Chapter 10: Rats in a Cage
"How much longer will this take?"
Kevin was still following Marco's crew. It had mostly consisted of them stumbling around drunkenly and heckling passersby. It had become annoying an hour ago, but his gut feeling told him to keep on them. They had to be going somewhere. His persistence paid off as he trailed the group to an open truck lot.
"What do they want here?" Kevin snuck in after them. He skirted in and out between the empty trucks as he trailed the men. They were heading towards the only other person in the lot, a truck driver who was pacing back and forth. Kevin crept up quietly as the men greeted each other.
"You were able to get it all?" Kevin watched Marco hurry to the back of the truck.
"Not even close," the driver grumbled and opened the back door panels. Crates filled up only half of the interior. That must've been all they could grab.
"Shit! That's all!" Marco shouted.
"Yep, Plumbers were confiscating everything there and ya'll don't pay me enough to risk my neck more than this."
"Shit!" Marco cried as kicked the side of the truck.
Kevin smirked at the sight. He then examined the boxes in the truck. He had his phone so he could take a picture. The crates had no distinctive markers though, nothing that said where they were from or what was inside. What would that prove?
"Crap," Kevin rubbed his face with a groan. Now what? Well, he could go home and be in deep shit or he could keep along this road to nowhere...and then go home and be in deep shit. Seemed like either way he was screwed, as usual. As he was mulling over this, a phone went off. Kevin perked back up and saw Marco pulling out his device.
"What?" He answered rather peeved, "...We got what we could, but…What do you mean there's a new deal…I don't wanna talk to that pig…but…FINE!" Marco put away his phone, seething.
"Trouble in paradise?" The driver mocked.
"You get out of here! And you two get in the truck!" Marco brushed off the driver before barking at his lackeys.
"Where to now?" One asked as he climbed into the back.
"Make sure that stuff back there is all good. We gotta meet with that Plumber Trader. Probably wanting to save his ass from this mess."
"A Plumber?" Now this was something. So, there were Plumbers involved in smuggling. This was evoking too much, but this could've been Kevin's last chance for any proof. The doors of the truck drew shut and allowed Kevin to sneak up behind them. He had to time this right. The truck sputtered a few times before the engine roared to life. Kevin jumped on the back right at that moment so that it covered up any sound he made.
"Woah, woah!" The truck surged forward, and he nearly lost his grip. He quickly absorbed the metal of the truck to give him a boost of strength.
"They're sure in a hurry," He climbed up and onto the roof, digging his fingers into the metal and pressing his body firmly against the roof as the vehicle sped down the road. After some time, they approached a dilapidated brick building. Guards were at the entrance. Kevin pressed himself as flatly as he could against the roof, taking on a metal coat for camouflage. No one noticed him, and the truck pulled into the building's backlot. Men surrounded them, coming out to greet the driver, some with guns. Were they all Splitters? The yard was littered with barrels and there was a faint scent of alcohol wafting through the air. They must have been hiding in a brewery. Not a bad hideout and plenty of bribery material.
"Where is he?!" Marco started shouting as he exited the truck. Kevin watched another man approach him.
"Can't you keep your voice down?" the man looked about the same age as Marco except he was much taller, bald, and with a thick black beard.
"I don't trust that money-grubber. He could be trying to cheat us."
"Curb your paranoia for five minutes, won't you?"
A black van had pulled into the lot, catching everyone's attention including Kevin's. The bald man whispered one last thing to Marco before turning to confront the vehicle. It stopped in front of him, and two Plumber guards stepped out, guns at the ready. Not the friendliest of business meetings, Kevin mused. He crawled closer to the edge of the roof, hoping to make out their mutterings, when a shorter, fat man emerged from the van. He approached the bald man with a wide grin.
"Jack, correct? We spoke on the phone."
"Cut the formalities, Crum," the bald man, Jack, cut him off quickly, "Let's get this done quickly."
"Come on. We're all friendly here, no?"
"...lower the guns," Jack pointed to the man's guards. Crum paused with a sharp glare.
"You first," he motioned to everyone standing behind the Splitter. The bald man stood frozen. Kevin couldn't see his face, but Kevin could imagine it wasn't pleasant especially given the fat man's shit-eating grin was right in front of him.
"Right then, I believe I have a gift for you," Crum snapped his fingers and one of his men a metal container from the van then delivered it to the bald man. He opened it and a soft glow emanated from it.
"An ion core?" Jack mused. Kevin's eyes bulged. Those things were powerful, and this guy was just handing it to him?! "I will say this is very nice...for a bribe."
"I consider it a generous offer," Crum shrugged.
"You're full of crap! That's why the boss ain't too pleased with ya!" Marco lunged forward, yelling at him.
Jack shoved him aside, "My friend is crass, but correct. A bribe won't be good enough if you keep skimping on our deals."
"Skimping?" the fat man's jovial grin faded away into a scowl, "I don't break my deals, unlike you people. I know you all have been sneaking into my warehouses stealing from me!"
"How dare you-"
"I've had to boost my security! Eyebrows are starting to get raised!"
"Maybe you're just not that well-liked, Crum," Marco sniped causing laughter from the crowd. Kevin cracked a smirk himself. This was entertaining but he knew he couldn't stay here forever. He took out his phone and snapped a picture of their meeting. Maybe Gilliam or Grant would like to see it, maybe it could earn him some brownie points.
Alright!" Kevin jolted when he heard the fat man's voice break through the crowd. Looking back down, he saw Crum glaring at them all with a fake smile, "Actually, I almost forgot that I had another gift for you all." he snapped his finger again. This time his guards ran to the trunk of the van. Whatever it was, they struggled to pull it out for a minute. Once they did, they threw it, or better yet him, in the middle of the crowd.
"You've got to be kidding me?!" Kevin recognized him immediately. It was that kid from the warehouse, the one who attacked both him and Anton. His hands were tied up and he looked like he had been beaten up badly.
"The hell is this?!" Jack exclaimed. Those were Kevin's thoughts exactly.
"This...is the bribe," Crum stated.
"This is a child!" Jack exclaimed, turning red.
"This is one of our Shadow agents. He killed quite a few of your friends, I imagine," the group around him went silent, including Jack who had become a statue as the man continued, "Quite sad, but I'm giving you an opportunity for revenge as well I'm ridding myself of a nuisance."
"Creep," Watching people bargain someone life was not how Kevin expected things to go. He did not care for it either...even if that guy tried to kill him before.
"We're not mercenaries," Jack growled.
"Yeah, so take out your own trash!" Marco added.
Crum rolled his eyes, "Tempting, but I must keep up appearances though. You wouldn't want to lose your golden ticket, right? Although I could hire someone else to get rid of this brat but, and heaven forbid this should happen, if the Plumbers discover that one of their own was brutally murdered by a certain band of Splitters...well I don't know if I could protect you lot then."
"You bluff!" Marco was ready to lunge at him.
"Try me, punk," Crum's guards stopped the man from getting any closer, "I've been brought to this by you lot! If you hadn't been stealing from me then I would never have had to deal with this brat!"
"Watch what you say!"
"Watch yourself! If I feel like you lot are cheating me, any more than you already are, my deals are off!"
"Working with you is becomeing more of a headache than a reward," Jack stepped in between the two, "I'm not the only thinking so. The boss is becoming frustrated."
"A boss? Guess it's none of them," Kevin speculated as he continued to watch. There was a feeling bubbling up in his gut telling him to leave. Blame it on his street-wise instincts. Years of experience had taught him to get out before things got too hot. Yet, his curiosity had been quashing his instincts for some time.
"Your boss, huh? Well, I would love to renegotiate with him directly if he would ever stop hiding like a coward!" Crum continued to rant and got right into Jack's face. Hard to do considering how much the bald man towered over him, "I doubt that would ever happen though, so in that case I am only one in charge here. Either you take my deal, or I will personally make sure you and your boys are introduced to the Magister. I'm sure he would be more than happy to meet you," Crum smirked at his threat as everything went dead silent. Jack didn't seem scared though. He was as stiff as stone, unmoving and unwavering. The anticipation was palpable, Kevin could feel it. What was probably just seconds felt like an eternity.
The ring of a cellphone cut through the silence.
Jack pulled the phone from his pocket and, without even looking at it, answered, "Sir...yes...will do," he snapped the phone shut and glared at his shorter counterpart, "Goods news and bad news. The bad news is that the boss isn't too pleased with all your little tactics tonight."
Crum looked stunned, "How did he-"
"You didn't think he would listen in on our little deals. We did warn you to watch your mouth," Jack spoke rather calm while Crum turned pale, apparently losing all of that bravado, "Good news though, seems he's open to renegotiating...in person."
"...Really?" Crum cocked his brow in disbelief.
"Better be on your best behavior, Crum. We'll meet with him tomorrow morning."
Kevin watched Crum sneered at the larger man but ultimately said nothing else then walked inside the brick building.
"What about this?!"
Kevin looked back and saw Marco and Jack hovering over that Plumber kid. Jack was rubbing his head in frustration, "I don't want to kill a kid...lock him up somewhere. The boss can figure out what to do with him." Marco grumbled but agreed. He and another guard picked the kid up and dragged him inside their hideout.
"Time to go," Kevin had seen enough. He could call Grant or maybe tell Gilliam? They could deal with it all after he was long gone. He carefully scooted backward to climb off the truck, not making a sound. He jumped down but his foot landed on a discarded bottle. He slipped and fell so hard on his back that he couldn't hold back a grunt erupting from his throat.
"What was that?!"
"Shit!" With barely enough time to think, Kevin rolled under the truck. He could only see their boots walking around the vehicle. Kevin's heart thumped frantically. Beating in time with each step they took. They paused just inches away. Kevin caught his breath. If they found him, who knows what they'd do. However, after a moment they walked away. He could finally breathe again and now he just had to be patient just a little longer.
Suddenly, something hit his arm. He looked over and saw a tiny metal ball. Huh? What the hell was that? As quickly as he asked, it answered. A stream of gas jetted from the device and quickly engulfed. It burned his throat first and he began coughing relentlessly. Then his eyes began to sting, so much so his vision became instantly blurred with tears. There was no choice, he crawled through the gas cloud until he found fresh air. Unfortunately, that was out of the safety of the truck and into the hands of a few pissed off Splitters. They grabbed him instantly; he didn't have a chance to fight back if he could.
"What are you doing here, kid?"
Someone spoke right in front of him. He recognized it from before. It belonged to that Jack guy. Kevin rapidly blinked away the tears from his eyes. Slowly, Jack's face formed in front of him. He could finally get a good look at the guy. His face was stuck in a passive expression. It was almost like he was trained to refrain from revealing any emotion. His brown eyes were dull though as if a smidge of melancholy was breaking through.
"I'll ask again. What are you doing here, kid?" he spoke.
Kevin, after taking a moment to catch his breath, smirked at the man, "Just taking a midnight stroll. Is that illegal?"
"…search him," Jack ordered. Kevin was held back as another man rummaged through his pockets. He pulled out his phone and tossed it to Jack. He silently fiddled with it for a second before returning his attention to Kevin. "Who's this for?" He showed the picture Kevin took of their meeting.
"No one. I'm making a scrapbook," Kevin shrugged.
Jack's jaw clenched in an unamused grin, "...Funny kid," he grumbled then threw the phone on the ground and stomped down, smashing it easily.
"You're gonna pay for that, right?" Kevin quipped despite the situation.
"Be quiet."
"Oi!" Kevin saw Marco run up to them, "Finally quieted that jerk. Can we now just...YOU!" Marco gasped the moment he noticed him.
"Nice to see you too," Kevin smirked.
"You know this kid?" Jack was now glaring at his colleague.
"What?! No?! He's just some street brat!"
"Aww, I thought we were friends," Kevin teased.
"You still wanna run your mouth, I see," Marco growled at him.
Jack eyes narrowed, "Idiot, did you lead him here?"
"No!"
"Kinda," Kevin snickered at the two. "It's not hard to follow a bunch of drunks."
Marco would've lunged at him if he wasn't held back by his friend, "Just let me-"
"No," Jack let out a few aggravated breaths. His gaze fell back on the young boy. Kevin matched it with his own. He was still hard to read, not at all like Marco. Definitely smarter than him, so there was no way to trick his way out of this. As the seconds passed, Jack's glare turned into a look of intrigue. That probably wasn't good, but maybe they wouldn't kill him on the spot. "Tie him up, then put him with the other one," Jack ordered.
"You can't be serious?!" Marco objected.
"Just do it and stop whining," Jack's gaze remained on Kevin, but it was a little softer now, "I think Xander would like this one."
Huh, Xander? Jack turned and walked away before Kevin could get any more information. Marco continued grumbling next to him.
"Lucky little shit, aren't ya?" Kevin watched the man pick up a loose chain off the ground.
"You think that's strong enough?" Kevin snarked as Marco yanked his arms back and tied his wrists together.
"Shut it!" He tightened the chain roughly before shoving Kevin forward, "Get moving!"
Kevin growled and fidgeted his wrists. The chains were sturdy but easy enough to break with his powers. He glanced around the yard. Goons were everywhere with guns in their hands. If he broke out now, he'd be dead. Marco shoved him forward again. He had no choice but to start walking. He was led inside and all the way to a storage room door. Marco opened it, grabbed him by the scruff and threw him inside.
"Stay here and shut up!" Marco slammed the door behind him, leaving the boy in the dark room. Kevin pushed himself up into a sitting position as he examined the room. It was nearly dark; the only light was what came through the crack between the door and floor. Shelves lined with dirty bottles and can lined the walls on either side of him that were coated in so much dust he was sure a single breath could send a thick cloud through the air.
"Bastard," Kevin grumbled, fidgeting with the chains again, "I'll kick all their asses."
"It is you," Kevin started at the sudden voice behind him. He turned and finally noticed that kid from before. Kevin could get a better look at him now. His black hair was tussled and dirty like he had been roughed up by his captors. A bruise lined the side of his face, from a brutal punch no doubt. His bright blue eyes stood out against his pale face and were staring at him with shock and confusion,
"Well, it's a small world, isn't it?" Kevin joked.
"Why are you here?"
"What do you think?"
The kid huffed out a laugh, "Looks like you stuck your nose where it doesn't belong again. Got nobody to bail you out this time?"
"I can take care of myself," Kevin sneered.
"Right, that's why you got captured. It was all part of the plan."
"Oh yeah? And what about you? Pissed off your boss so bad that he threw you away?"
The kid let out a hard sigh and turned his gaze to the shelves, "...I put my faith in the wrong people," he whispered. It was mostly to himself, but Kevin could still hear it.
"Hmm...yeah, happens to us all," Kevin said. He absorbed the metal of the chains and quickly broke them apart. Now free, he scurried to the door.
"What are you doing?" the kid asked.
"I'm getting out here."
"There're too many guns out there! You'll get killed!"
"Shhh," Kevin cracked the door open just enough to peer out. He could see multiple men standing across the hall. Their backs were facing him. He could run up and take them both out easily. He glanced down and saw their weapons strapped to their waist. One peep out of him and he would become Swiss cheese instantly, and if not that, then swarms of more guards would come out of nowhere from the noise.
Kevin closed to door quietly, "Crap."
"Told ya," his companion snickered behind him.
Kevin growled, "Okay asshole-"
"Hunter," he interrupted, "My name is Hunter."
Kevin paused, calming down a bit, "Alright...Hunter. Any bright ideas?"
Hunter glanced around, thinking. "It's not stuffy in here. There's airflow, so maybe there's a vent hidden somewhere."
"Yeah?" Kevin looked around again. There was a glint of metal behind a nearby shelf. Moving aside some cans he revealed the corner of an old vent. "Bingo!" He grinned and started to move the shelf.
"Wait!" Hunter yelled, though hushed.
"What now?" Kevin groaned.
Hunter held up his bound hands, "Untie me first!"
Kevin eyed him suspiciously, "Didn't you just try and kill me the other night?" he asked with a sneer and a huff.
"Yeah, and I obviously failed at that," Hunter replied, "What, are you scared I'll give you another black eye?"
"Not if you're stuck in here," Kevin quipped and returned to moving the shelf.
"Wait!" Kevin rolled his eyes but turned back to Hunter, "Look, even with your powers, there are too many guards. I can help you get out of here, probably in a much more subtle way."
"What makes you think I'm not subtle?"
"You got caught."
"So did you!" Kevin pointed out. He then had an idea, "You're a Plumber, aren't ya? You have a badge?" Hunter patted the place on his jacket right above his heart. He gave a stiff nod. "You have it?! Why haven't you called any backup or something?"
"What good would it do?" Hunter grumbled.
"You don't think an army coming to help you is good?"
"I'm not that important. They wouldn't bother," His curtness was as sharp as a knife; Kevin almost flinched from it. "...besides...who's to say even if they sent help that they would. There are probably more like Krum in this stinking city."
Dour, but a good point, Kevin thought. He had dealt with his fair share of crooked cops when he lived on the streets. He always thought the Plumbers were above that, but it seems like anything goes in this city. He noticed Hunter had returned to his sullen gazing at the floor. He recognized that look. The bitterness that came from when cruel reality slaps you hard in the face. He recalled that from the day he ran away from home.
"So, damned if we do damned if we don't, huh?" Kevin scoffed, "Nah, I don't believe it."
"Hmm?" Hunter lifted his head back up to see Kevin approaching him. He kneeled in front of him, so they were finally eye to eye.
"Show me your wrists and I'll untie you."
"Do you have a plan now?" Hunter asked with a skeptical brow.
"Yeah, we get out of here and then I'm gonna kick some ass!"
Hunter blinked, astonished by this guy. Never had he met someone so bullheaded before that all he could do was laugh. "You're some crazy bastard, aren't ya?"
"Meh, probably, but there's no way in hell I'm gonna let guys get away with throwing me in here. Don't you agree," Kevin smirked.
Hunter paused, thinking for a moment, then he showed off a similar smirk. "You read my mind," he said while holding out his wrists. Kevin nodded and started fiddling with the rope. It took only a few seconds before he was able to untie them completely.
"Got it! Now help me with-" a voice from outside the door cut Kevin off. He turned back to it and now could hear footsteps getting closer.
"Crap!" Hunter started to panic.
"Shh, stay there and play dumb," Kevin ordered then rushed to a corner of the room, right next to the door.
"What are you-"
"Shh!" The doorknob rattled and both boys went silent. Hunter hid his hands in his lap as the door opened and Marco stepped inside.
"Alright brat let's go...," he froze when he saw only Hunter, "Hey, where's the other one!?"
Hunter went silent. His eyes briefly flickered to the door, where Kevin was now hiding behind. Marco didn't seem to notice and just continued to glare down at him. This guy didn't seem too bright.
"Well brat? Where is he?" Marco asked again.
"Who?" Hunter shrugged.
Marco snarled, marching up to the boy, "Don't lie to me. You know who. Tell me where he went or else!" he was so focused on Hunter that he didn't notice Kevin creeping out from behind the door. This guy really was as dense as they come.
"What are you gonna do, you dumb brick," Hunter goaded him on. Marco growled angrily and pulled out his gun. Kevin quickly grabbed a can from the shelf and struck the man across the back of the head. Marco was knocked to the ground. Before he even realized what happened, Hunter kicked him in the head sending him to snooze town.
"That wasn't very quiet," Hunter hissed.
"I had to improvise," Kevin slammed the door shut. He heard confused and startled shouting from the other side. "We've got to go now!" He quickly pulled down a shelf, barring it against the door.
"Quick, get this grate off!" Hunter exclaimed as men from outside began banging against the door.
"Move!" Kevin shoved and went to work on the grate. He absorbed the metal and yanked on its edges. It didn't take long before he pried it off the wall. "Come on!" Kevin climbed inside. The guards continued ramming themselves against the door.
"Those kids! They're trying to escape!" they shouted, starting to break through. Hunter looked down and saw Marco's gun. He grabbed it and fired at the door, forcing the assailants to back off, for a short time at least.
"Dude!" Kevin called out, wishing he would hurry up. Hunter got the message. He sheathed his new weapon and quickly crawled in the vent.
"Where does this even lead?" Hunter wondered while keeping pace with Kevin.
"Anywhere better than here," Kevin lead through the tight twisted tunnel. It was getting darker the further they went, making it even harder to tell where to go.
"Are we improvising again?" Hunter chided him from behind.
Kevin growled, "I'm more than open to ideas." they pressed on. He could hear the enraged hollers of men and stomping of boots above them. They must have gone under the building at some point. He knew they would find them in no time, any kind of exit would do. They turned the corner and there it was.
"There...a way out!" Kevin crawled quickly up to an exit grate. Peering through he could see what looked like a cellar below them. It was a bit of a drop but there was no other way out. "Just give me moment," Kevin said as he pushed against the grate with his enhanced strength. He was there only a second when the two boys heard something bouncing along the metal wall.
"What is that?" Kevin turned back to his companion. Hunter peered back around the corner. A small, spherical device came rolling down the vent towards them. It started beeping and flashing with a red light.
Hunter gasped, recognizing the device. "A sweeper bomb!"
"A what?!"
"They're used to clear tunnels. Looks like they gave up looking and just decided to burn us to crisp!" Hunter started to hyperventilate, terrified as the beeping started to speed up.
"Shit!" There wasn't much time. Kevin absorbed more of the metal. Now it covered his entire body. He would be fine, or at least it would protect him for a little longer, but Hunter was screwed. What could he do? He looked back and forth between Hunter and the exit grate. A part of him said just go, and yet Hunter terrified expression kept him in place. The beeping got faster. They only had seconds, maybe. Kevin looked at his metal and suddenly a crazy idea came to him. He wondered...?
"You better hope this works."
"Huh?" Hunter was about to ask but Kevin gripped his arm before anything could come out.
The beeping of the bomb became rapid, barely distinguishing between the individual beeps. Kevin ignored it and only focused his powers on Hunter. "Please work." It felt like an eternity but then metal coating began enveloping Hunter's arm, then his chest, and then his entire body.
"What the?!" Hunter jumped in shock, but Kevin kept a firm grip on him, even though he was just as shocked. It was just in time. The bomb exploded and the small space was engulfed in an inferno. Their armor was protecting them, but the heat was quickly becoming unbearable. Kevin began kicking with all his might at the grate while keeping a tight hold on the panicking Hunter. With a few strong blows, the grate flew off.
"Hang on!" Kevin exclaimed and jumped through the opening, dragging Hunter along with him. They fell and crashed into the stacked crates below before landing on the floor. Thank God they were armored up.
"Well, that was exciting," Kevin said, letting go of Hunter with an exhausted sigh. Both of their metal coats disappeared.
"Holy crap," Kevin heard Hunter fidgeting next to him. He was poking and clutching all over as if he were testing if he was alive or just a spirit. "Relax, we ain't dead yet okay?"
"That was...awesome," Hunter finally spoke with a ragged breath, "Did you know that would work?"
Kevin blinked at him, shocked by his reaction. "Ehhh...no," Kevin shrugged.
"Are you serious?!"
"Hey, hey it worked. Lucky you huh?" Kevin chuckled albeit nervously. Hunter glared at him, but his scowl quickly broke into a chortling smirk.
"You're some kind of crazy, dude," Hunter continued laughing. Kevin looked up at him in shock. It was the first time he had seen the guy laugh or even genuinely smile. He appeared like a regular kid instead of a hardened soldier.
"Did the metal not protect your head or something?" Kevin jested.
"Nah, it's just I'm used to stuff like this," Hunter said. He stood up and offered a hand to his new friend.
"To what, the kidnapping or the near-death experience," Kevin took his hand, laughing along with him.
"Both I guess," Hunter shrugged, "I'll admit, I'm almost having fun."
"You call this fun? I think you've been in the Plumber Academy way too long. You should try and get out more often," Kevin joked with a playful punch to his shoulder. He didn't notice how Hunter's eyes and smile sank towards the ground.
"Yeah...probably," Hunter sighed to himself, "Anyway…what now? We're trapped again." He looked around the room, only seeing the mountain of crates before them.
Kevin scanned the room. His eyes traveled up the wall and landed on a tiny window, "Up there!" He pointed it out.
Hunter's brow furrowed at their narrow exit, "Is that gonna work?"
"It's all we got," Kevin had started climbing. As he did, his foot slipped and kicked a smaller box off the pile, "Woah! Watch out!" Hunter jumped back before it hit the ground. The crate broke apart allowing its contents to spill out. It was filled with weapons.
"Look at that," Hunter combed through the pile, "Plumber tech, all of it."
"We must've dropped into their stash. They've sure been busy." Kevin commented, looking at the other stacks of crates around them. He noticed Hunter had grown silent, his gaze was focused on the hoard. Kevin could tell whatever he was thinking was bad. "Hey! It's none of our business. Let's get out of here."
"One sec," Hunter replied and started rummaging through the pile.
Kevin growled, "Come on! What else is there?
"Aha!" Hunter wore a maniacal grin as he held a tiny box, "Don't you want a little payback?"
"With what?" Kevin's interest was piqued. Hunter pulled out a tiny metal cylinder, one he recognized, "Is that…?
"The ion core Krum swiped. Yep," Hunter grin grew wider, "You see, these things are quite unstable. One little spark can turn this into a nice bomb."
"That'll blow us all to bits!"
"Nah, it's too small. It'll just cause a moderate boom and chaos…enough to at least destroy the Splitters' stockpile."
"It's risky," Kevin muttered but soon enough had an amused grin of his own, "Why not? Show me some fireworks."
Hunter attempted to pry open the cylinder. When that didn't work, he tried to bend and knock it against the crates. Again, it didn't work, "Damn it! It won't give!" The boys then heard a door rattling. They must've figured out where they were. "Crap! It's too late!"
"Not yet. Hand it over!" Kevin grappled the cylinder out of Hunter's hand. He absorbed the metal and then broke the glass window. "Go!" Hunter climbed through the shattered window as Kevin crushed the cylinder in his hand. Energy and heat started leaking out and he tossed it at the ground. Despite hitting against some crates and bouncing on the hard floor, it didn't explode.
"Uh dude, there was no kaboom!" Kevin exclaimed. It was then the doors flung open and two goons came bursting in, "Crap!"
"Get up here!" Hunter practically dragged him up through the tiny exit. The goons below had become fixated on the glowing hot bomb in front of them, too stunned to move. Hunter smirked at the two idiots and pointed his gun through the small hole. He whistled at the two, grabbing their attention, before firing a perfect shot at the core. It instantly exploded, consuming the space in light and flames. The blowback knocked both boys away from the window, slamming against a wall behind them. The two sat stunned watching flames and smoke rise from the tiny window, slowly enveloping the building.
"Woah," Kevin out a long breath, "…still alive?"
Hunter let out a few shaky chuckles, "Yeah…yeah, I think so." He answered while still laughing to himself.
"Sure about that?"
"Yeah, it's just…" Hunter paused and stood up, "…. it's just been a long night." He held out his hand for Kevin to take, which he did.
"I thought this would be normal for you. Working with the Plumbers and all," Kevin chuckled. Hunter didn't respond. His face went neutral, and he instead watched the blaze. Kevin thought it was weird. Well, it was strange enough that he had spent the night relying on the same guy who tried to kill him not twenty-four hours ago.
"Hey, we should go. This is gonna attract a lot of people," Hunter then spoke, breaking Kevin's train of thought.
"Huh…oh right, we should split," Kevin agreed. He then let out a long sigh.
"Do you have a place to go?" Hunter asked him.
"Yeah…I guess. I'm staying with some people," Kevin paused. He could imagine Gilliam's enraged scowl as he would walk through the door, but then what? Maybe they would kick him out? He wouldn't be surprised. They owed him nothing. They weren't even family, and he knew you couldn't rely on family in the worst of times.
"Well don't get too excited," Hunter then snarked, "At least you got people looking out for you."
Kevin cocked a brow at him, "and you don't?"
Hunter snorted, "I don't know. It's like-WATCH OUT!" He suddenly shoved Kevin away and was knocked back by a laser blast.
"Hawke!" Kevin started to panic as he watched him fall to the ground. He was still, there was a smoking hole in his jacket, and Kevin feared the worst. He spun around in fury and saw Krum standing just a few feet away, pointing a rifle at him.
"Don't move," he said. Kevin answered with a snarl and absorbed the brick wall beside him. Krum looked slightly surprised, "Oh, you're a hybrid? Just my luck."
"Bad day for business?" Kevin smirked.
"Quiet! Unbelievable that these people had so much trouble dealing with children!" Krum pointed the rifle at his head, shaking and beet red with rage, "Do you realize how much this will cost me?!"
"Oh boohoo," Kevin said with a shrug, "I'd be more concerned when the Plumbers discover what you've been doing."
"Well, it's a good thing you destroyed the evidence," Krum smirked, "and all there is now is a few filthy rats." He was ready to pull the trigger when suddenly…
BANG!
Kevin felt a bullet speed past him and saw it hit Krum's hand. The man dropped the rifle and screamed in pain, gripping the appendage that was spewing blood everywhere. Kevin spun around and was shocked to see Hunter, still alive and pointing his gun at the man.
"Heh, gotcha," Hunter huffed out as he got to his feet. Kevin watched him as he if was ghost rising from a grave. Hunter simply gave him a shrug, "You're welcome."
Krum was whimpering before them and clutching his hand. Hunter growled, stepping closer to him, "Quit your whining, Krum, or I'll shoot your hand off!"
"Wait! Wait!" Krum exclaimed, going back to being a panicking little weasel, "This has all gotten a bit out of hand, hasn't it? Maybe we can just let this whole ordeal blow over, move on with everything. May...maybe we could benefit each other?"
"You're full of crap!" Kevin interjected.
"Please, listen," Krum ignored him and focused on Hunter, "I can tell how fed up you are with the Plumbers. They don't treat your ilk with respect, I know. Why do you think I work with these people? They at least are upfront about what they want."
"A.K.A they pay you well," Kevin interrupted again. He knew this type, a slippery sake willing to do or say anything to get away. He looked to Hunter, hoping for some back up on this, but the guy had not moved or said anything yet.
"There's nothing wrong with a little profit, right? Be sensible for a second. You know the place will go to hell eventually. Help me now and I'll guarantee you'll get out of here set for life, free of everything."
What a bunch of lies. Kevin always hated spineless losers like this. He really wanted to clobber this guy, but he was still concerned with Hunter. He had not uttered a word, though his gun had slightly lowered now. He didn't seem stupid but what if he was considering this crap.
"Hunter," he called to him. Hunter finally flicked his gaze at him. It was still hard to tell what he was thinking. It was a nervous couple of seconds before he finally cracked a smile. Hunter then shot Krum directly in the foot. The man crumbled instantly, crying, and screaming with pain.
"Don't be such a baby. I was considering aiming a little higher, so lucky you," Hunter jeered at the weeping man. He turned back to Kevin. Seeing his stunned face, he chuckled, "Oh, come on, you didn't think I'd actually believe the scumbag?"
"I've had a lot of surprises today," Kevin shrugged, "Speaking of, how are you not dead?" Hunter didn't answer, but instead just reached inside his jacket and pulled out his Plumber badge. It was busted with a laser hole in the center of it. "Huh…lucky shot, there."
"Depends on who you ask," Hunter fiddled with the badge in his hand, conflict in his gaze. He then tossed it aside with a disgruntled sigh, "…maybe it's a sign," he mumbled.
"Huh, what'cha mean," Kevin asked.
"…Don't worry about it," Hunter shook his head. They both then jumped when they heard Krum yell. They braced at first, fearing he got up, instead he was still on the ground but with a strange man now pinning him down.
"You're officially screwed now, Krum. No slithering your way out of this one," the man mocked as he dug Krum's face into the dirt.
"Who are you?" Kevin asked warily. The stranger looked up, observing the two with a curious smirk. Kevin noticed the strange look of his eyes, like that of a reptile, and the collar around his neck, one much like what Anton had.
"Mason!" They heard someone else call out.
"I found him over here, boss. As well as our two little vigilantes," Mason called back to the voice. A man then appeared in the alleyway.
"General Kronos?!" Hunter gasped. General? Kevin caught his own breath as the man approached them. He looked over them once before cracking a smile.
"Job well done, boys. Albeit, a little less destruction would have been nice," He chuckled.
Kevin responded with an awkward smile and shrug, "Um…your welcome, sir."
The general's team came in swiftly. Kevin and Hunter watched in silence as they dragged out any smoking remains of contraband, as well as the last few smugglers that couldn't escape in time. Kevin looked at Kronos who remained next to the two kids the whole time.
"Those are all the grunts we could round up. Everybody else must've sped off when it all went up in flames," Mason came over and told Kronos.
"Great," the general sighed, "and no one's talking?"
"Not a peep."
Kronos sighed again, "That's fine. We got Krum at least. So that's one win. Double check everywhere, I want to make sure we don't overlook anything." Mason gave him a two-finger salute before rejoining the others.
"Um…general?" Kevin spoke up. The man turned his attention to the two boys. Kevin gulped. Kronos had been nice to them so far, but he still was a bit intimidating. "What's gonna happen to us? Are we in any trouble?"
"Don't worry, your ride should be here shortly," Kronos replied.
"To be taken back to the base? Does the Magister want to interrogate us?" Hunter interjected.
"I didn't say that. The Magister is only looking for Splitters and rogue Plumbers. No one mentioned anything about children."
"Nobody?" Hunter asked. Kronos shook his and Hunter puffed out a chuckle, "what did I expect?" He spoke lowly to himself. Kevin heard him though, but before he could speak a car pulled slowly up to them.
"Just in time," Kronos said. Kevin stood confused for a moment, he had expected a squad car, but it was just a normal sedan. One that looks very familiar.
Uh-oh. Kevin braced himself as he saw both Gilliam and Vanessa step out of the car. Gilliam marched towards him bearing a mixed look of anger and relief.
"Hey, you guys got here quick," Kevin attempted to chuckle, but it quickly faded under Gilliam's narrowing gaze.
"We were already combing the city all day when we got a peculiar call. About some kids blowing a building."
"To be clear, we only set it on fire," Kevin defended, though rather meekly.
"Kevin!" Vanessa suddenly rushed up to him. She was upset, visibly shaking, and he could barely look her in the eye.
"Um, hey…uh," Kevin stammered. He knew there was no way out of this, so why even bother, "Just get it over with," he resigned and closed his eyes, waiting for all the yelling and punishment coming his way. There was silence, a long sigh, and then he felt a body colliding with his.
"Wha?" He jolted. Vanessa was embracing him in a tight hug.
"Reckless little idiot. You don't know how worried we were," her voice was stern but brittle. It was as if she was holding back a stream of tears. Kevin was stunned. What was happening? Why was she like this? She should be screaming at him, berating him, not…hugging him.
"I'm…sorry?" A part of him wanted to break out of this but couldn't bring himself to do so. Was it his utter befuddlement or something else he was so unfamiliar with. Warmth. It felt strange…yet nice.
"Good," Vanessa pulled back from the boy, having composed herself, "You are not leaving the house for a long time."
"But…. fine," Kevin conceded. There's no point in arguing. He was too tired for it.
"I think it'll be good for you, since you tend to find trouble everywhere you go," Gilliam added.
"That's not my fault…usually. But hey, you can't call me a liar anymore!"
"Hmm…for now," Gilliam smiled.
"Give the kids a break. They've had a busy night after all," Kronos playfully patted his friend on the shoulder.
"Of their own volition," they watched Krum get dragged and shoved into a car. It immediately sped off, Gilliam's eyes followed it until it disappeared out of sight, "This is going to give the Magister one big headache."
"Yes, but for different reasons. Krum's getting sent directly to a council back on Earth."
"Xavier has no say at all?" Vanessa asked. Kronos nodded. "So, no one wins."
"Krum will, after he gets a nice big slap on the wrist," Kevin remarked.
"Kevin!"
"What?! Am I wrong?" Kevin shrugged. The adults all shot him some annoyed looks, but notably didn't argue with him on it. "Hawke, you know I'm right, yeah?" Kevin turned but was shocked to see his new friend had disappeared. Taking a quick glance around, he spotted an alleyway just ahead. With a hunch, Kevin sprinted towards it. He rounded the corner and there he saw Hunter meandering down the dark path.
"Hey!" Kevin called out to him. Hunter stopped and lazily turned back to him. "You can't just bail like that."
"You were busy. Plus, it was getting crowded," Hunter shrugged.
"So? Where do you think you're going anyway?"
"Do you actually care?"
"Maybe. If you need a ride back to the base, why don't you just ask the general?"
"I'm not going back!" Hunter suddenly shouted in anger. Kevin stared at him, stunned. There was silence before Hunter let out a tired sigh, "I'm done with Plumbers," he leaned back against the wall and slid down to the ground. He was defeated.
"You…resign?"
"Resign, quit, betray…call it whatever you want. Fuck 'em. I'm not going to be their attack dog anymore," Hunter grumbled. Kevin blinked a few times, taken aback. What kind of shit life did this kid live. He was barely older than him and he was sounding more like a jaded old man.
"…So, what? You're just gonna wander around out here from now on," Kevin asked.
"Maybe. What else is there?"
"That doesn't sound like much of a plan," both boys jumped as Gilliam entered the cramped alleyway.
"Gilliam! Um…this is Hunter. He…"
"The young Shadow Agent. Kronos filled me in," Gilliam interrupted. His eyes focused on the boy on the ground. "I admit, you're not what I expected."
Hunter matched him with a glare, "Is that a problem, old man?"
Gilliam didn't budge an inch, keeping a cold stare at the boy, "You were the one who tried to kill my boys, weren't you?" Hunter went pale and guilt took him over. Perhaps karma was going to catch up to him now.
"Only because Krum forced him to," Kevin stepped in, "Go easy on him."
Hunter's head shot up, dumbfounded by his blasé response. Gilliam also looked at him curiously, "You're being pretty quick to forgive," the man said.
Kevin shrugged, "If he wanted to kill me, he would've by now. Plus, he did save my life. I guess that makes up for it."
Hunter couldn't suppress the laugh from his throat, "Damn, you're so odd. Do you let everyone who tried to kill you off this easy?"
Kevin shrugged again, "Eh, you're not the first person to try it. You probably won't be the last." Gilliam shot him a disapproving glare, "Uh I mean, definitely not…probably…maybe," Kevin stuttered out quickly.
"Hmm…that was a nice try," Gilliam shook his head but still smiled. Hunter chuckled some more but felt again that strange pang of jealousy deep inside him. "And you, kid? Where are you going to go. Don't have family here?" Gilliam then asked Hunter.
Hunter stayed silent for a moment before answering, "No…there's no one," he mumbled to the dirt. Kevin didn't buy it. He was lying; how much so he couldn't pin down. Still, who was he to butt into other people's family drama. How long has it been since he talked to his own mother.
"Well, you're screwed then, aren't ya Hawke," Kevin said.
"Your sympathy is overwhelming," Hunter deadpanned, though cracking a small smile.
"What do you expect me to do?"
"You don't have any ideas?" Gilliam then asked.
Kevin paused for a moment. He turned to Gilliam, "Unless you want to take in another stray…I've got nothing."
Gilliam sighed. How did he manage to get trapped like this again? He glanced back down at Hunter. He looked so vulnerable, confused, nervous…all things he never associated with the Shadows agents. They were trained killers, feared even by the Plumbers, but this was just a boy. How could they treat this child like a weapon and for how long. Damn this place. It made him sick to his stomach.
"Gilliam," Jolted from his thoughts, Gilliam turned and met Kronos entering the small space. "I need go. The Magister expecting me to deliver before dawn."
"Oh right…thanks for everything," Gilliam sputtered, his worried gaze still flickering to Hawke.
"…am I interrupting something?" Kronos asked.
"Well…" he wanted to help, but the kid was under the control of the Plumbers. The Magister may not be happy losing such an asset. Kronos could help, maybe. He was his friend, but he was bound to his duty.
"General Kronos…sir," Hunter suddenly spoke up. "I know you'll need to return me to the base, but…" the boy started to stutter. Swallowing his nerves, he stared right into the general's eyes, "Please…don't make me go back."
Gilliam's heart clenched at the boy's plea. He looked to Kronos waiting for his reaction, but he seemed as impassive as ever, an aggravating trait of his. He didn't like waiting all night though.
"Kronos? What do you want to do?" Gilliam promptly asked.
"Me? I don't know about you, but I'm ready to call it a night," the general sighed and turned to leave.
"But…"
"I need to get back to the base soon, I can't stick around forever. Someone else will have to find that runaway Shadow Agent. Although…that might be difficult. I hear they're very good at disappearing," Kronos swiftly left without a second glance.
Gilliam then let out an exhausted sigh, but still had a smile, "Let's go, boys," he too then left the alley, ushering for them to follow.
"What just happened?" Hunter looked up to Kevin, befuddled.
"Congratulations, you've become a deserter," Kevin smirked and held out his hand for him. Hunter sat stunned for a moment longer until he couldn't help but laugh.
"This isn't how I thought my night would turn out," Hunter got up, ignoring Kevin's hand, "but I'm not one to pass up a good deal."
"So you do wanna tag along," Kevin said and started leading him out of the confined alley.
"Like you had said, where else am I going to go. I'll stick around…for now. Until there's a way to get out of this place."
"If there's a way out of this place," Kevin curtly added. Gilliam and Vanessa were just up ahead. Gilliam was speaking to her, probably trying to explain that they had yet another houseguest to take in. Vanessa, though shaking her head, just smiled at her good-hearted husband.
"Things could've ended up worse I guess," Hunter shrugged. Something still itched at his mind, "Tell me something," Kevin glanced over, "How'd you come to be thrown in this place. Not just here, but the Null Void in general?"
Kevin shrugged, "Just unlucky," no need to elaborate further than that.
"You should know I'm immune to bullshit," Hunter said.
Now Kevin started to glare at him, "Maybe you don't want to know what I've done…what I was. It's my business."
Hunter stood silently staring him down, clearly still curious. After a moment he shrugged and threw up his hands, "Fine. You clearly got issues and I'm too tired to care. Keep your secrets," Hunter walked off, leaving Kevin to simmer.
Kevin could laugh, "I have issues?" so says the guy who probably suckled on bullets when he was baby. He just didn't need to explain himself or any of his actions. It was in the past anyway. He didn't want to think about it, it only gave him a headache. It was bad enough with the incessant dreams of aliens, and mutations, and that damn kid and his fancy watch. He could feel his blood boiling at the memories.
"Kevin!" Gilliam was calling for him, "Let's go!"
He took a calming breath. The long night was starting to catch with him and all he wanted right now was a soft bed. Gilliam, Vanessa, and now Hunter were all waiting for him by the car. Something gave him concern as he walked closer to them. That warm feeling from before was trying to crawl back into his cold heart. He remembered Vanessa embracing him and how comforting it felt. How she and Gilliam seemed actually concerned for him, at least for that one moment. No, he told himself he couldn't allow himself to get attached to this. Not to them nor to the others. It would only hurt too much in the end…when they left him too.
Dammit, no need to think on that yet. He stepped into the car. Gilliam and Vannessa both waved goodbye to the General before they climbed inside too. Kevin checked beside him. Hunter had his head leaned against his window. It seemed he already had started drifting off into a peaceful nap. Not a bad idea. He closed his eyes and started to nod off as they all headed home.
…Home?
So...yeah...its been awhile. I wont bore with the aggravating details life to this point. i just hope you guys enjoyed and aren't mad at me.
please leave your reviews