Adrianna; Psychic of Valecon Shadow Oranization
Copyright© 2026 by A duck named TEF
Chapter 1
“Adrianna?” The teacher asked, seeing that one of her students was in visible distress during the final exam.
The youth cupped her ears and tightly closed her eyes, teeth grinding as her head throbbed with the sounds of thousands of voices. ’Not again!’ Was that her own thought, or someone else’s? She had no way of knowing, the voices were growing louder.
“Adrianna!” The teacher was now standing next to the girls desk, a visage of concern painting her face. She looked to the neighboring student and pointed to the door, “Go get the nurse and hall guard.” She instructed and gently placed her other hand on the student in distress.
A flash of fear and anger flared in the girl, she stood abruptly, flailing an arm, knocking the teacher down and then taking off through the halls of the school in a mad dash to escape the swelling madness in her mind. ’A quiet place! A quiet place!’ Tears ran down her face as she ran. More voices, different voices, too many voices invading her thoughts. She was quickly losing herself within the cacophony.
This had been happening increasingly, at first she thought it was just her imagination, but soon enough Adrianna realized there was a problem. She talked with her parents about it, they took her to specialists and she was prescribed medications that were supposed to help the problem. Nothing was working.
Puberty and junior-high school was bad enough, this was too much. At the times it happened she felt so afraid, the voices weren’t always pleasant. She just wanted to die. That’s what she would do, she’d find a quiet place and once the voices were silent again she would kill herself.
She wouldn’t get the chance to do it herself. Adrianna knocked into someone waiting at the cross-walk, tripped, and fell into oncoming traffic. At least she didn’t die alone.
“It’s such a shame, she’s so young.” The mortician spoke into the recorder while inspecting the body. He worked diligently, affording as much respect he was capable of while preparing the body of the young girl. The family had just left, body identifications were always difficult, especially when it came to ones so young. The mother was inconsolable, the father looked to be in a permanent state of shock.
“Young indeed.” The voice was cold, commanding, and well known by the mortician. He turned to see the origin, a broad shouldered man in a rather expensive suit, tailored to be well fitted against the form practically sculptured by the gods.
“Mr. Dietrich, to what do I owe the pleasure?” The mortician’s voice faltered as he saw the two brawny guards flank the man who just arrived.
Mr. Dietrich made his way to the young girl, he looked her over as if she were a specimen of great interest. She was a rather homely girl, one might describe her as ‘pudgy’ with hair like straw, freckles and dimples, she was at that awkward stage between child and woman. He lifted her hand and scowled, “Nail biter. We’ll have to break that disgusting habit.” He mumbled and let her hand drop. He looked back at the two brutes who accompanied him, “Make sure she remains intact and bring her to the Estate.” He left, the two guards stayed.
The room was a sterile white and smelled of chemicals. It reminded the youth of a hospital room, but far more clinical. She slowly sat up in the gurney and took a better look around. To her left was a wall, to her right a two-way mirror she saw her reflection in. In front of her was a closed door. She stood on unsteady feet, bracing herself with aid of the gurney. Standing up caused a wave of dizziness, and once that subsided she felt calm. Her mind was still, everything was blissfully quiet.
Adrianna stood straighter, she felt happy to be in such a serene state. Was this heaven? The last thing she remembered was tripping onto the street. She looked at her reflection and tugged gently at the white gown she wore. Nothing looked amiss about her reflection, she was intact, no scratches or bruising. All limbs accounted for, she could move easily. It must be heaven, everything was quiet and still in her mind.
A creak came from the door. Adrianna turned to face the door and the man who walked in. His eyes were hidden by dark shades, but she could feel his predatory gaze on her. She thought that she should feel some sort of apprehension, but she felt completely at ease with this new presence.
The man walked up to her and stroked down the side of her face, resting his hand on her shoulder, “You’ve been asleep for a while Miss Chumah.” He spoke so gently to her, and yet she felt a cold edge in his words. “I was wondering if the reanimation process had failed.”
Reanimation? This wasn’t heaven? ’Are we the only people here?’ she wondered.
“This is a special room, it blocks out the voices you’ve been plagued by.” He continued, that caught her attention immediately.
’How does he know about that? Is this a new specialist?’ She wondered, she tried to speak but her voice wouldn’t come out. She gripped her throat in one hand, panic rising within her only now that she realized she couldn’t speak.
The man gently took the hand off her throat and held it in his own, “Now, now. No need to worry. Your vocal chords were far too damaged to repair and the last time we used an alternative the subject came down with a severe case of de-personalization, or was it disassociation?” He looked up thoughtfully, “Well, we didn’t want to take a chance with you. You’re rare you see.” He pulled her closer and began to lead her towards the door.
He stopped just at the door and smiled at the youth, “We have a device we are working on, there will be a couple of men in lab coats here shortly to fit it for you. It will help you regulate the voices so you can leave this room.”
He was leaving when she gripped his hand, gesturing wildly and trying to accentuate the act of asking his name, communication was difficult with no voice and she didn’t know any form of sign language.
The man though could tell what she was asking, “Mr. Dietrich, but you can call me Kalispher if it’s easier.” With that the door closed and she was once again left alone in the room.
Three years had passed since she was given a second chance at life. In those three years she learned more about the world than most learn in their twelve or more years of schooling. She worked hard to be the best at everything she was instructed in, though her path was wrought with failures, she still kept at it.
Her driving ambition now was to make her benefactor proud. He had invested so much in her, and she was determined not to let him down. Now though she was failing spectacularly at her self-defense course. The instructor was at his wits end by this point, “We’ve been working on this for three weeks now.” He said in an exhausted tone, “You don’t have an aggressive enough approach. What are you going to do if someone really does come at you with intent to harm? Stand and let it happen like some helpless doe?”
She shrank back at the rebuke.
“I think that’s enough.” A familiar voice cut through the usual sounds of the gymnasium. Mr. Dietrich stepped into the ring Adrianna and the instructor were in. The instructor bowed in respect to the man and kept his gaze averted.
“Sir, I wasn’t keeping track of time.” He said quickly.
Mr. Dietrich regarded the man for a moment, “Oh, don’t worry about that instructor. You’re still within the lesson limits, I just wanted to retrieve my girl early today.” Saying this he turned to Adrianna and smiled that gentle smile he reserved for her. If he wasn’t wearing the dark shades though she would see that the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
She brushed off her gym shorts and followed her benefactor out of the ring.
“I’d like you to change into something nice, we’ll be dining out with a few clients.” He told her as the two made their way through the cement halls of the Estate’s underground complex. The two stopped in front of the door to Adrianna’s room, Mr. Dietrich Looked at the youth, barely fifteen and already maturing well into her womanhood.
“Don’t push yourself too hard. The physical defense classes are just a formality. You’re unique, a rarity among an already rare skill.” He placed his hands on her shoulders, an action she always mistook as a loving gesture, “You are of great value to me already. Don’t sully yourself.” He left her there to get ready.
The dining hall at the Estate was quite a grand venue. It hosted monarchy balls, charity events, celebrity parties, and a plethora of high societal gatherings. The hall itself was one of the oldest constructs of the Estate, unlike many of the newer parts that had been added to, or replacements due to disasters, this one still boasted the original decor from centuries ago.
Imported columns from the grand archipalegoes stood proud throughout. Rich tones of reds, golds, and black adorned the walls, floors, and ceilings. Gargoyles and cherubs were scattered about, hand painted or hand crafted by artisans of renown.
Adrianna felt like a princess every time she was permitted to accompany Mr. Dietrich in these hallowed halls. Now it was no different. Though she wasn’t in an elaborate dress she still felt like royalty as she walked arm in arm with the man.
“These are dangerous men as usual, I want you to read them. Keep me abreast with their inventions.” He stopped for a moment and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, whispering so only she would hear, “Don’t disappoint me my dear.”
She nodded resolutely and turned the small dial on the device in her ear. The device helped to silence the many voices that intruded into her mind as she worked towards better controlling her psychic abilities.
Adrianna was quite a rarity among a blood line ability that was already rare. She could read minds like a normal person could read a picture book, as well as utilize telepathy. There were also signs she could utilize mind-control, but she was far off on practising that ability.
The two took their seats at the grand oak table. Adrianna was distracted momentarily at the goldleafing along the table edges. She almost missed the arrival of their guests had Mr. Dietrich not stood up at their entrance.
“Gentlemen.” He said as he motioned for them to be seated. The butler who showed them in took his leave and softly closed the large heavy doors.
There were three men, there always seemed to be three men. One who was the head, and two as the guards. They took their seats. The leader of the three kept his eyes on Mr. Dietrich, while the other two took a quick survey of the layout, noting the only exit. After a moment’s silence the lead man leaned in closer, “Mr. Dietrich,” He began, his voice sounding like he had phlegm stuck in the back of his throat, “I wish this meeting was under different circumstances.” He took a quick glance at Adrianna. “She good?” He asked.