Chapter 6: I Found You…
Chapter 6: I Found You…
(The slums) (Ben's House) (Gwen's POV)
"Hi… Ben…" those were the first two words I said to him as he finally noticed my presence in the room. As I analyzed his face even further than before I was able to see that he truly was the boy that I've been looking for. Green eyes, fuzzy hair and an attitude that shouted out 'I'm king of the world'
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Ok maybe king of the world wasn't exactly the right words to describe it, but it was kinda sorta like that. The bonus features that he added were definitely the facial hair and those muscles on his body. It made me wonder if he was eating properly. I was afraid I might actually be looking at his bones but I guess I shouldn't have been too worried about him.
"Hi yourself" Ben replied acting like a complete stranger. I guess this was to be expected. He hasn't seen me in more than five years now, he couldn't recognize me anymore. "And you are?" he motioned to me to answer back. He must be thinking that I was some kind of intruder or something.
"I'm sorry" great, now I was apologizing for no reason, "We met in Burger Palace… remember?" hopefully that should satiate his thirst for answers. "I help you fight off those thugs that came crashing the place"
I was glad that his face brightened up for a moment there. It seemed he was able to remember me after all… or at least the 'me' that he doesn't know about. "Oh yeah, I remember now. You're that alien girl that's been going around asking about them alien heroes. You're pretty bold to come all the way down to the Slums. Usually no one lasts here for more than ten minutes without firearms"
I let out a silent sigh in my head as he acted like I was still that girl that he met weeks ago. "Yeah… so I've heard" I replied trying not to get out of character.
He let out a smile before offering me a seat, "Wallace can you go open those two sodas from the groceries? Just bring'em here and take your sister back to my bed. It'll be raining all night tonight" the boy nodded politely at us before leaving towards the kitchen. It was like he was some sort of personal butler or something. "So Ms. Alien, how can I help you with your so called 'research' thesis? If you want I have some lovely pictures of several aliens in my cabinet"
"That's ok" we quickly grab ourselves a seat on opposite side of what looks like a coffee table. It didn't look like it was part of the house furniture so I'm guessing Ben must've salvaged it from one of the abandoned houses nearby. "I was just taking a walk and I found that girl (Alex) wobbling around"
"Yeah… sure you are…" again he was teasing me with that goofy grin of his.
"Hey, it's the truth!"
"Yeah… you were just… 'taking a walk' in the most dangerous neighborhood in the entire city where people can mug you, rape you or worst… kill you without second thought" again he was able to bounce another of my excuses back at me like a trampoline. But he did have a point though. Who in the right mind would wanna take a walk here in no man's land? A guy who wants to die? Maybe, but still…
"Do you always need a reason?" I grumbled at him trying to keep my character in check. I didn't want him to know who I was just yet because it just wouldn't be right.
"Not unless you want to give me one" he replied grinning at me. Yup, that was Ben alright, always the one with the smart mouth. He always did have a smart remark behind his arsenal of words. I really wanted to give him a piece of my mind and get it over with but I had to watch my temper. Going on his bad side won't exactly benefit me or the Plumbers and this mission means a lot to me, Cooper and grandpa Max.
But before I could say another word to him, the boy Wallace came by and placed two cans of sodas on the table. He looked almost like a butler at closer inspection. His arms and legs were firm and his posture was just as stable as the next guy. He had the makings of a true gentleman. "Thank you" I grab the soda can and gulp down a couple of gluks before letting out a sigh. As Ben slowly made himself home I took a little look at my surroundings to see what he had been going through the past five years.
His house was a total mess, that one word says it all. Several parts of his roof were leaking; the windows were all jammed and nailed up together several times, they must've broke down a long time ago by a storm or perhaps one of the gangs. The walls were in a state of decay and termites seemed to be chewing around it without him even knowing. "How long have you…"
"Been living here?" he interrupted me, "About three years. Well… back then the power was still on. Sorry for the mess, I wasn't exactly expecting company from the outside district to be here. I know it's not what you're used to, but its home……… what's left of it that is…"
"But don't you ever want to get out and live in an apartment or something?"
"Trust me, I tried. The only thing I'm lacking now is employment" he placed his palms together trying to look all wise and smart, but I know him better than that. But he did have a point though. The city's employment rate is currently on the red and new job offers were already being filled in by the other states like Texas and North and South Dakota. It became quite strange on how the mayor was still able to run the city even without the support of the entire populace.
"Hey Ben" came Wallace's voice. "I'm going out to see the garden, be back in a bit" Ben simply gave him a positive sound before returning his gaze to me.
When the boy was out, he smirked at me, "His name's Wallace if you're wondering. He may look like a dweeb, but he's a good kid"
Dweeb…
Oh man, I can't believe he's still using that word. To think for five years, the least he could do was to think of a better nickname for others. But I guess that's Ben for ya. He never changes, no matter what how much the world changes. "Where are his parents?" I asked feeling slightly curious.
"They're dead" he said it without hesitation on any feelings at all.
"Oh… I... I'm sorry"
"Don't be" as both our eyes turned to the table he began to explain, "Back when the lockdown was in effect, his parents were among the first to protest against the wall. They gathered numbers of supporters and caused a small riot at the gate. When things began to get ugly, they were the first to get shot by the police"
"That's… that's terrible" I pitied that boy. His parents were only doing what they thought was right and they were killed by their own ideals.
"It's not that bad" Ben continued, "After the district went down the drain, I kinda took him in and took care of him"
"So the one that he just took upstairs was his sister?"
"Yeah… but they're not blood related though. He just found her one day on the streets alone and asked me to take care of her too" he added smiling at me, "But enough about us" he then put his soda can back on the table before starring directly at my eyes. "Tell me more about you…… why are you here?"
My mind quickly raced for an answer but right now all I could do was pause and look completely like an idiot. "I… well… I was researching about aliens and…"
"Did you ever know that you're a terrible liar?" Ben once again interrupted me smirking all the way. Well I guess he was right. I couldn't possibly lie myself even to save my own life. As I looked at him again straight in the face, I could tell now that all of my excuses had to come off. The truth had to be known if I was to get this heavy load off my chest.
I sighed… and exhaled a good load of air from my mouth. The way for me to explain everything to him was like a time bomb just waiting to explode. I had to pick my words carefully or else things might just go from bad to ugly to worst. "Alright… you got me" I confessed finally, "I'm not here to do research on aliens…"
"Oh gee, what a surprise" he said sarcastically which really made me wanna put a sock up his face.
I stood up from my seat and made my way slowly towards the broken window that overlooked the cabbage garden that he tended. My heart was racing and so was my brain. I've been waiting for five years to get to Ben and here he was sitting on the couch only a few feet away from me. If I knew I was going to find him this quickly, I would've prepared a speech for him or a lecture or something. But right now I was just as empty as a clip on tie. Man I wish I could just go back in time and think of something to say.
As I looked to the night sky, I could hear him shifting his sitting position. "Well? I'm waiting…"
Well… here goes nothing…
"The truth is……… I'm looking for someone" I admitted half heartedly.
"Someone?"
"Yeah… someone very special to me" I turned my face to him smiling slightly. "He… he was my cousin… He disappeared about five years ago back in our hometown in North Bellwood during an accident. His parents died and so he's probably alone right now. I figured that if I find him, I thought everything would go back to being the same again"
He gave me a slightly confused face as he replied, "So… what makes you think you'll find him here? (pause) Old Bellwood is a big district and no offense… but 75 percent says that he's either in the dark side of the slums or buried somewhere in this place" I let out a silent chuckle go through my head as he said that. He still doesn't get it? After all the clues I've given him? I guess it's just like Cooper said before. He's no Sherlock Holmes.
"No… I don't think he'll roll over and play dead that easily" I continued with my little story, "He's stronger than most guys that I know and a lot faster too. He won't go down. And besides…… he has a… 'gift'… and plenty of instinct"
"Sounds like a great guy"
"Yeah……" I smiled affectionately at him. "Not only that but he's also brave… but a little small on the brains ahehehehehehe. (pause) But I guess that's just how he is"
"Well sorry to disappoint lady. But brains don't exactly count much in this town if you catch my drift" he then again shifted his sitting position to a more comfortable pose.
"Yeah… I can see that" I answered back to him with a small freckled smile. "And you know what's so funny about this (huh?) Because he's sitting right in front of me…… right now" Ben's face immediately turned and twisted like he was trying to decipher what I had just said in the last sentence. There was no lie, no more tricks. Just plain old fashioned truth.
"Excuse me?"
"It's been so long Ben" I continued trying to contain my emotions so they wouldn't burst out. "You've really grown… and that Omnitrix looks a bit tight on you" the mere mention of the device on his wrist quickly sprung the boy into action. His combat stance was like that of a martial artist but it was still full of flaws and many openings. But since he was living in the slums I guess I shouldn't be careless. His eyes were sharp and focused like that of a Teradon in Terra V and his fists looked like they've been punching things harder than skin and bones.
"W… who are you?!" he demanded looking like he was just about to attack. "How do you know about the Omnitrix!?"
"You still don't know?" we both looked at each other not once turning our gaze to anything else. To think that he would actually forget how I looked like. But then a thought came to my mind when I remembered the hairclip that the girl gave to me a few minutes ago. "Here… maybe this will help…" the moment I put my old hairclip on my head, Ben's eyes and muscles softened like a balloon that had just been popped. He remembers me… "Hi… Ben… long time no see"
(Ben's POV)
My body froze like it had just gone through the coldest part of the North Pole and back again. I lowered my fists down and opened my eyes to the girl that was standing right in front of me. Orange flashy hair that looked like leafs in autumn, green emerald eyes, aqua blue shirt. What more could I possibly need? It was her… it was… her.
"Gwen…?" I muttered out silently. My soul literally left my body for a moment there as I looked at once more. I could feel my eyes fogging up and my heart stopped almost completely.
"Hey…" she added smiling at me. I don't know what I was thinking at that point, but when I was finally able to feel my legs again, I dashed right to her and gave that girl a hug of a life time. I felt the warmth on her shirt and the feint hint smell of her perfume. It was the same one she used during parties and casual. I usually see a bottle of it in her room and I wouldn't be surprised if she had one in her purse right now.
"It's you…" I managed to blurt out trying to gather up my breath, "I don't… believe it. How is it possible?"
"I had my ways" she replied smirking at me. Hey eyes flickered at me so affectionately that it seemed like she missed looking at me. I guess I shouldn't be surprised because right now I felt the same way. It has been so long… so long since I last saw her. We both stood there in silence for awhile until I heard Gwen sniffing at me. Before I knew it, she quickly pushed me away with an 'ewww' sound. I fell right off and broke the wooden table that I salvaged. "Ewww! One word: Hygiene!" she said in disgust. "Since when was the last time you had a decent bath. Gross"
"Well excuse me!" I barked back standing off from the table, "Baths aren't exactly my number one priority. If you haven't noticed the Slums aren't exactly a place for clean people. Besides, I'll probably get even dirtier tomorrow"
"That's no surprise. You never liked going to bath even when you were a kid………… and you still are now"
"Well pardon me Ms. Fancy Pants, I didn't know that staying clean became a law" I said sarcastically getting pissed off by her attitude. She hasn't changed a bit, even after all these years, she's the same person. By the time we even realized what was going on, we were already fighting just like we did about seven years ago. I don't quite remember what we were arguing about, but after a minute later, we went from baths to alien space craft designs.
Once the last of us stopped to catch our breaths, we suddenly began to laugh for no particular reason. I crouched down on my knees and held the end of the sofa trying to contain my laughter. To be honest, I don't think I've laughed that hard for a long time now. My jaws were so used to frowning and smirking that they practically glued themselves into position. A minute later, our eyes met again, this time with a long deep emotion hidden behind it.
"How did you find me?" I asked finally, letting my heart lift for the first time in a long while.
Gwen smiled back affectionately as well and said, "With the clues you've left behind… I got to admit… it wasn't easy. But if you left some stench behind, I would've tracked you down sooner or later" she paused for a moment getting a good look at my face again, "I really missed you Ben" she said unconsciously, "Not that I missed you 'missed you' I just… missed you"
I chuckled, "Hehehe… yeah, you're Gwen alright. But I have to admit though. Even after seven years, I expected you to be a bit… taller. Have you been drinking milk regularly?" I put my hand above her head, measuring our heights. I remember that we used to compare who was taller back in the days.
But then simply pat my hand away, looking a little annoyed, "Oh grow up" she groaned, "If I remember correctly, you were the one who always hated broccoli. I on the other hand, have a perfect vitamin balance"
"Hehehe… yeah I guess you got me there" I replied smiling still. "But enough about me, what about you? How are your parents? Is uncle Frank ok?" I quickly gestured her to return to her seat which she accepted wholeheartedly.
"He got older" was her answer, "He's still working, but he plans to retire after I graduate from college"
"Oh yeah… you're studying in Bellwood University, right?" she nodded back in reply. "Well I guess you can consider yourself lucky. Not a lot of students can enter that school without a recommendation. And most of them usually get turned away because of their status"
"So I've heard" Gwen then quickly took a more relaxing position on the sofa to ease the tension around us. "And you won't believe what they call me there"
"Alien girl?" I smirked which surprised her a little bit.
"How'd you know?"
"Oh, words get around once in awhile. You never know who might be listening around here" I added with a smug. "Besides, with all the question you've been asking about me and my alien heroes, I'd call you that myself too hehehehe"
"Ha ha ha… funny" if her voice could be anymore sarcastic than it was now, I'd probably fall for it. But before we could continue the conversation, a drop of water began to trickle down on Gwen's head making her look up to what was producing the drops. I knew I should've fixed that leak yesterday.
"Yeah… I should probably fix that" I stated standing up. But before I took another step forward, Gwen turned to me.
"How are you fairing Ben?" I had to say that, that was a bold question to ask someone who had been living in the slums for years.
"Oh pretty well" I answered while taking some tools from my cabinet. "I've met ends meet in the Industrial District working on all sorts of jobs. The good thing about this place is that the taxes are non-existent here. I don't need to worry about water or maintenance bills and especially electric bills………" I then remembered that I don't have electricity at all. "Well… not that we have any electricity at all that is"
"But how could you stand living here?" she asked, standing away from the now wet sofa, "I mean… there are practically gang wars happening every night here in this area. The crime rate is up and you barely have a life around here"
I felt kind of insulted by her words, but I knew that she only spoke the truth. She was right, I didn't have a life here. But I couldn't turn back now. It was already too late for me. "Well if it was so bad, why did you come here anyway?"
"Did it look like I have a choice?"
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I paused for a moment looking back at her. She was right, as always. "I guess not…"
I can't really tell what had happened after that point. All I knew that Gwen and I spent the last two hours talking and reminiscing about old times. I could feel that she was holding back information but I couldn't care less about the details of her life. But just as we finished off some of my emergency supplies, I noticed a strange sound coming from her purse. It didn't sound like a phone ring tone but I was sure that I heard it somewhere before.
The moment that sound occurred, she suddenly yelped like she was trying to cover something. "Oh, let me get that" she quickly nabbed away her purse from the table and ruffled through it hurriedly as if she was looking for a needle. But due to her clumsy hands, she dropped it on the floor.
At first I couldn't exactly see what it was that she dropped, but as luck would have it, it landed right next to my foot. "I got it" I smiled… but that smile turned to a frown when I realized what I was holding in my hand. We all know that phones are usually light, small, and easy to carry around, but this phone was bigger. It had a green symbol on its center piece and an emblem that I would recognize anywhere.
It was a Plumber badge communicator…
"This is…… this is a Plumber badge" I could tell the moment I laid my eyes on it. Plumber gears were usually kept around to look like a toy to the regular humans, but once you get the feel of it, you can tell that no gear on earth could hold something that complex. But what was Gwen doing with it? "How did you get this?" I asked.
But all I got in return was a silent stare and a cold shoulder to boot. But that alone was enough to prove that Gwen did not find me alone. "Gwen… are you a… Plumber?" she nodded silently and sadly in reply. So I guess my theory was true after all. The Plumbers were still after me… or at least, the Omnitrix that was a part of me. I had once given the thought that they would've stopped looking for me but I guess wishful thinking only leads to greater disappointment.
I placed the badge down on the table and looked at my cousin's face. Her eyes still closed but her conscious still there. "So…… I guess the jig is up then huh?" I raised my hand in defeat. "You probably have agents all over the city looking for me and a strike team ready to take me down"
"More or less…" she replied finally. When she finally managed to look me in the eye, I felt a slight hint of determination on her face. "But I'm guessing you really want some answers huh. (nod) Well ok… here goes. Yes, I am a Plumber Ben. Grandpa Max reassembled almost all the Plumbers in the galaxy and making them an active force once again"
"So he sent you hear to capture me?"
"No…" was her answer, "He wants you to join him" my face almost literally spun with confusion. Can this be true? Grandpa Max wanting my help? "With the Omnitrix, who knows how many lives we could save? It'll be just like old times back during that summer vacation"
"Forget it!" I raised my voice slightly in deny. "I am never going back no matter how much he begs me to" I turned around, walking towards the empty fire place.
"But… but why?"
"I… I have my reasons…" we both stopped our conversation for a brief second trying to decipher what we have been arguing. I couldn't bare to go back again. To that man of all people. I'd rather be gift wrapped right now and be delivered to Vilgax than to meet with him again.
"Is this about that incident?" Gwen asked as she sat back onto the table. I didn't reply, because I knew that she knew. "Ben, it was five years ago. Ancient history. There was nothing you could do to save them"
"No…" I muttered silently, "I could've saved them…… but I was too confused…" I starred blindly at the fire place trying to get its cold feeling to seep into my body, but even though its dark corners stood as damp as the rain forest itself, I could still feel the fires that burned deep inside my heart, the flames that destroyed my home and the family that once resided in it.
That's the thing about memories. As long as you keep it, the feeling would remain with you… until you forget it.
-Memories is what you make of it-
-JJ- (I have no idea who that guy is)
"Ben… please…" I snapped away from my nightmares by Gwen's plead. "Think about it. If you just come with me, everything will be set up straight again. You don't have to stay here anymore, you can stop running from the world and stay with us. Didn't you say that you've always wanted to be a Plumber?" I would've laughed my heart out at that time if it weren't for my sad attitude. Again of course, she was right. I did want to become a Plumber. When I first came to know the Plumbers, I idolized them as heroes and protectors of the galaxy like something you would see in a cheesy cartoon series or something. But now… five years older, and five years wiser, I knew that those shows were nothing but hopeful images for the kids, just so that they can escape the cruel truths of reality.
"That was a long time ago" I replied holding true to my word. "At first the Plumbers were the good guys… but now… I don't even know which side I'm supposed to be on" that was probably my final answer to her plead. Any moment now, she'll probably call the strike team and have them take me by force. I could hear her picking the Plumbers badge from my table and opening its radio chatter. "So… are you going to arrest me?"
I could feel her eyes on me like a bird in the tree observing something from a normal POV. But then suddenly… her next words surprised me. "No…" I looked back at her face, looking a little confused myself. "My mission here was to find you and bring you back to Mt. Rushmore in three months time. The semester should be over by then. Luckily for you, I still got about two months and a week"
"So…? What's you're point?"
"Two months is a long time Ben and from what I've learned from psychology 11, 'time' is all that is needed to change a person's opinion. I can wait for another answer" heh… I take back what I said earlier. Gwen did change………. but just a slight teeny bit. Afterwards, she picked up her communicator and placed the earphone around her ear. "Yeah… it's me" I could hear some gibbering on the other side of the line but I couldn't tell what they were saying. "No I didn't find him. Not even a tiny bit of clue. I'm gonna try looking for him again tomorrow (loud gibbering) Ouch… ok ok ok… geeze sorry pops. Didn't know curfew was in affect already. Alright, I'll call you back tomorrow. Night…" and with that she hung up.
"You're taking a huge risk by lying, you know that?"
But she only shrugged it off in reply, "Yeah… but it'll be all worth it"
I can't really remember when I smiled this much. I was smiling so many times that I even began to feel like my jaws were locked into position. "You'd better head back o the academy now. The curfew should be on in a few minutes. Come on, I'll go XLR8 and take you there"
"Light speed travel? Please" she snorted, "Walking and running was so last century. Instantaneous teleportation is the new thing nowadays" she then opened up a strange gateway in my living room, glowing with a mysterious purple light.
"Hey… you're really getting the hang of this"
"Practice makes perfect" she had made a powerful doorway into her room that surpasses both time and space. I won't ask for the detail because I know that I wouldn't understand a single word that she says. "So……I'll see you again?"
"If I'm still alive by then… yeah…… maybe you will" I answered back waving her goodbye. But just before she stepped into her hand made portal, she gave out a quick turn and hugged my entire body, taking me by complete surprise. I was surprised, that much was true, but the long feeling in my heart took over.
"I missed you Ben…" she whispered to me as a drop of tear fell off her eye.
It took me a few seconds to grasped that small action, but hearing those words from her mouth gave me back my sanity. I took my courage and gladly hugged her back whispering the same words to her ear. "I missed you too cousin…" we held each other like that for about two minutes or so before we she finally broke off.
"Oh… that reminds me" she ruffled up her wallet and took a bunch of fifty dollar bills out. "Here, you can use this to last a couple of days" The money she offered was probably more than enough to last me a few months off the coast of Florida. I don't know how she managed to come up with that kind of dough but hell like they say 'Just because I like the burger doesn't mean I want to meet the cow'. The offer was very tempting and only a complete idiot would deny such a gift………… and sadly enough, I was one of those idiots.
"No thanks" I declined, pushing her hand away. "I'd rather not get into debts. Besides, if I can survive this long, I think I'll last a few more weeks"
She seemed rather surprised for me to decline that money, but she respected my wishes. "You sure? (nod) Alright then… how about we meet at Hoche department store tomorrow around 12? We can have lunch and… catch up on old times"
My answer was rather hesitant. The Hoche store was probably one of the fanciest place in the entire city, funded by the mayor himself. "Well…" I replied, "I guess we could hang out like the old days"
"Except that you won't be begging me to loan you money for every game and fast food joint you see"
"Hey, I was a growing kid" I replied argued.
"Yeah…… but you were growing the wrong way" we both chuckled. "So you'll come?"
"Sure… it's not like I have anything better to do"
"Promise?" she hit me right on the nail at that question. She knew I was a man of my word and I would never go back on a promise, no matter how small it was. I groaned silently to myself and nodded.
"Yes… I promise"
She smiled back and let out a satisfying sigh at the end. "Good. Anyway, I gotta go. The headmistress of the dorm will be worried sick about me if I'm not in my room. Later…" her last word was said with so much affection that I would've cried. But too bad… all my tears had probably dried up already. And with one final wave of farewells, the portal closed up, leaving nothing but a black mark on the floor of my carpet.
"Awww man!"
(Gwen's dorm room) (Gwen's POV)
The moment the portal closed up behind me, I felt like the whole weight of the world just lifted away from my shoulders. It was a great feeling but it also felt very tiring. If Paullina knew that I let my target get away just like that, she would've lectured me for hours about discipline and order. But I know Ben. I know he wouldn't run he was too prideful to even consider that option. As I heard the head mistress's voice outside my room, I quickly jumped onto my bed and tucked myself in.
I heard the lock click open and I notice Mrs. Randolph's face peek through the corner. "Ms. Tennyson?" I pretended to get up from my bed and look drowsy. "Yes Mrs. Randolph?" I answered drowsily.
"Oh… I'm sorry to wake you up. I thought I heard a noise and…"
"It's probably from the Slums" I answered pointing at my opened window. "There's been a lot of sounds lately. Gunshots and stuff"
"Yes, perhaps" Polly smiled at me, "Well… good night Ms. Tennyson. You have an early day tomorrow and I don't want people oversleeping their days in bed"
"Yes… good night" and with that, she closed my door and walked away. I felt tired too. After that long talk with Ben, I didn't think I was even gonna make it through the night. As I shifted my body to the other side, I noted a message icon on my laptop meaning someone had left me a Plumber mail.
"Hmm… a message?" I clicked the box open and bam came the video mail. And luckily for me… it was none other than my backup partner, Cooper.
"Gwen, if you're hearing this message, that must mean you're at home" he began. "I won't be in my office for a couple of days. Maxwell just recalled me back to file in some new weapon specs that were confiscated by some alien smugglers yesterday. If you need contact me, just send it through my phone number. Oh and here's a list of peoples and places that you might want to visit for your investigation. Later… bye" and with that he hung up at the end of the message. The list he gave me was extremely long and it would probably take me months just to finish it all.
But that list wasn't really necessary anymore. I found Ben and I wasn't gonna tell any o them… yet. I know that I might get fired from doing this, but I just can't bear the thought of having to take Ben down by force. But even if I was given no choice but to fight him, I knew that even the entire Plumber organization would have a tough time just getting the boy to sit.
I deleted the message from my computer and after changing into my PJs and jumping onto my bed, I could only wonder… what could Ben be doing now?
(Ben's house) (Ben's POV)
I sat on the floor completely exhausted after Gwen had disappeared. I spent the last five minutes wiping off that black spot she left behind using that portal spell. Even though it had just happened a few minutes ago, I still couldn't believe that this was actually happening. My cousin… the one I thought I would never meet again for the rest of my natural life… the one who I thought had been living a normal life had just walked into my house through my door and talked to me.
Heh… if I had a video camera right now, I might actually make this into a comedy series of the century. Who knows, it might even make into the top ten of AHV (America's Hilarious Videos). But I digress. She was with the Plumbers for Christ sake. It was only a matter of time before one of her superiors finds out and orders in a strike team to take my head.
Maybe if I make a break for it now going XLR8, I could make it to the southern border of Texas and leave all the way to Mexico.
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…
No… that wouldn't be right. I made a promise to Gwen and hell I could never break a promise. Besides, if the Plumbers know I'm here I bet my Omnitrix that they'd probably have the seacoast blocked off, the roads patrolled and the sky scanned. And if by some miracle I did manage to break through the barricades, where would I go next? I can barely speak Mexican and to find another hideout like this would take at least eight magical wishes from a genie.
The reason why I picked this city was because of the protection it gave and the reputation it earned during the years. This city was barely visible in the modern map of America today due to its infamy and corruption and with that, it provided me with the perfect cover to hide my trail. After I managed to buy myself a house, the chaos that engulfed the city afterward cloaked my presence even more.
For a whole year, I never once turned into any of my alien heroes. I knew that if I used the Omnitrix, the Plumbers or some other alien bounty hunter would detect the energy signature and come chasing me right away. Usually when I would see a crime, I wouldn't even hesitate about using my powers. But the risk of exposure was too great, even for the people around me. Being normal was cool and all… but not without demerits. Restricting myself to only using the Omnitrix when danger is focused to me, I've seen hundred of people die and thousand of children become orphan within a blink of an eye.
I always kept telling myself that this was for the greater good… that by keeping my secret to myself I could save millions more.
I know that it was unpopular idea to the victim… hell I even began questioning myself that too. All the lives I could've saved, all the crimes I could've prevented. Hell… I could've even prevented this district from becoming a hell hole that it was now. But this is the path I have chosen and I have to stick with it no matter what happens.
There is no room for regrets now. I have delved too deep to go back and now… it was only a matter of time before this whole thing blows over.
I don't know what Gwen was planning but I could tell that she was going to try and persuade me to come back. I had to be ready…