Imaginary - Book 2 - Chapter 29 - Confrontation (Patreon)

“So what did he say?” Kira asked as soon as I hung up the phone.

“The field team is suiting up and will meet us out front of the building,” I replied as I passed the device back to Olivia.

“And he didn’t question how something dangerous could be walking down the middle of Main Street without causing a panic, or how you were the only one who noticed it?” Kyle asked, practically shoving his face over my shoulder.

“Not even a little,” I replied. “Instead, he asked if the situation was dangerous enough to call in the response team. I guess between what happened two months ago and getting to know me over the last two months, he’s just willing to trust me.”

“Besides, I’m sure that Mac is smart enough to realize that if something was following us, he couldn’t waste time asking questions,” Oliva said. 

“And if there wasn’t something following us, then he can yell at us later, once that’s confirmed,” I said.

“Or have Tamera’s mother do it, since she works at that office,” Amelia chuckled. 

“I really doubt they’d do that. She doesn’t have any authority there, she just does admin,” I said.

“Well, it might not be as official, but I’m sure it would be far more mortifying for Tamera,” Oliva giggled.

“I’m glad you guys are enjoying yourselves,” I grumbled. “And not concerned with the imminent death slowly creeping up behind us.”

“Oh, we’re concerned. I’ve been fighting the urge to look over my shoulder every two seconds ever since the Sparks told us we were being followed,” Amelia said. “But as long as that thing is content to just follow us, we should do our best to at least look relaxed and casual.”

“Fair enough,” I muttered. “Frost, is that thing…” 

“Still following,” the sprite hissed. “Closing. Slowly.”

Olivia and I exchanged a quick glance. “How far to the BEI office?” I asked.

“It’s on the next block, why?” Kyle asked.

“Because that thing is gaining,” I replied quietly.

Kyle glanced over his shoulder and received a light tap from his sister for it. “I really wish I could see whatever's following us. I may not be able to stop it, but it would make me feel better,” he said. “The only thing I can see is a creepy guy in a suit.”

“That’s it!” Sprout declared. “It’s EEeeeeevvvvviiiilllllll” 

“What?” I exclaimed, almost stumbling over my own feet. “It looks human?”

“You all look human,” Frost replied. “Why can’t it?”

“That’s because we are human,” Olivia said, turning towards Frost. “Why would you think we’re not human?”

“Well, everyone treats you differently, they call you Empowered, and you can see us,” Crackle exclaimed.

“Just because we have powers doesn’t mean we’re not human anymore,” Olivia exclaimed. “It’s just that having powers as a human has some fairly significant downsides, so we need to be cautious, or people might get hurt.”

“Then why bother developing powers?” Spark asked. “Sounds like things are easier without them.”

“We don’t exactly have a choice in the matter,” Olivia replied sullenly. “I know I’d rather not have to deal with mine.”

Sprout floated over and patted her on the head. “There there, it’ll be okay,” they said. “We weren’t being mean on purpose. We just thought you guys were different, because everyone treats you that way.”

“It’s fine, you didn’t know better,” Olivia muttered.

“Wait, does that mean that we’re being chased by a person? Another Empowered?” I asked the Sparks.

“No,” Sprout hissed. “That thing might look human, but it’s wrong. Very wrong.”

When I heard that I couldn’t help myself, and I glanced behind us to see who, or what, was behind us. There were a couple of people strolling along, browsing the shops behind us, but one person stood out; The same well-dressed man that I’d seen at the crosswalk. 

As soon as I spotted him, he smiled. It wasn’t a warm, welcoming smile either; It felt like there was some sort of underlying malice. He redoubled his pace, jogging to catch up for a moment, but after just a few steps he slowed down and frowned.

I spun back around and just barely avoided walking into someone standing right in the middle of the sidewalk. “Hey kids, long time no see,” Adwell said, taking a long draw of his vape.

“I thought you left,” I said dumbly. “What are you doing here?”

“I told you I was leaving, but do you really think that’s a simple matter for someone in my position? I’ve been sitting in the BEI office all morning doing paperwork, and now that it’s done I have to wait for my ride. It’s important to follow procedures,” he said, looking past me. “Isn’t that right? Grey?”

“Grey?” Kyle asked, glancing back at the man standing behind us, then over at Amelia. “Wasn’t that the name of the guys who decked you?”

“Long time no see, David. Still protecting those nobodies on the coast?” Grey asked in a fake friendly tone. 

“At least I’m capable of actually protecting my people. I don’t just rush headlong into every Rupture I find, pretending to be a hero,” Adwell grunted, stepping between us and Grey. “What are you doing here? I heard you’d already run home with your tail between your legs.”

“Oh, I did leave the campus for a couple of days, but since I didn’t get a chance to talk to everyone I wanted to, so I shook my tail and doubled back,” Grey explained. “I actually wanted to talk to those kids behind you for a minute, so if you wouldn’t mind stepping aside for a minute…”

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen,” Adwell grumbled. “The BEI asked me to come out here and take a look around, told me there might be something dangerous running around out here, so they’re already aware of your presence. How about you do me a favour and fuck off, before we have an issue.” 

The two men stared at each other for several long seconds. Adwell just stood there, casually smoking his vape, while Grey was clenching his jaw so tightly I could see the veins in his forehead. Finally, Grey unclenched his jaw and put on a fake smile. 

“I guess I’ll have to come back another day. Pity,” Gray said, before bowing in our direction. “Ladies, Gentlemen, have a pleasant day.”

He turned without another word and began strolling away as if nothing had happened. 

“Is it alright to let him go like that?” Kira asked quietly.

“If I tried to stop him, he’d lash out with little regard for the other people around. He’s a petulant child with enough power to force almost anyone to do what he wants,” Adwell replied, watching Grey until the other man disappeared around the corner.

“Almost anyone?” Amelia asked, a slight quiver in her voice. I looked over and was surprised to find she was shaking; I guess the encounter had spooked her far more than I would have expected. Thankfully, Kira was there, patting her on the back.

“He may be strong, but he’s not exactly popular,” Adwell said, finally turning towards our group. “He’s a monster, willing to sacrifice as many lives as necessary in order to grow stronger, and despite his relentless drive, he’s far from the strongest Empowered person around.” 

“You seem to have some pretty strong feelings when it comes to Grey,” Olivia said wairily. “Have the two of you met before?”

“A couple of times,” Adwell replied, taking a long draw on his vape. “And after every single encounter I come to detest him just a little bit more.” The man shook his head, then raised his hands and made a shooing motion. “Now come on, they’re expecting you all back at the BEI office, and I’m not leaving you out here alone knowing that psychopath is around.”

“You know, I thought you were a little bit of a hard-headed grump when I first met you, but you’re a pretty good guy,” I told the man.

“Yeah, yeah, I have a heart of gold,” he grumbled. “Now march; we don’t have all day. I have places to be, and you have people waiting for you.”

“Right, come on everyone,” Kyle declared, taking off down the sidewalk, prompting the rest of us to follow him. 

After a couple steps, Crackle flew up and landed on my head. “I didn’t understand most of that, but that man was right about one thing: that thing we saw back there was a real monster. Don’t let his pleasant exterior deceive you; there’s something rotten inside. Avoid it at all costs!” they exclaimed.

“Don’t worry, if I ever see him again it’ll be too soon,” I muttered. “Let’s get out of here.”