Science Fiction Multi-Feature Picture Show

Infliction Part 2: Queen of the Freaks

"And strike high, strike low, guard right, guard left. Roll!"

Shaz threw herself into a roll, finding the rhythm against the hard ground. She came up in a crouch, fists out, awaiting their instructors next drill call. Her muscles burned. Sweat dripped and stung her eyes. She liked these mind-numbing exercises, they distracted her from the endless cycle of her thoughts.

"And take a rest."

The others around her groaned. Most flopped to the floor in a graceless heap or laid out like starfish. Shaz stood, stretching her arms and legs, keeping her muscles loose.

"Girl, how can you keep moving like that," said Brody. His brown curls hung limp over his sweaty forehead. They brought him in the same time they brought her. He seemed friendly enough, but Shaz hadn't been able to relax since coming here. It was hard to make friends when her skinned hummed with the awareness of violence. Brody seemed harmless, but him, all of them, were here because they were killers.

The door opened. Agent Harrow strolled in, flanked by a man and a woman in pinstripe suits. The woman wore her hair in a severe bun, and carried a clipboard in her gloved hands. Harrow stopped in front of them, clapping his hands.

"Hello gang. Most of you have been here awhile now, two to three months. You've gotten a good feel of the routine." He clasped his hands in front of him, giving them a smile. There was genuine excitement in this one. Shaz perked up as the others rolled to their feet. "Today we are going to try something new. Agent Cresswell?" He stepped back, gesturing to the other man next to him.

"Right. Everyone pair up with a sparring partner. It is time to see what you got." Cresswell stepped up, arms folded over his chest.

Shaz approached the man, fighting the surge of panic creeping over her. "Sir, could I be excused from this exercise?" Cold gray eyes looked her over. Her stomach flip flopped under his scrutiny.

He turned away from her, pointing out another kid. "You, name?"

"Uh, Jake?" He looked nervously between Shaz and Cresswell.

"Jake, I want you to partner with Miss Faraj today."

He knew my name but not Jake's? Shaz wanted to run. She had been at the Center for nearly two months now and while the others had occasional outbursts, she'd been careful. None of her class mates knew what she could do.

"Bow to your partner and begin," said Agent Cresswell.

"Begin? Begin with what?" One of the girls complained, her purple streaked hair pinned up in pigtails.

"This is a sparring match. You are to show us what you have learned so far in your time here." Cresswell shot the other two agents a look. "Hold nothing back."

It was Brody who threw the first punch, cracking his partner's jaw as the others fell on each other. Shouts of anger and pain filled the room. Jake eyed Shaz warily, circling her.

"You gonna hit me or what?"

"I'd prefer not to," said Shaz, keeping her fists pressed against her thighs.

Jake glanced at the watching suits. The woman stared at them, scribbling notes on her clipboard. "Yeah well, I don't think that is what they are here to see."

"You don't have to do this. What, are you afraid you're not gonna grow into your big boy pants? They just want to see your powers. You don't need to fight me to do that." Shaz raised her hands, palms out and open. "Go find another-"

Jake launched at her, aiming right for her throat. She felt the press of his knuckles slipping along the column of her neck before he fell back, gasping for air.

The pairs on both sides of them faltered. Jake staggered, glaring at her as he clutched his bruised throat. "What the hell did you do to me, bitch?" Fire flashed through his eyes. The hairs rose on Shaz's arms. Real fire. His hair started to smoke.

"No, don't do this, don't!" Shaz shrieked a second before fire spewed from his hands, streaming over her, covering her. She felt the warmth flickering over her skin.

The girl with purple streaked hair burst into flames. Everyone fell away from her as she burned, shrieking in agony. Jake stood, shell shocked, flame still licking his fingertips.

The woman with the clipboard continued scribbling notes while Cresswell and Harrow looked on, their expressions impassive. Shaz ignored all of them, ripping off her training jacket as she rushed forward. She wrapped it around the girl, desperately trying to smother the flames.

"Help her!" She screamed. "Jake, turn it off!"

The idiot continued to stand there, oblivious. She glared at him, grabbing the girl's seared arm. Jake stumbled back with a gasp, a bubbling welt on his bicep.

"Interesting," remarked Agent Cresswell. "I think that is enough for today. Miss Faraj, if you could come with me?"

Shaz stared at him, incredulous. "She needs help, she's dying."

"Now, Miss Faraj. Miss Brett will get the help she needs from Agent Bantam." He nodded to the woman with the clipboard who clicked her pen shut and began to remove her gloves. Shaz swore a bitter expression flickered over Harrow's face, gone in an instant.

The other students backed away from her as she passed.

"Jeeze, girl, you really are queen of the freaks," said Brody. Shaz kept her eyes on the ground, wishing she could erase what it felt like to touch melting skin. She paused by Jake, fighting down a pulse of anger. She knew her abilities were volatile and dangerous, but those flames were too hot for a simple sparring match.

"You shot to kill," she said. She kept her voice low, only for him. Jake looked up at her, his expression bleak.

"I didn't mean it." His voice cracked as he spoke.

"The next time you feel like showing off--don't." Shaz followed the Agents from the room.