Chapter Nine
Peter
I know what I'm doing is wrong. But what can I say? Igetis not only has an exceptional spy team, but also at least a hundred trained murderers. My powers- all four of them- would be useless against them all.
At least I was sure that she is safe- that is all that matters. Igetis agreed to my conditions, he knew he had to if what he expected me to do would be done.
I shuffled around in my pockets for the keys to my house. It had been a long day- the talk with Cathy in the park, the argument with Igetis, the heated training session that followed- I was exhausted, and I still had to deal with the unaware parents tied up and kept hostage in my room.
I threw my drained body into making them dinner- after all, they were my guests. Carrying it delicately in two separate plates balanced in one hand, and a sharp knife in the other, I walked into the room.
She was still wearing her jogging pants and shirt. Her bangles were still on her right wrist, jingling as she continued trying to open the knot that tied her hands together behind her back. He, on the other hand, had given up, slumped against the wall, his shirt untucked, his hair sticking together with sweat. Their eyes opened wide as they saw what I held in my hand- no cookies for guessing which one. I roll my eyes and walk over to them. "I'm sorry," I begin, "this is not what I want. This is not me."
They grunt in aspiration through the cotton handkerchief tied over their mouths. I carefully prise it open. "We know," My vision turned a funny shade of purple. I'll never get used to this. "We know, Peter..." I stand behind them, my knife in my hand.
I cut through the rope confining their hands behind them. I push the food forward. "It's not poisoned." I walk out of the room. They couldn't go anywhere anyways. I didn't have to torture them in this way.
"Peter," Mrs. Davis called out to me from inside the room as I turned to shut the door, "is she safe?"
I couldn't control myself anymore. I lunged at her, my veins popping out of my forehead, my throat, my eyes the colour of burning fire, "Of course she's safe! I won't let them do anything to her- and you know that!" And with that, I walked out of the room.
I pace up and down slowly, trying to get my breath back to normal.
5 minutes. Calm down. I try to think of a way to get Catherine out of there without disturbing Igetis' plans.
10 minutes. I'm done. Throwing on some pajamas, I drag myself onto my couch, pulling a thin blanket over my legs. I would need a good night's sleep for tomorrow's test.
-
I have to meet Catherine at 4 p.m. today outside the park gates. From there, we would head for To Sonto headquarters- me, blindfolded, Catherine driving- yes, she could now.
Before that, there's someone else I have an appointment with.
My car screeched as I turned around the corner, almost missing the exit. A man cursed me from the streets, waving his arms madly. I raised my hand in a motion to apologise and continued swiveling through the streets at my blasted speed as the man went out of sight. The car cooled down having entered a small, dark alley. Parking it neatly on one side, I got out and pulled my hood on. This meeting has got to be worth it.
Even though the rest of the city was enveloped in scorching heat, a mysterious wind draped over the dead end. I tried gulping down a shudder that made its way up my spine and unconsciously pulled on my sleeves. I stepped ahead into the darkness, summoning all the dignity I could. Remember who you are. You are the Tetrakinita, you are wanted by both sides. The thought bought a more apprehensive approach than a positive one. Where is he?
"You came, Peter," he announced from somewhere in the shadows, "as I thought you would..."
"Come out, Igetis, we're alone." I assured him, my eyes turning hotter. I had got little time to check out these fancy eye colours in the mirror at home, but I was certain orange eyes would look ridiculous on me.
He let out a small, wicked laugh, "I see you no more think I am 'great'" His absurd try at humor failed to change my anxiety.
"Igetis. You know I have to be somewhere. And you know I can't be late, so hurry up!" My eyes burned, anger seeping into my veins, red reaching up to my face. He cackled. My palms heated up. "Igetis!' I roared.
"Calm down, Peter, calm down." He argued conservingly from behind the gloomy corner. I took in a breath, turned my hands down, and stepped back, waiting. "Good," he said, "now listen to me carefully. I take it that Catherine will be guiding you to the To Sotos headquarters today." His agents are really good. He went on, "I have sources to believe that you shall be blind folded, is that right?"
"Where are you going with this?" I asked.
"You don't miss a beat do you Peter? A true Tetrakinita..."
I neglected his 'compliment' and waited for him to finish. He took my call.
"Peter, because your four powers do not include that of telepathy or mind reading or ability to connect with others, Owen here will take your place." It wasn't a question. There's no way I'm leaving her alone with them ever again.
I stepped forward aggressively, "No. I will go with her."
"Peter, this isn't the time to toy with your insignificant feelings; the girl is fine."
"The girl is fine because she has the brains to figure out the difference between her parents and your insipid followers!" Too much, Peter. "I know you planned on killing her- I know-"
"Peter!" He roared, emerging from behind, "do not speak to me like that!"
I didn't care for his torn cloak, the trail of blood, a hint of mud that followed him as he walked out. "I will go with her." I repeated. And perhaps it was because he had had a surprising day, or because he knew something that I didn't, he agreed.
"Fine. But remember Tetrakinita" he said teasingly, "I will be watching you."
I turned swiftly and got back in my car, one last devilish glance heading his way. My pupils were burning red now, they looked good, I decided, taking a second to complement myself from the rear view mirror in the car, and putting the vehicle in reverse, I exited the scene.
-
Having left the car a few miles away, I jogged to the spot of our meeting. On seeing her, I instinctively give her a hug.
She doesn't know you know about the fools in her house, Peter.
"Come on," she said smiling, pointing towards her car, "let's go." I looked at her with a full of appreciation. She's surely figured it out now. I nodded and we settled into the car. On tying up a scarf tightly on my eyes, she continued towards the road, or so I concluded, from the sound of the engine, and we were on our way.