Blood Hunter

by Debra Jess

  The front doors slid to the side, letting him into the well-lit lobby. More people gathered together in clumps, talking. A decorative fountain spraying water in the center of the room created white noise, drowning out what folks were saying.

  Scott knew where to go, so he weaved his way across the polished floor, ignoring the security guards, whose eyes followed him as he headed out the back doors. Down one more set of stairs, and he was on the boardwalk.

  He looked to his left, but the half-sunken ship docked at the warehouse was too far away to see. The sun had started to set early this time of year, but it wasn't quite dark enough for the lanterns to light the boardwalk.

  The colorful shops on either side of the hotel beckoned to the tourists milling about with music and chalkboard signs. There weren't as many tourists as he'd expected. Either they had decided to stay away from the boardwalk voluntarily, or more than likely, the police had closed down the boardwalk farther north, closer to the warehouse.

  Long wooden benches lined the handrail separating the boardwalk from the Bay. Juan sat on one of them, dressed in jeans and a light jacket instead of his uniform. He'd crossed one leg over the other, with a small brown box, not completely unlike the one he'd given to Hannah earlier, tucked under his left arm.

  Scott walked up to his friend, his heart in his throat. Juan didn't stand, nor did he look at Scott. Maybe it was too much to ask for his former partner to remember the good times they’d had together? All Juan could see was a traitor to the Norms, a former friend who had lied about being an Alt.

  Deciding to say nothing, Scott sat on the bench, far enough away to give the other man space. He chose not to say anything, letting Juan take the lead on this.

  It took a minute of uncomfortable silence before Juan decided he was ready to talk.

  "Were you there yesterday? Did you see the attack?"

  Scott swallowed, taking his time to answer, keeping it simple. "Yeah, I was there."

  More silence. Then Juan said, "The anti-Alts planted the bomb on the ship. They had people working from the inside. They were planning an attack all along. Not even working for Mayor — for Dane. They didn't care about the delegation. They didn't care about who they shot. They were just looking for a high body count."

  "We know that." Scott knew Juan still wasn't looking at him, but he nodded anyway. "We've always known that, even if we couldn't prove it. We let this happen because they've only targeted Alts in the past. Now, they're targeting anyone who gets between them and the Alts. Dane's death hasn't changed anything. She just fueled the ideology of 'anyone not with them is against them and should die a traitor's death.'"

  More silence, but Scott waited. He'd wait as long as he had to.

  "Why didn't you tell me?"

  There was the question he'd been waiting for. "I didn't know."

  "How could you not know you were an Alt? Your mother is Captain Spectacular." Juan turned to look at him, but Scott couldn't return it. He didn't want to see the hurt, the disappointment in the eyes of someone he still thought of as a friend.

  "Because I was broken. Something inside of me broke, either when or before I was born. I never had any Alt ability, ever. Not until Hannah healed me. When she was inside of me, rebuilding my body, saving my life, she fixed what was broken and my Alt abilities manifested." He'd had the opportunity to change it because Hannah would have broken what she'd fixed. He was the one who had changed his mind.

  "Fixed you, huh. How did she do that? What did she fix?"

  "I don't know." Juan’s snort of disbelief triggered Scott's anger. "Why do you want to know? What difference does it make? Unless you're planning to go Dane's route and incarcerate me so that you can dissect me, experiment on me, or make me your slave, what possible reason could you have for wanting to know?"

  "I'm all for locking Alts away from the rest of us. Just like you used to be."

  Scott flinched. He'd voiced the same sentiment lots of times once he'd moved to Star Haven, but he also knew it would never happen. He knew how powerful his family was, and he had felt safe knowing they were across Mystic Bay and wouldn't bother him or anyone else in Star Haven.

  Hannah's escape from Dane's custody had changed all of that. Juan had done his job as a cop; he obeyed the law, including whatever orders had come down through the chain of command. He had ambitions, just like Scott. Nothing had changed, except that Scott had lied to Juan about his name, his family, and his past.

  "What will you do now?" Scott glanced at his friend, who still looked at him like a problem that needed solving. "You're in a city filled with Alts."

  "Orders, man." As he talked, Juan flicked the air with his fingers as if brushing off an annoyance. "Star Haven is still in chaos. Our government is temporary until we can hold elections. The Left Fists are still running wild. The Anti-Alts are growing stronger, obviously. The Mayor says we gotta stay here until the investigators talk to us. We're still waiting because there's no one in Star Haven to lead the investigation."

  "So, you're stuck here. At least for a few more days?"

  "Guess so." Juan must have remembered the reason he wanted to meet with Scott in the first place because he shoved the box in Scott's direction.

  "Thanks." The flaps hadn't been sealed, so Scott flipped them open. Two items lay on top of some t-shirts. He ran his fingers over the badge — a symbol of what he was and would never be again. He left it in the box — reminiscing was the last thing that would keep Juan talking to him. Instead, he pulled out the small four-by-six-inch picture in a simple black frame, fit for a nightstand.

  "Your dad?" Juan guessed.

  "Biological father." Scott had mentioned he had been adopted during one of their first few shifts together, but not by who.

  "Was he an Alt too? Did he have the same powers that you do?"

  "He was an Alt, but his abilities were different. Thunder City called him Shelter because he could protect himself and others from bullets and debris and whatever got tossed at him."

  Scott really hadn't thought much about the picture since leaving Thunder City. He had kept it on his nightstand mostly to annoy Catherine, who refused to talk about her second husband, even with their son.

  "You miss him?"

  "Can't miss someone you never met. He died before I was born." Scott shrugged. "Nik — Ghost — told me a story once about how Cole would cover half the back yard with his barrier and let him, Alek, and Evan bounce along it like a trampoline."

  "Sounds like fun. Alek and Evan, they were the ones in the air yesterday?"

  "Yeah. Rumble and Roar. Evan was the one who fell into the blast. Alek's leg was broken when he collided with the container, but he kept it from falling."

  Juan leaned over putting his elbows on his knees. "I would have died if he hadn't. I was trying to get everyone running for the ship to run in the other direction. Not that it would have saved anyone."

  "Alek knows that. He watched his twin fall into the fire, but he still kept the container in the air."

  "Is he all right?"

  Was Juan really concerned or was he just being polite? "He's fine. They'll both be fine."

  "And what about Hannah? I gave her a box from the Mayor's office."

  "She's fine, too."

  Juan didn't ask about the box, so Scott left it alone. Instead, Juan sat back up, his eyes finding the middle distance between the bench and the hotel. "Living without Alts — I chose that because I just couldn't see losing my job to folks with superpowers who could do it better, but after yesterday — maybe they're right. Maybe us Norms should just step aside and let the Alts take over."

  "Don't say that." Scott scooted closer to Juan to press his point. "If Alts could do everything better, Thunder City wouldn't bother with a police or fire department. Alts have weaknesses. That's what Miranda Dane was trying to exploit in her quarry prison. The news media makes it look like Alts are all over the place, but in the past two weeks I've almost lost all three of my brothers — one of them because
I fucking shot him in the chest."

  Juan had to have known that. He must have seen the coverage on TV.

  "There aren't as many Alts as you would think," Scott continued, "Even fewer of them are members of T-CASS. I still don't know what I'm going to do with my ability. I just need a fair shake to figure it out."

  Juan shrugged. "Guess it helps when your family owns half the city."

  No point in denying it. "It helps, but don't forget what my mother has lost in the process." Scott waved the picture of his father at Juan. "Money didn't save her first marriage and it didn't save my father. And don't forget, my brothers are her sons too."

  Juan nodded. "Fair enough."

  Scott dropped the picture back into the box. Maybe he'd leave it there, along with the badge that he'd never wear again. His need to annoy his mother had long passed. It's not like she'd be visiting his bedroom any time in the near future anyway.

  "I know you can't leave until Star Haven can get its own investigators over here, but if you'd like see Thunder City beyond the boardwalk — "

  Juan stood at the same time Scott did. "Believe it or not, Grey, you're not the only person I know in Thunder City. I've been here before. I know my way around well enough. I just don't want to live here."

  Scott took a risk and held out his gloved hand for a shake. Juan looked at the hand, then shook it, just like the first time they had met.

  "See you around, Juan."

  "Maybe."

  Scott headed back into the hotel and through the lobby, keeping his eyes straight ahead. If any of the guests noticed his meeting with Juan, they didn’t challenge him. Neither did security. He was shoving the box into one of his saddlebags when a familiar buzz tickled his backside. He pulled out the phone. Hannah.

  "Hey there,” he said. “Are you okay?"

  "Yeah. No. I don't know. Are you at Thomas's place?"

  Her voice sounded rough, like she'd been crying. "No. Not yet. Why are you crying?"

  "I'm not really. I'm overtired, but I really need to talk to you. Something happened at the hospital."

  "Did McNamara hurt you?"

  "No."

  "The Shield?" He'd rip the bastard's heart right out of his chest if he'd laid a hand on Hannah.

  "No. No. Nothing like that. I just — "

  A voice in the background. Alek or Evan, maybe. He heard Hannah say "okay" before she returned to talk to him.

  "Alek set up a VR system at Thomas's penthouse for us to use. We should test it."

  Odd, but then Alek had been acting odd since the hospital. This drama couldn't be about Alek or a VR system, though. "Yeah, sure. I'll be there in about twenty minutes or so. I'll call you when I'm ready."

  "Good. I miss you."

  That made him smile. "I miss you too. See you in a little bit."

  He disconnected the line and peeled out of the parking lot. Hannah wasn't in danger, but if the past two weeks were any indication, trouble was stalking her again. He needed to get home fast.

  Hannah woke up with a start when her phone buzzed. She'd laid down on the couch in the video room, her dinner plate empty and the water glass half full. Her phone indicated only a half hour had passed, but already she felt less cranky and more annoyed with herself.

  "Scott?"

  "Yeah, I'm here."

  "Do you see the equipment Alek left behind for you?"

  "Yeah. Go ahead and log in. I'll meet you in there in a minute."

  She disconnected the phone and put on the goggles, vest, and gloves. Flying with Alek had lifted her spirits, and he'd been sweet enough to bring her a tray of leftovers from the kitchen after he'd reviewed the VR instructions one more time. She followed those instructions, and activated the VR system.

  Falling autumn leaves swirled around her, and the sun hovered near the horizon, leaving behind a clear late evening sky. The surroundings resembled a generic town green or park, with memorials and a gazebo, flag poles, a swing set, see-saws, and monkey bars. Maybe someday she and Scott would get to meet earlier in the program's day cycle with the sun bright and shining above, or maybe later under a full moon. For now, she'd settle for Scott showing up. She needed him.

  The long grass tickled her ankles as she walked toward a huge decorative fountain with stone benches surrounding it. She sat there waiting for about three minutes until Scott appeared right beside her.

  She could feel pressure on her arm. She leaned into his touch while he put his arm around her shoulder.

  "It's not as perfect as reality, but it'll have to do."

  She looked up at him. Alek must have programed their images into the software. Scott's eyes were a shade too dark. The off-kilter color made it harder to connect with him, so she looked away. It wasn't how he looked that mattered, really. They were together and sort of touching. It was enough for now.

  "What had you so upset when you called?"

  The water spilling down the fountain created a soothing rhythm that lulled her into a sense of security. "I think someone faked Jimmy's medical records. I don't think he ever had a brain tumor. When I was bloodsurfing, I don't remember seeing a scar where the tumor was supposed to have been or any stitches related to a craniotomy — where the skull would have been removed to get to the tumor."

  "Why, though?" Scott shifted next to her, getting more comfortable on the stone bench, or maybe on a computer chair at Thomas's place. "Surgery near the brain is pretty radical in the first place. Why would someone subject a child to unnecessary surgery?"

  "I don't know, but — " Now that she could actually voice her suspicions out loud, the stupider they sounded.

  "But, what?" Scott prompted with a quick squeeze.

  Hannah licked her lips, tasting her dinner which wasn't even in front of her anymore. "Do you know if there has ever been any other Alt who could create auditory hallucinations?"

  Scott didn't answer right away. "Not off-hand, but I haven't exactly memorized the current T-CASS roster, either."

  "Yeah, me neither. Do you think we can find out?"

  Scott pulled his arm away from her shoulders. "I don't have that kind of access to the Arena's database, but Thomas would."

  "Can we contact him?"

  Scott reached out to catch a falling leaf. A red one. The program allowed his long fingers to snag it out of the air. He flipped it around, so even she could see the details, the stem and veins. Then he released it to continue its lazy pre-programmed path to the ground.

  "It's so real." She laid her head back on his shoulder, drawing comfort from the perceived closeness.

  "Alek did a good job." Scott leaned down to kiss her on top of her head. "I wish we could stay in here where no one could find us."

  "I've seen that movie." She looked up at Scott. "It doesn't end well for the program. Alek will get pissed if we mess up his work."

  He laughed, but it wasn't Alek she wanted to think about. Jimmy and his hospital records slid away because he belonged outside. What she wanted sat next to her in this world. Here, she didn't need to wear gloves on her hands. She reached up to pull Scott's lips back down for a kiss.

  It worked. She could feel the pressure on her lips. What would happen if she — oh, not quite. Once her tongue disappeared in between Scott's teeth, the sensation disappeared. It was like sticking your tongue through a doughnut hole, sweet at first, then nothing. Too bad. She'd have to try using her hands.

  Scott was way ahead of her, his hands slipping across her chest, under her shirt. Did she want this here?

  "Scott, maybe we shouldn't — "

  "Why shouldn't we?" His hand changed direction, reaching for her jeans. Of course her zipper wasn't real, so there was nothing to really unzip. It was all in her mind. "We're not touching, not really. You want me to stop?"

  "Yeah. I want you to stop."

  He pulled his hand away. She bit her tongue to stop her groan of disappointment.

  "Alek and I had had this conversation earlier and... it's not enough. I can't virtually make love with
you after I've experienced the real thing. The difference between last night and me sitting here, with you cuddling me while you're on the other side of the city, is that it will never be enough. I need you and unless I can have you, for real, in a bed we can call our own, I don't want to pretend like we're making love."

  He kissed the tip of her nose. "You're right. No more virtual touching. But one of these days you're going to have to tell me about this conversation you had with Alek."

  Oh, that would never happen. Maybe he’d forget about it after today.

  "So, let's try this again." She sat forward, just far enough to put some space between her and Scott. "Can we contact Thomas to get access to the Arena database?"

  Scott ran his fingers through her hair, patting it back into place for her. "Sure, but we'll have to log out of the VR to do it. We can't access anything from an isolated server."

  Good. After the half sort-of kiss with Scott and the not-quite touching he'd been doing, she was ready to leave. He disappeared first. She took one last wistful look around, then disconnected from the system and removed the equipment.

  Her phone buzzed, so she answered using the TV's connection to her phone. Scott's face appeared in the corner. She could see his real eyes, smaller on the screen, but at least they were the right color. He was looking off to the side.

  "I'm chatting with Thomas now. Give me a sec."

  Thomas’s image appeared next to Scott's, his headset in place and the mic near his mouth.

  "Hello, Hannah. Sorry I haven't been around for you these past few days. The harbor attack has kept us all busy. Has Doctor McNamara been treating you well?"

  "Yes, he's treating me just fine, but I'm really concerned about Jimmy Chung."

  "All right. Let's start with what you know."