Takabi pulled up in front of Carlos' home.
Shutting the car off, his eyes glanced over the small structure and noticed the once cozy aura was now replaced with a strong and ominous feeling. One of the downstairs windows were broken, but boarded up with worn down, dark oak wood. Patches of the outside layer were ripped out from the porch and walls. Was it not too long ago that the home held a look of happiness?
Aside from the exterior of the house, the yard looked freshly mowed and up kept. From what he could see from the window, the inside looked somewhat tidy as well.
Takabi considered knocking on the door, but it didn't feel right to him. The feeling of a second home was gone from Carlos'. He didn't feel welcome, not enough to stand on the porch at least.
Takabi shot Carlos a quick text, telling him to come outside. As he turned the key in the ignition and started the Dodge backup, Carlos opened the passenger side door and slipped in, closing it rather gently. Takabi hadn't noticed him already closing his house door by the time he started the car.
The air immediately felt awkward and tense. It was difficult to think of anything witty to say to ease the stern scowl on Carlos' face.
"So, where's the ward?"
"You should know," Carlos said quickly, as if to jab at the fact he hadn't seen Anna since she was admitted. Guilt immediately settled in his stomach, but he chuckled and brushed off the response.
"New car. I gotta map out the routes on my own now, especially if I'm taking your ass everywhere." He said, smirking slyly.
Carlos returned the same look, and the two felt the tension slowly fade away. Something was on Carlos' mind, but being around Takabi seemed to negate those thoughts, even if it was just a little while.
Takabi checked for clarity, before shifting into drive and pulling off into the road.
Once they reached the highway a little while later, and Takabi merged in, Carlos coughed into his fist and broke the ice.
"So…" He began with a slight shaky voice, "You have super powers."
Takabi glanced at him, then returned his eyes to the road. "Not super powers. It's magic. I have this thing called Mana in my body. Everyone does." He took a hand off the wheel and snapped, a small flame dancing between his finger tips.
Carlos' eyes filled with amazement. He wondered how it would look up close.
"Anyone can learn how to channel the energy if they train for it, so I'm not exactly special."
"I don't think most people can wield it like a weapon. Man, imagine teaching that to military troops though. Government would pay top dollar for that kind of power." Carlos said, sitting up in his seat. "It's money you could make."
"I'd rather not," He said, extinguishing the flame. "Most people would use the power for selfishness. I don't want to be responsible for a national or international war that could, potentially, destroy the world."
Carlos' look deflated for a second, then he smirked and punched Takabi's arm playfully. "Look at you, being more mature. Nana do that to you?"
"No. Not her. Just…" He shook his head, looking at Carlos for a moment. "I'll teach you if you want me to. It's not complicated once you get down to it. Took me a couple hours to really figure out." He paused a moment, remembering how time flows differently in the Bunker.
It wasn't linear, and a big ball of mess. He could go in the Bunker right now, spend months there on end, and come back out only a couple minutes later.
"It may take me a couple of months to get as good as you are, though," Carlos admitted. "I'm good with the ladies. You're good with the ass kicking, apparently. Maybe you should be my bodyguard."
Takabi split from the highway, driving down the exit and slowing, his eyes glancing from left to right before he turned right. "Yeah, sure. I'd charge you extra for my services though." Pausing a moment to check the cars behind him, he asked, "How's things with Ariel?"
Ariel was Jewel's best friend. Jewel was Takabi's ex and his neighbor, but they rekindled a friendship after the events of the battle and are relatively close now. Jewel's mother, Rose, also helped make sure there were no bad feelings between the two, despite both coming to terms with a more family-like relationship.
"A bit difficult, but I can't complain. Girl treats me like a king when we're out, so I know I must've hit it right." He smiled smugly. "Don't tell Jewel I said that though. She doesn't know."
"For good reasons I hope. Just be sure to tie the knot with her. I don't want you breaking her heart, then having Jewel talk Nana and my ears off about the whole thing." He said.
"Bro, with a girl as freaky as she is, I don't think that's a problem."
Takabi faked a gagging sound, and Carlos broke into laughter.
It died down soon once they came close to the Psych Ward: Connecticut Penitentiary. Driving up towards the gate, Carlos handed Takabi his visitation pass, to which the boy rolled his window down and slid it on the card reader.
There was a pause, until a voice said, "Go ahead," on the intercom. The gate flung open, Takabi slowly cruising in and finding a parking spot close to the entrance. The two opened the doors and stepped out, eyes gazing at the massive structure before them.
Takabi was a bit amazed at the size. Carlos remained chilled by its sight.
All bricks on the outside. There were a total of fifty windows that ran across the face of the building, but around a hundred going upwards. Curtains blocked an inside view from the parking lot, but most of the curtains moved slightly as some windows were open and a small breeze brushed by whenever the sun came out from behind the grey clouds overhead.
The front doors slid open, two men in thick black vests and dark pants stomping out, rifles on their backs. They spotted Takabi and Carlos, waving for them to enter the building.
Closing the car doors and locking it, the two boys walked ahead past the guards. Both the large men looked at Takabi, one grabbing his shoulder to stop him for a moment.
"Hold on. Aren't you that kid from the news? The one with the super powers?"
Carlos looked back at Takabi, his expression blank.
"Yeah, that was me." He said, removing the guard's hand from his shoulder. "Why? Am I not allowed?"
"Are you kidding!?" His voice exploded with excitement. "I'm sorry but can I have a picture with you? My daughter hasn't shut up about you since we saw that fight, and she's going to scream when she hears I met you." He pulled out his phone, peering down at Takabi.
It was an odd feeling, how a seemingly six foot something security guard was asking him for a photo. Gauging by how genuine the guy's smile was, he shrugged and posed with a peace sign as the guard took a selfie of the two. Nodding his thanks, Takabi quickly moved towards Carlos with his face red as a tomato.
"That was weird."
"People are," Carlos replied.
The lobby was filled with people dressed in white and blue pajamas. The pants were striped, decorated with white clouds around each leg, and brown slippers.
Everyone held a relaxed air, and the lobby smelled of fresh pumpkin spice.
Carlos walked towards the desk, speaking to the aged woman behind it quietly as Takabi looked around.
It looked like a hospital.
In a way, it essentially was. A hospital for people who have lost their minds. Why hasn't he been admitted here when he was a kid? In fear he may lose control? He didn't dwell on the thought, quickly assuming it was to make sure that he couldn't hurt anyone else.
"Okay, we're good," Carlos said as he walked back over.
The two moved around the corner and down a hallway, the windows letting in a thin sunlight and soft breeze. They walked in silence, a strong nervousness building in both their stomachs.
Metal doors greeted them when they reached the end of the hallway. Carlos pushed the button to call it, and they stood there a moment as the door opened. A woman dressed in nursing scrubs greeted them before they stepped inside and pushed the button for the seventh floor. The doors closed, and the woman began tying her hair in a bun.
"Hello, Carlos. Back to see Anna again," She asked.
"Why else would I be here," He replied happily. "Thank you for taking care of her, Elizabeth. I really appreciate it."
"Oh, stop. It's my job." She looked at Takabi next. "And who is this handsome young man?"
"Takabi, this is Elizabeth Norway. Anna's nurse. She's really sweet, so be nice." He warned his friend.
Takabi laughed nervously and nodded. "Nice to meet you."
The elevator doors opened, the three filing out one after another and strolled down the hall. Elizabeth led the pair to the door at the end of the hall, opening it and stepping in. "Anna, you have visitors."
"Oh, thank god! Carlos, you bring me something I can use?! A phone or something?" Her voice sounded lively, happy and stable.
Takabi couldn't help but smile.
Carlos stepped in next, smirking. "No. Brought something better that you won't get in trouble for." He looked back into the hall and waved him inside.
Takabi came in, and Anna's face lost all color.
The room looked just like a hospital's. One bed in the corner next to an IV and heart monitor. Wooden chairs next to a four legged table, topped with open magazines about unimportant things. A TV hanging on the wall across from the bed.
"Hey, Anna. How's it going?"
The girl nearly leapt at him. Remembering she was attached to a heart monitor, she calmed herself down before the beeping grew too wild and sat back against the pillow. Anna's blonde locks lost a little color, giving a slight bleached look. Her eyes were tired, and face devoid of any sort of make up.
It was still her though, that much was obvious.
"And what took you so long to come see me, Mr. Yamishito," She asked tauntingly.
Takabi walked towards the corner and grabbed a chair, sitting down and leaning back in the seat. "A lot happened. You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Actually, I would, like almost anyone who isn't mental in this place." She looked at Elizabeth and Carlos. "Liz was with me the night of that big fight you had on the news. It's actually thanks to you that they reduced my meds."
"That's great," He said excitedly. "There's a lot you have to catch up on."
"Yeah," She said calmly. "I've been keeping up with the news and stuff. Carlos filled in any blank spaces. It's all just a waiting game until I can leave now."
"Hungry," Carlos asked. "I'll grab us lunch," He said, before leaving the room and moving back down the hall.
Elizabeth moved to the foot of the bed, looking at the chart hanging on the footboard. "Well, you two seem close."
"Family friend. Takabi's been around for as long as I can remember."
"Well, it's good to have people like that. Trust is hard to find in days like these." Elizabeth placed the chart back. "Okay, I'm gonna do a couple rounds then bring you some meds. Any severe pain? Headaches or anything?"
"No, nothing right now. Thanks though," Anna said, and Elizabeth left the room, closing the door behind her.
"What are your meds for now?"
"I got a couple residue burns from the camping trip. Apparently, being so close to something of that size and heat can leave delayed burns on the body," She told him. "They didn't appear until a bit after the funeral. Aside from the idea I was crazy, I just take pain killers and things to block my dreams. The deeper the sleep, the more the nightmares stay away."
Nightmares. I hadn't even thought about her being traumatized by the whole thing. His grip on his knees tightened. His gaze dropped and a sigh escaped his throat. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault, Takabi. Don't beat yourself up about it." Anna looked at him, smirking. "Okay, so you HAVE to explain this whole superpower thing to me, starting from that night with the demon dog thing."
Takabi smiled at her as best he could, moving his chair closer to her bed and began to chat away about everything that's happened to that point. Oddly, he felt comfortable telling Anna everything that happened to him since.
Trust is difficult to find, huh? His thoughts echoed in the back of his mind, though he wasn't sure if they were completely his own.