(Metropolis August 17 7:22)
(Sona's POV)
It'd been two weeks since the Justice League tried to arrest us. And thankfully, it'd been a pretty uneventful two weeks. My birthday had passed, making me the age of 18. According to Oceana, that made me a legal adult in the U.S. So we'd moved into an apartment in the middle of the city; so that we could fit in better. Six of us had even gotten jobs to pay for it too. (Although where Sin had gotten the fake papers I didn't really want to know).
Sin and Shark Bait had joined the team, no surprise there. And they were pretty good to have around. Sin was a strange character. He was very secretive, still not telling us his name. It was like a wall was constantly up, separating us from him. He would only ever open up to Manu. Whenever the rest of us tried, we were rewarded with harsh threats that he'd usually follow through with. I'm pretty sure we all still had bruises. But on those rare moments when he'd let his guard down, it was like his head was up in the clouds. When that happened a story would normally follow. It was strange to think about, but I knew we all lived for those afternoons when we'd all crowd around him and listen to his tails of murder, adventure, and twisted characters. He was a mind reader, but apparently not a very powerful one. He could only read someone's mind if he was focusing on them deliberately. So not as good as a Martian. But his archery skills were easily as good as Green Arrows, which made up for the lack of power telepathically.
Shark Bait was fun, although sometimes bordered on obnoxious. He'd never let a dull moment go by, always making jokes and flirting with both the girls and guys alike. Although he never took it too far. Sadly, him plus Lumanate plus Ghost together always resulted in pranks. It'd become daily routine to check your shampoo bottle for dye, make sure that the sugar wasn't salt before you applied it to food, and look for a bucket full of worms before opening a door. His powers were pretty cool though. Not only could he manipulate water, like Oceana, but he could also breathe it too. And his feet and hands become webbed with he needed them to.
With Oceana's power being so much like Shark Bait's you would've thought that they'd have gotten along swimmingly, (hehe, get it?) but instead it was a constant war between the two. At first it was just the clash of personality and the flirting that really annoyed her. But now, it was more to do with the competition. They both had the same power, which meant that one always had to be better than the other. And although Manu had more power than Rose, she had more control. So now every training session was a war, and every sentence a hidden insult.
Lumanate and Ceridwen weren't helping with Rose and Manu dispute. At all. They were always encouraging them, making a game of it. I'd caught them both watching a sparring match with the two, eating popcorn, on numerous occasions. Although Ghost had been able to distract Lumanate with small dates and such. He had encouraged me to do the same with Ceridwen. But…no, he was wrong. She would refuse me….especially with the way she was always with Shark Bait lately.
"Hey guys." Speaking of the devil…Manu's voice broke my train of thought. A disarray of greetings sounded, without interest… I glanced over to him, and blinked. Sin was next to Shark Bait, and they were holding hands.
"Guys?" Sin asked, obviously wanting attention.
"Yeah, Yeah we know," Dragon said matter-of-factly, "You guys are really bad at hiding it."
"What do you m-"
"You don't think we noticed how you guys were always together? Sneaking into each other's rooms. How the only one you didn't hit on was Sin?"
"I didn't only not hit on Sin!" A chorus of 'yeah you dids' and 'all the times' went around.
"We're really happy for you both," Oceana added, smiling brightly. I was pretty sure this was the first time she'd ever smiled at Shark Bait, and maybe only the second or third time anyone in the entire team had smiled at Sin.
"Told you they knew," Sin muttered to hs boyfriend, smirking. Shark Bait shrugged his shoulders in a helpless way, before leaning forward to kiss Sin. The smaller boy's lips instantly latched onto Shark Bait's, while their fingers intertwined. I didn't really care about their sudden need to show public emotion. Instead, relief and happiness urged through me. Although I wasn't really sure why…
"Okay, that's it," Dragon said, not even looking up from her book, "There will be no more kissing in public areas. That means the living room, kitchen, dining room, and during training." She looked up, closing her book firmly, "And that means all of you," she added, looking at the two couples in turn. Me, Oceana, and Ceridwen all nodded in agreement. Ellie, Cole, Sin, and Manu all looked at us as if offended.
"Come on," Ghost said, rolling his eyes. "We got to get to work…and whatever Sin and Manu do."
"Yeah, why can't we know what you guys do again?"
"We get enough money, that's all that matters," Sin replied gruffly.
"Just as long as you're not robbing any banks or anything illegal," Oceana said, signaling for the rest of us to not ask questions. It didn't really matter to me what they did. True to Sin's word, they did bring enough money back with them every few days, so what'd it matter how they got it?
"Of course not, nothing like that," Shark Bait replied, maybe a bit too fast. Slyly, Sin elbowed him in the ribs, making it look like he just took a clumsy step forward. But Sin wasn't clumsy.
"And why do Oceana and Dragon not have to work?" I asked, frowning a little.
"Easy; no one trusts Ruxandera to work long enough without putting someone of fire. And someone has to stay with Ruxandera in case of an attack or something. "
"So I drew the short straw?" Oceana asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Yup." Ellie put in helpfully, "What I want to know is why we trust Sin and Manu to work long enough without shooting someone?" No one had the answer to that.
(Metropolis August 17 8:00)
(Ceridwen's POV)
"You're late again," Mr. Tyk accused. The tall man frowned at Lumanate and me, his dark moustache twisting like a snake.
"Sorry, sir," we both said at the same time. He shook his head, whisking us to the kitchen with quick snaps of his wrists. The two of us obeyed, scurrying off.
Once we got into the kitchen, we quickly put on our bright white aprons and grabbed a pad and paper. "You're on section three, Ellie," I told her.
"I thought I was on section three tomorrow?"
"No, four tomorrow."
"Then why was I four yesterday?"
"You're four every other day."
"Then what about three?"
"Your three when you're not four."
"But I was two before I was four."
"That's because you were covering for Natalie."
"So I'm four every other day. I'm three when I'm not four. And I'm two when I'm covering for Natalie?"
"Exactly!"
"Ok….wait, Starr…what?" I let out an exasperated sigh, shaking my head.
"Look; just do section three today. Ok?"
"Alright." Ellie skipped off, smiling brightly at the day's first customers. I smiled a little, rolling my eyes.
"Hey." A voice behind me made me jump out of my skin, automatically reaching out to all the plants in the area. Sadly there was only a potted plant in the restaurant, and a small, weak tree a little way outside that I could reach only if I stood by the entrance. Good thing I didn't need to protect myself around here…so far anyway.
"Hey, Lyra." I greeted, smiling at the older girl. Well, actually according to the fake I.D.s Sin had gotten me and Ellie in order to work here, I was sixteen, a year older than her. Maybe that's why she was always so nice to me and Ellie. Not that I'd seen the sweet girl act any differently towards a youngster then someone her senior.
"So how's the family?"
"Good. Sin-," I coughed a little to cover up my mistake before continuing, "-Simon finally confessed to us that he and Manu are dating."
"That's great! From what you've told me they made it really obvious."
"Manu was clueless, as always, but Simon had an idea that we knew, again, as always."
"For your brother's boyfriend, he sure does seem very close to all of your family…"
"Uh, yeah, he's a good friend of the family as well." I mumbled, looking down. As far as she knew, Cole, Simon (aka Sin) and Rose and Ruxandera were all my siblings (adopted). Sahil and Ellie and Manu were just family friends. Thankfully she'd only ever seen Eliie, Cole, Sahil, and once Rose. So she didn't question it too much. Although when she once asked about my parents and it took me a good two minutes to think up a believable lie: Mom dead and dad a workaholic businessman.
"So what about making Sahil jealous? Did that work?" Lyra asked, her eyes twinkling.
"It was…until Manu and Simon confessed their relationship!" I said, frowning.
"Ah, I see. So are Ellie and Cole still going on strong?"
"Why don't' you ask her?" I asked, pointing at Lumanate, and then disappearing outside before I messed up again. Sometimes it was hard. Pretending, that is. But I needed to tell someone, talk to someone…
(Metropolis August 17 8:00)
(Sin's POV)
I shifted my feet on the cemented ground, frowning darkly. She was late. The woman that had contacted us. And she'd had the nerve to warn us about that exact thing. Shark Bait smiled next to me, his eyes lit up brightly in the shadows of the empty dock. We could've just met at a restaurant or some other place with food. I was starving. My stomach growled.
"I told you to eat while you still had the chance," my boyfriend said, smirking.
"I know."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Liar."
"Do you love me?" Shark Bait looked at me and blinked. Taking a few steps towards me, his rough palms cupped my face gently. I leaned into the touch slightly, which was very strange for me. If it was anyone else they wouldn't have been able to touch my shoulder without losing a finger.
"Where did this come from?" he asked gently.
"Nothing." Manu raised an eyebrow. "I just…" I shook my head. How could I explain this to him? I see all these other couples, everywhere. Normal people. Why couldn't we be like them? Not only were we different because we were both Metas, but we were also running away from assassins. And the Justice League. And the liberty core. And maybe what was worse was that this never mattered to me before. Being normal. Ever since my father had been killed in front of me at age nine, I'd accepted that I would never be normal. But now…I guess you could say that being with Shark Bait like this had given me a taste of normalcy.
Yeah…not something I could explain to my boyfriend.
"I love you," Shark Bait said slowly. I nodded, glancing down. He brought his thumb under my chin, and pushed my face up again to look at him. He leant down, lips puckered slightly. I was about to lean up to kiss him, but suddenly a noise from behind us made me stop.
"What's wrong?" Shark Bait asked as I placed my hands on his chest.
"She's here," I whispered. Shark Bat nodded, taking a step backward. I sighed a little…so much for normalcy.
(Metropolis August 17 8:00)
(Sona's POV)
Cole and I walked down the empty streets, kicking at the litter and small stones whenever it suited us. The silence between us was comfortable. It was nice to get away from the constant chatter of the team.
"Remind me to get new plates," Cole muttered as he kicked a small paper bag away from our path.
"Why?" I asked, confused.
"I kind of broke a few yesterday. I was practicing telekinesis."
"Well, that explains why there weren't any dishes for dinner last night," I said, smiling a little. "Are you getting any stronger?"
"No."
"That's too bad. But I'm sure with more practice…." I trailed off, looking down again. Cole's power, or lack of it, was a touchy topic. We all knew that. I looked up at the sky. It was clouding over, pushing the sun's warmth away. I smiled at the thought of more rain. There was too little over here, in my opinion.
"So Sin and Manu…"
"Who knew?" I asked, shrugging. I didn't have a problem with it at all. Homosexuality wasn't very common in India. Most people didn't even realize what it was. So it wasn't like my views were ever really questioned or put up to debate. It was what it was.
"Apparently all the girls…I think they all have a sixth sense for this kind of thing."
"That would explain a lot."
"So…."
"So what?"
"You and Starr, huh?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes you do."
"Look, even if I did like her…" He smirked at me. "Which I don't, she doesn't like me."
"Yeah, but you also thought that she liked Shark Bait-"
"What did they say about code names?"
"Ok, ok. You thought Starr and Manu liked each other before. And he turned out to be gay for Sin." I raised my eyebrows at him. How did Cole know about that? "You glared at Manu every time he walked in the room," Cole explained, smiling at me cheekily.
"I hate you sometimes," I muttered, shaking my head.
(Metropolis August 17 9:13)
(Ceridwen's POV)
Splat. I growled angrily, stopping in the middle of the restaurant. The tray that rested in my hands slid a little, letting the glasses rattle. I swear if that kid…
Splat. Splat. Again, seriously? My fist curled in a tight ball. One more spitball, and I was going to-
Splat. Splat. Splat. Splat. THAT'S IT! I turned around swiftly, a few plates skidding off my tray and landing on the floor. The ivory covered walls started curling, growing, reaching-
"Hey, what are you doing?" a hiss reached my ear. The ivory went limp. "What were you gonna do to that kid?"
"He was spitting spit balls at me, Ellie," I growled.
"Dude…"
"I know, sorry," I muttered. Sending one last glare at the kid, who in turn stuck his tongue at me, I whisked off into the kitchen.
(Metropolis August 17 9:13)
(Sin's POV)
"Why is it so dark?" Shark Bait asked. A loud banging sound filled the echoey room, followed by a loud yelp of pain.
"Shush," I hissed at my idiot boyfriend.
"Hey how do you think she knew that, you know, that this place was going to be hit tonight?"
"It's none of our business that she knows when someone's going to break into a museum. It's our job to stop it."
"Yeah, but only when they pay us, right?"
"We need the money," I said, shrugging, "Besides its better then…before."
"We should tell the team what we're doing."
"Why?"
"Well…it would be the right thing to do…"
"I have a one secret telling per day policy."
"Then we'll tell them tomorrow." Shark Bait said, smiling cheekily.
"Can't I tell them my name instead?" I asked, my voice edging close to begging.
"We can do both. What's the worst that can happen?" Shark Bait asked, looking at me curiously. I looked up at his light brown eyes. They wouldn't understand. They'd think it was bad we were doing this for money. Taking people out, using our powers. All for money. They might not understand.
"They'd want to help," I muttered. I might lose my last chance of having a family. Shark Bait looked at me with a raised eyebrow, but he smirked all the same. Even though he is the greatest boyfriend ever, some things were lost on him. He preferred not to look too deep.
"Hey, do you hear that?" Shark Bait suddenly asked, looking around us sharply. I cocked my head, listening intently. I nodded stiffly to my partner; there were footsteps in the next room.
"Let's go," I hissed, running into the darkness. I heard Shark Bait running after me and felt his mind slide into his calm and calculating side. His mind was so much easier to get into then everyone else's.
We crept silently through the museum, twisting through the display cases like snakes. As we neared the thief I pulled out my arrows, lining two up carefully. Suddenly movement caught my eye near the doorway. "He's getting away," Shark Bait yelled. He rushed ahead of me, pulling water from the handy fountain just next to us. I made a mental note to thank whoever designed this room.
Rushing after the masked thief, we found ourselves outside, in a dead end of an alleyway. What kind of thief was this? He was either really idiotic or…no that was all I got. I raised my arrow, pointing the sharp tip directly at our enemy's heart. The man cowered down, falling to his knees.
"Who do you work for?" Shark Bait sneered, raising a water sword above his head. He looked positively murderous. I felt myself blushing. Seriously? Is this the best time to become a blushing school boy!
"There's no way I'm telling you, Fish Head!" Oh great, a smart mouth.
"Fish Head? Seriously?" My boyfriend asked, smirking. "That's the best you got?" He almost sounded disappointed. I put a hand on his shoulder, signaling for him to not annoy the enemy to death. At least not until we got answers.
"Ok, let's try something easier, Dipwad. What's your name?" I asked him, crouching down to look at him straight in the eye. Cocking my head slightly, I dove into his mind.
'Aaron Parker.'
"Aaron Parker, huh? Never heard of you before. You new at this, Aaron?"
"Wh-what? I didn't…"
"So what were you planning on stealing this time?" Shark Bait asked, cutting him off.
'Nothing. I just had to lead you here for an ambush.'
"Shark Bait, it's an ambush. We have to move, now," I said, darting away. But it was too late. Even as I grabbed my bow, small gas bombs flew down around us, and my world went black.
(Metropolis August 17 9:13)
(Ghost's POV)
I frowned at the nails I was busy hammering into a wall. They just wouldn't stick. How did people do this without telekinesis? It was impossible. And I knew. I'd been trying for the past hour. I felt bad for Sahil. He was having even more trouble, and he had no telekinesis to save his butt. This was the fourth time our boss was yelling at him for getting the nails stuck in the wrong place. I almost smirked at his face. I guess the prince had never really been treated like this before.
Suddenly Sahil was jumping up, his hands curled into fists. Damn! I jumped up, putting a hand on my friend's shoulder. Luckily our boss was already walking away, and hadn't noticed either of us.
"Give me one reason why I can't chop her up in little pieces!"
"The fact that you're asking proves that you know the answer already."
"I'm serious, Ghost," Sahil muttered to me.
"So am I. Look, you want a reason? Fine, I'll give you two. One, we can't go around murdering people we don't like. Two, she's our paycheck."
"Fine, but if she-" A creaking dragged me away from Sahil's complaints. I turned around to find the wall we were working on shaking back and forth. Suddenly it leant forward, about to land right on top of me. Instinctively my telekinesis kicked in, resulting in the wall leaning against an invisible force, frozen in mid-air.
"Sahil," I hissed, grabbing the prince's attention finally. He whirled around, eyes growing wide. "Quick, help me before someone sees," I told him. He nodded and quickly pushed the wall back up, just as our boss walked over again.
"Quazi, DeNiro," she called, and started to vent about loitering around. It was going to be a very long day…
(Metropolis August 17 11:44)
(Lumanate's POV)
"So I have a side salad, some fries a-"
"That isn't our order," an angry looking man snapped at me. I frowned at him darkly, but he continued anyway. "This is the third time you've messed up our order. I only have thirty minutes for lunch left bef-"
"Sir, I have your order written down. This is what you asked for."
"No, it is not. You incompetent child." That was it. I was incompetent? Me? I was so competent! He was the one who was incompetent; changing his order at least three times and then freaking out on me when I obeyed his every fucking whim. My hand itched for my whip. "I bet you're working here because your family sent you. I bet they're as lazy and incapable as you. You're a no good-" My hand shot out for the nearest thing that wouldn't kill him; a glass of soda. Without a second thought I emptied it on his head, soaking him with the sticky liquid.
(Metropolis August 17 11:44)
(Sin's POV)
"Ugh," I moaned as my head throbbed painfully. Cringing painfully, I blinked open my eyes. I was in a dark room. Actually it was more of a warehouse. And, of course, I was tied up. Great.
"I see you are awake," a voice said from the darkness. I twisted my head painfully, and came face to face with a tall, thick man. He looked to be in his med twenties, and as solid as a tree trunk. His balding head left a dry scalp and milky blue eyes saw through me like a laser.
"Hello, Squire," I muttered to the familiar man. He had worked for the assassins, during my early years of being with them. He'd taken off when his mousey, pathetic protégé had been killed during a fire fight. Ever since he'd come up in many battles as an enemy throughout the years. Although I'd never met him personally, I knew his story well enough.
"Sin," he replied gruffly, his hands fiddling with a camera directed at me face.
"What do you want with us?"
"Answers."
"On what?"
"On why the assassins are following us again? Every time we've broken into some place or made a deal with someone, you and your partner always show up. And then we find out your doing it all for strangers, in a trade for money. What's your game?" So this was a setup, huh? Should've known things were shady! It was so obvious.
"We don't work for the assassins anymore."
"Well, excuse me if I don't believe you." Suddenly he was right in front me, his putrid breath making me gag. My chair was pushed back, so I was forced to stare at his soulless eyes. "What's your game?"
"I just told y-" Slap! Suddenly it was like my face was on fire. I bit my lip in order not to cry out, feeling blood trickling from a small cut on my forehead.
"What do they want?" I said nothing; it was obvious he wouldn't listen. I was hit again, this time on my side. I felt the crack of bones folding like paper beneath his force. I bit my lip harder; tasting blood. Again and again he hit me. On my ribs, my face, my chest. It hurt like hell, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of screaming.
Finally his hits ceased, and he leant down so that my face was only an inch above his. "Do you want it to stop?" I nodded slightly, not being able to help it. "Then all you have to do is tell me the truth."
"Okay, here is the truth: you touch me one more time, you pull back a bloody stump," I warned darkly.
"You think I'm afraid of children?" he replied, sneering.
"Yes. Why else would you be doing this?" I asked flatly.
"I'm not afraid of you. I am afraid of what your boss."
"No, if that was trued you would've believed me when I told you the truth. You were well known for that; knowing when you were being lied to. Some said it was your superpower. No, it's all about your pride. Power and pride. But with us it turns into uncertainty. So you must remove us from the equation. Before we upset the balance you've kept perfect for all these years. That's what it's all about."
Squire stood in front of me, dumbstruck at my little speech. Finally he seemed to regain his senses. He raised his fist slowly and sweetly smiled. I closed my eyes, flinching away from the blow I knew was coming. Suddenly I could hear the smashing of glass. I opened my eyes, to be met with a huge tidal wave at me feet.
"DO NOT TOUCH MY BOYFRIEND," I heard Shark Bait scream. Despite myself, I smiled as Shark Bait came face to face with Squire. In only a few seconds Squire was on the floor; no match for an enraged Shark Bait.
Blinking away the blood that was slowly collecting around my eyelids. I felt his hand cup my face gently, and I smiled weakly at him. "He-"
"I know," he interrupted me. "They got me hooked up with the camera. Seeing who cracked first."
"Wow, pretty high tech for ex-assassins, huh?" I tried to smirk, but ended up in a fit of coughing. My lips suddenly felt wet and I could taste blood. Shark Bait was cussing loudly, his warm hands cupping mine frantically.
"We have to get you to a hospital. Oh my god, stay with me, come on we have to-"
"Since when does my getting hurt freak you out so much?" I rasped.
"You're never been hurt like this!"
"What about that time I was shot?"
"I freaked out then too. You just weren't conscious enough to notice." I nodded, smiling a little at the thought that he cared so much. I blinked sleepily, my limbs growing heavy. The pain that had been clawing at my nerves ever since the beatings had started was now pushing me onto the edge of darkness. I felt his lips on my forehead, his voice now a gentle murmur, lulling me away from the pain.
(Metropolis August 17 4:24)
(Dragon's POV)
I hated hospitals. Always had. I hated the bright colors, like they were laughing at your pain. And the smell. They tried so hard to cover up the smell of blood and death. But the waiting was worse. Much much worse. It was agony to watch Manu stare at the floor with a dead look in his eye, as Rose threw ignored questions at him like gun shots. It was torture to watch Ellie and Cole, the normally happiest out of all of us, huddled together in sorrow. Me and Starr sat together, closer than we had been in a long time, ever since joining this group in fact. Sahil watched us helplessly, moving as if to comfort us, only to sit back down again right after.
"This has been one hell of a day, huh?" I asked Starr, as I rolled my eyes at Sahil for the 8th time.
"Tell me about it. I can't believe Sin's in the hospital…"
"I can't believe that they were getting bad guys for money, and they didn't invite me!"
"That's what you're worried about?"
"What? They said he would be okay after surgery. And besides, I'm not the one that got fired."
"No. Me, Ellie, Sahil, and Cole did…"
"Wait. Sahil and Cole got fired too?"
"Yup. They tried to leave early. You know, because Will was in the hospital and then their boss told them to stay and then…boom."
"Cole got mad?"
"Nope, Sahil."
"Nice," I laughed. She smiled next to me, shaking her head.
"So, how are we gonna get paid? Rose is putting her foot down with the whole getting bad guys for money thing. And after this, I think Sin and Manu agree with her."
"Well…we're screwed…"
"Yup."
(So sorry for the long wait. I had finals, and personal things to take care of. But I made it really long to make up for the wait.)