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Post by Gummy on Jan 4, 2024 12:14:00 GMT -7
Klara had enjoyed the movie, the third time she had seen it. Gone with the Wind (from 1939) was amazing! It left her in tears every time. She saw a lot of her in it and enjoyed the period aesthetics. Although it really was a heart warming movie. The next time she was take someone else. As she exited the movie she looked at the posters showing the following weeks viewings. All she needed to do was save up enough to get to see some of them. TV was good but seeing the images so clear and so large was just amazing. There was nothing like it where she came from, it was magical to her. She left the cinema and blinked as she realised how late it had gotten. The sun was setting and she needed to get home. She pulled her red cardigan on and pulled it close. Her frame looked like a stiff breeze would blow her over but there was a happiness and confidence about her which any mother would be proud of. Pausing to look out at the clouds she hoped the rain wouldn't break as the winter air bit at her cheeks turning them red. If she didn't hurry, the winter storm would break and she would be soak, cold and late home. So short cuts was the key but she also knew how dangerous they would be but she could handle it... couldn't she?
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Post by Zeronone on Jan 4, 2024 12:44:38 GMT -7
Robbie sighed as he laid his head back on his car seat, eyes closed. It had been a long drive from LA back to New York for the third time that month, but it was finally done. Packed up, moved, finished. He took a bite of the burger in his hand, looking at the Burger King sign in the rearview mirror. Sitting in the parking lot to eat felt like old times. New York was so much different than what he was use too. Los Angelas was chaotic, a maze of streets, wild as the old west. Gangs, idiots, all over. New York wasn't no haven, but it had a controlled chaos to it, if you knew where to go and what to avoid the city was pretty much safe. He finished his burger, leaving the second one in the bag. He had gotten Gabe one before realizing what time it was. For now, he would just leave it there and give it to his little brother tomorrow if he still wanted it. The engine came to life with a roar, a smile forming as he felt the power of the Charger beneath his hands. There was something powerful about a car like this, it felt like home. Speaking of home, he should head that way. He pulled out of the parking lot and turned his wheels left when he felt the stirring. Something was happening or was about to happen. He turned his wheels to the right and drove out, doing the speed limit as he followed the feeling. After a few minutes he would turn down another road, this one near a movie theater. He pulled to the side and stopped. Looking around for whatever had caused the feeling that something was about to go wrong.
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Post by Gummy on Jan 4, 2024 12:59:06 GMT -7
Klara headed out of the cinema and started to walk in the direction of home. Then she saw the bus pull up. She looked at the small change in her pocket and thought at least a couple of blocks. Getting on she spoke to the bus driver.
"Sir? How far will this get me? I need to get home"
The driver looked down at the money then up to Klara.
"Three blocks."
He took a dime from the collection and placed it in the payment and left the rest on Klara's palm.
"Get off when you need to. That will do to get you home."
Klara smiled.
"Thank you sir."
She moved further back the bus was full of people so she needed to stand. Not a problem. At least she was in relative warmth. The bus lurched forward and she held on. It was this lurch that she felt something brush against her. Every time the bus stopped and started the pressure would start and stop. Feeling uncomfortable she tried to move but the bus was getting increasingly full pushing her further in.
Eventually she couldn't stand it any longer and decided to press the button to get off. It was a little of wriggling but she was able to get off the bus. A few others got off with her and by now it was raining. Four blocks she had made it down, still she needed to head a long way before she would be home. Heading down an alley she turned and saw a figure following her. She broke into a run. The figure followed but was fast approaching her. Panic was starting to kick in.
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Post by Zeronone on Jan 4, 2024 13:06:43 GMT -7
Robbie sat in the car looking around, something was going on, but he couldn't see anything. The feeling was just there, it pulled him in the presence of evil. And something evil was around here. He watched as a bus pulled up and people got on, his eyes clocking each one. An older man, a woman, a little girl. But nothing else. He sighed and laid his head on the steering wheel, maybe it was just stress. He was on the edge lately with the move and just needed some rest.
As the bus pulled away, he started the car and was about to pull out when he felt the stirring again. Something was up, he sat up straight and looked around but couldn't see anything, no one was around. He looked at the bus and the feeling came back; whatever it was it was heading away from him. He shifted the car back to drive and followed the bus. One block, nothing happening. Two... nope still moving. It stopped and picked up more people, Robbie stopped and watched, waiting. But whoever it was had not gotten off. The bus moved again, and the feeling came back, so he followed.
Three blocks, what the hell. He had never felt anything like this before! Usually, it led him directly to whatever was causing the problem but this time, it felt different. Off a bit. Like something bad was going to happen rather than responding. Whatever, it was easier to just follow it then argue with it.
The next block the bus stopped and Robbie too. Watching, waiting. The little girl got off the bus and moved around. He watched her for a moment. Why was there a kid out here alone? His gaze lingered then turned back. Another figure stepping off the bus and moving down the same path as the kid. A cold feeling filled him, one he knew well. Robbie parked the car and stepped out. Locking the door, he moved quickly after them.
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Post by Gummy on Jan 4, 2024 13:15:51 GMT -7
The man went to reach for her and his finger touched her neck and she let out a small yelp. The man grabbed hold of her hair and pulled her backwards off her feet. Landing hard she let out a small yelp for help then that was when something strange started happening. Ivy, brambles and other plants started growing like mad as she tried to claw and scratch her way out of his grasp. She fought and he struggled to get a hold of her.
Klara looked up at the face with horror and screamed but he shoved a cloth in her mouth to shut her up. The foliage grew thicker and snaked its way to her and started to form a barrier between her and him. The ivy tried to pull at his arms, brambles scratch at his face and weeds multiplied growing, spreading and dying it their direction. Some tried to grow in the mans clothes and take root where they could. Only now the man was trying to pull at the plants more than hold Klara down.
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Post by Zeronone on Jan 4, 2024 13:22:25 GMT -7
Robbie ran quickly into the alley, his heart thrumming as he realized how stupid he had been. He should have immediately checked the kid to make sure she was safe and because of his hesitation. Damn it! His boots thudded the ground as he ran towards two figures. Watching the girl get thrown down brought back memories of a bunch of punks doing that to Gabe. " Hey, get away from her! He yelled as he put on a burst of sped. As Robbie got closer he saw a bizzare scene. The plants in the cracks of the sidewalk and up the building was pushing its way between the two. A grown man and a young girl. Th guy was yanking through, trying to get the girl. A voice echoed in Robbies head. " I believe it is my feeding time!" Robbie nodded, for once he agreed with Eli. The change was so quick but violent. His head bursting into flames, skin melting away to reveal a burning skull. His clothes becoming darker and looking more like it was coated in ash. A thick spiked flaming chain slid from his arm to touch the ground with a hiss. The Rider walked forward, eyes on the man. " Time for your Penance!"
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Post by Gummy on Jan 4, 2024 13:32:34 GMT -7
Klara curled into a tight ball as the man then heard Robbie/Eli behind him. The change in light also made him stop and look.
"Nothing to see...."
His eyes went wide at the look of Robbie. In the meantime Klara screwed her eyes tight as she too saw the fire causing even more flashbacks to her past. The plants built up over her trying to protect her as trauma flowed over her as fast as the plants. Thick brambles grew on top, soft weeds underneath. A cocoon of protection. It was all she could do to stop the memories from overwhelming her. Hearing the words Robbie spoke made her start to say the Lords Prayer focusing on Protection from Evil. It was all she could do.
The man made ready to fight the flaming monster he now faced. The evils he had done to children, teens and young women was far beyond anything. He had done it for long enough it didn't matter any more.
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Post by Zeronone on Jan 4, 2024 13:39:16 GMT -7
The man was nothing to the Rider, it took Robbie a split second to drive his head into the wall. Eyes locking with his as they lit with fire. He saw it all, the pain, the horror, the terror he unleashed upon those women, those innocent kids taken away by this monster in human flesh. Robbie pulled him till they were almost nose to nose. The flames of his skull flickering and lapping at the man's skin. But fire was not his punishment this day, no. The rider had a different ability and one he used on the filth of the world like this.
The Penance Stare!
Robbie burned his way through the man's memories, forcing him to experience every ounce of pain, every tremble, every feeling of terror, fear, and helplessness he had caused. Robbie burned his soul from the inside out. With a release he dropped the man's body, it hitting the ground with a sickening thump. His eyes were gone, instead it looked like two darken burning pits. The soul had burned away.
The Rider looked towards the girl now protected by a cocoon of plants. He sensed no evil there, something else. But no evil, no sin, no dark deeds. The flaming skull went out and Robbie was human once more. He walked a few steps but kept a distance to make her feel safer.
"Hey, you okay? My name is Robbie Reyes. I am a friend. That man, he can't hurt you now." He stared with confusion at the plants. Having never seen an ability like that before, but he had seen Thor once so this wasn't on the too high of weird.
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Post by Gummy on Jan 4, 2024 13:47:45 GMT -7
Klara heard the scream come from the man until it ended. She covered her ears trying to block out the sound that seemed to echo around the alley. The plants didn't let up as she huddles even tighter and cried. Hearing a calm voice helped her a little. It was still male but there was a kindness in it. Was he what had caused the fire? Was the a mutant like him. Were mutants all friendly to their own kind? She really didn't know but at that moment she listened to his words. She checked herself and apart from her hair looking like a bush and a few scratches. She was ok.... She tried to speak and freaking a little pulled the cloth out. She didn't look at it but would have found they were a pair of used men's pants, she just threw them away from her as she coughed. Her soft voice spoke from under the plants.
"I don't know you. Do you know the Runaways?"
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Post by Zeronone on Jan 4, 2024 13:52:55 GMT -7
That voice, it sounded so scared and weak. He closed his eyes as images of Gabe popped into his head. A defenseless kid in need of protecting. He smiled as his big brother instincts kicked in. The name she asked for was one he had never heard of. The Runaways, sounded like a group of well kids that ran away from whatever had scared them. He sat down, leaning against the wall beside the plants that covered the girl. Relaxing his arms on his knees as he waited till, she was ready to come out.
"Sorry, can't say that I have. Me and my little brother only been in New York for about a month. It is safe to come out now, but you don't have to rush. When you are ready is fine."
He looked over, still amazed at the abilities of people in this world. He looked at the other body and felt revulsion. The evil humanity also held.
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Post by Gummy on Jan 4, 2024 14:01:33 GMT -7
She was whispering under the brambles and a small opening appeared where she looked out at him. Klara saw a man who looked to be relaxing but the hole vanished again. There was danger in the world and she was still new.
"Was it you who made the fire? The fire is out now?"
She sat up a little and her fingers held onto the plants as buds started to appear. Some of the plants died, others turned to seed and a few started to flower. Gradually some started to grow towards Robbie and form a shelter from the rain. They were looking spindly and slightly paler than they should have been but they were still there.
Klara let out a shuddering shy.
"That man.... is he dead?"
She wasn't afraid of death. It was more seeing a dead body, that was what she didn't really want to see. The cold winter air was starting to pick up as the storm was getting closer.
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Post by Zeronone on Jan 4, 2024 14:07:27 GMT -7
Robbie didn't rush it; he knew she needed time to adjust to the situation she was in. If he hadn't been here things would have been so much worse. For now, though he focused on the positives. He had been here, and she was safe. He looked down at a young face as the brambles opened for a moment then closed up. He simply smiled. At her question he gave a nod before realizing she probably couldn't see him.
"Yeah, that was me. But don't worry, I don't use it on people who don't deserve it. It is more of a force to punish evil people."
He watched the plants move and shift, sliding his way before rising over to block him from the rain that was now coming down. He smiled at the gesture before her next question hit him. He looked over at the body, another evil punished.
"Yeah, his sins were too great not to die. He will be punished forever." Robbie stood up and grabbed the body, dragging it to a dumpster in the alley and with a toss threw it into it. He turned back, a friendly smile flashing.
"There, no body to worry about. Do you need a ride home?"
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Post by Gummy on Jan 4, 2024 14:13:48 GMT -7
She could see him but not the way he thought. The words hit her and while he was moving the body the brambles became denser for a moment.
"How do you know someone deserves to die? Or if they will be punished? Or for how long?"
These were all valid questions and she ignored the ride home. For now she felt safe... ish... She wiped her tears and thought about coming out but she needed to know the answers to her questions as she was still fighting what had been drummed into her. Part of her believed she was devil's spawn but part of her knew to challenge those thoughts. She really didn't want to come out if he was going to punish her. Although the bruises had all gone and injuries healed there were still some parts of her that hurt from the beating and those parts still felt like they were justified.
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Post by Zeronone on Jan 4, 2024 14:22:57 GMT -7
He looked over, hearing the pain and fear in her voice he sighed a little. Hands on his hips as he wondered what kind of life, she had to go through for those questions to be asked. He took a couple steps her way before stopping. Being closer but still far enough away to make her feel safe.
"I call it the Stirring myself. It is like this... feeling I get around those who have are about to do evil deeds. I punish them for those deeds, depending on what they have done it varies. If it helps, I sense no sin from you at all. No evil deeds, no wicked heart. You are a good person."
He sat down once more, not bothered by the rain as it plastered his hair down to his head. He would sit here and wait for as long as she needed. It didn't bother him those questions. It was the ones he had asked himself a few times, but even if the power came from his demon worshiping serial killer uncle, it didn't change the fact that innocent people were always spared his fury.
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Post by Gummy on Jan 4, 2024 14:33:17 GMT -7
Klara fell quiet and thought. She sniffed and wiped her arm on her sleeve before she straightened a little more.
"Sleep. Thank you."
The brambles fell away revealing her sad face, her eyes spoke of horror she had seen that this night wasn't the first.
"I'm not good. I'm ... "
She let out a sigh, the plants underneath her stayed put and the others made a small shelter over her head. Moving slightly she held her hand out.
"I'm Klara Prast. I'm not good, that is what people have told me. That I'm devil's spawn or freak. Now they call it mutant."
That word still felt strange to her. It even sounded strange how she said it. She shivered where she sat and pulled her cardigan closer again. Nasty words were always hard to forget and she had been told it far too often.
"You gave him pennance. Only God and the Devil can do that but I see no wings or horns, so what does that make you?"
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