"So... Are you going to fight him?"

I responded to Wayne without looking back, "I, don't know. That's up to him."

"What do you mean?"

"If he tells me what I want to know then I have no reason to fight him. But, if he doesn't, I'll make him."

Jason was waiting at the entrance of the arena, Red and Carnie stood across the hall talking to each other. Approaching him his voice appeared in my mind.

"Let's make a deal, If we end up fighting it will be in the arena."

Fine.

We walk down the long hallway that is the entrance to the arena, I can still see scorch marks on it from when Justin chased me and Red through here. Everyone else stays out in the hallway connecting to the entrance.

Jason is the first to speak, "So how's this going to go."

"Haven't you read my mind already?"

"No, I would prefer it to stay out of your's as much as possible."

"I'm willing to talk as long as you answer my questions."

Jason closes his eyes, I assume he is assessing the situation.

"Fine, ask."

"Why didn't you help me?"

"You expected me to put my ass on the line? I wasn't going to forfeit my freedoms to help you."

"So it wasn't because you're working with John?"

"I would never work with John."

"Why not, he's your family after all?"

"So you heard that. We might be family but that's it. I have no connection to him other than blood."

"So you won't mind telling me his ability?"

"No, just because I don't like him doesn't mean I want to help you kill him. That's what you plan to do isn't it?"

"No... I'm going to kill him and anyone who stands in the way of that goal!"

Jason steps forward seeming to ready himself, "I'm not standing in your way, but I won't push you along either. No matter what you may think of me, I don't want any blood on my hands."

"There wouldn't be, I would be the one killing him."

"The fact that you don't see a difference tells me how far you've gone."

"Jason, do you know what he did to me?"

"No. But I felt your anger and rage towards him, that's why I know if I tell you his ability you'll use it to kill him. You may find it out someday but I won't be the one to load that gun."

"He killed my mother. If you plan on protecting him, know that I will not hesitate to slaughter you!"

"That can't be true! He isn't the type of person to do something like that. Besides they don't just let agents go around killing civilians."

"I'm telling you he did! Read my mind if you need to!"

"No, I believe that you might think he did but there has to be something else to it. We weren't close but I still know what type of person he is. He lies, cheats, manipulates, but he doesn't kill. I'm sure of that."

"If you won't help me then I'll make you!"

I step forward activating my perception, but all he does is raise his hand, "I never said I wouldn't help you."

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

I stop but keep my perception activated.

Isn't that exactly what he said?

"What do you mean?"

"I understand what this means to you, I've experienced your pain if only for a little bit. So, I'm willing to let you ask Veronica."

"You mean..."

"That doesn't mean she will give it to you, it's still her decision but if she decides to allow it, I won't stop you."

I don't really see the difference in helping me get stronger instead of just telling me his ability, but he doesn't seem like he's going to budge on that point so I'll just take what I can get. Although, if it does turn out that he's trying to help John I'll take care of him then.

----------------------------------------

How the fuck am I suppose to bring this up in conversation! 'Hi, nice weather we're having in this climate-controlled building, mind giving me a container of your spit?'

No matter how I look at it this will be weird, but that doesn't change the fact that I have to do it. With it, I'll be able to grow rapidly so I have no choice. I left and went straight to the lunchroom to hopefully find Veronica so I can talk to her while she is alone. Sure enough, she was sitting at a table, probably waiting on Jason to get back. This is my chance, if I don't do it now I may have to do it with people around, or god forbid in front of Jason.

I approach her section of the long tables and sit down across from her.

"Ahem, Um, hi Veronica. So I was wondering--"

She cut me off, "I know what you want, Jason told me."

I was caught off guard for a second before realizing what Jason must have done. So the range of his ability is greater than I thought? I'll have to remember that.

"So is that a yes?"

"Depends, what do you have to offer?"

"Offer?"

"Well yeah, you want me to give you something so you have to give me something in return. What, did you think I was just going to help you out of the goodness of my heart?"

I never expected Jason would allow me to get it so I haven't put much thought into this. I honestly have no idea what she would even want, it's not like I know her that well. Even if I did know I doubt I would be able to provide her with it. I probably have the least freedom and resources than anyone here, if she can't get it then I definitely won't be able to.

So what's my play? I could always threaten her but this isn't a one-time deal, for it to be useful I would have to take it over a period of time.

Wait, she must know I can't get anything she wouldn't be able to, so does that mean she already had something in mind? Or else why would she even bother asking me.

"I take it you have something in mind?"

"And I take it you have nothing. Yes, I did have something in mind but I don't know if you would be up for it. You may not even be capable of it, and if that's the case then you can forget about me helping you out. So the question is how bad do you want my ability?"

"Enough that I've considered taking it more than once."

"Ha, I don't know if you're trying to flatter me or threaten me but neither worked. Though I guess if you're willing to make an enemy of this whole wing then you must want it pretty bad. Fine then, here's what I need..."