Lux stood on the front steps and lit his cigarette, taking a long drag and letting the smoke roll out slowly. Ava stood beside him raking out his long hair and looking rather amused.

  “Lux?” Ava said meekly.

  “Hm?” Lux looked very aloof as if he was focused on something else.

  “Did you miss me at all?” Ava asked very meekly.

  “I don't know how to miss people Ava. I have a hard time with emotional attachment.” Lux said mildly.

  “I know that, and so do I..………but…..I just thought maybe you thought about me at least sometimes….while you were gone.” Ava said unhappily.

  “Maybe.” Lux said with a sigh. It was quiet again while Lux continued to smoke his cigarette.

  “Lux?” Ava said softly.

  “Hm?” He hummed.

  “I just wanted to tell you…..you really have filled out very nicely.” Ava said, looking him up and down.

  “Not much to do in prison except lift weights or work out.” Lux said, taking another drag.

  “Well, it really worked out for you then. I'd like to see more. Maybe even all of it?” Ava said, dragging out his words and smiled seductively at Lux. Lux was quiet and distracted now. He continued to smoke his cigarette.

  “You are sexually attracted to me. True or false.” Lux said seriously.

  “Very true.” Ava said.

  “You are trying to seduce me again. True or false.” Lux asked.

  “True, Lux. You know I still love you right?” Ava hummed lovingly.

  “Ava the last time you tired to love me, we ended up playing a deadly game of tug of war and I was the fucking rope.” Lux said with irritation.

  “Because my brother is an asshole and I just couldn't stand him hogging you all to himself. You liked spending time with me too, didn't you?” Ava said smoothly.

  “You are a very appealing person Ava, but when you and Vezaias were both involved, it was a nightmare.” Lux said, glancing at Ava.

  “But he is not here anymore is he?” Ava said suggestively.

  “You are involved in an intimate relationship with the flower asshole that killed Vezaias. True or false, Ava.” Lux pressed, looking angry now. Ava paused and sighed deeply.

  “I've been informed not to trust him anymore.” Ava highlighted.

  “True or fucking false, Ava.” Lux said firmly.

  “True.” Ava sighed. “….but you know exclusive relationships are just not my sort of thing.” Ava mused. “I think Louie will be very heartbroken when he finally realizes that. Of course I will fool him as long as he lets me.” Ava continued very callously.

  “I have found that consistency and predictability are very important to me. Can I use your phone?” Lux pressed. Ava sighed and pulled out his phone and handed it to Lux. Lux dialed a number and put the phone to his ear.

  “……Hello, Sorrie…..yeah, sort of, well mostly……….I just wanted to tell you that I left the halfway house……….I know……….a warrant?…..yeah I figured they would……….well I'm not going back……..I'd rather die………..I'm fine……..I have help………I don't know why but someone that wants to help me stabilize……..and I have a safe place to live…..don't worry I am doing alright……….I suppose but you can't tell anyone, because if the police show up I will fucking shoot myself and anyone else that I think deserves it…….because……..because I found him…….so I went manic and tracked him down…….then I left and found a few things I needed and then I tried to kill him……..nah, it didn't work at all……..well because he is fucking zombie genius, and his new life partner is a fucking superhuman wonderboy…….so now I am a zombie slave……and I will be their prisoner forever……….no, it's not a delusion this time……no it's real…….because I've seen their superpowers!……. whatever I know you won't believe me, but it's real this time…….okay fine whatever I will call you again later. Bye.” Lux ended the call. He looked very unhappy now. “She thinks I'm insane.” Lux said sourly.

  “Aren't you?” Ava mused.

  “As far as I know most of that was all true, unless I've had a total psychotic break, which I suppose isn't impossible, but I know what I saw, and it seems real.” Lux said seriously. “…but I suppose if I was psychotic, I probably wouldn't know that I was, and it would seem real.” Lux cringed and dropped his face into his hand. “Ava is any of this real? I mean…..am I really real? Or am I delusional? Did I actually become a zombie? Is that real?” Lux asked, full of anxiety now.

  “This is definitely real Lux. Don't worry Remi and I will look out for you.” Ava said sweetly. Lux sighed again.

  “Thanks Ava. Can we go back inside now?” Lux asked.

  “Sure if you're ready.” Ava said in his most upbeat soprano voice. Lux flicked away his cigarette and followed Ava inside.

  Remington wandered over to the stage where his keyboard was set up. He slid his fingers over the keys lovingly wishing he could go back to the last moment he played a song. It would have been on stage before the battle, with Vezaias next to him.

  “Are you going to stay here?” Demetri asked as he watched Remington stare at the keyboard.

  “No, I have something important they told me to do. If I don't do it, they will consider me insubordinate.” Remington said unhappily.

  “Rem, don't go back there. If they were keeping you locked up…” Demetri said seriously.

  “I have too Dem. You said Vezaias was here. Where is he now?” Remington asked.

  “I'm not sure. He hasn't been here for a couple days. I've called him, and his phone goes straight to voicemail. I even stopped by his Gran's house yesterday, but nobody answered the door.” Demetri said as he looked downcasted.

  “I have to find him.” Remington said. He pulled his phone out and tried to call Vezaias's phone but the call immediately went to voicemail. “Fuck!” Remington ended the call angrily.

  “I don't want you to leave. I don't want you to go back.” Demetri said solemnly.

  “Don't worry Dem, I am going to fix things. Lux and Ava are helping me, and everything will be fine.” Remington said firmly. “If Vezaias really is alive, I have to find him. I am suffocating without him.” Remington said and he placed his fingers on the keys and began to play the familiar heartbreaking melody.

  “I told you so…

  They'll never let me live.

  I wish I could stay

  I wish I could stay

  But I'm face to face

  With mortality…

  Can you see me?

  I'm sinking to my knees

  Can you hear me?

  I'm calling out your name.

  Was it jealousy

  Was it hard to see

  What our love

  could really be?

  I hope you know

  as I fade

  I suffocate.

  Can you feel me?

  I'm everywhere and nowhere

  Can you find me?

  My soul is floating through the air.

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  I hope you know as I hate

  I suffocate.

  I hope you know as I wait

  I suffocate.

  Remington ended the song very delicately. He was softly crying now, and though he hadn't noticed Lux and Ava had returned and we're listening to the song.

  “That was beautiful Remi.” Ava said as if he was filled with emotion. Remington only took a deep shaky breath. Lux looked determined now and approached Remington.

  “I need your help Remington.” He said seriously.

  “Sure, what is it?” Remington asked mildly.

  “I need to know if any of this is real, or am I just having a psychotic break? Am I really a zombie? Are you really Mr Superhero? What if I am just so deep into a manic delusion that I've completely lost touch with reality?” Lux said very seriously. Demetri looked completely bewildered at this request. Remington glanced at Ava who only shrugged.

  “He called his sister. She told him she didn't believe anything he said about what's happening. He asked me if this was real too and I already told him it was.” Ava said in bemusement.

  “Pfff…..no offense Ava but you are a total fucking drama whore….” Lux scoffed. “……I trust Remington way more than I trust you.”

  “Fair enough.” Ava mused with a slight giggle.

  “Lux, you are not having a psychotic break. Yes I have super powers. All of this is real, in fact way more real than even I want it to be. Relax, okay?” Remington soothed him.

  “Heh, you say that….but…..” Lux paused and looked distracted.

  “What are the voices saying Lux?” Remington asked him softly. Lux looked emotional now and shut his eyes.

  “They said I shouldn't believe you because you don't really give a fuck about me, and you only want me around because I can talk to your dead boyfriend!” Lux snapped, then covered his face with the bend of his elbow and began to cry. Remington got up from the bench.

  “You are in need of emotional support. True or false.” Remington said mildly.

  “I don't know. True?” Lux questioned. Remington pulled Lux into his arms and hugged him.

  “It's okay Lux. I really do care about you. I really do like you, simply because you are a likeable person. It has nothing to do with Vezaias.” Remington said, trying to sooth him by rubbing his back.

  “….I'm just not doing good right now. I'm all the way up to a 7, Sorrie doesn't believe me, now I feel insane. I mean who the fuck would believe the freak with schizophrenia right? Maybe I really am having a psychotic break! She totally fucked with my sanity! The police are looking for me, because I broke into the venue, and now they have issued a warrant for my arrest for violating my parole. I don't want to go back to prison, I'd rather fucking die!” Lux cried into Remington's shoulder. Demetri was now feeling horrible for this guy he had only just met.

  “Shhh, Lux it's alright. You are not crazy, and I won't let anyone take you to prison okay? You just stay right next to me and we will be back at the base soon where the police cannot find you, and everything will be fine.” Remington soothed. Lux only nodded while wetting Remington's neck with his tears. He let Lux cry for a while until he calmed down and pulled away looking much calmer.

  “Feel better?” Remington asked mildly. Lux nodded again. “Okay good. I think we should go. We have objectives to accomplish. Okay?” Remington said, trying to keep him calm. Lux nodded again, wiping his face of tears.

  “Okay Dem, we are going to go look for Vezaias. We will be back.” Remington said meekly.

  “Promise?” Demetri asked, looking unhappy.

  “Promise, Dem. I'm not going to let anyone lock me or Lux away again. We just want to find Vezaias.” Remington said firmly. Demetri nodded and hugged him.

  Remington kept his hood up right as he trotted up to the door to knock, with Lux and Ava trailing close behind him. Remington waited hoping at least that Gran would be here, but nothing. He knocked again and waited. Now he was impatient. He tried to open the door but it was locked. He then pulled out his phone and tried to call Vezaias, but it went straight to voicemail again.

  “Ugh! We can't even get in to look for clues or anything!” Remington huffed in frustration.

  “Remington, please step aside.” Lux said with a scoff and an eye roll. Remington moved and Lux pulled out his keycard and took the door handle and slid the card wedging it into the crease then with a shimmy and a jerk the door popped open.

  “Uh! Whoa! Thanks!” Remington said in complete surprise. “How did you do that?”

  “I'm a fucking felon Remington. I used to break into houses as a hobby.” Lux rolled his eyes again as he walked into the house.

  “He was rather good at it too.” Ava mused as he followed Remington inside. They walked around the house cautiously not finding anything that was unusual. Remington was quick to check each bedroom then went downstairs to the safe room. The key was hanging on the hook beside the door and he took it as a precaution and unlocked the door and slid it open slowly. The safe room was empty and just as he left it the last time he was in the room when he killed Ava. He walked over to the wall where there was a coagulated blood stain splattered on the ground and wall, that wasn't cleaned properly. Remington stared at it feeling sick with anxiety now and heartbroken. Maybe Vezaias really wasn't alive. He felt a hand drop to his shoulder and he jolted by the touch turning to see Lux looking at him with his serious icy blue eyes.

  “He's not here.” Remington said solemnly.

  “Ugh, Remington, did you really think he would just be sitting here waiting for you, where anyone could show up and find him?” Lux said very flatly as if he were annoyed.

  “Uh! No….I guess not.” Remington said softly. Ava came into the room looking very disgusted.

  “Ugh, I hate this room. Can we go now? Before I end up locked in here against my will.” Ava groaned.

  “No, I am going to try my telescope. Come over here so we can all see where it takes us.” Remington said. He placed his hand on both Lux, and Ava's shoulder, then fazed them all into his Mindscape. They both looked amazed and Remington trotted over to the terminal and pressed the telescope button and soon they were zooming through space and landing abruptly back in the safe room. Remington looked around. It looked exactly the same as the room before except the door was now shut and locked. He pulled out the key and unlocked and cautiously opened the door. Lux and Ava followed him as he fearfully made his way up the stairs. As he got to the middle of the steps he could hear movement and sound upstairs. There was a TV blaring and shuffling around in the kitchen.

  “Come and clean up this mess you made. I am absolutely not your personal maid!” Gran's voice could be heard.

  “Ugh, wait until a commercial, you old hag!” It was the most breathtaking voice he had ever heard. Remington was suddenly stomping up the stairs as fast as he could move. He threw the basement door open and ran down the hallway. As soon as he made it into the living room he saw Vezaias on his feet and coming past the couch. Remington paused, dropping his jaw and gushing with tears. Vezaias smiled smoothly and opened his arms as if it were an offer. Remington thrust forward and threw himself into Vezaias’s arms and began to sob. Vezaias closed his arms around Remington tightly.

  “Are you real?? Is this real?! Please tell me this is real!!!” Remington sobbed.

  “This is definitely real Rem.” Vezaias said smoothly. Remington shifted, pulling Vezaias’s lips to his own, kissing him desperately.

  “I thought you were dead!” Remington paused then kissed him harder. “I thought I'd never see you again!” He huffed and dug his nails into Vezaias's neck then kissed down to his chin and cried more. Vezaias welcomed all of his desperation and continued to hold him tightly. He let Remington cry until he expended enough emotion to calm down.

  “I need an explanation!” Remington urged.

  “You will get one but first…” Vezaias said softly, smoothing back Remington's messy hair. He pulled Remington to his side keeping him close then looking towards Ava.

  “Ava….I promised you could go with me, and here you are. I need you on my side. Can you do it?” Vezaias asked.

  “I suppose. As long as you do not lock me up anymore. I will do whatever you want me to do.” Ava said humdrumidly. Vezaias looked at Lux next.

  “Thank you for getting him here safely.” Vezaias said mildly. Remington clung to Vezaias as if his life depended on physical contact with him.

  “Pff, sure, no problem. All in a slave's work I guess.” Lux said with a shrug and shoving his hands in his pockets, while casting his eyes away and to the carpet.

  “I knew I could count on you.” Vezaias said sincerely.

  “Yeah? Of course you did. You know why? Because that's what a slave does right?” Lux said with a sigh. He paused, looking very unhappy. “And you are never going to let me go are you? You are going to keep me as your slave, and I will always be your prisoner.” Lux said seriously.

  “No Lux. I will never let you go. I'm sorry if I led you into believing that I would, if you helped me.” Vezaias said solemnly. Lux choked back his emotions and shrugged.

  “Whatever makes you and wonderboy happy I guess, and you can just drag this third wheel along for the ride.” Lux said, brushing his tears away quickly.

  “I was hoping you would continue to help me still. I need you on my side too.” Vezaias said seriously.

  “I mean how am I going to say no? Even if I am just a stupid slave to you. I gave you my loyalty a long time ago.” Lux said softly. He drew his eyes up to look at Vezaias again, then he glanced at Remington who was very emotional and hurting for Lux.

  “I have a better proposal. Let me give you an upgrade. You won't have to be a prisoner or a slave. You can be much more than that.” Vezaias said smoothly. Lux was quiet and distracted for a moment.

  “I'm listening.” He said. Vezaias smiled menacingly.

  “Come with me Lux.” Vezaias said as he walked away. Vezaias dug through a closet and found a tool bag. He handed it to Remington and the four of them all headed to the basement and into the safe room. Vezaias set up a chair and then left the room to get other things he needed and returned.

  “Sit in the chair Lux.” Vezaias ordered. Lux sat down and waited.

  “Do you trust me Lux?” Vezaias said standing in front of him and taking the tool bag and setting it on the floor.

  “I do.” Lux said seriously. “But I have a feeling that this is going to be a horrible situation that I agreed to before knowing what it is.” Lux said, looking increasingly anxious.

  “It is.” Vezaias said mildly. “…..but I know you can handle it.” Vezaias continued.

  “Pff, sure. Can I have a cigarette first?” Lux said with a sigh.

  “Ava go get him something to ash in.” Vezaias ordered. Vezaias was patient and let Lux smoke his cigarette even though he took his time and dragged out each puff. Once he was finished Vezaias got to work strapping Lux into the chair with leather belts on each leg and each arm then one around his chest and thighs for good measure. He then pulled out a pair of thick handheld sharp hedge trimmers from the tool bag. Lux was immediately scared watching Vezaias approach him. Remington was also horrified. Ava was curious and amused.

  “Now, Zexich explained to me after they recreated me that upon creation our talents manifest out of an intense need of something. You have to want it so bad that your new inhuman talent will manifest whatever it is that you wanted. Maxwell wanted to burn someone to death, thus manifesting his fire talent, Sigil wanted to shut off his emotions, thus creating his emotional manipulation talent. I guided you on how to help Ava create his new mimic talent. Now I am going to help you grow your very own special talent. Now, I want you to focus really hard because pretty soon you are desperately going to need to learn how to grow your own body parts back. Sound alright to you?” Vezaias said very maliciously. Lux was stunned.

  “What?! You can't do…..!” Remington jolted.

  “Easy Rem. He will be fine as soon as he learns how to do it, and he better learn quickly because I am going to keep cutting off body parts until he regrows them……or until he dies. Whichever comes first.” Vezaias mused malevolently. Lux began to struggle.

  “Vezaias, I don't think I can handle this!” Lux panicked.

  “Sure you can. Just hold still.” Vezaias forced Lux’s smallest finger between the shears.

  “No, Vezaias….don't do this please! I can't handle this at all!! You can't do this to me!!! I NEED MY FINGERS PLEASE VEZAIAS!!” Remington cringed and turned away as Lux began to scream. “PLEASE VEZAIAS PLEASE DON'T DO THIS TO ME I CANT HANDLE THIS AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”