Undone

Chapter 3. The Genius

Pete opened the door to Leena's only to be tackled by Claudia.

"YOU GUYS ARE ALIVE!" she squealed, rising off Pete.  She then jumped on Myka shrieking, "Mrs. Frederic went all Towering Inferno and I knew you guys were stuck in the Warehouse and we thought you guys died! Artie made it right?" 

"He's fine, Claudia.  Helena..." Myka tried to continue but her voice caught in her throat.  Pete spoke up, fearing another meltdown.

"She did some wierd genius stuff and redirected part of the shield around the three of us.  But Artie needs you and Leena to help us.  Now.  He's got some artifact that could reverse everything."  Claudia sighed with relief.

"We could save Steve.  We could save everyone.  But Leena's not going to be much help, I'm afraid."  She gestured to the living room.  Pete and Myka walked past Claudia.  Leena had spread herself across the charred remains of Mrs. Frederic.  Myka gasped.  She was worse than Pete had expected. Her skin was sunken in; it looked like shrink wrap over her bones.  Her hair was gray and ashy.  And her clothes were so loose on her that they appeared as if she had stolen then from someone else. Leena was silently sobbing, gripping Mrs. Frederic's fist and shoulder.  Myka kneeled down, laying a hand on Leena's back. 

"Hey, Leena?  We need you to come with us to the Warehouse.  Artie needs all our help." She spoke slowly, as if to a small child.  "We're gonna fix everything."  Leena's sobs became audible.

"I'm.... not... leaving... her!" she choked out.  "It... it doesn't matter... what you do!  She's still... she's still... she can't come back!"  Myka tried to put her hand on Leena's shoulder,  but Leena shook her off.  "If you fix anything, I'll still be here with her.  She needs me."

"C'mon, she's in shock," Claudia hissed.  "Let's just go.  She can help Mrs. Frederic when the Warehouse is repaired." Myka looked at Pete, and recieved a nod.

"Ok," Myka replied.  "I'm going upstairs to see if we left an artifact up there or something." She bounded up the stairs, her eyes searching for artifacts.

"Pete and I will search down here!" Claudia shouted back, before Pete could even open his mouth.  She grabbed Pete's arm and looked him in the eye.  "Dude, we need to talk."

"What?"  Claudia dashed to the table and grabbed something pyramid shaped, dropping it into one of the silver bags they always carried.  She pushed Pete toward the door, talking at an incredibly fast rate.  Faster than usual Claudia Donovan hyper drive.

"Listen, man, you're talking your time and I totally respected that until today because look at the body count!  H.G, Steve, Mrs. Frederic, and almost all of us.  So you just need to be brave and go for it."

"Claud, what are you talking about?" Claudia rolled her eyes.

"You have to tell Myka how you feel!  It's been 3 years.  Life is short."  Pete turned red, spluttering.

"What?  Me... and Myka?  No... no... we wouldn't... no!"

"Pete, I hacked into the Warehouse.  I'm not an idiot.  You really care about her.  And she doesn't know it, but she really cares about you too.  It's so obvious."  She leaned against the wall, pleased with herself.  Pete sighed.

"Ok, Claud, you're right-"

"Ha! I knew it!" Claudia cheered.

"-but even if I did tell her," he continued, "I don't think she even feels the same way.  I'm not gonna make things awkward." Claudia looked him straight in the eye, stubborn as always.

"I knew Steve better than I know Joshua.  Think I ever got to tell him that?"  She moved to the stairs, yelling, "Myka, you coming?"

"Yes!" she answered, her feet pounding the stairs.  "I found a spare tesla, some snag bags, our goggles, and a bat from Pete's room." She gave him an amused look.

"What?" he shot back.  "Bats are useful to have around!"

"Tesla versus bat, Pete; what's going to win?" She walked out the door.  "I'm driving."  Claudia leaned towards Pete as they followed Myka.

"Totally hot for you," she whispered.

"Shut up," he hissed back.  Claudia giggled.