[Isolated park, Claire]
(In a cold isolated park, Claire Bennet is seen sitting on a bench with a melancholy look in her eyes. She stares blankly at the ground while the snow slowly falls from the sky. A young man around her age approaches her from the side wearing a long black fur coat.)
Guy: Hey. You okay?
(She slowly looks over to him with a troubled look on her face. He just patiently stares at her waiting for a response.)
Claire: I'm surprised you haven't run away from me yet or asked for a picture.
Guy: You're out here in the cold alone and you're obviously not dressed for this kind of weather. Where's your coat? Here- (Begins taking off coat) Take mine.
Claire: No. Just- no; I'm fine. (Looks away and sighs)
Guy: (Looks around) Well can you at least let me take you for some warm coffee or something? At least let me do that; you're out here in the cold and you look like you could use some company. (Moment of silence) To be honest, I- could use some company too.
(After a short time, the two of them are seen in the guy's old beat up Vista Cruiser driving down a snowy road surrounded by trees and mountains. Claire just stares out the window daydreaming.)
Guy: (Hesitant) What's your name?
Claire: (Remains silent for a few seconds, then turns to face him) Claire… Claire Be-... (Thinks for a moment) Claire- just Claire.
Brandon: Nice to meet you, Just Claire. I'm Brandon- just Brandon. (Slightly chuckles) So what brings you all the way here to Canada, Claire? You're obviously not from here.
Claire: You really don't know who I am?
Brandon: Should I? Are you some big celebrity or something like that, like Britney Spears?
Claire: You could say that yeah. I uh… Jumped off a Ferris wheel at a carnival and walked away unharmed. I got a pretty big viewership from it.
Brandon: Wow; I'd like to see that trick.
(Claire reaches into her pocket and pulls out a pocket knife beneath the table.)
Claire: I can show you if you'd like.
Brandon: No, no; it's fine. (Chuckles) I believe you. So you're a performer? What do you have indestructible bones or something?
Claire: (Puts her knife away before Brandon notices it) I'm indestructible all over. I can eat fire, walk away from car crashes, fall from buildings, and even cut myself and still be okay.
Brandon: I bet people think you're a freak for having such a gift.
Claire: Gift? Is that what you see it as?
Brandon: I do consider it a gift yeah. (Looks over at her for a second) I bet no one can do what you do. And even if they could, it's still a unique thing to have. I mean I can imagine the burden of having such a gift, but the stronger the shoulders, the heavier the weight, right? You must have a pretty indestructible heart as well to be able to endure such a thing.
Claire: Yeah, I- guess I do… I think I get it from my… father
Brandon: Most people run away to join the circus; you're running from that kind of attention. You gotta laugh at the irony in that.
Claire: (Chuckles) Yeah I- I guess you can't help but to. I guess I'm just still looking for something to call "normal". But no matter what I do, I can't ever seem to find it.
Brandon: Maybe instead of looking for normal, you should create your own version of it. You are who you are and sharing yourself with the world may influence great things. Sometimes a new perspective in the world is what the world needs in order to become better in a sense.
Claire: Yeah, I suppose you do have a point.
[Unknown location]
(Deep in the underground tunnels of the desert, a rally of individuals huddle around a large concrete stage decorated in graffiti. After time passes and the hundreds of individuals begin growing impatient, three individuals wearing all black are seen approaching the stage. Everyone yells out in cheer at the site of the man who stands in the middle of the three with an onyx mask covering his face. After starring at the individual for a short time and indulging in their praise, he lifts his hand and they all instantly get quiet. He thoroughly scans the audience and point out three people in opposite sides of the room. Suddenly, three guards all walk through the crowd and instantly snatch up the individuals who were pointed to and dragged on stage. The leader casually turns to face then turns to his followers, removing his mask in the process and revealing himself to be an older man with a large burn across his face. He turns back to the three he pointed at their arms are tied behind their backs as they sit on their knees.)
Leader: (Clears throat) I am not a religious man; but I do know the significance of good and evil, cursed and blessed; abomination and human. The three before us were given false passwords to enter and therefore exposed. (Paces before the three of them) You do not beg for your lives; you are not fools. Tell me your names.
Abigail: People who know me and fear me know me as Abigail. (Smirks)
West: (Sighs) Guess we're using real names- boy wonder West.
Lars: Uh… Lars- just Lars. Just so you know, I'm not with them at all, I infiltrated you guys on my own cause I wanted to see what you were about.
Abigail: Wow, no guts at all! At least lie to make yourself sound cool. (Friendly chuckles)
Leader: I do not recognize you… (Glances at both Lee and Abigail) I do know you two. We have access to photos which identify specific individuals with power.
(He opens his hand and one of his followers approaches the stage to hand him two files before quickly walking back off.)
Leader: (Opens the files and shows everyone two pictures that are inside) West Rosen- flight and Abigail- the ability to create force fields. Your info came from the Building 26 database.
Abigail: Since you seem to know so much about our powers, how about I give you an up close look on how they work!
(Abigail jerks her body but nothing happens.)
Leader: Hmph. What's the matter, your "gift" not working? (Slowly presses his face close to hers) Meet my right hand. (Stands up straight and paces) The guard standing behind you nullifies what you have. In other words, that means you're not surviving this. (Turns around to his followers) I see it, that rage in your eyes, but also that hope with our friend here. We can fight them back and kill ALL of their kind, but we must be strategic. (Turns back around) We'll use them as an example.
Left-Hand Bodyguard: I think we've heard enough.
Leader: Excuse me?
Left-Hand Bodyguard: You're obviously an imposter and I don't have the patience to play your silly little game. You're not the one in charge here. You're a fake, which means someone knew these Rebel members were planning to infiltrate. You haven't said one inspirational thing since we've got here. You're either a lousy leady or just plain ignorant.
Leader: (Smirks and faces off with him) You dare accuse me of being a fraud?
(The Left-Hand Bodyguard removes his onyx mask and reveals himself to be Sylar. The "Leader" nearly swallows his own tongue at the sight of him.)
Sylar: I thought about blending in a bit longer but this suit is a little tight, so instead; I'll just have to get information outta you the old fashion way. (Smiles and turns to the other masked guard) Rene, I know that's you hiding under there; come on out. I refuse to be fooled by the thought of you working for an organization dedicated to killing your kind. Oh I forget; you were with The Company.
(Rene takes the mask off his face and gives Sylar an unsettling look.)
Sylar: There's that handsome face. Now you do what you do best which is to sit there and watch, and let me do what I do best.
(Sylar points his finger at the fake leader and the sound of screaming begins to follow.)
[Peter's Apartment, New York]
(Peter is suddenly disturbed by a knock on his door. He quickly answers it and it's his partner Hesam with a case of orange soda in hand.)
Hesam: Hey, partner; bought some incentive for you to let me in.
Peter: (Smirks) Thanks, but you know soda's the last thing I need to drink. I need to keep up my form.
Hesam: Come on- Peter. Break a rule or do something. I'm tired of fighting over you relaxing. (Forces his way in and presses a soda against his chest)
(Peter knows he could stand a short break and closes the door behind him. Hesam checks out the empty apartment and just nods as he continues to look around.)
Hesam: (Looks at Peter with a friendly face) Yeah, just about what I expected. (Laughs) This your kitchen? (Walks toward the kitchen)
Peter: Yeah, just us… put everything on the counter.
(Hesam puts the pack on the counter and grabs one out for himself. He moves over to the table and sits down.)
Hesam: Come on, Peter; take a load off; you're off the rest of the day. The world is your oyster! (Jokingly laughs)
Peter: I'm just not really in a joking mood, I guess. I do what I-
(Peter's cell phone begins to ring from the counter and Peter walks over to it.)
Peter: Excuse me.
(Peter looks at the phone and sees that it's Claire. He sighs and takes a breath without a second thought. He puts the phone on silent and sits across from Hesam.)
Hesam: (Takes a sip of the soda) Whoa…
Peter: What?
Hesam: Nothing it just uh… I don't think I've ever seen you angry outside of not making it to a sight on time, which by the way you seem to be getting to faster than Betty.
Peter: (Chuckles) Betty? You actually named our ambulance that?
Hesam: She's a part of our team just as much as we are, don't you agree?
Peter: I suppose you're right. (Raises his bottle and twists the cap open) To Betty.
Hesam: (Taps his bottle against Peter's) May she get us to and from safely as well as our patience.
Peter: Yeah…
(Hesam knows something is up.)
Hesam: Talk to me, Peter. Come on, man; I work with you so many days out of the week for hours on end and I still have a hard time getting to know you. Your world is obviously so lonely and empty; what made you this way; did it have something to do with that call?
Peter: Honestly, Hesam, I've been asked to help out a friend an-
Hesam: Come on, Peter, I'm curious to know more about you, but don't insult my intelligence now. What's been eating at you these past few months?
Peter: (Takes a drink) We've had more cases then usual since uh-
Hesam: December 7th?
Peter: Exactly. She shouldn't have done what she did.
Hesam: You mean your relative? Claire Petrelli, right?
Peter: What?
Hesam: You didn't know she came out and made her real last name public. She spoke with the President and they announced a new political act for- what do they call 'em, Evos. That's some big news, brother, are you seriously telling me you've been so buried in your work, you didn't know that?
(Peter can't help but to sigh and just press his fist against his face.)
Hesam: Sorry, man…
Peter: I gotta go.
(Peter quickly gets out of his chair and takes off into his living room. He grabs his coat and tells Hesam to let himself out. When out of sight, Peter closes his eyes and teleports away.)
[Future Desert, Hiro Nakamura]
(In the dark desert, Hiro Nakamura is seen still pretending to be unconscious, lying before a man in a hood and Damien, who continues to channel energy through their head.)
Red Hood Male 2: They all seem agitated what's going on?
Damien: They are nearly ready.
(The hooded man and Damien both look over to see Hiro standing on his feet.)
Damien: You're awake. (Looks over at his partner) You didn't give him the proper sedatives; You betrayed us!
Hiro: This does not have to end in violence. Please, tell me, what are you doing?
Damien: Claire Bennet revealed to the world people like us exist and all chaos broke loose! We needed to lure you to the carnival so that our colleague could copy your power and help us change history.
Hiro: History should not be changed. It only makes things worse. It is the butterfly effect…
Damien: You yourself witnessed for a few short moments, the devastation we had to go through daily! You understand our drive; it is why you traveled back to begin with!
Hiro: (Tries not to let his words get to him) What are you doing with these people?
Damien: I have used your power to transfer their minds back into their past bodies to change the course of history.
Hiro: I understand. But we will not let this future happen. I will not let it happen. Tell me the exact moment everything fell apart after the carnival.
Red Hood Male 2: Hiro, you're seriously going to try and tackle this on your own? What about the others?
Hiro: The world chose this! The very world we have saved many times over. Tackling this problem will be a challenge but I know I can do this.
(The man in the red hood approaches Hiro and removes his hood. His face is not seen but Hiro's eyes nearly pop out of his eyes. The man gives him a strange look and Hiro blinks twice while keeping his eyes wide open.)
Hiro: If I OPEN my eyes wide enough maybe I can reverse time and get a double take on your face.
[Odessa]
(Both Ryan and Christina are seen walking through the crowded halls when suddenly Ryan looks outside in the courtyard to see the Jock from the day before talking to a group of surrounding nerds. He debates whether or not to go out there.)
Christina: What's on your mine, little brother?
Ryan: Nothing. I was just looking at that guy is all.
Christina: You interested? (Chuckles) Go talk to him if he fascinates you.
Ryan: I just saw him being bullied the other day by the other jocks and wanted to make sure he was ok.
Christina: Well, I'm not gonna stop you if-
Tricia: Hey! Don't run! Let me speak to you, Ryan; please.
Ryan: Uh- sorry I can't, I've got- someone important to talk to! (Charges right passed her)
Tricia: But, Ryan-
(Christina and Tricia look in confusion as Ryan is nowhere to be seen.)
Tricia: Did he? Where'd he go? Man he's so fast!
Christina: Yeah… "fast"…
(Ryan makes it to the courtyard and sees the jock talking with 4 other nerds surrounding him about 4 feet apart.)
Jock: Please, Nelson; I didn't want to break your code-
Nelson: "Your" code?! It used to be "our" code, Jimmy! Now I see exactly what we are to you!
Jimmy: (Slightly frustrated and desperate) No, ugh, I mean our code! I just wanted us to get along with each other! I became a jock so our forces could come together and maybe I could help keep the jocks off our backs. I only wanted to make peace with both sides.
Nerd Leader: So you joined the enemy. You are no longer a part of the rebellion, Anakin. You have betrayed us and have proven your disloyalty!
Jimmy: Hey, man; come on; we've been friends since grade school, that's nearly 6 years! I'm friends with your family. If I didn't care about you guys or the league; why would I be here begging to keep me a part of the group?! (Falls down to his knees) Please, overlord; accept me back. I only meant peace.
Nerd Leader: Peace is you're either on our side or the bad guy side and you've chosen the bad guy side. Asta! Let's roll, wolf pack! (Leaves with an attitude)
Nerd 4 (Female): (Stands before him a bit timid) I'll maybe get my Duel Masters cards together and we can play together after school at my house; after my homework of course.
(Jimmy smiles at her.)
Nerd Leader: Minion, come!
Nerd 4: Sorry, I must go. (Nervously walks off)
(Jimmy stands to his feet humiliated and Ryan stands right next to him watching. Jimmy walks passed Ryan, not giving him any attention.)
[Desert]
(After a brutal interrogation, Sylar wonders down a large concrete hall wiping blood off his hands with a towel which he tosses aside after a short while. He stops as Rene approaches him.)
Rene: It is not right that you are here. This was a sting and you revealed my identity.
Sylar: You and I haven't ever had much to say to each other but you've always been a pain in my backside; I just wanted to repay the favor for once. (Takes a few steps forward) You've played double agent enough, haven't you? Either you're with us or against us. Stop being a coward and make a decision already; which side are you on. I've chosen my side and to prove it, I didn't kill a single person today. I may have been a monster before but at least I'm not afraid to express my truth out in the open. (Walks away)
(Soon after, West and Abigail approach The Haitian.)
West: (Offers Rene a card) We could use you… if you are interested… (Awkwardly walks away)
(A man with his face covered passes by them and gives them a nod while continuing to walk into the main room where the rally of anti-Evo members are.)
[Los Angeles]
(Matt Parkman is seen driving through a neighborhood tailing a black car when suddenly his temporary cell phone rings. He quickly answers it.)
Anonymous voice: Your man is beneath that bridge just outside of the main road. Why he's out in the open is beyond me, but scoop him up and deal with him. Make sure he doesn't talk. (Hangs up)
(Matt hands up the phone.)
Matt: Alright one call in; one call out. So that means, this phone can receive one call before I can get rid of it. (Drives off toward the bridge)
(Unbeknownst to Matt, he himself is being tailed by someone in a dark tinted SUV. Only the side of his sunglasses can be seen. Under the large bridge, Daniel Fleer is having a heated conversation with his much younger daughter. He tries to grab her backpack and she angrily squeezes out of it and glares at her father.)
Danielle: No, dad, I wanna go home! I wanna see mommy!
Fleer: Danielle, sweetie; your mom isn't coming back, I'm sorry. Look, it was an accident what happened to her, I told you that already.
Danielle: You're a liar! You're lying, daddy! (Bursts out into tears) She's not gone forever! She's not!
(Fleer slowly walks up to his daughter and gives her a tight comforting hug.)
Fleer: I'm sorry, babygirl, I'm so sorry.
(A car pulls up and the two stop hugging, but she still remains close beside her father. Matt gets out of the car and stands about 5 feet away from the two of them.)
Fleer: Look, man, I'm sorry, but I couldn't leave my daughter to go to some home where they might beat or possibly rape her, man! My little girl's all I got. There's no way we could be separated. It's me and her against the world from now on!
Matt: The world?! Look, I've been a cop for many years and many of the criminals that were backed into a corner rehearse that same speech. You're not gonna make it out there in the world! I'm sorry but I gave you a chance to have your freedom and you're wasting it! Your daughter will be in safe hands, you don't have to worry about that-
Fleer: (In denial) No- (Shaking his head and nervously trembling) You're not taking my daughter from me.
Matt: (Tries to reason) Your daughter or your freedom, Daniel, you can't have both. You need to make a decision right now.
Fleer: Can you convince him to take my daughter to safety too?
Matt: I'm honestly not so sure I can talk Lamar into taking you back but I'm willing to try. Get yourself together, control your power, then when you're ready, you can come back and see her in a couple years from now.
Fleer: No man-
Matt: (Impatient) There are no laws for people like us, Daniel! Don't you get that?! Once the public gets knowledge of you killing your wife with your ability and fleeing the country, they're gonna live in terror, knowing that someone with an indescribably ability is out there on the loose.
Fleer: (Moves his daughter being him) Stay back, honey. (Says to Matt) You're either gonna have to shoot me here or take me in, but just know that if you decide to take me in to the police, I will tell them everything about your little side operation here, and I know for a fact, that you wouldn't kill a man in front of his own 11 year old daughter. So you make the first move, officer, cause I'm not giving her up.
(Fleer crosses his arms like an X and both of his arms and hands shape shift into thick polished silver blades with insanely sharp points at the end.)
(Matt sighs and turns his head to him for a few seconds.)
Fleer: Oh, so you're gonna do your mind voodoo on me then and make me choose!
Matt: No! (Straightens out his head) No. I can't do that; you have to make this choice of your own free will. I cannot make the right choice for you.
Fleer: I am making the right choice.
Matt: … Fine. (Reaches into his pocket and pulls out the false cell phone) Only call for an emergency or when you've decided on what you officially want to do. (Types in a few digits) Tonight, I will contact you. You answer that phone! I will speak to my guy and see about getting you both out if I offer him something good. I only wanna do the right thing for everybody here, ok.
(He retracts his blades and Matt tosses him the phone.)
Matt: I will call you! It is important you know that. When we finish talking, make sure the phone is destroyed. I'm pretty sure you'll have no problem doing that.
Fleer: Thank you.
Matt: Stay low until I contact you! Now go. You two, hide somewhere safe.
(Fleer grabs her backpack and puts it on his daughter's back. He then escorts her away in the opposite direction. From afar, the same individual tailing Matt Parkman earlier is seen taking photos of him, Daniel Fleer, and his daughter together. Still his face is not clearly seen.)
[Claire and Brandon, small town diner]
(Claire and Brandon finally make it to a small diner and sit near one of the corner seats. One of the other customers gives her a dirty look as she passes him. The friendly waitress offers them a seat and asks them for their order.)
Waitress: What kind of drinks can I start y'all off with?
Brandon: I'd like to have a warm hot chocolate please- with extra marshmallows… Like a lot!
Waitress: Alright; coming right up and for you, ma'am?
Claire: Uh- I guess I'll have the same- extra marshmallows and all.
Waitress: Alright; be right back to take your orders. (Smiles and walks off)
Brandon: So, you're an indestructible girl, huh? If that's the case, you probably don't need to eat then. How long have you gone without eating?
Claire: … You know I actually never thought about that much. I guess every so often you learn a new mystery about yourself.
Brandon: So if you wanted to gain weight, how would you do it? And I mean if your body regenerates that would mean you couldn't lose weight either. Wow that is a very fascinating gift you have. It's like a reflection of your personality.
Claire: I still don't get how you see it that way, but thanks anyway.
Brandon: That's all a gift really is, Claire; it's a symbol of our greatest strengths; of what we can do. You being indestructible, to me, is a reflection of your strong spirit. I look into your eyes and I can tell you are a strong spirit.
Claire: (Shrugs and nods) Well thank you. I just wish my power granted me the gift of making the right decisions.
Waitress: Here y'all go. Here's your hot cocoa with extra, extra marshmallows. (Places the cups on the table) Enjoy. (Winks and walks away)
Brandon: She forgot to take our order.
Claire: You really don't seem effected by any of this. I mean obviously you think I'm crazy.
Brandon: (Sips his drink and licks the cream off his mouth) Are you the crazy one for telling me all this, or am I the crazy one for believing? Either way we're both two people having a good time; that's all that matters. (Takes a sip of his cocoa) So you're obviously running from something, what is that exactly? Something spooked you to the point that you ran off and found your way here to the middle of nowhere Toronto. What is the story of "Just Claire"?
Claire: I told you- I jumped off a Ferris Wheel and exposed people like me to the world. After making that decision, a lot of people who were in my circle turned on me and now I'm all out of friends.
Brandon: Hm… So now you're running away from the world after exposing yourself to it?
Claire: I thought I was ready to handle the reality of my decision, but I guess I wasn't. It was too much for me to handle and I realized I had no one in my corner to support me.
Brandon: … Whether you made the right decision or not doesn't matter. Your heart was in the right place and you did what you thought was right.
Claire: What I did was selfish! I exposed us! People like me can't be safe now. I was frustrated and I was sick of hiding in the shadows. I was sick of being a freak and having to hide who I really am! I made my decision for my own selfish reasons.
Brandon: Maybe other people felt the exact same way but you making a choice to do something will probably help other people feel free to do the same thing.
Claire: You remind me, so much of an old friend I had back in Texas. (Smiles) He was the only one who truly supported me and everything I did.
Brendon: He sounds like a true friend. (Smiles) Alright now where's this waitress, I could definitely go for some waffles right now.
[Odessa Texas]
(Ryan sees his classmate Jimmy alone on the bleachers near the football field. He appears deep in thought, yet infuriated by something. Ryan slowly approaches his classmate and takes a seat beside Jimmy.)
Jimmy: (Emotionally distraught and angry) What do you want, tard?
Ryan: (Nervous) Hey… I just wanted to see if you needed help.
Jimmy: From you?! Ha, why would I need help from someone like you who's weaker than I am? You got nothing for me, chump; beat it.
Ryan: You were an awesome dude and I saw you trying to save your friendship with your friends and-
Jimmy: Look, I tried to make peace amongst two opposing sides okay! I thought by being a jock, I could convince them to leave the nerds alone, but it didn't happen. The very friends I tried to save turned their back on me and said I betrayed them. (Shakes his head and sighs) They don't think it was hard for me to sacrifice that part of myself that was loyal to the pack, only to bring balance amongst our enemies? ERGH!
(The angered Jimmy tries to punch something but nothing is around for him to punch. He calms down rather quickly.)
Jimmy: This sucks, man. I liked being a nerd, and I killed the best parts of myself to create peace. I know I said that already, but it's painful. I feel hurt. (Sighs) It's probably the exact way they're feeling.
Ryan: (Thinks for a moment) Then you both know how each other feels and you can use that pain to help them find resolution.
Jimmy: They chose not to hear me out or try to understand. They got something inside them blocking whatever force my words have for them.
Ryan: Being a jock is hard work; why did you choose to be one instead of doing something different?
Jimmy: You know- Ah… Talking about it here, I feel, maybe some part of me wanted to be a jock. No, all of me wanted to be a jock. This is something I deep down wanted to do for my scholarship and my future. I guess I was too scared to admit that to myself. I was too loyal to the wrong people whose intensions were to keep me in their world; not expand into mine.
(Ryan looks down with a sense of familiarity and understanding in his eyes. He quickly snaps out of his trance to look up and attend to Jimmy's dilemma.)
Jimmy: Now, that they're severed, I feel like, a part of me is… refreshed… or something like that. I feel more in control; more whole.
Ryan: Like they were leeches…?
Jimmy: Exactly. But it's ok. I tried too hard to be perfect for other people cause I thought it was right, but it wasn't, and I didn't realize how much of my sanity was taken from me, along with my ability to see what I wanted. (Sighs and relaxes himself) Thank you, kid; I'm glad we did talk.
Ryan: I mostly just listened, but you're welcome. I'm glad I was here too.
Jimmy: I'm never giving anyone control like that over me again. It makes you obsessive and miserable. I felt myself going down a dark path, but thanks to you, I was able to get everything out before I bottled it all in. (Sighs) I apologize for name calling.
Ryan: Hm… I think I need to go now.
Jimmy: (Smirks) You got somewhere to be-
(Jimmy looks over and Ryan is nowhere to be seen. Ryan reappears walking back toward the main campus and not too far ahead is his sister, Christina, talking to other students in the grassy fields.)
[Apartment, Washington D.C.]
(Peter appears in a hallway in an apartment building and looks at the numbers of two apartments across from one another. He eventually makes a decision and knocks on one of the doors. He hears a whispering whimper followed by an angry groan coming from the other side. The door is opened and a man heavily breathing with sweat covering his face stands in the doorway glaring at Peter.)
Sweaty Guy: (Angered) Can I help you?!
Peter: Sorry, I was just looking for someone; I think I've got the wrong apartment. (Glances into the apartment)
Sweaty Guy: Gal or guy, bud?
Peter: Sorry?
Sweaty Guy: Are you looking for a gal or a guy?! Do I gotta dumb it down for you to hear properly?!
Peter: No, sir, sorry to disturb you, I obviously have the wrong apartment.
(The angry sweaty guy grabs the door and slams it shut. Peter just takes a break and stays calm. He turns back to the apartment across the way but then closes his eyes to stop time. He enters the angry man's apartment and looks around the messy room to find a hiding spot. He ducks into the bathroom and peaks around the corner. He unfreezes time and the angry sweaty man runs into the corner of the living room. He grabs a chair and aggressively throws it across the room to reveal a young teenage boy cowering behind it.)
Guy: Get up! Stand up!
(The teenage boy stands to his feet in tears whimpering before his father.)
Teenager: Sorry, dad; I didn't mean to make you angry, I just-
Guy: You don't get to talk. Whatever this is, you need to turn it off!
Teenage: (Hysterical and defensive) No, dad, please; I can't turn it off; it's what I am.
Guy: Then you're evil! (Quickly backs away from him son)
Teenage: No, dad; please; I'm still your little Bobby; I just don't know what's going on and I need your help! (Bursting out in tears) Please, dad!
Guy: (Calms down) You get outta my house. Get rid of it or you're not welcomed back. You're a demon child! (Storms into the back room) GET OUT NOW!
(The loud bang of the door slamming causes the teenage boy to jump in terror, but after letting out a few more tears, he wipes his face and quickly leaves the apartment. Peter closes his eyes and stops time again. He walks out of the apartment behind the kid and memorizes his face. Peter reaches into the kid's pocket until he finds a wallet with his first, middle, and last name. He memorizes it then puts it back in the kid's pocket.)
Peter: I'll figure something out, kid; don't you worry. For now I've got a friend to save.
(Peter unfreezes time and the kid continues on down the hall hysterical without noticing Peter. Peter goes to the apartment across the hall and is going to knock, but then he sees that the door is cracked open. He pushes it and cautiously enters the apartment.)
Peter: Hello?
[Canada, Claire and Brandon]
(Back in nowhere, Canada, Brandon is seen dropping Claire off at a small ratty hotel. It's dark outside and the ground remains covered in a thick coating of snow.)
Brandon: Well, your palace awaits. It's very… different from most royal pads I've seen.
Claire: Please, the closest thing I am to royalty is a politician's daughter.
Brandon: (Shrugs) It's something. Most people don't even have that. (Smiles)
You sure you don't wanna come back to my place? There's a heater – and a warm bed that for sure isn't infested in bed bugs… hopefully.
Claire: I'm sure. I just, need some time to myself and to be reminded of the more "rural" was of living. Thank you for a nice talk and great company, but I've got my own things to deal with now.
Brendon: … You know I'll be back in the morning to check on you again.
Claire: Good luck finding my room. (Smirks)
Brendon: (Chuckles) Be safe, just Claire. I hope you come to a decision about what you wanna do next.
[Washington, Peter]
(After the door has been cracked, Peter enters the apartment of the person he came to visit only to find it completely empty. Peter is suspicious and he cautiously wonders deeper in.)
Peter: Bennet?! (Walks toward an open laptop) Noah?!
(Peter stands in front of the laptop and sees opened profiles. Peter looks around cautiously again and searches briefly through the files. He realizes that the profiles on the screen are names of individuals with abilities. A notification pops up which says "Download Complete". Peter sees a small black flash drive plugged into the USB of the laptop. Peter clicks on a file which says "The List" and searching through it, he finds a few interesting names. He backs out and sees another file labeled "The Mark". Eventually Peter comes across the name of someone useful, quickly takes a note of the address and leaves the apartment. He closes the door on his way out. Hiding behind a piece of furniture is a stranger. The stranger grabs the flashdrive from the side of the computer and rushes out of the apartment. Peter, hiding down the hall, sees the man running away and begins to tail him.)
[Future Desert, Hiro Nakamura]
(Hiro has just seen the face of 1 of the 2 conscious individuals wearing red hooded jackets. He cannot believe who he is seeing before him.)
Hiro: Nathan Petrelli, I thought I recognized you; but you are dead. Sylar killed you. He sadly did not kill you for your power- he- killed you for-sport.
Nathan: Wow… Obviously I'm alive somehow. Sylar never killed me…
Hiro: I do not know how you are still here and I wish I had the answer, but sadly I must go. The longer I stay here, the more I feel I am destroying the past. Nathan Petrelli- you were a true Hero and I am glad to have met you again this lifetime. Your daughter, Claire, had exposed us to the world but I fear only the worse will happen.
Nathan: (Sighs) The world will be fine, Hiro, but you have to understand that this is a big change. Only by changing the hearts of the people, do you change the hearts of the world. Whatever happens is for a reason, Hiro. Promise me that you do your best to not change your timeline but save it.
Hiro: But how can I do that if-
Nathan: No buts. (Places his hand on Hiro's shoulder) Hiro I believe in you, not because of your power, but because of your heart. Sharing that power is how you're going to save the world. Claire shared her heart and now many who were alone and afraid feel safe to live out in the open. These powers, Hiro, are extensions of us; but they are not the full picture of who we are.
Hiro: Thank you, flying man.
Nathan: Thank you, for teaching me what it means to be a real hero. Tell Claire I love her and to stay strong in the face of any danger. She can heal, scars scratches, anything- even the scars of those with wounded hearts.
(Hiro backs away and gives Nathan a respectable bow.)
Hiro: Take them out of the trance. I will fix the past and make sure the future does not become the one you endure daily.
Damien: … I know you understand our pain- besides, without you, I can't recharge the necklace to use your power. All I can do at this point is have faith.
Nathan: Make sure Sylar pays for my death!
(Hiro closes his eyes and teleports away back to his original timeline.)
[Yamagato Industries Japan, Present]
(One of the assistance from the building walks up to the glass door of the main office where Ando and Kimiko are and knocks. Kimiko quickly opens it.)
Kimiko: Did something happen?
Female Assistant: (Nervously bows her head) No, ma'am; I'm sorry to bother you Ms. Nakamura; a visitor is here to see Mr. Masahashi.
Ando: (Slightly confused) Me? Uh, send 'em in.
(She bows again and quickly walks away. Kimiko stands beside Ando and seconds later, a Japanese man in a light blue leather outfit enters with a haunting grin on his face. He closes the door behind him and does not take his eyes off Ando.)
Young Man: (Says in Japanese) It feels good to be younger.
Ando: Who are you?
Young Man: (Slowly paces back and forth) Who are WE. You are not one of us; you do not belong amongst us.
Ando: (Holds Kimiko behind him) Listen, pal, we do not want any trouble; now how can we help you?
Young Man: THEY want the girl, but I want your blood. You became a fearless leader in the future and did whatever it took to "be the hero". (Intensifies his face and swallows his pride) I admire that. (Stops pacing) I looked up to you; now- the sight of you fills me with rage. It fills me with hate!
(From out of his sleeve, the young man pulls out a sword and tightly holds it with one arm as he charges toward the two of them. Ando thinks quick on his feet and places his wrists together. He shoots a powerful beam of red lightning at the young man, but the young man, with his free hand, creates what appears to be a force field which repels the lightning. The Young Man continues forward goes to stab Ando in the chest. Ando is pushed out of the way and the blade goes directly through his fiancé Kimiko's chest. The young man is shocked by what he's just done and he pulls out the sword.)
Ando: Kimiko! (Rushes to her aid)
(The young man quickly rushes toward the window and jumps out of it; breaking it in the process and falling all the way toward the bottom. Ando holds Kimiko close to his chest as she lies rapidly bleeding out on the floor.
[Hidden Alleyway]
(Peter appears in the middle of an alleyway and sees Sylar starring up at the clouds in a fog. Peter just stands quietly and lets Sylar enjoy his view a bit longer. Sylar then takes a breath and turns to Peter.)
Peter: I found something. Those conspiracy reports we've been getting about a group of people secretly hunting us- it turns out they were having a meeting a nearby desert.
Sylar: That meeting I told you about which you so graciously refused going to?
Peter: Yeah, well I followed of them from Bennet's apartment. It turns out that meeting was a setup in order to weed out the members who were getting too violent and publically executing people like us.
Sylar: Execution?
Peter: Yeah… This group is bigger than we thought.
Sylar: It doesn't matter how big it is, Peter; every structure falls at some point. My concern right now, is how many time has called you today?
Peter: We're not talking about that here.
Sylar: How many times have you rejected her call?
Peter: (Stern) I told you we're not talking about this anymore.
Sylar: (Puts his hands in his coat and paces over to the side) What these people do to us obviously is not right, and they should pay, but unless you know who exactly we're fighting, we've already lost, Pete. (Catches himself) Sorry.
Peter: Look, revenge isn't my thing. If so, you would've been dealt with a long time ago. I need to find Hiro and make sure he's safe; I just wanted to share that information about these Evo Hunters.
Sylar: If finding Hiro is your priority, maybe someone can help- a little girl who has the ability to find people.
Peter: Where can I find her?
Sylar: You'll need to provide more details about this execution before I tell you that.
[Tokyo Japan, Hiro]
(Hiro appears in the middle of his father's old office. He looks around at the isolation and lack of potent strong energy he once felt many years ago from his father's presence. He turns on a lamp and begins going through the desk. He finds a remote which goes to a T.V. monitor connected to the wall nearby. Hiro puts the remote down and picks up a photograph of his family from many years ago with Ando also standing in the picture. Hiro sighs and just stares at the photo of his father- the room remains dark, cold, isolated, and quiet.)
[Peter's Apartment]
(Peter enters back into his apartment and to his surprise, he sees his partner Hesam passed out on his couch. Instead of waking him, Peter just goes into a nearby closet, grabs a rolled up blanket and throws it over Hesam's body to keep him comfortable. Peter just sighs, and walks back into his kitchen. He pours himself a short cup of water and takes a huge drink. Something obviously is stressing Peter as his cell phone rings and he sees the name just to put it on silent and leave it on the counter. On the other end of the call is Claire once again trying to contact Peter. In the motel room alone, Claire throws her back on the bed and scrolls through her phone to see various names in her phone including Alex, West, Sparrow Redhouse, Mom, Lyle, Bio-Dad, Elle; Gretchen. Claire just puts her phone down and lies in her room alone with no one around to help her process her thoughts.)
[Los Angeles, Matt Parkman]
(It's a dark and rainy night; a car is seen pulling into an isolated construction site. That cop who exits the vehicle is Officer Matt Parkman. Parkman secures his coat and looks around to make sure no one's followed him. He walks into the structure of the site and cautiously listens for voices. He hears a faint voice somewhere above him and quickly rushes up to the stairs. Parkman eventually makes it to the fourth floor and hears the sound of a moaning voice in his head. He follows it until he sees a man holding an unconscious child, rocking her back and forth with tears in his eyes. Beneath him is a blanket and beside them are a lantern and a small pink backpack. Parkman cautiously walks up to the two of them.)
Parkman: What happened…?
Fleer: (Crying his eyes out) I didn't mean to do it man; I only wanted to protect her.
Parkman: (In denial) Glances down at the child to make sure she's okay while slowly walking toward them) Protect who, Daniel; come on; talk to me. Do you mean your wife? We already established that was an accident. Look, I know you didn't mean to hurt your wife; I get it; these abilities- they manifest in random ways and I don't think you should suffer for that. I know a company who'll help you learn to control your power. All you have to do is come with me. (Glances down at the child again) Who is that?
Fleer: (Sniffs twice and squeezes her tighter) My little girl man. (Bursts out in tears again) She's my little girl. I didn't mean to do it.
(Matt stands over them and Fleer extends his daughter forward, revealing a stab wound going through her chest. Matt backs away; disturbed by the image.)
Fleer: I don't deserve to be here anymore.
(Fleer stands and quickly charges toward the edge of the building but before he could jump off, his body suddenly becomes paralyzed. Behind him Matt stands with a fiery look on his face.)
Matt: (Hatred in his eyes) No… You don't get to kill your family and get off that easy.
(Matt pulls out his cell phone and calls someone on speed dial. Moments pass and both a man and woman in fancy suits are seen walking up the stairs. The woman has long blonde hair and only the side of the man's face is seen wearing horn-rimmed glasses.)
HRG: Good thing we were in the area.
Matt: Take him and make sure he never sees the light of day again. He deserves to rot in a cell; not just any cell; one made by The Company for people like him! (By passes him and walks down the stairs.
(Noah knows that something isn't quite right with Matt and that his presence is slightly uncomfortable to be around.)
HRG: (Turns to Lauren) Would you like to do the honors?
Lauren: Sure, boss. (Approaches Fleer from behind and shoots him with a stun gun to knock him unconscious.
Matt: Make sure he doesn't harm anyone else.
(A short time passes, Matt gets into his vehicle, and drives out of the construction site, again not realizing that an individual has been tailing him. The man tailing him comes from behind a pillar and secures the collar of his jacket. He eventually makes it to his car and closes the door. He looks around to make sure no one is watching him and he scrolls through a camera of Matt Parkman's action with Fleer at the construction site. The man takes a breath and places the waterproof camera on the passenger's seat. He looks in the mirror and reveals himself as the Captain from the police station, Matt's boss.)
[Desert]
(Late into the night, a shady car parks itself in the middle of a desert beside a hidden entrance; there they see a man in a hat and a large coat covered in blood.)
Red Queen: This must be the place.
Scowl: Hm.
(The scowling man and the Red-Haired Woman leave the vehicle and approach the man covered in blood.)
Red Queen: What was so important to have me come all the way out to this disgusting desert?
Englishman: They're all dead; see for yourself.
Red: (Slightly triggered) I think I'll pass; but thanks.
Englishman: More than one group hunts the hunters. (Flashes his blood-covered phone to her) Codename- The Haitian; The Company's rather useful pawns in the game. And that man next to him-
Red: Sylar… (Smirks) So one of our contacts located him, good. (Pushes his phone away) Do we have him tracked?
Englishman: Indeed we do- New York. It seems to be his main area of residence.
Red Queen: Great. Keep an eye on him. As for those bodies in that hole; were those all the members who were on those videos publically executing Evos?
Englishman: Every nail and hair involved.
Red Queen: (Smirks) The execution of Evos is to remain in secret. If things start getting out of hand again, I trust I'll be able to count on you to take care of it.
Englishman: (Chuckles) Not I, no. I will, however, take my payment now.
Red Queen: More work still needs to be done. It seems old habits die hard and Bennet still had Company files on his laptop. One of my men retrieved the data and guess what?
(The scowling man hands her the flash drive and she offers it to the Englishman.)
Red Queen: This data now belongs to you.
Englishman: (Savers the moment as he slowly grabs it) Ah… I will honor this gem.
Red Queen: Out of professional curiosity, I will let you know that most of the people on this List are indeed deceased. There are but only a few still alive.
Englishman: (Evil Grins) Oh, dear, the live ones are not whom I'm interested in; it is those who are in the grave.
(The Englishman and the Red-haired woman turn to see the man in the Red Hood standing before them, along with an interesting face- Samuel, from the darkened prison cell.)
TO BE CONTINUED…