Fang Virus

Andre

“Sorry I freaked you out earlier. I just had a few questions if you don't mind.” Andre said through the door. He then looked into the peep hole as if he knew I was staring at him through it. He wasn't done picking my brain? “Actually, no, but I'm asking your consent this time.” He answered my thoughts again. “Your mind is very loud, its hard not to tune it out.” He said. My mind is loud? “Yes, no offense.” He answered my thought once again. I took a breath, then opened the door. “I'll talk, but in a public place.” I said to him. “Understood, you just met me and I'm already coming off as a creep.” Andre agreed and he led me out to a public area in the town. “So, about the hospital, and how you got there.” Andre said as he turned to me waiting. “What do you mean?” I asked. “I was outside your room, your thoughts, as I said before were very loud. You left your home, in the middle of the night, while there's a curfew. What made you feel like escaping?” Andre got straight to the point. It was obvious that he seemed concerned about my disregard of the curfew and my safety. I couldn't quite put it into words, but I knew he was reading my mind. I thought about my family and the memories that left bitter taste in my mouth. I felt abandoned by my parents who were always working. I was outcast by my siblings for not fitting in with them. I cleaned up after everyone as if I was Cinderella. When someone needed me I was there. But when I needed help, everyone was always too busy. I felt invisible unless needed. I suddenly felt a hand on my cheek. Andre was wiping away a tear on my cheek, I didn't realize I was crying. I looked up at Andre's face. He was reading me intently. “I wasn't expecting that.” He finally said. “What were you expecting?” I asked. “I don't know...but not that.” He replied. “I just wanted get away to clear my head. I was going to go back eventually, but that's not an option anymore” I told him. “It was reckless of you to try to leave at night.” He said sternly. I understood, but there was no other time to do it. I hoped that if I moved quickly and watched my surroundings I could make it to my friends house. Andre shook his head at my thoughts. “The only people who come out at night are ones that have a death wish.” He said bluntly. Before I could respond, Andre's eyes darted to something behind me. “Is he bothering you?” I heard Alex's voice behind me. I turned in enough time to see Alex seemingly appear. “No, but, thank you.” I answered him. “Actually, I was just leaving.” Andre replied. He took one more glance at me then disappeared around a corner. “Andre can be a little too personal at times. His ability makes it hard for him to maintain a normal conversation.” Alex said. “I was fine really, I'm starting to understand how it works.” I told Alex. Alex nodded and insisted that if Andre was bothering me to let him know before he walked away. I didn't think Andre was bothering me. Maybe hearing my thoughts along with everyone else bothered him. I realized at the hospital, Andre heard me before he saw me. He didn't know I was in there until he heard my thoughts. I remember Sabrina saying to stay in crowds around him if I didn't want my mind read. So that would mean he could hear everyone at once, making it hard to focus on one person. He had no control over who he could hear. It must be chaotic sometimes. I wondered how Andre was able to manage that as I walked back to my room. “Your right.” I heard Andres voice as I turned the corner. He never left, he was waiting for Alex to leave. “I can't turn it off. I wear earplugs to drown some of it out.” Andre pulled an earplug out to show me as he explained. “When I wear these I only hear whispers which I manage. Your thoughts however, overpower my earplugs.” He put the ear plug back in as he spoke. “I'm sorry.” I said to him. “It's not your fault.” He replied. “So, you had those in the whole time?” I asked. “Yes, I wear them mainly down here.” He answered. So he could hear me loud and clear in my thoughts with the earplugs in. He nodded at my thought. Weird. “I know.” He answered. He stared at me as if he was waiting for me to ask him something else. I stared right back. I tried to concentrate on being quiet. As I did a small grin appeared on Andres face. “You don't have to do that.” He said.“You should get settled into your room. I know its not where you thought you would be, but I hope it works out.” Andre finished. I nodded and thanked him for the well wishes. As he turned and walked away, I walked backwards in the other direction, checking the distance between us. Sabrina said at least twelve feet. I wanted to test that theory since he told me my thoughts were loud to him. Andre kept walking but I knew he knew what I was doing. “I think this is far enough.” Andre said as he stopped and turned back around to face me. I stopped as well and said, “I'm thinking of a number betwee-”, “Eight” Andre quickly responded cutting me off. He was right. I stared back at him in amazement. Did he lie about how far his ability reached. “No.” Andre replied to my thought. Andre looked curiously back at me as he took a few more steps back. “Try it again.” He said. This time I just thought of the number without saying anything. “Two.” Andre said. Was my mind really that loud? “Yea, but its down to a faint whisper from here.” He answered. “Is there anything else you wanted to test?” Andre asked me. “No, that's all for now I guess.” I answered. Andre turned back around and walked away. I turned around and went to find my room. I glanced back at Andre one more time and to my surprise he had stopped and was watching me walk away. He grinned and waved at me. He had caught me and all I could do was shyly wave back and continue to my room.