Powerless

V - Storm

They didn't quite react as I expected.

Domari jumped up, shouting "No! How dare you!"

My mother burst into tears and my father sighed: "Oh girl, what have you done...?"

I climbed on the bed to avoid Domari's feet, but at the same moment a storm of ice and rocks started to rage around me. I ducked and covered my head with my arms, waiting for the rocks to crush me, but they didn't come. When I looked up carefully, I saw Theo standing in front of me, calmly erasing whatever was fired at me.

"Everybody, stop it." he said. "This must be a misunderstanding."

Hands were lowered; people calmed down.

"Luci." Theo said, as he turned around. "I assume you realized what you just said was wrong?"

"I guess it is." I said. "It's strategically the best option though, whether you like it or not."

"We don't like it." the tall man said, rage and fear burning in his eyes. "We don't want it. It won't happen."

"Why?" I asked, or at least, I wanted to ask that, but Theo pushed his finger to my lips and said "Sssht." He glanced around, then held my shoulder in his hand, and gently pushed me towards the door.

Nobody spoke, everybody just stared at us silently. 

Theo opened the door. He looked back, glanced around again, then we went through the door. In the hall it was darker, fortunately. But I didn't even have time to sigh relieved, for I was pushed against the wall.

"You...!"

He took a few deep breaths, and his grip loosened.

"Listen. I know you don't want your brain messed with. But the way you act suggests you're a bounded Stormling."

"What..."

"Shut up!"

I did as he said.

"No time to explain." Theo said, breathing heavily. "I've seen your brain from the inside. I know you and I can convince them. But for heaven's sake! Stay quiet and don't question anything I say! Is that clear?"

I only nodded.