Darkness Within

The Other Side

Zyan sits next to his sister on her bed again, the small game back in his hands, his fingers flying across the keys in methodical and well-practiced patterns, determined to finally beat this blasted game. Kira has been out for a few hours, but their parents tasked him with the job of guarding her, making sure she's okay when she wakes and doesn't try to make a run for it again.

It wasn't exactly surprising to him when they returned with her asleep because he knows her temper surely caused her to act out and their parents to contain her in that fashion as a result. Her limbs twitch occasionally, a sign that she's coming out of it, but Zyan just does as he's told and leaves her alone. Their father had explained that he could easily bring her out, but it was less jarring and more natural to just let her wake up on her own, especially considering it was the middle of the night anyway so sleep would be good for her.

The door cracks open to her room with a hesitant push, but no one steps in, and Zyan sets his game on his lap, switching the volume control all the way off. He watches the door curiously, reaching out through the force to identify who it is since apparently, they don't wish to reveal themself.

Zyan looks back down at his game to move it to the bedside table, a smile curling on his lips from recognition of the visitor. "I'm impressed," he says simply, trying to coax the visitor out from behind the door. "I thought it would take you a bit longer to get up here."

The other person still doesn't move and Zyan laughs a little. "Stop playing games, I know who you are," he adds. After a little more hesitation, the door opens further, followed immediately by the man Zyan remembers seeing at the gala with Kira. "Temiri, isn't it?"

"Yes sir," he responds simply with a polite nod and clasps his hands behind his back.

"No need for formalities. I know why you're here."

"You do?"

"You're here to take my sister," Zyan says almost as a question but not looking for much of a response. Temiri drops his eyes, probably assuming his plan is ruined and he will surely be taken back to the interrogation room to await execution. "And I'm going to help you" Zyan adds and Temiri looks up at him in shock.

"You're going to help?"

"You make her happy and she's my sister, of course I'm going to help. Not to mention the fact that you're a dead man if you don't get out of here. But," he pauses to think and looks up at the ceiling. "I want you to tell me how you got up here so easily and quickly."

Temiri doesn't say anything, just nods with a small laugh and smug grin before lifting his hand and pulling Zyan's game to him with the force.

"No shit," Zyan whispers with a knowing nod, acknowledging that this all makes sense. "You're the one they're looking for."

"Good enough answer for you?" Temiri asks impatiently, studying the simple game in his hands.

"Yeah, that'll work," Zyan agrees and turns to Kira, waving his hand over her and waking her up slowly, knowing she'll be discombobulated and confused. Her eyes flutter open, pinch shut tight at the light, then open back up to look up at him.

"Zy what-" she begins but is stopped as she recognizes Temiri's presence as well and lifts her head to look at him. "What are you doing here?"

"Kira we need to go," Temiri says quickly, not wasting any more time.

"What do you mean?"

"Come on," he motions for her to sit up and take his hand. "We're leaving like we talked about."

"I'll help you by shutting off the alarms and sensors," Zyan adds and hops off the bed. "But you two need to move."

"Should I pack?" Kira asks.