Evil Game Master Society

Wouldn’t It be Good Part II - Story Arc #5

Wouldn’t It Be Good

Part II

[Just before Midnight, Tuesday, May 11, 1999]

I wonder if I ought to try and talk to them, Pilgrim thought as he folded the newspaper and set it down on the park bench next to him. The Sentinels seem to be making a name for themselves, and it is always safer in numbers. Besides, they might have access to the technology I need…. He looked around. There are a lot of people by the Tower tonight. Lots of tourists, and plenty of opportunities for crooks. Better keep my eye out for trouble.

Bill Pilgrim sat back and tried to look relaxed.

Guardian stepped out of the shadows, wearing her long trenchcoat, collar turned up around her ears, and black fedora pulled down low over her face. She looked around and assessed the area, like some kind of bodyguard. The holes torn in the coat from their battle earlier that evening added an air of danger to her huge appearance.

“It appears to be safe,” she said. “You can step into the lit area, Nathan.” Guardian watched carefully, almost hovering protectively around the mage.

Nathan suppressed a grimace. It was going to take a long time for him to get used to Guardian’s new attitude, but after what happened at Renwith Park, he was certainly glad of it. He had just opened his mouth to ask the woman a question when Boreas came flying into sight.

She was coming full tilt down the wheelchair ramp, deftly avoided a couple that was standing staring at her like deer in a set of headlights. Boreas lept up into the air and did a triple lutz, the air around her exploding into millions of crystals of ice, and she landed perfectly. The crowd was quiet for a moment, then they erupted into applause. Soon, there was a crowd of people around her, asking her for her autograph.

After about two minutes, there was the sound of a small explosion and flames erupted from the ground about ten feet from Nathan, and the air was filled with the thick smell of sulfur. When the flames disappeared an instant later, there was a huge demon leaning against a lamppost, smoking a cigar.

“Hey guys, what’s up,” Jez called out as she rounded the corner. She suddenly scrunched up her nose and pinched it shut. “What is that smell?” Jezebel’s costume had changed - again. Tonight she was wearing tight shiny black leather pants. Her red top was fairly gaudy, embroidered with a fire pattern in shiny red, yellow, and green. The fire is pattern streams around
her, under her right arm, where it emanates from underneath a red and green Kirin. She’s bundled her hair up in a single pony tail behind her, it’s a little off centre, to the left, as she did it herself. She also traded her sunglasses in for a pair of wire rimmed glasses instead. Her outfit was completed with a pair of shoes that looked like a combination of gymnastic slippers and running sneakers.

“Long or short version Jez,” Nathan asked, looking around.

“Um, the long version would be nice.” Jez said to Nathan while nervously eyeing ‘Flar.’ “But I think we only have time for the short version…”

She paused and glanced at Nathan now, “Is he your date or something?” She asked, jerking her thumb in Flar’s direction.

“Him?? He’s not my type… as to the short version, we appear to have a new member of the group,” Nathan replied. “He appeared in the base, caused a small ruckus between himself, Guardian and myself. Things settled down, and we … um ..
met up with Boreas and had a bit of an impromptu patrol.”

“So we show up here… and again we start up a bit of a ruckus…” Nathan grinned.

Boreas looked a little embarrassed, obviously she hadn’t expected so many people here at this late hour. Nevertheless as they gathered round her she became almost giddy with excitement, signing autographs and declining invitations to dates. It had been a long time since she enjoyed this type of reaction. It was unfortunate that she needed a mask now to do so. Every once in a while her head could be seen as she lept up and glanced around for the others.

Picking Guardian out from a distance, she bid adieu to the assemblage with a curtsey and wave and sped over to the alluring amazonian.

Guardian nodded to Boreas and turned her attention back to Nathan, seemingly hovering near him almost protectively

Flar stepped up quietly beside. “Yeah I know what you mean. York really ought to do something about the smell of this waterfront.” He looked up at the sky as if trying to find something. He sighed, then turned to Guardian.

“Is this person supposed to know us or send up a signal or what?”

“Um…yea…” Nathan replied to Flar.

Pilgrim stood and started towards the entrance to the tower. The sudden appearance of a demon caught him off guard. He stopped and stared, wondering what its motives are. He placed one hand on his sai and stepped closer.

The day I consider talking to the Sentinels a demon shows up. This is not a good omen, he thought to himself

At the sound of Flar’s voice, some of the people surrounding Boreas turned.

“Oh my god,” one of the women screamed. “It’s a DEMON!” More people turned and screamed, and soon there was a mass exodus of the area around the base of the tower.

Flar looked innocently over his shoulder for the demon that people are running away from. He shrugged, and looked back at Nathan while keeping an eye on the fleeing crowd.

Nathan sighed audibly. “Oh well… so much for being discrete. Flar, we’re going to have to something about your appearance… as it is, I give the Police about 5 minutes to get here.. I give CITY-TV about 30 seconds. Between your current appearance and the ‘character’ of Guardian’s trenchcoat, we may have a little more explaining to do than we want.”

“A five minute response time on your police,” Flar commented. “That’s quite impressive. And here I thought this world was backward.”

He paused and took a drag on his stogie. “Really, TV reporters are going to be here to interview me? That sounds kinda helpful to me. Police too. I’m great at public relations just let me talk to them it should be a hoot.” Flar smiled broadly at them. “Besides you’re not going to convince people to not be afraid of you by skulking around clandestinely in the shadows doing good deeds. Maybe that’s why the big G sent me here since aside from a punishment. I can’t think of a better reason.”

Nathan closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. I could use a good stiff drink right about now…

“Flar, that kind of publicity is the last thing that we need right now. Yes, I agree that skulking around is not the best idea, however as you have noticed in my own reaction about Magic, we do have a limited viewpoint on things, and we do tend to react blindly when we encounter something that doesn’t fit into our perception of reality.” Nathan looked up at Flar.

“Please, try and see things our way for a moment… we need to be a little more subtle, and allow people to get used to the fact that you may not exactly be from this planet, before they can even begin to handle the reality of your true identity.”

The reaction of various religious types… Oy…. Nathan thought. And most of the extreme ones don’t have even a shred of humour about Harbingers, let alone aliens… and throw a demon into the pot??? I shudder at the thought.

Nathan tried to look around casually, trying to identify any person who appears interested in approaching their group. Only someone truely interested in us is going to approach now.

Guardian turned to Flar. “Perhaps it is best if you don a disguise of your own. Although I find your wings one of your more striking features it seems as though most of the populace does not agree with me. You are scaring them,” she said with her typical monotone voice.

Guardian turned back to Nathan. “Eldritch,” she said with a softer, more subtle voice said. “Isn’t there anything you can do with your demon. He is going to make this rather difficult for us in his present form.” Turning away from Nathan, Guardian looked for Jezebel as well as any trouble that might arise.

My demon??? Oh by the all the levels… Nathan shook his head.

Flar paused and looked thoughtful. “Hey. I think Guardian just paid me an offhanded compliment…lookout the world must be coming to an end.” A broad smiled as another cigar appeared in his hand. “Once the cops show up I’ll just offer them a smoke and a drink.”

“Flar, do you think that they’ll react logically?? When the police get here,” Nathan said. “If you look as you currently do, they’re going to adapt a ‘Shoot first, ask questions if it lives policy’. Do you want that??”

Flar looked at Nathan and laughed very loudly and heartily. “Nathan old boy, if you don’t stop worrying about things so much you’re going to have a stroke before your forty. Perhaps if we stop acting so hidden and closed we might get a better reaction. For example…”

Flar blinked out of sight for a moment, then a huge circle of flames appeared like Hell itself had opened up the ground, and the stench of sulfer filled the area. “I AM FLAR DEMON PRINCE OF KORDAIR. I HAVE COME TO THIS WORLD SEEKING A SOUL,” Flar yelled at the top of his lungs. His voice echoed in the night, and the fleeing people began to scream in terror. He turned to Nathan.

“Who would believe that? It sounds ridiculous,” Flar said with a toothy smile.

Boreas watched in total frustration as most of the people fled. She thought the Sentinel’s were supposed to inspire poeple, not terrorize them. “Just what do you think your doing Flar!” She said. “Do you think it’s fun to scare all those people? I don’t know what they call that from where you’re from, but I call it being a bully.”

Nathan bowed his head, as his body tensed with rage. He may preach order, but his soul is chaos!! This creature can ruin it all, even before it begins!! Slowly he raised his head, his shoulders thrown back, his eyes blazing.

“Flar, I believe that you should be renamed the Demon Dunce of Kordair, and I wish that you would just listen for once. You are not from this dimension, and you do not know the history, nor the tolerances of the peoples of this area. We do, and you refuse to listen to us, and even scoff at our warnings. You see me standing on my feet, and I have not yet had a stroke, and I have seen the passing of two and forty years.”

“You claim that you no longer serve the Master of Chaos, however your actions tonight show that Choas rules your soul. I see why you lost your love, and why she is so difficult to reclaim, for you must master the maelstrom within before you will be redeemed.”

“Listen to me, listen to us. This is our home, we know the history, have lived the history, and suffer from the legacy of our history. There are ways and means to everything…. even redemption…. not everything has to be a big splash, sometimes the most effective strategy is to keep your head down, and eyes open.”

“If you keep up with your current behaviour, I will assist the Police in restraining you, for YOUR safety, not theirs. They WILL shoot first and ask questions later, and I don’t want to get caught in the crossfire, nor do I want anyone else present to suffer from your behaviour.”

Flar turned to Nathan obviously controlling himself, fixed his gaze firmly onto Nathan then took a deep breath. “First off, since I have arrived and met you God cursed hero I have been attacked for no particular reason, told constantly not to do this and not to do that, not to say this and not to say that. I do know your world I have been to a thousand like this one. You and others like you are feared, villified and eventually hunted. If you do not deal with that FEAR you will in time deal with the being HUNTED. I have lived a thousand thousand milleniun and yet you tell me that I don’t know anything. I don’t presume you know nothing just because you are mortal. Yet you presume so much of me. I have known this situation many times and if you do not bring yourselves into prominence you will rise in the shadows, glimmer briefly then fade into the darkness.”

“Secondly you keep refering to me as if I served Chaos in your universe perhaps Chaos is a physical embodiment or perhaps it is the force itself but understand this that chaos is part and parcel of this universe just as much as order is. This GOD you people worship or believe in is real to me for I have met him. Do you presume that he must be what he is to you and cannot be anything more or less than he is. Such arrogance I have not seen in so long. He does as he will and we must play his game . Perhaps that is the way of things and I can accept that it doesn’t mean that I must like it and I still know what I know. I serve THE UNIVERSE and I serve what you call GOD just because I choose to serve him in a way that YOU believe is not as it should be.”

“Thirdly I lost my love Andella because I was attacked by five Demon Princes and teleported to a place she couldn’t follow. I did this so that only one of us need die because she would have died trying to protect or help me. That would have killed her and my child. I acted in a selfless manner to save someone out of love and ended up here to bring a little bit of chaos to your life Nathan, yours and anyone else I cross paths with. I can accept what he did but I don’t like it and think he is a grand asshole for doing it. Even if this is all part of his grand scheme he doesn’t deserve or need your worship. Perhaps you had best deal with the fact that things are not what you want them to be.”

“Lastly as to causing ripples think on this all of you and perhaps learn from what I’ve learned. A lake with no ripples has no movement, no change it leads to stagnation, it leads to corruption. I am willing to be shot by the police their weapons shouldn’t hurt me and if they do you all should begin to worry about how precarious your exsistence is. If I am not willing to be shot at in
an attempt to show them that I come to help not to harm then they will never have the chance NOT to shoot and your children’s children will live and die in the same shadows you now live in. IF YOU DO NOT DEAL WITH YOUR SITUATION YOUR SITUATION WILL DEAL WITH YOU!”

Nathan’s gaze cooled and he smiled wryly at Flar. “Well spoken Flar. We may have to agree to disagree on a few points, but
it is more to do with a differing approach than anything else. Time is the essence of our soul. Our greatest treasure, our worst foe.”

Nathan slowly extended his hand “There are things that I think we need to talk about, but here and now is neither the time nor the place for such talk. I know that there is much I can learn from you.”

Flar extended his hand to shake nathan’s. “Yes you can, Nathan, once you learn to trust me and I’m sure there are things that I will learn from you… Friend?”

Flar then turned slowly toward Guardian, his eyes still glowing. “As for you great holier than thou warrior I am now and will always be more of a warrior then you who fights from fear and blind prejudice striking at all who are not as you think they should be. I do not play at life as you do, I live life.”

“I am a warrior, demon,” Guardian replied. “To this I do not deny. I do not fight for fear. I fight to protect those who can not protect themselves. I am adjusting to this new situation, and to a new life that I have no hope of understanding. So if I am relying upon what I was taught to find some glimmer of my past and who I was, then that is my fault. But at least I am willing to adjust and learn about my surroundings, no mater how scared or lost I feel.

“The face of my enemy has changed, just as I have changed and if I were to fight with blind prejudice, I would have fought both you and Nathan to the death to defend those beliefs. But as you can see ‘Flar’, I am willing to accept that things work differently here, but I am and always well be a warrior, it is what I was destined for.” For the first time Guardian’s voice held a hint of fear and sadness as she said the words quietly before turning to look at the stars a lost look on her face.

Flar looked at her and smiled. “Proud words and filled with strength. I know full well how hard it is to be cast from your home to be in a place that you do not know, surrounded by things you do not fully understand. I do not know what destiny our lives will find but I am honored to share it with one as true as you even if you’d rather spit on me. A warrior must face his enemy and right now your group greatest enemy is ignorance. YOU found the way to overcome that let us help others learn the way to overcome it” Flar extended his hand towards Guardian once again in a gesture of friendship.

Pilgrim moved quickly through the wave of exiting bystanders. As he got closer he was struck by the fact that he is an unknown element to the Sentinels. Since paranormals aren’t known for their powers of reason Pilgrim, decided to slow down and take his cue from them. The last thing he wanted was to be mistaken for the demon’s partner and have to fight the very people he had hoped to join.

Everyone suddenly noticed something rather odd. A young woman, probably in her early twenties and wearing a York University jacket, was approaching the assembled Sentinels. Actually, she seemed to be heading directly for Flar, clutching a bunch of books to her chest.

“Umm….” The woman stopped about five feet from the demon. “Excuse me. Are you…. Flar?”

Oh oh… How does she know him?? Nathan’s concern was plain on his face.

Guardian turned to look at the woman to see if she was the one that they were waiting for. After seeing that she wasn’t, Guardian continued her survey of the nearby area, but kept an eye on the woman and Flar.

Boreas watched as the young woman approached, as she did she searched her memory trying to recall if she recognised her from campus or not but couldn’t remember her. I can’t believe it. She’s interested in Flar’s autograph? Boreas thought incredulously.

“Hey, Someone’s gonna have to like do something about this chasing all the fans away business. Ya know, I perform better in front of a crowd.” Boreas said to the group out loud in a half kidding manner.

Flar turned towards the woman while looking at the others. “See. The chicks of your world are already falling for me…yeah I’m Flar Demon Prince at large what can I do for you sweetie?”

“Oh brother,” Boreas said.

A huge look of relief flooded the woman’s face. “Thank heavens,” she said as an angelic smile crossed her face. “I wasn’t sure if I interpreted my vision correctly. I’m not always right, you know. Anyway,” she continued with a little wave of her hand that nearly caused her to drop all her books. “I’m here to help you. You see, He sent me. Well, He didn’t *really* send me. I mean, He didn’t appear before me as a burning bush, and I didn’t hear His voice or anything, but He sent me a vision. I saw you here, with the Sentinels, and I knew I was supposed to help you. Why He chose me, I don’t know. After all, I’m only a second year university history student, and I’m planning on studying theology, and how I’m supposed to help you atone for
all the nasty things you’ve done I have no idea, but I guess He’s got some kind of plan for us.

“Anyway, I’m supposed to, or at least I think I’m supposed to, help you stay on the good side and help you deal with life in this dimension. You know, I didn’t really believe there were such things as other dimensions until now, but I guess you’re living proof of that. He did tell me you were from another dimension, and He’d have no reason to lie to me. After all, He is
the one that sends me the visions and…” The woman stopped in midsentence and blushed a brilliant shade of red. “Oh, forgive me. My name is Monica Howden.” She held out her hand while trying to juggle her books so they didn’t fall to the ground.

Nathan looked skyward Penance indeed.

“So,” Flar said to Monica. “You think the Big G is sending you visions that mean your supposed to help me redeem myself? Ha!” He looked up at the sky. “Why don’t you redeem me by redeeming yourself, you old judgement maker?” Flar laughed again. “So how do you think you’re going to help me, sweetie? Actually you can help me by telling me if you’ve seen anybody strange around who looks like they’re waiting?’

A stricken look crossed the girl’s face. “I can’t believe you’re talking like that. I mean, He’s given you another chance. Would you rather be dead than having been given the opportunity to go back to Andella?” She hugged the pile of books tighter. “Maybe I was wrong. I can’t help you.” Her eyes filled with tears. “This was all a mistake. I never should have come.”

Monica turned and fled, disappearing into the crowd.

Boreas watched the girl disappear. The whole encounter had taken on a surreal quality to her. One thing was for sure, Monica was definitely better off not getting involved

Nathan looked up, watching the sky above, half expecting a bolt to strike Flar. Would serve him right, given all the headaches he’s given us tonight. “Satisfied now?”

Guardian looked at Flar. With a very cold voice Guardian said, “I do not understand the principles of what has just consipired, but if she was sent to guild you ‘demon’ you should be greatful towards her and listen to her. You are more of a child then a ‘demon prince’ as you once stated. If you are to be one of us then you must learn to act as a warrior and a adult. So knock off the games.”

Anook what is the time? I do not see the person we are here to meet and the demon has stired up some unwanted attention.

It is 11:57 pm, Guardian.

Guardian turned and headed towards the base of the CN Tower pulling what was left of her trench coat around her, looking for the Gillian Anderson look alike.

Gee and to think I came from a dysfunctional family, Boreas thought inwardly. She then skated off after Guardian. “Hey wait up!”

Pilgrim decided that it is time to introduce himself, even though he’s not very comfortable with the demon. Especially with all his blathering about redemption.

He’s a demon, he cast his lot with Satan, thought Pilgrim. He saw Guardian move off alone towards the tower and he decided to intercept her. Concentrating, Pilgrim stepped toward the tower. The world around him slowed almost to a standstill as he strode over to Guardian. To the casual observer he was but a blur until he came to rest next to his objective.

“Excuse me, my name is Pilgrim. If this is not a bad time I would like to talk to you about joining the Sentinels.”

Guardian started and whirled around and made a move to attack but held herself back.

Boreas skated up next to Guardian and Pilgrim. “Hi, I am Boreas.” She then proceeded to bob and weave around Pilgrim, giving him a really close examination. “Pardon me for like asking, but you sure don’t look like Gillian Anderson.” She said giving Guardian a questioning glance.

Boreas saw Flar leap and begin to fly up when out of the corner of her eye she could see what looked like a distortion in the air to her right. Before she could do anything a huge blast erupted in the midst of the group.

Guardian went flying, landing about 24 feet away with a thump. Pilgrim landed a few feet away and lay there, stunned. Boreas was knocked to her knees and Flar was knocked 60 feet into a wall. Eldritch fell to the ground barely conscious.

Guardian felt like something burning slipped into her mind and plucked something out.

Pilgrim lay where he landed, shaking his head and getting his breath back.

Shaken by the blast Boreas rose to her feet and looked off to the right where she thought she saw some kind of distortion in the air. In the cold of the night she was able to see heat emanations, hopefully the attacker left some behind. “What the hell was that!” She said to no one in particular.

As her eyes scanned the area she saw footprints on the ground, and then she spotted what could be a figure crouching down behind one of the solid concrete benches. But…. All she saw was the infrared signature. She couldn’t see anyone there!

Flar picked himself up off the ground and looked around. “Is everybody alright,” he called out loudly. “Can anybody see the person who’s going to soon be needing a full body cast.”

Guardian stood up quickly and surveyed the area around her. When she spotted Nathan on the ground, Guardian moved quickly over to him, standing over him protectively.

A burst of flame came from Pilgrim’s left. The flame hit him and he felt as if he nearly had the wind knocked out of him again. Looking in that direction, he could see a person in body armour crouched down behind a bush that almost completely hid him.

Nathan felt something burning slip past his mental defences into his mind and pluck something out.

Two grenades came flying from behind Guardian and Nathan, one landing right at their feet, the other off to their right. They exploded in a burst of light and heat, and Nathan felt like the very air in his lungs was being ripped out of him and he lay there stunned, gasping for air.

A beam of what only could be described as ice hit Boreas from her left. She screamed out in pain and her entire body writhed in agony as she fell to the ground.

Another grenade was thrown at Flar from his right, landing behind him and exploding harmlessly.

A burst of flame when shooting past Jezebel from her left, burning her shirt.

Flar quickly looked around again and could barely see an armored figure crouched down behind cover in the direction of where the attack on Boreas came from. He jumped in the air and flew at the figure, barely hitting it with his claws.

“I think you punks should give it up now before it gets bloody,” he growled menacingly.

Pilgrim willed his body out of sync with local time. He stood and moved ghost-like toward the man in armour behind the bush. Halfway there a grenade landed at his feet and exploded.

Flar was hit from the left by a freezing ray and was knocked back almost 25 feet, hitting a tree and falling to the ground.

Boreas was hit by a burst of flame that sent her flying over 40 feet, and it was obvious from the way she landed she was deeply unconscious.

Both Guardian and Nathan were hit by beams similar to the ones that hit Boreas, sending Guardian flying. She hurtled through the air and came to a sudden halt when she hit a lamppost, smashing it in half and landed on the ground stunned amidst the wreckage.

Jezebel was hit from behind by a freezing ray and hurtled through the air, landing stunned over 35 feet away.

Flar felt like something burning slipped into his mind and plucked something out.

He slowly got to his feet looking a bit shaky. “That wasn’t bad punks, but that wasn’t good enough. Guess I’ll have to hurt you now” Flar jumped up in the air and flew at the armoured figure he had attacked before. His claws raked his target’s shoulder but didn’t harm him as he flew past.

Almost immediately afterwards he was hit by a freeze ray and knocked 30 feet, landing in a bunch of bushes.

Grenades came flying through the air at Boreas and Jezebel, exploding at their feet. Jezebel dropped to the ground.

Eldritch’s unconscious body was hit by a burst of flame and went flying almost 25 feet, hitting a concrete bench and falling to the ground with the sickening sound of breaking bones.

Pilgrim was hit squarely by a freeze ray off from his left, but it passed through him without harming him.

A burst of flame hit Guardian’s prone body, knocking it back almost 40 feet into the bushes.

Pilgrim wheezed as he got his breath back. He looked down at the armoured figure in front of him, saw the man touch his belt and disappear from sight. As the man disappeared, he felt something burning slip into his mind and pluck something out.

Guardian and Jezebel stirred, shaking their heads.

Flar, Jezebel, Pilgrim and Guardian could hear the sounds of running, but couldn’t see anyone moving around them.

A second passed, and there were no further attacks on the Sentinels.

Guardian suddenly noticed the CITY TV film crew, standing about 100 feet away in the shadows of the tower, watching the entire scene in amazement.

Flar got to his feet with ease, looked up at the sky and growled. “You old bastard” He turned toward Guardian.

“You better look at Eldritch I think he is badly hurt.” Just then he noticed the camera crew. Flar smiled broadly and waved to them then moved to where Boreas lay. Her costume and exposed skin had been battered by the attacks, and she looked like a burned ice cube. Whatever was in that freeze ray hit her really hard, and she was deeply unconscious.

“You assholes better run,” Flar yelled. “You came out on top in round one. Your ass is mine next time we meet.”

Guardian moved quickly over to Eldritch a look that could only be described as pure anger and failure on her face.

“Guardian!” A young man wearing a CITY TV jacket and holding a microphone started walking towards her. “Who attacked the Sentinels? Can you tell me what happened? Who’s the demon? Is he the newest member of your team?”

Guardian turned quickly standing over Eldritch body, shooting the reporter a deadly look of non amusement. In a very cold voice. “This is not the time for you to be here, please leave now.” The last words having a bit more of a bite to them. Anook, Nathan is hurt badly, as well as Boreas and Jezebel. There are reporters here, what do I do?

Get them to the van, Aidan replied. The medical centre at the base will be ready to receive them.

“But Guardian,” the man said as he continued forward. “What happened?” His eyes widened when he got a better look Nathan’s prone body. “Oh shit,” he breathed. “I’ll call an ambulance.” He pulled out a cell phone and began to dial. Guardian realised that she recognised the man. It was Jon Zandros, a rookie reporter who was making a name for himself by specialising in reporting on Harbinger-related stories.

Flar gently picked up Boreas, wrapped his wings protectively about her and started to move toward Nathan. He looked at Jezebel. ” Are you alright?”

When Jez didn’t reply, Flar looked more closely at her and saw that she didn’t appear to have taken any damage that would require anything more than a bandage.

“Mr. Zandros, an ambulance is not nessasary, if you wish to be of any assistance then please leave the premesis. Flar to leave. Head to the van.” Gaurdian turned to Flar after looking at Jon. Anook, can you bring the van closer to us. I fear much movement could be harmful to them.

“If we take the van, what do you think the odds are that the reporter will follow us,” Flar asked once he arrived next to Guardian.

The van drove up to the end of the sidewalk and waited. I cannot bring the vehicle any closer without leaving the road. Nathan and Boreas should be stable enough to move that distance.

(to be continued….)

© Lisa Hartjes, 1999.