Author's Note:
~ "text" ~ indicates telepathy
Italicized text are thoughts.
xxx TTP xxx
Charlie watched from her hidden spot in the bushes as John slowly walked over. When John had to stop again because the pain was too much, she noticed someone just behind him.
~ "John, look out behind you!" ~ She frantically sent to him, but it was too late. The man grabbed John by his injured arm and spun him around. John, in agony, fell to his knees.
"No!" Charlie yelled. She wanted to run over and help him, but was afraid. Remembering one of John's lessons, she took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. John had told her "Staying calm will help you focus."
"Okay, there must be something I can do ... can't use my powers too many people around. Unless ... "
xxx TTP xxx
"Well, well, well ... if it isn't the infamous John Young," Agent Jones said. "Not sure I believe all the stories I've heard about you. Right now, you're not really living up to the hype."
John couldn't respond. The pain in his arm was almost too much for him to bear. He felt as though he might pass out, but fought to stay conscious. He needed to stay alert so he would be able to protect Charlie.
"What ... do you ... want," John struggled to say.
"Why you, of course," the agent replied. "We'll take your little friend too. Where did she go?" Agent Jones scanned the area, "She couldn't have gotten very far. We know she didn't teleport."
At that very moment, Agent Jones suddenly released John's arm and fell to his knees clutching his head. John couldn't believe it. He looked over and saw Charlotte screaming. Well, it looked like she was screaming, but he didn't hear anything. He only considered it for another second before getting up and running as best he could. He tried to ignore his throbbing arm. He had to get away from the agent.
When John reached Charlotte, he put his good arm around her shoulders and started to walk with her.
"Good job, Charlie," he said quickly. "Now we have to get out of here."
Once John turned her around, she stopped the mental scream and quickly checked to see what had happened. Agent Jones was passed out on the ground, and John was leading her away from the area and toward a busier part of the park.
Ultra would have to work harder to take them if there were a lot of people around. As long as they just sent agents, it would be more difficult. But if they decided to send the Alpha squad, then all bets were off. He didn't think Ultra would go that far ... yet. At least he was hoping they wouldn't.
"It worked," Charlotte said quietly then smiled, encouraged by what she was able to accomplish.
"What was that?" John asked looking down at her.
"It worked," Charlotte repeated a bit louder so John could hear her. "I remembered what you always tell me about focusing. I got so scared when he grabbed you, but then took a moment to focus."
"I'm glad somebody's been listening to me," John tried for some levity. He was still in pain and on guard, but, again, trying to keep Charlotte calm.
xxx TTP xxx
Russell and Cara were looking at a map of the city that TIM had displayed.
"Okay, I know John would have gone this way," Cara said as she pointed out the route on the map. "He was going to get Charlotte some ice cream, so he would have made this little detour to the park to find a vendor. And that's where Ultra caught up to them."
"Right, so now what?" Russell responded.
"TIM, are you able to get anything from Central Park yet?" Cara asked.
"One moment … ," TIM replied. "No, there is still quite a bit of interference."
"Good, that would indicate they haven't been captured yet." Russell said encouragingly. "If they had been captured, there wouldn't be a need for any interference."
xxx TTP xxx
"No sign of them, Agent Jones," Agent Simmons reported into his bluetooth. "Have you spotted anything yet?"
Silence greeted him.
"Agent Jones?" He tried one more time. Still nothing.
"Agent Miller, have you reported to Jones recently?" said Simmons, switching lines.
"Not yet. Why?" Miller responded.
"I just tried contacting him and he didn't respond," Simmons remarked. "Keep your eyes open for Young and the girl he was with, but make your way back to where we last saw Jones. I'll contact HQ to find out the status of the perimeter they were setting up."
xxx TTP xxx
Realizing he needed to tend to his arm, John started looking for a safe place to stop.
~ "John, can you hear me?" ~ Cara sent urgently. ~ "What's happening?" ~
~ "Nothing much, just taking a walk in the park." ~ He responded somewhat glibly. ~ "Oh, except for Ultra trying to take me in and my arm possibly being broken." ~
~ "What?! What happened to your arm?" ~ Cara struggled to remain calm and to keep herself from just teleporting directly to him.
~ "Is there anything going on at the park today that might be of some use?" ~ John asked, deliberately avoiding having to answer her question.
"TIM, are there any big events today at Central Park?" Cara asked the AI.
"Why yes. There is a concert by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra starting in half an hour," TIM replied. "I've always wanted to hear a live orchestral performance. It would be quite sublime."
~ "John, there is a concert starting in half hour. Make your way toward it and try to blend into the crowd, if you can." ~
~ "Copy that." ~ John replied.
"This way, Charlie." John guided her toward the concert pavilion. "Keep alert. A big show will be starting soon, so there will be a lot of people and what does that mean?"
"I don't know," Charlie responded. "What does it mean?"
"Lots of people means Ultra won't do anything to bring attention to us or themselves, so we should be able to lay low for a bit. Maybe come up with some ways of how to get out of this." Then thinking to himself, "And, hopefully, take care of this arm. It's getting worse."