Opheliac (22 page)

Alan teleported to Cadence's apartment first. He always liked to pick her up before the others so they could talk one on one about any last-minute strategy points. Plus, he selfishly liked having time alone with her too. Something he'd never admit to, of course.

As predicted, she was waiting in her room. Her mother was out working, like every other Saturday night he'd come by to visit. Cadence might never admit to it, but he could sense her loneliness whenever he came over.

Cadence glanced up at him from a book. “You're earlier than I thought.”

“Is this a bad thing? Are you not ready?” he asked.

“I'm ready, just surprised,” she said.

With a great deal of care, she placed a bookmark to save her place before closing her book. It was long with a lot of pages and a title displaying a language he was unfamiliar with, though the small text displayed on the back was written in English. She always had a new book whenever he caught her reading. Supposedly, it was out of character of her to want to read and study. To him, it appeared natural and like a desire she'd had for a long time. From what he understood, she'd been discouraged from exploring the depth of her intelligence. He knew all too well what happened when no one believed in him. She deserved better treatment.

Leaning against a nearby wall, he shrugged. “It gives us more time to talk, and I was restless with waiting.”

“Talking is good,” she said, grabbing her mask from out of a nightstand drawer. She stuck it into her jeans pocket. “I've been hoping you would stop by earlier than now so I could tell you everything that's happened over the week. We really need a way to get ahold of you while you're on your ship.”

“Is something wrong?” He watched her, probably more than he should have. Every move she made was fascinating. Her words suggested things were wrong, but she kept a calm demeanor as she gathered up a hooded sweatshirt and a good pair of shoes.

She put the sweatshirt on; it was black with a zipper in front, perfect for hiding. “Yes. I think just you and I should go on this mission. All we're doing is observing and taking notes, anyway. We don't need JD or Angela.”

“What's wrong?” he pressed, going for a more direct route.

“The night you and Orlando had your mission, Angela was captured by the Doctor's thugs.”

His jaw dropped and it took him a moment to find his voice. “And you're just telling me this now?”

Cadence shot him a piercing gaze. “Again, this is why we need to have a way to contact you while you're on your ship. You've been gone for three days working up there. Let me finish, okay?”

“Yes, sorry,” he mumbled.

“As I was saying, Angela was captured by some peers of hers. They knew she was at the party, I'm guessing. If Orlando has a list of everyone who attended, then we have to assume the enemy does as well. JD got a text from her asking for help. He left. I had to stay behind because he was babysitting and we couldn't abandon his siblings to fend for themselves so late. Maybe I should have gone instead…but I'm so useless in a fight.” Cadence sighed heavily, her eyes glossing over with tears.

Alan hated seeing her cry. He moved closer, putting a hand on her shoulder. Any of the others he wouldn't have tried touching. The bond he had with her was so much stronger. “Don't express regret. Your decision was a logical one.”

“Logic isn't always right.”

“I agree, but I don't think your going would have changed much.”

“I guess,” she whispered. In a louder voice, she said, “I don't know what happened. Neither do JD or Angela. Orlando said the Doctor messed with their memories. He helped get Angela home, I guess. Picked her up in the middle of town and brought her back. She apparently mentioned something had been done to her brain to make her forget the previous six hours. I'm guessing they did it to JD too because the last thing he remembers from that day is eating dinner and then calling me to come by.”

It took a moment for Alan to process all of the information given to him. “Are they unwell from…whatever was done to them?”

“They seemed fine at school when they were there this week,” she said. “What worries me the most is that when JD came back to his house, he said he did something bad. Then he passed out before we could get any more information from him.”

“He didn't come back with Orlando and Angela?”

“No, they got separated. He returned somewhere between five and ten minutes after Angela.”

Alan gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Do you think he's compromised our mission?”

“It's a possibility…I'm sorry. Please don't be mad at him.”

“I'm not mad, per se,” he said. “But I can't say I'm untroubled. Whatever JD did, I'm sure it was either unintentional or for a good reason. Or reasons he thought were good, I should say. Generally, his instincts are good. But it does impact how much we can use him in the future.”

She wiped the tears from her eyes, nodding. “Of course, at least for a little while until we figure out what the Doctor did to him. He's going to hate me for telling you, especially if he doesn't go on this mission, but it didn't feel right keeping it a secret. JD thinks it's not a big deal, but it's a huge one.”

“If I tell him he can't come, will he know you told me?”

“Probably.”

For the time being, Alan had little desire to cause more conflict between the group. When Cadence and JD had broken up, there was more than enough tension going around. Everyone was starting to work well together again; he couldn't ruin that.

A small smile formed on his lips. “I have an idea. Send him a message. Tell him my superiors have decided to take a new approach on this mission, and that I will not be going over to collect him and Angela. It wouldn't be a lie, seeing as how my boss did tell me things would be run a bit differently. Hopefully, he'll get the implication that you will not be going as well.”

“I can try,” she said. She picked up her phone and sent what the teens referred to as a text message. A simple form of communication, but Alan found it incredibly handy and so much more convenient than a phone call.

“As soon as you're ready, we'll go.”

“How are things going to be different?” she asked. “Are we not just watching?”

“We are,” he said, moving closer to her. He'd have to touch her to teleport with her. For whatever reason, he eagerly looked forward to doing so. “But we're looking for different information. We're going to try and find the leak. Others will be in place to watch the transaction between the Doctor and his investors.”

Cadence swallowed. “So we're going to be doing something a little more dangerous?”

“In theory, but it's still a simple observation task. If you'd rather not come, I can go alone.” Though that wasn't what he wanted. He wanted her input and guidance. Cadence had a way of seeing things he didn't.

Shaking her head, she gazed up at him. “I'm going. We're figuring this out, and I'm going to try to learn what the Doctor did to JD and Angela, too.”

“Then we're on the same page,” he said. “I know you might be nervous about having a lack of aggressive power, but your fighting training is impressive and…and you know I'll protect you.”

“I know, I'm not worried. Besides, I was getting a little jealous everyone else got to see all this intense action and I've been stuck in a lab.” She winked. “Come on, let's go.”

“Has JD replied?” he asked.

“He's disappointed, but he'll deal. There's nothing left to talk about.” She grabbed his hand and placed it on her shoulder. “Seriously, let's go. I'd rather be there early and in position than late.”

Alan tightened his grip on her, closed his eyes to focus, and teleported her to the designated location he'd been ordered to view the action from. According to the information taken from Bean's memories, it should have placed him right behind where the Doctor was. Instead, he found himself a handful of feet away from Alona, who was hiding behind some foliage.

With a frown, Alan pushed Cadence lower to the ground. He waved for her to follow him further away, creating more distance between them and his ex-love.
Did I get my coordinates wrong?
He and Cadence found a large trash bin to hide behind.

Once again, the rival tribes were meeting at a local park. They seemed to like those despite the wide open space. Then again, more space meant more ways to escape should things go badly. Where he and Cadence were placed, they would be in a direct path out of the park, which didn't bode well for them in the case of an emergency.

Two cars pulled up behind them. They only had a few seconds to move further out of sight, pinning them between the bin and the wall. Out of a black sedan stepped a middle-aged man along with two other younger men who were much larger in size. Alan was positive the man was a high-ranked official of some kind and the others were his bodyguards.

The second car opened and the Doctor came out with a teenage boy Alan recognized as Sensor. Both of them wore masks.

“Jonathan, is the secrecy necessary? It's just me,” the man said.

The Doctor, or rather Jonathan, folded his arms in front of him. “When we meet in private is one thing. This is another entirely. And please, address me by my alias.”

“Paranoid. I don't see why it's an issue. It's just us.”

Sensor leaned over to whisper in the Doctor's ear; both laughed. The Doctor walked toward an open, grassy space, passing right by Alan and Cadence's hiding place. “But it's not. My assistant is lurking out here somewhere along with her charges. Alona, dear, care to join us?”

Silence. The rustling of the wind and Cadence's soft breathing were all Alan heard.

Jonathan laughed more. “Darling, if you think your military friends are coming to arrest us, you're mistaken. Come out. I know you're hiding and hoping for some kind of a show. Hate to disappoint you, but nothing will be all too exciting without you.”

Quiet grumbling could be heard as Alona stepped out into the open area. The moon reflected off of her curly blonde hair. Even in the dim lighting, Alan could see the piercing gaze she gave the Doctor. “You'll find yourself disappointed since I'm here alone.”

“I figured you wouldn't bring anyone once I heard all about your plans to sabotage me,” Jonathan said.

Alona faced Sensor. “I should have realized the charge you stole from me would tell all about our plans.”

“Sensor didn't tell me a thing,” the Doctor said. “Not at first. He only confirmed the information after I was given it. I may have taken him from you, but he holds some loyalty to you still. It's…sweet. He and I have discussed future expectations.”

The teenage boy shivered, and Alan didn't believe it was because of the cold. What had been done to him? And if Sensor didn't betray Alona's plans, then who did?

Stepping toward her, Jonathan reached out and touched her chin. “Only one of my investors has come. Your military friends, by the way, are interested in putting in a bid for my work as well. I'm sure you thought it clever to invite them and have them take me prisoner. The thing you don't realize is that we've already spoken. Your spy who was arranging all of the fireworks for tonight's show was only going to secure a way for me to take even more of your charges from you.”

“But he…” Alona shook her head. “He said you wouldn't…”

“Know? I'm sure whoever gave him the orders to arrange the scene has him believing that.” The Doctor stepped away from her, turning his back on her completely. “I know you desire your freedom from the Gelandrosimbol. Being their slave isn't something I enjoy either.”

“If you knew this was going to be a bust, then why are you here? Why come at all?” she asked, her tone dark.

The Doctor chuckled. “I promised my investors a show of Alturan power. Proof this whole thing is real. All I have are a few parlor tricks, but you have a great deal of skills. I knew you'd be here to make sure I got what I was due.”

“And you think I'll show off these skills of mine for your entertainment?” She scoffed. “You don't know me well at all.”

“You will, because my superiors have told me to pass along this message—provide me with an example of power, and you'll be free without any consequences. Failure to do so will only hurt you in the long run. Your freedom will still be given, but in a much more painful way.” He faced her again. “They aren't happy about your betrayal.”

The mystery man from the other car, the one Alan could only assume was an investor, snickered. “So dramatic.”

“Politics always are,” Jonathan said. “What do you say? Care to come with me and my friend? Or is this going to be difficult?”

Alona's fists clenched at her side. “Fine.”

Nodding, the Doctor placed a hand on her shoulder, and then he did something unexpected: he looked toward where Alan and Cadence were hiding and smirked.

He knows we're here. Is he expecting me to fight for her? I'm sure he knows her powers aren't aggressive in nature. Not unless she has some of her enhancements.
Alan knew for a fact that she had the ability to control ice along with being able to take away another's powers, though she hadn't been born with the ice gift. Still, it was power. Alan himself had a number of artificial enhancements. On Altura it was normal to have a few simple things like healing abilities for emergencies.

But was that what the investors wanted to see?
A superpower is a superpower. On Earth, such things are abnormal and unheard of.
A hard fact to remember.

The old Alan, the one who still loved Alona, would have come out of hiding and picked a fight, giving the Doctor the display of power he so desired. New Alan, however, wasn't going to fall for such a game. He placed a hand on Cadence's shoulder and teleported them away from there, taking her back home again to her room.