Jaimie had contemplated the conversation with Judy the last time they met or in fact had stayed together. She was indeed right. He did need help. He was receiving emails daily since he had stopped visiting the hospital. He had not gone back since he was told that he was in a suitable state that he could be discharged. The muted colors and the smell of antiseptic or whatever that they use in hospitals were very much depressing to him. But he also remembered that the meetings that he had with the counsellor- three or four sittings in a couple of months – were really helpful. It had eased his trauma and as a result he felt like it took off some physical pain, which he thought was placebo at play.

Ever since Jaimie left the hospital, things have been going sideways for him, so it wouldn't hurt to pay a visit. He got ready, with the phone in his pocket – almost thanking it for saving him by sending coordinates to the health services hotline through the SOS functionality.

Jaimie had started his car and was about to go past the front gate when he was stopped by a man – a teenager upon closer inspection - extending his arm as if asking for a lift. Jaimie honked the horn a couple of times but the boy wouldn't budge. He irritably yelled "Does this look like a school van to you kid? You can't stop me in front of my damn house."

The boy proclaimed, "Depends. This is to save you, and for an errand."

"The hell are you talking about?" Jaimie asked.

The boy coolly replied, "Let me in. I will explain. We don't have much time."

The boy got on to the backseat.

"See kid... you are freaking me out. This is not the vehicle you are looking for. I'll drop you at the nearest intersection and then you are on your own. Do you know me? What were you on about...saving me? Are you high or something? I am very much capable of saving myself. Good joke. I'll give you that" Jaimie was exasperated.

"You must be Jaimie. I've heard that you were recruited a couple of weeks ago and you have not been of much use."

"You don't get favors with that tone kid."

"I can't believe that the Unlocker saw the potential in you. You are not the kind of person I'd expected to be meeting today."

"What are you talking about?"

"I am Will. Unlocker is the man who gave you powers. That's how I call him."

"What powers? Certainly not the powers to tolerate this kind of bullshit". Jaimie said, wearily.

"I'll tell you one thing. Do not go to the hospital. Please turn back. The Unlocker wanted me to warn you at least. It's okay if you don't help. He told me that he cannot lose you, and if you are not listening, to mention something about a massage."

Jaimie was startled. He parked the car at the side of the road. Seeing the change in expression, Will asked, "What happened? Are you okay?"

"I am okay. It's just that my life has turned into more of a shitshow than it already was, thanks to that massage. Go on."

The change in demeanor was conducive to a conversation.

"He was the man who you must've met during that massage. I've had a similar experience with him and at the right time of my life too."

Confused, Jaimie asked "You don't look old enough to go into the kind of clubs I go to."

Will recounted, "We met personally at my father's funeral. Can't go into details now. But he offered me a chance for revenge and asked me to work for him in return. I didn't waste time accepting the offer. And I got my powers like that."

"I've been part of a gang, Will. That manipulative bastard has hooked you onto some nasty shit. Means nothing from a man like me. But I've been in the streets and like it this way. But a boy like you don't have to end up like this". Jaimie said while wondering whether he had a philosophical side to him. Must have been the drinks. "You are wrong about me getting any kind of powers. Actually, I am weaker than before. What sort of powers do you have? Just curious." he asked jokingly, which felt belittling to Will.

"We need to go to the other side of town. We have this target to nab – alive – for him. An important asset."

"That can wait. You did not answer my question."

"Motor functions. I can manipulate the movement of limbs."

"Do you smoke? Not that I care... just asking." Jaimie did not believe it.

"I was involved in the Magnus motors incident". Will reluctantly said.

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His mother would be ashamed. His father would've been too. But he was proud.

"Wasn't that the shooting that happened on live TV? That Car company..."

"The guy shot them down. His brain didn't. His hands did. I made sure of it."

A chill passed through Jaimie's spine.

"My mother was unfairly laid off. My father died as a result. I had a chance and I took it. I owe it to the Unlocker to be at least useful."

"Will, I do not want anything to do with this. I've already had my share of troubles. Manslaughter is not something that I am willing to deal with right now. You may leave. The intersection is near. You are lucky I did not report you."

"Don't be stupid. It is in your best interest to keep it a secret. He will come for you. I believed it when he warned me." Will replied. He prepared to leave before reiterating that the hospital wasn't safe. He added, "They are trying to wipe something away from your memories."

Then it hit Jaimie that it could be the reason why he felt relieved after each sitting with the counsellor.

"Okay. I won't." he assured Will and signaled him to leave.

"At least tell me your side of the story as a courtesy," Will asked with anticipation.

"Well... I got mixed up in some shit and almost died. I've never had a good sleep since. It got worse after meeting your guy."

Will said slowly, almost to himself. "It could be that you can manipulate the stress centers of the brain."

"Could be. It's not every day that I hear a candid murder confession."

"It's just that I trust his watchful eyes. I want to be of use."

"You sure are a simpleton. Do you realize that you could've lived a normal life if you weren't so keen to become some kind of a movie hero? Do you think you can get away with this?"

"Didn't think you were such a worrywart, mister edgy-man-of-the-streets," Will chuckled and continued. "How are they going to charge me? Do you think I am dumb enough to out myself like that? They cannot possibly prove anything other than the fact that I was there. I am living a normal life. I have exams soon. Let's stop chit-chatting and get to it. Don't you want to know who is trying to mess up your head?"

The boy sure had persuasion skills. He followed Will's directions.

"Any theory on why you have these powers?" asked Jaimie, now that he couldn't deny that Will was making sense. The similar experiences they shared in the lowest points in their lives could not be a coincidence. Manslaughter couldn't be a bluff. He needed to find the closure for the incident himself, the pale faced woman flashed before his eyes. He had escaped death. He was inadequate. He had an unfortunate road rage.

"It's a work in progress. Two isn't a great sample-size to conclude, is it? But your case for me is clear. The near-death experience that you had would have filled you with stress. I always hated the lack of means, courage and status that I felt. Everything would've been different if I had either of those. At least that's why I believe I have the power to bend people to my will."

"This is crazy."

"I know how and when to use my powers. I am not a threat to you." Will replied.

"This is why one-note guys like you are so dangerous. Once self-righteousness hits, there is no going back" Jaimie said, again impressed with his philosophy

"I may be simple, but I am smart." Will smiled.

"Well, there's our guy," Will reminded Jaimie of their task in hand. Two men were getting out of a mini truck.

"The one on the left is our target. Matches with the photo shared to me."

Will showed his burner phone.

Jaimie nodded.

"Here, put this on," Will said and extended Jaimie dark sunglasses and earphones and a half-mask. "Just in case. We are dealing with our kind here. It doesn't guarantee anything though. This too..." Will added pointing at the chloroform bottle

"How are these going to help me?" Jaimie asked about the newly added accessories to his clothing.

"Minimize eye-contact as much as you can. I'll be driving. I can't risk doing this outside. Already have the police on me." Will said.

Jaimie took to the task at hand. He stealthily moved towards the unsuspecting men, mugged the target from behind with the chemical-laden cloth. The target was older than expected, who tried to punch him. It landed weakly. Just as he attempted to counter-punch, he felt the target's line-of-sight fall squarely on his eyes. Jaimie panicked. But the target was frustrated for some reason.

The target took out his loaded gun and pointed it at him. He commanded, "Reveal yourself. Drop all weapons right now or this will be over." Gun wasn't Jaimie's style. He liked it up-close and personal. He thought the gig was up. The target proceeded to land a kick to his balls. Jaimie felt pain spiking as he grabbed his lower abdomen and rolled over wincing. He would've passed out if the target knew to do what was done to him.

"I'm out," the target said and was trying to get into the mini truck when suddenly the gun he held moved from pointing at Jaimie to the man who was with the target. The target was sweating. The man now at gunpoint held his hands up. Jaimie turned back to see Will showing a thumbs up sign. The panicking target started walking towards the car, with gun pointed at the man he was meeting with and was grateful for, even if it was clear from his expression that he didn't intend to. The target couldn't believe himself. He had been in such a weakened state.

Realizing the situation, he escorted the panicking target towards their vehicle and once inside, the man standing in the street with the gun pointed the gun towards his own head.

"We need to leave," Will said with urgency and started the car.

***

Clara stood in shocked horror, seeing the man she had feelings for, at gunpoint in the middle of the street. By the time she rushed towards him, the masked thugs she had just seen, had got away in their car.

Mike took heavy breaths and slowly gained composure. This was the last thing that he ever wanted to happen. To see her like that.

"Mikey... What the hell!" she cried, kissing him. "Are you okay? What happened... Who are they?... I'll call the police."

Exhausted Mike replied, "Don't. Please. It will be okay."

"But... But..."

"It's okay. It's fine," he said as he hugged her.

There lay in Clara's desk, her laptop. She was trying to complete a movie review. It was off-season for major movies and it was during these times she normally resorted to click-bait articles, insider scoops and fan-speculation. She did this in her alt account.

In one such post about a multi-movie franchise, in addition to the comments as a result of clashing fandoms, unbeknownst to either of them, a newly posted comment read:

"YOU LOVE THE SOUND OF SILENCE... BUT ONLY FOR OTHERS... HYPOCRITICAL!"

Will reveled in his creativity.