Claire
Claire Bennet sat in the train station in Jersey City. Not to catch a train, but to sleep. Things were different ever since she ran away from home, from the time the bomb went off. Feeling hungry, she grabbed some breakfast out of her duffel bag. She took small bites of her granola bar trying to make it last as long as possible, but it didn't help. She was still hungry.
"I need a job." Claire whispered.
A nearby trashcan had a newspaper sticking half way out of the lid. She got off the cold bench and opened it to the help wanted ads. Flipping through the pages, desperately wanting anything, she got frustrated.
"Who wants to hire a homeless 16 year old girl." she said to herself.
"Ray's Club, 8th and Main. Young waitress wanted!"
Claire ran outside the train station excited, but there was something outside that stopped her in her tracks. The site of the wasteland, which was once New York, just across the bay about 5 miles east.
Getting a sick feeling, she started walking towards Ray's Club.
---
A vagabond wandered into Ray's Club, sitting alone in a corner. He sat in the shadows, a hoodie pulled over his head, his face hard to make out. He reminded of someone he once knew. Someone who once watched another waitress named Charlie. Ahh Sylar, his goals were justified, but he wanted more to be a one man army. thought the stranger. My goals are much bigger. GRANDER.
A waitress approached the vagabond. "What'll it be, honey?"
"Coffee, please. And could I sit in Claire's section."
"Claire? There's nobody here named Claire."
Yes, there will be soon. thought the stranger. "I guess I'm a little early."
"Early? Oooookay…" said the waitress. "Well, if a Claire comes in I'll let her know you're here, Mr. …"
"Kane."
"How long are you going to wait?" asked the waitress.
"Oh, don't worry about me. I can wait forever."
---
Mr. Bennet
Mr. Bennet sat in a rented car loading his gun, in preparation for a fight.
Hearing a rumor that a powerful SG was spotted near the Canadian border, he had to go investigate. From what he'd heard, this one was very dangerous, he'd already killed 5 humans.
Ever since the bomb went off, he'd been trying to improve relations between humans and SGs. Using his contacts with the O.W.I., he had tracked down 3 SGs that were causing problems.
He read Claire's last letter one last time. She said she's doing good, looking for a job and trying to stay under cover. He missed her and the rest of his family, but he knew what he was doing was for the greater good. If his family were ever to have a normal life again, he had to ensure his daughter was safe.
With that in mind, he remembered his mission. He put away Claire's letter and started the car.
---
Candice
Whatever is an illusionist out of work supposed to do? Become a vigilante? Well in some cases yes, and in some case no, but in my case, an unsure answer. Candice thought.
Sighing, she turned a page of her magazine. Candice was on a bus heading back to New York. She was one of the first going back. Deciding it wasn't safe as her usual appearance, she chose to come back as an elderly woman with thick glasses. It was safe to say, she could be the old bionic lady of this time.
She didn't know what she was really looking for. Maybe, I should try to find some of the people from the plaza and try to help? Or maybe should I mind my business? Candice thought. For some odd reason, her gut was telling her to help them. She hated her gut.
---
Sylar
Sylar peered around the corner of a row of houses before taking his next step. The baseball cap and sunglasses he was wearing did little to hide his identity. Every other store window he passed by had his face and dozen or so other faces plastered all over it.
He didn't know where to go or what to do. He had been on the run for a year and without a single killing, without a single power to gain from it. Instinctively he reached up, the scar from where that dreaded katana had pierced him was the only thing that had kept him from moving. A reminder that he wasn't invincible as he used to think.
---
Nikki
Nikki Sanders looked in the mirror one last time. Jessica was gone, truly gone. The only thing looking back was her own reflection not her sister's. DL was gone. He had died the day the bomb blew up New York. She felt alone like she had never felt in her entire life. The only time she had felt like this was when Jessica had died and now DL was gone, too. She knew she had to keep her real identity a secret. She didn't want to get locked up, and that's why she called herself Jessica on stage. She didn't like her job that much, but being a stripper had its benefits, which included money for herself and her son, who was possibly the last person she had left. She heard her name being called and knew it was time to stop moping around and get to work. It was show time.
---
Claire rested her head against the foggy window of the bus. The loud noise of the overused engine was just white noise to Claire as she was lost deep in thought. It was time for her next letter to Noah. Because her father had returned to work with the O.W.I., she had to write under false pretenses.
Noah,
I know you are worried by the fact that you have not seen me in many months, but don't fret. I am safe and sound here and I am actually on my way to a job interview, right now. If it goes well, I will be back on my feet and in a good place. I remember our times together and miss them dearly. Maybe, one day I will meet Sandra and your kids again. I will write again, soon, like I always do.
Tina Breeclern
Claire licked the envelope shut.
"Ray's Club parking"
Claire grabbed the wire up above her and a loud ring screeched throughout the bus. As the coughing old man slammed on the brakes, he looked through his horn-rimmed glasses.
"Did someone here ring the bell!?!?" the man asked.
"Yes, that was me."
'Ooo, what's a pretty young girl like you getting off in this part of town. It is a bad neighborhood in these parts. You could get hurt."
"I think I'm good." Claire said smiling. She got off the bus with her duffel bag across her back and the newspaper in her hands. "Ok Tina, lets get through this."
Claire walked through the double doors of Ray's Club and was overwhelmed by the smell of smoke and liquor. Instantaneously, she knew she made a mistake by coming here. This wasn't the kind of club you'd bring your kids to eat breakfast to. This was a club that you would keep underground. A club that looked like it was owned by a certain dead mobster called Linderman.
"Are you Tina, the one who called?" asked a tall skinny man, who had a certain look to him. He was creepy, yet. Something was comforting about him. He seemed familiar.
"Yes." Claire said shaking. "But I don't think I should be here, I'm only 16."
"Oh, don't worry. You're perfect for the job."
Claire reluctantly went down the long hallway, what seemed to be like she was going to her death.
---
Nathan
Man, these meetings are boring. I've pulled all of my strings. Mom even pulled some of her strings. This "Linderman Act" will pass and the ball will start to roll to me being president. I like this more and more. Man, Pete would love… Peter… I couldn't have helped. Yea, mom was right. What could I have done, pick him up and fly him away. No, that would be silly. I DID do the right thing. Wish I knew where Pete was though. He was supposed to been able to survive it. Where could he be? Really, it was his own fault. Should of left things alone. I was right. Of course, I was right. Finally, lets vote this thing. Nathan thought.
"Mr. Petrelli from New York. How do you vote?" The speaker asked.
"Yes."
Ok, that's how it starts. Now people will have to register their powers. All the useless powers can just stay hidden, but those fire starters and the dangerous ones. We'll know where you are in no time. Just hide Pete. Just stay hiding, Pete.
---
Matt
Matt Parkman sat silently at his desk thumbing through his paperwork. He could hear the busy thoughts of everyone around him. He couldn't focus on anything, but his son.
What if he's 'special'. Matt thought. What will we do, then.
He searched his memories, looking for some answer to the riddle of how he ended up here. If people knew what I could do…
'Parkman? Why does he want to see Parkman? I swear I just go unnoticed around here, but the boss wants to see Parkman. Why not me? I can do anything Parkman can do and I can do it better.'
Matt knew this could only be Travis. He had been there for years, but never got anywhere. Instead of working, he blamed everyone else for his problems. Matt was new and somewhat inexperienced. I wonder what the boss wants with me? he thought.
Matt got up from his chair and began to walk to his boss's office. Travis spotted him, put a huge grin on his face and began to say, "Hey, Parkman…"
"I know, I'm on my way to see him in his office, right now. Thanks Travis."
Matt passed a confused Travis and could hear him think. 'How did he know? I didn't tell him anything.'