21 Home to the Colony

“Should I let them go?” Aristotle asked. He was moving his hands around like a symphony conductor, amusing himself with the men’s reactions to his power. The man with the pipe was now trying to hit himself in the head.

Dr. Sam was still kneeling next to the girl in the middle of the electrified men, one of whom had somehow gotten his boots off but was unable to get the gun out of its holster because it shocked him severely every time he touched it.

“Lay a blanket down in the back of the truck,” Dr. Sam said.

“On it,” Franklin said.

Dr. Sam wiped the girl’s face and arms with a towelette, then lifted the girl in his arms and carried her to the truck, where he softly laid her in the truck’s bed next to Chispa, who hugged her. Dr. Sam put his hand on her forehead.

“Yeah, she’s got a fever. Franklin, go into that store and get the coldest can of soda you can find.”

“What kind?”

“It doesn’t matter. Also, get some cold water and Gatorade and some candy bars for you and our new friends.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Chispa, stay next to Mia and hold her hand.”

Franklin walked between the men to the small store they were in front of. He stopped to look at one of the men who was writhing heavily. “You look like you’re break dancing. You’ve got potential.” He turned back. “This one has a gun.”

“Take it,” Dr. Sam said.

“Okay.”

The electricity didn’t affect Franklin as it did the men. In fact, it only sharpened his vision. He pulled the gun from the man’s holster, pulled the clip from it, then put them both into his pouch.

Then he went into the store, purchased what the doctor had requested, and brought everything to the truck.

“You can let them go now,” Dr. Sam told Aristotle.

“Wait,” Chispa said, jumping from the truck. He ran up to the man who had been touching Mia and kicked him in the face, knocking the man out. “Now you can stop.”

Aristotle stopped pulsing as Chispa climbed into the truck.

“You like that, hombre?” Aristotle taunted. “Want some more?” He gave them one last shock.

The men ran from them, leaving their unconscious friend on the ground. One shouted, “El diablo.”

Chispa watched it all with curiosity. “I thought they only called me the devil.”

“No, we all get that,” Aristotle said.

When they were far enough away, Dr. Sam stopped the truck and got out. “Your friend needs to drink this,” Sam said to Chispa. “She needs electrolytes.”

“But she is not electric.”

“It’s not the same thing,” Dr. Sam said. Then he handed him two pills. “First have her chew and swallow these. It will help her stomach stop hurting. I want you to hold this cold can on her forehead like this.”

Chispa held the can on Mia’s forehead, and she jerked a little.

“This will help cool her down until we can get some ice packs.” He looked at Chispa. “Do you understand?”

He nodded.

“This juice and water, it’s for you.”

“What are those?” he asked, looking at the candy bars.

“That is a treat for you and the others to enjoy on the ride home.”

“Home?”

“Yes. We’re taking you to the colony.”

Chispa just looked at him. “What is the colony?”

Franklin smiled. “The colony is our home.”