Elements

11. testing limits

"Is this necessary?" I say immediately uncomfortable with Malek being poked and prod with an electric baton.

"Unless you have a way to make him work" the man with the taser says

"Malek" I say down to him as he starts to get back up. "Just do it" I say and he just looks at me but says nothing

"Malek burn it up" Dr Martin says but he doesn't, once again the man with the taser jabs it into his bruised ribs making Malek grunt in pain when suddenly the man is now surrounded by a ring of flames in warning.

Quickly it goes out and I look over to Jesse as she has her hand slightly out in response. There is a puddle of water left now?

"Bring the torch" Dr Martin then says and a man from behind him walks out with a torch he then takes his lighter to as it plumes into a flame on the end of his stick.

"Malek won't participate so we will find our answers another way" Dr Martin then says walking towards us

"Ivy, hold out your hand we will try not to touch you but I want you to get close to the flame as you can" he says as the man lowers the torch. I watch as Malek watches me carefully.

I hold my hand out and it's hot, too hot. I pull back and look at Dr Martin but he just nods. I start to form a growth of life in my palm and hold it near the flame as it starts to wither.

"Place your hand on the flame while continuing to grow" Dr Martin then says while writing something down.

"Don't" Malek then says speaking up and I look up at him confused

"It's science, Malek" Dr Martin says interjecting

"Obviously she's going to hurt herself" he says stepping towards the man with the torch as he moves it closer to me.

Dr Martin then steps in his way to stop him and pushing Malek back.

"Ivy" Dr Martin then says looking at me. I look up at Malek as he looks at me cautiously. I then look over to Jesse as she has a confused look on her face.

I look back at the torch and swallow hard before forming a new growth at a rapid pace before holding my hand to the flame.

As I touch it burns and I go to move my hand away as a wince in pain but the man holding the torch then forces the flame up into my hand.

I scream pulling away and suddenly Malek is pushing his way past Dr Martin when suddenly the man holding the torch goes up in flames, followed by it quickly going out as Jesse stops it, the man now drenched in water screaming in pain

The man starts to scream louder as his exposed hand and neck are burnt under his armour. Men from around the room quickly aid to him as Malek moves towards me without a word and grabs my hand, checking the burn.

I feel the burn getting worse as the seconds go on as my hand is blistered and bleeding, why did he do that to me?

"We're done" Malek says dropping my hand and turning to Dr Martin.

"Nearly" he says writing something as the guards help the man that was burnt to his feet.

"We're done" Malek says and suddenly the entire room flashes to fire, everything green burning in an instant, every tree, every blade of grass. All but the grass surrounding me, Jesse and the guards as well as Dr Martin.

A few moment pass when it extinguishes, the room now dripping wet as pools of water form at our feet.

I look to Dr Martin and his face is in complete shock, like he saw a ghost.

"Malek-" Dr Martin starts but Malek just walks past him towards the door.

"Get them out" Dr Martin then says and a guard follows Malek to the door, unlocking it for Malek, Jesse and myself to leave.

I make it back to the main office as we head for the door when Malek stops and turns to me and Dr Martin

"Get her help" he says simply and Dr Martin nods then turns to me and quickly and directs me to the metal table as he grabs a first aid kit.

I watch as Jesse and Malek leave out the doors as I stay back getting my hand treated.

"Why did he burn me" I say confused as I hiss pulling my hand back as Dr Martin applys something to the burn

"We where seeing your limit, your very susceptible to burns, now we know we won't have to do that again" he says and I nod. I guess it kind of makes sense. "And if I'm correct you should heal fast because of your trait"