This meeting would determine a lot for this secret group. Everyone except Dr. Timberman was in attendance. They were assigned seats. Terri was positioned between Mr. Clingman, her mentor, and Andrew.
As if this day couldn't get more awkward, Terri thought to herself. At least Andrew is occupied drawing, so he didn't put his arm across the back of my chair.
Andrew seemed to be drawing intently on a sketch pad. Mary looked over his shoulder giving him pointers as he drew. He seemed frustrated.
"Do not mark so heavily, incase the need for erasing occurs." Mary instructed him.
Andrew sighed loudly and loosened his grip on his pencil.
"Good, now even strokes and size to blend the lines correctly." Mary told him while moving her hand as if to show him.
"If I could have everyone's attention please." Mr. Galthan said. "We are going to get started."
Everyone turned their attention to Mr. Galthan and Mr. Pauloski, but it was Peter Redman who stood and walked to the white board at the other end of the room.
"I am the one who has made the request for assistance. The man in the photo is my brother, David Redman. He has worked for Mr. Pauloski for many years. He was vacationing in Brazil when he disappeared off the radar. He has a cottage there. The one in the back of the picture." Peter pointed to the projection screen as he spoke.
"My brother worked on top secret missions, such as the one you are about to embark on. He is a soul searcher and has been his entire life." Peter kept speaking but those words gave Terri pause.
He is a soul searcher like her? The man from her visions is a soul searcher too? That seemed strange to Terri in some way. Something definitely was off about the whole situation, but Terri just couldn't put her finger on what was strange. It gave her an uneasy feeling.
Peter Redman began to write on the white board. He divided the group into smaller groups. Terri, Mr. Clingman, Andrew, and Mary were in one group. Eve and Dr. Timberman were in a group. Then, Mr. Galthan and Peter Redman were in a seperate group labeled leaders. He had color coordinated names into red and blue as well.
Mr. Galthan then rose and walked to Peter's side. "Mr. Pauloski, we can handle it from here, Sir."
Mr. Palouski rose from his seat and nodded. He exited the room without speaking.
"Dr. Timberman, Mary, and Edward are here as mentors. They will not be going into the field. That is why they are labeled in blue. The rest of us are labeled in red because we will be the team that goes on the trips and field experience missions." Mr. Galthan explained.
"Eve will be interning with Dr. Timberman to be our field first aid responder or medic." Peter said. "Eve you will report to Dr. Timberman's clinic each day at 2:00 PM. He will assign you tasks to complete such as CPR certification, first aid training, and infectious disease training. He may have you treat people in the clinic for hands on experience as well. If he is unavailable, then his staff has been instructed to oversee your activities. "He will also be working with you one-on-one on how to control your mind reading and what all it entails."
"This means that you three children need to absorb as much as you can. Be sure to take extensive notes from your mentors. You will still attend morning classes but you will not be allowed to attend any clubs or participate in extra curricular activities." Mr. Galthan explained.
Terri sighed. It looked like she wouldn't be able to do creative writing club any longer.
Andrew raised his hand. Mr. Galthan looked at him and nodded. "Does this mean that I can no longer tutor for Math?"
"That's exactly what this means." Mr. Galthan spoke. "You three will have training from 2:00-4:00 PM Monday through Friday with your mentors. The mentors may keep you longer if necessary. We will also have meetings at least once per week at 12:30 PM. We will be sent on long missions that could last for weeks at a time. You will not have availabilityto do extra activities." Mr. Galthan looked at each of us in turn with a stern face as if to say no arguments allowed.
"You will have a weekly salary that has been set by D and E. It is a generous amount for such young people. Do not make us regret it." Mr. Galthan instructed. "Eve, you are excused to report to the clinic. Do not be late we will be keeping a log of attendance."
Eve quickly gathered her things and walked to the door. She turned with a strained look on her face. "I'm sorry, Sir. I dont know where the clinic is located." Eve told him. She looked from one man to the other nervously.
"I'll walk you there."Peter Redman said as he stepped behind Eve at the doorway. They exited quietly.
"Andy and Terri, both of you have shown true greatness in your abilities. We look to you now to figure out the location of David Redman. Your sessions will be in this conference room unless your mentors specifically tell you otherwise. We will have two areas set up. You will be working closely, so get used to being together. Terri will express her visions to Andy and Andy will draw and research the locations." Mr. Galthan nodded at them both in turn. "Well, I will leave you to it then. My office is just down the hallway on the end of this floor. Please, do not hesitate to seek me out if the need arises. Peter and I will update the team each week and we will have progress meetings weekly as well." Mr. Galthan grabbed his brief case and headed out the door without another word.
"Well, why don't you children take a small break. That was a lot of information to process. Then, we will continue at 1:00 PM today." Mary told Terri and Andy.
"Would you like a coffee Mary?" Andy asked her rising from his chair.
"Sure dear, that would be wonderful. And grab one for Edward as well." Mary told him patting his hand.
"Yes, thank you Andy." Mr. Clingman responded. "Why don't you go and help him Terri. You two will be working closely together and need to get used to being around each other."
"Yes sir." Terri replied standing and turning toward the door.
"Oh sweetie, just call me Edward, please." He told Terri.
"Okay, Edward." Terri told him with a smile. Then, she headed toward the door.
Andy followed Terri and reached to pull the door open for her.
Terri nodded a thank you and walked into the hallway.
"Terri about earlier at the lunch table," Andy began, "I'm sorry if I overreacted."
Terri turned back to look at him. He was looking down at the carpet. His hands were shoved deep in his pockets and he looked gorgeous. His sandy blond hair seemed tossoled as if he had been running his hands through it a lot today.
"It's okay, Andrew." Terri hesitated after she told him. " I'm a nerd when it comes to English and I love creative writing. Just no more watching me while I sleep. That is just creepy." Terri raised her eyebrows at him.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that too and please just call me Andy." He replied with a smirk. He began walking down the hallway again toward the small lounge on this floor.
"I'm going to use the restroom." Terri told him pointing toward the ladies room. She didn't need to go, but she needed a moment to collect her thoughts away from Andy. His presence was intoxicating and overwhelmed Terri a bit.
Andy nodded and kept heading toward the lounge to get the coffee. "Want me to make you a coffee?" He asked.
"No thank you,"Terri hesitated again, "Andy, just a water would be nice. I'll come help you carry them when I get finished in the restroom."
Andy walked off down the hallway and Terri headed to the restroom.