Kirk didn’t pay any attention to the cars. He didn’t notice their sleek paint jobs or their tinted windows. He didn’t notice that one was off but the car in front of it was still humming away. Instead he held a hand out in front of him, squinting at it, his tentacles–Phoebe learned this was where his eyes were–scrunched in concentration.

“I’m trying to turn it invisible. It didn’t work the other times, but now…” He raised the hand up against the sun and Phoebe scrutinized it with him. No matter how far he squished his eyes up into his face, his hand kept blocking the rays.

“So, what did you wish for?” Phoebe asked. “You don’t have to answer. I was just wondering.”

He lowered his hand. “I just wanted people to leave me alone. To stop being all buddy-buddy, it’s so uncomfortable. I was Abigail’s pity case.”

She frowned; hanging out with him had been nice. “I agree with Cat, you should learn to control your ability-” she stopped him before he could interrupt her, “so that you can go back home and prove her wrong. Show her your aspect and she’ll understand you aren’t dead. Then you can fuck off.”

The afternoon was quiet save for a breeze rustling the grass, the rumbling of a single engine, and Kirk’s laughter.

Until a thump made Phoebe’s ears swivel back towards the cars. People were getting out now. There was a second thump as another door closed. A thump, and a glint of black.

Image: Four people are standing by one of the cars. The one in front has a mouse aspect, the one on the passenger side has the aspect of a gray, red, and white bird. The two who were in the back seat have a green turtle and a snow leopard aspect. All four are wearing bulletproof vests, and are dressed in black and dark gray. The mouse-headed man is holding a pistol. End description.

Four people in dark clothes. One of the men–with the aspect of a field mouse–was fast approaching, and it didn’t register that the black thing in his hands was a gun until he was close enough to aim at her. She threw her hand out for Kirk but he was gone again, completely, and she couldn’t find where to grab.

A BANG and zing sent her scrambling. Close, too close. A yell that had tried and failed to be “Shit!” escaped her mouth. She ran for the house as a second bullet hit the ground near her feet.

Image: Phoebe, startled, leaps up as the bullet hits the dirt. She’s running in front of the porch. End description.



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1.07.23
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First page of 2023 and things are really popping off. Watch out!