Liam scurried through the city, staying to the shadows where he could. When he was forced to leave the darkness, it was done with great care. Liam would eye the open ground, making sure he was alone before dashing to the other side. After what happened earlier in the night, he was content to avoid everyone until he was back to the apartment. The only place around offering any real safety.
Thinking back to the first few moments after the mysterious Hero arrived, Liam’s face tightened. His memories were a blur of hectic motion. A mad rush of people trying to escape the vines.
It’d been frustrating, seeing all the energy he’d put into the night dosed in moments. Not that he could do anything to stop it or blame those who ran. Liam himself hadn’t waited around to see what the Hero was doing. How could he hold others to a different standard?
After the initial panicked escape, the cold night air had calmed him down. Seeing empty streets just added to the feeling. He knew every sane person was long since inside, tucked under a warm blanket, not out here with him and the vine guy. So the chance of meeting people was slim, but Liam wouldn’t let his guard down.
Even alone, it was strange for Liam to walk down the street. For weeks he’d only left the safety of the apartment when he had to. And only with Mr. Hat by his side. Sure he didn’t trust the man completely, but it’d been nice to have someone watching his back. Then came tonight and his little escapade. On his way to the protest he’d been so energized by what he would do he didn’t feel much other than excitement. Now that the thrill was gone Liam was left with emptiness. The nagging feeling that this hadn't been what he really wanted.
Liam pulled his hood down and scarf up. Even if he couldn’t see anyone he’d be careful. Wouldn’t want to stumble on a patrolling cop at this point.
From shadow to shadow Liam moved as the night stretched on until he found himself in front of a familiar structure. A ragged looking apartment building. Most of the windows were intact, but he could see the effect wear and tear was having on the place. Even through the veil of the night it was clear. Yet through all its faults, this building had become his new home and for that Liam could overlook all its other issues.
From the street Liam could see his unit's window. At this late hour it wasn’t surprising that most of the building was dark. But Liam found it strange his own unit was black as well. Shouldn’t Mr. Hat be up? He should be watching the news and trying to figure out what Liam was doing. Enjoying the chaos Liam wrought, or planning his next moves to counter the changing landscape of the city.
The unlit window signaled something else. He must have gone to bed once Liam walked out. At least that’s what Liam told himself. The thought of sharing news of the riot with the cranky old man left a smile on Liam’s face. Oh that would be fun. He would avoid mentioning the new Hero. Best to verify the man’s mood before bringing up something like that.
Walking through the apartment building Liam thought about the mysterious Hero from the rooftop. The thought alone sent a shiver running up his spine. The man’s control was unheard of. How could he move one hundred different appendages at once? Having each carry out its own tasks with precision and care only left him more amazed. Liam had trouble with his own four limbs sometimes, there was no way he could come even close to that guy.
Reaching the stairs Liam reminded himself not to talk about the man. If Mr. Hat knew, he’d freak out. Liam started up the small flight, just wide enough for two people to squeeze by, if they turned to the side. Despite the stair’s width they were deceptively sturdy. Built to a higher standard than the rest of the building. Even so Liam stayed to the side to keep the creaking of his passing to a minimum.
Up the stairs, on the second floor landing, Liam found himself in front of an unassuming door. His apartment lay on the other side. Unbidden a dark thought spread through Liam’s head. What if Mr. Hat wasn’t asleep? He’d been upset when Liam left. Upset enough to leave Liam wondered? No, Mr. Hat wouldn’t do that, right? They’d put too much into the plan to give up now. However, deep in the back of his head Liam knew better. If Mr. Hat was willing to take years to get to this point, he’d be willing to wait a few more if it salvaged what he’d accomplished so far.
Reaching the door Liam’s breath caught in his throat. His hand crept forward to knock then stopped. Things would be fine, he was sure of it. Mr. Hat would be inside and he’d be welcomed in as a champion. Yeah, that’s how this would go.
Liam knocked on the door with a tentative fist. The sound just loud enough to reach his own ears. He didn’t want to wake up anyone else in the building, it had nothing to do with not wanting to wake up Mr. Hat.
With some semblance of confidence Liam rapped the door twice more. Each strike sending an echo through the hallway. Liam winced at the sound. Well he’d been a little too loud with that one. Maybe the quiet approach was the better plan.
Time ticked by like it was being kept by a tortoise as Liam waited for the door to open. Sure Mr. Hat would appear at any moment. The cold dead night swirling around him as seconds dragged on. With the door remaining firmly locked, no sound came from beyond it.
A cold hand seemed to grasp onto Liam as his mind started to race. Mr. Hat was gone, he must’ve left right after Liam. What did that leave for Liam? What was he going to do? Where could he stay? He’d have to get inside the apartment to get to his equipment, but then what? His mind ran through the horrors that would lay ahead.
A sound, a second later, proved all his worries were for naught. The click of a lock turning was as pleasant a sound as Liam had ever heard. The visible release of his clenched muscles was proof of that. Mr. Hat must have been out cold and that’s what took him so long to reach the door.
After two more locks, Liam had to remind himself that this was low security in Mr. Hat’s world, the door opened a crack. The man’s eye appeared in the small opening as it scanned over Liam. Liam pulled off his disguise to give Mr. Hat a better look. Once Liam’s identity was confirmed, the eye shifted its focus to the hallway itself. It darted left, then right, trying to find anything out of the ordinary.
After Mr. Hat confirmed who was knocking, and that they were alone, he opened the door a few more inches. Giving Liam a better view of Mr. Hat’s face. Liam noticed there was something different about it. He couldn’t quite place the change, but there was something he hadn’t seen before.
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The two stared at each other. The longer the silence lasted the more self conscious Liam became. Until he finally broke and offered a truce.
“Can I come in?” Liam asked. Eyes drifting to the room beyond Mr. Hat. His thoughts of losing it only moments before pushed him to escape back into it’s secure clutch.
Mr. Hat looked at him. Refusing to say anything. Okay, the man was mad, Liam thought. Was he still mad that Liam left? Sure they’d disagreed on the move, but to care this much about it was a little over the top. However, as long as the man didn’t know about the new Hero Liam could take it. He’d roll with a few snide comments if it meant somewhere to sleep.
Mr. Hat grimaced then swung the door open, all the way. Moving to the side he let Liam pass. Liam didn’t have to be told twice and hurried in. He’d be darned if Mr. Hat shut the door in his face because he was too slow.
Passing Mr. Hat, Liam noticed a gun in his hand. A last line of defense if it hadn’t been Liam at the door. Or if there were any other surprises with his arrival.
Once inside Liam moved to the far side of the room and grabbed his sleeping bag. Taking Mr. Hat’s silence as a sign they would not talk about what happened. Great, he’d get to push it off till morning. What fun, Liam thought with a solid helping of sarcasm.
Liam unfurled the bag, it took up well over half the empty space in the little room. He crawled into it without even taking off his clothes, it’d been a long day. The thought of some residual pepper spray on his clothes gave Liam pause, but eventually he just shrugged it off. If that was the case he’d deal with it in the morning.
Safely in bed for the night, Liam turned towards the wall. It didn’t give him any privacy but Liam liked to think it did. It was a nice little delusion to have.
Throughout the entire process Mr. Hat had remained standing by the door. Not creepy at all Liam thought with a mental sigh.
A few minutes later Liam heard Mr. Hat move. Since he wasn’t asleep, he listened to the man make his way through the apartment. Going first to the kitchen for a glass of water, which he swallowed in one gulp before moving to the bed. He sat down on the corner of it as the springs cried out their objection, then resumed his waiting.
Tired of listening to his crazed roommate wander, Liam let his mind roam, hoping the sweet silence of sleep would welcome him. On the cusp of that promised relaxation Mr. Hat spoke.
“Are you happy?” He asked. His voice quiet and controlled.
Liam debated feigning sleep, he’d almost been there. It’d be easier if he let the older man cool down. Then have the conversation when everyone could think straight. In the end he bit the bullet and talked to the man. If he didn’t, he’d spend the night tossing and turning, wondering what would come from this conversation.
“Yes,” Liam whispered. In the quiet room it sounded like a shout.
“Even with the newcomer?”
Liam’s heart sank. Of course he’d know. How could Liam even think of slipping something like a new Hero past the man?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Liam said. The lie was obvious to both of them.
“Don’t play stupid boy. That was Nudge. Do you have any idea what bringing him to town will do?”
The growl in Mr. Hat’s voice caught Liam by surprise. It sounded like a wolf was sitting next to him, lending its support to what he said.
Liam thought about the name Mr. Hat provided. He knew it from somewhere but couldn’t place it. Who could it be that was important enough to scare Mr. Hat like this? Sure the man was ridiculously strong, that he’d seen, but important as well?
“I don’t know who that is.”
“He’s part of The Watch.”
Liam’s stomach dropped as his eyes flickered open. A member of The Watch was in Des Moines. If nothing else that explained the man’s power. He must’ve been holding back tonight. To get on that team, you had to be the best of the best with decades of experience.
Liam had assumed the man was a strong member of a local team. Not part of the greatest team in the country. This would complicate everything. For a moment Liam was convinced it wouldn’t end well for them.
“I’m sure he was only here for tonight,” Liam said. Already knowing the answer to that.
“The Watch doesn’t come for one night.”
That wasn’t what Liam wanted to hear, but he could hear the truth in it. If someone that important was here, it wasn’t to deal with a simple riot.
Liam had some research to do. He’d have to look up the man later and see what he was capable of. He’d hate to meet up with him again and be surprised by some power he knew nothing about.
“This changes nothing. The plan can continue as is.”
“No it can’t. After tonight everything changes.”
Liam rolled around to face Mr. Hat. This was going way worse than he’d hoped. He needed to look at the man to better read what he was thinking.
“If we stay quiet, we can still-”
“No. If we go after them one-at-a-time Nudge will call for backup or dissolve The Hunt all together.”
And it was already to the point he didn’t need to look at Mr. Hat to realize how serious he was. So much for watching for subtle hints from the other man.
“He can do that?” Liam asked. He didn’t think any Hero had the power to dissolve a team, only the DCP itself.
“No, but if he mentions it to a reporter, you can bet it’d happen.”
Mr. Hat stood up and started to prowl around the apartment like a caged animal. Liam wouldn’t have been surprised to see snarling or biting from the man.
“Before tonight we could’ve taken out at least one more before the big teams acted. If we were lucky, it would’ve been two. But because of your stupidity everything is falling apart.”
“Even if Nudge is here, I’m not sorry! I’d do it again if I had the chance,” Liam said, his voice raised as his grip on his emotions slipped. A small part of him questioning if he actually would.
“You’re an idiot.”
“Anyone could’ve started that riot. Why do you think I did it?”
“Because I know you better than that. And you wouldn’t have looked so smug when you arrived if you hadn’t started all of this.”
Mr. Hat stopped his march to turn towards Liam. As their eyes met Liam could feel the pure anger in the other man. It was hot and fresh, ready to jump out and devour everyone around him.
“What, a little meaningless revenge is all you want? In two weeks no one will remember tonight. Is that all you want out of this?” Mr. Hat asked, his voice never changing.
“No, I want so much more. But this bloodies the team, even if it’s only a little. They had to call in help to stop us. People will see that as a sign The Hunt can’t protect them anymore.”
“You’re failing to look at the larger picture.”
There was a pause as they each gauged the other. Liam was the first to blink. Rolling onto his back, he looked up at the ceiling.
“Why does this matter so much to you? I know why I’m doing this but why are you?” Liam asked.
Liam could hear the long breath escape Mr. Hat as he seemed to deflate. In a tone Liam had never heard from the man, Mr. Hat said, “This is all for my wife. They killed her. I’ll see them pay for it.”
Liam’s mind spun. Who was this man’s wife who was so important The Hunt killed her? Looking back at the man, Liam’s gaze settled on his hat. A single blue feather resting on the side of it. All at once Liam realized who Mr. Hat was avenging and why he’d allowed Liam to join.