The Key by Marianne Curley Page A

the room.
    Everyone stares at me and I feel like a freak. I throw my hands behind my back. Out of sight they settle into a calmer state of energy.
    Silence follows that nobody feels inclined to break. Feeling the intensity leave my hands, I carefully pull out an undamaged chair, sit in it, and wait.
    At last Arkarian materialises. Before anyone gets to ask their first question, it’s clear that someone else is coming. It’s Isabel. Her form takes shape more slowly beside Arkarian, as if she is weary beyond belief. The instant she stabilises, Arkarian supports her with his arm.
    Isabel looks exhausted. This is definitely not a good sign.
    Shaun and Matt jump to their feet. Isabel touches her brother’s arm gently. He holds out a chair for her and she collapses into it. Arkarian holds up his hand for everyone to be quiet. But this is too hard. I need to know if Ethan is all right, and I need to know now!
    Arkarian hears my thundering thoughts and glances at me. He catches sight of the disintegrated chair and frowns. My thoughts scream out to him to forget the chair. Just tell us how Ethan is!
    Hell, I’m making such a fool of myself. But I can’t seem to help it.
    At last Arkarian announces, ‘Everyone, Ethan is OK.’
    The room fills with the sounds of sighs and murmurs.The relief is palpable.
    â€˜He’s just getting his thoughts together and will be here soon.’
    Such relief washes through me that I can’t help a flood of tears from springing to my eyes. Ethan suddenly begins to materialise before us. I quickly turn away. I don’t want him, or anyone here, to see my tears. In the background I hear the others greeting him. I wish I could be with them. I just want to let Ethan know how glad I am he’s all right. But what would he do if I embraced him like the others, only with tears clinging to my lashes!
    Eventually everyone begins to quieten and at last I get my emotions under control. I turn around and, because my legs feel like liquid, sit down quickly. Ethan glances at me and I say, ‘Welcome back.’
    He nods an acknowledgement, then notices the damaged chair beside me. ‘What happened? That chair looks worse than I did a couple of hours ago.’
    â€˜Oh, that?’ I reply before anyone else gets in. I hold up my flashing hands for a second. ‘Unexpected burst of energy. I’m still getting used to them.’
    Ethan accepts my explanation, then briefly closes his eyes.
    When he opens them, the chair is repaired, as good as new.
    It has everyone around the table clapping and cheering. Prior to the enhancing of our powers, Ethan’s skill with animated objects was entirely manipulative, like in the way he first caught Isabel’s attention by making a pen spin. The other day he moved that space rock right off Mr Carter’s legs when the rescue workers’ machinery couldn’t. It seems that now he can reconstruct objects.
    Among the cheering Mr Carter’s voice calls out, ‘What on earth were you doing holding a stack of dynamite in your hands?’
    Ethan glances back at him. ‘But I wasn’t.’
    â€˜Huh?’
    Arkarian breaks the silence. ‘If Ethan had been holding the bomb when it went off, he wouldn’t be here right now.’
    Mr Carter doesn’t let the story end there. ‘Tell us what happened, Ethan.’
    â€˜What does it matter?’ Matt interrupts in a sharp tone meant to discourage further conversation.
    Mr Carter doesn’t take the hint. ‘Of course it matters. Tell us, Arkarian. It sounds like a fascinating story.’
    â€˜No!’
    Mr Carter freezes and Matt softens his tone, ‘Look, thanks to Isabel, Ethan is fine now. That’s all anyone needs to know.’
    In an attempt to ease the awkwardness in the room Arkarian distracts everyone by starting the meeting. ‘Firstly I want to thank everyone for coming, especially after the trying circumstances of last