Snippet #2477848

Sam watched the bustling streets with a worried frown. The familiar sound of morning traffic and reassuring scent of New York streets did little to ease his aching stomach. Worry was clouding his mind and affecting his body. He had heard the stories about the HMR, and he didn't feel great going to one of their headquarters. But seeing as one of his best friends, Ethan, was contacted and told to come in for questioning, he couldn't let him go by himself. With Sam's shield, he could protect them. Besides, it was his fault. He had wanted to mess around with their abilities. Sam's ability is nearly invisible, but Ethan's ability to defy gravity was not. He was just worried.

They crossed a road quickly and finally reached the door of the looming building. His eyes tracked the building as it rose to the sky. His stomach twisted again and he caught his friend's arm gently. Ethan looked to him, his face mirroring the concern and fear. Taking a deep breath, he voiced what was worrying him.
"You know," he began, taking another glance at the pillar of glass and metal and back, "you don't have to do this. I say screw 'em. I mean, for all we know this could just be a trap." At this Ethan's face went pal, paler than Sam ever thought was possible. He cursed in his mind at himself and sighed. Giving Ethan a reassuring smile, he nudged him forward, but lingered for a moment to project out his shield. He focused on sending the energy away from him and felt it pull from his body like a second skin, the stretching causing a discomfort in him mind and body. He had to push it out far enough that it basically became air before he could put it around his friend to protect him. The strain was torture. It was like holding a stretch for too long. Finally he stepped forwards and retracted it to cover them with a gentle sigh of relief.

The walked close together into the somewhat busy reception and towards the front desk. To avoid causing suspicion he retracted his shield more so that it didn't hit anything. While the shortening of his shield was a relief, having to maintain that distance perfectly was just as much effort. The man behind the desk looked up, a bored and generally tired expression on his face, before asking what they were needing.
"We were asked to come in for... questioning," Sam said, his confidence fading more the further into the sentence he got. The man's eyes grew wide for a second, but he recovered quickly and sheepishly motioned to where they had to go. Sam nodded and gave Ethan a gentle push in the right direction when he didn't move.

Waiting at the elevator the pair was sent to was a tall man in a black suit. as they approached he ushered them inside the open doors. Sam and Ethan gave each other a quick look to reassure each other, then climbed in the metal box. Sam pulled his shield closer and closed his eyes taking a deep breath.
'If we make it out of here by the end of the day, he so owes me.'