It turned out that the Dark Wing was right around the corner. Kevin must have circled back during the chase.
‘That, is the last time I go shopping.’ He thought.
He had been stocking up on food in disguise when the police ship had detected him. Now tired, hungry, and injured with a laser cut on his right leg he had to relocate. He wrapped a bandage around his lower leg and returned to the cockpit.
He did a system check, making sure everything was in working order.
When that finished he started the engine. The ship roared to life and lifted off like a helicopter.
Soon he was flying above the city. He leaned back into the seat. Piloting was one of the things that came easily to him. At age thirteen he was already a better pilot than most adults.
Kevin yawned, he was exhausted.
Looking for a place to land where no one would see him, he found an empty parking lot that suited his purpose.
Carefully maneuvering the large ship, he managed to land silently. Usually, he double-checked to make sure the coast was clear. But exhaustion took advantage of him.
‘Maybe just a quick nap.’ He thought. He went to the sleeping quarters, and before his head touched the pillow, he was soon sound asleep.
Even while he was still sleeping, Kevin’s attentiveness was active. Somehow he knew something was inside the ship. He didn’t open his eyes, but instead laid still; listening. Something was in the corridor. And by the humming sound it was making, Kevin knew it was a robot.
‘What is a robot doing here?’
He was just about to open his eyes when the door to his room hissed open.
Adrenalin surged through him, but he forced himself to lie still.
Light flickered on his eyelids and the machine drew nearer. Kevin waited breathlessly until the last second. Just as the robot floated right next to him, his eyes flew open.
Immediately, the robot took off, engines squealing. Kevin jumped after it, he landed on his feet and skidded around the corner after it. The robot zoomed down the ramp. When Kevin caught up, it was already gone. He clenched his fists in frustration.
It was surprisingly bright out, with a start Kevin realized that he had slept through the entire night. He could see the sun rising already outside the control-dome. In the dim light his surroundings became clear. Spart-Mart. A store that sells parts for space ships, he used to go there all the time when he was at the K.S.A.
Kevin smiled sadly at the memory; this was where he bought some of the upgrades he used on Matilda’s ship.
The store would be opening in an hour, so Kevin readied the Dark Wing for takeoff and left.
One thing he liked about flying his ship was the feel of it. The windshield was tinted, and a see-through computer in front of it made navigation easier. He didn’t have to look away from outside while driving. The windshield was at an angle so the depth of it made it felt like a video game simulator. He had got the ship in a desperate attempt to flee. His eye for ships had told him right away that this was a good one. It wasn’t like he stole it, because it had been scheduled to be destroyed anyway.
Ever since he could remember, he wanted a ship of his own. He can build them but his dad wouldn’t let him have one when he was younger. Younger. As if! He would do anything to have a chance to redo the events of a year ago. But that was the past.
The lab. Kevin didn’t know where the thought came from. It just popped in his head. Only that it seemed like a good idea. He used to spend hours at a time working at the lab, in fact, that was where he built the Anatronzer. Public labs, (like libraries) were common on Nita. Only instead of books, people brought their own projects and worked in fully equipped facilities. The one Kevin used to go to used to be an actual lab at one point. It had high walls, dark rooms with hanging lights, and comfortable workstations. He spent more time there than at home.
The all too familiar rooftop came into sight, it’s arched black top stood higher than the surrounding buildings. Curving into a banked turn Kevin set the ship down a little ways away from the actual parking lot. Using the Anatronzer, he gave himself black hair and a different build. At the front desk a lady asked him his name.
“Egroeg.” Kevin said.
“Please proceed to Room 5C.” Said the lady in a bored voice. She opened the doors that led to the main interior.
Kevin – Egroeg – followed the hallway until he saw 5C above a doorway.
5C was a big room, big enough to have four workstations that were a good distance apart. No one else was there but just to be safe he checked to see if anyone was watching, than he disengaged the Anatronzer. He returned to his normal form and his device shrunk neatly to a black metal band.
Taking out his handheld computer he began working on it.
He had just started when he heard someone come in, she was almost silent but he heard her footsteps.
He looked up, a girl with short brown hair with pink highlights leaned on his desk. He drew back, surprised. Her face was about ten inches away from his.
“Hey there,” Her eyes were the strangest color, purple. “I was wondering if you could give me directions.”
Kevin blinked.
“S-sure, I can give you directions. Could you . . . you know . . . give me some space?”
“Of course.” She smiled and straightened up.
“Thanks. So, where do you want directions to?” Kevin asked.
“Do you know where the Star Beam café is?” She looked right into his eyes.
“Yeah, I do-“
“Oh thank you.” She smiled broadly.
Kevin stood up.
“Listen, stop looking at me like that ok?”
“I’m sorry, is it making you nervous?”
“No.” Kevin picked up his things and put his backpack on.
“Then why did you put your backpack on upside-down?”
Kevin looked down with a start, his backpack was on his back, but it was upside-down.
“I . . .” He couldn’t come up with an excuse. Sheepishly, he turned the bag to its upright position. He decided to change the subject.
“Star Beam Café is two blocks away, left than right. You can’t miss it.”
“Thank you.” She didn’t leave.
“Is there anything else?”
“Well, I thought you would take me there.”
“No, no, no, listen, I’m busy, I don’t have time for this. I can’t show you where it is so you’ll just have to find it yourself.” Kevin said. He turned to leave.
She looked so crestfallen that he hesitated. ‘Don’t do it!’ He thought, but he turned back to her.
“OK, fine, I’ll help you.” He sighed.
Immediately, her face brightened up. “Yay.” She said.
They left the lab and started walking down the street.
On Nita, the ground was reserved for pedestrians.
She strode along beside him. Secretly, Kevin enjoyed the company.
“I’m Mancy.” She chirped.
“Kevin.” Said Kevin. He almost hit himself. Why did he use his real name?
He waited for her reaction but she just kept talking. He studied her; He figured she was his age. She wore a short sleeve shirt but she had sleeves on her arms that were separate. It was an odd style that seemed to suit her personality perfectly.
They came in front of the café.
“Ok you’re here now see you later.” He said.
“Wait,” Mancy said. “Why don’t you stay? I’ll buy you something, my treat.” She bribed.
“I don’t know . . . “ Before Kevin could further protest, Mancy grabbed his arm and pulled him in the restaurant.
They sat at booth along the wall. The waitress came over and Mancy ordered fries and a space burger. Reluctantly, Kevin ordered a pasta special. (The Star Beam café has a large menu selection.)
While they waited for their orders they sipped their drinks and Mancy yakked away.
Kevin tried to listen to her chatter but he found himself self-consciously watching his surroundings. Since his last experience he felt awkward being out undisguised. He half heard something that caught his attention.
“Wait, what did you say?” He asked.
“I said: ‘have you heard the news?’”
“No, what about it?” Kevin said guardedly.
“There have been extensive kidnappings around the city. Especially at the K.S.A.” Mancy said.
Even from where she was sitting, she could see Kevin’s face pale.
“Do they know why?” He tried to keep his voice steady.
“Not yet. I don’t think.” Mancy said.
“I’m going to get a refill.” He slid out from the booth and went over to the soda machine. ‘Is Matilda OK?’ He thought. ‘Is she one of them? I have to find out, But how? I can’t just show up at the K.S.A. ’
“Dude! Just make up your mind!” A person behind him said impatiently.
Kevin blinked; he had been staring at the Kola-pep label for who knows how long? He refilled his cup and headed back to the booth.
Mancy was talking on a videophone; she finished saying something and hung up before he got there.
“Hey,” She said casually. “You OK?”
Kevin gave her a what-do-you-mean look.
“OK, OK, I can take a hint.” Mancy said. She looked up at him while she took a sip of her soda.
“Here you go.” The waitress brought their orders over and set them on the table.
She looked at Kevin strangely as if she was trying to think of where she saw him.
She shook her head and left.
Mancy took a big bite of her space burger, Kevin poked at his pasta, thinking. Finally, he started eating it. It was the best food he had eaten in weeks.
When he finished he felt a lot better. They left the table and paid for their food.
Mancy paid for hers but Kevin insisted to pay for his own. He did have a lot of money from odd “jobs” he had taken up.
“Well, I’ll be on my way.” Kevin said once they were outside.
“Wait.” Said Marcy. “How about we go to my house?”
“No thanks.” Said Kevin. He turned to leave. Mancy stepped in front of him.
“Come on, please.” She smiled flirtingly.
“No,” Kevin repeated. He had to get out of here before someone recognized him. She had no idea who he was. But if she watched the news, how could she not?
“Aww, why not?” She asked.
“Because I’m busy.” Kevin was beginning to get irritated.
“Oh. Well, I’ll just go with you.” Mancy said.
“No you will not!”
Mancy lowered her head, her lip quivered.
“What is wrong now?” Kevin said in annoyance.
“I thought you were my friend.” She said miserably. “I just wanted you to visit me.”
Kevin looked at her thoughtfully. He could tell she was acting. “Look, cut the act. You can’t be that heartbroken.”
Mancy sobbed louder, her face hidden by her hair.
People were starting to stare. ‘No! No! No!” Kevin thought. With all this attention someone was going to recognize him for sure.
“OK, OK, stop crying!” He said.
Mancy sniffled. She looked up; her face was streamed with tears.
Kevin drew her aside. “What is your problem?”
“I don’t have any friends, so I decided to make one today, and now . . .” She breathed in shakily.
“Hey girl. Is this guy bothering you?” A gentleman asked.
Kevin looked at him. Huge mistake.
The man staggered back. “Y-you’re that kid! The one the police are searching for!”
Mancy caught Kevin’s eye. He gave a timid smile to her. ‘Now do you get it?’
“Call the police!” The man hollered.
People all around started looking even more. A few recognized Kevin. They shouted and pointed.
Sirens could be heard in the distance. Survival instincts kicking in, Kevin took off running through the crowds. He blindly brushed past people, weaving in and out to avoid collision.
‘A day in the life of Kevin Starskye.’ He thought sarcastically. This was getting old.
He legs pounded on the pavement. He couldn’t hear the sirens anymore. Maybe he outran them? He stopped to catch his breath; his leg throbbed painfully. He had forgotten about the laser cut. Any healing it had done was completely destroyed now.
Laser cuts were usually treated in hospital, but if Kevin did that he would get turned in. He had to get something for it. So he made plans to buy some medication for it at a store somewhere. So now he had to get back to the Dark Wing, (Which was still at the lab) find a drugstore, disguise himself, find medication without rousing too much suspension, and find a new place to lay low for a while. ‘Yup.’ He thought. ‘It’s great to be me.’
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Sorry it's so long, I couldn't figure out which parts to take out. Any advice would be so very much appreciated! (And possibly you might see a review from me!)
