[[TRIGGER WARNING: The MC talks about sexual trauma in this chapter]]
The X and the red dots were surrounding the tree but not moving under it. They stayed in place for a little while as if waiting for something. It felt like a stand-off to her.
The X started blinking from the tree to the other side of the forest. A red dot went with it. The X then blinked back to her tree and repeated the process until there were no more red dots near her tree. When she could see no dots but the green ones around her tree, she decided instructions were in order.
"So… Dobin, I think it's Pucket. Get back here. Tree, here are my instructions. Only myself and the four people there are permitted access. Go into lockdown when approach. Only open your branches to one of us. Permit them to leave then return to lockdown."
Her eyes stayed on the red X and dots. She bit her bottom lip praying that X would stay on the other side of her screen. She willed the monster to stay away from those she cared about.
She saw four green dots walking quickly toward the path that lead to the dorms. Just as they reached the path, the red X started moving toward the tree once more, bouncing across her vision reminiscent of a happy tiger going to meet his friends.
"Um guys, you may want to run…" Lana's whole body tensed up, and fear crept into her voice.
The green dots moved quicker. The red X made it to the tree and circled around it once as if trying to see in between its branches. Is he listening for them? The friends were halfway back when the X jumped to the path.
"Run faster!" Lana screamed into her badge.
The X was jumping down the path. They ran faster but the X was jumping along the path faster than they were running. Through her badge, they heard a female scream then flapping wings. Lana knew Sven was responding. A second later, an angry squawk of an enraged raptor-monster pierced the room.
Lana saw a green dot leave the group and move quickly toward the red X.
The group was almost at the campus gate when they heard an evil laugh. Lana felt chills went down her spine. She then saw her friends enter through the gate. The X started bouncing back toward the red dots. She saw another fast-moving green dot join the four and realized Sven had just returned to Kattie.
"What the fuck is this!!!" she yelled. "Dobin, I'll see you when you get up here. I'm in 2217." And she disconnected the call.
"Oh shit!" She looked shocked then fear crept into her eyes. Her hands started shaking and her eyes started welling up, "it was a fishing expedition and he caught something important…"
She looked up at the ceiling, "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck."
She started taking her emotions out on the overlay.
"How do I get rid of this damned thing!!!" she yelled.
Blaine grabbed her hands, "getting upset will not help. Breathe with me." He started doing breath exercises. She looked in his eyes and joined him.
Chekof suggested, "is there an X in your field of vision? Something that resembles a close option on a computer?"
She shook her head. She bit her lip again as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"The answer has to be in this overlay somehow," as she angrily wiped the tear away.
"What do you see?" Chekof asked softly.
A deep intake of air and a slow release. "Trees. Just trees and dots and the red X that is Pucket. Oh, there are other red dots. Are they bullies? That's interesting. Some are green as well, others are either grey or white. The color is light," she responded.
"Okay, so it's like a combat screen which shows where everyone is on the field in a video game."
"Sure? I don't play games. I don't have the time to engage in such things."
Blaine nodded. "So, it showed your friends and Dobin in the park and a tree. What else?"
"Actually, now that you mention it, there are no benches on this overlay. It's also only 1 species of tree in addition to my willow." She looked out the window and suddenly it clicked. "Thank you trees for your vision and guidance in my time of need."
The overlay vanished. She wiped her sweaty brow. It took a lot of energy to do what she just did.
"Vision cleared?" Blaine asked.
"Yes." She exhaled slowly, "thank you for helping me through this."
Blaine chuckled, "I'm not sure I was much help."
"I started panicking…"
"What exactly is your ability?" Chekof asked.
"It's hard to explain but what I can say is I think my ability to speak to trees just leveled up…"
"Since I know your secrets, I'll tell you one of mine." She began. "I tell people my ability is plants, but it's complicated. Unlike other people with their ability, I was born with mine. I have been able to speak to trees for as long as I can remember."
"Anyway," she continued, "my friends here don't know how I use it in combat. I only show the roots, the vine that I use as a whip and the armor. I am still learning how to use my power, and it requires a lot of time reading about plants. I credit the trees for being alive. They saved Dobin and I more time than I can count."
"Who is Pucket?" Chekof asked.
"A rapist," she said barely above a whisper.
She looked at Blaine because he had been asking as well. She wanted to see his reaction.
The boys looked at each other. "And what was that about just now?"
"He's after me. My guess is he just tested my ability looking for a way to get round it."
Chekof replied, "but why would he be after you?"
She took a deep breath, "he's from the same orphanage. I'm still a virgin. I'm the only female that got out in this state since the new management was put in place when I was 5 or 6."
"EXCUSE ME???" Blaine shouted.
His energy changed to Kyle, and it looked like he was ready to kill. Chekof didn't look much better.
Lana shrunk into herself trying to make herself as small as possible. "It was around that time I started to teach myself gymnastics. It helped me escape the monsters."
Chekof took a deep breath, "but there have been no incidents."
"That's not true," Kyle said.
His anger was about ready to burst. Lana found herself trying to console him.
"Blaine," she couldn't use Kyle's name in front of Chekof, "I got out. We are working to try to resolve this. Avoidance on my end so far has kept me safe but I don't know for how long. This is why I wanted to learn to fight, remember? How to counter a teleportation ability? Am I improving?"
Blaine took a deep breath as he took back control of the body. "You are but I still don't like the idea of you being out there alone or even with your friends."
"You can't protect everyone every moment of every day. Look. I was paid for the commercial I just shot. I earned enough to buy Alto a new ability book to get him to the next level. I'll use future earnings to get him and Almin leveled up. I purposely have not bought any new blankets in a week so I can get my team stronger."
"What about your brother?" Chekof asked.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Chekof went to answer it. "If it's Dobin, tell him I'll come to his room in a few minutes," Lana said loud enough for him to hear.
Dobin just nodded and walked away.
Lana laughed nervously, "he has his books already. Also, I need to make this clear. I'm not trying to get you guys involved and I'm certainly NOT asking for help. I just thought you deserved an explanation."
"Does anyone else know about this? Dr. Tall, anyone?" Blaine inquired.
"No." She looked Blaine in the eyes. "I think I'll go talk to my team now. I've taken up enough of your time. You need to make sure your clothes get cleaned! Come find me later if you'd like but I hold no responsibility for you in this regard."
She left and Blaine followed.
"You aren't getting rid of me that easy," he smiled.
She knocked on the next door down. Dobin answered, grabbed her arm and pulled her in then gave her a big hug.
"What's going on?" he whispered in her ear.
She whispered back, "I had a visual overlay of the park with you guys and red dots. Speaking to trees just upgraded into a map."
Dobin nodded then they walked further into the room where everyone else was waiting for an explanation on what was going on.
She looked around the room then Lana began her brief explanation. "I stopped by next door to discuss plans for the day. While there, I received news that something was off in the park. That was when I contacted Dobin. After much deliberation, I was able to determine it was Pucket again."
She took a deep breath, "I believe this was a test of my ability to see if he could circumvent it. I'm sure he learned something I didn't want him to know. Kattie, what I need you to know specifically is this guy isn't just a psychopath, he's a rapist. Since he knows you are my friend, he may target you. Never leave without Sven unless you have no choice. It's also why I said to travel together."
"He could teleport away with you guys just as he did with me. We are stronger in groups. I'd prefer it if we didn't go in the park unless we have to at this point. Let's get stronger first. If you do find yourself in the park and under attack, get to the willow if you can. It will protect you."
"So that's it? We just tuck our tail and run? What about other girls out there. He could attack them."
An evil grin appeared on her face, "do you think I'm just going to let him off forever? I promise, he will get his."