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“Other telepaths?” Cameron asked, her voice so low it almost got lost.

“This is not the best time to discuss it.” Charlotte repeated, as Andrew paused before the corner to the hall with the teacher’s lounge’s door in it.

“Two teachers at a time, they switch in ten minutes.” Andrew said, leaning against the wall and lowering himself to the ground. Charlotte sighed and took a seat next to him, leaning against his shoulder. Cam and I sat down in front of them.

“We may as well explain why we have to keep this quiet.” Charlotte said, stroking Andrew’s hand. “So they know what to look for if something goes wrong.” Andrew sighed and nodded. He looked more tired than I had ever seen him. Using his power so much must have really tired him out.

“We met at the soccer camp I went to last summer,” Andrew started, looking at Charlotte, “we were assigned to the same team, and our relationship just sort of came naturally from there-”

“What about your powers?” Cam butted in. Andrew glared at her and she sighed and slumped her shoulders.

“We discovered our powers,” Andrew said pointedly, “When Charlotte almost drowned.”

“What?” I said, looking at Charlotte. She blinked at me; her huge glasses making the movement seem small.

“I was swimming…at night.” She said, quietly. I had a feeling she was hiding something from me, but decided not to ask. “I found this…this really pretty purple rock, under water. I tried to grab it, but it was too heavy. And then I tried to swim away, but my hand was stuck to it. I couldn't move it, and I couldn’t get away. I held my breath as long as I could, but I started getting really lightheaded.”

“That’s when I found her.” Andrew said, putting his arm around her, protectively. “I didn’t know how, but I knew she was in trouble. I was able to lift the rock and together we swam back to shore.

“The rest of the time we were there, I was hearing things. I thought I was losing my mind, but in reality I was hearing other people’s thoughts. I couldn’t sleep for the longest time, everyone’s dreams were in my head.

“But Charlotte and I worked together. Her calm mind helped me round out my powers, and by reading her mind I could sort of offer her a second opinion on how to use hers.”

“The last couple days of camp, we found-well, Andrew found- another camper who had powers. He could control water, his name was Peter.”

“Was?” I whispered, fearing what the answer would be.

“He disappeared the day before parents were going to pick us up.” Charlotte whispered, closing her eyes. “The next day he was found, dead. He had scratches all over him. His eyes…were torn out of his head.” Her voice broke. “He bled to death in the forest near the camp.”

“Around the same time, I had heard another telepath in the area.” Andrew said. “The only other one I’ve ever found. But his mind was…different. I don’t know how, it just was. It was…bad. Sick. Something about him, or her, was wrong. I told Charlotte to stop using her powers, and I set up a mental block around both our minds. I was exhausted the rest of the day.” Andrew said, pulling her closer. “Whatever this…thing was, we’re pretty sure it had something to do with what happened to Peter.”

“Since then, we use our powers only when absolutely necessary.” Charlotte said. “And Andrew keeps a shield around us no matter what.”

“It’s easier to do to people with powers. With Normals…it’s near impossible.” Andrew said. “I’ve been keeping you guys under protection too. But that’s why no one else can know. If anyone hears us talking about it, and that Thing hears them, I don’t want to think about what could happen.”

“So we have to be very careful.” Charlotte said softly. “Or else-”

“Hold that thought.” Andrew said, standing suddenly. “It’s time.”