Chapter 19: Two abilities?
"Say that name again."
Henrick demands, looming over the much shorter man. The silence that follows is heavy, shock and fear settling upon the watching survivors. David carefully places a hand on Henrick’s shoulder, careful to not agitate the soldier.
"Calm down. It might not even be the same person. You’re scaring everyone." the priest says, gripping firmly but not painfully. Selene slinks into a corner, careful not to catch Henrick’s eye as she tries to erase her presence.
Jacob lets out a nervous cough, his hands trembling at how quick Henrick appeared in front of him. Jen rushes to her brother’s side, eyes wide in shock. "I couldn’t even react..." she whispers, her heartbeat racing at the implications.
A smile tugs at the corner of Alex’s lips as he takes in the worried frown on the soldier’s face. He locks eyes with the speedster, uncaring of the fear in her eyes, and gives her a knowing look. Jen simply frowns at Alex, unsure if he’s making the right play.
Henrick clenches his jaw in frustration as David’s words strike true, his hands crackle with electricity as he looks around. Terrified faces stare back, mother’s shielding their children and father’s stepping forward with makeshift weapons.
"Look, let’s just calm down, alright? You may not want to protect these people, but that’s the right play right now." Alex says, stepping forward and staring into the soldier’s eyes. "Help me and I’ll help you see Eric, and maybe he’ll bring Elly."
The priest flinches at the mention of Elly and stares worriedly at Henrick, ready to intervene if necessary. Henrick, to his credit, merely smiles and closes the distance between him and Alex. "That better be a guarantee." he says, almost conversationally, and places a hand on the fire user’s shoulder.
Words are left unsaid, but the message is clear, making Alex audibly gulp in the silence that follows. "I can’t promise anything." Alex says hesitantly, sweat starting to form on his brow as Henrick remains silent. Jacob and Jen step forward, muscles coiled in preparation.
"...good. If you made a guarantee then I’d be out that elevator," Henrick says as he lets go. "is there any space for my group?" Jen nods and leads them to a fairly large office, her brother Jacob making his way towards a woman with glowing blue hair and water particles floating around her. Dominic slinks off to his own spot, still casting venomous glares at Henrick’s retreating form.
In the office, Selene and David choose their own corners as Jen looks at Henrick with a grateful look. "Thanks. For saving Kevin. He’s a gentle and kind kid, who was forced into this life of killing." says the speedster with a melancholic look in her eyes.
"That was his Grandma that died earlier." Henrick looks at Kevin from the doorway of his new office, understanding and sympathy evident on his face.