Psychic Academy
an excerpt

I turn around suddenly as I hear screams coming from the main building. Péng runs up to use, a panicked look on his face. He motions to Junichi who runs back into our room while Péng runs on, banging on first Naozumi’s door, which is thrust open a second later. He says something to her in a low voice that I cannot hear. Naozumi slides the door shut and Péng runs on, down to Sam’s room where the same scene is re-played. The screaming draws closer and I can smell smoke. I turn around, looking for some sign of what is going on. Quickly, I grab onto the edge of the roof and pull myself up, swinging my legs over.

I stand shakily on the slippery tiles and gaze around. The main building of the castle is in flames, and the residents are fleeing towards the water, screaming as the men dressed in dark clothes cut them down in their tracks. Some of the same men swing onto the roof and I quickly slide off, in a panic. My friends seem to sigh in relief as they see me land lightly on the wooden walkway. They all wade into the algae covered water of the pond, forming a group in the center where the water laps at their waists.

“Jump.” Péng urges me. I glance back over my shoulder to my room, thinking of the things that I had brought with me. “Its okay Amaya. Just jump.” I look back over at them and see that they have their belongings. I make as if too go back to the room, to grab my things. “Amaya, we haven’t the time!” I look at them again, terrified. Then I see one of my bags slung across Junichi’s shoulders.

A scream sounds behind me, close behind me. I twitch in surprise and approach the edge of the platform, gauging the distance. I cannot jump that far, not in a kimono that is wrapped tight around me. The others grab onto Junichi and he holds out his arms.

“Jump Amaya.” He calls out softly. “Please Amaya.” I move forward slightly. “ That’s good. Now, Amaya, jump.” I shake my head and take a step back. I am trembling. I cannot jump that far; I won’t make it. I’ll fall into the water or worse. “Amaya!” Junichi shouts, his voice raising in panic. I frown, confused.
Several sharp pains slam into my arms and legs, and into my shoulders. I fell myself fall forwards, off of the walkway to the water. Junichi pulls himself free from and they run towards me in slow motion. I feel like asking him why he is moving so slowly, but I cannot open my mouth. Time catches up with me and I hear Junichi’s voice scream my name as his arms catch me, and the world goes black.