Chapter 106: The Missing Piece

Chris looked at Sara for a moment before answering, “I don’t think telling you right now would be a good idea.” Sara frowned, clearly not expecting that answer. “What do you mean? You just told me I have some kind of mutation that gives people superpowers, and now you’re saying you don’t want to tell me what mine are?”

“It’s not that simple, Sara. Your powers haven’t awakened yet, and I don’t know what might trigger them. Stress is one possibility, and depending on your ability, losing control could be dangerous.” Chris paused before continuing, “That’s why I don’t want you constantly worrying about what might happen to your body. If you ever feel something unusual, come to me. I’ll help you through it.”

Sara listened without interrupting, but her expression became increasingly unhappy. “Chris, I understand you’re worried, but shouldn’t I at least know what to expect? What if something happens when you’re not around?” Chris answered, “That’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid. I can help you prepare, but I don’t want you becoming so frightened of your own abilities that the fear itself becomes a problem.”

Emily looked between them before speaking. “Chris, I think Sara has a point. You can’t expect her to stop worrying just because you tell her not to.” Gwen seemed to agree, although she remained quiet. She remembered how frightened she’d been when her own powers first appeared, and she understood why Chris wanted to be careful.

Sara took a moment to gather her thoughts before looking toward Chris again. “You know what? Forget about whether I’ll be scared. It’s my body we’re talking about.” Her voice remained calm, but there was a firmness to it that hadn’t been there before. “Chris, I’m asking you again. What are my powers?”

Chris hesitated before shaking his head. “Not now, Sara. I promise I’ll tell you, but I want to make sure you’re ready first.” Sara stared at him for several seconds, apparently waiting for him to change his mind. When he didn’t, she slowly nodded. “All right, then.”

She stood up from the couch and picked up her phone. Emily immediately looked toward her. “Sara, where are you going?” Sara answered, “Home. I need some time to think about everything.” She then turned toward Chris and added, “I’ll talk to you when you’re ready to tell me the truth. Until then, I don’t think I want your help.”

Chris stood up as well. “Sara, wait. There’s something else you need to know before you leave.” Sara shook her head. “Chris, please. I’ve already heard enough for one day.” She walked past Helen and headed toward the door, but just as she reached it, her hand suddenly encountered something solid.

Confused, she tried again, only to feel the same resistance. There was nothing visible in front of her, yet she couldn’t move forward. She pressed her palm against the invisible surface before slowly turning toward Chris. “Are you serious right now? You’re actually stopping me from leaving?”

Helen immediately turned toward Chris. “Chris, what are you doing?” He looked toward her before answering, “There’s something important she needs to hear. It won’t take long.” Helen frowned. “Then explain it to her. You don’t need to stop her from leaving.” Gwen also looked uncomfortable, while Emily had already stood up and moved closer to Sara.

Chris turned back toward Sara. “Listen, I’m not trying to keep you here. I just need you to understand why I’m so concerned about your powers awakening.” Sara crossed her arms. “Then talk. I’m listening.” Although she was still angry, she remained where she was.

Chris nodded before beginning. “There are groups in this world that know about mutants. They’re not just scattered around living ordinary lives. Most active mutants belong to their own society, and they’ve made certain agreements with the government.”

Sara frowned. “What kind of agreements?” Chris answered, “About where mutants can live and how they’re handled. From what I’ve learned, most of them were relocated away from ordinary human society years ago. Their leadership has a powerful telepath who can detect mutants on Earth.”

Emily looked surprised. “A telepath powerful enough to search the entire planet?” Chris nodded. “Yes, although they don’t constantly monitor everyone. They perform scans periodically, and when they discover a new mutant, they can send people to investigate.”

Sara had been listening quietly until then, but now she interrupted. “Wait. Are you saying that once my powers appear, these people might find me?” Chris nodded. “That’s what I’m worried about. Your X-Gene is inactive right now, so they probably don’t know about you. But once it awakens, that could change.”

Sara looked at him for a moment before asking, “And what happens when they find me?” Chris considered how to answer. “They’ll probably want to know who you are, what your abilities are. There’s also a possibility they’ll expect you to leave with them.”

“Leave?” Sara repeated. “Leave where?” Chris answered, “Their settlement is on the dark side of the Moon. They live there alongside another group.” Sara stared at him in disbelief, while Emily looked equally stunned. A few minutes ago, they’d learned that magic existed, and now Chris was telling them there were entire societies living on the Moon.

Sara eventually shook her head. “Chris, I don’t understand. Even if these people exist, why would I have to go anywhere? I haven’t done anything wrong.” Chris answered, “I know. And I’m not saying you should go with them. But I don’t know exactly what would happen if you refused. That’s why I wanted you to know about them before your powers awakened.”

Sara remained quiet for a while, considering what he’d told her. The thought that strangers might come looking for her was frightening, especially when she didn’t even know what her abilities were supposed to be. But she was still unhappy with Chris for refusing to tell her everything.

Chris noticed that she’d become quiet and lowered the barrier. “You can leave whenever you want, Sara. I won’t stop you again.” She glanced toward the door before looking back at him. She could leave now, but after hearing everything he’d said, she had even more questions than before.

After a moment, she turned toward Gwen. “Gwen, do you know what my powers are?” Gwen shook her head immediately. “No. Chris only told me about your X-Gene yesterday.”

Sara nodded slowly before looking toward Chris again. She seemed to be thinking about something, but for several seconds, she didn’t speak. When she finally did, her voice was noticeably quieter. “Chris, do you remember what I told you about my father yesterday?”