Author's Note: ~ "text" ~ = Telepathy
Disclaimer: The Tomorrow People is the property of the CW. No copyright infringement is intended.
xxx TTP xxx
It was supposed to be a quick, easy trip to get a few supplies that had unexpectedly run out. John volunteered himself and Charlotte for the job. Charlotte didn't like the idea. She preferred to stay in the Lair. John wanted her to get outside for a little bit, get some fresh air. Charlotte still wasn't all that excited about it until John offered to get her some ice cream as a special treat. Then she eagerly agreed to the task.
They stopped to get the ice cream on the way, since it would be much easier to eat with nothing in their hands. Waiting in line, John noticed something suspicious down the street. Recalling his days as an Ultra agent, it looked like one of Ultra's retrieval missions. He tried not to act too alarmed so as not to worry Charlie. The situation was not out of his control ... yet.
~ "Cara, are you picking up any new break outs near us?" ~ He tried to calmly telepathically send. He grabbed Charlie's hand and smiled at her. "What's your favorite flavor, Charlie?"
~ "Nothing unusual, but I've been busy," ~ Cara replied. ~ "Why?" ~
"I'm not sure," Charlie said, as she was checking out the available flavors. "It's been a long time since I've had ice cream."
"Just let them know which one you would like to try and they will let you taste it," John advised then replied to Cara. ~ "It's probably nothing, but it looks like Ultra may be moving in on someone ... I may have imagined it." ~ He was hoping he had imagined it.
"TIM, bring up live footage from John's location," Cara said.
"I am sorry Cara, there seems to be some interference and I am not able to comply with your request."
~ "John, you need to get out of there now!" ~ Cara started to panic.
"Come on, Charlie, a little change in plans," John said as he turned and started to walk away from the agents he had spotted.
John couldn't believe it. He was finally able to get Charlie out of the Lair and they get caught up in one of Ultra's sweeps? If they got caught, he would never forgive himself. Driving those thoughts out of his mind, he concentrated on getting out of there. Mentally going through a checklist of possible escape routes. There were a lot of people around, so that would slow down Ultra, but it also meant they couldn't just teleport to safety.
"John, what's going on?" Charlie had noticed how his mood had changed and was starting to worry.
"Hopefully nothing, but stay alert," John replied. He kneeled down to look her in the eye and said, "Don't worry, I'll take care of you."
"I know," she said and smiled at him. She trusted him completely. Whatever was going on, she knew John would find a way out.
xxx TTP xxx
Meanwhile, back at the Lair, Cara tried to find out what was happening. Her attempts to contact Stephen failed to go through ... he was either ignoring her or deep within Ultra.
"TIM, pull up anything you can from that area ... up to the point the interference started. At that point, find whatever you can outside that area."
"I will do my best," TIM replied.
xxx TTP xxx
As John and Charlotte made their way through the crowd, John stayed alert and focused. He noticed the agents seemed to be following them. When they would go right, the agents veered right. This was not good, not good at all. It was just as John had figured. Ultra was on a retrieval mission, seemingly for them.
Surveying the area to find a place to get out of sight, he weighed his options. Which would provide better cover for an opportunity to teleport away ... the city buildings or Central Park?
Walking along the edge of Central Park, a teenager on a bike was showing off for some girls and lost control right in front of John and Charlotte. When John jumped to avoid him, he and Charlotte tumbled over a small but steep hill. Charlotte landed on top of John, who had landed on his right side. He tried to ignore the crack he heard as they stopped at the bottom of the hill. Charlotte jumped up right away unharmed. John tried to push himself up with his right arm and screamed in agony rolling over and clutching it with his left hand.
"John, what's wrong?" Charlotte immediately knelt down beside him.
"My arm," he responded through gritted teeth. "I think it might be broken."
