Imaginary 1-4

Hey all! I'm still plugging away at the other test chapter for the day, (started with it, swapped to TBoB, now swapping back) but I thought I'd provide something for you to chew through.

This is a story I've been slowly plugging away at over a couple weeks. It's more of a character driven, slow burn than my other stories, but some of you may enjoy.

Unlike most of my other stuff, I've only touched on a lot of the concepts of the story by the end of chapter eight, and still haven't gotten to what I consider the main arc.

There are eight chapters, and since eight in one post would be excessive I'll split it into two. One today, one tomorrow. Hope you enjoy, let me know what you think.

Synopsis

It’s been twenty years since reality was ripped wide open, and the world as we know it came to an end, but you wouldn’t know it by looking out the window. For most people, nothing changed. They get up, go to work, and go home. Same old same old.

However, for a ‘lucky’ few, life will never be the same. Exposed to a new exotic particle, they develop powers beyond our current understanding. It’s a new age of superheroes.

Or it would be, if it wasn’t for the downside.

This is the world that Tamara Monroe is born into, is raised in. A school outcast, near a social pariah, she only manages to get through the day with the help of her ever present imaginary friends, and overworked mom. As bad as things are for her, things could always be worse. She could be an Empowered.

As she struggles through life one chance encounter will change everything. 

For better, or worse? Only time will tell.

Chapter 1 - Sports day

Sitting on an ancient stone bench, next to the school yard, head in hands, watching my classmates clamber all over each other in a game of capture the flag I just had one thought. I fucking hate sports days.

Every year I came to the teacher’s thinly veiled attempt at getting a day off by having their classes burn off energy, “This year might be different.” Every single year I was severely disappointed. 

Well, disappointed was the wrong word. After ten years of this shit I’d gotten quite used to being isolated by my peers. I just wished the school would stop forcing me to ‘participate’ in these mandatory events. Forcing me to sit here and bake in the hot midday sun while constantly being reminded that none of my classmates could stand me.

Pushing a stray lock of black hair back over my ear I checked my watch. Half an hour down, only two more to go. 

Out on the field one of the volunteer refs blew on their toy whistle, and declared the red team had scored a point. A chorus of cheers and groans arose as the man reset the game, preparing for the next round. 

Twenty minutes in and the first game had just ended. And it was a best of five.

Shoving myself to myself to my feet I slowly wandered towards the massive oak tree in the corner of the field. I couldn’t believe that in the middle of the inner city, an area surrounded by apartment buildings, that was the only place with any shade whatsoever. If I was going to spend the day bored to death, I wanted to at least be cool while I did it.

As soon as I stepped away from the bench I saw one of my teachers, Mrs Tores, detach herself from the school wall, where most of the faculty was lounging around, and head my way. I did my best to ignore her.

She looked ridiculous as strode away from the shadow of the dirty five story brick building, trying to catch up to me in that frilly white blouse and pencil skirt. I’m sure she had no idea she’d be running around outside today. The woman stumbled down the small decline leading to the field, teetering in those ridiculous heels of hers, before finally rushing across the grass. 

“Tamera. Tamera, I know you can hear me, stop please. Tamara Alistar Monroe! If you don’t stop right now I’m going to give you detention young lady!” the young teacher shouted.

Taking a deep breath in, and putting on my best fake smile, I turned towards the teacher. “Good afternoon Mrs Tores, how can I help you today?”

My teacher took a moment to reset her rimless glasses, and fix her curly brown hair, before scowling at me. “Why aren’t you on the field with your classmates?” 

I sighed. “Because neither they nor I want me to be out there. We’re both happier with me sitting out.” 

“What? That’s crazy,” the young teacher scoffed. “Your classmates don’t hate you.”

“That’s true,” I agreed, “they just find my presence so unbelievably uncomfortable they don’t want to interact with me for any longer than necessary.” 

The woman narrowed her eyes and started to open her mouth, so I cut off the next question before she even asked it. “Before you ask, no, I don’t have an unusually high [power] rating, I’ve been tested. Repeatedly.” 

Mrs Tores stared at me for several seconds, eyebrows furled. “So, are you being bullied?”

“No Mrs Tores, I’m not,” I groaned. “In order to be bullied, someone would have to approach me.”

“Bullying takes many different forms. If your classmates worked together to isolate you, that’s a form of bullying.” 

I felt a migraine coming on. Why does this happen every year? With every new teacher? 

“They’re not bullying me,” I declared, bringing the palm of my hand up to cover my eye. “Please let it drop.”

“I can’t let it drop! I’m your teacher, and I’m responsible for you. Even if you deny getting bullied, I need to investigate!” 

“Mrs Tores,” I finally snapped. “I know you’re new here, and you want to be a good teacher, but let me ask you something. Before rushing out here, did any of the teachers suggest you should leave me alone today?”

The woman paused, “They did…”

“Including Mr Gipson, who was my junior high teacher for three years?” 

“He did…” she admitted.

“So why didn’t you listen to any of them? They’ve all been here for years, and I’ve already had this conversation with them!” I growled.

“But…” the woman was completely flustered now, so I pushed her.

“Now, let me be clear about this. I know how this might look, but I’m not being bullied. I would really suggest you don’t try and report it as such.” 

“It’s my job,” the woman muttered.

“Only if there’s evidence of bullying. The school board looks down upon teachers that make false claims about this sort of thing. That’s how your predecessor, Mr Daniels lost his job,” I patiently explained. 

Now she was really flustered.

“Honestly, I’d like to know why I have this effect on people, but after ten years I gave up looking. The best explanation I’ve been able to find is that kids are more sensitive to certain things than adults,” I let out a long breath before continuing.

“It’s easier for me to ignore that it’s happening, and concentrate on my school work. The only time it’s a problem is when we have forced group activity days, like this.” Now that I’d finished ranting the migraine receded slightly, so I dropped my hand. “Can I please go now?”

Taking a deep breath, Mrs Tores looked me straight in the face. “No.”

“No? Why not?” I asked. “I explained the situation, what more could you possibly want from me?”

“I want to see you participate in one group activity, give it an honest try!”

I stared at the woman in disbelief. “Even after everything we just discussed?”

“You never know what’ll happen, maybe they’ll accept you. Maybe you’ll have fun!”

Lowering my head back into my hand, I grumbled. “I know I’ve experienced it for years!”

“If you don’t try, you’re not getting participation credit for today,” Mrs Tores snapped.

She wasn’t going to let it go, I could see it on her face. “Fine, if that’s what you want. But I want your word that when this backfires you completely drop it going forward.”

“It’s not going to backfire, you’ll see,” Mrs Tores assured me, cheerfully.

Why did this school hire a new, idealistic teacher every year? Why couldn’t they just stick with the old jaded ones that didn’t care.

Jogging over to the field, I stepped up behind my classmates who had apparently finished playing capture the flag, and were setting up a new game. Despite no one actually looking at me, the crowd parted slightly as I approached.

“You’ll have to count me in for this one!” I announced loudly. Half the class turned around and looked at me, disappointed. “Don’t blame me, it’s Mrs Tores’s fault. What are we playing?”

“Red Rover,” Andrea, the class president announced from her position on the other side of the crowd. “We were about to draft teams.”

“Oh joy…” I grumbled. “Even or odd number of players?” 

“With you? Even.”

I immediately went over and sat on the second team’s side. Mrs Tores raised an eyebrow, but none of my classmates even batted an eye. We’d all been through this song and dance plenty of times. 

It took a couple minutes for the captains to draft the teams, and for everyone to get lined up. I stood at the end, with Andrea to my left. I limply held out my hand, and waited for her to take it. She did manage to work up the courage, after a couple seconds. As soon as she did she went pale, and I could feel the goosebumps raise on the back of her hand. I could tell she desperately wanted to let go, but didn’t. 

The other team started. “Red Rover, Red Rover we call Andrea over!” 

She couldn’t let go fast enough, sprinting across the field before slowing down to an easily stoppable speed. Of course she was caught.

I shifted over, moving to the next person in line and held out my hand. Jacob was nowhere near as brave as Andrea, he barely managed to touch one finger to my hand, and he still flinched away every couple seconds. I zoned out. I knew how this would end.

“Red Rover, Red Rover we call Jacob over!”

And he was gone. I moved over. The process repeated over and over for the next five minutes. My teammates each took turns trying to hold my hand, before disappearing into the other team, until I was the last person standing.

Mrs Tores stopped watching about halfway through, I didn't know if it was because of horror or embarrassment. The other team hesitated, everyone knew they were supposed to call my name, but they just couldn’t bring themselves to do it. 

I just walked away, heading back towards the oak tree to wait out the rest of the event in peace. 

“I fucking hate sports day,” I grumbled.

Chapter 2 - Returning Home

By the time the bell rang, I was exhausted. Not physically mind you, I hadn’t been out running around with the rest of my class, but mentally. 

I didn’t enjoy being isolated from my peers, but over the years I’d developed coping mechanisms to help me deal with the situation. School was honestly pretty easy to deal with, most days anyways. More than ninety percent of the day was spent in class, or doing individual desk work, where I could dig into my studies and ignore the world around me. During breaks, I typically just stayed at my desk and read. My classmates didn’t bother me, and I didn’t bother them.

It was only during the days where I was forced to interact with the others, that I was reminded how isolated I really was.

While the rest of my class was busy cleaning up and getting organized, I trudged back up the hill towards the massive slab that was my highschool. When I passed the teachers, no one stopped me. Hell, most of them probably would have let me go early, if I’d asked, but that would have just forced me to deal with an entirely different issue. Easier to wait.

After stepping into the building I swiftly made my way to my locker, grabbed my bag and coat, and slipped out the front before everyone else showed up. 

Squinting as I stepped back into the bright afternoon sun, I was surprised to find a figure waiting for me.

Not a human, it was an eight foot tall anthropomorphic highland cow bull. It looked like a mascot, or plushy, standing on its hind legs, waving wildly in my direction.

“Hairy,” I hissed. “What are you doing here?” I glanced around and noticed a woman across the street looking at me so I stood up straight, and started walking towards home, doing my best to not look directly at the shaggy red bull.

“I came to meet you. It was sports day today, and I figured you might need a little support. Did you make any friends today?” 

“Of course I didn’t,” I muttered under my breath. “It was as horrible as always.”

“Do you need a hug?” the massive bull asked, leaning in close.

“Not right now! I might be able to get away with talking to myself, but I’m sure people would ask questions if I stopped and hugged an invisible friend in the middle of the street.” 

Hairy looked at my aghast. “I’m not invisible, I’m imaginary! Your Imaginary friend!” 

“Yes, yes, but I’m the only one that can see you guys, so that doesn’t matter,” I replied, before pausing and looking directly at Hairy. “Are you the only one that came out? Where are Angelica and Tyberius?”

“You know how they are, they’re not as comfortable as I am being out in public without you,” Hairy explained.

“So they stayed home?”

“Of course not, you know how worried they get. They wanted to give you some space in case you needed it, so they’ve been following us from a distance.” The bull looked around briefly, then waved at the nearby alley. “There they are.”

Spinning in place, I glared into the alley. It was dark, and so chock full of garbage, that I’d never be able to get inside. That wouldn’t stop those two though. “Do you two want to come out, or are you going to spy on me the entire way home?” 

Slowly, a shape took form in the gloom. A large ethereal head, reminiscent of a Portuguese man-o-war jellyfish, with hundreds of long tendrils hanging below it. Even as the shape emerged from the alley, I still couldn’t make out their full shape clearly. I sighed. “Angelica, anything to say for yourself?”

“We were just worried about you! I know you’re in highschool now, and don’t need us to hover around you, but I just needed to know you were alright,” the jellyfish-like being cried, before wrapping me in her tendrils. I knew those same tendrils could conduct electricity, I’d seen Angelica send sparks and arcs out of them many times before, but she never did it when she was anywhere near me. 

“I know, thank you for worrying,” I whispered, patting the limbs lightly.

While Angelica was cuddling with me, a quiet clicking noise emerged from the alley. Turning back, I spotted a second figure slowly emerging from the darkness. Dozens of long, spindly, corroded metal legs attached to a central arachnid form. Despite being metallic, it didn’t look robotic, more like a rusty, living metal organism. 

Tyberius raised his arms, which he only had two, in surrender. “Sorry Lass. I know you like your privacy, but I also know how you get on days like this.” 

“I know. Thank you for worrying about me,” I replied quietly, before reaching up and giving one of his hands a quick squeeze.

Hairy whined, like a dog, and pawed at my shoulder until I turned towards him. “Fine, hug,” I huffed.

The big bull grabbed me in a bone crushing hug. None of my friends could actually touch me, they were just imaginary after all, but they were real enough to me that I could actually feel their touch.

When he was finally done, I quickly looked around again. Thankfully the streets were fairly empty, so no one else had stopped to stare at the strange girl interacting with her imaginary friends.

Suddenly self-conscious of the situation, I quickly adjusted my backpack, glanced at my friends and whispered, “Let’s go.”

As the four of us made our way down the street I made sure to keep my eyes up. Although my neighborhood wasn’t the worst place to live, it wasn’t great either. Most of the buildings in the area were old, rundown brick apartment buildings with metal bars over all the windows. There was garbage and graffiti everywhere, and only half of the streetlights worked. Even though the streets were usually fairly safe, I’d had a couple run-ins with wanna-be muggers, drunks, and drug users over the years, so I always tried to stay aware of my surroundings.

“So, your day wasn’t that bad?” Angelica asked as we traveled down the street. I wouldn’t exactly say walk, since she was floating, and Tyberius was skittering down the wall. 

“No, it was as horrible as I expected. One of my teachers who didn’t understand my situation forced me to participate in a game,” I grumbled.

“In all fairness, no one fully understands your situation. Not even you,” Tyberius said.

“I understand that. I do!” I pouted. “I’ve been dealing with it for the last ten years, but it still hurts when I see everyone my age shy away whenever I get close.” 

“I know honey. It’s not your fault,” Angelica crooned, as she stroked my hair. 

Hairy huffed in anger, and jogged a few steps ahead and turned back towards me, fists balled. “Do you want me to go beat them up?”

I snorted. “Who? My teacher? My classmates? No thanks. First of all, it’s not their fault, not really. Besides, what could you possibly do? You can’t touch them.”

“I can try! If it makes you feel better!” the bull declared proudly.

“Thanks, but that’s not necessary. I’m not so immature that I need you to shadowbox my teacher to feel better. Just knowing you care is enough.”

Hairy relaxed his fists, and nodded proudly, before marching ahead of our little group. Leading our way home. I giggled quietly. Hairy trying to fight someone wouldn’t have made me feel better, but his childish antics sure did.

Walking up to the last intersection before arriving home, we paused as the don’t walk signal flashed red. As we waited, three police cars drove by, splitting up at the intersection. I couldn’t help but stare as they did. It wasn’t rare to see a police car around here, responding to some sort of petty crime in the area, but I’d never seen so many all at once. Their lights weren’t on, but the police inside seemed especially alert. 

“What do you think that’s about?” I muttered.

“I don’t know. Nothing good,” Tyberius answered quietly. “Let’s hurry home.”

I nodded slightly, and waited a few more seconds until the signal changed before jogging across the street. It didn’t take long to get to my apartment building, it was only the third building on the block. My apartment didn’t have much to differentiate it from the other old, dirty brick buildings in the area. It had the same graffiti and garbage piled up, but it also had the front door and several ground windows boarded up. Despite being destroyed months ago, the landlord never bothered to fix them. I had a feeling he never would, boarding them up was cheaper.

I slowly climbed up the cracked concrete steps, holding on to the railing to keep me from falling if parts of it crumbled, before pushing open the ricketty front doors. I stepped through the door, dropping my guard for the first time since I left school, and began digging through my pockets for my keys.

That was a mistake, because if I’d been paying attention I wouldn’t have been smashed in the face with a broom.

Chapter 3 - Home Sweet Home

As I crashed to the ground, holding my nose, Hairy came flying in the door, fists flying. He did his best to bat the offending cleaning implement away, but just passed harmlessly through it, like always.

Once I’d confirmed that my nose wasn’t broken, I glanced angrily at the old man at the other end of the broom. 

“Damn girl, I’m sorry. What were you doing out there? Haven’t you heard the news?” Mr. Booker asked anxiously as he ran a hand through his wiry white hair. 

“I was at school,” I snapped at the paranoid old man. “Why are you standing at the door swinging a broom at people?”

Mr. Booker stuck his head out the door suspiciously, before slamming the front doors again. “There’s a loose Renegade in the neighbourhood. We can’t let anyone suspicious in.” 

“I’m not just anyone, I’m your fucking neighbour. You probably would have realized that if you bothered to go get your prescription checked,” I growled as I pushed myself to my feet. 

The old man fiddled with his thick, black rimmed glasses. “My eyesight isn’t that bad.”

“Yes it is. You just smashed me in the face because you couldn’t recognise me,” I grumbled. “I don’t even know why you’re bothering to stand here. You know Renegades just want to be left alone, to live their own lives, right? They don’t go around breaking into people’s homes.” 

“Don’t get sassy with me girl,” the old man snapped. “There’s a reason why the Empowered people have to live in the enclaves; Those renegades are a threat to public safety. Well, I’m not taking any chances, I’m going to stand her and prevent any weirdos from coming in!”  

“Whatever,” I whispered, turning away from the door. There was no point in trying to talk sense into the old man. Once he got an idea in his head he never let it go, so I just turned towards the stairs and left him to it.

“Why is he always like that?” Angelica asked, as she hovered up behind me.

“Mom thinks he does it for attention, that he’s just lonely since Mrs. Hoover died. I think he’s just a weirdo,” I whispered back.

I made it all the way up to the first landing before I realized that Hairy wasn’t following. Glancing back I found him still at the front door, looming over Mr. Hoover, staring angrily. 

“Hairy!” I hissed. The cow looked up at me, then back at the old man before scoffing, and running to catch up. Mr. Hoover glanced back at me questioningly, but I ignored him. 

Once my little group had grouped up again, I began the long five story climb up to the apartment.The lift hadn’t worked since the day we moved in, so we had to make the four story climb on foot. I’d taken this route so often I knew just which stairs to skip to avoid the squeaky stairs and loose carpet.

Hairy ran ahead like usual, stopping on every floor to wait for me, dancing back and forth like an impatient puppy. When Tyberius joined my friend group he’d berate the cow, try and get him to slow down. Now he just sighed heavily as he slowly followed me up the stairs.

When I got up to our apartment I paused for a moment to fish out my keys. The lock was broken, of course, so you had to jiggle the keys just right to make it open.  When I heard the click I paused for a second, taking a deep breath before opening the door.

The door squealed in progress as it opened to the tiny apartment beyond. I quickly shucked my jacket, and hung it in the closet before advancing into the main area. The entire place wasn’t more than a two dozen feet across, just enough space for a small kitchen and dining table, but little else. 

My mother was sitting at the table, slowly reading an old, worn down, paperback novel from the library. She looked up, slowly removed her black half rim glasses and gave me a tired smile. “Tammy honey, welcome home. How was the sports day? Did you have fun?”

“It was okay. I had some fun, won a couple games, lost a whole lot more,” I replied, returning the smile. “We’ll do better next year.”

“Well, I’m proud of you. I know it was hard, but at least you participated.” She slipped her glasses into her huge mass of curly brown hair before standing up to give me a quick peck on the cheek. “Dinner is going to be early tonight, I had to pick up a closing shift at the dinner. Why don’t you start your homework and I’ll call you when it’s done.”

“Alright mom, see you in a little while.” 

As I wandered down the tiny hallway, dragging my bag behind my smile fell slightly. When I was really young my mother worried that having me constantly talking to imaginary friends, and not making any real friends, would affect me mentally. She started to investigate psychologists, despite barely being able to pay our already meager living expenses. So instead of allowing her to work herself into an early grave, I lied. I told her I made friends in school, I was having fun! 

I’m pretty sure she didn’t really believe me, but she still let the matter drop. I could tell she was still concerned, but she never brought it up again, not to me anyways.

Pushing into my small room I threw my backpack in one corner before collapsing face down on the bed. 

“I’m so tired,” I mumbled into the pillow. “Why did I insist you three stay home today? What was I thinking?”

“You said this was the best chance for you to meet new people, try and find someone your own age that can stand you. If not for yourself, for your mother,” Angelia reminded me. I glanced over at the corner of the room, at the ethereal shape perpetually shrouded in gloom. “I know it never works out, but I’m proud of you for actually trying.”

With a sigh I reached over and grabbed my bag, swiftly retrieving both my math text and the matching notebook. Slipping a battered mechanical pencil out of the pen holders sewn into the bag, I quickly moved to the tiny desk across from my bed. “It only took me thirty minutes to figure out it wasn’t going to work. I couldn’t even get close to a lot of the classes.”

“You made it through, and you’re stronger for it,” Tyberius proclaimed, skittering his way along the wall until he was hanging above my desk.

“I don’t know about that, ” I admitted quietly before flipping open my textbook and locating the page with today’s homework. Putting the pencil to paper I slowly began to work through the advanced calculus. It was challenging, but I enjoyed the challenge. Tyberius watched as I worked through it, occasionally interrupting me when I got something wrong and prompting me to give it another try. Once I was done with that I moved on to Biology, Social Studies, and finally English. I barely raised my head, or pencil until it was all done. It was only after I put all my books away, that I finally allowed myself to relax. Collapsing onto my bed cuddling my tiny plush version of Hairy. 

“So do you want us to stay home tomorrow as well, or…,” the oversized cow asked. 

I scoffed. “As far as I’m concerned that was a once a year thing. I tried it, and failed miserably. I’m not going anywhere without you guys again, until next year.”

Angelica giggled. “Oh honey, it’s okay. We’ll stay with you for as long as you want!” 

As her tendrils slowly wound around me in a tight hug, there was a knock on the door.  Before I could get up to answer it, or even call out, mom stepped into my room. “Dinner’s ready. I have a shift at dinner tonight, so we need to eat quickly.” 

She glanced around the room quickly, then back at me. “Are you okay? I thought I heard you talking to someone before I came in.” 

“Just myself,” I replied, trying my best not to look at my friends as I jumped off my bed. 

My mother nodded, and stepped back out of the room. 

“Be back soon,” I mouthed before following her out.

Chapter 4 - Coopers

Slipping into my seat I quickly grabbed the ketchup and applied a small bit to the top of my macaroni and cheese. My mother sat across from me, quickly digging into her meal while spouting off her notes for the night.

“I’ll be working until closing, so you’ll be by yourself tonight. Your lunch for tomorrow is already in the fridge, so you don’t have to worry about that.” She only had about a half dozen bites before looking at her watch and sighing. She gently scraped the rest back into the casserole dish, then stepped over to the sink to quickly rinse off her plate.

“Did you finish your homework yet?” she asked while she scrubbed.

“All four subjects,” I confirmed as I slowly chewed through my meal. I’d barely eaten through a third of it before my mother had gotten up.

“In that case, would you mind stopping by Cooper’s market for me? I haven’t had time to stop by yet, and we need groceries for the rest of the week.” My mother turned, and frowned. “I hate to ask you this, especially with the rumors of a Renegade running around the city, but we’re running low on the staples.”

“I don’t mind. Besides, Coopers is only a couple blocks away, and I’ll make sure to avoid everyone I don’t recognize,” I agreed, before shoving another forkful of macaroni into my mouth.

My mother darted over, kissed me on the top of the head, embracing me gently. “My precious girl,” she murmured before shooting back to her feet and rushing towards the door. “I need to go. Grocery list and money are on the table by the door. Have a good night!” 

Before I could even say it back she’d already grabbed her purse and coat and was out the door. Just like usual.

As soon as she was gone Hairy stuck his head out of my room. “Is she gone?”

I nodded lightly, my mouth full, but it was enough to get the message across. The cow immediately stepped out, and meandered down the hallway, followed closely by the others. 

“Did I hear correctly? Are we going out?” Angelica asked excitedly.

“Just to Coopers,” I replied as I scooped up the last of my meal and popped it in my mouth. “We need groceries for the week.”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” Tyberius  said disappointedly. I just rolled my eyes.

Now that my plate was clear, I cleaned the table. Washing and drying my plate, before depositing it in the drying rack next to the sink. The rest of the casserole went into the fridge, along with the condiments. 

Once that was done I leaned close to the tiny window over the sink, and looked out. The sun was going down, bathing everything in warm orange light. “We should get going before it gets too late,” I muttered.

“If you need help carrying things back, I’ll help you!” Hairy declared.

“No you won't. You can’t hold anything,” I reminded the cow idly. I might have found it funny, if he hadn't made that joke a thousand times before. No matter how many times I asked him to stop, he didn’t. “Besides, I’m probably only going for the essentials this afternoon.” 

I fished my coat out of the closet, double checked that I had my keys, then swept the grocery money, and list, into my pocket. Stepping into the musty hallway, I waited just long enough for my friends to join me before I closed and locked the door.

“I thought your landlord said they were going to replace this old, peeling, wallpaper,” Angelica commented as I carefully made my way down the stairs. I paused long enough to look at the ugly beige paper, covered in green fleur-de-lis. Huge sections of it had collapsed, or been torn away, revealing the ugly brick walls behind.

“They also promised to repair the lifts, and replace the carpet. Five years ago,” I reminded my friend. “They’re never going to follow through with their promises, I don’t know why they even bother making them.”

As I descended from the first floor landing, heading back into the lobby, I found Mr. Booker sleeping in a chair beside the door. I had no idea where the old man had found a chair, he must have dragged it out of his apartment so he could stay by the door longer. I just quietly slipped past him, trying my best to avoid waking him.

As I stepped out onto the steps, pulling my coat tightly around me, Hairy charged forward. Halting at the bottom of the steps, “No Renegades here. We’re clear!” 

“The Renegade could be anywhere in the city,” I huffed. “There’s almost no chance of us running into them in the middle of the street.”

“Maybe, but it doesn’t hurt to be cautious,” Tyberius insisted. “Keep an eye out, and stay away from strangers, just in case. You know what could happen.”

I stared at the metallic arachnid, bit my lip, and nodded slowly. That was definitely a situation I wanted to avoid. Pulling my coat tightly around me, and with my friends hovering around me protectively, I quickly made my way down the street, heading towards the store.

Coopers was only a couple blocks over, a tiny corner market that marked the heart of our community. It was the only place for miles that got anything even close to fresh produce, and the prices were reasonable. It was probably the only building not covered with graffiti, instead it had dark green painted wood walls, and neatly stenciled windows.

Pausing at the line of produce boxes sitting outside the store, just under the windows, I picked through the remnants. They were filled early in the day, and by this time there were only dregs left. 

I once asked Cooper why he didn’t keep the produce inside, or at least monitor it for thieves, and he told me ‘The people around here are trustworthy enough. Besides, if someone was desperate enough to steal a tomato, they can have it.’ 

Despite being late, I still managed to find a couple passable tomatoes and onions in the mix, depositing them into one of the provided paper bags, before heading inside. 

Cooper was sweeping up the place, like usual. The rotund old man honestly reminded me of the stereotypical image of Santa, but without the beard or hair. He always had a smile on his face, and a twinkle in his eye. He nodded towards me as I stepped inside. “Evening Tamara, get stuck with the shopping again?” 

“As always,” I grumbled as I dug out the shopping list and grabbed a little plastic shopping basket. “Only need a couple essentials today. Any news?” 

“The Henderson boys were picked up by the police, throwing rocks at windows again. They never seem to learn. Oh, and there’s a bulletin out for a Renegade Empowered person within the city.”

I paused, “I’ve heard, but the authorities don’t have a fucking clue where they are. The alert is for the entire city.”

“That’s true. Apparently someone left the [Enclave1] enclave with a day pass. They knocked out their escort, then disappeared into the city.”

“Sounds like a violent asshole,” I muttered. I started moving further into the store, but Cooper stopped me.

“Speaking of Empowered, aren’t you coming up on your test soon? Isn’t it mandatory for the children of Empowered people?”

I scrunched up my nose in disgust. Talking about Empowered and Renegades, then jumping right into asking me when my next test was, sounded an awful lot like Cooper was accusing me of something. He probably was just trying to be cautious, considering the alert that was out, but I didn’t appreciate him questioning me like that. 

“I was tested a couple months ago, I’ll need to go back the week before week before my sixteenth birthday,” I grumbled defensively, before pulling away from the old man. “I’d like to talk more, but I really need to get everything and head home before it gets dark. Excuse me.” 

I took advantage of the space to quickly back away and slip down the nearest isle. I was done with this conversation anyways. 

Once I was alone again I took a couple deep breaths, to get my emotions under control. Hairy gently pet me on the head, and Angelica embraced me, which helped. Only when I was calm again, did I unfold the shopping list and start wandering down the small aisles, slowly filling my basket with what we needed. 

Coopers wasn’t that big, just eight small aisles filled with goods. It was large enough to carry all the essentials, but small enough that Cooper could make due with old fashion security mirrors instead of cameras. I was just picking up the last few items on the list, from the dairy aisle, when suddenly Hairy froze. “Time to leave!” he growled.

I bolted upright and glanced in the way he was looking, but couldn’t see anything. “Why? What’s wrong?”

As I asked a thin weedy man rounded the end of the aisle, he was shaking and sweating profusely, like a junky on detox. Despite looking like every other strung out druggie, something about him felt wrong. Tyberius rattled like a jar of old keys, and Angelica hissed. “Renegade.”

My eyes went wide, and I took a step back. The man stared at me strangely for a moment, but then turned to browse the cheeses, ignoring me.

“You need to leave Tammers, now!” Hairy yelled, placing himself between myself and the man.” I nodded slightly, turned and started making my way towards the end of the aisle, fighting the urge to break into a run the entire time. 

Renegades were dangerous, and would do anything to stay out of the enclaves, so I couldn’t let the man know I was on to him. Unfortunately he was between me and the front of the store, so I had to take the long way around. I just had to pretend nothing was wrong until I made it out of sight, sprint back and warn Cooper. 

I only managed to make it about half way when I heard Angelica whisper. “Oh no.”

A chill went down my spine, and I glanced back towards the man. I could see reality pulsing around him. Once. Twice. The third time it ripped open. Beyond the tear in the world I could see an alien world, full of strange flora and fauna. 

The man screamed, and made a run for it, but before he even made it two steps something shot out of the rift and struck him in the back. It looked like a decaying scarab, with a brilliant iridescent purple shell full of holes that dripped pus. The dog sized creature hissed once, then clamped down, dragging the man back towards the portal, still screaming. 

As I watched, frozen in horror, dozens of the little creatures poured out of the rift, scattering around the store.

Hairy growled, putting himself between me and the portal, while Angelica threatened any monster that wandered close with her electrical charged tendrils. Tyberius  on the other hand lowered himself right down next to me and yelled. “This is not the time to freeze up Tam, it’s a rupture! Run!”