Synesthesia - Chapter Seven
May. 18th, 2011 03:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dracoqueen22a/n: Sorry for the wait, my friends! I meant to get this out much sooner but I plum forgot about it. My apologies. Please enjoy!
Title: Synesthesia
Rating: T (for mild violence and language)
Description: Ethan has lived with his gift -- hearing emotions as music -- his entire life. And he's learned to cope with it. But when a serial killer makes a home in his town, and he's contacted by different groups all wanting to make use of his ability, he finds himself dragged into the thick of things. And all he wants to do is be left alone.
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Chapter Seven
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The yellow tape and flashing lights were Ethan's second clue that something was wrong. The numerous police cars – probably half of Valda's entire force – were his third clue. And the fact that he easily found a parking space first thing on a Monday morning at a university where parking was rare was his first clue. In fact, it was the clearest sign.
“This is unexpected,” Jaiden commented as Ethan threw the car into park.
He had been unable to rid himself of the aerokinetic, though admittedly, Jaiden's presence wasn't that irritating. He kept to himself, rarely spoke unless necessary, and cooked a mean plate of buttermilk pancakes of all things. Or so he and Dray had come to learn that morning, much to Mrs. Kusch's – Dray's cook – distress. Ethan resigned himself to the bodyguard, even though he hadn't seen hide nor hint of Taylor since the first attack.
Ethan craned an arm behind the passenger seat, rooting around for his school bag off the back seat. “I wish I could be more surprised,” he muttered with a sigh, a half-suspicion growing in his mind.
He exited the car, slamming the door shut behind him, and nearly stumbled under the force of the emotions that crowded against his senses. Fear and curiosity and... was that awe? Ethan was vaguely disturbed by the last. The emotions fumbled for space, loud and noisy, like the press of a crowd at a rock concert, guitars screaming and bass pounding from the speakers hard enough to feel it in your feet.
Ethan winced, sucking in a breath. His shields were shit. He wasn't sure what Mel was talking about, since they couldn't even block him against this.
The crowd was to blame, pushing against the outer perimeter of yellow tape and craning their necks to see what was going on. A human's absurd drive to see the gruesome pushing them to seek out the goriest scene or car wreck. Their excitement pulsed at his brain and he unconsciously lifted a hand, rubbing at his forehead.
“Loud?” Jaiden asked, his voice toned down, likely for the sake of Ethan's ringing ears.
“I can handle it,” Ethan muttered, and slung his bag over his shoulder, approaching the crowd.
While some still strained to see, others only cast the occasional look as they broke off into rumor-building groups of two and three. Even for his height, Ethan could barely see the yellow tape over the sea of people. A few police uniforms were noticeable here and there, and it was obvious they were searching for something. But as for what had occurred, he could see nothing. He would have to ask.
“What's going on?” Ethan asked loudly, managing to catch the attention of a trio of students to his left.
One of the girls, a crimped curls brunette, turned to face him. “Another murder,” she explained, and then shuddered. Though her distaste didn't prevent her from craning her neck to try and discern more of the situation.
A feeling of discomfort settled low in Ethan's belly. “Where?”
“At the amphitheater,” the other female of the group answered, tucking strands of blond hair behind ears ringed with several hoops. “They won't tell us much else though.” She frowned, her lips forming a pout of annoyance.
Curly Hair shivered noticeably. “It's creepy, all these killings.”
“I think it's almost poetic,” another voice interjected from the side, practically radiating the immense awe that Ethan had picked up just a minute earlier.
Shifting his gaze, Ethan found one of his classmates standing there, wringing his hands together as he strained to see over the much taller crowd. Dark hair – dyed black no doubt – clashed terribly with his pale face, and brown eyes darted around as though nervous. Ethan recognized him from one of his lit classes, though the other student usually kept to the back of the class.
He tossed the boy a strange look, edging a few steps away. “Right, Stephen. Whatever you say.” Stephen really crept Ethan out, which only had part to do with the oddity of emotions he sensed from the other student.
Ethan moved another step away, hoping to attract the attention of the more normal – if not annoying – females. “What about classes?”
Earrings shrugged. “Canceled.”
“All of them?” Ethan questioned in shock. “Even Dr. McKenzie's?” He felt he was holding an inordinate amount of hope for the latter. Dr. McKenzie wouldn't cancel unless a volcano suddenly came to life in the middle of campus, or dinosaurs raged through the library.
Curly Hair grinned, displaying a mouth full of braces. “Yep,” she confirmed brightly, only to wag her finger at him, topped with bright pink nails. “Except he still wants that paper. I went by his office to check.”
Ethan groaned. “Figures.” The three women, however, were apparently done with the conversation as they chatted amongst themselves, dismissing Ethan. This was fine with him; he had all the info he needed already.
He glanced once more toward the roped off area before pushing his way out of the crowd, a task much easier than the other way around.
“The serial killer again?” Jaiden asked, voice low and uncomfortably close as he stayed pressed to Ethan' side.
“Probably,” Ethan said and couldn't stop the uneasy feeling that coiled inside of him. “Either way, I still have to turn this paper in.”
Jaiden made an odd gesture, as though to say lead on and Ethan moved further into campus. Sidewalks wove around buildings and landscaped plots. The inner campus was deserted compared to the madness focused in front of the library.
Dr. McKenzie's office was on the grand floor of the History building and Ethan found his mailbox with little trouble. Already the small box was crammed with papers. At least he didn't have to endure class though now he had nowhere to go. Ethan certainly didn't want to return to Darryl's house.
“You really don't have anything better to do?” Ethan asked as they left Sirrine Hall and headed back to the lost where Ethan had parked.
“Until otherwise ordered, you are my assignment,” Jaiden said tightly, his voice betraying his growing irritation. “So while I have things I'd rather be doing, my duty dictates what I must do.”
“Huh. Well, that sucks.”
The corner of Jaiden's mouth curled upward. “Indeed.”
The crowd had somewhat thinned, through the buzz of curiosity still whistled through Ethan's ears. He wanted nothing more than distance. And maybe half a bottle of Advil.
“What now?” Jaiden asked as they arrived at Ethan's Honda and he unlocked the doors.
Ethan pondered. “Maybe they've cleared my apartment,” he suggested hopefully. Though it was a longshot. He hated depending on others.
Jaiden didn't argue. In the odd silence of his car, Ethan resorted to playing the radio. His talent had always been a running static in the back of his mind and Jaiden's silence was unnerving. He'd rather listen to My Heart Will Go On on constant repeat than the jarring quiet.
Of course, his uneasiness might also be borne of recent events. Taylor's attack and a murder on campus... maybe there really was a serial killer in Vaula. Maybe Ethan had reason to be unnerved.
o0o0o
The police tape was gone, but the hallway still smelled of smoke. It was sharp and pungent in Ethan's nose. The hope that his apartment was free died a quick death at the note taped on his door.
Crime Scene. Do not enter under penalty of law. Big bold and yellow, he could hardly ignore the warning.
Frustrated, Ethan turned away and headed for the landlord's office. Mrs. Lazer was always available, thinking of herself as a mother rather than a landlord. Maybe she could do something, convince the police to wrap up their investigation. Ethan really didn't want to move back home until he could find a new place.
Behind him, Jaiden followed, a silent shadow, Ethan's personal bodyguard. Who'd he piss off to get stuck with this suck-ass assignment?
True to form, the moment Ethan stepped into Mrs. Lazer's office, he was whisked away into a private chat. Jaiden came along, but Mrs. Lazer hardly noticed him, her genuine concern and regret pouring off her like the sorrowful sound of a mourner's violin. Think Titanic and the song the band played to the end.
“I'm so sorry, Ethan,” Mrs. Lazer said, her white hair in frizzy curls as she bustled about her office. “But Captain McDowell is being so unreasonable. So long as the Fire Department’s investigation is pending, he says you can't use your apartment. Cookie?”
She held out a tray with various homemade desserts. Ethan's mouth watered at the sight of the peanut butter ones and he helped himself. Mrs. Lazer made the best cookies. From scratch, too. None of that pre-mixed batter.
“Did he say how long it would take?”
She frowned, contemplating, and then turned to offer Jaiden a cookie as well. “Don't be shy, dear,” she encouraged. “And with the entire force worried about that serial killer, they're not too worried about what's probably an accident.”
It wasn't an accident. Anyone with two eyes could see the damage hadn't been made by a malfunctioning TV set. Ethan shifted uneasily, biting into the moist cookie to hide his discomfort.
“So what are we talking? Days? Weeks?” Ethan swallowed down a lump of cookie. “Months?” Dear God, he hoped not. He couldn’t live back home that long.
Mrs. Lazer clucked her tongue. “Don't worry, Ethan. I've an empty unit since Kate Paterson got married. You can take it until this whole matter's straightened out.”
For the life of him, Ethan couldn't remember who Kate Paterson was. “That's really nice of you,” he said weakly, too thrilled to care he was possibly taking advantage of Mrs. Lazer's ignorance.
She grinned, waving him off. “It's no trouble at all. It's even got an extra bedroom for when your friend visits. What's his name? Adrian?”
Well, close enough.
It sounded like a pretty sweet deal except...
“Two bedrooms have a higher rent,” Ethan protested, as though Mrs. Lazer had somehow forgotten her own rates.
“I know. But don't worry. Yours won't change.” Mrs. Lazer plucked one of her own cookies from the plate as she winked. “Mrs. Lazer always takes care of her own.”
With such an offer, how could Ethan refuse? It seemed more than generous. And it meant he wouldn’t have to be the awkward, half-grown son lurking around his stepfather's house.
“Okay,” Ethan agreed.
“Excellent.” She clasped his hand warmly, like the grandmother Ethan couldn't remember. “Then come by tomorrow to sign the paperwork and pick up the key. Yes?”
Ethan smiled, thanked her for the cookies, and politely declined her invitation to watch When Harry Met Sally with her. Jaiden, amusedly, could not escape without a hug, lipstick smudged kiss to the cheek ,and an armful of cookies in a Ziploc baggie. Ethan was very amused by this as he and his so-called bodyguard returned to the car.
Only to have an unpleasant surprise waiting for him, slightly more welcome than another visit by Taylor. But not by much.
“I thought you had given up on stalking me,” Ethan said as he approached his car and Melanie who was perched on the hood like an unauthorized ornament, bright lollipop clutched in her fingers.
She grinned, smacking her lips noisily as the lollipop came free. “Temporarily. I do have other cases you know.”
“Get off my car,” Ethan snapped, his patience reaching its end.
Mel slid off obediently, hands raised in surrender. “Okay. Touchy. All I want to do is talk. Is that too much to ask?”
“Ethan doesn't have time to speak with the likes of you,” Jaiden said lowly, brown eyes narrowing into thin slits of distaste. His fingers twitched, as though anxious to draw upon his abilities.
Melanie squared her jaw. “Back up there, Ektos. I've the same right to be here as you,” she retorted, drawing herself to her full height.
Ethan promptly ignored both of them, jabbing his key into the lock. Maybe he could escape without either crazy Kinetic noticing.
But before he could slide into the driver's seat, silence swept through his senses, like drowning him in ice water or dropping him into a vacuum. Mel had grabbed his arm. Ethan jerked away from her as if burned, heart thudding in his chest.
“Don't touch me,” he hissed, ridiculously relieved when the droning background of emotions returned, muffled because of distance, but still there.
He really didn't like the silence.
“Sorry.” She at least had the grace to look apologetic. “It's just... could you listen to me? For a minute?”
Ethan slammed the car door shut, putting a few feet of distance between them. “You’re not going to leave me alone until I do, are you?”
“Nope!” Mel declared cheerfully, her tongue an odd cherry red. “I can be pretty stubborn.”
“I noticed,” Ethan muttered dryly and leaned against the car, crossing his arms. “Fine. Speak.”
Jaiden, he noticed, had fallen quiet in the background. Obviously he didn't consider Melanie a legitimate threat, just an annoying distraction.
Mel's eyes cut to the aerokinetic before returning to Ethan. “All right, so, you remember why I came last time, right?”
“To join your group. Bask-whatever.”
“Baskania,” she corrected with a nod, her youthful face twisting into something that resembled seriousness. “That offer still stands.”
Ethan snorted. “You haven't even told me what Baskania is. You think I'm so ignorant that I'd say yes without asking?”
“No...” Mel faltered.
“Then what is it?”
“Mercenaries,” Jaiden answered lowly, tone filled with disgust. “Baskania is nothing but soldiers and killers for hire. To the highest bidder.”
Ethan's insides went cold, even as Melanie shot Jaiden a childish, disapproving stare.”That's not what we are,” she hissed, losing some of her composure.
Jaiden snorted. “Maybe not entirely. But your boss is in it for profit. He's just using Kinetics like tools, objects to be thrown away. He doesn't even think us human.”
It was starting to sound... personal. Ethan's eyes darted between the two Kinetics as their discussion escalated.
“What would you know, boy scout?” Mel spat, eyes lighting with fury. “You think Ektos is so pure? How many Kinetics has your boss killed for the greater good?”
Jadien's tone was like ice, betraying nothing. “All were legitimate threats, previously captured as criminals and judged as such. Our hands are clean of innocent blood which is more than I can say for you.”
Mel's face shifted from pale white to crimson with fury. She took a menacing step forward and Ethan had to interfere. Their little spat had gone on long enough.
“Okay,” he said, sliding smoothly between them with hands raised. He half-expected fists (or powers) to fly at any moment. “You hate each other. I get it. I'm still not joining your groups. I just want to be left alone.” A seemingly impossible request.
Mel's gaze skipped past him, focused accusingly on Jaiden. “And yet you allow Ektos to stay at your side,” she spat.
“Because I'm an Empath and apparently, some freak pyromaniac wants to kill me,” Ethan spat, fed up with this nonsense. “Jaiden sticks around by his own choice. I'm joining no one.”
His words rang sharply in the following silence, echoing with finality.
“I could help you,” Mel said after clearing his throat. “I can watch for him. I can--”
“No,” Ethan said, waving his hand sharply to cut her off. “One Kinetic is enough for me. Jaiden, if you're coming, get in the car.”
Jaiden smirked, turning back toward the passenger side. He wisely refrained from speaking, leaving Ethan to dismiss Melanie.
“I gave you your minute,” Ethan said, stepping around Melanie and reaching for his door. “You failed to convince me. Now will you please leave me alone?”
Melanie pouted, but jerked her head into a nod. “I'll stop following you,” she said sullenly, “but don't think this solves anything.”
“If I did, that would have been too easy,” Ethan grumbled and climbed into his car, slamming the door shut. For good measure, he also threw the lock.
Mel was smart enough to step away from the Honda as Ethan whipped out of the parking space. Annoyance made him a more careless driver as he fought to both calm himself and follow the speed limit. A moment of indecision – his house or Dray's – had him making a quick U-Turn as he whipped the car toward Baltimore Heights. He didn't feel like facing family at the moment.
Jaiden was wise enough to keep quiet – not that he was chatty in the first place – leaving Ethan to fume in peace.
Until the jangling noise of a cell phone broke the tense atmosphere. Ethan didn't own one so of course he looked at Jaiden expectantly.
“Sorry,” the aerokinetic said, unclipping a basic black cell from his belt. “Do you mind if I...?”
Ethan jerked his attention back to the road. “Why would I?” he retorted, purely rhetorical.
Jaiden blinked, confused but opted to answer the call nonetheless. “Yeah?”
Even with the distance between them, Ethan could hear yelling through the speaker. Jaiden winced, holding the phone away from his ear. The words were indistinguishable to Ethan but the volume was quite enough.
“I'm with him as we speak.”
Despite knowing better, Ethan blatantly eavesdropped. He kept one ear on the conversation and both eyes on the road.
“No, but there are other factors. Both Baskania and Kryptos have made their move.”
Ethan surmised that the caller was Jaiden's boss and she did not sound pleased. In fact, livid best described her tone of voice.
“They sent Taylor... Yes, I know.”
Jaiden was starting to sound frustrated, his eyes cutting to Ethan before focusing on the nearly deserted street.
“What?”
Abruptly, the aerokinetic leaned forward, both shocked and distressed.
“But I--”
Jaiden's mouth clamped shut, his boss clearly giving orders though Ethan still couldn't discern the words.
“That's impossible,” Jaiden retorted, lips pressed into a thin line. “This certainly complicates matters.” A pause. “No, don't send Shayera. I can handle it.” Another pause where Jaiden's brows knit together. “Yes. I understand.”
Final words poured through the receiver and then the call ended with a cheerful, midi chirp. Jaiden glared at his phone before he tucked it away, looking both troubled and perturbed. Ethan's manners only lasted long enough for him to decide which question was more important.
“What was that about?”
Propping his elbow against the window, Jaiden rubbed his forehead with his fingers. “There's a serial killer in Vaula.”
Ethan scoffed. “Tell me something I don't know.”
“He or she is a Kinetic.”
He almost slammed on the brakes. As it were, Ethan's heart leapt into his throat. If he hadn't been driving, he would have stared at the other man. “What? How do you know?”
“Ektos has better sources than the police department. Those deaths are not caused by bombs.” Jaiden sighed. “They want me to bring you in, for your own safety.”
“Fuck no,” Ethan said without hesitation.
Jaiden's free hand waved through the air, a small puff of wind making the tree-shaped air freshener dance. “That's what I told them.”
Ethan's frown deepened. “Mel said I wasn't her only target,” he commented. “Would she try to recruit this other Kinetic?”
“Maybe. Baskania is a military organization after all.” Jaiden shook his head. “They want me to try and find the Kinetic as well.”
“Good luck with that.” Ethan snorted. He sounded flippant but he felt agitated, his hands flexing on the steering wheel.
“For now, Taylor is a threat. I'll worry about the other Kinetic later.”
Ethan hated the relief that surged through him. For all his bluff, Ethan wasn't stupid. He knew that if Taylor came after him again, Ethan wouldn't be able to defend himself. He needed Jaiden if he wanted to live.
Anxiety made Ethan swallow thickly; he changed the subject. “I have to work tomorrow. Are you going to follow me or...?”
“You won't even know I'm there,” Jaiden reassured and formed a sphere of air between his hands, tossing it from one to the other. “Taylor's crazy enough to do something in public. He likes the attention.”
All bad news for Ethan.
Then again, considering his luck as of late, what wasn't?
* * *
a/n: And the plot thickens!
Good news! This story is actually complete. All I've got to do now is type it up, edit it, and then figure out what needs to be written. So chapters will speed up as soon as I get it all typed up. Huzzah!
As always, feedback is welcome and appreciated.
Previous Chapter I Next Chapter
Title: Synesthesia
Rating: T (for mild violence and language)
Description: Ethan has lived with his gift -- hearing emotions as music -- his entire life. And he's learned to cope with it. But when a serial killer makes a home in his town, and he's contacted by different groups all wanting to make use of his ability, he finds himself dragged into the thick of things. And all he wants to do is be left alone.
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Chapter Seven
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The yellow tape and flashing lights were Ethan's second clue that something was wrong. The numerous police cars – probably half of Valda's entire force – were his third clue. And the fact that he easily found a parking space first thing on a Monday morning at a university where parking was rare was his first clue. In fact, it was the clearest sign.
“This is unexpected,” Jaiden commented as Ethan threw the car into park.
He had been unable to rid himself of the aerokinetic, though admittedly, Jaiden's presence wasn't that irritating. He kept to himself, rarely spoke unless necessary, and cooked a mean plate of buttermilk pancakes of all things. Or so he and Dray had come to learn that morning, much to Mrs. Kusch's – Dray's cook – distress. Ethan resigned himself to the bodyguard, even though he hadn't seen hide nor hint of Taylor since the first attack.
Ethan craned an arm behind the passenger seat, rooting around for his school bag off the back seat. “I wish I could be more surprised,” he muttered with a sigh, a half-suspicion growing in his mind.
He exited the car, slamming the door shut behind him, and nearly stumbled under the force of the emotions that crowded against his senses. Fear and curiosity and... was that awe? Ethan was vaguely disturbed by the last. The emotions fumbled for space, loud and noisy, like the press of a crowd at a rock concert, guitars screaming and bass pounding from the speakers hard enough to feel it in your feet.
Ethan winced, sucking in a breath. His shields were shit. He wasn't sure what Mel was talking about, since they couldn't even block him against this.
The crowd was to blame, pushing against the outer perimeter of yellow tape and craning their necks to see what was going on. A human's absurd drive to see the gruesome pushing them to seek out the goriest scene or car wreck. Their excitement pulsed at his brain and he unconsciously lifted a hand, rubbing at his forehead.
“Loud?” Jaiden asked, his voice toned down, likely for the sake of Ethan's ringing ears.
“I can handle it,” Ethan muttered, and slung his bag over his shoulder, approaching the crowd.
While some still strained to see, others only cast the occasional look as they broke off into rumor-building groups of two and three. Even for his height, Ethan could barely see the yellow tape over the sea of people. A few police uniforms were noticeable here and there, and it was obvious they were searching for something. But as for what had occurred, he could see nothing. He would have to ask.
“What's going on?” Ethan asked loudly, managing to catch the attention of a trio of students to his left.
One of the girls, a crimped curls brunette, turned to face him. “Another murder,” she explained, and then shuddered. Though her distaste didn't prevent her from craning her neck to try and discern more of the situation.
A feeling of discomfort settled low in Ethan's belly. “Where?”
“At the amphitheater,” the other female of the group answered, tucking strands of blond hair behind ears ringed with several hoops. “They won't tell us much else though.” She frowned, her lips forming a pout of annoyance.
Curly Hair shivered noticeably. “It's creepy, all these killings.”
“I think it's almost poetic,” another voice interjected from the side, practically radiating the immense awe that Ethan had picked up just a minute earlier.
Shifting his gaze, Ethan found one of his classmates standing there, wringing his hands together as he strained to see over the much taller crowd. Dark hair – dyed black no doubt – clashed terribly with his pale face, and brown eyes darted around as though nervous. Ethan recognized him from one of his lit classes, though the other student usually kept to the back of the class.
He tossed the boy a strange look, edging a few steps away. “Right, Stephen. Whatever you say.” Stephen really crept Ethan out, which only had part to do with the oddity of emotions he sensed from the other student.
Ethan moved another step away, hoping to attract the attention of the more normal – if not annoying – females. “What about classes?”
Earrings shrugged. “Canceled.”
“All of them?” Ethan questioned in shock. “Even Dr. McKenzie's?” He felt he was holding an inordinate amount of hope for the latter. Dr. McKenzie wouldn't cancel unless a volcano suddenly came to life in the middle of campus, or dinosaurs raged through the library.
Curly Hair grinned, displaying a mouth full of braces. “Yep,” she confirmed brightly, only to wag her finger at him, topped with bright pink nails. “Except he still wants that paper. I went by his office to check.”
Ethan groaned. “Figures.” The three women, however, were apparently done with the conversation as they chatted amongst themselves, dismissing Ethan. This was fine with him; he had all the info he needed already.
He glanced once more toward the roped off area before pushing his way out of the crowd, a task much easier than the other way around.
“The serial killer again?” Jaiden asked, voice low and uncomfortably close as he stayed pressed to Ethan' side.
“Probably,” Ethan said and couldn't stop the uneasy feeling that coiled inside of him. “Either way, I still have to turn this paper in.”
Jaiden made an odd gesture, as though to say lead on and Ethan moved further into campus. Sidewalks wove around buildings and landscaped plots. The inner campus was deserted compared to the madness focused in front of the library.
Dr. McKenzie's office was on the grand floor of the History building and Ethan found his mailbox with little trouble. Already the small box was crammed with papers. At least he didn't have to endure class though now he had nowhere to go. Ethan certainly didn't want to return to Darryl's house.
“You really don't have anything better to do?” Ethan asked as they left Sirrine Hall and headed back to the lost where Ethan had parked.
“Until otherwise ordered, you are my assignment,” Jaiden said tightly, his voice betraying his growing irritation. “So while I have things I'd rather be doing, my duty dictates what I must do.”
“Huh. Well, that sucks.”
The corner of Jaiden's mouth curled upward. “Indeed.”
The crowd had somewhat thinned, through the buzz of curiosity still whistled through Ethan's ears. He wanted nothing more than distance. And maybe half a bottle of Advil.
“What now?” Jaiden asked as they arrived at Ethan's Honda and he unlocked the doors.
Ethan pondered. “Maybe they've cleared my apartment,” he suggested hopefully. Though it was a longshot. He hated depending on others.
Jaiden didn't argue. In the odd silence of his car, Ethan resorted to playing the radio. His talent had always been a running static in the back of his mind and Jaiden's silence was unnerving. He'd rather listen to My Heart Will Go On on constant repeat than the jarring quiet.
Of course, his uneasiness might also be borne of recent events. Taylor's attack and a murder on campus... maybe there really was a serial killer in Vaula. Maybe Ethan had reason to be unnerved.
The police tape was gone, but the hallway still smelled of smoke. It was sharp and pungent in Ethan's nose. The hope that his apartment was free died a quick death at the note taped on his door.
Crime Scene. Do not enter under penalty of law. Big bold and yellow, he could hardly ignore the warning.
Frustrated, Ethan turned away and headed for the landlord's office. Mrs. Lazer was always available, thinking of herself as a mother rather than a landlord. Maybe she could do something, convince the police to wrap up their investigation. Ethan really didn't want to move back home until he could find a new place.
Behind him, Jaiden followed, a silent shadow, Ethan's personal bodyguard. Who'd he piss off to get stuck with this suck-ass assignment?
True to form, the moment Ethan stepped into Mrs. Lazer's office, he was whisked away into a private chat. Jaiden came along, but Mrs. Lazer hardly noticed him, her genuine concern and regret pouring off her like the sorrowful sound of a mourner's violin. Think Titanic and the song the band played to the end.
“I'm so sorry, Ethan,” Mrs. Lazer said, her white hair in frizzy curls as she bustled about her office. “But Captain McDowell is being so unreasonable. So long as the Fire Department’s investigation is pending, he says you can't use your apartment. Cookie?”
She held out a tray with various homemade desserts. Ethan's mouth watered at the sight of the peanut butter ones and he helped himself. Mrs. Lazer made the best cookies. From scratch, too. None of that pre-mixed batter.
“Did he say how long it would take?”
She frowned, contemplating, and then turned to offer Jaiden a cookie as well. “Don't be shy, dear,” she encouraged. “And with the entire force worried about that serial killer, they're not too worried about what's probably an accident.”
It wasn't an accident. Anyone with two eyes could see the damage hadn't been made by a malfunctioning TV set. Ethan shifted uneasily, biting into the moist cookie to hide his discomfort.
“So what are we talking? Days? Weeks?” Ethan swallowed down a lump of cookie. “Months?” Dear God, he hoped not. He couldn’t live back home that long.
Mrs. Lazer clucked her tongue. “Don't worry, Ethan. I've an empty unit since Kate Paterson got married. You can take it until this whole matter's straightened out.”
For the life of him, Ethan couldn't remember who Kate Paterson was. “That's really nice of you,” he said weakly, too thrilled to care he was possibly taking advantage of Mrs. Lazer's ignorance.
She grinned, waving him off. “It's no trouble at all. It's even got an extra bedroom for when your friend visits. What's his name? Adrian?”
Well, close enough.
It sounded like a pretty sweet deal except...
“Two bedrooms have a higher rent,” Ethan protested, as though Mrs. Lazer had somehow forgotten her own rates.
“I know. But don't worry. Yours won't change.” Mrs. Lazer plucked one of her own cookies from the plate as she winked. “Mrs. Lazer always takes care of her own.”
With such an offer, how could Ethan refuse? It seemed more than generous. And it meant he wouldn’t have to be the awkward, half-grown son lurking around his stepfather's house.
“Okay,” Ethan agreed.
“Excellent.” She clasped his hand warmly, like the grandmother Ethan couldn't remember. “Then come by tomorrow to sign the paperwork and pick up the key. Yes?”
Ethan smiled, thanked her for the cookies, and politely declined her invitation to watch When Harry Met Sally with her. Jaiden, amusedly, could not escape without a hug, lipstick smudged kiss to the cheek ,and an armful of cookies in a Ziploc baggie. Ethan was very amused by this as he and his so-called bodyguard returned to the car.
Only to have an unpleasant surprise waiting for him, slightly more welcome than another visit by Taylor. But not by much.
“I thought you had given up on stalking me,” Ethan said as he approached his car and Melanie who was perched on the hood like an unauthorized ornament, bright lollipop clutched in her fingers.
She grinned, smacking her lips noisily as the lollipop came free. “Temporarily. I do have other cases you know.”
“Get off my car,” Ethan snapped, his patience reaching its end.
Mel slid off obediently, hands raised in surrender. “Okay. Touchy. All I want to do is talk. Is that too much to ask?”
“Ethan doesn't have time to speak with the likes of you,” Jaiden said lowly, brown eyes narrowing into thin slits of distaste. His fingers twitched, as though anxious to draw upon his abilities.
Melanie squared her jaw. “Back up there, Ektos. I've the same right to be here as you,” she retorted, drawing herself to her full height.
Ethan promptly ignored both of them, jabbing his key into the lock. Maybe he could escape without either crazy Kinetic noticing.
But before he could slide into the driver's seat, silence swept through his senses, like drowning him in ice water or dropping him into a vacuum. Mel had grabbed his arm. Ethan jerked away from her as if burned, heart thudding in his chest.
“Don't touch me,” he hissed, ridiculously relieved when the droning background of emotions returned, muffled because of distance, but still there.
He really didn't like the silence.
“Sorry.” She at least had the grace to look apologetic. “It's just... could you listen to me? For a minute?”
Ethan slammed the car door shut, putting a few feet of distance between them. “You’re not going to leave me alone until I do, are you?”
“Nope!” Mel declared cheerfully, her tongue an odd cherry red. “I can be pretty stubborn.”
“I noticed,” Ethan muttered dryly and leaned against the car, crossing his arms. “Fine. Speak.”
Jaiden, he noticed, had fallen quiet in the background. Obviously he didn't consider Melanie a legitimate threat, just an annoying distraction.
Mel's eyes cut to the aerokinetic before returning to Ethan. “All right, so, you remember why I came last time, right?”
“To join your group. Bask-whatever.”
“Baskania,” she corrected with a nod, her youthful face twisting into something that resembled seriousness. “That offer still stands.”
Ethan snorted. “You haven't even told me what Baskania is. You think I'm so ignorant that I'd say yes without asking?”
“No...” Mel faltered.
“Then what is it?”
“Mercenaries,” Jaiden answered lowly, tone filled with disgust. “Baskania is nothing but soldiers and killers for hire. To the highest bidder.”
Ethan's insides went cold, even as Melanie shot Jaiden a childish, disapproving stare.”That's not what we are,” she hissed, losing some of her composure.
Jaiden snorted. “Maybe not entirely. But your boss is in it for profit. He's just using Kinetics like tools, objects to be thrown away. He doesn't even think us human.”
It was starting to sound... personal. Ethan's eyes darted between the two Kinetics as their discussion escalated.
“What would you know, boy scout?” Mel spat, eyes lighting with fury. “You think Ektos is so pure? How many Kinetics has your boss killed for the greater good?”
Jadien's tone was like ice, betraying nothing. “All were legitimate threats, previously captured as criminals and judged as such. Our hands are clean of innocent blood which is more than I can say for you.”
Mel's face shifted from pale white to crimson with fury. She took a menacing step forward and Ethan had to interfere. Their little spat had gone on long enough.
“Okay,” he said, sliding smoothly between them with hands raised. He half-expected fists (or powers) to fly at any moment. “You hate each other. I get it. I'm still not joining your groups. I just want to be left alone.” A seemingly impossible request.
Mel's gaze skipped past him, focused accusingly on Jaiden. “And yet you allow Ektos to stay at your side,” she spat.
“Because I'm an Empath and apparently, some freak pyromaniac wants to kill me,” Ethan spat, fed up with this nonsense. “Jaiden sticks around by his own choice. I'm joining no one.”
His words rang sharply in the following silence, echoing with finality.
“I could help you,” Mel said after clearing his throat. “I can watch for him. I can--”
“No,” Ethan said, waving his hand sharply to cut her off. “One Kinetic is enough for me. Jaiden, if you're coming, get in the car.”
Jaiden smirked, turning back toward the passenger side. He wisely refrained from speaking, leaving Ethan to dismiss Melanie.
“I gave you your minute,” Ethan said, stepping around Melanie and reaching for his door. “You failed to convince me. Now will you please leave me alone?”
Melanie pouted, but jerked her head into a nod. “I'll stop following you,” she said sullenly, “but don't think this solves anything.”
“If I did, that would have been too easy,” Ethan grumbled and climbed into his car, slamming the door shut. For good measure, he also threw the lock.
Mel was smart enough to step away from the Honda as Ethan whipped out of the parking space. Annoyance made him a more careless driver as he fought to both calm himself and follow the speed limit. A moment of indecision – his house or Dray's – had him making a quick U-Turn as he whipped the car toward Baltimore Heights. He didn't feel like facing family at the moment.
Jaiden was wise enough to keep quiet – not that he was chatty in the first place – leaving Ethan to fume in peace.
Until the jangling noise of a cell phone broke the tense atmosphere. Ethan didn't own one so of course he looked at Jaiden expectantly.
“Sorry,” the aerokinetic said, unclipping a basic black cell from his belt. “Do you mind if I...?”
Ethan jerked his attention back to the road. “Why would I?” he retorted, purely rhetorical.
Jaiden blinked, confused but opted to answer the call nonetheless. “Yeah?”
Even with the distance between them, Ethan could hear yelling through the speaker. Jaiden winced, holding the phone away from his ear. The words were indistinguishable to Ethan but the volume was quite enough.
“I'm with him as we speak.”
Despite knowing better, Ethan blatantly eavesdropped. He kept one ear on the conversation and both eyes on the road.
“No, but there are other factors. Both Baskania and Kryptos have made their move.”
Ethan surmised that the caller was Jaiden's boss and she did not sound pleased. In fact, livid best described her tone of voice.
“They sent Taylor... Yes, I know.”
Jaiden was starting to sound frustrated, his eyes cutting to Ethan before focusing on the nearly deserted street.
“What?”
Abruptly, the aerokinetic leaned forward, both shocked and distressed.
“But I--”
Jaiden's mouth clamped shut, his boss clearly giving orders though Ethan still couldn't discern the words.
“That's impossible,” Jaiden retorted, lips pressed into a thin line. “This certainly complicates matters.” A pause. “No, don't send Shayera. I can handle it.” Another pause where Jaiden's brows knit together. “Yes. I understand.”
Final words poured through the receiver and then the call ended with a cheerful, midi chirp. Jaiden glared at his phone before he tucked it away, looking both troubled and perturbed. Ethan's manners only lasted long enough for him to decide which question was more important.
“What was that about?”
Propping his elbow against the window, Jaiden rubbed his forehead with his fingers. “There's a serial killer in Vaula.”
Ethan scoffed. “Tell me something I don't know.”
“He or she is a Kinetic.”
He almost slammed on the brakes. As it were, Ethan's heart leapt into his throat. If he hadn't been driving, he would have stared at the other man. “What? How do you know?”
“Ektos has better sources than the police department. Those deaths are not caused by bombs.” Jaiden sighed. “They want me to bring you in, for your own safety.”
“Fuck no,” Ethan said without hesitation.
Jaiden's free hand waved through the air, a small puff of wind making the tree-shaped air freshener dance. “That's what I told them.”
Ethan's frown deepened. “Mel said I wasn't her only target,” he commented. “Would she try to recruit this other Kinetic?”
“Maybe. Baskania is a military organization after all.” Jaiden shook his head. “They want me to try and find the Kinetic as well.”
“Good luck with that.” Ethan snorted. He sounded flippant but he felt agitated, his hands flexing on the steering wheel.
“For now, Taylor is a threat. I'll worry about the other Kinetic later.”
Ethan hated the relief that surged through him. For all his bluff, Ethan wasn't stupid. He knew that if Taylor came after him again, Ethan wouldn't be able to defend himself. He needed Jaiden if he wanted to live.
Anxiety made Ethan swallow thickly; he changed the subject. “I have to work tomorrow. Are you going to follow me or...?”
“You won't even know I'm there,” Jaiden reassured and formed a sphere of air between his hands, tossing it from one to the other. “Taylor's crazy enough to do something in public. He likes the attention.”
All bad news for Ethan.
Then again, considering his luck as of late, what wasn't?
a/n: And the plot thickens!
Good news! This story is actually complete. All I've got to do now is type it up, edit it, and then figure out what needs to be written. So chapters will speed up as soon as I get it all typed up. Huzzah!
As always, feedback is welcome and appreciated.
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