Page 10

Kari

Groaning, I slam my finger down on the laptop button, smashing it in the hopes of making something work. “Son of a bitch, come on! How hard can this be!?” I set the laptop aside before I decide to throw it in the river and stand, walking away for a moment. I find a good drop off spot and sit, dropping my feet in the cool water as I hang my head and listen to it bubble around me.

This morning, I grabbed the laptop and a cup of tea from Vahru and headed out here in the hopes that the calm peace of the woods would help me stay relaxed and focused enough to find some new information. Despite my efforts, I’ve only grown frustrated as the information seems to be the same no matter which source it comes from. Everything makes this seem like a simple high school drama rather than a world on the brink of war.

No matter what I do to figure out these hidden features, I can’t seem to get it right. I either backtrack, nothing happens, or I get error messages, and I’m hitting my limit with this. I thought this was supposed to help me, but it’s like the child lock is on, and I’m too fucking stupid to figure the damn thing out. This Kij guy is either way too smart for his own good or is a complete moron, I haven’t decided yet.

Taking a few deep breaths, I finally decide to try again, so I head back to my spot. I take the last sip of my tea, holding the cup to my chest as I let the orange-y flavor soak into my tongue and uplift my spirit from the inside. With a deep breath, I search the apps on the laptop, only to stop when I notice the Spotify app. Charlie mentioned adding a music app for me.

Opening it, I search for a dubstep playlist that I may like. It’s something I used to love and haven’t listened to in a long time now. I come across one with similar artists to my tastes by someone named Melissa Smith and roll with it. Hitting shuffle, I let it play, the first song being Ignite by Zedd. As I listen to the lyrics, it feels like the perfect song and list for me.

It does often feel as if everyone around is watching through my eyes, waiting to see if I’ll succeed or fail at the tasks in front of me. And with the new threats waiting for me, the options most definitely feel like win or die. I hate that. But Zedd is right, I need to reply to destiny and ignite the fire within myself to finish this, to find the solution, and win. I will not die, I will win, whatever it takes.

With a renewed sense of purpose, I grab the instructions for the laptop and sift through to find what I need. There’s supposed to be a hidden internet browser for a dark net that might have better information, but I can’t seem to get into it. I read through once more, slowly, repeating the instructions to myself before doing them with the laptop. Of course, an error message pops up. “Okay, maybe I mixed it up or something, hit a wrong key. Let’s try again.”

Time after time, the damn error message pops up, and I slam my fist into the blanket beside me before setting the laptop aside. Inhaling as much as I can, I scream my frustration out to the woods, not caring who hears me. This is such shit! How the hell am I supposed to save this planet from some unforeseen demon if I can’t even get answers to a simple goddamn question? How. Fucking. Hard. Is. It? Seriously!?

If you’re me, it’s apparently extremely hard. The whole damn universe feels against me on this, and nothing I seem to do works. So much for igniting my spark and winning, I’m going to die. Feeling all my energy drain after screaming to my heart's content, I lie back in the grass and stare up at the canopy of leaves and think.

What was it the Guardians told me recently about this endeavor? That I would need help. Well, Tavionna is supposed to be coming to help me, right? But will she be enough? Charlie has been instrumental in helping me so far, but he has his own things going on, so who else can I call? I don’t know anyone else. I’m not sure I want anyone else. This is supposed to be my mission, but I guess even the best of us need help sometimes, right?

The irony kills me as the universe seems to speak through the playlist as Human by Krewella plays. Damnit, she’s right, too. I’m only human, I need a hand sometimes, and this is looking like one of those times. Swallowing my pride and reminding that negative voice inside that this isn’t weakness, I think on what else I can do.

Charlie did say I could call his shop, and Ayira was supposed to answer. It’s her psychotic mate who made this fucking contraption. Maybe he can help me figure it out. If I don’t kill him first. Huffing, I sit up and grab my comm, dialing the store number and waiting. A female voice answers on the fourth ring. “Varquetta Contraptions and Medical Suite, this is Ayira, how may I direct your call?”

“Hi, Ayira, I’m Kari, former NASA space captain and upcoming Chieftess of Kahbilla. Charlie had your mate, Tutkijaa, I think, make me a laptop to use, but I’m having a hard time with it. I can’t seem to get past the protocols, I keep getting error messages.”

She chuckles, a sweet, tinkling sound that reminds me of Tavi. “Kari, of course, he told me you might call. Kij is brilliant but he sometimes forgets to make things a little more simplified for us non-techies. How can we help?”

“Well, I suppose he could try to talk me through it, but is there any way I could meet with you guys, maybe he could show me, walk me through this? I’m coming up with no new information, I’m at a standstill, and this is critical to saving my planet. The sooner I find the information I’m looking for, the sooner I can end this feud once and for all.”

“I understand. Let’s see, we’re finishing up this mission for Zaynt, so I think we could be there in a few days? Would that work?”

“Wow, you guys are already finishing that up? This time difference is insane. Uh, yeah, that should be fine. Do you have my comm number to reach me?” I scratch my head, exhaling slowly through pursed lips as my brain scrambles to catch up with how much time days is for her versus me.

“Yeah, I’ve got it here, I’ll note it down and ring you when we’re close. If you need anything before then, just call me.”

“Thanks, you guys are so helpful.” I smile, grateful for her attitude and eagerness to help me.

“It’s what we do, hun. Talk to you soon!”

We end the call, and I pause as words of a new song reach my ears. Just Hold On by Steve Aoki and Louise Tomlinson plays, and I turn it up, soaking in the encouragement. I just need to hold on, even though it feels like it's all going wrong. I can be who I was or be who I'll become, but the one thing I can't do is walk away. Giving up and walking away when the world will keep spinning, keep moving on like this with or without me, is not an option.

With this revelation, I decide to give up on the laptop for a bit and wait patiently for the help I clearly need. The research is getting me nowhere at the moment, giving me nothing but stress and headaches, and I could use some time with my friends and family. Maybe I should just enjoy myself for a bit, clear my head. Sometimes, that helps more than anything else.

Gathering my stuff, I start walking back home and bump into Kosiiba. “Hey, Captain, done already?” He swipes a loose strand of his black hair back over his shoulder, his knife strap slung across his bare chest in this heat. His green eyes seem brighter than usual, and I’m glad to see him so happy and confident, finding his place amongst us all.

“Yeah, fuck this error-ridden contraption. The creator of this stress-inducer is going to come help me with it in a few days. Until then, I’m done with research and on a mission to clear my head for better focus later. So, let’s do something fun.”

He chuckles, snatching my teacup from me before I drop it, and walks alongside me. “Well, I could teach you to throw knives. I think you’d be good at it.”

“Ha, let’s see how Vahru likes that: you teaching me how to use sharp weapons.”

“As long as you don’t let him rip me a new one for it, I’m down.”

Laughing, we drop my stuff off at the cabin and create a target in the clearing. With Vahru at work in the city, it’s just us here. He didn’t want to leave me, but he felt better with me behind the shield with Kosiiba and the other hunters.

With a large shirt stabbed to a tree, Kosiiba takes the time to show me how to aim my throwing knives and how best to throw them. I miss several times, hitting the tree trunk, the ground, but eventually, I start getting the hang of it and slowly hit higher and higher up the shirt until I reach center mass dead on.

“I knew you’d be a natural! Look at that! Throw another one, let’s see how close you get them.”

Setting my feet apart, I pull my right arm back, eyes on my target, and lunge forward, throwing the knife with all I have. It lands beside the other, the handles knocking together, and Kosiiba jumps into the air with a cheer.

“Hell yes! You and me, Cap, we’ll be a formidable team if we come up against someone in a knife fight. Hot damn.” He jogs over to the tree and rips the knives free.

“This was a lot of fun, thanks, Kosiiba. It’s nice to clear my head and focus on something else for a while.”

“Ah, we all need some downtime. I’m just glad I could help.”

Sitting on the porch, we lean back and rest, grabbing our drink cups. “So, how are things with your mate? Have you talked to her or anything?” I glance at him before letting my gaze focus on the trail to the village, my eyes wandering around and taking in the scenery.

“Aside from seeing her step through the portal, no. I know that she’s been through some unspeakable things, I don’t know the extent, I don’t know how to help, and I don’t want to push her. I’d rather keep my distance while she finds her footing, you know? Besides, the Guardians assured me that our time will come after you complete this mission and our village is safe once again. So, I’m biding my time, for both our sakes. You’re my priority, Captain.”

I give him a sympathetic smile, hating that I’m keeping him from love. “Not forever, kiddo. You’ll have a life of love soon enough, I’ll make sure of it.”

He nudges my shoulder with his. “I have all the love I need for now right here. You, the hunters, I know I’m not alone. I have friends, family, in all of you. Our bond reminds me that I’m loved and appreciated for the work I do, and that’s enough for now. Don’t pity me too much, ‘kay?” He grins, and I huff a laugh.

“Fair enough. You’re a good kid, Kosiiba.”

He grunts before we fall into companionable silence, enjoying the cool breeze on the summer day. I don’t know what secrets we’ll uncover in the upcoming days or weeks, but for now, I’ll be grateful for what I have, for those in my life, because who knows when I could lose them all. If I fail this mission, I might just lose them all. Best to take the time I have while I have it.