Infinite: Power

Chapter 13: Shape Shifter

"She must have suffered a trauma. Being abandoned under hard circumstances of survival, she created this mental world in which she didn't need anything to rely on, or to depend on."

Fendrick declared his verdict over the phone in the living room. It was an Ericsson Skeletal phone, the famous 'Eiffel Tower' phone, designed in the early twenties. And it still worked. Felix had given it to him a year before, after he heard Fendrick's particular taste in antique articles. He said it had belonged to his father. It had been a kind, unusual, gesture from his part, representing his gratitude for taking care of Stawen – to whom he considered a younger brother – all those years.

"She's not lying." Stawen's voice replied from the other side. "I have a hunch. She's not."

"She does sound truthful, I give you that, but it could be a sign that she believes her own invention. I'm not sure how to proceed."

"I see. Have you detected anything out of the ordinary about her?"

"Not really. I was hoping she'd be... not normal."

Stawen paused for a while.

"I believe the boy is the abnormal one. She may be here by mere accident."

"I hadn't thought about that."

"Whatever the case is, she's still here and we'll have to find a place for her before your home gets too crowded."

"What do you mean?"

"Pietro. He's going to pay you a visit."

"Are you—sure?!" Fendrick almost choked on his words. "When?"

"He's on his way right now. But don't worry, maybe he's just coming home for dinner!" He chuckled. "With Pietro, you never know."

"I thought Felix said that no Orphet had sensed nor seen..."

"I know. Don't worry. I'll try to go there as soon as I can, but I need to stay at least for one day. Felix might suspect."

"I thought you trusted him."

"I do. But sadly, handing the boy (and the girl) to 'Loyal-Orphetical-Darling' Felix equals to handing them over to the Orphets, and you know all the shit, the heavy shit they do to things they don't understand. And if the girl is a simple innocent and misfortunate human, and if she's taken by the Orphets, and if she sees more than any human should... The Mesmerizer is a toy compared to what would come after. Compared to what they've done to Felix himself when he was foun—"

"Alright. Stop. Not through my phone." Fendrick was always alert. Stawen sighed.

"I just... want to wait a little before getting Felix into this."

Stawen was like a son to him, but truth was that he was considered to be above of Orphets and Trickers, along Felix. Sometimes it was hard to remember that and accept his advices.

"And about Pietro... you know him better than I do. If he mentions anything, tell him the truth. If he doesn't, then don't."

"Alright. You know best." Fendrick said, resigned, and Stawen laughed.

"'Course I do, old man."

Brooke noticed how Hayden tried to simulate her dislike for Blair whenever she talked about her. It was normal, though. If she admitted she disliked her, then she'd have to admit it was because she was jealous and anxious to see Stawen's reaction when he finally saw her awake.