Escaping Death

Worm?

When Ash and Jade got to the site shared by Kane, they discovered this new "thing" he needed Ash for was a giant worm.

"This appears to be a giant worm." Jade notes, earning the longest side glance from Ash as they approached the caution tape. The scene is bustling with cops and doctors, but no actual superheroes. If the worm happened to move even a little bit there would be some fatalities.

Ash ducked under the tape and held it up for Jade to shimmy under as well, before turning to examine the specimen. "Do we know how it got here?" Ash asks a nearby cop.

The cop raises a brow at Ash, not answering his question at first. "Are you allowed here?"

Ash grits his teeth. How underground was this cop? "I'm sorry are you a rookie?"

"How did you know?"

"I'm Ash Phoenix. I'm honestly surprised you don't recognize my face. You must've just moved here." Ash moves past the cop to examine the creature more closely.

"Wha — hey!" The cop rushes after Ash, fumbling with a notepad and pen and holding them out to the man. "Please- your autograph-"

Ash barely suppresses an eye roll as he take the notepad and pen to quickly sign, only for the material to fall through his fingers. Ash stood there for a moment, processing what happened. His fingers didn't close around the notebook and pen, and now it's on the ground.

Jade was quick to bounce into action though, quickly picking up the thing and making sure they make it into Ash's hands. His hands tremble almost violently as he signs the notepad, the cop staring at the both of them quizzically. As soon as Ash was done, Jade snatches it away and give them back to the cop.

Before the cop can say anything Ash is examining the specimen, gently tracing the fingers of his right hand over it. "Rubbery, dry... not moist or slimy... how unusual..." Ash muttered to himself.

The cop clears his throat before answering Ash's earlier question, "nobody knows how or when exactly it got here. It sorta kinda just... spawned in."

"Spawned in?" Ash gives the cop an eyebrow raise.

"Like a video game?"

Ash can't help but stare incredulously. The two have the longest staring contest with each other, the cop occasionally shifting on his feet out of nervousness. The creature beside them moves unexpectedly, rolling over and crushing several people under its weight, Jade included, who had been talking to a scientist a few feet away.

"Jade!" Ash immediately rushes to her side, checking to make sure she's okay.

"I'm fine-!" She wheezes out. "Get this thing off us!"

Ash bites his bottom lip thoughtfully, assessing the situation. His immediate thought is to try pushing it over, but it wouldn't budge, and his body couldn't take the exertion. His next thought was his telekinesis, so he bites the glove off his left hand. The cold, blue geometric patterns revealed to all who could see it. The creature groans as Ash manages to push it over, the sound making him nauseous.

Jade scrambles out from under it and helps the others get up, making sure they're okay. Ash glances back at the creature as it gives out another low groan, causing Ash to cup a hand over his mouth.

"Jade-" Ash calls her over. The green haired woman bounds over with the enthusiasm of a little puppy. "Get Julia. Her telekinesis and your vines could probably easily transport the specimen to the fields near the school."

Jade nods and immediately gets out her phone to dial her friend. Ash is deep in his thoughts as he searches for his discarded glove. Transporting the specimen to the fields near the school had two pros; the first one was so that it couldn't do any damage to anything and anyone here in downtown Miami. The second reason was that it would be easier to study if it was closer.

"I believe this is yours." The rookie cop from earlier interrupts Ash's thoughts, holding his glove.

"Thanks." Ash gives him a nod, slipping it back onto his hand.

"I'm Adrian, by the way." The cop introduces himself.

"Adrian...?" Ash repeats quietly, memories from his high school days flooding back into his mind. The cop— Adrian— didn't even have time to respond as Ash ran a few feet away and took off into flight.