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#1
10-26-2011, 12:09 AM
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Night Owls
The teen pulled out the piece of paper and dialed the number on it. It had been a chore to find a pay phone in the city. Cell phones had more or less made them obsolete. This one was more than likely there because it had been there for decades. After a few seconds he deposited the coins needed to complete the call. Chris didn't even realize it until he looked down, but his feet were tapping at a rapid pace. He couldn't stand still out of nervousness. Part of him hoped she wouldn't answer so that he wouldn't have to talk to her. He wasn't quite sure what he would say anyway. The phone continued to ring and with each tone Chris felt more and more agitated. Finally he heard a a female's voice say "Hello". Chris was about to say something when the voice continued to speak. Voicemail. He sighed in relief. The teen let the message play out as he cleared his throat in preparation for what he was about to say. "Hello? Sam? This is Chris. Umm... you told me I could call you if I wanted to talk and well... I really need someone to talk to," he said feeling himself shaking in nervous energy with each word. He didn't know why this was so difficult and it was reflected by his pace speeding up and his tone getting sterner, "Meet me tonight at 10:00 on top of the Breyfogle Tower. Come alone. If I get one whiff of anyone else with you or sense a portal of any kind you can forget me ever having any trust in you ever again." Chris hung up the phone and placed his head in his hands. Why did I say that last part? I didn't even mean it. God! I can't say anything right! The teenager looked out into the gas station parking lot he was in and began to step around the building where the employees went for their smoke breaks. Once he was certain he was alone, he bent his knees and sprang up into the evening sky. He still had a few hours until he was supposed to meet Sam. Time he planned to spend training some more at the zoo. He could only hope his lessons this evening would be less rough than the ones he had been through the past two nights. 
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#2
10-26-2011, 04:11 PM
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Having a big test Friday, Sam had set her phone to silent and was studying in the downstairs office when Chris called her. Although she knew she should have started studying earlier in the week, she had kept pushing it back because of the event s of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It was just after 9 pm when she finally took a break and happened to see that the little light was blinking on the silent phone. Not recognizing the number, she listened to the message and was both elated and dismayed by it. It was good to hear that Chris wanted to talk but she was put off by him mentioning never trusting her again if there was any sign of Scott.
Knowing that she would not get any more studying done after Chris’s message, Sam put her books away and laid out her clothes for Friday before changing into her dark jeans and grabbing her dark gray sweatshirt. Leaving a note on her pillow to let her mother, who was out at a meeting, know she had stepped out for some air, Sam flew out of her window and into the dark night sky. She paused and hovered in some trees in the park as she texted Scott. Chris left me a message and wants to meet me to talk at 10. He very clearly said he did not want anyone else there around and would leave at the first sign of someone else or a portal. I’ll call you when we’re done. With over 20 minutes left, Sam put in her ear buds and switched on her music player. With the heavy metal blaring she flew thousands of feet into the air and began to jam with the music, her air guitar not missing a note as she flew haphazardly through the air. The last few days had been crazy and she was hoping that Chris was not planning a final goodbye. Despite that fear, Sam found herself unwinding to the loud music, the fresh air and the chance to be completely carefree for a little while. As five minutes approached she checked her phone for a reply from Scott and then hurtled to the designated meeting point. Her erratic flight while she was jamming had taken her further away than she meant to go but she still easily had time to loop around and survey the top of the tower from several thousand feet up before descending. She had no problem meeting Chris but if someone were controlling him she didn't want to walk right into a trap. Not seeing anything suspicious Sam flew down and landed gently on the top of the bridge, enjoying the view as she waited for Chris to make an appearance.
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#3
10-27-2011, 10:38 PM
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Chris slowly soared toward the top of the tower. His flight a bit erratic as he came to land on the cold concrete that made up the surface of the old monolith. The youth staggered a bit before finally finding his footing. His form fitting black outfit with red highlights tattered in places and soaked with blood to match the four long deep scratches across his face. His right eyes was swollen shut and the coppery taste of blood filled his mouth. Despite that, he was happy he wasn't late. His focus turned toward Sam and he smiled weakly. "You came..." he said in a husky voice.
"I'm glad you... uuuhhnnn..." Chris growled as he stumbled forward only to collapse on a knee. His hand quickly stretched out flatly toward Sam, "Sorry... I just need a minute or two here.... didn't want to be late... and I don't heal as fast as other people we know..."
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#4
10-28-2011, 10:48 AM
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Chris...?! Sam was startled by her friend's appearance and rushed over to his side, taking his outstretched hand in hers. As she touched him, she projected her power around him and gently lifted him into the air before slowly lowering him back to the ground so he could sit. "Just take a seat and let me look at you. Please."
Kneeling down next to Chris, Sam cupped his head from underneath, away from the scratches that she would not cause him any more discomfort and so she could see them better. "Do you need to go to the hospital? What happened? I don't have anything with me but I could take you home if you want to avoid any attention. We have all sorts of first aid stuff there."
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#5
10-28-2011, 08:30 PM
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Chris instinctively flinched when Sam tried to touch him, but soon gave in and let her look at him. "It's alright, I'll heal quick enough. I just didn't have time to try to do it before I came here. That and I was told I needed to wear the pain for a bit. I didn't understand it at first, but now that I see the way you're looking at me I think I'm starting to get it. Guess I should have never grabbed that tiger by the tail," Chris tried to joke as he coughed up a little blood.
The teen closed his eyes for a moment and calmed himself. His mind, body and soul aligning itself with the proper aura. It would take a while for the wounds to fully heal, but at least now they were on their way. It was times like this that he was glad to have learned that regeneration trick from the earthworm, Jim. Now if he could only figure out how to metabolise venom he might actually survive the training he had been doing the past few days. Chris lifted his head to face Sam. She smelled good. He pushed the thought from his head. He wasn't here to hunt her and eat her. He was here to get help from her. Still, he was visibly twitching from having to fight off the instincts that had been awakened within him. Predator or prey? Which are you? the words sang through his mind like a one hit wonder that just won't go away. With his swollen eye already opening slightly, he smiled as best he could, "I wasn't sure you would come. Especially after... well, I'm sorry I was so rude when I called."
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#6
10-28-2011, 11:02 PM
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Sam smiled back at Chris and decided to let the phone message go. She had been a little put off by it but considering how well Chris and Scott got along she had at least partially understood it. "It's ok Chris. I'm just glad that you called and wanted to talk. We were worried about you, ALL of us. And we're friends, of course I would come." She had emphasized the 'all', hoping that he would take her meaning but was more concerned about Chris than the fragile understanding that he and Scott shared.
"What happened?" Sam asked again before she remembered who she was talking to. "Wait a second. Did you literally grab a tiger by the tail?"
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#7
10-31-2011, 08:35 PM
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Chris scoffed at the idea. "Of course not. Do you know how hard it is to get a hold of the tail of a tiger? I was merely mauled by one," he said almost nonchalantly. The past two and half days had found him getting beaten and attacked by all sorts of animals. Each of them claiming to be teaching him lessons from the school of hard knocks. Of course he didn't realize how ridiculous he might sound to someone who was on the outside. To Sam the idea of getting mauled by a tiger probably wasn't as harmless as he pretended it to be, "It was a lesson I was learning. I've been working with a number of different animals lately to get a better grasp on my powers before I end up hurting someone. The tiger wasn't going to kill me. At least I don't think she was. It's kind of hard to tell with her... Anyway, that's why I haven't been in school lately. That and... well... I don't really know if I want to go back. Not after everything that's happened."
Chris crossed his legs and leaned forward. The wounds he had received starting to visibly heal slowly and the pain in his voice slowly disappearing, "I know you are trying to make me feel better, but I highly doubt all of you were worried about me. I do appreciate the sentiment though. It's just that... everytime I get close to people they seem to get hurt." his mind flashed back to the many times he and Kat had argued and how each time they spoke they only seemed to make things worse between themselves, "How can I ever apologize to Diana for what I said when I meant every word of it? You remember the big guy in the bathroom right? And your boyfriend? I was willing to kill them two days ago. It wasn't like a cry for help kind of kill either, but literally end their lives. There's something wrong with me Sam. These powers I have are becoming more and more active. I can feel them even when I am not intentionally tapping into them. My mind is clouded and the Wild is trying to take over. What happens if I become nothing more than a wild animal? What happens if I hurt someone? What if I hurt Diana? Or you? How could I live with myself if I did something horrible again to someone I care about?"
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#8
10-31-2011, 09:16 PM
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Sam moved from a kneeling to a sitting position but continued to look him in the eyes. No matter how outlandish it sounded she could tell that Chris was completely serious and she was genuinely concerned. She glanced down to see his wounds healing even as she wondered what to say to him. Her own powers had come to her easily and there did not seem to be any type of adverse effect, either physically or mentally. From what Chris was saying, he felt he was losing control of himself to his powers. But could it be possible it was the other way around...
"Chris," Sam said quietly as she reached over and took his hand in both of hers. "I didn't know you before the accident but you have always been passionate since I have known you. Very thoughtful but also passionate. Is it possible that the emotions that you are feeling, that has you so wound up and afraid, might be affecting your powers? You are clearly afraid of hurting your friends and loved ones so tell me what happened between you and Kat that has you so scared. She didn't mean to be so blunt but after Tuesday it was obvious what had set him off. Maybe if he could face that it might help him with his powers.
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#9
10-31-2011, 09:32 PM
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Her touch was soothing. Enough so that despite her question, he didn't get nearly as aggressively defensive as he normally would when the subject of Kat came up. Still, if she had put two and two together it wouldn't take long for others to figure it out either, "What's between me and Kat is between me and Kat. I'm sorry, but it's not something I can talk about. Not even with you. Just... just do me a favor and don't think badly about her. I know she seems to be mean spirited and even selfish, but that's not her. Not the real her. It's just... it's just her way of protecting herself. She's a good person Sam. Deep down she is still a good person. She... she doesn't remember that sometimes, but she's..."
Chris looked away for a minute. He could feel water welling up in his eye and the last thing he wanted to do was break down and let tears flow in Sam's presence, "I'm sorry. I've been so selfish. I didn't even ask you how things have been for you. Is everything good in your world?"
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#10
10-31-2011, 10:01 PM
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Nodding at Chris's reply she got the answer she expected, which was the same thing Kat had said the day before. "My world is fine. I'm slightly grounded but I'll tell you about it later. I mentioned Kat for a reason. I spoke to her yesterday and she said almost the same thing about you, that what happened between the two of you was between the two of you. I'm not looking for either of you to tell me but you are both hurting because of each other."
Sam squeezed his hand slightly but made sure not to let go. "I don't know if what they say about animals is true, that they don't have emotions like us. I personally think they must on some level but from what you have said about these powers of yours, you are connected to something called the Wild? What if the turmoil of emotions you are feeling is interfering with your powers or this connection you have? The animals are teaching you right? Does the tiger feel conflicted when it goes to kill or is it just part of...well nature. I know I'm talking with only bits of the bigger picture of your new world but you went off to learn the last couple of days when you are feeling terrible inside."
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#11
10-31-2011, 10:56 PM
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She had a point. As much as he didn't want to admit it, what Sam was saying made some sense. He had more or less taken on a nothing to lose attitude when he went begging to be taught by the animals at the zoo. If his own emotions were getting in the way of his powers that might explain all the trouble he was having learning the lessons he was being taught.
"It's more a matter of predator or prey. Survival. But they definitely have emotions. Very primal and very powerful. It's just that without the understanding people don't see it. this connection I have. The Wild is what I've come to call it. The instincts and emotions are pretty overpowering at times. It's not like when I first discovered my powers and an alley cat started teaching me what it was like to be a cat. These mentors I have now are intent on teaching me the same way they learned. By trying to live it. I know the idea is that I will be stronger when I get through it, but I can't help to think that they might actually kill me one of these times. I mean, there are these two cobras that have me stand on what is basically a stone circle slab while they try to bite me. If it hadn't been for picking up a few tricks from a mongoose and a hummingbird, I would have probably died of snake venom by now," Chris explained trying not to go into too many details about how some of the animals actually came close to killing him, "It wasn't until I faced off with the lions that I learned that I can't do this alone... That's why I called you. I... I really didn't know of anyone else I could talk to. At least not right now." Chris once more turned his head away from her when something she had said quickly drew his attention back to her, "You saw Kat?! Is she alright? She didn't get teleported to the moon or something stupid did she? Tell me she's not hurt. Please tell me she's not in trouble because if she is then... then... God! I never should have let him take her like that!" Last edited by Foxtrot; 10-31-2011 at 11:26 PM.
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#12
11-01-2011, 08:29 AM
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"Well I'm glad you called and I'm happy to help however I can." Sam said with a reassuring smile. "Although to hear you tell me about voluntarily having lions and cobras," she shudders a little at the second, "attack you so you can learn from them is a little scary. Just tell me what I can do to help."
Sam wasn't surprised when Chris asked about Kat. Kat seemed to want to ignore Chris's existence but Chris clearly cared and still wanted the best for her. It was sweet and it was hurting him too. Sam was almost sorry she brought Kat up but she couldn't think of any way not too. "She seems fine. Scott took Kat home and patched her up." Sam cringed as she realized she mentioned Chris's favorite two people in the same sentence. "Diana told me that she seems confused about how she got to Scott's. Just so you know, Kat asked Diana, Scott and I to meet at Borders yesterday and apologized. I think she really meant it."
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#13
11-01-2011, 08:13 PM
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"More likely she just said it to make herself feel better because she was having a pity party for herself," Chris mumbled softly. His hand had tensed up and it took quite a bit of concentration to keep it from squeezing Sam's own too tightly. Not that he was concerned about hurting her. On the contrary, she probably wouldn't even flinch from the strongest grip he could make given her abilities, but he didn't want her to know just how much what she had said bothered him. Not only had Kat once more messed up his life, but now she was trying to take his friends away too. Granted he was the one that told them to leave him alone, but that didn't mean she had the right to just swoop in and take them from him before his back was even turned. That was just like her though. Always taking what she wanted and getting her way. It was so frustrating sometimes. Still, if she wanted them... then fine. He had more important things on his mind anyway.
"Look, here's the thing. I can't miss school again tomorrow or else I'm going to end up having to go to the doctor and we both know how screwed up things could become then," Chris explained dryly. He was doing his best to hide his feelings, but somehow he had a feeling it wasn't working very well, "After that, barring anything insane happening at school to sidetrack me, I'm going to hunt down those robots and put an end to their threat. If you want to help me, keep everyone off my back. I don't want to deal with high school drama if I can avoid it. I just want to do what needs to be done to protect those I care about and leave it at that. The rest of you can go to Borders or whatever and hang out. Be normal teenagers. Have fun and live life. I don't really care. Just keep them out of my way."
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#14
11-01-2011, 09:09 PM
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Sam winced slightly as Chris tensed up but she didn't say anything. She was relieved when he eased his grip since she did not want to have to put her shield up to keep him from hurting something, not that she thought he would ever do so on purpose. She really wished she could help him with his issues with Kat but they had both been clear they did not want to talk about it and she didn't want to drive Chris away.
Sam took her hand that was on the top of Chris's and gently brushed the side of his healing cheek as she looked into his eyes. "You called me because you wanted my help and to talk. You have my help and I've listened but now it is your turn to listen. You are our friend, whether you like it or not, and when someone takes you as their friend they accept the risk of getting hurt. That is a decision we make for ourselves that you don't get to make for us. We agreed we should take care of this threat together and that is just how we should take care of it. I fought one of the large ones and got pretty banged up. Scott's healing ability barely seemed to cope with it what it was dishing out. So now you sit there and you tell me you are going to go take care of this threat yourself to protect us? How do you think we would feel if you died? How do you think Diana would feel? Because it is a very real possibility. Oh you told us you don't want to have us get hurt and you think those words will keep it from happening and absolve you of any guilt if it does? It doesn't work that way." Sam had no way of seeing it but her expression was of an older version of herself, one who had raised her and was probably at home right now. "I don't know what happened between you and Kat and to be honest, I don't care. Not. One. Bit. But whatever happened is affecting your judgement and screwing you up inside and before you go off thinking how you are going to protect us, you should try to resolve that first. And another thing, there is more to life than Predator and Prey, there is Pack. You have been learning about your Wild from stray animals and animals in a zoo, some that were probably born there. Sam suddenly stood up, her hand firmly clasping Chris's. "If you don't want to hear what I have to say then maybe it would be better to learn from those who you will listen to. I fly a lot at night and can see in the dark and extremely far. I know where a wolf pack lives and I see that they are more powerful together than apart. You want to do this alone then at least talk to them first, learn that there is more to life and your Wild than hunter and hunter, that their is home as well. And that home is with one another in their pack. I could hold onto you and force you to come with me but I know how you would hate that." Sam stood and wondered where the words she was saying were coming from but she only gave the thought a brief moment before letting go of Chris's hand. "So I am asking you to come with me. Please."
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#15
11-01-2011, 11:30 PM
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The words reminded Chris of what Diana had told him. And like when Diana had said them, Chris now felt even worse than he had before. One thing was for certain. She was right. He had to confront Katrina and get something sorted out between the two of them. Not that he wanted to. In fact he found the idea of facing a horde of killer robots less terrifying than going toe to toe with Kat again. Maybe if the two of them could keep their heads for two minutes things might go alright. And maybe a flying pig would bring him a piece of cheese made out of the moon. On the plus side, she did admit apologize in a half assed way when they were at Friendly's. Well, that might be going a little too far. She merely said she owed him an apology. There was never really a true apology. At least not to him. The blowup in the hallway only proved that things were as bad as ever between them. If he was to get his head straightened out, he was going to need to follow Sam's advice and resolve the problem.
Chris stood up keeping his hand in Sam's. "I didn't know you could see in the dark," he remarked trying to change the subject. The idea of watching wolves in the wild was intriguing even if he did feel more like going off somewhere to sit alone. "Alright then, let's go see this pack of yours." He added a small smile at the end of his sentence. If anything the flight might do him some good.
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