A/N: Sorry it took a while, guys. Been busy with some things, you know how it is. Not so much action in this one, but I hope you guys still find it a pleasant read. Enjoy!
I opened my eyes, small rays of light filtering through small spaces in the boarded window, illuminating the room somewhat, the fire in the barrel long having burned
out. My eyes stayed fixated on the moldy and peeling ceiling above me, my mind wandering to the night before; to how I asked Daniel to stay away from me. A
swelling pain erupted in my chest, forcing my lips to curve into a frown, but it was for the best. At least, that's what I told myself... After a few moments, I sat up on
the bed, the springs creaking under my shifting weight as I swung my feet over the side and placed them on the floor, my eyes fixed on them, my hands holding the
bed on my sides, as if I were high up. With a great sigh, I stood up from the bed and made my way to the only door and pushed it open, the morning sunlight bathing
me. I squinted my eyes from the sudden change in brightness and made my way outside, but what I saw wasn't what I expected…
An empty street. No, maybe more like… abandoned…? There wasn't a single person around, but that wasn't the only thing wrong here. There were no cars, and it was
quiet. Way too quiet. What's going on? As I looked around, the sound of an engine reached my ears when a police vehicle pulled up next to the apartment, my eyes
widening slightly as I watched Daniel and Maeda climb out. "This is the way it should always be! No traffic at all!" Daniel exclaimed, giving me a wink and a grin, but I
wasn't impressed, my teeth gritting against each other, anger welling up in me. "What are you guys doing here? I told you to stay away from me, right?" I shouted,
my hands shaking slightly. Daniel's smile faded as a result, but he didn't look sad at all. "Aya, you're not a monster." he said simply, walking around the car and
toward me, placing a hand on my shoulder, my head tilted up slightly so I can see him. "You're my partner, Aya Brea. It's just you and me, kid. Don't forget; we're
New York's father-daughter team." he spoke, a small smile on his face. My anger melted away as he spoke, instead replaced with uncertainty. I looked down away
from him and at my open hands. I studied them for a moment, flexing my fingers and balling them into fists, my mind racing. "But… I'm different…" I muttered, to
which Daniel's grip on my shoulder tightened slightly. "Of course you are. We're all different, Aya. Look, I don't care what that monster Eve says. You're nothing like
her. You have a heart, and you always give everything your all. Do you really think a monster can cry for other people like you have?" I blinked my eyes when he
said this, looking back up at him slowly, silent. He gave me a smile and a nod, releasing my shoulder and placing his hand atop my head. "I believe in you, partner. I
always have and I always will. Never forget that." he added, winking at me again. After hearing those words, I couldn't help but smile. With a great sigh, I nodded my
head in response, a feeling of understanding between us.
Daniel nodded his head as well, lifting his hand from my head. "So, I guess you're wondering why it's so quiet around here?" he asked. My smile instantly faded when
he reminded me, my eyes falling on him again. "Yes, but I think I know. It was the Chief, right?" I asked, to which Daniel nodded. "That's right. After we found the
remains of the victims in the amphitheater, it's been decided that things are just too dangerous in the city right now. So, Baker ordered the complete evacuation of
Manhattan." Daniel explained to me. I crossed my arms over my chest, my eyes shifting down to his tie. "I thought so. Well, this definitely makes things easier." I
replied simply, biting my lower lip. "So what now? You have any leads?" Daniel then asked, walking over to the squad car and leaning against it. Sighing out, I slowly
shook my head, looking up at the morning sky. "No. I have no idea what Eve is doing now. I can't sense her like I used to. It's almost like she's hiding from me,
though I'm not sure if I should be flattered or worried." I replied, shaking my head, my hands balled into tight fists. What now?
"Actually, I w-was wondering if you could help me with something." Maeda spoke out. I looked over at him, tilting my head slightly. "What's up?" I asked him. He
pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, one arm behind his head as he spoke to me. "I was wondering if you knew of any research facility around here. I'd
like to conduct an experiment… and test something. I think it'll help shed some light on the situation." I pursed my lips slightly when he told me this, thinking to myself.
"Research facility… How about the lab that Dr. Klamp was using? He had some pretty extensive equipment there." I suggested aloud, looking at Daniel. Daniel's face
quickly contorted into anger at the sound of Dr. Klamp, shaking his head. "No way! Anywhere but there!" he shouted out. I sighed out, shaking my head as well. They
did have a bit of a row when we paid the good doctor a visit, but still… "He should have evacuated with everyone else, so it should be fine." I reasoned. With a great
sigh, Daniel shook his head slowly, his arms crossed over his chest. "Fine!" he pouted. Seeing Daniel like that made me chuckle lightly to myself as I looked over at
Maeda. "But before we go, I'd like to stop at my place. I need a shower and a change of clothes. Does that sound good?" I told him. Maeda started to fidget from my
question, but he merely pushed up his glasses again, nodding his head vigorously. "Y-yes! Yes of course! That's fine by me! Thank you so much!" he stammered. I
nodded my head to his answer with a smile and a wink. "Alright! Let's get going!" I exclaimed, the three of us climbing into the car.
Even though I already knew that the entire city was evacuated, it was still such a shock to see these streets this empty. There are abandoned cars in random places
on the road, some of them flipped over and burning, and some even went through buildings. Even if it was a controlled evacuation, there was still so much chaos and
panic, though it's understandable. I placed my hand on my chest, my mind turning back to yesterday, and how powerless I was to stop Eve. "Oh!" I suddenly
exclaimed, remembering something, looking at Daniel who was driving as usual. "By the way, how's Ben?" "Ben? He's doing fine. I left him in the precinct. I figure it's
the safest place to be right now." he replied back, his eyes on the road. I nodded my head slightly, my eyes focusing down onto the dashboard. "I see. So…" I started
lowly, but Daniel cut me off. "You don't need to worry, Aya. My boy doesn't know what happened to Lorraine, but I plan to tell him after all of this is over. He's a
strong kid; he'll get through it. But for now, we need to concentrate on what's most important." I looked up at Daniel as he spoke to me, guilt rising in my chest again,
but I ignored it, nodding my head in agreement.
It only took about 10 minutes to reach my apartment. When we arrived, Daniel said he'd go find some breakfast for us with Maeda. I don't like the idea of stealing,
even if there's no one here, but he's right. We're the ones who have to protect our city, and we can't do that while we're hungry, so I relinquished to him and agreed.
While they did that, I entered my apartment, looking around it. It's exactly as I left it. I made my way over to the bathroom and poked my head behind the shower
curtain, fiddling around with the valves to turn on the water and adjust the temperature. After that, I removed my tattered clothing until I was nude and threw them in
a heap on the floor, making a mental note to toss them in the garbage when I was done. I then stretched out my arms with a great sigh and sat down on the toilet to
relieve myself, my eyes looking down at my hands as I did so. My mind turned to Eve again at that moment; I wonder what she's doing right now… Nothing good, that
much is for certain.
I balled up my fists tightly and placed them on my lap, sighing out. I looked down at the floor to see my bare feet, remembering my fight with the lion. I learned two
new tricks last night because of it; the ability to see mitochondria energy in the body, and how to use my own willfully. Up until then, my mitochondria just did its own
thing by healing my wounds, but yesterday I was able to direct the energy to my feet, increasing my speed exponentially. I wiggled my toes as I thought back to last
night, rubbing my two big toes together and over each other as if they were fighting to be on top. Then I closed my eyes and concentrated to that feeling at that time,
opening them again. My eyes were glowing green again, and I could see millions of little specks of light inhabiting my body. My feet, my legs, my thighs, my abdomen,
my hands, my arms, my breasts, every part of my body had these specks of light. I took another look at my open hands and concentrated once more, the lights in
them getting brighter and more concentrated. So… now my hands are above their limit… But what can that mean…? Am I stronger now? If directing my power to my
feet made me feel lighter, then it should mean that my hands are stronger. But…
I looked down at my arms as I concentrated on my hands, and I noticed that the light in them had dimmed somewhat. And not just them either, but my whole body
had less energy. I balled up my fists, my eyes returning back to normal, as well as my hands. So it's a trade-off. It's expected, I suppose. It's not like I have infinite
energy. As I draw power to a specific part of my body, the rest of my body loses mitochondria, kinda like a scale. This can be dangerous if I'm not careful, but it also
means that Eve is the same. Last night, when I fought her, I thought it was really weird that she would only erect a barrier covering one side, but it makes sense now.
It's not that she's arrogant or whatever, she just can't do more than one side.
Sighing out, I ripped out a piece of toilet paper, cleaned myself, and flushed the toilet, standing up. I faced my large bathroom mirror, staring down a nude Aya Brea,
patches of dirt and dried blood covering her body. That's another thing: how does she erect a barrier? If she can do it, surely I can too, right? I looked down at my
hands, flexing my fingers, before I closed my eyes, concentrating, but nothing. I'm not sure what I should even concentrate on. It's simple enough when it's my own
body, but I have no idea what it feels like to shoot out lasers or erect barriers. I shook my head disappointingly, turned toward the shower, and finally stepped in, the
warm water bringing a welcome sense of relief. One step at a time, I suppose.
