Convergence - The Last Science #2.2 - Heroes and Villains

B2: Chapter 22 - In Her Image - I

  Don't think about him. Don't.

  Natalie nearly plowed over an old man as she hurtled around a corner. He shouted something rude as she passed, and she mumbled an apology. She doubted he actually heard it, but it made her feel a bit better. But she was getting tired. She'd been running non-stop, and while magic was staving off exhaustion by helping her move at top speed, and she was in pretty good shape, Natalie hadn't eaten anything since the package of cookies she'd won back at Steven's place. She needed food.

  A convenience store seemed to pop into existence right in front of her. Without thinking twice, Natalie made a beeline for it. Another loud horn and another car that nearly slammed into her, but she threw herself into the air and out of the way, landing on the sidewalk and falling to the ground.

  "Whoah..."

  A hoodie-clad teenager leaned against the wall next to the door. Something like a cigarette fell from his open mouth. He rubbed at his bloodshot eyes, blinking heavily. Natalie pulled her hood back on tight and hurried inside, before he could decide if she was real or not.

  Something I wanna know myself, sometimes...

  Natalie's knees were feeling a bit knocked about. She'd landed pretty hard that time, although at least she hadn't had to hit the car like before. If that other driver was hurt...

  I can't think about them right now. I didn't mean to, but I gotta keep moving.

  She picked up a few bags of chips, donuts, anything that looked appetizing. Remembering the looks she'd gotten last time, Natalie pulled out her cash and counted out the right amount out of sight of the counter. The guy from outside was standing by the counter as she came back, but he didn't seem to be waiting for her or anything, just buying a bag of chips for himself. She waited until he was gone, then hurried up and dumped her entire haul on the countertop.

  She still got an odd look from the cashier, and not just the usual unsettling glance at the scar. Is it because I'm young? Or because I'm buying so much stuff?

  Or does he know who I am?

  The moment he handed over the receipt, Natalie gathered everything up in her arms and fled. One precarious bag fell off as she left the store, but she caught it with a quick spell and floated it right back into her arms again. As soon as she was out of sight, she dumped most of the snacks into her bag, keeping a granola bar to chew through as she walked. Her legs were starting to get tired, and her sides were cramping from running.

  It's only two blocks away. You shouldn't have stopped. Keep moving.

  You'll be safe there.

  Natalie wasn't so sure about that, but she really didn't want to be on the street anymore, and it was the only place she could think of. Somewhere she knew was totally empty, that definitely wasn't in any of the forbidden parts of the city, and with just enough familiarity for her to feel comfortable. Even if she'd never been there.

  It was a single door in a row of identical condominiums, buried inside an enclosed city block on a raised section of pavement. Cars lined the place, and a few people were walking nearby to their own condo. Natalie wasn't really sure what the difference between that and an apartment was, but it didn't really matter much for the moment. She needed to figure out which one was his, and how to get in.

  A nameplate adorned the side of each door.

  Well, that was easy. She started down the row, avoiding the gaze of a passing couple heading out to dinner, hand-in-hand and standing close together. Natalie watched them walk away, all the way out to the car waiting for them down by the sidewalk. She imagined they were going out to a nice dinner, just the two of them, maybe with candles and silk tablecloths and a jazz band playing in the background.

  She turned back to the wall of doors again, hurrying down the row. It wasn't on any of the first floor of doors. She had to go up. On the second floor, a balcony with another row of doors identical to the first, she finally found the small bronze engraving she was looking for.

  Kincaid

  There was a front window, with curtains drawn so she couldn't see anything inside. The door had a brass knocker right in the center, but it wouldn't really do her any good since no one was inside to answer. Natalie looked under the mat and the little rabbit statue by the door for a key, but she wasn't that lucky.

  Never lucky, really... I'm sorry, Quinn.

  Reluctantly, she felt out the door from the opposite side with her mind, trying to find the lock. She didn't want to break in, but it was the only way. After a few tries, Natalie finally found something that felt about the right shape. She twisted it around, and heard a satisfying click as the lock snapped open.

  The door swung wide. Natalie took a nervous step in, closing the door behind her carefully. She'd never been to his house before. The address was right there on his profile, since they were friends, and it was so close to the school that she could have walked there any day—but she'd always been a bit reluctant to. Especially now that they were... something else.

  Don't think about it. Focus on what's going on now. The secret's out. You need to stay hidden.

  Except... she was hidden. No one would be in this house for days. She could finally, finally lay down and relax for the first time all day.