Alone, each painting tells a story. Together, they can tell the future.

CHAPTER IV:

PAINTING THE FUTURE

CHANDRA & SYLAR

DALLAS, TEXAS

OCTOBER 7

"Are you sure splitting up is a good idea?"

Sylar stood at the Hotspur counter, waiting to see if the car he requested was still available. Chandra nodded.

"You're perfectly capable of doing things without me, Gabriel," he said, "You know how to operate the equipment, should it be needed, and you can display your own powers to the skeptical."

"But…" Sylar began.

Chandra held up a finger, "If Mr. Petrelli is really a power mimic, he might lose control if exposed to seven powers at once. That's how many you have, isn't it?"

"Yes," Sylar said, "And I suppose you're right."

"So you'll expect to meet Mr. Taylor in around three days, if you take it slow, yes?"

"I should meet with him on the eleventh," Sylar said.

"Good."

CHANDRA, BRIAN, & PETER

NEW YORK CITY

OCTOBER 8

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Professor Suresh," Peter said as he shook Chandra's hand.

"Likewise, Mr. Petrelli," Chandra said, smiling, "Please, come in."

Brian and Chandra sat down across from Peter, who set his copy of Activating Evolution and the weights Brian had given him on the table.

"I wasn't able to move the weights with my mind," Peter said, "I think I have to actually be with the person to copy their ability."

"That would be unusual," Chandra said, "I would rather doubt it."

Brian concurred.

Peter scratched his head, "Um, wasn't there supposed to be another guy here? Sylar?"

"Yes, but he has seven abilities," Chandra said, "I don't think exposing you to seven abilities at once is a good idea."

Brian opened the file he was holding, "Mr. Petrelli, you're essentially a sponge. You modify your genetic structure in response to the presence other evolved humans." He took out a piece of paper and slid it across the table to Peter, "Since you're modifying your genes, these modifications should be permanent."

Peter glanced at the paper, which was labeled MOZAIC. He read it and said, "'Evolved humans'? Is that what we're called?"

"That's the name we've settled on," Chandra said.

Peter sighed and slid the paper back to Brian, "There's something…else I should mention."

"Go ahead," Chandra said.

Peter took a deep breath, "There's an artist I know, a guy who can paint the future."

"I remember you telling me about him," Brian said.

"Are you sure?" Chandra asked.

"Reasonably. He painted New York being destroyed in a nuclear explosion."

Chandra leaned back, while Brian looked from Chandra to Peter in shock, "I see. Any idea as to when this explosion will occur?"

"No. But later, the day I met you, actually," Peter said, pointing to Brian, "I met a guy who stopped time. He said he came from the future. He had a message for me."

"What message?" Chandra asked.

"Save the salesman, save the world."

Chandra chuckled, "An unusual piece of advice. Did he tell you anything else?"

"No." After a long pause, Peter said, "You don't believe me, do you?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure," Chandra said at last, "Could we possibly meet this painter?"

"Well, it's complicated," Peter said.

"He's dating his ex," Brian said.

"It's not just Simone," Peter said, "He's also kind of a heroin addict."

"Heroin addict?" Brian and Chandra said at once.

"Don't worry," Peter said, "I can copy his power. I'll paint something."

Chandra nodded, "Lead the way."

Isaac looked up as Peter knocked on the door. He looked at Chandra and Brian, "Who are they?"

"Isaac, this is Chandra Suresh and Brian Davis, they study people like us. Can we come in?"

Isaac considered for a second, "Yeah, sure."

Isaac showed them the picture of the flaming bus, "See this? I painted this a month ago. Three weeks later, it happened."

"Interesting," Chandra said, "Do you have any proof that you painted the picture before it happened?"

Dejected, Isaac said, "No."

Isaac turned to Peter, "Did your brother call Mr. Linderman yet?"

"I should find out tonight," Peter said, grabbing a blank canvas.

"What are you doing?" Isaac asked, annoyed.

"I'm going to paint something," Peter said.

"Wait a second…" Isaac began as Peter started to paint.

"What is it?" Brian asked.

"Don't bother asking him," Isaac said, "He's in a trance. He won't even remember painting it."

Chandra slowly walked over to Peter, noticing his whited-out eyes.

"My God," he whispered, then breaking into a smile, "My God!"

Nearly an hour later, Peter fell out of his trance. The four stared at the painting.

It depicted a woman with curly blonde hair holding a day calendar. It was open to Sunday, October 29. The writing on the calendar was not legible.

"At least we know when to save him now, I guess," Peter said.

NATHAN & SIMONE

ISAAC'S LOFT

OCTOBER 10

Nathan used a crowbar to open the shipping crate, "You didn't tell Peter about me buying this painting, did you?"

"You asked me not to," Simone said.

Nathan forced the crate open. They stared at the painting inside.

"I don't get it. What is it?"

"It's one of a series, the work of Isaac Mendez, a rising artist. Peter believes Isaac can paint the future."

Nathan scratched his head, "Well, that piece of mail is postmarked this October 26th…"

The painting showed a man and woman in shadow. They were flipping through pieces of mail. One had fallen to the floor, and an address was visible:

NOAH BENNET

9 JUNIPER LANE

ODESSA, TX 79761

Nathan walked over to the other paintings, still hanging where Peter and Isaac had left them three nights before. Nathan stared at the image of the dead man, the largest painting.

"I know this man," he said after a moment.

Simone followed, "Are you sure?"

"He tried to kidnap me in Las Vegas four days ago."

Simone turned to Nathan, who continued to stare at the painting.

"If anything," Nathan said, "He sure as hell isn't a salesman."