Erasing: Shadows (The Erasing Series) by K.D. Rose

meetings like this.”
    “Makes sense,” said Stu. None of this was new in concept to Stu, but seeing it for real was different than reading about it in dusty books. Stu hadn’t tried any of this yet. “But if I may ask, what kind of meeting exactly is this?”
    Mrs. Ross leaned forward, close to Stu. “It’s a meeting of the Watchers, dear.” She leaned back again.
    Stu was flabbergasted. He grew solemn. He had read about Watchers but thought they were a myth. So many people didn’t believe in anything anymore. He had spent half his life just trying to figure out what was real, what was made up, and what was myth. He had always figured the Watchers could be real, but he never believed in anything beyond tentative hypotheses until he could either do it or see it for himself. He had an open yet discerning mind, hence, his rapid advancement with skill sets beyond the reach of the real world.
    “You’re a Watcher, dear.” Mrs. Ross stated simply.
    Startled, Stu stammered. “No, I’m not. I’m not anything.”
    Mrs. Ross threw some rapid-fire questions to Stu, not leaving him time to answer:
    “Do you have advanced skills, far above your age?”
    “Could you care less about most real-world things that others find important?”
    “Have you continuously wanted to know more about the universe and how it works?”
    “Do you spend the majority of your time either practicing or learning more about your skills?”
    “Do you never limit what is possible?”
    “Do you help out when you notice trouble has affected the planes ?”
    She leaned in closely. “Other than that, do you not interfere with the goings on here and there?”
    Stu started to speak up, but Mrs. Ross shushed him. “There is no ‘yes, but...’ I am and you are. There is no ticket to stamp. We are because we are. People can believe or not, say anything or not, but we are still here. And we are, because we are.”
    “But how do you know?” asked Stu, still flabbergasted.
    Mrs. Ross leaned forward again and stated with force, “I know , because I know what is happening in other places. I understand , because I understand a bigger picture than just the so-called real world. I dare , because I know when to use my will to make something change and no other time—I never do it frivolously, and I witness , because I keep silent concerning my actions and the actions of others, even as I protect them. That is what a Watcher does!”
    Triumphant, Mrs. Ross paused.
    Stu grimaced. He looked around at the room they were in, created entirely from Mrs. Ross’s imagination and made real by her strength of will and energy. He had done smaller experiments before but nothing like this. He had only read of things this scale in books. Books that emblazoned everything he wanted to learn and to be into his skull. And here he was in the middle of it, being called a Watcher by someone who obviously knew what they were doing.
    He grimaced again.
    “I know,” said Mrs. Ross. “It’s a great responsibility. However, you’ve already taken up the mantle, whether you knew it or not. Might as well take the name.”
    She was right. I’ve already been doing all of that. On my own.
    “Ok,” he said, with difficulty. He sighed. “I’m a Watcher.”
    Mrs. Ross spoke again. “Like I said, no one stamps your ticket, we just recognize each other. One day, you’ll learn to do the same.” She paused and took a sip of tea that came from a cup and saucer that had not been there a second ago.
    “Wow,” said Stu, an expression he was not accustomed to using.
    “Now…” Mrs. Ross started then stopped.
    “What’s wrong?” asked Stu.
    “I sense something is happening, but I don’t know what,” said Mrs. Ross in a disturbed tone, her eyes wide open.
    Stu could tell from the look on her face that it wasn’t good, but he saw that she brushed it off. “It’s so nice you already understand so much,” she said.
    “Like the fact that time here is not the same as in the