Psyche Transfixed (First 4 Chapters) (2)
He looked away, answering my question with his actions. I sighed. “Yeah, it’s not fun,” I admitted. “But you helped someone, right? You stopped people from doing bad things. But those people that you stopped? They’re after you, Matt, and they’re not going to stop until they find you.” “Why?” “Because they know you knew what they were going to do.” “How could they, though? I don’t understand,” Matt said, shaking his head at me. “I know you don’t,” I said, “but that’s okay. I came to offer you help. I’m like you and I don’t want you to be caught off guard by these people. Are you staying with anyone at home? Parents? Siblings?” He shook his head. No parents, no siblings. Well, at least that made my job easer. I took in a breath and went for the big question. “Will you come with me to my place? I only want to explain everything to you and someone will be coming over sometime to fully tell you everything.” “I’m not going with you--and why can’t you just tell me here?” “Because I’m not allowed,” I told him. “There are rules, Matt, and if they’re broken…well, the consequences are severe, especially for a Seer.” “Seer? What’s that?” he asked, perplexed as he narrowed his eyes at me, probably wondering if I was just yanking his chain. “Are you just making up words?” “No,” I said with a small chuckle. “That’d be funny though, wouldn’t it?” I shook my head and took another sip of coffee. It was cooling down, at least. “A Seer is what we are--it’s the correct name for us.” “Why?” I shrugged--I’d never really thought about why. Life was too short for so many questions, especially when you were a Seer. But the kid didn’t know about any of that, and this wasn’t the place to start that particular conversation. “That’s just what they call us. We can see things like the future--we also get readings and feelings off a place…has that ever happened to you?” He frowned deeply, confused. “Like what do you mean?” “Like you go somewhere or touch something and suddenly get…images and feelings in your head. Sometimes it’s just a sensation but sometimes it’s sounds or something. Has that ever happened?” He nodded slowly. “Once.” “You’re a Seer,” I said. “There aren’t many of us anymore, so when we get wind of one, we like to bring them in.” “We?” I paused. Now wasn’t the time nor the place for that conversation. “Why don’t you come to my place?” I asked again, fingering the duct tape in my inside jacket pocket, hoping I wouldn’t have to use it. “No. I don’t want to--I don’t know you.” “I’m Will,” I said. He snorted. “That’s just a first name, and it might not even be your real name. You could be lying to me about everything for all I know.” He stood and tossed my keys at me. “Thanks for the Coke but I think I’ll just walk home.” He turned and left the café. I sighed, put down a few dollars on the table for the lovely waitress, and then darted after him, catching up to him in the parking lot. “Matt, I was really hoping you’d just decide to come with me,” I said, shaking my head. “At least let me give you a ride back to the school--then you can walk home.” He hesitated. “I don’t know…” During his moment of hesitation, I rammed my elbow into his face. He yelped in surprised pain as he staggered back, hitting the trunk of my car. I was on him in seconds, tearing out my duct tape and knocking him onto his back. He squirmed, desperately trying to get away, kicking at me and trying to call for help. I slapped my first piece of tape over his mouth to silence him. His pale blue eyes looked at me with an anxious fear. I hated that look but knew now wasn’t the time to explain things to him. I had to do what I had to do. “I’m sorry,” I murmured to him as I forced his arms harshly behind his back. He gasped in pain, his panicked breaths racing across the tape as they darted out of his nose. I wrapped the duct tape around his wrists as I crossed them over one another, and then I moved down and forced his ankles together. He tried to kick at me, screaming behind the tape, but I grabbed his legs and taped his ankles. “I’m sorry, kid,” I told him as I grabbed him by the shirt and opened my trunk, tossing him inside. His wild, terrified eyes looked at me pleadingly as I began to close the trunk. I swallowed thickly, listening to his harsh breaths. Then I shook my head and slammed the trunk closed, looking around to make sure no one was looking. I’d made Matt park in a secluded area near an alley before we’d gone in, just in case I’d had to do this… I drove away from the café, listening to his muffled screams and cries from the trunk. I flipped on the radio so I wouldn’t have to hear him and know how much of a horrible person I was. “Sorry, kid,” I mumbled again, even though I knew he couldn’t hear me. Sometimes I hated what I had to do for the Underground. Sometimes Tony was a real thorn in my side, making me do things I didn’t want to do. I wished I could deny doing stuff and say out of this, but to say no to someone on the council was forbidden, especially if they were older than you. Tony was a werewolf, so of course he was older than me--he was around seventy-eight-years-old, or at least that was the last age I’d heard. He didn’t look a day over thirty, though. Sometimes I envied the other misfits. They got free will and lived longer. Seers died the quickest and rarely ever had any free will at all. We were supposed to do whatever anyone asked because there were so few of us and the need for Seers was great. I hated this. I especially hated doing jobs on my own. Normally, I had a partner. We all did, really, because no one was supposed to work alone unless authorized to do so. My partner in question was a Nixie. I know what you’re thinking--and don’t let the fact that the name is Nixie fool you. He’s a walking, talking, growling ball of fun. As a rule, my partner and I didn’t get along. He was quiet and closed off, which was normally the behavior of a Nixie. I was more outgoing and friendly, even “bubbly” at times. That was a Seer’s way, though. We were supposed to be full of energy so we could take the visions and sensations. They called it Scrying. That was what we did, after all. We scried, or saw things in the future in the form of visions. It wasn’t fun and it was often very painful and tiring. Eventually, all Seers suffered a Seer’s Fate, which was the burning out of the soul. I had never asked anyone if we made it the After, or spirit realm, because I was afraid of the answer. I was afraid that after the Seer’s Fate, there was nothing left. I wasn’t so sure I could handle it if this was all there was ever going to be to my life, dead and alive. Maybe no one knew, though. How could they? Maybe even the Nixies didn’t know. Nixies specialized in the dead, after all. They often made livings as psychics in the human world, sometimes appearing on talk shows where people asked them questions about the dead. That was what they did--they saw the dead and talked with them mostly on a daily basis. That was also why they were so shy, though--they were never sure if the person they were talking to was real or if they were dead and were just a spirit. Sometimes I felt sorry for them. …And sometimes I laughed because my partner would randomly start shouting angrily at someone that wasn’t there. Sometimes it was just hilarious. …And then again, I was sometimes a heartless bastard. At least I admit it, unlike some people. Sometimes I really hated my job. Unlike normal people, though, I couldn’t quit. Seers were treated more harshly than other misfits, which I thought was strange, seeing as how there was a shortage of us because of the famine. Most of the other misfits--like vampires, werewolves, Empaths, and Shifters--found Seers to be a delectable treat. Because of our “bubbly” personalities, our spirits were enjoyable to the Empaths and since we stayed in shape to deal with our headaches and keep enough energy, the werewolves, vampires and Shifters found us delicious as well. Sometimes it sucked to be a Seer. Most days it did. There were only a rare few days that I actually enjoyed my gift…or curse, depending on how one looked at it. It was both, I supposed. Most days I cursed having it…sometimes I loved it. The main thing I hated about it was the Seer’s Fate. I was terrified of when it was going to start happening to me. The stronger the Seer, the quicker the end came. I was strong but not the strongest. I was labeled as a Sphinx on the Matrix, which was the ranking scale of the Underground. The highest was an Imperial, then Seraphim, then Sphinx…then others. I was third highest and it was an honor. I was pretty sure that the strongest Seer was only labeled as a Seraphim. Like I said, the Underground was harsh to us. For people that had great need of us, they sure liked to hate us. I wondered if there was a way to save us Seers in the long run--save us from the Seer’s Fate. There probably was, somewhere, but no one ever cared enough to look, and by the time we Seers realized we were dying, it was far too late for us to do anything about it. Maybe if someone actually started to care enough…then maybe we could all be saved. Maybe if Seers started living longer, people would actually start to show us some respect and give a damn about us. My partner, the Nixie, was nice enough--he put up with me. But I didn’t think he’d be sad if I died. He’d probably rejoice because he’d get a new partner, someone that could fight correctly and was stronger, someone that would live longer. Like a werewolf, maybe, or even a vampire. Vampires were said to live the longest, after all. I shook my head and turned the radio up as Matt’s screams, though muffled they were, grew louder. I really hated this job sometimes. And sometimes Tony made me want to kill someone. * * * * * I tossed the kid on my couch after I got in from the car. Scrubbing a hand over my face, I watched as he sat there, breathing heavily, watching me with wide, terrified eyes. I hated that I was the reason that look was on his face. So far, he seemed like a nice enough kid and I hated that I’d had to do this to him. Pie ran over from the kitchen, yipping in greeting. Matt jerked in surprise and then went perfectly still. I wasn’t even sure if he was breathing. I knew he was scared. Smiling at my dog, I murmured, “Guard the door, boy.” Pie perked up his ears at my command as though he understood me--half the time I believed he could--and then went to the front door, sitting in front of it obediently. I sat next to the kid and pulled him into a sitting position. He didn’t try to fight me, probably too terrified to try anything. I let loose a small breath. “I’m sorry, okay?” I murmured to him. “I didn’t want to have to do this. Believe me, it’s for your own good. Now, I’m going to take the tape off your mouth--don’t scream or it’s going right back on.” I hated that I had to do this to him, but he’d left me no choice. He nodded fervently. I pried the tape away from his lips and he released a quiet breath. “W-Why are you doing this?” he whispered helplessly, staring at me with wild eyes. “Please let me go. I won’t tell anyone about you, honest!” “Look, kid,” I said with a heavy sigh. “I’m not kidnapping you. You just have to stay here for a few days and then I swear I’ll let you go. We’ll never have to see each other again, I promise.” “Please just let me go!” He began tugging at the tape that bound his wrists and ankles, struggling to pull himself free. I sighed and then shoved him back down so that he was resting on his stomach. “Keep that up and I’ll have to leave you this way the whole time,” I said. “Trust me, that wouldn’t be fun for either of us.” I stood and grabbed his arm, hauling him up as well. “Lean against me,” I commanded. He didn’t. I shoved him lightly and he began to topple forward. I held him up. “Lean,” I told him, “or you’ll fall and I’ll have to drag you.” “Please just let me go, God--” he started in a trembling voice. “I’m sorry,” I cut in. “I wish I could but you can’t be trusted. Lean.” He leaned and I began to pull him down the narrow hallway and into the bathroom. He panicked as I turned the bathwater on and plugged the drain. “Oh God,” he said, hyperventilating, his eyes wide and full of anxious fear “you’re going to kill me, aren’t you? You’re going to drown me. Please! I won’t tell anyone, I swear! Just let me go!” He tugged pitifully at the tape but couldn’t break free. He only succeeded in tripping over the rug on the floor in front of the toilet and flying headfirst into the water. “Wow, you’re quite a pessimist, aren’t you? I’m not going to kill you--would you calm down?” I grumbled, watching him splash in the water. I was tempted to just leave him there. The water wasn’t deep and I knew he couldn’t get out of it without help, at least not until the water rose. He was fine for the moment so I left the room and went to get Pie some food, because I knew he was out--that dog ate like a pig. There was a black hole where his stomach should have been. Once he was settled, I went back into the bathroom and saw Matt struggling to get out of the bathtub, shouting for me. “Will, please!” I sighed and grabbed his arm, hauling him to his feet. “Now you’ve got drool in the water,” I complained. “Pie is going to have a fit--he’s picky about those things.” “Pie?” Matt gasped, coughing. “My dog,” I said, dragging him upright. “I was simply going to ask if you had to use the restroom.” He nodded jerkily. I figured as much--a scare like a sudden ride in a car, being taped up, really seemed to do it for a lot of people. I was one of them. “Alright then.” I paused, wondering if I needed to get him some new clothes because the ones he had on were damp from the water. Then I decided against it--at least for now. “I’m going to take this tape off, okay? If you try anything, I make no promises that my dog won’t kill you. He’s good at his job even if he’s eating in the kitchen.” Matt nodded again, quickly, desperate to have the tape leave his wrists and ankles. “Just please.” I pulled the tape off both--it was easy enough, since it was already wet. Then I turned the water in the bathtub off and walked to the bathroom door. “Come out when you’re done,” I said. There was no window for him to climb out of in this room so I wasn’t worried. There weren’t any weapons in there either. I went out of the room and stood outside the closed door. Yes, closed because I wasn’t a pervert. I had no intention of watching Matt use the restroom, my prisoner or not. I didn’t like to think of him as my prisoner. It felt wrong. He was a good kid, after all. I didn’t necessarily want him to be afraid of me, but if that was what it took to keep him here and safe, then that was what I had to do. I had to scare him and keep him terrified. I’d also have to keep him tied up at night so he wouldn’t try to escape. Vicious guard dog or not, Pie liked to enjoy his sleep. He wouldn’t want to stay up all night with Matt to make sure the kid didn’t try and escape. The door to the bathroom open and Matt emerged, eyes downcast. “Look,” I said with a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t want to do this to you but you left me no choice. I had specific orders to bring you here for a few days to keep you safe, and--” “Orders? Safe?” he asked, frowning. “I can take care of myself.” Not true, considering I’d apprehended him rather quickly. I didn’t consider myself a fighter and I hated having to use force, but even so, I’d managed to take him down in a minute flat. I pinched at the bridge of my nose. “I know you can,” I said slowly, trying to reason with him, “but these people are dangerous, okay? They know you stopped them and they’re pissed as hell.” No pun intended, of course. Demons did have nasty habits, after all. “I’m just supposed to keep you safe until the threat dies down, okay? Then I promise I’ll let you go and we’ll never have to see each other again.” He didn’t say anything, just glared at the ground. I grabbed his arm and led him to the back room, which was usually reserved for Pie. There was a couch in it, though, and even though my dog usually preferred to sleep on said couch, I guessed he could take the living room couch for tonight. “Sit,” I ordered the kid. The kid sat on the couch and clasped his hands together in front of him, looking at the ground intently. I knew he was just trying to avoid me. Sighing, I shook my head and went to the small dresser in the room, pulling out a pair of handcuffs. Then I moved toward him. “Hands behind your back,” I said quietly. He looked at me and went pale. “No,” he said, “please, I’ll be good--” “No, I can’t take any chances,” I told him. “I’m sorry, but if you leave or something, I’m going to be punished. Punishment for a Seer is always harsh. Now put them behind your back. I don’t want to hurt you, Matt, but I will if I have to.” “Please, Will, I swear I won’t try anything,” he said, swallowing thickly as he looked at the metal cuffs. “I’m sorry,” I told him again, my tone sincere. “Please just do this, Matt. I don’t want to make you.” I really didn’t want to use force again--I didn’t enjoy hurting people or causing them harm. I would if I had to, though. It was just the way of the game. He finally turned and put his hands behind his back. I put the cuffs on him and tightened them enough that I knew he wouldn’t get free. He winced. “They’re too tight.” “They’re fine,” I said, “you’re just not used to them. I’d be surprised if you were.” “I hope you have the key.” “I do,” I said, “don’t worry.” “I don’t understand why you’re doing this,” he murmured, hanging his head low as he sat back in the couch. “I won’t try anything. I won’t try to leave.” “You’re just saying that because you’re scared,” I said to him. “But the moment my back is turned, you’ll try to run, and I can’t have that happening. I’m sorry, but my ass is on the line too.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “I’m sorry, I’m being rude--are you hungry?” He looked at me strangely. “What?” he asked, confused. “Are you hungry? You know, as in food? I don’t have much but I’ve got some pizza.” I would have had wafers but some old man claimed them… I sighed heavily at the thought. “I even have some DVDs we can watch, if you want.” “…If I’m a prisoner, why are you doing this?” he asked, clearly perplexed. “You’re not a prisoner,” I said, wincing. “I don’t want you to be, anyway. I want your stay to be somewhat enjoyable. I would take the cuffs off--trust me, I want to--but I don’t think I trust you just yet.” “I won’t try anything, honest.” “We’ll see,” I said, scrubbing a hand over my face. “We have a lot to talk about, Matt. I’m a Seer like you, so we might be up for a while.” He nodded slowly. We were encased in silence for several long moments and I rubbed at the back of my neck awkwardly, not knowing what to say. Luckily, the kid saved me the trouble of speaking first. “I don’t know why,” he finally admitted slowly, “but I have this feeling that you’re not going to hurt me.” “I don’t want to,” I told him truthfully. Then my expression darkened--I watched it dawn on his face. “I will if I have to, Matt. My ass is toast if you run off, okay? I know that probably means nothing to you because you don’t know me, but if you run, I’ll be punished. I’m just doing this to keep you safe. I wish you would believe me.” He said nothing, only glared at the ground. I stood. “Don’t try and leave this room,” I said. “You won’t get far.” Then I left the room and kept the door open so I’d hear if he tried to escape somehow. The floors creaked, after all. I went to the bathroom and whistled for Pie. He came running instantly, his large, Husky-like tail wagging. “Hey, buddy,” I said to him, rubbing behind one of his ears. “Time for a bath.” I nodded toward the water. He went to the edge of the bathtub and sniffed the water before sneezing and looking at me expectantly. “Oh, c’mon,” I muttered, “he fell in. Don’t make me waste water, Pie--it costs money.” He jumped into the water as though he could understand me--sometimes I really wondered about him. I shook my head.
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