not yet

"You're a good friend, Lena."

"I wish."

"Don't beat yourself up about it." He wiped his hands dry.

Lena shuffled cautiously and watched him. She knew his acumen in situations like this made him superior, but it also made him predictable. If she could play along long enough for him to let his guard down; she would have a chance. By the second, however, the task became more and more arduous. He was good mood. These moods were often ephemeral though.

"Shall we?"

Lena smiled and took his outstretched hand.

"There's a corner store we passed on our way here. Hopefully, they have some of your favorite soda pop."

She needed to act normal, "no one calls it soda pop anymore."

"I still do." He chuckled lightly.

"Yeah, because you're old," she rubbed the back of her neck, "and from New Jersey."

"Hey, I love-"

"Excuse me. Sorry to bother you both, but I'm looking for my son, Ross."

She was decrepit woman with a cane and dark clothing. She held a picture of Ross, looking between them with hoping they knew something.

They did.

They knew all about Ross.

"He left the house yesterday and never came back home. I'm worried he is in trouble with Bonds, again. Please help me find him."

He squeezed her hand. Lena looked past the old woman at the empty street.

"I am sorry, ma'm. We have not seen your son."

"Are you sure?" Her voice seemed to grow younger. It was steady and strong now.

"Yes. We-"

She raised her hand slowly and mumbled unknown words under her breath. A second later, the horrible sound of his scream filled the air. He crumbled to the ground, holding his hand. It was twisted unnaturally. He rapped the ground until his other hand until it bled.

"KILL HER!"

Lena took several steps away. She moved her hand toward her.

"No. You do not understand, I was going to kill him. I was going-"

Air ceased to move through her lungs. Lena clutched her neck, scratching in an frenzied effort to let oxygen in.

She moved her hand back to him and slowly closed her fist. She could hear the sounds of his bones grinding and snapping in his bloodied hand as if twisted. His skin tore and blood escaped coloring the ground red. Then it came off.

The true sound of horror was all Lena heard as her vision blurred.

The woman towered over him, "I hate liars."

She balled her fist and yanked it back as if there was an imaginary rope around his neck. His head flew off.

"Stand." The woman looked toward Lena.

She stood groggily. The woman ambled toward her with a scowl.

"Stupid girl. You should have ended him when his back was turned."

Lena, slumped and drained, tried keep her eyes open.

"You... k-killed him." She breathed each word out harshly.

"Yes I did."

She sighed and stuck her hands in her jacket.

"And you are next."

"You made me... scratch my neck up. That is just rude."

Lena pulled out her revolver. She pushed it against the woman's forehead.

"You think that will kill me?" The woman smirked.

"Yes." Lena pulled the trigger. The woman's head snapped back followed by her body. She struggled to keep her balance as she wiped small droplets of blood off her face.

"I need to get out of the city."

./.