Project LOSS

Chapter 3

Vrethie stood, squinting up at the early morning sun. The red vastness of the desert stretched out around him beneath a sky of vibrant pinks, angry greys, and flecks of pure yellow light. Vrethie became lost in the array of colours while awaiting his brother and frowned when he glanced down to make out three figures in the distance as opposed to the two he had been expecting.

Vrethie flashed a smile as Kai finally arrived, two dust-covered travel-worn companions shuffling wearily in tow. A young woman with a baby strapped to her chest, and a middle-aged man—presumably the target of their latest job.

“Ugh just don’t even ask,” warned the shorter of the twin brothers as he barged by, neglecting any of the usual pleasantries.

“The new arrivals centre is down that road and to the left…” Kai said to the woman. He flapped his arms for a second before telling her to, “Follow the damn signs.” The woman looked as if she desperately wanted to say something but thought better of it and sauntered off without a word. Vrethie didn’t have to read her mind to know what it was she wished to say, or why she had neglected to. He studied Kai; eyebrows raised. He was often surprised by his brother’s actions, in large part because he was one of the rare people utterly immune to Vrethie’s psychic abilities.

“Oh, don’t even say anything. I saved her by accident, okay? She just happened to be there,” Kai said and shook his head. Vrethie wasn’t convinced.

“Showing kindness doesn’t make you soft...” Vrethie explained before Kai stopped him.

“I’m not soft!” Kai shouted. “Take it back, or I swear I’ll go after her and kill her myself.”

“Fine. Fine. I take it back,” Vrethie conceded with a surrendering wave. It was an obvious bluff, but everyone knew Kai could be erratic.

We probably shouldn’t let an innocent woman and child die over a silly argument.

Throughout this discussion, Vrethie had noticed the human target shuffling from foot to foot, his sight cast downward, avoiding the stare of either brother. He guessed that Kai had treated the man with his usual pattern of condescension and thinly veiled contempt for the human species.

“I see you have been keeping the customer happy as usual,” Vrethie noted.

Kai shrugged and kicked at a rock, dislodging it from the flattened path. It left a smooth semicircle in the otherwise perfect road. Vrethie discreetly used his telekinesis to fill in the irritating hole.

“You could at least try not to intimidate the mortals,” Vrethie suggested, “This one returned to normal?”

“Hmm, yeah, I guess so. Didn’t really ask,” Kai revealed with another shrug.

“That’s what I mean.” Vrethie sighed. “It wouldn’t hurt you to make friendly conversation.”

This advice went unheard, and the trio fell silent as they walked to the meeting place. The location, as usual, was a non-descript but pleasantly quaint townhouse on the outskirts of the city—one of a few properties owned by the brothers. A plainly dressed elderly couple waited by a moss-covered ceramic birdbath in the front garden, their eyes glistening as they laid eyes on their loved one. They didn’t look like the sort of people who could afford the extortionate fee but seemed more than happy to hand over the sizable wad, and Kai looked more than happy to strip them of it.

I should feel worse for them, but what can I do?

Vrethie considered bringing up the matter of cost but decided it was pointless to try. He’d already broached the subject of dropping the fee, even a little, but was met with a barrage of excuses. If they were any cheaper, they would be overrun with work, which might be a good thing if Kai could delegate said work. Kai was the only person alive with his ability—an ability so rare there wasn’t a name for it. Kai liked to refer to his ability using the cumbersome term ‘rehumanisation’, but most people preferred ‘the cure’.

After the happily reunited family left, the brothers walked toward the city centre in silence, taking shortcuts through the winding side streets and alleys, over wooden picket fencing, and barbed wire-lined gates that did little to keep the brothers out.

“Do we absolutely have to go to the meeting?” asked Kai as the old school building loomed into view.

“We did miss the last two.” Vrethie tactfully pointed out, leading Kai up the grass-lined path to the main hall.

“I hate CDA meetings,” complained Kai, “they are always the same; everyone complaining, Meredith being a b***h, Meryl being fat…”

Vrethie laughed at the cruel quip, but quickly stopped himself and scolded his brother for being mean. It was not the insult, but the casual manner in which Kai delivered it that struck Vrethie as funny. “Meryl is cool... I’d choose her over Faith any day.”

“Or Meredith,” Kai agreed with a grin.

Kai had a valid point. CDA meetings were a tedious affair but Vrethie knew better than to voice his thoughts on the matter for fear of further discouraging Kai. The meetings were dull, but not a complete waste of time.

“The idea behind the meetings was a chance for the city’s defenders to socialise, reflect on the week’s happenings and discuss any future events. It’s a shame that opportunity always gets squandered on childish bickering and gossip,” Vrethie sighed. “Surely the CDA officers will grow up one day. They have an eternity ahead of them… provided you don’t kill them.”

Kai chuckled. “Yeah ... they think they’re immortal because they are slightly stronger and faster than a mind-controlled drone. They don’t realise how delicate they really are.”

Vrethie rolled his shoulders back and stretched his neck. “Because they are stronger than ordinary humans I guess.” Vrethie shrugged. “They probably would be hard to kill… unless one has the power of super-strength.” Vrethie gave Kai a sly smile from the side of his mouth.