Sorry about this slow pace atm. I'm still trying to get to grips with the story and how i want to to progress (I dont really plan too far ahead right now, maybe one or two chapters ahead, but i get the feeling i really should be)

Anyway, I may have an upload for tomorrow but it depends. Dont expect anything (very sorry about this but even I dont really know what im going to do one day from the next, other than go to school that is)

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

“So, have you seen a homeless man, with blond hair and an eyepatch? About so high,” Dave asks the owner of the grocery store as he lifts his hand to his shoulder to indicate his height. “Or have you heard anything about him? Anything really helps.” He smiles warmly, trying his best not to intimidate the short, middle aged woman on the other side of the counter.

People are often scared by Dave, what with him being taller than most others and sporting a bulky, toned body which speaks of hours in the gym. His normal expression doesn’t help either as he tends to scowl most of the time. At least, when not with Ashley. He often thinks to himself what he wants to do with his life, being almost old enough to leave school and look for a job, yet he cannot imagine not being there to protect his little sister.

It has always been the two of them. Ever since they ‘unlocked’ their abilities it was tough. Their parents are very anti-Unlocks, often attending protests regarding them and how they should not be allowed rights and how they are a threat to society. Nothing really changed when they found out both of their children were that which they hated most, driving them out of their house and onto the streets. Dave will never forget the looks on their faces as they did so: gazing at them with hate and fear.

The next few months were hard. The two siblings often had to sleep rough and scavenge for food to survive and Dave, unknown to Ashley, had to do anything he could to keep her alive, often illegal and downright disgusting. But it had to be done and he wouldn’t do it any differently if he has to again.

Fortunately for the pair they were picked up by the Academy after just a few months, before they became too wild, and were easily reintegrated into normal life. Well, as normal as can be with superpowers. Dave knows they both owe Katie: she was the one leading the team that picked them up and she managed to convince them peacefully to go, the best thing to happen to them in a long time.

Because of his experience in the matter, Dave worries. He knows how headstrong and stubborn homeless people are, having been disillusioned about society. In the worst cases they are outright distrustful, refusing any help from others and preferring only to trust in themselves. In these cases, trying to offer help is meant with hostility or even aggression. He just hopes their target hasn’t fallen so far.

Unaware of Dave’s thoughts, the store owner frowns, “Hm… Nothing comes to mind. Sorry love.” Smiling suddenly up at the brooding teenager she adds, “Though the homeless aren’t really interested in our goods. Maybe you can try the pubs or something?”

“No, no. It’s fine. Thanks for the help,” Dave waves his hand, as if brushing the matter aside though not really listening, before turning and leaving the store. Catching sight of Katie sat on the bench outside his gaze immediately flicks to Ashley next to her as she carefully sips on a hot chocolate, trying to avoid burning her tongue, yet not patient enough to wait for it to cool.

“Anything yet?” Katie looks up from the map open on her lap, showing the northern half of London.

“No, none of the people we’ve spoken to so far have seen anything.” It has been two days already, two days of slowly combing the bank of the Thames while asking residents and store owners if they know anything.

With a sigh Katie rolls up the sleeve of her thick, winter sweater to check the time. “eleven forty-five already. We should get moving.”

Dave grunts in response before turning to Ashley, “You okay?”

“Mmhm…” is the only response as she intently focuses on blowing into the cup in her hands, a tiny frown creasing her forehead. Despite almost only living for his sister, Dave never feels any anger or bitterness towards her, only surprise at seeing her remaining innocent despite everything that they have been through together. Shaking his head at her antics Dave motions for Ashley to follow him as they hurry off after Katie.

Making their way through the crowd Dave asks, “So have we heard anything?” almost desperately. Searching for something for two and a half days with no reward tends to wear down your spirit.

Katie just shrugs, “That’s what we’re going to find out. The others should be at the café already.” Dave tries to recall the name of the meeting point they have agreed upon for midday as he weaves through the crowd, keeping a close eye on Ashley the whole time.

Eventually the trio of students turn away from the street and towards the promenade running along the river via a small side street threading its way through the new skyscrapers either side. When they arrive they see another group of four students huddled around a table outside a cosy little café, dwarfed by the surrounding buildings, facing out over the river.

Striding over, Katie loudly asks, “And? What have we got so far?” just to be met with four gloomy faces.

Allan eventually answers with a heavy sigh, “Nothing really, just confirming what we already know.”

Seeing Katie’s questioning face the Callum, or it could be Conor, quickly speaks up, “Yeah, like, there are loads of memories of the guy in this area, so we do know that he is here. It’s just that nobody has anything good enough to work with.”

The other twin nods dispiritedly, “And there are too many trails for me to use.” He raises his hands in hopelessness, “He has crisscrossed this area so many times that I can’t pick out one trail. It’s like he knows our plan and is trying to counter it. Unless I can isolate one trail and follow it I can’t do anything, but I don’t know which one to follow.”

Katie sighs and rubs her temples with her fingertips. “None of the shop owners we’ve talked to so far have had anything either. It’s like he tries to avoid making any kind of connection we can use to find him.”

Dave’s feeling of unease spikes. They’re not looking at this with the right angle, he is sure of it. If there is some kind of fate it is probably laughing at them. What are they missing? It’s not possible to live in a city like London and not make a strong impression on at least one person. Maybe…

Allan starts talking, “I don’t kno-,”

“Wait!” Dave jumps up, attracting the gaze of several nearby people in the café as well as the those of his team. Coughing to cover his reddening face he hastily sits back down. “We’re not looking at this right.”

Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

“What do you mean?” Allan asks, “We’ve looked everywhere he could have gone. Face it mate thi-.”

Desperately forcing his thoughts into order, Dave thinks back over everything they know about the rogue Unlocked. He likes to stay near the river, that much is obvious from the deaths and the memory scans. What else? There was the video showing him getting stabbed, but also something else. Something small. “The video!” Dave interrupts. “Just let me see the video.” Looking at the teams’ questioning gazes he insists, “I think we missed something.”

“Right…” Obviously not convinced Allan pulls out his phone and accesses the video after a moment. Offering the phone to Dave he gives him a searching look. Almost warning him not to mess up. Katie’s no-nonsense face from the corner of his eye made Dave shudder.

Looking down at the phone Dave plays the soundless video and almost immediately lets out a long sigh before handing the phone back across the table. “We’re so dumb this isn’t even funny anymore.”

“What?” demands Katie, her voice low and dangerous.

“I don’t-,” Allan begins before Dave cuts him off as she shakes his head in disgust. “What is he holding?”

“Some booze. Why is that…” Allan trails off as his eyes widen in his sudden moment of enlightenment, before he lowers his head to the table with a groan. “Two days… two days in the completely wrong place…”

“What?” both twins ask in unison as they snatch the phone and watch the video. Looking up they seem even more confused than before as they glance at Allan, who is busy repeatedly hitting his head on the table.

“What is going on?” Katie demands, her voice even more dangerous than before. She looks like she could do murder as she looks at Allan who has regressed even further and is busy trying to disappear into his thick winter coat.

“We’ve been looking in the wrong places.” Dave explains, the words of the grocer repeating in his mind, Check the pubs… Check the pubs…, “In the video he throws away one bottle of alcohol and pulls out another. Where did he get them from?” Shaking his head darkly he carries on, “We assumed he was normal and forgot he was Unlocked and checked the places tramps normally go.” Shuddering in disgust Dave remembers how many pubs they walked past in the last two days. “And we didn’t even check one.”

The twins groan as they finally understand how much time they have wasted as they sink into their chairs. Ashley and Paul just smile at their own stupidity while Katie’s face freezes. Dave glances at her in fear. If she flips out now she will punish all them as her subordinates.

Thankfully for everyone, she just laughs along with Paul and Ashley before clapping her hands for attention. “Well, now we know the last place to look. Dave, you’re the only one here who can pass for eighteen so you go and ask.”

“Shouldn’t I at least take Callum with me?” Dave frowns, “Surely we need more information and the memo-.”

“Nah.” Katie says, “I have a feeling you won’t need him.” She smiles sweetly before waving him off. “Go on now. Shoo!”

With a sigh Dave gets up and heads back the way he came before to get back to the main street. Looking across the road he sees a pub nestled between two flower shops. If a building could look smug, this building would be positively gloating as Dave stared it down from his alley.

With a growl of disgust Dave crosses the road and pushes the door open. He is immediately met with a wall of noise: shouting and laughter mixed with the sounds of a TV loudly blaring in the back as it shows the latest football game. A few of the patrons look up when Dave enters, but quickly return to their drinks and conversations after a brief pause.

Weaving his way through the tables, apologising frequently to avoid a fight, Dave eventually reaches the bar where he catches the eyes of the barkeep. A stout man of slightly below average high with a badly receding hairline, he waddles over to Dave after putting down the mug he was busy polishing.

“What can I do you for, young man?” he asks as he scrutinises the teenager. “I’m afraid I’m gonna have to ask for ID.” His eyes narrow in suspicion as he tries to guess Dave’s age.

Trying to put him at ease, Dave smiles, “Don’t worry I’m not here for a drink. Actually I was wondering if I could ask you something.”

“Oh,” the man’s features soften as he takes up a rag and his mug again and continue polishing. “Ask away.”

Dave eases himself onto a barstool before asking, “Well, I am looking for someone and hopefully you might know him.” Looking up from his mug the barkeep motions for him to continue, “Well, he’s homeless, blond hair, eyepatch, bandaged hands, long coat…” Dave trails off as he sees the man’s fearful glare and hears the conversations around him dying as everyone turns to look at him, a mixture of anger and fear apparent on their faces.

Looks, like I came to the right place then.

“Are you with him?” the barkeep demands in a strangled voice as the other drinkers start angrily muttering to each other.

“No, no,” Dave tries to explain. “I don’t know him. I just need to ask him some questions.”

“So you’re not his friend then?” the man asks, suspicion plain on his face as he studies Dave intently.

“No, I’ve never met him before!”

“So you’re looking for him then?”

Relieved Dave jumps at the chance to explain himself, “Yeah, I’ve been looking for two days and not found anything. If you know where he is or something I would really help.” By now he is desperate, but doesn’t want to agitate the barkeep any more than he already has.

Relaxing slightly, the man motions to the patrons, who turn back to their own tables and the building again resumes its normal volume.

“Look, I don’t know where he is right now, but I know where he’ll be in the next few days,” he leans over the counter and speaks in a low tone. “I leave some booze out back for him so he doesn’t come in here and start trashing the place. He comes along every few days and picks it up and I leave out new booze.

“If you just wait outside the alley round the back, you’ll run into him in the next few days.” The man looks Dave in the eye, “Look, I don’t really care what business you have with him, but don’t bring me into it, okay? I value this place and don’t want to see it busted up.”

Dave just nods, deep in thought, before standing and quickly leaving the pub, ignoring the hostile glares of the customers on the way out. When he gets out on the street Dave pulls out his phone and dials Katie’s number.

“Yeah, we got him… Looks like it’s gonna be a stake out.”