Baley Warsaw Baley had the traditional kid-in-a-candy-store look slapped on her face as she landed in the passenger seat. She'd only been inside a vehicle four other times; twice when she moved, once to a hospital, and another time that she and her oldest brother Daniel only knew about. But her last time hadn't been fun, not when her two younger sisters had motion sickness beside her. At the same time. She tucked away the memories as she studied the flashy lights and rows of buttons on the dashboard. She only half-believed Eva when she said they didn't do anything, but Baley kept her hands tight in her lap to lessen the temptation of finding out. As she took a calming breath, the car even had a nice smell lingering in the air. "So, Baley right? I'm Shyla but you can call me Shy. That's a cool ability you've got. Sorry it hurts you." Baley turned around in her seat to find the blue-streaked girl behind her. "Nice to meet ya, Shyla. That's a nice name. " Baley said with a nod. "And, yeah...I wouldn't call my ability cool. It's probably the exact opposite compared to yours." Her eyes shifted again around the car, taking it all in as she continued. "I couldn't help seein' ya disappear then reappear next to Camille. Now, that's what I call cool." Her gaze went to the girl again and she gave her a genuine smile. "I take it that ya got your ability all figured out? How long have ya had it?" At that moment, the woman that had threatened everyone with a knife slipped inside next to Shyla. Baley smiled at her, but didn't say anything as she turned back around in her seat.
Teddy Jones “If you don’t have a scar on yours, not another word will be said about it.” The glass man said. Teddy’s hands twitched together almost instinctively, the large snake like scar on his back throbbing. Instead he diverted his hands to better use and pulled the collars of his overalls closer, hiding the tip of his imperfection. Manufactured? No it can’t be true; these powers were mine to control from birth... weren’t they? Fingers flooded through his jet black hair over and over, trying to force the pieces together. But the group were now discussing transport, and to fit in Teddy needed to be on the same page. “Err... Well...hmm.” He stuttered once more. “I just need to get rid of this...” Once more his arms stretched out like a preacher, and the street lights burned with ferocity. Teddy’s skin began to cool, paling to normal. Soon the lamps glared with blind light, and all of a sudden popped. The square went dark, the human lantern extinguished. “Now then.” He gleamed a smile in the shrouded darkness, but all could see. “Do I pick the Audi, which currently is a box of cats waiting to scratch each other to death; or do I pick the Jetta with a beautiful redhead and her adoring mall cop?” The smile widened and a laugh escaped, while he jumped his way through puddles towards the green car. “No offense, Ladies.” He called back to the Audi. Once inside the Jetta he lounged about on the leather, feet up and grin beaming.
Camille and Ben: Talk Radio “No offense, Ladies.” He called back to the Audi. Once inside the Jetta he lounged about on the leather, feet up and grin beaming. Camille snapped her mouth shut as she heard one of the back doors open. Teddy hadn't heard any of their conversation. Twisting around in her seat, she peeked into the backseat. "Put your seat belt on, Teddy. You'll need it the way Ben drives." Ben glanced in the rear view mirror, noting that they had been joined by the mechanic. "Ted, right? Sorry to hear about the Ixer. You guys have any idea what might have started the fire?" He shot a speaking glance at Camille. He was still steamed about that little stunt. "And for the record my driving isn't as bad as Camille makes it out to be." He added. "Then why don't you ever let me drive?" She asked. "Because I can actually reach the petals without having to tie a box to my shoe." Ben shot back. "This isn't Indiana Jone and the Temple of Doom, Ben, and I am not that short." She grumbled, her toes still a good two inches from the floor. Ben merely smiled and put the car into gear.
Eva was surprised when the widow woman addressed her. The woman's social skills hadn't impressed her thus far, but she seemed quite civil now. This might actually work out, she thought, pleasantly surprised. "This can't end well," the woman mumbled. "Eva, make sure we have some it is important that I don't sweat and or breath on others at while sitting this close, some ac and windows would be nice." "I'll take care of it," Eva said as she started the car and switched on the air conditioning, while also rolling down the windows. It seemed like a odd request, but if it kept the knife from coming out, so be it. "Is that better?" she asked, as the car began to get cold, despite the warm night air of the Minnesota summer outside. Eva glanced at who remained. Ina and the other man showed no signs of joining either vehicle. The latter was speaking with Lawrence who either had his own vehicle somewhere nearby or some other means of reaching their destination. Only now did Eva realize what the man was trying to say when he mentioned having his own special way of reaching the Berkley Store. Returning her attention to those closest to her, Eva put the car into drive. "I think we should be heading out now," she said to no one in particular, but glanced in the rear view mirror at the widow as she pulled out onto the street. "I don't think we've been properly introduced," she said.
Gabriel Reeve Gabe didn't pay attention to the others, and neither did they to him as he walked down the sidewalk, seeking a means to follow the car at a faster pace. "Aha . . ." he spotted a motorcycle with a convenient "for sale" sign strapped to it. Flipping open his cell, he quickly called the number and had some money transferred and the motorcycle bought. The engine rumbled as he peeled out after the car, the night air stinging his face.
The Jetta: Underway Two rights and a left at the light brought them to Highway 89. Ben braked for the intersection. "Which way, Cam?" "Left, like you're going to my folks' place. You'll actually pass it on the way." She said. Ben flicked on the blinker and turned. Familiar, bucolic countryside rolled by as Grygla faded into the distance. The stars were out in full force, Camille couldn't resist sneaking a look at them through the open moon roof. Crickets could be heard singing about the hum of the tires on the worn concrete. Ben's voice startled her out of her musings. "Where to now, rocket man? We just passed your folks'." "Keep going, about another mile or so. The driveway is terribly overgrown and hard to find. You'll know the place by the grove surrounding it." She replied.
Ina Holt "Ina, you could hop on the back of my ride. You don't have to go with him if you don't want. Are you scared of motorcycles?" Liriope said. "I-well... Uh..." Ina was scared of motorcycles. Things that required constant balance were dangerous. Ina remembered a certain incident from when her father had been drunk, and thrown a bottle at her bicycle... She hadn't ridden since. She glanced at Liriope, "I-uh, think I'm gonna go with Creep here..." Feeling defeated, she turned to Lawrence. "I guess I'm ready to go..." "Good, looks like the others are as well," Lawrence said, "Follow me then." He stretched, and started to walk. "Put a shirt on!" Ina snapped suddenly. His half-nakedness had been bothering her since she'd first seen him standing behind her, and she wasn't going to move until he fixed it. "You could give me yours," Lawrence said blandly. "S-shut up!" Ina yelled. This man was infuriating. His constant bored expression made it impossible to tell if he were joking or not. "Don't get your panties in a bunch," Lawrence said, "I'm only joking." He reached into one of his many pant pockets, and pulled out a tightly rolled up undershirt. HE unfurled it, and pulled it on. "Better?" He said. "Whatever." Ina huffed. "Right. Anyone else coming?" Lawrence looked around. Everyone had found a mode of transport. "Just you and me then, little girl. Come on then." Little girl... Ina hissed inwardly, starting to walk after Lawrence. She hesitated, considering going on the motorbike after all. Then she remembered her little fall, and her father telling her to "suck up" her broken wrist. Shuddering, she hurried to catch up with Lawrence.
Teddy Jones “This isn’t Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Ben, and I am not that short." “Hey lady! You call him Dr. Jones.” Teddy said with a chuckle. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.” He sat up to address the cop. “As for your concern Ben, thanks. Not sure whether Bill found out yet, considering this place is now a ghost town. What’s up with that by the way?” His mind wandered a little trying to unlock the mystery of an entire town disappearing, however small it was. Lawrence was an Exceptional, but there are things people can do, and then there are things that seem more than impossible. This felt like the latter. “As for the shop bursting into flames, it was that damn hobo’s bike - couldn’t be more wrong with it.” He stared between the pair, unsure if they were even listening. The snide comments back and forth were denial if he had ever seen it. “Want me to drive so you two can make out in the back?” There was an apparent edge of honesty to his words, but mocking held the majority shares.
"I don't think we've been properly introduced," "Sheena." She said quietly looking out the window. Then after a moment she said. "Thankyou." It was all she said, all she cared to say. Though in truth she didn't know what else she would possibly say.
The Jetta: Backseat Bickering “Hey lady! You call him Dr. Jones.” Teddy said with a chuckle. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.” He sat up to address the cop. “As for your concern Ben, thanks. Not sure whether Bill found out yet, considering this place is now a ghost town. What’s up with that by the way?” Ben kept his eyes on the road, chuckling at Teddy's crack. But his brows furrowed just as quickly. "I really don't know what the hell is going on with the whole town disappearing like that. But considering the show you guys just put on, maybe it was for the better. I'll be the first to admit that it is more than a little weird." “Want me to drive so you two can make out in the back?” There was an apparent edge of honesty to his words, but mocking held the majority shares. The signature scowl spread across Ben's face. "Do you want to walk to the Berkley place?" "Ben, shut up." Camille snapped, her cheeks nearly as bright as her hair. "You're going to miss the driveway. It's right there on the left." Ben squealed the Jetta in a tight turn, tossing both Teddy and Camille against their seat belts.
Teddy Jones “Do you want to walk to the Berkley place?” “Well it is a nice night out...” He rested his head on the side of Ben’s seat, looking up at him longingly. “...you two can have a nice romantic walk together.” The officer’s scowl worsened, and the Jetta drifted round a corner throwing Teddy across the leather. “You did that on purpose.” He scoffed, rising from the crumble behind Camille’s seat. They drove along the dirt caked driveway, and Teddy placed his chin once more on the car seat, but on the passengers side. His eyes danced over her auburn curls and diamond blue eyes. “Well if he won’t treat you, how about a walk under the moon Camille?” His voice was ambrosia, and after a long pause he calmly switched his eyes over to Ben, wondering if the vein on cop's head would burst.
The Jetta: Stone Age “Well if he won’t treat you, how about a walk under the moon Camille?” His voice was ambrosia, and after a long pause he calmly switched his eyes over to Ben, wondering if the vein on cop's head would burst. "Brambles, mosquitoes, and bandaged knees. Gee, Teddy, you sure know how to show a girl a good time." She said with a grin. Ben was acting like a complete caveman. Ben deliberately steered the little Jetta over ever rut he could find. Camille reached for the door handle and held on for dear life. "That's it, Benjamin Hanson! Next time, I drive." She would have kicked him if she could, but she valued her life too much.
Shyla "I take it that ya got your ability all figured out? How long have ya had it?" Baley asked. Shyla leaned back in the seat as Eva began to drive. Sheena was looking out the window seeming very uncomfortable. "I did it for the first time when I was seven. I was visiting my uncle and there was this room that he would always lock behind him. Whenever I'd try to get in, he'd say I wasn't allowed. One day I was standing outside the door and I could hear my uncle working on something inside. I wanted so desperatly to see what was inside that I imagined I was actually in the room. And when I opened my eyes...I was." Shyla smiled at the memory. "Uncle Walter is the only one in my family who knows. I might have died a long time ago if it wern't for him." She added, seeming deep in thought.
Teddy Jones Ben deliberately steered the little Jetta over ever rut he could find. Camille reached for the door handle and held on for dear life. "That's it, Benjamin Hanson! Next time, I drive." “And next time, I’ll bring the wine.” Teddy chuckled mid flight into the smooth leather and put his feet up once more, enjoying the sweet taste of mockery. But through all the jesting, it really was a beautiful evening. Luminous green fireflies littered the fields like sky lanterns, and skimmed across the grass. The crickets harped twitchy lullabies to one another, and the moon’s dazzle left a shimmer across the land. “Is it just me, or do you get the feeling our world is about to be turned upside down?” There was an air of disappointment in his breath, a pain in his heart to cling to his relaxing standard life. Something welled up deep inside him, as if he had run and fought before - not enjoyed it.
The Jetta: The Grove “Is it just me, or do you get the feeling our world is about to be turned upside down?” The green Jetta passed beneath the huge, overlapping branches of the windbreak firs. The grove was heavy, dense with age and shadows. Fireflies abounded. Great sweeping clouds of them flashed intermittently through the gloom as the headlight sliced through the darkness. Ben slowed to allow several deer to bound by. "Are you sure this isn't the way to the Bat Cave, Cam?" Ben queried as he put the car in motion again. The ruts here were deeper. "How did you even get out here the last time?" "Peter and Philip brought us out on their four wheelers." She replied. Jealousy took a huge bite out of Ben's normally even temper. "And who is we?" "Beth Murray, who was Peter's girlfriend at the time and is now my sister-in-law, and myself." Camille replied. "I was twelve and you were at camp that summer." She pressed her nose to the window, knowing they would lure in great clouds of mosquitoes if she attempted to roll the window down. "It wasn't nearly this bad the last time. You could at least see more than three feet in front of you."
Baley Warsaw Baley faked the rest of her smile as Shy told her story. Seemed like everybody had acquired their powers at younger ages or had them all along. Was she the only one who was still unsure about hers? She squirmed slightly in her seat at the thought, but mostly because the leather seat was so uncomfortable. She wasn't wearing a seatbelt either. Not until she noticed the strap about Shyla's shoulder did she realize she'd forgotten. The last thing she wanted was to get Eva in trouble with that police officer. As subtly as she could, Baley brought down the strap and snapped it into place, adding to her discomfort. She'd thought this would be fun...maybe she'd thought wrong. The knife lady in the back, who had said her name was Sheena, didn't seem to be doing any better. Baley wrestled with the thought of striking up a conversation, but in the end her goody-goody spirit won the fight. "Hi, I'm Baley," she said, turning to the woman. "I'm sure we'll be there in a jiffy, so no need to worry. Um...if ya don't mind me askin', how long have ya had your ability?"
Eva, at the helm "Sheena," the woman said. After a long pause, she added, "thankyou." "You're very welcome, Sheena," the doctor said, and left it at that. She had hoped to slip in some questions about the woman's ability, why she didn't want to be touched, and why even her breath and sweat posed a threat. But those things could wait. For now, just knowing those things were a threat was enough information. Shyla and Baley talked along the way and Eva hoped the casual atmosphere would be enough to keep Sheena calm. So far, so good, she thought as they sped down Highway 89. "Almost there," she said, as she watched the tailights of Ben's Jetta turn off of the darkened highway and onto an even darker road. Eva began to slow, putting more distance between the two vehicles. She didn't like the idea of them all arriving at the Berkley place at the same time, like sheep to a scheduled slaughter. Lawrence didn't seem like the sort of man who'd lay traps, but Eva chose caution over placing her faith in his better nature. She could already feel Gehenna's presence, following along somewhere in the darkness that surrounded them... "Hang on. We're going to keep a low profile," she said and shut off the headlights. The darkness completely swallowed them up. There was some moonlight on the road, but once she turned off and began heading down the overgrown dirt drive to the Berkley Store, with its dense trees and vines almost slapping at the car, nothing could be seen. Gehenna guided her. Though Eva couldn't see him, she could feel his presence, just beyond the car's front bumper, and followed him deeper into the gloom. She could hardly see her own hands on the wheel, but her trust in him had been built over many decades.
"I'm sure we'll be there in a jiffy, so no need to worry. Um...if ya don't mind me askin', how long have ya had your ability?" "Since I killed my husband with it." Sheena replied not looking at the girl she was with. "Any other personal information you like to know?" Once again she kept her eye's away, from everyone. Except for Shyla, every so often she would look at her, then stare back out the window.
The Jetta: Berkle- After what seemed like an eternity the Jetta emerged from the grove. Headlights sliced through the darkness revealing a huge old brick building missing more windows than it had kept. Gingerbread woodwork hung off it like molting feathers. The landscaping had run wild. Fireflies flooded the weed choked grass. Branches and vines seemed to reach out for them, ghostly fingers come to collect the souls of trespassers. The sign hung down, one of its chains broken. Berkle- Black letters, faded to a muted silver on a bleached white background. Ben pulled the car into an area that still boasted more gravel than grass. "Looks like we're here." Camille shivered in spite of the humid summer air. Ben cast a glance at her sandals and cotton sundress. "You really don't have an ounce of sense, do you, Camille." She glared at him, once more reminding him of an outraged owl. Leaning over the seat he reached past Teddy and grabbed hold of something the mechanic was sitting on. One massive tug sent Teddy sprawling onto the floor of the car and freed his leather jacket. The jacket he dropped around Camille's shoulders, the shit eating grin he tossed at Teddy's head. "Sorry about that."
Shyla gripped the car's arm rest till her knuckles turned white as Eva began driving on the rough road without a single light. "Dr. Eva, what are you doing!?" She cried out. "Since I killed my husband with it." Sheena replied to Baley's question. "Wait what?" Shyla asked before she had a chance to stop herself. The woman she had saved from killing herself...was a murderer? Great going, Shy. How do you get yourself into these types of situations. "You mean by accident...right?"
You mean by accident...right? "An accident? I suppose you could call it that. But honestly, I'm not sure. It happened all so fast I'm not even sure if I did it on perpose or not." She said suddeny sounding remorseful. "But he is dead, and I killed him."
Baley Warsaw At the answer Baley automatically regretted asking the question. And now that Eva cut the electric lights, she couldn't even see her own hands. Her eyes played tricks on her as they tried to grab for nonexistent light and swirly blotches gathered. "An accident? I suppose you could call it that. But honestly, I'm not sure. It happened all so fast I'm not even sure if I did it on perpose or not." She said suddeny sounding remorseful. "But he is dead, and I killed him." Talking about death in a black hole in the country wasn't exactly pleasant. She tried to put that out her mind as she forced out the next question. Baley gulped. "So...how long ago was that? When ya killed him?"
Camille and Ben: Power Locks Teddy resumed his seat, grumbling at Ben under his breath. Camille, meanwhile, had popped open the glove box and pulled out Ben's Maglight. She handed the flashlight to Ben, noting his bemused look. "What?" She demanded, sliding her arms into the sleeves of the jacket. "How did you know that was in there?" He asked. Camille laughed. "You're a cop, Ben. You made sure I have at least two at my place. I figured, you being Mr. Sensible, would have at least one flashlight in the car." Teddy chuckled from the backseat. Ben scowled. "Remind me to shove him in a locker at the next high school reunion." Camille ignored the sniping and reached for the car door. Ben pressed the power locks. "You're not going out there alone." "I'm not alone." She said. "You and Teddy are both here with me. I assumed one or the both of you would be coming along." "Don't go pressing buttons, Cam..." Ben growled. "I didn't." She fired back. "You're the one who pressed the door lock button." Teddy chimed in from the backseat. "Is this covered under the cruel and unusual punishment clause of the law?" Camille giggled.
Ina Holt Ina watched with increasing gloom as, one by one, the vehicles drove off, leaving her utterly alone with Lawrence the Creep. She continued following him, as he weaved seemingly aimlessly through the alleys. Ina's suspicion arose, as she passed the same dumpster the second time. "H-..." She was more scared than she'd been in a long time, she could barely make herself talk, "S-so how far is it?" "Ssshhhh..." Lawrence said softly, not looking back, "Don't look now, but we're being followed. Breathing hard, trying to calm herself, Ina quickened her pace. "W-w-what are we going t-" Lawrence had disappeared. "Creep?" She whispered, looking around, "L-Lawrence?" She looked back, and felt her heart stop as a body collapsed behind her. She couldn't see the person's face, past a blank white mask. "Well, that's that." Lawrence said, stepping over the corpse. Ina whimpered as she heard bones give way under Lawrence's feet. "Let's go." He said, giving her a faint smile. They continued going through the alleys, unhindered. After a while, Lawrence stopped, and bent down, lifting a manhole cover from the ground. "Hop in." He said, holding the cover in place, "I'll be right behind." Ina stared disbelievingly at the hole. She could hear an odd buzzing coming from it. "This is the secret place?" Ina said, fervently wishing she'd gone with someone else, "The sewer?" "This isn't the sewer," Lawrence said, "Just trust me." Ina scanned the area, wondering if she should try to run. To her surprise, they were standing at a dead end, surrounded by walls; nowhere Ina was familiar with. She stared suspiciously at Lawrence, who pointed down the hole. Finally, Ina walked to the hole, and started to climb down the ladder. The buzzing grew louder and louder, until it was almost deafening. She looked up, and saw that Lawrence had gotten onto the ladder as well, and had closed the cover. She was trapped now. Ina descended the remaining stairs, and covered her eyes from a sudden light. She examined the area. They were in a tunnel, that split and branched off in all directions. She turned to see Lawrence moving his mouth, but couldn't make out what he was saying over the buzzing. "What?" She called loudly, cupping her hands around her ears, which only made the buzzing worse. Lawrence repeated his message. "I can't hear you!" Ina screamed, taking a step closer. Lawrence frowned in frustration, then pointed at the floor of the tunnel. Ina looked down, and saw to her amazement, a whirring conveyor belt, moving at a blinding speed. She and Lawrence were standing on a platform, almost like a train station. Is this he got the letters to us, at almost the same time Ina wondered, barely able to hear her own thoughts over the din of the belt. Lawrence moved to stand beside her, and pulled something from his pocket. He handed her an unopened bag of earplugs. Ina ripped open the bag, and quickly stuffed the pieces of foam into her ears, sighing as the noise was filtered away. When she'd lowered her hands from her ears, she felt Lawrence's hands close around her waist, and she shrieked as he jumped off the platform onto the fast moving belt, carrying her with him. They landed heavily, and Ina felt friction tearing at her legs, before the belt finally gripped her and swept her away. Platform after platform sped by, and Ina looked back to see Lawrence sitting calmly behind her. I thought he got motion sickness. Ina thought. But, despite the rough entry the ride was surprising smooth. After many intense minutes, Lawrence pulled himself into a kneeling position, and grabbed Ina around the waist again with one arm. He lifted the other, and grabbed hold of something hanging from the ceiling. With a jolt, they were pulled from the belt, and came to a stop at the foot of a tall staircase. Lawrence beckoned her to climb the steps, then pulled out his earplugs. Carefully, Ina pulled hers out as well. The buzzing had dropped to a gentle purring, in absence of the myriad other conveyor belts. "Well, that was..." Ina broke off, staring at her legs. Her skirt was in tatters, and there were giant burns on her thighs. She winced as the pain hit her, in absence of her adrenaline rush. "I'm sorry," Lawrence said, sounding genuine for the first time, as he bent to inspect her wounds, "I shouldn't have had you come with me. I hadn't considered your skirt. Can you walk?" "Y-yes." Ina winced again, annoyance flaring as Lawrence remained couched beside her, "Stop looking at my legs!" She drew away from him, hiding her burns with her hands. "You don't happen to have a pair of pants in one of those pockets, do you?" "No." Lawrence said, getting to his feet, "I'll get you a change of clothes upstairs though. After you." He beckoned once more up the stairs, "It goes up into the center of Berkley's."
"10 years, 10 long years." Sheena closed her eye's recalling what had happened since his demise. Running and hiding, and more running. It was all she had done. "Alas, I am running again, constantly running." She sighed in defeat.
