Chapter 28: Father's Footsteps

Kyne

I was reckless and knew it, calmly making my way from Jake's to my own place. His death was pretty clean. Checking my phone there were no missed calls or unread texts, it seemed that I had fooled just about everyone. My only regret at this point was letting my father catch me running with the gun...stupid stupid! But how was I supposed to know he was awake, so that didn't make it my fault really…but I should have been more alert.

After taking off my shirt and putting on my sweats I went downstairs to make myself some lunch. Gazing at the calendar there was a V on today, which stood for a special woman. Vanessa. Thinking about her soft olive skin made me smile. She was a mutant too and we made a business deal: she'd come over once a month to pick up a vile of hydro-tesla and in return she'd stay the night. We both had worked at the producing company of the substance, which was supposed to be like an adrenaline rush, they sold it only to the elite and powerful. Vanessa used to steal viles when no one was watching. Eventually they fired her but she was already addicted to the stuff. I still knew someone working there and he got it for me after I threatened him once. Funny cycle isn't it? I already had the drug stashed away for safe keeping and was honestly looking forward to seeing her since I needed to unwind.

After eating I passed out on the couch with the television blaring MTV Hits. I still had a few hours before she arrived; at least that's what she said when she called me just then. She wouldn't be late...junkies were never late. The next thing I knew I woke up to hear the doorbell ring.

One eye opened to read the clock, "Hmm, early…must be going through withdrawals." I got up and went to the top of the stairs, "Let yourself in…doors open!" Then I went to the safe that had the vile she depended on. I could hear someone coming into the room, "I got what you need right here…" But when I turned around it wasn't Vanessa standing there but Hunter. "Dad? What the hell are you doing here?"

He had a dark look in his eyes, "Saving your ass.." He responded then struck me across the head knocking me out.

"What happened to me?" I rubbed my head as I came to.

"Showed you what pain is like," my father responded bluntly.

Opening my eyes I realized I was locked in a cage, it was dark, was I underground? "You can't keep me here, and lock me up like this...Let me go!" I demanded.

He just laughed, "or else what? You think you take me like those pitiful guys at the bar?"

My face went pale, "How'd you know about that?"

He shrugged, "I read your mind back at the hospital and went there after I took Angelus back to the mansion. They were all dead and you were supposed to be there, you are a messy killer. I think you have a lot to learn Kyne, and this is the only way you're going to listen to me." He folded his arms across his chest and sat down in a chair.

"I'm warning you…let me go now and I won't hurt anyone." I was also angry because my father ruined my night with Vanessa.

He sat quiet and shook his head no, "I know you…you promised me you wouldn't hurt anyone before. And I can't afford you hurting or killing Gabriel. Why are you doing this? Why do you hate him so much that you want to kill him?"

I looked away from him, "I don't know…" but that was a lie, deep inside I hungered for the attention and killing Gabe would get the biggest attention I could ever hope to achieve. I would be a hero in the eyes of anti-mutant groups and finally my mother would feel the loneliness and regret treating me like I didn't exist.

Hunter sighed, "I killed a long time ago and back then I regretted nothing but things do change Kyne, and when they do you will start seeing their faces every time you close your eyes. I don't want you to learn the hard way like I did."

My eyes rolled, "Ah...so now you wanna play father to me? Forget it alright. Drop the crap, I got these powers and I'm going to use them to get what I want and live a nice life before this city goes to Hell."

Since he wasn't getting through to me, my father tried prying into my thoughts and secrets, but I was wise to that and blocked him. My hold was starting to wear thin, blood trickling down my nose was a sign of how mentally matched we were.

"You're not getting into my head!" I shouted.

His phone started ringing so he stopped. I collapsed onto the ground and listened.

"Hello...Hey baby…Sure I'll be right there." He closed the phone and looked at me. "Your mother needs me. These bars are thick, so don't even think you can break out of here…use this time to really think about what you're doing and who you hurting right now because of what you have done."

I couldn't believe it...he was LEAVING me here? "Noo come back! You can't leave me down here!" No answer. "Shit!" Cursing I kicked one of the bars and sure enough it budged just a little, "no freakn' way!" I tugged at the bar a little, it was loose just enough…I could definitely pull myself out if one of these bars was taken out. "And things are lookin' up for Kyne Maximus," I laughed.