Author's Notes:
I do not own Starcraft or any of its characters.
This is the final chapter from my 2014 drafts. After this, any new content will be all new.
Actually wanted to call this 'Lily's misadventure - The Dark Angel approaches', but there is a limit to how long you can title your chapter in the list. Oh well.
Thanks to Warchief for beta reading.
Enjoy!
Different communication, thought patterns and sounds:
"Speaking"
'Thinking or speaking mentally'
*Sound effect*
Starcraft: Generation
Chapter 7: Lily's misadventure - The Dark Angel
—14th of October, 2522—
— Dead Man's Rock—
It was one of those few mansions, there on the planet many rightfully called a trash hole. It changed ownership by various crime lords, from time to time. Not the most prestigious one, they said, but the current owner was more than satisfied by the comforts this place offered, for both him and his clients. And likely a wise move too, more eyes was on the biggest one that was had Mira Han as owner.
Mira Han… although brilliant in her work, she out of question as prospective employee. Too many ties to Raynor's Raiders, and thus to the Dominion.
The walls were covered in dark marble rock, covered by a thin film that cast the more distant light at him. That in addition to the line of dim light that passed him as he walked, two by two, one on each side.
He would pass through twin sets of wooden beams, with the surface having been treated with an oil that made the surface quality last for a long time, and in the dim darkness it reflected the light at him, from any sources.
The man was dressed in a proper suit, with black trousers and a matching jacket, and white shirt beneath accompanied with a black tie. His hair was black and combed backwards, and he had the look of any proper businessmen. The small suitcase he carried helped enforce that image. And a very rare sight on a world like Dead Man's Rock.
Yes, Jerec Aimes considered himself a proper businessman, but in a very different field. Shady deals was a mild term for it. But always do things properly, like a proper businessman, he thought, whether it was legal business or overthrowing the Emperor himself.
His own well-trained abilities at self-defense did help maintaining his confidence, not to mention the guards he had brought with him, though now currently waiting outside the building.
He reached that door in the hallway, with two armed guards holding a rifle each. While classy as they may be, this group never slacked in security. Professionalism came first. The door opened, and a third guard came out.
"The boss is ready to see you now," he said.
Aimes nodded, as he entered through the door. He found himself in a large living room. The walls around were of the same caliber as the hallways, but accompanied with paintings and furniture as decoration. One painting of fruits, another of a stunning landscape and a waterfall. And there was one with a lady dressed in the garments of the far past. Otherwise he could spot cabinets filled with beverages for any occasions.
Several men were stationed in the darkened room that had only a few sources of dim light around, from the lamps at the walls. One man at each corner, as well as the guard that had let him in, standing by the door. Their leader sat on a large green soft chair. He leaned forward, as he scrutinized the guest, keeping an eye on him. Fruits were placed on the bowl, on the table beside him.
This leader had short brown hair, standing up from the head. One could see some scars below his right brown eye. Unlike the new potential client, he wore a brown singlet, accompanied by dark green military pants. And if his wide arms were any indication, his body and legs were filled of incredible strong muscles. A black tattoo on his right arm, with a unique style of his own choice.
He was smoking a cuban cigar, as he sat relaxed in his chair.
"Sit," he said, gesturing to Mr. Aimes to sit down at the green sofa beside him. The business man did so, planting his feet on the wide red carpet that stretched under all of them. A table stood at their fronts, carrying an ash tray and a bowl of fruit, the latter a great contrast to the rest of this filthy world.
"So, the famous Mr. Aimes, huh?" he took pulled out his cigar and held it between two fingers on his right hand.
"I've noticed that you're rising on the black market as a contractor these days. Though I have a feeling that you're not advancing as fast as you could, and you're doing it purpose."
"Well observed," Mr. Aimes nodded.
"As unfortunate as it is, Mr. Frances, when one is in my position, one has to keep himself off the radar for as long as possible," Aimes replied.
"I suppose," the mercenary said.
"Building up your base as much as you can while you're off the radar. The more the folks know about you, the more the government dogs will stick their noses into your business. I guess your cost for privacy is on the rise these days. Not so with us. Me and my boys need the reputation to get the best jobs. Jobs from people like you."
He then pointed at the man's business suit.
"But you haven't chosen a very private look when coming to a place like this," he added and pointed at the man's business suit.
"Lot of crime lords and mercenaries will notice that."
"I know very well how to take care of myself," Mr. Aimes replied, "And I prefer to do my job properly."
"Is that so?" Frances asked, keeping his eyes on the man, not changing the scrutinizing look his face had.
"Well, I can agree on doing the job properly. If you want to be the best, you'll have to give it all. Taste is part of it. Speaking of which… what kind of liquor do you prefer?"
"Depends on the occasion, but I don't mind some Brandy, now and then."
Frances snapped his fingers, and one of the guards walked over to a cabinet. It was opened, a bottle and a glass were pulled out, the latter sat on the table and filled up with the liquid. The business man proceeded to pick it up, and take a sip of it.
"Hmm! Exquisite!" he stated.
Frances kept his face, but smiled slightly at the praise. It was pleasing to see that his potential client had no hesitation. Most people would be careful with such drinks on this world. But neither Frances or Aimes were like most people. They were the best.
While he could appear intimidating, Frances preferred to treat clients properly, as long as they didn't try to do something stupid, like stab him in the back or alter the deal. None who had tried, lived today.
And businessmen like Aimes always took great care in examining any potential bargains and contractors. That he drank the liquor without any question meant that Aimes did a proper job and examined his group at an earlier point, and knew of their standards of customer treatment.
"Like I said: all in. Taste included."
"The words about your service do indeed hold. Now I expect them to do the same concerning how well you handle any jobs given to you. I am a busy man, Mr. Frances, so I must skip any further pleasantries and discuss the assignment I have to offer," Aimes told.
"Straight to the point. I can respect that," Frances nodded, as he but down the cigar into the ash tray that stood on the table.
Aimes put his small suitcase on the table, and opened it. He took out a small stack of papers, and handed it to the mercenary. He leaned forward as he grabbed it, and looked through the papers, one by one.
"Hmmm…"
He took his time to examine all the papers, narrowing his eyes as the details became clear. After several minutes, he put the stack on the table, and gazed directly at the businessman.
"Let me get this straight," he began.
"Your target is on Korhal, of all places, and under heavy guard."
"That is correct," Aimes confirmed.
"That's a tall order," the mercenary said and tapped his finger on the paper stack.
"Indeed. And that is why I have come to the best," the businessman smiled.
"After all, that is what you aim to be, is it not, Mr. Frances? Perhaps this assignment would be a worthy challenge for someone like you? One that surpasses your fine job at Tyrador III?"
Several guards tensed up as the planet's name was said.
"What exactly do you think you're talking about?" Frances asked, looking at Aimes with narrowed eyes.
"I know for certain that it was you and your men who assassinated the Umojan ambassador, four years ago when he visited Tyrador. You covered your tracks well, and made it seem like it was a plot from the Dominion. It took Emperor Mengsk a whole year to prove that the Dominion was innocent in this, except for the apparent security breach they could not explain. But to this day, no one knows who truly did it, or knows where to look."
All the guards held up their weapons and aimed straight at Aimes. The man didn't even flinch once, not even when two of the guards held their weapons at point blank range against his head.
"You see, Mr. Frances, I strive to be best in my field as well," he continued, not showing any sign of fear.
"I know where to hire the right people to help me find what I am looking for, and I know where to look. It took me quite some effort to prove your involvement."
Aimes took out another paper, and gave it over to the mercenary. He looked over the details that briefly explained the details of the plot they so cleverly executed that time.
Frances stared at the man in front of him again, still with narrowed eyes. After a tense moment, he broke out in a smile. He waved his hand to his guards, who put away their weapons and backed away.
"I'm impressed. The rumors about you don't give you enough credit," he said.
He picked up the paper stack and looked over the papers.
"And you're right. This really is a worthy challenge. We strive to be the best, and succeeding in a job like this will be an important step for us. I said it's a tall order, but I didn't say I refuse it."
"What do you know of Raynor's Raiders?" the mercenary suddenly asked.
"You mean aside from being former rebels, then part of the Dominion Forces during the Hybrid wars, and now freelance mercenaries working for the Emperor?" Aimes listed it up.
"They are the best," Frances added.
"They are the top ones in the field, have been for a long time now. They are the ones we're trying to surpass. And you know… When ol' Mengsk ruled, they were able to sneak past his forces onto Korhal, to cause havoc and play that transmission. Oh, those words…" the man grinned.
"Even to this day, I get inspired when I think of what they pulled off. And I love looking up those old recordings on the holonet and see that old man squeal on those press conferences."
"Yes, I'm aware of operation 'Media Blitz'," the business man simply replied.
The mercenary leader leaned closer towards his new client.
"You know… This will be our Korhal mission. If we are to surpass the Raiders, then we cannot back off from this. So I accept."
"I am pleased to hear it," Aimes nodded.
"Pleasure's all mine" the mercenary smiled back.
"Make no mistake, we're not some idealists like what Raynor and his guys used to be in the old days. We simply strive to be the best. To be the ones with the best clients and hardest jobs, that we successfully pull off. And this is the opportunity we have been waiting for."
He looked through the papers once again.
'Impressive guy, that one. He has even gathered a lot detailed information for the job, already. Hmmm…. So the target is a student on the Psionics Academy, age 13, and apparently heavily guarded. This is going to take a long time to prepare. I guess it's time to call in all the favors I've gathered throughout the years.'
— 18th of October, 2522 —
— Location: Augustgrad, West Sector, Korhal —
— Atkins's apartment —
Marie Atkins lived a hard life. No one knew loss like she did, or how fragile life was. Almost everyone of family and friends were gone, lost from her in the wars. She followed them when the hybrids rampaged throughout the sector during the last war, escaping on a hair thread.
She eventually fell in love with a man, they married, settled down to build their lives anew, and she became pregnant with Lily. But even in times of peace, tragedy would never let go of her. Adam died. Killed in a fatal work accident, shortly before Lily was born. She would grow up to never know her father. Only her mother would be there for her, and as if that was not enough, she ended up fending for herself and her daughter on her own, with no help to be found.
She was overjoyed. full of pride, when she learned that her daughter was 'gifted', a rare privilege that Lily would carry with her. When seeing the positive results on the psionic test was clear, Marie was full of hope for Lily, believing that her precious jewel would be given a better life than what she could provide for her daughter on her own.
Until life almost instantly turned hard on them, again…
They learned quickly that for some reason, they fell outside the government's financial program for psionic children. Marie fought and fought, all for her daughter, appealing to the authorities, but she never reached through. There were all these answers, all these procedures those office people pointed at. Always.
But at least Lily was allowed to attend the Psionics Academy and bloom, they just had to pay all the fees themselves.
Marie had to do it. All on her own. For a place to stay, for something to eat, for public transportation, for everything. And Adam was not there to support them, he took his forever goodbye too early. Marie often found herself working the whole day, while her daughter was at the Academy, or home alone. Oh, how she longed to hold around her daughter, whisper her love into her ear, make her favorite meal for dinner, to laugh with her, and play or draw with her. All instead of leaving her alone so often.
But still, Lily was her light. Her precious angel, the one reason for her to keep fighting on. She gave her all as she fought for her daughter's living and well being. And she would not let Lily lose her chance at developing her gifts. There was no other place or people she knew of, that could help. She had to do this.
Lily didn't see her as often as she would, but she knew her mother did all she could for her. She felt guilty at first, feeling that she was a burden, but her mother had the foresight to take her aside, and explain that she deeply loved her daughter. Being the psionic she was, Lily had tapped into her mother's mind, and knew that it was all true.
It wasn't easy for her mother either, but this was the only way Lily could get her gifts developed. Or go to school at all, the little girl figured. Any 'normal' schools would have brought the same problem.
It wasn't because she was a burden, that her mother had to work so much. It was because they were unlucky, but her mother loved her so much that she wanted her to have food and a home. A life. A family.
The apartment they rented was not exactly luxurious, to state it mildly. There were only rooms for herself, for Lily and a small kitchen with a holonet monitor. But it worked out. They had a place to stay, and Lily was allowed to attend the Psionic Academy. But given the last two years, Marie felt she had not brought her daughter the joy she was suppose to give her child. No, she had brought nothing but deep pain and suffering.
She moved to the open door into Lily's room. The woman leaned onto the frame, looking at her precious daughter who lied on the floor, drawing on a paper sheet in front of herself, while kicking her feet into the air, all absorbed into her world.
Oh, the pain she felt, when looking at her daughter. Her grief. She really felt guilty for what her little girl had been through ever since they came here. Or rather, what she had put her daughter through. Getting her into the Psionics Academy was her own doing.
Her daughter had always loved drawing since her youngest years, more than most kids for her age, so her mother assumed that Lily probably was an aspiring artist by heart. Perhaps Lily would make living of it one day, if she continued. And she had developed very quickly.
Being absent from her daughter probably had part in it, as Lily had to find a way to pass her own time. And what was better than her favorite hobby: drawing? She made images of everything that came to her mind. And the girl had become really good over the years, compared to others on her age.
Initially, Marie didn't mind with her daughter being so absorbed into her hobby. She would really love to spend much more time with her daughter, but couldn't. But the few times they could were precious. Lily would show her all the pictures she had drawn, and she would joyfully watch and complement her angel's skills.
But after they came to Korhal, Lily changed. She became quiet, and the blonde seemed to dive deeper into her drawing, to the point where she lost herself into them. She was trying to hide. To run from reality.
Marie was often occupied with her job to support their living, but she wasn't stupid nor unobservant, and she managed to look into it. What she discovered, horrified her beyond any anything she could imagine. Her precious child was being bullied by a boy named Dylan Hadgers. Brutally.
And the Academy did nothing to stop it. They were unable to, and the headmaster was incapable to act. She could tell he was a good man, and Charles Glendale had a good reputation when it came to schooling children. No, something else prevented him. Someone above him. And she couldn't trust any other students to help her either, she heard that Dylan was unreasonably strong.
So, she tried to take the matters into her own hands, and appealed to the higher authorities, administration, or however the headmaster answered to. Her next surprise came quickly, as some of the other parents contacted her and pleaded with her to not pursue it any further, for her own sake. But it was Lily that mattered! She pressed on. Only to have a sudden accident at her work that caused severe material costs, injured personnel and she was blamed for it.
She was fired, and it was mere luck that she managed to get another job in the northern industrial sector of Augustgrad. Further away from her daughter… Oh Lily…
There was no evidence of it, but everyone knew that Dylan's father was behind this. He always was.
Knowing that continuing this fight would cost her second job, she saw no option but to withdraw. Or they would lose their home, and starve. She watched grievously as her daughter lost herself more and more to her own world. She could see it in her eyes, whenever she saw into them, the increasing pain. The fear. The deep anxiety. She spent the days on work, with constant deep fear of what that bastard Dylan would do to her daughter, hurting her more and more.
"But your daughter is gifted!" they said. "She needs to stay, or she will lose her chances!"
Their urging had been the one reason she hadn't pulled her daughter out of the Academy yet. But hell, enough was enough! The more Marie had seen how Lily suffered, the more her own fears had been rising, and she was near panic.
It had reached the line, hell, it had reached beyond that line. For two years! She made the decision to pull her daughter out of the Academy. She was failing her daughter miserably, she had already for two years, and now she had to act. While she still could…
Oh, Lily…
How she wanted for her daughter to grow happily. Maybe… somehow, someone out there could help her? Maybe… she somehow could get them to Umoja? Some way, somehow…
But just before she got to it, something happened. Something changed. It started with that day, with the very odd robed that passed her in the hallway, unique and carrying that mask. Then she was told that her daughter had been protected.
Someone fought for her!
Lily began drawing images of the robed figure, wearing this mask. Marie noticed that there was a glint that returned in her eyes.
Most of the pictures she now drew, had the newcomer in it. The motif could differ. Sometimes it was Lily and the robed figure out on a grass field. Others had the figure fighting monsters or evil, with Lily hiding behind her, sometimes with other kids as well. And all of them had impressive details for her age, a trait of her daughter that she had always been deeply proud of.
Lily didn't talk as much as she once did before this hell, but she did say that Catherine was really nice to her. And she protected her against that loathsome boy. More than once! Someone was actually stronger than Dylan!
Maybe… Just maybe… things were turning for the better. She could barely dare to hope.
"Lily, honey?" Marie called softly to her daughter.
"Hmmm?" the girl muttered.
The girl didn't turn her head, but kept drawing. Still, the mother knew she had her daughter's attention.
"I'm working very late tomorrow. You'll be spending time with Josh after school."
"Ok, mommy," Lily called back, before the woman retreated to the kitchen.
So, the next day, she would spend time with Josh. Josh Ryan was the first and only friend Lily had at the Academy, when they both started in the same class, both six years old. She would sometimes spend days with Josh and his family when Marie worked late. They had many things in common, and both were artistic.
He read lots of books, while she drew. But they enjoyed hanging out and playing with each other. It was the only relief Lily had from the horror she faced at the Academy, aside from all the drawing. Marie was thankful for Josh and his family, they were kind to her daughter.
Lately, however, she had begun to shut herself away from Josh. The pain had become more and more unbearable. But then Catherine came.
Lily looked over the various drawings on the ground, most of them of her new friend. The girl really wanted to make one that was way better than the previous she gave her. She smiled a little at the thought.
The new friend was strange, wearing a mask, cloaks and having a incredibly huge back. And her voice from her mask was really weird. But she protected her from Dylan, and she was really nice. And Lily could feel a peaceful and warm feeling coming from her, which helped her feel better from her troubles.
Most of her classmates thought that Dylan would beat her back for protecting her that one time. But she was stronger. Stronger than Dylan. Stronger than everyone. She was the strongest of all!
Lily thought back fondly as she had begun to bond with the newcomer. After the first time Catherine protected her, she had drawn a picture for her, and given it to her. Then it continued when she found herself on the run from Dylan during a lunch break, needing a safe place.
— FLASHBACK —
— Psionics Academy —
— Mess hall —
"Excuse me?" Catherine heard a voice, and she turned around from her table to see Lily.
"Hi Lily. What can I do for you?" the masked girl asked cheerfully.
Lily looked on the ground. Shy, and nervous.
"I… I was… wondering… Can I sit with you?"
Catherine turned and gave a look to her two companions at the table. Their names were Annabelle and Terra.
The masked girl looked slowly around, and spotted Dylan along the wall, with his arms crossed. He glared at their group. At Catherine, and at Lily.
"Sure, you can sit with us," Catherine nodded friendly.
— FLASHBACK END —
It was a great relief to her, that she didn't have to run away from Dylan during that lunch. This was the first time, and soon Lily would sometimes sit with Catherine and her friends during lunch. Sometimes she did, sometimes she didn't. If only looking for safety from the bully at first, but Catherine was really nice to her, and she liked her.
Annabelle and Terra didn't seem bad either. The first one spoke a little strangely, but she was really nice too. The second one… Lily knew that this was the angriest girl at the school, but she behaved nice enough whenever she ate lunch with them. Maybe Catherine helped her from having temper tantrums?
She would soon have Josh say hi to her new friends. They didn't always sit with the trio, but when the two did, they were welcoming. They didn't always talk to them either. Sometimes Josh would sit with his nose into a book, while Lily was drawing her next picture. The older girls would talk about… whatever they talked about. But Lily felt safer when being close to them.
Not only by sitting with Catherine, but every time since she came, whenever Dylan was about to bully her, hit her or whatever, Catherine came and protected her. She always pushed him and his friends off, and he would run away. More and more angry for each time.
After that fight that broke the 'broken' wall, Dylan just walked away, not getting back at Catherine. But everyone knew that he would. He was biding his time.
And then a voice began talking to her head, the last few weeks. This strange voice, that told her where to go. Where to stop. Where to run. Josh and others had also begun hearing this voice, and whenever they did what the voice said, they never ran into Dylan. Everyone whispered that it was Catherine who did it.
For the first time since she came to Korhal Psionics Academy, Lily began to feel safe.
Lily also knew that Catherine protected her other friends against other bad people too. If anyone yelled something mean to Terra, Catherine would go to them, and make them very scared.
Or just tell them to go away, like she did to June last week.
— FLASHBACK —
— Psionics Academy —
— Cantina —
Lily's class was let off earlier this day, but Lily needed to feel safe, and she walked to the cantina to see if her masked friend was there. Sometimes she left early from the psionic training. They said she didn't train much, talker more with Annabelle instead. And there she found Catherine alone at a table, reading from a book. So she sat and drew, while Catherine kept reading her book.
Some other people nearby bought some leftover food from that day, and they ate. Catherine didn't. She didn't eat. She never ate. Well duh! She had a mask on! She couldn't eat, so why would she even have food? What did she actually eat at home?
"Roasted beef jerky," Catherine chuckled, having read her mind.
This caused the little girl to flip up her head and stare bewildered at her masked friend.
"And sometimes, I even like to eat some ice cream," Catherine chirped.
"Ice cream is really good," Lily grinned.
"I like vanilla best."
"Vanilla is good, but I like pistachio better," Catherine replied.
"Isn't that the green yucky stuff that tastes awful?" Lily exclaimed. Man, she hated that green ice.
"Hey now!…" Catherine said in mock hurt.
Then Lily noticed a presence coming in from behind, and she turned around to see a red-haired girl approached them.
"June, what can I do for you?" Catherine opened up, taking notice that June also had left the psionic training lesson earlier than usual.
"Good, I hoped to find you here," June said.
"Without the rest of your… group."
Lily looked up at her with a 'huh'?
"How so?" the masked girl asked, tipping her head a little in wonder.
"Listen… Catherine, I'm not joking about this. I don't mind you hanging out with Annabelle, but if you know what's good for you, you'll have to stay away from Terra."
Lily's mouth dropped wide open at this at this. Terra was Catherine's friend, and yes, she was the angriest girl, but she wasn't that bad… Was she?
"You should think about what's best for you. She's only trouble, she'll drag you down."
"I don't remember you ever trying to be helpful to her," Catherine responded back.
"Maybe you're just a little too stuck up with your own ideas."
"Catherine, come on…" June sighed, and rubbed her right template.
"I have tried to help her, I have tried to point out her problems, but she won't listen! I want what's best for all of us in our class. And Terra is not it!"
"I'll be the judge of that," Catherine replied, her voice becoming colder.
"And don't take this the wrong way, but I choose my friends, not you."
Any other present at the nearby tables had turned their attention towards the arguing girls.
Lily herself could feel the increasing tension, especially coming from Catherine, and she actually felt scared. Without realizing it, she began to slowly back off from her masked friend, leaning away from her. She was really nice, but she could be very scary when she wanted.
"If that is all, then you can go. I'd like to get back to the story," Catherine waved her off with her hand, and turned back to the book.
Still, the red-head didn't want to let it go.
"Catherine, you're making a mistake!" she exclaimed.
Now the masked girl slammed her hands onto the table and quickly got up, radiating her fierce anger at the red-head, who winced at the dread she felt by the masked girl's dangerous presence.
"I swear, June," she growled, "if you had seen what was behind my mask… Terra would be the least of your worries."
Now the red-head was sweating, as Catherine meant serious business, and she knew too well that she outclassed Dylan.
"Get out of my sight," she finished, before slowly sitting down again.
The red-head did so with a hurry, and everyone who had witnessed turned around, wanting to avoid Catherine's attention.
After a few moments, Catherine took a deep breath, and calmed herself down.
"Sorry about that, Lily. I didn't mean to scare you…" she whispered.
"It's okay, she was mean to Terra," Lily responded.
The older one chuckled at the words of the young girl. In spite of the horror and pain she had been through, she still showed to be sweet and innocent.
— END FLASHBACK —
It had only been a month, but Lily greatly admired the older girl already.
She looked very strange, yes, but she was really nice. Kind, and protecting of her friends, both younger and older. And the only one strong enough to beat Dylan.
Maybe she wanted to be like her.
"Lily, honey, I made you a sandwich!" Marie called form the kitchen.
"And afterwards you'll go to bed!"
"Yes, mommy," she called back, as she got up and left her room.
— Next evening, 20:35 —
— Location: Augustgrad, South Sector, Korhal —
— Ryan's apartment —
It had been one of the better days for the 8-year old. The voice that always told her where to go, had helped her avoid Dylan this day. And Annabelle, one of Catherine's friends, had brought cookies today, that she and Josh got to taste. It was sweet, with soft chocolate.
But oh, if she only knew how it would go downwards for the late evening.
After school, Lily had gone with Josh to his home, as was the arrangement today. Unfortunately, both Josh's parents happened to be working late, so they were on their own. It had happened before, but they had left instructions to the adjutant, that weird computer hologram thing that controlled the Holonet channels and indoor temperature, so it should be okay. Turned out it could also correctly heat the food in the oven.
So, some meat stew were on the dinner menu for the kids, in spite of being only those two. They left a splattered mess in the kitchen, and ignored the adjutant that instructed Josh to clean up. All over the dinner table was food crumbles and some spilled sauce. He would clean it later.
They continued to Josh's room, where they joked around and played games. They also talked a lot about Catherine and her friends. Well, mostly Catherine.
Lily was slowly coming out of the shell he had begun to hide in, in the last months, ever since Catherine and the voice defended her from the bully. Not only Lily's own mommy, but Josh and his mommy and daddy had also been very worried for the girl. It was great to see her come back to normal, at least a little.
Then the two children moved over to do what they loved the most. Josh found a book, and began to read, while Catherine took out her color pens and her drawing book. And they lost themselves into their worlds.
Josh found himself riding on his predatory beast, with claws and fangs, his faithful partner that he had raised since birth. He rode as they chased the wildlife in the jungle, they were hunting that rare animal, which blood was needed to cure the poison. The poison the princess was inflicted by, done by the evil lord who wanted to take over he country.
Together the duo rode, passing tree by tree, jumping over small rivers, while he held onto his black cowboy hat, grinning while his light leather coat breezed with the wind. Only to discover that they were being chased by a larger and more dangerous beast, unleashed to find them and tear them apart. Josh pulled out his short rifle and fired, but he missed. He smoothly holstered his rifle on his back, and pulled out his revolver, emptying the clip at the monster that threatened them.
Lily on the other hand saw great landscapes. Grass fields. Mountains. Beautiful blue skies. Guided there by the voice. She had often seen herself with Catherine, but now she was exploring the voice that guided her. That voice that came, not long after Catherine. What was it? Where would it lead her? What was the ultimate goal?
She drew and drew as her mind envisioned her. She could read minds, and knew that some could speak telepathically. Yet this voice came out of nowhere. It was calm and warm, trusting. It guided her.
It would guide her to waters. It would guide her to the prettiest flower fields. She saw ponies, running across the grass in the distance, giving her their innocent looks.
"Josh?! Honey?! We're home!" a woman's voice called out.
Both the children jolted up their heads, as they heard the voice. Josh quickly looked over at the clock on the bedside table.
'20:42?!'
"Oh no! I forgot the time! I was supposed to take you to the tram station over two hours ago!" he whispered in fear.
"Mom and dad are going to be so angry!"
They had gotten themselves too much lost into their own worlds, and forgot the track of time, as Lily was supposed to be home at 19:00, before it got too dark.
"And the adjutant didn't tell us?!" Lily quietly exclaimed, not wanting Josh's parents to hear that she was still there.
"I muted her because I didn't want her to nag at us about… oh no! I forgot about the cleaning! Now mom and dad are really going to be so angry!"
"Mom and dad are going to be so angry…"
Poor boy, he was walking around in the room, pulling at his own hair with his face all pale. Full of fear from the coming judgement from his parents, only the way a child can be.
Lily didn't want his friend to get into trouble, so she hastily packed her drawing equipment into her bag. Unfortunately, neither she nor Josh noticed the wallet that fell out of the bag. She quickly moved over the the window, and opened it. This building had old-fashioned windows, that could be opened by hand, at least on the ground level, where Josh's family lived.
"What are you doing?!" Josh whispered.
"Saving you from trouble," Lily whispered back.
"Bye!" she waved, and crawled out of the window.
The little blonde ran across the grass yard, hoping to not be seen.
"Josh!" his mother's voice called from the kitchen.
"What is this!? The kitchen table is all dirty!" her angry voice yelled.
Great… this was going to be a looong night.
Lily wasn't doing too much better either. It was scary enough to take the tram on her own. She was used to it, but now it was dark and creepy, when there were more scary people out there. Good thing she could read their minds, in case someone wanted to steal money from her.
It took her some walking, and luckily the streets were lit up. The Emperor went great length to make sure the South sector was safe and nice, especially for the Academy students and their families that lived her.
She reached the central station at 21:00, when a tram bound for West Sector arrived. She dug into her bag to find her wallet, the one that contained the card she needed to use the tram, and also a money card if something went wrong.
Except that it wasn't there. The little blond girl gasped, and fear overtook her as she desperately searched her in bag for the wallet. But it wasn't there. She couldn't find it. It was gone.
She must have lost it in Josh's room!
Realizing this, she left and ran all the way back. She knew she and Josh would get into big trouble now, but she couldn't take the tram without the card. But when she reached Josh's home, and called the doorbell at the main entrance to the building, no one answered.
She hit the button again and again, but no-one answered.
Lily ran around the building, to the window where she had crawled out. As she found it, she knocked, but still no answer. It was all dark inside.
She knocked harder.
"Josh?! Are you there?!" she called out.
Nothing.
"Is there anyone in there?!" she yelled, and started knocking on the kitchen window.
Still nothing. It was all dark. They weren't home.
She had no idea that Josh's daddy had taken him and his mommy out to eat at a local restaurant, due to the disastrous state of the kitchen.
Now she was in real big trouble. She didn't know what to do. Only one thing could be done: Walking all the way home.
Her home was far away in another side of the city. The West Sector. But the tram went through the central areas of the city, and she knew what it looked like. Maybe she could follow the way.
Her mom was working until very late this night, so if she was lucky, she would reach home and go to sleep before her mom came home.
But she would still have to find out how to get on the tram the next day. Oh wait, it was Saturday tomorrow. Maybe she could invite Josh over instead? He could bring the card, and that would fix everything, without getting her into more trouble.
Yes, that's it!
But for now, Lily put these thoughts aside, as she began the walk. The looong walk. Oh gosh, it was going to be so tiring. And there could be many scary people out there. Dangerous people. She would have to be careful, and read the mind of everyone that came by.
— 22:00 —
— Outer Central Sector —
Central Sector was split in two: All the shops and restaurants the adults went to, and the imperial sector where the Emperor lived in his big pyramid. The shopping area was closest to her.
It was luck for Lily that all the main streets were lit. There were only adults out at this time. And some big boys and girls. Along the streets were tall buildings, with shops at the entrances. All the cars and bikes passed in the middle, while she was walking on a side pavement, along with all the adults that passed by. And man, they gave the little girl a strange look.
'What is a child doing out here?' a woman thought.
'Hey, someone lost their kid?' another one thought.
All these thoughts bombarded her as she kept her senses stretched out, trying to look for any danger that followed her.
"Hey you!"
She stopped to look up over one of those soldiers in the huge red suits. A marine, they called them. One of the guards in the city.
"Are you lost?" he asked her.
"No, I'm ok!" she yelled in fear and ran past him, further down the street.
"Strange…" the marine commented, as one of his colleagues walked up at his side.
"Nah, it's probably one of those problem kids that always run away from home," the other one waved it off.
"Leave her, she'll manage."
Lily continued up along the streets, as more grown-ups gave her the strange looks. But she started to think over the situation.
'That was a… marine?… I don't want him to tell my mom…'
She lifted her head and gazed over the endless night streets, all full of crowds and night cars. She was already feeling very tired from the long walk, and all the mind reading made it worse. And she was cold.
'Maybe I should go back, and ask him for help. He might tell mom, but I'm tired… I'm cold… I'm scared…'
Most kids would have asked for help, probably from any adult. But she and her mommy had always been let down by other adults before. Trust was not something she easily gave away. But she really wanted to go home, and go to sleep.
She was about to turn and walk back, when she picked up another thought, as she still held up her senses.
This was the first time she read his mind, but the voice behind it… the evil in it… she knew it all too well.
'That masked bitch… If I could get my hands on her, one way or another!'
She looked ahead at the street, and fear stroke her heart as she saw an all too familiar bully, coming her way.
No. Not him! Not here!
Lily looked around in panic, and saw an opening to her side, among the tall buildings, leading from the main street and into a back alley. She ran with all the strength she could gather, hoping to get away, hoping that he would not come after her.
As she reached into the back alley, and seeing a garbage container, she moved over to hide behind it. She panted from all the running, and now tried to keep her fear in check. This was not the Academy. Maybe he wouldn't notice her.
She barely peeked out from behind the garbage container, back to where she had come from, seeing the street far ahead. Many people passed by, but she ignored them. She knew what to look for.
Then he passed. Dylan. Followed by his two loyal friends. Of all people to meet in the city. He suddenly stopped, and looked towards her direction. She became much more afraid, and hid again, getting out of sight.
Her heart was beating, faster and faster. She peeked out once more, and gasped as she saw the bully walking the narrow back alley road towards her. The panic skyrocketed, as she breathed faster and faster. This was not the Academy. This was a back alley in the city. Dylan could do anything possible to her, whatever he wouldn't do at the Academy.
She franticly looked around, and saw another narrow road. It would lead further away from the main street, but there was no other escape.
"Well, well, well…" Dylan spoke with a low voice, as he reached the back alley.
"Fancy running into you here, of all places."
He hadn't seen her, but he knew her presence too well to not notice. Her fear. Oh, how he enjoyed the feeling.
"Dylan, come on! We gotta go!" one of his companions yelled at him, remaining there at the main street.
"Or your dad's gonna get pissed off!"
He let out a sigh.
"Of all times, the one where I actually don't have the moment to enjoy myself. Not at a great opportunity like this…"
He turned around and began his slow return to his companions.
"You're lucky this time."
Before his hand smashed into a nearby computer terminal in the wall, breaking glass and letting out sparks. An automated gate slid shut, closing off the back alley from the main street.
*Slam!*
"Or… maybe you're not so lucky after all," he smiled with a smug satisfaction.
He continued down the road, and disappeared towards right, down the main street with his friends.
After a few minutes, Lily dared to walk out from her hiding spot, hoping that Dylan had walked away. She had already realized the horror of Dylan closing off her way home.
"Hello?! Is there anyone there!" she cried out, as she slammed her little arms on the gate.
There was no monitor on this side of it, so all she could do was to bang at the gate, and cry for help.
In spite of her banging, no one seemed to pick up on it, and no one came to open it.
"Help me! Please help me!" she cried out. But no one ever heard her pleas, the main street was too far away, and people were too busy to hear anything.
Tears ran down her face. She was all alone, in the dark, in the middle of nowhere in the city. She was very afraid.
The little girl turned around to see her only way. The other narrow road. It led away from the central area, with almost no light. But where would she go? She had to find a way home. So she began walking into the darkness. The poor girl shivered. Psionic or not, she was only a child. And what horrors could be found along that dark narrow road?
— 00:24 —
She had been walking and walking, and walking and walking. Small roads turned left, then right, then right, then…. she had lost track of it a long time ago.
At first she thought she was on the right way, but it turned out that she was in a maze of dark backstreets and alleys. And whenever she thought she found herself getting closer to a central area with much light, she only ended up at a closed gate. Either they had no monitors, or were locked up. She had gazed up at the tall buildings that surrounded her, all around. They didn't look like shops or apartments. Some of them had smoking pipes.
All the main factories were in the North Sector, where her mommy worked. She called it the industrial sector.
But she had said there were other areas with factories and companies, at disclosed locations. This was one of them, she had figured. And it was cold, dark and scary at night.
She didn't know where she were, she knew only one thing: She wasn't getting home. She was lost. All alone in the dark. With nothing but herself and her bag with her drawing papers. Two times she had passed a grown-up, standing at some back door and smoking.
Both of them had wondered what a little girl was doing here this late of night, but didn't really care for it. And she was too afraid to ask for help. She only moved past them, hoping they weren't bad or scary people.
Into the darkness, with almost no light. Not knowing where to go. No one to help her. She kept walking, turning to any open way she passed. That was all she could do. But she didn't get home.
Lost.
"Mommy…" she sniffed.
"I'm scared…"
"Help…"
The poor girl felt really tired, and she was shivering from the cold air. She really wanted to find some corner to rest. But, no, what if someone found her and did something… bad?
She shook off her thoughts, and forced herself to keep moving. She had to find her way home.
She found a bigger back alley, with some waterish dams on the ground, and smoke exiting from pipes. She swallowed hard, and wiped away her tears. It was really creepy, but she couldn't go back either. So she moved on. Only to discover too late that someone sat by the wall.
"Hey there, girlie," he called out to her, with a sleazy voice.
Lily gasped, as she turned to see the figure in the dark.
She had lowered her own defenses, her mind, because she had felt so tired after stretching out and read any minds she could find. She had missed the man.
"What's a pretty little girl like you doing here?" he grinned at her.
She immediately read his mind… it terrified her, beyond anything she had ever felt before. What he wanted to do to her. She had never seen it before, and yet, it was so… awful. Horrible.
The man began to get himself up, causing the girl to turn and run for her very dear life.
"Oh come back here, girlie, I ain't gonna hurt you," he called out, as he began to follow her trail.
"Help me!" Lily screamed out, as she turned around a corner.
"Well, what have we here?" another man said, blocking her way on the dark road ahead of her.
"Hmmm… Delicious!" he grinned, as he stepped towards her.
Lily knew that the first man was following her, since his presence was getting closer. She saw another narrow road opening to her side, and ran down along it. She ran fast. She ran with all she had. She ran for her dear life. She breathed heavily.
"Mommy!" she screamed.
"Somebody! Help!"
But there was no help. There was no one to hear her. Instead, she felt more people coming towards her. Her calls for help had caught their attention.
She turned around another corner, and reached another wide open back alley, only to be by found more adult men in front of her. She turned back, only to see that route cut off. The previous adults came walking towards her, lead by the first man she had encountered. He was their leader.
"Help!" she cried out, desperate.
"Oh, don't worry girlie," the leader said.
"We'll give you the help you need," he grinned.
She looked around to see all roads blocked by them, and she backed up against the wall to the tall building that reached above them.
All their thoughts… So ugly, so horrible, so awful. All of them. What they were going to do to her. Things she had never seen or thought of before, and she couldn't understand it, yet so awful. Even dying quickly would be better.
Terror held her, as she slid down the wall, onto her butt. She was trapped.
Eight men in total gathered around her, and she couldn't see them very clearly due to the darkness. Only a dim light from a nearby wall lamp made the exception. But they were all clad in dark clothing and hoodies, and seemed to have some dirt in their faces.
"Please, don't hurt me," she whimpered, her tears flowing down her face, and falling into her lap, as she sat there, all afraid.
"Oh, we ain't gonna hurt you. Relax! Just enjoy it, like we will," the leader grinned widely, in a way that frightened her even more.
The man began to unbuckle his belt.
Then… that was when she felt it. The presence. An intense fury, burning from above. So sudden. So powerful. So angry!
In spite of her fear, she gazed up to the skies above. While mostly dark, the skies had a faint color of orange, from the city light below. And under that black-orange color, on the rooftop far above them, she saw the figure. It had streaks of dotted purple light, around the shoulders, down the arms, along the thighs, many places. Even the wings. Wait, it had wings?
The figure's eyes shone purple, as it looked down at them in blazing anger. It was the very source of the fury she felt.
But before Lily could take in the sight, and understand anything of it, it quickly leapt down from the roof, down towards them.
A few of the thugs looked up due to the whistling sound of something large falling down towards them, barely in time to see anything.
*THUD!*
And within a second, the figure swung around to land and crashed into the middle of the group, right in front of Lily, knocking aside two of the men with its right wing in the swing.
"WHA-!?"
Before anyone could react, it stretched its arms out, with its eyes blazing entirely purple. All the men found themselves lifted up from the ground, as an intense humming energy sound came from around the figure. It steadily stretched out its wings, and a transparent purple sphere formed itself around the figure, intensifying the humming sound. The sphere blew out!
*CRA-CRASH!*
Three thugs were sent crashing brutally into the walls, causing cracks all over the concrete. Three others were sent through nearby fences and buried deep and violently through the garbage piles that happened to be on the other sides, all six knocked out cold.
Only two were "lucky" enough, and were sent flying in each their open direction of the back alley area. Only Lily was not hit.
One of the remaining two desperately got up and pulled out a large revolver, but as he looked up, the figure was already all over him, and one of its wings impaled into his arm.
"AAAAAAH!" he screamed in agony, and lost the grip on his gun.
The figured clenched its hand into a fist, and hit his forehead with all its might, sending him flying into the nearby concrete wall, and into unconsciousness as he left his cracking marks on the concrete.
The figure turned around to see the last thug crawling away in panic, trying to get up on his feet. He turned to see the creature pounce onto him with incredible speed, and before he knew what had happened, it had gripped him by his throat and flung him into the wall, strangling him with one hand.
He stared in total fear into the creature's face. Its raging purple eyes sent sent shivers down his spine, feeling a fear like he had never felt before.
"Please…" he choked out.
"Please don't kill me! I'll give you anything! I'll give you my money!"
"You don't deserve to live!" it growled.
Its voice was echoed. But it sounded feminine. And very young. And full of rage.
"I should kill you all off, before you harm anyone else, like you were about to with her! You're the worst kind among terrans, you disgust me!"
"No, p-please! D-Don't! Please don't kill me! I-I-I'll do anything! Just don't hurt me! P-Please!" the man stuttered in complete panic.
"Then again…" she trailed off, looking slightly afar into the air.
"I'll get into too much trouble if I leave any bodies behind. So this will have to do."
She clenched her free hand, and gave her all as her fist rammed into the thugs jaw. The cracking sound could be heard several meters away as the bones got severly broken. If there was any mercy for the thug, then it was the next hit that landed onto his skull, sending him into deep unconsciousness for a long time. Until he eventually would wake up to a world of incredible pain. Hopefully, it would last for the rest of his miserable life.
She dropped the thug, letting him collapse over to his side.
The creature let out a sigh, before she heard young Lily crying. She turned and looked over at the girl, full of worry.
It had been too much for the little blonde. All the horrendous thoughts from the thugs… and then something dropping in and knocking everything out. She sat there and cried, overcome by her fear.
The figure slowly approached her, and gently lowered herself to the girls height.
"Shh, shh. It's okay. It's okay," she whispered, and reached out her hand to gently stroke the poor girl's face.
"No one is going to hurt you," she continued.
Lilith felt the hand, as its touch traveled down on her cheek. It felt… somewhat hard and cold… yet warm at the same time. And the radiance she felt from it… It was warm, and soothing. She looked up, seeing the face. The glowing purple eyes.
It was a female. And before she knew it, Lily had leaned onto her, hugging onto her, with her arms around her body, and the little girl continued to cry out on her shoulder, letting everything out. The creature returned this by gently embracing the girl, her own arms holding tight onto her, giving the girl all the comfort and safety she needed.
"I'm so scared…" Lily sobbed.
"I want to go home. I want mommy…"
"It's okay" the figure whispered, gently stroking Lily back,
She rocked her her slightly, back and forth.
"It's okay, you're safe now."
Minutes passed, tears flowed without pause. All there was, was this comforting embrace around her.
Lily didn't know for how long she had been crying, when she finally began to notice how tired she felt.
Tired from from the crying. From the running. From the fear. But the soothing warmness, that radiated from her savior… It made her fear slowly go away, and the longer time she felt this, the more safe she felt.
Falling asleep felt like a good idea, except that the shoulders she rested on was somewhat hard, it felt somewhat bumpy and spiky, and not so warm as her mommy's. It was, in a way, colder, yet she still felt the warmness coming from the one holding her.
It was odd, so she leaned up from the shoulder, and begun to look at the woman… Girl… Womanish thing. Whatever it was that had saved her.
She gazed directly in her eyes. Lily was red and puffy around her own eyes from all the crying. Her eyes on the other and… Purple glowing eyes, that shone in the darkness. The power… and the friendliness that radiated from them.
They were nice.
The face didn't look that old. In fact, she didn't look fully grown-up. She didn't look that much older, if she were to guess by her face. Not older than Terra and Annabelle, and their class mates.
The face looked mostly human, except… What was it that indians in Josh's pictured books had in their faces? Tato? Tatto? Tatou? Something on 'T'.
The older girl had it in her face, below and above her eyes, coming in from her upper cheeks and the sides of her forehead. Except they weren't black. They glowed purple.
Then Lily looked above her face. Wow, that was the thickest, fattest hair she had ever seen! She had much less hair straws than normal humans… she was a sort of human, right? Much less hair straws… but they were the biggest she had ever seen. They were as thick as her own fingers. Some were thicker!
Unbeknownst to her, the figure fought the urge to laugh at how Lily's innocent mind described the fattest hair the little girl had ever seen.
The younger girl reached to touch them. The older one didn't back off, allowing the younger one to touch it. They were hard, but flexible. Felt like soft pipes, sort of. Or sticks. And they seemed to be jointed. Each put together piece by piece. Lily was all fascinated. The entire head was covered of it, reaching down below the… she had purple neck?!
Having trailed down the hair, she spotted the purple skin that covered her neck. And below it was… Lily didn't know how to describe it, but except for the boobies, that were dark purple themselves and seemed to be very hard skin, most of her upper body was covered with…
She tried to find the way of describing it… shell and spikes? Only later would she learn that this was called a carapace. It seemed somewhat bumpy, and there were spikes here and there, including a slight cover above the shoulder she had just wept on. But they all had patterns, and was formed along the body. She put her hand on, and touched. They felt cold, while she somehow could feel the warmth below.
She continued to trail her eyes down one of the arms that held her. The upper arm was covered in that deep purple skin, while the forearm was covered with that… shell-stuff? And the hands that had her safely in the grip… They had claws! The sharpest ones she had ever seen. This person could rip apart anything if she wanted to!
Lily, along with most others, would have become scared of the sight by now, had it not been for that warm, peaceful, soothing radiance she felt from the older strange girl. And the smile, and the friendly look from her eyes.
She continued to look all over her body. The elbows had spikes, as along the back of her forearms as well. She could even glance some along her legs.
And as she looked up again, she saw the wings. She had wings! But they weren't normal wings, they looked like they were made of bones. And along the bones were glowing dots of purple. Wait, she had glowing purple dots all over her body, not just the bones!
"Are you an angel?" Lily finally asked, most fascinated by her wings.
The 'angel', as she had called her, glanced behind at her right wings.
"Don't angels have feathers?" the older figure asked, making her point.
There was a strange echo in her voice. Strange and funny… but it didn't scare Lily. The voice itself felt friendly. And something was familiar about it.
"Are you a dark angel, then?" she asked.
"Dark angel?" the older girl smiled back, her purple eyes alternating back and forth between her wing and the little girl she held in front of her.
"Well, I'm someone's angel," she smiled warmly.
She took a look around, casting a look at all the unconscious thugs lying all around.
"Let's get you out of here."
She grabbed Lily tight onto her own chest.
"Hang on," she said.
Before Lily knew it, she squealed in a startled surprise as the older girl suddenly leapt up from the ground, and jumped upwards. They were going straight up, jumping from building wall to building wall. The little blonde quickly found herself on the roof above, in the arms of her rescuer, holding tight onto her.
Lily looked around, and while there was little light from the closest blocks, much more light could be seen in the more distant city areas. Coming all from Central Sector, from South Sector, from West Sector.
"Where do you live, little one?" the figure asked, keeping her friendly tone.
"I live in West Sector, angel. I live with my mommy."
The 'angel' smiled at the nickname she had gotten from the child.
"I'll take you home. Hang on tight."
Lily nodded, and held on as best as she could onto the 'angel', who locked her own arms tightly around Lily. The next moment, they leapt out from the rooftop and soared through the air, landing on another roof.
They jumped from rooftop to rooftop, and they soared steadily throughout the air as the 'angel' adjusted her wings, while the blowing air threw Lily's hair sideways.
"You can fly?! You really are an angel!" Lily called out in excitement, never letting go of her once.
'Heh, I wouldn't exactly say fly,' the 'angel' smiled with herself.
'But I'm a damn good jumper.'
— 01:20 —
— West Sector —
— Atkins's apartment —
Marie's shift had lasted longer than she originally thought, and she got home at the darkness of the late night. She entered the apartment in silence, avoiding to make any sound since Lily should be asleep by now.
Oh Lily… again she had to spend her evening alone, without her mother. Maybe she should have arranged to have her sleep over at Josh's instead.
But she should be home and safe, at least. Marie carefully opened the door to her little angel's bedroom, and peeked in to find Lily sound asleep in her bed, to her mother's relief. But she couldn't help notice that for whatever little she could see in the darkened room, Lily's face… for some reason… seemed more tired than usual. And the little girl rolled slowly over in her bed, with an expression in her face that suggested discomfort.
"No…" the little girl murmured in her sleep.
'Nightmare?' her mother thought, concerned.
She walked over to the bed, and tenderly stroke the cheek of her daughter, and it calmed the girl in her sleep.
'I hope nothing bad happened at the Academy today,' the mother thought, as she turned and left the bedroom.
'At least Josh's parent hasn't called me. I really should get to thank this Catherine one day.'
But when she returned to the kitchen and turned on the light, she spotted a hand-written note on the table.
She picked it up, and her eyes slowly widened, as she grew pale.
I found Lily lost and alone, late at night in the older south-western factory district.
She has seen something very awful, something she never should have, and I fear it will haunt her for a long time. I rescued her before the worst happened, but she needs you more than ever, now.
She also saw something no one is supposed to see. Not yet, at least.
Meet me outside the Psionics Academy at 19:00, tomorrow. I'll explain everything to you there. And I'll keep waiting if you're late.
Please, look after her.
— South Sector —
— Apartment 39-16 —
Meanwhile, on a different side of the capital, a certain someone returned to apartment 39-16. The apartment block was within one of the few high-security areas in the city, with extra guards and sensors posted around. People at risk lived in such areas, and some of the students at the Psionics Academy were among them. What some people would do to get their hands on psionically gifted children these days.
Her dad had told her of the horrors done by the Confederacy and the first Dominion Emperor.
Still, the tight security didn't stop her, if she knew how to walk around them. Weeks of scouring their shifts for weaknesses, had finally paid off, giving her a well-deserved trip of her own, into the free air. Or the closest thing to free air the atmosphere around Augustgrad had to offer. Except, she had gotten more than she bargained for.
She moved across the living room in the apartment, aiming for her own bedroom. The room itself was dark, making the purple glowing patterns on her body the only visible sight for the naked eye. It didn't last. She stiffened up when recognizing the presence at her side, and the light was suddenly flicked on.
"And what you been up to, young lady?" he asked her.
'Damn it!' the teenager mentally cursed, and turned around to face the man who had caught her in the act.
He wore nothing more than a black t-shirt, and brown short trousers, with his dark hair slightly ruffled up.
'He's back-' her thoughts began.
"-a lot earlier from my mission than expected?" the man finished.
"Come on, Cath, give me some slack. I'm not one of the best ghosts for nothing."
"Best? Nova is considered best, how close are you in comparison?" her echoed voice replied, as she smirked back at him.
"I don't need a PI of 10 to do my job properly. And last I remember, she retired recently for teaching."
He looked at her, glancing over her carapace-covered body and wings, before looking across the living room to the sofa, where her cloaks and mask lied.
"Please tell me you didn't do what I think you have," he said.
"Well, I…" she said, looking away as she began to fidget her dreadlock hair with her hand.
He pinched his nose bridge, and let out a groan.
"Catherine, dad and Sarah told you clearly to wear your clothes whenever you're out in public. No exceptions!"
"Johnny, I… I needed to stretch my wings," she tried, but failed to find any better reason.
"Stretch your wings…" he repeated, giving her a stare that spoke of how little impressed he was.
"If you're going to make up excuses, at least do it properly!"
"Do you have any idea how it is to walk around with those robes all day long?!" she snapped back at hi.
"Or how cramped and tiring it feels to curl up my wings all the time?"
He cast a look at the bone wings that sprung out of her back, looking up to the top joints from where all the wing limbs spread out, downwards. Nearly reaching the ceiling, that already had a few scratches. True, even in here, Catherine had to always watch them from tearing into anything. Or toppling any loose objects. They already have had a few close calls.
"Of course I don't, I'm not infested," he replied, stating the obvious, "but I have a good idea that Sarah will give me hell if things go south from here."
"Ha-ha, very funny… Don't worry about mom, let me handle her," Catherine said.
Johnny shook his head, and let out a sigh.
'Teenagers… They never get it. Zerg or human, they're still the same…' he thought.
"I heard that!" Catherine said, annoyed.
He gave her his serious look.
"Were you seen?"
"Well… I…" she muttered.
"Oh for God's sake, Catherine!" he exclaimed.
"I swear, either you or your mother is going to be end of me…"
"Don't say that…" she replied and punching him slightly on his shoulder.
"It was a girl from the Academy, from age-group 8. Her name is Lily."
He slightly narrowed his eyes at the words.
'Strange, why someone that young at this late?' he thought.
"I stumbled across her in the south-western area," she continued
"You mean the old factory district?" he said, narrowing his eyes further as he was familiar with that district. Too familiar.
"That's one of the most dangerous places in the whole city. Why was a girl that young doing there?"
"From what I know, a series of unfortunate events. And she was surrounded…"
Johnny's face began to darken. He really didn't like where he knew this was going.
"Johnny… they were going to…" Catherine whispered.
He didn't answer back. He wouldn't, the idea shook him too much for that. He walked slowly across the living room, and slid down in on of the large chairs near the sofa.
"Hell…" he muttered.
Even if he was a professional ghost, with his own share of kills, the thought of what almost happened to that young girl sickened him.
Catherine sat down with him, onto the nearby sofa, and adjusted her bone-wings behind herself, carefully so that they didn't tear into the materials.
They sat there for a minute, in complete silence.
"You… didn't end up on a rampage this time, did you?" he asked her with worry.
"No, but I knocked the shit out of them," she answered.
"Maybe it was good thing you snuck out, after all…" he smiled slightly.
"Makes the Swarm look better, doesn't it?" Catherine asked, sadly.
"It does, sort of," Johnny agreed.
"At least the zerg has the courtesy to kill their enemies right of the bat, these days… No wonder why the protoss disliked us when we first arrived in the Koprulu sector…"
He gazed at her, looking into her eyes.
"Tell me everything that happened."
And so the zerg teenager began to lay it out to her human brother, what had proceeded that night, from rescuing the girl, to what was waiting for them next.
— END CHAPTER —
Author's notes:
And Catherine is finally revealed! And in case I failed to make it obvious, her 'hunchback' is that you could fit 1-2 other humans of her age beneath the cloaks, if there was room inside.
Yes, Johnny is alive and one of the main supporting characters in the story. He should be about 27 years old at this point. I will go into his backstory later.
Up to this point, most of the content has been drafted since late 2014, before the work was put on long-time hold, while I focused mainly on "Uzumaki Naruko: Exile on the run."
Now that all content has been published, it will take much more time before any new chapters are published, since next chapter has about no content written at this moment. I'm also interested to see on the feedback from the community, whether this story deserves as much time as my Naruto-fic, or if I should prioritize this one less. I suppose, time will tell. (But it doesn't hurt to have a follower-alarm on this one, at least you get to know when I update this story ;) )
So, until next time, then :)