Alternate Universe: The Runaways

[Matrix]

So far, NOTHING. They looked in the kitchen and then Brenda mad eher way doen to the bedroonm and back, to no avail. Rich saw a lot that reminded him of Delilah, but nothing that would clue into her death. Brenda came back, Jack in tow form the bedroom, and fingered over the cookbooks lined up netaly n the shelf. As she paused, Rich smiled as he sensed it as well. Who the hell has a LEATHER cookbook?

Just as Brenda found that, Effy (she of the great but not fantastic weed be stubbornly admitted) exclaimed, having found something in the main room. As they gathered, she let loose what she'd found.

“I don’t think this girl was one of Delilah’s. You know those stupid attendance sheets we all have to sign when we come to Archangel? Delilah has a record of them in the foundation’s computer. Kara Knight only came to the foundation once – to a group counseling session about a year ago. Then, nothing.”

Mmm-hmn...

Rich was thinking as she went on, turning the information offered over and over.

"Then why is Kara in the Foundation computer at all?"

Perhaps Dee was looking for her. If Delilah could keep US connected to the foundation, I doubt that she would have lost this girl after one meeting, or given up. Something must have happened to Kara since that meeting, which would 'splain the chip in her head. It could be Delilah was investigating this when she died. Maybe she got close to what was up.

Rich went silent as quickly as he spoke up. He normally didn't say that much at once, but he had been spinning everything he'd seen and heard in his head since this began, and that was the only way it made sense.

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

With Rich confirming that the kitchen was a bust too, both he and Livvie returned to the livingroom. So far there was nothing that gave any clue as to who this Kara person was, who would have wanted to kill her, and if any of them were in danger. Sighing with defeat, Livvie went over to Delilah's desk, deciding to look through it once more. She really didn't know why...maybe just to pass the time. Maybe partly hoping that the others missed something. Doubtful, but she still shuffled through the desk regardless.

Effy: “Hold on.”

Turning to look at Effy with a questionable look.

"What?"

Effy quickly got up from the couch and headed for the desk. Reaching inside some papers she withdrew a small flashdrive. She moved back over to the labtop and plugged the flashdrive in.

"Anything helpful?"

Effy: “These are Delilah’s case files from the past five years. Kara is not in them. One sec.”

"Nice...maybe this wasn't a bust afterall."

Effy: “I don’t think this girl was one of Delilah’s. You know those stupid attendance sheets we all have to sign when we come to Archangel?"

"Yeah?"

Effy: "Delilah has a record of them in the foundation’s computer. Kara Knight only came to the foundation once – to a group counseling session about a year ago. Then, nothing.”

"Weird..."

Effy: "Then why is Kara in the Foundation computer at all?"

That was the million dollar question. If this girl wasn't apart of the Archangel Foundation, then why was she looking for Delilah? And why had she disappeared over a year ago never to return to the foundation?

"Maybe Delilah was trying to help her back then? I know when she tracked me down I was resistant to her help at first...maybe this girl didn't want it either? Or...maybe something was stopping her from taking it? I mean...the same person who killed her maybe?"

All random guesses, all a shots in the dark. God, she felt like she was on an episode of X-Files.

[with a shrug] "I don't know...i'm just shooting in the dark here."

Looking over at Brenda and Jackson enter the room, Brenda was holding a leather bound book.

"Did you find something?"

 

[Brenda Castle]

Jackson: I wonder what they're gonna do with all of these things?

Jackson asked as her came into the bedroom, searching in typical places.

[shrugging] "I have no idea. Sell them, donate them? Leave them for the future tenants to deal with?"

In spite of her grief, Brenda was amused at his disappointment in finding nothing indecent. She smiled, deliberately NOT pointing out that he was looking in all the places that BOYS hid their contraband, and that girls were slightly less predictable in their concealment.

Jackson: There's nothing in here! Not even a diary that I can find. Delilah was good at cleaning up after herself.

"I can see why she'd be so careful. She kept secrets for a LOT of people."

Jackson kept searching, to no avail. He was getting discouraged, and admitted to feeling useless. She smiled sheepishly.

"Yeah, me too."

She gave the room one last look, then headed back to the living room. No one else was having much success either, except Effy, who spotted a flashdrive as Brenda slinked into view.

Effy: These are Delilah's case files from the past five years. Kara is not in them. One sec. [….] I don’t think this girl was one of Delilah’s. You know those stupid attendance sheets we all have to sign when we come to Archangel? Delilah has a record of them in the foundation’s computer. Kara Knight only came to the foundation once – to a group counseling session about a year ago. Then, nothing. […] Then why is Kara in the Foundation computer at all?

"Maybe she wasn't actually one of Delilah's… refugees. Maybe she visited, but decided she didn't want to take part. Maybe Delilah set up a file on her in hopes that she'd return, or just out of habit thinking she'd come back someday."

Rich, putting more words together than he had ALL DAY, offered his own suggestions as to why Delilah might be keeping track of Kara. Olivia posited as well. No one had concrete answers, and they were all equally frustrated with this apparent dead end. Brenda, staving off boredom to keep from sliding back to the sadness, gently grazed the spines of books on a shelf, not really noticing the titles, until she came across one that did not fit with the rest. It was leather bound, and she gently pulled it from the shelf. It was not labeled, but upon opening the cover, she discovered it to be Delilah's personal journal. She paused.

"I think I found something…."

She breathed, so quietly it was almost a whisper, grasping the diary firmly. This was a bit different from hearing Delilah's thoughts, first of all, Delilah was gone and Brenda had accepted that she'd never hear Delilah's mind again. Secondly, this journal probably contained all those thoughts that Delilah was so adept at keeping buried from Brenda. The latter was not as much a deterrent to Brenda, who pretty much had NO relationship with the concept of 'private thoughts' when it came to her ability to hear them. It was the former that caused her hesitation. Seeing Delilah's thoughts in writing, 'hearing' them being read in Delilah's familiar mental tone…. Just the thought was surreal. On the other hand, it was a chance to be close to Delilah again, a chance to know MORE of a woman she revered.

She succumbed to the temptation quietly. At first, she did not comment, nor did she allow anyone near; though that might seem unfair. As she was with other people's everyday thoughts, she held the position that just because BRENDA knew everyone else's thoughts, didn't mean everyone ELSE should know them as well. If this diary contained inscription of personal matters, Brenda saw no reason to share them with the others. If she came across anything that pertained to this situation, however, then she would relay it to her new 'colleagues'. She thumbed through the pages slowly, poring over them looking for something relevant…. And then--

Olivia: Did you find something?

Brenda looks up, shaken from her reverie. As a matter of fact, she HAD found something. She nods, looking back down at the book.

"Yeah…. Listen to this: 'Kara still refuses to come back to the foundation. I am so afraid for her – she is so stubborn! She reminds me of Haleigh – just WILL NOT listen to reason. After all the things I’ve told her, all the stories about the Six and MysTech, she still believes she has found a family there. If only…if only I had gotten to her earlier. Before they gave her a choice between jail and them… At least she still allows me to see her sometimes, but I feel her slipping away. I know they are using her but I just can’t make her believe it. And I just don’t know what to do now. I feel so helpless. But I have got to get her away from them, somehow. And soon.'"

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Olivia listened as Brenda read a portion of Deliah's diary. So her assumptions were right....people were keeping Kara from Delilah. Not by force, but by emotionally toying with her. As Brenda continued to read, she mentioned something that sounded very familiar to Livvie. MysTech.

"I remember Delilah mentioning something about MysTech once. I overheard her talking to another resident here [at MP] about them. How they were out to destory all mutants and metahumans. Something about a new 'project' they were putting together....but before I could find out anything more, she realized I was outside her door and she ended the conversation. I tried asking her about it, but she said for me not to worry. That they [the six] had it under control."

Brenda had definitely found a huge clue that would point the group of teens in the right direction. And with Effy's cyber skills, hopefully they'd be able to find out a little more about MysTech so they knew exactly what they were about to get into.

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

Effy went over what Rich had said, and then what Brenda had read from the diary.

“Sounds like Delilah was competing with someone over this girl. Sounds like she was almost to the point of physically taking her away from them. I bet that someone wasn’t too happy about that, and they took Delilah out of the picture."

Olivia related what she had overheard from Delilah herself about MysTech. Effy nodded.

"MysTech. I know that name. They make a bunch of kick ass machinery and shit for the government. And there’s something else.”

Effy opened the lid of the computer and turned it around so that the others could see the screen. She called up a dozen or so Word documents.

"There are all these letters going back YEARS – in each one Delilah is rejecting a donation from them. Why would she do that unless they were serious bad news? I mean, normally, money’s money, right?”

 

[Brenthon]

Melrose Place: Delilah's Apartment

As Brenda and Jackson realized they were not going to find anything Delilah's bedroom (salacious or otherwise ) they entered the Living room where Effy had found a flash drive containing the first piece of information they had found since arriving at Melrose Place.

Effy: These are Delilah's case files from the past five years. Kara is not in them. One sec. [….] I don’t think this girl was one of Delilah’s. You know those stupid attendance sheets we all have to sign when we come to Archangel? Delilah has a record of them in the foundation’s computer. Kara Knight only came to the foundation once – to a group counseling session about a year ago. Then, nothing. […] Then why is Kara in the Foundation computer at all?

Olivia and Brenda had brought up good points and Rich had unleashed a flurry of thought, speaking more words in those few moments than Jackson had heard him speak all day. Maybe they were slowly starting to get somewhere?

But alas, they were left with more questions than they had answers and he saw Brenda meander off towards the bookshelf and became interested in a plain looking book.

Brenda: I think I found something...

Jackson waited...

Brenda: Listen to this: 'Kara still refuses to come back to the foundation. I am so afraid for her – she is so stubborn! She reminds me of Haleigh – just WILL NOT listen to reason. After all the things I’ve told her, all the stories about the Six and MysTech, she still believes she has found a family there. If only…if only I had gotten to her earlier. Before they gave her a choice between jail and them… At least she still allows me to see her sometimes, but I feel her slipping away. I know they are using her but I just can’t make her believe it. And I just don’t know what to do now. I feel so helpless. But I have got to get her away from them, somehow. And soon.'

It had been Delilah's diary. He knew they needed answers, but part of him felt almost.. dirty as he listened to Delilah's thoughts. This may have been normal for Brenda, but this was definitely the closest Jackson would ever come to being a mind reader and he was glad, finding a new found respect for Brenda and the abilities she had. Olivia spoke up.

Olivia: I remember Delilah mentioning something about MysTech once. I overheard her talking to another resident here [at MP] about them. How they were out to destory all mutants and metahumans. Something about a new 'project' they were putting together....but before I could find out anything more, she realized I was outside her door and she ended the conversation. I tried asking her about it, but she said for me not to worry. That they [the six] had it under control.

In Jackson's mind, it had to be MysTech. Delilah was worried about a girl who was with the organization and hours earlier a chip exploded in her brain killing her. That was a simple conclusion to draw.

Effy: MysTech. I know that name. They make a bunch of kick ass machinery and shit for the government. And there's something else... There are all these letters going back YEARS - in each one Delilah is rejected a donation from them. Why would she do that unless they were serious bad news? I mean, normally, money's money, right?"

A light went off in Jackson's head.

"And remember that scandal awhile back at LAX? What was the name.. WilPharma? I remember the news coining them as the next "MysTech". It had to do with the T Virus, it turned people into zombies, or so they say... and then that PLANE crashed into the terminal! Nobody really ever found out what happened. CDC was there, the Marines. It was a big deal..."

Jackson continued.

"There's got to be a contact of Delilah's that was connected in all of this that's still alive? I mean maybe her work against MysTech was farther reaching than we think. Effy you should do some kind of engine search, cross reference the names of the tenants in the buildings with names like Terra Save or WilPharma, maybe somebody will pop up that can lead us in a clearer direction, or at least tell us how to help?"

He may not have been a super computer or able to read minds but he was trying to adapt the best he could in order to try and figure this out.

"Or.. maybe i'm totally wrong."

 

[Matrix]

MYSTECH...Rich shuddered at the name, but did not place it at first while they were talking. Not at first, it was still fuzzy...until he saw the letterhead with the insignia of the Mystech corporation.

A motherFUCKER!!

He exclaimed with anger and vigor, much more than they had ever seen previously. Brenda would notice the spike in sadness and anger. He looked around quickly at the others, flustered only for a moment before he reserved himself again. He spoke, his voice shaky before it regained it normal timbre.

S-sorry. I remember now...that was the last thing I saw before - my accident. Before I became what I am now. It was imprinted on the pipe that destroyed my life.

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Everyone began to relate what they knew about MysTech. It seemed that this company had a lot of skeletons in their closet. Jackson began to describe the situation at LAX that happened a year or so ago when an 'outbreak' occurred. She vividly remembered that...there was a lot of speculation about a huge government cover up in order to prevent a nation wide hysteria. News outlets were reporting on it for days, then suddenly it became 'yesterday's news'. There was hardly a mention of that event since...which in itself was strange.

Jackson: "Or.. maybe i'm totally wrong."

"No, I think you're totally right. There's no way that all this involvement with MysTech is just a coincidence. I mean--"

Rich: A motherFUCKER!!

Looking over at Rich like he had a third eye, where the hell did THAT outburst come from?

Rich: S-sorry. I remember now...that was the last thing I saw before - my accident. Before I became what I am now. It was imprinted on the pipe that destroyed my life.

Nibbling her lip, that had to suck. Knowing that a company that could have killed Delilah could have completely screwed up your life as well. Not really the 'comforting type', Livvie continued on with the groups speculations.

"So...obviously this company has screwed with a lot of lives. I don't know...I think we found our bad guy?"

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

They all had pretty much been stunned into silence (or angered into it, in Rich's case), and it was dark now. Effy had been at this most of the day, and she for one could use some time to work through everything they'd learned. They agreed to meet the following day back at the Archangel Foundation. They put Delilah's things back where they'd found them, and headed outside. The automatic lights around the courtyard flickered on.

In the soft glow of the lights, reflecting off the clear blue water in the pool, this place didn't look so deserted anymore. Effy carried the bottle of vodka from Delilah's with her, and she stared at the water. She took a drink right from the bottle, and the corners of her mouth curled up in a mischevious smile.

She set down her bag and bottle, and stripped out of her dress and leggings, down to her bra and panties. With a smile, she jumped into the pool.

 

[Brenda Castle]

They discussed Mystech, putting the pieces together as a group. Brenda had long since been of the opinion that Mystech was bad news; anytime Mystech was brought up by one of the other kids at a group Archangel meeting, Delilah almost ALWAYS reacted mentally with extreme disdain, and though she hid it well from the other teens, Brenda could tell that Delilah regarded Mystech as nothing less than the ENEMY. Effy had something to show them, which was basically further proof:

Effy: There are all these letters going back YEARS – in each one Delilah is rejecting a donation from them. Why would she do that unless they were serious bad news? I mean, normally, money’s money, right?

"To MOST people…"

Brenda said with an amused smile. Delilah was exactly the kind of person who would turn down blood money. Jackson, after recovering from feeling weird about Delilah's journal, remembered the LAX Incident and mentioned it, which provoked Olivia's memory about the cover up that followed. Rich was stewing, and surprised the others with an outburst. He was pained and angered by his own memories of Mystech, which caused the end of life as he knew it. It was an awful thing to go through, and he gave the others the in-a-nutshell explanation. The room filled with an awkward silence for a few moments, as no one knew what to say.

Olivia: So…obviously this company has screwed with a lot of lives. I don't know…I think we found our bad guy?

Brenda nodded grimly. One that small note of success, they all agreed to meet the next day at Archangel. Everyone put back the things they'd disturbed. Brenda quietly closed Delilah's journal and carefully stows it in her Bottega handbag for safe keeping, since it could prove to still be useful later. She wasn't the only one to leave with a keepsake; Effy walked out with the bottle of Vodka in hand.

The courtyard was exquisite at this time of night, the pool water so still it looked like a sheet of glass, beautifully lit by various lights around the courtyard and in the pool itself. Effy started to take another drink of vodka, this time straight from the bottle, and suddenly Brenda started grinning like the Cheshire cat. What a wonderful idea. It was about time they took a break from all the doom and gloom and have some FUN. Effy leapt into the pool as Brenda reached for the Vodka Effy had left unattended and had a drink herself.

"How's the water?"

 

[Matrix]

Rich was still stewing a bit after his revelation They had found their enemy all right. They decided to meet tomorrow and filed out of the apartment. He was just starting to figure our where to stay for the night when Effy dropped trou and hopped in the pool while the blonde that he promised himself he wouldn't ogle stayed around.

Intriguing.

He stopped and returned, taking a chair and relaxing as Brenda asked how the water was. He could sense it was JUST fine...and this would be as good a time as an to get back in the water again since his accident. Once he got up the nerve. The alcohol should help...though it took a LOT to get to him now. He stood up slowly and gently took hold of the bottle, downing a good healthy gulp.

Well, here goes.

He took off his shirt and pants quickly, his body was chiseled from heredity and football/basketball/baseball/track workouts. With just a hint of panic he jumped in to the pool...

...and swam to the other end smoothly and expertly. Not as bad as he feared, even though his heart was beating out of his chest. He swam back and then dived to the bottom, then surfaced, his face beaming with accomplishment at facing a fear of his and embracing a former love of swimming.

 

[Brenthon]

Melrose Place: Courtyard

Okay. They were getting somewhere. Obviously this organization was at the very least behind the death of Kara. Just exactly what they planned to do to stop an apparantly global mutant terrorist organization, he didn't know but he felt good that they had SOMETHING to go off of as opposed to the nothing they had earlier. He watched as Rich cried out and became quite jumbled, though he said nothing. What exactly was he supposed to do? He didn't really know the guy well enough to comfort him and he didn't really know what he was talking about, so he just played dumb and glanced at the floor.

They had decided to meet at the Archangel Foundation the next day and Jackson began to clean things up around the apartment. They hadn't done much damage but again he still felt a little responsible for making sure the place looked clean. He didn't want people coming in and thinking Delilah was a slob. Everyone grieved in their own way and for Jackson, he needed to establish order and control of the situation. Everyone made their way outside the door and Effy stripped down to her skivvies and jumped into the pool. He smiled at her.

"You are certifiable!" he said laughing.

He took his shoes and socks off, rolled up his pants to his knees and sat down next to Brenda, placing his legs up to his calves in the water as he was passed the vodka bottle from Brenda. He gladly took a nice long swig. Vodka was definitely his drink of choice. He'd gotten long bored of the Scotch his parents kept in the bar in the living room.

"The water feels perfect... Sit down Brenda. Let's have a drink!"

Jackson said as he looked at her mischieviously. He turned his glance over to Olivia.

"You gonna stick around Livvie. We all might meet the same fate of Delilah in a few weeks. Might as well enjoy the good times while we can."

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

As luck would have it the group was able to find some useful information about what possibly happened to Kara AND Delilah. It was a small triumph, but a triumph nontheless. As everyone prepared to leave the apartment, Livvie spotted Effy snagging one of Delilah's bottles of vodka. Cracking a small smile, this girl was a trip. Stealing booze from a dead woman....could today get any stranger?

Exiting the apartment, Livvie took out her iPhone and looked at the time. It was almost 6:30. With their breaking and entering task completed, the group was about to go their seperate ways and meet up the next day. However, Effy had a different idea. Looking up just as she was stripping, Livvie scoffed out in amusement. The second her clothes were off Effy jumped into the pool. Followed by Richard, who had a pretty banging body. Pool party at Deadrose Place! Who would of thunk it?

Jackson: You gonna stick around Livvie. We all might meet the same fate of Delilah in a few weeks. Might as well enjoy the good times while we can.

"You don't have to ask me twice."

Tossing her purse onto a nearby lawn chair, Livvie headed over to the edge of the pool and took a seat next to Jackson and Brenda. Taking the bottle of vodka Jackson passed to her, Liv took a swig before handing it back. The liquid burned her throat, but it was a familiar feeling.

"We need music.."

Scanning her eyes around, she noticed some speakers mounted discreetly along the stucco walls of Melrose Place. How convenient! With a narrow of her eyes and a small electrical pulse later, soon the radio began to play throughout the courtyard for everyone to enjoy. Though it was all hit music of today, so she wasn't sure how much EFFY would enjoy it.

[with a mischevious grin] "So, how long do you think someone notices we're not supposed to be here?"

Splashing her bare feet in the water, she had to admit, this was actually a pretty nicce end to a crazy day.

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

Effy dove down under the water, taking deep strokes, feeling completely isolated, at peace. For that short amount of time, everything went away. If only she could hold her breath forever. She surfaced and turned to face the others, wiping the water from her face.

Brenda was smiling down at her, the bottle in her hand. Good for her. She had expected the older girl to go running home to mummy and daddy, but she was surprisingly okay with being here.

"How's the water?"

Effy’s voice was emotionless as she replied, “Come in and find out.”

Rich had since dove in and was swimming around like a fish. Effy smiled, her grin getting bigger as Olivia put music on. She raised her eyebrows.

“Handy.”

"You are certifiable!"

Effy laughed right back at him, splashing at him.

"So, how long do you think someone notices we're not supposed to be here?"

“Well…” She spread her arms and legs out wide as she pushed off the wall and glided on her back. “Lucky for us…” She righted herself and swam back towards where the three were sitting. “We have an early warning system.” She looked at Brenda and tapped her temple.

She moved so that she was now in front of Jackson, and smirked at him as she tickled his foot under the water.

“Don’t be a pussy, get in.”

At that, she grabbed his foot, and used her tk to allow herself to pull him into the water. She swam away from the side, pausing at the other side of the pool to give Brenda and Olivia a “push” into the water as well.

“Wouldn’t want you two to miss out on the fun.”

Effy didn't normally use her tk - she equated it with losing control, since that's when it usually had manifested itself. Plus it made her feel like a freak. But the chance to see the two other girls soaking wet in their expensive clothes was too good to pass up.

 

[Brenda Castle]

Rich was talking himself into getting back in the water, and Brenda understood his hesitation; the LAST time he went for a swim, it had ended in disaster. She took another sip of vodka and then passed him the bottle with a comforting smile, and he took a big gulp before passing it back. Her smile grew almost imperceptibly as she watched him strip down and jump in. he swam like a fish.

"Congratulations, Rich."

Jackson having rolled up his pants and taken a seat poolside, reached for the bottle, which Brenda obligingly passed. Effy, surprised that Brenda was not a straight-laced goodie two shoes, challenged Brenda to come in and find out, if she wanted to know how the water was.

"Alright, I think I will."

She said with a smirk, taking off her heels and jewelry. Olivia set them up with some tunes and then sat next to Jackson, wondering aloud how long it would be until someone noticed them. Brenda was about to assure them ALL that she would make sure no one did, and was considering how to explain the other ability her telepathy afforded her, but Effy responded, saving Brenda the trouble:

Effy: "Well…. Lucky for us…. We have an early warning system."

She gave Effy a wink and a nod and off came Brenda's shirt. As if to subtly illustrate Effy's point, Brenda paused in her undressing and pulled the bottle of vodka from Jackson's hand. She knew what was coming, and there was NO reason to allow perfectly good Vodka get spilled if it could be prevented.

"I'll take that, Jack."

A split second after she relieved him of the drink, Effy 'invited' him in and then pulled him in without his consent. Effy swam away, and Brenda carefully set the bottle down next to the edge of the pool. She knew she wasn't going to get the chance peel off her shorts, and she gamely did NOT warn Olivia, who secretly deserved it ANYWAY since Olivia had mugged Brenda's own MOTHER earlier in the day, not that Brenda was aware of this little fun fact yet. Brenda 'fell' into the pool gracefully, thanks to Effy's little 'helpful' push. She resurfaced, slowly tossing her long blonde hair back, a smile still on her face. The water felt GREAT. Maybe Brenda's shorts [or her La Perla undergarments] would get ruined by the chlorine, or maybe they wouldn't. It didn't much matter either way to Brenda. It wasn't like they couldn't be replaced. Still, it would have been nice to be able to put some dry shorts back on after she got out. She playfully splashed water at Effy before reaching up to take the bottle of Vodka down from the ledge again and take her third ample draft of vodka.

[to Effy] "That's a cute little trick."

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

Effy tread water at the side of the pool, waiting as Brenda took a drink then taking the bottle from her and having a long pull herself. She was waiting for Olivia to say something about how dangerous it was to be drinking and swimming. As much as she thought Brenda would have booked, she would have thought Olivia would have spazzed at her about it and then stalked off. Olivia reminded Effy of her mother.

[to Effy] "That's a cute little trick."

Effy just shrugged. It surprised her that she had used her TK in front of these people. Yeah, they already knew she was a mutant, and so were they, but still. She shouldn't feel this comfortable around them, and she admonished herself for it.

She inclined her head to Olivia. "Didn't want Miss Priss to have all the fun."

She pushed herself up out of the water so she was sitting on the edge of the pool. She took another drink. It wouldn't be long before she'd have to go back inside and raid Delilah's bar again. Or someone else's...

 

[Brenthon]

MP: Courtyard

Effy: Don't be a pussy, get in.

He cocked an eyebrow and was about to make a witty remark when before he knew it, Effy had grabbed his foot and DRAGGED him into the water with what seemed to be an outside force of help. So she could move things with her mind too? Effy was definitely full of surprises. Jackson splashed into the water and plunged down to the bottom, closing his eyes for a moment and basking in the absolute silence and serenity that takes place underneath the water when he heard the smack of Olivia falling into the pool. He resurfaced, wiping the water from his face and eyes and grinned.

"Like I said, Effy! Certifiable! Haha!"

His jacket was ruined, that was for sure. He was a little more materialistic than he would have liked to have been, a trademark sign for a Taurus like himself, but for now he would shrug it off. It wasn't like he didn't have the money to replace it. He would however have to get more weed which had been nestled in his pocket. He swam over to the side and began disrobing. ( ) In a few moments he was down to his pair of bright red 2Xist boxer briefs. Thankfully he had decided against going commando that day. He grabbed the bottle of Vodka and took a long swig as he looked around.

"You know.. I heard that Morgan Victoria owned this building! And that she lived here. I have her poster on my wall in my room. To think Delilah was FRIENDS with her!"

He looked around at everyone. Jackson was really surprised at how well they were all getting on. Almost like they were friends, but this was different. This was the first time he didn't really have to hide who he was. He could actually be himself. This was the most real interaction he had had with kids his age in a long time. It wasn't superficial. It was honest. Jackson laughed to himself. Effy had just seen a girl die in front of her and they had come to Melrose Place to find her killer and now here they were in the pool of an apartment complex where all the residents had been KILLED, laughing and swimming as if they were on The Hills or something. They were in fact... teenagers.

"It does make me curious about the other people who lived here.. maybe we could... look around a little more a bit later? But for now..."

Jackson lifted his hands high over his head and formed fists, smashing them down in the water as hard as he could as a great amount of water cascaded and blasted through Effy, throwing her back and drenching her. A smile curled up in his lips.

"Payback!"

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

Effy pulled her feet up from the water and hugged them to her chest. Jackson was peeling off his wet clothes. Not bad. He looked like a jock though. Effy hated jocks. Plus, he was so much like a damned little lost puppy.

"You know.. I heard that Morgan Victoria owned this building! And that she lived here. I have her poster on my wall in my room. To think Delilah was FRIENDS with her!"

Effy rolled her eyes.

“Total fake and bake. She had more plastic in her than a Barbie doll.”

She dipped a toe languidly in the water. This was nice, but her mind was already looking for something else to do.

Jack sent a mini tidal wave in her direction. She wiped water out of her eyes with both hands, then they slid to Jackson and narrowed. She rooted around in her bag and came out with a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. She stuck one in her mouth.

“I’m already wet, dumbass,” she said as she light it.

“Doesn’t exactly qualify as payback.” She exhaled, looking over the group.

She got up, and started slowly pacing around the courtyard, checking things out as she smoked.

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

With her feet dangling in the pool, Olivia watched as Effy and Rich swam around. It felt a little wrong being in an apartment complex where the people had just been murdered, boozin', and swimming in their pool. But then again, she'd done worse. Surviving out on your own for 2 years can make you do some crazy stuff. Hell, her 'job' alone qualifies.

Effy: “Don’t be a pussy, get in.”

Glancing over at Effy, she was directing that statement at Jack. She yanked his foot and he easily fell into the pool. Brenda then opted to dive in, just as Olivia felt someone 'push' her in from behind. A small shriek escaped her lips before she submerged under water. Resurfacing, Livvie was laughing, brushing her hair back away from her face.

Brenda: "That's a cute little trick."

Effy: "Didn't want Miss Priss to have all the fun."

"Priss? Yeah, okay."

Back stroking to the side of the pool, Livvie pulled herself out and back into a sitting position. Taking off her white spaghetti strapped shirt, it was basically already see through the minute it got wet. Wearing a red bra, she began to peal off her soaked leggings but kept on her jean skirt. Tossing them to her side, Jack began to talk about how he was pretty sure Morgan Victoria lived her. Not really into the whole modeling/hollywood in crowd thing, Olivia really didn't care. But he seemed to be all into it.

Laying back on the pool deck, Livvie sighed out and stared at the smoggy night sky. There were no stars in Hollywood. Only the ones on the walk of fame. But it was still a beautiful night out. With her feet still dangling in the water, she rolled her head to the side and looked at the others in the pool.

"Sorry if I came off as a bitch earlier. I guess Delilah's death sort of struck me harder than I thought...especially being at the foundation and all."

Rolling her head back to it's previous position, Livvie went back to looking at the smoggy night sky.

[about their investigation] "I just hope we do her justice."

 

[Watchtower]

Dun dun dun...

The Runaways were all starting to bond in their own ways, becoming a little more comfortable with each other. Effy had seemed to let her guard down for a moment and even Rich was partaking in the mischief. Everything seemed to be calming down as the sun made it's final descent through the valley.

But this unlikely group of new friends were about to find out EXACTLY how well they really worked together as a team. From outside the gate, the group would soon start to hear growling and the clicking of mandibles. They were THREE Ant Lions, which were giant red orange super spiders who had clawed legs and could shoot webs that could drain the life force and physical strength of anything they touched. They were highly resistant to temperature changes and had rather hard armored shells. In short, they were VICIOUS, FAST and EFFECTIVE and they were a calling card from Agent Finn.

He was testing them to see their true potential. He hadn't had viable canidates to bring into the fold of MysTech in a very long time and he was under alot of pressure from the Board of Directors to bring in strong canidates that could widthstand the things they might go through. They had to pack a punch but be malleable to his manipulation. The teens were right. MysTech was after them, but not for the reasons they thought.

"RWRAARRRR!!!"

Click. Click Click Click Click. Click

Jackson: Oh My God!!!!!

The Ant Lions CRASHED through the iron gate and stormed into the courtyard, their clicking and growling almost defeaning to the ear as one sliced at Effy with it's clawed legs attempting to tear her to shreds. The others went after those in the pool, SPRAYING their life force draining webs in a thick layer on the surface of the pool, effectively trapping Brenda, Olivia, Jackson and Rich underneath the water, leaving them almost helpless to get out as they began plunging their front legs into the pool, hoping to jab and stab at the kids. The Ant Lions weren't done, if they couldn't get a good hold of them now, they would wait until the teens drowned and then proceed to EAT them unless these "runaways" could band together and fight for their lives.

In the darkness of shadows, she watched, curious for herself. She wasn't there to assist the Ant Lions. She was there to watch the children. Finn seemed desperate for her help in turning these children into the future of MysTech, but she didn't follow anyone's agenda. She was helping Finn based on their past together, as a favor. She needed to see for herself if these children were worth putting her neck on the line for. Just who she was however, remained to be seen.

And across town from his control room Agent Finn watched with almost a gazelle like intensity via the images Kate was feeding him, like a shark who smelled blood in the water. Were they capable? Where they worth the risk?