Bounty Hunter

Chapter 13

Abruptly, his head shoots up and his eyes widen at me. "I'm a dunce!" he says sluggishly. A loud cackle erupts from my mouth at the unlikeliness of Kai mocking himself. "Okay you can return to your normal self now," I chuckle. "I'm a dunce," he repeats slowly. "Okay that's enough," I laugh nervously. "I'm a dunce," he says again. Damn it I think he's still hypnotized. We didn't talk about what to do after I hypnotize him. What if he stays in a permanent state of stupidity? "Return to your normal self," I say, but this time I stare into his eyes. My words drip out with syrupy allure. The foggy cloud dissipates from his eyes and he snaps back to reality.

He shakes his head and his shaggy hair shifts to and fro, lending him the appearance of a puppy shaking out droplets of water. He grabs me by the shoulders. "Holy crap! I seriously doubted your abilities, but you did it!" I shrug him off and cross my shoulders. "Hey! You're the one who told me I could do it!" "It's called positive reinforcement," he says. I scoff disbelievingly at him. "Look, I had to lie to you so you'd believe in yourself," he says defensively. "Well, thank you!" I say sarcastically. Gizmo bleeps urgently at Kai. "According to Gizmo, Blue is still circling the area surrounding the marketplace. If we leave now, we can make it to your parents' house, before he catches your scent again," Kai states. He rushes away and grabs his motorcycle.

"Hurry up!" he urges. "I'm coming!" I yell. He mounts the bike and guns the engine creating a purring sound that climbs to a roar. Gizmo's body lights up and he beeps excitedly. The lights envelop his body and he disappears. The motorcycle hurtles forward throwing me into Kai. Thank G-d I'm wearing a helmet. I squeeze him tightly as we race ahead. Kai kicks his foot down on the pedal and the wheels screech as they skid to a stop. "GO! GO! You have two minutes!" he presses. I leap from the bike and throw the helmet into Kai's hands. He parks the bike on the other side of the street and keeps the helmet on, to avoid arousing any suspicion from my parents. My pulse quickens and my stomach clenches with anxiety. I knock on the door with two sharp raps. "Who is it?!" I hear my mom calling. "It's May," I answer. My mom's eager smile greets me. "How was your day?" she asks inviting me in. Knowing I don't have the luxury to waste time I sit her down at the table. "Mom I need to talk to you and dad about something," I say hurriedly. "All right honey. Is everything okay?" she asks quizzically. "Yeah, it's just really important and it can't wait," I press. "Honey!!" my mother calls. My father joins us at the table and my parents eye me expectantly.

Making sure to lock our eyes I take a slow breath. I tune my ears in to the rhythmic beat of their hearts. Terror grips me at the notion that I could kill them if I screw up. My mind travels back to when I was a kid and my mother would sing me to sleep. With the knowledge of how her voice would always lull me with its soft lullaby I channel that voice. "Everything is going to be all right," I say with a slight lilt. Thump thump thump. The sound of blood coursing begins to slow with the sedation of my voice. "I'm just going to summer camp for a few months," I explain. "What?" my father manages to ask with a yawn. "It's just for a few months. You and mom are not going to worry about it. You're not going to ask any questions. It's all going to be fine," I answer dodging his question. Their eyelids drift shut and the thumping of their hearts take a pit stop at sleep central.

"Wake up!" I command. The glassy look shatters from their eyes and they reverse to their normal selves. "I'm just going to get my bag for camp!" I chirp. "All right honey!" my mother says. I run off to my bedroom and grab a bag pack. Franticly I rush about throwing underwear and socks into the bag. I throw a few essential clothing items into it and seize a couple of toiletries. Zipping the bag closed, I rush out the door to the dining room. Before I leave I grasp my parents tightly and peck them on the cheek. "I love you guys," I say firmly. "We love you too honey," they reply. As I run out the door they wave me good-bye as if nothing strange were happening. "Have a good time at camp!" they call. I wave them farewell and swallow the lump lodged in my throat. "I'll be back soon!" I say before shutting the door.

I run down the street to the neighbor's house where Kai awaits me. I pat my thigh feeling the outline of my gun. I run to the bike with my bag swaying to and fro. Kai's green eyes are ablaze with anger. "That was not two minutes!" He grabs my bicep pulling me onto the bike as if I were a weightless rag doll, and shoves the helmet on my head. The bike's rumble swallows my opportunity to protest. A sickly sweet smell akin to pollen wafts over me stinging my eyes. "What the hell is that?!" I sputter. "It's Atterian gas. This is the last of my supply. I was saving it for an emergency. Blue is five minutes away. The gas will cover our scent and give us enough time to escape before Blue can catch up to us," he shouts. The noxious scent tickles my nose stimulating a round of sneezes. "That's gross! You just sneezed on me!" Kai yells. "Get over it! This is entirely your fault!" I shout back. My statement rings true and silences any comeback Kai would have had.

The wind whipping against the back of my neck seems to calm my nerves. The tightness of my grip eases as I adjust to the bike's sensation. Soon the putridly sweet smell fades away and I can breathe again. I lose track of how long we've been driving and enjoy the scenery. We pass farms filled with sweeping fields of grass and cows grazing lazily. "Okay now's your opportunity for a bathroom stop," Kai says. I get off the bike and thrust my helmet at him in mock anger. I can't allow him to get too comfortable around me. He parks his bike and quietly whispers "watch the bike." I assume he's speaking to Gizmo. His arm causally swings with both helmets in hand. After I finish using the restroom I find him waiting outside the stall door. "What the hell?!" I shriek. "Why are you in the women's bathroom?!" "I'm keeping an eye on you. I can't risk you getting kidnapped again," he says rationally. "I'm sixteen I don't need a babysitter. Waiting outside of my stall is really creepy. I can use the bathroom for two seconds without being whisked away to Mars," I say enunciating my speech.

He gives me a look as if to protest but I jab my finger toward the door, motioning for him to leave. He rolls his neck resignedly and pushes the door open. I wash my hands then swing the door open hitting someone. A loud groan follows, "I'm so sorry!" I squeal looking at the crumpled body. "Kai?!" I ask vexed. "Get out of the store now. Just wait for me outside," I puff. "I'm leaving!" he says throwing his hands up in surrender. Finally, he leaves and goes to wait near the bike. I walk through the aisles of the Seven Eleven searching for something to eat. I grab a cup of fruit, a sandwich, and some water then quickly ring my items up. Politely, I accept the receipt and take my bag outside to meet Kai. As I'm about to leave the store something stops me.

I see Kai with a cheeky smile plastered on leaning against his sleek silver motorcycle. I cross my arms and peer through the glass, wanting to observe the scenario. A tall blonde strokes Kai's arm tossing her hair back in laughter. Her legs seem to go on for miles reminding me of how short I am. She's ridiculously tall. I mean she looks like a freaking giraffe. And why is her hair so blonde? She totally dyed it. What's up with all her bracelets? I hate fake hippies. And what the hell is up with that tattered white shirt? I can see her bra! Slut! Wait a minute? Why do I care? Oh my G-d. I'm jealous of her! These thoughts hurtle through my mind and I shake them off thoroughly appalled at myself. I shove the door open forcefully and stride over to Kai. A tiny beep emits from Gizmo and a perplexed look adorns the girl's face. "What was that?" she asks sounding confused. "Nothing!" he exclaims. His hand darts through the air to hit Gizmo's invisible body. Awkwardly he clears his throat, "So you said you're going on a yoga retreat?" he asks suggestively. I swing my bag onto Kai's bike and take an angry bite out of my sandwich. I know he sees me but he pretends not to notice me. "Um..hi?" the girl says waving at me. "Hello I'm Mayline, Karoo's sister," I say extending a hand.