"Again."
With sweat beading down his head, the cool foam floor was his only relief. Nine rounds in, and the training had yet to let up.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to kill me, Yama."
"You reached fifteen rounds yesterday."
"I ate something yesterday. You've got me running on low fuel."
"Your own fault for waking up late. One more round Mekhi, and you're done for the morning."
Oh, for the morning he says. Two hours or so, Yama would be analyzing him once again until his muscles were throbbing. Though, the spark in the pit of his chest illuminated with energy once more, requesting to be released.
Traitor.
Forcing himself back to his feet, Mekhi took a deep breath and let himself fall out the lines of gravity once more. His body lifted from the floor, he grasped onto the invisible strings around him and flew.
The weights were gone. Mekhi slowly flipped over, glancing back at Yama past his feet. The first time he went through Yama's training, his clothes were scrappy and tight as to not fall around his body and mess up his balance. The restriction however prevented him from moving the way he needed to when in the air.
Out from the walls, metal claws winded around the room attempting to grab him like a toy in a claw machine. In a scrappy house with six rooms meant to hold ten people, the basement was the most advanced. Yama being one of the two keepers of the house, he took great pleasure in tech engineering and science. Scraps and car parts could easily be reinforced to a training ground and study room. His lab was small, but just as hazardous as the rundown house that sat above them.
Mekhi kicked off one and picked up speed in an instant. A good ten minutes passed before the claws matched his speed, forcing him to pay closer attention to where they were.
"Mekhi, are you in here?" A small voice rang out. Mekhi glanced over at the door to find a little boy walk in by Yama.
"Kit?" The hands grasped his arms, legs, and neck, holding him in the air. Mekhi growled as he let himself fall back into gravity's hold.
"That'll be all," Yama simply said before leaving the room.
The metal claws retracted, dropping Mekhi as he groaned on one knee. Kit ran to him, grasping his shoulders.
"I'm so sorry Mekhi! I didn't mean to interrupt your training session!"
"It's fine, Kit. I needed a break. Why are you up so early?"
"I was hungry, but couldn't find you."
If you're up, it won't be long before the others get up too. With a sigh, Mekhi stood up, taking Kit's hand and left the training room.
The minute the aroma of bacon and French toast filled the air, Mekhi could hear the stampede down the halls. Quickly making two plates, he handed them over to Kit before grabbing the kid and flying up to the planks of wood in the ceiling, taking their perch.
Six boys piled into the scrappy kitchen, grasping at the available food like a pack of wild dogs. A few ignored the burning pans and snatched the bacon without the spatula. One glanced up at the two, aware of their escape route that none of them could reach.
"There he is!"
"Hey, is there more bacon, Sky Boy?"
"Move it, Kev! I can't reach!"
"You fat-ass, don't take all the toast!"
Mekhi simply ignored them, enjoying his portion he did not have to wait for again. Once all the boys left, a man came in to see the mess the boys had made. Mekhi remained silent. An argument with their keeper was the last thing he wanted early in the morning.
Nevertheless, one sneeze from Kit and the man found their hiding spot in an instant. His hard gaze fixated on Mekhi.
"I don't remember housing any monkeys. Get down from there, both of you."
"Sorry, Vince," Kit mumbled as Mekhi picked up the kid and leaped back down to the floor. He set down Kit and their now empty plates before signaling for the kid to run while he still could. Being the youngest in a troubled boy's home full of teenagers was difficult enough without getting in trouble by their guardian.
Vince stared down at Mekhi as Kit ran off, waiting until they were alone.
"What did I tell you about using your powers?"
"Everyone in here already knows what I can do. Yama trains me in his tech room daily."
"Yama studies you under direct supervision by me. I am not concerned with those of us inside-"
"But those outside, yeah I know. You preach the same shit to me everyday."
"Because it takes one careless act for someone to notice and learn that I am harboring-"
"A freak?"
Vince frowned, for now he was disappointed. Mekhi, however, was irritated. Everyday they had the same argument, but one word silenced Vince every time. He was confused on whether to be grateful or even more annoyed because of his hesitation.
"Go ahead, you can say it. You're always the straight forward one who's incapable of lying. I'm the only one in this madhouse who scares you, so say it. I'm the freak you took pity on."
"I'm not scared of you, Mekhi. Nor do I pity you. And normally you'd think twice before speaking to me in such a tone."
"And we're back to the scolding..... Whatever, I'll be in my room."
