October 15th

0906 EST

            The nightmares were getting worse.

            Of course, they had always been bad to CJ but after Bristol got kidnapped, they were straight up terrifying. And now, with whatever was happening to him, they were almost unbearable. It didn't even feel like he was in control of his own mind, which scared him considering he knew the feeling.

            He kept seeing his friends, lying dead because of his lack of control. He saw glimpses of some other timeline, some life that he couldn't deem his or not. Flashes of faces, a man and woman laughing happily, rain pouring down the side of a car window, blood, and a hospital room that sent shivers down his spine.

            Voices racked his skull, starting as whispers until they were screaming at the top of their lungs. He knew some of the voices—Bristol, Tristan, Avi—but others...he felt like he should know but he couldn't pinpoint them.

            CJ shot awake.

            He scrambled out of his bed, looking back at it like it was a crime scene that he had created. Stumbling over himself, he tore into his bathroom, gripping the sides of his sink.

            His mind felt like it was on override, blank memories colliding with new ones in starbursts of pain. He winced, looking into the mirror. His hazel eyes were bloodshot, his hair was rumpled, and the tracks of tears trailed down his cheeks. The more he stared, the more his irises shimmered an electric blue, which caused him to avert his gaze.

            Thankfully, a knock at the door shook CJ out of his mental prison. He cast a final look in the mirror before padding away, shaking slightly. He made it to the door and felt numb as he looked upon Bristol.

            "Hey," she greeted softly. "Are you okay?"

            CJ opened his mouth on instinct to try and come up with some ploy, but he found himself shaking his head. "No," he whispered.

            Bristol bit her lip, but CJ grabbed her hand and pulled her to him, keeping her in a tight embrace. Reassurance flooded his being as he felt her wrap her arms around him.

            They were silent for a few moments until Bristol pulled away. She searched his eyes, drawing her eyebrows together in concern. "Nightmare?" She asked.

            CJ nodded, taking a shaky breath. "They've been getting pretty bad," he ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know how to stop them."

            Bristol was silent. CJ took in her disposition and while tension was evident in everyone these past few months, it seemed to take more of a toll on her lately. She was...different.

            "Something's up." He noted, the tremble in his voice disappearing.

            Bristol met his gaze defensively. Something was fleeting in her eyes, and CJ was determined to find out what it was. "Nothing's up."

            "You're lying."

            "No, I'm not."

            He took a step forward but Bristol only backed up. Her eyes were filled with hurt...or was that guilt?

            She shook her head, running a hand through her dark hair. "Priscilla needs us all in five minutes. Contingency meeting."

            CJ nodded, watching her head down the hallway with concern. He hated the circumstances surrounding headquarters, he hated not being able to be a normal guy with a normal life and a normal girlfriend. He wanted to defeat Rune once and for all, and maybe, just maybe, would some normalcy return to their lives.

            He scoffed at the thought. Nothing would ever be normal for him, not as long as his life was a blank and he was turning into a monster.

            Taking a deep breath, CJ retreated back into his room, and forced himself to shake the feeling that he wasn't alone.

~~~

            The control room was now a war station, complete with constant footage of headquarters, Shadowedge Prison, Brightbay City, and just about everywhere else that Rune was suspected to have been active in.

            Stationed around the various control panels were Priscilla, Bristol, Tristan, Avi, Liv, Calum, and a handful of the Contingency. Rune's latest trick required the majority of the group to be absent, but the tension was still lingering in the air.

            Titanium Wave cleared his throat, stepping forward. "Good morning, heroes. I trust you all slept well."

            CJ had to stifle a scoff.

            "We have determined news on Rune's motives in the past few weeks. As I'm sure all of you have noticed, there have been links to cemeteries within Rune's temporary fortresses. At first, this seemed to be irrelevant but word of a possible necromantic advantage has surfaced." Titanium Wave continued.

            Tristan arched an eyebrow from the opposite side of the room. "Rune's planning to raise the dead?"

            "Not necessarily," Amber Beam pitched in. "But he is using the energy in some way that will most likely be beneficial to him."

            CJ knit his eyebrows together in confusion, but Titanium Wave continued. "We will notify you all when further updates have been discovered. On another note, we may have a way to pinpoint Rune's location before he strikes again. The amulets that Rune and his allies use for teleportation could be used in our favor if we can apprehend one."

            Instantly, CJ locked eyes with Bristol, Tristan, and Avi. They all shared a look that led to Liv. The platinum haired girl seemed to have shrank with the hero's words, worry in her caramel eyes.

            "We do have one," She said meekly. "Back in a flash."

            Before anyone could interject, Liv tore from the room. Moments later, she returned, the glimmering amulet dangling from her grip. She walked up to Titanium Wave and handed it to him like it was a stick of dynamite.

            The monotonous leader of the Contingency investigated the amulet before slipping it into his pocket. "Very well," he cleared his throat. "Furthermore, the amulet can be used to trace Rune's whereabouts, and if our abilities and technology are able, possibly apprehend him before he strikes."

            "So the fate of the city lies in the will of a necklace?" CJ piped up, rolling his eyes.

            Priscilla's eyes widened as she glared at CJ. "CJ, quiet." She snapped.

            "No, thanks." CJ retorted before glancing back at Titanium Wave. "We should be doing more on the front lines, not waiting in the wings for a necklace to show us the way."

            For a moment, he and Titanium Wave stared one another down. Tension crackled between them like a storm about to break, and just before it did, the man spoke.

            "Meeting adjourned." He sneered at CJ before turning on his heel and consorting with his colleagues.

            CJ rolled his eyes. He really hated that guy and his doom and gloom manners. He pushed himself away from the wall and stalked towards the door.

            "You brought up a very relevant point, CJ." Avi noted. "Surely, the Contingency will take your input into consideration."

            CJ sighed. "Yeah, well, not much else we can do at this point. They're still treating us like kids."

            He entered the cortex, reclining against the foot of the training platform. He waited for Bristol to take a seat beside him, but she made a beeline for one of the nearby pillars. Frowning, CJ looked away.

            Everyone was silent, considering the fact that there was hardly anything to say at that point. The Contingency had gone back on their word to install more mission for the Union, only relying on them when the big shots couldn't.

            "My, my, how the mighty fall. The great Union, reduced to silence." A snide voice filled the room.

            Calum.

            It took all of CJ's willpower not to pulverize the guy once and for all. He balled his fists, shooting daggers at the telepath as he sauntered in.

"What do you want?" CJ spat.

Calum smiled slyly. "I thought the cortex was where we could all hang out, was I wrong?"

"Yes," Avi snapped bitterly. "The purpose of the cortex is indeed for relaxation but also training for the members of the Union, and you, Calum Darius, are not a member of the Union. This room and its functions do not apply to you."

Calum arched his eyebrows slightly. CJ expected him to fight back, to see the impish glint in the telepath's eyes that led to some snarky remark, but as Priscilla and Specter walked into the room, his dark eyes filled with worry rather than wit.

"Heroes, you all know Specter, I'm sure." Priscilla motioned a hand towards the man at her side. He smiled somberly to Tristan and Liv, but the guy radiated darkness and bad vibes in general.

            Priscilla pressed her lips into a thin line. She must have had something to say and from the looks of it, it wasn't easy to come out with. "As you all have noticed, Rune's minions have been gaining strength." She spoke carefully.

            CJ bit back a scoff. That was clearly an understatement. In the months since the battle, geysers of lava had been erupting randomly through the city, courtesy of Aetna. Psyche was controlling more and more people to do quick tasks for him, and Phobos was spreading fear like no ones business. Brightbay City had become a playground from the baddies to run amok, and it made CJ's stomach twist that he couldn't help the people fast enough.

            "Oh, we've noticed." Bristol grumbled. "I'm still sore from having to deal with all of Aetna's nonsense."

            Priscilla took a sharp breath. "Aetna could be the least of our problems." She said softly. "Halloween is rapidly approaching, and while it bodes a feeling of festivity for most people, the holiday still radiates fear, which Phobos gains strength from. What with this news of a necromantic approach by Rune...this could be a great disadvantage for us."

            Tristan knit his eyebrows together. "Phobos can do that? Gain strength that easily?'

            Specter sighed. "He is at his strongest whenever people are afraid. Fear incites his presence. And what with the...complications that we have been dealing with, he might use this incentive to his and Rune's advantage."

            Priscilla straightened her posture. "Due to this, security will be increased around headquarters. We will also issue a mission for you all to complete as soon as we have more information."

            And with that, she and Specter marched off back the way they had come. Everyone was silent again, the babble of the fountains and the hum of the lighting above making up for the lost conversations.

            CJ knew that there was something that Priscilla and the Contingency weren't telling them. It didn't just have to do with Phobos. Things were getting bad. he knew that much, and he was getting extremely aggravated as to the amount of secrets that everyone was hiding.

            "So that's it?" Liv asked. "'Phobos is going to get stronger and might just end up destroying us alongside with Rune. Ttyl.'" She mimicked Priscilla, rolling her caramel eyes. "Ridiculous."

            Avi sighed. "What do you suggest we do, Liv?"

            Liv narrowed her eyes in thought. "I say we check it out for ourselves. Find out the plan from behind enemy lines."

            "No," Bristol snapped, cutting Liv off instantly. "That isn't going to happen. We can't make anything obvious and we sure as hell aren't going to risk our lives finding Rune's fortress again."

            Liv's eyes flared a bit. "I'm sorry, do you not remember how Rune vowed to spill our blood the second he got the chance?"

            "Do you not remember how we could hardly defeat him?"

            "I remember that quite vividly, thank you very much."

            Bristol clenched her hands into fists at her sides. She opened her mouth to speak, but clamped her lips shut. Something flashed in her eyes, a realization of sorts, and she stormed out of the cortex.

            CJ got up to go after her, but Avi's glowing eyes stunned him into place.

"Do not, CJ," She said in a low voice. "Give Bristol her space. She has endured more than we realize."

"I say the princess has had a little too much pampering, if you ask me." Calum mused.

Both CJ and Tristan turned around so quickly to face them, CJ was surprised a sonic boom hadn't erupted from the speed. "What the hell did you just say?" CJ barked.

Calum smirked, like this was the reaction he wanted. "She's weak. She's got too many secrets for her own good."

"You would know," Tristan scoffed. "You don't know the first thing about her."

Calum's dark eyes glinted maliciously. "I could say the same thing about you, Tristan."

Tristan's hands iced over. "Watch it," he growled.

Before a brawl could ensue, all three boys went flying in different directions. CJ hit the wall, blinking away the daze as he staggered to his feet. Avi stood in the center of the cortex, looking steamed.

"Enough!" She shouted, her voice reverberating through the vaulty room. "You are acting like children. We do not have the time to implicate dramatics, we have real issues to deal with."

"Exactly," Liv said, standing up from her seat. "So stop with the Macho Man contest and slap some sense into yourselves."

Calum dusted himself off, sending a look Liv's way before addressing the rest of the group. "I'm afraid I can't help you with these problems, sweetheart. Have fun saving the world." He saluted them halfheartedly and stalked off down a corridor.

"I really hate that guy," Tristan grumbled.

"You have no idea." CJ shot a bitter look down the hall Calum had left through. Sure, the guy was an ass but what infuriated CJ even more was that the only memory he had vividly in his mind was one of Calum--and his supervillain father.

Liv huffed a breath. "Boys," she muttered before leaving the room.

Avi stared CJ and Tristan down. "Will you both get a grip?" She hissed. "Did the severity of Priscilla's message not occur to you? Bad things will be happening and we cannot afford to be at civil war with one another."

As much as CJ hated to admit it, she was right. Causing unnecessary tensions would only distract them from the task at hand. Not only that, but CJ still suspected that Liv, Calum, and Priscilla had some reasons for suspicion, and he didn't want any word of their situation reported to Rune.

"Now," Avi continued. "I will go find Bristol and talk with her. Something must have happened to her in Rune's clutches for her to react so strongly to Liv's suggestion. In the meantime, I want you both to train."

Avi headed down the corridor leading to Bristol's room, leaving CJ and Tristan in each other's company, with silence and tension filling the air between them.

~~~

            CJ didn't know how long it took, but a short while after he finished sparring with Tristan, Bristol and Avi entered the cortex. He shot up but couldn't bring himself to her.

            She looked as if she had witnessed a murder. Her eyes were bloodshot and she was hugging her arms to her chest.

            Avi led her to the kitchen, waving the boys over quickly. They didn't hesitate, jogging after the girls instantly.

            Almost immediately, Bristol took a seat on the counter like she always did. Chairs just didn't amuse her, apparently. Avi stood at her side, watching her with concern. CJ and Tristan had no choice but to sit awkwardly at the stools around the island.

            "What's wrong?" CJ asked. His heart was pounding. It killed him to see Bristol like this. Seeing her happy made him happy, but seeing her in any kind of pain ripped his heart to shreds.

            Bristol took a deep breath. "I haven't been entirely honest with you guys." Her voice was hardly above a whisper. "When I was held captive...I was at my weakest. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't manage to escape. But just when I accepted my fate, just when my sobs and shivers would turn into silence, he'd come for me.

            "Rune wanted to make sure that my spirits were crushed. He wanted to make sure that I would either become his proxy or die, and I would always want the latter, and yet he never carried it out. He had Phobos...he had Phobos torture me every day or so. I became a prisoner of my own mind, being subject to my darkest fears each and every day." Bristol's voice caught. "He would show me images of you three, dead. He would make me watch as he killed you and my parents. And that wasn't enough for him. He knew my darkest fear and he exploited it."

            No one tried to speak as Bristol caught her breath. Her eyes were watery but the ferocity in her irises was enough to put anyone to shame. "He would try to drown me in a simulation, and just when I lost consciousness, he'd end it and stuff me back in my cell. I'd wake up bound to my shackles again, but only to anticipate the torture that would surely come for me again."

            One second.

            Two.

            Three.

            A minute passed before Bristol spoke again.

            "I kept this a secret because I didn't want to be reminded of it. My time as a prisoner has made me stronger, and I don't need anyone's pity. I'm not weak and I'm not afraid anymore. Phobos can come for me, I don't care. He won't have anything to exploit anymore." She said with such a hardness to her voice that CJ was stunned.

            "Bristol..." He breathed. "Are you alright?"

            Bristol met his gaze. He could tell she was still a little broken, still a little afraid, but if he knew her, she wouldn't let it show to anyone else. "I'm fine," she said softly. "I only have one question."

            "What is it?" Tristan asked. CJ looked at him and was stunned to find the same ferocity in his eyes that had been evident in Bristol's.

            "When's Halloween?" She asked innocently.

            "Sixteen days, Bristol. October 31st." Avi chirped.

            Bristol's lips stretched into a thin smile. "Phobos thinks he'll be stronger? He thinks he'll be able to come for us? Let him come. I'll be the one to greet him before tearing him apart."

            And with that, she hopped down from the counter and padded out of the kitchen. She headed straight for the platform and no one spoke until the walls came down and Bristol was busy training.

            "She is stronger," Avi noted. "Immensely."

            Tristan ran a hand through his hand. "If she didn't call dibs on defeating Phobos, I would have done it. Just the thought of him or Rune or anyone hurting her..." He set his jaw. "This needs to end."

            "It will," CJ said. "Besides, Bristol isn't the only one that's been getting stronger. We all are."

            CJ debated coming clean about his new abilities, how his eyes would turn electric blue. It seemed like the right thing to do, considering the twisted kumbaya they were all participating in. However, he restrained. Some secrets needed time to be revealed, just as Bristol needed time to confess about her time in Rune's clutches.

            He walked out of the kitchen. leaving Avi and Tristan to their discussions, and walked back into the cortex. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, looking up at the training platform. The walls had been set on transparency, so he could see Bristol fight the figures of light that the simulations provided.

            A melancholy smile spread on his face. He knew she was strong, confident, and fully capable of kicking anyone's ass anyday, but he was becoming more aware of her in the time they've been together. As she kicked and jabbed and manipulated the elements to her will, CJ knew that just like the sea that had given her her powers, she did not like to be restrained. She was changing, sometimes peaceful, sometimes stormy, and with a twist of his heart, his time at sea would have to end sooner or later before he got hurt.