Kiss of Death

2: Sensations

Panic had created a thick, white haze around Ariana Madison's vision by the time she arrived at the restaurant. She hadn't called the police; she hadn't brought anything with her; even her cell phone was left at home. Of course she hadn't thought about what she would need. Panic often overrules logic. So it was because of that panic that she ran out of the car and into the restaurant unarmed and dangerously vulnerable. The bright white lights shocked her eyes and she struggled to adjust as she took small steps inside, looking around. There was little evidence of a struggle, as she much expected. On the drive to the restaurant, her mind had created wild scenarios of broken glass coating the floors, tables overturned, her father struggling for life whilst laying on the floor, his head resting in a pool of his own blood. And as much as she hated to admit it, the dark reality was this: She almost hoped something had happened to him. Of course, she definitely didn't wish that worst case on anyone, let alone her flesh and blood, but he hadn't exactly been nice to her, either. She continued her cautious trek through the dining area, watching for any aggressor. Or her father. The entire restaurant was immaculate, save for one table near the register, which wasn't unclean per se, but had a mug and menu still resting on it. Her heart sank when her roving eyes rested on the wall phone that hanged from its cord.

"Dad?" she called.

"Who's there?" A voice called out to her in response from the back and was accompanied by the sound of fast-approaching footsteps. Sylar came out of the back to meet her, wearing the mask of a terrified Gabriel. "Who are you?" he asked through short, panicked breaths.

"The guy who owns this place is my father," she said. "Who are you? Where's my dad?" He took a step closer to her and she stepped away, still cautious, still afraid.

"It's okay; I was here," he said, backing away in response. "I mean, your dad, he was-- I saw it happen." Gabriel seemed to struggle for words hidden in emotion. "He shot him; I saw it." For a few short moments, Ariana's mind failed to process the words. It wouldn't allow her to understand it, as if there was something within her trying to prevent her from feeling sadness. When it finally hit her, however, there was no such mercy. The realization hit her hard and suddenly and brought with it a plethora of conflicting emotions that dropped her to her knees. It didn't take long for the tears to soon follow. Her body shook with every breath and more tears forced their way out. It just didn't seem possible. "He's dead. I'm sorry." The voice was Gabriel's- soft, smooth, and consoling- but the mask was gone, and in no way did Sylar's cold features match the warmth of his words. She was terribly pathetic and terribly vulnerable, crumpled on the floor and swimming in emotion. She felt a hand settle on her shoulder consolingly. "Come on," he said, gently tugging on her shoulder. Ariana reached over to her shoulder to grab Sylar's hand to support herself. She had only briefly brushed his hand when she felt a strange chill shoot up her arm. She yanked her hand away quickly. It was strange. Actually, it merited serious concern. But she tried to brush the sensation aside. "Problem?" he asked, his voice now devoid of that warmth and concern she'd heard from Gabriel. She shook her head, refusing to make eye contact.

"No," she whispered. She returned her hand to Sylar's. The sensation returned, stronger this time. The longer she gripped his hands, the stronger the chill became, until she recognized it. She felt death.

It had been months since she last used that ability--sensing and controlling life. It was something she tried not to use. Death was a dark, ominous thing. While some did their best to ignore its existence, Ariana found that she could sense it very easily. The feeling she got touching Sylar reminded her of that fact all too well. For some reason, however, that dark chill was much stronger than it usually was. She had been around friends that had lost a pet or family member and could feel traces of the death, but this time, the feeling was overwhelmingly strong. She let him continue to help her up before pulling her hand away and stepping back quickly- a little too quickly in Sylar's opinion. She still refused to look directly in his eyes. She was gradually feeling more wary of him.

"What was he trying to say to me earlier?" she asked suddenly. "I know you were there. Do you know what he meant?" There was a long pause. Ariana took a careful step away.

"He was going to trade your life for his." The words came out intentionally cold. "He was about to die and was willing to sell you. A bargain."

"What?" she said. Her voice was a raspy whisper. "He was going to let them...kill me instead?" Sylar put on an amused smile. He stepped closer to her until she could feel his breath on her forehead. He held her face in his hands and brought it up to face him. Her heart was pounding. The chilling sensation grew where his fingers met her face and spread through to her own fingertips. He leaned in and let his lips brush her ear as he spoke to her.

"Not kill you, Ariana," he said. "Use you. Take your power and make you into a weapon."

"You killed him," she murmured. "You killed him."

"And as horrible as it sounds, his dying wish was that I take you as I planned."

"I'm not going anywhere with you," she said, removing herself from his touch. "I don't know who you think you are, but I don't have to do a thing for you."

"You think I'm asking for permission." His hand reached out for her and she suddenly found herself without air. "I'm not."

A/N: More chapters coming slowly but surely. Let me know what you thought or even where you think I could go from here (this is a work in progress).