Chapter 28, Part 2

A week later, Cassie went to visit Kyle alone. The doctor had said that, thanks to Luke’s intervention, he was almost healed and would be able to leave the med center. So far, Captain Santos had indicated that Kyle would be staying at the base. Which was probably a smart idea, Cassie thought. Better to have all the known “freaks” in one place. She grimaced at the term. Maybe she should have Luke come up with a collective name for them instead of pretend superhero names.

The glass doors swooshed open ahead of her and she stepped in. The faint scent of sterilizer and soap lingered in the air and her boots squeaked against the tiled floor. She took her time going the short distance down to Kyle’s room at the end. The door was half open and she knocked harder than she originally intended.

“Come in.”

She pushed the door open and forced her feet to follow. Kyle was sitting up on the edge of the bed. Someone had gotten him sweatpants and an olive green Army shirt. He straightened in surprise when he saw her. She was aware her own posture was rigid as her shoulders twitched anxiously. She had to remind herself that she wasn’t in any danger there.

“How are you doing?” she forced the question.

His eyebrows shot up. “Okay.” He cleared his throat. “The doctor said I’d be leaving the med center later. I guess that’s why you’re here.”

Cassie resisted the urge to cross her arms and shoved her hands into her back pockets instead.

“Yeah. I came to apologize for last time. I was maybe a little too…” her boot squeaked against the floor. “aggressive.”

“Can’t say that I blame you.”

It was her turn to clear her throat. “Captain Santos and Doctor Braxton have gone over the documents and everything that they seized from your da…Amelli’s research base. Looks like you might have been telling the truth about some stuff.”

He leaned forward, resting elbows on legs. “Kinda wish I wasn’t.”

Cassie didn’t miss the hurt in his voice. But she refused to let her heart soften too much.

“Look, I’m about ready to forget about this whole thing,” Cassie said. “I know Mariah wants you to stay and I think maybe for her sake we can, or I can, put aside some differences.”

Something like a smile crossed Kyle’s face. “And what, just start again?”

“Something like that.”

“I’d like to, but I uh…don’t have too much experience with people who don’t want to use me.” A spark popped across his fingers. Cassie tensed up but it fizzled against his palm before he closed his fist to extinguish it.

“I don’t know that it means much to you right now, but I’m trying my best to make sure that doesn’t happen to any of us,” she said.

“I think I can trust you on that one.” His eyes flicked up to meet hers. He pushed to his feet, hand pressing to his side for a moment, before extending it to her. Her hand stalled for a second as she reached out.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to zap you.” He might have rolled his eyes. He’s spent too long with Mariah, Cassie thought. But she clasped his hand with a small smile.

“My previous threat still stands.” She softened the warning with another smile.

“I fully expect it to,” he replied.

“Welcome to Camp Lawton.”

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!!!!