Chapter Thirty-Four

JJ looked at the spot Travis had been seconds before, too stunned to speak. While he'd seen him train, he had no idea Travis was capable of such feats, and he was equally awed and terrified. He didn't like the look of malice on Travis's face when he teleported away. Though he didn't think Travis had meant to, he'd broadcasted his thoughts, and JJ knew nothing good would come of this. He drove to Travis's neighborhood and was shocked at what he found there.

Putting the car in park, he rushed over to where Travis was slamming his parents against their brick house with telekinetic blasts. "Stop. This isn't you."

Travis turned, eyes like hot coals. "This doesn't concern you." He flung his hand, and a wave of flames slashed JJ's arm, knocking him on his ass. 

He grabbed his arm, groaning as pain shot up it. "Fuck!"

Travis's hardened expression softened a moment. Then he turned back to his parents, white fireballs aglow in each hand. 

Not thinking of his own safety, JJ got between them. "Don't do this. They're your parents."

"Step aside, or you can join them." He made to attack JJ when two Black Hawk helicopters circled overhead. Soldiers repelled from ropes and surrounded them.

"Everyone on the ground now!"

 JJ did as they said, but Travis readied to unleash fireballs on them. They opened fire, riddling his body with bullets.

"No!" JJ screamed. Travis staggered a bit, closed his eyes, and the helicopters exploded. He laughed, then disappeared, leaving behind a pool of blood. JJ was in full panic mode. Travis had hurt him, but he was still concerned about him. 

Everything happened at lightning speed after that. He called 9-1-1 and waited for them to arrive. Meanwhile, the soldiers still on their feet searched the area, going door-to-door. Then they ordered everyone to stay inside. 

Once the ambulance arrived, the EMTs wanted to treat his burns, but he told them to treat Travis's parents first. Next, he went to check on the twins. Then he called their emergency contact, Jenny Adams. She arrived with a man who introduced himself as Agent Anderson.

He explained everything that happened, and their faces went white.

Agent Anderson whistled. "I knew he was powerful, but what you're describing is on a whole `nother level."

 "Sweetie, let's clean up that burn of yours," Jenny said.

She had him run his arm under cold water for a few minutes, and she put some of Travis's burn ointment on it and dressed the area in gauze. "That should hold you for a bit, but you really should get that looked at ASAP."

"Kinda hard with World War III going on."

Agent Anderson cut in. "So, remind me again, what set off Travis?

JJ's cheeks warmed. "We were being intimate, and afterward, I made a crack about his weight."

"Talk about overreactions," Agent Anderson said.

Jenny swatted his arm. "He's a teenager, and this is his first relationship. Of course, he overacted. Though, that doesn't justify his actions.

Agent Anderson's phone buzzed, and he went into the kitchen to answer it. He came back grim-faced. He explained that his bosses had told him since he was supposed to be Travis's handler and had failed to secure him for the extraction team, he was off the case. Furthermore, when they found Travis, they would terminate him on sight and collect his body for study.

JJ's stomach flipped. "They can't do that, can they?"

"Kid, we're talking about the United States Government. They can do whatever the fuck they want."     

On that somber note, JJ excused himself to get some air. Soldiers were still milling about, so he flagged one over and asked him if he could head home yet. After radioing his superiors, the soldier told JJ he could go but warned him to head straight there.

***

Once JJ got home, he sent up Google alerts for any news stories about injured boys matching Travis's descriptions. Then he sat and thought. Could he continue being with Travis, knowing he was capable of such violence? He didn't know, and that scared him.

 

Author's Note: I know I'm a bastard for leaving ya hanging like this. Next time, Pro's true origin are revealed and things get all sci fi as.

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