- 2 AM, Day 2 -
Parksville, Erbaine
Palisade National Park
Lui's Cabin

Luisana padded toward the cabin door, her paws thudding on the wooden floor. There was a wooden plaque with a couple of hooks on it. Jumping up with her forepaws, Lui pulled the key chain down.

She exited the cabin and ran towards the garage. Once at the door, she turned and waited for the others.

Day 2: Arida

The Convent

Romano glared across the surgical suite at Julietta.

"Pull yourself together, will ya? This girl is DYING," he hissed as he walked past her.

((OOC: one of the bullets is lodged next to the spine, just FYI))

de Mon Castle

Candi smiled.

"Good," she said softly. "I'm glad. We...must be the same size."

She glanced over at Chris, worried that he might guess something was awry. She trusted Vange, but felt a settling distrust of Chris. What was his goal in suddenly going to Burg with her? Plus, she knew Vange would not betray her...would Chris?

-Day 1-
Capitol University
Judicia, Erbaine

Liam tried to rescue the awkward moment by kneeling down to pick up the backpack and handing it to Laramie. He let his hands rest upon hers for the slightest moment as she took it from him - but not too long, just in case their hands were inclined to switch again. You never know what might happen these days.

He was about to offer to walk Laramie home, but then Dr. Dreyman asked if he could walk with him. Liam wanted to take care of Laramie above all else, but with Dr. Dreyman's commanding gaze, Liam couldn't say no.

He cleared his throat, still aware of the eyes that were watching them. He leaned in close to whisper. "Laramie, I guess you should be getting back. I'll... call you... wait, that doesn't work. I'll come by later, okay?"

He wanted to hug her too, but in light of the awkwardness that had already occurred, he thought this probably wasn't a good idea. Instead, he (awkwardly) patted her on the shoulder and backed away, catching up to Dr. Dreyman and Connor. He looked back one more time at Laramie, hoping she'd be okay and wishing he didn't have to leave her. Then he forced himself to drag his eyes away and turned to Dr. Dreyman, trying to have as much of an upbeat attitude as he could. "So, what's up?"

Day 2: Burg

Bob and Allison met the following day, after both having a good night's sleep and breakfast.

"Allison, I'm telling you, this is just too strange. Whatever is going on, we have to keep it a secret." They had confided in one another about their new...abilities, and both had marveled at the similarities of their encounters with the supernova.

"I know. I agree." Allison ran her fingers through her hair, which was about shoulder-length and reddish-blond, at the moment. She had realized since the night before that her hair's length and color seemed to change at will. Anytime she was deep in thought or confused, it took on a reddish tint. When she was relaxed, it was her usual brown. When she was tense, on-edge or focused, it was blonde. When she was frightened it turned pitch-black. The colors mixed and changed, and she could just barely sort them out. The length seemed based more on whim than anything else. The only connection she could make was that during times of physical or emotional stress, her hair changed length. Whether it got shorter or longer, and how much, was altogether a mystery at the moment.

Bob had also discovered much about his new powers. He could see footprints on any surface, even bare feet, when he wanted to. When he tuned it out, the world looked normal, but if he concentrated, he could see down to the very fibers of DNA. He found it disturbing, yet strangely amusing. He, Bob Lowell, could see DNA! Strange....but cool. But strange.

"What do you think we should do?" Bob queried.

Day 2: Aridia
de Mon Castle

Chris returned Vange's smile as the woman entered the room. Even if they were not together anymore, a bit of flirting was still in order. There was an obvious undercurrent to what Vange and Candi were saying, but so far the bounty hunter could not decipher what it was.

As Christopher was presumably occupied with lighting a cigarette, he quickly sized up Evangeline and Candi. I'll be blown away if you two ladies are the same size... He thought as he finished lighting the rolled-up tobacco. Either their host had an overabundance of clothes in all sizes or miss de Mon was more than she seemed. A thief along with being an heiress? That's a novel twist.

"You're looking good, Vange. Like the old days..." Chris finally said after taking a long drag and leaning back in his chair.

Day 2: Arida

de Mon Castle

Candi's eyes flickered and she glanced over at Chris. She wanted to speak to Vange privately, to check what Chris had said. She was once again her cold, hard self, and was very suspicious. She needed to protect her own interests, and she wasn't sure if Chris' interests meshed with hers. Love would not blind her to her own goals.

At this moment, Candice wavered between two courses of action. She wanted to let her old, stone self take over and let the crush pass. But then...then...Chris was a man who had talents, and Candi badly needed someone with those skills. But she also knew she needed someone who was loyal, and a lover could buy loyalty. Yet, he said Vange had yet to forgive him...so he apparently was good at loving and leaving. She began to wonder...could she witch him into loving her? But then....Candi glanced at Vange. She was probably just as skilled. Why make her angry?

Candi shot a smile and a slight wink to Chris. She could play both sides of this equation for now, she thought.

"You must be tired," she said suddenly, snuffing out her cigarette. "I am sorry, I did not mean to keep you up. Come, I shall show you to your rooms."

-2 AM, Day 2-
Parksville, Erbaine
Palisade National Park
Lui's Cabin

Loretta watched Lui, then turned to a confused Terra. She felt bad for leaving her in the dark, but the connection she shared with Lui, and the ability to speak to her was something not explainable, and she wasn't even sure if Terra believed it at all. Catching up the pad of paper and pen, she scribbled out an explanation in the light of the flashlight:

Lui says we must lock her in the garage.

She held it up once again, waited until the other girl had read it, then set it back down. She dearly wished she could speak those words, and every time she thought about that it made her feel so lonely and cut off from everyone. She glanced at the dark form of the wolf, who was Lui, at the garage door. But I can talk to her, figuratively....when she is a wolf she faintly wondered how long her friend would be a wolf. She hoped for Lui's sake it wouldn't be for too long, though that would mean she, again, wouldn't be able to effectively communicate with them.

Day 2
Arida, Arenico
de Mon Castle Grounds

Vange glanced at Christopher and one side of her mouth lifted. "You don't look too bad yourself, Christopher. The years have been good to you."

When Candi put out her cigarette, Vange stood, pushing her wet, wavy hair behind her shoulder. "I may be tired, but I don't think I'll be getting much sleep tonight..."

~~~

Day 2
Arida, Arenico
The Convent
The Surgery Room

"Will you two fooligans stop chattering and help me?" Dr. Wallaby said. "There's a bullet lodged very close to her spine. I'm going to need complete concentration to try to remove it without further injuring her."

"Romano! Get me my other glasses. The ones that make things bigger." Dr. Wallaby said, urgency in his voice. He glanced at Julietta, "Judy, hold this tool right here. Don't move it! You're moving it!"

Day 2: Ardia
de Mon Castle

Christopher was quite used to women and their fluctuating emotions, though it was becoming more obvious to the seasoned bounty hunter that Candi was playing him, or both him and Vange, for some greater scheme. For now he would humor the heiress, though if the situation went in a direction he disagreed with... well, an heiress such as this was sure to have enemies willing to pay well.

"Thank you..." Chris said in response to Evangeline's compliment. "Heh, speak for yourself, dear. I haven't had a good nights sleep in a week." The bounty hunter said as he put out his cigarette and stood.

"Lead the way, miss de Mon..."

--------------------------------------

Day 2: Burg
Lawrence Manor, The Cave

".... Officer McDowall calling for immediate assistance!!.... Location: Industrial park, West Burg at 1398 west river.... We have a SITUATION here, a code red niner and a... WOAH!!!"

The police radio was suddenly cut off with only static coming through the speaker next to the wall monitor. Malcom leaned back in the chair, deep in thought as he glanced over the five large computer monitors in front of him. It had only taken a few hours to hack into Burg's radio and GPS systems, thankfully Lawrence had learned years ago how to hack into systems without being noticed/caught.... something his Jennings was never very fond of him doing.

With a sigh, Malcom got up from his chair and went over to the wooden closet nestled into the cave wall where Darkrider's gear was stored. As Malcom was finishing putting on the costume, he buzzed Jennings on the personal intercom. "Richard, there's something happening out in the industrial district. I'm going to check it out..."

"Very well, sir. What should I do if miss Browning asks of your whereabouts?"

"Tell her... something. I'm sure you'll think of a good story." Malcom said with a smile before slipping on the white and black mask.

"I was afraid you would say that.... Try to return in one piece, Lawrence." Jennings replied before turning off the intercom.

With a last tug at his gloves and hat, Darkrider sped out of the cave below Lawrence manor and disappeared into the murky night of Burg. The angry red light on the horizon making an easy guide to the troubled industrial district....

— 2 AM, Day 2 —
Parksville, Erbaine
Palisade National Park
Lui's Cabin

"Lui wants us to lock her in the garage?" Terra said incredulously. Was Lui afraid she was going to hurt them?

"Um, okay," Terra said, taking the keychain out of Lui's mouth, and finding the clicker among the plethora of cabin and compound keys. "Sleep well?" She told the wolf, still with some measure of disbelief, as she watched the black wolf entire the darkened garage and sprawl across the floor where the Jeep would usually be parked. Terra then pulled the doors closed and locked the door, feeling disturbed by it all.

"Well," Terra said, turning to Loretta and trying to shake off the uneasy feeling, "I guess we should go try to get some shut eye, and check on her in the morning. I hope this isn't permanent."

— Day 2, Morning —
Palisade National Park
Camp Watzmilion

Previously...

Volt turned to Dan. "In that case, since you claim we can trust you would you please give us that pager?"

“A talking dog?!” Dan and Angie exclaimed together. Moments of astonished silence followed as they digested when they’d just seen. That Volt could speak at all completely overshadowed the words he’d said.

Grace just stared. “You can talk? Say something else!” She excitedly sat down next to Volt and watched him expectantly.

After several moments in which he contemplated this new unbelievable occurrence – a talking animal! – Dan pulled the little military-issue pager from his pocket and held it in his hand. He stared silently at it; the only sounds were the birds singing and the wind in the trees.

Frustration flared in him for just an instant – how did Volt know he had the device? He must have overheard his conversation with Angie. But perhaps it had been unintentional; after all, he hadn’t actually hung a sign saying “Private conversation, keep out” at the time. Dogs had good hearing anyway; what if super-hearing was another of Volt’s abilities?

“A talking dog!” he exclaimed again, still trying to wrap his mind around the idea.

He had every intention of honoring his commitment to Jenny and Volt, but still hesitated. What if the sergeant held him accountable for the little high-tech gadget he’d been given?

Still, he wanted to offer a sign of good faith. “How about a compromise? I’ll hang on to it as long as we’re here – I’d hate to run into Sergeant Jones again and have him ask me about it. But as soon as we’re out of here, it’s yours.”

Dan was intensely curious about this new device that worked despite the supernova’s effects, and would have loved to disassemble it, but he kept quiet, figuring that this wasn’t the time to mention this. For all the others knew, he could be sending a signal to the soldiers rather than merely taking it apart.

Angie sensed her husband’s offer wasn’t satisfactory. “Here’s an idea,” she began. “Dan can give it to me while we’re here in the camp. I’ll hide it from him, and he won’t know where it is and can’t use it on you – but should the military ask about it, he can tell them he gave it to me for safekeeping. Then, once we’re away from soldiers who know we have it, we can give it to you. How’s that?"

Day 2, Late Morning, Palisade National Park, Camp Watzmilion

"Hold on, could we back up a sec?" asked Jenny. "Could someone tell me what's so important about this pager?"

"The sergeant gave it to them so they could let them know if they found anyone with 'radiation poisoning'," answered Volt.

"That true?" Dan and Angie nodded. After a moment Jenny said, "Okay, you can hide it on one condition, I help you hide it."

Volt thought the idea was a good one, it would relieve his main concern with the plan, that Angie might possibly activate the pager herself while hiding it.

Dan and Angie exchanged glances. “Sounds like a plan,” he said. “While you’re doing that, maybe I’ll go play with the car for a bit – though I don’t hold out much hope for getting it going again.”

“Can I stay here with Candy and play with Volt?” Grace asked, turning her sparkling green eyes toward her father.

“Sure, if it’s all right with them. Just stay within sight of your daddy or me.”

— Day 2, Morning —
East Parksville Elementary School
Parksville, Erbaine
Previous post with these characters

Breakfast was winding down when a man in military fatigues stepped to the front of the cafeteria. He put a large megaphone to his mouth and asked for everyone’s attention. “Sorry I have to use this. But I don’t have access to the usual equipment.”

Scattered chuckles followed this remark, but the crowd quickly became relatively quiet. “Thank you for your attention. I have a few announcements.”

He went on to confirm some of the rumors Brandon and Gina had previously overheard, and added that the government was doing its best to maintain order and restore the disrupted power grid. His next words concerned them most:

“We have indications that a small percentage of the population suffered radiation poisoning from the supernova. Your government is eager to help anyone afflicted by this.”

Both Holly and Ivy looked up at their parents with big eyes full of fear. They were old enough to understand poisoning as something to be feared.

“The symptoms are rather unusual,” the unnamed soldier went on. “We’ve had reports of some people showing abilities that can only be called ‘superhuman’ – teleportation, telepathy, ability to manipulate their surroundings, and so on.”

Gina glanced over at Holly before shifting his attention to his wife.

“My associates here will be distributing iodine pills to everyone here as a precaution against any future radiation effects. And if any of you see unusual abilities in action, please report them to your local military office. We will investigate and do all we can to help anyone afflicted by the supernova’s effects. Thank you.”

The Norwoods watched as others, similarly dressed, took up positions around the room and offered the pills to everyone present. Brandon collected pills for his family, then led them outside. It was a sunny day, and the twins ran to the school’s playground.

A few other children followed suit; Gina was glad that they could play and just be kids despite all that had changed. Brandon leaned over and whispered into Gina’s ear. “The military may be willing to help, but I can’t help wondering if there’s something we just don’t know. I think it’s more important than ever to keep Holly’s ability secret.”

Gina nodded agreement. “Absolutely. But I’ve been thinking. Since the supernova we’ve been reacting to events, running on autopilot, hoping things would be back to normal soon. I think it’s clear they won’t be. We have to change the way we look at things.”

“You’re right, my dear. But where do we start?”

Gina snapped her fingers. “The Baxters! I bet Dan has a few ideas about what’s going on; he worked for the power company after all.”

“But they’re camping up in the park.”

“True, but I bet they’re as worried as we are. Maybe they’re making their way back to town right now. We should try to meet up with them. Strength in numbers, and all that.”

“But how? Wait for them to walk back to town, or go looking for them?”

“I’m not sure. We’ll have to think about exactly what to do. In the meantime, let’s take a lesson from the girls: just relax and enjoy the day.”

Day 2, Late Morning, Palisade National Park, Camp Watzmilion

"OK, 10 to 15 minutes should be plenty of time," said Jenny. Her stomach growled and she said, "then maybe we can finally have lunch."

After Dan left Jenny had a look around. They would need a place to hide it where someone wouldn't accidentally find it, including wild animals that liked shiny objects. She turned her head up and looked at the trees. One oak tree in particular caught her eye. It was much younger and stronger than the one whose branch had nearly killed them, it had branches low to the ground, and most importantly had a small knothole about 15 feet up. She frowned. "But even if an animal doesn't live there right now, we don't know how long the Baxters will be forced to stay here," she thought. "An animal could move in before then." She turned to the fallen branch behind her. A squarish piece of bark had fallen off. "Unless we cover it up with something." She walked over and picked the plate of bark up. "Now to find out if this plan can work." She turned to Angie and held out the bark with one hand while pointing with her other hand to the knothole. "Can you climb up there?" she asked.

Meanwhile, Volt could tell Grace wanted to talk with him more. Jenny had wanted the same thing on their way back to camp yesterday. "Before we begin," he said, "I want to remind you that we need to keep this a secret. Now, what do you want to talk about? Perhaps you have some questions for Candy that I can translate?"

— Day 2, Morning —
Palisade National Park
Camp Watzmilion

“Can I climb up there?” Angie repeated Jenny’s request. “Sorry, I’m not twenty anymore,” she grinned. “And I was never much good at climbing trees. But Grace loves to climb, so she should be able to get up there. I’ll call her over.”

The child in question was busy trying to decide what to ask Volt. It wasn’t that she didn’t have questions; she was just too astonished to know which ones to ask. “Can you just talk some more? It’s very cool. Oh, I know! Does Candy like us?”

Just then a new voice interrupted. “Grace, honey, can you come over here please?”

“Okay, Mama,” she replied, quickly running to Angie’s side.

“Can you climb up there and hide this in that knothole?”

“Why?”

“It’s kind of a long story but I’ll try to explain it a little later, okay? Right now, this will be our secret, just between you and me.”

“I can’t tell Daddy?” The girl seemed puzzled.

“Not right now. We’re doing this to help keep Jenny and Volt safe, and they’ve asked us not to tell him.”

“Daddy would never hurt them.” A simple, confident statement of fact.

Angela decided she needed to explain things more clearly. She sat down in the grass and beckoned to her daughter, who immediately sat next to her.

“You’re right, sweetheart, Daddy would never hurt them. But they don’t know him as well as we do; they’ve just met us, right?” The little head nodded. “So we’re doing this to show them they can trust Daddy when he says he won’t hurt them, okay?”

Satisfied with this explanation, Grace nodded again, got to her feet, and climbed nimbly up the tree. Once the little pager was hidden she came back down. Just a few feet from the ground her foot slipped and she fell, landing on her back with a thud. She groaned, but quickly sat up.

Angie rushed to her daughter’s side, fearing the worst, but Grace seemed fine except for having the wind knocked out of her. Not even a scratch, the anxious mother thought to herself.

Dan arrived seconds later, responding to his daughter’s shriek. He crouched down next to her. “Are you all right, honey?”

“I’m hungry, Daddy.”

“See, she takes after you,” Angie laughed.