"Yes! Let's go out for some pizza!"

Tyrell seemed to be in a good mood today. And why not, their curfew was finally broken. After two months of getting jailed in the academy, except getting trained hard, they had nothing to do- No movies, no late night parties, and no walking trials across the lake. Their life sucked and was a complete waste.

After their return from Dakshinpur also called Forgotten Kingdom, with the knowledge of its existence coupled with their parents' unreliable history, the doctor, to everyone's surprise, announced some strict rules. They weren't allowed to walk out of the academy. Although he was right in his decision, everyone called it to be an outrageous idea. After Pruthvi's abduction, doctor couldn't take anything for granted. He was cautious enough or may be too much. As he wasn't around with the twelve Samagraha for past years, his responsibility towards them increased extremely.

There had been a time when Tyrell and Pruthvi tried to sneak out of the academy but as expected, they weren't successful. The doors were hexed, that even electrocuted the lightning master Tyrell himself and not to mention Pruthvi who could have grounded it. Since then no one has even thought of touching the door.

After ten days of the restlessness, Ruchin Daniels, the other Samagraha demanded Doctor to open the gates, for his girlfriend Anila Vanderpol (again a Samagraha) was sick. Although doctor readily fixed her within two days, Ruchin started the world's loneliest protest that if he didn't open the gates he would not even drink a single drop of water. But he wasn't successful in his plans. Doctor used his power in such a way that he never felt thirsty again till he apologized.

But today was everybody's happiest day as the doctor announced during breakfast that he is finally lifting off the curfew but strictly ordered everyone to be back to their respective rooms by evening before seven. He has even asked us to inform him immediately if we find anything suspicious. I assume that he is blaming himself for Pruthvi's abduction.

By the way, I am Hayden Mackay, the last Samagraha. And I can't believe I'm also called Fire of Vengeance by some group of people running after our blood. I still don't know why, but I really have had to find out. Sometimes when I look at my stone, it seems to stare back at me like it wants to tell me something. There has always been a red shining twinkling light radiating out of it; which of course, I always thought looked beautiful.

Beautiful... That word reminded me of the girl that came and went out of my mind whenever I used my stone, round face with big bright brown eyes, classy lips and flowing hair, she almost looked like nothing but an angel. "Help me" she said when I was battling the fake doctor-turned-snake two months ago. I didn't say anything about it to anybody. Once or twice I wanted to talk about the girl calling out to me for help with Doctor, but I couldn't win battle that raged in my mind- What if she is not real! What if everyone laughs at me!

It was almost lunch time. I, with Celina and Leena, was sitting in Tyrell's room and chatting about the sudden change that doctor had made today. Pruthvi on the other hand was in his regular duty-he works in the retail shop across the lobby.

"A pizza?" said Celina, "That's your great idea? Honestly Tyrell, we should do something more like, you know, fun."

"Like what?"

"Like shopping," said Leena, "It's been ages I bought something new."

Tyrell made a face. "What are you talking about? Is there anything in the world that you don't own?"

"Hey, of course there is. I think I would like buy a new set of makeup. I heard from Naomika that a new mall has been opened in St. Petersburg. We should go check it out. What do you say Celina?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I think shopping is not such a good idea!"

Leena was disappointed when her best friend didn't back her up.  "Then what do you want to do?"

"May be we could go on for a hiking or something. Enjoy the environment, get some fresh air."

"No!" said Leena and Tyrell together.

"What about you Hayden?" asked Celina turning to me completely, "What do you want to do?"

"Er, what?" I said coming out of my thoughts of the girl, "Anything that you guys want to."

"What were you thinking about?" asked Tyrell raising his single eyebrow. He was the only person who was able to point out that I was thinking about the girl. Even though I didn't tell him that it was about a girl, he always teased me. To my horror, once he even caught me smiling for nothing.

"Nothing," I said, "No, I mean I told you guys I wanted to meet me aunt, right. I was thinking to go and meet her first."

Their facial expression changed and sat straight.

"You should think about it again," said Celina, "What if she doesn't know about you being Samagraha or possessing a stone. She might freak out."

"No I am positive she knows something about me. She even tried to narrate me story of two kings when I was little. I know she was giving me hints."

"So what you are saying?" said Tyrell scratching his head beneath his cap, "That we go to Orlando and then have some pizza?"

Leena sniggered.

"He didn't say anything about pizza," scolded Celina.

"Yeah I mean," I said, "we can go to Orlando, meet my aunt and play golf in the fresh air, eating pizza and shop in the country nearby."

He was sure he satisfied every one of them when the three of them looked at each other. But they didn't know their plan was going to change and it was through Pruthvi.

"We are not going anywhere," he said standing near the door holding the knob. His expression was grim.

"What do you mean?" asked Tyrell.

"I mean you should follow to me to my room right now. All of you."

He sounded serious. We glanced at each other and followed him. His room was the third one, right across Leena's.  I personally thought his was the best room out of all of us as it was coolest rooms ever. There were some cartoon and superhero posters covering the wall. His bed was in the corner with the bed sheet having Superman picture painted on it. On the table were a computer and a highly sophisticated music system. Pruthvi walked straight to his computer and switched it on. Tyrell sat on the chair and we surrounded him. And what I saw blew my mind away.

There was a news bulletin in a site and scroller at the below.

Mysterious person spotted.

It was my video that was being shown. A cctv camera footage displaying me burning the hound that attacked me a few months ago.

"What the..." I shouted when Leena and Celina gasped.

The news reported said, "Two months ago there had been an incident right here in Clearwater. A hound from nowhere had been set lose in the town and it entered into the bar where it was burnt mysteriously. After a clear research local police have found this exclusive video from across the street of this young boy setting the hound with fire only by touching him. Such strange things don't happen in day to day life. People like him could be dangerous to the society. Police are searching for him and if anyone spots him it has been requested by the police to inform immediately to your nearby police station. Police has also announced prize money of ten thousand dollars on him."

And then there was me burning the hound. I was so shocked that I couldn't move an inch. Color drained out of my face as my wide-eyes were looking at my selves in action in the video. I was having a strange feeling like my goose bumps were having goose bumps. Prize money on my name!? I couldn't believe it.

"Why don't they search for the person who let loose a wild hound in the town?" said Tyrell finally breaking the silence.

 "I came back to my room after I finished my shift," said Pruthvi, "And the first thing I saw was this." He turned to me. Looking at my expression he said, "Are you okay?"

 "I..." I didn't say anything. Nothing was coming out of me.

 "What will happen now?" said Leena aghast.

 "Oh my God! Does doctor know about it?" said Celina.

 I looked at her. Her eyes were as widened as mine were. But it atleast she was able to talk.

 "He'll be furious," said Tyrell stressing his words, "And not only furious, he is going to renew our curfew and this time it will be for life time."

"What happens if they find Hayden?" asked Leena, "He is going to be in so much trouble."

Thanks a lot for soothing me, I thought as I couldn't say it loud.

Pruthvi said, "It's not only about Hayden, Leena. It's about us too. If they find Hayden they are going to find us too. And people outside will die if they get to know that people like us exist."

Celina sat on the bed and so did Leena. Tyrell turned off the monitor and turned to me.

"Are you going say anything?" he asked.

"What am I supposed to say?" I burst out finally, "I am still trying to figure out how much trouble I am in."

"We all are," whispered Celina even though no one heard her.

I continued, "My aunt must have seen the news. She might be getting worried sick about me. Oh my god! First of all how am I supposed to meet her if the whole town is in search for me like I am a top rated criminal?"

I moved aside and stood akimbo.

"You definitely can't go out," said Pruthvi pushing his specs closer, "Not until everything is settled. Doctor will never let you."

"Pruthvi," I said, "I have to talk to my aunt regarding my parents. How am I supposed to meet her if I can't go out?"

"Use Call Logs," said Leena suddenly, "Doctor said we can now use those, right? You don't have to go anywhere, if it is only about talking."

That was something I never thought of. There was a provision provided for us to speak and use like a telephone. I could use that but something else hit me. I was really hoping to see my aunt after a long time.

"But you have to very careful," said Celina, "If you want to use Call logs. Ruchin is the one guarding it and he can hear everything."

"What, he eavesdrops?" I asked, grimacing.

"He doesn't really need to. He can hear people from distance even against his will. His power is Schizolocus. We cannot complain if he is hearing us talking right now."

"The only thing better than using Call logs is not using it at all," said Tyrell.

I ignored him.

"Then what else can I do?" I asked Celina, "If he is always present."

 "Just talk skillfully. You have to make your aunt speak more than you do."

"Can't he know what my aunt is speaking?"

"I don't think so," she said shrugging, "He can only hear people who are talking not some machines

"Great! Then I'll do it. Pruthvi, is the shop's door open?"

I remember Tyrell telling me that Call logs were located past the shop where Pruthvi works.       

"Yup, Donovan is having his shift now."

"Thanks. I'll see you guys later."     

I dashed out of the room leaving them behind. I heard Tyrell saying something like being careful around Donovan, but I was too hurrying to talk to my Aunt. Maahir was passing me by when he looked up at me skeptically walking speedily.

"Hey watch it," he said, "You might trip."

"I am fine, thank you," I said to him.

In no time I entered the lobby. My eyes fell on the tables being set by a woman I had never seen before. I slowed down my pace, slowly walking trying to see her carefully. She was wearing a black suit with high heels. Her hair was tied in a neat bun. She looked middle aged and was definitely not American.

She watched me pass by. As soon as her eyes met mine, she smiled.

"Anything I can do for you, honey?" she asked.

"No, I was just going to the shop," I said and asked her quickly, "Sorry but have we met before?"

She laughed softly and said, "I don't think so, honey. It's my first day here. Doctor brought me and assigned me the job as a cook."

"Oh," I said.  I guessed she might have come in the place of Yamini's who went missing with Anmol. "Great! Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, hon." she said smilingly. I smiled back at her and rushed out of the other side of the lobby with looking back at her.

There was something weird about that woman but my mind was fixed on my aunt. I went straight into the shop and stood near the counter waiting for Aafaq. It looked nothing less to a general store but bigger in size. There were all sorts of things, grocery shops, stationary, gifts corner. To the other side of the counter was a door that led to a small room. Probably that was the room where call logs were located.

In about few seconds Donovan came out of that door. As soon as he saw me, his face turned firm. A crumbling feeling crawled up to me when I saw him walking towards me. Even though I forgave him for what he had done to Pruthvi, I had no reason to ever trust him again.

He was only person in the academy that Tyrell abhorred. I never ever imagined the most composed person like Tyrell could actually have the feeling of animosity. If it wasn't for Pruthvi, Tyrell could have already electrocuted him by now. There was a time whenever he walked past Donovan; he used to fling his hand out to terrify him. But he did nothing except making fun out of him and leaving others laugh.

"What can I do for you?" he asked as he came nearer. His eyes were still in guilt but his voice was telling something else.

"I need to use Call logs," I said keeping my tone as normal as possible.

He nodded and let me in. He lifted up the counter door to provide space.

"Through that door. Ruchin will guide you."

"Thank you," I said and walked past the door.

It was a small room with five Call Logs hung on the wall. They looked nothing but like the public phone, large, black in color. I didn't even understand why they were named differently.

"Hey!" said Ruchin as soon as he watched me walking inside.

It was the first time I was talking to him. He was taller than me and kind of bulky. The only thing I liked about him was his perfect silky hair that ran down his shoulders.

"Hi," I replied, "Can I use them?"

"Sure, go ahead," he said, "You are the first person to use them since past two months. You do know how to use them right?"

 "Aren't they like normal phone?"

"Of course they are but first they direct you to someone else and then you are connected. You know for safety."

"Okay, so I just dial the number?"

"Yes," he said nothing else. I waited but he still sitting there and I couldn't resist, so I asked.

"I want to talk, you know, privately."

His eyes brows went up.

"You mean you want me out? You realize that doesn't help, right?"

"Yeah, but I appreciate if you don't hear."

He chuckled.

"Don't worry about me.  Even though I hear, I won't tell anyone until and unless, say, if you are planning for a murder or anything."

"Huh!" I stared at him stunned.

"Relax, I was joking. You go ahead."

He smiled and left leaving me all alone.

I quickly turned around and dialed the number. Only after a single ring I heard a female voice on the other side.

"Hello. Thank you for using the cal logs. Your voice shall be recorded for the safely purposes. Now whom do you want to speak with today?"

The voice was recorded one but very ambient.

"Er," I said not sure how to answer it, "I would like to talk to my aunt, Tanya Galloway."

"Place?"

"Orlando."

"Reason?"

That was a very tricky question!!

"Letting her know that I am safe."

"Thank you for your patience, you may continue."

Thank you!

I felt my heart pumping hard. I was going to hear my aunt's voice after a long time. It took almost more than five rings for her to answer.

"Hello," she said, her voice quivering.

"Aunt Tanya," I said excitingly, "It's me!"

There was a small delay before she continued. But I was sure I heard a small gasp from the other side.

"Oh hi, Mr. Marrin," she said sounding casual.

"Mr. Marrin?" I said wondering, "Aunt Tanya, it's me, Hayden..."

"No, we did not find any whereabouts of Hayden yet. Police is actually searching for him."

I furrowed my brows unable to understand what she was talking about.

"Are you okay, Aunt?"

"Yeah they are here right now, asking addresses about his friends and his father's colleague. I am sure whatever shown in the news was a mistake. I wish they find him soon and settle things up"

Oh! So this is what all it is about! I thought. I swallowed hard. This was a wrong time to call her.

"It's okay, I understand," I said, "When do you want me call back?"

"Yes, I will be in Clearwater two weeks from today. We can catch up sometime. How are you by the way? I heard things have been pretty rough these days."

I didn't really make up my mind whether to tell her about the academy or not. I thought it was going to be me asking questions. Damn! I should really check my timings next time.

"It's too complicated for me to talk about where I am right now..."

"Oh! Is it? Have you been to the family doctor?"

"No I am fine...I don't need to see..."

"Not that doctor...come on you know what I talking about..." Then she pretended a laugh.

Wait a second! Was she talking about...

"Do you mean Dr. Krishant?" I asked suspiciously.

"Of course I am," she said, her tone completely different. Since when she did she become a skilled actress?

"Yes, I am here, with the doctor."

"Good," she said, "You should keep consulting him for a while; you know atleast till the things are okay with you. You do understand what I am trying to say right?"

Was she telling me that I shouldn't come outside now that the police is searching for me?

"Yes," I said, "I understand."

"Good," she said with a relief in her tone, "Let's meet when I come to Clearwater. Later!"

Then she hung up the phone. I did too. What just happened right now? Does this mean my aunt knew who the doctor was? Atleast I was right about my aunt knowing something about my parents past. I wish I could meet her as soon as possible. But my aunt was right. I have to wait till the police gave up searching for me.

-x-