Chaotic Powers

Chapter One

No, no, no, no . . .

“Open your eyes, Alexa. That’s it . . . slowly. Let them adjust.”

Ughhhhh! That’s an awful beep. Why won’t it stop? And why am I in so much pain?

I squinted, trying to make sense of why the blurry nurse was smiling. It felt so inappropriate, given my agony. I spun to look at the beeping monster. I’m going to kill it.

“I have to check your vitals, okay? And don’t kill my monitor,” she said. “You’ve threatened to murder it a few times.”

She propped my pillow and helped me sit up as I stared at the obnoxious, scrawny machine.

Oh, how it loved tormenting me, screaming into the night and blinding me with its colorful buttons and bright screen.

I was busy imagining the satisfaction of ripping out all its cables when I remembered what had woken me.

“No, no . . . wh— What . . . uh . . .” I looked around to make sure we were alone. “Umm, what underwear was I wearing?”

She started laughing. “This again. Nothing embarrassing, I promise you.”

“Did I ask that already?”

“On my watch, this is maybe the third time you’ve asked. And before you do again, it was a black set.”

I rubbed my eyes. “I don’t remember, but I like that it was all black. It means it was matching. Matching is good.”

“You’ve been in and out of consciousness since you woke yesterday. Here, take this.” She handed me a small plastic cup with two pills inside. “You’re still on strong meds, so you’ll feel woozy for a while.” She took my temperature. “Still remember your name? Or anything else?”

“Alexa Ryan . . . but nothing else. My mind is still blank.” I sighed.

“Okay, honey.” She patted my hand. “The authorities will be with you later today. I think they might even discharge you.”

“But you said I was still in and out of consciousness.”

“Yes, it’s the effects of the meds. And you’ve healed at an alarming speed. If you continue on this track, you’ll be back to normal in a couple of days. You were in a coma for less than forty-eight hours, but your quick recovery is a miracle.”

I stood to stretch my legs. Surely, I wasn’t as bad as they said.

I was in pain, sure, but felt okay. I think I was mostly just annoyed at the monitor before.

The nurse—who looked much younger when she wasn’t blurry—helped me catch my balance.

It took a few weak steps at first and a stumble or two, but then I was able to walk on my own almost immediately.

“Amazing.”

I turned to look at her. “What is?”

“You came in with a severe head injury. We were even nervous your scalp was going to slide off. It looked so roasted,” she said with a yawn. “After we finished cleaning you up and assessing your internal injuries, we noticed your scalp was actually normal. But I could’ve sworn—never mind.”

My hand flew to my head, and I realized with horror that some of my hair was gone. “Where’s the rest of it?”

Her shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry. We had to shave half your head. Your hair was scorched.”

I yanked my fingers back in disgust. They were covered in a sticky, gooey, black mess. “That’s gross.”

She nodded. “You’ll feel better once you get a chance to wash it off properly.”

“Miss Alexa Ryan?” A man in a suit woke me from my afternoon nap.

I was about to ask about my underwear when I remembered I’d already gone over that. Several times, apparently. Besides, I didn’t think asking this man was a good idea. Instead, I looked back and forth between him and the beeping monitor, trying to decide who was more threatening.

“I’m Special Agent Robert Pine, FBI. I need you to come with me.”

I felt blood rush into my cheeks and looked down, horrified at my hospital gown. “Wearing this?”

He turned to the nurse, who stood behind him. “I’ve discussed her situation with Dr. Price. Her paperwork is in process right now, but if you could help her get dressed as soon as possible, I’d appreciate it.”

“Yes, his message just came in,” she said, looking at her electronic pad. “I’ll be back with some clothes.” She turned to address me. “Not sure about the fit, though. The ones you came with were ruined, sorry.”

As we waited, Agent Pine filled me in on the reason the FBI was so interested in talking to me.

I wanted to refuse, but I was informed they could place me under arrest if I didn’t cooperate.

It turned out being the only survivor from an explosion at your former job makes you a suspect.

Especially if you left on bad terms. Even more especially if you left to join a group known to terrorize the city.

My eyes went wide. “A suspect . . . of an explosion? But I don’t even know who I am, or any—”

“I’m aware of your condition, Ms. Ryan. We’ll help you regain your memories.”

“No disrespect. You’re not a doctor, so you can’t help me.” I crossed my arms and gave him a smug smile. “Just, like, leave me here.”

“You and I know each other, believe it or not. We met through Derek Lake.” He rubbed his chin. “Does his name ring a bell?”

I studied him. He had a short, scruffy beard and looked familiar, but he jogged no real memory.

Even though he should have been intimidating, his eyes seemed kind.

After scrutinizing him to my heart’s content, I felt completely relaxed.

“I’m sorry, I don’t remember you, and no, I don’t know that name. ”

He leaned in and whispered, “You can tell me. No one else is here.”

I frowned. “I . . . did just tell you. Who is he?”

“Right. Derek Lake was your boss. You were close to him, Ryan.”

“It’s Alexa. My last name is Ryan.”

“I’m aware.” He smiled. “Actually, I never knew your first name. You always went by Ryan. Looks like I have a lot to tell you, but for now, I have to bring you in for questioning. The fact that you have amnesia will buy us some time.”

“Okay.”

“I will help you as much as I can, but you have to trust me.” He stood as the nurse came back with my clothes. “I’ll wait for you outside.”

I reluctantly got dressed to leave . . . as slowly as I could. I retrieved the black beanie hat I’d found in my drawer and followed Agent Pine to his car. The nurse had said it was the only thing I had left in one piece, and that I’d been clutching it when they found me.

The agent was on the phone the whole drive. I thought about running away at every stoplight, but I was still on medication and he was the only one with answers.

After two hours of interrogation, I truly felt a deep connection with my amnesia.

Frankly, no one at the FBI headquarters deserved my memories. I actually left there with even more questions than when I’d arrived.

They’d hooked me up to a polygraph while they asked about Luminaries, the explosion, rebels, an organization, and some names they wanted me to give them.

The names seemed to be the most important information I possessed.

And if I didn’t know the names, could I sit with a sketch artist to describe them?

Or at the very least, could I give them the address of anyone I might remember?

This made no sense. If I didn’t know the names or faces, how would I know the addresses of the people with the names I didn’t remember?

Everything was confusing. I was glad to see Agent Pine waiting for me when I got out. Compared to everyone else I had the displeasure of dealing with, he was practically my best friend.

“There’s nothing tying you to the explosion officially. We only know you suffered burns and injuries from the hospital records on the same day, and all that confirms is that you’re a Luminary. There’s no other proof, though, since you’re in perfect health at the moment.”

“You call this perfect? I have an entire bag of meds to take,” I said, pointing at the prescription drugs he’d picked up at the pharmacy for me while I was hanging with the FBI.

“Well, perfect, because there are no longer any burns on your body, and there’s no record to show you were anywhere near the explosion.”

I shrugged. All I knew was I had a headache and absolutely no patience to ask any of the million questions racing through my head. Except one. “Agent Pine, I wanted to know—”

“Call me Robert. Please.”

I nodded. “How old am I?”

“Twenty-two.”

“Ah. And what happens now?”

“I’ll take you to your apartment, and maybe you’ll find clues as to who you are. I’ll tell you what to do once we get there. Does that sound okay?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I must ask you not to leave New York until you’re cleared. Any suspicious activity from you, and you’ll be arrested. Let’s go.”

He drove me to Jackson Heights. It seemed familiar, but I couldn’t say I knew it was my home. “All those questions. I . . . how could I be an agent of some sort? I don’t even know how to fight.”

He laughed. “Yes, you do. I’ve seen you in action, Ryan. You’re deadly. Listen, I’ll come back to check on you and will give you more answers, but right now you’ve had information overload. You need to rest.”

“I need to eat.”

“Yes, that too. While you were being questioned, I bought you some groceries to tide you over. Inside the bag, you’ll find a burner phone.

Use it and call Nick. This is the number.

” He handed me a piece of paper. “I can’t contact them myself, but Derek—your old boss—always had backup plans. They’ll come get you.”

“They?”

“Your family. Nick will come to get you and explain everything. Do not mention his name to anyone but me, and don’t leave through the front door. You’re being watched.”

“How’s he supposed to get to me undetected? Isn’t my apartment in a building?”

“The powers they asked about are real. You yourself are a healer and an amplifier. He’ll get in through a portal to your apartment.”

“I have to believe the healing part, ’cause I am better, but amplifier? What even is that?” I pressed my fingers against my temples. “Did you say portal? My head is spinning.”

“Nick will explain. I’d better take you in and leave you. I’m being watched as well, and this is the only way I can help for now. Will you be okay with the phone? Do you remember how to use it?”

I thought about it. “Yes, I think so. I’ll figure it out. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”