13 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

An hour later, after a short stop at the drop-in spot where Mick managed to get a decent pair of boots and a lightweight jacket—he now wore it under his heavier one—they arrived at the campus.

 

"How the hell are we going to find them?" Mick muttered, watching all the students moving between the buildings.

 

"Good question," Will replied. "Luck, maybe."

 

"Luck, definitely. Too bad we don't know if he lives on campus or not."

 

Will frowned, trying to recall the back of the building from his vision. "I don't think he does," he said. "The place I saw was definitely much older than the buildings here and too small to be a dorm."

 

"Would you recognize it if you saw it again?"

 

"Probably, but it's a big city. We could spend weeks checking out all the apartment buildings."

 

"When you were in college, did you live far from campus?"

 

Will cocked an eyebrow. "What makes you think I went to college?"

 

"Well, you couldn't have been a teacher if you didn't go," Mick replied, while keeping his eyes open for anyone who looked like the guy they were searching for.

 

"Why are you fixated on the idea I was a teacher?"

 

"Because you're good at it." Mick glanced at him. "Were you?"

 

Will threw up his hands in defeat. "Guess there's no reason not to say at this point. Yeah," he lied, "I was for a while, before I ended up on the streets."

 

"How come you quit doing it?"

 

"Because. And that's all you get as an answer for now."

 

"Geesh. You're more tight-lipped than…a gangster."

 

Will laughed. "And how many tight-lipped gangsters have you run into?"

 

"None, except in some of the books you've found for me to read. And you never answered my original question. Did you live far from campus?"

 

"Actually, no, since I didn't have a car. I stayed within walking distance."

 

"So maybe this guy's the same way."

 

"I suppose it's a starting place, because for sure we'd have to be very lucky to spot him here."

 

"No shit. So let's go troll the alleys." Mick grinned. "Maybe we'll find you some new clothes while we're at it."

 

Will resisted the urge to flip him off, mainly because he didn't want to reinforce that sort of thing with Mick, even though he knew it was too late. Instead, he took off at a fast pace down the street with Mick right beside him.

12 – This Gift, This Curse

 

"We could just walk around the college looking for him—or her," Mick said, as he and Will discussed how to find the young man in question.

 

Will paused long enough to say "Thank you" to a guy who had handed him a dollar before replying to Mick. "We'd be kicked out by security two minutes after we stepped on the campus grounds."

 

"Okay, but they can't do anything about us staying across the street. He and the girl have to leave sometime, unless they live in the dorms. Even then, they wouldn't spend twenty-four/seven there. We know that for a fact."

 

"True enough."

 

"We might even make some cash at the same time. Those kids are always do-gooders."

 

Will chuckled. "Most of those 'kids', as you put it, are probably as poor as we are when it comes to having ready money. It's a city college, not some fancy university. They're either there on scholarships, or work, or both."

 

"Not all of them," Mick protested.

 

"Okay, not all of them but a fair percentage. Still, there's no harm in trying and it gives us a reason to be hanging around there. So put on your walking shoes, we've got a fair hike ahead of us."

 

Mick looked at his very battered boots and laughed. "These are my walking shoes. Walking, running, sleeping, you name it. It's all I got."

 

"Maybe we can remedy that on our way and stop at the drop-in place. We'll pass it before we get to the campus and you need a new pair—and a warmer jacket."

 

"Okay." Mick got up, waiting for Will to join him. "I wish they'd let you get stuff there too."

 

Will shrugged as they started walking. "Maybe next reincarnation, when I come back at your age. Right now I don't pass as a teenager."

 

"If we get lucky by the campus, and I mean with handouts, we could stop by the Goodwill. You're not exactly overdressed yourself."

 

"What? You don't like my attempts at sartorial splendor?"

 

Mick snorted. "I've seen better junk in some of the dumpsters we've hit up."

 

Will fingered his jeans. "Where do you think these came from?"

 

"I know where they came from. I was with you, remember? Those and a couple of shirts. But you still need…"

 

"Okay, okay. If we make a few extra bucks, I'll consider it."

 

11 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

"How was the movie?" Charlie asked, when he joined Sue and Kevin at their table in the coffeehouse early Saturday afternoon.

 

"Fantastic," Sue replied enthusiastically. "Right?" She looked at Kevin.

 

"Not sure it was fantastic, but it was good."

 

"Philistine," Sue muttered.

 

Kevin laughed. "It was fun and I enjoyed it—and the company."

 

Charlie glanced between them, cocking an eyebrow. "And what did you do afterward?"

 

"We were going for coffee but the shop was crowded. We walked a bit and ended up at Mazie's, so we had burgers and shakes instead," Sue told him.

 

"Sounds like fun."

 

"It was." Then she added, looking quite serious. "After that, we went back to my place and made mad, passionate love."

 

Both young men looked at her in shock.

 

"You what?" Charlie growled.

 

"We what?" Kevin sputtered.

 

Sue broke out laughing. "Got ya both. Don't worry, Charlie. He just walked me home, said he had a good time, and left."

 

"Good." Charlie shot a hard look at Kevin. "In case you didn't know, I'm very protective of my twin when it comes to men."

 

Kevin smiled weakly. "I'm sort of getting that impression. Don't worry; I was on my best behavior. I'm not into taking advantage of women."

 

Or anything else when it comes to them.

 

He kept that to himself.

 

"Okay, you two, how about we change the subject. We have an exam coming up next week which I, for one, really need to study for." Sue opened her backpack, taking out a book and a notebook, waiting for the others to do the same.

 

Charlie sighed and grinned. "Trust her to keep us on track."

 

Kevin chuckled and soon they were deep into studying and quizzing each other about what they knew—or hoped—would be on the exam.

10 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

Mick glared at him. "Why the hell didn't you tell me about this before now?"

 

"I've learned not to." Will saw a thoughtful look flit across Mick's face and said quickly, to forestall his possible question, "People either think I'm crazy, they try to use me, or they walk away because they're afraid of me."

 

"That's other people, not me. I know you're not crazy." Mick's lips quirked up in a small grin. "Strange maybe, but not crazy."

 

Will tried to smile back but all he could think about was the young man and what would happen to him if they didn't find him in time. "How the hell will we do that?" he muttered.

 

"Do what? Find him?" Mick said, apparently following Will's train of thought.

 

"Yes. How do you find a needle in a haystack?"

 

"You've done it before, haven't you?"

 

"Usually I'm close by when I get a picture of what's going to happen and can step in, or at least warn the person." He chuckled morosely. "That's always fun. 'Sir, if you take your usual route home, you're going to be in a major auto accident and probably die.' That went over well when I told the guy. I thought he was going to call the nearest cop. But what else could I do other than warn him?"

 

"Did he at least change his route?" When Will shook his head, Mick muttered, "Damn."

 

Will leaned against the grimy alley wall. "What do you remember of him, other than dark hair and a blue jacket?"

 

Mick smirked, even though it was a serious question. "He was cute. Okay, okay, sorry. Let's see." He closed his eyes, the immediately opened them. "You saw him in your vision, or whatever you call it. You should know."

 

"I just saw him from behind, and when he went into the laundry room it was dark so all I saw were figures. The same with the men who attacked him. I know one of them was tall and probably blond, but that's about it."

 

"Then how do you know the guy with the girl is the one who gets attacked?"

 

"Remember when he turned around for a second? Seeing his face triggered my vision, as you call it."

 

"Then you know what he looks like."

 

Will shook his head. "It happened too fast. I saw him then I was seeing his future."

 

"Okay. That sucks. As much as I remember of him, he's got short, dark brown hair, but you know that. I'd guess he's around six foot." Mick closed his eyes for a moment. "Straight nose, ears close to his head… hell I don't know. Just a normal, cute guy. I'd know him if I saw him though."

 

"What about the girl?"

 

Mick chuckled. "I don't look at girls. Still, she was blonde. Her hair's shoulder length but you know that, too. She was wearing a white and gold jacket with some sort of logo on the front. They were both college age so I bet they go to the city college. Its colors are white and gold."

 

"Two students among thousands of others." Will sighed. "At least we have time. There was snow on the sidewalk to the back door of the building and more on the grass. A fair amount I think."

 

"Well, it is winter. I'm surprised we haven't had more than flurries so far, thank God. Speaking of which…" He shivered, pulling his jacket tighter around himself. "It's late, and cold, so what say we get back to our palatial digs?"

 

Will actually managed to smile at Mick's description of the room in the deserted building where they were staying. Adjusting his pack on his shoulders, he led the way out of the alley.

9 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

"Will. Will?"

 

Will felt someone grab his arm and shake him. He turned to see Mick beside him, and could tell from the look on his face he wondered what was going on.

 

"We have to find that boy!" Will said, as he hurried across the roof to the fire escape.

 

Mick grabbed their packs and followed. "Why? What's going on with you? Damn it, slow down." The last was said as he scrambled down the iron steps after Will.

 

All he got in reply was Will repeating, "We have to find him. Before it snows."

 

Racing down the alley to the sidewalk, Will veered left toward the street with the movie theater. When he got there, the young man and his companion were nowhere in sight.

 

"Where the hell did he go?"

 

"Like I said, maybe the coffee shop?" Mick replied as he handed Will his pack.

 

They walked rapidly down the sidewalk, crossing the street when they were opposite the shop. Will peered through the steamed-up window, searching for the young man and his companion.

 

"They aren't in there," Will said in desperation, spinning around to search the street.

 

"Who is he, that he's so important?" Mick asked.

 

"I don't know. I just know…" Will rubbed his forehead and realized he was sweating, despite the cold weather.

 

"Will," Mick said quietly, gripping his arm, "what's going on with you?"

 

"I saw something. He's going to be badly beaten and—and maybe he'll die. I didn't see the end."

 

Mick stared at him in shock. "Hold on a minute! What do mean you saw that? Are you clairvoyant or something?"

 

Rather than reply then and there, while there were people within earshot, Will walked a few feet to the entrance of an alley. Mick followed, stopping when Will did, a few yards inside the alley.

 

"Okay, talk to me," Mick said.

 

Will nodded. "I have precognitive abilities. It happens rarely, but when it does, it always involves someone who's going to be harmed in some way."

 

"Like you can see their future?"

 

"Yes."

 

"But…" Mick frowned. "If you see it, you can change it?"

 

Will nodded. "Sometimes. Remember the schoolyard? When I told you I thought I knew the woman? I didn't. I saw a man kidnapping her child. Well, more I saw that it was going to happen, which is why I went over there. I was in time. The man must have seen me coming because he disappeared just as I got there and she picked up her kid and left."