Passing the torch: Jabez

Ceollach and I duck in an empty building, the tremors decreasing as Laney takes a different route from us.

Adrenaline courses through me, my instincts raging for me to seek out the battle.

Ceollach grips the top of my arm, shaking his head.

I grit my teeth and fight off my kill urge.

After a couple seconds, I'm suddenly aware that we're alone, just the two of us, something that hadn't happened since I broke him out of the training courses months ago.

Maybe this time I'd have the courage to-

"I need to hear the backstory of her race." Ceollach interrupts, letting go of me.

Ah, yes. That.

"I don't know much. Father didn't really go into details about the race that Laney originated from. All I know is that they were once called Eosphoros, a powerful race of magic users from the Cosmos. But," I stopped, picking up a discarded stone. "That changed when the nighters or the people of the Nox came to play. They slaughtered the Eos, killing ninety-five percent of them. Some fled to earth for safety, using magic to form a physical bodies. But that kind of magic has strain on their being so they aged, dying off from old age. Laney is an Eos. A special kind too. She's able to take a person's demons, or darkness, and wield it as a power for her own in battle. I'm guessing my father managed to destroy her control over her power and that's why she's like...that".

Ceollach looks thoughtful for a moment, chewing on his lower lip. I wonder what he's thinking when he stares at me straight in my eyes.

"You think her parents are alive? The you know, possibly last two Eos that aren't trying to destroy life as we know it?"

I briefly want to know what life was before Ceollach had to suffer like the rest of us. I knew mine was one not to be spoken to anyone.

"I mean, maybe? The Eos tend to age quicker since they're not natural humans."

"And what about the Nox? Are they still around?"

My face tightens, my teeth clenched together. "Trust me, it's best we don't go to them for help."

"Aw, why not? They're actually pretty rad." A voice says behind me.

We both turn around, surprised, hands already formed in fists. It's James, a lazy smile on his face as his gaze flicks from me to Ceollach.

I'd never really trusted James. He was all aarson, wanting to work alone and burn it to ashes. Although that was an interesting thought, I always had the feeling that he'd be ready to turn on us at any second.

He winked at me, and I felt Ceollach's hand on my shoulder in case I tried to swing.

I locked my muscles in spot. "What are you doing here?" I asked instead.

"Jacket asked me to circle back for y'all cause it was taking you too long to be at the meet up." He waggled his eyebrows at the both of us. "Didn't mean to interrupt anything".

My face goes red and Ceollach mutters curses as we both hear the hidden meaning behind his words.

"Also, we don't really have time to waste. The others aren't as fearful of Jacket as they are of you." He says, pulling out his handgun, and casually wiping it off with the end of his t-shirt.

"Trying to seem civil, I see." Ceollach comments.

James shrugs off his accusation. "I like guns, what of it?"

We both share a look, before heading off with James. In the distance, Laney's energy has spiked and sparkled, filling the air with static.

"You know, if her power is to fuck up with the mind, we better go. Cause if she catches me, well my mind might give her some strong ammo." James said, as he began to jog.

This I agreed with James. I ran behind him, Ceollach following close behind.

We met up with everyone at the secret hideout, Jacket breathing a sigh of relief as he stepped away from the group. I gave him an apologetic smile, before sitting on the crate they had saved for me. All eyes were on me, as if I had all the answers.

I had some, not all.

Ceollach placed his hands on my shoulders in encouragement, rubbing them gently. The tension slowly dwindled down from them.

"So...what do we do now?" A voice asked in the back. My eyes scanned until it landed on a scrawny teen, with black hair that reached past his ears. He had unusual colored blue eyes, shifting colors to gold, then blue.

I think his name was Trey.

"Do we just lay low or?" Trey continued on.

I shook my head. "We're going to have to meet up with the other Rogues that split up from us. And then, maybe then, we'll have a fighting chance."

"I don't know, I saw what happened with the girl....I don't think fifty or a hundred of us could keep her at bay." Another voice popped in, Daphne I think was her name.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." James replied tartly, his gun making an appearance.

Daphne scowled at him, but moved deeper into the crowd.

"We have to try. It's either take her out or the whole planet falls under control by her-and my father. Trust me," I stared at the ground, hands clenched into fists. "you don't want that."

"I know we're supposed to be good guys and whatnot, but I'm opposed to being the anti-hero." He pointed the gun at an imaginary target.

Ceollach opened his mouth to argue, but I shook my head. We were getting off topic.

"For right now, that's our plan. Find the rest of the Rogues, or whatever enhanced people we can find. And then, we finish this once and for all." I answered, looking at each and everyone of them. They nodded in agreement, and there was a small smile on James's face.

"Okay, so maybe it's a good thing you're the leader."

"Not only good, smart too. Now, let's see if we can find a better place to rest and eat while we head out for the next mission." I replied, slapping down on my knees before getting back up.

"We were able to locate some houses or rather mansions that were already evacuated cause of the "earthquake." It's around the area Laney exploded from but she's in the opposite direction moving away from there." Jacket informed.

"Nice work, guys. I better step up before y'all try to steal my job." I teased.

"Oh, trust me, mind of us want that job." James replied, Jacket nodding his head.

I rolled my eyes, before motioning them to walk forward.

"Lead the way gents. We'll follow."

James grinned, Jacket giving me a nervous smile as we walked out from the hideout, eyes on careful watch.

Ceollach gently grabbed my hand, our fingers interlocked. I felt a calm assurance that he was still by my side, the nervousness and fears dwindling down.

No one was in sight besides us. The Normies had fled, leaving their homes and cars behind to get to safety. Which was both good and bad for us.

We didn't have to deal with unnecessary attention but that also meant we couldn't get more help.

Ceollach, sensing my distress, placed a muscled arm around my shoulders, offering me comfort.

I didn't really like depending on anyone or accepting comfort but with Ceollach it was okay. We'd been through a lot and more, and the trust was strong in our bond.

I couldn't imagine a mission without him, let alone a life.

My thoughts began to go back to the moment we first met, a blush creeping up on my face. Ceollach noticed the change in my face, an eyebrow arched.

Before he could say anything though, Jacket motioned for us to stop, pointing at a five story house with three vehicles and a large guard gate. James whistled in appreciation, already pulling out a second gun.

I didn't have to tell him to scout the area and to ensure that it was empty, he went off on his own.

A couple minutes later, he whistled, sounding like a bird, letting us know the coast was clear.

We ran through, some of us jumping over the gates, some of us taking flight, and some of us just climbing over it.

I watched as they fought over showers, then clothes, then the TV, their voices filling up the large mansion.

Ceollach chuckled not leaving my side.

"Go shower, you smell." I teased him, shoving him to the closest bathroom.

"You're one to talk. You smell like a dead animal." He joked back.

I rolled my eyes, and he laughed, before disappearing into the restroom.

I waited until I made sure everyone was clean. Since I was the last one, I didn't expect there to be any hot water left.

I was proven wrong.

Not only was there hot water, but the shower was like a mini-sized water fall, being doorless. The shower head gleamed silver, fancy shampoos and body wash lining up in the cubby areas.

I was left in awe, locking the door behind me and stripping myself naked in preparation to be clean.

It was the most heavenly hour and a half of my life.