Jinn Part 4

Samsara and Kailar were friends outside of The Academy. Their fathers
had been close as children and remained so as they took up positions
in the Council of the village. They encouraged the friendship of
their youngest children. Regularly setting up tests and obstacles for
each other, Samsara and Kailar constantly pushed each other to be
better. Secretly, their fathers had arranged that they were to be
married as soon as they reached maturity.

 

“What should we do today Sam?”

 

Kailar was perched atop a large boulder beside his house. Samsara
stopped and looked off into the distance, pondering.

 

“Well, yesterday we had the mental decathlon, which I won. The day before we
had that incessant physical test your father keeps pushing me to try
harder on. Even though I have only just about managed to complete it
in time on four separate occasions now. So how about we do something
that will challenge us both today Kai?”

 

Kailar's eyes lit up. He was always ready for a new challenge.
Relishing the opportunity to test his mettle and sharpen his skill
set.

 

“That sounds perfect!”

 

He launched himself into the air, his mechanical joints sounding off
as they clicked into action. His feet barely made a sound as he
drifted to the ground beside Sam.

 

“What did you have in mind exactly?” He said with a mischievous glint in his eye.

 

“Well, we've already proved that we're better than each other at different
styles of activity. How about something that requires a mixture of
both of our skills? Something that we need to work together as a team
to achieve? Something extremely dangerous?”

 

They both let out a hearty laugh. They never feared anything and it
often got them into a lot of trouble.

 

“What did you have in mind my dear Sam?”

 

“Meet me here in two hours. Bring your Stalker uniform, and the spare one
you have for me. I've got some planning to do. You're going to love
this. We might need a little help though.”

 

“I'll get Horun. She might not agree straight away but I'm sure I can
convince her to come.”

 

“Just because she loves you”

 

Kai suddenly became defensive and his face glowed bright red.

 

“She does not! Jeez!”

 

Sam chuckled and turned to her house.

 

“Just remember, two hours. And make sure she doesn't tell a soul. Okay? Not
a single person other than us can know about this!”

 

“Okay okay! I get it. I'll be quiet I swear”

 

They went their separate ways. Kai looked back to see Sam as she
walked into her home. He let out a sigh and opened his front door.

 

The lights were off. The doors were locked and his cat was pawing at
the front door. His father must still be away meeting with other
councillors in other villages. They met up regularly to discuss
trade, population movement and political matters. It was supposed to
be a shared responsibility with the other village councillors but his
father always took the opportunity.

 

“Hey there Tali. Is Dad not home yet then? Guess it's just me and you
again.”

 

Kai picked up the old cat and carried him through to the living room.
They both collapsed on the floor, limbs sprawled out and closed their
eyes. The air was cooling now.

 

“I guess I have to go and make us some dinner. What do you want? Cat
food, or some chicken?”

 

The cats ears perked up at the mention of chicken and he rolled his
head to look at Kai.

 

“Chicken it is. I still remember when Mum used to cook for us. She always made
the best chicken for you. I'm sorry I'm not as good yet, but I'm
getting there.”

 

Tali purred and swayed up to Kai as they walked to the kitchen. The
light of the sun now almost gone beneath the horizon, Kai clicked his
fingers and the soft glow of clear sapphire lights slowly crept up,
giving the room a clean white light. It gave a clinical feel to the
place. His father was big on ancient Eastern culture so had decorated
the house in the style of a Japanese home. Paper sliding doors and
ancient artwork littered the sparsely populated house.

 

“It's been six months today, she's been gone six months. Can you believe
it? It's one of my first memories. Seeing her lying there on the
floor after I came home from The Academy, you led down by her head.
You knew what had happened didn't you? I was still too young to
really understand. We sat with her until Dad came home.”

 

Tali hopped up onto the kitchen counter and nudged into Kai. He had
stopped chopping vegetables. His fists clenched tight against the
handle of the ion knife, knuckles turning white.

 

“He never should have left her alone. He never should have left us alone.
I think he blames me though, that's why he's never here. He can't
look at me without hating me for it. It's okay though, I understand.
I'll just become the best Tracker and then he won't be able to be
angry with me. She'd be so proud of me already. I know she would.”

 

Kai dropped the knife and held Tali close. They both slumped to the
floor and nestled up together. The cold white light offering little
warmth against the approaching night.