Ohis sat hunched over the metal chair, his wrists bound tightly by black cuffs that pulsed with faint red lights.
Ohis hair was a tinted white.
He was furiously sweating as blood trickle down his head staining his white hair.
His breath came uneven. He tried to steady it, but the silence of the room pressed on his chest harder than any chain could.
Everyone knows what happens when the 'Guards' catch you. The Government granted them full right to apprehend and manage the meta.
There was news on the street that the 'Guards' either kill you or use you for experiments.
The door hissed open.
Ryan stepped in without a word. He didn't move quickly, nor did he slam the door for effect. He simply walked forward, calm, precise and relaxed, unlike the other staff.
He simply sat down on the chair in front of Ohis without really sparing him a glance.
Ohis flinched as Ryan sat opposite him. The cuffs hummed faintly at the boy's wrists, the red glow growing sharper.
"Name," Ryan said.
"Ohis…" The reply cracked out of him, fragile, rushed, as though speaking too slowly might invite punishment.
Ryan leaned back on the chair, his expression unreadable. "Age."
"Twenty… twenty-one. No—twenty." His throat bobbed as he corrected himself, as if even his own number betrayed him.
Ryan's eyes didn't blink. He studied the boy like one studies a locked vault—calculating, silent.
Captain Mira who stood at the door expressionlessly watched as Ryan asked the meta information they had already.
Ohis licked his lips nervously. "Please—I didn't—I wasn't—"
Ryan lifted one hand slightly, and the words died in Ohis' mouth.
"What do you do with your abilities?" Ryan's voice was almost gentle. Almost.
Ohis swallowed hard. "Cyber-linking. Data pulling. Just… just small things. Nothing big. I swear."
Ryan's gaze never shifted.
The silence dragged. The cuffs pulsed red again.
"I'm not like the others," Ohis blurted, his voice breaking. "I only hack, that's all. I never touched anyone—never!"
Ryan finally leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. His voice, cruel and cold.
"You're still a meta. And metas always touch someone."
Ohis gaze widened with fear as he noticed Ryan was done talking.
"Pls don't kill me__don't__i'm…I can do anything, I can help with anything"
Ryan smiled at Ohis desperate plea.
"You're funny, I think you should help yourself first" He mentioned as he turned to leave.
"The witch!...."Ohis shouted.
Ryan couldn't help but pause, he turned to face Ohis with a deadly gaze.
"Start talking."
Ohis swallowed hard. "It was around Arek Hills. I was hacking nearby devices, then I noticed an encrypted message, which excited me.
Although I couldn't get much, I figured it was the witch. From the messages, I noticed she was after a boy. That's all I know."
Ryan clenched his fist, for a while before resuming his non-chalant composure.
"I see"
He faced Mira and some members of "The Guards"
"Make it painless" he said and he left the room.
Echoes of Ohis cry resounding in the room.
Ethan watched Ryan carefully for a while before speaking.
"We've checked footages from every park, cafe, garage and many important centers in Arek hills"
"And?"
"There was no sighting of her," Ethan replied.
The room was silent.
Ethan"..."
"What about McReynolds? Isn't it in Arek hills?"Ryan said, gazing intently at his phone.
"Should we get footage from McReynolds?" Ethan asked.
"McReynolds is the School with the highest security and anti meta protocols so I doubt it" Ryan replied still gazing at his phone.
Uhhh what's wrong with him now? He mentioned it first. Obnoxious punk.
"I will be leaving early today. You can go now." Ryan said.
Ethan nodded and left the office.
Ryan picked his phone and texted "hey" to "Kayne(oddball)"
Zeke's Mansion.
Kayne was sitting on the bed just gazing into his personal computer.
I guess I'm one of the worst people with powers I've ever read or drawn.
He groaned as he stood up from the bed pacing around his room.
"Firstly I must have a disguise in case something like this happens again"
He moved to his wardrobe and picked a dark blue hoodie and black nose mask.
"This would do for now"
Satisfied with his getup Kayne reached for his phone.
And his world spun around him in a second as he saw his chats.
"What the he____"
Ryan: Hey
Jenny: Hey Kayne, are you free?
010********: Hey this is Elina. Make sure you save my number.
He just dropped his phone and sat down.
I must be careful. Why is Ryan texting me?
Also relating with Elina would not bring about anything good.
"Ohh Jenny texted me also."Kayne immediately took his phone and replied.
Immediately her reply came in and they agreed to meet at Arek hills, the area their school was.
Kayne immediately picked a black shirt and grey jeans, and set out.
At a distance, Kayne saw Jenny. She was wearing a short-sleeved cream blouse tucked into a flowy short navy skirt. There was a slim pendant resting on her collarbone while she was wearing white sneakers.
She's beautiful. I hope I didn't make a mistake coming out today?
Jenny saw Kayne watching her from a distance, so she waved at him with a smile.
"Kayne, over here"
He walked up to meet her.
"You said there was something important we had to talk about" he said bluntly, evading eye contact.
"You didn't wear your glasses today,"she replied smiling.
They continued talking while walking the streets of Arek hills.
It was a peaceful and silent street, but within both of them emotions stirred, uncertain yet warm.
After forty minutes they had reached the park. Unlike other parks, this one was empty apart from the equipment, no one was present.
Jenny stopped and sat down on a swing, she signaled Kayne to sit down on the other one.
After sitting Kayne asked "Why are you interested in me? It's very strange."
"Hmmm, i don't know" she replied "I just feel free with you."
Kayne,can I love you?
"What about you? What do you like about me?" Jenny asked.
Kayne watched her intently as his mind went through a series of words.
I feel loved.
I feel like a person whenever I'm with you.
I notice my worth whenever I'm with you.
After a long silence Jenny smiled bitterly.
"I guess I just disturb you"
"That's not it, Jenny, you're very beautiful and loving,"he interjected.
Kayne took a deep breadth as he gazed deeply into Jenny's green eyes,with emotions he had bottled up.
Is he going to ask me out?
I can't believe this!
"I think I lo____"
"Ohhh what a lovely pair" a cranky voice interrupted Kayne.
They both looked at the intruder. He was a rough looking man with a distorted and ugly face.
He picked metal and his skin glowed in colour of the metal, hardening immediately as he rushed towards them.
"Damn! A meta?" Kayne immediately stood in front of Jenny.
Kayne's Journey starts.