Chapter Three - Family

The drive home was lonely for Emily. She couldn’t help but think that Carl would have been better off with her, yet she couldn’t stop him from leaving. He was gone, probably forever. But that didn’t mean that she and Brock couldn’t try and help. She was already thinking of searching for the Kenny family herself. Deep inside she hoped that by finding them she might be able to get Carl back.

We need him to fight Horizon.

Her mind raced as she sped home. She wasn’t afraid of being caught. All she cared about was helping Carl. And she couldn’t do that in a car in the middle of nowhere. She needed to get back. She didn’t care that Brock’s car wasn’t as fast. She just wanted to get home. She wanted to help Carl.

We need him to fight Horizon.

A tear rolled down her face. She could imagine him, all alone in the world. She wanted to be there with him, but she didn’t know where that was. She was lost without him, she realised.

I need him.

***

Naomi spot her next target. She had followed him from a dismal little office of Horizon’s. None of their offices were like that. None except his. She smiled to herself, hiding behind her drink. He was alone, weary. A long day at the office or relationship troubles, Naomi presumed.

Take your time girl.

She stepped up beside him. “Can I get you drink?” He shook his head. “You sure? My treat.” He laughed softly into his glass. “Last chance,” she teased. He shrugged and downed the rest of the drink. “We’ll take two of whatever he’s having,” she said to the barkeeper.

“You really don’t have to do this, Ms…”

“I’m Clare.” She shook his hand. “And you are?”

“Gerad.” He rubbed his eyes roughly. “Sorry, long day a the office.” Naomi moved in to his ear.

“I can fix that.” He pulled away slightly, shock on his face. “My treat.” With a grin he got off his seat. She left money for the drinks she’d ordered and pushed her way with him to the alley. He seemed even easier than the first guy. He was eager, even when he seemed sober. She held him tightly, rubbing her hand up and down his neck. He grew comfortable with her there and she moved her hands up behind her ears. With a sudden movement she grasped his head.

“No… please…” His eyes rolled over in his head as his mind went blank. “Please…” He collapsed to the ground.

Naomi pulled out a mobile phone. “A guy’s just collapsed. Yeah… Sycamore House. I don’t know what happened.” She hung up the phone and walked across the road to watch the events unfold. As she waited she searched his memories… childhood… first kiss… she found his job in Horizon. He was nothing more than an accountant. As the ambulance arrived she found a mental image of his wife and children. Seven children. A tear rolled down her face.

What have I done?

The ambulance drove off with the man in the back. She could hear him asking where he was.

Help me.

***

“Where are you?” Ian stood waiting outside a restaurant. He had finally asked someone out, and now he couldn’t even find her. “In the restaurant?” He turned around, phone still against his ear. The lady stood up to face him and they hung up the phones laughing. He sat down opposite her. There were two seats beside them. “Expecting someone?”

“They’re for my kids.” Ian froze on the spot. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t find a babysitter.” Two children ran up to the table and sat down. “Ian, this is Adam and Jackie. Say hi kids.” The children groaned lowly. “They’re a light shy, since their father…”

“Sorry, Jean.” He took her hand. “Hey, let’s just make the most of tonight then.” He looked into her eyes. They were framed by large, thin glasses. In the reflection he saw a tall man in a black suit. He was looking straight at him. “Just as soon as I use the toilet.” He turned to the children. “Too many fizzy drinks.” He stood up and began walking away from the table.

Why here? Why now?

The man followed him. Ian knew he would. He had to protect Jean.

“Mr Somers.” Ian stopped on the spot. “You’ll have to come with me.” He turned around. It wasn’t the same man that had chased him the day before. This man was taller, bigger. Ian tried to find a way out, but he was trapped. “You don’t have much of a choice.” The ground started shaking beneath Ian. There was nothing to use as a weapon here. Ian was defenceless… except for his powers.

“I won’t go with you.” He clenched his fists, not that it made much of a difference. The man was much bigger than him. Ian swallowed hard. The man leapt into action. He grabbed Ian’s jacket and tossed his through the bathroom door. He was stronger than Ian would have thought, probably a tribute to his abilities. Screams came from the restaurant as Ian slide into view.

“Ian!” He cursed beneath his breath. Jean had seen him. “Ian, what happened?”

“That is none of your business, woman!” The man in black yelled. The lights started flickering as the ground shook. Adam and Jackie crawled under the table whimpering. Jean stood defiantly, facing the man with scornful eyes. Ian noticed that the latter wasn’t going to take that from her. His fist was clenched hard, obviously ready to do some serious damage to the building and everyone in it.

Ian couldn’t let that happen. He leapt to his feet, pushing at the man with his mind, using his momentum to force him back. He was thrown into the air, crashing into a tray of desserts. “Get out, Jean!” The lights burst overhead, showering the diners with glass. More cries sounded as a fire started in the kitchen. “Jean!” As Ian turned back to face the man he received a punch to the gut. He fell backwards on purpose to get some distance between himself and the man.

There was a counter full of knives and forks nearby. Ian focused on them, lifting three sets into the air. They flew in formation towards the man in black. He ducked out of the way as they zoomed towards him.

Christ! These people better start leaving!

The ground shook even harder. Ian got up to his feet and leapt onto a table. He began running towards the exit to draw the fight away from the families. The man sent one strong wave of energy along the floor towards him. The tables began collapsing behind Ian at a faster pace than he was running. He leapt to the floor just as the table beneath him fell.

Ian used the table as a weapon. It soared towards the man fiercely, pinning him to the wall. Ian used this time to run out the door. He was gone before anyone could stop him.

I’m sorry Jean.

***

Emily pulled up outside the house. Brock was with her. They were at the Kenny’s house at last. They’d managed to find it when there were stories about the man who just disappeared. She let out a sigh. She had found it at last. She knocked on the door, making some last minute corrections to her jacket just as a woman opened the door.

“Yes?” She looked frightened and beyond her years. The stresses of losing Carl must have really taken their toll. “Who are you?”

“My name is Emily Quigley. I’m a friend of your son.” The woman went to close the door. “Please? I can explain everything.” Mrs Kenny opened the door for her to enter. Brock followed closely, keeping his mouth shut. “You haven’t seen him have you?”

“Seen who?” a man shouted. He was overweight, wearing a greasy vest that didn’t quite cover him. He had a five o’clock shadow on his face and a beer in his hand. “Heh? Who’s this?”

“My name is Emily, Mr Kenny. I know your son.” The man looked uninterested. “We were wondering if he’s contacted you. He’s… he’s gotten out.” Mrs Kenny looked at her anxiously. “Of Horizon. You knew didn’t you?” She shook her head. “Mrs Kenny, your son is a mutant. He was captured by Horizon. He didn’t just disappear, however typical of him that is.”

“We’ve… gotten over him,” Mrs Kenny muttered. “It’s been six years. We were told that he was gone. That there was no trace of him. They closed the case. And so did we.”

“He’s alive, Mrs Kenny! He’s looking for you!” Emily was on her feet now.

“I don’t care,” Mrs Kenny puffed. “I don’t want him anymore.” Emily turned her back on the woman, ready to leave. And it was then that she saw Carl. Tears were in his eyes just as they closed. He was gone before anyone else had seen him.

Carl…

***

Naomi found the man again. He was in hospital, sleeping. Sleeping, or drugged. She didn’t know. All she did know was that she had to return his memories. And the longer she stood there watching him sleep, the guiltier she felt. It pained her heart to see a father like that. And it was going to make her mission that much harder.

It has to be done! They'll take me again if I don‘t do it!

She opened the door to the room. There was no response from the man. She didn’t expect one either. But it would have been nice. She frowned lightly, then placed her hands on the sides of his head like before. She felt an empty mind and began to locate everything that belonged there. It flowed from her… it pained her. She bit her lip to stop herself from screaming. The man’s eyes flashed open suddenly.

“You!” he screamed with a hoarse voice. “You did this to me.” Naomi stumbled away from the bed, fear grabbing her. She was weary from the ordeal, short as it was. The man grabbed his phone as soon as he had found it. “Please! I need help. There’s a woman in my room! She tried to kill me once and now she’s back again! You have to help me!”

Naomi turned quickly and ran. A tear of blood ran from her eye. She hated the man. She hated herself.

Why must I be so weak?

***

Where are you Carl?

She and Brock had gotten back to the city hours before. They hoped Carl had gone back there too. Otherwise they were stumped. They needed him to continue fighting against Horizon. Emily needed him.

And she found him.

Sitting in a diner, the diner that he had first gone into, sat Carl Kenny. He was crying, cradling a cup of coffee in his hands, staring idly at the steam that rose from it’s contents. Emily pulled over and walked carefully up to him. He didn’t raise his eyes from the steam.

“Hi,” he mumbled.

“Hi,” she replied.

Why do you have to make this so hard, Carl?

She put her hands around his, grabbing his attention. “Carl, they didn’t mean it.” He didn’t answer her. He was lost for words. “They got used to the idea you were gone. Your dad…”

“He was always an alcoholic,” Carl whispered. “Just, not like that.”

“They missed you Carl. In the beginning they missed you. But they were told you were gone Carl. They couldn’t do anything to get you back, as much as they wanted to. You have to understand that!”

He sighed, blowing the steam apart. “But I’m alone now. No family. Nothing.”

“That’s not true, Carl.” He looked into her eyes, filled with tears that just wouldn’t come out. She couldn’t see him properly for it. “You have me. And Brock. We’re your family now.” He smiled lightly. “We… I need you, Carl.”

I love you.

***

Ian paced back and forth. He couldn’t keep doing this. Hiding from his problems. He picked up the phone and dialled Jean’s number. “Hello?” Less than two rings. “Ian?”

“I’m sorry…” he muttered, almost inaudible. “I can’t see you again, Jean. Things are… they’re dangerous. I can’t put you or the kids in danger like that. Not again.”

“But Ian! It’s okay. We can talk about-” He hung up the phone and disconnected it.

I’m sorry Jean.