The Search for Artemis - By P. D. Griffith Page 0,25

that thoughts are more than just electrical impulses in the brain. We believe they’re more tangible than that. When you speak, you can either talk to yourself or converse with someone. You see, psychokinetics hear thoughts, but this ability is limited to hearing those that are broadcasted, or as we refer to them—outwardly projected.

“Try and think of it like computer networking. An internal—personal—thought is like a stand-alone system. It’s isolated and protected from intrusion or unauthorized access. Whereas an outwardly projected thought is akin to an open LAN network where if people are in range, they have access to the information.

“Prayer is the best example of this. When you’re praying, you’re projecting your thoughts, your hopes, your wishes, outwardly—to your god. But should you be in a psychokinetic’s tactometric sphere, they could hear your prayer as if you posted an audio file to the Internet. It is in learning to turn this ability on and off, however, that proves to be much more difficult. Does that make sense?”

“Sure,” Celia responded. She turned to Landon and found her silent companion staring blankly at the whiteboard. “Are you even with us?”

“Oh, I’m here,” Landon replied awkwardly. “I’m just . . . processing.” Landon looked as if he were searching for some answer written on the palms of his hands, staring down at them as they erratically moved back and forth in front of him.

“Sometimes this does take longer for people to grasp. It’s a lot to take in,” Dr. Wells added. “But now for logistics. You both will have the rest of the day to get acclimated to your new residence. We have arranged for each of you to room with one of our other gifted students in the Student Tower and I’ll provide each of you with a detailed schedule of your weekly training and tutoring sessions.”

While Dr. Wells spoke, Landon and Celia became distracted. Their attention was drawn away from the discussion at hand to a loud, rumbling noise emanating from outside the room. The orientation room fell silent as Landon, Celia and Dr. Wells looked wonderingly at the blank wall separating them and the hallway. As the rumbling continued, Dr. Wells walked over to the door, and after a large crash from outside filled their ears, he opened the door to see what was the commotion.

Intently watching the hall, Dr. Wells stood in the doorway. Both Landon and Celia rose to their feet and leaned over the table behind them, curious to discover what was happening just outside the room.

“Riley Burton! What are you doing?” Dr. Wells yelled. “And Parker? Both of you come here now. Riley, what is that in your hand?”

“Nothing, sir. We were, uh, going to lunch.”

Landon and Celia could hear the mumblings of an out-of-breath boy in the hallway replying to Dr. Wells’ question.

“Well, this is quite fortuitous then. Please come in and join us,” Dr. Wells said as he moved aside and ushered in a boy and girl, neither looking any older than Landon or Celia.

The boy, who was panting heavily, was tall and gangly with pale skin and sandy blond hair that was buzzed close to his scalp. He had quite a short forehead and dark, perfectly-shaped eyebrows that looked almost as if they’d been waxed and trimmed. The girl, however, who stood slightly shorter than the guy, had voluminous, deep auburn hair that flowed down to her chest, framing her slender face and piercing green eyes. There was a sly, fox-like quality to her that intrigued Landon instantly.

“Landon, Celia, I’d like you to meet Riley and Parker. They’re students here, and they’ve willingly volunteered to show you around and introduce you to the place,” Dr. Wells explained.

As they filed into the orientation room one after the other, Landon noticed the girl shoot a menacing glare at the guy.

“But,” Riley retorted, not noticing the death stare coming from beside him. He received a particularly potent look from the doctor, which silenced his protestations. He dejectedly turned to look at Landon and Celia.

“Yes . . . Landon, you will go with Riley, and Parker, you’ll take Celia. Both Riley and Parker have been with us for just over two years so they know the place quite well. They’re the perfect people to escort you.”

Dr. Wells beckoned for Landon and Celia to move out to the aisle and join their appointed guides.

“And you two,” Dr. Wells continued toward Riley and Parker. “You will graciously take these students and orient them to their new surroundings. You