Different

Chapter 18

"It shall be the policy of this nation," President Kennedy states through the television screen. "To regard any nuclear missile crossing the embargo line that surrounds Cuba as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States, requiring a full retaliatory response upon the Soviet Union."

"That's where we're gonna find Shaw," Erik points to the TV with a gun in his hand.

"How do you know?" Alex asks.

"Two super powers facing off and he wants to start World War Three," Charles answers. "He won't leave anything to chance."

"So much for diplomacy," Erik turns to the rest of us. "I suggest you all get a good night's sleep."

. . .

Alex and I stand on opposite ends of the bunker.

"You sure you wanna do this?" He nods.

"Yeah," I make no effort to hide that I share his skepticism, shifting weight on each foot back and forth and bouncing on the balls of my feet. "This should be fine."

Unlike the last few times where one or both of us have come close to frying the other.

"Yeah, it'll be fine." He tries to wave it off.

"Totally fine." I wring my hands at my sides.

"Ready?"

"Ready." I nod and Charles opens the door as I start warm up my hands.

"Alex, Ilsa, what are you-?" He notices us charging up our powers.

"Charles get back." I warn him.

"Shut the door, Charles!" Alex says at the same time, just about ready to fire and it's too late to stop it.

"Oh shi-!" He steps back abruptly and covers his face with his arms when Alex fires directly at me. I brace and throw my arms in front, palms facing Alex. Multiple white-and-blue lightning bolts of various sizes are clustered into one oval-shaped shield that's nearly my height and blocks Alex's burst. The shield absorbs some of the blast and the rest of it bounces off the shield in every other direction, some of it slamming into the bunker's walls and setting fire to some spaces.

My shield disappears, and Charles straightens up, surprisingly unhurt.

"What the hell?" He speaks up after a moment.

"We, uh, wanted to try something out." Alex says.

Charles looks between the two of us and exhales heavily. I can't tell if he's mad or not.

"Well done." He raises his brows. "Maybe leave a note on the door next time? Get some sleep when you can." He nods. "Take care of that, please, you know where the extinguishers are." He points to a few of the spots still on fire as he walks out.