#william baxter

Fish - from The Secret Portal Part One (Jedi POV)

“You mean besides the fact that he’s a—” “Yes, Taylor, besides that.” “No, it seems like I wasn't informed,” Dadaidh said. “Enlighten me.” Something about the way he said that made me extremely interested in the way the cooked meat of the fish looked after I had shoveled a good portion of its body into my mouth.

Run - from The Secret Portal Part One (Gwen POV)

I heard Dr. Asghar and Dr. Moon run after me, but I didn’t stop. I had a good head start and was faster. I reached the vase I’d seen and gave a mental apology for knocking it over. Dr. Asghar swore loudly as I skidded around the corner and ran down that hall until I realized I reached a dead end. I whipped around but saw Dr. Asghar and Dr. Moon at the start of the hallway. I froze. “Where’d she go?” Dr. Asghar asked, panting. “I don’t know,” Dr. Moon said. He looked around. “She had to have turned here. Her powers must have activated.” I stood there in confusion. Looked behind me, looked back at them. What powers? How could they not see me? I decided not to think too much about it and be thankful that they couldn’t while trying to make my heavy breathing quiet down.

Screech Scream - from The Secret Portal Part One (Rose POV)

I was shaking, panting—I didn’t, couldn’t, break my gaze from the beast until I heard Robbie scream, “Hit me!” “What?!” Noelle asked. “Telekinetically throw me against the wall!” “I’ve only lifted a hair-tie!” “Then physically throw me!” “What?!”

Down - from The Secret Portal Part One (Ash POV)

“Um, where exactly, uh, do I go?” “Just on the other side of those trees,” he said, pointing. Wow, I could not place his accent. Vaguely East Asian, maybe European? How observant, Ash, great way to narrow it down. It's not like there’s 5 billion people you narrowed the world to. It was different than the girl’s, though, so that definitely didn’t help.

Drumming Drumsticks - from The Secret Portal Part One (Maddie POV)

Rose sighed and stood up, neglecting to brush the grass of her pants. “Well, wherever Lexi and Ash are, I think it has something to do with that rock.” “The rock?” Noelle said, not buying it. Rose slid her hands into the pockets of her jeans. “I mean, yeah. It’s buzzing, like the wall.” “I don’t hear any buzzing,” Noelle muttered. “Me neither,” I agreed. “I… don’t either,” said Kelsey. “Sorry, Rose.” Gwen cringed, now tapping the drumstick on her palm.

Far - from The Secret Portal Part One

William put down his tablet and rubbed his eyes beneath his glasses. He’d been working so late that it was now early. It was so quiet he could hear the snakefly behind him violently flapping its wings. He sighed, then reread the last paragraph he’d written: Replicating the negative energy density found in a chronokinetic’s rifts is no easy task. The level needed to connect one time to another is far greater than a Level-7 teleporter, but nowhere near the level in the portal that connects our reality to Ceteri, nor even a dimensiokinetic. If chronokinetics were less seldom, perhaps this task would be accessible.

Pale - from The Secret Portal Part One (Robbie POV)

“Alright,” I said. “Remember the way?” Akash shrugged. “Not really.” I sighed. “Fantastic.” “Dude, you’re the one who walked it!” “I didn’t think I’d have to memorize the path!” I sighed. I leaned Ariel against a nearby tree, freeing my arms to cross over my body. “Okay, let me think.” “You two lost?” I turned to see a pale, dark-haired teenager leaning against a nearby tree. “Last time somebody asked that question, we were kidnapped.”

Sever - from The Secret Portal Part One (Draft Four)

How far will you go for a friend? That’s the real question, isn’t it? What will it take to sever a friendship? If they make a mistake, will you believe that they will come back? Maybe wait. Maybe do what’s right for everyone, but deep down, you will still die for them.

Command(ed) - from The Secret Portal Part One (Lexi POV)

Spoon (twice!) - from The Secret Portal Part Two (Lexi POV)

“Oh, shoot, I forgot my planner.” I turned to see it still lying on the floor. I flicked my wrist slightly to teleport it in my hand. “You brought a planner to breakfast?” Tyler asked as he drank his orange juice. “It’s just how I manage my life,” I said. I opened it up on the table to show them the January schedule. “Wow, that’s really pretty,” said Carla. “I don’t need a planner, given my powers.” “Aw, yeah, I wish I could just stop time at my leisure,” I said as I closed the planner again. “I have a planner,” said Tyler. “It’s called here.” He pointed to his head. “Medina has one like yours, but it’s a little boring.” “One, you need to write things down in case you forget,” said Gabriel, pointing at Tyler with his spoon. “Two, I don’t see why a planner needs color.” “To organize different activities,” I answered. “Hm. Well, I guess mine is just schoolwork and my job.” “You have a job?” I asked, leaning forward. Gabriel nodded. “Construction job—perfect for terrakinetics. After school on the weekdays, I walk about fifteen minutes to a site—” “Wait, you live here full time?” I asked. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” “You’re fine, I don’t care. Yes, I live here full time.” I chose not to inquire any further, even though Gabriel didn’t seem that bothered by it. “After school, I do the homework that I need to get done, then I help the docs out.” “What do they need help with?” “Various things. Um, right now we’re sorting through the multiverse database to see if we can find Rosalinda.” “Oh, yes, that’s right.” “G,” Carla whispered. “I’m fine, Carla,” I said. “But thanks. It’s actually really cool that Gills is helping.” “Gills?” Gabriel sighed then continued eating. “You really have been spending way too much time with Stafford.” “When are you gonna accept it’s an actual genius nickname?” Tyler asked. “Then why don’t you use it?” “It’s too silly for you.” “Do you not like the nickname?” I asked. “We can stop using it.” “Unfortunately, Nakashima is right,” Gabriel muttered, spinning his cereal around with his spoon. “It’s a pretty clever nickname. It’s so stupid, it almost works.”

It's Gills because his initials are GLZ (surname not included)

Energy - from The Secret Portal Part One

William put down his tablet and rubbed his eyes beneath his glasses. He’d been working so late that it was now early. It was so quiet he could hear the snakefly behind him violently flapping its wings. He sighed, then reread the last paragraph he’d written: Replicating the negative energy density found in a chronokinetic’s rifts is no easy task. The level needed to connect one time to another is far greater than a Level-7 teleporter, but nowhere near the level in the portal that connects our reality to Ceteri, nor even a dimensiokinetic. If chronokinetics were less seldom born, perhaps this task would be accessible. William glanced at the chemicals bubbling in the flask on the table before him. As there hadn’t been a documented chronokinetic in a century, it was nearly impossible to replicate their powers considering the amount of negative pressure needed. He would have to work with what he had: a Level-7 teleporter’s DNA—not common, but much more so than a chronokinetic. Jumping through space required significantly less negative energy density than time jumping, so trying to get it up to what he desired was no easy feat.

Study - from The Secret Portal Part One (Ash POV)

I'm probably gonna change the "in a century" thing. Not sure what I'm gonna do but it feels wrong.

“Telepathy is an exception to the classification of powers. It and shapeshifting are the only two recorded to not have their sub-powers build off each other, but rather have them separate.” “Why are there so few sub-powers?” I prodded. “The mind doesn’t have a limit, therefore telepathy shouldn’t, either, right?” Carla waved her hand side-to-side as if to say eh, kinda. Aloud, she answered, “It’s been said that there have been cases of telepaths with more advanced powers, but there has only been one recorded case. Though some conspiracy theorists say there were more, but weren’t recorded, and that they went into hiding, locked themselves away, or maybe went insane.” “Insane?” I repeated. Carla fiddled with the ring hanging from the chain around her neck. “The mind can only stretch so far. If advanced telepaths did—or even do—exist, there would be no way they could function. Their minds aren’t able to communicate the information that they can comprehend. They end up lost in their own thoughts, unable to reach out to another being.” I fell silent. “Carla’s in an online holographic course in Telepathic Theory,” George said, breaking the silence. “All of that is just theory. Scientists who study the telepathic mind made a list of potential powers.” “Can powers develop?” I asked. “Of course,” said Carla. “Most Alii, in general, start at a lower Level, usually a Level-1, and most become more powerful. It depends on the person.” “So, you’re saying I have the potential to be a powerful telepath?” Carla laughed. “No, the odds are you’ll be able to read minds and that’s it. Maybe one sub-power.” “Oh.” My shoulders dropped. “Okay.”

Listen - from The Secret Portal Part One (Kelsey POV)

“Kelsey!” I heard a faint voice say. “Kelsey!” I opened my eyes, lifting my head against the strong wind. A small figure walked toward me, kneeling down beside me. “Kelsey, look at me,” Maddie said, grabbing my hands. Her long hair whipped around her body, out to me. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I clasped her hand. My neck was ticking uncontrollably, preventing me from meeting her eyes. “It’s gonna be okay,” she said, pulling me forward into a hug. I embraced her, shaking, twitching, sobbing. “Kelsey, listen. Remember yesterday when this happened? You made the mansion toxic. Remember?” I nodded. “I don’t want that in my house. But you need to get rid of this… weird darkness stuff instead of just making it explode. Can you do that?” I shook my head. “Just focus on me, ‘kay? Now, can you breathe? Slowly?” I did, inhaling and exhaling. “I think you can make this black smoke go away if you imagine sucking it all up. Or maybe it just needs to disappear. Can you do that? Imagine it. Maybe it’ll work.” I closed my eyes, imagining the darkness fading away until it disappeared. I imagined the air in the room was still at breathable levels. That the smoke nor wind didn’t affect anything around it. The wind stopped. The darkness went away. Still in Maddie’s arms, I opened my eyes. The room looked untouched.

Festival Celebration - from The Secret Portal Part One

The snakefly’s wings continued to rapidly beat together, then slowed as if stuck in treacle. It froze midair, dropping to the ground by the forces of gravity. William let out a sound that would have caused him to flush if anyone was around to witness as he abruptly shot out of his seat. He cleared his throat, though still vibrating from excitement, then called his wife on the comm. “Atsila! Atsila! I did it!” “What is it, Will? You coming early? Do I have to clean up all this mess in five minutes?” she joked in response to his jubilant celebration. “I’m not coming to bed, hon. I’m sorry.” “What—” “I’ve reached a breakthrough.” “Good to kn—” William turned off the comm and continued his work.

Brown - from The Secret Portal Part One (Gwen POV)

“I’m Liam Beaumont.” “Nice to meet you,” I said, then paused. “Wait, I was told you were the first recruited. How old are you?” “You were told about me?” “I gave a quick list of everyone,” Gabriel explained. “Oh. Well, I’m eighteen.” My mouth dropped unintentionally. Liam sighed, playing with the zipper on his light brown jacket but seeming to find it humorous. “I know, I look eleven. But, like, I’m five-seven and people still think that. It’s not like I’m super short like Tyler.” Tyler gave Liam a rude gesture.

Paint - from The Secret Portal Part One

“Whoa,” George said, gazing around. There were black and orange streamers and fake cobwebs everywhere and what appeared to be spiderpig webs on every other surface. The lights were dim and the sources of flickering light came from inside pumpkins with faces carved out of them. A couple tables were pushed against the wall with candy and punch. Spooky music played in the background, and George and Carla weren’t sure they liked how it made them feel, but it certainly fit the mood. Tyler walked up to them, his black hair slicked back and wearing fake pointy teeth. Red paint dripped down his chin. “Velcome to the party.”

Drag - from School of the Legends Year One

Tierney followed his brother with his hand outstretched, making extra sure to drag his feet on the carpet to keep up the static, even if it slowed his pace. Jarred turned a corner and made an “oof!” sound as he ran into Ritchie--both falling over, causing Tierney to trip over both of them and crash to the ground. “Agh! Blimey, Tierney, you have a lot of shock on you today,” Ritchie noted as Tierney brushed up against him. Jarred sat up and poked Ritchie. “Ack!” He jumped back. “You, too?” “Don’t look at me, I got it from him.” Ritchie gave Tierney’s shoulder a soft push and hissed a swear as he flinched his hand back. “Bloody, Tierney, are you a walking socks-on-the-carpet-during-winter?”

Dog - from The Secret Portal Part One (Lexi POV)

Ash leapt to her feet and ran to the door with me close behind. Ash banged and screamed to be let in until Carla Baxter opened the door. We rushed inside before she could say anything. Carla looked back outside as the dragon burst through the trees. I expected it to shoot fireballs at us, but instead, it sat down, like a dog. Carla laughed. She actually laughed.

Water - from The Secret Portal Part One (Lexi POV)

I stood back, hugging myself as Robbie knelt in front of Kelsey. He pressed his fingers to her temples, and Kelsey shuddered—maybe in relief. A soft maroon glow emanated from Robbie’s fingertips. The darkness beneath Kelsey’s skin began to fade, and it traveled up Robbie’s arms, that same menacing glow radiating beneath his skin. After a moment, he released his grip from Kelsey, who let out a sharp gasp, the light gone. Robbie stood, closing his eyes. The darkness now inside him turned into a bright maroon. “Shut your eyes!” he commanded. I obeyed, and through my eyelids, I could still see a sharp white light blaring. I squeezed my eyes tighter, though water still seeped out the edges. The light faded.

Gorgeous - from The Secret Portal Part Two (Rose POV)

CJ passed me the book, which I took, examining the color. It was gorgeous. I flipped through the book. The illustrator did a lot of work to show the information of what Brown was talking about. “Alex, you get The Theory of Wormhole-Based Powers by Raissa Kamanzi.” “Oh, I love her!” Alex snatched the book as my heart stopped at the name. “Raissa Kamanzi?” I asked. Alex nodded vigorously. “She’s this brilliant woman who dives deep into Alii power theory. She talks all about the science behind them and how they could potentially expand beyond what is known. My aunt would love her; she does similar things in her field. She also has tried to replicate some powers synthetically, which could help with equalizing Neutrum and Ceters.”

Hat - from The Secret Portal Part One (Akash POV)