Second Son: The Aftermath Chapter 6, an infamous fanfic

Chapter 6

A few hours must have passed by and I'd spent much of my time in solitude on the tallest roof I could find. Earlier I'd allowed myself to float way up above it all, as if I was on the surface of a calm lake – aside from feeling really cold, I'd never felt so at peace.

Now I sat a long way up, legs dangling looking down at the city below. A few days before and this would have been terrifying but when you know you could jump from any given height and never hit the floor – it sort of takes all the fear factor out of it.

Urgh – enough of this moping, I shook my head and forced a smile. Not that I remembered right now but I didn't feel the type that would sit around moping, I felt like I should be laughing – laughing away my problems.

Well maybe laughing was a bit much right now, I hadn't quite lost my mind just yet but on the bright side when I looked off into the far off distance the view was pretty damn beautiful. I was in no rush to return to the hell hole down below.

It was getting dark though, time to call it a night. Without hesitation I took a run and jump and freefell, plummeting to the ground – the road was in view. I began to push against the floor with my power. Something was wrong – my power was waning.

Shit! Shit! Shit! –

Phew!

I recovered at the very last minute with a roll and landed flat on my back, the landing certainly wasn't as soft as I'd have liked. I sat crouched and rested my palms on the road and then another rush. It felt like I was drawing energy from the ground, my fingertips tingled and my arms vibrated. I felt energy coursing through my arms channelling through me. After several seconds, I felt full and then the feeling passed. All charged up again – ahh so this was what Delsin had meant by 'draining gravity'.

I stood, fully energised ready to face the mayhem again - but what now? Where to? I wandered aimlessly for a long while taking in the chaos all around me. Deep in thought, supressing the sounds of madness I froze. There was someone staring at me from inside a shop window, the glass was cracked but I could just about make them out- a surprised face under a large hood. I neared, wait –

It was me.

My reflection – I stroked my face and the stranger staring back mimicked in chorus. Tanned skin, tired bloodshot brown eyes, I was pretty damn scrawny too.

"Who am I?" I whispered

I'd been so caught up in everything I hadn't had time to think about my identity but seeing a face I didn't know impersonating my expressions made me feel uneasy. Why was my memory not returning? Who am I?

I scowled and I threw my hand forward and smashed the mirror backwards with my power. Who am I? I panted with frustration and then took a deep inhale, I felt relieved that I was no longer glaring into my own stranger's face – shouldn't I be remembering something by now?

I continued onward, alone. Between the not so distant screams, gunfire and car alarms, I couldn't hear myself think, it wasn't safe to be walking around. There wasn't many others around I'd passed maybe a dozen as I strolled about aimlessly. I hadn't even noticed a fleet of DUP SUV's turn onto the road I was walking

"Please head to the nearest DUP safe zone in time for curfew. Anyone remaining outside past curfew will be assumed to be a bio-terrorist and will be executed on sight" The tinny almost inaudible announcement repeated itself several times as it passed, apparently only for my benefit, I didn't see anyone else around.

I really didn't like the sound of that and I guess it was getting late too – another eventful day – I needed somewhere to get my head down …. I couldn't return to the hotel or Eugene's basement and the only other place I knew of was the bunker David and co had been talking about – most likely the DUP safe zone. No - that was a stupid idea … wasn't it? I pondered, it wouldn't be like I'd need to scan my hand to get in – I'd just gravitate my way in unnoticed. No one would be looking for a conduit inside the compound – I'd hide in plain sight – with so many DUP and civilians in the area surely it would be the safest option and better than the warzone out here – provided I could blend in ….might as well check it out at least, I burst into the air again.

I was way up high looming over the bunker, too far away and too dark for anyone to see me – on the ground it was brightly lit with floodlights everywhere but I was still struggling to see anything from this high up – why couldn't I have super vision too?

I edged down, a whole load of DUP circled the parameter and there were some patrolling inside but not many civilians walking around. I edged in closer. I spotted an unoccupied corner that was piled high with refuse – urgh really?

There wasn't much choice – I lined myself up and lowered as much as I could without being seen and I powered off.

I fell and landed square in the middle of it. Urgh it stank and there was slime all over my leg and as I stood I put my hand in something – ah man!

"You there!"

I froze, and narrowed my eyes as a bright flashlight was blasted into my face.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" it was a DUP patrol man and his tone was terrifying.

"I err …" I had no good excuse.

"Are we going to have a problem!?" he spat brandishing a truncheon "return to your dorm!"

Phew, I leapt down from the refuse and brushed myself off as best as I could and nodded. He followed me, escorting me with the more than occasional abrupt shove, I didn't argue – I relied on him for the directions and he took me to a large concrete base in the centre.

Well that couldn't have been easier – actually, it was too easy - I approached the entrance ….. Annnd a handscanner …

I felt the colour drain from my face, of course I hesitated and without warning he grabbed my wrist forcing it toward the scanner. I pushed back – why would they have another scanner in the base if they already have several you had to pass through to get here?

Why wouldn't they?

I was a conduit after all who'd managed to make it this far.

He slammed my hand onto the scanner but I lifted my fingers so they weren't making contact.

[INCORRECT PLACEMENT – PLEASE TRY AGAIN]

My lack of cooperation didn't go unnoticed and the alarm had brought in a hoard of bigger and meaner looking DUP.

Shit – coming here was a huge mistake – my heart thudded in my chest, what the hell was I thinking?! Along with the adrenaline rushing through me I struggled to keep my power at bay.

"I'm warning you!" the DUP agent threatened "you have three seconds before I open fire."

Two DUP agents grabbed each of my arms – forcing my right hand toward the scanner and pulling my other arm behind my back, I could have levelled the place in seconds I'm sure of it, but I wasn't about to sacrifice all of these people.

I let me index finger line up with the little red dot.

[SCANNING… SCANNING…SCANNING]

This was it, I had about two seconds - time to test out how many bullets my body could take.

[NAGATIVE - CLEARANCE APPROVED … NEGATIVE – CLEARANCE APPROVED … PLEASE PROCEED THROUGH THE GATE … PLEASE PROCEED THROUGH THE GATE]

My bottom jaw almost hit the ground, my reaction was suspicious to say the least, but what could they do – apparently I wasn't a conduit?!

The agents threw me through the gate, I landed ungracefully onto my knees and they scolded me for wasting their time. Apparently that wasn't enough for one of them and he deemed it necessary to kick up a huge dust cloud that I sheltered my eyes from as it fell into me.

They left and I got to my feet, stood there for a few moments still in shock, how the hell -?!

"Do you have a bed?"

I almost jumped out of my skin, I looked to see the woman who had addressed me. She sort of looked a bit like a nurse, she held a clipboard out in front of her and didn't even give me a glance.

"No," I replied.

"Follow me," she led me down the aisles and aisles of beds and sleeping people – it was a crazy sight – we stopped at a row of unoccupied beds.

"If you need anything, there's a few of us dotted around."

"thank you," I said as I sat.

"Showers are that way," she gestured – how subtle "Can I take your name?"

"Aiden," I replied – huh, where did that come from? Aiden – Aiden Miles – I remembered.

"Aiden ….?" She paused "you have a last name?"

I was still amazed I remembered my first name "Miles,"

"You have anyone who may be looking for you - family, friends?" she asked.

I stared blankly. I may have finally remembered my name but anything else was still beyond my grasps for now it seemed.

"I'll stick your name and bed number up on the board," she said "if anyone comes in here looking for you – they'll know where to find you."

She left and I lay on my back, my feet hung off the edge. Eyes wide – I stared into the darkness above. What the hell created this construction? A Massive hollowed out tower of concrete with no windows. It didn't matter, I wasn't even meant to be here – how exactly did I get past the scanner? Nothing made any sense. I took the earlier hint and went off for a shower. I returned to my bed and lay down feeling somewhat refreshed at least - now for some shuteye.

Instead I tossed and turned, wondered what time it was and sat up, I couldn't sleep. Nothing made any sense – I'd been so preoccupied since Cardun Cay that I hadn't had any time to think and as I lay there in the darkness it felt as if my mind was collapsing in on me. I flicked from one anxiety to another - I needed to find out who I was and I didn't have any leads. Maybe Eugene could help? If I ever heard from him again.

I must have eventually fallen asleep but some time later I was again disturbed by another abrupt awakening. More gunfire and screams outside – unfortunately this was a running theme. I sat, others were waking too. Many heading hurriedly towards the exit – what the hell was going on outside?

I got to my feet and followed the crowd. Outside people were congregating towards the main entrance gate. I peered through the crowds to see a woman just outside wailing as she cradled a dying man in her arms.

"He's not a bio- terrorist!" she screamed "you killed him!" she cried out "he's not a bio-terrorist!"

She wasn't the only one, from my position I could see the bodies of at least three others lying lifeless in pools of their own blood just outside the gates.