Chapter 3: Demons

Warren felt a tormenting mix of anger, shame and fierce protectiveness as his teary mother discovered the charred remains of their meal in the over-hot oven. Why did today have to be one of her bad days? She apologised anxiously as they ate their takeout pizza at the dining table of the modest apartment, and Warren felt the heat sear his hands. If Will said anything at all, if he gave any indication that he found any of this the slightest bit amusing… Warren wrestled against the urge to set his fists aflame. But of course Will was nothing but gracious and polite. He had an enviable, easy charm that people instantly warmed to. He even made Mrs Peace laugh with some lame joke about how he'd eat pizza for breakfast if his mom would let him.

He knew it was inevitable, but Warren nevertheless had hoped to avoid it. For the last week, he had been spending every evening he wasn't doing a shift at the Paper Lantern at the Stronghold house. He was surprised at how patient he was with Will and how vicariously happy he was at his progress. He was also surprised that he wasn't really missing Bianca. Or even thinking about her at all, most of the time.

But what surprised Warren the most was the fact that he actually liked Will's dad. Perhaps Steve Stronghold was making a special effort in view of his past history with Warren's own father, but Warren found himself developing a grudging respect for the man. Mr Stronghold knew exactly what sort of person Barron Battle was, but he didn't recoil in Warren's presence or treat him with suspicion. Both of Will's parents were welcoming and seemed to genuinely like him.

And then Warren's mom asked why he was always going round Will's to study and why Warren never asked Will over to their place. Because I knew something like this would happen, Warren thought as he looked into his mother's red-rimmed eyes. The slightest thing would set off her tears these days. His mother, who had always been so strong, the one stabilising influence in Warren's life, seemed to be falling apart. There were days she didn't even get out of bed, burying her face into her pillow and sobbing inconsolably. There were days when she had no interest in anything. Warren supposed he should thankful that at least today she had managed to change out of her dressing gown.

They resumed the tutoring session in Warren's room after eating. Will sat on Warren's bed, drawing up a plan for a small-scale teleportation device. He chewed his bottom lip as he concentrated, his light brown hair falling over his eyes. When Warren realised he had been staring at Will for over five minutes, he quickly averted his gaze. As he looked around his small room, he wished that he had tidied up a bit before Will had come over. There was a pile of dirty clothes that Warren now regretted kicking into a corner. Why hadn't he just slung them in the laundry basket? He thought for a moment. And why did he even care? This was Stronghold, for Chrissakes. Did it really matter?

Will suddenly put his pencil down and looked at Warren with concerned blue eyes.

"Warren," he said hesitantly. "Your mom, is she OK?"

Warren stood up, his hands unconsciously curling into tight fists. Will's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "Don't take this the wrong way, but she seems to be a little… under strain."

"She's fine. I think know how to look after my own mother, Stronghold," said Warren through gritted teeth.

"Look, I'm worried, that's all."

"Well, I didn't ask you to be."

"You didn't, but I am because you're my friend."

Warren hadn't realised that his left hand was blazing until Will covered it with his own. The flames licked Will's fingers, but he didn't wince. Warren felt the fire subside under Will's steady grip, but something else stirred in him at his touch. He was sure that Will would hear his heart thrashing against his ribcage as he looked at him with those damn eyes. Stronghold was worried. How could he be mad at that? But his mother was no-one's concern but his own. He wasn't about to tell Will anything. He didn't need his pity. He'd figure out a way to help his mother by himself, he'd have to. Who else did she have left? And what could he say to him, anyway? My mom cries a lot? It's not like she was addicted to drink or drugs. But she did seem dead inside…

Warren extracted his hand from Will's.

"I told you to leave it, Stronghold." Warren's face was flushed, his voice low.

Will looked as if he was about to say something, but then decided against pursuing the matter further. He didn't mention it to Warren again.

"Don't be so nice all the time, Layla. You can call him a bastard if you want to."

"I don't want to."

"Fine, I'll do it for you then. Will Stronghold is a bastard and a total retard for letting you go."

Layla grinned at the girl with heavy kohl around her dark eyes and purple streaks in her hair lounging on the window seat. She couldn't hate Will or be angry with him; he couldn't help how he felt any more than she could. But it did feel good to have someone indignant on her behalf. Magenta was still refusing to speak to him.

"Maj, I just want him to be happy. And if he's happier not being with me, I'd rather him not be with me."

Magenta tutted and rolled her eyes to Layla's bedroom ceiling. "What did I just say to you about being nice? Stop it! He doesn't deserve someone like you, Layla."

Layla sighed as she leafed through the wad of papers in her hands. In a bid to distract herself, she had joined the school paper and was working on her first report, an expose of the fast food chain MacZees.

"Could you be any more cliché, Eco Girl?" said Magenta, shaking her head. "Why don't you just do some banal story about prom? That's what the idiots at that place want to read, isn't it? Who's wearing what, who's doing who…" As much as Layla liked Magenta, the shapeshifter's idea of helping seemed to consist of playing loud music and providing an endless supply of sarcastic remarks. Layla typed on her laptop.

"There's a difference between wanting something and needing something, Maj," Layla said a little loftily as her fingers tapped the keyboard. "People might want to read about the school dance, but they need to know about the unethical practices of an exploitative multinational corporation."

"O-K," Magenta shrugged. "Whatever."

Magenta turned to look out of the window and snickered. "Aren't they supposed to be studying? Since when did Mr Medulla test on jump shot technique?"

"What?"

Layla got up and sat next to Magenta. The sun was setting, the rose pink sky a darkening blue. One or two brighter stars shone faintly. In the yard next door, two teenage boys were playing basketball. One was tall and dark and moved with a fluid grace as he bounced the ball effortlessly across the yard. The other boy was shorter, but well-built, and bounded after him like an excited puppy. Layla felt a stab at her chest. They both looked so happy. This was one of the many hazards of living next door to your ex, she thought miserably. You get to see him all the time.

"Wow," said Magenta in mock awe. "Warren Peace actually looks like he's enjoying himself. Who'da thought he could crack that face into a smile?"

The petals on the yellow orchid on Layla's window sill began to brown at the edges. Layla breathed slowly, trying to focus. She couldn't let her emotions take control, not this time. She had to be stronger. When she and Will first broke up, she had taken out all of the plant life in a three-mile radius of her house. The Maxville Mercury ran a front page story on the mysterious phenomenon, broadcasting her heartbreak to everyone who knew her. It was humiliating.

Layla closed her eyes and concentrated all her energy into the plant. For once, Magenta said nothing; she walked across the room and busied herself with Layla's CD collection. Layla's fingers prickled in that familiar way as she drew upon her chlorokinetic power. She breathed slowly and then opened her eyes. The flower stopped wilting, but she could not restore it to full bloom.

A heavy, leaden sky groaning with rain clouds loomed above Sky High the next morning. The crowds of students parted as Lash and Speed stalked past. Their short stint in Maxville High Security Prison had earned them a certain amount of notoriety and the air was punctuated with nervous whispers as they went by. People were scared of them. Good, thought Lash. Fear bred respect, and he thought it was about time him and Speed got some respect.

Speed grunted as he bit into the chocolate cupcake he was holding and he vaguely wiped the saliva running down his chin with the back of his hand. Lash inwardly grimaced. Speed could be such a hog, it was a bit embarrassing at times. Given his vast bulk, it was ironic that his power was superspeed.

They approached a gaggle of giggling girls. Lash smirked as he stretched out his arm and tapped the shoulder of an attractive blonde in the group. She pursed her full lips together and scowled when she turned around.

"Hey, Snowflake. If you ever get sick of running after Peace and want yourself a real man, I'm here for you, baby," Lash leered. Speed sniggered between mouthfuls of cake. Bianca snorted derisively, her pretty nose wrinkling as if she had caught a particularly bad smell.

"Drop dead, Lash, you dick," she said coldly. "And don't call me Snowflake. In fact, don't speak to me at all. Unless you want your balls frozen off." She turned on her heel and walked away. Lash watched her sashay up the school steps and grinned approvingly at her short skirt.

He gave a low whistle. "Man, that is one fine piece of…"

Lash stopped when a short boy with thick glasses and dressed in orange bumped into Speed, causing his cupcake to slip through his chocolate-smeared fingers and plop unceremoniously onto the concrete.

"You little shit!"

"Sorry," said Ethan. He looked Speed in the eye and smiled. The little sidekick didn't seem to be scared at all.

"You'll regret that," Speed spluttered, red-faced.

"Hey, I said sorry," said Ethan impatiently. "Now, I'm in a bit of a hurry, so if you don't mind…"

Lash extended his arm and grabbed hold of Ethan's collar as he started to walk away, lifting the smaller boy three feet from the ground. Ethan was writhing and kicking under his grip, dangling wretchedly in the air like a marionette.

"Oh, but we do mind, sidekick," said Lash, emitting the word 'sidekick' with a contemptuous hiss. "You need to learn to show your superiors some respect."

Ethan shook with frenzied wheezing as Lash lifted him higher.

"Huh-huh-huh… P-huh-ut m-huh-me d-huh-own!" Ethan rasped, his face slick with sweat.

Lash and Speed exchanged smug glances.

"Uh-oh! The ickle sidekick is scared of heights," Speed jeered. "You better put him down, Lash, and give him to me." He smiled at Ethan maliciously. "I'll make him feel better."

Lash released Ethan, who collapsed to the ground in a quivering, gasping heap. There was a flash of monochrome and orange and Speed and Ethan disappeared from view. Lash and Speed's minds worked in tandem when they attacked. They had learned to appreciate the fine art of torture over their years together; they were connoisseurs in suffering. They were able to identify and strike at weakness in such a way as to generate the most exquisite pain. Lash instinctively looked to the top of the school's highest building, the gym roof, knowing he would find Speed and his victim there.

From ground level, it was difficult to see exactly what was happening. But Lash knew from the blur of colour on the roof that Speed was spinning Ethan around repeatedly. He knew that Speed wanted to make him throw up, to degrade him. Break him. Lash laughed so hard he felt tears run down his cheeks. If only he could see the sidekick's face.

"What's so funny, Lash?"

At the sound of that self-righteous voice, Lash's laughter immediately halted. Will fucking Stronghold, thought Lash venomously, and Warren fucking Peace, standing together, arms crossed like a pair of fucking fags. Stronghold, in his usual preppy ensemble and Peace in his bad boy black leather. Pathetic. Lash felt the old anger simmer over inside him, but said nothing.

Will looked to the gym roof.

"What the… is that a person Speed's got up there?" he demanded sharply.

Lash was taller than Will, but stretched his body further so that he towered over him.

"Keep out of it, Stronghold," said Lash, his voice laced with menace. He was standing too close to Will, practically touching him. Will looked him square in the eye, unblinking, unafraid. Warren was on standby. Of course Will didn't need any help, but if Lash so much as laid a finger on him, he would incinerate the elasticated freak.

A dreadful scream from above made all the students look to the sky. Ethan was plummeting from the roof. Lash felt his mouth turn to dust. No, he wouldn't… This couldn't be part of the plan. Sure, they were sadistic bastards, but Speed couldn't have wanted this…

No-one could move or breathe as they watched Ethan's sickening descent. No-one except Will, who leapt into the air, his mind blank. He soared upwards, slicing through the wind, catching Ethan only feet away from the ground.

"Ethan!"

Layla, Zach and Magenta ran over to their friend, who hung limply in Will's arms. Will was pale and trembling as he lowered Ethan to the ground.

"H-he's not breathing!"

Will stood over Ethan helplessly. Layla pushed him aside and checked Ethan's pulse, asking him loudly if he could hear her. No response. Curious students started to gather around.

"Back off!" Warren growled, his dark eyes blazing. "Or I swear I will fry you all!"

Layla knelt next to Ethan, and tilted his head back, checking his airway. Warren felt nauseous. How did she manage to stay so calm? He could feel Will shaking next to him and he grasped his arm tightly. Will placed his fingers over Warren's and squeezed them so hard Warren thought he could feel his bones crunch.

Layla pinched Ethan's nostrils shut and covered his mouth with her own. She robotically went through the CPR manoeuvres in her mind. Two slow breaths, two seconds each. Pause. Repeat. Two slow breaths, two seconds… It's not working, a small voice screamed in Layla's head. Ethan's going to die! You're doing it wrong, it's not working! Layla fought against the rising panic. She tried to ignore the people around her and her own self-doubt. She placed her hand on Ethan's chest. Fifteen firm chest compressions. Layla counted and gave two breaths.

Layla wept when Ethan's chest moved spontaneously and he gave a feeble cough. She barely registered the gentle hand on her shoulder. Nurse Spex had pushed her way through the crowd and was now kneeling beside her, checking Ethan over.

"Well done, girlie," she beamed at Layla. "You did it."

There was a blinding burst of white light. Principal Powers quickly assessed the situation and instructed a bus driver to take Ethan to Maxville General Hospital. As soon as she was satisfied that Ethan was safe, she turned to the students, her grey eyes as hard as steel.

"Who is responsible for this?"

Speed appeared at her elbow, looking a model of sincerity.

"I saw it happen, Principal Powers – the sidek… Ethan was on the roof, he must've slipped somehow," he said helpfully.

"LIAR!"

Will launched himself at Speed. Will at full power was unstoppable. Warren struggled to hold Will back, realising he was only able to restrain him because he was so shaken. He felt Will's muscles tense then relax slightly under his hands. Warren desperately wanted to toast Speed himself, but could not allow Will to do something he might regret.

"It was him, Principal Powers!" Will yelled, his face contorted with fury. "Speed nearly killed Ethan!"

The assorted throng gasped at Will's words. Speed opened his mouth to protest, but Principal Powers silenced him with a raised hand.

"My office, now."

A collective hush fell over the students as Principal Powers led Speed inside the building. Zach, Magenta and Layla stared at Lash wide-eyed, as if he were a psychopath.

"Why did you have to tell her that, Stronghold, you fuck?" Lash spat. "Speed didn't mean it to go that far."

"He could've killed him!" shrieked Magenta.

"But he's going to be expelled, for sure."

"And whose fault is that?" said Will.

Lash glared at him.

"You'll pay for this, Stronghold."

"You think Will's scared of you?" Warren snarled. "What could you possibly do to him?"

Lash stormed off, his anger reaching an unbearable level. God, how he wanted to make them both suffer…

That evening, Lash sat in his room, brooding. He thought of the unsettling conversation he had with Speed after school. Speed was his best friend, there was no-one he trusted more, but… Speed had shown no remorse, he simply laughed as he recounted how Powers had said she didn't believe the story that got them out of jail early, that Royal Pain forced them to help her using mind control. Speed laughed as he explained how his father's influence had ensured that he escaped expulsion and only gotten himself a week's suspension. He found it all so hilarious. He didn't seem to care that someone had nearly died because of him.

Lash pushed away the treacherous thoughts about Speed and reflected on the end of the conversation. About the promise he made to his friend. The promise that he would destroy Stronghold. Yeah, the fucker had it coming to him. It was Stronghold's fault that they had wound up in prison. Stronghold's fault that Speed had got into trouble.

The darkening shadows lengthened as the night drew on and Lash continued to plot. A plan finally took shape. He smiled to himself in the darkness. He knew how he was going to crush Stronghold completely.

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A/N

Yes, I know, we're three chaps in now and still no mindswappery! Bear with me, though, as the scene setting is important… I promise the action will hot up in part 4.

Thanks for reading and for the reviews so far (all three of them! thanks for your comments west trekker, Rosemarykiss and smokeydog, as this is my first story I'm just so chuffed that I got some feedback! and Rosemarykiss, I get what you mean about the 1st chap being a little confusing, but its where the idea for the story sprung from so I thought it would be a good starting point... )

Please let me know what you think, good and bad!

AzulTigress

PS I'm no first aider, so please don't use those resuscitation techniques if you find yourself in an emergency situation!