An Act of Chivalry (Sander Sides)

Chapter Sixteen

"We could always make them for you Patton," a chief insisted once again as they watched me dance around their kitchen. "You can help me decorate them!" Was all I said. Both cooks shrugged, smiling as they left the room. 

I placed another ball of batter on the tray before tugging on some mittens and sliding the tray in the oven. My eyes wandered to the time with haste, I wanted my treat. On the radio nearby a new song started to blare. I skipped over and checked the name, 'Incomplete.' was its name and I hummed to the song as I bounced around the room, cleaning up the kitchen as I go.

"Ring! Ring! Ring!" My earpiece rung. It didn't usually do that but my mother was an exception. I accepted the call greeting my mom the moment I did so. 

"Patton Merry Jr, what have you been up too?" Was her stern response. My nerves crawled at the use of my full name. "I've been baking, like always." I could hear her sniffle on the other side, "Mom, are you okay?"

"My neighbor Jamie passed by not too long ago...She told me about what happened in Washington, I was worried you wouldn't pick up." A sob escaped on the other end and my face fell in response. 

"No-no! don't cry, I made it out, I promise!-" "Don't go lying to me, son!" She interrupted, anger now lacing her voice. 

"W-what?" I crocked, "Why would you think I'm lying?"

There was shuffling on the other end, "M-my friend showed me some live TV thing, I think it's called Jerry news-not the point...The helicopter had to land on a building due to complications and just as it did so-" She paused to take a deep breath. "they caught you live, jumping off a building. 

I needed to defend myself, "If I jumped off any building I'd be dead. Why would I do that?"

"Pat, I've raised you since you left the hospital, I know the things you can d-do," Another sob was barely audible. "Y-you used to levitate stuffed animals and give me my own puppet show...they were always amazing."

"They were," I smiled, despite her not being able to see it. At least it made me feel better.

"Patton?" She questioned suddenly.

"Yeah, mom?"

"Promise me you won't get hurt. I know I can't stop you but, just know that you're not allowed to die before I do." 

I rolled my eyes, "You're not allowed to die at all!" I blurted dramatically.

I could hear her laugh on the other end, but before she responded the lights cut out. My call cut out with the lights.

-----

I stubbed my toe on something and jumped backward. Although the lights were off that didn't stop me from hollering at what was most likely a couch. "Dude! what is your problem! I don't know how often I have to say this but this is a shared space!" I spat, feeling around walls as I tried to find an exit. It took about five minutes for me to find and turn the knob.

I could only see a foot ahead of me so I held my arms out zombie-style as I stumbled down the hall. The farther I went the louder something became. Eventually, the sound was right in front of me. Crying. 

"Virgil?" I questioned, my foot bumped lightly into something on the ground...or someone. "Leave me the fuck alone, I'm good," Virgil responded. I dismissed his statement and dropped to his side against what seemed to be a hall wall. "What's wrong?"

Virgil, now sensing my close presence scooted closer, keeping his knees pressed against his chest as he did so. The emo latched onto my arm gaining a sense of relief at the action. "I was walking down the hall when the power cut off. If scared the shit out of me." As if realizing what he said he scooted away until he was at a safe distance. "Sorry, that sounds stupid, I mean-don't"

"Virgil it's fine, I'm not about to tease you about something that actually concerns you. What kind of friend would I be?" I stood up and slowly reached down to pull Virgil up with me. He accepted my gesture, wiping a tear away with his sleeve and taking my hand.

"If you tell anyone about this your dead princy." Virgil warned.

"Noted. now let's go find Thomas."

"In the dark?"

"Don't worry about it," I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'm right here."

-----

I was stumbling around shouting for someone, a voice eventually answered. "Patton, is that you?" Thomas shouted back. "Yup!" Was my response, pointing my flashlight down the hall. Thomas appeared out of a room and sped my way.

"Where are the officers?"

Upon hearing this Thomas pinched the bridge of his nose. "Probably down a floor or two listening to Remy. The dude was having a meeting with them, cause you know...Second hand chief of police and all that junk." He grabbed my flashlight and waved me to follow. "Come on, the main generators on the next floor."

Thomas pushed open the stairway door and held it open for me. I followed, jumping up the entire flight of stairs and waiting for Thomas to join me. By the time he reached the top, I was holding the door open for him. 

"Thanks, Pa-" Thomas fell backward and I caught him. Someone else did the same. We were both shocked but after a moment I stood Thomas back up and entered the hall. 

"Roman?" I questioned. He glanced up, unable to recognize me in the dark. Thomas shook the flashlight back on allowing us to see each other. Roman beamed at this, "Patton!" Virgil, who had fallen to the floor scrambled to his feet and snatched the flashlight from Thomas's hand.

"What are you guys doing here?" Thomas questioned. "I thought you'd be in the training room."

The pair both exchanged a fun glance before Virgil shrugged the question off. "I could ask the same to you."

I adjusted my glasses and started waving us down the hall. They followed. "We're going to the generator, don't know if you've noticed, but the powers ou-" Just as I was about to finish my sentence the power flickered back on. Thomas cocked his head at this, jogging ahead of the group. 

"Um, we didn't plan a power restart today." 

We took note of this, speeding our pace and bolting down the hall. The speakers clicked on and Some of us had to cover our ears. Our powers have some faults. For me and Virgil, ours was sensitive hearing. "ZZZZZ" the speaker blared. I winced at my headache but continued leading the group. 

We had reached the doors when it burst open, Logan bolted out, sweeping me off my feet before glancing at the others and running back toward the elevator. I didn't stay down long, bouncing back up and chasing the intellectual down the hall. He opened the elevator door and the door shut as I approached. He was going to the rooftop. 

I glanced back at the group approaching behind me and pointed to the stairway. "He's heading for the rooftop!" Thomas nodded, kicking the door open and running up the stairs with both Roman and Virgil at his heels. I planned on taking a different route.

I took a step back, winding my leg before kicking it back onto the elevator door. The gravity threw them back but made my leg sore. I ignored this, moving around the bent door and hanging off the edge. I watched the elevator continue above me. I tightened my cape around me I jumped onto the elevator cord. I then rounded it and flung myself onto the sides, bouncing between the tight sides as I raced upward after the elevator.

I reached it in no time, latching onto a bar and swinging myself upward, I hit the hatch perfectly and it flew open. I entered the elevator legs first, spinning myself inward and landing on my knees. 

Something hit me across the face sending me backward for a moment. I grabbed the next fist, spinning around Logan and holding him in place. "Logan, what's up with you?" I pleaded though none of my words seemed to stick. Lo was quick, taking my wrist and gracefully bypassing me before kicking me at the elevator door. It opened.