Imperium: Volume 2
Chapter 9.

As I made my way to Jays office, I opened up my inner wall and let the thoughts of everyone I walked past fill my head. The amount of chatter was overwhelming, but to my relief a majority of the chatter was nothing relating to the attack.

Shortly after June's resuscitation, I could hear the thoughts on full display from others about what had happened, but as the days past it seemed to diminish considerably as the fast pace of our enviroment took over the atmosphere.

There was always something to work on, or people to help. I reached the plastic current and saw Jay, in his usual spot as I peered in. He's called me in almost daily now, always asking the same question. I watched him as he stood there quietly but I could hear his thoughts swirling rapidly in his head. He was thinking of the next move, as well as the names of those who he could trust.

If there was anything about Jay, he was determined, and always sought the council of those close to him, to help guide his decisions. However right now I could sense doubt in his ability to get the job done. I walked over to him.

"You requested to see me?" I asked.

He looked up, not realising that I was already present. He sighed.

"Thank you Sarah. Anything yet?" He said under his breath.

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"I'm sorry Jay. Nothing yet...but I'm keeping my channel open letting everything in. Nothing has jumped out to me yet, but I'll let you know as soon as something does." He sighed. He was tired, and the bags under his eyes told me so.

"Perhaps you should take a break Jay, you look like you could use it, and by the sounds of it maybe getting rest will ease your thoughts a bit." I suggested.

"I can't....." He said.. "But perhaps getting out of this room might do the trick." He smiled and thanked me before I left.

He ended up walking out with me and I could hear his thoughts drift to the recruits arriving today.

Shit, they should have arrived by now and are probably unpacking. Cam is going to be there.

I really didn't want to have to face him. The last time we talked it was under duress, and the times before that were arguments that started showing a different side of him. He use to be gentle and caring and always said the right things, but soon after June arrived and Project Midnight took place, he became mentally distant and....almost possessive. I really hadn't taken any part of the movement other then doing light duties, and when Harry mentioned the next move of hitting the camps, I wanted to be more included. I figured my ability would come in handy, and ended up joining Richard's training class.

I started becoming more confident in myself, and it manifested into something I had never felt before. My low confidence and self esteem were rapidly diminishing the harder I trained and started noticing a new me. I hadn't really realized how much I depended on Cam's words. He was always saying the right things and I fell for him as he constantly said them.

The biggest mistake I made was finding myself. My time spent away from him, whether it was physical training or honing my ability, started to change him. He no longer said the encouraging words he onced charmed me with, and started replacing them with doubts and spiteful words. The constant sound of disappointment in me, and possessivness started to show soon after.

I had a voice now, and that was something he didn't like. My sweet Cam had turned into someone else, and as the arguments progressed his anger manifested physically. At first it started off with slamming his fists on the wall or table, then turned into throwing things and belittling me each chance he got. I gave him way to many chances and the last fight we had, ended with him throwing me up against the wall, with his hand on my throat. That night I packed my stuff and left. That's when I came here. Alot as happened in the two months and I was certainly hating the fact that we would run into eachother again. I turned to Jay as we continued walking in the same direction.

"Do you mind if I join you? I should probably take a listen in." I asked.

He nodded and we made our way out front, where I sensed the new group unpacking and making there way in the mall.

We reached the main floor of the mall, and where you would typically find the food court was jam packed with new recruits and others that were already stationed here. You could tell the newbies from the others, as they had bandanas to mask the sulfuric smell and had redness in their eyes.

I went ahead and slowly walked through the crowd. I kept my hands in my pockets and looked to the floor to keep concentrated.

It was alot of bantering about the smell and the pain in theirs eyes, but other then that nothing jumped out.

Richard helped me considerably when it came to honing my ability. Everyday during training he had me do excersises, which eventually allowed me to open up my channel, and even helped in furthering the distance between my subconscious to others. Meaning I could telepathically communicate with further range. Something I was still working on.

I walked the floor, and couldn't sense or hear anything from the new recruits. One thing did have me pondering, and that was I couldn't sense Cam or hear his thoughts at all. If he was here I should be able to, but he also blocked me out before I left. Something that he was able to do after being with me for awhile.

I started heading back to my room after telepathically relaying what I heard to Jay. I further opened up my channel along the way, and with the amount of new people in the vicinity, the volume of it all started to give me a mild headache.

I've never really had everyone fill my head at once. Especially day in and day out. On my way back to my room, I found a janitors closet, and made my way in. I didn't turn on the light and the darkness helped eleviate some of the headache. I took a couple deep breathes and tried to calm my mind, and essentially turned down the volume in my head. Messaging my temples seemed to help a little aswell, and after a few more deep breathes I made my way back out.

I checked the time on my watch and it was nearing lunch. I had totally forgot that I told June I would be back with lunch, and started heading towards the outlet that had a small cafeteria. We made it an everyday thing as she was on bed rest and Raeve was out a majority of the time. I grabbed a tray and loaded it with a bit of everything, and headed out. With my head to the ground a tall figure quickly stepped in front of me. I wasnt paying attention and bumped into the person, which initially flipped the tray into me, spilling all the contents onto me and the floor.

"Oh my God! I'm so sor-" I didn't even finish when I noticed the individual was Cam.

He had a grin on his face. As if he was happy at what happened. He then noticed people looking and his face turned to that of concern, and that's when he asked if I was okay.

Did he do it on fricking purpose? He grabbed his bandana, and started wiping the contents off my chest. I quickly backed away, my shirt soaked, and starting to see through.

"Don't touch me." I said quietly but sternly.

"What? You think I did it on purpose?" He sneered at me. "It was an accident, I swear."

As I wiped the food off my shirt and pants I just glared at him before moving past him and not saying anything further.

Well that was a touching reunion I thought. I pinched the shirt off my stomach as the touch of the wet material was cold on my skin. I was soaked, angry, and rushing back to my room. On the way, I passed the infirmary and Rowen saw me in my current state. I could see his face contort to a questionable one. He looked as if he wanted to approach me but I kept walking. Suddenly his voice filled my head.

•~ Everything okay Sarah? •~ He asked.

•~ Just peachy•~ I replied.

He didn't say anything else, but from the tone I had, I don't think he wanted to overstep. I finally reached my room, and stripped before jumping in the shower. I just stood there, and fought the urge to cry. This whole time here I was doing good. Feeling stronger and more confident in my ability, and it took one look at Cam to almost break me. I took a couple deep breathes and let the hot water wash over me.

I fought the knot in my throat and refused to shed a tear over him. This was my place to be, not his. If either one was going to go....I was going to make sure it was him.

With that printed into my mind, I got out and put some new clothes on. I went back to the food outlet, grabbed another tray and loaded it. I then made my way to June.

Once I reached her room I knocked before letting my self in. She looked up to me with a grin while lying in bed.

"Thank god! I was starting to get bored!" She said happily as I made my way in.

"Sorry, I had a tad bit of a delay, but I put some extra desserts on their just for you." I told her.

"Why what happened?" She asked as she eyed the food on the tray.

I hesitated. "I just ran into someone is all......literally." I gave a small chuckle. I started sorting through the selection of foods and could sense her eyeing me.

I finally gave in and looked up to her gaze. I shrugged.

"What?" I asked.

"Tell me now....why were you late?" Her voice holding concern.

I played with a peice of pasta on the plate.

I sighed. "I ran into Cam. Quite literally actually, and gave a sarcastic chuckle. Anyway I was on my way to you and the tray knocked into me and I then had to scramble into the shower."

I looked back up to her. She looked ticked off.

"It's okay June. I can handle him, he just caught me by surprise is all." I ensured her. "Besides if he's going to act like a bully, I'll just have to resort to.....mmmm....other means." I said with a grin. I could hear her thoughts.

•~I'm going to kill him•~

I quickly shot a look at her.

"No your not!.......if it's anyone.....its gonna be me." I smiled again and popped a berry in my mouth.

She smiled, but I could sense her defensiveness. It practically bounced off the walls. She felt like she was getting her energy back, which I was thankful for.

"You look good, and I can feel you getting better." I told her.

"I am." She said. "Just a headache here and their but I can walk without catching my breath which is good. I just want to make sure I feel 100 percent before going back out their. Rowens giving me something for the headaches which make the days a little easier."

"Hmm, maybe I could get what he's giving you." I said as I inhaled my lunch.

"Why? do you have headaches?" She asked.

"Ya, today especially.....Cam wasn't helping either...I have my channels open, and it's alot."

"Oh....Im sorry." Her tone full of regret.

I looked at her. "I wouldn't change it for the world June. Let me do this. This is the least I can do to help out, and who knows maybe Rowen has some killer stuff ahah."

She laughed, and we continued to stuff our faces.

I was with her for about an hour before I took my leave. She said she's feeling better, but after scarfing down our food she got tired quite fast. So I took that as my cue to let her rest.

Walking back out to the sheer noise of the place, my head started buzzing, and the headache crept it's way back in. I walked towards the infirmary with my fingers messaging my temples, and before I could get to the outlet Cam approached me.

"Not now Cam!" I said while continuing to walk. I was so close.

He followed.

"I need to talk to you." He said.

"Please.....not now." I tried to turn the volume down, but his presence was interfering with my concentration.

"I know you think I did that on purpose earlier, but I want you to know it wasn't." He continued.

He stepped in front of me to block my path.

"What are you doing? Get out of my way." Why was I panicking? I could feel my chest pounding, and my head.....my freaking head.

"Please listen to me." He said. He was talking but I couldn't make out the words. I tried to turn off my channeling, but he made it impossible to. I stepped back and my eyes began to squint as the worst migraine I have ever felt shot to the back of my head.

"Cam...I'm asking nicely, please let me pass." I didn't want to beg. I tried moving passed him but he darted out in front of me me again.

"I don't think you understand what I went through to get here Sarah!" He pushed.

My hands now pressed to the sides of my head. I backed away and he took a step closer.

"Stop......." I kept moving...so did he.

"Sarah, please I'm sorry, about what happened betwe-"

"Cam! Just shut up please." I still couldn't quite make out what he was saying. My head filling with a high pitch tone, that seered it's way through my mind. It was painful, and suddenly I felt my arm being grasped.

He had a hold of me now and stepped closer to me. I could feel his breath on my ear, but couldn't make out the words. I quickly took my hand and shoved him away from me. He looked surprised but my hands made there way back up to my head. I was almost hunched over, with the seering pain bringing me closer and closer to tears.

I was not going to let him see me break! I suddenly felt myself being pulled, and when I opened my eyes I saw myself passing Cam. I looked in front of me and the person pulling me away was Rowen.

He quickly pulled me into the infirmary and lead me to the room that June stayed in, and shut the door behind us.

"Sarah.......Sarah what's happening right now...tell me what's going on?" He said in a panic.

I couldn't understand him! I couldn't hear anything he was saying. The pain was too much and my head felt like it wanted to explode!

I looked at him. My hands still at my head, and my breathing erratic.

"I...cant...." I tried to speak. I couldn't even hear my own voice.

He was trying to say something.

"I can't.......turn it off! I can't......"

I felt his hands cover mine, and he pulled my head up to meet his gaze. I looked at his mouth to try and make out what he was saying. I could feel the tears burn my cheeks.

"Focus....." He said. I repeated what he mouthed.

"Focus..." He nodded yes.

He started looking around the room, as if he was looking for something, then turned back to me.

"Focus...." He kept saying.

The pitch in my head getting louder and louder. I fell to my knees, begging for it to stop. I felt him behind me, with his arms wrapped around mine. He was trying to comfort me, but all I wanted to do was scream to cancel out the pain. I took a deep breath, and let out a menacing scream.

I couldn't hear it at first but I felt it as it escaped my lungs. The high pitch tone in my head still lingering, but the sound of my voice starting to match the pitch. I didn't let up until, I could only hear myself, and with that I was able to focus enough to close the channel.

I stopped screaming when the room fell silent, and the only thing I could hear was myself trying to catch my breath.

Rowen continued to hold onto me. We stayed there for a few minutes till I was able to gather myself. I slowly turned to him, with tears still staining my face.

"Sarah?" He said softly.

I nodded as I wiped the tears aways with my arm.

He just looked at me in silence and brought his one hand up and brushed away a tear from my cheek.

He was calm, which helped me simmer down.

"Are you ok?" He asked again softly.

"I....I think so..yes." I sniffled up the water works, and felt my breathing slowly return back to normal.

He got up and picked me up off the floor, and stood in front of me. He was looking over me to make sure I was ok. I studied his face while he held my head in his hands.

His touch was gentle, and I felt him brush my hair behind my ears. He tilted my head to the side to look in my ears then faced me towards him again. I could see the scar more prominantly on his neck, from where he first got shot. I also noticed a scar on his chin. It was from playing sports I sensed.

"You sure your okay?" He asked again.

I placed my hands on his and moved them from my face, and nodded.

"Yes.........thank you." I said.

He let out a concerning sigh, but took a step back and leaned up against the bed.

"What happened just now?" He asked.

"I've just been letting to many voices in...I might have over done it." I said.

"Sounded like it........I could hear it in the room." He mentioned.

He heard what I was hearing? The look on my face definitely told him I didn't understand or that I was unaware.

"You could hear it? like....in your head too?" I asked puzzled.

"No...he said....I could hear it clear as day in the room as I hear you now."

I looked confused. I projected my thoughts? I normally can do that telepathically but not like that.

"Is that something new?" He asked.

"I don't know. This has never happened before. I initially was coming here to see if you could give me something for a headache." I replied.

He pushed himself off the bed and walked over to a cabinet, and pulled out a bottle of pills.

"That's quite the headache." He said with a concerned grin. He took my hand and placed the bottle in my hand.

"The man who had his hand on you...I quickly looked up....is he going to be a problem for you?" His voice went deeper and had a seriousness to it, that I wasn't sure how to place...almost protective is what I sensed.

"No......not anymore." I shook the bottle. "Thank you for these." We made our way out of the room, and were now in the main open part of the infirmary.

"That happens again, you let me know." He said.

"Any reason to hold me again hu?" I said confidently.

I didn't need to look at him, I could practically feel the heat forming on his cheeks.

"I mean it. Any trouble, no matter what, you come to me." He was serious again.

"I will." I answered sincerely. I was making my way out, when Grayson suddenly rushed into the infirmary.

Did he run here? He looked ridiculous with those headphones, sitting on his ears but he was also still healing from ruptured eardrums.

"Rowen, man....these things aren't working." He lifted the one ear piece off his ear and I could see some blood dripping out.

Oh shit.....was that my fault?

I quickly looked back at Rowen.

•~I better go•~

He just nodded and lead Grayson in.

As I walked out I could hear Grayson explain he heard someone screaming, and that's when I quickened my pace.

I thought it best to hang out in my room for the rest of the day, and get some silence.

That's what I needed more than anything right now........quite.

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