Mind Secrets: A Science Fiction Telepathy Thriller (Perceivers Book 1) by Jane Killick Page B

out of Chatham, back to the A2 and towards London. Music blared out of the car stereo, most of it by a band called The White Rhinos. Otis tapped the steering wheel with the fingers of one hand and, after a while, started to sing along. Michael found some of the lyrics were in his head. He joined in. Much of the journey back was spent singing.
    They got to the flat to find Jennifer sitting on the sofa reading a book on her phone. She put it aside when they entered.
    “You wanna beer, Mike mate?” said Otis, going into the kitchen.
    He’d never offered Michael a beer before. Otis kept a few cans in the fridge, but Michael always thought it was better to leave them alone. “Sure.”
    “My mouth’s so dry, it feels like my tongue’s licked a camel’s arse,” said Otis.
    Jennifer came over to them. “Did you guys hear the news?”
    “No,” said Otis, passing a can of beer to Michael. He yanked back the ring pull and it opened with a fitz .
    “We were listening to The White Rhinos,” said Michael.
    They both spontaneously broke into the chorus of one of the tracks: “ My wounded baby, don’t you turn away from me! ” They burst into laughter as if it were the funniest thing they’d ever heard.
    But Jennifer wasn’t laughing. “Can’t you perceive I’m being serious? They named the two teenagers who died in the school fight. They were norms.”
    “Oh,” said Otis.
    “And that’s not the end of it.” She went back to the lounge and turned on the TV. Using her phone, she streamed video footage onto the screen:
     
Prime Minister John Pankhurst stood outside 10 Downing Street, surrounded by microphones in fluffy covers. He wore a dark suit and a white shirt, but his normal bright tie was replaced with one of deep brown with a light blue stripe. It was windy outside and, as he brushed his unnaturally brown hair from his face, it was possible to see its grey roots.
He adopted the remorseful face he used for tragic occasions. “I wanted to say on behalf of the country, how saddened I am by the playground violence in Romford in Essex. My sympathies go out to the families of the children who died and my prayers are with those who were injured. This is a tragedy that I am determined should not happen again. The hatred and fear generated in this country by perceivers is unacceptable. It is driving a wedge between communities. Our schools have become battlegrounds. Families are being torn apart. This situation cannot be allowed to continue.
“My government and I have, therefore, decided to bring in a series of measures to ensure the law abiding citizens of this country are protected from perceivers. The cure that is currently being offered to people on a voluntary basis will now be made compulsory. To help facilitate this, I will be increasing the number of clinics where treatment can be received and putting more resources into training staff to service these clinics. In addition, testing in schools will become more widespread and comprehensive. It is my belief that, if we all work together, this country can once again be free of perception – and communities, schools and families will be able to resume their lives, free of fear and hatred.”
The Prime Minister’s face froze in an expression of feigned concern.
     
    Jennifer had pressed pause.
    “Bastard,” she said.
    Otis put his arm around her. She relaxed into his body and allowed her head to rest on his chest. She clung onto his waist like a lost child. He touched her hair, but it seemed to do nothing to comfort her.
    Michael turned away, feeling he was intruding on a private moment. They were perceivers. He was a norm. They were the ones who had just been named as the national enemy. Whatever he might have been in the past, he couldn’t share in their fear. Jennifer and Otis had woken up that morning as free citizens. They would go to bed that night more or less as wanted criminals.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
GAVIN SWANKLER CROSSED his legs on the red sofa and