Free The Ascendants: Genesis by Christian Green

red, and it took everything within him not to yell.
    “We need your help,” Mia said.
    Lucas shook his head and gestured that he wanted no part in anything they were up to. “You guys need to leave, I've really made a life for myself here and I don't need you two screwing things up for me.”
    “Really? Screwing things up for you, is that what you think of when you think of me?” the tone in Mia's voice indicated that she was hurt by Lucas' words.
    “Don't do that, don't stand there and try to make me feel bad for leaving,” Lucas said. His attention shifted back and forth between the two.
    “Oh don't look at me, I don't care at all that you left. I've said from the start we didn't need you around.”
    “Right, you discover you've got incredible strength and now all of a sudden you're a tough guy.”
    James laughed. “Long before I ever developed these abilities I was a tough guy. Playing college football, doing construction work, being a bouncer. These abilities simply enhanced an already developed muscle.”
    “Yeah whatever man. Look, I respect what Dr. Connors is trying to accomplish with you guys and I wish you all the best of luck, but I can't be dragged back into that world. Call me selfish, call me scared, but the climate between Humans and Post Humans is heating up, and I want no part of it. I just want to live a normal life. I just want to live a peaceful life and give these children the gift of knowledge.”
    “That's the whole point Lucas, nothing will be peaceful if we don't make a stand,” Mia said.
    Lucas shook his head. “You see, I bet you a lot of these radical groups and terrorist groups started out simple like you guys and over time they became more and more fanatic with their mission. You guys are creating an army of Post Humans. You're playing with fire and it's just a matter of time before that fire ignites, and when it does, I don't want to be anywhere near it.” Lucas grabbed his containers and placed it back in his lunch bag. He proceeded to throw out his trash and waited for James and Mia to leave.
    “Lucas?”
    “I mean it Mia; you need to leave. There's nothing you can say or do that's going to make me come with you. You guys have your agenda and I respect that, but now I need you to respect the fact that I have no interest in returning.”
    Lucas headed for the door but James stood in front of it and refused to move. “Really man, you want to go this route with me?” Lucas asked.
    “I don't want to, but I'm not letting you leave, not until Mia is done talking.”
    Lucas chuckled. “That's right, you're her bodyguard or something correct? Tell me, how does it feel knowing someone half your size could take you out with the simplest of ease?”
    James gave a fake smile and before Lucas could react, James lifted Lucas off the ground by the throat and held him in place. Lucas tried to free himself from James' clutches, but he struggled to break free. James tossed him in the air like a sack of potatoes. Lucas landed awkwardly on the couch inside the teacher's lounge. “No enhanced strength needed to kick your behind. You really don't want this fight Lucas.”
    Lucas hopped off the couch quickly and ran straight for James. He attempted to hit James with a right cross, but James ducked low and tackled Lucas right back into the couch. James was about to follow up his attack with a punch to the face, but an invisible force held his arm in place. Lucas took advantage of the situation and kicked James off of him.
    Both men got back to their feet and attempted another attack, but Mia intervened and sent both men flying in opposite directions with the use of her telekinesis.
    “Enough! I didn't come here to see the two of you fight.”
    James and Lucas huffed. They both wanted to go another round, but they were certain Mia wouldn't allow it. She had her telekinesis in such control that neither men would have a chance against her if she really wanted to stop them.
    “So is this your plan,