Kai

Chapter 5

"Kai? Hey, are you awake?" The shaking started then, and I felt my eyes open but they were heavy. It was like someone was holding the lids down.
I groaned in response and Michaela sighed, "Cal- he's not waking up," the worry in her voice was palpable and I felt as a cold hand touched my forehead.
There was worry in the gesture and then, I felt a crack on the cheek. My eyes shot open and I felt alert thanks to the adrenaline that was now in me. Cal smirked just as we heard a throat being cleared.
My head turned slowly, like my neck was stiff and couldn't move smoothly anymore. "Sir," Cal said standing straight from his crouched position he'd been in in front of me.
There, at the end of the hall, my gaze fell upon the Doc. He looked ruffled and like he'd moved in a hurry to get dressed and be here. His clothes were rumpled, he looked sleep worn, and irritated.
"Cal, Michaela, what are you two doing in the hallway? Mala- what's happened?" His voice sounded shocked to see me but even in my, apparently, drugged state I could tell something was off.
I leaned my head back and closed my eyes but Michaela squeezed my arm and dug her nails in. "Stay awake," she whispered to me and I felt my heart beat fast.
The Doc was in front of me now, he knelt down at eye level and his concerned grey eyes met mine. He peeled my eye open and stared at me questioningly, "what's happened to him," he asked taking my pulse.
Michaela stuttered and I groaned as the I was poked and prodded at my face and neck. My mind was muddled and I couldn't stand being awake. I wanted to sleep, damn it, and feel like I was out of pain.
Everything hurt right now, I felt tears steaming down my cheeks for no reason and heard the Doc's intake of breath. "He's- he's having a bad reaction to something. He didn't take anything, did he?"
There was shuffling down the hall now, and a cacophony of noise "he has had a very concentrated dose of CO2!" The voice was vaguely familiar but I couldn't place it. My stomach started to churn and I felt like I was going to be sick. My chest ached, and I felt a hand on my forehead again.
"I wouldn't be so close to him, Doc, he looks like he's going to-" just as she spoke I felt that sickening feeling again.
Before I knew it, I was throwing up anything in my stomach, I heard a disgusted sound and shuffling as someone moved back.
There was stifled chuckling and then a sarcastic, "maybe you should've been a bit out of range, hmm? Malachi, open your eyes for me."
There was gentle tapping on my cheek and I groaned again, "yep," Doris said with a sigh. She was so bubbly that even her sigh seemed almost happy.
"Carbon dioxide poisoning. I wonder how that happened, any ideas?" She asked feigning surprise looking around her. Michaela shrugged, Cal was helping the Doc- he didn't fail to glare at me- and Doris leaned back.
"Up ya go, Michaela help me," she stood and grabbed one arm from me while Michaela leaned down and got the other. She threw it over her shoulders, and stood slowly taking my weight with her.
"Cal, dear?" Doris called behind us, there was silence but she continued as if he'd answered anyways.
"Do be a doll and get that Handsome brother of yours to help us with taking him, we may be strong independent women but- he's heavy." She sagged slightly under my weight and I felt the nausea roll again.
Michaela made a groaning sound but I couldn't help but throw up whatever else was left in my stomach. "I'm sorry," I muttered to her but she shook her head grimacing but smiling up at me anyways.
"It's not your fault," Doris was replaced on my left by Cal who glowered at me but held tightly to me.
Once we got to the infirmary, Cal dropped me like a sack of potatoes and Michaela held tight. She made a sound as my weight dropped on her suddenly, "fuck, sorry." I muttered and she laughed.
"Hurry up, get him treated." With that, Cal went outside and Doris made a face at the door. "My my my, you have ALOT of things going on with you, don't you, young Kai?"
She asked amused and Michaela looked me over. "He's really bad, Doris, this wasn't an accident- that room he's in its-" she trailed off growling in frustration.
Doris raised a brow, "it's got a pipe system feeding his room with CO2 and other things to keep him sick or comatose? I know."
Doris spoke so calmly that I looked at her now, watching the lack of emotion in her eyes as she looked at me.
That's when I realized, "hey," I said groggily, getting both women's attention. I cleared my throat before I spoke again. "Why am I no longer hazy?"
It was true. My vision was clear, my mind was no longer slow and foggy feeling, and my body finally seemed to no longer be lethargic.
"Ah, finally, I was hoping it'd wear off soon." Doris said clapping her hands together and moving toward me. She didn't look as young as she had before when I'd first seen her but, she was still stunning. Her beauty was almost otherworldly.
"What the hell happened?" My head felt fuzzy and my chest ached but, other than that I felt surprisingly good. She smiled at me now and pat my shoulder rubbing it slightly before leaning back in her chair.
"You were nearly killed. Thankfully, Michaela was here to help- and Cal I guess- but you're very lucky to be alive, young man."
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut at her words. I looked to Michaela and she smiled softly at me, trying to comfort me but she didn't speak. She seemed distracted, and I shook my head slightly before leaning toward Doris. "Hmm?" She said not moving an inch but watching me patiently.
"What happened?" I asked slowly, trying to make sense of it all. "One minute Cal and Michaela were with me the next- I-i'm stumbling and falling around in my room. Michaela's banging at the door, I can barely make myself go and then I'm in the hallway barely able to keep my eyes open. Not to mention all the info they gave me," I say gesturing to Michaela with my chin, she pursed her lips and Doris just continued watching me.
She was studying me, sizing me up, weighing her options to see if I was worth the speech she'd have to give.
The room was silent as she looked me over, Michaela seemed to be taking more of a backseat approach now that Doris was here. "You, young man," she said snidely, "are lucky that Michaela was foolish enough to take a chance on you. She could've blown our whole cover- do you realize that?"
Her voice raised in anger and I couldn't help but flinch. I didn't look away from her, though. She was barely older than me- ok probably like twenty-five- I wasn't about to let her intimidate me. I sneered at her and she sighed looking at the counter beside her. Clearly, she wasn't threatened by me at all.
"I would've left you, to be honest, this mission can go on without you, despite what Cal thinks," she rolled her eyes and I looked to Michaela for confirmation.
She looked hurt, her mouth was open slightly and her eyes were pleading with Doris but the woman barely spared either of us a glance. "Alright, since you've been saved and informed by two reckless children," she muttered that under her breath, "I guess it's my job to now keep you alive. Lucky me," her voice was dripping in sarcasm as she looked me over and made a scoffing noise. "Your room has a direct line to two different types of gasses."
She spoke as though she were bored and wanted nothing more to do with this or me, what the hell is this lady's problem? I thought, watching her as she spoke, her body language was definitely that of someone bored.
She had one leg up on the chair the other was slightly turning her chair back and forth and she was looking at her phone. She didn't give a crap about me, she was only doing this because Cal and Michaela. To her I'm expendable, ouch. I couldn't help but feel a little pain at that, after all I've done she didn't think me useful enough to even put on a professional demeanor.
"Anyways," she said, having apparently gone through the schpeel she wanted to- shit, I missed it!
I opened my mouth for a question but the look she gave instantly silenced me. "Just- do whatever the 'Doctor'" she used air quotes and rolled her eyes at mention of him, "wants you to do like the good little lap dog you are."
Her words were cold and her tone like a slap to the face.
"We'll take care of things from here, got it?" I opened my mouth but the door opened and when I looked, I saw it was Cal. He seemed a little less aggravated by life and a bit more relaxed.
"Good, he seems to be functioning, what did you do?" His gaze scanned over me before going to Doris who yawned, I sensed his irritation sky rocket.
"Doris, come on I know you're annoyed you got sent here to babysit but- you could at least make it a little less obvious. Kai is useful-" she snorted at that and sat up before deciding to stand and jab me with a finger.
"You really believe this is useful? Jerome and young Malachi's father may think so but-" there was a crack in the room and I heard Doris grunt in pain.
"Enough," Cal said before dropping his hand to his side. Doris didn't look at him, her head hung low and her hair covered her face but her body shook with rage.
"I'm sorry for striking you," he said earnestly, "but you need to get your head on straight, stop using your power for this," he said gesturing vaguely to her and I frowned trying to figure out what he meant.
"When you do, you turn into a bitch- I'm tired of it. You're pissed because you couldn't go off and work on the thing you want to."
He sounded more like her superior than a kid yelling at an adult. I felt thankful for him speaking up for me.
"Suck it up, this mission is currently more important than that. understood?" My mouth dropped at that, why the hell was he speaking to her like he was her superior??? She's got at least a couple years on him. What shocked me more though, was the fact she nodded and agreed with him, Michaela seemed to be doing everything she could to avoid looking in that direction.
I decided it was time to break the ice, "ok, not sure what the hell all of that was about-" I said gesturing to the two of them.
"But, I want details. You guys obviously need me, so why?" Cal and Doris turned to me and I could see equal confusion on both of their faces, it was like they didn't realize I'd been there.
As Cal opened his mouth to answer, Michaela spoke up. "We need to figure out why the Doctor came back, he was gone. His office was completely empty- he had to of known something went amiss and had to come back."
Cal nodded to her and I could tell he was thinking about it when Doris spoke, "his daughter's the reason he came back."
The irritation and lack of respect was gone from her now and what was left was a seemingly quiet and polite woman.
She looked like she had aged a little, even. What the hell, I thought staring at her. Michaela nodded and Cal made a face, "that makes no sense, why would he come back if it was something with his kid?" Doris shook her head but looked to me again. When her eyes met mine, there was a softness there. She took my hand and started examining the left wrist and the tattoo that was there. "Ah-ha," she said quietly and held my arm up closer to her eyes.
"W-what's happening?" I asked Cal and he shrugged leaning against the counter, seemingly unconcerned.
"No idea. Whatever it is, I'm sure it's important," he didn't even look confused or perplexed at the fact she was staring intently at me. He and Michaela started speaking about something but it was way too much for me to follow. "We can't get it out yet," Doris announced and Michaela and Cal instantly stopped their conversation to crowd around me.
She held my arm out to show them the center of the Eagle there was a darker patch on the chest but I was told it was because I had a birthmark that they'd gone over so it was going to be discolored.
I made a face as she pinched the skin between her long nails but didn't make a sound, not until I felt the skin move under her grip. I yanked my arm back and held it to my chest so fast.
Doris chuckled and Cal frowned, "shit, he does have a tracker- points to Jerome for thinking of it." Michaela was making a face but quickly dropped it, clearing her throat when the door opened.
Doris smiled at the man in the doorway but he was looking directly at me, "Malachi- are you feeling better? You seem to be standing on your own now, that's certainly a good sign." I nodded unsure of what else to do, and Cal went instantly to attention.
His indifferent mask slid off and made room for his disgusted one. He aimed it at me and I sighed, "I'm ok- thanks for checking on me," my voice was low, like a child's who'd needed comforting and I hated it.
It seemed to work in my favor though, because the Doc just smiled and nodded in understanding. "Good, come." His voice was stern and I shuffled to him quickly not looking back to the three of them in the room.
"Cal," he called without looking back. "Do me a favor, and take the day off."
"You've been working like a mad man. Next thing we know you'll get sick like poor Ryan," he called over his shoulder and I stiffened in his grip. When he looked down at me, I couldn't help but look away from him and he chuckled squeezing my shoulder softly, "can't have that now, can we?"
With that, the door shut behind us signaling we were alone and we walked down the hall from the infirmary to the elevators. "I have a special one for you today, you think you can handle it?" His voice was pitched up and I could tell he was excited, I nodded uncertainly and he chuckled clearly enjoying our time.
We rode the elevator in silence , it wasn't awkward though it was more comfortable. "I'm sorry for what you woke up to today, that would terrify me. Not knowing who or where I was, people yelling at me?" He shuddered and I smiled, feeling lulled by his company.
"It was pretty crazy, I'm honestly not really sure what happened. One second I was getting ready for bed the next- Cal is yelling at me in the hall."
I sighed and stayed quiet reflecting on the morning?
I'd had, the Doc just nodded smiling and shaking his head clearly enjoying the confusion I had. "If it weren't for Micki needing something from me- I don't know what would've happened." I chewed my lip wondering if I'd said too much but he seemed happy.
"Ah yes, the samples she'd taken from you seemed to be contaminated she needed new blood to work with, but how did she know?" He paused and made a thinking face, "you can't really smell CO2."
He made a face and I shrugged. "Honestly?" I said looking up at him, his eyes were studying mine. He was cold and calculated as he studied mine, I dropped my gaze and felt a shiver wanting to run down my spine.
I blew out a breath of air instead and rubbed at my arm absently and he seemed to get the hint and looked away. "I think it was luck," I say after a moment and he makes a humming sound, "she had no way of knowing anything, but as soon as I stumbled to the door- she took action. I'm glad she came honestly," I trailed off in fear of giving away too much to him in my voice.
He didn't say anything, only pat my shoulder calmly and that's when the elevator dinged, "ah," he said pleasantly. "This old thing seems to be taking more and more time, have you noticed that?"
He asked and I nodded once, that ride did seem a bit long, I wonder if that was intentional... "Cal will escort you to a new room when we're done down here, so that your old one can be investigated. Now then," he said and opened the door for me to step through, something felt off today.
I mean of course the fact I'd almost died this morning was putting a damper on things but- it was something else.
He seemed a bit more on edge, something wasn't right. Something had gone wrong and he wasn't happy. He motioned for me to stand in my spot and once I did, he pressed a button on the pad on the wall.
There was a beeping sound and an alarm that sounded through the place signaling people were being let in. I took a deep breath and grit my teeth at the invasive noise. Once it stopped, I let out a sigh of relief. Loud sounds really bothered me, not a lot of people know about my being easily upset by things- I hide it- but the Doc did. He gave me an apologetic look and I nodded in understanding.
That was before I saw who was being walked in, my breathing stopped as I faced them. This is a joke, it has to be. No way we're doing this, I turned to the Doc in confusion but to my horror he nodded for me to continue like nothing was amiss.
My stomach churned as I looked at the familiar faces before me. They were scared, that much was clear, there were some I didn't know but that was beside the point. There was a kid with light brown hair that had some green in it, he looked like a typical boy-next-door type.
Beside him was a man who looked to be the kids father, they had the same face almost, just one was older one was younger. The man was in a police officers uniform and looked absolutely haggard.
Beside them, was a girl who looked practically feral, she had blond hair that was knotted and looked like a rats nest on her head. Her skin was pale against her dark clothes, and her eyes were the brightest blue I'd ever seen.
They would be stunning, if they weren't currently glaring at me in a murderous fashion. I could practically see the murder in her eyes now. Beside her was another girl, she was small compared to the first girl. Her hair was a weird combo of red and brown, I wish mine was like that I thought pettily for a moment. Her face was heart shaped and she refused to meet my eyes.
Finally, next to them was Cal, Michaela, and Doris.
My mouth went dry when I saw them and I turned to the Doc in silence but he just stared out before us. Cal was doing his best to stand away from the others while Michaela looked like she was doing her best not to be scared and possibly cry.
Doris, she just stared at me. I could feel her eyes boring into me even when I didn't meet her stare. It was terrifying. "I- I don't understand," my voice shook as I spoke and I mentally slapped myself, do not let him see you weak! The Doc stepped beside me now and I felt his comforting presence instantly.
He was working hard to not come off as intimidating. "I know it's hard, Malachi, but I need you to look at them and tell me the truth. Someone has powers here, I need to know who, can you do that?"
His gaze was heavy as he watched me, it was clear that I too was under investigation. Every move I made from the second we left that room, was pre planned by them and watched.
I felt sick to my stomach. How can I do this? He can't expect me to do this to Micki, Cal and Doris are I mean- no.
I stopped my panicked thoughts, all or nothing. You're all together or you're all enemies. Nothing more. Nothing less.
I took a deep breath then, play the game. I heard Cal's advice in my mind and decided to follow it. I forced myself to be calm.
I had to sell this, if we are going to be getting out of here. I nodded slowly and the Doc smiled down at me, "good boy," he ruffled my hair and I felt the urge to shiver again.
A chill went down my spine like something trailing their ice cold fingers directly down my spine.
I looked back out at the group before me and took a deep breath. I touched the base of my power and just as I was about to let it slip from me and cover them I heard it.
Michaela's voice. I stopped what I was doing and stared ahead as I listened to what she said, completely enraptured. Her head was down and she looked like she was crying.
Her shoulders shook with sobs, Cal stared straight ahead blankly holding a soldiers stance, and Doris- she was poking at the others in the room.
Kai, don't freak out, he'll notice. Her voice spoke so clearly in my mind it was as if she were right beside me.
I bit my lip fractionally trying to stay within reason of my emotions. You can't name me, Cal, or Doris, do you understand me?
My heart dropped at the unspoken meaning that was there. In order to save the three of them, I had to sell out everyone else. We'll save anyone you name here but you can't name us, ok? I flicked my gaze to Michaela but she was looking down at the ground, not at me. It was clear she was shaking slightly, and tears were falling from her cheeks to the floor.
I swallowed and nodded once before trying again, "something the matter, son?" The Doc asked in concern and I sighed, trying to figure out how to politely say fuck off.
"I apologize, it's just- it takes a second what with being stirred up from this morning, I've never felt like this before." He nodded in understanding and I felt the comforting presence from him once again.
I used my power and felt as it washed over the group and instantly had to force myself not to suck in my breath. I hadn't felt something like this in a while. Not since I'd first started using my gift. It was an overwhelming feeling of power. Most everyone in this group had some sort of power, it was almost sickening how it felt having them all rush to me.
I blew out my breath and let go of the power and as I did, I sagged. The Doc caught me and I nodded in thanks, two new guards came in then and as they spoke to the Doc I looked at the group before me. I saw that all except the boy were looking at me.
The looks on their faces all contained intense emotion that went from one extreme to the other. There was a range that went from pure, unfiltered rage all the way to heartbroken sadness.
Then there were those like the heart- shaped face girl who were just.... numb. Her face showed no emotion, she looked completely blank, her eyes didn't focus on any one thing either. She just stared out, blankly waiting for what would come of this situation.
The only one who didn't seem to have anything in this group was the older man next to the boy. He seemed just like an ordinary police officer, I looked and tried to see where he was from but came up with nothing.
It wasn't until he dropped his head down and started praying that I saw the front of his cap, it said LEPD. It meant nothing to me, but I felt the tension in the Doc as he saw the letters. Ok, I thought quickly trying to listen to what Michaela had said. So I probably shouldn't mark them- or at least the kid. I can't say Doris, Cal, or Micki, either.
I looked back at the group and sighed, closing my eyes knowing I had no other choice but to name the two girls. It made me feel sick now that I knew what really became of them- well I didn't actually know what happened but I got the idea. I cleared my throat and the Doc focused on me, moving the guards out of the way to get close to me.
I turned my head to the side and whispered to him quietly, "it's the girls in the middle. They both have some dark vibes to them that's why I had to pause. I've never felt anything like it."
It wasn't a lie- I'd definitely never sensed anything like what I was getting from the two of them.
Though, it wasn't the reason I sagged like I did. That was due to guilt and the overwhelming feeling I got from sensing power in near everyone of them.
But- he didn't need to know that minor detail. The Doc eyed me for a moment before nodding and the two guards moved for the girls in the middle. The taller one brought her sharp gaze to me and I felt a shiver go down my spine as she started mumbling something under her breath. The guards had uncuffed Cal and he instantly slapped his hand over her mouth and used his shirt to cover the girls eyes.
He tied it in place and nodded to the other guards who shook their heads at his antics but the Doc seemed impressed by him. "That ones pretty sharp, eh? I'm glad he's not one, I'd hate to lose him." I nodded and he turned to head out the door, when I didn't follow, he looked back at me in confusion. "Are you coming, Malachi?"
"Oh, I didn't know we were done," I muttered lamely and he raised a brow. "Uh, y-yes sir." I scurried to his side and he made an almost pleased sound.
I felt my stomach dip at that but kept my face neutral. "You did well in there. I could see the shock at seeing Michaela and the others in the lineup," he sounded almost apologetic. It was odd to hear but I had to fight the sense of relaxation that was coming through.
I wanted to relax with him like I had before, but I knew that wasn't possible.
When he continued, I jumped slightly, "but I also saw your determination shine through." He smiled down at me and I couldn't help the awkward half smile that played on my lips. I hated it, but I was glad I'd somehow pleased him. "I knew I could count on you," he said as we made our way out. Just before we got to the elevator, though, someone called him. "Yoo-hoo!" I forced myself not to smile as I knew who exactly it was.
When we turned around, sure enough, there was Doris flagging us down with poor Micki in tow. "Mr. Yamada, wait up!" He flinched at that and I felt shock- that's his name!?- "goodness," she said when she'd reached us.
"I didn't think I'd catch you two." She sounded winded and Micki stopped just behind her keeping her head down.
"Doris," he answered, his voice sounded hard now, that calm joy he'd shared with me was gone. In its place was a stern, no-nonsense coldness.
"We never got the vials of blood we need, care to lend us your right hand for just a moment?"
She smiled brightly at him and he made a disgusted noise, "shouldn't you-" he paused sighing in annoyance and squeezed the bridge of his nose.
"Yes, fine, take him." His voice was edged with irritation that he could barely hide. After a moment he turned to me and I just stared blankly. "Malachi I'll need to see you later when they're done. Understood?"
I nodded and he turned and walked away from me without a second glance. "Yikes, forever, who spit in his breakfast?" Doris asked and I raised a brow at her but she shrugged in answer to her own question. "Come," she said and motioned me to follow her.
Micki and I were together behind Doris as she wound her way through the hotel and we stayed mostly silent. It was clear each of us was thinking over what had just happened. I wasn't even paying attention where we were going, it wasn't until I heard the alarm sounding that I stopped in my tracks.
Doris sighed and looked to the ceiling in annoyance, "that man is ever-proficient in his knowledge, Michaela," she called and like magic, Micki was at her side. "We need to split for now, you two go that way-," she said before she took off down the way we'd been going and Micki made a sound of annoyance before turning to me, "we gotta go."
I stopped and stared at her in confusion not understanding what was happening. She held her hand out to me and I looked at her in confusion, "Doris was never supposed to be here." She explained, "so we can't be seen with her." I frowned at that.
"She just picked me up from the Doc, isn't it going to be weird if we're not with her?" I turned to see Doris was already long gone.
She took off down the opposite way from what Doris had taken. I followed her but we were stopped near instantly by two guards. They tackled us and pinned us to the ground. I couldn't help but cry out in pain as my arm was drug across my back, and they laughed.
I was effectively chicken winged now, and couldn't move much more than a wiggle. The full weight of my attacker pressed me to the ground and I groaned.
"Where's the old woman?" They demanded from us but I didn't know what to say. Micki choked out an answer and like that, they were hauling us to our feet. My arm ached but it wasn't broke- thankfully.
They man-handled us down the hall and when I recognized where we were, they let us go. "In your room, now." One barked and I nodded going into instinct submissive mode and doing what they wanted so as not to be hurt.
Michaela glared at them but stayed quiet, as we walked down the corridor to my room. I could hear them talking behind us.
"Can you believe this one?" They laughed and I felt my skin prickle as they did. Michaela went rigid, she tried starting a conversation to drown them out but it was like they wanted to be heard.
It was the same two that had come and spoke to the Doc.
One had tattoos up and down his arms and short brown hair he kept under a hat. He was fit and definitely had muscle, he scared me a little to be honest.
I never really saw him without the other guy. They traveled together and were pretty inseparable. They were also incredibly cruel. They took joy in playing mind games with those that were found to have powers and completely destroyed the way the people thought.
It was disgusting.
The other guy, he had sandy brown hair and wasn't quite as built as the first guy. He had a few tattoos but again, not as many as the first. Their names were Chuck and Harold. I'd heard about them and seen them once in person.
That one time had been more than enough for me then, and it certainly was now. "Right?" the second- Harold- asked laughing along with Chuck.
They nudged me so I moved faster and I grit my teeth. What is their problem?? "Come on, princess, we don't have all day to baby your candied ass." Chuck said and there was venom in his voice as he spoke.
He shoved me again, and as he did Harold laughed, "thinks he's better than us, see that?" He said and Michaela was shoved too.
"Hey!" I yelled turning around and Chuck stopped, he and Harold both looked amused. "I'm waiting," he said condescendingly looking from me to Micki.
She tugged on my arm to keep going but I couldn't, these guys were assholes and they needed to knock their bullshit off. "Enough, I don't think I'm better than anyone, now stop being dicks."
Harold stopped laughing and got up close and in my face. "What did you say to me, you little shit?" I held my ground and didn't back away even when Micki muttered a "Kai, lets go" and tugged on me.
"I said, eno-" I didn't finish though. I suddenly felt my teeth snap shut and a ringing in my ears as I fell back from his fist. I sat there shocked, staring up at him while he and Chuck laughed at me.
"What a joke," Chuck said looking down at me with pity, " you're pathetic. You think you're helping freaks like yourself but you have to know you're not, right?" I rubbed my jaw and Micki leaned down to help but Chuck grabbed her, effectively stopping her.
"Hey!" She yelled but he had her around the waist holding her to him.
"No no, sweetness," he breathed and I watched that smile grow on his lips. He liked intimidating people. It was what he got off on, both him and Harold.
It was sickening watching him hold her. "Don't get too close," he said contradictory, "you'll catch his stupidity." She growled at him but he held firm.
I shot to my feet, but Harold was there waiting to punch again, "there it is again, you think you're better than us! What, she can't hang out with her own, normal, kind?"
I wanted to punch him so badly it hurt, they were so condescending and I knew he was hurting Micki. "What is your problem!?" I couldn't hold it in anymore I practically screamed it at them and they both laughed at me.
I felt their joy at watching me get angry, I was trying not to but it was hard. When they finally spoke, it was Chuck who answered.
"You really don't get it, do you?" He asked, dropping Micki to the ground and leaned on Harold, "ohh my god, he's serious!"
They both dissolved into another fit of laughter at my expense. Micki growled and I suddenly stood and swung my arm, I was no where near them but they fell as though I'd made contact. What? I thought looking at my own hand.
The look they gave me was murderous. I spluttered but wasn't able to get anything out because Harold grabbed me and Chuck punched just as he held me in front of him.
"You're so stupid," Chuck growled out again and I groaned as his fist connected with my stomach. The air was knocked out of me and Harold held my arms just under the pits so they were utterly useless.
"You're the reason testing places like this exist, everyone you save?" He asked holding me by my shirt, my face hurt, my stomach hurt, and my pride hurt. I didn't want Micki to see this. Knowing she was seeing me get my ass handed to me hurt.
I was surprised as I felt anger welling in me. Ok, maybe not surprised by it, but I was surprised by the level of anger.
Normally I was calm, but this- this was nothing I'd ever felt before.
Chuck didn't seem to notice my impending explosion as he just continued belittling me. "You're the one that turns them in, they're downstairs locked in cages. Where they belong. Because. Of. You."
He punctuated each word with a punch to my chest or gut. The wind was taken from me again and as I wheezed in my breath, I couldn't hold the anger back anymore.
I reached to my power and seized it, I felt as it blasted out from me and straight to them. The shock on Chuck's face and the gasp from Harold told me this was the last thing they'd expected from me.
The look of almost fear in Chuck's eyes when I didn't relent was what egged me on. I could feel the silence as it shaped around me, but it was like my sight became laser focused. I could see everything.
I felt as blood ran down my nose as it was bleeding but I didn't let up, I wanted these two to know the pain they gave to me and all the others.
I wanted them to suffer.
It wasn't until I felt a tug at my arm and heard Micki's scream that I stopped.
When I did, I felt the fight leave me completely and I made an "oof," sound as I went down to my knees.
The energy I'd had was completely drained from my body now. The world spun, and I felt like I was falling into an empty abyss.

**************************

"Hey, hey, wake up Kai. We don't have time for this," there was a gentle slapping to my cheek as someone tried to wake me but I groaned. "Oh thank God, he's awake." I opened my eyes and saw Micki leaning over me.
She had worry in her eyes as she looked me over and I smiled to her softly. "You ok, Micki?" I asked and she rolled her eyes before leaning up and off of me.
"You went out," she said gesturing to me and I groaned, "I was worried you'd have a concussion." I nodded in understanding and sat up, my head ached pretty badly but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle.
I looked beyond her to see two people on the ground still. I sighed in annoyance at seeing them but Micki pulled my sleeve and shook her head when I looked at her in confusion.
"They're- not a problem anymore." Her voice was soft and it took me a moment to understand what she meant. "They're dead, Kai." I turned from them to her and stared questioningly, her gaze searched mine and eventually, she just silently nodded.
I pursed my lips before looking to them again but she shook her head, "trust me. You're better off not seeing it, I-" I yanked my arm from her grasp and stood before shakily walking to the bodies. The two men were the same as they'd been, only instead of anger in their eyes there was-nothing. Their stares were blank, staring at nothing, and clouded, the skin paled and had an almost blue hue to it.
Their bodies laid stiff and looked almost as if they were lounging. Almost. It wasn't until I looked to their ears that I saw it. A trickle of blood coming from their ears and going down their cheek.
My stomach lurched at the realization that I did this. I took a deep breath and sighed, "I need to control my power more. So this doesn't happen again," I spoke lowly and Michaela came to kneel beside me. Her hand came up to my shoulder and she leaned into me.
"They were awful people," she said softly and I looked at her sharply. "They hurt you and anyone they came across for fun. I'm not saying they deserved this, but-" she shrugged slightly unsure what to say. I chuckled and tilted my head to look at her.
We sat silent for a moment before I stood. "We can't just be here with their bodies, we have to go."
Micki nodded and stood almost immediately, and we walked down the rest of the way to my room. It was right as we got to the door that it clicked, "Michaela we can-" a loud alarm rang once again through the hall just then and I clamped my hands over my ears.
"What is that!?" I yelled to Michaela who had also covered her ears. She shook her head in answer and motioned for me to follow her. We ran back toward where Chuck and Harold laid and I grimaced. The high pitched, shrill, ringing was piercing through my skull and I groaned loudly as it did.
We were at the elevators now, but just as it dinged, we felt hands yanking us back and through the door to the stairwell. There was yelling behind us and a hand clamped over my mouth.
"You guys alright?" The alarm was quieter in the stairwell, but still blaring. I tilted my head to my right to see who had helped us. "Cal?" I asked through his hand and he nodded. "We can't stay here long, oh- sorry," he said and released both Michaela and I.
"Doris tripped security. We gotta go, but I can't leave Ryan."
Michaela scoffed and I ran a hand through my hair in irritation, "tell me how." His eyes shot up to meet mine and I saw a small amount of hope there.
It was squashed by Michaela, "Cal, we can't-" I sighed, her tone wasn't cruel but there was no room for arguing.
I grimaced before conceding, "you're right."
I looked at the door and groaned as I could hear footsteps and people running, orders being given, before I turned back to the two of them.
The decision was made before I'd even realized, as they silently met my eyes"ok." I said resigned. "Tell me what I need to do, I'll get him. This is my fault. My responsibility. Let me do this, let me help you guys."