Renegade

Chapter thirty-three

The next few days were spent adjusting to their new lives. Makoto and Amanda had been given a tent each, which they had set up next to one another. It was the most privacy they'd been allowed since running away.

In exchange, they had then been asked to participate in the upkeep of the camp. Society taught every child that using their abilities beyond the need for basic mastery was dangerous. As such, it took most people a long time to get accustomed to wielding them freely, which was also the case for Makoto and Amanda. But like everyone else, they got used to it.

Everybody was assigned a task that most suited their ability. Those with hydrokinetic powers washed clothes, while those with aerokinesis dried them. The more powerful water and air manipulators kept floods and strong winds at bay. Those who could manipulate earth or plants were in charge of the makeshift vegetable patch.

Illusionists made the camp look like nothing more than an empty river bank to whoever might be watching from outside. Those with stealth abilities – such as camouflage or invisibility – were sent into town to bring back whatever they couldn't grow or catch, as well as different types of non-edible supplies.

David mainly helped with tasks that required a lot of strength. Eddie, Dita, Minah, and Ethan often left camp in order to rescue wayward AWs. There was approximately one newcomer every week.

When they weren't out in the city, Eddie was busy messing with nearby devices that might have picked up on them. Luckily, the huge bridge above their heads blocked them from aerial view – the only technology he couldn't influence.

Minah would teach at their improvised school, helping out the younger teens. Though she had never made it past her junior year, she was still more knowledgeable than most. Ethan and Dita helped other telekinesis and aerokinesis users to understand and control their powers.

A few days after their arrival, the pair were also assigned jobs. Amanda's ability became immensely popular due to its versatility and power. She could create lasting plates and utensils out of pebbles, mend tents and clothing with just a thought and even refill bottles with drinkable water. Somebody always had a need for her, which allowed her to experiment and test her limits.

As for Makoto, after a few misses, he was assigned the task of helping others understand and control their abilities. He mainly worked with people like David, who had no one else to show him, since there were no other Umbers around. It allowed him to acquire more abilities and to cultivate them.

They were safe and cared for, surrounded by good people among whom they could thrive. For the first time in months, they were happy. Which was why, when Eddie came to him to ask if he was willing to go on rescue missions with them, Makoto accepted.

This ragtag bunch had saved them and offered them a home - a chance at living and not only surviving. He wanted to return the favor by helping others in a similar situation; give them a second chance at life as well. He had two conditions, however: Amanda was not to be put in harm's way and never would anyone force him to kill - not even CS agents.

* * * * *

The next morning, while Marlys and Vinn were quietly fawning over canned fruit, Billie sat on the bed she had shared with the boy and pulled a flip-phone out of her pocket.

Black and compact, it was nothing like the thin smartphones that people generally favored. The upper side had a little square screen while the lower half had four rows with three buttons that ran from one to nine and included *, 0 and #. Right beneath the juncture of the two halves was a large circle wide enough for a finger. Billie pressed her thumb to it and the upper screen came to life, displaying a message that asked the user to identify themselves.