Chike had eventually found the little sanctuary. I was laying on my stomach reading while snacking on a roll when he entered. He did little to hide his petulant stare, and I allowed him the indignation to stay there until an annoying prickle raised at the back of my neck.

I returned partially to my book, it took a few days of re-reading for Hawkins and Yuna to realise that I had finished what they had given me, as well as Leo's books. The new-old tome beneath my fingers was worn, but continued in dictionary words as well as another book about basic biology, plant-life, and names of animals with drawings that I occasionally copied.

I looked up at Chike, squinting when I adjusted my hip wrong. "What?" I said.

"You can't speak to me like that." He said.

"Why not? You're in my space."

"It's not 'your space', this garden belongs to the reigning Monarchs of Deunite."

I sat up on my knee, gathered my books in a basket, then with an unbalanced lean; I stood with the aid of a chair. "Raymond, you can't just leave when I'm talking. I'm trying—"

"If I'm not supposed to be here, then I'll leave." I said, the bitterness settling low in my chest as I managed to open the door and return to my room with Chike still following.

"Your leg is finished!" He nearly shouted, entering behind me.

"You could have just said that." I said, not hiding the frustration in my tone.

"Whatever, just be ready for surgery." He gestured vaguely, a roll of his wrist dismissing me. I sat on the edge of my bed, rolling my eyes. "Don't give me attitude, Raymond!" He whined.

"You haven't told me anything. What am I supposed to do?" I hissed through my teeth, placing my books down by the nightstand.

"I was going to tell you! But now I'd rather wait until you're done being an ass." I gnawed at my jaw, staring him down while I felt my palms prickle with unwanted heat. I breathed through my want to maim his audacity and continued to stare until he uncrossed his arms and lowered his brow from his petulant expression.

"It's at noon at the end of the week. We have to use herbs to sedate you, so don't eat dinner the day before. See that wasn't so difficult?"

"Excellent." I agreed and scooted wholly onto the bed. "Now will you leave me be? I want to read without distraction." He scoffed and turned on his heel. I saw a grimace pull at his lips, with a sharp crease tucking his youthful brow together. I fell asleep with my thumb between the pages.

Chike had returned again, finding me curled up in the garden with a different book. "How fast are you reading these?" He asked, I inhaled slowly.

"One or two a day. It's easier with the dictionaries, thesauruses, and language books I read."

"And…you just memorise these?" Chike pulled off his shoes and sat in front of me. Curling into myself, I nodded, then found Chike staring at me, "I'll be—I'll return." He said while he stood and left me to my peace for a short time.

When he did, I barely looked up at him, sighing when he took the book from me and placed it by my leg. "Can I read in peace?"

"No, I need to test a theory." He said pointing at a set of eight cards. "Close your eyes." He tutted with my pause, "just do it!"

He reached to cover my eyes with his palm, the slap I pushed him with didn't startle, other than furrow his brow. "Just humour me! It's a game."

"Can I read after?"

"Yes!" I closed my eyes, then felt and heard Chike flip the cards. "You may open them." He said, then pointed. "Match the same cards."

"Why?"

"Do it and I'll add a second roll to your dinner." I flipped over the first set quickly.

"You better keep your word." I mumbled, continuing until the cards were correctly organised. Chike stared at me agape, unable to answer as he collected the first eight, added more, shuffled them, and with a small seed he created a barrier. He quickly uncovered them. I couldn't deny that it was kind of fun, but my grin dropped when he reached and opened my book to a random location.

"From your book—ahah! Keep your eyes closed—what is the first paragraph on page one-hundred."

"And thus; the animal known as Canis familiaris has gone extinct over a millennia ago, archaeologists and anthropological studies suggest that these were once sturdy companions to the previously established Homo sapiens from translated texts and excavated sites. It is unknown how or why these four-legged beasts became extinct but it theorised that the magic and demons plaguing the land managed to quickly diminish the remainder of the last surviving species."

"You have an eidetic memory! By Setria's grace you have an eidetic memory!" Chike's grin grew wider, "the cards, flip them over now." I did and matched the sets perfectly. "I can't believe this! This is so cool! Okay, okay, Raymond, I know you were a slave—" my grin dropped, "so your magic might not be as focused as mine. But I want you to try something for me, the static, focus it, pull it from your chest." Chike tried to tap at my chest but I pulled back.

"I don't want to play with you anymore." I whispered.

"No, this part isn't a game. Raymond, this is wholly important and necessary."

I pushed him back again. "Why?"

"Because, you might have an incredible power." He said. "Try it."

I hummed disapprovingly, but opened my palm, and focused on the static. The blanket was always above my skin, I convulsed when it felt hot then breathed evenly, until a weight appeared in my hand. I blinked open my eyes, looking at Chike's utter horror. I dropped the device, the clatter of it dull upon the mattress. It appeared to be a gun, or something mimicking one before it shattered with a clarity of crystals that dissipated into nothing.

"Holy Setria…" he said, shaking while he stood. "I-I need to talk to my parents."

His dash to leave left the door vibrating when it slammed against the stopper. I picked up my book again, uneasily waiting for his return that didn't happen until the end of the week.

I waited, curled up in bed, wanting the second roll I was promised a few days ago. I was on the verge of sleep when I heard the door open. I sat up and found Hawkins stepping in.

"Sorry we've been absent, Kiddo. Lots of planning, but I'm going to be staying with you during your surgery and recovery. You ready?" I reached for him, happily accepting his lift up while I leaned upon his shoulder, appreciating the scent from his collar. I have been given instructions with my meal last night, which I followed but found myself unable to sleep the whole night.

I wasn't able to open my eyes as we travelled through various rooms, becoming colder with each door latch behind us. "You'll be okay." He whispered, "this is new technology too, created by Chike. His mother will perform the surgery while Chike will be helping with a few others. I wish I could be there Kiddo but try to trust them momentarily." He said, finally stopping, he slowly sat me down, keeping knelt in front of me while he took my hands.

"I don't want to open my eyes." I said.

"That's alright."

"Why are they performing the surgery?"

"Fewer people, Elenice is an excellent healer, you're in safe hands." He said and stood.

"Raymond." Elenice's tone was gentle, but I flinched regardless. "Thank you Hawkins." I was shaking while she talked around me. "Come now, let's get you ready." I gasped when she touched my arm leading me up and onto a table where she laid me down. I shivered horribly, flexing my hands until a warm blanket was laid over my chest, someone had squeezed my fingers, the sharp chill centred me, he didn't pull away and even shuffled closer. He changed his grip, slowly wrapping his fingers around my thumb. "Easy, calm now," she continued, "sharp poke." I cried out through a whimper. "Excellent done, now easy…" I couldn't remember her next words.