"Well well," Jake said, "you woke up earlier than I expected, kid."
The room fell silent.
Kael didn't respond, he was sitting stiffly on the bed, his back slightly hunched and were eyes fixed on Jake as if trying to decide whether this man was real or just another nightmare which is layered on top of everything else. His head still felt heavy. His body felt… wrong, and too light and hollow.
Jake leaned against the wall casually, arms folded and his long coat hanging loosely from his shoulders, but he wasn't carrying his metal staff. His expression was unreadable and calm in the way that made Kael uncomfortable.
"You're quiet," Jake continued. "That's either shock… or intelligence."
Kael swallowed. His throat was burning. "You shot me," he said finally, his voice was rough. "And now I wake up in some kind of medical room."
Jake tilted his head slightly. "You didn't die. Focus on that, and that was only a tranquilizer."
Kael clenched his jaw. "What now?"
Jake pushed himself off the wall and straightened. "Now," he said plainly, "I'm taking you somewhere very special."
Kael widened his eyes. "Where?"
Jake met his gaze. "A cell."
The word hit harder than Kael expected.
"…A cell?" Kael repeated. "Why?"
Jake didn't hesitate. "Because Flint who is the Director of this whole Aerin, thinks I brought you in without authorization."
Kael frowned. "Authorization?"
"You weren't collected by the team assigned to extract non-normal humans," Jake explained calmly. "I acted alone."
Kael's hands tightened against the bedsheet. "So I'm being punished for that?"
Jake shook his head once. "No. You're being contained."
Kael's voice rose slightly. "Contained? I didn't do anything!"
"You exist," Jake replied flatly. "That's enough."
Kael stared at him. "That's it?"
Jake said. "Because you are an outsider, Kael. No records. No lineage. No training. And you were devoured violently by a newborn."
Kael asked calmly. "So you're locking me up?"
"Yes but, Temporarily," Jake corrected. "Until tomorrow."
Kael exhaled. "Tomorrow… what will happen tomorrow?"
Jake turned toward the nurse standing near the door. "Get a wheelchair," he said. "And bring a high-quality elixir."
The nurse blinked her eyes. "Yes, Mr. Clinton," she replied quickly and hurried out.
Doctor Ethan Looms, who had been quietly observing, stiffened. "Mr. Clinton," he said, disbelief creeping into his voice, "a high-quality elixir?"
Jake glanced at him. "You heard me."
Ethan frowned deeply. "That's excessive for someone his age. Those elixirs are reserved for—"
"For people who might not survive the next twenty-four hours," Jake interrupted.
Ethan looked at Kael, then back at Jake. "…You know what happens tomorrow."
Jake nodded. "Exactly."
There was a brief pause. Then Ethan sighed and nodded slowly. "He did lose an extreme amount of blood. And his body is still stabilizing." He adjusted his glasses. "Alright. I agree."
Kael listened, his heart was pounding. "You're talking like I'm not even here."
Jake looked at him. "You are here. That's why you're getting an elixir."
The nurse returned in moments later, pushing a wheelchair while holding a small crystal vial which was filled with shimmering blue liquid.
She handed the vial to Jake.
Jake turned to Kael and gave it to Kael. "Drink," He said.
Kael stared at it. "What is this?"
"Something that'll keep you alive," Jake said. "And revive you for tomorrow which is going to be hard."
Kael hesitated. "Hard?"
Jake's lips twitched faintly. "Everything has a price."
Kael took the vial with shaking hands and drank.
The liquid burned cold as it slid down his throat and his chest tightened sharply. For a moment he thought he might choke, but then the sensation spread through his body like ice, dissolving into warmth.
Jake nodded. "Good."
He gestured to the wheelchair. "Get up. Sit."
Kael scoffed weakly. "I don't need that. I can walk."
Jake raised an eyebrow and said nothing.
Kael pushed himself off the bed, but the moment his feet touched the floor, the world tilted violently.
His legs gave out. If the wheelchair wasn't there, he would've crashed his face first onto the ground. Instead, he collapsed into it, breath became much faster for him and fingers were twitching uselessly.
Jake smirked and said. "That's the effect of a high-quality elixir when you take it for the first time."
Doctor Ethan and Nurse saw and controlled their laugh by putting their hand on their mouth.
Kael glared weakly. "You could have warned me."
Jake pushed the wheelchair forward. "You think that you would believed in me."
And then they moved toward the lift.
As they exited the medical wing, Jake glanced back at Doctor Ethan. "Thanks for calling the Director," he said dryly.
Ethan frowned. "You're welcome," he replied, not amused.
The elevator doors slid open.
Jake rolled Kael inside, scanned his palm against the panel, and pressed the 8th floor.
The lift hummed as it ascended.
Jake broke the silence. "Be prepared for tomorrow's test."
Kael swallowed. "Which test?"
Jake looked straight ahead. "You'll know when it will start."
And then the doors opened.
Guards stood on both sides, rigid and silent.
Jake gestured to them. "He's yours."
Kael's chest tightened. "Wait, what?"
Jake leaned closer. "Tomorrow morning," he said quietly, "be ready."
Then the elevator doors closed.
The guards escorted Kael down a sterile corridor and into a small, clean cell. They helped him onto the bed gently—almost respectfully and then they stepped back and locked the cell door.
The sound echoed.
Kael lay there. He was unable to move. Not even his fingers were responding.
The ceiling blurred above him.
He slowly closed his eyes and whispered,"Wish me best, mother."