Y/N POV
I was slow and hesitant but I open the door just enough to see inside. From what I could see, Carl was laying in bed with a blank stare toward the ceiling. His eyes don't even shift as I a close the door behind me.
Y/N: Carl...?
No response. It felt like I was walking on landmines here. As I got closer, I could tell he was crying recently. No doubt this wasn't the first or last time. Once I was close enough, I crouch next to the bed and just analyze his expression. He then lets out a low sigh and glances at me.
Carl: Hey Leaguer.
Y/N: Hey... Have they been treating you well?
Carl: As best as they can.
He returns his gaze to the ceiling like nothing had changed before. I'm honestly not sure what to do or say. Comforting words are pointless and the offer of any help may go unheard. All I could do was slowly put my hand on his shoulder.
Y/N: Travis said that the last thing James said was your name.
Carl: Yeah.
That just means the death was more heartbreaking. People usually think or call out for their loved ones right before they die. My mind than began creating all the scenarios that I didn't want to even have nightmares about. Just the thought was heartbreaking. If it had been Marco, Dustin, or Sonya or any one of our family members, I don't know what I would do. Even less so than what to do here. When I stopped thinking about it, I realized I had basically latched my arms around Carl in a weird hugging position.
Carl: Y/N...?
Y/N: I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...
Carl: It ain't your fault.
If only you knew. Carl then presses his hand against my chest and slowly forces me to disconnect from him.
Carl: Listen, things will be alright soon. At least, that's what I've heard. I'm just another guy caught in the crossfire. It happens all the time.
Damn it Y/N, don't say anything. Just leave before you start to cry yourself.
Y/N: Okay... Just wanted to check on you. I... hope you get better soon.
Carl: We can only hope.
I'm not sure where I expected the conversations to go but I did expect to be here longer than ten minutes. As I was walking back out to the limousine, I glance down at my mark. Heartbreak was replaced with anger. I wanted to teach Evelynn a lesson but it wasn't right. I can't give into my own emotions like this. Crying over a dead person is one thing but tormenting a soul that wants to see you in this state is another. Hate is such a strong word and emotion so much so that I've tried my best to never hate anyone in my life.
This time though, I can genuinely say that I hate Evelynn.
Even more than that, I hate myself.
It's my fault that James is dead, that all those innocent patients are dead, that every that has been killed and tormented by Evelynn. Now here she is, pissing my friends off cause she knows how to press people's buttons. My only hope is that this mark did have some effect on her. Once I arrived at the limousine, I slid right back inside and sat right next to Kai'sa.
Kai'sa: That was fast... Are you alright?
Y/N: Just a bit upset and since you're now one of my girls, I'll just have to cling to you for some comfort.
A bit selfish of me but I think we could both use it. She allows me to lean on her while she holds me up.
Y/N: Jarold, take us back home, please.
Jarold: Yes sir.
With that, we were off to my house. I might call the others and keep them a little closer than I normally would. My mind just wouldn't allow me to forget those made up scenarios of Evelynn getting them instead. It's so annoying what my mind does to me sometimes. I needed to distract myself with something. I glance up at Kai'sa who was just looking down at me blankly.
Kai'sa: Is there something you need?
Y/N: No. I'm just curious.
Kai'sa: About?
Y/N: You and Ahri never got rid of your facial marks. For her, I believe it's more cultural. For you though, it's different.
She looks up for a moment, giving me time to examine her hair. It looked way better than when we first met. We can ditch the makeup she has for some reason, thanks Riot, and change her hairstyle up. I could use some more practice braiding hair since I haven't done that in a while. Thinking about her hair made me think about all the girls. There are a lot of them and Riven still isn't use to things around her. Maybe they should have a girls night out soon and introduce her to the simple pleasures.
Kai'sa: Too be honest, I don't remember why I have them. It could just be part of my weird design but I'll see about getting rid of them. It would help make me look normal.
It might be a little weird without them while she has the suit on but that's not what concerns me. The word normal then reminded me of what Travis and Carl said earlier so I got up and pulled out my phone. A quick scroll through the news feed told me exactly what I figured would happen.
Y/N: Government agents find and take mystery killer of Ohio into custody. Now investigating methods of mass murder across the state.
Kai'sa: That's suspicious.
Y/N: With little to no explanation again.
I might go and press that Secret Rioter for answers. It is about time I confront them on this stuff. I may also go to bed early so I can speak with A-Sol. His input will be very helpful. From there, I'll need to start forming a schedule for us to work off of since there are pressing matters on both Earth and Runeterra. Not having a schedule and running off to Runeterra cause I'm having a breakdown has caused enough messes to last me too much time.
Riven: Should we prepare for the worst?
Y/N: No. For now, we're going to try and relax. Once this whole thing blows over, we should be back to good old annoying Ohio.
I'll actually be happy to see that too. This ghost town full of fear and paranoia is bad for everyone. It may be a couple of weeks before things are back to normal though that's being generous. If we're unlucky, it could be a few months or longer. Hopefully, it isn't that long. I'd rather not live through another pandemic-like situation for at least another decade. I then got a text from the group chat talking about it.
SigmaMemer: Please tell me you kitties saw.
Agodlypancake: Kinda hard not to when it's all people are talking about.
DaSauceGod: I just got finished reading the article I found.
Agodlypancake: I suspected this was going to happen sooner or later. While it does solve the issue with the masses, it creates more questions.
ShatteredEye: Lemme guess, is the government in on this? Is it actually the Voice or maybe the Secret Rioter?
Agodlypancake: That sounds about right.
DaSauceGod: I plan to speak with the Secret Rioter soon so I can get some answers.
I might just get straight to the questions too. With how short my fuse is, I don't think I'm patient enough for answers. Maybe I should hold off on it then. It's lunch time right now so I may just need to eat something. Glancing over at Kai'sa who was watching me closely, I got an idea for how I wanted to fall asleep later.
Y/N: Kai'sa, I have a task for you.
She turns to face me fully, ready to hear what I have to say. I don't think she really is.
Y/N: When I go to fall asleep later so that I may speak with Aurelion Sol, I want you to be there with me.
Kai'sa: I-in your bed? Are you sure?
Y/N: If I don't ask you, Sonya and Ahri might force you. You know that, right?
She kinda hangs her head with a sigh.
Kai'sa: I suppose you are correct.
Y/N: Enough about that. Why don't we discuss what we'll have for lunch and maybe dinner?
She lifts her head back up and nods. I then turn my head to Riven just so I could include her as well.
Y/N: If you have any suggestions, please feel free to speak up.
Riven: I'm curious about this thing called a... Cheeseburger?
Y/N: We can do that.
Someone's stomach then growls loudly with both me and Riven looking at the source. Kai'sa twists her lips to the side as she avoids looking at us.
Kai'sa: Maybe we could... have some peaches later...?
She could never have enough peaches.
Ahri POV
As I poured some water into a bowl for Ari to drink out of, he hopped around the bowl like he was worshiping it or something. Teemo stifled his stream of laughter by holding his hands over his mouth.
Rakan: Yes, my fellow bird! Dance for the most hydrating drink in the world!
Once I was done, Ari started using the water not for drinking just yet but for bathing himself.
Ari: Wetty bird! Wetty bird!
Teemo lets out a long silent laugh like he was gasping for air.
Teemo: When he's not being the most annoying thing in existence, he's hilarious!
Ahri: See? All it takes is a bit of patience.
Teemo: Still ain't my pet though.
Ahri: You're right. He's my baby and if ANYTHING bad happens to him...
I hold my hand out toward Teemo and form my orb with a bit of extra fire.
Ahri: You will be the first suspect.
Teemo: Pfft! You ain't good at intimidating people. Besides, you won't be able to prove if I'm guilty or not.
I just raise with brow at him and smirk. His ears fold down a little as he remembers that I can read memories.
Teemo: Fffffffine! I'll behave myself.
Ahri: Good.
Putting my orb away, I turn my attention back to Ari and give him some pets. He begins to make a bunch of clicking sounds.
Ari: Baby baby baby! Baby baby baby!
Rakan: Get him one of those stick things that make all the noise.
Teemo: A microphone?
Rakan: There's a smaller phone!?
Ahri: I don't think so?
This is one of the reasons we need the earth people around. We still don't know everything and every day that goes by I feel we're growing more hopeless. Either that or too complacent. Actually, that's a good thought. Y/N may not be able to use his abilities here but we still can. If we had a place to train in secret, we could train with each other and eventually learn team combos. My phone then starts to ring so I pull away from Ari and answer.
Ahri: Hello?
Y/N: Hey, is the others still there with you?
Ahri: Yeah, why?
Y/N: First off, we're going to be a little late. We just decided to go shopping since we're low on groceries. What do you guys want for lunch? We're doing cheeseburgers for dinner tonight.
Ahri: What do you guys wants for lunch?
Teemo: Mushroom stew!
Rakan: Chocolate!
Ahri: Whatever you grab is fine.
The boys didn't enjoy that response and start whining like babies.
Y/N: Okay. Second, I need you guys to check the news articles on your phone. I could explain it but I'm trying to keep my mind off of it for now.
Ahri: Okay...? Did something happen?
Y/N: Yes, and it may have just caused more problems.
Just great. Speaking of something that have caused problems...
Ahri: Did everything go alright at the hospital? Just humor me for a second, please.
Y/N: Well... I didn't say anything now. Travis seemed alright but Carl was... distant. It was like talking to a husk.
Poor guy. Nobody should ever have too watch their friends die like that.
Y/N: I... may risk something too...
Ahri: Risk what?
Y/N: You... consuming their memories of that moment.
All I could do was sigh. I knew he'd probably ask me to do that and while I can, I just wish it didn't come down to this. If it wasn't for the mark, this would be life-threatening so I guess there's less reason for me to disagree.
Ahri: I can do that. I'll only do it if you absolutely want me too though.
Y/N: I hope I never have to.
Seeing that I basically upset him when he was trying to stay positive, I do my best to purr into the phone.
Y/N: A-Ahri?
Ahri: There will be more of this later. Text me when you're heading back.
Y/N: Okay. Love you.
Ahri: Love you too.
I end the call and turn my head to see Ari cackling again. I still don't know how or why he does that. My concern was shared with the boys as well.
Let's hope he's just a normal bird.
Ari POV
"I WILL CONQUER THIS HOUSE AND MAKE IT MY FORTRESS OF DOOM!"