Chapter 14 - Night Fight and Flight

Michael soared over the night skies of Toronto and once again marveled at the incredible beauty of the city at night. Every sparkling light appeared to be a precious jewel twinkling against a velvety black background. He headed out over Lake Ontario and made a long lazy circle around Center Island. As he passed over Centerville, his mind harkened back to happy times when his parents would bring him there during his childhood summers. Even when he grew too big to play in Centerville, the Wellington family never failed to visit Center Island at least once a year for a picnic and a bike ride around the island. His big brother, who sounded somewhat cautious, interrupted his musings.

<<Excuse me, young one.>>

Hey, what's up, big bro? Enjoying the view?

<<Very much indeed.>>

You sound like you've got something on your mind.

<<Actually, I do. I have enjoyed being an observer in your mind tremendously. In some ways, I have experienced more in the few short days we have been together than I have ever experienced before. Your young mind constantly amazes me with its complexity and resourcefulness.>>

Alright, alright, thanks for singing my praises, big bro. I get the picture. Anymore and I'll have a seriously big head. I get the feeling you want to ask a favor. You should know by know that I wouldn't turn you down.

<<In other words, you want me to 'get to the point'?>>

Yup.

<<Very well. However, understand this. When we first joined, I made myself swear that I would remain an impartial observer and guide. I would in no way try to interfere with your life more than I already inadvertently have.>>

That wasn't necessary, big bro. You're probably the best thing that has happened to me!

<<It was necessary for me. Shiza-harans do not harm innocents, nor do we willfully interfere with their lives.>>

I understand. I also understand that your interference with mine was entirely unintentional. So, what can I do for you?

<<While I tried to remain satisfied as an observer, I am feeling a certain amount of unrest within myself. I find myself missing the times when I had a body and was able to move around on my own.>>

Speak no further, big bro. I think I know where you're coming from. Now that you're bodiless, you miss being alive. I think I understand. But, do you think it’s even possible for you to take control?

<>

Well, like I always say, nothing ventured nothing gained. How should we do this?

<>

Hmmm, ok, let me think. Well, I've always thought of you as being somewhere in the back of my mind. Maybe if I imagine myself slipping backward, and you at the same time imagine yourself sliding forward, it might work.

<<Interesting concept. I am willing to try.>>

Me too. My curiosity is piqued now. Ok, on the count of 3, start sliding forward. 1, 2, 3!

For Michael, it was probably the oddest sensation he had felt to date. As he imagined in his mind the motion of moving backward, he could feel himself start to lose control of his body. One by one, each of his body parts started to feel as if they were separate from him. When he lost feeling of his feet, he world suddenly became enclosed in darkness. He felt an instant of panic, and in a reflexive moment, imagined his eyes snapping open. The first thing he 'saw', was the ground rushing up to meet him, but he had no control of his body!

For the entity known simply as big brother, the transfer was exactly the opposite. He started by imagining himself moving forward, and as he did, he began to sense odd attachments. As he moved his consciousness to these attachments, he realized that they were body parts. Although he had always been aware of these body parts, he never had any. Now he suddenly found himself in control of things that were totally alien to him.

<<Pull up! Pull up! For god's sake pull up big bro!>>

I am trying, young one. How?

<<Like this!>>

Thoughts traveled back and forth almost instantaneously. Big brother's decent started to angle up, but it still wasn't quite enough. The ground below disappeared as he angled out over the water. He felt the water wash over his body as he submerged for several feet before rising back up into the air. As he rose up, he could feel the passage of the wind as it caressed him and pushed the remaining droplets of water off his body. The feeling of being back in a body once more was marvelous. The adaptations his young protégé had done on the body made the experience even more incredible. In the past, whenever flying through atmosphere, he had always used his power to cheat the laws of physics. Now, flying in tune with the laws, he felt as if he were part of the world and not just an alien visitor.

This is most incredible, young one!

<<Go ahead, big bro. Let me hear a woohoo!>>

I think not, young one. That would not be appropriate.

<<Whaddya mean? Screw appropriate! You're alive again. How does it feel?>>

Like nothing I can ever put into words.

<<Well, why do you always have to be the stiff necked and proper mentor all the time? Let yourself go!>>

I...I have never allowed myself the freedom.

<<Stop thinking about allowing and not allowing. You're free!>>

Very well. I shall try.

<<No! Don't do that!>>

But you just asked me to -

<<To paraphrase the ultimate mentor, Yoda, 'Do or do not. There is no try'!>>

Sitting in the back seat, Michael could feel an odd rumbling vibration. It was odd to be just an observer, but it was not unlike sitting in the passenger seat when his father had taken him flying. The rumbling vibration continued and Michael realized what it was. Big bro was laughing! He was finally getting into the spirit of things.

I feel...I feel great...no, better than that! I feel...I feel...WOOHOOO!

<<Ha ha! Now you're getting it! However, just one little thing. The next time we try this, let's make sure we're on the ground first, ok?>>

It is a deal, young one. Oh yes!

Edward Li carefully navigated the nighttime streets of downtown Toronto. As he got closer to his destination, he began to feel a little antsy. The last thing he wanted to do was to draw attention, but driving his Lexus E500 was bound to do just that. He found a dark street that intersected with an alley about 2 blocks away from Filmore's. He parked the car and popped the trunk. By the time he got out and walked to the back of his car, May was already out of the trunk and crouched beside the rear passenger side tires.

"May, I'm sorry, but I think this is as close as I can get you. Any closer and I'll start to attract attention and there wouldn't be a convenient place to drop you off," he said apologetically.

May glanced around the neighborhood and asked, "Where's Filmore's from here?"

Edward pointed and said, "That direction in a straight line. I'm not sure how you're going to get there with that outfit. You're bound to attract more attention than you want."

May shrugged nonchalantly and said, "Don't worry. Nobody will see me."

"Are you sure you want to do this? It's not too late to back off and call the police, you know."

"And what will we report to them if we do?" asked May. "That we're a family of psions and my cousin was killed while trying to infiltrate a dangerous gang?"

Edward stammered, "Well, no..."

"Don't worry, Dad. I can handle this. Get in, find the psion, and get out," said a determined May. "Some of the games we played at Sifu Chang's school were harder than this."

Edward caved. "Alright. You win. Please be careful, ok?"

"I will."

Edward moved to hug his daughter but something made him stop. Maybe it was the way May's shoulders were set, or the look in her eyes. "I love you, May. Please come back."

"I love you too, Dad," replied May.

Edward turned towards the driver door, but another thought made him turn back. However, when he looked, May was gone. Perplexed, he walked around his car but could find no trace of her. It was as if she had disappeared into the night. He walked to the mouth of the alley but again could not see any trace of his daughter. Muttering to himself about how the name Children of the Night was an apt appellation, he got into his car and drove off.

May watched her father from the shadows in the alley. Part of her regretted disappearing like she did, but the last thing she needed right now was a teary goodbye. Her concentration was focused on one task only and she needed to keep her emotions in check if she were to carry it out. She looked around the dark alley and pondered her next move. The darkness held no fear for her. If anyone were to try to sneak up on her, she would be able to sense their aggressive emotions long before they got close enough to do any harm. That was probably how Jared had saved Brandon's life. Even in the midst of the firefight, he had sensed someone with murderous intentions and had leapt to cover Brandon's body with his own. A sob threatened to escape from her chest until May firmly pushed all thoughts of her cousin out of her mind. She needed to focus!

May looked in the direction her father had pointed in. All she could see from her vantage point was the building on the far side of the alley. Even if she were to travel to the end of the alley, she would only emerge into a busy people-packed street. She tilted her head up. Her only option was there. She reached behind her back to the largest pouch on her utility belt. From within, she withdrew a long slender length of black rope. The rope had been a gift from Sifu Chang when she had managed to tag Brandon in a sparring match - a feat that was almost unheard of. Next, she reached into the long slender pouch hanging off her left hip. From it, she pulled out a black metal rod about fifteen inches in length. There were four long protrusions that ran for almost half the length of the rod. On the opposite end was a metal ring. May tied one end of the rope to the ring and then while firmly gripping the rod by the ring end, gave the rope a hard tug. Instantly, the four protrusions sprang out with a schick sound. The grappling hook was another gift from Sifu Chang when she did what no other student had ever done. She had managed to tag Sifu Chang in a sparring match. Though blind, Sifu Chang tied his fighting prowess with his gift of clairvoyance. He made it a point to become familiar with all his students before he taught or sparred with them. That was why no one could get close to him. Even though he couldn't physically see his sparring opponent, he could still sense them. On her last sparring match with the blind master, May had managed to confuse his clairvoyant gift by projecting her emotions out. It had appeared to Sifu Chang as if she were coming from two different angles. With a 50/50 chance, Sifu Chang had chosen the wrong angle to block from. Sifu Chang then awarded May with the compact grappling hook stating that, like him, May had managed to merge her gift with her fighting ability into a coherent form.

May slipped on the modified hockey helmet and pulled the night vision goggles down over her eyes. She picked a point on the opposite roof that looked promising. Giving the grappling hook several feet of slack, she began to twirl it around in a vertical circle. Faster and faster, she twirled the grappling hook, while at the same time, she was mentally judging the distance to the roof and the force necessary to get the hook up there. She released the hook and it flew upwards on a tangent. She over estimated the force by just a touch, but the hook still managed to catch onto the ledge of the roof. Gingerly, she tested the rope and when she was satisfied that it could support her weight, she began to climb.

When she reached the roof, she packed away the rope and grappling hook and looked in the direction her father had pointed but still could not see where Filmore's was located. That was not surprising as the rooftops all looked alike. She closed her eyes and concentrated on her gift. As Jared had once taught her, she opened up her emotions. It was an action similar to a bloodhound sniffing the air for a scent. Emotions from the surrounding area started to seep into her body. Many of the emotions were centered on lust, need, desire and greed. Not that surprising for this area at this time of night. She stood like that for several minutes, feeling the night wind caress her body. Then she felt it. It was not quite an emotion, but her empathy picked it up like a sort of pulse. Her eyes snapped open. It was the pulse of a psion. The pulse was coming from the direction her father had pointed in. Cautiously, she started to walk towards the pulse.

The rooftop around her was filled with different structures. There were smoke stacks, and small dark building-like structures dotting the rooftop. In all likelihood, the building-like structures were probably rooftop access ways. May confirmed this when she hid in the shadow of one of them and noticed a door on it.

She reached the edge of the roof and looked across to the next building. It was a good fifteen to twenty feet away. Too far to jump - unless her name was Trinity and she was in a computer generated world. The upside was that between the two buildings was another dark alleyway. Unfortunately, unlike the previous one, there were people in this alley. Lust and desire filled the alley like cheap perfume. Using the night vision goggles, May scoped out the alley and found several figures dotting the walls and in darkened corners. She pulled out the rope and grappling hook once more and attached them together. The opposite roof had another convenient ledge and she aimed for this as she twirled her hook. She launched the hook in a smooth motion, and this time, she was right on target. The hook latched onto the ledge and when May tested it, it was secure. She quickly wrapped and tied the remainder of the rope around her legs and waist in a makeshift sling. She pushed up her goggles and jumped off the ledge. She had an instant of sheer terror before the rope caught her slack. Her feet hit the far wall and her bent knees cushioned the impact. There were no sudden emotions of surprise below her so she knew that she had crossed unnoticed. As with the first building, she climbed hand over hand until she reached the top. Once safely on the roof, she once again put away the rope and hook.

This rooftop was not very different from the first, but since she was getting closer to the dark pulse of the unknown psion, she proceeded more cautiously. If the other psion were an empath like her, then there was the chance that he/she would sense her too. Moving forward in a half crouch while hugging the shadows was time consuming, but eventually she made it to the other end of the roof. This time, however, the street below was not a convenient alley but a bustling street with streetlights, people and cars. While thinking hard on her next move, she scanned the surrounding rooftops. A couple of buildings down, she spotted a building that had a skywalk bridge that spanned the street. The top of the bridge was only about ten feet down from the roof. The building directly next to the one she was currently on was about ten feet away. She moved back away from the ledge so that she wouldn't be seen when she jumped the gap. She knelt to check her boots. Her boots were inspired by Tracy and modified by Jared. The soles were a couple of inches thick and were actually hollow. Each boot had a powerful spring attached to the inside of the heel. A safety switch on the side of the heel allowed the springs to spring out. May flicked both switches to 'ON'. She stood up and tested the boots. She leaned on her toes and felt no difference. She needed a strong impact to deploy the springs.

She scanned her target building and picked out a likely landing zone. She started running on the balls of her feet towards the other building. A couple of feet away from the ledge, she stomped both feet into the ground and as designed, the springs deployed. The extra force from the deploying springs gave her the needed push to get her to the other building. She landed in a diving roll and came to a stop several feet later. Now came the hard part. She grimaced because she always hated this part. While balancing precariously on one foot with the spring deployed, she pushed down on the other foot until she managed to put the spring back into the heel. Reaching down, she wobbled a bit before she was able to flick the switch back to 'OFF'. She repeated the procedure with the other foot and then scanned the roof. Seeing no immediate danger, she proceeded to the other side. This time, she finally got a break. This building and the building with the skywalk bridge were attached. With a sigh of relief, she crossed over.

The skywalk bridge was only about ten feet down so it was easy for May to hang off the ledge and drop herself down. Once on the roof of the skywalk, she crawled on her stomach until she crossed the street. On the other side, she briefly considered her options and decided on the rope and hook solution. Although the distance was only ten feet, she didn't like the idea of bouncing up and down on her boot springs like a pogo stick.

When she was on the roof, she packed away the rope and hook once more and survey the area. The pulse was coming a little stronger now. She looked in the direction of the pulse and estimated that Filmore's was likely to be the building on the corner, about three buildings away. She gave herself a little exasperated sigh. No rest for the wicked indeed!

Using a combination of rope and hook, spring boots and long jumps, she finally found herself on the rooftop of the building on the corner. Even without the loud music emanating from the building, she knew that she had finally arrived at her destination because the dark pulse was now coming from beneath her.

Hiding in the shadows, she slowly made her way across the rooftop. She found a door that undoubtedly was an access door into the building. She was just about to test the doorknob when it started to turn on its own. With her heart in her throat, she dived out of the way and hid behind a smoke stack. She heard the door creak open and then she felt an aggressive emotion emanating from the general area of the door. In fact, aggressive was perhaps too weak a word for what she was feeling. Murderous would probably be more accurate. She risked a glance around the smoke stack at shoe level and saw two pairs of legs attached to two very large men wearing leather jackets. They were both smoking cigarettes and were milling around the door, waiting for their eyes to adjust to the dark. Neither of them were looking in May's direction. Strictly amateur night, she thought. More dark emotions began to emanate from all around her, and she knew she was in trouble. Amateurish or not, there were several sources of dark emotions all around her. There would be no way for her to leave the rooftop without being noticed.

She pulled out her tranquilizer gun and thumbed off the safety. She pushed down another lever and a dart was pushed up from the magazine and into the chamber. She took careful aim and pulled the trigger. The first goon stiffened as a dart took him in the back of his neck. The second was just starting to turn in May's direction when his neck sprouted another dart.

There were no sudden spikes of emotion from those around her and she knew that none of the other goons knew what happened yet. She didn't have much time. If she were lucky, she may be able to tranquilize everyone before they even knew she was there.

She was not lucky. There was a shout from behind her. She had been spotted! She dashed out from behind the smoke stack and headed for another structure. In the shadows once more, she whipped off her helmet and dropped it on the ground. If the action came to hand-to-hand, the helmet would be a liability. Her own particular style of combat required freedom of movement for all her body parts. Her eyes quickly adjusted and she dashed out from her hiding place to another darkened corner. When she sneaked a peek back to where she was hiding before, she saw another goon in the place where she had just vacated. However, the goon was looking in her direction. His hand snaked into his jacket but May fired just as he was pulling a handgun out. The dart took him in the throat and he collapsed.

There was another shout and another goon ran into view. This one already had his gun out. May fired a wild shot, but the dart took the gook in the chest and the small dart failed to penetrate the leather jacket. She ducked behind the structure as the goon opened up his gun. Six shots were fired in quick succession. After the sixth was a click and May crouched and sidestepped into view. The goon was looking stupidly at his gun, as if wondering why his revolver only had six shots. May didn't give him a chance to figure that one out. She aimed low and her dart hit the goon in the thigh. He looked stupidly from his gun to the dart that had seemingly appeared in this thigh by magic. After a couple of seconds, the drug hit his system and he collapsed beside his friend.

By this time, more dark emotions were converging on her position. May ducked back behind her cover and briefly considered reloading her gun. The magazine was easy to replace and she swapped it with a full one from a pouch. The air canister unfortunately would take a little longer. She hoped that it would be enough for at least five more shots. Then she hoped that she would live long enough to fire five more shots.

Angry voices could be heard from where her last opponents lay collapsed. Instead of sneaking a peek, she slipped around to the other side of the structure. Hugging the shadows again, she tried to slip over to the next available cover. A sudden spike of emotion preceded the gunfire. She made it to cover, but bullets were zinging in her direction. There was a slight pause and she risked a glance around the corner. A bullet hit the structure inches away from her face and ricocheted away into the night. She pulled back behind the cover, but what she saw was enough. One goon was quickly making his way to her position. He had one arm covering his throat area and his gun was firing as he moved. She switched the safety lever on her gun to the 'ON' position and clipped it into her holster. The firing stopped and she jumped out from behind cover.

As soon as she was up and around the corner, the goon came into full view. He was smiling. He thumbed the release on the magazine of his gun and it dropped out. At the same time, his left hand was bringing another magazine into play. May dived forward just as the goon slapped the magazine in. A bullet fired through the space she had been in before her dive. Her hands hit the ground hard, her elbows bent, and she pushed off with a mighty heave. Another bullet hit the ground. She arched her back and she sailed towards the goon feet first. She landed on the goon's shoulders; her stomach was in the goon's face. It would have been a vaguely erotic image if it weren't for the fact that it was a life and death situation.

The goon's shoulders tensed in surprise as May grabbed his head with one arm. Her other hand reached for her boot. She gripped tightly and jerked back in an explosive movement. The goon bent forward with her motion and went head over heels as May rolled back. She ended on top with her legs still wrapped around his neck. May hit him on the side of his head with her retracted baton and his body went limp.

Another spike of murderous emotion warned her and she quickly rolled off the goon's body. Gunshots fired in the night and the goon's body jerked in response. She rolled to her feet. The gang member who had been firing was staring open mouthed at the man he had just shot. May threw her baton and it snapped his head back. As he fell, two more goons stepped into view.

May had no other option. She charged. Both gang members saw her at the same time. Two guns fired as one. May dived forward once more and she could almost feel the passage of the bullets over her. This time, she allowed herself to curl into a roll, which kept her out of the gunmen's immediate line of sight. By the time they aligned their guns down; she had made her move.

One of the most important lessons that Sifu Chang had taught May was the importance of her size. Due to her small stature, she was physically weaker than many of her opponents. A straight punch, he had taught her, would not be as effective as one that carried her weight and momentum behind it. As she dived forward, she was already twisting her body to the left. As she rolled, her hips continued to twist. By the time she had her hands on the ground again, her body had turned 180 degrees. She pushed herself into a handstand as her hands shifted and turned her body. The heel of her left foot came arching around and caught the first goon in the jaw. His head snapped back. As he fell back, her right foot snapped around and hit the second one in the face. The second kick had more force and the second goon did not get back up. The first goon was shaking his head when May's left heel came arching back in. He never saw it coming.

May finished her spin and landed back on her feet. She looked down at the two gang members, but they didn't stir. Her blood was pounding in her ears and she was breathing hard. That was probably why she never sensed the goon who grabbed her from behind.

Strong arms lifted her off her feet. She tried to slam her head backwards, but her assailant simply shifted his face out of the way. She tried to lash backwards and down with her heels, but her opponent was too large and she couldn't build up enough momentum. Another gang member appeared in front of her. This one grabbed her feet and held on tight. She was trapped! Yet another man came into view. This one had a dark bruise on his face and her baton in his hand.

"Hold the bitch still!" exclaimed the man with the baton.

May struggled in vain as the goon drove the baton into her stomach. All the air whooshed out of her lungs and she sobbed in pain.

The man holding her arms laughed and said, "Hah, look it that! Hit her again, Billy! Make her scream!"

Billy grunted and threw the baton away. "I've got a better idea," he growled. He pulled a large knife out from a sheath at his side and brandished it. "Are you scared, bitch? Go ahead, scream. No one's gonna hear ya!"

May glared defiantly back but made no noise. Instead, she let the fear she was feeling build up inside her. Billy hacked and sawed at her vest until it came off. The other two were laughing in excitement. May could feel their lust and it fed her fear. Still, she let her fear grow. Billy finished cutting away her vest and was starting on her black outfit. He made an incision near her navel and started cutting up. The tough fabric was no match for the sharp knife.

The knife reached her throat and Billy parted the outfit to the sides, revealing her sports bra. All three were giggling with excitement and lust. May forced herself to look at her main tormentor and let the fear keep building inside. Billy's knife made short work of her sports bra and suddenly she was exposed to three hungry pairs of eyes. Fear and panic raced through May's system. Her body trembled and she knew that her fear was almost at the breaking point. It was all she could do to hold it in check. Billy sheathed his knife and reached out with both hands to paw at her exposed breasts. As soon as his hands came in contact with her skin, May released her fear.

In one terrible instant, she projected all her pent up fear into man currently touching her exposed body. Billy's body stiffened in shock as if electrified. He let loose a bloodcurdling scream and turned and ran as if all the demons of hell were chasing him. Blinded by panic, he never saw the end of the roof. He screamed all the way down to the ground.

When May's other two assailants got over their shock, they turned their attention back to her. The one holding her feet dropped them and then grabbed her by her throat. "You bitch! What did you do to Billy?" he exclaimed.

May couldn't answer even if she wanted to. The hand gripping her throat was slowly choking the life from her. Her strength drained from her body and her vision started to cloud over. Dimly, her mind did a quick count. She had taken out eight gang members in less than five minutes. Sifu Chang would have been proud. Just before she passed out, the hand that held her throat in a death grip suddenly let go. She had a brief glimpse of a flying body and vaguely heard cries of shock. She fell limply to the ground and looked up. An angel was descending from the dark heavens!

The entity known as Big Brother flew through the night, reveling in his newfound freedom. Nothing in his long life had compared to this! Service to the Pracetorians had meant endlessly long years staying in a single point in space constantly passing messages back and forth between his brethren. Now, flying through the air, with the wind currents coursing over his body, he knew joy. His senses were out, ranging far beyond him. Something up ahead caught his attention. He angled his body in the direction of the disturbance. From the air, it appeared to be a deadly game of tag. Several large figures were trying to chase down a single small figure dressed in black. His senses confirmed that the lone figure was in fact a female. There were already many of the large figures lying on the ground, but his sense told him that they were merely unconscious and not dead. Suddenly, the lone figure was trapped between three of the larger ones. Big Brother watched as the three began to ravage the female figure. This is not right. Big Brother had just begun to swoop down when one of the three captors suddenly turned and ran across the roof. He didn't stop when he got to the edge and ran right off. He hit the ground three stories down.

His protégé spoke up from the recesses of his mind. <<Big bro, you gotta stop this!>>

I agree, young one. Sit back and watch how a Shiza-haran deals with scum.

The same senses that Big Brother used to see/feel/hear, now became a physical tool. First he arrowed in on the hand holding the throat of the female. Exerting his power, he pulled the hand away from the throat. As the female figure fell to the ground, the goon looked at his hand as if wondering how he had let go. Big Brother focused his power into an invisible ball of force and lashed out with it. As if given a mighty shove the goon flew backwards. Big Brother released his transparency camouflage and dropped down to the rooftop.

May fought desperately against the darkness that threatened to swallow her. The sound of gunshots being fired right next to her helped to stave off unconsciousness. May looked up and the one remaining gang member was emptying his gun at the angel as it descended.

The angel! May's gaze snapped to the hovering, glowing figure. She remembered how she had wanted to scoff at Brandon's words when he talked about the angel. She would swallow her words if her throat didn't hurt so much! The angel glowed with a faint blue light. From the neck down, May could see that it had the body of a naked man. As the angel came closer, May revised her opinion. Tracy would have drooled over the image the angel portrayed! Something odd about the angel struck her, and it took her a couple of seconds before she figured it out. The angel had no genitals. Maybe it’s wearing some kind of body suit, thought May. The head seemed to be encased in some sort of helmet that made it look dangerous and predatory. Meanwhile, the angel stopped its descent several feet away from the last remaining gang member. The firing had stopped and as May looked back at the goon, she could tell that he was straining to pull the trigger. It was as if his finger could not move. In fact, his whole body looked frozen.

Suddenly, the goon's gun was snatched from his hands by some invisible force. Like a weird sort of teeter-totter, the goon's feet floated off the ground as the angel touched down. The goon opened his mouth but no sounds issued forth. His jaw started moving feverishly and his face turned purple as his body began to rotate in mid air. His arms and legs trembled with exertion, but the same unseen force that had picked him up and spun him 180 degrees until he was upside down kept him from moving even the slightest inch. With his head pointing at the ground, he rose several more feet up in the air. Suddenly, he dropped and his head hit the ground. Once, twice, three times he rose and fell. Finally, the unseen force relented and he collapsed in a cluttered heap.

The angel approached May and extended a hand in her direction. When it spoke, May received yet another surprise.

<<Are you alright, young one?>>

May's eyes widen and she sat up. She touched her right hand to her temple and said, "You spoke in my mind! Are you a telepath as well as a telekenetic?"

<<Forgive me, young one. What is a telepath and what is a telekenetic?>>

May's jaw dropped open. It was impossible! It had used two of the psionic gifts, but it seemed to have no idea what they were! "How...how could you not know? You used - are using those powers right now!"

<<Perhaps explanations can wait, young one. Your enemies are approaching.>>

As soon as these words sounded in her head, May felt the approaching dark emotions that verified the angel's statement. "Are you clairvoyant too?" asked May incredulously.

<>

Before May could reply, Demons materialized from the night. These were not like the low level goons she had taken out. These moved forward cautiously, and many had large automatic rifles held at the ready. May looked on in dismay. She tried to count, but she lost track after fifteen. The angel moved to stand in front of her and she cried out, "Go, get out of here. They only want me!" The angel didn't reply. It seemed to be waiting for something.

The Demons opened up with their automatic rifles and the night silence was broken by the thunder of the guns. May shut her eyes and waited for the bullets to rip her to shreds. About a second later, the gunfire stopped and she opened her eyes. She was still alive! And more importantly, the angel was still standing in front of her. There was a tinkling sound that seemed odd in the aftermath of the thundering guns. May looked at the floor and saw several small objects littering the ground. A chill ran down her spine as she realized what they were. Bullets. Lots of bullets. May started feeling light headed. The situation that was life and death only minutes before became surreal. May looked at the Demons and could see that they looked at shocked as she felt. She began to lose touch with reality as the Demons started to dance around like marionettes. Their guns were snatched away and tossed all over the rooftop. They themselves were bouncing off each other, off the floor, and off any convenient rooftop structure.

When the last Demon fell to the ground and did not get back up, the angel turned back to May. Again, it reached out a hand to her. May started reaching for it but stopped herself. "How did you do that?" she demanded. "No telekinetic has that kind of power! Who are you? What are you?"

<>

Tentatively, May touched the angel's hand. An electrical shock seemed to flash through her body. Instead of harming her, it left her feeling warm and secure. Somehow, even with its helmet on, she could tell that the angel had felt the spark too. The angel pulled her to her feet and then picked up her slight form in its arms. May had a momentary sensation of vertigo as the angel took to the air. She wrapped her arms around the angel's neck and snuggled her face into its chest. Its body felt warm and soft. May couldn't remember a time when she had felt so safe and content. Then, she realized with a start something else odd about the angel - as if everything she had already witnessed wasn't odd enough! Usually when she was this close to someone, the other person's emotions would be running freely and she would have to clamp down on the incoming feelings. She did not get that from the angel. It was not as if the angel had no emotions. Instead, it was as if the angel was firmly in control of its emotions and there was very little, if any, leakage. May felt something else just then too. Something she had not felt since her gift had emerged when she was just a little girl. For the first time in her life, the storm of emotions that normally surrounded her was at peace.

<<How are you feeling, young one?>>

The words formed in her head. May was again reminded of how similar to a telepath's gift the angel's words were. She decided to try answering back within her mind. <>

There was an amused sort of feeling coming from the angel. <<You learn very quickly, young one.>>

May smiled and replied, <<In my line of work, I have to be.>>

<<What line of work would that be, young one? Thrill seeker, adventurer, or perhaps you are the sort who likes to walk into the den of an angry bear?>>

<<How about 'none of the above'?>> replied May. <<I'm a psion. An empath to be exact.>>

<<You mentioned telekinetic and telepath. Are these psions too?>>

May replied back with an authoritative tone. <<Yes, and that's what I need to find out. Who and what are you? Psions only possess one gift per psion. In the space of only a few minutes, you demonstrated three out of four gifts. Are you an angel or a god of some sort?>>

<> came the apologetic reply. <>

<<Then what about your psionic gifts?>> shot back May. The psion community had been trying for decades to figure out why psions were only limited to a single gift and to find a way to change that. She had to find out why this being was so powerful!

<<My powers are simply a part of my basic being, young one. I have never heard of them described as psionic gifts.>>

May was about to ask another question when she felt their flight beginning to slow and descend. She looked around and saw that they were in some sort of wooded clearing. When they landed, the being released her and she dropped to the ground. Her throat still hurt so she continued her questioning with her mind. <<Can you take off your helmet at least, so that I can see the face of my rescuer? Or do you have a secret identity or something like that?>>

The answer and its implications shocked May to her core. <>

<<What do you mean you're not wearing a helmet?>> demanded May. She reached out and placed a hand on the chest of the being. Her earlier assumption was wrong. It was not wearing a body suit. The skin - for skin was what it felt like - was warm and smooth to the touch. At the same time, May had the impression that if she were to try to hit the being, her fist would rebound off as if from a steel plate. <<You...you're not human, are you?>>

<>

May dropped her hand and sighed. <<Great. I finally meet the man of my dreams and he's an alien!>> She giggled at the thought. <<Fine. Do you have a name? I can't keep thinking of you as an angel.>>

<<You may call me big brother, young one.>>

May chuckled and sent back, <<Big brother, eh? How about I call you Da Gueur? It means big brother in my language. My name is May, by the way. May Li.>> She reached out her hand again and this time, the being reached out his too and they shook.

<> Though the words sounded formal, May thought she caught the wisp of an emotion from the being as she shook his hand. It felt a lot like surprise. <<Can you tell me what you were doing in such a dangerous place?>>

May wondered briefly at how much she should tell this strange being, but in the end decided that he could be trusted. <<My cousin was murdered yesterday. I was looking for his murderer.>>

<<All by yourself? That was either very brave or very foolish.>>

May grimaced. <<It didn't go according to plan at all. They weren't supposed to know I was there. At least it confirms one thing. Someone, maybe Diablo, the leader of that bunch, is an empath. Only another empath could've known I was coming.>>

<<Does that mean you will try again?>>

May shook her head. <<No. Now that I've confirmed the presence of an empath, it's up to Brandon and his Children of the Night.>>

<<Children of the Night?>>

May shook her head. <<Just a bunch of crazy psions who think they're superheroes or something like that.>>

<>

<<Definitely not!>> May suddenly slumped down onto the grass. Her body felt like it was totally drained of energy. It had been an exhausting night.

<>

With that, the being bent down and scooped May back in his arms once more. In her current condition, she didn't mind at all. She found that she liked being held by Da Gueur very much! She wrapped her arms around his neck once more and snuggled up to his chest.

The flight was disappointedly short and was over before she knew it. In a tired corner of her mind, she realized that the wooded area must have been a park close to her home. How had the being known where she lived? Da Gueur landed in front of her door. The doorbell rang, even though no one pressed it. There was a pattering of feet and the door jerked open. Edward and Stella Li stood in the doorway. Concern lined their faces and feelings of relief spilled out from them. They saw her first and as they took in her disheveled outfit, questions began to fly. Then, they looked up at the person who had brought her home and the questions stopped.

Edward and Stella stared wide eyed at May's benefactor. May chuckled at their expressions and the bewildered emotions that were now emanating from her parents. "Mom, Dad" she said, "this is my new friend. I call him Da Gueur. He saved my life tonight."

Edward recovered first and managed to stammer, "Thank you."

<<You are very welcome. I am glad I was in a position to help.>>

Edward and Stella touched their heads in amazement. It was clear that they wanted to ask more questions but the being forestalled them. <>

May left her parents' side and stepped up to the being. <<Wait, before you go.>> She tip toed up to the fiercely shaped head and kissed the side, where a cheek should have been. <<Thanks again for saving me!>>

<<You are very welcome, May. Farewell and stay out of trouble!>>

The being turned away, flexed his knees and launched himself into the air. His body seemed to shimmer and then he disappeared from sight. May gave a huge sigh and allowed herself to lean into her parents' arms.

Edward closed the door as Stella helped May upstairs. May was so tired that she didn't object when Stella helped her out of her outfit. Stella pulled a thick goose down comforter over May and quietly turned off the light and left the room. Alone in the darkness, May's aching body was overshadowed by a sudden ache in her heart. She found herself missing the presence of the being she called Da Gueur and the sense of security and safety she had felt in his arms. So this is what it feels like to be in love, she thought. Just before she passed out, she wondered if she would ever see him again.