The Enhanced Ones (paused)

Ch. 23 Faith

Sleeper grins down at us. His casual lean against the door frame belies the coiled muscles he has honed over his life. Beau and Mercy both stare wide eyed but not at Sleeper. I follow their gaze to see a tall red head standing behind Sleeper. Orelia.
"So you decided to leave your cave Ori." My voice bites the air, her pet name venom on my tongue. Her cold eyes barely glance at me. Sleeper is in control here. He crouches down before me.
"It is so good to see you Faith. I'm sure Celeste will be the happiest of all." He stands back up and snaps his fingers. Two standard guys walk in and begin trying to heft Beau. Their struggle gives testimony to the man's own corded body. While they are busy I look through the door with my senses. More Ori-Stone outside. We are in her catacombs. The thought shrinks my stomach. She didn't leave her cave, she brought us in.
"Don't struggle Beau. There's no fighting our way out of this." I say, my voice sounding strained.
He stops and allows the two men to haul him to his feet. I refrain from using my powers and instead roll to my knees then stand. Sleeper pulls Mercy up by her elbows. She groans but doesn't voice a complaint. Orelia is already working a new tunnel into being when we are thrust from the room. Sleeper grabs my elbow as well and steers us down the fresh tunnel. The only sound is the scuff of boots and soft soled shoes for some distance. We could be going anywhere, I tell myself. But I know theres only one place Orelia would lead us. To Mr. White.
What to do. An image of Violet's tab rushes into my mind. My senses search through all of my pockets. Where'd I put it? When I locate the tab in a leg pocket right before I squeeze it I pause. How can they help now? They have no idea what they do to people like us here. Sleeper jerks my arm pulling me from my thoughts. My pace picks up again. I glance over my shoulder at Beau. His proud head is held high, dark eyes searching. He sees me looking at him and winks. I turn my attention to Mercy on the other side if Sleeper. She still looks groggy her head occasionally lolling to one side.
I failed them. My heart pangs for a moment as I realize by trying to save one person I have destroyed four. My eyes close against the feelings. I clench my fists and feel my intangible abilities roil in my veins. I can't let this happen. I open my eyes again and know they are like darts.
"How much farther do we have to walk?" One of the men holding Beau asks in a whiney voice.
Sleeper ignores the man, but his grip on my arm tightens.
Orelia pauses ahead and waits for us to catch up with her. Her voice is flat when she says, "Wait here. There is another matter I must care for on his behalf." Then she melts into a wall leaving us in a tunnel.
Sleeper huffs as he stares at the spot Orelia was. I grin because everything just switched to my benefit.
With no way of signaling Beau and Mercy I just hope they take action with me. I drop to my knees. Sleeper still had a strong grip on my arm so I partially pull him down with me. He releases Mercy's arm in an attempt to put both hands on me. I lunge with a growl slamming my shoulder into his gut. His hold completely broken I cant let up until he is unconscious. I mentally grab his limbs and curl him into a ball in mid air. His eyes are wide and bulging, but he doesn't beg. I stare for a moment before I pull my arm back and punch him in the face so hard his head knocks back. When it lolls forward his eyes closed and relaxed. I lower him to the ground more gently than I should and swivel to check on Mercy and Beau. Mercy is no where in sight and Beau has both men in headlocks with arms that a body builder would be proud of.
Beau winks at me then drops the unconscious men to the ground. "What now?" He asks in that smooth voice of his.
"We need an exit." I send my senses out to the unconscious men. The two men lift off the ground to dangle like unplayed puppets. Which, in fact, is what they are. Beau steps back to bump into Mercy. She yelps and shoves his shoulder. I smirk at his shock. While Mercy soothes his nerves I refine my grip in the men. Their feet settle flat on the ground. I allow gravity to pull naturally at their bodies so that they don't appear lifted. Final touch: open, blinking eyes. The timing was always the most difficult to get right. I look away from the men to see Mercy and Beau staring in horror.
My core freezes as I see the same fear in their eyes as I used to see in the mirror. I don't bother trying to comfort them, this trick might not even work, but the chance it might is slipping away. Keeping the men in front of me, we three 'walk' back up the tunnel Orelia had made. If an exit is available then it would be that way.
"What about Sleeper?" Mercy's question is hesitant. I look over my shoulder to his crumpled form. In my mind runs all the way I could kill him. Brutally. But Sam's face and voice float about my mind reminding me that there are better ways.
"We bring him. Beau can you carry him and just punch him in the face any time he twitches."
Beau scowls but he picks up Sleeper's body and tosses him over his shoulder.