When Kendall kept quiet, Blake tried again. "I'm not kidding."

"I know." Kendall found no sympathy in his dark eyes. Who's life would it be? She had to weigh out the odds. The cacophony of honking below left Kendall afraid. She was always reckless, but when she had to stare into the eyes of death, she had to look away. It was always human instinct to want to live.

If she couldn't live, Blake couldn't be saved either. None of the choices look good. She just had to take the one that was better. Which was it?

"I'm going to count now. 3."

Kendall pictured the death of a wave of people, all caused by her. She couldn't make any wrong choice now.

"2." 

The hourglass, lying in her bloody hand. The sand in its compartment turned red, and Blake fading away into the dust. One more count, and he would let go.

"1--"

"They call us the enhanced." She explained. His grip softened when he realised that she was willing to speak. "By forcing me to tell you this, you pretty much pronounced your own death sentence. Are you sure..?"

"I'm always good at avoiding death. I think at this juncture, I would really want to know the truth." His grip was slack now. Kendall could run, but she couldn't hide from it. Taking a deep breath, she continued.

"I'm from 2017." She told him everything she knew, from start to finish. From the chain murders, to how she ended up here. However, she was wise. She omitted the part about him dying. Perhaps if he didn't know of his death, the circumstances wouldn't change too much and everyone could live. She spoke of the time warps and the different families. She kept Laura a secret. Laura was probably the last of her family, and the only one left who could control time without needing an hourglass. To everyone else, she was dead and the whole family ceased to exist. She didn't want to give Laura away.

"With this power, I set up the time warp. Because I wanted to speak to Laura, she could move too." Kendall lied, then continued with the rest of the truths. "Nikki has the ability to convince people to do what she wants. She told them that the girl was guilty, while I was innocent. They took her in. But believe me, I had nothing to do with the attempted murder of you."

Surprisingly, Blake kept a straight face. "If you're from the future, surely you know who really attempted to murder me. Why don't you convince them to take him in instead?"

"Because they never found who it was." Kendall shifted a little, but it wasn't enough to break free. "Now, will you let me--"

He consented, taking a step back. "Still, I don't believe you. This doesn't make sense."

"Sometimes it doesn't have to. Maybe it's just the way it is." Kendall said, echoing Jo's words that day. "For now, we should go."

Blake was shaken, but he nodded and led her downstairs. For now, this was the explanation that made the most sense, so he had no choice but to believe her.

///

They geared up for their first combat training. Blake made a careful decision of which assault rifle to take, while Kendall chose a sniper. She always had a steady hand and good aim. She climbed to the second floor, which mimicked the rooftop. Blake engaged in hand-to-hand combat. Of course, none of these weapons were real, or had ammunition. They wore gear that were similar to those in laser tag. Aim the gun at the gear over the chest or head, and the member would be ousted. If it was just an injury to the sides, or extremities, he gear would automatically become heavier, slowing down the member. It mimicked what would happen if one got a minor injury. To add more seriousness, there would be pain at wherever was hit. A static shock, the pain level depending on how badly 'shot' they were, would be given when they were shot.

Even though Kendall usually did the science aspect of things, she argued her way to get a spot in the team. This was a dangerous mission and she couldn't entrust anyone else to do it like she could. The higher-ups finally gave in.

They suited up, and Blake high-fived Jacob. The two were best friends on the team and worked together well. They always had each other's backs. On his team, the Alphas, there were also George, Cassidy, Siobhan, Nicholas and Hans. Nicholas, the original leader, had groaned when Blake was appointed the leader of this mission. He had argued against it, but the higher-ups and had strong belief that Blake was just what they needed. Wren, a tough and no-nonsense woman, the previous second-in-charge to Nicholas, was replaced by Kendall too. 

Kendall signed up as a sniper, so she wouldn't be in hand-to-hand combat, but she had to prepare to fight, just in case. She spent hours at the punching bag, but she just couldn't get the right hit. 

"Bend your fingers down a little. Release, then hit back. It's quality not quantity, so you should hit less, and make sure each punch counts." Kendall felt warm fingers on her wrist, pulling it back just to demonstrate. Kendall shook her hand out.

"Yes, boss."She said bitterly. She didn't want to be near him. He smiled, seemingly getting her point. 

"I'm just doing my patrolling and helping the weaker ones." Blake replied, which was like stabbing Kendall. Weaker. Kendall would kill him over that word. If she didn't have the lives of those she knew on the line, who knows? She might actually stop trying to save him.

"I hate you." She whispered. 

He pulled the lever, adding another weight and replied casually. "I guess the feeling's mutual, then."

For hand-to-hand combat, Kendall slipped into the fighting ring. Her opponent was burly and strong, but she was quick and smart. She knew she could win this.

He immediately charged for her, and she kicked low. He avoided, but this gave her time to swing around and kick him in the groin. "Dirty move!" Someone cheered from the audience and they clapped. Kendall got into rhythm and aimed a punch, but missed. He wanted to land punches of his own, but she slipped away. She grabbed his wrist and kicked him more times. The damage was little, so she needed a plan B soon.

Her opponent groaned, trying again. This time, he got her. Kendall was punched in the face, and she touched her nose briefly. She was bleeding. What angered her the most was that when she looked at the audience, Blake closed his eyes, as if he didn't want to see her get beat up. Don't worry, I won't get beat up. She was furious now, and kicked high. Now, she aimed for his chin, punching upwards. She remembered Blake's words. Surprisingly, they did well in helping her this round. 

"I thought you were better!" She could hear Blake shout. She knew what he meant -- that she was enhanced. This angered her further and she swung over, pushing him down from his back. He grabbed her hair and tossed her aside. Get up. Blake prayed silently. Kendall knew what he was thinking. She got up just before the opponent could throw more punches, and swung over. She was kicked, but she retaliated. This time, she did her own damage. She landed quite a severe hit onto her opponent's chest. Then, she ran and used her full body weight onto that part, knocking the wind out of his chest. 

"Analysis: Heavy and strong, so likely to be rash. Would make the first move." Kendall said aloud. She was right-- the man got up and rashly aimed for her, even though it wasn't a good move. She turned over and punched. "Easily breathless, so one should aim to knock the wind out of his chest." She landed on top and punched him. His eyes rolled over for a second. Kendall smiled, aware that he must be dizzy by now. "Eyes constantly drifting around. He won't know what's coming for him..." She aimed for his legs and successfully got him on the ground. She rose above, punching and kicking, until his eyes rolled to the back. 

"Knockout!" Someone announced and a crowd cheered. Meanwhile, the team gathered at the front groaned.

"Pay up." Someone called. Kendall looked over to see them forking out cash.

"What?" She said, confused.

Once her opponent sat up, he moaned in pain. "Good game. I thought you were an easy target, but you play smart. Your analysis was right on point." He noticed her fascination with the group in front and explained. "They were making bets. I'm sorry, but they weren't siding with you. However, one person did bet that you would win."

"Who?" She asked, but it was mayhem. When she looked back, the group had split up. "Next!"

"Kendall versus Blake." Someone shouted and the audience clapped in agreement, cheering. They were the two winners of the matches, but Kendall had little time to recover. Blake got into the ring, wary, as the other opponent left.

"You okay? You just fought?" He asked, face written with concern. He observed the wounds she had. She grimaced a little and had some difficulty, but still spent effort into glaring at him.

"Don't ever look down on me like that." She warned. Blake didn't get harmed at all from his previous match. "Promise you won't go easy on me." Kendall said, "That would be the biggest disgrace of them all."

However, Blake couldn't uphold that promise. When the bell sounded, he held back. She took a punch at him. "None of us will get hurt. At this rate, we'll be stuck here all day." Kendall complained, trying another step forward. She didn't normally play the aggressor, but Blake was as stiff as a statue. She couldn't outdo him, but he didn't want to end this match by knocking her down.

"Do it, man!" Someone called from the audience and the rest were urging him on.

Kendall tried aiming for his legs, but he blocked. Faster than she could blink, he got her into a headlock, her back to him.

"That's the way." Kendall choked, still trying to encourage amidst the pain she was getting.

"I can't." He whispered.

Kendall glared, her elbow getting him in the face. She aimed again. "Why? Because I'm a girl?"

He smirked, showing his true colours. "Yeah." This angered her, and she whipped around. She hit him hard in the jaw, then the chest. She didn't know where she got this power from. She hit him and hit again. 

"Stop! This isn't fun!" The audience shouted. "He's holding back." More pointing.

Kendall was furious. "I'm gonna keep hitting you until you retaliate."

By then, someone had come to split them apart, signalling the end of the match. Kendall was angry and humiliated. Hot tears threatened to spill, so she turned around and stormed out of the room.

"Kendall, wait!" Blake followed.

At the corridor, Kendall spun around. The tears did spill. Kendall was shocked that she was actually crying. "You did it, okay! I've never cried since I was two, and now you did it! Just how you wanted!"

Kendall couldn't tell from the emotions on Blake's face. He looked conflicted, surveying her wounds. "I didn't mean to, I just didn't want you--"

"That's the biggest disgrace of them all! I hate you!" She screamed. They were well out of earshot from anyone else, and Kendall lost her mind. 

"What?" 

Kendall flung out a hand in anger and hit a mirror. It was so hard, that some pieces shattered. It lodged in her fingers, leaving them bloody and bruised. 

"Kendall!" Blake was horrified. He trapped her so she couldn't move and swerved, getting the pieces out of her hand. Kendall sniffed and ceased to cry. She was embarrassed that he saw her like this, and the embarrassment further angered her. She sworn to never cry, until Blake just had to show up and ruin everything!

"I never once thought of you as a weaker one." He said, genuinely concerned. He plucked the pieces out, leaving his own fingers cut. He was bleeding even more, but he didn't seem to care. "You're smart. You have to understand, I was trying to anger you so that you would hit harder and win."

"Yeah, whatever. You ruined it all by holding back."

He took the first aid kit from the side and started seeing to her wounds. "I'm sorry, I didn't expect that."

"You hurt my pride." Kendall said, louder. She would never forgive him. Ever.

"Don't ever forgive me, then." Blake said. There was no bitterness or anger when he said it, but something like sadness. "I messed up. I'm sorry, I just--"

"What? Felt like you needed to protect me?" Kendall completed. Dumbly, Blake nodded. Kendall scoffed, seemingly unable to believe what she just heard. "Don't be dumb, Blake. I'm capable, I will handle my own matters. I don't need anyone to protect me."

"I know, I know. You're strong." Blake wrapped the bandages around.

"You don't sound genuine." 

Suddenly, Blake locked eyes with her. It was so intense, that Kendall had to force herself to not look away, despite her anger. "I mean it. I know you're unlike anything, Kendall. I never doubted your capabilities. At that moment, I just couldn't bear to do it, so I let go." He was done, and started packing up.

"I always believed in you, Kendall." He said, before leaving. Just as he left, Kendall saw the wad of money he had in his pocket. So he was the one, then. The sole person that betted that she would win that first match...

///

Kendall told Tessa of her crazy experience, her near-death caused by Blake. However, Tessa wasn't dismayed. Instead, she smiled, laying out her deck. Each card was lined up in a very straight formation. "You know what to do." Tessa nodded to Kendall.

Kendall nodded back. She ran her hand over the cards. A particular card made her stop. She felt a strange connection to it and picked it up.

"Your chance to go back to 2016 could just be a blessing." Tessa smiled as she flipped over Kendall's card, which was in her palm. "See? Love is on the cards for you."

Kendall gaped. "And now it shows up?"

Tessa continued, examining it closely. "I never wanted to tell this to you, but what you had with Blake last time was rather... superficial. Love was never on the way for you. Now it is."

"But I hate him to the core." Kendall said bitterly, recounting her experience. She shuddered. "I don't know who he is anymore. It's like a time-bomb, about to go off anytime. I fear that he knows about his death, but he's foolish. He doesn't know to stop prying."

"You know you would do the same, Kendall. Besides, that's how love begins. With hate."

"No. Who knows, maybe I'll fall in love with someone else." Kendall folded her arms, imagining Blake hearing this and becoming jealous. But she knew that he wouldn't be, when they were currently at each other's throats.

Tessa laughed lightly. "What's in it for you then? Despite the equilibrium fate, you still go to 2016."

Kendall shrugged. "Otherwise, there would be incomplete business."

"I'm sure you want to hang around with him."

Kendall rolled her eyes. "And get myself nearly killed again? How fun!"

Just then, Kendall's phone rang. It was yet another anonymous number. "Kendall?" The caller said. Kendall recognised that call as her mother's.

"Mom. Is this your permanent number? I need to save it."

"I can't... risk being found." Her mother whispered. "Anyway, Kendall, I'm moving again. Please don't look me up any more."

Kendall was appalled. She couldn't tell if she was more angry or more upset. "Again? You left me so many times, please don't leave me." She was almost begging.

"They... they found me. You need to stay low, okay. And -- I was wrong about asking you not to go back. Go back to 2016. Finish what you set out to do." 

Kendall could imagine her mother on the other end of the line, glancing to and fro in fear, tugging the public phone to her ear. Her mother sounded very afraid and despite all she did to Kendall, Kendall was still worried for her. "Okay. Stay safe, mom. I'll find the killer too. When it's all over, I'll come and get you and the three of us can live together."

"I can't live with you all. I don't want to." Her mother's hushed whisper had anger in it this time. After a pause, her voice softened a little. "Make sure you finish it, Kendall. And... and... how's Jo?"

"Jo?" Sara stopped caring about Jo quite a while ago. It was an off-and-off thing. "Jo's fine. I'll protect her, why?"

"I'm... I'm worried that..."

The phone line cut off. The public phone call must have timed out. Kendall waited for another call, hoping her mother would insert another penny to complete her conversation. But she never did. After 5 minutes, it became clear that Sara harboured no intention to call again, or had no means to. Kendall never got to know what her mother was worried about.

Kendall laughed, staring at her phone, which was shut off after the call. She felt empty. "She's gone, again. She always only cared for herself and willingly escaped this family alone. She left Jo and I to the wolves and made us fend for ourselves."

Tessa kept the cards in a single, graceful gesture. "Don't be silly, Kendall. She cares for you all. If she didn't, she would not have asked you to stop going to 2016. She's someone you know to, so she knows that if you didn't complete it and save Blake, she would die. However, she still advised you against it."

Kendall slid her phone into the back-pocket of her jeans. "I wish that was true. Anyways, she told me to go back. She changed her mind."

"Go, then. Go and finish your incomplete business." Tessa motioned. Kendall was hesitant, but she nodded and sat upright, tipping the hourglass over.

--------------------------------------------------------------

2016

Jacob got another strike. Blake clapped as Jacob acted the part of basking in glory. "That's three strikes! What did they call it again? That's right, a turkey." They burst out laughing.

The two of them had been neighbours since young, and became best friends. When they were young, they used to fight over the stupidest of things, like who got to sit on the swing and which end of the see-saw to take. Until one fine day, when Blake was being bullied, Jacob saved him. Jacob learnt how to fight first. Blake was adamant about that incident and asked Jacob to help him learn. They both started training together and since then, had each other's backs. While Blake looked like he was the one of a higher position, he always considered Jacob to be on the same level that he was.

Jacob took a seat and Blake got up, choosing his bowling ball. He chose a dark green one with the number '10' on it and slid his three fingers in. "So, let's talk about that fight."

Blake shrugged, flexing his muscles. He aligned the ball with the bowling pins, aiming. From his muscle memory, he did his stance well. "What about it?"

"Letting someone off isn't quite your style, y'know."

"She's a girl."

"We both know that's not the reason. You don't stereotype. Moreover, I'm pretty sure that you willingly fought other girls, like Siobhan and Lily and --"

"She's new. And weak." He took a breath and practised his throw.

"That's not it. Hey, you're new too. Come on, did you see what she did with the other guy? She's not weak. Yeah sure, she'd probably lose to you, but she was a good-enough opponent, and could almost be your equal."

Blake turned back, facing Jacob now, who was slightly amused. "She wouldn't 'probably' lose to me. Don't downgrade her like that, she's amazingly talented."

Jacob chuckled. "Ah, you gave yourself away. So it wasn't because she was a girl, or weak. Now, are you trying to pass up the excuse that you were afraid of getting your ass kicked? That would be the silliest and most unbelievable one out of all of them. You always had a death wish."

"I've been told that I'm reckless." Blake acknowledged, facing back to his target.

"Very."

Blake still refused to give away why he held back. He didn't know why he did, too. With his spare hand, he touched his wound briefly. She did manage to score a few hits and they stung a little. Ungrateful. I treated your wounds but all you want to do is hurt me. Blake swung his hand back, and released his grip--

"By any chance, do you have a thing for her?" Jacob laughed. This caused Blake to miss, the bowling ball falling into the gutter. His first gutter-ball. He was unable to comprehend that 0 on his scoreboard, instead of an X, symbolising a strike. 

He took a second one, waiting for his next throw. The barrier came down once again. "Stop it. I meant it that I am never going to fall in love. It's surrendering, giving yourself away, making yourself vulnerable." Suddenly, he remembered the scene at the police station. I know everything about you... And you told me... that you would never fall in love because it's surrendering. It's giving yourself away and it's too heavy a burden. You always felt that it was suicide. It was like a suicide, wasn't it? Besides, now that he was officially working for the task force, his life would constantly be in the line of danger. He wouldn't want to promise a lover that he would come back home safely. He wouldn't want them hurt either...

He snapped himself awake. Why was he worrying that his 'lover' would get hurt? Why was he even imagining one? He shook his head, chiding himself.

"Yeah, yeah. You always say that, since what your parents did." Jacob replied. After a pause, he dared to ask. "Are your parents still alive? Did they contact you?"

"Alive and well. Their business is booming. Stop asking that, Jacob. You know that they'd never contact me. They simply don't care. All they care about is money. Goddamn money. I wouldn't ever treat anyone like that." Blake aimed once again, getting himself into position. He needed a strike to compensate for the previous miss, which he decided was a pure coincidence. 

"I thought you told me that you wouldn't care for anyone else but yourself."

"Well, maybe I changed my mind. Come to think about it, it's not nice to just not care. We're human beings and we have feelings. We ought to care for people, or at least just someone."

"Why? Do you have someone in mind?" At this, Blake's aim was misjudged and the ball flew into the gutter again. Zero. The girls, who were onlookers, watching Jacob and Blake stopped cheering and the crowd dispersed. He was no more fun.

Most importantly, he kept thinking about what Jacob said, the words echoing his mind, like a broken player set on repeat. He looked at Jacob, horrified. What scared Blake the most was the face that kept swarming in his mind.