Black could admit that practicing possibly supernatural powers while recovering from nearly dying was probably not a great idea. This, however, did not stop him from doing just that. He sat on the edge of his bed, careful not to jostle his cast. His computer was off on the other side of his cabin. A black mirror reflecting his bandaged form. He focused his thoughts on the monitor. At first it was difficult to feel, but eventually Black could almost see a thread of energy connecting him to the computer. For a split second Black could see the reflection’s eyes flicker with amber light. Then the monitor powered on to reveal his desktop screen. 

Black released a heaving sigh as he released his hold. A dull throbbing making itself known behind his eyes. A moment later the pain subsided. Black straightened up once more, focusing again on the computer. He had practiced turning things off and on but this would be a first. He focused his intention, just as he had before. This time, on the browser icon in the corner of the screen. The throbbing returned as his bedside lamp began to flicker slightly. Black would not be distracted. He could hear the blood rushing in his ears. The buzzing of the lights above him seemed louder and louder as every second ticked by. Black was nearly knocked backwards by the sudden surge of energy that came from him. It took him a moment to recover, but when he had he looked back to the computer. 

The browser window was open. 

“Yes!” Black shouted, fistpumping the air with glee. Then he was hit with the blowback. The throbbing behind his eyes became a true ache and his stomach suddenly turned. He steadied himself on the bed as a wave of dizziness washed over him. “Ooof,” Black muttered through pursed lips, “too much too fast.” He concluded as he shifted to lie back in his bed, using both hands to lift his cast. He reached over to turn on the air conditioner to full blast. Black thought about shutting off the light, but he currently didn’t have the energy to get up and turn off the computer. In the end he tried to relax as best he could.

He was startled awake by a knock at the door. He looked around groggily to see that the monitor had gone into sleep mode and the ac was still blowing. The room was frightfully cold, but Black wasn’t bothered by the chill. He hadn’t even realized he’d dozed off. Another knock drew his attention back to the moment. He called out an acknowledgement and the door opened to reveal Blue and Rose. Black smiled as they entered his space.

“Hey guys, what have I missed?” Black asked. 

“Oh not much,” Rose said as she looked around the room, “Tan got drunk and started dancing on a table again.” Black nodded, expecting something along those lines. “Orange has been working with Maroon and Gray to set up a backup generator.” She tacked on as she leaned against the desk. Black felt an odd, warm feeling bubble up in his chest. Blue sat primly in the desk chair, her gaze squarely on Black. 

“Maroon wants to prevent a repeat performance.” She supplied. Black nodded in understanding. It made perfect sense to set up extra security around the power systems. Maroon was simply doing his job, and Gray was probably still guilty about what he said before the accident. That warm fuzzy feeling was just a coincidence. 

“Right, I suppose you’re helping manage the power?” Black asked. Blue simply nodded, her visor masking any emotion. 

“More importantly,” Blue said, “how are you feeling?” Black took a moment to consider the question. How was he feeling? Terrified, confused, but those were better left for a different conversation. He wasn’t in nearly as much pain as before. Fatigue was a near constant as his body worked to heal. Not to mention his appetite. Pink had taken to bringing him triple portions of whatever meat dish he’d prepared that day. Overall…

“I’m getting better I think.” Black eventually said. Blue nodded her head in a way that he’d come to recognize as relief. Rose sighed as she removed her helmet and pinned Black with a stare. 

“Yeah, that’s great. I’m more concerned with you bein’ cooped up in here for so long!” She exclaimed. Rose walked over and plopped herself down on the floor by his bed. “You keepin’ sane?” Black chuckled and nodded. 

“For the most part, I think…” He replied. “Besides, Pink delivers food to me and Gray or Maroon checks on me at least once a day. So that helps.” Black smiled to himself as he thought of the trio. He wondered to himself when they’d started feeling so welcoming to him. “Anyways I’ll be able to wander around a little soon if I keep resting. Plus I’ll…” What Black meant to say was cut short as another micro headache came upon him like a wave. Crashing over his senses mercilessly. He was vaguely aware of Blue and Rose shouting in surprise and of the lights flickering madly. After a minute or two the pain faded. The lights returned to normal, and Black was accosted by his friends. 

“The fuck was that!?” Rose yelled.

“Black, are you alright?” Blue said, leaning by the bed with a hand on his shoulder. Black shook his head to clear it of the strange buzzing. Once he’d settled that he nodded an affirmative. “Now, would you like to explain what just happened?” She inquired. Black hesitated, glancing between Blue and Rose. Rose was staring at him wide eyed. Black took a deep breath. These were his best friends, if anyone would understand. They would. 

“Things have been…strange since the accident.” Black started. “I can… feel the lights and the electricity in the wires. When my head hurts things go haywire. Sometimes I just kind of know what people are feeling.” He looked at them to gauge their responses. Rose was giving him the kind of smile that Black had come to dread. Before he or Blue could stop her. 

“What am I feeling right now?” She demanded. Her grin was absolutely feral. Black sighed and rubbed his temples. 

“It doesn’t always work.” He sighed. Rose let out a scoff, which was answered with a quick smack on the arm from Blue. They ignored her complaints as Blue focused on Black. “There’s also this.” Black said. He turned to look at the air conditioning unit, still blasting out cold air. The lights in the room flickered slightly, causing Rose to curse again. Just as he willed it to happen, the unit switched itself off. Black slumped back into the pillows as the throbbing subsided. 

“Bullshit.” Rose said. “This has gotta be a joke.” She exclaimed, turning to Blue. Blue seemed to be contemplating something. She removed her helmet, revealing her startling blue eyes and deep black hair. That silenced Rose instantly. 

“Does it work on any device?” She asked, her eyes staring him down intently. Black nodded. “Then let’s test it.” She rose from her kneeling position and rounded on Rose. “Set your blaster on the desk.” She commanded.

“What?” 

“Your blaster runs on battery packs, if he can make it power on, then this is real.” Blue explained. Rose and Black exchanged a look as she took out her blaster. She ensured that the power was off and the safety was on before setting it down on Black’s desk right in front of his computer. She backed away from it, glancing between Black and the blaster. Black sat up on the bed and focused with all his might. He fairly heard his friends gasp as he caught the glint of light in his reflection. Then, with a chirp and a whir, the blaster lit up. Black felt the pressure release as the hum of the blaster filled the room. 

“Holy shit.” Rose muttered. Black nodded, understanding the absolute insanity of the moment. Blue looked absolutely starstruck as she processed this new information. 

“Ok,” Blue said, “We’re going to help you figure this out.” She turned to Rose for confirmation. Rose, still somewhat stunned, shook off her awe and gave him a slightly shaky smirk. She quickly snatched up her blaster, switching it off and putting it back in its holster. 

“Yeah. We’ll get to the bottom of this.” Rose said. Black let out a sigh of relief, slumping back into the pillows. 

“Ok,” Blue said, settling back into the chair. “Start from the beginning.” Black did his best to recall everything, every strange instance and every time something had malfunctioned around him. It took longer than he’d expected to get it all out, but once he had it felt as if a crushing weight had been lifted from him. 

“For now, it seems like we need to get an idea of your limitations and how to control whatever this is.” Blue said decisively. Black smiled at her gratefully. “Do you think whatever caused this may have been due to what MIRA was having us ship?” Black shook his head.

“No, I checked the manifest and it was mostly just metal and some food cubes.” Black responded.

“What I don’t get,” Rose spoke up from where she was leaning, “Why have you only been able to feel things from Pink, Maroon, and Gray?” All three of them were stumped by that. Until Black remembered something, something that he hadn’t even thought to include in his long explanation. 

“Well, I know they were the donors for my transfusion.” Black said, “But, if I’m being honest I don’t know how I know that.” Blue seemed to be mulling over a thought as Rose ginned her feral grin. 

“My friends, I do believe we have a clue.”