Post by Gifted on Dec 17, 2012 23:26:24 GMT -5
"Hilary, is it?" His voice was soft, calming. His clothes were a sterile white, but he didn't have a doctory look. He was far too kind for that. He had a kind smile, and looked somewhat boyish. "My name is Aurthur." That was another thing that set him apart from everyone else who came. He treated them more like friends than coworkers or people he had to babysit. He acted less like this was his job, and more like he was being blessed to work with the patient. He crouched to be closer to her level, where most of them would have just looked down at her. "It's nice to meet you."
“N-no…” She whispered. Susie had grown a healthy fear of the doctors since arriving here, despite his kind appearance. She shrank into the corner, away from the doctor. “I’m Susie…”
Hahaha, hope you’re not expecting me to come out again this time. Mary smirked.
They despised her, she tried to kill them on a regular basis, but Mary was the only one who didn’t break down into tears at the electric shocks. They’d grown to rely on her.
“come on, Mary, please…” Susie whispered.
Nope. Mary replied smugly, enjoying their pain.
Susie looked fearfully up at the doctor, realizing she’d spoken aloud and afraid of what might come next.
"Well, then Susie, it's nice to meet you as well. I promise I won't hurt you, I just want to talk. We don't even have to leave your room if you don't want to," Arthur promised. He didn't move any closer, just sat down the rest of the way. "Will you talk to me?"
“Do I have a choice?” Susie couldn’t help asking. Nevertheless, his unusual kind demeanour did relax her slightly, and she came a little closer, out of her corner. Mary chuckled at her stupidity, and Susie wished she’d be quiet. She was scared enough as it was.
"Yes, you have a choice, Susie... No matter how much I talk, you could choose to remain silent." Aurthur smiled. "I'm sorry that you feel scared of us, and moreso that you've a reason to in most cases."
Susie nodded. “Okay… I’ll talk, I guess….” She shushed Mary and waited to hear what the unusually kind doctor had to say.
"Do you know why you're here, Susie?" Aurthur asked.
"...It's because of me and Mary, isn't it? You want to get rid of us."
"Why do you think that, Susie?" Aurthur said, though he made no attempt to disagree.
"That's what the doctors keep saying... they're saying we aren't real." Susie said in a distressed voice. "But we are real! I'm talking to you right now! How can I be talking to you if I'm not real?"
"I don't know, Susie. I know you're real. Do you know how you came to be here?" Aurthur questioned.
"The doctors who treated Hilary after her tightrope accident had us sent here afterwords..."
"Do you know how special you are, Susie?" Aurthur asked her.
Susie was confused. Special? Nobody had ever told her she was special before... crazy, insane, mad, nonexsistant, a figmnt of Hilary's imagination.... but special? Never. "How...? I'm not special... I can't balance like Hilary can, I can't fight like Mary can..."
"The three of you are special together, Susie. You're not like other people."
"What?" Susie's eyes widened in wonder. "How... how so?"
"Most people only have one person in their body... But you have three, don't you?"
"Yes... Myself, Mary, and Hilary." Susie said. "But that's not special... and Mary wants to kill us..."
"It depends on what you mean by special, Susie. I am sorry that Mary is so mean, though."
Susie smiled.
Ha, he’s playing you like a violin. Mary whispered inside of her. You really think he cares about you any more than the others here?
Susie faltered, wishing Mary would just be quiet for once. This man hadn’t hurt her or yelled at her like any of the others, he hadn’t said she was mad or non-existent but ‘special’… but could it be true? Was it all an act? Mary certainly seemed to think so, lounging in the back of her head watching Susie get progressively more hopeful. Was she right? Was she just being a pessimistic Bearcat? Or was there something to it? She watched the man with a concerned look on her face, unsure of what to do, who to believe.
"You know, that's why you're really here. So you don't get hurt. There are lots of people here, and all of them have problems that they can't handle on their own, even if it's just for a little while. Mary might hurt you if you weren't here," Aurthur said.
"That... that doesn't make sense... if they wanted to protect us from Mary then they wouldn't hurt us themselves...."
Maybe they know Mary takes most of the punishment? Hilary used sign language to communicate with Susie. Susie was greatful Hilary seemed to agree with her, rather than Mary's assessment. And they're trying to kill her the same way she tries to kill us?
Nope. How would that even work? I can hurt you in here just like I could out there, and I do. If that were the case, they'dve changed tactics awhile ago, because this one clearly isn't working. Mary pointed out logically.
"I absolutely understand your confusion, Susie. You see, there was a change in management. Things work differently around here now, and that won't happen again. I'm sorry you had to go through that."
What?
The word was echoed by all three of them at once. Mary, the ever impatient one, pushed her way past Susie and took over, demanding an explanation. The change was obvious; her whole demeanour shift. Her features hardened, and she sat of straighter, tense. Mary wasn’t afraid of any doctor here, and it showed.
Her voice was much more challenging. “New management? What’s that supposed to mean? And why should we trust you?”
"It meants there's a new manager, what else would it mean? And it's not like you have anyone else to trust. I've been permanently assigned to you three. It really doesn't matter if you trust me, I suppose. It won't change anything, whether you do or don't," Aurthur pointed out.
“So it’s all just going to stop out of nowhere? There’s something you’re not telling us. The other two seem pretty convinced, but I for one doubt some guy who comes in here out of absolutely nowhere and tells us everything we want to hear.”
"Of course it seems like it comes from nowhere. They aren't going to set off an alarm just because someone was fired, dear. You're in here all day, why would you get a warning?" Aurthur said, with a small smile.
“Says you. You would think a major upset in the entire policy of the place would warrant some sort of warning, a transition phase where they phased out the old tactics and doctors and sent in new ones. It makes more sense than a sudden, abrupt change from any perspective. And yet with no warning whatsoever, some guy just walks in and says “Oh, it’s all been changed starting immediately. Either it’s all baloney, or there’s something big going on here. So level with me; What is it?”
Aurthur sighed. "There is no need to warn someone who can't do anything about it. Just because you haven't noticed any of the changes out there doesn't mean it hasn't happened. None of them cared to tell you anything, would you really expect they would?"
“No, but I don’t hear things from them directly. What else do we have to do all day other than listen to the Dumb Dora’s outside beat their gums?” Mary pointed out.
"Clearly you've never had a job. The first few weeks after a management change, no one slacks off for fear of being fired," Aurthur said, rubbing his head.
Seems like he’s avoiding the question to me.
Hilary said to dry up. And I agree with her. Susie replied, pushing her way back to the front again, worried Mary might offend him. “I’m sorry about her.” Susie said. “She can be… a little hostile sometimes.”
“I don't mind," Aurthur smiled. "Besides, I can hardly punish you for what she does, right?"
Susie beamed at him. “I guess… that’s not what the other doctors said. Things really are going to be different around here, aren’t they?”
"They really are," Aurthur said. "You can count on that."
“I look forward to it.” Susie replied.
“Be back soon, both of you.” Their mother ordered. “I don’t want to hear of you guys out past nine on a Wednesday.”
“Definitely, Champion Spark Plug Hour is tonight!” Lillian laughed and followed her brother out the door, giving her mother a little wave.
“So when are we meeting up with Helen, Joseph and Margaret?” Mark asked cheerfully, almost before they were even out of the house. “Is Christine coming?”
“Calm down, Mark!” Lillian laughed. “We haven’t even left the house yet. And who says Christine wants to come?”
Mark and Lillian were basically inseparable, but it hadn’t always been that way. Lillian had been the younger sister, not worth Marks time when he had a life he needed to prepare for. He was already looking for a job, he had his own circle of friends and it just wasn’t normal to hang out with your younger sister.
But that all changed, a few months after she turned twelve, when Lillian hit puberty. That was when her powers first manifested themselves. Generally a fairly happy person, Lillian had almost an aura around her at all times. She could increase the strength at will, but she rarely bothered; she was never trying to use it. Her aura substantially boosted the mood of anyone around her, until everyone she came in contact with was happy during the time they were with her. Mark, drawn in by his constant cheerfulness around her and the lack of fighting and negativity in her social circle, had become a close companion of hers and an integral part of her group. Lillian had become the life every party, the soul of every crowd. Her circle of friends had swelled to a ridiculous size. After all, who could resist being friends with a person who made them happy, no matter the circumstances?
This sometimes bothered Lillian. She wondered how many of her friends liked her for her, and how many were simply drawn to her thanks to the odd, seemingly supernatural power she possessed. She’d like to think Mark at least could see past her power and cared for her for the sister underneath, but she could never know for sure.
She tried not to let it bother her though. She wouldn’t stay angry at the world about it. “Mark, can you butt me? I’m short on dough.”
“Yeah, I think I’ve got one.” Mark passed her a cigarette and she lit it gladly as they walked to the metro station.
Christine had never particularly liked her siblings. She saw their uses: the more of them she had, the less work she was asked to do around the house. She'd noticed that, as Lillian got older. It was almost like magic, but it was overshadowed by a darker magic. Christine had thought it was an awful coincidence at first. She'd asked for help, and a man walked right in front of the train to try to get to her. She had been scared at first, but she had found that, like her siblings, her magic had its uses. She could always count on people to help her, no matter what. She had been special, for the first time. She was more than just one of three kids and two girls. She was no longer just shy. She had something, and she had thought she was unique until recently. Lillian had showed her up again. She had dozens of friends, and had even influenced their older brother and their parents. Lillian was a monster, but Christine played along. She would find a way to show them that Lillian wasn't special. She would show them all to stay away from the strange little girl. Until then, she would watch. "Think you can just abandon me, huh?" she asked, jogging to catch up to her siblings. She tried to make it sound like a joke, but her voice sounded flat. "Where are we going?"
“Christine! You made it!” Lillian was pleased, figuring her sister would have her own life. “We’re meeting up with a few friends and going to a talkie.” She told her. “You coming along?”
"Sure, sounds great," Christine said, smiling. Part of her was sickly happy to be with her sister, but most of her recognized that it was just the magic talking. Lillian was a demon.
"Ab-so-lute-ly!" Mark agreed. Lillian grinned, excited to go see the new movie.
"Let's go!"
Lillian and her friends ended up talking in hushed voices most of the movie. Though she only brught three other friends, there where five more people she knew who'd also gone without her knowledge, and the whole big group just sat together and chatted. Only Mark and Lillian herself seemed in any way even mildly annoyed by this.
"Do your friends never be quiet?" Christine asked Lillian after a while.
"I don't think so." Lillian shrugged. "I'm used to it. I can still hear the movie... mostly. Why, is it bothering you?" Lillian just asked because it was normal, taking her power for granted and assuming nothing could really bother Christine while she was around.
"A little," Christine said. "No big deal, I was curious is all." She frowned at the screen.
"Oh." Lillian was slightly surprised, but whatever. This sall semblance of 'before' - how she refferred to her life before her powers - was actually rather comforting in a way, that one person wasn't completely and tottally content hanging around her. She wasn't so sure why it was Christine... maybe it had something to do with a more serious personality being harder to please. She wasn't sure; there wasn't a lot of stress or anything in the household, so she had no idea the scope or stregnth of her ability... just that it'd worked so far on everyone she met. "No problem, I'll ask them to keep it down for you." She smiled, and tapped her friend Helen on the shoulder. "Hey could you keep it down? It's not a silent movie, you know." She grinned.
"Oh, sorry Lillian!" Helen giggled and lowered her voice lowr, and the others did the same. Nobody apologized, but then nobody felt they needed too.
"Hmph," Christine said. Why did Lillian think she could just fix everything anyway? She couldn't always just tap someone on the shoulder and boss everyone around. Why did everyone listen to her? Despite all her negative thoughts, Christine was slowly relaxing and enjoying the movie.
Lillian was pleased she'd made her sister happier, and of course Mark was having as much fun as ever. She sat back and enjoyed the movie.
When the movie was over, she said a legnthy goodbye to her many friends. After about twety minutes, it was justher, Mark and Christine on their way home.
"You guys enjoy the movie?" She asked, lighting up her second cigarette of the evening.
"You and your friends take a really long time to say goodbye," Christine commented, eyeing the cigarette half with longing. "But the movie was alright."
"Yeah, I guess. Everyone wants to make plans." Lillian said with a small smile. She'd actually mooched the second cigarette off Joseph and so didn't have any to offer Christine, but she saw Christine eyeing it and decided it'd be more respectful to put it out.
"You're popular." Mark stated the obvious. "Of course you take forever to say goodbye to that many people!"
"It's not like it's hard, it's only one word," Christine muttered.
Lillian pretended she didn't hear. When they got home, she skipped to the radio for her favourite program, watching Mark chat idly with their mother.
"So how was you day?" Their mother asked.
"Great!" Mark said. "We went to see a movie."
"Whose we? Just the three of you?"
"No, us three and Helen and Joseph and Margaret went, and then we met up with Mary and William and Edward and Dorothy and Dorothy's sister Virginia while we were there so it turned into a party."
"Did you enjoy the movie?"
"I dunno, I didn't hear a whole lot of it. I think we ought to stick to silent movies." He laughed.
"How about you, Christine? Did you enjoy the movie?"
Christine shrugged. "It was fine. Lillian would you quit skipping around. Just pick a station."
"I'm trying to get to the NBC Blue Network, mom never has it on the right station." Lillian protested. After a minute she found the right station and sat back to listen.
"Good riddance," Christine muttered.
The young girl willed her heart to quiet, she was sure they could find her by its sound alone. She covered her mouth and waited with that intense feeling of dread that came when you were waiting and could do nothing but hide. It was like a hide-and-go-seek game, where if she were caught, everything would change rather than returning to normal. She didn't know much about how the world worked, but she knew that the people in black and white, with badges and guns, weren't looking to give her a hug. It was half an hour before she finally relaxed and looked at the reason they'd been chasing her. A big, red fruit. She bit into it and could have sworn she'd never been happier, though she had thought the same thing every other time she ate. It was never a sure thing, her being able to eat. But today, the score was Aven Salmhofer one, pigs none.
Maverick Easton checked his watch when th other men returned. "Did she escape again?" He asked softly, surveying them behind his round glasses.
"Afraid so, sir."
"Hm... and you haven't yet found any others in this city?"
"No sir."
"Useless...." Maverick whispered. He picked up one of his many porcelain dolls, set neatly in their boxes. Their painted faces became much more lifelike when he put his pale hand on them. "You're going to need to work harder to find them if we're ever going to make any progress. You're also going to have to be more subtle then that... She's a fugitive, so it's all Jake, but if you expect to convince others... itmust not be obvious where we're going. with this."
They didn't dare object. Maverick looked down at the doll he cupped in his hand. "Perhaps... it is time I threw in my own pieces as well."
The doll swelled in size, the skin becoming darker and the features more lifelike. The painted-on hair detached from her head and seperated, becoming real strands. "Clara."
Clara blinked. "What is it you wanted from me?"
"Go with these nice men and get them to enroll you in a school. If we want to find more like myself, the youngest demographic will be the easiest to convince to come, and a good place to start."
"Yes, sir!"
Aaron Villein was not the kind of child who had to go to a public school, and everyone was well aware. The fact was, Aaron enjoyed flustering the teachers, and that didn't happen in schools where the administration was used to dealing with the children of diplomats and celebrities. Aaron was happier going to school in a public school, where he was the richest kid around, and the teachers didn't know how to handle a congressman's son. And so every year, when his mother begged him to go to a private school, he adeptly refused, claiming he didn't want to leave his friends. In all honesty, the only friend he cared about was rich enough to follow him, if he chose. They were closer than any two people had ever been. They had practically grown up together, and the discovery of their powers had furthur cemented their friendship. They were the only two who knew, and their powers complimented each others. Aaron had super speed, and Thane, his best friend, was a teleporter. Aaron could almost beat Thane Chaze in races, but more impotantly, Thane was the only person Aaron would accept loss from. They had a similar family life, both their fathers being complete asshats, and whenever things got rough, they could always hide away at the other's house. They were the people who knew they could count on the other to bail them out of jail... if they weren't sitting next to each other in the cell. Thane was the only person Aaron listened to, or had any ounce of respect for. Unfortunately there was no bail in the prinipal's office, and that was where Aaron sat... alone. He couldn't help grinning over the fact that Thane had eluded them, even though he'd been caught. He wouldn't begrudge Thane that freedom, or any freedom.
One of the two men went into the office to get Clara signed up for school, giving a lie about having just moved to the city. As for a home, well Clara wason her own for that one. But as she didn't need to eat, sleep or really bother with anything but making sure her porcelain skin didn't get damaged, she'd be fine. Not that the man really cared abou her well-being. He actually found her extremely creepy.
While he was talking away with the administrators and principal, Clara wandered into the office she assumed would be empty. She was rather shocked to find a boy sitting there.
The boy probably ouldn't think much of her when he saw her. She looked rather more Ritzy than was really neccessary for school and, besides that, her dress was about thirty years out of style. "Oh! Good... good morning." She said quietly.
"That dress looks like something my mother would wear," Aaron muttered, staring out the single window in the room.
Clara blushed, not knowing what to say. She should've insisted they stop to get her some more period appropriate clothes. "My grandmother gave me this dress." She whispered instead. She'd heard claiming sentimental value might work.
"That makes sense. I was sure you couldn't still buy anything like that," Aaron said, looking right at her.
"You probably can't." She said quietly, clutching at her more Victorian-style dress. "It was her favourite."
"Where did you move from?" Aaron asked, graciously changing the subject, and not sounding cruel for a moment.
Name a US state.
"Minnesota." She lied. "What's your name?"
"Aaron, what's yours?"
"Clara." She smiled. "Why are you in here?"
"I was ditching class and they caught me," Aaron answered.
Clara almost laughed. "Well, that's not too bad, is it?" She asked. "How old are you?" She wasn't smart enough yet to figure out any question she asked would probably get asked back.
"Fourteen, what about you?"
Clara had absolutely no idea wht to say. Truthfully, she wasn't sue when she was made, could only remember then day Maverick collected her. Even that, that number wouldn't work, it was too high, she was smaller than that. How do you anser a question of age when you shouldn't be alive to begin with? By the amount of time you've been on the earth, even if you don't age in the traditional sense? By your looks? By your mental maturity? "I'm..."
Before she had to answer the impossible question, the man came into the room. "Clara! Get out of there!" He snapped. He apologized to the principal for her actions. "She's really a good girl, she's just the curious type." He pulled her by the arm out of the principals office. She felt disappointed she didn't get to say goodbye.
Aaron sighed and resumed staring out the window while he waited for the counselor to call him in.
No one would question a seventeen-year-old boy looking for a job away from home. He was strong enough that he could get a job just about anywhere. Add his willingness to overlook and even help with bootleggers, he was exactly where he was comfortable. He liked being overlooked. The government was unaware of the illegal alcohol, and people ignored young men who minded their own business. He was good enough at his job that replacement was unlikely. He would be quite happy to stay here forever, if able.
Justin drove away from the border, a small smile on his face. He’d been allowed through US customs, tricking them again for the third time this month. Bottles and bottles of alcohol were hidden everywhere he could cram them in his old Model T, being, ahem, “exported” from his own country, where prohibition had ended last year. It wasn’t quite as adrenaline-inducing as the war had been, but Justin would take what he could get. And it sure as heck beat not having a job while the workers strike was going on.
He met up with a good friend in the business at their predetermined meeting place. “Exports from the British Commonwealth.” He said as a joke, unwilling to even say Canada, just in case someone might be listening. Paranoia was what had gotten through his last several runs, the ever-constant vigilance sharpened in the War to End All Wars serving him well in this new business.
"You know, you're too worrisome. We wouldn't let anyone overhear, or see. Even I'm too paranoid for that," Francis said, a small smile forming on his face as he handed over the money. "I have no intention of being arrested over booze."
“Oh, dry up.” He said in a joking voice, pulling bottles out of his car. “That was supposed to be a joke. Don’t be a wet blanket. Anyway, you’re not the one who has to cross the border with this stuff.” He reminded Francis.
"And for that I am ever thankful," Francis said. "I'd probably die of premature heart failure being exposed to that much excitement."
“So, no razzing on my business tactics.” Justin shot back. He pulled out about two dozen bottles. “Usual haul, usual dough.” He smiled.
"It seems like you'd get more cash selling directly to consumers. You stick around just because you love me?" Francis asked as he paid Justin.
“Hardly. If I started selling independently and got good at it the mafia would come after me. Competition. This way, I can have as little to do with you people as possible while still keeping a target off my back. This is considered a respectable job up in Canada, and I ain’t no criminal in my country.”
"Does it bother you that I am?" Francis grinned. "Sure as hell doesn't bother me."
"Why don't we just not get into that." Justin replied. "I'm just running a business here. There's no law in Canada that says I can't export liquor out of the country. I'm not involved in any criminal gangs in the US, I just sell my liquor and if some Moll or Hood gives it to some gang afterwards, well, I don't have any control over what happens to my liquor when it's out of my hands. Under Canadian law, I've done nothing wrong, and I'm loyal to my country, not yours. Your law doesn't particularly bother me."
Francis grinned. "I'm glad to have ya, the old man would probably send me across the border every week." He chuckled.
"Ah, well." He pocketed the cash "I guess I'll be seeing you in two weeks." He held out a hand for Francis to shake. "Don't take any wooden nickles while I'm gone."
Francis shook Justin's hand. "We're both too careful for that."
Francis loaded the bottles into his own car, which he was only allowed to use on these jobs. He drove more carefully than any possible demographic.
Justin was driving substantially less carefully than Francis, now that he couldn't be arrested in the states. It's not that he didn't pay attention to the rules of the road, just he was eager to be back within his own borders. Hopefully he hadn't missed too much in Winnipeg.
Aven was too busy looking over her shoulder for the people chasing her to pay any attention to where she was running. When she looked, she swore her life flashed before her eyes. She found herself in the middle of the road, a road that hardly ever had any cars on it. Just her luck there would be one.
Justin thought it would be an uneventful drive home. He thought the most exciting, in a good or bad way, part of the journey was over. Boy, was he wrong.
A little girl ran into the street in front of him.
With incredible reflexes he jerked the wheel sharply to the left and slammed on the brakes. The car swerved and just barely avoided hitting the girl. Despite his foot on the brake pedal, it went thirty more feet before crashing into a telephone pole. He got metal shrapnel cut deep into his skin for his trouble, a serious blow to the head that knocked him out for only a second, and serious bruises to his chest and upper legs. A civilian might have been incapacitated, but Justin had suffered trench foot, seen fellow soldiers contract and die of the Spanish Flu and taken more bullets than he could count. He was determined to get out of this under his own power. He pushed open the door that had buckled inward using all the strength he could muster and staggered out of the wrecked vehicle. "Kid! Are you okay?" He asked, once he'd gotten his breath back.
Aven stared at him in shock. It was the first time she'd ever had anyone ask her that, and the man was in this condition. "I'm not hurt," she whispered, glancing behind her to see if she was still being chased.
"Thank the Lord." Justin replied. "I'm sorry about that... you shouldn't run into the road without checking for cars first, you know" He smiled. He looked over when she looked behind her. "What's wrong?"
"Two scary men are after me and I don't know why," Aven said. "That's why I wasn't watching where I was going... I'm sorry."
Justin was shocked. She was being followed? By whom? The Mafia, maybe? He looked around. He didn't know these streets as well as he ought to, since he didn't live around here. "Where are your parents?"
"I don't have any," Aven said. It wasn't the first time she'd been asked that question, but she still hadn't really found a 'best answer'
"Do you live in an orhanage?" Justin asked
Aven shook her head. "No."
So... she didn't have a home? This was troubling to Justin, but right now, the priority was to help this child. Where was a safe place for a child to hide from the mob? Well.... with other children would be a good start...
"Do you know where the schoolhouse is?"
Aven nodded. "I'm not allowed there though."
"You're not allowed on school grounds?"
Aven nodded. "I tried to take a nap on the playground once and one of the workers chased me off."
So she didn't know how to act like she blended in at a school, she had no home to hide in.... he didn't trust american police in the slightest... there was really only one option.
"Why don't you stay with me for awhile?" he offered. "I'm heading north, and it looks like I'll be walking, since my car is wrecked. If those men show up, I'll protect you."
"Would you really?" Aven smiled.
"Absolutely." Justin nodded. "I might want to get my hands on some sort of weapon, though." He chuckled. "Probably not smart to be going in this condition empty handed." He thought for a moment. He might be able to make a trench club... he'd made several out of old pipes or pieces of wood and old machine gears during the war. "Do you know of any abandoned factories where they might have old scraps still around?"
Aven thought for a minute. "It isn't a factory, but where I stay has some metal stuff around. It's only a few blocks from here."
Justin nodded. "That's perfect."
Aven glanced behind her again before hurrying off to her place. She couldn't help but wonder if maybe this was all a trick and this man was working with the others, though. Justin followed, woried about the men who might still be following her but not very well going to abandon her. Even a simple weapon was better than no weapon at all. He wondered where she'd been staying all this time that she'd never been caught and put into an orphanage.
It wasn't true he had no weapons on him. He had an old Ross Rifle from the war and a few German stick bombs he'd found clutched in the hands of dead soldiers. Nobody knew he had these, and nobody would ever find them. They were somewhere so hidden no man but he could get inside.
At first he'd thought it was a black hole, but it had no gravity. Living things couldn't survive inside. No matter what it was, he could conjur it at will, and stored many things inside. During the war he'd used it to always have a back-up weapon, carry ammo not limited by how much he could carry but simply how much he was allowed. Nobody noticed anything odd on e battlefield. If you were distracted, you were dead.
But in civilian life, you had to be a little more careful about doing things like that, lest others see. He wouldn't pull out his leftover military weapons unless he had too.
Aven led him to a narrow alley and crawled under a fence, a gap that most ten-year-olds couldn't fit through, let alone grown men. She was out of sight after that, but it was only a moment before she returned, pulling a long iron rod out after her. It was weighty, but not so much that she couldn't lift it. She would probably injure herself trying to weild it, though.
Justin took the iron rod from her before she hurt herself. It felt comfortable in his hand, bringing his mind back to raids on enemy bunkers, capturing No-Mans-Land... amazing how a simple piece of what was probably just pipe could make him nostalgic.
"This is perfect." He told her. "What's over there?"
"It's some kind of dump. This corner is, anyway. There's a big building on the other side, but I've never gone over there, and I haven't seen the front," Aven said.
Justin nodded. "I bet there's all sorts of stuff you could make into weapons to defend yourself if you looked. Even just something sharp is a lot more valuable than you might expect. Shall we head north, then?"
Aven nodded. "Lead the way." She smiled.
Justin was unsure how to get home, as it would take too long walking, but he could always start by walking and figure it out later. So he led the little girl oto the streets, using the iron pipe as a cane nd pretending to limp to further catch anyone who might be looking for her off guard and just so it made sense he was carrying an iron bar down the street. "If you see the men who were looking for you and I don't, you tell me, okay?" He didn't want to be caught off guard.
Aven nodded, looking around, though she clearly wasn't anywhere near as worried as she had been. Until she actually saw them. One of them jabbed the other and pointed and they both zoned in. They had covered a half of the gap before Aven snapped out of it enough to warn Justin. "There they are," she mumbled, eyes wide.
Annnnd they'd already noticed the pair. This had been EXACTLY what Justin had been trying to prevent with the warning. "So much for the stealth approach." Justin muttered. Then he raised his voice just enough for Aven to hear properly. "Stay behind me." When the men approached, he said "What seems to be the problem, sir?"
"Is that girl yours?" One of them asked. "She's been caught stealing several times now."
"And are you cops?" Justin asked calmly back.
"We're with the government, sir. It's our job to detain the girl. Are you her legal guardian?"
"Oh is that how it works down here?" Justin asked coolly. "You send in government operatives to deal with a simple theft case?"
"It is clearly also a case of child neglect, sir. Are you her legal guardian or not?"
"I am her legal guardian until such time as I can find her a better one." Justin said coldly. "And from what she tells me it doesn't exactly sound like you're trying to help her."
"We certainly are, she just won't cooperate. We're trying to do what's best for the child, and everyone else. We can't have thieves running around, surely you know that."
"You have enough adult theives running around this country who could and are making perfectly good wages as well to be bothering with a child simply trying to stop herself from starving to death." Justin retorted in the same cool tone
"When we find them, I assure you they will be detained as well. If she's taken in, she'll be fed. Now hand her over."
"Find them? With all due respect, they're not exactly difficult to find." He almost laughed.
"Hand her over, sir."
"I find it very difficult to believe you have her best interests at heart, and I assure you as long as she is under my care he won't be stealing anything." His grip tightened on the pipe.
"Then you can take it up with our boss. We assure you, we won't harm her."
"But that would involve you taking her and not guaranteeing a fair an honest result. I don't trustyou are what you claim, not to mention the government of this country doesn't exactly seem to have the childrens best intests at heart."
"I have to ask you to step aside, or I will have to remove you from the situation."
"You can try... however I am a veteran of the War to End All Wars, so I'm not sure how advisable that would be." Justin knew they'd probably attack anyway, since he was pretending to limp and it made him look crippled, but there was always a chance they'd back off. Still, he doubted it.
Both of them pulled their guns. Aven's eyes went wide and she turned to run. Justin hoped she didn't move. He stepped aside, as if to let them by. "Smart move," one of them said and hurried forward to try to grab Aven's arm, but at his words, she took off.
Justin swung the iron pipe like a baseball bat and it hit his head with a sickening clang. "Find somewhere to hide!" Justin yelled after her while turning to face the second one. He swung it not to hit the mans head but his hand. if sucessful, it'd hurt enough to make him drop the gun.
The man scrambled away from Justin, aiming his gun. "You can be arrested for that," the man informed Justin, glaring.
"There's a lot of things in this country I could be arrested for. Funnily enough, you don't seem to arrest people for them." Justin said, advancing on the man. The iron pipe was held in such a way tht it blocked his face and at least the center of his chest, Justin hoping it'd save him from dying if he was shot. It was clear now he wasn't in any way crippled. "Now as I stated before, I'm a war verteran. So I've done this before. If you wouldlike to cotinue to challenge me, I cannot guarantee your safety. I think it'd be more advisable to call for help for your buddy. This is a pretty effective trench club."
"Whatever, we've already lost the fucking kid. Get lost." The man lowered his gun, but he didn't put it away. He was giving Justin a chance to get lost without completely dropping his guard.
Justin refused to drop his guard either, backing up the way he'd come, his eyes always on the government man until he absolute last second he could. Then he turned and ran down the road, hoping to get a decent distance frm him before starting to search for the little girl again. He was ery aware the man might call for backup, and his ever-vigilant eyes surveyed every shadow, every street corner and alleyway for anything suspicious. "Kid?" He didn't shout it loud, really only said it at slightly louder than regular speaking volume. But she'd hear it if she were in any way close. There was no answer, though a few shadows moved in a nearby alleyway. Suspicious, Justin followed the moving shadow. He said, ever so slightly louder, "Kid, one of the guys is out cold and the others calling backup for his buddy. I wasn't actually going to hand you over. The back of the head is easier to hit than the front."
"Why should I trust you?" the shadows peeped.
He was surprised she was hiding here, and surveyed even more carefully, if that were possible. "Well, there's the fact I could now be arrested because of you." He smirked. "As I just quite possibly killed some bimbo with this pipe. Not that I couldn't have been before.. in this country anyway. I still want to help you... I'm heading up to Canada whether you come or not. And I can provide you food without having to steal it."
"Is Canada far away?" Aven asked, takng a small step out of her hiding place. The difference was huge, it was amazing she had been able to blend in so well.
Justin was shocked by her sdden reappearance. How had she hidden from him so well, being so close? Was he losing his touch? "Yes, it's quite a long drive, and as my car got smashed we're going to have to walk... but it's probaby better than staying here, right?"
Aven nodded. "I guess I'll have to trust you, for now." she came and took his hand.
Justin smiled at her. "We'll get out of here, don't worry." After a moment, he asked "Do you know why they're after you?"
Aven stared down the road. After a while, she nodded again. It was a much smaller movement this time. "..Why is that? You don't have to tell me if you don't want too."
Aven remained silent for a long time. "Everyone hates me when they find out. They think I'm from hell." That had been an extreme case, but it had stuck with her. She assumed that everyone who had anything against her after that must think the samething.
"What?" That didn't even make any sense to Justin. "Why would they think that?"
"If I told you, you'd think so too."
"No I wouldn't... How can anything be from hell? That doesn’t even make logical sense."
Aven shrugged. "I might be." The thought clearly troubled her.
"No... Don't say that. That's a terrible thing to say." Justin said. "Why do people think that about you?"
"I can't tell! You'd leave!"
"If you don't want to tell me, that's fine. But I won't leave." Justin said, then changed the subject. "Are you hungry? I have quite a bit of money on me if you want to get something..."
"I'm starving," Aven admitted.
Justin nodded and went into a store quickly, coming out with two chocolate bars and an apple for Aven. "I'm sorry I couldn't find anything better."
Aven looked up at him, as though she couldn't believe it. "It's fine." She stared at the candy bars. "I've never had chocolate before."
"I can imagine not." Justin replied. "Go ahead, try some. You'll like it."
Aven smiled and hugged him, then very carefully opened the wrapper. She took a bite and then looked at the candy in awe. "This is amazing."
Justin smiled. "We can get more when we're closer to Canada." he said to her. She seemed sweet, whatever those creepy suits said. He still wondered what it was those government men wanted her for, though.
Aven nodded. "My name is Aven." She smiled at him. Even the government people didn't know her name, and they knew everything. Only the mean church lady knew her name, and now this man. She hoped he wouldn't turn mean like the nun had.
Justin was glad he'd been trusted with her name. "Nice to meet you Aven. My name is Justin." He led her back down the road, down the way he would have driven, heading towards Canada.
“Nice to meet you, Justin." Aven followed him obediently.
The agent called Maverick as soon as Justin moved out of reasonable range. "We saw her again... She's found a defender."
"She has?" Maverick was surprised. "Did you get a name?"
"No... I don't think he was even American. He kept talking about how poorly this country treated children." The man made a sound that sounded like 'hmph'.
"Not an American, hm?" Maverick asked. "Hm... either he's vacationing from Europe... or he's a canadian rum-runner. Set up tighter security on the border, describe this man and his girl companion to them to the best of your ability. He'll no doubt try to re-enter his country at some point. Even if we lose it and he makes it in, he'll try to bring more alcohol down eventually so long as prohibition is here and not there."
"Yes, sir. Right away, sir. One more thing, though. He claimed to be an war veteran, he hit Joseph over the head pretty hard with a metal bar of some kind. He's out cold."
"He'll probably need medical attention. Quickly. If this man you are persuing was a canadian war veteran, he is not a man to be crossed or underestimated. However, the chance of him carrying a gun is slim, but he'll feel very comfortable with something as simple as a metal bar or a knife. Approach with caution and be absolutely sure of yourself before you engage. Taking him on with multiple others backing you is not cowardice. It's intelligence."
"Yes, sir. Shall I send for an ambulance?"
"Probably best."
"Very well. Should I return to headquarters once I've alerted boarder watch?"
"Unless you get a location on her while you are out, yes." Maverick nodded
"I'll be there soon, then. Is there anything else I need to be aware of?" the man asked, as his friend lay there questionably dying every second he waited.
"Only that your friend's liklihood of dying increases eery second you're on the phone talking to me." Maverick said calmly.
"Thank you, sir." He hung up the payphone and placed another call for an ambulance.
Half an hour after school was out, Lillian still hadn't left the building. Her friends all wanted to talk and make plans and discuss what they were going to do over the next few days.
"Seriously, Mark and I have to get home! I'll talk to you about the weekend tomorrow, Mary. I'll see you guys later. Seriously!" She practically had to drag Mark away, though she found them impossible to get mad at.
She dragged Mark right in front of another boy. "Watch it. You almost stepped on my toes," Aaron said, though he didn't sound mad, or even particularly concerned. "You're Lillian, right?" He ignored Mark entirely, even though Mark was probably closer to his own age.
"Yeah, and this is my brother Mark." She didn't like the unpleasant tone she was getting from the boy, but she figured if she was nice her power would make it go away shortly. "What's your name?"
"Aaron Villein." He looked Lillian up and down. "You're almost as popular as I am."
"Almost?" Mark interjected.
"What are you getting at?" Lillian asked curiously.
Aaron continued to ignore Mark, to the point it almost seemed like he didn't hear him at all. "We should get together sometime, squirt."
"I'm already quite busy..." Lillian said, not really liking his unpleasant attitude.
Aaron tilted his head. "Then maybe I could tag along." It didn't sound like he was asking.
"I don't know... I'd have to talk to the others about it..."
"Surely you don't let them tell you what to do," Aaron scoffed.
"No, but if none of them like the idea, I'm not going to force you on them. That's unfair." Lillian told him.
"But I wouldn't be with them, I would be with you."
"But they'll be there too, duh." Lillian laughed. "I never hang out with less than three friends at a time, silly. It's easier that way."
Aaron smirked and shook his head. "You're cute. Let me know, then."
She wondered why the guy had to be so negative.Was her power not working on him? "I will." She promised.
"I really hope your friends agree," Aaron said. "See you around." He outright smiled, something he didn't do often, and left.
Lillian waved and looked over to her brother, nd was surprised to see him not smiling.
"What a pill." He said, watching Aaron walk away. "You know he's just giving you lines because you're popular, right?"
"Yeah I kinda got that vibe too." Lillian agreed. "But I can't exactly say no, that would be mean. Besides, there'll be four other people there if he does come."
Mark couldn't stay down for long around Lillian. "True. I can't wit for the weekend! What're we doing? You said we wwer going out with Mary and Margaret and them but..."
"Has it ever occured to you to get a job, Mark?" Lillian laughed.
"Aw, come on! I like hanging out with you!"
Christine sighed. "I don't understand why you people wait around school so long. Is it really that entertaining? Even chores are more fun. And you know what chore rhymes with?"
"It's fun to talk with friends!" Mark protested.
"Sorry, Christine." Lillian apologized. "You don't have to wait for us you know. Mark can get me home just fine." She gave a guilty smile.
"Mom always asks where you are and why I'm not with you," Christine said. In afterthought, Aaron had been much happier, in his own way, than Christine.
Lillian wondered, again, why Christine never seemed happy. Maybe Christine was just weird, and actually washappy, she just couldn't tell. Ah, well. It didn't matter much to Lillian. Whether her powr was affecting Christine or even Aaron or not was something it was probably best not to think about. She was happier when she could pretend all thse people liked her for her. "Well, tell mom I'm twelve and you're sixteen and I have my brother to protect me." Lillian laughed.
"Ab-so-lutely." She agreed.
As they were on their way home, they passed a man they'd never seen before. He was badly injured and carrying a long iron bar. He was telling an animated story to the little girl he had with him. He swung he metal bar and almost hit Mark by accident.
"Horsefeathers!" Mark just barely managed to avoid getting hit.
Justin turned and saw the three behind him. "I'm sory!" He said, surprised. "I didn't know you wre there, I'm sorry."
"You could look when you swing things around. Big six like you could kill somebody," Christine said. Aven hid behind Justin, even though the youngest girl was about her age.
Justin knew she was right and apologized again.
"It's alright." Lillian said. "Just be more careful next time."
They were close enough her aura was affecting him. He smiled brightly at her and she smiled back.
"No harm, no foul, right?"
"I guess you could say that." Justin replied with a small chuckle. It surprised even him, as it was rare that he laughed. Aven peeked out from behind him and waved shyly, with a small smile.
"Hi." She waved back at the girl. She felt bad the girl was so shy.
Mark pulled on her shirt sleeve, reminding her they were supposed to be leaving, but Lillian wanted to talk.
"Were you at school?" The concept had always intrigued her, but all her learning had come from the nuns. She'd never been with other kids while she was taught, let alone had breaks to go play. Did they even learn the same things?
"Yeah," Lillian said. "Weren't you today?"
Aven shook her head. "I don't go to school."
"What?" Lillian was intrigued. "You don't go to school? Why not?"
"I don't know how. They didn't let me when I tried."
"Didn't your parents enrol you in school?" Lillian asked.
"I don't have parents..." Aven barely seemed disappointed about that fact, what with it being how it had been as long as she could remember and Lillian's power.
"Oh! You're an orphan, then? Why didn't the orphanage make you?" Lillian asked.
"I don't live at an orphanage..."
Lillian was very confused. "Then where do you live?"
Justin was just pleased Aven was making a friend.
Aven pointed. "In an alley that way from here."
Lillian was shocked. She'd lived in an alley.. without any sort of home? Lillian couldn't eve imagine it. "Oh, that's so sad...."
"We proably ought to get going." Justin said, though he was quite content to saty. "It was nice meeting you. I really am sorry again"
"No, it's okay. It's safe there. And now I have Justin," Aven said happily.
Christine frowned. "Why do you even have that bar?
"It's a long story." Justin replied.
"Whatever. Come on, guys. Let's just go home," Christine half pleaded.
"Bye," Aven said, waving again. "It was nice meeting you!"
"Alright, Christine. Bye, guys!" She waved cheerfully, and started heading back twards home. Mark did the same.
Christine frowned once more at Justin before she followed her siblings.
Aven watched them leave. "They were nice."
"Yeah, I thought so too." Justin smiled.
Aven took his hand. "At least they aren't after us anymore. That guy totally deserved it."
"I just did what I had to do to keep you safe." Justin said, and smiled down at her. "And if we run into more before we getover the border, I'm going to do the same thing to them too. Okay?"
"Sounds good to me! I'm sorry about your car..."
"Yeah, that's too bad... still mabe I can get an older car... a good, canadian one now. It'd be harder to take care of, but it'd run." He told her.
Aven nodded. "I'm glad you aren't mad." She smiled up at him.
“Of course I'm not mad, how could I be mad at you?" He laughed
"Most people would be. They wouldn't ask what was wrong, they'd just yell at me."
"But you're a child! And you almost got hit by a car!"
"Because I was in the road."
"You're still a ten yar old kid..."
Aven shrugged. "I'm glad I met you, even if you almost ran be over," she teased.
Justin smiled. "Thanks, Aven. Now, we going to Canada or we gonna stand around here talking?" He asked playfully.
"We're going to Canada!" Aven cried gleefully.
"Thats right!" He led her down the street, happy she was cheerful. Was this what having a daughter was like? Funny, Justin had never even considered having kids, mainly because he'd never thought abut finding a wife. But watching Aven... knowing she depended on him... it was different.
“What's Canada like?" Aven asked
"It's very pretty. There are lots of trees and wildlife aroud. I think you'll like Winnipeg. It's not nearly as big as Chicago."
"Do they all talk like you?" Aven asked.
"Like me? How like me?" Justin asked. "What do you mean?"
"You sound different from other people," Aven said, shrugging. "I ain't never heard a Canada person before."
Justin shrugged. "I've never noticed before. I guess they do."
Aven nodded. "Alright." She continued along in silence. She had great stamina for a kid.
Over the next few days, Maverick simply waited. He knew that, even if those buffoons under him didn't catch the girl, she would be detained at the border. It was inevitable. Her capture would come in time. And then that Canadian man would learn what happened when you got on the wrong side of the United States government. As for new gifteds, Clara was handling that end, and she would report when anything new appeared. He was ready. He was prepared. Now, all they had to do was wait.
Kenny Clark was not the kind of person you joked around with. He was one of those people who you would never even think about pranking on April Fool's Day, and it was always a bad idea to get on his bad side. Most people, aside from his assistant, didn't generally see him. Most knew his name, but he rarely left his office. Some people went in, but that was a small number compared to the people who were in the same building as him every day. However, today was a special day, when he decided to step out. "Maverick, is it?" he asked of one of the men.
Maverick nodded cooly. "That is correct."
"What is your current assignment? I'm curious," Kenny stated.
"I'm currently head of the GPP, or gifted persecution project. Why do you ask?"
"Didn't I say I was curious? I'm sure I said I was curious. I was inspecific, though. Don't you have anything more specific?" Kenny asked, inspecting his fingers.
"Well... currently I've been waiting on a plan to capture codename: Shadow to come to fruition, and I have one of my... special agents working to discover more gifteds, focusing on the city of Chicago. Does that help?" Maverick asked quietly.
"Mmm... Yeah, I guess." He smiled. "I rather like Chicago."
Maverick was unsure where Kenny was going with this, just adjusting his glasses and staring at the older man. "Clara will hopefully have more work for those of you here in due time."
"Right. How are the GPP agents doing?" Kenny asked.
"Not the greatest. Of course, At this point the plan is rather hard to get balled up. Shadow was proving elusive... she'd gained a protector who happened to be a military man. Still, we managed to work around him."
"That's good," Kenny smiled again. "I always enjoy talking to you."
Maverick didn't even smile at the compliment. "You and I both know you want something, Kenny. So what is it?"
"Things are awfully boring around here with those incompetant nuisances failing to get anything done."
"Of course..."
"I want to show them how it's done."
"Shadow will be aprehended at the US/Canadian border without your help. However, when Clara finds a new giftd, youll be the first to know." Maverick promised
Kenny hmphed and left back to his office. "Watch her escape."
Susie had grown closer to her new personal doctor over the next few days. Hilary liked him too, though she was reluctant to come out because she doubted he knew sign language, and instead she had Susie repeat her words back to him. Although Mary still didn't trust him, even she had to admit after awhile that he was much better than the horrible doctors they'd had before. "But that doesn't mean he doesn't still have a hidden agenda." She warned. Niether of the others listened to her.
"Hello, girls," Aurthur greeted as he brought their dinner. He waited for them to answer, so he would know who he was talking to.
"Hey Arthur!" Susie cried gleefully. "How are you?"
Aurthur smiled. "I'm quite well. How about you, Susie? Is Mary being nice?"
"Well, Mary's never exactly nice, but she's not trying to kill us, at least. You've preoccupied her" Susie laughed.
Hey, don't think I've forgotten. We've just got a more pressing problem at the moment.
"Have I? I'm glad she isn't hurting you," Aurthur said.
"Yeah... she still thinks you're up to something." Susie sighed in regret at the silliness of her other personality.
Aurthur laughed. "Well, so long as it keeps her busy, right?"
"Yeah, I guess." Susie agreed
Meanwhile, Clara was settling into school life. However, she was having difficulty making friends, mainly due to her outdated attire. She was teased relentlessly for it. She spent every lunch alone, unless a group of the bigger boys and girls in her grade cornered her that lunch hour and decided to push her around for a bit. This didn't bother her too much except it made it harder to do her job.
One such day, Aaron decided to call them off. "Yes, you kids certainly are very tough, five of you picking on one of her. She should be shown how wonderful our school should be, don't you think?" He glanced down the hall to where a few of Lillian's friends stood, watching, and the corners of his mouth twitched. "Clara, was it?" He offered her a hand to help her up, and someone aimed a punch at his head. He reacted notably faster than most people should be able to, though he was careful not to go at his full speed. He dodged the punch and gave one of his own. The bullies scattered after that, not so tough after all.
"Wow... thank you." Clara said. She noted the slight increase in speed beyond what a normal person was capable of... but she couldn't be sure he hadn't just trained to get that speed.
"You're welcome," Aaron said. "Stand up to them next time."
"I-I don't know what I would say..." She said nervously. "I don't want to fight anyone..."
"You shouldn't just lay down and take it, either," Aaron said.
"But then... what?" She asked
"Well, you could find someone else to handle it."
“But you're the only person I know." She confided to him. "Nobody else will talk to me..."
"You could get a teacher... Or you could just come get me. I don't mind saving you again."
"You would do that for me?' Clara asked, looking hopeful.
"Of course I would," Aaron answered, shrugging.
"Wow... thank you, that. that means a lot to me." She said. "Can I hang out with you today?"
"Uh, yeah, sure." Aaron flashed a smile. "I'm pretty much alone anyway, my buddy just left to visit his extended family in Italy."
Her whole face lit up in a smile brighter than any expression she'd worn before this. "Yay! Thank you so much!" She went up hugged him.
Aaron seemed a little surprised. "Uh. You're welcome." He patted her head, but that seemed to be all he could manage.
After a minute, Clara released him. "So where too?"
"Have you eaten yet?" Aaron asked.
"Yeah!" Clara nodded, though it was a lie, since she didn't eat.
"Let's head out back, then," Aaron suggested.
"Absolutely!" She agreed, and followed him out back.
Aaron leaned against the back wall and pulled out a cigarette, taking a deep puff on it once it was lit.
Clara was too young-looking to smoke, so she just leaned against the wall next to him and looked up at him admiringly. "So what do you generally do every day?"
"Come to school," Aaron replied with a grin. "When do you mean?"
"Like during lunch, silly."
"Mosta the time, me and Thane come back here," Aaron answered, shrugging.
"And do what?" she asked curiously
Aaron twitched his fingers. "Smoke, mostly." Aaron didn't admit it, but occasionally they stole from Mr. Chaze, and brought a bottle of alcohol.
"How boring." She laughed, sounding like she was joking.
"We race a lot," Aaron admitted, chuckling. "He always beats me."
"Oh, that sounds like fun!" She said eagerly. "Are you fast? How far do you go?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty fast. He's amazing. We, uh, usually just go around the playground." That was a lie, they usually raced all the way to the old gas station, but most people probably couldn't make it there and back at lunch. Not that they never skipped, but it was best to not give away all his secrets to some girl he barely knew.
“N-no…” She whispered. Susie had grown a healthy fear of the doctors since arriving here, despite his kind appearance. She shrank into the corner, away from the doctor. “I’m Susie…”
Hahaha, hope you’re not expecting me to come out again this time. Mary smirked.
They despised her, she tried to kill them on a regular basis, but Mary was the only one who didn’t break down into tears at the electric shocks. They’d grown to rely on her.
“come on, Mary, please…” Susie whispered.
Nope. Mary replied smugly, enjoying their pain.
Susie looked fearfully up at the doctor, realizing she’d spoken aloud and afraid of what might come next.
"Well, then Susie, it's nice to meet you as well. I promise I won't hurt you, I just want to talk. We don't even have to leave your room if you don't want to," Arthur promised. He didn't move any closer, just sat down the rest of the way. "Will you talk to me?"
“Do I have a choice?” Susie couldn’t help asking. Nevertheless, his unusual kind demeanour did relax her slightly, and she came a little closer, out of her corner. Mary chuckled at her stupidity, and Susie wished she’d be quiet. She was scared enough as it was.
"Yes, you have a choice, Susie... No matter how much I talk, you could choose to remain silent." Aurthur smiled. "I'm sorry that you feel scared of us, and moreso that you've a reason to in most cases."
Susie nodded. “Okay… I’ll talk, I guess….” She shushed Mary and waited to hear what the unusually kind doctor had to say.
"Do you know why you're here, Susie?" Aurthur asked.
"...It's because of me and Mary, isn't it? You want to get rid of us."
"Why do you think that, Susie?" Aurthur said, though he made no attempt to disagree.
"That's what the doctors keep saying... they're saying we aren't real." Susie said in a distressed voice. "But we are real! I'm talking to you right now! How can I be talking to you if I'm not real?"
"I don't know, Susie. I know you're real. Do you know how you came to be here?" Aurthur questioned.
"The doctors who treated Hilary after her tightrope accident had us sent here afterwords..."
"Do you know how special you are, Susie?" Aurthur asked her.
Susie was confused. Special? Nobody had ever told her she was special before... crazy, insane, mad, nonexsistant, a figmnt of Hilary's imagination.... but special? Never. "How...? I'm not special... I can't balance like Hilary can, I can't fight like Mary can..."
"The three of you are special together, Susie. You're not like other people."
"What?" Susie's eyes widened in wonder. "How... how so?"
"Most people only have one person in their body... But you have three, don't you?"
"Yes... Myself, Mary, and Hilary." Susie said. "But that's not special... and Mary wants to kill us..."
"It depends on what you mean by special, Susie. I am sorry that Mary is so mean, though."
Susie smiled.
Ha, he’s playing you like a violin. Mary whispered inside of her. You really think he cares about you any more than the others here?
Susie faltered, wishing Mary would just be quiet for once. This man hadn’t hurt her or yelled at her like any of the others, he hadn’t said she was mad or non-existent but ‘special’… but could it be true? Was it all an act? Mary certainly seemed to think so, lounging in the back of her head watching Susie get progressively more hopeful. Was she right? Was she just being a pessimistic Bearcat? Or was there something to it? She watched the man with a concerned look on her face, unsure of what to do, who to believe.
"You know, that's why you're really here. So you don't get hurt. There are lots of people here, and all of them have problems that they can't handle on their own, even if it's just for a little while. Mary might hurt you if you weren't here," Aurthur said.
"That... that doesn't make sense... if they wanted to protect us from Mary then they wouldn't hurt us themselves...."
Maybe they know Mary takes most of the punishment? Hilary used sign language to communicate with Susie. Susie was greatful Hilary seemed to agree with her, rather than Mary's assessment. And they're trying to kill her the same way she tries to kill us?
Nope. How would that even work? I can hurt you in here just like I could out there, and I do. If that were the case, they'dve changed tactics awhile ago, because this one clearly isn't working. Mary pointed out logically.
"I absolutely understand your confusion, Susie. You see, there was a change in management. Things work differently around here now, and that won't happen again. I'm sorry you had to go through that."
What?
The word was echoed by all three of them at once. Mary, the ever impatient one, pushed her way past Susie and took over, demanding an explanation. The change was obvious; her whole demeanour shift. Her features hardened, and she sat of straighter, tense. Mary wasn’t afraid of any doctor here, and it showed.
Her voice was much more challenging. “New management? What’s that supposed to mean? And why should we trust you?”
"It meants there's a new manager, what else would it mean? And it's not like you have anyone else to trust. I've been permanently assigned to you three. It really doesn't matter if you trust me, I suppose. It won't change anything, whether you do or don't," Aurthur pointed out.
“So it’s all just going to stop out of nowhere? There’s something you’re not telling us. The other two seem pretty convinced, but I for one doubt some guy who comes in here out of absolutely nowhere and tells us everything we want to hear.”
"Of course it seems like it comes from nowhere. They aren't going to set off an alarm just because someone was fired, dear. You're in here all day, why would you get a warning?" Aurthur said, with a small smile.
“Says you. You would think a major upset in the entire policy of the place would warrant some sort of warning, a transition phase where they phased out the old tactics and doctors and sent in new ones. It makes more sense than a sudden, abrupt change from any perspective. And yet with no warning whatsoever, some guy just walks in and says “Oh, it’s all been changed starting immediately. Either it’s all baloney, or there’s something big going on here. So level with me; What is it?”
Aurthur sighed. "There is no need to warn someone who can't do anything about it. Just because you haven't noticed any of the changes out there doesn't mean it hasn't happened. None of them cared to tell you anything, would you really expect they would?"
“No, but I don’t hear things from them directly. What else do we have to do all day other than listen to the Dumb Dora’s outside beat their gums?” Mary pointed out.
"Clearly you've never had a job. The first few weeks after a management change, no one slacks off for fear of being fired," Aurthur said, rubbing his head.
Seems like he’s avoiding the question to me.
Hilary said to dry up. And I agree with her. Susie replied, pushing her way back to the front again, worried Mary might offend him. “I’m sorry about her.” Susie said. “She can be… a little hostile sometimes.”
“I don't mind," Aurthur smiled. "Besides, I can hardly punish you for what she does, right?"
Susie beamed at him. “I guess… that’s not what the other doctors said. Things really are going to be different around here, aren’t they?”
"They really are," Aurthur said. "You can count on that."
“I look forward to it.” Susie replied.
“Be back soon, both of you.” Their mother ordered. “I don’t want to hear of you guys out past nine on a Wednesday.”
“Definitely, Champion Spark Plug Hour is tonight!” Lillian laughed and followed her brother out the door, giving her mother a little wave.
“So when are we meeting up with Helen, Joseph and Margaret?” Mark asked cheerfully, almost before they were even out of the house. “Is Christine coming?”
“Calm down, Mark!” Lillian laughed. “We haven’t even left the house yet. And who says Christine wants to come?”
Mark and Lillian were basically inseparable, but it hadn’t always been that way. Lillian had been the younger sister, not worth Marks time when he had a life he needed to prepare for. He was already looking for a job, he had his own circle of friends and it just wasn’t normal to hang out with your younger sister.
But that all changed, a few months after she turned twelve, when Lillian hit puberty. That was when her powers first manifested themselves. Generally a fairly happy person, Lillian had almost an aura around her at all times. She could increase the strength at will, but she rarely bothered; she was never trying to use it. Her aura substantially boosted the mood of anyone around her, until everyone she came in contact with was happy during the time they were with her. Mark, drawn in by his constant cheerfulness around her and the lack of fighting and negativity in her social circle, had become a close companion of hers and an integral part of her group. Lillian had become the life every party, the soul of every crowd. Her circle of friends had swelled to a ridiculous size. After all, who could resist being friends with a person who made them happy, no matter the circumstances?
This sometimes bothered Lillian. She wondered how many of her friends liked her for her, and how many were simply drawn to her thanks to the odd, seemingly supernatural power she possessed. She’d like to think Mark at least could see past her power and cared for her for the sister underneath, but she could never know for sure.
She tried not to let it bother her though. She wouldn’t stay angry at the world about it. “Mark, can you butt me? I’m short on dough.”
“Yeah, I think I’ve got one.” Mark passed her a cigarette and she lit it gladly as they walked to the metro station.
Christine had never particularly liked her siblings. She saw their uses: the more of them she had, the less work she was asked to do around the house. She'd noticed that, as Lillian got older. It was almost like magic, but it was overshadowed by a darker magic. Christine had thought it was an awful coincidence at first. She'd asked for help, and a man walked right in front of the train to try to get to her. She had been scared at first, but she had found that, like her siblings, her magic had its uses. She could always count on people to help her, no matter what. She had been special, for the first time. She was more than just one of three kids and two girls. She was no longer just shy. She had something, and she had thought she was unique until recently. Lillian had showed her up again. She had dozens of friends, and had even influenced their older brother and their parents. Lillian was a monster, but Christine played along. She would find a way to show them that Lillian wasn't special. She would show them all to stay away from the strange little girl. Until then, she would watch. "Think you can just abandon me, huh?" she asked, jogging to catch up to her siblings. She tried to make it sound like a joke, but her voice sounded flat. "Where are we going?"
“Christine! You made it!” Lillian was pleased, figuring her sister would have her own life. “We’re meeting up with a few friends and going to a talkie.” She told her. “You coming along?”
"Sure, sounds great," Christine said, smiling. Part of her was sickly happy to be with her sister, but most of her recognized that it was just the magic talking. Lillian was a demon.
"Ab-so-lute-ly!" Mark agreed. Lillian grinned, excited to go see the new movie.
"Let's go!"
Lillian and her friends ended up talking in hushed voices most of the movie. Though she only brught three other friends, there where five more people she knew who'd also gone without her knowledge, and the whole big group just sat together and chatted. Only Mark and Lillian herself seemed in any way even mildly annoyed by this.
"Do your friends never be quiet?" Christine asked Lillian after a while.
"I don't think so." Lillian shrugged. "I'm used to it. I can still hear the movie... mostly. Why, is it bothering you?" Lillian just asked because it was normal, taking her power for granted and assuming nothing could really bother Christine while she was around.
"A little," Christine said. "No big deal, I was curious is all." She frowned at the screen.
"Oh." Lillian was slightly surprised, but whatever. This sall semblance of 'before' - how she refferred to her life before her powers - was actually rather comforting in a way, that one person wasn't completely and tottally content hanging around her. She wasn't so sure why it was Christine... maybe it had something to do with a more serious personality being harder to please. She wasn't sure; there wasn't a lot of stress or anything in the household, so she had no idea the scope or stregnth of her ability... just that it'd worked so far on everyone she met. "No problem, I'll ask them to keep it down for you." She smiled, and tapped her friend Helen on the shoulder. "Hey could you keep it down? It's not a silent movie, you know." She grinned.
"Oh, sorry Lillian!" Helen giggled and lowered her voice lowr, and the others did the same. Nobody apologized, but then nobody felt they needed too.
"Hmph," Christine said. Why did Lillian think she could just fix everything anyway? She couldn't always just tap someone on the shoulder and boss everyone around. Why did everyone listen to her? Despite all her negative thoughts, Christine was slowly relaxing and enjoying the movie.
Lillian was pleased she'd made her sister happier, and of course Mark was having as much fun as ever. She sat back and enjoyed the movie.
When the movie was over, she said a legnthy goodbye to her many friends. After about twety minutes, it was justher, Mark and Christine on their way home.
"You guys enjoy the movie?" She asked, lighting up her second cigarette of the evening.
"You and your friends take a really long time to say goodbye," Christine commented, eyeing the cigarette half with longing. "But the movie was alright."
"Yeah, I guess. Everyone wants to make plans." Lillian said with a small smile. She'd actually mooched the second cigarette off Joseph and so didn't have any to offer Christine, but she saw Christine eyeing it and decided it'd be more respectful to put it out.
"You're popular." Mark stated the obvious. "Of course you take forever to say goodbye to that many people!"
"It's not like it's hard, it's only one word," Christine muttered.
Lillian pretended she didn't hear. When they got home, she skipped to the radio for her favourite program, watching Mark chat idly with their mother.
"So how was you day?" Their mother asked.
"Great!" Mark said. "We went to see a movie."
"Whose we? Just the three of you?"
"No, us three and Helen and Joseph and Margaret went, and then we met up with Mary and William and Edward and Dorothy and Dorothy's sister Virginia while we were there so it turned into a party."
"Did you enjoy the movie?"
"I dunno, I didn't hear a whole lot of it. I think we ought to stick to silent movies." He laughed.
"How about you, Christine? Did you enjoy the movie?"
Christine shrugged. "It was fine. Lillian would you quit skipping around. Just pick a station."
"I'm trying to get to the NBC Blue Network, mom never has it on the right station." Lillian protested. After a minute she found the right station and sat back to listen.
"Good riddance," Christine muttered.
The young girl willed her heart to quiet, she was sure they could find her by its sound alone. She covered her mouth and waited with that intense feeling of dread that came when you were waiting and could do nothing but hide. It was like a hide-and-go-seek game, where if she were caught, everything would change rather than returning to normal. She didn't know much about how the world worked, but she knew that the people in black and white, with badges and guns, weren't looking to give her a hug. It was half an hour before she finally relaxed and looked at the reason they'd been chasing her. A big, red fruit. She bit into it and could have sworn she'd never been happier, though she had thought the same thing every other time she ate. It was never a sure thing, her being able to eat. But today, the score was Aven Salmhofer one, pigs none.
Maverick Easton checked his watch when th other men returned. "Did she escape again?" He asked softly, surveying them behind his round glasses.
"Afraid so, sir."
"Hm... and you haven't yet found any others in this city?"
"No sir."
"Useless...." Maverick whispered. He picked up one of his many porcelain dolls, set neatly in their boxes. Their painted faces became much more lifelike when he put his pale hand on them. "You're going to need to work harder to find them if we're ever going to make any progress. You're also going to have to be more subtle then that... She's a fugitive, so it's all Jake, but if you expect to convince others... itmust not be obvious where we're going. with this."
They didn't dare object. Maverick looked down at the doll he cupped in his hand. "Perhaps... it is time I threw in my own pieces as well."
The doll swelled in size, the skin becoming darker and the features more lifelike. The painted-on hair detached from her head and seperated, becoming real strands. "Clara."
Clara blinked. "What is it you wanted from me?"
"Go with these nice men and get them to enroll you in a school. If we want to find more like myself, the youngest demographic will be the easiest to convince to come, and a good place to start."
"Yes, sir!"
Aaron Villein was not the kind of child who had to go to a public school, and everyone was well aware. The fact was, Aaron enjoyed flustering the teachers, and that didn't happen in schools where the administration was used to dealing with the children of diplomats and celebrities. Aaron was happier going to school in a public school, where he was the richest kid around, and the teachers didn't know how to handle a congressman's son. And so every year, when his mother begged him to go to a private school, he adeptly refused, claiming he didn't want to leave his friends. In all honesty, the only friend he cared about was rich enough to follow him, if he chose. They were closer than any two people had ever been. They had practically grown up together, and the discovery of their powers had furthur cemented their friendship. They were the only two who knew, and their powers complimented each others. Aaron had super speed, and Thane, his best friend, was a teleporter. Aaron could almost beat Thane Chaze in races, but more impotantly, Thane was the only person Aaron would accept loss from. They had a similar family life, both their fathers being complete asshats, and whenever things got rough, they could always hide away at the other's house. They were the people who knew they could count on the other to bail them out of jail... if they weren't sitting next to each other in the cell. Thane was the only person Aaron listened to, or had any ounce of respect for. Unfortunately there was no bail in the prinipal's office, and that was where Aaron sat... alone. He couldn't help grinning over the fact that Thane had eluded them, even though he'd been caught. He wouldn't begrudge Thane that freedom, or any freedom.
One of the two men went into the office to get Clara signed up for school, giving a lie about having just moved to the city. As for a home, well Clara wason her own for that one. But as she didn't need to eat, sleep or really bother with anything but making sure her porcelain skin didn't get damaged, she'd be fine. Not that the man really cared abou her well-being. He actually found her extremely creepy.
While he was talking away with the administrators and principal, Clara wandered into the office she assumed would be empty. She was rather shocked to find a boy sitting there.
The boy probably ouldn't think much of her when he saw her. She looked rather more Ritzy than was really neccessary for school and, besides that, her dress was about thirty years out of style. "Oh! Good... good morning." She said quietly.
"That dress looks like something my mother would wear," Aaron muttered, staring out the single window in the room.
Clara blushed, not knowing what to say. She should've insisted they stop to get her some more period appropriate clothes. "My grandmother gave me this dress." She whispered instead. She'd heard claiming sentimental value might work.
"That makes sense. I was sure you couldn't still buy anything like that," Aaron said, looking right at her.
"You probably can't." She said quietly, clutching at her more Victorian-style dress. "It was her favourite."
"Where did you move from?" Aaron asked, graciously changing the subject, and not sounding cruel for a moment.
Name a US state.
"Minnesota." She lied. "What's your name?"
"Aaron, what's yours?"
"Clara." She smiled. "Why are you in here?"
"I was ditching class and they caught me," Aaron answered.
Clara almost laughed. "Well, that's not too bad, is it?" She asked. "How old are you?" She wasn't smart enough yet to figure out any question she asked would probably get asked back.
"Fourteen, what about you?"
Clara had absolutely no idea wht to say. Truthfully, she wasn't sue when she was made, could only remember then day Maverick collected her. Even that, that number wouldn't work, it was too high, she was smaller than that. How do you anser a question of age when you shouldn't be alive to begin with? By the amount of time you've been on the earth, even if you don't age in the traditional sense? By your looks? By your mental maturity? "I'm..."
Before she had to answer the impossible question, the man came into the room. "Clara! Get out of there!" He snapped. He apologized to the principal for her actions. "She's really a good girl, she's just the curious type." He pulled her by the arm out of the principals office. She felt disappointed she didn't get to say goodbye.
Aaron sighed and resumed staring out the window while he waited for the counselor to call him in.
No one would question a seventeen-year-old boy looking for a job away from home. He was strong enough that he could get a job just about anywhere. Add his willingness to overlook and even help with bootleggers, he was exactly where he was comfortable. He liked being overlooked. The government was unaware of the illegal alcohol, and people ignored young men who minded their own business. He was good enough at his job that replacement was unlikely. He would be quite happy to stay here forever, if able.
Justin drove away from the border, a small smile on his face. He’d been allowed through US customs, tricking them again for the third time this month. Bottles and bottles of alcohol were hidden everywhere he could cram them in his old Model T, being, ahem, “exported” from his own country, where prohibition had ended last year. It wasn’t quite as adrenaline-inducing as the war had been, but Justin would take what he could get. And it sure as heck beat not having a job while the workers strike was going on.
He met up with a good friend in the business at their predetermined meeting place. “Exports from the British Commonwealth.” He said as a joke, unwilling to even say Canada, just in case someone might be listening. Paranoia was what had gotten through his last several runs, the ever-constant vigilance sharpened in the War to End All Wars serving him well in this new business.
"You know, you're too worrisome. We wouldn't let anyone overhear, or see. Even I'm too paranoid for that," Francis said, a small smile forming on his face as he handed over the money. "I have no intention of being arrested over booze."
“Oh, dry up.” He said in a joking voice, pulling bottles out of his car. “That was supposed to be a joke. Don’t be a wet blanket. Anyway, you’re not the one who has to cross the border with this stuff.” He reminded Francis.
"And for that I am ever thankful," Francis said. "I'd probably die of premature heart failure being exposed to that much excitement."
“So, no razzing on my business tactics.” Justin shot back. He pulled out about two dozen bottles. “Usual haul, usual dough.” He smiled.
"It seems like you'd get more cash selling directly to consumers. You stick around just because you love me?" Francis asked as he paid Justin.
“Hardly. If I started selling independently and got good at it the mafia would come after me. Competition. This way, I can have as little to do with you people as possible while still keeping a target off my back. This is considered a respectable job up in Canada, and I ain’t no criminal in my country.”
"Does it bother you that I am?" Francis grinned. "Sure as hell doesn't bother me."
"Why don't we just not get into that." Justin replied. "I'm just running a business here. There's no law in Canada that says I can't export liquor out of the country. I'm not involved in any criminal gangs in the US, I just sell my liquor and if some Moll or Hood gives it to some gang afterwards, well, I don't have any control over what happens to my liquor when it's out of my hands. Under Canadian law, I've done nothing wrong, and I'm loyal to my country, not yours. Your law doesn't particularly bother me."
Francis grinned. "I'm glad to have ya, the old man would probably send me across the border every week." He chuckled.
"Ah, well." He pocketed the cash "I guess I'll be seeing you in two weeks." He held out a hand for Francis to shake. "Don't take any wooden nickles while I'm gone."
Francis shook Justin's hand. "We're both too careful for that."
Francis loaded the bottles into his own car, which he was only allowed to use on these jobs. He drove more carefully than any possible demographic.
Justin was driving substantially less carefully than Francis, now that he couldn't be arrested in the states. It's not that he didn't pay attention to the rules of the road, just he was eager to be back within his own borders. Hopefully he hadn't missed too much in Winnipeg.
Aven was too busy looking over her shoulder for the people chasing her to pay any attention to where she was running. When she looked, she swore her life flashed before her eyes. She found herself in the middle of the road, a road that hardly ever had any cars on it. Just her luck there would be one.
Justin thought it would be an uneventful drive home. He thought the most exciting, in a good or bad way, part of the journey was over. Boy, was he wrong.
A little girl ran into the street in front of him.
With incredible reflexes he jerked the wheel sharply to the left and slammed on the brakes. The car swerved and just barely avoided hitting the girl. Despite his foot on the brake pedal, it went thirty more feet before crashing into a telephone pole. He got metal shrapnel cut deep into his skin for his trouble, a serious blow to the head that knocked him out for only a second, and serious bruises to his chest and upper legs. A civilian might have been incapacitated, but Justin had suffered trench foot, seen fellow soldiers contract and die of the Spanish Flu and taken more bullets than he could count. He was determined to get out of this under his own power. He pushed open the door that had buckled inward using all the strength he could muster and staggered out of the wrecked vehicle. "Kid! Are you okay?" He asked, once he'd gotten his breath back.
Aven stared at him in shock. It was the first time she'd ever had anyone ask her that, and the man was in this condition. "I'm not hurt," she whispered, glancing behind her to see if she was still being chased.
"Thank the Lord." Justin replied. "I'm sorry about that... you shouldn't run into the road without checking for cars first, you know" He smiled. He looked over when she looked behind her. "What's wrong?"
"Two scary men are after me and I don't know why," Aven said. "That's why I wasn't watching where I was going... I'm sorry."
Justin was shocked. She was being followed? By whom? The Mafia, maybe? He looked around. He didn't know these streets as well as he ought to, since he didn't live around here. "Where are your parents?"
"I don't have any," Aven said. It wasn't the first time she'd been asked that question, but she still hadn't really found a 'best answer'
"Do you live in an orhanage?" Justin asked
Aven shook her head. "No."
So... she didn't have a home? This was troubling to Justin, but right now, the priority was to help this child. Where was a safe place for a child to hide from the mob? Well.... with other children would be a good start...
"Do you know where the schoolhouse is?"
Aven nodded. "I'm not allowed there though."
"You're not allowed on school grounds?"
Aven nodded. "I tried to take a nap on the playground once and one of the workers chased me off."
So she didn't know how to act like she blended in at a school, she had no home to hide in.... he didn't trust american police in the slightest... there was really only one option.
"Why don't you stay with me for awhile?" he offered. "I'm heading north, and it looks like I'll be walking, since my car is wrecked. If those men show up, I'll protect you."
"Would you really?" Aven smiled.
"Absolutely." Justin nodded. "I might want to get my hands on some sort of weapon, though." He chuckled. "Probably not smart to be going in this condition empty handed." He thought for a moment. He might be able to make a trench club... he'd made several out of old pipes or pieces of wood and old machine gears during the war. "Do you know of any abandoned factories where they might have old scraps still around?"
Aven thought for a minute. "It isn't a factory, but where I stay has some metal stuff around. It's only a few blocks from here."
Justin nodded. "That's perfect."
Aven glanced behind her again before hurrying off to her place. She couldn't help but wonder if maybe this was all a trick and this man was working with the others, though. Justin followed, woried about the men who might still be following her but not very well going to abandon her. Even a simple weapon was better than no weapon at all. He wondered where she'd been staying all this time that she'd never been caught and put into an orphanage.
It wasn't true he had no weapons on him. He had an old Ross Rifle from the war and a few German stick bombs he'd found clutched in the hands of dead soldiers. Nobody knew he had these, and nobody would ever find them. They were somewhere so hidden no man but he could get inside.
At first he'd thought it was a black hole, but it had no gravity. Living things couldn't survive inside. No matter what it was, he could conjur it at will, and stored many things inside. During the war he'd used it to always have a back-up weapon, carry ammo not limited by how much he could carry but simply how much he was allowed. Nobody noticed anything odd on e battlefield. If you were distracted, you were dead.
But in civilian life, you had to be a little more careful about doing things like that, lest others see. He wouldn't pull out his leftover military weapons unless he had too.
Aven led him to a narrow alley and crawled under a fence, a gap that most ten-year-olds couldn't fit through, let alone grown men. She was out of sight after that, but it was only a moment before she returned, pulling a long iron rod out after her. It was weighty, but not so much that she couldn't lift it. She would probably injure herself trying to weild it, though.
Justin took the iron rod from her before she hurt herself. It felt comfortable in his hand, bringing his mind back to raids on enemy bunkers, capturing No-Mans-Land... amazing how a simple piece of what was probably just pipe could make him nostalgic.
"This is perfect." He told her. "What's over there?"
"It's some kind of dump. This corner is, anyway. There's a big building on the other side, but I've never gone over there, and I haven't seen the front," Aven said.
Justin nodded. "I bet there's all sorts of stuff you could make into weapons to defend yourself if you looked. Even just something sharp is a lot more valuable than you might expect. Shall we head north, then?"
Aven nodded. "Lead the way." She smiled.
Justin was unsure how to get home, as it would take too long walking, but he could always start by walking and figure it out later. So he led the little girl oto the streets, using the iron pipe as a cane nd pretending to limp to further catch anyone who might be looking for her off guard and just so it made sense he was carrying an iron bar down the street. "If you see the men who were looking for you and I don't, you tell me, okay?" He didn't want to be caught off guard.
Aven nodded, looking around, though she clearly wasn't anywhere near as worried as she had been. Until she actually saw them. One of them jabbed the other and pointed and they both zoned in. They had covered a half of the gap before Aven snapped out of it enough to warn Justin. "There they are," she mumbled, eyes wide.
Annnnd they'd already noticed the pair. This had been EXACTLY what Justin had been trying to prevent with the warning. "So much for the stealth approach." Justin muttered. Then he raised his voice just enough for Aven to hear properly. "Stay behind me." When the men approached, he said "What seems to be the problem, sir?"
"Is that girl yours?" One of them asked. "She's been caught stealing several times now."
"And are you cops?" Justin asked calmly back.
"We're with the government, sir. It's our job to detain the girl. Are you her legal guardian?"
"Oh is that how it works down here?" Justin asked coolly. "You send in government operatives to deal with a simple theft case?"
"It is clearly also a case of child neglect, sir. Are you her legal guardian or not?"
"I am her legal guardian until such time as I can find her a better one." Justin said coldly. "And from what she tells me it doesn't exactly sound like you're trying to help her."
"We certainly are, she just won't cooperate. We're trying to do what's best for the child, and everyone else. We can't have thieves running around, surely you know that."
"You have enough adult theives running around this country who could and are making perfectly good wages as well to be bothering with a child simply trying to stop herself from starving to death." Justin retorted in the same cool tone
"When we find them, I assure you they will be detained as well. If she's taken in, she'll be fed. Now hand her over."
"Find them? With all due respect, they're not exactly difficult to find." He almost laughed.
"Hand her over, sir."
"I find it very difficult to believe you have her best interests at heart, and I assure you as long as she is under my care he won't be stealing anything." His grip tightened on the pipe.
"Then you can take it up with our boss. We assure you, we won't harm her."
"But that would involve you taking her and not guaranteeing a fair an honest result. I don't trustyou are what you claim, not to mention the government of this country doesn't exactly seem to have the childrens best intests at heart."
"I have to ask you to step aside, or I will have to remove you from the situation."
"You can try... however I am a veteran of the War to End All Wars, so I'm not sure how advisable that would be." Justin knew they'd probably attack anyway, since he was pretending to limp and it made him look crippled, but there was always a chance they'd back off. Still, he doubted it.
Both of them pulled their guns. Aven's eyes went wide and she turned to run. Justin hoped she didn't move. He stepped aside, as if to let them by. "Smart move," one of them said and hurried forward to try to grab Aven's arm, but at his words, she took off.
Justin swung the iron pipe like a baseball bat and it hit his head with a sickening clang. "Find somewhere to hide!" Justin yelled after her while turning to face the second one. He swung it not to hit the mans head but his hand. if sucessful, it'd hurt enough to make him drop the gun.
The man scrambled away from Justin, aiming his gun. "You can be arrested for that," the man informed Justin, glaring.
"There's a lot of things in this country I could be arrested for. Funnily enough, you don't seem to arrest people for them." Justin said, advancing on the man. The iron pipe was held in such a way tht it blocked his face and at least the center of his chest, Justin hoping it'd save him from dying if he was shot. It was clear now he wasn't in any way crippled. "Now as I stated before, I'm a war verteran. So I've done this before. If you wouldlike to cotinue to challenge me, I cannot guarantee your safety. I think it'd be more advisable to call for help for your buddy. This is a pretty effective trench club."
"Whatever, we've already lost the fucking kid. Get lost." The man lowered his gun, but he didn't put it away. He was giving Justin a chance to get lost without completely dropping his guard.
Justin refused to drop his guard either, backing up the way he'd come, his eyes always on the government man until he absolute last second he could. Then he turned and ran down the road, hoping to get a decent distance frm him before starting to search for the little girl again. He was ery aware the man might call for backup, and his ever-vigilant eyes surveyed every shadow, every street corner and alleyway for anything suspicious. "Kid?" He didn't shout it loud, really only said it at slightly louder than regular speaking volume. But she'd hear it if she were in any way close. There was no answer, though a few shadows moved in a nearby alleyway. Suspicious, Justin followed the moving shadow. He said, ever so slightly louder, "Kid, one of the guys is out cold and the others calling backup for his buddy. I wasn't actually going to hand you over. The back of the head is easier to hit than the front."
"Why should I trust you?" the shadows peeped.
He was surprised she was hiding here, and surveyed even more carefully, if that were possible. "Well, there's the fact I could now be arrested because of you." He smirked. "As I just quite possibly killed some bimbo with this pipe. Not that I couldn't have been before.. in this country anyway. I still want to help you... I'm heading up to Canada whether you come or not. And I can provide you food without having to steal it."
"Is Canada far away?" Aven asked, takng a small step out of her hiding place. The difference was huge, it was amazing she had been able to blend in so well.
Justin was shocked by her sdden reappearance. How had she hidden from him so well, being so close? Was he losing his touch? "Yes, it's quite a long drive, and as my car got smashed we're going to have to walk... but it's probaby better than staying here, right?"
Aven nodded. "I guess I'll have to trust you, for now." she came and took his hand.
Justin smiled at her. "We'll get out of here, don't worry." After a moment, he asked "Do you know why they're after you?"
Aven stared down the road. After a while, she nodded again. It was a much smaller movement this time. "..Why is that? You don't have to tell me if you don't want too."
Aven remained silent for a long time. "Everyone hates me when they find out. They think I'm from hell." That had been an extreme case, but it had stuck with her. She assumed that everyone who had anything against her after that must think the samething.
"What?" That didn't even make any sense to Justin. "Why would they think that?"
"If I told you, you'd think so too."
"No I wouldn't... How can anything be from hell? That doesn’t even make logical sense."
Aven shrugged. "I might be." The thought clearly troubled her.
"No... Don't say that. That's a terrible thing to say." Justin said. "Why do people think that about you?"
"I can't tell! You'd leave!"
"If you don't want to tell me, that's fine. But I won't leave." Justin said, then changed the subject. "Are you hungry? I have quite a bit of money on me if you want to get something..."
"I'm starving," Aven admitted.
Justin nodded and went into a store quickly, coming out with two chocolate bars and an apple for Aven. "I'm sorry I couldn't find anything better."
Aven looked up at him, as though she couldn't believe it. "It's fine." She stared at the candy bars. "I've never had chocolate before."
"I can imagine not." Justin replied. "Go ahead, try some. You'll like it."
Aven smiled and hugged him, then very carefully opened the wrapper. She took a bite and then looked at the candy in awe. "This is amazing."
Justin smiled. "We can get more when we're closer to Canada." he said to her. She seemed sweet, whatever those creepy suits said. He still wondered what it was those government men wanted her for, though.
Aven nodded. "My name is Aven." She smiled at him. Even the government people didn't know her name, and they knew everything. Only the mean church lady knew her name, and now this man. She hoped he wouldn't turn mean like the nun had.
Justin was glad he'd been trusted with her name. "Nice to meet you Aven. My name is Justin." He led her back down the road, down the way he would have driven, heading towards Canada.
“Nice to meet you, Justin." Aven followed him obediently.
The agent called Maverick as soon as Justin moved out of reasonable range. "We saw her again... She's found a defender."
"She has?" Maverick was surprised. "Did you get a name?"
"No... I don't think he was even American. He kept talking about how poorly this country treated children." The man made a sound that sounded like 'hmph'.
"Not an American, hm?" Maverick asked. "Hm... either he's vacationing from Europe... or he's a canadian rum-runner. Set up tighter security on the border, describe this man and his girl companion to them to the best of your ability. He'll no doubt try to re-enter his country at some point. Even if we lose it and he makes it in, he'll try to bring more alcohol down eventually so long as prohibition is here and not there."
"Yes, sir. Right away, sir. One more thing, though. He claimed to be an war veteran, he hit Joseph over the head pretty hard with a metal bar of some kind. He's out cold."
"He'll probably need medical attention. Quickly. If this man you are persuing was a canadian war veteran, he is not a man to be crossed or underestimated. However, the chance of him carrying a gun is slim, but he'll feel very comfortable with something as simple as a metal bar or a knife. Approach with caution and be absolutely sure of yourself before you engage. Taking him on with multiple others backing you is not cowardice. It's intelligence."
"Yes, sir. Shall I send for an ambulance?"
"Probably best."
"Very well. Should I return to headquarters once I've alerted boarder watch?"
"Unless you get a location on her while you are out, yes." Maverick nodded
"I'll be there soon, then. Is there anything else I need to be aware of?" the man asked, as his friend lay there questionably dying every second he waited.
"Only that your friend's liklihood of dying increases eery second you're on the phone talking to me." Maverick said calmly.
"Thank you, sir." He hung up the payphone and placed another call for an ambulance.
Half an hour after school was out, Lillian still hadn't left the building. Her friends all wanted to talk and make plans and discuss what they were going to do over the next few days.
"Seriously, Mark and I have to get home! I'll talk to you about the weekend tomorrow, Mary. I'll see you guys later. Seriously!" She practically had to drag Mark away, though she found them impossible to get mad at.
She dragged Mark right in front of another boy. "Watch it. You almost stepped on my toes," Aaron said, though he didn't sound mad, or even particularly concerned. "You're Lillian, right?" He ignored Mark entirely, even though Mark was probably closer to his own age.
"Yeah, and this is my brother Mark." She didn't like the unpleasant tone she was getting from the boy, but she figured if she was nice her power would make it go away shortly. "What's your name?"
"Aaron Villein." He looked Lillian up and down. "You're almost as popular as I am."
"Almost?" Mark interjected.
"What are you getting at?" Lillian asked curiously.
Aaron continued to ignore Mark, to the point it almost seemed like he didn't hear him at all. "We should get together sometime, squirt."
"I'm already quite busy..." Lillian said, not really liking his unpleasant attitude.
Aaron tilted his head. "Then maybe I could tag along." It didn't sound like he was asking.
"I don't know... I'd have to talk to the others about it..."
"Surely you don't let them tell you what to do," Aaron scoffed.
"No, but if none of them like the idea, I'm not going to force you on them. That's unfair." Lillian told him.
"But I wouldn't be with them, I would be with you."
"But they'll be there too, duh." Lillian laughed. "I never hang out with less than three friends at a time, silly. It's easier that way."
Aaron smirked and shook his head. "You're cute. Let me know, then."
She wondered why the guy had to be so negative.Was her power not working on him? "I will." She promised.
"I really hope your friends agree," Aaron said. "See you around." He outright smiled, something he didn't do often, and left.
Lillian waved and looked over to her brother, nd was surprised to see him not smiling.
"What a pill." He said, watching Aaron walk away. "You know he's just giving you lines because you're popular, right?"
"Yeah I kinda got that vibe too." Lillian agreed. "But I can't exactly say no, that would be mean. Besides, there'll be four other people there if he does come."
Mark couldn't stay down for long around Lillian. "True. I can't wit for the weekend! What're we doing? You said we wwer going out with Mary and Margaret and them but..."
"Has it ever occured to you to get a job, Mark?" Lillian laughed.
"Aw, come on! I like hanging out with you!"
Christine sighed. "I don't understand why you people wait around school so long. Is it really that entertaining? Even chores are more fun. And you know what chore rhymes with?"
"It's fun to talk with friends!" Mark protested.
"Sorry, Christine." Lillian apologized. "You don't have to wait for us you know. Mark can get me home just fine." She gave a guilty smile.
"Mom always asks where you are and why I'm not with you," Christine said. In afterthought, Aaron had been much happier, in his own way, than Christine.
Lillian wondered, again, why Christine never seemed happy. Maybe Christine was just weird, and actually washappy, she just couldn't tell. Ah, well. It didn't matter much to Lillian. Whether her powr was affecting Christine or even Aaron or not was something it was probably best not to think about. She was happier when she could pretend all thse people liked her for her. "Well, tell mom I'm twelve and you're sixteen and I have my brother to protect me." Lillian laughed.
"Ab-so-lutely." She agreed.
As they were on their way home, they passed a man they'd never seen before. He was badly injured and carrying a long iron bar. He was telling an animated story to the little girl he had with him. He swung he metal bar and almost hit Mark by accident.
"Horsefeathers!" Mark just barely managed to avoid getting hit.
Justin turned and saw the three behind him. "I'm sory!" He said, surprised. "I didn't know you wre there, I'm sorry."
"You could look when you swing things around. Big six like you could kill somebody," Christine said. Aven hid behind Justin, even though the youngest girl was about her age.
Justin knew she was right and apologized again.
"It's alright." Lillian said. "Just be more careful next time."
They were close enough her aura was affecting him. He smiled brightly at her and she smiled back.
"No harm, no foul, right?"
"I guess you could say that." Justin replied with a small chuckle. It surprised even him, as it was rare that he laughed. Aven peeked out from behind him and waved shyly, with a small smile.
"Hi." She waved back at the girl. She felt bad the girl was so shy.
Mark pulled on her shirt sleeve, reminding her they were supposed to be leaving, but Lillian wanted to talk.
"Were you at school?" The concept had always intrigued her, but all her learning had come from the nuns. She'd never been with other kids while she was taught, let alone had breaks to go play. Did they even learn the same things?
"Yeah," Lillian said. "Weren't you today?"
Aven shook her head. "I don't go to school."
"What?" Lillian was intrigued. "You don't go to school? Why not?"
"I don't know how. They didn't let me when I tried."
"Didn't your parents enrol you in school?" Lillian asked.
"I don't have parents..." Aven barely seemed disappointed about that fact, what with it being how it had been as long as she could remember and Lillian's power.
"Oh! You're an orphan, then? Why didn't the orphanage make you?" Lillian asked.
"I don't live at an orphanage..."
Lillian was very confused. "Then where do you live?"
Justin was just pleased Aven was making a friend.
Aven pointed. "In an alley that way from here."
Lillian was shocked. She'd lived in an alley.. without any sort of home? Lillian couldn't eve imagine it. "Oh, that's so sad...."
"We proably ought to get going." Justin said, though he was quite content to saty. "It was nice meeting you. I really am sorry again"
"No, it's okay. It's safe there. And now I have Justin," Aven said happily.
Christine frowned. "Why do you even have that bar?
"It's a long story." Justin replied.
"Whatever. Come on, guys. Let's just go home," Christine half pleaded.
"Bye," Aven said, waving again. "It was nice meeting you!"
"Alright, Christine. Bye, guys!" She waved cheerfully, and started heading back twards home. Mark did the same.
Christine frowned once more at Justin before she followed her siblings.
Aven watched them leave. "They were nice."
"Yeah, I thought so too." Justin smiled.
Aven took his hand. "At least they aren't after us anymore. That guy totally deserved it."
"I just did what I had to do to keep you safe." Justin said, and smiled down at her. "And if we run into more before we getover the border, I'm going to do the same thing to them too. Okay?"
"Sounds good to me! I'm sorry about your car..."
"Yeah, that's too bad... still mabe I can get an older car... a good, canadian one now. It'd be harder to take care of, but it'd run." He told her.
Aven nodded. "I'm glad you aren't mad." She smiled up at him.
“Of course I'm not mad, how could I be mad at you?" He laughed
"Most people would be. They wouldn't ask what was wrong, they'd just yell at me."
"But you're a child! And you almost got hit by a car!"
"Because I was in the road."
"You're still a ten yar old kid..."
Aven shrugged. "I'm glad I met you, even if you almost ran be over," she teased.
Justin smiled. "Thanks, Aven. Now, we going to Canada or we gonna stand around here talking?" He asked playfully.
"We're going to Canada!" Aven cried gleefully.
"Thats right!" He led her down the street, happy she was cheerful. Was this what having a daughter was like? Funny, Justin had never even considered having kids, mainly because he'd never thought abut finding a wife. But watching Aven... knowing she depended on him... it was different.
“What's Canada like?" Aven asked
"It's very pretty. There are lots of trees and wildlife aroud. I think you'll like Winnipeg. It's not nearly as big as Chicago."
"Do they all talk like you?" Aven asked.
"Like me? How like me?" Justin asked. "What do you mean?"
"You sound different from other people," Aven said, shrugging. "I ain't never heard a Canada person before."
Justin shrugged. "I've never noticed before. I guess they do."
Aven nodded. "Alright." She continued along in silence. She had great stamina for a kid.
Over the next few days, Maverick simply waited. He knew that, even if those buffoons under him didn't catch the girl, she would be detained at the border. It was inevitable. Her capture would come in time. And then that Canadian man would learn what happened when you got on the wrong side of the United States government. As for new gifteds, Clara was handling that end, and she would report when anything new appeared. He was ready. He was prepared. Now, all they had to do was wait.
Kenny Clark was not the kind of person you joked around with. He was one of those people who you would never even think about pranking on April Fool's Day, and it was always a bad idea to get on his bad side. Most people, aside from his assistant, didn't generally see him. Most knew his name, but he rarely left his office. Some people went in, but that was a small number compared to the people who were in the same building as him every day. However, today was a special day, when he decided to step out. "Maverick, is it?" he asked of one of the men.
Maverick nodded cooly. "That is correct."
"What is your current assignment? I'm curious," Kenny stated.
"I'm currently head of the GPP, or gifted persecution project. Why do you ask?"
"Didn't I say I was curious? I'm sure I said I was curious. I was inspecific, though. Don't you have anything more specific?" Kenny asked, inspecting his fingers.
"Well... currently I've been waiting on a plan to capture codename: Shadow to come to fruition, and I have one of my... special agents working to discover more gifteds, focusing on the city of Chicago. Does that help?" Maverick asked quietly.
"Mmm... Yeah, I guess." He smiled. "I rather like Chicago."
Maverick was unsure where Kenny was going with this, just adjusting his glasses and staring at the older man. "Clara will hopefully have more work for those of you here in due time."
"Right. How are the GPP agents doing?" Kenny asked.
"Not the greatest. Of course, At this point the plan is rather hard to get balled up. Shadow was proving elusive... she'd gained a protector who happened to be a military man. Still, we managed to work around him."
"That's good," Kenny smiled again. "I always enjoy talking to you."
Maverick didn't even smile at the compliment. "You and I both know you want something, Kenny. So what is it?"
"Things are awfully boring around here with those incompetant nuisances failing to get anything done."
"Of course..."
"I want to show them how it's done."
"Shadow will be aprehended at the US/Canadian border without your help. However, when Clara finds a new giftd, youll be the first to know." Maverick promised
Kenny hmphed and left back to his office. "Watch her escape."
Susie had grown closer to her new personal doctor over the next few days. Hilary liked him too, though she was reluctant to come out because she doubted he knew sign language, and instead she had Susie repeat her words back to him. Although Mary still didn't trust him, even she had to admit after awhile that he was much better than the horrible doctors they'd had before. "But that doesn't mean he doesn't still have a hidden agenda." She warned. Niether of the others listened to her.
"Hello, girls," Aurthur greeted as he brought their dinner. He waited for them to answer, so he would know who he was talking to.
"Hey Arthur!" Susie cried gleefully. "How are you?"
Aurthur smiled. "I'm quite well. How about you, Susie? Is Mary being nice?"
"Well, Mary's never exactly nice, but she's not trying to kill us, at least. You've preoccupied her" Susie laughed.
Hey, don't think I've forgotten. We've just got a more pressing problem at the moment.
"Have I? I'm glad she isn't hurting you," Aurthur said.
"Yeah... she still thinks you're up to something." Susie sighed in regret at the silliness of her other personality.
Aurthur laughed. "Well, so long as it keeps her busy, right?"
"Yeah, I guess." Susie agreed
Meanwhile, Clara was settling into school life. However, she was having difficulty making friends, mainly due to her outdated attire. She was teased relentlessly for it. She spent every lunch alone, unless a group of the bigger boys and girls in her grade cornered her that lunch hour and decided to push her around for a bit. This didn't bother her too much except it made it harder to do her job.
One such day, Aaron decided to call them off. "Yes, you kids certainly are very tough, five of you picking on one of her. She should be shown how wonderful our school should be, don't you think?" He glanced down the hall to where a few of Lillian's friends stood, watching, and the corners of his mouth twitched. "Clara, was it?" He offered her a hand to help her up, and someone aimed a punch at his head. He reacted notably faster than most people should be able to, though he was careful not to go at his full speed. He dodged the punch and gave one of his own. The bullies scattered after that, not so tough after all.
"Wow... thank you." Clara said. She noted the slight increase in speed beyond what a normal person was capable of... but she couldn't be sure he hadn't just trained to get that speed.
"You're welcome," Aaron said. "Stand up to them next time."
"I-I don't know what I would say..." She said nervously. "I don't want to fight anyone..."
"You shouldn't just lay down and take it, either," Aaron said.
"But then... what?" She asked
"Well, you could find someone else to handle it."
“But you're the only person I know." She confided to him. "Nobody else will talk to me..."
"You could get a teacher... Or you could just come get me. I don't mind saving you again."
"You would do that for me?' Clara asked, looking hopeful.
"Of course I would," Aaron answered, shrugging.
"Wow... thank you, that. that means a lot to me." She said. "Can I hang out with you today?"
"Uh, yeah, sure." Aaron flashed a smile. "I'm pretty much alone anyway, my buddy just left to visit his extended family in Italy."
Her whole face lit up in a smile brighter than any expression she'd worn before this. "Yay! Thank you so much!" She went up hugged him.
Aaron seemed a little surprised. "Uh. You're welcome." He patted her head, but that seemed to be all he could manage.
After a minute, Clara released him. "So where too?"
"Have you eaten yet?" Aaron asked.
"Yeah!" Clara nodded, though it was a lie, since she didn't eat.
"Let's head out back, then," Aaron suggested.
"Absolutely!" She agreed, and followed him out back.
Aaron leaned against the back wall and pulled out a cigarette, taking a deep puff on it once it was lit.
Clara was too young-looking to smoke, so she just leaned against the wall next to him and looked up at him admiringly. "So what do you generally do every day?"
"Come to school," Aaron replied with a grin. "When do you mean?"
"Like during lunch, silly."
"Mosta the time, me and Thane come back here," Aaron answered, shrugging.
"And do what?" she asked curiously
Aaron twitched his fingers. "Smoke, mostly." Aaron didn't admit it, but occasionally they stole from Mr. Chaze, and brought a bottle of alcohol.
"How boring." She laughed, sounding like she was joking.
"We race a lot," Aaron admitted, chuckling. "He always beats me."
"Oh, that sounds like fun!" She said eagerly. "Are you fast? How far do you go?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty fast. He's amazing. We, uh, usually just go around the playground." That was a lie, they usually raced all the way to the old gas station, but most people probably couldn't make it there and back at lunch. Not that they never skipped, but it was best to not give away all his secrets to some girl he barely knew.
