No signs of stoppin' this time people! My latest story appears to be an instant hit with all the hits it's receiving within just less a week of being aired. A real surprise for me I can tell you that. Though no reviews have been turned in I think all the people actually looking at it are enough. At least for now anyway. Oh well. On with things. Matoh-sama owns Fake, not me. But I'm sure all who've read my work knows what's my crap and what isn't. So read, review and enjoy!
"iii" speech
iii thought
Chapter 3: Bikky and Lai Strike Back!
The rain started to pour out of the clouds harder than before, Gayle staring at them in confusion, looking between the people gathered and the picture in his hand. Obviously lost and wondering what the hell they meant, he couldn't help but ask. "Kijika? Who's Kijika? I don't think I've met him. Is he in this somewhere? Huh. Nope. I got nothin'. So who's this Kijika?"
"There! Right there! The one that's smiling! That's Kijika! But what's he doing in this picture? Do you know him?" Ryo asked almost desperately. At least now they knew where the teen had come from and had been lucky enough to find someone who actually knew him. Blinking and looking at the picture again, his expression perked. "Oh him? That's Evan, and the grumpy one's his older twin Ozzy. Inseparable; except for when they're called to do specific tasks that require one to be one place while the other's elsewhere. Evan's a good guy, doesn't like hurting people but only uses his skills in self-defense and what have you. Why? Do you know him?"
This question created another silence before Ryo decided to answer anyway. "Actually yes. Dee found him on the street yesterday and we brought him in this morning so we might be able to have him IDed but his injury reopened and we had to take him to the hospital. He's back at my place resting. I've even enlisted the help of a few teens to watch him for us." As he said this, Gayle's face went blank, his skin paling as his blood left his complexion almost instantly. "He was injured? When? By who? Is he okay?"
"Oh he's fine! He just needed a few stitches for what we think is some kind of stab wound. It's not very deep and is more like a scratch than anything. He just suffered dizziness and blood loss. Why? Is something wrong?"
"You can bet your ass! They must've attacked him when he was alone and he obviously bolted. He's a slippery dude so a scratch means they used some real firepower in the hopes of slowing him down. I'm not sure if they're watchin' your building but it's possible they jumped on the opportunity of gettin' him at the hospital but found me instead. This is bad. If they find him heavens above knows what they'll do. But since you've given him an alias means that he underwent some nasty shock and stopped talkin' right?" he asked, Dee and Ryo nodding to confirm, Gayle gripping his chin in thought. "Huh. Explains why you're not deaf yet. He'll snap out of it sooner or later. But for right now we need to keep a real good eye on everyone and everything around Evan, both those kids sittin' back at your place and ourselves as well. My guess is that they'll try and strike those kids first."
"You mean right now a bunch of crazy guys are gonna attack a group of teens? Why didn't you say so earlier?" the chief demanded as he rose from his seat and headed for the door. He didn't have the chance to touch the door handle as Gayle came out of nowhere in a blur of color and motion, using the crutches as a means to stand, his face covered in sweat and contorted by pain. However this didn't stop him from looking absolutely grim and commanding, looking the older man right in the eye. "No one's going anywhere. If it's anyone who's gonna be moving around it's Evan. I may not know what kind of condition he's in but if he's even half conscious he should be able to hold off a bar full of thugs if he wanted to. What you need to do is call that apartment and tell them to come here. And fast. No exceptions." He gasped as he struggled to stand, leaning against the door itself to keep from falling to the ground in agony, his leg throbbing like hell's fires. Diana had to get up herself to drag him back to where he'd been seconds before, gently replacing the ice pack as he tried to keep from crying out in pain. Amidst this he turned his close to blurry gaze toward Ryo, nodding in his direction. "Make the call. Get them over here. They'll need to be here to listen to what I have to say since they're involved enough as it is."
With a concerned expression on his face Ryo quickly pulled out his cell phone and hit the speed dial, his face unchanged as he listened to the dial tone. He started to fear the worst when a click sounded off and a familiar voice said. "Hello?"
Though still a bit shocked that Kijika had fixed the TV to work in bad weather, the four teens still enjoyed their after school time, having long since finished their homework and were now just being high school teens. Although the phone ringing soon interrupted all of this, Bikky got up to answer it with the phrase. "I'll get it!" quickly jogging into the kitchen, Bikky snatched the receiver and said. "Hello?"
"Bikky! I'm glad you're there! You need to get Kijika and your friends over here now! I can't explain it too well since I don't know that much myself but get over to the 27th as fast as you can okay?"
"Ryo is something wrong? Did something happen?" the teen asked, really concerned for his guardian now since his tone didn't sound right at all. But apparently the man wasn't in a mood to argue. "No time! Just get over here as fast as you possibly can! And hurry! Something bad just might happen. I'll see you soon."
Bikky started to protest when the line went dead and no sooner did he try to call the man back did the lights go out and the phone completely useless. The girls in the next room screamed in surprise, Lai calling out to the other teen, asking what'd just happened and why the lights were turned off. "I don't know! They just shut off!"
Their chatter was again interrupted by a mysterious thud outside the front door, resounding off the walls like makeshift thunder as lightening flashed outside, real thunder booming as the rain splattered windows let some of the flash into the apartment for a few moments before vanishing again. An eerie silence fell over them as Bikky hung up the now useless phone and picked up a flashlight out of the cupboard, coming back into the living room to stand with his three friends. "What the hell was that?"
"I don't know but I think the fuses are shot. And Ryo just called saying we need to go to the precinct right away. He didn't say what for but we should go while we can. If we can."
"If you say so but in this weather? I doubt we'll even make it out the door!" Lai complained, and for good reason. The rain was coming down as though earth's gravity was too much for it, almost hard enough to dent metal and crack windows and the windshields of cars. Bikky couldn't help but think that there was something very wrong, and even though he knew the apartment to be very warm, it started to feel unusually chilly as the warm air started to vanish like it was never there. The loud thud came again, closer now and bone chilling. Something was very wrong and the kids couldn't help but think that the thud had something to do with it. Kijika, who sat up sleepily, was fully awake now and was searching the dark. Finding his shoes, his hat and his jacket, the teen stood up with a stony expression, going to the front closet to collect his friends' things even though they gave him confused looks. But Bikky seemed to know what the silent teen was thinking. "C'mon guys! We have to get to the precinct!"
"What for? Is someone out to get us?" no sooner had Lai said this, the door creaked under the powerful weight of something, the pound of flesh on wood resounding through the apartment like a dull bell. Kijika wasted no time heading for the fire escape, forcing the window open even when rain threatened to soak the floor. Out of all the time they'd known the guy, he'd never been this serious and it was a sign that he knew what he was doing. They just hoped he knew what was going on since they didn't. Just as the boys started out, the girls held back. "What's wrong?"
"Are you crazy? We're in skirts and heels!" Carol pointed out as Lass just nodded in agreement. Kijika seemed to vanish to reappear with two pairs of Bikky's jeans and some shoes he'd obviously found somehow, a backpack hanging from his shoulder and a blanket draped over the other. Not letting anyone speak, he shoved the pants into the girls' hands, with shoes and belts to boot, holding the blanket up to give them privacy while he deliberately looked the other way. A few moments passed before Carol appeared from behind the layer of fabric with a confused expression, soon followed by Lass who looked just as lost but both had adorned the pants and shoes. Seeing this, Kijika quickly folded the blanket and stuffed it into the open backpack, holding out a hand for the girls' skirts and heeled shoes. Blinking at this move they complied, their things expertly placed on top of the blanket before he zipped the thing up and nodded for the two boys to exit via the window.
Another loud thud echoed out from the front door over the pounding rain, the girls quickly stepping out onto the fire escape as Kijika shut the window behind them before quickly going to the edge of the metal railing, looking all around before doing something none had expected from him: he jumped over the side, the teen practically vanished into the rain but their fears were quenched when he landed on the railing of the level below them, waving for them to follow. Even if he couldn't speak yet, they didn't need to be told twice as they scurried down the metal stairs in the hopes of keeping up with their silent leader who was somehow moving faster than they were. He didn't waste any time pulling the escape ladder down to the street below, resting his feet on the concrete as he watched the surrounding area for unwanted visitors.
One came sooner than they wanted, the crash of a window being broken vaguely reaching them over the rain, making them look up as busted glass came raining down. Lass screamed as she scrambled to avoid the lethal shards. Carol, who'd been the next level down, nearly sent herself over the edge to dodge the broken glass. "Hurry!" she called, as she didn't hesitate to take on the next set of stairs with Lass not far behind, desperately trying to keep up with her friends. Another pair of shoes stomped onto the metal floor a few floors above them, quickly scaling the stairs in a way they'd only seen Kijika do. The figure was gaining even when the five were moving like crazy to get ahead of the stranger. Seeing that their escape wasn't going to be as easy as he'd hoped, Kijika climbed back up the ladder, instantly skipping the stairs by grabbing the edge of the level above and pulling himself up to grab the railing and repeated this until he was face to face with their pursuer, pouncing on the man who grunted while the two girls got far away enough from the struggle. But the stranger wasn't giving up without a fight. Hell no, he was there for a reason and he was going to do what he was ordered.
The blood of the two boys below ran cold when they saw what appeared to be a gun come to hand, Kijika obviously making him point in a different direction so that when it was and if fired, the shots would bounce harmlessly off of the metal escape platform and the brick walls. A few shots were sent off in meaningless directions, only making the stranger angry enough to kick Kijika off of him and take aim. But he never got hit since he'd jumped to the side and had proceeding to jump to the building next door. The figure stood in obvious shock as the teen bounced off the brick wall and down to the fire escape platform two stories down. It wasn't long before he took aim again, this time at the wall as Kijika made moves to jump two more stories, the other four teens already on the ground and watching in awe. The gun went off and the shot rang out over the rain, only for it to bounce off the brick wall harmlessly as Kijika quickly jumped down to the ground, landing on his feet to run out of the alley and toward the sidewalk not too far ahead.
Wind howling and rain crashing, the five disappeared around the corner, bolting down the street to zig zag around bystanders, people crazy enough to walk around in the rain and even a few people walking their dogs despite the weather. Kijika in the lead, made sure the other four weren't far behind as he expertly avoided people and cars, not caring that he almost got hit a little over six times. Hell he even slid over the hoods whether they were parked or not. Rushing through the busy streets of late evening New York, Bikky couldn't help but wonder just who Kijika really was. Little did he know just how soon he'd find out.
--Meanwhile At The 27th Precinct—
Diana was giving Gayle worried glances as the teen sat in silence, the cops around him sitting with tension filling the room to its rim. His breathing had evened out, clearly meaning that he was still able to last for a good ten minutes or so. The chief, all the while, was losing his patience with the teen. Slamming his fist on the table, he made all but the teen jump in surprise and some fear that he'd chose one of them to strangle. "Just who are you really? And what the hell does this boy mean to you? Fuck you haven't even told us who you work for!"
Gayle, opening an eye and staring at the older man across the room, giving the man a look that told him he should've kept his mouth shut. But instead of staying silent, the teen answered the question anyway. "Since you're so desperate to know, the name's Gayle Newman and the one you call 'Kijika' is my coworker and was on assignment prior to this buffoon bumping into him." He growled roughly, sounding exhausted as he gave Dee the thumb gesture. The man in question just glared but didn't say anything since the teen looked pissed off enough as it was. Ryo, naturally worried about the teen, leaned forward a bit to ask. "Are you sure you don't want to go back to the hospital and get that leg seen to? They could do a better job with that than us."
But Gayle just shook his head with a tired smirk. "Nah. They probably still have some hold over there and I know them well enough to know they don't target police stations or cop cars. Too noticeable if a cop starts actin' funny, even amongst their peers where it's obvious they don't seem to be in their right state of mind. My best bet is here where I can sit tight without gettin' attacked with a scalpel."
"What did happen over there anyway? Wasn't it filled with cops?" Berkeley pointed out, others nodding in agreement. It was true that if something were wrong, security would've shown up to take care of it and deal with the perpetrator. But in this case, for some reason, no one had shown up at all.
"That much I'm certain of but where they went is beyond me. The only cop I saw was Dee and he was perfectly conscious. My guess is that Evan's presence acted enough as of a protective layer to keep the guy from falling victim to their influence. How or why that is I've no idea but as long as that presence can last I don't think you've much to worry about on the field. But right now we all got the 'outta jail free' card in our pockets. Stick with my advice and pay attention. Don't wanna be blamed for gettin' on of ya killed by some random person out there."
"What do you mean by that? How do they do that anyway?"
Gayle's face was so grim; they felt themselves pale as he answered in a cold voice that sent chills down their spines and their hair to stand on end. "Do you really want to know?"
The room was silent, the teen's dark grey eyes moving over them before he continued. "I'll take that as a yes then. They use a skill that I'm pretty sure each and every single one of ya is skeptical about. A means that only those who know how to use it well can keep it perfectly under control with proper training or not."
He paused, watching them with his cold gaze as they sat staring at him with wide eyes, Drake trying not to crush his coffee cup he was so tense. Not soon after he continued. "But the way they use it is illegal, dangerous and is terrorist activity in both form and idea, all depending on how you want to look at it. My group is specifically tested, gathered and trained to kill and or detain these individuals that work for one purpose, that purpose being to control and conquer anything and everything in sight, whether they actually know what it does, what it's meant for and why. From what we can tell, they don't really care either. They do what they want to get the job done, until it's done and rarely stop even when it's all over."
"You mean--?" Ryo stuttered before falling silent, Gayle just nodding before responding to the man's words.
"That's right. They're ruthless and uncaring as long as they get the results they want. My guess is that they thought Evan was carrying something they could use in their activities so they can do more than just what they want because they want to. They obviously thought it was going to be good at helping them do what they wanted, when they wanted."
"You make them sound like drug lords or something." Dee growled only for Gayle to smirk at him and his antics on the subject.
"Because in a sense they are. Only they deal with controlling people in a different way other than crushed plants that people inhale so much at a time."
"H-how do they do it?" it was JJ's turn to stammer.
"That my friend, is the million dollar question that it seems, only I can answer for you. But I don't think I should explain much else. At least until Evan and those kids get here you see. They're in this as much as you lot are."
"How can you be so sure about that?"
"I just am. I simply am."
Bikky fought against the wind as they ran down familiar streets of eastern New York City, knowing they weren't far from the precinct as well as answers. "C'mon we're almost there!" he called behind him as he tried to pick up the pace, hearing the other three attempting to do the same. Just as they were about to enter the parking lot, Lass and Carol screamed, figures coming out of nowhere and in between cars to grab at the girls, holding them in place while a few more popped up with open hands, crow bars, baseball bats and a few handguns. All civilians with empty expressions and rain soaked clothes. Gritting his teeth, Bikky skidded to a stop and ran back with some ass kickin' on his mind as he dodged what little people there were that stood in his way. Lai right behind him, Bikky expertly shoved the two men hold Carol as Lai took care of the three holding Lass.
About to turn and head for the front doors, they found their path blocked and all four surrounded by people who looked asleep on their feet, completely dead to the world as they knew it. Kijika, some distance away, gritted his own teeth and bolted forward like a shot, grabbing his own arm and hunching over to plow into two of the people standing between them and the police station. Taking the hint, the four quickly ran through the opening in the circle, heading right for the front doors of the building. As the rain pounded the earth mercilessly, the five teens could finally breath easily in the lobby of the police station. The 27th Precinct.
No sooner did they catch their breath did Bikky spot a random cop and say. "Hey! Have you seen Officers MacLean and Laytner around?"
"Uh yeah. But they're in a meeting right now. I don't think--." The cop said, giving the teen a confused look.
"Where dammit!" he nearly roared, making the poor man jump and point down the hall, still trying to figure out who the teen was.
"Room 3 but--."
Bikky wasn't listening as he waved for the other four to follow him down the hall, leaving the confused cop behind, stuttering and bumbling like some nervous idiot. He wasn't in the mood for any more guff. He wanted answers, and he wanted them now. Not bothering to knock, the frustrated teen nearly destroyed the door when he kicked it open yelling. "RYO!"
"Bikky?! What the hell are you doing? Are you all right?" the blond man asked in surprise as the teen stood gasping in the doorway with a freaked out expression on his face. Lai, Carol, Lass and Kijika just stood behind the blond as he stood there, waiting for him to say something. Finally the teen spoke in a tired voice. "What the hell's goin' on in this damn city?"
"From what I can see, my guess is that our opponents were unsuccessful in detaining our counterparts there. That must mean their means of tracking any of us is lousy and their resources are small or nonexistent." A new but familiar voice said lazily on the far side of the room, making four of the teens to look and blink, Bikky exclaiming in surprise. "You're the guy from this afternoon!"
"Yes hello. Nice to see you too. Happy, happy. Joy, joy. Now are you gonna stand there like an idiot all day or are you goin' to get your asses in here sometime soon?" he grumbled in a aggravated voice. Still a little confused the teens complied, Carol shutting the door behind them as they others looked for chairs. Kijika instantly found one next to Gayle while the other four just gathered on the sides and out of the way a bit. Seeing that all were settled, Gayle turned to Kijika with a smirk. "Well Evan, it seems that you're in better shape than I thought. You have everyone back home real worried you know that?"
Kijika aka Evan just gave a sheepish expression and smiled warmly, making Gayle shake his head with a chuckle. The four teens nearby couldn't help but gape at this exchange and how natural it was, surprised even more that Kijika, who'd they just learned to be Evan, knew the guy they brought to the hospital not even half a day beforehand. Gayle, seeing this, decided to squelch their confusion. "It seems that some things need to be explained. Now close them jaws before your tongues roll out will ya? None of us are dentists ya know?"
"But-! How-? When--? You two know each other?!" Bikky exclaimed while Gayle just rolled his eyes and gave the teen a wry smile and a deadpan expression.
"Shocking isn't it? Are you done?"
This silenced Bikky as the four just sat in shock of this new development. It wasn't everyday you saw two possibly complete strangers acknowledge each other like they had when it seemed like they'd never met before. "So what exactly happened out there that got you guys all in huff on your way here?" Gayle asked smoothly, watching as Bikky's frustration flared back to life. "You're askin' that NOW?! You son of a--."
"Now, now. Watch your tongue. There are delicate ears in here. Now speak up before I ask someone else."
"WE GOT CHASED. SHOT AT. HELL WE ALMOST GOT MUGGED AND ALL YOU CAN ASK IS 'WHAT HAPPENED?'"
"Uh yeah. What else can I ask? What's your favorite color?"
Bikky just growled in his fury as the teen continued. "How many were there between here and the apartment?"
"Just one at the house but there are at least ten that popped out of nowhere in the parking lot when we got here." the teen growled despite throwing a 'I'm gonna kill you' expression in Gayle's direction.
"Ten? Are you sure?" Gayle inquired, his expression cloudy now as Bikky threw up his hands in frustration.
"Hell no! We were kinda busy running for our lives!"
"Did they touch you? In any way?" he inquired again, urgent now as the teen just looked confused.
"What's that got to do with anything?"
"Just answer the question or this crutch is gonna be up that smart ass of yours." The teen growled in annoyance, grabbing at said crutch for emphasis. Bikky didn't need a better reason to spill the beans.
"They got Carol and Lass but we got 'em off before they could do much else. Why? What's the matter?" it was his turn to ask as Gayle's expression remained clouded as he rubbed his chin in thought.
"Maybe nothing. But possibly, everything. You two girls, stand over here."
"What? Why?" Carol demanded, looking authoritative though frustrated and tired even when she was soaked from winter rain.
"Just do it."
"But--." She protested again but his stone voice cut her off with his expression turning grimmer than grim.
"JUST do it."
Choosing not to argue with the strange teen, the two girls moved to the suggested corner where there was still plenty of room to move and stand free of other people or objects, looking confused as Gayle continued to speak. "Now where did they get you? And don't lie. It could cost us everything and I mean more than just our lives."
"Well they got us on our legs, our wrists and I think one of 'em got one of us around the waist."
"Hmm. I see. Would you mind showing us your wrist please?"
Unsure of what to do, Carol turned to Ryo and Dee sitting not far off, both men nodding before she hesitantly rolled up the sleeve to her jacket to almost scream at what she saw, Lass jumping away as if burned, every cop standing up with ultimately shocked expressions, Lai and Bikky having blanched to unnatural shades. But Evan just looked sickened and a bit green in the face while Gayle just looked sad but grim nonetheless as everyone stared in shock. What they saw there just wasn't normal. Almost like a bruise, the mark was a deep, dark blue that was shaped a bit like a handprint but was distorted enough to look like someone had hit her there in a extremely vicious manner.
"And that ladies and gentlemen, is your proof that the force you're dealing with is all too real and very much here in this city. Proof that your guns and your cars won't be enough to stop them from doing what they want to do, when they want to do it, because they want to. But for now, I trust you have questions?"
"You know damn well we've got questions! What the hell did they do to her?"
"Only something that can be done by those completely taken over by their influence, thus proving that they're desperate to find what they think will bring them more freedom in their warlike activities. If treated properly, both girls can be rid of such marks within a matter of hours. A day tops. Calm down Ms. Carol, you and Ms. Lass over there'll be fine. Since the contact was extremely and mercifully brief, it appears to be superficial from what I can tell."
"Is that a guess?" the blond girl hissed at him in fear and anger as he shrugged. "No it's called experience. Since you didn't feel it means that it was meant to numb you into getting dragged off somewhere. The perfect victims, and perfect bait and getting something they want and want bad."
"What do they want anyway? Who exactly are they?"
"The ones who tried to kill Evan and have failed even now. He's one of their prime targets. Oh he may look harmless now but when he's in the zone, well let's just say lots of things become dust or rubble when he's done."
Everyone stared in disbelief at Gayle, then at Evan who stared back innocently, looking a bit clueless despite being in the same room as everyone else. No one knew what to say even when Gayle continued to speak. "But right now that's not the point. Getting these girls rid of their markings is now top priority since they might hinder you later on. Evan?"
Perking up at the mention of his name, Evan turned to his counterpart and nodded at him in response, his face having gone grim again. Reaching into one of his coat pockets he pulled out what looked to be a tissue of some kind. It was a pristine white and oddly thin but pretty wide in all its other directions. One could swear it was a piece of paper if it didn't bend so easily and without wrinkling like paper normally should. The teen handed it to Carol before pulling out another one just like it and handed it to Lass as well. Staring at the strange things, Carol gave Gayle a confused look. "What're we supposed to do with these?"
"Try using it like a cloth on your wrist."
Still a bit confused but not wanting to show her unsteady but understandable lack of faith in the other teen, Carol proceeded to use the blindingly white paper-like thing on her left wrist. When she lifted it off her skin, what she saw surprised her. The strange mark, if you could call it that, was completely gone. Almost as if it was never there to begin with in the first place, having vanished as if into thin air. Looking at the white cloth thing, she was surprised again when it looked perfectly clean and devoid of whatever the stuff was. Reading everyone's thoughts on this amazing phenomenon, Gayle just smirked calmly. "Don't worry about it. That's what it's supposed to do. You can use it on the rest of the places they touched you and the result's will be the same every time. If you want, you can complete this task in the ladies room."
"Then what you said before-?"
"I was being sarcastic." He deadpanned. People just sweat dropped as Diana shook a fist in his direction with a glare to back it up, a vein on her forehead threatening to burst in her anger.
"Now that's just not funny Newman."
"Hmm. And to think you still had a sense of humor Diana." Was his calm reply.
"I do but not the kind of sense you're thinkin' about there smart ass." She growled even when he just smirked at her antics.
"Haha. Looks like someone's being grumpy! Still pissed off over last time?" this caused her face to turn a dangerous shade of red.
"DON'T PUSH YOUR LUCK YOU BASTARD!"
"Oh ho ho! Feisty as ever! No wonder close to everyone thinks you're a pain in the ass." Gayle shot back before she screamed at him again.
"SAYS YOU!"
"Yes says me." His smirk had widened as the woman fumed furiously at him, those closest to her backing away as much as possible. Being perfectly sensible, Ryo decided to come between the two before something bad happened. "Now, now Diana. There's no need to get angry. We still have other issues to worry about other than whatever crazy past you two have together."
"Thank you Mr. McLean for clarifying that for us. He's right in saying we've other things to worry about. And trust me, we do. They won't take this whole thing lightly since they lost their only bargaining chips at getting what they want to the very person they'd set out to take down in the first place. But for now I think we can relax for a bit since none of them have tried to get in here just yet."
"Yeah you said earlier that they don't target cops or stations. Why is that?"
"I'll say again that this enemy doesn't want to risk making people suspicious of what's really goin' on around 'em. If a civilian starts actin' funny or does something completely whack, then people either think he's crazy or he's in some kind of argument that's gone beyond just angry words that he or she spat into your face. Other than that they'll think he's protesting about something. But if a cop starts doin' somethin' strange, it makes people real curious, real fast. Especially people like Evan and me. Dealin' with officers of the law gone bad is one thing, but law enforcers gone zombie is too much of a tell-tale sign of illegal possession or puppetry. They want to avoid that so they don't get our attention to the point where we try to figure out what the hell's goin' on." he said as calmly as ever, unable to keep from yawning as he finished. But instead of stopping there, he went on anyway.
"Since this is a police station and it's obviously filled with cops, I doubt they'll be pullin' anythin' off unless one of us goes outside where they can most likely get us for sure. My advice is to wait a couple of hours before goin' anywhere specific."
"And do what? Try and track them down?" Dee drawled lazily, giving the teen a bored look which vanished when Gayle upright and snapped at him.
"Are you really that stupid? Hell no! You act like nothin' happened that's what! If they think you're on to them, you won't be able to stand in line at the grocer's without gettin' jumped by the people around you! Much less the cashier but that depends on where you're standing. The last time a cop tried to find 'em like you suggested, they got mobbed by a bunch of neighbors from his own apartment building! Hell, even some old lady's cat did some real damage to his face if you ask me."
"Old lady's cat?" it was JJ's turn to inquire this time.
"You bet. But being attacked by someone's pet or some stray is kinda rare. So don't get too hyped up about it. For now, I think we should stay a bit before headin' home for the night. And one more thing."
The last sentence made everyone stop in their tracks when they tried to get up, about to clean up and leave. The teen's gaze was stone cold as he stared them down to speak in a tone that meant business. "Nothing that was said leaves this room. Trust me. No one but us will believe you in any way. Got it?"
They all nodded before Smith broke the eerie silence again.
"All right, I can't argue with that logic. You got anythin' else kid?" the chief said over the scrap of chairs on the floor. Gayle just shook his head before answering.
"Nah. I've said all there needs to be said for now. Need some sleep anyway." He grumbled almost to himself as the bags under his eyes became more obvious for those closest to see. He looked exhausted enough to doze off right then and there. Lass and Carol were the first to leave, heading straight for the girl's room with a distinct hope of getting the weird marks off before they got too permanent somehow. Dee, with Evan's help, supported Gayle in his own exit to the infirmary to get his leg properly examined while everyone else filed out accordingly. A good hour passed before everyone had fallen back into their regular routines, the four teens hanging out with Ryo and Dee in their office, Diana, Berkeley and Smith having a discussion of their own while Evan got some shut eye with Gayle in the infirmary.
--In the Chief's Office—
"Well that was the strangest conference I've ever attended. Diana? Could you explain to me why I should believe that brat?"
"Because I've seen all of it before plenty of times. That and if one of ours has also seen it, then you've no reason to doubt that he's telling the truth about what's goin' on out there. I know Gayle enough to say he doesn't lie about things like that. People like him tell it like it is or not at all. You can trust him sir."
"But what about that Evan kid? I understand that he's in a state of traumatic shock and all that but why agree to have an alias when he could've easily shown them what his name was?"
"Now that's a hard question. For one thing, these kids seem to work in their own kind of system that's much like the FBI or the CIA only on a more secretive and illusive scale that's so thorough even I have problems just knowing what city they're in. Much less what country they might be in before they move again. Another thing is that working under an alias helps them move more freely rather than what their real names do to hold them back. I've actually seen one or two of them pretend to be full grown adults just so they can get what they need before they disappear again."
"They're that talented?"
"They're that smart. They can get through customs without a hitch. Without a passport or any kind of identification to say who they really are and where they're actually from. Hell I've seen one just waltz through a metal detector with at least three pocketknives in separate pockets on his person. If they can pull something like that off, they can do just about anything." The two men stared at her; hardly believing anyone could pull something like that off in an airport filled with hundreds of people who could neither confirm nor deny the fact that a 17 year old actually had weapons in his pockets.
"What about the people they're up against? Anything on them?" Berkeley said almost nervously, attempting to change the subject, cheering to himself when he found that he'd succeeded.
"No. Just as illusive but not quite as nice. As Newman said, they may not like anybody all that much but they know well enough to not step over the line as often as they normally do. I don't know who they are or what they want out of anyone… but listening to Gayle might be our best bet of stopping some of their plans from going into play."
"You mean listen to some teen who might be playing a weird game of 'Secret Agent'? I don't know what it was that made you think like this Diana but I need more to go on than just some kid's creepy ass warnings."
"But she may have a point sir." Rose's own argument brought the chief's attention to him, both looking the man's way as Smith gave him a questioning look.
"Berkeley? What are you getting at?"
"Sir, if Diana says that she knows this boy as much as she says she does, then that should be all the proof we need that he's not lying. And on top of that, why would random people go out of their way to attack a group of teens just because they need to get to the precinct? To me that doesn't add up but it backs Gayle's theory of how this terrorist group works. You top that with Dee's report and Bikky's story as well as the marks on the two girls, there's just no way you can doubt what's happening is all too real and we never noticed it until Gayle told us that Evan had been targeted."
"But he's just a kid! He could be-."
"Lying? From what I've heard and what I just might see, I don't think he is. I've seen people do strange things but nothing like this."
"Hmm. Fine, fine. I'll take his word for it. But if I find out he's lyin', his ass is going to be in a jail cell where his only option is to plead temporary insanity. You got me?"
"Yes sir." The two said in unison before leaving the room to their own devices. Diana didn't waste any time to question Rose, giving him an inquiring look. "Do you really believe what Gayle told us?"
"Don't you?"
"Of course I do but my question is do you? Or are you just pullin' my leg?" she asked with a dry look, making him smirk with a shrug. But he still looked thoughtful.
"Actually I don't know what to believe right now. It all seems so strange that there are people out there that can control others without even coming even five miles of them, much less even meeting them. That and you know a group of teens dedicated to stopping them in their tracks for mass destruction."
"Haha. Yeah, freaky isn't it? Well I don't know about you but I'm goin' to go get some beauty sleep. See you tomorrow tiger!"
He just snickered at the endearment as she turned to leave before heading to his own office to get some real work done.
--In the Infirmary—
Gayle felt a little light headed after being given a fairly strong sedative to work against the pain of his leg being reset and wrapped properly before being put into one of the beds to stare sleepily up at the ceiling. Evan had just gotten back from his own examination to ensure that his first wound hadn't opened up again as well as maintained any more new ones. He got off with a few bruises and a scratch here and there, practically free to go except to spend the night just in case of any complications that might come up. This didn't bother him. He knew he needed the sleep anyway so all he did then was take the bed next to Gayle's and waited for that Sandman to show up. Gayle, despite still being a bit sedated, didn't feel like sleeping just yet.
"Hey. Evan." He grumbled from across the room, sounding drowsy, his voice hoarse from fatigue.
The teen didn't answer, (mainly because he couldn't just yet) but looked in the other teen's direction. Whether Gayle noticed or not he didn't know, and he doubted he could but the other teen just went on anyway. "Your brother's… really worried you know that?"
He still said nothing but nodded enough so that Gayle would know he was listening to his almost drunken ramblings. "Your aunt was havin' a fit when I left too. I swear she's always pissed off about somethin' or other. But I think she just might actually have a field day when we get back."
Evan nodded again, his expression a little thoughtful but hadn't really changed that much. He knew Gayle was just talking because he needed to get it out before the sedative knocked him out for the night. "But I got the bag back though. I got it back for ya so that when this whole shitty thing's over, you can finish the errand. Okay?"
This time Evan didn't move, his face empty of any emotion even though they were both by themselves in the same room. "Okay?" Gayle said again, actually lifting himself up a bit to look right at the other teen across the way. "Okay?" he repeated, like a broken record that wanted to make sure the material had been played like it should've been. Evan didn't hold back a nod this time, knowing that the teen wouldn't stop asking until he responded.
"Good." He said with a sigh as he lay back down, shutting his eyes against the bright lights above him. Just as Evan was about to do the same, Gayle spoke up again, this time, in a softer tone than before. "Hey. I know you don't like some o' the stuff we gotta do sometimes. And I can tell ya I don't really like it that much either but… I'll help you finish it if that's what you want. I've no problem helpin' ya finish a job. But a job's a job man. And I also know that you know that you need to get over it but it's okay to not like it sometimes. Your brother hates doin' jobs like the one you were sent to do but he does 'em anyway even when he's just downright pissed off. Why? Because he knows that if he doesn't do it, it's possible that no one will. I'll shut up now. 'Night."
Evan stared at Gayle, thinking this over as he lay down, rolling over so that his back was facing the other teen, his ears picking up Gayle's calm and even breathing from across the room. It didn't take him long to fall asleep.
--In Dee and Ryo's Office—
Bikky couldn't be anymore bored than his three friends, two of which had come back from the restroom completely mark free. Now the blond boy couldn't help but wonder one very obvious thing. "Hey Ryo."
"Yes Bikky?"
"When can we go home?"
"Oh. Um well… I don't know actually. Maybe a couple of minutes from now, after we check on Gayle and… Evan." Even if he'd only known the teen for at least two days, it still felt weird calling him by a different name. Almost… alien compared to before everything had been blown away by Gayle's new version of things. Just what was really going on didn't make sense anymore, and he doubted that anyone who didn't hear the teen's lecture would say exactly what he'd thought of things some two hours before it all came crashing down on him. Shaking himself out of his thoughts, Ryo finished up the last few papers, forcing Dee to do his own before filing them away properly and grabbing his coat near the door. "We're goin' to see those two first?"
"Yeah. You comin'?"
"Sure. Lead the way dude."
Ryo didn't say anything else as he headed toward the infirmary, with Dee, Lai, Bikky, Carol and Lass right behind him. It didn't take them long to find Room 4 after asking an attendant where the teens were staying for the night. Things had gotten quiet in the past hour and very few people walked the halls. As Ryo moved to turn the handle, he was surprised to find the door swing open a bit, light weakly pouring into a room of pitch black, dim lights coming in through the rain drenched windows accompanied by the occasional flash of lightning. Two prone forms could be seen, lying still on the beds inside the room, Evan with his back to Gayle who was lying on his back.
"Huh. They look fine to me. C'mon. Let's let 'em sleep." Dee said in a whisper, something he rarely did knowing how loud he could be. Ryo just smiled in agreement.
"Yeah, I guess you're right about that. Gayle looked so beat."
"Who knows what that kid's been doin' to look like that."
"See you guys tomorrow." Ryo called softly as he shut the door quietly expertly behind them, making sure the click of the gears wouldn't wake them up. The two men herded the teens to the front doors where Dee bolted into the rain to bring his car up so no one would get wet twice in the same night. Surprisingly, the drive back was quiet and peaceful unlike before, Dee dropping Ryo and Bikky off at the apartment building saying he'd drive Lai and Lass home before circling back. "All right but be careful." Ryo said with a stern face as Dee just rolled his eyes but nodded anyway.
Ryo shut his door and jogged to the doors before he got too soaked as the dark haired cop drove away into the hellish rain. Heading upstairs, the brownish blond couldn't help but sigh at the sight of what remained of his front door and living room window. Wood all over the place and pieces of glass shining on the floor, covered in rainwater as more of it came rushing in with the wind backing it up. With a sigh, Bikky put his jacket away. "I'll get the duct tape."
"I'll get a trash bag."
The clean up went silently, both doing their part in ridding their home of the unfortunate mess. Or at least that's what they thought. A new voice behind the two brought them around when it said. "Hey. You McLean?"
"AH!" both screamed out, Ryo quickly shielding Bikky from the intruder who, with good reason, just blinked in surprise. The newcomer jumped back and waved his hands in surrender. "Whoa, whoa! Chill dudes! I'm just here 'cause you don't got a door man."
The two blinked in their confusion as the new teen looked to find the broken window, letting out a low whistle. "Jeez, the window too? Man! Those bastards are a pain in the ass sometimes. Don't worry I got this covered."
"Uh… who are you?"
"Oh me? Oh snap I'm sorry! The name's Ramsey (1) and I got a call from Gayle about a busted up door. Guess he didn't know about the window though. But I can get that too when I'm done with your door."
"You know Gayle?"
"Haha you bet! He's a real kick sometimes. Got good judgment too. But I should really see to that door now." The teen mused a bit to himself, rubbing a gloved hand on his chin. This gave them a bit of time to look the kid over. Probably no older than Gayle but just a bit younger than Evan, Ramsey appeared to be healthy and fit for his age, deep brown eyes, a straight nose and well colored skin made up his face while what appeared to be a car repairman's outfit made up his attire. All of this was topped off with a mop of black hair set in lazy spikes; a few strands oddly dyed a shocking red.
"Oh you don't have to-." Ryo quickly said before the teen cut him off with a stern voice and a strong finger to the nose, looking the older man right in the eye.
"Whoa hey now! I came to do a job here dude and dammit I'm gonna do it! Now just chill and let me and the boys get it." He turned and called down the hall before Ryo could protest further. "Hey guys! Let's go we got stuff to do!"
No sooner had he said this did two more teens come in, each also dressed like repairmen with their own toolboxes in hand. Two of them immediately headed for the window in an amazing show of expertise, one already taking measurements while the other climbed through the window to do the same. Ramsey and the other teen headed back toward the front, examining the fallen door while also measuring the doorframe just before doing away with the trashed door. They worked surprisingly fast; all of the broken glass gone and the hallway clear of any and all debris that might've been forgotten, two of the workers having had already left after finishing the window. Oddly enough, they left without saying a word to Ryo or Bikky, much less Ramsey but it seemed the teen didn't mind when they disappeared on him.
Ramsey came back from the front, being trailed by a confused and rightfully suspicious Dee who gave wary glances at the teen's back. If he noticed at all, the teen didn't react as he smiled at Ryo, handing the man at least three to four sets of keys. "Here you go man. No one's gonna be gettin' with my work standin' in their way!"
"Oh thank you! I'm sorry you had to go through so much trouble. How can I-?"
"No need dude! Gayle owes me anyway. I doubt one more favor won't kill him anytime soon. You just have a good one okay? Bye." Without another word, the teen confidently walked down the hall, shutting the door behind him to leave the three in silence and the new keys in Ryo's still open hands. Dee was the first to break the ice. "Uh… mind tellin' me what that was all about?"
"Come to think of it, I'm just as confused as you on this one Dee." The man said almost blankly. Silence fell over them again before Bikky finally said. "I'm goin' to bed. 'Night."
"'Night." The two answered as they found themselves alone in the living room, Ryo still standing frozen with the keys in his hands. Dee saw it as his duty to speak up again. "You goin' to bed or are you gonna stare at those things all night?"
This definitely woke Ryo up, making him nod, set the keys down on the coffee table and headed to his room for some fresh clothes. Neither said anything as they both settled in and shut off the lights.
Aw damn that took forever! But I got through it no sweat! My fingers hurt a little and my head's tryin' to go in circles now and again but I'm okay! Seriously I'm okay so don't freak out or nothin'. Notes! Let's not forget notes people! 'Cause there's actually one to speak of and that kinda freaks me out but here it is:
1) Ramsey: a random name I chose for this particular character and I'm debating on whether or not he should show up later. It is his debut and having him become just another random creation would be kinda mean don't you think? Well his name's Old English for 'ram's island' or the 'raven island'. No idea why though.
I did have other names I wanted to chose for Ramsey's character but I can save those for later and what have you. But I guess I should get on to what comes next time ne?
Next chapter:
Chapter 4: A New Day Comes With New Problems
With Kijika's exposure to his truly being one named Evan thanks to Gayle's appearance and interventions, the guys at the 27th are really hoping things don't turn for the worst. But in fact they do when the thought of Evan's dangerous brother out on the hunt for blood or worse can't stop crossing their minds. Even Diana proves useless in knowing what the guy can do and one can be sure that a lot of people don't really want to know in the first place! Can the report of Evan's safety reach the mystery sibling in time to calm him down or will he unleash his pent up wrath on and unsuspecting NYC? Will the guys ever find out what's in the bag that Evan was supposed to deliver before he was attacked and nearly killed? Find out in:
Chapter 4: A New Day Comes With New Problems!!!
And it's still raining!