The sky was a light and pale shade of blue, but the sun hadn't risen yet. Including him, only a few people were already up on the bus. He didn't really pay attention to them, however, he overheared them whispering about food, and his stomach gave a deep growl. It was only then that he noticed his extreme hunger.
Going through his text messages and call history, he found out that his parents were safe. They were amongst the herd of cars with his two brothers, while Olivia was on a different bus more towards the front of the traffic. He was grateful to the teacher who safely kept his phone and informed his parents about his situation, otherwise he knew they'd be restless with worry.
Leaning his head against the window, he started to think about many thoughts. Some where about his family, while most was about his power, and more pressingly, if there was a need to ever use it. He would like it if they could seek refuge with the military until all of this passes over, but he knew it would only be wishful thinking. He still remembered the sight of the burning city. So much chaos, within such little time...
Connor's breath fogged the glass, as orange rays began to engulf the pale sky. Slowly, the bus, as well as the river of cars, started to become a little more lively. When the chatter on the bus reached a high, the teacher clapped for everyone to quite down. He gave out some speach to encourage everyone or something like that, but his words passed through Connor's ears the instant it left his mouth. When he finished, they started passing out food.
It wasn't much, only a slice of bread with peanut butter and jelly on it. But it was better than an empty stomach. Since he was near the back of the bus, he had to wait quite a while for his slice. During his wait, he only practiced his ability to control darkness, and made extra sure to not put the word "Umbra" and an action or command in the same thought.
'The true essence of darkness... ' Connor couldn't wrap his head around it.
He imagined all shapes and sizes, but it was to no avail. Something was still missing.
'... true... darkness?' Suddenly, he thought back to when he stared into Umbra before it leaked out of his phone. He felt the despair within. But also felt the strangeness that it carried. That kind of darkness, it was the type that consumes. At one glance, it looks like there was no depth to it, yet at the same time, it looks like an endless abyss with no end.
He snapped out of his trance-like thinking. He wanted to try it, with Umbra in mind this time. However, when he looked at his palm, a small black dot had already appeared!
Excitement overwhelmed him, as the small black dot began to quiver, before it abruptly dissolved into black smoke.
Calming himself, it wasn't long before another black dot appeared over his palm. This time, he managed to keep it from dissipating, and stared in wonder at the thing. He tried touching it, and felt a similar sensation when reaching into Umbra. It was also chilling to the touch, however, it wasn't cold. Everything about it was strange, he needed to keep on experimenting, but he was happy to be able to conjure up a tiny ball for starters.
Connor shook his hand to wave away the dark smoke, and tried to act inconspicuous as he saw that it was his turn to get a slice of bread. After receiving it, he looked around to see if anybody was giving him weird stares, but after seeing that he was essentially ignored, he ate the whole bread slice in one bite. He should be more careful when he uses his ability. Who knows what the military will do if they find out about him and his power?
Suddenly, he sensed someone staring at him, and he turned his head quick. It was only for a brief instant, but Connor locked eyes with the person. The eyes he saw was very beautiful, and it belonged to a girl that sat three seats back from where he sat. She was wearing a beanie and her dark bangs covered her otherwise gorgeous face. He had to admit, she was his type. However, everything would've been perfect accept for her eyes. As beautiful as it was, it carried something deep inside. He's felt it before, and that's extreme bloodlust. And it was directed at him.
The girl looked stunned as their gazes met, her hand instinctively began to inch towards her pocket, however, she stopped when she saw Connor's unflinching face. Seeing that she wasn't going to do anything, he gave her a nervous smile and a wave, before facing forward in his seat. He felt his drenched back stick to the bus seat as he gave a sigh of relief. Earlier, a great sense of fear and danger engulfed him when he saw the girl reaching into her pockets, but thankfully, it was gone now.
'Who is this girl?!' Connor felt helpless.
The girl was still staring at him, and he knew this, however, he still continued to face forward. She still hasn't done anything yet, but if she makes a move, he needs to do something about it. The thing was, he was good at archery, but he's never learned martial arts. He has a bow, sure, but she was at least three steps away, the way he sees it, he had the disadvantage. There was also the matter of powers; whether she has one or not. But from the fear he felt, he's sure she has one.
Connor calmed himself down, he let his paranoia get the best of himself again. He knew that something like that only clouds his mind. While he reflected upon his flaws, he saw a pair of legs move into the corner of his eyes.
"Scoot over." It was that girl.
Without even waiting for his response, she nudged him towards the window, and sat next to him. Before he could say anything, she faced forward without a word, as he felt something sharp poke at his side. He stared at himself through the reflection of the dagger. He recognized it, it was the cheap military dagger from the shop.
Connor sat stiffly as he faced forward. Although there was no sense of danger within himself, he still couldn't help but feel nervous. He even started thinking of ways to escape from this situation.
"Relax. I don't want to start anything with you." She whispered softly as she fiddled with her phone on her free hand.
"I understand. So that's why there's a knife poking at my ribs right now." Realizing that he just said that out loud, he quickly shut his mouth.
"Well, it's for my own comfort. Just standing near you is suffocating." She scrunched her nose at him in disgust.
"Then why did you come over?" Connor asked while he studied her face, he found it amusingly cute despite her disgusted and hostile expression.
"Just trying to keep this bus safe. Ever since you woke up, you've been giving off a really scary stench." She said as her amber eyes stared him down.
"Well, I haven't showered, so that'd explain that... look, I also want this bus to be safe, alright? I'm not scary at all." Connor said as he eased his nervousness. He's sure that as long as he didn't do anything strange, she won't attack him. However, he had his own suspicion about this girl. Before she could respond to him, Connor cut her off.
"Who are you anyways? Threatening me with a knife, aren't you the dangerous one here? Don't tell me your one of the superhumans who attacked the city? Did you disguise yourself to sneak into the military base? If I yelled now, do you think that those soldiers in that truck will get here on time? Maybe you're just gonna slaughter everyone here-"
"Enough." The girl didn't know wether to laugh or cry. If she hadn't stopped him, he probably would have talked endlessly.
"I'm... from the military." She said with hesitation, as her grip tightened on the dagger.
'Military?! How old is she?' Connor thought with disappointment and shock.
"So you aren't 17?" He asked with a sigh.
"What? But I am." The girl said with confusion.
Her words restored his spirit, as he slightly straightened his damp back, and confidently stared at her face with burning eyes. However, not long after, his face turned red in embarrassment. What was he trying to do?! She's dangerous!
"So... you're with the military, huh. Well just so you know, I'm not a danger to anybody, and am just minding my own totally ordinary business." Connor said softly as he stared at the yellows and browns of the green pines.
"Sure." The girl said with certainty, despite her actual feelings about him. As far as she knows, he wasn't a threat yet, but he was definitely a weird kid.
After that, there was silence between them. Connor didn't know what to say to her, he wasn't much of a conversationalist. He didn't know if it was a good or bad thing that she hasn't left his side yet, but the knife that still pricked his side made him heavily think one way. He had to hand it to her though, she was persistent.
He fiddled with his phone in silence, as he checked out Custom Life. It was almost nearing 10 AM, and he needed to come up with a backup plan in case the military base falls. For this, he took to the shop.
He ignored the surprised stare from the girl, as he browsed every nook and cranny of the shop for anything useful or interesting.
Time passed by slowly.