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“Michael, I'm home!” Rayn shouted as they closed the front door to their apartment. They clapped their hands and their appearance changed as they shrunk two feet shorter. Instead of the purple suit; a black hoodie and black jeans. Instead of black and white skin with matching hair: brown hair and caucasian skin. Instead of purple eyes: hazel ones. Rayn was a being of supernatural abilities. They may not have been born in a lab, but due to a wrong-place-wrong-time circumstance, they were granted powers of one who would typically come from one.
Michael, a young boy with pink hair, a rotting face leaving an eye socket empty with bone exposure, and pig trotters for feet was standing in the doorway to his bedroom. “You are late! I had to do my school work on my own!” He complained, running to his parent and hugging their legs.
Rayn smiled and knelt to hug the boy. “I know. Work took longer than anticipated,” they smiled and kissed Michael’s forehead. “Why don't we find something to eat? I bet you're hungry,” they snickered and tickled the boy’s stomach.
Michael laughed and nodded. The two went into the kitchen and began preparing food. They decided on Chicken nuggets and Mac-N-Cheese, Michael's favorite, and began cooking.
About halfway through cooking, there was a knock at the door. “Who's that?” Michael asked, curiosity sparking within him.
“I don't know. Stay here and stir the water every so often, okay?” Rayn patted the boy’s head before making their way to the front door.
Another knock came from the other side. Rayn opened it slightly and peeked out. “Hello-”
“Pibling Rayn!” A small voice shouted as a young girl pushed the door open, just enough to get through before jumping onto Rayn.
Rayn stumbled on the impact before wrapping their arms around the girl. “Niece Shroud!” Rayn smiled and looked at the doorway where their friend Tom stood.
Tom smiled at Rayn, moving his blond hair from his eyes. “Hello Rayn.” He nodded, his blue eyes looking around the room for a moment. “Where Michael?”
“In the kitchen,” Rayn smiled before motioning for Tom to follow, still carrying Shroud, who pushed her black hair off her shoulder.
“Mikey!” She smiled once she saw Michael.
“Shay!” Micheal shouted with glee and jumped off the chair he was on. “Uncle Tommy!”
Rayn set Shroud down so the younger two could hug and talk about life since the last time they saw each other, which was a mere two days before.
Rayn looked at Tom. “We were just making dinner. Michaels favorite of course. Would you and Shroud care to join?”
“In a moment. Do you think we could talk?” Tom asked. “Of course after you finished cooking. Wouldn’t want to burn down the building.”
Rayn nodded and checked on the nuggets. They turned off the burner for the noodles and poured the hot water and noodles into a strainer before they set the hot pot back onto the stove. Michael grabbed milk and butter as Rayn put on oven mitts and turned off the oven before opening the oven door and grabbing the pan the nuggets laid on. They set the pan on the empty burners and took off the oven mitts, closing the door to the oven.
While Rayn was dealing with the oven goods, Micheal poured milk and sliced some butter into a bowl. He added the noodles and the packets of yellow cheese powder. Since he wasn't strong enough to stir the concoction, Tom stepped over and stirred for him. He felt bad just letting the two cook on without offering to help.
“Thank you for helping Micheal,” Rayn nodded to Tom and grabbed plates. “Ok, who's hungry?” They smiled and looked at the little two who both smiled.
“Me!” Shroud and Michael said in unison. The two looked at each other and giggled instantly.
Tom chuckled and took a plate from Rayn. “I'll get Shrouds plate,” he said and began plating up the food for his daughter, Rayn doing the same for their son.
After getting the children's food, the two adults got their food before sitting at the table with their kids. The group ate, a happy banter coming from the little ones who went on about how their days were. Rayn and Tom just listened quietly.
Rayn would not admit it, but they were worried about their talk with Tom. They were silently hoping it was not anything too serious, but knowing how these talks have normally gone with Tom… Well, let's just say Rayn might have to go to work for a second time. And not for a good reason.
The two adults finished their food before the kids, having not been speaking, and placed their dishes in the sink. Rayn put a hand on Michael's head and smiled softly at the boy. “Uncle Tommy and I are going to go have a talk. You two behave and finish eating.”
Michael nodded, Shroud following suit.
Rayn took their hand off Michael's head and led Tom to their room.
It was not too decorated, just a bed and dresser with a floor lamp in the corner. They stepped over to the floor lamp and pulled the chain attached, the light illuminating the room.
Rayn turned to look at Tom. “What did you need to talk about?”
Tom reached behind himself and pulled a paper out of his back pocket. No, not paper. A Photo. Rayn glanced down to the photo in his hand and then back at Tom.
“Tom what is that?”
Tom held his hand out, the photo face down. “You might just want to look for yourself.” He had a worried look on his face, causing Rayn to panic internally.
They took the photo and flipped it over. As soon as they saw what was in the photo, they cried, “Oh no." Their free hand swiftly moved up to their mouth, covering it.
The photo was of them and Michael sitting at the table playing a board game. The shot was through the window across, the bodies of the two were facing sideways. A hand was also in the shot, closer to the camera. It held up a singular finger. ‘One' it meant. One day. One chance. One mistake.
Tears slowly filled their eyes as they looked at Tom, who also looked on the brink of tears. “He knows.” Tom said slowly, his voice threatening to crack.
“How? I- I've been so careful, not taking the same path home twice, making sure no one was around.. How does he know Tom?” Rayns voice pleaded.
“I don't know. He just gave me this photo… and also this one.” His voice cracked as he pulled another photo from his pocket. He held it up to show Rayn.
Rayn gasped, their hands trembling. It was Tom and Shroud. Both were smiling as Tom was in the middle of tossing Shroud into the air to catch her again. Shroud looked so happy like she was a giggling mess.
A hand, like in the image of Rayn and Michael was in the same position, holding that same ‘One’ finger.
“He knows about Shroud too? This is bad.” Rayn muttered. They started pacing and ran a hand through their hair, panic rising. “What are we going to do Tom? He's going to kill them! They're just kids! We have to move again. We need to keep them safe. We need to go undercover again. New jobs, new names, new-”
“Rayn.” Tom stopped Rayns downward spiral and grabbed their wrists gently. “We can fix this. We always do.” He looked Rayn in the eyes. “No harm will come to them, Rayn.”
“How?” Rayns voice broke. Rayn loved Michael. To know he was in danger and had to move again, pained them. Michael was only 8. He's just a kid for gods sake!
“We always find a way. Calm your nerves and then we will brainstorm. You don't think at your best when you're stressed.” Tom gave their wrists a light, reassuring squeeze before letting them go.
Rayn nodded and took a deep breath before letting it out, the breath shaky. Their mind was spinning. They sat on the bed, Tom following suit, and took deep breaths, their exhales slowly becoming less shaky. Tom put a hand on Rayns shoulder and squeezed it gently.
“Ok, let's think about this.” Rayn said and clasped their hands together. “Michael and Shroud are not safe, they need to be moved. Where? How? And this all needs to be done soon.”
Tom nodded. “First the Where. Where are they going to go?”
Rayn looked at the floor as they thought. They were about to say something when another thought hit them. “Tobys.” They looked at Tom. “Think about it. He made that place himself and made the security system for it. That place is so secure..”
“That he would never be able to get in to even lay a finger on them- Rayn you're a genius! I'll call Toby, you get the kids together. You have your spare bag for Michael? The one for emergencies like this?”
Rayn nodded and stood from the bed before kneeling on the ground and reaching an arm underneath it. They felt around for a moment before their hand hit a cloth handle. They pulled the bag out from under the bed and set it on the bed. Inside the bag were several sets of clothes. Two for Michael and one for Rayn.
“Good. Now go watch the kids while I phone Toby.”
Rayn nodded and left the room, leaving the bag on the bed. They looked around the main area for the kids, not seeing them, but being able to hear their soft giggles. Rayn looked around the apartment for a bit before walking up to the door to Michael’s room. The sound of the laughter grew louder as they approached. The door was ajar slightly. Rayn pushed it open more, poking his head into the room.
Michael was sitting on the floor by his bed holding a puzzle piece. was sat Shroud across from him, staring at the puzzle in front of them. As Rayn stepped into the room, Shroud looked up at Rayn for a moment before looking back at the puzzle. Michael looked up at Rayn and smiled at him.
“Hi Poppy!” Michael waved and looked at the puzzle. Rayn smiled and sat down with them.
“Are you guys having fun?” Rayn asked, getting an answer through both kids nodding.
“Need any help?
“Yeah, where does this piece go?” Michael asked, holding the piece he had in his hand out to Rayn.
Rayn took the piece from the boy and looked at the puzzle. It was sunset. After inspecting the puzzle for a moment, they realized the puzzle was complete. Did the box come with an extra piece, they wondered, glancing at the puzzle piece.
The piece did not look like it fit with the puzzle, the colors not matching the scheme of the one before them. “I don't think this piece goes with this puzzle, Michael.”
Michael moved closer to Rayn and looked at the piece. “Oh yeah you're right! That blue isn't even in this puzzle.”
“But which one does it go to then if it's not this one?” Shroud asked moving closer to Rayn as well.
Rayn hummed in thought. “I'm not sure.” They stood and walked over to the table that sat in the corner of the room. The table was small, the surface and ground underneath covered in games and puzzles. Rayn looked at the cover images of the puzzles.
Rayn looked over three of them when the door to Michael's room opened, Tom walking in as Rayn turned around. He nodded to Rayn who nodded back and sat the puzzle piece on top of one of the boxes.
“Ok kids, Tom and I have a surprise for you two. Were going to see Dad, or as known by Shroud Uncle Toby!” Rayn smiled and knelt by the two kids still sitting on the floor.
Michael and Shroud instantly beamed and hugged Rayn.
“Uncle Toby!” Shroud smiled and let go of Rayn going to Tom.
“We’ll meet you at the door.” Tom said and picked up Shroud, exiting the room.
Rayn nodded and looked at Michael, who wasn't smiling anymore. “What's wrong Michael?”
“He knows doesn't he?”
“Michael what do you mean? Dad wants to see you. You don't want to see him?” Rayn was caught off guard by the question.
“I do. But not in a surprise way like this. Every time you guys do this it's because Smile knows and wants to hurt me. So you hide me with Dad until you convince him you don't have me anymore or that I'm dead.”
Rayn sighed and put his hands on Michael's shoulder. “Yeah I guess so, but it's for your safety. You know what he's done to people. To kids. And now Shrouds involved too. Even with Toby he could find you guys.” They mumbled the last part looking away. “Keep an eye on Shroud. Keep her safe and keep yourself safe. You know where all the hiding spots are, she doesnt. Show here discreetly. Like playing hide and seek. Toby is the first defence and so will Tom and I when we are home. But we won't always be there. You know protocol.”
Michael nodded. “I'll go to Uncle Tommy and Shroud. You get my bag. I'll keep Shroud safe. I promise!” He smiled and hugged Rayn before running out of the room.
Rayn smiled before exiting the room as well. They went back to their room and grabbed the bag sitting on the bed before exiting, closing the door behind them. They went around the house, closing all the doors and turning off all the lights.
Once done, they went to the front door where Tom, Michael, and Shroud were. They nodded to Tom and picked up Michael. “Ok. Let’s go.”
The two adults each started running as soon as they were out of the complex, the locked apartment and silent building being left behind them. They knew the path to Toby's place by heart, having been there many times. The alleyways were the best place for cover as they ran, the only noises heard from the group being the sound of footsteps and the breaths taken by the two adults. Having been villains for such a long time, knowing where to run, and having plenty of stamina were things ingrained into them since they started all those years ago.
Alleys filled with trash and the occasional asleep drunk flew by as the two ran. They ran until they made it close to the outskirts of the town. They set their kids down and grabbed their hands, walking out of the alleyway. The alleys weren't going to take them to the hideaway so the streets were the next way of travel. The group walked on the sidewalks.
As they walked, Tom reached his spare hand out and tapped Rayns arm before nodding back slightly. They were being followed. Rayn looked down at Michael and gave his hand Three taps. One for possible danger, two for a pick-up, and a third for Michael to whisper the appearance. Michael looked up at his Poppy and nodded.
Rayn picked him up, facing the boy so he was looking over Rayns shoulder. Michael stayed still, looking behind the group before he leaned close to Rayns ear and whispered “Smile mask.”
Rayn panicked, the look written over their face. They looked at Tom who nodded.
Rayn and Tom ran: Ran as fast as they could, their breath no longer fleeting them as the two snapped in unison and transformed into their villain looks.
Rayn grew two feet taller, their hair became split dyed white and black, eyes a lilac purple, skin becoming one of an Ender. Their clothes turned from the hoodie and jeans into a purple suit, the jacket long, the coattails flowing behind them.
A white streak formed in Tom's bangs, his eyes turning red. A red mask appeared on his face, a simple smile drawn on it in black. The mask had bunny-like ears attached to it. His clothes changed from the blue sweater and jeans to a red hoodie, police vest, and black jeans. The police vest had the word POLICE scratched out, the word Rabbit scrawled over in red paint.
The two villains ran, feet pounding on the pavement. Shroud buried her face in Tom's chest, afraid.
Rayns new height allowed them to move faster than Tom, his strides longer. They took Shroud from Tom, an unspoken word passing between them.
"Distract." That was the word. Tom would keep Smile at bay, distracted, and Rayn would keep running to Toby's place. Given the circumstances, that was the quickest way for the two to get to safety.
Tom fell behind, slowing from his run to a walk, then stopping altogether. He turned to face Smile.
Rayns breath was rigged as he ran, now carrying a scared Shroud. Carrying two kids is rough, especially when they are nearly 9. But Rayn kept going. They kept running, the only thing running through their mind telling them to get Michael and Shroud to safety.
Rayn rounded a corner, growing nearer to Toby's base. Rayn scanned the area for a sensor. Something to tell Toby they were there, his hands being full with carrying the kids.
"There." They mumbled and changed direction, turning down a road. They saw the sensor that was down there. None of the sensors were lethal, nor were they to set off something lethal. They were all for information.
A soft beep went off as Rayn ran by letting Rayn know it had caught their movement and he smiled slightly. "Just one more turn and it's a straight shot there." They told the kids, Michael nodding. They didn't get a response from Shroud.
Another corner turned and an open field came into view. It was once a park for the city, but after the city expanded it was no longer used, other parks being made in other areas of the city. Ryan's feet hit the grassy plains and a loud machine whirred to life somewhere underground. The part of the park that held the playground began to move upward, opening to reveal an entrance underground. Rayn let out a breathy laugh and went straight for it.
The entrance didn't have stairs leading down, but just a slope. Not too steep where you would just fall, but steep enough where Rayn could easily pass through the entrance without hitting his head.
Rayn ran down the slope, gravity making him move faster. The entrance began to close after him as he made it to the bottom of the slope, a long corridor in front of them. They didn't stop running.
Somewhere in the underground base, Toby was sitting in front of a desk covered in buttons and keyboards, and monitors. He was going to open and close every door leading to the main area for them from there.
And that's what each door did. They opened, Rayn ran through with the kids, the door shut behind them. This happened four times before Rayn ran into a large room, the main room.
Rayn slowed to a stop and smiled. They got the kids to safety. They attempted to catch their breath as Rayn knelt to the ground and sat the kids down.
Shroud kept herself close to Rayn, the girl keeping her face hidden. She didn't know what was happening.
Rayn hugged her gently. "We're safe my dear. We're safe. You're ok."
Shroud just shook her head.
A door opened to the right of the group, Toby entering the room. The male had wolf-cut brown hair, blue eyes, and wore a black hoodie with matching jeans. "You made it!"
Rayn turned to look at him and nodded. "Yes but Tom had to be a distraction. Smile found us on our way here. He was following us. So because I was faster, I carried Shroud and Michael. Tom's still out there. He's with Smile."
Toby frowned. "I hate that that is what you two came up with." He sighed.
"Yeah, it wasn't the best. We hadn't thought of anything before we left my apartment." Rayn looked down at Shroud. "Shroud don't you want to say high to Uncle Toby?"
Shroud shook her head.
"Boss man, you might be scaring the poor girl." Toby laughed lightly.
"What do you mean?"
"Just look at yourself."
Rayn looked down at themself and it dawned on them. "Oh..." They snapped and their appearance went back to normal. "It's ok, Shroud." They said calmly. "You can look."
Shroud slowly moved her face from Rayns shoulder. She looked around a moment before looking up at Rayn.
"Where's dad?" She asked.
"He's just outside. You and Michael are going to stay here, while Uncle Toby and I go get him, Ok? We'll be back before you know it." They took the bag off their shoulder and gave it to Michael. "You two take care of each other, alright? We will be back soon with your dad. I promise."
Shroud nodded and hugged Rayn. "Be safe!" She said and went to Toby to hug him.
Toby picked her up and hugged her. "You be safe, cutie. Watch over Michael."
"Hey! I can watch over myself!" Michael whined, causing the others to laugh.
"Well yes, but you two can watch each other as well!"Toby laughed and set Shroud down.
Michael walked up to his father and hugged him. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too. We'll be back soon."
They released from the hug and Toby walked over to Rayn. "You know this place well, Michael. Why don't you show Shroud around. She hasn't been here in forever."
Rayn nodded and looked at Toby. "Come on. It's been too long already since we left him."
Toby nodded and the two ran back the way Rayn and the kids had come from before. Toby had to manually open and shut the doors though, so it took longer to get out than it did for them to get in.
Once outside and the entrance shut the two clapped and ran.
Rayn transformed into his Ender self.
Toby's eyes changed from blue to yellow, his clothing becoming a brown winter coat with fur, jeans, and fingerless gloves.
The wind blew roughly as they ran, the world around them being illuminated only by the light of the moon.
Rayn looked at Toby, his brown hair wiping back, his scar exposed on the right side of his face visible.
He was doing some work on the base and something blew up in an accident, burning him instantly. He was in the hospital for weeks to treat his burns. Most of it had been second degree, but some parts were third.
They two ran the entire path to where Rayn had left Tom. Tom was there, and so was Smile.
Smiles' long green cloak blew in the wind, his hood somehow still over his head. A smiling mask covering his face and black clothing hiding his features.
Smile was laughing- no cackling- at Tom.
Tom laid on the ground, looking badly beaten. He had his hand holding his side, what looked like blood on his hand. The area surrounding his hoodie was a darker red and torn.
Rayn and Toby stopped a few feet from them. "Stop this!" Rayn shouted.
Smile turned his head, seeing the two standing there now. He straightened from his hunch over Tom. He held his arms out, "Welcome Ender. Doe, always a pleasure."
"Get away from him!" Rayn shouted, small purple particles floating around them.
"Why should I? He's a liar." Smile looked toward Tom, grabbing him by his shirt and pulling him up.
"Let him go!" Toby yelled, running at Smile. Smile threw Tom at Toby, the two colliding and falling to the ground.
"And who's to say I won't kill him? Or you?" Smile shook his head. "You already know what I can do."
"This is bull." Tom spit out, groaning in pain as he rolled off Toby.
Toby helped him sit up.
"Oh come on... I'm not going to hurt you anymore." Smile tilted his head to the side. "I'm just going to kill you."
Tom pushed himself back with his feet. "No no no no no no! You can't do that!"
"And then I'll revive you. And then kill I'll you again. And then I'll revive you. And then kill I'll you again. And then I'll revive you. And then kill I'll you again." He laughed maniacally.
"I can do whatever I want to, Red. I've done it countless times before. You disobeyed me, Tom."
"Disobeyed?" Rayn asked, looking at Tom.
"OH, you didn't tell them? Oh this is going to be good. Tell them Tom! Tell them about our Deal!" Smile cackled.
Tom had a look of sorrow on his face. "I made a deal... to save Shroud..."
"What deal, Tom." Rayn said through gritted teeth.
Tommy looked down at the ground.
“Tom.” Rayn walked over to Tom and grabbed him by his shirt, lifting him up off the ground.
“Hey woah be careful man!” Tom stammered.
“What. Is. The. Deal. Tom.” Rayn stared into Tom's eyes, a rage building within them.
“I- It… Look man, it's nothing against you or the kid. I really do care about you guys. But Shrouds my kid.” Tom stammered, trying to explain the deal without actually saying what the deal was.
But it was clear enough that Rayn knew. They dropped Tom, him falling to the ground.
“You made a deal to protect Shroud. To turn in Michael or kill Michael, so Shroud was safe.” Rayn scoffed. “As a parent, I can tell why you would take such a deal. But as your friend, someone who has been with you since we were kids? We’ve known each other our whole lives! And your just going to end a life long friendship like that?” They snapped as they said ‘that’. “You betrayed me Tom. I can’t believe you would do this.” Rayn shook their head. “I can’t believe you’ve done this.”
Betrayed. That word hit Tom like a brick to the gut. He felt so bad, but Shroud was his kid!
Rayn helped Toby off the ground. “Let’s go Toby.”
“What your just going to leave me here with him?” Tommy looked at the two. The look in Rayn and Toby’s eyes scared Tom.
Rayn looked at him with pure malice in his eyes. No sympathy. They didn't care what happened to Tom anymore. He wanted to trade Michael for Shroud. What kind of friend does that? Not any real one.
Toby held a blank expression, but his eyes held a look of only pain. He was not in pain of thinking of what Smile would do to Tom, but of what Tom would have done to Michael. “You betrayed us Tom. I hope you rot in hell.”
And with that, the couple turned and walked away, hand in hand.
They did not turn around when Tom cried for them to come back. His pleas for them to come back, that he was sorry, ignored.
They did not turn when Smile attacked Tom for not holding up his end of the deal. The struggle as Tom tried to get away from Smile, but his already deteriorated energy failed him.
They did not turn as Tom took his last breath. Alone, as his choice turned his only friends against him.