Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Sanctuary characters.
Magnus sat at her desk and sighed. Five days had passed and still no clues. Will had recovered without too much injury and she was relieved. They had to work smarter and find some way to get ahead of Haddock.
Leaning back in her chair, she absently rubbed at her nose and stared at the papers in front of her. Frustration didn't begin to describe how she was feeling about the whole "Songbird" situation. She pondered the title that Mama Buntah had bestowed on the young Abnormal. It really did fit, since the girl sang.
She glanced up at a knock on her door. "Come in."
The door opened and Henry, followed by Kate, strolled in.
"Good news, I hope?"
Henry grinned. "I finally caught a break, Doc." He held up his tablet. At the top was a picture of Haddock. "This is the first of twenty photos that we've found for him."
"Well having pictures is not unusual."
"I know, Doc, but it's the dates on the pictures that are interesting."
Henry placed the tablet on her desk and tapped the picture. A slideshow began and Magnus watched in growing fascination as the pictures went from black and white to the more colorful kind used today. In each, Haddock was dressed according to the times.
"So he's older than he looks," she mused, scrolling back to the begin to study his attire in the first picture. "These clothes are from the mid 1850s. He looks only slightly older than he did here."
"We noticed that, too. Based on what you said about the captive girl, I'm guess they use energy to keep themselves young."
"Henry, this is the break we need to prepare for taking on Haddock. There is more out there," she stated, her gaze firmly on Henry.
Henry nodded and Kate smirked. "Research, yay," she muttered.
"I'm sure your extensive knowledge will help tremendously, Kate," Magnus added. She hid a smile as the younger woman stiffened and frowned.
"Are we having a party?"
Everyone turned and Magnus laughed. "The more the merrier, Will."
Will entered and gingerly took a seat. His lower back still hurt him but he was moving around better.
"Henry found information, or rather I should say photos of the man. He's been around since the mid 1850s."
Will whistled. "That's not good."
"No, it isn't. That means he's been around long enough to have back-up plans and other survivalist items ready to protect his way of life."
"So everything just got hard," groused Kate. "Please tell me he isn't one of those has "nine lives" kind that will be hell to take out."
"I can't say for certain, maybe," Magnus admitted. "I'm not sure what we're dealing with. At last not fully. We need to prepare for the worst and hope for the best."
"That is an excellent idea, Helen."
The room exploded into noisy shock as the occupants focused their attention on the diminutive Abnormal seeker, standing by the window.
"How the hell did she do that? Henry's mouth was hanging open as he gaped at their visitor.
"I don't know but I wish she'd stop. People who like to pop in and out like ghosts should never be trusted. They always have hidden things going on that could get you killed."
"You are so negative for one so young, Kate."
Kate glared at Mama Buntah and refused to respond.
"Ma'am, welcome back," Will politely interrupted. Getting annoyed and snapping at their visitor would get them nowhere.
Mama Buntah moved from her seat and came to stand before Will. He flinched a little when she got near and he saw the tiniest of smiles grace her face before it vanished into the unreadable mask she always wore.
"I am glad he didn't hurt you too badly. I would have been upset if he had." She tapped Will on the cheek with her finger. "You are what the songbird needs. She has been calling to you but your sleeping meds have kept you from hearing her."
"Um, what are you talking about?"
Mama Buntah chuckled. "Trying to hide the connection between the two of you is pointless."
"Will?"
He swung his gaze away from the disturbing, yet discerning eyes of Mama Buntah. She always made him feel uncomfortable.
"I need you to save her. You have to go now while Haddocks is in town. Save the songbird."
"Magnus?"
Will's voice brought her out of her rambling thoughts. They needed to make a decision and now.
"Mama Buntah, I guess that means we're coming now. Do we need to bring anything?"
"Only a blanket. I will wait while you get one."
"I'll get it." Will hurried from the room.
Magnus stood. "Henry, Kate. Let's go." She came from behind her desk and joined the group.
Will returned, slightly winded, with a large comforter in his arms. "Is this good?"
Mama Buntah studied it for a moment before pronouncing it fit to use.
"Join hands and form a circle around me. Whatever you do, don't break the circle."
The group slid into place around the Abnormal Seeker and joined hands. Once they were ready. Mama Buntah lifted her walking stick and banged it hard.
The room twisted and Will felt himself lose consciousness.
Lilith hurt everywhere and nowhere. She couldn't seem to get warm either. She had lost track of how many days she was stuck in the cage. Twice a day her master would come, unlock the cage, drag her out to use the bathroom. Once she finished, he would demand the souls from the hospital.
She told him the same anger as the first time that she gotten them all and had none to give. This would result in a guttural scream of rage and then a beating that would knock her unconscious. She had lost count of the bruises and cuts on her body.
Last night, Haddock had changed tactics. He had allowed three of his "Lieutenants" to enjoy her. Lilith had fought but lost against their numbers and strength. When they were finished, she was completely healed but her emotions and soul felt dirty and tainted.
Once Haddock made them leave, he had beaten her unconscious with his fists and his favorite whip.
Gingerly, she touched her left cheek and felt the swelling there. Her left eye was unusable because the swelling had closed it shut.
Her head was pounding and she was thirsty. Hungry, too, not that she'd be getting food any time soon. Lilith tried to get comfortable, but that was impossible. She could smell herself and filth in the cage. It was humiliating and she wanted to die. Even if she could, she feared what Haddock would do if she did start dying.
She leaned against the cage bars and felt tears escaping from beneath her closed eyes. All she could do was weep at the loss of her freedom and dignity. If her Master wanted to break her, he didn't have much more to do to accomplish that goal. She was giving up.
Abruptly a strong breeze blew through the tent and Lilith glanced up. Her eyes widened and she trembled. She really had gone mad.
Will blinked several times and then stared. Gone was Sanctuary. Instead they stood inside one of the circus tents. He could feel various emotions coming from the room. Nothing good had happened in this space. Of that he was sure.
"Doc!" Henry excitedly whispered and pointed to a cage in the far corner of the tent.
Will, along with the rest, stared in horror at the imprisoned girl. She was nude and covered from head to toe with bruises, cuts and some deep lacerations.
"Well the blanket makes sense now," he murmured and unrolled it.
"No, no, no!" whimpered Lilith at the appearance of people with Mama Buntah.
"Stop that noise," ordered Mama Buntah as she hobbled over to the crate.
Lilith shrank back, pressing her body against it. "Sorry, Mama Buntah."
"You are a good girl, Lilith, but you still much to learn. Dr. Magnus is here to help you. I suggest you make a choice quickly about what you need to do. Stay here and let Haddock continue to hurt you without end, or, you can go with Magnus and finally have a life. Choose girl, but make it quick. Haddock is on his way back here."
Lilith's head was reeling. Were they rescuing her? A tiny bit of hope filled her. She longed for freedom. If she did it right, this would accomplish this.
"I want to go with them please!"
"Good girl." Mama Buntah waved her hand over the lock and Lilith watched in fascination and fear as the cage literally melted around her.
"Will, the blanket," ordered Mama Buntah.
"Sorry about this," he said to Lilith. He walked over to her and kept his eyes averted as he dropped the blanket over her.
"Pick her up, Boy. It's time to make the getting good."
Will nodded and scooped up the songbird.
Lilith let out a started yelp and instantly covered her mouth, her eyes huge in her gaunt face.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Will gave her a gentle smile. "Not a problem." He moved to the middle of the room. Everyone circled them, except Mama Buntah.
"Wait, aren't you coming, too?"
"No, wolf child I have other lost ones to tend. Be careful with the songbird. She is very fragile.
Mama Buntah stepped back and raised her hand which glowed with 3 alternating colors. She said in her native tongue and then they were transported back to Sanctuary.
Will glanced down at Lilith. He knew how beautiful she was. Now that they had her at Sanctuary, it would take a while to help her heal and start on her path to independence and control of her own life.
"Please put me down."
Will could feel the trembles racking her. He didn't know if it was from cold, fear, or the adrenaline but they needed to run test and heat her up to stop the shakes.
He opened his mouth to speak but stopped when Lilith placed one finger against his lips and whispered "no."
Will was taken aback by her move.
"Magnus, I'm taking her down for a check-up."
"That's fine, Will. I shall join you in a few minutes. Kate go with him."
"My pleasure," agreed Kate.
The only thing on Will's mind was helping the girl. He didn't respond to Kate's verbal jabs. They would have words later, after he had gotten the songbird settled. He only inclined his head toward Kate and quit the room, leaving her to scramble after him.