Capture

I cursed silently as I rushed down the sidewalk, pulling the hood over my head to obscure my face. I’d really done it this time. “S**t. S**t!” I just had to stick my nose in where it didn’t belong. I lit a smoke to calm my nerves as I walked. It didn’t help much.

I didn’t go home. I couldn’t. The cameras were undoubtedly all trained on me now - all just searching for a moment to strike. I was now on watch. I’m now one of the feared, and was probably about to be brought in.

They were almost on queue, it seemed. A large black van pulled up beside me, matching my pace as the side door opened. A cold, authoritative voice called out to me.

“Ms. Sato?” Of course they knew my name.

“What? I’m busy.” Not the best way to talk to your future kidnapper and member of a not-so-secret shadow organization, but I wasn’t exactly in the best mood.

“Yes, Alex. We know. Step in the car, please.” The woman’s voice was becoming increasingly chilly. I stifled the shiver threatening to run up my spine and shook my head.

“See, now that’s not going to happen.” I raised my hand, the van trembling for a moment before beginning to lift into the air. Moments after I decided to hurtle the car into the nearest building I feel an electric jolt of energy course through my body before I went stiff. I crumpled to the ground, twitching and writhing in pain. The van landed safely against the ground before I had the chance to do any damage. One or more of the people in the van had an itchy trigger finger, it seemed.

“You freaks are so predictable.” The woman sounded bored as I convulsed, frantically trying to shout for help from my place on the floor as two men dressed in black stepped from the van and tossed me inside. “I was honestly hoping someone who’d managed to be so discreet for so long would prove to be the least bit clever.”

Before I could gain the ability to move again I was forced against a wall and swiftly immobilized. The woman started speaking again. “We’ve been watching you for some time, Alex. You’ve been awfully careful with your interventions. That is, until tonight. Couldn’t resist trying to save the girl, could you?”

The icy tone in her voice chilled my spine once more, though nothing compared to the realization that made my face flush in anger. I’d been set up. It all seemed so obvious now. Why the screaming girl’s cries had been ignored in a city under constant surveillance, why nothing around had been lightweight enough for me to pick up without have to actually move an arm.

I tried to move my hands, my head, anything, but got no response. The woman seemed to realize my struggle and started speaking again, sounding smug as the van door slid shut and the vehicle took off with a squeal of the tires. “As I said, Alex; we’ve been watching you. We know how your powers work and we have designed your containment vessel especially for you.”

My eyes started to adjust to the dark of the van and take in the woman’s features. Bright red hair was pulled into a neat updo, with full lips tugged up to form a smug smirk. Alabaster skin was taught over impossibly high cheekbones. Her green eyes and arched brows made her look downright predatory as she looked my way. I struggled to keep my voice even as I responded. “How wonderful for me. Thanks for the special treatment.”

The redhead was either ignoring or misunderstanding my sarcasm as she nodded. “Yes, well you were definitely a special circumstance within our organization. The scientists will explain the details of which when we get to the facility. Let’s just say you’ve caused quite the stir.”

“I’m flattered.” I rolled my eyes. The thought of a bunch of nerds getting their jollies off studying me and my abilities wasn’t exactly thrilling. I once again struggled against the cold metal trap, refusing to accept the situation I was in. “So what’s your name?”

The redhead didn’t miss a beat responding to the question. “We can exchange pleasantries later. Right now we have a few operatives to pick up.” The van slowed on cue and the side door slid open, the invading light from the city blinding me temporarily. I winced and squinted at the two new arrivals before letting out a stream of unpleasant curse words as soon as my eyes readjusted. I recognized them.

The male immediately looked to me with a grimace. “This one packs quite a wallop, probably would’ve killed one of your normals.”

The girl, a petite and rail thin blonde, chimed in with a chuckle. “Well, she did throw an entire dumpster at your head. At least I know who I should pick to be on my side for dodgeball.”

“Did you say dodgeball? And did he say ‘you normals’ as if he’s not one?” I spat at the girl, my dark eyes meeting hers and burning with rage. “You two are gifted.” I was practically shouting the accusation at the two.

At least the girl had the decency to look somewhat ashamed as the man replied. “Of course we are. How else would I have survived your silly antics back there?”

“That’s not what I mean, you moron. How can you be helping these people who’ve been capturing and studying us like we’re monsters?!” I started trying to thrash against my restraints again, causing the redhead to sigh and look to the blonde.

“I told you she’d be a problem. You’re up, Mary.” The blonde sighed nervously and nodded, turning her her head towards me and opening her eyes wider.

“Alex.” Her voice was soft and caring, instantly slowing my violent thrashing. Her eyes seemed to take in even the slightest bit of light in the room, glowing as she looked directly at me. They were bluer than anything I’d ever seen before. “Things are complicated, and right now you’re just kind of tired, aren’t you?” She was making an awful lot of sense. I was very tired. “Your vessel isn’t so bad, is it? They tried so hard to make it comfortable. It feels just like your mattress at home, doesn’t it?” My breathing was slowing and my eyelids got heavier, though the glow of her irises kept my gaze glued to hers.. “You can deal with all of this when you wake back up, Alex. It’s just a nap. It won’t kill you.” The weight of my eyelids overtook me and I was soon surrounded by darkness.

The disinfectant hung so thick in the air that I could taste it in the back of my throat. My eyes fluttered open to take in my surroundings. A plain white room. I looked down at myself. Naked. They weren’t going to give me anything to work with. At least they were smart. A tinny voice buzzed in from some unseen intercom.

“Ms. Sato, I do apologize for your current living arrangements, but after your little trick with the van we decided minimal decor was for the best.” I snorted and rolled my eyes.

“You can never be too careful with us freaks, now can you? Afraid I might turn my straightjacket into some lethal weapon?” My voice was wavering. I pressed on despite the tremor. “So what now? Are you going to release some gas in here to euthanize me?” I sat against one of the cold walls, pulling my knees to my chest. “You could’ve done so while I was unconscious. But then again, you can’t watch the life leave a person’s eyes when they’re closed?”

The white on the walls was so very white, the air intensely overwhelming. The walls were closing in. I was completely, absolutely powerless in this little cell, at the mercy of these people who had god knows what in store for me. I looked up at the ceiling, my eyes burning with angry tears. “Why don’t you just get on with it, then? Just kill me because I’m a freak.”

“Alex,” The voice over the intercom was oddly kind as it rang in her sterile room, “we don’t want to remove you from this world. We want to help you save it.”