//------------------------------// // 4 Scars Unseen // Story: Chances and Changes: A Vogonverse Tale // by Coruscating Cloak //------------------------------// In the Weeks that followed Jo and her mother’s disappearance found me running myself ragged. Oh I had practiced hiding such things from the kids, unfortunately I was unable to hide it so well from my two roommates. I couldn’t afford to miss work, but still found myself using terminals to search for any information I could. One of the things you should know about the stacks is that they are a crime-ridden underbelly to any city they are part of. This isn’t by design, but because they were meant to be temporary housing that lost the ‘Temporary’ status. Due to this and the rampant poverty people get desperate. It is a terrible tide that small changes fight but will never conquer without concerted effort by many. Finally one day as I shrugged on my my gear to attempt once again to find more information it all came to a head. Turning, a familiar aura enveloped the door handle as I reached for it not allowing me to leave. “Mac we need to talk” comes Cadences voice as I turned to her and Shining. “You can’t keep doing this to yourself.” “Yes, Cadence, I can.” I hear myself say almost automatically. I hate how cold it sounds. “Even if I didn’t have a contract with her family. too many out there are abandoned and I can’t turn my back. I know you can feel that place. The fear and desperation.” I see Shinings horn start to glow as Cadence’s fades. “And if you find they are dead, what do you do?” She asks, unlike me her voice isn’t hard from fatigue and irritation, it is patent and calm. “And what about the other students is it fair that you aren’t visiting them as much?” The needle in those words is sharper than I want to admit. “Yes you make time for the classes but the adults know you are a little distracted. You haven’t smiled in weeks.” taking a cautious step forward both of them had been working on their magic but it was slow to build back up to what they were used to and I could see it was wearing them out, I can only imagine how much Shining chafed at that. Looking between the two of them I sigh. “Your right” eating crow is never pleasant “You’re both right.” I can see them visibly sag with relief as Shining releases the door. Then his eyes narrow “You don’t give in that easily” He isn’t accusing me, not exactly “What are you thinking.” Here I smile “I didn’t say I was going to stop, I only acknowledged you were right. I can’t do this alone.”

============================================================================================ This place is wrong in so many ways. Still at least my charge and I were able to find a place where I could watch the Interlopers’ home. My charge calls this place "The Facility" and has been encouraging me to simply walk up and knock. I don't think she realizes how dangerous that could be. I saw him in the ruins of her home, if you could call it that and am not convinced she would not come to harm. With neither backup, nor a satiated hunger I am unsure if I would even be able to protect her if anything goes wrong. Still there is an odd familiarity to the energy of that place. It bears more watching before I make a move. ==================================================================== I grabbed an old trench coat to ward off the cold, and chuckle. It amazes me still how many people confuse iconic coats like this with the dusters and greatcoats you see in old 90's and early 2000's movies. The only thing missing is a fedora and I could look like I walked off “casablanca” well sort of. Walking the streets I slowly end up leaving the edge of the stacks behind as I make my way closer to Canal park. The advantage of living where I do is that I can go from one extreme to the other within a reasonable walk. Looking up at the old buildings near by as well as the now closed old ore ship turned museum. It’s sad really how much things have changed. I end up stopping for a moment to look out over the water, old memories being called up weather I want them or not. With a brief shake of my head I continue my trek, up the skywalk and over to the old Hunter Building, all in all the whole walk maybe took an hour. Still passing through I can hear grandfather talking about the different places that had been in the building. Reiki Night, The emporium, fusion drinks. Now mostly offices, though a few of the new agey places still hold. the old emporium now holding a small office “Wight Investigations” with A smirk I knock on the door “Aunt Sarah? You in?” A little old woman, her hair salt and pepper sits behind the desk, despite being older her blue eyes are as sharp as ever. “Mac?” her weathered face splits into a grin “what brings you in today” “Actually I am here for business. “ I sigh, realizing how long it had been since I had seen my honorary great aunt as her smile falters for a moment “I know the stacks are rife with crime but one of my students went missing. I was wondering if you have heard any weird rumors coming out of there? The kids have gone oddly quiet.” “You know I can’t work for free Michael.” she steeples her fingers on the desk “By Khenti, I know that Sarah, you have a business.” I throw my hand against my chest in mock indignation. “ And when this is resolved we will need to get some tea, or maybe hit O’Leries’ pub down the street.” Putting my thumb on her scanner to pay. “ I will keep my ears open, though I did hear you made an enemy of one of the would be drug lords in there.” her laughing eyes get sharp “Be careful Mac, You are far too much like your grandfather, that old workhorse never knew when to quit.” I smile at her “I always am Aunt Sarah” I smile grabbing my hat up “Thank you.” weather it is for the warning or the compliment I am not sure, probably both. “Did you get the Colt replica last yule?” I smirk as her eyes widen “Get going sneak.” She laughs shooing me out the door. With a laugh I make my way out with a wave. The walk back was slow my own mind whirling, the memories I had been pushing down bubbling up, Mom walking with us to see grandpa, Junie, Cielia, Shawn, and I playing and listening to moms lilting stories. Funny how our lives had fragmented. “Should see if I can get in contact with them.” I mutter. In my musing I wandered too close to the stacks, the only warning that something was going to happen is a scuff behind me. Then stars, and the world goes black.