IC: Whispers of the Past Chpt 1: The Awakening [m]

[Kris]

Time: Tuesday, 11 am
Location: World of Wonders Bookstore


Lina felt Zack pulling her from behind before she even realized Cameron had a knife in his hand. Everything happened so quickly and before she had known it Trixie had knocked the young boy out. She had watched as Trixie walked away to investigate whatever was happening on the other side of the store but Lina was too distracted to look at that moment.

All that Lina could think of was that Zack had protected her. Not that she needed protected, she had after been to a few of Su Lin's martial arts classes before but regardless, Zack had been willing to protect her. Just like he had stayed to make sure she was alright the night before. As she stared up at him her eyes switched from that of her earlier disbelief that a boy as young as Cameron would even have a knife to that of adoration for the handsome doctor that now stood in front of her.

Taking his hands into hers she leaned up and kissed his cheek then whispered to him softly "Thank you."

As Zack looked back into Lina's eyes, he brushed a hand through her hair, his eyes unblinking for that moment. Zack never liked seeing anyone get hurt, but with this woman, he was actually fearful of it. "Welcome," he said softly. Then when Trixi knocked the boy out, he snapped back to the reality of the situation. He then moved Lina behind him, followed by Cheri as he knelt down beside the unconscious kid.

As he looked the kid over, he grabbed a small light from his back pocket and shined it in his eyes as he lifted the eyelids. The kid was definitely out cold, but his pupils reacted, which was good. "I don't think any serious damage was done, but can't be certain until more tests are done," he said to no one in particular. He then grabbed his cell and called the hospital. "Yeah, this is Ace. Need an EMT at World of Wonders stat. Who's on today? Okay. Tell Mitch to have radiology prepped and ready and have some restraints on stand by. May have a potential IED so have some Xanax ready" After hanging up he looked to Lina and Cheri. "Do you know him? Can you contact his family?"

Lina nodded her head "I don't know who the kid is but I'm sure that someone will be able to contact his parents." That was when she noticed that Cheri appeared to be visibly shaken. Lina left go of Zacks hands then and giving him a worried look she moved to Cherri's side. Lina hadn't even realized until she lay her hand on Cheri's shoulder that when she'd touched Zack just moments before that she hadn't gotten dizzy. The salt intake was helping already. Or so she thought until her hand came to rest on Cherri's shoulder and a wave of darkness threatened to overtake her. Lina fought it off as she spoke softly. "Cheri, are you okay?"

Cherilyn was trying to recover while still looking down at the kid, however something seemed odd. She couldn't help but look up at Lina and think of what they just discussed the other day.

"Lina...", Cherilyn tried to say, her mouth opened few times but it looks like she was still considering what to say. Digging her head between the palms of her hands, she pulled her cheeks as she looked up at her good friend, "Lina... What you told me...", she uttered slowly, hoping her friend would recall their dinner, "I think...", her hands were sent to rub her arms as she hugged herself, still confused, yet so sure it scared her. She was certain, "I think there is... a connection...", looking down at the kid she couldn't help but feeling goosebumps. It was not the child that made her recall, hell she was certain she never met that little boy in her life. But the pattern... There was something oddly familiar about the pattern...

Lina wrapped her arm around Cheri, bracing herself for a feeling of uneasiness to wash over her but it didn't come. She breathed a sigh of relief as she hugged her friend but concern flooded her as Cheri appeared to be almost pale in color now. She flashed a glance at Zack then back to Cheri. "Cheri, why don't you close up shop for a bit, there's been a lot of excitement for one day."

Lina looked around the store. The truth was that everyone there looked as though they needed a drink and the young woman who had taken a "fit" as she tore up books looked as though she could use a good meal too. "Cheri, I know it's early but maybe a glass of wine and a bite to eat at Jackie's would help calm you down, put things in perspective? After what we've all just witnessed I think everyone here could use a drink."

Just then the paramedics showed up and entered the store, at which time they were directed to the boy who still lay unconscious on the floor and while still there, Cherilyn couldn't help but pick up the phone.

Su Lin...

After all Kant has yet to return... He went to pick up things for her... and... Su Lin... a strong and tough woman like her, she will know what to do, would be best to get her over and talk this... Over dinner... yes, that would be a wonderful idea.

"I'll call Su Lin, if that's all right, get her over... too...?", she looked at Lina while calling.

Lina smiled at her old friend "Sure, anything you want Cheri. While you call Su Lin I'm going to speak to the woman over there" Lina said quietly, directing her nod towards Bao.

As the EMTs took the boy away, Zack shared a few words with, telling them what happened and all. When he returned, he leaned on the inside of the doorframe and wiped his brow with a handkerchief. "I could use a drink myself, I think," he said to Lina and Cheri. "When we get to Jackie's drinks are on me."

[Storm]

Day/Time: Tuesday, 11:08 AM
Location: Treatment Room 14, Kingsport Cove Memorial Hospital

Su sits on the treatment table waiting for results to come back which Dr. Welch had run. Her bleach white jacket still has a streak of blood down the left lapel as she sits with her arms folded across her chest “It was just a nose bleed, I’ve had them before, it really isn’t anyth…”

“Young Lady” is firmly in an almost Motherly Scolding tone offered by Gail who still is sitting in a chair to Su’s side, a concerned expression on her face. As Su quiets as though a mute button was hit, Gail continues in her typical soft tone “First my dear, why have you not mentioned nose bleeds to me before?”

Biting her bottom lip offering a smile “Cause I know how you are always worrying about me, and they really have just started randomly the last few days.”

Su’s phone which is on the exam tray rings, ring tone of ‘The Bitch Is Back’. Almost simultaneously she and Gail let out a laugh as Gail grabs her phone “Gawd Su, one of these days you are going to be IN World of Wonders when she calls..” then she answers Cherilyn’s call “Mok’s Jewelry, Su Lin’s phone, Su is pre occupied at the moment, this is Gail, may I help you?”

"Su Lin", there came a voice from the other side, "I gather she is well and that Kant got the magazines to her?"

“Why yes she did, she does appreciate the time the young lad took to bring them over..” offering a smirk to Su “How is young Kant? That was quite a load of books he delivered.” As Su starts to get off the exam table to get her phone, Gail slightly cups the mouth piece “Young lady, back on the table till the doctor clears you.”

"Please... I must speak to her...."

Gail quirks a brow and hands the phone to Su “She is asking for you direct, keep it short, at least till Doc says you are completely okay.”

Su takes the phone and offers a soft smile “Okay … mom”, tone playful. She puts on a more serious tone as she answers the call “This is Su, and yes, we did get the shipment, Kant is simply wonderful.”

Gail tries to refrain from a laugh whispering “He DID wonderful … you realize you just said he IS wonderful?”

Turning beet red she bites her lower lip, surely Cherilyn would realize she meant that Kant did a good job, after all, Su does try her hardest to maintain her professional appearance.

"Good, good... Now...-", As if not hearing any of this Cherilyn went straight to the point, "I need you, soon, we plan to meet... some more... join us... I'll explain more later, I promise but I need you to come", she said, whispering more details of their meeting such as location and hour.

As Cherilyn spoke, she had grabbed her medical chart jotting information down on a blank form under her chart. Her expression is that of confusion, she had never known Cherilyn to be vague and her tone seemed to not fit her normal bossy persona. When the information is done, offers “I will definitely be there, I’ve had a weird day so hope you don’t mind some venting.” She looks over toward Gail who is giving her a hard once over “…oh yea, do you mind someone else tagging along, I think my business partner will be tagging along, is that going to be a problem?”

"No", and there was a hint of giggle over the line, "The doc pays on everything anyway....".

Without even knowing how her face looked on the other side, Su-Lin could tell that Cherilyn was grinning.

As the doctor enters the exam room, she wraps up “We’ll see you a little later then.” hanging the phone up offering more to herself “I hope Kant is there too” before looking to the doctor, Gail already looking over his shoulder at the report.

“Well, everything looks okay. Just need a signature and we’ll get you on your way.” Su quickly scribbles her signature on the release form as her and Gail make their way from the exam room.

"Well, let's get over to Jackie's Diner." as Su slips her jacket off, after all, doesn't want the tell tale sign of blood to ruin the atmosphere.

[Setsa]

Day/Time-Tuesday: 11:05am
Location-The Hospital/Jackie's Diner

Wesley had become rather bored in the hospital room, his impatience getting the better of him. Something other than hospital food seemed very appealing right about now not to mention something to take his mind off things and give his inlaws some more time with Ryan. He sat up in his bed and picked up the hospital phone.

'Is it ok to make an outside call from this phone?'

'Oh yes of course.'

The nurse on the other end answered In response Wes picked up the card left by Trixie and dialed the number. He waited for her answer.

'Uhh...G'day Trixie. Just wondering if there's been any word on if my truck turned up....and I know it might be too much to ask but I could really use some non hospital food. Not too mention being stuck in a room like this...'

~~~

Only a few minutes away from home now, Trixi was still trying to wrap her mind on what all has been going on. She wasn't afraid of touching people...that was just absurd, but strange things did happen to a few she did.

It was then her phone virated on her belt that laid beside her in the passenger's seat. "This is Trixi, what's the emergency at the hospital?" Her first thought was that it was the kid she knocked out cold at the bookstore. But upon hearing Wesley's voice a small sigh of relief came over her as her face started to soften. "Well no word on your truck yet sorry, but lunch sounds really good, I bet a nice walk after to stretch those legs may interest you as well?" Smiling really for the first time today she pulled into her driveway and got out of the vehicle.

"I just got home so give me maybe a half hour tops and I'll be there to pick you up. Want me to leave the dogs with your boy before I come get you?" She asked while letting the dogs back inside and going upstairs to change.

'Umm...no that's fine his grandparents are with him now, thanks for the thought though. Thirty minutes sounds good, I'll see you at the entrance.'

Wes couldn't help but picture his wife's mother going on some tirade about having the dogs near Ryan. Saying a brief goodbye he hung up the phone and pulled himself out of the bed. After taking some wobbly steps he managed to steady himself and began putting on something a little more casual than his patient's robe. It wasn't long before one of the nurses arrived to advise against too much movement, and that he in fact hadn't been cleared. He reassured the nurse that it was just a quick bite to ear and stretch, he also mentioned that such small injuries really didn't impede him all that much.

Still attatched to a drip he made his way to the children's ward and found Ryan's room. He opened the door slowly lumbered in catching the eyes of the two vistors. Before either of them could say anything Wes spoke up, his voice didn't contain that small tone of humour, or happiness but instead was solemn.

'I know that nothing I say can justify what I did, or whatever it is you think I've done. Despite what you might believe though I am doing whatever I can for my son. If you are going to hate me for that, then so be it. I'm not your daughter and I can't always make the right choices like she did....'

His eyes reflected the sorrow that the words caused and grew in saddness as he saw Ryan sprawled out on the bed. Wires running out of his head and chest to monitor his brain waves in case his seizures weren't visible. The scene took Wes back to the what seemed like countless other times with Ryan in a hospital bed in the same state. He had been doing pretty ok recently and now this. Wesley's large hand rubbed his son's face gently and he made his plea with Meredith and Gregory.

'I'm going to get out of the hospital for a little while, I'll be back soon and we can switch up. I don't have my phone but you can reach me at this number.'

He gave the older man Trixie's card before he made his way back to his room passing by another room he couldn't help but overhear about the young boy inside. Knocked out at the bookstore because he was carrying a knife, seems pretty unbelievable...or at least a little exaggerated. Getting back to his room he motioned for a nurse to follow him requesting to be unshackled from the bonds of the drip. She began cautioning him about coming off the drip and such but Wesley either failed to understand or just didn't care to listen. A small rage had begun too build up in him and it was directed towards one man....Paulie. He would deal with Paulie and see to Ryan's health, but for now it was time to get away from the hospital.

Considering everything that has going on some grub and walk sounded like just what she needed to get herself back on track after just this morning alone. Shoot, the past 24 hours had been one hair blowing, body shaking, hoarse screaming, roller coaster ride! So when Trixi pulled up in her civilian suv with the dogs in back and her signature tank and shorts look to the entrance of the hospital. The sight of Wes was definetly one for sore, tired eyes that she greeted him with a bright smile and gentle hug that she needed and probably him as well considering all of his injuries.

"Hey there Wes, you're looking good without a hospital gown.." she said opening the door and helping him ease into the passenger seat. Closing the door once he was buckled in she gave a nod to the attending nurse at the welcome desk before hopping in and driving off. "So, need anything we should get quickly first or should we get some of Jackie's Diner food in that gut?"

Wes couldn't help but feel a little embarassed getting helped into the vehicle but nonetheless he would endure it to get away from the hospital for a while. He gave a look at the dogs and answered their owner.

'Nah...I'm fine with just heading to Jackie's, unless you need to stop somewhere on the way. I don't want to seem like much of a burden but I still don't have my wallet yet...so I'll owe ya one Trixie.'

As the SUV left the hospital and headed on its way Wesley looked over to the lady beside him. She had certainly helped him out a lot over the whole incident and with Ryan.

'Thanks for everything Trixie, it means a lot. How have you been doing? Busy on patrol?'

"Don't mention it Wes, help me figure out who did this to you as I only have so much to go off of and we'll call it even hmm?" Turning to smile at him she noticed that his eyes were already on her. With the dogs wagging their tails enjoying an off-duty car ride it wasn't far to get to Jackie's Diner; the sign above the restaurant in their sights when they got stopped at a long red light. "I've been...well good over all though it certainly has been interesting, got a good heart thumping experience today that's for sure. Patrol wise no, I've been stuck behind my desk working on a couple cases one being yours ofcourse. Hopefully tomorrow my evening hours doesn't get changed, which reminds me..." The deputy said when the light turned green and she hit the gas pedal. "I work EMT tonight so if you're a night owl I may pay you and Ryan a visit... I'd hate to miss seeing his smile in school when I visit with the boys."

'Oh yeah? Always happy to have some company...I'm not sure how smiley my boy will be when he wakes up but he'll come around. He always does.'

Wesley's brow furrowed ever so slightly, truth was he felt like an idiot for not being available when Ryan had his spell. He relaxed again as they pulled into the parking lot of Jackie's. The diner was an iconic place known for its meals, it had even gained some out of state renown. The small bit of fame didn't effect the diner at all though and it still maintained its usual atmosphere. As they parked in the parking lot Wesley looked back to Trixie and asked if he should leave the window rolled down some.

'Your dogs aren't allowed into the diner right?'

She looked at them while helping to guide Wesley out of the car in as little pain as they could manage, pressing down the button for the windows. "Yea they were here yesterday so one day without her Doggy Pies won't hurt them... They're running with me tonight anyways."

Step by step, going at his pace they made their way into the diner, motioning for the hostess at hand to sit them down at a large 8 person table so he could prop his feet up and not get bumped into.

"Alrighty then Wes, what are you in the mood for besides anything that isn't hospital food?" A grin on her face as she gives a wink.


{A Setsa and Imposter Production}

[Stryker]

After his incident on the street corner, Austin had found his way to a bench and settled onto it to try and clear his head from what just occurred. Looking at him now, he had a slightly dazed look as he tried desperately to get everything in order, something was wrong but what and how could something be wrong in the first place?

“The hell just happened?” he asked himself for what felt like the ninth time as his right hand brushed a few loose and slightly damp strands of hair from his face. He then glanced around to see if anyone had been watching and was slightly relieved to find out that the answer was no. “I gotta go somewhere a bit more private or something, maybe splash some water on my face and see where it takes me…” he decided as he stood back up and began walking down the sidewalk once more.

**************************************

After roughly ten minutes made his way to the front door of a diner of sorts from what he could tell, “Pretty full.” He thought before walking through the front door and coming face to face with someone who, from the looks of him knew who Austin was and seemed a bit cautious.

“Bathroom…” Austin asked before seeing the nervous man quickly point to his right, “Thanks.”

After turning the corner he spotted the telltale sign on the wall.

He pushed open the door, locked it behind himself and made a beeline for the sink to splash some water on his face. As he turned the water on and placed his hands under it, he looked up at the mirror and saw nothing out of the ordinary about his appearance but would swear that something felt off for some strange reason.

“Get ahold of yourself, Austin…” he growled to himself before showering his face in a few splashes of water before standing back up and turning the water off. He then unlocked his door and made his way back out before finding a seat in a window booth near the front door by himself to have some more alone time to himself to think.

[Wattz]

Place: World of Wonders Bookstore
Time: Tuesday, 11 A.M.

Bao shivered on the spot, her hands folded defensively. She felt colder than usual, drained of energy and so confused she could not attempt to make sense of it all. They were unusually calm for what had just happened, but she felt grateful that they seemed so distracted by one another, quick comforts and hugs sent out in their little circle: an opportunity to slip away before they had a chance to charge her for the book.

So she did just this, making her way swiftly to the door, all too ready to bolt once she’d made it outside.

While Cheri was dialing Su Lin, Lina noticed the young woman who had caused the disturbance with the tearing of books heading for the door. Releasing Zack's hand she stepped towards the door herself "Excuse me, Miss, could I have a word with you? There's something I'd like to talk to you about. We were all just getting ready to head over to Jackie's for dinner and I was wondering if you'd like to grab a bite to eat with us, it would give us a chance to...speak more." Lina had paused at the end, not quite certain of how the girl would take her proposal. She smiled at the younger woman, hoping that she would realize that Lina wasn't the type to pass judgement on appearance only. Lina truly did want to talk to the girl about what had just happened, but more importantly, why it had happened.

"I..." Bao stared stupidly at the woman, "I'm sorry about the... the... trouble, but... my roommate will pay for the book, you just have to let me go get him."

She flinched, feeling a strange itching beneath her skin. Bao scratched her arm in response, and it faded as instantly as it had come. But... what had the woman said? "Dinner? I don't... I don't know...." This offer, it was nothing more than a trap, something to make her be held accountable for everything. She'd rather just find Duke and find another place to hide away.

Lina blinked twice. The book? The girl was worried about the book after all that had just happened? Lina smiled at her, a warm genuine smile "Please, don't worry about the book. Consider it already taken care of. I assure you that after the incident with the boy, the book is the last thing on Cheri's mind."

The young woman who stood in front of her still appeared to be uncertain and Lina reached to touch her shoulder, speaking as she did so "My name is Lina and" the moment Lina's hand rested on the girls shoulder she felt a wave of nauseousness roll over her but she fought it for long enough to finish her sentence "really, maybe if your in a hurry we can get you a sandwich to go or something." Lina took a step back from Bao, really looking at her for the first time. She appeared similar to the girl that she'd just seen in her vision, lounging and having a conversation with a young man that she didn't recognize, but yet she looked different now. Perhaps thinner, dirtier, and definitely hungrier. Maybe that's why the girls skin itched, because she was dirty and Lina wished there was more that she could do for her, like offer her not just a hot meal, but a long hot bath. She quit looking directly at Bao then, not wanting her to think that she was staring or that she pitied her.

Lina shrugged slightly "Of course, if you're not hungry then by all means you are free to leave but I had really hoped to have a word with you about a few..." Lina's voice trailed ever so slightly "things." What Lina had really meant and could not yet divulge was that she wanted to know what had caused the girl to go off on a tangent that way and she couldn't help but feel that both Bao and Cameron had somehow been effected by whatever was causing the animals in the woods to act strange. Lina was a journalist, it was in her blood to try to get to the bottom of things.

And the crow...the red eyed crow.

Lina shuddered visibly before finishing "I hope you will reconsider, and maybe we will find your roommate along the way? They could join us too, up to you." Lina said casually " I just thought you might be hungry and since we are all headed there anyhow, drinks on the doc..." she said, nodding and smiling towards Zack.

"I guess... it wouldn't be so bad." Bao still eyes Lina with suspicion but the prospect of food was becoming too real for her to decline. Hopefully they would find Duke along the way. If not, maybe she could convince them to let her take him something for later.

Lina glanced at Zack and Cheri then back to Bao "Great!" Lina said enthusastically to the young woman who's name she still did not yet know. Then directing her next statement to everyone within ear shot "Cheri, if you want to close up we can all head over to Jackie's, its a beautiful day out we can and Jackies is just two blocks away. We could walk.?" Her last statement was more of a question.

Lina glanced back at the girl who had ripped up the book "Would you mind walking with me, and I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name?"

"Kent," Bao said as she scratched her arm. Bao was usually reluctant to give her real name out to people she didn't know well. She gave a side-smile, but she wasn't quite sure if she wanted to be out on the streets in broad daylight just yet. Being in a group would definitely make her less suspicious.. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, Kent." Lina said with a small smile, thinking the name odd for a female but she'd heard odder names so thought no more of it and said to Cheri "If you're ready to lock up we can all walk the short distance to Jackie's."

Lina nodded to Zack as they stepped outside, waiting for the others to emerge and Cheri to lock up shop. "I'm going to talk to our new friend Kent for a few moments, I'll catch up with you soon."

As the small group made their way the short distance to the diner, Lina hung back for a moment with Kent, trying to think of how to pose her question. As they started walking Lina finally spoke again "Thank you for walking with me. I was wondering, has anything like this ever happened before to you? I've just noticed a lot of ...." Her voice trailed slightly "oddities happening here in town and out on my photo shoots in the woods, and I couldn't help but be curious if that was the first time anything like that ever happened to you?"

"Hm? Well... not really, no." Bao felt an itch on the back of her wrist and began to scratch it. "Nothing... quite like this, anyways. I guess I've just been tired is all. I have a tendency to zone out every once in a while. But hey, photoshoots, huh? You're a fancy photographer? Can't say I go much to the woods, so I wouldn't have seen anything there." Bao thought about the strange ways in which she'd been phasing in and out of focus, though none had been quite as intense as just now. From time to time her imagination would run a little wild, but Bao never considered it to be anything more significant as this.

As the pair walked Lina caught herself glancing at both Cheri and Zack from time to time but not enough that she didn't notice Kent scratching again. Perhaps the girl simply had dry skin but Lina asked anyhow considering she had suddenly seemed to develop her own health issues. "Fancy photographer, me? Not really, I've been dabbling in it for years and am currently doing a month long series on The Nature Of Kingport. Funny thing is while I was in the woods the other day I noticed some really strange things. The animals acting strange, odd looking birds." Lina didn't elaborate on the red eyed crow and wouldn't unless pressed. "Dry skin?" Lina questioned, nodding to Bao's wrist where she was scratching. "Could be the time of the year. I swear something is in the air around here, I've had one or two instances of feelig light headed. Doc there says it's a lack of salt." With that comment Lina shrugged.

Noticing that the others were moving ahead Lina smiled "Guess we better catch up huh? When we get there, please order anything that you want to, the treats on me. Personally, I could use a good stiff drink, that was some excitement we had. I wonder what's wrong with the kid?" Lina shook her head then "Strange happenings indeed" she offered quietly.

"Always had dry skin as a child." Bao continued to itch. "Thanks, thanks a lot. I haven't eaten much in a while."

Place: Jackie’s Diner
Time: Tuesday, 12:12 P.M.

By that time the small group had made the walk to Jackie's diner, quietly talking among themselves. As they neared the front door Lina said "Good then, lets get a hot meal into you. And thank you for indulging my curiousity." Rummaging in her purse she produced a small jar of a lotion called Eucerin that her dermatologist had reccomended for dry skin "Oh!" Lina exclaimed "I almost forgot" she said handing the jar to Kent as the first of the group went inside while she finished talking to Kent "My dermatologist swears by this stuff, and it's really worked for me. Here, I want you to have it." She offered the jar to Kent "It really will help with the itching. And Kent, you are very welcome."

Lina called out to those ahead of them "Hey, get Jackie to push a few tables together for us so we can all sit in a group!"

"O-oh, thank you!" Bao took the little container and stuffed it in her pocket. The turn of luck was absolutely insane. What would Duke think about this mess? She'd have an interesting story to give him next time they met up.

Bao sat next to Lina and stared awkwardly downward, since she didn't want to look up into the eyes of the strangers Zack and Cheri. She was slumped over, her greasy hair hanging limply over her shoulders, and she fidgeted with her hands in her lap. Soon enough a waitress came by and took all their orders while Bao took the opportunity to order a rather large plate of food.

* * *

Duke was tired, and it showed in his posture. He kept mumbling to himself, eyes wide and cast downwards towards the concrete. He’d been walking in circles around the city, though it would have been far safer for him to just find a place to stay put. He never should have left Bao, but his skin was crawling with such anxiety that he couldn’t get his head straight enough to be reasonable.

He even ended up passing his old house.

There were others living there, he was sure. He never saw his ex-wife around there anymore: all the better. Duke had stared at the fence that had once been white, now painted a clashing dark green. He tried to find poetry in it, but there was simply nothing left in him. Something about a fence trying desperately to blend with the brown blades of grass….

Now Duke passed shop after shop after shop and scowled at every mannequin dressed in gaudy clothing. He even scowled at the happy customers stuffing their faces full of greasy food in every restaurant, fat and just as unclean as himself. But then he saw her—

“Bao?”

Bao was sitting in a little diner, Jackie’s Diner, surrounded by a group of people Duke didn’t know. He stared bewildered for only a moment before placing his hand on the door handle.

[Koti~]

Day/Time-Tuesday: 11:05am
Location-Jackie's Diner' back entrance

“Hm? That is odd … and not very good for me” Crow said, turning his head to the side and looking over at a building. He had left the home of the little boy that he had been using, and was heading to where the boy had been taken. He had watched the scene unfold in the library, and he needed to take the boy out, since he was now completely useless to crow, but the boy needed to be removed. But now there was worse worry, the people in this building of sorts. If they found out about what he had done, he could be revealed way too soon for his taste.

“Can’t very well enter through the front, so let’s see if they have a back door, shall we?” Crow said to Caloc, the crow that had just rested on his shoulder. Wandering around the building, a metal door could be seen nestled into a small porch like thing, near a large metal object with heaps of trash and other foul objects that made his nose cringe. Walking up to the door, he tried the handle finding the door obviously locked from the inside, so he pounded on the door, placed a small orb on the door step and stepped into the shadows, preparing his spell for use.

“Look kids, how many times do I have to tell you, this isn’t an en… What is this?” Jackie said, stooping down to pick up the soft glowing orb. Her eyes went wide with pain as a large clawed hand burst from her chest, leaving no damage, but yanking a glowing object out of her chest. Shaking with fear, words frozen in her lips, she turned to see crow standing there, his eyes gleaming with a hidden lust.

“It is your soul, dear wench, which now belongs to me.” Crow said, leaning close to place a soft kiss on her neck, pulling some at the flesh as her soul flew into the glass ball, making it light up as the girls eyes hazed over some, her arms relaxing while crow pulled out the claw. His arm returned to normal, but he was now tired, but it mattered not, for this new girl, Jackie, would fill many needs he had been missing since he came here, short though they were.

“Now dear, I have a problem with a few patrons of your diner, I need you to rig this place to blow, and hard. Once this is done, come meet me at the hospital.” Crow whispered into her ear, before leaving a hard kiss on her lips, a slight bruise starting to form from the force he used to hold her jaw. Letting his hand drop, he backed off, chuckling while looking at the orb in his hand. He would have fun with this one, and would well use her, even after death…

Jackie, eyes dazed, looked around the kitchen, 3 other chefs working the stoves to cook for the customers. Taking a knife from the counter, she quickly moved behind one of the other chefs and took him out without a sound, grabbing attention of the other two, both of them shouting and jumping at her to try and rip the knife out of her hand. She was too quick for them, and took them both out, slicing through their jugulars and watching as they dropped to the ground, gripping their throats as they slowly bled to death. Fearing her time is short, she looked around quickly, grabbing some oil, a large metal pan, baking soda, and some forks and silverware. Throwing them in the pan and filling the rest of the skillet pan with oil, she shoved it in the microwave, setting it to one minute. Looking out the small diner window, she could see Trixie, though they had not reacted to the noise inside yet. Smiling, she shoved the knife into the string of her apron as she left out the back door, starting the microwave as she left.

…. Lightning danced along the surface of the skillet as the timer hit 3 seconds, the oil starting to bubble inside the microwave, weird noises starting to echo from inside the room. Once the microwave clock passed 1 minute, the door exploded outwards, sending seared silverware and boiling oil and the skillet pan flew out the microwave, skidding into the diner room as a fork slammed into an electrical socket, igniting a fire into the room, grease and oil causing the entire kitchen to explode in a towering inferno of fire as the roof in the kitchen was ripped apart.

[Kris]