[ WP ] You 've been able to read minds since you turned 7 . Mostly you watch people 's thoughts passively and undetected but one day someone talks back .

`` *I'm going to get fired, I know it. If I'm late one more time... *''. 
 
 `` *... hurts. I know I should probably get it checked out but what if it does go aw... *''. 
 
 `` *She does n't want me. Do n't think about her anymore. It's just not worth... *''. 
 
 Boring. It was all boring today. Usually there were some juicy tidbits to pick up while I eat my lunch at the corner of W. 53rd and 6th. Best Halal cart in NYC and more often than not, the best snooping to be done in the private lives of the public. I took another bite of my falafel and squinted my eyes as I gave another quick peek through the busy crosswalk. 
 
 `` *... Left on 6th. And then what? Right on... 47th? Just check the ph... *''. 
 
 Tourist. Probably heading to Time Square. 
 
 `` *My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana. You mix that negr... *''. 
 
 Ew Beyonce. Is it possible to be internally tonedeff? 
 
 `` *Corner of 53rd and 6th right? That's what he said. 12:10. He's late. If anyone suspects me, I'm done for... *''. 
 
 Bingo. 
 
 I zoned in on the guy. He was n't hard to spot, nervously shifting his weight from one leg to the other and checking his watch constantly. The short man was dwarfed in size by the statue behind him, missing her head and arms. It was a rather amusing sight to be honest. He looked like he really needed to relieve himself. 
 
 The briefcase he held was equally noticeable. The sheer weight of it was making him heavily favor his right side. He had to positively struggle to bring his wrist up to chest level to gaze at his watch. 
 
 `` Why would n't you just switch hands? Idiot. ``, I thought to myself. I did n't expect to get an answer... 
 
 `` *Look closer at his wrist. Above the watch.*''. 
 
 I glanced around. Stunned. That was n't the man's inner voice. It was n't mine either. The crowd was dense and there was n't anyone in particular looking my direction. 
 
 `` *Stop looking for me and pay attention.*''. 
 
 I reluctantly gave up on skimming the cross section and returned to inspect the man. He checked his watch again and this time I took a closer look at his wrist. The sleeve of his coat rode up his arm just enough for me to see the shine of the handcuff attached there. No wonder he could n't switch carrying duties between hands. He let his arm drop back to his side with a slight tug at his balance from the weight. The jolt was accompanied by more shimmers in the sunlight as the chain connecting the case to his wrist was more apparent if you knew where to look. 
 
 `` Interesting. Very interesting'', I thought. 
 
 `` *Quite*. ``, was the response. 
 
 I shook my head out of disbelief that this was happening to me. Perhaps I also thought I'd be able to shake the stow away out of my thoughts. I've been able to peer into the inner monologues of other people for so long that I never once considered I'd ever play to an audience myself. 
 
 `` Am I going crazy? Can you really hear me?''. Testing testing. One two. I felt like I was talking to myself in my head. This was ridiculous. 
 
 `` *Define crazy. You've been spying on others in secret while you stuff your face, relishing in their pain and anxiety. Does that sound crazy? *''. 
 
 I was taken a back. Who did this guy think he was? Was he supposed to be sitting on my right shoulder, making me feel bad about all my decisions and trying to guide me down the path of righteousness? Was this an otherworldly entity? Was this God? 
 
 `` Are you God? ``, I asked in my head, admittedly a little sheepishly. 
 
 `` *What? No. Maybe you are mad after all... *'', I could almost hear him scoff. 
 
 `` Look, man. As weird as it is that I can hear people's thoughts, this is new to me. Give me a break.''. 
 
 `` *Do n't look now but I think your lunch date has got some company.*''. 
 
 Sure enough, there was now another man at the corner in the shadow of the woman with missing pieces. He was setting a backpack down on the ground next to the impatient man with the heavy briefcase. His foot nudged the bag in that direction. Casual. Real casual. Their mouths were moving but they were n't facing each other, eyes looking at everyone else besides each other. I wish I could hear what they were saying, but it does n't work that way. They have to be thoughts, spoken words fall on deaf ears as far as this `` power'' is concerned. 
 
 The punctual man's hands fumbled at his side and the hand cuffs disappeared into his coat pocket as the briefcase was finally free to be set down on the ground. He arched his back as he straightened up. I'm sure if I tried hard enough, I could hear his spine scream a sigh of relief. 
 
 He was n't empty handed for long. With a quick side step and shuffle, he positioned himself in front of the backpack and snatched it up like it was his own. Same for the briefcase and the other man. And just like that, they went their separate ways. The trade was flawless, no one would suspect a thing. Unless, of course, they knew what they were looking for. 
 
 `` *I hope whatever he does with that, he does it far away from here. We do n't need another New York tragedy.*''. 
 
 `` *Did you hear THAT? *'', the mysterious voice said. `` *You need to follow that briefcase.*''. 
 
 `` I need to do what? ``, I asked internally. He could not be serious. 
 
 `` *You need to follow him. You need to get that briefcase. Lives could be in danger.*''. 
 
 `` Well, if it's so important, why do n't you do it yourself?''. I glanced around hoping to see someone, anyone, that could be the mystery man in my head. 
 
 My eyes settled on a man across the street. He was seated in a wheelchair and well dressed in a nice suit, tailor made from the look of it. The sun shone off the skin of his hairless head as well as the cool brushed steel of his wheeled throne which looked to be custom made as well. The wheels were purposefully made to resemble X's. His blue eyes were piercing and I felt as though he were staring right into my mind. 
 
 `` *You need to go. Now. *'' 
 
 And with that, just like I had done since I was 7, I listened. 
 
 
 
 

