Μια εβδομάδα γεμάτη συμβάντα 2.5
Taylor's POV
April 13, 2011
My House
I woke to the loud beeping of my alarm clock. Slowly opening my eyes, I turned to the direction of the sound and saw the time. 6:45 A.M, it displayed with the same dark red color as before. Letting go a drawn out sigh, I forced myself up from my comfy bed and changed into a pair of sweats.
'Time for another normal day of school. Well, as normal as it could be at Winslow.' I thought, as I put on a pair of sneakers. I slowly went out of my room and into the kitchen. Dad was already sitting at the kitchen table wearing his bathrobe.
'Nothing could have happened while I was asleep, right?' I mentally laughed and I could feel my lips curve upwards at that ridiculous thought. There was no way something could have been changed in a single night. Brockton Bay was filled with crime and villains got arrested pretty frequently, but they always came back one way or another. I broke out of that train of thought as Dad got up from the chair.
He looked more tired than usual, but that could just be my brain telling me that. He looked at me and gave me a small smile. A somewhat defeated smile, but it was still a smile nonetheless.
"Good morning, kiddo." He said, before kissing my forehead. He walked over to the fridge.
"Morning, Dad." I replied and he looked over his shoulder to me, "A little happy?"
"Mhmm."
"You sound really happy." He said.
Thinking about what he said, I guess I was. I never really had a moment where I would be okay with going to school since the Trio started bullying me. I always endured and tried to ignore what they'd say. This was one of those rare moments where I could actually do something and really act like myself without them making false rumors about me.
I nodded my head, "Yeah. I had a good dream."
There was a sizzle from the pan he was cooking with. The smell was really intoxicating. Wait, if Achilles doesn't eat or drink anything, does that mean he's never had bacon before? Did they even have bacon that early? How would it have tasted? How did they make bacon? I snapped out of those odd questions and focused on listening to Dad as he spoke.
"If you're so happy, does that mean you won't go on your run?" He asked.
I smiled slightly. His question was more of a subtle plead for me to stop running or do a safer alternative and it was really assuring in some ways but annoying at the same time. Whenever a better and safer option popped up, he was always trying to make me feel safe. It was why I didn't want to tell him about my powers, because I had no idea how he would react. Would he be supportive, make me join the Wards, or something else? I hated this indecision I had. I couldn't make decisions as well as some other heroes that I know probably could.
"You know I have to go, Dad. If I don't do it once, then I won't have the motivation to do it tomorrow and the day after."
"You have the pepper spray, right?"
I nodded in acknowledgement and felt a pang of relief. I had managed to put it in my hoodie after the fight with Lung that night. It wouldn't really help against a cape, but maybe once Achilles starts my training session again I can practice some self defense or something.
"Mind turning on the news while I'm cooking? I want to see the morning news." I complied and went to turn on the TV. The screen shifted to show the BBNN* with 'Breaking News' colored in red letters on the bottom bar. I walked back to my seat and began to watch the broadcast that was showing.
"Care to explain the situation, James?" The blonde newswoman said as the screen panned over to the other reporter.
"Why of course, Danielle. Last night, the parahumans in charge of the gang known as the 'Archer's Bridge Merchants were' all captured last night in an altercation with the newest independent cape on the scene, Rider. Here is footage from a civilian who recorded the altercation." Huh, that's pretty amazing, the Bay will be much safer now that the Merchants were taken out by...wait, WHAT!
I subtly rushed off my seat in the kitchen and went into the living room, moving closer to the TV. They showed a low-quality video of a person with green hair and covered in gold armor completely obliterating Skidmark, pinning Mush to a wall, stopping Squealer's Truck, and knocking them all out in less than a couple of minutes.
'Wait, why didn't he let me go with him?! That son of a bitch! He could have told me that he was going, at least…' I started planning on how to throttle the damn spirit for revenge as the reporter continued his debriefing.
"Information from the PRT report states "While they will not be sent to the Birdcage, they will be tried for their crimes and most likely sent to New York State Penitentiary if found guilty." That's it for this report, Danielle." The man finished with a stern expression.
"Thanks James! In other news, the Canary Birdcage Trial has slowly been pushed forwards from April 30th to April 25th* as the people discu-" I let the other news pass by, because this was not a normal day. Seriously, what the hell! Achilles just took out a whole gang in moments! Alright, maybe it was less of a gang and more of a cesspool of addicting drugs, but it was still a group of people that was causing trouble in the city!
"Dad, I'm going for my run now!" I called out to him. I vaguely heard him say 'be safe' as I ran out the door to see the person I was just thinking about. I walked up to him and Achilles turned to me with a casual expression like he had done nothing hours ago.
"Follow me while I run so we can talk" I mentally commanded. He gave me a confused look before it shifted into one of realization.
"Oh, is this is about what happened last night?" I nodded and he continued, "Alright, we'll talk while you're running." Wait, while I'm running?
At my confusion he explained, "People are going to be on the lookout for someone with green hair, either for recruitment or something else. Also, I don't gain anything from running with you in my regular form as I was summoned in my strongest state." Oh, that made much more sense. Also, that's really unfair, but I decided to keep my mouth shut about that. I nodded and started to jog, with him effortlessly jogging besides me.
"So, why didn't you tell me that you went out?" I asked. He gave me a look of seriousness.
He continued with a serious look, "I went out because…" Because? Because of what? He was trying to plant his flag as a hero? He was trying to help the Bay by getting rid of a gang?
"...I was bored." He finished lamely. Huh. Wait a minute…
"What." He went out and got rid of a gang… because he was BORED!?
I stopped running and stood underneath a tree. I began to laugh, thinking it was all a big joke. That this all started because he had nothing better to do. That he had cleared one of the most infamous gangs in the Bay because of BOREDOM. I saw his face and he wasn't laughing with me, he was just staring with that serious expression. Wait, is he actually serious?!
I mentally yelled with a look of disbelief, "You're serious!? You got rid of the Merchants because you had nothing better to do?!"
He turned to me and had the decency to look sheepish, "Well, it could have been another gang or something and the Merchants just got really unlucky."
"What do you mean unlucky?" I asked. He gave me a casual look, "Well, I could have run into the rest of the ABB or E88." he said, as if this was just a regular day in the Bay. I sighed, frustrated with this conversation.
"I give up. I'll just think to myself that you got rid of the Merchants because you could. Simple as that." He looked at me with a surprised look, as if he was expecting more from me before shrugging.
"You might want to finish your run soon. The bus leaves pretty soon, 7:45 if I remember. It's 7:30 by the way." He pointed out. Oh…shit. I immediately bolted towards my house, barely hearing Achilles burst out in laughter as he took in my misfortune.
--
Achilles' POV
April 13th, 2011
5:15 P.M
Hidden, Large and Open Clearing
"I still can't believe you lied to me earlier about the bus." Taylor complained, struggling to perform her 20th lap. Man, she really needs to increase her stamina or else she'll end up in a bad situation when she's retreating. I shrugged nonchalantly.
"I felt like you weren't running fast enough, so I decided to give you some motivation." I casually replied.
"Some motivation?! You made me run from that tree all the way to my house! That was 30 city blocks of sprinting in 4 minutes, just to be told that it was a prank!" She yelled incredulously before instantly collapsing on the beginning of her 21st lap, laying on the floor and breathing heavily. With a raised brow, I pulled her up.
"Well, would you like to try out my regular training regime?" Despite shaking her head rapidly and muttering incoherently about 'absurd physical training' I began to explain, "It may or may not include running 50 miles, performing 1000 jumping jacks, completing 500 push-ups, carrying a 10000 pound boulder over a mountain, and then-"
"I get it, this is nothing compared to what you had to do. So, I shouldn't be complaining too much." She interrupted, flinching in pain as she moved her aching leg around.
"Ugh, my muscles are in so much pain. I'm aching in places I didn't even know had muscles. My sore muscles have sores on them." She whined, sitting down on the floor. I felt the urge to say I could make her training much more strenuous, but I held back from doing so. And I now realize why Chiron took so much pleasure in my pain when I was training. This is extremely gratifying for me to watch. Either way, I suppose this is enough for now.
"Well, I guess that's enough physical training for today. For the rest of this session, just relax and focus on using your bugs again." I suggested, handing her a bottle of water. Profusely thanking me, she instantly downed all the water with greed.
"The next time we practice, I will teach you some self defense for when someone gets past your bugs. However, I don't think my style of fighting will work well for you since you lack the upper body strength for grapples and punches." I explained.
She looked at the ground with disappointment before I continued, "However, there are a couple of things that I can teach you. There are a couple of ways you can use your legs to attack in Pankration and in other styles involving legs and kicks, so I will teach that in our next session." By the time I finished my explanation, Taylor was staring at me with a hopeful expression.
"Also, I want you to train using your bugs to sense and see because I will not be going to school with you tomorrow." I stated. She looked at me with a surprised look and was going to protest before I elaborated, "I need to go to the Brockton Bay Bank and make an account so I can deposit the money we got on that night. I'd rather have a bank account made before the money gets discovered by your father."
Judging by the grimace on her face, she thought about the reaction her father would have and the questions she would get asked. There was a moment of silence afterwards, with her lips curved into a small frown and both her brows furrowed. She shook her head before turning to me.
"Yeah, I can handle being alone for tomorrow. It will be just like before, I can do it." She reluctantly agreed. I could see some indecision on her face, but if she says she can do it, I'll believe her.
I sighed in relief. This would make things so much easier. Now I hope that she won't be too mad when she realizes I'm going to stop a bank robbery. I mean, I wasn't lying when I said I was making a bank account. It was just a coincidence that I was at the bank at the same time as the Undersiders.
"Hey Taylor, I'm going to end this training session. But keep practicing your power by sensing with your bugs. It'll help you a lot when you are at Winslow tomorrow." I reminded her, she nodded and I continued. "Oh, right. I'm going to go out and see what time the bank is opens before heading back, is that alright?"
"Yeah, I guess that's fine. I'll keep practicing while you're gone." I hummed in acknowledgement and started walking off in spirit form.
--
Achilles' POV
April 13th, 2011
5:45 P.M
Boardwalk
'Man, there's a lot of payphone booths around.' I thought, looking around the city block. There were at least two payphones around every corner I went in the Boardwalk. Walking around, I found one that was isolated and empty. I went out of spirit form and quickly entered the see-through box.
Luckily, I found a phone book in Taylor's house before I went out last night and was able to find the Alcott's number. It showed their address too, but I didn't want to just show up and randomly say that their kid was about to be kidnapped. Inserting a quarter I found on the floor, I dialed in their number and waited for them to pick up. It took a few moments, but eventually someone answered.
"Hello, may I know who I am speaking to?" A man's voice says from the other side.
I quickly looked around, making sure that no one was spying on me or watching. Good, no one is here. I deepen my voice slightly, so anyone who happens to get a copy of the phone call won't be able to figure out it was me through a voice comparison.
"Hello, I am a parahuman who can see the future, and I called you to tell you that your daughter is a parahuman who is most likely going to be kidnapped soon." "How did you-" "I am going to tell you all I know about her. Dinah Alcott, twelve-years old, you took her out of school for a couple of weeks because she has been having headaches. She keeps talking about numbers and such." Good God, I sound like a grade-A stalker when I'm telling someone everything I know about them. I feel extremely wrong talking with my voice like this, but I wait for them to respond.
"Alright, besides everything you've told us, let's say that everything you say is right." Michael Alcott sounds mostly worried and extremely scared, but that makes sense. "What kind of danger is our Dinah going to be in?"
"A villain going by the name of 'Coil' will attempt to kidnap Dinah tomorrow for her power. He and I have knowledge that Dinah is a powerful precog or someone who can see the future in some way. If there is a small chance that she is one, then many people like him will attempt to kidnap your daughter and use her power to help reach their goals."
"If that's true, then why should I believe you're trying to help us?"
"I can't give you more information other than my word and I really can't make you do anything either. I'm only calling to try and prevent anything like this from happening to your daughter. And what would be the point of calling you if I were to kidnap her?"
I wait for them to respond and I can hear another voice arguing with Michael, probably Dinah's mother.
"Alright 'Thinker' if we don't want Dinah to be kidnapped, what should we do with only one day left?"
"May I speak to Dinah? She most likely has the answer to your problem." I can clearly hear them yelling at each other now, probably over her safety.
"Alright, we'll let you speak to her for a moment. But only because you are the only one who can help us at the moment." Well, damn. I didn't think they would actually let me speak to Dinah, but I guess they were convinced by all the information I told them.
I hear something moving around before I heard a voice much different from before.
"Hello," she sounds REALLY tired. Wow, I thought she'd have at least some energy, but I guess she's been using her power passively for a while now.
"Dinah, do you know what you're power can do?"
"A little bit, I can see numbers when I get asked a question."
"Do you mind answering some questions about your dillema, then?"
"Alright."
"What's the chance that you get kidnapped tomorrow if you don't do anything?"
"99.347%," she answers immediately. Well, that answers that. I can hear her parents arguing loudly in the background.
"Same thing, but if you join the PRT and Wards."
"68.928%." Well shit. I didn't think it would be higher than 40% at least, but that crosses that option off the list. There aren't many other choices, but there's a two more I can think of.
"What about if you decide to go with New Wave instead?"
"45.315%. My head is starting to hurt, so I have about one or two more questions left before it hurts."
"What if you join the new team with Weaver and Rider?" I swear by the Zeus, Hera, all the Gods above, if this is the best option…
There's a brief moment of silence, where I can only hear Dinah's parents still arguing in the background. I have no idea what Man of Mystery does to Dinah's power, but here's hoping she can give an answer.
"11.8-Uggghh, 11.821%*. I need to sit down and relax my head."
Well, shit. I think I now have a good idea on what Man of Mystery does to Coil's power, if I had to make a guess. But I really hoped it didn't come down to me helping her. If it's the best choice to help her then I guess I'll do it… and I just realized I have no definitive way to help her with this. I don't even have a secret base or anything like that to hide her at! Hmm, I might have to make a quick detour to the PRT HQ to see if the Merchant capes had capture bounties.
"Look, I appreciate everything you've done for us." Oh hello Dinah's mom, "But I think we can handle it from here. I don't know if this means much, but if you ever need help, feel free to ask and we'll be willing to help. Thanks for helping."
"Just helping as much as I can." I'm surprised that they are willing to help em, but I guess helping your daughter from being kidnapped is good enough for that. The line is cut off, leaving only empty white noise on the other end.
'Well, I guess that's that.' I thought, somewhat satisfied with this talk.
'Now where the hell is the PRT HQ?' I thought, mentally frustrated with the amount of work that I now had to accomplish tonight.
--
Information Legend
: I don't know if there's a canon news station so I decided to make one up. BBNN, also known as the Brockton Bay News Network.
: I wasn't able to find a source which showed what the canon date for the Canary trial was, so if someone is able to find a quote or something that'd be appreciated.
: I've decided that Dinah's power can work through Man of Mystery, but it will give her a massive headache upon being asked one question about Achilles. (Essentially, if she's asked one question about Achilles, it will be the same as her getting asked questions for hours on end without stopping.) If you feel like this should change slightly or if I should change how it affects other thinkers powers, let me know and I will change it. (Provided it's with a good reason, at least.)