(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 6

Chapter 6: A catalyst

The Center was only a short 15 minute walk away from Guiding Center B. Guiding Center A was also only 15 minutes away but in the opposite direction, along with Guiding Center C.

It was one of the reasons why the Guiding Centers were so highly competitive against each other. Having the Center being the focal point of the area made sense, since everyone, Guide or Esper went to the Center after they'd awakened to check their Class.

The Center was also run by the government. Back in the day, it also used to have total control of all Espers as well, until an Esper broke off and formed the first Guild.

Now the government separated from the Center and had a whole Department where the Espers who worked for the government were stationed. It was the Department of Esper Control, or the D.E.C. for short.

Kellen was fairly certain that when his parents took 'vacations' they were working for the D.E.C. since they had worked for them before the Center had separated and created the two entities. It wasn't a far split though, since the D.E.C. and the Center were in the same building still.

Similar to the Guiding Centers, the tower that held the Center and D.E.C. was all glass. But unlike any of the Guiding Centers, not just Guiding Center B, the area in front of the building wasn't utilized that well. it was practically a parking lot with a few miserable benches in strict formal lines. The trees planted next to them felt like the colour had been sucked out of them. It had nothing to do with Kellen projecting his bleak outlook on the building either. The uniforms for the D.E.C. and the center were slate gray with black accents, which didn't help the image they projected.

Despite that, Kellen watched as the excited faces of young Espers and Guides entered into the large glass doors with their parents. This was a hopeful place for lots of people. If the circumstances were different, Kellen was sure he would be excited for this retesting. But given his history, all he could feel were chills running down his spine, and how clammy his hands were.

Swallowing, the Guide moved towards the sliding doors, his hands shaking. He glanced towards the giant fixture above him, the chandelier that was two storeys in length. He supposed it could have been pretty, but it felt rather threatening to him, the reflective shards of crystal looked like daggers aimed directly at him.

Kellen forced himself to line up behind the rest of the people in the lobby, and he was slightly grateful that the line was moving slowly today. He gripped onto his wrist with his hand, trying to hide the fact he was trembling like a leaf.

He'd been avoiding looking at the front desk until eventually, he got close enough he couldn't avoid it and he almost stumbled.

The lady who was working at the front desk was the first person to sneer at him when he hadn't improved like he thought he would, the first time. She'd taken pride in making him feel miserable and small, and here she was, once more.

Kellen could feel an overwhelming sense of dread and anxiety fill his body, and he almost turned and bolted out of the building. He stopped himself from leaving the building completely, but he did flee to the bathroom to have a breakdown in a bathroom stall. It took him several minutes to calm himself, chanting that this was just for work. The results didn't matter.

Once he left, he got back into line behind all the youthful, hopeful young people who were giggling and chuckling with their parents. He felt awkward looming over them, and he was sure he also looked awkward as well. At least it was obvious that he was a Guide already, and a Guide from Guiding Center B as well. Each Guiding Center had a distinct uniform, like the Guilds. Kellen's looked like hospital scrubs in a soft, pale yellow. It wasn't the most flattering colour on him, but it meant he was easy to identify.

Knowing who was at the front desk made it a little easier now, since he wasn't as shocked when he got to front only to find her smirking at him with open malice.

"Well well well, look what the cat dragged in. Mr. Woods, to what do I owe the pleasure?" It wasn't lost on him that she pettily didn't call him Guide Woods, even though it was obvious he was one. His face heated in embarrassment.

"I-I-" Nervously, he licked his lips and tried again. "I'm here to retest my class level." His voice got quieter and she laughed rather boldly.

"Oh? I thought you gave up on that." She said it loudly, loud enough that the others around them could hear her. Kellen felt a deep sense of shame as his face flamed, and he gripped onto his wrist tightly.

"It should be noted that I'd be coming in. I didn't request it. Guiding Center B did." She tapped away on her keyboard, and huffed when she pulled up the request.

"So you aren't lying, but that makes me curious. Who did you try to convince this time? I know the Center isn't ever going to turn you away because of your parents, but this is pretty pathetic. I thought the last time was it?"

Face burning, Kellen ducked his head, his heart pounding so hard in his chest he could feel it in his throat. An acidic taste filled his mouth. He hadn't wanted to come back here, but people who cared about him requested this. The last humiliation had been enough.

"Oh, I ordered it." Kellen jerked at the voice that spoke cheerfully behind him. Spinning, he stared in shock at the golden eyes that looked him over. "I'm glad to see you are doing better compared to yesterday, Mr. Woods." He chuckled, reaching out to flick Kellen's chin. "And look, no dirt or blood this time! We're improving." He felt his mouth open, but he wasn't sure what to say to this confusing man.

"C-Captain? What are you-" The older man reached out and ruffled the younger's hair, stunning him into silence.

"You need an Esper of a higher Class for the test, correct? I thought it was the least I could do since you saved me so much trouble yesterday." Kellen felt his mouth dry up. The Captain bent forward. "I also wasn't sure if the Center was going to intentionally mess with the results considering your history with them. This way, I'll know the results personally." He pulled back with a grin before removing his hand from the Guide's head.

"C-Captain Thatcher! We weren't expect you-"

"You should have. I signed up to be Mr. Woods testing Esper. I submitted it with Guiding Center B's permission. It should be on file."

Stunned, Kellen watched as the Captain got them the keys to the testing chamber, and watched as the Doctors who previously had only treated him with disbelief and scorn fell over themselves trying to please them.

Kellen hadn't had this kind of treatment since the second time he'd tested.

Everyone was falling over themselves, and the Captain seemed to watch them with relish, chuckling at their behaviour. If it wasn't for the sharp glint in his yellow eyes, he too would have thought he was appeased, but Kellen felt that he was quite angry at the people of the Center. Kellen felt his lips twitch before a small chuckle left his lips.

Covering his mouth, he could feel the Captain's gaze on him and he tried to cover up the chuckle with a cough. The Captain raised an eyebrow at him and Kellen's lips twitched again.

"S-Something in my throat." He muttered, and he could swear the yellow eyes glowed before settling for a deeper, golden shade as the Captain smirked.

"I'll believe you this time Mr. Woods." Embarrassed at being caught, and also at how the simple fact of having this man beside him had relaxed his whole body, Kellen kept his mouth closed and followed after him and the doctors as they headed upstairs for testing.

Kellen was slightly surprised at how when the Captain called him Mr. Woods, unlike when others did, it didn't feel like an insult. He wasn't sure why the Captain didn't call him Guide Woods, but it had been such a long time since he'd first gotten to know the Captain that he was sure if he called him Guide Woods now, it would feel stranger.

Kellen smiled privately to himself, pleased that he at least had an Esper with him that he was sure wasn't going to freak out on him during the Guiding.

The testing room they'd selected for them was tucked away from everyday view. It was one of the rooms that Kellen was used to actually, since he knew himself to be the shame of the center. It didn't bother him, since if something went wrong, or nothing changed, they could bury it here for good without too many witnesses.

Fuck. Kellen thought. Keep it together. The man is here to help you.