Rise from the Ashes

Chapter 30: Repellant

"Escaped?" Em repeated, surprised.

"Yes," Irvin confirmed. "Ericka hid a weapon in her shoe when they took her and managed to get out before delivering her to O'Brien."

"You knew O'Brien was behind this before the mission started," Em pieced together.

"I knew of him," Irvin informed. "Not what he's capable of or that he'd be there."

"Still would've been a helpful heads-up," Weaver added.

"How do you play a part in this again?" Irvin stubbornly questioned. "Other than that badge tucked away in your pocket."

"The police can help," Em interjected.

"By putting the good guys away?" Irvin rhetorically asked.

"By framing the story," Weaver corrected, pausing Irvin's relentless comments. "Law enforcement isn't stupid. They know something is going on but don't have the contacts you do. If you slip them tips here and there, they'll give you information here and there. Making you a collaborating witness."

"In other words," Irvin sighed. "We work together."

"It's not as bad as you think," Em mentioned. "There are good officers out there."

"Fine," Irvin forcefully agreed.

"Good," Weaver nodded.

"Anything else we need to know about?" Em wondered. "What has Ericka told you?"

"Ericka's only given us insides into what it was like living with O'Brien and the information about the warehouse from overhearing a conversation when she was taken," Irvin clarified. "One thing the victims from last night reported is that they were forced to take a liquid form of Repellant."

"What do you mean liquid form?" Weaver asked, confused.

"Instead of an injection, the Repellant was deluded in water," Irvin answered. "Everyone was forced to drink it. Some reported an instant loss of abilities, others just said they felt weak every time they attempted to use their powers, and few died from too much intake."

"How many?" Weaver silently questioned.

"Three from the Repellant," Irvin muttered. "Another two for attempting to escape."

"What else did they say about the Repellant?" Em wondered, nervously picking at her nails.

"Not much other than it tasted bitter, like alcohol," Irvin shrugged.

'Oh, no, no, no,' she fearfully thought, remembering the multiple cocktails she'd had since arriving. 'She's so paranoid about Inhumans. Is it possible that she put Repellant in the drinks?'

"How long did the effects last?" Weaver added, following her train of thought.

"Don't know. The victums said they were given it every day, so my guess, about 24 hours," Irvin reasoned.

'Fuck,' she internally groaned. 'I've had it in my system for the past two days. That's why my body is bruised and turning to ashes hurt so badly.'

"Thank you for telling us," Weaver appreciated. "I need to make a call."

"I need to check in with Ericka," Irvin added, stepping out of the crapped closet.

"I'll come with you," Em decided.

Weaver paused for a moment, hesitantly compelling himself to nod, while Em and Max followed Irvin to their room with Doctor Sarpa treating the girl's bruises. 

Irvin made a b-line for Ericka before Sarpa could throw him out. On the other hand, Em stayed in the hallway with Max, watching through the doorway as Irvin whispered in hushed tones to Ericka.