* * *
At the compound, I’m met with overwhelming applause. Runners of all ages greet me with congratulatory remarks and well wishes, and Beth attaches herself to my arm like a bodyguard. I scan the crowd for Chris, knowing even before I look that he won’t be there. I can’t smell him. Beth helps me wade through the sea of curious admirers and escorts me to our room.
Once inside, we both breathe sighs of relief.
“Thanks for that, Beth.”
“No problem. You’re our biggest celebrity! Someone needs to look out for you now, ’cause you certainly watched over us. I would never have guessed you had all those powers because you carried the real diamond. Are they gone now?”
“Yeah, pretty much,” I fib.
“What can you still do?”
“I can read minds a bit. That one is my least favorite.”
“Can you still heal?”
“Maetha told me if I concentrate on that power, I might be able to keep it.”
“I’m so jealous, Calli.”
“Don’t be. What I went through in the last few days was hell. Have you seen Chris?”
“Sorry. No. Will you come back to visit us?”
“Probably not, but you can always email me.” We exchange email addresses and then I say, “I need to go find Chris.”
“Good luck. If you ask me, he’s trying to keep from being found.”
“He must hate me for lying to him over the past few days.”
“Why? I don’t. Clearly you’d been ordered to keep quiet. The stone did its job, and you lived, so what’s the problem?”
“I really need to explain everything to him, in my own words. If you find him before I leave, will you tell him I want to speak with him?”
“Sure.”