Chapter Text
Everyone knew that time was linear.
Except for when it wasn’t.
This was something that Abolish had known since the very beginning of his time at the Organization; it was a simple fact that any agent needed to be aware of. Since then, he’d taken part in no fewer than three time loops- this was his fourth.
And the only one where he’d been present for the first iteration.
Abolish turned his attention back to the present, brows furrowed as he leaned his elbow on the windowsill of the train. The swaying grass of the prairie swept by, the green of forested hills a smudge on the horizon, drawing closer every passing, rumbling moment. The train rattled beneath him, vibrations shivering up through his legs and making the curtains on the windows shake.
His eyes flicked to the booth across the table from him, where Shelby and Drift were sitting, the latter asleep with her head on Shelby’s shoulder. He frowned slightly before turning back to the passing countryside, a headache building in the back of his head.
With a quiet sigh, he attempted to ignore the painful thudding of his mind and focus instead on the task at hand.
Or, rather, the task that would be at hand, given a couple of hours. Today was the fifth day since Scott had gotten off of the train, and the eighth since the beginning of the journey. The Harpy Express, in all of its sleek, luxurious glory, was a comfortable enough mode of travel, but really, Abolish could’ve done without the hustle and bustle of the dreaded public transport.
No matter. In a few hours’ time, the train would be sliding into Oakhurst Station- or, well, the closest stop to the small town- and half-vampire could finally, finally, get off this gods-cursed machine.
All that there was to do now was wait, he supposed.
That was fine. He’d waited plenty in his life.
~.[].~
The train had begun to slow almost thirty minutes prior, its grinding wheels squealing as it lessened its pace. Forest rose up around the tracks, the budding leaves of springtime warmth showing pinkish-green on the still-bare branches of trees. Rugged cliffs made Abolish wince slightly. He was certainly not… pleased to be returning here yet again.
Truly, he’d rather be watching Scott at the moment, making sure the elder vampire was keeping himself in check. But, alas, that part of his contract had been halted for now- the presence of a time loop was a far more pressing matter. He could rely on his fellow Organization members- those assigned to watch Scott would surely do their jobs.
Let’s just hope they know that Scott isn’t a threat to… He shook the thought off. They would know. They would’ve been informed of the possibility, even if no one was quite sure whether the rumors were true or not.
Theories, the lot of it, but at this point, what with the meddling of the Universal Powers, Abolish wouldn’t be too surprised to find the alchemist alive again.
Alive in what state, he had no clue.
Shaking those thoughts away, Abolish pinched his nose and let his gaze flick back over to Shelby and Drift- both awake now- who were murmuring quietly to one another. Their joint sadness still permeated from their demeanors, and he felt the smallest shiver of guilt that he couldn’t let any information about the nature of Scott’s departure slip.
But, alas, if he did say anything, he would most likely be terminated.
And although Abolish did not enjoy this little trip, he certainly valued being alive, so… well, the choice was made easy. Keep secrets, for now. Tell them later. They’ll understand.
Tapping his gloved fingers on the table to draw the two girls’ attention, he tilted his head. “We’ll be arriving in a little under twenty minutes. Good time to check over your belongings.” His voice was flat, regulated. Calm.
Drift nodded, lightly nudging Shelby to remind her to move from her aisle spot. “Come with us, Abolish?”
He shrugged. “I don’t have much, but sure. I’ll come.”
Rising out of his seat, the dapper half-vampire brushed off the cuffs of his jacket, straightening the collar before setting his shoulders back confidently and gesturing for the two to follow.
The train’s irregular swaying beneath him gave him no trouble even as he walked over the rumbling gangway to the first residence carriage, leaving Shelby and Drift to step inside their suite as he continued through the next in-between section into the coach where his room was. Pulling out the gold-filigreed key, he unlocked the door and strode in. Gaze sharp, he swung his eyes over the room, noting that there was nothing out of the ordinary. His dark-stained leather briefcase and secondary satchel sat to the side of the entrance. He picked up both, and, without looking over his shoulder, closed the door and locked it again. He wouldn’t need to return back to the suite.
With a quick mental assessment of the briefcase’s weight, he confirmed that his gun and silver bullets were all in proper order.
One last thing to do, then.
Closing his eyes for a moment, Abolish breathed out, letting his thoughts coalesce into a distinguishable form before sending them off towards the icy horizon of his mind.
Duty’s response was slow, like a sunbathing cat waking itself from a stupor. The god’s radiating form washed across Abolish’s mindspace as the Power lazily noted his presence. Am I allowed to know anything of—
No.
Abolish physically flinched back at the icy chill to the Universal Power’s words, xe’re tone cold. Final. I cannot even inquire… he paused, then started again, steadying both his physical and psychological forms. I simply wish to know. He is alive, yes? My oath would’ve told me had he died?
The silence that stretched on from that point was so frigid and wintry that Abolish almost withdrew, consciousness slowly taking the toll of speaking to the entity. After a few soul-crushing, mind-splintering moments, though, he felt a trembling wave of confirmation.
You’ll know if that happens. The voice of the god was deep, sending tremors through Abolish that forced him to quell a shudder. Barely keeping a grasp on his clarity, he let his mental spectre nod, then immediately released the clutch he had on his mind. He bent his head for a moment, steadying his breathing, then walked back to where Shelby and Drift were both lifting their modest luggage.
Abolish must’ve looked more pained than usual, because Shelby tilted her head, reddish-amber eyes glimmering with worry. “You alright, Abolish?”
He gave a terse nod, and, noting the girl’s unconvinced expression, sighed. Better to give an explanation, even a curt one, than worry the vampire. “Just… conversing… with one who’s presence is a rather heavy load on one’s sanity.”
Shelby blinked. Right. That was likely an answer that was more… worrying… than soothing. “Don’t worry. I’m fine. I, ah, just… can’t give you much information.” He added hastily.
“I don’t believe you, but I’ll let it go. For now.” She grumbled.
Pinching his nose in quiet exhaustion, Abolish tried to comprehend why it suddenly felt like he had a hefty weight upon his shoulders. Friends, he thought with an exasperated (though silent) huff, are more mental trouble than they are often worth.
Although… he’d never admit it, but Abolish did appreciate having companionship. In all honesty, he’d missed Shelby and Drift- he’d been pretty focused on keeping Scott in line, the past….
The past century. Well, technically, ninety-eight years, give or take, but still.
Gods be dammed, he really did need to get out more.
Lifting his luggage a bit higher above the ground, Abolish gestured towards the front car and the nearest exit door. “All set?”
With murmured confirmation from the two women- Shelby still frowning slightly at him- he strode into the gangway, glancing up to check what side of the train they’d be getting off from. The left. Wrapping one gloved hand around the brass handle that stretched from floor to ceiling, Abolish steadied himself, watching the trees outside as the train slowed.
Martyn stepped through the sliding doors into the vestibule, conductor’s uniform sharp and unwrinkled. Abolish had smoothed over any startled reactions to the blonde’s presence long since that first day on the train, and now the half-vampire’s only sign of recognition was a curt nod. Shelby and Drift had obviously not fully adjusted- and for good reason, as what sane person would not be shocked by the appearance of their previously dead friend? - as he could sense their roiling emotions, ever-so-slightly pointed ears perking up.
They stood there for a while- Abolish’s internal clock informing him it was around fifteen minutes- before the grinding hiss of steam and cogs sounded from outside, the whining complaint of the train a sure sign of their approach to the station. Clenching his jaw and standing straight, he began to pick up his bags, swinging his satchel over his shoulder while making sure to retain a firm hold on the wall at all times.
A few tense minutes later, the door hissed open, gilded frame glinting sharply in the midday sun. Martyn stepped out first, Abolish following. Drift and Shelby walked silently behind them, and with the slightest turn of his head, the dhampir could see the revived silhouette of Apo even further back.
They were there.
Abolish was already not looking forwards to this.
+ ART +
{2006 Abolish Art}
