Board for X-Men: The Next Generation (Project JJ)

Note: Only members of X-Men: The Next Generation can post or reply on this board.

Any HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and such tags can be used on the board.

Thread for A Tale of Wreckage

Index \| New Thread \| Reply \| Close \| Stick \| Delete
A Tale of Wreckage
Naut 2:51am, October 11, 2011 [Edit] [Delete]	Hello. Here's the story of Keaton Kincaid. He's a troubled young man who comes from money, yet doesn't appreciate it. He is full of attitude, piss and vinegar. He doesn't like people, and that includes his family. So what makes him redeemable? What makes you want to root for him? ...That's for you to find. I cannot presume to say what you'll like about Keaton. Feel free to follow along and read his story. There are 8 installments of his story planned out so far. It will grow from there. I hope you enjoy. :)
Issue #1, October 2nd 2011
Naut 2:54am, October 11, 2011 [Edit] [Delete]	I don't HAVE a fucking tie! Keaton shouts across the house. It's a big house, too. Everyone heard him. His mother, father, and two brothers. In fact, Kale, his younger brother, is in the very next room and pounds his fist on the wall. Keaton can hear his voice from inside the bathroom. ["Hey! No swearing!"].. Fuck you. Then there's the footsteps. Keaton hears and feels them before he sees his older brother, Kevin, appear in the bathroom doorway. Keaton rolls his eyes as he continues to play with his hair in the mirror. Kevin does not look happy. ["What did you say to him?"].. Saaaame thing I'm gonna say to you. Ready? Keaton turns to properly face Kevin, and speaks as if he's speaking to a slow person.. Fuuuuuuck...yoooooouuu. Kevin frowns and slugs Keaton in the chest, hard. Kevin's definitely a bigger guy, even for the "brains" of the family. And the thud rocks him backwards a couple steps. ["Don't talk to my little brother like that. And stop being a faggot with your hair and get a tie from Dad."]Keaton narrows his eyes at Kevin as his brother leaves the bathroom.. He's my little brother too. I'll talk to him however I fucking feel li-- And that's precisely when his mother appears. She's dressed to the nines and looking mighty fantastic. The only thing out of place is the look on her face. It's "what are you doing?" mixed with "you shouldn't act that way", and "why don't you ever behave?" and it's enough to ignite just the smallest feeling of shame in Keaton. He loves his mom, after all. ["You need a tie? Here. This is one of Dad's favorites."] She hands Keaton a dim yellow tie that has faint stripes on it. Keaton takes it and turns to the mirror to start putting it on, flipping up his collar. His mom stands and watches. ["Kevin and Kale are right. Can you just treat them a little nicer?"].. Tell that to them, Mom. I don't do anything to provoke them, they just come at me. Kevin walks by just at that moment, saying...["Oh, poor baby..."] Keaton's mom slaps him on the shoulder. ["Seriously, Keaton. I'd like to hear cleaner words out of you, okay? Especially tonight. Best behavior?"] Keaton rolls his eyes as he finished the tie.. No guarantees. It all depends on these monkeys. He flicks his head toward the wall connecting Kale's bedroom, indicating his brothers. He smooths out his collar, and his mom steps forward to straighten and tighten his tie. ["You're very handsome, Keaton. Look very much like your father did at your age. You know I'm proud of you, right?"] ...Keaton is obviously confused by this.. ...Why? He definitely hasn't done anything for her to be vocally proud about lately...except maybe tying a tie correctly. ["Because you're my son. And moms are proud of their sons."] Keaton hugs his mom half-assedly and moves into the hall.. So cheesy, Mom. Keaton heads downstairs.. Kevin is already downstairs, sitting on a barstool in the kitchen, when Keaton arrives. He's so thrilled, that Keaton says, fecitiously.. Oh, joy. The two of us get some much-needed alone time. ["Go to hell, Keaton."].. Ah, yes. That brotherly love. Feel it permeate the very walls of the stately Kincaid manor. ["Do you REALLY want to have to explain a black eye to all the guests tonight? I'll help with that, y'know."] Keaton chuckles a little bit.. No, I'd rather have to explain to Dad WHY I'm explaining a black eye to the guests. He'd LOVE to know who's responsible for the night not going PERFECTLY to plan. That about shuts Kevin up. But, right on cue, in walks Drew, their father. His suit is immaculate. He looks like he just stepped out of a GQ magazine. ["Alright, kids, tonight has to go PERFECTLY to plan. I'm not even kidding."] He points to Kevin. ["No drinking."] He points to Keaton. ["No swearing. Don't be rude. No smoking."] Kale comes downstairs into the kitchen with Mom. Dad spins on his polished heels and points to Kale. ["No bragging."] Racquelle, their mom, raises a brow and smirks. ["What about me, honey?"] Drew thinks a moment. ["Uhh, no trading recipes!"] She looks positively insulted, but jokingly so. ["What? My recipes are amazing!"] Drew winks.["Exactly."] Keaton rolls his eyes and goes to the fridge, opening it. Dad notices and calls it out. ["Ah-ah-ah, Keaton. We're going to a dinner event. We'll eat there."] Keaton is horrified.. Dad...it's not even lunch time. I'll starve if we have to wait. Dad considers this, glances down at his watch, and nods. ["Alright, something small. Make it quick."] Kevin smirks. ["Of course it'll be small. She's trying to watch her girlish figure."] Kale laughs, but mom pinches his shoulder. Keaton glares, briskly walks up to Kevin and gets in his face.. WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM, KEV? YOU WANNA SAY SOMETHING? Keaton reaches down and tightly grabs his brother's junk, squeezing hard.. SAY IT NOW! C'MON, MOTHERFUCKER! SAY IT NOW! The room explodes with movement. Kale runs from his mom's side and jumps onto Keaton's back to try and save his brother, but this only causes Keaton's balance to shift and to yank more on Kevin's scrumdiddlyumptious. Kevin's bent slightly and yelling out in pain. ["Ahh! He's got my pork 'n beans!"] Drew runs swiftly to the three of them and shoves his arms in between to try and drive them apart. ["KEATON! LET GO OF YOUR BROTHER! KALE, GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE! KEATON, I SAID LET GO, YOU LITTLE BASTARD!"] Keaton does let go, but not before giving his wrist a good twist. He shrugs his brother off his shoulders and looks down as Kevin crumples to the floor in pain. He's cupping his groin and crying. ["Keaton! Hey! What's the matter with you?"] Drew tries to get an explanation of Keaton's violence. Keaton ignores him and merely looks down at Kevin, about ready to spit.. Think you're closer to a girlish figure now. Keaton walks out of the kitchen...and out the front door, which he slams.. Outside, Keaton pulls a pack of cigarettes from his coat pocket and flicks out a cig. He fishes around for his lighter for a moment before finding it, and lighting the smoke. As he walks down the huge, main drive, he drags on the smoke deep. A chill runs over his body as he holds it all in. His nerves calm, his mind slows...everything looks so easy. So manageable. He pulls on it again, deep. It's so smooth. So relaxed is Keaton, he doesn't hear anyone approach. There's just suddenly a voice right behind him. ["Damnit, Keaton, you're not supposed to be smoking. Give me that."]Keaton jumps, turns around. It's his father. He grudgingly gives up the smoke. To his surprise, his father takes a drag off it too. To his even greater surprise, he hands it back! Keaton, blinking, takes the cig and continues to smoke. ["Keaton, man, you gotta stop lashing out like that."] Keaton's incredulous. This is his fault now? What? HE started it! Fucking Kevin being a douchecanoe! ["I know. I know. But that doesn't excuse what you did. You really hurt your brother. I wouldn't be surprised if we end up taking him to the doctor."] Keaton shrugs, exhaling smoke.. Good. Hopefully he'll rememberthat for next time. Drew looks worried, reaching for the cigarette again, which Keaton shares... ["Keaton...you're too young to be this vindictive."]Keaton doesn't seem to care. Deadpan, he stares into his father's eyes and responds.. ...Blame your sons. He takes his cigarette back. ["Your mom wants me to punish you. Says she just talked to you about best behavior? Frankly, I've half a mind to punish you too. But I know it's not going to fix Kevin, it's not going to change you, and...well...he almost deserved it."].. There, see? ["I said ALMOST."] Keaton shuts up. ["No man deserves to have his junk messed with. ...Maybe, unless he screws kids."] Drew shrugs and turns to head back inside. ["Don't be too long, I don't want mom getting suspicious and figuring out you're smoking."] Keaton is left out there, and he paces slowly around the drive and it's large fountain in the center. He takes his time with the cigarette, savoring it, while he thinks. He thinks about his father...how cool he just was. He thinks about his mother...how much she cares. He thinks about Kale...how loyal he is to Kevin. And, finally, he thinks about Kevin...and cannot figure out why Kevin hates him so much.. Fucking schmoozing. Keaton hates it. He hates the fake smiles. The self-righteous fake laugh that suggests deep pockets. Ever since he first saw how the lower and middle classes view the rich, upper class, Keaton's tried to distance himself from it as much as possible. He doesn't like the money, the fame. He's known money his whole life, and is jaded. He's never known fame for himself, only what his family's name carries, and he is bitter, cynical. The party drags on for hours. Why the hell did they decide to do this charity dinner shit so early in the day? Fucking ridiculous. God, if only he could do something...something like those mutants on TV. If only he had the power, he'd do something here to liven it up. To make them remember. To make them think twice. But then, his family would really hate him. They already don't like Keaton Kincaid himself...his disruptiveness, his "troubled" personality, his need for violence and the joy he gets from causing others harm, his mouth. Imagine, all of that along with Keaton Kincaid and his mutant abilities. God, they'd each have strokes and die. No way does Kincaid Corporation ever say anything public on mutant affairs, or officially give their position on which they're on. That's PR suicide! No, mother and father Kincaid are so incredibly anti-mutant, that if just one of those benefiting from their charity came forward as a mutant, they'd probably...well, they wouldn't pull funding, because that'd be suspicious. They'd probably hire an assassin. That's more their speed. And then they get all upset with Keaton's need for violence. Hypocrites. Jesus Christ, when will this party end? Can't he just go? Why do they even need him? Keaton understands the desire for a parent to show off their brilliant, or athletic child to their peers or constituents or whatever, because of how it reflects on them, but...Keaton doesn't have anything to show off. Really, he does nothing. He has no hobbies, and no academic stand-outs. In fact, right now, Keaton can see his parents standing behind Kevin and Kale, talking to a small group of people pretending to be interested. No doubt they're praising Kevin's brilliance, his acceptance into Yale, how he's competed in world-wide academic decathalons and all that. Oh, sure, now they're raving about how well Kale did in his last national wrestling game. If it weren't for him, the team would have lost, no doubt. Or is it motocross now? Or will they mention his soccer trophies? Who knows. It's all true, sure. But...Jesus they do go on. And here's Keaton, all by himself, leaning against the bar even though he's too young to drink. No one working the bar would say anything...they know he's a Kincaid, that his family is responsible for this little shindig. You'd be blacklisted for saying anything to him. But that just proves the point...Keaton's alone. His family is praising his idiot brothers...because he has nothing worth praising. His scowl, maybe. That's rather impressive... ["You want somethin', little man?"] Oh, good lord, is the help talking to him now? Pity, is it? For fuck's sake. Keaton turns around to see the black bartender offering him a shot of something. Keaton blinks, then looks up at the tender himself.. You serious? Fuck yeah, I do. He reaches and takes the shot, slams it down, then smacks the glass onto the bartop. The tender grins. ["Looked like you could use it."].. You have no idea. The tender takes the shot glass and starts to refill it. Maker's Mark. ["Family problems?"].. If I told you, I'd have to kill you. Keaton takes the glass and slams that shot down too. He starts breathing heavily and bouncing on the balls of his feet, the bourbon is so strong to him.. Fuck me.... The tender smiles again, but doesn't refill the glass. Keaton gives him an impatient look. ["Look, little man, I can appreciate your position, I really can. But your parents probably wouldn't appreciate a fifteen year-old drunk on their hands, messing with their party."] Incredible.. One: sixteen. Two: Ialso don't think they'd appreciate a dead bartender. The bartender laughs a little bit, putting his hands up innocently. ["Whoa, whoa! I'm just tryin' to help you out, man! You don't have to be that way."].. Do I? That's up to you, man. ["You're kinda actin' like an alcoholic. This ain't your first time..."] Oh, he's brilliant too. The tender fills the glass again. Keaton wastes no time with it. ["You're a sparky little punk, aren't you? Full of hate and fury. Just waiting for an excuse, just waiting for the wind to blow wrong, to just explode, huh?"].. God, is there anything you don't do? Like shut up? The tender shakes his head, taking the glass back and putting it below for good. Keaton sees, reaches out his hand.. Gimme my glass back. ["'s not your glass, little man."] Who's paying you? Gimme. He shakes his head again. ["Seriously guy, you're just taking advantage of a nice gesture. Just let it go."] Keaton smacks his hand down on the bar.. I guess you do wanna see how much my parents appreciate-- ["Kid. Stop. Not only are you being a little shit, but you're being stupid."].. Ex-fucking-scuse me? ["You heard me. You can't actually hurt me. Alright? Your threats? They're empty. I'm just being nice here. You should try the same."] Keaton blinks.. Why d'you think I can't hurt you? You think I'm a wimp or something? The bartender actually laughs at this. ["Well, you do look scrawny, little man, but no. That's not why. Here, you wanna try? You wanna take out some of that aggression? Here."] The bartender gives Keaton a steak knife from behind the bar, then spreads his hand out on the bartop, fingers splayed. ["Go for it. Come on, stab."] The bartender's all amped up, ready for this. But Keaton, holding the knife...is confused. Really? This dude actually wants him to stab his fucking hand? Keaton looks around...thankfully, no one's at the bar. Well, the one person that was there getting a drink walked away when the teenager started taking shots. Everyone's all busy face-fucking everyone else. Keaton shrugs.. Alright, you're asking for it. He reaches up and SLAMS the knife down on the guy's hand as hard as he can!! But the knife WRENCHES to the side, bending and crumpling as it comes into contact with the bartender's skin! The force actually backfires on Keaton, and sends a sharp, cramping pain through his hand and wrist! OW! Motherfucker! He drops the ruined knife and rubs his hand vigorously. The bartender picks his hand up and wiggles his fingers for Keaton. He's is completely unharmed. Keaton blinks, forgetting his own pain, amazed.. Wow, man. ["That is why you can't hurt me."].. Keaton lowers his voice, not wanting anyone else to hear. He leans over the bartop toward the bartender.. So...you're a mutant? The bartender nods, pouring himself a small drink. ["That's right, little man."].. What's it like? He tries not to sound too excited, and is successful. ["What, you mean, would YOU like it if it were YOU?"] Keaton hesitates, feeling he crossed some kind of line, but then realizes that's exactly what he meant. And nods.. Yeah. How does it feel to be able to forget about consequences? The bartender laughs, shaking his head. ["There are still consequences, kid."].. You can do anything! You could walk through a fire! You could take a punch! A bullet! You don't have to be scared of anything anymore! The bartender takes a moment to let Keaton catch his breath. ["...What are YOU scared of?"] Keaton is caught off guard by that question. Scared? Him? Well...what...what if he is? What is it? Keaton knows...of all the things going on around him, in his life, happening to him...Keaton knows what he's afraid of. He doesn't answer. Because the answer...scares him. The bartender shrugs. ["Think of it like this: I used to be in politics. They found out who I was, I registered, and now I'm here. Serving alcohol to some rich couple's minor."].. Hey, you're not exactly ideal company either, buddy. ["Why? Because I'm a mutant? Or because I'm black?"].. Okay, enough of the card games. Just...just gimme one for the road. He reaches for another glass, but the bartender doesn't move. Keaton growls a little under his breath.. Well? ["Not until you answer my question."].. ....Really? The bartender nods.. Fuck that. And fuck you. Keaton turns and starts away, but nearly runs into his mom. She smiles and smooths his hair, rubs his shoulder.["Who're you talkin' to, sweety?"] Without looking back, Keaton pushes forward with his mom, knowing how she'd eventually react to him talking to a mutant.. No one, Mom. Come on, I'll fuckin' dance with you, if you want. ["Language, Keaton. You're too good for that."] He leads her to the ballroom floor, where there are a good number of guests already dancing.. No I'm not, Mom. Taking each other's hand, they begin to dance. ["I wish you believed in yourself more, sweety. You're always so down."] Keaton avoids her eyes, but glares through the crowd.. ...Yeah, well, when you've got two perfect kids already, what do you need me for? His mom frowns, genuinely saddened. ["You know that's not how it is."].. Really? How is it? Because not once did you try to introduce me to anyone. She hesitates, not sure how to answer diplomatically at first. ["I...couldn't find you. I kept telling people about you whenever I introduced Kevin and Kale, but you weren't around, so I couldn't. I'm sorry. Next time, try to get more involved."] Of course...it's his fault. He rolls his eyes and just continues to dance, not feeling like talking anymore. Instead, he thinks about the bartender. The mutant bartender. What was Keaton afraid of, that he would be so different if he had mutant abilities like that? If Keaton had incredible mutant abilities...he would be afraid of what he would do with them.. Edited 2:58am, October 11, 2011 by Naut, author.
Issue #2, October 8th 2011
Naut 2:57am, October 11, 2011 [Edit] [Delete]	A small knock on Kevin's door. ["What?"] his brother calls. Keaton opens the door to Kevin's bedroom and steps inside, closing the door meekly behind him. Both Kevin and Kale are in here. Kevin lies on his bed, a bag of ice on his groin. Kale is sitting in the chair at the desk. Both are playing Madden NFL on the XBox. Kevin's face tightens in anger as he focuses on the game. ["What do you want, Keat?"] Keaton rubs his neck, unsure of how to approach this question.. At that party...you met a lot of people right? Kale rolls his eyes. ["Here we go"] Keaton gently kicks the wheel of the chair Kale sits in. Gently, because he's not in the mood to start anything right now. There's something eating away at his mind, and his heart. ["Yeah, so? Just like every party."] Kevin replies, still focused on the game. He scores a touchdown against Kale.. Well...I mean...Mom and Dad talked about you guys, told everyone what you all do and stuff... Kevin takes the free moment to look at Keaton. ["And you wanna know if they mentioned you at all."] Keaton, a little surprised at not having to say it, even though it's not the first time he's asked them, nods.. Yeah. Kale looks at Kevin...then back to Keaton. Kevin exchanges that glance too. ["Look, Keat, what does it matter? Why do you care about this so much? I mean, you never care...about ANYTHING. Why this?"] Keaton understands what that means...and his head hangs a little as he scratches his arm.. It doesn't matter. Nevermind. Kevin shakes his head, unwilling to accept that answer. ["Look, you're a fucking douchebag, you know that, right? You never do anything Mom 'n Dad are proud of. You wreck things. You cause problems. And it's not even on accident."].. What's your point? Spoken sternly, as Keaton begins to get agitated. Kevin snerks. ["You think that's anything they wanna brag about? To clients? Partners? STRANGERS? No. They didn't mention you."] Keaton averts his eyes to the floor, nodding sadly. He turns to leave the room as his brothers continue playing their game. Kale pipes up.["Why'd you even ask?"] Keaton opens the door and, as he exits, answers his brother's question.. Mom said she did. The door closes. The two are left in Kevin's room looking at each other in a surprised, worried manner.. ["Goodbye, you three! See you after practice!"].. What if we don't have practice? ["You know what I mean!"] Racquelle smiles and drives off...leaving her three boys at school. Kevin and Kale split off to go join their respective know-it-alls and meatheads. Keaton is left to wander alone. Keaton hates it here. It's a fucking oligarchy of idiots, bimbos, and closeted homosexuals masking themselves as "cool" kids. All the different cliques and groups and clubs...Keaton stays away from that shit. So where does that leave him? With one friend. Carl. He's a fucktard, and a complete social leper...but perhaps that's what Keaton wants. That way nobody else will touch him. That is what he wants, right? Keaton catches up to Carl, who's sitting on a bench hungrily eating an egg-and-anchovy sandwich. See? Social leper. Keaton sits on the bench next to him, shaking his head.. ...And you wonder why nobody likes you. Carl laughs a little and continues eating, talking with a full mouth. ["You're just jealous."] Keaton shakes his head more, looking away from the disgusting sight and smell.. Yeah, that's it. I wish I was stuffing my face full of stinking fish. Retard. Keaton gets up, glances at his cell phone.. Look, it's almost time for class. I'm just gonna go ahead. See you there. Keaton turns to go. Carl doesn't stop him - he knows better.. Walking to class, Keaton thinks about how much he dislikes Carl. Thinks about how he keeps him around just because. Nope, no reason. Keaton doesn't need friends. He doesn't need social interaction. He's above all of these fuckers. They all chose to fall into any of the groups. They judge each other. Make fun of each other. For what, though? Popularity? Fun? Is it fun to tear someone else down and make them feel like nothing? And popularity? How far will that take you after you graduate? Such is only the currency of high school. And, well, Keaton is among the impoverished. Come on, skinny, red hair, freckles, maladjusted, middle child, talentless, spiteful? These are not the qualities of a campus superstar. But, Keaton never fought for it. He knew his fate, and accepted it. He just wants to be left alone. As Keaton walks to class, thinking about the homework he didn't do, he sees a little ways away a kid being cornered and picked on, whose unfortunate mutation has given him the slight resemblance to a donkey...so, of course, kids have taken to calling him "ass-face". This is the kind of shit that makes Keaton hate school. Hate other people. And want to hurt them.. Keaton approaches, bends down and picks up a rock, until he's a stone's throw away from the group. "Ass-Face" is huddled against the wall, crying, while the "popular" kids tease and torment him. Keaton squeezes the rock hard, angry, before lobbing it at the guys cornering "Ass-Face". The rock glances off the side of one of their heads, and he grabs it, yelling out. They all turn to see Keaton standing there. Now, Keaton may not be in any groups or clubs...he's not popular or famous...but he is known. ["Hey, it's Clit-on."] No, they're not terribly clever.. Leave him the fuck alone. ["Oh, man...we forgot how much you LOVED ass."] ...Okay, that was slightly more clever than usual..* I mean it. Just walk away. ["The Clit's right. Let's just...walk...away..."] He says it as he and his friends walk toward Keaton. At least they're good at following instructions. Keaton doesn't suppose they'd listen to not pounding his face in. ["Check it. We're all gonna start hitting you really hard. You're gonna sit there and cry like a little bitch. Questions?"].. Yeah. Where'd you leave your dick today? Keaton launches his leg forward and cracks the guy in the balls. He screams and Keaton runs while all his friends are distracted. "Ass-Face" is left watching, wide-eyed.. Luckily, those boys are a year older than Keaton, and thus don't have any classes with him. They even have separate lunches. So Keaton has done a great job of avoiding them all day. It was after school, when Keaton had become complacent, that it happened. He's walking with Carl across the field to watch his stupid brother's soccer practice when he's suddenly pushed from behind. He sprawls out in the grass and rolls over to see the dude from earlier and his four friends. Carl immediately backs off, knowing that he's absolutely useless, as usual, and can't do anything to help Keaton. Not that Keaton would ask anyway. Keaton tries to scoot back away from the five of them, scrambling to his feet to face them.. Oh, look, you've finally come 'round to declare your undying love for me. The main Guy smirks. ["You'd like that, wouldn't you?"].. Only to congratulate your coming out. He shakes his head. ["Tear him up."].. Keaton quickly slings his backpack off onto one arm and slams it into one of the guy's faces - who goes down seeing stars - but another one slugs Keaton right in the eye socket. Fuck. That one really hurt. Keaton stumbles, dizzy.. That...all you got? He doesn't evensee the second fist. It smashes into his face straight-on. The world's a blur and then he's suddenly on the ground. He tastes blood. ["FUCK that hurt!"] No doubt the guy who hit him hurt his hand.. ...Mrrhh...Good. ["This guy..."] the main Guy dude. ["...mouthy to the end. Stand back boys, I'll show you how it's done."] Keaton can suddenly hear a number of people around. They all talk to each other. Some cheer for the main Guy. Others call Keaton names. He can feel their eyes all on him. Perfect. Plenty of witnesses to point out who murdered him. The sun's blocked out. Oh, it's the Guy crouching over him, one foot on either side of Keaton. ["You ugly little bitch. I'm gonna add some color to your pale ass."] Keaton laughs a little.. Wait...lemme get a boner first, so I can stick it in. He weakly thrusts his hips up to bump against the Guy, to complete his joke. The Guy jumps, uncomfortable. ["What the FUCK, dude?! Oh, that's it!"] A fist rockets into Keaton's face. He rolls sideways from the hit. He thinks his nose is broken. Tastes more blood. Keaton can't help but laugh, though. Damn, that joke was funny. The laugh turns into a pained cry, though, as the Guy slams the toe of his shoe right into Keaton's spine. THAT fucking hurt. He can't breathe right. It comes again...different spot this time. Keaton screams as his body arches and he pulls blades of grass out of the ground in chunks. Nobody watching seems to think it's a good idea to interrupt. ...Why? The pain morphs inside him. It turns to rage. He tries his damnedest to stand up. He makes it to his hands and knees. But then the Guy punches him in the spine, right where he kicked him before, and Keaton crumples. His hand weakly goes behind him to try and rub his back with his fingers...but it's pathetic really. Keaton only ever is pathetic. Fuck, are those tears? Man, right on fucking cue. ["Alright, Clit, I've just been having fun so far!"] He looks it, too. He's bouncing back and forth on the balls of his feet, like a boxer getting amped up. ["Time to get to it! I owe you something!"] He briskly swoops down, grabs Keaton, and flips him onto his back. Keaton has an idea what's going on here, and he tries to curl up in a ball to prevent any major damage. The Guy notices. ["Hold him, will ya? I'm trying to teach him something. We ARE at school after all!"] His friends all come forward to pull Keaton's arms and legs out, to hold him down and ready.. ...no..c'mon... Begging? Was he really just begging? God, just kill him now. The Guy didn't hear, though, and takes a monstrous step forward before slamming his shoe right into Keaton's groin HARD. The pain is blinding. He feels it all the way up his chest and down the insides of his legs. He can't even hear if he's screaming or not. The crowd goes quiet at this...because even this is too savage. He wants more than anything to curl up and disappear, but those friends of the Guy's are still holding him down and splayed. Keaton coughs, aspirates some blood and vomit, and chokes a little.. The friends let go of Keaton at the sight of vomit, and Keaton promptly rolls over to cough it all up instead of choking to death. The Guy stands back to watch all this with his friends. ["That's what happens when you try to be a hero, Clit. When you fuck with me."] He can barely hear over his coughing. Finally, he gets it all up and can feel his wet eyes leaking from the force of him trying to free his throat. Keaton glances back at the Guy and his friends, fury filling his eyes. The Guy calls him on it. ["What? What, huh? You wanna go still?"] Keaton turns his head away and tries to crawl away. He sees the circle of shoes around him, blocking his path. Some of them start to step aside. There's a thudding noise, and heavy vibrations in the ground under him, and then white-hot pain blankets his face and he sees the sun again. This time, Keaton doesn't move. He doesn't say anything. He doesn't laugh. He just lies there. Fuck. Fuck it all. Fuck them. Fuck anything they think. Just...fuck. The Guy stoops over him. ["You're a piece of shit. You'll always be a piece of shit. Right now, you're the piece of shit tangled up in my ball hairs. I'm cutting you loose. You ever speak to me again? Come near me again? I'll break your skinny little shitty neck. Hear me?"] Keaton moves his mouth a little. No sound comes out. He's thinking to himself, "I thought you wanted me close to your balls." Thank God he didn't say it. ["That's what I thought."] The Guy looks over Keaton's bloody and beaten face. ["Y'know, red really IS your color."] The Guy slaps Keaton's face, forcing a whimper from Keaton's lips, but then finds blood on his hand...so he wipes it on Keaton's shirt. ["Later, bitch."] The Guy stands up and walks off with his friends, all talking about and laughing at Keaton.. The circle of onlookers, none of whome acted this whole time, begin to disperse once they're done rubber-necking at the badly injured Keaton. No one comes to help. Not all of them know Keaton. Some have heard of him, of course, heard of his antics. Some have classes with him and have seen those antics first-hand. Others just came for the carnage to see the aftermath, like vutures. It doesn't matter. Let them look. Keaton doesn't fucking care. When has he ever cared? He was never a spectacle before...nobody wanted to see him, to look at him. But now? Now he's the center of attention. Now he's famous. People are gonna be talking about this ass-beating for a long time. They'll look back on this day and say, "Hey, remember the time that red-head got the shit beat outta him?" And others will reply, "Oh yeah! That was epic! He was bleeding out of his eyes!" Of course, that part didn't happen...Keaton thinks...but exaggeration is always the road these stories take. Fuck. Keaton spits blood out to the side. His mouth is rank with it. He can feel it all over his face. Fuck this shit. He's gonna kill that sonuvabitch. He'll stab him in the face. He'll fucking shoot him through the throat. He'll rip his heart out with his bare hands. This isn't over.. Keaton rolls over, his whole body screaming at him, on fire, in pain. Groaning, Keaton pushes himself to his feet. Carl comes over slowly. ["You...okay?"].. Get the fuck away from me, you pussy-livered little shit. Keaton has no patience for Carl right now. Or ever again. This is bullshit. He has no friends. He has no one. Keaton finds his backpack, trampled, and slides it back on. Carl still stands nearby, unsure of what to do. Keaton ignores him. The onlookers are mostly gone now, but now that Keaton's back up...they really start breaking up and going on their way. He hears a whistle blow. Fucking-- are you kidding? Keaton glances over, wincing with every movement. Sure enough, a coach and a couple yard duties are running over. They see Keaton and are justifiably horrified. ["What the HELL happened to you?!"] The coach comes up, examining Keaton's face and wounds. Keaton pulls away, pissed off.. Get away from me. The coach tries to gently grab Keaton and look again, concerned. ["No, we need to get you looked at, Mr. Kincaid. What happened?"].. Nothing you were too concerned about. He's bitter. They can hear it. ["Hey, we have a responsibility--"] Keaton interrupts.. To make sure it doesn't happen in the first place! And with that, he stalks off away from the field. Fuck his brother. Keaton doesn't even like sports. This isn't over..
Issue #3, October 10th 2011
Naut 3:00am, October 11, 2011 [Edit] [Delete]	After storming off from the scene of the fight, away from the coach and yard duties, Keaton had gone to the bathroom to clean up. He splashed water in his face and wiped off the loose blood. He gingerly dabbed paper towels across his face where he was cut and hurt. It felt good, but it was really painful as well. The cold of the water washed over his face and chilled his bruises. Done, Keaton checked himself in the mirror. He looked like ground meat. And it's only going to get worse.. ...the fuck? Keaton leans closer, feeling something is not right in his mouth. He runs his tongue along one of his teeth...and it's loose. He curls his lip to get a better look in the mirror...and, sure enough, the tooth wiggles as he moves it. Then it just plain falls out. Keaton's eyes go wide as his tooth clinks into the sink beneath him. He scrabbles as it slides around the drain, trying to catch it...but it slips through and disappears forever. Keaton stands there, staring at the drain hole, completely beside himself.. ........FUCK!! Keaton slams his hands on the sink, hard. It hurts. Vibrating hot pain up his forearms. That was not a baby tooth. It won't grow back. He bears his teeth, grimacing, in the mirror to survey the damage. Yup. There's a big ol' fucking gap in his teeth now from where that one fell out. He sticks his tongue through, then closes his mouth, angry. Keaton takes a moment now to stare at himself in the mirror. This...is not...over.. Keaton briskly picks up the backpack and storms out of the boys bathroom, but Carl suddenly walks in and they run into each other. Keaton winces in pain as his injuries are awakened, and he doubles back into the bathroom.. OW, you little shit! Carl looks so mousey, completely caught off guard and so tiny. ["Keaton...I'm sorry..."].. GOD! You're so fucking useless, aren't you?! Keaton still holds his side, which is alive with electric pain.. You just fuckin' stood there! You watched! Keaton's voice rises and rises with every sentence. Every exclamation. The rage just flows unfiltered, unhindered. Soon, he's just screaming at Carl.. I was getting the shit kicked outta me! And what did you do? What could you do?! NOTHING. You did! NOTHING! You PUSSY-ASS, COWARDLY LITTLE FUCK! HOW DARE YOU CALL ME YOUR FRIEND! Carl, crying, is pressed against the wall, trying to disappear. He meekly responds. ["What was I supposed to do? I...I can't fight them. I would've got hurt too..."].. Keaton stops...blinks...incredulous. He can't believe Carl just said those words.. You--? He doesn't even know how to respond.. You...would've got hurt?! GOT HURT?! The dam bursts. The floodgates are overrun. Keaton lets loose everything. Spit flies.. LOOK AT ME! FUCKING LOOK AT ME! YOU SCRAWNY PIECE OF SHIT, LOOK! I GOT HURT! I FUCKING GOT HURT! LOOK AT THIS! He bears his teeth, showing the hole.. ONE OF MY TEETH FELL OUT! I'M MISSING A FUCKING TOOTH! AN ADULT TOOTH! Carl is so tiny...he has nothing to say, even if he could find the words. Keaton presses in on him more.. JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I HAD SOME REALFRIENDS, YOU GO AND PROVE ME WRONG! Keaton pushes Carl, already against the wall, into the wall.. YOU STOOD THERE. He pushes him again. Carl starts sobbing harder, curling up slightly in fear and shame.. AND WATCHED. Keaton pushes him again.. YOU DID NOTHING. ["I'm sorry! Okay?! I'm sorry!"].. Not good enough. Keaton viciously swings at Carl, cracking his knuckles against the other boy's cheek. Carl is practically thrown to the floor from the force of the hit. Carl openly sobs, cradling his face in his hands, curling up into the fetal position.. You little piece of shit! Keaton kicks the downed Carl in the ass. Carl whimpers.. You're NOTHING! He sits down suddenly, on top of Carl, and turns him over forcefully onto his back. He socks him in the face.. YOU HEAR ME?! He socks him again.. YOU'RE NOTHING! Keaton socks Carl once more.. YOU HAVE NOTHING! He grabs Carl by the shirt, lifts him slightly, and slams him against the floor.. YOU DO NOTHING! Keaton hits him two more times in the face.. YOU ARE NOTHING! He holds Carl by the shirt in both hands. The other kid's crying and yelling, trying to get Keaton to stop.. YOU'RE WORTHLESS! WHY HAVEN'T YOU JUST KILLED YOURSELF YET?! HUH?! Keaton reaches up, and way back, and rockets his fist into Carl's face. The boy's head bounces off the floor. He's out cold. Tears and blood mix on his face and on Keaton's fists. Keaton wipes his own face, as it's wet from his own tears. When he looks back down at Carl...he doesn't see Carl anymore. He sees Keaton. He sees himself. Beaten. Bloodied. Broken. Much like he looks himself now.. ...What..? That's impossible...right? He's even wearing the same clothes. Keaton lets go of Carl-Keaton and stands up swiftly, still staring at what has to be a hallucination. ...Right? Spooked, Keaton grabs his backpack again and takes one last look at the Carl-Keaton on the floor before dashing out of the bathroom.. Later, Keaton sits on the subway. It's only somewhat crowded at this time, in this car. Other passengers glance in Keaton's direction, no doubt trying to politely catch a glimpse at his mangled face. Some of them aren't so polite to try to "accidentally" look at him either. Keaton reaches up and wipes his eye gently, even as it's swelling up and turning blue. ["Hey, little man. The fuck happened to you?"] A familiar voice. Keaton looks up through his closing eyelids and sees the black bartender from his parents' party. Small world, huh? Or big subway system? Keaton shakes his head.. Hey. Cut myself shaving. Dark, bitter humor out of the boy with the injured pride. The bartender sits down in the seat next to him, stretching one arm out on the seat back behind Keaton, who's leaning forward propped up on his knees. ["Kid, I knew you had a taste for trouble. Second I saw you. Well, really, second you took that shot. 'Normal', well-adjusted kids your age don't openly accept hard alcohol quite like you."] Keaton shakes his head. Here he goes again, doing the "obvious" game.. Yeah, well, maybe I'm not well-adjusted. Maybe I'm a fuck-up asshole who wants to kill everyone. A couple people nearby blink at Keaton and start to move away. The bartender sees them, laughs under his breath, and shakes his head. ["So what, you got issues... You really think you have it that bad? Little man, you've got a house, clothes on your back, money to spend, a big family, BOTH parents. What's so bad in your life you gotta act like you do?"] Keaton still doesn't look over at the prying man.. You wouldn't understand. This catches the man's attention especially. He leans forward slightly, still not changing his posture too much. ["Oh, I wouldn't? What makes you think that? Wait. Is it because I'm BLACK? Is it because I'm a MUTANT? Is it because I've had REAL hardships in my life? Losing my job. Losing my wife. My kids. Looks like all that's hurt on YOU, aside from yo' nasty-ass face, is your pride, little man."].. Get the fuck away from me. The bartender shakes his head. ["No-can-do, amigo."].. Friend? Really? That's what you think we are? You gave me a couple shots, I stabbed your hand, and now we take the same train. That qualifies us as friends now? The bartender finally leans forward onto his knees, like Keaton, and looks sincerely at him. ["Looks like you could use one."] Keaton gently wipes his eye again, thinking about Carl.. C'mon, man. You can't be that desperate. More people on the train move away from Keaton. Some electing to move to another car.. The bartender laughs, leaning back again. ["Man, what's so wrong with you? Alright, c'mon, tell me..."].. Well...I'm an asshole. I'm ungrateful. I don't have any talent. I'm not smart. I'm not athletic. I don't care about other people, like you, and now I'm hallucinating. That last one gets the bartender to blink, catching his ear. ["Sorry, you're HALLUCINATING?"] Keaton laughs under his breath.. Yeah. Fuckin' seeing things. Saw myself...instead of someone else. The bartender shrugs, not knowing what to say to that. ["Don't we see ourselves in a lot of other people though?"].. No, you don't get it. I mean...I SAW ME...instead of another person. It was MY face. MY body. Not theirs. ["Ooohh, the old doppleganger theory. That's cool. That's cool."] Keaton rolls his eyes, but regrets it as it starts a headache, and tries to push the bartender away lazily.. Dude, just get away from me. He doesn't move, though. ["Who beat you up?"] Keaton doesn't answer. The bartender presses. ["C'mon. Was it Schick? Gillette? They team up on you?"] Keaton looks over at the bartender, annoyed...if you could tell by looking at that face.. Couple-a fuckers. Why? ["Need my help? Get back at 'em?"] Keaton shakes his head, returning his limited gaze to the floor of the subway car.. No. You wouldn't wanna be a part'f what I'm gonna do to them. The bartender holds up his hands in warning. ["Hey, man. Don't do anything stupid. Don't do anything you'll regret."] Keaton laughs.. Regret? There's a quality I don't have. The train pulls to a stop. Keaton gets up.. Look...just...stay outta my way. The bartender holds up his hands like he's innocent, unarmed. ["No worries, little man. You just watch yourself. Keep safe 'n all."].. Whatever. Keaton slips out through the subway doors before the crowd and leaves the bartender behind. On the surface, Keaton hails a cab. He takes that home. ...Once home, Keaton opens the door and immediately hears heated voices coming from the kitchen. Keaton closes the door, and hears those voices halt. Soon, his mother is rushing out to him, a worried look on her face that quickly transforms to one of horror. She looses a loud gasp at the sight of her son. ["Oh my GOD, Keaton! What happened?!!"] Cue the overdramatic mother. Well...she's not necessarily "overdramatic" when her reaction is pretty understandable. Keaton looks like shit.["Oh, my baby!"] She examines Keaton's face up close. Keaton's father, Kevin and Kale are all not far behind. ["Jesus Christ, Keaton!"] his father exclaims at the sight of him. Kale runs up too, a genuine look of concern on his face. This was, in actuality, partially his fault after all. If Keaton didn't have to wait during Kale's practice...he wouldn't have met up with the Guy and his friends.. I'm fine, really. His mother catches sight of something as Keaton speaks. ["Is that a missing tooth?! What the hell!? Who DID this to you?!"] Keaton closes his mouth, looks away. Doesn't answer. His father presses.["Who, Keaton? We'll have lawyers and cops all over this sonuvabitch!"].. FORGET IT, DAD! This silences the family.. Forget it! It's done! Nothing we can do! His dad is confused. ["What do you mean, 'nothing we can do'? There's PLENTY we can do!"] Keaton's brothers are silent. Seeing him like this...Keaton hopes it does something to them. Something unsettling. He almost wants to rub his broken face on their faces. Just to see if it freaks them out.. No there's not. Just fuckin' forget it, Dad. ["No, Keaton..."] His mom looks him right in the deformed eyes and gets that serious tone to her voice. ["You're my baby. NOBODY gets away with doing this to my baby! Understand?"] Keaton almost smiles. That's kind of sweet.. That's great, Mom, but forget it, okay? I'm taking care of it. His dad moves forward now, looking at Keaton. ["Taking care of it? How the hell are you taking care of it? What're you gonna DO, huh?"].. Whatever it takes, Dad. His dad shakes his head. ["No, Keaton. We handle this like adults. Show the people how mature you can handle this."] Kevin snerks. ["Pfft. Mature?"]Keaton glares at him, taking a forecful step forward. Keaton's parents stop him. His dad glares at Kevin. ["Kevin! Shut up! Get the fuck out of here! Go on! Upstairs!"] Kevin thrusts his chest at Keaton, challenging him, before walking out.. Fuckin' prick. ["Keaton, stop."] His mom insists. His father tries to examine Keaton more. ["Look at you. God, this is terrible. I'm no doctor...but I think you need one."] His mom nods in agreement. ["At LEAST a dentist to take care of that tooth. Don't worry, honey, we'll get it replaced."] She leans in and hugs Keaton. He doesn't reciprocate. His dad nods toward the front door. ["Why don't you step outside while we get ready to take you to the doctor. Get some fresh air."] Keaton understands what his dad means. He nods in response and turns while Drew takes his wife into the other room. Outside, Keaton walks toward the fountain in the main drive. He fishes for his pack of smokes. Pulling them out, he finds that most of the pack is squished. Ruined. Fucking A. Can nothing go right? He digs in the box, finding ONE cig that's not a total waste. He lights it. He pulls on it, hard. He holds in the smokey flavor. He lets it all go in a big huff. Goddamn. That's fucking good..
Issue #4, October 13th 2011
Naut 3:04am, October 11, 2011 [Edit] [Delete]	Fucking A, he still looks like poorly packaged meat, just thrown into a sack. He wonders, briefly, how Carl looks.... He can't focus on that. Up in his bathroom, Keaton stares in the mirror at his bruised face. Fuck. He gently lifts up his shirt to examine his ribs, sides and back. Everything is splotchy black and blue, outlined in red. He looks terrible. It feels worse. Kale appears in the doorway and looks at Keaton's injuries. ["Jesus, Keaton. Why'd you let them beat you up like that?"] Keaton lowers his shirt and rolls his eyes as best he can.. Yeah, that's how it happened. They came up, asked, "Hey, mind if we kick the shit outta you?" And I said, "Suuuuuuure, go right ahead!" I mean, I only want to be polite. Keaton leans forward toward the mirror and examines his missing tooth. It looks so fucking ridiculous. Like he's from the south or some shit. Visibly missing a tooth. It's awful, it's so embarrassing to him. Kale looks upset. ["You don't have to be like that, you know. You COULD try being nice."].. Can't I? ["What?"].. Nevermind, Kale. What the fuck you want anyway? ["You're not supposed to talk like that."].. Who gives a fuck? Really? I mean, do you care that much? Does it really bother you? Kale thinks about it...shrugs...["Yeah, I guess."].. Good. Fucking good. He tongues the hole where his tooth was, sucking at it a bit. It hurts, but it's a very dull pain compared to the rest of his beaten body.. ["You're a dick, Keaton."] ...But Keaton laughs at that. Kale looks even more upset about that, but Keaton tries to explain.. No, no you don't get it. Just...you...hearing that come out of your mouth. It's hilarious. This little tiny voice, "You're a dick!" He laughs more. ["God, Keaton. Maybe people wouldn't wanna beat you up so bad if you were nicer."] And Kale walks away, leaving Keaton there recovering from his laughing...and thinking about those words. Would they, though? Keaton doesn't think people beat him up just because he's mouthy. Though, the Guy did mention him being mouthy. But Keaton was picked on far before he was ever this mouthy. His red hair...his freckles...his slight figure...everything just called out to the bullies and those that desired to prey on the weak. He developed the attitude and the mouth as a defense...as a way to shrug it off...as a way to get back without being physical. It wasn't long that he also developed physical skills to get back at people too. The talk wasn't enough. Now where's it got him? With a missing tooth, damnit. This is actually the worst he's ever had. Note to self, then: don't kick someone in the balls unless you intend to take them out permanently. Luckily, the dentist appointment is scheduled for today. He's going into to get the tooth replaced so that he looks fucking normal.. ["Keaton! Let's go!"] Drew, Keaton's father, shouts from downstairs. He turns to his wife, Racquelle. ["Please tell me he's dressed already..."] Kale comes bounding down the stairs, heads into the kitchen and speaks as he passes his parents. ["He's dressed. Just checking his makeup."] Drew swats Kale on the butt. ["Kale! Be nice!"] Keaton then comes down the stairs and joins his parents.. Ready. ["Oh, honey, I'm sorry about this. I know you don't like the dentist."] His mom...always trying to make things better. Though, she often succeeds in making them worse. Like just there? Keaton wasn't even thinking about how and why he doesn't like the dentist. But thanks, mom, for bringing that up. ["C'mon, let's go. We'll be late."] Drew rushes the two of them out, calling back into the large house. ["Kevin! You watch your brother! Make sure all your homework is done, too!"] They leave. The chauffeur drives the car down the lot. ["Looking forward to having an award-winning smile again, Keaton?"] His dad asks.. Whatever. Why "award-winning"? Do you always have to be on? The mood in the car suddenly shifts. Nobody wants to speak. Keaton decidedly stares out the window at the passing scenery. His mom finally pipes up. ["Have you seen your friend, Carl, lately?"] Keaton, not having fully heard her, turns back.. What? His mom sighs, unsure of what to say. ["Nothing, dear."] His dad looks between him and Racquelle, also not sure what to say. It's like this the rest of the way. When they arrive at the dentist, Keaton's out of the car before the chauffeur even has a chance to open any doors. He hurries inside, leaving his parents behind. They're just so annoying right now...he can't stand being with them. He disappears inside the office building.. Inside, Keaton goes to the counter and signs himself in, then turns to face the waiting room. Goddamnit. There are people here. Kids, too. They're playing with that stupid toy that's a staple to all waiting rooms everywhere, with the balls on the racks that you shove along like a roller coaster? That stupid thing. And they're going to start fighting over it...Keaton can tell. Three kids...and each wants to play with more than just one track. Keaton goes and sits in a chair all by itself, so his parents can't sit next to him. They walk in now, see Keaton sitting there. They go to the window and see he's already signed in. His mom taps his dad's arm. ["Such a big boy."] She's joking, but she's also retarded. Keaton tries to be invisible. God, again, if ONLY he had those abilities the mutants have. He'd tear this fucker up. This whole damn building. He sits there, fantasizing about it, imagining it and letting it play out in his head...until, finally, he's called back. Snatched from his daydream, Keaton stands and starts to the back hall. He glares at his parents.. Stay here. He doesn't want or need them coming with him. He's no little child. This is just a fucking dentist's office. Not a torture chamber. And, right on cue, there's the sound of a drill...and a child screams. Apparently, this particular dentist office is not far off from a torture chamber. All fucking inquisition in here. The assistant takes Keaton back to the room in which he'll be worked on, and Keaton takes a seat. She leaves him for now.. Keaton stares around the room at the various contraptions. The giant light above his head, the sink next to him that sucks the water noisily down its tiny drain, the tray of sharp tools that will be poking around in his mouth, the drawers to the side that are full of secret awful instruments made purely to inflict pain on unwitting patients. A dentist's "practice"...yes, so they can perfect their means of torture! Keaton starts sweating. If only he had someone to talk to...someone to help take his mind off it all. The fact that, the dentist?...really is terrifying. The door opens and Keaton jumps. ["Mr. Kincaid! Good morning. Glad you could make it in."].. You're the only one.... Keaton grumbles. ["What was that?"].. Nothing. The dentist laughs. ["Okay. My name's Dr. Uceri. Dr. Bankhardt isn't in today, so I'll be taking care of the procedure, kay?"] Wait...his normal dentist isn't here? Dude, fuck this. FUCK this right now! Who's this quack, then?! Panic sets in, and Keaton squirms ever so slightly in the chair. The doctor seems to have noticed. ["Don't worry, Keaton. Everything'll be fine. It's perfectly normal to feel this way."] Is the doc calling him out on this? Oh, no...no, no, no.. What way? The doctor looks at Keaton, confused Keaton doesn't know. ["Nervous. Apprehension. Anxiety. Y'know...it's the dentist. Lots of people don't like the dentist, buddy. More than 75% of adults in the United States ALONE have some form of odontophobia. Just relax."] Oh, so what, this guy's a mathematician too?.. Look, just do this. Get it done. We'll stop fuckin' around. The dentist is taken slightly off guard by that. ["Um...alright..."].. Look, you're not my "usual" dentist. Gotta get used to me. ["I guess so. Let's get started then."].. Good. After a routine cleaning and check (no cavities, yay!), Dr. Uceri takes a good few minutes examining the hole left where the tooth was knocked out. They take a casting with putty and, let's say through the miracle of Marvel universe technology, are able to create a replacement tooth right there in the office's lab, using that cast. Fantastic. The dentist returns with the replacement encased in plastic to avoid external exposure to toxins and infectious agents. He shows it to Keaton. ["Here we are. The newest resident to your mouth."] Keaton rolls his eyes before looking at the tooth.. Great. Let's do this. Dr. Uceri nods and unclips the napkin around his neck. ["Alright, follow me."] Keaton gets up and follows the doctor out of the exam room. ["Normally, you'd have to go see an oral surgeon to get this taken care of, Keaton. But I just happen to be one, and am willing to offer my services. You'll be outta here today."].. Fantastic. Though he doesn't sound too excited. ["I think so. Here we are, in here."] Down the hall some, there's a larger exam room that looks very much like an ER room, used for surgery. ["Go ahead and lie down, son."] Dr. Uceri points out the large chair, in which Keaton hesitantly sits. His eyes dart around to the nefarious-looking equipment and the other assistants and nurses who'll be helping with the operation. Keaton clings onto the chair handles tightly, not able to relax. Nobody notices. Dr. Uceri comes up to Keaton, places a hand on his shoulder. ["You ready?"] Keaton....nods. ["Okay, great. We're going to place you under for this, just so it's easier to move around and get it done quickly. Also, it'd probably hurt a little with you awake and all."] He smiles, pulling a mask up to his face. Keaton can feel that panic setting in again.. ["Count backwards from 100 for me."] A nurse places a plastic cup over Keaton's nose and mouth. That panic starts to set in ever deeper. Sweat beads on his forehead. Dr. Uceri steps away to scrub in and get ready.. 100... 99... 98... Keaton counts. The nurse dials in a few settings on the anesthesia machine.. 97... 96... The nurse blinks and looks back to Keaton, concerned. ["Keaton? Can you hear me?"] Keaton nods, continues counting.. 95... 94... 93... The nurse removes the cup and goes. ["Dr. Uceri! Dr. Uceri..."] They speak in hushed voices. Keaton watches...but cannot pick up what they're saying. Dr. Uceri looks upset, though, and looks back over at Keaton to see he's still awake. Dr. Uceri walks over to Keaton and checks his eyes. ["Keaton, you still awake? Can you hear me?"].. Yes, what's going on? What's wrong? The doctor's not sure what to say. Then he turns to a nurse. ["Go ahead and administer it by needle."] The nurse isn't so sure. ["But, Doctor--"] .. ["Just do it."] The nurse goes from the room. The doctor places a gloved hand on Keaton's forehead. ["Just sit back, Keaton. Relax, okay? Everything's fine."] The nurse returns with a needle. She checks it, swabs Keaton's arm, and tries to give the shot. The skin protests at first, not wanting to break. The nurse's eyes narrow as she tries harder. Keaton can feel it...the resistance of his skin. How weird, it doesn't want to break. Then the skin pops and the needle goes in. The nurse recovers and gives the shot.. OW! ["Sorry...I've never seen anything like that. Tough skin, eh?"].. Yeah, sure... It was like some really thick material that she really needed to press on to break... Dr. Uceri watches Keaton for a moment, concerned about something...apparently that he's not going to sleep. For a good couple minutes, nothing happens. Dr. Uceri checks his watch. ["Okay, we're going to need to reschedule or something here, if nothing continues to work."].. Wait, what's going on? Are you guys giving me the right stuff? ["Keaton, you're SURE you didn't eat anything? Nothing going on out of the ordinary?"] Keaton nods. ["Your body, for some reason, is not accepting the anesthesia. We cannot risk exposing you to more when it could reach lethal levels in your system. We're going to have to reschedule your surgery appointment to another time when it's metabolised out of your body, so we can try again."] What, and spend however longer looking like a podunk hillbilly? No thanks.. No. Give me more. Do it again. You gotta get this done, you hear me? The doctor is incredulous. ["Keaton, no, you don't seem to understand. We cannot LEGALLY give you any more anesthetic. Any more could be FATAL to you."] Fuck...well, he definitely doesn't want to die, so...just one other option, isn't there? Just do it, then. The surgery. Just do it. The room goes quiet. Everyone stares at Keaton.. I SAID JUST DO IT, God! ["Keaton...are you sure?"].. Of course! Why would I say do it, if I didn't mean it? ["Well, you seem very emotional right now--"].. Fuck you, doc. I can take my mouth, AND my fucking money, to some other doctor who's a bit less hesitant than you, if you want. That seems to catch his attention. ["Alright, fine. We're doing the surgery, everyone. Lie back, Keaton. And I only wish this were happening somewhere else, so I could give you something to bite down on."]... Keaton's parents, and everyone in the waiting room, would hear loud, pained yelps from somewhere deep within the office. Hours later, Keaton emerges with a perscription note for heavy pain meds...not even sure if they'll work. He looks miserable. On top of his meat-sack face, he just looks really pissed off and hurt. Dr. Uceri is close behind, and he asks to speak with Keaton's parents a moment in private. Keaton sits in a chair in the waiting room as they go back to speak with him. One of the young children in the waiting room is staring at Keaton with a blank expression. Keaton notices and turns away, but can feel the kids eyes boring into him. Keaton bristles inside. Finally, his parents emerge, staring bewildered at Keaton. ["Let's go, honey."] Keaton rises and follows his parents out the door, but not before flipping off the young child that was staring at him. In the car, on the way home, his parents could not stop just staring at Keaton. Again, this is something that rubs Keaton the wrong way. Why just stare? Why not fucking just say something? It's obviously on their minds! Why hide it? Why keep it a secret?! WHAT!? Keaton finally bursts out, but pain tears through his jaw and face, and he slumps back against the seat. ["Keaton...you just shrugged off anesthesia...and still went forward with oral surgery."] His dad's voice sounds very far away, even though he's right in the car. ["Why?"] Keaton waits, trying to absorb the pain, before... Because I didn't want to look like a fucking retard anymore. He can just hear Kevin's voice, as if he were there, what he would say: "Well you're gonna need more than ORAL surgery for that!" And, even though it wasn't said...and Kevin's not there...it still pisses Keaton off more. He may just have to slug the buffoon later anyway. ["Son, you don't look like a retard. You're a very intelligent boy."] His mom, the voice of reason, as always.. Stop calling me that. ["What, sweety?"].. A boy. His dad sighs. ["Is that what this is about? Trying to prove you're a man? Because, two things: you're NOT a man. You ARE a boy. And this isn't how you do it, either. You don't go getting surgery without anesthesia just to show you can take the pain. What if this were more serious? What if they actually had to cut you open?"].. Well, I guess we would've seen how far I could go. His dad slams his hand against the seat. ["Dammit, Keaton! This isn't a game! This is serious! What HAPPENED in there?!"].. I DON'T KNOW, DAD! Okay? I don't fucking know! All I know, is that I go in...and I'm fucking TERRIFIED of the dentist! But I'm in there anyway! Then! I've got some noob dentist who isn't Dr. Bankhardt! THEN! We go and he tells me the anesthesia's not working! What the FUCK am I supposed to think, Dad? I'm not rescheduling the fucking appointment, and going back outside with this goddamn tooth missing! NO! So, you know what? I did it anyway! I told them to fucking do it! I THOUGHT you'd be proud of me! Then what happens? You get all down my fucking throat! Telling me "this isn't how you act like a man!" BULL. SHIT. This is EXACTLY how you act like a man! There are tribes in Africa who fucking cut shit off your body just to see if you can take it in order to be considered a MAN! So if you think I'm still a child after going through THAT shit in there? YOU'RE BOTH FUCKING LUNATICS! Keaton, red in the face and breathing hard, falls back against his seat and cups his jaw with his hand. Goddamnit that fucking hurt. He tastes blood. He's not used to this new tooth yet. His parents are silent, just staring at Keaton with expressions that are mixed of, "Why didn't we see that too?", "What's happened to our little boy, and who is this before us now?", and "What have we done to make him this way?". His dad reaches out and touches Keaton's knee. ["I'm sorry, son."] The rest of the car ride home is silent.. Is this karma? Keaton sits in his room...thinking about what's just happened. His chauffeur went to fill the perscription for the pain meds. Keaton's been trying to justify what happened at the dentist. Why it happened. Why him? Karma seems to fit. He's definitely been a shit to people for a while...so is he now receiving it all back, all at once? Got beaten up, exploded at his friend, needed surgery, surgery had complications.... Seriously, that's a lot of shit over the span of a few days. Keaton sits up and opens his laptop. He goes to Wikipedia. He searches "Anesthesia". He finds all sorts of information, and links to other articles with lots of information...but it's mostly confusing. He can't find the exact info he seeks, but he doesn't care anymore. Even if he did, and if he found what he was looking for? So what? What would it mean? What would it tell him? How closer to an answer would he really be, in finding out what happened to him and why the anesthesia didn't work? He closes the laptop and shoves it aside. He holds his jaw again, as it still throbs. Fuck it, he needs to get his mind off this shit. He opens the laptop again...and visits his favorite porn site. Eventually...his hand finds its way down his pants... Edited 9:45pm, October 13, 2011 by Naut, author.
Issue #5, October 13th 2011
Naut 9:47pm, October 13, 2011 [Edit] [Delete]	A few days later, a few days out from school, Keaton feels tons better. His face is mostly healed...just the bruises turning yellow now, signaling the end of the worst of it. He can see properly, and his face is practically back to normal. Thank god too. Keaton's done with that crap. He's asked the chauffeur to take him out, to take him to the store so he can get some new music and maybe some blurays. The chauffeur waits with the car off to the side of the building, out of normal public view, as Keaton heads inside. First, he goes to the music section, and looks through the CDs. Nothing...have that...have that...heard it was bad...have that...don't want that. Dang, there's pretty much no new music that he's interested. Wait, there was that one CD he wanted to check out, where is that? He goes to that section and checks alphabetically...but nothing. Goddamnit. Fucking inferior store. They're supposed to have everything...that's why he fucking came to this store. Jesus Christ. He grabs a stack of the CDs in the bin and turns them all upside-down before putting them back. Fuckers. Keaton then goes over to the bluray section and finds, actually, a good number of movies he wants. He picks up eight, along with a season of his favorite TV show, and heads over to the video games. It's here where he his face goes white. He stops at the end of the aisle and stares down...at the Guy from school. Fear ices his veins for a moment before he smirks it off and starts down the aisle. They're out in public, what the hell can he do? Keaton stops somewhere in the middle of the aisle, still some distance away from the Guy, and starts perusing the collection of games he can buy.. The Guy apparently doesn't notice Keaton as he picks up a game guide book and starts flipping through it. Keaton continues to catch sideways glances of the Guy as he scoots down the aisle, also looking through the games. He grabs one that just came out that he's been wanting, and strafes on down. Finally, the Guy looks up at the movement in his peripheral, and sees Keaton. He smiles to himself, and looks back at the book. Keaton notices the smile. Keeps moving down. The Guy seems to get a little more serious the closer Keaton gets, uncomfortable with their proximity to each other. Finally, Keaton strides right up next to him, so that it's obvious they're aware of each other...and Keaton's scooting on purpose. ["Dude, what the fuck? Get away--"] Keaton interrupts him.. You ready? Today? I'm going to fucking kill you. He's sure to keep his voice down, because threats like that can be taken very seriously in public. ["What did you say to me?"].. You heard me, fucking cunt-lips. Today. I'm going to kill you. It's your last day on this earth. The last breathe you'll ever take is coming soon. Do you hear me? Your final seconds are almost here. Then? You'll be dead, you sonuvabitch. I'll catch you later. Keaton grabs another video game and turns to walk away, bumping obviously into the Guy as he passes. The Guy tries to react, but an older lady turns down the aisle and waves to him just as Keaton walks off...apparently his mother, or something. Saved by the mom. Ironic, really, because it means nothing. Keaton made his threat...and he intends on following through with it.. He goes to the checkout line and waits for his turn. He sees the Guy get into line a little ways behind him, others having jumped in before him. Keaton smiles to himself...this is going to be fantastic. In the checkout line, known for having all kinds of fun stuff - from candy, to small tools, to cheapy CDs - Keaton grabs just one more item before being called forward to the register. He pays, easily, and then heads outside. As he leaves, he turns back to the Guy and his mom...and cheerily waves by wiggling his fingers. To the Guy's mom, it's just a friend of her son's saying hi. To the Guy...it's a clear taunt. Keaton then hurries outside. There, he goes off to the side of the doors and sets down his bag of stuff. He takes out that last-minute purchase: a razor blade, box-cutter style. He angrily tears at the plastic packaging before finally getting it free. He checks it, pushes the blade out, and grins to himself. Pulling the blade back in, he pockets the knife and straightens up, waiting for his soon-to-be victim. Yes, Keaton does actually plan on killing this other boy. After what he did to him? After the humiliation, the pain, and everything else that happened? All because of this motherfucker. It's going to end. Keaton did say...that it was not over.. The Guy and his mom walk outside, and the Guy instantly starts looking around for Keaton, if he stuck around. He doesn't seem him pressed against the side of the building, so Keaton whistles loudly, teeth against the tongue. The Guy hears, turns, and sees Keaton. Keaton flicks his head back, silently requesting the Guy's presence. He says something to his mom and leaves his bag with her. She continues on to her car. Poor mom...Keaton really does sympathize with her for the loss of her son. She really does look like a nice lady. But, then, this is her fault as well, Keaton figures. After all...if she had done a better job with him, would he have behaved any better? Will he had been making fun of "Ass-Face", forcing Keaton to intervene...and subsequently beat the ever-living shit out of Keaton? Probably not, Keaton figures. Probably not. But, such is life. You fuck up...you pay for it. Keaton wants payment in blood. To see the Guy's lifeless body on the ground, soaking in its own spilled blood. The Guy looks irrate as he approaches Keaton. Slyly, Keaton grins as he walks off to the side of the building - the OTHER side of the building, so the chauffeur doesn't see what's happening. Wouldn't want that fool stopping him or something. That'd be anticlimactic. The Guy follows, trying to catch up. Keaton reaches the side of the building and keeps going a way to be well out of sight of the parking lot. Perfect. No one around. He turns and sees the Guy approaching with a macho gait to his step. Yes, flex those muscles. They'll do you no good in the end. They'll have meant nothing. Used only in an instant of hate and ignorance, to cause harm to another human being...and now, nothing. Dead weight.. What's up? The Guy doesn't share Keaton's smile. ["What the fuck, you little shit, you think you can threaten me like that in front of my mom? In public? What'd I tell you would happen if you ever spoke to me again?"] He reaches back and swings at Keaton, who ducks aside and starts backing away.. Now, now, Mr. Temper Tantrum, don't be so hasty. I want to tell you why I threatened you. This causes the Guy to stop, thinking about those words. ["....Why?"].. Because you're a waste of space. You think you're automatically better than everyone because...well, who knows? Maybe you have bigger muscles. Maybe you think your dick is huge. Maybe you win trophies or whatever-the-fuck. For some reason...you think you're entitled to your self-imposed "place" above your peers. That gives you the self-given right to pick on others...you think are lesser, smaller, just not good enough. That mutant at school? Do you even know him? Have you ever talked to him, civilly? Got to know who he is, how he thinks, what he likes, dislikes? Maybe you've got something in common! Maybe you both hate Coldplay! Maybe you both think SNL's gone down the drain in the past 10 years. Maybe you both love stuffed crust pizza! The Guy blinks...confused, but still getting it.. But do you ever ask? Do you ever bother to find out? NO! He just LOOKS different, so you think it's okay to pick on him! To make him feel worse about who he is! How he ALREADY thinks of himself! And, you know what? I hope he ends up killing himself, just so you know what guilt feels like! And what you did to me? Sure, I deserved some of it for what I did to you, but you don't understand! We "lesser" beings, as you've decided, have to look after each other...to save each other from the "guys" like you in our lives! Because without each other, we're systematically picked off and ruined for life! The Guy stares at Keaton...understanding the words, but not willing to accept them. ["So who appointed YOU to be the fucking hero? You really think it's easy, maintaining an acceptable image in front of everyone?"].. I don't fucking care! Because it's bullshit! Image is bullshit! TRUST ME! I LIVE THAT LIFE! I'm surrounded by fucking IMAGE! It MEANS. NOTHING. And because you ACTED on it! I'm gonna fucking KILL you! Keaton reaches into his pocket and yanks out the box cutter, flipping the blade out. The Guy puts his hands up a bit and starts backing up. ["Hey...easy now..."].. No, there's no way out of this. You're fucking dead. Keaton lunges at the Guy, swinging his arm wide. The Guy barely manuevers out of the way and grabs Keaton's other arm. Keaton slashes his way back, trying to bury the blade into the arm the Guy grabbed with. The Guy lets go, Keaton swipes air. The Guy jabs out and crunches against Keaton's face. Pain explodes through the healing wounds...worse than before. Keaton's partially blinded by stars and swings his arm sideways to try and catch the Guy with luck...but it's air. He feels another, harder hit to the face and nearly falls over. Sonuvabitch this is not going how he wanted. Keaton slashes out again, but the Guy catches his arm this time. Fuck. ["C'mon, Clit, drop the fucking knife."] Keaton struggles to stand up, and looks the Guy in the eye.. Don't...call me...that! He tries to force his arm and wrist toward the Guy, to stab him still. The Guy fights it, trying to push it back at Keaton. They stand off.. Keaton pushes, the Guy pushes back. Their arms visibly shake from the force of it. The Guy puts his other arm against his, as does Keaton, as they try to drive the blade into the other person. Keaton for revenge...the Guy for survival. They fight for their causes.. You're...a fucking...little...bitch! Keaton taunts, trying to catch the Guy off guard. It's a weak attempt, but he's so focused he can't think of anything better to say. The Guy as well. ["That...the best...you got? WEAK!"] The Guy repositions his feet, gravel crunching, as pushes harder than before. Keaton wasn't expecting that...he's a lot stronger, and Keaton's not sure how much longer he can hold this up. A cramp starts shooting up his forearm. Shit, shit, shit. This is really bad. He'd try kicking him in the nuts again, but giving up footing would result in him falling over, and possibly with a blade in his throat. What can he do? How can he win? NGH! Keaton pushes harder, finding some new breath, some new strength, buried within rage. His face is redder than normal, veins popping, teeth bared. The Guy keeps his ground. He's too strong. Fuck. ...WHAM!! There's a sudden pain in Keaton's face. The Guy headbutted him!! His body loosens, and then everything's a blur of motion.. UNHK!! Keaton freezes, staring at the ground. But between him and that...is the Guy's arm, his own hands grasping onto it, the end of which is right against his stomach. The box cutter in his hand. Amazing...Keaton barely feels it. It's dull, really. He sees the blood on the ground. His head feels heavy...like, full of...something. He can't think clearly. Because his head is full? Where'd the Guy go? He sees his arm...but not the rest of him. Wait, there're his feet. The arm moves suddenly, wrenching backwards. Then it slams forward, into the left side of Keaton's chest, to the side near his armpit.. There's the pain. It's immense. Keaton's knees crash into the ground. The Guy let's go of the box cutter and runs. Keaton falls over into his blood. What happened? Why didn't that...work? Why didn't that...happen? The way he wanted? Why does his head feel so heavy? The pain is incredible...but dulling quickly. For some reason, Keaton rolls onto his back...oh, there's a man standing over him. He's wearing the colors the people who work inside the building wear. His mouth is moving...he's shouting something Keaton can't hear. The sun is bright. He wants it to go away. More people suddenly appear around the man who wears the colors. They wear the colors too. One has a phone and is speaking into it. Again, Keaton cannot hear them. He feels pressure. The first man who turned Keaton over has his hands on Keaton's stomach, pushing hard. Keaton barely feels it. Goddamn, that sun. Another figure appears to the side. It's the chauffeur. His face is like a ghost, tears forming and falling loose from his eyes. He holds onto Keaton's head as they all appear to be making some kind of noise. But all Keaton hears is a very low, very dull rushing sound. Like pressure inside his ears. But even that's fading. Fucking sun. Maybe...if he....just......closes.... his eyes.. Edited 12:21am, October 14, 2011 by Naut, author.
Issue #6, October 14th 2011
Naut 12:22am, October 14, 2011 [Edit] [Delete]	Darkness. No sight of anything, no substance, no feeling. Nothingness. While in this state, Keaton dreams. In his dream, he is someone different. He cannot see the face, but he knows instinctually that it is not him. This other person is more fortunate than he. This other person is loved, cared for. But only Keaton knows it. The person for whom he thinks does not. To this person, the world seems askew. To this person, things are not what they appear. This person is not even sure of who they really are. But, again, they do not know it. The uncertainty lives deep within, and is comfortable there, away from daylight. Keaton is confused. He does not understand this person. Why do they fight everything around them? This is what Keaton does, yes, but he believes he has reason to. This person does not. This person has everything they need and want. They are treated fairly, they are taken care of. So why? Keaton does not like being this person. He wishes now that he were someone else. Could he be someone else right now? No...at this moment, he can only exist within these thoughts. Everything Keaton knows is elsewhere. Inaccessible. Unattainable. Something has to happen first. So, for now, Keaton thinks as this other person, however much he dislikes it. The world is darker here. Everything suffers under a dull hue of deep gray. Everything is oppressive as a blanket of fear, anger and depression. Hope is nonexistant here. Keaton uses the blue eyes of this person to look around at the muddy shapes, the incoherent reality turned dream. Keaton wants to leave this place, but he cannot feel the fear of it, he cannot feel the anxiety and the need to fly...for the person whom he sees through does not feel it. Is he prisoner, then? That word sounds foreign, untrue. What is the correct word? The doors to the ER burst open as paramedics rush a gourney in, a sixteen year old boy bleeding out on it. The doctors, having expected the arrival, run to meet them and take over as the paramedics explain the situation. The doctors take the gourney into an ER room and pull the young man onto the operating bed there. The paramedics take the gourney. Everything is a rush of noise and movement. Three doctors surround the bed, and twice as many nurses ready to run orders. A nurse quickly cuts open the kid's shirt and tears it away so they have easy access to the double stab wounds on the torso. ["Alright, name: Keaton Kincaid. Age: 16. Multiple stab wounds, stomach and pectoral. We need six bags of A-positive, some adrenaline and lots of sutures. Let's go, go!"] A foreign female doctor yells out to the staff. A tall, dark male doctor starts the IV. ["I've got the drip. Salene solution."] The movement never ceases, and the young man on the bed is out cold, unaware of anything happening around him. The nurses begin frantically cleaning the wounds and getting ready for more serious work. ["Call upstairs and make sure we still have an OR reservered!"] ["You think we'll need it?"] The doctor shrugs. ["Better have it and not need it..."] They silently agree and oversee the nurses at work. One watches the stats. ["Pressure's 50-over-35 and falling!"] ["Keep more coming! Call downstairs! We NEED more blood!"].. With the wounds cleaned, it's time to re-establish pressure and close him up. The nurses start in with needle and thread, but are finding trouble poking through the skin with the needle. ["Doctor, I can't...the needle won't go through!"] The tall doctor moves over to the nurse. ["Let me see."] He takes the needle and tries to push through, growing less and less gentle. Finally the needle pokes through and he pulls the thread, continuing to suture the stomach wound. The needle is only met with just a little resistance as it keeps going. Finally, the doctor is able to get it closed and tied off. The other nurse is staring at the doctor, looking bewildered. ["This one too. It's...it's just not going!"] The doctor moves to her. ["What the hell?" What's WRONG with this kid? We can't SAVE him if his body won't let us, damnit!"] This suture is impossible. No matter how hard the doctor pushes and stabs...the needle just won't go. ["Shit! This isn't possible!"] More blood is let as he struggles. ["Pressure's GONE, doctor!!"] ...And, right on cue, the heartbeat monitor goes nuts. ["He's tachycardic! Paddles!"] The female doctor reaches for the paddles. One nurse switches the machine on to the voltage she declares. Another dabs lubricant on the paddles. She rubs them together and places them against the young man's chest. ["CLEAR!"] She discharges, and sparks fly EVERYWHERE! The defibrillator machine short circuits and the whole ER room goes dark. Emergency power kicks on immediately, bathing the room in red light.. ["GODDAMNIT WHAT HAPPENED?!"] The heartrate monitor flatlines. ["Dr. Yusafali's out!!"] The backfire from the short circuit electrocuted the foreign doctor. ["Get her out of here and treated! Someone get a light over here! Get a pulse! Compressions!"] They do. A nurse starts manual compressions on the young man's chest, trying to restart his heart. ["It's...heavy..."] She is having trouble pushing hard enough, because the body has become so dense and resistant. ["Keep that respiration going!"] A nurse has a hand respirator cupped to the kid's mouth, squeezing a normal breathing rhythm into him...but the heartrate monitor is still a solid, constant tone. The doctor looks up at the clock. So do the nurses. The doctor closes his eyes, clenches a fist, and signals the nurse to stop compressions with his other hand. ["Time of death: 3:23pm."] The nurses stop compressions...stop respiratory assistance. One reaches up and switches off the heartrate monitor. The room is silent. They each look at this sixteen year-old boy...dead before them...who never got to live his full life. For some...it's shocking, saddening, heart-breaking. For others...it is just part of the day in the ER - they've seen this before. Veterans of trauma. Who is the more unfortunate? Those that are heavily affected by the sight of his lifeless body? Or those that are not? ["I'll call the morgue. Call cleanup."] He gets on the room's phone and calls downstairs to the morgue for pickup.. Tagged and bagged. Slated for autopsy, despite obvious cause of death. Also awaiting identification from next of kin. The chauffeur...in the waiting room...he is beside himself with the news of Keaton's death. Sobbing on the floor, on his hands and knees, with nurses trying to console him. The others, Drew, Racquelle, Kevin, and Kale, are all on their way. The news has shocked them straight through. Nobody talks. Everyone cries. Despite Keaton...they miss him. Their souls ache in his absence. It's like losing a limb, to all of them. But...it is here, in the morgue, that something absolutely extraordinary happens. Currently, it's empty. The occupants having been called away for the moment by a false call. The lock...clicks. The heavy door...slides open. Three shadowed figures stand there. One tall, broad. Another, slim and slight. The third, built and lean. They enter the room. The metal doors on the corpse cabinets rattle and shake. The instruments near the autopsy table vibrate. The gourneys rumble on their wheels. MAGNETO stands in the center of the room! He looks to the smaller figure to his left. This tender, middle-aged man gently sniffs the air. He suddenly looks left and points to one gourney in particular. Magneto and the two others move to it. Magneto reads the tag: "Kincaid, Keaton." With the flexing of his hand, the zipper whistles all the way open. Inside lies a pale, naked Keaton, one ugly suture on his stomach and another wound still open on his upper-left torso. Magneto looks to the other figure at his side: a late-twenties mutant with red-and-blue styled hair with a muscular-yet-lean build. ["Wake him up."] The mutant nods and moves to the side of the gourney...and hovers his hands flat above the open bag.. A red glow starts emanating from the mutant's right hand...a blue from his left. The air bends suddenly, in waves, as the mutant forces some kind of unknown energy matching the colors of the glowing down at Keaton's body. Spectacularly, the wounds on his body start closing up...and color starts returning to his skin. Magneto watches, in stoic apprehension, and hopes for the best. After a good five minutes of the continuous rays from the lean mutant, Keaton sits BOLT upright with a huge gasp for air! >KAFF!< >KOFF!< >KAFF KHFF!< The lean mutant slaps Keaton on the back a few times to help the air recirculate. Magneto smiles. Excellent. Keaton...confused as all hell, looks around at the people surrounding him. He immediately recognizes Magneto.. ...You? His throat is dry, his voice very hoarse. Magneto nods. ["My companion felt your presence emerge into OUR kind, Mr. Kincaid. We wanted to be here to wish you welcome."] The lean mutant chuckles a little. ["Yeah, had to be quick though. He could feel you fadin' fast!"] He points to the middle-aged mutant at Magneto's side. Keaton looks between them all, very confused. He then notices he's naked and turns red while trying to cover up. Magneto notices, of course, and motions to the lean mutant. ["Aura, get him a coat."] Aura, the red-and-blue haired mutant, bounds away to grab an unoccupied lab coat and brings it back to Keaton to wrap up in. Keaton slips into it. He starts to take in more of his surroundings. He notices where he is...and in what he is sitting.. Wait...I was stabbed. Did I...die? Magneto considers his answer before responding. ["Unfortunately we haven't the time to answer all of your questions presently. However, if you would come with us, and the Brotherhood, I would be more than happy to entertain any thoughts you may have."] Magneto offers a gloved hand.. Keaton stares at that hand. Brotherhood? Magneto? These are mutants, yes. So...why are they asking him to come with them? Does it have to do with him being stabbed? His apparent death and resurrection? This is all so confusing. But Magneto did offer to give answers. And answers are definitely what Keaton wants.. If I come with you now, can I still see my family if I want? Magneto smiles and takes Keaton's hand, helping him out of the bag and off the table. ["Of course, child. I would never deny the desire to see your family. We haven't much time now, though. So let's move."] Magneto turns to the middle-aged man...and nods. The man closes his eyes...then spreads his arms and legs out so that he resembles a very large "X"...and SCREAMS at the top of his lungs. It's an awful sound, especially in the confines of the morgue. But the effort, and possibly the sound, produce what appears to be some kind of wormhole or portal. Magneto motions for Keaton to step through...and he does. The other mutants follow. The middle-aged man leaps through and ceases his screaming...and the portal collapses. The morgue staff return suddenly, bursting into the room, having heard the commotion. They, of course, find nothing...and don't even notice, yet, that Keaton Kincaid...is missing.. Edited 9:50pm, October 14, 2011 by Naut, author.
Issue #7, October 20th 2011
Naut 9:52pm, October 14, 2011 [Edit] [Delete]	It's been something of a crazy adventure, really. Nothing Keaton's ever imagined, that's for sure. But here he is...standing with the likes of Magneto and his greatest mutants in the infamous Brotherhood. Keaton has always admired Magneto as a figurehead...willing and able to stand up for what he believes in, to be able to fight for his purpose. Keaton had never been a mutant before...but he could appreciate the position Magneto's in. From oppressed mutant to oppressing humans. It's a Cinderella story, really. Powerless to powerful. It's what Keaton's always wanted for himself...but could never have. So...standing with Magneto in that penthouse loft, wearing clothes that were provided by these other mutants, Keaton is finally able to get what's on his mind out in the open.. Why am I here? Magneto smiles in response. ["You are here because you now possess something. It is new to you, and I would like to help facilitate your emergence into this new life - to assist you in such a way that the experience is not jarring and painful."] Keaton looks around at the other mutants, who remain silent for now.. What do I have? Magneto looks over to the skinny, frail, middle-aged man that was there when Keaton woke up in the morgue. He speaks with a strange, almost robotic sound to his voice. ["SUBJECT has undergone EXTREME physical TRANSFORMATION at the SUBATOMIC LEVEL. SUBJECT is now designate: MUTANT."] Magneto looks back at Keaton, hoping the young man can put it together. He does...but doesn't believe it.. Wait...you're saying I'm...a mutant? You've got the wrong guy! ["SUBJECT present is correct SUBJECT."] Magneto waves a hand to cut the man off. ["Thank you. Skanner here can detect mutants, especially at their "birth". He sensed you and brought us to you so that we may extract you from the hospital. Aura, report please."] Magneto holds out a gloved hand. Aura, the mutant with the red-and-blue hair, hands Magneto a folder. Magneto opens it and starts flipping through pages.. Keaton watches, waiting for what Magneto has to say about whatever's in this folder. He notices his name on the tab. ["'Patient arrived with two stab wounds to the abdomen. Doctors ordered blood for transfusion and cleaned wound openings. When attempting to suture stomach injury, doctors found difficult to puncture skin with needle, but successful. Skin around pectoral injury impossible to puncture, could not close wound. Due to blood loss, patient became tachycardic. Doctors attempted defibrillation to obtain normal rhythm, but unexplained event caused machine to short and spark. Patient went into cardiac arrest and could not be resuscitated. Pronounced dead at 3:23pm Eastern Daylight Time.'"] Magneto closes the file and looks up at Keaton, whose eyes are wet with the realization of what happened. He takes a moment, and Magneto gives it to him, to think...to wrap his mind around the idea, the notion, the fact. He died. How long? How long was it between when his heart stopped and when he woke up in the morgue? It's mind-bending. Keaton clears his throat and finally responds.. So...if I died...how did I wake up again? Is that how I'm a mutant? Magneto shakes his head. ["No. As far as we can tell, resurrection is not your mutant ability. Aura here was able to heal your wounds and restart your heart and brain. His ability."] Magneto motions to Aura, who smiles at Keaton and pats him heartily on the back. Keaton, still shocked by all this, places a hand over his heart...as if cherishing it...and nods to Aura without properly looking into his eyes.. Th-thanks... He blinks and looks back to Magneto.. What does it mean...skin was impossible to puncture? Like, they couldn't put the needle through? Magneto nods. ["That is as much as we've gathered as well. We were, unfortunately, unable to make any interviews."].. What does that mean? Magneto sighs, handing the folder back to Aura. ["Well, it appears that your body has undergone a kind of change, insomuch that it is now more resitant to outside influence. We cannot know for sure, however. Unfortunately, Skanner and Aura do not have the ability to unlock the secrets to your changes."].. That's up to me, isn't it? Magneto and Aura nod.. So...I'm really a mutant now.... It's what he's wished for: the power to do as he pleased. To make those around him suffer for what he's felt. He has the power now...he just needs to find out what it does, and of what it's capable.. Wait, so why am I here? With you? You wanna pressgang me into your Brotherhood thing? Magneto shakes his head, almost laughing. ["No, no such nonsense, child. I am merely here to offer you safety. To express a desire to have you on the island nation of Genosha, a mutant haven, free from descrimination, from single-minded governments, and from radical idealists who would seek to harm you just for being who you are."].. Keaton thinks for a moment.. What would happen there? I mean...what would I do? What's it like? Magneto reaches up and lifts the helmet off his head, before moving to a table to set it on. He then excuses Aura and Skanner. This kind of worries Keaton. ["Genosha is like any first-world country. There is government, trade and commerce, police, agriculture, art, community.... Anything you could need. What is it you would LIKE to do?"] Keaton thinks about that...it's not something many people have asked him before.. I dunno...I mean, do I have to get a job? Magneto smirks. ["Or you could remain in school and further your education. You are how old?"].. Sixteen. Magneto gives a hearty nod. ["Yes, that's fine enough for both, if you want. Whatever you feel you want to do, as long as it fits within the set laws."].. What kinda regime you have going? Magneto shakes his head, waving a hand. ["That is not important now. At the school, you will learn everything you need to know about Genosha. And there are libraries and plenty of places to absorb knowledge. You will not be disappointed."] Keaton still thinks. He looks unsure, unable to decide. Almost conflicted.. What about my family? Magneto's face falls a little. ["I must apologize, Keaton, Genosha is a mutant population. We must maintain this in order to ensure safety for all the mutants. There is no guarantee that any human, no matter how well-intended they seem, will ever NOT strike out at us."] ...Why does Keaton even care? Why keep asking about his family? It's not like they appreciate him...it's not like they ever DO anything for him. So why does it matter so much? Why is he about to answer as he is? Keaton frowns.. I'm not coming. But...you're the first group of people to really accept me. More than anyone else, even my parents and brothers. Can I...still join your Brotherhood of Mutants? Just...remain here? Magneto considers this. He would rather take all of the Brotherhood back with him...and leaving Keaton means leaving one more - the boy's too young, he can't risk leaving him all by himself. There isn't much of a "Brotherhood" of just one. Though, finally, he nods. ["Agreed, then. You can stay here in the United States, but remain part of the Brotherhood. You will have to heed my orders from abroad, though, and act in such a way as to not embarrass or disgrace the Brotherhood. Is that clear?"] Keaton nods, a smile growing on his face. ["I will also need to leave someone behind with you to help you grow into your mutancy and experience everything you can, while also keeping an eye on you and to help relay my instructions, if need be. I will have to speak to my officers to determine whom that will be."] Keaton nods again, not initially liking the idea of a babysitter...but if that means he gets to stay here, so be it. ["Decided, then. Welcome, Keaton, to the Brotherhood. It is time now for you to decide on a name. At birth, you were GIVEN a name, forced to take it wherever you walked, for all of your life. A human tradition. Now, that you are reborn as a mutant, you must CHOOSE a name for yourself! One that you feel best describes who you are and what you represent. Does anything come to mind?"].. Um... Keaton wasn't expecting this. Oh, if only he'd been given time! This is going to be amazing! He's going to have a name, like Magneto! He's definitely going to have to think up a worth-while one. But right now, Keaton shakes his head after some thought, he cannot think of one. Magneto nods, understanding. ["That's fine. Think about it, discover your abilities. In time, it will come to you. For now, please go so I can speak with my officers about your assignment."] Keaton nods, and leaves the room.. This is all so surreal! He's a MUTANT now! And his skin is thicker! He definitely needs to be testing this out. So...Keaton goes into the kitchen of the penthouse. Snooping around, Keaton finally finds what he's looking for: the silverware drawer. Keaton finds a fork and takes it out. Start small, right? Hell, MAGNETO wasn't even sure what his mutant powers were. He presses the prongs of the fork against the palm of his hand. At first, it feels kind of normal. He can definitely feel the points against his skin. He digs a little more. There's pressure there, definitely. He can feel the skin conforming to the depression, bending and pulling. But there's no pain. He pushes even harder. Still nothing, but it's getting harder to dig the fork any deeper. He tries anyway. Keaton is now leaning downward onto the fork, using his entire upper body strength to press onto his hand. This is causing him to also have to push his other hand upwards against the fork so that it doesn't just fall away. Two opposing forces now push the hand and fork together with immense human strength. Nothing. No pain. Amazed, Keaton pulls the fork away. The skin has white points from the pressure, and those fade back to normal color. There's no blood. No punctures from the fork prongs. Unbelievable! He goes to the drawer and grabs a larger knife now. He does the same thing here, pressing the point of the knife against his palm. Nothing happens. He shoves. Nothing. He turns his hand over, tries the same on the other side. Nothing. He starts swiping the knife at his fingers...no cuts, no severing. He reaches way up and slams the knife blade against his forearm as hard as he can, but nothing happens! It might as well have been a rolled up newspaper, or a pencil! Keaton laughs gleefully and then turns the knife inward. He lifts his shirt, pressing it up under his chin, and then gently, gingerly, touches the tip of the knife against his stomach. It's cold, is the first reaction Keaton has. It almost tickles, but not quite. He then presses in slightly. Instinctively, his stomach flexes and sucks in a little. He stops, having to tell himself that it's okay. This isn't going to hurt. It's not natural to not fear this. He tries again, pressing the blade tip against his stomach...and flexes to make it sturdy. He then pushes harder, little by little, just in case. At first, nothing happens. Then...nothing happens still. He smiles to himself, surprised. Keaton, encouraged, pushes harder and harder, and harder still. Finally, his arm starts cramping a little, and he lets out a huge breath. He had not realized he was holding it. He pulls the knife away, and there's still no puncture. No blood. Incredible. He reaches out, and slams the knife tip into his stomach. The force of it actually causes him to take a step backward, but nothing happens. It's like he was just pushed or something. This...is...so...COOL!! Outside, Keaton moves with a brand new sort of confidence. Knowing he cannot be harmed just instills this sort of power that he's craved. It's time to take that power somewhere he can use it. The cab rolls up outside his house in the main drive. He almost opens the door to get out when a thought occurs to him. His family still thinks he's dead. He can't just walk in, "Hey, I'm home!" That wouldn't work. This has to be handled delicately...if they are to accept him as alive. He instinctively checks his pocket...but he doesn't have his cell phone anymore. The hospital would have that, and probably gave it to his family, along with his other belongings. Shit, so he can't call. Hell, it might be best just to go to the door. Keaton looks out the window at the large home. Is it really going to be that different? Is this what he wants to go back to? He hears the low rumbling of thunder overhead...and remembers back... The Kincaids all sit together in the large entertainment area watching the television. There is breaking news on, in which there is a mutant showdown in the city between the group known as the "X-Men" and the Brotherhood of Mutants. This was a long time ago. Keaton was only nine years old. Kale was really little. Kevin was still a freaking genius, for his age. Keaton's parents sit, clutching hands, staring at the TV images like it's the end of the world...like this were the beginning of some great movement that will sweep every city, enter every home, and penetrate the heart and soul of the country. It looks like another Civil War, or hell it could become a World War! That's the look on their faces. Unending concern and anxiety. Kevin's face is twisted into a sneer. Kale has a smile. Keaton...merely observes. This is something interesting. He only barely understands the two sides, their opinions, and that's what he's gathered from the news. Can't trust the explanations and opinions of his parents. ["I can't believe this. This is outright WAR in the streets, news just won't admit it."] starts his father, ["I wish they'd DO something about this..."] His mom rubs his dad's arm. ["Well, we did make that anonymous donation to the fund for creating those...what were they called? Patrollers?"] His dad shakes his head. ["Sentinels, honey."] Kevin's next to pipe in, as valued as his opinion is. ["Good! I hope those things wipe out these genetic mistaks!"] Keaton glances at Kevin. Oh, you poor, stupid little brainwashed child. You keep on thinking like a carbon copy of your parents. Don't think for yourself. Kale smiles wide. ["I think they're cool!"] Spoken just as one of the mutants detonates on live TV, taking out a large area of property and, probably, life. Keaton's father frowns at Kale, pointing to what just happened. ["Cool?! You think that's COOL, Kale? Can you imagine how many people DIED just now?! Just gone, okay! That's not COOL! These people need to be stopped!"].. The rain patters on the roof of the cab. More thunder rolls around the estate. Keaton stares at the house. Is this what he wants to go back to? Or...he could leave it all behind, right now, and go to Genosha...where he'll belong. He'll be accepted. Cherished, because of what he is, and exactly as he is. Doesn't matter that he's not brilliant. Doesn't matter that he's not great at sports, or in fist fights. Doesn't matter what kind of mouth he has. Doesn't matter he has red hair and freckles. Or smokes. Or has no real talents that he knows of. All that matters...is he is a mutant. That's it. He's in. He's accepted. He's protected. He'll have people who will fight beside and for him. Because of him. Keaton takes his hand off the door handle. Puts it back on. This is his home, after all. Whether or not he likes his parents, his brothers, their opinions...this is his home. This is where he has known shelter and sanctuary for his whole life. This is where he's had meals, celebrated birthdays, learned to read, played games, had family over for Thanksgiving, went to bed every night, opened Christmas presents, woke up every morning, experienced practically every day of his life, and where he had expected to stay for some time. Is this what he wants? Is this what he's ready for? Keaton takes his hand off the handle as another roll of thunder passes overhead.. Take me back. He says to the driver. Shrugging, the driver pulls away. As they head down the drive, they pass Keaton's parents' car and the chauffeur. The car nearly swerves off the gravel as it halts. The chauffeur inside freaks out, trying to explain what he just saw in the back seat of that cab. It doesn't matter...even though Keaton has still decided to go to Genosha, he's still dead to his family. He's a mutant now...and now he has a new family.. Edited 11:35pm, October 20, 2011 by Naut, author.
Double-Sized Finale! Issue #8, October 22nd 2011
Naut 11:16pm, October 20, 2011 [Edit] [Delete]	(Thanks to everyone who's been reading along this whole time!) Back in Magneto's penthouse suite atop the skyscraper, Keaton finds himself sitting on a couch, staring out the large windows that lead to the rooftop patio. The rain beats against the windows and a flash of light across the gray sky throws shadows across the unlit room. He has decided to leave his family behind. He is staying with the Brotherhood. It makes sense to him, really. The Brotherhood, in the day he's known them, have treated him more kindly, more like family, than his own parents and brothers. They've accepted him, respected him, taken him seriously, appreciated his opinions and thoughts. These are all vast improvements over what he's known. No more name-calling, no being made fun of. No slugs to the shoulder or chest. No, the Brotherhood is what a family should be. Together. On the same side. That's what he wants. That's what he deserves. Another flash of light followed by a roll of thunder. There's a soft noise, and a yellow light cups Keaton's face. He continues to stare straight ahead, out the window, as he plays with his lighter. He swipes his hand over the flame, getting lower and lower, sometimes having to relight the flame if it goes out by accident. Finally taking his gaze away from the rain, Keaton looks down at the lighter and fire flickering in his steady breath. He takes the palm of his free hand and presses it down against the top of the lit lighter. He feels nothing. No pain. Just the pressure of the lighter tip against his hand. So far, Keaton has experimented with very little. His mind has been too elsewhere to really worry about his mutant toughness. First was the fork and knife, but when Keaton got back to the penthouse, he grabbed a couple ice cubes and squeezed them until they both completely melted. He felt absolutely nothing there either. Just a mild coolness. The flame now, here, also presents no real change than how his hand normally feels. It's slightly warmer, sure, but that's only barely noticeable if Keaton focuses on it. Amazing. So far, everything he's tried has failed against this new durability of his. What else can he withstand? The penthouse elevator dings and opens. Out steps Magneto and Aura. Aura immediately sees Keaton on the couch and nods to him, signaling to Magneto. Magneto nods and waves a hand to Aura before going to Keaton. He sits in a seat across, so as to see Keaton best. Keaton looks up at Magneto.. I'm going with you. Magneto, while pleased to hear this, frowns. He does not want to be solely responsible for breaking a family into pieces. ["But your family--?"] Keaton cuts him off.. Screw my family. They never wanted me anyway. Magneto nods solemnly, understanding but sympathizing. ["I'm sorry. Are they not happy with your new abilities?"].. Didn't speak to them. I'm dead, remember? They don't know you saved me. But I'll tell you this: they hate mutants. They would do anything to get rid of the "mutant problem." They even donated to the Sentinel fund way back when. Privately, of course. Can't risk the family business. They're a bunch of PR whores. Wow, now that sparks Magneto's interest. He had grown used to the idea of Keaton staying behind, while he and the Brotherhood are in Genosha. He would have an agent back here to carry out orders and tasks. A cell, for lack of a better term. But this new information makes everything different. This has a lot of potential. ["Your family, Keaton. I cannot help but wonder, are they THE Kincaid family? Of Kincaid Corporation?"] Keaton blinks, looks up at Magneto, and nods. .. Yeah, why? ["I wonder if you'd permit me.... What if I offered you the opportunity to still remain here in the country, here in this penthouse, instead of coming to Genosha?"] Keaton isn't sure where this is going.. Why? What does that have to do with my family? Magneto smiles.. ["I'm familiar with Kincaid Corporation. Your parents, I'm guessing - the owners? Have been suspiciously vague on their stance regarding mutantkind. You've confirmed what I thought. They have money. Influence. The company is internationally known for their global philanthropism. Imagine the good they could do for mutantkind, Keaton."] .. Yeah, but they never would. If they wanted, they'd build their OWN Sentinel army. Wage a personal war against mutants. Magneto's sinister smile grows. ["Exactly. The current heads of the company would NEVER act in a way that was beneficial to mutants. But...if someone ELSE were to rise to power, take the company over...someone who was more sympathetic to the mutant plight..."] Keaton narrows his eyes at Magneto.. Are you suggesting I kill my parents? * ["Nothing quite so dramatic, I assure you. I would prefer for no loss of human life. But if they could otherwise be removed from power...this could be a powerful asset. To have that name, that influence, that world-wide praise, in OUR corner. It's all about appearances, Keaton."]..* So you want me to stay behind, here, while you and the Brotherhood go back to Genosha, so I can supplant my parents? Magneto nods. ["Preferably someone who is business-minded and can handle running the company successfully so that it REMAINS the global powerhouse it is."] ["It is useless to us if it loses that."] Keaton nods, thinking about this.. I definitely know the building, and how the company works. I mean, if anything, I can advise on the takeover, and help when it happens. It won't be easy. My parents are so paranoid about mutants they have security beefed up to handle that kind of thing. ["Even the Brotherhood? I feel we will be able to handle it."].. When would we do this? Magneto thinks a moment, dropping his gaze. ["Not yet. This requires some time. Planning. We must also try to find whoever is willing to continue leading the company after your parents are out."].. I can ask my brother who he knows at school...oh... Keaton shuts up, remembering that his family thinks he's dead. This is complicated. ["Do not worry, this will all work out. So, are you willing to stay behind with someone else from the Brotherhood, in order to assist with the takeover of Kincaid Corporation?"] Keaton thinks a moment...and then decidedly nods.. Yeah. I'll stay. It was decided. Magneto still needed to find who would stay in the city with Keaton. Possibly two or three more of the Brotherhood now will stay behind to plan this out and put it into action, when ready. Magneto had preparations to make, and so Keaton left with some money in order to buy himself some more clothes, since Aura and the others had only brought him barely two sets of clothes. But as Keaton walks through Midtown, his mind wanders. He barely pays any attention to the people around him...they mean practically nothing to him. Especially if they're human. It just doesn't mean the same to him anymore. He's figuratively infected with Magneto's words and cause. He has accepted his mutation and new way of life quite easily, and quite fully. His old life is literally dead to him. The moment he was resurrected in the morgue began a new Keaton Kincaid. One with power. He nudges shoulders with people as he presses through a sudden crowd. He finds himself imagining just how many of them he could beat to a pulp without breaking a bone, a knuckle, or a sweat. Probably all of them. Finally, he reaches out and violently shoves the people in the back of the crowd out of his way. As they stumble, they curse at Keaton's impoliteness...but Keaton ignores them and keeps walking. They don't pick on him because, hey, he's just a stupid kid, and isn't worth the trouble. Good. Because he's not worth the trouble. Should any of them had tried anything with him, he would've wrecked them so entirely they'll have wished they hadn't even left home today. But it didn't come to that. Keaton just continues walking toward the main shopping district, to a store he's familiar with. Once Keaton arrives, he glances into the window and freezes. Inside...checking out the new fall items, is the Guy from school - the one who stabbed and, inadvertently, killed him - and his friends, who helped beat him up. Un-fucking-believable. He's just walking around like nothing happened. Guilt-free. Without punishment. Was he ever found? Notified? Interviewed? Looked into? ANYTHING?! Does...he even know? Does he even know that Keaton DIED as a result of what happened that day? Stupid little FUCK. He's going to tear his goddamn heart out! Oh...and there's no chance in hell that Keaton gets stabbed again this time...or hurt in any way, for that matter. This...is gonna be fun.. Keaton waits, watching the Guy and his friends getting closer to the window. Finally, he reaches up and knocks on the glass. The Guy and his friends look over, and see Keaton there. Keaton merely smiles and waves teasingly. He then starts pressing his chest against the glass while rubbing his nipples in mock sexuality. He licks his lips absurdly and starts humping the window with his crotch. When he sees the angry looks on the Guy and his friends' faces, and how they start moving for the door, Keaton grins and waits until he sees them exit...then runs. They chase. Keaton pushes through crowds, using his slight figure to weave easily. He had seen an alley not long ago, he just needs to reach it. Keaton glances back. The boys are still chasing him. Good. He needs them to foll-- OOF! Someone grabs Keaton around the shoulders and arms, trying to stop him from running. He succeeds. Keaton glances up. It's just some dude. ["Why're you running from them, huh? You do something you're not supposed to? You a thief?"] Keaton doesn't have time for this good samaritan bullshit. He glares at the man, then stomps on his foot, and kicks him in the balls. As soon as he's released, Keaton books. And just in time, too. The Guy is almost completely caught up. If he were to sacrifice speed and just reach out, he could probably grab him. Finally, Keaton sees the alley entrance. He ducks suddenly, through a gap between people, and jets into the alley. The Guy and his friends follow. One falls behind, though, tired, fat, and needing to catch his breath. Keaton goes well into the alley. The Guy hesitates a little bit, and slows. Keaton glances back and notices. He stops and turns.. What's wrong?! You never passed up an opportunity to kick my pasty, white ass before! With that, Keaton turns and tugs his pants down, mooning the Guy and his friends. He waggles his butt at them to taunt them. As soon as he hears footsteps running toward him, Keaton pulls his pants back up and turns to face the Guy and his friends. They catch up and grab Keaton violently, pulling him in. ["You little piece of shit, what the fuck happened? Huh?! I thought you died, you little weasel fuck!"] Without warning, Keaton jumps up and slams his forehead against the Guy holding him. He cries out and lets Keaton go, backing off some.. I DID die! And I have to thank you for that, man. I really do. You KILLED me, with that knife...and I died. The "weasel fuck" you knew is gone. I'm a brand new person now, shitface. You ready? ["Kick his ass!!"] Keaton gets a slug in the kidney from behind, and he lurches from the momentum of it...but it doesn't hurt. He's unaffected. Keaton chuckles and turns around, facing the kid who punched him.. Is that all? The kid swings wide, cracking his fist against Keaton's cheekbone. Keaton stumbles sideways a bit, head thrown aside, but he straightens up and laughs some more. This is so much fun.. C'mon, I barely felt that! Keaton spreads his arms wide, and that's when the Guy socks Keaton in the head from behind. Keaton bends over, and one of the Guy's friends knees him in the face. Keaton stumbles backwards into the Guy, laughing.. Jesus Christ, what happened to you all? Last time this happened, I could barely SEE! ["Fucking what's wrong with you?!"] The Guy yells, throwing Keaton against the wall. One of his friends rubs his knee. ["I dunno, but my knee hurts now...felt like I was kickin' a wood board or something."] Keaton can't help but continue laughing a bit.. This is sad, you guys. You don't have a chance. Keaton nods to the Guy.. Remember how you fucking stabbed me and left me to die? Check it out. He lifts his shirt to show his stomach, where the Guy stabbed him. It's smooth. It's perfect. There's no marks or scars. No stitches. Nothing to indicate that it ever happened. The Guy looks confused. Keaton likes that.. I'm a mutant, assholes. And you can't hurt me. A couple of the Guy's friends look at each other and shout ["Screw this!"] before running from the alley. That leaves the Guy and one friend behind. ["Fuck that. We can still take him."] Keaton grabs a trash can lid and violently slams it against the Guy's friend twice before the Guy steps in and straight on kicks Keaton in the hip. Keaton goes down, but there's no injury. He gets back up and flings the lid like a disc at the Guy. It into his face and the Guy drops, clutching his nose. The lid clatters to the ground as the Guy's friend slugs Keaton in the face. Nothing happens.. Dude! Haven't you learned? THAT WON'T DO SHIT!! Keaton leaps at the friend, tackling him to the ground. Sitting on his chest, Keaton's able to deliver a one-two over and over to the friend's face. The hits don't hurt his knuckles...so he doesn't have to stop or hold back his swings for fear of hurting himself. It's all about hurting the friend instead. Soon, the friend is almost completely bloodied and his head lolls weakly from side to side with every blow. Keaton's knuckles are covered in blood.. HA! THERE! Now you look like I did. Fucker. He spits on the friend's face. He's done with him. The friend's out cold, not getting up soon. Keaton stands up, but is then grabbed from behind, spun around and thrown to the ground. Keaton rolls and sees it's the Guy. ["You're fucking dead. I don't care if you died before. I'm gonna kill you again, you little Clit fuck."] Keaton grins.. You just don't get it, do you? You CAN'T hurt me! Everything you've done so far...I don't feel a thing! You're not actually doing anything to me! The Guy drops his knee onto Keaton's chest and applies all his weight. ["We'll just have to change that then, won't we?"].. Before Keaton can react, the Guy clasps his hands tightly around Keaton's throat. He squeezes. It's hard, and he cannot get a good grip. Just like the nurse applying chest compressions in the ER was having trouble pushing down on Keaton's chest. Keaton chuckles.. Is that supposed to actually do something? Fucking pissed off and determined, the Guy removes his hands from Keaton's neck and claps them over his nose and mouth, sealing his fingers together to keep air from coming or going. Keaton barely reacts, knowing this will do nothing. But...after a number of long seconds, Keaton starts to feel that anxiety in his chest...he starts to get that panicking feeling. His lungs start to burn. He starts drawing quick, short breaths to get whatever air he can...but the hands are effectively cutting it off almost entirely. Keaton struggles, trying to push against the Guy's hands, shoulders and arms. He yells against the pressure, sounding like faint groans. His body jerks, heaving against the weight on him, trying desperately to get air. Jesus Christ...he can't be hurt by anything, but this? He needs to fucking breathe? Fuck! Why didn't he think of this? Why did he just let this happen?! Keaton slugs the Guy in the ribs, on both sides, again and again. It's weak, and it doesn't seem to affect the Guy much...especially with that determination plastered across the Guy's face. Oh my God...is he really going to die again? And Magneto and the Brotherhood aren't here to revive him again. They don't even know where he is. Fuck this is all wrong. Keaton struggles more, wriggling his body and flicking his head side to side. He reaches up and grabs the Guy's wrists, then rips his head sideways. FINALLY, he's free and he takes a HUGE gasp of air. The Guy's not ready to give up. He still tries to get his hands back over Keaton's nose and mouth. Keaton keeps his face out of his grasp.. Get the fuck off me! He lurches and throws the Guy off finally. ["HEY!!"] A voice calls from the mouth of the alley. Keaton and the Guy look over to see who it is. To Keaton's amazement, it's the bartender! ["What's going on, here?"] The Guy slugs Keaton in the face, gets up and takes off. Keaton scrambles to his feet to try and stop him, but it's too late. The Guy is gone. The bloody friend is still there on the ground. The bartender runs up to Keaton and sees that friend. Sees the blood on Keaton's hands. ["What the hell happened?!"] Keaton looks at the bartender, angry as hell for having been interrupted.. Fuck off. This is none of your business. ["Like hell! Look at you! You look like shit! Did you do that?!"] The bartender points to the bloody friend. Keaton looks at him. Then back to the bartender.. Yeah. So? He deserved it. ["What the fuck is wrong with you? Is this why you're always looking beat the fuck up? You just looking for trouble?"].. I SAID FUCK OFF!! I was taking care of something! But NO! You just came the fuck along and had to ruin it! These fucks deserved what they got! They KILLED me! The bartender blinks at that...not sure how to respond.. That's right! That guy? That just ran away? That YOU scared off? Yeah. He KILLED me with a fucking knife just a couple days ago! The bartender looks very concerned, really wondering if Keaton is well in the head. ["What are you talking about? Killed you?"] Keaton is not a happy camper with all this right now. He wants this guy to just disappear. Keaton makes a gutting motion toward the bartender.. Yeah! Fucking killed! With a knife! Stabbed me right in the stomach! And here! In the chest! I DIED, man! DIED in the hospital! Magneto brought me back! That name catches the bartender's attention. ["Magneto? That terrorist?"].. Fuck you! He's not a terrorist! He's an activist! Big difference, idiot! ["Why would he help you? You're not a mutant.....are you?"] Keaton merely smiles. He motions to himself.. I'm standing here, aren't I? Speaking of...I got the same thing you do! Hey, maybe you, I dunno, gave me this mutant thing. I mean, we both have the same thing, right? We can't be hurt? So I think you infected me, didn't you? DIDN'T YOU?! The bartender grabs a handful of Keaton's shirt. ["What the fuck'd you say to me?"].. ......Let. Go. ["No, little man, I wanna know why you're stupid enough to think that you can CATCH being a mutant."] Keaton shoves the bartender away from him.. Look, I don't care okay? I'm a mutant now...and it's awesome! Look what I did to that guy! Keaton points to the bloodied friend on the ground, who is still out cold. The bartender shakes his head. ["You can't go around doing that. Us mutants already have enough to worry about, to fear. Mutants going around, beating up regular people like this, it's bad for us in the long run."].. I don't think I give a fuck. These bastards were responsible for my ground meat face you saw a while back. Just delivering a little payback. ["No, little man. YOu can't do this. I...I can't let you."] Keaton laughs. Good and long.. What're you gonna do? Beat me up? I don't think so. The bartender grabs Keaton's shirt with both hands and throws Keaton up against the wall, pressing him there. ["SOMEONE'S gotta stop you, you little sociopathic sonuvabitch! We mutants are FIGHTING for our RIGHTS out there! Sometimes our LIVES! I'm not gonna let some little bitch FUCK that up for the rest of us, just because he feels ENTITLED!"] Keaton grabs the bartender's arms and shoves off the wall, pushing him back.. I said LET GO!! He pushes the bartender away from him.. FUCK you and your ideals and shit! Why do you even care so much?! Why did you even start talking to me?! Who the fuck ARE you?! What makes you just the authority on everything that you can just boss me the fuck around?! You wanna rough me up? You wanna punch me? Shove me around? Keaton laughs.. Go ahead! You know it won't do squat! We've got the same thing! You know you can't hurt-- And Keaton receives a slug to the face. The bartender balls up his fists, putting them up. ["Don't mean I'm ain't gonna enjoy trying, you little prick!"] He swings again, nailing Keaton in the eye socket. Nothing happens, really. Sure, Keaton's head whips aside from the impact, but...other than that: nothing. Keaton ducks the next one, and swings out his own punch! But...the bartender's gone. How did Keaton miss? What the hell? He was standing right there! He's suddenly shoved from behind. Keaton stumbles out and turns to see the bartender behind him, running to tackles him against the other wall. He grabs Keaton's hair and slams his head back against the wall. And again. It does nothing.. What're you doing?! You know this won't work! Keaton sinks his fist into the bartender's stomach, then pushes him back a bit, then slings his knee upward into his stomach too. Keaton then slams his fist into the bartender's face. The bartender backs off, looking Keaton over.. See? Nothing! You can't hurt me, I can't hurt you! This isn't gonna do anything to us! ["If I hit you HARD enough...I'll HURT you."] The bartender grabs Keaton and tosses him toward the mouth of the alley. Keaton rolls and starts to get back up, but the bartender kicks him hard in the ribs. It still does nothing except push Keaton back to the ground. The bartender grabs him, lifts him back up, and then throws him out into the public. Keaton collides with a couple people passing by and sinks to the sidewalk as the crowd expands around them. The bartender steps out, announces to the crowd. ["This little man is a mutant! I'M a mutant too! But here's the difference between us!"] Keaton slowly stands up, while leering at the bartender and glancing around at the crowd that is taking more and more interest in him. ["HE is the kind of mutant that wants to HURT other people! Just because he CAN!"].. HEY, FUCK YOU! ["I...am the kind of mutant who wants to STOP him, and show the rest of the world that not ALL mutants are bad! Some of us want to HELP you! And, yes, some of us want to hurt you! It's not fair to treat us ALL the same!"] Keaton dashes at the bartender. Maybe that whole thing about formerly being a politician was right...he sure has a way with words. A few people in the crowd seem taken. They shout at Keaton, jeering him. It's the school fight all over again.. Keaton collides with the bartender, ducking low around his middle. The bartender leans forward, wraps his arms around Keaton's waist, and bodily lifts him up, turning Keaton upside-down, and then just drops him on the ground. This gets a gasp out of the crowd, as Keaton lands smack on his head and crumples. It didn't hurt or anything, but the crowd doesn't know he has increased durability. Keaton climbs back up to his feet and swings for the bartender, he leans back away, then jabs in at Keaton's face. Keaton stumbles back from the force of it...and the bartender follows up with a beautiful swing that cracks against Keaton's jaw. The crowd moves and molds around Keaton and the bartender as they move around the sidewalk. The bartender kicks out and nails Keaton right in the stomach. Keaton sprawls backwards into a coin-operated newspaper box and he tries to hold himself up against it.. What's the point to all this? We can't hurt each other! You just puttin' on a show for these people? Makes sense if you used to be in politics, really.... That earns Keaton another slug to the face, sending him to the ground. The bartender then kicks Keaton in the chin as hard as he can. Keaton's head whips backward, but nothing is damaged. The bartender bends down and lifts Keaton back to his feet. ["The point is...you need to be stopped. You're an animal. And animals get put down."] The bartender braces himself, and then throws Keaton straight out into traffic! Keaton lands on the hood of a passing car, cracks the windshield, and rolls off the other side. Cars screech to a halt for fear of turning Keaton into road paste and start honking. The bartender starts out into the street after Keaton, but a high-pitched whistling and a low rumble catch their attention. Keaton climbs to his feet and they both look skyward as a large humanoid figure descends from the sky with rockets coming out of its feet. A huge Sentinel cracks down on the ground, miraculously avoiding much damage with one foot, but crushing the engine of a car with the other. It scans the scene and notices both Keaton and the bartender. <"Unidentified mutant engaging in unauthorized combat with Mutant Designate: Barry David. Civilian life in danger. Apprehending mutant threat."> The Sentinel raises its hands and fires stun beams from its palms. Both beams crash into Keaton and Barry, the bartender, sending them flailing back through the air before hitting the ground again some distance away. The crowd that had been watching mostly disperses, familiar with Sentinel tactics, or is still watching in awe, like you would a train wreck. Keaton pushes himself back up, clothes smoking, and stares up at the daunting Sentinel silhouette. It takes a massive step forward, crushing cars, and is immediately on top of Keaton. <"Unidentified mutant appears unharmed by initial energy output. Adjusting."> It points it palm at Keaton, much closer this time. Keaton can actually see the blaster hole sparking...and he takes a frightened step backward just before the energy tears out at him again.. It slams into Keaton, sending burning energy all throughout his durable body, and pushes him back to the ground, where he writhes in actual pain. He hasn't forgotten what pain is...and it's definitely not a welcome feeling anymore. <"Mutant Designate: Barry David apprehended. Unidentified mutant undergoing subdual. Extraction immenent."> The Sentinel fires another point-blank blast of energy at Keaton, washing him in the stuff. Keaton screams out as the increased power levels burn into him. The crowd watching is mostly silent now, solemn, and feeling that human pang in their hearts when the life of another is in jeopardy. The Sentinel ceases fire, leaving a smoking Keaton, clothes charred and torn, lying in the street. He breathes hard. Burning, electric pain surges through his body and limbs. <"Unidentified mutant subdued. Commencing extraction."> A mechanized tendril extends from another hold in the Sentinel's palm, and works itself around Keaton's body, tightening to a point where Keaton cannot move at all. The Sentinel lifts him up. Keaton, through the pain and exhaustion, tries to look over at the Sentinel's other hand to see the bartender, Barry, but there's nothing. Wait, didn't the Sentinel say it got him? So where is he? Barry..? He can barely get the word out, his throat is so dry and he's so tired.. Barry..! <"Returning to base."> There's suddenly a HUGE wrenching noise and Keaton is upside-down. Another loud wrenching, and Keaton is right-side up. A third and final is followed by the sound of a twenty car pile-up and Keaton is free-falling with the tendril still wrapped around him!! He crashes into the street below, and the Sentinel's hand and forearm SLAM into the ground just next to him! <"Sentinel 610024 has received damage to the lower right extremity. Compensating for loss of combative capabilities to engage new Mutant-threat Designate: Magneto."> Keaton rolls over. Magneto!? Sure enough, flying above and defiantly facing the Sentinel, is Magneto! ["You will not harm this young man! He is coming with me! And YOU are not going anywhere!"] The Sentinel raises its other hand to fire a lethal beam of energy at Magneto, but the beam crashes against and warps around a blue shield of energy surrounding Magneto. The Sentinel also fires from its eyes, in the hope that more will break the shield down. Magneto puts a hand out toward the Sentinel's head. It...starts turning. The head turns to the left...and those energy beams coming from its eyes SLICE through its own left arm! The energy blast from the hand cuts off, there's an explosion within its forearm, and then the limb crashes down into a line of parked cars. People scream and run to get out of the way and seek shelter. Keaton smiles. No one messes with fucking Magneto. Aura appears at his side, grinning madly, and he starts tugging at the tendril wrapped around Keaton. Magneto then focuses, holding both hands out, pressed together, toward the Sentinel. He then releases a ripsaw beam of magnetism, focused in a narrow column, right for the Sentinel's chest. The fluctuating magnetic particles will do devastating damage to the metal casing of the Sentinel, tugging, pushing, and pulling this way and that, all at once. It rips a hole straight through the machine. <"Sentinel 610024 in danger of catastrophic systems damage. Total shutdown imminent. Returning for repairs."> The jets in its feet fire. There's a huge rumble through the street, which helps loosen the tendril around Keaton, and it lifts off into the air. Magneto watches it rise and fly away...then he lowers himself to the ground at Keaton's side and assists magnetically with the removal of the tendril. Keaton climbs out and up to his feet...and actually stops himself from hugging Magneto. He feels so grateful, so happy to see him. It's hard for Keaton to explain or justify. ["We need to leave. Stay close."] A blue shield appears around the three of them, and starts lifting off.. Wait!! What about Barry? BARRY!! Keaton calls out, looking for the bartender he once kind of considered a friend. ["Who? Is this a HUMAN friend of yours?"].. No, he's a mutant like me. We met a little while ago. He and I were fighting...and the Sentinel showed up, said he captured Barry. Magneto looks down on the scene, then back to Keaton. ["Another mutant? Keaton, I came to your aid because we saw what was happening on the news. It was only you up against that Sentinel. There was no mention of anyone else."] Keaton is quiet. What...does that mean? How can they not have mentioned anything? Anything at all? Both he and Barry were clearly up against the Sentinel...it was firing at both of them! That doesn't make any sense...he was right with me. The Sentinel was shooting us both! Aura puts a hand on Keaton's shoulder. Magneto looks right into Keaton's eyes as the shield rises higher and higher. ["Child, there was no other mutant. It was only you against the Sentinel."].. ...What? And that means what, exactly? Keaton's not sure. He can't have been imagining things. He's been seeing that bartender everywhere, they've been talking, meeting. No way is he not real. He had to have just run away or something..* He must've got away. That has to be it. Magneto nods. ["Perhaps before the Sentinel arrived, yes."].. NO! He was THERE when the Sentinel came! We were BOTH shot at! GOD! Why aren't you listening to me! Magneto holds a hand up, requesting that Keaton stop exploding. ["Understand, Keaton, that we saw the news when the Sentinel arrived. You were the only one it was attacking."].. I'M NOT SEEING THINGS! OKAY?! I'M NOT FUCKING CRAZY! DON'T TELL ME I'M FUCKING CRAZY!! Magneto puts his hand on Keaton's other shoulder. ["This isn't the time to overreact. You must learn to control yourself and contain your outbursts, especially toward me, Keaton. I took you in once you became a mutant. I just saved you from an unknown fate with the Sentinel. You must remember these things if you are to be within the Brotherhood."] Keaton understands...and breathes deep to try and calm down. But this is really frustrating. How can they sit there a lie to his face? He wasn't the only one there! Barry the bartender was right next to him! So you didn't see a black guy standing with me when the Sentinel came down? Aura shakes his head. Magneto removes his hand from Keaton's shoulder. ["Perhaps we can review the footage when we arrive."] And so they do. Back at the penthouse, Magneto, Aura, and Keaton stand close to the television while Magneto works the remote. He rewinds the footage, and Keaton sees the Sentinel return to the ground, its arm fly back up and rejoin its body, it retract its beams into its eyes and hand, the other arm rejoining the body with Keaton in it, Magneto leaves, and then the Sentinel leaves. Magneto presses play. The banner at the bottom of the breaking news story reads "MUTANTS FLEE FROM SENTINEL WRECKAGE." Keaton gets very close to the TV and recognizes himself in the street. What's he doing there? And...why is he alone? He looks for Barry on the sidewalk. He should be moving toward the street right now. But then the Sentinel arrives...no Barry. What the FUCK?! What's happening? I...I don't...don't see him. Magneto shakes his head slightly. ["Neither did we."].. I don't understand what that means. What does that mean?! Am I imagining things now? ["Is it possible he has powers of invisibility? Teleportation?"] Keaton shakes his head.. No. Well, I mean, I guess. But he only ever showed me and told me about how he's more durable, tough, like me. We had the same powers. But, no...he didn't teleport or turn invisible. He was THERE! He was shot by the Sentinel at the same time I was! Keaton looks back at the TV closely, and watches as only HE is shot.. I...don't get it. Where's Barry? Can he have imagined Barry all along? He thinks back to the other times they were together. The dinner party. Barry served Keaton a couple of shots. There was really no one else around. But...wait, his mom did ask who Keaton was talking to. Did she not see Barry? Was she thinking Keaton was talking only to himself? No, fuck that. Next, the subway. They spoke. There were other people on the subway that seemed...uncomfortable around them, were keeping their distance. Was it because of Keaton's fucked up face, what Keaton was saying....or because he was talking to himself? He remembers something Barry had said, about Keaton saying he hallucinated after beating up his friend, Carl: "Don't we see ourselves in a lot of other people though?" ...What the fuck? Was that...was that him trying to tell himself that he was crazy? That he was imagining Barry? No, that can't be. And now this last time. The fight. Keaton took a swing at the bartender, but he seemed to have completely disappeared for a second. Could that have been because he wasn't real? Or was Magneto right? Did he have invisibility powers? Why not stay invisible then? Much easier to take Keaton out if he can't see the douchebag. And he just showed up in the alley, too. Right when Keaton needed help the most. He was suffocating. But, then, what scared the Guy off? What made him stop choking him and run away? Keaton thought it was Barry. If Barry's not real...then what else could it have been? There's just no rational explanation for this! Keaton's head hurts...his whole body aches. He moves away from the TV footage.. I need to go lay down... Keaton moves out of the living area and to the room in which he has been staying. He flops onto the bed. There's no way Barry's not real. ...No way. It's not possible. He's not crazy. Barry is real, and he just somehow got away, or turned invisible, or doesn't show up on TV cameras. Barry's real. .....Right? Edited 4:03pm, October 22, 2011 by Naut, author.

Veronica Koenig 4:20am, October 25, 2011 [Edit] [Delete]	I think yer fookin' cracked.
Index \| New Thread \| Reply \| Close \| Stick \| Delete