Bounty Hunter

Chapter 20

My eyes flutter open and the first thing that encases my vision is Kai's worried face peering at me. The simulation has shut off and the chaotic scene has vanished. I find myself sitting upon the padded floor of Kai's gym. I thrust my hand upward to push him away. My palm presses against his cheek to force him away. The tingling sensation I'd experienced in the simulation has disappeared. However, a feeling of warmth lingers in my fingertips. I wiggle them experimentally. To my relief no lightning shoots forth. I look around in attempt to gain my bearings. "Are you okay?" he asks me concernedly.

"I'm fine, but where's Kahari?!" I ask franticly. The last image I can recall is of Kahari being stricken by lightning as he tumbled off the statue.

"Kahari is fine. He's with Gizmo. He told me what happened in the simulation. He said you displayed some type of electric power," Kai says. He trails off as if he wants me to explain further.

"I don't know what happened back there. All I know is that I've never done that before. I thought I'd killed Kahari," I add the last remark tentatively.

"You can't actually kill anyone in a simulation. But you managed to end the simulation without finishing the task. The simulation room is geared for accidents like that," Kai explains. "The training walls were able to absorb the impact," he continues. "I need you to try and recount what happened. Think about what you saw and how it felt," he suggests. He scoots himself closer to me.

"I just remember being really terrified. I guess even though it was a simulation I didn't want to die. Like when you're in a dream and you still fight even though you know none of it's real. Then all of a sudden I can feel this strange heat spreading through my body. Next thing I know, this bright blue electricity is shooting out of my hands. I've never done that before," I insist.

Kai glances down at his hands for a brief second. Then he looks up at me. "I think that you're able to conduct electricity. I've heard rumors about the Argentian. Some people say that they had certain powers. Conducting heat and electricity is one of them. You're only half Argentian though. So you probably only inherited certain traits."

"What if this happens again? What if I can't control it?" I ask.

"It will happen again. I'm going to train with you. If we practice, I think you'll be able to control the electricity," Kai says. I think about what he just said. I recall the fear that I felt when the aliens were all closing in on me. An image of Blue dragging me away flashes through my mind. The flashback reminds me of the constricted feeling of being tied up.

"Okay. Teach me how to control the electricity," I tell Kai. He offers a reassuring smile.

"I'm really glad you're okay," he admits. I return his unexpected show of kindness with a smile of my own.

"Aeleus!" I hear Kahari bark from above us.

"Is he referring to you?" I ask confused.

"That's his code name for me," Kai explains. I hurry after Kai as he runs upstairs. Gizmo sits beside Kahari who mans the ship.

"You need to sit down in the pilot seat," Kahari insists. Kai hustles over to exchange seats with Kahari. "You have your fake identification card right?" Kahari says in a low voice. Kai pulls out a slim neon blue card.

"What's going on?" I ask worriedly.

"The Superion officials are doing random ID checks," Kahari says grimly. "Just sit tight and keep quiet," Kahari instructs. I look outside the window to glean the situation. Zooming in and out of the traffic is a slim figure clad in a fitted black suit. Across her suit is a white emblem in the shape of antlers. Her hands are gloved in white fabric, and her face is concealed by an ivory helmet. I watch as she races past us. Before she disappears I'm able to examine her vehicle. The bike supporting her is extremely thin and painted with a matte black. Bright white lights flash from the bike's wheels and handles, in indication of authority. The bike's handles encircle the officer and curve around until they meet her hands. I exhale in relief as she passes, sinking into the seat.