Entering the warehouse, Sami was pleasantly surprised to see that HUE had started a bit of furnishing. A smattering of chairs from different dining sets dotted the opposite wall of the hole which had been covered by clay, like a putty repair in drywall. Sami assessed the crowd of HUE members as he did curls with his Shadow Hand holding his half-full water-bottle. Reception had told him to wait in the warehouse until called to have a meeting with Apex.

  Claire was seated in one of the chairs, feet stretched out as she looked up from her phone.

  “Hey. How was deployment?”

  “Lame, honestly,” Sami said with an embarrassed smile. “I thought I would do something. Anything. They just wanted a media fluff piece. And I didn’t even do that right.”

  “I thought the article was funny. And you didn’t tell any lies. The comments seem to be on your side.” Claire flipped her phone around, but Sami wasn’t interested. Glancing around, he searched the members.

  “Looking for someone? Gutshot’s over there,” Claire said bitterly.

  “No, I just feel… Weird. Why is everyone here?” Sami asked.

  “Why are all the HUE members at the HUE headquarters?” Claire asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “No. Well, yeah, actually. Why aren’t half of them out on patrol or something?” Sami asked.

  Claire sat up straighter, regarding him with half-squinted eyes. “Sami, how many times have you been outside?”

  “Outside? You mean since the Awakening?”

  “No, as far as you can remember.”

  Sami first thought she was being sarcastic, but her tone was earnest enough to take seriously. “What? I dunno. Too many to count?”

  “And of those times, how often have you witnessed a crime?” Claire asked.

  Sami stopped curling his water bottle with his Shadow Hand, allowing it to hang limply at his side as he caught on to her line of thinking.

  “That’s different.”

  “Is it?” Claire asked. “What does it mean to go on patrol except that you’re outside looking for crime?”

  “What about with a police scanner?” Sami asked.

  “HUE is trying to operate above board. They want the city to recognize them and give them the privileges that the police have to intervene. If they jump in on any case, the whole organization is gonna be listed as vigilantes. Even now, I’m pretty sure Hammerton only leaves us alone because they get a convenient database of HUE members and their powers,” Claire guessed. “EUE existing probably doesn’t help our case. We have to outdo their bad PR with our good PR.”

  Sami worked his jaw thoughtfully. Slowly, his Shadow Hand continued curling the makeshift weight.

  “Look, I get your point, but it still feels weird. If anything, crime is up since the Awakening. We should be active, helping in whatever capacity we can.”

  “We probably need to build our public reputation first. Through… fluff pieces in media outlets and articles.” Claire tapped her phone screen. Looking down shamefully in thought, Sami regretted his flippant interview for much more real reasons. Had he held himself and HUE back because of his own arrogance? “Plus, we’re not all doing nothing. Just ask Fracine and Gan Wen. They went to stop a fire yesterday. Why they asked Gan Wen, I have no idea…” Claire turned her head to the rest of the members.

  Only then did Sami realize that the chairs in the room were in a slight semicircle to point toward Francine who was relaying the events of the past day. Sami tilted his head as he noticed the number of people in the group.

  “I feel like I’m always the last one to get here.”

  “You are. Most people live on site. It’s weird you’re not here, to be honest,” Claire said flatly. While she remained turned away from him, Sami almost felt like she was inviting him, in her own way.

  The idea was immediately appealing to him. Hanging out with Awakened all the time was exactly the kind of community he was looking for. He checked off “no need of housing” when applying for HUE because he inherited his parent’s home. But if he lived at HUE, would he be allowed to go out and meet Lightcrown at the diner every day? Would it arouse enough suspicion that people would follow him and ruin Lightcrown’s anonymity? If that ever happened, Lightcrown would disappear, for sure.

  “I’ll consider it,” Sami promised. “Just not right now. I like where I’m at.”

  Claire shrugged.

  Slowing his arm curls, Sami tossed his water bottle to a real arm and assessed his Shadow Hands. No signs of fatigue, or veins to show it had been under strain. Pulling it closer for better scrutiny, Sami ran eyes up and down the extra appendage. Dissatisfied with the lack of visible improvement, he pushed it lightly away from him. Then, with the full swing of his body weight, he punched the Shadow Hand with all his might.

  The fist smacked heavily, and the Shadow Hand recoiled. It held firm. Flexing his knuckles, Sami was pleased to see it had some resistance to it. Maybe more than before?

  “What are you doing?” Claire asked.

  “Trying to test the limits of my ability before it gets put to the test in combat again.”

  Claire looked at him curiously. “You ever take a break?”

  “You’re one to talk. You’re using your power to eavesdrop on Francine right now!” Sami laughed.

  Claire went a hint red at her cheeks. “How did you know?”

  “Power Sense. Your bubble glows when it’s in use.”

  “You’re using more than one power at a time?”

  “Better to train everything I can.”

  Looking down in thought, Claire’s eyes scanned the floor before she abruptly rose from her chair. “Can we practice together?”

  Sami smiled affably. “Sure!”

  “I’m not much of a fighter, so I don’t want to do any sparring or grappling,” Claire said, sounding somewhat embarrassed to admit the fact.

  “How about we play keep away? I’m gonna only use my legs and Shadow Hand to grab your binoculars.”

  Claire nodded, pulling the strap off her neck and swinging it in one arm, bracing herself.

  “Also, I’m gonna whisper stuff to myself and you have to read it with your Subtitles. No cheating, I’m gonna watch you with Power Sense.”

  Claire scoffed. “Gotta train even the powers you don’t have?”

  “If one of us is stronger, we all are.”

  Claire nodded, encouraged by the sentiment. Continuing to spin the binoculars with one hand, she challenged him forward with the other. Sami needed no further invitation.

  Dashing forward, Sami reached his Shadow Hand as far as he could. Surprising both himself and Claire, it stretched further than a normal arm. Extending twice his arm span, the Shadow Hand wiggled as it approached its target. Unfortunately, it was slow and easily telegraphed its move enough for Claire to take two steps out of the way and lean the binoculars away.

  Remembering his part of the challenge, Sami started mumbling a song to himself. Her Power Sense bubble glowed, and he was satisfied that she was also getting some power training in.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Snapping back to the binoculars, he ran closer and whipped his Shadow Hand. To his shock, it suddenly jolted up when Claire kicked the chair into it, throwing its trajectory way off. He hadn’t expected her to use the environment, but they also didn’t really set up ground rules. It also surprised him just how far his Shadow Hand flew from the light hit. Already weak, it must have been even less reliable when stretched beyond normal lengths.

  Using the opportunity, Claire got close and bopped Sami on the chest with the binoculars. Blinking, Sami suddenly stopped trying to chase, feeling like he lost.

  “One point for me,” Claire said.

  “We’re scoring now?”

  “Yeah. And you were singing the alphabet to yourself.”

  Nodding, Sami and Claire backed up from one another, resetting their training positions. Again, she initiated the chase and he shot Shadow Hand as far as it would go. And again it was too easy to read.

  This went on for several attempts as Sami got himself used to the limits of his own power. The Shadow Hand was more difficult to control when stretched, and definitely weaker. Claire could slap it aside easily with her bare hands. But if he used it at a regular length, she could only avoid it. It could curve around at angles that proved it lacked bones or anything structural, and always had to be attached to a shadow associated with him in some way. It was just as simple to bring it forth from his shadow as it was from under his collar.

  By the end of their hours-long training session, including the break for a meal, Sami had built a ?consistent strategy for grabbing the binoculars. But the score stopped at 35-27 for Claire. Seated at two chairs, Claire and Sami were joined by Gutshot.

  “You guys finish training?” Gutshot asked.

  “Yeah, my head is killing me after all that,” Claire admitted. “But I can read and run at the same time now. I didn’t realize that I couldn’t before, but training made it pretty clear.”

  “And I think I got my Shadow Hand a bit faster.”

  “Can I train with you when you do it again?” Gutshot placed light hands on his stomach.

  Frowning, Claire looked somewhat annoyed at the question, but Sami nodded amiably.

  “Of course! We’ll make sure you’re set up to push yourself with your own powers next time!”

  “Next time,” Gutshot agreed, beaming. “I wanna be ready next time there’s an ambush. I panicked really badly and…”

  He looked down in shame. Claire’s face softened, but she said nothing.

  Looking up, Sami noticed just as Apex stepped in on the far side of the warehouse. Hard to miss the five Power Sense bubbles accompanying the one man. Sami met his gaze. Apex said nothing, but he felt summoned.

  “Wish me luck,” Sami murmured.

  “If you guys talk out here, I’m gonna eavesdrop,” Claire said, then raised an eyebrow when he gave a look. “What? Like you wouldn’t do the same thing!”

  Sami grinned in agreement and made his way across to Apex, who towered over him. The grand figure opened his mouth, then glanced up at Claire.

  “Let’s talk inside,” he said calmly.

  Sami gave one last look back to Claire who turned away, having been caught. Apex led the way, passing rooms on either side. Glancing inside, Sami could see light decorations and mattresses on the floor. The amenities for the free housing, presumably. He stopped when he saw Annie, sitting with her legs on the side of a couch and eyes glued to a screen. She was watching a nature documentary.

  “Is Annie really antisocial?” Sami asked.

  “You’re free to ask her. But we told her to remain in the room until she decides to use her power.”

  “You locked her in?”

  “No. I don’t think she’s eager to leave,” Apex said. There was a note of disappointment in his words, despite his tone remaining even.

  “What’s her power, again?” Sami asked.

  “Ask her. She’s the most powerful Awakened there is. Lightcrown included.”

  Sami found something off-putting about how people talked about Annie. Like the organizers were disappointed parents. Taking mental note, Sami resolved to take time to figure out what it meant to be the most powerful Awakened, especially if Apex was saying so. He seemed to have no problem suggesting she was more powerful than him when he was able to take down five people in an ambush without a scratch.

  Turning into a room, Apex pulled the chairs so they could sit without a desk between them. Taking a seat, Sami was slightly relieved, feeling it much less an exit interview without the separation. Setting down his water jug, he waited nervously for Apex to speak.

  “Sami,” Apex acknowledged.

  “Apex,” Sami replied cheerily.

  Apex smiled slightly.

  “The article from the Slattery Network. What did you think of it?”

  Sami sank slightly in his chair.

  “I didn’t read it, to be honest. But I wish I didn’t talk like that now.”

  “Why not?” Apex asked, sounding like a teacher goading an answer.

  “Well, I know that HUE was kinda slapped together as an organization and good press goes a long way for something smaller like this. Claire made that pretty clear when I spoke to her earlier,” Sami said, gesturing towards the main hall with a quick swish of his Shadow Hand. “I should have taken her a little more seriously. I was disappointed that we weren’t doing anything physical, making it feel like we weren’t utilizing our abilities to the fullest. But I shouldn’t have let out my frustrations in the media of all places.”

  “I see,” Apex said, his smile growing. His constitution left Sami at ease, and he sat up more comfortably in his chair. “I appreciate your reflection. You should know, the article turned out good. Great, actually. Nice work”

  “Oh. What? Really? How?” Sami asked in rapid succession.

  “It wasn’t the typical fluff piece. You had something to say and the readers could feel that. You weren’t the first to have the sentiment, but you said exactly what a lot of people in Hammerton were thinking. We should be out there! Not tied down by the bureaucracy of figuring out where to label an Awakened individual. Public sentiment is up, and your name is floating around online,” Apex explained, smiling at Sami’s eager expression.

  “Dude.” Sami slouched in his seat, relief washing over him as he slid two feet off the chair. “I thought I was getting fired.”

  “Fired?” Apex chuckled.

  Sami shot up in his seat. “I don’t know! I thought I brought down, like, the magic PR points we had as a company too much and triggered an automatic dismissal! Once I realized how badly I messed up, I was just waiting to be let go!”

  “Interesting,” Apex noted, his tone even and his arms crossing.

  “What, did I say something wrong? Don’t tell me… There is some secret number that would have gotten me dismissed, isn’t there, but it just happened to go in my favor!” Sami’s Shadow Hand came out in a quick accusatory point, then immediately deflated away into his shadow when Apex’s face remained stoic.

  Squirming in his seat, Sami tried to gauge what Apex’s face meant. He felt like he was being studied.

  “Sami, why are you here?”

  Sami started, looking over his shoulder quickly to check for prank show cameras, then back to Apex.

  “You! You called me in here like two minutes ago!”

  “No, not here. I mean HUE. What do you hope to achieve here?”

  “Like I said in the interview, I want to help people. I want to stop the next Silent Scream before it happens,” Sami said, confident in himself.

  Apex stood slowly from his chair, looking thoughtful as he paced the room. “You know, we’re brothers in that sense. We both survived ground zero of the Silent Scream.”

  Sami’s mouth went agape. “You were there?”

  “I have a theory that it’s why I ended up with five powers,” Apex said, looking at his arms as they glowed a light golden sheen. “Most people cap out at two. Even three is a rarity.”

  Sami blinked, shocked. Of all the members of HUE, he was the only member other than Apex with more than two powers. And they were both at the Silent Scream. Was that the source of all the Awakenings? Even so many years ago?

  “But you still haven’t told me what you want to achieve. The sentiment of stopping the next calamity is a good one, but we can’t exactly plan for that day on the calendar. We can only prepare for it. What do you want to get out of HUE?”

  “Community?” Sami said, but it came out as more a question than an answer.

  Apex continued to pace, eyes on the concrete ceiling. “But then you would be done. You have a community in HUE. But you don’t sit things out to network or make friends. You’re training. And almost desperate to be on the front lines.”

  Sami worked his jaw, heat running down his neck. He had no idea Apex had taken such notice of him.

  “I can’t get stronger unless I keep going out. I need the experience to become a more powerful Awakened person,” Sami replied.

  “Stronger.” Apex finally turned to Sami, leaning on his empty chair to look at him. “That’s not bad. How strong are we looking to get?”

  Sami spoke impulsively. “Stronger than you.”

  Apex cracked a smile. He might have thought it a joke, but Sami had met Lightcrown. The peak of all Awakened. And he was just… Some old guy. Sami could surpass Apex.

  Even Lightcrown. Maybe. If he remained retired.

  “That’s a good goal. We can work on that. Make you stronger.” Apex gripped a hand into a tight fist.

  “What about you?”

  “You want me stronger as well?”

  “No, I mean, what do you want? Why are you in HUE?”

  Apex’s eyebrows rose slightly and he leaned away from the chair, standing on his own. Hand on his chin, Apex had a faraway look, somewhere beyond the confines of HUE Headquarters. The silence stretched and Sami’s Shadow Hand made a reappearance, tapping his restless leg impatiently.

  “What, am I not allowed to ask? Actually, are you even my boss? I never really got the positions sorted out here,” Sami admitted, tapping his chin with his Shadow Hand.

  “Naomi’s the boss,” Apex said aimlessly, his focus still far from the room.

  Sami raised an eyebrow, mildly surprised at the information.

  Apex turned to him, eyes hard. “Sami, can I trust you with the information of why I’m here?”

  Blinking, Sami nodded earnestly.

  “I’m looking for an anti-Awakening agent. The… The ‘Sleeper’ to remove someone’s ‘Awakening.’ The true Antiserum. I think it’s out there, as sure as I am about there being a source to the Awakenings themselves,” Apex said in a somewhat hushed tone. “It can change everything. Once we have it, we can have full control of this city. I won’t stop until I have it.”