Stage 3 (© William Estes)
Page 1 Psychics and telepaths
were discovered in the late twentieth century. Laws were passed to make sure
they were regulated and controlled. A government agency was set up and men and
women went around the country gathering up telepaths and psychics. Noah’s father did his part
to protect the country, just as Noah was doing now. Years ago his sister
developed abilities. His father reported her and she was taken away. Now his
own daughter was being examined by the agency to see how far along she
developed. He waited for the agency person enter his house. His heart shot into his
throat when he saw her. She only gave him a cursory glance. Before walking into
the house. "Noah if you will show me
to your daughter I can see how far along she’s developed," said the woman. "Yes," he said. He escorted the woman down a short hallway to a bedroom near the bathroom. "She
won’t be harmed." "No, it’s a simple and
easy test," said the woman. She was tall nearly his height of five, ten. Her
hair was brown like his and she had green eyes like his. "Carol is here," said
Noah. He opened a bedroom door. An eleven year old girl. She had the same brown
hair and green eyes like he and his sister did. "This shouldn’t take very
long," said the woman. Noah returned to the living room. He sat down on the
leather couch. Putting his hands on his head he thought about how his father
mentioned it was better for them and for the country to get rid of her. He
almost felt better now. Minutes later he heard
footsteps. Looking behind him the woman walked over to him. She sat down in a
chair in front of him. She place her hands on her blue dress pants. Tapping her
fingers she waited a few seconds before speaking to him, "There’s good and bad
news." "How bad is she?" asked
Noah. "She’s already stage
three," said the woman. She almost reached for his hand, but backed away. "That means you have to
take her?" asked Noah. "You figured she was
before I arrived. That’s why your wife and sons aren’t here?" asked the woman. "Yes," said Noah. "It’s
just like when I was young." "I was her age when I was
taken," said the woman. She looked towards the hallway. He checked and saw a
shadow move backwards to the room. "I was stage two." "Stage two. Stage three.
What do they mean?" asked Noah. "Since this is a special
case I might be ask my superiors to see if they can allow me to provide more
information," said the woman. She placed both hands on her knees and closed her
eyes. Noah didn’t know what to
do. He looked at his TV remote and then is computer in the corner of the room.
He wondered if he should check on Carol. He then looked over to see the woman
open her eyes suddenly. "I can tell you about the
stages," said the woman. He relaxed. She could tell. "First stage is discovery
we learn about what we can do. It’s usually frightening and sometimes
traumatizing when we see into someone’s minds." She took a breath, "Stage two
is when our abilities grow and they become noticeable to others. Three Carol’s
stage is alarming. It’s when gain control of our abilities and start to test
them." "Is Stage Four bad?" asked
Noah. "Yes. For others," said
the woman. Her voice changed and sounded more serious. "What do you mean?" asked
Noah. "Stage four is mastery,"
said the woman. "It’s when they know how to completely control all their
abilities and can begin controlling others." "How long do you think it’ll
be before she becomes Stage four?" asked Noah. "It’s hard to say. It
differ from person to person. It took me ten years to go from three to four,"
said the woman. "But she already is at three. It might not take her as long." "You’re not pulling out
right now?" asked Noah. [ Continue to page 2 ] |