Wraith

Dark Stirrings Chapter Two

Chapter Two

The Captain was both relived and frustrated when Siren brought him the note from Wraith later that night. Relieved that Wraith was still somewhere near and willing to help out, and that the missing girls had been found alive; but frustrated that she was clearly still trying to keep her distance and no longer willing to be part of the User community. Then he saw the image she had enclosed and his frustration turned to both horror and anger at the atrocities pictured.

The Captain hurriedly sent Pordas to keep an eye on the girls at the hospital to make sure that they weren't targeted again. Then he gathered Flayme and the Police Inspector in charge of the case, and the three of them made their way to the mine. It was just as Wraith had left it and the Inspector grimly set his CSI wheels in operation as the two Users went to examine the holes that had been left behind.

"Definitely an Abuser," the Captain decided at last, "but I can't work out what his talent is. Can you tell if it is heat like Wraith guessed?"

Flayme studied the hole for a bit longer before she sighed and shook her head. "I can see why she might think that, but there is no detectable calcining, nor is there residual heat. I certainly couldn't do anything like this with heat, but the real expert is Volcano. He will be able to tell for certain."

"I was hoping you wouldn't say that. He's still on medical leave and I really don't want to get him involved if I don't have to. But if this is a fire-wielder he'll make himself involved whether he is ready or not."

"And if it is someone with that sort of control over heat," Flayme pointed out gently, "we'll need him. I'm good, but Volcano is in a different class. The only User I've met who can stand up to his full range is Wraith." Her eyes lit up. "Wait a minute, you said Wraith gave you the tip off. Does that mean she's coming back?"

The Captain frowned and sighed. "I'm not sure, but I don't think so. She passed it on through Olive and Siren. But maybe it is a sign that she might be willing." He studied the hole for a moment longer and then stood and stretched. "All right. I'll go get Volcano and see what he can tell us. I just hope it doesn't put his recovery at risk."

Olive had nearly managed to drop off to sleep when she heard a soft knock at the door. Immediately she was wide awake. She listened for a moment longer, wondering if her Dad was up, and heard another slightly louder series of knocks. I wonder who that is and what they want. She glanced over at her alarm. 2.00 am! Dad will be asleep by now. I'd better go and see who it is before they wake him. She hurriedly slipped a dressing gown on over her pajamas and was struggling into a house-coat for added decency when the knock sounded again.

She opened the door on the chain saying "Shh" as she did so. "You'll wake everyone," she started to add, and then managed to focus on who the visitor was. "Oh, Captain. It's nice to see you." She hesitated and lowered her voice. "If you're uh, here about Wraith, I don't think."

The Captain shook his head, cutting her off. "I know you can't get in immediate contact with her, and might not be able to at all. No, I'm here for John. I need Volcano's expertise."

"Dad?" Olive couldn't hide her surprise. "But he's on medical leave."

The Captain glanced about impatiently. "I need to talk to him. Can you let me in?"

Olive flushed. "Oh yes, sorry." She shut the door briefly and unhooked the chain before letting him inside. She led the way to the front room and said. "I'll just go get Dad." She hesitated once more before adding in a rush. "I don't think you'd be here if it wasn't important; but please don't take him off medical leave. He's not ready."

The Captain looked at her earnest expression. Olive was a watchdog he hadn't expected to encounter, but she obviously cared deeply for her Dad and he found himself nodding. "I'll do what I can. But we really do need him." As Olive left at last he felt a twinge of envy that his mentor had someone so devoted to him while he himself had no close family or friends to care about his well-being. Then he remembered what Adamant and Hank the Mystery Hunk had done and he ruthlessly squashed the emotion. He might not have anyone to care for him, but neither did he have anyone who could betray him so thoroughly.