Esper Chapter 7: A trip through the dark

Part 1

Landon Highschool’s cafeteria was packed full of bustling students escaping the torrent of rain outside. Harper Wolf and Vergil Trask pushed past a group of seniors as they made their way to a table. Seated at their destination were a young African-American girl, short and with frizzy hair adorning her head; just opposite her was a curly haired, freckle faced young man toweling himself dry. “Lefty… Lefty?” Harper called out to the girl; enthralled, face brimming with glee, and scrolling away on her phone. “Pete, is Lefty on that fan fiction website again?”

“Probably. Knowing her, it’s some boy’s love novel or whatever.” The curly haired boy answered, tossing aside his bookbag to make room for Vergil and Harper. “You know Lefty; once there’s something to read in front of the girl, nothing stops her!”

“Hey H-Harper, let’s get s-some food first.” Vergil’s meek voice was barely audible in the raucous lunchroom, but he managed to stop Harper just short of sitting down.

“Sure! Pete, want anything? I’m guessing Lefty don’t give a shit.” Pete responded by dismissively shaking his head, so both young men walked off. Harper and Vergil weaved through numerous lines toward the counter and place their orders. While waiting, out of the corner of his eye, Vergil spied a familiar face! Maggie Prince, one of the most beautiful girls in school, if only in the love-struck boy’s eyes. Her platinum blonde hair that parted right up the middle showcasing her narrow eyes, tiny nose, and red lips could catch Vergil’s attention even among the sea of bodies separating them! “…Verg, if you want to talk with her, go ahead! Now is probably the perfect time since she’s not doing anything.”

“Wha?!” The sudden proposal from his portly associate left Vergil stammering uncontrollably. “How d-do you know she’s n-not busy?! I-I c-can’t j-just—”

With a sigh, Harper gripped the collar of his less confident friend. Totally self-assured, he strolled through a crowd of older students! Upon noticing them approaching, Maggie lowered her phone and forced a half smile. “Ah! Before you say anything Maggie, I’m just passing by. Verg, you finished the homework from last night, right? I know someone…” Harper snuck a wink over to Maggie, who recoiled at his sneering. “…Hasn’t finished, herself.”

“What? How on earth would you…!” The young woman’s beautiful face glowed bright red with embarrassment! “Ehhm!” She cleared her throat and started again. “Harper, how did you know about that?” Maggie ineffectively attempted to force another smile, but it came across threatening when coupled with the vein in her forehead.

“Oh, does it matter? Here Verg, maybe you can help her out! I’ll grab our food.” Off Harper rushed back to the counter right as their food finished being made, leaving Vergil embarrassed, nervous, and confused.

“I-I-I…”

Maggie groaned. “Vergil, do you really have the homework?” He nodded. “Can…I copy it?” Almost losing what little composure he’d accrued, Vergil nodded vigorously, and shakily brought her back to their table.

At said table, Harper happily greeted them alongside Lefty; who’d finished reading, and Pete, seemingly befuddled as to the mere presence of Maggie Prince. Throughout the lunch period, people orbited the table asking questions to Harper, paying him compliments, and even begged for advice! The rain finally slowed and the students were loosed from the cafeteria to the relief of Harper’s friend group. As everyone migrated back to their classrooms in between buildings, Harper checked his phone. “Looks like Nick finally got around to reading my message.” He pulled in close to Vergil, showing a text.

Nicolaus’s longwinded message was written more like a debriefing, in which he described the events from the preceding night. Explaining the phenomenon, he wrote of it being like a miniature version of the Newtonville lights. Vergil was so preoccupied with the message he failed to notice Maggie becoming curious of the two’s secrecy. She casually leaned over Vergil’s shoulder, with her face only being about an inch away from his! Vergil animatedly leapt back, tossing his books onto the damp grass surrounding the loggia!

“Ohp! Sorry, didn’t mean to freak you out.” Vergil stammered, unable to put together a sentence with a mixture of delight and mortification overwhelming him. “I was just wondering if you two were talking about Harper’s secret to popularity.”

“Yeah, Harper, what’s up with that? Everybody’s so nice to ya’ all of a sudden?” Lefty inquired, jabbing at Harper’s rib in jest.

“What the fuck do you mean?! Obviously, everyone just noticed how cool I was after…the uh…incident…” That statement sucked the air out of the group. “Ugh! Stop thinking about it, guys! Let’s just—”

“Yooo…” A laidback and unenthused voice called out to the group. In the distance, a red cap wearing, platinum blonde man approached. “Long time no see, Vergil, Harper, Lefty, Pete! You guys are still hanging out? That’s fucking sweet.” The man scratched at stubble on his chin and shifted his eyes between the doors.

“Warren! For what possible reason did you come here?” Maggie stepped in front of the group, taking immediate charge of the conversation! “You’re going to get in trouble for being on school grounds!”

“Relax. I can’t check on my baby sister from time to time?” Warren reached out to pat Maggie on the head. She swatted his hand away with prejudice!

“Leave! Now!” She said, vein in her rather pronounced forehead beginning to show.

“Dude…you’re just like Mom. Even got the forehead! Hah! I’m just happy to see you hanging with the good kids. Don’t end up like me!” The group watched as Warren strolled away, hysterically laughing, all the while Maggie shot him dirty looks. Unbeknownst to the rest of the group however, Harper was sent a message on his phone. It read [Meet me after, homie.] Harper sighed, dropping his phone back into his pocket.

“W-We should get t-to class.” Vergil pointed out they’d wasted far too much time and were late! The group rushed to class just as the storm picked up again, barely making it on time.

Part 2

Across town in a lavish hotel room, Katie Vang wiped makeup off her face and clothes. (Told Spike, I’d call him, but I’m too tired now. Those bastards wanted to party all night! I just wanted to go home, but at least this should’ve changed his mind a little.) She tiptoed into the massive front room, laden with people in various stages of undress or adorned in leather straps and belts. They either slept on the floor, in the California king sized bed or, in the case of the top reviewer in the city, handcuffed to a post in the room. (Now then…let’s make sure.) The man laid with his back against the post, out cold. “Wakey-wakey, mister Critic!” Katie drew her fingernail down his chest to no reaction. (Oh right, this guy is one of those types…ugh! I hate doing this.) She stood back up and cleared her throat. “Wake up you piece of trash!” Katie slapped the man awake!

“Huhh…Miss…Vang.” He quickly realized where he was seated and instead of growing fearful, grew aroused!

(Gross…this guy is gross.) Katie thought, but put on a smile. “How about we finish what we started last night?”

“Oh yes! Yes! Right here, step right here!” The critic gestured his head downward as Katie looked on with disgust.

(…I should just stomp until there’s nothing left. That’d be a way to make the world a better place.) She thought. “Not that finish.” She said. “Your promise…the review.” Katie cupped the man’s chin.

“Oh, right…” She released his cuffs and the man staggered over to the bed, pulling out a laptop. “Just like we said, ‘The entire play carried by its masterclass of acting by the main heroine.’ And it continues on from there. Good?”

“Perfect!” Gleefully, Katie patted the man on his head then pulled out her phone.

“Great! Now for round 2?”

“2? Sorry, but I’ve got things to handle. Maybe later.” With a mischievous wink, Katie grabbed an umbrella near the entrance. “Take care!” And with a wave, off she rushed out of the door to her job! (I swear, between this and Matthew, if I don’t get any more notoriety, I’m going to lose it! Oh right, did Spike actually read my message? Not like it matters, I could barely make it through half of that boy’s diatribe. He’ll just tell me again once I see him anyway.) Katie walked onto the train platform and waited as the eye of the storm held in place overhead, downgrading the squall to a slight drizzle. (First work, then rehearsal for the next show, then I’ve got put up with Matthew for a while…ah, I forgot about damn training!) As the train closed in on the station the sound of a high-pitched whistle caught her ear!

Three hooded figures hopped over turn-styles with police officers in hot pursuit! On the opposite platform, the group weaved in between patrons, their beige and black hoodies remaining visible amongst the crowd! Just as the train pulled into the station all three of the hooded people leapt onto the tracks! The train’s horn blared as the conductor tried desperately to slow down! They quickly jumped over the gates and began climbing up onto the next platform near Katie, leaving the officers stuck beyond the train. “Let’s go, keep running!” One called back to the other figures!

Katie took a minute and assessed the situation, then began to focus her powers. (I wonder if…I can…) The three sprinted past Katie, paying no mind to her as they pushed bystanders away. Suddenly one tripped, falling flat onto the ground! The others kept going as the person looked back. From the ground a pitch-black hand sprouted forth, wrapping its grip tightly around the person’s ankle!

“What the hell?!” Kicking at the ghastly hand elicited no response, it remained unaffected, solid and without a hint of fragility. The other two halted, prepared to assist until the police had successfully crossed onto the platform! “Just run! Forget about me!” They heeded their accomplice’s words and fled. As the police advanced on them, the hand shattered and vanished into thin air! When the officers forced the person down onto their belly and removed the hood, it was revealed to be young woman in her late teens. “Hey, wait, what happened to that hand?! Didn’t you see that?!” She was pulled up to her feet as the officers dragged her away. “The police are protecting human traffickers! Beset’s sword won’t be sheathed!” Were her last words as she was taken off the platform and placed into a police car.

“…What was all that about…?” Katie muttered. (Another conspiracy theory person? I’ve had more than enough of that with Newtonville.) She’d grown annoyed with excessive interviews and questioning that’d taken place after the incident. (At least I learned something new about my powers.) Katie smirked as her train pulled into the station and she rode off to work.

Part 3

The storm finally subsided right in time with the second school bell, signaling most students of Landon Highschool could leave for the day. Harper and friends sat down on bleachers nearest the football field, idly chatting. “Wet bleachers suck!” Pete bellowed across the empty pitch!

“Well, why ‘er we here right now, Pete?” Lefty said sarcastically.

“…” Pete remained quiet.

“That’s ‘cause somebody here had ta’ smoke! Who would that be?”

“Not I!” Said Harper enthusiastically while Vergil chuckled under his breath.

“Okay, I get it, Mama Lefty!” Pete said mockingly.

“Quit it with that Mama Lefty shit! People ‘ll think weird stuff.” Lefty replied while covering the mouth of her intentionally loud friend. The group continued to banter for a few minutes until Harper, with phone in hand, got up.

“Sorry guys. Business calls. Later!” He began walking down the bleachers but stopped for a second. “…Verg…no, never mind. See you guys later!” Off Harper chugged, stubby legs carrying him as quickly as possible across the damp and muddy field.

“Where’s he going?” Pete tossed his cigarette butt into a puddle.

“He’s bein’ real’ weird lately, since da’ incident. I guess that’s ta’ be expected though. Verg, d’ya have any idea what’s up?” The southern draw from Lefty was always amusing for Vergil to hear, since she would slip in and out of it unconsciously.

“I don’t k-know.” Vergil checked the time with a growing pit in his stomach.

“Welp, I may as well head home too.” Pete got up and walked down the stands. “Lefty, you want a ride?”

“Yeah. See ya’, Verg!”

“Ah…” And like that, Vergil was left all alone on the cold, damp bleachers. (Now what?) Despite school concluding, the young man was compelled to remain near school grounds. (I’ve got to wait for Wilhelmina to finish after-school activities.) It was then that Vergil looked at the message he’d received from Nicolaus. (Oh! I forgot to answer this! I should reply.) The message that he sent read… [Hey, sorry about replying late. All that new info you wrote about was interesting! Do you want to talk more about it?]

After a few minutes, Nicolaus replied with gusto! [Absolutely! Where are you? I’ll fly by! I just left Amala’s place.] The two agreed to meet up just off the school grounds at a local comicbook café nearby known as ‘Paige Turner’s Page Turner’.

Vergil came into the half full café feeling uncomfortable with the amount people sitting around. They weren’t the types he’d expected; far more women and trendy looking guys. Off at one of the tables he spotted Nicolaus, leafing through a manga he immediately recognized. “I-Is that Haruhiko?” Vergil asked, taking a seat opposite Nicolaus.

“Yeah.” He answered with a smile. “I haven’t read the latest chapters and this place has all of them. It started when I was a teenager and it’s still going, which is crazy.” The two laughed, realizing they shared another thing in common. A waiter came by and they placed their orders while chatting. “I don’t know…I feel like the story went off the deep end around the 3rd arc. Haruhiko started getting power up after power up and the writer started forgetting other characters.”

“Yeah h-he often d-does. I really wanted to s-see more of Y-Yuki. But I t-think he hates h-her.”

“Yuki, huh? Always seemed kind of standoffish to me. I’ve always been a bigger fan of Miyako, since she’s more forward and the strong type.”

“Heh…your taste in w-waifus makes sense.”

“…I don’t like that insinuation.” Vergil laughed. Their food arrived and as the two ate Nicolaus got serious, explaining his findings. Everything from the weird reactions of his power, the meeting with Aran and what he’d witnessed involving Vernon and Raquel Childs, the police officer. “What do you think…?”

“…” Vergil was taken aback by the slew of information presented. “W-Well…I’m not sure…do the others…really not care?”

“Harper said ‘That sounds interesting, but if you didn’t catch anything on film, then what are we supposed to do?’, were his exact words. Katie just responded ‘Wow! Really?’, so it doesn’t seem like anyone is really too into this discovery.” Nicolaus fussed with his spiky hair.

“W-What about Amala and V-Vernon?”

“…Amala…I spoke with her, but she was…a bit weird today. That doesn’t matter much though. All the stuff that Aran guy explained, if it’s true, then…we’ve got to be careful. If this is really a government conspiracy, then the suppression of information makes sense. Like how nothing has come out about Kevin Greene and Niles Letterman!”

“W-What do we do…?”

“…I…want to keep investigating. Maybe Aran could be of use.” Nicolaus pondered in silence for a minute as an alarm went off on Vergil’s phone.

“Um…Nicolaus, I-I need to go.” Rushing to meet his younger sister at school, Vergil got up and slung his bag over his shoulder!

“Oh, that’s fine. Hey, let’s keep the stuff with Aran a secret for now. I don’t know what’s going on with Vernon and that lady officer.” Both young men exited the establishment after paying the bill. Just before Vergil could take off down the street Nicolaus called out to him! “Hey Vergil, I’ll message you later! We can talk more about Haruhiko!” An unmistakable grin stretched the young man’s lips, which he tried to hide whilst waving goodbye and running to his destination.

Wilhelmina eagerly awaited her brother’s arrival as the other girls alongside her conversed. The girl sat on the steps of her of school furiously scribbling down calculations and notes in a schoolbook. “Wil, seriously, we already finished that stuff! Why are you still doing schoolwork?” One of the other girls asked as she glanced at astounding details Wilhelmina jotted down.

“Because we could’ve gotten that rocket higher, I know it! I’m trying to do all this in my head, but without testing it, I’m out of luck. Agh! As soon as I get home, I’m going to launch it again!” A habit of twisting her own hair had caused Wilhelmina’s long white locks to curl considerably at the tips. As soon as Vergil came into view, his younger sister leapt from her perch and dashed over with a hug! “Later girls!” She shouted. “Let’s hurry home, I’ve got tests to run!”

Part 4

Harper sat in the backroom of a poorly lit, seedy bar alongside Warren Prince and two unsavory individuals. Cards were dealt out to each man as they kept their eyes cast downward. The smaller and less frightening man cracked his knuckles to break up silence blanketing the room, though hushed tension persisted. Once all the hands were dealt, the players each checked their cards. Harper snuck a glance at both men from the corner of his eye.

(We’ve got a fair dealer today! Thank fucking Christ!) Harper thought to himself. (Let’s see…what’s this dude thinking.) Harper set his gaze on the man who cracked his knuckles.

(Bad hand. This is my first time playing with these bastards. They shouldn’t know my tells, so I’ll bluff!) Harper smiled to himself.

(Know your ‘tells’ huh? Sucks to be you today, guy. What about this tall and gruesome fucker?) The other man, arm wrapped in tattoos, grizzly face and large stature, would’ve kept Harper at bay in normal circumstances.

(These the same dopey brats from last time too? Must be trying to win back what they lost. I’m going to make a killing! They’ll fold, easy!) The man stifled a smirk under his grizzly beard.

(Shit; fake it till they make it, I guess. Warren’s freaking out, as always.) Harper peered over to his partner who was sweating bullets. (Chill out, man. They’re both expecting us to fold. I’ll do it, you play up the big victory.) Warren barely calmed down as Harper called for two more cards, then flagrantly sighed and folded. “I’m out.”

“…” The other man also called for a card, his face immediately losing color. “…crap, I fold.”

The large man called for one card as did Warren. Both locked eyes for an instant. (…Smile, Warren. Not a big one. Just a small smirk and we win!) Warren did so, as Harper assured victory, picking up on a tiny flinch from the large man.

“Fine, I fold.” He gave in! Both young men swallowed their excitement as the dealer handed out the winnings. (Something ain’t right here. That kid looked like he was up shit’s creek and then out of nowhere, confident?)

(Warren, we shouldn’t play here anymore. We’ll have to find a new place, again.) Warren collected his winnings and left before Harper; who waited around for another few minutes, then left on his own. The two met up blocks away from the scene and drove back toward the cul-de-sac. “Good fucking thing we don’t hit up any of the places near my house. Those motherfuckers keep looking more and more killer.”

“Dude! Who cares?! This is so great! We made 400 dollars from one game!” Warren tossed his red cap in the back and leaned over to plant a kiss on Harper’s cheek!

“Shit! Bruh, ew!” As the two arrived in their neighborhood, the darkened cloudy sky beginning to part overhead unveiled a clear evening. “Well, that’s enough for…” Harper suddenly stopped dead, one leg out of Warren’s car. “…I think Juan is looking for us.”

“Really? What makes you think…? Oh right, ‘think’. You can hear him! Where is he?”

“Not sure. But he’s about to text you.” A message tone sounded off in Warren’s pocket. “He’s probably telling you to come and meet him somewhere.”

“Yeah, says to meet him out in the woods behind that one ratty place.” Warren pointed toward Vergil’s house. Harper was hesitant but followed his collaborator into the woods. Surrounded by the leafless trees was a waiting figure, a shady young Hispanic man pacing about the squishy, muddy forest.

“Y’all know I’m in hot water whenever you don’t hit me up, right? Noah don’t play around!” Juan shoved a bag filled with pills into Warren’s chest and was given a large sum of cash in return.

“Seriously, relax. Harper here is the ultimate poker partner! We’ll clean out every single place in Arizona before the end of the year at this rate; so why don’t you take some of this shit for yourself and calm down?” The men chatted as Harper messed with his phone. “Why’s Noah trippin’ anyway, bro? It’s not like he’s hurting for cash.”

“Yeah, well if you keep messin’ with his cash, he’ll be hurting us.” Juan counted the money. Harper suddenly picked up on something. (They don’t get it, man. Noah’s not fuckin’ around no more!)

Out of nowhere, an object careened into the side of Juan’s head, blasting the man off his feet! A large-scale bottle rocket flew into the woods with enough force to just about KO a grown man! Harper then sensed a person incoming. (…Should’ve waited for Vergil! Now I’ve got to find it alone!) The minute he recognized those thoughts as Wilhelmina’s, Harper put down his phone and ducked behind a tree! “There it…huh?” The ever-inquisitive pre-teen girl ran into the woods, confused upon seeing anyone in the clearing. “…Uh…hello. My rocket…that’s mine.” She pointed innocently, simply wanting what was hers.

Juan shot up, rage having peaked! The recoiling fear fraught child backed away with the man towering over her. “You got a fucking problem?!” Juan grabbed the girl’s silvery locks, tugging so hard she stumbled to muddy ground!

Tears welled up and Wilhelmina’s mind weaved a tangled knot of confusion and paralyzing terror. “Whoa, whoa, chill out Juan!” Even Warren tried to step in!

“Fuck you, man! You don’t get what’s going on! I’m on my last leg here and I ain’t got no time to play around with some kid! How much of this did you see? What did you hear?!” Juan’s hysterical and crazed eyes terrified the adolescent! She went limp, allowing herself to be dragged by her hair and through the dirt. “What did you hear?!” Juan yelling in Wilhelmina’s face snapped her out of the trance, and she began to openly weep.

(Fuck! That’s definitely Wilhelmina! This shit has gone way too far!) Harper began to focus his thoughts. (If Warren won’t get in there and do something, I’ll ‘suggest’ that he should!) A sudden feeling over took Warren! Words flowed through his head! Move, help, save, protect, action, hero, the words played back again and again, but it wasn’t until a certain one hit that things changed. Sister, was that word, and before Warren knew it, he’d tackled Juan down to the ground freeing Wilhelmina from his grip! The young girl scurried over to her rocket and then took off as fast as possible, disappearing from sight!

Part 5

Vergil kept checking his phone, eager to hear back from Nicolaus who hadn’t sent him a message as promised. In the short time since they’d met, Vergil began admiring Nicolaus, as opposed to… “Vergil!” The gruffness of that voice caused the young man nearly to lose his composure! A thick smell of cigarettes and unwashed clothes seeped through Vergil’s bedroom door before his father burst in. “…boy don’t close my doors, in my house, understand? Where’s your sister?” Was said in between slurred speech.

“Oh…I-I forgot. She’s outside.” The phone was smacked from Vergil’s hands!

“Don’t leave your sister outside! You’re her older brother, stop acting like some bitch playing on her phone and go watch your sister.” Vergil meekly walked past his clearly drunk father. Outside, in their backyard, was just the rocket stand with no Wilhelmina in sight.

“Wilhelm-mina?!” He called out for his little sister, getting no response. (Did she fire off the rocket? Where is she?) Vergil was blasted from the side being sent to the ground! “Ouch! Wilhelmina?!” Before him was his sister, caked in mud, clutching that rocket with tears streaming down her face!

“Vergil…” The younger sister hugged her brother; shaking, and feeling violated as she cried loudly.

“W-What?” Vergil’s father blasted through the backdoor, nearly knocking it off the hinges!

“What the fuck happened?!” He crouched down and picked his daughter in his arms. Vergil was so flustered he didn’t know what to do! “I fucking told to keep an eye on her! What happened?!”

“Some…some guy…in the woods…” Wincing and completely beside herself, Wilhelmina frailly pointed toward the forest near their home.

“I’ll call the police, come on.” Absent mindedly, Vergil followed. “Not you! You figure something out! For fucks sake, can’t you do anything right?! Just like your damn mother, I fucking swear!” Off he stormed into the house, leaving Vergil alone, distraught. That last line drummed up sad memories in an instant, sending a fissure through the young boy’s psyche.

Suddenly a loud pop noise exploded out from the woods! Unconsciously, Vergil ambled toward the source, wandering deep, deep through a sea of leafless trees. There, a man he’d never seen before was covered in dirt and grime holding Warren held at gunpoint! “You think this is a fucking game?! If that girl tells someone what she saw, what you think Noah will do?!”

“Bro…you just fired a gun! We need to get out of here! The police…” Juan fired again, breathing heavily and with his wildly eyes darting around!

“S-Shut up! Where’s the other one?! I knew this was a bad idea! Fucking…fucking…” Juan’s anxiety boiled over! The whole time Vergil hid behind a tree, observing.

(That guy…is he the one who hurt Wilhelmina? What’s going on? Why are they arguing?) The harsh words of his father replayed over and over again, each time, digging into Vergil’s subconscious as the boy dug his fingertips into the tree’s bark.

“Get the fuck out here, you fat piece of shit! I know you’re hiding!” Harper shuttered, dreading that Juan would shoot him on sight!

(Should I just wait? No! There’s no promise anyone even called the police yet. Should I? I’ve got to call the…wait…who’s thoughts am I hearing? Vergil! Why’s he here?)

(My phone is still with Dad. What do I do?!)

(Can I…his powers…can I use them to stop Juan?)

(I should run and get my phone to call the police!)

(No! He can’t run!) Harper, in his desperation, made a foolish judgement call that would forever have unforeseen ramifications! (Vergil…if I get him to use his powers…) Harper suggested phrases in Vergil’s mind. Sister, protect, hero, fearless, powers, strength, those and many more poured into his head!

(What am I thinking?! I need to run!)

(No! No! Get back here and do something! Stop him!) Harper got even more intense! Cowardice, weakness, loser, pussy, and ‘like your mother’; gleamed from Vergil’s subconscious. Without another thought, Vergil leapt from his hiding place and charged Juan!

“Fuck?!” Juan opened fire on the meek looking young man, but Vergil manifested a wide fantasy-like shield-construct made of his hazy power, deflecting the bullet to the side! He crashed into Juan full force, blasting him off his feet and sending the gun flying! “You little…” Vergil fell to the ground too, and not being the most physically fit, couldn’t recover fast enough to avoid Juan climbing on top of him! The stocky man wrapped his hands around Vergil’s throat, squeezing tightly, restricting airflow immediately!

(Help! Someone!) Vergil futilely pawed at Juan’s hands! (Fuck! I don’t want to die! Someone! Anyone! Dad! Mom, please! Harper! Nicolaus!) His vision began to blur. Panic take ahold! (Please! Anyone…) No one was coming, not even that very friend who sat mere yards away.

(…what do I do?) Hidden down a slope, wanting to escape, Harper was frozen in his tracks! (I…holy shit…what do I do?!) Harper began constructing a plan, but under stress like he’d never felt before! (Vergil needs to use his powers! No! He can only make blunt stuff, right? No! Has he ever made anything else? How do his powers work? Fuck! Get over there, Warren! Grab the gun! No! He’s terrified?! Fuck! Move, Vergil, kill him! Kill Juan!)

A spike! That’s all Vergil thought about, he wanted to make a spike! With a last gasp of power and air, Vergil constructed a spike and drove it past Juan hand, nearly severing it completely! “Agh!” Juan wailed as the piece of flesh hung limply, every metacarpal, tendon and part of his right shoulder torn asunder!

Vergil hacked away, his lungs finally reclaiming air! Backing away from his attacker…only then did he comprehend the spike had kept flying. The blade of psionic energy shot through Juan’s hand, across his shoulder, and into the neck of Warren Prince. Warren held Juan’s discarded gun, planning to shoot him dead. With the gun aimed right at Juan’s, he had no idea what skewered his throat.

Both Harper and Vergil were dumbfounded. “I-I-I d-d-d…” Vergil scurried, like a roach, his legs totally failing to lift him from ground.

(Fuck…fuck!) Harper tumbled down the incline, landing in a stream running below, and darted away! Juan staggered to his feet while tightly gripping his profusely bleeding stump. He burned that boy’s face into his memories, and stumbled away.

Vergil couldn’t bring himself to do a thing to help Warren, just pitifully crawling away; further and further until he could stand up and ran home. The spike hadn’t killed the Warren immediately. His death was slow, and as life drained from him, cold.

Part 6

“Vergil!” After tucking an emotionally traumatized Wilhelmina into bed, Vergil’s father went about searching for his wayward son. As he walked down the stairs, Vergil pushed past running for the bathroom; slamming the door shut! “Hey!” He banged on the door! “Open the door! What are you doing in there?! I heard gunshots, are you okay?!” The distinct sound of Vergil vomiting into the toilet could be heard. “…” Vergil’s father relented and allowed the boy some time to himself.

Time melted away. Finally, Vergil emerged from the bathroom and ambled downstairs. His father awaited him, sitting in his armchair, watching the news. “…I…”

“Sit down.” Vergil’s father put the television volume on low and offered his son a seat on the couch. Slowly, Vergil sat down opposite his father, trembling with downcast eyes. “…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say what I said. You know how things have been around here since I got hurt. Money is tight and I just want you and your sister to try your best at school. When I was younger, because of the neighborhood I grew up in, I couldn’t get the kind of education you kids do now…” Vergil’s frayed mind trailed off. He’d heard his father ramble about the exact subject countless times, searching for reasons to justify his own harsh words. More than anything, the boy wanted to know what was going to happen. He thought back to what happened with Nicolaus and Amala, that they’d killed people before…like he had just done! That thought made Vergil start hyperventilating! Wheezing and gasped, his father got up to check on him! “What’s the matter?! Hey!” Banging came from the door, and Vergil’s father had to check on it! “Relax and breath, I’ll be right back.” The repeated banging at the front didn’t help the boy’s situation. “Fucking wait, I got ears! I’m coming!”

Vergil desperately tried to distract himself with anything else! He settled on the nearly muted television; watching a news caster speak about an incident involving the group known as Beset’s sword from earlier that day. The group’s notable beige and black hoodies, being chased across the platform of a train, he even noticed the familiar bright red locks of Katie! With the low volume, Vergil could only make out that they were being chased from nearly inciting a riot. Some rumors had spread online about Beset’s sword, but he had no idea they were an actual gang.

“Vergil, come here!” Vergil’s father called him to the front door. He’d calmed down significantly, but almost had a heart attack when laying eyes upon the police officer waiting for him! “You were outside, right? You must’ve heard the gunshot earlier. Ask the boy.”

“…” Vergil’s brain turned off completely. He couldn’t say a word. Standing there, hardly breathing, petrified. “…”

The officer pulled out a pen and paper. “Sir, your name is Ronald Trask, right? And your son’s name is…wait…Trask…why do I remember that name?” He began to recall. “Ah! You’re from the Newtonville Rock incident!” Even hearing that made the boy break out into a cold sweat and snap back to reality! With all the conspiracies Nicolaus drilled in his mind, the things he’d done alongside the group, and his own recent murder, Vergil was at the end of his rope! He didn’t know what to do, he wanted anyone to tell him!

“…I…s-saw these g-guys in b-beige and black h-hoodies running…around b-back…then got s-scared and c-came inside…I-I think they h-hurt my sis-sister…” He lied. It was the only option the boy could think of.

End of chapter 7