One Tortured Soul

Chapter Twelve

"So... what can you do?" Kyle asked suddenly.

We were sitting around the small fire in what I know knew to be an abandoned warehouse a few miles out from the government facility. Kyle had explained to me how they settled there after some sort of shootout with the government. He told me how their group had been larger but they lost many in the scuffle.

"Huh?" I glanced up from the fire towards him.

"What's your..." he gestured with his hands, "ability?'

"Oh." I dropped my gaze back to the flickering flames. I noticed the others of the group were watching me with curious glances.

"Somehow I can make fire come from my hands." Wow, that sounds so much dumber out loud. And it wasn't even exactly true, because I didn't know how to do it. It just sorta happened.

"Well, I haven't heard that one before..." Kyle raised his eyebrows.

"What do you mean? Have you met others like me?" My attention was completely focused Kyle now, hoping he would reveal some important information.

Kyle looked at me like I had sprouted horns or something. "Uh, dude, we're all Aliums."

"Aliums? What in the world is that?"

Axel groaned. "You are. So is Kyle and Celest."

Kyle grinned sheepishly, "Oh sorry. I guess I forgot to mention that."

"Wait. So that's what the power thing is called?" I asked, trying to comprehend all that they were telling me.

"Not exactly..." Kyle said, "That's what we have been dubbed. Or, so to speak. I mean, I don't like the name, but somehow that's what we are called now. Don't ask me how it started or any of that because I don't know. But that's our name. The stupid Aliums. I think it's cooler to call us Als, but once again Axel thinks it is a stupid idea."

"And once again that's because it is," Axel muttered, butting in.

"Okay so let me get this straight: I am a part of a people called Aliums? And we all have these weird abilities?"

Kyle nodded. "Yeah, but I have no clue why or how. I don't know what makes us different, so don't bother asking."

"So... what can you do?" I rested my chin on my fist.

Kyle seemed all too willing to tell me and instantly perked up. "Metal. I can turn stuff to metal with my hands. Again, don't ask me how. I'm so over that question. But I can tell you that it feels wacky when I do it, even though I can't really control it."

"Wow. So everyone has different abilities then..." I mused more to myself than anyone else.

"Yeah, at least I think so. All the ones I've met have had different abilities. Take Celest here. She's got the ability to generate water from her hands. It's pretty sweet."

Celestia scoffed.

Kyle didn't pay her any mind. "Anyways, there are lots of different abilities, but it would take forever to list them all."

This was hard to take in. Everything I thought I understood was breaking beneath me. I didn't even feel human anymore.

I didn't say anything for a long while, feeling that silence was the most appropriate. The others seemed to feel that as well, remaining quiet and almost immobile.

A little while later as the fire was dying down to coals, a peculiar thumping sound echoed from outside the room. Instantly, all four heads snapped towards the door, including mine.

Axel jumped up from his seat without making a sound and slowly unsheathed a long hunting blade from his belt. The blade was black as night and blended right in with his dark clothing. He crept over to the door and perched at the side of it, listening.

Celeste didn't stand up, but I could see her nerves were on edge. Her fingers were tense and tight as well as her face. She was poised to jump up at the slightest moment.

Kyle on the other hand, was slightly shaking. Sweat dripped down his forehead and he hastily wiped it away with the back of his hand.

"What's going on?" I mouthed to him silently.

He looked over at me, but didn't respond, his eyes wide and apprehensive.

Then the door burst open.

Axel lunged as a person entered, tackling them to the ground. He wrestled with the person, causing Celest to jump up and run over there while Kyle stood back and watched with me. The person shouted and yelled some unintelligible words, but neither Axel or Celest stopped or backed off.

Both Celest and Axel managed to wrangle the person under control finally, and secure him to a broken down chair that was in the opposite corner of the room. He struggled against the ropes, still shouting.

"I'm on your side, fools! Let me go!"

Axel crossed his arms and replied calmly, "Do you expect me to just believe that?"

"I swear to you!" The guy answered, looking Axel in the eyes. I was able to get a good look at him now that he couldn't move from his spot. He was older, closer to my age, and had curly black hair that reached his ears. But that wasn't why he stuck out to me as unusual. It was the long, pale scar that ran the length of his face from his right eye to his chin. His face was turned in a scowl as he argued with Axel.

"Mmhm," Axel raised an eyebrow. "Then where's your proof?"

"I have a message from the FFA. They told me where to find you. Now untie me; I am not your enemy!"

Celest cut in, "How is that proof? Tell us the message and then we'll think about untying you."

The guy stopped struggling in his bonds and relaxed against the chair. "Okay," he relented. "I have proof. I was told to tell you that Cavler sent me. They said that would be evidence enough if you didn't believe me."

Celest snorted obnoxiously.

I sent a questioning glance over to Kyle, but he was focused on the scene before us.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Celest said skeptically. She grinned triumphantly. "Guess we get to do things our way. Right, Ax?"

Axel didn't answer.

Celest turned to look at him. "Axel? Helloo? Anyone in there?"

"Untie him," Axel ordered.

Here's an early update for you! I hope you enjoyed :) I wanted to get this update in early because of how understanding and amazing you guys have been! I appreciate all the support I have been getting for this story so much and I would not have gotten this far without all of you! Now, I have some big news to announce :)

You probably already noticed this if you are following me, but I just self published my first book which I wrote with a friend of mine! It is now available on Amazon.com and Kindle! If you would like to check it out, then go on over to my bio and you will find the direct link to the book through amazon.

Just wanted to share that with you all! Have a wonderful rest of your week :)

Ithildae