Xibalba

It was dark, and it was raining when it all began. That day had been one of those murky sorts, cloudy, monotonous and it was just dreadful to even peer out of the window; the whole world seemed to be grey. With the skyscrapers around you, and the skies covered by clouds, it was enough to make anyone feel claustrophobic; it made you feel like you were surrounded from all sides, no mattered where you went. The whole day, the heavens seemed like they would just open up and let the rain pour down.

The rains, however, seemed to have insisted on waiting until after the Sun had gone to bed to fall. Shortly after sunset, the first crack of thunder rolled over the lands and the rains followed soon after, and steadily grew heavier and heavier as minutes passed on. But that, that had been hours ago, and the rains had not let up since.

It was in Xibalba that her story really started. Poor Sunny-Anne Delacroix had been taking the bus home from a little trip to the grocery store, and had found herself falling asleep as it went on. She had nodded off, falling asleep in her seat, and no one bothered to awaken her from her slumber until the bus was making its final stop for the night. One of the last remaining passengers spotted the little blonde snoozing away, shook her shoulder and informed her that it was time for her to get off. The bus was going to be heading back to the station for the night.

Confused, and lost in the clutches of post-slumber haziness, Sunny was guided off of the bus by the passenger who had woken her up, and left alone with a wish for luck. As soon as the cold rain hit her face, Sunny was brought back to her full senses, and she abruptly realized where it was she had been left. The bus pulled away, and Sunny was left alone, standing on a sodden sidewalk in the part of the Avalon district someone of her size and gender did not want to be after night; Xibalba.

It didn’t take long for Sunny’s clothes to become soaked from the rain, and stick to her; same for her hair. Making as much haste as she could, Sunny began to walk off to the nearest bus station to try to find a schedule for a bus that would get her home as soon as possible. And of course, it didn’t take long for some rather unpleasant individuals to take notice of Sunny and her small stature. . . . As soon as she realized she was being stalked by several men whom were at least twice her size in weight, she took off in a sprint. . . .

And this is where we join Sunny-Anne, in the midst of being pursued by several strange men on a cold, rainy night as thunder rolled overhead.

Damn it, she mentally cursed, rounding a corner as she took in a rather ragged breath of air, Damn it all, why did I have to fall asleep? And why did I have to be on the one bus that made its final stop in Xibalba of all places in New Ithaca?

The rain pelted her face, and her bare legs, man, she had picked a bad day to wear shorts, and the heels of her sandals clicked against the cracked and worn out cement of the sidewalk loudly. It was so dark, and so hard to see where she was going through the rain. . . . Sunny didn’t know anything about Xibalba’s layout, all she knew was where the bus stations were so if she wound up there, she could leave as soon as she possibly could. But, she couldn’t navigate the confines of this labyrinth-like section of the city while running for dear life.

Behind Sunny, so close behind her, she could hear the footfalls of those pursuing her. She wanted to cry, part of her really wanted to cry, to scream out in mortal terror, but would it do any good? Would it do any good here In Xibalba, where the screams of girls her age were so very common. . . ? I wish it wasn’t raining! If it wasn’t raining I could scare these losers off with my fire. . . .

“Heeey! C’mon now you pretty little thing! Why don’tcha slow down and talk to me and my friends? We ain’t gonna hurt ya, y’know!” Sunny heard one of the men behind her call out. She dare not look back; she knew one of the rules when it came to being chased was to never look back at what was behind you. It just slowed you down.

As if I’d talk to you lot, With that Sunny rounded yet another corner, heading down an alleyway to what hopefully be a more open area. . . . Her feet splashed against water that had built up in the narrow parting between buildings as she darted through it, only to be forced to slide to a stop as she nearly hit a dead end. Sunny let out a light gasp, and a whimper, taking the slightest of steps backward, realizing that she was in quite the predicament. No, no, no this was seriously not happening to her!

There was a laugh, a sinister, rather ominous laugh that sounded out too clearly through the pouring rain to Sunny’s ears. With fear written into her bones, Sunny slowly craned her head around, and looking to the entrance of the alley she was now trapped in.

Standing there, still, was the silhouettes of several men. Their shadows and sizes were evident against the light that barely made its way into the little passage. “Well now, looks like yer trapped, ain’t ya?” One of the men breathed out.

Sunny turned around, completely and instinctively she attempted to back up, as anyone would in her situation. When her shoulder made contact with the chain link fencing behind her, she let out a whine as it rattled on. Slowly the men were closing in on her; maybe they were actually going faster, but in the terror-laced mind of Sunny they were coming at her in a slow manner that made her skin go gooseflesh, it sent chills of utter horror down her spine. It made everything feel all the more worse than it was then.

Without thinking about it much, Sunny brought her hands out in front of her and attempted to conjure up any sort of fire she could. Please, please! To whatever omnipotent force out there who gave me these powers, I beg of you to please let me make a flame strong enough now to save my skin! PLEASE! she prayed desperately.

She flexed her fingers several times, a small ball of fire forming in-between the palms of her hands, only to be snuffed out by the rain that fell. Nothing, she just couldn’t manage anything up. . . . Seemed whatever gave her, her powers wasn’t listening to Sunny tonight. “Damn it. . . .” she seethed, looking up to see the men who had been chasing her were only a few feet from her, through the darkness Sunny could make out a sick smile upon the face of the one she presumed their leader.

Sunny pressed herself back into the fencing, as much as it would allow her too, and gripped onto it as a hand latched onto the fence right above her head, a bolt of shock and utter fright went through Sunny’s body at the noise it made. And before the man could say even a word, Sunny screamed out as loudly as her small body would allow her, “SOMEONE! PLEASE HELP ME!!”

Todd Mitchell Douglass

Mitch grinned as he pressed down hard on the top of the spray-paint can. He could feel the light vibration as the paint escaped through the tiny nozzle as he waved it across the old brick wall he was crouched in front of. He loved that feeling, the feeling of making a mark on the world. It was the power to change the world at his fingertip. Everybody would see this big black tree from the road below, they would admire it. They would admire him.

Suddenly, as they sun began to set Mitch saw the flash of lightning and heard the crack of thunder. “Aw, come on. Just a bit longer. I’m almost done.” The heavens ignored his pleas as they sky opened up and the rain began to fall relentlessly. “No! Aw no. Come on! Damn it!” He cursed as they rain began to steadily increase. “Naw, screw you. I’m finishing.” He proudly declared as he continued trying to paint the wall.

A few minuets later he gave up, the rain was just too much. He decided to leave the paint cans were they were, and just get out. Getting up he jogged over to the edge of the building and jumped down onto the fire escape. It took him a few seconds to get down. When he made it to the sidewalk he looked up at the lights that were slowly beginning to come on. The surrounding buildings were better much better than the cheap Christmas tree lights that Mitch remembered from his childhood. Avalon always looked pretty at night. Walking down the street he took his time, he was already soaked so he might as well enjoy his trip to Avalon while he walked back.

When he got back to his apartment in Xibala he threw his soaked clothes in the hamper, though he made sure to hang up his hoodie. He didn’t want it getting moldy, even if he did have two others just like it. The apartment wasn’t the worst one in the city, but it certainly wasn’t the best either. There was a small main room with an attached kitchen that was more like a hallway and there was a small bed room with basically just a mattress. He kept the place clean enough, never left food out, but there were clothes in random places and quite a few stains on the carpet. All in all the place was probably pretty high standard for Xibala and Mitch certainly felt at home in it.

After a hot shower, he raided the fridge and found a day old burger and a coke. He left the fries for a midnight snack. Putting some jeans on to warm up he munched on the meat sandwich and watched some television on the old analogue he had set up in front of the couch. When he finished he nodded off for a bit.

At the sound of a large thunder clap, Mitch jolted awake. The TV seemed to be fuzzin’ out again so he turned it off. Getting up, the threw away the coke can and the wrapper from the burger. Out of entertainment, he walked over to the window and looked outside. What he saw was something rather strange, well probably not “that” strange, this was Xibala and it was night. Regardless Mitch watched with curiosity as he saw a girl run down the street and into the alleyway beside the apartment building. The he saw three tough looking guys run in after her.

Mitch walked back over to the couch and sat down, putting his feet up on the small cluttered coffee table in front of it. “Well, she’s screwed.” He thought to himself. He looked at his reflection in the black TV screen. “Hey man, don’t look at me like that. There’s three of them and one of me. They prolly each got knives, and maybe a gun. What am I gunna do? Rush ‘em with a baseball bat?” He said out loud, trying to convince himself. “Hell, that one in the front even looked like Ted, and he’s one tough son of a……wait a minute.” Mitch trailed off, recalling the face of the lead chaser. Jumping up quickly, he threw on the still damp hoodie and slipped on his tennis shoes. He was down and out of the apartment building in under ten seconds, he even left his apartment door wide open.

As he turned the corner into the alley, he hear the girl scream. “SOMEONE! PLEASE HELP ME!!” Her voice pierced through the rain.“Come on now, don’t be like that. We just wanna’ have a little fun, that’s all.” The man closest to the girl said as he stepped forward a little, his hands reaching forward.

Mitch gulped and hoped he had been right in identifying the man, it sure sounded like him at least. Gathering his courage he stepped forward and called out, a little awkwardly. “Yo! Ted? Is that you. Whatcha doin’? I was just headin’ into my apartment when I thought I saw you run by. Shit, I haven’t seen you in weeks.” He finished, the rain pelting his face and head. “Tha hell?” The three men turned around, as the one closest to the girl who was now pressed firmly against the back fence responded to Mitch’s statement. “Tha fuck, you say kid?” He said walking away from the girl, between the two others and up to Mitch.

Mitch managed a soft gulp. The man easily had a foot on him, and probably could easily lift him above his head. “Come on, Ted. It’s me, Mitch. Mitch Douglass.” He said, trying to sound friendly. “Hey yea. Your Rick’s kid!” Mitch felt relief spread through his body as one of the other two piped up. “Naw dipshit. Rick ain’t got no kids.” The other gave his input. Mitch answered the claim, a little more at ease now. “Come on guys, I’m Rick’s nephew! I saw Ted here just a few weeks ago when uncle Rick had that party. You know, the one with the stripper with the leopard outfit?” He hoped Ted remembered, a lot of the people at that party had been messed up bad that night.

The large man lifted his arms up above his head. “OH SHIT! Little Mitch, Ha ha." He let out a deep, creepy laugh as he grabbed Mitch’s shoulders. “Yeah, I remember that whore, she went ape shit when we started throwing beer bottles at her!” Mitch forced a chuckle. ‘Heh, yea…” The big man put his arm around Mitch and turned himself and the kid towards the two others and the girl. “You know Freddy, and Vlad right.” The over sized thug asked the kid. “Yeah, yeah, friends of uncle Rick right?” Stupid question. “Yup!“ The man answered. Everybody in this part of Xibala knew Rick, talk to Rick for a fix or so they say. “We were just about to plow some soil if you get my drift. Care to join us?” The big man said grinning, as he pointed to the girl. “Well I’m kind of waiting for my girlfriend to stop by actually…..hey wait.” Mitch did his best to fake surprise as he squinted and moved his head to make it look like he was getting a closer look at the girl. “Sally? Sally is….HOLY SHIT! That is you!”

Mitch wiggled his way out of the surprised mans arm and walked over to the girl. “Hell, you went to far Sally, how many times do I have give you directions. And what did I tell you about taking the bus up to the stoop, don’t just walk through here at night!” Freddy and Vlad let out a few disgruntled noises. “Shit little Mitch! You lucky sonofabitch!” The Big man said loudly. “Wish I coulda’ gotten ass like that when I was your age!” Mitch put his arm around the girl and pulled her close, he felt the previous tension slip away. ”Heh, yeah. I don’t know what it is but she just keeps begging for it. This is the eighth time this week. Hell, the other day, she made me sneak into her school for it.”

Mitch began walking the girl past the three thugs, grinning brilliantly at Ted. “Well shit, and here I was thinking were gunna have a lucky night. Say, shes not into kinky stuff is she? Care if we join in?” The man asked as Mitch hurried the girl past the three. “Naw she’s still kinda shy about stuff like that. She’ll come around though.” Mitch lightly slapped the girls butt.” you guys will be the first I call when we are ready to party.” Mitch and the girl had made it past the three and were now exiting the alleyway and heading for the apartment building. “Hey, I’ll tell uncle Rick to give you a discount when I see him. Later!” He yelled back as they began to walk up the stoop. “God damn it Ted, tha fuck joo let her away for!” “Shut the fuck up Vald! Life’s hard enough without the Machiavellies’ breathin’ up our ….” The door to the apartment building shut behind them.

Mitch walked the girl up to his apartment and led her in, she might have said something on the way up but Mitch would have been too deep in thought to notice. "What now?" He asked himself. No answers came. When the got in the apartment Mitch closed the door and bolted it. After taking off his soaked hoodie, he pointed to the small bathroom. “Shower’s in there. Not good to stay cold like that.” He said flatly, glancing at her wet chest for a moment before he kicked off his shoes and slumped down on the couch. Putting his feet up on the coffee table again, his wet jeans began to soak into the couch. “Damn it, why do I never know what to say?” He asked himself in his head as he stared at the black screen of the TV, trying to ignore the soaked girl and her long, pretty hair.

"How could you forget to fill the car with gas?! It's raining, were lost, the car's out of gas, and we both left our cellphones at home!" a blonde young girl screamed to her twin-like brother. "Geez Rin! I said I was sorry, atleast we have some street credit here. Remember those times when you were 14 and you beat some of the people here down?" Len whispered, trying to signal to his sister to lower her voice. Rin crossed her arms and pouted, mummbling that it was his fault their stuck here. "Let's just go knock on a door and see if they let us in. Even if they try to hurt us, you can just whip their asses with them . Okay?" Len said, successfully calming down his sister as he knocked on the door to a apartment.

He had saw a boy and a blonde girl walk in, so Len could only hope the boy would let the in. "Hey! Anyone in there? We just need to use the phone and call someone to pick us up! Or atleast get out of the rain for a bit." Len called inside, not seeming scared at all. His sister after all, beat a few thugs recently, so he had her to deal with anything if the guy turned out to only want to hurt them. The two wet blondes stood there, calming waiting for the boy to open the door.

Rin let out a long sigh, twirling a piece of her blonde hair. Her wet shirt turning into a dark pink with a now dark red ribbion. While her skirt was nearly glued to her thighs, 'It's a good thing I wore leggings with these...' Rin thought quietly to herself as she tapped her foot. "Stand up straight Rin." Her brother commented.

Jude was in his apartment. It was shabby, but only slightly so. really it was just a facade to turn away thieves, who were ramped in his side of town. Behind the torn wall paper and lumpy couches there was a hidden room. This is where Jude spent a majority of his time. In it were three computer systems, a laptop, and a twenty six inch plasma screen TV, all of which sat on a 360 desk that was directly across from the door. There was also a small couch and a small fridge in the opposite corner. The lights were sparse but enough to see how to get to the desk, which is all Jude needed. There was also another hidden room behind this. In that room there was a smallish generator with three mid sized gas canisters, in case of a black out. In short Jude really only needed to leave to restock on food and to occasionally meet a client or two.

This particular night, stormy and bleak as it was, he had two of these rare business meetings. It however was not a normal meeting. In fact the people he had to meet with had no idea who he was or what he did. Jude had been doing quiet a bit of detective work on his powers and had found a number of people who seemed a little TO interested in powers such as his. Interestingly enough they all lived in his city, or what he viewed as his city now. Today he had decided to approach two of them at a time. One Sunny Anne Delacroix (or Sun_Shine as she called herself online) and one Uruha Reita Harada (or Guitar_Hero). They were semi near his apartment and he viewed them as the least threat, considering they were both younger then him and one was a girl. Both had fallen into one of his Website Traps and had, had a Trojan virus inside their computers for a number of days now. Jude knew ALL he needed to know about the two to approach them, he just had one misgiving. Judging from Anne's search history she could control fire...... That could be dangerous if he didn't approach them delicately. However throwing caution to the wind, pun intended, Jude threw on his trench coat, over a neat two piece black and white suit,and walked out both of his front doors, locking both behind him.

Once Jude was on the street he walked briskly with one hand on the expandable nightstick in a concealed pocket of his coat. He had been mugged three times, but had fought off or bought off the attack each time, so he rarely took chances. As he walked he heard a scream for help, not uncommon in Xibalba, in the general direction he was heading. He picked his pace up a little until he came to Anne's humble abode. He buzzed her three times to no avail. Finally he gave up and left a small note in her box. Written on it in his looping handwriting was "Urgent. Must talk. I know your secret fire charmer. 415-919-6789" He left it and then continued on his way. After a few blocks, consisting of several twists and turns, he came to a gang of three men that looked mean and unsatisfied by something. In fact Jude knew them, not on a first name basis of course but, they had tried to beat him up once before.

They evidently did NOT remember however because when one spotted him he nudged the tallest of the group, obviously the Alpha Male, and nodded forward. When the brute saw Jude he stopped, his cohorts stopped along with him and shouted "Yo! You lost buddy? I tink youse are in da WRRROOOUNG part a town!" Jude continued walking directly toward them and said, not shouted although he was heard clearly, "No sir. I am fine. You gentlemen go your way and I'll go mine." This seemed to amuse them and they cackled like hags. "Youse got GUTS buddy but we ain't gonna let NOBODY pass here wit out a little toll!" Jude, now quickly approaching them, smiled "Yes. That is exactly what you are going to do." he said Then when he was in arms length and the one in the middle, who was at least two feet taller then Jude, reached for his coat Jude extended his nightstick in the same motion that brought it in an uppercut on his chin. He then quickly took hold of his arm and broke it from the elbow by hammering his stick down on it while he held it taunt. Then he spun around and slammed it into the man on the right's, the one who was closest to him, Adam's apple. Then he took hold of both men and pushed them into the third. He then continued walking.

He had hoped that this would make the third man not follow him. However he was sadly disappointed when he heard racing footsteps behind him. He turned to take his pursuer head on. The fool was running so fast Jude simply stood to the side and put his foot out. The wet sidewalk and Newton's laws did the rest. The man went onto the pavement face first, with a terrible crunching noise that was no doubt his nose. Jude quickly flipped him over and punched him in that very nose. The man let out a blood chilling screech of pain and his nose let loose a fountain of blood. "Take a good look!" Jude yelled in his face "You will remember me correct?" When the man nodded Jude slammed his head against the sidewalk. "Tell your friends that the Disciple claims these streets. Do you understand?" The man nodded again and then slumped into unconsciousness, whether fake or real Jude had no idea.

Jude then walked for a little farther until he noticed a small gathering out side of an apartment. Normally he would have just let it be. However he could not fail to notice that three of the people on his list, including Anne and Uruha, were outside one apartment. At first he wanted to walk up and join them. However on deeper thought he realized that this might not be the best option. Two of the people were NOT on his list and these people may have wanted to keep their powers a secret. So instead he went into a side alley and walked air up to the top of the building directly across from the building. It was still raining but Jude made a bubble of solid air above the building. This prevented the air from touching him and after that he made a mini-tornado around him that instantly dried him. He then sat down in the lotus position, something he learned from his father, and watched. He was prepared for a VERY long wait.

What happened next was far from what Sunny had been expecting, someone actually had come to her rescue, calling her Sally and saying things she would rather not have repeated. He’d claimed she was his girlfriend, and smacked her on her rump to make the act seem all the more true and real to the three men who had cornered her. In truth, it took all Sunny-Anne had in her to not turn around and smack the man in the face for daring to touch her backside. Truly, she was grateful for the fact someone had saved her from . . . well, does it even have to be said what she had been saved from? But Sunny couldn’t have felt more embarrassed than she did then, she was sixteen and never once had a boyfriend so to try and act like what this guy . . . wait, she had caught his name from one of the losers who had tried to have their way with her.

Mitch, they had called him Mitch. It was just hard for Sunny to go along with what Mitch was saying, so she remained quiet as he walked her passed the three, and into his apartment. Her arms were drawn up to her chest, her face red, and she still soaked to the bone. Sunny stood there in the entranceway, still, all but for her head and eyes, which looked around her at the place Mitch called home. It was small, but this was Xibalba, so she wasn’t surprised, what did surprise her was the fact it was kind of a mess, stains on the carpet and clothes sort of just strewn about.

Well, he is a teenage boy, I shouldn’t be surprised by this, guys ARE messy. she thought before hearing him say something about where the shower was, and that it wasn’t good to stay cold. Sunny looked at him as he spoke and pointed, and realized he had stared at her chest for a moment. A visible frown appeared on her already red face when that occurred to her, just what the Hell had Sunny gotten herself into?

Obviously, this guy wasn’t going to do anything to her, if he was, he’d have started as soon as he bolted the door of his. No way am I taking a shower or anything like that, besides, I don’t have a change of dry clothes, there wouldn’t be a point. What . . . what was she going to do now? She couldn’t go back outside, who knew what kind of trouble she could run into on her own, so it seemed she was stuck there until morning at least.

As soon as the sun was up, she was gone. She’d gotten very lucky in being saved before, Mitch had enough of a conscience to him to help someone who was in trouble, but Sunny’s luck had definitely run dry for the day. If she got into a sticky situation again, she doubted she would be saved once more. Luck just didn’t run its course like that. Sunny really wasn’t happy being stuck with someone she didn’t exactly trust like this, Mitch might have saved her but she had her reservations about him.

He knew the guys who had cornered her; and that wasn’t a good thing! Geez, I just wanted to go to the store and get some ice cream, and what happens? I wind up in Xibalba, stuck in some guy’s apartment after almost getting, ugh, I don’t even want to THINK about that! Sunny exuded a groan, and set her face in one of the palms of her hands.

She was sodden, her clothes were sticking to her, and her hair was doing the same; her head felt like it weighed a hundred pounds! With a sigh, Sunny leaned up against the door behind her and slid down to the floor, her knees pressed to her chest. Quietly, not knowing what else to do, Sunny looked over at Mitch who was seated upon his couch, obviously his own clothing was getting the piece of furniture wet.

“Your name, they said it was Mitch? Right?” she questioned softly, a crack of thunder sounding out from within the sky as she looked over at him. “Thank you for helping me, I don’t even want to think about what those guys would have done to me otherwise.” Sunny listened to the rain falling outside for a moment before continuing on, “Anyway, my name is Sunny-Anne, but just call me Sunny.”

She laughed nervously, “I-I guess I’m stuck here until morning, sorry about the inconvenience.” Sunny offered him a rather anxious smile to him before there was a knock on the door, and someone calling out to use a phone, or to at least get out of the rain. Without waiting for a response from Mitch, Sunny got up to her feet, onto the tips of her toes and peered out of the peephole that was on the door.

There stood two rather lanky kids around her own age, both were blonde-haired, like herself, they almost looked like twins; well they would have if the boy didn’t have an appearance about him that made him look older than the girl. Well, they look harmless enough, completely out of place here in Xibalba . . . that’s for certain. Sunny-Anne forgot herself and the fact that she was not in her own home and set her hand upon the bolt lock and undid it before opening up the door to let them in.

Even if they do mean harm, I’m at least in a dry place now so I can always scare them off with my . . . fire. . . . Sunny stopped thinking when she noted that there was yet another person outside of the door now, a rather tall guy with a guitar who was holding onto the hand of the lanky blonde girl. He’s definitely NOT related to them she thought. “Uhhh. . . .” she started off to them, “Um, yeah, hi there everyone. You need a place to get out of the rain, right?” Sunny prattled off awkwardly, not sure what to think of the three. “Just . . . hurry on inside then, okay?”

With that she stepped to the side and opened the door for them. Am I imagining things, or is everything that is transpiring now seem a little strange. . . ?

Right before answering, the door opened. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was just about to take this young man home." Rin said, in a rather emotionless yet, polite voice. "Hm, how would you and your boyfriend in there care for a ride?" Rin said, with a bit of a grin on her face. "I won't take no for a answer you know! I'm Rin Minozuki, and I NEVER back down!" Rin said, putting her hands on her slim hips.

"Rin, I told you, don't be rude to kind people..." Len said with a sigh, giving a slight bow and walking inside, dragging the older man inside and away from Rin. The blonde girl pouted. "But Len!" Rin started, before just shutting up all together. "I'm sorry.." whispered Rin to the long-haired blonde.

Rin & Len Minozuki

"Dude!" screatched the blonde male, running inside the house and looking at the two boys, when Rin pushed the boy that was about to get hit to the floor after rushing in. She fell to her knees, gripping her head. "Son of a bitch . . . L-Len, run. . ." Rin whimpered to the older blonde as he stepped back, looking at Mitch. "You FAT ASS! We just needed to call someone to pick us all up! Rin just use your po-" Len was cut of by a chant.

"Shadows of the night, aid me now, come give us fli-. . ." Rin fell to left before she was able to complete it with a bleeding head wound. Len looked scared out of his mind. "Rin! Don't die! Someone call for help damn it!" Len cursed, looking at everyone. "She's the only family I have left!" Len cried out, desprate to have his little sister saved.

"I-I'll do anything. . . P-Please, just. . . help us. . ." Whispered Len, looking unsure of what to do. Len quickly ripped part of his shirt, putting it on a damaged part of Rin's fragil head that was bleeding. "W-why? Why did you think any of us would hurt you? The boy with the case is just a guy with a guitar man! He was playing it outside when we all were trying to get inside to dry off and call someone to help us and pick us up!" Len yelled, angry that he was unable to protect his sister. The blonde boy was sobbing wet and now crying for the fear of his sister.

'I don't want to lose Rin, I-I don't. . . Why did this have to happen? What did we do to deserve this?!' Len thought, bitterly screaming in his head.

[text=times new roman] Len looked at Sunny when she quickly went to Rin's other side. Her chest was breathing heavier at the sight of Rin's blood, and the male who had hit Rin was slightly paniced as well. “I believe she’ll be fine, she’s just unconscious. I don’t think she took quite a direct blow from the bat since she wasn’t the intended target, more so that the bat skimmed her skull.” Len heard the long-haired blonde say after she took off her own shirt and wrapped it around Rin's head. "Erm, uh, here!" Len said, quickly taking off his shirt and handing it to Sunny.

Probably to his own surprise, he had more built then he knew. “Should, should I call 911?” the man who gave them frozen peas for Rin asked. "N-no. . . I think she's okay. . . I-I'm Len." The older blonde stuttered, unsure if he would be hurt. "A-As soon as Rin wakes up, we'll leave. Okay?" Len said, looking at Mitch as he waited for replies.[/text]

Jude sat across the street in total silence, not moving. He watched through the window across the street. The events that were unfolding were spectacular. First, somehow, the three, uninvited, guests got into the apartment. Then the young man who apparently owned the apartment swung a baseball bat at the Harada boy. Then one of the two blonde kids, who was on his list but not very high on it, pushed him out of the way. The bat connected with HER head and she went down. Before she did however Jude saw something. Something that he was moderatly sure not many of the other people had seen. He saw, for just the briefest of seconds before she went down, shadows gather around her to form.... well he wasn't quite sure. However he was sure it was there. Then the young man with the bat left his view, to help in some way he thought. Then sure enough he reentered his view with ice. Then, least, shockingly the Harada boy stepped forward and put his hand on her head. A light blazed from his eyes and from his hand. This was no surprise to Jude, who had seen and done odder himself.

Seeing enough Jude decided it was time for some order in the room. He turned the air solid to the window. He then walked across, making the air normal behind him, until he was directly outside the window. He kicked the window out and stepped inside. Once there he made solid bodies of air around each of the people and separated them each to a different corner. Then he shut the door, with a strong gust of wind, and brought the girl to him. He leaned down next to her, making sure to keep the others firmly in place despite their struggles. He gathered some nearby nitrogen and carbon, not to mention a lot of oxygen. He then turned it all into one big thing of oxygen. "This will ease her pain" he said to no one in general. He then made the oxygen go down her throat gently. It was enough to make her giddy and to keep her unconscious for a small while.

Jude then got up and released them from his Air Body Suits. The amount of energy he had just burnt was enormous and if he didn't get something to eat soon..... He feared for his health. "Hello all. I am Thaddeus, but you may call me Jude." he was looking at each of them in turn. Trying to keep his eyes steady despite the weariness that ate away at his very soul. "You each may have guessed this already but none of you are normal. You each have gifts, abilities, that set you apart. Even if you don't you have now stepped into a world of wonder and, I'm sure, excitement to come. Now I need rest, and this girl" he gestured at the girl who was now on the ground in front of him. "needs some as well. She will sleep for a little while. I will leave now, you need to speak amongst yourselves I'm sure, but you" he stared directly into Anne's eyes "will know how to contact me." he then took a closer look at the room he was in. It was filthy! He looked at the young man who the apartment belonged to "If you wish you can come with me. My apartment is more....... hospitable then yours as it were. If you decide to simply follow me out the door. I will wait for ten minuets. No more."

Todd Mitchell Douglass

Mitch made his way quickly through the concrete jungle he had called home his whole life. He jogged through back alleys, vaulted over trash cans, hopped fences, and even cut through an apartment building or two. Xibalba may have been a bad scene, but it was home and Mitch knew it like the back side of his hand. On his way there he wondered what was so special about this delivery. Well whatever it is, four grand! I can buy a dirt bike or somethin’ with that kind of cash! How awesome would THAT be! Mitch had a wide grin on his face as he jogged down the sidewalk. He dodged past an old woman with groceries who got a little frazzled by the close call. “Damn it, Mitch!” He knew he was getting close to where his uncle Rick lived. “Sorry Miss Routan!” He called back as he continued jogging away.

A minute or so later he was out in front of his uncle’s apartment door. He was slightly more out of breath than normal, probably because of the cold. He knocked twice. “What’s the password?” A voice called from the inside. Uncle Rick, always with the password. “Come on uncle Rick, it’s me, Mitch.” He said, catching his breath a little. “I said, what’s the password?” The voice called again, this time closer to the door. This joke is seriously getting old. Mitch sighed. “Fuck the police…..” He stated a little dryly. The door flew open. “That’s my Mitchy!” Mitch was grabbed on the shoulders and pulled in by a rather tall, yet skinny man with black hair and a goatee. He looked to be in his mid to late thirties and was wearing a white suit with a blue silk button up undershirt. “How’s my favorite nephew?” He said as he led Mitch inside and ruffled his hair. “Still wearing that crazy skeleton hoodie I see, when you gunna grow up and get some fancy duds like a real player?” Mitch broke free and fixed his hair. “What like you?” The man grinned. “Oh, that’s cold Mitchy, how can you be like that to your favorite uncle?” Mitch finished fixing his hair. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. So, what’s this delivery? I remember on the phone you said I’d make five grand?” Then man grinned at his nephew and walked over to the table in the middle of the rather furnished apartment.

After waving for the kid to sit down, he pulled himself a chair. “Good try Mitchy, but we both know it was four grand.” He pulled a cigarette out of his coat pocket and lit it. “Well what’s the deal then?” Mitch asked anxiously. “Well…” Rick took a puff of his cigarette. “…this ones actually really important Mitchy. Not even I know all the details. What I do know is that this needs to happen, right. No screw ups. You can handle it right?” Mitch grinned. “Oh, my favorite uncle Rick. If you didn’t know I could handle it, you wouldn’t have called me in the first place.” He said, mocking his uncle a little. The man let out a little laugh then got up and retrieved something from the other room. When he got back his face was quite serious “Alright then, here’s the package.” He laid a black briefcase flat on the table. Mitch looked at the case. It was plain, nearly all black, and probably phony leather. However the most distinguishing feature was the golden lock on the side. “What is it?” Mitch asked absentmindedly. “It’s a briefcase, what’s it look like Mitchy? Don’t ask what’s inside it, I don’t even know.” He’s acting kinda’ weird about this one. Four grand. Well, uncle Rick wouldn’t give me anything he didn’t think I could handle.

Rick sat back down, he had finished his cigarette and he mashed it into an ashtray that was sitting near the edge of the table. “Alright Mitchy, here’s the job. You know the mall near the south end of Avalon?” Rick paused. “Yeah, the one near that big billboard advertising for deep see fishing out of Pacifica Beach?” Rick nodded. “Yeah. This briefcase needs to be under the bench closest to the north entrance at eleven fifty five on the dot. No sooner, no later.” “Why not twelve?” Rick frowned. “I don’t know Mitchy! I told ya‘, I really don’t know a lot of the details on this one.” Mitch leaned back in the chair. “Damn, sorry. Just makes more sense to me to have it at twelve.” Rick scratched his head. “Well, it doesn’t matter. It just has to be there at eleven fifty five exactly, ok?” Mitch answered. “Yeah I got it.” Rick frowned. “You sure?” Mitch leaned forward. “I told ya’, I got it. I, got, it.” Rick nodded. “Ok, sorry Mitchy. It’s just this is really important.” “Yeah, you already said that. I know.” Rick dug into his pocket. “Well just make sure you stick to the time on this watch.” He handed Mitch a cheap looking digital watch. Mitch put it on. “Ok…”

Rick leaned back. “Got all that?” Mitch grinned. “Yea, eleven fifty five, south Avalon mall, under the bench at the north entrance.” Mitch looked his uncle in the eyes. Ok, now for business. Just like you always taught me. “ Now, what about payment. Just like normal, right? Half now, half after?” Rick laughed. “Ha, yeah right. You want me to give you two thousand dollars just like that? No, all after.” A little bluff…. Mitch started to take off the watch. “Well, I guess you’ll just have to find somebody else….” Rick laughed louder. “That’s my nephew!” He held up his hands. “Ok, ok stop. How about this?” He got up and went over to a small safe that was sitting on a shelf. Grabbing a couple of rolls of money, he tossed them to Mitch. “There’s four hundred. That’s what you get paid for a normal delivery. The rest comes after, when you come back.” Mitch held the rolls up and looked them over, …I knew he was good for it… then grinned. “Yeah, alright, I guess this’ll do.”

Rick grinned at his nephew. “And on top of that. After you do this job, I think you might be ready to meet some of my friends from up town.” Mitch looked over at Rick excitedly. “You mean I could join the Machiavellies?!” Finally! Hell Yeah! Next stop, a badass supersport bike and a duplex on the upper side of town! Rick raised an eyebrow at his nephew. “How bout we see if they like you first?” Mitch grinned. “Come on uncle Rick if they are able to put up with you, how could they possibly not like me?” Rick rushed over to his nephew gave him a few playful boxing slaps. “Ha! Cut it out!” Mitch laughed, trying defend and retaliate against his uncle. After a couple of seconds, Rick helped Mitch up out of the chair. “Alright, you best get going.” He glanced at the watch on the boy’s wrist. “It’s almost nine forty. Best to get up there before the drop off time.” Mitch grabbed the briefcase and started towards the door. “No worries, I got this easy.”

Mitch knew he would have plenty of time to make it to south Avalon from here, even on foot. Rick called out to him as he was walking down the hallway. “No busses or cabs! Like always!” Mitch turned back calling out. “Do I ever?!” I figured he woulda’ realized by now that I hate cars… Then he continued down the stairs. He made his way onto the street. Rick opened a window and called out. “And call me right after it’s done! Ok?!” Mitch waved over his back and started down the street at brisk walking pace. Four grand and an invitation to the Machiavellies, here I come!