Chapter 7

“Are you okay?” a voice gently asked.

Kory opened her eyes to see the hooded man leaning over her, his face still shrouded in darkness. “I’m fine,” she said, “thanks for asking.”

He nodded and said, “Your friend is doing much better. He was resistant to our help at first, but after he quieted down, we were able to heal his shoulder.”

Kory smiled, and her eyes strayed up to the painting of the young man again. “Who are you?” she asked quietly, almost to herself.

“He’s the Prince of the Darkness Realm,” the hooded man answered.

“Wow,” was all Kory could manage as he chuckled. She smiled at him again, and suddenly she could no longer contain her curiosity. “I can have anything I ask for, right?”

“Anything within reason,” he replied.

“Let me see your face,” Kory said quickly.

The hooded man froze and repeated slowly, “My...face?” Kory nodded and waited for him to remove the hood. “As you wish,” he sighed, reaching for his hood, “I only hope you’re not too disappointed.”

The hood fell away, revealing reddish-brown hair with a white tuft in the front, sad blue eyes, slightly pale skin, and a well-rounded jaw. The young man waited for her comment as she stared at him in silence. Finally, she whispered, “It’s you...the boy from the picture...but you’re...”

“But I’m what?” he asked.

“You’re...beautiful,” she said at last, reaching up to place a hand on his cheek.

He turned away and stood up, avoiding her touch. “You’re very kind,” he said, “but I can’t.”

“Can’t what?” Kory asked. “Can’t be touched? Or won’t be touched...by an alien?” He turned back to her, and she looked away. “I don’t have a disease or anything...I’m just different from humans. Are you really going to hold that against me?” She lowered her head and her shoulders began to shake. It took the young man a few seconds to realize she was crying.

He sat down next to her and took Kory’s hand in his own. “I might hold it against you,” he said, “if I was even human to begin with.”

She looked into his eyes and said, “Then you’re--?” “I’m a mutant. Homo superior. A being gifted--or cursed, as it were--with special talents.”

“What kind of talents?” she asked.

“This kind,” he said, placing a hand on her forehead, his left eye glowing brightly. Kory suddenly felt strange, and a warmth filled her mind. She began to see several scenes, each one disturbing and graphic.

The first showed the young man lying in snow, his blood staining the ground. The next saw the young man in a forest, battling two other mutants. Another showed him, bloody and bruised, facing three mutants in a dark room. Still another depicted him with a dark-skinned girl, while a vampire loomed over them. The last depicted him fleeing silver-suited men, whom Kory recognized as Gauntlet units.* She shuddered at the thought and the images faded away.

The young man squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry if I upset you earlier.”

Kory smiled at him reassuringly. “That’s okay. I’m Kory, by the way. What’s your name?”

“Nate,” he replied, “Nate Grey.”

“Nate, are you always this shy around girls?” she asked, a grin spreading across her face.

Nate lowered his head and said quietly, “Only around the ones that I think are beautiful.” Kory smiled and lifted his chin with her hand. Then she leaned closer, pressing her soft lips gently to his. Nate remained still until she ended the kiss, then quickly moved away, his face now a mask of guilt.

“Nate, what’s wrong?” Kory asked. But he only stared at the floor, his face contorted.

She suddenly wondered if he’d ever been kissed before. “Oh Nate, I’m sorry,” she said, reaching out to him, “I didn’t know.”

“It’s not that, Kory,” he said, taking her hand and sighing wistfully. “I have a girlfriend. Though I must admit, it’s been a long time since I’ve been kissed like that.” His gaze fell upon her face, and Kory immediately felt uncomfortable as she pulled her hand away.

“So...how about giving me a tour of this place?” she asked.

“I’m afraid I can’t,” Nate said, rising to his feet. “I’m leaving tonight, but you and your friend are welcome to stay as long as you want.”

He walked to the door and slid it open before he heard Kory’s voice again. “Will I ever see you again?” she wanted to know.

“That depends,” he said slowly, “do you want to see me again?”

Kory nodded and Nate replied, “Then you will.” He saw a flash of a smile on her face as he closed the door behind him.

*These are some scenes from my past stories. The first scene was shortly after X-treme defeated Nate for the first time. The next scene was a training exercise in the Biosphere. The third scene was during Nate's final exam in the Danger Room. The last two scenes are from the X-Man comic.

“Where is he?” Ariel asked, tapping her foot impatiently.

“I’m sure he’ll be here in a minute or two,” Jackie said.

“Natey better not be backing out,” she warned, “after he promised to take me with him.”

“He’ll be here, Ariel,” Sara assured her.

Ariel just glanced at her watch. “He knows how I worry when he’s late.”

“You shouldn’t,” a voice said from the shadows, “I can take care of myself.”

Ariel jumped as Nate appeared behind her, then sighed in relief. She glared at him and scolded, “Don’t scare me like that!”

“Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself,” he replied.

Ariel’s glare softened as she latched onto his arm and said, “Give me a kiss and I’ll forgive you.” Jackie and Sara snickered when Nate made no move to do so. “Pleeeeease?” Ariel asked, pouting and giving him her sad puppy face look. Nate rolled his eyes, but gave her a peck on the cheek anyway. Ariel sighed and laid her head on his shoulder.

“Is everything in order, Jackie?” Nate asked.

Jackie nodded and said, “Everything, Nate...except your two visitors. What of them?”

“They are welcome to stay as long as they wish. Also, make the sure the girl receives fresh fruit everyday.”

Ariel’s eyes went wide and then narrowed as she quickly asked, “What girl?!” “Never you mind,” Nate replied. “Come now, Ariel, we really should be going.”

Ariel placed her hands on her hips and announced, “ I’m not going anywhere until I get some answers. What girl?” Jackie shook his head and Sara cut Nate a look with her eyes.

Nate finally mumbled, “It doesn’t matter, Ariel; you’re the only girl that matters to me.”

Ariel stared at him in shock for a few seconds. Nate almost didn’t catch her as she then leaped into his arms. “Oh, Natey, you say the sweetest things!” she said, giving him a big kiss on the cheek. “I’m ready when you are.”

“Good, then we’re leaving now,” he replied. Nate closed his eyes as a radiant glow surrounded them both.

“Bye Sara and Jackie!” Ariel shouted, waving to them.

They both nodded as Nate and Ariel gradually disappeared.

Sara turned to Jackie and said, “She’s really gone.”

Jackie looked at her and said, “I know.” They both broke into wide grins as they high-fived each other and yelled, “YES!”