Studio apartment, an infomercial plays on the TV at low volume. Charlie is asleep in his bed, his body and left shoulder covered by the blanket.
The alarm on his bedside table goes off with several loud beeps, 11 a.m.
He wakes suddenly with a snort. He stares, dazed with sleep inertia.

He reaches over, his right arm presses the off button on the clock.Charlie is a Thai-Irish American, below average height, with honey-tan skin. He has straight, pale blonde, shoulder-length hair and thick eyebrows. High cheeks, black monolid eyes, and black bands all over his body.He rubs his face with his hand and stares blankly, then drops his head back onto the pillow.
His phone buzzes on the nightstand a few times. He turns his head and opens his eyes again. After a moment, he reaches his right arm over and pulls the phone to his face to see the message.

[Nora] We need to talk.

He closes his eyes again, places the phone screen down on the bed, and lies there for a moment. He grumbles and sits up, the blanket falling off his body. His left arm is absent from the deltoid down, ending at a second black band.He sighs, stands up, and turns on a coffee pot on his way to the bathroom.-The coffee pot finishes brewing. Charlie returns to grab it and pour it into a cup. His face is still tired, the top half of his hair tied into a bun. He now wears a pair of jeans, worn sneakers, a muted lilac two-toned t-shirt, and a brown jacket with the left arm tied off.-Charlie puts his half-empty coffee cup on his bedside table and sits down on his bed. He slips on his shoes and stands up. He grabs his phone on his way towards the door.-Charlie walks into a small hole-in-the-wall diner. A lanky, pale older man, Hyphae, sits at the table by the entrance. They look up from their newspaper.Hyphae, flat-toned:
"Hello, Charlie."Charlie returns the greeting with a warm smile and a wave.Charlie:
"Hey, Hyphae."He walks up to the bar and sits down.The stocky older waitress steps over to him.Waitress:
"Morning, Charlie. What'll it be?"Charlie:
"Just pancakes, thanks."She turns towards the kitchenette.Waitress:
"As usual."As the waitress steps to the kitchenette, Nora steps out of the diner's back office, walking past her.Nora appears as an Indian woman with long, dark hair pulled up into a neat bun. She's average height, dressed retro-formal, with old-school teacher vibes.He looks up at her, and she motions for him as she walks by. She sits at a corner booth. Charlie stands to follow, then sits across from her.

Charlie:
"You know, you should have a bat signal for me—not that I would ever see it."Nora raises a brow with a faint, amused smile.Nora:
"I need you to assist Basit with a job."The waitress steps up and sets a couple of coffees in front of them. Charlie fills his cup with several packs of sugar.Charlie gives a light-hearted smile.Charlie:
"Is my tab here out already?"Nora:
"Don't worry about that. Just go with her. We can discuss more afterward."Charlie sighs:
"Alright, so, where is my next epic yet questionable adventure starting?"-Charlie walks down the street, passing a flower shop with a 'New Management' sign. A man, Anwir, wearing a priest's collar and a florist's apron, spots him and watches him pass by. He then returns his attention to the customer beside him.Anwir is a healthy, well-groomed, moderately tall man with fair, rosy skin and deep blue eyes. His hair is short, black, and cleanly cut and tended with no facial hair. He stands tall but casual, with a permanent contented smile.As Charlie continues to walk, a gray cat walks up to his side.Cat:
"Hello, Charlie."Charlie looks down.Cat:
"She's not there now."Charlie stops and gives the cat his full attention.Cat:
"Brook Street, alley beside the pawnshop."Charlie:
"Thanks."The cat walks off.-As Charlie nears the alley, he begins to hear pounding. He turns the corner to see Basit. She's hunched over a man, gripping him by the collar and punching him repeatedly.Charlie:
"What are you doing?"Basit stops to look over her shoulder at him.Long wavy hair hangs over one shoulder, the same brown color as her eyes. She has medium-toned skin with a burn scar covering the right side of her face, arm, and upper body. Her stature is tall and her shoulders broad, but her face and body shape are feminine and curved.She drops the bloodied man by the collar and stands, her posture proud and dominant.Basit sneers:
"Teaching this asshole a lesson."Basit walks over to Charlie, the man groaning as the two leave the alley.Charlie:
"Right—Nora said you needed my help counting puppies or something."Basit, flat:
"What?"Charlie:
"It was a joke…"Basit:
"Oh. No, there's something out killing humans—"Charlie, weak smile:
"That isn't you?"Basit smirks and walks out of the alley.Basit:
"It's reckless and has gotten to the point Nora is struggling to keep the human media and authorities out of it. She's pinpointed where its hideout probably is. We are going to find it."Charlie:
"And—ask it nicely to please stop?"Basit:
"Yup, as nicely as I asked that dickhead to stop grabbing asses."Charlie:
"Well, I throw a weak punch, so I'll just do the asking and puppy counting."Basit snorts.-Charlie and Basit stand on a bus holding onto a hand grip. Behind them sit a few white women who glance and stare at Charlie, muttering to each other.The middle-aged woman looks to the older one. With her shoulder turned away from Charlie, she points towards her own face with a confused expression and motions towards him. The older woman wears a small silver cross and holds a handbag.Older woman, contempt:
"It must be their religion."Charlie glances over his shoulder at them. The younger lady quickly looks away. Charlie turns to look forward again.-City industrial, the two walk up to a massive storm drain.Charlie, nervous:
"In here? Really?"Basit:
"Yup."Charlie:
"This is like the opening to a horror movie."Basit ignores him and walks on ahead. He sighs, beginning to follow.Charlie's voice echoes in the tunnel.Charlie:
"The shit I do for some free pancakes."Both walk further into the tunnels, dimly lit by a few work lights on the upper walls.Charlie:
"I'm not sure if you know this, but—I'm not exactly the tough guy fighter type. So why am I here?"Basit shrugs:
"Nora insisted. Maybe she just wants you to be my backup. Make sure I don't get killed or anything."
She snorts.Charlie, witty:
"What do you mean? You're so tough, they call you the 'Back Alley Ball Crusher'."Basit, confused:
"No, they don’t."Charlie flat:
"It was a joke."Basit:
"Oh."Charlie:
"But for real, what could hurt you? The ghost of an Aul?"Basit, brow furrows:
"Auls are not ghosts."Charlie:
"Whatever, they're made up, so what does it matter? Point is—"Basit:
"They are real. I've seen one."A large and low shadow crosses behind them.Charlie:
"Oh, good. Then the chance of us finding one is lower."Basit:
"That's not how probability works."They pass in front of a dark tunnel. A scratching sound causes Charlie to stop.Charlie, nervous:
"Did you hear that?"The two stare at the tunnel; Basit stances, fight-ready, and Charlie leans away, prepared to run.A few rats rush out, squeaking as they run past their feet. Charlie jumps and yelps. Basit starts laughing. Realizing they're rats, he takes a breath and puts his hand over his chest.Basit, amused grin:
"What's got you so jumpy?"Charlie:
"Hey, I'm not used to all this shit!"They continue to walk.Basit:
"Sewers and rats?"Charlie:
"Yeah, especially the talking ones that keep calling me about my car's extended warranty—No, I mean like, Vorein, Kindred, those fucking water creatures, Abnormals. All of it."Basit, raised brow:
"Abnormals? How are you not used to your own kind?"Charlie:
"I wasn't always like this."Basit:
"Yeah? What were you before then?"The two jump down into a deeper tunnel.Charlie:
"Human, believe it or not."Basit, skeptical suspicion:
"Is this another joke?"Charlie:
"No?"Basit:
"Humans don't become Abnormals. And you're not Hyphae."The large canine-shaped shadow watches them from a tunnel.Charlie, dry sarcasm:
"Yeah? Well, I guess I'm just really lucky then."Basit:
"Okay, so assuming you're not full of shit, how did you become one of us?"Charlie's brows furrow for a second before his face takes on his typical witty grin.Charlie:
"I don't know. I touched an old cursed artifact, it bit me, I tripped into a nuclear power plant, and now I'm Lego man. The weakest member of Nora's superhero league!"Basit unamused:
"Uh-huh..."The two enter another tunnel.Basit:
"What was it like as a human then?"Charlie, dry wit:
"Uh—Kinda similar, but minus the monsters, dead humans, hiding from the law, and struggles finding a job. Actually—No, it's pretty much the same."Basit:
"Right. Do you really think I'm that gulli—"The shadow lunges from the side. Basit ducks and dodges it. The Vorein's maw lands on Charlie's arm, biting down. Charlie screams in pain, and both fall over an edge and into a deeper open space.The Vorein pulls Charlie's arm off, ripping the sleeve, and tosses it to the side. It turns back to his face, mouth open with a snarl about to bite—A sharp appendage of bone and muscle pierces its skull, killing it.

Basit stands several feet away. Her morphed arm slings the Vorein's body to the side, contracts, and reforms.Basit, casually:
"Just a mad Vorein. Well, that's much easier to deal with."Charlie rolls over in pain. Basit walks up to him and kneels.Basit:
"You alright?"Charlie:
"Get—my arm—please."Basit looks up at the arm a few feet away. She stands up, walks over, and picks up the arm. It’s bloodied and ripped from the teeth, but the separated point at the band is black and smooth. She brings it back over to him, kneels down, and looks from him to the arm with mild confusion. She holds up the arm to him, and it snaps back into place. Charlie lifts and flexes his hand before holding it against his chest.Basit:
"It just snaps right back on like a magnet, huh?"He pushes himself up with his arm.Charlie:
"Yeah…"Basit watches him and reaches down under his reattached arm to pull him to his feet, holding on while he regains his balance. She shakes off the torn, bloodied sleeve from his arm.Charlie mutters:
"I liked that coat…"-The two walk back through the tunnels.Charlie stares down at the ground. He sees his feet, but they are bare, dirty, and walking a much darker path, his vision mildly obscured by red noise and static.Basit looks back at Charlie, whose face is twisted in pain, eyes watery, and looking downward. She looks at his arm, bloodied but healed, with no wounds.Basit:
"Does it hurt?"Charlie stirs:
"Not anymore."Basit:
"Does it hurt for it to disconnect like that?"Charlie:
"Nah, it just feels—"His expression shifts from disturbed to a masking smile and sarcastic tone.Charlie:
"Like I said, I'm Lego man—the useless, indestructible superhero."A tinge of a frown breaks through the mask.Charlie mutters:
"That's missing a few pieces."Basit watches his face with empathetic concern.The two exit the tunnels.-They stand at a bus stop, both smoking as they wait.Charlie:
"Why does Nora like to involve me in this shit lately? I'm practically useless."Basit:
"You're not. But maybe she's just trying to get you 'used to all this shit'."She grins, and Charlie sighs.-Late noonCharlie enters the diner, tired and not smiling.Hyphae:
"Hello, Charlie."Charlie:
"Hey."Hyphae:
"She's in her office."-Charlie gives a quick knock before immediately entering. Nora sits at her desk, staring at a small stack of half a dozen parchments in her hand and a small box on the desk to the side.Charlie:
"So, where is my tab at now?"Nora half-smiles:
"You know I don't keep up with that, Charlie."He sits in the chair across from her, and she looks up.Nora:
"Well? What did you find?"Charlie:
"A mad Vorein."Nora:
"That's all? You found nothing else?"Charlie:
"No, were we supposed to?"Nora leans forward:
"Did you know the Vorein, or recognize them?"Charlie's eyes narrow:
"Oh yeah, we're old college buddies. We played ball before Basit stabbed it in the skull. No. I didn't know it. What's this about, Nora?"She sighs, frustrated:
"It was a long shot, but I hoped it was involved. Whatever, that's one issue out of the way. I just wanted more information before bringing this to your attention."She hands him the stack of papers.Nora:
"Do you know anything about this?"Charlie looks over the scraps of paper, the notes containing fragments of scripture.

1#
And lo, ye faithful, cast off thy burden of self and lay it before the Lord; and let thy heart exult,
for blessed art thou who art found worthy to wield His sacred Flesh.
For the Blessed shall be made more—a Scion of our God.
Thou shalt slough the dust of the Hallowed Man and shape the
Vassal of Desire.
The Vassal's hunger shall be of the Lord's—eternal and boundless, as is Her yawning Void.
And all shall be consumed until naught remains to slake our Lord's hunger but the devouring of time.
And when the last sand hath descended into our Lord's Desire, He Who Was shall Be and shall step
forth, remade and Wholly.2#
Go forth, ye Blessed, and bear the Flesh of the Lord; seek thee thy Hallowed Man.
For the Vassal of Desire must be forged of a hollowed host—rendered void, that it may be filled with
His Glory.
Rejoice and steel thy spirit, for it is ordained; the Blessed shall be given unto the Vassal.
And from the Blessed the Vassal shall feast on the Desire of our Lord, and His will shall be sown.3#
Seek among thine Man the Scions of God, for Divinity dwelleth within them.
Yet let not thy hunt be aimless, for not all Scion are for His will.
Seek only those whose form is as the Hallowed Man.
For the Scion shall be consumed, made one with the hollowed flesh.
As once the Vassal was of Man, so too must the Scion bear their shape.
Reap from the Scion only their likeness, familiar unto the Vessel– be it eyes, ears, hands or feet,
the sacred pieces must be mirrored of the Vessel, that the rite be made whole.4#
Prepare ye the Vessel upon the body of our Lord, for it shall be laid bare.
And the Vessel shall be sanctified in the cleaving of parts from the body,
that it may be made ready for our Lord.
Sever the parts with care, for many fragments lay open the Void wide.
And in the Void shall Man be made hollow and in the Vessel shall the Lord's Will be made manifest.5#
Let not thine duties falter before the blood of Man, for the Vessel must be made.
Let thy Lord bear the burden of thy mind, that thou mayest be of His will and carry His body as thou
dost shape the Vessel from the hollowed shards thou hast carved from the Hallowed Man.
Only then, with the Flesh thou hast been charged to bear, shalt thou pierce the hollow and fill the
Vessel with the Glory of our Lord.6#
Returned is life, for the Vessel hath been made of His Divinity, but not yet full of His Flesh and Will;
for the Vessel is not yet ready to bear our Lord.
Gather ye thy harvest of the Scion and prepare their likeness, as thou hast learned by the Vessel.
Be ready, O Blessed One, and join thy body unto them, as thou wilt join them unto the Vessel.

Charlie stares at the papers, disturbed. His vision of them becomes obscured by a red static. He sees the same notes as whole pages, coating the ground in a dark room.
Charlie looks away, collecting himself.
Charlie:
"This is just a bunch of religious gibberish word salad. What does this have to do with me?"Nora:
"Each came in a package, addressed to the same name—your old name."Charlie grimaces.
Nora:
"But they were all sent to other people's locations. All Abnormals."He tosses the papers down and stands up.
Charlie:
"If that's all, then I'm going home."Nora speaks up:
"Along with one of these!"She pushes the box towards him.
He turns around, stares at the box, and opens it. Six of his own disconnected finger parts sit inside.
Nora, serious:
"Charlie, some of these people only I should know the identity of—including you."Charlie shuts the box, picks it up, and puts it under his arm, leaving the office.
Nora, upset:
"Where are you going?"She gets up to follow him, Hyphae looks up, and watches them exit the office.
Charlie:
"Home, I'm about to miss my favorite infomercial."Nora:
"Charlie, my people are being targeted. You are being targeted. If you know something—"Charlie, flat:
"I don't know anything."He leaves the diner. Nora stands frustrated and concerned. She turns to Hyphae.
Nora:
"Watch over him."They nod and pull their paper back up to their face.
-
Charlie walks down the street, away from the diner. A black 2004 Toyota Camry is parked across the road. The gray cat from before lounges nearby, watching him pass.
Charlie's phone beeps from his pocket. He pulls it out and reads the text.

[Daniel] meet @ park when nora done w u

-
Evening
In an isolated ball court within a large park, Daniel dribbles a basketball. His head and shoulders are made of dense, contained flames. He bounces the basketball around, then throws it, making the shot easily.
Charlie:
"Nora's gonna be pissed if she knows you're out in public unmasked."Charlie walks up to him, and Daniel's flames extinguish to show his human face.
Daniel has shaved, warm brown hair, bright blue eyes, and warm medium dark skin, covered in tattoos from his neck and chest down both arms, wearing a gold cross necklace, and a sports tank and shorts.
Daniel:
"Gotta stretch out once in a while."Charlie stops and stands off to the side, watching him.
Daniel:
"I don't know how she and Basit manage it all the time. Especially Basit."He throws another.
Charlie:
"Yeah, Nora never unmasks. Basit does it pretty often, though. She was when I first met her."Daniel:
"She was probably still half-masked."Charlie:
"No. There wasn't anything masked about that."Daniel looks over and tilts his head with a smirk.
Daniel:
"Was she the size of a building?"Charlie stares silently.
Daniel looks back at the hoop and makes a shot.
Daniel:
"Then she was still masked."Charlie sweats:
"Damn…"-
Late at night, Charlie and Daniel are sitting on a bench, Charlie smoking and huddled up as if cold, Daniel still in his shorts and shirt, unfazed while he pets a black cat that sits in his lap. A backpack sits beside him on the ground. The cat has a scar on its back leg and a chip out of one ear.
Daniel:
"You alright, man?"Charlie:
"Yeah?"Daniel:
"You just seem… less chipper today."Charlie sighs:
"It's been a long day."Daniel:
"Talked with Nora?"Charlie:
"Yeah."Daniel looks at the package on the bench beside Charlie.
Daniel:
"She told you about those weird ass letters'n shit?"Charlie:
"You know about that too?"Daniel:
"Yup."He leans over and pulls open the backpack.
Daniel:
"I got one too."Charlie looks over, concerned and nervous.
Daniel holds up the package to him.
Daniel:
"I haven't opened it. Figured I shouldn't if it's yours."Charlie takes it, brows furrowed. He stares at the name on it for a moment. 'To: Chîn'
Daniel:
"I didn't realize what it was until Nora asked me about them. I didn't tell her I received one. Don't need to worry her any more than she is."Charlie opens it. Inside sits another note and finger part.

7#
Bring forth the Vessel, hollow made full by our Lord—the Glory of God;
born of the Hallowed Man—the hollow body of God;
united in flesh of the Scion—the Divinity of God;
and thyself—wielding the Flesh of our Lord, of God, for together ye fulfill the Glory of His Will.
Wield His Flesh and bind the Wholly Trinity unto the body of our Lord,
and accept the gift of the Vassal's yoke.

Daniel looks over to Charlie, who looks deeply uncomfortable as he puts the contents in the first box.
Daniel:
"Do you know who's sending them?"Charlie, sharply:
"No."Daniel:
"I worry about you. This shit isn't normal, even for us."Charlie stands:
"I'm going home."Daniel, concerned, watches him leave.
Charlie:
"See you later, Daniel."Daniel:
"Yeah… I'll pray for you, man."-
Charlie walks down the street. He reaches a dive bar and steps inside.

-
Early morning
Charlie wakes to banging on his door. He groans and rolls over as the banging continues. He gets up, stumbles to the door, and then swings it open.
Charlie snaps:
"What?"Basit:
"Get dressed. We're going out of town."Charlie:
"I'd really rather not."Basit:
"Nora's request."Charlie leans against the doorway and groans.
Charlie:
"Why do I have to be involved?"Basit, agitated:
"Get your ass dressed."Charlie pushes himself off the doorway and sighs dramatically.
-
The two walk out of the apartment building. Charlie is tired and dressed in his usual muted-colored tee, jeans, and a lilac hoodie.
Basit:
"You drive?"Charlie:
"No."Basit:
"Me neither. Bus it is, then."-
Basit and Charlie sit together on the bus. Charlie stares out the window, glum, as it leaves the city.
Basit:
"Had breakfast yet?"Charlie:
"No."Basit:
"We'll grab something when we arrive, then."-
The two step off the bus and into a rustic downtown with brick buildings.
-
They walk into the diner and sit down.
The waitress steps up to their table.
Waitress:
"Hello! What can I get you?"Charlie:
"Coffee and pancakes. Please."Waitress:
"Got it."The waitress looks at Basit, then quickly drops her gaze to her notepad, avoiding looking at Basit's scar.
Waitress:
"And uh…what can I get you?"Basit:
"Three of your mega burgers, rare, hold the ketchup, mustard, and bun."The waitress nods and starts to write it down, then pauses with confusion.
Waitress:
"So… you want just three rare burger patties?"Basit, flat:
"Yes."Waitress, awkward nod:
"Alright then…"She walks away, and Charlie looks at Basit.
Charlie:
"I never considered you—we—might have different diets."He leans forward and looks to the side, contemplating aloud.
Charlie mutters:
"I never considered I might not even need to eat."Basit:
"Every Abnormal is different. That's kind of the point."Charlie:
"Right. So, you eat meat then?"Basit:
"Preferably raw, but they won't serve it like that."Charlie:
"I don't think they legally can."Basit:
"And they never have enough of it."Charlie:
"How much do you eat?"Basit leans back in the booth with a casual tone.
Basit:
"Sometimes, I go out to the country and eat several cows."Charlie, raised brow:
"How do you—"
he mutters, "Oh, right. Size of a building."*The waitress walks over, sets the coffee in front of him, then steps away again.
Charlie:
"Does Nora eat?"Basit:
"Hm. Kind of? Not like us, though. It's more—I don't know, spiritual? I don't get it."Charlie mixes several packets of sugar and cream into the coffee.
Charlie:
"Weird."Basit:
"You're among Abnormals, Charlie. 'Weird' doesn't exist."Charlie:
"Like I said, still getting used to it."Basit looks out the window in thought.
Basit:
"I used to know an Abnormal who ate storms."Charlie, surprised:
"Seriously?"The waitress steps over and both pause their conversation. She sets the plates of food on the table.
Waitress:
"Let me know if there's anything else I can get you."Charlie:
"Thanks."Charlie wolfs down the pancakes with a fork, and Basit eats the patty with her hand. The waitress and the cook glance over, subtly staring.
-
They walk down the street.
Charlie:
"Alright, so what are we here for?"Basit:
"Nora wants us to fetch a friend of hers."Charlie:
"Great. So is this a friendly friend, or a strong-arm into coming with us friend?"Basit chuckles:
"A friendly friend—to Nora and me anyway."Charlie, half-smile:
"Ah, so am I walking my ass headfirst into danger again?"Basit:
"Probably not, but we should make it clear you're not a human."Charlie:
"Do they not like humans?"Basit:
"He does for breakfast."-
Basit and Charlie walk into a run-down apartment building.
Basit stops in front of a door and knocks.
They wait a moment.
Basit:
"You should still eat."Charlie:
"Hm?"Basit:
"It seems good for you and your mood. Even if you can stop eating, you should keep it up anyway."The door in front of them opens slightly, locked with a chain.
Conner, irritated:
"What?"Basit leans into his view.
Basit:
"Nora sent us."Conner's expression softens with surprise.
Conner:
"Basit?"He peers at Charlie, and his face hardens again.
Basit:
"He's not for lunch."Charlie leans in with an awkward wave.
Charlie:
"I'm not human!"Conner glares for a moment, then shuts the door. After a click, it opens, and Basit and Charlie walk in.The apartment is cluttered with books, folders, tapes, discs, and drives—piled on the floor and spilling from every shelf and cabinet. In the corners are masses of red webs full of more clutter. The webs cover shelves, the walls, and hang from the ceiling.
One of the same strands of red web hangs around Conner's neck, and several are wrapped around his wrists. Some are even used to patch his fine but ragged clothes.Conner appears as a man in his late middle age, with medium olive skin, blue eyes, and a thin build. He stands taller than Charlie but shorter than Basit. His hair is receding, gray with a few white streaks, and combed back but fanning out at the bottom. He has a downward Zapata-style mustache and speaks with a faint accent.Charlie looks around the small apartment.
Charlie:
"I didn't know 'conspiracy theory board' could be a decoration style."He turns back with a startle as he meets face-to-face with Conner. He peers at Charlie with suspicion.
Conner:
"What are you then?"Charlie steps backwards to Basit's side with his hands up.
Charlie:
"I'm an Abnormal!"Basit, cheeky grin:
"He's immortal and was human once. You could probably get a decent nibble out of him."Charlie:
"Basit!"Basit chuckles.
Conner:
"Tch. Humans don't become Abnormal…"Basit:
"That's what I said."Conner, interested:
"How did you change, then?"Charlie, uncomfortable:
"I doubt this is why we're here."Basit:
"True."She pulls a yellow envelope from her jacket and holds it up to Conner.
Basit:
"Nora needs your help figuring out what's going on with these."Charlie watches him take it, then looks away with a grimace as Conner pulls the parchments out of the envelope.
Conner shuffles through them, his brows deeply furrowing.
Basit:
"Six Abnormals were sent a package with one of those letters. Each one containing a piece of my friend here—a piece of his fingers."As she speaks, Conner walks forward, eyes still on the papers in his hands. As he walks, six large and thin spider legs reach out from the buttoned slit on the back of his shirt. His face shifts from its human appearance to more angular and spider-like, with several eyes and large fangs. Charlie stares with surprise and backs out of the way as Conner walks past. The legs lift him, allowing him to reach a tall bookshelf. They shift around a few webs, allowing him access to a small tin sitting on the edge of the top shelf. He picks it up with one hand, holding it out of view with the papers. He opens it, then glances over his shoulder.
Conner:
"More."Basit:
"That's all we have. Nora included a list of most of the Abnormals that have received packages—She's still waiting on a couple of them to give her permission to share their information."Conner:
"That's all? Does your friend not have more?"Charlie looks uncomfortable and turns away to look at objects in the room, spotting a shelf stuffed with folders and a few odd baubles, statuettes, and a small framed photo of a child, around seven years old.
Basit looks over to Charlie as he pokes at a strange object on the shelf, trying to ignore them.
Basit looks back up at Conner.
Basit:
"He says he doesn't know anything about it."Conner's lip tightens, and he shuts the tin with a soft click.
Charlie turns around and sees Conner standing behind him. His face is human again, but uncomfortably close. Charlie leans away, uneasy.
Charlie:
"Can you please stop doing that…"After a long, awkward pause, Conner's lips crook, and he pulls away. The spider legs fold back out of view.
Conner:
"Alright. I'll get my things together."-
Noon
The three of them step out of the apartment building. Conner carries a large briefcase.
Conner:
"Did you drive here?"Basit:
"We took the bus."Conner gestures for them to follow and leads them to his car, a 1987 Lincoln Town Car, Delray Edition.
Charlie's face lights up.
Charlie:
"Hey, is this the Delray—"Conner gives a quick dismissive glance as he opens the driver's door.
Conner:
"Get in."Charlie, dispirited, gets in the rear seat.
-
Conner driving:
"And your name is?"Charlie:
"I go by Charlie."After a moment of awkward silence—
Charlie:
"I don't think I caught yours either."Conner:
"Conner Edwards. Abnormal investigator."Charlie:
"Cool… Does it pay well?"Conner:
"What makes you an Abnormal, Charlie?"Charlie, confused:
"Uh…"Basit:
"He's Immortal—"Conner:
"Immortal as in indestructible, or infinitely repairing?"Charlie's brows furrow:
"Repairing."Basit:
"And his body can separate and snap back together—like a magnet. It's kinda neat."Conner's lip tightens, and his brow furrows.
Conner:
"How was this state bestowed upon you?"Charlie shifts uncomfortably and looks out the window.
Charlie:
"I don't remember."Conner studies him through the mirror, eyes narrow with suspicion.
Charlie pulls out his phone while Basit and Conner talk.
Conner mutters:
"Is he a friend of Nora?"Basit glances at him.
Basit, flat:
"Yes…"

-Daniel-
[Charlie] Hey, ball later? :waves: :basketball:
[Charlie]I promise I'll actually play this time. :crossedfingers:

Charlie looks back up and watches the buildings pass.
-
Conner parks in front of Nora's diner, and everyone exits. Charlie lags behind as he checks his phone. The message is delivered, but unread.
They enter the diner.
Hyphae greets them as they enter.
Hyphae:
"Hello, Conner. Hello, Basit. Hello, Charlie."Basit:
"Hey, Hyphae."Charlie waves as they pass.
Conner walks towards the back and enters the office. Nora looks up and smiles widely, standing up.
Nora:
"Conner Edwards!"Conner smiles:
"Salut, Nora."
^{Hello}
She hugs him and turns her head as Conner kisses both of her cheeks. She pulls away and motions for him to sit.
She turns to Basit and Charlie.
Nora:
"You two go on. I'll get Conner settled in."As Charlie leaves the room, Nora stops Basit.
Nora:
"Keep an eye on him, will you? If he's being targeted, we can't let our guard down."Basit nods and leaves the office.
Conner:
"Where shall I be staying?"Nora, friendly smile:
"My house, of course. I want to make sure you have space. I have a very roomy basement you can set up in for the duration of your stay."Conner:
"Are there bugs?"Nora:
"A few. And you're welcome to that pesky little dog that keeps getting into my roses."Conner grins:
"C'est parfait."
^{Perfect.}-
Charlie walks from the diner, looking at his phone again.
Basit catches up:
"Hey."Charlie looks over:
"Hey—something else I'm needed for, or can I go home?"Basit:
"No, I'm just going to walk you home."Charlie:
"Why?"Basit, flat:
"Because I said so."Charlie raises a brow and continues walking.
Charlie:
"Okay…"The two walk down the street for a while.
Charlie:
"Nora and Conner seem close."Basit:
"Mhm."Charlie, interested:
"Is there a thing there?"Basit, amused:
"Hah—no."They pass the park, the ball court empty, Charlie glancing out at it.
Basit:
"These packages—"Charlie sighs, exasperated.
Basit:
"I don't know what's going on, but it's best we figure it out fast. If you know anything—"Charlie, annoyed:
"So Nora set you up to this?"Basit:
"She asked me to keep an eye on you and make sure you're safe—"Charlie:
"Of course she did."Basit, irritated:
"I'm the one asking you what you know about those creepy fucking packages."Charlie:
"I already told Nora, I don't know."They continue to walk in silence.
-
They reach the apartment building, passing several parked cars—a red Ford, a black Toyota, a white Honda, among others.
Basit:
"I believe you don't know anything about what's going on—"Charlie:
"Oh, you do? Damn, guess that means I don't need to be strapped up to the polygraph for more interrogation—what a shame."Basit, irritated:
"
but maybe you know something relevant to it that you don't even realize is involved."*Charlie:
"I don't."Basit:
"I'm just saying, talk to Conner—"They reach his door.
Charlie:
"Just drop it."Charlie swings open his door, knocking a large, unsealed package across the floor.
Both stare at it. Charlie steps forward and kneels, opening it, Basit following behind, peering in. Both stare in horror; an arm covered in tattoos sits inside.
Basit:
"Daniel—"Charlie pushes past her and rushes down the hall. He sprints out of the building and into the street.
Tears stream down his panicked face. A red static consumes his vision. Charlie's bare, dirty feet run through the woods.
He passes the park and gets to a mobile home on a small lot by some other run-down residential homes.
He bangs on the door and shouts desperately.
Charlie:
"Daniel!"He tries to open the door, but it's locked. Confused and panicked, he tries to force it open. Basit catches up to him and pushes him to the side. She grabs the door handle and rips it open, breaking the lock with ease. As the door swings open, it knocks a small food bowl off the porch steps. Charlie rushes in and sees Daniel's body lying in the middle of the floor, butchered into pieces. The pattern of the cuts resembles Charlie's bands. Both of Daniel's arms are absent, but in the place of the left one lies Charlie's left, fingerless arm.
Basit's body deforms with her rage. Her voice fades as Charlie drops to the floor.
Basit:
"Who the fuck would do this? I'll—I'll kill them! I'll tear them apart—!"Charlie falls to his side in shock, consumed by red.
-
Charlie's bloody arm lies on an undone leather arm strap bolted to the concrete ground. Parchments are scattered around the floor.
Through the red static, the vague outline of a silver blade shifts, shimmering and dripping blood.
Charlie stares down at his dirty and bloodied feet. He walks a dark path by an uneven rocky wall.
Everything fades to black.
-
Charlie is lying on a couch, staring up at the ceiling in Nora's house.
He rolls over and sits up.
Basit, sitting nearby:
"Hey…"His still-dazed face looks down at the reattached arm.
Basit:
"It was—I thought you would want it reattached."He looks down at his fingerless left hand, vision obscured by red static.
Charlie looks away, eyes closed tight. He stands up and walks to the kitchen.
Nora and Conner sit at the dining table. On the table in front of them are the notes, pictures of the scene, and several photos of other victims.
Conner:
"
Non, not mad. Or at least not chaotic. These attacks were precisely planned."*
^{No}
Conner:
"She said there was an arm—?"Nora:
"Hyphae has it. It's with the rest of his remains. But the other one is still missing."Conner:
"Like the others."Charlie walks in and begins looking through Nora's cupboards.
Nora looks up:
"What are you doing?"Charlie:
"I don't gamble, but if you're not the type of person to have a bottle of whiskey stashed somewhere, then I need to lose 20 bucks to someone."Nora:
"
Left-most cabinet."*Charlie weakly:
"Hah…"He grabs it and a glass sitting at the table. His eyes catch the photos in front of Conner, the static returning. He quickly looks away and downs the whiskey as Basit walks into the room.
Conner puts his hand to his jaw in thought, his eyes staying on the files in front of him.
Conner:
"I would press him for more information."Basit frowns:
"I don't think now is a good time."Conner stern:
"Tch! Seven Abnormals are dead, possibly more! Time and sensibilities are not a luxury we have."Nora ponders:
"What could do this? kill so many of us so easily—"Charlie downs another glass, places it down with a loud clink, and walks out of the kitchen.
Nora:
"Where are you going?"Charlie:
"Home."Basit:
"I'll come with you—"Charlie snaps:
"I'm immortal, remember?"He turns and waves his hand dismissively.
Charlie:
"Just—"He walks out of the house.
-
Charlie enters his apartment. He stands there, dazed and in the dark.
He stirs to step over to his kitchenette and pour a drink. He sits down on his couch, the TV lights up his zombied face, and his eyes tear up.

Late Noon
Nora briskly walks down the street on her phone.

-Hyphae & Conner-
[Conner] Any news?
[Nora] Nothing useful. All packages were labeled as from different fake names and addresses with no residents, and they must have used post boxes away from any cameras.
[Conner] Send the names and addresses to me anyway.
[Nora] Will do.
[5#] No fingerprints.
[Nora] At all?
[5#] No.
[4#] Victims' occupations in order of our labeling:
Technician for a chemical manufacturing company
Truck driver for a business delivery company
Funeral planner at a local church
Advertising agent
Landscape contractor
Event planner
[Conner] Give me the list of those companies.
[Conner] And any Lab results?
[2#] Recurring results include trace amounts of Monopotassium phosphate, copper, metabasalt, and unakite.
[Nora] Thank you, Hyphae

She looks up and sighs, putting her phone in her pocket.
She steps into a convenience store to buy cigarettes. She notices Charlie in the store. He sets his basket down on the floor to use his right hand to grab the snacks and food. He keeps his left hand tucked in his hoodie pocket. She pays, takes the smokes, and then walks over to him.
Nora:
"Hey, Charlie, what are you doing?"Charlie turns:
"Oh, hey. I'm grabbing groceries. This place has the brands I like."Nora, concern:
"Are you.… holding up okay?"Charlie, masking smile:
"I'm fine."Nora, concerned:
"You are?"Charlie:
"Mhm."He walks past her.
Charlie:
"See you later."Nora watches him walk away, worried.
-
Charlie enters his apartment and places the bags on the kitchen counter. Stepping back towards the door, he takes his shoes off and stares down at his bare feet. Static creeps up the edges of his vision as the floor shifts into a dark, obscured pathway. Closing his eyes, he rubs his face and steps to the kitchenette. He pours a drink, the last in the bottle. Then walks to his couch and sits down. On the table sits the package full of his finger pieces. He turns on the TV. As another infomercial plays, he lifts open the box flap. He stares at the pieces before reaching over, grabbing and downing the drink.
-
Charlie sits on the floor, his knees up and slightly bent. He puts the finger pieces together on his left hand, one by one. The hand is now half complete but still missing the top third of the middle finger, along with the ring and pinky fingers.
He stares at it for a moment, flexing it and making half a fist. He sighs and leans back, picking up and staring at his now-empty glass.
-
Late evening
Charlie walks up to a bar and enters.
Kate is taller than Charlie, slender, curved, and pale. They have shoulder-length, black, shaggy wolf-cut hair. Soft makeup but bold around their green eyes, and a slight Adam's apple. They wear denim shorts, black heels, a long-sleeved pine green crop top sweater, and tights going up past their abdomen under their shirt.
Kate sits at the bar on their phone.

-Ayden-
[Ayden] dont mind her
[Ayden] shes just a old asshole
[Kate] An asshole I have to deal with. Unless you come pick me up so I can crash at your place.
[Ayden] Im out of town
[Ayden] can u get a ride?
[Kate] No, and I don't have a key.
[Ayden] u no how to pick a lock?
[Kate] You're funny.
[Ayden] not something u read up on?
[Ayden] thats a first
[Ayden] few hours and i can pick u up
[Kate] I'll simply die of boredom until then, I suppose.
[Ayden] im sure ull figure out a way to entertain urself

Charlie steps up to the counter and orders a drink. He keeps his incomplete hand in his pocket.
Kate sighs, rests their chin on their hand, and glances around the bar. They spot Charlie and their brows raise with interest. They stand up and walk over, sitting one seat away from where he stands.
Kate speaks up, getting his attention.
Kate:
"Hey. Sorry, I bet you get this all the time, but I like your tattoos."Charlie, surprise:
"You do?"Kate smiles:
"Yeah! They look cool."Charlie, flustered grin:
"Thanks…"Kate:
"Did the face part hurt? I can't imagine letting someone tattoo around my eyes!"Charlie shifts uncomfortably, turning his attention to his glass.
Charlie:
"Uh—I don't remember."Kate:
"Really?"
humored grin, "Were you drunk while you did it?"*Charlie speaks into his cup before drinking.
Charlie:
"Yup."Kate:
"You know alcohol thins your blood. Did you bleed?"Charlie falters, static at the edge of his vision. He clears his throat, masks with a witty smirk, and lifts his right hand for emphasis as he speaks.
Charlie:
"Yeah, all over the place. You should have seen the artist slip on his ass from the puddles."Kate chuckles:
"I'm surprised he didn't sue you."Charlie shrugs:
"I left a big tip—and a mop."He finishes his drink. Kate watches, amused.
Kate grins and finishes their drink.
Kate:
"Sit down, and I'll get you another."Charlie is momentarily surprised, then smiles and sits down beside Kate.
Kate motions for their glass and for the bartender to bring more.
Kate turns their attention to Charlie.
Kate:
"Is it just your face—"
They look at Charlie's hand "*
and hands? Or do you have more?"*Charlie:
"Pretty much all over."Kate:
"Cool."Kate rests their elbow on the counter and rests their jaw in their hand.
The bartender sets the drinks down.
Kate:
"So what brings you here? Plan on getting more tattoos?"Charlie, weak chuckle:
"I just needed to get out of my apartment for a bit."Kate:
"Domestic struggles?"Charlie sighs dramatically:
"Yeah, I couldn't take my liquor bottle's empty promises anymore. Between you and me, I think it's been cheating on me with the fridge."Kate chuckles.
Charlie:
"And you? Here to avoid a domestic too, or just needed some liquid confidence?"Kate:
"Hah, as if I need to be more insufferable. It makes for a good boredom killer, though."Charlie picks up his glass.
Charlie:
"Only killing boredom tonight?"Kate:
"Maybe, and looking for someone cool to show up. Maybe I got lucky tonight?"Charlie:
"Oh, definitely, you should probably get a lottery ticket before it runs out."Kate snorts and watches Charlie finish his drink
Kate:
"You get the next round?"Charlie:
"Ah—You may be lucky, but my wallet is not."Kate chuckles and finishes their drink.
Charlie:
"Besides, who needs drinks when my immaculate humor and charm is already so intoxicating?"Kate, smirking:
"You got me there. Do you live around here?"They lean in and lay a hand on Charlie's leg.
Kate:
"We could get out of here, and you can show me where else you're tattooed."Charlie finishes his drink and smiles.
Charlie:
"Yeah, I do."-
Kate follows Charlie down the hall in the apartment complex. Charlie stops at his door and gets his keys with his right hand, fumbling as he tries to unlock the door.
Kate looks up from their phone, amused.
Kate:
"You look like that isn't your dominant hand."Charlie:
"It's not—"
he lifts his other hand, "but that one's missing some pieces."*Kate's smile drops with mild embarrassment as Charlie returns the hand to his pocket.
Kate steps over, their faces close. They put one hand on his shoulder and the other over the keys in his hand.
Kate:
"Let me help you then."Charlie flusters, and Kate steps in front of him, unlocking the door. He pushes up against them and presses his nose into the hair on their neck. Kate leans into him, and Charlie pushes open the door. They stumble inside. Kate turns around, and their lips lock. Charlie kicks the door closed and guides them towards the bed. Kate slides their hands up Charlie's shirt and pulls both it and the jacket off. Kate eyes the marks around his torso and biceps as they sit on the edge of the bed. Kate pulls their shirt off, and Charlie leans over them, kissing around their neck as Kate kicks off their shoes. They grab something from their pocket and pull off their hose and shorts. Kate slides further onto the bed as Charlie slips out of the rest of his clothes and then crawls towards them. They kiss again, interrupted by Kate holding a condom in front of him. Charlie looks at it and then takes it with his teeth. He sits up, tearing it open, and puts it on. Kate sits up to push Charlie back, straddling him.
-
Late night, 1:47 a.m.
Charlie lies on the bed as he watches Kate pull their shorts on.
Kate goes to put their shirt on.
Charlie:
"You can stay a bit longer."Kate glances over their shoulder at him.
Charlie, shy:
"If you want, I mean."

Kate pulls their shirt on.
Kate:
"Thanks, but I don't have that kind of stamina."Kate slips on their shoes.
Charlie:
"Not like that."Kate looks over their shoulder.
Kate, amused:
"So, you're into aftercare cuddling?"Charlie, bashful:
"Maybe—and a little touch starved."Kate looks away, pondering for a moment. They pull out their phone.

-Ayden-
3 hours ago
[Kate] [Map ping]
[Ayden] lol have fun
Now
[Kate] Don't bother with the ride.

Kate slips their shoes off and walks back over to the bed, leaning towards Charlie, holding themself up by their hands.
Kate:
"If this is going to be a sleepover, I'll need to borrow something to sleep in."Charlie smiles:
"You can use whatever is in the top drawer."Kate steps away and then returns in some of Charlie's pajamas, getting into the bed. They lie beside Charlie, and the two wrap their arms around each other.
-
Black turns to red static. Charlie gasping and hyperventilating. He fades into view, covering his face with his hands. He is younger, his hair short, and his body covered in a thin layer of dried blood. He stands in pitch-black on a concrete floor covered in loose pages. He slowly looks over his hands and sees Daniel, dismembered on the floor.
Charlie jerks awake with a terrified yelp. Red static lingers around his vision. Charlie hunches over, hyperventilating. The red fades as his breathing slows. He looks down at his hands, shaking.
Kate sits at the kitchen table, legs up in the other seat, still in Charlie's pajamas, phone in hand.
Kate:
"You alright?"Charlie looks over, still a bit dazed.
Charlie rubs his face and gets up.
Charlie:
"I'm fine."He walks over to the kitchen area.
Kate:
"Nightmare?"Charlie pushes the unpacked groceries to the side.
Charlie, flat:
"I don't remember."Kate's phone buzzes in their hand.

-Ayden-
[Ayden] Had fun?
[Kate] I did.
[Ayden] oh good u didnt get murdered by a creep
[Kate] As if.

Charlie:
"Do you want some coffee or breakfast?"Kate smirks:
"I don't usually have breakfast with a one-night stand."Charlie, half-smiles:
"I don't usually have one-night stands."Kate smiles:
"Sure. To both."-
Kate, sitting at the table with a coffee, bobs one leg as they watch Charlie. He uses only his right hand as he cooks. Kate looks at his missing fingers on his left.
Kate:
"What's the story with your hand?"Charlie moves his hand out of sight, shifting uncomfortably.
Kate:
"I didn't mean to pry—"Charlie moves the cooked food to a plate with the spatula.
He sets the plate in front of Kate: bacon, eggs, and one pancake.
Charlie:
"Auto repair accident. Gotta be careful where you stick your hands."Kate flinches:
"Ouch."Charlie fills another plate with only pancakes and sits across from Kate as they eat.
Kate:
"You repair cars?"Charlie:
"Not professionally."Kate smiling:
"Cool. I have an old car, but it doesn't run."Charlie:
"What's wrong with it?"Kate:
"I don't know, the back blows black, nasty smoke, and it starts but just shuts off again."Charlie:
"Probably transmission then."Kate shrugs.
Kate:
"What got you into cars?"Charlie:
"I don't know. They look cool, and they're pretty predictable—when you know how they work."Kate:
"I don't get cars, but I get predictability."Charlie awkwardly:
"What about you? What do you do?"Kate:
"Remote accounting."-
Charlie puts the dishes on the counter and turns on the sink to wash them. Kate pulls on their clothes.
Kate:
"Thanks for breakfast."Kate spots the notepad on Charlie's end table.
Charlie:
"Any time."Charlie:
"I didn't catch your name."Kate writes something down on the notepad:
"Kate."Charlie:
"I'm Charlie."Charlie keeps his focus on the dishes.
Charlie, nervously:
"Maybe I could see you again sometime?"Charlie turns as Kate walks up to his side and sets a piece of paper down on the counter.
Kate, sly grin:
"I prefer text."Charlie, surprised, watches them leave, speaking belatedly as they close the door.
Charlie awkwardly:
"Se—Bye…"Charlie picks up and reads the piece of paper.'Kate They/Them 451-293-1205'Charlie grins, flustered.
Kate walks down the hallway of the apartment, hose draped across their forearm as they type on their phone.

[Kate] He's actually kind of sweet.

AfternoonCharlie sits at his kitchen table, TV on the typical channel in the back. He stares at his phone and the piece of paper Kate left, the number already entered for a new message.Charlie, frustrated:
"If I text now, I may seem desperate or creepy. If I text later, I'll seem uninterested."He drops his face down onto the table and groans. He stands from the table, picking up his phone.-Charlie walks down the street and into the convenience store. He stands in line, waiting. He spots some Skittles and grabs them, then steps up to the now-open counter. He points to a pack of cigarettes and gives cash.-Charlie sits on the steps outside his apartment, his phone in one hand, a mostly smoked cigarette in the other, left. He stares at the screen with Kate's number and a message typed.

[ Hi, it's me Charlie from last night| ]
[ Hi, it's me Charlie from this mornign | ]
[Hi| ]

Charlie looks up and sighs heavily, putting out the cigarette butt and leaning back to eat his candy.Charlie:
"I probably shouldn't get involved with anyone, anyway."Charlie's face tenses, and he looks down at the bag.Charlie:
"Damn it, I grabbed the sour ones..."He groans in disappointment but keeps chewing.Charlie:
"Eh, not so bad."He stands, pulls up his phone, and heads back inside the building while he types.

[Charlie] Hey, you! :wave: This is Charlie from earlier :smile:
Send

Send.He steps into his apartment, and his phone starts ringing. Surprised and in flustered anticipation, he answers it.Charlie, nervous:
"Hey you~"Nora:
[... I don't know what tone that was, but I never want to hear it from you again.]Charlie, disappointed:
"Oh—Nora."Nora:
[Come to my place.]
clickCharlie looks down at the phone, the call end screen switches to his messages, where Kate had responded.

-Kate-
[Kate] Well, hello. I have your number. Now you'll never be rid of me.

Charlie grins.

[Charlie] I'm fine with that :heart:

In Nora's basement, she and Conner wait for Charlie. On the wall is a fresh evidence board, only containing a few photos, all seven pieces of scripture, and some documents listing the victim's details.[View board #1]A few red webs already hang from the ceiling and walls, several more in a corner around his briefcase.Nora:
"What do we have so far?"Conner mutters:
"Trop peu."
^{{not enough}}Conner:
"They're all humanoid, their homes and the killings were within a hundred miles of each other. The murderer meticulously took one arm from each, left and right equally. No sign of struggle, despite the killing blow being a blade, stabbed straight through their cranium—before they were charcutés !"
^{butchered}He pauses and looks at one of the pictures of the victims.Conner frowns:
"And the cuts look familiar…"He turns away from the board.Conner:
"But the one suspect at the center of all this?"Conner snears, baring fangs.Conner:
"Clamped shut like an obstinate clam. So all I can do here is work with fragments while our main lead pleads amnesia and plays coy."Nora:
"He's not a suspect."Conner:
"As far as you believe."Nora:
"I know him, Conner. He didn't do this, he's a victim too."Conner:
"Tss. Even if that's true, it does not change the fact he's not cooperating."Nora:
"He says he doesn't remember anything that could help us."Conner:
"Quelle commodité."
^{{how convenient}}-Charlie enters the house, looking around for Nora.He walks by a Dobermann who lifts its head."Hello, Charlie."*Charlie:
"Hey. Where's Nora?"The Dobermann looks over towards the basement, and Charlie follows the direction.-Nora:
"This isn't his fault, Conner. He's a good kid."Conner:
"Many monsters appear good. No matter how far he's tangled up in this—he's involved. But he won't even lift a finger to help this case. Don't think his name is clear yet."Nora:
"...I'll talk to him."Charlie calls out:
"Nora?"Nora:
"Down here, Charlie!"Charlie steps to the basement's open door and looks down the stairs—static bleeds in.Nora steps over to the stairs, viewing Charlie, who looks disturbed.Charlie:
"I'll talk to you up here."Nora:
"Sure, I needed to speak to Hyphae anyway."She leaves Conner alone as he stares at the wall of evidence.Both Charlie and Nora walk back to the foyer.Charlie:
"Is there coffee?"Nora:
"In the kitchen."Charlie goes for it, and Nora stops by the Dobermann.Nora:
"Anything?"The Dobermann looks up.Dobermann Hyphae:
"Hello, Nora. We have been watching all the Abnormals on your list. One received a package of a similar size and shape to the others a moment ago. No one else has been seen yet."Nora:
"What's the address?"Hyphae:
"We will text it to you."Charlie walks over with his coffee.Nora:
"Thanks, Hyphae."Hyphae:
"Any tim—"The Dobermann Hyphae winces and yelps in pain. A few mushroom growths sprout around their head for a moment, then fade again.Charlie, concerned:
"You alright, Hyphae?"Hyphae's face relaxes again, the growths sinking back into their body.Hyphae:
"Yes, we are fine. One of us was killed. That is all."Charlie:
"Killed…?"Nora:
"It wasn't the murderer, was it?"Hyphae:
"No. Our shape was a mouse, and that was a very large cat."Nora steps away with her phone out.Charlie:
"Wait, so you feel all the others' pain?"Hyphae:
"Of course."Charlie:
"How many of you are there? If one of you stubs a toe, do the rest of you yell 'Ouch!'?"Hyphae:
"No, it's usually more like a memory at the back of the mind for small things like that. But death and terror reach all of us directly."Charlie:
"But like—how do you process all that?"Hyphae:
"We have many brains to process it all. Some can't handle as much as others, so we share the load as needed."Charlie:
"Huh. Sounds… kinda useful?"Hyphae:
"We are."Nora steps back to them, coat on.Nora:
"Charlie, mind coming with me?"Charlie, uncomfortable:
"To see if I've been mailed to someone else's house? Yeah… no, thanks."Nora:
"Basit will be looking into that. Come on, I'll buy lunch."Charlie's interest piques, and he follows.-Nora drives with Charlie in the passenger seat. He eats an overstuffed breakfast wrap with his left hand, his phone in the other.

-Kate-
[Kate] You say that now. I guess we'll see how long that lasts.
[Charlie] Well how about we meet up again :wink: and you can try to prove me wrong :laugh:
[Kate] Miss me already?
[Kate] I'm free tomorrow. There's a museum a few blocks from where we met.
[Charlie] I'm down :thumbsup:
[Kate] Cool.

Nora, mild disgust:
"How do you eat those things?"Charlie:
"Hm?"Nora:
"It's just grease, cheese, and potatoes."Charlie:
"You just named all the best parts."Nora:
"Ugh."Charlie getting excitable:
"Do you have any taste buds, woman?!"Nora side-eyes him:
"No."Charlie:
"Wow, no wonder you're like this."Nora gives a humored smile, and Charlie finishes his food.Charlie speaks with his mouth still half full.Charlie:
"So what is it you're dragging me to?"Nora:
"I have an appointment to assign a mask."Charlie:
"Oh, neat."He looks back down at his phone.

-Kate-
[Kate] The museum at 10 a.m. then.
[Charlie] :tada: I'll be there!

Nora:
"I can still assign you one too, you know."Charlie looks up:
"Assign what—?"Nora:
"A mask."Charlie:
"Why? I already look human."Nora:
"I know. I mean—if your marks or your hand bother you—"Charlie looks away:
"It's fine."They sit in silence for a moment, Charlie looking out the window.Nora:
"How's bills?"Charlie avoids eye contact.Charlie:
"...Fine."Nora:
"Let me know if you need help, Charlie."Charlie, shame:
"I'm fine, Nora. You've done enough for me."Nora:
"That's not how this works, Charlie. We help each other wherever we can."Charlie:
"Take up the load others can't?"Nora:
"Exactly."Charlie:
"..."Charlie:
"Thanks, Nora—"She glances at him.Charlie:
"...for everything."Nora gives a warm smile.Charlie sits up:
"But there's more important things than me right now."Nora's smile drops.-Late noonThey reach a nice residential area, and Nora parks in front of a small house with all the curtains closed. The two step out, head for the door, and ring the bell. The door opens, no one in view as Nora and Charlie step in. Charlie looks up, surprised to see a humanoid Abnormal with three heads, their necks long and flexible.DRA:
"Ello!""Sup.""..."Nora:
"Dra, I presume?"R:
"D. R. A."D:
"I'm D!"Nora:
"My mistake. You're a unique one."D:
"Thank you!"R:
"Duh."Nora:
"I have to admit, I'm not sure how your situation will affect the mask. My best guess is only one of you will be able to talk at a time."R:
"We'll manage."D:
"Oh, this is exciting, I wonder what we will look like!"Nora:
"Well, normally I could let you decide, but—I imagine making a decision may take a while."R:
"Just get on with it."Nora pulls up her sleeves and steps up to them. Charlie leans against the wall as he watches. Her body changes to a ghostly-white plasma, and she places her hands on them. The white spreads up from her hands and covers their body.D:
"Oh, that tickles!"It covers them entirely, and their shape starts to warp and shrink, taking the form of a human silhouette. She breaks away, her hands gone at the wrist. They quickly reform, and both figures of light fade into their human appearance.DRA looks around and blinks, one eye before the other. Nora watches them with concern.The human DRA speaks, seemingly switching between the three personalities.R:
"This is w—"D:
"So cool!"R:
"Don't interrupt me!"Nora, amused smile:
"It may take you time to get used to it, and to learn how to not fight over your words."A:
"This is going to end horribly."D:
"No, it isn't! How much do we owe you?"R:
"D, we already paid her."D:
"Oh, right."Nora:
"Let me know if you have any issues with the mask or the humans. I can call in some favors when I need to, but I suggest, due to your unique situation, you still try to limit contact and keep a low profile."DRA:
"Thank you, Nora."Nora smiles, and she and Charlie go to leave.Nora:
"Oh, and one more thing, if you happen to receive a strange package not addressed to you, please don't open it, and inform me immediately."Charlie, uncomfortable, looks away as she mentions it.D:
"Alright, I will!"A:
"Addressed to Chin?"Nora, worry:
"Yes! Do you have one?"R:
"No, but Bismuth on Cherry road does—"Nora, desperate:
"Where? We need to get to them!"-The car drives up to another house, parking haphazardly in the driveway. Nora rushes out, not closing the door behind her. DRA tentatively follows her, shutting the door. Charlie hesitates and slowly gets out of the car. He nears the door, hearing Nora shout "Fuck!" in the distance. He enters the house. DRA covers their mouth and stares. Nora pulls out her phone to call Conner. The cream-colored walls shift to the fake wood paneling of Daniel's trailer. Charlie stares at the body, only seeing Daniel, the static obscuring his vision as he stares, blank and disassociated.Nora:
"Conner, there's another—"Charlie spots the package out of the corner of his eye, sitting open on a decorative table. He steps over to it and reaches his hand in. As he lifts his hand back out, the finger piece snaps into place.-Early eveningThe front of the house, the door closed, both Nora's and Conner's cars in the yard. Charlie stands outside the house, alone, with a smoke. He stares down at his feet.Nora steps out of the house, looking tired. She looks at Charlie.Nora:
"Come on, let's go. Conner will handle it from here."Charlie follows her to the car.They ride silently, Charlie staring out of the window with a blank, tired expression.Nora parks at the diner and gets out of the car. Basit stands outside, waiting for them.Nora:
"Did you find anything?"Basit:
"Yeah—Well, no. I mean, I found the Abnormal and the package, but it wasn't one we're looking for. Just some product they ordered online."Nora:
"I wish that were more of a relief."Basit:
"Did something happen?"Nora, grim:
"We found another one."Charlie gets out of the car and walks away. Nora looks at him.Nora:
"Want to come in for some coffee?"Charlie doesn't answer and continues walking.Nora:
"Charlie?"Both watch him leave.-Charlie walks down the street. The world warps into red static, his feet, bare and bloodied, walking down the damp, dirtied concrete path. He reaches up his right arm to his sweaty face, a thin layer of caked blood and dirt left behind as he wipes the sweat off. He places his hand on the tunnel wall. He is younger, his hair shorter, and his body bare, covered in a light layer of dirt and dried blood. He bumps into someone on the street.Stranger, agitated:
"Watch where the fuck you're going!"Charlie reels back, surprised and confused.Anwir steps out of the flower shop. He looks at Charlie with concern and steps up to him.Anwir:
"Are you alright?"Charlie looks at him, the static warping his view of the man into a reflective visor.Charlie looks scared and flees.A dark colored car sits in an alleyway that Charlie runs past.The streets around him warp into a dense forest.He enters his apartment, static obscuring most of his vision as he stares down at Daniel's severed arm in the box in front of him. The box and the static fade as he drops to his knees and begins to sob.Charlie:
"He's dead… He's dead!"He repeats this several times, hyperventilating and sobbing.He falls onto his side on a concrete floor.His words trail and warp, "I'm dead."*The world around him goes dark, and he lies fetal, younger, wearing only shorts, his left arm missing, his body caked in a thin layer of blood and mud.He continues to repeat"I'm dead."The words slowly warp again as he fades into the static."I'm dead… I'm dead…""I'm…"



"I'm dying…"

Charlie is on the floor of his apartment, out cold.
Kate sits at the museum entrance, waiting. They look down at their phone. 10:30 a.m.
They open their text with Charlie.

-Charlie-
40 minutes ago
[Kate] I'm here.
30 minutes ago
[Kate] Slept in, did you?
Now
[Kate] Cool…

Kate opens Ayden's texts.

-Ayden-
[Kate] Well, it seems I've been stood up.
[Ayden] maybe somethins up
try calling?

Kate sighs, annoyed. They call.
Charlie's phone rings, but he is unresponsive.
The call goes to voicemail. Kate hangs up, sighs again with a disappointed frown, and stands. They walk off as they type.

-Ayden-
[Kate] No answer. I'm heading home.
[Ayden] sorry kate
[Kate] Of course, the 'nice guy' ghosts me.
[Ayden] want to come over?
[Kate] Yeah.
[Ayden] omw

-
Charlie's bedside alarm goes off, 11 a.m.
He stirs, pulls himself up, and crawls onto the bed. Still dazed, he turns the alarm off and crawls onto his bed. A crow sits outside the window, looking in.
He curls into a ball again, and everything goes black.
-
His morning alarm goes off again at 11 a.m. It wakes him with a jolt. He sits up and looks over, then turns it off, seemingly confused. He rubs his face, stands, and unsteadily walks to his sink. He rinses off his face, leaning over, propping himself up on the sink with his arms. His stomach growls. He finds a pre-packaged convenience store sandwich in his fridge.
He sits at his table and tries to eat, still out of it. He rubs his eyes, more than half the sandwich still uneaten. His phone buzzes in his pocket. He pulls it out and looks at the notification list.

[Nora Message (2)]
[Kate Message (3)]
[Kate Missed Call]
[Nora Missed Call]

He reads Kate's messages first, then looks at the clock, 11:07 a.m.Charlie:
"Damn it!"He calls Kate.Kate's phone rings on a bedside table beside Ayden, who is asleep in the bed. He is shirtless, back broad and scarred, with toned arms. His hair is a deep ginger red, straight and messy at the top with a tapered shave at the bottom, his ears pierced up to the helix.Kate steps over, picks it up, and answers it, holding it with their shoulder as they continue stirring their coffee.Kate:
"Hello?"Charlie, nervous:
"Kate! I'm so sorry I'm late, are you at the museum? I can still meet—"Kate, pissed:
"Are you high?!"Ayden wakes and looks up at Kate. His eyes are a light brown, nearly gold, and his brow is pierced.Charlie:
"What? No, I—"clickKate hangs up.Charlie, confused, goes to their messages and starts to type.

[Im sorry I'm just a little| ]

He spots where Kate's messages say 'yesterday'Charlie, dread:
"I lost a day?"Confused, he sets down his phone and rubs his face.Kate tosses their phone onto the bed.Ayden sits up:
"You alright?"Kate snaps:
"I'm fine."They place their mug on the bedside table with a heavy thud and sit on the bed, arms crossed in a huff.Charlie picks up his phone again and starts to type.Ayden chuckles.Kate:
"What are you laughing at?"Ayden:
"You usually don't get upset over being rejected."Kate, annoyed:
"I wasn't rejected."Ayden:
"I'm just saying, it's cute to see you actually interested in someone. Sorry, it didn't go well."Kate:
"Yeah, well… that's what I get."Kate's phone buzzes, the screen showing the notification.

[Charlie Message (1)]

Kate looks away from it.Ayden, sly smile:
"Gonna check that?"Kate:
"Why should I?"Ayden takes the phone and gets up, wearing only a pair of silk boxer briefs. He steps around the bed to Kate, holding it out in front of them. They look up at him as he speaks.Ayden:
"Because either it's bullshit and you can get a kick out of it, or it's a valid excuse and you'll give him a chance."Kate glares at him and takes the phone. Ayden grabs some black cargo pants from a chair in the corner of the room and walks out. Kate looks at the phone.

-Charlie-
[Charlie] Kate I'm really sorry, I swear I'm not high or anything I just lost track of time. Im just really stressed out I guess.
[Charlie] Can I still take you to the museum today? :pleading:
[Kate] While they're closed on a Sunday?
[Charlie] Then let me take you somewhere else, anywhere. Your choice.

Kate sets their phone down with a sigh.
Charlie stares down at his phone, waiting for a response.

[Kate] You'd better have a good excuse for standing me up. I'll be there in half an hour.

Charlie jumps up, "Yes!"*
and rushes to get ready.Kate walks into the dining room of Ayden's house, where Ayden is making himself coffee.Kate, still upset:
"Can you give me a ride?"Ayden grins:
"Valid excuse?"Kate pulls on their coat.Kate:
"That remains to be seen."-Charlie is sitting on his bed, pulling on his shoes with his toothbrush sticking out of his mouth. He stands, pushes his arms through his hoodie, and heads for the bathroom. He spits in the sink, then shifts uncomfortably. He tugs on his shirt collar and sees the tag at the front.Charlie:
"Damn it."He pulls his shirt and coat off.Ayden and Kate, in a red compact pickup truck, pull up in front of Charlie's apartment building.Ayden smiles:
"Have fun."Kate, still annoyed, side-eyes him and grabs their mini backpack.Kate:
"He's lucky he's cute."Ayden chuckles.-Kate steps up to Charlie's door. They knock.Charlie rushes to open the door but stops, his hand on the handle. He looks down at his now complete middle finger. He pulls off the tip, slips it into his pocket, and then opens the door.He smiles awkwardly and nervously greets them—Charlie:
"H-hey, you!"Kate, stern:
"Ready?"Charlie's smile drops:
"Yeah."He steps out and shuts the door behind him. Kate is already walking away, arms crossed.-The two of them walk down the street. The weather is overcast. A crow flies over them.Kate:
"So—"Charlie looks over to them, Kate eyeing him.Kate:
"What's the excuse?"Charlie looks away:
"Uh, I don't really know how to explain it. It's… been a pretty fucked up couple of weeks. I guess it all just got to me and I slept away a day—apparently."Kate listens but stays silent.Charlie, nervous:
"So… Where do you want to go?"Kate sighs:
"I don't know, I'm sure we'll find something. If nothing else, there's a nice cafe a few miles away."Charlie smiles:
"Sounds good."They walk by the flower shop while Anwir sets some flower bundles outside. Charlie glances back at the flowers, and Anwir spots Charlie, waving with a warm smile.-They walk past the park with the basketball court. Kate looks over to Charlie and grins.Kate:
"Come on."Charlie, strained wit:
"Did you know you have a very high chance of getting struck by lightning in parks?"Kate raises a brow.Charlie:
"Yeah, I guess Thor really hates public spaces. So—maybe let's skip parks today?"Kate, sly grin:
"You said anything I want."Charlie hesitates and follows, his demeanor becomes cold and closed off.Kate:
"The park at the north end of the city decorates every year for Christmas. It's beautiful."Charlie: …Kate leads him to the ball court. Charlie's expression is anxious dread. Kate picks up an abandoned basketball from a bench. They walk up to Charlie with a smile.Kate:
"Ever play ball?"Charlie flat:
"No."Kate:
"It's never too late to learn."Kate grins and tosses the ball to him.Charlie reaches up belatedly to catch it. It slips past his fingers and bounces off his chest.Charlie's voice cracks:
"Can we leave now?"Kate, agitated:
"Fine."They walk away from the ball court and out of the park.Kate crosses their arms.
Kate, short:
"Cafe then?"Charlie doesn't respond, staring down at his feet, face pale.Kate glances at him, then looks away, annoyed.-They reach the cafe, the crow is perched in a tree in front of the building.Kate walks in, and Charlie follows through the door, entering Daniel's trailer. He stares at Daniel's body, beginning to panic and hyperventilate. He drops to the floor.Kate looks back and sees Charlie. They rush over to him.Kate:
"Charlie? Are you alright?"Charlie starts to shake and whimper.Kate:
"What's wrong?"Charlie pukes and drops, everything going dark.-Charlie wakes up in a hospital, Kate sitting in a chair in the corner of the room on their phone. He reaches a hand up to rub his face. Kate notices him move and gets up to step over to his bed.Kate, softly:
"Hey… You alright?"Charlie rolls over and looks at them.Charlie:
"Oh yeah. Never better."Kate, weak smile:
"Well, if this is your best, I can't imagine your worst."Charlie weakly chuckles, then looks up.Charlie:
"Why am I in a hospital?"Kate:
"You kinda started freaking out and went unconscious."Charlie:
"Sorry."Kate:
"They said you probably had a panic attack. They gave you some medication to help."Charlie sits up:
"I want to go home."Kate:
"I'll get someone."-Kate is in the waiting room.Charlie is still in the hospital bed getting ready to leave, the nurse unhooks his IV.Nurse:
"Do you mind answering some questions before you leave?"Charlie, hesitant:
"I guess?"Charlie pulls his jacket on as she talks.Nurse:
"Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following: Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge?"Charlie:
"Uh—sometimes…"Nurse:
"Would you say 'several days', 'Over half the days', or 'Nearly every day'?"Charlie, meek:
"Nearly every day…"Nurse:
"Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much?"Charlie:
"
..Nearly every day."*Nurse:
"Poor appetite or overeating?"Charlie hesitates, ashamed:
"Uhm… Nearly every day."Nurse:
"Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen?"Charlie:
"Every day..."Nurse:
"Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way?"Charlie grimaces:
"
.."*-EveningCharlie is checking out, the nurse hands him a few papers.Nurse:
"Here's your bill, visit summary, and prescription. You can fill it at your local pharmacy."Charlie hands the prescription back and walks away.They leave the hospital.Kate:
"Why didn't you take the prescription?"Charlie:
"I can't afford meds that don't even work."-The two walk down the street,Kate:
"Are you alright?"Charlie:
"I'll be fine. Sorry that just kind of happens sometimes."They walk in silence for a moment.Kate:
"Passing out?"Charlie:
"No, I just…"Kate listening.Charlie:
"Feel like I'm somewhere else, sometimes—I guess."Kate's brows furrow in sympathy, and they look down in thought.Kate:
"Is one of those episodes why you missed our date?"Charlie, looking down:
"Yeah."-They reach his apartment and go inside. Charlie sits on his bed, only turning on his bedside light and pulling his shoes off, looking exhausted.Kate:
"You alright? Do you need anything?"Charlie:
"I'll be fine. Thanks."Kate nods and walks to the door. Charlie lies on his bed with a shaky sigh. Kate opens the door and pauses, glancing back at him. They close the door and walk over to the bed.Charlie looks up at them.Charlie:
"I'm fine, you can go home."Kate:
"Do you want to be alone, or would you rather I stay?"Charlie's brows furrow, and he looks away.Charlie:
"I—"Charlie, masking grin:
"I would never say no to your company."Kate gives a soft smile and stands up, walking over to Charlie's dresser and grabbing pajamas.Kate walks back over in Charlie's clothes and crawls into the bed beside him, face to face.Charlie looks at them with a weak smile.Charlie:
"Sorry I keep fucking up our dates."Kate smiles:
"I suppose you're just going to have to keep making it up to me."Charlie smiles and closes his eyes.-late NightKate is sitting up in the bed, Charlie's head and arm in their lap while they're on their phone.

-Ayden-
[Ayden] checking in
[Kate] We had to stop at the hospital.
[Ayden] what r u ok?
[Kate] It was for Charlie. He had a panic attack.
[Ayden] O. shit

Kate looks down at Charlie, restlessly sleeping, face occasionally twisting into fear or pain.

[Kate] I think he has PTSD.
[Ayden] O. damn
[Ayden] u do like them kinda fucked up huh
[Kate] Fuck you.
[Ayden] <3
[Ayden] valid excuse?
[Kate] Valid excuse.

-Charlie, sleeping restlessly, wakes up with a sharp gasp. His breath calms, and he sits up, seeing Kate sitting by him on the bed with their phone. Kate looks down and smiles.Kate:
"Morning."Charlie, weak smile:
"Morning."-Kate sits at the table with a coffee, watching Charlie as he fixes a cup of his own.Kate:
"So.…"Charlie looks over, curious.Kate:
"Your panic attacks, do they happen often?"Charlie tenses and looks away again.Kate:
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."Charlie sighs:
"No, not usually, but they have been happening a lot more lately."Charlie:
"Sorry for being an ass at the park yesterday. I just—"He looks away.Charlie's voice cracks:
"I guess it just—uh—."Charlie's hand shakes by the cup's handle.Kate:
"Brings up some bad memories?"Charlie:
"Kind of."Kate stands up and hugs him from behind.Kate:
"It's alright. Thank you for telling me, though. I did think you were being an ass."-Charlie sits across from Kate and places two plates on either side, several pancakes on his, and one with some eggs on theirs.Kate looks from the food to him and smiles.Kate:
"Keep this up, I'm going to think we're dating."Charlie:
"Are we—not?"Kate:
"We could be, but what do you want out of it?"Charlie confused:
"What do you mean?"Kate:
"Do you want something casual, a fuck buddy, marriage? I prefer to know what's expected of me."Charlie:
"I'm not sure."Charlie thinks for a while as Kate eats.Charlie:
"I just know I like you, and I want some form of intimacy. But I've been avoiding that for a while, so I'm probably really bad at it."
He finishes speaking with a nervous chuckle.Charlie watches Kate expectantly, but they don't respond, looking away, pondering.Charlie looks down at his food, nervous.Kate:
"I like you, Charlie– so far. So if we're going to continue, then I need to set out some boundaries."Charlie looks up, full attention.Kate, strict:
"I don't do marriage, and I don't do monogamy. I have a boyfriend, he's protective but not the jealous type– I don't do jealous types. I'm not his, and I'm not yours."Kate's tone softens, and they give a coy grin.Kate:
"But if I like you, and you like me, then we can spend plenty of time together."Charlie smiles:
"That's fine with me."Kate:
"Good, just say something if that changes."They go back to eatingKate:
"Oh—One more thing."Charlie looks up again.Kate:
"If we're going to continue to have sex, I prefer we share our 'medical history'."Charlie:
"Oh, like STI—stuff?"Kate nods.Charlie:
"Sure… Uhm—"Kate:
"If cost is an issue, I know a reproductive health clinic with a sliding fee."Charlie relieved:
"Great, send me their info."-Kate goes to leave, but they stop and turn back to Charlie, pecking him on the lips.Kate:
"See you later."Kate smiles and leaves. Charlie turns away with a giddy expression.-Charlie tidies up his apartment, coming across the hospital bill on his coffee table. He stares at it for a moment before picking up his phone and opening his and Nora's texts.

-Nora-
2 Days ago
[Nora] Are you ok?
Yesterday
[Nora] Please call soon

Charlie types out:

[ I'm fine. I had to go to the hospital and idk if i can pay| ]

He hesitates, then backspaces and sends:

[Charlie] I'm fine.

Charlie steps to the kitchenette, tosses the bill on the counter, and grabs a drink.

MorningNora sits at her dining table, going through papers.Her eyes are baggy, and a mug sits with a small coffee liqueur bottle nearby.Conner enters the house, walking through the foyer and past the dining area. Nora looks at him and leans back to speak—Conner:
"I'll be in the basement. Don't disturb me."She closes her mouth and turns to the papers, rubbing her eyelids.-The basement has more webs scattered around; the original webs by the suitcase are now thicker, more numerous, and cluttered with documents, tools, and other objects.Conner pulls up a chair and turns it backwards, sitting in it and staring at the board. He reaches his arms out, and three spider legs reach down. One by one, they puncture his wrists. The first one is only coated in red, the second and third carry a red string from each wrist. They reach up towards the board to make a few connections and write several notes. They pull back and fold up again.He leans forward, elbows on the back of the chair, hands in front of his mouth as he ponders.
[View board #2]

His brow furrows in frustration.Nora steps into the basement.Nora:
"I know you said not to disturb you, but I know you well enough to also know that just means do disturb you after you've had time to stump yourself—"Conner grumbles. She stands beside him and hands him a cup of tea.Nora:
"—and need someone to talk it out with."Conner leans back and takes the cup.Conner:
"I think this is some sort of ritual."Nora:
"For what?"Conner:
"I don't know. Normally, I would believe it to simply be something for the killer to follow along, to bring stability to their actions. Mais… Charlie's part in this gives me pause."
^{But}Nora:
"How does this help?"Conner:
"All pieces of information form a greater picture, but where all the pieces fit, I'm not sure yet."Conner, frustrated:
"Bordel, I feel like I'm overlooking something."
^{damn}Nora:
"You're being too hard on yourself."Conner:
"With these stakes, there's no such thing as too hard."Nora:
"I disagree. Push yourself too far, and you're no use to anyone. Take care of yourself, Conner."Conner grumbles:
"You sound like Basit."Nora chuckles, and Conner looks at the notes on Charlie.Conner:
"Do you have anything else on the kid?"Nora:
"Charlie? No."Conner:
"He's still not talking?"Nora:
"…"Conner:
"How did you meet him? I've seen the Charlie now, you've shown me bits of the Charlie before. But you haven't told me about the in-between, when you first met him."Nora:
"I don't see how it would help."Conner:
"Greater picture."Nora sighs:
"Fine. Well, first of all, the amnesia thing is true. He was found on the side of the road up in Blue Ridge. No ID, no personal items, nothing. I have a contact in their police force. He called me when they couldn't find any trace of his family or identity."Conner:
"And you adopted him like a stray puppy?"Nora:
"He had no idea who or where he was. It was pretty easy to figure out he was an Abnormal. Giving shelter, safety, and community to Abnormals is what I do, Conner."Conner:
"And you dote over everyone like this? Tu parles."
^{{as if}}Nora:
"I want to protect him, Conner, from himself and whatever is going on. He's a good kid. He deserves to be happy."Conner leans forward on the chair's back.Conner:
"So you don't know what he could have been up to before? And you're only just now keeping an eye on him with Hyphae?"Nora:
"He's been through a lot. I try to give him space."Conner looks back at the board and stares at it.Conner:
"So you don't exactly know how involved he is in this?"Conner peers at the part from note #1:'—Blessed shall be made more—a Scion of our God."*Nora frowns:
"I know him well enough to know he wouldn't—"Her phone rings. She picks it up and steps a few feet away. Conner stands and walks up to the board.Nora:
"Hello? … Yes, it will, thank you!"Nora hangs up and turns to Conner.Nora:
"We may have a lead!"Conner perks up.Nora:
"Might—One of my contacts says they overheard someone talking about anonymous package drop-offs for pay. They described packages out of the norm that fit the description. They're dropping off the details at the diner."Conner nods:
"Get Basit on it."Nora turns away, finding Basit in her contacts. A notification for a text from Hyphae pups up. She goes to her texts, seeing Charlie's 'im fine' message.Her brow furrows in worry as she reads. She calls Basit. As it rings, she walks briskly out of the basement.Nora calls out to Conner on her way out.Nora:
"I'm going out."-

The city streets in the early morning, cool-toned, foggy, and raining.Nora is driving. Charlie is leaning over, looking nauseated. He is younger, wearing worn, used clothes. His hair is shorter, damp, and dirty.Nora:
"I can pull over if you think you're going to be sick."Charlie grumbles with a dry 'urk'.With a sway, he lifts his head.Charlie, slurred:
"Where'm I goin'?"Nora:
"My house, so you can sober up and dry off."He drops his head back again, slurring his words.Charlie:
"I don'wonna go—urk—there."Nora, deep concern:
"I know you don't trust me, but you can't just live on the streets as a drunk."Charlie:
"Stop the—car."Nora parks:
"If you need water, I—"Charlie gets out of the car and stumbles away from it.Nora:
"Hey! Where are you going?"She jumps out of the car and begins to chase after him.Nora:
"Wait, just let me help you—"Charlie turns to shout at her, his face showing more fear than anger.Charlie:
"I don't know you!"Nora stops and stares, hurt, as he walks away.

-Nora walks down the street in the present with the same expression on her face, holding a to-go box.-A knock on Charlie's door.He opens it to see Nora.Charlie, surprised:
"Nora? Hey—"Nora:
"Hello, Charlie, can I come in?"Charlie steps aside:
"Uh—sure?"She holds up the to-go box to him.Nora:
"I brought you some pancakes from that other diner that's definitely not as good as mine."Charlie shuts the door behind her and gives a weak smirk.Charlie:
"Right, your diner is much healthier. Not nearly enough butter, sugar, and cheese in anything."She smiles:
"Exactly."Charlie hesitates:
"You didn't have to."She holds up the box to him, making him take it.Charlie:
"Really, Nora, you've done more than enough for me."Nora:
"I know. But I wanted to check in anyway to make sure you're okay."Charlie steps over to the counter, sets the box down, and starts making coffee.Charlie:
"Yeah. I'm fine."Nora, doubtful:
"Are you sure?"Charlie, weak smile:
"Yeah. You know me, ball of indestructible sunshine."Nora:
"I mean—I haven't seen you for a few days. With everything going on—"Charlie, half-smirk:
"Did everyone else run out of problems for you to solve?"Nora, mildly frustrated:
"I would hope by now you could trust me enough to tell me if something's wrong. I know you're always trying to pretend you're fine—"Charlie turns away, tight-lipped.Nora, passionate:
"—but a lot has happened lately, and I would just rather you let me know so I can help you before you end up in the hospital again."She suddenly stops and tightens her lip. Charlie's head turns slightly towards her.He puts down his mug with a thunk and turns to face her.Charlie:
"How long has Hyphae been watching me?"Nora shifts, defensive:
"Hyphae has eyes everywhere—"Charlie, annoyed:
"How long have you had Hyphae watch me?"Nora hesitates:
"Since I told you about the packages."Charlie turns away with an annoyed sigh.Nora, step forward:
"I'm sorry, Charlie. I just needed to make sure you're safe. Especially now."Charlie sighs as his face turns from annoyed to tired.Charlie turns:
"I get it… But shouldn't you be focusing on someone else? I'm immortal—"Nora:
"—So far as you know. We can't take any chances, Charlie. We have to solve this case fast, so no one else gets hurt, including you."Charlie looks away.She takes him by the shoulders.Nora:
"Hey, it'll be alright—"Charlie shifts uncomfortably, and Nora drops her hands from him.Charlie:
"Really? I think this is the one time it won't just be alright. Even if you catch whoever it is, he's already—"Nora:
"I know. But—I mean, you'll be alright. You've been through worse, I know you have—I mean, you've never told me what, but—"Charlie frowns:
"I don't remember."Nora, disappointment:
"Right."Charlie steps away from the counter.Charlie:
"Thanks for checking in, Nora…"Nora frowns as he walks over to his couch, turning the TV on. Nora's eyes catch the hospital bill on the counter. She looks at Charlie as he sits down. She reaches over and silently takes it, folding and pocketing it before heading to the door.Nora:
"Please call me if you need anything."Charlie gives a wave, not looking over.-Charlie lies on the couch, rubbing his left middle finger. The news comes on the TV, and he quickly picks up the remote and turns it off. He pulls out his phone and goes to Kate's texts.

-Kate-
2 hours ago
[Kate] vrpleague.com/appointments
1 hour ago
[Charlie] Thanks, made an appointment :thumbsup:
[Charlie] I really enjoyed my time with you :purpleheart: sorry about the other parts :grinsweat:

He gets up and steps over to his counter to pour a shot.-Charlie steps outside his apartment building. He reaches into his pocket, pulls out his pack of cigarettes, and opens it. Seeing it empty, he sighs, tosses the box into a nearby garbage can, and walks down the street towards the store.-Basit walks past the store while Charlie steps out and pockets his new pack and a small bottle of alcohol.Charlie looks up:
"Basit?"Basit stops and looks back.Basit, flat:
"Sup?"Charlie:
"Where are you going?"Basit:
"Conner has a lead. I'm going to look into it."Charlie:
"Oh..."She continues walking. Charlie thinks for a moment.Charlie shouts:
"Hey!"She turns as he catches up to her.Charlie:
"Uh—Can I help?"Basit, cocked brow:
"I guess, are you sure you want to be involved? There's no telling what we'll run into."Charlie:
"Sure, I've been through worse, right?"Basit, unsure:
"Alright."She turns and continues walking. Charlie follows and lights his cigarette.-Charlie and Basit approach the diner. Charlie drops his smoke into an ash urn nearby before entering.Hyphae:
"Hello, Charlie. Hello, Basit."Charlie:
"Hey, Hyphae."Basit, short:
"Hey."She continues to the counter.Basit:
"Nora sent me to pick up information on a lead."The waitress steps away for a moment.Charlie turns to Hyphae.Charlie:
"Do you—I mean you—ever leave here? I've never seen that seat without you."Hyphae:
"No. This is my place. If I were to ever run from it, you should be running too."Charlie, disturbed:
"Fair enough…"The waitress returns with a letter and hands it to Basit.She takes it and turns to leave, Charlie following and waving goodbye to Hyphae.-Basit and Charlie walk down the street as Basit reads the information in the letter.Charlie lags behind her and takes out his small bottle. He takes a swig then catches up to her.Charlie:
"Alright, 'Tough Nut Jane', so what's the lead?"Basit glances at him with a raised brow, then looks back at the paper.Basit:
"Some guy named 'Ricky'. Apparently, he does anonymous package drop-off and delivery. Nora's contact overheard him talking about it. He may know something about the packages we're finding."Charlie:
"Right… So is this going to be like with that Vorein?"Basit:
"Fuck if I know. But the guy is a human, if that makes you feel better."Charlie:
"I'm not sure it does…"-Charlie and Basit reach a house in the middle of an impoverished neighborhood.Inside are four men. Three White men: Mace, Ricky, and Logan; and one Black man, Zaire.Logan and Ricky smoke a joint together. Mace sits on his phone, and Zaire is playing a video game.Basit steps up to the door with Charlie and starts to bang on it.Mace steps up to the door and cracks it open.Mace:
"Who are you?"Basit:
"Basit. I'm looking for 'Ricky'."Ricky hears, becoming uneasy. Logan and Zaire look at Ricky, concerned.Logan whispers:
"You know her?"Ricky shakes his head.Basit:
"I need to talk to him about some packages."Ricky gets spooked and darts for the back door.Mace:
"Don't know no one by that name. Beat it."He goes to close the door, but Basit grabs it.Basit:
"You sure about that?"Mace, agitated, glances back into the house to see that Ricky is gone. He looks back at her.Charlie glances to the side, spotting Ricky running in a visible back pathway.Charlie:
"Basit—!"Mace:
"I already said he ain't here."He opens the door further.Mace:
"But if you're looking for a fix, I got something for you."He leans in, dragging his finger down her chest. Basit reels back in disgust and punches him in the jaw, causing him to stumble back and fall.She steps in. The other two stare in shock.Basit:
"Where the fuck is Ricky?"Logan:
"We don't know!"Zaire:
"Whatever he's in, we have nothing to do with it!"Charlie:
"Basit, he ran out the back!"She turns to him:
"Which way?"Charlie goes to answer but falters, holding his breath as he waves uncertainly in the alley's vague direction.Basit turns back to the men.Basit:
"Where did he go?"Mace grabs a gun, stuffed behind a couch cushion.Mace:
"Get the fuck out of my house!"Basit ignores the gun pointed at her.Basit:
"Not until you tell me—"He shoots her in the torso, making a hole in her jacket.Behind her, Charlie yelps, ducks, and puts his hands over his head.She barely flinches, the two other men staring in shock, Mace's anger faltering. She holds up the jacket and looks from the hole to Mace with a glare.Mace shakes off his shock and shoots her again, in the chest. She doesn't flinch, only her shoulder pushes back from the force.She turns to face him directly. Mace's expression turns to terror. He drops the gun and jumps up, hopping over the couch and sprinting out of the house.The other two stand, frozen in shock.Basit sighs:
"Where is Ricky?"Zaire:
"I don't know…"Logan:
"H-he hangs out at the Three Billy's Casino sometimes…"Zaire glances at Logan with a tight lip and furrowed brow.Basit rolls her eyes.Basit:
"Finally."She turns, exits the house, and walks off. Charlie tentatively stands up straight again and follows her. Still shaken, Charlie reaches for his small bottle. Basit spits out a bullet onto the concrete as she walks.Basit:
"Fucking hate men."Charlie's brow furrows as he recaps and pockets the bottle.Charlie, offended:
"Gee, thanks."Basit:
"You know what I meant."Charlie:
"No. I don't think I do..."Basit rubs the bruise of the now-closed bullet wound.Charlie:
"I feel like I've seen those guys before…"Basit:
"Yeah, Daniel knew a lot of people around here."Charlie's face drops:
"Oh…"Basit:
"Most of them are good people. Except that dickwad with the gun—"
angrily mutters "—Gonna just eat that fucker."*She looks at Charlie.Basit:
"You got a phone on hand? Look up that Three Billy's place."Both pull out their phones. While Charlie searches, Basit calls Conner.Basit:
"Conner. I found the place, but the lead ran off to fuck knows where. Only thing I got is he may be at a 'Three Billy's Casino'."Charlie steps up beside her.Charlie:
"I can't find it."Basit sighs:
"And we have no idea where the fuck that is."Conner: [I recall that place. I've had to visit it a few times for a previous case. Meet me at the Elliot's station. I'll meet you there.]Basit hangs up. Charlie lags behind, finishing off his bottle.-Basit and Charlie wait outside the convenience store. Charlie is smoking. The classic neon lights and cigarette ads in the windows behind him.Basit:
"How are you holding up?"Charlie:
"Yeah, I'm fine."Basit raises a brow in skepticism but looks away.A taxi drives up, stops, and Conner steps out. It drives away as he walks up to them.Basit:
"You took a taxi?"Conner:
"I mean no offense to the impoverished humans of this area, but I will not subject my car to their tactics for survival."Charlie:
"What?"Conner, flat:
"It's a valuable car, and I don't want to risk losing it."Charlie frowns:
"Oh—"Conner sighs and turns, motioning for them to follow as they walk down the street.Conner:
"So, how did our lead get away?"Basit:
"He heard me and fled out the back door."Conner glances at Charlie with a narrow stare.Conner:
"And he wasn't acting as a lookout?"Charlie, offended:
"Hey—I saw him!"Conner:
"And you did nothing?"Charlie:
"What am I supposed to do? Run after him?"Conner, flat:
"Yes. That would typically be the next course of action."Charlie, frustrated:
"Then hire a track star next time."Conner rolls his eyes.Charlie:
"Besides, what if he had a gun like the other one? I may be immortal, but that shit still hurts! And Basit's already been shot."Conner's expression changes to concern, and he turns to Basit.Conner:
"You were shot? Are you alright?"Basit, flat:
"Of course. I'm not going to bleed over a little twenty-two piss shooter."Conner turns forward again and grumbles.Conner:
"Mm. Still, be more careful."Basit:
"No."Charlie listens and watches Conner with mild confusion.-They arrive at a pool hall and bar named 'Goats Gruff'. They enter, and Conner leads them towards the bathroom. Charlie follows, confused, looking at Basit and continuing to follow.Conner opens the janitor's closet, and the three step inside.Inside is a man dressed as a janitor leaning against the wall by a closet door, smoking.Man:
"What do you want?"Conner:
"Transhumance. These are my brothers."The janitor's face relaxes, and he opens the closet door, revealing a back room. Conner leads, walking into the well-lit but dark-themed poker room.The three sit down at a table. Conner hands some cash to the dealer. The dealer looks at it with a disapproving smirk and hands back a few tokens.Dealer mutters:
"Tightwad."Conner:
"I don't plan on staying long."Conner passes equal tokens to Basit and Charlie. The dealer starts to deal out cards.Conner:
"Do either of you see him?"Basit:
"I didn't get a look at him."Conner looks at Charlie expectantly.Charlie:
"I didn't actually see much of him either. He was in a red tee and black hoodie if that helps."Conner:
"Pants, shoes, hair?"Charlie:
"Uh—jeans, gray sneakers, and I'm not sure, his hood was up."Conner glances around.The dealer:
"No starting shit in here, Edwards."Conner:
"I assure you, I will remain very civil."Dealer:
"And you're friends?"Conner looks to them. First, Charlie gives an uncertain smile, then Basit.She stands up from the table.Basit:
"I'll just wait outside."Conner sighs and takes her tokens.After a moment, he pushes the tokens to Charlie.Conner:
"Here."Charlie:
"Oh, thanks—"Conner:
"You're going to need it if we're going to be here more than five minutes."Charlie's gratitude falls:
"Oh..."-

NightBasit is smoking as she waits outside the bar.Inside, Conner and Charlie are playing cards. Their token amount is generally the same. A whiskey sits beside each of them, Charlie's half-empty. The cigarette in his hand is nearly down to the filter.Conner:
"You're not as bad at this as I expected."Charlie:
"Maybe I'm just not that bad in general."Conner gives him a short side-eye.The dealer lays out more cards.Conner:
"So, Charlie, what is your stake in this?"Charlie:
"What?"Conner:
"You haven't wanted to help our investigation until now. Why the change of heart?"Charlie's brow furrows:
"It's not that I don't want to help."Dealer:
"Ante up."They both put in their tokens.Conner:
"So this is the peak of your effort, then?"Charlie, annoyed:
"It's the peak of how I can help. If you want better, maybe clone yourself."Dealer:
"Dealer wins."Conner:
"That would be favorable. But no matter how many times I clone myself, it's not my name on the packages."Charlie looks away, noticing Ricky walk in and towards a table.Conner:
"Perhaps if you actually—"Charlie mutters:
"That's him."Conner looks at the man as he sits down.Conner:
"Are you sure?"Charlie nods.Conner stands:
"Keep the chips."Charlie looks at him, confused, as he walks around the table.Charlie looks at the dealer.Charlie:
"Uh—I would like to cash mine out, please."Conner steps up behind Ricky.Conner:
"Ricky?"Ricky looks up, agitated.Ricky:
"Yeah? What the fuck do you want?"Conner:
"I want to know about some packages."Ricky casually picks up his drink.Ricky:
"I don't know nothing about that."Conner:
"You don't? Well, that's not what I heard."Conner sits beside him.Conner:
"You're a chatty drunk. Too bad serial killers don't like chatty loose ends."Ricky:
"The fuck you gettin at? Yeah, go ahead and come at me in here, see how well that goes."Conner, stern:
"What I'm getting at is those packages you delivered were sent by a murderer I'm hunting down. So either you talk now to me, or I go to my contacts in the police and make sure you're known as an accomplice, known well enough that even the murderer will know who talked. Let us see which cat catches the rat first."Ricky grows nervous as he talks. He glances down at his few chips and then around the room.He shifts his feet. Conner notices and goes to finish off his drink.Conner:
"Ring ring, the cats are coming."Ricky jumps up and darts out of the room. Conner jumps up and sprints after him. Charlie notices and follows.-Ricky sprints out of the bar. Basit sees him and, in a moment of confusion, looks back to the bar. Seeing Conner following after him, she turns and gives chase.Ricky darts and ducks through the alleys. Basit follows and quickly gains ground.She catches him in an alley behind a few buildings, tackling and pinning him down.Ricky shouts:
"Get off me, cunt!"Conner and Charlie catch up to them. Conner is unfazed while Charlie bends over and wheezes, out of breath.Conner steps in front of Ricky and kneels.Conner:
"I'm giving you a chance to talk. You will want to take it."Ricky:
"I told you I don't fucking know anything."Conner:
"Well, I know a few things. You run packages for people anonymously—the type of packages someone wouldn't want to go through the official channels. Things like weapons, drugs—body parts."Ricky:
"I don't know what's in them! It's a fucking package, man! I don't snoop!"Conner:
"But you did deliver packages like this?"He pulls out a photo of a few of the opened packages.Ricky:
"I'm not involved with no murders! I just deliver the shit my boss gives me. I just do my job!"Conner:
"Who's your boss?"Ricky's face is torn between fear and defiance.Ricky:
"I'll be dead before I tell you anything, you senile piece of—"As he rants, Conner nods to Basit. Her arm morphs into jagged bone and muscle, and she holds it beside Ricky's neck.Conner:
"That could be arranged."Ricky stares at it with terror.Ricky:
"Oh fuck! You people are Abnormals?!"Conner:
"You're familiar? What Abnormals do you know?"Ricky:
"Uh—no one! Look, I've been around, alright? I've seen shit."Conner:
"Is your boss an Abnormal?"Ricky stays silent.Conner:
"Give me their name, and I'll make sure my associate here won't be picking your spleen out of her teeth."Ricky looks up at Basit. She stares back, the edge of her mouth splitting up her cheek and opening to a mass of jagged teeth.Ricky lets out a small whimper in fear.Ricky, desperate:
"I can't tell you anything, man! I haven't killed nobody! I just deliver some fucking packages he gives me! What's a few more? I didn't think anything of it! I swear I don't know your killer!"Conner:
"Tell me everything you can, then. Where did you drop them off? Do you remember the addresses?"Ricky, sweating:
"Yeah, yeah—uh—one was up in the downtown area off of—uh, fuck—west um—"Conner:
"Highview Avenue?"Ricky:
"That's it!"Conner:
"Already dead. And the others?"Ricky:
"The other was up by Ridgeway—close to Porters!"Conner:
"And?"Ricky:
"Those are the only ones I delivered… I, uh—dropped the others off at the post office."Conner scoffs and stands up, looking down at him.Conner:
"Your boss. Who is he?"Ricky, defeated and scared, opens his mouth. It hangs open, silent but desperate to speak.Ricky:
"I can't tell you."Basit lowers her head, her face splitting further as the mouth opens. He lets out a high-pitched meep in terror.Conner:
"Let him go."Basit looks up and her head reforms.Basit:
"Don't you need that name?"Conner:
"He's already told me."He looks down at Ricky, who looks almost ashamed.Basit stands, releasing her grip on him. Ricky picks himself up and starts walking off, in disbelief, before taking off in a full sprint.Basit:
"So a vague location, and no follow-up name. I assume you know more?"Conner:
"Of course. I have a pretty strong suspicion as to who his boss is. But it's going to take me a while to find him. He's a slippery bâtard."
^{bastard}He turns to walk out of the alley, passing Charlie, who's staying out of the way by a wall.Conner, stern:
"Come on, we've got to get to that target."

Night
Conner's car drives up to a farmhouse. It stands beside a barn. A truck is parked in the front, and behind it is a field. Conner, Basit, and Charlie step out of the car and walk up to the door. Charlie's demeanor is meek and tired.
Basit steps up to the door and looks at Conner.
Basit:
"Doorbell?"Conner nods, and she rings it. They stand waiting for a while, Conner leaning back and looking around the house.
Charlie:
"Maybe they're not home?"Conner:
"That is the optimistic possibility."Conner looks at Basit.
Conner:
"Keep trying, I'll check the back."He walks around the house. Basit turns back to the door and bangs on it, hard with an impatient frown. Charlie steps away to follow Conner.
Conner walks around the house, finding the back door slightly ajar.
He steps back into view of the side of the house, seeing Charlie walking in his direction.
Conner:
"Get Basit."Charlie looks up, confusion turning to concern, and he turns and rushes to the front of the house.
-
Basit slowly opens the back door leading into the kitchen, and Conner and Charlie follow behind her. Beside the back door are a few crates, two stacks of three, and one stack of two.
Conner whispers:
"Basit, you check upstairs, Charlie, stay here and make sure no one leaves."Charlie's voice cracks:
"A-alright…"-
Conner looks around the foyer, seeing graduation pictures in front of a flower vase, the celebration adorned with flowers and decorations, the room is homely, ranch-style, and clean. Basit checks the bedrooms upstairs. Charlie stands in the dark kitchen, nervous.
He hears the floor creak, a figure behind him, he jumps with a sharp gasp and turns. Conner steps back into the kitchen.
Conner:
"See something?"Charlie:
"Uh, No… I need some air."He steps out of the house and takes a deep breath, rubbing his face.
He takes out his phone and checks Kate's texts.

-Kate-
Several hours ago
[Kate] Don't worry about it, I enjoyed it too. When are you free next? I'll let you choose where we go this time.

Charlie gives a happy grin and starts typing on his phone. A noise from the barn makes him jump. He looks over to see a cat daring out of the barn. He turns to and peers into the kitchen.
Charlie, nervous:
"Conner?"Conner, in the living room, turns to Charlie. He steps out of the house and up to him, mildly agitated.
Conner:
"What?"Charlie nervously points to the barn. Conner peers at him disapprovingly and steps over to it. He pushes open the door, looking inside, his face turning to a grim scowl.
Basit upstairs, sighs:
"There's nothing up here."She walks downstairs.
Basit:
"Conner?"She sees Conner and Charlie from the living room window. Conner steps into the barn, Charlie keeping his distance.
Conner steps over to the body lying in the center of the barn, looking over it. He spots the note and finger piece, placed carefully over the chest. He picks it up, reading the scrap of paper.

9#
Art thou ready, Blessed of Man? To will thy body for the feast of the Vassal of our Lord?
Remember thy oath; dost thou forsake thy Lord's will and cling unto the Hallowed flesh?
Blessed of the Hallowed Man, thou shalt be made unto one of the Scion.
Be ready for the first feast of the Vassal—give of thyself thy body,
that the Vassal may know the will of our Lord and be made one with His Desire.
This is the oath thou hast willed.

-
Conner's brows furrow into anger, and he grips the paper. He steps out of the barn, tossing the finger at Charlie's chest. Surprised, he instinctively catches it, the finger piece snapping back on, and the grim realization hits him.
Conner angry:
"What is this?!"He holds up the page, briskly stomping towards Charlie.
Charlie:
"I don't—"Conner grabs him by his collar and holds him against the barn wall.
Conner shouts:
"What is going on?! What is your part in this?!"Basit runs up to them.
Basit:
"Conner?!"Conner:
"You have to know something!"Charlie doesn't speak, only whimpers in fear, shaking.
Basit:
"Conner!"Conner gets louder and more aggressive.
Conner:
"Did you will this, Blessed of Man?"Charlie cowering:
"I don't know—"Conner:
"Stop lying!"Basit shouts:
"Stop!"She wedges herself between them, forcefully pushing Conner off of Charlie.
Basit:
"What are you doing?"Conner:
"Look at it! The scriptures, the bodies, his marks! A human who becomes an Abnormal!"Basit:
"What are you talking about?"Conner:
"This is all some sick ritual that he is a part of!"Basit:
"Because of those fucking nonsense notes?"Conner:
"All of it!"He turns to Charlie, stepping forward, Basit stepping in his way to stop him.
Conner:
"Are you the killer? Or are you simply an accomplice? Do you ever care that Abnormals are being murdered?!"Charlie was still on the ground against the barn, sobbing.
Basit:
"Conner, stop."Both stare each other down. He steps away, hands on his waists as he looks down, brows furrowed in frustrated thought.
Basit:
"Charlie. Go to the car."Charlie wipes his face with his hoodie, unsteady and shaking, he stands up and goes to leave, passing by the barn door, his eyes catch a view of the body in full. He turns away from it, looking sick, and continues walking.
Basit watches him leave, then looks to Conner, her agitation returning.
Basit:
"Talk to me."Frustration returns to Conner's face.
Conner:
"He can't just be an innocent bystander."He turns to her:
"There has to be something more to this!"Basit:
"No shit, but accusing him of being the murderer?"Conner:
"Murderer, accomplice, whatever, the scriptures—"Basit:
"You're doing it again."Conner:
"Doing what?"Basit:
"That thing you do. When you get so focused on one path that you can't look past it, and you convince yourself it's the only one."Conner's face softens slightly, from anger to frustration.
Conner sighs and looks down and away.
Conner:
"I have to solve this case, Basit."Basit:
"I know. I want it solved, too, so does Nora, and so does Charlie. We are all on the same page about that. We are a team, remember that."Basit smirks:
"I know that concept isn't your strong suit."Conner glances at her, knowingly.
Conner sighs:
"There's a string here. All the murders, the scriptures. I just—I can't find it. Everything's tangled and fractured!"Basit amused:
"I thought those were your favorite."Conner:
"Not this one!... Not like this. What the killer's doing–"He pauses, his frustration turning to fear.
Basit:
"Is there anything connecting the victims so far?"Conner:
"There must be. But I can't see it."Basit:
"No relative or friend that overlaps?"Conner:
"No."Basit:
"Do they all live alone then?"Conner:
"No. Some of them are surrounded by family and friends, but still, they're caught alone. The attacks have been planned out, the murderer has to have known when each one would be vulnerable."Basit:
"Then we find the other targets, quickly, we close in on this murderer before he gets there, and we end this."Conner sighs, calmer:
"I—yeah, that's what I'll do."Basit:
"That's what we will do."Basit puts a hand on his shoulder.
Basit:
"I'm with you, Tangles."Conner flinches with a sharp mix of pain and grief, dropping his eyes.
He pulls away from her and walks towards the car. Basit watches him for a moment before following him.
The two get into the car, Charlie curled up in a ball in the back seat.
Conner starts the car, Basit still eyeing him for a moment.
-
Conner's car drives up outside Charlie's apartment.
Charlie and Basit get out and walk over to the sidewalk.
Conner:
"I'll let you know when I have more on our lead."Basit:
"Get some rest."He drives off.
Basit turns, spotting Charlie walking away from his apartment building.
Basit:
"Where are you going?"Charlie:
"Getting a drink."Basit catches up to him.
Basit:
"I'll join you."-
They sit in a dive bar, Charlie ordering a cheap liquor and then lighting a cigarette.
Basit:
"This place is a shit hole."Charlie picks up the drink the bartender sets in front of him.
Charlie:
"Yeah. But they're cheap."Basit:
"Just buy it from a store, if that's what you're worried about."Charlie:
"Too late, they're all closed."He takes the shot and sets it down, motioning for two more.
-
Basit:
"Maybe you should slow down…"6 empty shot glasses in front of Charlie, who is now blatantly drunk.
Charlie slurring:
"Only b'cause em out of moonie."Basit half-smile:
"Work skimping you?"Charlie lights another cigarette.
Charlie:
"dun work."Basit:
"How do you cover bills?"Charlie lowers his head in shame.
Charlie:
"Nora."Basit:
"Ah."Charlie:
"She m—picked it 'en I was home—less."Basit:
"If you need work, she could find you something."Charlie:
"Nn—tried."Basit:
"Didn't work out?"Charlie stands:
"Nope."Charlie unsteadily pulls himself up from the chair and turns to leave.
Charlie:
"Because Ima f—uck up."Basit's brows furrow, and she stands to follow him.
-
The two walk down the street, Charlie walks unsteadily while trying to light a smoke.
Charlie:
"dosyou work?"Basit:
"Not really. But I don't live in an apartment or eat human food much."Charlie:
"Where'ou live?"Basit:
"Wherever. Abandoned buildings, mostly the big ones, when I need to stretch my skin."Charlie:
"'erid."Basit:
"I do bodyguard gigs for Nora to pay for a phone and laundry once in a while. But I don't really care to blend with humans for my own private life."Charlie:
"Mus'nbe hat."Basit:
"What?"Charlie:
"M—"He keels over, putting a hand on the building wall beside him and puking.
Basit:
"Told you to slow down."Charlie hurls again and coughs.
Charlie:
"Din' you not drink?"Basit:
"No. I don't get drunk, just sick. Different physiology, I guess."Charlie mutters:
"Fisi—"He hurls again.
Charlie:
"I 'ink I drank to m—much."Basit:
"Yeah? You've been drinking all day without food, then downed half a dozen in less than an hour—what did you expect?"Charlie slides down to his knees.
Charlie:
"T'nop 'uning."Basit:
"What?"Basit kneels beside him.
Charlie takes a heavy breath, bile still on his lips.
Charlie:
"To—stop—running."Basit listens, patient and empathetic, as he talks between breaths.
Charlie:
"It 'elps—"Basit:
"Helps what?"He gives a dry urk.
Charlie speaks between nauseous breaths.
Charlie:
"'ying—Dying… always feel—'oing to kill—me."He hunches over to the side and hurls again.
Basit:
"Think you can stand up?"Charlie:
"Urk—no."Basit stands and pulls out her phone.
-
Nora sits at her document-filled dining table.
On Top of the typical pile is an open manila folder with documents, pictures of Charlie, news articles, a police report, and an old ID. She looks over the pictures, there is very few: one print copied from a news article with a younger him, unmarked, and in a graduation outfit; Another copied from the police report, marked, dirty, and scared; another of him unmarked at an outdoor event, possibly a church or town event in the background and two other older people, one Asian man and a blond freckled woman; And one recent but his hair slightly shorter, him working on a car, holding his hand up as if asking for the photo to not be taken.
[View Nora's documents]
She stares at them wistfully, her attention broken by her cell phone ringing for a call from Basit.
Nora picks up the phone.
Nora:
"Hello? Is everything alright?"-
Charlie sits on the ground, back against the building, with Basit standing beside him.
Basit:
"You know—There are support groups."Charlie has sobered up some, but still slurs his words.
Charlie:
"Oh yeah, tried those groups. If I wanted monotheism shoved down my throat, I'd join a church."Basit:
"Some aren't like that."Charlie:
"Do you believe in a god?"Basit:
"Yup."Basit:
"And I fucking hate him."Nora's car pulls up beside them. She gets out and rushes up to them.
Nora:
"Is he alright?"Basit calmly:
"Yeah, he just drank too much and needs a ride home."Nora steps over and kneels in front of him, going to reach a hand for his shoulder, but stops.
Nora:
"Charlie? Are you alright?"Charlie:
"I'm fine. Just feel sick."Nora:
"Let's get you home."She looks to Basit, who reaches down to help him up. Nora stands and walks over to the car to open the door for him.
Charlie gets in, leaning his head back against the seat. Basit looks at Nora.
Basit:
"It's been a long day."Nora:
"I'll get Conner to brief me."She shuts Charlie's door and goes to walk to the driver's side while Basit walks away.
-
10:40 p.m.
Nora opens the door to Charlie's apartment, guiding him to his bed. He sits on the edge, uneasy.
Nora:
"Take care of yourself and get some rest, alright?"Charlie doesn't respond, dazed. She kneels in front of him.
Nora:
"Hey, there—"Charlie glances up at her.

The room is lighter, static, a police office, Nora in a different outfit, from a different time.

Nora:
"You going to be Alright?"Charlie:
"I'm fine."Nora stands:
"Call me if you need."Charlie nods and pulls himself fully onto the bed, lying diagonally across it.
-
12:50 a.m.
Charlie, still awake, sits up and rubs his eyes. He stands, wobbly, and walks to the bathroom to rinse his face off and swish some water before drinking some.
He steps out of the bathroom and into a dark tunnel. Charlie, in his apartment, rubs his face and walks towards his kitchen.
Charlie: No, no. I'm not there. I'm… where am I?
He takes a step forward, his foot reaching from the boards of his apartment floor towards the forest grass.
He trips, falling down a steep hill in the woods, rolling until he lands on a road leading into a long underground tunnel. He looks up the hill above, seeing a figure moving in the shadows. He gets up in a panic and jogs into the tunnel a ways, wheezing. He slows down and starts walking steadily, his right arm following the tunnel wall, staring down at his bare, dirty feet walking in front of him in the darkness. He walks. All but his undershorts gone, his body coated in blood and dirt. He walks. He's younger, his hair shorter, his left arm missing, and his expression of dazed shock. He walks.
"Hey."He looks up at a vague silhouette of a park ranger with a green truck behind him.
"Sir? Are you alright?"Present- The florist priest, Anwir, stands in front of him with a concerned expression, his hands on Charlie's shoulders.
Charlie looks up, scared and confused, both standing in the street parallel to the florist shop.
Anwir:
"Come inside, you'll catch your death out here this late at night."Anwir guides him to the closed shop and lets him inside. Charlie is still dazed and startled, unsure where he is.
-
Charlie sits at the counter on a chair pulled up to it, tea in front of him, seemingly calmer.
Charlie looks up:
"Where am I?"Anwir:
"You're in my shop. I found you in the street, you seemed out of sorts."Charlie looks down at his tea, his brow furrows.
Anwir chuckles:
"It's just chamomile, calms the nerves."Charlie eyes it for a moment before taking a sip.
Charlie:
"Who are you?"Anwir:
"Anwir, Anwir Avdel."Charlie:
"I'm… Charlie."Anwir, pleasant smile:
"It's good to meet you, Charlie."Charlie sips the tea again and glances at Anwir's clerical collar.
Charlie:
"You're a priest?"Anwir chuckles and puts a hand to it.
Anwir:
"Not so much anymore. But I guess I can't let go of my past."He chuckles to himself, "Or, maybe my past won't let go of me."*Charlie looks back down at the tea.
Charlie:
"I should go home."Anwir:
"Let me walk you, make sure you get where you need to go."He smiles and holds out a hand. Charlie looks at it and stands on his own. Anwir and Charlie exit the shop, Anwir locking it behind them.
The two walk down the street towards Charlie's apartment, neither speaking. Charlie keeps his head low, eyes tired. Anwir's head held high, content and calm, walking slightly ahead of Charlie.
-
They reach the apartment building, and Anwir follows him inside.
He reaches his room and opens the door. He stops and looks at Anwir.
Charlie:
"Uh, thanks for walking me home, I guess…"Anwir smiles:
"I'm glad to help. Oh—"He reaches into his pocket and takes out a business card for his florist shop, handing it to Charlie.
'Avdel Flowers 113 st 091-416-1914'
Anwir:
"I know my ties may be intimidating to some, but I assure you I hold no judgment for any of God's children. Please, if you need help, I'm just a call away."Charlie, uncomfortable:
"Right… thanks."He says dismissively and enters his room, shutting the door behind himself. He tosses the card towards the trash and misses before dropping back onto the bed.
-
Late night 2:03 a.m.
Charlie lies in bed, wide awake. He rolls over and picks up his phone. He stares at Kate's contacts for a long while.
Charlie: 'I shouldn't bother them.'
He places the phone back down.
His thoughts loop around him, getting smaller and smaller
'I want to talk to them. I need their company right now. I don't want to be alone…. I'm scared.'
His thoughts continue as he picks up the phone again. He stares at the messages. He switches to a browser, scrolling through images.
Kate is half awake, lying on the couch with Ayden, who's snoring. The TV is on, lighting them.
Kate's phone buzzes. They pick it up

-Charlie-
[Charlie] :Nonbinarymeme.png:
[Charlie] Sorry I thought you'd find it funny. Also my way of showing support and saying hi :wave: at the same time :sweatlaugh:

Kate snorts.

[Kate] Most people steer clear of the subject, only to make a stupid comment or show support by harping on it, or both.
[Charlie] stupid is my native language but I promise not to harp on it :sweatsmile: so what are you up to :smile:?
[Kate] I was binge watching a show with ayden. I sont think I'm going to make it to the end before passingout though
[Charlie] Sorry to interrupt
[Kate] You're not. everythin alright?

Charlie stares at the phone for a while before responding.

[Charlie] I had another episode and can't sleep now

Kate, almost asleep, wakes up to the notification again.

[Kate] If theyr getting that bad maybe yu can try meds?
[Charlie] I have before, I ended up worse. Besides I can't afford them.
[Kate] everyones different and theres aton of different treatments. Consider trying again?

Charlie frowns, staring at his phone and not responding for a while.

[Kate] I just know thie kinda shit dosnt get better on its own. Let me know if I can help
[Charlie] You already are :heart:

Charlie smiles, closes his eyes, and falls asleep
-

Charlie, younger, finds himself walking in the tunnel. He sees a bit of light at the end. He steps out, the morning light shining on his face. A green truck driving towards him stops, and a park ranger exits.
Ranger:
"Hey, are you alright?"The scene fades to Charlie sitting in a police station. He's still out of it, but cleaned up and wrapped in a mute lilac wool blanket and wearing oversized gray sweatpants and a sweatshirt with the local police office logo on it. Outside of the room, voices can be heard.
Nora:
"This is a long way from home, you know."Police:
"You said to call you if we ever found strange, unidentifiable people."The door opens, and Nora steps in. She looks at him, sympathetic, and steps up, kneeling in front of him.
Nora:
"Hey, there—"Charlie looks at her, still dazed.
Nora:
"You're going to be alright."Nora:
"I'm Nora, what's your name?"Charlie:
"...I don't remember…"

Kate, affectionately:
"Dork."-
Charlie opens the hood and eagerly looks it over. Kate watches him with affectionate amusement.
He ties his hair into a bun, then jacks the car up. He slips himself under it to change the oil.
Kate steps over, kneeling to watch him. Charlie, focused on his work, a bit of oil and dust on him.
Kate:
"You know, this angle is kinda hot."Charlie is momentarily surprised, then grins.
Charlie:
"Not ruined by being sweaty and covered in car oil?"Kate smirks:
"No, that adds to it."Charlie snorts and puts the filter and nut back on. He slides out from under the car and sits up, his face close to Kate's.
Charlie smirks:
"So, is that what you're into?"A car pulls up into the driveway.
Kate leans in:
"I'm into a lot of things."Kate grabs his shirt and pulls him into a kiss.
Kate hears the car door shut behind them and pulls away.
Catherine, carrying a grocery bag, stands by the garage entrance.
Catherine:
"Cody."Kate looks over their shoulder at the woman with mild agitation.
Catherine, disapproving:
"What are you doing?"Kate, cold:
"Getting my car fixed."Catherine, suspicion:
"How are you planning on paying that?"Kate sneers.
Catherine:
"Keep it out of my house, Cody."She turns and walks to the front of the house
Kate watches her leave. Their sneering anger turns to hurt.
Charlie:
"Everything alright?"Kate turns:
"Yeah."They stand up, and Charlie stands with them.
Kate:
"So, how much to fix it?"Charlie:
"Uh—parts are probably several hundred. But I can keep an eye out, and I should have some spare—"Kate:
"I mean to pay you."Charlie smiles:
"I didn't think this was a business transaction."Kate:
"Well, no, but I don't want you to think I wouldn't pay you. Besides, maybe it can help you get that medication?"Charlie:
"No, Kate, it's fine. If money is tight—"Kate:
"It's not, I can afford it."Charlie:
"She sounded like it was."Kate agitated, mutters:
"That's not—"They sigh:
"Ignore her. I want to pay you."Charlie half grins:
"But isn't manly acts of service how I'm supposed to woo the pretty person I'm interested in?"Kate grins and grabs him by the belt of his pants, tugging him forward and leaning in.
Kate:
"Keep it up, and you'll be paying me to keep off of you."Charlie leans in:
"That's a bet I'm willing to lose."-
Kate shuts the garage door.
Kate:
"I would invite you to stay for dinner—but I was hoping it would be just us."Charlie:
"Is she your mom?"Kate, snide:
"Unfortunately."Kate:
"Anyway, your place then? The least I can do is buy you food."Charlie:
"Hard to say no to that."Charlie lays his arm over Kate's shoulder, and they walk away.
-
The two stand at a bus stop.
Charlie:
"Why such an old car?"Kate:
"You seemed to like it."Charlie:
"Well, yeah, I'm just surprised you want to fix it up and use it."Kate:
"It was my dad's. He gave it to me."Charlie:
"Oh, makes sense."They stand waiting.
Charlie:
"Your dad has good taste in cars."Kate:
"Had."Charlie:
"Oh. Sorry."Kate:
"It's fine. You two would have probably gotten along."Charlie:
"I'll take that as a compliment."-
The two enter Charlie's apartment.
Charlie:
"I'm going to shower."Kate:
"Alright."They take out their phone.
Kate:
"Hello, I would like to place an order—"Kate steps up to the bathroom door.
Kate:
"I'm going out to get the food."Charlie shouts through the door.
Charlie:
"Okay!"Kate leaves the apartment.
-
Charlie stands in the shower rinsing shampoo from his hair, eyes closed. His eyes peer open to his feet, a faint static overlay of the tunnel. He jerks his head up and quickly finishes rinsing off.
-
Charlie steps out of the bathroom, drying his hair. He steps over to his kitchenette and looks at where the hospital bill used to be. He looks for it under the hospital summary but doesn't find it. He sighs and sits at his dining table, pulling out his phone and calling.
Charlie:
"Uh, Hi, This is Charlie. I had a bill I need to pay. Do you do any sort of financing?"…
Charlie:
"Paid? That can't be right—"His lip tightens in realization.
Charlie:
"Never mind, thank you."He hangs up and stares at the phone.
Charlie mutters:
"Nora…"Kate walks back into the apartment, Charlie turning his head as they sit at the table, pulling out Chinese dishes from a paper bag. Charlie sits down.
Kate, sudden realization:
"Oh—! Uhm—"Charlie looks up.
Kate:
"I got Chinese, I hope that's Alright? I wasn't even thinking."Charlie, confused:
"Why wouldn't it be?"Kate:
"I mean—look, most of the dudes I meet at the bar are white. And my mother isn't exactly a role model of racial sensitivity."Charlie raises a brow, mildly amused.
Kate, meek:
"I just don't want to come across as insensitive."Charlie grins:
"Are you showing support by harping on it?"Kate, embarrassed:
"Maybe. I'm making a fool out of myself, aren't I?"Charlie chuckles:
"It's fine. I'm not going to think you're racist because you ordered Chinese takeout to eat with an Asian person."Kate stays silent in embarrassed relief.
Charlie shrugs:
"And Chinese food is good—I'm not Chinese though."Kate looks up, listening.
Charlie:
"I'm Thai—well, half Thai. Not that it matters. I don't have any connection with my family or heritage."Kate:
"Why?"Charlie shrugs:
"I don't know them."Kate:
"Oh—Were you a foster kid?"Charlie:
"...Something like that."Charlie:
"By the way, there's a pretty diverse queer bar by the bowling alley up north."Kate smiles:
"Cool, noted."-
Next morning
Charlie and Kate step out of the apartment building, Basit walking towards them down the street.
Basit:
"Charlie."Charlie looks up:
"Hey—"Kate, standing behind him, looks over at Basit.
Kate:
"Oh, you're pretty!"Basit blinks, taken aback:
"Uh—"Basit to Charlie:
"Are you free today?"Charlie:
"Er—"Kate puts a hand on his shoulder and kisses his cheek.
Kate:
"I can get to the bus stop on my own. I'll see you later."Charlie:
"Alright—see ya."Kate leaves, waving at them both with a smile.
Basit to Charlie as they turn to leave.
Basit:
"Who's that?"Charlie:
"Their name's Kate. We've uh—"
flustered smile, "been dating for a few months now."*Basit:
"Oh, they seem nice."They walk for a while.
Basit:
"I'm not used to people calling me pretty."Charlie:
"Because of the scar?"Basit:
"Mhm."Charlie:
"Nora can change the mask, right? If you can choose it, why keep the scar?"Basit:
"Nora didn't give me a mask. I do it myself."Charlie:
"Oh, so it's fake?"Basit:
"No. It's real. I just choose not to hide it."Charlie:
"Why?"Basit:
"Because people don't typically like someone who isn't appealing. They either leave me alone or the really shitty ones basically announce how much of an asshole they are."Charlie:
"Fair enough. Can I ask how you—?"Basit:
"Volcano."Charlie, surprised:
"What—?"Basit:
"And you? How do people respond to your marks?"Charlie:
"Everyone assumes they're tattoos, so I get a mixed reaction. Some think it's cool and want to talk to me about them. Others get judgmental, like I'm damaged or I'm trying to get attention."Basit:
"Tsk. Humans."Charlie gives a silent shrug.
-
Basit leads Charlie to Connor's car parked by the sidewalk.
Conner:
"Get in."Charlie:
"Can I at least know where we're going first?"Basit:
"To get some information—"Conner:
"Espérons..."
^{{Let's hope}}
Charlie:
"I uh—I would rather sit this one out."Conner agitated:
"You are a part of the investigation, whether you like it or not."Charlie:
"Yeah. I know—But I don't see how I can help."Basit:
"Anything helps."Charlie:
"But—I'm not a tough bad ass or smart guy—"Charlie, discouraged:
"I wasn't even much help last time."Conner:
"You don't have to be any of that to simply contribute."Basit glances toward Conner with a tight lip, then looks back at Charlie.
Basit:
"You did help last time. But it's up to you, Charlie."Charlie hesitates, then sighs, getting in as two black cars drive past, a Volkswagen and a Toyota.
-
Charlie is on his phone, texting with Kate.

-Kate-
Yesterday
[Kate] Sure, you can come by and see it tomorrow morning.
Now
[Charlie] I can probably get it fixed. I have some basic tools, but not everything I would need for that kind of job.
[Kate] What else would you need?
[Charlie] Transmission jack, replacement transmission, a couple of 10-ton jack stands, fluid
[Kate] I'll see what I can do

Charlie looks up.
Charlie:
"Where are we going again?"Conner:
"A library, I need to look up some information; make sure I know what to look out for."Charlie:
"There's libraries back in the city."Conner:
"We are going to a specific library."Basit:
"It's owned by an Abnormal and has a lot more in it than a human's library would."Charlie unenthused:
"Neat. I'll add another library card to my collection."Silent pause.
Charlie:
"How far is it?"Conner:
"I estimate we have an hour and fifty-seven minutes to go."Charlie, disheartened, leans back and pulls his phone back up.
-
They park in front of the large library with old-style architecture. Everyone gets out of the car and heads inside.
Demetrius the Librarian stands at the front desk. He looks up.
Demetrius gives a wide, welcoming smile.
Demetrius:
"Conner!"
His smile and arms drop, "Basit."*Basit smirks:
"Hey D."Demetrius:
"Demetrius."Basit:
"Whatever."Demetrius:
"I told you, you're not welcome here anymore."Conner:
"What's the problem?"Basit:
"That's D's gratitude for you. You spill a bit of blood on a book while protecting it, and he goes nuts."Demetrius shouts "It was an entire shelf of rare tomes!"*Basit:
"You asked me to guard the library from burglars—"Demetrius:
"Guard! Not eviscerate them all over priceless—"Conner interrupts:
"Demetrius, Mon ami, I would owe you a favor if you let me and my companions browse freely. I promise I'll keep Basit from making any form of mess."
^{{My friend}}
Demetrius frowns:
"For you, Conner Edwards. But she is still unwelcome if not with your company."Conner:
"Understood, thank you, Demetrius."He walks past, the others following him.
Demetrius:
"And not freely, you're still limited to your credentials!"Conner waves in acknowledgment.
Conner:
"Of course."-
The three are in a room with walls lined with shelves. The books all contain subjects of cultures and religions, of both human and Abnormal. Basit leaned back, feet on the center table, Conner poring over a few books, beside them a few papers and photos.
Charlie sits, clearly bored, and on his phone.

-Kate-
[Kate] That’s why I need to get the car running. If I have a working car, I can finally move out.
[Charlie] :sadface: If living with your mom upsets you that much you could always stay with me. :heart:
[Charlie] :sweat: sorry, that was a joke i think. was that too forward?
[Charlie] :exclamationmarks: I don't mean to cross any boundary
[Charlie] :prayhands: Sorry
[Kate] I appreciate it, but I prefer not to rely on my boyfriends. Maybe I'll land a better gig, buy a big house, and you all can rely on me instead. ;)
[Kate] If you don’t mind sharing a space with Ayden, not that he’d accept the offer.
[Charlie] :thinking-face:

Basit:
"Conner, what are you looking for here?"Conner:
"Information. There's something familiar about those scriptures."Basit:
"Familiar how?"Conner looks back at the book.
Conner:
"Confirmation first."Charlie looks up:
"Why did I need to come along for this?"Conner:
"Because you may recognize something I might find."He looks up to Charlie with an unfriendly stare.
Conner:
"And I need to ask you a few things."Charlie:
"You couldn't ask me back in town—or over the phone."Conner gives a disapproving frown.
Conner:
"What I ask may change based on my findings."Charlie:
"Right, because a phone is limited to one question a day."Conner glances over with a disapproving glare.
Charlie leans his head back and sighs, clearly bored.
A long, silent moment while Conner skims the books, writing down notes.
Conner:
"Charlie, were you ever involved with any other Abnormal communities?"Charlie:
"No."Conner:
"What about before? Any religious affiliations—cults?"Charlie:
"Before?"Conner:
"When you were a human."Charlie:
"I don't remember being a human."Conner:
"What about your family?"Charlie, frustrated:
"What's the definition of insanity again? Asking me something over and over, expecting a different answer?"Conner:
"What about your college? Were there any social groups?"Charlie:
"What college?"Conner:
"The one you graduated from as a human."Charlie, uncomfortable:
"Why are you asking me this? Clearly, you know more about my past than I do."Conner:
"I know your name was Boonruang Chîn—"Charlie grimaces and looks away, avoiding the information.
Conner:
"Your father was a Thai immigrant, and your mother was Irish-American. Your father died from cancer a month before your graduation—"Charlie, low:
"I don't want to know this."Basit's brow furrows with concern.
Conner, stern:
"You lived in a small town in Pitt County. And the trail of who you are ends when your home was burned down with no known survivors. Reports concluded arson."Charlie's brows furrow:
"I don't remember a fire."Conner insistent:
"So you DO remember something?"Charlie looks up, his frustration growing.
Charlie:
"No!"Basit's concern grows as the two get more riled up.
Charlie covers his ears as Conner continues.
Conner:
"You graduated from Duke University with a master's in Biological and Biomedical Sciences—"Charlie mutters:
"Stop."Conner:
"—and you were engaged to—"Basit moves to speak up—
Charlie stands up and shouts.
Charlie:
"Stop! Just shut the fuck up! I don't want to hear it, I never want to hear it! I don't remember it! I don't want to know it!"Conner:
"Why? So you don't have to think about it? So you can stay in blissful ignorance while people die?!"Charlie tears up, a mix of sorrow and anger.
Charlie:
"I'm not the killer!"Conner:
"Killer or not, you were involved before any of this started. If there's any answer to this, it's in your past! So buck up, and jog that memory of yours! Because no matter how hard you run from this, you will never escape it. You'll just let others die while you plug up your ears and pretend everything will just be okay—for you."Basit stands up:
"Hey!"Conner:
"He—"Basit stern:
"Conner—cool it!"Charlie drops into the chair, covering his face. Conner goes back to his book, still angry.
Basit looks between them.
Basit:
"Who skipped breakfast?"Both don't move their gaze.
Conner:
"Why does that matter?"Basit:
"I'll take that as two 'yes'. So let's go get food."Conner:
"No, thank you—"She reaches over and closes the book he is staring at, Conner pulling back with annoyance.
Conner:
"You two go ahead—"Basit staring at him:
"Let's. Go."She turns and walks to the study's door and stands expectantly waiting.
Charlie gets up first, walking past the door and leaving without waiting for them.
Basit watches him leave, then looks to Conner with crossed arms.
The two have a stare-off for a moment before Conner silently concedes and steps away from the table.
He walks past her, head held high. She rolls her eyes behind him and follows him out.
Demetrius watches them leave.
Basit:
"We'll be back later, D."Demetrius displeased:
"Lovely…"Demetrius looks back down at the paperwork and books he's sorting.
-
They drive away from the library, the library in the distance behind them. In a visible off-road beside the library is parked a few dark colored cars and a few white ones are parked on the opposite side.
Basit:
"We'll drop you off at a diner, Charlie. Me and Conner will find our type of food elsewhere."Charlie says nothing, his eyes still down.
-
Conner's car stops in front of a breakfast restaurant. Charlie gets out.
Basit:
"Do you need cash?"Charlie ignores her, walking into the diner.
The car pulls out of the parking lot and drives off. Charlie sits at a booth.
He looks down at his hands, fidgeting. The world blurs out around him, and a vague silhouette of a figure stands in front of him, bright static. The faded memory echoes faintly in his mind.

"...ruang …at …es … …me …en?"

"Sir."

"... me.. li…"

"Sir?"

"... Chîn?..."

"Sir!"Charlie's head bolts up, staring at the waitress.
Waitress impatient:
"Do you want to order something?"Charlie:
"Uh—pancakes… and coffee."He looks back down, and she walks away. He rubs his face aggressively and leans back, looking out the window.
-
Basit and Conner walk down a downtown street.
Basit:
"So what are you in the mood for? Dog?"Conner grumbles.
Basit:
"Are we really going to do the silent game, Tangles?"Conner low:
"Stop that."Basit eyes him, and they continue walking.
Basit:
"You should be easier on the kid."Conner, annoyed:
"I'm solving the case."Basit:
"You're berating a victim."Conner shouts:
"If you don't like the way I do things, then you can just leave me be and let me do my work in peace!"Basit, hurt, stalls behind as Conner continues walking.
Basit:
"You want to know why I left?"Conner stops but doesn't turn, his anger mixing with grief.
Basit:
"Because of shit like this, you get so fucking obsessed with solving a case that you stop giving a shit about the people around you."She approaches him.
Conner:
"People are dead."Basit:
"Welcome to life."Conner turns:
"So I should just give up?!"Basit:
"No, but not every case can be solved by banging your head against it and everyone around you! It hasn't worked finding that kid, and it isn't working now."Rage flashes across Conner's face, and he grits his teeth, baring fangs, and goes to swing at her. She dodges and quickly returns a punch to his nose. He recoils with his hand on his face. He tries again, and she grabs his wrist. He swings with the other, and she catches that one too. Gripping both his arms, she pushes him up against the alley wall.
They stare at each other in a huff. Their anger soothes, and they mutually lean in to kiss each other. Basit lets go of his arms to grab his waist, and he cups his hands around her face. They both push their bodies closer together. With a growl, Basit grabs him by the upper arms. Conner lets out a meek gasp as Basit forces him around and pins his chest against the wall.
-
Early evening
Charlie is at the diner, his plate empty with only syrup. He looks down at his phone.

-Basit-
20 minutes ago
[Charlie] I'm done
Now
[Charlie] so no rush but I don't think this place doubles as a hotel :yawn:
[Basit] Otw

-
Charlie stands outside the diner. Conner's car pulls up, and Charlie gets in. Conner's hair and clothes are slightly, but not blatantly, less tidy.
Charlie:
"Ya'll were gone for a while."Conner looks away, and Basit lightly smirks.
Charlie:
"Bet you're full—"Conner's stomach growls, to both of their surprise. Basit is amused, while Conner is grudgingly flustered.
Charlie:
"...Or not."Basit quietly chuckles.
Conner low:
"Enough."He takes the car out of park and begins to drive.
Charlie:
"We're not going home now, are we?"Conner:
"No."Charlie sighs.

Basit, Conner, and Charlie step back into the library, the front desk unoccupied.
They return to the room and take their previous places.
They sit in silence as Conner finds his place in his book again.
Conner sighs:
"What I've gathered so far is that these pages are from an obscure cult. I have found only vague mentions of it. There isn't a lot of documentation about them."Basit:
"Why is it always cults?"Conner:
"The only information I have so far is that it was composed of both humans and Abnormals, and they worship the Auls as deities or angels."Basit grimaces:
"Lovely. But what does that have to do with killing Abnormals?"Conner:
"It's a ritual."Basit groans.
Conner:
"I'm still just trying to decode these nonsense scriptures. Maybe even find the full text, but not much luck on that so far. Any information I can find on the cult could make all the difference."Conner eyes Charlie:
"That's why if you have anything you can share, it could be exactly what we need."Charlie, annoyed:
"How long are we going to do this little song and dance? I don't—"Conner:
"
Remember. I know. But that doesn't mean we can't try to jog your memory."*Charlie looks away with stubborn silence.
Conner turns to Basit with a questioning and frustrated gaze. She gives him a mock stern look and gesture.
Conner sighs:
"Maybe you're not a bad person. But good people are dying, and you could help. Nora is wearing herself thin to assist the investigation, calling in every favor she has. Basit is running around like a dog to catch leads and defend us. And I won't let anyone else become a victim. What are you going to do?"Charlie grimaces, stands up, and walks out of the room. Conner looks down and shakes his head. He flips through his book as Basit watches him with tight-lipped disapproval.
Charlie walks through the empty foyer and out of the library, crossing the street.
Charlie sits at a bar.
The bartender steps up. Charlie orders, and the man sets down a shot of tequila.
Bartender:
"I like your tats, man."Charlie does not budge from his depressed demeanor.
Charlie:
"Thanks…"He finishes the drink quickly. He sits for a moment, staring down at it.
Charlie:
'Would it really help?'He lowers his head to prop it up with his hands and covers his eyes.
The memory of the park ranger briefly fades in, replaced by him walking through the tunnel, and then him falling down a steep forested hill. He looks behind himself to see the vague figure's silhouette. A shimmer turns to the shine of the blade, and the blade lifts, coated in blood. The static gets worse for each one, then completely obscuring the last; the blade's edge parallel to his eyes.
Charlie jerks his head up from his hands with a panicked gasp. He covers his mouth, eyes wide and shaking. He starts to tear up, his breath quick and unsteady.
He looks down, staring at his empty glass, the loud chatter of people around him pushing away the growing red noise. The bartender stops by him with the bottle, holding it up. Charlie pushes his glass forward, and the bartender fills it. Charlie downs it, pulls out a small wad of cash, sets it down, then stands up and leaves.
-
Basit:
"Alright, so if it is some cult, would there be multiple killers? How could we find the group?"Conner:
"If it was an active cult, this one seems all but dead. However, accomplices are—"
His eyes narrow "—possible."*He looks back down at his books, silently reading.
Conner mutters:
"I wonder…"Basit:
"Wonder what?"Conner momentarily looks up, not realizing he spoke aloud.
Conner:
"If the killer could be an Aul. I can't find any consistent information on them, and this dead cult was based on them."Basit:
"It's not."Conner:
"How do you know?"Basit:
"I've seen an Aul kill. This isn't like that."Conner, skeptical interest:
"When?"Basit frowns and looks away.
Basit:
"You know that… facility?"Conner:
"The abandoned bunker I found you in?"

Conner, younger, standing back from a metal bunker entrance, a huge mass of muscle and bone erupting from it.

"Yeah… That one. That's where I saw it."Conner briefly waits for her to speak more.
Conner:
"Can you elaborate?"Basit's frown deepens.
Conner looks away:
"Apologies."Basit:
"All the time we've known each other, you've always respected my boundaries when talking about my past."Conner, compassionate:
"Of course."Basit eyes him:
"Maybe give Charlie a similar luxury."Conner frowns and looks down. Basit sighs and leans forward to speak, and as she does, Conner puts his hands together, resting against them while he listens.
Basit:
"Before the facility went into lockdown from my escape attempt, it operated as a specimen storage facility, tons of Abnormals were held there—"Conner:
"I know—"She eyes him into silence. He closes his mouth then lowers his head to listen.
Basit:
"So when they got their hands on a genuine Aul—"
sarcastic optimism "—what better place to keep it, right?"*Her expression drops, and she pauses for a moment.
Basit's face turns grim as she speaks.
Basit:
"All Abnormals are unique, but an Aul is… something else. Abnormals are conscious in some form. But this… It got out of its containment, broke through almost all the other barriers, and slaughtered almost everyone. Like a machine."

The underground facility, a figure standing in an open area, it's human in shape. Its head floats above its shoulders with a large, glowing nail in the center of its forehead. Its eyes and mouth glow, open, still, and lifeless. Its hair is glowing and spectral, reaching out throughout the area, holding up and actively tearing apart several Abnormal corpses, a faint glow emitting from the corpses and flowing back into the tendrils. Several humans in agent outfits are shooting at it. The bullets ping off with no effect.

Conner:
"Was it not trying to escape as you did?"Basit looks up, stern:
"I killed the humans that got in my way. The Aul killed the Abnormals. Only Abnormals. It never even tried to leave. I think I only survived it because I had extra protection."
She sneers, "A luxury of being their 'asset'."*Conner:
"Did they kill it?"Basit:
"No, they couldn't. It was indestructible. Nothing could harm it. They just managed to confine it again and, I assume, take it to a more secure facility."Conner in thought:
"Hm."Basit tensing up in fear of the memory.
Basit:
"It didn't plan its attacks. It just acted. No threats, no communication, like it had no thoughts. Like, its only purpose was to annihilate every Abnormal it could get to."She drops her head.
Basit, dread:
"I really hope an Aul isn't involved in this. For all our sake."A moment after she finishes speaking, Charlie steps back into the room. Both look up to him as he walks over to the table. He grabs one of Conner's pens and a piece of paper. Conner is briefly affronted, then curious as Charlie starts to sketch out the blade from his memory. Charlie falls back down in his chair, head low. Conner picks up the paper and looks at Charlie.
Conner:
"What is this?"Charlie:
"It's the—"He lowers his face into his hands.
Charlie:
"It's the only thing I remember."Conner stares at the paper.
Conner:
"I'll be back. I need to get Demetrius's insight on this."Conner briskly walks out of the room.
Conner searches for Demetrius in the foyer.
Basit to Charlie:
"I'm going to have a smoke, want to come?"Charlie shakes his head in his hands. Basit turns and leaves the room.
Conner goes to Demetrius's office; it's empty. He goes to leave, but stops, spotting a familiar piece of paper on the desk.
Basit steps out of the room and walks down to the foyer. She leans against one of the walls in a short hallway to the restrooms. She leans against the wall and pulls out a cigarette, and lights it. She looks up, seeing a 'no smoking' sign. She stares at it while inhaling and blows the smoke in its direction.
Conner steps over and picks up the paper. A finger piece falls out and lands on the floor. Conner leans down and picks it up, then rushes from the office.
Basit leans her head back and sighs, catching a glimpse of blood. Turning her head, she sees a few drops on the floor by the bathroom doors. She pushes off the wall and crushes her cigarette against the metal sign. She walks down the hall and peers into the ajar door, seeing Demetrius' butchered body.
-
Conner:
"Putain !"
^{Fuck!}
Conner's foot kicks a smoking bin outside the library.
Basit stands nearby, a cigarette in hand.
Conner:
"Ici même ! We were this fucking close!"
^{{Right here!}}
Basit:
"It probably wasn't while we were here. We saw Demetrius just before we left—"Conner:
"Exactly! While we were off fucking around, someone else got killed!"Conner paces, upset.
Charlie lies in the back seat of the car, staring at his added finger piece, tired and dissociated.
Basit:
"Do you really think the murderer would have just announced themself if we were here? You know they would have just waited for another time to strike."Conner, upset, his voice more desperate than angry.
Conner:
"You don't know that."Basit:
"I know you're doing your best."Conner:
"Best isn't good enough! I have to finish this case! I have to…"His voice cracks and trails off. Basit watches him, sympathetic and concerned.
Conner:
"Let's go."He turns and walks towards the car. She follows, and they get in.
Basit:
"Is there anything else we need before we leave?"Conner:
"No. I collected everything I could. I'll tell Nora to get some people down here to take care of the body—"Conner's sorrow deepens:
"—and the library."Basit, empathetic:
"I'm sorry, Conner."Conner, pained:
"Me too."-
Conner carries a few folders of papers and some books into the basement. He places them on the table in front of the evidence board, then puts his hands on the desk edges, his expression grim. He collects himself and stands back up, reaches into his pocket, and looks down at the scrap of paper before pinning it to the board.

10#
And thus shall the host of our Lord's hunger, the Vassal of Desire,
first feast upon the Scion of the earth—first among Man. Then shall it feast among the stars.
And at the last, shall it hunt within Her void.

-
Charlie lies in his bed, his eyes open. His phone on his nightstand beeps a couple of times.
Kate sits on their bed with their phone, brows furrowed with worry. Beside them is a large pink stuffed platypus and an open laptop. In their room are a few bookshelves, a wall of photos and fairy lights, a dresser with a lamp and makeup kit, and a desk half-organized, half-cluttered with documents.

-Charlie-
Four hours ago
[Kate] How was your day with your friend?
30 minutes ago
[Kate] Goodnight
Now
[Kate] You ok?

Charlie doesn't notice the ping of his phone. He stares up at the ceiling. Static creeps into his view. The smooth off-white ceiling warps to dark weathered boards. The walls turn gray and rough like concrete. The vague shadow of a figure steps up beside him into his view.
Charlie jerks out of bed and stands up, grabbing only his lilac hoodie and leaving the apartment.
-
Charlie stops in front of a liquor store 'closed', he sighs and continues.
Across the street from Charlie is Anwir, heading for the nearby flower shop. Anwir spots him and waves, calling out.
Anwir:
"Charlie!"Charlie stops, looking and waving awkwardly, brows furrowed and unsure.
Anwir crosses the street and walks up to him.
Anwir concern:
"Are you alright?"Charlie:
"I'm fine."Anwir:
"Good. It's a bit late to be out, isn't it?"Charlie, suspicious gaze:
"Yeah.. it is…"Anwir, humored:
"If you're wondering why I'm also out so late—"He holds up a bag.
Anwir:
"I have floral arrangements that I have to get done tonight, and I ran out of foam and ties."Charlie:
"Oh… Good luck with that."Charlie turns and continues walking.
Anwir speaks up:
"Would you like to come inside for a bit?"Charlie glances over his shoulder at him.
Charlie:
"Nah, thanks."Anwir:
"Are you sure? I could use some help finishing the bouquets, and I can pay you for your time."Charlie stops, ponders, and turns around.
Anwir smiles:
"And I'll fix a cup of tea, or coffee if you prefer."Charlie:
"I don't know anything about flowers."Anwir:
"That's fine, all you need is some functioning hands."Charlie holds up his left hand, the pinkie and tip of his ring finger still missing.
Charlie:
"Guess I'm not qualified for the job then."Anwir, sympathetic smile:
"I'm sure that will be no issue."He concedes with a sigh and follows Anwir.
-
In Anwir's flower shop, both work on the bouquets in silence, a coffee beside Charlie. He works slower than Anwir, and his bouquet is less cohesive and organized. Anwir finishes his and sets it aside with several others.
Charlie:
"So—"Anwir looks over at him as he gathers more flowers.
Charlie:
"What made you want to be a florist?"Anwir:
"I'm not sure. Cultivating flowers is something that brought me joy, so I kept doing it until selling them became my career."Charlie, half-humored smile:
"Did being a priest not pay well?"Anwir chuckles:
"This became my passion after I left the church."Charlie:
"Ah."They go back to silence for a moment.
Charlie:
"Why did you leave the church?"Anwir's happy demeanor falters.
Charlie:
"Sorry—"Anwir:
"No, please, never be sorry for questions."His focus turns back to the flowers as he thinks.
Anwir:
"Have you ever lost someone you care about?"Charlie's demeanor closed up, feigning focus on the flowers in front of him.
Anwir:
"I've lost people before. Suddenly and without warning. It cuts you like a knife and leaves you feeling empty, alone, and broken."Charlie:
"Yeah… it does."Anwir:
"That is why I left the church. It simply could not fill the void that was left."Charlie:
"But flowers did?"Anwir sad chuckle:
"No. Nothing can. But I feel like maybe I can heal—a little bit."Anwir finishes another bouquet.
Charlie:
"How did you find it?"Anwir looks at him, questioning.
Charlie, nervous:
"The thing that helps you heal?"Anwir:
"I guess it's more like it found me. It took time to learn to soothe the pain with purpose."Charlie:
"You make it sound easy."Anwir chuckles:
"It's not. It's taken years to feel a little bit like a person again."Charlie, pained:
"I already forgot what it feels like to be human."Anwir gives him a soft smile.
Anwir:
"Then focus on remembering what it feels like to be Charlie."He picks up the two finished bouquets and sets them with the rest.
Anwir:
"And that's done."He pulls out his wallet and holds some cash up to Charlie.
Charlie hesitates:
"You don't have to. I didn't really help much."Anwir smiles:
"I keep my promises."Charlie tentatively takes it.
Anwir looks at the bouquet collection.
Anwir:
"Oh! That one is missing an orange chrysanthemum."He heads for the room at the back of the store, stopping at the door and looking back at Charlie.
Anwir:
"Would you like to see the rest?"Charlie:
"Of… your flowers?"Anwir nods, and Charlie follows him to the greenhouse connected to the back. Anwir finds the orange chrysanthemums and clips one from the rest.
Charlie:
"You really like flowers, huh?"Anwir chuckles:
"I do. They're all beautiful, but I do have a favorite."He stretches to look at the end of the greenhouse.
Anwir:
"Oh!"He approaches an area sectioned off for a single plant. Charlie follows him.
Anwir:
"It's bloomed!"Charlie:
"What is it?"Anwir:
"Pink lady slippers. They take years to have their first bloom. I started this one from a seed seven years ago."Anwir, smiling at it, Charlie masking his disinterest with a half-smile.
Anwir stands up straight again, still focused on the flower.
Anwir:
"Growing them takes patience, meticulous planning, and care. They take time, dedication, and focus. That makes it all the more rewarding."Anwir turns and clips a few more flowers from some of his collection. He bundles them and hands them to Charlie.
Anwir:
"Here."Charlie:
"Oh, you don't have to—"Anwir:
"I'm sure you have someone special to give them to."Charlie, slightly flustered, smiles and takes them.
-
Anwir follows Charlie out of his shop.
Anwir:
"Thank you again for your help, Charlie."Charlie:
"Sure, anytime."He smiles and waves. Anwir returns the gesture.
-
Charlie enters his apartment again.
He steps over to his trash can and picks up the business card.
He lies on the bed and stares at the ceiling before rolling over and closing his eyes, slipping into a white static fog.

"...Boonruang… what does that name mean?"
"Dad said …means light…"
"... and Chîn?"
"A piece...separated from a whole… dad took the name when he left his…"
"A piece separated from the whole."
"How beautiful."
"May I call you Chîn?"

-Kate-
Yesterday
[Charlie] Im fine
[Kate] You sure?
Now
[Charlie] Want to work on your car today? :car: :wrench:
[Kate] Sure, 3 good?

Charlie looks at his clock, 11:43 a.m.

[Charlie] ok

Charlie grabs a bottle of liquor from his kitchenette, sits on his couch, and turns on the TV, the infomercial channel playing.
-
Charlie is riding on the bus with flowers in hand.
-
Charlie gets off the bus and walks to Kate's house.
Charlie is on his phone while he walks.

-Kate-
[Charlie] Got everything in the garage?
[Kate] Everything on your list
[Charlie] :thumbsup:

-
Charlie walks up to the house towards the open garage. Kate steps out.
Charlie:
"Hey."Kate walks up to him with a smile.
Kate:
"Hi, handsome."Charlie awkwardly holds up the flowers. Kate grins and takes them.
Kate:
"I should have known you were a romantic."Kate kisses his cheek, and Charlie gives a flustered grin. He turns towards the car as Kate heads back for the house door with the flowers.
Kate:
"Want coffee?"Charlie:
"Sure—thanks."-
Charlie ties all of his hair into a bun.
Charlie changes the transmission:
Unhooks battery
Removes the driver shaft
Kate sits on a chair against the garage wall, going back and forth between watching Charlie work and being on their phone.
Charlie lifts the car with 4 big jacks, leaving one trans jack and parts.
-
Early night
Kate is tired, looks at their phone and sees it's 10:09 p.m.
Kate:
"Aren't you tired? You can finish this later."Charlie, from under the car, puts the final bolts on the replaced transmission.
Charlie:
"I'm fine. I'm almost done anyway."Kate:
"Almost done, as in 20 minutes or—?"Charlie thinks for a moment.
Charlie:
"An hour—ish?"Kate sighs with a weak smile, and they stand.
Kate:
"Then decide what you want to eat."Charlie gets out from under the car to grab a part.
Charlie:
"I'm good."Kate:
"It’s been over six hours, Charlie—assuming you ate before you got here."Charlie:
"Eating will just make it take longer."Kate stands up and heads for the door.
Kate:
"I'm not having you pass out under my car."Charlie:
"I won't. I wouldn't say no to more coffee, though."-
Kate, in the kitchen, puts on a pot of coffee. On the stove, a pot of water is boiling, and a pan of vegetables is frying.
Kate steps out with 2 cups of coffee. Charlie is sitting in the lowered car driver seat, wiping off his hands.
Kate:
"Need another?"Charlie:
"In a moment."Kate:
"At least take five for caffeine."Charlie smiles, drops the rag, and takes the cup.
Kate sets their phone down and drinks from their cup, too.
Kate:
"So you're a romantic and workaholic?"Charlie, tired chuckle:
"Not really. I just like working on cars. It's a good distraction."Kate:
"Distraction from what?"Charlie's smile falters, hiding it behind the coffee as he sips it. He masks with his typical witty smirk.
Charlie:
"Oh, you know. Climate change, the economy, existential dread. The usual human struggle."Kate gives a half-concerned half half-amused smile. Their phone beeps, the timer alarm goes off, Kate takes it and heads back inside. Charlie puts down the coffee and goes back to the car. He begins to replace the shaft.
-
10:42 p.m.
Kate fills two plates with food: Mashed potatoes, fried veggies, and Salisbury steak. They hear the car start and look up, rushing outside with excitement. They watch Charlie pull the car forward and out of the garage.
Charlie turns off the car again and steps out, Kate rushing up to him.
Charlie:
"Alright, it's don—"Kate grabs Charlie and pulls him into a kiss, affectionately hugging him.
Kate breaks it:
"Now get in here and eat something."Charlie:
"Yes—uhm… Captain?"Kate snorts and grabs his hand, leading him inside.
-
Charlie wolfs down the last few bites of food on his plate.
Kate chuckles, less than half done with their plate.
Kate:
"Still hungry?"Charlie, embarrassed:
"Maybe."Kate smiles, grabs his plate, and steps over to the counter.
Clock 11:04 p.m.
Kate:
"I knew you should have stopped to eat earlier."Charlie:
"Hey, I got it fixed."Kate happy:
"You did—without passing out, somehow."Light shining outside from Catherine's car pulling in.
Charlie:
"I guess I'm just really lucky, huh?"Kate sets the plate down in front of him and leans down to kiss him.
Kate's mom enters the house. She looks up. Her expression turns from tired to a sour glare.
Catherine:
"What the hell is he doing here?"Charlie looks up confused, and Kate, annoyed, stands up straight.
Kate:
"Well, that's hospitality for you."Catherine:
"I told you I don't want this in my house."Kate clenches their jaw:
"I'm just giving Charlie something to eat for fixing my car."Catherine:
"I'm sure that's all you're giving him as payment."Kate, upset:
"That's not—you know what, yes, I will be fucking him, because. He's. My. Boyfriend!"Charlie is taken aback and flustered by the outburst.
Catherine, disgust:
"Call it what you want, when everyone knows what's going on when you dress like a whore."Kate tenses up, enraged, as if about to shout. They clench their jaw and turn towards the garage door.
Kate:
"Let's go."Charlie gets up and follows them outside and to their car. Kate goes for the passenger seat.
Charlie stands, waiting, by the driver's side.
Charlie:
"Uh—"Kate looks back, Charlie holding out the keys to them.
Charlie:
"I don't drive."Kate:
"You don't?"Charlie:
"Not legally."Kate walks back around, takes the keys, and gets into the driver's seat, both getting in as Kate's mom steps outside.
Catherine:
"Cody—"Kate slams their car door and turns to shout.
Kate:
"It's Kate!"Kate starts the car and drives off.
-
Charlie sits awkwardly, and Kate is silently upset, holding back tears.
Charlie:
"So—what was that about?"Kate:
"Nothing. She just—"
snide sarcasm "I'm a sex-positive trans person with multiple boyfriends, so I must be whore!"*Charlie goes to speak, but they keep going, emotional and upset.
Kate:
"And who fucking cares?! If I wanted to be a sex worker, that would be none of her—or anyone else's fucking business!"Kate:
"And she's not really worried about my safety! She just can't get over I'm not her perfect little boy—"
They shout through tears "—in her eyes, I'm just some perverted freak, some tainted version of the son. She. Never. Had!"*
Kate smacks the steering wheel as they shout the last words.
Kate wheezes, tears rolling down their cheek.
Charlie awkwardly sits, silent.
Kate wipes their face:
"Sorry."Charlie:
"You're fine."They sit in silence for a few moments.
Charlie, nervous:
"This is probably a really bad time to admit I'm an idiot."Kate glances over, brows crooked in confusion.
Charlie:
"I may have heard that 'accountant' was a cover for 'sex work'."Kate's face drops:
"You thought I was a hooker?"Charlie:
"Maybe."Kate sighs heavily:
"God—Charlie…"Charlie, guilty:
"It doesn't bother me—I mean didn't—I mean I don't still think you are—or were—I just…"Charlie defeated:
"I'm an idiot."Kate passively watches him fumble, faint amusement growing.
Kate:
"Charlie. I have never been a hooker."Charlie, meek:
"Understood."Kate lightly smirks at him and looks back at the road.
Kate flat:
"I did strip for a while, though."Charlie looks over to them, silently surprised.
Kate:
"Ayden was the bouncer there. It helped pay for school and surgery."They glance over to him and smirk,
Kate:
"Completely different tax bracket."Charlie gives an embarrassed smile. Both sit in silence and relax.
Charlie:
"Where are we going?"Kate:
"I don't know."Charlie, half-smiles:
"Just driving aimlessly then?"Kate, realization:
"No. I think I know where I'm going."-

Kate drives up to an abandoned church building with a long driveway, surrounded by a field with a few houses in the distance.
Charlie:
"What's this place?"Kate parks and both exit the car.
Kate:
"An old church."They walk up to it.
Kate:
"Mom used to drag me and Dad here every Sunday. When it was abandoned, a group of friends and I started to come here to hang out."The large door creaks as they push it open.
Kate:
"Usually to do stupid shit like drink, smoke, and graffiti stuff."They walk past some spray-painted walls. A few names are tagged, including a blacked-out 'Cody' with newer paint. A few images are artistic, and a few others are simply crude words, symbols, and genitalia.
Charlie:
"So like every other teenager?"Kate chuckles:
"Pretty much."They walk to the podium, and Charlie rubs his tired eyes.
They stare out at the tall ceiling, the ransacked decor, dusty pews, and broken stained glass.
Charlie:
"I take it you're not the religious type."Kate:
"Like doing ritualistic worship shit? No."Charlie:
"Me neither. Kind of hard to believe in a god when so much bad shit happens, you know?"Kate walks off the podium and down the walkway between the seats.
Kate:
"I didn't say I don't believe in a god."Charlie:
"Oh."Kate turns to him, expectant and sly.
Kate:
"Problem?"Charlie:
"No—I mean, so long as you don't mind that I don't believe in it."Charlie follows them.
Kate shrugs:
"I don't care."They leave the service area and into the main hall again.
Charlie:
"Didn't it bother you to desecrate your church?"Kate:
"I didn't say I believe in their god either."Charlie:
"Which one then?"Kate shrugs:
"None in particular. I just think there is one. There must be."Charlie:
"Why must it be?"Kate walks to a door at the back, opening it before turning back to Charlie.
Kate:
"Because only some kind of god could make a world that has such strict rules yet so much random bullshit. How else does it make sense for someone like me to exist?"Charlie:
"Well, that's—Ironic."Charlie follows Kate into the hall.
Kate chuckles:
"I aim to surprise!"They go down a short set of steps into the lower floor.
As Kate talks, Charlie looks down, seeing his bare feet. He shakes it off and rubs his eyes. He looks back up, tired and strained. He suppresses a yawn.
Kate:
"I don’t hang out with those guys anymore, but over the years, this place has somehow become a safe space for me. Just a place to be alone and think."They enter a kitchen area. Past it is a sitting room. There is a light switch on the kitchen wall before the exit to the next room.
Kate:
"I spent a lot of time here when I was figuring myself out—and avoiding mom."They were near the doorway to the next room.
Kate:
"Maybe I should check in on the old gang sometime—if they’d even be—"Kate looked off to the side, both about to enter the room. Charlie sees the silhouette of another victim lying on the floor. The walls around him are fake, paneled wood.
Shocked, Charlie grabs Kate's arm and pulls them back out and away from the room, scared.
Kate:
"Ow, Charlie, what the fuck?!"Charlie grips their arms in a panic.
Charlie:
"Go back to the car."Kate:
"What, why?"Charlie:
"Just do it!"Kate fights him off:
"Charlie, let go of me!"Kate pulls away, going back towards the doorway.
Charlie:
"Don't—!"Charlie reaches for Kate as they go for the lights. Kate flips them on, and both the lights for the kitchen and the next room come on, showing the next room is empty, save for a few scattered chairs and a dusty meeting table.
Charlie stares, confused and a bit dazed.
Kate:
"What is wrong with you?!"Charlie:
"I thought…"He looks down, his breathing becoming ragged, and his hands start to shake. A faint static overlay of Daniel's trailer carpet under his feet.
Charlie:
"...I think I'm having an episode."Kate's expression turns from anger to concern.
Kate:
"Oh! Uh—"Charlie goes to cover his face, hyperventilating. He's standing in Daniel's trailer, hands over his eyes, Daniel's body lying in front of him.
Kate grabs his hands and pulls them from his face, holding and rubbing them.
Kate:
"Hey, look at me. It's alright."Charlie looks up, vision obscured, through the static of the trailer.
Kate:
"It's me, Kate. I'm right here, just breathe."The view fades to see Kate's face in front of him, still in Daniel's trailer.
Kate:
*"You're in an old church. We were exploring it, and I was telling you about my old friends'
The surrounding view of Kate in the camper fades to the church.
Kate:
"We came here in my car. You fixed it earlier, remember?"Charlie, still shaken and breathing ragged, tries to focus on Kate.
Kate:
"Can you tell me what color my shirt is?"Charli:
"…Blue."Kate struggled to think.
Kate:
"And, uhm—my car, what color was it?"Charlie thinks back, seeing the Ranger's truck.
Charlie, dazed:
"Green—"Kate's concern:
"The car you fixed a few hours ago. What color is it?"Charlie blinks:
"... Champagne."Charlie, calmer, looks at Kate's hands on his, grabbing them.
Kate, relieved:
"That's it. And what type of car is it?"Both smile.
Charlie:
*"1979 Ford Mustang notchback coupe'
Kate:
"Dork."Kate puts their hands on either side of Charlie's face, giving a comforting smile.
Kate:
"You're safe, Charlie."Charlie:
"Sorry—"Kate:
"No, I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were struggling. Want to go home now?"Charlie nods.
-
1:13 a.m.
Charlie lies in his bed, Kate is asleep beside him. The red static persists around his vision. He closes his eyes; his arm is bound to the floor. He looks up as a rubber boot steps over to him. Charlie's eyes open again, brows furrowed, and breath hitching.
Kate stirs and rolls over, opening their eyes to look at Charlie.
Kate:
"Can't sleep?"Charlie:
"No."Kate:
"Any way I can help you get to sleep?"Charlie:
"Knock me out with a crowbar."Kate gives a pained chuckle. They lean over and kiss him.
Kate:
"I think we can figure out something better than that."They lay close together, kissing for a moment before Kate shifts and moves over top of Charlie. Both shift under the covers, Kate pulling Charlie's shirt off and tossing it to the side. Charlie pulls Kate down, holding them close to his chest as they rock. Their breath quickens.
They stop, both exhale, Charlie's head leaned back against the pillow, catching his breath.
Kate grins:
"Feel any better?"Charlie smiles:
"A bit."Kate:
"Good."Kate kisses him on his brow.
Charlie gives a wide, happy smile.
Charlie:
"I love you."Both of their faces flinch with a mix of anxiety and happiness.
Both stay awkwardly silent for a moment, Kate avoiding eye contact.
Kate, masking humor:
"Try that again, before sex next time."Charlie gives a nervous chuckle.
-
Late morning
Charlie is stirring a bowl of pancake mix, Kate is in the shower.
Kate exits the bathroom, drying their hair as they sit down at Charlie's table.
Charlie puts a coffee in front of them.
Kate:
"Oh, thanks."Charlie:
"Pancakes?"Kate:
"Sure."Charlie sets a plate down in front of them and goes back to making more.
Charlie:
"Uh—Thank you. For helping me calm down last night."Kate:
"Yeah, no problem. Sorry if taking you to the church triggered you."Charlie sits down with his own food and coffee.
Charlie:
"No. I—I think I was just really tired."Kate:
"Oh, yeah. That'll do it."Charlie:
"You seem to know how to handle me when I'm… like that."Kate:
"Hardly. But my dad had episodes like that."Charlie:
"You helped him with them?"Kate:
"Not really. But I saw my uncle do stuff like that to help ground him."Charlie finishes off his food quickly.
Kate:
"Well, not uncle exactly. He worked with my dad and became a good family friend after my dad left his job."Charlie:
"Mm. So like a 'don't tell my wife' kind of 'not-uncle'?"Kate, amused:
"Heh—They were both straight. But he definitely didn't act the part, really eccentric."Charlie smiles:
"Platonic 'not-uncle' then, got it. Where did he and your dad work?"Kate:
"Not sure, some government agency, I think. Not the army, but maybe the military, or something else. He didn't really talk about it."Charlie takes his empty plate back to his counter, turning on the burner to make more pancakes.
Kate watches him cook for a moment.
Kate smirks:
"You know, this counts as 'before sex'."Charlie gives a nervous chuckle, his back still turned away from Kate as he cooks.
Kate's expression falls, and they look down at their coffee.
Kate, mutters:
"Exactly."Charlie's back still turned, expression anxious.
Charlie, internal:
'Don't make it worse.'Kate, disappointed, stands, grabbing their bag and keys.
Kate:
"I need to get going."Charlie glances back:
"Oh… Alright."Kate, light smirk:
"I have a client to get to."Charlie looks confused for a moment.
Charlie:
"Oh, you're joking."Kate:
"Accountants have clients, too."Charlie, embarrassed:
"Right."Kate snorts, amused, as they leave.
-
Evening
Charlie is lying on his couch. On the coffee table is a single empty shot glass, an open car magazine, and his phone. The TV is on, infomercials are playing. Charlie is not paying attention to it. He stares at his two-thirds complete ring finger and rubs it with his other hand. The two pieces slip off from the knuckles, then snap back on.

Morning, laundromat.
Charlie walks down the street with a laundry basket.
Charlie sits on a bench in the laundromat, watching a TV in the overhead corner.
Charlie pulls his clothes out of the dryer and sets the basket beside him at the folding table. He puts in earbuds, turns on some music on his phone, and begins to fold.
Kate steps into the laundromat, out of view from Charlie. They put their clothes in the washer. They go to pour in the detergent, but only a few drops come out. They purse their lips together and walk to the detergent dispenser in the back. They pass the large washing machines and spot Charlie at the dryer tables, swaying to the music.
Kate:
"Hey, Charlie!"Charlie, unable to hear them, starts to bounce to the music, mouthing and humming some of the lyrics.
Kate smiles affectionately and steps up behind him. They reach their hands out with a mischievous grin—they pause, contemplating.
They pull their hands back and give Charlie a wide berth. They step around him and wave.
Charlie sees them out of the corner of his eye. He turns with a surprised gasp, a momentary flash of terror on his face.
Kate, remorse:
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."Charlie, still shaken:
"What are you doing here?"Kate:
"I was going to put on my laundry and then come bother you while I waited for it to finish."Charlie, sly grin:
"Staring at the spin cycle's not as entertaining as me, I take it?"Kate smirks:
"Not even close."Charlie watches as Kate steps away to get the detergent from the dispenser, then steps back over to their washing machine.
As Kate goes to open the mini bottle, Charlie steps over, peeking from the top corner of the machine.
Charlie:
"This one is broken, you know."Kate looks over:
"Really?"Charlie:
"It stops halfway through the rinse cycle."He points to another machine further down the line.
Charlie:
"That one works well."Kate looks at it and then goes to pull their laundry back out of the machine.
Kate:
"Thanks for saving me that headache."Charlie:
"I am a wealth of laundromat knowledge."Kate chuckles:
"Does that make you my laundry mentor then?"They pick up the basket and lean into Charlie, pecking his cheek.
Kate:
"Or shall I just call you my Charlie?"Charlie gives a crooked, flustered grin.
-
Kate opens the door to Charlie's apartment. Charlie steps in with his basket of folded laundry.
Charlie:
"You sure you want to leave your laundry in your car?"Kate:
"Mhm. What, is someone going to break into my car to steal my pantyhose?"Charlie, playful grin:
"I would—"His grin drops, and his brows furrow.
Charlie:
"—wait, no, never mind, that's creepy."Charlie sits on the couch as Kate gives an amused chuff.
Kate follows behind, steps in front of him, and straddles his lap.
They lean in and kiss him. Charlie wraps his arms around them. Kate pauses, face still close to Charlie's.
Kate:
"Have I softened you up enough to ask if I can stay the night?"Charlie, half-smile:
"You don't have to soften me up for me to say yes to that."Kate's smile falters, and their tone shifts.
Kate:
"Thank you."Charlie notices:
"Something wrong?"Kate sighs:
"Not anything new. Just Mom being insufferable, so I need a break from being around her. Normally, I stay at Ayden's, but he has work tonight—"
mock bravado "—and I thought you could use my company."*Charlie grins, putting his hands on Kate's waist.
Charlie:
"I always crave your company."Kate grins and kisses Charlie as he slides his hands up Kate's sides, lifting their shirt.
A sudden knock at the door causes them to stop. They look towards the door, and the knocking repeats.
Charlie sighs and leans back. Kate, half-smiling, gets up from his lap.
Kate:
"Shall I make coffee?"Charlie stands:
"Yeah, go ahead."Charlie walks over to the door and opens it to see Nora.
Charlie, concerned:
"Nora? Has something happened?"Nora:
"No, I just—"Nora spots Kate at Charlie's kitchenette.
Nora, suspicion:
"Who are you?"Charlie grows annoyed. Kate looks over from the kitchen, giving a small wave.
Kate:
"I'm Kate."Nora looks to Charlie with slightly hunched, defensive shoulders.
Nora:
"Charlie, who are they?"Charlie flat:
"They just said their name is Kate."Nora:
"No, I mean—"Charlie, passive-aggressive smirk:
"Did you want something? Other than to interrogate me over my social life?"Nora:
"I just wanted to make sure you're doing all right. Are you sleeping well? Eating? Staying hydrated?"Charlie:
"Should I also hand over my report card with those answers?"Nora crosses her arms in mock defense.
Nora:
"I'm just checking in, Charlie, as I'd do for anyone else."Kate glances over to them, stirring their coffee.
Charlie:
"Right—definitely no change lately."Nora gives a frustrated huff.
Charlie:
"I'm fine, Nora, really."Nora smiles:
"Good. Visit soon, alright?"Charlie:
"Sure. Bye, Nora."Charlie goes to shut the door, Nora staying put and leaning to eye Kate as the door shuts. She stands for a moment before turning to leave.
Charlie steps over beside Kate, and they hand him a cup.
Kate, amused smirk:
"Foster mom?"Charlie:
"No—Well—she probably thinks so."Kate smiles:
"She seems cool."Charlie grins as he sips from his mug and sets it down, stepping in front of Kate and leaning in.
Charlie:
"Where were we—"Charlie's phone starts pinging repeatedly.
Charlie's face drops, and Kate snorts.
Kate:
"You should check that."Kate steps away from him and walks back to the couch. Charlie sighs and takes his phone out of his pocket.

-Nora-
[Nora] Are they just a friend?
[Nora] How did you meet them?
[Nora] Are they human?
[Nora] Are they nice to you?
[Charlie] NORA

Another ping and a notification for a message from Conner overlaps the conversation.

-Snoody Spoody-
[Snoody Spoody] Be here at 4 o'clock sharp.
[Charlie] …Why?
[Snoody Spoody] Got a lead on our investigation.

Charlie sighs, Kate glances over.

[Charlie] I'm kind of busy today, hopefully you and Basit can handle it without my essential moral support.
[Snoody Spoody] Basit is sitting this one out. Four sharp.
[Charlie] I have something kind of important already.
[Snoody Spoody] More important than the case?

Charlie's expression turns more agitated. Kate watches from the couch, and they step back over to Charlie.
Kate:
"Are you alright?"Charlie looks up, with a masking smile:
"Yeah, I'm fine."Kate:
"Is something wrong?"Charlie:
"Uh, no, just—being called into something... work related."Kate, sly smirk:
"And you don't want to tear yourself away from my company?"Charlie:
"Yeah, that too, actually."Kate smiles and steps up, leaning in.
Kate:
"Well, if you don't mind me being in your apartment alone, you can go ahead and do whatever you need to, and I'll be here for when you get back."Charlie:
"Coming home from work to a beautiful person in my home? Now that would be a dangerous addiction."They smile, and Charlie kisses them.
Kate:
"How long till you have to leave?"Charlie:
"Mmm. We have time."Kate grins and grabs him by the shirt, pulling him towards the bed.
-
Charlie walks into Nora's house. Nora and Hyphae are absent. He walks up to the basement door, brows furrowed. He grits and steps down the stairs slowly. He steadily and slowly, walks down the steps.
He places his foot down, and the step creaks. He gasps and darts down the rest of the way in a panic. He looks back at it, vision clearing. He sighs and looks over to Conner, seeing him on his knees in front of the table, hands up and clasped together and wrapped with the red thread from his neck, praying.
Charlie:
"Didn't take you for the faithful type."Charlie steps up beside him, and Conner opens his eyes to glare before standing up.
Conner:
"And, why shouldn't I be?"Charlie shrugs:
"You just don't seem the type. You seem like that 'God is dead and humanity has no hope' kind of jaded."Conner:
"It doesn't. That's exactly why I do believe."Conner looks up at the board of evidence.
Conner:
"The world is full of nothing but pain, suffering, and injustice. There must be something greater—and good—to balance our hell."Charlie:
"If there was a good god, wouldn't they have done something about it?"Conner:
"And if she did? Would the world listen and fall in line with virtue? Or would it simply go back to burning itself?"Charlie:
"Fair enough."Conner looks back up at the board.
Conner, grim:
"I believe because I have to."His eyes fall to the tin tucked under some files on the table.
Conner:
"Otherwise, we are alone in our hell."Charlie mutters:
"Welcome to my world. Tickets are free."Conner steps away from the table, grabbing a jacket.
Conner:
"Come on."Charlie and Conner head outside to Conner's car.
Charlie:
"So what's the lead this time?"Conner:
"Ricky's boss."Charlie, worried:
"A crime boss? And Basit's not coming?"Conner:
"No, I know his tricks, and she would be in danger for this one."Conner gets in the car.
Charlie, mock excitement:
"That's super reassuring!"Charlie follows, getting in the passenger seat.
Conner:
"Keep your socks on. We will still have backup."Charlie:
"Someone tougher than Basit?"Conner:
"No. But in this case, he'll do fine."-

Evening, the sun almost fully set.
They drive through a country area, passing some country houses and trailers. Conner pulls into a dirt road and parks.
He gets out, Charlie following.
Conner:
"We'll stay parked here. It's probably best not to be seen yet."Charlie:
"What about the backup?"A Vorein, standing straight, steps out of the woods from behind him:
"Heh, backup?"The Vorein has deep, warm red fur with paler cream and darker brown patches, a few piercings up his ears and on his brow.
Charlie turns, shocked, and tenses, ready to run.
Conner:
"Ah, Mr. Mercer."Vorein, feign offense:
"Tsk tsk. And here I thought we were on a first-name basis. You get back up with Basit, and suddenly I'm just 'the backup'."Conner, passive-aggressive sarcasm:
"You are a valid member of the people I contract for assistance with my investigations. Does that feel better?"The Vorein, amused:
"Good enough. Who's this?"He points to Charlie, who's still on edge.
Conner:
"This is Charlie. Now, if this is enough chit chat, let's be off."Charlie relaxes a bit, and Conner turns to walk away. The Vorein lowers his ears, questioning.
Vorein:
"Charlie? You know Kate?"Charlie tenses, worried:
"Are they alright?"Conner reluctantly stops and waits for them.
Vorein:
"Yeah, No—I mean, they're fine, Uh—"He holds out a clawed hand to Charlie.
Ayden:
"I'm Ayden. Kate's other boyfriend..."Charlie stares at the hand:
"Oh—"Realization fully sets in, and he looks up in shock.
Charlie:
"OH! You're a Vorein?!"Ayden lowers his hand again.
Ayden:
"Yeah… Kate has a type, it seems."Charlie:
"Do they know—?"Ayden:
"Nooo—definitely not."Conner:
"Are you quite finished?"The two turn and follow Conner into the woods. After a short distance, they're back into a clearing with a small trailer, music blaring from it.
Ayden's ears perk up, and he listens.
Ayden:
"Is he… Ah."Conner and Charlie glance up at him as he talks to himself.
Conner:
"What?"Ayden:
"Pick the lock, we can catch him while his pants are down."Ayden smirks, and Conner nods.
Conner kneels in front of the door, pulling out a small lock pick from his breast pocket.
Conner unlocks the door and steps back. Ayden steps up and bursts through the door.
Apollo jumps up, surprised, and shouts.
Apollo:
"Whoa, what the fuck?!"The trailer is a wreck filled with clutter, dirty clothes, beer cans, empty take-out containers, and magazines. The main room is a makeshift sleeping space, with drug paraphernalia out in the open on tables and other random surfaces, and porn on the large TV while the music blasts from a nearby stereo system.
Apollo is short, scrawny, and pale, with dark, shaved hair. His face is smooth, round, and young, early 20s, and he wears an oversized tee with his shorts at his ankles. He quickly pulls them up. Charlie flusters from the sight.
Charlie:
"Oh—you weren't kidding."Ayden amused, Conner stoic.
Apollo grabs a nearby gun, Charlie instinctively ducks, and Ayden and Conner stand their ground.
Apollo:
"Who the fuck do you think you are?!"Conner:
"Conner Edwards, Abnormal investigator. I have some questions for you, Apollo."Apollo:
"Oh yeah, and I have some bullets for you!"Conner's head tilts, getting annoyed by the blaring music.
He goes to shoot, the gun clicks, he looks at it confused, and sees the magazine is missing.
Apollo:
"Where the fuck—?"An appendage shoots out from Conner's back and stabs the Stereo, silencing it.
Apollo looks from it to Conner with flat disbelief.
Apollo:
"You have about two and a half seconds to explain yourself—"He turns again and looks around the mess while muttering to himself.
Apollo:
"While I find that fucking—"Ayden steps forward, grabbing Apollo by the throat and holding him up.
Apollo:
"Gurk—Hey, let go of me, you fucking mutt."Conner:
"I said—I have questions."Apollo:
"Fuck your—Ack!"Ayden tightens his grip, choking him into silence. Conner steps up and sits on the couch, glancing down at it with disgust. Staying behind the couch, Charlie hesitantly rises again and spots the TV remote, picking it up to turn the TV and the porn off.
Conner:
"Apollo, among your many avenues of illegitimate business—"Apollo:
"The fuck you talking about? What do I look like, a crime boss to you?"Conner:
"The ability to force people not to speak of you backfires when you become known for it."Apollo:
"Tch, Useless fucking ability."Conner:
"Among your many operations, you have a group of runners—people delivering packages for you and others who commission you."Apollo, snarky:
"If you needed a run, you could have just asked. But now the rates are double. To replace my fucking stereo."Conner continues:
"It has come to my attention that some packages, which are a part of my investigation, were given to you to deliver. These packages have been a key piece in a murder spree. I need to know everything you do about the packages and who sent them to you."Apollo:
"Sorry, Mr.Old MacDonald, but I don't snitch on customers—Ack!"Ayden squeezes his throat again.
Conner:
"Well, one of your customers is a murderer, so either you talk or my associate here uses you as a chew toy."Apollo looks at Ayden, who gives a wide, toothy grin.
Apollo:
"Heh… about that—"A sharp-ended tendril, made of ribbed spine-like bones, extends from under Apollo's shirt and stabs Ayden in his shoulder. Ayden gives out a "Gah!"*
and drops Apollo. Conner's cold demeanor remains as the fight breaks out. Charlie yelps, hiding behind the couch.
Apollo goes to scramble away, seemingly for the door. Ayden grabs him and pulls him back. Apollo turns around, going to stab at him again, but Ayden catches it with his maw and the second with his other hand. A third one stabs the hand gripping Apollo, causing Ayden's bite to loosen as he yelps from the pain. His build seemingly increases in size slightly with each hit he takes.
Apollo rushes to grab something. He stands holding up a cattle prod with a triumphant smirk.
Ayden, huffing and bleeding, looks at it and laughs.
Ayden:
"What is this, kink night? You better have good aim."Ayden lowers ready to lunge.
Aydene:
"I like it along the spine."Ayden jumps at Apollo and goes to bite him, aiming for the neck. Apollo raises his arm to catch the bite, his blood is dark purple, then jabs Ayden with the prod. Ayden grits through the shock with a grunt, jaw clenching on the arm. Seeing it's ineffective, Apollo reaches out his multiple appendages, stabbing Ayden repeatedly all over. Ayden catches a few aimed at his vitals. As the stabs keep hitting him, Ayden grows in size and his eyes become a solid red, becoming more quadrupedal and less humanoid. His front paws land on the floor, his maw still on Apollo's arm. Apollo's eyes widen, and Ayden slings him across the trailer, crashing him into his TV. Conner still sits, observing and calm, legs crossed with an elbow on the armrest. Charlie is still crouched against the couch's back, watching the fight uneasily.
Apollo pulls himself up, looking up at the enraged Vorein. Ayden nears, back hunched and low growls, ready to lunge. Apollo looks from his door to Ayden, then to the window beside him. He darts for it and jumps through, shattering the glass. Ayden rushes for him and bursts through the window, making a wide hole in the trailer's wall. Apollo sprints across the open area, in front of the trailer, to the road. Ayden runs after him, lunging and biting down on Apollo's arm. As Apollo stabs at him, Ayden braces him with his paw and rips his arm off. Ayden tears Apollo apart, ripping off appendages and limbs in a rage until he's left with only nubs for appendages and one arm.
Apollo looks up to the teeth above him.
Apollo:
"Wait—!"Ayden bites down on his skull, tearing it off his neck and crushing it in his maw. The mass falls from his teeth, and he huffs, his eyes returning to normal and his size shrinking.
Conner walks up to them, Charlie following behind, staring with disturbed horror.
Ayden stands back up and looks at Conner.
Ayden:
"Uh—sorry, boss…"One last appendage reaches up and gives one more stab at Ayden's shoulder from behind. He shouts as Apollo's torso skitters off with its one arm and nubby appendages. He gets a short way before a spidery leg stabs him, pinning him in place, causing the torso to emit a "gak!". Conner keeps him held down, Charlie and Ayden walking up to them.
Conner:
"Now, talk."He demands, Conner's other appendage ripping Apollo's shirt off to reveal several eyes up the ribs and a toothy mouth just under the ribcage.
Apollo groans:
"Fuck you, Conner Edwards."Conner:
"Talk."Apollo:
"What the fuck do you want from me? I was given some packages to deliver, so I gave them to my boys. Big fucking deal."Conner:
"Who gave you the packages?"Apollo:
"Fuck if I know. They were just dropped off along with payment. A customer is a customer, so we delivered."Conner:
"How many were you given?"Apollo:
"A couple at a time. First two, then a few sets of three, and then two."Conner:
"I need more information than that."Apollo:
"Well, I can't pull it out of my ass!"Apollo sighs:
"Okay, look, one of them we never exactly sent out like usual—"Conner:
"Why?"Apollo:
"Because it was addressed to one of my men."Conner perks up:
"Who? When did you last have contact with them?"Apollo:
"I don't know, yesterday?"Conner hopeful:
"Then maybe we have time—give me their address!"Apollo:
"Ugh, fine—"Charlie glances over to Ayden and grimaces, seeing all the bleeding wounds.
Conner writes down the address as Apollo speaks.
Apollo:
"—but don't expect to find them until Friday."Conner:
"We need to find them now."Apollo:
"Well, whoopty-fucking-doo for you, they're on a job."Conner:
"They could be dead."Apollo:
"I know, you think our line of work has safety regulations? Be real. Neither of us will be contacting them until Friday, probably just past midnight. That's our schedule."Conner:
"Tell me what they're doing and where they went. Maybe I can—"Apollo:
"Get the mothballs out of your ears! By the time you find them, if you find them, they'll be done and headed home. Don't waste your time."Conner scowls.
Apollo:
"Now get the fuck off of me!"Conner stares down at him with a contemptuous scowl as he ponders.
Conner:
"Fine."One of his appendages pricks Apollo, pulling a purple string from his blood.
Apollo shouts out:
"Ow! Fucking asshole!"Conner's appendage brings the string to his hand, and he takes it, wrapping the purple thread around his wrist.
Conner:
"But I'll be keeping an eye on you."Conner's appendage lifts, Apollo slides off, drops, and quickly skitters away.
Ayden and Charlie watch as the Abnormal flees across the road and into the woods.
Ayden sighs:
"Right, well now that's done—"He turns to the two with a grin and perked up ears.
Ayden:
"Burgers, anyone?"Charlie stares at him in tired disbelief. Conner flatly looks from him to a dim light on the road.
Conner:
"Car."Ayden looks over his shoulder at the approaching car lights.
In the car, a country woman drives down the road. She turns her head as she passes them, slowing down. She looks out her car windows to see Charlie with his hoodie up, turned slightly, hiding his face from view. Conner stands the same, staring at the car. Ayden, now in human form, nude and bloodied, waves with a smile.
Her jaw drops at the sight. They watch as the car speeds away.
Conner turns to leave, Charlie looking up as Ayden follows.
-

Charlie stands tired and a bit dazed in front of a 24/7 food shack window. The server steps over to the window with four burgers and a drink on a tray.
"Here you are!"*Charlie goes to take the tray by the sides, the server looking past him, growing concerned.
'Uhm. Is he alright? Should I call for an ambulance?"*Charlie looks over to Ayden and Conner sitting at one of the outdoor tables. Ayden, human form, wearing pants but shirtless, covered in bandages, Conner tending to his wounds.
Ayden overhears her and raises a hand.
Ayden:
"We're good—Ouch!"He shouts as Conner dabs iodine on the stab wound on his back shoulder. Conner side-eyes him. His face is leaning in close as he works.
Charlie's brow furrows slightly, the waitress staring with deep concern.
Charlie, flat:
"I think we're fine."Ayden:
"Hey! Can I get a bottle of mustard with that?!"Charlie, tired, simply turns back to her. She looks from Ayden to Charlie, still deeply concerned, then steps away, still uneasy, and brings the bottle, setting it on the tray.
Charlie brings the tray over to the table and sits.
Ayden takes three of the burgers and the drink. Charlie takes the fourth and slowly opens it, a bit zoned out. Ayden enthusiastically opens the bun and pours an abundant amount of mustard onto it before retopping it and biting into it.
Ayden, mouth half full:
"You going after that agent of his or waiting till Friday?"Conner sighs:
"I'll get some contacts on it. But I don't need to be out on a goose chase if he's right, and I'd sooner find them when they return home."Ayden:
"You're the boss."Ayden grabs the second burger. As he coats it in mustard, he glances at Charlie, who's only taken one bite of his.
Ayden:
"Don't like burgers?"Charlie doesn't respond.
Ayden:
"Yo!"Charlie looks up:
"Uh—I'm not really hungry."Ayden watches him, mildly concerned, before he turns back to his food and wolfs down half of the second burger.
Ayden:
"Why are you dragging the kid into this, Conner?"Charlie glances up, mildly offended.
Charlie:
"Kid?"Ayden:
"What are you, twenty?"Charlie, annoyed:
"Thirty—"
unsure "—at least."*Ayden shrugs:
"Hard to tell with your people."Charlie frowns:
"Asians?"Ayden:
"Abnormals. But that too."Conner interrupts:
"Because he's involved in this case."Ayden:
"Okay, sure—I don't know what all's going on, but why bring him to this?"Conner:
"Because if he tags along, I get a chance to see the lead's reactions. Any air of recognition gives me an idea of how deeply involved they– or he—are."Ayden finishes off his burger as Conner talks.
Charlie speaks up:
"Are we done here?"Conner:
"There are a few people I need to check in on before we head back."Charlie's brows furrow, and he stands.
Charlie:
"I'll find my own way home."Conner:
"Are you aware of how far we are from the city?"Charlie ignores him and continues walking off into the darkness, following the highway.
Ayden, eating his third burger, furrows his brow and looks to Conner.
Ayden:
"Shouldn't we give him a ride home?"Conner:
"If he wants to walk, he can walk. I need to check those people as soon as I can."Ayden:
"Leads?"Conner:
"Humanoid Abnormals that may be targets. It's blind shots in the dark, but better to check on them and make sure they're not dead—or a target."Ayden unsure:
"If you say so, boss."Ayden turns his attention back to the burger, finishing it.
Ayden grins:
"So are you back up with Basit or is she just tolerating you for the case?"Conner side-eyes him, glaring.
Ayden chuckles:
"Careful, you pine any harder and she might feel like you care."Conner's glare intensifies, Ayden's cocky grin widens, and he glances over to Charlie's burger and grabs it.
-
Charlie walks down the side of the highway, an open area of all fields, barely lit up by the nearly full moon. As he walks, a silhouette forms behind him, following him at a brisk pace. He glances to the side but does not look directly behind himself, the fear on his face growing. He looks down at the road and begins to walk faster. The red static grows around his vision, his pace quickening until he's sprinting away in a panic. He pushes past trees, branches smacking his face and body as he runs through the dense forest. He trips down the hill, his hands land on the road, and he falls to his knees, panting and wheezing. He looks behind himself, seeing only the empty road and fields. Choking back sobs, he crawls off the road and onto the grassy incline, curls up, and burrows his face into his knees.
He lifts his head and shakily grabs his phone.

-Kate-
[Charlie] hey cani bug u forr a ride?

Kate lies asleep in Charlie's bed, a book on their chest. Their phone on the bedside table pings, but Kate doesn't stir.
Charlie waits in the dark, huddled up. He checks his phone; no response.
He calls Nora. She sits at her papers-filled dining table, head on her arm, and passed out. An empty glass and a half bottle of whiskey are nearby.
The call goes to voicemail, and Charlie hangs up, hugging his knees again, face down.
After a long while, Charlie pulls up his phone again, slightly calmer, and makes a call.
Charlie:
"H-hey. I'm sorry—I don't mean to bother you so late—"Charlie:
"Yeah… I'm—can I get a ride home?"-
Charlie is waiting, exhausted and sitting in the same spot. A silver Honda car drives by, stopping just past him. Charlie looks up, Anwir peeking out of the car window.
Anwir:
"Hey, hop in."Charlie stands. Charlie sits in the passenger seat, putting on the seat belt.
Charlie:
"Thanks for coming to pick me up."Anwir:
"No problem. Are you alright?"Charlie:
"I'm fine. I just need to get home."-
Anwir parks in front of Charlie's apartment.
Charlie:
"Thanks again for the ride."Anwir:
"Any time, Charlie. Have a good night, alright?"Charlie nods:
"You too."He gets out of the car and heads inside.
-
Charlie enters his apartment and crawls up beside Kate, resting his head on them.

Conner stands in front of the board as Nora steps into the basement and walks up to him.
Conner:
"Call Hyphae down."Nora:
"They're not here right now."Conner frowns:
"This one's been out a lot, do they not have other bodies to do errands?"Nora:
"Actually, their count has been dwindling for years. That one is the only body they have that can track scents right now."Conner grumbles:
"Call the Diner, get an update from Hyphae there."Nora gives an amused smirk and mock-serious tone.
Nora:
"Conner Edwards, do you ever sleep?"Conner flat:
"No."Conner speaks while focusing on the board, peering closely. He reaches up to scribble a note.

' the Vassal of Desire, first feast upon the Scion '
The murderer is feasting?

[View board #3]
Conner leans back again, still focused on the board as he speaks.
Conner:
"But sometimes I rest, and my imagination wanders."Nora:
"That's sleeping, Conner."Conner:
"No. It's closer to meditation."She shakes her head and turns to leave.
Nora:
"Well, I'll leave you to 'not sleep'. But do get some rest, Conner. We all need to be at our best."Conner sighs and reluctantly steps away from the board. He reaches up to tug, pull, and intertwine the red threads, creating a hammock-like web. He slips into it and closes his eyes.
-

Blades of grass in a well-tended lawn, morning sun shining on the drops of dew. A small spider, with Conner's same colors and pattern, crawls up one of the blades of grass. Suddenly, a pair of stubby little hands clasp over it. They lift to the face of a little boy. He opens his hands, staring at the spider inside with excitement.
Boy:
"Bonjour, petite araignée !"
^{{Hello, little spider}}The boy stands in his room with his face pressed against the side of a glass enclosure, staring intently with a wide smile. Inside, the little spider crawls up a stick, weaving a tiny red web as it goes.
The spider enclosure sits on his desk by a window, a bit of paper taped to the corner labeled:
"Conner"

-
Charlie flips pancakes in a pan. Behind him, Kate sits at the table, applying makeup with a little handheld mirror. The TV remote sits on the table in front of them, the TV playing a random sitcom.
Kate:
"How was work?"Charlie:
"Work?"Kate raises a brow:
"Isn't that what you were called in for last night?"Charlie:
"Oh, right. Uh—It was..."Kate puts their makeup in their bag while Charlie sets the food on the table.
Charlie:
"It was nuts, a guy broke through a wall, and some nerdy crime boss lost his head. You should have been there."Kate snorts:
"Well, that's creative. So definitely not a date then?"Charlie stammers:
"No! Nothing like that!"Kate chuckles:
"This isn't one-sided. You can be honest if it was."Charlie:
"Still no, it wasn't that. It's just—I guess it's not really 'work' like a job. More of... an obligation."Kate:
"Want to talk about it?"Charlie:
"Maybe later..."-
Charlie picks up the plates and takes them to his sink, Kate sitting on his couch. Kate looks up from their phone.
Kate. :
"Any objections if Ayden meets me here? I'm taking him out for the day."Charlie shrugs and shakes his head, indifferent.
Kate looks back down at the phone for a moment before turning their attention to the TV. The show changes to advertisements for a theme park's offer of birthday discounts.
Kate looks back at Charlie.
Kate:
"Say, when is your birthday?"Charlie shrugs, walking back to the couch and sitting beside them.
Charlie:
"Dunno."Kate confused:
"You don't?"
They smirk, "So I wouldn't find it on your ID?"*Charlie:
"Oh—uh, I guess..."Kate:
"Is it not accurate?"Charlie:
"Probably not."Kate:
"Because of the foster thing?"Charlie, hesitant:
"Yeah."Kate:
"Couldn't you find out?"Charlie:
"Probably. But I don't want to know it."Kate:
"Why not?"Charlie, witty tone:
"Why disturb it? There's enough ghosts haunting me already. I don't need my past to get in on the party."Kate, saddened:
"So you haven't celebrated any birthdays?"Charlie:
"Nope."Kate goes to speak, but their phone dings, and they look at it.
Kate stands:
"Ayden's here."Charlie watches them gather their things. Kate stands, ready to leave, and looks back at Charlie.
Kate:
"You can still walk me out if you want."Charlie half-smiles and stands.
-
They step out of the apartment building, Ayden standing and waiting at the base of the steps. He stretches with a painful flinch, a few scratches and bandages visible on his arms. He looks up and smiles at Kate.
Kate, concerned:
"What happened to you?"Ayden:
"Don't worry about it. You know me, I get into dumb shit."Kate tightens their lip, knowing but still concerned.
Ayden:
"Ready?"Kate, light smirk:
"You always ask that, but I'm never the one who takes ten minutes to find his shoes."Ayden grins:
"That only happened once—a dozen times, you gotta let that go, babe."Kate:
"Mhm."Ayden looks behind Kate at Charlie.
Ayden:
"Charlie, sup man!"Charlie:
"Hey, Ayden."Kate eyes them both:
"Have you two met?"Ayden:
"We met at work the other day."Kate:
"Really?"Ayden suddenly falters:
"Yeah, I mean, in passing. He's not a hard guy to miss."Kate feigning upset:
"And you both leave me in the dark about this? What are you conspiring against me?"Kate goes to reach into their bag.
Ayden:
"Come on, Kate, we can't reveal that just yet—Someone else has to, so it becomes a huge scandal."Kate half-smiles, the smile instantly dropping as they continue to shift through the bag.
Kate:
"Damn it, I forgot my keys. I'll be right back."They turn and head back into the apartment building, Charlie waiting behind.
The two stand awkwardly for a moment.
Ayden:
"So—How's it been?"Charlie speaks with his usual witty tone, but it is weak and falters as he speaks.
Charlie:
"Oh, great. I'm surrounded by dead bodies—"
the tone falters "—and violence, and I always feel like—"*He abruptly stops, brows furrowing.
Charlie:
"Sorry, there was supposed to be a joke in there."Ayden gives a sympathetic look.
Ayden:
"Like—you're always in danger?"Charlie's brows furrow in recognition.
-
Kate, in Charlie's apartment, rummages through the bed sheets for the keys. They lift the pillows to no avail and bend over the edge of the bed, feet in the air, as they look under the bed. They spot the keys on the floor and grab them.
-
Ayden:
"You know—There's treatment for that. Therapy, medication—"Charlie:
"They don't work for me."Ayden:
"Sometimes it takes a long time to find the right balance—In medication, diet, sleep, therapy technique, hell even finding a decent doctor took me fucking forever. It's rough as shit."Charlie thinks for a moment.
Charlie:
"You take meds?"Ayden:
"Oh yeah, Wellbutrin, Adderall, Lamotrigine, and—"Kate steps back out of the building.
Kate:
"Found them!"Kate stops by Charlie, kissing him on the cheek.
Ayden grins:
"Does this make up for my missing shoes?"Kate grins:
"Not even close."Kate walks away with Ayden, waving to Charlie.
Kate:
"See you later!"Ayden:
"Hey, Charlie, hit me up sometime! We gotta plan the cover story for our conspiracy!"Ayden gives a wink, Charlie gives a half-amused wave to them.
-
Early evening
Charlie sits on his couch, holding up his head with his arm on the couch rest, tired and watching the TV infomercials. His eyes grow heavy till they slowly close. He leans, his head falls, and in a split moment, his left arm is grabbed. He panics and jerks awake, looking around nervously. He takes a deep breath, rubbing his face to wake himself up.
He leans back again, staring at the TV. He flinches at small noises, hyper aware and turning to listen to each one. A drop from the sink. A themp from a bee flying into the window, the creaks and mutters from people walking past his apartment door. He closes his eyes and rubs his face again, trying to ignore them.
A drop of water onto the basement floor, the dusty scratch of rubber boots on parchment paper. He opens his eyes again and stands up, grabbing his hoodie and stepping out of his apartment.
-
Charlie walks into a bar and sits down, visibly uncomfortable. He stares down at the counter, listening to the murmurs of the crowd around him. He takes a deep breath.
A glass is set in front of him. He takes it and downs it.
Charlie:
'I'm fine. I'm fine.'He closes his eyes and sighs, more relaxed.
'You know these places are expensive as shit, right?"*Charlie jumps to the voice beside him, turning to see Basit.
Charlie:
"Damn! Warn someone instead of sneaking up on them!"Basit:
"Sorry, wasn't trying to startle you."Charlie:
"What are you doing here? I thought you didn't drink."Basit:
"I don't. But places like this aren't always safe, so I keep an eye out."Charlie weary:
"What do you mean?"Basit:
"Predators are in every corner, not just back alleys."Charlie:
"Coming from 'The Carnivorous Claw'. Aren't you, like, a predator?"Basit frowns:
"Not that kind."Basit:
"Come on, let's go."Charlie waves for the bartender as he speaks to Basit.
Charlie:
"You go ahead—hey!"Basit grabs his clothing by the shoulder, pulling him out of the seat.
He reluctantly follows her out of the bar.
Charlie:
"I'm getting just a little bit tired of being dragged around like a used chew toy."Basit ignores him and keeps walking. The sun is starting to set.
Basit:
"What do you do for fun?"Charlie:
"You already dragged me from it."Basit:
"No, I mean like a hobby."Charlie shrugs:
"I used to work on cars."Basit:
"Used to?"Charlie:
"The shop I worked at under the table shut down. No one else wants an unlicensed amateur."Basit:
"I know someone who owns a dump. It gets a ton of cars for scrap. The owner fixes them up and sells them. I bet she would take your help."As they walk in an isolated back area between a hill and water, a few people follow behind.
Charlie:
"Where is it?"Basit:
"About 15 miles south—"Man:
"Hey!"They turn around, the man (from Chapter 1) standing with a few others, his nose crooked from being broken.
Man:
"Remember me?"Basit condescending:
"Nope, not really. I see so many of you shit stains."Man:
"You'll be the stain when I'm done with you!"The three men charge at her, Charlie fearfully backing away, Basit stances up.
The first man goes to swing at her, and she kicks him back. Another takes the opportunity to grab her, holding her arms to her side. The third comes up, she goes to kick, he catches it, she swings her head back, hitting the one behind her in the nose.
Charlie, nervous:
"Should I call someone?"Basit:
"Don't bother!"The man's grip loosens, and she grabs the man in front of her, bashing his face into her knee and pushing him back, his nose bloodied. He falls to the ground unconscious.
The other man goes to swing. She grabs his fist and pulls it, causing him to lurch forward as she jabs him in the back of the head with her elbow, knocking him out. She looks at the final man standing. He reaches for a taser, holding it out. Basit's face turns to terror as she stares at the electric spark from the taser end. She sees the spark coming from a more cattle-prod-like device, held by a gloved hand. He goes to charge, and in a panic, her arm extends into flesh and bone. In a split second, she stabs him in the chest and hurls him to the side before reeling back, breath ragged and still shaken.
Charlie shock:
"Holy shit!?"Charlie stares at the dead man, then looks at Basit. She looks around, rushes to the body, drags him to the edge of the quay, and pushes him into the water. She then turns to run, Charlie in a daze of confusion, taking a moment before following her.
-

They walk silently down a more public street.
Charlie's voice cracks:
"Uh—what was that about?"Basit, crossed arms:
"What? Sometimes assholes don't like getting put in their place and they think they can bite back."Charlie:
"Yeah, no, I get that. I mean, you were like—I don't think I've ever seen you actually scared before."Basit's brows furrow, and she stays silent for a moment.
Basit:
"...I really don't like electricity. It fucks me up."Charlie:
"So that's your one weakness?"Basit tightens her lips.
They walk in awkward silence for a moment. Charlie sees she's still shaken by her face.
Charlie feigning optimism:
"Hey, at least that's your only weakness, right? I mean, look at me; I'm a weak, walking, indestructible liability that flinches at loud noises. I would take being weak to only tasers and cattle prods if it meant I had your strength."Basit lowers her hands to rest them in her jacket pockets.
Basit:
"Is that really how you feel about yourself?"Charlie flat:
"It was a joke."Basit:
"That doesn't answer my question."Charlie, uncomfortable, looks away.
Charlie:
"Where are we going?"Basit:
"I'm going to check on Conner and let Nora know about—earlier."Charlie sighs:
"Great."Basit:
"You can head home if you want."Charlie sighs:
"I'm fine."-
Charlie and Basit walk up to Nora's house and enter. Charlie follows Basit inside.
Charlie:
"Shouldn't we be knocking?"Basit:
"Nah."Dog Hyphae walks up to and past them for the door, and Basit holds it open for them.
Hyphae:
"Hello, Basit. Hello, Charlie. Nora isn't here right now. She'll be back soon."Basit:
"Thanks, Hyphae."-
Conner in his nest, staring up at the ceiling, brows tense in thought.
Charlie:
"Of course, when you relax, it's in a web of—"Conner looks to the side, seeing Basit and Charlie walk up to him.
Charlie:
"—of whatever that is."Conner slips out of the web, catching several strings with each finger in one hand and pulling as he walks, the hammock displacing back into the hanging webs.
Conner:
"Do you have any news?"Basit:
"No. We're just checking in."Conner walks over to the desk and stares at the board.
Conner:
"Apollo was correct. My contacts are having no luck finding our next would-be victim. So we must just sit around and wait, les bras croisés. We have less than four days until we can check on our lead. We need to be doing all we can until then."
^{{arms crossed}}
Conner looks over it, brows still tensed.
Basit:
"It's okay to rest, Conner."Conner turns to Charlie, motioning towards an area of tangled webs full of items.
Conner:
"Charlie, grab the black leather case from over there."Charlie looks at the mass of webs, brow furrowed.
Basit:
"Besides, we don't have much of a choice right now, right?"Charlie steps up to and looks over the mass of webs. He spots the case, tangled inside and hanging beside the skeleton of a small dog. He grabs it and pulls, the webs not budging from it. He tries to detangle it from the case, freeing all but the handle.
Basit:
"We have checked every humanoid Abnormal we know of and then some. Hyphae has checked the victims' homes and places of work. You have dug into these bullshit notes till bedrock—"They hear Charlie grunt, struggling to pull the case free of the mass. He spots a sharp, heavy pair of scissors in the mass and grabs them, trying to cut the red web from the case's handle. The scissors clasp several times, the mass of undamaged web slipping out of and in between the blades unfazed.
Charlie:
"What is this shit made of?!"His eyes shift to the side, jumping slightly to Conner's uncomfortably close, disapproving gaze.
Conner grabs the case and effortlessly pulls it from the mass. He steps away, going back to the desk.
Charlie:
"I feel like that was a setup..."Conner frustrated:
"I have other cases to work on."Basit pensively peers at Conner as he sets the case down. He opens it, takes out a loupe, and puts it to his eye to closely study the papers.
Basit looks at Charlie.
Basit:
"Nora is back, why don't you go see her?"Nora steps into the basement.
Nora:
"Is my car that loud that you heard me pull in?"Basit:
"No."Nora:
"How did you know I was back then?"Basit mild disgust:
"The perfume you always wear. I could track you from miles away with how potent that shit is. You should change it."Nora offended:
"This is my favorite scent! It doesn't smell bad… does it?"Conner ignores them, and Basit gives a disapproving crook of her lips.
Charlie:
"I think it smells fine. Like a rich old lady's closet or—Oh! Mothballs, that's it!"Nora gives a flat, discontented stare to his comment.
Basit, amused:
"See?"Nora turns to Charlie with a light hearted smirk.
Nora:
"Well, why don't you come up for a coffee and you can tell me exactly what old ladies' closets you've been getting into."The two head up the stairs, Basit staying behind.
Basit steps up beside Conner, who's still focused on the papers.
Basit:
"How is your other case?"Conner:
"Which case? I have many."Basit:
"Edward."Conner stays stoic, but the edge of his lip flinches.
Conner:
"That doesn't matter right now."He sets down the lens back into the case and stands straight, his shirt shifting to further reveal the single deep red string around his neck.
Basit glances at it as he steps away with the packed case, bringing it back to the web mass.
Basit leans against the desk, crossing her arms and pondering.
Basit's face turns to confusion.
Basit:
"You acted surprised when I came to get you for this case."Conner pretends to work with the cluttered web, avoiding looking back.
Conner:
"I was."Basit, half-smirk:
"That's not my thread then?"Conner looks downward towards the thread around his neck.
Conner:
"It is. I don't use it. I figured you would want your privacy respected."Basit sincere:
"Thank you."-
In Nora's dining room, she brings Charlie a coffee.
Nora:
"So—"Charlie gives her a questioning gaze, sipping the coffee as she sits down beside him, on the cleaner side of the table.
Nora:
"So, how are… things?"Charlie shrugs:
"Fine, I guess, kind of a roller coaster when it gets tied up in an episode of Sherlock Holmes, starring Spider-Man and the Thing."Nora stifles a snort:
"I mean with you and that person—Kate?"Charlie tries to hide a flustered grin.
Charlie:
"Oh. Uh—It's good."Charlie hides behind his coffee, drinking it.
Nora suppresses a wide grin.
Nora:
"How long have you been seeing each other?"Charlie quietly:
"A few months."Nora, mild worry:
"Are they a human?"Charlie, blunt:
"Yes."Nora, concerned:
"Do they know about you?"Charlie sighs and lowers his coffee.
Charlie:
"No, Nora. Don't worry, I'm not going to out anything."Nora's brows furrow:
"I'm more worried about you, Charlie. What if they find out and things go south with them? What if—"Charlie:
"I'm not worried about that right now."Nora goes to say something but hesitates.
Nora:
"Well—I hope they make you happy."Charlie, weak smile:
"They do."
Witty tone, "But you know me, I lose at Jenga on my first turn. Hopefully, I can break my high score on how long before I topple the relationship."*Nora frowns:
"What do you mean?"Charlie feigning humor:
"I mean, look at me, I'm a walking bag of disaster, I—"His voice cracks, and his smile drops as the emotion breaks through. He looks down, keeping his eyes on his coffee as he speaks, slowly, like each sentence is a struggle.
Charlie sighs:
"
I mean—I'm weak, a coward, I can't even really help in the case other than be a walking canary for Conner, I—"*Nora interrupts him:
"No, you're not, Charlie! You're a great help, and you've been so brave! I know you can do anything you set your mind to! Kate is lucky to have you!"She gives an overtly warm smile.
Charlie, masking smile:
"Thanks for the pep talk, Nora, but be careful or you'll make my ego start to compete with Conners. I should go before he smells competition."Nora:
"Are you sure? You can stay longer if you need to."Charlie:
"I'm good."He stands and heads for the door.
Nora:
"Just tell me if you need anything, alright?"Charlie looks back at her, still holding the fake smile.
Charlie:
"I'm fine."He turns to leave, the smile dropping as he closes the door.
-
In the basement, Basit is leaning against the desk beside Conne. Her attention on him. Conner leaned over the desk, bracing himself with his arms. He looks down at the small closed tin beside his hand, his pinky subconsciously stretches for it.
Conner:
"Did you ever consider coming back?"Basit, flat:
"Yeah. But why would I?"Conner looks towards her, his head staying low.
Conner:
"I would have taken you back."Basit, soft tone:
"I know you would have, but what would have been different? You're still the same old, jaded, obsessive man getting tangled up in his own head."Conner looks back down.
Basit:
"What's the point in me staying with you when you're not actually with me?"Conner's lips tighten, and they sit in silence for a brief moment.
Conner:
"I miss you, Bones."Basit:
"I miss you too, Tangles."Basit pushes off the desk, putting a hand on Conner's shoulder and kissing his temple.
Basit:
"Finish that case. Then, maybe we'll talk."She leaves. Conner stays at the desk, lowering his head further.

Kate drives their car with the radio on.
[This is Kat on the radio * meow * and it looks like it's going to be a clear and warm Friday today—but it's going to be a gusty one, so keep that coa—]
Kate parks by Charlie's apartment. They get out of the car and pull out their phone.

-Charlie-
30 mins ago
[Kate] Hey sleepyhead. You up?
[Kate] Speak now, or I'm invading your apartment.
Now
[Kate] You should never have given me your spare key :impsmile:

Kate walks up to Charlie's apartment and knocks, waits for a moment, then unlocks and enters. As they do, Charlie steps out of the bathroom, his hair damp from the shower. He looks up, startled upon seeing Kate.
Kate:
"Hey, sorry for startling you. I texted you a few times."Charlie, calmed:
"No, you're fine. I guess I didn't see your messages."Kate, masking a grin:
"Are you busy today?"Charlie:
"Uh, not today."Kate:
"So… you're free to spend some time together?"Charlie glances at the clock.
Charlie:
"Yeah. Sure."Kate:
"Cool. Get dressed."Kate heads for Charlie's kitchen table, and Charlie walks over to his dresser.
-
Kate and Charlie approach the car.
Charlie:
"So where are we going?"Kate:
"First, to Ayden's house. I need to give him back his wallet he forgot—again."They get in the car.
Kate:
"And bring him some food because he eats like shit."Charlie chuckles:
"You really do have a type."Kate glances at Charlie and smirks.
Kate:
"Cute wise asses with emotional baggage and a taste for junk food? You got me there."-
As Kate is pulling up to Ayden's house, their phone starts to ring. Kate parks and then looks down at the phone. They look up at Charlie as it continues to ring.
Kate:
"You go ahead, I need to take this."Charlie:
"Oh, uh—"Kate:
"You don't need to knock, he knows we are coming."Charlie hesitates:
"Alright…"Kate watches Charlie leave the car as they answer the phone.
Kate:
"Yes, this is Kate." … "That's fine, just no singing."-
Charlie steps inside nervously and shuts the door behind himself.
Charlie:
"Hey, it's me, Charlie. Kate said—"Charlie steps into the living room and sees Ayden in his Vorein form. He stands over a mess of displaced couch cushions, huffing in anger.
Charlie:
"You—okay?"Ayden grits his maw:
"I can't find my meds."Charlie:
"Oh—I'll help you look."Ayden:
"Where's Kate?"Charlie looks around:
"In the car on the phone."Ayden grumbles and tosses things around as he searches.
Charlie steps over to the TV stand, leans down, and spots the medicine bottle sitting under it.
Charlie:
"Are these it?"He holds up the bottle, Ayden's ears perk up, and Charlie tosses it to him. Ayden catches it, relieved. They both hear the front door open, and Ayden dashes for his bedroom.
As Kate enters the room, Ayden's door quickly shuts with a slam and locks.
Kate peers at Ayden's bedroom door with suspicion, then turns to Charlie.
Kate:
"Good, you were here for that one. Explain."Charlie:
"What?"Kate puts down the bag of food and the wallet on the coffee table.
Kate:
"He keeps doing that! Sometimes I come in here, and he runs off to his room and locks himself in there for a while and refuses to explain. What gives?"Charlie:
"Oh, uh—he—wasn't dressed."Charlie's brow arches, feigning confidence. Kate frowns and crosses their arms.
Kate:
"You're cute when you're being funny, but this bullshitting thing, it's going to be a problem."Charlie's smile drops:
"Sorry… I just—don't know how to put it."Kate:
"Honestly?"Charlie sighs and thinks for a moment.
Charlie:
"He just couldn't find his medication and wasn't feeling well. He just doesn't want you to see him like that."Kate's demeanor calms:
"Seriously? He could have just told me that."Kate picks up an envelope from a side table.
Kate:
"Why do you boys have to make everything so complicated?"Kate heads for the door.
Kate:
"Let's go then. He won't be out for a while anyway."Charlie:
"Right—"Both leave the house and get back into Kate's car. Charlie's phone pings.

[Ayden] Thanks for the save man

-
Kate drives for a while through town.
Charlie:
"So—now where are we going?"Kate grins:
"You'll see."-
Kate pulls up to a small car show. They glance at Charlie as his demeanor lights up.
Kate grins:
"So—"Charlie looks at Kate, seeing them up the envelope.
Charlie takes it and opens it. Inside is a small card; the front is an image of a plate of pancakes with the words 'Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!' He opens it 'The years just keep stacking up!' And under the printed words are two handwritten notes:
'HAVE FUN MAN! EAT CAKE! —AYDEN' and 'You deserve this ♡ —Kate'
Charlie, wide smile:
"It's not my birthday."Kate smirks:
"You don't know that."Kate:
"If you don't want to do this, then you don't have to. But I thought you deserve a day just for you, no worries, no stress, just having fun and celebrating yourself."Charlie looks down at the card and then back up at Kate.
Charlie:
"There's Cake?"Kate grins and opens their car door.
Kate:
"That comes later."-
The two of them walk around the show, the wind is mildly gusty.
Kate stands beside Charlie as he looks over one of the cars, the hood up and the engine in view.
Kate stands off to the side, on their phone, as Charlie enthusiastically talks with the owner.
Kate smiles as they hold up their phone and silently takes a picture of Charlie's face. Kate looks down at the image with a wide smile.
Kate and Charlie walk again, hand in hand.
Kate:
"It's nice to see you actually smile."Charlie:
"I smile."Kate gives a small, unassured smirk.
Charlie stops by a Lincoln Town Car and goes to talk with the owner.
Charlie:
"1956 Continental Mark II?"'Yup! You know your cars, kid."*They start to chat, and Kate checks their phone.