"He really got messed up." Hendrick commented as he and Carter looked up to the decaying corpse of Royce impaled on a tree branch a few meters above them. The two were surrounded by local authorities investigating the scene out in the woods. A perimeter of yellow police tape was made and some firemen brought in a ladder to bring down the body. A body bag patiently waited near the ladder. Carter and Hendrick watched the attempt to retrieve Royce while holding handkerchiefs to their faces to block out the smell. Royce may have been placed very high of the massive tree but one could smell his rotting flesh from all the way down. He could possibly be smelled from all across the forest. Well, he was found because of some hikers smelling him.
The fireman that climbed the ladder carried a hatchet to cut the branch to be able to bring down Royce intact as much as possible. Although, lots of Royce had been consumed by maggots to passing birds.
"So you think this could be that missing kid? Uh, Royce something?" Hendrick continued to Carter while looking at him instead of the corpse.
"Definitely. I am certain the DNA test will prove it. Well, if we could get him down in one piece though that wouldn't matter. It fits with the time the missing persons report was filed."
"God. It has been a few days and he smells terrible." Hendrick replied.
"You just haven't been around many bodies in various states." Carter said while watching the fireman getting ready to hack away at the tree branch.
"Oh, are you about to tell me another one of your Gulf War stories, Carter? There is no need. I heard enough horror stories regarding war from my father about Vietnam." Hendrick said in a snarky tone.
The two became silent as hacking began on the tree branch. Then, they left the tree to get away from the sight of the disgusting removal. As they were walking away, they passed by a rock which was being photographed. Carter looked at the rock which him and Hendrick saw when they first arrived there.
The rock bore that same odd symbol that appeared in various other incidents around Brightburn. Carter pondered on many possibilities on who or what is responsible for leaving the symbols behind. For sure, a killer was involved but what would be their motive? The pleasure of the kill? A ritual?
Carter's thoughts were interrupted at the sound of the falling tree branch. Carter, Hendrick, and the local law enforcement all turned to the tree. The fireman had the head of the hatchet pinning the body to the tree for it slouched forward, almost falling to the ground though small flakes of Royce did fall. A deputy then yelled at the fireman.
"Hey, use your hands to get the body down!"
"Fuck you! This body is oozing shit and crawling with maggots! You would want to avoid touching this too!" Yelled back the fireman.
The fireman placed his hand on Royce and moved the hatchet away, passing it down to another fireman that climbed on the ladder to help. The body made a cracking sound while the fireman slowly moved it out with disgust. It was the back of the rib cage crumbling apart from the damages received by the impalement. The body was passed down and carried to the body bag waiting below.
"Bleh." remarked Hendrick behind Carter as they observed the placement of Royce's body into the body bag.
The two left the crime scene and walked backed to the road where their car was parked to the side along with other vehicles. A local news van was present and a reporter was talking to an officer. Carter and Hendrick ignored them and entered their car. They drove off down the road.
Brandon stared at his bowl of cereal with a spoon in hand within the kitchen. He observed how soaked the frosted flakes were. It reminded him of a bloody pulp of human flesh for some reason. He didn't know why but he quickly got back to reality and continued to eat his breakfast. He had to go to school.
Finally, Aunt Merilee was ready and was just going to find her keys in the living room. She found them on top of the coffee table and called out for Brandon. Brandon already had his backpack on while he was eating, and as soon as his aunt called for him he sat up from the table and walked to the front door.
They got into Merilee's car and drove off to the school. They failed to notice a black car parked nearby across the road that was waiting for them to leave. It was Carter and Hendricks and they moved the car closer to Merilee's house near the driveway.
The two stepped out of the car and walked to the trunk. Carter opened it and inside was a small case which he opened up. It had two power drills and various small microphones.
"Do you remember how to install these?" Carter asked Hendrick.
"Of course. How could I fucking forget?"
"Last time you almost blew our cover so I am just being sure."
"Well, don't worry. I mean, they just look like cables and if there were found nothing much would be thought of it. Also, the damn cat found the microphone-"
"Enough. Let's get this done quick. You have to do some babysitting" Carter ordered.
"Fuck you." Hendrick responded in a playful way. They closed the trunk and proceeded toward the house.
Brandon said goodbye to Aunt Merilee as he went to his class. He looked forward to after school for the ship called to him. It had orders waiting for Brandon to perform with the upmost effectiveness. He received this knowledge when he woke up in the morning more earlier than usual, about an hour before having to wake up to prepare for school. It was exciting almost for Brandon wouldn't need to act normal for anyone anymore. Everyone in the world should know what he is and that is a superior being! It would all be wonderful.
Brandon was in class and briefly doodled in his notebook while paying attention. Lately, he had been trying to draw what he had been dreaming. He was planning on drawing Royce in his final moments before death, but that was not on his mind. In fact, he almost forgotten that happened entirely until seeing the empty seat Royce would tease him from.
Royce's absence was hardly acknowledged by anyone, not even his friends. They probably did wondered at first but it hasn't been that long for them to deeply worry. His parents may have already went to report his sudden disappearance.
Anyway, Brandon found himself struggling trying to depict what he dreamt. He couldn't explain why for usually when he started drawing he does it quite decently. It is as if something was blocking the image of what he saw. Brandon definitely recalled the voices and the redness vividly. He tried hard to remember as such much as he could of the thing he saw in his dream.
"It shouldn't matter." Brandon reminded himself in his head. Next, he gave his full undivided attention to the lesson being taught by his teacher Ms. Espenschied. Maybe later he will revisit the matter.
Caitlyn has been at the police station for too long. She had a couple of visits with Social Services but they stopping coming. Instead, a man in a suit came to check on her, and this began yesterday. She had no clue what his name was and she was too scared to ask. It was strange for no doubt she should be within foster care by now. Far in the back of her mind, a small piece of her wondered if it all had to do with Brandon.
Caitlyn had avoided talking with anyone since she arrived at the station. The news of her mother's mysterious disappearance struck immense fear in her since it was no doubt the work of Brandon. She couldn't forget his words that night when he was in her bedroom.
"I'll take care of that." Brandon said that night before seemingly vanishing into thin air.
Caitlyn was seated on a bench which she slept on. She was given a pillow and a blanket by a deputy the day before yesterday for that is when she actually had a full night sleep. She kept herself awake out of fear of Brandon coming for her. Luckily, that didn't happen but eventually she would see him again. Anyway, as she sat she looked at her arm cast. The doctor she saw at Brightburn Memorial Hospital when Brandon broke her arm told her she would be wearing it for three months. Despite Brandon's strength, this made Caitlyn briefly hope to hurt Brandon before reality settled in. She had no clue how a boy his age was that strong.
She heard around the police station of a plane crash over Brandon's home in which he was the only survivor. Caitlyn pondered if he was even human along with the possibility that he had something to do with the crash.
"He's a freak." She thought. She then balled up her hands into fists.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the man in the suit stood over her.
Hendrick checked on the girl, Caitlyn, as he was ordered. Meanwhile, his partner Carter was monitoring Brandon Breyer. Hendrick had been 'babysitting', as Carter eloquently put it, since yesterday. He had not a lot do which bore him. Hendrick passed the time by talking to a few deputies, which he suppose was better than sitting in a car all day. Hendrick wondered how Carter had the patience for that.
"So how's the winter here in Brightburn?" Hendrick asked a male deputy at a desk nonchalantly. The deputy ignored Hendrick who just walked around from the desk to find someone else to chat with. He later did managed to struck a conversation with two deputies, one male and the other female, in the break room.
"I'm telling you, Bigfoot is bullshit." said Hendrick to the male deputy.
"Of course a government man such as yourself would say that. Y'all always lying about stuff." The deputy responded.
"Come on, man. What does anyone gain with lying about Bigfoot? We're talking about a supposedly overgrown Gorilla here!"
The conversation between the two were interrupted by the female deputy that asked a question to Hendrick.
"Hey, if you don't mind me asking, what are you doing here anyway?" She asked softly.
"Oh, well I am just here on business. Also, I am waiting for a call from my boss. You seen the girl here? Yeah, we may have a nice home for her," Hendrick responded in a boastful tone, "By the way, what's your name?"
"Rachel, and doesn't Social Services handle that, not FBI?"
"Well, Rachel, pedophiles lurk in Social Services which the Bureau is investigating. We handle things for now until we finish draining the swamp." Lied Hendrick with a smirk. He felt clever.
"Alright." Rachel replied.
Hendrick's phone then rang and surely that was Ed, his superior. He left the two deputies to get a bit of privacy before answering.
"Hey, Ed, I'm I done babysitting the girl?"
"Yes, we got approved some funding and we have acquired a home. We got two available agents to be her foster parents." Said Ed while putting out a cigarette at his end of the call.
"Cool. Who's getting hauled out here in Kansas?" said Hendrick happily.
"Agents Freeman and Winters."
"What?!" Hendrick almost yelled out.
"Do you have a problem with that, Hendrick?" said Ed in a mocking tone.
"No, I just hate those two, sir. I'll still act professional with them, but I wished you assigned someone else here."
"Too bad. They'll be a while so expect them around tomorrow. In the mean time, go interview the girl for anything."
"Can Carter do that? I am not good with kids."
"Hendrick... Shut up. I'll let Carter know of the developments." Ed told Hendrick before hanging up on him.
"God damn it." Hendrick then went to go talk to Caitlyn. He expected nothing useful would come of it but whatever.
Carter had just got off the phone with Ed. It was great more resources were being put into the investigation of Brightburn. Something big was happening here. He hoped that maybe more information can be found for further funding.
Carter was parked nearby the school. Students were leaving to go home and Carter observed the crowd for sight of Brandon Breyer. That kid was no where to be found. Carter squinted his eyes, closely observing the faces of students.
"Where is that kid?" Carter muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, Brandon snuck out to the back with his costume in hand. It was time. The ship called to him.
He dashed into the surrounding forests and quickly put on his mask. In no time, Brandon was in the presence of his ship as he left it last time. Red pulsing lights passed through the branches of the trees that partially blocked the entrance. Brandon felt a chill down his spine before hearing the voices.
His orders were simple. He was given a few targets to destroy that will cause a great wave of fear, thought the ship gave him one specific target first. It demanded him to train how to rapidly take out buildings. He was then given a quick vision of an abandoned mill, which he quickly recognized. It was in Brightburn. Without hesitation, Brandon flew to the old mill.
While Brandon flew, he had a recollection on the mill. He remembered his traitorous adopted father, Kyle Breyer, once telling him about the mill. They passed it once when they went to go hunting, and during the car ride Kyle told Brandon about it.
"You know, my father worked at that mill, Brandon. Everyday, he would get up early in the morning and be there as soon as he could. He took pride in his hard work. It was if he had a sense of purpose. He worked with..."
Kyle talked about it almost lamentingly. Brandon never met his grandfather but he wasn't all that interested in doing so then. He never had much thought about it. It was most likely possible he was dead just like his son Kyle.
Brandon shrugged away the thoughts. That man betrayed him. He tried to kill him! If only someone actually loved Brandon enough to see he is here to do good for the world. It's his for the taking!
Finally, Brandon was at the mill, floating over the derelict facility. There were a few buildings for him to destroy as practice before continuing to the real targets. He would skip this but he felt he shouldn't disobey the ship. After all, it awakened him and wants him to take the world which is what he wants.
The skill Brandon needed to perform is quickly flying through or by the structure while using his heat vision. It would be swift and a quick get away to reach other targets.
He quickly flew far to his left to do a fly by. He targeted a set of concrete silos. In a few seconds, after going by the silos with his heat vision, Brandon returned to the spot in the air over the facility. He watched as the silos loudly creaked and fell apart. It was precise demolition. Brandon felt personally satisfied and thought he may not need to practice after all.
Brandon flew away toward his targets which included a warehouse, a gas station, weigh station, and a grocery store. This were minor locations but they were a start to get Brightburn into a constant state of fear. There will be a face to the terror that has been occurring in the town.
Before Brandon destroyed the silo, within the mill a teenager was spray painting on the walls. He happened to spot Brandon in the sky as he was leaving to go meet up with friends. That teenager recorded Brandon in the air along with destroying the concrete silos. He was speechless at what he was looking at. As soon as he got home, he was going to upload the video onto his social media accounts in the faint hope of an explanation, along with views and likes.
Brandon had a smile under his mask as he soared through the air.
Hendrick waited outside of the station. He looked both ways down the road for Carter.
"Hurry the hell up, Carter." Thought Hendrick. Then, Hendrick finally saw Carter driving up the road to his location. Carter pulled over to the side of the road close to Hendrick, and rolled down the window.
"Took you long enough." Hendrick commented.
"Whatever. Anything from the girl?" Carter asked.
"Nope. Nothing. Thank god because it was kind of awkward."
"Well, Ed told me about the expansion on the operation here on Brightburn. We'll leave the girl to Freeman and Winters when they get here tomorrow. Get in so we could listen in on that Breyer kid." Ordered Carter after giving a loud sigh. Hendrick quickly went around the car to enter the front passenger seat.
Carter wondered if he should tell Hendrick about his failure to find the boy. He was no where to be found at school, and he hate to think the worst.
"Did the kid fell victim?" Questioned Carter earlier in his head. He had no way to know and it was more likely that he just failed to spot him. Although, Carter doesn't like to admit defeat. He can be quite the perfectionist.
As the car began to drive away, Hendrick turned on the radio scanner for anything interesting.
"A collapse has occurred at Milton's Storage Warehouse. In need of additional..." The chatter in the radio were saying.
"Aren't we lucky? That sounds worth looking into." Said Hendrick. Carter remained silent and had an emotionless expression on his face. He was thinking about whether to detour from spying on Brandon, but he made his decision.
"I guess so. Lots of unfortunate things been happening around so why not." Carter turned the car around at the direction the warehouse was located. He recall passing by that place.
Various men stood around a warehouse floor. Some held weapons openly while some concealed theirs. There were two groups present on opposite sides of the facility. They were surrounded by crates, carboard boxes, racks, and various shelves. Two men spoke to one another that lead the two groups at the center.
"Okay, Charlie, I hope ye have the 'sugar'. Our boss ain't the guy to fuck with." One of the men said who had a thick Southern accent, and wore a suit. A small swastika tattoo was present on his neck, though it was sometimes obscured by his shoulder-length blonde hair.
"Don't worry. We have it," said Charlie as he waved a hand at someone his side to push in a hand truck that had three boxes stacked on top each other, "Why would we disappoint? Do you have the cash, Jack?" Charlie wore a flannel shirt with a pair of blue jeans. He was tall and had a black hair that was combed back.
Meanwhile, three more hand trucks with boxes were being rolled in between the two negotiating men.
"Hell yeah I do! Leonard, show dis guy his payment." Said Jack as he turned to speak to Leonard. Leonard was a short, overweight man that had brown hair in a bowl haircut. He had on a large duffel bag over his right shoulder, which he took off and tossed right in between the exchange.
"Thank ya, Leonard." Jack said with a smile.
Charlie went and grabbed the bag closer to him. He kneeled down, opened the bag where he found lots of rolled up bills in rubber bands.
"Ooh, bless the lord!" Commented Charlie as he looked through the bag. As he did, little did he know, or anyone for that matter, that this deal was likely to be their last. As Charlie counted, a loud boom occurred along with red streaks of light.
It all happened so quick. Charlie looked up to see Jack gone but splatted pieces all over the room. Some of the men beside Jack had burned streaks on them and they laid dead on the ground as the others nearby looked on in confusion and horror. Next, there was a loud creaking sound as the warehouse started to collapse. Charlie turned to see his men and saw that some of them were dead in the same way. As the building collapsed, the two remaining groups began to open fire on each other, believing that somehow the other is responsible. Charlie quickly grabbed the bag of money and narrowly avoided being hit by bullets. He jumped behind a forklift that was sandwiched next to wooden pallets wrapped in plastic. Unfortunately, a bullet struck him in the calf.
Finally, the building came down, crushing an unfortunate few to death or impaling some. Dust flew around and there was the smell of something burning somewhere. Charlie fainted as a wave of fear swept over him. He believed he was going to die and he saw his crooked life flash before his eyes.
"I was telling Rachel the other night that BBQ chips are the best flavor and she..." A teenager was saying to his friend at a gas station. The clerk, Joe, listened to the teen with annoyance as he scanned the items he placed to purchase, which was a bag of barbecue flavored potato chips, a bottle of water, and some gummy worms. Finally, the teen and his friend left as Joe gave them their change.
"Please let there be no else coming today." Thought Joe. He really just wanted to sit and read a book he had been meaning to finish. It was a science-fiction, fantasy novel.
What he liked about the job is that he was able to do other things and still get paid for it. It was only everyone once in a while someone came by. Most prefer to just keep on heading to Brightburn where they could find gas. The station he was in was only a mile and a half away. Still, some people stopped by.
Before getting to his book which he placed beneath the counter, Joe remembered he had to take out the trash. He almost always forgot about it and he didn't want to get any flack for it again like last time. The trash can was near the entrance of the station which was shaped in the likeness of a soda can. He got the bag inside it and went out the front. The dumpster was located at the side of the structure.
Joe quietly whistled his way and as soon as he lifted the lid, his world went black. All he heard was a loud boom and something hard hitting him in the back. It was a piece of debris from Brandon rushing by and exploding the old gas station. It is an awful shame Joe would never know the end of the book he was reading.
Various trucks were parked into a weigh station. A large trucker stepped out of his truck to use the restroom. Sadly, the restroom in the building of the weigh station had plumbing issues and there was a portable toilet outside to use.
He quickly entered the portable with much reluctance but he didn't want to defecate in his pants. The smell was awful inside the toilet and it was going to get worse. He gave a disgusting release which quickly relieved him. As he was using the toilet, several loud explosions and creaking occurred outside. Then, the portable toilet fell back with great force.
After being covered in human filth, the trucker got out of the toilet with anger but that faded away quickly. After swinging the door open and peering out, he saw trucks engulfed in flames along with the building nearby. Good thing he used the toilet for he would have shit himself at that moment.
A young girl ran up to her mother with a box of cereal within the local grocery store of Brightburn. She had a large smile on her face and she held up the box as high as she could.
"Can we get it?" She begged in a soft voice.
"Sure, dear." Her mother responded with a smile.
"Yay!" Then the girl proceeded to put the box of cereal in the box. The girl's mother looked at a slip of paper that had items written down on it that they needed to purchase.
The young girl looked at a shelf of canned foods as she swung her arms around. She was only a few feet away from her mother with the shopping cart.
"Let's go, sweetie." Her mother said in a friendly tone. The girl complied and was at her mother's side. As they exited the aisle, a loud sound occurred of things breaking. The lights within the store flickered and the building seemed to shake.
The girl's mother assumed it was an earthquake so she quickly grabbed her daughter. They ducked beside the shopping cart against a mostly empty shelf in case the roof collapsed, which it definitely did.
Brandon had to go through the building a second time to get the job done. Some fires were also starting to grow thanks to Brandon's heat vision.
As the ceiling fell, the mother clutched her screaming daughter tightly.
Brandon felt proud of himself. He left behind lots of destruction within minutes! Only someone like himself could do such a feat.
Brandon floated high into the air, almost obscured by low passing clouds. He quickly recalled his aunt and so he went home. A large cloud of smoke was starting to come out of the grocery story he just leveled.
"The world is mine for the taking!" Brandon thought as he flew across the sky.
Under the waves, a humanoid figure silently floated. With dark glowing green eyes, it just waited patiently as a ship was coming in the distance. It grew a set of tentacles from its torso that had barbed tips. More materials were needed and at the bottom of the South China Sea hundreds waited in the darkness to harvest what they could from the ship once it sunk. They just need a little more for them to be ready. Soon they will all feed and welcome His return.
The figure then started to move once the ship got close enough, right above where the others were waiting. Without hesitation it propelled itself toward the ship, quickly bringing doom for all aboard. Humans were going to be so easy. There will be no one getting in their way.
This world will be theirs for the taking!