Ben 10: Saver of the Universe

Chapter 4

Kevin's POV:

My hands gripped the wires, sucking the crackling electricity into my body.

I sighed, feeling energy fueling me yet again.

My sandwich lay untouched on my work table; I hadn't really been hungry ever since I began absorbing energy.

I could already tell that it was getting to me, that it was messing up my brain, but I was too weak to quit.

There was a loud banging sound that echoed inside my garage.

In shock, I dropped the wires. Who's there?

"Kevin?" It was Gwen. It was Gwen. She was an Anodite, an energy being. Oh no...

I can't let her get near me. I'll be too tempted to absorb her Mana.

But I couldn't leave either, any sound would let her know that I was in here.

Gwen's POV:

It was over a week since we'd rescued Kevin, and I hadn't seen him since. I couldn't take it anymore, I couldn't do as he had asked. I couldn't just leave him alone and wonder, day after day, what was wrong.

"Kevin?" I called, banging on the garage door, which today was closed, though it almost never was when he was working.

The noise coming from behind the door stopped abruptly.

"Kevin, it's me. Gwen."

Still no answer.

Using my powers, I concentrated on finding the Mana in the garage. Sure enough, someone was inside.

"I know you're in there Kevin."

Why won't he answer me? I leaned my forehead against the door and sighed.

"I'm coming in," I warned, and reached out towards the door, lifting it without even touching it.

"No!" Kevin protested, but I was already inside, lowering the door behind me.

It was dark, no light except from the small window, but I could still see him. He was kneeling on the ground, staring at me. The area around his eyes looked darker, discolored, but it could've just been an illusion made by the minimal lighting.

"I thought I told you to leave me alone," he said quietly, frustration creeping into his voice.

"I was worried about you," I answered, kneeling down close to him.

He moved away.

"Well don't be, I'm fine," he snarled, his jaw set tightly.

"No you're not! You aren't acting like yourself! Kevin, please, just let me help you," I begged, sliding my slender hands into his large ones.

He tried to get out of my grip, but I wouldn't let him.

"Gwen." His tone sounded almost pained, and his expression confirmed his unease.

I put one of my hands on his cheek, and stared into his dark, conflicted eyes, hating to see him in pain.

"Just stop. You don't understand," he said, his voice breaking.

"But I-"

"Just leave!" His yelling shocked me, and I recoiled so that we were no longer touching.

Kevin sighed, his eyebrows furrowed, his hands curled into fists.

"I care about you Gwen, so just leave, okay?" He turned his face away from me, staring at the ground.

"Okay," I whispered, feeling helpless, and got up, brushing my hand against his arm before I left.

Kevin's POV:

My arm tingled as Gwen brushed her hand against it lightly.

I wanted to absorb her energy so badly, but a part of me was still in control, telling me that I couldn't hurt her, the same part of me that knew that I loved Gwen.

Finally looking up, I watched her leave, filled with a mixture of sadness, longing, desperation, and... greed. My fists were curled so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. No, you can't hurt her.

Once she was gone, I relaxed, no longer battling with myself.

Grabbing my keys, I got into my ride and backed out of my garage, heading towards the only person that I could think of that could help me.