Subject 15

CHAPTER 33 - Seth

I weakly landed on the top of our building, rolling and coming to a stop facedown, my wings dissipating. I turned to lie on my back, breathing deeply and slowly, trying to regain some energy. After a while, I sat up, crawling to the edge of the building, and looked out to the city. I was on the tall ruins of the Bank of America Plaza, moving to sit on the edge as the lights that were cars in the Outside buzzed around as morning turned to afternoon.

The Plaza tower was the tallest building in the Old Faction, but it paled in comparison to some of the monstrosities being constructed on the far reaches of the Outside. I went to the top of the Plaza sometimes just to sit and think, and on occasional rough nights to sleep. It was my quiet place, my spot of seclusion.

Until I saw her in the distance.

I bounded back off the ledge of the tower, landing on my feet and taking a few steps back. Raven, balls of fire in her hands, was blasting toward me, twin trails of white smoke following her and quickly dispersing into the atmosphere.

I stood stock still, barely comprehending what I was seeing.

Raven had abilities like me. All this time, she had had them.

Raven softly landed in front of me, quickly closing her hands into fists, extinguishing the fire. She stared at me for a moment, her brown eyes full of emotions, conflicting and battling, before looking down and sticking her hands in her pockets. Her hair fell about her face as she said softly, "Hi, Seth..."

I couldn't speak. I could barely breath. I only stared at her.

She looked up, willing, almost begging me to say something with the look in her eyes.

I whispered, "Who are you?"

Raven rubbed her neck nervously, giving a mysterious smile, and said, "I'm still the Raven you know."

I gave her a wary look, shaking my head as I said, "I don't know you... I never knew you.... Who are you?"

Raven bowed her head even lower, her chin almost touching her chest, as she said, "Subject 22."

I was stunned, and I couldn't speak. Raven said, "I'm so sorry, Seth... I didn't mean... I didn't want.... There was no other way... we needed you...."

"We?" I asked hesitantly, my blood beginning to boil.

She nodded, and said quietly, "Yeah.... We."

My eyes narrowed and I hissed, "You're working with them? With my hunters?"

Raven gave a small shrug and said, "Maybe," without looking at my eyes.

With inhuman speed I grabbed her, spinning her around and ramming her into the wall behind me, nearly roaring, "Don't play games with me! You lied to me! Who are you? What do you want?"

Raven quickly looked at me with her dark eyes, when they suddenly turned flaming orange. She disappeared in a plume of fire, and I felt a stab of agony in my side as Raven kicked me, sending me to the ground.

I quickly got up, and I beheld Raven staring at me, her legs firm on the roof in a defiant, fighting stance as she said, "I did it to protect you! You don't understand!"

I made the air around me condense, then suddenly release in a massive pulse that shook the roof, sending Raven flying near the edge with a grunt. I stalked over to her, my footfalls making the roof slightly shake as I hissed, "What don't I understand? That you are working for my enemies?"