SAVANTS

The Chapture 26

"Yes, he's working with the shooter. He might still be listening to us. Long-distance telepathy is more difficult to channel to the right person. We've never fought anyone like this before. But we should have anticipated it."

I felt him being tough on himself, frustrated that he didn't have all the answers for me. "Why do you have to do it? You just need to be witnesses and make reports.  When the trial is over, won't the threat pass?"

"Not at all" He seemed a little guilty for a moment, reminding me of the fact that he wasn't completely honest with me.

"Not at all?" My word.

"We're not just witnesses—we're investigators. It's not just the last trial my family has combined their powers to take out criminals for years. That's what we do."

"So that means you have more enemies?"

"If they knew that we were behind their arrest—but they shouldn't have found out. Our information is used to direct the authorities to find evidence that will be used as a weapon in court. Our place is not on the front line and a witness but behind the scenes."

The full impact of what he told me took me a while to digest. They are like secret weapons to law enforcers, fighting crime day after day. "How did you do it?"

He closed his eyes for a moment. "We work together—we see what happens."

"You seen? See all those terrible things—murder—crime, shooting?"

"If we ignore what happened, it will be worse. We'll feel guilty if we don't act to stop the crime when we can do it"

"But you suffer because of it, right?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Is it worth the good we can do?"

I then realized that the Benedict family was brave and dedicated to the country, putting aside their own ambitions to use their power skills.

Brother Zed could have gone looking for their soul mate, but instead they risked everything to help the victim of the crime.

But it also means they will never become normal, never free to emerge from the shadows.

Being trapped relives a bad scene caused by the cruelest of criminals. They have chosen a more difficult path.

I don't have the courage in me to be so noble. My life has been too much in the shadows. I can't go back there—even for Zed.

"I'm scared, Zed."

"I don't think there's a threat to you as long as we're not seen together outside of school. I haven't even told my family about you that you're my soul mate. The only way I can think of to protect you is to keep my distance. If those delinquents know that you are my soul mate, they will put you on target."

" That's not what I meant, I'm afraid you'll get hurt."

"We're in control now."

"But you have to keep hiding, right?"

"I don't want to think about that."

"Can I help you? Is there any way I can make this easier for you?"

He shook his head. "That means you just need to unleash your power and, as I said, I don't think that's a good idea."

"Let go of my powers? Whatdoes thatmean? You savants speak in riddles." I said a little annoyed.

I curled closer to him, moving my fingers across his chest. I can hear his heartbeat. "I feel enough, I want to be with you always"

She kissed my hair, a gesture so gentle that it made me look glassy in my eyes. "Good—but we better not do that or we'll both get in trouble if they (criminals) see us together and it can drive me crazy" her fingers and my fingers interlocked and kissed the back of my hand.

"Zed, is this all real?"

"Yes, this is all real. Your powers are just waiting for you to be unleashed"

"I'm afraid to do it."

He put his chin on top of my head. "I knew. And I can wait—as long as you need. Come on, sit on my lap for a second."

He took me to the drum kit and sat on the bench.

"You want me to sit on your lap over there? I'm gonna fall."

"Not if you're sitting facing me"

I blushed shyly "i... It's crazy"

"Maybe. But you'll enjoy it."

I sat on her lap so I could put my head on her chest, my arms holding her. I hugged her like a towel.

" Do you want to hear music? "

"Uh huh."

He picked up drumsticks and started playing percussion parts for the song we first performed together as a jazz band. I'm humming along.

''We can do it with the piano, but I don't want you to move" he said softly in my ear.

"We can imagine it."

It is slow and hypnotic. Tranquilize. I closed my eyes, listening as he began to chant a soft tone. He has a nice voice—tenor, perfect tone.

"Are you just gonna sit there or sing with me?" She asked.

"I'll just sit."

"Why? Is it because of your voice?"

"I'm not singing. Never—not for a long time."

"I'm just here. I won't laugh."

Throughout my life, singing was a field I banned myself. And I don't want to bring that into this wonderful moment. "I'll just listen."

"OKAY. But I'm gonna make you sing one day" and then kiss my lips, feeling warm and soft. I kissed her back too.