Excerpt: The Conjured World

Lewis said, “Since you've exhibited no signs that you can read minds, we will save that task for last. I'm going to test you first on some of the easier tasks to perform.”
“Alright.” Chris said with a slight nod. Easy tasks or not, he still wondered whether he would be able to succeed at all.
Lewis announced, “We will begin with invisibility, something you no doubt have already witnessed with the talented Dr. Hoss. Now, in order to trigger the invisibility response, there is something I must do.”
Chris took a deep breath and tried to relax as Lewis took a few steps back. At once there was a flash of light in the center of the room, and a roaring tiger appeared there as it stared right at Chris.
Lewis said, “Now Chris, I want you to listen to me very carefully. As I have summoned the tiger, it will listen to me fully.”
“Are you serious?” Chris said weakly. It took all of his might to stand there in one place.
Lewis continued, “In a moment, I will command it to attack.”
“ARE YOU FLIPPIN' SERIOUS!?”
“When it attacks, I do not want you to run or to hide. I want you instead to concentrate your mind on not being here; imagine in your mind that the tiger cannot see you, that it will run right past you.”
“ARE YOU --”
“Attack!” The tiger roared, and Chris froze. He tried to picture his invisibility in his mind, picture that the tiger couldn't see him even though it was looking right at him, but then the tiger leaped towards him, huge fangs and claws ready to tear into him, and all Chris could do was cover his face with his arm and brace for impact. But that impact never came, and a moment later Chris lowered his arm and looked around the room. The tiger was gone, leaving only Lewis standing on the far end of the room.
“What happened?” Chris asked as he tried to catch his breath. His heart was pounding and he could feel his shirt becoming wet with sweat. “Did I do it?”
“No.” Lewis said. “But don't worry, that's only one power down. I'm sorry that I had to do things that way, but invisibility is a fear reaction. The tiger was no more than a mirage; it had no physical form. It wasn't real, but you needed to believe that it was. I needed you to be afraid.”