Thanks for the reviews everyone. It actually made me feel a little emotional that someone took the time to respond to my story.
Big shout out to heroesfan1, WOWcow, and julyisfree. You guys are great! Thank You for the motivation.
Again, I own not a single part of Heroes. This is all in good fun. :)
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Two weeks since the arrival to the United States Special Base Camp: Kansas
Claire had found herself in a strange predicament. She was currently laying in her cot in her tent, wishing she was still asleep. Exhausting herself with her overbearing thoughts and dread of going out into the base camp. She had been considered an outsider before in the outside world, but now she had found herself to be an outsider in the world of Specials. High School became tough after driving the Star Football Player into a wall, but Claire was able to move on. In College, her roommate "killed herself", putting Claire in an awkward position again. But, as always, Claire strove through it, because she knew it truly was never her world.
Claire had to create her own world to fit into, and did so by leaping off that Ferris Wheel. Now that one action, had created a dire consequence. War. She made the whole world aware so that she could feel at ease. Claire felt like she could never be at ease now. Revealing special abilities to the world had also created fear, hate and potential destruction.
"Claire, are you ready to go yet?"
Emma's voice had snapped her out of her daze of thoughts. Claire quickly rolled onto the ground with a thump. She popped her head out of the tent to allow Emma to see her face.
"I will be ready in five minutes. Sorry." Claire sheepishly smiled.
Emma laughed, nodding to her turning back to a small pot of oatmeal cooking on the fire in their campsite. Emma was a rare type of person. She was the only one who was truly kind to her nowadays. With Hiro and Ando traveling around the world, passing messages of other base camps and collecting Specials, Emma was her only standing friend.
Claire threw on a pair of dark jeans and a gray, long sleeved V-neck shirt. She stepped out and grabbed a bowl of oatmeal. Eating it silently, she watched Peter kiss Emma goodbye before heading off to an international meeting with the base camp of Canada. He had barely looked at her. Emma gave Claire a weak, sad smile. She knew how it cut Claire when Peter ignored her.
"I don't take it personal Emma, there are more important things. His image and power should not be questioned whatsoever."
The first real introduction that Claire had with the base camp had not gone over well. It occurred in the main conference hall for the entire camp. Peter was introduced, but someone in the crowd had recognized her. There were shouts of protest of her presence, even a shout or two about a trial. The majority of the camp had decided that being revealed was their death sentence. Claire should be punished for it.
Peter chose to distant himself and Claire took a heavy offense to it. They did have a nasty confrontation about his decision. Screaming, crying, and even a slap or two. Claire could not believe his last words to her.
"Don't come looking for me to rescue you when you make another wrong choice."
Claire was shell-shocked by that statement. She never asked for the horrible things in her life to happen, nor for someone to rescue her from those things. She felt like she had always faced things head on. They had been silent ever since.
"Ready to go?" Emma had her blue sweater and black dress pants. She had her blood pressure machine in her hands.
Claire jumped up, grabbed her gray sweatshirt, throwing it on and lifting up her hood. She didn't like being noticed lately. They made their way to a giant tent, the old main tent of the carnival. It was set up as a Medical Tent, the most space was found fit to be used this way.
Emma began to go through more boxes of supplies that had arrived that morning.
Five people entered the empty tent behind them. Two Healers, a former nurse, and two people with X-ray abilities. Emma had managed to build a small medical team. The healers would not be able to heal all the inevitable wounded without being drained, and having any help was needed. This was the main team to help direct people, heal people, and handle critical situations.
"Good Morning Everyone, I would like an inventory of what we have in these boxes and place all items in an organized system in those compartments." Emma indicated to the compartment shelves around the edges of the tent.
"Claire, once we complete this task, make me a master list?"
"Of course."
One of the Healers asked "Do we know when we will be needing these items? It's been two weeks, and no word from up top about when they will ship out the forces."
"I would tell you if I knew. I have no clue when they will ship out our people. I do know that on the East Coast there has been a massive genocide of carriers. We lost some Specials, who were undercover. We should concentrate on preparation for wounded. They cannot detect where we are, so they are attempting to force us out. We cannot feed into that. Now let's go back to work."
Emma turned back to organizing.
Claire envied her. How she instantly was in charge when entering the Medical Tent. That authority would be needed later. Claire missed that feeling of being needed. She pulled out suture kits and placed them next to other surgical products. She found herself isolated at her medical shelf area. The medical team, besides Emma, felt the same as the rest of the camp when it came to her. She felt like she was on an insane repeat. Wake up, prep for War, maybe eat, go to sleep. She didn't explore the camp, she didn't interact with Peter and Hiro. She just existed.
"Hey Bennett, What did you do on Sunday?"
Claire turned to the others, except for Emma, who was on the other side of the tent.
"Uh, not much, just stayed in my campsite."
"Oh, We thought you'd be counting the people you are going to put into these beds soon."
Claire glared and turned back to her work. She could feel their eyes on her. She willed her tears away.
"How many times do I have to apologize?" Claire finally spurted out.
"Apologizing doesn't save us, it doesn't give us our lives back!" The girl healer stepped closer to her, her eyes furious. "I am going to come to the brink of death trying to help these people."
Claire turned to meet her eyes, trying to look non-threatening as possible.
"I know, I can't play the part of Captain Hindsight. And I don't know why Hiro can't go back and fix it. He said it's blocked by something and no matter how many messages or notes he tries to warn me, nothing works!"
"Address him as Commander Hiro. You really have no respect for anyone do you?"
The larger man, with the X-ray vision, crossed his arms glaring at her simple mistake.
Claire put her hands up in defeat.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Well, We know death isn't an option."
The former nurse, with the ability to mold metals, said it coldly. It gave Claire a chill.
With that statement, Claire was out of the tent in a heartbeat. She couldn't take the glares, the comments, the whispers. She ran in a direction away from the tent and her campsite, not knowing where she was going. Stumbling upon the backend of the Training center, it looked like a large paintball field. Obstacles, ropes, homemade dummies littered the ground. At least 400 trainees were working in different groups. It was sectioned off area from the rest of the camp. She stopped running and looked for a place to just sit.
Claire noticed a couple of blocks of hay and she sat herself where she could watch the training, but could not been seen. She lifted her hood up over her Auburn Brown hair, missing her Blonde badly in that moment. Claire began to observe her surroundings more intensely.
Just beyond the training field was where the Limited Living Space was located. Claire could tell by the decorations. Why do shady characters feel the need to not only act like Disney Villains but decorate like them? Dark drapes, dreamcatchers and even animal bones hung around some of the tents. The space did have a couple of trailers. Odd to Claire, she thought only Commanders had those. It was smaller than the Main Living Area, but she knew the forces in there should not be messed with.
She turned her attention back to the training. It looked as the groups were broken up by similar abilities. Fire, Ice, Weather, Strength etc...
They used targets and teamwork strategies to take out some homemade dummies, eventually facing off with each other. Claire realized they were practicing how they would be stationed in battle. Force Field wielders in the front, followed by telekinesis, and then more offensive powers following suit. Defense to Offense with every advancement. Claire found a sudden desire to be on the field with them, learning hand to hand combat or being a human shield. A real sacrifice.
Claire suddenly stopped dead in her observation.
Sylar was there. Instructing.
Sylar was directing the telekinesis group and the electricity group at the same time. He barked order after order. Featuring ideas and proper technique to killing someone. He embarrassed a young teenager, who was a bit mouthy, by tossing him around like a rag doll and giving him a short shock. Sylar thanked the embarrassed kid for being a living practice doll. Claire watched, almost in horror, as the other Commanders and instructors, huddled up with Sylar. He was still dressed like himself, all in black, unlike the other leaders in their Camouflage or Athletic wear. Claire closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the hay. They had made Sylar...SYLAR...a Commander over her. She sighed loudly and tried hard to not cry. Her personal nightmare was considered more trustworthy with lives than she was.
"Hello Beautiful."
Claire's blood went cold. That voice.
She opened her eyes to seeing him standing over her, smiling like he found a lost puppy. She looked behind him to find the Soldiers-in-training were going for a jog around the camp.
"They made you a Commander?" Claire went straight to the point of her interest.
Sylar laughed and sat down next to her. He sat with his legs crossed, arms behind his head. At ease, like he wasn't training for War.
"Wouldn't you? I have almost every single power out there, mastered them all. Plus I have fantastic People skills."
Claire scoffed.
"Brave New World, Indeed."
"What? No fight, No whining about your boogeyman being in charge of something? Oh the Injustice."
Claire responded with silence, pulling her legs into Indian style. Her shoulders sinking low in defeat.
Sylar observed her clear body language. He became more serious. He dropped his jousting tone.
"What have they told you?"
"Emma tells me little bits, like about the genocide on the East Coast. But mostly she has been teaching me how to perform medical treatments. Stitches, sutures, CPR, defibrillators.."
Sylar shifted uncomfortably. This conversation felt like the one they had in her College supply closest. Honest.
"Well, it will be needed, its going to be hundreds versus thousands. If Peter can join the international forces and get them here, the odds would be in our favor."
"Take out the C.E.O.S country by country, one giant force? Rather than small ones?"
Sylar smiled at Claire sincerely, even though she refused to look at him. She was preoccupied with splitting a piece of hay in her hands.
"Claire, you are smarter than people give you credit for." She laughed sarcastically at his comment.
"You are winning the popularity vote over me. And you are a serial killer!"
Sylar grunted.
"Intelligence is rare. Your Peter showcases that, almost every time I see his smug face. A few family deaths and he thinks he can dictate what I can do."
Claire shrugged. Sylar picked up on her avoidance of talking about Peter.
"Trouble in Super-hero Paradise?"
Claire stood up abruptly. Not willingly to engage with Sylar more than she had.
"It was...interesting seeing you Sylar, but I have to take a shower to wash off your pretentiousness."
Claire turned to walk away from him, but he was on her before she could take two steps. He grabbed her throat, slamming her into a wall of hay. Positioning them out of sight of the Training Field or anyone else.
"Do not belittle me, Brutus. I'm not the one who created this situation...where your overly loved Uncle now can't stand the sight of you."
He was enraged by her pretentiousness, she had the audacity to call him pretentious. Claire pulled on his arms, trying to free herself. He gripped her harder. She attempted to kick him, but he used his ability to freeze her. She stopped struggling.
"You just need to prove you have power. Don't you?" She snarled at him and dared to insult him further. She was having a bad day, maybe she could get some frustration out. "Are you compensating for something in a different area by showing off your powers?" Her face implied the worst. She nodded to below his waist, sneering nastily.
Sylar chuckled softly, leaning his body up against hers, particularly his hips.
"Do you want to find out?"
"I'd rather die."
Claire fought against him, her eyes boiled with hatred. She felt a spark in her ignite. The past few days she felt like she was losing some hope. Sylar was bringing out her survival mode again and she needed that now. Drive. Push. Excel.
"Claire, you wound me. You know I could oblige you in either category...why pick the more unimaginative one? I can be creative with killing you of course...But don't you want to experience my other creative skills?" His voice had grown husky and his eyes were showcasing his desires.
Sylar thrived off of having her in his grasp and he had realized he had never been this physically close to her entire body before. He leaned in and kissed her mouth, which she forced shut. She struggled to turn her head. He hated kissing her hard, stone closed mouth.
He leaned back, disappointed, not losing his grip.
He suddenly felt her stop struggling under his power. Sylar looked at her face and eyes, unable to read the look on her face. She looked different for a moment...almost willing. He shrugged like he had back in that classroom before he kissed her that first time. He went back in for another hard kiss and was surprised to find her welcoming it. He felt her try to enter his mouth. His heart began to pound hard. The two of them were sharing a real kiss. He grunted into her mouth, releasing something that was deeply pent up inside him. She tasted like light. He slowly let go of his grip around her neck and let go of his ability holding her.
No sooner had he done that-Claire swiftly kneed him in the crotch. It blinded him for a moment. Sylar bent over immediately, grasping himself, in heavy pain. He looked up to glare at Claire and she quickly punched him in the face.
"I'd rather die." She repeated to him as he lay on the ground.
She ran off, straight for her campsite. She didn't look back, nor slow down for any of the people yelling at her to not run. Claire barreled into her campsite and dove into her tent. Sitting on the floor, she grabbed her legs, staring nervously at her tent entrance. She froze hearing someone walking towards her tent.
Emma peeked her head in. Claire felt herself relax.
"Hey, here you are. I was looking all over for you."
Emma crawled in and sat across from Claire on the floor. She took her hands in hers, looking apologetic. Claire had forgotten the day's earlier event due to her encounter with Sylar.
"I'm sorry that this whole situation you have been put in. You are very brave to face it everyday, and I want you to know that when it begins...People will forget about you. They will have a new villain to visualize. It is hard to hear about a villain, picture it in your mind and than hate it. It is easier to hate something when it is in front of you. These people are scared. They need to direct their stress."
Emma's words comforted Claire for a moment. She smiled at Emma and thanked her for her words. Claire relaxed her body, smoothed her hair back, realizing a sudden strength reemerging from within her. Emma stood up and as she left the tent Claire finally spoke out loud.
"Emma, I think I want to have dinner in the main dining area tonight. I think both of us are getting sick of eating oatmeal and campsite snacks."
"Are you sure?"
Claire nodded, smiling to herself.
"I am sure. I've dealt with a lot in my life and I've made it in my own way. I shouldn't let anything stop me now. I'll make them forgive me."
Emma looked overjoyed by Claire's sudden spark. She had been waiting for her to turn back into herself.
"OK, I am going to head back to the Medical Tent, fix a few more things, but I will be back to go to dinner with you."
With that Emma left, almost skipping. Claire knew that Emma needed her to be strong. They were going to lean on one another.
Claire rested her head on her knees. Her encounter with Sylar reminded her of everything she had been through. Claire was going to put in much work to make people change their minds. If this was somewhat her fault, she was going to fix as much as possible.
She rummaged through her spare clothes and found a pair of black pants and her brightest red V-neck T-shirt. She walked to the shower, belting out some Pink songs, regaining some control of her life. She was washing away her fear.
Emma arrived a few hours later and they headed to the main dinning tent. Campsites all had supplies for simple meals, but the main dinning hall had portioned out special meals for the residents.
Claire walked into the opening, chin up, and took in the sight.
There were 50 picnic tables, almost filled to the brim of residents. Families, groups of soldiers, Commanders...all of them had a special place. Around the edges of the tent were buffet style foods. Specials with the ability to transform ingredients into meals stood behind the tables, cooking, preparing, and showcasing their meals. Emma waved to a small group in the corner and pushed Claire to grab some food.
Claire moved quickly picking out as little food as possible, feeling eyes on her back. When they finished collecting their food, Emma guided her to the table she waved to. They sat down with four people Claire had never seen before.
"Claire, this Logan, Meg, Felix, and June. They are the battlefield medical team, they each have medical skills or a healing ability...along with a defensive power."
The man sitting across from her, Logan, flashed a small fireball in his palm and smiled at Claire. He was quite handsome with his blonde hair and dark tan. He looked like a surfer. She couldn't help being drawn into his blue eyes.
"I use to be a firefighter." Claire smiled, relieved by his friendliness.
"While, you still are. Those skills don't disappear."
He nodded, playing with his food.
"How long have you been here Claire?"
"Two weeks, I don't venture from the Medical Tent or our campsite too much."
"That's too bad. You shouldn't take things too personally here. These people don't know you. This whole thing was inevitable. In all honestly, the C.E.O.S. was set up long before your jump, we would have been revealed in no time."
Claire twirled her fork in her mashed potatoes.
"Still doesn't make me feel any less guilty."
The tiny, dark skinned girl named Meg interjected.
"Hey, Fuck'em. They've been lying to themselves. Why should we live in hiding...this is what makes us Human. Fighting for our rights."
Claire was overwhelmed by a fresh sense of support. Emma had tried to bring her here for so long...probably to meet these people. June and Felix had listened to the entire conversation, nodding in agreement. The whole group ranged from Claire's age to Emma's. Emma seemed like the motherly overseer. They understood her.
"Speaking of fighting...you guys have to train...along with medical training?"
Meg nodded.
"To an extent, We train with the rest, then have to simulate a situation where we apply medical aid while being attacked. It's been pretty easy, except when facing the telekinesis and electricity divisions. They can be a little ruthless."
Claire rolled her eyes. Oh I wonder why.
"I think I know why."
Logan looked at her, dead serious, staring deep into her eyes.
"Sylar isn't someone to cross out there."
"Or ever."
"Did you hear that he may have killed at least a hundred people...before all of this."
Claire shifted uncomfortably and pushed her food away slowly.
"I have more of an idea than you may think."
Meg jumped into the conversation again.
"I heard he is immortal. How do you get to be immortal?"
Claire sighed and decided that she needed to start opening up. If she showed trust...she could maybe be trusted?
"He is immortal because of me."
The four of them stared at her, no judgment, just pushing for her to continue.
"He removes abilities through the brain...or the brain stem through touch. I heard recently that he could take the power empathetically, but he choses to kill his victims in the process. He is obsessed with being the most Special person in the world. My ability is pretty rare and he took it when I was in high school. Opened my skull. The only difference is he couldn't kill me...or didn't want to kill me. He has taken quite a bit from me. I've faced that psycho more then once. Not fun."
Claire looked at the group, waiting for them to respond.
Meg reached across the table and held her hand.
"They made that guy a Commander over you?"
Claire surprisingly laughed out loud. Squeezing Meg's hand back and laughing even harder.
"I know right?!"
The group chuckled along with her, sympathetically.
"I'm sorry I am laughing, but things are just becoming so twisted...all I can do is laugh."
Logan smiled at her sheepishly, seeing the humor she needed. Her heart skipped a beat.
Emma was motioned by a different table and she patted Claire on the shoulder as she left to discuss something with a different table. Claire felt comfortable where she sat.
"You know, you are pretty tough to face him all this time. Maybe you would be better suited on the battlefield?"
Claire considered it for a moment.
"Maybe, I would have to ask Edgar and the rest of the leadership. Or get Emma to ask. I don't really have voice anymore."
"See that's fucked up. Everyone here should have voice...except maybe that Sylar guy. He has taken lives." Meg was feisty girl.
"Plus he makes my life a living hell when my group faces off with his."
Logan showed a burn mark across his forearm.
"Bastard likes to prove a point to his team."
Claire ran her hand across the scar. Logan covered her hand, stopping it on the scar.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to...I just have never had a scar in my life. I have never really touched one."
"Pretty ugly, huh?"
"No, I kind of like it."
Logan flashed that handsome smile.
Meg giggled and looked at her watch.
"Ah shit, we better get back to the field. We don't need to do laps for being late...again. Claire, nice to meet you. We'll find you, ok? Head up, girl. Forget the haters."
Logan squeezed her hand and stood up with the others.
"I'll see you around Claire."
"Yes, be safe guys."
Claire gave Logan a flirtatious smile. She liked the way he talked to her and was comfortable with touching him almost right of way. A big deal for Claire.
As they cleared her view of the tent, Claire's heart dropped.
Sitting directly across from her, at an empty table, was Sylar. He sat facing her, casually eating a frozen yogurt.
How long was he sitting there?
Claire glared at him. She couldn't have one happy moment. He acted as if she was inviting him over. He switched his seat to sit across from her. The tent was slowly clearing out, but people were giving them strange looks as they left. Just what she needed, Sylar to tamper with her already ruined reputation.
"Funny meeting you here. I thought you'd never leave that campsite."
Claire crossed her arms, watching him slurp on his yogurt.
"I have a right to be here. I'm just curious to why you are here?"
"As an elected Commander, I get more perks than the rest of the Limited Specials. Like free frozen yogurt whenever I want."
Claire looked for Emma, who was still in a deep conversation with a group of people.
"Claire-Bear, our little interaction this morning-"
"Sylar. Don't. Just don't."
Sylar stared dangerously at her. He hated being interrupted. Claire stared cooly back.
"I'm glad you found your sense of self-worth again through kicking me in my nether regions."
He looked clearly unhappy about that moment. Claire shifted forward, not breaking eye-contact with him.
"I do have to thank you for that. I forgot who I was and what heavy, evil crap you have put me through in my life. I had to remember who I was. I am a hero." Claire stated strongly, restraining the urge to stab him with her fork.
He considered her words for a moment and softly said "That's why you need me, Claire. There are no heroes without their villains. We make each other stand out. I just took the less tasking path. We need each other."
Clare snorted.
"I need you like a shot to the back of the head."
Sylar chuckled. Her constant refusals to see how much she needed him entertained him. He knew he would love the moment when She realizes her need for him. He changed the subject.
"So did Logan ask you to Prom?"
Claire laughed bitterly at him.
"Yes, a limo and everything. Why? You interested in his abilities...want to take them as well?"
Sylar finished his yogurt.
"I'm just curious. He seems he fits the Claire Bennett Boyfriend material chart."
"He is very handsome, yes. But I find this particular time to not be ideal to building a romantic relationship. There are other things I need to focus on. I just met the guy."
Sylar's eyes flashed when she mentioned Logan's looks. Jealousy had seeped into his face. But he had wiped away that reaction and laughed at her logic.
"This is the perfect time to start a relationship. No one here wants to die alone or unloved."
Claire hated how he talked about the impending doom of the majority of the camp.
"Well, I know you will be the only one to die that way."
Sylar slammed his hand down on the table, causing Claire to jump. It also startled the rest of the tent.
He growled at her.
"You are incorrigible."
Claire was enjoying making him mad. She rose to her feet, seeing Emma walking over.
"Goodnight Sylar." She turned to meet Emma at the tent exit. Sylar suddenly dropped his anger, the sight of her walking away made him feel a bit empty.
"Claire."
She paused and turned back to him, semi-annoyed. He stood up and walked up to her, looking innocent in a way. She froze in place when he leaned into her ear. He softly whispered in her ear, making a chill go up her back.
"If I did die today, I'd still be happy about that kiss. Real or not. I would hold on to that."
He then walked past her, passing Emma, who eyed him wearily and left the tent. Claire watched him leave, feeling a tiny amount of guilt. He seemed very alone. The memories of everything he every did to her came rushing back in an instant and she was back to hating his guts. There was a reason he was alone.
Emma and Claire walked back to the campsite in silence.
As Claire laid down to sleep, she thought about her potential new friends, her mother, her brother and her father. Praying they would be safe through all of this. Her thought lingered for a moment about her kiss with Sylar. It had sparked her to fight. Maybe she did need him. Claire waved the thought away quickly. She thought about the things she had to do the next day and fell into the easiest sleep that she had in long time.