Malakai

Kai washed his body raw as the blood finally disappeared down the drain.

He changed into a white t-shirt and grey cargo pants before knocking on the door to Ingrid's room. She smiled at him, waiting with her first-aid kit, and Kai sat at the edge of the bed as she motioned him over.

Ingrid inspected his cut and hummed. "Not too bad. Thankfully it won't need stitches."

Kai nodded, but she only placed her hand on his head to keep him still. He held in a chuckle. "Slipping on solid ground is embarrassing enough, I guess."

Ingrid laughed a little. "In front of a trained soldier, too."

"Don't remind me," Kai murmured. He paused as he felt Ingrid's gentle hand on his wound. "I'm sorry we're kind of a handful."

"Oh, I don't mind honey. In fact, it's been fun."

"Yeah?"

"Mhm." Ingrid said as he looked at him. She took a deep breath, and her lips parted as she tried to say something. She looked away and busied herself while digging in the first-aid kit. "I've always wanted kids."

Kai wanted to tread lightly, but he couldn't really help it. "What made you decide against it?"

"I had two miscarriages," Ingrid said as she pulled out a white wrap. "My husband and I stopped trying after we lost our second."

"Where is your husband?"

"He passed away around ten years ago. Heart attack. I sold our home in West Virginia and moved here afterwards, and eventually worked at the Capitol."

"I am so sorry—"

She waved her hand at him. "I will see my family soon enough. Anyways, when I moved to the Capitol, Rosa and Vivie almost felt like my own two kids. And I loved my job."

And we took you away from that, Kai thought. He turned his attention elsewhere. "Rosalyn is very grateful to have you. And it seems Seb has attached himself to you, too."

Ingrid smiled. "He is a great kid. Always pushing my buttons, but I suppose it makes it all the more fun."

Kai laughed a little before grinning at Ingrid. "I am grateful for you too. I really am. I don't have the words—"

"I don't need words," Ingrid said. "I've already heard words and seen actions to know that everyone here is thankful for one another."

Kai nodded. He knew she was referring to the other subjects as well. "We're protective of each other. Benedict, he—"

Ingrid placed a warm hand on his arm. She stared at him with light and welcoming eyes. "I can see the protection, and I can also see you pouring your protection onto Rosa. And for that, I am grateful. You guys are all she has now. Thank you for being so kind to her."

Kai only shrugged. "You two have done the same for us."

Ingrid nodded as she began to wrap the bandage over Kai's head. "I think that's called family."

She carefully wrapped his head; Kai found the wrap to be more annoying than anything, but he kept still as Ingrid worked. He felt—better. His blood was washed away and his heartbeat finally settled.

"I—" Ingrid hesitated. "I wanted to tell you something."

"Anything," Kai replied.

She took a deep breath and intertwined her fingers. She seemed nervous, and Kai had never seen her this way. Nonetheless, she met him with warm eyes. "I will never ask what you've gone through; I believe that is in your power to share. However, I have seen you hold onto your strength, Malakai. I see you as a survivor, and I can also see it in the others. I hope, I pray, you will never lose your willpower to continue to fight and live.

"In this world, there will be troubles—God even warned us of that. You have faced those troubles. And I can grantee you that you will be rewarded—"

"Why are you telling me this?" Kai blurted.

Ingrid pierced her lips together. "Because your troubles are not over, and your rewards are postponed."

He nodded. That he knew. He knew, after all the horrendous things he'd been through, that it still wasn't over. And when would it be over? His powers would not go away, and he would always be a runaway.

"Sometimes," Kai began, his mouth sputtering words that he could not control. "Sometimes I felt abandoned by Him. I became so angry because—because while I was suffering God was silent."

"He was not silent," Ingrid said softly. "He was suffering beside you."

Then we both suffered greatly, he thought. He nodded anyways, offering her a smile. "Thank you for all you've done, Ingrid. Maybe you've been a reward, after all."

She smiled while shaking her head. "If I am the reward, then what is Rosa to you?"

-

Everyone piled into the living room after lunch.

The boys sat on their air mattresses while everyone else found a spot on the couch or floor. Rosalyn sat next to Kai, smiling along as Seb told her a story. Ingrid and Farrah were deep in conversation, while Miriam, Hyemi, and Wolfie were arguing about something. Kai and Becks signed to one another from across the room.

He was asking her about certain phrases and how to sign them. While he knew a lot, there was always more to learn, and Becks was always more than happy to teach. Kai finger-spelled different words, and she would reply back with the correct sign.

"That is really cool," Rosalyn said, turning to him. He could feel her watching his hands as he spelled out a new word.

"It's a beautiful language, really. Although I'm not the best at it."

"Maybe I'll pick it up one day," she smiled. She watched them back and forth, content with just learning with her eyes as Becks signed back.

But the lesson was cut short as the TV's black screen turned to static.

Everyone paused their conversations and turned their heads towards the TV who had turned itself on, it seemed. There was complete silence as the static screen buzzed, and before Ingrid could stand up and turn it off, two faces appeared on the screen.

Arthur Veil and Isaac Bonavich.

He felt a sweaty hand grasp his wrist, and it tightened as Rosalyn took in a deep breath. Kai placed his other hand over Rosalyn's, gently squeezing.

The two did not look any different; maybe just a tad tired, but Veil still showcased that sickly warm smile that Kai despised. Bonavich's smug frown did not disappoint Kai, however. It was expected, but it also made him content with the obvious anger on his face.

"This is President Arthur Veil and Vice President Isaac Bonavich, speaking from the East Capitol." Veil's voice sounded proud, almost squeaky, but Bonavich soon took over.

"While we wanted to announce this earlier, there was a sudden attack in Northern Nebraska, in which the West claimed victory. But it is both sides who have lost their greatest weapons.

"Three day's ago, the Easts' subjects escaped, and were last seen in Sandy Hook, Kentucky."

Suddenly, their pictures took over the screen. Kai, Seb, and Hyemi's face stared back at them, with their full names under the photos, including basic information about what they look like.

"Sebastian Kritz, Hyemi Zhu, and Malakai Valadao, otherwise known as Subject Zero, are on the loose and dangerous. We believe a woman named Ingrid Vos has aided them in their escape. And not only that, they have taken Rosalyn Bonavich, my daughter, as a hostage."

"Hostage?" Wolfie huffed through the pause of Bonavich's voice. "Her and 'Subject Zero' are currently holding hands, for goodness sakes."

"Stockholm Syndrome?" Seb whispered, and the boys snickered.

"Daughter?" Miriam said quietly, as if putting the pieces together. Kai gave Rosalyn two reassuring pulses with his hand, but she was still tense. There were going to be many questions after this.

Their photos were replaced by Rosalyn and Ingrid. Kai felt the grip on his wrist tighten even more. Bonavich was lying and he knew it; Rosalyn chose to go, and her mother was proof of that. Kai just happened to set up the perfect disguise to save his perfect daughter.

"Not only have we lost our subjects, the West side has lost them as well."

The others' faces appeared, and Kai felt a stiffness in the room. Of course, their parents would be seeing their children for the first time, three years later, all grown up and still alive. Alive but wanted dead by many.

"Here we have Miriam Gilardi, Becks Renshaw, Farrah Dumont and Wolfgang Foss. They escaped on the East side, after the battle in Kansas. It is assumed they have met with the other subjects in Sandy Hook."

Kai hated how the man talked. He hated how one could even think this way. But he was not alone. Many others wanted the subjects found, and treated as such. They were merely hosts of the power they held. Nobody truly wanted them.

"We are offering a reward," Bonavich began. "A reward for each subject you can find for us. We have an agreement with the West that we will take back the subjects we started with."

"Sick bastard," Wolfie whispered, but it only caused Rosalyn's grip to cut off circulation in his hand. He could not imagine what she was thinking right now. But he could feel it.

"There will be a cash prize for finding the subjects, but that cash will be doubled if Subject Zero and Rosalyn Bonavich are found."

"Geez." Kai couldn't control his reaction. He felt Rosalyn shiver next go him, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Kai could care less about the prize money.

What unsettled him was the fact that he was the same price as Bonavich's own daughter.

"We ask that you proceed with extreme caution of around Subject Zero. His power stems from his hands, and it can be deadly."

Or it could save your life, he thought. But they would never show that side of him.

Bonavich continued to talk, but Kai was lost. His mind moved from scattered thoughts, good and bad. Good, because his family now knows he's alive. Bad, because maybe a dead son was better than what he was now. What were their reactions after seeing their son, Subject Zero, who is known to be lethal?

No, Kai. This was Benedict's doing. This was his design.

Rosalyn's shrinking figure in his arms snapped him back to reality. The TV screen went black. He looked up at Miriam, who was now standing up, furious.

"The Vice President's daughter. Here, with us. Really? Really?"

Seb jumped in. "That doesn't mean anything—"

"That means everything!" she yelled. Her icy eyes were dead set on Rosalyn. Kai held her closer.

"Did you reveal our location, darling?" Wolfie asked. Of course he would part with Miriam. It was probably the most logical to do. But his voice sounded—desperate. Like he once had hope in Rosalyn.

"No," Kai said. "Stop assuming. Seb got caught here with two soldiers. We used my power and Rosalyn even took off their trackers."

"Seems like you two are the dream team, huh?" Wolfie pitched in. Kai only tightened his arm around Rosalyn, as if someone was going to snatch her away. And maybe Miriam would, if Kai was not careful.

"The daughter of a man who wants to use us just as Benedict did? God, Kai, really?" Miriam pressed. "How stupid could you be."

"I am not stupid." Kai bit back, a snarl laced in his tone. Miriam gave him a subtle nod; she knew that wasn't true. Kai was observant, and claimed to be a good people-reader, or so he was told he was. Miriam knew who Kai was, but she still did not trust Rosalyn.

"If Rosa didn't want the subjects freed, she would not be here," Ingrid simply said.

"She's right," Hyemi joined in. "She had a choice to stay or go."

"Okay, great. Glad to hear it," Farrah said, her voice shaky. "However maybe we should figure out what to do now? We're in Sandy Hook—people could find us any minute. What do we do?"

"Start packing," Ingrid said. "Pack lightly. I think we should stay here—for now. We're stronger when we're together. We need to gauge the situation and see how many people would actually come looking."

"Why send the public to catch us?" Hyemi asked.

"To let them do their dirty work," Kai said softly.

Seb scoffed. "Yeah, god forbid any more of their soldiers get a zap of Kai's power." 

Kai felt a slight vibration on the floor, and he immediately turned to Becks, who was stomping her shoes on the floor to get attention. She signed something, straight to Kai, and he frowned. She was right.

He turned to Ingrid. "She said I wouldn't use my power on innocent people."

"Kai wouldn't hurt a soul if he didn't have to," Seb said. Seb's glowing eyes rested on his best friend. "Like Veil and Bonavich almost knew you wouldn't."

Memories flooded with Veil's words. "Your human nature is attractive, son. You alone stand out because you are not only a healer by power, but by heart."

Veil knew who Kai was whether he liked it or not. He knew his character, his heart, him. He knew Kai wouldn't hurt an innocent citizen; he couldn't even let Bonavich die that one day.

"Well, I'm not afraid to throw some punches," Wolfie said. "I'll save my own ass if it means being free. I'll even save all your asses—"

"All asses will be saved," Seb explained matter-of-factly.

"We will not hurt anyone," Ingrid jumped in. "But that doesn't mean we can't fight back, apply pressure. But for now, gather some belongings. We need to make this place look abandoned."

Everyone scrambled to their feet, rushing to their rooms and coming to terms with the fact that their safety was never secured. Kai never felt secure, but he felt happier, more light, before. He rolled his sleeping bag and deflated his mattress. The peaceful days were over.

He glanced over at Rosalyn, who was folding blankets, but it was obvious her arms were shaking. He stood up and grabbed the blanket from her. "Are you alright?"

She nodded but her words didn't match. "I didn't know how much I—didn't want to see him."

"Well, hopefully you won't have to again."

Rosalyn frowned at him. "The chances of escaping is slim, Malakai."

"But hope is big, right?"

"Unfortunately, I'm not that type of thinker."

Kai only grinned. "Then I'll think it for you."

Rosalyn grabbed another blanket and attempted to fold it with uneasy hands. "If one of us, or both, gets caught—I'm sorry we couldn't help. I don't, I really don't know what my father will do to you if he gets you back."

"I'm more concerned what he'll do to you," Kai said, and Rosalyn froze. Her wide eyes stared up at him, and he could see they were glossy. Her lips parted as she glanced down.

"I don't know what he'll do. But I—I don't think I'll be safe if I go back. Me or you."

"Then we'll try not to go back," he said. "We are in control of trying."

Suddenly, Rosalyn merely fell forward and placed her head on his chest. "I don't want to go back."

"Rosalyn." Kai breathed, suppressing a chuckle as she pressed her entire weight against him. He wrapped his arms around her, and she wrapped her own around him. "We'll figure it out, okay?"

She didn't say anything, so Kai stood still, feeling her warmth against his body. It felt comfortable, really, and he rested his chin on her head. He held her until her breathing grew even.

But then Hyemi stepped out of the room.

She slanted her head, raising one ear to the air as she narrowed her eyes. Then, she stood straight again, a blank expression worn on her face.

"They're coming. A lot of them."

•••

Chapter song: Let You Down // NF

Y'all, this chapter took FOREVER to write. The motivation was lost, for sure. I'm just glad I pushed through it. Thanks for bearing with me!

What do you think is going to happen? Will they be caught again? Maybe not?

Thank you for still sticking with me and reading. You have no idea how much that means to me!

Vote, comment, & share!

Until Next Time,
Grace