Revelations of a Grey Coat Hunter

13

     Maddy hadn't been back into Containment since the day they'd gone to see Conrad's brother. But Conrad didn't hesitate. He quickly went through the massive door, his steps sure as he headed toward a familiar refrigerated area. Only there did he stop, just outside the door leading to his brother's frozen crypt.

     Maddy stayed as she was, watching him. Conrad, she knew, could move like a cat. They'd spent many a pleasant time dancing to his extensive music collection. She'd come to learn that he was the top swordsman in the Foundation, something that showed during the lessons he'd given her and her brother on swordsmanship. She knew the man was capable of complete control over how his body moved. But he'd all but trudged during the walk here, nearly stumbling several times. It was like he'd had to force himself to keep moving and had barely succeeded. Now he stood slumped. To the casual observer, he looked ready to collapse. It was more than a little unnerving.

     "You know, I've never gone in to see him," he said softly. "I come down here a lot, but I never go in. I stand here, outside the door, near him, without being able to actually see him. I suppose it's like visiting his grave if he were buried. He's just buried behind this door."

     "You don't have to open the door if you don't want to," Maddy suggested. "How long has he been gone?"

     "Ten years." Conrad reached out a hand, placing his palm flat against the center of the door. "Ten years since he turned his back completely, abandoned the ideas of the Overseers for his own. You know, he had four other Hunters with him when he went rogue? His ideas were that persuasive. Four experienced Hunters, all older and far more battle-hardened than I was. He could convince them, but not his brother or his best friend." His mouth twisted into a bitter grimace. "Of course, Tommy was the real strength in their little resistance. Once we took him down, those four returned meekly into the fold. Naturally, they were sure to spread the word about what happened. Ten years later, we're still unforgiven. I can't blame them. I can't forgive us, either."

     Maddy didn't respond. She moved closer, hoping her presence could lend the Hunter some much-needed strength. Conrad was leaning hard on the door now. It seemed the cool metal was the only thing keeping him upright. His entire body drooped as though bone-weary. Maddy fought the urge to duck under his other arm and hold him up, fearful he might drop at any moment.

     "Did Arthur tell you Tommy was his trainee?" Conrad asked.

     Maddy nodded. "I know Tommy was a bender, too, and Arthur trained him. I also know they, um..."

     "Yes, they um'd," Conrad said, making a face. "They um'd multiple times, including one regrettably unforgettable moment when I walked in on them. That's why I suggested in the future when they were intimate with each other or anyone else, that they please put a sock on the damned doorknob to warn people."

     "Oh," Maddy said quickly. "Good idea."

     "I never wanted to use my eraser on myself as much as I did that day," Conrad said with a shudder. "I imagine you know that feeling only too well."

     She giggled and was rewarded when his weary face formed a slight smile.

     "I think Tommy may have been the only bender Arthur ever slept with that he had real feelings for," Conrad mused. "Maybe not love, but certainly a deep fondness. When we finally cornered Tommy, and he knew it was over, Tommy dropped his weapon. We knew he couldn't use his ability, not with Arthur right there, but he could have shot at us or put up a fight. He didn't. He dropped his weapon instead and waited for one of us to put him down. That's when I froze him." He swallowed. "I think he knew it was going to be me. He was looking right at me when I froze my own brother into a fucking ice cube. And Arthur cried." He shook his head. "It was the first and only time I've ever seen that bastard cry. Until then, I wasn't completely sure he could do it."