Chapter Eight (Aidan)
"What's wrong?" I hear Mason ask in a concerned tone. As we just stand outside the door to the room. I had no idea why I was hesitating, but I was, and I wasn't sure if I could go in. "Come on, Aidan. What's wrong?" I then hear him ask again, and this time, I give him a sad smile.
"What if it's bad news?" I then ask. I know it's stupid, well maybe it isn't. I doubt Lily would send someone else to come get me if it was something bad, but I was still scared. I had no idea what I would do if Riley died. He was my whole life, well okay, maybe that's a little overdramatic, but he's always been there and more often than not, he's the only reason I never gave up. Without his friendship, I doubt I could have survived my early childhood. I don't mean as in dying or something. I mean, in terms of giving up and just accepting that I was worthless or some crap like that. There were definitely times when I did feel like that, but Riley was there, he was worth staying strong for, and then when my parents died, he was there again. I need him.
"It could be, Aidan. Let's face it though, we both know your sister. If it were bad news, we would know about it." Mason then responds with a reassuring smile. "Seriously, Aidan. It's going to be okay. This place has the worlds best equipment, scientists, and doctors. Riley is going to be okay, I promise." He then says. This time placing a hand on my shoulder, and despite myself and the situation, I can't help but blush a little bit. He was so hot.
"Can you come in too?" I decide to then ask. His reassurance had helped a lot, and despite letting my hormones take over for a few moments, I did need a friend, and I think he could be a good friend to me while all this is going on. He's also hot, but typically he's also straight, fuck my life. The first two guys I have been interested in, are both straight, go figures.
Instead of replying though, he just gives me a big smile and a nod of his head, before turning to the door and opening it. I'm not sure why he didn't just say yes or something, but as soon as he opens the door and lets me walk past him. All thoughts of him disappear, and I can't help but look at my best friend, he looked exactly the same as he had, when I left him a little while ago. Which I couldn't quite work out, whether that was a good thing or not. On the one hand, nothing had happened, if something had gone wrong, then something would be different. Yet on the other hand, if nothing had changed, it meant that he hadn't got any better yet, and that was hard to accept. He had healed in front of my eyes, on the way to the Facility, so surely he should be awake by now.
"You should sit down, Aidan." I then hear Lily say. I had almost forgotten the reason I was back in the room, but as I look over to her, I also see Dr. Erickson and Dr. Wilkins standing next to each other, consulting about something on a Tablet, that they were both looking over. "Aidan, sit..." I then hear Lily begin to say, but before she can finish, everyone looks towards Mason, after he lets out a weird surprised sound.
"Mason?" I quickly find myself asking. He was just standing there now, staring at Riley with a weird look on his face, and I was starting to worry a little bit. He had said earlier that he had seen something about Riley, and I wondered if seeing Riley now, confirmed something for him, and it didn't look like it was a good thing.
"I appreciate you being here, Mason, But I think it's best that you leave. We have some personal things to discuss, you understand, right?" Lily then says, as I quickly give her a concerned look. I didn't want him to go, but at the same time, something was going on, and it was clear that Lily and the doctors, weren't going to talk, while he was in the room.
"What are you looking at?" I then ask in a curious tone. Mason hadn't stopped looking at Riley since he walked into the room, and he didn't even seem to hear either Lily or me talking to him. "Seriously, Mason. What are you doing?" I then ask, after glancing at Lily and the doctors. This time, he actually turned to look at me and his expression was too hard to read, it was almost like he was trying to work something out, but I had no idea what it was.
"You guys don't see that?" He then asks with a strange look, as he turns back to Riley. While I give the doctors and Lily a confused look, after turning to Riley and not seeing anything out of the ordinary. Well, apart from him being in some kind of coma, but he was just laying there, and I could tell that the others, were equally as confused as I was.
"See what, Mason?" I suddenly hear Dr. Erickson as curiously. Beating me by a few seconds, as I look back at Riley and try to work out what Mason was on about. He wasn't joking around, that much I could tell, but whatever he was seeing, it was clear that no one else had any idea what it was.
"I don't know." He then responds in a confused tone, and I can see Dr. Erickson and my sister about to ask the same question, that I was just about to ask myself, but before we get the chance, Mason starts speaking again. "It's weird. There's a kind of vibration around Riley. You really can't see it?" He states while looking directly at me, as he finishes speaking. I had no idea why he was looking at me. I wasn't a doctor, and I had no idea what he was talking about. It didn't even make any sense, and even as I look back at Riley, I can't see anything, certainly no vibrations or anything that could be what he was talking about.
"Can you describe it, in a bit more detail, Mason?" Dr. Erickson then suddenly asks. Drawing my attention away from my friend and Riley, towards the doctor. The fact she was asking him something like that, made me realize that she was taking this seriously, and I again, found myself looking back at Riley and trying to see, whatever Mason was seeing.
Mason then spends the next twenty minutes or so, trying to explain what he could see. While Lily and I spent it half paying attention to him and staring at Riley, both of us trying to see what we were missing. I mean, I could literally see the pores in his skin and the little twitches of his facial muscles, but for the life of me, I can't see anything that matches what Mason, has been talking about. And from the frustrated sigh, I hear from Lily. I know that she isn't having any more luck than I am. Although as I focus more on the conversation between Mason and the doctors, I hear them talking about what Mason had seen earlier. The same thing he had obviously been about to tell me before we were interrupted.
"Is that actually possible?" I then hear Lily ask. She had apparently been paying a lot more attention to the conversation that I had been because I wasn't quite sure what she was asking. Which was a little embarrassing, but they didn't know that, and I wasn't about to broadcast it.
"We ruled out a parasite. The DNA didn't match. In fact, the DNA wasn't like anything we have on record, Lily, but with the information Mr. Campbell just gave us. I am confident that we can find out very quickly." Dr. Wilkins then says in response. Again leaving me a little confused, and a little more embarrassed, although as I glance over at Mason, he gives me an understanding nod, which I took to mean he knew I had no idea what was going on and would explain later. So I quickly nod back, before turning back to the others.
"I have an idea as well, it will take me a while, but give me around half an hour, and I will hopefully have something. Mr. Campbell, if you would come with me, I could use someone with your abilities." Dr. Erickson then announces, as she looks up from her Tablet, and gives Mason an expectant look. She wasn't asking, she was telling, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I wanted to talk to Mason and find out what was going on, but I guess that would have to wait now, unless I asked Lily, once everyone else left.
Over an hour later, Dr. Erickson and Mason, walk back into the room. Thanks to Lily, I now understood what they were discussing and how it might even be possible. Well, okay, I didn't understand at all, but I got a general idea and I was glad that Mason had returned with the doctor, I needed a friend, and I was worried that they would just send him off to do something else. He was supposed to be patrolling around about now, so I was definitely grateful.
All we were waiting, for now, was for Dr. Wilkins to return with the results of the new tests they had done, but from how he was talking earlier, it could be a while. "Did you figure anything out?" I decide to then ask. We had been sitting in silence for a few minutes now, and I could see Mason looking a little awkward, while Dr. Erickson, was staring at her Tablet, intently.
"Please, Susan. If you know anything, just tell us, you know Ian could be hours, please." I then hear Lily ask, and I couldn't help but be a little surprised. She had been so calm since I had entered the room earlier, but I could hear the pain and worry in her voice, and quickly got up and sat down beside her. We may have a lot to talk about, but right now, the only thing that mattered was Riley.
"I think it would be easier if I showed you. So just give me a second to sync my Tablet, with the TV." The doctor eventually responds, after taking a few moments to think it over. I could tell that Lily was feeling tense, but we both turned to the TV, without asking the doctor to elaborate, and I could see Mason taking the seat, that I had been sitting at, a few moments earlier.
"Why are you showing us this?" I find myself asking, not even bothering to hide my anger and annoyance. Seeing the fight between myself and Baine's team, was not something I wanted to see again, especially the end. Seeing myself helpless, as Baine held Riley up like he was nothing, not being able to do anything. It made my blood boil.
"I'm sorry, but it's relevant, I promise." Dr. Erickson quickly responds. But just as I am about to protest more, I feel Lily's hand squeeze my own, and I just about manage to calm myself. However, I quickly give the doctor a curious look, when the video plays and almost everything is slowed right down. I mean, really, slowed down, it was almost like it was paused and I couldn't work out what was going on.
"What's the meaning..." Lily then begins to say, before being silenced by the doctor holding up her hand. We then both just watch as the video plays, or I guess it plays, nothing really happens, although I don't really understand at first. Not until the camera, which I was guessing is a CCTV camera from one of the buildings, catches Riley talking to some kid.
The kid, I quickly realize, is the same kid that Baine's team had used to lure me to there, although I can't remember his name. What happens next, confuses me for a few seconds, before remembering that he was an Empowered, a seemingly weak Empowered, but he suddenly just vanishes. I mean I am quick, but even with the video slowed down, he just vanished in a blink of an eye.
"I don't understand, the kid obviously teleported, every Empowered is capable of that." I then hear Lily state, and while it wasn't as highly used as you might think it was because teleportation has its downsides and dangers. It wasn't anything special, and I didn't understand why we were being shown it in slow motion, and how it was relevant.
"He didn't teleport, Lily." Mason then says in a slightly distracted tone. I was surprised that he had answered, but I could also see that he was staring at Riley again, and I wondered if he was still seeing the vibration thing he was talking about earlier. Although as I process his words, I can't help but look back at the TV and think about what he had just said and the implications it could have.
"No one can move that fast, Mason. Not even you." Lily then states. I was about to say something similar, but she just beat me to it. Mason was the fastest Empowered that we knew of, and I've seen videos of him in action and even he wouldn't be quick enough to disappear like the boy in the video like that boy just did. Not when the video was slowed down as much as it was.
"No one that we have known about, Lily." Dr. Erickson then states in a professional sounding tone. As she fast forwards the video to what I presume is the ending of the fight. "Thanks to Mason, I was able to come up with a program, to slow the video down even more, and while it isn't perfect, if you watch closely, I want you to tell me what you see." She then states in the same tone, while both Lily and I, watch the TV curiously.
"What are we meant to be seeing?" I then hear Lily ask in obvious confusion. I, however, suddenly saw what she hadn't. I wasn't sure what it was, but as the doctor replayed the video, somehow slowing it down, even more, I could see what looked like some kind of vibrating blurry thing, heading directly to Riley, just as Baine was about to punch him across the street.
"He's faster than you?" I then ask as I look at Mason. Who to his credit, doesn't seem to be upset about his reign as the fastest Empowered, apparently coming to an end. Not that it was that important, especially right now, but it was kind of his thing, and I quickly make a mental note, to talk to him about it, later. He's being a good friend to me right now, and I want to return the favor.
"Honestly, it looks like it. At least from that video." Mason responds a little quietly. Confirming that I should talk to him about it, it might sound petty, but I understood, and I wanted to help. First, though, I had to concentrate on Riley and on what the doctor and Mason were obviously trying to tell show us.
"Okay, enough. What is wrong with my little brother, Susan." Lily then states firmly. She was definitely frustrated, and I couldn't blame her, I was too. But for her, it had to be worse, and from the way, the doctor was looking at her, I think she sensed that she needed to get to the point, and even though I understood that they were showing us a really fast Empowered boy. I still had no idea how it was relevant to Riley.
"We will need Dr. Wilkins results to confirm our theory, Lily. However, we believe that somehow, the young Empowered that we saw Riley talking to in the video, is incredibly fast. Faster than any Empowered that we have on record and that for whatever reason, he tried to help Riley." The doctor explains as clearly as she could, and while it was still confusing. I thought that I was starting to understand, because the blur in the video, seemed to be heading directly to Baine and Riley.
I just wasn't sure what it had to do with Riley now, and what Mason could see when he looked at Riley. I still couldn't see anything, no matter how hard I stared at him. "If you look here, just as Baine appears to hit Riley. The blur seems to be directly between Baine and Riley, and if you look closely, you can just about see a vibration effect, around Riley as he is sent across the street." Dr. Erickson then states, catching me a little off guard, as I wasn't expecting her to just start speaking again.
However, if I was understanding her correctly. She was trying to tell us that whoever the boy was, somehow got in between Baine's punch, and Riley, absorbing the impact. "Wait! Are you saying that the vibration thing Mason can see around Riley, is that kid?" I quickly ask, as it all suddenly clicks. I still didn't really get it, but I guess in a world with Empowered people, it wasn't completely impossible. Even if I still didn't understand how it could happen.
"Not exactly, Aidan." Dr. Erickson starts to say, before pausing for a few moments. I could tell that she was obviously trying to think of the best way to explain what she meant, and decided not to interrupt her. "Dr. Wilkins tests will confirm it, but I believe that somehow, due to the force of the impact and the speed of the Empowered boy, it caused him and Riley, to merge together." She then states as clearly as she could. Leaving me completely stunned, I mean sure, I was thinking along those lines, but it still stunned me.
"How is that even possible, Susan. I saw the results of the tests, and if that were human DNA, even Empowered, it would have shown up." I then hear Lily state, and she had a point. With the tech and resources the Facility has, there is no way they wouldn't have been able to identify human or Empowered DNA. So someone has messed up, big time.
"I may be able to offer some answers to that, Lily." I then hear a voice say from the doorway. I had no idea how long Dr. Wilkins had been standing there, but I was glad that he had answers for us, and I could sense that Lily felt the same way. "It appears that the reason we couldn't identify the DNA, is because of how fast the Empowered boy is moving, and whatever caused this phenomenon to happen, is still happening. It's why Mason sees the vibrations around Riley, although I don't know why he is the only one able to." He then states, after a few moments and it actually made sense.
It was still crazy and sound insane. However, thinking about superheroes and stuff based on that, it's not completely impossible to imagine, and the Empowered are proof that the world was changing. Thinking about the other thing the doctor had said though, I actually thought I had a good idea of why Mason could see the vibrations and also see the kid in the video, easier than anyone else, but before I can say anything, Dr. Erickson starts to speak.
"Given that Aidan isn't able to see the vibrations, and none of our sensors have picked it up. I believe that Mason is able to see it, simply because of how fast he is. He is by far the fastest Empowered we have on record, and therefore, he is able to see what none of us can, even Aidan." She states in a professional tone. Her words confirming my own thoughts, and while it made me wonder just how much faster Mason was than I was. I was just glad he had come into the room with me earlier, otherwise who knows how long it would have taken, to find out this information.
"What does this all mean though. I am not being ungrateful for all of this, but how does it help Riley? What do we do now?" Lily then asks almost pleadingly. It was all well and good to know this, and it did help, but I wasn't sure what would happen now, and we just wanted answers now. We both wanted them to help Riley and for him to wake up.
"It's hard to give you an exact answer, Lily. You know it's never that simple, but with the information we now have, we can form a plan and find a solution." Dr. Erickson answers with a sympathetic expression. Which I appreciated, I knew this wasn't easy, and I understood that. However, it wasn't the answer I wanted to hear, and I could tell that Lily felt the same way, because it was obvious, that like me, she was hoping for this to be over as soon as it could be.
"There is good news though. They aren't merged on a molecular level, which would have made it beyond our abilities. It still isn't going to be easy, but from the test results we now have, and what we've discovered about the Empowered boy, I believe we can reverse whatever happened. We just need time." Dr. Wilkins then states in a confident tone. Which was reassuring and despite not wanting this to go on for too long, I understood that they could only do so much, and the fact Lily hadn't said anything else yet, made me think that she felt the same way as I did.
"I could try to see if I can move fast enough, to pull the boy away from Riley." I then hear Mason say quietly. It was almost a whisper, and as I looked at him, I could see how nervous and unsure he was. It was obvious he wanted to help, and maybe his idea was a good one, but unless he was completely confident, I wasn't sure if it was worth the risk. Although as I look around to the two doctors, I could see that they were both looking at each other. It was like they were having a silent discussion and debating whether or not, Mason's idea was possible. Which made me wonder if Mason was actually on to something, I mean, they wouldn't be considering it, unless it was a possibility.
So while I didn't want to leave Lily or Riley's side, I decided to stand up and walk over to Mason. "Thanks, mate, but even if it's a possibility, you're too nervous at the moment. I do mean it though, Mason, thank you and thanks for being a good friend." I then say as quietly as I could manage. It's not that I didn't want the others to hear, but it was kind of private, and I didn't want to embarrass him or question his ability. I just didn't think he should try something like that if he weren't one hundred percent ready.
"If it will help Riley, I want to do it, Aidan." Mason then whispers back, and I could tell that he meant it, but I don't think he quite understood the point I was making. "I guess it would be stupid to try it now though, you're right, Aidan." He then says, just before I was about to try and explain my point a little better. I could tell that he genuinely wanted to help, and if the doctors agreed with his idea, I would support him as much as he needed, he had earned that support, just for today alone.
"It's a possibility, Mason. However, we will need to run more tests and run some simulations." Dr. Wilkins then states, while looking down at his Tablet and seemingly flicking through some pages. I was glad for his response, but at the same time, it was still a little frustrating, to know that it could be days or even weeks before I could get Riley back.
"I know you want him back now, but Riley is okay. His stats are good, his brain activity is very good, and even though the Empowered boy, seems to be connected to Riley, it doesn't appear to be affecting Riley, in any negative way. We will keep an eye on him, just to make sure, but I am confident that we can fix this." Dr. Erickson then says in a reassuring tone. Although despite the obvious intent, her words weren't all that helpful, they were nice, but it didn't make it any easier and from her expression, I think she understood that.
"Why don't you and Mason, take a walk, Aidan." I then hear a voice say. Taking me completely off guard, especially after realizing that it was Lily, who had spoken. Don't get me wrong, I could do with some fresh air, but she hadn't left the room for a long time now, and I was a little worried, that she wanted me to leave. I trusted her enough to know that she wasn't up to something, but I still didn't want to leave. But as much as I wanted to argue, I just didn't have the energy, and I could tell that Mason wanted to leave. So instead of arguing, I decided to just take his hand into mine and walk out the door, after a quick glance at Lily, just to let her know that I wasn't happy, but would go along with it.
As we made our way back to the rooftop, I decided we needed to get something to eat though. I was hungry and also needed something to drink, and Mason didn't seem to complain, as I changed direction, so he must have been hungry too. It was at this point that I realized two things, one, that I was still holding Mason's hand, and two, he was still holding mine.
Which I know is being stupid. There were bigger things going on, than my hormones, but it was still a strange realization, and I couldn't help but run through all the possibilities, of what this meant and all that crap. Seriously, I know, I'm being an idiot, and I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't look like one either, but it was nice, and it felt good. His thumb was even making little rubbing motions on my hand, and that felt really good, maybe a little too good.
Although we did have to let go of each other's hands, once we made it to the counter. But to my surprise, he actually just gave me a shy smile, instead of looking awkward or angry. I could just be reading too much into it, but I'm Fifteen, I'm allowed to dream, and Mason was attractive, and I was finding him to be easy to talk to. So give me a break.
"I know I didn't exactly come of that confident in there, Aidan, but if it's possible, I will make it happen." I then hear him say. His voice full of confidence and conviction, and despite still having reservations, one look at his expression, told me that he meant it and I believed him. It also made me like him even more, and I was glad that we were sitting at a table and that no one else was in the room with us.
"I know, I believe you, Mason." I decide to say in response. Although as soon as I finish talking, I could feel myself losing it a little bit. I don't know where it came from or why, but it was like a dark cloud suddenly came over me. "I'm fine. I'm just tired." I then find myself saying. I have no idea why I felt the need to lie, but I couldn't help it, I could see the look on his face, and before I really had time to think, I felt his hands reaching across to my own.
"He will be okay, Aidan. Even if my idea isn't the answer, Dr. Wilkins and Dr. Erickson are geniuses, and then there are others as well. They will figure it out, I promise." I then hear him say. His voice full of the same conviction as before, and while it does help, it doesn't make me feel any better. Riley might never wake up, and I can't even remember the last thing I actually said to him.
"What if he's not though? What if he never wakes up?" I quickly ask back desperately. I could feel tears building up in my eyes, and I just didn't know what to do. Riley was everything to me, and I keep thinking back to the past few weeks and how awkward everything was and then I think about the fact, that he might die, thinking that I never trusted him enough, to tell him what I really was.
A realization that completely overwhelms me and everything just becomes dark and constricting. It isn't until what I guessed must have been about twenty minutes, judging from the clock on the wall, that I realized that I was being held. But I was too tired and weak to push him away, and I could feel tears running down my face, which I didn't want him to see, even though I knew he wouldn't judge me, I just didn't want him to see it.
"Aidan, you can talk to me. I know we aren't exactly close, we haven't really talked that much before today, but I am here for you, so just talk to me, please." I then hear him say, and while I was still far from okay, his voice and his words, helped me. I needed a friend and while it was true that we didn't know each other that well, his actions today made him a friend now, a really good friend and I trusted him.
"He can't just die, Mason. He's too important, and I can't lose him." I find myself answering. It wasn't the complete truth, but talking about my feelings, that just wasn't me. Riley could tell you that, I joked around and messed about, I'm not a deep and meaningful guy, so this wasn't easy.
"Tell me more about him. I don't really know him and it might help, to talk about him." Mason then says with a soft smile. It was such a nice smile, and while I still felt overwhelmed, it helped calm me, and his suggestion, was interesting, and I wanted to at least give it a try. It couldn't hurt to give it a chance.
"I don't really know what to say, but he is just the best. You know when someone just gets you? We're like that, we just get each other, and we just clicked, the first time we met." I then start to say, before pausing for a few moments. This was a lot harder than I thought it would be, not just because of what was happening, but also because I didn't want to give anything too private away.
In my current state, I was definitely wary of letting something slip, because even from a young age, before we even knew anything about sex or that kind of thing. Riley and I, messed around quite a lot, especially now that I look back. The times we would strip each other or just wrestle around naked and stuff like that, completely innocent, but at the same time, now that I know that I am gay. I actually remember initiating a lot of those kinds of games, and I wonder if a part of me, even at that age, had some idea of what we were doing.
So it was definitely something I wanted to avoid getting into, even if it was likely most boys, have played some kind of stripping game with their friends or even siblings. I wasn't going to admit it to someone I barely knew, and kind of crushing on a little bit. Why do all the guys I like have to be straight, fuck my life, where are all the fucking gay guys?
"He's really funny too, some people don't really get to see that side of him, but he is. I like his laugh too when he laughs. It always makes me smile. He's really smart too, we joke around and stuff like that, but if I ever want to know something, I would just go to Riley, and he comes to me too, it's not like I'm a moron. We have different interests and stuff, so there are things I know, and things he knows." I then find myself saying. I had been waiting for him to say something, but he was just looking at me and gently rubbing my hands.
Which I realized was his way of letting me know, that he wasn't going to interrupt or push me. He wanted me to go at my own pace, and I appreciated it. It was thoughtful of him. "He also looked out for me. People might assume that I was the protector, I've always been bigger than him, and I guess physically stronger, and of course, I'm Hero. But without him, I would have never been able to cope with my parents, and I wouldn't be the person I am now if it wasn't for his support." I then say, before pausing and looking at Mason. This was a something really personal, and I needed to see his reaction, to know whether to carry on or not.
I wait a few more moments, just to make sure that I am reading him right. Before I start talking again, there was just something about him that put me at ease, and I found myself opening up more and more, as I told him about my childhood and what my parents were like. I told him about how Riley was my hero and how his friendship and support, got me through it all. I even hinted at a few of the more private things we got up to, but nothing too personal, Riley would kill me.
It was just so easy to talk to him, and he never judged me, he never interrupted me, he just let me talk. His hands never left my own either, and he just kept gently using his thumb to rub the top of my hand. It wasn't quite the same feeling I got from Riley, who used to do something similar. This was somehow more intimate, which I knew was stupid to think about.
Mason had made it clear that he was straight, he said as much on the rooftop. I guess, given my emotional state, I was latching on to his kindness and friendship, so I had to be careful. So I made a quick mental note, to not do anything stupid, I didn't want to lose his friendship. Fuck, I couldn't lose someone else, it would break me. If losing Riley alone, wouldn't have already destroyed me by that point. Pushing those thoughts aside though, I find myself staring into his eyes and telling him about the events leading up to what happened to my parents.
I don't actually tell him the truth. Even Riley doesn't know the truth, and I had to hope that Lily would never follow through with her threat at the lake. So I tell him what I tell everyone else, it wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the complete truth. I tell him about how because of Riley, and some other factors, that Lily agreed to become my legal guardian, and how we all had to adapt.
It was just nice to talk to him and get this all off my chest. I never even realized that I hadn't really talked about this with anyone else, apart from Riley. So it was good and seeing the understanding and sympathy in Mason's eyes, it just made me feel even better, and I found myself opening up to him even more, and telling him more about myself and more importantly, Riley.
To be continued...