009

— the call is coming from inside the house —

THE ROOM HAD BEEN FILLED WITH A FEW SHELVES AND TABLES, BUT IT STILL FELT BARE. Hank helped Terran pull the shelfs from storage before she was left alone with her Chinese food and music. She had two shelves set up and pushed against the walls next to the bed, red roses growing across them. After writing little sticky notes of what she wanted to fill her shelfs with, Terran threw herself against the bed. Terran shuffled back against the bed, staring up at the white ceiling.

Part of her wanted to go home, go back to her bedroom where she filled the walls with small paintings and drawings. Then she remembered her mother's yelling, her brothers tearing apart the walls and torturing the neighbours' cats. She loved her mother, she was her mom, but even though everyone in the tower felt like they were keeping secrets from each other, at least it wasn't screaming and crying. She could handle a few secrets.

She pushed herself up to rest against the headboard, her phone still playing Hozier through her room. She leaned over to stop it, hoping maybe to sleep, but she stopped when she noticed her box of beads and jewellery split across her desk.

She groaned as she moved to fix it, pushing everything back into the box until her fingers hit cold metal. Everything she had collected to continue making her jewellery had been found around the tower, old plastic beads from Halloween outfits and cheap toys. Terran stopped and grabbed the metal earrings, a pair of twisting gold in the shape of a rose. They were a gift to her mother two years ago.

"How the hell did you get here?" Terran mumbled, spinning it between her fingers. She pushed herself up and raced to the window, ripping the curtains open. The moonlight reflected around her room, bouncing off the shining wooden floors. She tapped her hand against the glass and looked around the windows before pulling them closed again, her heart racing.

❁

THE MORNING BROKE THROUGH THE INFIRMARY'S WINDOWS, THE WARMTH SPREADING ACROSS SKIN ENOUGH TO WAKE THE ALIEN. Hazel quickly changed the bandages but looked up at Kory as she groaned, stretching her muscles out. "Good morning sleeping beauty," Hazel greeted, smiling at her.

"I told you to wake me up," Kory said, rubbing her eyes.

"Yeah, but you looked so peaceful," Hazel teased. She quickly set the last of the bandages in place before she stood with a steaibedc groan. "Now I need caffeine, would you like one?"

"Please," Kory hummed, pushing herself from the cramped chair. "Sweet please, but not Rachel kinda sweet."

Hazel nodded and walked to the kitchen, switching the kettle on. She leant against the counter, tapping her foot to try and keep herself awake. "Haze?" Gar called rushing from the hall.

"Morning Gar," Hazel hummed.

He pointed behind him but his eyes narrowed on her face, specifically the dark bags forming under her eyes. "Have you slept yet?" Gar questioned, running to stand beside her.

"Had a power nap at like three in the morning," Hazel admitted.

"Jesus Hazel," Gar groaned. "Oh, uh, there's someone at the door. Her names Eva or Eve or something."

"Eve?" Hazel repeated and Gar nodded. Hazel cursed and rushed to the door lock, turning the screen back on.

A woman stood at the door, her ginger hair flapping in the wind. "Hello?" The woman repeated.

"What did you say your name was?" Hazel questioned, watching the small screen.

"My name is Eve Watson. Please let me in," Eve begged. "Look, I know this doesn't make any sense, but I was led here by a dog. Is there someone named Conner there?"

"Come up," Hazel ordered, pressing her finger to the censor and unlocking the elevator.

"What? Who is she?" Gar questioned, standing in front of Hazel who leaned against the hall.

"The boy, who I'm guessing is Conner, was calling for her," Hazel explained. "He grabbed my arm, then starting mumbling-"

"Wait, he grabbed you?"

Hazel showed him her arms, the bruises gone. "I'm fine, all healed up," Hazel promised. "Can you let Kory know she's here?" Gar nodded and rushed to the infirmary.

The elevator dinged and Hazel stood straight. The doors opened and Eve stood there with her hand gripping the dog's collar. The dog barked and ran to Hazel, licking at her hands. She couched to scratch behind his ears before standing. She looked over Eve and nodded at her. "Come with me," Hazel ordered, leading Eve to Conner's room.

Once they were close enough the dog barked and ran for Conner, jumping on the bed and started to lick at Conner's face. "Oh my god," Eve whispered, her hand covering her mouth as she sat on the side of the bed.

Gar walked to Hazel, leaning over her shoulder. "Shout if you need anything." Hazel nodded and Gar slipped out of the room.

"Okay, lady," Kory started, her hands gripping the end of the bed. "You don't know us, and we don't know you, but this boy saved our friend's life. So, we wanna help him but we can't if we don't know what's wrong."

"He's special..." Eve muttered, sliding her hand onto his.

"Listen Eve, I'm Hazel, this is Kory. Our whole thing is helping special cases," Hazel sat on the chair close to Eve and the woman looked at her. "What is he? Because once we know, we can help him. And I know you want to help him because you followed a dog."

Eve tore her eyes from Hazel's and looked over Conner's face. "I created him," Eve started, her voice shaking. "He's the genetic makeup of Lex Luthor and Superman."

"Holy fuck," Hazel murmured, pushing herself to her feet.

"I am so sorry," Eve whimpered, her grip on Conner's hand tightening.

"Save the apologies," Kory ordered. "Can you help him?"

Eve shrugged, her throat tightening as she tried to hold in her tears. "Maybe if I'd gotten here sooner, but the kryptonite poisoning has gone too far," Eve cried.

Kory griped the end of the bed harder, and she shook her head. "Seriously? Is that the best you've got?" Kory snapped.

"I am a scientist. I'm not God," Eve shot back, standing up and facing the pair.

"You just told me you created him," Kory huffed. "You're the closest thing to God he has. Half of his DNA is from a guy that lifts skyscrapers, and flies faster than the speed of light. At least fucking try."

"It's not about speed or strength, okay?" Eve barked. "In order to save him, we would need a level of radiation that can't be found on this Earth. We would need to fly him to the sun, and we don't have time for that. By now, in order to heal him, we need to start reversing the toxin's effects and we would need to bring the sun here."

Hazel dropped her head, a smile growing. "You should have started with that," Hazel hummed before turning to Kory. "I can combine with your flames and it'll do it at the same time, which also means I can contain you," Hazel suggested to Kory who nodded at her.

"Combine what?" Eve asked.

"Conner's not the only special case. You might wanna step outside," Hazel suggested. Eve cautiously stepped outside and the dog followed her, sitting obediently at her side. Kory took the patches and sheet off Conner, holding him up. "He'll be alright Eve, I promise." Hazel turned back around and huffed slightly.

"You sure you can do this?" Kory asked. "We can get Rachel."

"I can do it, he's just... very naked," Hazel mumbled.

Kory rolled her eyes. "You have seen Gar naked on multiple occasions," Kory reminded, moving herself and Conner to the centre of the room.

"Yeah but it's different, that's Gar," Hazel spoke softly.

"Oh, because that's Gar," Kory teased with a smile.

"Shut up, let me focus," Hazel snapped, running a hand down her face. Hazel pressed her hands together, green lights taking over her veins and flowing around her arms. The bussing power ran through her body and she smiled to herself. "Ready when you are," Hazel called.

"Let's do it," Kory nodded.

Hazel's eyes moved from a bright green to glowing gold. Kory's flames ignited and started to spill out. Hazel pulled her hands apart and a large ball of golden and green hued light encased Kory and Conner, keeping the flames within the large orb. Kory's dark orange flames beat against the walls of Hazel's lights, the flames sucking in the green light to distribute it to Conner's body. A few moments later, Kory quickly drew her flames back and Hazel dropped her arms, the dome of light disappearing quickly.

Kory exhaled softly and Conner gasped as he used Kory's body to straighten himself up. His hand grabbed tightly to his arms, his eyes wide as he looked at Kory. "Well, hello there," Kory cooed, looking up at Conner. Conner smiled, making Kory chuckle softly.

Conner looked over at Hazel and she waved slightly. "Hi, yeah, you're still naked," Hazel said sheepishly, her eyes darting around. Conner looked past Hazel and to Eve, and once he spotted her Eve started to laugh with a loving smile.

Kory helped Conner back into bed, hooking up the vitals again and Eve talked to Hazel about how to watch over Conner. "He needs to rest, he'll be out for a few days. I'm guessing you'll be able to handle that," Eve said slowly, looking up at Hazel.

"I got that covered," Hazel confirmed.

"And after he wakes up, he's going to be confused, he's still learning-"

"Eve, I swear. I will look after him," Hazel promised. Kory slipped past them, and Hazel smiled at Conner. "I'll let you have your time with him."

Eve nodded and walked to Conner's bed, sitting on the side again. "Hazel," Eve called softly. "Thank you." Hazel nodded and walked down the hall, hoping now she would be able to sleep for a few hours.

Hazel kicked her slippers off and fell back into her bed, her head slipping deeper into the pillow. Hazel turned, sleep lulling closer but as she opened her eyes to wave the light from her room her eyes drifted to her music desk. Her half carved guitar had been tossed aside, somewhere on the floor and in its place was a varnished guitar, covered in small flowers with a mouth painted on the neck.

Hazel quickly jumped from her bed, taking the guitar off the stand. She had hand painted this guitar nearly six years ago and she had left it at her house nearly four months ago when she first met Kory. Now it was here, displayed in the tower as if it had been here all along.

She quickly set it down, unsure of what to do with it. She moved across her room to change into a thicker jumper from her desk but froze. The lavender flowers that had been growing from the brown pot had disappeared and in its place was now a colourless sunflower, the ends curved like a lily.

The flower was dead, the petals rotting but it was undeniable it was a Sunlily, a flower she had created for her grandmother's funeral. Her mother liked them so much she had created a patch in her old home's backyard. Hazel tore the flower out and squished it in her palm, the petals crumbling to dust in her hand. Hazel tossed it in the bin and grabbed her jumper, making her way to the living room.

"Heads up!" Terran called suddenly and blue light surged towards Hazel. Hazel tossed her hands up, blocking the shot with a counter light, stumbling slightly as they clashed. Hazel steadied herself on her feet, making sure she didn't accidently light her jumper on fire. Hank laughed in triumph and Dawn groaned loudly.

"What was that? Nice throw by the way," Hazel commented, sliding into the couch next to Terran.

"I bet you could block the shot in time," Hank explained, still looking at the newspaper he was reading. "Dawn did not."

"No, no," Dawn denied, raising a hand in defence, the other resting on her hip. "I just thought Terran's blast would overpower yours and you would probably fall over."

Hazel laughed softly and turned to Terran who sipped on a coffee. "Hey, you didn't grow any flowers in my room did you?" Hazel questioned.

"No, why?" Terran said, shaking her head and Hazel took a low breath.

"You okay Haze?" Kory asked, leaning back on her stool.

"I found a flower, a special one I gifted my mom," Hazel explained. "And I found my old guitar, it was just sitting on my desk."

"I found my mother's jewellery in my room," Terran added.

Jason quickly sped down the hall, Rachel close behind while shouting and cursing at him. "Don't fucking walk away from me," Rachel screeched following him.

Everyone turned to look at them. "Whoa. Hey, what's happening here?" Dawn questioned, holding her mug.

"Jason drew crucifixes all over my mirror," Rachel snapped.

"Bullshit," Jason called, finally stopping and spinning to face Rachel.

"Yeah, agreed," Hazel echoed, pushing herself to stand.

Dawn and Kory stood, "Jason, it's okay if you're angry-"

"I didn't do shit, okay?" Jason snapped, interrupting Dawn. "Don't blame me for her voodoo issues."

"What's all the drama about?" Donna questioned, stepping out of the adjacent hall.

Dawn sighed, looking between the two before turning to Donna. "Somebody drew crosses on Rachel's mirror and she thinks Jason did it," Dawn explained.

"I know he did it," Rachel snapped.

"Cute idea with the bourbon bottle," Hank spoke up, stepping out beside Rachel. "Not my type though. I'm more of a sour mash guy. You ever go in my room and pull that shit again, I'll forget what team you're on."

"Hank..." Hazel said, stepping closer to Jason.

Jason looked around, his eyes landing on Donna. Her lip shook as she attempted to keep her face stern. "Why, Jason?" Donna questioned in disgust.

"I don't know what happened, guys- but I-I didn't do it," Jason continued his hands shaking as he tried to explain himself.

"What about the picture of Ellis?" Dawn asked.

"The orange soda bottle?" Donna added.

"Hazel and Terran's mother's things?" Hank spoke up.

"He did it to you guys, too?" Rachel questioned.

Terran stood, raising her hands. "Hey, we never said it was him," Terran denied, coming to Jason's defence.

"Fuck this," Jason cursed, turning around.

"Hey, we're not done here, kid!" Hank shouted and Jason turned back to him.

"You people are insane! I'd rather be with Deathstroke than you assholes," Jason scoffed, chewing on his broken lip. "You think everything's my fault."

"No, no, no we don't. This is crazy!" Hazel snapped, taking a step forward.

"You'll take his side over mine?" Rachel questioned, motioning to Jason.

Hazel scoffed. "At this point yeah I will," Hazel shot back. Rachel huffed and her eyes went black and red. Hazel tilted her head slightly, her eyes glowing gold. "Don't test me Rachel."

The elevator ding distracted the others and they looked away. Hazel and Rachel held eye contact for a second longer before losing the colour and looking towards the lift as well. Dick walked in, a gun gripped tightly in his right hand. He stepped in, leaning close to the group without daring to step closer. "He's here," Dick whispered.

Hank furrowed his eyebrows, "What?"

"Deathstroke, here, in the Tower," Dick repeated, slightly louder. "He took pictures of all of us."

"Can't a guy sleep in?" Gar questioned, announcing his presence.

"Dick? Talk to me," Hank called gently. "What's with the gun?"

Terran spotted the gun and shuffled slightly behind Hazel. Hazel put her arm out, pushing Terran further back and she quickly grabbed Hazel's sleeves.

Dick looked to his right before back at the others. "Jason," He muttered before sprinting down the hall.

Hazel turned back to Terran and squeezed her arm. "You're okay," Hazel whispered.

"Hazel," Dawn called, making Hazel look up at her. "Why is this impossible? Jason is irritated and angry, but why don't you think it's him?"

Hazel took a breath and looked back at Terran before back at Dawn. "I found flowers, white sunflowers crossed with lily petals, newsflash they don't exist I created them," Hazel clarified. "And my guitar was at my old house. So unless Jason can teleport to before I died-"

"You're still on that?" Rachel snapped.

"What?"

"What?"

"Excuse me?"

Terran, Gar's and Haze's merged together. Hazel's mouth dried out, and she spun her rings trying to focus on the cold metal rather than the loud thumping of her heart slamming against her ribs.

Rachel straightened, her eyes going wide as she realised her words. "I didn't mean-"

"Fuck you, Rachel," Hazel snapped, turning away, her heart still thumping.

"Haze-"

"No, screw this," Hazel yelled, her voice breaking as she cut Gar off. "You guys figure this shit out. I'm- I'm done."

Hank sighed and tried to follow her, "Hazel-" Hazel threw her hand out a large flash making them all duck and wince. Hazel clenched her hands and rushed to her room. Terran sighed and followed Hazel.

Terran knocked on Hazel's door, "Haze, I'm coming in." She waited a moment longer before opening the door, quickly closing it behind her. Hazel sat at her desk chair, her hands shaky as she lit a cigarette.

"You shouldn't have to keep checking on me," Hazel said through a shaky breath. "I can't- whoo... fuck me." Terran sighed and sat next to Hazel, taking the smoke from her hand. "It's not tobacco."

"I know, I can smell it," Terran confirmed. She took a quick drag and blew the smoke away. "I can create plants, I know how to do this shit." She handed it back before sighing. "I have three younger brothers, I know what it's like to look after people."

"But you shouldn't have to," Hazel repeated.

"I'm aware of that, but I'm making the conscious decision to do so," Terran confirmed. "I believe you, about Jason. "For a lot of reasons, but from a purple evidence point of view, I don't think Jason could get to Montanna in less than a day."

Hazel sighed, smoke spilling from her nose. "I don't know how to convince them," Hazel admitted, taking another drag.

Terran smiled and reached for the cigarette, "You don't need to, you just have to tell Jason you believe him."

— pain —