COBALT: The Red Phantom (Book One)

Chapter 29: The White Flowers (Part 2/3)

          There had to be something in here that could help.

          A muffled cry pulled through the house, tingling the hairs at the nape of his neck. He couldn't discern it between a battlecry and a scream of pain, but it definitely belonged to a girl.  

          And it was below them.

          He found a set of stairs, his feet feeling weird at the hollowed drumbeat the material gave off, but he didn't have time to stop and wonder what caused it.

          Another cry came. Strangely filled with success, clearly female.

          His brow furrowed at the hairy grey material that now covered the entire floor, muffling every step he took as he rushed to the room the cries were coming from. The door bore the same silver nub, thankfully ajar.

          With every ounce of bravery he had he jumped into the room. He threw up his hands, ready for a scuffle he was expecting to lose as he stared wide eyed at a girl. She was sat upon a black and shiny couch, wearing a strange hat that only armoured her ears. In her hands sat a little black object, the shiny device connected by a black string to a massive window looking frame.

          They locked gazes, the girl tensing as the red stick of food she was chewing fell right out of her mouth and tumbled into her lap.

—————

          Káel let out a sigh, the nerves still tingling his skin as he stared at the tight cream coloured room. The metal table was bolted to the floor, probably the most expensive thing in the small shack of a police station Iridis had. They passed officers on their way in, not one of them confused by their captors, some even giving the group friendly yet timid nods.

          Now he was seated next to Vera, listening to the rattle of her handcuffs as she tugged at the contraption, red faced and ready to burst.

          Across the table, the man sat, his blue jacket covering his torn tee as he tried at casual conversation while they waited for his less than friendly counterparts. 

          "You seem anxious," he said, ignoring the roll in Vera's eyes as he poured over them with a warm smile. "We can practice some breathing exercises. You kids aren't in trouble."

          Káel raised his cuffs with a deadpanned glare. "Then take these off."

          Vera stopped struggling, leaning to whisper in Káel's ear. "Phoenix's use magic, she can-."

          "No," Káel growled. For all he knew these things were fireproof. 

          "I'm on Firehead's side here," Phantom muttered.

          The man flicked his gaze to Phantom again, the gears twisting in his brain as his lips wiggled with confusion. He had tried to cuff Phantom, and looked like he was on the verge of a breakdown when his hands passed through him. What set him off even more was how the cherry haired woman claimed nothing was there. "Can you two see him?"

          Káel's lip twitched at the chance to screw with him. "See what?"

          The door clicked, Vera immediately ripping her gaze to the guest as she tugged at her cuffs again. The blonde woman peered through, eyeing the man. "Simon, out."

          Simon rose from his chair, staring at Vera and Káel for a few seconds before smiling at the woman. "They are still a little stressed out, are you sure-"