Stevens looked down from the observation deck to Uvarr, who was being held in restraints in the room bellow. He peered through the observing glass and was truly intrigued by what he had seen the man achieve earlier.
Is this the second card in play? They have finally found a way to… to administer abilities?
Scientists continued running around in the room and watched his vitals whilst administering more of the liquid through the syringe into his veins. The man thrashed about and groaned in agony for a few moments before a content sinister smirk planted itself on his face.
Xaphan was in the room also, and peering up to the security camera he smiled. The man watching the camera feed on his computer in his office huffed and smirked at the doctor's work. Pushing himself out of his chair he placed his full-face mask on and walked out of his office.
"I'm sure he is proud of your work Xaphan." Stevens commended, knowing whom he was smiling to.
Xaphan heard his voice through the speakers and smiled back at the glass, "Well at least one of us is making progress Stevens."
"Cocky shit." He mumbled under his breath, "Indeed it is good work, but how goes the main project hmm? I'm sure Master Abaddon is more interested on that front."
Xaphan's eyes narrowed towards the man and retuned his attention to Uvarr, unclasping the Elite from his restraints.
Stevens walk into the room but remained on the second tier.
"How do you feel Uvarr?" Xaphan asked.
"Unstoppable." He sneered.
"That can't be accurate Uvarr, you allowed Aurora to stop you from bringing her to me." His dark voice silenced the room, the atmosphere changed and became more tense between the workers.
Stevens didn't even here him enter, turning his head he was greeted by the familiar intimidating silver tinted mask, his grey eyes and small dilated pupils staring right back at him.
"Master Abaddon" Stevens acknowledged lowering his head.
The others bellow followed suit in respect greeting towards the man above them.
His tailored suit fit him perfectly, and he had short grey and black hair that was combed back. Moving with ease towards the stairs he made his way down to the ground floor, Stevens was quick to follow.
"How many times a day have you been injecting him?" Abaddon asked, his voice deep, dark and commanding.
"Three times a day to begin with, but has been easing to twice a day." Xaphan informed.
Abaddon did not reply straight away and no expression could be sought either due to the mask.
He stepped forward and grabbed Uvarr's chin in inspection. His silver piercing eyes bore into Uvarr, and even they unsettled the dark twisted individual. Abaddon's hand snapped to clutch his neck raising him above the ground, it appeared to be a test on both of their parts.
"Good to see you've taken heed to my words Uvarr, that Aurora is to be brought to me alive. However this time you allowed her, allowed all of them, to slip through your 'unstoppable' grasp." Abaddon's eyes narrowed at the man then became wide with anger.
Uvarr gasped for air but his twisted smile remained.
"This is an unstoppable grasp!" his voiced towered, and his hand tightened.
Abaddon felt his strength start to subside and let the man drop to the floor who coughed and inhaled the air quickly.
"Bumper is out collecting some more… donators. Go and help him Stevens. Go and do something useful." Abaddon's tone was condescending and angry.
Stevens sighed and nodded, picking up Uvarr they left the room along with the other scientists.
"I grow more and more irritable. My own strength is not as it should be. I want sustainable and all reaching power Xaphan! Is the device up to standard?"
Xaphan took off his glasses and cleaned them against his coat, "I have made significant changes and enhancements to the device Master, but I implore that I will be able to do more once we have Aurora in the chair."
Abaddon inhaled deeply, "I am aware."
"Any word on whether she is alive?"
"She is."
Xaphan placed his glasses back on and his expression was of confusion, "Request bringing her in then?"
"She is strong Donald. Stronger than any of us had imagine, yet she continues to resist unleashing it all, it's selfish really…. …. I'm allowing the request of more time."
"You've been in contact with-"
"Yes, though I don't hear from them as often."
"Perhaps the setting is too much? It could change or deter-"
"Conceivably this could be the case, but I trust that they are loyal to me and this company." Abaddon strongly stated.
If not I will deal with that situation myself.
"I want you to keep testing the device Donald. When Aurora gets here the last thing I need is her brain fried or to die like the others."
"I know sir. She is the key and there is no doubt about it. The blood sample you have provided and the return of the scalpel I threw at her during out first encounter, confirms and upholds this notion."
Abaddon gave a curt nod, he made his way back up the stairs and gestured for Xaphan to follow.
"I grow impatient with every day that passes that I don't have Aurora with me …" Abaddon started, walking down the large hallways they came into view of the other rooms, which contained others, captured, "It will be quite the sight to see her in the flesh. But I know that with this allowance of time we have built our own preparations for her arrival. It will not go in vain like the others, no."
Those being held pushed themselves to the back of their holding cell, as the men passed. Their eyes wide with fear, and the cells, were never ending.
"Everything will be ready Master Abaddon. With the information gathered and updates on her developments, your genius plan will prevail."
Abbadon's lips twitched into a content evil smirk, stopping by a cell that contained a 14-year-old boy who remained with his legs drawn up to his chest in fear "Let's try him in the device."
The warmth of the fire did nicely for the late afternoons cool breeze. Crackling and burning brightly it was an extremely calming and bonding experience for them all. Sharing drinks and conversing of where they had been or seen, stepping around the bad for now, instead brought focus on the good, no matter how small. Chloe sat beside Amy and had been talking with the blonde for a while, often glancing at Beca over the other side of the fire. Beca caught her glances and the fire only made Chloe's hair and eyes shine even more brightly. It captivated Beca and she found it hard to tear her eyes away.
"So you have been helping out others?" Cynthia asked, drawing Beca out of her Chloe-induced daze.
"Yeah, yeah we have been. Aubrey kind of takes point on those though. She's been searching for others like herself, seems to have a knack of gathering intel. Chloe and
Benji have been with her for a while now and then they bumped into us. We've all been helping out each other ever since." Beca answered taking a sip of the beer.
She's had alcohol before, working in clubs/bars, even attending some with Jesse. Beca wasn't too keen on beer, in fact the taste, made her face scrunch in slight dislike. But the occasion brought Beca to overcome that, and Jesse had been the one to initiate the celebratory drink. Aubrey had brought out some wine and glasses for those that wanted it but Beca was content with just finishing off her third beer.
"Does it snow here?" Amy asked the group.
"Yes, and it will soon. It's nearly November." Aubrey answered.
"Great! I love the snow!" Amy replied excitedly.
"We'll have to go and buy some clothes for you all. Some jumpers and such for the weather." Chloe spoke.
They sat there contently, glancing at each other then at the fire.
Benji informed that he would be right back and wanted to grab something from inside. They continued conversing until Benji returned and appeared to be holding a medium sized camera.
"Is that a camera?" Jesse asked.
The boy nodded, "It's a polaroid camera."
Aubrey sighed in annoyance, knowing from earlier that he must've found this one somewhere in the house, though she thought it broken, "You fixed it?"
"Yeah, pretty easy actually." He held up the camera towards the blonde and snapped a pic. It printed out and showed an un-amused blonde holding her glass of wine.
Jesse held out his hand for the picture and showed the others, which Aubrey rolled her eyes at the snickers.
"I'll snap some pics of you went you aren't looking-wait… that probably sounded creepy, what I meant-" Benji stumbled over his words, and those chuckled lightly.
"It's okay Benji, your intentions are good I'm sure." Stacie voiced sweetly.
"I'll pass it around later and everyone can have a go?" Benji enquired, to which everyone nodded.
"I've got an idea, so we get to know each other better. We each tell a story or something we don't yet know about each other?..." Amy suggested.
Everyone seemed to tense slightly from the idea and no answers were given to her question.
"We're a family right? If you can't feel comfortable here then where can you be?" Amy followed up.
"Right, I'll start then. My name as I said is Amy Meadows I am 21 years young, and the first time I discovered my abilities was when we were camping. I was with my family and my father wanted to try a fun-survival building week. So with a backpack containing a knife, some lint, water bottle and some other basic stuff we had to live off the land. I was around 12 at this time. After the third day of not eating much apart from berries, I was not happy. In fact my stomach was growling, and I felt the lights dim!" Amy sarcastically gestured fainting, "It was late at night and we were at a nearby camping ground, and someone was cooking up something reeeaaaaalllllyyyy good. Next thing I know I'm on all fours and stalking my way there. I remember a little girl cooking some sausages and she was by herself… I'm guessing the others were asleep in their tents. She saw me and-and she was… scared at first… I didn't move but-.. I don't know she just appeared to relax and gestured to the food asking if I wanted some. I couldn't talk though, which I found weird so I nodded and she gave me some. She was giggling at me and was patting me, that's when after my food filled haze I really took notice of my different vision and that I had fur all over my hands and –well I had paws. In fact I had claws, and she kept calling me Fluffy Bear."
Amy took a sip of her drink and continued.
"Now I was freaked out for a minute or two but then… I don't know, just a wave of acceptance washed over me. It felt right. I was actually hungrier then anything and she said something about a lake and that she would show me. Cute kid, she watched me try and learn to catch fish from this lake. Oh and you better believe I was a natural pro! Anyways took her back to the camp, in which her parents were now awake and flipped tits when they saw a bear ushering her daughter back to camp. Funny, but uh-yeah, I got the hell out of there."
"Have you flown?" Benji asked.
Amy nodded, "And each time I do it's something I will never forget. My own euphoria up there."
"Okay bitches who's next?" Amy announced.
Most turned their gazes to the ground or at each other. Aubrey sighed and spoke,
"Aubrey Posen, 23. I-…"
"Cougar." Amy whispered to Cynthia who swatted her playfully and returned their attention back to the blonde.
Jesse was proud, knowing of her story of discussion was leading, and he slipped his hand into hers for a comforting squeeze. She looked to him and faintly smiled in thanks.
"I'm no stranger to breaking into Prism facilities… or just breaking in, in general. When I was younger my parents used me and my abilities to break into places all around the country, sometimes in other places around the world. It wasn't until I was older that I realized that they loved my gift and what it brought to them… not me. I wasn't-… I-I had a brother, Alex. He sought to take me away and provide a better life for me but… but it didn't go that way. I lost them all, its just me… well it was just me." Aubrey glanced around to see sympathy, strength and respect shined towards her, especially by Jesse who rubbed her hand soothingly throughout.
"I suppose I come across as a dictator at times, but know it's because I care about you all, for your safety and-and at the same time that scares me. I've lost, as I'm sure we have all have lost someone we love. It's frightening but comforting to think we can be a family. I've never really had a family since losing my brother. I fooled myself into being content with the notion of not needing one… I was wrong." Aubrey finished and took a sip of her wine.
"I too felt that way," Benji spoke, "I'm Benji Platt, 20 years old, and I think it's great to have more of us here together. I've never experienced this. Never really had friends or a family. I buried my head into many fields of study to keep myself busy and to learn as much as possible. At the risk of sounding cheesy, I'm currently leaning that this family vibe and looking out for each other, the components of it all… is really quite phenomenal." Benji went on to talk about how he had discovered his ability, and everyone intently listened.
Stacie shared her story as well, of her fiancé and her gifts, which followed. "I'm a pretty good cook, I can also bartend and make a mean drink." She finished lightly.
Beca smiled at the boy and looked to Cynthia, only to see the tense woman fiddling nervously with her fingers. She decided now was a good a time as any.
"My name is Rebeca Mitchell, I'm 22. I've known about my abilities since I was little. My mother and father taught me how to control, moreover suppress them. My father left us when I was very little, rarely he would come around. H-he later died in a car accident, and my mother moved us around a lot. She sought to keep me safe and taught me how to defend and fight. Taught me how to survive and keep hidden. Olivia is my mother's name and she possessed the gift of being able to teleport. She would rarely use her gift though and I think it was as a precaution. Anyway there came a day where she told and warned me of Prism, and not long after that they had found us… I think it was them anyway, I was only 12. I didn't know she was able to do it, but-but she teleported me to somewhere safe, to save me from being caught. I haven't seen or heard from her since. I looked for her for many years but am yet to divulge any information."
"I might be able to help you. I can try and go through the information we have and any other sources I can find." Benji offered.
Beca nodded and lightly smirked, "Thanks Benji."
That felt tougher then Beca thought it would, but at the same time felt somewhat weightless with relief afterwards.
Chloe got up from her seat next to Amy and retrieved another glass of wine, before sitting back down close to Beca.
"I- uhm.." Chloe cleared her throat, "I'm Chloe Beale, also 22 and… well there isn't much to say… I developed my gifts early on. I'm more confident with fire, air, water, whereas earth fatigues me quickly. The others drain me as well, but I can manage them a bit better. I-my… ..my parents were killed when I was very young by someone who has gifts, and this could shed some light on why I don't trust so easily. I've got a short temper which I'm working on and-and I still want to bring the person who took their lives to their own end." Chloe finished her glass and didn't look up to see some of the wide eyes on her.
Jesse felt like it was his time but Cynthia quickly jumped in and he smiled gesturing for her to go on.
"My name is Cynthia-Rose, and I appear to be the oldest here, I'm 24."
Everyone seemed to believe this was all Cynthia was going to share, the woman sat quietly and Beca was about to commend her regardless for sharing. But Cynthia took a moment and continued.
"Didn't know my parents I was adopted and went through the system like Stacie. From an early age I always wanted to help people. Run around with the stethoscope and notepad, writing down people's symptoms. Anyway I ended up going to Barden University and studied pre-med, followed up and became a nurse, whilst studying to become a surgeon. I liked to keep myself busy and overly stressed so it seemed." Cynthia chuckled and took a sip of her beer, "I did the nursing for a while, then shadowed at the E.R and general surgeries. Switched to Neurosurgery and was assigned a little boy, Devon. He had a large tumor in his brain and I had to tell his family… his parents that their son was dying… that there was nothing we could do. He stayed at the hospital towards the end and we tried to make him as comfortable as possible. I-I found myself growing attached to the boy. His parents were busy a lot of the time and whenever I was on break I would go and talked to him, played some card games… told me how he wanted to be a dentist" Cynthia chuckled, "What kind of kid at that age wants to be a dentist you know?... … I should have kept my distance but I couldn't. I was called to his room during the late hours on night and only just made it to see him slip away…" Cynthia wiped the tear that fell from her eye, "An eight year old boy who was already so bright but his life was taken away… I don't know what compelled me, I honestly don't, but I rested my hands over his head and felt- it felt different, I felt powerful. Like some kind of intense energy or adrenaline was surging through me but felt it connect with him, or into him as well. It's hard to describe but before I knew it, the beep of the heart monitor returned."
Cynthia shifted in her seat and threw a stick into the fire, taking another moment.
"He opened his eyes and… he was alive. A few nurses stood idle and thought it a miracle, I blacked out afterwards. I awoke to be told that no trace of there ever being a tumor was present. He was completely healthy 8-year-old boy…. and it scared the absolute shit out of me, because I knew without a doubt, I had somehow brought him back. Defying the impossible. We live and we die, that's life. It gives life meaning and purpose, hence why I find the prospect of people knowing what I am able to do… terrifying."
"You are not alone." Beca spoke strongly, "May we give you strength when you feel as though you have none. We're family now…. Thanks for sharing Cynthia."
Everyone agreed to her words and Cynthia grinned and gave thanks.
Jesse clears his throat, "I'm Jesse Swanson, 21." He goes on to tell them how he was bullied and that's how he discovered his ability. His parents disowned him and cast him out which is when Beca came across him. "It was a close call when Prism found me-well-us. They knew Beca too and were going to take her in. She saved me but at the expense of herself. I couldn't allow myself to just leave her, not after everything she had done for me, when she didn't even know me." He told of the Cerberus encounter and what had happened, "See it was nothing heroic... far from it. It was an accident. It haunted me for a long time actually."
"You've never killed anyone before then?" Chloe asked.
Jesse shook his head, "If it weren't for Beca I don't know what I would've done. I felt guilty for a long time."
"It doesn't make it easier but, it did sound like he had it coming. You acted to survive and save someone, those are good intentions." Cynthia spoke and Amy was fast to agree.
That was it and all took a long mouthful of their drinks from the large release of information.
"Wow big share guys! How about some other questions now? Who is dating who here? Okay Beca go!" Amy announced.
Beca near chocked on her drink and Chloe patted her back.
"Damn really?" Stacie quietly stated and smirked.
Chloe was not too fond of that and scowled at the woman, "I think that's enough questions for the night." She huffed.
"That answers one. How about you fearless leadarrr?" Amy suggested towards Aubrey.
The blonde rolled her eyes and refilled her glass with wine.
"We're kind of-" Jesse started but stopped when Aubrey swatted his arm.
"You most definitely are." Amy chuckled at the pair.
"Goes without saying who's the dominant one." Stacie mused privately to the others.
"I'm right here Stacie, we can here you." Aubrey scolded.
They laughed and went back into other conversations. Benji took the moment between the couples and snapped a picture of them. Beca turned to Chloe who appeared to be drowning herself in the glass of alcohol, her eyes glared into the fire, clearly deep in thought.
Jesse had moved to talk to Amy briefly and Beca pounced at the chance to talk to Aubrey.
The blonde raised an eyebrow at her presence, "Glass of wine?"
"Sure" Beca accepted, "That's not why I came over here."
Aubrey grinned and passed her a glass, "I'm sure it isn't."
"He's happy when he's around you Aubrey. You both are." Beca started and they glanced in his direction before she continued, "But of course being like a sister to him I state, break his heart and we are going to have problems."
Aubrey nodded, "That's fair. But what if he breaks my heart?"
"Then I'll slap him up the head myself and sort him out." Beca took a sip of the wine and smiled to Aubrey, which the blonde mirrored.
Aubrey tilted her head towards Chloe, "So, you and my best friend hmm?"
"W-well, I think so... it's complicated." Beca answered.
Aubrey scoffed, "When in our lives is anything not complicated? The same goes for you though Mitchell, and the same deal for her, but I have a feeling you wouldn't give up regardless."
Beca looked across the flame to the shining red, "I couldn't even if I wanted to. I feel as though I'm connected to her Aubrey."
Aubrey just nodded, on the tip of her tongue to ask if she was in love, well that she knew, but wondered if they were yet to tell that to one another.
"Well I think I'm going to retire for the night I'm exhausted." Aubrey announced, standing from the chair.
Benji, Stacie and Jesse were in agreement and followed the blonde, wishing everyone goodnight. Before Benji left he passed the camera onto Amy.
Beca returned to her seat beside Chloe who was still watching the fire. Beca now did the same and wondered what it is she was looking at. Concentrating on the fire it wasn't long until Beca saw within the fire something different, images of small horses galloping, which swirled around and transitioned into crashing waves, the sight entranced Beca.
Chloe was so caught up in the fire and her manipulation of it, that she only now saw Beca out of the corner of her eye who was also watching the fire intently. Chloe turned her attention to see her smiling into the fire and Beca's eyes now met her own.
Beca heard the distant swoosh and click of the camera but didn't pay any attention to it, her eyes focused on Chloe's.
Chloe gestured back to the fire and Beca's eye line followed to see a fire version of herself and Chloe inching closer together until they were kissing could just be seen in the flames.
Amy and Cynthia had been talking amongst themselves but watched the pair for a moment, Amy snapped a picture of the moment showing Cynthia the picture they smiled at the adorability of it, but it was soon ripped from her hands. Beca raised the item and it floated across into her hand, not yet looking at it, instead placed it into the corner pocket in her button up top.
Cynthia then bumped shoulders with Amy gesturing that they go, before Beca's gaze now pulled to them.
"Phew whelp! I'm going to hit the hay." Amy stood, though a little wobbly, and Cynthia helped, taking the camera from her.
"I'll get her there safely... and Chloe, I'll have a look at your wound tomorrow to make sure you haven't any signs of infection."
"Thanks Cynthia."
"See you foxy ladies in the morning!" Amy yelled on their way up.
Beca laughed and turned back to Chloe. The red head had picked up a stick and was breaking parts away, tossing them into the fire. It was then she randomly began to chuckle.
Naturally a grin broke out on Beca's face from the sound, "What?"
"They tots saw us kiss…-well-the fire version of us anyway... aaand I may be a little tipsy." Chloe bit her lip and shifted closer to Beca but slipped off the chair, her hand touched the fire.
"Chloe!" Beca quickly pulled Chloe out of the flames, right against her body and inspected her hand. It was slightly red but no burns.
"H-how?-"
"Mm I don't burn so easily." Chloe bit her lip and leaned in close, "God I want to kiss you so badly right now."
Beca laughed and continued to hold her close, "Come on let's get you to bed."
Chloe pouted, "You don't want to kiss me?"
Beca brushed her hair delicately out of the way and cupped her cheek bringing Chloe in and connecting their lips into an endearing kiss. Chloe couldn't control herself and a huge gust of wind threatened to take out the fire and tip them over. Beca grinned into the kiss at this and Chloe's arms came to rest on the back of her neck.
"I think the right question is; when do I not want to kiss you." Beca spoke against her lips.
"You are too good to me Beca." Chloe pressed her lips against Beca's once again. Without warning another gust of wind came and now tipped them over but placed them safely on the ground near the fire.
Beca pulled away and laughed.
"What?"
"That day when I accidentally sent you up in the air... you could have stopped yourself from the fall, you wanted me to catch you... didn't you?"
Chloe instantly blushed and rolled off the top of Beca to lie by her side, "Maybe..."
"Well aren't you adorable." Beca shifted to her side to look at Chloe.
"Yeah I... I trusted you would find a way to save me."
Propping herself up on her elbow, Beca looked down at Chloe, "Always."
Chloe pulled her down and again their lips met. It soon became heated and Chloe wanted and needed more, her hands found their way down and under Beca's top dancing across her taught skin. Beca fought through the haze breaking away from the kiss her hands stopped Chloe's.
Beca opened her eyes and regained breath, Chloe was confused, her eyes dark with desire.
"I-I've never-" Beca cleared her throat.
Chloe gave a small smile and brought her hand back up to rest on Beca's cheek.
"Me either…. I-I haven't really had alcohol before till tonight..." Chloe giggled but tried to be serious before continuing, "Yo-You- You're the first person I've kissed ya know." Chloe giggled.
Beca's smile brightened, "Really?"
Chloe's face dropped to offended, "Wha-.. you think I've slept arou-"
"No. Chloe, no. I meant... I was your first kiss?"
Chloe blushed and looked away for a moment and just nodded.
"You were my first too."
Chloe whipped back and saw the bright smile, which mirrored onto her face, "I want you to be my first everything Becs." Her hands fiddled with the buttons of Beca's top.
"Yeah but... how about in a room with a bed and some privacy, and not out in the open on the grass here."
Chloe pouted "You've got a lake, crackling of the fire, and the stars. I want you Beca." Chloe reached up and connected their lips, her tongue asking for entry, which Beca granted and deepened the kiss, melting into one another. But again Beca pulled herself away despite her strong urges to continue.
"You're drunk Chloe."
Chloe lay there and her expression was like that of a child who just had their candy taken away.
"I-... we aren't normal, but what other people would do is go on a date. I would like to take you out on a date I think."
"Your so chivalrous Becs." Chloe smirked whilst raising herself up to try and steal Beca's lips again, but failed when the brunette moved back with an unimpressed gaze to top it.
Beca waited for an answer.
"Mmm... Fine" Chloe moaned.
Beca leant down and pecked her lips, Chloe shuffled in closer under her arm and nestled into Beca's side. They relaxed and stared up at the stars with the faint glow and warmth of the fire beside them, crackling away. Hearing a small whimper Beca turned and found that Chloe was fast asleep. She grinned at the sight and Chloe hugged her even tighter.
Beca softly and slowly brushed her hand through Chloe's hair. She continued to look up into the sky and wished things could be simple for them. She often had these thought but it ached its way through her mind even further now. Beca just wanted those she loved to be safe and live, to be with Chloe and do this every night, for her to fall asleep peacefully next to this woman she loved.
Broken from her thoughts Beca peered over as Chloe began mumbling some words. She had a scowling and yet pouting expression that Beca tried not to laugh at how cute she looked, instead she thought that Chloe might be uncomfortable.
"Chlo? You okay?"
"Mmpf...uh… ..I-" Beca smiled widely at the incoherent words.
Maybe I should try and move us insid-
"I-ugh uh-luffve.. yo-mm." Chloe mumbled, faintly she smiled, still in a sleeping state and settled.
That wiped Beca's thoughts completely, her heart felt as though it just stopped. Her eyes widened in shock and thought it a cruel illusion from her mind at first, but no she had heard those words come out of Chloe's lips, although muffled through sleep she was sure of it. Beca continued to stare down at Chloe, and quickly a huge smile spread across her face in reply. In that moment Beca felt her heart swell with excitement yet extreme content. Hearing the soft sounds of Chloe breathing, finally her eyes fluttered closed and it began to lull Beca off into her own sleep.