Chapter Sixteen
The Force is Strong With You, My Young Padawan

After a short moment of hesitation and panic, I did't realize where we were going until we came across the familiar abandoned building. I was only completely calm once we had descended into his lair, and I spotted Graeme typing away at the computer.

Graeme jumped slightly when Static placed a hand on his shoulder, letting him know that we were there. Graeme looked at me and gave Static a look.

"I cleared everything up," He assured him, "Don't worry."

Graeme turned to face me again and gave me a reassuring smile. "In case you're still having doubts - don't worry. He seriously didn't do anything wrong," He said, "I was freaking out when I found out too."

"I still am sort of shaken up," I let out a gentle laugh.

"I think that includes the whole city too," Graeme smiled and spun the the office chair so that he was facing us better

"So, what are we doing tonight?" I asked Graeme and pulled up a chair beside him.

"Well," Graeme typed something into the computer, "I have multiple things on my agenda, and I'm still in the midst of going through my parents' old files, so I'm not totally sure what information we're looking for yet but hopefully we'll know soon."

"Graeme's been coming more often to work," Static added, "Usually he'll show up and work on his own, I already gave him the password for the door. He's doing great."

"Pfft," Graeme waved away Static's compliment, wearing a sheepish grin on his face that made me smile. "It's nothing, really."

"But don't you get the creeps?" I scooted closer to the edge of my chair, "You know, being all alone in an abandoned building? A Superhero's lair, to be exact."

"Super Villain," Static corrected me with a tone and I tried not to snicker.

"I was a bit hesitant the first time," Graeme admitted, "But the thrill is awesome. I mean, what if something bad does happen? The Supers will save me!"

I frowned a bit at his last statement. I felt a mix of worry and fear if that's what he thinks, and it made me wonder if there were other people who thought that. Supers won't always be there, it's just luck if they are. I don't like the idea of people depending on Supers to be there when they're in peril. Excepting a Super to save you should always be your last resort, and everyone should be able to think and defend themselves.

"What would you do if you were attacked then?" I asked him.

"I'd just wait for either of you two to show up," He explained with an adorable smile.

"But," I tried to find the right way to phrase it, "What if there were no Supers to save you? How would you defend yourself?"

He pursed his lips and looked to be deep in thought. "Hm, maybe I'd fight them?"

I nodded like I was a mother teaching her child what to do during a fire. "What else would you do?"

He shrugged. "I'd probably call 911."

"Yes," I nodded, "Remember it's either fight or flight."

"Or stall by starting a conversation about whether the moon landing was real or not." Static suggested with a laugh and I playfully shoved his shoulder.

"In the meantime," Graeme spoke again, "I think you should start using The Force."

I raised my eyebrows. "Force? You mean my shield?"

He smacked his forehead and gave me a goofy smile. "Sorry, it just reminds me too much of Star Wars." He sat up straighter in his seat. "But your shield basically is the Force, isn't it? I mean, before you even began practicing you had already taught yourself how to shape the Force so that it covered you like a bubble shield. Technically, the Force is strong with you, my young Padawan."

Graeme snickered at his own joke, and I broke out into a chuckle. Static tried to suppress a smile but failed, leaving us all with cheerful faces.

"You two get to work," Static managed to wipe the smile from his face and replace it with a serious look, "Graeme, could you help Gone Girl with her newfound 'Force?'"

"Sure," He chirped, and hopped out of his chair. I followed him to the, uh, I wouldn't really call it the living room because it looked like someone died there but I guess Graeme lead us to the comfort area. Although everything was open concept, it still gave off a Harry Osborn - or Green Goblin, whatever you prefer calling him, - vibe.

He took a spot in the arm chair and I sat across from him on the couch. "So," He began, "Have you been practicing?"

"Uh..." I pursed my lips as I found a sudden interest in my shoes, "Sort of."

"Mhm," Graeme replied, giving me a look. "Well, whether you practiced or not, you're going to practice now."

I watched as he searched around the room, his eyes finding nothing. "Static?" He called.

Static, who was typing away at the computer, turned his head to face us. "What?"

"Skylar and I are going to go upstairs, okay," Graeme stood up so I stood up too, but Static gave him a funny look.

"Skylar?" He repeated, "Why did you call her Skylar?"

"Because I told him he could," I Interjected, defending Graeme. "It's alright."

"Yeah," Graeme smiled, "Now maybe you should give us your name so we can all be on a first-name basis."

I laughed at Graeme's cheeky remark, but Static only scowled and returned his attention to the computer.

"Chill," I told him, "He's kidding."

So Graeme led me back up the steep stairs and outside into the dark forest of trees. He stopped at a tree and for a second, and because Audrey has a thing for horror movies, I thought he was going to turn around with blood dripping from his eyes and his lips sewn together, but he just sat down and looked up at me.

"What?" I asked.

He shrugged. "Lift something." His face suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree, "Lift me! I've always wanted to fly!"

"Don't we all," I muttered quietly enough so that only I could hear, but positioned myself so that I was facing Graeme.

I drew in a heavy breath and awkwardly placed my hands in front of me like a Jedi or something, but Graeme didn't seem to care. I closed me eyes and pictured him sitting at the tree, and I imagined him, every atom, every molecule in his body, slowly raising higher and higher than it was before.

I heard a startled gasp and someone yell, "I'm so high!" causing my eyes to shoot open and see Graeme five feet parallel to the ground. His eyes were bright with excitement and his jaw hung open. I broke out into a smile but suddenly my hands started to shake, and so did Graeme.

"What's happening?" I asked him in a panic and frantically looked around me as if I would find the answer to the problem.

"You're losing focus," He cried and tried to grab the tree for support but he was floating away.

I licked my lips and closed my eyes, trying to see if I could put him down. My heart was beating frantically and I tried to calm my shaking hands. I pictured his form, slowly cascading back to the ground. Although I don't think it was working very well because Graeme started screaming.

"Oh em gee!" Graeme wailed, and my eyes shot open once more to see him shooting roughly up and down, side to side. He was like Harry Potter on an invisible, hijacked Nimbus 2000.

Instead of just trying to lay him down, I decided to close my fists because my first approach clearly wasn't working.

As soon as my palm calmed shut around my fingers, Graeme stilled for a moment before dropping straight down from where he was six feet high in the sky.

"Ouch!" He shouted when he hit the ground, and I rushed over to where he landed.

"I'm so sorry!" I cried as I kneeled next to him, "Are you alright?"

He propped himself up onto his elbows, looking at me with an adorable grin. "My butt hurts."

I grimaced but couldn't stop the laugh that escaped my lips. "Then why are you smiling?"

"Because that was awesome!" He tried to sit up but grimaced, "But maybe we should both take a break."

I gave him a guilty smile and helped him up, leading the both of us back to the tree. I helped him down as he rested his back against the tree, so I took a spot beside him.

"So," I started, slightly out of breath. "Maybe next time I should try and lift something abiotic."

"I would feel safer if we tried that," Graeme agreed, leaving us in silence.

"Gray- I mean, Gold Cape came to see me yesterday," I decided to say. I don't know why, it just felt right.

"I heard he made a speech too," Graeme added a bit hesitantly.

I nodded. "Yeah, my school."

He let out a whistle. "I also heard he admitted to cheating, and I'm pretty sure everyone jumped to the conclusion that he cheated on Gone Girl."

I nodded again, although I wasn't worried about him knowing I was cheated on because basically the whole city knew by now, and besides, Graeme was one of the first people to know anyway.

"A lot of people filmed his speech," Graeme added, and I wanted to cry out in frustration. "It's all over YouTube. He seemed to be quite... apologetic, for someone who didn't care when it happened."

Thank you! I wanted to scream. I bet there were loads of girls out there, saying that I should forgive him, that I should give him another chance, but right now I still don't now what to think, because every time I try to think about it I'm just overwhelmed with hurt and betrayal.

"I am just so conflicted," I buried my face in my hands, "At first he seemed so careless, but now he wants me back...? Are these symptoms for a fuckboy, or does it mean he's just an asshole?"

Graeme snorted, "I think anyone who cheats is automatically both a fuckboy and an asshole."

I smiled and nodded in agreement, but my smile slowly faded into a frown. "I don't know though, Graeme. He was so kind and understanding, almost like he had a wake up call." I shook my head, "Does that mean he's a changed person?"

Graeme sighed, "I've never been in a relationship, so I doubt I am the right person to be giving relationship advice," At that, we both broke out into smiles, "But I'm not going to say once a cheater, always a cheater, because that won't always be that case. Everybody is different, some people learn from their mistakes, others don't. Sometimes people love you more than they let off, or the other way around. I guess it seriously depends on the person, what happened, why it happened, and so many other things. But most of all, how much you two really love each other."

I just stared at my feet, because I never tried to think about any of those things. I never felt like it mattered. All that mattered to me was that he cheated. But only then, if I truly loved him, would I consider all those things?

"If you believe your love was stronger than, say, the Hulk," I chuckled at his example, "Then go for it. If you think your love was like whatever cheesy explanation you can find, then maybe continuing will be worth it." He tilted his head, the humor dying. "But if all those things don't come into play, then maybe it really isn't worth it, because you have to remember that no one deserves to be laying in bed at night, wondering why they weren't good enough."

I took in his words of wisdom, taking them to heart. I honestly didn't believe I deserved what I received, but what got me most was how much do we really love each other? I mean, Graeme said that is the most important thing, and although we both agreed he might not be the most reliable source, he makes a point, right? Say I loved Grayson a lot, I mean, a lot a lot. Would I trust him enough to believe him when he says it back? Because if he really doesn't, then that makes for a bad relationship for multiple reasons. But to say now, that I love him so, so much, would be an overstatement. So that makes me think, would i really ever be able to be with him again?

I was just about to say something back to Graeme when the door the the convince store busted open.

I was quick to my feet, but calmed once I saw that it was just Static. But he looked a bit panicked as he jogged over to where we were.

"What's wrong?" I asked him, and Graeme stood up too.

"Slick," He answered, "He... called."

"Called?" Graeme asked, wobbling slightly so I grabbed his arm to stable him. "What do you mean he called?"

Static hesitated, as if trying to find the right words to explain. "You know that old land-line we were trying to fix a few days ago?" He asked Graeme who nodded.

"Well, I didn't think it worked... but it rang." He explained.

"How?" Graeme asked, "It wasn't working."

"I know," Static nodded in agreement, "But after he called, it was working fine."

"What did he say?" I asked, because I honestly didn't care whether the land-line was working or not.

"To meet him him at M&H Park," He told us, and I noticed Graeme flinched at the name.

M&H Park, unlike Henderson Park, was not out in the middle of the city. M&H Park was at the side of the city, surrounded with trees. It was actually named after Mystique and Hallow, a year after they passed.

"Why there?" I asked him.

"Don't ask me," He said, "All I know is that he wants me and you to meet up with him there."

I shared a look with Graeme. "Alright." I turned to Graeme. "Can you get back down safely? Do you need help?"

He nodded. "I'll be alright. You two go ahead."

"You're sure?" I asked and he nodded. "alright then," I turned to Static.

Graeme started making his way back to the lair when Static opened his arms.

"How do you want to do this? Piggy back or bridal style?" I smiled at his attempt in humor.

"Hm," I pretended to contemplate, "Maybe we should try a piggy back since I've never done that before."

Static shrugged and turned around so that I could hop onto his back. Once I was on his back, he took off and I let out a yelp.

"Yeah, no!" I called over the wind, "next time we're not doing a piggy back!"

It wasn't long until we reached the park. We landed on the grass and I hopped down, shaking out my nerves.

"What now?" I asked Static.

"I'm not sure," He replied, but the nauseous feeling in our stomachs soon answered the questioned.

"We're close," Static nodded, and I eyed the trees a couple hundred meters away from us. The feeling in our stomachs is explainable, but how we know where the trouble is, is not. It's almost like a guess, but it's not. You somehow just know that that is where the help is needed.

Neither of us had to agree that it was somewhere in the trees. We both ran in that direction, not sure of what we're looking for. But from the strong pain in my stomach, it told me that it was pretty bad.

I could hear sirens wailing in the distance, adding to my distraught thoughts. We slowed at one point, and I could hear something... It sounded fuzzy and artificial, almost like a walkie-talkie.

"Do you hear that?" I taped Static on the shoulder.

"Yeah," He answered, and as quietly as we could, we approached where the sound was coming from, and that's when I smelt the blood.

By now the sirens sounded louder than ever, and everything was starting to freak me out. It was getting harder to hear the noise, but we were close enough that we didn't have to, because I could see the small light of a phone.

"Hello?" I heard the person on the other end call.

I quickly rushed to the phone before Static could stop me and put it to my ear.

"Hello?" I asked, and my pulse quickened when Static called my name.

"Skylar," He said in a warning tone, and I turn to tell him off when I saw the lights. The bright, blue and red lights, dancing as they flashed behind the trees from one-hundred meters away from us.

"Hello? Sir, are you still there?" I turned my attention back to the call, "Sir, don't worry, help should be on it's way. Stay calm."

I was about to ask what was wrong when I noticed the body. The dead body. The body of a little boy, covered in blood, and the bloody man laying beside him. My breath caught in my throat.

"Static!" I called, and whipped around to see the doors of the police cruisers swing open.

"Freeze!" A voice boomed, "Stay were you are and put your hands behind your head or we'll shoot!"

I abruptly dropped the phone and stood up, despite the spitting image of the dead bodies resting clearly in my mind, put my hands behind my head for whatever reason. Although Static chose the dumb option not to.

"What?" He asked, "Why should we-"

He was cut off by a gun shot, and he quickly ducked leaving it up to me to blow out my shield last second before it hit me. Glad to know he kept my death in mind.

Static stood back up and put his hands behind his head as we were told, but that didn't stop him from complaining.

"We didn't do anything," He yelled at them, not trying to fight the police officers that cuffed his hands.

"We can break out of these, you know," I told the officer who was trapping my hands in hand cuffs like she was a child.

"Not these ones, kiddo," He scowled at me, "Power-Proof." I watched as an ambulance pulled up and rushed to limp bodies I had found.

"What are you doing?" Static asked as they aggressively pulled us towards the cars.

"You two are under arrest." One police officer answered.

"For what?" I asked.

"Murder."

***

Hey everyone, hope you've been enjoying the story so far ;)

I'm so bored and I'm just waiting for school to start, despite not having any supplies at all. I seriously need some physical activity, no joke. I swear this is an athlete's nightmare. I've taken it upon myself to run up and down my five-floored apartment stairs five times. I'm desperate for something active.

Anyway, I'm seriously trying to write as much as I can in the last week I have before school so I can focus on homework and stuff when school starts. Don't worry though, I'll still update weekly.

Please don't forget to vote, comment and share c:

with love
via<3