Alex shot up in bed, sweat glistening on his brow as he looked around the room panicked. Just then his door burst open with Kelile racing in, hands glowing.

  “Alex, are you alright?” he exclaimed, looking Alex over then checking his room and windows.

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” Alex answered slowly. “H- How did you know something was wrong?”

  Kelile let the glow fade from his hands as he replied, “I told you I set up triggers and traps, this felt… different though. So subtle I almost didn’t catch it.”

  “I had a dream. There was a strange voice calling my name. It was a beautiful voice, almost musical. Then all of a sudden it screamed at me to run,” Alex said.

  “Are you sure you didn't recognize the voice? It wasn't the earth again?” Kelile questioned, scanning the room again.

  “No, it wasn’t a voice I can recall,” Alex said, rubbing his head.

  “Why did it tell you to run?” Kelile asked as he walked back to the window and peered out.

  “I’m not sure. I was trying to ask who was there and then there was a burst of wind and it yelled at me to run,” Alex said slowly, trying to remember what had happened.

  “Humm, interesting,” Kelile said slowly. “Try to get back to sleep. I am going to set up some triggers a little further out and make sure no one is near us.”

  “Do you want any help?” Alex asked.

  Kelile smiled, “I got it, but thank you. Get back to sleep.” With that Kelile left the room and headed out of the house.

  Alex got up and went to his window. Looking out he saw Kelile walking, his hands glowing as he made his way out of sight. Sighing, Alex rubbed his face and leaned against the wall. “I need some water,” he muttered to himself and went down to the kitchen. Searching the fridge he found a bottle of water and grabbed it. He was about to go back up the stairs when Kelile flung the door open.

  “Alex!” he called, not seeing him at first.

  “What?” Alex exclaimed.

  “Someone is coming, follow me,” Kelile said, as he went to the basement door.

  “Who is coming?” Alex panicked.

  “I’m not sure, but there are a lot of them,” Kelile said, opening the door. “Come on.” Alex went down the stairs and waited for Kelile.

  “I think they will search the basement,” Alex said, looking back at Kelile.

  “They will, but they won't find us. Lay down,” Kelile instructed. Alex obliged and Kelile laid down next to him. “Hope you aren't claustrophobic,” he said looking at Alex. His hands began to glow as the ground beneath them started to shift. Slowly they sank below the dirt surface as it reformed a solid layer above them.

  “Woah,” Alex said softly.

  “The floor will be solid above us. They would have no reason to believe we are under here,” Kelile said, as he placed his hands on the solid ground above them. “Do you think that voice warned you that people were coming?”

  “I don't know,” Alex said softly. “Maybe?”

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  “It did something. If we hadn't woken when we did I don't know if I would have been able to get us here in time. My triggers were a lot closer to the house,” Kelile finished. Alex was about to speak when they heard the front door burst open. Kelile put his finger to his lips indicating for Alex to be quiet. Putting his hand back on the solid ground, his hands glowing, as he closed his eyes.

  Alex’s eyes darted around as he heard the thumping and yells above. Looking at Kelile, he mimicked him, putting his hands on the ground above them and closing his eyes. Now might be a good time to practice, he thought to himself. His hands began to glow as he slowly pushed out his senses. As he did, he could feel Kelile beside him, feel his heart beating and his breathing. Pushing out further he tried to sense the people in the house but felt nothing. Opening his eyes he looked at his glowing hands and tried to concentrate, pushing his senses further.

  As he did, he felt the basement door slam open and the vibration of boots stomping down the stairs. Alex lost his concentration, the glow of his hands flickering as his heart thumped out of his chest. Glancing at Kelile in panic at the sound of the boots above them he took some solace in the confident features on his face. He also noted the glow of his hands seemed to brighten as the intruders walked above them.

  “Nothing sir,” said the muffled voice above them. A muffled response could be heard but Alex couldn't make out what was said. “Yes sir,” the muffled voice above them replied. Alex could hear the boots march back up the stairs after that.

  Exhaling a breath he didn't know he was holding, Alex closed his eyes. Jumping, he opened them when he heard a crash above. Looking at Kelile again he whispered, “it worked.”

  “Shhhhh,” he replied, not moving at all.

  Alex closed his eyes again and put his hands back on the ground above him and tried to push his senses out again. Another crash above distracted him again. Sighing, he dropped his hands to his sides and listened to the noises above. After a while the noise stopped but they still didn't move. Twenty more minutes went by before Kelile moved.

  “Should be clear, you stay here while I go look,” he said. Without waiting for a response he created an opening and crawled out, closing it behind him.

  “Oh man, this is way worse being alone in here,” Alex gulped, looking around him. Putting his hands on the ground above he pushed out with his senses. I need this more for the light of my hands than anything, he thought to himself. Suddenly his hands went through as the ground crumpled on top of him. Sitting up he coughed and spit the dirt out of his month.

  “Sorry about that,” Kelile said with a half grin.

  “I’m sure,” Alex grumbled, standing up and shaking the dirt off of him. “So who was it? Anyway to tell?”

  “I think it was the General and his men. I found several devices set up in the house and some outside, definitely military grade. We need to move now. I didn’t see any cameras, but that doesn't mean there aren’t any. I am going to block our vibrations while we get out of here, but I’m sure they will be back soon,” he said, his hands glowing as he maneuvered them in different ways.

  “Alright,” Alex nodded, springing to his feet and dusting himself off. Both of them ran upstairs and grabbed the few things that they had. Running out the front door Alex ran towards where Kelile hid the car.

  “Alex, this way,” Kelile whispered, waving Alex towards him. Alex turned and ran towards Kelile. “I have a different car this way. They saw that one so it's probably tracked.” They ran deeper into the woods for what felt like forever.

  Alex wheezed, “I miss my scooter.”

  Kelile snorted, “We are going to have to work on that. We are here.” Slowing his pace they approached a small clearing. Kelile knelt and placed her hands on the ground as they began to glow. The ground rumbled and opened as a car rose up from beneath.

  Alex sharply inhaled at the spectacle, “How can you do that?”

  “A little trick I learned from your mother,” He smiled sadly, as he walked to the driver's side. He paused suddenly and closed his eyes, his hands glowing.

  “What is it?” Alex asked, looking around them.

  “They are back at the house. Let’s move,” He said, opening the door and getting in. He drove out of the clearing and down a small path out of the woods. They drove down the back trail for two hours before finally breaking through to a dirt road.

  “Where are we going to go?” Alex asked quietly.

  “Far from here. I was hoping my contact would have reached out to me, but nothing yet. I know of another house we can go to,” Kelile said. “Rest Alex, we will be there by the afternoon.”

  “You think we will be safe from the General?” Alex asked, watching the side mirror as they drove.

  Kelile was quiet for a moment before he answered, “Unfortunately, Alex, I don't think we will be safe any time soon.”