Disclaimer: I don't own nothing save the OC's so don't sue, its all the property of CBS and whatnot.
Chapter 8: A Storm This Way Comes
It had been two months since Charlie had materialized in the kitchen that morning and still, everyone barely left him alone. Whenever he went to consult for the FBI, Don would watch him like a hawk, and when his brother wasn't watching his every move, either Megan, Colby, or David would do it instead. It was an endearing thing, but a little annoying at the same time. It was no better at CalSci, Larry, Amita, and a few other teachers always dropping by to see him. Life was slowly returning to normal, but in the back of his mind, Charlie always felt on edge about the next time his cell would go off and he'd hear the voice of his Commander once again, telling him of another dire situation in which he and his two fellow operatives would be needed. But for now, it was a nice reprieve to just going back to his day job as a teacher. He now sat at his desk grading tests. When he was done, he got up and headed over to one of the many chalkboards in the room, putting on his headphones and picking up a piece of chalk.
A sigh escaped him as he began scribbling numbers while music filled his ears. He thought for the billionth about what would happen if those he loved would ever find out the truth that was his. Little did he know, a few fragments of this truth thought to be buried would reach the surface when an enemy from the past would unexpectedly pop up in the worst way…
Don Epps heaved a sigh as he and his team sat in the conference room. The case they were currently working on was a particularly gruesome one. Five people had been killed by this sick bastard, who'd, as a final insult carved a crescent into there necks. But only after having to endure God knows how many hours of exruciating torture. They had hit the proverbial brick wall, all of their leads taking them nor where. They were so wrapped up in their drepessed thoughts, they didn't notice a certain young curly haired math genius standing in the doorway.
" Don?" Came a quiet voice.
Don looked up from the file he was blankly staring at to see his baby brother standing in the entrance.
" Hey Charlie. Smiled Megan, always delighted to see the younger Epps.
" Hey." Said Charlie with a small smile of his own.
David and Colby both gave him a " Hey Charlie".
Don got up from his seat and met his brother where he stood.
" Hey buddy, what're you doin here?" He asked.
" Oh, I thought I'd drop by and see how you guys were." Answered Charlie as his gaze turned to the photos on the wall.
" What is that about?" Asked Charlie as he hid a small wince when he saw the bloody gore captured on fils.
Don heaved a sigh before he spoke.
" Look Charlie, I'm not going to lie to you, it's pretty bad, we have a serial killer on our hands." Charlie looked at Don in alarm.
" I didn't want to tell you..." Don trailed off when Charlie nodded his head silently in understanding. He then made his way over to the photos for a better look. As he gazed at one of the victims, he stopped cold when he noticed something. Megan's eyebrows knitted in confusion when she saw Charlie go rigid. The next sentence that came out of Charlie's mouth would make four hearts stop at once.
" I know who did this. Said Charlie in a voice devoid of emotion. There were several moments of stunned silence before Don spoke.
" Wait, what, Charlie what did you mean you know?". Asked Don
" The person you are looking for is Koyuki Jenshio, and she isn't just another serial killer, she is a trained assassin. And that mark on the victim's neck, the crescent, that is her calling card." Said Charlie as he turned to face them.
" Charlie, how the hell do you know this?" Asked Don as he stalked forward, the rest of the team following. Charlie averted his gaze back to the photos before he spoke.
" I saw her kill." He said quietly, leaving them all speechless.
Then with a sigh, Charlie managed to push past them and walk out of the room. However, he didn't get far,he'd barely taken a few steps before a hand wrapped itself tightly around his wrist.
Don yanked Charlie with him as he walked down the hall to somewhere moreprivate. Megan, Colby, and, David surround them as they walked. Don found an empty room andshovedCharlie into it, the FBI agents filed in and Colby closed and locked the door.
The second he heard the click of the lock, Don blew his top.
" WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN BY " YOU SAW HER KILL"?" He Screamed.
Megan, Colby, and David all winced, whenever Don Epps lost it, the world shook. Charlie however was surprisingly unphased by his brother's outburst.
" What I mean is,I saw her butchera man in Tokyo, and I... Charlie trailed offand stared at stared at the FBI agents.
He then gently pulled back some of his unruly curls to reveal a smalljagged, crescent shaped scare that just reached his hair line. he took a steady breath before he finished
" I was the only one she every showed mercy to."
" Oh my God. Whispered Megan as she brought a hand to her mouth, Colby and David would have to pick their jobs off the floor.
Don was beyond shell-shocked.
" I'm sorry Don... I have to go." Said Charlie as he made to leave.
He only got astep past Don before a hand wrapped itself around his wrist in a vice like grip. Charlie felt himself being wrenched around to face his brother. When he came face to face with Don.
Don'sgaze was a mixture of several emotions ranging from disbelief, shock, fear, and above all anger.
" You aren't going anywhere." He growled.
Then,the anger vanished. Then in anunexpected move, Don reached out and gently took Charlie's face into his hands.The two brothers stood that way before Don pulled Charlie into a fierce hug. Charlie wrapped his arms around his brother a worried look on his face.
" This was too easy. Smirked Charlie mentally.
The truth was, Ghost wasn't worried about himself at all. He had decieved them once again. The truth was, it was not he, Ghost,who'd recieved mercy from a killer. The truth was, he had granted Koyuki Jenshio by showing her the mercy of sparing her life. He had given her the opportunity to walk away from the reality they lived. It was obvious that she had let that opportunity escape. Now, he would have to finshed what she started. Now, he would have to punish her for her incredible stupidity.