Ethan knox - September 2120
"You're so cheating" Jack complains, jabbing a finger at me like I've committed a federal crime.
"What? No!" I gasp dramatically, pressing a hand to my chest. "I am playing fair. You just suck at this game."
Jack scoffs, and Issac pushes his sunglasses down his nose to scrutinise me like I'm some rare insect he's deciding whether to squash.
"Yeah, I'm with Jack on this one," Issac says.
I gasp louder. "Nah-ah! Absolutely not! Tell them, Kai."I turn to him for backup, very ready for my moral support... and also because it's fun watching him try to be diplomatic.
We're all gathered around the picnic bench under the shade of the trees, warm sunlight dappling the ground. It's a nice day, warm enough to feel good, not warm enough to melt me into a puddle.
Kai sits beside me, holding his deck of cards suspiciously close to his face like they're a shield. When I call his name again, he lowers them just slightly, peeking over the top.
His eyes flick between the three of us, and he looks like a cornered deer trying to decide which predator is least likely to eat him.
"Erm…" he tries.
I grin. Of course he's hesitant. He hates conflict like this, even if it's just a card-game, and it's honestly adorable.
"Don't drag the new guy into this," Jack says, slamming his cards down with the enthusiasm. "Of course he'll take your side."
I smirk, leaning a little closer to Kai. "Well, maybe he'll take my side because I'm right."
Kai's eyes dart to me, and I swear his ears might be turning faintly pink as he tries to disappear behind his cards again.
Cute.
So cute.
And Jack and Issac have absolutely no idea how doomed they are if Kai does decide to take my side.
"I mean…" Kai hesitates, "I didn't see him use his powers."
I flash him a grin, that golden, mischievous smile that makes him forget to be shy, and turn back to Jack and Issac.
"See? Told you!" I point at them both, leaning back a little like I'm reveling in my totally fair victory.
"That's bullshit," Jack huffs again, crossing his arms.
Issac reaches over and smacks him on the back of the head. "Hey, you little shit! Who taught you to talk like that?"
I bite back a laugh. Well, obviously you, Issac, but I keep it to myself. He may seem chilled most of the time, but I know better than to push an ex-gang member.
Jack and Issac start bickering, tossing words back and forth like a tennis match, while I lean closer to Kai, enjoying the warmth of him pressed against my side. He's still hiding behind his cards, peeking out just enough to watch the argument unfold.
I nudge his hand gently, then pull his cards down so he can look at me properly. His black eyes snap to mine, and I can't help but grin at the little spark of exasperation, and maybe affection I see there.
I lean close, letting my shoulder brush against his, and whisper into his ear, "Okay, fine… I totally used my sight."
Kai exhales softly, shaking his head. "You're impossible," he mutters, but the corner of his mouth quirks up into that small, shy smile I adore.
I grin, nudging him lightly. "I know, but come on… it's hilarious watching them argue like this," I whisper, letting my warmth press just a little closer to him.
"Hey, hey!" Jack calls, snapping his attention back to us. "What are you two whispering about?"
I lean back into my seat, grinning. "Nothing."
He narrows his eyes suspiciously. "You two better not be plotting. I'm totally going to win this next round."
Jack hands the cards to Issac to shuffle, they both take their card games seriously, and after a double shuffle, they're ready. But I already know the turns before they've even started. Leaning into Kai earlier gave me all the time I need to use my sight.
We each place down our cards, the game begins, and with a small, mischievous grin, I lay down the perfect card to guarantee my win this round.
Jack freezes, jaw dropping. "No way… again!"
Issac pushes his sunglasses up, disbelief written all over him. "Seriously? You're so cheating, man. That's impossible."
I throw my hands up, pretending innocence. "I'm not cheating! I'm… just really good at reading people. Totally a normal skill, I swear."
Jack growls, pointing a finger at me. "You totally used your sight!"
I tilt my head, smiling. "I so didn't. But… I'll make you a deal. I'll let you win… eventually. You just have to be patient and wait your turn."
Issac groans, but I can see he's amused, and I catch Kai letting out a soft, quiet laugh beside me. My chest warms instantly. That little laugh of his, it's the best sound in the world.
I nudge his hand gently. "Alright, your turn. Show me what you've got, Mr. Mysterious. I might even let you win if you ask nicely."
Kai huffs, shuffling his cards, but I can tell he's enjoying this. Even with his usual poker face, those tiny glances at me keep slipping through. Yep… he's totally hooked.
Just as Kai is about to hand out the cards, Daniel walks over, arms crossed and expression serious.
"Hey, Edmund says he has a mission for us," he announces.
Well, that's today's fun over, then. Duty calls.
I glance around the table. Everyone's already read the room. Jack has gone quiet, collecting the cards, Issac leans back and pulls a cigarette from his shirt pocket, and Kai… Kai looks tense, like he's bracing himself.
I reach over and squeeze his hand gently. "Don't worry. I'll be back soon."
Daniel frowns and adds, "Actually… Edmund said to bring him as well," nodding toward Kai.
My stomach drops. "What do you mean?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
Why would Edmund need Kai on a mission? He promised Kai wouldn't be forced into anything for the revolution. So why invite him to a mission briefing?
Daniel glances between me and Kai, clearly uncomfortable, before he heads off.
Kai shifts slightly next to me and stands up, rubbing the back of his neck, avoiding my gaze like he does when he feels guilty.
"Kai? What did you do?" I say, standing quickly and taking his hand.
Issac, noticing the tension, gently steers Jack back toward the school, leaving us alone.
Kai's eyes flick between the floor and me. "I… told them I would join you guys... help your cause," he says softly.
My chest tightens. No. This isn't what I wanted. I wanted to keep him safe, away from danger, not dragged into missions.
"Why would you do that?" I ask, taking his other hand and forcing him to look at me.
He meets my eyes, hesitation flickering across his features. "I just… I just want to be able to keep you safe," he murmurs.
I feel my heart squeeze, a mix of worry and admiration. "Kai… you don't have to do that," I whisper, voice shaky. "You don't have to put yourself in danger for me."
He leans closer, his forehead almost brushing mine. "But I want to," he says simply.
I want to be annoyed with him. Really annoyed. He went behind my back, made decisions without me, and now he's being all earnest and protective and - ugh. It's impossible to stay irritated when he looks at me like that.
"Are you coming?" Daniel shouts from across the field.
I sigh, lowering my head.
"We'll talk about this later," I say quietly.
Kai nods, swallowing hard. Yeah, he knows he's in trouble.
"Come on." I tug his hand gently, and we start walking toward Edmund's office together.
When we arrive, Daniel's already holding the door open, which means we're definitely the last ones. Great.
The usual group is already inside, Edmund, Thomas, Tessa, Daniel, Ray... and now Kai.
"Ah, Kai, you came. Good. Thomas passed your message on to me," Edmund says, straightening behind his desk.
I shoot Thomas a look, then Kai. Both of them avoid eye contact with me.Fantastic. They're a secret little club now. Since when did them two talk? Kai has been avoiding him since he arrived here.
No.Ethan. Stop.He's allowed to talk to people and he doesn't have to tell you everything.Well I try to tell myself that, but it does nothing, absolutely nothing, to soothe the irritation simmering in my chest.
Edmund folds his hands behind his back. "I'll only ask once. You can still walk away now. No one will judge you. You are one of us regardless."
Kai looks around the room, taking everyone in. Then he turns to me.
His eyes soften, just a flicker and my heart tightens.Then he faces Edmund again and nods. "I want to help. But… only if everyone else is okay with it."
Edmund smiles at that. The room, however, is silent.
Daniel stands beside Tessa with his arms crossed like he's trying to crush the air out of himself. He doesn't like this, same as me, but probably for entirely different reasons.
Thomas doesn't even look at us. Guilt weighing him down already. Maybe he's thinking about all the times the facility sent Kai out before, when Kai didn't have a choice.
"Alright then," Edmund says finally. "No objections."
Ray steps forward, offering Kai his hand. Kai hesitates for a heartbeat before shaking it.
"Welcome to the revolution, lad." Ray pulls him in slightly, giving him a rough pat on the back.
"Erm… thanks," Kai says, awkward as ever.
I'm still not happy about it. But… having him with us? Having someone that strong, that kind. It's comforting in a terrifying way.
I cross my arms and step forward."So. What's this mission?"
Thomas clears his throat, stands, and moves to the board. He pins something to it, a leaflet. All of us lean closer at the same time.
It's unmistakable.The Lunex Vial, bright orange, sealed in its metal casing.Underneath, bold lettering:
GeneX Headquarters
18 September 2120
You are invited to the annual GeneX Summit
A chill runs down my spine.
Thomas straightens, looking at all of us."We're going to sneak into GeneX headquarters."