Unbind me

chapter 17

Winston smiles like that's supposed to put me at ease, but it doesn't. There's a faint cut on his eyebrow, still healing, and his glasses are slightly crooked on his face. He shoves his hands in his pockets and leans against the wall like he's been here a thousand times before.

"Didn't mean to scare you earlier," Winston says. His voice is casual, almost lazy, like we're all just hanging out and not... whatever this is. "Kenji told me what happened. I was just trying to make sure you were okay."

I nod — barely — and force myself to breathe slower. My fingers are still twitching at my sides, the energy simmering just beneath my skin.

"You good?" Kenji asks. His voice is low, careful.

I almost say yes — almost — but I can't lie. Not when the air still feels heavy and the glass of water is still spilled on the floor from whatever I'd done earlier.

"I... I don't know," I whisper.

Kenji's face softens. "Yeah," he says quietly. "I get it."

I catch Winston watching me, his sharp eyes flickering to the mess on the floor. He doesn't say anything about it, just looks back at Kenji.

"You want me to stay?" Winston asks.

Kenji shakes his head. "Nah," he says. "I got it."

Winston hesitates like he wants to argue, but then he nods. "Alright." He glances at me one more time before heading for the door. "Don't be too hard on him," he adds with a grin before disappearing into the hallway.

Kenji shuts the door behind him and sighs, dragging a hand down his face. "Man, this day has been... a lot."

I let out a shaky breath, finally sinking back down onto the edge of the bed.

"Hey," Kenji says, stepping closer. "Whatever's going on with your powers? We'll figure it out. You're not alone in this."

His words should make me feel better. I should feel safe.

But all I can think about is how much worse things could get if I can't keep myself under control.

"Hey, um..." Kenji starts, his voice dipping lower than usual. He shifts awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck like he's trying to soften whatever he's about to say. "There's this guy here — Castle — he runs the place, and, uh... he wants to meet you. Would you be okay with that?"

I blink at him. "Why?" My voice is hoarse, quieter than I intended.

Kenji shrugs a little too casually. "He likes to know everyone who comes through here. Especially... you know." He gestures vaguely, like that's supposed to explain something. "He's a good guy," Kenji adds quickly. "You can trust him."

I almost laugh at that. Trust feels like such a foreign concept right now.

"And if I say no?" I ask, testing him.

Kenji shrugs again. "Then you say no." He pauses. "But he's not the kind of guy you want to avoid for too long."

That doesn't make me feel any better.

For a moment, I stare down at my hands. The faintest flicker of energy is still twisting around my fingers, I clench my fists and shove my hands beneath my thighs, trapping them there.

"Fine," I mutter. "I'll meet him."

Kenji grins — like I've done him some huge favor. "He's not scary or anything, I promise."

I don't answer.

"Hey." Kenji's voice is softer now. "It's going to be okay."

I almost want to believe him. Almost.