Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12: CAUGHT

Kat couldn't believe she could move. She could feel both ends of her spine jabbing at her skin, tugging it from beneath. She struggled to her feet and a series of snaps and pops resonated inside her skull, her form slowly changing. She felt her spine slip together, knot once more in unity and her fingers melting together. Soon she was on all fours sensing another like her in the balcony from which she fell. It held the body of a wolf, yet horns branched off from it's skull. It looked down at her, shouting orders in some other tongue she didn't understand. She took her cue and bolted out of the theatre, maneuvering around the chairs and out into the aisle. She slammed through the doors, flying into some innocent pedestrian, and sending her screaming bloody murder. She instinctively mumbled her muffled, unformed word “sorry” when in fact it sounded like a low whimpering. The whimpering quickly shifted into a screaming howl as something sharp slipped through the vines that made her up, snapping the tight cords and rushing away. She growled lowly, leaping away from the woman who had gone silent and rushing down through the streets. The screeching creatures from above sent the humans running and shoving, screaming and yelling like sharks were feasting upon them. They ducked from things Kat could not sense, but knew were there. The wolf-beast came stalking into the streets, it's lips tugged back over its gums in a confident snicker. Kat then sensed the sudden stiffening and tenseness of the muscles, and leapt into the air seconds before the beast threw itself where she was, it's horns jerking upwards as if hoping to catch her at the last moment. She landed smoothly on the light pole that flickered on under her weight, then back out. She growled at the creature beneath her, ears flattening against her head. It looked up at her, smirked, and leapt up after, it's fangs snapping around where her ankle was a moment before. She skidded across the roof, then kept going, running and leaping to the next building, then the next, her paws splitting and linking around the lips of the roofs and pulling her up and over. The beast came after her, but managed only to make it to the second building before crashing into the third building's window, glass getting caught in its fur and some making it far enough to cut it. It rolled into some desks, toppling them over and getting stuck under them. Kat paused for breath, her lungs heaving. She sat back on her haunches, when screeching from above reminded her of the unseeable beasts above and caused her to duck just in time, a wind rushing over her from the passing beast. She snarled, snapping in the air but missing, and, she guessed, probably by a lot. Another swooped down and cut her neck, while she whipped around and snapped her jaws around something that snapped. The beast struggled free quickly, but collapsed on the ground below. Kat pulled her senses from around her to below her, but as she did so, something hit her hard and flung her off the building. Just then a sharp knife of some sort slipped through her, the bonds of vines snapping as torso fell from abdomen. Some how she landed on her two front paws as if she had her legs still intact. She would wonder how later, she told herself, as vines grew from her abdomen, twisted and knotted till her lower half had grown back, the vines that had fallen away smoking and inwardly burning away. She took off running once more as the beast a top the building growled loudly, following her upon the roofs of buildings. Then something dawned upon Kat.
Where exactly was she going?
Thinking quickly and acting seconds later, she changed her route, turning upon a paw, claws gripping the pavement and whipping her down a small alley. The beasts from above rammed into each other, hitting the brick building next to her, giving her a glimpse at what they looked like. Their bodies were mainly wings, their heads small and eye sockets large. Their nostrils were slitted holes, but not on their face, instead splitting the skin upon their chest. The arms that sprouted from their shoulders were miniature, with three claws, much like those in the museum, whom the tourists called the “Tyrannosaurus Rex.” The legs on these creatures held the similarity of human legs, except that they were backwards. Their tails whipped around in a violent, most likely bloody mess, as long as twice their body, with two long, serrated edges upon them. They screeched loudly, howling out at each other, their cries causing Kat to wince and flatten her ears, their mouths making a near perfect circle with teeth layered like sharks' around from the roof to the jaw till the back of the throat. She felt a cold finger run over her spine and turned the corner, the wolf beast barreling through the alley and snapping at one of the flying demons on the tail, getting them to stop fighting each other and focus on her once more. His large body barely fit through the narrow run, his horns scrapping painfully on either side of him. He almost skidded to a stop to turn the corner Kat had slipped behind. She could sense him starting to gain on her, realization washing over him at long last when he saw the trees gather in a large area. Kat pushed herself harder, her paws starting to ache and her lungs sucking in needles. Then the freshness of the air and the trees rushed passed her as she stumbled into the forest, weaving and ducking in attempt to make her trail lost. She came to a sudden stop and strained to send her senses out, the wolf coming to a trot and stopping at the trees' beginning. A few howlers rushed in, but their thin flesh was cut easily and they fell heavily into the park's arms. No others flew in after that.
The demon in wolf's clothing sauntered in, sniffing the air. Quickly, Kat split her paws and wrapped them around the tree above her, pulling her up into the branch and backing up against it, hoping the green of her vines would allow her to blend with the leaves. The wolf stalked around, sniffing one tree then another, finally coming within arm's length of the tree she was perched in. then he did something unexpected:
He turned and left.
Kat went stiff, her ears pricking, her senses following. Trap, her gut hissed, trap! Get out of there now!
But how could she? She had no idea where those flying mutants were in the air and no idea if they could be prepared if she dodged out. Where would she go after that? Couldn't go home, no. She released her breath, listening carefully.
There was something..beating..flapping in the wind above her, and the beast was making little sound leaving-
Wind?
Her ears quickly lowered and she leapt from her perch; there was no wind. The beasts, however, saw her leap from her perch and dived. Several hit the ground with a liquid mess staining the trees, but they cleared the way of branches for the others that came, swooping down and gathering up Kat in a bundle of claws and chaotic wings. Their legs latched on to her, digging into her vines, and lifted her up. She snapped at those she could reach that held her in the air, gaining altitude quickly, and ripped wings straight through. However, there seemed to always be another to take its place. Eventually, one snapped its claws right on her muzzle and she fought no more.
After a grueling flight, they dropped her somewhere, her legs buckling under her and betraying her to gravity. When she went to stand again, the beasts landed and slashed at her legs with their tails. She let out a gory howl, grinding her teeth and getting to her feet that had started to grow back. They went to hit her again and she leapt and dug her fangs into the creature's neck. That sent the entire flock into the air, crying out.
“Silence!” Howled out the wolf that had once been a good man. He stood up from laying down and sauntered over to her, a mock grin spread across his muzzle. She snarled, fangs dripping with blood and licking her chomps.
“Ah, Katara, so nice of you to join us.” He growled out, his voice dark, deeper.
I'll kill you, you-
“Now now,” he shook his head, understanding her growls and ear movements, “now need to get into foul language, my girl.”
YOUR GIRL!? You ripped me in half! How is that even possible!? Where the hell am I!?
“How indeed?” He said, circling her, ignoring her last inquiry. “Quite amazing, I must say. But we are not here to talk about that,” he said, coming up next to her, his furred cheek next to her vined one. “We are here to talk about Samuel.”


****

Samuel sat in the tree, his legs up on the hard branch, his blonde hair ruffled and teased by the slight breeze. His back was leaning against the trunk of the tree and he was, of course, playing with fire. He opened his hand and let the fire travel across his fingers and up his arm so it sat inches away from his shoulder. He had already burnt his shirt, thus causing it to be tossed to the ground below. At the thought of it, he glanced down, his blue eyes searching over the yard to where it had landed. The red shirt was now covered in splotches of black like he had painted and the words that were at one point clear as the moon in the starry sky, were now unreadable completely. He spied a car heading down the street towards his house, his flame, now unattended, spreading up his shoulder and perching as a bird. He blinked and closed his fist, the fire vanishing in a puff of foul smelling smoke, smelling much like burning skin. He leaned forward, his back arching and his muscles tensing with the movement. Soreness still took him from the last run in of training with Captain. The black, sports Porsche had the windows down and rode low to the ground, hugging it tightly with thin tires and sending a thick, violent beat flowing from it. It pulled smoothly onto the gravel of his farm house, cracking the small rocks and popping a few under the tires. The engine died down and the boy with a white jacket hood pulled up over his greasy, brown hair that held a bang that covered one eye, honked the horn and shouted at Samuel to get off the tree and get one a bloody shirt. The kid in the passenger seat laughed and made a teasing joke the was awarded by a laugh from the entire car, two small back seaters joining in, leaving one spot for Samuel. He leapt from the tree, his legs bending to take the pressure and spread it, then picked up his burnt shirt and slipped it on.
“You can't but that piece of crap on!” Shouted the asian behind the wheel, shaking his hooded head.
“Why not? Mom, I'm leaving!” He walked up next to the car and the passenger got out, pulled the seat forward, and Samuel slid into the middle seat. The passenger then got back onto the leather seats, black like the exterior, holding the heat from the sun and warming quickly when a Fotia, the official name for walking flamethrowers, settled into the back seat. The asian shrugged and laughed, “Your loss, Sammy boy. None of the girls'll go for you if you wear that.”
Samuel shrugged, exchanging hellos to the black kid next to him of strong, bulky build, a fighter, or Stratiotes, the boy to the other side of him, olive skinned with large wings now folded into the crooks in his back, an Adler, and the passenger, a pale, black haired kid, part of the few ice-wielders, or Pagos. Together they formed an odd looking group of all different specialties, all different colors, and all different secrets.
“Nah,” the Pagos teased, “he only needs to impress one girl, isn't that right, Sammy?” The Pagos let the last word slip into a high pitched 'girl's' voice, smirking wickedly. Samuel rolled his eyes, “It ain't like that, Nyne.”
“You wish it was!” The driver pitched in, looking over his shoulder and backing up steadily. Samuel didn't respond and just grinned and shrugged. The road become cracked pavement instead of gravel and they slipped off towards the town. Samuel's mother waved goodbye from the wooden porch, smiling kindly and Samuel smiled back, rewarding her with a slight wave. The boys around him thought nothing of it and the ride was mostly silent as they drove the few minutes back into the city limits.
“What's this one about?”
“It's bout us, Sammy. It's like Sky High, except better.”
“And who told you that Aros?”
The asian kid shrugged and smirked, “Internet helps a ton.”
The Adler glanced at his watch and raised an eyebrow, “Man, we're twenty minutes early. What the hell are we doing till then?”
“Beat someone up?” Jokingly added by the gruff voice of the Stratiotes.
“Oh? Like who? This place is a ghost town.” Nyne inputed.
“C'mon, let me out, it's cramped in here. Why couldn't Graves just fly us over?” Samuel said, grinning over at the Adler who gave him a look, “Ha-ha. Very funny.” Sammy grinned and shrugged. He motioned for Nyne to move but he didn't. Instead he twisted in his seat and looked back at Sammy.
“Why would you fall for a blind girl?”
Samuel stared at him, his blue eyes blazing and flickering a bloody warning. Then they narrowed, the Pagos' lips twitching at the corners.
“She's an amazing person. Let me out.”
“But she's blind. She can't even see you. How's she supposed to kiss you?”
Sammy glared at him, “Don't make fun of her.”
The car had went silent, fire and ice raging war against each other in the air. Aros broke in, “Alright, um, let's get out of the car, huh?”
The other boys quickly agreed, Aros opening his door and pulling the seat forward for the Adler to get out, and all but pulled Samuel out from the glare that held poison he was aiming at Nyne. Nyne then got out his side and pulled the seat forward for the soldier to get out. The stood and stretched, shut and locked the doors in the empty lot, the massive theatre towering up into the sky directly ahead of them. They headed to the doors when Nyne glanced over at Samuel.
“How you supposed to-”
Sammy knew the sick remark he was about to make, along with the other boys, wincing, expecting the remark. But, Samuel's fist shut Nyne up real fast.
“Don't you ever talk about her like that you sick jerk.” he snarled, his eyes vicious and narrowed, the smell of burning flesh wafering into the air. Nyne rubbed his jaw and looked at Samuel, “Ouch. Would your parents even agree? Do your parents even know?”
Samuel snarled as Nyne cocked his head and crossed his arms. “They don't, do they? What are they ganna say when you get a blind girl pregnant, hm?”
“That's enough!” the soldier snarled, moving to come between them. Nyne moved his hand and ice swirled up the legs of the teen, freezing him to the spot. Samuel took a step forward, “I would never. I am not some jacked up jerk who thinks of girls like that. Get the hell outta my face.”
“Aren't you though? C'mon, don't tell me-”
“I said shut up!” Sammy colided with the boy, fire engulfing his hands and burning through Nyne's clothing, and, before Nyne had a chance to react, hit him over the head. He went limp under Samuel, colder than he was before. Samuel got up slowly. “I'm going home.”
He turned and started walking, no one arguing. Though, as Samuel turned a corner, he spied the boys pulling Nyne off into some bush and taking to the car. They pulled up beside him.
“Get in,” Aros said. He gratefully accepted the front seat.
“What that jerk said was nasty.”
“Yeah.” Sammy replied, looking out the window. He tried not to think about what Nyne had said, focusing his thoughts else where. They pulled up silently around the corner.
“Sorry Sammy. Truly am. Um, can you walk? I know that's-”
“No problem. Thanks for the ride.” Samuel pushed his door, got out, and slammed it shut more violently than necessary, walking down the street to his home. The black Porsche flipped around and went back to town.
Samuel walked up to his house, hesitated on going on the steps, then headed around the back, wanting to slip quietly into his room. No need to make a bigger issue than there already was, he figured. He walked around the small, wooden, white painted house, the paint peeling away and the gutters filling from the large oaks and pines surrounding them. Horses neighed and pawed the ground when the saw him coming, but he put his finger to his lips and the beauties quieted. He ducked under the window when he caught his name from an strangely familiar voice.
“...Samuel's well being is resting on this, Susan.”
“But to hurt that girl? We could never ask him to do it.”
“Then don't ask,” the forceful voice growled, “make him. Or you know what will happen.”
“Shh, honey.” his father now, “Can't I do it? We won't make him do this.”
“Oh, won't you?” There was some ruffling of pages and his mother gasped sharply.
“Oh my-”
“See that? That's what was left of her parents because they disobeyed. Think of that happening to your boy there.”
“Oh goodness! Please no!” His mother cried desperately. “We'll make him do it! Just, just get out of my house.”
“I will be back one last time. Then your debt to me shall be payed and I will no longer visit you. Look for my return. And Susan,” the papers ruffled again, “don't try to disobey me.” The floor boards creaked and screen door swung open. The porch steps moaned under some weight and Samuel slowly looked around the corner. Then he swung around, rushed to his room and started packing.

Harvest Audiobook!

Recently made a completely random decision to attempt an audio version of Harvest!

So, for your listening (pleasure?) we present Harvest Chapter One Blind:

Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Blood Scream

Saturday 9:00 PM

Kat couldn't believe she fell for this. She couldn't believe she let him lure her. But, she thought as the ground quickened towards her, at least before she died she would live her dream to fly. Her back hit the ground, a snap echoed through the theatre, and her breath caught. She screamed, blood growing wings and flying from her mouth. She couldn't believe she'd been such a fool.

Saturday 10:00 AM

Alex walked out of the house, her bag clutched in her hand since it couldn't rest on her shoulders, the scars still not fully healed and painful to the touch from that demon's visit. She placed one stiff leg before the other, thinking of the coming concert. She had decided, she was going to tell Kat. She would make her believe. She couldn't live in fear like this of a man that wouldn't even know if she told Kat. She walked down the street and waited for the bus to come. She leaned against the pole and waited silently.

10:30 AM

Kat leaned against the brick wall that was infected with deep green moss and waited for the bus to arrive. She crossed her arms, plugged in her headphones, paced, till Alex hopped off the bus with a nervous weight and forewarning as she looked up to see Kat waiting there. Kat uncrossed her arms and placed them in her back pockets, smiling.
“Hey, Alex, right?” She breathed, trying to seem unsure. Alex nodded and walked forward, “Yep, that's what they call me. So where's this place we're going to? And..how exactly did you get here?”
“Bus, same as you. And waited for you to come to lead the way.” Kat murmured through her teeth. “Anyways, it's on Wilson and Doctor, and is like, some intesne building. It should have something like banners all over it saying 'Kutless, here tonight!'”
Alex smiled and nodded. Then, as if realizing that Kat couldn't see that, she told her “sound's good.”
They walked in silence for a time. Kat having to be lead by Alex, even if Alex almost got them lost. She had to bite her tongue from telling Alex where to go or how to get there so many times that only God knows how many times she actually did. When they finally did make it, Kat asked the time, one thing she still couldn't figure out even with a clock in her hands.
“Nearly time for the concert to start. C'mon, let's get our seats.”
They walked through large, wooden doors and into a massive building, one story packed upon another, filled with chairs and people filing in. Alex lead them to a man taking tickets then showed them to their seats.
“There's so many people here!” Alex screamed, though Kat strained to single out her voice.
“I can tell,” she shouted back, “I can barely hear anything!”
The screams roared louder, collected together instead of various conversations.
“The lights are going down! Kutless is coming on!”
As she finished her sentence a loud clang of the drums and beat of a guitar screamed out through the crowd. Kat's and Alex's screams followed the note along with the entire crod. Half way into the second song, Treason, they had found their way to the front.
“I love this song!” Kat screamed, dancing crazily.
“So do I!” Alex shouted. She paused for, Kat sensed, hesitating. Her mouth opened again, “Kat! I have something to tell you!”
“What?!” Kat screamed, being pulled away by the crowd ever so slowly.
“Something to tell you!”
Kat fought her way back to Alex and nodded, “What is it?”
Alex's mouth opened, a hand wrapped around it from behind, and she got no more than a squeak of panic out through the fingers. Before Kat could react, Alex had disappeared.

12:00 PM

The hand pulled away seconds later and Alex let out a scream that could burst ear drums. Her ears still rang from the roaring voices and the screaming music and her eyes fought to adjust to the new, natural light of the outside. A slap came from the back of her head and Alex stumbled forward, though as soon as the hit landed she whipped around to face the attacker. Her face went pale, stepping back.
“Did my servant not tell you not to let your mouth slip of a certain something you know?”
She couldn't respond. She swallowed several times, but still nothing came out. There was a wicked grin crossing the muzzle of a beast behind the man.
“Answer me, girl, did he not tell you not to tell the girl?” his voice was rougher now.
“H-how..?” she managed, eyes still fixed on the beast.
“Jerry was watching you the entire time. He has precise hearing, my girl.”
Alex was caught off guard and focused on this man's face. He was wearing a cloak, though his posture was stiff but confident, his arms crossed, and brunette hair lighting up the darkness of his hood along with a flash of white teeth. She then turned to the snickering horned wolf with deep blue fur and dark gray horns.
“Jerry?” she breathed, “Jerry? The one who-”
“The very same,” said the raspy voice, smirking his fanged grin. “You surprised beautiful?”
Alex coughed, “But-you and Kat! And-” then she trailed off, realization dawning on her. “Tonight..you two...you guys are going to some play...right?”
Jerry laughed, shook his furry head, and took a step forward, “Now now, aren't you a clever one, my dear? But it's time to silence you, as much as it pains me to see such beauty be thrown down the drain. Sleep well, Alex.” He pulled back, then leapt forward, jaws thrown open and claws stretching for her.

12:30 PM

Katara paced the outside of the place, wishing she had a phone to call the girl. She had sent out her senses and walked to every corner of the building and found no sign of her. She had started to flip, what was so important that she would be stolen right before Kat? Kat paced back and forth before the door, trying to think of some logical reason she would be gone. Some reason why Alex would be stolen right before her, and thought of none. And what was she to tell the police? That Alex was suddenly taken from some concert and disappeared? What evidence would she have? She's supposed to be blind. She sighed and tucked her hands in her back pockets and headed back to her bus stop, hoping, by some random chance of fate, that Alex was back at her house.

12:50 PM

As Kat walked towards Alex's house a form caught her attention off to her right. She stopped and turned it's direction.
“Dr. Vain?”
He started, turning to her, his heart beating hard enough to feel through his feet. “Oh, hi Kat. You startled me. What are you doing here?”
“Well, going to check out my friend's house.”
“Oh. I see. Kat..there's something I need to tell you.”
“That sounds like bad news.” she said slowly as Silver walked closer. He came next to her and sighed, “Was this girl's name by chance Alex?”
“Yeeeaaah...why?”
“Kat,” he started, looking down at the ground, “She's been taken by the Darksiders. She's-she's not coming back..The organization found her body at her house..I wouldn't suggest going in while we're cleaning it up.”
“What!? That's not possible! C'mon, honestly, that's not funny. Why don't I sense them up ahead?”
“They must've finished cleaning up, my dear. Please, calm down and breathe.” he rested his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, shock still racking Kat's body.
“It's not true, Silver. It can't be.”
“But it is, my dear, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.” He breathed. Kat pulled away and shook her head, “I-I need to go home..I'm sorry.” She leapt up and ran. Ran fast and hard till her lungs burned and her feet hurt. Then she let herself fall upon the grass of the store she had ended up in front of and let uncountable, invisible, tears fall.

1:20 PM

“No, she didn't.” A voice whispered in the darkness.
“What do you mean, she didn't?” Hissed the other.
“She got away. I don't know how. But when I turned around to finish her off, she was running faster than I could catch her. And before I knew it, I was passed out on the ground.”
“Passed out. You let that girl go, while you were passed out on the ground!? Get out of my sight.”
“Sire, please, give me another chance. At nine tonight I'll get you the one you want. Please, Sire, give me this last chance.”
“Fine. Do not fail me, Jerry, or I swear to you, you won't wake up tomorrow.”

1:20 PM

Kat slumped down on her couch and reached for her guitar. She pulled the acoustic, wooden beauty into her lap and placed her fingers upon it. She closed her eyes and let out a breath, allowing the music to calm her down. She strummed the notes and let the sadness and pain whip through her guitar smoothly like a wave upon the shore. She sat there for a time, ignoring the hunger ripping her from inside and ignoring the pain in her fingers. She didn't pay attention as her fingers started to bleed. She was lost in memory, lost in the thought of how this happens to people like her. She contemplated what she's done wrong, contemplated on what she could change to stop this from happening again. She choked on tears that weren't there and thought of the day coming home. She was younger then, but not in body, in spirit and mind. It was two years before, she had come home to find the door kicked in, a note cut into the wall and covered in blood, and overturned furniture everywhere. There were bodies upstairs, but she did not go up there for days. She cleaned up the house but avoid their room. She ignored the smell, ignored the blood that covered her hands everywhere she went. But she could no longer ignore the blood on her hands. She could no longer stand the fact that she did this. She was this being who was a rare creature, and for whatever reason, whomever she comes in contact with finds some why to die off physically or mentally. Her grandparents went mad, her parents were massacred, and now Alex? All within five years? She gripped the neck of her guitar tightly, the strings slicing her already pain-filled fingers, and hunched her shoulders. Was there any stopping this?

7:00 PM

Kat was leaning against the door frame when he came. She sensed him long before in her state of totally emptiness and awareness. She had her guitar still in her lap, but now pushed it aside and stood up.
“Hey.” she said as she opened the door before he even knocked. He smiled and nodded, “Hey. Everything okay?”
She took a breath, and nodded, smiling. “Yep. Of course. You're early.”
“Well, I was thinking, maybe we could go get something to eat?”
“Sure, why not? Where to?”
“Do you like pasta?”
She grinned, “Course. Let me get some things and I'll be right down.”
She ran upstairs, scoured her room, gathered a bag and threw in mace along with an assortment of other needed items. When she came downstairs he gave her his hand and lead her to his car.

8:30 PM

“So all of those are from playing guitar?”
“Yep, all of em.”
He whistled in slight shock, smiling, touching her hands again and running his fingers over her callouses. “How long have you played?”
“Mmm, not long, just long enough to know a few tricks and that's it.” Kat responded, fighting off a blush that tried to leap upon her cheeks as she felt his soft hands against hers. He laughed, nodding, “Well, that's always good.”
She nodded, “Yep. So where, exactly, are we headed?”
“There's a large theatre downtown. We're headed there now. We'll be there soon.”
She smiled at him, “Sounds good.”
They shortly approached said theatre, and he stopped them and looked at her, smiling.
“Kat, you're beautiful, you know that?”
Kat grew tense, predicting where this was going. She smiled and kissed his cheek, “C'mon, we don't want to miss the show.”
He hesitated, grinned, and nodded. “You're right. It would be a shame if we did.”
As soon as they walked in Kat knew something was wrong. She opened her mouth to express such feelings, but then he grabbed her arm so forcefully that all thoughts were washed out of her, replaced with a wave of shock. He pulled her to the balcony, and as they came to the top, she gripped her mace and sprayed it in his eyes and mouth with such precision, she prayed to God he would choke to death. Cause she could feel the waves of wind hit the ground from the creatures above. She could not see them herself, but she knew they were there.
Jerry screamed, stumbling back and whipping his eyes. It was a quite unmanly scream, Kat noticed with the quickest hint of pride as the winged beasts from above attacked. She threw blind punches and was awarded with a few good crunches and snaps. But more often than not she ended up cut over the face and arms. She stumbled back as the monsters attacked her. Then she could not stumble anymore. She found herself falling from the balcony, and when the ground opened it's embrace for her again, it took it's vengeance upon her back, snapping it completely in half. Kat gasped then let out the cry of an angel.

(hope yall enjoyed! i tried something diff in this chapter :D as yall can see!)

Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10: THE WORLD KEEPS TURNING

*A week later*

“And he has like, dark, black spiky hair..and-”
“Ssh! He's coming.” Kat murmured, turning her head away to her supposed work, fumbling “blindly” with something in her hands. Alex followed her example, looking down, taking her statement as legit, for Kat had extremely good hearing.
“Hey, do you guys know what homework we're supposed to be working on?” Jerry leaned against Kat's table, a grin tugging at his lips, though she noticed it never would have registered in a human eye.
“Um-” Alex started, looking at the paper before her. Kat guessed it was blank, and cut in for her, “Page twenty, problems four through ten.”
“Okay, cool.” He pulled up a chair, pulled out and placed a notebook and a book on the table. “So, what page again?”
Well, that ended Alex's description on Jerry's looks. Nonetheless, Kat had to bite her lip, as Alex did next to her, attempting to pull down their blushes. The only thing Alex had missed about Jerry's features was how ripped he was under his shirt. That's what got Kat.
“Uh, page-um, twenty.” Alex stumbled over her words, stepping in when Kat didn't answer.
Jerry looked at the two idiots, laughed and went to flipping through his book. As he did so, Alex glanced at Kat while Kat tapped her finger on the table twice. Alex did so as well and they grinned sheepishly.
“So, how exactly do you do your work, Kat?” Jerry asked, looking at her.
“Braille.” She pulled out her book, opened it up, and, as she had said, the book was all in braille. Though she could sense the words on the page, they were all piled on top of each other, so, like a normal blindy, she ran her fingers over it. She sighed, “This is the wrong book, isn't it?”
“Yes hun,” Alex said, stifling a laughter. Katara shook her head, “I would be rolling my eyes, Alex, you jerk.”
Alex stiffened, smiled faintly as Jerry cocked an eyebrow, “You can't move em?”
“No. I will soon though.”
“That's good,” Jerry smiled, then suggested to read aloud.
“Sure,” the girls answered at the same time. They laughed but Kat coughed abruptly, and started asking questions about physics, which Jerry answered, confused, as Alex started writing something down. The teacher walked by, glanced at them, then continued on.
Alex snickered as Kat grinned evilly, proudly. “Stick with me, lads,” she said in a british accent, “and you'll get on through life without a problem!”
“How did you do that!?” Jerry asked, eyes wide.
“She's like a bat.” Alex cut in, grinning.
“Yeah, sure, bat. And Alex is like a jerk.” Kat growled, “Next time, I won't warn you!”
“Oh suurrre, cause you're just a horrible person like that.” Alex grinned, knowing she won as Kat sighed, “Oh shudup.”
“Are you working kids?” The teacher said, coming up next to them. As the other two nodded hurriedly, Kat proceeded to ask a question to distract the teacher. One confusing explanation later and Kat, Alex, and Jerry were back to goofing off onto subjects that didn't matter. Going from laughing loudly that earned a glare from the teacher, to whispering when she was nearby. When the bell rung, Kat started to gather her things, and Alex approached her.
“Hey, um..I don't mean to pry or anything, I was just wondering, if like-well, what was up between you and Sammy. You two don't hang out as much anymore.”
Kat stiffened, unprepared. She hadn't really thought about it, but it was true. She avoided Sammy at all costs. She couldn't be with him, couldn't even say hi.
“Nothing. It's fine.”
She pulled her pack onto her shoulder and started to head out.
“Kat, really, I know something's wrong.”
“Alex, it'll be fine. Don't worry so much, alright?” Kat flashed her a reassuring smile, then slipped out of the room.
“Hey, Katara!” Jerry called, coming to catch up with her. She smiled kindly and turned to look at him. She sensed Sammy making his way towards her and headed down the opposite way.
“Yeah?”
“I was thinking,” his weight changed to that of nervousness, his back tensing, his weight on his feet lighter and his chest tightening, “If you, well, wanted to-”
“Kat!” Kat sighed, smiled apologetically, then turned her face in the general way Sammy was coming. “Kat-good God, stop speed walking!” He was gasping. He must have come from Captain's class.
“What's up.” Kat said, slowing her walk.
“There's something up with us. We need to talk.”
“You sound like my parents,” and as soon as she said those words a pain cut through her heart.
Sammy laughed slightly, then continued, “There's a hill out by my house, isolated. We could talk there.”
Kat heard Jerry sigh, smile at them slightly bitterly, for the tightness in his jaw was more than needed, then he waved a goodbye and strode off.
“He left. Sorry Kat.”
“It's fine.”
“So, how bout it? Weee'vveee got snaaacks!”
Kat laughed, then it cut short as remembrance hit her. She shrugged. “Sure, sounds good. I have to get to class.”
His throat tightened and Kat could tell she hurt him. Good, better him before he hurt her. “Right..So do I. Tomorrow?”
“After school. Yeah.”
“Okay.” he hesitated and when he didn't turn to leave, Kat looked over at him then said, “Catch ya later.” She took the nearest turn and dived into the safety of the next classroom.

“So, Kat, I didn't get to finish last time.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.”
“It's not big deal,” he said, helping her get her books in her bag. “I was just, well, wondering-” here, once again, he became nervous. “Well..I was...I dunno. Wondering...if maybe...you wanted to come to a play with me.” He paused, and as Kat opened her mouth to respond, he quickly added, “It-it's okay if you say no. I completely understand.”
Kat laughed, “Well, give me times, what play, and I'll see if I can fit you in.” she smirked at him, then slung her bag over her shoulder and headed into the hall with Jerry following her.
“Really? I mean...sweet. What plays are you in to?”
“Pretty much anything.”
Jerry laughed, “Agreed.”
“What's out?”
“Well, there's this play bout people like us.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah. It's been playin' over every radio and T.V.”
“I'm rolling my eyes, Jerry.”
“Right. Sorry, anyways, it sounds interesting. I'll call you later, alright?”
“Sure.” then something hit her. A play. Didn't that require sight?
“Uh, Jerry-”
“Hey, don't worry, you won't need to be able to see. All you need is to listen to them. If there is something vitally important I'll tell you, alright?”
She nodded, a smile playing on her lips. “Cool, sounds good. Thanks.”
“No prob. Hey, want to catch lunch?”
“Eating would be good.”
“C'mon. There's this place down the street I know.” He grabbed her hand and started pulling her towards the open doors.
“Wait-we aren't allowed off campus, member bright one?” She fought off the blush that was creeping onto her cheeks.
“Don't worry. We'll be back before they miss us.”
“But-we have cameras up everywhere!”
A smile tugged on the edges of his lips, “Let me worry about that. C'mon, let's go.” He pulled her out of the front doors along with the few others who dared to dart out with them, ducking and hiding behind random trees, bushes, even some of the other students who were with them. And Kat let him.

She laughed hard, shaking her head, nearly coughing up the shake she had just swallowed. “You can't be serious!”
“But I am!” He laughed, waving his arms in the air, “I was simply making the Latin joke and he thought it was a dirty joke!”
She laughed harder, “That's so great!”
He smiled at her, watching as she took another sip of her shake, her brown hair falling over the sash before her eyes. She really was quite beautiful, and he could understand why that Sammy kid liked her so much. He fought of the snarl that attempted to crawl on his face; she was blind. She was an experiment.
She was a monster.
He let his smirk cross his face; so was he. They had a lot in common.
“What?” she asked, breaking his thoughts. His eyes focused on her, “Nothing. C'mon, we should get back to class.”
“Alright.” she stood slowly, gripping the table as if for support and feeling out for her bag. He walked to her side and helped her, his eyes cold as he looked at her. Who was she fooling?
“Thanks.” she smiled at him, a small blush dancing on her cheeks. He couldn't help but smiling and taking her hand that was waiting for him. He pulled her along, out of the fast food seating area and into the sun. He squinted at the sudden change, glanced over at Kat and-despite knowing she was blind-was shocked at how she didn't even flinch. He shook his head and lead them back towards the school.

“Thank you for finally joining us, miss Katara.” She said coldly as Kat scrambled in-late. She smiled sheepishly, feeling the wall till she reached her seat and sat down in it. She rested her bag on the floor and sat back to listen to the lecture.
“Very well. As I was saying, what was the disadvantages of this tactic, class?”
“Psst!” Kat sighed and looked over in Alex's direction.
“What?” she breathed.
Alex glanced at the teacher, then leaned closer, “I heard you two snuck out.”
“What-how did you hear that!?”
“Ssh! Some other kids got caught. They were ticked off you two didn't.”
“Did they say-”
“No, they didn't tell. Don't worry. They told some of their friends and that's it. You're safe. But how'd you pull it off-”
“Alex and Katara stop blabbering and listen up.” Hissed the agitated teacher at the front of the room. The two retreated back to their positions and Kat nodded towards the door when she sensed Alex was watching. Alex smiled and nodded. Later, they had decided, when we're out of this room.
“Did he kiss you?”
“No he did not kiss me! What are you, insane!?” Kat hissed back, shaking her head, “I'd be rolling my eyes, jerk.”
“Hey, hey,” Alex said, palms out defensively, “It's a legit question.”
“Sure.”
“Hey, there's hotty right now. Why don't you talk to him?”
“Cause I've got to head home.”
“Why?”
“Got to get ready for work.”
“Work!? Seriously, don't your parents work?”
Kat shrugged, avoiding the question, “It's always good for me to get some experience early on.”
Alex laughed, rolling her eyes. “Suurre.” she punched her lightly in the shoulder. “This weekend, right?”
“Course. Later.”
Kat plowed her way out of the school, heading home by the usual route, stopping only for a few seconds to make sure she had the right homework. When she made it home she gripped the handle and opened it up; it was unlocked. She had started working on simple things with her power outside her shifted form. First one, manipulating her hand the fit quickly into the lock of the door and unlocking it to let her inside without a key. It felt odd, but it worked and she was getting better at it. She closed and locked the door, along with the deadbolts and a few other locks her parents had insisted on adding. She threw her bag down, awarded with a loud thump. She headed up to her room, fished around for the maid dress she had bought, and by the feeling of the one in her hand it was right. Putting it on cautiously, gathering her supplies and heading out into the world again, she got ready for the work that kept her house hers.

***
When Kat made it through another day of school she headed out the the place Sammy had told her he'd pick her up. She was somewhat reluctant to get into the truck with him, but she had promised. Well, kinda. As she approached the truck he came around the other side to open the door for her. She smiled faintly at him, a small “thank you” escaping her lips as he helped her up into the truck and closed the door for her as she fumbled with her seat belt and latched it over her body. He climbed in on the other side, started the truck, and they tumbled on down the road. It wasn't long till they reached the country side, their school already on the edge of the city. The rolling hills and rocky road gave Kat a headache, blurriness hitting her with random images of the landscape. Soon the truck slowed, the rolling hills becoming flowing fields of flowers, moving every so slightly with the breeze that galloped through them. With the car in park and Sammy jumping out of the truck Kat took the opportunity to wonder why she had agreed to come with him. She's alone. She's pretty dang defenseless, after all, she had no idea what fire could do to her other form. The door next to her swung open and she quickly unlatched her seatbelt and climbed down without taking Sammy's outstretched hand. He looked down, sighed, and closed the door after her. He gathered the basket from the trunk, slung the blanket over his shoulder, took her reluctant hand, and lead her up the small hill to a tree. Kat sensed a river below them, a willow above them, shading them from the harsh sun, and dancing flowers everywhere in between. She couldn't help but smile, to remember the times that her and Sammy had been close. Then she slipped her hand out of his; it would never be the same again.
Sammy looked at her, then frowned, spreading out the blankets. He set the basket down, then he himself sat, looking up at her. She sat down slowly, looking over the landscape, not facing him.
“Kat-”
“Sammy, this has to stop.”
He leaned back on his hands, looking at her, brow furrowed, taken aback with shock. “What?” he managed to say.
“I know what you are.”
“Okay, honestly, I don't know what you're talking about.”
She faced him, furious, “I know what you are! A Darksider, Sammy! You've been toying with me this entire time! I trusted you, Sammy!” she felt her throat close up, and knew she should be crying right now.
She should be.
“Kat, breathe. I'm not a Darksider. I don't even know what that is.”
“Yes you do! Stop playing games with me!”
“Katara! Please, listen to yourself. You honestly think I would seek to hurt you? You honestly think I would play you?”
She turned her head away and looked down, “I don't know anymore.”
He moved closer to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “Kat. Listen. I would never, ever, hurt you. Alright? I'm not this Darksider thing. Alright? I'm not.”
She rested her head on his shoulder, “Never is such a strong word, Sammy.” she breathed, wishing that she could cry instead of being some unemotional freak.
“But it's true Kat.” he paused, tensing next to her. She pulled away, looking at his face the best she could. “What?”
“Kat,” he took her hand, “I love you.”
She coughed, “W-what?”
“I love you, Kat. I would run away with you in a blink of an eye. You are the most beautiful person I've ever seen. You're funny, kind, smart-everything. You are everything a guy could ever want.”
She went red, her hand going limp in his. “Y-you-w-what?” she gasped, “Sammy,” she looked down. “I don't..I don't know what to say.”
He took her chin in his hand, “Kat. You don't have to say a thing.”
Fearfully, sensing he might make a move, she embraced him tightly, shaking. “Sammy..W-why now?”
He held her close, “Because you should know. I can't stand it anymore, my love.” He stroked her hair, and pulled back to look at her. A smile played on both their lips, and Kat brought her finger to hers, kissed it, then placed it on his.
“Sammy..?”
“Yes?” He held her hand and kissed it.
“There is something I need to tell you.” She said slowly, the pressed on, her heart to high to bring it down to earth again. “I can see you.”

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9: WHISPERED

Alex ran. She ran till she could barely feel her legs then she ran some more. How could she be sure he wasn't following her? And what he did...She shook her head furiously, Snap out of it! Focus! This would be such a horrible time to lose yourself to stupid thoughts. Focus. Get home. Keep running. She took a breath and turned the corner. Finally. She was home. She burst through the empty houes, the vans of news seekers long gone. She furiously messed with the lock then rushed upstairs. She pushed her father's door open, pulled out the safe from under the mattress, then fumbled furiously with the lock.
Turn to 6, then spin past 6 to 22, then back to 10. Or was it 20? Crap..
Luckily for her the lock produced a small give, small click! and she pulled it open. She shoved the pistol in her coat pocket, gathered a few bucks, then locked the safe and hid it away under the mattress again. She stood, strode to her room, and pulled out a backpack large enough to hold a horse.
If she had to narrow down to the most useful her mother taught her, is htat sometimes, it's okay to overreact.
Not like she was overreacting or anything.
She piled her clothes into the bag, along with two jackets, a blanket, her laptop-never know when you'd need that-then her phone went promptly in her pocket. She tidied up her room, to make it seem as if everything was in order, to give no hints of her booking it. She heaved the bag up and headed down to the kitchen. There she piled in apples, unheated toasters, bread, and whatever she could find that would not expire any time soon. That done and her bag getting quite heavy-if not totally obvious-she went to her garage.
A dog howled outside. She didn't have a dog. Did her neighbors have a dog? But that didn't matter. She then flicked the light on in the dark garage and went to searching for a tarp, a lighter, possible a sleeping bag, and anything else she could find.
In the end the sleeping bag was ditched, but a large water bottle was strapped to the side over her bag. Her zipper barely closed, but it did, which was good news. Nothing else showed on the outside, she was just a girl with a lot of books. Her gun-well, that was stuck in the inside pocket of her jacket, out of sight and out of mind for anyone who was concerned.
The mutt howled louder this time and Alex cursed, what was that mutt going off about? With her nerves on edge and the mutt making them jump in their boots-!?
She turned around and found herself losing grip on her bag, letting it fall to the floor with a loud clank!
“Who the hell are you!?” she hissed at the guy standing in the doorway. The boy stepped forward, taller than her but not by much, “I'm the guy making sure you stay quiet.”
Her hand went to her pocket and pulled out the gun, cocked, loaded, and ready to shoot. She pressed it against his chest.
“I know how to use it. Get out of my bloody way.” She hissed through clenched teeth.
The guy laughed-laughed!-and shook his head, “Shoot first ask questions later?”
“Exactly. Get out of my way.”
“But wouldn't you be forgetting something?”
Alex's eyes narrowed at the boy with spiked hair, trying to memorize his face when-click!-lights out.
Of course, she thought, dad never did pay the bills.
“That poor girl, with no idea. I wonder if she even suspects it, eh? And how can she get around so easily, when she's so blind?”
“What the heck!? What are you rambling about!? Get out of my bloody way!”
“Oh, I'd love to darling, but you see, I can't. Bit of a contract, you see. I keep you quiet, and I get to play a game. Us mutts love games.”
Alex was happy the kid couldn't see her face pale, she had called the howling dog a mutt...that meant-
“Exactly. Put the gun down, little girl. And go back to you're life. Forget about what you know, forget what you saw, and we won't have no trouble.”
“Forget it.” she hissed.
Alex pulled the trigger.


***

Alex lay on the floor, gasping, coated with blood.
Her own blood.
The beast stood over her, smirking, blood on its chomps. The gun lay useless far out of reach. One of her eyes was starting to swell, her hair was still in his mouth, soaking in the blood, and her legs and arms were cut-badly.
The hell-beast let out something like a laugh, blood splattering her already coated face.
“And you thought you could win,” the monster said, standing there on four paws, resembling a wolf in every way except for the infernal horns that spiked up from behind his ears and curved to hang over his head. Those, too, were dripping with blood. “But you couldn't,” he continued, his rough voice grinding against her ears. “And you never will be able to. Not with all the healing power in the world.”
Alex groaned, her grip on consciousness starting to weaken. “Please,” she gasped, too weak to heal, let alone to speak, “I'll do what you say.”
His ears pricked up, “Oh? Now you will, then? After you are beaten, your clothes torn and your hair ripped out? Now you give in? Strong, girl, I like that.”
He leaned down and licked her cheek, causing violent shivers to run through her, making her cough blood up on his snout.
He snarled, his ears going back. He straightened and headed to the door, making a point to let his tail brush her face, “Now now, say anything about a wolf coming to attack you, or what you know, and I will come back and kill you.” Alex heard his steps grow fainter, a howl, then silence.
The lights came back on just as Alex's lights flickered out.


***

Katara walked into the room, slowly, trying to keep her act up in Sammy's presence. She held two glasses of punch and set them down on the table, after unnecessary searching for the table. She sat next to Samuel and smiled over at Dr. Vain.
“How have you been, Katara?” He asked, after lifting his drink to his lips.
“Just fine, Silver. And what have you been up to?”
She sensed his muscles around his lips loosen and tighten to create his smile, “Well, been off in the desert for some time. There's been a war on that part of the world. I went to help the local refugees survive from diseases.”
Katara paused, hesitating with her next question, then said, “And you're research?”
Silver also paused, registering what she was asking then shook his head sadly. “Not coming along good, I'm afraid.”
Kat sighed, and nodded slowly, “Guess so.”
“So, um, Kat, Dr. Vain is the one who worked on your eyes?” Sammy spoke up, looking over at the doctor with a hint of annoyance. Kat held in a chuckle, “Yep, he says that sometime soon I'll be able to take the sash off and be able to use my eyes again.”
“Do you remember what color they are, Katara?” Silver tipped in, looking at her hopefully. Kat shook her head. “No. Not the slightest idea.”
“A beautiful violet. The sight of them could have made anyone fall for you, Katara.”
Kat laughed, embarrassed, “Nah, you're pulling my leg.”
“No, I would do nothing of the sort.”
Kat laughed harder and Sammy tensed next to her.
“He's kidding, Sammy,” she said, punching him lightly. Sammy didn't say anything, instead he got up and walked into the kitchen. She took this chance and leaned closer to Silver.
“So no others?”
“No,” he whispered, leaning over the table to get close to her ear. “None. I couldn't find any.”
“And of the Darksiders?”
“You should leave that to the others.”
“Are they here, Dr. Vain.”
He sighed and nodded, “Yes.”
She pulled away quickly to resume her spot, sensing the tense friend of hers to walk in.
“I have to get back,” he said, not looking at Silver.
“Oh. Really?” Kat inquired, her brow furrowing under her sash.
“Yeah, my rents will be wondering.”
“Oh. Okay. Later then, see you tomorrow.”
Sammy smiled faintly, glanced over at Silver, then headed out.
“Who is it? Where are they?” Kat asked as soon as Sammy was out of earshot. Silver hesitated, “Katara, you won't like this. Really, just leave it to the others.”
“How many?”
“Two.”
“Who?”
“Kata-”
“Dr. Vain, my parents worked on this all their lives. I intend to honor their memory with continuing with their work. Tell me.”
Dr. Vain paused, looked at his hands, looked at his punch, the wall, anything and everything that wasn't her. He didn't like this, she could tell.
“One of them is a shifter.”
“I'm in that class. Is it my age?”
“A tad older.”
“And who else?”
“He-uh-controls fire.”
Kat froze, “Fire? Like Sammy does?”
“Yes. Exactly like Sammy does.”
Kat went pale, “You-what are you saying..?”
Silver looked up, “Sammy's one of them.”

Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8: BLIND

When Kat was young she always hated being blind. Who wouldn't, really? She missed seeing the trees sway in the wind, she missed watching the sun and moon rise. She missed wishing on stars, seeing her friends, but most of all she missed being able to look at people and tell who they were. Now she had to be careful to hear who they were. The problem was when several people talked at the same time she never could know who was around. A year went by and still her ears could not separate who was who. Her and her family had to move several times to find a house where the curb was not dangerous, where there was no stairs, and where railings could be placed nearly everywhere. Her parents were always by her side, but all she wished was that she could see them one last time.
Then there was a day where, when she sat up out of bed, she saw. It wasn't with colors, but with simple white lines, outlining everything around her. It showed her the small bed-side table on her right, showed her where the walls in her room were, where her parents where in the kitchen, where the hinges of her door were, doorless.
But just as quickly as it had come, it left. The hope remained in her chest though, and she got out of bed, and ran. First time in nearly two years. She ran through the house, every step causing everything to be outlined in white. Fuzzy, true, but it was still a sight. And she ran to her shocked mother, embraced her, and told her everything.
“I can see, mamma!”
“What's that, honey?” Her mother asked, looking at her father.
“I can see! Everything is outlined when I move.” She untangled herself from her mother's arms and stood again. “I bet I can tell what hand you're holding up!”
Her mother looked at her father, shrugged, and held up her right hand. Kat stomped her foot.
Nothing.
She stomped her foot again.
Nothing. It was gone.
Katara started to feel what she would if she could cry. Her throat was dry, her mouth went curved down, “Bu-but it was...w-was wor-working a m-moment ag-ago.” Katara dry sobbed. Her mother embraced her, stroking her hair, “Ssh..shh, it was just a dream baby. It was just a dream.”
Katara had never felt so blind.
***
The next morning, after waking up, the same thing happened. The white outlines were there, over everything. Her mother in the back, her father in the garage. But this time, with her young, four-year old mind, she decided to experiment. Why was it happening now, but not when she stomped her foot?
She stood up and walked around. The outlines where there. Then she stopped, and the lines vanished. She stomped her foot, and nothing happened. She walked around again, the lines appeared. She saw her mother wipe her brow from the sweat of the summer sun, and her father wipe his hands with a cloth. So it was when she walked, not when she stomped her foot. But why? How come?
She ran to tell her mother.
***
Katara sat at a small desk, alone, fidgeting with something in her hand. It was a year after she had told her mother what she could do, how she could see. The teachers here had begun to train her, show her what she could do and how she could control it. It was hard and her muscles often cramped from the exercises, but she was progressing. She could now see details of any object, living or not, up to seventeen feet. Beyond that it was black. She never focused on the blackness of her vision.
The fact that she couldn't see when she wasn't moving was still and issue, however. Only if people moved across the room, or walked to a different spot than their original could she know who they were when not moving. But every day she got better and every day so did her mother.
“Good morning, Karatra. What's that you got there?” said her teacher, walking into the room, his own vibrations showing her the tight ring on his finger, his strong chin and tilted nose.
“I don't know.” she replied, feeling over her toy as if it would help. “A toy car?”
“Very good. I'm going to place a few toys up here and you're going to tell me which one is a car, alright?”
Katara nodded blindly and set her car down to roll off the desk and fall with a dull thump. After some time her teacher finally moved so that she sensed him and he nodded slowly.
“Alright-wait, Katara, stay seated. Because we're working on sending out vibrations today, understand? Good. Now, place your feet on the ground. No-don't stomp. Good, now focus on the small vibrations already in the ground.”
“Like waht?” squeaked little Katara.
“Like me moving my hand, my mouth. Even my heart pumping. They all affect my entire body in some way, which affects the ground.”
Katara nodded, slowly, “Ookaay.”
“Can you see me?”
“No.”
Her teacher sighed, “Right. Of course, can you sense me?”
“Sorta.” Katara rubbed her temples, a headache already in the making.
“Like what?”
“I can sense your hand and mouth move. Not your heart beat. But everything else is really...fuzzy. Like, when someone needs glasses.”
And so went the day. She found, at the end of the day, that she really hated headaches, and that whenever her teacher asks, “which toy is the car,” that she should first guess “all of them are cars.” Her father came to pick her up on his way back from work, near nine.
Of course, she wouldn't know.
She felt the car come down the road, stood up and slung her bag over her shoulder. The car stopped before her and she walked around the car and quickly climbed into it while the outlines remained.
The car rumbled down the road.
She hated riding in cars, though she would never admit it. Her senses went crazy, making a headache swell up badly if there wasn't one already. She'd see where she was moments ago, or see ahead of the car moments before she went there, or both. Sometimes her senses were so off that she would think that they were lost. In a rumbling car, she could never trust her senses.
The years dragged by endlessly. She grew used to the headaches that bombarded her mind each time that she stretched her senses and worked through them. She grew in height a her chest started to swell. She came into her class one day with a few other students, a shock to her, since she hadn't had comrades or play-mates, or anyone her age since she went blind.
“What the-?” Katara had started, doing a double check of the room as she stood in shock.
“These are your fellow students, Katara. Why don't you take your seat? We'll do introductions soon.”
“No offense, but I think we're old enough to go on without the name game.” A student pipped up. Katara's senses washed over him, he was her age, if not a tad bit older, a skinny kid and-
“Sit down, Katara.” Mr. Less said bitterly, annoyed, she could tell, by his posture, the way he held himself, the pressure he put on the ground.
That was on thing she had always kept to herself. She could read emotions of people by their posture. It was quite easy, actually.
Katara nodded and silently took her seat.
“Today, class...” Mr. Less droned on, while a kid had some sort of spitting problem next to her.
“Psst!”
Well, that was a horrible snake impression.
“Psst!”
The kid was facing her now. Why? Was he trying to get his nasty spit all over her?
“Hey!” the kid hissed.
“What?” Katara grumbled. First, he tries to spit on her, second, he tries to make sure she can't hear what Mr. Less was saying. What next?
“What's with the cloth over your eyes? How can you see?” he whispered. Why was he whispering?
“Cause I'm blind-” Katara said in her normal voice, making no attempt to whisper.
“Katara!” Katara was still staring in Mr. Less' direction, and cocked an eyebrow over her sash.
“What?”
“I'm trying to teach here.”
“Yes, I know, that's why I come here every day. That's what we pay you to do.”
There were laughs around the room.
What the heck? It was only the truth, she thought, no need to-
“Katara, D'd like you to stop back sassing me and pay attention.”
“I am paying attention, Less. You are standing up there, holding the chalk in your hand-careful, you're ganna break it-oops, told you. And you're really angry. See? I'm payin' tons of attention.”
“Oh my God, how do you know all that when you can't see?” the kid next to her asked, mystified.
“I-” she began, but Less threw up his hand, pointed his finger to the door, and shouted, “Office, now!”
Something swelled up in her, a low growl coming out of her throat. “I'm no dog.” she hissed, the outlines over everyone suddenly becoming sharp, clear, detailed.
People around the room gasped and she could no longer feel her toes or hands.
“Katara, sit down.”
Something was wrong. This man..this teacher...was wrong. He wasn't...good. She didn't know how she knew, why he wasn't good, all she knew was that she had to get out.
And that's when she first changed. As she saw those men with those bags, those guns, waiting outside. It infuriated her. Did he think she was so blind as to not sense those outside, paces away from the door and-
Oh my God. She realized, They aren't even...standing...on the ground...they're...flying!? She snarled, threw her head in the direction of Less, her shoulder inches higher than the desk next to her as she prowled closer to him.
“And you thought I was going to just step outside!?” she snarled, her voice strange and unfamiliar. “Thought I'd just give myself up!?”
“What are you talking about!?” Less said hastily, holding his ground as Katara circled him, predator instincts taking over.
“Those men outside. Those people, come to take me. Take me where!?” she barked, her teeth snapping at his knee, causing him to fall back. The students were all dead silent. One stood up quickly, opened the door, saw the flying men, and screamed.
“She's right!” the girl cried. “They're right outside!” The flying men suddenly burst out of the nearest door outside to escape.
Shock overcame Mr. Less, and he lay there, Katara pinning him by vines that wrapped around his wrists then sank into the ground. Katara snarled, “You monster.”
And then she ended him. As people screamed and ran to get away, while others stood in terrified shock, she ended his life, while his arms flailed, his breath lessened, until she sensed his heart beat its last beat. When she stepped away, she felt dizzy. Someone had entered the room, had gathered the runaway students and one by one they all fell down, limp. Were they sleeping?
Then Katara's body went heavy, her chest making it hard to breathe.
“Who are you?” she gasped. The man smiled slightly, “I will make them forget. I will dispose of his body. And you will have a clean slate. But you must always remember this day.”
Then her head hit the tile and she could remember no more.


(fairly short chapter, but this'll have to do for a while since i'll be quite busy for some time. And i'll be going through this chapter and editing it cause i haven't even read through it yet. XD)

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7: IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES, IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES

(quick note, i know i have a few things to fix up in this chapter, and i'm starting to do that soon, but i just wanted this up cuz it's a cool chapter ^_^)


*Two hours before*
“Jeff, where's that tape?”
“Right here, Jess. Isn't it weird our names are nearly the same-”
“Ssh!” She flattened herself into the high, un-mowed grass, her hand pressing on the back of Jeff's head and into the dirt. He attempted not to cough as she glared through the blades of green. Jeff mumbled something and Jess let him up, “Yeah, he's gone. Get the tape, there's students coming out.”
Jess looked through the grasses, watching students with swords, flaming hands, even wings file out through a back door. Jeff set up the camera and started to tape.
“Today, we shall spar with each other. I will team you up based of gifts and skills. Fire, to the left, wings behind me, and sword-to-sword to the right. NOW!”
The students stumbled around, mumbling “sorry” and “Ouch!” and “didn't see you there.” When all were where they were supposed to be, the teacher, a large, strong man who's muscles bulged through his shirt, and a buzz cut of brown hair and blue eyes started to walk through the ranks, pull some students out, throw them aside with each other, until everyone was facing another opponent.
“Ready?”
Some shouted things, others responded with silent nods, and the teacher held up a whistle. “Ready, set-” The shrill shriek of the whistle that sent ears bleeding, and all were off. Winged ones took into the air, tackling each other and slamming back into the ground, dirt flying up, while a few others rammed each other in the air, gripped legs and threw them into the trees nearing the building, or even into the building itself. On the ground, which Jeff kept switching too every now and then with his small, hand-held camera, were people completely on fire, or some with only a tad bit on fire, circling each other, throwing punches and using the fire as a boost into the air to slam down onto opponents. One kid ended up passed out on the ground from one such incident landing on his oh-so fragile head. Jess stifled a gasp.
The swordsmen were the worst. They wore no armor, flinging knives that simply appeared in the air at each other, and bring shields to appear before them as protection from their comrade's attack. One did not guard himself quickly enough, and the knife lodged itself into his forehead. He staggered back, blood spewing, then gripped the hilt, and simply pulled it out and threw it at his attacker.
“That was a good hit!” shouted the teacher above the roar of battle, “Not easy to break a fighter's skin!”
“Thank you, Captain!”
“I can't believe they're doing this!” Jeff breathed, his eyes wide as more horrors continued to play out.
“They..they're monsters! Freaks! Mutants!” Jess listed, her eyes widening as a winged got thrown into a war between fire and fire. The winged girl shouted something at the guy who burnt her wing, jumped into the air, clapped her wings together, and blew out his fire all together with a gust that sent the grass flat. The no-long-on-fire guy laughed and waved her away while his attacker stared into the eyes of Jess. He stared, his jet black hair spiked to a point, his sharp and handsome features pushed into a confused look. He seemed to see why she was here, losing her memory about that very incident on that one day, going back to the studio without knowing why there was a gash in her back. Jeff had no memory either, and they had come back in search for answers. And then just like that, the wind stopped and only he still stood there staring at her, and the oblivious Jeff, who mumbled quietly to the live audience they were broadcasting too. Everyone was too occupied fighting each other to have noticed them, but that split second of a break for the teenager caused him to glimpse the weird shinning thing in the grass, and look over at it.
“Captain! Skin alert!”
The teacher grumbled and walked over to him, “Whats wrong?”
The kid mumbled something, his eyes still on Jess. Jess couldn't move and everyone slowly stopped fighting, mumbling, “Code red? Is it a code red?”
“CODE RED!” Captain roared, “Flighters, scan!” The winged humans took off like jet planes, even those injured, and it was not long before Jeff and Jess were surrounded. Jeff tucked his camera in his pocket quickly, and Jess stumbled to her feet when the teacher, Captain, ordered her and Jeff to do so.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE ON PRIVATE GROUNDS!?” he roared, “Have you any reason to do so!?”
“Uh-I-” Jess started.
“You people are monsters!” Jeff shouted, Jess' eyes going wide. She turn and clamped her hand around her mouth and smiled sheepishly, “He's uh, just in shock.”
“And you?” One of the students pipped up, “or are you one of us?”
Jess saw the opportunity, and nodded hurriedly, “Yes, I'm one of you.” Jeff looked at her in shock, then saw the gleam in her eye and it clicked for him too. He twisted out of her grip, “Yes..I-I'm sorry. She's been my friend for some time, but it's just different the way you train.”
“They had a camera.”
And then everything came crashing down, Jess thought bitterly, trying to casually seek out the kid who would dare say that.
“A camera? Where is it?!” Captain growled, glaring at both the accused.
“We don't have one.”
“What's going on here-you.” Mr. Linkin came into the circled crowd, glaring at Jess and Jeff. “Why are you here!?”
“They were taping us!” A kid shouted, and a roar of responses of punishments were hurtled at the principal.
“Kill em!”
“Burn em!”
“Let's see how they like 'monsters'!”
“I'll take em up high and drop em!”
“Quiet, all of you! Get your heads back on, students! Your too high off adrenaline. Get these kids out of here, coach.”
The coach nodded, shouted out orders, and the students, grumbling the entire way, slumped back into the school.
The story would be out as soon as they saw their friends.
“Now. What to do with these two-”
“Run!” Jeff shouted, grabbing Jess and turning to run away.
But Jess suddenly felt very dizzy. The world started to spin and when she could finally make sense of where she was going, hallucinations clouded her vision.
A wolf crouched not far away from her, readying to pounce. The red-eyed, black beast then leapt, jaw opened wide. Jess screamed and ducked, her hands shaking, “Get away! Get away!”
“Jess, what are you-OH MY GOD!” he fell backward, the black beast attacking him now too. He held his arm as if it were injured, ripping his jeans and tying it off around his shoulder tightly, his eyes wide. Jess saw no blood upon the man. She did, however, see it all over her, and she began to feel faint from the lack of it. Jeff looked over at her, “I bleeding badly, but you can still get to the truck! Hurry!”
Jess looked at him as if he were insane; did he not see the blood that pored from her body?
But she didn't care about that now.
All she cared about was how dark it was getting, and that she really should start heading home.
***

“Hey, hear bout the snoopers?”
“I think everyone has.”
“But why would they be so stupid?”
“Humans ain't the brightest beings on the planet.”
“I don't exactly remember you having any powers. So aren't you one of them?”
“Shut up.” Kat growled, fists tightening.
“Oh? Blindy upset? Whatcha ganna do bout it? You can't exactly hit me, being-”
Kat swung at him, hitting him dead in the nose, a jarring crack! resinating through the chubby boy's very skull. “That accurate enough?” Kat snarled, sticking her hands quickly in her pockets. A chill entered the air, the kid's face going pale. Blood started to seep through the fatty's broken skin, then through his fingers when he clenched his fist around it. His eyes grew wide, staring at the girl who was still looking blindly ahead, hands in pockets.
“What was that!? How did you-oh God this hurts!” he turned and ran off.
Kat grumbled to herself, in no mood for teasing of any sort. She turned, shifted her bag on her shoulder, and headed down the hallway.
Today was their anniversary.
They would probably be out at lunch right now. Most likely that place near the peer with the fish and chips that she loved so much, Kat thought. He would probably have bought her a dozen flowers and reserved her favorite seat. He would have had made it so the room they were in was dark, lit with candles. He would get down and pretend to propose like he always did. When they finished eating the would come get me. Then we'd all go out for dinner after homework to his favorite steak house and we'd eat and talk till late, then they'd drop me off at home and go to some hotel where he first saw her.
Kat sighed and turned a corner, walking into her class room and sitting down. The thing was, was that she couldn't share this with anyone. They'd send her to some place with others like her, and she'd be forced away from her house when someone decided that they wanted her, signed the papers, and took her to Lord-knows-where. She set her bag down but did not sit down. Instead she reached down and flicked the tack off her seat, then settled herself down in it. Murmurs raced around the room but Kat ignored them. The quicker this day went by, the better.
Then a boy came in, ripped from head to tow, a thin shirt over his chest, and she could tell by the loosening and use of less muscles around his cheeks that he was smiling. At who? None other than Miss Katara herself. She sucked in a breath, lucky that she could 'stare' at this kid without him ever knowing, and that she was able to lean over her desk just so that her hair swung before her cheeks so the redness had no audience. This kid gathered his stuff and sat next to her, and she grew slightly stiff. That strange weight in his step, the strange muscle twitching and awkward smile muscle moving just so..what? He's just a new kid, she told herself, it's probably nothing.
“Hey. I'm Jerry.”
He didn't make the mistake of holding out his hand like new teachers did, nor did he raise his hand, waiting for a high-five as some of the wannabe-gangsters did when they met her. She smiled and looked in his direction, “Kat.”
“Cat?”
“With a 'k'. Short for Katara.”
He smiled, “But it's a pretty name. Why use a nickname?”
Kat laughed, “Easier to say, I guess. What bout you?”
“Jerry's short for Jerry.” A grin played on his lips. Katara chuckled, “That's pretty original. So you're a new kid, eh?”
“Guess so. Shipped me off here as soon as my powers showed up. You?”
“Been here since I was four.”
“Woah, no way! You seriously hung out in these classrooms since you were four!?”
Kat grinned, “Yep. After I went blind I developed my power quicker than most. It was kinda important in my getting around, so it's understandable.”
“What is it?”
“Good-morning class,” said the teacher, saving Kat from an unspeakable doom.
“Good-morning Rogo,” the class responded, all but Jerry of course.
“Today we'll be working with shifting. Alright?”
“Shifting?” Jerry whispered.
“Yeah,” Kat murmured back, “all shifters are put in this class.”
“So I get to see what you are?”
Kat shook her head, “It's under wraps.”
The muscles by Jerry's brow furrowed, tensing and pushing down, “Why?”
“One of a kind, thank you very much.” Kat dipped her head as if bowing, a large grin on her face.
“Katara, it'd be nice if you stop flirting and pay attention.”
Kat reddened and couldn't think of an excuse quick enough before the class started laughing, Jerry the hardest and loudest. Kat hissed something under her breath and sent him evil mind messages carrying his doom in several forms of torture.
“Thank you. Now, Kat, if you would come with me-”
“Aww, c'mon!” shouted a kid in the back, one of Kat's admirers. “We never get to see her shift!”
“Yeah!” Shouted a girl who just loved to humor the class with jokes of blind kids.
“Kat?” Rogo asked, cocking an eyebrow.
“Don't think so.” Kat said, standing, gathering her bags, and heading to her teacher. “Shall we go?” she asked before someone could convince Rogo to pressure her into shifting for all to see.
Not likely, best luck next time.
“Alright, let's go. Everyone, watch the video. You know I'll be able to hear every word.” He clicked the remote, and a picture flickered upon the screen and started playing the basics of changing.
Kat and her teacher walked down the hall way, and into a room with no windows. The strongest protectors were in there too, all teachers of course, and Kat set her bags down.
“Alright. This time you'll be training in your form.” A teacher began.
“Have we actually thought of a name for it?” Kat asked, leaning against the wall, annoyed that, due to the protectors, her senses did not go further than the room she was in. No way to see what other people were doing to entertain herself during the boring session.
“No. That's off topic. Now, we have a few students-”
“We agreed no students. My parents wouldn't like this.”
“There is no one else your level, Katara.”
Kat crossed her arms, “Then I ain't shiftin'.”
A protector growled something out, and a nearby teacher translated, “He wants to know about the droids. Couldn't they spar with her?”
“We don't know if they can be her level.”
“I'm up for a challenge,” Kat hissed, “I'm not weak, I can actually fight, even if I'm blind.”
“Fine,” retorted one of teachers sharply, leaving to go gather one. Moments later he was back, the small room was cleared of desks, and protectors were set against the walls. The teacher that was the sparring master, Captain, activated the droid. It's eyes lit up red, it's rigid and dusty body shook awake, and it lifted its gun and waited to be attacked.
Kat sucked in a breath and closed her eyes. Her form grew close together, her face elongated and grew skinner, her eyes separated and her nostrils moved. Her ears went to the back of her head and grew tipped. Her tail bone ripped from her back and was quickly covered in muscles, veins, skin, then fur. Her hands closed in on themselves and grew sharp nails and pads to soften her walk. When she came back to her senses she had her feet separate, vines taking their place and clinging to the ground. The forest green color of her fur stood on end and her vined feet whipped up to the ceiling and swung her into her opponent.
The droid fired as it saw her approaching, hitting her dead in the stomach, a gaping hole smelling of burnt plants. Red vines whipped around and connected themselves to each other, healing the wound within seconds, just as she rammed into her opponent. The droid stumbled backwards, wielding its gun, and fired again. This time she evaded it, her hind paws ripping into vines, clinging to the ceiling, and pulling her quickly out of the way of the blue beam. Then she pushed away from the wall, her gleaming white fangs burying themselves into the metal neck of the droid, and she ripped away, its head falling back and off.
Her audience stood in awe, some clapped. She did a mock bow the best she could in her form, her sash irritating her ears where it was tied behind. She barked out a answer to questions, which no one understood, and reformed her paws. Then she shifted human, tightener her sash, and started to head out. She pushed the door out and as she was leaving, she overheard a few passing words, “We tell him today.” The door slammed shut.

Chapter 6: Collapse

CHAPTER 6: COLLAPSE

He sat down slowly, rubbing the inside of his thumb as his back hit the soft chair behind him. The red fabric of a king's chair, his arms going slack as he rested them against their rests for gold lion's claws. The shades of the trees surrounded him, proving to be his magnificent palace in the before stages. He looks through the trees as if looking down them as halls, his fingers clenching the edges of the arm rests and his teeth grounding.
His lips moved: “It's not going as planned.”
He shook his head relaxing back against the chair. “No, no, it's going just fine. It'll all work out in the end.” He checked a watch strapped to his wrist, whispering the time and telling him soon, very soon. He smiles to himself and looks around his palace. “But how?” his own voice asks.
“We shall see, now won't we? Just watch.” He pulled out a gun from his side and placed it next to him, on a strangely bent branch that served now as an item holder.
“Jeramy!” he shouts to the trees. A teenage boy comes from the trees, bowing low, “Yes, Sir?”
“Commence the plan. Head out today. School starts tomorrow morning for you. Understand?”
The boy grinned wickedly, flashing canine teeth, “A bit of fun with 'em, then boss?”
The man laughed darkly, “Of course, boy. But first you need to find everything you can about that girl. Understand?”
The boy's grin grew wider, but the man shook his head. “Do not go too far, Jeramy. I will know and you will regret it for the rest of your days.”
Jeramy scowled, nodding. “Fine, boss. I should go pack.”
“Of course.”
And with that, Jeramy turned on his heel and left the man's sight.
“Oh, and boss?”
“Yes?”
“Why her?”

***

“And that's it for our live report. Thank you for joining us, back to you Mark.”
The camera lowered and Jeff turned and started to pack up. Jess turned to the principal and held out her hand, “Thank you for joining us, sir.”
“It was a pleasure, Ms. Anderson,” he replied while taking her hand and shaking it, “Can I expect any more visits from you?”
“No sir, I don't think so.” She smiled politely then let his hand go and turned to the van. Mr. Linkin smiled as he watched them get into the car and drive into the distance. Then he turned on his heel, “Dru, that was well done. But I think they forgot my name.”
“Sorry Mr. Linkin, still ain't very good at that.” The teenager smiled sheepishly then opened her mouth to say something else when another teacher approached.
“Sir?”
Mr. Linkin turned around and looked at him with a cocked eyebrow, “Akira?”
“Dave, it's the healer. Her father's been killed.”
“Killed? What!?”
Akira nodded, then glanced at Dru who smiled and walked away to her studies. “Yes, Dave, shot.”
“But he should-”
“That's just it, he should've survived. But he didn't.”
“You don't think-”
“No, I don't. That man wouldn't be going around killing randomly.”
“But if he was after Alex..?”
“Dave, he wasn't. He shot her father in cold blood. Alex was inside.”
“Alone?”
“No. I saw two others with her. One was Samuel..the other-” Akira paused, then the color drained from his face.
“We need to find out who the hell was with him.”
“You mean you don't know?”
“No!” Akira growled, “Of course that's what I mean, the damn figure was black.”
“So?” Dave's brow furrowed, his arms crossing.
“Black as in 1997.”
Dave's face paled to match Akira's. “Let's go.”


***

The girl Kat laughed loudly, throwing her head back and nearly tipping her hand so that the precariously topped lump of ice cream leapt right off her cone to slither down the near-lava sidewalk. The kid Sammy grabbed her hand and straightened it, laughing.
“You know, you're ganna end up without an of the ice cream.”
“Hey, you know what, you should just be proud I can actually find out where the damn frozen stuff is without smothering my face into it.”
Sammy grinned and removed his hand, “True, I should be..”
Kat punched him in the shoulder-how, Alex wondered-and shook her head, tilting her head and sticking her tongue out to find her ice cream before starting to lick it clean once again. Alex hung back slightly, but joined the two when Sammy beckoned her closer. The two bought Alex ice cream to try to take Alex's mind off her father, but Alex couldn't even manage a fake tear.
Is that wrong?
Alex shook her head, and smiled at Sammy. “Thanks for the ice cream. I've been craving chocolate.” That got a laugh out of Kat, who undoubtably guessed why, what, with her own cone topped with everything chocolate and then some.
“Nothing's better than a good friend, than a good friend with chocolate,” Kat said, moving over so Alex could sneak in between the two. Alex cracked a smile, then replied, “Chocolate's a girl's best friend after all.”
“Touché,” Kat laughed, “you know, I've been wondering where we were actually going..?”
There was a split second of pause, Kat glancing at Sammy, her brow muscles working above her black sash to cause her none-existent eyes to look confused. Alex shivered and Kat grew tense.
“Um, well, what do you wish to do, Alex?” Sammy asked, breaking the strange silence and turning to look at Alex. She shrugged, “My house'll be a mad mob of news reporters..so rather not head that a-way.”
“Kat?” Sammy asked.
She shrugged, “We could head to my place.”
“Won't your parents mind?” Alex inquired, brow furrowed. “My dad always got mad if people were over and I didn't tell him.”
There was another awkward pause as the two kids before Alex shifted uncomfortably at the mention of her father.
“No. My parents aren't home.”
“You know, you always say that when people ask.” Sammy chimed in.
Kat grinned, “Cause they aren't ever home, dork.”
Sammy rolled his eyes. “I'm rolling my eyes, Kat. You know what I meant.”
Kat shook her head, “No, actually I don't.” She turned slightly on her heel and headed down a different street. “This way, guys.”
“I mean that-well, when are your parents home?”
Kat shrugged, “Not often.”
“Where do they go?”
“And how do you know where you're going?” Alex pipped up.
Kat pointed blindly behind her, nearly hitting Alex in the face. “There's a weird bump, indent thing back on that street. It's shaped like a hand. Step on that and turn about forty degrees to the left, and head down that street for about a hundred paces, and then turn to the right, and if there is a apple tree in the front yard, then I'm home.”
Alex quited, returning to her ice cream, feeling somewhat idiotic.
Well.
“And your parents?” Sammy again.
“Is that a car in your driveway?” Alex said. “Are your parents actually home?”
“I don't know. Can't see.” Katara grumbled somewhat annoyingly. Alex scowled at the blind girl, then headed towards the house. Kat continued straight before Sammy grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the house before she reached her “hundred paces, then turn right...”
“What's your parents' car like?” Alex asked, looking over the black pickup.
“It's a convertible. Silver. Hood's always down.”
“This is a pickup truck.” Sammy murmured.
“Katara? Ah! Dear girl, Katara, so sorry about-”
“Dr. Vain? Nine.”
“Oh yes, so sorry.”
A man stood in the door way, the screen door now wide open, the skinny man with black hair that matched his truck grinning widely. He was quite tall, with sharp features that made Alex wonder on his age.
Is this her dad? No, it couldn't be. She called him “doctor.” Then who is it?
Kat untangled herself from Sammy's arm and ran towards the direction of his voice. He raised an eyebrow and stepped to get in her line of running and embraced her. She leapt upon him like some kind of beast, the man twirling her around, Kat's mouth close to the man's ear, her lips barely moving. He smiled kindly, and set the giggling Katara down. Alex glanced at Sammy who had a pang of jealously in his eyes, even if this man was older and obviously was more of a father to this girl than anything else. Alex stifled her laughter.
“Nine point two?” This Dr. Vain asked. Kat nodded, “Nine point two later. Six?”
“Six in quiet. Come, I believe you smeared your ice cream in my hair.”
“No! I would never-did I? I'm sorry.” She said quickly after a look from Dr. Vain. Alex's brow furrowed, Is she like, telepathic? But...if that was so, why use random code? What the heck is going on?
“Come on in guys, this is my doctor, Dr. Vain. He operated on my eyes to fix em.”
“Fix them?” Alex asked before she could bite her tongue.
“Yeah.” Kat said, slowly, as if Alex were retarded. Cold fingers danced upon Alex's back. Kat went stiff. She opened her mouth to say something, then turned and went inside. Sammy was right behind her, with a courteous smile and hello, my name is Sammy, to Dr. Vain. Dr. Vain looked over at Alex, who still stood like a stuck-dumb teenager.
Oh wait, I am one.
Then she saw it. He, too, undoubtedly saw it too.
Alex turned on her heel and ran for her life.

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5: KNOWING

“Kat!? Katara!!” Samuel howled, shaking her shoulders gently. “Oh God, what's happening to her!?”
“The poison's killing her.” Alex said, rummaging through the pantry hurriedly. “Damn! Can't find the freaking-here!” she ran back into the room, mashing dried leaves into a paste in a small bowl, mixing it with water. He looked at her hopefully, “Will that-?”
“Yes..but I'm not sure for how long..damn it I wish I was a better healer.”
“You're fine. Don't worry about it.” he looked at Katara, his eyes soft. He touched her forehead, thick with sweat. She moaned, stiffening, then relaxing slowly. She mumbled something, before slipping into the dark that consumed her.
“What's that ganna do?” he asked softly, his eyes still on Kat.
“Well, I'm working blindly..I have to only treat the symptoms..no one's ever survived this long..so I'm not sure exactly what's happening to her.”
Sammy looked worried, staring at her, eyes wide.
“What if you treat the wrong thing?”
“I won't.” she mumbled, then louder, “Tilt up her head; help me feed this to her.”
He did as he was told, slipping his hand to the back of her head, holding it gently and lifting it up. Her jaw fell open in the action, gaping blindly at nothing. Alex dished the powder out into her mouth.
“That'll find whatever's bleeding inside her..then I'll go from there.”
He cocked a brow, looking at her, “Meaning?”
She sighed, looking at him with disbelief and annoyance. “What do healers do, idiot?” she snapped. Sammy glared at her, rolling his eyes, then looked back at Kat.
“How long will it take?”
“Depends.”
“On what!?” He snarled, turning to look at her.
She smirked, “You seem annoyed.”
“This is her freaking life on the line! And you won't tell me anything I need to know! No wonder I'm annoyed!!”
She rolled her eyes, “You are in deep, Sammuel. I feel bad for you. Cause she'll never-”
Sammy's glare cut her off and she shrugged. He turned back to Kat, who had started up a coughing fit again. Her chest jerked back and forth, blood spilling across her lips, splattering across his face, his shirt and hers. Slowly her mouth started to fill with blood.
“Oh my God!” Alex yelped, “What are you doing!? She's killing herself!!”
Sammuel snapped to attention, gripping her head and lifting her up, the blood pouring onto her shirt, her legs. Tears were stinging in his eyes; don't leave me. Please, Kat..don't leave me..
Alex suddenly shoved Sammuel out of the way, gripping the back of Kat's head, placin a bowl under her mouth, her other hand on Kat's stomach. She took a shaky breath, then closed her eyes. They screamed at the same time, Alex pulling away suddenly. The bowl clattered to the ground, Kat falling limply on the ground, a sickening sound of bone against stone ringing in all their ears. Blood pooled around her. Alex was holding her hand and gasping for breath, staring at horror at Kat. Sammy running to Kat's side and lifting her into his lap.
“What the hell!?” he growled, his eyes narrowed as they fixed on Alex's face. She continued to gasp, and didn't say anything. She fell to her knees, bowing her head and intwining her fingers. She whispered frantically.
“What are you doing!? What's going on! She's dying! Heal her!”
Alex didn't lift her head.
Kat started to grow still.
Realization dawned on him.
“No..oh God..no.”
“...Do not let the wicked go unpunished...and heal those who have grown sick..”
“Save her! Why can't you save her!”
“Her heart is too weak.”
His face fell, all thoughts washed away. Alex looked up to Kat, her eyes pained. “She doesn't have the will to live for much longer. Say what you have to say to her, Sammuel. The poison's already made it to her heart. She's basically gone now.” she looked at his face, swallowing, touching his hand. “I'm so sorry...there's nothing I can do.”
“No.” he gasped. His world came wheeling to a stop, and he lifted the still Kat so her head was under his chin. He held her close, closing his eyes, his shoulders shaking. Alex got up slowly, walking away silently.
“I'm so sorry.” he whispered, his fingers stroking her hair. “I wish this didn't happen to you..I'm so sorry.”
A shadow fell upon him, a dark figure at the corner of his eye. He paused, looking over at it. A long cloak shielded all of the figure's skin, a hood casting the face in an eclipse.
“I can save her.” said the dark, deep voice. The stolid tone, giving nothing of his intentions.
“Who are you!?” Sammy demanded, holding Kat protectively as if she still needed it.
“A doctor. She's dying. Any longer you delay she'll be too far gone to be healed.”
He looked at Kat in his arms, his eyes worried, concerned, suspicious. He nodded slowly, “Please.”
The cloak knelt next to them, a sleeve digging into the insides of it's dark depths under the folds of fabric, then pulled out a small vile, lifted her pant leg to see the wound, then poured the contents onto it. Smoke rose, smell of burning skin hanging in the air, the wound starting to knit together. He stared at it, his mouth dropping open.
“Oh my God...how did you-”
“It will take a few days for her to heal completely. Take care of her.”
Sammy looked at him, his brow furrowed. “How did you know where the gun wound was?”
The figure turned the black hood towards him, then was gone. Sammuel blinked, staring at the empty air the shadow was just kneeling in. Kat coughed once again, but this time he was relieved. It was a sign of life.


She woke as if she were being roused in the middle of the night after only a few hours of sleep. Her head was fuzzy and she continuously fell into sleep before being jolted away by the slightest change in her surroundings; someone moving upstairs, someone speaking in whispers, someone closing the blinds. She didn't know what she had gotten herself into-she couldn't remember why she was here, or why her leg was covered in dried blood. She couldn't remember any of that. She also couldn't remember why she felt like she had just thrown up.
She sat up slowly, her head spinning, her body swaying in the effort. A hand touched her back, and another her collar bone.
“Easy,” a female voice said, warning her. Katara finally roused enough energy to send her senses out, the slight vibrations going up through the body before her and being sent out to be able to 'see' the room around her. The girl before her was a healer (the one that had survived, perhaps?). She wasn't much older than Kat and sat worried next to her, supporting Kat's weight in her hands as she sat up. Kat smiled faintly, “Hi.” her voice was hoarser than she had expected, her throat so dry that it felt as if a desert had made it's home there. She imagined a lizard crawling out of her throat and shivered, pushing the thought away.
“Water.” she asked, sticking to one word each time she spoke. The pain of speaking was unbearable. The girl nodded, then stood, hesitating, then walking out of Kat's sense of range. She wasn't strong enough to see out of the room yet, and even that was a stretch. She felt a form enter the room, the build of the person and the walk familiar. A smile split her face. “Sammy?” she croaked.
“Hey.” he said softly, coming to her side. He sat next to her, his head tilted so that she guessed he was looking at the floor, and fidgeted with his hands. She stopped herself from inquiring-after all, she shouldn't be able to know what he was doing. She leaned back against the couch again, laying on her side so that she faced him. “What..happened?” she asked in a tiny voice, wincing at the pain. Where was that water?
“You uh..don't remember anything?”
The muscles in his mouth twitching before finishing the sentence told her he was going to say something else, but she kept her mouth shut, shaking her head instead. She tapped her throat and rasped, “Hurts.”
He smiled faintly, “But do you?”
She nodded, and made a motion with her hand to say “kinda”. As she moved her hand again the vibrations went up through his chest, his lungs heaving a silent release of breath and he shrugged, rubbing his forehead. There was somethings he didn't want to tell her if she couldn't remember. She made some motions with her hand-the few words she knew in sign language.
“What is it?” she signed. He wasn't looking but the motion caught his eye. He asked her to say it again. She repeated it, “What's wrong?” Being her closet friend he had learned how to understand her in this state. He shook his head, “Nothing. Don't worry bout it. Can you sign what you remember?” His voice betrayed his feelings. Something was definitely wrong. She let out a groan, wishing a moment later that she hadn't. Where was that water!?
“No,” she signed, “Too many..” she paused to think, then finished, “Words.”
He nodded, glancing away from her. She rubbed her temples, swinging her legs over the couch. If the water wasn't coming to her, she was going to it. Sammy looked shocked, standing quickly.
“Kat, I don't think that's such a-”
She waved him away, shaking her head. “Fine.” she murmured, pushing herself up. The world spun wildly, and her erratic steps gave her only glimpses of the room. A couch to her right, table to her left, and-what the hell is that!?
“Kat-wait!” But it was too late. Her foot went into some sort of liquid, still slightly warm. She jumped back and stumbled onto the table, glass cracking under her sudden weight. Wasn't that just great? Luckily she managed to stay pretty safe, Sammy gripping her wrist before she fell to hard on the table and whipped her back up.
“What was that!?” she hurriedly signed, facing him.
“Um..soup.”
If she could, she'd blink in confusion.
“Soup?” she breathed, not knowing the word in sign language.
“Yes. Soup. Sit back down and I'll clean it off your foot.”
“Ohmygod did she just-” gasped a voice just out of the room.
“Step into the soup? Yeah. She did. Sorry bout that. She's blind and all.”
Kat tried not to snarl at him. She hated when he said that. She sat nonetheless, however, pointing sightly off to the side of the table and a bit too low.
“Crack.” she whispered.
“Oh. Right, sorry bout that, Alex. She kinda broke your table.”
Alex, the healer, at last stepped into the room with the glass of water. Her tense muscles, clenched jaw, and increased pulse told Kat she wasn't to pleased. But hey, she thought smugly to herself, she was blind after all.
Alex walked to Kat's side and jammed the cup into her hand so that a few drops hit Kat's stomach, drenching it. As she breathed her thanks, she found the shirt somewhat stiff and unwilling to move. She reached to the side and a bit too high of Sammy, feeling out for him even though she knew exactly where he was. He touched her hand, “Yes?”
She signed, “What is this?” and touched her shirt. Something stained her hand when she did so and she raised it to her nose and sniffed it.
She would know that smell anywhere.
Blood.
Speaking of which..the smell of blood was everywhere. Overwhelming, even. How could she have not noticed it before? It's all over her, in that strange bowl-
She went tense.
She took a gulp of water as Alex and Sammy were mouthing things like, “What can was say?” “I dunno, you decide!” “I ain't some specialist on this! You are!” “I'm not her friend!”
“I stepped in blood!?” she hollered out with her knew found voice. Her voice was wild, making up for the lack of wild eyes. Both of them froze.
“Uh..” they said in unison, glancing at each other.
“Who's is it!?” She demanded, taking another great gulp to keep her throat from being dry.
“Um..” the two said, becoming nervous.
“Who's. Is. It!?” she growled, crossing her arms.
“Oh, to hell with it!” Alex cried, throwing up her arms. Sammy waved his hands, trying to tell her to stop it. Alex ignored him, “It's yours. You've thrown it up and have been bleeding all over my couch.”
Kat shot her a wannabe glare. “Well, I'm terribly sorry to intrude. Would you have rather me bleed all over your carpet? Oh, no, I don't think you'd like that at all. Maybe outside, if that'd convenience you better.”
Alex scowled, “At least I didn't let you die!”
“Yeah? Well I hope I didn't get your hands bloody.” she hissed back. She gulped her water again, draining it.
Sammy rubbed his forehead, cutting Alex off quickly, “Alright. That's enough. Kat, she did save you.”
She grumbled something dark under her breath and lay back on the bed. After a sigh, she finally apologized.
“I'm sorry. I've got a killer headache. And I'm obviously low on blood. Dunno if that affects me at all though.” she shrugged and rubbed her temple. What she wouldn't say is that she actually was lying. She just knew too much bout the girl than anyone should.
Sammy leaned forward and touched Kat's foot gently with a cloth, causing her to flinch, not expecting to be touched. He smiled kindly, “Sorry, just washing your foot.”
She relaxed slowly, nodding. “Alright. Thanks.”
Alex leaned against the table's legs, the glass glistening with new found divisions. Then the door flew open and someone shouted for Alex. Her face went white. There was a stumble and Sammy stopped rubbing the blood off Kat's foot. He instead stared at the door that was somewhere out of Kat's sight.
“Dhamnvigs drewmeh owt..again.” mumbled a deep voice. Kat sucked in a breath and extended her senses, the vibrations exiting the room with a flick of her wrist, crawling up the man who couldn't stand steady. A glass bottle was clenched in his hand, liquids swashing around loudly enough a deaf person could even make it out. Her face distorted with disgust when she found he wore no shirt, he was unshaven, and his posture was aggressive. She suddenly took back everything she had thought and said about Alex.
“Dad. Have you been drinking?”
“Nohnofyer business!” he howled, stumbling into the room they all sat in. He took a drink and pointed with the bottle to Sammy and Kat.
“Who'stis den?”
“Kids from school dad.” Alex's heart rate had increased drastically, her hands fidgeting in her lap. “They, um..came over to uh..help me with homework.”
“Oh?” he took another drink. “Teh tablez'roken.” he slurred. It was a miracle Alex could make out his words, Kat had the strain just to make out half.
“Um..yes-”
“Wuzant dahquestion! Who'rokeit!?”
Alex was stuck in her silence, trying to work up enough courage to face her father, when Kat spoke up, standing up and positioning herself squarely before him.
“I did, sir.”
He took another drink, “Diyounow? A perttywiddle dingwikeyou? Whazdat alloweryershirt?”
Damn, she cursed bitterly to herself.
“Paint, sir.” she said quickly, barely catching his words as Alex looked up at her in shock.
“You'rokemhy taublewhie?” Another drink. The liquid was almost gone. “Andwhazatoveryour eyes, gerl? Taukeit oph.”
“I did not mean to break it,” she said after a pause to understand him. “And I cannot take it off, Mr...?”
“Mstr.Gahnawheatyer-”
“Dad?”
“Wot!?” he howled, turning to face her. Kat stiffened; he was getting more and more aggressive.
“Can I talk to you?”
He scowled, turning and striding out of the room. Alex stood and walked after him, fidgeting again. Screams and shouts came from the other room and Kat struggled to sit down and send out her senses that far. Sammy touched her hand, “Why'd you do that?”
She didn't answer, to intent in trying to make out the two in the room a few doors down were saying. Then a hand hit a cheek and a young, teenage girl fell to the floor. Kat shot up, walking to the door and pulling it open.
“Bathroom?” she asked, and if she had eyes they would be narrowed angrily at her 'father'. Not much of a father she thought. The man threw the bottle at her and she ducked under it expertly. She was able to tell by his stance, his shift in weight, where he was going to throw it. His eyes widened, “Howtehhell-!?”
“Does your daughter not go to a school for specials?”
He shot Alex a meaningful glare, “HOWDAWRE YO-”
“Mom has me go!” she cried out quickly, shielding her face as a blow was to come down on her. His hand caught suddenly on fire. The man let out a less-than-fatherly scream and held his hand, trying to blow it out. Sammy now stood next to Kat, shaking his head.
“You are not much of a father. You hit your own daughter?”
“Sheh dehservesit! Nohw gehowtove familyahffhairs!” he hollered, swinging to hit Sammy. Sammy gripped his fist and shook his head, holding his hands behind his back and holding a phone to the father's ear.
“Get all that, officer?” Sammy asked.
“Yes, sir. We'll be right down.”
Click.
Sammy cocked an eyebrow at the man who started to shout and yell, thrashing about.
“Ghetophmeh youdahmned bohy!”
Kat kneeled next to Alex as she began to heal her own wounds. Kat touched her cheek softly, “I'm so sorry. How long has this gone on?”
“Since the divorce.” she replied just above a whisper.
“How long ago was that?”
Alex hesitated, tears starting to flow down her cheeks. “F-four y-years ag-go.” Then full out sobbing. Kat embraced her tightly, rubbing her back gently, “Shh..shh..everything will be alright now. Don't you worry. Everything will be better. Did your mother know?”
“I n-never t-told her...he-he said he'd hurt h-her t-too.”
Kat smiled sadly, nodding. “Alright. Alright, shh. Don't you worry about it. Things'll get better.”
Sirens came into ear-shot and the father broke out of Sammy's strong grip, and ran out. Alex cried harder, and Kat shouted, “Watch him, Sammy! Keep the phone with you!”
He nodded and ran out.
Kat hugged Alex tighter, “See? Everything will be fine.”
She nodded and slowly stopped crying, smiling at Kat. “T-thanks. How d-did you know we were h-here?”
Kat paused, then answered quickly, “My hearing's better than most.” She smiled and Alex accepted the response.
“Thank y-you. That was very kind..and brave,” she added.
Then a shot rang through the silence that followed. Alex's father, later named as a John, was shot in the arm. He laid in his own blood spiked with alcohol for minutes before the police found him.
He was dead within seconds.