Chapter Fifty-Four - Old Friend

Zackariah Kalaraja

I felt to my side for my walking stick, scowling as I couldn't feel it. The morning was cold, Lucie must have left the window open last night. I finally found the cane and used it to push myself off of the bed. The sounds of clanging pots and the smell of her cooking led me through the house as if by a rope. I ignored the stinging of my eyes and instead, focused on that beautiful smell.

"I didn't expect to see you this early," Lucie stated and I could sense the happiness in her voice.

"The smell woke me, it smells delicious," I turned, looking to the direction of her voice amongst the other sounds in the kitchen. "Don't tell me, bacon, hash browns, and eggs."

"Nothing gets past you, does it? And this was supposed to be a surprise."

"Don't pout. Wait, are you pouting?" Silence answered that question. "But the gesture is much appreciated, I can go back to bed and pretend if you want."

"Little point in that now that you are up, sit down and I will dish up your meal in a moment." A few more moments passed by in silent serenity until it was shattered by Lucie, "KIDS!" Lucie shouted which instantly caused the background noise of the TV to quieten considerably.

"Yeah mum!" the twins shouted in unison.

"Breakfast is ready!"

Timothy Graham

The house was ordinary, but the quiet was all but. I looked over to the other officers who sat in the back of the police van, ready to storm the house. Like me, the unease was plastered on their faces.

"Graham, you are to take the lead," Sgt Barrows ordered and I looked at him aghast. "Wipe that expression off of your face, it's no secret that the higher ups want to promote you, so I am giving you the chance to prove yourself." I felt a congratulatory clap on my back as Jacobs and the other officers' expressions changed, "hey, settle it down, it's not official yet, but with everything going on, we need more people in a position of power."

"Is he being promoted for pity then sir ?" Jacobs joked which caused the sergeant to cast a stern glare at the man.

"I would be glad to take point sergeant." I stated, pride showing on my face.

"Good, it wasn't a request, but good all the same," a knock sounded on the front of the van which echoed around the steel box. Barrows looked to his watch, nodding to himself, "Okay it's closing in on half ten, when we reach the -" another knock sounded on the back doors of the van which caused myself and the others in the van to jump at the unexpected nature of the sound.

"Hello? Anyone home?" The voice sounded on the other side of the door and I turned to Barrows, raising an eyebrow, but he merely looked annoyed, more than anything else. He stepped past me and flung the door open and we were greeted with the lone form of a man just past his teens, or in his early twenties at very least.

"I hope you have a good reason for interrupting?" Barrows muttered in that tone of his that made even the higher ups back down, but the youth simply shrugged.

"Yes, I was wondering if this is the address of Mr Kalaraja?" He asked unperturbed by the imposing form of Sargent Barrows.

"It is, but why does that mean anything of yours?"

"He is an old friend of mine." I looked down at Jacobs who seemed to stiffen at the words. I held my hand open to him and slowly shook my head. We weren't briefed much about the crimes of the man we are to detain, just that he was dangerous and to be ready.

"Old friend you say, then you can come with us."

"That would be great, but could you tell me what he has done?" the stranger asked and I saw Barrows go for the taser on his hip.

"Who are you?"

"I told you already, I'm an old -"

"We never told you we were here for him."

"But you made it pretty god damn obvious, Kalaraja isn't a particularly common English name, even more so considering he's an immigrant." Barrows pulled out his taser and pointed it at the man, "Oh come on, is that necessary?"

"On the floor, NOW!" he ordered, but the man just stared at the taser, smirking.

"I really wouldn't," he stated with an aura of pretentiousness, and I found myself staring at what happened next. The prongs of the taser met its mark, causing the man to wince, but the man just plucked them out shortly after, dropping them to the floor.

"What?" Barrows muttered, looking at the taser.

"I know you might have issues with performance, but I assure you, it worked as intended." The stranger displayed his fingers, and bolts of electricity laced his fingers like the webbed feet of frogs. "It's just that electricity doesn't really do much to me now."

"What are you?"

"That's rude," he bowed theatrically, "Harry Gallagher, at your service." Then electricity washed over the van and pain shot through me.

Harry Gallagher

T2 2025 - I closed the doors of the police van, it would take much longer until the corpses were found at this rate, but that will give me time to say hello at least. I walked towards Zakhariah's address and knocked at the door. A few moments later, he opened it and I looked upon his familiar face with a smile.

"Hello?" he asked, looking past the doorway at me and to my sides, his milky eyes showing him the same darkness that I felt inside.

"Mr Kalaraja, I am Harry Gallagher, It's nice to meet you," I held out my hand and guided it towards Zakhariahs as he also held his open.

"Urm, hello Mr Gallagher, I hope this isn't a sales visit since I wouldn't be-"

"Rest assured, I am not here to sell you some useless trite, I am here to help you."

"Help me? I don't need any help."

"Even though it may seem like it, I assure you, you will need my help," I looked past him, into the kitchen and saw a sight that I was all too familiar with.

"Who is it honey?" the corpse said, the decomposed face flaking off with each movement.

"I'm a friend, and although this may seem odd, but I really am here to help, here-" I produced a card and handed it to him. "If you call that number, I will come help you with whatever you need."

"I'm sorry, but my eyes."

"I know, I've made it in braille just for yourself, if you are ever lost, or need help with anything and I mean anything, I will be there for you." I turned from the door and started to walk away, "Have a good breakfast Zakariah." I stalked further down the road and found Isaac waiting for me.

"You ready?"

"As ready as I can ever be, you seem, different."

"A, realisation, hit me, I think I understand you more now."

"Really ? and why is that?"

"I'm not one hundred percent sure myself, but I think I now know what I need to do."