Al was woken several hours later by Matt frantically shaking him awake. *Al, get up!*
He jolted. *Wha..?*
*Molly's been hit!*
*No..* he jumped up.
*She collapsed downstairs just now. Iain and Papa are with her...*
Al took off for the hall.
Molly had collapsed in the kitchen doorway, a smashed glass on the floor telling that she'd been getting a drink when it hit. She lay between Iain and Francis - the Scot still looked ghostly, but he was more collected than earlier. Molly was gasping for breath, wheezing desperately. Worst of all, there wasn't any blood... Any damage was internal...
Al froze flashbacks popping up.
Nate had prided himself in knowing how the human anatomy worked and how to exploit its weaknesses... He'd made sure Al was always conscious enough to listen to his lectures... But how did that connect to their land? What the hell was he doing?!
Was it possible that Nate knew something about their anatomies that they didn't?! That concept was enough to make anyones blood run cold. By now Al had backed up into a corner sliding to the floor. Aside from hiding in his wings it only happens when he felt defenseless. Matt was by his side like a shadow, fretful eyes watching his every move.
His mind was running ragged trying to come up with some defense or counter attack.
*Alfred... Al, stop,* Matt was barely able to cut through all the noise. *This won't help if you go mad from it...*
Al blinks burying his head in his arms. Matt sighed and rubbed his shoulders.
*What do we do..?*
*Pick ourselves up first. Get everyone as steady as they can be then find this bastard and throttle him...*
*No.. He's mine.*
*Everyone wants him dead, everyone has a reason to hate him.*
Al's hand twitched.
*That aside, we still need to find him,* Matt wanted him with a dagger through his heart...
Al sighs pulling out his phone. ...No... No, that wasn't happening! The tracker had lost him?! *No..*
*What...?*
*He's gone!*
"What?!"
The trio to the side all flinched at Matt's outburst, Molly starting up again. Al hissed softly. Matt stood and cussed profusely. They should have gone after him when they had the chance!
Al put down his phone before he crushed it. It beeped as he let go, bringing reports of several European nations being bombed, almost like it knew his anger and was taunting his helplessness.
Al stood up heading outside. Matt had gone out already, liable to break something soon.
Al headed to his shed, if normal means weren't going to work he'd try the old fashioned way.
A chill wind had kicked up, strong and fierce and well beyond normal weather at this time of year. He glanced up worriedly, before going through his things. Al's spiritual energy gave him somewhat adept ability in voodoo. If he could get a spirit reading, or even if that failed try going to mom's shrine for a vision dream..
Before he got very far though, a little knock sounding at the door, a set of very worried pink eyes peering in. "Al...?"
He glanced up.
Ro stepped in cautiously, glancing about. "I... This is a bad time, isn't it..."
Mana was right behind her. Al sighs hugging her tight, he was starting to loose it..
She made a little noise of surprise but quickly hugged back. She was getting very scared and very worried. Her family - for that's what they'd become over the last year - were dropping all around her and she couldn't do a thing...
"It'll be fine.. We just need to find this guy and stop him.."
"I don't want anyone else to get hurt..." She muttered into his shoulder.
"Me either.. We need to catch him soon.."
"How do we do that...?"
"Hopefully with a little help.." Al rubs her back before gathering supplies again.
She hugged herself, watching him as he gathered.
"Come on I'll show ya someplace special." He grips her hand and lead her outside calling for Matt, Mana close on their heals.
She clung tight, following diligently. Matt met them on the way, still quietly furious, but in a calm and deadly way. The four head off into the woods. Ro relaxed some when the trees surrounded them, but she missed the leafy smell of summer...
They continue on for a while before stopping at the shrine. Al gathering wood for the nearby fire pit. "We should check on Juan later.. I haven't seen him anywhere near Mexico but I'd rather not chance it.."
"I'd rather know if they hit him," Matt nodded, taking Ro while Al sorted the fire. "He can come up if its that bad..."
Al piles the wood with some kindling and strikes a flame to start it. He sat tending to it until it was good and strong before sitting back.
"What're you doing...?" she looked between the twins and their animals, Kuma having come along too.
"Calling for help." Al sorts through his supplies before finding some powdered herbs and throwing a handful in. She watched with a sense of befuddled wonderment. The fire gained a sweet smell as smoke rose. Al staring into it intently. Ro was about to ask what he was looking for but Matt covered her mouth to stop her interrupting.
Smoke drifted over them setting them into a haze. Colors swirled around with vague sounds the boys feeling gentle hands brushing them.
Colours shifted, forming pictures that danced around them, dark figures lunging then disappearing with the smoke. People formed but were swept away too fast to see who they were.
The boys felt a small work worn hand grip each their own as the shifting started to slow.
Their family materialized around them, Arthur by Alfred, Iain beside Matt. All of them had been injured, bodies bloody and beaten.
An all too familiar laugh echoed around them as Nate's face formed in front of them, slipping away and reforming several times. A smear of red. A woman screaming. Flashes of pain and hopelessness. Then everything settled on the image of an old house surrounded by overgrown trees and grass, wild bushes and vines overrunning the rotten wood panels of the walls.
It felt familiar.. But where is it? All those images before worried them.
Gunshots ran out, bright lights blinding them all. By the time their eyes cleared, the smoke had faded.
Al gasped sharply as his heart raced. Ro had fallen to her knees, Matt kneeling fretfully beside her. She looked white as a sheet, totally thrown out of her comfort zone.
Al rubbed the spots from his eyes before coming over.
"W-w-wh-I..." She stammered.
He just hugs her silently.
She clung, using him to ground herself. As much as fae were magical creatures, their magic ended at mischief. They never saw anything bigger than a levitating broom...
He hugged and rocked until she was calm again before they put out the fire and headed back. She clung to their hands as they strolled back, eyes on her feet for most of the journey. It didn't look like much of a good future..
*You shouldn't have shown her that...* Matt was usually quite fair; but anyone could see their little redhead was shaken... Something in the vision had scared her...
*I'm sorry.. I didn't know it would be that bad..*
*Neither did I... Half of it might well have been gibberish, for all the sense it made...*
They held her tight and head back inside.
Dylan was the only one downstairs when they got back, the others upstairs, tending their wounded. For all that had gone on, the Welshman seemed awful calm.
Al sighs softly sitting Ro in a chair and covering her in a blanket. She huddled under it, hiding. Dylan brought over a mug of coco for her. Al sighs slumping on the couch.
"So where did you lot head off to?" Dylan asked conversationally, but with an undertone that highly suggested they answer honestly.
"Sat around a fire for a while.. Fell asleep and had a nightmare.."
He gave that an odd look. "Pretty rattled for a nightmare..."
"It was a really bad one."
He hummed curiously but let it go. "Arthur's nearly back on his feet."
Al glanced up. Matt's hopes sparked a bit. "Think he can come down soon?"
"More than likely. Good thing too, what with the rest of them getting hit."
Al frowns softly.
"He'll be coming down soon," Dylan carried on. "Go up and remind him if you like."
Al fidgets worriedly. Was Francis hit too? Matt gave his brother a worried glance, sharing the thought. Al stood up cautiously making his way upstairs.
Matt made to follow but stopped. *You go, I'll stay with Ro...*
Al glanced back but nodded. Matt sat with her, pulling her into his arms and gave Al an encouraging nod. Al climbed upstairs.
The door to Arthur's room was ajar, voices muttering inside.
He peeks in. Arthur and Iain sat facing each other, the blond gripping his brothers hands. "It'll pass, just breathe..."
Al frowns considering leaving. As he turned to go, Arthur spotted him. "Alfred?"
"Uh.. Hi.."
"You can come in, its alright."
Al walks in glancing around. Iain just sat as he was, hands clasped in Arthur's, his eyes closed, like he was meditating.
Arthur just smiled sadly, a silent suggestion not to mention it. Al frowns sadly.
"Were you looking for someone?" Arthur offered, wanting to break the awkward silence building between them.
"Just checking."
"We're alright. Coming down as soon as we're done here..."
Al nods softly.
Iain gasped suddenly, eyes snapping open. "Australia!"
Al jumps startled.
Arthur paled slightly. "He didn't..."
"Sydney harbour and a good chunk of Queensland..."
Al frowns worriedly.
Iain let go of Arthur, scrubbing his eyes before looking at Al. "Nate's coming this way."
The blondes eyes flashed for a second. He still needed to call Mexico.
"Go," the Scotsman knew that look all too well. "Whoever you need to call, go do it."
He nods leaving. He stepped downstairs into the kitchen dialing. Mexico picked up near instantly.
"Juan? You alright?"
"Si, I'm fine. I heard lots of us are being taken out by some psycho English person?"
"Just hit Australia.. Someone spotted him heading our way though.."
"Crap... I'll let the south know, you go catch that bastard!"
"Alright."
He hung up, line going dead. Al sighs heading back to the den. Ro had passed out, Matt still hugging her close. Al sat on his other side.
*How'd it go?*
*Iain and dad will be down soon..*
*That's good,* Matt took his hand gently. *Now tell me why you're shaking...*
*..He hit Keith.. Iain saw him coming our way..*
Matt sighed, gripping tighter. *I've been wondering if he didn't make note of who helped us last time...*
Al grips back tightly. *Already called Juan.. He said he'd keep an eye on the Centrals..*
*I tried calling Ivan but I got no response...*
A lump caught in Al's throat.
*There's no news on him, but if Nate's aiming to get back at you...*
He squeezed his eyes shut, turning away. Matt just held tight, eyes apologetic. Al sat there a few moments shaking.
*He's strong... It'll take a lot to beat him...*
Al nodded softly, scrubbing his eyes. Matt pulled him into a hug, trying to assure him it'd be okay. Al folded in for a moment.
How could one man come across as do disorganized but so methodic at the same time? It was impossible to plan against an unplanned attack...
Al clung fearfully, worried about his family and lover. Arthur and Iain came down shortly after, frowning sadly at the trio. Al sat up trying to pull himself together. Matt rubbed his back gently. He sighs glancing up to them. They just watched him with a sense of pity.
"Sorry.. 'M fine.." Al mutters.
"It's alright," Iain smiled. "I'd be at my wits end if I didn't know they were safe." He gave Arthur a playful squeeze.
Al smiles slightly.
"Have either of you seen Paddy by the way? He went off to play earlier..."
Al shook his head. Iain frowned softly, setting Arthur in a chair. Al stood intending to help look. Iain just nodded, heading out into the garden. Al took the yard.
There was no sign of the child anywhere... Not even a discarded toy...
Al's eyes shifted trying to scent him out. There were faint traces of it everywhere... Al trailed around trying to find the freshest path.
It took a while, but when he found it, it lead him out towards the trees. Al ran off toward it. Iain's voice echoed in the yard behind him, growing progressively more urgent.
Patrick's trail went in about ten feet then vanished up a tree.
Al glanced up curiously. "Pat?"
No answer... The tree was empty, though a few twigs had snapped in the middle branches... He looked around again. There was something a few meters further in... He walks toward it.
Up in a tree, he finally found Patrick, napping lightly with a little squirrel nuzzled in his arms. Al heaved a half frustrated sigh, yelling for Iain before starting up.
The squirrel darted off at his shout and Iain came running in, something in him slumping with relief lf when he saw the boy and noted that he was unharmed.
Al climbed up to him, gently scooping him up in one arm before slowly working down.
Iain took him, holding him close. "Fucking hell boy... You'll be the death of me at this rate..."
Al sighs brushing the bark off his hands.
Patrick woke up, confused. "Chester...? Iain, where's Chester?"
"The squirrel? I saw him run off."
"Aww... It took ages to catch him..."
"Patrick, you've been gone all day," Iain was trying not to be annoyed with him. "We got worried - you need to tell us where you're off to."
Especially with Nate loose.. Patrick still didn't know about that... They headed back inside.
Arthur jumped up when he saw them, coming to the door.
"He was napping in a tree." Al sighs.
"It's what he likes to do in the summer," Arthur sighed, relieved. "I told you to let me know, Patrick..."
"M'sorry..." the child shrank. "I saw a squirrel..."
Al went back over to Matt.
*Gave everyone a fright...* he opened his arm to him again. *Is he alright?*
Al folded in. *He's fine, out chasing squirrels.*
Matt smiled softly. Patrick was refreshingly adorable... Al leans on him gripping his hand. Matt gripped tight, watching the brothers idly.
They needed to stick together now.. Who knew what could happen...
Al griped tight to Matt's hand as the sunlight faded from the windows. The rest of the night was thankfully peaceful. Al stuck close to Matt and Ro.