The Skylar Experiment : The "X" in Apex

Chapter Twenty-One - The Scar

Ha, if only he knew.

"Lucas is a handsome young man. Promise me you'll use protection if you ever plan to... you know. I have enough on my hands with my own child," he remarked, bringing a frown out of me. But before I hit him with a pillow, he changed subjects. "Anyway, I came home with the intention of giving you a present, not grounding you"

"Huh?"

"You are now the proud owner of the strongest taser on the streets. It's in a leather sleeve in your jacket. Take a look."

While I'd forgotten about the end-game of the paper he wanted me to write, I was now too curious to prepare for bed without having a glimpse.

I ran to the entrance again and found the black sleeve as promised. Brick-like in shape or like a portable power bank.

Dad watched me draw out the charging wire and then...

Indeed, it was extravagant. It was sleek, all-black, and it had knuckle grips that'd make it difficult for any aggressor to disarm me.

Except the contact plates were wider apart, which I knew from research that meant more volts—therefore a shorter time needed to incapacitate someone.

"How many amps did you put in this?"

"About ten." He winked. "But it's in milliamps. What's the commercial maximum, do you know?"

"Five," I answered.

"And what are the amps for?"

"That's the amount of electricity that passes in the stun gun."

"Excellent," he said, and I was getting annoyed. "What about the charge?"

"Do you want me to just recite you the unfinished paper while we're at it?"

Dad smiled, his arms draped over the back of the couch. "But it's the best part. It goes up to a maximum of two microcoulombs, and these two buttons on the side allow you to adjust amps and charge. The third is to lock in your setting—press 3 times to lock or unlock. By default, it'll sit at one microcoulomb and ten milliamps. You can take out... anything that gives you a problem."

Jeeesus, he did not do things halfway. The encounter on my first hike and the posters must have really scared him. I've seen stun knuckles on the market, but this one was bulkier. Almost too heavy to punch with. Almost.

I wondered if coworkers noticed his scheme or if they even cared.

"My new school accessory," I said, mocking delight.

He tapped my knee. "Well, off to bed. You have class tomorrow."

"Sure... Good night, Dad." I rose from the couch. Would I really have to use it in the near future? "Love you. And thanks."

"Love you, kiddo."

▲▲▲

In English class, Emma made me stroke her soft cheek to judge the virtues of her overnight face mask. After receiving my stun knuckles, we videocalled so I could explain the whole evening. She'd been patient with me, seeing I still had unrest to work through.

"I saw Ben in the halls this morning," she announced. "He seemed fine. As spirited and gay as ever."

"Good. I didn't know if I could have lived with myself if he wouldn't be."

"Told you."

I unwound into my chair with a stubborn yawn. Emma subtly changed subjects, which I was thankful for.