1.2
Brian's hands were still shaking when he slid off the the dog. He had been through a lot in since triggering. Before even, but tonight was a different level of fear. He looked back at four members of his team. Thankfully the Undersiders had made it through without anyone dying. As far as Brain was aware that was a first for people who meet Samedi.
'Alive but not uninjured' he reminded himself. He and Rachel were covered in bumps and bruises. Lisa had gotten away without a scratch. Emily, the newest member, was holding her side. Cracked ribs most likely. It was Alec that was the most worrying. He gave a soft moan when Brian pulled him down from Brutus. His body was shaking. Brian didn't know how many volts Samedi hit him with but a full blast of lightning was never a good thing. He was about to help his teammate inside when he saw Emily march toward Lisa with a purpose.
"Rachel help Alec inside" He ordered the girl. She gave him a look but thankfully obeyed. Brian didn't need an argument right now. From the looks of things with the other two he was about to have his fill.
As he approached Emily was already laying into Lisa. While normally she had an even temper she had more than earned her cape name.
"What the hell was that?" She asked roughly. She kept her voice low.
"What do you mean?" Lisa was playing coy. A habit that Brain was sure was going to bite her in the ass one of these days.
"You know exactly what I mean. You said that Samedi would go after groups. That we'd be safe if we stuck together." Emily brushed back some of her brown hair. "I agreed to work with you despite you guys not exactly being money because you promised I'd be safe from that psycho. No more though. If hanging with you means that I can get jumped than why stick around?"
"You're going to be safer in a group than alone."
"Yeah? Well it doesn't have to be you." Emily made to move. Brain went to stop her. He didn't want anyone quitting. Not now. They needed to stick together.
"And whose going to take you in?" Lisa chimed in, helpful as always. "Lung's not interested in new hangers on. Coil doesn't work with Parahumans. Whose left? The Merchants are bleeding people to Samedi, Faultline left town weeks ago. You planning on joining the Empire? I'm sure they'd love to have Emily Vasquez on their side."
"Better them than here if I got to watch out for Samedi. I might as well be on my own."
"She shouldn't have gone after us. It broke her pattern." Lisa closed her eyes for a second. Thinking. Putting things together at speeds no normal person could imagine. Brian always wondered what that was like. "It must have been an accident."
"An accident?" Emily was incredulous "We could have all been killed. That sure didn't feel like an accident"
"Samdi has a set pattern. She must have stumbled on to us. We were trying to lose anyone following us from the casino. It was blind luck. She must have thought to take advantage when she could. I doubt we have to worry about her coming after us soon."
"Look Emily" Brian jumped in cutting off the brown haired girls response. "I know you're scared. I am too, but Lisa has a point. If you try to go solo again you'll be in more danger than staying here. We survived tonight because we worked together. If we stick together, play it safe, and fly under the radar we'll be fine til she gets 'Caged."
Emily stared for a long moment. Then she huffed and turned to walk into the headquarters. Brian decided to count that as win. He turned back to Lisa.
"You could have at least avoided antagonizing her." He chided her
She gave him her little smirk.
"Sure but it wouldn't have been as much fun."
"Lisa." he warned.
"Look I knew she wouldn't leave. Like you said she's scared of the Bogeyman."
"And you aren't" He asked raising an eyebrow.
Whatever she was about to say was cut off by a cell phone ring.
"I got to take this." The blond said "Take a look at Regent. The doc will be here soon but make sure he didn't flatline."
Brian shook his head and went inside. Lisa was never the most plesant person to be around but the last few days she had gotten nearly unbearable. Thinking on what could be digging at her he ascended the stairs. The main living area was filled with a dim light. In one corner Rachel sat with her dogs, now all normal size. Emily was nowhere to be seen. If Brian had to guess she was likely sulking in her room. On the couch Alec was laying down. His color was back but he still seemed shaky.
"How you holding up?" Brian asked looking down at his friend.
"I'll tell you this much: I'm not playing lightning rod again. Let someone else handle that shit."
Brian smiled in spite of himself.
"The doctor should be here soon. I'm not sure what he might be able to do, but he should have painkillers"
"Yay." Alec groaned weakly "Ask him if he can bring a cute nurse to help tend to me."
"I'll see what he can do" Brain said glad that Alec had some humor about this. Alec shot him a weak grin that was soon replaced with a grimace. As he closed his eyes Brian decided to give him some peace.
He headed over to where Rachel had settled down with the dogs.
"You OK?"
"Fine" She said
"The dogs?"
"Fine"
He stood there awkwardly for a few seconds before turning back to head toward the kitchen.
"You hungry?"
"No"
"Alec how about you?" Brian asked as he pasted the couch.
The only response was a faint groan.
'All right than. Breakfast for one I guess' Brian thought looking through the cupboards. Behind him he heard the door open.
"Lisa you want food?" he asked not turning around.
When he got no answer his heart skipped a beat. Turning quickly he saw Lisa seated at the table. Chastising himself for acting like a kid after a horror movie he let himself relax. Looking at Lisa though his concern rose. She looked like she had seen a ghost. Pale and starring at the wall.
"Lisa everything OK?" Still no response "Lisa?"
"hmm, oh um food. No I'm- I'm good."
She looked anything but. Brian knew better than to pry however. That never ended well with Lisa. As open as she was with others secrets the blond keep things close to vest. Instead he headed back into the kitchen to start his meal.