***
The next week passed in a blur. I spent most of my time in my bedroom, leaving only to go to the bathroom. I was vaguely aware it was raining and had been the whole week. Not that I'd looked out of the window, it was Kasey-Ray's cries, every morning when she got up.
Sean had tried to see me several times and called me constantly, but I refused to see or speak to him. I could see it starting to grate on my parents and how they hated explaining to Sean that I wouldn't come to the phone or door.
By the second week, my parents had had enough. I'd heard my Mum and Kasey-Ray leave to go and do the weekly shopping. Usually it would be both my parents, who would go, and Kasey-Ray would have been out gallivanting somewhere with her friends, but with all this rain, there wasn't much to do. I'd heard her moan about it being the summer holidays and where in the summer should it rain all the time. I knew it was Sean causing the rain, whether consciously or not.
I heard my parent's car pulling out of the drive, just as my bedroom door opened.
“This has to stop.” My Dad rumbled as the room started to shake.
“You don't understand.” I sighed unhappily.
My Dad's face turned red and what felt like the whole house, started to shake.
“Don't you dare say I don't understand.” He took the four steps from my bedroom door to my bed, where I lay, in less than a second. “Don't you dare blame that poor boy for Dr Hammersmith's experiments.”
This infuriated me. How could he defend him? Flames started to build. Ignoring this, my Dad continued.
“If Sean had his way, you wouldn't have even gone for that final test.” He looked at me, carefully judging my mood, as he walked to the chair at my desk. Sighing he sat down.
“Dr Hammersmith is not someone you disobey. I know I've tried.” He frowned sadly, as if he were remembering something. “He uses trainers, like Justin, to control weak minded people.” He paused to look at me, “Like Jessica. Dr Hammersmith chose her specifically to torment you. It broke Justin's heart, as he'd became quite attached to her and deep down she was sweet hearted.” He shook his head. “It's a shame you never saw that side of her."
“What exactly does a trainer do?” I asked, shocked by what I'd heard and curious at the same time.
“Depending on what Dr Hammersmith requires, he can bring out your best or worst trait.” My Dad shrugged like he didn't completely understand it either.
“Did Sean know?” I felt I really needed to know this. If he had known all along then that would mean our relationship was fake and he'd used me.
I brushed the tears from my eyes as my Dad shook his head.
“Not at first, but that day at school, in the changing rooms.” I looked at him with panic. My Dad held a hand up. “Yes we know about that, and that was when Sean found out and decided that even though Justin couldn't stop with his control over Jessica, he could, however, stay away from you, so she wouldn't hurt you.”
I sat and thought about this, as my Dad stood up from his seat and walked over to the window seat and sat down.
“He loves you sweetie and I know you love him. It hurts him being apart from you. Do you think Mother Nature is causing all this rain?” He waved his hand at the window and looked back to me thoughtfully, but I already knew the answer. “He tried to get him to stop.” He whispered. “Dr Hammersmith I mean. They locked Sean in that room and made him watch. He feels your pain, I should know.” He told me, as he buried his face in his hands.
“We were 12 years old when Dr Hammersmith tried a similar experiment on your mother. You know he never ages.” He added thoughtfully, like he'd only just realised. “Well, unlike Jessica, this girl didn't survive.” By now he was crying as he was remembering the horrific event. “You see, this girl had also been taught to attack your mother. Apparently this helps bring on our gifts. Your Mum couldn't control her rage and numerous lightning bolts struck the girl, where she stood. I was powerless.”
I crossed the room to where he sat, hands still buried in his hands, as I knelt down at his feet. Sensing me there, he looked at me through his red rimmed eyes.
“It could have broken us both, if we weren't so strong. I couldn't have changed anything, even if I could turn back time.” Sitting in silence, I listened to everything he'd said. “Please don't punish him more than he is hurting now.” I turned to look at the clock, 2:38pm.
“Dad?” He looked at me with sad eyes. “I’m going out!” I quickly stood up and started to run down the stairs. “Don't make me any dinner.”
“What about your coat?” My Dad called after me.
“Don't need one.” I shouted.