Malakai

Kai's body fell stiff after a few hours.

He had gotten used to a cell, but not his entire body tied up for so long. The muzzle was off, but his neck ached from the constant pressure, and he could feel the skin on his wrists and ankles becoming raw. His throat felt dry and burned, and he wondered if he would ever get fed and taken care of from these people. He was lightheaded, from the lingering sedative and dehydration.

When he was with Benedict Lee, he felt lonely and lost, but he had six others with him. Surrounded by the others, Kai had hope. Without them by his side, the feeling quickly subsided. He was alone, for now. It was hard to hold onto hope alone.

He was angry at himself. He was angry that he talked back to these people; shared his identity with strangers who only wanted to use his abilities. He would not show his powers yet, and the more Kai thought about it, the more he wondered why he wouldn't. They'll find out eventually, and they would use him the same. The situation was hopeless for the seven subjects. He began to wonder who else was here. Sebastian? Farrah? Miriam? He didn't know.

He didn't know the time, but he assumed he arrived in the morning and that it was close to night. As much as he wanted to keep his powers hidden and fight, he wanted to get out of this room and roam the Capitol. He did not know which side he was on, but unfortunately, he felt like he was not in the West. Therefore, home was far.

Kai was tired of seeing himself in the mirror, so he forced his head sideways as he looked at the picture on the wall. The scenery of the woods looked peaceful, and Kai admired it. He remembered when he and his sister Novah played in the woods in their backyard; they built forts and searched for pretty rocks to throw. He hadn't seen his sister since she was nineteen. She was twenty-two now, and Kai couldn't grasp the concept.

While time had gone by, Kai never forgot his home and where he came from. He clung onto the memories because he believed he would come back to them. He imagined going home and playing lacrosse with his father and cooking with his mother. He wanted to see if Novah had gotten a good job. He dreamed of home and what it would be like again. It would not be normal, but it would be better. He knew if he ever saw freedom again, it would be different. He would always be known for his powers now—not as himself.

Kai was afraid of being here, captured again, but he also couldn't sit still anymore. He always needed to be moving, whether it was tapping his foot or fiddling with something. He sighed as he stretched his body, pulsing his fists together on and off.

He had nothing to do. With Benedict, he had other people to talk to. He was also given one thing by the scientist: A Bible. Kai assumed Benedict had no desire for the book, so he let Kai have it. It reminded him of his Bible at home; his family would often go to church together. Kia clung onto the pages for three years. But now, the Bible was gone. Kai had nothing but a painting to stare at.

Kai soon realized he hadn't used his powers for hours. Benedict was always training his subjects, and Kai knew without practicing his powers, he would grow weak next time he used them. He learned this from Benedict, and that was why he was constantly working with Kai. But the more Kai practiced, the more dangerous he became. However, maybe if he waited long enough the powers would go away. It was wishful thinking, but Kai could still hope.

The speaker sprung to life, and Kai cocked his head. He thought he was done with questioning for the day. They were growing impatient, no doubt. Kai looked at the mirror, waiting for the smooth voice of the woman from earlier.

"How are you?"

It was not the woman's voice he was familiar with, but a different female. It sounded powerful but young, confident but aware. He wished he could se through the mirror. Was this just another worker? He assumed so, but he wondered why they would come so late in the evening.

Kai almost chuckled at the question. "Would you like an honest answer?"

"That was a stupid question," the voice said.

He shook his head at her comment. What was she getting to? Surely this wasn't going to be a pleasant conversation. He imagined others behind the mirror taking more notes, and he suddenly felt frustrated at the thought. He hated being watched like this, and he didn't want them to poke at him any longer.

"Just get to the real question," Kai said. "You don't have to sugarcoat it."

The speaker was on but the voice fell silent. Kai didn't know what was happening. It was probably a different tactic for them to get him to share his powers, he assumed. A tactic that was surely throwing him off guard. He wasn't sure what to think or how to react.

"There's a party happening right now. A celebration of getting some of the subjects."

"Is this my official invitation?" Kai asked. He tried to play the conversation with humor because he couldn't figure out what was going on. Why would they tell him this?

"No, sorry," the voice said, hesitant. "This was just my excuse to leave."

"So you were sent here," Kai states.

"Well, no."

Kai scoffed. Who was this? Maybe they've broke in, or maybe they were sent to throw Kai off. Whatever the case, Kai oddly didn't mind the company. It was entertaining. He was used to constantly being with the other subjects, so the loneliness was getting to him.

"So you're hiding."

"Yes."

Kai hummed. "Lame party?"

He swore he almost heard a quiet laugh, but it faded in an instant. "I've snuck out of worse ones."

Kai nodded. He understood, somehow. No matter, he could not trust this person easily. "Who are you?"

She was quick to respond. "I'm the daughter of Vice President Isaac Bonavich."

Kai paused and bit his lip. He didn't know he was talking to someone this...important. He clenched his fists and avoided looking at himself in the mirror. She was trying to get his powers out of him, and Kai imagined she would do anything to get it. Could she be lying? No, because now he understood her tone; one with power along with youthfulness. She was trained like her father.

"I'm not showing my powers—"

"What side do you think you're on?" the girl blurted. Kai was thrown off guard once again. It was her that would be leading this conversation. She would not be interrupted, and Kai shrunk in his chair.

"I think I'm not home," Kai said.

"Mhm. Do you like that painting?"

Kai darted his eyes to the painting. He knew the picture by heart now; swirls of the color of nightfall glowing as the moon shone from the water. Searching for details was the only thing that kept him busy. "I do like it."

"Beautiful creatures. Their calls are horrific, but they are almost majestic looking. Simple but alluring. Do you know what they are?" she asked.

"Elk," Kai said. "I used to go elk hunting with my father." Again, the thought of his family pained him to no end. And the fact that he shared a story with a stranger, a possible enemy, shocked him. He was lonely.

"You know, there are no elk around here," she said. Her monotone voice dropped and Kai could immediately hear an Eastern accent. His face perked up as he exhaled, and thoughts came rushing.

"I'm in the East."

"And you're from the West," she spit back. "I knew it all along."

Kai pressed forward, ignoring the pull of the metal cuff on his neck. "Then why didn't they tell me where I was?"

He could hear the girl sigh. "Because my father knew you would be more difficult if you knew you were on the enemies side."

"Then why did you just tell me this?"

There was a pause. It truly made no sense. She had a celebration to get back to, and surely she was a famous face at the East Capitol. Why did she tell Kai what her father didn't want him to know? Why was she here at all?

"I thought you had a right to know," she said.

Kai laid his head back again. Either she really did feel like he had a right to know, or she was still testing him. "I guess it doesn't change the outcome, anyway."

"I'm afraid not."

He heard a tinge of sadness in her tone, but then again he still had no idea what her intentions were for this conversation. It could all be part of Isaac Bonavich's plan. He looked at the mirror, past himself, and he wondered what her facial expression was. Was this all just a tease?

"Tell me what the party looked like," Kai said. He didn't know why he was engaging in more conversation, but he didn't mind the company. Plus, maybe he could get more information out of her. "I haven't been to one in years."

"Well, you can barely call it a party."

Kai laughed a little, and he was taken aback by his actions. It must've shocked the girl too, because she paused for a moment. The echo of the foreign sound quickly faded.

"My father made a toast. My sister and I stood around and waited to be greeted by everyone, but my father and mother were bombarded by people. Other than that, there was music and great food, so that's a plus."

The thought of food made Kai's stomach ache. While she described the party as boring, Kai was still intrigued by the event. It was a celebration about his capture, of course, but it seemed pleasant anyhow. But this girl was born into royalty; she would not be thrilled by the things she's used to.

"It sounds tolerable," Kai said. He cleared his throat and spoke again before she could end the conversation. He wanted to keep her talking. "What's your name, anyway?"

"Bonavich."

"I was thinking more of your first name," Kai said, a tease spreading across his dry lips.

"I probably shouldn't say."

Kai sighed. "Don't you think I'll find out eventually?"

"Eventually. Not tonight." It was an order.

Kai nodded. "Alright, then. I'll be sure to take your word for it—"

"My father is a good man."

Her words seemed rushed, urgent. Kai did not react; he kept his stare at the mirror, looking at his eyes with faint semicircle bruises settled underneath. The speaker turned off, and Kai thought she had left. He found it hard to believe her father was a good man, especially when he had done this to him and the other subjects. But she was his daughter, and she could see a different side.

He looked at the painting again. Did they put that here on purpose? Kai should've known elk were primarily in the West. The girl had said that she knew what side he was on all along. Maybe she caught his accent. But why would she tell him something her father didn't want him to know? Nothing made sense.

The speaker turned on again. "But, my father, he—"

She hesitated. Kai perked up. Was she going to say something she wasn't supposed to again?

"He'd do anything for the good of the East."

Kai nodded. This he already knew. He knew Isaac Bonavich was going to use these subjects for his own good. He knew what was going to happen. Kai would be used for war.

"But he's becoming impatient."

"I'm sure he is," Kai smiled. He knew this, too. Kai was going to hold off as long as he could. But the girl sounded serious. Nervous, even.

"Tomorrow he's going to make you show your powers, Malakai."

His heart jumped at his name. He'd forgotten he shared it, and it seemed foreign to hear. Her comment was still odd. She was sharing things that he was already aware of.

"He's going to have to do some real damage to me, then."

"No, he's not going to," she said. Kai was confused now. How else would he do it? Maybe this was a setup; she was sent here to give him a scare.

"Then what is he going to do?" Kai asked.

"He's going to hurt someone else to get to you."

•••

Chapter song: creature // half•alive

Hello, everyone!

Comin' in HOT with the updates ;)

How did you like this chapter? It was slow, I know, but I really wanted to build up their "relationship" and have some dialogue between the two. I also liked how Kai still hasn't seen her yet—but, he knows of her existence!

ALSO a huge thank you to animalsjam1 for the aesthetic for Kai!

Please vote, comment, and share with a fellow reader! Or be greedy and keep the book to yourself—no judgment here.

Until Next Time,
Grace