It's been a long time, again. I'm sorry. There's a lot not going the way I want it to but anyway..

This time I have two chapters. The second one is the shortest so far, at least I believe it is. Things will get a little more interesting with Fetch being around now as well. And of course Augustine who made her move.

Delsin had a hard time keeping up with Fetch.

He wasn't able to run as long as she could, which meant he needed to take breaks to catch his breath. Fetch used the time to either get more space between the two of them or attack him. Delsin was learning the hard way that getting hit by those lasers was indeed painful. He was grateful for his healing abilities because otherwise, he would have a big problem.

"Just leave me alone!"

Delsin dodged a small neon missile causing him to almost run into a wall.

"I just want to talk!"

Fetch's reaction, continuing to run, didn't look like she cared or intended to listen to him. Maybe he shouldn't be surprised about that. What he was surprised about was the fact that Fetch ran up a wall. As if it was the easiest thing in the world. That had to be a joke. Well, if she could do that maybe he could as well. Taking a deep breath, Delsin gathered his strength and began running straight at the wall. Despite not believing it would work for him like it did for Fetch, he managed to get to the roof that way.

"You've gotta be kidding me", he whispered to himself. It seemed like there were a lot of things he had to learn eventually. He didn't know if he knew everything about his smoke powers yet. And now he got neon on top of that. Things were moving fast.

Like Fetch.

"They all deserved it!"

Wait. Did she think he wanted to catch her because of the dealers she had killed? He didn't care about that. His brother maybe, yes. All that Delsin wanted and needed were more powers and information about Augustine. Fetch had been in Curdun Cay so there was a chance she knew something he didn't. Maybe she could help him. He definitely hoped so. Every information, be it ever so small, could help him. He simply needed the chance to talk to Fetch without her running away.

"You're not taking me back."

"I don't intend to take you anywhere", was his answer. Was that what she was worried about? Him working with Augustine, ultimately meaning that he would help with catching her and other Conduits. There was no way that would ever happen.

While he was running after Fetch, Delsin didn't pay much attention to where they were. Only when Fetch ran up yet another building with him hot on her tail, he recognized the place. It was the theater close to where Brent had been found. Was she leading him here on purpose? There was a high chance he was walking right into a trap and when he reached the rooftop that feeling grew stronger.

Fetch stood in front of him, a couple of feet away, but she looked straight at him. She was clearly determined to fight him if she had to and as things looked, that would be the case. She never intended to give up. She had come too far to do that now. It seemed weird to her that some 'new' Conduit who managed to trick her to get her powers, was able to keep up with her. That shouldn't be possible. She had mastered those powers over the years and yet he was here. Standing on the rooftop of the theater.

Halfway through the chase through the city Fetch had come to the conclusion that she couldn't shake him off. Well, maybe continuing to run instead of stopping to attack him would've helped. But a part of her knew that he would just appear again. Maybe not tonight. Maybe not tomorrow. But one day eventually. She needed to take him out, otherwise he would bother her until the end of days. And so, in a moment of clarity, she decided to take him somewhere where she could fight on her terms. The theater was perfect for that. She knew the place better than anyone else.

With a smile on her lips she gathered all the energy she could muster, causing an explosion that shattered the roof the two Conduits stood on. Her body lit up with light as the glass shattered around them. Delsin began to fall before he realized what was happening and fell down towards the ground just like Fetch did. Both of them hit the ground, shards of glass falling around them. The ground was hard. Under different circumstances, both of them not being what they were, they would've clearly broken a few bones.

The fall still hurt a lot and Delsin regretted following her at that moment. He managed to get up first, his eyes darting around to look for Fetch. She was still lying on the ground. Eyes turned towards the now broken roof. Her head turned when she heard him moving.

Once again her body lit up with light. Another smaller explosion, pushed Delsin back. Fetch got up to her feet at that and ran past a neon sign which she used to get a new batch of energy to fight him off. The moment she spotted him she would shoot and shout about the same thing as before: that he was not taking her back.

Delsin didn't think that right now he'd be able to talk to her normally. She was too angry. He needed a new plan. When he fought against Hank Delsin had an advantage simply by knowing the layout of the fish cannery. He clearly didn't know anything about the theater. Fetch seemed to be literally everywhere. As he ran through the hall he noticed several neon signs. All in all the theater was clearly abandoned or hadn't been in use for several months at least. This was more like a storage than a place to watch plays or concerts. As a neon blast hit him Delsin rolled behind some chairs.

This was insane.

Looking to his left he saw a neon sign a few feet away. Checking to see where Fetch was at he began running towards the sign to absorb the energy.

The hall got a little darker immediately. Maybe he was onto something here. Taking away her energy source could be a great help. And so, between dodging more missiles and profanities, he made his way around. Draining one sign after the other. Fetch, of course, didn't like that at all and became more aggressive. A good thing that came from everything though was the fact that thanks to the signs not illuminating the room anymore, Delsin could tell where Fetch was because whenever she used her powers the part of the room where she stood would lit up for a moment. That gave him the chance to avoid her until he was powered up enough to attack her.

As the first attack hit her Fetch ran. She was angry. This wasn't going like she thought it would. That Conduit had drained all signs in here and now he also managed to hit her while she didn't manage to get a clear shot. There was also the fact that she felt herself run out of energy. She would lose. This was it. Her thoughts went back to a little bit earlier when she still had the chance to run. Coming here had been a bad idea and she was realizing it slowly. Suddenly Delsin sprinted towards her. Fetch had no idea where he came from. She hadn't heard him and clearly not seen him either. Gathering whatever power was left inside of her body she pushed him away with a small explosion emanating from her.

It pushed Delsin back just a little, but it was enough to give her a little bit of time to think about her options. As she ran her eyes traveled up to the roof. Maybe she could make it out. She just needed a moment where he didn't pay attention. She could get out, get a power refill and take him on again. Or just run away and lick her wounds.

No. Running wasn't an option anymore.

She had done that enough in the past. She was tired of running. She had a goal now.

It was a short moment where she didn't pay attention. The other Conduit seemed to be gone - though she knew better. Despite the fact that his body should have some light illuminating him when he used her powers just like it did with her, there was nothing. Everything was dark. She realized then that this was exactly how he had tracked her in the dark. It was too late then. Delsin appeared right behind her and shot at her.

She staggered before falling to the ground. Her heart rate increased when Delsin landed in front of her. This was it. He would take all of her powers. He would take her back. Crawling away from him, eyes fixed on his face, she began to panic as he stepped closer.

"No, no, no..!", she was basically begging him to leave her be. And then he grabbed her hands.

Just like earlier a light bubble appeared around their hands, slowly but steadily growing bigger. Fetch could see how the light moved around her arm before eventually moving up the arm of the other Conduit. He was taking away even more. He was taking away something that was hers. In a last attempt she tried to get away, managing to free one hand but he was faster. Grabbing her wrist he held her in place once more. His grasp was firm and aside from more profanities she threw at him, there was nothing she could do.

And then everything there was were pictures, memories.

Only this time they didn't go by as fast as when they first touched.

It seemed as if she had to relive everything that had happened to her and it hurt just as bad.

Why did she have to be different? Why was she a Conduit? She had never thought that it would be possible that she was different. She wanted a normal life. Not necessarily a boring one but a happy one along with her family. But then, one day, her powers were there. Based on everything she knew about Conduits now, those powers had always been inside of her but that day they decided to 'show up'. Fetch couldn't tell for whom the shock was the worst: her brother, her parents or herself.

Her parents didn't even give things a second thought as they called the D.U.P. to tell them their daughter was a freak. They knew what would happen and they didn't care. They willingly gave their daughter away in the arms of the devil. Only Brent was different. He was there for her, he wanted to help her. As much as he could given the situation they were in. He took her and they ran. From one city to the next. It was a hard life. No home, no food but they were happy just because they were together. There was nothing that would get in their way. Until they came into contact with the wrong people.

The drugs

eased their pain to a certain extent. But then they needed more and more. They became paranoid. They couldn't tell what was real and what was not. They couldn't tell whether they had taken the drugs, lost them or someone stole them. Blaming each other for the tricks their mind played on them. They wanted to stop.

Fetch's memories were fuzzy.

There were other people involved. Sometimes she would see the face of a man and feel nothing but hate for him. She didn't remember who he was. Maybe because of the drugs, maybe because of everything that happened in Curdun Cay. All she wanted to do was to forget.

What she couldn't forget was how she killed her own brother.

It was an accident. A terrible accident that was haunting her. Sometimes she couldn't sleep, she would see his face. He had trusted her. He had trusted a monster.

When the D.U.P. came to pick her up she didn't fight back. Some people might say it was the easiest arrest in the history of Conduits. She didn't have the strength to fight and she felt like she deserved whatever punishment Augustine had in mind for her. There was nothing out here that was worth living for anyway. Maybe being locked away was for the best. She wouldn't be able to hurt anyone again.

Curdun Cay was more than a prison though. It was like a training camp. At first she refused to fight. The picture of her brother dying in her arms was too vivid. How could she just start to attack targets like nothing ever happened? When she finally gave in she was taught how to control her powers. How to aim, how to kill.. not like she had killed her brother. That had been careless. It had been an accident. Here she was taught how to hunt people and execute them. If she hadn't been a monster before she was made into one right at this moment.

Augustine probably made a mistake teaching her because that car accident.. it was the perfect opportunity to run away and use all those powers and tricks she had learned over the years. First to get away, then to kill. Coming to Seattle she began to hunt down drug dealers. No one should die because of those damn drugs. Not anymore.

Her brother was gone but others still had a chance.

This was her way of getting redemption.

~ooo~

After Delsin went running after Fetch, the connection to Reggie had broken up.

That obviously made him worry about his younger brother, so he followed the GPS signal. Luckily that was still working. When he reached his destination Reggie found himself at the place Brent had been found. Looking back at his phone Reggie confirmed that Delsin had to be here. More specifically inside the building which seemed to be closed down because of renovations. Reggie couldn't care less. His brother was inside, probably in deep trouble and he was not waiting for Delsin to miraculously appear. It was easy for him to get inside and a broken up door wouldn't be a problem for him either if someone caught him.

He wasn't just here as a brother but also as a cop.

At least that was what he told himself.

He followed the corridor from the entrance room until he arrived in a big hall which was empty aside from some signs, boxes and scaffolds. There was no sign of chairs where people would sit and enjoy whatever shows they would have here - there were a few chairs stacked together to the sides of the room. When he had opened the front door a gust of wind had greeted him and now too. There was just this steady flow of fresh, cold air. Looking up at the ceiling he found out why: the roof had a hole in it. The ground was covered in glass shards who gave a sound with every step he took.

And between all that he saw his brother laying on the ground.

"Delsin!", he ran to his side and kneeled down. "Talk to me. Are you okay?"

A little dizzy Delsin opened his eyes. "What happened?", his head was feeling as if several D.U.P. trucks were driving over it. All he wanted was for the pain to go away - why didn't his healing abilities get rid of that too?

"I'd say you did a good job. Come on, get up", Reggie pulled his brother up on his feet. He stumbled to the side, almost falling to the ground again if it wasn't for Reggie to hold him. His eyes roamed to where the woman lay on the ground not too far from them. "I know just where to put her. Somewhere where Augustine won't find her and where she can't hurt anyone else."

He was already on his way over to Fetch when Delsin stopped him. "Reg.. no, no.. she's just killing drug dealers", he had hoped his brother wouldn't go all cop on her right away. This wasn't the right place though Delsin had to come to the conclusion that Reggie couldn't just shake it off even before now. He would always fall back into old patterns.

Reggie couldn't believe what he heard his brother say just now. "Killing? Delsin she's murdering them. I.. aside from the fact I'm your brother and I can understand you to a certain degree.. I'm also still a cop and what she did isn't okay", he pointed at Fetch who, by now, was awake again and tried to get up herself as the two men were talking.

Where did the other one come from? And just how long had she been out?

"Yes and? What do you think I'm doing with the D.U.P.? Are you still a cop now?", pushing past Reggie he moved in front of Fetch. "She's not going into a prison."

"Listen. I have to admit that I made mistakes in the past too. Call me foolish for believing the D.U.P. is or was actually trying to help people. That everything they said about Bio-Te.. Conduits", he corrected himself. ".. is true. You're acting on self-defense. You're doing this to save our friends back home. Maybe I'm biased because you're my brother. I realized that not everything people say about you is true, that you're not the 'monster' people want to believe Conduits are. I support you in what you're doing here but that doesn't mean we're gonna pick up every piece of trash we find", he immediately noticed the look on Delsin's face.

Trash.

It was a wrong word to use and he felt incredibly sorry for saying it.

"That.. I didn't mean it like that", he let go of Delsin a took a few steps back ruffling his hair. "You're my brother Delsin.. I.. I'm afraid to lose you to.. you being different, to Augustine."

"And what about Yana?", Delsin moved towards Reggie pressing a finger against his chest. "Is she trash to you as well because we told her why we're here?"

"It's different.."

"Why? Because she's normal?", it hurt him to talk like that. He liked Yana. She didn't give him a look that said 'You're a monster, I don't want you around me'. All of this was simply a matter of principle. Both men stared at each other until Delsin eventually broke free from his brothers gaze and turned towards Fetch. By now she was standing again and ready to bail. "She'll be my responsibility! No more killings", the last part was directed at Fetch who just stood there looking at Delsin with wide eyes.

Was he taking her side?

"Fine.. fine..", the older one let out a sigh. "But if I notice you two..", Reggie didn't make it any further because his phone began ringing. Both, he and the two Conduits were surprised by that, though Delsin and Fetch welcomed the distraction. When Yana's name showed up on the display Reggie began to worry. Did something happen? It was late after all. "Hello?"

"Sorry to bother you", it was a male voice. "My name is Joe Harsen, I own the Latte Owl Yana visits frequently. I.. ehm.. she has your number on speed dial", the man made a pause. In the background Reggie could hear a voice he could identify as Yana's, then a clash. "Yana stop that! I'm sorry I.. I really don't want to bother you."

"You're not. Is everything okay?"

"Well, given the circumstances..Yana isn't listening to me, I was hoping you're able to help. She's a little.. distraught. That might describe the situation best", once again Yana's voice was heard and Joe became a little nervous.

"I'll be on my way. Thanks for calling."

"No, I have to thank you."

He barely hung up when Delsin looked at him curiously. "Who was that?"

For a moment Reggie thought about telling Delsin the truth but then refrained from doing so. It would be better for now. "Someone from the police. There seems to be some new info. I'm gonna go there - you just.. do whatever you want. I don't care as long as you don't fuck things up", with that he turned around and left. Forgotten was the anger he had felt towards his brother and his attitude regarding Fetch. He had to learn how to trust him, no matter how hard it was. Especially with how things were at the moment. Delsin had her powers, what more did he want?

"Is he always like that?", Fetch asked as soon as Reggie was out of sight.

Delsin gave her arm a short pat. "He's cool. Normally. He's just.. not today."

Whether or not Fetch could believe that would be something she would find out later. Now it was time to talk. As Fetch began to walk away Delsin remained standing in the same place as before for a little longer. His eyes looking in the same direction his brother had vanished. He didn't really believe what Reggie had said. About the police calling him. His eyes, there had been something in them.. surprise. Worry. Why would he have an expression like that when it came to new information on, maybe, the other Conduit? There was no time to think about it or even check it out. Not yet.

And so he followed Fetch.