Siddiq pounded on the wall yelling for Alex again. How did this get here? He thought as he looked at the wall trying to see any edges he could push or dig at. As he looked he heard a loud cracking sound from the hall behind him. “I better get to Reshma’s,” he said to himself, looking warily at the other door. As he turned to head back to the exit doors he heard another cracking sound reverberate throughout the room.

  Siddiq grabbed his scooter and headed to the apartment buildings. He turned towards the building Reshma lived in and rode up to the door. Siddiq knocked on the door and heard Reshma’s muffled voice call for him to enter. Flinging the door open in panic Siddiq exclaimed, “Something crazy happened.”

  “Something more than our friend's hands glowing?" Reshma questioned.

  “So I was heading out when I felt this thumping. I turned to look at the stage and I saw this guy go racing across the stage and Alex was behind him. I yelled out to him but they left through the other door. I ran to follow them but when I got to the door it was just a solid wall of rock!” Siddiq finished.

  “A wall of rock?” Reshma repeated.

  “Yes I pulled open the door and a literal wall of solid rock blocked the path. I couldn't follow them. I didn't recognize the guy that he was with. I have never seen him on campus before,” Siddiq added.

  “Really?” Evalyn asked. Siddiq nodded in response.

  Reshma looked towards the kitchen then, “Oh let me go check on the food. Do tell what did this gentleman look like? Perhaps we have seen him before,” he added as he walked to the kitchen.

  “Uh, I didn't get a really good look. He was in jeans and a leather jacket. He seemed taller than Alex but it’s hard to tell from the distance I was at. He had shoulder length blonde hair,” Siddiq finished.

  “Humm, that could be anyone,” said Evalyn.

  “What are you making?” Siddiq drooled as the aroma from the kitchen caught his attention.

  “Some salmon patties and potatoes,” Reshma chuckled from the kitchen.

  “Smells amazing,” Siddiq said.

  “Hopefully it will taste as good as they smell,” Reshma said.

  “Oh I am sure they will,” Evalyn chidded.

  “Come sit and eat while we talk,” Reshma said, bringing the food to the table. Evalyn and Siddiq got up and joined him, grabbing plates and dishing their meals.

  “Like I said though,” Siddiq added as he took a bite, “I didn't get a really good look as he was across the stage so fast. Oh! The weird thing was,” he started.

  “Weirder than a wall out of nowhere?” Reshma chuckled.

  “Hah, I guess that was weird too, but from the other hallway, the one Alex left through initially, there was like this loud cracking sound,” Siddiq added. “I didn't stick around to see what it was, I headed straight here.”

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  “Interesting,” Reshma said while taking a bite of food.

  “So, uh ,what do you guys think about what Alex did?” Siddiq asked quietly.

  “I honestly don't know. I mean his hands were glowing, but what does that mean? We don't know anything about these abilities that he claims to have. Also, he makes it seem like he believes there are more people with these skills,” Reshma said rubbing his chin.

  “I wish we knew more, or that he had confided in us,” Evalyn added.

  “Yeah, I can’t believe he never even gave a hint,” Siddiq said glumly.

  “Also, Siddiq, I thought you were taking your scooter to your apartment?” Evalyn asked, waving her hand towards where he leaned it by the door.

  “After that happened I just came straight here,” Siddiq explained.

  No one spoke as they finished their meals. Everyone helped to clean up and sat back in the living room together. “So, what do you think will happen to Alex now?” Siddiq asked quietly.

  “I am worried about us. I didn't acknowledge it in the conference room but many of our colleagues were giving us some not so friendly looks,” Reshma replied. Evalyn and Siddiq nodded.

  “I noticed that as well,” Siddiq said. “A lot of side eyes for sure. Also, I noticed that the general from those reviews was there and he was gone after Alex left. Do you think that means anything?”

  Evalyn and Reshma exchange a worried look. “I don't think it’s anything good,” Evalyn said.

  “Well, let’s think about this. You said a wall of rock blocked your path. So does that mean that Alex can form things? Perhaps this was one of those projections on that report,” Reshma pondered.

  Before Evalyn or Siddiq could respond, the door to Reshma’s apartment burst open and men in uniforms stormed the room pointing guns at them and screaming for them to put their hands up. Stunned they obeyed the commands as the soldiers nearest the doors made space and the large form of the general entered the room.

  “Afternoon folks,” he said with a sneer as he puffed his cigar. “I have been looking all over for you three. Low and behold, here you all are. Conspiring together? Humm?”

  “Excuse me?” Evalyn said appalled by the accusation. “We were just having some lunch together.”

  “Oh how nice,” he replied looking around the room, “Hear that boys, they were just having some lunch.” The men chuckled in response.

  “General Dempsey, what is this about? Why have you broken my door down instead of just knocking?” Reshma demanded.

  “We had reason to believe you are harboring a wanted suspect,” General Dempsey replied dryly.

  “Well there is no one here except for us, and who is this suspect?” Evalyn asked.

  “Don't play dumb with me. Mr. Moorez has been working with your team since he came to this campus. If anyone were to know where he is or where he is going it would be you all,” he growled menacingly as he looked each of them in the eye.

  “We haven’t seen Alex since he left the stage,” Siddiq replied, carefully choosing his words.

  The general stared Siddiq in the eyes as a cold smile creeped across his face. “Boys, search the apartment. No stone left unturned. You three, take them into custody. I have some questions and I am going to get some answers.”

  “What?! You can't do this!” Reshma exclaimed, jumping to his feet.

  “Excuse me?” the general said, raising his eyebrows. “I do believe under these circumstances I have all the authority I need to do this. Should you cooperate and give me the information I am looking for, I will gladly allow you to continue your fine work here. However, if you decide not to answer my questions, well, let’s just hope you answer them.”

  Reshma closed his mouth and looked at Siddiq and Evalyn. “We will cooperate.”

  “Well good! Then I don't have to lock you away.” he barked with laughter. “After you fine folks,” he gestured towards the door. Siddiq, Evalyn, and Reshma stood and followed behind one of the men in uniforms. As they did, they heard the remaining men breaking and ripping things in the apartment and the voice of the general saying, “That’s right, go through everything.”