Heather didn't show up for dinner, Peter started to worry. He drummed his fingers on the table and glared at the door. He set his fork down to sign, Do you think beans' class is running late?
"No, Edbe and Nexus got here a few minutes ago. " Nebula points out where they're sitting.
"Are you still worried about Heather?" Allace leans forward in their seat. They don't wait for Peter to respond before asking, "Who do you think is trying to kill her?"
Peter glares at his plate. He suddenly didn't feel hungry anymore. He signs slowly: It's hard to imagine any of our siblings trying to kill her.
"Miertra." Nebula said definitively. Peter looks up at her with surprise and anger. "He was devastated by Cauda's death. I don't think he can ever forgive Heather for that."
Ophid considered this for a moment and then says, thoughtfully, "What about Photon or Nexus? Photon would be the best fighter in her age bracket without Heather."
"And she'd get more attention from Ebony Maw, " Allace nodded along.
Peter slams his palms on the table standing up suddenly. He signs aggressively: that's not a good reason to kill our sister!
Nebula tilted her head to the side curiously, "You've killed people for a lot less." Peter makes a face at her and shakes his head. She elaborates, "What about the soldier you killed for shooting at a musty? Or when you killed our tutor for hitting Nexus with a ruler?"
She made Nex cry, and besides, that doesn't count anyway. Peter signs in his own defense.
Allace looks at him funny, "Why wouldn't it count?"
They don't treat us like people so it doesn't count.
"Peter that doesn't make any sense," Allace replied bluntly.
"You have to stop hitting him on the head when you fight. You're making him stupid!" Ophid tries to scold Nebula but starts giggling. Nebula smirks. Peter flips them off and walks away from their table.
He stalks over to the buffet and waves down one of the Aprons. He asks for a lunchbox but the Apron only looks at him strangely. "I'm sorry, did you need something?" Peter signs the word lunchbox with more aggression. "I don't understand." He exhales sharply and runs his hands through his hair. The apron takes a step back, "I'm sorry."
"He wants a lunchbox, " Kekallie calls out from behind him.
"Of course, I'm sorry, right away." They back away slowly, while keeping their eyes on Peter. He wanted to say that looking him in the eyes would not stop him from killing them, but they wouldn't understand him anyway.
"It must be frustrating not being able to communicate with them." Kekallie's presence is soothing, Peter relaxes a little. She gestures to her mouth, "Does it still hurt? I can get you more medication."
Peter half shrugs and then shakes his head. "Well that's good, " she said. Peter leans against his sister for comfort.
The Apron returned with a clear plastic container. "Will this work?" Peter takes it from them.
He trails down the buffet, filling the plastic container with food that Heather liked. Candied arachnids and caramel mapple slices. Kekallie raises one curious eyebrow. Peter sets the container down and signs solemnly: for beans.
Kekallie takes the container from him and fills it with healthier food. "She's been spending all her time in that lab of hers. I think she might even be sleeping there." Kekallie chuckles like there's a joke in there somewhere.
Peter shakes his head. Beans is sleeping in my cabin.
Kekallie puts a lid on the container and sets it aside. "You always made her feel safe." He bites back a smile and his chest swells.
You think so?
"Of course, " she touched his hair affectionately. "Hurry along, dinner is almost over." Peter carries the container out of the Mess hall. He stops by his cabin and grabs the bag of jellybeans off his dresser. He tucks them into his pocket before going to look for Heather.
He wanders past her empty laboratory and down to the gym. This region on the ship is abandoned during dinner. He carefully steps over the cleaning bots milling about the hallway. Photon was standing outside an open door to the gym. She's lurking in the shadows. Ebony Maw's voice echoes down the hallway, "Why didn't you fight back?"
Photon spots Peter walking towards her and grabs him by the arm. She pressed a finger to her lips and Peter rolled his eyes. "I–I couldn't. Not after Cauda." Heather's voice waivers, she sounds like she's on the verge of tears. "Miertra can't even look at me."
"My dear, I know this hard for you, but you must understand that this is how they've always felt. Your siblings never really cared for you, they're your competitors." Ebony's tone is gentle but it made Peter's blood boil. He dug his fingernails into palms. "Do you know who your attacker is?"
Heather hesitates, "uh, it happened so fast, I couldn't concentrate. I don't um, don't know."
"How disappointing, I thought I taught you better than that," Ebony's tone soured. Heather mutters something too quiet to be understood. "I'm the only one on your side here. Don't you trust me?" Peter tries to stalk into the room but Photon restrains him. She shakes her head.
"Of course I trust you, " Heather mumbles flatly, "but I don't know if, "
Ebony interrupts her. "You are more than prepared for this. I know you will make the right decision." Peter shoves off Photon to peer around the doorframe. Ebony places a kind hand on Heather's head. Her eyes are puffy and blue-green. She looks miserable.
"Okay," Her reply is sullen and quiet. She rubs her eyes feverishly before adding, "I should go. Peter is getting impatient." Photon was started. She yanks Peter away from the doorframe. He has the realization first and signs: they're telepaths. Photon slaps her forehead with her palm.
Ebony says, "Photon you can stop hiding. We should speak as well."
Photon hung her head and stepped into the doorway, "Hi Ebony." He gestures for her to come closer. She glares at Heather as they pass each other. Heather is quick to attach herself to Peter's side.
He looks between Photon and Ebony and frowns. "She'll be okay." Heather replies to Peter's concerned thoughts, "Ebony would never hurt us. He's our teacher." Somehow, Peter finds that very hard to believe.
Ebony played by different rules than the rest of the Black Order. He had never laid a hand on any of Peter's siblings. He never raised his voice, but Peter could still hear violence in it. He stood in the doorway, stubbornly refusing to move. Photon shoots a glare over her shoulder, "I'll be fine. I don't need your protection, I'm not weak like her." Heather winced, tugging on Peter's sleeve. He sighs and allows Heather to pull him away.
Heather leads them over to her lab, she's still clinging to Peter's arm. He pulls away to sign: you're not weak for wanting help.
"I know that. Pho has been acting really weird lately," Heather pressed her lips into a thin line. They move inside Heather's lab and she locks the door behind them. Peter sets the container down on the nearest table. Heather spots the package of jellybeans. "My favorites!" She snatched up the package and ripped it open.
Peter grinned and signed: We got a delivery from Earth just yesterday.
Heather pops a few into her mouth before she starts preparing tea. "Did you get any other goodies?"
I got a sweater, a teddy bear, this ninja turtles thermos. Peter signs faster as gets more excited. Heather nods along, occasionally glancing up from her teapot. Peter snaps his fingers, he almost forgot. I got a book.
"What book?" Heather asks as she pours tea into a beaker clearly labeled: No Science - Tea.
It's called A Wrinkle in Time. My dad was reading it to me before I was kidnapped, you might like it.
Heather smiles kindly, "maybe I'll read it after you. Then I can finally understand some of your references." Peter grinned. She sits down across from him at the table and opens the container.
Why did you tell Ebony?
Heather shrugs a little and pops one of the sliced vegetables into her mouth. "I can't hide anything from him. He knows when I'm lying." Peter nods, wondering briefly if Heather knows when he's lying. "Of course I do. I'm just polite enough not to call you on it."
Peter huffs and then signs slowly: do you really not know who attacked you the other night?
"I don't want anyone else to die." Heather takes a long drink from her beaker, so she wouldn't have to say anything more. Peter frowns and raises one eyebrow.
Do you think I want that?
"No, " She whispered, unable to look at him.
If you know who it is, please tell me.
Heather takes a shaking breath, she rubs her thumb against the lip of the beaker. "I can't do that." Peter presses his palms into his eyes and drags them down his face, before leveling her with an inquiring look. "What are you going to do if I tell you?"
Peter furrowed his brow. His first instinct was to kick the shit out of whoever hurt Heather, but he didn't want to hurt his siblings. He hides his face behind his hands. He doesn't know who he can go to for help. There's not a single adult on board this ship that would protect them. He raises his head to look at Heather. There's no good choice to be made. Everything ends with more suffering, more death. He doesn't have an answer for her.
What happens next is entirely up to the enemy.
~~•˖✧•✯•✧˖•~~
Heather shakes Peter awake in the middle of the night. "Peter, " He jumps snatching his gun off the bedside table, his eyes scanning the cabin for any sign of danger. "They're coming, " Heather is staring at the door. The lock on the door glowed a vibrant red. Locked. Peter quietly untangles himself from the blankets and crawls out of bed. There's a mechanical clicking coming from inside the door. The lock flickered. Peter stood with his back pressed against the wall. There's a sharp pop, and the lock turns green. Peter holds his breath. The door slides open, there's nothing but darkness beyond. He raises the gun and slowly inched forward. "Don't leave me alone, " Heather calls out into the darkness. He glances over his shoulder. He can barely see her sitting on his bed. "Peter!" He's yanked back into the darkness.
He's thrown down the hallway, tumbling across the floor, he crashes into a wall. It's disorienting. He doesn't know where he is. He can't see. There's a glowing red light off to his left. He blinks his eyes rapidly trying to see the blurry figure in front of him. He braces himself the nearest wall and stands up. The light glows more intensely, "I don't want to hurt you." Before his eyes can adjust to the low light, he's thrown across the hallway again.
Peter can barely see his assailant now. "But you keep getting in our way," Photon says solemnly. Her fin stands straight up, pulsating a violent red. She's holding Peter against the wall with telekinesis. He reaches for his holster. Then, he realized with a sinking feeling of dread that his gun was still on the floor. "I'm really sorry about this, " Photon whispers.
Without warning, Peter is flung across the hallway. He braces himself for the impact and hits the wall hard. He doesn't get a chance to reorient himself. He's thrown into the ceiling. He smashes against the overhead lights. Broken glass scrapes against his skin and plunges into his back. The wood panels are pulled off the floor. Suddenly, Photon releases her hold on him. He's plummeting towards the floor. The wood panels had been turned into wooden spikes. Peter barely has time to react. He twists in the air, nearly impaling his side on a spike. His breath is yanked from his lungs. The rush of adrenaline kicks on his cybernetic enhancements. It dulls the worst of the pain. His gun is right in front of him. He reaches out, "Ugh, just give up!" Photon shouts and Peter is thrown back against the wall.
The glass shards are slammed deeper into his back. He lets out a pained yelp, just before he's thrown again. Peter managed to pull a glass shard from his back before he hits the wall. He throws it at Photon. He doesn't want to kill her just subdue her. She jumps back in alarm, letting go of Peter. The glass grazes her cheek He snatches up the wood spikes while searching for his gun. He throws two at Photon. One plunges into her shoulder. "Damn it!" It's faster this time. Peter hits the ceiling then the floor, and a wall, before he can register what's happening. He hits the opposite wall and then the ceiling again. A bone in his arm snaps. Blood soaks through his shirt. Photon drops him to the floor again. He searches for his gun but only finds shards of glass. "Give up, give up," Photon whispers harshly through gritted teeth.
She throws him towards the ceiling but this time the shards of glass follow him. Peter hits the ceiling and rolls. The glass shatters against the metal paneling. Peter is thrown over and over again. He's completely disoriented, he can't tell if he's on the wall or the ceiling anymore. The glass shards and wood spikes follow meer seconds after. Peter is covered with scratches and cuts. "Just give up already! You can't keep this up forever!" Photon yells between staggered breaths. She throws him into the ceiling with brutal force. She's trying to beat him into a pulp. Another ceiling light shatters. But Peter doesn't need to endure this forever. As he's falling he manages to snatch a wooden spike out of the air. He hurls the blunt side at her head.
Photon yelps and Peter hits the ground. Spots cloud his vision, as he lays on the floor trying to catch his breath. He slowly stands up and turns the lights on. Photon collapsed, unconscious, on the floor. Peter takes a deep breath assessing the damage to his body. He pulls the remaining glass shards out of his skin. He feels the cybernetic enhancements begin to stitch his wounds closed. He drags Photon's body to the side of the hallway.
Peter finds his gun amongst the broken glass and returns it to his holster with an affectionate pat. He wanders back to his cabin, only to find it empty. The blankets are thrown across the floor and the door was left wide open. Something rattles the door to the stairwell. He walks across the hallway. It dawns on him as the sound grows louder, Photon had said: you keep getting in our way.
He drew his handgun as the door slid open. Heather raced up the stairs, pursued by someone moving silently. Peter climbs over the railing and leaps up. He grabs the railing on the next flight of stairs and pulls himself up. Heather sees Peter and he nods for her to keep running, her pursuer is a few steps behind her. Peter raises his gun and cocks it. "It's nice of you joined us, Pete," Kekallie says sweetly. Peter lowers the gun. He had suspected Photon might try something like this but he trusted Kekallie. She was their older sister. She was supposed to protect them. "Goodbye, " She punches him square in the nose.
"Peter!" Heather screams. He falls backward. He drops one story, then two. He reaches out and catches himself on the edge of the stairwell. His shoulder pops as the bone is pulled out of its socket. It doesn't matter. The cybernetics block the pain. He stuffs his gun back into his holster and pulls himself up onto the edge of the stairs. The static begins to tug at a corner of his mind. Peter starts to hum.
He jumps horizontally across the stairwell, moving up as quickly as he can. He quickly gets ahead of Heather and hops over the railing. Peter pulls out his gun again. "Peter!" Heather shrieks and races to his side.
Kekallie stalks towards them, swinging a noose in a circle. Her smile feels hollow now. Peter feels rage boil within him. He shoots twice. Kekallie jumps to the side of the hallway. One bullet goes clean through her thigh the other only grazes her. She chuckles, "that's adorable, you're still holding back on me." The wounds begin to close up. Peter's eyes grow wide. Heather races up the stairs.
Kekallie lunges at him. Peter scrambles to get away as she slashes at him. Her blade cuts his neck. She's striking to kill. He shoots her again. A bullet strikes her shoulder. Two more hit her knee. It only slows her down for a second. She drives her palm into his clavicle and snags his foot with the noose. She yanked the rope, pulling him closer. Peter hits the back of his head against the stairs. He moves out of the way just as she drives her blade down. It leaves a large gash over his eyebrow. Kekallie is unrelenting. Blood pours into his left eye, blinding him. Peter tries to raise his gun but Kekallie drives her blade through his wrist. The gun falls from his hand. Peter struggles to move away from her. The stairs are slick with his own blood and he keeps slipping. She presses her knee against his chest. She's crushing his ribcage. He can't move.
"No, no, no, stop!" Heather yells from above them.
Kekallie pulls out another knife and tilts Peter's head back. "I'll make this quick so you won't have to suffer."
"Why?" Peter manages to croak out, through heavy breaths.
Kekallie hesitates, her expression softens. She looks more like the older sister that cared for him and protected him. His chest hurts. "I can't have you telling the other kids about this and destroying the trust I've built." Her smile is cruel and empty. "It was very kind of you to confirm that Heather was sleeping in your cabin. If it means anything, I won't enjoy killing you." Peter scowl melts into terror. She slowly presses the edge of the blade against Peter's throat.
"No, stop it!" Heather screams in anguish. Her eyes burst into glowing white light. Peter and Kekallie are blown down the stairs by a wave of energy that erupts from Heather. They tumble down the stairs. Kekallie bashes her head into the wall. Peter lands in a heap on the floor, right next to his gun.
He picks up his weapon and leans against the wall for support as he stands up. He's light-headed and cold. Peter has lost a lot of blood. The static is so loud now, and Peter is so very tired. Kekallie stands up and wiped the blood from her mouth. Peter raised his weapon. He stares down the end of the barrel at the corpse that looked like his sister. And he pulls the trigger. "Peter, no! Please!" Heather yells a moment too late.
The corpse slumps against the wall and falls to the ground. There's a bullet hole in their forehead and two in their chest. Heather latched onto Peter's side, clinging to his shirt, she sobs uncontrollably. "Why would you do that? I didn't want anyone else to die. I didn't want her to die."
Peter shakes his head and manages to sign slowly: It doesn't count. His vision blurs and he sways on his feet. The room is spinning. "Peter?" Heather looks at him with concern as it all fades away to nothing.
/ Happy Halloween~