Mind Control: A Science Fiction Telepathy Thriller (Perceivers Book 2) by Jane Killick

them.”
    “Is that what they think when they pull the trigger?” Michael was remembering Stephen, and the thoughts that didn’t explain why he did it.
    “Who knows,” said Hodges. “I suppose they’re thinking of whatever mixed up cause someone has drummed into their head. The young man in the market in Baghdad shouted ‘God is great’ in Arabic before he blew himself up. As far as I am concerned, no god who endorses killing wives and mothers as they buy vegetables to feed their family can be considered ‘great’.”
    A wave of disgust and grief poured from Hodges, seeping through Michael’s perception filters. It lasted only a moment before the former soldier pulled back his emotions and locked them away inside himself.
    “Was the explosion you witnessed a suicide bomber?” said Hodges.
    “Yes,” said Michael. The memory of it was still fresh, unprocessed, painful like the bruises on his back.
    “Did you see inside his head?” said Hodges.
    “I did,” said Michael, “but I couldn’t see why he was doing it. I tried, but there was nothing there. He kept saying to himself that he was ready to set off the bomb, but he didn’t seem to have a reason. There was no desire to die, there wasn’t any sort of cause in his head. And I probed deep into his mind – deeper than I should.”
    The memory of Stephen pulling the gun on him was suddenly there. Accusing him of being a perceiver before the sniper shot him and it was all over. How could Stephen have known? How could a norm possibly have known?
    “So perceivers don’t know everything,” said Hodges.
    “I wouldn’t go that far,” said Michael. He said it as a half joke to try to lighten things up, but even through a smile, his words sounded melancholy.
    Hodges shivered in the night air that had suddenly got colder now that the sun had completely set.
    Michael realised the man was supposed to be off shift. “I’m sorry, you should be going home.”
    “That’s true,” said Hodges.
    But Michael didn’t want to leave the safety of the car where he could be alone with his thoughts and no one else’s. “You have your own car, don’t you?” Michael asked. “I mean, you leave this one here and drive your own car home?”
    “What are you getting at, Michael?”
    “Can I stay here tonight?”
    “In the car?” said Hodges.
    “It’s inside the base,” said Michael. “It’ll be safe.”
    The man frowned and pulled the keys from his pocket. He pressed a button and the boot popped. He went round to the back of the car and rummaged around while Michael wondered what the hell he was doing.
    Hodges returned carrying a blanket which he threw at Michael. “The AA says always carry a blanket in your boot in case you break down in bad weather,” he explained.
    Michael clutched the soft wool of the material to his lap. “Thank you.”
    “Mm,” said Hodges, doubtfully.
    Michael pulled his mobile phone from his pocket.
    “What are you doing?” said Hodges.
    “Texting Alex,” said Michael. “Getting him to cover for me.”
    Alex replied almost immediately: ‘Sure thing, geezer,’ said the text, followed by a yellow face icon that winked at him.
    Michael giggled.
    “What?” said Hodges.
    “He thinks I’m off with some girl,” said Michael.
    “That wouldn’t be such a bad idea at some point,” said Hodges. “But not in my car. Semen stains are hell to get out of the upholstery.”
    Michael smiled, even though it pulled at that scab by his mouth, and unfolded the blanket to spread it out over his legs. Hodges made to leave.
    “Hodges?” Michael stopped him.
    The man turned back. “Yes?”
    “You won’t report this, will you?”
    “Michael …” His voice was doubtful, almost apologetic.
    Michael realised it might have been a request too far. “Sorry, I don’t want you to risk your job …”
    Hodges put his hand on the roof of the car and leant forward so he could look Michael in the eye. “I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you,