“I... It’s not that,” Ody stammered.
Mano let out a quiet laugh. “Relax. I’m just teasing you.”
Ody’s breath hitched. That laugh. He had no idea why it hit so hard, but it did. Soft, unguarded, beautiful in a way he felt it deep in his chest. The sound stayed with him long after Mano turned back to the screen.
“You look good when you…” Ody began, then stopped.
Mano turned to him. “When I what?”
The lights dimmed, cutting the moment short, and Ody was silently grateful he didn’t have to explain what he almost said.
Half an hour into the movie, Mano recognized scenes from the trailer. The story took place in the future, centered on human evolution and new colonies. After an hour, an action scene began.
“Take this,” a man shouted, throwing a futuristic weapon to a woman.
“What about you?”
“Don’t worry.”
They split up. The man drew a high-tech revolver.
Mano’s body tensed. His hand, resting on the armrest, curled.
Ody noticed and looked at him. “What’s wrong?” he whispered.
Mano lowered his gaze, avoiding the screen. His breathing grew quick and shallow. Before he could steady himself, a sudden shout blasted from the speakers. “Hey!” Gunfire exploded through the theater.
Mano jerked as if struck. A piercing ring filled his ears, sharp and metallic. He pressed one hand against his ear, wincing in pain.
“Mano?” Ody leaned closer, confused.
The ringing intensified. Mano clutched both ears now, head bowed, breath rapid and uneven.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?” Ody whispered.
The noise in Mano’s head grew unbearable, drowning out everything else. He shot to his feet and stumbled past Ody.
“Hey!” someone shouted behind them.
“Sit down, we can’t see!” another snapped.
Mano pushed the door open and stumbled into the hallway. He pressed his back to the wall, slid down, and curled forward, hands still clamped over his ears, his forehead almost touching his knees.
The door opened again. Ody rushed out, eyes scanning with panic until he saw him crumpled on the floor. He crouched. “Mano? Can you hear me?”
The ringing pounded relentlessly inside his skull.
“Mano…” Ody touched his shoulders, trying to get through to him. No response. Only pain. “Mano!” Ody called again.
The ringing suddenly stopped.
Mano drew a shaky breath. His hands slowly fell away from his ears. His chest still heaved as he lifted his head and met Ody’s terrified green eyes.
“What was that? Are you okay?”
Chapter 10
Mano’s eyes were fixed on Ody, his breathing still fast but no longer frantic. The worst of the episode had passed. He pushed himself off the floor, unsteady but upright. Ody rose with him, standing close enough to catch him if he wavered.
