The man didn't seem to be in danger of dying right there, but Jane was no paramedic. He just groaned in response to her assurances and fluttered his eyes at her. She heard the sirens then. They weren't too far from a fire station; the ambulance would probably be there in a minute. It couldn't be from the girl's call, it was way too soon. It had to be from Edwards dialing 911 when Jane had gestured for him to make the call.
Jane
Save-a-lot
The girl turned on the phone and started yelling at the 911 operator while still scrabbling around with her other hand, looking for the little baggie of white powder on the floor.The man didn't seem to be in danger of dying right there, but Jane was no paramedic. He just groaned in response to her assurances and fluttered his eyes at her. She heard the sirens then. They weren't too far from a fire station; the ambulance would probably be there in a minute. It couldn't be from the girl's call, it was way too soon. It had to be from Edwards dialing 911 when Jane had gestured for him to make the call.
As tempted as she was to do something to the apparent illicit material, the amount of tirade that had erupted from the driver had pretty much confirmed that the police would be dispatched and that there'd probably be an investigation.
Jane focused her attention on the injured fellow, and kept him stable. And thankfully, it seems that her supervisor had managed to do the right thing for a change, and she'll gladly 'hand off' the case to trained professionals when they arrive.
When she got done with that, though, she would head back in, give a brief report (carefully omitting any mention of the cart beyond pushing it off the property) and ask if she could at least take a break, or go home to get changed.
That route may take her to the local tacqueria, because yes, that was the kind of day she's had so far.
Brad crossed the street, looking both ways, and set off in the opposite direction from his car. It might be a loss. It definitely would be if he led someone back to it. He started walking with no particular destination in mind. Somewhere down the road he could find a truck or fence or something to duck behind and vanish. Even a good alley would work.
Along the way, Brad did his best to check each reflective surface he passed for pursuers and casually scanned up in front of himself for the ambush he would have set up if he planned to capture someone.
Brad/Jane
Street
As far as Brad could tell, he wasn't being followed. A woman was walking toward him in a Save-a-lot uniform shirt but she didn't seem to be particularly interested in him.
Edwards had been a dick, like Jane knew he would be, threatening to dock her for the time she 'hadn't been working.' Eventually, though, he admitted that he couldn't do that and had let her go with nothing more than a 15 minute fight. Jane definitely needed a drink.
The two of them were approaching the mouth of an alley leading between two buildings and both heard the sound of quiet sobbing coming from within.
Brad kept walking. He could have changed course, but that would have been more conspicuous. She was just a Save-A-Lot lady, until she wasn't. He had options for emergency escape if he needed them. Getting started again would be a pain, but he never meant to live in Tulsa forever.
Just have to figure out how to take care of Juan then. And do something about Calvin. Probably Calvin would be over.
As he drew near the woman, Brad tipped his cap. "Evening, ma'am," he said, automatically. Being on the run didn't mean you should be rude. He could be rude after she tried to arrest him. Or assassinate him.
Jane had been ready for *that fight* with Edwards. It was probably the most 'fire' she'd shown since she started working at the Save-A-Lot, even.
"You want, next time I just leave the person to bleed out in our lot so we can get our asses sued off? I didn't THINK so." Jane couldn't do that, but there's always that bluff and bravado that's required in such negotiations, and she had come in from an extremely stressful situation. Fifteen minutes was fine, and that just primed the taste buds for a nice smooth cool cervesa at the local tacqueria.
Jane wasn't a drunk. Heck, it took a fifth of scotch to even get her feeling 'buzzed'. But old habits die hard and the cool comfort of a nice cold beer would be just the thing the doctor ordered. Or she ordered.
Her path was casual as she saw the guy approach and heard the sobbing down the alley.
Jesus F'n Christ! What IS IT with TONIGHT?
"Evenin'." She gave the alley a look, then Brad, then the alley. "You hear that?" Either Brad would do the typical thing and wander on down the street and out of the area, thus freeing up Jane to check on who could be crying, or he'd agree and she'd have someone along with her so she wouldn't have to do any 'pushing' of the heroic envelope, as it were...
"Evenin'." She gave the alley a look, then Brad, then the alley. "You hear that?" Either Brad would do the typical thing and wander on down the street and out of the area, thus freeing up Jane to check on who could be crying, or he'd agree and she'd have someone along with her so she wouldn't have to do any 'pushing' of the heroic envelope, as it were...
Brad took about two steps past the alley before rewinding his memory and noticing the crying. Too much thinking about escape, not enough paying attention.
"Now I do," he said, turning back to the alley. Maybe it was bait, but he couldn't just let it go. Someone could be hurt. He eased his way into the alley, trying not to make any sudden moves. No sense scaring off someone that needed help. But no sense going in totally blind either.
Brad concentrated a moment and expanded his visual range and peered into the alley.
Jane didn't have the fancy stuff. She did, however, have a bit of a stubborn streak, and now that she got someone with her, she started making her way down the alley in front but not blocking the other fellow.
"Hello? Somebody there? Are you hurt?"
Brad/Jane
Alley
As far as alleys went, this one wasn't bad. It was just wide enough for a single garbage truck to squeeze down to get to the service road behind the row of buildings. There was one dumpster, for the coffee shop that would be opening back up in two or three hours, and that was about it.
Brad noticed the tracks immediately. Running down the middle of the alley were slowly cooling tracks, the size of a man's foot. They went around behind the dumpster. It took him a moment, though, to realize that the tracks were foot-shaped, not shoe-shaped. Whoever this was had been walking around without shoes.
Jane's question was met with sniffling and sudden silence as the sobbing was force to a halt. The hidden crier was obviously trying to keep quiet, wary of people offering assistance.
Grown man crying in a alley. Barefoot. This didn't add up. Really big kid, maybe? Would a teenager be crying in an alley?
"We not angry with you; we're just worried. Is someone trying to hurt you?"
"Hey. It's going to be okay. Just want to make sure you're doing alright, okay?"
Despite not looking all that impressive nor all that intimidating, Jane positions herself a little bit further down the alley, still keeping between Brad and the unknown person possibly in trouble.
"World's a rough place, promise not to laugh, no matter what, okay? Mean people suck. Have to deal with them at work all night."
Jane creeps a bit further forward...
Brad/Jane
Alley
A young man- scratch that, a beautiful young man- crawled out from behind the dumpster. His dark curls were mussed and matted with sweat and mud, his face scratched, his plain white undershirt and pajama pants dirty, but the boy was inhumanly good looking. Even streaked with tears and dirt, his face engendered a feeling of trust and goodwill, and the alley around him seemed somehow cleaner and brighter. A teenage nova, lost and alone.
He wiped a forearm across his eyes and shook his head. "You, um. You're not from the church. I..." He glanced back past the two strangers at the street. "I'm, uh, I'm lost? And I could use some help. Just please don't call the police. They'll call my dad."
Brad wanted to look away and stare at the same time. Two novas in one night! But he was a kid and he was hurt. And a nova. He had to have a good reason for running off. Brad had a strong inclination to find it out and do something drastic, but that could wait.
The kid's needs:
1) Safe place.
2) A good shower.
3) Warm clothes.
4) Transportation to the above.
Brad could do that. Best location for everyone would be somewhere neutral but reasonably secure. A hotel.
"We're not with any of those people," Brad said. "But we can get you somewhere safe if you'll trust us. I have a car not too far from here. We'll take you to..." Brad paused for a moment, as if he had to think about it. "Would you feel safer at a hotel?"
Jane looked at the kid and grimaced but did not laugh. Mixed signals played through her and she really did. not. like. that. at. all.
"Definitely not church-folks, and... we'll go with what his plan is. Couldn't afford a room on my budget."
There was a pause of consideration as she collected her thoughts.
"And on that whole 'avoiding family thing'? I'm right there with you, kid. Love them or hate them, sometimes a body needs to be away from them."
Brad/Raven/Steve
El Azteca
The guy who went into the bathroom came back out a reasonable amount of time later and left. Neither Raven nor Steve noticed anything out of the ordinary about him.
Brad was soon on the sidewalk. He didn't think anyone had taken any particular notice of him, but if they were really good he wouldn't have. Anyway, if they were really good they would have teammates outside and wouldn't immediately jump up and follow him out of the restaurant.
Brad/Raven/Steve
El Azteca
The guy who went into the bathroom came back out a reasonable amount of time later and left. Neither Raven nor Steve noticed anything out of the ordinary about him.
Brad was soon on the sidewalk. He didn't think anyone had taken any particular notice of him, but if they were really good he wouldn't have. Anyway, if they were really good they would have teammates outside and wouldn't immediately jump up and follow him out of the restaurant.
Brad/Jane
Alley
The young man's hopeful smile was almost painful to see. In spite of his clear state of abuse, he still seemed to be willing to trust a couple of strangers in an alley. "Really? I don't... I mean, I've never stayed at a hotel before. Is it...? Would they call my parents?" He stood up, several inches taller than Brad, with broad shoulders but the gangly build of a teenager. He didn't have any shoes and his feet were filthy.
Brad noticed that in spite of all the dirt, the sodden cuffs of his pajama pants, and the rip in his t-shirt, there were none of the expected little cuts and abrasions one might see on somebody who had been shoelessly bumbling through the brush in the dark. In fact, his skin was flawless, without scar or blemish of any kind.
He took a couple of steps forward and put out his hand. "I'm Gabe."
[b]"Hopefully my life will take an interesting turn. Like I said, boredom is dangerous for me. The things I do when I'm bored, would make the front page of the tabloids.
Jane would have accepted the hand and give it a firm non-crushing shake.
"Jane. We'll save the rest for the moment, better for everyone that we keep the introductions brief and to the point. How long have you been on the run, and what kind of resources does your family typically bring to bear on finding you?"
The woman's demeanor and stance have subconsciously shifted to a somewhat more... intent focus, almost like the guise of being a part-time clerk at the Save-A-Lot was just that.
Brad looked Gabe in the eye and shook his hand.
"Hi Gabe. If anyone asks, your my stepbrother. Sound good?" There was no way they were related by blood and Brad probably wouldn't pass for an uncle. But that still left Brad with a stepbrother in pajamas.
"We'll get you some clothes too, ok? That way people are less likely to ask questions." There had to be places still open. Or Brad could just steal something. Putting Gabe in anything he could get of his own would cause more questions than leaving him in his pajamas.
"Hopefully my life will take an interesting turn. Like I said, boredom is dangerous for me. The things I do when I'm bored, would make the front page of the tabloids.
"You know, the Chinese have an old saying "May you live in interesting times". To them, it's a curse. And to be honest I can understand that. Me? I prefer lying low, had enough excitement to last me a lifetime. Don't get me wrong, if someone needs help or trouble finds me, I'm not one to back down unless I'm in way over my head. At the same time though, I don't need to go looking for trouble."
Saying that, Steven downed the last of his beer and waved the waitress over, the cute perky one, not that sour git who originally seated them.
"'Xcuse me love, would you mind getting us another round of beers and tacos please?" He gave her his best smile, knowing full well that she'd have forgotten all about him, except perhaps his accent, in the morning. Especially with all the attention Raven was attracting.
That done, he leaned back, and looked up at the tv, where an XWF match was going. Looked like Duke was kicking the crap out of some Mitoid wannabe. Ah well, hopefully the special stipulation match that was coming next would be more interesting.
"I didn't say I'll look for trouble. I've never looked for trouble. But for me, boredom leads to trouble more than anything else. I have to keep entertained, things must spark my interest. As you can imagine, that is one of the reasons I become a rocker, besides being good at it."
"True, but as a rocker, doesn't trouble find you anyways? I mean, it's not exactly a quiet occupation after all. At least not if your fans and colleagues from this evening is any indication. No offense intended."
Steven drained the last of his beer, and grabbed a toothpick.
"While I'm at it, I know you picked Tulsa out of a hat, but I'm assuming this wasn't the intended last stop of the tour. Isn't that going to cause trouble with your agent? I mean, some of those guys aren't above a bit of strong-arm tactics, from what I've seen at the club."
He looked back up at the XWF match where Duke was currently busy tying the Mitoid Meathead into a pretzel and stuffing him head first down a dumpster.
"True, but as a rocker, doesn't trouble find you anyways? I mean, it's not exactly a quiet occupation after all. At least not if your fans and colleagues from this evening is any indication. No offense intended."
Steven drained the last of his beer, and grabbed a toothpick.
"While I'm at it, I know you picked Tulsa out of a hat, but I'm assuming this wasn't the intended last stop of the tour. Isn't that going to cause trouble with your agent? I mean, some of those guys aren't above a bit of strong-arm tactics, from what I've seen at the club."
He looked back up at the XWF match where Duke was currently busy tying the Mitoid Meathead into a pretzel and stuffing him head first down a dumpster.
"No offense. I didn't say trouble doesn't find me, just that I don't look for it. I don't want quiet. The rush of being on stage, playing the music, and knowing that you could be with anyone of them you want, is mind blowing. I will go back to it, but I just needed a break from the fighting and jealousy. We'll see if they give me the six months I asked for. If the answer is no, I will start a new band. I will call my agent tomorrow, and talk to him about it. He has always treated me fairly, so will see what he says."
"Any ideas then what you'll be doing in the meantime? Like, are you planning on going for a radio DJ gig or like a TV host or is that still up in the air?
Can't say I know anything about showbiz really, so I don't know how these things work."
Steven leaned back so that the waitress could hand over the beers and plates of Tacos.
"Thank you love, much appreciated."
Grabbing another taco, he dug into the meal once more.
"I don't know yet. I'll call my agent tomorrow, and decide from there. I will not hang around doing nothing. Like I said, I'd be bored to tears, if I did that."
"Understandable, I suppose. I have to admit though that I chose to move to Tulsa specifically because it seems like a place where nothing happens.
Anyways none of my business. Whatever floats your boat."
While this conversation was going, Raven was eating and drinking. Raven ignored the tv, while he watched the people around him.
Brad/Jane
Alley
"Jane. We'll save the rest for the moment, better for everyone that we keep the introductions brief and to the point. How long have you been on the run, and what kind of resources does your family typically bring to bear on finding you?"
The woman's demeanor and stance have subconsciously shifted to a somewhat more... intent focus, almost like the guise of being a part-time clerk at the Save-A-Lot was just that.
Gabe took Jane's hand and shook it firmly. She could tell instantly that he wasn't nova-strong. He shook his head. "I don't know. I mean, this is the first time I've, um, run away. My dad... he's been getting worse and worse and finally I just had to go. He might be able to get Pastor Paul..." Gabe shook his head. "I don't know. It's a big church. They've got lots of money. The mayor goes there, and I know lots of cops go there. I've healed a couple of them, one at the hospital after he got shot. I, uh... I think they'll want to find me."
Brad looked Gabe in the eye and shook his hand.
"Hi Gabe. If anyone asks, your my stepbrother. Sound good?" There was no way they were related by blood and Brad probably wouldn't pass for an uncle. But that still left Brad with a stepbrother in pajamas.
"We'll get you some clothes too, ok? That way people are less likely to ask questions." There had to be places still open. Or Brad could just steal something. Putting Gabe in anything he could get of his own would cause more questions than leaving him in his pajamas.
Gabe nodded. "Yeah, that makes sense. Is there anyplace around here that's open?" There was the Save-a-lot, which had sweatshirts and undershirts and the like, but they didn't sell shoes. It was far too early for most stores to be open yet.
The gears turned in Brad's head. Gabe needed a cover identity and travel arrangements, soon. This wasn't something that was going to get better. Maybe get him out through Mexico, but Brad would have to work up to that. And every minute in the alley was another chance for someone to discover them.
"Ok, Gabe. I'm Ron, by the way. We can get you some clothes at the Save-a-Lot and then seen about that hotel room. Probably no shoes there, but that can come later. If you're ok with Jane for a few minutes, I'll go get my car and we can get started on that. Shouldn't be long.
The cart-wrangler was very careful to be as 'normal' as possible when she shook the young man's hand.
"Check the seasonal area, there might be some flip-flops over in that area, or the mark-down bins. Long shot, but better than nothing."
Jane agreed with Brad, and also was keeping an eye out for anyone searching for Gabe. Kid sounds like he's had some lousy breaks, needs a chance at a decent one. Kind of like what I've had the past few months....
Brad/Jane
Alley
Gabe nodded at Brad. "Okay. That makes sense. I'm, uh... thanks." The young man looked almost embarrassingly grateful for Brad's suggestions. He even gave Jane a weak smile. "You were probably going home. Sorry for messing up your night."
Brad had to head down the sidewalk a bit to find a doorway with no security cameras that he could duck into, but in a few minutes he was back at his car.
"Gabe? I was actually going to get a bite to eat and possibly a cerveza or two, but as far as 'messing up my night'? Far from it. Night was already doing a slow death spiral down the drain LONG before I left work. Ever hear the term 'weirdness magnet'? Tonight's been sort of like that."
Jane was honest as she kept a watch out for anyone attempting to disrupt the 'rescue in progress'. She attempted to kill a little bit of time by 'small talk'.
"So, healer, you say? No, no, don't panic -- just hadn't heard of that one myself. What's it like healing someone?"
"I would guess you must be tired. Here's my number if you want to stay in contact. I could use a friend. I'm going to stay a little longer here. Thanks for bringing me here, and having a conversation with me. I needed that"
"Thanks Raven. Here's my number as well. I normally get off from work around 1600, so give me a call tomorrow if anything springs to mind. I'll see you tomorrow."
Steven grabbed a pen, wrote down his number, and threw down a tip for the waitress. After all, sometimes you had to reward perky.
Having sone so, he got up, downed the last of the beer and went out the door, taking a right and heading on home. No rush after, if the mood struck him he could be home faster than any car. For now though a bit of fresh air was in order.
Raven looked around after he left. If he saw anyone he would be interested in, he would try to detect that person's emotions. dependent on what the results of that were, Raven would of then decided what action he would take.
Brad had to head down the sidewalk a bit to find a doorway with no security cameras that he could duck into, but in a few minutes he was back at his car.
Brad wasted no time. The kid had to be freezing and every minute he spent outside increased the risk of discovery. He hopped in the car, putting the risk of a tracker on the USB drive out of his mind, and drove back to for the alley.
If he had to ditch the car, then what? Plates attached it to George. He bought it used so maybe the vehicle tracking number wasn't up to date, but that would be a gamble. Cleanest way to get rid of it would be to burn George, which meant giving up on Cal and Juan. Brad thought many things that he would never say aloud.
But what else could he do? Brad could arrange something for Juan. Cal couldn't run with Brad; he had a PhD to finish. Brad wouldn't blame Cal for wanting nothing to do with him either. He built what they had on a lie.
Maybe it was time to go completely outlaw. Wouldn't be hard to teleport into the bank where George allegedly worked and make a very large withdrawal after hours. Some of that money could find its way to Juan. Something for Cal too. He deserved it.
The thought of never seeing them again bothered Brad more than it should. They were better off without him. Less risk to everyone.
Jane
[/i]Alley[/i]
"Gabe? I was actually going to get a bite to eat and possibly a cerveza or two, but as far as 'messing up my night'? Far from it. Night was already doing a slow death spiral down the drain LONG before I left work. Ever hear the term 'weirdness magnet'? Tonight's been sort of like that."
Gabe snorted. "Weirdness magnet? Tell me about it." He was relaxing now that he had Jane and Brad looking out for him. "I'm, uh, not old enough to drink, though. I mean, if the place is a bar, I can't get in."
Jane was honest as she kept a watch out for anyone attempting to disrupt the 'rescue in progress'. She attempted to kill a little bit of time by 'small talk'."So, healer, you say? No, no, don't panic -- just hadn't heard of that one myself. What's it like healing someone?"
"What's it like?" Gabe looked up at the dark sky and closed his eyes. Some of the lingering worry washed away from his features and he looked almost happy as he thought back. Then he opened his eyes again and sighed. "It's like... standing in a beam of warm light in a dark room. Like being caught up in a wave and drifting, knowing I'm perfectly safe and everything will be okay. When I do it, there's something bigger than me, something more powerful than me, reaching through me to the person who's hurt. It fills me like cool water into an empty vessel, overflows out of me and heals the pains of the other person. It's like..." Gabe sighs again and looks down at the ground, closing his eyes.
"It's like God has his hand on my shoulder. Like..." Gabe suddenly wrapped his arms around himself and shook his head, eyes closed and fresh tears on his cheeks. "Oh, God, did I do the right thing? What was I supposed to do? Why would You give me this gift and then make my father... Why would You put me there with him?" The young man half collapsed back against the side of the dumpster, sobbing again.
That's kind of what it felt when things went crazy. Slightly different on the source, but..
"Hey. Hey. Listen. I'm NOT very religious, okay, but I do know one thing about this world, and that it doesn't matter who or what's been blessing you, people still are people, and they have their faults and flaws. It sounds like your father is neglecting you or abusing you, and either way, making a break for it is the best choice. Trust me, I've been sort of down the same road, and while the road is hard, the freedom to live on it is the best thing since.... well."
Jane kept an eye out despite the reassurances. Someone's doing something bad to this kid, and I honestly hope I don't run into them.
Jane
Alley
Gabe looked up at Jane, still sniffling through tears. "You've... did you have to run away, too?"
Brad was still a minute or two away; driving was much slower than teleporting.
"Yes. It was... It's very hard to be someone special in this world in this day and age without everyone wanting you to do something for them, because hey, you're special, you've got these talents whereever or however it came from, and hey, why are you upset that you don't have any time for yourself?"
Jane pauses for a moment, keeping an eye out once more.
"It's nice to be able to live without having to worry as much about some things, and doing small works to make good things happen, rather than big works to make small things happen?"
Rraven called his agent.
That night, after James left, Raven found someone and took them to the hotel.
Brad/Jane
Alley
Gabe shook his head. "But if we're not supposed to do great things with these powers why did God give them to us? We're special; there are so few who are blessed, we must be meant for great things." Gabe looked desperately like someone who needed for this all to have meaning. For some people, everything was either a blessing or a test from above. When that was the way you saw things, there wasn't much room for 'me time.'
Brad pulled up at the mouth of the alley and Gabe looked in his direction. "You're coming, right? I don't..." he shook his head "I'd like to keep talking to you."
Brad/Jane
AlleyGabe shook his head. "But if we're not supposed to do great things with these powers why did God give them to us? We're special; there are so few who are blessed, we must be meant for great things." Gabe looked desperately like someone who needed for this all to have meaning. For some people, everything was either a blessing or a test from above. When that was the way you saw things, there wasn't much room for 'me time.'
Brad pulled up at the mouth of the alley and Gabe looked in his direction. "You're coming, right? I don't..." he shook his head "I'd like to keep talking to you."
Brad pulled up and came to an illegal stop blocking the alley that immediately began to wear on him. It would only take one officer to drive by and notice and then he'd have to burn the car and get out of town in a hurry. He unlocked the doors and motioned for Gabe and Jane to hop in.