Creatures

“Let’s stop for lunch.” Karen heard Shorty through the speaker several hours later. She was drenched in sweat, had cuts and bruises all over her body and she was pretty sure she was about to collapse.

That man is not human, she thought to herself as she headed out of the room and towards the main house for something to eat. She did not know what had happened to Talon and at this point, she did not care.

“How was your first day of training?” Carrie asked as Karen prepared something to eat after Karen had cleaned up a bit.

“Good.”

“Good. After lunch, you will have classes.” Carrie commented as she helped Karen.

“Classes?”

“Yup. You will be trained for a specific job, oh, and then there is all the information that we have on the different lifeforms that you will come across and how to handle them.” She sat down next to Karen.

“After all that, you will be able to have a go at our library. You will find information on just about anything you can imagine. Finally, after you are done with your classes, there is your combat training.”

“I already did that today.”

“That was your hand to hand combat training. You will also be trained in a type of fighting style that suit you best and compliments Talon’s style.”

“I see... Will I really have a job when I am done with my initial training?”

“Yup.”

“Do you have a job?”

“Yup, but I took the week off to help you get settled. Everyone else has headed back to work but Talon and I. We will go back soon though.”

“So that is where everyone went this morning?”

“Yup. Well except for Evan and Emerald. They are still in high school.”

“What does everyone do?” Karen asked as she ate her sandwich.

“Let’s see... I work in an advertising agency and Michael works for a company downtown as the CEO. I believe that Lily is an art professor at the local college and Eric is the CEO of the local shopping complex. All of us are in a position where it is easy to take trips or time off so we can fight at a moments notice and all of us travel quite a bit with our jobs as it is. We will be here for a bit, but you will see. We will all be shipped off again once you have passed your initial training and can fight.”

“What does Talon do?” Karen asked, trying to sound nonchalant. It did not work. She could have sworn she had been told the answer to this question before, however, she could not remember it at the moment.

Carrie smiled as she leaned against the counter, “He is the local high school’s science teacher.”

“Wow. Is he good?”

“I would assume.”

“I guess everyone has to work, uh?”

“We did not at first,” Carrie commented. “At first we just fought, but we soon found out that we had too much time on our hands between fights and we needed to feel like we were somewhat normal, so we found jobs that worked. Once a month though, we volunteer our time to help out around the town. Granted, no one realizes who and what we really are or do. All they know is that this is an apartment house that very few people can get into because the owner has to like you.”

Karen finished her sandwich and took her plate to the sink.

“Your tutors are in the library when you are ready.” Carrie waved as she headed out the door.

“Thank you. Would it be all right if I cooked dinner while I am here? At least, until I get a job myself?” Karen asked as an afterthought. She wanted to do something to pull her weight.

Carrie gave her a smile. “We would love to have you cook. As long as you do not mind it.”

“Thank you. When do you normally eat dinner?”

“6:30.”

“All right. I will see you later.”

Carrie noticed that Karen seemed more confident and relaxed today. Good, she thought. She was getting comfortable here. Now if they could only make Talon not upset her, things just might work out for everyone.

Over the next couple of days and weeks, Karen found her rhythm and a new routine that worked for her. She cooked breakfast for everyone in the house, well except for Talon. Next came the combat training with Shorty and that rounded out her morning.

She would have lunch, tutoring in various things for a couple of hours, hand to hand combat with a martial arts expert and then she was given a few hours for study and free time, though she did not have much to do at the moment.

Her belongs finally arrived and she spent some time arranging her suite to her satisfaction, but she was lonely and stressed and wished to that she could have had her piano sent as well. As the time went by, she saw little of the rest of the people that lived in the house and even less of Talon.

The rest of the household would come bounding into her quietly cooking supper. After supper, she would retire to her room to pace restlessly. She spent most of her time alone and avoided contact with everyone.

After a few weeks there, Karen woke one morning to a knock at her door.

“Karen? Are you all right?” Evan hollered threw the door. Karen quickly pulled a robe on and opened the door.

“What is wrong?” She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and pulled a hand through her hair. She had been up late last night working on her computer and she was tired this morning.

“Ummm...” Evan just stared.

Karen glanced down and realized that her robe was open, revealing the tiny tank top and silk pajama bottoms with no bra that she wore to bed. She pulled the robe closed and Evan flushed, looking away.

“Ummm, are you all right?” He asked again.

“Yes. Why?”

“Well... You are not in the kitchen making breakfast so we thought...”

“What? Is it that late already?” she glanced at the clock. “I am sorry. I was up late and must have forgotten to set the alarm. Give me five minutes and I will be down.” She headed to the bedroom to grab a quick shower and a change of clothes.

“Take your time,” Evan called after her. “Lily has it under control.”

He stepped into the room and looked around. He had never been in her room. He crossed over to the desk that was overlooking the garden, enjoying the view while he waited. His gaze dropped to the computer and he realized that it was still on. He did not mean too, really, but he bumped the table and the computer screen came to life.

Karen came out to the sitting room to find Evan at her computer.

“What are you doing?” She asked coming closer.

Evan jumped away from the desk. “I am sorry. I bumped the desk and it just turned on. I did not mean to read it, but it was so interesting... Did you write it? Are you a writer?”

“No,” Karen replied, closing out of her journal. “I just have too many thoughts running through my head and I find that if I write them out, it is easier for me to concentrate on what is in front of me.”

“You should write for real. It is really good. Could I read more of it?”

Karen looked away. “I do not know. I will think about it. It is not meant for others to see.”

Evan noted her discomfort. “All right.” Evan nodded, “Are you ready?”

“Sure.”

“Hey, Karen, What did you do before coming here?” Evan asked as they headed for the kitchen. Karen could hear the voices getting louder and she really just wanted to turn around and go back to her room. Why was she feeling this way?

“I taught music for a small high school in America.”

“Really? What can you play? Can you play more than one instrument? Can you teach me to play drums?” Karen had never seen him this excited or talk this much to her and she could only stare at him.

“Evan. Chill child.” Karen smiled at him, glad that he was so happy about something, but wishing that it was not focused on her.

He was, along with everyone in the house, nice and she knew that they were trying to help her, but everyone had their own lives and routines and partners and she had, well... she had Talon and a handful of times in the past month that he had even been in her presence, let alone communicated with her on any level. She did know that he was around though because she could feel him through their bond, but she had no idea where he was and if he was even that close.

“Hey, Ms. Karen? Can I ask you a question?”

“Shoot.”

“Well... Does Talon talk to you?”

“Nope.” Karen was quick to answer. “I have seen him rarely and it is usually just in passing, Why?”

Evan looked away. “I was just wondering. I just cannot figure out how he is doing it.” Evan muttered to himself.

“Doing what?”

“Well...” Evan took a breath. “Even though Emerald and I cannot stand each other, it becomes painful if we do not spend time together. We have to see and interact with each other every day or else we get a bit cranky and a little crazy.”

Karen looked up at the young man before her. Cranky? Restless? Could this be her problem?

“I see... I do not think that Talon and I are like that. I have not even seen Talon for the last two or three days. Although...”

“Yes?”

“Well, I do not know if this makes sense or not, but I can feel his presence near quite a bit. I was told that is normal between partners though, so I am sure that is not the same.” If what Evan was saying, it would explain her crankiness of late. What was Talon doing anyway?

“I do not know.” Evan thought out loud. “Usually you only feel their presence if they are quite close until your bond is stronger. Hmm... I wonder... If that is the way it is supposed to be, that would mean that...”

“Either we have a very unusual bond, to begin with, or he has been near, but not seen every day.” Karen finished for him.

Evan nodded in agreement.

“I see.” Karen opened the kitchen door and went through. “My apologies. I forgot to set the alarm.” She told the room, changing the subject abruptly.

“Did you know that Ms. Karen can play instruments. Lots of them.” Evan spoke up from behind her.

“Really?” Emerald jumped up and lead Karen to the empty seat next to her.

“Can you really? Will you teach me an instrument? I always wanted to play the piano. Can you play the piano? Will you teach me? Please.”

It’s Deja vue all over again, Karen thought to herself.

“Leave her be Emerald,” Carrie spoke up. “Do not pester her now.”

She turned to Karen, “Do not worry honey, you have been cooking every day. You could use the break.”

“Did you know that she can write as well?” Evan continued as he sat down and started to eat. “She is writing this really great story...”

“Enough Evan.”

Everyone stopped and looked at Karen in surprised. They had never heard her speak in such a harsh tone, she was always polite. Karen noticed their stares and blushed, looking down at her hands.

“I am sorry.” Evan immediately apologized immediately.

“No. That was my fault. I did not mean to be so harsh. I just do not share my writing. If you will excuse me... I am not all that hungry this morning. Have a good day.” She stood to leave the room.

Michael came over and put his hands on her shoulders, stopping her retreat.

“He meant no harm. You have to understand, we just want to know more about you. Please sit and eat with us.”

Michael asked her. “You and Talon are quite alike in the fact that you do not seem to want to share meals or information with us.”

Karen felt herself blush. “I am sorry. I am not good with adults. I only know how to relate to kids and music.”

Eric patted her hand as she sat back down.

“It is all right. We can be a bit intimidating. We have been here so long without others we can make them uncomfortable without even knowing it and it has been a long time since we have had anyone new.”

“You have such a wonderful family here,” Karen commented.

“And you are part of it. Do not ever forget that.” Emerald chimed in.

“We absolutely adore you. Please do not keep pushing us away.” She pleaded.

“Emerald!” Lily reprimanded her.

“Well, you said it yourself, she has been keeping her distance from us and I do not like it one bit.”

“Emerald, that is enough.” Eric stopped her prattle.

“No. Do not yell at her.” Karen stepped in. “She is right. I am afraid that I have been keeping myself apart from you. I am sorry. I did not wish to interrupt your lives. I will try to be better about it.” She decided it was time to change the subject.

“May I have the orange juice please?”

Talon stood in the doorway, watching the exchange. He had followed Evan and Karen down and had watched them interact, wishing that he could be a part of it, but knowing that it was not possible for him as he was now.

He watched as Karen and the others fell into an easy conversation, but he noticed that Karen was still tense. She may have taken the first step, but there was still a long way to go before she would be secure. He grabbed a glass of juice from the bar and headed out of the room. He should not be worrying about her.

Karen glanced over her shoulder to see Talon leave the room. She let out a mental sigh and wondered if what Evan had told her was the truth. Had he really been that close to her these past couples of weeks to ease the pain of separation and if so, why had he not come closer? Did he not want to have anything to do with her that much? If they were to be partners, would it not be better to be on good terms rather then bad?

“If you will excuse me. I have training.” Karen cleaned her plate.

“You do not have to do it seven days a week you know,” Eric spoke from behind the paper he was reading.

“I know, but if I want to make sure that I am not a hindrance in a battle for Talon, I need to be as experienced as possible, as quickly as possible.”

“Have the two of you practiced together yet?” Lily asked.

“No.”

The rest of them exchanged glances at her answer.

“Do not worry, honey, you soon will. Talon may be stubborn, but even he knows that the two of you need to work together. Give him time, he will come around.”

Karen nodded and left the room. As she walked towards the combat building she felt Talon’s presence approach and he then appeared around the bend and joined her, saying nothing as they made their way into the combat room.

“Are you ready Ms. Karen?” Shorty came out from behind a stack of books. “Oh, Mr. Talon, will you be joining us today?”

“Why else would I be here?” Was his reply.

He had not come with her since the second day of her arrival and he had not stuck around to watch that one. He usually hung out in the next room working on his hand to hand fighting while she trained with Shorty.

“Well then, just let me change up the programs and we will get started.”

“By all means, do not change them for me. I will just follow her lead and see what she has managed to learn in the past couple of weeks.”

“Oh no. I will be changing it.” Shorty insisted as he turned to his computer and started typing away. Talon caught his hand and squeezed it, hard. “Why?”

“Leave him alone you big brute. He did it at my request.” She turned to Shorty. “Leave it. He can see for himself what we did since he would not come himself.”

“Oh?” Talon turned to look at her. “Explain.”

Karen gave him a withering look before explaining what they had done. Her patience seemed to have run out and she was more than happy to take it out on him since it seemed that he was the cause of most of her irritation.

“I asked him to put in a version of you so that I could get used to having a partner. I did not wish to be put out on the field with you and not have a clue how you fight. So Shorty put you in. At least a version of you that I can keep up with.” She nodded to Shorty.

“That is what he says anyway. That is why he wished to change the program. It will be hard to do it with you in there as well.” Karen refused to flinch from his gaze. It was his fault after all, for making her stoop so low as he would not come himself.

“You used a version of me? How?”

“That was easy. I just used the same program that I use to make the other beings and then put in your basic fighting style so that Ms. Karen could get an idea of how you would fight and how to interact with you during a battle. Of course, I played down all of your... abilities, so that she would not get used to relying on you.

“So you made me an idiot?”

“More or less.” Shorty agreed wholeheartedly.

“But it was at Ms. Karen’s request.” He added as Talon stalked back towards him. “I told you, she did not want to rely on you, but wanted the experience of having a partner.”

“Leave him be.” Karen moved towards the door. “If you are going to train with me, then let’s get this started, otherwise go back from where ever you came from and leave me in peace.” Karen started to mentally prepare herself as she entered the large combat room.

Talon followed her in. He had avoided her for the last month so he was curious to see how this went. He had no idea that she was using a stand-in for him and he felt a bit of satisfaction at the thought that she cared that much about them to go so far.

“Ready?”

Both nodded.

“How are they doing? I heard that he appeared today. Are they any good?” Emerald asked as she burst into the room.

Shorty had called over to the house as soon as they had entered the room and told everyone to get over there and watch.

“Not bad,” Shorty commented from where he was typing away on the computer.

“He yells, she listens and they fight. I do not know how she puts up with his mouth. He is quite rude to her and his attitude is even more horrible, but it does not seem to be upsetting or distracting her at all.”

“What?” Eric peered into the room and listened for a moment.

“That does not bother her? How in the hell would that not bother her?”

“You idiotic ninny!” Talon hollered out as Karen miscalculated and missed her mark, throughout the entire combo.

“Can you do nothing right, moron. Move to your left... now!” Karen moved and Talon stepped in and finished off the being before turning back to his own and finishing that one as well.

They disappeared and two more took their place.

“Let’s try this again and to it right this time, you airheaded bimbo.”

Karen dodged the first move as she was supposed to, but was not fast enough and her shoulder was nicked in the process.

“Can you not move any faster? You are going to get yourself killed and I will not be held responsible because my partner is an emptyheaded bird brain that cannot even remember a simple sequence of moves that she needs to stay alive! Damn it woman1 Open your ears and listen to what I am saying and then do it right.”

They listened to him berate her for the next twenty minutes, wincing when his language got quite foul, but it did not seem to phase her. She took it all in stride and tried to correct her mistakes.

“She is really good for someone that started out with no experience. Talon needs to ease up a bit.” Michael commented. “How often has she been practicing?”

“I figure, if you count the hand to hand training as well, an average of 6-7 hours a day, seven days a week, give or take an hour or two.”

Everyone just stared at him and Shorty shrugged. “She is bound and determined to make sure that she does not hinder Talon or get him killed protecting her.”

“I am amazed,” Evan commented. “If she can keep up with Talon right now and make the corrections he is firing at her, they will be unstoppable by the time she finishes her training.”

“I know.” Emerald agreed with him. “I mean, you can already see her natural abilities coming through. Look at...”

“We get it honey and we are thinking the same thing.” Lily interrupted her.

There was no good way to explain what they were witnessing. Even though Karen was still a beginner, her and Talon were already syncing up moves and her ability to make corrections so quickly was beyond words. Talon only needed to say it once and it was done. Though, if you listened to him, you would think that he had to tell her a hundred times before she got it.

“I wish he would lay off a bit. He is out of line.” Emerald commented after another bout of especially harsh language filtered through the speaker system.

The others nodded their agreement.

“Hey, Shorty?” Evan asked, “Did they ever find Karen’s power core? I know that they had been having a hard time locating it.”

“They have not.”

“What?” Michael frowned.

“They could not find her power core and they have no idea where it is located. It does not show up in any of the scans.” Shorty repeated, slowing down his speech.

Micahel sent him a glare.

“How strange.” He commented dryly

“Does she know?” He asked.

“Yup. When I told her, she just nodded and went back to training. But I will tell you this.” He added. “I think she knows where it is and I also think she has been adjusting it.”

“How do you adjust your power core? It is not a possibility.” Eric commented.

“I do not know, but there are days when she has tremendous power, but cannot control it well and there are other days when her power is diminished, but she has perfect control. You explain that to me.”

“Ummm, Interesting.” Karen looked down to where the two were still fighting and Talon was still hollering out directions. “Today?”

“Less power but more control.”

“Enough Shorty.” Talon barked out after two hours of continual fighting. He turned to Karen. “Why did you not snap back at me?” He had been trying to push her buttons the entire session.

Karen looked at him “Were you trying to get me to snap back?”

Talon shrugged, “I figured that you would have soon or later. I expected that you would have cracked under the language I was using.” He retaliated.

Karen returned his shrug with one of her own. “You are the better fighter. I need to make sure that I do not hinder you in a fight. The only way I will be able to do that is if I listen to what you say and make the proper adjustments.... you are not the same as your clone.” She replied as she allowed her weapons to return to her wrists.

“Do not put them away.” Talon turned away from her. “Come, we will continue with your training.”

“Huh?” Karen drew her weapons as Talon attacked her without warning. He started with the basics that she would have become familiar with and kept going until she could no longer keep up with him.

The others watched from upstairs, enthralled at the battle below them.

Evan let out a low whistle. “And we are sure that she was a complete novice when she came, yes?”

Michael nodded at his statement. “She knew nothing.”

“Damn.” Carrie finally commented. “She just might pass Talon one day.”

“Stop!” Karen finally begged. “I do not know how to counter that!”

Talon stopped and stood up and away from where he had pinned her to the ground with his last attack.

“Stand I will teach it to you now.”

Another hour went by as Talon taught her more and more. He showed her where her weaknesses were and what to do to correct them. She found him to be a very patient teacher as long as she focused and listened to his words. Completely different from the way he had been during the battle. However, when she did make a mistake, he was quick to degrade her for her stupidity. Finally, he let her go, feeling that she had learned enough for the day.

“Lunchtime and then studies for you I believe.” He turned and started to leave the room when Karen stopped him.

“Thank you for training with me.” She took a breath, “But I have something to say to you.”

Talon turned to face her. Karen walked up to him and looked him square in the eyes, well aware of the fact that she could not intimidate him, but she would say her mind to him regardless of how much he frightened her or what he did to her afterward.

“You are very, very good at what you do and you can be very patient when you choose to be, but to degrade someone for their mistakes and making them feel like they are inferior to you is not acceptable and I will not allow you to continue using them on ME.”

She was on a roll now.

“If you wish to correct me that is fine, but you will not treat me like an imbecile that needs their ass wiped and if you do, I will stick my blade through your dick and slice it completely off. Have a nice day, dumbass.”

She left him standing there with his jaw hanging open.

Talon did not know how to react to her little speech. No one had ever spoken to him like that. At least, no one had ever survived after speaking to him like that, let alone look him square in the eyes as they said it.

He was impressed, no not impressed, secretly ecstatic, to realize that there really was a person on the planet that he could not intimidate. It made him realize why he had stayed so close to her and felt calmer in her presence. She was the first person who showed no fear of him.

From their first meeting, she had been unaffected by his attitude and not afraid to be alone with him. Everyone else had backed off and feared him in the beginning.

Just maybe... He shook his head, no, it would not be a good thing for him to go down that road. Just because she was not afraid to stand up to him did not mean that she was not afraid of him or that there was any more to read about the situation. But still... he could feel a very small ray of hope start to rise in his body, no matter how hard he tried to stamp it out.

“You have a good partner there, do not mess it up,” Michael commented when Talon stepped out of the room.

“I know.”

“I cannot believe that she did not slap you across the face for the way you treated her. “Eric mused, “Though I must say she did tell you off pretty good in the end. Come to think of it, I do not think that I have ever seen that side of her. She really is quite beautiful, but you do not notice it because she is so quiet and sweet-tempered, but when she gets riled up...”

“What do you think Michael?” Lily interrupted Eric’s little speech.

“I think that we just saw the real Karen and she will be a force to be reconned with. She will do you proud if you let her.” He commented to Talon.

Talon nodded, not quite believing that he was having this conversation with them. “I do believe she shall.”

The two men exchanged a glance behind Talon's back. Talon rarely talked to anyone and they wondered if Karen was finally opening him up. He had stopped glaring at everyone and had even started to speak to others without growling at them and now... he was making progress.

“So, Talon, what are your plans for the rest of the day? We took the day off.” Evan asked him.

Talon looked at him in surprise.

“I, I do not know.” He mumbled, looking away.

“Will you spar with me after lunch? I want to learn the move that you taught Karen earlier.” Evan spoke eagerly.

“Would you mind teaching me as well?” Eric added and Michael agreed, adding, “It would be a good move to learn and you are by far a much better fighter then we are. What do you say? Will you teach us? We would love to have a bit of help from you if you are willing.”

Talon stared at the three men in front of him. He had not realized that he might have something that he could teach them. He thought about it for a few seconds.

“All right.” He nodded once.

“Yes!” Evan jumped up and headed towards the door. “Come on, let's eat. I cannot wait...”

Michael and Eric shared a grin and slapped Talon on the back, dragging him with them as they shook their heads and laughed at Evan’s enthusiasm.

“He has been wanting to train with you for two years now. You just made his year.”

They stopped when they realized that Talon had stopped moving.

“Well? Come on.”

“Uh?”

Michael stepped up behind him and pushed him forward.

“You do not have to eat with us, but at least get some food in your system before we start. We are not going to go easy on you and now that you have agreed, we will not stop until we are satisfied. So... let’s go eat.”

Talon allowed them to drag him towards the house. He would not show it, but he found himself suddenly happy to have them force him to come with them. Maybe he could be a part of their family yet.