?” JT had come back from my room.

    “I just realized how big and empty this house is and how I’m going to lose my sanity by being by myself this long!” The truth stung when I actually said the words out loud.

    Grabbing my chin, he said, “Do you really think I’d leave you alone? You’re stuck with me.” He winked.

    The thought that he would visit made me relax a little, but I became aware that his hand was on my face. Looking into his eyes, I felt safe.

    He leaned in and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Hugging me goodbye, he left me alone to unpack and fret over that kiss. I decided we have been friends for a long time and he didn’t think of me that way. The possibility denied, I didn’t have to admit to myself how I really felt about him.