[Ganzfield 2] Adversary by Kate Kaynak

fear boiled within them. They honestly believed we were monsters—too dangerous and evil to be allowed to live. To them, we were like vampires—creatures of destruction masquerading in human form.
    I felt my brow furrow and bit my lip then shot a thought to the team. What does everyone think? Should we wipe their memories or should we let them think they killed us?
    Let them think we’re dead, thought Drew.
    Let’s program them to open fire at the next Sons of Adam meeting , Rachel thought.
    My gut heaved. Too much. I caught her reflection in the side-view mirror and shook my head. I only kill people in self-defense.
    This would be self-defense, Rachel thought back to me. Her eyes were fierce. Get them before they get us. A memory of Uncle Charlie flashed through her mind.
    Why don’t we just wipe any traces of their contact with us from their minds? asked Hannah. That way, no one gets hurt.
    If they think we’re dead, they won’t target us anymore, Trevor thought.
    I couldn’t read an opinion from Zack. Dr. Williamson was right—he shielded his thoughts pretty cleanly. The consensus of the rest of the group seemed to be faking our deaths. It appealed to me for its efficacy and its symmetry—Isaiah had, after all, faked his own death years ago. He didn’t have an RV to track us down. How long would we be off his radar? I held back my smile.
    This could totally work.
    “Zack, tell them to remember how they followed our van, shot out the tires, and then picked us all off from a safe distance as we tried to run into the woods.” He relayed this to the men in his charm-voice. “They loaded our bodies into the van, and then drove it down a hunter’s trail and left it. All the people they were looking for—all their targets—were in the van. Once they’ve reported this, they’ll feel sick about the killing. They’ll leave the Sons of Adam and forget they ever knew anything about it or us.”
    “Anything else?”
    “Tell them to teach their kids tolerance,” I added, impulsively.
    Trevor cracked a tiny smile. Nice one.
    “You heard the lady—teach your kids tolerance. Respect for diversity, that sort of thing.”
    It almost felt like we’d made the world a better place. Camaraderie filled the van as we drove off, tainted with a hint of smugness.
    I twisted around in my seat to face Zack. “You did well for your first time out.” If I could read him, I’d ask him to be our team’s new charm. For a newbie, he was a natural.
    He grinned back. “Thanks.” A little thought seeped out from behind his shield. He liked being on the winning team—and on my team.
     
    *   *   *
     
    I flitted from one mental contact to another for about a half-hour before I accepted that we weren’t being followed. I pulled my focus back into the van.
    Slanting afternoon light flashed into Drew’s eyes between the leafless trees as he drove, lessening his enthusiasm for the experience. Why is everyone getting into couples all of a sudden? First Trevor and Maddie. Now Sean and Rachel. His new awareness of Sean and Rachel’s status had sent him into a soul-searching mood. Since he was a person with more width than depth of character, this didn’t take long. I’m pretty much the same kind of guy as Sean. Guess that means I’ll be able to date hot blondes, too. Cool!
    Rachel rode shotgun again, her normal spot as our human GPS, although her ability wasn’t necessary on this trip. She was pretty good at warning us of speed traps, though, since she could RV any police cars on the road ahead of us well before I’d hear their minds. The giddy, warm glow of new love filled her thoughts, along with flashes of annoyance at my clumsiness. If Maddie hadn’t broken her leg, I wouldn’t have to be away from Sean. I don’t see why I had to come along.
    I leaned against Trevor’s shoulder and watched the ocean of trees roll by in the fading afternoon light. I’d been off my leg for nearly three days now and I still hadn’t