"This
is fan fiction for the Whateley Academy series. It may or may not match the
timeline, characters, and continuity, but since it's fan fiction, who cares? To
see the canon Whateley Stories, check out either Sapphire's Place (http://www.sapphireplace.com/stories/whateley.html) or the Big Closet (http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/taxonomy/term/117)."
The
following story may contain adult themes and mature language. It broaches
controversial topics like suicide, religion, sex, homosexuality and
transsexuality. These topics are sometimes handled in a humorous fashion that
may seem inappropriate to some. If any of the above is unacceptable to you or
against the current laws in your geographical location I ask you not to read
the story.
If you
liked this story, or for constructive criticism please feel free to contact me
at c.o.l@gmx.net .
Thanks to
Sapphire for publishing this and the ninja-proofreading. I really appreciate
it.
Chancing Changes
by Rhodes
Part 4
October
23rd , Monday
Doctor
Thomas Evers studied the young woman sitting in the comfy leather chair in front
of his desk. If he hadn't been briefed on her case by Doctor Polland he would
have never believed that she had been an almost thirty year old, male security
guard a little more than two weeks ago.
She was
wearing an unadorned white blouse and jeans. Simple and not overly feminine
garments. The big leather jacket she had worn when she came in was obviously a
possession from before the change. She had her very long blond hair in a single
braid that hung over her shoulder. Her expression was stony, her unbandaged,
right eye glaring at him almost accusingly.
“So, good morning – are you comfortable with me calling you 'Miss' Jenkins?” He smiled at her, trying to break the ice. He might as well have tried
to melt the polar caps with a lighter.
“Call me whatever you want. It's not
like I have much choice on the matter. Better I get used to it now,” she snapped at him. “Just to make myself clear,
consulting you was not my idea and I'm only doing it because Doctor Polland
asked me to do it. I'm not insane and I have coped with worse stuff than you
could possibly imagine. I would be grateful if you could just count my marbles
so we can get over with this.”
Evers had to
suppress a smile. How he loved a good challenge.
“Ah well, alright. How about I start
counting then. Now that you made me curious, what other things did you have to
cope with before this?”
The blond
woman just rolled her single eye and made a disgusted sound.
------------------------
Frank
Hillman checked his appearance again in the large mirror. The cobalt blue cloak
sat straight, just as it had two minutes ago. The neat silver thread embroidery
shone in the bright light cast by the neon lamps arrayed around the mirror. His
eyes went to the pamphlet lying on the table in front of him, partly obscured
by makeup bottles and a half full ashtray.
The
Dazzler – World Tour 2006
The image
below that heading was a good one, albeit three years old now. He did not think
that he had changed much in that time. The handsome, middle-aged man with
graying black hair, wearing the trademark runecovered, cobalt blue cloak,
beamed his most charming smile at his older self from the cheaply printed
image. The smile did not reach his eyes though. But that was nothing new. Frank
could not remember ever being happy since Erica had died.
He looked
around the drab dressing room that had all the charm and allure of a broom
closet and silently shook his head. It had all been a big mistake. He should
never have allowed Chester to talk him into doing this tour to revive his
already failing career. As if performing in second rate theaters all over
Europe would make him popular again. He should have retired with decency,
passing the cloak down to his apprentice.
He glanced
at the clock on the wall above the door. <Still twenty minutes until the
show starts.>
He pulled a
single cigarette seemingly out of thin air and lit it with a lighter produced
in the same way. It never hurt to stay in training.
He was just
savoring the first drag, when someone knocked on the door.
“Frankie? You in there?” sounded a young man's voice from the other side.
<Where
else would I be you moron, and don't call me Frankie; your father had a right
to do it, but not you.> Frank thought, but all he said was “Come in Chester.”
The short,
Hispanic man that entered the room was in his mid-twenties, his appearance
immaculate as always. He had a soft face and even his tailored suit could not
hide the fact that he was getting a little plump already. He was holding up his
cellphone with his right hand.
“There is a call for you from some
academy back in the States. Looks like they had trouble getting hold of you.
They say it's about your son.”
Frank
sighed. His son was a very independent young man, but their relationship was
strained at best. Frank had no illusions about whose fault this was.
When Erica
had died he had thrown himself into his career, more or less ignoring their
only child. Oh, he had cared for him financially, but he had not seen the boy
for months at times. Once he had realized his mistakes it had been too late,
and his feeble attempts at reconciliation with his son had only been met with
contempt from the kid.
When
Whateley tried to contact him, it usually meant trouble. Full of foreboding he
took the phone from his agent's hand.
------------------------
Doctor
Polland looked up from some papers on his desk when a young, gangly lab
assistant escorted Lex in. “Oh, hello Miss Jenkins. How did your
appointment with Doctor Evers go?”
“About as I expected. I'm sorry Doc I
just can't abide shrinks.” The scientist's eyebrows rose at
that but he let it pass.
“Well I'm sure you will get along
given enough time.” Lex just shrugged.
Doctor
Polland got up from his desk and motioned her to follow. “Let's see what your eye looks like.”
“I still don't see why I need a
psychiatrist. It's not like he can change anything that happened to me. I'm
sure I'm as sane as I ever was.” Lex complained while following the
scientist.
“Oh, I am sure you are sane. That
doesn't mean you could not use some counseling. It helps to have someone
neutral to talk to, don't you think?” Lex grunted at that.
They entered
one of the medical labs and the Doc told her to sit down on something that
looked very much like a dentist chair. The lab assistant reappeared, holding a
small metal tray with a pair of scissors and fresh dressing material, among
other things. Lex closed her good eye while the Doc began removing the old
dressings.
As the
pieces fell away Doctor Polland made a surprised sound.
“Interesting. No visible scar tissue.
You appear to have some kind of healing factor. We might have to put you
through a full Xavier test. Can you try to open your left eye?”
Not feeling
any pain or discomfort besides some itching where the dressings had been, Lex
obliged. After more than a week of being half blind, getting back her normal
vision was great. She could tell no difference to before, except some light
blurriness when she closed her right eye. Considering she had expected to be
half blind for the rest of her life this was great news indeed.
A sharp
intake of breath and the clatter of a pair of scissors hitting the floor
reminded her of Doctor Polland. She was surprised to find him staring at her,
his mouth hanging open. He abruptly turned away until he faced the wall. She
looked up at the assistant questioningly. But as soon as their eyes locked, he
too gasped and dropped the tray, sterile instruments and dressings littering
the floor.
“What's the matter? I can see just
fine. It can't possibly look that bad, can it?” Lex asked, puzzled by their reactions.
The Doctor
seemed to have his composure back, but still refused to even look in her
direction. Instead he walked over to one of the lab tables and picked up a
mirror.
“Do you feel anything odd? You said
your vision is normal?” He returned but kept the mirror
while avoiding her eyes. His expression was puzzled.
“Well everything is a little blurry
if I only use my left eye. But otherwise it seems alright. As for feeling
normal, I feel about as normal as ever since my 'accident'.”
“Curious. Clarence, would you please
get some recording equipment? I would like to document this. Clarence?” He had to tap the pale young man on the shoulder to get his attention. “Are you all right?”
“Wha... Yes Doctor, sorry. I'll get
it right away.” As the young man hurried from the
room, the Doc handed Lex the mirror, still not looking directly at her.
After
steeling herself for some dreadful and disgusting sight, Lex was almost
disappointed. At first she thought the mirror was broken since it appeared to
have a hole or a blind spot. Then she realized that her left eye was just not
there. Where the eyeball should have been there was only blackness. Not like a
black glass eye, since there were no reflections. There just seemed to be a
pitch black void. Not what you would call normal but definitely not disfiguring
enough to justify the reactions of the two men. Carefully probing with her
finger she found out quickly that the eye at least felt normal when
prodded and decided not to repeat that particular test.
“I don't see what the fuss is all
about. Sure it's not exactly pretty, but it's not looking that bad.”
“You don't feel anything when looking
at it?” the Doc sounded surprised.
“I feel happy about still having two
working eyes. That's about it.”
Doctor
Polland thought for a while, then placed himself behind the chair. He seemed to
gather his resolve for a moment before he looked at her face again through the
mirror. When their eyes connected he relaxed visibly.
“It seems the effect is lost when
observed through a mirror. I can assure you, looking directly at your left eye
is very... unsettling. I have trouble describing the sensation.” He bowed down to the ground and picked something up from below the
fallen metal tray.
“If you don't mind, could you please
put this on? It would make the tests much easier on us.” With that he handed her a black cloth eyepatch. Lex just shrugged and
slipped the thing over her eye.
“Thank you.
I think we will start with a CT. I wonder if the shard is still somewhere in
there.”
------------------------
Frank zipped
the small traveling bag shut. Checking his watch again he picked up the bag.
“You can't do this to me Frankie!
They will sue! We have to do at least four more performances.” Chester seemed close to a nervous breakdown as he dogged after the
determined magician into the backstage area of the theater.
Frank
ignored his agent's complaints, looking around between the show requisites.
Finally he spotted his apprentice, Peter, working on a big, transparent water
tank on the far side of the stage. He purposefully strode towards him.
“Pete!” he called.
As soon as
the slightly stocky, blond man turned around, Frank tossed him the blue bundle
he had taken from his bag. Though surprised, Peter still caught the thing.
“Frank. What is ....” he started when he noticed the fine silver embroidery on the cobalt
blue fabric.
“It's yours. I'm stepping down. You
can have him too,” he pointed at Chester at that, “but I would advise against it. Use any parts of the act you want to
keep, or scrap it all. I don't care.” Frank slapped his dumbstruck
ex-apprentice on the shoulder, smirking at him. “Sorry it took
me so long to do this, I didn't plan on holding you back.”
“But, but... you didn't, I'm noway
near ready for ....” Pete stuttered.
“You are ready. Have been for
years. I just didn't have the decency to admit that I'm done for and that it's
time for fresh blood.”
“Tha... thank you Frank. This is so
sudden....”
“Hey! Anyone 'round here who has not
gone bonkers, and realizes that we will be in deep shit if you just drop out
like that, Frankie?” Chester interrupted angrily.
Frank just
turned around and slapped the young man in the face.
“Shut up Chester. Let me set you
straight on a few things. First, I don't like you. Never did. I think your mom
spoiled you rotten, and your dad allowed it because he loved her so much.
Second, the only reason I let you take over as my agent after your old man died
was because he asked me to look out for you. Third, you have no right to call
me Frankie. For you it's Mister Hillman or at best Frank, that's it.” With each point he had advanced on his flustered agent, finally backing
him up against the tank. When the young man tried to speak up again Frank
interrupted once more, reveling in this release of his pent up ire.
“Also, 'The Dazzler', as dumb as it
sounds, is no mere stage name, it is a fully registered alias. Yes, I used to
be pretentious like that. All contracts were made out to that alias instead of
my name. I will transfer it to Pete here, and he can finish your precious tour
for me if he agrees to do so.” Pete gasped at this and began to
assure how honored he would be, but Frank silenced him with a gesture.
“Gotta catch my plane, I wish you the
best. When you are back home, Pete, drop by and we can talk.” With that he turned and headed for the exit.
In the silence
after his former master's disappearance Pete asked “What the hell happened?”
The still
very shaken and pale Chester, holding his burning cheek, gulped before
answering. “Some woman called from his son's
school. Seems the boy got into some trouble with the school security and they
went too rough on him and put him into coma. Don't think I'd like to trade with
the person who did it once – Frank
arrives.”
“No kidding.” Pete muttered, absentmindedly stroking the bundle in his arms.
------------------------
Lex quickly
closed the apartment door behind herself and shrugged off the oversized leather
jacket. She had not met Mr. Green on the way in, which was a good thing.
The day
before, the elderly caretaker had intercepted her at the door, wanting to know
what she was doing in 'Mr. Jenkins'' apartment and what had happened to the
young man. Caught off guard she had claimed to be Susan Luther, combining the
name Dave had tagged on her during her father's funeral with her mothers maiden
name. She had stalled the caretaker somewhat by claiming to be her own cousin,
looking after the apartment while 'Mr. Jenkins' was 'abroad'.
When she had
noticed the unintended pun she had laughed herself silly as soon as Mr. Green
had left and cried herself to sleep afterwards.
But Mister
Green was a diligent man, and he would be back with more questions. Maybe she
should really do as Dr. Polland had suggested.
She did not
feel like cooking, and was just trying to decide between ordering Chinese or
Italian when the phone rang. Picking up the receiver she answered it.
“Hi Kat.”
There was a
short silence on the other end of the line, then Kathie spoke, “How did you know it's me?”
Lex smiled. “Not too hard to guess. You call me almost every evening around this
time.”
“Duh, you're right. So, how did your
head shrinking go?”
“Don't ask. I very much doubt I will
become his most favorite client.”
“That bad? I hope he likes a
challenge then.”
Lex just
snorted. She slipped off her shoes, walked into the kitchen, taking the phone
with her, and opened the fridge.
“So, what did you talk about with
him. Have you, like, told him how you totally dig being a girl now, because of
my wise teachings?” One could almost hear the
mischievous sparkle in her eyes over the phone. Lex decided to grab a can of
beer for now and went over to the living room, plopping down on the couch.
“Oh sensei, your wisdom outshines the
sun on a moonless night.”
“Huh?”
“You're full of it, as always, Kat.” Lex explained with a grin.
“I see. I need to work with you more.
I'm sure you are acting totally male again already. Quaffing beer and, like,
scratching yourself in unmentionable places.” Lex snatched her hand away from
where she had been scratching on her chest.
“Hey! At least I'm scratching where
no man has scratched before. I'm just not used to wearing a bra, those things
itch.”
Kathie
laughed at that. “Got ya! We should get you some
better fitting ones then. How about another shopping trip next Saturday?”
“Uh, can't really say if I'll be able
to. There's a lot going on right now.” Another trip into Dunwich in tow of
Attila the Shopper was rather low on Lex' list of priorities right now. The
last time had cost her quite some money and filled her closet to near bursting.
Kat had tried hard, and with some success, to get Lex' mind off the impending
funeral.
“Sure, just keep it in mind. When are
you coming over again? It's totally boring here without you.”
“Miss Cantrel asked me some awkward
questions last time I came visiting you, besides I don't want to be seen on
campus too often for the time being. It would only cause questions I don't want
to answer once I'm back in security.”
“So you still want your old job back?
Wouldn't it be, like, super awkward? I mean you being a girl now and
everything?”
“Well, Doc Polland had this idea. He
suggested that once I have my records fixed to accommodate my change I just get
a name change on top of it and join up again as a different person. At least where
my colleagues are concerned. Would spare me a lot of trouble.”
“Uh, that sounds, like, very final.
You sure you wanna do that? What if they find a way to turn you back?” Kat sounded concerned.
Lex sighed. “I seriously doubt they will. Every single spellslinger they paraded me
past during the last week seemed baffled and clueless, and they're supposed to
be some of the best in the country. They even did a full Xavier on me today. I
won't get the results until Wednesday, though.”
“Why would they test you for mutant
powers. I thought you were just another wimpy norm?”
“Hey, watch it Miss Bug Zapper. No.
They kind of freaked when they took the dressings off my eye today. I think
they just wanted to try everything.”
“Freaked? What happened?”
“It's kind of hard to explain. I can
see well enough, but I will probably be a shoo-in for the scariest costume this
Halloween. I will show you next time I see you.”
------------------------
Lex had just
put the leftover pizza into the fridge when the doorbell rang. Her appetite
just wasn't what it used to be, not really surprising considering she had gone
a whole week without food without even noticing. Although there had been no
obvious ill effects, the Doc had suggested that she should eat normally until
the final results were in. Lex didn't really mind, it made her feel more
normal.
She opened
the door and was surprised to find Dave leaning against the handrail outside.
“What are you doing here this late?
It's almost eight?”
“Thank you, I'm happy to see you too.” He smiled at her.
“Well, come in. Want some leftover
pizza?”
Dave
launched himself off the rail and followed her inside. “No thanks I've already eaten.” He put his helmet down on the
sideboard and unzipped his jacket. “So, how did your appointment go
today.”
“Bad,” Lex replied
dryly , “you know how much I like people trying to pick my
brain.” She went into the kitchen and finished putting away
the food. “Do you want something to drink?”
“Just a soda, please.”
Lex grabbed
two cans and joined her friend in the living room where he had taken possession
of the couch. She handed him a can and took a sip from her own, sitting down on
one of the armchairs.
“Your dressings came off already?
That was quick. How bad does it look?”
Lex reached
for the black eyepatch she still wore. Used to being half blind for more than a
week, she had simply forgotten to take it off when she came home.
“Actually it's kind of weird. I can
see fine with the eye, but just looking at it seems to freak everyone out.” With that she pulled the patch off and looked at Dave.
“Son of a ...” was all her friend got out. He did not even notice the soda can
slipping from his limp hand.
A moment
later Dave looked away and noticed the can at his feet that was happily
spilling its contents on the carpet.
“Crap, sorry.” he exclaimed as he tried to contain the mess.
“Don't worry, the carpet needs to be
cleaned anyway,” Lex muttered while she replaced the
eyepatch.
Dave was
obviously still shaken. “That was... different. You say you
can see normally with... that?”
“A bit blurry at times, but more or
less, yes. What is so horrible about it? It's just plain black to me.” Lex was getting a bit glum. “I feel even more like a freak with
everyone reacting like that.”
“I'm sorry, I.... I just can't
describe it. Only thing I can say is that I really don't want to see it
again... ever. Sorry, really.”
“It's OK. I guess I will just leave
the patch on for now. Maybe I can get some mirrored shades.”
An awkward
silence threatened to settle down on them when Dave changed the subject
abruptly.
“Did you call your Mom yet?”
Lex stared
at him flatly. “So you have come over to ruin my
carpet and my mood.”
“So, that's a 'no' then?” he raised a single eyebrow.
“You promised to get off my case
about this.”
“Yep, but you had more than two days
to think about it now. It won't get easier the longer you put it off.”
Lex threw up
her hands in defeat. “Alright, you win. I'll write her a
few lines later. Now, was there any other reason for you to come over, besides
driving me insane?”
“Mainly I wanted to ask if you have
any details on that hearing tomorrow. The LT told me today that they managed to
contact the father of that Hillman kid and it looks like he will attend.” He was looking worried.
“No. All I know is that there will be
a hearing to 'review my actions during the incident'. The Doc assured me that
there was no reason to be worried, it is standard procedure.” Lex was not so certain of that, though. “Still, you
could just have called me. So, what made you brave the cold and wetness on that
overpriced deathtrap of yours to see me in person?”
“Does a guy need an excuse to visit
his girlfriend?” David delivered deadpan.
Lex couldn't
help but laugh at that and was soon joined by her friend, which broke the
serious mood.
------------------------
“Dear Mom, I have been turned into a
woman by a freak accident.... no too direct.” Lex sat at her computer clutching
her head in frustration.
“How do you explain something like
that to your own Mom?” She cursed herself once again for
promising Dave to write her mother.
<Maybe if
I take smaller steps. I didn't promise to tell her everything with the first
email....>
------------------------
October
24th , Tuesday
Kathie gave
up on knocking on the door and just let herself in.
“Tsuo? Don't tell me you're still in
bed.” It was still dark outside so she flicked on the ceiling
light, prompting an angry sounding chirp from the 'Nest' in the corner of the
room.
After he had
wrecked the second bed in his sleep, Katsuo himself had come up with his
current sleeping arrangement. A huge pile of (clean) rags sat in the corner of
the room giving the large insectoid a soft spot to sleep that was basically
indestructible. It was actually quite cozy as Kat had been able to confirm when
her friend had let her try it out.
As if trying
to flee from the bright light, the big youth burrowed deeper into the mountain
of cloth until his dark green carapace only poked out in a few places.
“Let me guess. You spent, like, most
of the night playing that stupid game again, didn't you?” It wouldn't have been the first time. “Well, it's
your own fault then. Pull yourself together and get going.” She began to excavate her friend.
A chain of
angry, muffled clicks and chitters made her stop. “Look who's talking. What is it with you lately? You're all moody and
snappy. What would Lisa think if she saw you like this?” The last one had so far always worked to rouse the big bug when he was
depressed, but it failed to do so this time. Getting seriously annoyed Kathie
decided to bring in the heavy guns.
“You will not make us late
again. If you don't get your armor plated ass into gear and out of this pile,
like, right now, I swear to God I will totally fry every single circuit in that
sorry excuse for a hobby you have standing over there.” She pointed at his computer desk.
For emphasis
she ran an electric arc between her fingers but, as so often, overdid it,
zapping the ceiling light instead. It got Katsuo's attention none the less. He
erupted from his sleeping spot with a shocked shriek scattering pieces of cloth
all over the room.
Thanks to
the sudden darkness Kathie managed to cover her own surprise pretty well and
nonchalantly brushed a few pieces of ceiling plaster off her blazer.
“Great! Since you're already up, lets
go.” she commented smugly and headed for the door.
Katsuo just
threw up his hands and lurched, still a bit groggy, after the young woman.
------------------------
Lex finished
braiding her hair and looked at the clock on the kitchen wall.
<Half
past eight. The cab will be here soon.>
She sighed.
All this hair was a big bother, but the last time she had cut it it had grown
back in less than two days. All this time her head had itched like hell. She
gave the thick, pale golden braid an annoyed tug.
<Might
just be able to have some breakfast before I have to leave.>
Lex started
looking through the meager contents of the fridge, resolving to go grocery
shopping this afternoon. She pulled out a slice of pizza from yesterday's
supper and shoved it into the oven while she got herself ready to leave.
After
putting on the new boots she had bought last Friday, she checked the contents
of her leather jacket. Kathie had insisted that Lex should get a purse, more
than one actually. Lugging around an useless bag that she would probably loose
anyway on first opportunity seemed just dumb, though. The pockets of her old
jacket worked well enough and wearing it was kind of comforting. Kat had looked
at her as if she thought her friend was retarded when Lex had reasoned that
way.
Checking on
her breakfast's progress she noticed that there was none. The oven hadn't even
gotten warm.
<Great.
Must be my lucky month. Repair bills, just what I needed. As if I wasn't broke
already.>
After
checking the clock she decided it was too late even for using the microwave and
put the still cold pizza back into the fridge.
<It's not
like I'm hungry anyway.>
The sounding
of a horn announced that the cab had arrived. Steeling herself for whatever
awaited her at Whateley today, Lex put on the eyepatch and left the apartment.
------------------------
“You are jealous!” Kathie hissed over Professor Quintain's monotonous voice. “That's why you got so grouchy recently.”
Katsuo
looked towards his friend from his seat where he had valiantly tried to fight
off sleep until now.
[What?] he
signed.
“You are jealous because I spent so
much time with Lex lately.” Kathie whispered confidently. That
had to be it.
The big boy
just stared at her for a moment with his expressionless face before signing
[You correct. Leave me alone now.] With that he turned his attention back on
the lecture.
“So that's not it either. Damn, I was
so sure.” Kathie mumbled at that.
Katsuo's
labored breathing rattled momentarily when he tried to sigh.
------------------------
The door to
the hall opened and David stepped out. He had this I'm-glad-I'm-off-the-hook
expression Lex knew very well, but tried to cover it with a reassuring smile as
soon as he noticed his friend watching him.
“They want you now, don't worry it
will be alright.” He gave her a thumbs up as she
passed him.
<Optimist.>
Lex thought when she entered the large room where the hearing was taking
place. Several people were waiting for her inside. Too many for her taste.
Sitting at the long table facing the door were the school representatives; Miss
Hartford, looking cool and all businesslike, the Chief, naturally, and Doc
Polland. Much to her dislike Doctor Evers was there too, conversing silently
with Polland when she entered the room.
Off to the
side were two men she did not recognize. The younger one was easy; he looked so
obviously like a lawyer that it was almost comical. His appearance was
immaculate, his metal rimmed glasses reflecting the diffuse light falling in
through the windows. He conveyed an impression of diligent professionalism that
was very obviously artificially constructed. The man was seemingly studying the
few sheafs of paper that were neatly arrayed in front of him, as if there was a
vital piece of information that could be found in those pages.
The other
one seemed like the absolute opposite to the lawyer. He appeared to be in his
early fifties, his hair and mustache showing the 'salt and pepper' look a lot
dark haired guys get when they turn gray. His suit was rumpled and he seemed
tired out. He was handsome and he made the impression of a former athlete
softened by age and inactivity.
Most
noticeable about him was that he was the only one in the room showing open
hostility in the way he looked at Lex.
<That
would be the kid's father then.> Lex thought, carefully maintaining a
neutral expression.
She
approached the table and, despite never having been in the military, fell into
an 'at ease' stance. It just seemed the thing to do under these circumstances.
Hartford
looked at her and spoke up:
“Miss Jenkins,” was she smirking at her? “thank you for coming. I want to
assure you that you are not being court-martialed, this is just an informal
meeting to shed some light on the events that took place a week ago.”
<If it's
so informal, then where's my chair and my cup of coffee.> Lex thought but
was smart enough to keep the notion to herself.
“I would like to ask you to sum up
the events that lead to Richard Hillman's incapacitation in your own words.”
<Here we
go again.>
“I was on B-shift on Friday the 6th....“
------------------------
“....I had reasoned out, based on the
reading I had done in the library, that my only chance at disrupting the spell
was the destruction of this idol the kid used in his ritual.” Lex mouth was getting dry and her feet hurt inside the new boots. Kat
had insisted on the things, claiming that the low heels on them were a
'training measure'.
<Training
in pain tolerance at most.> She had to admit though that they looked nice
and went well with the jeans she usually wore now, not that she cared about
such things... much.
Bearing the
pain, she continued. “I got a Cobra 400 from the security
weapons locker, wrote a report for my superiors and went looking for the kid. I
found him at the same spot I had woken up a week before, and he was obviously
preparing to dispose of me for good with another spell. I put a round into this
pottery bone-cow thing and it blew up, peppering me with splinters and knocking
me out. I came round the next morning in the infirmary, a finger long shard of
ceramic stuck halfway in my brain behind the ruin of what used to be my left
eye.”
Her audience
did not show much in the way of reaction to her report, most of them had heard
it before, one way or another. Doc Polland seemed thoughtful, the Lawyer
unbelieving, Hillman Senior was scowling down at his balled up fists, their
knuckles white with strain. Doctor Evers was who worried Lex most. He had hung
on her lips during her speech, obviously dissecting every word in search for
the hidden key to her subconscious or something. Lex was just glad that she had
mostly glossed over the angsty parts of the tale.
Before
anyone could comment on her story, the lawyer spoke up.
“Excuse me, but this is supposed to
be it? From everything I have been able to learn, what my client's son has been
accused of doing, if he even did do anything, falls very well inside the
boundaries of what passes for a prank in this 'institution'.” The way he emphasized the last word got the bespectacled man a scowl
from Doctor Polland and a very cold glare from Miss Hartford. The Chief seemed
just to be leaning back, observing the show.
“Your security officer's response to
that was to use a potentially lethal weapon and put the poor child into a coma.
Furthermore the ridiculous tale of this young woman,” the jerk had the nerve to smile at Lex at that, “being a formerly male security guard won't hold up in court, and I
assure you, this is where we will meet next. This so called hearing is an
obvious farce to cover for the ineptitude and incompetence of your staff.” The man seemed to be building up steam and Lex had a hard time
restraining herself. Her fists had been balled up and itching to silence the
man since he had called that hellspawn 'poor child'.
She was
saved the trouble when Mr. Hillman put a hand on his attorney's forearm.
“That's enough.” He said in a quiet voice. All the anger had vanished from his features,
leaving only weariness. “Thanks everyone for the help in
clearing matters up. Miss Hartford, I will contact you regarding the details on
Richard's accommodations.”
The Lawyer
seemed flabbergasted. “But....”
“I believe them. I don't think I will
have need for your services for now. Please send me the bill and thank you for
your help.”
The advocate
did a very convincing imitation of a goldfish as the older man got up from the
table and strode towards the door.
An equally
surprised Miss Hartford remembered the business at hand and tried to get back
in control of the meeting to at least wrap it up properly.
“I'm glad it worked out so well. Miss
Jenkins, we will withdraw for discussion of your future status with Whateley
security. You will be informed regarding our decision in due time.”
When
everyone started to leave, Lex intercepted Doctor Polland, less than happy to
see Doctor Evers join them too. It could not be helped, though. She had to
arrange this. The shrink would probably learn about it anyway as soon as he got
the Doc alone.
“Ah Doctor Polland, I considered your
offer and I think it would be best to go through with this name change thing.”
The Doc gave
her a slight smile. “How come you changed your mind so
quickly? I got the impression that you did not like the idea at all when I
suggested it.”
Lex just
shrugged. “It would make things easier, just as you said.
Especially if I don't want everyone to know what happened. It's just a name
anyway.” Both Doctors looked at her in a thoughtful way.
<Definitely
gonna hear about that one in my next session with Evers.> Lex had a hard
time not to make a sour face.
“Have you decided on a name already?” Doctor Polland glanced at his watch. “I might be
able to get the documents ready for signing until tomorrow if you have.”
“Susan Luther. I kind of used it
already and it's as good as any other.”
“If I may suggest something,” Evers interjected, “Why not put in Alexis as a middle
name? This way you can easily explain any slips your friends might make.” He smiled at her benignly, which almost made Lex reject his idea, but
it was sensible.
“Yes, good idea.” Lex studied the psychiatrist's face for any signs of smugness, but the
slight man just upheld the friendly smile.
“Very well, I will make the necessary
arrangements. Everything should be ready until our appointment tomorrow.” The scientist smiled at her and added. “Don't worry
too much about this review, I'm certain that the results will be in your favor.”
With that he
and Evers said their goodbyes and followed the others.
------------------------
Frank
Hillman did not know how to feel. He really could have used a cigarette right
now, but he had run out hours ago. Pacing the hallways aimlessly he tried to
sort out his emotions.
The security
officer's story had been shocking for him. Especially since he had believed
her. Even his last encounter with his son had not prepared him for this, but
the signs had been there. Richard had literally spat in his fathers face during
their last meeting when Frank had tried to bridge the chasm that had developed
between them.
He could not
help but remember the small bundle of life in his arms as they had handed him
his son for the first time. He had been so proud. Where had he gone wrong?
That brought
up the haunting memories of Erica's death. She had been visiting her father in
Europe together with Richie while Frank had been working on his new show
program in Vegas. She had been shopping on her own when she tried to cross the
street, unused to left-hand traffic. The driver of the delivery van could not
stop in time.
As soon as
he had heard of it Frank had taken the first available plane to England, but he
had come too late. When he had rushed into the expensive private clinic, all
that had awaited him in her room had been the disapproving stare of his father
in law and the lost expression in his son's cried out face as the boy was
holding his grandfathers hand. The old man's creepy manservant had just been
looming behind them impassively. Erica had died mere moments before Frank had
set foot into the hospital.
That was
another thing that made the whole situation hard to deal with for him. He could
not help but see her,lying battered and broken in her deathbed,
when he looked at Richard now.
It had gone
downhill from there. Instead of concentrating on the living, he had mourned
deeply for his lost wife, more or less ignoring Richie. The boy had become more
and more willful and when his gift manifested Frank had been all too glad to
send him off to Whateley so he himself could be alone in his grief.
From what he
had heard since his arrival last night, his father in law had taken an interest
in the boy while Frank had been wallowing in misery. He had the sneaking
suspicion that it had been the old man that had driven the wedge deeper and
deeper between father and son. 'His Lordship' had never liked his daughter's
choice of a husband. A lowly American charlatan mocking for a living the very
craft that was so paramount to their family.
When Frank
had heard of Richard's 'accident' he had foolishly hoped that maybe he could
use this crisis to reconcile himself with his only son. All the time, while he
had crawled towards the States, squeezed into an overpriced economy seat, he
had painted images in his sleepless mind. In those fantasies he would sit at
his son's sickbed as the boy woke up and realized how silly this pointless
hostility had been.
The
confrontation with the reality of Richard's condition had dampened this hope
and the reports on his conduct at Whateley had almost shattered it. How could
that sweet boy have become so callous and selfish.
Turning a
corner he noticed someone standing at one of the windows ahead. It was the
Jenkins woman. If he had had any doubts about her story, watching her now would
have dispelled them. Her stance and movements were odd and seemed ungainly at
times. Recognizing and understanding body language had been an important part
of his job and if he ever had seen someone at odds with their body it was her.
She fidgeted with her braid almost constantly, obviously trying to maneuver it
into a position where its weight wasn't bothering her so much. Frank wondered
why she kept it so long if it annoyed her like that.
Seeing her
reminded him of her report again and the vagueness of it when she had described
her interaction with Richard. He wondered if she would answer some questions.
She might be able to confirm some of his suspicions.
------------------------
Lex watched
the campus below from one of the windows on the deserted second floor corridor
of Schuster Hall. She was bored, but Dave had promised to give her a ride back
to town and his shift was not over yet. Sure, she owned a perfectly good car,
but she had no driver's license that matched her face. Besides driving around
in her old car would cause a whole new bunch of questions she did not really
want to answer.
They had
decided that Dave would use the Saturn while his best friend was 'in Tibet'; it
would be too cold for the bike soon anyway.
Lex was just
wondering whether Kat was still in class, when a polite cough behind her made
her turn around. Standing there, observing her from several feet away was the
kid's father. She still did not know what to make of him. When she first had
seen him he had looked at her like she had assaulted his son and put a bullet
into the boy's head. That fire was gone now and he just looked like a tired old
man. There still was a glint of determination in his gray eyes, though. Lex
unconsciously took a step back, bumping into the window-sill, instinctively
getting ready to defend herself.
Seeing this,
the man raised both hands in a soothing gesture. “Please, I just
wondered if I could ask you a few questions.” He sounded sincere, so Lex
relaxed... a little.
“What do you want?” She demanded.
“It's just that I would like to know
what exactly Richard said to you, how he threatened you. You didn't give too
much detail on that really.” His voice was even and flat, not
timid or fearful of what she might say about his beloved child. He sounded
almost like a physician asking questions about the medical history of a strange
patient. Lex was becoming unnerved, rage or accusation she could have dealt
with, but cold analysis?
<Is this
whole family nuts?>
“You want to know what he said to me?
Well, your darling son told me he would wipe my memory and 'fix' my personality
so I could be everyones favorite fuckbunny. I'm damned sure he would have
followed through too, the way the little creep kept leering at me.” She glared at the man challengingly.
Hillman's
face got grim again and he seemed to nod to himself. “Thank you for your honesty. I still think the way you handled this was
too crass, but I can understand why you did it.”
“Too crass?”
Lex almost shouted. “It was the only way. Well, aside from putting the
bullet through my head, and don't think I didn't consider that. I choose the
way that held at least a small chance of me surviving with my wits intact, even
if it meant to have these udders dangling from my chest for the rest of my
life.” For emphasis she hefted them with both hands.
That at least
seemed to crack the man's cool facade.
“I'm sorry for what Richard did to
you, but you have to understand that I have trouble to approve actions that
made my only child end up like this. Justified or not.” He threw up his hands, then buried them in his unkempt hair. He seemed
a lot younger all the sudden, like a boy unsure of what he should do. “Damn, I really am an idiot.”
Lex rather
liked the direction this was going now and did not object.
“I know it's not your fault, well,
not really. It looks like he fell under a bad influence, but this wouldn't have
happened if I hadn't neglected him....”
Lex
interrupted him. “You know, I'm sure your moral
dilemma is extremely interesting... to someone who cares. Could we just agree
on not liking each other and keep our misery to ourselves?” <Damn, I liked him better when he hated my guts.>
The man
smiled at her weakly. “You are right, I'll stop bothering
you. Should I find a way to help Richard, you will be the first to hear of it.”
Lex was
puzzled. “And I would like to know about that exactly why?”
“Well your situations are kind of
similar, aren't they?” Hillman sounded confused.
“Last time I checked I was not
comatose, so what would be similar about us?”
“You don't even know what that
backlash did to him?”
“They said he was in some kind of
waking coma, I'm not really the gloating type and I did not feel like seeing
his face again, ever.” Lex was unsure why she felt the
need to defend herself.
“No danger of that happening. Follow
me.” He said flatly and grabbed her arm, dragging her along. Lex
was too surprised to struggle.
“Hey!”
------------------------
Lex could
not help but stare at the shape in the hospital bed in front of her.
She was
beautiful. Wavy, raven black hair cascaded over the cushion, reflecting the
light in a way that suggested a silky texture. The luscious mane framed a
heart shaped face with an adorable button nose. Her big eyes were of a rich
brown color and displayed a pure innocence, even as they flitted restlessly
between the two visitors as if searching for something. Had she not been
panting with the effort from struggling against her restraints, the girl before
Lex would have been capable of a killer pout with those full lips of hers.
The rest of
her body neatly fit the image. Her blanket had slipped in her struggles,
revealing a hospital gown straining to contain two large breasts, the tips
showing clearly through the thin fabric. Her legs were fastened to the rail
around the bed, just like her hands, with padded leather manacles. What was
visible of the limbs hinted at a very curvy build.
All in all
Lex suspected that 'Richard' had a stellar career in either the porn industry
or as a Hooters Girl to look forward to, should she ever manage to gather her
wits again. Managing to push down a bout of outright laughter Lex smirked
nastily at her former tormentor.