It took almost 2 hours for Khonshu to finally reach the overpass on foot, and it includes the many stops he had to take once his leg's got too sore. He thanked the heavens that he didn't run into any more attacks or superhero fight during his trip. But he kept wondering where this exhaustion is coming from. The god is aware that that he can walk for hours and not break a sweat, yet now he needs to lean on something after 15 minutes.
Something is wrong here. He kept asking himself.
Khonshu knows that he is a healing deity, so he should be able to recover from his exhaustion in a few minutes. But after an hour of walking, he can still feel sore pain in his legs. The god suspect that his divine healing capabilities was also diminished together with his divine navigational senses. Anything related to his godhood really.
He expects that it will return by the time he gets some sleep, but now all he can think of is how frustratingly slow his travel is. He is also plagued with a headache at the back of his head, but it would only last for a few seconds before disappearing, only to comeback after 30 minutes.
Must be when I hit my head back then. He concluded, recalling that he fell backwards during his accidental entrance to that cold pocket dimension.
As he gets closer to his destination, he starts to see the after signs of the encounter. Besides the burn marks and deep footprints on the street, there are destroyed cars, debris and hazard tapes everywhere. The damages get worst as Khonshu keeps going, until he can see the destroyed Overpass bridge. The ornamental facades have completely fallen off, but the main structural columns manage to stay intact. He can see those parts of the Avenue where the Overpass runs through is blocked off too, preventing anyone from entering, as well as some personnel and guards patrolling the entrances.
The god tried to sneak in by ducking under a blockade on the side, but one guard noticed. "Hey" the guard said, "No civilians allowed." The same guard then pushed Khonshu out of the site.
The Moon god clearly doesn't like this treatment and answered accordingly "Unhand me at once you meddling gorilla!". He is also tempted to yell that he is a god, but then it will just raise suspicion. He just settled with glaring really hard.
"Well sorry to burst your bubble Your highness. But if you haven't noticed, this place is off-limits. No one is allowed inside except for authorized personel" the guard said sternly, not even phased by the boy god's glare. This only aggravated Khonshu even more and the two end up on a staring stand off as Khonshu stubbornly refuses to leave.
A couple of seconds have past until the guard released a tired sigh, letting himself mellow down a bit, "I don't know what you deal is kid, but this place is a safety hazard. The exterior is way too unstable, and we can't have people walking under it without accidentally getting crushed." He explained, further stating that it will open once all the repairs are done.
Khonshu looked pointedly at the broken sides of the bridge from where he is standing, "And how long will that be? The damages look very extensive" he pointed out.
The guard just shrugged, "Beats me. I'm not in charge of repairs around here, I'm just a guard. It might take months but last I heard; Iron man is going to lend a hand. So it might be shortened to say, a month or two."
Khonshu knows that Iron man was there during the initial alien attack. He also recalled that the anchor woman made a passing remark about Stark giving a donation to help with the repairs. "Tony Stark?" he said, feigning ignorance. The guard just answered casually, "Yeah, the guy probably felt badly about wrecking the place. It's kind of nice for him really."
Khonshu is rather indifferent at the comment towards Stark. He is very much aware of the Avenger. At least, the Tony Stark of his universe. While the god frowns at the man's hedonistic tendencies, Khonshu also saw the day Stark had a change of heart. Khonshu acknowledges the fact that the man is now devoting his life to help others. But it still not enough to make the god change his mind about Stark's personality, flamboyant lifestyle and unhealthy drinking habits. And Khonshu rather avoid any interaction with the man, or any of the Avengers in favor of watching from the shadows.
The moon god laid one last look on bridge ahead of him and decided that there is nothing he can do for now. So, he waved a thanks to the guard, turning around to leave. The guard just nodded back, watching the kid's back as Khonshu walks away. He kept walking on a casual pace, not looking back until he made a turn on the nearest intersection. Once he is sure that he is no longer within the guard's field of vision, then he quickened his pace almost to a sprint. Speed walking until he reached the second intersection and made a left turn. Then he made a right, another left, squeezing inside a narrow alley. When he reached the other side, he is once again greeted with the same blockade that surrounds the Overpass bridge. Only this time, he is looking at it from different angle and vantage point.
Khonshu figured that if the guard won't let him in then he will just find another way. He can still see the orange-colored tapes and signs of "keep out", but no guard in sight. Just the way the god likes it.
That's a bit incorrect though, the moon god have to get on his tip toes to see beyond the debris and heavy equipment scattered beyond the blockage. And on the other side of those, the moon god managed to take a peek at the back of the guard he talked to earlier.
Now that no one is around to stop him, Khonshu ducked under the blockade and tapes that separate the site from the road.
Once inside, he carefully stalked the whole area. Making sure to not leave a trace of his presence and avoiding the personnel that would occasionally pass by. He managed to sneak in further until he reached the base of the emergency ladder. Khonshu inspected the metal structure that is bolted to the side of the bridge column. The god don't need his divine senses to see that the ladder has weakened due to time. Like the obvious orange red color of rust. It was so rusty, Khonshu wondered why it didn't collapse from the alien attack and the collective weight of all those people who had to climb down. At that point, he considered it to be pure luck that all those passengers were able to escape uninjured.
He knows that there are other ladders that lead up, but the one in front of him is the closest to where the train is. Besides, he saw spied personnel blocking the way to the next ladder, and it would be too troublesome for the god to sneak around them.
So with limited options, the god proceed to climb up.
He was very cautious when he took that first step. Someone might hear the ladder creak under his weight, but the noise of the city around him is surprisingly loud enough to drown the groaning of metal under his hands. It took less than a minute for the boy god to reach the top, but by that time, Khonshu felt exhausted. His arms are still sore, but he needed to climb up as fast as he can knowing someone might notice him.
The god rested there for a while, catching his breath before he quickly got up and walked to the wreckage of what used to be train cars.
As expected, the conductor's car is torn beyond recognition. All Khonshu found is a metal slate on the tracks with ripped metal ribbons on the side. The surrounding area is also in ruins, almost like a miniature warzone. There are strips of metal scattered everywhere, plastic chairs and other items that used to be part of the train structure.
Khonshu can see burn marks on the ground as well as some white material. The god easily suspect that those are from Iron man and Spider-man.
All of these details are carefully noted by the boy god as he walked further down the tracks.
Khonshu have passed by the remains of 6 more train cars, all of them torn and in a horrible state of destruction. He can easily see the claw pattern on the metal strips, telling him just how sharp the alien's claws were. It wasn't until he reached the 7th car did the damage seem to have drastically reduced. Unlike the ones before it, the seventh one is mostly intact with the paint and walls not completely ripped out of its shell. This continues to the rest of the train. With this, Khonshu guesses that the 6th train car is where the alien was taken down for good.
Though he is a bit curious on where it is now, the god just hopes that Iron man have thrown it in a place where it won't cause any more harm. Or tossed it to the sun.
Khonshu did one last sweep of the area before he decided that he have seen enough. The boy god is satisfied with the information and did what he came for. So he figured he should go now. He felt a wave of relief knowing that he can finally go back and properly rest. Lightheartedly but quietly walking back to the ladder to quickly climb down. He also made sure to time his descent with the noisy traffic to mask the rusty ladder.
Elsewhere...
On the tall building across the street, A hooded figure stood shadows of the roof. Strategically hiding so no one can see him from below. This figure stood completely still except for his now dry white cape fluttering in the air, and his hollow eyes, watching his target climb down from the rusty ladder. He was supposed to kill his target, his Almighty father told him to. He can still remember that timeless tone, but now it currently drowned out by another.
It started first as an invasive and foreign speck that was planted in his chest, then it suddenly burst to his encompass its entire system. Then the voice he listens to, that old, timeless and fatherly tone suddenly changed to be younger, youthful and a little bit bratty. Then that youthful voice demanded his obedience.
That old, timeless voice is still there, but now it is just an annoying hum at the back of his head as the more youthful voice takes a greater hold of his heart.
It took a while for the moon god to leave the site as Khonshu had to avoid guards and personnel walking around. He ducked behind heavy equipment and was nearly caught, but he managed to reach the exit and quietly ducked out. In no time, he reached the main road again.
Satisfied, he turned to the direction of his apartment. Fully intending to take a long nap once he arrived. But as he walked down the street, he starts having this gut feeling that someone is watching him.
His divine 6th sense may have dulled, but he learned to trust his gut feeling, no matter how ridiculous it may seem. So, he started to walk around in circles. Going around blocks, squeezed inside alleys and make many turns in a pattern he knows will confuse anyone. Yet he can still feel the invisible eyes squarely on him.
This is making him feel exposed and very uncomfortable.
He kept on waking around, practically walking around the destroyed overpass.
Who dares spy on me right now?!
He frustratingly asked himself as he kept his pace, trying to look casual even though he really wants to run and hide.
In his attempts, Khonshu reached a more secluded street and made a turn to a dimly lit alley. He kept his speedy pace inside until he heard the sound of someone scavenging the nearby dumpster.
The noise took him by surprise, so he curiously went to take a look. And he found 2 young kids, around his physical age. An older girl and a young boy. Judging from the dirty and tears on their clothes, they are clearly homeless and were living on the streets for some time. But what really caught his attention were the red marks he spied on their wrist. The kind that develops from with something really tightly. Khonshu can also see that sleeve of the girl's shirt is torn, exposing her forearm. Despite the fact that the alley is dimly lit, the god is able to see horizontal scars on it. Scars that he recognizes are made using a sharp object, like a box-cutter.
For a second, he forgot about his stalker as he dares think on who could have made those scars.
Could it be by someone? Or was it self-inflicted?
The last idea came when Khonshu looked at the location and the angle of the scars.
Cautiously and carefully, he approached the two kids. Trying to keep his footsteps as soft as he can. He was able to take 3 steps when he girl visibly froze. The moon god doubts that the girl have super hearing, only that she has become hyperaware of her surroundings from experience alone. Khonshu is reminded of how a deer reacts once it is trapped by a pack of wolves. A creature conditioned to listen to everything, as they could lose risk losing their life if they don't.
And Khonshu sees that same creature in the eyes looking at him right now. The girl's gaze is swimming with distrust and fear.
He stopped moving once the girl noticed him and lifted his hands, showing the palms of his hands. An action to prove that he means no harm. But the girl didn't calm down and only pushed her companion behind her, as if she can shield the younger boy from what she perceives as a threat.
"Calm down," Khonshu said, as calmly and cautiously as he can. Even more than how he talked to Eva. "I'm not here to harm you."
But the girl only glared harder, "Bullshit, That's what they all say."
Khonshu blinked at her profanity, but he forced himself to focus. He isn't surprise at her reaction though, already expecting this due to their circumstance. The moon god have to find a way to earn her trust firstk but the girl just won't budge no matter how much Khonshu tried to coax her.
Khonshu took a patient pause, his mind scrambling for something. Then he remembered his own experience with Catlyn Grace, an encounter he really wants to forget since he can still feel the bullet on his forehead. But it may prove useful now.
"These people, I met someone like them before. They tell you that they want to help, saying it is for charity. Making promises like giving you a home, or a job. But it is all a lie."
Khonshu can see the moment when his words grabbed the girl's attention, so he kept going.
"If you say no, they say that they will respect it. But it's all a lie. They have no intention of letting you escape."
Khonshu let the girl think about what he said. He can still see the distrust, but is seamed that Khonshu's words is slowly breaking it down. At least, some put some cracks there. Khonshu waited for the girl to response. After a minute of this tense silence, the girl looked like she might say something, but held it back. She is still unsure if she really wants to converse with the strange boy she just met. But something about what he said made her think otherwise.
"How would you know about this? You might by lying or working for them?" she said accusingly. Khonshu can sense some doubt in her tone, while he is annoyed, he tried to not to show it.
"It happened to me" Khonshu replied calmly, "It was a pretty woman. She had this charming smile and said that her husband was a rich man who wanted to help. But I saw through her words and rejected her." He explained further how he managed to escape Catlyn's grasp when the woman tried to grab him.
Khonshu let the girl process this first. He can see from the look on her face that she is internally debating. Khonshu expected her to yell at him to leave and that she don't believe him. But surprisingly, she went to say her experience.
"It was a lawyer, one of those guys in fancy suites and gelled hair. He said that he can help us win against our father. But I don't him to take a hike…" She went quiet for a while, appearing reluctant to continue. Khonshu just waited until she is ready.
"…So he offered to buy us lunch instead. We were so hungry that I just accepted. But while I was eating, he tried to drag me inside his car."
Khonshu then looked at her arm, where the sleeve is clearly torn. The girl must have sensed his eyes and glanced at her hand. She explained further that she had to tear it to escape, getting away together with her younger companion. The god dared to ask about the scars, but the girl said that it's not from the escape. She looked even more reluctant to talk about it, and the boy decide that it's not the best time to push it. All Khonshu knows that these 2 kids he found needs both medical help and security. And currently, he doesn't have the resources to do that.
And idea then popped up, he could call someone who can. But the god now remembered that he left his phone in his apartment. "I know someone who can help you. They also helped me put my attempted kidnapper to jail and pretty much saved my life. Can I trust you to wait until I come back?" He said to the girl. She is still alert but less tense since when the god first found them. Her eyes are unreadable at the moment, but Khonshu will have to take that risk. He hopes the girl trust him enough to stay for at least 3 minutes, he turned around and quickly left the alley.
Once he reached the main street, he tried to think about a way to contact the female officer he knows. He doesn't have any money for a payphone, but then he saw the guard who is still standing outside the blocked Overpass Bridge.
He quickly ran towards the guard, who just looks at him in surprise. "Didn't I tell you that this place is off-limits?"
"Yes you did, but I'm not here for that. Do you know an Officer Amelia Grey?" He quickly asked. The guard just looks in confusion and shook his head. The moon god felt a wave of disappointment before he recalled another person. "How about Lieutenant James Rodriguez?" he asked again.
Now the guard's eye's sparked with recognition, "Rodriguez? Yeah, he's an acquaintance. Why are you asking kid?"
Khonshu felt even more annoyed about being called kid again. He glared at the guard but said, "That's great, do you have his number? It's important that I talk to him."
The guard looks skeptical for a moment, but he brought out his phone and dialed the Lieutenant. After a few rings, the phone call connected, "Hello James? It's Henry. Yeah, I know your busy but there's this kid asking for you. He said he knows you and that it is important…Yeah…Actually he asked if I knew an Amelia Grey before asking about you…The kid have black hair with really messy bangs, pretentious, and kinda short…"
"I am not short you idiot!" Khonshu yelled once he heard that. His outburst was rather loud that it was heard in the phone. The guard ignored his tantrum and just focused on the call. The man glanced at Khonshu for a while, and after a short conversation, he asked if Khonshu can show his eyes.
"Is it that relevant?" the moon god said impatiently. The guard, Henry, is now getting tired, "Just do it kid, Lieutenant is the one asking about your eyes." He said.
The moon god still don't see why it is important but parted his bangs to clearly show his eyes. Henry leaned forward a bit to get a closer look and said, "Yeah, his eyes are really pale. It's a bit creepy actually."
Khonshu just scowled at that comment about his eyes. Henry then gave his phone to the boy, who took it.
"Hello Lieutenant." Khonshu greeted.
"Hello kid, I thought I recognize that voice." On the other side of the line, James greeted back. "Grey is on duty by the way. Where is your phone?"
The moon god tried to deflect the question, saying that he doesn't have the effort to carry a hackable device than admit that he left it. James clearly saw past this and just raised an eyebrow, very much unimpressed. "So, you left your phone? Kid, it's important that you carry it with you. You might need it, like now. Anyway, forget about that, why did you ask for me?"
Khonshu went to explain about the 2 children he found and their state, "I rather have someone I trust and met before to come pick them up. And maybe have them checked at a hospital."
James can hear that the boy god is serious and agreed to contact Grey. "She can arrive in a few minutes, maybe less if she is in the area."
The boy god thanked the lieutenant and gave the phone back to Henry. The guard overheard it and now curious on what exactly are they talking about.
"Orphans escaped a kidnapping. Now if you excuse me." It was all Khonshu said before he turned around, leaving the confused guard behind.
Khonshu walked quickly to where the 2 children are hiding, hoping that they are still there by the time he arrived. The moon god was practically running by the time he entered the alley.
But instead of the 2 kids, he is hit with the smell of blood. It is so fresh in the air, Khonshu almost choked at the thick odor. And standing in the middle of the alley, faced away from him is a tall, white and very familiar cloak facing away from him.
To Be Continued...