Heroes fanfic: Confrontations, chapter 13
Title: Confrontations (Chapter 13/15)
Author: Jemma
Rating: To be safe, T (13+)
Disclaimer: Not my show or characters.
Characters: Peter, Nathan, Matt, Mohinder, Sylar, Future!Claire, Future!Peter, Future!Mohinder, Future!Nathan, Future!Danko, Danko, HRG, Mary Campbell, Luke, Tracy, mentions of Hiro.
Summary: My own interpretation of “Fugitives” after “Trust And Blood”. I started this before Volume Four began but added to it as new episodes showed. It follows Future!Peter in the future Fugitives-verse and the made of Awesome Trio which is Matt, Mohinder and Peter in the present. The three fugitives go on an important mission to find Sylar in an attempt to get Peter’s abilities back while, in the future, Future!Peter struggles with the changes of reality and suddenly finds himself in the same position many of his friends had been put in before they met a cruel fate.
Previous Chapters: One, Two, Three, Four, Five 6.1, 6.2, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven
Read here or at FF.net
Chapter 13
Peter Petrelli, Mohinder Suresh and Matt Parkman
Building 26, Present Day
Peter found himself beside Matt Parkman and Mohinder Suresh once again, marching down the corridor with a morbid seriousness. Someone was probably going to die here tonight, but it wasn't going to be him. Not until he made sure all this was over and done with. Permanently.
The small crowd behind him followed cautiously, but they appeared more confident then before. Maybe the sudden behaviour had sprung from the anger brought on by their unfair treatment. He hoped Tracy's group had made it out alright. He saw the control room up ahead and swallowed. He held his breath when he saw a short hairless man dressed in black stroll in from the other end of the corridor. Peter tensed, his muscles tightening in his body and his teeth gritting together tightly.
"Who's that?" A member of the group asked behind him.
"That's Danko," Peter answered, locking with the old man's evil gaze.
Danko took a few steps forward, "We must stop meeting like this, Peter. It's too much of a clique for my liking."
"Hilarious."
"Let's cut to the chase shall we? I realise this is hard for you to understand but we are trying to do what's best for you. And I've just about had it with trying to convince you."
"Then don't," Matt replied angrily.
"I'm going to give you one last chance. Stop this, let us help you. I promise we'll provide you all with suitable facilities this time. You're just making things worse by trying to fight it. This is inevitable after all; did you people really think you could walk around like this forever?"
"You have no right, Danko," Peter almost yelled, "I'm not going to let you hurt anyone else, and we're all leaving the way we were when we came."
"Well, except for one," Danko smiled crookedly, "You." Everyone remained silent as Danko took a step forward, "Oh, Peter. You judge me for deceiving you, for bringing you here for my own selfish reasons when you are in fact guilty of precisely the same thing."
"What are you talking about?" he growled angrily.
"How about I refresh your memory?"
He turned his head to look behind him as the crowd watched curiously. A familiar figure emerged, dressed in dark clothing and sporting a recognisable sinister smile. Peter felt the air escape his lungs as he sighed, shaking his head. This had to be one of the stupidest things Sylar had ever agreed to. He saluted Peter teasingly, standing next to his new accomplice.
"Remember me?" he hissed bitterly.
"What the hell are you doing? He wants to kill people like us. You can't trust him."
"And who are you to say who I can and can't trust, Peter," Sylar snapped, shooting him an angry glance, "Since you're the one who tricked me in to coming here and taking my powers. I should have never listened to you."
Peter could hear the anxious mumblings start up again behind him. Obviously, these people didn't know Sylar and didn't realise what evil lurked in that disturbing brain of his. He knew he had been wrong about Sylar now. This only proved it. But he couldn't have these people doubt him. The fight hadn't even begun yet.
He stepped forward, "You think you're getting something out of this, don't you? And let me guess; killing me is going to get you whatever he promised you," his thoughts returned to the near-future James had described to him. Only now, he could clearly see the images flash in front of him. It looked like he took the man's power after all. The figure was definitely him, the scar indented in to his bruised face, his body weak and lifeless. Was Sylar the one who was going to do that to him? It was inevitable really, "It doesn't take a genius to realise he's using you. Once you're done with me, he'll turn on you and you'll find yourself in the same situation we've all been put in."
"That'll never happen."
"He'll kill you like he's tried to kill us."
"No, he won't, Peter. And you know why. Because I'm invincible."
Peter smirked, "That's what you think."
Sylar bit his lip and glanced at Danko. They exchanged a gentle nod and Sylar turned his attention back to Peter, "Let's see how your little lambs do without their shepherd to guide them to safety."
With that, he mentally flung Peter high in to the ceiling, so that he came crashing back down with a loud and painful thud.
"Peter!" Mohinder cried, but before he could aid his friend Danko had pulled out a gun and had it pointed right at him.
"You can't cover all of us with one gun, Danko," Matt scoffed, standing so he was almost in front of Mohinder.
Danko only grinned, pulling out his mobile phone from his pocket, "That's why I'm calling for back-up. Seeing as most of the men on this floor are….out of action, I'm going to have to make a call to downstairs," he opened up the phone and held it halfway to his ear, the gun in his other hand still pointed at the prisoners, "Except…one of you is preventing the signal from getting through. Right?"
Peter held his dazed head and struggled to his feet, shooting a cold glare at Sylar. The group was silent.
"No confession? Alright," Danko sighed, "Well, I don't think it's you, Peter. Even if you did have that ability by now you've obviously been too preoccupied to learn how to use it."
Sylar flicked his hand once again and Peter went flying to one side.
"Doctor Suresh - super strength, correct?"
No answer, but Sylar mentally threw him to one side anyway.
"Matt Parkman. I know you have the power to mess with people's heads…but technology? No."
Matt, too, was shoved aside without physical aid.
"Let's just cut to the chase shall we?" He aimed his gun again and shot unexpectedly at a short blonde girl in the centre of the group. He got it one. Amy fell to the floor with a shriek, followed by a horrified "No!" from Peter and a sea of gasps all around. Danko stared coldly as the girl fell to the floor, his eyes drifting back to the phone grasped in his bony fingers. He punched in the numbers and made his call.
Peter's eyes were glued to Amy's fragile body struggling with pain on the floor. He scrambled over to her and inspected her wound. The bullet was lodged somewhere in her arm and blood was dripping on to the floor, staining his knees and hands as he leant over her with concern.
Mohinder and Matt, along with the rest of the group, could only stare with the same look of shock and fear as everyone else. They could tell this was only the beginning.
"Don't move, it's okay. It's okay, we'll get you out of here. It's okay," Peter muttered softly to her as he ripped part of his own shirt to wrap around her wound. She stuttered something incomprehensible in between her groans of pain.
Sylar watched uneasily. Danko shut his phone and watched the event in front of him, "Relax. She'll be fine. It's only a flesh wound. I'll have one of my doctors take care of it."
"What is this going to accomplish, Danko?" Peter growled, getting to his feet and thundering towards him.
"Well, I'm able to use my damn phone now. That's something."
He stopped not far in front of him, "You honestly think we'll agree to what you say after you shot one of us?"
"And I suppose you assembled this group so we could all just sit down and have a nice chat, is that right?" He stared in to Peter's eyes, the hatred growing in them, "No. You came for a fight. You want to kill me."
"I want to stop you."
"Then you'll have to kill me."
Peter stared at him silently, having no response. He could hear footsteps behind them, soldiers marching to Danko's aid. The group muttered nervously. Mohinder knelt down next to Amy to comfort her, but his concerned eyes seemed to do the opposite.
"This is it, right?" she whispered weakly, "This is where we fight."
Mohinder frowned as he spotted the rest of the soldiers appear behind the group, "Yeah, this is where we fight."
"One last chance," Danko announced as the soldiers assembled.
"We're not going to let you take us again," Peter told him. His eyes drifted to Sylar who stood not far away, his own eyes burning a hole in to him, "So you might as well do what you came here to do."
Sylar shrugged, "Fine with me."
A shot of electricity fired from Sylar's hand and engulfed Peter in a lightening storm of blue electric light. The others watched in horror. His eyes wild, Sylar approached his victim slowly. At first, his body seemed to absorb the shock as anticipated, the screams of pain a satisfying result. But after a while, the light seemed to bounce off of him and the shock recoiled, ricocheting back in to Sylar's own body and causing him to shake vigorously.
The bright electric blue faded. Sylar recovered, panting for breath. Peter felt his skin softening, returning to normal as he watched Sylar, waiting for another attack.
"Well, you certainly didn't take that ability from me," Sylar mumbled with a sideways grin before holding out both his hands and shooting the electricity from his palms once again, yelling over the noise. But Peter was quicker, with both palms pointed towards Sylar, one emitted the same electric blue, the other a poisonous green streak of sparks. There appeared to be a visible stalemate as the opposing flows of energy met in between them and struggled to reach the enemy.
Matt bent down towards Mohinder, watching the fight unfold, "I guess that's our cue."
Moments later, Mohinder found himself launching towards Danko, fists clenched and ready to cause some damage. He felt bullets rocket past him, missing him by inches. It was at that second, he had turned around and noticed the whole group had began to fight their own individual fights. It was terrifying, and somewhat beautiful at the same time. He was witnessing these people fight for their freedom, for what they were, using what their genetics had evolved for them. But even through all that, the bloodshed that would come from that was becoming painfully obvious. Amy lay bleeding on the floor, clutching at her wound, useless. She seemed alright for now. Everyone seemed to have their own distractions at the moment. Matt's nose was already bleeding, but he couldn't tell whether that was because somebody had broken it for him, or if it was from the strenuous task of controlling the enemy. Michael seemed on top of things, quite literally as the mesmerising flood of green sparks rendered the guards underneath his feet unconscious. Zoe was busy helping others who were not so successful in their fights, dodging the guards, their bullets bouncing off of her as if they were merely made out of some rubbery substance. And of course there was Peter, still battling with Sylar. His abilities had manifested quite magnificently and the strength he had acquired since the beginning of their journey had become obvious. But he wasn't as naïve. He had seen that he needed help, and help he would get.
As the storm of blue and green seemed to erupt in front of them, Mohinder hurried towards them, running past the intense battles around him. But before he could reach his friend or their notorious enemy, he felt something pin him down and his face suddenly became soaked with blood as one of Danko's men started to hit him continuously with the butt of his gun. Gathering the last of his strength, and recovering from the surprise attack, Mohinder rolled the man over and started to strangle him with his bear hands. He choked. He very nearly had him.
Abruptly, something flew in to him with such a force he unintentionally went flying with it in to the wall on the other side of the room. Dazed, he looked up to see it had been another guard who was now lying in pain on the floor. Mohinder looked up again to see that familiar featured face. He scrambled up towards Danko as sweat and blood dripped from his body.
He had been standing comfortably, his arms crossed as he observed the occurrence without so much as an element of concern. Mohinder felt his teeth and fists clench again as Danko turned to him and a flash of fear appeared on to his guiltless features. Instinctively, he raised his foot and kicked Mohinder in the torso, causing him to fall on to the hard surface below. The attack had surprised him, but not paralysed him. He tried to scramble to his feet once again when another man appeared over him, gun in hand and pointing right at his chest. He hardly had time to draw in a fearful breath when the man clumsily fell on top of him, James appearing behind him and having hit him hard on the head with a different gun. Mohinder pushed the guy off of him and thanked the new arrival. James nodded and helped him up.
"I guess we've got everything to lose now, right?" he sighed before shooting one last glance at the Indian man and heading back in to the fight. Mohinder swallowed. He was right. If they didn't win here today, they could kiss freedom goodbye, and perhaps their own lives as they knew them.
Peter's back hit the wall and he choked for breath. Kicking his feet desperately in the air, he squirmed and fought for breath. Sylar was suddenly standing over him, his hand gently squeezing the air. Peter held his breath, eyes watering and neck pulsing with pain. His mind began to spin. He glared with intense anger. He saw red blurring his eyes, obscuring Sylar's smug face. He felt his heart beat in his ears. Quite suddenly, Sylar had involuntarily sprang backwards. Peter smiled in triumph before he fell on to the floor in a coughing fit. He rolled on to his back, spluttering for air. As he crawled to his hands and knees, he saw Sylar thunder towards him again furiously. He shook his head.
"Give it up, Gabriel," he muttered before placing a hand on to the floor and causing part of the surface to transform in to ice. Sylar slipped and landed backwards, sliding towards Peter. The younger Petrelli jumped up and stunned the man with the green sparks. Sylar shook vigorously with the strange stinging sensation. His chest felt heavy, as if he couldn't breathe and his skin felt as if hot needles were poking in to him, "I was wrong before - you're not invincible," he stopped, taking a minor break from the violence, "Neither of us are. Get over yourself and take a look at reality."
Before Sylar could reply, Peter felt a bullet pierce his neck. He stumbled back, struggling for breath and overcoming the sudden stinging sensation. Cursing, he pulled the metal object from his skin, the blood drying around his already healed wound. He glanced up to see a nervous looking man with a gun, dressed in familiar uniform. Giving his attacker a sideways glance, he raised his hand and sent an invisible force to crash him in to the wall next to him, causing him to fall on to the floor, groaning in pain.
As he began to turn around he felt a fist punch him in the face and send him falling to the floor. Looked like Sylar had already recovered and was now kicking him violently in the stomach over and over again. Peter cried out in pain. Sylar yelled over his cries, "Don't you get it by now? I'm not interested in what you have to say!" he kicked him again, feeling the bones in his body crack and then reform within moments, "I don't care about these people and I certainly don't care about you!" he halted the kicking, raising the man high above him before using his mind to send him in to a few of the guards.
Peter spat out blood. Luckily he knew no permanent damage would be done. Whatever Sylar did to him he would just as easily bounce back. He took in deep, pained breaths before shakily getting to his feet, "I thought I saw another side to you," he seethed, "But obviously whatever this thing is that drives you to be such a sadistic murderous bastard is too strong for you to handle." He sucked in a breath and yelled at the top of his voice, "YOU'RE WEAKER THAN YOU THINK!"
The force sent Sylar toppling over in to Matt Parkman. Matt pushed him away, glancing at Peter but the man looked like he had this under control. He gave him a quick nod before moving past him, towards Michael who was currently having the life beaten out of him by one of Danko's guards. Viciously, he grabbed the attacker and threw him on to the floor. Stunned, the man kicked him in the face which forced Matt backwards in to Michael who caught him.
"I think you should duck," he muttered to the man in front of him as the guard scrambled to his feet and limped towards them. Matt did as he said and Michael used his ability to make the guard a weak, shivering form on the cold floor.
Matt breathed heavily, rising to his proper height before bullets damaged the wall behind them and they both had to crouch quickly with their hands protecting them as they both ran for cover. Matt could spot Amy sat in the corner, a hand still pressed tightly to her wound. Beside her was a body in orange uniform. He frowned sadly. So they had claimed another victim. It wasn't surprising, but upsetting all the same. He hadn't even any time to find out who it had been. More bullets missed them by inches. Matt crawled by a nearby overturned table and beckoned Michael towards him in to safety.
"Maybe if I can concentrate, I can get whoever it is to stop shooting," Matt suggested, clutching at straws, suggesting what little ideas he had left.
"What? Concentrate in this? No way!" the green sparked from his palm, "Perhaps if I can spot who it is from here, I can get him and -"
"They'll shoot you," Matt breathed, "Maybe if we both -"
Interrupted in mid-sentence, a red-headed woman jumped out from behind them, turning around and shooting fire from her freckled hands. They could see the reflection of the fire twinkle in her eyes, her freckles dancing on her nose as she smiled a victorious smile.
Matt and Michael peered round to see the shooter shrieking and trying to put out his fiery clothes. Another one pulled off his bullet proof jacket and, ripping off his black jumper, aided him in putting out the flames. Unfortunately without the jacket, a bullet had hit him in the back and he toppled to the floor. Matt swallowed. The girl instantly ran off, flames alight in both palms. Matt stood and watched her fight off the enemy with her dangerous ability. One of Danko's men grabbed her and she shrieked loudly, fire erupting around her. Matt chased after her and tired to pull the man off of her. But it was too late. His hands were burnt and he collapsed on to the floor between the flames, screaming. They grew higher, the orange and yellow rising wildly. The girl glanced at Matt, terrified.
Matt felt water begin to pour on to him as the flames set the sprinklers off. He looked up, squinting as the liquid entered his eyes and soaked his hair. The fiery red-head was now on the floor, drenched and curled up in a pathetic ball. He dropped down beside her, lifting her head and moving her wet hair out of her green eyes, "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
He looked at her more closely and noticed steam coming from her body. She winced, eyes watering. Matt asked her what her name was.
"Jennifer," she sniffed, "Please. The water - it stops my power. It weakens me."
"Alright. It's okay, just stay with me. We'll get out of here." He took her hand and helped her up. Seconds later, he paused and indicated to Jennifer not to move. Jennifer stared at him, opening her mouth to ask what was wrong when the man turned around and grabbed on to the gun of one of Danko's men who had snuck up on them. He didn't seem to want to let go which meant the two men were stuck battling over it. Matt yanked it towards him, pulling the guard closer to him. The guard used every ounce of his strength and began to slowly turn the gun towards Matt, reaching for the trigger. Matt kicked him in the crotch and forced him back in to the wall, pushing the point of the weapon away from him and towards the guard. The weapon turned horizontal and Matt pushed it against the man's neck, strangling him. Jennifer witnessed this nervously, skin still steaming. The man weakened and let go of his grip, allowing Matt to lift the weapon and clobber him over the head with it. He fell to the floor, Matt breathing heavily and shaking the tension from his wrist.
"How did you know he was there?" she asked, shaking as the water seemed to fall faster.
Matt turned to look at her as he caught his breath, "I heard him."
BAM! The sound of Peter's head bashing against the pale wall stunned them. He slid downwards in to a small puddle, his hair dripping over his eyes, clothes already drenched. Matt rushed over to him,
"Are you okay?"
Peter held out his hand , warning him to stay back, his face a mixture of water and blood as it dripped down his cheeks, "I'm fine. I'm fine."
From a short distance, they looked over to see Sylar pull a large piece of glass from his bare torso, the wound healing instantaneously. He let his shirt drop, the blood with the addition of the sprinkler's water causing it to stick to his skin. Jennifer watched with horror. Sylar rolled his eyes, pushing back his soaked hair with annoyance before raising his hand to flick the pathetic woman to one side. Matt soon followed, flying to the opposite side of the room with a little assistance from Sylar.
Peter clenched his teeth together furiously before thundering towards Sylar, picking his feet off the ground and flying in to him, sending them both in to the wall behind. Sylar growled with pain as he fell in to a small puddle, rubbing his aching head. Peter quickly picked himself off the floor, shaking his wet hair out of his eyes. He wasn't sure if it was the coldness of the water or the excitement and anger he felt from the fight, but he shuddered violently. He suddenly felt very alive. With his hands out, he used Doyle's ability to make Sylar gently raise his hands and strangle himself. He choked, and continued to choke while Peter began to speak again,
"You're angry with me, I can sense it. Feel it. You're angry, always angry. But I don't think it's just me you're angry with," he snarled in a low voice. "Look at you, look at the person you've become. Look what you're doing, Gabriel," he made Sylar squeeze harder around his neck, "It doesn't have to be this way. The world could be a better place with you in it. But you continue to allow this hunger to destroy you. You're nothing but a monster," he turned his head sideways and smirked grimly, "So I'm going to destroy you before you destroy yourself and bring all of us down with you."
He made Sylar's grip tighten, his face turning an unnatural red. Sylar kicked his legs desperately, water splashing everywhere. He noticed the puddle extend to where Peter was standing, an idea surfacing in his mind. Biting down hard on his lip, he closed his eyes and focused through the unbearable choking sensation. Peter watched him with momentary confusion before noticing the electric blue surface from Sylar's skin. He released his grip, eyes widening. Was he crazy?
A scream erupted first from Sylar as the electric shocks pulsed through his damp body and travelled along the small pool of water towards Peter who instantly collapsed and yelled out in fits of pain. Sylar had already recovered by the time Peter had managed to overcome the agonising shocks and stop his body from thrashing about violently. He kicked the man's side violently before kneeling on his chest, forcing his weight on to him and causing him to fight for breath.
"You're right about one thing. I am angry with you. Furious, in fact," he leant down further, crushing him, "Ever since you stopped me from killing the damn cheerleader, every time I turn around there you are. Ruining everything," he spat, enjoying the desperation from the man below him as he struggled for his life, "I'm glad I'm not related to you, Peter. Because the hatred I feel for you is much stronger than any brotherly bond you could have hoped for. No matter what, it will ALWAYS come down to this. You and me. Killing each other. Enemies. Nothing more, nothing less," he shook his head, forcing down harder on Peter's chest, "I should have never trusted you. I came here to find out why I am the way I am, where I came from. Now my father's dead and I can never know. And it's all because of you."
Peter wheezed for breath, sweat dotting his forehead, "So this is all about your father," he spoke hoarsely, his voice barely above a whisper, "About me interfering with your little reunion."
Sylar stared at him fiercely, holding down Peter's arms as he struggled beneath him, "You had NO RIGHT!" he bellowed, "He was MY father! He abandoned me, betrayed me! He was MINE to kill! Not yours! You got him killed. I had finally found him and you killed him!"
Peter stared at him with little remorse, stiffening his jaw and ignoring the paralysing crushing pain on his chest, "You killed mine first."
Sylar loosened at that. Peter took this as an opportunity to push the man away and kick him off of him. He jumped to his feet and gasped deeply for air. But before he had time to fully recover from the attack, he felt a body crash in to him and send him flying through the window, the glass smashing and the shards piercing his flesh. He could feel angry hands grab at him as he felt himself fall, the cold air hitting his face, his hair, his clothes. And then there was no more falling. Just excruciating pain as they met what was at the bottom.
BAM!
Nathan felt his head knock back at the impact, then the agonising burning sensation in his cheek followed. Luke held on to him as best as he could. He could struggle all he liked. There was nowhere for him to go. And it wasn't like Tracy was going to let him off the hook so easy.
"I can't see how this is going to accomplish anything," Nathan muttered before feeling another blow from Tracy's icy fist.
"We were so close to getting out of here," Tracy growled furiously, "Now here we are, trapped inside this bubble being shot at by a bunch of uniforms working for a psychopath."
She glanced outside at the intimidating men. They didn't seem to be giving up. Bullets continued bouncing off the shield but the men only reloaded and continued their vicious rampage.
"I know," he replied weakly, attempting to shake off Luke, "I have told you that I want to help. Obviously Danko has figured out that I've switched sides."
"Ha," Tracy scorned, "Switched sides? You still want to experiment on us, you still want to turn our powers off. Maybe a couple of months ago I would have been all for that. But things have changed now. THIS is wrong!"
"I realise that," Nathan wiped the blood from his cut lip, "And I promise you I will fix this. I just need to get to Danko."
"Why should we believe you?" Tracy watched him with a stern gaze, folding her arms.
Nathan sucked in a breath, "Like I said, I've seen what happens. I saw my future. And I know if I was to continue this I would lose everything that's important to me," his hand fell softly upon her arm and he gripped it gently, "You know me. I know I was wrong and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," he turned his attention to everybody, "For all the pain and fear I have caused you all. I will fix this because I need to fix it. Trust me," his gaze fell upon Tracy once more, "Please."
Tracy stared at him, her blue eyes piercing through him like blades attacking flesh. It was true, she did know him. And it was hard to see why Nathan would lie to her at this point. He seemed very sincere and, as well as feeling sick to her stomach, she couldn't help feeling as though he needed her trust. That he needed her to believe him. Perhaps he did want to stop this after all.
"What do you propose we do?" she replied after a few moments of thought. Some of the group looked outraged, particularly young Luke.
"Are you crazy? He did this to us, man!" he spluttered, holding his arms out to emphasise his disagreement.
"We have no choice," she told him sternly, "He could stop all of this," she looked back over at Nathan who had recovered from his beating and was looking at Tracy gratefully, "Got any ideas, Senator?"
Nathan glanced at the men outside nervously. He was good with words but that wouldn't help him as long as they were wasting ammo on that shield and trying their best to kill them. Even the unexplained triggering of the sprinklers hadn't affected them.
Abi pressed the cloth to her neck, blood dampening it as she whimpered quietly to herself. She served as a critical reminder that they needed to get out of here. Fast.
There was a small cough and that familiar red-head emerged again. The one they knew as 'The Illusionist', "I suppose I can help," he shrugged, "Now I pretty much have full use of my lungs again."
Nathan stared at him curiously, "And what are you going to do?"
The Illusionist gave him an annoyed sideways glance, "I'm going to trick them just as I tricked you. Easy."
Nathan shook his head, "How?"
"Watch."
He closed his eyes and focused on his task, his eyes moving fast behind his eyelids. They watched as his jaw stiffened, his teeth clenched together with concentration. Nathan wrinkled his nose as he watched critically, unsure of the man. But not long later he began to notice a change in the men outside. They dropped their weapons, crying out and grabbing at their throats, stomachs, legs. They wilted slowly to the floor, shouting out in what seemed like agony. Nathan felt a wave of nausea wash over him and his heart raced.
"You're killing them. Stop, they're dying!"
The Illusionist opened one eye and looked at the Senator with an emotionless glance, "They think they're dying. It's all in their heads."
Nathan turned his attention back to the men. He was right. There was no blood, no physical signs of injury. What these men were experiencing was all part of their imagination. Amazing.
Whilst the men were distracted, the shield retracted and Nathan beckoned the group towards a door, the water falling fast and instantly soaking them, "Follow me. I'll get you out of here. Then I'll talk to Danko. You won't have to worry about running for much longer, I assure you."
Tracy sucked in a breath. She hoped she had done the right thing in trusting Nathan again. He did seem to be their only hope after all. She had no idea what was going on with Peter, Matt and Mohinder; whether they were injured, or even alive. She could only hope they would be alright.
Nathan ushered the group to the stairs where everyone ran down in a panic. He put an arm round Abi and helped her down the steps, her fingers still pressing the bloody cloth to her wound. She was drowsy, but she would make it.
Once they had reached the bottom, Nathan lead the way to one of the emergency exits. Catching his breath, he raised a hand, "Wait here." He opened the door slightly with his free hand and peered round it, still supporting Abi on his other arm. All seemed clear, "Come on."
They crept outside, the afternoon sky looking over them with some sort of mocking serenity. Everyone gathered round and caught their breaths, scanning their surroundings, hearts beating wildly. Nathan looked around him and handed Abi to The Illusionist. He gave a quick nod to Tracy before springing up and taking off, his feet leaving the ground below him and his body launching high up in to the air. The group gasped and watched in awe.
"So the Senator can fly," shrugged The Illusionist, readjusting his grip on Abi, "Not the most unsettling thing I've seen today, I have to admit."
A few moments later and Nathan came back in for landing, feet meeting the ground in the middle of the group. He caught his breath once again, "All is clear so long as you go down this route and stick to the back streets," he pointed across the large concrete area and towards the back of another building. Next to it was a small passage; their escape route, "I suggest you get her to a hospital," he nodded towards the weakened Abi who was now leaning on 'The Illusionist' for support, "Otherwise you should get as far away as possible. And be careful. I doubt Danko will listen to me and I might not be able to contact the president to pull the plug on this operation for some time. Do you think you'll be able to take it from here?"
Tracy raised her head suspiciously, "How can you trust us? What if we leave and tell the world what we've been through here today? Won't look good so good for you, will it?"
Nathan bit his lip, scratching at his stubble before dropping his hand to his side, "Tracy, I've made a lot of mistakes. All I want to do is amend for what I've done, to put things right. You can understand that, right?"
Tracy stared at him. Somehow she knew she wouldn't be the one to blab to the press about this. She didn't need to ruin Nathan's reputation. He was perfectly capable of doing that himself. And he HAD risked his life to save them. Better late than never, right?
"Thanks," she mumbled, the tiniest smile surfacing upon her lips. She took a step back, addressing the rest of the group, "Let's go."
They quickly hurried off to freedom, away from Building 26 and all that they had suffered during their time there. Luke hung back with his hands in his pockets, a serious glare upon his face. He looked up at Nathan,
"I want to stay here."
Nathan scorned at the boy, shaking his head, "I'm sorry but I don't think so," he indicated to the bloody bandage around his arm, "By the looks of it you've been scraped up pretty badly already."
"Don't patronise me. I'm a part of this as much as everybody else. Yeah, I wanted to go home. I thought there was nothing left for me here. But there's nothing there either. I want to stay here and fight."
"This isn't a game," Nathan said more sternly, glancing around him quickly before meeting Luke's gaze with a hard glare, "You could get killed in there."
"Then I'll get killed." He shrugged and let his eyes drop to the floor, "Like I said, I got nothing else."
Nathan breathed a heavy sigh, "Well, I can't make you do anything now. Do what you want. It's your funeral."
Nathan turned around to head back inside. Luke sported a satisfied smirk and followed him quickly back in to Building 26.
tbc