Xole’s mouth fell open. “I-it’s you!”

  “Uh huh,” he said, looking up. He stared off at the night sky, his parted lips drooled. The rat on his shoulder bit his cheek, yanking it to the side until he noticed and shook his head. “Oh right…who were you again?”

  “Skinner!” Trix said, marching up to the two. The man looked over, his dazed face glowed slightly.

  “Oh, I know you—”

  ‘WHACK!’

  Skinner’s head snapped back, flipping the rest of his body backwards to the ground. She snatched him by the ear and yanked him to his feet.

  “How many times am I going to have to drag you back to Haven?!” She hissed through gritted teeth, “Would you like to have me chop off your legs?”

  He groaned in pain, “OW, OW, Ow—don’t please I’m sorry—OW!”

  “Ha!” Salamander laughed, “Dew it!”

  “Can I run a medical diagnostics before we do anything else?” Patchwork’s voice piped up from the back.

  “The better question is how did you even get those cuffs off?” Snap asked, examining his hands.

  “Oh, my friends—OW—they really—OW—chewed—OW—”

  “Ok let him go Trix I wanna hear this.”

  “Hmhp!” she dropped him, letting him scurry backwards to Abbas, clutching his leg.

  “Boy…am I glad to see you.” He said to the large man. He looked a tad disgruntled.

  “The feeling is mutual, Skinner. Now about the cuffs…”

  “Oh yeah…” he paused, looking off into the distance for a few minutes. Xole looked around at everyone else, waiting as if they were used to this. He looked back at the man, who continued to stare. Suddenly his eyes blinked, “Oh yeah my friends chewed through them.”

  “Damn, really?!” Salamander said, face surprised, “What was dey feedin’ ya in dere?”

  “Anything but Strip-Lash,” Patchwork said. Skinner’s eyes lit up.

  “Lash? LASH?! Where? Where?! Who’s hiding it?!” his head shot down the road, “Is it you down there?!!”

  Trix pinched his ear, “You won’t be getting any anytime soon, Skinner…”

  As the man reeled back in pain again, Abbas went over to Xole, taking a look at the downed officer himself. “Young one, what exactly did you do here?”

  Xole looked back at his arms, his right still throbbed. “I don’t know…” he said. “All I knew was that he was going to hurt her—with that same tactic at that!” is arms shivered, “But all I wanted to do was stop him. That’s all I swear!”

  “And that’s how?”

  “All I did was tried to hold him, like I usually do,” Xole said, “But I was angry…and I knew if I didn’t try he would’ve killed her!” he shook his head, “I wasn’t about to let that happen again, especially to someone else.”

  “Hmm,” Abbas looked at Xole, the officer, then back at him. “I see. I think you may be in the process of beginning to understand your Aculty.”

  Xole looked down, confused, “So you’re saying I have like, telekinesis or mind powers or something?”

  “To me it seems you wish to manipulate fate itself, young one.” Abbas said. He turned and made his way back to the group, “Now come, our night isn’t over quite yet.”

  Xole watched him go. ‘My Talent…I can make a difference?’

  “Listen up, everyone,” Abbas said. The group quieted down quickly. The large man approached the middle of them. “We’re going to round back to the Head Precinct and assist in liberating the rest of the so called, suspects. Skinner, how many did you see there?”

  “Ah, well…” he looked off again. Xole noticed a few more rats gathering at his feet. He began counting with his fingers, “I think a lot…but a lot got tortured too…so I gotta say….I think half.”

  “Half of what?” Snap asked.

  “Uh…” he wiggled his fingers, “more than these.”

  Salamander shook his head, “Den we was too late! Dammit!”

  “Not to worry, Salamander,” Abbas said, “Their cries won’t go unheard.” He looked back at the rest of the group, “When we arrive there our first priority is to rendezvous with Johnny and his family. After that, Skinner will lead Snap and Patchwork to the cells to assist with breakout and medical treatment. The rest of us shall assist in finishing off the rest. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes sir!” everyone said. Xole, however, felt stiff.

  ‘Finish off? What does he mean?’

  “Oh, Abbas!” Snap said, rubbing his hands together. “I got a surprise for us!”

  “Is it gonna blow us up?” Salamander asked.

  “Ha, maybe just you,” he muttered. He gestured to the van, “I successfully hot-wired this baby to get us to the Precinct in a lick!”

  “Excellent work, Snap,” Abbas said. “I’m surprised the van’s even still working after that smack I gave it.”

  Patchwork however made a disgusted face, “Do we have to?”

  “Can I have my seat back?” Skinner asked.

  Trix nodded, taking him by the ear and painfully dragging him in the back. “I’ll even make sure you’re buckled in so you can’t run off this time.” She smiled.

  Salamander laughed, following the two, then, Patchwork, begrudgingly. Snap nearly hopped in himself before making a face and looking at everyone, “Uh, one of us know how to drive right?”

  Everyone exchanged confused glances. Then, Xole raised his hand.

  “I’ve seen someone do it a few times…”

  Xole swerved the police van through the busy streets, blasting through mailboxes, signs, and nearly a few pedestrians. Snap gripped his passenger seat, teeth chattering as the vehicle twisted past the corner so hard it tipped to its too side wheels, making the young man shriek.

  “I thought you saw someone do it!” he cried.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  “I did!” Xole replied back.

  “No I thought you meant an ACTUAL person not a videogame character!!”

  They picked up speed as Xole pressed on the gas, constantly glancing back and forth between the GPS and to the road. “This thing’s pretty much busted! How far are we?”

  “Keep your eyes on the road” Snap yelled as they blew through a fire hydrant, the van rocking as water burst behind them.

  “I need to know where I’m going!”

  “Keep going straight!” he shouted. “Look for the flashing red and blue lights on a five story fortress!”

  Xole leaned forwards to the cracked front window, seeing a similar looking building except its right side was on fire and helicopters circled it from above. “Is that it?” he asked.

  Snap squinted, “Yeah that’s—oh snap it is it.” He looked ahead, noticing the front entrance was barred off with a dozen armored cops shooting into the shadows around it. He then noticed the van begin to hum louder and begin to speed up, “Xole, whatcha doin’?”

  “We need to get in.”

  “By going through the front? Pull to the side!”

  Xole swallowed hard, “I’m not sure how to tell you this but…the whole time we’ve been driving…”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’ve uh, noticed my brake was never really—y’know—the most responsive.”

  “…”

  “Snap?”

  “Xole…please stop the van…”

  “I told you I ca—”

  “Well try harder!”

  “I can’t!”

  “DO IT!”

  “I CAN’T!”

  The young man grabbed his ace and screamed. Xole gritted is teeth and blasted the horn, the surprised officers turned to the speeding headlight-less van and began firing at it.

  “No you idiots!” Xole shouted, “Get out of the way!”

  But it was too late.

  The van plowed through the men, sending their screaming bodies flying into the air like bowling pins and thundering over the roof. But it wasn’t done yet. It plowed through the barred entrance, sending chucks of the wall and chairs everywhere through the cubicle filled room. It drove all the way through, slowing, until finally reaching the opposite end, the bumper tapping lightly against the wall. Shaking, Xole’s head jittered to Snap’s direction, who was knocked out by the air bag. He let out a sigh, “Looks like he’s okay.”

  He looked out the window and slowly stepped out, quickly pressing his back against the side of the vehicle and sliding to the end. He tapped on the door. “Guys!” he whispered loudly, “The coast is clear!”

  “We know,” Patchwork’s voice said from behind.

  Spinning around, Xole saw the group had already been out of the back and were standing behind him, somewhat dazed. Patchwork rubbed his hip, “Though I am surprised we didn’t get smashed back there, considering you’re driving.”

  Trix’s hands went to her own hips, “Don’t say that Rivers! At least he can drive.”

  Salamander started laughing again and Abbas shrugged. Then, another voice chimed in.

  “Whelp, I’ve always hated driving too.”

  From the entrance they’d made, Sammy waltzed in, yawning, followed by Johnny and Sunshine. The man in the light brown coat patted Xole’s shoulder, “So thanks kid. Glad the Groundhogs finally secured themselves a getaway driver.”

  “Because we could never afford cars?” Sunshine asked.

  Johnny carried Snap out of the front, sitting him against the van, “What happened to him?” he asked.

  “He…” Xole started, “Uh…had some issues. But I think he’ll be ok.”

  “EEEEK!” Snap’s head shot up, looking around in panic. At the sight of the group he let out a sigh and jabbed his finger at Xole, “What we just did, never again! Never!”

  “Aw grow up!” Salamander said. He lit a cigar, “Maybe dis’ll put a hair or two on ya chest.”

  Abbas nodded. “Good, everyone is here. Now like we spoke earlier, Patchwork, Snap, and Skinner to the cells, the rest of us to the top.”

  “That’s always where the trouble is,” Johnny grumbled. He looked at Sunshine, “Send the doctor our current layout of this place to his Green Pass.”

  “Right!”

  Patchwork groaned, walking ahead with Snap. He stopped and looked back. “C’mon Skinner, I refuse to be here all night.”

  “Oh…yeah,” he said, staring off.

  Abbas glanced at Trix, who looked away and sighed, “Fine.” She said.

  The large man produced a small packet of a green sparkling substance. He handed it to Skinner whose eyes lit up, snatching it and tossing the entire thing in his mouth. His eyes widened and Inner-Gi shot from his body in a yellowish flash.

  “WHOO!” he jumped in the air, pumping his fists, “That’s what I’m talking about! THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKIN’ ABOUT!”

  With that, he bolted ahead, followed by Patchwork yelling and Snap. Xole looked back at Trix, remembering the bank, “Hey, where those enhancers?” he asked.

  “…Yes they were, Xole.” she said looking away.

  “Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t know it was a sensitive—I mean, I didn’t think—!”

  “It’s fine,” she sighed. She looked back at him, “He’s been on them ever since he was seven. Not like the lady ever took responsibility for what happened,” She spat, “All we’ve ever had was each other anyways, so I don’t mind.” She looked off to where he left, “Abbas says this was the best way to utilize his Talent, otherwise he’d lose his mind.”

  Salamander sighed, shaking his head. “Any of y’all know the fastest way to the top?”

  “The elevator shaft’s down.” Sunshine turned from it, “We think whoever was in charge here is hiding at the top.”

  “Also,” Sammy added, gesturing out the window, “those helicopters have been circling us for a hot minute now but never became hostile, almost as if they’re waitin’ for something.”

  Abbas looked out the window, then back at the group. “Change of plans, I’ll stay down here, the rest of you find a way up. The sooner this place comes down, the better.”

  “Please…don’t hurt us…”

  The group’s attention snapped to the front desk, Johnny and Sammy already leading the way with Sunshine following, holding her water guns at her temples. The rest of the Groundhogs rushed over to see a crying blonde woman holding an unconscious bleeding man on her lap.

  “P-please…he’s hurt,” She sobbed. “We didn’t even do anything!”

  “Yeah right!” Salamander said, “Y’all workin’ with dem Blue Collard killers! Sendin’ ‘em off ta burn one of our camps down or beat da hell outta us for being too poor!” he took a long puff from his cigar, grinning. “What’s about ta happen to y’all next...is gonna be easy!”

  She shrieked and looked away as Salamander threw his chest back.

  ‘WHO—’

  “Don’t!” Xole shouted, jumping between them with his arms out.

  “Eh?” Salamander swallowed hard, a rumbling coming from his stomach. “The hell’s ya problem?!”

  “We don’t have to kill them!” Xole said, “Just stop the guy in charge, right? He’s the problem!”

  The chain smoker did a double take. “Ya kiddin’ me—kid, they ALL da problems, ya understand? All dese folks ya see? All of dem make dey livin’ off our sufferin’, and when you let dem escape, dey gonna do it again at a different precinct!”

  “Please!” the woman begged, “I swear to God I’ll never step foot in another Precinct again! I have a family—so does he! Please don’t kill us!” she began crying again.

  Johnny and Sammy put their bottles away and stepped back, same with Sunshine who took shook her head at him.

  “Kid,” she said, “Don’t give these Collars any false hope. Just move it so we can keep going.”

  Xole looked at Abbas, “Is this what you meant by ‘finishing off the rest’?” he looked around, “Do any of you guys know how wrong this is?! They’re just desk workers!”

  “What’s wrong is your lack of understanding,” Trix said. “We all stood where you are at one point. So happy, yet so ignorant. You don’t see the bigger picture because you can’t comprehend it yet.” She took his arm, “Move along, Xole.”

  “No!” he said shaking her off. “All I want to do with my Talent is help people! Even if that means saving them from all of you!”

  “…” Abbas clapped his hands, “Alright, who else is hiding?”

  A few heads popped from the desk, offices, and knocked over shelves. All Blue Collared workers sharing the same terrified look. Abbas sighed.

  “Anyone who wishes to see the light of tomorrow please see yourselves through the front entrance.”

  Salamander gave the man a surprised glance, but Abbas shrugged back at him, “And do keep your hands up,” he continued, “The last thing you need is getting shot by your own men.”

  The Blue Collars carefully got up, moving slowly through the room, their eyes fixed on the homeless. Then one did a quick skip to the hole in the wall and stepped out, tensing their body. He then opened his eyes, flowing with joy.

  “It’s all clear everybody!” he yelled, “Let’s get out of here!”

  The Blue Collars cheered and stampeded for the exit. The woman helped the bleeding man up and made followed her peers. She threw a glance behind her at Xole.

  “Thank you…thank you so much!”

  With a smile, Xole turned back around to the rest of the room, “Ok guys, now I think I saw a staircase—”

  ‘WHOOOOOOOSH!’

  A hot blinding light lit from the corner of Xole’s now wide eye. Slowly looking back, his mouth dropped open in horror.

  Bodies.

  Charred and burnt from the hole, to as far as he could see up to the parking lot, where a few car doors hung open. His shaky eyes slowly went down to the entrance, where he saw the woman’s burnt body collapsed with the man under her. Their blood had all evaporated. Salamander took a puff.

  “MAAAAAN Dat was close!” he said.

  “I guess you were serious about them seeing a ‘light’ alright,” Sammy said, rubbing the back of his head, “I thought my eyebrows were history with that attack.”

  “You would’ve looked better,” Johnny said. Sunshine giggled.

  Xole’s face was still stuck on the sight.

  “The plan remains,” Abbas said. He turned from the group. “Finish this place off by any means necessary. Now.”

  Everyone began making their way to the stairs in the back. Trix looked over her shoulder back at Xole and shook her head, “One day, you’ll understand. Now move it.”

  Xole’s fingers twitched. He blinked rapidly, hoping the image would disappear. But it didn’t—it refused to. He could feel his vision narrow on the man and woman. The sight overwhelmed him, making it hard for him to breathe, let alone think. It was so overpowering he didn’t notice Trix come over to take his hand and lead him up the stairs.