MISFITS - The Boy With A Story

Ciarán?" a voice queried from the side of the room. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu6YZf9Zvw

The person in question, a boy currently in his teenage years, stares blankly at the John McLaughlin painting hanging on the wall in front of him. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cJ3PGcyRE

It was the only splash of color that he could see in the otherwise pristine white walls or perhaps even in the whole sparsely decorated room. The settee provided for him to sit on was upholstered in soft white velvet. The smooth linoleum floors glistened like cold hard marble. The table in front of him, though made of stainless steel was topped with white-ash wood, tinted and glazed to an almost-white color, muting down any hint of warm hues from its natural state. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNhRGk6mKG

Ciarán lowers his gaze for a moment, watching how the meager rays of sun light floats into the room and hits the glass covering the painting. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMLfZlijGu

He frowns. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR9kQP9SDe

Though the painting was a truly a classically modern work of art in its contemporary genre, he still felt the colors were too subdued.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhGkNb3hEy

Too structured. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakeuvxKdf8

Too pale. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIpgrfoDvd

Too enforced to be in their respective place. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLADHLuhjsI

For Ciarán, his preferences were more widely attuned with the abstract, where warm and cool colors collide while the viewers' eyes are captivated by the vibrantly wild and raw quality of the piece at hand, never truly sure of whether where it belongs or stay in one place. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qJ2hHsZPT

Even he would prefer a Noland. Though similar in style it at least had a vivid quality that would contrast well with the sterile whiteness of the room. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc4z4ACDqG

Ciarán could see it now, images begin to swirl in his head.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC38lJRs43

Colors all around him, hazy and blurred, they appear almost like sfumato except for a form that sharpens in the middle. Its shape resembles a silhouette, obscured by the bright light at its back yet Ciarán could still make out the details. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdrjroGsHB

Closer and closer, he manages to focus his eyes to the silhouette.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBn8WfodHk

"Mr. Byrne." The voice calls again. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq435FvPXcf

This time, the tone laced in subdued impatience.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoFsYGdpIT

And like a pin bursting through his bubble of thoughts, Ciarán snaps back to reality and to the white-clad room.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI90WOhG8CV

Slowly, he lowers his eyes further until they land on the stern-looking figure behind the table1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdZcVSptsz

His wayward gaze meets her cold calculating stare. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaPwf5z93V

The same stare she had gifted him the first time he met her a few weeks ago. The same stare that always made him feel like there's something more lurking from her albeit reserved appearance and charismatic smile. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEoroMwHkH

It made him feel like she's waiting – waiting for something to happen. Only, he wasn't sure what it was. It was times like this that he always dreaded the past few weeks, having to attend sessions with her. Sitting on the same old chair and facing her as he pours out all his thoughts of delusion while she writes them down, each paragraph labeling him closer to being mentally insane. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbkWPuHtWm

" Ciarán, are you with me?" She asks, a slight crinkle etched on her brow.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwF7huvGGq

"Yes?" He hesitantly replies, his voice a bit too husky for his age.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcU3H3F74V

"Do you know why you're here?" 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt4QWo9osy

It was always the same question she asks to start their session. One that which Ciarán always fail to answer coherently.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92jnraxShx

"Uhh," he gulped, the sound almost audible in the room. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaZEhu58dd

He looks around, his eyes darting from side to side, as if the whole room was closing in. He never was good at being asked on the spot. Or being the center of attention – be it in a crowd or with just another person. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9xtvdaG2D

With a deep inhalation, he replies "No."1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7ipvAxaW2

He watches as she scribbles something on her notepad. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbdbhH4r5Z

He glances at the clock on the right side of the desk, listening as it ticks away by the second.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrOPC7yUWz

TICK! TOCK! TICK! TOCK!1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULmowPuKj6

" Ciarán, are you aware of the events that led you here?"1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuXOPIdJLC

He gives her what he hopes to be a sheepish smile. "Honestly Doc, I don't really kn-"1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW4gAEUC5F

TICK! TOCK! TICK! TOCK! 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uFXtx5f4F

The clock goes on. Louder and louder like an echo.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1w3rKG8au

Like being in the deepest depths of the sea, it drowns his ears until all that he could hear was the drumming sound of his own pulse.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf69cawVoSp

" Ciarán?" The doctor asks again, her pen dangling a few centimeters from her notepad. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfpNwpFkvB

Ciarán barely hears her, as if the very waves of sound were stuck, suspended on the surface as the waves they were. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRNtW4TX3K

Ciarán rubs his temple as a new sound begins to appear. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIztlug44V2

This time, it was a piercing sound, almost like a slow drumming of static before turning into a constant ringing. His childhood physician had jotted it down as a mild case of Tinnitus but he knew it wasn't the case. The ringing kept on occurring in sporadic rates throughout the years. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKWfEprPdy

He continues to rub his temple, shaking his head until it finally disappears. At least, for the meantime.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrU6fRK5BE

He clears his throat. "I'm sorry, you were saying something?"1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMcQ5VLvll

She sighs and walks around the table. She stops in front of him, leaning gracefully on the side of the table. Arms planted by her sides, she looks down and looks at him again in the eye. This time her expression lacks most of their icy reserve.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXVVbtyrL5

"Ciarán, I know our last few sessions didn't exactly start on the right foot. I also know that you don't want to be here but please remember that I'm just trying to help you."1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fs39rB82X

Right, as if he hadn't heard that spiel before. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF45OAVoqPo

"Well, I don't exactly recall myself asking for help." He mutters, unable to conceal the bitterness in his voice. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdroFmpK3a

He turns his head away, not wanting to see her reaction. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6Q3IirLqz

When he did glance her briefly through his periphery, he adds, "So you might as well just write that down because that's all you're gonna get."1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZyp61c71P

He didn't see her gaze softening but he did hear her sigh. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3cV8bldAo

"Unfortunately, I can't do that." 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAIB34g4Ho

She reaches in the right pocket of her slacks and pulls out a small silvery object. When she raises it to his view, it got caught in the reflection of the light. The fleeting bounce of light was enough to catch his attention.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KfIC0q3tY

"Ciarán, what do you see?" she asks, holding up the object closer to him.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dmWuF1346

"A quarter?" he responds skeptically, not sure of where the sudden shift of subject would lead to.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPhP37d0k4

"Now, that's where you're wrong. This," she gestures at the coin, "is more than just a quarter. It's a memorabilia passed down through generations and it holds a certain part of a past almost like a story." 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6x3bYTQ48

She places the coin on the table by its rim where both sides can be seen. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDk3IrG1PP

Still not letting go of the coin, she adds, "In fact, on my grandfather's word and many of those before him, had sworn that they still see glimpses of the past and helps them remember. Now, I don't particularly believe in such phenomena that can't be logically explained and experienced in a non-vicarial manner. Shall we try to find out?"1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy9g0klgk7

Ciarán merely shrugs before the doctor spins the coin. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTVtgepuBK

Round and round, it goes, until all the naked eye could see was a flashing blur. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ1ZMFBj5T

"Ciarán, if you may, I need you to look at the coin. I want you to focus on it and slowly, take a deep breath and let it out."1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHtUwm1Hvj

Eyes transfixed, he follows the instructions of her lulling voice. Breathing deeply, he exhales, letting go of the tensions that once knotted his shoulders.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAeBGYZsyh

"Good. I want you to keep on doing that while I ask you some questions. You're gonna answer them, won't you Ciarán?"1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvivaxCoIAh

"Yes," he breathes out.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OOjJcVx9Q

"Very good. Now, let's start all over again. Why do you think you're here?"1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg56EH4KG0

"I," he licks his lips and gulps, a slight a hesitation in his voice. "I'm here because-because... I can move stuff with my mind."1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofzQB2ay49

"What sort of stuff?"1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5oSGHGxlG

Another gulp. The clock ticks twice before he answers. "Anything. I 'pushed' the end of a crane to crush Sam's dad. I-I swear I didn't," he breaks off, his chest shaking at the memory, "I didn't mean to... do it."1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKQMFrLJQ0

The doctor lays a comforting hand on his shoulder. Its warmth temperature brought a much-needed respite to calm the cold vicious nerves entangling his lungs. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8vu8wt86g

"Hush, relax, Ciarán. Nobody thinks that you did it on purpose."1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH5VP0WJCO

"But they do." He mutters harshly, "you should've seen them. Sam... Mike... Mrs. Lopez...the other kids at school, even- even my sister. They've always looked at me like I'm some sort of a freak." 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuFjofcLVw

He bites out the last word, remembering the cruel words the others had called him. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlsKntlbNn

"But are you?"1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KPvviTjmE

"No!" He breaks his gaze from the coin, facing her squarely and shrugging her hand off his shoulder. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeHmZ1lUV1

He looks her straight in the eyes before turning his head back towards the coin, "At least, I don't want to be. Maybe I am a freak, I wouldn't know if I were one."1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMw9nYIwGB

"I don't." 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVrFgPRakz

His eyes, while never leaving the coin, widen in surprise. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamZ0uRwaXx

"How would you know?" He snorts incredulously. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqz8AA5xHx

The doctor merely shrugs. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRZXgZDFdI

"I don't know for sure. But what I can say is you're a special young man."1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR7dbPff42

"Come on, doc. You can't possibly think I would believe that nonsense. You're just saying this for my sake." 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClk60Y9lgN

She tilts her head to the side, a confused expression on her face. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoSbGbpNdH

"You keep insisting that gift of yours is a curse, and here I am telling you otherwise. Yet, you still won't believe. What really eats you up from the inside? What else makes you think that you're a freak, besides the telekinesis?" 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqzdpemuaI

He shakes his head, his voice rough, "No, you just don't get it doc. It's not just the mind-moving-telekinesis-shit you're going on. I'm a freak!"

Out of nowhere, the painting hanging on wall dropped on the floor in a loud thud. The glasses on the wall vibrating in a moderate hum, cracks threatening to break the surface. The forgotten glass of water on the table bubbles, slowly tipping off the rim of the glass.

Ciaràn leans in, his eyes clouded with an eery gleam. The coin spins faster than ever, losing its own shape in its motion and appearing like a blur.

He grits,"I'm a freak because whenever I sleep inside my room, I always wake up in who-knows-where. The recent one was in my neighbor's house. In bed. With his daughter. I'm a freak because wherever I go, I see her while no else does– and she distracts me like hell!"

CRACK!

The glass from the windows finally breaks, the water spills upward.

He can feel it now. The power he had been keeping at bay flows through this veins in an electric rush. He clenches his fist to reel it back in. He barely succeeds.

The water stops in midair, the splashes like rain drops floating above them. It suspends on an invisible force.

He motions his head to her and asks bitterly, "So you tell me, doc, do you still deny that I'm a freak? An insane freak?"

"Yes." She simply replies.He grunts and takes a deep breath. Slowly the water falls back down to the glass. The cracks on the window recedes.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl63hEkw6Jp

Ciaràn grits his teeth, his gaze unblinking and still focused on the coin. As if by looking away, he would lose grip over his sanity and temperance.

"From what you've just told me, I don't think you're special,"

Ciaràn scoffs.

"Rather, you are a very special young man who had been through so much pain and enmity and in need to relax." 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkc0QLASzag

She places her hand again on his shoulder, applying a bit of pressure this time. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynwY9e95qq

"Breathe."1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsCUULF27M

He defiantly does so. Again and again he breathes until the flow of air comes easier into his lungs.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq4vCNq93d

"Better," she remarks. "Now, about the girl. Can you tell me more about her?"1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjletBxkvfa

"What about her?" he asks, unsure at the turn of their conversation.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VAacddT9q

"Anything. Any thing you can think or remember about her."1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMStZKn0t7

"I don't-" he tilts his head to the side, "I don't know what to say."1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJZRR431Ri

Ciaràn thinks back to the blurred form earlier, to the silhouette who had her back against the bright light. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjXNckmDjV

Slowly, he can see her clearly now. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpthVhpioaw

The haze disappears, showing the fine details of her face kissed by the warm sunlight. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg5As8EgMQ

Threading across a field towards him, floating like a nymph. Hair as dark as grey ash whipping wildly against her ethereally stunning visage. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbtVTpEKDa

He blinks, and all of a sudden he finds himself mere inches from her. She slowly turns her back to him, silently urging him to follow her. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvlJL1wnhZ

He respires as he watches as her movement in the wind causes the silk strands to lightly caress a pair of wide sensuous lips. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe03nZA2QWt

Her eyes. Christ, her eyes! 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBRZptebeP

Like the misty sky from the mountains tops after a cold wintry night and speckled with light silver-grey specks, captivates his senses. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4GgMbdTM6

And when she smiles sensuously, when those beautifully curved lips meet, a merest hint of a dimple appears and he finds his jaw slacks.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzN1bbMVgE

He really was insane. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDlBir2FH4

He had to be. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xXjE33BR4

No one could be that beautiful as her and still be real.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNcl3AgiTU

"It's alright, take your time. Just think and say something about her like a"-1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrHJAppu2w

"Like a story?" he inquires, the side of his mouth quirking as if amused at the idea.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMvlMyBVSL

"Yes. Exactly. Like a story," she nods encouragingly.1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0gsC7997h

Ciaràn lets out a shaky laugh to himself. 1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBr1LTtv13

"I don't even know where to begin."1572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HUW4xkVve
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