Cindy Psi: Spy In Training
Chapter 20: Fun and Games - Not.

The next couple of weeks went along relatively uneventfully. There was a mix of group and individual training, and the children began to form bonds with each other. As George came more and more out of his shell it became more and more evident that he was a force to be reckoned with in terms of the scale of his power. Only Cindy had more raw strength, and George countered that with a natural flair for subtlety and cunning that he had developed through his years of trying not to let his power make him stand out. Whenever there was group training that took the form of a game it would normally come down to a showdown between Cindy and George. It was all good natured now since the night they had their chat, and although Cindy usually won, there were no hard feelings.

Well, no hard feelings from George anyway. And none from Jane either. Natalie, however, was a different story. Cindy sensed pretty clearly how envious she was growing of the greater skills of her and George, and it was a sign of Natalie’s character that she made no effort to hide her displeasure. Annoyingly, Milton started sharing this view; fuelled largely, as far as Cindy was concerned, by his interest in the older girl.

Things got a bit heated one Thursday afternoon when the children were doing group work with Selma. They were in one of the two training rooms at the facility – not the one with the table where Cindy had been doing her fruit tricks, rather it was a bigger room above where Cindy thought the store cupboard that Rebecca hid in during her assessment was. It was set up a bit like a school gymnasium at one end, with ladders on the walls, a basketball hoop, a wooden floor area with a net that could be used for various ball sports, and an area beyond that that had a padded floor that they were told was the combat training area. The other end had various tables and chairs and was strewn with boxes of what looked mainly like innocuous board games and puzzles.

The game they were playing on this day was a version of tiddlywinks where the mind was used to bounce the counters into a cup, rather than flicking with another counter. Natalie, Milton and Jane all still struggled to lift the counter, with Milton only able to make it inch along the table towards the cup without lifting up at all. Jane could get it to stand on its edge and do little hops. Natalie could get it to hover, but steering it towards the cup while in the air was just at the limit of her power.

George and Cindy, on the other hand, had no trouble with it at all. So Selma moved them onto larger and larger items, and before too long the pair of them had moved onto the court area and were playing a type of mental volleyball. Jane broke off from the tiddlywinks exercise to go and watch, and soon she was cheering them on. Cindy noticed from the corner of her eye the disdainful glare Natalie gave the three of them, and then, very slightly, she got the sense that Natalie was spinging Milton about something. She brushed it off and returned her focus to the game.

George had just sent the ball towards her side of the court with a sharp mental blow, and it bounced quickly about three metres to Cindy’s right. She quickly spun a silver mindline lasso around it and flicked it back towards his side of the court. Then, just as it was about to sail past him half a meter to his left, Cindy became aware of a very subtle, combined nudge coming from Milton and Natalie, and the ball changed its course suddenly and smacked square onto the side of George’s head. Instinctively, George responded by firing it straight at Milton like a bullet. It was only an instant away from hitting him in the shoulder and no doubt knocking him for six with the speed it was going by the time Cindy had gathered her wits enough to nudge it off course, where it then went on to smash into the tiddlywinks table and send counters, board and indeed table flying everywhere.

“Children! Children! Time out!” Called Selma. “What’s going on here?”

“He was trying to kill me!” Exclaimed Milton. “He deliberately flung the ball at me!”

“That’s because you smacked me in the head with it!” George shouted in self-defence.

“No I didn’t!”

“Actually,” said Cindy, “I think you did. You and Natalie. I felt the nudge.”

“Did you nudge the ball Milton?” Asked Selma.

“Yes, we did,” interjected Natalie defiantly, “It was just a bit of fun – there was no need to respond like that.”

“Well I didn’t think it was fun,” George replied, “You hit me in the head, and it hurt. I responded instinctively. And I don’t think you meant it as fun either – I think you did it because you’re jealous that Cindy and me can do this stuff better than you.”

“Jealous! Of you two?!?” Natalie scoffed derisively, “Why on earth would I be jealous of a pair of freaks like you two? Am I supposed to be jealous of Cindy’s nothing hairstyle or clothes that fashion forgot? Or of your hang-ups and height? Yeah right.”

Before George could reply, Selma stepped in, “Now cut that out Natalie. That’s uncalled for. Apologise.”

“No. I won’t, I … OUCH!! STOP IT!”

“What is it? What’s happening?”

“He’s pinching me! The little swine is pinching me! Inside my head! OWWW!!”

George! Stop it! Cindy sent urgently.

Why should I? Rotten cow.

This won’t help anything! Come on George, this is the old you not the new you. Stop it, you’ll only make her worse!

Cindy breathed a sigh of relief as she sensed George grudgingly relax. But before she could relax too much, and before she could do anything about it, Natalie strode over to where George stood and slapped him. Hard. Right across the face.

“Don’t you ever do something like that to me again you little rodent. You might be stronger with all this mental stuff but I can still take you apart if I have to.”

Before George could do anything he’d regret Selma stepped between them. Back off Natalie, she sent, cold steel in her sping. And George, don’t do it, she sent as Cindy became aware of him gathering force. There was a moment while Selma mentally faced off with the two of them where Cindy could tell just what a pool of power George also had access to. It made her shudder involuntarily without fully understanding why.

After a moment, slowly, considered, and in control once more, George let the tension ease and the power settle back down.

Let’s talk later, Cindy sent to George, as Selma turned to address all of them.

“Right. All of you. Chairs. Now.”

The five children assembled themselves on the training room chairs, Milton and Natalie returning to the tiddlywinks table they had been at and the other three taking position around various other game tables. The tension in the room was palpable, heightened by the fact that everyone there was capable of sensing the emotional state of everyone else. Natalie was glaring at George and Cindy in turn. Jane was glaring at Natalie. Milton was looking embarrassed. George, worryingly, was looking at his shoes. He had a red mark on his right cheek where Natalie has slapped him. Selma looked more annoyed than Cindy had ever seen her as she started to speak.

“Right. I’m not going to get into who started this or what the underlying reasons are because there’s a much more important issue here. I know it’s hard when you’re your age, you’ve been put together with people you might not have chosen to hang out with at school, you’re coming to grips with a talent that frankly is pretty weird and you may not have even known you had, and you’ve only just found out that the whole galaxy is under threat from a race of evil aliens and it’s up to you guys to defend it. Yes. It’s hard. Well, this is what I have to say to you about that.

“Suck it up.

“It’s hard for you, it was hard for the class before you, it’ll be hard for the class after you, and it was hard for me. But you know what? You have to deal with that because, while you’re here, you don’t have any choice. And what that means, more than anything else, is that you have to get along together.”

Here she turned to face Natalie and Milton.

“You two – bullying is something for the other kids to worry about. I know it happens in the playground – leave it in the playground. Fair or not, our expectations of you are a lot higher here than you would have had at school – or at home for that matter. We expect that someone who has lived 11 or 12 years with your talents is more mature than other kids their age because of the insight they’ve had into how the people around them think and feel. Live up to that.” She turned to George.

“And you! You do not do that! Ever! It’s not the first time we’ve had a trainee lash out at another trainee the way you did but it’s sure as heck going to be the last time for this group – do I make myself clear?!?”

George said nothing.

“I’m expecting an answer.” Selma was more forceful than Cindy had thought she was capable of.

“Yes,” George mumbled, his tone subdued and flat.

“Good.”

Are you ok? Cindy sent privately to George but with no reply.

“Ok,” Selma continued, “We don’t expect you to be best friends, but remember that after this you will all be working for the same organisation and sometimes on the same cases, so I suggest you learn to get along. Now let’s get back to work.

George? Cindy tried again.

Leave me alone Cindy, George sent, then, more resigned, I’ll be ok, ok? I just need some time.

Ok then. Basketball?

No. Thanks. Why not play something with Jane?

If you’re sure you’re ok.

Yes, I’m sure. Go on, she’ll love it.

Cindy turned to Jane and within a few moments they were playing a game of checkers with Jane’s counters bouncing a little erratically across the board, but she was clearly enjoying it immensely nonetheless.

After tea that day Jane talked Cindy into watching a stream starring Jason Radler. Apparently he was very much on Jane’s radar and Cindy found her little-girlish enthusiasm both distracting and infectious. The film itself was a piece of brainless drivel as far as Cindy was concerned, an overdone tale of a famous pop star swapping places with an ordinary boy so he could experience a more ‘normal’ life, with Radler taking both roles. By the time it was finished Cindy had already largely forgotten it, but it seemed to tick all the right boxes for Jane.

Oh isn’t he gooooooooorgeous!!! She sent at least ten times while it was on and again when it finished.

Um, yeah, he’s ok I guess, Cindy sent back somewhat disingenuously. Jane gave her a shrewd smile.

Doesn’t float your boat then? Well, thanks for watching it with me anyway.

My pleasure. Well, the company was anyway! And Cindy tried something new – she imagined a big yellow smiley face and sent it along the mindline as she spinged. .

“Sping smiley! I love it!” Jane exclaimed. I mean, I love it …!

Nice one. So what’s your back story then Jane? Can I have a look at your place back on earth like you looked at mine?

For one of the first times Cindy could remember Jane lost her cheery smile and looked miserable and more than a little guarded. No, she sent, I’d rather not if you don’t mind. It’s not a nice place like yours.

That’s ok, I won’t pry. But you know, I wouldn’t judge.

Of course you wouldn’t. I know that, Cind. Then, after a pause, alright, here, take a look … And Cindy felt Jane dropping into mindspace and opening up.

If you’re sure … Cindy sent, and, receiving a mental nod in return, Cindy had a look at the images Jane was sending.

It started with an old building in a dirty street. Concrete stairs led to a split wooden doorway. As they went in, Cindy became aware this was an apartment block. One of the doors they passed as they went up a flight of stairs was open, and Cindy glimpsed a squalid room with trash lying about. When they reached the third floor, the image stopped moving.

This is it, Jane sent, the palace! Cindy could tell she was hiding something behind the humour.

The door opened and the image panned in to a very small, inner city apartment. It was clean and tidy, but the furnishings were clearly very old, some of them patched, others torn and frayed. Next to the food dispensary was something Cindy only recognised from history streams at school. Is that an oven? She sent.

Yes. My Mum insists. She thinks the old ways are best with a lot of things.

Oh, ok. What does she do?

What, for work? Nothing.

Oh, is she ok? Cindy had never heard of an adult not working before. Again, she knew from history that there used to be a thing called welfare for people who were ill or couldn’t find work, but since mankind conquered illness and the stars there were no further instances of these that she knew about.

Jane’s tone was uncharacteristically indignant. She’s fine, ok? She just chooses not to. Lots of people do that on earth. Some people think it’s a bit weird, but it’s just not, ok? Cindy got a sense of internal conflict in Jane’s words.

Of course, of course. It must be great having your Mum around the whole time! What does your Dad do?

I don’t know. We don’t see him.

Oh.

Whatever. Jane’s tone was now terse. So this is the flat. Small, isn’t it.

Well, it’s home, right? Cindy was trying to sound upbeat.

Yes it is. So now you’ve seen it. And with that the mental stream stopped abruptly and the two of them were back in the rec room. Jane was silent, and clearly in a brittle frame of mind.

“Hey,” Cindy said, “I told you I wouldn’t judge and I won’t. I’ve only got one parent as well you know.”

“Really?” Jane’s tone was brighter, as if finding an ally. “Where’s your Dad?”

“At home. It’s my Mum I don’t see,” Cindy replied, adding, silently: and like you, I don’t really want to talk about it. Then she added a smiley to take any sting out of her words.

The wave of relief from Jane was palpable. Thanks Cind, she sent, you do understand. You’re such a nice person.

So are you! I’m glad we ended up here together. I think things will be easier having someone to go through it with.

Me too! Jane sent.

They chatted some more, and then started heading back to their rooms. Along the way they bumped into Natalie and Milton who were heading out of the kitchen block. “Night guys,” Cindy said.

“Night.” Said Milton.

“Yep.” Said Natalie tersely. Cindy let it lie and they continued walking.

I think we need to keep an eye on those two, Jane sent privately.

Agreed.

I’m not sure how much Selma’s talk sunk in – with Natalie in any case. Hey where’s George?

He went back to his quarters straight after tea. He’s ok.

He’s ok with your help I think. He trusts you Cind. Look after him.

I know. Well, I feel for him.

Oh yes? Well I can see why Jason Radler isn’t your type then

Not like that you dufus. No, he … Cindy paused a moment, being careful not to betray any trusts. He’s not had an easy ride.

Well he’s got a good friend in you – I can see why he trusts you. There’s something good about you Cindy. Something inside you.

That’s weird. George said almost exactly the same thing.

Well it’s true, sent Jane with conviction. And we should know. We’re psychic, you know!

Cindy laughed. They’d reached the quarters, so they said their goodnights and retired to their respective huts.

George?

Hi Cindy.

Just making sure you’re ok.

I’m fine. I’m not going to let those idiots get to me. And I’ve thought about it and you’re right. I overreacted. That was the old me, and it won’t happen again.

That’s great George. I’m glad to hear it.

Thanks for having my back Cind.

Don’t worry about it. Night George. Thrash you at basketball tomorrow

Lol. Night Cind

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