Chapter Four: Power and Puzzles

Arkain walked through the wall only to run into a young girl about his age.
Arkain
I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.
Her name is Suri. She is 19, and has black hair and blue eyes.
Suri
It’s fine. You must be Arkain.
Fallen
This is Suri, Arkain.
They shook hands.
Arkain
So are you a part of this operation?
Suri
That’s why I’m here.
She winked.
Arkain
Sorry, stupid question.
Suri
We all have them.
She laughed.
Fallen
Suri.
Fallen rubbed against her leg.
Fallen
I think you should show Arkain around.
Suri
I’d love too.
Fallen
Splendid! So then I’ll see you both in a little.
Arkain
What about Gemma?
Fallen
She’s busy. Don't you listen?
He walked through the wall.
Arkain
I'm getting real tired of this walking through wall shit.

Suri
Come on.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him down the hall.
Suri
So, you are in with us, what a quick decision.
He could not stop looking at her face.
Arkain
Well, since I was born, I’ve always had these dreams telling me I’m destined for something more than ordinary. Every day of my life I've felt a connection to the sky. I could feel the stars, so I just never thought of myself as ordinary. Plus my friend is in danger, and that's enough reason for me to get myself involved in trouble.
She turned to him.
Suri
That's very kind of you. What would you say is ordinary?
Arkain
Not this. None of this.
She walked in front of him and turned around.
Suri
So what’s your power?
Arkain
Power?
Suri
Yeah, you have to have some kind of power to be in this position.
Arkain
I don’t have one. At least I don't think I do. What’s yours?
Suri
Shake my hand.
He took her hand.
Arkain
I don’t see how-
Arkain yelped in pain.

Hayden
Hello, Gemma.
Gemma sat at a table in an all white room across from Hayden.
Gemma
Hello, sir.
Hayden
You may call me-
Gemma
I know your name.
Hayden
How do you know my name, Gemma?
Gemma
Krysin told me.
Hayden
Who is this being you speak of? 
Gemma
He is me.
Hayden
But you are Gemma, are you not?
Gemma
I am.
Hayden
How can you be Krysin, as well? 
Gemma
Who I am is made up of two parts. You’ve done a puzzle before, sir. I’m sure you know that a puzzle has many pieces, yet at the end is one whole part.
Hayden
You aren’t a puzzle Gemma. 
Gemma
So you’ve figured me out then?
Hayden
No, I’m afraid not. I cannot tell if you're a threat to my organization or not.  
Gemma
So, then I am a puzzle. If you were to simply put me together in one look I’d be as plain as a picture. Seeing that you haven’t, I must be a puzzle to you.
Hayden
You are quite the intellectual. 
Gemma
My intelligence far surpasses my age.
Hayden
Do you know who Krysin is?
Gemma
He is me.
Hayden
Can I talk to him? 
Gemma
He is sleeping.
Hayden
Can you wake him? 
Gemma looked at the wall to her right.
Gemma
If you want to die, yes I could.
Hayden
I do. 
Gemma looked quickly back at Hayden.
Hayden
I am not afraid of death. I am in here speaking to you only because you can’t kill me. 
Gemma
Krysin will kill you if he wakes.
Hayden stood up. 
Hayden
No he will not. I am not human either. It looks like he failed to mention that. 
Gemma
He said you’d be a threat. He didn't say why.
Hayden
Why do you say him if you are one.
Gemma
Together we are one, alone we are none.
Hayden
Who are you more? 
Gemma
Me. I am in control.
Hayden
Can you work with us, Gemma? 
Gemma
In your war?
Hayden
You can say that. 
Gemma
Can you help me in mine?
Hayden
Your war? 
Gemma
As your good and evil parade around the world, as humanity runs in chaos, you’d want me to contribute to that? All that while no one helps in the war in my head, in my mind. No thank you.
Hayden
I take it back, you are a puzzle. In due time though, I will rip you from yourself. 
Gemma
I will wait for its due time.