667: Issue #2 "Activation"

Adam Baudin

“What the hell did you put in that candy, Henri?” I had never been this furious with my own brother, but Violet had been through enough already.

“I didn’t put anything in the candy, Adam! The Diviner worked!” Henri seemed elated, but I could tell that the more he thought about it, the worse he felt.

“Even if it worked—whatever she saw—it scared the hell out of her.” I was rather furious at Henri; I’d probably never see her again after this.

“I wish I knew what it was; did you see the look on her face?” Henri widened his eyes as far as they would go and flared his nostrils. It was close to the face Violet had made, but not quite.

“It was terrifying, whatever it was. I’m going to see if I can catch up to her.” I had already swung my long legs to the ground and lifted the hood on my jacket before snatching another tea tree pick from its cup.

“Tell her I’m sorry, man. I didn’t know it would work that way.” Henri’s forehead was crinkled as he spoke.

“Will do.” I nodded and slipped out the door.

(*)

The street was filled with panhandlers, street vendors, and people just hanging out in front of the shops. I stopped a couple people and described Violet to them, but no one had seen her. I wasn’t quite sure how that was possible because on this side of the Mississippi, she basically stood out like a sore thumb.

“Hey, Jackie. You see a girl about yay high, long curly red hair, cut off shorts—uh, green eyes?” I stopped when I saw my cousin standing outside of a convenience store.

“Looked like a little leprechaun walking around here.” Jackie laughed as he recalled her.

“Where did she go?” I wanted to find her before someone preyed on her foreign sensibilities.

“Up that way; she looked like she’d seen a ghost,” Jackie noted that she had been fearful as she charged by.

“Thanks, Jackie.” I slipped him a cigarette and prepared to jet.

“Hey, Adam—find her quick, okay? Something just don’ seem right today.” Jackie had the Baudin genes for foresight just like Henri.

“I will. Thanks again.” I nodded and took off up the street.

I don’t know what he felt, but I could definitely say that something was off. My hands were hotter than usual and I was surprised the gloves were retaining all that heat.

The intensity had increased when Violet had taken the orb from Henri; it was probably just a coincidence, but I had fire hands for Christ’s sake.

Regardless of the searing heat I was feeling, I needed to catch up to Violet and try and calm her down before she got herself into trouble.