Labelled by Blood

      While picnics didn't last forever, memories did. Sadly, the time came and went and we were back at it for more training. Jesse told me he wanted to do something new and felt bad for bullying me. Instead of more rushing at me, he wanted to practice team coordination. This was big. But we were both low on strim, so we had to make it work.       We would pick a tree and then practice just talking aloud to each other. Where we were going to come at it from. Where we planned on hitting it. That kind of stuff. If only we could talk telepathically. It'd make things so much easier. But that wasn't really a thing, huh?       By the end of our day, we could make quick callouts and we were sounding more and more like his gaming friends.       "Flanking, three o'clock," he exclaimed, his strim sending him zipping through the air.       "Copy, three o'clock. Following up at nine." I had to raise my voice louder than usual. At first it made my ears go red. But now it just sounded natural.       We weren't perfect. And the tree was, well, a tree. But he seemed proud in us and it made me proud in us. At some point, we were getting ready for another drill. He exhaled loudly and I knew his signal was coming.       "Go," he said, reaching an open palm behind him.       I scoped up, anticipating his call out, but when it never came I had to look at him. He was looking at his hands. They glimmered in a dance of pale orange.       "Shit. Out of fuel? Guess that's it for today," he sighed.       Out of fuel. I forgot that could happen. "Right," I said. "Swing by my place for a recharge?"       His watch was back on his wrist. His weapon gone. He checked it and shook his head. "Nah. I gotta get home. Here."       He unfastened his watch and it came flying at me. I caught it with one hand, dispelling my rifle with the other. He gave a half-smile at me. I gave a toothy smile back.       "You can refuel it and give it back tomorrow. At the gym."       My face dropped, going red hot. "Wait," I stammered, "uh, you mean. I. The. Gym?"       He nodded. "Yep. Meet me there at seven sharp. It's time you get some gains."       I shook my head, but his eyes were unblinking. "Alex."       I sighed, my shoulders slumping. Right. When that thing came back, we wanted to be ready. "I know. I'll be there."       He nodded. We packed up and started the journey home. The sky was starting to turn orange, the clouds had gone with the blue hues. My mind raced, even if my feet didn't. The gym was a good idea. And I didn't hate getting a bit of muscle. But I'd have to change in front of other people. Which changing room would I even go to? The women's? Assigned at birth, made sense. Right? Or did it even matter?       It did.       Labels always did.       Ugh.       But I couldn't just ask Jesse what to do. He wouldn't know how to help. No one did. Maybe I could sneak into the back. Maybe no one would care. Maybe--       "Alex?" Jesse's voice made me jump. "You're breathing hard. Everything okay?"       I nodded more than I should have. "Yeah. No. Totally fine."       He didn't buy it for a second. But he didn't have to. He just had to drop it. Which, he did. He walked closer to me. It helped. The rest of the walk to town was uneventful. He made small chat, even thought he didn't really like to. It kept me from thinking too much. Alex, stay calm. It wasn't that big an issue.       We made it back into the city limits and he walked me home. The sun was a slit in the sky, but the orange-to-purple was breathtaking. Like a watercolor painting done by someone who made dreams a reality. I just wished I felt the same way inside. Jesse hugged me and I parted. I made it to my door and waved. He waved back this time.       Then I turned towards my door, thumbing his watch in my pocket. I turned the knob and entered. My parents were up and watching TV. They didn't so much as turn to me, but I greeted them anyway.       "Evening," I said, going to get a glass of water.       "Evening, Alex," Dad said.       "Right." Mom added. "Evening."       I grabbed an extra glass and filled it.       "Guest today?" Dad asked.       "Bouquet," I said.       He grunted. Mom didn't say anything. I got my water and headed to my room. I'd wait for them to go to sleep before recharging our vestiges. It was better that way. In the meantime, I had a bouquet to admire and I wanted to keep researching these "Collectors." I set the glass vase along my window sill and looked at the flowers. Both calla lilies and morning glory looked like normal flowers from the top-down. But they had some depth to them. Like a cup. And their colors were stunning. The white from the lilies matched the flashy purple from the morning glory.       I started to get a little jealous of them. How could they be so unique and different from each other but still so beautiful and natural? It wasn't fair.       It was time I moved away. I plopped another six pack of soda into my backpack. Then I went to my desk and looked at my sleeping computer. A wave of exhaustion overtook my body and the urge to research and learn turned gray. Maybe I just needed to eat and go to sleep. I had to be up early tomorrow, anyway. Our vestiges were empty, though. We'd need those if we wanted to do any kind of training.       I forced myself to stay awake. I watched funny cat videos and read posts on random topics. A new shooter game was coming out. Maybe Jesse would be interested. Maybe I should buy it, too. Then we could hang out more after school. And, I mean, I was a sniper, right? Right. So it would lead to me getting better. More aware. Wasn't there a military study where gamers took on real guns and did okay? I already had practice with the real deal. And I knew the callouts. Kind of.       The thought of spending more time with Jesse made my stomach flip. And if we hung out more together, then maybe he wouldn't hang out with his other friends as much.       No. Alex. That's weird.       I shrugged off the disgusting fusion of emotions that welled up. He had a life outside of me. There was nothing wrong with that.       I kept watching cat videos.       Then I peeked out my door and saw the lights in the kitchen and living room were off. I snuck out and made my way to the kitchen. Toast and vestige recharge. A tale as old as time. For me. With my dull routine I recharged my silly-looking stapler and his sleek chrome watch. It took longer than usual. We were usually never out of fuel, so that wasn't really surprising. Then I had another idea.       We were so limited by fuel. What if we just didn't have to worry about it? My hands trembled at the thought. I closed the mahogany box and lifted it. It almost whispered. Like it wanted me to have it for myself. I put it down. Really thought about it. Stealing wasn't right. But my parents didn't use their vestiges or anything.       They haven't in years.       My hands picked the box up once more. This time, it didn't find its way back home. It had a new home. I'd give it back. Someday. Just not right now. Jesse's life was on the line. Mine, too, of course.       I ran back to my room, dodging creaky floorboards and groaning doors that wanted to give me away. In my room, I put the box into my backpack and my heart beat wildly to the beat of a crazed jazz fan. Maybe this was a mistake.       Maybe it wasn't.       My parents would be fine. I needed it more.       Nope, don't think about it. Brush your teeth and be a good teen. To their friends. To those who mattered.       Yeah. That was the right call. Had to be.       I slept poorly that night. Jesse died in my dreams, again. I woke up feeling like someone just snuffed the life out of me without warning. Without a second thought. Without me squeaking out a word.