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[color=929292][sub]T h e   L o f t[/sub][/color]
[hr]	[color=929292]The usual scenario of acceptance rarely involved Esther’s hyperhuman ability. Nobody would ever know about it unless she actively showed it. However, her other disability was always the arrow being shot in the dark. She never knew where it was going to hit or how hard. Most people were able to accept it, but there was always one or two that had difficulties with it. The bunch sitting all around her were no different. Esther did not have to read their minds. Their expressions said everything that she needed to know. The eyes, the lips, the eyebrows—all of it told a myriad of words in their own right. A prime example was Felix Brooks’ reaction. Esther had seen and heard it all before, but hopefully it would go away rather soon. She gave the boy a brief glance that amounted to nothing. There was no point in acting offended. Hopefully, the participants of this class would overlook Esther’s minor setback in everyday life.

	The modest bickering between Marcus Weston and Noah Gallagher was slightly amusing. A few other students seemed to think so as well. Although, Esther mostly agreed with the teacher in that the comment was not productive. She was not quite sure yet what her position was towards comments or jokes about father figures. Memories of the dream the previous night occupied her mind for just a moment. However, Esther returned to the material world upon hearing the teacher speaking of the ‘Holocaust’ and the typical notes on equality. The things that Esther’s father had taught her about that war and those events were quite different from what most people said about it. She had seen memories that belonged to her grandfather, who had been there. Whether those visions were true or false remained to be uncovered, as Esther had never fully figured it out. Either way, the topic of Germany during that war always made her uncomfortable.

	Luckily, the discussion was interrupted by the rather delightful appearance of Aurora Zhang followed by Benjamin Hope excusing himself. Esther eased down from the teacher’s additional question, as there were too many things happening at once. She did not have an answer, anyway. The only ‘rule’ that she knew was her own about not entering peoples’ minds at random to snoop around or speak to them. However, if there was something that Esther had to change, then it would be to forbid hyperhumans altogether. She would never say it out loud, of course, and she did not know how anyone would go about to make it happen. It just seemed that the last thing the world needed was another ‘kind’ of people to deal with. Esther knew too much about people who thought themselves better than others. She had grown to dislike them all, equally. The only difference now was that the ‘special’ people were objectively special. It was not based on some ancient race or decree by gods—it was real.

	Moments later, an all too familiar surge hit Esther. Such was the nature of her curse that some of its aspects could not be ‘turned off’. They were sporadic and unpredictable. One of those chaotic elements was her increased sense of empathy. It had always been difficult for Esther to explain exactly what this higher form of that common human trait entailed. The best she could do was to compare it to a gut feeling—it was half psychic, half intuition. The psychic part of it was the one that she could not control. Esther could randomly tap into a person’s state of mind without also hearing their inner thoughts. This part of her ability made public places quite a challenge for her at times. Luckily, movement and distance played into the effectiveness of the empathy. However, this particular instance, this particular surge came from nearby and showed no sign of moving away. 

	Esther’s curiosity peaked. She discretely excused herself with a modest gesture to the teacher. Outside in the hall, Esther was met by a rather well built boy that seemed to be in a hurry. He did not even spare her a glance. It became painfully clear that he was the source of her empathy surge, as he passed her by. However, she did not have time nor courage to confront him about it, so there was nothing left to do other than return to the class. Just as she was about to turn around and head back, the surge hit her again—it was still there. Esther continued down the hall and halted for a moment to feel where it was coming from. She briefly closed her eyes and ventured into some unknown realm within her mind. Her hand stretched out to touch the outer door of one of the bathrooms. It was the boys’ room.

	Much to her relief and horror, Esther found one of the students of the class in distress. She already had an idea of what had happened, but also wished not to pry any further. Esther’s motion was slow and graceful, extending a gentle hand to touch upon the boy’s arm. It was her signal to him of her presence. The expression on her visage was mellow, yet of worry and concern. Unfortunately, Esther did not have her notebook with her. She had left it on her seat back in class. The boy most likely did not know sign language, and there was no way for Esther to ask ‘the question’. At any time when she had to or wanted to speak to someone telepathically, Esther always asked if it was alright with that person. However, there were exceptions as there are to all rules. She hoped that he would forgive her.

	[color=a7b478]“I’m so sorry to do this, but are you okay? What happened?”[/color] Esther’s inner voice echoed throughout his mind, yet her lips did not move.[/color]