SAVANTS

The Chapture 29

Officer Hussein will not let us talk to each other until he has a chance to find out our own version of events. 

I didn't dare take the risk to telepathize with Zed, even though the temptation was huge. But there was so much angry aura coming out of Simon that I hesitated to telepathically.

"I won't ask what you're doing with him until we get back home" Simon grumbled, gripping the wheel, driving me to the police station.

Now something is waiting for.

"You're in trouble, Sky. You're ruining our trust. We ask you to stay away from him for your own safety."

He's correct. Of course, he's absolutely right. But I didn't plan everything. I was just getting carried away by that moment .

We thought we had taken enough precautions to make a simple date at the cafe a natural thing to do.

"And I didn't expect to have to spend my night driving you to the city jail!'' continued.

I hugged my knees, my head was dizzy.

''We're trying to make a good name in Wrickenridge, Sky. Your behavior doesn't help. Mr. Rodenheim might send us a rebuke."

I dropped my forehead to my knees. I've been bad.

Simon looked at me, aware of my silence that everything was not okay.

''Oh, my God, baby, don't do that.'' He pulled the car over and stroked the top of my head. "I'm just afraid something's happened to you."

''Sorry.''

''You make me feel like a monster. And I hate that, but more on that idiot boy than you Sky. I know you have nothing to do with this."

I'm staring. He must have seen my tears. "I just want to be with her."

"I know Sky, because you love her"

''Is that wrong?''

''Not under normal circumstances"

''We just went to the cafe. We wore costumes most of the time when we were on the streets.''

Simon took a breath. ''God, I seem to want to be a sixteen-year-old again. Just coffee and it's a police business.''

''Zed was worried because of what was happening in the forest. The boy carrying the axe really convinced—and I shouted—I couldn't help myself. Zed thinks I'm in danger.''

"So, he overreacted. I could understand, seeing how my anger was my fatal mistake. Let's go and find out what we can do for him."

And the car was back on its way.

°°°

Zed was sitting in the waiting room but the officer in charge walked me in without letting us talk.

I was taken to Officer Hussein's office when the Gordano twins left with their mother. I wish I had time to change my collar suit.

"It's not her fault" the older twin murmured to her mother upon seeing me.

"Sky sit down." Officer Hussein pushed a bottle of water towards me. "I think I've got the full picture now, but why don't you tell me your story."

I briefly traced the events as I left the cafe.

"There's something I can't understand," said the clerk, scratching his chest with a tired—a long night and only midnight, "why can't Zed see that it's a joke? He's a teenage boy, hit a boy shorter than him. It's not clear to me"

"Zed Benedict was protecting his girlfriend, the officer," Simon said, surprising me as he defended Zed. "He may be one head taller than the young man, but Sky is smaller than the two. He saw a boy chasing him with a knife. Sometimes you can't think clearly when you're afraid of someone."

"Has anyone been hurt?" I asked.

Officer Hussein tapped on his notebook. "not serious. Ben Gordano got some loose teeth and some were also dislodged and the dentist was able to sort it out. It'll cost you."

"Maybe Zed can split the bill? It seems to be a suitable punishment" Simon suggested.

''Yeah, I think it's true. No one needs to go home with a criminal record for this incident.''

He led the way back to the waiting room. Meanwhile, the Zed family has gathered—the old man, Xav, Yves, and Victor are all there—and Zed has to get a lecture for sneaking out and fighting in the streets. He looked frustrated rather than sorry, returning to the pouting Wolfman in the first days of our introduction.

Officer Hussein clapped his hands to draw attention. "All right, guys, let's get on with this. I want to talk to Zed, then you can all leave.'' He took Zed to the back room, left me with the Benedict family.

Victor came forward. " Mom, Dad, this is Mr. Bright, Sky's father.''

Our parents exchanged stiff nods. I don't think Father Zed thinks I'm sweet anymore. It looked more like I left a sour taste in their mouths. Only Xav and Yves gave me a friendly smile.

"Hey" whispered Xav. ''You and your father are thinking of starting a new fashion?''

Yves scratched his chin. ''Reveal. Did you know, every bone is sequential and meticulous? Whoever made this costume must have had the mind of a medic"

It was only then that I realized that Simon had not changed either. He was also still wearing a skeleton costume, but there was clear evidence that he was also wearing a glowing bone.

I groan. ''Kill me now and bury me.''

"I think the idea of this skeleton is someone who has done that" seduced Xav.

"Words will circulate, you know.'' Yves' eyes sparkled behind his glasses.

''Yes, isn't that a calming thought.''

Xav rubbed his hands. ''Yeah, everybody's gonna talk about how Zed was handcuffed and put in juvenile jail."

"He's not cuffed." My word.

"But he'll be crammed in the back of the police car. Besides handcuffs make for a better story. You two are going to be very famous. I think Zed will like a new lead for his representatives.'' Yves said

"Don't worry, Sky, I'll keep talking to you." Further.

''Thanks you. You are a hero.'' I said.

Our separation from the Benedict family reminds me of a hostile prisoner exchange in one of the old war movies.

Zed and I were separated then marched towards our separate vehicles. He looks pale.

I felt like I was drowning. He risked himself even though we might be heard by his family. I can't leave without apologizing. Again.

'What happened?' i asked.

'I lost control, overturned — all thanks to my strange powers. I've seen what's going to happen, you know, a few months ago. Seeing you being attacked with a knife. I didn't realize the knife was fake.'

'But it's good, isn't it? The threat is not real.'

'Yeah, but I just traded my vague threat for the real killer threat. Welcome and welcome to the beautiful world of the Benedict family. I better stop talking. Dad gave me a weird look.'

'Zed?'

'Yes?'

'Be careful.'

'You too. I love you.'

We stopped telepathy.

"Sky, are you okay?"  ask Simon while turning the car keys. "You look a little pale."

Zed said he loved me. Was it just a comment that was simply thrown away or did he mean it?

"I'm doing fine. Just need to sleep."

Simon yawns. "We have to report to the boss (Sally) first."

Zed loves me—maybe. I'm not sure if I can trust him. The last thing I want is to fall in love, deep down, I remember that love makes us more mature and excited to live. Love each other.