12

I am the storm you never saw coming.

Takeshi didn’t join them in the mess hall for dinner that night. Khalani stabbed at the food in her bowl, her frustration simmering just beneath the surface. Beads of electricity coiled in her muscles, crackling, desperate to be unleashed.

She needed to take out the festering energy on something. And the lukewarm food in front of her wasn’t cutting it.

Her friends watched her cautiously, as if she might lash out at them with her wooden spoon at any moment.

She finally looked up, slamming her bowl on the table. “What?”

The frowns on Serene, Adan, and Derek’s faces deepened. Brock sighed and reached for her bowl with a casual, resigned air.

“What are you doing?”

“If you’re just going to glare at the food I had to pour for everyone, I’ll eat it instead.” Brock tried to pull her meal away, but she snatched it back, nearly spilling it on herself.

“Do not come between me and food right now. I’ll smother you with my pillow while you sleep,” she snapped.

“You on your period or something?” Brock tilted his head.

Khalani’s grip tightened on the bowl, ready to hurl it at his face, but Derek placed a calming hand on her shoulder. “Whoa, whoa. Let’s just relax.”

“Nah, I’ll help you kill him tonight,” Serene piped in.

“No one’s killing anybody.” Adan’s jaw set in frustration. “We need to stick together, or we’ll never make it to Hermes in one piece.”

“Everything alright?”

She nearly jumped out of her seat when the Chief spoke from right behind her, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.

“Yes,” they quickly muttered in unison.

The Chief studied them for a long moment but didn’t press further. “Good. If you’re done eating, come with me to the infirmary. Ari told me that your friend is awake.”

Khalani lurched to her feet, her heart racing as she followed the Chief to the blue building.

Each step was an echo of the hope and dread that raged inside her.

She bounded up the stairs, racing past everyone. The dense weight on her chest didn’t lift until she stepped into the bedroom and saw Winnie sitting up in bed, her brown eyes wide open.

“Khalani, girl,” Winnie said with a smile.

Tears brimmed in Khalani’s eyes, and she didn’t care who saw them. She rushed to the bed and sank to her knees. With as much care as she could, Khalani wrapped herself around Winnie, who had a white bandage covering her shoulder and her arm held up in a proper sling.

“You’re alive,” she whispered, her voice rattling.

“Of course, dear. Love is stronger than death, remember? Winnie couldn’t leave you to write this story alone.” Winnie smiled at her, radiating a warmth that only a mother could.

Khalani hugged Winnie as though they were the last two people on Earth. She heard the others enter behind her, and they each took a turn hugging Winnie, even Brock, who usually kept his distance.

Their own dysfunctional family.

“How are you feeling?” Ari asked, stepping forward with a renewed warmth in her eyes.

Winnie straightened, beaming. “Fit as a fiddle! Winnie’s ready to get back on the road.”

But Khalani caught the slight grimace when she attempted to rise out of bed.

“No, no. Not yet.” Ari gently urged her back down. “We need to give your body a couple more days to recover from the infection.”

“Nonsense. Winnie could run a marathon right now,” Winnie declared.

“What’s a marathon?” Derek asked.

“From my research on the Great Collapse, it was their code word for hell.”

“Sounds like my kind of fun.” Brock grinned.

“You would say that.” Serene glared at him.

As they spoke, Khalani’s eyes watered as she kept staring at Winnie like a lost piece of art. Her lungs were able to take deeper breaths. Her skin didn’t feel as tight.

“I missed you so much. I thought the worst. I didn’t know what to do.” The words tumbled out of her.

Winnie cupped Khalani’s cheek tenderly, her fingers cold. “Winnie was thinking about you the whole time, even in her dreams. You’ve been so, so strong.”

Khalani shook her head. “I haven’t felt strong. I’ve been so afraid.”

“That’s okay, sweet girl. Fears aren’t always so bad. They remind you of everything you have to live for.”

Khalani’s chin trembled as the Chief stepped forward.

“It’s getting late,” she said. “And Ari’s right, you need to rest. The rest of you must return to the house.”

Winnie grumbled, insisting that she was fit enough to ride a dragon—whatever that meant—before laying back down.

“Can I stay with her?” Khalani asked.

“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea,” Ari hedged.

“Just for tonight,” she pleaded. “She’s the closest thing I have to a mother. Please…let me be with her this one night.”

A soft look entered Ari’s eyes as she glanced over at the Chief, who regarded her closely. Khalani didn’t know what the Chief saw in her expression, but she sighed. “Alright. One night.”

A small smile graced Khalani’s lips as Serene kissed her on the head and the others hugged her and left—Brock included, though his farewell was limited to a one-finger wave.

Khalani lay on top of the covers beside Winnie as Ari turned off the bedside lamp and offered her a gentle smile before closing the door.

In the peaceful dark, Winnie slowly shifted her cold hand until it touched Khalani’s. Without hesitation, Khalani intertwined their fingers, and they fit together like two puzzle pieces.

For the first time, her heavy heart lifted, floating freely in her chest like the pale moon hanging beyond their line of sight.

“Winnie?” she breathed out, staring up at the ceiling.

“Yes, dear.”

“Those white speckles that come out at night to rest beside the moon…what are they called?”

She could hear the grin in Winnie’s voice. “You mean stars?”

“Stars…” Khalani savored the word on her tongue. “What are they?”

“They’re like our sun, only burning millions of miles away in space. Some of them have other planets orbiting around them, just like ours.”

“Like ours?” She turned her head on the pillow to look at her. “Do they have people, too?”

“Before the Great Collapse, they were still trying to figure that out—whether we were truly alone in the universe or if there were other beings out there. Maybe even doing the exact same thing we’re doing.” Winnie squeezed her hand tighter.

“If they are, then they’re experiencing it, too.”

“Experiencing what?”

“The parts that make everything worth it.”

***

It was the first night on the surface that Khalani slept without nightmares tearing her apart. She held Winnie’s hand the whole time, the only thing keeping her together.

In the morning, Ari entered the room with a pale look of regret and told Khalani that she needed to return to her cleaning duties.

She protested, wanting to stay longer but Winnie squeezed her hand.

“Go, dear,” Winnie insisted, her voice tired. “I’ll be right here.”

Over the next couple of days, Khalani washed clothes with Serene and visited Winnie each afternoon. Ari seemed pleasantly surprised by Winnie’s progress, but she still insisted Winnie needed another day or two before she could move around more freely.

Takeshi remained elusive, rarely seen during the day, not joining them for meals, and entering the house only when the moon was high in the sky. He would shower and then sleep on the living room floor without complaint.

Takeshi didn’t look at her, much less speak to her. He’d reverted to being cold and distant, treating her as he once did in Braderhelm.

One afternoon, Khalani ventured near the training area. The trainees avoided her as if she were covered in poisonous spikes. She noticed the nervous glances darting to Takeshi, like they feared even looking at her would earn them a one-way ticket to hell.

When she walked by, Takeshi’s glare pierced her, sharper than the blade he kept in his boots. But he swiftly returned to instructing the trainees with Patreus, his voice echoing across the field with a hard, biting edge.

But the first change came the following night when Takeshi joined them in the meal hall, something he hadn’t done in days.

His black hair was tousled, and beads of sweat clung to his face.

Her eyes caught on the protruding veins in his forearms as he drank a glass of water, and she caught the hard bob of his throat as he swallowed.

It was truly unfair how someone like him could look even more attractive while sweaty and disheveled. After an intense workout, her lungs rattled like she was on the verge of death, and her hair frizzed up like she enjoyed cuddling with an electric fence in her free time.

But beneath that allure, a chaotic energy seeped from him that made everyone uneasy as he ate his meal in silence.

“You good, man? We haven’t seen you around lately,” Adan asked, breaking the resounding quiet.

“I’m fine.” Takeshi barely glanced up, eating from his bowl like it was his last meal. Like he wanted to escape as quickly as possible.

“How’s the training going?” Derek questioned.

“Fine.”

“And their warriors?”

“Fine.”

“What’s Patreus like?” Serene chimed in. “Is he…fine?”

“Yes.”

Serene shook her head in exasperation, and Derek chuckled.

Khalani, meanwhile, fiddled with her spoon, pushing around the beans like they might magically gain sentience.

Suddenly, a deafening CRACK echoed through the hall, as if God Himself slammed a fist into the earth.

Khalani gasped, shooting to her feet as Serene, Derek, and Adan did the same, holding on to each other. Everyone else in the room remained seated, staring at the four of them like they’d finally lost their minds.

“What the hell was that?” she exclaimed as a loud patter started pounding against the roof. Her eyes rapidly scanned the ceiling, worried it might collapse on them.

“It’s a storm.” Brock casually leaned back in his chair. “I’ve experienced several in the Death-Zone.”

“W-what was that bang?” Serene clutched her brother’s hand, her voice quivering.

“Thunder.” It was Takeshi that answered.

Derek turned to him with a frown. “How do you know what thunder sounds like?”

Takeshi stayed silent, but Khalani knew the truth. He used to live in Genesis. Even though the dome surrounding Genesis portrayed a serene sky and protected its inhabitants from the ‘radiation,’ it must not have been immune to lightning.

She’d learned about lightning, thunder, and rain in class, but living underground her entire life, she’d never experienced it.

Khalani gradually lowered herself back down to her seat, but each time a thunderclap shook the building, she flinched, struggling to keep herself from hiding under the wooden table.

Takeshi quickly finished his food and stood.

“You’re leaving?” Adan asked in dismay. “In this weather?”

Takeshi gave him a sidelong glance. “It’s only rain.”

He walked out of the hall without another word.

Khalani bit her lip, an uncontrollable urge tugging at her heart as she stared at the empty seat he’d just vacated.

Just ignore him.

She pursed her lips, trying to re-focus on eating from her bowl. The rain continued to pound against the rafters as the empty space across the wooden table glared at her.

Everything was fine, she told herself.

Winnie was healing.

She’d seen no evidence of cannibalism.

Everything was…Khalani looked back at his empty spot again…great.

After a moment, she slammed her spoon down, unable to take the prolonged absence any longer.

“Where are you going?” Brock called out when she stood, but Khalani ignored him.

The storm got louder as she approached the exit.

Her palms shook as she opened the door and faced the wrath of nature. Water poured down like heaven itself had opened and the angels cried. Her jaw was agape, and she nearly dropped to her knees.

As a child, Khalani had always imagined what rain would feel like against her skin. To let it slide through her hair. Between her fingertips. To tilt her head back and drink the Earth in. But standing at the edge of the doorway, she froze.

What if it hurt?

What if thunder shattered her eardrums in the vast, open space?

The dark clouds before her were like beautiful beasts, waiting to sweep Khalani away and consume her.

Her eyes caught on a black-garbed figure walking down the path, hands in his pockets. His head was held high, like he had no fear in the world.

She should turn around and go back.

Right now.

Deadly things shouldn’t be confronted.

Her fingers twitched as Takeshi ventured further and further into the storm.

Go back.

She gulped. About to turn around.

But then, as if she wasn’t in control of her own body, her foot stepped over the threshold.

Her heart pounded wildly as the first drop of rain brushed against her skin. She paused, waiting for something spectacular or terrible to happen, but nothing did.

The rain was cool, almost soothing, and her fear gave way to a strange exhilaration.

She took another step forward, feeling the wet earth beneath her feet. And then, she started running.

Lightning slashed across the night sky like an artist painting furious brushstrokes above her. But Khalani kept sprinting through the torrent.

“Takeshi!” she yelled, her voice almost lost against the howling wind.

But he froze, his dark eyes locking onto her, a deep frown overcoming his expression.

“What are you doing out here, Kanes?”

“I…I…”

The right words wouldn’t come. The rain soaked her hair, and her tan clothing clung to her skin as she stopped just a few feet away from him, mumbling like an inept fool.

Takeshi’s lips pressed into a grim line as Khalani failed to explain why she followed him into the downpour like a crazy person.

“Go back to your friends.” His voice was cold and distant as he inclined his head, turning his back on her.

Her fists clenched, and the energy swirling through the air fueled her. Lighting her up from the inside out. “Why do you keep ignoring me?”

“I’m not.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

Takeshi paused, barely glancing her way. “It’s for the best.”

“For who? For me?”

“For both of us,” he snapped, facing her fully.

“Explain it to me then.” She lifted her hands by her sides.

“I don’t owe you anything.” Takeshi’s eyes hardened, retreating behind the high walls he’d carefully constructed.

It was his shield against the world. Keeping everything out.

Especially her.

“Yes, you fucking do,” she shot back, marching forward to close the distance. “You’ve already told me there’s nothing left between us. What more do you have to lose?”

He shook his head, turning away, determined to leave her behind.

“I don’t think so.” She tugged on his wet arm. “You don’t get to run away again, Takeshi.”

“Stop it, Kanes!” He whirled on her, his eyes blazing. “You need to learn when to give up.”

“No! Because someone once made me believe I was strong enough to never give up. Remember?”

Takeshi flinched as her words seemed to transport him back to their grueling training sessions in Braderhelm. Back when he was just a guard, and she was his prisoner. Nothing about their fractured relationship had ever been simple.

Sometimes she caught him staring at her like she was perfectly imperfect the way she was. Like he wouldn’t change a damn thing. But other days, he glared at her like she was his worst enemy and greatest regret.

Deep down, she knew she needed to let go.

But Khalani needed answers.

Closure.

So she could give up, too.

“Just tell me why you hate me so much.” She balled her fists, nearly losing the tight hold on her tears. “Then I’ll leave you alone forever.”

“You think I hate you?” Takeshi’s voice dropped dangerously low as he lifted his head.

“I know you do.”

A strange madness flickered in his expression and he stepped even closer, invading her space as if it belonged to him.

“You don’t know anything. Do you want to know what I hate, Kanes? I hate losing control. I hate obsessing over something I’ll never have. You know what else I hate? This fucking conversation. You know that I’m no good for you, yet you keep coming back because you like people who hurt you.”

“That’s…that’s not true.”

“Yes, it is. From the day we met, you wanted to be close to death. Here we are on the surface, and you still want the absolute worst things in life.”

Thunder rumbled ominously above them.

Her chest heaved, his words piercing her soul like shards of broken glass, but Khalani lifted her chin, refusing to back away.

“Do you think so little of yourself that you believe you’re the worst thing for me?”

Takeshi’s muscles froze. He licked the drops of rain across his lips, staring down at her like a man trying to prevent himself from being carved open.

“I know I am, Kanes. I rose to the ranks of Captain because I was ruthless—a good soldier willing to tear anyone apart. I didn’t care about anything but locking up prisoners in Braderhelm. That was my duty. All I had. But then you came along and…” He scoffed, shaking his head, as if it didn’t matter anymore.

“I tried to convince myself I wasn’t a monster. That I only hurt people when it was necessary, but we both know that’s a lie. Maybe I could’ve stopped the Warden from killing those prisoners, but I didn’t even try. All I cared about was making sure you never died.”

Her muscles instinctively tensed for the hurt she knew was coming. But Khalani needed to hear the truth, no matter how raw or painful.

She’d rather suffer out loud than suffer in silence.

“You were right about me, Kanes. I am a murderer, and I’ve accepted that. When that bastard touched you the other day, I wanted to do more than just break his arm,” he seethed. “I wanted to rip him apart, burn him alive, and make his friends eat the ashes. And it would’ve made my fucking day. That’s who you’re dealing with. So, for once in your life, do what’s right for you and fucking walk away.”

Raindrops dripped from his thick lashes as if the Earth wept in his stead.

Their heavy breaths mingled as the sky fell apart around them. She absorbed his words, letting their meaning course through her.

But when she peered into the dark depths of his gaze, she didn’t see evil or malice. She saw another storm. A man baring his soul to the world, preparing for everyone to abandon him because that’s all he’d ever known.

Maybe she should’ve walked away.

Maybe seeing the good in him would lead to her downfall.

But Khalani stepped closer, the rain a forgotten whisper against her skin.

“Don’t I get a say in what’s best for me?” she whispered.

“Not if you make the wrong decision.”

“And right there lies your biggest mistake.”

His brows lowered. “And what’s that?”

She lifted her gaze, facing the storm head-on.

“Assuming that after being bound in chains, I would dare let anyone else dictate my life.”

His black gaze swept over her, from the wet strands of hair clinging to her cheeks, to the way her soaked top molded to her skin, leaving nothing to the imagination.

Despite the chill in the air, the heat between them was hotter than the sun, and for once, she wanted to be consumed by it.

Khalani leaned forward, expecting him to back away and abandon her. But Takeshi’s dark gaze pooled with unfathomable want, and he lowered his head.

But there was a sudden whoosh of air, and Takeshi flinched.

Her green eyes bulged when she saw the arrow sticking out of his back.