Planet X Vulcan

Chapter Xl

Akira was bored out of her mind. Two frikkin days! What was I thinking, running away like that?  Akira was intimidated to talk to Zia, so she didn't evevn bother asking questions. She never got an answer. When Cody was here, she passed the time a little, making small talk or forcing him to clean the house. She knew she crossed the limits yesterday night when he slammed his hand onto her mouth. Some part of her knew he wouldn't hurt her. For the time being though, she'd have to make do with a intimidating girl and a..... guy. Kyle gave her the chills, and whenever he was around she tried to drag Cody into another room. His presence just made her... jingly. Sure, he was tall, muscular, and had a really handsome haircut..... but still. So Akira just layed on the couch, feeling miserable. Zia had left that morning, to track down Cody and whoever the other guy they were looking for was. Kyle was in his room, changing. Akira had butterflies in her stomach at the thought of being alone with him. She was lost in her own thoughts, and she was startled when the bedroom door opened. Kyle came out, wearing some grey sweat pants and (thankfully) a black t-shirt. She sat up in her chair, looking at him. His muscular body was outlined perfectly in his new black shirt, making it very uncomfortable for her.

" Do you want to freshen up? " he asked, tilting his head.

" I don't have any clothes. Or a comb, or a- "

" Yeah, okay I get it. What do you say we go out and get you something? I need to go out and stock up on food anyway. " he said genuinely.

" You want to take me clothes shopping. In the Dump? " she said, her butterflies fluttering faster.

" Well, I know a store near the edge of the city, close to the rich. It's set up up by a merchant. "

" How do you know that? Seriously, I've been here my whole life. "

" You see, but don't observe. "

" True enough. I'm coming, wait for me. " she said, getting up to go to the bathroom. She went into Zia's bedroom, which had an attached bath. She stood in front of the mirror, and washed her face. She roughly combed her hair through with her fingers, and tied it in a high pony tail. After a few minutes, she emerged from the room, and went to join Kyle. He was waiting patiently for her, his money rolled up in his pocket.

" You shouldn't keep your money so visible, you know. We are in the Dump. " she said. He just shrugged, careless. Kyle helped her into the air duct, and followed behind.

" Why did you guys have to build an air duct like this. Was a door really that hard? " she panted as she crawled out of the sewer pipe, into fresh air. Wow, I haven't been outside in such a long time!   She relished the cool morning air of the Dump, and pulled herself out of the hole.

" Because, " Kyle said, pulling himself up,  " We didn't want anyone to find us, or for you to escape. "

Akira didn't answer.

" Where to Boss? " she asked instead.

" To the shop, To get you some clothes. "

Akira followed him through the Dump, looking around at the familiar shops and houses. Somehow, none of it felt real. A few days ago, she knew who she was and what she was doing. Now, she just didn't know anymore.

" What are you thinking about? " he asked, bumping her shoulder lightly. In that brief moment of contact, she felt a jolt down her spine, and current passed through her. She somehow could feel his emotions and thoughts. She felt his power and courage, and his gentle heart. She sensed his moments of grief and sorrow, she felt his pain. She shook her head and stepped back abruptly. What the hell?