Normie POV
Through my tears and shivers, I looked up just enough to see the door open. The less senior of the two men stepped through and disappeared, leaving me alone with the remaining guard.
He smirked, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Thank goodness, looks like the mind esper got here earlier than expected."
While still smirking, he gestured for the other man to step outside, then stood up and walked to the door.
"Stay here until we transfer you to the medical room for the mind esper," he said coldly.
The door clicked shut behind him, and I crumbled, gasping for breath. I couldn't get enough air into my lungs. Staring at the ground, I made a silent vow to myself. If I got out of here, I'd buy my sister that expensive kit she'd been eyeing, just to see her radiant smile again. I would hug my parents harder and savour Dad's BBQ and Mum's soup.
The door opened again. It was the original man, the one who had dragged me to my room from the incident, now accompanied by the guard who had believed I was innocent.
He grabbed my upper arm roughly and pushed me out the door. My mind was numb as we passed through several doors. I knew I had no chance of escape with an esper around. Even the lowest-ranked ones could wipe out any normie with a flick of their finger.
We passed through door after door, no words exchanged. I lifted my head slightly as we moved through the maze of corridors, hearing the click of security passes at each door.
Finally, we reached a large door. The man swiped his pass and opened it, and dread filled me as I faced what lay beyond. If I hadn't been held up, I might have collapsed right there.
To my shock, sunlight streamed in as the door opened. A few steps later, I realised I was outside, and for the first time in days, I could see the sky.
Confused, I looked at the guard, but he only met my gaze with disgust.
"You're lucky that Guide Gabriel vouched for you," he said, his voice low and harsh. "You're free to go. You'll have today and tomorrow off to recover. Your electronic items are back in your room. I still think you had something to do with this. I saw what you were doing with them. It's disgusting that they're letting you off so easily."
With that, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the labyrinth of doors once more.
Left alone at the top of the stairs, I stood there for several minutes, unable to process what had just happened. My sleep-deprived, stressed brain couldn't catch up with the sudden shift in reality.
Finally, I gathered some semblance of thought and began walking back to the dormitory in a daze.
As soon as I stepped through the doors, the dorm mother, sitting behind the desk, rushed over and enveloped me in a warm hug. She was in her 60s, with stark white hair in a bob, and she was the same height as me.
I hugged her back, tears still streaming down my face, letting the last bit of my composure slip away. Despite her age, she was still strong, having been a retired esper, but she had such a kind soul and helped everyone in need.
After a few soothing pats and soft whispers telling me everything would be alright, she led me to her office at the back of the dormitory.
She sat me on the couch and wrapped me in a blanket while quickly making some hot tea. She placed the cup in my hands, and her soft, strong voice cut through the haze of my daze.
"What happened at the interrogation? I tried to tell them—and the head of the guard—that there was no chance it was you! You're one of the hardest workers here, and you're just trying to help your family, not to hit it big with the espers and guides like some of the others!"
The warm tea helped bring me back to my senses.
"I swear it wasn't me," I said, my voice shaking. "I just helped them from falling to the ground and radioed for help. I don't know what happened, but they let me go. They still think I took the opportunity to get closer to them, but I swear I didn't!"
She rubbed my arms comfortingly as I fought to hold back my emotions once again.
"I know, hun," she said, making soothing noises. "You're the only one who's happier to do the back work than to be in the limelight, doing the front-facing esper and guide tasks. I never doubted you for a second."
As I finished the tea, she continued, "Now, what I want you to do is go take a nice hot shower. I'll bring you some food afterward. After that, call your family and visit them this afternoon and tomorrow. Get out of this place and recoup. What you've been through is traumatic enough as it is."
I nodded, feeling immensely grateful.
"Thank you so much for believing in me. I thought I was never going to see the light again. I'm going to celebrate the extra day I got. I'm going to get a gift for my sister and visit her with my parents. I miss them so much. They were all I could think of."
She smiled warmly.
"Look at you, a thoughtful boy. Family first. I wish my kids were like that!"
She grabbed her wallet, took out some cash, and pressed it into my hand. I tried to refuse, but she wouldn't hear it.
"Yes, yes, take it," she insisted. "I want you to get something for yourself. Get something sweet. They always make the bad memories a little lighter. You have to think about yourself sometimes too, you know."
Still trying to give it back, I couldn't convince her to take it. With a warm smile, she ushered me in the direction of the dorm rooms.
As I headed back to my room, I could only wonder what kind of hell I was waking up from. Passing by a group of four other workers, I noticed them looking and whispering.
One of the bigger men looked at me, speaking loudly.
"How shameful, what you did to Guide Gabriel and Esper Elliot. If they had any decency, they should quit and slink off. They don't deserve to be in their presence at all!"
I hunched my shoulders, ignoring their taunts, and continued to my room. I sat on my bed for a moment, trying to regain my composure. My devices had been returned, and I grabbed my phone to check for messages.
There were a few from my parents and sister, thankfully just checking on me and hoping I wasn't working too hard. They hadn't panicked about me not messaging them. Thank God. I would never forgive myself if anything had happened to them because they tried to contact me.
I sent a quick message saying I'd be there this afternoon and would stay the night. Then, I dropped my phone and jumped into the shower.
As the hot water pounded my back, I began to relax. There was nothing to be done except accept what had happened. I didn't have the option to quit. This job was necessary for my family. I'd never want to go back to working full-time with two side gigs, just to barely scrape by and pay all the hospital bills and mounting debt.
Sighing, I resolved to keep my head down and continue working. I wasn't here for any other reason than to help my family. I had to stay on this path.
When I stepped out of the shower and looked at my reflection, I could see the evidence of all the crying in my eyes, but I'd tell my parents I'd been stuck cutting onions all day.
Just as I was getting dressed, a knock at the door made my heart race. Frozen in panic, I struggled to calm myself. Then I remembered the dorm mother had said she would bring me some food.
Rushing to the door, I opened it to see her smiling, holding a tray with a bowl of beef stew and some crusty bread beside it.
Smiling in gratitude, I took the tray and moved to the table. She sat across from me, gesturing for me to start eating. As I ate, savouring the rich flavours and using the bread to soak up the sauce, she smiled softly.
"You're looking much better now," she said with a sigh. "You look more human now, thank God. You were lifeless before, but now I see a little bit of light in your eyes."
I nodded.
"I think my body is catching up after everything. I was quite shocked by how fast everything happened. They take their security seriously with their ability users."
She gave me a strange look.
"I agree. It was extreme, but that was partly due to who they are. It's not just about their abilities—those boys have been targeted quite a bit before. Things have been quiet for the last few months, though. After the last incident, I think everyone was too scared to start anything."
Confused, I asked, "What do you mean? Who are they?"
Her eyes widened in exasperation.
"Well, that definitely solidifies you didn't know who they are. They're quite famous. You helped Esper Elliot and Guide Gabriel—otherwise known as the two S+ Class individuals in the country. They are the most powerful people here."
I froze, the stew halfway to my mouth. My mind raced as I realised who I'd just helped. The spoon slipped from my hand, sending the stew splattering over the table and me.