Blasted (Open)

[Lani Hunter]

There was a small drone as the clock whirred around the clock. Lani rose and ignored the fact that is was a quarter tile 5am and his alarm hadn't gone off yet. He turned it off, there was no used his mind was too active. He felt like a caged tiger, he needed to go do something because laying in bed staring at the ceiling wasn't working. He got dressed slowly and walked out his door. He pulled his jacket tighter around himself as he walked. He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head a little as he yawned. Lani's feet moved across the lawn without him really knowing where they were moving. He was just glad to be moving.

He entered the main building and made a bee line for the infirmary. He slipped in like a shadow and unlocked the medicine cabinet with his power and slipped five bottles of aspirin out before carefully closing it again. He stuffed them in the inside pockets of his jacket and zippered the pockets. Then he made his way to the hall where the training rooms were. Most were soundproof and all were extremely sturdy. He was glad, he really needed to blow of some steam. He dropped his jacket just inside the door and flipped on the lights. He closed his eyes and when he opened them there were enemies everywhere. He leapt into battle with his invisible enemy. He drop kicked one while sending a beam through another one. He ran the length of the room twice bouncing literally off the walls. He jumped and swung from the beams on the ceiling and finally when his body was starting to tire he dropped back to the ground.

Then he turned and took the beam in his hand and used it as a bat. With a deep breath Lani reached out and grabbed everything on one side of the room. His metal hands multiplied and he felt the objects and lifted them. Sweat popped out on his brow from effort and with a single thought he launched everything at the opposite wall. He was glad there were only five, he didn't know if he could lift more. His legs buckled beneath him and he fell back on his rump. He breathed heavily and pulled his jacket over to himself and flicked of the light with a thought. His mind finally felt rested and his body exhausted enough for sleep. He dry swallowed two pills and then bundled his jacket as a pillow and curled up against the wall feeling the pleasant drifting feeling of sleep.

[Taitum Marshall]

Lani didn't notice the figure watching him as he stalked out of his room. Lani hardly noticed the soldier's silent movements as he was being followed. What Lanie should have been aware of was the fact that he was dangerously close to being in trouble for being out like this at this time of the night. Or morning rather, and that was why Taitum LOVED the night shift. They called it the grave yard shift for a reason. All those students lurking around, half awake, half asleep, could have made fantastic corpses rising from the grave and when Taitum was on shift, he was the one making sure they went safely and soundly back to their beds.

Although, when told that he protected and looked after the students well, he'd grumble and deny it then again, no one really saw past his wall of anger and to the secret he held behind it. The pledge he'd made when he took on the job, to protect and serve. The stitches he'd had across his chest had been taken out and the wound was healing rather nicely. Meta protection 'r Us would be a great slogo for the Ex-NATO soldier. Taitum watched the boy cross the yard, peeked into the door he'd left ajar when Lani had entered the training room.

Taitum was about to pounce when he watched bolt after bolt of energy being released from the boy. Pent up frustration he himself knew so well. Emenies he imagined only the boy could see were what he mistook for training objects scattered about the room and once the boy had finally finished with his hungry rage, Taitum watched him curl into a ball to drift off to sleep, no doubt. Tait raised an eyebrow and glanced up and down the hallway waiting a moment longed before slipping into the room that had been made a mess of.

He moved to sit cross legged beside the sleeping boy fighting his empathy. This wasn't Sage of Thyme! He didn't care! He'd write the boy up. Taitum slowly brushed his fingers across the jacket strewn across the boy's upper body frowning deeply.This wasn't Sage or Thyme. This was him. Taitum groaned and rolled his eyes to the ceiling then glanced over his shoulder at the door before returning his attention back to the boy. With a swift shove of his palm against Lani's shoulder, he attempted to wake the boy.

"You can't sleep here. You need to get to your dorm. The cleaners will be in soon. You really wanna get into trouble?"
Taitum growled at the boy he was hovering over like a falcon about to snatch up some sleeping rabbit.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani was glad for his mind was finally at peace and he drifted for a long time in a half-asleep half-awake world. Strange things went on in this state. He felt as if someone had come into the room but he was too comfortable at the moment to care and he left himself fall deeper.

He shivered and shifted feeling something. He pulled his jacket closer, protecting it and its contents. His mind was always active it seemed. His mental hands poked and felt the other presence in the room. He ignored it and enjoyed a pleasant moment of being in an open field surrounded by nothing. He was free. He felt as if he could fly and he loved it. Freedom was all he asked of this world and it had been denied to him at every turn. Security kept a close watch on him and when he did get out he was always dodging police to get to his employer. Then there was the unsettling thing. He had taken the page out of his file not long ago about him possibly being a thief and he wondered if there was something they weren't telling him.

He startled awake when someone shoved his shoulder. He gasped and was in fully awake in a matter of moments. He sat up and grabbed the nearest thing and launching it. His heart beat like a hammer, there were reasons his parents had never startled him awake. Lani push the object, the metal pipe, he had launched and sent it skittering across the floor.

He clutched his jacket and tried to calm his heart. The man's tone was harsh but not loud thankfully. "Well, I can't sleep in my dorm and I'm tired now it would be far too much effort to go back to the dorm." Lani hated authority and his walls came up. He shrugged and fluffed his jacket theatrically and plopped back down on it. Lani actually laughed a little. "Trouble? What are you gonna do, write me up? I'm terrified." He said his voice dripping with sarcasm.

[Taitum Marshall]

Taitum jerked when he saw the metal pipe get thrown up into the air and tucked when it went flying over his head. He gave the boy who had snapped to attention a rather annoyed look and watched the metal pipe clatter to the floor not to far away. Taitum watched as the boy returned to sleeping. What was it with these boys and their insomnia here at Hammel?

"You know if someone's snoring is keeping you up, you can always just strangle them. That would make them shut up."
Taitum's emotionless joking would some day get him into a hell of a lot of trouble but today he was more concern for his new MiniMe. The response he got from the kid could have done with a bit more sharpness but he was sure in time the kid would get that sharp edge in his life and would learn to pick his battles wisely unlike now.

Taitum slowly got to his feet and glared down at the boy booting away the puffed pillow he'd made out of his jacket.
"Get up."
Taitum said in a slow calm voice.
"It's half past five in the morning. You don't have much time for sleeping anyway genuis. Go sleep in the damn common room. Not here...So get up."

Come hell or high water, Taitum would make sure this kid was in the main house asap. This sleeping in the training room and stealing drugs whenever he pleases shit has gotta go.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani pointedly ignored him after he curled his jacket back up and flopped upon it. He closed his eyes and willed the man to go away. Lani was perplexed by the man's next statement. He snorted a little laugh and shook his head. "Good thing I don't snore." The statement gnawed at him. What a terrible solution, that would be far to permanent. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end as he felt the man stand. The inside of his brain hoped he would leave but the logical side knew there was no way of that happening.

Lani's eyes shot open and his hand stung having gotten in the way of the man's boot. He watched as his jacket skittered across the floor. Lani smoldered and it was probably a good thing his eyes were facing away from the man. He flexed his hand and ever so slowly got to his feet. He dusted himself off and turned to face the man. Lani's eyes having adjusted to the light glared daggers at the man. Security no doubt. He stuck his chin out defiantly. He paced over and shrugged his jacket. This brain throbbed slightly and he ignored it. Damn his power, damn this place. This man was starting to rub him the wrong way. He had no reason to respect this man, or obey him for that matter. Authority wasn't something Lani took very seriously. Especially when the worst they had done to him is write a little note in his folder. He was rather proud of how thick it was becoming.

Lani laughed a little bit, it was an harsh humorless sound. "You know, it must be grand telling people what to do and when to do it. You got a complex or something?" Lani crossed his arms, "Or more likely: you screwed up and they sent you here." He was just trying to pick a fight now and he knew it and didn't care. He didn't ask for this. His power was amazing and he did love it, but it was much more of a love hate relationship. He really wished it gone it was such a nuisance. The training wasn't helping and there was no other time he could really find an empty training room to practice, obviously he wasn't getting far.

[Taitum Marshall]

Taitum gave half a smile knowing the boy's eyes were closed and he wouldn't see the secret smile due to the snort and the words about snoring. He then tilted his head at Lani and raised an eyebrow at the lighter haired boy at his feet.
"Don't knock it till you tried it. Desperate times called me to take desperate measures."
It had also been an amusing joke to play while they were out there in the middle of nowhere, in a tent, bored out of their minds.

They'd always played pranks on one another to tease and amuse and keep the soldiers on their feet. It built their family ties stronger and Taitum knew there was nothing better then a close knit unit when fighting for your lives. Taitum didn't flinch when the boy's hand got in the way and the boy slowly got to his feet shooting a defiant look at Taitum which made him smirk quickly at the boy. The boy moved to get his jacket and Taitum watched. He was sure the boy wasn't going to give up so soon. If he was anything like Taitum was, things would get a whole lot rougher before he listened.

Taitum listened to the kid and kept a straight face for a long time before he raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Oh you wanted a response to that? It was so mediocre I didn't think you were actually using it as amunition against me. "
Taitum considered the words before nodded slowly and pointing to the door.

"Door's that way, Kid. Scotty's not beaming anyone up today."
Taitum said in an emotionless voice tilting his head at the boy before an exasperated look crossed his face.
"Seriously? You're that dumb? I'm trying to help you here. Go to the common room or something. Don't any of you have common sense? You're all old enough to drive a car but you can't figure out that what consequences are? What happened to your generation? Something went wrong."

Taitum's face was a mixture of mock shock and seriousness as he slowly eyed the boy.
"I'll even show you the safest, less watched route for you to use to get back to the common room."

[Lani Hunter]

Lani couldn't help raising a brow at the next statement. He had a feeling he could like this man if he wasn't so angry at the moment, and tired. Lani could be pleasant when he wanted to be but he lost all of his tact and charm when he was tired like this and he just wanted to be left alone. He clenched his fist and ignoring the stinging pain in his fingers. This pain was nothing new and just aided in Lani's anger. His power flared and he clamped down on it hard. It always happened like this. When he felt threatened or angered or anything remotely in the ways of a strong emotion his power would act without control. He was working on it but it was slow going and his only solution was to fight it and shut down his power. His head throbbed and did nothing but add to his frustration.

Lani actually gave the man a little smile. "That is actually a statement I can respect. But it depends on your definition of desperate right?" His eyes glimmered and his mouth turned in an impish grin. It was an expression Lani had that always implied he was planning something even if he wasn't. Lani continued, "Because I'm just a kid I can't possibly know what a desperate situation is."

Lani flushed with rage as he was further insulted. If this man was wanted Lani to leave he was doing it wrong. Generally rubbing Lani the wrong way did the opposite of the desired effect and more demands made Lani want to do the complete opposite just to spite them. He did it with his father all the time, he couldn't help it he just felt like he had lived enough of life to make his own decisions but no one else seemed to think so. When he showed Lani the door Lani actually took a step backward. He shorted out a laugh at the man's expression.

The joke was short lived and Lani crossed his arms stubbornly. He barked out a laugh. "Trying to help me!? Oh come on, really?" What a weak excuse... Without thinking he sent a weight rocketing across the space between them. His eyes blazed and he bit his tongue to keep from shouting profanities. He just shook his head. "My generation... Yeah and I'm old enough to die but not to drink." He shot back. He was sick of people talking at him. His walls came up and Lani shut down. He obtained an annoyed glazed over look but his mind was whirring. Lani raised a brow at the man's proposition. Chances are he assumed Lani was just another urchin and that was a mistake. "Save your breath, I've heard it all." He said holding out a hand to stop the man before his lecture started. "You seem to think I can get a peaceful sleep there. If you show me the front door I'll take it." He challenged. He knew better, they would never let him until he was eighteen at least and then they could pull anything from Lani being unsafe to Lani being an addict to keep him here. Granted the latter actually scared him.

Lani's power felt around. This room had very little light but his eyes had adjusted to see the details. There were no windows and the only way out was the door, so why wasn't Lani going for it? This man had followed him here he could follow him back and know who he was. He would rather go down fighting than in a secret attack. He liked hiding behind his tricks and he was thinking slow. But most of the problem that this man was demanding respect when Lani didn't think he deserved it and also Lani's pride had been hurt and he wasn't going to just walk away.

[Taitum Marshall]

No. Where did the kid get off saying that he didn’t believe that there were indeed desperate times in the kid’s life? He wasn’t an idiot. He knew that when it came to meta children, it was a case of being lucky enough to have your parents accept that you were gifted. It was, in most cases, generally accepted for a family to have a meta child but you got some real meta hating human beings out there and he’d shudder to think what he would have done, were his dad not more acceptant of his unique power.

It was after all from his father’s side of the family that the meta gene had come from so it was not his mother’s fault. In his case, the gene had skipped a generation. With Taitum being the pride and joy and, unfortunately, the apple of his father’s eye, his father had been delighted to find out that his eldest son was a meta. That was NOT the case with everyone and he was not naïve enough to think that a child… a young man rather, of Lani’s age, would not know what desperation amounted to.

Taitum shook his head at Lani’s statement.
”You’re not a kid. ”
That was the only thing Taitum said. He seemed old enough to be enlisted. Those who were old enough to be enlisted were men. Not children and they needed to start acting like men. This stunt Lani was pulling, was not something a man would pull.

Why were there so many men acting like children in Hammel? Taitum raised his eyebrow at the anger within the boy. Not calm and calculated but pure rage, the moment the boy was told something the boy didn’t like to hear. That was not the way to go about things. Taitum would have to teach Lani. If you wanted to fight, you needed to not let your rage do the fighting but instead turn cold and numb to the anger. That way you made better decisions, unlike the one Lani was making right then.

The soldier didn’t flinch as the weight darted in between them but simply continued to watch the young man. His eyes softened just a little, taking off the angry edge he had as he watched the boy, when he heard his own words repeated back to him. Wow, no one had said those words to Lani and meant them then? Taitum’s face hardened within minutes.

Taitum crossed his arms over his chest waiting for the boy to get it all out of his system but when the part came up about being old enough to die but not to drink he nodded in agreement.
”Yes, the law screwed up big time there..”
Taitum muttered more to himself then to Lani in particular.

Taitum frowned when he heard the boy request to be shown the door so he could leave.
”You need to be shown the way out of Hammel? A man like you? I doubt that. You know exactly where the front door is. You just can’t reach it and actually leave… right this minute which sucks but there you go. That’s life. Get over it and stop stomping around like one of the spoiled brats that get schooled here too.”
Taitum tilted his head expectantly and watched Lani. A name. Boy he would have loved to have the boy’s name. A mirror image of him at that age.

”Do you have a name?”
He doubted the simple question would get him the answer he wanted. Things just didn’t work that way at all did they?

[Lani Hunter]

The throbbing resumed after his little demonstration with the weight. He resisted the urge to grab his head or grab some medication. He hated looking weak, it would just verify this man and mostly everyone else in his life’s assumption of Lani. Coward, his father called him, untrustworthy snake. Lani hated the man. It was almost a good thing he was gone. He didn’t have to talk to his father if he didn’t want to. It was a wonderful feeling of control. A sense of freedom. Freedom was the reason he was so unhappy here. He was free at home to go away and not come back for days and only suffer the wrath of his parents. He did what he wanted without permission and it was such a change here. He hated that he had to ask permission to go outside the school grounds. He hated people insisting on knowing where he was at every moment of every day. It made his job extremely hard.

He bit back a sigh and pushed all of his hate for this place out of his head. It wasn’t all bad. He had met Cassie, the adorable little troublemaker, a girl after his own heart. He supposed he should be grateful but he just wasn’t feeling it. Maybe in a few years, chances were he would be here for years. He chewed on the inside of his cheek. How had he gotten like this? Was he really the good person he claimed to be? Caroline would agree, but would this person? Lani’s frown deepened and he raise his chin inviting a fight.

His anger flared ready to rebut anything the man had to say after his statement. But nothing ever came. His anger deflated in his mind with an anticlimactic fizzle. He clenched his jaw and waited and still nothing. He couldn’t tell if the man was accusing him of acting childish when he wasn’t a child. Or if he was agreeing that Lani wasn’t a kid anymore and was going to treat him as such. Lani felt a crazy desire to pace and thrash. He felt like a specimen put under a microscope. But he didn’t want to be analyzed because analysis always lead to diagnosis and diagnosis always lead to someone trying to fix him.

Those eyes fixed him and he froze where he was not wanting to give the man the satisfaction of watching him fidget. However that failed when the man didn’t so much as blink at his show of power. Now he did fidget shifting this way and that bracing ever so slightly on the balls of his feet unsure of what to do and hoping that if he shifted and looked at the man in a different light he might find out more answers. Normally his actions, the blatant disregard for the rules and then his unruly power rearing its ugly head would have him not only written up but he would already be getting a tongue lashing. This man wasn’t reacting the way normal people did.

He was too busy overanalyzing the man’s lack of reaction that he missed the slight and brief softening of his expression. He didn’t like this. He was losing control of the situation. Lani gathered himself up and prepared for the lecture to come and inevitably there it was. He squared his shoulders in response to the lecture and his face glazed over in silent resentment as he listen to the onslaught. It again wasn’t what he was expecting but it certainly didn’t make him happy. As soon as the man stopped for breath Lani was shouting again. “Don’t patronize me! And don’t act like you know what it’s like. I’m stuck! Trapped! This is prison!” Lani gestured his fists up like he was in chains. He felt a little cowed by the man’s lecture but he wasn’t about to let that show. Mostly it was the frustration that the man was right. He was being stupid right now and it was only his thick headed stubbornness that was making this drag on.

It probably didn’t help that Lani’s fear of prison was one that was actually rather rational. Any wrong move and he could end up there for real for the rest of his life. No second chances. Lani was a runner, he had been all his life. Why was he suddenly so confrontational? It was like he was a stranger to himself. He excelled in running, if the cops showed up at one of his jobs he was out of there lickety-split. Lani shook his head and crossed his arms. “So that’s the way it is. It’s life? And I’m just supposed to roll over and accept that, huh? I don’t have a say in my life anymore? No thank you.” He growled, when his family had been unable to afford his sister’s treatments people had said that. ‘It will be ok. It’s life. It happens’. He hadn’t accepted not having a say in his life then and he wouldn’t now. Was it so hard a request to ask for freedom? He had been taking care of himself and his sister’s medical bills since he was ten. His parents certainly had never coddled him and he hated the way the people here were encouraging him to be an adult and make his own decisions but then at the same time shutting him down left and right.

Lani rolled his eyes at the man in open annoyance. “No, my parents call me ‘Hey you’. They just thought it would be easier that way.” He said his voice dripping with sarcasm. He uncrossed then crossed his arms and let out a sigh. “Lani.” He just wasn’t sure what to think about this man yet. Whatever, he was going to get into a hell of a lot of trouble for this anyways. It was strange, this man was so different from anything he had ever encountered before. Hell, last time security had caught up with him the woman had locked him in one of her phantom caged and he nearly had a heart attack. It just wasn’t fair that he was deathly afraid of being locked up.

[Taitum Marshall]

Taitum simply quirked a brow when the boy started screaming about what every other kid in this place screamed about. The fact that they weren't free. No... they had no clue what they had. They could have been in a lab some where or worse, in one of the much less friendly facilities back in Europe instead of here where they were safe and well looked after. Being trained to control your powers for your sake was much better then being trained to control your powers for the governments sake.

Then again, had Taitum not complained about the same damned thing at this kid's age. It wasn't too long ago that he'd gone complaining about being trapped and unfree and a prisoner. Taitum lowered his eyes for a brief moment before flicking them up to meet those deadly determined eyes of the boy's.
"You know... I'm not deaf. I've heard you so far while you were speaking like a proper human being instead of spitting like a camel. Unless you have voice manipulating powers try talking instead of screaming. Gets the message across just fine as well. "

Taitum kept his voice just as calm as always but hard and cold at the same time. Taitum groaned when it went on and on and on waiting patiently for the boy to run out of fuel because the boy certainly had a hell of a lot of fuel in him. Finally the name came and he smirked.
"I'd have demanded 'Hey you' if I'd been called Lani. Then again.... it could have been worse."
Taitum mentioned as an after thought before shrugging and nodding to the exit.

"The way I see it, you have two choices... You either walk out and let me follow you back to the student lounge where you can sleep in peace for at least another two hours or so or you could stay here and take your chances with another security officer or worse... the snitch of a cleaner that has these particular rooms on schedule today..."
Taitum explained and let his eyes drop to the ground.

"You have ten seconds to make your choice, Lani. Ten, Nine, Eight..."
Taitum would have to cover the corridors if Lani chose to be a jackass and he'd sure as hell pin the boy down until the sun was high enough in the sky to brush his pressence off as a training session.

[Lani Hunter]

Even as Lani raged he knew he should be grateful. He had three meals a day and a roof over his head but he would rather be starving on the streets and have his freedom. At least he said that now. But he had never really experienced such a situation. The worst was that one long job Lani had been on where he had to stay in hiding for two days and didn’t eat much of anything. He had fire on his brain and he wanted to rant and rage until the sun rose. Which honestly probably wasn’t too far away but Lani wasn’t about to let that stop him. Honestly probably not more than an hour had passed and the sky would still be black. It just simply wasn’t fair that Lani was deathly afraid of being locked up or trapped. He shudder a little at a vision, he couldn’t tell if it was memory or his overactive imagination.

Lani growled when the man spoke condescendingly. At least that was how Lani took it. He locked eyes with the man and crossed his arms sulking like… like the teenager he was. He liked to pretend he was an adult but really in so many ways he was still a child. Though he would never admit that even to himself. He raised his chin and his eyes became accusing darts. “You’re not deaf, but its force of habit. Perhaps if people would listen I wouldn’t feel the need to yell.” Lani retorted and dared him to challenge him. As childlike as Lani was he had still seen far more of life than he liked to admit. Despite his anger at the comment Lani found himself speaking in a more controlled and even tone. If anything he was wishing this man would yell! Then at least Lani could justify his own anger.

He was being a mule. He knew it and he knew the other man knew it. He couldn’t find any dispute in the man’s logic. Lani just didn’t trust the ‘trust me, I’ll help you out’ game. They didn’t just teach him how to get in and out of a room without disturbing the air, the also taught how to plead the 5th with a rather annoying way of dodging questions and turning the conversation. Lani had never been very good at this, he was more of the running and hiding kind. It had worked for him for the most part. Lani bristled at the name comment and shook his head and put on his jacket. “I don’t need this crap.” Now he just wanted to piss off this man.

A smirk grew on Lani’s face as the man named his choices. The man’s eyes dropped and Lani raised a brow wondering if perhaps there was a reason the man couldn’t keep his gaze. He crossed his arms and planted his feet. He shifted when he started counting down. It reminded him too much of his parents when he was little. It hadn’t worked back then but it always made him feel guilty. “Wait.” He said holding up a hand to stop the count. He hesitated for a moment not really sure where he was going. He smirked and raised a brow. “It doesn’t seem very fair that you have my name but I don’t know yours.” He kept his voice steady and there was just an air of mocking in his voice.

He shrugged and looked around realizing he couldn’t find a flaw in the man’s choices. But he wanted to make his own choices. There were always more than two choices. Lani took a hesitating step forward and to the side starting a wide arch around the man. He narrowed his gaze and he came closer to get a better look. He stopped just out of arms reach and glared. “What game are you playing?” He hissed accusingly. “Do you take me for an idiot? No. Wait, don’t answer that.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Do you really expect me to believe that you will escort me back to the lounge and let me go with no more than a slap on the wrist? Do me a favor and quit lying to me. Tell me the truth and I will leave. On my own.” He leaned forward naming his terms. He could at least leave for good and find a nice place to sleep the day away that’s not Hammel. If he were in his room they would find him. Surely this man would find that all too pleasurable. If only he knew Lani’s record. “If not, good luck to you.” He nearly snarled but was able to keep his voice level and almost even civil.

[Taitum Marshall]

The kid had guts and a risky sense of danger. Taitum could see that clearly but the fact of the matter was that Taitum was running out of time with the little rebel. His shift would end soon and who knew how many other kids were lurking around in corridors waiting to be caught. Most of them he manhandled a little. The fear in their eyes was entertaining but Lani seemed to have a disturbingly worldly quality to him. Like he'd faced stuff normal teens didn't but the fact remained. This wasn't one of the young cadets risking their lives for country and honor.

Lani wasn't a kid who decided to take the world on his shoulders, join the army and would most likely never return home to study and learn and make a carreer for himself. Lani was different and Taitum was well aware of that so why wasn't Taitum throwing his weight around and pinning the kid into submission? At that point in time, Taitum didn't know but it would hit him down the line at some point, he was almost certain. Taitum did stop at Six when the boy told him to wait and his eyes flicked to Lani.

Maybe he thought the boy was ready to barter. That the insecurity had mounted high enough for fear of the unknown to settle in but he was wrong. Lani was wasting his time and Taitum's time. Taitum flashed him a dangerous glare before slowly nodding.
"Yes, You're absolutely right. It doesn't seem fair. Six... five... four..."
Taitum's eyes had hit the floor again allowing the boy time to slip through the door without the guard glaring at him.

He found it easier for people to do stuff they didn't want to do when they weren't being watched. To give in and submit was hard enought without someone watching you do it. Especially when you saw yourself as strong, confident and unrelenting like he was sure Lani did. But then Taitum paused.
"Marshall... Taitum Marshall. Trust me. I hate my own name too. "
Taitum could feel the boy move without looking.

Years of developing that six sense with a blind fold or in the dead of a starless night made it so he didn't really need his eyes. Archery and shooting ranges helped him keep up to speed with this talent. Most people in law enforcement had this capability and most people could develop it if they had the will and concentration to do so. He felt the glare before he saw it. Felt the boy before he saw him. His presence was enough to set anyone on edge and ready for a fight. Taitum sighed and slowly lifted his eyes stopping at three now.

He listened to the boy's question, smirking at the second but he didn't answer as requested not to. Taitum frowned at the boy's last words.
"Are you serious? I'm not letting you leave on your own. I was a stubborn Hammel student too once not too long ago. I know where you'll go if I let you leave on your own. Stop wasting our time and MOVE."
Taitum growled the last word.

"I don't feel like locking you in detention hall for the rest of the day and doing paperwork. I'm not doing it out of the kindness of my heart. Get a move on. Or maybe your angle is to get locked up in the detention hall so you can sleep? Is that it?"
Taitum slowly lifted his hand and created a forcefield around the boy wrapping him up completely so that he could pull the boy down the hall if he needed to. Just to prove his point he focussed a bit of the forced feild on the boy's knees making gravity pull the boy's knees to the ground.

"Okay. As you wish. I'll go do the paperwork. I'm done talking. I'm tired too. I'm hungry and I want to go home, Lani. Two, One..."
Taitum said slowly and headed for the door tugging at the forcefield around the boy to force Lani to walk. He prayed there would be a verbal fight instead of a physical one against his powers. He didn't have the energy to completely overpower the boy and the more he used his powers, the heavier it pulled on him.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani felt a little smile crawling onto his lips this man was catching him off guard but Lani only hoped the darting of the man’s eyes mean that he was doing the same. Even as his mouth kept moving and his confidence kept growing that little voice in the back of his mind was trying to make its warning heard. Back down Hunter, you can’t win this one! He ignored it and raised his head like a proud stallion daring anyone and anything to challenge him. He knew most of the kids here shared his woes about the place being a prison. But he had been struggling all his life and he was used to more freedom than most of these kids. He realized he had a problem but in order to work it out he needed to make his boss happy. And right now he realized he wasn’t doing that. This security was tight and they were starting to get onto him.

He half hoped to get out of this without a mark but he knew that wasn’t going to happen. That was his fault he knew. Lani wasn’t used to having to do anything more than charm his way out of trouble. He could charm the police, his parents, and most of the security. But then they were only after him for skipping class and sneaking out. It could be a lot worse. In truth Lani was like a lost fox just wanting to be left alone but of course people wouldn’t deal with a loose fox running around. And when cornered the fox would attack. Only Lani was given more power than he should have. Seriously, who in their brightest mind would give a thief telekinesis? Someone upstairs had a very good sense of humor. Lani frowned at the thought.

He was happy when he was able to stop the counting. He knew his statement wasn’t what the man expected. For all of his confidence and air of indifference the counting made him nervous. If anything he wanted to get out without having to pass this guy. He didn’t want him to follow because Lani had a date with the roof right about now. They weren’t very likely to come a-hunting him up there. The hair on the back of his neck rose as he came closer. He displayed an air of indifference but his feet were braced to run and in truth he was skittish. Lani gave a little smile at his name and he even let out a little light hearted laugh. “How unfortunate,” Lani agreed wrinkling his nose. He inclined his head ever so slightly in a formal greeting.

Lani was a little surprised to catch the man’s eyes and he was actually rather pleased. He liked to be looked in the eye, it showed that the person was taking him seriously. His pleasure was short lived though when the look turned into a smirk and Lani knew at that moment he wasn’t going to win this battle. He might be able to talk his way out some things and fight his way out of others but he had an unfortunate feeling growing in his gut. His brow raised and he ducked his chin losing a little bit of his nerve at the force of the growl. It was easy to act brave and stubborn from a distance but only now did it occur to Lani that this man had a power and he was more than a match for an uncontrolled telekinetic.

“Oh do you now?” Lani challenged angered. He laughed at his words the bitterness creeping in. “Blah, blah, blah. You know what it’s like blah, blah. Bull. You don’t know the first thing about me.” He heard the faint amount of frustration in the man’s voice and he realized he had backed himself into a corner. Dear god, why didn’t he just leave when the man gave him the chance? Paranoia, came the snide answer in his mind, stubbornness, I would no more back down from my dad than this guy. Lani raised his hands in defense and shrugged a little. Then the man answered his initial question and Lani felt a faint amount of pleasure that there wasn’t something deeper in the man helping him out.

“Good,” Lani said, “If you had said that I would say you belong somewhere mental, Marshall.” He laughed at his conclusion and his jokester attitude couldn’t resist. He gave an exaggerated shrug and his brows rose as his smile pulled at one side of his face. He shook his head and a little laugh came out and that impish grin ignited his eyes with mischief, a clear expression that said ‘Oops, you’ve found me out.’ Lani’s humor was short lived. He felt the change before anything else happened. He couldn’t resist looking around and he let out a startled yelp as his knees went out from under him. He caught himself with his hand before he face planted.

Now that he was looking up at the man his eyes showed a snatch of fear. Lani blinked and it was gone and the angry glare took its place. He suddenly felt the frustration and vulnerability of being at this man’s mercy. It brought Lani to an all too real and unwanted world where Lani wasn’t as strong as he thought he was. “Okay,” Lani raised his hands in surrender. He opened his mouth to barter when the countdown fell to one. A cold hand of doom fell over Lani, he was finding it hard to move and all of the sudden the arguing for just the few more minutes of sleep didn’t seem worth it. The thought of being trapped, locked up freaked Lani out more than he let show. He took a deep breath and rationalized that he could break out of their cage. His power alone could insure that and if not his lock picks could.

He got to his feet and felt himself being pushed along by whatever power this guy was using. Lani dug in his feet. “Okay! Okay!” He cried fighting against the power that wrapped around him. He could neither stand nor run. “Fine, you got me, I’ll go back to my dorm. You can follow me there like a dog if you want to!” Lani couldn’t help it the harsh words just kind of came out. His hands moved nervously to his jacket and he zipped it up a little suddenly very aware of all of the medication he was not supposed to have. He tried to bolt but found himself fighting against a force he couldn’t see. He grabbed at it with his power then at Marshall. One thing his power fell short on, he couldn’t grab anything alive. His power exploded from him an uncontrolled storm. Doors banged open and one even flung itself into the opposite wall. It was coming to his defense and Lani couldn’t stop it. It grabbed the clothing Marshall was wearing and threatened to launch him to but it did no more than lift him an inch before Lani let out a gasp of pain and his power rushed inward in reaction to his headache. He clutched his head and squeezed his eyes shut wishing the pain gone and let the man’s force field simply drag him along.

[Taitum Marshall]

Taitum was done arguing, although it felt good to break the spirited boy, if only a little. There was an understanding in Lani now about who was older, more experience and better advanced in life. Lani had his chance and it was done now. It was over. Taitum wanted to teach the boy trust though and this was not the way to do it. Taitum realized that much. He didn't allowed Lani to see his disappointment with the fact that he had to try and break the boy. Instead, he kept his eyes forward and his face black.

The little flash of a wince barely would be seen. Taitum slowed when he heard the rattle of one of the doors. Taitum jumped against the wall, making the power of his force field around Lani strong enough to withstand the door if it were to fall on Lani. Instead the wall fell into the opposite wall beside where Taitum had stood when he'd heard it rattle. The pull of his clothes, the scream of the boy as he fought against the power. Taitum dropped the forcefield to allow Lani's body to relax.

He then twisted around to face the boy reaching in to grab him by the shoulders.
"Stop it right now. Stop throwing your tantrums. Your powers are NOT a toy. Take your pills. The ones you stole earlier today and fix the mess you made, like a man. You're not a boy. Do it, soldier."
Taitum hissed low and dangerous half shaking Lani as he hissed to the boy. He was nervous now.

Nervous they'd be caught. He knew the consequences that they'd incur if they were caught. He expected the boy to be more docile now. He expected the boy to at least listen to some good advice. Taitum just had not realized he'd made the slip of calling the boy soldier. Taitum glanced over his shoulder nervously then back to Lani waiting for him to do as he was told for once.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani shut his eyes as his power raged around him. He felt Taitum move against the wall away from Lani's weapons. Even as he did Lani felt the shield around him strengthen and for a terrifying moment Lani felt as if he was trying to shut down his power by shutting down Lani physically. He flinched away as a stray brick flung toward him but bounced off of the force around him. Lani's eyes flung themselves at Taitum as understanding dawned on him. He was trying to protect him even as he was trying to knock him into oblivion. The agony raced through his brain and he wrapped his arms around his head trying to shut out the world. He gritted his teeth as memory of the first time his power exploded flashed in his mind. It had been cars that time, not doors. He pulled inward and clamped down on his power his focus inward. He barely noticed when the force around him dropped and his body slumped against the wall. For a moment Lani's focus was so inward he didn't even realize that Taitum was in front of him. The hands that touched him felt like hot irons and pulled him back to the present. He stared at Taitum and blinked several times his eyes wide as he looked beyond at the destruction. His destruction. He brought his hand's up over his face and let out a moan. This was his fault...

Taitum's voice called Lani back before he could fall into a depression. It was strange how Lani the confident and arrogant thief could be turned into this shaking and terrified mess that was brought on my his power. Lani swallowed and glared at Taitum's accusation about the stolen pills. He couldn't say he wasn't surprised. He had never been so careless. He could do little more than stare. The pure force of his words startled Lani into reality. He blinked and stared at shock at the word soldier. His whole body jarred as he was shaken. Lani fixed a glare on the man for good measure and took out one of the vials. He swallowed four and pocketed it and closed his eyes waiting for the pills to take effect.

Lani took the man's words and clung to them. He stood there for a moment just staring with Taitum's hands on him. He took slow deep breaths and was considering for a long moment whether to actually do as he was told. He winced visibly as another flash of pain arched across his brain. He did try to toss the security officer, it was the least he could do. He looked into Taitum's eyes trying to find something to argue. "But..." Lani started to protect but the words got lost in his throat. The words he usually would have taken in anger now drew up his confidence. His stubbornness faded. He had never been able to make it up to the police officers. He sighed and felt the soothing effect set it. He closed his eyes. "Alright," he said his voice lacking the confidence he had hoped it would have. He knocked Taitum's hands away and his adrenaline drained and he slid to the floor. He grabbed at his power again and carefully one by one and set the locks back in. It went rather smoothly save for a nail that launched itself into the ceiling. He muttered instructions to the objects under his breath feeling more like he belonged in an asylum by the second.

When he came to the real challenge, the broken door and the current hole that been opened up on the opposite wall. He opened his eyes suddenly terrified of himself. It looked like a tornado had torn through the hall. No one person should have this much power. He really could have killed someone if he wasn't careful. His mind throbbed as he grabbed the door. It swayed uneasily and finally righted itself. He rose to his feet so he could follow it. He felt stupid standing there waving his arms in the air as the door bobbed through the air back to it's hole. That was rather simple, but where were the bolts? The headache started back up as a dull ache then pounding. He groaned when he noticed the holes ripped in the walls where the door had torn itself off the wall. Lani grabbed the bricks and they floated then whizzed by. One then another smashed against the wall shattering like glass. Lani raised his hands to shield himself then the door jumped in front of him and promptly fell to the ground. Lani let out a cry of dismay. He growled in frustration. "I can't do it!" He raged accidentally shattering another brick which did nothing to calm his mood. He then turned and kicked the door with all of his might. He gritted his teeth as pain raced up his body.