Chapter 2: Blue

  I quickly glanced back at him, wondering why he felt heavier than usual. When I did, I couldn’t hide my smile at the audacity of this kid. Hah, how could he be dozing off when we were running away from the government’s best agents? This kid somehow had nerves of steel hiding in him. Or he was so exhausted from the little skirmish that he straight up passed out. If I had to guess, it was the second option.

  “Blue, you’re not fast enough. The Coast Guard is coming toward you at three and nine o’clock. You better be prepared to engage.”

  James’ voice came through the radio piece embedded into my ear.

  Shoot, this wasn’t good. I looked back at the boy. He still wasn’t awake yet. I shook my hand, and he violently jolted like he was electrocuted.

  What’s going on?

  Listen to me closely. We’re about to engage with the government agents who are trying to capture you. I want you to swim behind and under me. You got that? If the worst comes to worst, you need to swim away from here as fast as you can.

  But you haven’t told me where we’re going-

  Altair, I am tasked to protect you at all times. Please trust me, okay? If it does come to that, I will guide you to the right place.

  He nodded. I dived down deeper and drew out my spear, feeling Altair riding in the current I was creating. That was good. He should be safe-

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  A water bullet shot toward us, and I reflexively cut through it, pinpointing its direction and throwing my spear right back. With that, I quickly sidestepped, following my spear toward the target. At the last second, right before my spear reached its target, I reached out and lunged, slicing sideways right through the agent.

  First one down. One more-

  “Shit, Blue! Three patrol guard boats are coming at you from six o’clock! Get out of there now!” James yelled through the ear piece.

  I wanted to sigh. These patrol guards were getting more and more efficient every time I engaged with them. There was only one choice then. I felt the current coming from my right, and I flung my spear toward it again, this time flying right over the agent and slicing their head cleanly off. With that, I veered back to grab Altair, who was flailing around blindly.

  Altair, we don’t have much time. The Coast Guard caught on faster than I thought. I’m giving you this watch. It will direct you to a safe place. Just follow it and you will reach safety. You need to swim for your life, okay?

  What, wait-

  I know it’s sudden, but trust me please. I don’t have time. You need to go.

  I threw off the watch from my wrist and slapped it on Altair’s wrist. He looked at me with such wide and scared eyes that I was tempted to stay with him a bit longer, but my common sense knew that if I delayed any further, we would both end up dead on the ocean floor.

  Haven’t I told you already, Altair? We will always meet again, I smiled, pushing him away with everything I had.

  I turned towards the direction of the patrol guards.

  “You need to engage with them right? I’ll help you.”

  I squared off, propelling myself towards the boats.

  “Give them hell, Blue.”

  This man and his method of cursing would always be beyond my understanding. But he was reliable, and the first human friend I made on land. I knew that he wouldn’t let me die here easily, and that was somewhat a comfort.