Chapter 12

The Institute was still a buzz with people coming and going. Shannon handed Thomas an envelope of cash. “Thanks Thomas. This should only take about an hour. Go get yourself something to eat.” Thomas nodded and drove off.

“You’re very nice to him,” Aeron said, while they rode the elevator to the fifth floor.

“Well, he’s a nice guy,” Shannon replied.

The fifth floor was not as vacant as Aeron would have suspected on a Friday night. Instead there were a handful of medical students roaming the halls.

“Why is it so busy here?”

Shannon rolled her eyes. “It’s the infirmary. Just because the weekend hits, doesn’t mean there aren’t patients, or accidents.” Aeron mentally slapped her forehead. “Come on. Jason is waiting for us.”

Taking the cast off was the easy part. Her leg looked depleted, and hairy, and ached.

“Lucky you are in such great shape,” Jason said, looking over her calf muscle. “It barely looks any different from the other one. Now it will be a little shaky, and you will have to continue taking the pain pills. But other than that, you should be back on your two feet in just a few weeks.”

“Thanks,” Aeron said, looking at the clunky boot on her foot. “I think I liked the cast better.”

“It’s only temporary,” Jason assured. Aeron slid off the table, and gingerly put her weight on the foot. “How’s it feel?”

“Not bad.”

“Thanks again,” Shannon said, handing over another envelope of cash before leaving.

“No, thank you,” he said, holding up the cash. “Hey, Aeron, are you ever coming back to class?”

She smirked. “I guess you’ll find out Monday.” He laughed. “Thanks again, Jason.” As long as she didn’t have to do any running, shadowing Molly would be a breeze.

“So, what do I owe you?” Aeron asked, as she and Shannon headed back to the elevator.

“Quick,” Shannon said, pulling Aeron into the emergency room. Aeron froze. She wasn’t a fan of this room, and was about to say so when Shannon pointed out the small window. Dr. Figg was exiting the elevator, and Aeron noticed she walked with a slight limp. Once Figg was out of sight, they left the emergency room and entered the elevator.

“We’re good,” Shannon said, and Aeron was  omentarily confused, still thinking about Figg. “Decius gave me the money.” Aeron nodded in realization, and then felt her stomach churn—Decius didn’t know about Luke coming home.

“Shan, can I borrow your phone?”

“Where’s yours?”

“I don’t know. I think I left it in my room. C’mon, I have to find Decius.”

“What, and tell him about Luke? He’ll find out tomorrow.” Shannon said.

“Yeah, and probably punch him in face.”

“Here,” Shannon said, handing the phone over.

They had reached the lobby, and Aeron dialed Decius number. It rang and went to voicemail—rejected. Aeron handed the phone back.

The apartment was quiet when they returned home. Aeron went across the hall and knocked on the boy’s door. Decius answered. He was wearing pajama bottoms, and looked as if he had been sleeping on the couch. He woke right up as Aeron pushed past him into the living area.

“Aeron, is everything all right?”

“I have to talk to you.”

“I got that by the late-night-barge-in.”

Aeron glared at him. “Luke’s coming home tomorrow,” she said.

“I know. I talked to him already.”

“Oh,” Aeron said.

“Are you two back together? Or should I be preparing to kick him out again?” Decius asked, completely sincere. “That is why you came over here isn’t?”

Aeron sat on the couch, Decius taking the seat next to her. “I don’t know,” she said. “A lot has happened, and there is still so much going on, with Figg, and Molly, not to mention the whole reason he left.”

“So where are you two going from here?” he asked. Aeron leaned onto his shoulder and closed her eyes. She had no idea.

“Baby steps I guess,” she said, mid-yawn.

“As long as they’re no real babies in those steps,” he said with a chuckle, but Aeron was already dozing off.

“Shannon!” Aeron yelled from her bathroom. She was having a hard time pinning the yellow banana hat to her head. She was wearing a matching short, bright yellow skirt and cropped blazer.

“I’m coming!” Shannon called.

Aeron was just zipping up her thigh-high brown boots when Shannon walked in and paused.

“What the hell are you supposed to be?” Shannon asked. “And where is your walking cast?”

Aeron placed the banana hat on her head and smiled. “I’m a sexy banana! What’s wrong? Does it not look good?” Aeron faced the mirror again, readjusting the hat so her long platinum hair fell out from underneath it.

“No, it looks good. But you didn’t answer my question.”

“I can’t wear that thing tonight. I wrapped my ankle tight, and look,” Aeron lifted up her foot, “no heels!” Aeron said with a laugh. “Now help me pin this hat on. I’d ask Alicia, but I don’t want them to see me until I’m dressed.”

“I’m not going to argue with you, but be sure to take some medication before we leave.”

Aeron nodded in agreement. “So, I’m afraid to ask after last year, but what is Luke wearing?”

“A monkey costume,” Aeron said, biting her lip as a bobby pin dug into her skull.

Shannon laughed.

“What are you going as?” Aeron asked, noticing Shannon was not dressed yet.

“Lily Potter?” Shannon said, uncertainly. “She’s this character from Harry Potter. Ivan asked me to wear it.”

“So what are you wearing?” Aeron asked, turning her head so Shannon couldn’t see her smile.

Shannon went to her room and came back with a modified school girl’s outfit, with red and gold accents, a black cloak, and a wand.

“Well at least that wand will be good for concealing a weapon,” Aeron said, no longer trying to hide her smile. Shannon cracked a smile too.

“Well he’s going as someone named Snape, so at least we’ll be matching.”

“How sweet,” Aeron said, rolling her eyes. “Thanks for the help. How about you? Need any help? Lessons on how to use that magic wand of yours?”

“Shove it,” Shannon said playfully, tossing the rest of the bobby pins at Aeron and heading back to her room.

Aeron laughed, and began loading up on weapons that would fit into her outfit. She had her cuff bracelet on, and slid a dagger into each boot; she wasn’t expecting any trouble at the club. Aeron also grabbed a long brown leather jacket. She needed to tone the color down in order to shadow Molly.

Aeron rubbed Jazz on the neck, and left treats hidden throughout the room. “Bye, Jazz. Have fun trick-or-treating!”

The living room was chaos. There was music blaring and food scattered everywhere. Alicia was dancing around in her cowboy boots, chowing down on pizza, while Lesley the gypsy was adding vials to her costume disguised as charms.

“Where are the boys?” Aeron asked, taking each step slowly and deliberately.

“On their way,” Alicia said, turning down the music and offering a slice of pizza, which Aeron readily accepted. “And what exactly are you?”

“I’m a banana! How come no one can figure it out?”

Lesley laughed. “I just want to see what you have Luke in this year.” The boys chose that moment to enter.

Justin was dressed as a Storm Trooper from Star Wars—which Aeron only knew about from Ivan. Decius followed him, dressed as a ninja. Decius dressed as a ninja every year since he was five—some things never changed. Aeron waited in anticipation to see Luke, and almost squealed with laughter as he entered the apartment. He was dressed in a monkey suit—not a gorilla or ape—with a long tail, hooded ears, painted face and all.

“Wow, Luke,” Lesley said. “I’m pretty sure my two year old nephew is wearing that exact same costume.”

“Yeah, but he doesn’t look as cute as me,” Luke said, and swirled his tail. Justin grabbed two slices of pizza and tried to eat around his helmet. “I told you you’d have to take it off!”

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled, taking his helmet off and stuffing his face.

“Do you guys ever eat at your own place?” Shannon asked, coming from her bedroom.

“Not when you have free food here,” Decius said, also grabbing a slice. “Besides, do you guys ever eat anything healthy?”

“Not really,” Aeron said. She had been listening, but hadn’t taken her gaze from Luke, who was standing next to her.

“Take a picture, Ronnie. It lasts longer.” It was then Aeron realized everyone in the room had turned their attention to them.

“I was really wondering what you were going to be,” Decius said. “I mean, looking at Luke’s outfit, I was picturing a full banana suit.”

Aeron laughed, thankful he had broken the silence before it became awkward. “You know I like to go for the shock.”

“C’mon!” Lesley called from the doorway. “Can we please get going?”

“What’s your hurry?” Justin asked.

“Yeah,” Aeron agreed. “Don’t we have to wait for Perry?”

“He’s not coming,” Luke said, surprised Aeron didn’t know this.

“Oh,” Aeron said, taken aback.

“Forget Perry. I’m excited to finally meet Alicia’s mystery man,” Lesley said, with a wicked grin. And they all followed her out the door. They piled into the limo, and Lesley cracked open a bottle of champagne.

“To amazing friends,” she said, passing around flutes. “And to our family being whole again.” She tipped her flute to Luke and Aeron, and then downed her glass. Aeron smiled in appreciation and leaned back against the seat beside Luke.

“I have to leave the party early tonight,” she said. “I’m shadowing Molly.”

“Where’s your cast?” he asked, placing a hand on her leg.

“I had it taken off yesterday.”

“How about a walking cast?”

“You sound like Shannon,” Aeron said, rolling her eyes. “It’s at home. I’m wrapped tight, and I’m only going to be observing. Have a little faith.”

“I’ll always have faith in you.” Luke’s smile didn’t reach his eyes, but he didn’t argue.

“Let’s go, love birds, we’re here.”Alicia called. Aeron looked up and was surprised to see limo empty, and Alicia’s head sticking in the door. “Let’s go!” she said again.

The Halloween bash at Club Sapphire was the place to be. The line stretched to around the block. Aeron and Luke followed Alicia to the front door.

“Evening, Tim,” Luke said, as he let them in.

“Evening. Can we keep the bloodshed to a minimum tonight?” Tim asked, semi-jokingly.

“We’re just here for the party,” Aeron assured him.

“Well then, enjoy yourselves.” And that was exactly what they planned to do.

Twelve-thirty came too quickly for Aeron. She was sitting with Luke, when her phone vibrated in her boot.

“I have to get going,” Aeron said, as loudly as she could over the music. He nodded, knowing this evening would be coming to an end. They hadn’t done much dancing, since her ankle was sore, but enjoyed watching everyone else. She leaned in and gave him a kiss, pulling away before she knew he wanted to.

“Don’t go,” he said in her ear.

“I have to.” He helped her to her feet, and stared longingly after her as she parted the crowd. Shannon and Ivan were sitting at the bar by the back entrance, and Aeron could tell Shannon had several drinks too many. They made a cute couple, though, especially in their matching costumes.

Aeron raised a hand to them, signaling to Shannon she was leaving. Shannon waved back, and Aeron bumped into a tall, hooded figure, which reached out hands to steady her. Aeron automatically attempted to twist away, but the hooded figure countered each move, almost before she made them.

“AERON!” the figure yelled. “Stop! It’s me!” Perry let the hood fall off his face for just the slightest moment.

“Perry! What the hell. I thought you couldn’t make it.” But Perry wasn’t looking at her.

He was staring daggers toward Shannon and Ivan.

“Who’s that boy?” he asked Aeron, still holding onto her arm.

“That’s Ivan. Perry, let go. I have to get going.”

He released her. “Sorry. Nice costume. Is my cousin in a primate-suit of some kind?”

“Yeah, he’s in V.I.P. if you’re looking. What are you supposed to be anyways?”

“A Dementor,” Perry said, and glided off toward the bar.

Aeron checked her phone. She didn’t have time to worry about Perry, or to find Decius. She shot him a quick text and headed into the alley, where she pulled on her long brown jacket and stuffed the banana hat into her pocket.

Building H was a seemingly random building in the middle of the city, but Aeron had laid watch at the top of this building many times. It was next to Central Park, giving an assailant the perfect line of vision. It was ten minutes to one when Aeron entered the elevator. She pushed the button for the 39th floor. When she reached it, Aeron then hit the buttons for every other floor, placed her banana hat on the ground and stepped off. She was hoping with her gimped leg she could beat the elevator up to the 44th floor—she did.

Aeron watched from the staircase window as Molly paced with a key in hand. When the elevator doors dinged open, Molly paused, and ran to grab the hat from the floor. Aeron saw the anxiety drain from Molly as she pocketed the hat and went to the conference room, pick up her sniper rifle, and unlock the door. Aeron dashed up two more flights of stairs and entered the conference room directly above Molly.

In this room were live-feed, non-recording cameras which allowed both audio and video to be shown of the room below. Molly was laying flat on a table she had pulled against the small opening in the window, her sniper rifle poised with a silencer on the end. She was staring intensely through the scope.

Aeron looked around for a file, or envelope, which would tell her who the target was. In the center of the conference table was a manila envelope. She tore it open.

Target: Female. Red hair. 5’3”.

Transgression: Serial Arsonist

Usually accompanied by two males, both slightly shorter and with black hair. Target will be in Central Park around 1 a.m. Man in trench coat, walking dog and reading newspaper will be confirmation.

Aeron checked her watch, and glanced at the live feed. Molly’s body was tense, and ready. Aeron grabbed a night-vision scope from the desk drawer and positioned herself on the floor directly above Molly. She scanned the park, looking for the man who confirmed many targets a week, and most likely also confirmed and aided in disposals.

It didn’t take long to spot him, and Aeron scanned for the trio— one of which was the target. They were standing by a tree, and Aeron focused her lens. The girl had a short hair cut, which looked awfully familiar, and the two boys seemed young, at least younger than the girl.

She pulled her gaze from the trio and looked to the monitor to see Molly steadying her breathing and counting down. Aeron focused on the group again, and scanned the park around them. A woman was approaching, a dumpy woman who walked with a slight limp—a limp she had seen just the night before.

Aeron looked back to the trio as she heard Molly take a deep breath and hold it. The silenced shot went off on the exhale, and the red-headed girl crumpled. Aeron watched as the light crossed the girl’s face on her fall—it was the same girl from her apartment. The woman with the limp raced to her side, and collapsed, and Aeron swore she could hear her cries as she pulled the dead girl into her lap.

A short intake of breath drew Aeron back into the room, but not before she saw the woman face: Dr. Figg.