Consuming Fire

Chapter 31

"If you're wondering who the people with powers are," said Ella in a softer voice so only those at the table could hear, "It's them."

Zac followed her inclined head to a sofa in the back corner of the room that faced a smaller television than the main one. There was a girl sitting with her legs up on another boy's lap, twisting her thick hair around her fingers while he played an X-box with agro enthusiasm. From what Zac could see, they looked to be in their late twenties, with dark skin and heavy clothing as if they lived in the jungle.

"Who are they?"

"Zokani and Koko. Got here about six months ago when Chev found them online. They're from somewhere in Peru, but they look and act like they haven't been in civilization for ten years. We haven't had many Impossibles show up–"

"Many what?"

"Impossibles," said Ella with a smirk. "That's what we've called you guys."

"Since 'mutants' is already taken," Peetee said with a snicker.

Zac let the word ring in his mind, trying to see if it would stick. To be honest, he couldn't think of anything better.

"The Impossibles," he said slowly.

"Anyway," said Ella, "those Impossibles who are still out there must have heard rumors about you guys getting captured. People here tend to gossip a bit online."

"I'd say that's a good thing," said Zac. "If they're afraid, they'll be more careful."

"They don't know that they're pretty safe here," said Peetee. "But I guess Zokani and Koko were bored or something."

"What can they do?"

Peetee blew a long breath out of his nose and said, "Zokani can fly. I've only ever seen him do it once though. And Koko can turn invisible."

Zac nodded, impressed. They were extremely useful powers. Feeling more confident than he had all day, Zac decided to put on his big-boy pants and introduce himself.

As he stood up, they all looked at him frantically.

"Where are you going?" asked Dakota.

"To ... meet these guys."

Everyone at the table looked positively terrified and did not move from their seats. Zac almost laughed, except when he realized that half an hour ago, that was him sitting alone on an armchair too afraid to talk to strangers.

As Zac approached the back of the sofa, Koko looked up from her dreaded brown hair and gave him a death stare. Zac gave her a nervous wave and felt instantly like he was intruding on someone's territory.

"Heeey," he said lamely and Zokani paused the Xbox game, twisting in his seat. "I'm Zac. I thought I'd say hi to a couple of fellow Impossibles, so ... hi."

The two of them continued to glare.

Maybe they don't know what Impossibles are yet.

"So I hear you guys are from Peru? Was it hot there?"

Koko's smile tipped to the side and she and Zokani started to snicker, either at his naïve comment or his stupidity.

"Look," said Koko in a thick accent, "We're not here to make friends."

Her eyes were so intense that Zac felt color creep into his cheeks. "Uh, sorry. Just thought we should at least introduce ourselves. I've been locked up in a psychotic torture institution for most of my life, so making friends with people like me is kind of a big deal."

As Zac turned to walk away feeling more embarrassed than he had in a while, Zokani called him back.

"Wait."

"Zokani ..."

"Give him a break, Ko," Zokani scolded her. "He's been through more than we have."

The girl snorted and Zac gave her a sheepish shrug.

Then, Zokani held out his hand. "Pleased to meet you Zac."

Zac hesitantly shook the extended hand, noticing how tough his skin was. Some of the excitement built up again, but Zac had to restrain himself from prying and begging them to show him their powers. This wasn't the place for that.

"Well uh ... I guess I'll see you around?"

Zokani nodded and turned back to his game. Koko crossed her arms and avoided eye contact, but Zac was satisfied. Day one and I've already made friends with a bunch of geeks and two hostile natives with powers.

This place is awesome.