Planet X Vulcan

Chapter Xlll

Akira sat stone still in shock. She couldn't believe it. She didn't want to believe it. But she had to come out of her shock and face the situation. The store worker - her kidnapper - was still frozen with his foot raised in the air, and Kyle was on the floor, his flow of blood frozen and a look of pain on his face. Akira frantically untied her ropes and staggered to Kyle. She decided to try using her willpower again, to test if she was in a vivid dream or not. She concentrated, focusing her willpower on Kyle, willing time to start moving again in a bubble around him, but keeping everything else the same. She closed her eyes, and concentrated. Her brain felt like it was splitting, and her mind ached with pain. But she didn't stop. With a sudden tug in her gut, she felt a force push out of her and she opened her eyes to see Kyle moving again. Oh my gods. She was on the verge of panic, but she calmed herself. Kyle groaned and rolled onto his stomach, wheezing. She was taken aback, because she heard the worker say that the bullet was fixed with high enough voltage to cut his veins and kill him.

" How are you alive? " she whispered, momentarily forgetting her shock.

" You sound disappointed. " Kyle grumbled, wincing as he pulled the bullet out from his arm. It was bigger than a bullet, about half a foot long, and it was protruding from his arm. The blood had stopped, and he was somehow bearing the pain, but he stopped cold when he saw the worker, frozen.

" What the he- " he began.

" I- I don't know. It just happened. You owe me an explanation. What's wrong with me? Why didn't the bullet kill you? " she asked, frantic. Her mind was reeling with what she had done. She tried to believe it wasn't real, but seeing the guy stuck in place made it hard to believe.

" I can't tell you all that no- " Kyle began, still in wonder at the guy who had shot him. Disturbingly, he didn't seem scared or shocked.

" I DON'T CARE!! I am NOT moving until you spill it! I've been waiting for SO LONG for a god damned explanation and ALL I get is STUPID excuses! " she yelled, breaking down in tears. The last few days of pent up rage, fear and shock swelled out of her. Kyle looked at her, taken aback, but she couldn't care less.

" TELL ME! " she screamed. She didn't care that she was making a scene. Kyle caught her as she stumbled, and placed her gently on the floor. He was in pain, Akira could tell that.

" Just tell me. Please. " she whispered again, her voice hoarse.

" I am not supposed to tell you anything, Akira. Not until Zia comes back with the others. Once you know who you are, you become stronger. That attracts a lot of.....things. " he began.

" Spit it out. " she grumbled.

" You might not believe any of this, but it's true. "

" Go on. "

He gave a deep troubled sigh. " I'll start with the easiest question. Why didn't the voltage kill me? Because it can't. "

" What do yo- "

" I can show you. " he said. She nodded. He slowly put his arm forward, and opened his palm. He closed his eyes for a few seconds. Akira gasped. His veins - where they were supposed to be - stood out, shining a brilliant blue. Akira watched in amazement, not quite believing her eyes. She lifted a tender finger toward one of his veins, and she gently pressed down a finger. She tensed up as a small spark of current jolted her. She looked up at Kyle, who was watching her with a small smile.

" How is this pos-? " she began, but couldn't finish her sentence. She slumped back down on the floor, motioning him to continue his story.

He sat down in front of her, and looked her in the eyes.