Part Two: Hope
Catherine looked up at the building facade in front of her, then down at the business card in her hand, then back up at the Portal Corporation sign once more. She had been there once before, but that had been with Ophelia and Harrison the day after she had been discharged from the hospital, but it was another thing entirely trying to get there herself. She took a deep breath and held it, then released it slowly. No use in bringing back that particular memory. There was no mistaking it though, this was the place all right.
She took a deep breath, tucked a loose strand of brown hair behind her right ear, and unthinkingly attempted to open the door with her right hand, eliciting a grimace as she belatedly remembered her sprained wrist. With an exasperated sigh she tucked the small black fabric purse that had been part of the clothing bundle donated to her earlier in the week by the EUPTF under her right arm and opened the door with her left. Inside she was greeted with a blast of cool air, a welcome change from the high heat and humidity of the summer day outdoors.
She slowly made her way to a desk with an Information sign above it, soaking in the atmosphere. Doors slid aside without a sound as men and women in lab coats or business suits walked through on their way to their destination. Almost everyone carried a briefcase or an air of importance; more than a few carried both.
The Information Desk itself was made of burnished metal and polished glass. A pleasant-looking redheaded woman in a neatly tailored suit sat behind it. As Catherine approached, looking vaguely lost amongst the hubbub, the secretary looked up from her computer and smiled warmly.
Welcome to Portal Corp! How can I help you, maam?
Catherine handed the woman the business card shed been given. I have an appointment to see Harrison Jones at one thirty.
The redhead glanced at it and nodded. Take a seat, and Ill notify Mr. Jones that youre here.
Catherine dutifully sat in the black leather chair the secretary, whose name tag indicated her name was Stephanie, pointed out, and started to shuffle through the magazines neatly stacked to one side. Some were technical journals well above her head, while others were dedicated to superheroes, while still others were the lifestyle magazines shed always hated.
She fished through them slowly, separating the ones focused on superheroes from the mix. One in particular caught her eye- on the cover was a picture of Manticore, and splashed below it in rather large print was Hero of the Year! Must be more about that thing with Crey, she thought. Before she could take more than a cursory glance at the inside of the magazine Harrison walked up to the desk, the tall man dressed again in khakis and a blue shirt.
Catherine levered herself from the chair and shook his proffered hand. He winced and clutched his hand in mock pain. You have a strong handshake. She snorted a laugh as he continued. If youll come with me, Ill show you to my office. He walked towards the same door he had come through at a casual saunter. How has life been treating you so far?
She thought for a long moment, trying to sort through her feelings. This whole place is amazing
superheroes really exist! Heroes and Villains and epic battles and
She stopped mid-sentence when she noticed the look Harrison was giving her. Im sorry, its just
this is the stuff of comics books in my universe. Its all so different.
There was a pause in the conversation as Harrison took them left around a corner, then up a flight of stairs.
Youve come to understand that you arent in your own universe, then?
Catherine winced, remembering her reaction after Ophelia had checked every database she had access to, searching for her Social Security number or a person otherwise recognizable as her and found nothing. Im going to have to apologize to Ophelia, she muttered, her cheeks turning faintly red.
Harrison stopped and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. It was an understandable reaction. I cant say I would have done anything different, had I been in your shoes. And with any luck, well be able to get you home today.
She sighed and shook her head.
He smiled warmly and started out down the hallway again. Come on, were nearly there. In fact
here we are. He took a key from his pocket and unlocked the door, which was an old-fashioned wooden one and not one of the many on a motion sensor. It had the initials EUPTF done in silver lettering displayed prominently on it.
The office itself was smaller than she had expected, and very neat. Two overstuffed chairs faced a desk with knickknacks and family pictures displayed in a row, and an electronic device inset into it that took Catherine a second look to realize was even a computer.
Harrison gestured to the closest chair. Take a seat.
Catherine did so gratefully, sinking a bit into the cushion. He seated himself in his own leather office chair, then opened a drawer and pulled out a file with her name on it, then handed it to her. She took it and began leafing through the paperwork as Harrison explained.
"The paperwork you have there lists the risks of the procedure you may undergo today, pending the results of your tests. You don't need to sign it now, not until our technicians are able to locate the universe you came from."
Catherine leafed through the paperwork, looking through everything thoroughly. Unlike most of the legal paperwork she had signed before, this was understandable, if a bit dry. It seemed simple enough- the Extra-Universal Persons Task Force, a division of Portal Corps, would attempt to find what universe she had come from, using their own equipment and a detailed questionnaire that she had filled out on her first trip to Portal Corps.
After that rather vague description came a list of possible side effects. The list was rather impressive, spanning from 'death', and 'inter-dimensional division of the psyche' to 'unintentional transfer into a non-origin universe'. That was enough of that, she thought.
Harrison watched with a raised eyebrow as Catherine opened her purse and began to look through it. After a moment she found what she was looking for- a pen. She took a deep breath, let it out, then flipped to the last page of the contract where there was a line for her signature and that of a witness. She carefully laid the folder on her lap, then signed on the dotted line. No point in waiting.
She closed the folder and held it out for Harrison, who nodded. "Done."
"As long as you don't have any questions, I'll take you down to the lab and we'll get things started."
Catherine shook her head and Harrison nodded again. He stood, edged around the side of his desk, and opened the door for her. She followed him out into the hallway, then waited as he relocked the door. He set off at a brisk pace down the hallway, folder in hand, and Catherine had to take a couple of long strides to catch up with him.
The two made it most of the way down the hallway in silence before Catherine frowned, having just thought of something. I do have one question for you. Val- did she make it back? I havent seen her at The Gardens in a couple of days.
He ran his hand through his short brown hair and smiled. She did, yesterday.
Thats good. Im glad shes home. She was so worried about her daughter
She sighed, a wave of homesickness welling up. It went away after a moment, like it always did, but the thought of how much her parents had to be panicking at the disappearance of their only daughter stuck with her. She held her breath for a long minute, trying to get herself back under control. There was no point breaking down into tears in front of a relative stranger.
After more turns around various corners Catherine had lost any sense of where they were in relation to anything else, Harrison stopped in front of a very heavy looking variation on the doors she had seen throughout the whole building. These didn't apparently have a motion sensor, as the doors stayed shut even as the duo stood directly in front of them.
Harrison opened a panel on the wall, then placed his hand on the scanner on the inside. The doors slid apart with only the slightest sound of pneumatics, and revealed a room so amazing it took her breath away. In the center of the far wall, surrounded by scaffolding, was a circular ring that reached almost all of the way to the ceiling. Inside the ring... something swirled and a low hum that she could feel in her chest emanated from it.
She drifted a few feet farther into the room and leaned out over the railing that edged the upper deck, only half aware she was even doing so, trying to take in everything at once. Half a dozen scientists wearing lab coats and carrying clipboards were clustered near what had to be the portal, talking animatedly and taking notes. Along both of the side walls were banks of what she assumed were computers, with yet more people in lab coats here and there smoothly operating them.
Catherine jumped and whirled around, breathing quickly, as someone tapped her on the shoulder. Taken slightly aback by the reaction, Ophelia stared, mouth agape.
Im sorry, I didnt mean to startle you.
Catherine blushed faintly. Uh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you either." Before Ophelia could say anything else, she turned and gestured towards the whole room. This is amazing. Is that the portal?
Ophelia smiled and looked inordinately proud of herself. It is, one of many Portal Corp. has under its control. This particular one is under my jurisdiction as the head of the Extra-Universal Persons Task Force. Its ready for use now, so if youll come this way
Ophelia pointed towards the closest ramp leading to the floor.
Catherine nodded and followed a step behind, looking around as she did so, trying to take in everything at once. Shed seen bits and pieces of the evidence over the course of the last week, but that room was proof the universe she had landed in was far, far more technically advanced than the one she belonged to. She was sure that quite a few scientists would give an arm or a leg to be able to take apart even the most casually used piece of equipment there.
Ophelia led Catherine and Harrison to a cubicle tucked away underneath the suspended walkway the two had entered on. It was much quieter there behind the barrier, and Catherine looked at Ophelia questioningly.
"The walls in this area are lined with a material that absorbs not only vibration, but any energy put out by the portal when it's active. This way we can get an accurate reading with our scans. Now, if youre ready to begin?
Catherine opened her mouth, then closed it again as words temporarily failed her. The thought of finally being able to end the nightmare of being in the wrong universe was nearly overwhelming, but so was the thought that if it didn't work she would be trapped forever. After a long pause, she nodded. "I'm ready."
Ophelia smiled and pulled a hand-held scanner that looked for all the world like something out of Star Trek out of a drawer and turned it on. It beeped long and low, causing the elder woman to scowl at it and begin to type, fingers flying over the display. Catherine watched, bemused, as after a minute or so the scowl turned to a satisfied smile.
"OK, it's ready. All I need you to do is stand right here, up against the barrier, so I can get as clean a scan as possible."
Catherine did as she was instructed, her heart rate and breathing picking up. Harrison, ever present, picked up on it quickly from his position in a leather rolling chair a few feet away.
"Relax. I know this must seem like the end of the world is looming, but it's not. Ophelia here is the head of the technical side of the Task Force for a reason- she's the best technician we've got. If she can't do it, no one can."
Catherine smiled thinly and took a deep breath. Easy for him to say. There was nothing for it though. I'm ready as Ill ever be.
Ophelia nodded and held the device at Catherine's head, then slowly swept it down her body, all the while beeping methodically. She repeated his twice more, then pressed a few more buttons, and it stopped beeping. She set the scanner down into an inset holder on the console next to her, then turned towards Catherine.
"You can relax now; that was the hard part. Now all there is to do is wait for the computer to match your universal signature to one of the dozen or so we've preliminarily identified as possibly being your universe of origin.
I have to say, the universe you've described is fascinating. Most of what we see are variations on our own- worlds in which various villain factions that are kept in check here by heroes conqueror everything there, things of that nature. Yours, on the other hand, has no heroes, no magic, no villains
Catherine shrugged and shook her head, feeling compelled to defend her version of Earth. Weve gotten along just fine without magic, she said, and weve got heroes of our own, who dont even need superpowers.
Ophelia put up her hands placatingly and got as far as Im sorry, before the computer behind her toned and she turned her attention back to her work. Catherine raised her eyebrows at the back of Ophelias head and glanced over at Harrison, who smiled.
Catherine watched over Ophelias shoulder as she flew through screens and menus so fast the refugee could barely make one out before another came up. After a few minutes the elder woman sighed and removed the scanner from its slot. I need to scan you one more time. There seems to be some sort of energy interfering with the readings, but its not coming from the portal. You arent carrying anything that emits radiation, are you?
The younger woman tried not to look at Ophelia as if shed grown another head. No, not as far as Im aware.
Ophelia nodded, oblivious to Catherines tone of voice, and repeated the process one more time. Not having anything better to do, Catherine stared cross-eyed at the scanner each time it rose to eye level. This time, Ophelia didnt even turn around, her full attention on the downloaded information scrolling down the screen.
Harrison stood and clasped Catherine on the shoulder and smiled at her reassuringly. She let out a deep breath and leaned back against the barrier behind her. Everything will be fine.
Catherine smiled halfheartedly and wished for something to do besides wait and see. Mom and Dad are probably panicking right about now. The thought sprang unbidden into her mind. I was supposed to have brunch with them that weekend. And Ive probably lost my job, too
The sound of the tone from the computer brought Catherine out of her reverie. She could feel the beginnings of tears forming, but she fought them back. Crying would get her nowhere, but the looks on Ophelias face was almost enough to put her over the edge.
Theres something wrong, isnt there, she said flatly.
Ophelia took a moment before speaking. The energy interference I mentioned a moment ago is magical in nature; most likely you absorbed it when you were brought here by the Circle of Thorns. Its
very strong magic, so strong in fact that the universal frequency recorder cant divorce it from your own signature. She sighed. Im so sorry, but we cant send you home.
Part Three: Ups and Downs
Catherine carefully shifted her groceries to her other arm as she fished the keys to her apartment out of her pants pocket. As she struggled to fit the right key into the old lock the door two apartments down creaked open and a blonde poked her head out. "Hey there neighbor! Need some help?"
Catherine smiled and handed the fabric bag over, then turned back to the door and its recalcitrant lock. "Thanks. You think by now I'd be able to figure this out."
The other woman smiled in return. "Let me try. There's a trick to these old doors." She set Catherine's groceries on the floor at her feet and held out her hand.
Catherine stepped aside and handed over the key. "Go ahead."
"All you need to do," the blonde said, "is lean against the door like this, and turn the key like this, and voila. The door unlocks. It's too bad the landlord won't just replace them, but I guess beggars can't be choosers."
"Thanks, I really appreciate it. I would have been here all day messing with that lock otherwise." She paused as something occurred to her. "Y'know, I don't think we've met. I'm Catherine."
"Noel. How long have you been living here? I dont think Ive seen you around.
Only a few weeks.
Oh really? Where were you before that?
"I... uh, not from around here."
Noel raised an eyebrow, but Catherine's tone of voice and the look on her face stopped her from prying any farther. "So. Where do you want these? she asked, picking up Catherine's groceries.
Thanks, but Ill take them."
Noel looked hurt for a moment, but rallied magnificently. "Hey, some friends and I are going out bowling tonight. You should come."
Catherine hesitated. Since she'd arrived in Paragon City she'd kept to herself, but Harrison's advice to try to live as normal a life as possible lurked in the back of her mind. Also in the back of her mind though was the hope that Ophelia and Harrison would one day knock on her apartment door and tell her she could go home. There wasn't any point in getting comfortable only to leave it all behind.
It slowly dawned on her that she'd hesitated too long, and was now getting an odd look from Noel. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I just thought I'd offer."
"No! No, I'm the one who should be sorry. My mind wandered for a bit there."
"So... are we on for tonight? I mean, if you have other things planned..."
Catherine smiled. "We're on."
"Great! Six o'clock, right here."
The two parted ways and Catherine backed into her apartment. She set her groceries down on the rickety card table that served as the kitchen table, surveyed the living room with dismay for not the first time, and sighed. It was times like this when the differences between now and before were more obvious than usual. Shed had a good job as manager of the day shift at a local department store. Night classes for a degree in Computer Science. A nice apartment and a nice car. And now she had a bag of groceries, a card table, and a bed that had seen better days. Her only possessions, besides the clothes she had been kidnapped in, were in a cardboard box of clothes and other essentials that had been donated to her as part of the EUPTF.
She sighed again and put her groceries up, then picked up the newspaper from the counter where she'd left it and opened to the classifieds. There was, she decided, no harm in looking. After a few minutes of circling everything from data entry to secretarial work to car repair, it occurred to her shed seen Help Wanted signs in the windows of a few local businesses.
First things were first though. A stop to the local thrift shop for something nicer than the jeans and a t-shirt she was wearing was in order. [i]Then/i] job hunting. And then, of course, a night out making new friends. Things were finally beginning to look up.
* * * *
Back in her apartment, Catherine threw on the same jeans she had worn earlier and a newly bought light blue blouse to put over her white undershirt. A look at the small alarm clock that had come with the apartment told her that Noel would be there in the next few minutes, so she stuck the pile of applications she had gathered into a drawer and pulled her still slightly damp hair up into a high ponytail. She was just about to pull a light jacket from the closet when there was a knock at the door.
She unlocked the door and opened it only far enough to see who it was, a habit she'd gotten into since realizing the sort of neighborhood she now lived in. Once she saw Noel on the other side she threw on her jacket and slipped out into the hall, locking it again behind her.
"Everyone is outside waiting. Come on!"
The blonde led the way down the hall past the broken elevator and down the stairs to the main floor, where three other girls were waiting, talking amongst themselves animatedly. Two of the girls were brunettes, the other a redhead, and each were dressed for a night on the town, either in capris or tight jeans and spaghetti strap shirts.
The redhead noticed the duo first and waved. So this is the new girl you mentioned!
Catherine laughed and stuck her hands in her jacket pockets. Catherine.
Im Elizabeth, but everyone calls me Liz, said the redhead.
Amelia, said the woman wearing a tight pair of black jeans and a red top. And shes Sara, Amelia supplied, pointing to the tallest of the group.
The thin, dainty woman smiled. Birdie.
So, I figured wed just go to Paragon Lanes tonight because its closest, said Noel.
Liz raised her eyebrows at that. Ladies' Night doesnt have anything to do with it?
Noel laughed. Of course not. You know me.
Catherine grinned. Riiight.
Oh, not you too.
Birdie checked her watch. We should go before it gets too busy and we cant get a lane.
The five set out down the street, the conversation ranging from the newest pop idol to the latest and greatest heroic deeds of the day. Catherine saw her chance and took it. So, what happened with Manticore and Crey? I saw the article in the paper, but thats it.
What, you mean you havent heard? Where have you been? Its been all over the news, Amelia said.
Catherine shrugged nonchalantly. I just moved into town.
Well, Manticore was investigating Crey like usual, and somehow he found out that CreyComp, the new computer system thats been in the news so much? It was apparently going to brainwash us all into buying their stuff and a bunch of other things. So now Countess Crey is jail because of it, but she says that one of the guys that used to work on it sabotaged it, gave the info to Manticore, and then quit so that she would get all the blame.
Good grief, Catherine said, shaking her head in disbelief. Thats insane.
Yeah, Amelia said. Its a good thing Manticore is here.
Dont forget the rest of the Freedom Phalanx, Birdie put in.
Amelia snorted. What about the rest of the Freedom Phalanx?
The girls laughed. I think weve got a fangirl on our hands, said Noel.
Mmhmm, agreed Catherine.
Amelia facepalmed. Dont you start in too.
This time Catherine laughed. Just like old times...
At the bowling alley the banter continued as they got their lanes, put on the proper shoes and split into teams. There was a moment of confusion as they realized there were an odd number of people, but that ended with a lively round of Rock, Paper, Scissors between Noel and Liz. In the end, Catherine was quickly welcomed onto Liz and Birdies team.
After three frames they had quite a lead, and Amelia accused Noel of having brought a ringer. Then the alcohol began to flow, and after that, no one quite cared anymore. By the end of the night they'd played five games, and Amelia was pressing Noel to do something Catherine was rather interested in seeing.
Cmon, you said youd got a new trick. And Catherine hasnt seen you at all.
A new trick. Thats what youre calling my magic now?"
Shes a magician, Liz told Catherine
A good magician. Noel added. Watch.
With that she grabbed her purse and pulled out a small fabric pouch. Inside was what looked like a string of gems attached to something silver, but with careful manipulation turned out to a very delicate diadem. Never perform magic without the proper headwear, she said, and Catherine laughed as the others rolled their eyes.
She does this every time, Amelia said quietly.
"Shush," Noel said, and set the diadem in place, a cats eye held in the center of her forehead. From a different fabric pouch she pulled an amethyst out and held it cupped in her hands. Catherine watched avidly as her new-found friend began to chant so quietly that even sitting a few a few feet away she couldn't make out what was being said, while the others watched with an air of comfortable patience.
Suddenly, she realized the air around them had turned a faint purple, which grew deeper and deeper until it was like the quintet were actually inside the gemstone. Catherine gasped, and the others looked around them with awe.
Only we can see it, Noel said, sounding quite pleased with herself, but more than a little tired. She put both the diadem and the amethyst back into their respective pouches and put those back into her purse. "The barrier will fade on its own," she said by way of explanation. Sure enough a minute or so later the sphere lightened until it was barely visible, then disappeared entirely.
"Okay, that was amazing." Catherine said. "How did you do that?"
Noel grinned. "Magic."
"But that doesn't explain anything! I mean, okay, yes, physics doesn't really seem to apply around here, but there still ought to be reasons for things."
Liz raised an eyebrow and looked Noel, then Catherine. "You aren't from around here, are you?"
Catherine grimaced and looked away, then back again. "No, no I'm not." Her voice was tight as she tried to avoid breaking into tears yet again. She'd had enough of that over the past few weeks.
Liz's eyes widened as she realized what Catherine meant. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean- She hugged Catherine, who smiled in appreciation. After a moment Liz pulled away, and Catherine sniffled. Birdie produced a tissue from her purse, which was accepted gratefully.Only when Catherine was sure she wasn't going to cry did the quintet turned in their shoes and leave.
It took a block and a half for the night to become even more interesting.
Birdie, observant as always and also the least drunk, saw them first. She tapped Noel on the shoulder to point them out, but it was too late. Their group had been noticed, and the four gangers dressed primarily in red and black began to saunter down the street. Two carried baseball bats, one wore a half-skull mask, and all of them wore bandanas and an air of menace. The one with the mask stopped ten feet from them, the others close behind.
"Now look what we have here. Isn't it a bit late for you young ladies to be out alone?"
"Hellions," Amelia muttered.
Catherine nodded and wished fervently she had stayed home. She'd heard of them, and read about them in the newspaper, but coming face to face with them was another story completely. They were supposed to be relatively incompetent, but they certainly didn't look that way in the limited light from the streetlamps.
Noel rolled her eyes. "Isn't it a bit late to be making fools of yourselves?"
The other girls gasped. Birdie leaned forward to hiss in Noels ear. What are you doing?
Noel waved off her friends concern. Its just the Hellions. Nothing to worry about.
The lead Hellion- Catherine recognized him as one of the Damned- laughed. Youve got everything to worry about right now, lady. Especially if you dont do as I say. Hand over your valuables, or else.
"No," said Noel.
The Damned looked over his shoulder at the others behind him. "Sounds like-"
Whatever he was about to say next was cut off as an inch thick layer of ice suddenly encased him.
Everything stopped as everyone stared at Noel, who was holding something in her right hand and looking smug. The silence broke when one of the bat-wielding lowlifes hefted his weapon. "Get them!"
Catherine and Birdie screamed and fled down the block, Liz and Amelia close behind. In their panic they hid around the nearest corner; none remembered the safety of the bowling alley less than two blocks away. It was immediately obvious that they were missing one, and so Catherine stuck her head cautiously around the corner to see where Noel was.
She was relieved to find that none of the Hellions had followed them, but this was only because the three remaining Hellions had surrounded Noel, who appeared to be deep in thought, as if she wasn't about to be beaten to a bloody pulp or worse.
This seemed to have the Hellions confused because none of them had attacked, and in fact they seemed to be waiting to see what Noel did next.
They didn't have to wait long. A cold wind rushed down the street, making Catherine shiver. It passed Noel, leaving her unscathed, but turned things upside down for her opponents. The three remaining free Hellions found themselves covered in a patchwork of ice.
Noel swayed, then a second later seemed to realize the position she was in. While the Hellions were busy breaking themselves and their leader free she shoved the gem she had used to create the ice back into her purse and ran.
Catherine stepped out onto the sidewalk to show Noel where they were only to have the other woman practially collapse in her arms. With Amelia's help she dragged the half-unconscious woman around the corner.
"What are we going to do now?" Liz asked.
"I don't know!" Catherine muttered.
"We can't stay here," Amelia pointed out.
"If we keep quiet, maybe they won't know we're here," suggested Liz.
Catherine looked at Noel, who was leaning against a wall while sitting on a conveniently placed crate. "Somehow I don't think that's going to work."
Silence reigned as the three tried to think of something. Finally Birdie peered around the corner cautiously, then jerked her head back. "They're gone!"
"That solves that, then," said Amelia, sounding relieved.
Catherine opened the door wide and waved her friend in. Do you want an omelet? I've got the supplies for one more."
"Oh, no thank you. I ate earlier."
Noel eyed the other woman. "You didn't sleep last night, did you?"
Catherine flashed a strained smile. "No, not really."
Noel put her face in her hands. I am never drinking ever again. I am so sorry.
Catherine shrugged noncommittally. Everything turned out for the best.
She watched for a second as Noel rummaged in her purse for something. "Was that part of your magic last night? You should be a hero.
"Too dangerous. Last night should have landed me in the hospital. Noel shook her head as she found what she was looking for. Here. I brought this for you. One of my clients is a member. She wants me to join, but I dont have the time. I thought maybe you would be interested. In her outstretched hand was a neatly folded orange piece of paper.
Catherine took the orange flier curiously and opened it. It turned out to be an advertisement for a place called Ace Karate. "They have all sorts of self-defense classes there," Noel explained. "It's not a bad idea to be able to protect yourself. There are too many gangs around here, even with the heroes keeping them in check."
Thats not a bad idea after last night. Ill have to check it out. She turned to put it in the drawer along with her applications, then turned back. "Are you sure you don't want something to eat?"
Noel's stomach rumbled and the two laughed. "Sorry, but I've got to take a rain check. I've got a gig to go in an hour, and I'm running late as it is.
Catherine nodded. "Rain check it is. Break a leg!"
Noel grinned. "Thanks."
Catherine finished her omelet, rinsed the plate, set it in the rack to dry, and opened the drawer that both the flier and applications in it. She pulled out the applications and set them aside, then took a look at the flier once again. She made a mental note to find out how close the intersection of 13th and Taylor was, and saw that the first class, whichever she chose, was free. Nodding to herself, she put the flier back in the drawer. It was definitely something to look into.
Back in her apartment, Catherine threw on the same jeans she had worn earlier and a newly bought light blue blouse to put over her white undershirt. A look at the small alarm clock that had come with the apartment told her that Noel would be there in the next few minutes, so she stuck the pile of applications she had gathered into a drawer and pulled her still slightly damp hair up into a high ponytail. She was just about to pull a light jacket from the closet when there was a knock at the door.
She unlocked the door and opened it only far enough to see who it was, a habit she'd gotten into since realizing the sort of neighborhood she now lived in. Once she saw Noel on the other side she threw on her jacket and slipped out into the hall, locking it again behind her.
"Everyone is outside waiting. Come on!"
The blonde led the way down the hall past the broken elevator and down the stairs to the main floor, where three other girls were waiting, talking amongst themselves animatedly. Two of the girls were brunettes, the other a redhead, and each were dressed for a night on the town, either in capris or tight jeans and spaghetti strap shirts.
The redhead noticed the duo first and waved. So this is the new girl you mentioned!
Catherine laughed and stuck her hands in her jacket pockets. Catherine.
Im Elizabeth, but everyone calls me Liz, said the redhead.
Amelia, said the woman wearing a tight pair of black jeans and a red top. And shes Sara, Amelia supplied, pointing to the tallest of the group.
The thin, dainty woman smiled. Birdie.
So, I figured wed just go to Paragon Lanes tonight because its closest, said Noel.
Liz raised her eyebrows at that. Ladies' Night doesnt have anything to do with it?
Noel laughed. Of course not. You know me.
Catherine grinned. Riiight.
Oh, not you too.
Birdie checked her watch. We should go before it gets too busy and we cant get a lane.
The five set out down the street, the conversation ranging from the newest pop idol to the latest and greatest heroic deeds of the day. Catherine saw her chance and took it. So, what happened with Manticore and Crey? I saw the article in the paper, but thats it.
What, you mean you havent heard? Where have you been? Its been all over the news, Amelia said.
Catherine shrugged nonchalantly. I just moved into town.
Well, Manticore was investigating Crey like usual, and somehow he found out that CreyComp, the new computer system thats been in the news so much? It was apparently going to brainwash us all into buying their stuff and a bunch of other things. So now Countess Crey is jail because of it, but she says that one of the guys that used to work on it sabotaged it, gave the info to Manticore, and then quit so that she would get all the blame.
Good grief, Catherine said, shaking her head in disbelief. Thats insane.
Yeah, Amelia said. Its a good thing Manticore is here.
Dont forget the rest of the Freedom Phalanx, Birdie put in.
Amelia snorted. What about the rest of the Freedom Phalanx?
The girls laughed. I think weve got a fangirl on our hands, said Noel.
Mmhmm, agreed Catherine.
Amelia facepalmed. Dont you start in too.
This time Catherine laughed. Just like old times...
At the bowling alley the banter continued as they got their lanes, put on the proper shoes and split into teams. There was a moment of confusion as they realized there were an odd number of people, but that ended with a lively round of Rock, Paper, Scissors between Noel and Liz. In the end, Catherine was quickly welcomed onto Liz and Birdies team.
After three frames they had quite a lead, and Amelia accused Noel of having brought a ringer. Then the alcohol began to flow, and after that, no one quite cared anymore. By the end of the night they'd played five games, and Amelia was pressing Noel to do something Catherine was rather interested in seeing.
Cmon, you said youd got a new trick. And Catherine hasnt seen you at all.
A new trick. Thats what youre calling my magic now?"
Shes a magician, Liz told Catherine
A good magician. Noel added. Watch.
With that she grabbed her purse and pulled out a small fabric pouch. Inside was what looked like a string of gems attached to something silver, but with careful manipulation turned out to a very delicate diadem. Never perform magic without the proper headwear, she said, and Catherine laughed as the others rolled their eyes.
She does this every time, Amelia said quietly.
"Shush," Noel said, and set the diadem in place, a cats eye held in the center of her forehead. From a different fabric pouch she pulled an amethyst out and held it cupped in her hands. Catherine watched avidly as her new-found friend began to chant so quietly that even sitting a few a few feet away she couldn't make out what was being said, while the others watched with an air of comfortable patience.
Suddenly, she realized the air around them had turned a faint purple, which grew deeper and deeper until it was like the quintet were actually inside the gemstone. Catherine gasped, and the others looked around them with awe.
Only we can see it, Noel said, sounding quite pleased with herself, but more than a little tired. She put both the diadem and the amethyst back into their respective pouches and put those back into her purse. "The barrier will fade on its own," she said by way of explanation. Sure enough a minute or so later the sphere lightened until it was barely visible, then disappeared entirely.
"Okay, that was amazing." Catherine said. "How did you do that?"
Noel grinned. "Magic."
"But that doesn't explain anything! I mean, okay, yes, physics doesn't really seem to apply around here, but there still ought to be reasons for things."
Liz raised an eyebrow and looked Noel, then Catherine. "You aren't from around here, are you?"
Catherine grimaced and looked away, then back again. "No, no I'm not." Her voice was tight as she tried to avoid breaking into tears yet again. She'd had enough of that over the past few weeks.
Liz's eyes widened as she realized what Catherine meant. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean- She hugged Catherine, who smiled in appreciation. After a moment Liz pulled away, and Catherine sniffled. Birdie produced a tissue from her purse, which was accepted gratefully.Only when Catherine was sure she wasn't going to cry did the quintet turned in their shoes and leave.
It took a block and a half for the night to become even more interesting.
Birdie, observant as always and also the least drunk, saw them first. She tapped Noel on the shoulder to point them out, but it was too late. Their group had been noticed, and the four gangers dressed primarily in red and black began to saunter down the street. Two carried baseball bats, one wore a half-skull mask, and all of them wore bandanas and an air of menace. The one with the mask stopped ten feet from them, the others close behind.
"Now look what we have here. Isn't it a bit late for you young ladies to be out alone?"
"Hellions," Amelia muttered.
Catherine nodded and wished fervently she had stayed home. She'd heard of them, and read about them in the newspaper, but coming face to face with them was another story completely. They were supposed to be relatively incompetent, but they certainly didn't look that way in the limited light from the streetlamps.
Noel rolled her eyes. "Isn't it a bit late to be making fools of yourselves?"
The other girls gasped. Birdie leaned forward to hiss in Noels ear. What are you doing?
Noel waved off her friends concern. Its just the Hellions. Nothing to worry about.
The lead Hellion- Catherine recognized him as one of the Damned- laughed. Youve got everything to worry about right now, lady. Especially if you dont do as I say. Hand over your valuables, or else.
"No," said Noel.
The Damned looked over his shoulder at the others behind him. "Sounds like-"
Whatever he was about to say next was cut off as an inch thick layer of ice suddenly encased him.
Everything stopped as everyone stared at Noel, who was holding something in her right hand and looking smug. The silence broke when one of the bat-wielding lowlifes hefted his weapon. "Get them!"
Catherine and Birdie screamed and fled down the block, Liz and Amelia close behind. In their panic they hid around the nearest corner; none remembered the safety of the bowling alley less than two blocks away. It was immediately obvious that they were missing one, and so Catherine stuck her head cautiously around the corner to see where Noel was.
She was relieved to find that none of the Hellions had followed them, but this was only because the three remaining Hellions had surrounded Noel, who appeared to be deep in thought, as if she wasn't about to be beaten to a bloody pulp or worse.
This seemed to have the Hellions confused because none of them had attacked, and in fact they seemed to be waiting to see what Noel did next.
They didn't have to wait long. A cold wind rushed down the street, making Catherine shiver. It passed Noel, leaving her unscathed, but turned things upside down for her opponents. The three remaining free Hellions found themselves covered in a patchwork of ice.
Noel swayed, then a second later seemed to realize the position she was in. While the Hellions were busy breaking themselves and their leader free she shoved the gem she had used to create the ice back into her purse and ran.
Catherine stepped out onto the sidewalk to show Noel where they were only to have the other woman practially collapse in her arms. With Amelia's help she dragged the half-unconscious woman around the corner.
"What are we going to do now?" Liz asked.
"I don't know!" Catherine muttered.
"We can't stay here," Amelia pointed out.
"If we keep quiet, maybe they won't know we're here," suggested Liz.
Catherine looked at Noel, who was leaning against a wall while sitting on a conveniently placed crate. "Somehow I don't think that's going to work."
Silence reigned as the three tried to think of something. Finally Birdie peered around the corner cautiously, then jerked her head back. "They're gone!"
"That solves that, then," said Amelia, sounding relieved.
* * * *
The next morning found Catherine seated at the card table, newspaper in one hand and forkful of omelet in the other. She was just about to turn the page when there was a knock at the door. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves and stared at the door suspiciously for a second before getting up and unlocking the door only far enough to see who was on the other side. Noel smiled and waved. I wanted to apologize for last night.Catherine opened the door wide and waved her friend in. Do you want an omelet? I've got the supplies for one more."
"Oh, no thank you. I ate earlier."
Noel eyed the other woman. "You didn't sleep last night, did you?"
Catherine flashed a strained smile. "No, not really."
Noel put her face in her hands. I am never drinking ever again. I am so sorry.
Catherine shrugged noncommittally. Everything turned out for the best.
She watched for a second as Noel rummaged in her purse for something. "Was that part of your magic last night? You should be a hero.
"Too dangerous. Last night should have landed me in the hospital. Noel shook her head as she found what she was looking for. Here. I brought this for you. One of my clients is a member. She wants me to join, but I dont have the time. I thought maybe you would be interested. In her outstretched hand was a neatly folded orange piece of paper.
Catherine took the orange flier curiously and opened it. It turned out to be an advertisement for a place called Ace Karate. "They have all sorts of self-defense classes there," Noel explained. "It's not a bad idea to be able to protect yourself. There are too many gangs around here, even with the heroes keeping them in check."
Thats not a bad idea after last night. Ill have to check it out. She turned to put it in the drawer along with her applications, then turned back. "Are you sure you don't want something to eat?"
Noel's stomach rumbled and the two laughed. "Sorry, but I've got to take a rain check. I've got a gig to go in an hour, and I'm running late as it is.
Catherine nodded. "Rain check it is. Break a leg!"
Noel grinned. "Thanks."
Catherine finished her omelet, rinsed the plate, set it in the rack to dry, and opened the drawer that both the flier and applications in it. She pulled out the applications and set them aside, then took a look at the flier once again. She made a mental note to find out how close the intersection of 13th and Taylor was, and saw that the first class, whichever she chose, was free. Nodding to herself, she put the flier back in the drawer. It was definitely something to look into.
Part Four: A Series of Unfortunate Events
There was nothing but pain, and pain engulfed her every sense. She was being torn apart from the inside, every atom pulling apart from its neighbor, farther and farther until suddenly she was whole again, and the pain was gone, replaced by a numbness that pervaded every cell. She tried to open her eyes, move her fingers, but nothing responded. Suddenly, green light, starting as nothing but a pinpoint, but expanding with startling rapidity into an all-consuming brightness
Malevolence surrounded her; chanting voices rose in unison, promising everlasting torment.
After an eternity compressed into seconds she found herself conscious but still unable to move, surrounded by madmen in robes with glowing eyes. One of them gestured sharply, and she fell out of the air. She screamed
Catherine woke with a start and struggled to sit upright, unsure of where she was. After a moments panic she sighed and shook her head, then looked at the digital alarm clock shed bought a few days before. Sure enough, it was four in the morning, and she knew from experience nothing in the world would be enough to get her back to sleep.
With every light in her apartment on it was easier to remember that she wasnt still in the clutches of the Circle of Thorns, and that they werent about to sacrifice her to some horrible god to bring about an even more horrible demon, but even in the safety of her apartment she could still hear their chants and see the malice in their eyes.
She shuddered and rubbed her wrist, which ached despite the fact it had healed fully more than two months ago.
It was far too quiet, that was certain. That needed to change
* * * *
Later that day, as Catherine was about to take a lunch break from her job as a cashier at the local supermarket she caught a glimpse of someone she hadnt seen in awhile- Liz Moore. She hurriedly packed the last few items for her last customer, practically ran into the employees lounge to punch out and darted back, hoping her friend hadnt left the store.
Her luck held, and she spotted Liz in the entryway scanning the notice board there. Catherine grinned, then quietly walked up and tapped her on the shoulder. Find anything interesting?
Liz shrieked and whirled around, handbag in hand, ready to fight and found Catherine with her hands in front of her, looking surprised. Dont do that! I hate it when people do that.
Im sorry, I had no idea. Catherine put her hands down and breathed a sigh of relief. Its good to see you! Where have you been? Weve missed you at bowling.
Liz laughed and ran her hand through her hair. Ive been busy. Ive still got my job at the salon, and Im going to night school now at Paragon University, trying to get my Bachelors in Business Administration.
Excuse me ladies, is everything okay here? said an elderly man in a dark blue security uniform. I heard a scream from this direction.
Catherine turned red. Everythings fine. Just a prank gone wrong.
The security guard scowled at Catherine. I know you work here. You should know better.
She nodded and looked sheepish. I know. Im sorry.
The guard nodded back. Have a good day. He then turned and went back into the store.
There was a moment of awkward silence. Well then, said Catherine. You should join me for lunch. Do you have the time?
Well, I came to get groceries, but that can wait until after my shift. Any place in particular?
Catherine shrugged as the two walked out into the warm sunshine of a summer day. Theres a burger place nearby. Thats where I usually go.
Liz wrinkled her nose. Hmm do they have a vegetarian option?
They do.
Lets go then!
The duo chatted lightly as they walked together down the street, catching up on the events of the past month. Once they reached the restaurant they took their place in the surprisingly short line. A few minutes later, food in hand, they sat at an outdoor table on the sidewalk under the shade of a red and white umbrella.
About halfway through her cheeseburger, Catherine yawned, and Liz raised an eyebrow. "You look tired."
"I didn't sleep well last night."
The eyebrow went higher. "Your eyes are red. Are you okay?"
Catherine took a bite of her sandwich before answering. "I'm fine. Things are a little stressful for me right now, is all."
Liz looked worried, but held whatever she was going to say in favor of finishing her veggie burger.
I really am fine, Catherine said. And Ive got tomorrow off, so Im going to spend most of it asleep.
Youre off on a Thursday?
Catherine nodded. My shift is just that, shifted. Ive got tomorrow and Friday off, but I work Saturday and Sunday.
Weird.
Catherine shrugged. It works.
She glanced down at the digital watch on her wrist, then blinked and squinted at it. According to it, it was eight oclock in the morning. She sighed and shook her head. For some reason electronics had a tendency to malfunction around her. Do you know what time it is?
Liz glanced at her own watch. Its almost one.
Oh, man, Ive got to go. She quickly scribbled a series of numbers onto an unused napkin. Heres my number. Call me, okay?
Liz tucked the scrap into her purse. Of course.
Catherine gathered her trash and got up, leaving Liz to finish her meal, then did her best impression of a champion power-walker back down the street to her job
Mind a thousand miles away, Catherine was brought back to reality when several sets of hands reached out from an otherwise deserted side street and dragged her into it. She stiffened and closed her eyes, too terrified to even think about screaming.
A male voice. Come on, we gotta get out of here. Were gonna get spotted if you dont move your *** faster.
Were gonna get spotted if you dont shut up. This voice was female.
Both of you shut up and help me get her up here. A different, deeper, male voice.
At that Catherine opened her eyes and thrashed frantically, trying to dislodge her captors. "I don't have anything you want, I swear!"
The Damned standing on the lowest platform of the fire escape above her laughed. I've been told otherwise, babe.
She screamed, only to be cut off when he reached down and grabbed her by the throat. She pulled at his hands, trying to loosen them enough to get even a tiny bit of air, but his position and grip meant that she had no chance. After a minute, her struggles stopped.
By the time Catherine came to, gasping for air, the Hellions that had assaulted her were long gone. Even so, she examined the area around her as best as she could without actually having to move. Absolutely sure she was alone she carefully pushed herself upright and groaned. Her whole body ached, but the pain was worst in her throat, making it hard to even breathe. She groaned and put her head between her knees, hoping the nausea would pass. It did, even if it wasnt as quickly as she hoped, and she was soon checking herself for injuries.
Her jeans were torn and her arms and shins were covered in scrapes and bruises, but other than that she seemed to be unhurt. That was something at least. Her belongings were another story though- her purse, with her keys and wallet inside, was missing. She sighed and put her head in her hands.
After a few minutes she regained control of herself and started a search for the fire escape, which didnt take long. She clambered down the rickety contraption and after a moments thought started down the street, headed towards her job.
As soon as she stepped back into the store a manager who happened to be nearby flagged her down. Catherine! Where have you been? Youre half an hour late!
I- Im sorry. I uh, I got jumped by the Hellions. They stole my purse.
The manager, Jason, short and heavyset with graying hair, frowned and hustled her into his office. Have you called the PPD?
Catherine shook her head. No I, uh, woke up, and I came here. Im fine, I think.
Jasons frown deepened. If you passed out, you need to be seen by a doctor.
Im fine, really. I can finish my shift.
Jason would hear nothing of it, and Catherine soon found herself back at Chiron Medical Center.
A few days later Catherine returned home from work, a grocery bag in each arm, to find police and fire trucks parked in the courtyard of her apartment complex. She stopped just short of the police line and scanned the area, trying to catch someones eye as a trickle of dread ran down her back. A policeman standing off to one side caught sight of her from the corner of his eye and looked up from his clipboard and the paperwork hed been filling out. Maam, do you live here?
Yes, I do. What happened?
Theres been a fire. What apartment are you in?
314.
The policeman lifted the yellow tape in between them. Maam, if youll come with me
Almost an hour later Catherine found herself escorted to the charred remains of what had been her apartment. In shock, she slowly picked through the sodden mess, trying to find something, anything, salvageable. To her dismay, everything she had come to think of as valuable- half a dozen small wooden figurines of various animals, the whole box of supplies that Portal Corp had provided to her, a dozen worn paperbacks, were all gone. It was the loss of the portable DVD player that Noel had loaned to her the day before, however, that was the last straw, and she leaned up against the counter and cried, unable to hold back her tears any longer.
Noel stopped by not long after the police left, and to Catherines relief not only offered her a place to stay for the night but waved off the loss of her DVD player.
By mutual agreement that night turned into movie night spent on the overstuffed couch with a bowl of popcorn between them. First up was a sci-fi action flick featuring a mutating virus and the ragtag band of heroes formed to find a cure, then a time-traveling romance involving the end of the world. As the credits for the second movie rolled their conversation turned to the future.
Catherine sighed and ran a hand through her hair. I dont even know what to do now, she said. My paycheck isnt going to cover everything.
Didnt the police say it was an arson?
Catherine nodded. It was probably the Hellions- I told you they stole my purse the other day, right? I told the police I think theyre targeting me, but I dont think they believed me.
Noel straightened out and sat up from where she had been sprawled on her side of the couch. No, you didnt. What happened?
There was a pause. I got jumped by the Hellions. One of them when I woke up, they were gone, and they had my purse.
"They tried to kill you? Oh man, I wish I had been there."
Catherine chuckled at that, then sobered. "It was weird. It sounded like they were after something in particular."
"Oh really?"
Catherine shrugged. "The Damned that was there, he said something like, 'he'd been told otherwise' when I said I didn't have anything they wanted."
"Definetely weird." Noel yawned and checked the time. "It's late. Time to call it a night?"
"Yeah. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."
The next morning Noel wandered out of her bedroom, dressed in a long grey t-shirt and matching baggy shorts, to find Catherine already awake and seated at the dining room table, eating a bowl of cereal.
"Morning sleepyhead." Catherine said with a smile.
Noel raised an eyebrow, and her friend shrugged. "I couldn't sleep."
Noel frowned. "Still, or again?"
"I plead the fifth."
The frown deepened. "That's not normal, you know."
Catherine shrugged again. "I still owe you an omelet. Do you want one?" Without waiting for Noel to answer she got up from the remains of her breakfast and began rummaging through the refrigerator. "I know I saw eggs in here when I was looking for the milk..." There was a sigh from behind her, which she ignored in favor of finding the rest of what she needed.
When she turned around again, Noel was nowhere to be found, which suited her just fine. So what she hadn't slept well since she had arrived in this insane place? Somehow she didn't think anyone who'd been through what she had would sleep either, and it wasn't like it was affecting her daily life much. She was holding down a job just fine, wasn't she? Which reminded her. "Do you mind if I use your phone?" she called. "I need to tell my boss I won't be in today."
"Go ahead."
One phone call later and Catherine was off the hook for the day.
After a few minutes the sound of the shower told Catherine where her friend had gone, and by the time Noel came back out of her room, hair wrapped in a towel and wearing jeans and a collared shirt, her omelet was ready on the table.
Catherine grabbed a banana as Noel sat down to her meal and the two ate in silence until finally Noel put down her fork and turned to look at her friend. Need anything from me today?
Catherine thought for a second before shaking her head. I dont think so. I need to talk to Mr. Logan about my new lease, then to the thrift store to replace what I can, then I dont know. She sighed and leaned back in her chair. Im going to need a second job, thats for certain.
Ill go with you over to the leasing office, offered Noel. I need to renew my lease myself.
You dont have a gig today?
No, not for the next few days.
The leasing office should be open soon, Catherine said, and looked at her watch, which shed reset in the hopes it would work longer than a few days at a time. Now, even.
Noel finished the last of her omelet and put her dishes in the sink. Im ready when you are.
Lets go then.
The two left their building and headed down the street in amiable silence. Noel seemed content to enjoy the early morning sun, but Catherine was on edge, constantly looking around and behind her, jumping at every noise louder than a footstep.
Relax, Noel said with a smile. No one is out to get you.
It certainly doesnt seem that way, Catherine muttered darkly. This place is insane.
Noel laughed. Its your place now too, you know.
Not helping.
Much to Catherines relief they made it to the leasing office unharmed, and soon one new lease was made up and another renewed. As the two stood to leave Mr. Logan stopped them.
Come with me. I have something to show you.
Catherine and Noel exchanged glances and followed as the manager unlocked a nearby door, flicked on the lights, and stood aside.
Catherine gasped at what she saw inside: a large cardboard box filled to overflowing with blankets and clothes and food and other odds and ends. Overwhelmed, unable to speak, she simply looked at the box, then at Mr. Logan, then back at the box. It had never occurred to her that anyone else knew that it was her apartment that had been targeted, or even cared enough to want to help someone in need. It had simply been her problem.
There was a long moment of silence, only broken when Catherine turned to Noel. "You knew!"
Noel put her hands up innocently. "I swear I had no idea."
"The Resident's Association put everything together," said Mr. Logan. "They're the ones to thank."
Catherine nodded absently, still trying to come to terms with things. "I'll have to do that."
There was another pause, then, "Um, how heavy is that box? I don't think I'm going to be able to carry it alone."
"I'd offer you a ride, but my truck is in the shop today," said Mr. Logan.
"It can't be that bad," said Noel. "The two of us can handle it." As proof she knelt and picked it up with a grunt, then looked over at Catherine. "I've got it. Let's go."
Catherine looked dubious. "If you're sure."
Mr. Logan bid them a good day and held the door for them as they exited back onto the tree-lined street. They walked in silence, Catherine lost in her own thoughts and Noel busy concentrating on not dropping the rapidly heavier than she expected box. Neither woman paid any attention to the rustling behind the shoulder high hedge that lined the inner side of the sidewalk until it was too late.
Later that day, as Catherine was about to take a lunch break from her job as a cashier at the local supermarket she caught a glimpse of someone she hadnt seen in awhile- Liz Moore. She hurriedly packed the last few items for her last customer, practically ran into the employees lounge to punch out and darted back, hoping her friend hadnt left the store.
Her luck held, and she spotted Liz in the entryway scanning the notice board there. Catherine grinned, then quietly walked up and tapped her on the shoulder. Find anything interesting?
Liz shrieked and whirled around, handbag in hand, ready to fight and found Catherine with her hands in front of her, looking surprised. Dont do that! I hate it when people do that.
Im sorry, I had no idea. Catherine put her hands down and breathed a sigh of relief. Its good to see you! Where have you been? Weve missed you at bowling.
Liz laughed and ran her hand through her hair. Ive been busy. Ive still got my job at the salon, and Im going to night school now at Paragon University, trying to get my Bachelors in Business Administration.
Excuse me ladies, is everything okay here? said an elderly man in a dark blue security uniform. I heard a scream from this direction.
Catherine turned red. Everythings fine. Just a prank gone wrong.
The security guard scowled at Catherine. I know you work here. You should know better.
She nodded and looked sheepish. I know. Im sorry.
The guard nodded back. Have a good day. He then turned and went back into the store.
There was a moment of awkward silence. Well then, said Catherine. You should join me for lunch. Do you have the time?
Well, I came to get groceries, but that can wait until after my shift. Any place in particular?
Catherine shrugged as the two walked out into the warm sunshine of a summer day. Theres a burger place nearby. Thats where I usually go.
Liz wrinkled her nose. Hmm do they have a vegetarian option?
They do.
Lets go then!
The duo chatted lightly as they walked together down the street, catching up on the events of the past month. Once they reached the restaurant they took their place in the surprisingly short line. A few minutes later, food in hand, they sat at an outdoor table on the sidewalk under the shade of a red and white umbrella.
About halfway through her cheeseburger, Catherine yawned, and Liz raised an eyebrow. "You look tired."
"I didn't sleep well last night."
The eyebrow went higher. "Your eyes are red. Are you okay?"
Catherine took a bite of her sandwich before answering. "I'm fine. Things are a little stressful for me right now, is all."
Liz looked worried, but held whatever she was going to say in favor of finishing her veggie burger.
I really am fine, Catherine said. And Ive got tomorrow off, so Im going to spend most of it asleep.
Youre off on a Thursday?
Catherine nodded. My shift is just that, shifted. Ive got tomorrow and Friday off, but I work Saturday and Sunday.
Weird.
Catherine shrugged. It works.
She glanced down at the digital watch on her wrist, then blinked and squinted at it. According to it, it was eight oclock in the morning. She sighed and shook her head. For some reason electronics had a tendency to malfunction around her. Do you know what time it is?
Liz glanced at her own watch. Its almost one.
Oh, man, Ive got to go. She quickly scribbled a series of numbers onto an unused napkin. Heres my number. Call me, okay?
Liz tucked the scrap into her purse. Of course.
Catherine gathered her trash and got up, leaving Liz to finish her meal, then did her best impression of a champion power-walker back down the street to her job
Mind a thousand miles away, Catherine was brought back to reality when several sets of hands reached out from an otherwise deserted side street and dragged her into it. She stiffened and closed her eyes, too terrified to even think about screaming.
A male voice. Come on, we gotta get out of here. Were gonna get spotted if you dont move your *** faster.
Were gonna get spotted if you dont shut up. This voice was female.
Both of you shut up and help me get her up here. A different, deeper, male voice.
At that Catherine opened her eyes and thrashed frantically, trying to dislodge her captors. "I don't have anything you want, I swear!"
The Damned standing on the lowest platform of the fire escape above her laughed. I've been told otherwise, babe.
She screamed, only to be cut off when he reached down and grabbed her by the throat. She pulled at his hands, trying to loosen them enough to get even a tiny bit of air, but his position and grip meant that she had no chance. After a minute, her struggles stopped.
By the time Catherine came to, gasping for air, the Hellions that had assaulted her were long gone. Even so, she examined the area around her as best as she could without actually having to move. Absolutely sure she was alone she carefully pushed herself upright and groaned. Her whole body ached, but the pain was worst in her throat, making it hard to even breathe. She groaned and put her head between her knees, hoping the nausea would pass. It did, even if it wasnt as quickly as she hoped, and she was soon checking herself for injuries.
Her jeans were torn and her arms and shins were covered in scrapes and bruises, but other than that she seemed to be unhurt. That was something at least. Her belongings were another story though- her purse, with her keys and wallet inside, was missing. She sighed and put her head in her hands.
After a few minutes she regained control of herself and started a search for the fire escape, which didnt take long. She clambered down the rickety contraption and after a moments thought started down the street, headed towards her job.
As soon as she stepped back into the store a manager who happened to be nearby flagged her down. Catherine! Where have you been? Youre half an hour late!
I- Im sorry. I uh, I got jumped by the Hellions. They stole my purse.
The manager, Jason, short and heavyset with graying hair, frowned and hustled her into his office. Have you called the PPD?
Catherine shook her head. No I, uh, woke up, and I came here. Im fine, I think.
Jasons frown deepened. If you passed out, you need to be seen by a doctor.
Im fine, really. I can finish my shift.
Jason would hear nothing of it, and Catherine soon found herself back at Chiron Medical Center.
* * * *
A few days later Catherine returned home from work, a grocery bag in each arm, to find police and fire trucks parked in the courtyard of her apartment complex. She stopped just short of the police line and scanned the area, trying to catch someones eye as a trickle of dread ran down her back. A policeman standing off to one side caught sight of her from the corner of his eye and looked up from his clipboard and the paperwork hed been filling out. Maam, do you live here?
Yes, I do. What happened?
Theres been a fire. What apartment are you in?
314.
The policeman lifted the yellow tape in between them. Maam, if youll come with me
Almost an hour later Catherine found herself escorted to the charred remains of what had been her apartment. In shock, she slowly picked through the sodden mess, trying to find something, anything, salvageable. To her dismay, everything she had come to think of as valuable- half a dozen small wooden figurines of various animals, the whole box of supplies that Portal Corp had provided to her, a dozen worn paperbacks, were all gone. It was the loss of the portable DVD player that Noel had loaned to her the day before, however, that was the last straw, and she leaned up against the counter and cried, unable to hold back her tears any longer.
Noel stopped by not long after the police left, and to Catherines relief not only offered her a place to stay for the night but waved off the loss of her DVD player.
By mutual agreement that night turned into movie night spent on the overstuffed couch with a bowl of popcorn between them. First up was a sci-fi action flick featuring a mutating virus and the ragtag band of heroes formed to find a cure, then a time-traveling romance involving the end of the world. As the credits for the second movie rolled their conversation turned to the future.
Catherine sighed and ran a hand through her hair. I dont even know what to do now, she said. My paycheck isnt going to cover everything.
Didnt the police say it was an arson?
Catherine nodded. It was probably the Hellions- I told you they stole my purse the other day, right? I told the police I think theyre targeting me, but I dont think they believed me.
Noel straightened out and sat up from where she had been sprawled on her side of the couch. No, you didnt. What happened?
There was a pause. I got jumped by the Hellions. One of them when I woke up, they were gone, and they had my purse.
"They tried to kill you? Oh man, I wish I had been there."
Catherine chuckled at that, then sobered. "It was weird. It sounded like they were after something in particular."
"Oh really?"
Catherine shrugged. "The Damned that was there, he said something like, 'he'd been told otherwise' when I said I didn't have anything they wanted."
"Definetely weird." Noel yawned and checked the time. "It's late. Time to call it a night?"
"Yeah. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."
The next morning Noel wandered out of her bedroom, dressed in a long grey t-shirt and matching baggy shorts, to find Catherine already awake and seated at the dining room table, eating a bowl of cereal.
"Morning sleepyhead." Catherine said with a smile.
Noel raised an eyebrow, and her friend shrugged. "I couldn't sleep."
Noel frowned. "Still, or again?"
"I plead the fifth."
The frown deepened. "That's not normal, you know."
Catherine shrugged again. "I still owe you an omelet. Do you want one?" Without waiting for Noel to answer she got up from the remains of her breakfast and began rummaging through the refrigerator. "I know I saw eggs in here when I was looking for the milk..." There was a sigh from behind her, which she ignored in favor of finding the rest of what she needed.
When she turned around again, Noel was nowhere to be found, which suited her just fine. So what she hadn't slept well since she had arrived in this insane place? Somehow she didn't think anyone who'd been through what she had would sleep either, and it wasn't like it was affecting her daily life much. She was holding down a job just fine, wasn't she? Which reminded her. "Do you mind if I use your phone?" she called. "I need to tell my boss I won't be in today."
"Go ahead."
One phone call later and Catherine was off the hook for the day.
After a few minutes the sound of the shower told Catherine where her friend had gone, and by the time Noel came back out of her room, hair wrapped in a towel and wearing jeans and a collared shirt, her omelet was ready on the table.
Catherine grabbed a banana as Noel sat down to her meal and the two ate in silence until finally Noel put down her fork and turned to look at her friend. Need anything from me today?
Catherine thought for a second before shaking her head. I dont think so. I need to talk to Mr. Logan about my new lease, then to the thrift store to replace what I can, then I dont know. She sighed and leaned back in her chair. Im going to need a second job, thats for certain.
Ill go with you over to the leasing office, offered Noel. I need to renew my lease myself.
You dont have a gig today?
No, not for the next few days.
The leasing office should be open soon, Catherine said, and looked at her watch, which shed reset in the hopes it would work longer than a few days at a time. Now, even.
Noel finished the last of her omelet and put her dishes in the sink. Im ready when you are.
Lets go then.
The two left their building and headed down the street in amiable silence. Noel seemed content to enjoy the early morning sun, but Catherine was on edge, constantly looking around and behind her, jumping at every noise louder than a footstep.
Relax, Noel said with a smile. No one is out to get you.
It certainly doesnt seem that way, Catherine muttered darkly. This place is insane.
Noel laughed. Its your place now too, you know.
Not helping.
Much to Catherines relief they made it to the leasing office unharmed, and soon one new lease was made up and another renewed. As the two stood to leave Mr. Logan stopped them.
Come with me. I have something to show you.
Catherine and Noel exchanged glances and followed as the manager unlocked a nearby door, flicked on the lights, and stood aside.
Catherine gasped at what she saw inside: a large cardboard box filled to overflowing with blankets and clothes and food and other odds and ends. Overwhelmed, unable to speak, she simply looked at the box, then at Mr. Logan, then back at the box. It had never occurred to her that anyone else knew that it was her apartment that had been targeted, or even cared enough to want to help someone in need. It had simply been her problem.
There was a long moment of silence, only broken when Catherine turned to Noel. "You knew!"
Noel put her hands up innocently. "I swear I had no idea."
"The Resident's Association put everything together," said Mr. Logan. "They're the ones to thank."
Catherine nodded absently, still trying to come to terms with things. "I'll have to do that."
There was another pause, then, "Um, how heavy is that box? I don't think I'm going to be able to carry it alone."
"I'd offer you a ride, but my truck is in the shop today," said Mr. Logan.
"It can't be that bad," said Noel. "The two of us can handle it." As proof she knelt and picked it up with a grunt, then looked over at Catherine. "I've got it. Let's go."
Catherine looked dubious. "If you're sure."
Mr. Logan bid them a good day and held the door for them as they exited back onto the tree-lined street. They walked in silence, Catherine lost in her own thoughts and Noel busy concentrating on not dropping the rapidly heavier than she expected box. Neither woman paid any attention to the rustling behind the shoulder high hedge that lined the inner side of the sidewalk until it was too late.
Part Five: Surprise
Oh, not again, Catherine muttered as Noel carefully put the box down behind them. By the time she turned around again the four Hellions had ranged out in front of them. Three carried baseball bats. Their leader, carrying nothing obvious and standing in the center, looked like all of his Christmases had come at once.
Well, look who we have here, he said and Catherine went cold. She recognized his voice- he was the same one who had tried to kill her a few days before. The bruises around her neck had barely faded.
You! She cried out. Why cant you just leave me alone?
The Damned laughed. You pissed off the boss and now he wants to see you personally. Were here to bring you to him.
Catherine took a deep breath. "No."
"I'll tell you what. You come with me, and we'll leave your friend alone."
She glanced at Noel, who seemed to be off in her own little world and not paying attention to anything going on around her. She recognized the look and worked to suppress a smile.
Unfortunately for her, the Hellion carrying a baseball bat on one shoulder picked up on it. Whatever youre smiling about lady, I wouldnt do it if I were you. We know everyone you know. You don't want to see anyone else hurt, do you?
Catherine saw red. No one threatened her friends and got away with it. She strode forward, enraged, toward the group of pyromaniacs. She suddenly stopped after two paces, then closed her eyes. The Hellions held their ground warily.
The temperature around the Hellions rose sharply and a glow surrounded Catherine, white at first, then a vibrantly bright green, then black. Strands of oily darkness lashed out lightning quick towards the hapless villains and wrapped around their chests, pulling them into the air to struggle helplessly.
"Who is your boss?"
"C'mon man, don't shoot the messenger! cried the Damned.
"Answer my question. Who is your boss?" The strands tightened their grip.
The Damned's only response was to summon a fireball and launch it at Catherine. To his surprise, it fizzled out a foot from his hand. Another strand whipped out and circled the leftmost Hellion and dragged him to the front of the group. He dropped his weapon and put both hands to his throat, trying to get enough air to breathe.
"You threatened my friend. Now I threaten yours."
He sneered. "What kind of hero are you? You're gonna kill him in cold blood?"
"I am not a hero."
He glanced over at the Blood Brother Slugger, who was beginning to turn blue. "Fine! Faculus sent us! He didn't say why, just that he wanted you alive."
Suddenly, before Catherine could reply, the temperature plummeted and ice crystals formed in the air. Noel made a complicated gesture that seemed to allow one arm to pass through the other and the crystals flew towards the Hellions, encasing them in a thin layer of ice.
A few seconds later Catherine jumped as Noel grabbed her by the arm, then leaned heavily against her friend, her legs barely able to keep her upright. She stared in confusion at the Hellions, who were laying scattered on the sidewalk and street partially encased in ice. "What's going on?"
"Run!"
Noel took off, still holding on to Catherine, who stumbled a few steps before getting her feet underneath her. "My box!"
"Forget your box. We can get it later."
Catherine slowed and glanced over her shoulder. "I can't leave it." She grabbed Noel by the shoulder. "Wait, look."
The two women watched as the Hellions broke themselves free from the ice that hadn't already melted, then ran off between two apartment buildings. None of them so much as glanced over at the two women.
The two glanced at each other, neither sure what had just happened. Catherine shook her head and walked back down the sidewalk towards her box, Noel a few steps behind. She inspected the box and its contents, found them to be damp, and put her head in her hands. I want to go home.
* * * *
An hour later, after what could be salvaged had been set up in Catherine's new apartment and everything that could be washed was in the washer down the hall, Noel leaned up against a wall while Catherine lifted herself onto the kitchen island. At least this one has better carpet, she thought.
"So... do you remember what happened earlier?" asked Noel, sounding hesitant.
"Somehow I think that's one of the many, many things since ending up here I won't ever be able to forget. How does anyone manage to live here, anyhow?"
Noel shrugged uncomfortably. "Well, usually people don't get attacked as often as you do."
Catherine sighed. "Wonderful. What do these nuts have against me, anyway?"
"You don't remember, do you?"
"Remember what?"
You dont remember running straight towards them, then glowing and nearly killing one of them?
No. I think Id remember that.
What do you remember?
Catherine paused. You were in a trance, I think, and then they threatened you, and then you were telling me to run.
Wow.
Youre serious I did all of that?
Yeah. Noel was silent for a while, looking uncomfortable.
What?
Noel sighed, looking like she would rather be doing anything else but standing there. Is there something you arent telling me? You were glowing black. Thats not normal, even here.
Catherine stared, at a loss for words. Youve known me how long? Ive read comics, I know what youre implying. Do you really think Im evil or something?
Noel frowned. "No, of course not."
"So what do you think?"
Noel hesitated.
"Get out! Get out of my apartment right now!"
The next evening, Catherine, still angry about Noel, waited at the bus stop with a crowd of end-of-the-day commuters and her coworker Leon. Leon was a bodybuilder and one of the biggest guys on her shift and also rode the bus, and so Jason had asked him to keep an eye on her. He was talking animatedly about the upcoming football season, but she was more interested in running over the day before in her head once again.
Resentment and anger flared as she remembered what Noel had insinuated. She didn't remember exactly what had happened, but it certainly hadn't involved her doing what certainly seemed to sound like magic. That was Noel's thing. Noel had been born in the right universe, for a start. Catherine was sure she didn't have a magical bone in her body. Her cash register had even stopped randomly malfunctioning, so whatever weirdness she had acquired from her arrival was gone, for sure.
She jerked into awareness as Leon elbowed her. Off in your own little world?
Yeah, sorry. Its been a long few days.
Dont worry about anything while Im around. Theres a reason Jason sent me with you.
Catherine raised an eyebrow. Uh huh. She shifted position as her stomach turned.
Now Leon raised an eyebrow. You okay?
Yeah, I'm-
-fine. Catherine looked around at what had been the bus stop just seconds before, but was now a hilly, wooded area. Or not. This is not going to end well. She took a deep breath and turned in a circle. She was surrounded by oak trees, thick enough that she couldn't see where they ended, assuming she was even anywhere near the edge of the woods. One area though, in front of her and to the left, was thinner.
There was nothing for it. Staying put would not only not get her help her find out where she was, it would make her a sitting duck for whoever or whatever had transported her. Considering she'd landed in a secluded area, odds were bad that the transporter was a nice person. With a sigh she set out.
After five minutes Catherine was no less lost than she had been. While the trees were spaced farther apart, they showed no signs of ending any time soon. She sighed again and surveyed the trees nearest to her for the easiest one to climb. Most of them had only scraggly lower branches, as the light didn't normally reach down this far. One, however, had a few branches spaced close enough together that she could climb quite a ways into the air. Hopefully from there she could see just exactly where she was, and even more hopefully, where everything else was as well.
She had very carefully made it ten feet into the air and was contemplating the next nearest branch, which was at waist height and just barely within reach, when she smelled the unmistakeable scent of sandalwood. She swore under her breath and lunged towards the next branch, fear and a sudden spike of adrenaline fueling her. There was only one thing she associated sandalwood with, and it was something she wanted to avoid at all costs. If she was lucky, she could make it far enough upwards to get into the thicker foliage and not be seen.
Unfortunately for her, luck was once again not on her side. A green glow sprang up around her, freezing her in place only inches short of her goal. She tumbled to the ground and landed in a heap on the leaf litter, then found herself lifted into the air as six robed mystics emerged from in between the trees. If she could have controlled her muscles well enough to swear, she would have. There was no way she was going to survive this.
Five of them carried either a crossbow or a wicked-looking knife and were dressed in brown robes with the hoods pulled so far forward she couldn't see their faces. What she could see, however, was frightening enough- two small trails of green flame where their eyes should have been. The sixth wore a robe as well, but it was colored in purple and black and without a hood, and he wore a tall, black hat. He seemed to be the one in charge, motioning the others into a rough circle around her while he positioned himself directly in front. The Mage stared upwards at her with malevolent glee
"Ah, you never expected to see me again, did you?" With that, Catherine regained control over her muscles.
"I have no idea who you are," she spat. .
The Mage shook his head. "You have a short memory. We last saw each other only a few months ago."
Catherine turned pale. The last time she had run into the Circle of Thorns wasn't something she wanted to remember. Or repeat, for that matter. The first time had landed her in Paragon City. Who knew what would happen the second time around?
"Ah, I see you do remember me. Good, good. I certainly remember you. That ceremony would have given me the power I needed to cement my position in the Circle, but you ruined it, and me. You can help me regain some of that power, you see. After a month of reflection in the facility you so laughingly call a prison I found you had gained the power I sought for so long. This cannot stand, of course. That power belongs to me, and I will tear it from your body with pleasure."
Catherine stared, then shook her head. "You're insane. I've no powers of any sort, demonic or otherwise. Let me go!"
"Ah, you fool only yourself. My Hellions, as useless as they ultimately turned out to be, have already told me of your new-found dark abilities."
Catherine said nothing, her mind racing. So that was why the Hellions seemed intent on making her life miserable! All because of an accident she hadn't had anything to do with, despite what the obvious madman thought. "I just want to go home," she said plaintively. "I swear, I won't bother you or anyone else."
Faculus laughed, a dry, scraping noise. "Ah, I weary of this banter. It is time."
Catherine screamed and attempted to lunge at Faculus, who never moved, but simply held his hands above his head and muttered something his captive couldn't hear. A very old looking book appeared several inches above his hands and continued to float at that same height as he lowered his hands enough that he could read from the tome with ease.
An intricate chant rose up from the mystics until Catherine could hear nothing else. As paralysis slowly seeped into her body she screamed again, hoping against hope that someone, anyone, would hear and come to her rescue. With her eyes open she had no choice but to watch as Faculus led the ritual to its crescendo.
Moments later, a burst of white light bright enough to be painful illuminated the area. A woman's voice cried out from behind her, and Catherine's heart rose.
"I see the Circle of Thorns are still up to their old tricks. Well, you're about to have one less victim!"
Faculus had only a split second to react before he and his compatriots were literally frozen in place. With the ceremony disrupted, the magic holding Catherine still and in the air dissipated, and she crashed to the ground. Unable to see, she scrambled to her feet and ran for her life, one hand out in front of her. She touched something cold first and dodged around it with a scream, then a few feet farther the rough bark of an oak tree.
She continued to run until she was out of breath, then stopped and put her hands on her knees, breathing heavily. The pain from the flash of light was thankfully gone, but her vision was still blurry. She blinked several times, hoping it would clear, but to her dismay it didn't. She swore under her breath. She wasn't dead, but instead it looked like she was partially blind.
A woman's scream and the sounds of a battle going very badly replaced the sound of her heart beating in her head, and Catherine put her head In her hands. "Why me?"
As much as she wanted to help there was nothing she could do. Faculus had it out for her, someone was going to die, and it was her fault. A meaty thunk made her wince, and tears began to roll down her cheeks.
Despite her denials, Noel's description of the day before kept coming back to her. "You glowed black," she'd said. "You nearly killed them." But what her friend had seen had scared her, scared her enough to wonder whether her friend was evil. Which meant that, at least to Noel, her power was real. And dangerous.
Besides, even if Faculus was right and she had been infused with a demon's power, there was still a problem. She had no idea how to access those powers. She'd gotten angry and then... there was nothing.
But someone was going to die if she didn't do something. She was going to die if she didn't do something. It wasn't like Faculus was going to leave her alone. He'd made that clear. Fine then. A decision had to be made. "I'm out of my mind," she muttered, but her step didn't falter as she headed back in the direction of the battle.
The view that greeted her as she came out from behind the last of the trees was not a good one. The five minor mystics were still encased in their icy prisons, but Faculus had broken free and gone on the attack. Her rescuer's hooded black robe was torn and scorched, and she was obviously favoring her left ankle. Faculus had lost his hat and was breathing heavily, but otherwise looked uninjured. The ground below them glittered with ice and debris.
"Leave her alone! This is between you and me."
.
Faculus turned and Catherine resisted the urge to run. Dark energy surrounded him, making him look like a demon himself. There was a crazed look in his eyes, as if the time and place he was looking at wasn't the one he was actually in. "Ah, I see you've decided to make it easier on yourself. A good choice. It will not, however, save this woman her life."
"This is between you and me," Catherine repeated. The world around her tinted green as she began to glow.
Faculus laughed and waved his right hand in the air, releasing the other mystics from the ice. "Ah, let it never be said I fight fair."
The hooded heroine sprang into action, hurling fist-seized balls of ice at the nearest mystics. "Run! I can handle these losers!"
Catherine shook her head. She could feel the power welling up in her, unlike anything she had ever experienced before. New knowledge flooded her mind and she laughed at the insignificance of the Mage in front of her. "You thought you could drain me? Have a taste of your own medicine!"
She raised her arms out to the sides and thick strands formed from the new-found darkness around her, then sent them soaring towards Faculus. To her dismay the mystic simply held up a hand and watched as the strands dissipated against it.
"Ah, you try to use my own power against me. I'm afraid it will do you no good."
Anger flared in Catherine, and something in the back of her mind flared with it. Whatever it was it felt old, as old as time itself. It wormed its way forward in her mind, leaving behind the impression of intelligence and wisdom, dust and decay. Leave the weakling to me.
Catherine jerked in surprise. "Who are you?" she said aloud.
Why, I am a part of you, came the reply in her head, while Faculus simply shook his head and began to chant. Let me show you. The air around her heated quickly, fast enough and hot enough to make her wince, but somehow it left her skin whole.
"What are you doing? Stop it!" Suddenly the Death Mage wasn't a priority. She closed her eyes, hoping it would help her focus. She could feel the thing trying to control her movement. It brought with it something interesting; the knowledge of how to create and control flame.
She screamed and opened her eyes as she felt a bone-chillingly cold wind pass through her, leaving her feeling drained and weak. She screamed again in rage as the thing in her head laughed, and created a ball of flame the size of a baseball in the palm of her right hand. She could hear it snap and crackle as if it was fueled by wood, but her hand stayed cool. She smiled, then wound up and threw it at Faculus who in his surprise misjudged the speed of the projectile and took it full in the chest.
He staggered back a pace and patted out the small fire that had started in his beard. He hunched forward, robe scorched, and leaned against a nearby tree for support. "Ah, you haven't seen the last of me!" With that, he made a complicated gesture and vanished into thin air.
With no targets left, the thing faded away until she couldn't sense it at all, leaving her feeling oddly alone. As the adrenaline wore off and her breathing slowed the magnitude of what she had just done dawned on her. Her knees gave out and she sank to the ground, then burst into tears. Only the sound of leaves crunching underfoot made her look up, to find the hooded heroine at her side. The stranger knelt down at her side and looked into her eyes.
"Who are you?"
An hour later, after what could be salvaged had been set up in Catherine's new apartment and everything that could be washed was in the washer down the hall, Noel leaned up against a wall while Catherine lifted herself onto the kitchen island. At least this one has better carpet, she thought.
"So... do you remember what happened earlier?" asked Noel, sounding hesitant.
"Somehow I think that's one of the many, many things since ending up here I won't ever be able to forget. How does anyone manage to live here, anyhow?"
Noel shrugged uncomfortably. "Well, usually people don't get attacked as often as you do."
Catherine sighed. "Wonderful. What do these nuts have against me, anyway?"
"You don't remember, do you?"
"Remember what?"
You dont remember running straight towards them, then glowing and nearly killing one of them?
No. I think Id remember that.
What do you remember?
Catherine paused. You were in a trance, I think, and then they threatened you, and then you were telling me to run.
Wow.
Youre serious I did all of that?
Yeah. Noel was silent for a while, looking uncomfortable.
What?
Noel sighed, looking like she would rather be doing anything else but standing there. Is there something you arent telling me? You were glowing black. Thats not normal, even here.
Catherine stared, at a loss for words. Youve known me how long? Ive read comics, I know what youre implying. Do you really think Im evil or something?
Noel frowned. "No, of course not."
"So what do you think?"
Noel hesitated.
"Get out! Get out of my apartment right now!"
* * * *
The next evening, Catherine, still angry about Noel, waited at the bus stop with a crowd of end-of-the-day commuters and her coworker Leon. Leon was a bodybuilder and one of the biggest guys on her shift and also rode the bus, and so Jason had asked him to keep an eye on her. He was talking animatedly about the upcoming football season, but she was more interested in running over the day before in her head once again.
Resentment and anger flared as she remembered what Noel had insinuated. She didn't remember exactly what had happened, but it certainly hadn't involved her doing what certainly seemed to sound like magic. That was Noel's thing. Noel had been born in the right universe, for a start. Catherine was sure she didn't have a magical bone in her body. Her cash register had even stopped randomly malfunctioning, so whatever weirdness she had acquired from her arrival was gone, for sure.
She jerked into awareness as Leon elbowed her. Off in your own little world?
Yeah, sorry. Its been a long few days.
Dont worry about anything while Im around. Theres a reason Jason sent me with you.
Catherine raised an eyebrow. Uh huh. She shifted position as her stomach turned.
Now Leon raised an eyebrow. You okay?
Yeah, I'm-
-fine. Catherine looked around at what had been the bus stop just seconds before, but was now a hilly, wooded area. Or not. This is not going to end well. She took a deep breath and turned in a circle. She was surrounded by oak trees, thick enough that she couldn't see where they ended, assuming she was even anywhere near the edge of the woods. One area though, in front of her and to the left, was thinner.
There was nothing for it. Staying put would not only not get her help her find out where she was, it would make her a sitting duck for whoever or whatever had transported her. Considering she'd landed in a secluded area, odds were bad that the transporter was a nice person. With a sigh she set out.
After five minutes Catherine was no less lost than she had been. While the trees were spaced farther apart, they showed no signs of ending any time soon. She sighed again and surveyed the trees nearest to her for the easiest one to climb. Most of them had only scraggly lower branches, as the light didn't normally reach down this far. One, however, had a few branches spaced close enough together that she could climb quite a ways into the air. Hopefully from there she could see just exactly where she was, and even more hopefully, where everything else was as well.
She had very carefully made it ten feet into the air and was contemplating the next nearest branch, which was at waist height and just barely within reach, when she smelled the unmistakeable scent of sandalwood. She swore under her breath and lunged towards the next branch, fear and a sudden spike of adrenaline fueling her. There was only one thing she associated sandalwood with, and it was something she wanted to avoid at all costs. If she was lucky, she could make it far enough upwards to get into the thicker foliage and not be seen.
Unfortunately for her, luck was once again not on her side. A green glow sprang up around her, freezing her in place only inches short of her goal. She tumbled to the ground and landed in a heap on the leaf litter, then found herself lifted into the air as six robed mystics emerged from in between the trees. If she could have controlled her muscles well enough to swear, she would have. There was no way she was going to survive this.
Five of them carried either a crossbow or a wicked-looking knife and were dressed in brown robes with the hoods pulled so far forward she couldn't see their faces. What she could see, however, was frightening enough- two small trails of green flame where their eyes should have been. The sixth wore a robe as well, but it was colored in purple and black and without a hood, and he wore a tall, black hat. He seemed to be the one in charge, motioning the others into a rough circle around her while he positioned himself directly in front. The Mage stared upwards at her with malevolent glee
"Ah, you never expected to see me again, did you?" With that, Catherine regained control over her muscles.
"I have no idea who you are," she spat. .
The Mage shook his head. "You have a short memory. We last saw each other only a few months ago."
Catherine turned pale. The last time she had run into the Circle of Thorns wasn't something she wanted to remember. Or repeat, for that matter. The first time had landed her in Paragon City. Who knew what would happen the second time around?
"Ah, I see you do remember me. Good, good. I certainly remember you. That ceremony would have given me the power I needed to cement my position in the Circle, but you ruined it, and me. You can help me regain some of that power, you see. After a month of reflection in the facility you so laughingly call a prison I found you had gained the power I sought for so long. This cannot stand, of course. That power belongs to me, and I will tear it from your body with pleasure."
Catherine stared, then shook her head. "You're insane. I've no powers of any sort, demonic or otherwise. Let me go!"
"Ah, you fool only yourself. My Hellions, as useless as they ultimately turned out to be, have already told me of your new-found dark abilities."
Catherine said nothing, her mind racing. So that was why the Hellions seemed intent on making her life miserable! All because of an accident she hadn't had anything to do with, despite what the obvious madman thought. "I just want to go home," she said plaintively. "I swear, I won't bother you or anyone else."
Faculus laughed, a dry, scraping noise. "Ah, I weary of this banter. It is time."
Catherine screamed and attempted to lunge at Faculus, who never moved, but simply held his hands above his head and muttered something his captive couldn't hear. A very old looking book appeared several inches above his hands and continued to float at that same height as he lowered his hands enough that he could read from the tome with ease.
An intricate chant rose up from the mystics until Catherine could hear nothing else. As paralysis slowly seeped into her body she screamed again, hoping against hope that someone, anyone, would hear and come to her rescue. With her eyes open she had no choice but to watch as Faculus led the ritual to its crescendo.
Moments later, a burst of white light bright enough to be painful illuminated the area. A woman's voice cried out from behind her, and Catherine's heart rose.
"I see the Circle of Thorns are still up to their old tricks. Well, you're about to have one less victim!"
Faculus had only a split second to react before he and his compatriots were literally frozen in place. With the ceremony disrupted, the magic holding Catherine still and in the air dissipated, and she crashed to the ground. Unable to see, she scrambled to her feet and ran for her life, one hand out in front of her. She touched something cold first and dodged around it with a scream, then a few feet farther the rough bark of an oak tree.
She continued to run until she was out of breath, then stopped and put her hands on her knees, breathing heavily. The pain from the flash of light was thankfully gone, but her vision was still blurry. She blinked several times, hoping it would clear, but to her dismay it didn't. She swore under her breath. She wasn't dead, but instead it looked like she was partially blind.
A woman's scream and the sounds of a battle going very badly replaced the sound of her heart beating in her head, and Catherine put her head In her hands. "Why me?"
As much as she wanted to help there was nothing she could do. Faculus had it out for her, someone was going to die, and it was her fault. A meaty thunk made her wince, and tears began to roll down her cheeks.
Despite her denials, Noel's description of the day before kept coming back to her. "You glowed black," she'd said. "You nearly killed them." But what her friend had seen had scared her, scared her enough to wonder whether her friend was evil. Which meant that, at least to Noel, her power was real. And dangerous.
Besides, even if Faculus was right and she had been infused with a demon's power, there was still a problem. She had no idea how to access those powers. She'd gotten angry and then... there was nothing.
But someone was going to die if she didn't do something. She was going to die if she didn't do something. It wasn't like Faculus was going to leave her alone. He'd made that clear. Fine then. A decision had to be made. "I'm out of my mind," she muttered, but her step didn't falter as she headed back in the direction of the battle.
The view that greeted her as she came out from behind the last of the trees was not a good one. The five minor mystics were still encased in their icy prisons, but Faculus had broken free and gone on the attack. Her rescuer's hooded black robe was torn and scorched, and she was obviously favoring her left ankle. Faculus had lost his hat and was breathing heavily, but otherwise looked uninjured. The ground below them glittered with ice and debris.
"Leave her alone! This is between you and me."
.
Faculus turned and Catherine resisted the urge to run. Dark energy surrounded him, making him look like a demon himself. There was a crazed look in his eyes, as if the time and place he was looking at wasn't the one he was actually in. "Ah, I see you've decided to make it easier on yourself. A good choice. It will not, however, save this woman her life."
"This is between you and me," Catherine repeated. The world around her tinted green as she began to glow.
Faculus laughed and waved his right hand in the air, releasing the other mystics from the ice. "Ah, let it never be said I fight fair."
The hooded heroine sprang into action, hurling fist-seized balls of ice at the nearest mystics. "Run! I can handle these losers!"
Catherine shook her head. She could feel the power welling up in her, unlike anything she had ever experienced before. New knowledge flooded her mind and she laughed at the insignificance of the Mage in front of her. "You thought you could drain me? Have a taste of your own medicine!"
She raised her arms out to the sides and thick strands formed from the new-found darkness around her, then sent them soaring towards Faculus. To her dismay the mystic simply held up a hand and watched as the strands dissipated against it.
"Ah, you try to use my own power against me. I'm afraid it will do you no good."
Anger flared in Catherine, and something in the back of her mind flared with it. Whatever it was it felt old, as old as time itself. It wormed its way forward in her mind, leaving behind the impression of intelligence and wisdom, dust and decay. Leave the weakling to me.
Catherine jerked in surprise. "Who are you?" she said aloud.
Why, I am a part of you, came the reply in her head, while Faculus simply shook his head and began to chant. Let me show you. The air around her heated quickly, fast enough and hot enough to make her wince, but somehow it left her skin whole.
"What are you doing? Stop it!" Suddenly the Death Mage wasn't a priority. She closed her eyes, hoping it would help her focus. She could feel the thing trying to control her movement. It brought with it something interesting; the knowledge of how to create and control flame.
She screamed and opened her eyes as she felt a bone-chillingly cold wind pass through her, leaving her feeling drained and weak. She screamed again in rage as the thing in her head laughed, and created a ball of flame the size of a baseball in the palm of her right hand. She could hear it snap and crackle as if it was fueled by wood, but her hand stayed cool. She smiled, then wound up and threw it at Faculus who in his surprise misjudged the speed of the projectile and took it full in the chest.
He staggered back a pace and patted out the small fire that had started in his beard. He hunched forward, robe scorched, and leaned against a nearby tree for support. "Ah, you haven't seen the last of me!" With that, he made a complicated gesture and vanished into thin air.
With no targets left, the thing faded away until she couldn't sense it at all, leaving her feeling oddly alone. As the adrenaline wore off and her breathing slowed the magnitude of what she had just done dawned on her. Her knees gave out and she sank to the ground, then burst into tears. Only the sound of leaves crunching underfoot made her look up, to find the hooded heroine at her side. The stranger knelt down at her side and looked into her eyes.
"Who are you?"
Author's note: This is my first fanfiction, so any and all criticism is greatly appreciated.
Part One: In the Beginning
Catherine shifted position in her chair idly as she waited for the internet to bring up a particularly slow loading page. For some reason the hair on the back of her neck was standing on end. And why did it smell like copper? She leaned down underneath the desk and raised an eyebrow at her cat Quinn, who was laying at her feet and watching the mouse cord intently, then tentatively sniffed the air. Nothing. Im watching you, cat, she said with an affectionate smile. The cat appeared not to notice. She snorted laughter and hauled herself upright. Silly cat.
As soon as she was settled into her chair again the world swam alarmingly. Catherine gasped and clutched the desk tightly, waiting for the vertigo to pass. The smell of copper returned again, this time mixed with the bitterly sharp smell of incense. Gonna be sick, she muttered, and staggered out of her chair towards the bathroom. No more take out for a while.
Before she could take more than three paces she found herself on her hands and knees, too weak to go any further. She watched Quinn streak by her in a detached, fuzzy sort of way, and then everything went black.
In a dimension far, far away. . .
Catherine regained consciousness, and immediately wished she hadnt. The pain was so overwhelming as to be beyond description, but something kept her from passing out again. She screamed instead, an agonizing cry that no one should have to utter.
All of the sudden the pain was gone and Catherine found herself hurtling towards the ground. She opened her eyes, screamed again, and threw her arms out to try to catch her fall. She caught it all right, all on her right wrist, which flared in pain. Dammit, she said as she clutched her wrist to her chest, the pain temporarily distracting her from her surroundings.
It didnt take her long, however, to realize that wherever she was, she was in serious danger. A quick glance to each side showed half a dozen or so people in brown hooded robes clutching either a crossbow or a sword. Another was dressed bizarrely, wearing a tall cylindrical hat and robes in purple and black. None of them looked happy to see her.
It wasnt until after they stopped chanting that she realized the madmen even had been doing it in the first place. She wasnt sure which she preferred more- the silence, punctuated only by the sound of dripping water or the oddly harmonic chant.
Um, Im sorry, she said, backing away from the nearest sword-wielder, but I think youve got the wrong person.
The one in the multicolor robes put his hand in the air. Silence!
Catherine froze in place, unable to move a muscle. That may have been the stupidest thing Ive ever said in my life, she reflected. She felt herself lifted off the ground and moved back into the center of the rough circle.
Your soul will make a welcome addition to my collection.
If Catherine could have, she would have screamed and run for her life. As it was, she could do nothing but watch as the eight madmen began a different chant and as a green glow coalesced around her body.
It didnt take long for a worrying numbness to take hold, starting at her toes and working its way up slowly but surely. As the numbness made its way up her neck movement from outside of the circle caught her eye- two shadowy figures. Hope surged, but her last thought before the numbness fully took her was at least this time there isnt any pain
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
The sound of rhythmic beeping was the first thing Catherine heard as she woke groggily from unconsciousness. Eyes still closed, she muttered something incomprehensible and rolled over to turn off her alarm, or least tried to. Her right arm was secured to something hard, allowing no movement except at the wrist and shoulder.
Her eyes flew open and she surged forward. Oh **** theyve still got me! A quick survey of her surroundings didnt help her panic any. She was in a hospital bed and gown, and her clothes were nowhere to be found. The reason her arm was immovable was because it had an IV in it, and was secured to a board. Visions of mad scientists horrible experiments ran through her mind, fueled by too many nights watching monster movies, and she scrabbled with her left hand at the ties on the board her arm was secured to. The beeping sped up, and there came the sounds of someone moving quickly from another room. Catherine worked faster.
The heavy green curtain that surrounded her bed on two sides eased aside as two women clad in scrubs the same hospital green as the curtains entered. Catherine paid them no attention until one of them grabbed her left arm firmly and pulled it away.
Let go of me! She flailed her right arm, catching the nurse in the head. The nurse staggered and let go as the other nurse cried out for the doctor. As Catherine continued to struggle with the remaining nurse she saw another woman, this one dressed in a white lab coat, pull something from a drawer and inject it into her IV.
No! She lunged at the newcomer over the top of the guardrail. I wont let you! The doctor hurriedly backed up a pace, and Catherine found herself draped over the side of the bed. For some reason, the world was spinning again. She lay there awkwardly for a few seconds, waiting for the room to hold still again. Before it did though, one nurse took hold of each arm and carefully maneuvered her back into the bed. Catherine struggled weakly, but whatever the doctor had put into her IV had taken all of the fight out of her. Bastards, she muttered, before falling asleep.
For the second time that day, Catherine was woken by the sound of beeping machinery. This time, however, there was no surge of panic, just embarrassment about her own actions. She opened her eyes and sighed, then propped herself upright. She hissed in pain, clutching her right wrist. It was badly swollen, but she still had the use of her fingers. There was no dizziness this time, at least.
All thoughts of apologies vanished as she got a good look at the room around her. Oh, good grief. The curtains and her gown were the only things that didnt look like something out of a sci-fi movie. The bed was normal enough, except for the U-shaped thing at the foot, set into grooves that ran the length of the bed. To her right was a machine on a rolling platform, the top half covered in a display and the rest with a keypad of sorts that could have been in a foreign language for all she knew.
While she was inspecting the machine, it finally dawned on her that there was a set of footsteps getting closer and closer. She hurriedly climbed back into bed and adjusted her gown and the covers. No need to make it look like she was snooping.
Sure enough, the curtain twitched aside and a tall, brown-haired, middle-aged man wearing a rumpled lab coat eased his way through. Before Catherine could say anything the man smiled warmly and spoke. My name is Dr. Thomas, and Im the doctor in charge of your care here. Can you tell me your name?
Catherine smiled in return. Catherine Allen.
And can you tell me what you remember?
She hesitated and winced. The doctor must have been warned about her antics from before, because he was standing a good few feet away from the bed, out of lunging distance.
Im not going to hurt you, she muttered, head in her hands. I swear.
Dr. Thomas nodded, but otherwise didnt move. Its an understandable reaction under your circumstances.
Catherine turned red. Nice to see the doctor doesnt trust me
Can you tell me what you remember? He repeated.
She squinted at him, then looked up at the ceiling, then back at the doctor, and frowned. I was at home and then, she shrugged and shook her head. I dont know. She took a deep breath as tears threatened.
Dr. Thomas looked sympathetic. At the very least, I can tell you what we know. First of all, you've been admitted to the Atlas Park branch of the Chiron Medical Center. As to what happened, it appears that you were the victim of kidnapping by the Circle of Thorns. The report we were given by the heroes that rescued you yesterday states you were to be part of one of their rituals, but none of the captured mages were forthcoming on details.
Catherine gaped. Ive been out cold since yesterday?
The doctor nodded. Its a common reaction seen in patients of your type. Whatever the Circle was up to, it drained a considerable amount of energy from you. Sleep and time is still the best way to replenish that energy.
She shook her head in disbelief.
Id like to keep you here until at least tomorrow morning for observation.. Youll probably feel tired for a day or two longer, but after that you should feel just fine. Do you have any questions?
Quite a few things ran through her head, but there was one thing that stuck out, behind the apparent fact that shed been kidnapped and lost a day in the process. Where did you say I am?
"You're in Chiron Medical Center in-"
"Yes, but where is that?"
The doctor paused.
"This hospital is located in the Atlas Park sector of Paragon City, Rhode Island."
Catherine stared at Dr. Thomas in shock. You're trying to tell me not only do wizards exist, they whisked me away halfway across the country to try to kill me? I want a second opinion!"
Dr. Thomas nodded. The members of the Circle of Thorns are more rightfully called cultists, but yes, that does seem to be what happened.
Catherine put her head in her hands again and a wave of sadness and anger passed through her as she tried unsuccessfully not to burst into tears.
The doctor took two quick steps to her shoulder, took her hand, and squeezed gently.
I want to call my family, she said in between sobs. They need to know Im safe.
Dr. Thomas handed her a box of tissues from a drawer, which the distraught woman took gratefully. Ill see what I can do.
By the time a nurse returned with a cell phone Catherine had calmed down considerably, although her eyes were still red and swollen. She fumbled with the device as the nurse left her bedside. Unlike the phones she was used to, this one had a small button on the back that, when pressed, caused the front to display a full color holographic interface. After an aggravating few minutes of searching menus she finally managed to enter her parents number. Three rings later, someone picked up. The display stayed dark, but a mans voice she didnt recognize emanated from the speaker.
Hello?
Hi! Is Greg home? This is his daughter, Catherine.
Im sorry, theres no one here by that name.
Catherine raised her eyebrows at the display, then double checked the number. What about Maryanne?
Theres no one here by that name either.
She rolled her eyes, wishing she could see who was on the other side. Just get me my parents, OK? Im really not in the mood for this right now.
Im sorry maam, but youve got the wrong number. With that the man on the other side hung up.
Catherine glared at the holophone and redialed.
McCaig residence.
Can I speak to Greg, please?
Greg doesnt live here maam. Youve got the wrong number The phone went dead once again.
What on earth? she muttered. Frustrated, she turned the infernal thing off and put it down on the nightstand, then pressed the call button.
A harried looking female nurse appeared a few minutes later, a newspaper carelessly stuffed half in and half out of one pocket.
"Do you need something, ma'am?"
Catherine shook her head. I just wanted to give you the phone back. My parents arent home, Ill have to try again later.
The blonde nurse, who had a name tag declaring herself Dianne, nodded and turned to pick up the phone from where Catherine had put it, giving her a good view of the headline. Whenever you want to try again, hit the button.
Catherine canted her head to get a better view of the paper. Manticore foils plot? Whos that?
The nurse stopped dead in her tracks and looked at her patient strangely. Manticore the archer? Part of the Freedom Phalanx? Stopped Crey Industries from hypnotizing us all?
Doesnt sound familiar. Now Dianne was the one on the receiving end of a strange look.
Dianne nodded slowly and pulled the paper from her pocket. Here Take it.
Fifteen minutes later the curtain whisked open, and Catherine look curiously over the newspaper to see who it was.
My nurse tells me youve never heard of Manticore, said Dr. Thomas.
Catherine raised an eyebrow at him. Yes?
The term "Circle of Thorns', you've never heard of it before I mentioned it earlier, have you?"
Catherine shook her head and he nodded. "Statesman? Lord Recluse? Salamanca? Galaxy City? The Rikti Invasion?"
Seeing her continued blank look, he went on.
Your parents, were you able to get a hold of them?
Catherine glared at him suspiciously. Where are you going with this?
"I know this is going to be hard to believe, but it appears that not only have you been moved in distance, there is also the good possibility youve moved universes as well.
Catherine gaped at him for a moment, speechless. Now I definitely want a second opinion.
Dr. Thomas nodded, brushed aside the curtain, and closed it behind him.
Two phone calls and half an hour later a middle aged man and woman, both dressed in khakis and a blue shirt with an interlocking P and C on the left breast, knocked on Catherine's door, who had been transferred to a private room in the interim. She watched them with suspicion, wondering what this was all about. They certainly werent dressed like the rest of the staff shed seen at the hospital so far. The woman spoke first.
"My name is Ophelia Marcum, and this is my colleague Harrison Jones. Dr Thomas wanted us to talk to you about your situation..."