I do not own Heroes or anything. I just love to put myself in that world. Please Review. I would love any help!
Claire and Peter settled themselves into the back seat of the car. Timid, tired, and emotionally drained of the entire situation. The Haitian sat in the front seat, next to Sylar, who still looked like a mess. They all looked incredibly dirty, ragged and worn from the days events. Claire spoke up softly. "I think before we head to wherever it is we are going, we should get a little cleaned up and maybe get a change of clothes?" Her shirt lacked its golden sparkle and was burnt half-way up her back. Her jeans and Peter's jeans had burn holes from the knee down. Sylar looked like his clothes were hit by a flame thrower. Rene nodded in agreement. He directed Sylar to a small side town with a simple thrift store. Rene turned back to them before they jumped out of the car. "Use cash, throw away your credit cards and phones. We need to be under the radar." Claire thanked herself for carrying some money in her pocket to the party and that it wasn't burnt in the blast. She tossed her cell-phone down the sewer drain outside the thrift store. Rene headed toward a small food shop, indicating the need for supplies. Peter followed suit of Claire, tossing his phone down the sewer and the two stuck together walking into the thrift store. Claire kept her head down, hoping she didn't attract attention due to her ragged appearance. She was also a world wide known figure, and a small town appearance could be revealed with a simple tweet or status update. She began to quickly browse as quietly as possible.
Claire pulled out a maroon blouse and a pair of jeans from a clearance rack. She grabbed a pair of black sneakers and socks. She needed to have flexibility over style. Honestly, she wouldn't miss wearing heels. Intolerance to pain or not, heels were a crime against women everywhere. Peter slowly was mingling in the men's section. He seemed dazed and far off in thought. Claire sympathized, but she sometimes wondered if her adaptability to loss was from her power or from her soul. Why could she easily move forward while Peter seemed so lost. Claire stood before the counter, noticing some beauty products. She quickly grabbed deodorant, a hair brush, baby powder, and examined a box of hair dye. She debated for a moment and finally decided to purchase it. Claire loved her hair color, but she needed to not look like herself. Auburn brown was better than nothing, even if she felt she was losing a part of herself. Claire purchased her items and asked the teller if they had a bathroom she could change into. The uninterested teenager behind the counter didn't even look up to Claire's face and pointed to the back area. Claire quickly entered the bathroom, dunking her hair underneath the sink. She applied the hair dye. The wait time said five minutes and Claire hoped that since this stop was so remote that she wasn't placing them in danger. Then again, her leap from the Ferris Wheel jumped started this entire fiasco. Hiro, Ando, Parkman and thousands of innocent people were now targets. Claire swore at herself. "How could I be so stupid and selfish?" She nearly smashed the mirror in the bathroom, forgetting the need to be unnoticed. Claire took a step back and took a deep breath. She washed her hair out and stuck it under the hair dryer as best she could. She pulled her hair back and washed up her face and body. Changing into her new clothes, she felt a emotional change occur. She was back to square one, changing her identity and living the most non-normal lifestyle. Her desire for being normal rushed back to her. Claire had lived as a Special openly and loved the acceptance, but now that was seemingly gone. Being normal seemed so perfect right about now. She stuffed her items into a plastic bag and sighed to herself. She was not going to smell like a international criminal if she could help it.
Claire walked out into the shop, not seeing Peter, so she made a bee-line to the car parked outside. Sylar sat on the hood of the car, playing with a yo-yo. He must have followed them into the store, because he looked completely transformed. He somehow found the serial killer section of the thrift store. He had a classic black button down tight black shirt, black jeans and dark boots. He had washed his face and chewed on some gum obnoxiously. He wore dark aviators in the bright sun and hummed a creepy tune as he flipped the yo-yo up and down. Was it a creepy song or "Your Love is my Drug" by Kesha? Claire shook the thought of Sylar jamming to Kesha. "Where is Boy Wonder?" Claire walked past him and dumped her bag into the back-seat. Claire simply pointed at the store, seeing Peter finally walking up to the counter from the dressing room. Claire started to walk past Sylar to head into the small store that Rene was in. Sylar caught her arm, stopping her, raising his sunglasses. He examined her hair. Touching a loose strand.
"Claire, your hair?"
"Let. Me. Go." Claire emphasized each word and tore her arm away. Stepping away from him. "I need to not look like myself. My hair is a dead give away." Claire started to walk back towards the store. Sylar stopped her with his power. He stalked up to her side, invading her space. He leaned into her ear. "I liked the Blonde. But I like this too."
With that he simply let her go and went back to flipping the yo-yo. Claire snorted and breezed into the store. She fumed at his bravado. He loved to just show off his abilities and always needed control, especially control of her. She wondered if he ever invaded Parkman's face space, using sexy tones. She did recall his over sexual attitude with almost every female that both of them had encountered. Lydia...Angela... Her mind flashed to Angela's face as he had killed her. Had she known he would kill her this entire time? Claire spotted Rene juggling water and some food. She aided him and helped purchase the items. She kept her head down, turning away from the security camera.
The two walked out together just in time. Peter and Sylar were face to face in front of the car. They looked close to blows. Sylar's smug face and Peter's sneer indicated danger. Claire rushed the items to the car. The last thing the four of them needed was a Specials throw down in a nowhere town. That would for certain make news for this little town. Rene walked with ease to the car, placing the items and observing the interaction. Claire overheard the exchange between the two Alphas.
"Rene better explain your place in all this. Once your purpose is fulfilled, I am personally going to bury you alive."
"Awww Pete, I love your dedication to this twisted world of ours. It keeps you from ever truly destroying me. A moral compass sounds like such a burden."
"You speak about my mother or my brother again, I will forget the world."
"But its my favorite subject-"
Claire interjected between the two, placing herself between Peter and Sylar. She left her back to Sylar, grasping at Peter and focusing his eyes are her.
"Peter, this situation sounds bigger than this. He will pay. He will be dealt with. For now, We need to follow Angela's plan. If she knew what was to happen to her, she would have stopped him long ago. She allowed him to escape, as did you. You need to deal with the consequences of that and forget your vengeance. We have to fight for Emma...for everyone."
Peter looked like he was snapped awake. He shook his attention to the fact that he had left Emma with Parkman. He panicked.
"Emma, I can't believe I forgot. She's in New York...Matt..Janice."
Rene interjected.
"Peter, your mother put in place that Hiro would receive a message that would tell him to retrieve Emma and Molly Walker. She sent a package to Janice's mother's home at the exact time that Hiro and Ando would appear with Baby Matty."
"What about Matt and Janice?" Claire questioned. Rene slowly and carefully chose his words.
"Mr. Parkman and Janice had the same fate as your grandmother."
Claire and Peter stood amazed at Rene's knowledge at what had taken place earlier in the day. He was not present for a single moment, but knew enough. Angela had seen a good amount into the future to plan for it. Claire closed her eyes. She was one of the last people on the earth to talk to Matt Parkman. Her heart sunk to the bottom of her chest. Peter tried to push past her to get at Sylar. Claire surprised herself and smacked Peter in the face. Peter stepped back from her.
"Claire..."
"Pete, I'm sorry, you need to stop. You need to push aside your emotions. We have an army chasing us and a throw down in Hicksville would cause a commotion. Neither one of you knows how to brawl under the radar. We need to focus. Rene has our next step and plan. I suggest we get into the car and get a move on before we draw anymore attention to ourselves."
Claire had begun to notice a few more people on the street than before. Curiosity of a small town can grow. Peter abruptly brushed past her and jumped into the car, slamming the door. Rene placed himself in the front seat again. Claire sighed and turned around to head to the car. Sylar stood smiling at her. The smack to Peter's face must have been a treat to him. "You shut your mouth. I know its your biggest desire to destroy every piece of Peter, but we will make no progress with you pushing him over the edge. We need everyone's A game." She pushed past him. As she got into the car, he simply stated to her.
"Who ever said my desires had to do with Peter?" His suggestive eyes sent her a shiver.
"Don't make me vomit for the first time in my life." She shot back, sitting in the car. He chuckled softly. He was having too much fun.
Sylar climbed into the car and swiftly peeled out of the town. Peter stared out the window, not looking at Claire. Obviously pissed that she not only shut him down, but did so in front of Sylar. Peter's day was an emotional roller-coaster. He knew that Sylar would also bring up Claire's slap at any point to drive him insane. Claire, ignoring the tension in the car, addressed Rene.
"Rene, where are we heading? What is Angela's plan exactly? When did this start?"
Rene turned back to her.
"Your Grandmother put in motion to gather as many Specials as she could within two months. She envisioned very clear dreams that would lead to a certain path. She researched the C.E.O.S. and brought me in to help aid her. We began to knit together the proper pieces for a counter response. Gathering of Specials was the best option. The Carnival allowed an easy transition for this. That group had decided to continue that lifestyle, with Edgar taking over as Ringmaster and leader. Angela worked directly with him to contact as many Specials as possible. She still had many files from Prime-tech and released information secretly to Edgar. They continued to travel the United States as the Carnival, but Edgar used it as a cover to really reach out to as many Specials as possible. Their ability to cloak themselves was proven useful before. We are headed to them now, there we can establish our first course of action as a new community."
Claire processed the information.
" A protection camp of sorts. What about other countries? This is an international threat, a global attack...what happens to those Specials?"
"Angela had many friends on a global scale. As of today an international message was spread between groups. Groups that you helped create, Claire. Their locations will not be presented to us until we are secure and settled. As of now, we head to Council Grove...in Kansas. A set destination of the Carnival. We should arrive the same time, as they should arrive. A predetermined arrangement with Edgar and your Grandmother."
"People were able to track the Carnival with the use of the compass...shouldn't we worry about that? My father was able to track them." Claire said sadly. The thought of her father smacked her with the reality of how brutal he had been before her and for her, when it came to people with abilities.
"The compass indicated the cosmic magnitude that gravitated toward Samuel, but when he was surrounded by Specials. His absorption of that cosmic energy created a pull. There is still a cosmic pull, but we found a Special who can refract that pull into several different directions. Miles of deferring. The cloaking ability of the Carnival is twice as strong without Samuel being a beacon and with this particular Special refracting the energy. The Carnival is the home base for the United States organization."
Peter looked concerned and had a questionable look on his face. He chose not to speak. Claire had asked the right questions so far. She seemed concentrated and creating her own plan of action for herself. Claire looked out the window for a moment. Watching the stretch of woodland of Pennsylvania pass by.
"So it will take us about two days to get there?"
Sylar broke his silence.
"19 hours to be exact. We will move non-stop. I can forgo to sleep due to my ability."
"You mean Claire's ability." Peter said curtly. He turned back to staring out the window. Not engaging the dark look Sylar attempted to give him in the rear mirror.
Claire ignored the exchange and pressed Rene. She slowly asked him, with a calming tone. Indicating to both Peter and Sylar to stay silent.
"Rene, If Angela knew this was to happen? Did she know of her death?" Rene looked out the window, almost ashamed to have any knowledge of the event.
"Your Grandmother knew her fate, but she knew that any altercations of changing it would cause a greater consequence for Specials. She would be taken by the C.E.O.S. and used against her kind. She chose death over that fate." The car became silent. Claire slipped her hand into Peter's as comfort. He silently had tears dripping down his face and turned further towards the window. He squeezed Claire's hand back. The car became silent for about 20 minutes and Claire realized that Peter had fallen asleep. She was grateful that he was resting, because she knew him to be the type who sacrificed his well-being for others. This situation would demand all of him. Claire adjusted her legs so she was curled up, resting her chin on her knees. She stared out the window, wishing she was just stressing out over College finals, rather than the fate of her kind. Rene rested his head back as well, eyes closed. He surely needed to rest as well. He had spoken more than she had ever heard in the years she had known him. Claire attempted to not stare daggers into the back of Sylar's head. She had chosen to sit behind him, fearing that Peter would lose his temper and attack the driver. Claire didn't feel tired, maybe she thought, she had gone beyond her point of exhaustion, but her ability had taken over.
Sylar slowly turned on the radio, clicking off the news but tuning to a local music station. A Amy Winehouse song played. Claire knew it, couldn't recall the name, but Gretchen had played it all the time in their dorm. She sighed. Gretchen had pushed her away when Claire had taken the leap into the Global Spotlight. Gretchen didn't want the distance nor the attention. Claire respected her for it. Gretchen knew what she wanted in her life. Sylar kept the volume low, clearly trying not to wake the two sleeping passengers. He hummed along to the song, tapping the steering wheel. Claire rolled her eyes at his sense of ease. He clearly was helping them out of boredom or the anxiety of being truly alone. Maybe he had seen something that scared him in that Swat Leader's mind? She, not realizing, had began to hum to herself as well, mulling over her thoughts of Sylar's involvement. His bipolar actions between good and evil were getting pretty old. She wished he wasn't so in the gray. Claire could define herself as a good person, with good intentions. Sylar couldn't go a day without an act of violence or control. Yet, here he was...helping them? Claire's eyes glazed over looking out the window as the song changed to "You and Me" by Lifehouse. She recalled West, her only "boyfriend" in her mind. Their interactions had shifted to simple Facebook friends, but now she hoped that he had gotten the message to join the Carnival. Seeing him safe would be a simple comfort, not that any feelings still existed. A familiar face would be a welcomed one. Claire made the mistake of looking into the rear view mirror. Sylar was already staring into it, looking right at her. She looked away, knowing he was still watching her. Growingly increasing annoyed and sketched out by his stare, and his lack of eyes on road, she leaned up to his ear. She whispered into his ear, her tone seething in annoyance.
"Can I help you with something?"
Sylar smugly smiled to himself and responded quietly as well. He was enjoying her attention and their interaction.
"Just wondering if you were going to ask me any of those questions out loud." Claire leaned her forehead into the front seat in defeat. He had Parkman's ability. She groaned back.
"You honestly wonder why I would question your motives?"
Sylar shrugged, agreeing with her point to an extent.
"This Organization, it is by far, more dangerous than the Company. The size of this operation could start World War III. Honestly, I am getting sick of tired of running from all these anti-abilities groups. The focus of this coalition is a greater evil that even I see no point of achieving. What they plan to do to will physically destroy the earth's population to a smaller scale. Harder for me to hide, harder for me to have fun. Not to mention the potential of abilities evolving and enhancing will be wiped out, along with my chances of obtaining them."
Claire agreed with his reason, if she were in his shoes. It disturbed her that she could understand him. She didn't like placing herself in his shoes.
She whispered back."Thank you for your honesty."
Sylar met her eyes in the rear view mirror.
"Claire, I have never lied to you." Claire merely nodded to the comment and sat back. She closed her eyes and quietly said. "Stay out of my mind."
Sylar chuckled. "Scared that I'll see something I won't like?...or something I'll like too much?"
Claire's eyes flew open and leaned back up to his ear.
"I've never lied to you, Sylar. Respect me for that and stay out of my mind. We have eternity with each other, you wouldn't want to become bored with me too soon." Claire's intensity in her voice gave Sylar the shivers. He found her newly found maturity and confidence to be tantalizing. He decided he would stay out of her mind, unless he couldn't help himself. Which he knew would be all of the time. He responded to her softly.
"Oh Claire, the things you do to me."
Claire shifted away from him and leaned against Peter. Closing her eyes, deciding that sleep was better than being awake with her obsessive, serial killer, stalker. "Wonderwall" by Oasis began to play on the radio and Claire found herself asleep by the end of the song.
Sylar continued to drive onwards feeling no need for rest, food, or water. The three sleeping passengers had willingly fallen asleep in his presence. He sneered...if this was back in the good ole' days, Rene and Peter would be scalp-less. Claire, on the other hand, would be all his. He wouldn't force himself on her, nothing despicable like that. The idea made him sick to his stomach. He had read that horrid thought among some of Swat Members and wondered how he was always considered the monster. He was happy to have melted their bodies into moldy, clumps. He glanced over to Claire's sleeping form. He had the desire to just keep her. She stood out stronger than any other Special he had met, almost stood out stronger than him. Sylar needed his touchstone. The world was going to change around on him as time moves on, but she would be consistently the same. Logically, the two needed one another to be kept from going insane. Even though Sylar had tried already to push Claire to the brink of insanity. He just had a nasty habit of killing all her loved ones. Maybe he should reconsider that?
An hour had passed and Sylar watched as Peter shifted in the backseat, curling up with Claire. He glared hatefully. He found their relationship to boarder on incestuous. Maybe he was jealous of the way that Claire looked at Peter. He was her savior, her savior from him since that day in her High School. The White Knight to his Dragon. His temper got the best of him with that memory and he swerved the car enough to drive Peter's head back into the car window. With a resounding crack, the entire car was awake, shocked awake by the motion and Peter's swearing. Sylar kept his eyes forward on the road. Unapologetic, Sylar smugly responded.
"There was a bunny in the road."
Claire and Peter glared bullets into the back of his head. Rene made a deep sigh as if dealing with bickering children and closed his eyes again to fall asleep.
"How long were we asleep?" Claire asked as cooly as possibly, trying to alleviate the tension.
"Maybe two hours, We are in Ohio."
Peter groaned and resettled himself back into a sleeping position, away from the window. He wanted no repeats of that last smack to the head. Claire shifted away from him, feeling wide awake. She silently stared out the window of the car for an hour. Her thoughts began to consume her. Claire was restless and getting back into a sleep position was not going to happen.
"Would you like me to drive?"
Sylar looked up surprised and considered the thought.
"I am not tired."
"I know, I am restless. I need to feel productive."
Sylar mulled over the idea of Claire driving. He was bored as well. Driving and having no one to interact with him put him in a grumpy mood. Not that he was looking for a travel mate like Luke. He talked too much for his liking. Having Claire around him and alert was always great fun. She had learned to choose her words wisely around him. He had been really enjoying her new look and attitude. She was a real survivor.
Sylar pulled over to the side of the road. The two awkwardly got out of the car. Sylar attempted to get into Claire's door. She stopped him.
"There is no way that you are sitting next to Peter."
"You always catch me when I am up to no good." Sylar swore he saw her smile at his comment, but it quickly vanished when she made her way away from him to Rene's side.
Claire awoke Rene, and indicated him to take the back seat. Rene obliged her, looking almost grateful he didn't have to sit next to the serial killer anymore. Claire slid into the driver's seat, adjusted her seat, her short legs compared to Sylar's long ones had her barely touching the brake. Sylar slid into the front seat and gleefully stared at her. Claire almost immediately regretted her decision. She began driving and was calmed by the act of doing something than mulling over her thoughts. It was late at night and she kept a proper speed limit to avoid any unwanted police attention. Sylar got very comfortable, resting his arm around the back of her seat.
"So are you nervous?"
"Nervous? Why would I be nervous?"
"Well, you have to face the people you put in danger." Sylar said with an air of matter of fact. Claire winced, Sylar always knew how to make the truth sting a bit more than usual.
"I don't know. Are you going to be ok with everyone being afraid of you? Keeping their distance?" Claire shot back as softly as possible. She didn't need Peter to be startled awake to the recent seat change. Sylar looked unfazed by her questions.
"They should be scared. Just not of me. For now." Sylar's coolness chilled her a bit, but he continued to talk about her.
"Do you think they will let you lead?"
"I'll do whatever the group needs of me. I don't need to be in power, unlike some people in this car."
"I hear you, Rene is such an attention whore." Sylar rebuffed her verbal attacks. He enjoyed their verbal sparing. She was more of a challenge than Peter. All he had was big threats and that stupid lip sneer. She had substance.
Claire focused on the road. Silence built between them for about two hours. It was calming, at points she would forget why she was driving, who she was driving with and where she was driving to. Driving was clearing her mind. Two hours of peace was broken by Peter's cracked voice.
"Claire? Why are you driving?" The real question on Peter's mind was why Sylar was sitting any closer to Claire than he should be.
"I got restless Peter, I needed to be proactive. I don't need sleep." Claire tried to calm Peter's growing anger. She felt like she was betraying him suddenly. She looked in Peter's eyes in the mirror. "This is how I cope with stress, I do things. If I had a knitting kit, I'd made you two sweaters and socks by now." Her eyes begged him to let it go. Peter deflated with a bit of restraint. He nodded to her.
"How much longer?"
"6 hours, maybe?"
Sylar nodded to her estimate.
Peter was now sitting behind Sylar. He turned his attention on Sylar. Venom etched in his question.
"So Sylar, will you be our vast protector against the military forces chasing us down?"
Sylar laughed.
"Oh Pete. I will take apart this army. Imagining each solider as you. So it shouldn't take too long?"
"Children, do I have to ask for quiet time?" Claire asked them sternly. She was sick of their constant bickering. "I am not asking you to like one another, or even speak to one another. Just work together in front these people. We'll cause a panic if it seems like we are crumbling from the top."
"You have a good point, Claire-Bear. I think I can keep my comments and my powers to myself."
Claire rolled her eyes at the use of her nickname. Peter grunted.
"I will, if he does."
"Peter, I think that you should take lead on the situation when we get there." Peter looked surprised at her, but she refused to look at him, focusing on the road.
"Why not yo-"
"Claire is going to face rejection when we arrive. People need a scapegoat, Claire will be the clearest one."
"We'll change their minds."
"Will you change their minds about me?"
Peter didn't respond to Sylar.
"Claire, you are a natural leader. You are smart, we will need you in the War Room."
Claire's eyes flashed.
"War Room? When was a War discussed?"
Sylar and Peter looked sadly at her. She was still young with optimism. Peter and Sylar had figured out that war was going to occur. Gathering Specials was to gather an army. Protection for the weaker Specials, but also a defensive move. Claire slowly worked up to the idea silently in her head.
"Oh."
Peter reached up and held her shoulder.
"I am sorry, Claire. We can do our best to prevent it. But this is inevitable."
Claire looked at Sylar, almost needing his confirmation. His core ability was to see how things worked and how to fix them. He merely nodded to her. Peter was stricken by her acknowledging Sylar's confirmation. She barely looked at him when Sylar was trying to be a good guy, with Nathan fighting underneath. But now that Sylar was back to his old ways, she seemed more comfortable with it. Sylar's voice broke through Peter's train of thought.
"That's because she knows this. She understands me. We are more alike than anyone else. I don't lie to her."
Claire glanced at the two, confused by the sudden comment by Sylar. Peter gritted his teeth.
"Stay out of my mind, Sylar."
"Its hard to, when you think so loudly...and stupidly." Sylar shot back.
Claire turned the music back up in car, turning up a Carrie Underwood song. The country girl quietly jumping for joy on the inside. Silencing them once again. She truly was not going to deal with their bickering, with bigger things at state and on her mind. The rest of the trip dragged on, the sun crept up, and Sylar switched back with Claire. Rene resumed his place back in the front seat. They rode mostly silent, eating Rene's supplies. Claire and Peter exchanged brief conversations. Concern about personal friends and family members. Claire wondered to herself about her father and felt Sylar's eyes knowingly stare at her in the mirror. She shot back at look to not even comment on her thoughts. Not now. Not ever. Her father was off limits as of now. Sylar surprised her by staying silent. An hour before reaching their destination the mood in the car increased. Claire felt her heart begin to pound. The car ride was almost a form of procrastination, putting off a dreaded task. Even Peter looked anxious to finally arrive.
Rene directed Sylar into a dirt road, which they travelled down for about a half-hour. The landscape had become a typical Kanas wasteland. Barely any vegetation and miles of flatland. A simple beauty, nothing complex to Claire. She liked that and it reminded her of parts of Texas. Rene finally had the car stop at a lone tree and small pond. It looked relatively out of place. They all stepped out of the car. Rene walked to the tree, reached into a hole in the trunk. He pulled out a worn out letter. He read it and turned to them.
"They are here. We just have to wait for them to reveal themselves."
They patiently waited in silence. Staring into the vast openness of the land.
"Why Kansas?"
Rene twitched at Claire's question. Sylar responded to her.
"Visual advantage. You can see someone clearly coming for miles. Low Populations...less innocent casualties if possible."
Claire nodded slowly. The thought of casualties bothered her to no extent. Sylar had even said it to her apologetically. A few more minutes passed and suddenly Edgar appeared before them at a great speed.
"Hello." He stated flatly.
Peter stepped forward, knowing that they had crossed paths violently.
"Here we are. You are the man in charge. What's the next step?"
Edgar eyed all of them wearily.
"Well, why don't you all come in and we can get you settled with the others."
His eyes shot to Sylar.
"He can't come in. It's a buffet for him."
Sylar raised an eyebrow and rolled his eyes.
"He is with us. He is the most powerful out of us. We need him." Claire hated to spit out the truth. Sylar looked almost moved by her words. He loved to hear about his power, especially from her mouth. She made it sound sultry.
"Well, you have not been the best judge of choices now, have you?" Edgar retorted with.
Peter interjected.
"Claire is not to blame. She has actually set up support groups with her position that will be an advantage in the long run. Those groups are gathering now."
Edgar gritted his teeth. He didn't want to argue with the group any longer.
"Ok, I have conditions. He-Sylar, he stays in one part of our camp. In the open, no sulking around the camp. We have a designated area for particular Specials, with shaded pasts." Edgar pointed at Sylar, who seemed bored by the statement. "We have rules about this camp. No one leaves without running it by me or other Commanders. You work for your keep. Everyone contributes. Peter, you will take lead with me, as a Commander. Rene already knows his position as guard." Edgar turned to leave.
Claire took being passed over well. She built herself up to expect it. She lost her position and she was almost grateful. No one would suffer at her choices more so than they already have or will.
"Claire can work as medical aid." Sylar spoke strongly. "She's smart and can calm patients. She can use her blood for dire situations. It will bring her image back to a positive."
Peter nodded and turned to Edgar. "I surprisingly agree with Sylar."
Claire looked at Sylar cautiously. He looked down at his feet, pretending to be bashful. He winked at her. She shook her head, rubbing her forehead. Eternity was going to suck.
Edgar looked like he would seriously consider it. Edgar turned his back to them and motioned them to follow. Claire felt herself pass through a rubbery force and suddenly a massive Camp was before them. It had pieces of the Carnival, but everything was built for a massive living outdoor space. There was no one to visit this place for entertainment. They slowly walked toward a crowd of tents. They looked like an epicenter of activity. There looked to be at least of several hundred people mingling and mulling around the camp. Working, laughing, talking. Children ran around playing, some using their abilities as an advantage in play.
Claire looked around in wonderment. It looked like a scene out of Narnia, minus the talking animals and medieval gear. She could see off in the distance a training site. It was being used by young adults to middle-aged Specials. It looked like tactical training and how they would use each others powers to fight. Claire stopped to look at a tiny, young girl do a tumble roll in front of an "opposing team" and flash her arms. A force field blew half the group to the ground. Her team followed behind her. One boy tossed fireballs at the opposing group, who had a older looking women jump forward, who deflected them with shots of water. She gave a giant burst of water soaking the flame boy. Claire felt a presence behind her, knowing it was Sylar.
"A bit too Hunger Games for me." He stated cooly. She felt his eyes on her. She turned to look up to find him less than an inch from her. She didn't shrink away, but cooly responded back.
"Team Peeta." He smirked. His eyes darted around the camp. He looked overwhelmingly threatening suddenly. Claire read it as his Hunger. Claire turned toward Sylar, who was looking like a hungry wolf among sheep.
"Sylar." Claire tried to get his attention. He was fixated on an Old Man who was slowly growing a pumpkin by whistling softly to it. Claire rolled her eyes to Sylar's fixation on such a lame power, a vital power for this group's supply, but it wasn't an intimidating addition to Sylar's list. Claire became more frustrated at getting his attention. She grabbed his face by the chin, forcing his eyes to hers. He snapped out of a daze. He snatched her hand, holding it to his face. Claire froze. He was staring at her intently. Claire finally spoke.
"Sylar, you need to refrain from taking anyone out. This is our future, our kind. We need you to not be Super-Psycho. Can you please keep you Dexter eyes away from potential victims."
Sylar pulled her hand off his face, not letting go, pulling her closer to him.
"So I'll just keep my eyes on you." Claire pulled her hand out quickly and stepped back. Claire's eyes flashed with heavy danger.
"Sylar, you killed my Grandmother less than 48 hours ago. Maybe keep the sexual innuendoes to yourself until maybe the end of eternity."
Claire, roughly pushed by him, finding Peter standing outside a large, dark tent. Peter turned to her.
"This place is impressive. Edgar explained that its almost built like a little city. Hospital area, Food and Cooking Area, Training, living quarters, and even entertainment tent. This is the main tent where we will meet. I guess they had a Special build it so that you enter it, but brings you to a completely different part of the camp. It constantly moves and only certain folks can enter the portal."
"That's smart."
Peter's smile faded.
"They aren't giving you that access."
"Peter, I know, I understand. Did Edgar ok my hospital aid?"
"He is grabbing the other Commanders to meet with us. Rene went to go get settled, he is ahead of the game. He will give me access to the main tent, ok your position and set us up in our living quarters."
Claire nodded, looking around for Sylar. He had kept within sight. Looking uncharacteristically unsure of himself. He caught her eyes and stalked over to them. Peter turned to him and re-explained the plan. Not mentioning the portal information. Sylar merely nodded. He was having some self-control issues. A group of teenage girls passed by the three of them. They whispered loudly to one another, stopping not far from them. They were clearly curious about the newcomers. Particularly Peter and Sylar. They giggled and shoved at one another. Claire rolled her eyes, but remembered the days she giggled with her friends at her locker about boys. She even giggled about a boy who had tried to rape her. Claire was almost envious of their naivety. Peter looked pretty bashful by the attention, but soon began to run towards a figure running towards them. Emma leapt into his arms and they hugged each other for seemed like a lifetime. The group of teenagers slinked away, sadden by the presence of Emma. Clearly Peter's girlfriend. Claire smiled sadly at his moment. Emma was safe and they would be together. It was meant to be for Peter. Sylar touched her shoulder and she turned toward him. Her face riddled with annoyance. Sylar pointed at Hiro and Ando mingling in around a campsite not far from where they stood. She walked towards them quickly, feeling Sylar trail behind her. Hiro and Ando were playing with Baby Matty.
"Hiro! Ando! Matty!" She picked Baby Matty in her arms and hugged him tightly. He giggled into her hair, playing with it like a new toy.
"Claire, you are alright, we were afraid you wouldn't make it here. The Brain-man tends to be trouble."
"Settle down Hiro. Don't be a Hero." Sylar snarled out.
Hiro and Ando glared at him. They must have been updated by Angela's message or by word of mouth at some point. Sylar tried to start to interact with Baby Matty. Claire twisted him away from him.
"Sylar, don't. Don't you dare think you have a right to."
Sylar's eyes darkened. He balled up his fists. He grabbed her arm roughly shaken her to him. She nearly dropped Matty, who burst into tears. Hiro and Ando got into defensive stance.
"Cheerleader, I am on the edge of slaughtering everyone in sight. Do not push me."
Claire glared right back.
"What gives you the right to play with the child of one of your victims."
The interaction was gathering attention. Claire glanced around and suddenly didn't want to be introduced to this group in this way. She changed her tone with him to calm him down. Seeing that Sylar was nowhere near calming down. Baby Matty was screaming.
"Sylar, I cam giving Matty to Hiro. You and I are walking away from this situation. Please calm down." Sylar held her arm so hard she swore she would have bruises for weeks, if she could bruise. Claire slipped Matty to Hiro and placed her hand on his hand on her arm.
"Let me go." She said it softly. Sylar slowly came back into focus. He looked like a predator moments ago, ready to attack. He looked around sheepishly. The crowd became uninterested in the quarrel. Claire turned to Hiro, he had shifted Matty into Ando's arms. Hiro glared at Sylar and Ando moved Matty away.
"Claire, I am a Commander here. There was an agreement that the Brain-man would not be allowed on this side of the camp."
"I understand that Hiro, but no one has showed us where to go. Peter met up with Emma and he was going to give us instructions."
"I vouched for you to be a Commander." Sylar stalked away from the conversation, looking seriously bored. Hiro followed him with his eyes. "They just couldn't see what you could bring to the table and your choices have not situated well with some."
Claire nodded.
"I appreciate it Hiro. I think I would rather work in the medical area anyways. My blood could help. I could do some clear good. No morally gray decisions there." Hiro kept his eyes on Sylar. He whispered to her.
"Stay away from the Brain man. He does not deserve to be here. Not even in the limited section."
Peter jogged over to Claire, she could see Emma in the distance waving to her.
"Claire, Emma will bring you to our living space. We have our own campsite with tents. Hiro, Ando, Rene, Emma, and us have the same space."
Claire nodded she began to walk towards Emma. She turned to Peter, who motioned to Sylar. "Edgar and some other member will show him to his area. He is placed with some shady characters. Doyle, Eli...some shady people from our pasts are there. It is set aside so they don't mingle with the rest of us. We don't need shit-starters to cause panic or take advantage of the system. They are watched at night and can't leave their area at night. That is the agreement for us to give them protection and cloaking. The army is split between the two sections. They train against one another. But in the end will work together to fight the C.E.O.S." Claire looked over her shoulder to see Sylar being approached by Edgar and a few other intimidating men. Sylar looked at total ease. Unimpressed as always she thought, but she saw him turn and head towards the training side of the camp. The "limited section" must have been stationed near there. Peter put his arm around his shoulder. He finally looked calm and collected. Peter had slipped into the perfect place. He had Emma and he would be allowed to properly grieve for his mother. Claire oddly found herself feeling out of place when she walked into their campsite. As she checked out her simple tent, she overheard voices outside. Peter and Hiro were reuniting, warmly. Ando and Emma chatted loudly. She stepped out and the voices hushed. Claire weakly smiled at the group before her. The awkwardness had lingered. She realized she may have been the scapegoat even in her group. She attempted a smile as did they.
"I'm just going to shower."
Emma nodded and pointed to a wash station a few feet from their campsite. Claire found it empty thankfully. It had shower stalls, but it was an open space. Claire stepped under the shower, finding hot water instead of cold. Claire began to wash and suddenly burst into tears. She sobbed through her entire shower. She dressed quickly into flannel bottoms and a tank top. She entered the site, finding everyone around the fire, quieted again by her appearance. She smiled a weak smile and headed straight into her tent. Closing her eyes, she begged her body to sleep. Crying quietly to herself. Finally, she fell asleep.