Scout

Aaron left his building to run an errand for his advisor. It was a fair, cool day outside. Aaron enjoyed getting away from the department every now and then, so he had no problems running errands across campus. The manila envelope under his arm, he made his way to one of the far corners of campus to make a delivery. As he walked outside he felt a sensation. He crumpled his face, trying to shake it off, but it wouldn’t budge. He looked around before he continued his trek, finding nothing.

The sensation did not go away. Aaron tried his best to keep from making faces as he walked to his destination. Unfortunately, a couple of passersby caught his strange expressions and gave him odd looks, prompting him to adopt a much faster pace. As he was passing one of the dorms, he felt as though he had been shaken. He quickly whirled his head around, his eyes glowing, as he unleashed a mild psychic wave. He barely caught sight of a large blur out of the corner of his eye. He started toward where he thought he saw the blur, until he heard a sound in some nearby bushes.

Resolved, Aaron ran toward the bushes, readying himself. Once he arrived at the bushes, his eyes had laid on none other than a clueless freshman.

“So, do freshmen like taking naps in bushes? That’s a bad look,” Aaron said, trying to calm down and keep his eyes from glowing. He felt bad for inadvertently knocking someone down.

“I’m not sure?” the freshman said, leaning on his arms. Aaron leaned forward to help him up. “I was walking and all of a sudden I feel light. Next thing I know, I’m looking at you.”

“Yeah, sorry about that,” Aaron said in the man’s head. Once his statement was done, and looking at the very confused freshman in front of him, he realized his mistake.

“How did you… Your lips didn’t move at a—“

“Now that I think about it, the bushes are a great place to take a nap!” Aaron said quickly, knocking the student out (again) while he made his escape. He walked as fast as he could to his destination. He would have sped there, but the security cameras on campus always kept him from using any kind of his powers. He hoped they hadn’t picked up footage of him making another student take a nap. Once he got the package delivered, he hurried back to his building, making sure to keep an eye out for that freshman.

Over lunch, he explained the story to Campbell.

“I felt bad…” I should be more careful about using my powers around other people.

“You fought five robbers in a grocery store the other day,” Campbell replied.

“Yeah, but at least I was covered up! And with my eyes glowing half the time, all they can see of me is my skin.”

“Uh…” Campbell looked around. Aaron was Black, and his university wasn't exactly multicultural.

“This is the cafeteria! There’s a difference!” Aaron narrowed his eyes.

“12.4% of Americans are Black,” Campbell nodded.

“Sampling error! There are plenty of Black people on the other side of the cafeteria!”

“Why is that?” Campbell mused.

“Baby, this is no time to discuss modern day social segregation of race!”

“What are you talking about? It’s a perfect time for that discussion!”

“Me. Focus on me.” Aaron pointed to himself.

Campbell offered a smile. “You know, if this was all people saw of us, they may think we’re a bad couple.”

“We aren’t a bad couple,” Aaron smiled back. “You just make fun of me all the time,” he followed with an overdramatic pout. Campbell smiled and shook his head. Suddenly, Aaron felt that same electric presence from before. He quickly rose from his seat, running outside. He tried to feel for the source. Using his telepathy, he scanned for nearby thoughts. He caught one quickly retreating and, turning his head in the direction of the thought, he sent a small psychic wave. He could sense the thought flickering.

Using his telekinetically augmented speed and agility, he rushed in the thought’s direction. He quickly found a tall, muscular man, steadying himself.

“Who the hell are you and why are you following me!” he shouted, his eyes glowing, preparing for an assault.

“That is of no importance,” said the man, turning to walk away.

“You’re not leaving,” Aaron unleashed another psychic wave at the man.

As the man rose again, trying to regain his balance, he spoke, “If you keep doing that I will be forced to fight you. He won’t be pleased. This was only a reconnaissance mission.”

“For what?” Aaron stepped toward him.

“I am not at liberty to discuss. Please leave and forget this conversation.”

“I’m not going to give you a choice,” Aaron replied, pushing him down with his telekinesis. “You’re not going to move until you tell me why you’ve been following me.”

“I really did not want to do this…” The man said, struggling to even look up at Aaron. His hands began to crackle with energy. Aaron responded by using his telepathy to keep the man’s mind at bay. Unfortunately, he’d had some training in mental resistance. The man sent a wave of electricity at Aaron along the ground. Aaron leapt in the air before the current could reach him.

“Your concentration is broken. It’d be unwise to make any more mistakes like that,” the man told him as he stood up. Electricity began to flow around his hands and arms. “My codename is Breaker. I am sorry to say that you will need to be… Neutralized. I hoped this would not have to happen, but I am prepared.”

“Fine,” Aaron replied, landing on the ground. “But I won’t make this easy.”