Red Blood

By Kaitlyn Legaspi

There are two kinds of people in this world: the bound and unbound. The unbound are born with unnatural, inhuman abilities. While having powers may come with its perks, to be unbound is to be cursed. Unbound individuals are treated as freaks, yet despite this, they hold the highest positions in the govern

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kaitlyn Legaspi
• Release date: Feb 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781088021958

Book preview

Prologue

I remember life before I moved to the city. While I can’t recall much, I held on to enough for me to figure out what life was like before.

From what I can piece together, my parents, my older brother, and I lived in the meadows around fifteen miles away from a bustling city. We didn’t have much; no television set, no radio, not even common kitchen luxuries like a microwave. Even though we had little, we made the most out of it, enjoying our time outdoors and exploring the dense forests nobody else dared to venture into. We had a great time, my brother and I, playing dangerous games of hide-and-seek and learning about the surrounding wildlife from our father.

Then, on a lovely spring day, everything we’d done for those few years suddenly disappeared.

I remember almost nothing about that day, and I’m too scared to even try and look back at what happened. All I can uncover without digging too deep are men dressed in black suits, my parents shouting for my brother and me to escape, and fire. I especially remember the fire.

It was a beast that consumed everything, burned everything to scorched powder. It gorged everything in our house; every painting, every wood carving, every memory. I listened as it forced a fearful scream from my mother. I watched up close as the searing flames killed my father.

He stood over me, protecting me from falling debris as he was caught by its quick claws. With my eyes wide, I stood and trembled as my father burned to ashes in front of me, the flames turning his once pale skin into brittle black scales. What was relieving, though, was the look in his eyes. They showed no fear, no anger, no signs of pain despite the flames broiling every part of his body. All they showed was compassion, love, and sincerity.

I stood and watched the expression flicker in my father’s eyes until my brother pulled me away. He dragged me out of the house and led me into the dense forest we knew so well. From the bushes, we shook as our house fell to the murderous hands of the blazing fire, gasping as the place we called home was burned to ashes.

Beyond that, I remember nothing. I don’t think I fell asleep or fainted, but one of the two happened that day, because the next time I opened my eyes, I found myself in a hospital. It was the only hospital in the slums of the domain, and in the slums I remained. The only reminder of the event is a burn scar on my left shoulder. Every time I stare at this dry, pink distortion, I think and I wonder.

There’s a reason why those men received orders to get rid of an innocent family living in the rural outskirts of the domain. See, there are two kinds of people in this world. There are the people without powers and the people with them; the bound, and the unbound. I’m the latter, and I absolutely hate hiding it, but it’s necessary to hide what I am. When you’re unbound, you’re always considered a freak... and what do ‘normals’ do to freaks like me?

They torture them.

Chapter 1

You’ve got to be kidding me, I muttered, rubbing my gloved hands together. He tells me to meet him here at eight o’clock sharp and he’s the one who’s late.

As I pulled my scarf over my frozen nose, I raised my arm to check my digital watch. I stared at the annoying numbers and sighed. Seriously, what is taking him so long?

Looking up at the store sign above me, I read the flickering neon words: Bill’s Electronics: Television Sets, Cell Phones, and More.

I frowned as I looked into the store’s display windows, unimpressed by the messy interior. Sure, it had all the cables, remotes, cell phones, and TVs an electronics shop should have, but boy was it disorganized.

Well, at least the sign doesn’t lie. I sighed again, staring at the TV screens, blankly watching the news. There was a newswoman standing in front of a greenscreen, showing live footage of cop cars speeding down the streets.

Breaking news, she began, A high-profile criminal has been spotted in the slums of the Queen of Hearts Domain.

Who could it be this time? I thought sarcastically, turning away from the screens. I could hear sirens far off in the distance, gradually getting louder. Nevertheless, as I leaned against the smudged glass with my back to the store, I continued to listen to the report.

The suspect has been spotted on Mines Street and is believed to be the young, unnamed, black-hooded vigilante officers have been pursuing for the past two years, the reporter continued. The sirens were screeching in my ears, and the cop cars were within sight now. Police Interceptors have already been dispatched to block off the street, sealing any means of escape for the juvenile defector.

I knew I should’ve changed clothes when I went home this afternoon, I mumbled, scratching the back of my hooded head. I grunted at the sight of numerous police cars and triple the number of police officers surrounding me, guns aimed. This is what I get for trusting Jacen’s lack of punctuality, that stupid brother of mine.

We’ve just received an update: the target is surrounded and has been confirmed to be the unbound vigilante, the newswoman announced behind me.

Yeah, no kidding, I muttered, gritting my teeth. I really don’t have time for this.

Then, smiling under my scarf, I decided to make the most out of the situation and chose to have a bit of fun with the officers. It had been a while since I’d had a run-in with the law anyway. 

Evening officers.

Shut it, kid! One of them, I assumed the head of the unit, snapped. We’ve no time for small talk, not after two years of hunting you down.

Has it really been that long? I asked facetiously, pushing myself off of the glass. It seems like just yesterday I put a stop to a big corporate back-alley deal with the wealthy family that lives near the heart of the domain. What was the surname again? I believe it was Laymen.

Officer Kim, a younger looking officer, a clear rookie, whispered, is that girl really a teenager? She looks too...

Short? I completed as he trailed off. When he nodded slowly, I replied with quick nods of my own. I get that a lot. After all, I am only five feet tall.

That’s enough out of you, girl, Officer Kim said. Before we take you in, why don’t you show us your face, let us put a name on you?

And just why would I do that? I countered, sending them a sharp glare.

Y-you’re coming into custody whether you like it or not, so you might as well show us your face now to save our people at the station some trouble.

At the officer’s stutter, I smirked, the soft cotton fabric of my scarf brushing against my lips. I’ll die before you can get this hood and scarf off my face.

Then, tauntingly, I took a slow step forward, and my smirk grew to a satisfied grin as I saw the muscles in their uncovered necks tense.

They really are scared, petty officers, I thought. I’m going to have a lot of fun messing with these guys. Let’s see how far I can push them.

Take another step forward, and we’ll open fire! Officer Kim shouted, as he placed his finger on the trigger of his sidearm. I merely rolled my eyes at him, lifting my right foot.  He quickly added, I’m warning you, girlie! You better stay put!

Aw, how sweet of you, showing concern for my well-being. Purposefully ignoring the officer’s orders, I placed my right foot down on the black asphalt. Then, a single gunshot cracked, resounding throughout the block. When the officer pulled the trigger, I didn’t move. Or so it seemed to them.

I could feel my blue eyes sparkling as I watched the officer’s brows furrow in a confused panic.

Wow, I’ve struck a nerve this early? That’s no fun.

That bullet should’ve hit you. Why aren’t you bleeding? The officer flicked his pistol at me, Answer me!

It’s simple, really, I said nonchalantly. I dodged it.

As I started taking my third step forward, the officer stuttered, B-but that’s imp— He choked up as I suddenly appeared next to him, kicking the pistol out of his hands with the toe of my boot. Then, just as quickly, I disappeared.

What the—

Where is she?

She really is unbound!

I scoffed at their pitiful outbursts. You guys are seriously slow, I mumbled from the top of one of their cruisers. I flicked my eyes over to a group of three officers who had taken aim at me, hands trembling. Do you really think that’s a good idea?

Without giving them a chance to answer, I vanished, only to reappear in front of them, planting the heel of my boot into the first officer’s fat stomach. As he keeled over, I jumped onto his back, propelling myself upward while shoving him to the cold asphalt. Using the momentum to turn over, I knocked the other two out, planting a blunt, bony knee to the backs of their necks.

I disappeared again as another group of officers attempted to shoot me down, knocking them out with sharp jabs to their pressure points as I flashed by them. Still grinning under my scarf, I hopped onto the roof of another car and slid my hands in my jacket pockets. Looking around at the rest of the conscious officers, I could feel my lips part and smile widen, satisfied at the panicked expressions on their faces.

This is more like it, I thought, nodding to myself.

Is that really all you and your fellow officers got, Officer Kim? I asked, mocking them. I’m disappointed.

Wh-what, Officer Kim started, just what are you? Who are you?

It should be obvious what I am, I said, effortlessly jumping off the black Interceptor. Slowly, I walked up to him. I’m unbound. As for who I am, well, I’m definitely not giving you my name anytime soon.

What’s your unbound power? he asked, terrified, None of the categories of unbound powers have teleportation within their description. Teleportation is impossible.

I laughed and lightly hopped backwards into the middle of the road, stopping as I reached the white dashed line. I tilted my head cutely to the left, blinking my eyes at the young, rattled officer.

Dear Officer Kim, I said slowly. I took my hands out of my pockets and extended my arms from either side of my body, palms facing upwards as the sky let fresh white snowflakes float from its gray clouds. Shaking my head at him, I said, You really are too slow.

A motorcycle roared as it veered onto Mines Street, racing towards me. I playfully waved at the few remaining conscious officers as the motorcycle’s owner wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me onto the speeding vehicle. When he tossed me a helmet, I pulled the hood from my head and the scarf off of my face and put it on.

Sliding the visor down to block the icy wind from freezing my eyes I spoke up, It’s about time you showed up, Jacen. What took you so long?

I had a bit of trouble with an eager customer back at the shop, he grumbled.

What, did this customer want to shoot the gun in the shop? I smirked when he nodded. Jacen, you’ve had, what, twenty other customers that have asked to shoot the gun in the shop? That’s nothing new.

"Yeah, but this guy actually had the right gauge of shells to load into the shotgun! He actually brought shells, he actually loaded them into the shotgun, and he actually attempted to pull the trigger!"

Hey, that’s a new one! I clapped his shoulder.  You sound like you’ve had an exciting day.

Yeah? How about you, little vigilante? he asked. What were you doing playing around with the police again? A few months ago, you told me you were going to avoid them. What happened to that, huh?

Hey, the police found me. I didn’t go looking for them.

Neela—

Jacen, I’m telling the truth, I interrupted. I was standing outside of that store you told me to wait in front of, and I was watching the live news. They found me first. They were the ones who took aim at me.

If you say so, he said after a moment of thought. After a few seconds, he turned down into an alleyway and slowed the bike. But you still used your power in front of them. You know you can’t just show regular people what you are so freely.

They may know that I’m unbound, but those petty officers don’t know my unbound power. Even if they were smart enough to figure out that I am an Enhancer, they will never know I’m also a Naturalist.

As long as they don’t know you’re both, I guess it’s alright, he mumbled. Man, having a Specialist as a sister can be rough.

It’s not my fault I was born with two categories of powers.

Yeah, I know.

Finally, he stopped in front of the slums’ local ‘hospital’. It was more of a small family clinic, really.

When my brother and I ended up in the domain’s slums, we woke up in the hospital. For a few months, as payment for allowing us to stay in the clinic, we helped the elderly owner and his employees with small daily tasks, such as giving the patients food and helping them take their medicine. After a while, the old man had taken a liking to us, and he let us continue to live with him for free.

Swinging my leg off of the black motorcycle, I pulled the helmet from my head and shook my hair. I groaned as I ran a hand through it.

Dang it, I hate it when my hair gets pressed down onto my head, I said, hanging the helmet on one of the handlebars. It feels so weird when it does.

You know— damn! Jacen fumbled with his keys and dropped them. Sighing, he set the kickstand and stooped down to pick them up. He was as woefully clumsy as always. I still can’t figure out why your hair is both black and auburn.

Well, you’re not the only one, I sighed. Staring into one of the dusty windows, I started to ruffle it up while still keeping it neat.

It’s true. My hair was odd. Falling until it barely reached below my chin, my hair was thick and straight and black as night with random dashes of bright auburn. It’s been like that for years, and what’s more, it’s completely natural. My brother and I understood why my hair’s black, but auburn? I’d hope my long since deceased relatives’ hair turned normal if they ever had such obnoxious streaks, but that definitely wasn’t going to happen to me. Even after seventeen years on the planet, the auburn highlights shone mockingly against my black locks.

Yet, there was an advantage to having such unusual hair. People wouldn’t know that the fairly dark-skinned, dark cocoa-haired Jacen Blydes was my older brother. My skin was a bit lighter than his, and our facial structures were vaguely similar, but one look at our eyes and hair would cause anyone to immediately discard the possibility of us being related. I don’t blame them. His eyes are dark brown, and mine are electric blue. His hair is normal, and my hair is color-crazy.

Blowing my bangs out of my face, I pushed open the hospital door and held it open for my brother. I can’t wait to take a warm shower.

You need one, especially after that little operation you told me about yesterday, Jacen said as he threw his leather jacket onto one of the hooks on the wall. So, how did it go?

Smiling, I touched my pointer finger to my thumb, giving him the OK. It was a success.

That’s my little vigilante, he said, messing up my hair. Was there any action, any excitement?

Other than the part where I had to run down an intelligence agent from the most powerful cellular network corporation in the domain, not really.

Ooh, you got to catch a spy from Z-Gear? I nodded, and he asked, What did you do this time?

Let’s see, I began, leaning against the clinic’s front desk, I chased him through a few alleyways while lunging over dumpsters, running against those nasty brick walls, and avoiding those annoying clothes lines that people never consider taking down.

And?

And, as a dramatic ending to the chase, I took a giant leap and landed feet first onto his back in the central city square. A chuckle escaped my lips as I retold the moment. I don’t think I broke the man’s back, but I might’ve, considering how loud he cried out. There were a lot of people watching, too.

Running a hand through his dark brown hair, he commented, You sure like hogging all the attention.

You shouldn’t be talking. Everywhere you go, a new girl wants to hold onto your arm and act like your girlfriend. I won’t lie; my brother had the potential to be a successful model. He attracted plenty of girls, not that he had an interest in them anyway.

I tugged at my hoodie and added, And besides, I like attention only when people don’t know that it’s me hiding under the hood. Other than that, I like staying on the sidelines, unnoticed.

Of course, Jacen sighed. I punched his shoulder, and he laughed.

What was that sigh for?

I’m just glad you’re still the adorable Neela I know and love, he said, pinching my cheeks.

I swatted his hands away, rolling my eyes, You’re still my doting older brother that I know and somehow love. How old are you again?

I’m twenty-two. Why?

Reaching my hand into my jacket pocket, I fished out a fist-sized gold box and tossed it to him. He caught it with ease, and started tilting it around in his hand, examining it. Running his tongue over his teeth he turned to me with a skeptical look in his eyes.

I immediately said, I bought it with my own hard-earned money. I didn’t steal that.

I got you, Sparky. Shaking the box next to his ear, he asked, So, uh, what’s inside?

If you want to know, just open it, I said, jabbing his side.

Ow! Alright, alright. Examining the small, hinged box one last time, Jacen finally opened the darn thing and nodded, impressed by what he saw. Well done. I’ve been thinking about buying a new watch ever since the face of my old one broke.

Glad you like it. It took me a few months of working overtime at my part-time job at this small café to earn the money for the digital watch, but I managed to save enough just in time for his birthday. The watch wasn’t brand-new, nor was it well-worn. It was used, but it had been taken care of. With a bit of fine-tuning from a good friend of mine, the watch worked just like new.

How hard did you have to work in order to afford this? Jacen asked, putting the watch on his left wrist, opposite to mine. Me being left-handed is yet another difference between us.

Hard enough. I laughed as he smacked my back with a loud thud. Ow! That really hurt! Geez.

That’s what you get for not being specific. Chuckling, he added, Now take your shower and go to sleep. It’s getting late.

What? It’s only a few minutes past nine. It’s still early.

Then, if it’s early, he started, stopping in the middle of the hallway, leaning on the cheaply painted walls, what do you want to do until then?

Well, for one, I want to know why you told me to wait outside that messy electronics store. I gave him a well-aimed jab to his side, snickering when he grunted. And the best place for us to talk about that is on the rooftop.

Suddenly, the door we had been talking in front of slammed open and we jumped in surprise. When we saw who opened the door, the two of us sighed in relief. It was old man Rooney Matthews, the owner and the chief doctor of the family clinic. When I say old, I mean old. The guy was in his eighties, but he was still precise with a scalpel.

Hey Grandpa Matthews, I greeted, it’s a lovely, starry evening, isn’t it?

Yes, and it would be even lovelier if you two weren’t blabbering at each other in front of my bedroom door, he said, frowning. Then, he smiled and patted our backs. Well, I can’t really complain. Most of the time, I consider you two blessings to have at my clinic. It’s never run as smoothly as it has for the past twelve years. You two have been a big help.

Yes, Gramps, you’ve told us that a thousand times, Jacen said, earning himself a smack in the head from the old doctor.

That’s because it’s true, young man. Also, happy birthday. He wagged a finger between Jacen’s brown eyes. Now, if you’re going to the rooftop, be careful. You know how cold it is up there, especially at this time of the year.

Yeah, the chill is starting to really creep in now that it’s December, I said, smiling brightly. Well, sorry for disturbing your peaceful slumber, Grandpa Matthews. We’ll be going to the rooftop after Jacen grabs the thickest jacket he’s got in his closet.

Alright, good night you two, Old-man Rooney said, patting our backs one more time. I’ll see you bright and early in the morning. Oh, and Neela?

Yes, sir? I answered him, curious. The tone in his voice had suddenly shifted from cheerful to concerned.

Stay safe tomorrow, alright? he said softly. I just have a feeling in these old bones of mine. It’s probably nothing, but you can’t be too careful. Also, I heard about your run-in with the police this evening. That gives you all the more reason to keep your guard up.

Careful is my middle name, grandpa, I said, beating my chest with a gloved fist.

Nodding with a small smile, he said his final goodnight before shutting the door quietly behind him. Jacen and I shared a look before laughing quietly.

Alright, let’s get up to the rooftop. I seriously want to know why you told me to wait in front of that particular store.

Okay, go on ahead. I’ll catch up with you, he said, scrambling to get his leather jacket. I shook my head at his ungraceful form, heading towards the back room where the ladder that led to the roof was.

I climbed the ladder silently, reaching the trap door quickly. Pulling the latch out of its lock, I heaved the heavy metal door and flinched as the cold, winter air bit at my bare face. Sighing, I reluctantly crawled onto the shingled rooftop and wrapped my scarf around the bottom half of my face.

This is why I hate the cold, I mumbled. Then, directing my gaze up at the sky, the corners of my mouth twitched up into a small smile. At least the view is still great.

The sky above us was a pitch-black blanket with tiny diamonds sewn in random patterns, creating the winter constellations and a breath-taking view of the world above. The picture was crystal-clear, and I felt as if I was flying amongst those diamonds myself.

Of course, that only happens in dreams.

I dangled my legs off the edge of the roof, swinging them back and forth as I placed my gloved palms on the snow-covered clay shingles, not caring if they got wet or not. The peaceful atmosphere was interrupted as my brother stumbled onto the roof and clumsily made his way toward me.

Rolling my eyes, I elbowed his arm as he sat down with a slight thud. I see you’re still as clumsy as ever. You may be a pretty boy, but you’re nowhere near elegant.

I don’t want to be elegant anyway, Jacen mumbled, looking up at the stars with me. Wow, it’s really clear tonight, isn’t it?

Sure is. I haven’t seen this many in a while.

Looking over at my brother, I could tell he was just as awestruck as I was. His eyes said it all.

So, what did you want to ask me about again? There was a hopeful tone in Jacen’s voice. No matter how hard he tried, he could never hide what he was truly feeling.

I want to know why you asked me to wait in front of that cheap electronics store instead of meeting up at the usual place, I answered. You never change our meeting place unless something important comes up and you want us to talk in private. Usually, another person is involved.

Am I really that predictable?

Yes.

Jacen sighed, running a hand through his hair again. Well, you’re right. Something did come up, and a lot of people will be involved in what’s about to happen.

What happened, Jacen? I asked.

Neela, our domain’s Card Holder died. He looked into my eyes with his hardened brown ones. The government is rounding up all of the Specialists in the domain. They’re planning on having them fight in some sort of tournament.

What? Why? I jumped to my feet and stared down at him with wide eyes, Didn’t the old woman have any children? Nieces or nephews even?

No, she didn’t, Jacen answered, his eyes never wavering. Even if all of her relatives were alive, her known ones were either bound or had one unbound power, not two.

So what? Wrapping my arms around my torso, I started pacing on the crooked shingles, They’re going to send their men over and capture me so they can force me to fight in some stupid tournament? I don’t even want to become the next Card Holder of the Queen of Hearts!

I’m aware of that, Neela, but it’s better if you hand yourself over willingly.

"Do they even know that I’m a Specialist? I’ll bet they don’t. You know why? Because, even if their agents were smart enough to figure out that I’m the unbound vigilante