Caitlyn had a new home in Brightburn. She was taken under the care of a couple, though they weren't a happy couple. They would act rude to each other when she wasn't around. It was odd. Also, they spoke to the men in suits that would sometimes come by the house.
Caitlyn hadn't spoken much to her new caretakers and kept to herself most of the time. She wished she was anywhere else other than Brightburn. The news have been reporting lots of bad stuff happening in their little town, and it gave Caitlyn anxiety. Unexplained things have been happening for a whole week and it seems there is no end.
Buildings have been destroyed, people have been killed, and there have been sightings of a figure flying through the sky. It was as if the world was ending.
Caitlyn was in her room using her laptop in bed watching a video about a news report regarding the presence of a strange symbol seen around Kansas. Lots of conspiracy theories have surfaced about the significance of it.
Recently, the military have been reported being around Brightburn. Some people believe it could be a foreign country or some terrorist group involved. Others say possible experiments are why they were there. What kinds of experiments were claimed from anything between super soldiers to orbital lasers. There was so much stuff said about the situation it honestly gave Caitlyn a bit of a headache when she had to sort through videos and forums to find more sound speculation. She usually didn't bother with this sort of stuff but she was desperate for answers of any kind.
Caitlyn clicked on another video which features a news segment discussing the incidents that have been happening with a government official. The video started with the reporter talking.
"So people have been concerned about what has been occurring in Kansas all over on social media. The footage we shown of the figure in the sky has raised further questions. Can you shed light on what has been occurring?"
The government official first fixed his tie and cleared his throat before he started to read out his scripted response he had rehearsed many times before he arrived to the news station.
"In Kansas, we are dealing with a case of domestic terrorism. Organized crime syndicates may be involved but we are still investigating that matter. Further details can not be released at this time but we are working hard at resolving the issue." The government official said calmly.
"That's awful and I hope for a speedy resolution. There is one thing I like to ask you. Recently, online footage has surface of a mysterious figure in the sky being sighted near various sites in Kansas. This has lead to lots of online speculation that this figure has something to do with the military presence at the state. Do you care to comment?" The reporter eagerly asked.
"Yeah, I seen it and it is likely nothing but a hoax. How come these types of things always have blurry footage? I wouldn't worry about this. It belongs on tabloids." The government official said before giving a small chuckle and smile to the camera.
"Alright. Thank you for clarifying." The reporter managed to say before the video ended.
Caitlyn scrolled down the list of recommended videos at the side of the screen. It featured more news clips and videos of online personalities speculating on the events at Brightburn.
She opened a new tab looked for any news articles. She saw a few headlines regarding Kansas and others discussing another disappearing ship in the South China Sea. She heard only a little bit about the subject but she was too preoccupied to invest herself into that.
Caitlyn sighed and logged off her computer. She closed the monitor down and placed it on top the drawer next to her bed. She crawled under the blankets of her bed and balled up into a fetal position. She closed her eyes and she hoped to fall asleep. She didn't want to think about anything. There was a sense of foreboding when she did pondered on her surroundings.
She still felt fear from the nights Brandon Breyer entered her room, especially the night her mother disappeared. Caitlyn's thoughts started to shift toward her mother. Caitlyn couldn't begin to imagine what Brandon did to her. Her eyes started to become teary and she moved her head so she could shove into the pillow. She didn't want to cry. She wanted to be hopeful but deep down she knew better. Her mother was most likely dead. She had experienced Brandon's speed and strength. For the latter, she had the cast on her right hand to prove it. She deep down believed Brandon was the one responsible for the tragic incidents around town like the plane crash.
She lifted her face out from the pillow and moved her body to face the ceiling. She still was fighting back tears.
I wish everything was the way it was before. Caitlyn sadly thought. A tear started to trickle down her cheek which was followed by a couple more. She silently cried as she placed the blankets over herself. She needed to cry after all that happened so far. She needed to mourn.
Love you, mom. Caitlyn thought.
"Hello, I am agent Carter and this is my partner, Hendrick. We have some questions for you, Charlie." Carter said with Hendrick at his side to Charlie who was injured.
Charlie was handcuffed to a hospital bed inside a room where he was being observed by a lone security camera.. He had a few bandages on him as a result of a few burns, and he was also shot in the leg which was now healing.
"I am not talking to you, pigs. Piss off." Charlie said with not a lot of energy. He sounded tired.
"Please cooperate. Now, you were reportedly found among the debris of a warehouse near the town of Brightburn here in Kansas. Please tell us what happened."
"N-no." Charlie nervously replied. He didn't want to incriminate himself since he was at that warehouse to perform a drug deal. He did remember that something strange occurred but Charlie felt the two men before him wouldn't believe him if he told them. Also, he wasn't exactly sure what happened for it all happened too quick.
"We know you are involved in the drug trade and you were meeting some people there. We don't care about your illegal practices. All we want to know is what happened. What do you remember?" Carter questioned before he stared at Charlie.
Charlie was silent and stared back at Carter. Hendrick silently observed the two before Carter spoke.
"If you tell us what you remember, you will be let go once you are fully healed. Refusal to cooperate is not an option." Said Carter. He then gestured to Hendrick who went toward a table in the room that had a black bag on it. Hendrick opened it and took out several devices which he laid out on the table. Charlie looked on at the table with a growing feeling of dread.
What the fuck? This is some sort of intimidation tactic? Charlie thought.
"Did anything odd occurred at the warehouse?" Carter asked a visibly nervous Charlie. Hendrick picked up a small device that resembled a rod that had a bottom on the side like a pen. Hendrick pushed it and at the tip of the device three sharp serrated blades popped out. Charlie trembled and understood they were serious.
Charlie couldn't help but tell them what happened since he rather not get tortured. He was likely to get beaten up by his boss for failing the deal if he was to be let go.
Agents Freeman and Winters were downstairs of their assigned home where they are to monitor Caitlyn. They were in the kitchen preparing themselves meals while they waited for Carter and Hendrick to return.
Freeman was a tall man with a dark skin tone. He hardly had much hair on his head and his face always looked morose. He silently boiled a hotdog in water which he observed with his tired eyes. He had been busy installing cameras outside the house.
Meanwhile, Winters was making herself a cup of coffee at the kitchen counter. She was a short woman with a bob haircut. She looked angry most of the time.
"Should we check in on the girl?" Winters suddenly asked her partner regarding Caitlyn while pouring coffee into a mug
"No. I am sure she's fine." Freeman said lifelessly. He wasn't really paying attention to what Winters said for he was concentrated on the hotdog as it floating in the boiling water. It was a depressing sight.
Agent Winters took a small drink from the mug and walked out of the kitchen to head to the basement of the house. They kept a few items there such as two assault weapons, medical kits, and a radio set that allowed Freeman and Winters to hear chatter from all around Brightburn.
Freeman turned off the stove and used a fork to get the hotdog out to place onto a plate with a hotdog bun. Next, Freeman emptied the water in the pot into the kitchen sink, and he proceed back to the hotdog to eat it. After finishing his sad meal, he left the kitchen and watched television in the living room.
Where are those guys? Freeman thought regarding Carter and Hendrick.
Ed was in his office looking at reports on his computer regarding the recent string of disappearing ships in the South China Sea. The report simply mentions that the Chinese government were looking into it and spies within their ranks were monitoring the situation for further data.
While Ed continued to look at other reports, Hendrick and Carter barged into the room. Ed leaned back into his chair and greeted the two agents.
"Hello, boys." Ed said with a smile.
"Hello, sir. We finished with the guy found in the warehouse wreckage from the town. Here is your bag." Carter said as he placed the black bag from earlier onto Ed's desk.
"I'm guessing my old torture kit made him sing?" Ed asked.
"Hell yeah he did." Hendrick responded before Carter could answer Ed.
"Anyway, we will be heading back to Brightburn." Said Carter.
"Go meet up with some of the military there before you go see Freeman and Winters. I got off the phone with the Director and the governor of Kansas has informed the soldiers of your presence. They are officially going to be your personal muscle when you need it down there. Remember to keep your interaction with them on a need-to-know basis."
"Well, uh, thank you, sir. That's great. Things have been looking grim down there with all the dead bodies and collapsed buildings." Responded Hendrick.
"Thank the Director. Now get out of here. Oh, and knock next time." Said Ed.
"Yes, sir." Carter and Hendrick replied simultaneously. The two agents then left the room and Ed returned to looking at various reports.
Caitlyn had gotten out of her bed. She wasn't able to sleep but at least she had a good cry. She went to a desk in her room which had a notebook and some pens on it. She took a seat while rubbing her eyes.
She then grabbed and opened the notebook to a blank page. Next, Caitlyn picked up a black pen. She decided to draw to pass the time.
She started by attempting to draw a flower. As she sketched the image, in the forests Brandon's ship glowed and whispers came out of it while it did.
While Caitlyn drew, she saw red flashes. She heart was starting to beat faster and she started to hear faint whispers. She continued to draw but she went of course with what she was originally drawing. Caitlyn saw more red flashes and began breathing heavily, her heart beating faster. She started to move the pen quicker, scribbling away like she had no control. The flashes grew more intense and the whispers became louder. Caitlyn then saw the image of burning cities and piles of corpses.
Finally, it all ceased and Caitlyn was left gasping for air. She was confused and looked down at the notebook. She had drawn a black silhouette of a humanoid figure with multiple limbs with a round, long body in what looked like a fetal position inside a circle with lines protruding outward, signifying rays of light. Caitlyn trembled in fear for she was uncertain of what was happening.
Meanwhile, the lights of Brandon's ship dimmed down and the whispers became calm. It was rapidly processing data and had one message to itself which it told in its alien language.
Located. Viable. Commencing next stage on selected specimen. Pre-set directives are going accordingly. Transmitting full progress report.
The ship then deactivated after it broadcasted a transmission into the depths of space. While that occurred, Brandon hovered over a forest near a freeway using his heat vision to ignite a massive forest fire. The flames raged on beneath him and he watched the plumes of smoke rise for a while. He felt immensely satisfied with himself. He loved the attention he was receiving for his slowly growing list of atrocities in and around Brightburn.
Then, he quickly vanished from the air as he soared back home. The ship had nothing else for him to do. Hopefully it will have something more fun to do. Brandon wanted to exercise his powers more. He'll have to wait a while longer.
Carter and Hendrick observed the wild fire that was started by Brandon inside their car as they drove on the freeway. They arrived shortly after Brandon left.
"Sheesh. This place is starting to suck even more. It's literally turning into Hell. I guess someone didn't listen to those commercials!" Hendrick commented.
Carter sighed. He had little to say on the subject. They continued to drive down the freeway.
At the depths of the dark ocean, a sunken city dimly glowed due to the bioluminescence on areas of its structures. Legions of horrid creatures obscured by shadows and the surrounding murky water moved about. A nearby graveyard of ships was quickly being disassembled with a humanoid being watching over them, floating with their arms stretched out. The figure's eyes glowed partially bright, and behind those eyes it was thinking.
Our time draws nearer. Soon we will march forth and devour all in our way. When He awakens, our glory will be everlasting for we are written.
The figure then quickly swam toward the depths of the city, entering a series of tunnels that connected the structures together in elaborate ways. It was like looking at a complex spider web that formed at a corner.
The figure went to the center of the city which a massive, lit tower with a spire at the top was located. Others spire protruded from along the sides of the building which leaned upward. From time to time, bolts of electricity zapped from the tips of the spires to each other.
Soon the next stage was to begin. Other places down at the ocean floor were almost finished in their preparations.