Renegade Rupture

by J. C. Fiske

  “Heyyy,” Kennis said. Niffin and Anaka both smiled at Kennis’s arrival and then looked puzzled by who she was with.

  “Wait . . . Gisbo? Really?” Anaka asked.

  “Yup, really,” Kennis said.

  “Hey . . . Anaka, listen, I . . .” Gisbo started.

  “Oh, save it. It’s really ok. What happened between us, or lack thereof, was years ago. It’s really ok. This won’t be an awkward night, especially because we can drink wine now!” Anaka said, smiling, holding up a near empty glass, brandishing rosey cheeks.

  “If Shaved would get back . . .” Niffin said.

  “Oh, right! Shaved said he had to go somewhere with Grandfield. There was kind of an emergency and . . . oof,” Gisbo stammered as Kennis elbowed him.

  “Oh, sorry! Are you ok? Oh, yeah, we just ran into Shaved and Grandfield. They said they’d be right back,” Kennis said.

  “They did? Did they say where?” Niffin asked.

  “Nope, just told us to pass along the message,” Kennis said.

  “Hmph, that’s weird. Boys don’t usually go to the bathroom together, do they?” Anaka asked, looking up at Gisbo.

  “That’s a negative,” Gisbo said.

  “Hm,” Anaka said.

  “So, have you guys danced yet?” Kennis asked.

  “No, the boys said they needed some punch first; they’re too scared. What is it with boys not wanting to dance?” Anaka asked.

  “Not all boys apparently . . .” Gisbo said as he looked across at the dance floor to see Knob dancing and combining a variety of different styles into one extended, fluid motion . . . by himself.

  They all laughed.

  “Well, at least he’s having a good time. Somebody should go dance with the poor kid at least,” Anaka said.

  “Yeah, someone, just not me,” Kennis said.

  “Or me,” Niffin said.

  “You girls are terrible,” Gisbo said.

  “Fine, I’ll go,” Anaka said.

  “Just be careful! Keep at least three feet apart in case he gets handsy,” Kennis said. Anaka made a motion to her lackluster bosom area.

  “Not much to be handsy on, I’m afraid. You’re the one who should be worried, girl,” Anaka said, smiling. Kennis smiled weakly as Anaka went to go join Knob.

  “What’s taking those boys so long?” Niffin asked.

  “Who knows? Hey, who else is sitting here?” Gisbo asked.

  “Some girl and boy. I don’t know their names. They got up a little while ago. The girl was crying about something and the boy was doing all he could to comfort her, but she just got up and the boy followed. It was really weird,” Niffin said.

  “Hm,” Gisbo said. “Well, Miss Kennis, can I get you anything? I . . .”

  Gisbo suddenly froze mid-sentence as Malik Strife arrived at his table, hand in hand with Nina, standing behind the empty chairs.

  Chapter Eight: Dinner and a Fight

  “What, what the hell is this?” Gisbo shouted. Immediately, Nina dropped Malik’s hand and Malik turned a deep shade of red.

  “Gisbo, it’s not what it looks like!” Nina said.

  “It, it isn’t?” Malik asked, looking beside himself.

  “Wait a minute, what about you! Who’s this!?” Nina asked, motioning toward Kennis.

  “Gisbo, what’s going on?” Kennis asked.

  “I’ll tell you what’s going on. I’m gonna paint this guy’s outsides with his insides, right here, right now,” Gisbo said as he rose out of his seat.

  “Gisbo! Gisbo, wait!” Nina said. Gisbo expected Malik to smile that awful, creepy grin, but there was only a deep seated sadness, like looking into a lost boy’s eyes. It was so unexpected that Gisbo froze where he stood. Gisbo almost didn’t recognize the person before him.

  “Gisbo, let me talk to you, in private,” Nina said.

  “No, anything that needs to be said can be said right here!” Gisbo said. “I couldn’t care less that you’re dating someone else, as far as I’m concerned we’re done and buried, but why, why HIM!?”

  “Gisbo, come with me,” Nina said. She grabbed Gisbo by the arm and shuffled him away from the crowd to a quiet spot.

  “Nina, how . . .” Gisbo started.

  “No! You know what? I’m done crying over you! I’ve tried my hardest to gain your acceptance and I get nothing! I don’t get an ounce of romance out of you, not a kiss or a hug. Nothing! You don’t even want to hang out with me! I have no one here, Gisbo, nobody in this world besides you! And . . . Malik,” Nina said.

  “He’s evil, Nina! He’s utter bad news!” Gisbo said.

  “No, he’s not! He’s just had a troubled past, like you, like me. When I’m with him, he’s not like he usually is! He’s calm, gentle, compassionate. When I left him, or rather, when he was pulled from me, he fell apart. He, he hears things, sees things, voices, people that talk to him in the night,” Nina said.

  So do you, the voice said.

  “He just needs help! And, well, listen! I don’t have to apologize for anything! You are with someone else too! I see the lipstick on you! How could you, how could you just move on so quickly? After what we’ve been through, after what I’ve seen. I just figured this was a minor setback, we, I know we belong together, like my dreams say we do,” Nina said, tears streaming down her face.

  “You and your mom have something in common,” Gisbo said.

  “What?” Nina asked.

  “You’re both nuts,” Gisbo said as he stalked off.

  “Gisbo! Wait! Why? Why are you mad at me? What did I do? Why are you so mean to me?” Nina asked. “It’s not just Malik! You’ve been like this since we came back! It’s that horrible Drakeness! Please, Gisbo, let’s just forget about this. I . . . I love you!” Nina said. She did her best to fight the tears, but they came as she ran and hugged Gisbo from behind. Gisbo stood there, feeling absolutely torn inside, and turned around to face her.

  “Please, don’t be mean to me . . . I did nothing wrong. I don’t understand this. Please, just tell me what I need to do? Please, don’t push me away. I’ll do anything!” Nina said. Suddenly, Gisbo had a moment of clarity.

  “Nina, I’m, I’m so sorry, I don’t understand why I’m so on edge lately. I don’t mean to get upset with you or push you away, but I . . .” Gisbo started, thinking of Fao’s warning and what had happened the last time he disobeyed. He thought of how he felt with Kennis compared to her. He told her a final lie, one that she believed and would bring to the grave, and again felt his blood boil at Nina’s touch, as if it were acidic to him.

  “I don’t love you,” Gisbo said. The words fell off his lips easier than he had thought they would, which scared him. With that, he walked back into the commons, listening to Nina’s sobs, and felt a part of his own heart break for her as he put one foot in front of the other and stuffed down his pain and guilt.

  Upon making it back to his seat, he sat down next to Kennis. Everyone else had returned to the table, all sitting awkwardly, but at least Malik was gone.

  “What was that all about? Are you ok?” Kennis asked.

  “No,” Gisbo said.

  “Why did you break up, if you don’t mind me asking?” Kennis asked.

  “To be honest, I don’t know,” Gisbo said. “But let’s talk about something else. All cleaned up, Grandfield?” Gisbo asked. Grandfield suddenly put down his drink and gave Gisbo absolute dagger eyes. Gisbo clambered his hands over his mouth.

  “Cleaned up from what?” Anaka asked.

  At that point, the dancing stopped, as well as the music, and Chieftain Narroway took to the staging area.

  Saved! Thanks, Narroway, Gisbo thought, and he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. Gisbo turned around, only to be met by a massive strike to the side of his face. Gisbo felt his neck jerk to one side and felt something pull, then crack. The punch was so forceful, it tipped Gisbo right out of the side of his chair and onto the unforgiving floor.

  Out of instinct, Gisbo rolled and lifted his foot into the
air, along with his fists, to see Malik Strife standing over him. No longer were the lost boy’s eyes present. The Malik he recognized, he knew, was back.

  “Get up! This has been a long time coming,” Malik snarled.

  Narroway stopped mid-speech as Gisbo stood to his feet and wiped a stream of blood from the corner of his mouth. All eyes were now on the two of them, but Gisbo was too angry to notice.

  “Bring it on, BITCH!” Gisbo yelled as he charged forward in a diving tackle, picking up Malik and spearing him into a Strife table, scattering food and silverware. Gisbo pinned Malik atop the table and got in one shot above Malik’s right eye, raised his hand to strike again, but a Strife grabbed him and threw him to the ground. The whole table got up, ready to pounce on Gisbo, as several Renegades stood up to defend their own.

  “ENOUGH!” Narroway shouted in a thunderous tone Gisbo had never heard before, appearing before them both. Both sides froze and Narroway grabbed Gisbo by the arm and pulled him close enough to whisper.

  “Do you not understand what your actions could start? One spark, just one, and an all out war could happen right here, right now. The Strifes will rise up to defend Malik, and the Renegades you. Be patient, use control, keep the peace a little longer. Please,” Narroway said.

  “I . . . Fine,” Gisbo said. Narroway then rose up to full height and spoke to the group.

  “Now, I don’t care what this is about or why. There will be plenty of time to beat each other senseless in the coming days, but that time is not now, understood?”

  “Do not order my men around,” Chieftain Lamik said, appearing beside Narroway. Narroway glared at Lamik dangerously.

  “For the sake of peace, I shall refrain from doing so again. My apologies,” Narroway said. “Now, let us all return to our seats. I’ll make my announcement brief.”

  Gisbo eyed Malik, seething with rage, chest raising and falling.

  “Don’t talk to her again. Don’t even look at her,” Malik said.

  Gisbo just glared at him and ignored the comment as he returned to his seat, and Narroway returned to the staging area.

  “I have come to my decision regarding the first event. We will start with the Aquarian event,” Narroway started. “From this moment, all of you will prepare for Elekai’ Sumo!”

  “YES!” Grandfield cheered, rising out of his chair. When he realized he was the only one, he quickly sat back down.

  “You have one week to prepare. The team winner of the Event will choose one of their fighters to represent their team in the Battle Royal. Now, enjoy the night’s festivities, and good luck to you all,” Narroway said as he stepped down from the staging. As soon as the announcement ended, Malik rose out of his seat and left the table without a look back.

  “Ok, what was that all about?” Kennis asked.

  “You wanted to know who beat up Kinny? That was him,” Gisbo said. Kennis looked at Malik and her mouth dropped open.

  “Are you ok?” Kennis asked.

  “Fine,” Gisbo said.

  “So, what set him off like that? Other than you just being you,” Grandfield asked.

  “I’d rather not talk about it,” Gisbo said.

  “It’s about Nina, isn’t it?” Grandfield asked.

  “I’m going for a walk,” Gisbo said as he rose out of his seat and walked away with his hands in his pockets.

  “Gisbo, wait,” Kennis said as she caught up with him. “Talk to me; what was all that about?”

  “It’s a long story,” Gisbo said.

  “I’ve got time,” Kennis said.

  “Kennis . . . please, just,” Gisbo started when Knob ran up to them, his face pale.

  “Gisbo, um, we’re in huge trouble,” Knob said.

  “Huh?” Gisbo asked.

  “Follow me, quick,” Knob said.

  “But . . .” Gisbo started.

  “NOW!” Knob yelled as he ran off into the woods.

  “Jeesh, how could this night get any worse?” Gisbo asked as he and Kennis followed Knob back to where they had stashed the Zookoos and halted, trying to take the scene in.

  “I came to check on them, and I just found it lying here,” Crass said, bending down next to the Zookoo Kennis and Gisbo rode. The creature’s feathers were still sparkling white, but beneath it, a thick blackness was spreading throughout its feathers.

  “Is it . . . dead?” Kennis started.

  “Yes,” Crass said.

  “But that’s, that’s impossible! We just rode it here! It was fine, it . . .” Kennis said.

  “Now I know why these things are endangered. They meld with their rider. This bird, it melded with me, my soul, and couldn’t accept what was in there. I . . . I did this,” Gisbo said, his voice trembling.

  “Gisbo, stop such crazy talk. There’s nothing here that you did, they just . . .” Crass started. Gisbo removed his bandana, revealing the black Drakeness mark to Knob and Crass. Both of them stared, horrified, at the black, dripping mark that glistened in the moonlight.

  “Gisbo . . .” Knob stammered.

  “How . . .” Crass said.

  “When Rolce and I broke off from the group to fight Narsissa, I ran out of essence. I was desperate, and I used the vial on myself,” Gisbo said.

  “Why, why the hell would you do that?” Knob asked.

  “To save us. He injected himself to use the power to save us,” Crass said, his head lowered.

  “I couldn’t even use it. I lost faith in everyone; I resorted to something desperate,” Gisbo said.

  “You had no choice . . .” Kennis said.

  “Yes, I did, and because of that choice, well, just look,” Gisbo said.

  “What are we going to tell the Naforians?” Knob asked.

  “I’ll talk to them,” Crass said.

  “You don’t need to do this alone,” Gisbo said. “It was my idea. I’m the one that killed it in the first place,”

  “It’d probably be better if I handled this, no offense,” Crass said.

  “No, I . . .” Gisbo said.

  “Too late, pal,” Crass said as he hopped atop a Zookoo and looked at Knob.

  “I never said I’m going by myself. Go get yours; you’re coming with me,” Crass said.

  “But, but I . . .” Knob said. “What are you going to tell Chieftain Molder?”

  “I’ll think up something on the way,” Crass said. “And Gisbo, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize to me, please,” Gisbo said, but Crass and Knob were already gone, leaving the dead Zookoo behind. Gisbo ignited his ring, set the fallen bird’s body afire and watched it waste away to nothing more than a black smudge upon the earth.

  “Forgive me if I don’t feel much like dancing,” Gisbo said as he slumped to the ground. Kennis sat beside him.

  “It’s not your fault,” Kennis said.

  “Um, yes, it is,” Gisbo snapped. He reached up and rubbed at his jaw and open and closed it, feeling it pop along the sides. “Damn that guy.”

  “Come on,” Kennis said, grabbing Gisbo by the hand.

  “What? Where are we going?” Gisbo asked.

  “You promised me a dance,” Kennis said.

  “Kennis . . .” Gisbo said.

  “No excuses, get your butt up, you can sulk later,” Kennis said.

  “But I’ve never danced before and frankly, I’ve never wanted to,” Gisbo said.

  “Too bad,” Kennis said, leading him by the hand through the forest, and before they knew it, they were out on the dance floor. Kennis lead as they slowly paced about, hand in hand, as Kennis leaned against Gisbo and settled her head under his neck.

  “See, this isn’t so bad,” Kennis said.

  “Just don’t go any faster, please,” Gisbo said. She looked up and the moonlight caught her blue eyes perfectly, making them sparkle, and a huge smile stretched across her face. It was contagious. Gisbo felt himself smile too.

  “Shouldn’t we, I dunno . . . I mean, after what just happened . . .” Gisbo started and Kennis raise
d a finger and put it on his lip, shushing him.

  “When something awful happens, you have two choices: sulk about it or forget about it. Either way, you need to move on. No time like the present, am I right?” Kennis said. Gisbo looked at her and found himself smiling again.

  “You’re right,” Gisbo said.

  “I know,” Kennis said.

  “Why me?” Gisbo asked.

  “Excuse me?” Kennis asked.

  “Why, why ask me? Out of every guy in Heaven’s Shelter, what have I done to deserve a girl like you?” Gisbo asked. Kennis blushed and was quiet for a moment before answering.

  “When I first met you, I thought you were just a loud mouthed moron,” Kennis said.

  “Fair enough,” Gisbo said.

  “And then I got to know you, actually talked with you,” Kennis said.

  “Yeah?” Gisbo asked.

  “And I still thought you were a loud mouthed moron,” Kennis said.

  “Gee, thanks,” Gisbo said.

  “But there was so much more behind that. When you hit me with your Boon ability during that war, I . . . I felt you,” Kennis said.

  “You did? Well, that’s embarrassing,” Gisbo said.

  “No, it’s not. A lot goes on behind your surface, that wall you throw up. I realized you act that way, because inside, you’re deeply emotional, very deep. You truly, utterly care about people, so much so, that you wear that loudmouthed dumbass personality to cope. I understand why you act that way, but around me, Gisbo, you can be yourself. You can talk with me. I went through caring for my brother with the Drakeness. I couldn’t save him, and well . . .” Kennis started.

  “So you’re trying to save me because you couldn’t save your brother? Kennis, I . . .” Gisbo started.

  “No, not at all. I like you, ok? I’m alone, you’re alone. Why can’t a girl and a guy fix that? Together?” Kennis asked.

  “But there are plenty of lonely guys; why me? I just don’t understand you. Do you know what all the guys say? Do you understand how beautiful you are? You are a catch and I, I just . . .” Gisbo started.

  And that’s when Kennis leaned in and kissed him deeply. Gisbo saw white sparkles before his eyes closed. When they finally pulled away from each other, Gisbo felt his breath leave him and he didn’t care.