I was frustrated, confused. What the hell was this book? One minute its blank the next it has a letter in it addressed to me. What the hell? How was that possible? And the book was in a second hand bookstore, so how the hell would anyone know that I would get it? And I was positive it was meant for me. I don?t know how I knew, I could just feel it. And how did this person know about my headaches? But it did give me a clue as to what happened this after noon. If what the book told me was true then it would have been magic that blew up those cars. But I didn?t know any magic so how the hell did I do it?
These thoughts were swirling around my head for over an hour before I was pulled out of my reverie by a car pulling up the driveway. I looked out the window and saw that Greg was pulling into the car port. What the hell was I going to do? I still didn?t know what to tell him about what I saw Beck doing with her boss. I was hoping to have more time to come up with some idea on what to say. I started panicking and my head exploded with pain. Then there was sweet nothing.
I gained awareness again and started struggling against the darkness around me. As I started to rise out of it I realized I was laying on something soft, not the hard ground I was expecting. I finally gained full awareness and opened my eyes. I was in a bright white room and the smell of sterileness surrounded me. I was on a single bed surrounded by green curtains. It was then I realized I was in a hospital. I couldn?t think why I would be in a hospital and began to panic again and that?s when I remembered the pain. Obviously my headache knocked me out again. It seems Greg must have called an ambulance or something.
I was awake for only a few minutes when a nurse came around the corner and came to an abrupt halt when she seen I was awake. She gave me a small smile and asked ?How are you feeling??
?Apart from a small headache I?m fine,? I replied.
She gave me another smile then said ?Good, I?ll just go get the doctor and let him know you awake.?
She turned around and walked around the curtain, disappearing from sight, I heard low murmuring before Greg came through the curtain and sat in the chair near the head of my bed. He let out a sigh and looked me in the eyes, making my heart race. I could see the pain, sadness and relief that he kept inside. ?You almost gave me a heart attack,? he said, the relief coming through with his voice.
?Sorry,? I mumbled in reply.
?What happened?? he asked, concern lacing the words.
?It was my headache. Seems they are knocking me unconscious now.? I said, my voice trembling from the thought of what these headaches were turning into. Greg sighed again and leaned back into his chair, reaching out a hand and grabbing mine as he did so. It was a strange gesture coming from him because he hardly ever touched me. I guess him finding me passed out on the floor shook him pretty bad.
We sat in silence for a minute or two before the doctor stepped through the curtain and stopped at the end of the bed. I released Greg?s hand and propped myself up against the bed head so I could converse better. The doctor was a good looking man in his mid 40?s by my guess but I didn?t really take much notice, my mind on Greg and what it felt like just to hold his hand. I wished silently that I had didn?t let go of him but I knew with the doctor here Greg would have released it anyway. The doc looked at the chart on the bottom of the bed then glanced up at me. Before he could say anything I asked ?So when can I get out of here??
He looked at me like I was crazy but answered swiftly. ?I?m afraid you can?t go until we know why you were unconscious.?
?Well that?s easy,? I said. ?I have a headache that could kill an elephant. That?s why I collapsed.?
The doc raised an eyebrow at me. ?A headache?? he asked.
?Yeah, you know, a pain that forms in the head rather than any other part of your body,? I said, rather sarcastically I might add.
The doc gave an amused snort. ?Well it doesn?t seem to be affecting your wit,? he said, the smile the smile that wasn?t on his face coming in through the tone of his voice. ?I?ll just need you to answer some questions then we will see what happens.?
3 hours later I was in the car with Greg heading home. Apparently there was nothing they could do then and there about severe headaches except give me drugs to knock me out. They let me leave, not because I was fit to go home but rather to stop me from whining. Greg wasn?t happy though. He had a look on his face that was all anger. And it was all aimed at me. ?Why the hell wouldn?t you stay there?? he said, although it was nearly a shout. ?I mean it?s obvious you need to be there because you don?t pass out from a mere headache.?
?Greg calm down,? I said keeping my voice low. I didn?t want to get into an argument with him.
?Calm down?? he shouted, ?How can I calm down when you are putting yourself at risk Jack? There is obviously something very wrong with you if your headaches are causing this problem.?
?There is nothing the doctor can do Greg,? I said my voice still low. ?They will never find what is causing my headaches because I know what is and it isn?t anything they would detect.? I don?t know how I knew but I suddenly had a feeling that the book was right. ?I know how to get rid of them know but I can?t do it at the hospital.?
My words didn?t seem to cool him off, they just confused him enough that he stopped shouting. ?What do you mean you know how to get rid of them?? he asked, disbelieving.
?You won?t believe me if I told you so you will just have to wait till we get home and I will show you,? I said. He didn?t say anything more so I relaxed into my seat and closed my eyes trying to ease the ache behind my eyes.
When we got home we went straight inside and I grabbed the book off the island. I gave it to Greg and told him to look at it. He was confused but he obliged, looking over the cover before opening it. The look of confusion grew as he flipped through a few pages before handing it back to me. ?It?s blank,? he stated.
I didn?t bother replying, I just opened the book to see the letter on the first couple of pages was gone. But I knew now what to do. I closed the book again and ran my hand over the pattern on the cover before opening it again. The letter had returned so I handed back to Greg and told him to read. His expression changed from to confusion to surprise. He glanced up at me then back to the book and he began to read. When he finished he handed the book back to me.
He didn?t say anything, just stood there staring at me. I shifted nervously under weight of his gaze. Finally he spoke. ?You don?t believe this do you?? he asked incredulously.
?I didn?t when I first read it,? I admitted, ?but I have been thinking about the whole time I was at the hospital, and it seems to fit. After what happened to me today it is not such a stretch.?
?What do you mean by what happened to you today?? He asked.
So I told him about what happened with the explosion in the car park, leaving out the part about me catching Beck cheating on him. I just couldn?t deal with that at the moment, and I still didn?t know how I was going to tell him. He looked at me like I was crazy. ?I?m not insane Greg,? I said calmly, even though I was shaking with nerves. ?Just ask Beck about the explosion. She wont know the cause because no one seen me do it, but it was close to the bar so she will know about it.?
That seemed to break Greg out of his reverie. He looked around and said ?Where is Beck? She should have been home by know.?
?There?s a message on the answering machine from her,? I said and then went to my room. I closed the door and sat down on my bed. I decided to give the book a go, and see if it helped. If it did then I would know if it was real or not. I opened the book and found the letter was still there so I turned past it to the next page. It was blank. That would be right. I was going insane. I felt sure the book would help but it seemed it was just a joke. I was about to throw the book across the room when writing began to appear on the page. I watched as the words seemed to write themselves across the page. When the writing stopped I started reading. It was instructions on how to center the magic within, and stop it from causing havoc to me and my surroundings.
I memorized the instructions then sat in the middle of my bed with my legs crossed. I closed my eyes and began doing as the book instructed. I began feeling inside of myself, looking for the power that the book said was there. I don?t know how long I sat there but it felt like forever. I was starting to feel stupid, sitting there looking for a supposed magic power I had but couldn?t find. Then out of the blue I felt it. A writhing, pulsating power hidden deep inside of me. And I was scared. The sheer magnitude of what I had found was overwhelming. I felt that the power, or whatever it was, could destroy just about anything in the world, if not the world itself. I had no idea how I was suppose to control so much power but I had to try. I imaged pulling it into a cage inside my chest, right next to my heart just like the book instructed. And amazingly that?s what happened. I felt the power travel through my whole body before pooling into my chest. And it just sat there, restrained, no longer out of control as it had been. And I knew now that I would be able to access it if I needed it, but I still didn?t know who to control it if I did unleash it again.
I opened my eyes again and I realized my headache was gone. There was no longer blinding pain. I was free of it again, but only for a couple of months unless I could find a mage. A mage willing to train me of course. But that would be a thought for tomorrow because I just didn?t have the strength to deal with it tonight. I glanced at the clock and found I had only taken 15 minutes to find and contain my power. I was surprised because it felt like I had been at it for hours.
I decided it was about time I went and got something to eat, considering how late it was. It was near midnight and I hadn?t had anything to eat since this morning.
I walked out of my room just as Greg came out of the bathroom, stark naked and glistening with water, suggesting he just got out of the shower. God how I loved that look. The way the water made his gorgeous body shine in the light. He stopped just outside the doorway, giving me a great view of his exposed package, my mouth was watering at the sight, imagining what his cock tasted like. I wanted nothing more than to drop to my knees and service him like he should be serviced. The Bitch he was with had stopped blowing him quiet sometime ago and hardly ever gave him sex anymore either. And now I knew why. She was fucking other men. I stopped my thoughts there and forced myself to look away, even though my eyes were reluctant to give up their eye candy. I started walking toward the kitchen, my eyes darting back to look at him again and I swear I saw him smile before walking to his room. God he sprung me. But he didn?t say anything so it mustn?t have been that big a deal for him, even though he knew I was gay.
I shrugged it off and made myself a sandwich. Just as I finished eating Greg came back out and sat across the island from me. ?So did it work?? he asked.
?Surprisingly it did,? I replied. ?The book was right. There is a power in me that I can?t explain.?
?God those headaches have driven him mad,? I heard Greg say.
?No I?m not mad Greg, the book was right,? I said, anger seeping into my voice.
?Didn?t say you were,? Greg said.
That threw me of. ?You just said the headaches have driven me mad,? I said, more anger coming out than before.
?No I didn?t,? Greg said again, a look of fear on his face. ?How the hell did he know what I was thinking??
I was confused by that second part. Why would he say that out loud? That?s when I realized I didn?t actually see his lips move. ?God I hope he isn?t going insane,? I heard Greg say but he didn?t actually say it. His mouth was shut and he didn?t move his lips at all. Jesus Christ did I just read his mind? I had to find out.
?I hope I?m not going insane either Greg,? I said, seeing what kind of response I would get. The fear on Greg?s face growing.
?I didn?t actually say that Jack,? Greg said, backing away from me as far as he could in his chair.
?But you thought it didn?t you?? I asked, fear as strong as his coming through my voice.
He didn?t bother answering me he just stood up and backed away from his chair. ?What am I thinking now?? he asked still backing away.
?The number 256,354? I answered. It seems that?s all Greg could take because he passed out at that moment. I was up and over by his side in a flash. I knelt down beside him and checked his pulse, all the while shouting his name. I found his pulse was strong and steady so I tapped his face lightly calling his name, trying to wake him. After a moment he started moving and then opened his eyes. ?What happened?? he asked.
?You feinted when you realized I could read your mind,? I answered. I could hear his thoughts still but couldn?t understand them, they were to fast and frantic. I doubt he even knew what he was thinking.
?How?? is all he said.
?I don?t know Greg,? I replied. ?I don?t think I want to know either. There has been too many weird things happening to me today and this is just another.? I was scared shitless but I was trying to stay calm and reassure the man I loved. But his thoughts where whirling through my head and they were making the panic within me rise. I closed my eyes and tried to break the connection between us. Amazingly it worked. The only thoughts I could hear were my own.
?There see. I can?t hear your thoughts anymore,? I said.
It took a little while to get Greg up off the floor. He was still in shock. But once he had calmed down a little I persuaded him to go to bed and I promised him that we would talk about what happened in the morning.
When I woke up the next day I felt better than I had in weeks. The headaches had finally stopped and I felt well rested. It was such a relief. Greg wasn?t out of bed when I got up, which was strange since he was always an early riser. I went and put the percolator on so there was coffee ready when he got up. It was another hour before I finally heard him moving around.
When he came out of his room he looked disheveled. It seemed like he didn?t get much sleep during the night. I went and made him a cup of coffee before he said anything and placed it in front of him when he sat down. He gave me a grunt of thanks and gulped half of it down in one go. He was obviously still trying to wrap his head around what happened last night.
I left him to it and went for a shower. When I came back he was nursing a fresh cup but still didn?t look any better. ?You alright Greg?? I asked.
?Yeah just didn?t get much sleep last night that?s all,? was his reply.
?I gathered that.? I said.
He just sat there and didn?t say anything for a minute. It looked like he was thinking pretty hard about something but I resisted the temptation to open my mind to his. He was my best friend and I knew it would be wrong for me to intrude. After a while he finally asked ?You still able to read my mind??
I looked up at him and said ?I don?t want to read your mind Greg so I?m not even going to try.?
He looked me in the eye and said ?Thanks Jack. But are you sure you can still do it??
I considered him for a moment then replied. ?I can give it a try if you want but I don?t want to know what you?re thinking. It?s wrong for me to do that to you Greg. You are my best friend and your thoughts should be for you only, not for me to listen in on.?
?Just try Jack, I need to know if this is real or not,? he said softly.
I considered it for a moment then said, ?OK but only because you asked.?
I reached into my mind and opened the connection I closed the night before. Instantly I could hear his every thought, but it was more than that this morning. I could feel his emotions. I could feel the confusion and the fear. I tried to block them out and concentrate on his mind but it was difficult. Finally I got a fix on his mind and I heard what he was thinking clearly. To him I said ?No you aren?t going insane Greg. If you are delusional like you are thinking then I am sharing the same delusion.?
He let out a sigh and I closed the connection again. I could no longer feel what he was feeling and the only thoughts I could hear were mine. He looked up at me and said in a relieved voice, ?At least I'm not going crazy then.?
I gave a small chuckle and said ?No your not. Neither am I.?
?You seem pretty calm about all this Jack,? Greg commented.
?Well there is no point in panicking is there? I mean it was either get control of these powers or have them kill me.?
Greg looked at me for a moment before replying. ?Well I guess your right, but this is scaring me Jack. And it?s not even happening to me.?
?It is scaring me too Greg. But there is nothing I can do about it. I have been wishing all my life for something like this and now that I have it I don?t want it. All I can do about it is find someone who can train me to use what I have.?
Greg gave a sigh and mumbled something I didn?t catch. I didn?t bother asking what he said I just asked ?I forgot to ask yesterday why you came home? I thought you were camping away??
Greg said simply ?My machine broke down and it will take a couple of days to fix it.?
?Oh,? is all said.
After a few hours of doing our own things Greg called out, ?I?m going into town Jack. Did you want to come??
?Sure,? I said. ?Just let me grab my wallet.?
We went grocery shopping and were walking around the stores in the main street when I felt something odd. I didn?t realize what it was at first but after a while I realized it felt like the power inside of me. Only it was coming from down the street, following us. Greg walked into one of the stores and I rushed in after him, pulling to one side. ?What the hell Jack,? he nearly shouted.
I put a finger to my lips to signal him to be quiet and leaned in to whisper in his ear. ?We are being followed by someone who has magic. But the feeling I am getting from them is one of ill will.?
Greg looked at me skeptically. ?Just trust me Greg we have to leave now. I don?t know what he wants but it is nothing good.? I paused for a second trying to locate the power I could feel. That?s when I realized it wasn?t just one person, but two. ?Shit,? I whispered. ?There are two of them Greg. We have to go.?
I grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the store, walking as fast as I could, almost running. We made it to the car quickly and whoever was following had dropped behind but was still coming. We got into the car and Greg took off. I kept looking out the windows trying to locate the two people following but there was too many people around. They could have been anyone. Once we got out of the town I could no longer feel our pursuers and I let out a sigh of relief.
?Jack what the hell is happening?? Greg said sharply.
?I don?t know Greg,? I replied, leaning back in my seat, my heart still racing. ?I could feel a power behind us, one like what I found inside me. But I could also feel the emotions of the person with the power. They wanted to cause harm to someone. And I am sure it was us they were following. I could feel them tracing my power, following it. If I had of been alone I probably would have faced them to find out who they were but I couldn?t while you were with me.?
?I can look after myself you know Jack,? Greg said tartly.
?Against normal people, Greg, yes you can, I said dryly. ?But those were people who have magic and know how to use it. Neither of us would have been able to do much against them.?
?Then why would you have faced them if you were alone??
?Because it was me they wanted. And while I don?t know how to use my magic, I could still have tried to use it if I needed to.?
Greg didn?t seem to be happy about that prospect but didn?t say anything. He just continued driving.
I spent the whole drive home checking with my new magic senses to see if we were still being followed, but I could feel nothing. When we got home I still couldn?t feel any pursuit so I relaxed. Beck was home when we arrived and fear clenched inside me. After everything that had been happening I had forgotten about catching her with her boss. I decided then that I would talk to her and give her the option of telling Greg herself before I told him.
We got the shopping inside and Greg gave Beck a kiss before she started telling him about the explosion that happened the day before. Greg raised an eyebrow at me and I nodded. It seemed he was finally believing what was happening to me and was accepting it. Thank god for that. I don?t know what I would have done if he didn?t.
Later that afternoon Greg went out to do the animals and that left me and Beck alone in the house. I sat down in front of her. It was time to confront her about what happened.
?So do you want to tell Greg or shall I,? I said simply.
?What are you talking about?? she asked.
I opened my mind so I could hear her thoughts and said ?You and Lee. I saw you fucking him in the cellar yesterday.?
Her thoughts went crazy and I could feel the fear coming off her. ?I don?t know what your talking about,? she said in a shaky voice.
But I could see the images running through her mind. Could see her thinking about fucking Lee and trying to figure out how I saw them.
?Yes you do. I came to see you yesterday like you wanted me to and Ben sent me down to the cellar because you were supposedly counting the stock. But I saw you bent over that keg with Lee pounding you from behind. It was just before the explosion remember??
She remembered alright but she wasn?t letting on. ?Your crazy Jack,? she said, her voice still shaking.
?No I'm not,? I said calmly. ?So is it just Lee your fucking or are there others??
I saw the images of four other men in her mind before she answered. ?I'm not cheating on Greg,? she stated, the fear around her growing.
?Wow how unconvincing are you?? I asked but before she could reply I said, ?And its not just Lee either. Who are the four others you?ve been screwing??
Her eyes went wider and she didn?t bother replying.
?The cats out of the bag Beck. Now either your tell Greg yourself or I will tell him. Either way he is going to find out. And trust me, I will know whether you tell him or not.?
With that I got up and left the house, jumping in my car to go for a drive. I didn?t want to hang around to see the fireworks if she told him. I went to the lookout and sat there for hours just thinking.
When I finally got home it was dark and there was only the outside light on. Greg and Beck were obviously in bed. It didn?t seem like Beck had told Greg about her little escapades. I reached out with my mind and found beck?s thoughts. It seems she was in the middle of an orgasm. I could see through her eyes and saw Greg on top of her, pounding away like a mad man. I could feel everything she was feeling and it was good. I could feel is cock sliding in and out of her pussy, could feel him kissing her. But it felt like he was doing it to me. I could feel his body on mine, feel his heat coming of him. It left me breathless. I pulled out of Beck?s mind before I got too caught up. I loved that man but if I couldn?t have him for myself then I didn?t want to feel him through someone else.
I went straight to bed, not bothering with anything else. I was still breathless and now I was worked up. The feel of Greg still lingered on my skin even though he wasn?t actually doing it to me. When I undressed for bed I realized I had creamed my pants. And I felt euphoric like it was me Greg was fucking, not Beck.
I got into bed and heard a loud groan come from Greg. It seems he just came. God how it made me tingle. I wish it was me that he was me he was depositing his seed into. I reconnected with Beck?s mind now that they had finished. I scanned her thoughts and found she hadn?t told Greg yet. And she wasn?t even guilty about it.
It seemed I would have to tell him myself. I went to sleep with Greg on my mind.