Where The End Began
So this is my first try at writing anything. I got the idea after watching Company Man again. The first two chapters are a bit long.
Title: Where The End Began
Characters: Claude/Thompson/HRG(Noah)/OC
Rating: M
Spoiler alert: Season 1
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the main characters. Just the OC.
Summary: What events led up to Noah shooting Claude on the bridge. And how did he survive?
14 Years Ago
“And then Sandra leaves me with her. I don’t know how to deal with a baby,” Claude looked at Noah as he talked to him about his family, as they drove to their next mission, “You know your problem mate?” he asked changing the music. Noah looked at him through his glasses and tried not to roll his eyes, “I’m not letting myself get close to her.” Claude nodded, “That’s right and until you do, you’re not going to be able to deal with Claire. And she’s not going to be able to feel comfortable around you. And you’re never going to bond” Noah rolled his eyes, “I forgot. You have so much infinite wisdom because of the kids you have. Oh wait that’s none.” Claude chuckled, “You know you only get like that when you know I’m right.” He looked out the window and tried to ignore the pit in his stomach, “So our mission - this kid can control the weather?” he asked opening the file. “Apparently. He managed to cause a twister to apparate out of thin air because he couldn’t play with his favourite toy. Only 7 years old and able to cause that much destruction.” Noah said shaking his head. Claude looked at a photo of the little boy, barely 7 years old he looked like any normal kid. But he was capable of so much more and the Company thought he was a danger to people. He rubbed a hand wearily over his eyes and took a deep breath, “How long til we get there?” he asked looking at his watch. “Should be there in a couple of hours,” Noah replied turning off the main road, “And where does Dear Sandra think we are today?” Noah shook his head, “Managers conference in Idaho.” Claude nodded, “You seem to take a lot of those.” He bunched up his jumper and put it against the window, “wake me when we get there.” As he fell to sleep he tried to forget the feeling that what he was doing was wrong.
A couple of hours later and they reached the town where the boy lived. “That’s funny I thought it was meant to be sunny, not cloudy and dreary with a side-order of kidnapping,” Claude joked as they drove into town. “We’ll split up. I’ll go check out the school. You check out the house.” Noah said parking the car next to a coffee shop. Claude nodded, “Should be easy enough.” He got out of the car, “I’ll call you when I find him mate.” He laughed as he heard Noah reply that it wasn’t a competition. He looked at the people around him for a few minutes and then turned invisible. Sometimes it’s just easier if no-one sees you, he thought, bumping into a few people and then stealing an apple to eat on the stake-out.
As he sat watching the house the feelings he had before could no longer be ignored. Deep down he felt that he was betraying these people. These people that were like him. Who could do extraordinary things just like he could. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could do this job. Tracking them down, testing them and then if they were dangerous locking them up and throwing away the key. He’d heard of a couple of people they had done that to. How many of the people did he take in that ended up like that? It was easier just to ignore it, to pretend that you didn’t care about anyone. He jumped a little as a car pulled into the driveway of the house he was watching. Silently he cursed himself for his lapse of concentration. “But mum, I want an ice-cream” Claude walked over to the house invisible and heard the little boy yelling at his mum. “Timothy Earl, I won’t say this again. You can have an ice-cream once we get inside.” His mother was grabbing the shopping out of the car as she said this. The little boy stomped his feet and pouted, “I want one NOW!” As he yelled at his mum it started to rain, “Enough!” Claude watched as she opened the door, he looked at the rain getting heavier as the boy continued to have a tantrum and sighed. It certainly looked like this boy had the power to control the weather.
It was pretty much confirmed to him when as soon as the boy got his ice-cream it stopped raining. “Bennett,” Claude said talking into his mobile phone, “Looks like we’re right on the money … I’m at his house … I’ll wait for you to get here.” As he stood outside the living room window Claude didn’t notice the little girl walking up behind him, “Who are you?” she asked. Claude turned around in surprise, “You can see me?” he said shocked. “Yes and I think you should get out of Mrs. Coolers flower bed. Last time I was in there she yelled at me for a year.”
Claude couldn’t help but laugh, “A whole year?” The girl studied him and frowned, “Mummy says I shouldn’t talk to strangers.” Claude nodded as he walked out of the garden onto the foot path, “Then shouldn’t you listen to her. Go on, run home.” The girl gave him a suspicious look, “O-kay.” The little girl turned and walked across the road, she stopped on the other side and turned back, “Timmy’s a bad boy sometimes.” Claude shrugged, “If you say so kiddo.” “He made it rain the other day, I had to stop him.” Claude stopped looking at the house and turned back to the girl, “Did ya’ now?” The girl nodded warily, “I made the sun come out again. Otherwise Mummy’s party would’ve been ruined.” Claude froze as the little girl turned to walk away, “Wait!” he said and ran across the road. He grabbed the little girl by the arm, “He made it rain and you made it sunny?” The girl nodded, “Mummy says I made it up and I shouldn’t say things like that. But it’s okay if I tell you.” Claude frowned and let go of the girls arm, “And why’s that?” The girl smiled up at him as he stood up straight, “Because you’re my invisible friend.”
Claude looked at the window and realized that he was still invisible. He watched the girl as she skipped back into her house. “Claude?” Claude turned as he saw Bennett pull up, “Noah.” Noah rolled his eyes as he unlocked the door, “You know I can’t see you right? Get in. You can fill me in on our way to the hotel.” Claude appeared as he got in, Noah took in his friends pale appearance, “You alright there old friend?” Claude nodded, “Fine. Why?” “Nothing it just looks like you saw a ghost.” Claude laughed as they drove, “Nah, it’s nothing. Just haven’t been sleeping well. So this looks like our kid.” He said trying to deviate away from the subject. Noah nodded, “We’ll grab him tomorrow.” Claude nodded and looked back at the house the little girl had gone into.
The Beginning Of The End
“Excellent job you two,” Thompson walked around his desk and sat down, as he smiled at Noah and Claude. “That boy has extraordinary powers.” Claude nodded, “So what happens to him now?” he asked leaning back into his chair. Thompson leaned forward and shrugged, “We do what we usually do. But you don’t need to worry about it. I have people dealing with it as we speak.” Claude looked at Noah who just raised his eyebrows and shrugged. “So I’ve decided to give you two a couple of days off. You’ve both been working yourselves to the bone. And I need my top two agents fit.” He picked up a file and nodded to them, “I’ll see you in a couple of days.” Claude and Noah both stood up, as they got to the door Thompson called out to them, “One more thing. When you were picking the boy up, did you notice anyone else there? Anyone who showed any signs of … well abilities.” Noah shook his head, “Nope just the boy. Right Claude?” Claude nodded, “Just the boy.” Thompson smiled and nodded, “Just thought I would check.”
As they got out to the parking lot Claude grabbed Noah’s arm, “What do you thinks going on?” Noah looked at him quizzically, “We’ve been given a couple of days off.” “Right,” Claude said letting his arm go and moving closer. He dropped his voice, “You don’t find that odd? In the time you’ve worked here how many days have you been given off?” Claude pulled him over to the car as Noah thought about it, Claude lowered his voice further. He knew that he could trust Bennett. “None mate. And since when do we not do the testing? Something’s going on. I don’t know what. But I guarantee you this isn’t good.” Noah laughed and pushed Claude’s arm away, “You, my friend, are too wound up. Take Thompsons advice. Go away for a couple of days. Then we’ll both come back and it’ll be fine. Back to normal.” Noah pulled out the keys to his car, “I’ll see you on Wednesday.” Claude watched as Noah drove away and sighed. He knew that this wasn’t normal. But he knew that there wasn’t much he could do. Not without putting himself in danger.
Claude rolled his eyes at himself. For some reason he hadn’t told Thompson about the girl and now he found himself back in her town. He had decided to come to make sure that the girl was okay. He had no idea why or what he was going to do but that feeling in his gut seemed to be less now that he was back. As he sat in the coffee house he saw on the TV that Timmy and his mum were being reunited. He breathed a sigh of relief that Thompson hadn’t seen him as a threat. But he wondered just what it was that he had done to the boy. “See mummy I told you. That’s my invisible friend.” Claude chocked on his coffee as he heard the little girls voice. He turned and saw the little girl run up to him, “Hello.” She said beaming. “Isabella. How many times,” her mother said running up. She grinned apologetically, “I am so sorry sir. Kids?” she said. Claude nodded and smiled, “It’s not a problem.” “But mummy I saw him and he was invisible.” “Bella if he’s invisible then how come I can see him.” Her mother looked up, “I’m so sorry again.” Claude shook his head and held his hand out, “No worries. She’s got a vivid imagination.” Isabella looked at him and frowned. As she did rain clouds formed outside. Claude stood up, “I should be going. Looks like it’s going to rain. I wish I could control the weather, then I would make it sunny.” Isabella’s mother nodded, “Mmhm. Yes. Well, Bella say goodbye to the nice man.” The mother had a strained smile on her face as she turned. Isabella looked back at Claude just in time to see him wink at her. She smiled and as she did the sun poked through the clouds.
As he walked outside Claude hummed to himself, he opened his car and got in. As he did he froze in the action of turning the ignition on. He leaned forward and saw Thompson and a couple of the other agents getting out of a car parked a couple of cars away. He turned invisible, got out and followed them.
“It’s all set,” one of the guys said adjusting his collar. Thompson turned to him, “You’re sure? This one could be the one we’ve been looking for. If this report is right,” he smirked as he pulled out the file. Claude crept up behind him; he frowned as he saw a picture of Isabella. “The men are stationed outside the house?” Thompson asked. Both men nodded, “They know what’s expected of them.” He grinned, “Good.”
Claude walked back to his car. He shook his head, how did Thompson know about the girl? He sighed as he realized that there probably wasn’t much he could do. He slammed his fist down on the dash board. He had to help this girl, deep down he knew that if he didn’t he could never live with himself.
It didn’t take him long to get to the girl’s house. He turned invisible and crept around back, he smiled as he saw the little girl playing on the swing. She smiled and waved as she saw him, “I knew you’d be back,” she grinned and grabbed him by the arm. “Come on lets have tea?” Claude looked confused but again smiling in spite of himself, “What happened to stranger danger?” “You’re my invisible friend. And Daddy said that invisible friends are good to have and play with. At least that’s what he said to Mummy.” Claude smiled in spite of himself. “Is Mummy home?” he asked. The girl nodded, “Yep. She’s on the phone though, apparently there’s a gas leak or something. Daddy’s looking for it down in the basement.” Claude froze. He remembered now where he had seen one of the men Thompson had been talking to earlier. He was like him. He had a gift. One of them and one of us, he thought to himself. The man’s name was Richard. And he could produce fire. As he thought about this Isabella ran towards the house, “I have to tell mummy that you’re back.” “Isabell …” Claude’s yell was cut off as the house exploded. Isabella was thrown slightly backwards from the force of the explosion. Claude ran and grabbed her as she started to cry, “Mummy, Daddy.” She whispered. Claude carried her in his arms and crossed into the next backyard. He crept around to the front and saw Thompson and his men. He ran down the street, the whole time trying to keep Isabella from sobbing too loudly, “It’s alright,” he said as he got to his car, “I’ve got you. You’re going to be okay.” As he drove away he shook his head, he couldn’t believe that he had just done that. He had stopped the Company from getting the little girl.
Thompson cursed, “What do you mean there’s no sign of her?” Richard walked up to him, “She was playing outside. I made sure I waited until she went out. But it’s like she just disappeared.” Thompson turned towards the smoldering wreckage of what was left of the house. He turned as he heard sirens. “Alright let’s get out of here.” He turned and walked back to his car. As he did, something tugged at him, he shrugged it off, thinking that it was probably just because he wasn’t used to failing
7 Years Ago
“You wanted to see me sir?” Thompson smiled, “Ah Noah. How are Sandra and the kids?” Noah walked into the office and sat down, “Fine. Everyone’s fine.” Thompson leaned back in his chair and pulled a file out. He tossed it over to Noah, “Good to hear.” Noah picked up the file and opened it, “New assignment?” he asked looking over the file. “No,” Thompson said lighting a cigarette, “This is one I took myself. 7 years ago. At the time I had this strange feeling and it wasn’t until the other day that I figured it out. This girl we learnt about lived in the same town as Timothy Earl.” Noah nodded, “The boy that could control the weather. One of my first cases.” “I gave the two of you a couple of days off. Thought I would take this one myself. The strangest thing though. When we got there the girl was there and then she just disappeared.” Noah glanced up from the file, “Really?” he asked. “I didn’t think anything of it until the other day; when a girl who looked remarkably like her and had her exact abilities was spotted. And then I remembered hearing her mother talking about an invisible friend and Richard talking about how she disappeared.” Noah put the file down and nodded. Realizing what Thompson was saying, “You think Claude had something to do with this?” Thompson stood up and walked around the desk, “He didn’t tell us about the girl. He saw her the first time you went there. Then he went back. Now he’s hiding her from us. He’s been hiding her from us for 7 years.” Noah sighed and took his glassed off. He rubbed his eyes, “Are you sure?” Thompson raised an eyebrow “Of course I’m sure. I can’t believe it took me this long to figure it out. I thought she must have died in the house. We wouldn’t even know now if someone hadn’t recognized her.” Noah put his glasses back on, “What do you want me to do?” Thompson reached out behind him opening a draw, he pulled a gun out and put it on the desk, “The one thing we ask for is loyalty. You know what to do.” Noah swallowed and nodded. “If you can find out where the girl is,” Thompson said sitting back down behind his desk, “though I doubt he’ll tell you.” Noah got up and walked to the door, as he opened it he turned back. Thompson looked up and nodded at him. “What’s so special about her,” Noah asked. Thompson shrugged, “She’s one of them. What more do you need to know?” Noah nodded and walked out.
Claude grimaced as he walked out of Thompson’s office. Neither men had seen him or even thought that he would be there, he walked out of the building and pulled out his mobile phone. “Hello, Mary speaking,” the voice drawled on the line “Mary,” Claude whispered, “It’s Claude. Looks like there may be some trouble after all. Where are you?” Claude walked over to a corner of the parking lot. “Vegas. Bella did so well on her test I thought it would be fun for her. And me, of course. Won’t believe who we ran into. Linderman himself. Bella didn’t seem to like him much.” Claude nodded, “Look once we finish talking ditch your phone, change your name and get out of Vegas.” “Claude?” “Look just do it okay. I’ll call you … later okay?” He sighed as he hung up the phone. He looked at it in surprise as it rang, “Hello?” “Claude, it’s me,” Claude grimaced as he heard Noah’s voice, “We’ve got another assignment. Are you close?” Claude sighed, “I’ll be in shortly.” As he hung up the phone he realized what he had done. And, he thought to himself, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Claude sat and watched the landscape go by. He knew what Noah was going to do but he still couldn’t believe that a friend would do that, especially after all they had been through. “What’s the mission?” he asked, wondering if Noah would tell him at all what he was about to do. “Security breach,” Claude laughed to himself as Noah told him what no doubt Thompson had told him to say. He knew he was lying because he wouldn’t look him in the eye. He could never look him in the eye when he lied.
As Noah told him he was the security breach he chuckled to himself. He knew that Noah was having a hard time. He told him the truth, knowing that Noah already had resigned himself to this mission, that he was hiding one of “them”. He thought that because Noah was caring for Claire that he would understand why Claude did it, convinced that Noah was a better man than the company gave him credit for.
Claude got out as they pulled up to the bridge. As they walked along it he tried to appeal to Noah. “Who is it?” Noah asked pulling out a gun. Claude swallowed and looked at the gun. He still thought that Noah may come around. He wasn’t prepared for the shot. As he fell he felt the searing pain in his chest. He got up grabbing where he had been shot, he looked at Noah and felt a pain that had nothing to do with the wound. He started to disappear as Noah shot again. He fell over the edge as Noah fired again and again and he completely disappeared when he fell into the bushes. He could see Bennett looking over the side for him and smirked that his old friend couldn’t see him. He slid out of consciousness as he heard the car drive away.
All Things Come To An End
“Claude? Claude can you hear me?” Claude moved his head and tried to push away the hand on his head, “Geroff” he mumbled. “Shh, it’s alright you’re safe now.” He stopped when he recognized the drawl, “Mary?” he whispered. As he opened his eyes he saw that he was in a cheap motel. He started to notice the bad décor and a bad smell as he regained consciousness. His eyes fell to the 14 year old girl standing next to the bed, “Bella?” The girl’s blue eyes shone as she realized that Claude was awake, she pushed her brown hair away from her face, “Hey Mr Westin,” Claude chuckled at the nickname. “How did I…?” he asked remembering Bennett and the shooting. Mary smiled and hugged Bella, “This little girl sure is a miracle. Somehow she found you and when she touched you she healed you. I think,” Mary finished looking slightly confused. Bella smiled and sat down, “Are you okay?” Claude sat up and realized the bullet holes were gone. He nodded as he realized what had happened. “Linderman,” he whispered. He smiled back at Bella and hugged her. “Thanks kiddo.” Bella smiled at Claude, “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“Room service,” Claude smiled as he heard a voice at the door, “You guys ordered room service for me?” He frowned as he saw both the women looking worried, “We didn’t order anything,” Bella said. Mary walked over to the door, “Ah, we didn’t order any room service sorry.” As she leant in to look through the peep hole a shot went off. Bella screamed as she saw Mary falling to the grown. She rushed over even as Claude went to grab her. “Bella no!” He said jumping out of bed. He saw the realization in Bella’s eyes as she turned to look at him. She stood up and put her finger to her lips even as the door was busted open. Claude tried to move forward as he saw Thompson walk in. But for some reason he was stuck to the spot. He tried to open his mouth and yell but nothing came out. As he looked over to the mirror he didn’t see his reflection. He looked at Bella as he realized that she was doing this. She wasn’t letting him reveal himself. He struggled to move as Thompson shot her with a tazer.
“And you had been doing so well,” he said to Bella as she struggled on the floor, “Put her in the van”. He looked at Mary’s dead body and then looked around. Something about this was strange but he shrugged, they had got what they came for. He smirked and closed the door. As soon as he could Claude ran outside. But the cars and the Company were long gone. He cried as he realized all he lost. Something inside snapped and he turned and walked away. He worked with the company and that didn’t work. He tried to help his own kind and that didn’t work. Better to just think of yourself. Get through life and forget everyone else. All they do is hurt you anyway.
Title: Where The End Began
Characters: Claude/Thompson/HRG(Noah)/OC
Rating: M
Spoiler alert: Season 1
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the main characters. Just the OC.
Summary: What events led up to Noah shooting Claude on the bridge. And how did he survive?
14 Years Ago
“And then Sandra leaves me with her. I don’t know how to deal with a baby,” Claude looked at Noah as he talked to him about his family, as they drove to their next mission, “You know your problem mate?” he asked changing the music. Noah looked at him through his glasses and tried not to roll his eyes, “I’m not letting myself get close to her.” Claude nodded, “That’s right and until you do, you’re not going to be able to deal with Claire. And she’s not going to be able to feel comfortable around you. And you’re never going to bond” Noah rolled his eyes, “I forgot. You have so much infinite wisdom because of the kids you have. Oh wait that’s none.” Claude chuckled, “You know you only get like that when you know I’m right.” He looked out the window and tried to ignore the pit in his stomach, “So our mission - this kid can control the weather?” he asked opening the file. “Apparently. He managed to cause a twister to apparate out of thin air because he couldn’t play with his favourite toy. Only 7 years old and able to cause that much destruction.” Noah said shaking his head. Claude looked at a photo of the little boy, barely 7 years old he looked like any normal kid. But he was capable of so much more and the Company thought he was a danger to people. He rubbed a hand wearily over his eyes and took a deep breath, “How long til we get there?” he asked looking at his watch. “Should be there in a couple of hours,” Noah replied turning off the main road, “And where does Dear Sandra think we are today?” Noah shook his head, “Managers conference in Idaho.” Claude nodded, “You seem to take a lot of those.” He bunched up his jumper and put it against the window, “wake me when we get there.” As he fell to sleep he tried to forget the feeling that what he was doing was wrong.
A couple of hours later and they reached the town where the boy lived. “That’s funny I thought it was meant to be sunny, not cloudy and dreary with a side-order of kidnapping,” Claude joked as they drove into town. “We’ll split up. I’ll go check out the school. You check out the house.” Noah said parking the car next to a coffee shop. Claude nodded, “Should be easy enough.” He got out of the car, “I’ll call you when I find him mate.” He laughed as he heard Noah reply that it wasn’t a competition. He looked at the people around him for a few minutes and then turned invisible. Sometimes it’s just easier if no-one sees you, he thought, bumping into a few people and then stealing an apple to eat on the stake-out.
As he sat watching the house the feelings he had before could no longer be ignored. Deep down he felt that he was betraying these people. These people that were like him. Who could do extraordinary things just like he could. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could do this job. Tracking them down, testing them and then if they were dangerous locking them up and throwing away the key. He’d heard of a couple of people they had done that to. How many of the people did he take in that ended up like that? It was easier just to ignore it, to pretend that you didn’t care about anyone. He jumped a little as a car pulled into the driveway of the house he was watching. Silently he cursed himself for his lapse of concentration. “But mum, I want an ice-cream” Claude walked over to the house invisible and heard the little boy yelling at his mum. “Timothy Earl, I won’t say this again. You can have an ice-cream once we get inside.” His mother was grabbing the shopping out of the car as she said this. The little boy stomped his feet and pouted, “I want one NOW!” As he yelled at his mum it started to rain, “Enough!” Claude watched as she opened the door, he looked at the rain getting heavier as the boy continued to have a tantrum and sighed. It certainly looked like this boy had the power to control the weather.
It was pretty much confirmed to him when as soon as the boy got his ice-cream it stopped raining. “Bennett,” Claude said talking into his mobile phone, “Looks like we’re right on the money … I’m at his house … I’ll wait for you to get here.” As he stood outside the living room window Claude didn’t notice the little girl walking up behind him, “Who are you?” she asked. Claude turned around in surprise, “You can see me?” he said shocked. “Yes and I think you should get out of Mrs. Coolers flower bed. Last time I was in there she yelled at me for a year.”
Claude couldn’t help but laugh, “A whole year?” The girl studied him and frowned, “Mummy says I shouldn’t talk to strangers.” Claude nodded as he walked out of the garden onto the foot path, “Then shouldn’t you listen to her. Go on, run home.” The girl gave him a suspicious look, “O-kay.” The little girl turned and walked across the road, she stopped on the other side and turned back, “Timmy’s a bad boy sometimes.” Claude shrugged, “If you say so kiddo.” “He made it rain the other day, I had to stop him.” Claude stopped looking at the house and turned back to the girl, “Did ya’ now?” The girl nodded warily, “I made the sun come out again. Otherwise Mummy’s party would’ve been ruined.” Claude froze as the little girl turned to walk away, “Wait!” he said and ran across the road. He grabbed the little girl by the arm, “He made it rain and you made it sunny?” The girl nodded, “Mummy says I made it up and I shouldn’t say things like that. But it’s okay if I tell you.” Claude frowned and let go of the girls arm, “And why’s that?” The girl smiled up at him as he stood up straight, “Because you’re my invisible friend.”
Claude looked at the window and realized that he was still invisible. He watched the girl as she skipped back into her house. “Claude?” Claude turned as he saw Bennett pull up, “Noah.” Noah rolled his eyes as he unlocked the door, “You know I can’t see you right? Get in. You can fill me in on our way to the hotel.” Claude appeared as he got in, Noah took in his friends pale appearance, “You alright there old friend?” Claude nodded, “Fine. Why?” “Nothing it just looks like you saw a ghost.” Claude laughed as they drove, “Nah, it’s nothing. Just haven’t been sleeping well. So this looks like our kid.” He said trying to deviate away from the subject. Noah nodded, “We’ll grab him tomorrow.” Claude nodded and looked back at the house the little girl had gone into.
The Beginning Of The End
“Excellent job you two,” Thompson walked around his desk and sat down, as he smiled at Noah and Claude. “That boy has extraordinary powers.” Claude nodded, “So what happens to him now?” he asked leaning back into his chair. Thompson leaned forward and shrugged, “We do what we usually do. But you don’t need to worry about it. I have people dealing with it as we speak.” Claude looked at Noah who just raised his eyebrows and shrugged. “So I’ve decided to give you two a couple of days off. You’ve both been working yourselves to the bone. And I need my top two agents fit.” He picked up a file and nodded to them, “I’ll see you in a couple of days.” Claude and Noah both stood up, as they got to the door Thompson called out to them, “One more thing. When you were picking the boy up, did you notice anyone else there? Anyone who showed any signs of … well abilities.” Noah shook his head, “Nope just the boy. Right Claude?” Claude nodded, “Just the boy.” Thompson smiled and nodded, “Just thought I would check.”
As they got out to the parking lot Claude grabbed Noah’s arm, “What do you thinks going on?” Noah looked at him quizzically, “We’ve been given a couple of days off.” “Right,” Claude said letting his arm go and moving closer. He dropped his voice, “You don’t find that odd? In the time you’ve worked here how many days have you been given off?” Claude pulled him over to the car as Noah thought about it, Claude lowered his voice further. He knew that he could trust Bennett. “None mate. And since when do we not do the testing? Something’s going on. I don’t know what. But I guarantee you this isn’t good.” Noah laughed and pushed Claude’s arm away, “You, my friend, are too wound up. Take Thompsons advice. Go away for a couple of days. Then we’ll both come back and it’ll be fine. Back to normal.” Noah pulled out the keys to his car, “I’ll see you on Wednesday.” Claude watched as Noah drove away and sighed. He knew that this wasn’t normal. But he knew that there wasn’t much he could do. Not without putting himself in danger.
Claude rolled his eyes at himself. For some reason he hadn’t told Thompson about the girl and now he found himself back in her town. He had decided to come to make sure that the girl was okay. He had no idea why or what he was going to do but that feeling in his gut seemed to be less now that he was back. As he sat in the coffee house he saw on the TV that Timmy and his mum were being reunited. He breathed a sigh of relief that Thompson hadn’t seen him as a threat. But he wondered just what it was that he had done to the boy. “See mummy I told you. That’s my invisible friend.” Claude chocked on his coffee as he heard the little girls voice. He turned and saw the little girl run up to him, “Hello.” She said beaming. “Isabella. How many times,” her mother said running up. She grinned apologetically, “I am so sorry sir. Kids?” she said. Claude nodded and smiled, “It’s not a problem.” “But mummy I saw him and he was invisible.” “Bella if he’s invisible then how come I can see him.” Her mother looked up, “I’m so sorry again.” Claude shook his head and held his hand out, “No worries. She’s got a vivid imagination.” Isabella looked at him and frowned. As she did rain clouds formed outside. Claude stood up, “I should be going. Looks like it’s going to rain. I wish I could control the weather, then I would make it sunny.” Isabella’s mother nodded, “Mmhm. Yes. Well, Bella say goodbye to the nice man.” The mother had a strained smile on her face as she turned. Isabella looked back at Claude just in time to see him wink at her. She smiled and as she did the sun poked through the clouds.
As he walked outside Claude hummed to himself, he opened his car and got in. As he did he froze in the action of turning the ignition on. He leaned forward and saw Thompson and a couple of the other agents getting out of a car parked a couple of cars away. He turned invisible, got out and followed them.
“It’s all set,” one of the guys said adjusting his collar. Thompson turned to him, “You’re sure? This one could be the one we’ve been looking for. If this report is right,” he smirked as he pulled out the file. Claude crept up behind him; he frowned as he saw a picture of Isabella. “The men are stationed outside the house?” Thompson asked. Both men nodded, “They know what’s expected of them.” He grinned, “Good.”
Claude walked back to his car. He shook his head, how did Thompson know about the girl? He sighed as he realized that there probably wasn’t much he could do. He slammed his fist down on the dash board. He had to help this girl, deep down he knew that if he didn’t he could never live with himself.
It didn’t take him long to get to the girl’s house. He turned invisible and crept around back, he smiled as he saw the little girl playing on the swing. She smiled and waved as she saw him, “I knew you’d be back,” she grinned and grabbed him by the arm. “Come on lets have tea?” Claude looked confused but again smiling in spite of himself, “What happened to stranger danger?” “You’re my invisible friend. And Daddy said that invisible friends are good to have and play with. At least that’s what he said to Mummy.” Claude smiled in spite of himself. “Is Mummy home?” he asked. The girl nodded, “Yep. She’s on the phone though, apparently there’s a gas leak or something. Daddy’s looking for it down in the basement.” Claude froze. He remembered now where he had seen one of the men Thompson had been talking to earlier. He was like him. He had a gift. One of them and one of us, he thought to himself. The man’s name was Richard. And he could produce fire. As he thought about this Isabella ran towards the house, “I have to tell mummy that you’re back.” “Isabell …” Claude’s yell was cut off as the house exploded. Isabella was thrown slightly backwards from the force of the explosion. Claude ran and grabbed her as she started to cry, “Mummy, Daddy.” She whispered. Claude carried her in his arms and crossed into the next backyard. He crept around to the front and saw Thompson and his men. He ran down the street, the whole time trying to keep Isabella from sobbing too loudly, “It’s alright,” he said as he got to his car, “I’ve got you. You’re going to be okay.” As he drove away he shook his head, he couldn’t believe that he had just done that. He had stopped the Company from getting the little girl.
Thompson cursed, “What do you mean there’s no sign of her?” Richard walked up to him, “She was playing outside. I made sure I waited until she went out. But it’s like she just disappeared.” Thompson turned towards the smoldering wreckage of what was left of the house. He turned as he heard sirens. “Alright let’s get out of here.” He turned and walked back to his car. As he did, something tugged at him, he shrugged it off, thinking that it was probably just because he wasn’t used to failing
7 Years Ago
“You wanted to see me sir?” Thompson smiled, “Ah Noah. How are Sandra and the kids?” Noah walked into the office and sat down, “Fine. Everyone’s fine.” Thompson leaned back in his chair and pulled a file out. He tossed it over to Noah, “Good to hear.” Noah picked up the file and opened it, “New assignment?” he asked looking over the file. “No,” Thompson said lighting a cigarette, “This is one I took myself. 7 years ago. At the time I had this strange feeling and it wasn’t until the other day that I figured it out. This girl we learnt about lived in the same town as Timothy Earl.” Noah nodded, “The boy that could control the weather. One of my first cases.” “I gave the two of you a couple of days off. Thought I would take this one myself. The strangest thing though. When we got there the girl was there and then she just disappeared.” Noah glanced up from the file, “Really?” he asked. “I didn’t think anything of it until the other day; when a girl who looked remarkably like her and had her exact abilities was spotted. And then I remembered hearing her mother talking about an invisible friend and Richard talking about how she disappeared.” Noah put the file down and nodded. Realizing what Thompson was saying, “You think Claude had something to do with this?” Thompson stood up and walked around the desk, “He didn’t tell us about the girl. He saw her the first time you went there. Then he went back. Now he’s hiding her from us. He’s been hiding her from us for 7 years.” Noah sighed and took his glassed off. He rubbed his eyes, “Are you sure?” Thompson raised an eyebrow “Of course I’m sure. I can’t believe it took me this long to figure it out. I thought she must have died in the house. We wouldn’t even know now if someone hadn’t recognized her.” Noah put his glasses back on, “What do you want me to do?” Thompson reached out behind him opening a draw, he pulled a gun out and put it on the desk, “The one thing we ask for is loyalty. You know what to do.” Noah swallowed and nodded. “If you can find out where the girl is,” Thompson said sitting back down behind his desk, “though I doubt he’ll tell you.” Noah got up and walked to the door, as he opened it he turned back. Thompson looked up and nodded at him. “What’s so special about her,” Noah asked. Thompson shrugged, “She’s one of them. What more do you need to know?” Noah nodded and walked out.
Claude grimaced as he walked out of Thompson’s office. Neither men had seen him or even thought that he would be there, he walked out of the building and pulled out his mobile phone. “Hello, Mary speaking,” the voice drawled on the line “Mary,” Claude whispered, “It’s Claude. Looks like there may be some trouble after all. Where are you?” Claude walked over to a corner of the parking lot. “Vegas. Bella did so well on her test I thought it would be fun for her. And me, of course. Won’t believe who we ran into. Linderman himself. Bella didn’t seem to like him much.” Claude nodded, “Look once we finish talking ditch your phone, change your name and get out of Vegas.” “Claude?” “Look just do it okay. I’ll call you … later okay?” He sighed as he hung up the phone. He looked at it in surprise as it rang, “Hello?” “Claude, it’s me,” Claude grimaced as he heard Noah’s voice, “We’ve got another assignment. Are you close?” Claude sighed, “I’ll be in shortly.” As he hung up the phone he realized what he had done. And, he thought to himself, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Claude sat and watched the landscape go by. He knew what Noah was going to do but he still couldn’t believe that a friend would do that, especially after all they had been through. “What’s the mission?” he asked, wondering if Noah would tell him at all what he was about to do. “Security breach,” Claude laughed to himself as Noah told him what no doubt Thompson had told him to say. He knew he was lying because he wouldn’t look him in the eye. He could never look him in the eye when he lied.
As Noah told him he was the security breach he chuckled to himself. He knew that Noah was having a hard time. He told him the truth, knowing that Noah already had resigned himself to this mission, that he was hiding one of “them”. He thought that because Noah was caring for Claire that he would understand why Claude did it, convinced that Noah was a better man than the company gave him credit for.
Claude got out as they pulled up to the bridge. As they walked along it he tried to appeal to Noah. “Who is it?” Noah asked pulling out a gun. Claude swallowed and looked at the gun. He still thought that Noah may come around. He wasn’t prepared for the shot. As he fell he felt the searing pain in his chest. He got up grabbing where he had been shot, he looked at Noah and felt a pain that had nothing to do with the wound. He started to disappear as Noah shot again. He fell over the edge as Noah fired again and again and he completely disappeared when he fell into the bushes. He could see Bennett looking over the side for him and smirked that his old friend couldn’t see him. He slid out of consciousness as he heard the car drive away.
All Things Come To An End
“Claude? Claude can you hear me?” Claude moved his head and tried to push away the hand on his head, “Geroff” he mumbled. “Shh, it’s alright you’re safe now.” He stopped when he recognized the drawl, “Mary?” he whispered. As he opened his eyes he saw that he was in a cheap motel. He started to notice the bad décor and a bad smell as he regained consciousness. His eyes fell to the 14 year old girl standing next to the bed, “Bella?” The girl’s blue eyes shone as she realized that Claude was awake, she pushed her brown hair away from her face, “Hey Mr Westin,” Claude chuckled at the nickname. “How did I…?” he asked remembering Bennett and the shooting. Mary smiled and hugged Bella, “This little girl sure is a miracle. Somehow she found you and when she touched you she healed you. I think,” Mary finished looking slightly confused. Bella smiled and sat down, “Are you okay?” Claude sat up and realized the bullet holes were gone. He nodded as he realized what had happened. “Linderman,” he whispered. He smiled back at Bella and hugged her. “Thanks kiddo.” Bella smiled at Claude, “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“Room service,” Claude smiled as he heard a voice at the door, “You guys ordered room service for me?” He frowned as he saw both the women looking worried, “We didn’t order anything,” Bella said. Mary walked over to the door, “Ah, we didn’t order any room service sorry.” As she leant in to look through the peep hole a shot went off. Bella screamed as she saw Mary falling to the grown. She rushed over even as Claude went to grab her. “Bella no!” He said jumping out of bed. He saw the realization in Bella’s eyes as she turned to look at him. She stood up and put her finger to her lips even as the door was busted open. Claude tried to move forward as he saw Thompson walk in. But for some reason he was stuck to the spot. He tried to open his mouth and yell but nothing came out. As he looked over to the mirror he didn’t see his reflection. He looked at Bella as he realized that she was doing this. She wasn’t letting him reveal himself. He struggled to move as Thompson shot her with a tazer.
“And you had been doing so well,” he said to Bella as she struggled on the floor, “Put her in the van”. He looked at Mary’s dead body and then looked around. Something about this was strange but he shrugged, they had got what they came for. He smirked and closed the door. As soon as he could Claude ran outside. But the cars and the Company were long gone. He cried as he realized all he lost. Something inside snapped and he turned and walked away. He worked with the company and that didn’t work. He tried to help his own kind and that didn’t work. Better to just think of yourself. Get through life and forget everyone else. All they do is hurt you anyway.