Underground (Pt. 1)

“Easy Riven” Mark called out as he approached from the shadows “what brings you boys to my neck of the wood”

Riven’s ears perked up as he calmed, but he stayed in his crouched position. “We need a place to lay low for a bit. Plus, these two need somewhere they can feel safe.” He gestured toward Joel and Radar. “I’m always fine on my own, but they’re still kids…they need a chance to be kids.”

“Let's get you three inside” Mark replied in a caring tone gesturing for them to follow him into the secret tunnels.

Riven gestured for Joel and Radar to go first just to be safe. He’d take up the rear to make sure no one would get them from behind…

Leading through a series of winding tunnels they eventually arrived in the underground.

That was where a few guards would greet them with scanners and guns, all human and loyal to Delilah. Skorn glanced toward them with a grin on his face, having just stepped out with a backpack slung over his shoulder. “Finally got them here, Mark?” He asked with a chuckle. “I’m off to get some medical supplies to Gelf. Stay out of trouble.”

Riven only watched Skorn in silence, keeping himself between the man and the two teens he felt a constant need to protect as if they were his brothers.

“It's alright Riven Skorn means well” Mark assured him as they entered “I'm glad you guys decided to join us I know it's much harder for animal trait metas up there.”

“I don't have an issue biting someone's throat out…” Riven muttered as he followed. He'd been treated like an animal and retaliated like one to get people to leave him alone. When it came to those he considered to be part of his pack, though, he would keep them safe at all costs. “So, is this place safe?”

“Safest place you can be outside of leaving the country” Mark replied heading towards Delilah's office “we made sure to have contingency plans for every single scenario.”

“I’m holding you to that…” Riven muttered.

The door of the room opened to reveal a blond woman, her blue eyes scanning over the men outside her door. “Welcome,” She said in a kind voice.

It was Delilah.

Mark smiled at her as he led them in “these are the three I was telling you about Radar, Riven, and Joel.”

“I know Riven from the reports,” Delilah replied calmly as she turned and made her way to the desk in the middle of the room. She brushed long blond hair off her shoulder as she took a seat in the single chair behind it. In front of the desk we're four chairs the men could sit in. “Please, sit. We need to talk about the arrangements. Thank you for bringing them, Mark.” When she spoke his name there was a hint of adoration in her voice.

Mark lightly blushed as the others sat down.

“You're willing to help us?” Joel asked nervously.

“Of course I am,” Delilah replied with kindness. “My goal is to make it possible for metas to live without the concern of judgment. I want a world where metas and humans can live together in peace. I know it’s going to be very difficult to achieve, but I’m determined and I offer safety to any who need it.”

Riven chose to stay standing by the door, leaning on the wall with his arms crossed. “What about those locked up in facilities?” He inquired.

“We have teams out doing all they can to assist them.” Delilah explained. “It’s not easy, but we have some people that work from the inside. They send us information…like this.” She pulled up something on her computer and turned the screen around so they all could see the security footage of guards and metas at a very icy cold facility. “Klaire, James, Alex and Ami got us this information. Mark, think you can pinpoint where? Dr. Chi said that Alex mentioned we should look into places with a lot of power output.”

“I'll see if I can hack into some satellites then something outputting that amount of power would light up like a Christmas tree on thermals” Mark replied studying the video.

“We swiped some hard drives from megacorp” Radar piped up.

Mark nodded “I'll take a look at them as well see what I can find on him”

“How can I help?” Joel asked looking at Delilah.

“Well, everyone helps out around here, so it all depends on your skills.” Delilah said calmly. “Riven, for example, is going to probably keep going out to do field work since he doesn’t seem too comfortable staying in one place.”

“Got that right,” Riven said.

“I don't know much skills outside of surviving in the forest for years after losing my parents” he admitted.

“Do you know how to hunt?” Delilah asked.

Joel nodded “had to get food somewhere the nearby towns weren't so welcoming.”

“Towns are never welcoming to us…” Riven muttered.

“And you?” Delilah gestured to Radar.

“I can tinker with tech. I've helped us get some money by flipping junk electronics.” he answered.

“We can find a place in the tech department for you. In fact, you might be of great help for Mark.” Delilah said, gesturing to the man.

“It'll take a load off me” he admitted giving her a wink “maybe open up some time in my schedule for dinner. “

Delilah batted her eyes at Mark. “Very cute.” She commented.

“I'll show Radar around the workshop and pick you up at your room later?”he asked.

Joel glanced at the two of them before looking at Riven.

“Sounds good to me.” Delilah explained. “Riven, I will show you and Joel to the teams heading out to collect information, hunt, etc. You good with that?”

“Yeah,” Riven said, glancing back at Joel. “You good with being on a hunting team?”

Joel nodded ears perking up “I'm a little rusty but yeah.”

Mark smiled at her answer looking forward to their date.

“They’ll help you catch up,” Delilah said. “Besides, you have Riven with you.”

“I’ll help,” Riven said, patting Joel’s back as they started out of the room with Delilah. He hide his hands in his jeans pockets and sighed heavily.

Joel smiled as he followed the two. Meanwhile Mark brought Radar and the hard drives to the workshop to go through.

Delilah introduced them to the others and even took them to meet Dr. Chi. “He may not look it but he's a brilliant therapist and psychiatrist. He's been working with patients even before his meta abilities manifested.” She explained.

“Hello, gentlemen,” Dr. Chi said politely.

“Nice to meet you” Joel said shyly.

“Hey doc” Radar cheerfully greeted.

“If either of you are in need of therapy or wish to simply talk to get something off your shoulders I’m always around.” Dr. Chi said and ruffled his feathers a little to get them comfortable. Lifting one wing, he turned his head to fix something.

“I know he may appear a bit comical, but Dr. Chi here is the best.” Delilah said with a caring smile.

“Perhaps once we settle in” Joel mumbled.

Leaning over to Delilah and whispered “he's a bit slow on trusting people.”

“Weren't you like this when we first met?” Delilah whispered to Mark.

Riven patted Joel’s arm. “You're safe here, brat.”

Mark nodded memories of how he acted “Yeah was so used to being on the run”

Joel nodded feeling calmed by Riven assurance.