I hadn’t breeched the threshold when I felt an unfamiliar field settle over me. It hit with the force of a dump truck, wrapping itself around me and squeezing my insides. Involuntarily, I doubled over, grabbing my head. The pressure was so intense I could barely stand it. My senses were useless, too disoriented by the force. I had no room to think. I couldn’t breathe. Vision required too much focus. I had one chance. It was all I’d be able to do, and I wasn’t even sure it’d be enough. I had to shield. That was the only way I was going to be able to do anything.
I summoned every available ounce of will and began channeling it into a thin barrier around me. Sight still evaded me, but I knew the shield was there. I could feel it. My eyes weren’t needed to see the blue wisps of energy swirling around like heat waves dancing an across asphalt lot. I didn’t have to guess how they’d react as more and more swirled together, creating a larger gathering. Once they paired, a semi-transparent film would begin to spread, growing larger as the individual swirls of energy found their place. To someone like me the process of creating an entire protective barrier could feel like hours, or even weeks if it was taking direct damage. But to an outside observer, provided they were capable of seeing anything, the entire process would take less than a few heartbeats.
The throbbing inside my head began to lessen, though it was still very much present. I knew my shield was working. I was beginning to regain my senses. Thought, outside of survival was becoming possible. I had to find out what was responsible for this. It was something I’d never experienced before. But that seemed to be becoming more common with each passing day. A part of me wondered if my presence had triggered the awakening of something larger than I’ve encountered. That theory wouldn’t have been out of the question except that it was a little conceded. For the most part, I was a nobody. Just because I find myself in possession of a skill seeming long forgotten by the majority of the population doesn’t make me any more or less special than everyone else. I simply have more creative way of kicking ass when the time come for it. And I suppose, easier methods of self-defense. Though I remain uncertain if my shields are capable of stopping a bullet. And I’m less than enthusiastic about finding out.
My mind raced, searching the possibilities of who could have created the field. It was too strong for a single caster to have channeled. That meant there had to be a group. She they would have to be relatively close for the potency.
I inspected my shield, seeing more layers begin to stack upon the first. It was becoming easier to breathe. I still had to focus to keep it active, but it was getting easier. I glanced behind me, seeing the kids who were circled around the table. They clearly weren’t affected. Though my mind wandered for a moment, asking if they were the casters. It was short lived. I would have noticed.
I needed to find shelter. There were too many witnesses. Too many possibilities. And I had to focus. Answering questions would take away from that.
I darted across the hall and pulled the heavy metal door to the boy’s locker room. The ancient metal had been painted blue and was chipped and scratched in many places, revealing an even older layer of blue beneath it. There was no telling how many times it had been coated over the years.
Stepping into the locker room, I was pleased to find it abandoned. Of course, it was the middle of class. Anyone who had permission to be in here was likely outside running laps. And there were restrooms much closer to the track, making it unlikely they’d return here anytime soon.
I rushed to one of the benches running between lockers and took a seat. I was so much easier to focus when you weren’t having to do anything else.