Post by Admin on Aug 6, 2009 2:08:13 GMT -5
Toby:
Toby sat outside in the pre-dawn glow. He had always liked this time of day. The whole world felt clean, felt new. It felt like anything could happen and many things would today.
He walked a bit across the lawn in front of HQ just to feel his bare feet on the grass covered in morning dew. Yes, today would be a good day. Riley had asked that they be shown where the old woman stayed and Toby had tried to talk him out of it. In the end he they had arrived on a plan that should be safe for everyone. No holes, no danger.
Ok, a little danger. Toby went over his plan again in his head. It should work, it would work.
So he waited and let the rest of the faction come to him.
Raven:
Raven approached Toby, dressed simply in a long black flowing gown that nicely concealed the lump around her midsection--it was growing larger by the day, or at least she thought so. Her typically pale, translucent skin was now glowing, and she would have looked incredibly happy had it not been for the grim expression on her face. Today was the day they headed out for the mission to find Toby's sister. Riley would be going along with Toby, the others would stay here with Raven--at least that was the original plan.
This was going to be the final small meeting before heading straight out and to the location. Raven had a sinking feeling about the entire thing, but they couldn't back out now, if Toby was sincerely in need of their help then they had to try. Riley was an excellent tactician, one of the best she'd ever known so she trusted this would run smoothly one way or another. Hopefully. Right now they just needed to talk it over though, then she'd see them off.
Riley:
Riley fell into step behind Raven, clad in only his morphing suit which consisted of spandex biker shorts that fell to his knee and a white muscle shirt. He wasn't the most comfortable in such attire but there wasn't much you could do considering it was better than walking around nude. Either way today was the day, and just like Raven, Riley did not have a good feeling about this. It was almost like a sixth sense, and he did not intend on ignoring it, if this was a huge mistake they would have to go through with it anyway, it was the only way to see what side Toby really was on. Suji didn't trust him, and neither did Riley.
He put an arm around Raven's waist, pulling her to his side as he glanced sideways at Toby. "Ready?" he asked quietly, his voice sounding utterly calm. "We just need to go over the plan one more time." Riley had his own private agenda that he wasn't going to share with Toby. He had no idea that Raven was going to get dragged into this, that she'd be needed and once he found out he'd not be pleased.
Toby:
Toby watched the interplay between Raven and Riley. His face was blank, his eyes dead. It was the worst thing about him. Many had looked into those eyes and found themselves getting a chill up their spine. It was the reason why, no matter how sincere he sounded, many people didn't believe him.
But Toby couldn't help his eyes.
"Actually Riley, I don't think you should go. It is Raven she wants. If I show up with anyone but Raven she might hurt Sophia and..." he sounded like a scared kid and he looked away, knowing that if Riley looked him in the eye it would do his case no good at all and he really did need Raven along, "I can't stand it if anything happened to her."
Riley:
Riley had noticed Toby's eyes, it was probably the first thing that set off warning alarms in his head, that and Suji's own opinion that worked in cohesion with his. Now he was forcing himself to give the kid a chance, though he would not hesitate to rip it back away from him if he proved to be lying. This mission, the entire thing was a way to test him in one respect, and in another to finally see what the hell was actually going on, so when Toby mentioned Raven going instead of him he instantly tensed up. NO was his first instinct, it was to scold Toby for such a stupid reaction, but he felt Raven squeeze her grip around him lightly and he glanced down at her.
Somehow he knew, he knew exactly what she was thinking and he refused to let it happen. Glancing back up at Toby he said, "No, I am going," his voice was firm and there was a look in his eye, a slightly scary look that read--back the fuck off. "Sophia won't get hurt then, I can morph Raven," Riley had acquired her DNA as they spoke, but he did not intend to morph it yet, he knew Raven would have something to say. "Raven you are not going," he looked down at her again, she was silent, and silence was not good. "You're pregnant, you can't morph. No."
"Just like this kid can't stand losing his sister, I can't stand to lose you. We're not taking a useless risk like that, you are too vulnerable right now. I can go as you." Riley was losing some of his fire, Raven's silence was eating at him. He already had the sickening feeling that she was going to somehow convince him otherwise, just one look at her face told him that much. His eyes pleaded with her, "Raven, no. The baby..." he shook his head, releasing his grasp from around her as he stood in a more defensive position now.
Raven:
Raven felt Riley tense, and she braced herself for anger, and it came. He wouldn't want her to go, and she fully grasped why, but that didn't mean a thing, she had to go. It was her fault she was pregnant, her fault that her circumstances lead to this issue, and it was still her job despite it all to act as leader when needed. Of course she too did not trust Toby completely, just as Riley and Suji did not but that didn't mean they could ignore him completely, this had to happen, and for it to happen it was apparent she was a necessity.
Her silence ate away at him, as it normally did, when Raven was quiet it meant she was thinking, Finally he stood looking at her, no longer his arm around her but instead he stood defensively in front of her. Raven put a gentle hand on his forearm, tugging lightly as he looked down at her. His eyes made her want to back down, but she couldn't, even if her gut told her to listen, even if this was a trap. They had to find out right? It was safer if Riley was watching from above than stuck as her in a morph. Raven shook her head slowly, looking back up at him with saddened eyes, then she glanced over at Toby and a small shiver went sown her spine.
"I have to go. Riley...if you were stuck as me in a morph you would be more vulnerable, how is it any wiser putting you out there than me, at least if you were in the sky you're experienced enough to do something to help. I can't morph, I should be used as I am in my human form." It made sense, though risky, something had to be done and this was the only way it could happen. "I trust you, you'll keep things in check."
Riley:
Raven was still the leader, Riley was only stepping up when she couldn't and right now she had all the authority. Despite that he found himself not caring, this was more than just an Animorph thing, this was more personal and deeply rooted. Raven was in no shape to go out on missions, especially not one that they already suspected of being a set up, one that was more risky than their normal endeavors. It wasn't smart, though from a leaders perspective she was right, but in the perspective of a soon-to-be-father allowing his pregnant wife to step into danger it was wrong, very wrong.
Riley's face went blank as she spoke and he looked away, his gaze befalling Toby. The blue-green eyes that typically held happiness, kindness and vitality were now empty, almost a hollow shell of what they once were, a perfect replica of how he looked when he first joined their ranks. His escapades alone had hardened him and that side was back now, the side that was capable of killing, the side of him he had fought to repress, the side he was not proud of. The war had created a dual personality in him, one that was good for laughs, a friend, and the other a calculating killer, a good fighter.
Slowly he turned to Raven and paused, "Fine." His words were harsh, a tone he rarely used with her--he wanted it to be known he was displeased. Without another word he began morphing, quickly taking the shape of his burrowing owl. Once in morph he narrowed his predatory yellow eyes on Toby and sent him a lone message, <<One wrong move, and I won't hesitate to take you out.>> The words were not a threat, threats meant the person could be bluffing, it was his word, <<That's a promise>>. With that he took up and began circling them, waiting for Raven's next move. As he soared however he picked up someone elses presence, Suji and an idea struck him.
<<Suji, I don't think this is going to end well, would you mind coming along, but don't let the kid see you.>> Riley did not often refer to people by degrading terms such as 'kid', but when he did it was a clear indicator that he did not care for them. <<In fact, don't let Raven see you either, I need an extra set of eyes on him.>>
Raven:
Raven was not happy at the outcome of this small verbal spat, and if this was a trap she certainly did not want things to be on bad terms. Despite that Riley was soon morphing and her chance and any reconciliation was gone, she knew he was unhappy about her decision and that he had only listened because she was in fact the dubbed Faction Leader, he was not. Riley always had been the good soldier, he was not about to upset the ranks and argue with her, especially when she knew everything he felt anyway.
Her expression was tense, but did not display any anger or unhappiness, instead it quickly turned determined and analytical. Her hazel eyes turned upon Toby, "Lead the way then," she replied, ready to get this done and over with. I'm watching you Toby....she thought to herself, being exceedingly observant now that the journey had begun. "How far exactly is it?" while she was still in great physical shape, Raven was not one to enjoy long trips in her situation, especially since her morning sickness happened to rear its ugly head in the middle of the day. Right now she felt fine though, and she prayed things would stay that way.
Suji:
The thoughtspeak caught Suji surprised--she'd been flying ahead as her vulture, leaving David and his brother some privacy. She was exhausted, but also riding a high of accomplishment. It had worked; they'd saved David's brother. And she'd been thinking of no better way to celebrate it than with a good night's rest. That was, at least until Raven and Riley found out, and undoubtedly decided that a private 'chat' was in order.
And then Riley's voice was in her head, and she inwardly groaned--did they already know? But he wasn't talking about that at all, he was saying something else, asking her to come along and spy to something? Toby, Suji thought. Of course. Maybe they were actually ready to do something about him. Of course it came a bit late, considering he'd been made an Animorph already... but there was nothing that could be done about that. <<Sure, give me a second.>>
She landed, demorphed, and began to remorph immediately. Doing this was like sprinting when you were already tired, but she'd long been used to it, and despite the mental fatigue, her body transitioned smoothly, efficiently. When she was finished she was an owl--the sun hadn't risen yet, and the owl's eyes were much better than the vulture's had been. Whenever the sun came up the owl would want to hide, but if spying was in order, it was better to have good eyesight. Besides, her owl was small, and blended in easily with the trees.
<<I'll be watching,>> she said to Riley. It didn't take long to spot Raven and Toby, and she stayed both high in the trees, and well behind them. Superior vision and hearing meant you didn't have to get nearly as close as a terrestrial creature would, which was a benefit.
Toby:
Toby watched the little exchange between Riley and Raven in silence. He already knew what the outcome would be, that was the great thing. Raven would come because his sister's life hung in the balance and Riley would follow because he was told to. And he wouldn't be happy about it, which was why Toby wasn't surprised to hear the thought speak voice in his head.
"I'm not the enemy," he said following the small owl with his eyes as it flew away.
Before setting out Toby scanned the skies. Almost all of the faction was away right now, on some mission or another which was all well and good. Toby didn't want any of them around, especially Suji. They would mess things up.
"Not far I think. I don't exactly know. I was told to go to a certain spot and then wait for a guide. Whoever it was would lead us where ever we had to go." He tred carefully around the faction leader. He knew that he wasn't trusted yet. In fact, if he had had his way he would have waited longer before doing this, but Riley had forced him to speed up the timeline. Their distrust was dangerous but it would just have to be dealt with.
"This way."
Toby kept up a good pace. It was hard enough that they were traveling on foot, it extended the amount of time that they would have to take to get there, but Toby planned on using the time well. He kept his eyes and hears open, looking for followers. He spotted none but Riley was not staying as close as he would have expected.
Finally they made it to the city and Toby directed them to a small deli, abandoned now, on a corner. They only had to wait maybe five minutes before a young man came walking up. He looked scared, like he would much rather be doing the exact opposite of what he was doing now. It showed in every movement and how they took twice as long to complete. But finally he dragged himself in front of them. "Toby? Raven?" he asked, his eyes never leaving the 15 year old boy.
"Yeah." The young man gave a sharp nod and turned around quickly. He seemed to be happy to be heading back the way he'd come though the muscles in his back kept jumping around as if he kept feeling a bad presence behind him. Maybe he was just glad that he was on his way to the end of his part in all of this.
He led them to a street and then turned to go down into a subway entrance. Toby followed and Raven close behind. But any bird morph wouldn't be able to follow them inside. Toby turned once to look at Raven but they had to go.
Raven:
Raven heard Toby's brief statement and frowned slightly, Riley had to have spoken to him in thought speak. She had not seen him this angry in a long time, and never had the anger been directed at her...it was an unpleasant change. None of it mattered though, Raven was leader and she put the job first--other peoples lives first. There were two outcomes possible, one would prove Toby innocent and the other would prove him guilty. Either one of those cases could end up getting her hurt, but she knew now Riley would be quicker on his feet, faster to jump in and help--she trusted him and it's all she had to go off of. This wouldn't have worked without her...and unfortunately they needed it to work, they had to be sure.
So onward they walked, Raven could sense Riely's presence but she did not see him which was not surprising...Riley could be very stealthy. "You never spoke of a guide before," she replied, her voice did not betray the bubble of anger that had expanded within her. "It'd be nice if you laid all your cards down Toby, is there anything else you left out?" Yeah, they did not trust him, he knew that and there was no point in hiding that fact, but Raven was also the only one more inclined to trust him--or at least appear so. Raven was known as the kind, gentle one but that did not mean she was foolhardy.
Finally while waiting on the corner a man appeared and the vibes she got from him made her skin crawl. He clearly did not feel comfortable, but it wasn't due to this messed up situation...no he kept glancing back at Toby. Raven's stomach knotted up, all the signs now, all of them, pointed towards this being a trap. She continued walking as if nothing was wrong, her body and facial appearance never once wavering. Then she paused, a subway entrance, and glanced out at the sky--she saw no one--and it was then that she wished thought speak was possible as human. Riley.... her eyes screamed for him, though Toby would only be able to see the back of her head, it's a trap...
With that she turned and walked inside. They couldn't stop now, she couldn't really go anywhere and make a scene, she couldn't morph, no this was it. If you climb half way up a hill with your sled you can't just stop halfway and climb back down, no you kept going till you got to the top and then you slid down. Raven took her imaginary sled and kept climbing. Riley could not follow her now, but she had enough faith in her own skills, and his, that she knew they'd finally get the truth, and come out unscathed.
Riley:
Riley kept close, but not close enough for either person to see him. His presence was known, but not seen, and that's what he wanted, a little incentive for Toby to not flake out. His words earlier were meant, he'd not hesitate to dive bomb the kid and rip his eyes out if one thing fell out of place. Right now he was not a leader, that was Raven, he was a father and a boyfriend, both of which would do anything to keep the woman he was dragging off alive. You little snake.... he seethed inwardly and flapped onward.
Oh but you are the enemy Toby... he thought to himself, refraining from saying it in thought speak. Anyone that put Raven in danger was the enemy, this kid was out for himself and that was clear from the moment they met him. The trip did not take long but Riley was silent the entire way, not saying a word to Suji--which was out of his character--and his bird looked like it was chasing its prey, talons out and ready. The veteran from the road, that guy he became to survive alone was back, his other half that he'd tried to repress. The talk he'd had with Sara so long ago was now clear in his head, and he didn't think she was right, he wasn't a good person because if Toby hurt Raven he wouldn't hesitate to kill him. Of course guilt would hit him hard afterwords, it always did, and it'd cause him many a nightmare, but he wouldn't regret it, not if it kept Raven alive.
He began circling as they approached the subway, and he realized he wouldn't be able to follow. The look on Raven's face told him all he needed to know, she looked like she was saying goodbye...like she knew this was going into something bad. Riley's instincts screamed at him to demorph and follow, but he wouldn't have enough time. <<Raven, I lost you once....I will not lose you again>> she lingered and then disappeared after hearing his words. Riley dive bombed elsewhere and shouted out to Suji <<Stay around here in case the weasel comes back out, there isn't another subway entrance for a while and this is the closest to get back to the HQ. If he comes out without her....>>his voice trailed off, he was sure Suji knew what to do. <<I'm going to try and demorph fast enough to follow, but I'm not holding my breath>>.
Within minutes he was safely demorphed and remorphed into his roadrunner, a tiny little bird that ran on the ground. Few would notice it, and it would suit the purpose at hand, unfortunately he couldn't find either of them once he entered the subway and after searching until running until the bird could no longer take it, he reappeared clearly tired. <<Fuck.>> He disappeared from view again and began switching morphs.
Suji:
<<I'll wait. But Riley, are you sure you don't want me to follow them? I've got a roach morph to get through tight places, and a hare morph, which is easily faster than anything human...>> Suji perched, practically invisible against the tree bark. Her eyes didn't leave the entrance, but she could see Riley morphing and demorphing. It didn't take a genius to tell that he was starting to panic. Not in the hysterical, sobbing way--but panic took many different forms. He was going to work himself into a frenzy. Not good.
The good-vibes feeling of freeing Karl was gone down, replaced by icy cold dread. Maybe Suji didn't respect Raven's choices as a leader, and maybe she didn't think that either she or Riley were really fit to 'lead' so much as 'protect', but she certainly didn't want to see any harm come to them. She especially didn't want to see any harm come to them via Toby, via someone that was supposed to be one of their own. But he wasn't one of them, never had been. Suji had known that.
She should have protested more about. Maybe it would have kept them out of this situation. Then again, maybe it would have just meant that they didn't trust her to see him clearly, and kept her out of it instead. And while part of her almost wished she wasn't involved with this at all, she knew that not being here might be worse than being here. She had to keep a cool head, because Riley was seemed to already be losing his.
Too bad you don't know what that feels like, eh Suji? To care about someone that much? She let the thought roll of her back. It did no good now. <<Riley, I can still go in. Or you could try your retriever morph--follow their scent?>> She had no doubt that he'd be able to follow Raven's trail that way, as long as they acted quickly. <<You might be close to blind though. How about I stay in owl, you go retriever, and I stay close to you?>> She didn't like the idea of waiting until Toby decided to pop out again.
Riley:
Riley was losing it slightly, but not enough to cause him to have a breakdown, no as long as Raven was in danger he'd be in the right frame of mind if maybe slightly more violent, or frantic. Right now several thoughts scurried through his head as he began remorphing, one was clearly started by Suji--which only made him jump on it faster. Labrador retriever's had excellent noses, he should know, in one he could normally smell things that humans never would imagine. That being said he had Raven's scent memorized better than anyones and he was positive he'd be able to find her this way.
Toby was a chance they had to take, it was one if they hadn't taken Cassie would have been incredibly angry about. Every person that was an able body was needed for this fight, and Toby had been just that. Of course he had lied, which meant anything he said could be another lie, but there was never really a sure way to tell and hence they found themselves in this situation now. Riley cursed following stupid protocols now, his gut and Suji's gut--hell even Raven's afterwords--had not liked Toby.
<<Done and done, I have her scent already, I'll need your eyes though>> Riley replied trotting out as his golden lab. Even the dogs disposition seemed aggressive and anxious as it entered the subway. He could see in the dark, most dogs could due to their predatory ancestry but he was going to be focused on smell, her eyes could give them valuable details that he might otherwise miss. Riley also realized he was acting rashly, and while he tried to downplay it it would be better to have a calmer body around.
<<This way>>
Suji:
Suji swooped down. <<Sorry if this pinches,>> she said, and landed on the retriever's ruff of fur at the back of its neck. She almost lost her balance, and had to open her wings slightly to right herself, but she was able to straighten after a moment. Her small talons curled into the fur and flesh, though she didn't think they sunk in enough to draw blood. She doubted Riley would have cared much even if they did: there was a mission on the line, and dog's didn't have the most acute sense of pain anyway.
Resisting the temptation to make some kind of hi-ho silver joke, Suji said: <<Okay. But be ready to demorph, and don't get close at all. We don't know what's going to be down there. Stay as far back as possible.>> It seemed wrong to be telling him this, as if the words were too close to an order, but she had to make sure Riley had his priorities straight. If they rushed in there and by some miracle Toby hadn't meant to screw them over, Toby, Toby's sister, and Raven's life could be in danger.
The little bird did not like the idea of descending underground at all. And 'riding' the dog was a constant balancing act. Still, she managed. She had to.
Raven:
Raven walked out into the light, it took her eyes a moment to readjust and she squinted slightly. She had been in the tunnels for a long time, skipping two or more exits, and the fresh air was a welcome change. It took her a little while to catch up with her surroundings, but not too long as things slowly became more familiar. Raven looked down at her hands, they were covered in blood, but it didn't belong to her. It was an odd sight, the bright red blood, still warm and splayed out across her nearly translucent skin. The only problem with this scene aside from the blood was that she was alone, Toby was no where to be seen.
Seeming slightly out of it, she sat down on the street corner across from the train station. There was little to do but wait, she had lost Riley for a while, she didn't know when he'd be back. If there was one thing however, it was that he was more than likely out there looking for her, which meant if she stayed put long enough he was bound to find her.
Riley:
At this point in time pain was the last thing on his mind, and the dog before her stood still--a sign that he was perfectly fine with it. He definitely felt the talons sink into his flesh, and despite his best effort the dog let out a soft whine, which he quickly followed with a <<Hold on tight>>. Just as he was preparing to race off--he had Raven's sent fresh in his nose--he heard Suji and for a moment he wasn't sure how to respond. It was an order in a way, but in another sense he was intelligent enough to realize his mind was not at its peak right now--he was worried as hell and anxious--so he let it drop.
<<Affirmative>> he replied, almost in the same joking tone he might have used before, only this time it was forced. Riley didn't want to be this second person, his other half but it was there now and there was no denying it didn't want to leave. <<I hadn't planned on it>>. With that he was off, his dog was sniffing away, and for quite some time they were on the right track until suddenly....she was gone. <<I don't....>> he began and took several more steps, <<Oh>> and he was off running again. He felt bad for Suji, she was bobbing about but he kept on until he found himself outside again. Riley had allowed the dogs senses to take over and hadn't realized where he was going until now and there she was.
<<Raven?>> he called out, clearly puzzled, and then it hit him, a brand new scent. Blood. <<Blood...what happened?>> Riley didn't even think to ask about Toby yet, he was just relieved to see his girlfriend before him, despite the blood that covered her hands. That...that still bothered him.
Suji:
Riley didn't react badly to what might have been seen as her 'order,' though he did sound strained. At least he hadn't snapped at her, which she'd mostly been expecting. People were liable to throw around their rank (whatever they felt that was) in stressful times. She didn't count herself outside of that group, but she was grateful that Riley didn't do that. It hadn't been meant as an order, moreso that she had to look out for both of their necks. If she was going to be the eyes of this team, they had to be a team. She was more than ready to listen if he had any advice (or orders) to give her.
The ride was bumpy and more than a few times Suji had to flare her wings to balance. There wasn't much to see, though she reported the occasional twist and turn to him. For a second he lost his way, which Suji thought was extremely odd considering he'd been chugging along just fine, but she wasn't the one with her nose on the ground, so she couldn't say anything.
Maybe Riley had let the dog's senses overtake him, but Suji had done no such thing with her owl. Not only would the owl never have stood for this, but Suji didn't tend to like letting the animal brain surface for any of her morphs. The vulture was the only one she got along with at all (because it was mostly quiet, and generally not excitable) and even then she much preferred her own conscious thoughts. <<There's a bunch of light up ahead,>> she said, but Riley didn't pay any attention to her. He was already dashing forward.
<<Riley!>> She called out to him, but no use--he wasn't going to stop. Unable to do anything to slow him down, Suji spread her wings and released her talons, flapping to a landing on the ground. With a few short hopping motions she could see over the rise of the subway exit, but she was still encased in the early-morning shadows that loomed over. Riley was frozen several feet from... Raven? Raven with blood all over her hands? But she didn't look injured.
Suji quickly scanned the area. No sign of Toby. What had happened? <<Riley,>> she thoughtspoke to him, less upset by the sight of Raven than the lack of sight of Toby or their guard. <<Did you smell Toby on the way up here at all?>> She wanted to know if the bastard was hidden around here somewhere. While she was certainly relieved to see Raven, she--for better or worse--did not have the same emotional connection that she and Riley shared. There was no switch that flipped in her mind, going from "certain disaster" to "everything's okay now" just at the sight of the Chicago faction leader. The suspicious instinct, the calculating instinct was just too strong and things were not adding up.
<<Can you smell who's blood that is?>> She didn't know if he could, if it would be possible, but it probably wouldn't hurt to ask. Suji remained hidden.
Riley:
There could not be two leaders, and in this point in time he considered Raven the leader and himself just another one of the team so Suji's remark had not hit him too hard. It was true he was sort of the second in command, but either way he also realized he was at a weaker point, his emotions had--despite efforts--gotten the better of him, though not as badly as they could have. Suji had the clear head and her thoughts would be more useful in the end then his rash ones, though he would not hesitate to add his own two sense if he thought she was wrong. Riley was versatile, he did what needed to be done when it needed to be done and could take almost any position.
His dog senses had taken over for a moment, not enough so that he had lost himself completely, but more than enough to do the best job it could. Had Suji called out--which she did-- he would have snapped back except in this case he knew what was ahead of him. Riley was too anxious to see her to pause, they were also going into an area with more air, so the scent was less clouded, hence more places to run so he ignored the threat of possible danger. The new smells filled him and he felt more relaxed knowing Toby was indeed not around, only his blood was.
<<Toby was in the tunnels right along Ravens scent and then I lost them both...and then I picked up just hers. He isn't out here, and that blood...it's his>> he replied. Riley was relieved, and happy, he had never felt happier to see her, but there was still that annoying sense in the back of his head, the blood. Had she killed Toby? Raven would never kill....what happened? He felt a little suspicious as well as he approached her, <<Birdy....are you alright?>> she seemed a little dazed.
Raven:
Raven blinked several times, still clearly a little shaken up as her gaze slowly turned to meet Rileys. She had not seen Suji, and a slow, shaky smile spread across her features at first, only to falter after hearing his question. One glance at her blood-covered hands was all she needed to grimace and look away, the scent clearly bothered her--or that fact that she had it all over her skin. Something had happened, something that she obviously was a wreck over.
"Riley...I..." she grew quiet and took in a deep breath as if to calm or right herself. "I'm fine...but Toby...." her face pinched up in pain, like she had been slashed in the ribs. "It's my fault, our fault....the old woman and some of her men knocked him out...I tried to help...and there was blood everywhere," her eyes fell to her hands again and that same look of guilt flashed across her face. "Riley...there were people posted at all the entrances...they said they saw Animorphs enter....the deal was off....." her voice trailed off.
Suji:
Toby's blood. But Raven wouldn't kill, would she? No. No of course not--she wouldn't even morph out of her pregnancy, let alone directly get blood on her hands. But as she explained, Suji felt her mind reeling. Had she been wrong about Toby? But what kind of deal had it been? Toby had only mentioned an old woman and a couple of young guys... Raven made it sound like it was an army. Had Toby been leading them into a trap? Suji felt uncomfortable. Everything felt wrong. Had her deduction really led her that far astray?
...was Toby's blood on Raven's hands when it should be on hers? Hers and Riley's too maybe, but hers all the same?
<<The blood,>> Suji said suddenly, and if she was human, hair would have crawled on the back of her neck. <<You didn't smell Toby coming out of the tunnel. How could that stuff not have dripped?>>
Riley:
Riley was concerned at the range of emotion displayed on Raven's face, she never got choked up about things, she was the one that kept her head, she was always cool unless death was involved. Ever since Amelia she got choked up when death, or death on her hands, happened to come up and that seemed to be the case now as she explained why Toby's blood was on her hands. Riley felt slightly guilty at her words, that boy was innocent? He still couldn't entirely believe it, though he pushed that feeling aside, right now there were bigger fish to fry.
He grew silent as Suji spoke as well, taking it all she had to say as well as his own stray thoughts. Riley too had begun to wonder about the blood, though there wasn't enough on her hands to drip everywhere she had to have not been too far from him. Was there more blood in the tunnels he'd missed? He had been excited to find her scent so strong, it was quite possible that overpowered anything--dogs got excited very easily. <<Maybe Toby didn't come out of the tunnel...maybe he was lead a different way...let me go back in and check>> then to Raven he added <<Hold on a second, let me see if I can pick him up at all....maybe he's alive>> though he doubted this, it was more for her benefit.
After a brief look around inside his suspicions were confirmed, there was blood leading elsewhere. Riley emerged and paused at Raven's feet again, this time allowing his voice to reach both women, <<Blood led off in a different direction in the tunnel, couldn't tell how far without following it>>. There had been a lot of blood, that coupled with the fact that he did not know where the scent ended lead him to believe Toby was dead--though part of him kept wondering. He focused on Raven though, ignoring that side once more.
<<We need to get moving soon though....we're bound to be spotted again...and if those men come back we won't be able to protect you like this>> he replied, his senses taking over. Then to Suji alone he added, <<You can go looking for Toby if you want, but I need to get her to safety now.>> Suji and Toby had never quite gotten along, he wasn't sure if she'd risk her neck to go out there looking for him when he was probably dead. <<Though I'd prefer if you could tail us and make sure no one followed.>>
Suji:
Suji didn't know what to think. She'd NEVER been so wrong before. David... David's outburst when they'd first gone into the city, that had been one of the most severe cases of her judgment leading her astray. And in the end, he'd still be able to be reasoned with, something she'd said had gotten through. She hadn't been 100% wrong in trusting him.
So why Toby? Why like this? Why would it come crashing down on her now, of all times?
Selfish selfish selfish. A kid is dead because of you, and all you can cry about is how you miscalculated, and how much it ruins an otherwise good day. My my, what a hero. Suji could usually control the self-defeating, self-loathing thoughts, but she was running out of the will now. You got weird vibes from him because he wasn't as good at lying as you, and you hounded him for it. And now he's dead. Now he's dead, and Raven will blame herself, and there wasn't even anything she could have done to stop you and Riley from racing in headlong, thirsting for blood.
Blood. And now you have it.
She couldn't follow them. Not like this. Maybe that was selfish too (of course it was, everything you do is, isn't it?) but she wouldn't follow them back. Caving into the hatred whelming up inside of her chest, Suji knew that she couldn't bear to face David, if nothing else. He'd still see her as a hero, or at least as someone who had Done The Right Thing, at least until he knew about all of this. And she couldn't see that look. Or the way he wouldn't look at her when he knew.
<<I... I'll.>> Suji paused, this was the moment where she usually collected herself. The pause itself was instinctual, her mind assuming that this was where she'd need to focus, though no focus truly came. Everything stayed a mess. <<I'll follow you guys in a bit. I'm--just get her home.>>
With that, Suji fluttered back down the tunnel some more. There, she demorphed, huddled against one of the grimy walls. Despair, loathing, all of it forced its way up her throat, but she had to block it out. Not yet. She could break down later. For now, she owed Toby this, at least. If he was dead, she had to know. She could not leave without having tried. Summoning the last reserves of her will (had it only been hours ago that her and David had freed Karl?) Suji began to morph again. A jackrabbit, this time.
Thick fur sprouted along her body, and her ears elongated to what seemed like impossible lengths. The hearing would be impeccable (she could hear so much as a bug on the wall) and the sense of smell, though probably not as acute as Riley's dog, was not bad either. She would just have to deal with being blind. Suji hated blindness, but she deserved much more than that right now. She began to follow the scent of the blood.
Raven:
Raven did not realize Suji was around yet, which didn't really matter at this point anyway. There was blood on her hands, two deaths on her head, and she couldn't morph. This situation did not lend itself to being happy, which was good because her face clearly read that she was guilt-ridden. Riley seemed to pick up on this and began acting in his typical protector way, wanting to bring her back to the HQ. Raven did not complain in the least and let herself get lead away.
She was quiet the entire way back, and Riley did not press her for conversation, he seemed completely focused on making sure they were not followed, and that they got back safely. Her movements were not hindered by tight clothing for once, her dress flowing easily after each step. It also covered the baby bump, something that seemed to have been bothering her lately. Either way, it was not long before they were home and she was back in her own bed.
The events of today....the death...they needed to be told to Cassie right away. From her seat on the bed Raven rested her hand lightly on her stomach, "Riley, could you grab the emergency cell from the safe....I need to speak with Cassie." It took only a few more minutes before he had punched in the safe and handed her the cell, she propped it open and prepared to dial when a strangled sob escaped her lips and she set it down. Cassie would not be happy.
Riley:
Riley was worried about Suji, but more worried about the shaken up women before him. <<Alright>> was all he sent her, though he felt a need to say something more, something around the lines of 'be safe' but he knew she would. Now he had to focus on Raven, and so he did as he lead her back. Conversation was lacking, but Raven always got quiet when she was emotional, and so he left it be until they were back at the HQ. He hadn't even though of Cassie until the mention of the cell phone, which he dutifully got and handed to her.
He had demorphed once they arrived so he was of course his human self now, standing there looking down at Raven with worried eyes. Something was wrong with her, something more, and he couldn't put his finger on it. Suspicion crept up over him, had she told him everything? What the hell was wrong? It got pushed aside when the half-sob reached his ears, and he took the cell from her, "I'll tell her...you just wait here..." he disappeared and began the short-update with Cassie. By the time it was done and the cellphone was back in the safe he realized Raven had fallen asleep, the blood was washed from her hands. Not wanting to wake her he took a seat on the floor, leaning his back up against the wall as he attempted sleep himself.
Suji:
Suji felt like she'd gone over everything. Exhausted every possible outlet.
She'd been around the tunnels a dozen times. Toby's blood trail ended at a lake of sewage, and there was the scent of a new Controller (not the one that had been their 'guide'), but that Controller's smell was everywhere. She'd searched as much as she could, but it was deep, and she knew a dumped body would likely float (the stuff was, disgustingly enough, denser than water). There might have been an undertow though, and that unpleasant thought (that at any moment she could be sucked down and drown in human waste) was what finally got her out of it.
She morphed and demorphed several times to clear the smell off of her as best she could, then morphed her owl (more to avoid contaminating the scent trails than anything else) and fluttered towards where the main smells converged. Most strongly there was the scent of the guide, Raven, and Toby (she couldn't smell them now, but she'd memorized it all for how many times she'd gone over it). She should leave, she knew that. If nothing else, maybe she was just heading off her own fear.
But that wasn't it. It didn't add up. 1 plus 1 plus 1 was not coming up 3. There was something wrong, and if she could get her guilt to shut up for a minute, maybe she could figure it out. Human, barefoot, Suji went down on her haunches. Blaming herself and being frantic, chasing her own tail, was getting her no where. She had to try something else.
Follow it through, Suji. Don't let guilt blind you. Don't let yourself get in the way. Slowly, so very, very slowly, she allowed herself to go numb. Before she'd just been putting off the stress and the sorrow, but now she actively froze it, willed herself not to care. And when the self-loathing voice inside her head began to laugh and tell her that she was taking the easy way out, the road of not feeling, escaping her rightful blame, well, she silenced it. It took effort, and she felt ready to crumble to pieces.
But she did it. Slowly. Until the girl half-kneeling on the ground wasn't a girl at all, but something cold, a core wrought of ice. She forced her mind to be clear, forced herself to accept the consequences that would come from this. To choose to forget the pain of getting someone killed was not something that would be easy to live down, even if she only allowed herself to do it for only a moment.
But that cold beast welcomed her all the same. It knew her face, yes, and it knew her name. It was the same creature that had allowed her walk away from her family. The same one that had allowed her to focus on saving other people's loved ones, because she was not ready to save her own--because saving her own had meant, solely, facing this beast. This reptile. This ancient thing inside of her.
Suji began to run over all the facts, one more time. This time she afforded herself no emotion: no grief, no horror, and certainly no guilt.
Imagine that you're him. Suji stood. She acted out the motions. There were, at maximum, two Controllers, including the guide. that in itself didn't add up to Raven's description: Raven had said that there had been people at every entrance. But here, there was only one unaccounted for smell, and it seemed almost slightly dimmer than the rest, but it was so hard to tell. The other entrances and exits had smelled like this Controller though, but there were no other distinguishable scents.
But perhaps Raven had just been confused. She could have been attacked in the relative dark (though they had to have had some kind of flashlight--Suji knew what it was like to walk in pitch black, and no guide could have led them even this far without something to see by). Maybe the ambush had made it seem like it was more than two people.
Still missing something. Something huge. Maybe Raven's miscalculations were part of it, maybe not.
And then a voice inside of her, chilling in its implications, wondered: Toby had said that this was where they'd find the old woman. There were no smells of an elderly woman, or an elderly anything. And if they had wanted Raven so badly, what had they wanted her for? Maybe Toby had told Riley and Raven this information, but Suji did not know it. If they had wanted her enough to let a free host get himself inducted into faction, why hadn't they taken her?
The idea of letting her go may have been to teach her a lesson... but what business were Controllers in, teaching Animorphs lessons that didn't end with Slavery 101?
It was a trap after all. But maybe... maybe not a trap for Toby.
Maybe still a trap set by him.
You can't be fucking serious. You get the kid murdered, and are still trying to blame him for it? Wake up! But Suji was pacing now. If she were Toby--and they shared far too many similarities, didn't they?--how would she capture an Animorph?
How would she capture an Animorph that couldn't, well, morph?
Suji stood straight very suddenly, so still that even her heart didn't seem to beat. She was blind. She was blind and stupid.
One path leading to sewage: Toby and the other Controller, though his smell was everywhere. One path leading to the city: their guide. One path leading to the surface: a bit of Toby's blood, and Raven. Toby hadn't needed more than one or two brutes, had he? Raven wasn't a big girl, and her pregnancy wasn't advanced. But that trail was cold by now.
On the other hand...
Suji sprinted all the way out of the subway exit, and was morphing her vulture before she'd even vaulted over the top step. Within a couple minutes, she was in the air, beating her wings hard in the direction of the HQ. The coldness in her gut had warped, turned acidic. She was running on fumes, on hell-bent craze. The muscles of her wings were howling, but she paid them no mind. It was getting dark as she approached the HQ.
Raven:
Sleep had not come easily, it had actually not come at all, but by looking at her motionless form it would be nearly impossible to tell. There were a few bathroom trips, though those could be accounted for due to the pregnancy, pregnant women always seemed to be running to restrooms. Other than that and the days events...well could one blame the woman for not being able to sleep? Riley didn't seem to wake during this, but then again he was a light sleeper, maybe he was humoring her. His figure did not stir from its position against the wall--one that did not look comfortable.
This was yet another trip out of bed, this time she was more careful not to make a sound, her figure was still small despite carrying child and she managed not to let one floor bored creek. Soon she was outside the HQ, breathing in the fresh air, air that was not tainted by others. Alone. With that sentiment in mind she headed off towards the forest at a quick pace, though not so quick that she couldn't enjoy the moment.
Riley:
Riley had noticed her unease, the way she got up a few times and went to the washroom, the way she was breathing, everything. It all bothered him, it had bothered him from the get go, the blood, the story, Toby....Riley rested with one eye open so to speak. This wasn't right, something wasn't being explained and he wanted to know what, why the feeling in the pit of his stomach was telling him to stay alert and ready. Then it hit him like a ton of bricks, so hard that he didn't know if he could get back up.
Raven was not in bed, his eyes ran over the sheets and he cursed himself, maybe a quick doze had overtaken him, but the bed was still warm. Without hesitation he leapt up--and with more grace than thought possible for a man of his size--Riley took off at a run. As soon as the woman was in his sights he froze, hiding himself nicely as he watched the scene play out. It wouldn't be wise to approach her now, it'd be smarter to see what she did, then he could act accordingly.
Suji:
Suji saw Raven's figure below her. Still far off in the distance, but she forced herself to land. Demorph, remorph. Rinse. Repeat. How many times had she gone straight from morph to morph? It felt like she did that more than just regular morphing. It was horrible. In the end she kept the feathers, but traded greyish white for a darker set, and her large bulk for the tinier frame of the owl.
The certainty of her conviction ate away at her. She knew. She knew beyond any shadow of a doubt. It was impossible not to. Like seeing the end of a riddle, you couldn't unsee it once you saw it. Her mind felt feverish, overworked, cooked hot like a computer left running too long. Yes, yes she saw the design. She'd been tricked, but that was done with. Fool me once...
Still. Had to stay cool. Focus. There were lives at stake here.
But she would make the person who had duped her, like some terrible cartoon villain ('he went thattaway!'), pay. And that person would pay in blood. It was a game, all of it, and Suji would win. She would not stand for being made a fool of.
The thought that she could be wrong did not occur now, there was no self-doubt. All of that had been burned away.
Toby:
Toby watched the little owl flap its way through the forest. If he had been human he would have smiled. No, he would have laughed, giggled, done a little dance, he was that happy. In fact, happy was the wrong word. Gleeful might work better.
Come little Suji, fly. You've figured it out haven't you? Of course you have. Always so suspicious, so curious. Always poking your nose in where it isn't wanted. Always...so predictable.
Yes, that was the right word. Suji's suspicion was predictable. Suspicion was as natural to Suji as breathing was to everyone else. And Toby had had no doubts that she would figure it out, come after him. And who else would Riley choose to be his back up? For a moment, in the morning, Toby had thought all his carefully laid plans undone. Suji had been nowhere to be found this morning. Which meant Riley, who would in no way leave his precious Raven to go into a dangerous mission with only himself as back-up, would have to pick another animorph to accompany him.
And any other animorph wouldn't figure it out. Toby had been too careful, laid to many scent trails, picked a place that would hide the ones he hadn't left. Too careful by far and none of the others would figure it out, solve his riddle, play his game. No one else was quite like him...except Suji.
But as the day passed and Suji hadn't shown up even though David dragging a troublesome twin, had, well then, Toby had known that Suji had to be back in the little maze he had set up for her, running herself in circles. And the thought had almost been enough to lull him to sleep.
Almost, if Riley hadn't been right there in the room with him. That had almost messed things up. Toby could not hope to play a believable Raven for long with Riley close by. But it was ok, he wouldn't be far behind this one, and Toby would get him too.
But first, it was dinner time.
Toby lifted off from the branch, a ghost in the night, the Snowy Owl's wings making no sound as he closed in on the little, tiny really, flammulated owl. And when he sunk his talons into the little creature and squeezed he felt such satisfaction. Finally Suji, I've outsmarted you. Game over.
Suji:
Where was Raven?
Rather, where was Toby? She hadn't been too long in demorphing and remorphing. That was second nature to her, and as burned out as her body felt, her mind was impossibly awake. Adrenaline fried. Where was he? He'd been there, along the path, not long ago-
And then she saw it, out of the corner of her binocular eyes. White, a flash of it streaking towards her. No time to dive. No time to demorph.
Death, a pale-winged chariot. Lamp eyes and raking claws.
<<NO!>> Suji began to shout. It wasn't a cry of lament, not a shriek of fear. It was a simple, declaratory shout of, if not disbelief, sudden understanding and refusal. No! No! Toby could not have her, not like this! He'd been waiting! He'd counted on her figuring it out! How the fuck had he gotten another morph?! Had Riley told him all their most vital secrets while he was at it? Maybe given him the morphing cube to match?!
Toby's reply filled her mind, voice smug. She couldn't just hear his gloating, she could feel it, blossoming inside of her head. In a way, she shared the joy of the one who meant to kill her. He only said one word, and it was enough. <<Yes.>>
But then she felt those dark, cool talons sliding into her body. They pierced deep, and she fluttered once against the strong grip, and then faltered. Her blood was oozing out of her, and the bones of her wings had been crushed. One of her tiny ribs had punctured a lung. Play dead, was all Suji could think, but the world was spinning, and she realized that soon enough she wouldn't have to play any longer.
The white owl dropped her, no doubt on to more important endeavors. Suji fell through the air, landing with a soft thud on the forest floor below. The world was no longer lit up in the little owl's eyes: it was as dark as if she were human, and even that amount of sight faded to black.
Riley:
It was never Raven, he realized it a little too late, his gut had been telling him this the entire time though and he had ignored it. As she moved into the forest he waited, waited a few minutes to give her some time because he couldn’t have her see him yet. When he dubbed it safe he began moving in at a distance, still concealing himself in the foliage. It was during this time that the fight between Toby and Suji began, and it was then when Riley walked in. He remained hidden, watching with confusion as it dawned on him who Toby was, and that the other smaller bird was his team mate. Oh fuck….she was not going to win this one. It happened so quickly he wouldn’t have had time to morph if he wanted, not that his bird morph would be able to compete anyway, the burrowing owl was very small, he’d just end up dead. No, it was safer to stay put.
It was too late to step in, Toby was already leaving and Suji looked lifeless. Half of him wanted to chase after Toby, he couldn’t let him go….but he also couldn’t let Suji die, she was dazed and needed his help. Riley cursed himself again, this time aloud as he rushed over to her limp bird form, crouching down beside her. Toby is going to be long gone….or will he? No…he’ll expect this…he’ll be waiting to trap you…he’s no fool…. Part of Riley relaxed on that thought, but the rest of him did not rely on ‘what ifs’ and so continued to feel panic. Raven had been gone for quite some time now; she could very well be dead. No…don’t think like that…
“Suji….Suji you need to demorph, get control, c’mon please Suji,” his voice was quick and held an undertone of urgency to it. “We have to get Raven, we need to get Toby.” Somehow there was a distinct difference between both “gets” used in his sentence, one was to aid and the other was to clearly hurt. His large hand gently nudged the tiny bird, hovering near it's neck, she had a pulse.
Suji:
You can't let him win, a voice inside of her ordered, furious. It pouted, it stamped its feet, like a child throwing a tantrum. He can't win!
But he already had, hadn't he? She might as well give up. She was dying. Suji had been too proud, too arrogant, too sure of herself, and that had been what had done her in. Her calculating ability, and the fact that Toby had foreseen it. That he hadn't meant to hide the trap from her all along--maybe knew he couldn't. So instead he'd worked it in. It was so simple. She'd been played.
No! Nonono. Get up! Demorph! You want to die as a little... a little bird?!
What did it matter if she died as this tiny owl, or as a human, or as a tiger, or as a shark, or as a cockroach.... death was death.
But that sparked a different anger deep down inside of her. It wasn't just pissed with the childish, sore-loser anger that wanted her to go on to spite Toby if nothing else. It was something more real, something more solid. Anger because, as cliche as it sounded, it just wasn't her time. And maybe death was the same if you were a bird or a girl, but there was a difference between getting killed by the Yeerks, and being killed by a murdering traitor.
Oh yes, there was a difference.
Suji began to demorph. It was hard to focus, but she willed herself back into her human body. Just like your flight over here, she kept telling herself. You were so tired, and you'd been morphing so much, but you always got back to your body. Always. And if it hadn't been for all that practice, she might never have been able to do it. As she demorphed, she heard another voice--deeper than Toby's. A large, hand warm moved over her. Riley.
<<The whole thing, it's all a trap...>> her thoughtspeech was weak, wavered. But the demorphing was coming faster now. The bleeding was stopping--her tiny crushed bones were filling, righting themselves, becoming human. At last she was herself again, sitting on the forest floor next to Riley. For a moment she couldn't speak. Then she took a few deep breaths.
"He'll be waiting for you. He's got firepower now, and he's undoubtedly picked up something that will trump whatever you decide to morph." Her voice was quiet, uneasy. She was shaking, and forced herself to stop. Or at least, as much as she could. "If you play dead, he might lead us to Raven."
Toby sat outside in the pre-dawn glow. He had always liked this time of day. The whole world felt clean, felt new. It felt like anything could happen and many things would today.
He walked a bit across the lawn in front of HQ just to feel his bare feet on the grass covered in morning dew. Yes, today would be a good day. Riley had asked that they be shown where the old woman stayed and Toby had tried to talk him out of it. In the end he they had arrived on a plan that should be safe for everyone. No holes, no danger.
Ok, a little danger. Toby went over his plan again in his head. It should work, it would work.
So he waited and let the rest of the faction come to him.
Raven:
Raven approached Toby, dressed simply in a long black flowing gown that nicely concealed the lump around her midsection--it was growing larger by the day, or at least she thought so. Her typically pale, translucent skin was now glowing, and she would have looked incredibly happy had it not been for the grim expression on her face. Today was the day they headed out for the mission to find Toby's sister. Riley would be going along with Toby, the others would stay here with Raven--at least that was the original plan.
This was going to be the final small meeting before heading straight out and to the location. Raven had a sinking feeling about the entire thing, but they couldn't back out now, if Toby was sincerely in need of their help then they had to try. Riley was an excellent tactician, one of the best she'd ever known so she trusted this would run smoothly one way or another. Hopefully. Right now they just needed to talk it over though, then she'd see them off.
Riley:
Riley fell into step behind Raven, clad in only his morphing suit which consisted of spandex biker shorts that fell to his knee and a white muscle shirt. He wasn't the most comfortable in such attire but there wasn't much you could do considering it was better than walking around nude. Either way today was the day, and just like Raven, Riley did not have a good feeling about this. It was almost like a sixth sense, and he did not intend on ignoring it, if this was a huge mistake they would have to go through with it anyway, it was the only way to see what side Toby really was on. Suji didn't trust him, and neither did Riley.
He put an arm around Raven's waist, pulling her to his side as he glanced sideways at Toby. "Ready?" he asked quietly, his voice sounding utterly calm. "We just need to go over the plan one more time." Riley had his own private agenda that he wasn't going to share with Toby. He had no idea that Raven was going to get dragged into this, that she'd be needed and once he found out he'd not be pleased.
Toby:
Toby watched the interplay between Raven and Riley. His face was blank, his eyes dead. It was the worst thing about him. Many had looked into those eyes and found themselves getting a chill up their spine. It was the reason why, no matter how sincere he sounded, many people didn't believe him.
But Toby couldn't help his eyes.
"Actually Riley, I don't think you should go. It is Raven she wants. If I show up with anyone but Raven she might hurt Sophia and..." he sounded like a scared kid and he looked away, knowing that if Riley looked him in the eye it would do his case no good at all and he really did need Raven along, "I can't stand it if anything happened to her."
Riley:
Riley had noticed Toby's eyes, it was probably the first thing that set off warning alarms in his head, that and Suji's own opinion that worked in cohesion with his. Now he was forcing himself to give the kid a chance, though he would not hesitate to rip it back away from him if he proved to be lying. This mission, the entire thing was a way to test him in one respect, and in another to finally see what the hell was actually going on, so when Toby mentioned Raven going instead of him he instantly tensed up. NO was his first instinct, it was to scold Toby for such a stupid reaction, but he felt Raven squeeze her grip around him lightly and he glanced down at her.
Somehow he knew, he knew exactly what she was thinking and he refused to let it happen. Glancing back up at Toby he said, "No, I am going," his voice was firm and there was a look in his eye, a slightly scary look that read--back the fuck off. "Sophia won't get hurt then, I can morph Raven," Riley had acquired her DNA as they spoke, but he did not intend to morph it yet, he knew Raven would have something to say. "Raven you are not going," he looked down at her again, she was silent, and silence was not good. "You're pregnant, you can't morph. No."
"Just like this kid can't stand losing his sister, I can't stand to lose you. We're not taking a useless risk like that, you are too vulnerable right now. I can go as you." Riley was losing some of his fire, Raven's silence was eating at him. He already had the sickening feeling that she was going to somehow convince him otherwise, just one look at her face told him that much. His eyes pleaded with her, "Raven, no. The baby..." he shook his head, releasing his grasp from around her as he stood in a more defensive position now.
Raven:
Raven felt Riley tense, and she braced herself for anger, and it came. He wouldn't want her to go, and she fully grasped why, but that didn't mean a thing, she had to go. It was her fault she was pregnant, her fault that her circumstances lead to this issue, and it was still her job despite it all to act as leader when needed. Of course she too did not trust Toby completely, just as Riley and Suji did not but that didn't mean they could ignore him completely, this had to happen, and for it to happen it was apparent she was a necessity.
Her silence ate away at him, as it normally did, when Raven was quiet it meant she was thinking, Finally he stood looking at her, no longer his arm around her but instead he stood defensively in front of her. Raven put a gentle hand on his forearm, tugging lightly as he looked down at her. His eyes made her want to back down, but she couldn't, even if her gut told her to listen, even if this was a trap. They had to find out right? It was safer if Riley was watching from above than stuck as her in a morph. Raven shook her head slowly, looking back up at him with saddened eyes, then she glanced over at Toby and a small shiver went sown her spine.
"I have to go. Riley...if you were stuck as me in a morph you would be more vulnerable, how is it any wiser putting you out there than me, at least if you were in the sky you're experienced enough to do something to help. I can't morph, I should be used as I am in my human form." It made sense, though risky, something had to be done and this was the only way it could happen. "I trust you, you'll keep things in check."
Riley:
Raven was still the leader, Riley was only stepping up when she couldn't and right now she had all the authority. Despite that he found himself not caring, this was more than just an Animorph thing, this was more personal and deeply rooted. Raven was in no shape to go out on missions, especially not one that they already suspected of being a set up, one that was more risky than their normal endeavors. It wasn't smart, though from a leaders perspective she was right, but in the perspective of a soon-to-be-father allowing his pregnant wife to step into danger it was wrong, very wrong.
Riley's face went blank as she spoke and he looked away, his gaze befalling Toby. The blue-green eyes that typically held happiness, kindness and vitality were now empty, almost a hollow shell of what they once were, a perfect replica of how he looked when he first joined their ranks. His escapades alone had hardened him and that side was back now, the side that was capable of killing, the side of him he had fought to repress, the side he was not proud of. The war had created a dual personality in him, one that was good for laughs, a friend, and the other a calculating killer, a good fighter.
Slowly he turned to Raven and paused, "Fine." His words were harsh, a tone he rarely used with her--he wanted it to be known he was displeased. Without another word he began morphing, quickly taking the shape of his burrowing owl. Once in morph he narrowed his predatory yellow eyes on Toby and sent him a lone message, <<One wrong move, and I won't hesitate to take you out.>> The words were not a threat, threats meant the person could be bluffing, it was his word, <<That's a promise>>. With that he took up and began circling them, waiting for Raven's next move. As he soared however he picked up someone elses presence, Suji and an idea struck him.
<<Suji, I don't think this is going to end well, would you mind coming along, but don't let the kid see you.>> Riley did not often refer to people by degrading terms such as 'kid', but when he did it was a clear indicator that he did not care for them. <<In fact, don't let Raven see you either, I need an extra set of eyes on him.>>
Raven:
Raven was not happy at the outcome of this small verbal spat, and if this was a trap she certainly did not want things to be on bad terms. Despite that Riley was soon morphing and her chance and any reconciliation was gone, she knew he was unhappy about her decision and that he had only listened because she was in fact the dubbed Faction Leader, he was not. Riley always had been the good soldier, he was not about to upset the ranks and argue with her, especially when she knew everything he felt anyway.
Her expression was tense, but did not display any anger or unhappiness, instead it quickly turned determined and analytical. Her hazel eyes turned upon Toby, "Lead the way then," she replied, ready to get this done and over with. I'm watching you Toby....she thought to herself, being exceedingly observant now that the journey had begun. "How far exactly is it?" while she was still in great physical shape, Raven was not one to enjoy long trips in her situation, especially since her morning sickness happened to rear its ugly head in the middle of the day. Right now she felt fine though, and she prayed things would stay that way.
Suji:
The thoughtspeak caught Suji surprised--she'd been flying ahead as her vulture, leaving David and his brother some privacy. She was exhausted, but also riding a high of accomplishment. It had worked; they'd saved David's brother. And she'd been thinking of no better way to celebrate it than with a good night's rest. That was, at least until Raven and Riley found out, and undoubtedly decided that a private 'chat' was in order.
And then Riley's voice was in her head, and she inwardly groaned--did they already know? But he wasn't talking about that at all, he was saying something else, asking her to come along and spy to something? Toby, Suji thought. Of course. Maybe they were actually ready to do something about him. Of course it came a bit late, considering he'd been made an Animorph already... but there was nothing that could be done about that. <<Sure, give me a second.>>
She landed, demorphed, and began to remorph immediately. Doing this was like sprinting when you were already tired, but she'd long been used to it, and despite the mental fatigue, her body transitioned smoothly, efficiently. When she was finished she was an owl--the sun hadn't risen yet, and the owl's eyes were much better than the vulture's had been. Whenever the sun came up the owl would want to hide, but if spying was in order, it was better to have good eyesight. Besides, her owl was small, and blended in easily with the trees.
<<I'll be watching,>> she said to Riley. It didn't take long to spot Raven and Toby, and she stayed both high in the trees, and well behind them. Superior vision and hearing meant you didn't have to get nearly as close as a terrestrial creature would, which was a benefit.
Toby:
Toby watched the little exchange between Riley and Raven in silence. He already knew what the outcome would be, that was the great thing. Raven would come because his sister's life hung in the balance and Riley would follow because he was told to. And he wouldn't be happy about it, which was why Toby wasn't surprised to hear the thought speak voice in his head.
"I'm not the enemy," he said following the small owl with his eyes as it flew away.
Before setting out Toby scanned the skies. Almost all of the faction was away right now, on some mission or another which was all well and good. Toby didn't want any of them around, especially Suji. They would mess things up.
"Not far I think. I don't exactly know. I was told to go to a certain spot and then wait for a guide. Whoever it was would lead us where ever we had to go." He tred carefully around the faction leader. He knew that he wasn't trusted yet. In fact, if he had had his way he would have waited longer before doing this, but Riley had forced him to speed up the timeline. Their distrust was dangerous but it would just have to be dealt with.
"This way."
Toby kept up a good pace. It was hard enough that they were traveling on foot, it extended the amount of time that they would have to take to get there, but Toby planned on using the time well. He kept his eyes and hears open, looking for followers. He spotted none but Riley was not staying as close as he would have expected.
Finally they made it to the city and Toby directed them to a small deli, abandoned now, on a corner. They only had to wait maybe five minutes before a young man came walking up. He looked scared, like he would much rather be doing the exact opposite of what he was doing now. It showed in every movement and how they took twice as long to complete. But finally he dragged himself in front of them. "Toby? Raven?" he asked, his eyes never leaving the 15 year old boy.
"Yeah." The young man gave a sharp nod and turned around quickly. He seemed to be happy to be heading back the way he'd come though the muscles in his back kept jumping around as if he kept feeling a bad presence behind him. Maybe he was just glad that he was on his way to the end of his part in all of this.
He led them to a street and then turned to go down into a subway entrance. Toby followed and Raven close behind. But any bird morph wouldn't be able to follow them inside. Toby turned once to look at Raven but they had to go.
Raven:
Raven heard Toby's brief statement and frowned slightly, Riley had to have spoken to him in thought speak. She had not seen him this angry in a long time, and never had the anger been directed at her...it was an unpleasant change. None of it mattered though, Raven was leader and she put the job first--other peoples lives first. There were two outcomes possible, one would prove Toby innocent and the other would prove him guilty. Either one of those cases could end up getting her hurt, but she knew now Riley would be quicker on his feet, faster to jump in and help--she trusted him and it's all she had to go off of. This wouldn't have worked without her...and unfortunately they needed it to work, they had to be sure.
So onward they walked, Raven could sense Riely's presence but she did not see him which was not surprising...Riley could be very stealthy. "You never spoke of a guide before," she replied, her voice did not betray the bubble of anger that had expanded within her. "It'd be nice if you laid all your cards down Toby, is there anything else you left out?" Yeah, they did not trust him, he knew that and there was no point in hiding that fact, but Raven was also the only one more inclined to trust him--or at least appear so. Raven was known as the kind, gentle one but that did not mean she was foolhardy.
Finally while waiting on the corner a man appeared and the vibes she got from him made her skin crawl. He clearly did not feel comfortable, but it wasn't due to this messed up situation...no he kept glancing back at Toby. Raven's stomach knotted up, all the signs now, all of them, pointed towards this being a trap. She continued walking as if nothing was wrong, her body and facial appearance never once wavering. Then she paused, a subway entrance, and glanced out at the sky--she saw no one--and it was then that she wished thought speak was possible as human. Riley.... her eyes screamed for him, though Toby would only be able to see the back of her head, it's a trap...
With that she turned and walked inside. They couldn't stop now, she couldn't really go anywhere and make a scene, she couldn't morph, no this was it. If you climb half way up a hill with your sled you can't just stop halfway and climb back down, no you kept going till you got to the top and then you slid down. Raven took her imaginary sled and kept climbing. Riley could not follow her now, but she had enough faith in her own skills, and his, that she knew they'd finally get the truth, and come out unscathed.
Riley:
Riley kept close, but not close enough for either person to see him. His presence was known, but not seen, and that's what he wanted, a little incentive for Toby to not flake out. His words earlier were meant, he'd not hesitate to dive bomb the kid and rip his eyes out if one thing fell out of place. Right now he was not a leader, that was Raven, he was a father and a boyfriend, both of which would do anything to keep the woman he was dragging off alive. You little snake.... he seethed inwardly and flapped onward.
Oh but you are the enemy Toby... he thought to himself, refraining from saying it in thought speak. Anyone that put Raven in danger was the enemy, this kid was out for himself and that was clear from the moment they met him. The trip did not take long but Riley was silent the entire way, not saying a word to Suji--which was out of his character--and his bird looked like it was chasing its prey, talons out and ready. The veteran from the road, that guy he became to survive alone was back, his other half that he'd tried to repress. The talk he'd had with Sara so long ago was now clear in his head, and he didn't think she was right, he wasn't a good person because if Toby hurt Raven he wouldn't hesitate to kill him. Of course guilt would hit him hard afterwords, it always did, and it'd cause him many a nightmare, but he wouldn't regret it, not if it kept Raven alive.
He began circling as they approached the subway, and he realized he wouldn't be able to follow. The look on Raven's face told him all he needed to know, she looked like she was saying goodbye...like she knew this was going into something bad. Riley's instincts screamed at him to demorph and follow, but he wouldn't have enough time. <<Raven, I lost you once....I will not lose you again>> she lingered and then disappeared after hearing his words. Riley dive bombed elsewhere and shouted out to Suji <<Stay around here in case the weasel comes back out, there isn't another subway entrance for a while and this is the closest to get back to the HQ. If he comes out without her....>>his voice trailed off, he was sure Suji knew what to do. <<I'm going to try and demorph fast enough to follow, but I'm not holding my breath>>.
Within minutes he was safely demorphed and remorphed into his roadrunner, a tiny little bird that ran on the ground. Few would notice it, and it would suit the purpose at hand, unfortunately he couldn't find either of them once he entered the subway and after searching until running until the bird could no longer take it, he reappeared clearly tired. <<Fuck.>> He disappeared from view again and began switching morphs.
Suji:
<<I'll wait. But Riley, are you sure you don't want me to follow them? I've got a roach morph to get through tight places, and a hare morph, which is easily faster than anything human...>> Suji perched, practically invisible against the tree bark. Her eyes didn't leave the entrance, but she could see Riley morphing and demorphing. It didn't take a genius to tell that he was starting to panic. Not in the hysterical, sobbing way--but panic took many different forms. He was going to work himself into a frenzy. Not good.
The good-vibes feeling of freeing Karl was gone down, replaced by icy cold dread. Maybe Suji didn't respect Raven's choices as a leader, and maybe she didn't think that either she or Riley were really fit to 'lead' so much as 'protect', but she certainly didn't want to see any harm come to them. She especially didn't want to see any harm come to them via Toby, via someone that was supposed to be one of their own. But he wasn't one of them, never had been. Suji had known that.
She should have protested more about. Maybe it would have kept them out of this situation. Then again, maybe it would have just meant that they didn't trust her to see him clearly, and kept her out of it instead. And while part of her almost wished she wasn't involved with this at all, she knew that not being here might be worse than being here. She had to keep a cool head, because Riley was seemed to already be losing his.
Too bad you don't know what that feels like, eh Suji? To care about someone that much? She let the thought roll of her back. It did no good now. <<Riley, I can still go in. Or you could try your retriever morph--follow their scent?>> She had no doubt that he'd be able to follow Raven's trail that way, as long as they acted quickly. <<You might be close to blind though. How about I stay in owl, you go retriever, and I stay close to you?>> She didn't like the idea of waiting until Toby decided to pop out again.
Riley:
Riley was losing it slightly, but not enough to cause him to have a breakdown, no as long as Raven was in danger he'd be in the right frame of mind if maybe slightly more violent, or frantic. Right now several thoughts scurried through his head as he began remorphing, one was clearly started by Suji--which only made him jump on it faster. Labrador retriever's had excellent noses, he should know, in one he could normally smell things that humans never would imagine. That being said he had Raven's scent memorized better than anyones and he was positive he'd be able to find her this way.
Toby was a chance they had to take, it was one if they hadn't taken Cassie would have been incredibly angry about. Every person that was an able body was needed for this fight, and Toby had been just that. Of course he had lied, which meant anything he said could be another lie, but there was never really a sure way to tell and hence they found themselves in this situation now. Riley cursed following stupid protocols now, his gut and Suji's gut--hell even Raven's afterwords--had not liked Toby.
<<Done and done, I have her scent already, I'll need your eyes though>> Riley replied trotting out as his golden lab. Even the dogs disposition seemed aggressive and anxious as it entered the subway. He could see in the dark, most dogs could due to their predatory ancestry but he was going to be focused on smell, her eyes could give them valuable details that he might otherwise miss. Riley also realized he was acting rashly, and while he tried to downplay it it would be better to have a calmer body around.
<<This way>>
Suji:
Suji swooped down. <<Sorry if this pinches,>> she said, and landed on the retriever's ruff of fur at the back of its neck. She almost lost her balance, and had to open her wings slightly to right herself, but she was able to straighten after a moment. Her small talons curled into the fur and flesh, though she didn't think they sunk in enough to draw blood. She doubted Riley would have cared much even if they did: there was a mission on the line, and dog's didn't have the most acute sense of pain anyway.
Resisting the temptation to make some kind of hi-ho silver joke, Suji said: <<Okay. But be ready to demorph, and don't get close at all. We don't know what's going to be down there. Stay as far back as possible.>> It seemed wrong to be telling him this, as if the words were too close to an order, but she had to make sure Riley had his priorities straight. If they rushed in there and by some miracle Toby hadn't meant to screw them over, Toby, Toby's sister, and Raven's life could be in danger.
The little bird did not like the idea of descending underground at all. And 'riding' the dog was a constant balancing act. Still, she managed. She had to.
Raven:
Raven walked out into the light, it took her eyes a moment to readjust and she squinted slightly. She had been in the tunnels for a long time, skipping two or more exits, and the fresh air was a welcome change. It took her a little while to catch up with her surroundings, but not too long as things slowly became more familiar. Raven looked down at her hands, they were covered in blood, but it didn't belong to her. It was an odd sight, the bright red blood, still warm and splayed out across her nearly translucent skin. The only problem with this scene aside from the blood was that she was alone, Toby was no where to be seen.
Seeming slightly out of it, she sat down on the street corner across from the train station. There was little to do but wait, she had lost Riley for a while, she didn't know when he'd be back. If there was one thing however, it was that he was more than likely out there looking for her, which meant if she stayed put long enough he was bound to find her.
Riley:
At this point in time pain was the last thing on his mind, and the dog before her stood still--a sign that he was perfectly fine with it. He definitely felt the talons sink into his flesh, and despite his best effort the dog let out a soft whine, which he quickly followed with a <<Hold on tight>>. Just as he was preparing to race off--he had Raven's sent fresh in his nose--he heard Suji and for a moment he wasn't sure how to respond. It was an order in a way, but in another sense he was intelligent enough to realize his mind was not at its peak right now--he was worried as hell and anxious--so he let it drop.
<<Affirmative>> he replied, almost in the same joking tone he might have used before, only this time it was forced. Riley didn't want to be this second person, his other half but it was there now and there was no denying it didn't want to leave. <<I hadn't planned on it>>. With that he was off, his dog was sniffing away, and for quite some time they were on the right track until suddenly....she was gone. <<I don't....>> he began and took several more steps, <<Oh>> and he was off running again. He felt bad for Suji, she was bobbing about but he kept on until he found himself outside again. Riley had allowed the dogs senses to take over and hadn't realized where he was going until now and there she was.
<<Raven?>> he called out, clearly puzzled, and then it hit him, a brand new scent. Blood. <<Blood...what happened?>> Riley didn't even think to ask about Toby yet, he was just relieved to see his girlfriend before him, despite the blood that covered her hands. That...that still bothered him.
Suji:
Riley didn't react badly to what might have been seen as her 'order,' though he did sound strained. At least he hadn't snapped at her, which she'd mostly been expecting. People were liable to throw around their rank (whatever they felt that was) in stressful times. She didn't count herself outside of that group, but she was grateful that Riley didn't do that. It hadn't been meant as an order, moreso that she had to look out for both of their necks. If she was going to be the eyes of this team, they had to be a team. She was more than ready to listen if he had any advice (or orders) to give her.
The ride was bumpy and more than a few times Suji had to flare her wings to balance. There wasn't much to see, though she reported the occasional twist and turn to him. For a second he lost his way, which Suji thought was extremely odd considering he'd been chugging along just fine, but she wasn't the one with her nose on the ground, so she couldn't say anything.
Maybe Riley had let the dog's senses overtake him, but Suji had done no such thing with her owl. Not only would the owl never have stood for this, but Suji didn't tend to like letting the animal brain surface for any of her morphs. The vulture was the only one she got along with at all (because it was mostly quiet, and generally not excitable) and even then she much preferred her own conscious thoughts. <<There's a bunch of light up ahead,>> she said, but Riley didn't pay any attention to her. He was already dashing forward.
<<Riley!>> She called out to him, but no use--he wasn't going to stop. Unable to do anything to slow him down, Suji spread her wings and released her talons, flapping to a landing on the ground. With a few short hopping motions she could see over the rise of the subway exit, but she was still encased in the early-morning shadows that loomed over. Riley was frozen several feet from... Raven? Raven with blood all over her hands? But she didn't look injured.
Suji quickly scanned the area. No sign of Toby. What had happened? <<Riley,>> she thoughtspoke to him, less upset by the sight of Raven than the lack of sight of Toby or their guard. <<Did you smell Toby on the way up here at all?>> She wanted to know if the bastard was hidden around here somewhere. While she was certainly relieved to see Raven, she--for better or worse--did not have the same emotional connection that she and Riley shared. There was no switch that flipped in her mind, going from "certain disaster" to "everything's okay now" just at the sight of the Chicago faction leader. The suspicious instinct, the calculating instinct was just too strong and things were not adding up.
<<Can you smell who's blood that is?>> She didn't know if he could, if it would be possible, but it probably wouldn't hurt to ask. Suji remained hidden.
Riley:
There could not be two leaders, and in this point in time he considered Raven the leader and himself just another one of the team so Suji's remark had not hit him too hard. It was true he was sort of the second in command, but either way he also realized he was at a weaker point, his emotions had--despite efforts--gotten the better of him, though not as badly as they could have. Suji had the clear head and her thoughts would be more useful in the end then his rash ones, though he would not hesitate to add his own two sense if he thought she was wrong. Riley was versatile, he did what needed to be done when it needed to be done and could take almost any position.
His dog senses had taken over for a moment, not enough so that he had lost himself completely, but more than enough to do the best job it could. Had Suji called out--which she did-- he would have snapped back except in this case he knew what was ahead of him. Riley was too anxious to see her to pause, they were also going into an area with more air, so the scent was less clouded, hence more places to run so he ignored the threat of possible danger. The new smells filled him and he felt more relaxed knowing Toby was indeed not around, only his blood was.
<<Toby was in the tunnels right along Ravens scent and then I lost them both...and then I picked up just hers. He isn't out here, and that blood...it's his>> he replied. Riley was relieved, and happy, he had never felt happier to see her, but there was still that annoying sense in the back of his head, the blood. Had she killed Toby? Raven would never kill....what happened? He felt a little suspicious as well as he approached her, <<Birdy....are you alright?>> she seemed a little dazed.
Raven:
Raven blinked several times, still clearly a little shaken up as her gaze slowly turned to meet Rileys. She had not seen Suji, and a slow, shaky smile spread across her features at first, only to falter after hearing his question. One glance at her blood-covered hands was all she needed to grimace and look away, the scent clearly bothered her--or that fact that she had it all over her skin. Something had happened, something that she obviously was a wreck over.
"Riley...I..." she grew quiet and took in a deep breath as if to calm or right herself. "I'm fine...but Toby...." her face pinched up in pain, like she had been slashed in the ribs. "It's my fault, our fault....the old woman and some of her men knocked him out...I tried to help...and there was blood everywhere," her eyes fell to her hands again and that same look of guilt flashed across her face. "Riley...there were people posted at all the entrances...they said they saw Animorphs enter....the deal was off....." her voice trailed off.
Suji:
Toby's blood. But Raven wouldn't kill, would she? No. No of course not--she wouldn't even morph out of her pregnancy, let alone directly get blood on her hands. But as she explained, Suji felt her mind reeling. Had she been wrong about Toby? But what kind of deal had it been? Toby had only mentioned an old woman and a couple of young guys... Raven made it sound like it was an army. Had Toby been leading them into a trap? Suji felt uncomfortable. Everything felt wrong. Had her deduction really led her that far astray?
...was Toby's blood on Raven's hands when it should be on hers? Hers and Riley's too maybe, but hers all the same?
<<The blood,>> Suji said suddenly, and if she was human, hair would have crawled on the back of her neck. <<You didn't smell Toby coming out of the tunnel. How could that stuff not have dripped?>>
Riley:
Riley was concerned at the range of emotion displayed on Raven's face, she never got choked up about things, she was the one that kept her head, she was always cool unless death was involved. Ever since Amelia she got choked up when death, or death on her hands, happened to come up and that seemed to be the case now as she explained why Toby's blood was on her hands. Riley felt slightly guilty at her words, that boy was innocent? He still couldn't entirely believe it, though he pushed that feeling aside, right now there were bigger fish to fry.
He grew silent as Suji spoke as well, taking it all she had to say as well as his own stray thoughts. Riley too had begun to wonder about the blood, though there wasn't enough on her hands to drip everywhere she had to have not been too far from him. Was there more blood in the tunnels he'd missed? He had been excited to find her scent so strong, it was quite possible that overpowered anything--dogs got excited very easily. <<Maybe Toby didn't come out of the tunnel...maybe he was lead a different way...let me go back in and check>> then to Raven he added <<Hold on a second, let me see if I can pick him up at all....maybe he's alive>> though he doubted this, it was more for her benefit.
After a brief look around inside his suspicions were confirmed, there was blood leading elsewhere. Riley emerged and paused at Raven's feet again, this time allowing his voice to reach both women, <<Blood led off in a different direction in the tunnel, couldn't tell how far without following it>>. There had been a lot of blood, that coupled with the fact that he did not know where the scent ended lead him to believe Toby was dead--though part of him kept wondering. He focused on Raven though, ignoring that side once more.
<<We need to get moving soon though....we're bound to be spotted again...and if those men come back we won't be able to protect you like this>> he replied, his senses taking over. Then to Suji alone he added, <<You can go looking for Toby if you want, but I need to get her to safety now.>> Suji and Toby had never quite gotten along, he wasn't sure if she'd risk her neck to go out there looking for him when he was probably dead. <<Though I'd prefer if you could tail us and make sure no one followed.>>
Suji:
Suji didn't know what to think. She'd NEVER been so wrong before. David... David's outburst when they'd first gone into the city, that had been one of the most severe cases of her judgment leading her astray. And in the end, he'd still be able to be reasoned with, something she'd said had gotten through. She hadn't been 100% wrong in trusting him.
So why Toby? Why like this? Why would it come crashing down on her now, of all times?
Selfish selfish selfish. A kid is dead because of you, and all you can cry about is how you miscalculated, and how much it ruins an otherwise good day. My my, what a hero. Suji could usually control the self-defeating, self-loathing thoughts, but she was running out of the will now. You got weird vibes from him because he wasn't as good at lying as you, and you hounded him for it. And now he's dead. Now he's dead, and Raven will blame herself, and there wasn't even anything she could have done to stop you and Riley from racing in headlong, thirsting for blood.
Blood. And now you have it.
She couldn't follow them. Not like this. Maybe that was selfish too (of course it was, everything you do is, isn't it?) but she wouldn't follow them back. Caving into the hatred whelming up inside of her chest, Suji knew that she couldn't bear to face David, if nothing else. He'd still see her as a hero, or at least as someone who had Done The Right Thing, at least until he knew about all of this. And she couldn't see that look. Or the way he wouldn't look at her when he knew.
<<I... I'll.>> Suji paused, this was the moment where she usually collected herself. The pause itself was instinctual, her mind assuming that this was where she'd need to focus, though no focus truly came. Everything stayed a mess. <<I'll follow you guys in a bit. I'm--just get her home.>>
With that, Suji fluttered back down the tunnel some more. There, she demorphed, huddled against one of the grimy walls. Despair, loathing, all of it forced its way up her throat, but she had to block it out. Not yet. She could break down later. For now, she owed Toby this, at least. If he was dead, she had to know. She could not leave without having tried. Summoning the last reserves of her will (had it only been hours ago that her and David had freed Karl?) Suji began to morph again. A jackrabbit, this time.
Thick fur sprouted along her body, and her ears elongated to what seemed like impossible lengths. The hearing would be impeccable (she could hear so much as a bug on the wall) and the sense of smell, though probably not as acute as Riley's dog, was not bad either. She would just have to deal with being blind. Suji hated blindness, but she deserved much more than that right now. She began to follow the scent of the blood.
Raven:
Raven did not realize Suji was around yet, which didn't really matter at this point anyway. There was blood on her hands, two deaths on her head, and she couldn't morph. This situation did not lend itself to being happy, which was good because her face clearly read that she was guilt-ridden. Riley seemed to pick up on this and began acting in his typical protector way, wanting to bring her back to the HQ. Raven did not complain in the least and let herself get lead away.
She was quiet the entire way back, and Riley did not press her for conversation, he seemed completely focused on making sure they were not followed, and that they got back safely. Her movements were not hindered by tight clothing for once, her dress flowing easily after each step. It also covered the baby bump, something that seemed to have been bothering her lately. Either way, it was not long before they were home and she was back in her own bed.
The events of today....the death...they needed to be told to Cassie right away. From her seat on the bed Raven rested her hand lightly on her stomach, "Riley, could you grab the emergency cell from the safe....I need to speak with Cassie." It took only a few more minutes before he had punched in the safe and handed her the cell, she propped it open and prepared to dial when a strangled sob escaped her lips and she set it down. Cassie would not be happy.
Riley:
Riley was worried about Suji, but more worried about the shaken up women before him. <<Alright>> was all he sent her, though he felt a need to say something more, something around the lines of 'be safe' but he knew she would. Now he had to focus on Raven, and so he did as he lead her back. Conversation was lacking, but Raven always got quiet when she was emotional, and so he left it be until they were back at the HQ. He hadn't even though of Cassie until the mention of the cell phone, which he dutifully got and handed to her.
He had demorphed once they arrived so he was of course his human self now, standing there looking down at Raven with worried eyes. Something was wrong with her, something more, and he couldn't put his finger on it. Suspicion crept up over him, had she told him everything? What the hell was wrong? It got pushed aside when the half-sob reached his ears, and he took the cell from her, "I'll tell her...you just wait here..." he disappeared and began the short-update with Cassie. By the time it was done and the cellphone was back in the safe he realized Raven had fallen asleep, the blood was washed from her hands. Not wanting to wake her he took a seat on the floor, leaning his back up against the wall as he attempted sleep himself.
Suji:
Suji felt like she'd gone over everything. Exhausted every possible outlet.
She'd been around the tunnels a dozen times. Toby's blood trail ended at a lake of sewage, and there was the scent of a new Controller (not the one that had been their 'guide'), but that Controller's smell was everywhere. She'd searched as much as she could, but it was deep, and she knew a dumped body would likely float (the stuff was, disgustingly enough, denser than water). There might have been an undertow though, and that unpleasant thought (that at any moment she could be sucked down and drown in human waste) was what finally got her out of it.
She morphed and demorphed several times to clear the smell off of her as best she could, then morphed her owl (more to avoid contaminating the scent trails than anything else) and fluttered towards where the main smells converged. Most strongly there was the scent of the guide, Raven, and Toby (she couldn't smell them now, but she'd memorized it all for how many times she'd gone over it). She should leave, she knew that. If nothing else, maybe she was just heading off her own fear.
But that wasn't it. It didn't add up. 1 plus 1 plus 1 was not coming up 3. There was something wrong, and if she could get her guilt to shut up for a minute, maybe she could figure it out. Human, barefoot, Suji went down on her haunches. Blaming herself and being frantic, chasing her own tail, was getting her no where. She had to try something else.
Follow it through, Suji. Don't let guilt blind you. Don't let yourself get in the way. Slowly, so very, very slowly, she allowed herself to go numb. Before she'd just been putting off the stress and the sorrow, but now she actively froze it, willed herself not to care. And when the self-loathing voice inside her head began to laugh and tell her that she was taking the easy way out, the road of not feeling, escaping her rightful blame, well, she silenced it. It took effort, and she felt ready to crumble to pieces.
But she did it. Slowly. Until the girl half-kneeling on the ground wasn't a girl at all, but something cold, a core wrought of ice. She forced her mind to be clear, forced herself to accept the consequences that would come from this. To choose to forget the pain of getting someone killed was not something that would be easy to live down, even if she only allowed herself to do it for only a moment.
But that cold beast welcomed her all the same. It knew her face, yes, and it knew her name. It was the same creature that had allowed her walk away from her family. The same one that had allowed her to focus on saving other people's loved ones, because she was not ready to save her own--because saving her own had meant, solely, facing this beast. This reptile. This ancient thing inside of her.
Suji began to run over all the facts, one more time. This time she afforded herself no emotion: no grief, no horror, and certainly no guilt.
Imagine that you're him. Suji stood. She acted out the motions. There were, at maximum, two Controllers, including the guide. that in itself didn't add up to Raven's description: Raven had said that there had been people at every entrance. But here, there was only one unaccounted for smell, and it seemed almost slightly dimmer than the rest, but it was so hard to tell. The other entrances and exits had smelled like this Controller though, but there were no other distinguishable scents.
But perhaps Raven had just been confused. She could have been attacked in the relative dark (though they had to have had some kind of flashlight--Suji knew what it was like to walk in pitch black, and no guide could have led them even this far without something to see by). Maybe the ambush had made it seem like it was more than two people.
Still missing something. Something huge. Maybe Raven's miscalculations were part of it, maybe not.
And then a voice inside of her, chilling in its implications, wondered: Toby had said that this was where they'd find the old woman. There were no smells of an elderly woman, or an elderly anything. And if they had wanted Raven so badly, what had they wanted her for? Maybe Toby had told Riley and Raven this information, but Suji did not know it. If they had wanted her enough to let a free host get himself inducted into faction, why hadn't they taken her?
The idea of letting her go may have been to teach her a lesson... but what business were Controllers in, teaching Animorphs lessons that didn't end with Slavery 101?
It was a trap after all. But maybe... maybe not a trap for Toby.
Maybe still a trap set by him.
You can't be fucking serious. You get the kid murdered, and are still trying to blame him for it? Wake up! But Suji was pacing now. If she were Toby--and they shared far too many similarities, didn't they?--how would she capture an Animorph?
How would she capture an Animorph that couldn't, well, morph?
Suji stood straight very suddenly, so still that even her heart didn't seem to beat. She was blind. She was blind and stupid.
One path leading to sewage: Toby and the other Controller, though his smell was everywhere. One path leading to the city: their guide. One path leading to the surface: a bit of Toby's blood, and Raven. Toby hadn't needed more than one or two brutes, had he? Raven wasn't a big girl, and her pregnancy wasn't advanced. But that trail was cold by now.
On the other hand...
Suji sprinted all the way out of the subway exit, and was morphing her vulture before she'd even vaulted over the top step. Within a couple minutes, she was in the air, beating her wings hard in the direction of the HQ. The coldness in her gut had warped, turned acidic. She was running on fumes, on hell-bent craze. The muscles of her wings were howling, but she paid them no mind. It was getting dark as she approached the HQ.
Raven:
Sleep had not come easily, it had actually not come at all, but by looking at her motionless form it would be nearly impossible to tell. There were a few bathroom trips, though those could be accounted for due to the pregnancy, pregnant women always seemed to be running to restrooms. Other than that and the days events...well could one blame the woman for not being able to sleep? Riley didn't seem to wake during this, but then again he was a light sleeper, maybe he was humoring her. His figure did not stir from its position against the wall--one that did not look comfortable.
This was yet another trip out of bed, this time she was more careful not to make a sound, her figure was still small despite carrying child and she managed not to let one floor bored creek. Soon she was outside the HQ, breathing in the fresh air, air that was not tainted by others. Alone. With that sentiment in mind she headed off towards the forest at a quick pace, though not so quick that she couldn't enjoy the moment.
Riley:
Riley had noticed her unease, the way she got up a few times and went to the washroom, the way she was breathing, everything. It all bothered him, it had bothered him from the get go, the blood, the story, Toby....Riley rested with one eye open so to speak. This wasn't right, something wasn't being explained and he wanted to know what, why the feeling in the pit of his stomach was telling him to stay alert and ready. Then it hit him like a ton of bricks, so hard that he didn't know if he could get back up.
Raven was not in bed, his eyes ran over the sheets and he cursed himself, maybe a quick doze had overtaken him, but the bed was still warm. Without hesitation he leapt up--and with more grace than thought possible for a man of his size--Riley took off at a run. As soon as the woman was in his sights he froze, hiding himself nicely as he watched the scene play out. It wouldn't be wise to approach her now, it'd be smarter to see what she did, then he could act accordingly.
Suji:
Suji saw Raven's figure below her. Still far off in the distance, but she forced herself to land. Demorph, remorph. Rinse. Repeat. How many times had she gone straight from morph to morph? It felt like she did that more than just regular morphing. It was horrible. In the end she kept the feathers, but traded greyish white for a darker set, and her large bulk for the tinier frame of the owl.
The certainty of her conviction ate away at her. She knew. She knew beyond any shadow of a doubt. It was impossible not to. Like seeing the end of a riddle, you couldn't unsee it once you saw it. Her mind felt feverish, overworked, cooked hot like a computer left running too long. Yes, yes she saw the design. She'd been tricked, but that was done with. Fool me once...
Still. Had to stay cool. Focus. There were lives at stake here.
But she would make the person who had duped her, like some terrible cartoon villain ('he went thattaway!'), pay. And that person would pay in blood. It was a game, all of it, and Suji would win. She would not stand for being made a fool of.
The thought that she could be wrong did not occur now, there was no self-doubt. All of that had been burned away.
Toby:
Toby watched the little owl flap its way through the forest. If he had been human he would have smiled. No, he would have laughed, giggled, done a little dance, he was that happy. In fact, happy was the wrong word. Gleeful might work better.
Come little Suji, fly. You've figured it out haven't you? Of course you have. Always so suspicious, so curious. Always poking your nose in where it isn't wanted. Always...so predictable.
Yes, that was the right word. Suji's suspicion was predictable. Suspicion was as natural to Suji as breathing was to everyone else. And Toby had had no doubts that she would figure it out, come after him. And who else would Riley choose to be his back up? For a moment, in the morning, Toby had thought all his carefully laid plans undone. Suji had been nowhere to be found this morning. Which meant Riley, who would in no way leave his precious Raven to go into a dangerous mission with only himself as back-up, would have to pick another animorph to accompany him.
And any other animorph wouldn't figure it out. Toby had been too careful, laid to many scent trails, picked a place that would hide the ones he hadn't left. Too careful by far and none of the others would figure it out, solve his riddle, play his game. No one else was quite like him...except Suji.
But as the day passed and Suji hadn't shown up even though David dragging a troublesome twin, had, well then, Toby had known that Suji had to be back in the little maze he had set up for her, running herself in circles. And the thought had almost been enough to lull him to sleep.
Almost, if Riley hadn't been right there in the room with him. That had almost messed things up. Toby could not hope to play a believable Raven for long with Riley close by. But it was ok, he wouldn't be far behind this one, and Toby would get him too.
But first, it was dinner time.
Toby lifted off from the branch, a ghost in the night, the Snowy Owl's wings making no sound as he closed in on the little, tiny really, flammulated owl. And when he sunk his talons into the little creature and squeezed he felt such satisfaction. Finally Suji, I've outsmarted you. Game over.
Suji:
Where was Raven?
Rather, where was Toby? She hadn't been too long in demorphing and remorphing. That was second nature to her, and as burned out as her body felt, her mind was impossibly awake. Adrenaline fried. Where was he? He'd been there, along the path, not long ago-
And then she saw it, out of the corner of her binocular eyes. White, a flash of it streaking towards her. No time to dive. No time to demorph.
Death, a pale-winged chariot. Lamp eyes and raking claws.
<<NO!>> Suji began to shout. It wasn't a cry of lament, not a shriek of fear. It was a simple, declaratory shout of, if not disbelief, sudden understanding and refusal. No! No! Toby could not have her, not like this! He'd been waiting! He'd counted on her figuring it out! How the fuck had he gotten another morph?! Had Riley told him all their most vital secrets while he was at it? Maybe given him the morphing cube to match?!
Toby's reply filled her mind, voice smug. She couldn't just hear his gloating, she could feel it, blossoming inside of her head. In a way, she shared the joy of the one who meant to kill her. He only said one word, and it was enough. <<Yes.>>
But then she felt those dark, cool talons sliding into her body. They pierced deep, and she fluttered once against the strong grip, and then faltered. Her blood was oozing out of her, and the bones of her wings had been crushed. One of her tiny ribs had punctured a lung. Play dead, was all Suji could think, but the world was spinning, and she realized that soon enough she wouldn't have to play any longer.
The white owl dropped her, no doubt on to more important endeavors. Suji fell through the air, landing with a soft thud on the forest floor below. The world was no longer lit up in the little owl's eyes: it was as dark as if she were human, and even that amount of sight faded to black.
Riley:
It was never Raven, he realized it a little too late, his gut had been telling him this the entire time though and he had ignored it. As she moved into the forest he waited, waited a few minutes to give her some time because he couldn’t have her see him yet. When he dubbed it safe he began moving in at a distance, still concealing himself in the foliage. It was during this time that the fight between Toby and Suji began, and it was then when Riley walked in. He remained hidden, watching with confusion as it dawned on him who Toby was, and that the other smaller bird was his team mate. Oh fuck….she was not going to win this one. It happened so quickly he wouldn’t have had time to morph if he wanted, not that his bird morph would be able to compete anyway, the burrowing owl was very small, he’d just end up dead. No, it was safer to stay put.
It was too late to step in, Toby was already leaving and Suji looked lifeless. Half of him wanted to chase after Toby, he couldn’t let him go….but he also couldn’t let Suji die, she was dazed and needed his help. Riley cursed himself again, this time aloud as he rushed over to her limp bird form, crouching down beside her. Toby is going to be long gone….or will he? No…he’ll expect this…he’ll be waiting to trap you…he’s no fool…. Part of Riley relaxed on that thought, but the rest of him did not rely on ‘what ifs’ and so continued to feel panic. Raven had been gone for quite some time now; she could very well be dead. No…don’t think like that…
“Suji….Suji you need to demorph, get control, c’mon please Suji,” his voice was quick and held an undertone of urgency to it. “We have to get Raven, we need to get Toby.” Somehow there was a distinct difference between both “gets” used in his sentence, one was to aid and the other was to clearly hurt. His large hand gently nudged the tiny bird, hovering near it's neck, she had a pulse.
Suji:
You can't let him win, a voice inside of her ordered, furious. It pouted, it stamped its feet, like a child throwing a tantrum. He can't win!
But he already had, hadn't he? She might as well give up. She was dying. Suji had been too proud, too arrogant, too sure of herself, and that had been what had done her in. Her calculating ability, and the fact that Toby had foreseen it. That he hadn't meant to hide the trap from her all along--maybe knew he couldn't. So instead he'd worked it in. It was so simple. She'd been played.
No! Nonono. Get up! Demorph! You want to die as a little... a little bird?!
What did it matter if she died as this tiny owl, or as a human, or as a tiger, or as a shark, or as a cockroach.... death was death.
But that sparked a different anger deep down inside of her. It wasn't just pissed with the childish, sore-loser anger that wanted her to go on to spite Toby if nothing else. It was something more real, something more solid. Anger because, as cliche as it sounded, it just wasn't her time. And maybe death was the same if you were a bird or a girl, but there was a difference between getting killed by the Yeerks, and being killed by a murdering traitor.
Oh yes, there was a difference.
Suji began to demorph. It was hard to focus, but she willed herself back into her human body. Just like your flight over here, she kept telling herself. You were so tired, and you'd been morphing so much, but you always got back to your body. Always. And if it hadn't been for all that practice, she might never have been able to do it. As she demorphed, she heard another voice--deeper than Toby's. A large, hand warm moved over her. Riley.
<<The whole thing, it's all a trap...>> her thoughtspeech was weak, wavered. But the demorphing was coming faster now. The bleeding was stopping--her tiny crushed bones were filling, righting themselves, becoming human. At last she was herself again, sitting on the forest floor next to Riley. For a moment she couldn't speak. Then she took a few deep breaths.
"He'll be waiting for you. He's got firepower now, and he's undoubtedly picked up something that will trump whatever you decide to morph." Her voice was quiet, uneasy. She was shaking, and forced herself to stop. Or at least, as much as she could. "If you play dead, he might lead us to Raven."