Cyberspace; The Ultimus Collection

Chapter 18, Calm Before the Storm

Derick, Daniel, and Catelin all walked into the Guardian Estate, with Daniel being supported by Derick and Catelin. The two sat him down on a couch in the main living room with Catelin joining him soon after. 

"Keep an eye on him, I'll be right back." Derick instructed. He then walked out of the room and out of sight. Daniel sat back, closed his eyes and took in deep breaths. 

"Are you alright?" Catelin worried.

"Yeah, I think I'll be fine. Just a little banged up, that's all."

"I think you're banged up more than 'just a little'... nice place though. Is this where you live?"

"Pretty much, although I haven't had much time to enjoy it with everything that's been going on." Danile smiled, causing Catelin to loosen up and smile too. Derick soon returned carrying a large first aid kit. He plopped it down on the table in front of them.

"Catelin, get him patched up. I'll cook us some nice food." He then disappeared once again into the main kitchen; however, they could still see him as the kitchen was connected to the living room and had a little bar counter area. Derick slipped on an apron and grabbed a bunch of pots and pans. 

"You know, I get the sneaking suspicion that moments like these aren't going to come around often." Catelin sighed.

"What do you mean?"

"This peace. This tranquility. If we're gonna be chasing after criminals all day, I don't think we'll have much time to relax."

"We? What are you going to keep helping us out?"

"That's the plan."

"But what about your family's bakery? Don't they still need your help?"

"Oh, I'll still be helping them, just in a different way." Catelin gave Daniel a wink and a smile. "Besides, this is way more exciting than baking bread all day." Daniel laughed.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." 

"So that just means we have to cherish these moments, no matter how small or insignificant they may be. Because who knows, one day it could all, disappear."

"I'll do my best to make sure that won't happen." Catelin giggled.

"I hope so." The mansion went quiet for a moment, only the sounds of Derick's cooking could be heard. Catelin continued to treat Daniel, disinfecting his wounds and dressing them in bandages. 

"You're quite good at this, did you take classes or something?" Daniel asked.

"I got some first aid training in high school and college. Helping people is just one of my passions I guess." 

"Yeah, no kidding. Speaking of college, what were you going to study exactly? I know you mentioned chemistry earlier." 

"Oh, yeah, I was going to study to become a pharmacist. I guess my time would be spent learning organic chemistry and biochemistry huh. So, maybe it was a good thing I dropped out. I'd consider myself smart, but not that smart." Catelin gave Daniel a half smile, enough to convey some sort of joy but not enough to hide the obvious pain and disappointment. "What about you? I don't think you mentioned any schooling before, did you go to college Daniel?"

"Oh, well, yeah I tried. I wanted to go to study architecture, but I never had enough money to even start. So, I guess by that logic you're doing better than me." The two laughed.

"Yeah, I guess I am, aren't I?" Derick came back into the room, holding three steaming plates of food. "What about you Derick, did you study anything?" 

"Yeah, I went to college to study culinary arts. But I had to drop out to become a guardian." Derick set down the plates. "On that note, I serve you tonight's dish. Breaded tilapia with Cajun seasoned potatoes!"  Catelin's eyes beamed.

"Culinary arts?! That's so cool! And judging by how this all looks and smells I'm sure you would've knocked it out of the park!"

"Ah c'mon, it's not that special, it's just some spices and seasonings. I know I'm not the best cook, pretty average in my class actually. I was actually going to use my football career to help back me up incase cooking fell through, but obviously life had other plans."

"Ooooo, a cook and an athlete! Derick's quite the package!" Catelin jested. Derick smiled and was about to make a comment, when he was interrupted by the vibrations of his phone. He pulled it out and checked the number. 

"Oh, sorry I've got to take this." Derick turned his back and took a couple steps away from Daniel and Catelin, who in the meantime made some more chit chat. Derick listened to the voice on the other end. It was panicked, urgent, frightened. Derick tried to listen and calm the caller down, be the voice of reason for a clearly emotional and distressed individual. But then, Derick's blood turned cold. His jaw dropped, and his face turned pale. "I'll be there right away." Derick tried to quickly rush out the door, but he was stopped by Daniel and Catelin.

"Derick? What's going on?" Catelin asked. Derick swallowed his nerves and turned to look at the poor innocents. 

"There's been reports of a bomb threat at a local high school, Games District." Catelin and Daniel shot up from the couch, Daniel slightly slower due to his injuries.

"What?! Let us go with you!" Catelin demanded.

"We'll help in any way we can!" Daniel bargained. Derick put out his hand.

"No, no. It's fine, I'll be fine. You two should rest. You both are still very new to this, powers or not. And I don't want to work you too hard. I'll take care of things. I'll make sure everyone is safe."

"Are you sure? Honestly, we can come with and support you. Me and Catelin can be your backup."

"Yeah!" Catelin cheered.

"I told you, I've got this situation under control. After all, I did fight in the war. You two, please, just relax." And as quickly as things settled down, they stirred right back up, with Derick once again in the front lines of the storm.