Rise from the Ashes

Chapter 32: Plan Executed

Snowflakes delicately twisted and twirled in her glistening pom, attempting to distract her horrible thoughts from the ringing phone.

"Pick up, pick up, pick up," she muttered, listening to the obnoxious dial-up tone.

The blazing sun slowly began to set over the rocky peaks making it bearable to sit outside while wandering eyes slept inside the home driven by family chaos. Another round of ringing echoed through her mind until it paused.

"Hi, love," they greeted softly.

"Uh," she breathed as overwhelming relief flowed through her system. "You scared me, love."

"I did?" they replied, confused.

"Yes, when I call you five times and you don't answer, that worries me," she continued watching her creations dance in the dim light. "I thought something bad happened to you."

Eerie silence clawed like nails across a chalkboard on the other line.

"Em," Kida called, fear fluttering in her stomach. "What happened?"

"I'm better now," she prefaced.

"Emerald," Kida repeated as her tiny snowflakes began to grow sharp edges.

"There's a new form of Repellant here, and I ended up getting some in my system," Em admitted, slowly as though it'd help ease the blow.

"I . .ugh . I," she stuttered, attempting to string together a sentence.

"I'm better," Em reminded. "Weaver got me help, and we figured out I'm not the only one."

"Not the only one?"

"People are going to hospitals with amounts of Repellant in their system," Em relayed. "And I mean normal people and Inhumans are getting affected."

"How is that happening?" Kida wondered.

"We have a theory in the works," Em breathed. "Don't know how it will pan out."

"Talk it through with me," Kida wished, her snowflakes returning to normal. "I need to hear your voice more."

"Ok," she agreed. "Between the information, the doctor gave us an insight from my friend, Weaver and I have come up with O'Brien working with a well trusted Inhuman that's selling Repellent as almost like a quick fix DNA elixir when in reality-"

"-It's poison. If it's sold that way, O'Brien would have no problem finding these families and grabbing them while they're weak," Kida finished.

"Exactly what we were thinking," Em agreed. "But there's no way to confirm the allegation."

"How come?" Kida questioned.

"Well, if we start some whispers or spread the word, it can be pushed under the rug. Even ignored since it's not coming from someone they trust," she explained.

"Well, I see two solutions to your problem," Kida suggested.

"Tell me," Em smiled, fascinated by Kida's unique skills.

"One: Phoenix could miraculously come out of the woodworks and state their theory. It'd get people talking and perhaps questioning other's authority," she explained, letting the soft snowflakes melt away into mist. "Or start the rumor within O'Brien's group."

"And how do you suppose we do that?"

"Find a weak link," she shrugged. "Luke and I were able to whisper in Weaver's ear about Brunner, which gave us leverage."

"True," Em sighed. "We'll figure out something."

"I notice you're using 'we' a lot," Kida pointed out. "Is Weaver helping you out?"