Here Is Gone Part 5

Part Five: Walk On

They arrived at the abandoned subway out of breath but adrenaline still pumping in their veins. Gwen was the first to rest, sitting herself down on the old, queen-sized mattress splayed out on the ground.

“Well? Whaddya think?” Kevin grinned as he leaned against a cement column.

“I gotta admit that was some rush.” She chuckled.

“I knew you’d like doing stuff like that. And you were really good with that escape plan, no one saw us at all! Just think if we actually planned things out the next time, who knows what we can get?”

Gwen stiffened at his words, “I don’t think there’s going to be a next time.”

He narrowed his eyes, “Why not?”

“I only did this to prove to you that I don’t do stuff like this because I don’t like it. And not because I can’t.” She drew her knees to her chest, trying to make herself look as small as she felt.

Kevin set the stolen cartridge on a box that doubled as a table. He sat down beside Gwen and let out a disappointed sigh. Gwen thought he was disappointed in her and she felt he had good reason to feel that way. He seemed so eager to get her to loosen up, to have fun with the device, even if it was through questionable means. It’s the thought that counts, right?

“And because, well, because you said it would help you decide about Grandpa’s offer.” She murmured.

Seconds of silence lapsed into minutes.

“Are you mad?” Gwen asked meekly, peeking at the boy from the corner of her eyes.

He stared at her, brows furrowed, lips pressed into a grim line.

The warehouse was Kevin merely testing the waters with the red head. He wanted to see how far Gwen was willing to go and what it would take to convince her to misuse the watch. He had tricked her, manipulated her, used her. It shouldn’t have bothered him in the least.

All those people he had double-crossed before, he felt they deserved it. They had agreed to work with him, to do him favors because they would get something out of it.

Not Gwen. She had to have risked getting into trouble with her family and the law for his sake.

So yes, he was mad. He was angry and furious and all too many shades of pissed off.

But not at her. No, this loathing and disgust was for him. “I’m not.”

It was obvious in the sadness reflecting in her eyes that she didn’t believe him. She pretended to anyway, because she thought it would make him feel better. “That’s good.”

“So, you’re really going to just use that thing for fighting aliens and psychos?”

Gwen canted her head thoughtfully, “Well, I could use it to overclock my laptop and that videogame console of Ben’s so you two won’t have to worry about it overheating all the time.”

Kevin blinked.

“That is if you decide to come with us. Because if not, I totally don’t plan on doing Ben any favors.” She explained, her cheeks taking on a pink tinge.

“I don’t really know. I mean, I’ve gotten used to living on my own. It ain’t anything fancy but I do have a roof over my head. Sorta. And I know what to do and how to get by.” He scratched the back of his head. “What do you think I should do?”

Gwen blinked in surprise, was he seriously asking for her opinion? “Personally I think you should say yes. But...” she trailed off, the faint pink of her face deepening into scarlet, “But it’s your life so it’s your choice.”

She noticed he was studying her intently. “What?”

“You are way too nice to be real. I keep thinking I’m on one of those practical joke shows and any minute now someone’s going to tell me it’s all a gag. That no one could really like a freak like me.”

She punched him on the shoulder.

“What was that?” he rubbed the spot she hit him.

“Just something to keep the audience at home entertained.” She teased. “This is negative reinforcement. Ben and I already told you we don’t think you’re a freak. Every time you make a self-pitying comment, I hit you. I won’t have to hit you too often, will I?”

He shrugged, “I wouldn’t worry too much, you hit like a girl.”

She shot him a dirty glare, he laughed.

With the surge of adrenaline finally dying down, Gwen let out a wide yawn.

“Someone sure needs their beauty sleep.” Kevin teased.

“I just need to rest my eyes a bit.” She stifled another yawn as she laid down on the mattress.

“Go on, catch a few Z’s.” he offered.

“Goodnight.” She murmured.

Kevin didn’t bother to answer as he stretched out on the mattress, his arms acting like a makeshift pillow. Gwen had fallen asleep the moment her eyes closed, no such luck for Kevin. There were too many thoughts running in his mind.

If he said yes, he’d have the chance to live a relatively normal life. He wouldn’t be thought of as a freak or an outcast. He’d have friends, real friends. Sure he’d have to answer to someone else, but he could easily feign sincerity.

But how long would that last? How long before they decided he wasn’t worth the trouble and drop him?

Kevin felt something press against him, something warm and soft. Looking down, he realized it was just Gwen who seemed to be seeking refuge from the cold. He wondered if she knew what he had done, would she still treat him the same way? Would she still trust him?

He draped an arm around her, drawing her close to him. He listened intently to the steady rhythm of her breathing, unknowingly taking comfort that she was real and not just a dream. Her hand rested against his chest, lightly touching the lock he wore around his neck.

He brushed her hand with his fingers before idly toying with the watch. Make no mistake, he still wanted the Omnitrix. But he was beginning to prefer if Gwen came along with it. As he fiddled with the dial, Kevin felt a spark shoot out from the device, followed by an unbelievable jolt of energy.

He pulled his hand away and stared at his limb. It was alight with fire but he felt no pain, no searing agony, just a strange, comfortable heat. His face, his torso, they too were covered in the strange pattern while the rest of him was still human.

Gwen, exhausted by the day’s events, barely stirred.  

Earth-hued eyes trailed from his flaming hand to the watch and back to his body.

Well, this changes everything. Lies, Deceit and Betrayal whispered in glee. Say yes, Kevin. Say yes!

And the dark-haired boy knew he would. For all the wrong reasons.

                                                             ----------

Ben was roused from his sleep by a concerned Max. “Grandpa, it’s five in the morning.”

“You wouldn’t know where Kevin is, would you?” the elderly Tennyson asked.

Ben yawned and gestured to the bed beside his own before drawing the covers over his head.  

“He’s not there.” Max sternly stated.

Green eyes widened in surprise as the brunette turned to see that the sheets didn’t even looked slept in. “Oh man, don’t tell me he bailed on us. Maybe he just went out for some air? He said he hadn’t made up his mind yet.”

The bigger concern Max had was “Gwen’s missing too.”

Ben didn’t seem all that bothered, “She’s probably trying to talk him into joining us. I’d be more worried about her scaring him off.” He shrugged; lids drooping after the initial shock had worn off.

“I guess you’re right. Gwen’s a smart kid though I’d have appreciated it if she left a note. Anyway, Ben since you’re already up, care to join me for some breakfast?”

Ben stared at his grandfather before burrowing under the covers.

Max just chuckled as he left.

As the young boy turned in his sleep, he accidentally knocked the remote off the bed, switching the television set on. The brunette was far too lazy and too sleepy to reach for the remote on the floor, let alone actually get up to turn the set off. The sounds of a news bulletin filled the room.

“-fire under the 39th street bridge causing serious injury to three members of a small time gang just a few hours ago.”

Something about the address seemed familiar to Ben, but it was too early in the morning for his brain to properly process information.

“According to the survivors, the perpetrator was... on... fire?” The news anchorman sounded confused, whispering off-camera “Literally?”

Ben, on the other hand understood what that meant. He thought back to the conversation he had with Kevin yesterday. The older boy had admitted why the gang was really after him and Ben thought it was pretty cool at the time that Kevin trusted him enough to confide in him.

“No way.” He frowned. Throwing the covers off, Ben raced to get dressed. He hoped he remembered the way to that abandoned subway terminal.

                                                             ----------

Kevin decided that if he was going on the road with the Tennysons, he had to finish up some loose ends. Namely giving that gang of thugs a farewell present for all the “fun” times they’ve had. He had left Gwen at the terminal, no sense in waking her up for something she would have tried to stop him from doing.

It was simple enough to catch the gang off-guard. The dark-haired boy wanted to cause a lot more damage but the energy that had turned him into the hybrid of human and heat burned out. No pun intended.

Whatever mayhem he had caused would have to do as he ran to avoid being seen. He had the rest of the summer to tinker with the timing and figure out how else he could exploit the watch’s alien forms. Having Ben, Gwen and their grandfather smooth things out for him would make it so much easier.

He honestly believed his luck was finally changing. And then he got back home and found both cousins waiting for him.

“Where were you?” Gwen asked; arms folded across her chest in suspicion.

“More importantly what were you doing?” Ben added.

“What’s with the third degree all of a sudden? I was just out on a walk to do some thinking.” Kevin lied.

“Really? Then explain how this guy who was on fire somehow managed to trash and maim some group of thugs.” Ben demanded.

“How should I know? New York City’s got a lot of crazies running around. Besides, who’s to say those guys over at 39th street didn’t deserve whatever they got?” the dark-haired boy reasoned.

Gwen’s brows knitted together, “Ben never said where the attack took place. How did you know unless...”

“Fine! It was me.” Kevin spat, “But these were the guys from yesterday. They would have done something to someone else so I just made sure they were out of commission.”

“But how’d you get Heatblast’s powers?” Ben pressed. Of the two cousins it was obvious Ben was the angrier party. The brunette felt stupid to have thought Kevin hung around with him because he wanted to. Now that he thought about it, the older boy had asked so many questions about the Omnitrix and Gwen. And like the dweeb that the red-head often accused he was, Ben told Kevin everything.

“I just touched the watch and then the next thing I knew I was on fire.” He shrugged as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “And I was never really good at tying up loose ends so I figured I’d burn them instead.”

There was the sharp sound of flesh hitting flesh and Kevin stepped back, nursing his cheek. Two pairs of eyes stared in shock at the red-haired girl who had just slapped the pale boy.

“Listen to yourself. You hurt people, you use people, and you’re not sorry for any of it. Are you?” Gwen’s voice was a medley of hurt, disappointment and disgust. She couldn’t believe how easily she had been taken in. She was smarter than this, wasn’t she?

Apparently not. Gwen started to leave but was stopped as Kevin grabbed her roughly by the arm.

“Hey gimme a chance to explain.” He demanded.

“What’s there to explain? That the whole wanting me to loosen up was just an act so you could get your hands on the watch?” Gwen hissed while trying to wrench herself free.

Kevin held fast somehow knowing if he let go it would all be over. “I didn’t even know I could do that until last night! You have to believe me!”

“Get your hands off my cousin!” Ben growled as he tackled the older boy.

“You do not want to make me mad, Tennyson.” Kevin snarled back, fist crackling with electricity.

A blinding flash of green and the two boys were suddenly pried apart by a Tetramand. “Enough!”

“Good thinking Gwen.” Ben was too angry to care that he was showing approval for his cousin, “Use Fourarms and teach Kevin a lesson!”  

“Tempting as it is to take out my anger on Kevin, I’m not going to do that.” Gwen had simply come to the conclusion that it would do little good. What would that accomplish? Absolutely nothing. Sure she’d feel a sense of justice for paying him back, but that would only be a fleeting victory. Besides, it was her own fault for thinking someone would actually like her for her and not just because she had the Omnitrix.

“But he totally tricked us to get to the watch!” Ben reasoned.

“Which he wouldn’t know enough about if you hadn’t told him everything.” Gwen snapped. “So you’re just as much to blame as he is.”

Kevin realized Gwen was right.

It was all Ben’s fault things turned out the way they did. If Ben hadn’t butt in, Kevin might have been able to convince Gwen that she could still trust him. If Ben hadn’t know where the gang hung out, he wouldn’t have figured out Kevin had anything to do with the attack. Hell, if Ben hadn’t shown up at all, Gwen would never have known about the incident in the first place.

Yes, Kevin was sure of it. This whole mess is all Ben’s fault. He clutched at Gwen’s arm and found he could absorb the energy the Omnitrix was emitting. His form began to change and grow, his skin crimsoning, an extra pair of limbs sprouting.

“No way.” Ben uttered in amazement.

Gwen turned to face Kevin and found herself being roughly shoved away. She crashed into a wall, momentarily stunned.

“I’ll teach you to mess things up, you little runt!” Kevin’s distorted voice snarled at Ben.

“You would be so cool if you weren’t such a jerk.” Ben remarked as he dodged a heavy-fisted punch. Ben had seen Gwen fight enough times as Fourarms to know that this form was slow and not very agile. Strange how the only times the brunette could keep his wits about him was in a fight.

“I may be a jerk but at least I can squash you li-” Kevin was unable to finish his sentence as Gwen rammed her shoulder against him. He slammed against the wall on the far end of the room.

“Already forgot that when you make a self-pity comment, I hit you?” She frowned. “Ben, get out of here.”

“I am not leaving you to deal with the freak by yourself.” He stubbornly replied.

“Don’t call him that!” She stamped, leaving a deep impression on the ground. Angry as she was, she understood how the older boy could display such sociopathic tendencies. The last thing either of them needed was Ben riling up Kevin anymore than he already was.

Kevin growled as he raised all his arms into the air before swiftly bringing them down. The impact caused a shockwave to reverberate through the abandoned terminal, knocking Ben to his feet and ending a good distance away.

Gwen, with her larger form, managed to keep her footing. “Ben!” she cried out. Her concern for her cousin distracted her, allowing Kevin to grab her and hurl her aside.

“You should have listened to your cousin, Ben.” He chuckled, running towards the smaller boy, a hammer blow at the ready.

The brunette got to his feet just as Kevin created a crater where Ben had just been milliseconds earlier. He lashed out and managed to grab the smaller boy by the ankle. With a manic grin, Kevin threw him at a nearby stack of empty crates.

“Kevin that’s enough!” Gwen declared catching the older boy in a submission hold. Hopefully she was doing it correctly, the additional limbs both parties had made it tricky. “I don’t want to fight you but I’m not going to let you tear my cousin apart.”

It was a mistake on Gwen’s part that Kevin could touch her. He simply started to absorb more energy. She cried out, eyes widening as the emblem began to flash red. In the blink of an eye, the Omnitrix timed out, leaving Gwen hanging from Kevin’s neck. The older (and considerably much larger) boy pulled the red-head off him and held her eye-level.

“You should have pounded on me when you had the chance.” He stated gruffly.

She stared back at him, defiant and frustrated and furious. But also scared, and worried and hurt. Mostly hurt. “What now? Gonna finish me and my cousin off?” she demanded with as much bravado as she could muster.

“I could do that, but you know what? I kinda like having you around. Maybe after I get the watch, I’ll waste just your cousin and keep you.” He grinned, grabbing a firm hold of the Omnitrix’s faceplate before starting to pull.

It felt like someone was trying to cut her arm off with a dull, rusty spoon, and Gwen let out a pained shriek.

Kevin found himself pausing at the sound, seemingly unable to continue if it meant hurting her.

“Let. Her. Go!” Ben yelled as he leapt into the air, brandishing a metal pipe. He swung hard and the pipe struck Kevin squarely in the jaw. The force caused the dark-haired boy to resume pulling.

The alien device, possibly offended by such an unrefined attempt at separating it from its host, released an abnormally powerful wave of energy. The blow knocked all three youths apart with Kevin’s hulking mass crashing through several support beams before reverting to his human self.

The cousins landed against the stairs leading to the exit.

With the support beams broken and the existing state of disrepair, the subway terminal threatened to collapse in on itself. The Tennysons got to their feet, both cousins dashing towards the older boy’s location.

Indeed Kevin had been trying to kill them, well one of them at least, but neither Tennyson wanted blood on their hands. They had to save him, even if only one of them thought he deserved it.

A large chunk of the ceiling shook loose and headed directly for Gwen. A weak bolt of electricity shot out, hitting the young girl just hard enough to knock her out of harm’s way without hurting her too much. With all the debris falling, Ben couldn’t be faulted for mistaking this as an attack. He grabbed his cousin and ran for the exit.

“Ben we have to save Kevin!” Gwen yelled, glaring at the crimson faceplate, “Stupid watch, why won’t you power up?”

She glanced over her shoulder and hoped that it was Kevin’s silhouette she saw running into one of the tunnels. The cousins got out just as the stairwell crumbled.

Gwen couldn’t bring herself to move from where she stood. Her hands clenched into a fist as she whispered, “This is all my fault. I should never have let him talk me into going to that warehouse.”

Ben frowned, “It’s not your fault. He brought it on himself. Besides, I’m sure Kevin’s tougher than we think. He’ll be fine.”

Gwen didn’t seem convinced.

“Let’s get out of here.” Ben suggested. “We’ll just tell Grandpa Kevin decided to stay in New York.”

“Sure, whatever.” She sighed.

It was going to take a long time before Gwen forgave herself.

Meanwhile in one of the tunnels, Kevin was doing his best to catch his breath. In the darkness, his hands balled into fists. He had the watch. He had Gwen. He had everything he needed and wanted.

And then Ben ruined everything. He felt the alien heat course through his body and an arm ignited. He snarled an inhuman snarl.

It was going to take a longer time before Kevin forgave Ben.

If at all.