X-Ordinary

XO - Chapter 11

XO's POV

No more Overload. Ever again. You don't attack your friends. We're your friends. You protect your friends. And we'll protect you.

Casey's mind-control worked. I was in shock. I felt the pressure lift at the back of my consciousness.

When under Vesva's tight control, growing up in a laboratory, his teachings had never been hardwired, but my instincts had been.

Specifically my killer-instinct. With a few words from Casey, the switch to that overloaded survival instinct was gone.

Alyssa freed me from their watch and concern, after their whole family had been out to kill me. I didn't know just how caged I felt emotionally until that command evaporated my brain's silly overloaded system. Alyssa saved me. Alyssa. I know it's silly but... I had never had a mother, and she seemed everything a mother would be.

Jace and Snyper walk with me down the street before choosing to chill out in an abandoned skyscraper that was defunct from the deteriorated, rotting insides. It was common to have hideaways like this in FC.

I see Jace fish out a key from his pocket and Snyper and him both share a knowing look as they open a locked door. When it swings open, the inside is filled with some young adults their age, relaxing on old couches, drinking and listening to music with the windows wide open. The only light source is provided by candles or the night sky.

"Been a long time since you both dropped by to hang," one young man approaches, he seems a little off balance, but he does have half an empty bottle of whiskey in his hand.

"We know you rats know this city well – XO – meet Guts, he looks after these runaways from Atlantis who come to FC for a bit more freedom, per say," Jace explains it simply, motioning to the well dressed, long haired young men and women who are huddled on the couches or playing old movies and old boardgames. Come to think of it, the whole place looks like Old World. I had only seen pictures of such old furniture and systems. Even the television looks strange and small.

"Hi," I shake hands with Guts, who has braided hair and a kind hand and kinder smile.

"Where she from? Never seen you around these streets," Guts speaks like he must know every face.

"XO doesn't have any friends – but we want her to feel welcome," Jace puts his arm around my shoulders and I see someone pointing from the couch.

"Hang on a minute, Snyper... isn't she the crazy psycho chick that took your eye?"

"Yes," Snyper speaks honestly – and the light smiles are quickly wiped from their faces.

Even Guts take a step back, going a little pale, "We don't allow violent offenders into the group," Guts speaks quietly to Jace.

"It's a problem we fixed," Snyper speaks lightly, "It's fine. She's fine now."

I look to the young potential friends and they're all trembling when they look in my direction.

"Look, guys, I don't know what exact connections your family has," Guts uses a firmer tone, "But we won't take in super freaks – you know what I'm saying?"

I droop my shoulders and lower my eyes.

Jace is silenced.

Snyper is the one to take action.

"Look, it's fine, we hear you," Snyper snarls while aggressively reopening the door. Jace takes my arm and leads me out.

"Take care, guys," Guts yells out, friendly to them, but not to me.