Unfit by K Hippolite Page B

people come running around the sides. She tackles Elias as he turns to flee, easily outrunning him.
      Vergen releases me in order to run away with the other mercenaries. I run over to join Kimberly, who has pushed Elias up against a wall.
      She stands in front of him, facing the onrushing crowd, her back pressed to him and arms out defensively. I join her there and do the same, even throwing in a suggestion to the mob that Elias is our friend. But this many minds, all thinking different things, are a little difficult to control.
      Most of the mob rushes past us in pursuit of the mercenaries. Ten people stop to yell angrily at Kimberly. Their collective tempers merge into a dragon above them, claws snapping at us.
      With this as a focal point, I can manage better. I cool the dragon from such a volatile red to spring green. It shrinks quickly under my outstretched hand. When I snap my fist closed, it blinks out.
      “He helped me by turning on his friends,” says Kimberly to the crowd. “This one is not the enemy.”
      The mob before us slows, and more people join them. I can see over their heads, where Kristanson’s beaten body is being hoisted in the air.
      “To the pit!” they yell.
      The construction pit where the functional ‘Canoid waits. My stomach turns into a knot.
      The other half of the crowd has run down the mercenaries. I can hear them pleading for mercy from the blows the crowd gives them. If they are lucky, they will pass out before getting dragged to the ‘Canoid. I will have nightmares about this for weeks. I want them to be punished for what they did. But not like this.
      The mob begins to sing as they drag everyone off. They leave us behind. For now, Elias is safe.
      “When I threw that bolt, I fully expected to die,” says Elias. “I owe you ladies a debt that can never be fully repaid.”
      “Go to the Coalition,” says Kimberly turning to face him. “Tell them to come here and make peace. I will tell Kajo Blue, and we will all sit down and talk.”
      “And you, Hattie,” says Elias.
      There’s a quick transition that puts Hattie back in control. I watch her hug him and cry. Her mind dances with blinding joy as she bear-hugs him.
      “You’re a telepath now, Hattie. The mob wasn’t prepared to just let me go. I could tell.”
      “No, Master Elias. That was my good friend Miss Kwan.”
      “Ohhh,” says Kimberly, her mouth going round.
      “Tell your friend I owe her too.”
      “She can hear you. I love her so.”
      Really, Hattie. Must you?
      Yes!
      I roll my eyes. Kimberly will walk you two to the border. I’m dissolving the merge for now. I’ll keep a light connection on you, so I’ll know if you’re in danger.
      I’m back in my room, the chemistry book on my lap and bedside lamp still burning. I’m tired, but I can’t sleep yet, in case Hattie needs me.
      Back to these frustrating elements, I guess. With a sigh, I raise the book and begin to read.
     

  By morning, chaos from the riot has spread across Hillvale, even into the Coalition side, where the Lanarrs’ live.
      Yelling mobs rove up and down the streets overturning garbage cans or getting into fights. The wail of warren sirens is constant whenever I pass an open window. The water truck and firemen have been running all night, so now East Hillvale has the pall of a dark smoke cloud over it.
      West Hillvale, the Coalition side, has no out-of-control fires, but it’s not safe to walk the streets. This means a welcome respite from Alešan, who stays home and misses today’s lesson. It’s my first lesson without her and it goes smoothly, with Mrs. Lanarr working at my pace in mathematics, and Panne helping me in penmanship. Life would be perfect if Alešan would just disappear forever. I ask Greg about it that night when he sneaks into my room.
      “No, we can’t send her back yet. My family is obligated to finish the lessons, or she’ll lose face. That’s bad for