PREDATOR

chapter twelve

Miles kept his expression calm, but inside, a storm was raging.

Maya stared back at him with narrowed eyes.b"What exactly do you want, Miles?" she asked.

The table fell silent.

Everyone knew Miles does not pick up a fight except it was absolutely necessary.

Like Kyle's power that was stolen. The whole school wouldn't stop buzzing about it.

"I just wanted to have lunch," Miles replied.

One of Maya's friends snorted. "With us?"

"Why not?" Miles asked.

"Because nobody sits here."

Miles looked around the table dramatically. "Funny. I see plenty of empty seats."

A few students nearby laughed.

Maya's friends exchanged surprised glances.bThis wasn't the Miles they knew.

The old Miles never bothered anyone. He was dangerous but in a charming way.

Maya leaned back in her chair."What changed?"

Miles smiled.b"A lot of things."

[ System analysis going on ]

[ Power ; Water bending ]

Miles nearly laughed. He stared at Maya for a while. He slowly understand why he never fitted in.

This school was meant for the powerful and not a weakling like him.

Jack Voss had power, Henry had power, Kyle had power and Maya had one too.

He needed all of them. If he wanted to survive.bIf he wanted answers.bIf he wanted to understand why he had died.

Then he needed strength.

A lot of it.

"You know you are going to have to deal with Jack when he gets here." Maya looked up from her table.

Miles laughed. "Jack Voss?"

He paused and took a bite from his plate. "You think I am scared of your bully boyfriend?"

Maya's eyebrows arched. She didn't understand why Miles was being a jerk to her.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked,dropping her fork.

Miles relaxed into his chair. "Maybe because I want too. The last time I checked, these is a cafeteria and the students are free to eat anywhere they want to."

Maya slammed her fist against the table. "This is not just any cafeteria! There are rules that govern each seat." she said in anger.

Miles looked at her and laughed. "Whose rules are those? Did you make them?" he asked

Maya's friend tried to pull her down but she didn't listen. "Do you think I am scared of you?" she asked, folding her arms.

"No. But you should be because you don't really want to see me when I get angry."

Maya's gaze showed she was scared. "Leave Miles.bI don't want you at my table."

Miles stopped eating and looked at her face. " Let me ask you something."

The cafeteria watched as both of them exchanged words. "Do you love him?"

Love who?

The whole student turned to look at Maya.

"You should be clear with your questions Miles. Who exactly are you talking about?"she asked

"Dennis Lawson. The boy you killed. Do you even care about him?" Miles asked again.

Maya scoffed. She slowly threw her hair backwards a little and stared at Miles.

"Is this what this is all about? We all are grieving. I know you all think I am Dennis were an item but you are wrong. We are not." Maya said without any emotions.

"You stole his project don't you?" Mile asked again making her uncomfortable.

"If you are not going to leave then I would!" Maya snapped.

She was about to walk when Miles hands caught hers. "You are going to sit when I am talking to you!" he barked

Her tray fell off her hand and a loud sound echoed through the silent cafeteria.

Maya's friends were shocked while some left the table the moment they sensed danger.

"You shouldn't have done that." Maya said slowly and began to channel every liquid, every water that was in the environment.

Miles laughed.

"I see you have moaned to buy yourself a bedding ability." he stood off and off his jacket.

He suddenly burst into flames and the whole students gasped.

The heat pouring from Miles' body forced the nearby students to retreat.

Flames danced across his arms and shoulders, turning the air around him into a shimmering haze.

The cafeteria erupted into chaos.

"What is happening?"

"Is he really fighting Maya?"

"Has he lost his mind?"

"Where the hell is Jack by the way."

Maya's eyes narrowed.

Streams of water rose from spilled drinks, broken bottles, and even the cafeteria sinks.

The liquid twisted around her like serpents waiting for a command.

"I warned you," Maya said coldly.

Miles smirked. "And I ignored it. I don't see why I need to listen to any of them. I am not him. I am not Dennis."

The water shot forward.

Students screamed and jumped away as the attack raced across the floor.

Miles thrust his hand out.

A wall of fire erupted in front of him. Steam exploded through the cafeteria.

A white cloud swallowed everything. The collision shook tables and rattled windows.

When the steam cleared, Maya's eyes widened.

Miles was still standing.

Unharmed.

His flames burned brighter than before.

"Impossible..." she whispered.

Miles slowly walked forward. Each step caused the floor beneath him to blacken.

"You relied too much on that ability."

Maya clenched her fists.

The remaining water surged toward her. She launched another attack.

This time Miles moved. He appeared in front of her before she could react.

The distance between them vanished instantly.

The crowd gasped.

Maya froze.

His glowing hand landed on her wrist.

The moment contact was made, the system reacted.

[SYSTEM ACTIVATED]

[ABILITY DETECTED: WATER BENDING]

[ABILITY EXTRACTION COMMENCING]

Maya's face turned pale. She felt it immediately. The strange pulling sensation.

The draining weakness.

"No..." she whispered.

"What are you doing?"

Blue light flowed from her arm into Miles' body.

The entire cafeteria watched in horror.

The water surrounding Maya lost shape and crashed harmlessly onto the floor.

Students backed away.

Some looked terrified while others looked fascinated.

The transfer lasted only seconds.

Then it stopped.

[SUCCESS]

[WATER BENDING ACQUIRED]

Miles released her wrist.

Maya stumbled backward.

She immediately tried to summon again but nothing happened. She tried again but still couldn't channel.

Panic appeared in her eyes. Her ability was gone.

Miles looked at his hand. A sphere of water slowly formed above his palm.

The cafeteria fell silent.

Nobody spoke.

Nobody moved.

Everyone understood what they had just witnessed.

Maya stared at the floating water.

Then at Miles.

Then back at the water.

"It... it can't be..."

Miles casually dismissed the sphere.

It splashed onto the floor.

"You spent all that money buying an ability," he said calmly.

"And now it's mine. I am coming for everyone who played a part in ruining his life. Including your insignificant boyfriend." Miles said walking out of the cafeteria.