Everyone For Themselves

In the cozy living room, everyone settled into their places – Oliv on an armchair next to me.

Oliv's parents were seated on the sofa; my father helped my blind mother onto it, and Veronica and her mother were on the other side.

I stood there, getting ready to reveal the truth.

"All right, everyone. I know this is a lot to take in, but please listen. It is hard for me to say this, but my intelligence is not normal; it is supernatural."

There was a pall of silence in the room as everyone took in the news.

"Now, there are worlds beyond ours, and one of them seems hostile. They have been getting into our minds, which is why we made you go through Separation. To keep you safe."

Both Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Sparrow looked at each other with interest.

"Veronica, for instance, was affected. But Separation helps us resist their influence."

Veronica's eyes widened in realization, and her mother clasped her hands in concern.