Page 4 of Missing

"Firepower and transporter abilities are commonplace in our world, but gifts such as healing and empathetic manipulation - known colloquially as "feelings" - are rare and highly coveted." The woman before me beamed with a wide grin as she spoke, her deep voice carrying a hint of excitement. "You will be very powerful indeed, dear."

My mind raced at the mention of empathetic manipulation, a skill that allowed one to manipulate the emotions of others. My stomach churned at the thought of being bombarded with other people's negative feelings.

"Your placement has been decided," she continued, her words snapping me back to reality. "You will be among the top-level students."

I forced out a “Thank you”, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Chapter 4

Harper Hillstrom

The elevator doors slid open with a whisper, and I stepped out into the dimly lit corridor that seemed too luxurious for someone like me. The plush carpet swallowed the sound of my footsteps as two burly escorts led me to the end of the hallway. A door swung open, revealing a room that was easily the size of my entire shabby apartment.

"Here's where you'll be staying," one of the men grunted, barely looking at me as he gestured around the spacious room.

"Classes start in the morning." The other guy, less of a talker, dropped a keycard on the small table by the door. "We've arranged a chaperone for you so you don't get yourself lost."

"Thanks," I muttered under my breath.

Once they left, closing the door with a resounding echo, I let my gaze sweep over the space. The room was filled with crisp lines and bold, dark colours that exuded an air of sophistication. As I stepped onto the plush carpet, it felt like sinking into a cloud beneath my feet. The furniture, crafted from rich, dark timber, added a sense of elegance to the room. My eyes were drawn to the imposing four-poster bed in one corner, draped in luxurious curtains that billowed gently in the soft breeze coming through the open window. Sitting on the bed were three sets of the same uniform laid out neatly, the pleated skirts perfectly aligned.

"Jesus looks like something straight out of an elite prep school fantasy," I scoffed, running my fingers over the crest embroidered on the blazer. The fabric was soft but structured, a promise of conformity wrapped in prestige.

I picked up a skirt, letting the material run through my hands. It was short, alright. The idea of marching around in this getup made my skin prickle with a mix of defiance and apprehension.

"Long white socks and kitten heels? What is this, the 1950s?" I tossed the skirt back onto the bed, the fabric fluttering before settling down. Trying to shake off the unease that clung to me like a second skin. It felt like playing dress-up, pretending to be someone else—someone who belonged in a world of hushed hallways and secret whispers.

"Guess it's part of the deal here," I told my reflection in the mirror, watching as it gave me a half-hearted shrug. "Fake it till you make it, right?"

Tomorrow would come with its own set of challenges, but for tonight, I had a fortress of solitude—and a ridiculously upscale bathroom to explore.

The sparkling fixtures promised a luxurious bath, and I couldn't resist turning on the tub and adding some of the fragrant salts and soap perched on the little ledge. As I stripped off my clothes and sank into the hot water, a sense of calm washed over me, temporarily soothing my nerves. But as I relaxed back against the smooth porcelain, my mind raced with thoughts about everything that had happened so far. Discovering my supernatural abilities, realising one of my parents must have passed them down to me, and being brought to this grand school - it was all overwhelming.

The tub seemed bigger than any I had ever seen before, almost like a pool. And as I soaked in the hot water that seeped into my bones, I couldn't help but wonder how I would ever be able to afford such luxuries. My mother had always struggled with alcoholism, so it was likely that my father was the source of my supernatural powers. But did he also have money? Did I have to pay for this extravagant school myself somehow?

My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since being brought here. Thankfully, I had a protein bar stashed away in my bag for emergencies. It would have to do until tomorrow when hopefully things would feel less chaotic and intimidating.

Feeling slightly guilty for indulging in such extravagance while still trying to process everything, I quickly climbed out of the tub before I turned into a mermaid or something equally absurd. The plush towel wrapped around me provided some comfort and modesty as I stepped out into the massive bedroom once again.

I reached for a set of pyjamas from my duffel bag which had been neatly placed by the door, grateful for some semblance of normalcy amidst all the uncertainty. Climbing onto the bed, I couldn't help but wonder what the next day would bring. The plush bedspread beneath me felt like a lie, too soft, too welcoming for the turmoil churning in my chest. I sat there, clutching one of the starched white shirts, the fabric wrinkling under my grip. The tears came without warning, hot and relentless, streaming down my face as I tried to reconcile this new reality with the life I'd always known.

"Supernatural? What kind of sick joke is that?" My voice broke on the words, the sound muffled by the pillow I buried my face into.

I thought back to my mum her slurred words, the empty bottles clinking in the trash as she tossed them aside. There was never any magic in our apartment unless you counted the disappearing act of her sobriety.

"Your father," she'd slur, "was nothing but a good-for-nothing charmer." That was all she offered about the man whose blood apparently made me a freak.

Choking back a sob, I pulled the wooden box from the depths of my duffle bag. It was the only thing he'd left behind, its carvings intricate and unexplained. "What secrets are you hiding?" I whispered to it, tracing the swirls and symbols with my fingertip.

Inside, nestled among old velvet, was an emblem that matched none of the symbols carved on the exterior. I held it up to the light, the metallic crest catching the glow from the lamp. It sat next to the words handwritten on the wood itself “When they come calling, go without a fuss” It was supposed to be a key to my past, but all it did was unlock more questions.

"Who the hell am I?"

I slammed the box shut, the finality echoing in the silent room. The pillow was damp when I lay back, my body heavy with exhaustion and confusion. Sleep clawed at the edges of my consciousness, dragging me down into the darkness where I could escape, if only for a while.

"Harper," I muttered into the room, the name feeling foreign on my lips. "You're in way over your head, girl." The world blurred as my eyelids fluttered closed, my last thought a desperate plea for understanding that I feared would never come.

Chapter 5

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