Something Unpleasant

Mr.Berhns pulled into his driveway, still deep in thought.

He had spent the entire ride home mulling over the things he knew, trying to determine how a Hiroshiman had escaped.

After all, they were kept under tight surveillance by the Japanese government. There was no way they'd be able to escape without some sort of obvious search ensuing.

These searches were never announced by the government, but one could see them, clear as day, if they knew what to look for.

When troops moved for no particular reason, under the guise of training, or escorting some potential political target, most would believe the press. But not Mr.Berhns. He knew better.

Trusting the government, trusting the world around you, was for those willing to be led to their demise without a fight. But he would not go gentle into that good night.

He finished unlocking the last deadbolt that led into his home, being careful not to open the door too quickly, lest the knives he had placed atop the frame fall onto him.

Upon entering his cage, he checked that the hair was still in place, undisturbed, as he carefully closed the door behind him, now safely in the metal cage in the entryway of his home.

Twisting lock after lock of the garage door back into place, Mr. Berhns finally let himself begin to relax. The government couldn't get him in here.

Keying in the code into the keypad, he finally gained access to his home, and stepped inside. He dropped his bags into his miniature EMP machine to destroy any sorts of trackers or bugs, before settling down on his couch.

After such a long grocery run, he needed to write.

~~~~

Kai was piloting as they walked into school on Monday. He had whittled down Kyle's soul over the weekend, and at this point, not much was left.

His host was nearly completely his.

And yet, it seemed that would not be enough. He needed to deal with that history teacher, mister Whatwashisnameagain, and for that he would need help.

The plan was simple. Remove the tin foil, enter the man's mind, and erase any and all memories of anything funky going on related to Kyle.

Easy enough.

Except, what if he managed to escape? Or fought back? Called for help? What if he had a gun, or a taser?

Kyle's body alone might not be enough to guarantee success.

That was where Logan came into play.

With an extra man, subduing the teacher would be significantly easier.

As long as they caught him by surprise, he'd likely be unable to get more than one round off, no matter what weapon he chose to use.

Although Kai would've preferred to have many more layers to this plan, he was running out of time. He had to make do with the resources he had available to him.

He wandered down the stairs, hoping to take a minute apart from the rest of the students, when he stumbled across Logan.

Surprisingly, Logan was sitting on a bench with Ashleighe. He had no joy in his gaze as he looked upon her, and Ashleighe seemed to feel nothing for Logan, either. And yet, the couple did not separate, even when Kai called for Logan.

Annoyed, Kai did the first thing that came to mind. He removed the obstruction.

Directing a surge of mental power, he forced his way past their mental barriers. First Logan, then Ashleighe, and searched for all the memories of their shared love.

And then…

He consumed them.

Just like that, that which had bound them was gone.

Logan walked over as Kai called him, Ashleighe looking confused, unsure of why she had been sitting with him.

With that warm up out of the way, he was ready to solve his dilemma once and for all.

~~~~

Unfortunately, there had been no good opportunities to corner the history teacher during fourth hour. After a few minutes, he did, however, manage to learn his name.

"Mr.Berhns"

What a dumb name. Fitting, for a dumb man.

Alas, here Kai was, sitting in his Biology class once again, working on his project with Sophia.

The girl was quite funny, able to hold a conversation with him while never allowing the novelty of the subject, nor her passion for it, fade to grey.

The girl was fascinating.

She spoke of many things, spanning from her favorite parts of the lesson to her favorite punk-rock bands, the best flavors of icecream and the feeling of her favorite hoodie.

She even offered to let him touch the hoodie to understand how soft it truly was!

Granted, Kai had never seen her in a different outfit, but that didn't change how buttery smooth yet pillowy soft the material was.

He had nearly forgotten the simple joys of experiencing the feelings of objects he had once craved upon entering this world.

This girl was so full of thoughts and ideas, and yet she managed to enjoy the simple things.

Kai wondered how that enjoyment would taste.

Would it be as vibrant as her?

Or

As delicate as her icy mind?

Perhaps it would be as soft as her hoodie.

Kai chastised himself. It would be unfortunate to end such an invigorating relationship before it could bloom.

The girl was worth far more than the passing joy the consumption of her feelings could grant him.

Forcing the thought down, deep within himself where nothing could reach, he returned to reality.

The rest of the class was slightly bitter, as if tainted with something unpleasant.

Kai wished he did not know what that something unpleasant was.