The Metal Children

03 The Silver Children

"Go straight upstairs."

"Don't tell me what to do, Ke-poop."

"You're welcome." Kerol raised his hand lightly to wave at Claire, from the driver's' seat he was sitting at, and watched her exit his convertible with a swift swing of the car door. The building that the car was parked in front of, is a corner lot of a three-storey shophouse lot. Over the heavily-tinted glass walls of the first floor is a gigantic signboard with the name 'Ham Sa Fitness Studio' in blue and green over a white, illuminated background. It was the only bright signboard at that late hour, out of the entire row of five shops. Across the street, several coffee shops and restaurants were still lively with customers and music.

Claire realized that Kerol had this certain gentlemen-like habit: every time Kerol sends her home, he would always wait until she had entered the building, and only then, he would leave. He would always do the same to Haru too, and he would sometimes remind them that the world isn't really a safe place. She knew he meant well, that he only wanted to protect them. Claire and Haru were just as lost when they arrived at South City of Sarcurs three years ago, and Kerol was the first friend they have made.

So she gave him a crooked smile, and waved, but as she stood there, something caught her eye from across the street - a figure of a teenage boy, walking in quite a fast pace with hands over one shoulder. He was wearing a beanie, now, and his bangs and sideburns were framing his face that it was hidden. But Claire had recognized the clothing from earlier - he was the Bender boy in the park.

She wanted to go after him, but she had to dismiss Kerol first, so she quickly pushed the heavy glass door of the gym and entered. The front-desk manager greeted her with a 'hey', but she didn't seem to have heard her. After about ten seconds or so, standing at the door, she exited the place, and tried to check whether Kerol was gone.

His car was already nowhere to be seen, and so was the Bender boy.

She ran across the road quickly, as soon as the road was clear, and began to walk through the row of coffee shops and restaurants. Her instincts told her that he have entered the back alley, since it would be impossible for him to enter a dining place filled with people, with blood pricking from the punctured skin of his arms.

The back alley was certainly quiet, and rather dark, with only dim light from the street. There was no one, but there were sounds of footsteps. Claire trusted her ears and her memory of the back alley - she had been here a few times for undesirable reasons - and began walking through the darkness. Haru is better at seismic sensing, she thought, as Haru mastered earthbending really well. She could only wait until she had reach one corner of the back alley.

Once she made sure she was out of the public's sight, she held one palm up and a small amount of fire ignited on her palm, illuminating the space that had surrounded her. Colourful graffitis on the walls became more apparent and the concrete pavement in front of her was clear - it was surprisingly, nearly-rubbish free.

There was a shadow of a man swaying at the further up of the back alley. She couldn't make out who the shadow had belonged to, but she was confident that he might be the Bender boy. Claire quickened her pace, but she saw a piece of broken earth flying towards her, the size of a tennis ball, perhaps. She bent down swiftly to evade it, but as soon as she did, another piece of earth hit her hard on the chest, and it sent her stumbling backwards. The fire on her palm diminished quickly.

"Ugh, you son of a-" Claire raised onto her feet and held her hands on both sides, palms upward with fire ignited on each palm, ready to fight. She had her feet planted firmly onto the ground. She was driven by more rage than curiosity now, but she tried to keep her calm and stay focused. From where her opponent is standing, figuring out his attacks could be a little tricky.