Descent into Darkness
Peter growled as two firm pairs of hands gripped him firmly about the shoulders.
"Time to go, buddy." The brawny bouncer recited the line in a well practiced tone.
"Alright, fine." He allowed himself be led from the club fully aware that any sort of retaliation in a public place was a bad idea.
Peter suddenly found himself alone in a gloomy alleyway. The night air was crisp and a feral wind whipped at his hair. He sensed a pair of eyes in the darkness.
"Peter Petrelli."
"Yeah, what's it to you?" Peter spun around and his words echoed.
Sylar emerged from the shadows.
"Sylar," Peter growled as he prepared himself for an attack. "I thought you were dead."
"Peter, I'm not here to fight. I have proposition for you."
"Yeah, like what?"
"Well, for a start. How about we go somewhere more comfortable to discuss it?"
"And why should I trust you?"
"Because I want to help you," Sylar declared.
"I don't need your help."
"You say that now, but I'm sure once you've heard me out you'll realise there is more to me than you think."
"Okay, I'm listening . . ."
-----
Claire's gentle green eyes fluttered for a few seconds before they opened. The image was blurred and she had to blink a few times before she could focus on her surroundings. She was in a small room with off-white walls. She pulled herself up to a sitting position, realising she was lying in an uncomfortable hospital bed. Thoughts whirled around in her puzzled mind until Mohinder's kind face appeared in the doorway.
"Claire, I was so worried. How are you feeling?"
Her memory was triggered by his words and suddenly the events of the last few days came flooding back to her.
"I'm fine, just a little overwhelmed if anything." She ran her fingers through her cropped blonde hair.
"I'm glad to hear that."
"Peter?" she questioned.
Mohinder shook his head.
Claire's eyes started filling with tears. "Isaac? Simone? Please tell me they are okay."
He took a seat beside the bed, his face was grave. "They're a little shaken, understandably, but they'll be okay. Isaac will be transferred here in a few hours."
"Do we know what happened?"
"Peter seems to have had an extreme response to finding out about the affair, but we don't know much more than that I'm afraid."
Claire nodded slowly. "I feel so responsible."
"No Claire, you mustn't say that. Peter has shown amazing strength over his powers. No one could have predicted that a situation like this would trigger such an emotional response."
"What do we do now? I want to help, I need to."
"I've already got Matt, Hiro and the Haitian looking for him. The best thing you can do is rest."
Claire closed her eyes. "That's the last thing I want to do."
"I know. But, he is dangerous right now and I don't want you to get hurt."
"Hurt?" Claire scoffed at the thought.
"You know what I mean, Claire. Peter is in a dark place right now and he could cause irreparable damage to those he loves."
Claire knew Mohinder was right, but she couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness.
-----
As the hours flew by Claire was desperate to know if Peter was okay. The thought of him out of control and a danger to others was terrifying. Disbelief clouded her mind, but deep down she knew it was real; Isaac had the injuries to prove it.
Claire stood in the doorway fidgeting with her jacket. She watched Isaac quietly for a minute before he realised she was there. He motioned for her to come in. She hesitated before cautiously walking over and taking his hand in hers.
"I'm so glad you're okay," she uttered softly. "Please know, I never meant for any of this to happen."
"I know Claire." He squeezed her hand gently. "We are masters of our own Destiny. Simone and I created this mess, and we'll have to fix it . . . somehow."
"This is a pretty big mess," Claire sighed and a sorrowful look crossed her face. "Can I ask what happened? Only tell me if you want to, it's just I asked Mohinder and he was so vague."
"I'm sorry; I don't really remember much, Simone might-"
"I don't think I'm ready to talk to Simone just yet. Can I tell you something?"
"Sure."
"I think Peter knows how I feel about him. He sort of let it slip when I was trying to tell him about you and Simone."
Isaac thought for a moment before he replied. "Things change Claire, everything evolves. It was probably just a matter of time. I think he is an idiot for being blind for so long." He released his hand from her grip and tenderly caressed her cheek.
Claire felt choked up inside as she looked into her friends eyes. They gazed sadly at each other before Claire noticed Isaac looking towards the doorway.
Claire looked around to see the expressionless face of Simone and suddenly she went cold inside.
"I . . . I'm truly relieved you're both okay," Claire stammered.
Simone acknowledged her with a quick nod.
Claire stood up and turned back to Isaac. "I'll come back later."
"No. Claire, please stay." Simone invited.
The expression of bewilderment on Claire's face only increased as Simone marched towards her and embraced her warmly.
"Um, okay."
Simone released her. "I'm sorry for the way I've behaved Claire. In the past few months, I've been anything but myself and I'm ashamed for that."
Claire was lost for words. Suddenly, big wet tears formed in her eyes and started snaking their way down her cheeks. "Tell me he's going to be okay," she sobbed. "I love him, I love him so much."