Risk

Matilda entered the bedroom with heavy feet and glanced at the stone wall when the door behind her closed. He was sitting in a chair on the other side of the room and stood when she made her presence known. Although he was wearing a navy t-shirt and a black pair of denim jeans his stance was regal and frightening. The waist-length, auburn hair was unrestrained and flat against his back and shoulders. She picked a random section of it to focus her attention on; his dark eyes were filled with an unfavorable glare she was powerless to match. The silence filling the room was nearly unbearable. She wanted him to say something but was afraid to hear his voice.

"It's late," he said finally. "You should be sleeping."

The unnerving sound drowned her ears with slight sourness. He was either unable to hide the irritation or wanted her to be aware of it.

"Master Hao..." She paused and bit her bottom lip.

He didn't correct her this time. The silence made her stomach churn.

"I don't know what Rutherfor told you, but—"

"You shouldn't begin this conversation that way," he interrupted. "Start over."

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "You gave me permission. You said I could."

Matilda was whining. He tightened his jaw.

"When did I say that?"

"You said..." She hesitated.

"Tell me exactly what I said."

"I could use Mei for revenge against Ren. That was the reason you told me to bring her."

"I told you to be patient," he sighed. "I never gave you permission to harm that child, Matilda."

He took a few steps toward her and she shivered.

"Listen very carefully this time," he said with muted aggravation. "If anything happens to that girl before my brother arrives, you will die. Do you understand?"

Her hands trembled violently; she stared at the floor without responding. Hao was contradicting himself in her mind, but she was too frightened to argue.

"Your silence will serve as confirmation. Don't pretend later that we didn't discuss this."

"I don't understand," she mumbled sadly.

He exhaled heavily and glared at her with disgust.

"Why are you protecting her. Why now?"

"You shouldn't ask questions about things that are irrelevant to you."

"I have always been loyal." Her eyes filled with tears suddenly, but she didn't lift her head. "I have never betrayed you. Why are you treating me like an enemy?"

"This paranoia is your problem to deal with," he said coldly. "If I considered you my enemy I would have killed you a long time ago."

"What have I done to make you hate me?" she whimpered.

"I don't have the energy for this drama." He waved his hand. "Go to bed."

She turned slowly and headed for the stone door but stopped her pace abruptly. His breathing elevated, and she could feel that he was advancing.

"This is about her, isn't it?" Her tone was soft and barely audible.

He didn't answer.

"You should have killed them for insubordination," she continued. "There's nothing stopping them from doing more unauthorized things."

"You speak as if you know what you're talking about."

She turned around and gasped when realizing he was directly behind her.

"There's only one woman...who can anger you this much, and I know they brought her here."

"I am not angry." He said it very slowly and with emphasis.

"You've forgotten that I am not simply an accomplice." Matilda's boldness increased as she spoke. "There are things I know about you they don't. I understand your thoughts. I sympathize with your dreams. I know your emotions, plans...secrets...because I know you."

"Your love for me has clouded your judgment, Matilda," he chided.

"And your hatred for Anna is clouding yours."

He walked away from her and toward the chair but didn't sit down. She watched him silently for a few moments as he cracked his knuckles and deeply exhaled.

"She will use her power to sway your accomplices," Matilda said gravely. "They won't be able to resist her."

Hao remained silent.

"Having her here this early is a threat to your entire plan," she pleaded. "You've considered that, haven't you?"

"I've considered it," he said plainly.

"You may not have another chance, Hao." She said it under her breath. "Kill her now before it's too late."

"No." He didn't elaborate. A pang of fear rose in her chest, but she stood her ground.

"The longer she stays alive the more likely you will fail. Anna will use your weakness against you. She'll infect you like a flesh eating virus. It's too dangerous. This...vicinity is too dangerous. You've remained separated this long for a reason. Don't give her any unnecessary leverage. Kill her."

He sat in the chair and stared at the floor with glassy blankness. She knew he was listening but was unsure of his mood.

"If you wait until Yoh and his friends arrive it will be too late. He'll defend her, even if it means killing you."

"No he won't," Hao said sternly and lifted his eyes. His gaze pierced her body like a spear.

"You don't have to spare her just because she's his mother. You have to put out this fire before it spreads."

"No one here is going to harm her in any way," he said angrily.

"Hao—"

"She will be here when Yoh arrives. Untouched."

Matilda knew this conversation was over and anything else she had to say would need to be kept to herself. She headed for the door again but rubbed her neck after taking a few steps.

"Please, Hao," she said faintly, "promise me something."

"What is it?"

"Anna has always been one step ahead of you. Don't lose control this time."


Pirika slid her shoulder against the wall as she sauntered along the hallway. Horo insisted upon taking Anna back to her room alone and restrained her to keep from being attacked. She had no energy to oppose him this time, but she couldn't remember when she ever stood up to him. Her brother was simply unreasonable when angry, and his power was much stronger than hers. Bitterness and resentment fueled his ability in a way that was scary, and over time he developed new adaptations he wasn't born with. Horo never had to fight with effort. She took a deep breath and swallowed hard at the random thought. The accomplices living with them were completely unaware of the extent of his power, and she always worried one day that would make him a target. He allowed Hana to injure him, possibly because he was a child. If this training continued, he would eventually be forced to fight the boy. Chills ran down her spine as she considered it.

Hana would only have two choices: strengthen his power or die. Both possibilities scared her to death.

"You're roaming the halls. Having trouble sleeping again?"

Nichrom's voice startled her. She couldn't see him in the darkness and blinked her eyes a few times.

"Captain..." The rest was stuck in the back of her throat.

"You don't even call Matilda that," he said playfully and softly grabbed her hand.

She couldn't fathom how he was able to navigate the camp with the absence of light but followed him in silence. He led her into a familiar space, but she didn't recognize it until he moved the stone door away with the faint wave of his hand. Nichrom's strength was fearsome. He was the only person other than Hao that moved the stone throughout the camp without effort. Everyone else had access to rooms with steel doors that were hinged similar to what would appear in a house. These secret passageways were inaccessible to them.

The room was furnished with a small bed that was leaning against the far wall, two wooden arm chairs and a long, rectangular table holding a large kerosene lamp. Nichrom had been allowed by Hao to sleep there away from the others because he wanted privacy. There were secret rooms he dug out throughout the camp for this purpose as well. He didn't interact with the others very much except for her brother and Rutherfor, but even they knew nothing of this room. Pirika had been the only person who visited regularly.

He sat on the bed and stretched his arms. Pirika hesitated for several moments before climbing onto the bed behind him. There was silence as she removed the large braid his long, thick hair was restrained in, and the black strands spilled over his back without resistance.

"It was fine," he said softly. "Do you braid it out of compulsion or something else?"

"I don't know," she answered.

Nichrom smiled and closed his eyes as she ran her small fingers gently through the hair.

"Anna's here," she said gravely. "Did you know about that?"

"Not until she arrived. Rutherfor's going to panic when she finds out about Thalim."

"What about him?"

"He was somehow captured by Yoh."

She rested her hands on his back and frowned.

"It's not like we need him. He's useless anyway."

"He's your brother," she said sadly. "You can't tell me you don't care that he was captured."

"It's typical behavior," Nichrom groaned. "He's immature and weak. He always has been."

"You seem to hate them," she whispered. "Both of them."

"They're here because of Rutherfor. I don't know why she's so attached."

She separated his hair into three large sections but ran her fingers through the middle before beginning the braid. Nichrom always made her uncomfortable when talking about his siblings. His indifference toward them was foreign to the relationship she had with Horo. She couldn't live without her brother and worried about him every single day of her life. Nichrom treated Thalim and Nemari like complete strangers in comparison. He spoke of them like they were the scum of the earth, and she didn't know why.

"Leave it," he said suddenly.

Pirika dropped the hair from her hands and paused. He turned slightly to grab her arm and pulled her into his lap without resistance. She gazed at the lamp as he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her shoulder.

"Yoh's probably bringing that leprechaun with him. Should I be worried?"

"His name is Lyserg," she replied with irritation.

"Should I be worried?" he repeated and tightened his grip.

"He's very strong. You shouldn't underestimate him."

"You know that's not what I meant."

He pulled her onto the bed and released her when she fell on her back against the mattress. She held her trembling hands tightly on top of her stomach and lightly held her breath when he ran his fingers slowly against her exposed thigh. He smiled at her but she tightly closed her eyes.

"Am I being inappropriate again?" he teased.

His hand disappeared beneath her dress, but she quickly sat upright and kicked him.

"You're being inappropriate," she said authoritatively.

Nichrom crawled toward her slowly enough to make her panic but fast enough to pin her back against the wall. She grabbed the brown shirt he was wearing by the collar; there was nothing else to grasp. He pushed against her hard enough to force her body into his lap and placed his hands delicately against her hips.

"My brother's going to kill you," she growled.

"I know I should be afraid," he said softly, "but I'm not."

His aggressive behavior was abnormal and uncomfortable. In all the time they spent together he was never this forward. She feared things would be out of her control soon, and she needed a way to escape. The only other person who could free her was Hao, and she had no idea where he was. She decided she needed to take drastic action.

"I'll tell Rutherfor."

He dropped his head against her shoulder and kissed her neck. "That's so unfair."

"Do you really want your sister to be angry with you? Cool off."

Nichrom released her and leaned against the mattress on his side. Pirika bent her knees, lowering her legs to keep him from peeking under her dress, and rested her back against the wall.

"You didn't answer my question."

"What question?"

"I'll have to eliminate all doubt." His eyes narrowed.

She held her breath as a thin line of tears wet her eyes.

"If ripping his body apart piece by piece is necessary...then it's necessary."

"It's not necessary," she blurted, unable to hide the fear in her voice.

He sat up on his knees and leaned into her face while holding the wall with his hands. Her body trembled when he delicately kissed her lips, and her mouth stood partially agape when he pulled away.

"I hope you're not lying to me," he sighed. "When I pulverize him into dust, I guess we'll find out."

"I told you..." The hesitation was involuntary, and her hands were shaking when she grabbed his shirt. "It won't be necessary for you to take any action. I'll take care of him myself."

Nichrom kissed her on the forehead and lingered there for several seconds. She clenched her teeth as the tears spilled onto her face unintentionally.

"If you don't have the strength to finish it," he whispered, "I will."


Anna fell to her knees as her retched coughing and gagging filled the air. Her room was well insulated; no one was able to hear the sound except for the man who caused the disturbance. Horo stood over her with his arms folded over his chest and glared at her with intense hatred as she crawled toward the bed.

"What did you say to my sister?" he demanded.

"I am not...your enemy," she struggled to say.

"Wrong answer, Anna."

She reached for the top of the mattress, but her arm was caught in mid air. Despite her desperate effort to move her limbs, a terrible stabbing sensation blistered through every nerve in her body. The screaming was compulsory, the pain horrifying. Horo tilted his head and quietly watched as she wailed in agony for several minutes.

"Is that helpful?" he asked plainly. "That...screaming?"

Anna didn't answer. She couldn't piece a coherent response together loud enough to drown out the random moans bellowing from the back of her throat. Her entire body felt like broken glass, and she was overcome with fear when an important thought finally flashed in her brain. She hadn't spoken to Horo or Pirika in several years. Their powers were never dormant, and judging by her current predicament Horo was much stronger now than ever before.

"Answer the question," he said impatiently. His right hand was balled into a fist, a gesture she didn't notice until he opened his palm.

The sensation faded immediately, and she fell to the floor, taking a few moments to catch her breath. He rolled his eyes but allowed the pause and waited for her to climb onto the bed. She rested her body flat on her stomach with the side of her head against the thin pillow, and she stared at the steel door behind him with blank eyes.

"Horo," she said softly, "I just want my son back. That's the only reason I'm here."

"I know you heard what I asked you," he snarled. "Answer me."

She slowly sat up and dropped her feet dully against the floor. Her expression remained emotionless and increased his anger.

"You scared her. What did you say?"

"I'm sorry, Horo," she said as her eyes filled with tears. "You've given me no choice."

He realized suddenly that she was no longer restrained. Horo had always been extremely fast, but he knew she was faster.

"Stop!"

But it was too late. Her eyes widened very slightly, and he found himself unable to blink or turn away.

You will protect Hana with your life, Horo.

"I'll...protect him," he said blankly. His eyes were wet, which was impulsive, and he didn't move. "I'll protect Hana with my life."

I was never your enemy.

"You were never my enemy, Anna."

You never saw me with Pino or in Hana's room. This evening didn't happen.

He didn't speak.

Go to your room and sleep. Don't turn around.

Horo walked away from her abruptly without saying a word and quietly exited the room. She stared at the door with weary eyes once it was closed, and after a few moments she collapsed onto the floor as her consciousness faded.