Tales of the First

Indigo Shadow: Page One Hundred-and-Fourteen (catch up post 2/13)

2016-10-31T15:09:00.001+00:00

"There's something else," Sienna said. "When I touch Ryan it blocks the telepathic noise he's been having issues with. I'm not sure what to make of that."

"And I can still hear people if I listen for them," Ryan said. "But we only hear each other if we try. It's almost like our mental abilities are mirror images." He rubbed his head. "And now she's not holding my hand the noise is back though it's not as bad here."

"More likely she's extending her own mental shield around you subconsciously," Martin said. "She must have put it up instinctively so doesn't know how to get past it. I bet you can teach each other. Shall we try?"

"First we need some ice for Sienna's shoulder," he father said. "And then I want to take a look at Ryan. At least I assume he's having neurological issues like the other targets seem to have been? I've got a couple of cases at the hospital - those people have avoided attacking there for now - and I've been looking in to how to help them."

"Have you found anything?" Martin asked.

"Well it was a fair bet that the mist was involved so I reached out to colleagues at hospitals near some of the other affected areas and found out they've had similar cases. They are nervous about talking about the poltergeist activity around said patients but they have found that adapting post-stroke rehabilitation therapy works to a degree."

"You researched this?" Martin looked alarmed. "They'll be able to track that."

Her father snorted. "I'm sure they know the men I'm treating are at the hospital and a neurologist looking for similar cases won't provoke comment."

Indigo Shadow: Page One Hundred-and-Thirteen

2016-10-31T11:51:00.001+00:00

Chapter Six

Tests and Theories

"Are you sure that you're okay?" Wendy asked when Sienna led her father, Charlotte and Ryan into the den area.

"My shoulder is a bit sore," Sienna said as she pulled off her mask. "But we're fine." She looked over at Ryan who was still clinging to her hand. "Well maybe not exactly fine but we're alive."

"Let's have a look at your shoulder," Robert said.

Sienna gently extricated her hand from Ryan's and pulled off her top, wincing as the movement made her shoulder twinge. Her father frowned and gently probed the bruised skin making her hiss.

"Well nothing is broken," he said. "Is that where the bullet hit you?"

"Yeah," Sienna said. "It felt like being hit with a bat."

"Interesting," Robert said. "It seems that your invulnerability is about as good as a good quality bullet proof vest with rifle plates. These powers? I take it that it was the mist?"

"Yes," she said. "I appear to have developed psychokinetic and broadcasting telepathic powers." She looked over at Martin when she remembered what had happened when she had given Charlotte a boost. "Oh, the psycokinesis seems to be enhancing my strength as well."

"You can say that again," Charlotte said. "She all but threw me through the loft hatch."

"Hmm... so you can lift heavier weights when you touch them and deflect more powerful attacks closer to your skin? I wonder if it's two different but similar powers or if your psychokinesis declines with distance."

Indigo Shadow: Page One Hundred-and-Twelve

2016-10-28T01:02:00.000+01:00

"Ah," Sienna said. "What should we do?"

"Have your dad bring you to the base for now," he said. "We'll figure out what to do from there."

"Okay," Sienna said. "Let me get my bearings." She looked out of the car window and tried to figure out where they were."

"Where are we going?" her father asked.

"It's an old abandoned factory near the railway tracks," Sienna said. "It's not too far from home."

"Hmm... There's a couple it could be. But I assume you'll know the way once we get nearby."

"Yeah," Sienna said. "I will. Can I take the mask off yet?"

"No!" Robert and Martin said simultaneously.

"Okay," Sienna said.

"Ring off now," Martin said. "We don't want to be traced. See you soon."

Sienna rang off and looked out of the car window. Someting had been bothering her since they had left James' carlot. "Dad, am I supposed to think it was a coincidence you happened to stop at a carlot where the owner is a Martial Arts trainer?"

Robert gave a chuckle. "It wasn't exactly a coincidence but it wasn't planned either. James is an aquaintance. I met him in Afganistan when I was there with Médecins Sans Frontières and he was in the Royal Marines. When your mother called me I realised I was near his place and thought he might help. I wasn't expecting him to offer to train you but it is a good idea if you're determined to do this."

"I see," Sienna said. "You're taking this well, dad."

"Somehow I have a superpowered daughter," he said clinically. "I think I'm in shock and as soon as the adrenalin wears off I'll pitch a fit."

Indigo Shadow: Page One Hundred-and-Eleven

2016-10-27T00:14:00.000+01:00

"Hmm... MMA is a good sport but not the best for real world self-defence," James said. "Krav Maga might serve you better."

"And where would she learn those?" Robert said. "The authorities will be analysing her style and looking at places those are taught to try and find her."

"I could teach her." James gave a wry smile. "I am a licensed instructor. I'd like to help."

"We'll consider it," Robert said. "For now we need to get going. The police will still be looking for us."

James nodded and pushed a flyer into Sienna's hand. "You know where to find me. Good luck."

"Thank you," Sienna said as her father ushered her into the car. As they drove away she grabbed her phone again and called Martin.

"Martin, we're okay!" she said.

"Thank God!" he said. "We were watching. I had to stop Wendy suiting up and rushing over. It's not tested yet. How did you escape?"

"You aren't going to believe this," she said. "My dad came to get us. I have no idea how he recognised us."

"I knew you'd gone to Charlotte's," Robert said. "I was already on my way when your mother called and told me. She recognised your build and way of moving, and remembered the mask from last Halloween. I doubt anyone else would have."

"Ah!" Sienna said. "Did you hear that?"

"I did," Martin said. "I guess it was inevitable your parents would figure it out." He paused. "We're going to have to hide Ryan and Charlotte until things calm down. The police are looking for them because they think they'll know who you are."

Indigo Shadow: Page One Hundred-and-Ten

2016-10-26T00:05:00.001+01:00

"Don't worry," James said. "I'll never willingly tell anyone that you were here."

"But you're worried you could be forced to?" Robert asked.

"I'm tough. I have reason to know just how tough I am, but anyone can break." He shuddered suddenly. "I have reason to know that as well." He looked over at Sienna. "You stopped those men from shooting you, didn't you?" he asked.

"I did," she conceded.

"Do you think you could make me not able to talk about this?" he asked.

"I don't know," Sienna admitted. "I don't know how long an ongoing command would last and I don't like doing it anyway."

"Good!" he said. "You shouldn't like it, but it shouldn't present an ethical dillema if I volunteer should it."

He's telling the truth, Ryan said. He's afraid of being tortured into betraying you and wants you to make it impossible.

Sienna just humed non-commitedly and turned her attention to James question.

"I'm not sure it does remove the ethical dilemma completely," she said. "But right now I'm not seeing an altenative. Are you sure about this?"

"I am," he said.

"Okay." Sienna bit her lip in concentration. Don't tell anyone about us being here.

"Woah!" James rocked back on his heels and stared at her. "But it's good that you're thinking about ethics. But more importantly can you fight?"

"No," she admitted.

"So that's why you were avoiding conflict," he said. "It's a good plan but you won't always be able to."

"I know," she said. "I have a friend who does Mixed Martian Arts, He says that he'll help."

Indigo Shadow: Page One Hundred-and-Nine (catch-up post #1/11)

2016-10-24T12:00:00.000+01:00

"Huh." Sienna stared at the man. She should probably thank him but words wouldn't come out and she was pretty sure that she was bright red under the mask. "I... Thank you!" she managed finally.

"You can't tell anyone about this," Robert said as he pulled out his wallet.

"No need," the man said. "We'll just check it over and if it's okay, put the plates back on and put it back on sale."

Sienna blinked at that and looked over at the white car. It was indeed lacking number plates.

"That was Mr Hanson's idea," her father said. "When I pulled in and asked if I could borrow a car to go and help incognito he said yes and took the plates off. I hadn't even thought of that."

"Call me James, please," he said. "And I just didn't want the car traced back to me if possible."

"You could have said no," Robert said.

"No," he said. "I couldn't. Not when everyone else is doing everything they can."

"Thank you..." Sienna paused as heard her phone ringing from the bag Charlotte was holding. "I'd better get that." Charlotte tossed her the phone and she answered it. "Hello?"

"Sienna!" Martin said. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine but I can't talk right now. Give me five minutes and I'll call you back." She rang off and looked back at James. "Please don't tell anyone we were here." She knew that she could order him not to, but she still wasn't sure how persistant her orders were, and anyway it would be wrong.

Indigo Shadow: Page One Hundred-and-Eight

2016-10-24T06:34:00.000+01:00

"Please, stop!" Sienna said. "We have to stop them opening fire on the crowd!"

"That's not a good idea, sweetpea," her father said. "You being there would just make it more likely that they'll open fire."

"But..." Sienna twisted and looked out the rear window. She chewed her lip and as she strained to hear what was going on behind them. Those men had so little patience she was certain that she would hear the sound of gunfire soon. Instead she heard sirens.

"It's okay." Ryan was still clinging to her arm. "The police have arrived and those guys scarpered when faced by trained marksmen." He hesitated as Sienna sighed in relief. "But the police are after you as well." He sounded offended. "They're saying it's because you're a vigilante but you didn't do anything... and I think someone has told them too."

"Another reason not to go back," her father said. "If you're going to this you're probably going to have to persuade the government to leave you alone." He swang the car through a few more turns. "There that should throw anyone off. Thank goodness there's no cameras in the suburbs yet." He pulled into a cheap looking used car dealership. A man came out of one of the portacabins and pointed into the garage.

"I borrowed the car from here," Robert said. "We'll swap over now."

Sure enough their family car was inside the garage. As they piled out the man who had waved them in rushed over and began pumping Sienna's hand.

"I saw you!" He nodded to a TV in the corner. "You were amazing!"

Indigo Shadow: Page One Hundred-and-Seven

2016-10-22T00:39:00.000+01:00

"Don't take your mask off, sweetpea," Robert cautioned as they sped down the road. "Not until we're sure it's safe."

Sienna wanted to ask how he'd known it was her but decided that could wait until they were safe. Instead she twisted in her seat and looked out the car's rear window at their pursuers. They weren't far behind and the guy was still leaning right out of the passenger window and aiming at them.

"Shit!" she said.

Her father looked in the rear view mirror. "Damn, they are pesistant aren't they? Do you think you can take out their tyres?"

"I-" Sienna stared at the sedan following them. "The range and weight is a lot beyond what I've tried before but I'll try." She took a breath then concentrated on the the right front wheel, imaging tearing it away from the car. Nothing seemed to happen but then the sedan swerved a little as if the driver was having trouble steering. "I think it's doing something." She tried to focus all her fear into her psychokinesis to see if that helped. Seeing someone aiming a gun at you certainly helped with the fear thing.

The tyre didn't blow out or come off like she'd hoped but the sedan's driving became increasingly erratic and after a moment she realised that the wheel was twisted oddly. "I think I damaged the steering."

"Good enough," her father said. "They won't be able to shoot or keep up like that." He paused as half a brick struck the man aiming at them as the street's residents came out to block them just like they had at Charlotte's. Some of them were armed with cricket and baseball bats but that was no match for a gun.

"Uh..." Sienna said.

"That will help as well," her father said. "I just hope the police aren't far behind." He spun the car around another corner and sped away.

Indigo Shadow: Page One Hundred-and-Six

2016-10-20T23:43:00.002+01:00

Sienna risked a glance over her shoulder as they ran just as the gunmen's car turn into the street and speed towards them. She swore to herself and started pulling the empty wheely bins from in front of the houses and blocking the road with them. Thank goodness the bin's had been emptied. Full ones might have been beyond her.

"That should at least slow them down." She looked back at the car and saw that one of the men was leaning out of the open window, holding some sort of large caliber gun. It was bigger than the other rifles she'd seen and certainly looked like it might do some damage to her. Fortunately the driver was swerving the sedan to avoid the bins so he couldn't aim properly.

"If we can get to the park we'll have a better chance," Charlotte said. "They'll have to abandon their vehicle to follow us."

"Good idea." Sienna nodded and fixed her eyes on the railings several hundred yards ahead. She sped up a little and tried to ignore the fact that she could hear their pursuers gaining on them in spite of her efforts. As soon as they got clear of the bins the guy with the gun would be able to aim.

"I don't think we'll make it," Ryan said. "Can't you think of anything else?"

Sienna opened her mouth to say no when a white hatchback car screeched into the road just ahead of them and stopped. The door flew open and her father looked out at her, Charlotte and Ryan.

"Get in!"

Sienna was glad the halloween mask stopped him seeing her mouth drop open as she bundled Charlotte and Ryan into the car before climbing in herself. As soon as she slammed the door her father span the car around and took off the way he'd come.

Indigo Shadow: Page One Hundred-and-Five

2016-10-15T22:25:00.003+01:00

"We need somewhere for you to get changed back into your normal clothes," Charlotte said as they ran around the corner out of sight of the police. You're a bit conspicuous wearing that.

"Not yet," Ryan said. "I can hear a third group of gunmen out there."

Sienna stopped running at that and scowled. "Where?"

Ryan's face contorted in concentration. "Just ahead of us and heading this way."

"You can hear them even though I'm holding your hand?" Sienna asked as she looked around for a hiding place. "I thought that blocked you."

"It does," he said. "But apparently I can still hear people if I'm actively listening for them. It's actually easier to make them out."

"Just how many people did they send after you?" Charlotte said.

"Good question." Ryan obviously listened some more because his already pale skin when the colour of porridge. "This group weren't after me they'd just finished their own mission when they heard this group was in trouble and came to help." He bit his lip. "And they've got some sort of bigger gun which they think might work against Sienna."

Sienna flinched. Given the way her shoulder was still aching that seemed very possible and she couldn't be sure she could control them into not shooting. It was hard work. In some ways harder than lifting things.

"I really don't want to test that. What's the best route away from them?"

Ryan tilted his head before pointing to the left. "But they are in a vehicle. I don't think we can outrun them."

"No but we can try," she said.

Indigo Shadow: Page One Hundred-and-Four

2016-10-15T00:05:00.000+01:00

She was somewhat flummoxed when the crowd in the street burst into cheers and applause when she emerged.

"You showed them, honey!" One of the men in the crowd yelled. "I don't think we could have held them much longer."

She stood there blinking in surprise for a moment. Usually being called 'honey' by some random guy would have got her back up, but that seemed a bit churlish when he was praising her for doing something he couldn't. The blonde woman standing next to him clearly thought otherwise because she hit her forehead with the heel of her hand before stepping on his toes hard.

"I'm sorry about my brother, miss," she said. "Apparently he can't avoid being sexist even when he's trying to thank someone for saving us." She smiled warmly. "But I think he's right it was about to turn into a bloodbath before you appeared. Thank you. Do you have a name?"

Sienna froze. She didn't have a voice changer yet but the question required a response.

You can call me Indigo Shadow. She willed her mental voice to reach the whole crowd. And you are very welcome. She looked up the street as the police cars finally turned the corner. The blonde woman turned and looked as well.

"You had better get going, Miss Shadow," she said. "I doubt the police will take kindly to a superhero outdoing them." She choked slightly. "I can't believe I just said that unironically." She eyed Sienna thoughtfully. "But why Indigo? You're wearing black."

You'll know when you see my final costume. Sienna grabbed onto Ryan and Chalotte's hands and rushed off, away from the approaching police.

Indigo Shadow: Page One Hundred-and-Three

2016-10-13T22:44:00.002+01:00

Ryan's head jerked up and he looked at her, before climbing to his feet.

"That's a scary trick," he said even as he headed for the front door.

"I know," Sienna said. "And I am sorry but I am not letting you die here--" She broke off as the door from the dining room to the lounger began to open. Damn! They must have heard them talking or they would be going up the stairs right now. She placed herself between Charlotte and Ryan and whoever was coming in.

A moment later the door burst open and a raven haired gunman with a rifle bust in.

"Hey!" he yelled. "They're in here."

Sienna grabbed at the gun mentally pushing it up towards the ceiling.

Put the gun down! she ordered.

Her opponent froze, blinking his pale blue eyes several times as he tried to fight off her order but in the end he did what she said. Why hadn't she thought of this earlier? It was much safer than having bullets flying around. Vaguely she was aware that she would have to consider the ethics later but for now she was focussed on keeping everyone alive.

"Char grab the gun and don't point it anyone. Take it and Ryan outside," she said. She could hear at least two other people running down the stairs. Don't shoot! Don't shoot! she repeated the mantra until she was sure they were obeying. She could hear police sirens approaching - about time. Stay here and surrender to the police. She pushed that order super hard in the hope it would stick, and repeated it several times as she raced out the door.

Indigo Shadow: Page One Hundred-and-Two

2016-10-12T22:22:00.002+01:00

No one had found Ryan and Charlotte yet, much to Sienna's relief, but as she headed in the broken door she saw them crouching down, hiding. She reached out and tapped Ryan's mind with her own.

He looked around at her and made a 'get down' gesture.

They're just outside, he said in her head. They don't realise we're in here but they've realised there's a way into our house via this one.

Do they others have run away? Sienna asked.

I don't know. Let me see if I can hear. He cocked his head as if listening before nodding. Yes, they know. But they also know you aren't the primary target and... he gasped audibly and broke down sobbing.

"Ryan? What's wrong?" Charlotte rubbed his shoulders gently. She looked over at Sienna. "What happened? I know he was talking to you."

"I don't know," Sienna said.

"T-they didn't learn about me from their usual source," he said between sobs. "M-mum found their website and contacted them. Even sent them photos." He turned slightly and broke down cying in Charlotte's arms.

Sienna was trying to think of something to say when she heard the back door creak.

"Come on," she said. "We have to go."

Charlotte nodded and tried to pull Ryan to his feet but he just kept weeping. She bit her lip and looked over at Sienna.

"I think you'll have to push him," she said. "He won't budge."

If the situation hadn't been so dire Sienna might have said something snippy to that. Instead she focussed all her attention on Ryan, hoping his powers didn't make him immune.

Come on! Move!

Indigo Shadow: Page One Hundred-and-One

2016-10-10T23:49:00.000+01:00

There's not really anyway to dodge a bullet. Sienna knew that and for all Martin had said that he thought it might be possible for her to develop some sort of superspeed using her psychokinesis she didn't really believe it.

She didn't even have time to to get her shield up - not that it could have stopped this - before the bullet impacted her shoulder... or didn't. Just like the tennis balls the day before the projectile stopped dead and deformed violently less than a millimeter from her skin. Unlike the tennis balls she felt more than a tickle. It felt like someone had hit her shoulder with a baseball bat and knocked the wind out of her. She might not have a bullet hole in her but she rather thought that she was going to have a some nasty bruising.

It took all of her willpower not to sink to her knees with the pain but she couldn't show weakness. Not here.

It took her a moment to regain her composure then she looked up at the man who had shot her. He was backing away, his expression terrified.

"Retreat!" he ordered. "This one is too powerful already. We need to consult with Dodona!"

He leapt into the van and his companions followed suit. The last one had barely got his door shut before the driver hit the accelator and barrelled towards the crowd forcing them to flee.

Sienna waited until they were out of sight then raced towards the empty house at the end of the row to check on Charlotte and Ryan. It wasn't safe yet. Ryan had said there was another group of gunmen at the back and having been abandoned by their compatriots they would be desperate and all the more dangerous.

Indigo Shadow: Page One Hundred

2016-10-09T22:36:00.003+01:00

There were six of them this time but only three had rifles. The others were packing hand guns but still had them hostered. They seemed to be trying to negotiate their way through the crowd. It wasn't working.

If only this hadn't happened before Martin had been able to get the schematics. She had a feeling that the lever she could see on the right side was the safety, and she could probably move it, but she didn't want to set the gun off if she was wrong.

The hand guns were easier. She hid behind a post box and concentrated. The guns slid from their holsters and floated away from the men to the other side of the crowd. Sienna tensed with concentration and laid them gently on the ground.

Of course concentrating on that meant her instruction not to notice her and what she was doing slipped and both gunmen and crowd began looking around wildly trying to find who was behind it.

"He's got to be in the crowd," one of them said. "They're protecting him. They're all traitors." He shifted slightly, clearly about to fire.

Sienna dived out from her hiding place and leapt in front of him, concentrating on holding the trigger and pushing the barrel up so it wasn't pointing at anyone. Then she pulled on it with her mind. It was heavier than than anything she had tried to lift previously and he was holding on to it desperately, still trying to fire.

Sienna was so distracted by the struggle that she didn't realise her mistake until one of the others spoke.

"A girl? That's odd. I'll have to tell Dodona about this."

Sienna whipped around to look at the speaker, but didn't have time to take hold of his trigger before his finger tightened on it and he fired.

Indigo Shadow: Page Ninety-Nine

2016-10-08T23:32:00.001+01:00

Sienna waited until the creaking above her confirmed that Charlotte and Ryan were moving then cautiously looked out of the window again. The standoff was still continuing. Though the crowd was a little smaller. Some must have run when the men fired over their heads. Sienna didn't blame them.

She chewed on her lip. Ryan had said the men were about to start shooting and she believed him. She knew she could distract them but first she had to get out there unseen and she wasn't sure how she was going to pull that off. Unless...

She tilted her head as an idea occured to her. She hurried down the stairs to the front door and concentrated on sending a blast of thought at everyone in the street.

Do not notice me!

She'd never tried to influence more than one person at a time and she had no idea if it would work even if she could. She might be doing the mental equivalent of yelling at people not to look at her for all she knew. Still it was her only chance.

She cracked the front door open cautiously and peeked out. No one reacted. She slowly opened it a bit more, just enough to slip outside then closed it behind her. Still nothing. It seemed to be working.

She kept pushing the instruction not to notice her at everyone as she worked he way around the edge of the crowd so she could get a view of the men and their guns.

Indigo Shadow: Page Ninety-Eight

2016-10-06T23:59:00.000+01:00

Charlotte just stood there, ghost pale and staring at Sienna.

"B-but they'll shoot you," she said. "Come with us."

"Someone has to stop them shooting you neighbours," Sienna said, trying to persuade herself she wasn't just as terrified as Charlotte.

"But it doesn't have to be you," Charlotte said.

"Who else--" Sienna broke off as another shoot rang out outside. "Damn it, Char, get going!"

"B-but..."

"Don't make me push you, Char," Sienna said.

"Come on, Char," Ryan said. "We don't have long."

Charlotte visibly shook herself and tried to climb up after him, but she'd never been the most athletic of her friends and failed miserably. Sienna sighed to herself.

"Come on, I'll give you a boost." She linked her hands so Char could use them as a step. As she lifted her hands to try and boost Char up she discovered that her friend seemed to weigh virtually nothing and Charlotte shot up through the hatch and ended up in a heap with Ryan. Sienna was so startled that she jumped back and stared at her hands in confusion. She didn't have super-strength and Charlotte weighed a lot more than the two kilograms she could lift psychokinetically, so what just happened.

"Worry about it later!" Ryan snapped. "They're about to start shooting people you have to move. "And try not to die."

"I certainly intend not to," she said. "Good luck!"

"It's odd," Ryan said softly. "When I concentrate on hearing a few people everyone else fades out. I wish I'd realised that earlier." He pulled the hatch closed behind him and Charlotte.

Indigo Shadow: Page Ninety-Seven

2016-10-05T22:35:00.000+01:00

"What are we going to do?" Charlotte collapsed onto her bed, hugging herself.

Sienna took a breath and looked up at the lost panel in the corner of the ceiling. She gritted her teeth and pushed it up with her mind. "You can still get from house to house right up there right?"

"Yeah." Charlotte's eyes widened. "Wait you want us to escape through the loft?"

Sienna nodded. "Well, you and Ryan anyway." She started pulling her temporary costume out of her bag. "You can sneak out through the empty house at the end of the row."

"What about you?" Charlotte asked frantically. "You're not thinking of taking them on, are you?"

"I'm going to distract them." Sienna started pulling off her jeans. Ryan turned away and faced the wall, flushing red. "Sorry, no time for decorum." She pulled on the leggings on and quickly changed her top. She was just grabbing the ridiculous mask when a shot rang out from outside. "Damn! They've started shooting--" She broke off as she realised that instead of screaming there was only a deathly silence.

"They fired over the crowd's head to try and get them to scatter." Ryan's eyes were unfocused. "It didn't work. The crowd isn't shifting. I don't think their restraint will last much longer. We should move out quickly."

"Good idea." Sienna nodded. "And will you be able to listen for them and avoid them, or is the mental noise too much."

"I should be able to manage that," he said. "But it will give me an awful headache." He clambered up on a chair and through the loft panel. "Come on, Char."

Indigo Shadow: Page Ninety-Six

2016-10-04T21:04:00.001+01:00

"Here they are!" Charlotte pulled a pair of white cotton gloves from dressing table drawer. "I have no idea why mum bought me these. They don't even fit. Probably her idea of a joke."

"Thanks!" Sienna took the gloves and tried them on. They fitted her perfectly. "These are great! Thanks again."

Charlotte grinned at that. "You're welcome."

Sienna smiled back and sat down on the corner of Charlotte's bed while they waited for Ryan. After a moment Sienna sighed and gave Charlotte a serious look.

"Ryan's in a much worse state than I imagined from that video and your description."

Charlotte nodded unhappily. "He's falling apar--" She broke off at the sound of a heavy car door slamming. Sienna tensed and saw Charlotte do the same. Apparently that weren't the only ones because within seconds they could hear a massive row going on outside even though the street had been empty when they arrived.

Charlotte snuck across to the window and peeked out before swearing violently.

"We have to get you and Ryan out of here now!"

Well that didn't soound good. Sienna joined her at the window abd saw that a group of the gunmen were trying to reach Charlotte's front door but were being held back by a crowd of the neighbours who were risking being shot themselves to try and stop them.

"We can sneak out the back way," Charlotte said. "Thank goodness for the neighbours."

"We can't," Ryan said. "They're coming that way as well. I can hear them."

Indigo Shadow: Page Ninety-Five

2016-10-02T23:09:00.003+01:00

"It's new for anyone to be able to hear me too," Ryan said. "It must be a telepath thing. Do you really think you can help me?"

"I don't know," Sienna said. "But I know I can try." She reached out and touched his hand. "Will you let me--" She broke off as Ryan gave another shocked gasp and pulled her hand back. "Sorry, did you want me not to touch you?"

"No!" He grabbed her hand. "Quite the opposite. When you touched me the voices stopped. It's the first time since that day that I've had quiet in my head."

"And they came back when I removed me hand?"

He nodded. "I know you can't hold my hand forever but please hold it for a while." He gave a pathetically pleading look.

"Of course I will." Sienna's mind raced. Why would her touch block Ryan's telepathy? Martin was going to have a field day with this one. "I have a friend who has been helping me get control would you come with us to see if he can help you too?"

"A friend?" he asked.

"His name's Martin," Charlotte said. "He's Wendy's brother."

"The robot guy!" Ryan said. "He's cool. I'm not sure how he can help but I'll come and see him as long as Sienna will hang around long enough for me to get some sleep afterwards." His expression was conflicted like he was trying not to get his hopes up of escaping his situation.

"Of course," Sienna said. "You need to get out of your pyjamas so I'll have to let go of your hand."

Ryan nodded reluctantly.

Sienna looked over at Charlotte. "Why don't you find me those gloves while Ryan is getting dressed?"

Indigo Shadow: Page Ninety-Four

2016-09-30T22:26:00.000+01:00

"I don't know," Sienna said. "It might be something to do with what I can do. Can we come in?"

Ryan sighed and stood aside. From the look on his face he still mostly wanted to be left alone but his curiousity was getting the better of him.

Inside his room it was dim because the curtains were still shut tight but Sienna could make out the bed and it looked like he'd been curled up in it with his pillow over his head very recently. Probably trying to shut the noise out.

He looked awful as well, pale and drawn with terrible dark circles under his eyes. Sienna bit her lip at the sight.

"Has the noise been stopping you sleeping?" she asked sympathetically.

Ryan nodded miserably. "Yeah. Char told you?"

"She did," Sienna said. "She thought I might be able to help."

"I don't think anyone can help with this," he said bitterly. "Mum's right. I am a freak."

"No, you aren't!" Charlotte said. "Don't call yourself that."

Sienna just sat down beside him on the bed. "If you're a freak then so am I." She looked around the room then grabbed a couple of books from one of the boxes and floated them over to him. "That stupid mist got me too."

Ryan's head jerked up and he stared at her for a moment. "Can you hear everyone as well?" he asked finally. "How do you cope?"

"No," Sienna said. But people can hear me when I want them to.

"But not when you don't?" He tilted his head. Can you hear me?

Sienna nearly fell off the bed in surprise. "Yes! Yes, I can. That's new."

Indigo Shadow: Page Ninety-Three

2016-09-29T21:56:00.001+01:00

The next morning Sienna pushed her makeshift costume into a small bag and headed out with Charlotte to talk to Ryan.

Charlotte's family lived in a three-bedroomed Victorian terraced house on the other side of Castleham. Sienna had always felt that it had more character than her family's modern build especially since it had renovated sympathetically. Her stomach had never roiled with nerves before and she found herself looking up and down the street for any sign that the men with guns had found out about Ryan yet.

Charlotte was just as twitchy as she unlocked the front door and ushered Sienna inside.

"Wait here. I'll check mum and dad are out before we go upstairs."

"Okay," Sienna said.

Charlotte was gone for only a few moments before returning and gesturing at Sienna to come upstairs.

Sienna followed her and Charlotte raised her hand to rap on the door of the spare room.

"Go away, Char," Ryan said from beyond the door before her fist connected.

"Come on, Ryan," Charlotte said in a wheedling tone. "We need to talk."

"I don't wan..." There was a long pause. "Char, why are you thinking someone is with you? No one is with you."

Charlotte and Sienna stared at each other for a moment and Charlotte mouthed 'he can't hear you?' silently.

"Who can't I hear?" Ryan actually sounded curious now.

"Ryan, let us in, please," Sienna said. "We think we can help you."

There was a startled gasp and Ryan opened the door a crack and peeked out. "Sienna! Why can't I hear you?"

Indigo Shadow: Page Ninety-Two

2016-09-28T22:31:00.001+01:00

"Speaking of costumes I think you should consider some sort of temporary costume if you are going to do this," Martin said.

"This?" Sienna asked. "You mean helping Ryan?"

Martin shook his head. "No, at least not just him. I know you, Sienna. Now the idea has been put in your head you'll decide to go looking for others even if you haven't thought of it yet."

Sienna hadn't. She'd been too focused on how to help Ryan but the moment Martin said it she knew he was right. She would have thought of the idea soon enough.

"Oh," she said. "You're probably right, but why a temporary costume."

"Something you can use to quickly conceal your identity if you come up against those men in the course of your search."

Sienna shuddered at the thought of such an encounter but it was a fair point. She swallowed back her fear and went and looked though her drawers before pulling out a black polo neck jumper and a pair of legging. "I-I'll need some sort of mask and some gloves."

"I have some gloves," Charlotte said. "I'll lend them to you tomorrow. The mask might be a bit more challenging. I suppose you could wear a balaclava."

"I'm not trying to look like a thug or a terrorist," Sienna said dryly.

"What about a halloween mask," Wendy said. "Do you still have that ghostly white one you wore last year?"

"That... that would work. And I think I do." She opened the bottom drawer of her chest of drawers and pulled out the white mask. It was a full head latex type with long white hair. "Not ideal, but it will do the job. I'll stick it all in a bag I can carry around though changing quickly might be a task."

Indigo Shadow: Page Ninety-One

2016-09-27T20:57:00.002+01:00

"Thank you," Charlotte flopped back on the bed. "I still can't get used to this. How can people do what Ryan and Sienna can?"

"I don't know," Martin said. "But I'm pretty sure it's not because they are aliens."

"Hmm?" Charlotte gave him a curious look.

"Those guys with guns apparently think people like us are alien invaders," Sienna said. "That's why they are on this rampage."

"Oh!" Charlotte chewed her lip. "That's... Ryan's not an alien. Mum was there when he was born."

"I didn't think he was," Martin said. "But they do."

"I know," Charlotte said. "I hope it's not too late." She sat in silence for a few moments before looking at Lucy. "Could I see the designs for Sienna's costume please?"

Lucy laughed and pulled her designs out. "Initially I was going to try something like this." She showed Charlotte the original sketch that she had done. "But I decided that wasn't really as good as looked in the drawing when I mocked up the pattern so I decided to go with something that at least nods to fictional superheroes without making her look like an acrobat." She passed Charlotte another, better done sketch of a tailored but not skintight jumpsuit in the same black and indogo of the original design. It also had a short cape attached at the shoulders. Sienna had worried when Lucy first showed her that but apparently the cape would be attached with snap fasteners so it would come off if pulled, and she had to admit it looked cool in the drawing.

"I like the second design better," Sienna agreed. "The first looked a bit like a Star Trek uniform."

Indigo Shadow: Page Ninety

2016-09-26T20:36:00.001+01:00

Martin arrived within half-an-hour of Wendy calling him even though she'd been very cryptic over the phone. He sat on the corner of Sienna's bed and watched Charlotte's video a couple of times. Then he sat there and frowned, chewing his lip.

"You say he can hear everyone's thoughts all the time?" he said.

Charlotte nodded. "That's what he says anyway and he could certainly hear our thoughts. He reacted quite badly when Dad wondered if the voices he was hearing were real or schizophrenia. Can you help him?"

"Possibly," he said. "If I can remember what mum told me she used to do do stop herself feeling everyone in a room. I know she used to meditate but I think she did something else as well."

"I don't think he could meditate in his current state," Charlotte said. "He can barely focus and it's getting worse."

Martin flopped back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. "He needs to be somewhere with less people. He's an introvert from what I remember so if I had to guess this is overstimulating him."

"I think hearing everyone at once would overstimulate an extravert as well," Sienna said dryly.

Martin nodded solemnly. "Yes, but likely not as badly." He watched the video again. "Poor kid. Maybe I should delay getting the dongles and have you bring him over tomorrow instead of waiting."

"I can get the dongles," Wendy said. "You try and help Ryan."

"Thanks, Wendy," he said, before squeezing Charlotte's hands. "I'm not going to swear everything will be okay when I don't know for sure but I do promise to try."