Terri walked through the door, she moved slowly not knowing what could be on the other side. She held her breath.
Click, squeak.
One last inhale and she pushed the door open. Before her sat six people at a circular table.
Circular tables usually mean equals, she thought to herself as she walked slowly into the room. She kept her gaze down toward the notebook she held. There was only one chair left unoccupied. This was to be her chair. The chair of Terri Anne Weber, the Soul Searcher.
Everyone had their role to play. Soul Searchers found those who were lost. You could say that Terri was a locator, navigator, or basically someone who could sense the Soul of another. There were many different forms of Soul searching. There were those who could see locations in their minds, like Terri. There were also those who could sense certain types of souls around them. She guessed it was like process of elimination. Terri had heard of other forms of Soul searching but they were rare. She was blessed just to have a power.
Terri walked to the empty chair. She held her breath, for it was deathly silent in the room. Being summoned on such circumstances could never be good. She feared for the worst possibilities.
She slowly looked from person to person trying to identify someone, anyone she knew. It would make the journey much easier.
No such luck.
There were three men, one teenage boy, an older lady, and one girl about her age.
Terri was fifteen. That was very young for a Soul Searcher to receive their powers. Terri had developed her powers at the age of eleven.
At first, the visions scared her. They would come in her dreams or in the shower. Echos of sound while glimpses flashed before her eyes. She shrugged them off as just ordinary daydreams and nightmares at first.
The most vivid played on repeat every few weeks. It was of a man standing in a grassy plain holding something in his hand.
Later, this man appeared in many more of her visions and dreams. He was never close enough to identify. Always standing holding the same unidentified object, but never in the same location.
Terri felt connected to this man somehow, but still had not figured out who he was or what he was holding.
The door opened and Terri looked over to see Mr. Palouski and Dr. Timberman walk into the room.
"Bringing in the big guns, this can't be good." Said the teenage boy using his fingers like quotations when he said "big guns". He looked at her and winked.
He couldn't be more than seventeen, but seemed a lot more relaxed and casual than everyone else in the room. Terri felt terrified herself.
Mr. Palouski walked around the table, while Dr Timberman leaned against the wall by the doorway. Both looked extremely worried and on edge.
"Well, we best start with introductions," Mr. Palouski spoke. "I am Mr. Andrenet Palouski, CEO of D and E.
Everyone just shook their heads like they knew this already.
"I am Dr. Fredrick Timberman with the life retrieval and survival district of the company," said Dr Timberman from. His perch on the wall. He folded his arms across his chest, looking as though his time could be better spent elsewhere.
" Very well, Andrew why don't you start us off, since you do not seem afraid to speak up." Mr. Palouski said. He nudged the back of Andrew's chair as if giving his a notice to comply.
"Very well," mocked Andrew as he stood and made a funny, fake bow to everyone. "I am Andrew Bernet Palouski." He then pretended to straighten a tie that he wasn't wearing.
Wait, Terri thought to herself. Her eyes going wide. That means...
"Yes, I see the worried and unsteady looks on your faces. Mr. big shot CEO is my father, but don't worry, I'm way more laid back than him." He gave another wink in Terri's direction. He then sat down in his chair and rested his hands on the back of his head.
Mr. Palouski gave Dr. Timberman a dirty look then motioned for the next person to speak.
The next lady was very old and frail. She had to be at least 80. Most people didn't live to be 70 nowadays, so she must have an important role to play.
She remained seated as she spoke. "I am Mary Beth Evans. I am a guide and mentor for Andrew, or Andy as he likes to be called."
Teri chanced a glance over at Andrew and caught him staring back at her. She turned quickly back to Mary.
"I am here to help with the pre-deployment education of all you young people." She then pointed to her left for the next girl to go.
The girl gave a slight smile to Mary, then looked around at each of us. "My name is Evelyn McKinsey Sorbinat, but everyone just calls me Eve. I'm not exactly sure what my role is but I'm able to read people's thoughts and actions."
Terri looked over at the girl. She had never heard of anyone ever being able to do such a thing. It was astonishing. Terri just couldn't believe it. She looked over at Andrew's face and he was also in shock. He turned back to glance at his father.
"Dad, how is this possible?" Andrew asked.
"We are still working with Eve to see exactly how her powers and abilities work. We do not know how far they go. She is one of the most gifted that we have ever experienced here." Mr. Palouski replied.
Terri looked over to Eve again and saw how afraid that she seemed. She was worried what others would think of her. Eve had her hands in her lap and was looking down at her lap.
"That is amazing Eve." Terri said to her.
"Thank you," Eve replied blushing and covering her face with her hands. She then motioned to Terri as if to say your turn.
"My name is Terri Anne Weber. I am a soul Searcher. I developed my powers at the age of eleven." She looked over at Mr. Palouski, but instead caught Andrew staring at her once again.
What was his deal? He was obviously older than her and much more handsome and upper class. She did not understand why he would stare at her. She quickly looked away and motioned for the next person to go.
"My name is Edwin Galthan. I am a strategic response manager. I have been a military man all my life, just as my father and his father before him." He motioned for the next person to go. Seeming to want to get the introductions concluded.
The man sitting next to him did not speak. He seemed to be off in space.
"Go ahead Mr. Clingman." Mr. Palouski told the man.
"Thank you, sir. I am Edward Clingman. I am also a soul Searcher. I was asked to be a mentor for Miss Weber. I just hope she will not refuse me." He never moved his head while speaking just sort of stared off.
Everyone in the room turned to look at Teri.
Teri didn't know it was up to her. She quickly shook her head yes.
"Yes, sir. I would love all the mentoring I can get. Thank you!" Terri said with a smile, while fidgeting under the table. Having a mentor would be great. Hopefully, he could help her with the recurring visions and dreams of the man holding the unknown object.
Mr. Palouski motioned for the next man to go.
"I am Peter Redman." Was all the man said, then he looked back at Mr. Palouski.