Please don't eat me

Please Relax

"Conrad."

I opened my eyes and saw Hector kneeling in front of me, shaking my shoulder and looking right in my eyes. I sharply blinked a few times to focus my mind and realised I was still in the training room.

"Time's up." Hector said. "You need to go home."

"Oh. Oh, sorry." I stood up and rubbed my eyes. Had I really been meditating for two hours straight? It didn't feel like it.

"So how did it go?" Hector asked as I grabbed my bag.

"It went well." I put my hand to my chest, the same spot where I had felt that energy inside me. "I think I actually felt something this time."

I sensed a sliver of surprise from Hector, although he didn't show it. "That's good. You're making good progress."

"Thank you." I turned to him, my bag on my back, prepared to say goodbye, when he suddenly spoke up.

"Before you go, I need to warn you about something."

"Yes?" I said, feeling a sudden change to the atmosphere.

Hector rubbed his chin and I sensed an underlying anger starting to glow in his red soul. "Conrad, right now, a dangerous man has come to the city and I'm afraid he might be targeting you."

"Targeting me?" I asked in surprise.

"Yes." He nodded darkly. "His name is Alejandro Dos Santos and he's a Spectrologist."

Wait. "You mean, Dr Alejandro Dos Santos?" I asked with a frown.

Surprise flashed on his face, before it was replaced by a brief glimpse of anger as he took an intimidating step towards me. "Have you already met him?"

"No, I haven't," I squeaked and shrunk a little. "My friends just spoke about him in school."

Hector calmed down and took a step back. "Oh. Sorry about that."

I wanted to ask what that was, but I didn't want to overstep my place.

"So, you already know of him?"

"Y - yeah, a little," I said. "They just told me he's some genius Spectrologist."

"He's not someone to be trusted." Hector said. "He's a dangerous and reckless man."

That's not what Henry had told me. "But he's here for me, right? I mean, if he really is a genius at this soul stuff shouldn't he be helping to try and figure me out?"

"No." Hector sharply said. "It's true, I'll admit, that he is a great Spectrologist. But he is greedy and selfish. He values results over morality and ethics and doesn't care for human lives. To get him involved would only put you in danger."

But I'm already going to die, I wanted to say but held back my tongue. However, Hector must have noticed my frustration because his facial features softened.

"I know you're frustrated and impatient and you just want all of this to end. You need to know that everything I'm doing is to push your soul to the limit while keeping you as safe as can be. I know it seems like we're moving slowly, but don't worry. I know what I'm doing. Alejandro would only put you in more danger, where one mistake could result in your death. I'm doing this to keep you safe."

My frustration vanished and I nodded. "Right. I know. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologise for being scared. It's only natural."

"Okay."

"But Conrad," Hector said, and his voice took on a more serious tone. "You have to promise me you won't associate yourself with Alejandro. Promise."