Back to Square One

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Prelude

Robert had left the house for a walk. Ravi and Olalla were both sitting in the dining room, while Garson was preparing some tea for them in the kitchen. The blonde woman was holding a few cards from a solitaire game in front of her. She and Ravi had decided to practice his side. He was getting better at it, that was sure, but they still had not achieved perfection yet.

Olalla looked at the card before her. She could hear Ravi, shifting his weight on the chair, face crunched in concentration. "Clubs five?", he guessed. Olalla shook her head. "Try again", she whispered. "Clubs six." A short nod and the woman placed the card down, taking the next one.

"Hearts jack." Olalla flipped the card down. "Spades three." "Diamonds ace." "Clubs king." Down and down the cards went. "You are getting better", responded Olalla and placed the last card down. The Indian boy smiled. "I don't know", he admitted, "Whenever we train, the Sight feels much easier to me." She placed her hands on the table, crossing her fingers in one another. "How do you mean that?", asked the young Hyde.

Ravi squinted his eyes thoughtfully. "I do not know for sure", he said slowly, choosing his words carefully, "Whenever I use the Sight on someone, I...I become that person. I do not just see. I feel what they feel, I hear what they hear. I may not be able to read minds, but I still feel like I become them. And you..." The Indian boy sighted. "We have practiced a lot and your body language is more familiar to me now. Maybe that is a reason why it is so much easier."

They heard a sharp knock against the door. Garson scuffled out of the kitchen and called: "I check." For a brief moment they heard nothing. Then Garson made a sound like someone who attempted to shut the door before somebody's nose. "Stop it!", a familiar voice said, "Open that door! Now, Garson! Or I am gonna shoot yah."

That can't be good. Olalla and Ravi went into the lobby just in time to see Garson slowly move backwards. "Blimey, Silas", he grumbled, "Did you get up with the wrong foot in the morning?" The fat bandit was holding two pistols at him as he entered. "Shut up!", Silas declared. He was followed by two more bandits. They too directed their pistols at Olalla and Ravi.

"Hands up", commanded Silas and the pistols clicked. Garson stood between Olalla and Ravi, looking at them. What now?, his gaze seemed to ask. The young Hyde slowly lifted her hands and the others followed her example. We wait, Olalla signalized Garson. Her greyish blue eyes widened when Fedora entered the room.

The Eryins had crossed her arms. "Well, well", she mused, "This is an interesting reunion." She seemed to be about to reach for something in her pocket. Another gun. Olalla took a step forwards. "What do you want, Fedora?", she demanded to know.

"Olalla?", asked Ravi anxiously. "Garson", hissed Olalla under her breath, "Take Ravi and run the laboratory." The old man took the boy by his hand and stepped backwards. The bandits still held their pistols up. "Nobody moves!", shouted Silas, "I shoot!"

Fedora responded: "We came here because we are looking for somebody." "Well", snarled Olalla, "Bad luck for you. He is not here." And with these words she formed her hand into a fist and slammed it against Silas' jaw. He grunted in shock and stumbled backwards, falling over. "Run!", Olalla roared, looking at Ravi and Garson, as the bandits charged at her and she fought back.

They were only two, but they came from different sides. Olalla kicked the one in the front in the stomach and saw him slam against the wall by the door. The other one jumped from behind and wrapped his arms around her throat, trying to make her bend over. "Just, wait you", he snarled, "Dance will get you and your brother."

Olalla gagged and bent down. Stabbing her fingers in her opponent's stomach, he heard him grunt in pain. The young Hyde broke free and grabbed the bandit by his collar. "Sorry, sweetheart", she whispered and lifted him up, "What were you saying?"

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