After a few minutes, Gabe and another man, who I assume is Paxton, walk into the room. Gabe stands on the other side of the room waiting and the man sits across from me. The dark, short beard on his face only tells me that the people here have no hardships. Whenever I see a man with a neatly trimmed beard, I know he must have a good life somehow because if he has access to razors or clippers, then he has access to other things. Trimming a beard is one of the last things a man would think about if he were trying to survive day-to-day. Yes, it seems Crestwood will be very nice indeed.

With one hand he holds a manila folder and a pen, and with the other he reaches out for me to shake. I look at his hand and bow my head low instead.

“Pardon me,” I say, “but I haven’t had a chance to wash my hands. I would like to do that before shaking your hand.”

He looks at me strangely as he pulls his hand back, but I don’t care. I don’t want to accidentally see his future too. I don’t want to know. All I can do is hope that he accepts my feeble attempt of respect.

“You’re name is Waverly?” he asks.

“Yes,” I say.

“What do you know about Crestwood?” he asks.

I clear my throat. “I know that you are a town that has reportedly accepted many people within your walls. I came here in hopes that I can be one of your citizens.”

He nods at me and stares at the table with his cheek resting in his palm. “Tell me about the other two you are with. Ethan and Gilbert. How do you know them?”

“I met them only a few days ago,” I say. “I don’t know much about either of them, but they have been very helpful. Ethan tends to watch out for me. Gilbert can act a little brash, but he only wants to survive like the rest of us.”

“How old are you?”

“I am seventeen.”

“Where are you originally from?”

“Oakridge,” I say.

Paxton’s face turns suddenly serious and he stares at me for a long moment. After a while, the moment starts to become uncomfortable.

“Did I say something wrong?” I ask.

“No,” Paxton says. “It’s just… Nothing. Never mind. Uh…” He looks down at his manila folder and opens it then closes it, dropping it to the table. “I’ll just move along. Do you have any special abilities?”