• “Whatcha’ reading?” an unexpected voice asks behind me. I stop, deciding what to do, then cautiously turn around to look at the speaker.
    “Not something I’d expect you to know of,” I respond, choosing my words carefully. The boy appears to be no more than 12 years of age with a sweet face, and wide, innocent brown eyes. It’s a face I distrust immediately.
    “Oh yeah? You’d be surprised. Try me,” he taunts, with a humoured tint in his smile and eyes. I hold the book title up so he can see it. His eyes flicker from my face to the object in my hand, then quickly back again, “It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquillity: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it.”
    “Impressive. Maybe I stand to be corrected then,” I say, shocked at not only his knowledge of the work, but also into the depth.
    “Well, you know what they say about appearances and how deceptive they can be. Guess we know now just how much they can be so,” Although his words may sound nonchalant to any stray earwiggers, I couldn’t help but notice an underlying edge to them.” Jane Eyre was a favourite of mine some years ago.”
    Nodding, I take a glance around the almost empty bus. There are three other passengers besides myself and the boy; a late night accountant, a teenage cafe worker and, lying across the seat at the very back of the bus, a sleeping homeless man. With the added extra of the driver, that would be a potential total of four lost human lives, and that was just four too many. Turning back to the boy, I am unsurprised to see his eyes haven’t left me.
    “No mother?” I nod my head toward the seat next to him, pushing my question. Surely an ordinary 12 year old should not be travelling the bus alone, especially at this time of night and this kind of area?
    “Not one to be proud of,” grimacing the boy looks down, suddenly concentrating fiercely on his hands, which lie folded in his lap. His final answer settles it for me. The bus jerks to a sudden hault. Exclamations of surprise sound from the other passengers, accompanied by the grumblings of the homeless mans brutal awakening. The boy and myself sit perfectly unfazed.
    “What is this? What’s going on?” the homeless man rants.
    “Sorry, the bus has completely shut down! It’s like it just doesn’t feel like running anymore,” comes the muffled voice of the driver from within their caged seat.
    Everyone jumps in their seats as the doors fling open; again, all except for the boy and myself. As though he can finally feel my eyes burning holes into the crown of his head, the boy looks up. His eyes meet mine and a silent understanding is passed between us.
    “What the!” the driver appears looking stunned,” okay, it seems I’ve completely lost control of the vehicle. I’m going to ask you all to exit the bus in a neat and orderly manner.”
    Mumbling their disapproval, the passengers slowly rise from their seats and leave through the doors. The boy rises first. Nervously he makes his way to the doors, careful to never fully turn his back on me. Leaving my novel behind, I soon follow in his pursuit. The harsh wind hits me hard, taking my breath away, as I step off the bus and onto the grimy street of downtown Chicago. Motioning for the boy to follow me, I make my way towards the end of the street. Quickly checking around to make sure we remain unseen by any bystanders, we slip into a side alley.
    It is dimly lit, with the little light emitting from the full moon serving as its only illumination. The darkness does not affect me though. Leading ourselves further and further down the narrow space, we finally stop when we reach a dead end.
    “Who are you, and why are you here?” Cutting all pleasantries I skip straight to the main point. This proves to be no time for small talk and my patience with these people is already at a dire stage.
    “My name is Sam Tylkes. I don’t expect that I would be someone you’ve heard of. As to why I am here, well I think we both know the answer to that.”
    I can see every detail on Sam’s face with ease. Shifting a few steps to my right, I watch his gaze closely. His reaction to my movement is delayed. It would appear little Sammy here was having a harder time adjusting to the lighting, and this may serve as a huge advantage on my part.
    “Yes Samuel, I am well aware as to your purpose here. What I was referring to was why are YOU here? Why exactly did they send you?” I ask my question with open curiosity. Surely they knew the limits of my power, so why send a young innocent boy? The only rational reason would have to be a secret that I was unaware of. Judging by the Sam’s slow adaption he couldn’t be a being of too much power.
    “Oh? You don’t already know? I thought you would have read it on my mind by now. I am here to regain my family’s honour.” I pause, momentarily dumbstruck.
    “I’m sorry; I don’t think I completely understand. Your family’s honour?” My puzzlement must show on my face as one glance in my direction, and Sam’s small smile is lined with traces of sadness.
    “Details are unimportant, either way what I am here to do must still be done.” It becomes clear the conversation has finally come to a close. I watch with intrigue as his form begins to shift. I turn away, repulsed at the sight. From behind me I hear echoed screams of pain as Sam’s bones snap and reconstruct themselves. When the noises of ripping flesh subside, I turn around again and find myself instead facing a medium sized Dingo.
    ‘It really doesn’t have to be like this Sam. Go back and tell them you couldn’t find me,’ I channel the words into his mind, as opposed to saying them aloud.
    ‘That isn’t an option for me. Please just understand this isn’t personal. It’s just what I need to do,’ his voice replies inside my own head. I nod down at the dog like animal to show my understanding.
    ‘Very well then, I understand,’ Delaying no further Sam takes several large bounds toward me, then metres away launches himself straight at me; a careless decision to say the least. I take two immediate steps to my right, causing Sam’s attack to fall short. Before he can recover and prepare to spring again, I lash out with my mind. Falling to the floor and whimpering, Sam uses his paws to cover his ears. I begin to approach him, slowly as not to alarm him. When I am close enough in proximity, I extend my arm towards him. Gently I place my outstretched hand onto Sam’s stomach, channelling my energy into him. A flash erupts and when the light subsides I look down to see a human Sam once again lying on the floor, unconscious. I rise and begin to walk away when I hear a gentle voice in the back of my mind.
    ‘Why?’ Sam asks his mental voice sounding weak and strained.
    ‘Why what?’ I ask back, although I am fairly certain I know the direction of his question.
    ‘Let them humans survive, assuming it was you who tampered with the bus? Not kill me now whilst I am weak and at your advantage? Fight against your own kind?’ his voice sounds weaker than the last time I heard it.
    ‘Yes, it was me indeed who tampered with the bus. Maybe you are more observant than I thought. I let them survive because it is not their battle, and to let them die would have been unfair. I am leaving you alive because you have not threatened me to the point of death, and I do not see a reason to take a life that does not need to be taken. I fight the battle, because something needs to be done to stop them, and I am needed here on this side. Sleep now Sam.’
    I feel his mind dim, and then completely fall into blackness as I make my way to leave the alley. A shadow moving across the ground catches my attention. I look up and see a silhouette darking out a section of the moon. It would appear we have had an audience. Then, finally noticing they’ve caught my attention, the figure disappears atop the building. Sighing, I continue to exit the alley. Whatever trouble may await me in my future it could hold off for now. Right now all I needed was a drink to take my mind off things.