I sat down on the bench, loosening my suit buttons and took out my radio, tuning it to the same frequency I had when I was spying on the facility. This was the signal for Hana to come find me. And now, I played the waiting game, unfurling a newspaper someone had left here, passing the time.
On the front page, full spread was the face of Nathan Petrelli, sporting his classic politician smile.
Future president indeed. He had all the qualities for it.
Rugged good looks, a law degree, and the personality of rusty knife.
Flipping the page, I began to read his interview with the New York Times, when I felt a tap on my shoulder, and someone sat down next to me.
Closing the newspaper, I saw Agent Hansen again, and sighed.
Sensing my intentions, she pinched me hard.
"I know I'm not the best conversationalist, but that's no way to react to a lady." She said.
"Lady? What part of you looks like a lad- ow ow. Okay, okay. Sheesh." I cried as she pinched me again.
"I get it. I won't bother you for long. I just came to tell you that I've taken care of it." She said, getting back up, shaking her head.
"Thanks. I owe you one." I replied, sitting up straight.
She straightened the creases on her skirt, and turned to me.
"That you do. Which is why, you'll help me capture Sylar." She said.
"Sure. I was going to deal with him in a few days either way. You're free to join if you'd like." I replied, extending her a handshake
She took my hand and nodded.
"Just tell me the time and place. I'll bring a squad over to arrest him."
"The day after, on the 8th of November, at 9 pm in Kirby square." I revealed.
"This.. so soon? Are you sure? " She asked.
"A hundred percent." I replied.
"I'm trusting you on this... So don't blow it on me, please." She said, walking away.
"That's what she said." I muttered under my breath, giggling.
"What?" She turned and asked
"Nothing... Nothing at all." I said, and she just shook her head, disappearing from sight.
When she was out of the park, the radio spurred to life, and Hana's voice came out.
"Are you ready?"
"I was born ready." I smiled, spotting her by a tree near the gate.
"Good." She said, "Let's go."
I got up and picked up my radio, switching it off, as we left for Kirby plaza.
Even as we arrived at the plaza, I could see the two talking to someone. Two someones.
Getting closer only made my suspicions clear.
Peter Petrelli and Claire Bennet.
"..... need to get out of here. It's not safe." I heard Peter warn Ted.
"Nowhere is safe, Peter. Not while the company is out there tracking us like animals." I interjected, walking past him to Ted and Matt.
"You must be the time traveler, Jay was it?" Peter asked.
"Yes. Jay Walker. Odd name, I know. No need to dig up old graves.
Besides, no one's exploding today. Or tomorrow for that matter. Not under my watch." I assured.
"Not if he doesn't leave here immediately. It is going to happen. I have a feeling... it's meant to happen. And I'm supposed to stop it." Peter insisted.
I realised then, there was no arguing with idiots. Peter had this cultish delusion that he was supposed to be the chosen one, meant to save the world. Unfortunately for him, I came to this world. And I shall pervert his destiny till it ceases to exist.
"Peter, do you believe in destiny?" I asked.
"Yes." He said, "It all has to mean something right? Don't you ever feel like there's some great purpose to us being here? Alive?"
"No. But that is not the point here. You met Claude yes? What was his destiny here? What is he supposed to do?"
Claude Rains. Another stupid name. He was a former company agent and the partner of Noah Bennet who decided to leave the company in the past. He faked his death and used his ability, Invisibility, to stay hidden from the company for ten years straight, only being found out when he started to teach Peter Petrelli how to use his powers. That one moment wasted ten years of his effort, just like that, in a snap.
"He.. I think he was meant to teach me how to use my powers." He replied.
"Is that so? You mean that he spent the last ten years living like a rat, alone, not a soul to love him, feeding pigeons for some scarce companionship. That when you were enjoying luxurious birthday parties, sleeping in soft feather beds, while he had to drink from puddles to quench his thirst and eat rotten food escaping the pursuit of his partner in the company, it was all so he could live long enough to serve your holy highness Peter Petrelli, is it? Because you're just that special. The only person that matters in this world. It's all about you and your destiny and your dreams of heroism, and everyone else just has to bend your almighty will because you demand it of them? It's all you, you, you!"
"That's not what I am saying! I have this feeling that something horrible ia going to happen. I saw it, in a painting, from a guy who can paint the future, Isaac Mendez. He painted an exploding man, blowing up New York. You have to believe me! It's for the best."
"You know, I saw a painting from Isaac Mendez too. It showed him dead, with his head scalped open, an ominous shadow running over him." I said, as he got excited.
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"Yes, that's Sylar. He kills people to steal their powers! We have to save him. Do you know where he is?" Peter replied.
"Oh I know alright. He's in hell." I said, confusing them all.
"What do you mean?" Peter asked, closing in on me, towering over me menacingly.
"Isaac Mendez is dead. Her father killed him." I said, looking at Claire.
"That's not possible. You're lying!" Peter said, coming to ger defense when Claire held him back.
"That's... probably true." Claire, she sighed, eyes moist.
She was probably crushed enough by the death of her father amidst the recent revelation of his heinous deeds that she had had no time to process it all, her anger, her grief, her regrets, swirling within her.
She was in no position to protest, only accept. Which was precisely the position I needed to grasp her in.
Don't blame me poor child. Blame your delicious catalyst ridden panacea blood.
"I'm sure he had a good reason! Isaac was never stable. He was a junkie, he must have.."
"He didn't, Peter. Isaac was off drugs. Clean. Until her dad captured him. They stuck him in the basement, and they told him, 'If you ever want to see the light of day, paint. Paint the future for us.'
So he did. Or at least tried. But without his drugs, he just couldn't cut it. So you know what he did?
Her dad tied him to a chair, and stuffed him full of heroin.
And he flew, painting ten paintings in an hour. Ten.
And then, when his power waned, he died. He died of a forced overdose. That's the kind of man her father is." I said, giving Claire an accusatory look,
"Was." Claire interjected, "My dad, he died five days ago. There was a raid, some burglars killed him, burnt him to death. They didn't even let us see the body. Then, they found the cells below...The FBI is pressing charges against the paper company. It's all out, in the open."
Immediately the atmosphere shifted.
This is bad. She's two links away from realizing that it was us that killed him.
I need to change the topic before Ted fucks this up.
"oh...oh boy. Look, Claire, I.... I'm sorry for your loss. We didn't know. If I'd known...." I apologised, as my other teammates gave me an odd look.
"No. You're right. He was a horrible man." She sniffled, "I know that but still... I don't know why I feel like this?!"
"Look this is awkward, and I'm not good with crying people, so let's meet in the middle. We'll just go and take our names off the tracker and then Ted will leave the city, alright?" I looked to Peter who nodded in agreement, taking Claire away. With them gone, I breathed a sigh of relief, when Parkman asked me.
"Why did you lie to them, about us, what we did?"
"Peter is easily the strongest power user after Sylar. And we're a block away from the company HQ. Do you really think we can afford a fight here, now? When we're this close to being free?" I replied.
"Guess not." Ted answered for Parkman.
"See. Even Ted knows it. So cheer up Parkman. Look on the bright side. By the end if the day you'll be a free man, free to go back to your family without worries. More than you can say about either of us." I joked, as we walked towards the Lindermann Group HQ.
Entering the building, we looked around and found the employee access, blocked by a guard.
"Hana, do your thing." I said, pulling out Agent Hansen's business card.
Walking to the gate, with Hana and the others close behind me, the guard stopped me.
"What is your business with Mr. Lindermann?" He asked.
"Business? Dude, I'm Jay, from PR!" I replied confidently.
"Do I know you?" He said, confused.
"We met at last years Christmas party? My wife tore her dress. You were there." I said, gesturing at Hana, who gave him an embarrassed wave.
"Um..yeah.. I think. But that doesn't change anything." He said, looking at Parkman and Ted in dirty casuals.
"What are they here for? I saw you guys talking earlier."
Dammit! Since when did mooks get this smart? Why are you even paying attention at your minimum wage job?!
"They are here to negotiate a deal. For the foie gras? They are one of only two suppliers in New York and you know how those other guys chipped us on the cost leads last quarter? Overcharged us by 40 percent. Mr. Lindermann was pissed. He asked me to bring in the competition. Y'know, time to show those duck farmers who's boss!" I explained, enthusiastically.
The guard nodded in agreement.
"Uh huh? Sure, but why's your wife here then?"
Aaargh! I'm just about to rip his head off! Why are you asking so damn many questions?!
" Uh.. it's our anniversary...yeah..." I said, making shit up, "Married for two years. I'm just going to wrap this deal up lickety split and then we'll go for a night out on the town. I've got reservations at the Hilton for lunch. Tickets for that new Fast and Furious. So if you could just..."
"Oh, congratulations. Have a good day." He smiled, giving us way as I swiped the card on the scanner, while Hana used her power to override the display green.
"And you're good to go." He said, as the doors opened, and we walked in, all of us heaving an audible sigh of relief once we got on the elevator.
"What was up with that guy?! Fucker nearly made me shit myself!" Ted finally broke from the tension as we laughed.
Couldn't agree more buddy. Couldn't agree more.