The story so far:  

---- Aija Zuri, and Ze, are three friends, who were working at the Pristine School at Innermost. Aija gets involved with the Ytai first, leading Zuri and Ze to them as well. Aija and Ze are captured by Thieron, of H'eon, when they were at the Hospital - Aija was at the Hospital with Kuna of R'ies and Zuri to stop a Harvest; Ze was there to visit his sick student Xan. Xan, a student at the Pristine School, after giving up his soul to Thieron is released by Aija. He then settles into the body of a kitten that Aija found at the Hospital, and is taken to where Thieron resides. Aija wills Xan to talk, he can speak now with his own voice. Thieron has bound Aija to himself, and Nala has bound Ze to herself. 

---- Thieron takes them to a Harvest where Aija meets Etrie of R'ies, who refuses to take Aija and Ze home, because of the bond. Ze is surprised that they aren't escaping. 

---- Though Aija wasn't able to stop the Harvest, she releases the soul, infuriating Thieron.

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****26.1 - Ze****

He finished a hundred push-ups and sat on the bed, wiping the sweat off. 

It was frustrating not being able to run or do anything much. Also, being confined to the room was annoying. The three aliens never allowed him to go upstairs to talk to Aija. They let him roam about the lower half of the house, but never let him go to her. 

So, he spent most of his time exercising or practicing his powers. He often practiced moving things late at night, so the three aliens wouldn't really pay attention to him. 

Ze found that he was often confused with the idea of aliens. The three of them looked so human. Of course, there were minute differences like their height; they were all very tall. Their eye colors were different too, it was strange to have pink as an eye-color. And their hair – the colors seemed natural. It didn't appear as though they dyed their hair in such colors. Their hair seemed to naturally grow in such vibrant colors. For instance, Nala's pink and silver-blonde hair or the deep plum shades in Luka's light brown hair. Ze didn't think they had enough time to keep dying their hair as it grew. 

Aija had explained most things to him. He found it impossible at first. But, he was bonded to an alien, and he had spent time observing them. Their grace, their speed, and the language they spoke – it all seemed unearthly. 

Aija had recounted to him about how she had gotten involved with the Ytai. And had told him that it was one of them who'd hit him on the head all those months ago when Rez had gone missing. Ze had thought he had passed out because he was drunk. He felt relieved that it wasn't the case. He had been embarrassed. 

And, now he remembered that Aija had been missing a whole day. He and Zuri had been terrified when they had heard of Rez's kidnapping (now he knew it had been a Harvest) thinking she had been in trouble too. Now, it felt like all that had happened years ago. And, he had suspected that Aija was dating someone in secret - it was weird to think of it now. She had apparently been out with Etrie and Kuna. 

Aija had come looking for him, and instead, she'd got caught up in something so dangerous. She had been caught by aliens and had been forced to work with them. And, Ze had gone after her to save her, and now he had been captured by the aliens too. 

Ze had led Aija to them, and now she had led him to them. Strange were the ways of the world. 

From what he had assessed, Ze had come to the conclusion that he'd be dead by now, if not for his powers. How had that alien man seen his powers? Ze didn't remember ever using it. But, it was the sole reason he was still breathing. What about Aija? Why had they kept her? He was glad she was alive, but if they were keeping her, then they must have a strong reason for it. Did she have powers like him? 

Ze picked his towel and went out of the study. The study had shelves bereft of books, a table with nothing on it, and a mirror in one of the corners. There was a small bed in another corner of the room which he could lift with his mind, like he could a spoon with his hand, thanks to his diligent practice. 

Thieron was in the main room, feeding the cats, his eyes were on Ze as he went to the bathroom. Ze locked the bathroom door and took a long shower. 

Thieron was indisputably the leader of the group. His word was final. He had been furious last night when Aija had let the soul escape. Ze was sure Thieron had wanted to slap Aija hard across her cheek; if he had, Ze would have dealt with him using his powers. But, Thieron had held back and let her go. Thieron had been so manic, he hadn't gone back into the house. He had spent the remainder of the night and that day till lunch outside. 

Ze was proud of Aija. She'd had the nerve to release that soul. She'd run after Nala and Thieron to try to save the human, not run to escape. He'd been disappointed that they weren't fleeing, but he'd been proud anyway. 

She was stronger than she let on. Her quiet and soft demeanor was extremely misleading. She was the calm before the storm and the storm itself when the time came. 

He went back to the study. Thieron wasn't there in the main room anymore. He spotted the kitten - the one which had spoken to him. He had been so terrified – it had claimed to be Xan Ae Lee, his student. How could that be? He'd chased it away. But as time passed, he had come to realize that he couldn't see strange things as strange anymore. It was just another thing he hadn't known existed and was learning about. He had tried to talk to that kitten, but it ran away at the sight of him. He had scared it more than it had him. 

The one thing he felt the most awful about was the fight he'd had with his mother. He hadn't seen her after that. He cursed himself so much for it, Diya had only worried for him. Anxious that his powers would make him stand out and get him in trouble. He wished he hadn't fought and runoff. But it was too late now. He at least hoped he could apologize to his mother. 

Now the only reason he was alive was his power. It was the only reason he had a small hope he could escape, at least to say he was immensely sorry. She would be worried; she would be searching for him. He only hoped the Secures wouldn't tell her he had run off with a girl like they'd told them about Volt, even though the truth had been something else entirely. Volt and now him. How much could his family endure? 

He hoped Nova would be alright. Volt had promised him to help with his math homework, and he'd never come home again. Ze had promised Nova he would play with him and disappeared that very night. Maybe the family was cursed. 

'Please come back home.' his mother had pleaded. 'Please come back home to me.' 

And, Ze had left without another glance at her, consumed by anger. 

Would he ever go back home again? Would he ever see his mother again? 

****

Ze wore Luka's clothes – or was it Thieron's? He hated the idea of it, but he had no clothes of his own other than the ones he'd been captured in. And, that had torn in places when he had been thrown off his hovercycle when he had crashed into the car. 

That hovercycle was broken now and probably lying forgotten by all on the side of the road in the underbrush. It had been Volt's before it had been his. Ze had been planning on giving it to Nova when his cousin finished school. But, maybe it was broken and lost for the best. He didn't want Nova using it and getting into trouble. 

Diya always said when he'd lost things, or they had broken, that they were better gone than releasing their negative energy into his life. If something broke or got lost not to be found, it was because they'd harbored negative energy. They'd gone to let in positivity into life. He'd often wondered if they were the same for people. It must not hold good for people he treasured, he had concluded when he'd seen Diya devastated with the loss of Volt. 

His eyes went to the thin black line around his left wrist. A bond. He didn't know how it worked. He wanted to test it, but he wasn't sure how. Would they really not be able to escape because of it? It seemed that way since Etrie wasn't ready to take them back home. Unless Etrie worked for Thieron under the pretence that he worked for the R'ies. Aija had seemed utterly heartbroken. It seemed like she had placed a lot of trust in Etrie. 

There were two knocks on the door, and Luka's head popped into the room. "Dinner," he announced and left. 

Luka seemed like the calmer one among the three aliens. Nala always looked dour and uninterested in anyone. Thieron was calm – on the outside. Ze could almost see the thoughts in Thieron's mind all the time. Thieron radiated superiority unconsciously. 

The only times Ze got to see Aija were during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He wasn't sure how Thieron let them both eat along with them, but that's how it was. Thieron was going through a lot of effort to keep them unhurt and healthy. They'd even had to wear air purifying masks over their noses last night. Whatever it was Thieron had in store for them, it required them to be in good health. 

It bothered Ze that he didn't know what Thieron was planning. Thieron didn't look much older than himself, perhaps two or three years older, not more. Even that troubled Ze. 

Aija smiled at him as he sat at the table. 

"You're going to help with the cooking. Aija's been doing it too." Thieron informed him. 

Ze looked at Aija, surprised. Her expression said it all – she wasn't happy with it. She was being forced to do it. Ze nodded, not because he wanted to help the aliens, but because it would give him a chance to speak with Aija as they worked together. 

****

The three aliens went out after dinner, leaving Aija and Ze to wash the dishes. They didn't come back for a while, and he had the lingering feeling that they'd gone as far as they could without disturbing the bond. 

"Should we take this opportunity to run?" he asked Aija, dropping a plate into the sink and washing his hands. So what if Etrie wouldn't help them? They would do it themselves. 

Aija looked at him, then at the kitten – Xan – as he made his way to them slowly, wary of Ze. It went to Aija, and she picked it up and set it on the counter. 

"Where were you? I was terrified." Aija told the kitten. 

"I went in search of a Station." the kitten said, and Ze stilled on hearing the familiar voice. "I found one. Let's go. The three Ytai are far from here fighting each other. They must be practicing their fighting skills or whatever, they're distracted. Come." 

Aija looked at Ze. Awesome timing, he thought. 

Aija seemed – reluctant, and it was strange for whatever reason it was. She shouldn't be thinking. They should have already been on their way out. Ze raised his brows in question as she delayed their escape. Finally, she said, "Come." 

Aija held the kitten – Xan – and they headed out the unlocked door. The three aliens were too overconfident in their assumption that they wouldn't try to leave. Ze had seen many times that the main entrance was always left unlocked. 

Aija and Ze stepped into the cool night. They weren't used to such chilly air, but if they turned back in for jackets, it could turn into a wrong move. 

Xan told them to turn left, so they did and ran. 

"I don't know how far we can really go," Aija told him. "The bond hurts if we are far." 

Ze looked at his wrist. "We have to try," he told her. 

"This is Xan," she announced, lifting the kitten. 

Ze nodded. So it was really his student Xan. What had happened to him? 

They ran to the bottom of the hills. There was a slight burn across his left wrist. Aija must have felt it too, for she stopped and held her wrist. She looked at him, worried. 

"How much further?" she asked Xan. 

"Not much, Ms. Niyarah. Let's go." 

Ze still found it weird. A kitten speaking CommLang was strange and stranger was its voice. It did sound familiar, just like Xan's. 

They resumed running in the direction Xan told them.  He didn't feel the burn across his wrist anymore. He looked at the thin black line and the tiny symbol, nothing had changed. They reached a small town, and Aija halted to catch her breath. 

"You alright?" he inquired. 

She nodded. 

"Just a little down further, the Station's there," Xan said. 

"Come on," she said and ran. "They must have realized we've run. The bond doesn't hurt. They are after us." 

"Turn right here," Xan told them. 

They turned right and made a few more turns before they reached the Terra Turbo Station. They slowed their pace as they half ran and half walked into the Station. Ze almost sighed in relief; almost. His breath caught as he saw Thieron standing near the Pay Gate. He stopped mid-step as did Aija. 

How? How had he been so fast? They'd been so close, so close to the train, to freedom. 

Ze held Aija's hand and turned around only to find Nala and Luka standing near the entrance. Aija gripped his hand tighter. 

No other people were around. It being an extremely small town, there were no Secures either. There was no use shouting for help. 

"I must appreciate your bravery to even try to escape. You came close, you really did." Thieron sounded amused. 

Ze faced Thieron and held Aija close to himself. His anger grew. There was so much anger buried in him. Anger at being held prisoner, at himself for fighting with his mother, at being unable to escape, for being the reason Aija was caught in this mess in the first place. 

"Good," Thieron goaded him. "Get angry. Use those powers you try to hide. Show me what more you can do." 

Aija looked at him, startled. She hadn't known of his powers until then. 

He let out a low growl, and Thieron smiled. He tried to calm down. If he used his powers now, Thieron would win. Or he could use them to escape. But, there were a few Secure Cams. It would cause a ruckus. Not now, he thought. 

"Why?" Thieron asked. "Too tired to use them?" 

Ze huffed and sought to control himself for a while longer. 

"Let's go back home," Thieron commanded. 

They walked out of the Station, Luka and Nala ahead of them and Thieron behind. 

Ze still held Aija's hand in his, ready to run. They walked a bit more, and Ze found five hovercycles parked in the small lane. There were no drones or SecureCams around. He pulled Aija to the side with him, sent the five hovercycles flying towards the three aliens, and ran, not waiting to see what happened. 

"Ze!" Aija yelled in surprise. It sounded almost like a question. 

He headed towards the Station. They only needed to get into a train. 

They had hardly run down the lane when Thieron sprang in front of them. They skidded to a halt, and Aija fell holding the kitten in one hand, the other still in Ze's. 

"Impressive." Thieron smiled. "But I'm faster." 

Thieron walked up to them and said, "A little more training will make you much better." 

Thieron then hit Ze somewhere across his neck. 

Ze felt immense pain for half a second, and then he fell unconscious.

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