[Closed] Between where I'm going and where I've been

[evowhisperer]

 Who: D!Cesar, Nathan, Tony, potentially anyone else living at the school.

What: D!Cesar's going to kidnap Nathan for his plans to get at Tony!

When: Today or yesterday

Where: Locke!
Warnings: D!Cesar is yandere as all get out. There will probably be swearing, attempts at serious violence, and anything else that comes with a kidnapping.

 

The school outside the computer room is silent with  the night's stillness, and computer fan whirring fills the small room. There aren't many lights, but the doppelganger realizes by now that this is normal. He's been here before. Everything is as he expects.

 

The door was already cracked open, and he pushes it all the way, letting computer-screen light spill into the hall. Whether or not the room's sole occupant turns at the shift in sound, Cesar removes the outermost paper from a pocket, shaking it out of its folds. It's loud and out of place in the silence. Permanent marker stares out from the dim lighting in bold.

 

DON'T TRY TO ALERT TONY. COME WITH ME.

I HAVE A GUN.

 

Heavy seconds tick pass. Cesar pulls back the edge of his jacket to show the brand new holster at his waist, dropping the cloth back down when the point has been made.

Comments

[solvethepuzzle]

It had been such a long couple of weeks. Nathan had hardly had a good night's sleep since Cesar's double had shown up with that virus. Witnessing Elian's heart attack had not helped in that regard, either. He was tense all the time, and especially coupled with the lack of sleep, the tension was exhausting.

It was a testament to his weariness that he look up from the screen at the sound of the door opening further. Likely just Tony coming back, anyway. And then he heard the paper rustling, unusual enough even in his tired state that he looked up --

And froze.

The double. When did he -- How had they missed --

Nathan's eyes widened, throat went dry at reading the note. His gaze instinctively followed any move the double made, and the confirmation of the note was not lost on him. That was -- but he couldn't just -- what if --

There was no disguising his trembling; even the idea to disguise it didn't enter his mind. He blinked slowly, took a shuddering breath, swallowed thickly.

"What --" He tried to speak, softly, but his voice caught. Another swallow before attempting it again. This time, he got it all out, but his voice was shaking terribly. "What assurance do I have it won't be used if I go?"

[evowhisperer]

The quiet of the air whistling through his throat is louder in his ears than it's ever been, and he lifts one hand halfway up his jacket. Rather than sign, the hand produces another slip of paper, and this one is also shaken out. He's come prepared.

I'M NOT GOING TO HURT YOU. THIS IS BETWEEN TONY AND MYSELF.

He has the timing all planned out. They have room for another exchange or two before Cesar has to start ushering Nathan out, or risk discovery or worse.

[solvethepuzzle]

He flinches slightly when the double's hand moves, but it's just going for another slip of paper. And he blinks again when he reads the next note. To get at Tony? There's some small, selfish part of Nathan that's glad that Cesar's double isn't out for him personally -- if he's telling the truth -- but only a small part. And the reality isn't much better. Nathan doesn't want anything to happen to Tony.

But he still doesn't move. Not yet. "Why." It isn't a question. There's still a quaver in his voice, but the tone itself has gone flat, inflectionless.

[evowhisperer]

Why? Cesar's smile is as slow as it is condescending, and there's no answer forthcoming. He jerks his head towards the door and gestures with one hand, pulling back his jacket again with the other.

He doesn't plan to shoot Nathan--doesn't even plan to hurt him--but if it's the only way he can get his plans to work out the way they're supposed to, he'll do it. Getting to Tony is more important than anything else; after all, nothing Cesar can do with a gun will outweigh the damage Tony can do to their unprotected backs. L's compassionate reaction was proof of this, and Cesar knows now that no one would respond fast enough if his true nature ever decided to show itself. By the time they could work themselves out of their humanity they'd be dead.

[solvethepuzzle]

That smile is awful and he wants this over and he doesn't know what to do. It's not that his physical well-being has never been threatened before. It has, far more times than it should have been, and though the bruises have long-since faded, he still has the emotional scars to prove it. But even at the worst times, he'd never felt like his life had been in danger.

He bows his head, hair falling over his eyes. If he keeps sitting here, if he keeps resisting . . . what's going to happen? It would only take a few seconds to just shoot . . . Maybe if he just goes, it will not be as bad. That was how it had worked growing up. Shut up and shut down; that way, it will be over faster and with less harm.

Without looking back up, he gives a shaky nod. It's awful that he's doing this, he doesn't want to endanger anyone, but he's in immediate danger of being killed. Maybe everyone will have a better chance this way. It's better than thinking he's just being a coward.

There is no sound when he moves. There's an almost eerie quality about it when taking it all together -- the quiet movements, the soft voice, his natural pallor in both skin and hair. He's like a ghost. One that's moving slowly toward the door as instructed. His breathing is remarkably even for the situation -- he's shutting down emotionally; he needs to or he'll break -- but his body still visibly trembles.

[lovesickkiller]

Misa is still awake, wandering the halls on her way to make herself a calming mug of tea. She doesn't know any details about what's going on, but the fact that Nathan has a bodyguard skulking about is obvious enough and their consistent presence at the school has her a little on edge. She doesn't want to pester them or Lazarus with questions, but it just feels like preparations for something bad that's coming.

But maybe she's over-thinking it, still twitchy from the influx of echoes a couple weeks ago. Seeing the lights on in the computer room, Misa heads that way to see if Nathan wants anything. Did these boys ever sleep?

[oncedevil]

Misa should have listened to her instincts. While Tony had been a frequent presence at the school before, the fact he was usually glued to Nathan almost literally had to be a little alarming. But he'd made a mistake. After a couple weeks and not a peep out of Cesar's double he started to let his guard down, and asked Nathan if he could grab a shower while he worked. Didn't seem like a terrible idea at the time, it was only going to be five minutes, what could possibly go wrong?

Everything.

Towel still draped over his damp head he'd made it back just before Misa, and moments after Nathan and someone else had left. The room was empty. Trying not to panic Tony searched around a little, called for Nathan once, then headed back out into the hallway almost bumping directly into Misa.

"Woah, hey! You haven't seen Nathan have you?"

And no, they didn't sleep. Luckily Tony didn't really need it too much anymore.

[lovesickkiller]

Misa stopped short with an eek, clutching her chest and tilting her head back to see Tony's face.

"You scared me!" she exclaimed, taking a deep breath. It didn't help that Tony was physically imposing as hell, even if he didn't tower over her quite as much as most guys. "No, I thought he was in there. I haven't actually seen him for a few hours."

Shouldn't he know that? He was the bodyguard, after all.

[oncedevil]

Whoops. Tony offered an apologetic grin, traced with obvious distraction and worry. Yes, exactly, he should know where Nathan is at all times. The fact that he doesn't is worrying.

"Sorry." With how much he's been working out it's no wonder he's fairly intimidating, he's hinging on it. He was kind of hoping that looking scary might be enough to keep the coward away. Apparently that isn't the case at all.

"Did you go in there?" He needs to know for reasons. "Have you seen anything?" Tony it's generally polite to answer a lady's questions before you start grilling her.

[lovesickkiller]

"No, I was just on my way to," Misa answered cautiously, glancing around for backup. Of course the place was deserted, without Nathan; not that Nathan would be of much help. "He stays up working so late, I was going to ask if he wanted coffee or something. If he isn't in there I'm sure he'll be right back."

[ursoreckless]

Shou remembered the network and numbers as soon as he hit the one echo barrier. Unfortunately, that was also when there was daylight out and he had started smoking with his skin peeling, which had a bunch of other people panic. Luckily he was in a place where he could duck into a windowless spot at the airport and make a post on the Network about said snaffoo, and then wait. When it was dark enough, he went to the nearest teleport spot and headed right for the school because it was like a second home.

Popping out of the transporter, he headed for the room, shedding bits of clothing that had gotten a little charred from being next to his skin, muttering at the destruction of a favorite shirt. He certainly wasn't paying any heed about the happenings around him as he walked, instead just pouting at the hole he just stuck his finger through.

[oncedevil]

Unfortunately while Shou was busy burning himself to a crisp (really, Shou, you need to leave yourself better directions) the little world of Willow Ridge Boarding Academy was falling apart. One missing, one about to go on a rampage, and two having panic attacks.

Despite his raising ire and fury Tony was holding it together rather well. Outwardly calm, if pacing around the computer room where the teleporter was located. His weapons on a table near the path he traced over and over again, like a predator at the bars of his cage.

He had to wait, he knew he had to wait until Lazarus arrived. Get what information he could, have L somewhere safe and then he could go. The downside was letting Cesar set up whatever trap he was undoubtedly laying. Despite what some may assume, he really wasn't stupid. Already scenarios played out in his mind, but he doubted Cesar would harm Nathan just yet. It wouldn't benefit him, he'd gain no ground in harming a harmless and innocent kid like Nathan. No, it was something else he was after.

Suddenly Shou appeared to break him out of his thoughts, shedding clothing and obviously charred. Tony narrowed his good eye, frozen in place.

"Shit, what the hell happened to you?"

Exactly what they need, more emergencies.

[dead_black_eyes]

Lazarus' heart pounds in his thin chest as he sprints up the walkway to the school, moving faster than he appears capable. It's the only acceptable way to use all this adrenaline, which feels like it actually might stop his heart if he slows down even a tick.

He bursts through the door, breathless, gulping in air that doesn't manage to invigorate him. He makes a futile attempt to compose himself, smoothing his tangled hair back with trembling hands. Despite assigning him a bodyguard, keeping him safe, taking as many security precautions as possible, Nathan had been snatched right out from under him.

White as a sheet and still shaking, he makes his way down the stairs to the basement, that adrenaline still coursing through his veins and making him sick to his heart and his stomach. He's going to puke, he's going to black out, he has to fix this even if one or both of those things happen. He can't initially take in what's happening, barely registering the presence of the other people in the computer center and by the teleporter, pulling up a chair and settling at the main screen only to find that his hands are shaking too violently to type.

[lovesickkiller]

Misa feels distinctly like she has wandered into a hostage situation she has no part in, like she doesn't belong here. Tony she barely knows and Shou she doesn't know at all, but both are looking fairly terrifying right now. She tries to assure herself that it's only because they're worried about their friend, and Lazarus wouldn't keep around dangerous people... except that one of his friends was just abducted, so that isn't really true at all.

It's a relief when he arrives, both because Misa is not at all comfortable in this room with weapons and singed strangers, and also because she worried about him. He has made it here safe, that's good. But he also looks like he's about to pass out or have a panic attack.

Misa walks up behind him and puts a hand on his shoulder, nervously glancing at Shou and Tony one last time before turning her attention to Lazarus. "Hey, it's okay... Nathan is going to be fine."

[oncedevil]

There will be ample apologies later, and proper introductions once Nathan is returned and safe. For now Tony's too tense, Shou's in bad shape, and everything is horrible all at once.

It doesn't help that Tony is mentally preparing himself to walk into what very well may be his own demise, and he knows that. But saving Nathan is paramount, even if he has to die to do it.

Finally L arrives and he breathes a sigh of relief, quickly dissolving into concern once more. He moves closer instinctively, but steps away when Misa takes over. She's probably a more calming presence than he would be right now. He'll deal with Shou, you two talk.

[ursoreckless]

"Daylight Savings Time and an earlier flight, what else?"

Seriously though, it wasn't that bad considering that he did look like someone had tried to BBQ him. It stung and he felt like he needed a bath, but he was fine and it was nothing that a good meal wouldn't cure him. Sure, getting a meal would be a little crazy right now, but give him a few minutes to get the worst of the char off and find a clean shirt and he would be ready to go hunting.

He took a deep breath to start in about something else and tasted it - a strange scent over the usual disinfectant/smoke/sugary sweet scents that he had gotten use to. A couple new scents were there, some fading and one of those scents smelled a little scared.

"What's going on here?"

[oncedevil]

"Shit, of course."

So Shou got himself sunsinged, lovely. Although overall aside from the peeling he looked fine, and as much as Tony would love to dote on him he had a limited emotional capacity for expression and it was currently overloaded with worry for Nathan. So, shut down time. Sadly that made him infinitely more intimidating to poor Misa who really had no part in this.

"Nathan's been taken, so sorry if hospitality is a little short right now. I'm about to go after the guy but I need a lead first."

Which he gestures to L, who is currently hopefully working on just that?

Showtime

[oncedevil]

Fast as he is it still takes time to arrive on foot, though stowing away on the back of a couple trucks definitely expedited the process. Tony hadn't left much room for anyone to argue or follow him, nor had he given them the address just yet.

Cesar had asked for him, specifically. This was between them. Time to settle the score.

Cautiously he approached the old church yard, expecting the very ground itself to reject him. However, when it failed to do that he continued forward, more confident. Perhaps not all holy relics could destroy him, only certain ones? Whatever. The first doors were entered quietly, Tony taking in his surroundings with care before moving forward. However, he does whistle a jaunty little tune, as if mocking Cesar's attempts to make him uncomfortable with such an eerie silence.

"Come out come out wherever you are~" He sings to the echoing building, one pistol drawn but held toward the ceiling in preparation. He wasn't going to play nice this time, Cesar had gone too far. Although he'd like to avoid making too much fuss around Nathan if at all possible.

That wasn't going to be possible.

[evowhisperer]

Tony gives them plenty of warning. Cesar had moved close to Nathan after sending him the address, and now he draws his gun, putting a hand on Nathan's shoulder.

It's time.

Cesar is as ready for the half demon as he's ever going to be. Nathan is between him and the door, there's a switch in his pocket to turn the sprinklers on, the heavy bucket with flimsy glass jars inside is on a table close by... It's about to be a roulette game of which one he uses first, and he has an unsettling feeling that this is the beginning of an end.

His fingertips are going numb. The grip on Nathan's shoulder relaxes deliberately, and he leans forward a little, catching Nathan's eye. He can't talk, but this kid can. Cesar mouths the word 'speak' and tilts his head at the door significantly.

[solvethepuzzle]

Tony's attitude isn't helping Nathan, to be honest; it just makes everything even more insane. He's not so easily fooled as to believe that Tony is taking the situation lightly, but the cavalierness is unsettling.

He doesn't flinch at the hand on his shoulder, even though it dredges up unpleasant memories -- shoved up against walls, pressed into them, thrown onto the floor. Don't react, don't react and it will stop.

He glances over his shoulder when the grip relaxes, watches the double expressionlessly as he orders him to speak. There isn't any point in not complying with it. With or without him, it's about to start.

"We're here." Hollow, empty just like his expression. His voice is quiet, but it carries well in this environment. "... Mind the water."

For whatever reason, holy water must be able to harm Tony; otherwise, why would Cesar's double have rigged things this way? He is not going to worry about reprisal for giving a warning. It's painfully obvious to Nathan that he's being positioned as a shield; the double isn't going to compromise that by punishing him for such a thing.

[oncedevil]

Tony knows there's no way this isn't freaking Nathan out more as well. He has no idea what's going on after all, and Tony has no way of telling him. It's a show, a distraction, play the part of the jester and be as distracting as possible. It might make it harder for Cesar to act, or react as the case may be. He's gained some skill from his other, but skill without practice is still a novice.

This is his first hunt and it's very likely going to go bad.

Of course unsettling was exactly what he was going for, just not toward Nathan.

He pauses at the call, canting his head to the side. Ah, well, at least he isn't gagged? "How you doin' in there?" He calls back, grateful for the warning. Subtly he tugs the hood of the hideous yellow and polka dotted rain poncho over his head, doing his best to cover as much as he possibly can with the plastic. Sure, he looks a bit undignified and a lot like a condom, but if it spares his skin a little? "You hurt?" He creeps closer to the door, back against the wall.

"Thanks for the heads-up, here's yours." Without any further warning he turns, slamming a foot viciously through the door. Locked or no, the flimsy wood of the old church doors wasn't going to stand a chance against the force behind one of Tony's kicks.

But he didn't rush in, instead he jumped back, waiting for Cesar's trap to fall.

Aftermath

[dead_black_eyes]

Lazarus ends his call with Nathan. He thinks he should be shaking, but everything is silent, heavy and numb as he lowers and pockets his phone. He stands, dizzy, opening the desk drawer and rooting blindly for a moment until his hand closes around a set of shiny new keys.

That Bentley is outside, the one he purchased more or less on a whim after a million dollars dropped into his lap. He doesn't know how to drive it, but Misa does.

"We're going to get them," he says, turning toward her and pressing the keys into her hand. "Can you drive us there?"

[lovesickkiller]

Misa nods, accepting the keys wordlessly. From what she can make out of Lazarus's side of the conversation, Nathan is alive, Tony is wounded, and the doppelganger is dead. Which means that Tony killed him. Which means that she is being asked to drive to a murder scene, the aftermath of a hostage situation that they neglected to inform the police about. What are they going to do with the body? How are they going to explain any of this?

It's Misa's turn to be pale and shaking now, at the thought of what they might find there and what the consequences might be, but she starts walking toward the door anyway. A little late to get cold feet now, isn't it? She is already implicated in all of this. She stood by while Tony went to rescue a hostage kept at gunpoint all alone. Perhaps this is the best outcome she could have realistically hoped for.

Already she is trying to justify it in her mind, that the doppelgangers aren't really people, they're distorted copies, killing one isn't the same as killing a human being. But she doesn't know that. Maybe there was no other way to save Nathan, maybe Tony killed him in self-defense or to save Nathan's life and this is how things would have played out even if the police had sent a hostage negotiator instead. But she doesn't know that either.

What she does know is that right or wrong, she has been complicit in all of this.

[ursoreckless]

"You're worrying too much. This is nothing like the mess after we came crawling outta the mines, or when a buncha Thunder Corp goons tried going after kids, or even when they tried kidnapping and trap some of us."

Shou drifted past them, going to a closest and digging out one of the emergency kits that he had started putting together and kept near every single place he parked his car. His car was a shiny white beast - low to the ground with a black and yellow interior and hardly enough room for the amount of people that needed a lift. He patted it on the side lightly as they went by and gave L's car a look.

"Not bad. Not exactly that speedy, but it's not going to bring everyone running after us. Let me get the back ready just in case, and then let's go."

He took out a couple emergency blankets and lined the back seat with them before climbing in himself. "Okay, ready."

[dead_black_eyes]

L jumps slightly at Shou's words breaking the uneasy silence; fortunately, they're designed to put shaky people at ease, and they work somewhat, at least where Lazarus is concerned. He's still processing Nathan's call and what was said, and his legs feel leaden as they head in the direction of his vehicle as Shou gets the emergency kit.

Numbly, he takes shotgun, resisting the urge to fold himself up into a ball as Shou gets the backseat ready. "Thank you," he murmurs to no one and everyone present; he couldn't do any of this alone, but the simple and stunning beauty of the matter is that he doesn't have to.