Page 25 of Orange Lake
He held up a white crystal with purple hints. It looked circular which is different from the other crystals I’ve seen. The crystal glowed and lit up the entire room. I shaded my eyes from the white rays. When I can see clearly enough, I can see that the fighting cats are all frozen in their state.
I can finally breathe again. Maybe they will stop now. I carefully stood on trembling legs. I wasn’t fooling anyone in thinking I’m calm about what just happened. I worked my way towards the door where Crix is standing. Once again, he looked shocked. His mouth slightly open. I worried could he had been frozen as well by his crystal.
“You okay?” I asked.
I went towards him but then he stepped back and snapped his mouth shut with an audible click.
“Why are you moving?” he is still holding the crystal up in his right arm.
I stopped and stared at him. He looked dumbfounded.
“Didn’t you direct that crystal towards them?” I pointed my arm towards the men who are frozen. Even their tails are not moving. “I was out of the way.”
“But. But.”
Sensing he’s not going to answer, I sidestepped him and went outside of the room. I tried to follow my nose to go to the kitchen. I wonder if the kitchen is a need to know basis because there are no signs pointing to it.
I paused. I was only a few steps away from the huge doors where I left from when I saw two manasties frozen. Though they were standing, it looked like they were on a standstill. I had goosebumps that reminded me of the incident at the bar.
One of the manasties held what looked to be chicken or fowl that I knew tasted like rubber. The blood dripping from it is frozen. The 2 manasties looked as if they were spying because they were looking at the room behind me.
I looked back towards the meeting room. Crix is still looking at me like I’m somewhat a monster or a science wonder.
I sighed and stepped back but he was fast enough to shorten the distance between us.
“What did you do to them?” I can feel my panic rising. I just realized something. “How come you have the same power asthem?” What if Crix is also an enemy?I must be too hungry that my initial reaction is to find the kitchen. Only to realize now that not everything might be what it seems.
“Not here,” Crix said and pulled me back towards the room. He still holds the crystal in his hand as he forcefully dragged me back.
“No!” I struggled to let go. “Let go of me!”
“Just follow me Brynn,” he insisted and urgently. He easily dodged my self defense moves and pushed me back towards the room. When he started to close the door, I went to a nearby window and tried to find another exit.
“Will you relax?” Crix shouted. The guy has a temper. Well, so do I.
“No I’m not going to relax,” I faced him. The windows are tightly sealed. The aesthetic garden view is not so pleasant anymore. “What did you do to them? This kind of power, this crystal, it is possessed only by Kilo and his gang. Why do you have it?”
I sidestepped around the lounge sofas, pillows and scattered chairs. He looked as if he was stalking me. It’s like we’re in a dance. I don’t want him to catch me.
“Ah yes, you were there. You do have a suspicious mind,” he seemed to relax a little. “This crystal is just a chip off that crystal. It has limited amount of power and the timing shorter. Now then,” he sat a little on top of an upturned sofa, his back to the men still frozen.
I can only describe his stare as hawk like. “Again, I’ll ask. Who and what are you?”
“What? Like I’m some kind of alien?”
I stopped. And laughed. I laughed so hard then giggled. Crix was stupefied. He was not expecting my reaction.
All this stress is getting to me. “Hahaha. Of course, I’m an alien,” I said aloud to myself.
“Yes you are,” Crix said. “Are you somehow,” a pause then, “specialin your home planet?”
I snorted but it was hard snorting when I was laughing at the same time. Good thing I did not choke myself. “Special? You mean deranged?”
He just stared at me.
And I laughed again. “Please, please,” I said in between breaths.
I heard a familiar growl in the background. Looks like someone is trying to outdo the power of the crystal, which Crix is playing in his palm. Like a basketball player running the ball in his hand.
