Prowess

Tragedy

The living room was Abigail's favourite space of the house. It was fairly sized. The big, L shaped couch and soft fuzzy carpet made it cozy, aided by the lamp at the corner, emitting faint light upon them.

Arthur and Abigail cuddled into the night, drousily watching a movie. The woman reflected upon how much of a pity it was that they were moving. At the first hours of the night there was a loud knock at the door.

Abigail startled, sitting up. The lack of contact awoke Arthur too.

-What's wrong? — he slurred in a hushed tone.

He got a louder thud against the door as an answer. Then another one. The lovers exchanged alarmed looks, sitting up straight.

-It's them—Arthur realised.—What do we do?

Abigail was overwhelmed with adrenaline. She looked around, analyzing their surroundings.

-Go get our stuff, I'll barricade the door—the woman commanded.

As Arthur disappeared into the bedroom, Abigail picked the stone table up from the kitchen and set it down sideways against the door. The thuds grew louder. She felt like crying and yet she just couldn't...

Arthur emerged, struggling to carry the bags. Abigail took three out of the four of them and then stopped to stare at her husband.

-Where do we go?—she asked.

-We can figure that out later—the thuds grew louder.—We need to go now... Come on, through the bathroom.

Abigail climbed out first through the window. She confirmed no one was around and helped her husband. As he squeezed his way out, a loud noise echoed from the living room. Shortly after, steps could be heard. The couple hurried into the car, parked a few buildings away. As they hopped in, a woman turned the corner and sighted them. She said something into her radio and then charged in their direction. Abigail turned the other way and drove as fast as she could.

-You know...—Abigail panted—This doesn't happen to normal people...

-It's kind of depressing how we had a plan for this...

Abigail laughed bitterly.

-You can say that again... Where are we going to go now?—she asked again, her eyes set on the road.

Arthur sighed, looking out the window. After a small pause, he perked up.

-The house! Let's go to the new house. It's far away and we can start over...

-It's too far—Abigail argued.— Let's find a homeless shelter or something of the sort and stay there for today.

-Don't you think the police has put out a warrant for us?—the man countered.

Abigail's dark eyes hardened.

-We have to find a place.

The couple drove a couple hours through the streets, until both were worn out and very discouraged.

-I think we should just-

-Hey, look!—Arthur interrupted his wife's quitting.

Somewhere in a narrow side street, light came from a fire. Abigail stopped the car and Arthur immediately hopped out, grabbing two of the bags.

-I can carry them—Abigail reminded.

-Just because you can doesn't mean you have to...

The woman rolled her tongue through her cheek as she stared at her husband.

-What's the point in having super strength if I don't put it to good use?

Arthur turned and began walking in the direction of the light. Abigail huffed and followed behind, mumbling.

The man's suspicions had been right. A group of people slept, cooked and talked in the small space. It all came to a halt as the two figures appeared at the end of the street. In no time, Arthur's face was to the floor. He felt heat near his ear.

-Who are you? — a very elderly man demanded in a raspy voice. — What do you want from us?

-Let him go, you bastards!—Abigail sent the men restraining flying her into a nearby wall.

The old man let Arthur go, stepping back slightly, electricity crackling between his fingers. Abigail did not stop stomping towards him.

-Who are you guys?—he asked again, his voice wavering this time.

Arthur stepped in front of the man, taking his wife's attention.

-Honey-

-Get out of the way!

-We need help—he reminded.—Let me talk...

Abigail's jaw tensed, but she abandoned the fighting stance. She watched as her husband took control.

-G-good evening. My name is Arthur Aguado. This is Abigail, my wife. We're here b-because we really need a place to stay. Would it be possible for us to stay here?

-This place is for inhumans only—a teenage boy spat out.

-We are inhumans!—Arthur assured.

-I don't believe them—someone else said.

-That woman is not human!

Abigail smirked lightly.

Husband and wife watched as the old man, presumably the leader, looked towards a younger person, perhaps in their twenties. They stared at the couple intently, their forehead shining faintly. Then they turned to the old man and nodded once.

-They're telling the truth.

The man stared at Arthur and Abigail for a beat longer before he sighed and relaxed out of his combative pose. He patted Arthur on the shoulder and said:

-In that case, call me Edmund. Welcome to our little world!