Imaginary - Chapter 31 - The Waiting Game (Patreon)

Hey everyone. sorry about not putting anything out on Thursday, and getting this out a day late. I've had an exceptionally bad week so far, and tried my best to get this out on time... I just couldn't manage it. Depending on how I'm feeling I may try and get an extra chapter out over the weekend. We'll see.

Anyways, sorry again. I hope you enjoy!

“Okay, kids, everyone into the van!” Pam declared, appearing seemingly out of nowhere, swinging a set of keys around on her finger.

“Pam?!?! When did you get here?” I asked, nearly jumping out of my seat and dropping my cards on the coffee table we’d been using to play games on for the last two hours.

“About… five minutes ago,” she replied. “I came in the back door and went straight to the chief's office to get an update. Now that I’m here, Mac and I can escort you to where you’ll all be staying.”

“Woah, woah, woah,” Kyle said, jumping to his feet. “What do you mean by ‘Where you’ll be staying?’ Shouldn’t it be ‘back to your houses’?”

“I’d love to, but since the BEI can’t afford to let a powerful Empowered like Grey run loose, we’ve had to devote the vast majority of our agents to tracking him down. We just leave you all alone, not after he’s shown interest in you, and we don’t have enough agents to protect you all individually; hence, ‘Where you’ll be staying’,” Pam replied. “Don’t worry, it’s not like I’m taking you to some hole in the ground. I’m taking you to the clinic.”

“Isn’t the clinic in the sub-basement of the admin building. Isn’t that pretty much the definition of a hole in the ground?” Kyle asked sarcastically. 

“Okay, technically true, but it’s not some random hole in the ground. It’s one of the most advanced and secure holes in the entire campus,” Mac replied as he emerged from behind the front desk. “We’ve already called your parents to let them know where you’ll be staying, and you’ll be able to give them a call yourselves once we arrive.”

“Plus, I’m going to pick up takeout,” Pam declared. “Who wants Chinese?”

Kyle’s hand shot up while the rest of us looked at the pair warily. “Okay, I’m sure I’m not the only one wondering this, but… can you tell us why you two always seem to be the ones assigned to investigate or protect us?” Amelia asked.

“Well, it’s partially because you all know us, and the bureau believes that you’d be more comfortable with us than some random field agent,” Mac replied. “And partially because we both have extensive experience with the special response teams.“

“Wait… you do?” I asked blankly. “Since when?”

“Since about five years ago,” Pam snorted. “You didn’t think that Mac and I were typical field agents, did you? As far as the Bureau is concerned, protecting you and Olivia is one of the highest priorities.”

“Uhhhh…” Kyle muttered, slowly raising his hand like he wanted to ask a question before it was caught by his sister. 

“It’s less about their well-being, and more about understanding and replicating their powers, right?” Kira said.

“Bingo,” Pam declared. “Don’t get me wrong, we both really like you kids, but the bureau’s priority is to study Olivia and Tamera to see if there’s any way they can replicate their powers. Being able to detect Ruptures before they form, or suppress the Instability that Empowered people create? That would be priceless. That’s why they didn’t want a couple of local agents to act as your local attaché, but instead sent us. So we could keep an eye on you.” 

“And that’s why you’re always the ones that seem to be handling a lot of the more important and dangerous jobs around campus,” Amelia said. 

“That’s right,” Pam admitted. “A senior field agent’s job is never done. Anyway, I don’t mind answering all your questions, but we really should get moving. That is, unless you all want to sleep in one of those uncomfortable plastic chairs.”

“Those are our only two options?” Kira asked.

“Sorry, kids. The clinic is the safest place for you right now. It only has one way in and several dedicated security staff to help us keep you safe,” Mac replied. “If it had been anyone else you probably would have been stuck holed up in one of the back offices, but luckily the doc likes you all and made an exception.”

“Ugh, I guess it’s better than sitting in these uncomfortable plastic chairs for another couple hours, or sleeping on the floor if you can’t find Grey,” Kira grumbled. 

“Do any of you want anything from home?” my mother asked. She’d been hovering around, keeping an eye on us ever since we arrived at the office. I’m sure if this had been a normal day I would have found her looking over my shoulder every twenty minutes annoying, but after everything I’d gone through this week, I’d found her presence extremely comforting. “Mrs Anderson, Olivia’s mother is going to be coming by in about twenty minutes and we’re going to be going around to all your houses to pick up a change of clothes for you all. With your parent’s permission of course. I don’t mind picking up some small comfort items while we’re there.”

“I’d ask for one of my sketch books, but I expect my mother has already pilled a couple into the car,” Olivia said. “She knows I like to draw when I’m stressed.”

“A couple boardgames would be good,” Amelia said. “Although I don’t mind playing cards occasionally, I’d really like to break things up a little.”

“Oh! In that case my game console!” Kyle declared.

“I’m not sure if the doctor would appreciate us hijacking one of her TVs,” I said.

“It’s a probable console, with the ability to connect to TVs,” Kyle replied. “So if she allows it we can play some multiplayer, if not, we can pass it around.”

My mother nodded. “What about you two, Kira? Tammy?” she asked.

“Uhhh… I guess you could pick up my text books,” Kira replied quietly, causing her brother to scoff. She elbowed him in the side before continuing. “I figure if we’re all going to be stuck in side we could get our homework done tonight, then still go out tomorrow. Assuming that the Buereu manages to catch Grey by then.”

“That’s actually a decent idea,” I muttered. “I just wanted to use today as a chance to relax, and since I still haven’t had a chance to do so, it wouldn’t hurt to study tonight so I have tomorrow free to try again.”

“Oh! Then grab mine too!” Olivia exclaimed. 

Amelia nodded. “You might as well as pick all our books up then, we can try and go out again tomorrow.”

“Awww… but I normally do my homework Monday morning,” Kyle groaned.

“And I keep telling you that’s a bad habit,” Kira said. “You should grab his books too if you have space.”

“I’ll do my best,” my mother said, with a small tired smile.

“Alright, does anyone need anything else?” Pam asked. “No? In that case, let’s go. The van is parked around back. Mac and I will exit first, and open the back door, then I want you kids to jump in as quickly as possible. We’ve got guys out on the street watching out for Grey, but I’d still like to avoid giving him any openings if he suddenly shows up,” she said as she stepped around the side of the wooden counter and started striding towards the back.

We all scrambled to our feet, grabbing our bags before jumping after her. As I stepped past the counter my mother pulled me to the side. “I’ll meet you at the clinic in about an hour, right after I collect everyone’s stuff,” she said quietly, pulling me into a tight hug. “Please stay safe.”

“I will,” I whispered back to her. “I promise.” 

She pulled back and gave me a quick pat on the head before calling, “That goes the same for the rest of you too. Stay safe, I’ll see you soon!” 

“We will!” Olivia called back. “After all, the first thing the school taught us is to run away and not take chances, and I plan to follow that rule!”

“Good,” my mother replied before turning back to me. “Run along, the others are waiting for you.”

“I’ll see you soon,” I said as I jogged towards the back.

I found everyone lined up next to an old metal fire door, Mac at the front. He ran his gaze across everyone. “Everyone ready?” he asked. When we all nodded, he shoved the door open and stepped out. “Alright then, let’s go.”