Page 23 of Galaxy Circus Act One

“Never mind, I’m sure it will come.” He pats me on the shoulder, not even breathing heavily. “Let's try some telekinesis. All of us have that one, and it’s strong.”

Eric and John take a seat on a nearby barrel while William steps up in front of me. “I’ve never had to teach this, so it’s going to be a bit of a learning experience for both of us. Skarrian babies just have the instinctual knowledge, so I’m hoping that we can trigger yours. The last time we spoke to your mom and dad, they said that you had been using telekinesis to move your favorite toys around. You also liked to telekinetically throw them when you wanted something.” The grandpas all smile, and a lurch inside my chest triggers a long-hidden memory. A stuffed purplewinged animal flying above my head, the sound of echoing laughter in the background.

“I remember something!” The lurch turns to a thrill of excitement, and William latches on to it.

“Remember the feeling.” He grabs a bucket of balls and holds one out in his palm. “Throw this at Eric!”

“Hey!” Eric complains in the background, but I block it out as my focus zeros in on the ball. Practically staring holes in it, I concentrate, desperately trying to move it with my mind. Breathing in and out, I try with everything that I am to move it, but nothing happens. The ball remains stationary in William’s hand.

A feeling of lightheadedness rolls over me, and I stumble. Eric dashes over and catches me before I can fall to the ground.

“Damn it. Why can’t I do it?” I yell to nobody in particular.

“There, there.” Eric pats me on the shoulder. “We knew there was a possibility it would take some time.”

“Come on, princess! Get up. Let's try again,” William says, probably hoping to goad me. Maybe he’s trying to trigger something because I can feel my anger start to rise as I flip him off, though he just chuckles.

“Let’s keep practicing. Something might just happen,” John suggests, trying to ease the tension.

Eric steps away now that I’m stable again, and the three of them line up, facing me. Each holding a ball in their hand. Over and over, I try to make one of them move until sweat is dripping down my face and my hair is plastered to my skin, but nothing happens.

“Okay, let’s take five,” Eric says an hour later. All three had repeatedly demonstrated how to do it, but I picked up on nothing. No tingling feeling, no electricity in the air, nothing to show mehowthey were doing it.

John grabs some bottles of water out of a nearby tub and hands us all one. “Lila, have you ever meditated?”

“I’ve tried, but I always have so much going on in my head that I find it hard to switch off,” I tell him, taking a long sip of my water before holding the cold bottle against my overheated face.

“Why don't you go over there and just take ten minutes to clear your mind?” John points to a spot in the center of the ring. “While you do that, we will discuss our plan of attack.”

Sighing, I do as he asks while the grandpas huddle, whispers floating over the open space but not loudly enough for me to make out the words.

Settling down, I sit cross legged and put my bottle to the side. I close my eyes and try to calm my mind, but it’s virtually impossible. All the details I’d learned about the various planets and races cycle through my mind like a neverending carousel of information. Shaking my head, I take some deep breaths, hoping to slow the flow and help it float away, leaving my mind clear.

Breathe in and out… In and out. Clear my mind of everything.

Oh! I should probably call Susie! But what will I tell her? There’s not much I can share. Maybe I’ll tell her about Dylan and what a great friend he’s been.

Focus, Lila!Breathe in and out.

In and out.

……

I cannot believe they have vampires in the circus. Fucking bloodsucking vampires!!I don't know whether to pee my pants in excitement or with terror.

Shit, Lila, get it together.

“Stop, just stop. God, it’s so painful just watching you. Do you ever sit still?” William’s groan has me opening my eyes to see all three grandpas watching me with disbelief.

“You didn't once stop moving. You played with your hair and twitched your fingers. I could practically see your eyeballs moving under your eyelids.” John sounds astounded, but Eric is once again smirking.

“Relax, Lila is obviously a doer. I get it. I am too. I hate sitting still.” Well, that’s nice of him. “So I have another idea. Stand up just in that spot right there.” I shuffle to where he points. “Perfect, just perfect.”

They turn as one, and when they face me again, they all have the rubber balls in their hands.

“Come on! What makes you think it’s going to work this time? My mind didn't clear or anything…” I break off at the look in their eyes. Gone are the concerned grandpas, replaced with the formidable men they must be to protect the orb.

“Sorry, Lila, but sometimes you need to take drastic action.” With those words, Eric hurls the first ball at me. Shocked, I’m unable to stop it before it hits me in the middle of the chest and falls back to the ground.