The Powered People

Chapter 17

 "Aim a little higher!" Evian exclaimed. Robbie picked his rock back off the ground and concentrated even harder on it. Before he knew it, the rock was levitating an inch above his hand. Evian reached up high, and Robbie pelted the rock right at her. This time, the rock arched upwards and landed right in Evian's hand.

"Not bad, not bad at all," Evian muttered, tossing the rock right back to him. Evian smirked, glancing over at Nolan. She walked closer to Robbie and whispered for him to, "Throw the rock right at that kid."

Without hesitation, Robbie made the rock float over his head again and tossed it right at Nolan with all the force the kid could muster. It Nolan square in the back of the head, causing him to bend forward and shout, "Ow!"

Evian and Robbie burst out laughing as Nolan stomped towards them.

"Yeah, ha ha ha," he grumbled sarcastically, rubbing the back of his head. Tired, he leaned down to Robbie and told him, "Send out Toby, okay?"
Robbie nodded and skipped inside. Evian was still laughing over her prank on Nolan. He nudged her and told her, "Am I the butt of every one of your jokes?"

Inevitably, Evian giggled at that, too. But Nolan didn't have the time to reprimand her, as Toby marched right outside and glared at Nolan.

"Why is he here?" Toby asked.

"Because," Evian answered, vaguely.

"Does he have to be here?"

"Well, he could stay if he wants."

"But why?"

"Why are you asking?"

"Just...have me work on stuff 'er something."

"Actually," Evian turned to Nolan, "you actually have something to work on, too."

"And where am I supposed to do that?"

"My lake."

Nolan thought for a second, raising an eyebrow at her. Evian stepped closer and whispered, "If it makes Toby shut up and makes you better, it's probably worth it."

Nolan looked at Toby (who was still glaring), and back at Evian.

"Fine," Nolan sighed. Throwing his hood over his head and nodding goodbye to everyone who was outside.

"Good riddance," Toby mumbled.

"A little attitude there, I see," Evian responded. Before Nolan could here hear the rest of the response, he disappeared behind the brush and the bushes and made his way over to the lake. He hadn't walked to the lake, in quite a while. And to him, the whole forest looked pretty much the same. He'd twist and turn down the trail, only to find himself right back at the house.

At just about his fourth route over to the lake, he began to get just a bit sweatier. Leaves and brush stuck to his hands as he pushed it away. But he wiped the sweat from his brow and ignored it. For some reason, the more he walked, the hotter he got. He contemplated taking off the leaf coat altogether.

A few minutes later, she noted the strong smell of smoke. He stopped dead in his tracks. Bits of tiny red leaves began to whisk through the wind. Grey smoke started to plum from a layer of bushes and brush. Timidly (and I admit, a little stupidly), he pushed away the bush to reveal a wall of fire coating the trees.

Nolan turned right around and ran for his life. His feet stomped on everything in his path. He shoved away all hindrances as the smoke stung his eyes. He wandered aimlessly as he felt the heat built up behind him. Trees around him started to catch themselves, quickly engulfing in an orange glow. The leaves would burn up in a matter of seconds.