Chapter 7: Flashback part 2.
Paring: KIGO. (Stay away if you don't like.) I do not own Kim Possible, it and all related characters are the property of the original creators, not me. This story is owned by me, Mereel Skirata.
I awaken slowly, the last remnants of the dream still clinging to my mind like a thick fog.
I rub my eyes. Can't believe I was remembering those days, leaving my family, meeting with Drakken.
Then I notice that the space in the bed that had been filled by Kim's body last night is now empty. My hand touches it, searching for some evidence of her presence. But even the body heat she left behind has gone, the mattress cold under my fingers. I feel oddly concerned for a second. But I push it away. I'm being silly.
I can hear someone moving around in the hallway, coming closer to our room. Sure enough, she enters, which reassures me. But then I see she is wearing her mission gear, complete with backpack. She has just finished loading her hairdryer and kimmunicator into it.
She smiles as she sees me, her expression a little guilty, like she knows she been caught doing something she shouldn't.
Sitting next to me, she answers the question that is clearly written on my face.
"Just a quick mission. Escort a group of scientists to a temple. Then fly back. No big."
I don't like the sound of that. Never mind that Kim's ankle is still a little fragile. But Kim knows what she's doing. Still, that doesn't prevent me from asking.
"I could go with you."
She looks delighted.
"Really? I didn't want to ask, cause I figured you'd like to rest."
"Nah. A little exercise sounds good. Plus, you need a partner now, right?"
She shoots me a grin, "Sidekick, you mean."
My pillow bounces off her head.
"Don't push it, Princess."
So, here we are, seated in the back of the aircraft this group of scientists have hired to fly them to the temple they wish to study. Or as close to it as you can get by air.
That still means a 3 mile trek through the jungle to get to it, which is why they asked Kim to come along. Yes, they have maps and GPS and supplies. But they have never been in a place like this. And unlike other scientists I've met, they are at least smart enough to know that just because they've researched somewhere, doesn't mean that they know everything about it.
Which is why they want someone experienced with dangerous areas like this to guide them.
The flight is a quiet one, if you ignore the sounds of the scientists having last minute discussions.
The plane starts to descend suddenly, Kim sliding against me. She starts, giving a little gasp and I pull her protectively against me, playing along as she pretends to be scared.
Then I see her face. She is scared. So am I, suddenly. The decent is a little too steep. The sound of the engines has changed too.
Together we make our way to the cockpit, calmly, so as not to spook the others. At least, as calmly as you can when you are in a plane that is crashing.
I shut the door behind us, while Kim talks to the pilot. He is a friend of hers; another one of her numerous contacts. Although it is kinda nice to have access to them as well.
"What's going on, Sam?"
"We just lost the number 4 engine."
He struggles with the controls, fighting to try and bring the nose up.
"Lost, as in?"
"I don't know. One minute it was working fine. No strange readouts. No high temperatures. No drop in fuel feed or pressure. Nothing. It just shut down. And I'm getting nothing from the instruments. Maybe your friend could take a look out the starboard hatch, let me know what she sees."
I bristle at that, "I have a name; it's Shego. And I'm more than Kim's friend. But yes, I'll check."
Leaving Kim to explain that, I head back to the central compartment. As I walk over to the hatch, preparing to open it, I can feel the eyes of the expedition's leader on me.
Professor Hunt, I think he said. His bushy moustache twitches, as he follows my actions.
Just as I finish twisting the wheel that secures the door, he speaks.
"Excuse me, miss. Is something wrong?"
I try to act unconcerned.
"Nope. Just got to check something with the engines."
Instantly after I said it, I realised that this was the wrong thing to say, as all the other people were now staring at me, with expressions ranging from concern to outright fear.
'Damn. Kim's so much better at this people stuff than me.'
I sigh. "Okay. One engine has stopped working. I'm just going to check it visually. I don't know anything more than that. So, secure anything you don't want to lose and hang on."
As they pack away papers and notes, I crank the hatch until it is almost open. Getting the nod from Dr Hunt, I make the last turn. The wind rushes in, as the door cracks open, racing around the cabin.
Getting a firm grip on the handle, I lean out. The wind whipping my hair out behind me, despite the helmet I just crammed over it. Good thing too, I don't think I could keep my eyes open without it, the force against them is so strong.
I almost wish I couldn't though. I swear out loud, before switching on the helmets mic. "Kim? Can you hear me Princess?"
"Loud and clear, Shego. What's the sitch?"
I smile for a second. Strange to hear that phrase directed at me.
"It's not good, Kim. The engines just dead. No sign of damage. No smoke being emitted. It's just not working."
"Alright. Sam's going to try and restart it. Just hang there for a bit. Let us know what you see."
"Okay."
I hear nothing but silence for a few minutes, until the comm. crackles again.
"Hey, Shego?"
"Yeah, Kimmie?"
"About that. You have all these nicknames for me. Haven't you ever wanted one for yourself? Or did you have one?"
"Shego's fine, Kim. The cute names don't really suit me anyway."
"How about Raven? Rave?"
I sigh, "I don't really want one Kim. Like I said, Shego is fine."
"Okay. Okay. We're getting no change on the instruments here. Anything at your end?"
"No. Not a twitch. Do we have a backup plan?"
"Yeah. We're not too far from a lake. Sam thinks we should be able to make a landing on it. It should just be long enough for us to slow down."
The original idea had been to land on a river close to the temple, near to which a small village had been set up. That village would have been our starting and ending point. We had chosen a sea plane for that very reason. But we should be able to make our way from there to the village. Assuming we can land safely.
"I guess that the landing could be a little bumpy?"
"Yeah. Tell the guys back there to hang on."
I shut the hatch and secure it, as the plane makes a sharp turn to the left. We are banking quickly, heading for the lake I hope. But, as I explain the situation to the scientists, we are still descending quickly as well. Maybe too quickly.
A loud scraping noise can be heard. I guess the plane has just skimmed the top of the trees, the top branches running over and snapping against the underbelly.
Then the whole thing shakes, as the plane smacks down onto the water, I guess. If we hit something more solid, the crash would have been worse. We bounce up again, gliding for a few more seconds, before crashing down onto the water. This time we stay down, but the plane is still moving fast. All we can do is hang on and wait for the plane to slow down. Hopefully it will.
Nothing I can do, it's all down to the pilot. The engines have stopped. I don't remember when I couldn't hear them anymore, but I'm glad they did. As least we are not being propelled forwards anymore. Let s hope we run out of momentum before we do lake.
Luckily we do. With a soft bump, the plane stops. I'm up, cranking the hatch open, before Kim comes back out from the cockpit. I jump out, landing with my legs bent, on the soft sand that surrounds the lake. I cast a quick glance around me. The place looks like a typical jungle to me. Sounds like it as well. Full of strange animal noises. I can only image that these boffins find it fascinating. Kim probably does too. I find it a place full of creatures that sting or bite, or maybe both. Kim lands beside me, pulling out the Kimmunicator as she does so, consulting the screen.
"The village should be over that way, about five miles away. We could make it before nightfall, if we make good time."
"We're walking? Wouldn't it be better to wait and see? if the plane will fly. Maybe Sam could fix the engines?"
Glancing at the scientists behind us, who have already pulled the equipment and supplies out of the plane, Kim grabs me arm, leading me a bit further down along the lake.
"We can't. Just before we landed, all the engines cut out. And Sam can't seem to get them started again."
"Just like the one that packed in during the flight."
"Right. All the instruments read fine. Sam's checking them physically now."
I frown, "Kim, call me paranoid, but I don't think someone wants us to get to this temple. Or wants to get there first."
She glances back at the scientist again, "Yeah. I'm thinking the same thing."
"But why? It's just an old building isn't it. Or is there something you didn't tell me?"
She looks vaguely hurt.
"No, I didn't mean it like that. I didn't mean that you kept something from me. I meant like old legends, anything like that. Something you thought that wasn't important, but that someone else might take more seriously."
"I don't think so. But then, it was only discovered two years ago, so the only people that really know anything about it are here with us."
"Okay. But let s keep our eyes open."
She nods, pulling me close to her, "Maybe your paranoia is rubbing off on me, but I think I'll call Wade. Give him our location. And update him on what happened."
She grins, letting me know she's kidding. But she's right. It would be a good idea to have someone know we could be in trouble. This might not be a boring stroll after all.
Back at the plane, the scientists are ready to go.
Kim has a quick chat with Sam. Apparently he will stay with the plane, try to get it working, fly it to the village if he does. He has a long range radio and plenty of supplies. And he's used to these conditions, so he should be fine.
So we set off, Kim and I taking point. As we walk, Kim reaches into her bag, feeling around for a few seconds, before handing me a small object.
I take it. It looks like Kim's Kimmunicator, except for the colour.
"I had Wade make this for you. Just in case."
She points out the various buttons, black controls against a green casing.
"This one will connect to mine. And this one will get you in touch with Wade."
"What about the third?"
"Nothing yet. I have mine set to Global Justice, but I thought you might have a different choice. So I left it blank."
"Well, I doubt I'll be calling GJ anytime soon. But, I'll think of something."
I slip the..device into a pocket of my jumpsuit. I can't call it a Kimmunicator and putting my name in front of it doesn't work either.
The going is harder than we anticipated. This area of the jungle is not well travelled by people, so we keep having to navigate dense clusters of vines, hanging between trees.
In the end, I get so fed up, I offer to cut through them. Kim shakes her head.
"I've got it."
From the side of her pack she pulls something that looks like the handle of a sword. It is. Or a machete, at any rate. A flick of a switch and the blade folds out, forming a solid shape from separate segments stored in the handle. A few accurate swings and the vines fall away, allowing us to proceed.
We make better time now, Kim hacking down anything that blocks our path.
Until, we enter into a clearing, unexpectedly. Both Kim and I stop. Professor Hunt makes to cross it, until Kim holds out a hand.
He looks confused. "What?"
Silently, Kim snaps off a short, but thick twig from a tree next to her and throws it out into the clearing.
It lands right in the centre and, with a soft gloop, vanishes from sight.
"Quicksand."
Suddenly, he doesn't look so keen to cross.
"So, do we go around or.."
Kim thinks for a moment. "No. It's going to get dark soon. I have a plan."
She pulls out her grappling gun, firing the hook around a thick branch high above us. Releasing the rope from the end of the gun, she tugs on it a few times, until she is satisfied that it is secure. I agree to go first. Swinging across, I release the rope swinging it back to Kim. But I don't land on the floor. Using the claws in my gloves, I dig into the surface of a tree. Gingerly I test the ground. Kim's guess seems to have been spot on. The trees would not have grown on the unstable quicksand. Still I check a bit further around. The ground seems safe. I nod back, for the next person to cross. One by one the scientists all arrive with me until Kim is left. She gets a run up, jumps, raising her legs, letting the rope carry her across. She is right over the middle, when the branch cracks, sending her plummeting towards the soft earth. She lands feet first, immediately sinking up to her knees. She freezes, trying not to move. But she is still sinking. I can see the quicksand moving up her legs. Luckily, the rope has landed just a few feet away from me. I edge forward, careful not to get caught myself. Lying flat, I can just reach it. I can feel the water that makes the ground so unstable seeping through my jumpsuit, but I do grab the rope, freeing it from the branch, before tossing it to Kim.
She loops it around her waist and I pull, my muscles straining as she gets closer. God, how can something so soft be so thick? It's like pulling her through we cement. Regardless, I don't give up. As she nears me, I drop the rope, hauling under her arm pits. By this time, she is most of her torso has sunk. Combined with her pulling on the ground, she slides free with a loud sucking noise. Her clothes are caked with the soft earth, which is staining my already soaked clothes, as I help her to her feet, pressing her against my chest, reassuring myself she is okay. She returns the gesture. Her body is shaking slightly, and not just from the cold of the water.
The going is slow again, as we set off. Constantly checking the ground ahead of us, making sure we walk in single file.
Because of that, the sun has almost gone down by the time we reach the village. I've never been so glad to see civilisation, even as ..limited as this is. A small collection of huts, dotted along the edge of the river. People are clustered around them, busy at any number of tasks. One of them, a fisherman judging by the nets he is drawing in, looks up. Kim heads over him, they exchange a few words, then he returns, an older woman in tow.
The scientists follow the fisherman, while Kim directs me to follow her. I ask where we are going. She just smiles enigmatically, saying I'll have to wait and see, but I'll enjoy it.
As we walk through, I notice that things aren't as basic as they seemed. The tools that the villagers are using, for one thing. They may look old fashioned, but are clearly made of modern materials.
Kim explains that this village is an experiment in sustainable living. Whole villages just living off the land. The plan is to expand it with several more groups of villages, working together like a city. Volunteers, families, have come from around the world to take part in it. Eventually the whole thing will be powered by a hydroelectric dam a few miles down the river. The huts will be replaced by building in a more modern style, kinda like blocks of flats, but made in a more economical style. Some philanthropic company is funding the whole thing.
It only takes a couple of minutes, a short walk back into the jungle. The light is still fading, but as we progress, I see a group of flickering lights ahead of us. I think I'm seeing things at first. But as we get closer, they become more distinct. They sort of look like candlelight. That is exactly what it is. A ring of candles, each one mounted on a long pole, surrounding a circle of stones. Inside the circle is a pool of clear water.
The elder nods to us, then takes her leave. Kim is already pulling her dirty clothes off. Shirt and cargo pants first, since they are the wettest. Bra unclipped, she turns, sodden cloth pressed against her chest, "You coming?" I climb in beside her. The water is cool, but not unpleasant. I just sit back, staring into the sky, letting me head rest on the ring of stones.
I find myself staring at the stars overhead. I can see them clearly, the ambient light is so low. I have never been able to see them like this. And have never really cared to. But now, just sitting here like this, I see the beauty in them, which I never noticed before. I look over at Kim. She is staring up at them as well.
"They're amazing aren't they?" She asks.
"Yeah, they are. I never noticed before."
"Huh? What?"
"I never really had time. Or opportunity. Drakken's place didn't have many windows."
Dunking her hair under the water, she stands up with a splash, Kim climbs out of the water, moving to lie down next to the pool. I follow her with my eyes, watching the streams and drops run down her body, tracing the line of her chin, the straight of her back, the curve of her chest.
I plunge my whole body under the water, staying there for a few seconds, before resurfacing.
I join Kim on the soft grass and we both stare back up at the sky. Kim seems to know what I'm thinking, raising her hand to point out one constellation after another, listing the names and history behind them.
I listen, resting my hand on her stomach, lightly tracing the toned flesh. I can feel the skin drying under my touch. Her hand resting on top of mine.
Next morning, washed and wearing clean clothes, after a long nights sleep in the hut we are sharing with a woman from the village and her two kids. They may only be a pair of panties and a small t-shirt from Kim's pack, but at least they are clean. I feel clean too. The sweat from yesterdays trek has been washed away, along with the moisture from the quicksand. I imagine that Kim feels the same way.
Kim is seated cross-legged in the middle of the hut, with the young girls seated in front of her. They are listening raptly as she talks. I can hear her recalling the adventures she has been on.
They had been asleep when we had arrived, but upon waking and finding that Kim was here, they were all over her, asking her all kinds of questions. But at the same time, I could feel their eyes on me. Even now, as focused on Kim as they are, I can still see them sneaking quick glances at me, looking away shyly when I look back. It could be my green skin. Or it could just be curiosity about a newcomer.
For some reason, their constant attention is stirring something inside me. Something that makes me feel kinda happy, yet sad as well. Kinda like I've seen something I don't have, but don't know what it is.
Whatever it is, I don't like feeling it.
Giving Kim a small nod, letting her know I'll be heading out for a while. She nods back, not stopping her story.
Maybe a walk will clear my head. I slowly walk along the edge of the village, not really caring about my semi clothed state. The air is warm and I don't mind who looks. Not that the villagers seem to mind, not even looking up from their morning tasks as I pass. I get more stares from other kids that run past, but they don't stop. My wandering feet bring me to the hut that the scientists had been given. Only Dr Hunt is around, sitting outside, his head buried in his notes. He starts, looking up hurriedly, as he sees me.
"Ah, Miss Shego. Good morning."
"Drop the miss, would you. Anyway, you're up early."
"Just going over the schedules again. I want to make sure we all know what we're doing. The others are all late sleepers, except Phil. He works later than I do. Rises earlier as well. I think he's been up since 5.30. I'm pretty sure I heard him go out about then."
"Out? As in, out in the jungle?"
"Oh, he won't go far. He just likes to walk and think."
Leaving him to his schedules, I start to walk again. This time ending up by the river. Most of the village is down here. Either fishing or cleaning clothes. I perch myself on a rock, quite a way away from them and just watch.
What I notice is the gender divide I had expected is not present. I can see women out on the fishing boats, preparing the nets they will use to collect today s catch. Equally I can see men crouched by the river, working pieces of cloth between their hands, as they hold them in the water.
Someone sits next to me. It's the mother of the kids Kim is looking after. She passes me something. My jumpsuit. They must have washed it last night. It's still a little damp, so I drape it on the rock next to me.
I thank her and she returns the water s edge. She and five other women wade across the river, the clear water only coming up to their ankles. I watch as they move into the trees on the other side, I can see them passing between the trees, in and out of my sight. My jumpsuit seems dry enough now. So I pull my shirt off, again not concerned about the people around me, before slipping it on. It's a little damp still, but the sun and my natural body heat will finish the job. I had just closed my eyes, letting the sun beat down on me, the sounds of gentle activity and laugher washing over me.
Then the sound of more frantic activity reaches my ears.
Feet splashing through the water, much faster than they had crossed it the first time. I sit up. Sure enough, the women are heading back to this side of the river.
I, along with the villagers, head to meet them.
Apparently, they had heard something moving in the trees, running towards them.
An animal, I guess. Maybe a carnivore.
Or not. Apparently, this place was chosen because the nearest hunting ground is on the top of the cliffs, with no way for the animals to make it down here.
Turning away from them, as they discuss what to do, heading over to the other side of the river.
I walk slowly, as quietly as possible, listening for any sound. Nothing. Maybe it, whatever it was, has gone.
Or it's heard me coming and is waiting for me, just ready to pounce. I have my hands held out in front of me, claws ready.
I still hear nothing. Until a twig snaps to my left. I spin.
But the only thing that appears is a skinny, young man, lanky brown hair failing over his face.
I lower my hands. It's our wandering scientist.
He pushes it out of his eyes, looking around in confusion. He clearly has no idea where he is.
Probably didn't even hear anything either.
Snorting, I head back to our hut. It must be long gone by now.
Another hour and the scientists are ready to go.
Kim says goodbye to the kids, who really don't want her to go.
Only after she promises that she is coming back here before she leaves, do they seem consoled.
As we walk, I fill Kim in on what happened before we left. Like me, she believes that it must have been a predator, maybe one that found a way down somewhere. But she can't explain where it went, either.
One strange thing I realise, as I check the map of the route we will take, is that if you draw a straight line from the point the villagers heard the sound of the creature, whatever, coming from, you get to the temple.
And that was also the direction that Phil came from, if I remember right.
But what that means, I don't know. I do know it would take a human 2 hours to get to it, never mind back again. And he had only been up for an hour, according to Professor Hunt.
And a long two hours it is, but eventually we arrive in the shadow of the temple.
Immediately, the scientists go into nerd mode, pulling out computers and notes, as they organise themselves.
Kim is equally enthusiastic, chatting with Professor Hunt, asking all sorts of questions about their research.
I figure that's my cue to zone out. Picking a nearby tree, I sit under it, letting them get on with it.
I yawn. This is where it gets boring.
How wrong I was.
After about an hour, during which I have almost fallen asleep. The group moves inside. I decide to follow. If anything could go wrong, it's now. They have checked how sturdy the structure is, but I don't want to risk Kim being trapped inside without me.
They continue the research for another two hours, before deciding to take a short break. They all collect in the central chamber, when I hear the worst words you can often hear, "Where's Phil?"
Professor Hunt has been looking around, taking a quick head count.
Colleen, the young grad student with short purple hair, calls out.
"He's over here. One of the antechambers."
Professor Hunt, Kim and I walk over. Sure enough, he is.
Just standing with his back to us. The room is lit by two of the small lamps that the team had brought with them. But these don't seem to be working right, flickering on and off, the light casting intermittent shadows on the old stone wall.
Professor Hunt moves a couple of steps forward, "Phil, we're about to take a break. Are you hungry?"
He doesn't move. Doesn't turn to look at us. Doesn't even say anything.
Professor Hunt advances right behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Phil?"
This time he does react, turning to face us.
The Professor reels, taking a few steps back at what he sees.
So do Kim and I.
Between the two of us, we've both seen so many weird things. But this is unlike any of those.
Phil's head is distended; his mouth full of huge razor sharp fangs, his enormous eyes a deep black, spreading out to where his nose should be.
Even his skin colour has changed; the light pink now tinged with inhuman purple blotches, like he has been bruised all over.
As we watch, his arms extend, the skin stretching, muscles writhing, as his flesh changes.
His fingers are longer too, tipped by sharp claws.
Strangely he, it doesn't seem interested in us. It just keeps staring at the walls, casting it's head back and forth, as if looking, or smelling for something.
His claws plunge into the wall, ripping out chunks of stonework. That's bad. That wall is critical to the structure of this room. Even Professor Hunt realises that. We run, back into the central chamber, where the other scientists are milling about, confused and scared.
Kim orders them out and we follow. The building is starting to shake now, lumps of the ceiling falling down around us. We really don't want to stay here.
Professor Hunt makes it out, turning, beckoning us to hurry.
Just as we are about to pass under the doorway, a column of dust comes pouring down in our path.
We leap back, coughing as the fine mist fills our lungs. Good thing, as the dust is followed by a hail of boulders, effectively blocking the exit. The same thing happens behind us, the shocks knocking us down. Kim pulls herself up on all fours, a second before me.
Her hair and clothes, like mine, are covered in a fine layer of dust. But we aren't hurt. What we are is trapped, in this small corridor between the exit and the central chamber. I glance at the piles of rocks. We have no hope of moving them. I could blast them away, but they could be the only thing holding the roof up. I look back over at Kim, holding the Kimmunicator out in front of her. Walking up beside her, I see the message on the screen.
NO SIGNAL.
Looks like we can't call for help. We'll just have to wait until nerdlinger notices we're missing. Unless, Professor Hunt can get us out. I listen for any sounds outside, like rubble being moved. Nothing. Maybe the rock is too thick.
My attempts to call out are met with the same silence. Guess we wait then.
I join Kim, sitting against the wall, under a overhanging piece of decorative stone work. It might protect us a bit. Lightly, I brush some of the dust off her hair, filling the air with another cloud, which drives us both back into a coughing fit.
I cut that out.
It is a long wait. The time really seems to tick by.
We have no idea how long we have been sitting here. Somewhere along the line, I fall asleep, Kim's arms protectively around me.
And as I sleep, I dream.
I'm out on a job for Drakken. Just another sneak in, grab a piece of technical junk the Doc is too lazy to build himself and get out.
Everything had gone fine, until the 'get out' part. The security in the building was no problem. But what I saw outside was. Team Go, along with my mother.
Her usual grey business suit has been replaced by a Team Go jumpsuit, only completely black.
I sigh. They don't give up. Not giving them any chance to talk, I attack, flinging plasma at them.
Suddenly my mother is in my face. How the hell did she move that fast. She does speak. Her voice cold and hard.
"You're not my daughter. I don't want to see you."
I awake with a start. Kim is looking at me, her face filled with concern.
"Shego, you okay? Did you have a nightmare?"
I push her away, my breathing coming heavily. Either from fear or anger. I don't know which.
"I'm fine, Kimmie. Don't crowd me, okay."
She seems hurt by my tone of voice. I guess I did sound like the old me. The Shego that used to fight her.
"Shego. You can tell me. I want to help. I don't like seeing you this way."
"Yeah? Well, I don't like being like this either. But I don't have a choice."
Kimmie eyes glisten as my words hit her. Little drops of moisture forms in the corners.
I sigh, trying to drive out the frustration I feel.
"Sorry, Kimmie. This isn't your fault. It's.. It's.."
I can't seem to find the words.
Kim can though.
"Shego, is this..Is this something to do with your mother?"
"Kinda. My parents.. kicked me out. Yeah, my 'loving' mum and dad threw me out. No shock about my dad, of course. He always hated me. He hates anything or anyone that doesn't go along with what he wants. But my mother? I thought she was different. That she really cared. But no. The second I joined up with Drakken, she says she never wants to see me again. That I wasn't her daughter. But now, she comes crawling back? Wanting to make things 'alright?' Well, she can just go to hell."
Kim doesn't know what to say to that. Luckily, she doesn't have to. With a rumble, part of the blockage is removed. Light floods the room, streams of it highlighting the dust that still floats around us.
A second bolder is removed, then a third, before a familiar head is poked through. Kim smiles in relief at the sight of the figure with her blue jumpsuit and black eye patch.
I'm not so thrilled, given the last time I spent with Global Justice. But on the other hand, we are getting out of here.
Dr Director is full of questions. So is Kim. She wants to know what happened to the rest of the research team.
Looking around, her eyes pass over the collection of GJ agents who have secured the area, stopping on the two shapes, wrapped in a thick polymer sheath.
I can tell that Kim already knows what is inside, so do I, but she has to see for herself.
She unzips one, then the other, before slowly walking back to Dr Director and me. She seems so weary suddenly.
"Dr Hunt is not...is missing. Did you see anyone when you arrived? Maybe he escaped the creature?"
Dr Director shakes her head. "The area was deserted when we arrived. Who is this Dr Hunt? And what creature are you talking about.?"
Kim ignores her, walking around the structure, until she comes to a gaping hole in the rear wall.
She calls me over to it.
"Looks like it punched out through here."
I nod, studying the damaged stonework and fallen masonry that has been shoved aside.
It does look that way. Some of the rubble is shattered and crushed, like someone went at it with a sledgehammer.
I look closer. The rocks are stained, long purple streaks running along them. Almost like blood. More of the liquid has pooled on the floor, leaving a trail to the exit.
I smile at that. So, it was hurt. That's something.
Dr Director walks up beside us, now visibly annoyed. Her one eye narrowed, glaring at both of us in turn. Her phrase is overly polite, but her tone is like ice. The GJ agents close to us wince, presumably glad that it isn't directed at them.
"Will somebody please tell me what happened here. I've got two dead bodies, one missing professor and you two, who look like someone almost dropped a building on you."
As Kim explains the situation to Dr Director, I return to my examination of the creatures blood. The trail continues out of the temple, if you look closely enough. The drops get smaller, leaving only small areas of discolouration on the sand. But enough to trace it's path. Three larger stains, dotted admits the trail, could indicate places where it stopped. The first two presumably left when it killed the two students. But, at the third, the trail just stops, like the creature vanished. Or, since the drops of blood were getting smaller, that could indicate that it was healing itself. And very rapidly.
An idea pops into my head suddenly. My mind racing at the possibility.
"Hey, Kim. That Paul kid. Does he really exist and that creature was just impersonating him, or was it a form it created?"
The look on Kim's face shows that her thoughts mirror mine. Either that creature killed Paul and took his place, mimicking him perfectly or the identity was created for it, allowing it to perfectly blend into human society.
Either way, the idea that there could be who knows how many of these things hiding in plain sight is terrifying.
Dr Director doesn't look too thrilled either.
The GJ agents take another two hours fully examining the site, giving us enough time to head back to the village and Kim time to say goodbye to the kids and their mother. The whole affair takes place with much hugging and Kim saying over and over again that she will come back soon. The kids had clearly been expecting Kim to stay for a few days, and so had she.
They keep staring at me as well, like they want to say something, but can't seem to work up the nerve.
The GJ hover craft arrives and we turn to leave. It is at that point that the younger of the two, wraps her arms unexpectedly around my leg. I freeze, unsure what to do. Her sister joins her a few seconds later, latching onto the other limb.
I glance at Kim, she is smirking slightly, even as my eyes plead with her for help.
Kim detaches them from me, crouching down in front of the pair.
"Hey, hey. Shego'll come back as well. I promise."
Apparently satisfied by this, they reluctantly allow us to leave.
It's strange, but it sort of makes me happy, knowing they want to see me again. I say as much to Kim as we strap in, ready for takeoff.
"It don't think it's strange. For years you cut yourself off from everyone you knew. But you let me in. It took time. It was ..painful. But you did it. Not just with me, but my parents as well. So who knows who else you could let in if you try."
"Yeah, but it's because of you that I can do that. You let me in, as well. If you hadn't. If you hadn't opened up to me on that rooftop, then. Well, you know. Sorry, I shouldn't keep thinking about that. Or reminding you about it, either."
Kim takes my hand into her lap, giving it a squeeze.
"I haven't forgotten about that night. I'll never forget it. Not because of what I could of lost. But because of what I found. What we found. That s what I'll always remember."
I rest my other hand on top of Kim's.
"Kimmie, do you think we could come back here? Maybe spend some time with your friends? That is, if they really wanted to see me again."
"Of course they did. And yes, we can. After I Graduate, I was planning to go travelling for a bit. If you came with, we could visit here for a while. I haven t told mum and dad yet. And before that, I'm going back to school next week. Plenty of time to hang out with my friends there, if you want to."
It is a quiet flight back to Middleton after that, with a little stop over a GJ HQ to get our stories on record, as well as a quick check up.
The future seems...brighter, somehow. Even if you include Drakken and Warmonger, strange shape shifting creatures and my mother. Even with all that against us, I feel more positive than I have in a while.
END
Next chapter: Kim returns to school and has to deal with fresh prejudice from Bonnie and her crowd, about her orientation.
Okay, sorry for the long wait between updates.
I've had a lot on my plate, what with work and studying, which doesn't leave a lot of free time for writing.
Sadly, this is likely to continue for a while, so I may switch to writing some short stories for a while.
I have some ideas building up in my head that I need to get on paper.
Thank you to everyone who has read this and commented on it. Your reviews really mean a lot to me. Please keep them coming.
All the best,
Mereel Skirata.
