I walked calmly back to the rooftop maintenance room to return the toolbox just in time to hear someone call out, “Rupert, I thought you weren’t coming in tonight.” There was an indistinct muttered reply.
Footsteps got louder as Rupert came closer to the maintenance room.
Shit, I thought to myself, as I opened the toolbox and hastily shoved the wrapped vials into my smuggler pack. I needed to get out, and fast. I scanned the room, looking for my getaway. There should have been a window on the far right wall according to the schematics, but I wasn’t seeing it. Instead, rows of industrial shelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling. Dammit, it must be hiding behind one of the shelving units.
I pushed hard with the air and several shelving units slid away from the wall, screeching loudly as they dragged along the floor. Well, that will bring the cavalry, I thought sarcastically, as I hurriedly moved behind them. Moments later the door to the maintenance room banged open, and heavy boots pounded in, followed by loud howling. I sidled along the wall, keeping a lookout for the window. Good grief, I thought when I finally spied it. It had a vent cover over it that was screwed shut, probably because they were too cheap to buy fitted screens. Ridiculous.
I flew up, pulling the air hard towards me through the vent. The screws popped off, PING PING and then, before I could nab it, the cover fell with a noticeable clang. Whoops, I thought with a grimace. A low growl came from the direction I had come. I turned my head and saw a large wolf, the hair on his back bristling and his mouth pulled into an angry snarl. Boots pounded in our direction. It was definitely time to go. Heart racing as I quickly squirmed through the vent to the outside. I heard the wolves howling as I flew away, and I was high enough on my success to let out a victorious whoop of my own. Who’s the sucker now? I thought smugly.
Chapter 2
I was flying over the countryside an hour later, still congratulating myself on another successful pickup when there was a sudden drop in air pressure.
What the hell?! I thought in confused irritation. There should totally be enough air for me to fly right now. There isn’t a change anywhere in the landscape to account for this!
I pushed more air away from me, trying to increase my propulsion, but it was like something was eating into all my reserves. Scanning the area below me as I sank, I tried to pinpoint the source. I was exhausted, and I really wanted to get into my own bed and pass out.
Suddenly I smelled smoke. Well, isn’t this just peachy, I thought. A fire on farmland is definitely not what this country needs right now, especially not with the food shortages that have been happening in recent years. I sighed, rolling my eyes at my hero complex and sucked in the air, trying to decrease the fire’s fuel source and speed up my landing. I swiftly descended into the forest alongside the farmland below. If I could help these farmers, I probably had a responsibility to do so.
I landed right at the border where the trees met the long grass along the pasture, and circled along the field to get downwind of the flames. As I crept closer to get a better look at what kind of fire I was dealing with, I noticed someone standing by the edge of the flames. He was standing so close it looked as though the flames were licking his boots. Shouldn’t he be doing something to put out the fire? What kind of idiot just stands there when their field is blazing?... Wait a second, was this guy intentionally burning the fields here?? Holy shit! I thought in disgusted amazement. This country is really going to pot.
I adjusted my smuggler pack so it wouldn’t slide around, then crept my way over to where the fire starter stood, watching his handywork with what I could only describe as sinister glee. It was still dark out, and the shadows from the fire made the man’s already built frame seem to loom even larger. I steeled myself against the prickling of fear.
I control the air he breathes! I reminded myself determinedly. Sometimes I found before using my powers I needed a little pep talk. I usually limited my power to flight, and avoided using it in front of other people when possible. This made me a little gun shy when I suddenly found myself in a position of necessity like this one. In addition, I had already used my element multiple times tonight in ways I hadn’t prepared for, and at this point I felt like I was running on fumes.
Still, I could totally handle one measly arsonist! I counted to three, chickened out, and then counted to three again. Just do it! I urged myself.
I whirled all the air around myself and the fire, causing a natural vacuum to deprive the fire of oxygen. As the fire abruptly snuffed out, the arsonist turned, glowering, and peered directly at me. Ok, freaky, it was like he knew exactly where I was. There was no way he should be able to make me out on a night as black as this one, especially not so soon after he had been gazing into a bright fire. I could barely see him myself.
“You there,” he called out in a tone both accusing and commanding. “Who authorized you to come here? I want the family name and your credentials immediately.”
Names and credentials?? Uh oh, I thought in alarm, this
