I'd like to point out right now, that on the computer I wrote this on, well, it doesn't have Word. So I've had to type it as an email draft. So, if anyone IS reading this, I apologise for any mistakes I have made and failed to correct. I'm going to say this for the rest of the story that I don't own anything you recognise, only the OC's.
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"Help out. Talk to them. Make sure everyone's having a good time." The six delinquents stood in a line. Six pairs of eyes were scanning the room that had, for the day, turned into a room filled with people who were waiting for God. Wrinkled, grey haired or in the case of some, bald. The only thing was, this particular waiting room, looking rather cheery. There were couples dancing ahead of them, the majority of the people sitting down only doing so because they were in wheelchairs.
Elsie looked to her left from her spot next to Curtis and eyed the expressions of everyone else. They did not look amused. In the slightest. It seemed the only good thing about an old people's party, was that they didn't have to wear the orange jumpsuits. Elsie had the suspicion that Sally didn't want any of the oldies having a panic attack at the thought of being in a room with 'Criminals' and had informed them when they had returned from litter picking, that they could change back into their normal clothing for this particular activity.
"M-move." Sally insisted, the hopeful smile she had worn seconds before, had disappeared at the lack of enthusiasm emanating from the line of people in front of her.
Slowly, as if afraid to be the first one to break rank, the group took tentative steps towards the old people milling around the room. Elsie was unsure of where to go. The only time she was around old people, apart from living with her Gran, was when she had to spend time with her great Aunts and Uncles. She was unused to any other old person. She had been told that they dribbled a lot, had to rely on carers to get them dressed in the morning and before bed, sometimes when they had accidents in the trouser department. Or so she had heard from her Great Uncle Richard. She didn't want to approach anyone, for fear of startling them, but she couldn't just stand of to the side of the room and do nothing. But as it turned out, she needn't have worried.
"Elsie!" Up on the raised platform, a few feet away from the real party, was a couple, lounging, talking, and looking right the young adults. Scanning each one with a critical eye. "Elsie!" The voice of the woman shouted over everything else in the room. With the gaze of everyone who still had perfect hearing upon her, her shoulders slumped. "Elsie, my darling!" Slowly, she spun on her heel and faced the direction of the platform. Her cheeks by now, were red with embarrassment, and a false cheery smile lifted her lips. Great Aunt Rita had been , and always would be, possibly the most annoying OAP ever to exist. Followed closely by the man currently sitting next to her. Great Uncle Richard, her twin brother and 'partner in crime'.
"Hello. Great Aunt Rita." Elsie slowly spat out to the woman through gritted teeth as she neared them, stepping up onto the platform, not even bothering to look at her Great Uncle Richard, knowing full well he too would have a teasing smirk across his lips. He was always ready for her, witty lines and ridiculing words were always piled up in his mind for the next time he saw her. It didn't take her very long to be antagonized by the pair before her. But she loved them. Wouldn't change them for the world. "Great Uncle Richard." She nodded her head to him.
"Why must you insist on calling us that? You know it make us feel old." The woman questioned, as she always did.
"It's because you are old." Elsie deadpanned.
"Are not!" Uncle Richard spat, insulted.
"Look where you are Uncle Richard! You're at a party for the old people."
"But we're not sitting with them."
"No, you're sitting over here, criticising everyone else. Probably comparing yourselves to them as well." She crossed her arms over her chest now, her confidence returning, her blush fading. "Maybe something along the lines of 'Who on earth would wear a skirt like that?'" She raised her eyebrow, turning her attention onto her Great Uncle. "While you're probably too busy wondering what their legs look like underneath said skirt to listen to a word your sister is saying? Or even worse, you're eyeing the other two girls I'm on Community Service with?" His only reply was to sputter with offence.
"I didn't-I never-"
"Save your breath Uncle Richard, you'll need it later for dancing."
"I always knew there was a reason I liked you." Aunt Rita spoke with a chuckle. "How are you my dear?" She grasped Elsie's hand with her own, causing the girl to relax somewhat.
"Apart from the fact that I'm on Community Service, currently surrounded by old people and being given a very evil look by my Probation worker?" She glanced over her shoulder to look in the direction she thought Sally was standing. Sure enough, the dark haired woman was watching the three with a keen eye and a disapproving gleam. "Great. Where's Great Aunt Ruth? She never misses a party" She did a double take when she spotted Nathan, in the middle of the dance floor, busting some moves. She bit the inside of her cheek to prevent the laughter bubbling out of her mouth.
Her Aunt Rita wafted a disinterested hand around in front of her. "Around." Her answer was vague, and she quickly changed the subject. "Elsie, would you be a dear and get us some food?"
"Because your too frail and old to get up yourself?"
"Certainly not!"
"Oh calm down Uncle Richard, I was joking. What do you want?"
"Sausage rolls." The siblings spoke at the same time. It never ceased to amaze Elsie just how similar the pair in front of her were. No matter how much they tried to deny it. It was a common occurrence for them to finish each others sentences, dress in a similar fashion, and other creepy things that twins often did. There was also no doubt in Elsie's mind that if they were both the same gender, they would be identical in every way. Same white hair that was once, blonde, same sparkling blue eyes, same slim figures, same noses, same mouth, same everything. If it wasn't for the fact that she was related to the pair, she would avoid them at all costs.
With a roll of her eyes, Elsie spun around and began to walk away. "Back in a minute." She shouted over her shoulder to the pair. Avoiding the bodies of swaying old timers and the funny looks she was getting from Sally, Elsie quickly made her way to the food table, noticing the decent food of choice was right in front of Nathan and the pretty woman he was flirting with. She weighed her options. She could either stand around, pretending to eye the food and wait for the pair beside her to move along. But that could take ages, especially if the girl wasn't interested and Nathan wouldn't let her be. There was also the risk that Sally might drag her away and make her dance with someone. Dancing wasn't exactly one of her fortes and she would no doubt be even worse at it if she was being held against someone. Or being held at all.
The only other option she could think of, was rudely interrupting the pair by making her way between them. Hopefully, the woman's prettiness would distract Nathan long enough for him to not notice she had barged between them. It was a risk. But she was willing to take it.
"Sorry, can I just squeeze in?" She mumbled hoping she wouldn't be heard.
"Oh, Elsie." Damn, he had noticed. "This is errr... this is ummm..." He really had got off to a great start if he hadn't even learnt her name yet.
"Ruth." She supplied.
"Elsie, this is Ruth. Ruth this is Elsie." Elsie stuck her hand out to shake but was more than a little surprised when Ruth wrapped her arms around her.
"It's wonderful to meet you." A familiar scent filled her nostrils as Ruth spoke, making her feel at ease and loosely hug the woman back.
"Do you two already know each other?" Nathan, his voice perplexed, questioned, causing Ruth to release Elsie from her arms.
"Oh, no." Ruth answered, attempting to sound casual. "So, are you two courting?" Her attempt to change the subject almost caused Elsie to choke on her own spit.
"If you mean dating then fuck no." Elsie stated.
"It's not that she wouldn't if she could." Nathan wrapped an arm round her shoulder. "It's that she can't. She's my...sister." So not only had Nathan not learnt her name until Elsie had appeared, but he was already in the stage of lying to the girl. Elsie looked up at him from her short height. An unamused look gracing her face. But his features altered from the cocky wanker he usually was, to something that resembled pleading.
"Yep. That's right. I'm his sister." Elsie turned back to look at Ruth and wrapped her arm around Nathan's skinny waist.
"Siblings?" Ruth questioned. A knowing smirk appeared. "You don't look very similar."
"Different Dads." Elsie supplied, sounding confident as she moved in front of Nathan and began to pile sausage rolls onto a paper plate. "I should go. Leave you two to it." She stuffed a roll in her mouth and began to move away.
"It was nice meeting you." Ruth called to her. Elsie looked back over her shoulder, waved at the blonde, and turned back round. But her journey was cut short as she spotted her relatives up and dancing. Aunt Rita caught her eye and mouthed a rather rude 'Fuck off!' to her over the shoulder of the elderly gentleman she was pressed tightly against. Her Uncle Richard had got lucky too, and was currently swaying with a woman in a beige skirt.
Instead of going anywhere near the dance floor, Elsie opted to take a seat at a table. Making sure an oldie was there so she could avoid any trouble Sally would bring.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" She pointed to the chair in front of her, as she asked the man on the opposite side of the table. He reminded her somewhat of Father Christmas. The hair that covered most of his face had turned white and he had hardly any wrinkles on his face. As if he didn't smile much.
"I wouldn't mind a bit of company." His German accent was gentle, his voice soft and reassuring. "Please." Elsie quickly sat down, thankful to the weight off her feet despite not having been on them for very long. She turned her whole body to look at him, (she had been watching Aunt Rita's hands slide lower to the bottom of the man she was dancing with) and decided to break the silence.
"Forgive me for asking, but what exactly are you doing here? You don't look old enough to be here." He chuckled to himself. Elsie decided the smile suited him.
"Well" He began, "There isn't much for someone my age to do in this town. I heard about this and thought I would give it a try. What about yourself? If you're as old as the other women here you look splendid for your age."
"I'm on Community Service. I have to be here. Make sure people are having fun." She stuffed a sausage roll in her mouth, hoping he would change the subject.
"You know that woman over there?" Apparently he had caught on. She looked over her shoulder to where he was pointing, only to find he was talking about Aunt Rita.
"Oh yes." She swallowed the remains of food in her mouth to speak clearly. "That's my Great Aunt. And that man over there?" She pointed over to Uncle Richard to find him attempting to flirt with Sally. "That's her twin brother. Right pair together they are." She turned back to face forward, taking a bite of another sausage roll and remembered her manners. "Did you want a cup of tea or something?"
"I am alright. Thank you. Though, I wouldn't say no to a sausage roll?" He inquired. She pushed the plate to the centre of the table allowing him to reach forward and tuck in. "If we are sharing food, perhaps it would be polite to introduce ourselves?"
Elsie leaned across the table, reaching her hand out towards him. "Elsie. Elsie Cooper."
He gently, but tightly grasped her hand in both of his. "Friedrich. Friedrich Hirsch."
"So what's happening?" Elise pushed herself away from the wall as Curtis approached her, casually walking in step beside him as if she'd been there the whole time.
"We're meeting the others at Simon's." He looked down at her. "Tell everyone what happened last night. Did he say anyfin'to you?"
"Said he could sue. But I told him he wouldn't get much. Managed to stop him bleeding too."
"Good." A comfortable silence fell between them that was only filled with the sound their jeans as they walked and his tracksuit jacket as he seemed to fidget. "Thanks by the way."
"What for?" An eyebrow raised in question as she looked up at him.
"For sortin' things out last night." He only looked down at her for a brief second, glancing away as soon as he noticed her watching him. But she could tell, from that one glance, that he meant it. But if she cast her mind back, it was a rare thing for Curtis to not be sincere with her. Sometimes it felt as if she was the only one he could stand. There were often times when she felt the same way. Curtis Donovan was possibly the most serious person Elsie had ever met. But sometimes, (and those times mainly consisted of when she was around Nathan) serious, was what she needed. Elsie was more than thankful for his presence.
"That's alright." She shrugged and tucked her hands into the pockets of her black hoodie. It wasn't often that she wore anything that wasn't colourful. It was the fact that someone had given it to her. Someone, whose identity was currently only known to herself and Alisha. It was a few sizes too big for her, yes. But it was warm and comfy, and sometimes, she could still smell his aftershave. It was a comfort to her. She felt a little selfish for not giving it to Alisha after the events in the warehouse. The girl had after all, fallen in love with 'Super Hoodie'. But Elsie had wanted to keep it all to herself. If everything went the way it was supposed to, and apparently it had, then Alisha would once again, be with the man she loved. Somehow. It wasn't often that Elsie was selfish. At least according to her Gran. But Alisha hadn't known about the hoodie. Had never laid eyes on it until Elsie had worn it out. Hadn't recognised it when she had eventually seen it. So, she had continued to keep it to herself. It felt nice to keep a secret that wasn't anything dangerous.
As the pair turned the last corner, a smile graced Elsie's face. She always enjoyed her visits to the 'Bellamy Cave' as she had so fondly named it all those months ago when the Future Simon had first taken her there. It was actually one of her favourite places. She had loved it so much, Future Simon had informed her she was welcome to visit whenever she wanted. Though she had always been careful to avoid visits when Alisha was around. It was bad enough walking in on your own parents having sex, let alone two of your best friends.
The two entered the lift, Curtis firmly closing the door behind them.
"You ever noticed there's no music in here?" Elsie spoke up, talking over the quiet rattling of the lift.
"Huh?" His face was crinkled with confusion.
"You know, some lifts have music. It's either some really classical shit, or something incredibly cheesy. Or maybe that's just when you're put on hold?"
"You say some of the weirdest shit I have ever heard you know that right?" But instead of replying, she only sent him a smile, flashing her teeth to him. "I thought that was only in America anyway?" She couldn't control the laugh that escaped her as the lift came to a halt. With a muscly arm, he pulled the door open effortlessly, to reveal the other three were already there. Standing not far away. It looked as if Kelly too, had just arrived.
"So, wot's this all about?" Alisha, skipping straight to the point and looking as if she hadn't long rolled out of bed, yet still managing to look beautiful, crossed her arms across her chest.
"Last night at the bar, you know the tall guy? The one that spoke french?" Curtis began as everyone gathered in a circle to listen.
"Something happened." Elsie continued. "One moment everything's fine, then the next..." She was unsure how to finish her sentence, but she needn't have worried. Curtis finished it for her.
"His head's all cut up an I'm standing there with a broken bottle in my hand I don't remember doin' anyfin'."
"No one saw anything either." Elsie added on.
"That is definitely some power shit." Kelly spoke her thoughts.
"What are we going to do?"
"We don't have to do anything." Alisha did sort of have a point. "We keep our heads down and stay the fuck out of it."
"Cos that always works!" Curtis also had a point.
"This is the kind of shit where we need that guy in the mask." Elsie's shoulders slumped. Kelly was right. But the guy in the mask wasn't exactly available. She shared a brief but nervous glance with Simon and Alisha before Alisha spoke up again.
"Look, why do we always have to get involved? Can't we just do normal stuff that normal people do, like...go for brunch?"
"Only posh and fat people go for brunch." Elsie mumbled to herself.
"Wot the fock is brunch?" It was possibly the most confused Elsie had ever seen Kelly, and she had to hide her smirk behind her hand.
"Look, I really want a shower so I can get dressed." Alisha sounded angry, though she had no real reason to be. But they all took the hint and began walking back to the lift. Simon lagging behind so he could have a few moments with Alisha.
"No, seriously, wot the fock is brunch?" Kelly asked again.
"You know when you have a snack between breakfast and lunch?" Kelly nodded as they all leant against the wall to wait for Simon as he started walking towards them. "That's what people call it. Well, the posh people do so that people will think they're posh, and the fat ones call it that as an excuse to eat. 'I'm hungry, but I've had my breakfast, it's not quite lunch. Must be brunch time.'" Elsie shrugged her shoulders as Simon closed the lift door behind him.
"Does it 'ave to be a particular type of food this brunch?" Kelly continued.
"No. Can be whatever you want."
There was a pause as Kelly considered this. "Anyone fancy a bacon sandwich?" The other three nodded as the they left the building, the sunlight blinding them for a few seconds.
"So is this, like brunch?" Kelly looked to Elsie and Simon for confirmation as the four walked, sandwiches safely in hand and in the case of Simon, a coffee. Elise slipped her phone from her pocket to check the time.
"Perfect timing. Why?" She answered before taking a bite of her meal.
"Cos it feels like I'm just eatin' a bacon sandwich." The other three chuckled, Elsie attempting to not choke on her food.
"Oi, that's him." The four came to a halt at the bottom of some familiar stars. "That's the guy that said I bottled 'im." Sure enough, at the top of the stairs was the tall guy from last night. Wearing an orange jumpsuit and carrying a litter picker and blue rubbish bag.
Despite the fact that she had hardly slept all night attempting to remember where she had seen this guy before, she could not place him. His voice was new to her, so she couldn't have spoken to him before last night. She had figured perhaps she had seen him around Wertham, maybe spotted him in the club that night all their powers were reversed. But nothing came to her. Eventually she had fallen into a dreamless sleep. But upon waking, his face still haunted her. Deciding that if she didn't think about him at all, the answer would just pop into her mind when she least expected it. But still, she had had no luck.
The four had not spoken, only stood and watched as the guy raised his hand in the air in celebration of something. But the blonde with the funny fringe began to pant heavily once more, the tall guy stood, unmoving as if he had turned into a statue.
"What's she done to 'im?"
None of the four moved as they watched, transfixed, at what was going on. The blonde moved towards the guy, but from their position, Elsie couldn't see exactly what was happening. But before she could speak up, the guy fell down the stairs, tumbling and groaning. It would be a miracle if he wasn't hurt by the time he stopped.
The four took tentative steps forwards when he had eventually stopped lying face up on the concrete. They halted again when they were circling him and watched as he looked up at them, still groaning to himself.
"Are you alright?" Simon asked. Elsie took a bite of sandwich and waited.
Tall guy raised an arm and pointed at Curtis. "You're that crazy barman that bottled me, you are."
"Because that answered his question." Elsie's sarcastic statement drew his attention to her. He smiled up at her from the ground.
"It's the pretty barmaid. You a'right there pretty barmaid?" He had just fallen down a set of concrete stairs and he was asking is she was alright? Something had to be wrong. But Curtis beat her before she could open her mouth.
"I didn't bottle you, it must have been her." He pointed to upwards to where the blonde was looking down at them all. With her free hand, Elsie reached down and offered him her help to stand. He accepted it and with a small groan got to his feet.
"Why would she do that?" He asked them, letting go of Elsie's hand and holding his stomach. But instead of answering, the five looked back to the top of the stairs. Just in time to see her panting again. The feeling that trouble was brewing made Elsie feel uneasy. But she didn't have time speak. The next thing she new, the girl was no longer at the top of the stairs and a car alarm was wailing from behind them. The bacon sandwich Kelly had been munching on had vanished to be replaced by a chunk of cinderblock. As had the bag Simon had been carrying. And the bag Curtis had been carrying. Elsie looked down at her hand as everyone else turned to the car. Already knowing what would be waiting for her, but hoping she would be wrong anyway.
The sandwich she had been enjoying was gone, casually dumped on the floor at the foot of the stairs. "My bacon sandwich." She mumbled sadly to herself as Kelly cursed.
"Fock." They were quickly distracted by the siren of the Police car that was driving towards them. "GO!" The four quickly dropped their cinderblocks and turned to run in different directions. Elsie had been about to follow Simon when a hand dragged hold of her wrist and dragged her up the stairs. With one last mournful glance at her abandoned sandwich, Elsie faced forward and allowed the tall stranger to drag her away. She could only hope the others would not get caught.
"Wait!" Elsie called, out of breath and legs already hurting. "Can we stop?" He did so and bent over at the waist, his grasp still tight on her wrist. "I can't hear sirens. I think we're okay." She swallowed, her throat was dry and she felt as if she couldn't catch her breath. "Where are we?" It was a good question. They had stopped at the base of more stairs. It wasn't too far from the damaged car, but far enough for the troubled feeling Elsie had to vanish.
"You a'right sweet cheeks?" He inquired now, standing up straight.
"You're hurting my wrist." She informed him with a shrug, her breathing almost under control.
"Sorry." He loosened his grip but didn't let go completely.
"You owe me a bacon sandwich." She leant back against the wall and looked up at the sky.
"What? Why do I owe you a friggin' bacon sandwich?" He sounded outraged.
Her head snapped back down to look at him. Though she didn't exactly have far to look down. He was, like everyone else, taller than her. "This is your fault." She stated the obvious.
"Right, 'ow the 'ell is this my fault?"
"You must have done something for her to push you down the stairs like that?" Her answer caused him to close his mouth, a slight pout appeared as he mulled over her words.
"But I don't know what I've done." He stared at the wall, concentrating, as if thinking of what it was he could have done.
"Look, it doesn't matter right now, we should hide upstairs, I'll call the others." She pulled her phone from the pocket of her jeans and began to walk up the stairs. "Could I possibly have my wrist back please?" He caught her somewhat annoyed tone and let go instantly, holding both hands in the air as she turned and carried on up the stairs.
It didn't take long for Simon to answer his phone. "Where are you?" But her call was a waste of time as she could see him and Kelly running just below them. "Forget it, just look up." The pair looked up right at her and made their way towards the stairs. The tall guy, had by now, sat down on the ground and was still panting slightly. Groaning too. Elsie wondered if he ever stopped groaning. A hand wrapped itself around her wrist again as two sets of footsteps approached them, jerking her down to the ground next to him. She had opened her mouth to inform him that had hurt, but Kelly had seated herself on the stairs, Simon crouching next to her. "Where's Curtis?"
"Not sure." Simon replied. "It was lucky I bumped into Kelly."
"I'll call him."
"I've gotta stop smoking and doin' loads of speed, me." The guy beside her panted out with a chuckle. Elsie hung up her phone and she spotted a green tracksuit jacket ascending the stairs. His appearance caused the guy beside her to jump slightly as he entered Elsie's personal space.
"I thought they had ya." Kelly stated.
"No." A sneaky smile creeped up his lips. "I got away. I..." But he stopped and looked at the tall guy who seemed to be listening with a keen ear. "I did my fing." He ended his sentence somewhat lamely. His tone was laced with disappointment at not being able to tell them he had used his power.
"Ah" Tall guy spoke up next to her, clicking his fingers as if to make his point. "If that's some sort of vague reference to all this 'power' bullshit..." He waved his fingers around in front of him for a few seconds. "...then don't worry about it, cos I am cool and the gang with all that." He sounded genuinely pleased with himself as the others did nothing but stare at him. Slowly, Elsie met the gaze of Curtis, then Kelly. Until it was only Simon left staring at him, reminding Elsie of those first few weeks of Community Service when he was uncomfortable around everyone. "You're very starey." He pointed out the obvious.
"So what now?" Elsie broke the silence and gained everyone's attention.