Tortured Souls
By Dee Allen
Part VIII – The Quickening
Taku Yamagati sat in front of the fireplace. The night was cold and foggy. Closing his
eyes, he could hear the fog horns on the bay. The sounds usually soothed his senses,
but tonight it gave way to the sinister feel of the night air. Yes, it was coming. Change
was in the air.
“It will be anytime now.” He said aloud.
He heard footsteps coming into the room. “Is there anything I can get for you, Mr.
Yamagati?” Candice asked him.
“No thank you, my dear Candice.” Patting her hand. “Why are you wasting your Saturday
night with an old man like me instead of out on the town as you should be?”
“Because, I know what is about to happen.” She replied. “And I know you will need a
friend.” She smiled hugging him from behind.
“It hurts me deeply.” He said with tears in his eyes. “I have loved that girl like my own
child and I know there is nothing I can do to stop it. But it is her prophecy and she has
to endure the pain.”
“Has she learned about Mr. Andrews yet?” Candice asked him.
“No.” His reply was thoughtful. “And we need to keep it that way until the time is right.”
Turning he looked at Candice. “I know you will see to it that it does.”
“Yes, I will.” Candice assured him.
A moment later, the phone rang. He answered it slowly.
“Hello.” He spoke into the receiver.
“Kiyoshi, it’s me, Laura.” He could hear her voice sounded apprehensive and she had
been crying.
“Laura.” He closed his eyes. “What is it?”
“I really need to see you.” She cried into the phone. “I really didn’t mean to call you so
late. I don’t’ know what to do. There are so many things happening and I have nobody
else to talk to.”
“Of course.” He replied. “Meet me in the Marin Headlands at midnight.”
“The Headlands? At midnight?” She repeated incredulity. “You’re shitting me, right. I
know you can see the fog out there?”
“It is no joke, Laura.” He answered dryly. “I know it sounds strange, but I really need
you to trust me. Can you do that?”
“I guess I have no choice.” She answered sounding irritated.
“That’s the girl I know.” He replied. “Midnight. Vista point.”
“I’ll be there.” She hung up.
Mr. Yamagati hung up the phone. His eyes began to fill up with tears.
***
The cold fog cut through her skin like a jagged blade, but Laura could not be more
contented as she rode on the top deck of the ferry. She snuggled under Michael’s
hooded Chicago Bears sweatshirt with her legs under her. Through the fog she could
dimly make out the lights of the city. To this day the lights of San Francisco at night
were the most beautiful sight she had ever seen. She was by herself up on the top
deck of the boat. It could be a dangerous place for a young woman, but tonight she
was in no mood to be messed with, and she pitied anybody who dared to try.
For the first time since she left the seclusion of her house, she was happy Mr.
Yamagati insisted she meet him in Marin County. At first she was angry; after all, it was
closer to his home in Tiburon than it was to hers in Oakland. She really wanted to
spend the evening, drinking an entire bottle of wine to kill her depression of Michael
leaving suddenly, but she obediently took the ferry ride across the bay. However,
there was something restorative about being out in the cold night air in the solitude of
the fog. There were those who thought the fog brought about an evil tone to the night
sky, but to Laura it soothed her angry spirit. She was able to focus and relax for the
first time all day. She was now fairly certain this is why Mr. Yamagati had asked her to
make the journey.
Slowly and thoughtfully she stood up and walked over to the rail. Looking over the
side, she could hear the vessel splashing through the water as it streaked the sides
moving closer to their destination. A sound she loved. The water was choppy tonight
and the winds had picked up. She could see the fog starting to clear in the distance.
Once again starring at the haze of lights she thought of Michael and how she could not
shake the feeling of dread she felt as he left for the airport. When they made love this
afternoon he seemed was again. Perhaps he was not looking forward to his trip to New
York and having to leave her behind again. But as he turned around and walked
through the door, she had a bad feeling like things would never be the same.
Closing her eyes, she a sad smile came across her face as she thought about him.
Every time she looked at him, she fell in love a little bit more. She leaned against the
rail looking across the bay tonight; she could see the light of the moon barely above
the fog like it was melting into the landscape. It had only been a few hours since he
had left her for New York, but she longingly ached for his touch. She snuggled under
his Chicago Bears sweatshirt. It was Raiders territory, she didn’t care; it still smelled
like him. He always loved it when she wore his shirts because he liked the way they
smelled when she gave them back to him.
The sweatshirt reminded her of the day she met him. She thought about the
conversation they had at dinner that night.
“No more!” She laughed when he tried to pour her some more wine. “Oh GOD, no
more! I’m about to go crazy!”
“Are you going to start dancing on the tables?” He asked laughing still trying to give
her more.
“I am liable to do just about anything after I have had more than 2 glasses.” She smiled
mischievously.
“Anything?” He asked hopefully.
“I think your trying to get me drunk so you can take advantage of me.” She teased him.
“Maybe”. He replied softly.
She could tell he was getting turned on thinking about what she would do. And she
wanted to rip his clothes off right then and there. “Lets change the subject...so how
bout them Raiders?”
“I’m a Bears fan.” He replied taking a sip.
“Well there you go, we have something in common already! Both of our teams suck!”
“Hey, speak for yourself!” He laughed. “At least my team has been in a playoff in the
last 5 years!”
“Touche!” She replied taking a sip of wine and clinking glasses with him.
“You know, your cheeks are really pink right now.” He told her sensuously. “Are you
embarrassed?”
“Embarrassed?” She replied. “No. But maybe a little....” She stopped.
He leaned closer to her. “A little….what?” He asked hopefully.
She looked around nervously. “It looks like they are getting ready to close. I think we
better get out of here.”
“Yes.” He agreed looking at her expectantly. “I think we need to get out of
here…NOW!” Looking into his dark, sensuous eyes, she thought she was going to melt
right there. She smiled remembering how it felt when they made love the first time.
Every time got better and better. She knew second she saw his breath-taking smile
that night he was the one she had waited for all her life; her soul mate. His touch set
her soul on fire like nobody ever had before. If he died tomorrow, she knew deep in
her soul she would never love anybody this way again.
The night that had soothed her spirits just a little while ago now left her feeling dark
and lonely again. She sat down on the bench. It was wet, but she didn’t’ care. Burying
her head in her knees, she softly began to cry. “I love you, Michael.” She whispered to
herself.
She was shaken out of her thoughts by the ringing of her phone. She did not recognize
the number, but quickly drying her tears she answered anyway.
“Laura, this is Mohinder Suresh.” Ah, the tall, dark and sexy doctor, she thought to
herself. “I hope I’m not calling you too late.”
“Dr. Suresh.” She smiled. “I thought I had told you I wasn’t interested in being a test
subject.”
“Laura, if you believe that, then you have missed the intention of my visit. I thought I
made it clear I did not wish to use you for an experiment, but to outline your
capabilities.”
“Dr. Suresh….” She began.
“Please Laura, my father was Dr. Suresh, call me Mohinder.”
“Ok, Mohinder.” She replied. “What can you learn from me that you don’t already
know?”
“Well, my interest is in the fact that you appear to be capable of multiple powers.” He
continued. “I only know of two other cases where there are super genomes with
multiple powers. One man who is able to empathically absorb powers from others and
the other…well, he is somehow able to steal the powers of his victims after he kills
them.”
“Sylar.” Laura replied.
“Yes, Sylar. Otherwise known as Gabriel Gray.” He confirmed. “But you are the only
case where I have heard of multiple abilities in an otherwise natural environment. I
want to analyze your DNA and maybe I can find a link between you and the others.”
“Your not going to cut me open or probe my brain, are you?” She asked half joking.
“Oh goodness, no.” He laughed. “This isn’t a Sci-Fi novel”
Recalling her conversation with Michael, she began to laugh as well.
“Ok.” She replied with conviction. “I will submit to a blood test and maybe I’ll pee in a
cup. But you’re not getting my organs!”
“I wouldn’t dream of taking them.” He laughed. “I am staying at the Embarcadero Hyatt.
Give me a call when you are ready.”
“Ok. Good night, Mohinder.” She hung up the phone.
Her ride came to a close when the ferry pulled into the Sausalito harbor. The town of
Sausalito was a small village, the last stop in Marin County before crossing the Golden
Gate bridge into San Francisco. Even this late at night, it was alive with the hustle and
bustle of locals and tourests. She was tempted to take a walk around the village, but
her watch said 11:24. It was time to head up the hill to the lookout point. She hailed a
taxi cab and headed toward the Marin Headlands Vista Point.
**
The taxi drove through the winding roads to the top of the headlands. It was a
dangerous night due to he fog causing low visibility and wet roads. And the diver was
taking the roads a little quicker than Laura would have liked. Finally he came to a stop
at the top of the hill. Laura got out of the taxi and paid the driver.
“Are you sure you want to be alone up here?” He asked her. “It’s not very safe up here
tonight.”
She smiled. “I’ll be fine.”
“Do you want me to wait for you?” The driver asked her.
“No, it’s ok. Really. Thank you though.”
The driver left.
By herself once again, Laura began to walk around. The vista point was a popular make
out spot for the teenage crowd on Saturday nights, but tonight the fog made it a
dangerous drive up. She could see the fog was clearing and right in the middle of the
clearing stood Mr. Yamagati with his arms behind his back waiting for Laura.
Standing before him, she bowed to him.
“Did you bring the talisman?” He asked her.
She pulled the small velvet bag out of her back pack.
“Very good.” He replied bowing back to her. “Tonight will unlock many of it’s secrets.
Are you ready to fulfill your destiny, Renshi Ryan?”
“Fulfill my destiny?” She was completely confused. “Look, I just came here because I
needed to talk! I didn’t sign up for this bullshit!”
“Laura, the confusion you are feeling is because you are coming into your powers.” He
replied thoughtfully. “Your destiny is calling you and you are afraid to embrace it.
Tonight, you must let go of the fear.”
“I like my fear.” She replied. “It is safe and it is all I know.”
“Then you may go!” He replied angrily. “All of the work we have done here has been for
nothing.” He stood up angrily he started to walk away, but to Laura’s astonishment, he
removed his sword from his sheath and brought it down at her head. Laura blocked
and his sword swung out of his hand landing at his feet.
“Quite excellent!” He responded in amazement.
“Can I go now?” Laura asked angrily.
“You may leave anytime you wish.” He told her flatly.
She stood up to leave. Reaching into his coat pocked, he hurled two Kamas at her
back. She turned and grabbed them, doing a back flip. She threw them down at his
feet. “No disrespect Kiyoshi, but I am REALLY in no mood for this. I just want to go
home!”
“So, what is stopping you?” His tone was almost condescending.
“You are!” She shouted. “Every time I try to leave you throw sharp objects at me. I
really don’t want to do this. I just came here because I feel alone. I miss my mom…my
dad…Michael. You are all I have right now.”
“You are acting like a child, Laura.” His words were angry. “You have a destiny. It is
your legacy. And you want to throw it all away to go home and wallow in self pity. Your
mother would be ashamed of you Laura. And I am ashamed of you right now!”
Now Laura was livid.
“You know what?” Seething as she spoke. “You’re ashamed of me? FINE! I’m acting
like a child? Well how in the HELL would I know what that feels like? I have never
gotten to BE a child! My entire life was planned out for me! I didn’t need to be a child
because I was shoved right into adulthood. I was EXPECTED to become the perfect
fighter! It was expected of me again to go to Stanford, even thought I wanted to get
away from home and go to Harvard! I had a full scholarship, you know! And then, BOOM!
My father passes away and I am now expected to become the CEO of his company! I
wasn’t ready! I didn’t want to, but I did it! And through it all, you have all talked about
some fucking destiny that I must fulfill!”
In anger she walked toward him. “Did anybody ask me what I wanted for my life? Don’t
answer that! Nobody asked me! I never WANTED to become a CEO! I never ASKED to
become a warrior! And I never ASKED for this DAMN destiny.”
She began to cry. “All I have ever wanted was just to be who I am! I am NOT a CEO! I
didn’t ask for these damn powers! And I certainly didn’t invite these genetic experts, or
the X-Men or whoever the hell they are, or this goddamned serial killer to track me
down! I...AM...DONE, trying to fit into a mold I was never interested in conforming to in
the first place! I...AM...DONE, running the company for my father...he is never coming
back! And I...AM...DONE being put on a pedestal! I am not a trophy! I am not a science
project! I am Laura Grace Ryan! ” She screamed. “I just want to marry Michael! Get a
dog! Maybe a horse or two! Have babies! I just want out!!! I don’t want any of this
bullshit!!! I...AM...DONE!!!”
As she screamed, lightening bolts lit up the sky and the fog began to dissipate. A cold
wind swept through the headlands almost knocking her over. A glow began to grow
from under her feet and rise up through her body. She was afraid.
“What is happening to me?” She asked Mr. Yamagati.
He smiled and approached her. “The Quickening.”
“Make it stop!”
“There is no stopping it Laura. Tonight you embraced your true self. You have passed
your test.” He walked over with the Talisman in his hand.
“I don’t understand.” Confused she asked him. “I rejected my destiny tonight.”
Mr. Yamagati smiled shaking his head. “Laura, you don’t choose destiny, destiny
chooses you. Tonight you became one with yourself. You stood up to your fears,
rejecting that which holds you down and keeps you from moving forward! That was
your true test. The only barrier that has kept you from finding your true self is you. It is
you who has put up the walls. It is you who has stayed where you are. You have had
the key the entire time. But tonight, you broke down the door and ran right through.
Your powers could not fully manifest until you were ready. Well now, you are ready.”
Removing the Talisman from its velvet bag, he handed it to her. “Accept your power
Laura. It is waiting for you to embrace it.”
Taking the Talisman from him, she walked and stood on the cliff. The fog was blowing
away and she could see the Golden Gate Bridge. The lightening continued to strike.
Intuitively, she took the Talisman in her hands and raised it up over her head;
becoming one with the lightening. Closing her eyes, she felt the glow return to her
body again. This time she let it seize her. It felt warm and powerful. It rose up through
her entire body then up into the Talisman. Suddenly, a bolt of lightening shot up out of
the Talisman into the night sky. Laura spread her arms out and allowed it to surround
her. Tilting her head back, the light once again returned to the Talisman and covered
her body. Then in a flash, it was gone. Overwhelmed, Laura fell to the ground.
Mr. Yamagati ran to his student. But before he could get there, she stood up. He barely
recognized her. There was a new equanimity about her. Only a moment ago a
frightened girl had stood there. But now a confident, poised young woman stood in her
place. There was fire in her eyes.
Mr. Yamagati beamed with pride. “Let’s see what you got!” He challenged her.
“Bring it!” She smiled with confidence.
“Where are you weapons?” He asked her.
“Don’t’ need em!” She replied.
Once again he picked up his sword taking a swing at her. She jumped up in the air
hovering above him kicking the sword out of his hand.
Mr. Yamagati stood in awe. “My God!” He whispered.
“Is that all you got, old man?” She tested him.
Picking up the spear, he ran at her full force. She reached out in tiger’s claw formation;
the spear vaporized. “Sorry…I’ll buy you another one.” She laughed.
“Time to break out the heavy artillery.” He smiled. Reaching into his bag he removed
an array of weapons. Knives, Kamas, Nunchukas, etc. Picking up the knives he began
to quickly hurl them at her. Quicker than lightening, she blocked each knife. One knife
got to her quicker than she could block; to both their astonishment, it bounced off her
skin.
“Cool!” Laura beamed.
Before she could recover, he was behind her with the Nunchukas trying to strangle
her. She closed her eyes; the Nunchukas disappeared from his hands into her hands.
She came at him swinging them.j. He grabbed the ends and tried to flip her over. They
disappeared. She did a triple backflip to the Kamas he had waiting for her. “You should
leave your weapons unattended in the presence of your foe.” She mocked the words
he always tried to instill into her. Kneeling down, she threw them up into the air. She
jumped at least 10 feet into the air doing three backward summersaults and caught the
Kamas in mid air, landing with one knee on the ground.
She stood and bowed to her master.
“No.” Mr. Yamagati stopped her. “It is I who now will bow to you. Take your place
before me.”
Laura was stunned. “I can’t bow to you. You are the master.”
Mr. Yamagati sadly shook his head. “There is no more I can teach you, Renshi. You
have surpassed my knowledge. You have embraced your powers. Our journey
together ends here, tonight.”
“I don’t understand.” She began to cry. “You have been with me almost all my life.
Please, don’t tell me I’m never going to see you again.”
Standing before her, he put his hands on her shoulders. “I will always be there if you
need me, Laura. But tonight, I have taught my last pupil. You are no longer a scion. You
are now completely mature in your power.
He took his Katana sword from his hip, kneeled down and laid it at her feet.
“I can’t take this from you!” Protesting to him. “Your father gave this to you.”
“Laura, my father gave me this sword when he felt I was ready and I had exceeded his
strengths. My wife and I never had children of our own. You were the closest thing I
have ever had to having a daughter. And if you were my daughter, I could not be more
proud of you than I am tonight. Our journey has been long and difficult at times. But
you have weathered every storm.”
He stood before her one last time. “Take the sword Laura. And someday pass it on to
your own child, or one you find worthy. I know you will do it proud.” He held it out to
her. She took it hesitantly at first, but then she removed it from its sheath and studied
it.
“It is a powerful weapon.” She said modestly. “I will cherish it until the day I pass it on.”
She turned to look at him…he was gone.
Again, she was alone. But she was not afraid.
**
Mr. Yamagati walked back into his house. He stood in the doorway and began to weep.
Candice heard him come in. She stood up from where she was reading and walked
over to him. “Are you going to be ok?”
“Of course I will, my dear.” He replied patting her hand.
“Will you see her again?” She asked. “Before…”
“Yes.” His reply was gentle. “She has one more test to go through before she is
complete.”
“To kill Sylar?” Candice asked hopefully.
“No.” Closing his eyes. “To love him.”
“I don’t understand.” She asked confused. “She already does love him.”
Mr. Yamagati did not answer. He only smiled. He began to cough deep in his chest.
“You over did it again.” She scolded him. “You need to get back on the oxygen.”
Candice led Mr. Yamagati down the hall to his room which was set up like a hospital
room. She helped him into his night clothes, then hooked him up to the oxygen. She
put an IV in his arm and gently stroked his head. She knew it would not be much longer.
** END OF CHAPTER VIII **
By Dee Allen
Part VIII – The Quickening
Taku Yamagati sat in front of the fireplace. The night was cold and foggy. Closing his
eyes, he could hear the fog horns on the bay. The sounds usually soothed his senses,
but tonight it gave way to the sinister feel of the night air. Yes, it was coming. Change
was in the air.
“It will be anytime now.” He said aloud.
He heard footsteps coming into the room. “Is there anything I can get for you, Mr.
Yamagati?” Candice asked him.
“No thank you, my dear Candice.” Patting her hand. “Why are you wasting your Saturday
night with an old man like me instead of out on the town as you should be?”
“Because, I know what is about to happen.” She replied. “And I know you will need a
friend.” She smiled hugging him from behind.
“It hurts me deeply.” He said with tears in his eyes. “I have loved that girl like my own
child and I know there is nothing I can do to stop it. But it is her prophecy and she has
to endure the pain.”
“Has she learned about Mr. Andrews yet?” Candice asked him.
“No.” His reply was thoughtful. “And we need to keep it that way until the time is right.”
Turning he looked at Candice. “I know you will see to it that it does.”
“Yes, I will.” Candice assured him.
A moment later, the phone rang. He answered it slowly.
“Hello.” He spoke into the receiver.
“Kiyoshi, it’s me, Laura.” He could hear her voice sounded apprehensive and she had
been crying.
“Laura.” He closed his eyes. “What is it?”
“I really need to see you.” She cried into the phone. “I really didn’t mean to call you so
late. I don’t’ know what to do. There are so many things happening and I have nobody
else to talk to.”
“Of course.” He replied. “Meet me in the Marin Headlands at midnight.”
“The Headlands? At midnight?” She repeated incredulity. “You’re shitting me, right. I
know you can see the fog out there?”
“It is no joke, Laura.” He answered dryly. “I know it sounds strange, but I really need
you to trust me. Can you do that?”
“I guess I have no choice.” She answered sounding irritated.
“That’s the girl I know.” He replied. “Midnight. Vista point.”
“I’ll be there.” She hung up.
Mr. Yamagati hung up the phone. His eyes began to fill up with tears.
***
The cold fog cut through her skin like a jagged blade, but Laura could not be more
contented as she rode on the top deck of the ferry. She snuggled under Michael’s
hooded Chicago Bears sweatshirt with her legs under her. Through the fog she could
dimly make out the lights of the city. To this day the lights of San Francisco at night
were the most beautiful sight she had ever seen. She was by herself up on the top
deck of the boat. It could be a dangerous place for a young woman, but tonight she
was in no mood to be messed with, and she pitied anybody who dared to try.
For the first time since she left the seclusion of her house, she was happy Mr.
Yamagati insisted she meet him in Marin County. At first she was angry; after all, it was
closer to his home in Tiburon than it was to hers in Oakland. She really wanted to
spend the evening, drinking an entire bottle of wine to kill her depression of Michael
leaving suddenly, but she obediently took the ferry ride across the bay. However,
there was something restorative about being out in the cold night air in the solitude of
the fog. There were those who thought the fog brought about an evil tone to the night
sky, but to Laura it soothed her angry spirit. She was able to focus and relax for the
first time all day. She was now fairly certain this is why Mr. Yamagati had asked her to
make the journey.
Slowly and thoughtfully she stood up and walked over to the rail. Looking over the
side, she could hear the vessel splashing through the water as it streaked the sides
moving closer to their destination. A sound she loved. The water was choppy tonight
and the winds had picked up. She could see the fog starting to clear in the distance.
Once again starring at the haze of lights she thought of Michael and how she could not
shake the feeling of dread she felt as he left for the airport. When they made love this
afternoon he seemed was again. Perhaps he was not looking forward to his trip to New
York and having to leave her behind again. But as he turned around and walked
through the door, she had a bad feeling like things would never be the same.
Closing her eyes, she a sad smile came across her face as she thought about him.
Every time she looked at him, she fell in love a little bit more. She leaned against the
rail looking across the bay tonight; she could see the light of the moon barely above
the fog like it was melting into the landscape. It had only been a few hours since he
had left her for New York, but she longingly ached for his touch. She snuggled under
his Chicago Bears sweatshirt. It was Raiders territory, she didn’t care; it still smelled
like him. He always loved it when she wore his shirts because he liked the way they
smelled when she gave them back to him.
The sweatshirt reminded her of the day she met him. She thought about the
conversation they had at dinner that night.
“No more!” She laughed when he tried to pour her some more wine. “Oh GOD, no
more! I’m about to go crazy!”
“Are you going to start dancing on the tables?” He asked laughing still trying to give
her more.
“I am liable to do just about anything after I have had more than 2 glasses.” She smiled
mischievously.
“Anything?” He asked hopefully.
“I think your trying to get me drunk so you can take advantage of me.” She teased him.
“Maybe”. He replied softly.
She could tell he was getting turned on thinking about what she would do. And she
wanted to rip his clothes off right then and there. “Lets change the subject...so how
bout them Raiders?”
“I’m a Bears fan.” He replied taking a sip.
“Well there you go, we have something in common already! Both of our teams suck!”
“Hey, speak for yourself!” He laughed. “At least my team has been in a playoff in the
last 5 years!”
“Touche!” She replied taking a sip of wine and clinking glasses with him.
“You know, your cheeks are really pink right now.” He told her sensuously. “Are you
embarrassed?”
“Embarrassed?” She replied. “No. But maybe a little....” She stopped.
He leaned closer to her. “A little….what?” He asked hopefully.
She looked around nervously. “It looks like they are getting ready to close. I think we
better get out of here.”
“Yes.” He agreed looking at her expectantly. “I think we need to get out of
here…NOW!” Looking into his dark, sensuous eyes, she thought she was going to melt
right there. She smiled remembering how it felt when they made love the first time.
Every time got better and better. She knew second she saw his breath-taking smile
that night he was the one she had waited for all her life; her soul mate. His touch set
her soul on fire like nobody ever had before. If he died tomorrow, she knew deep in
her soul she would never love anybody this way again.
The night that had soothed her spirits just a little while ago now left her feeling dark
and lonely again. She sat down on the bench. It was wet, but she didn’t’ care. Burying
her head in her knees, she softly began to cry. “I love you, Michael.” She whispered to
herself.
She was shaken out of her thoughts by the ringing of her phone. She did not recognize
the number, but quickly drying her tears she answered anyway.
“Laura, this is Mohinder Suresh.” Ah, the tall, dark and sexy doctor, she thought to
herself. “I hope I’m not calling you too late.”
“Dr. Suresh.” She smiled. “I thought I had told you I wasn’t interested in being a test
subject.”
“Laura, if you believe that, then you have missed the intention of my visit. I thought I
made it clear I did not wish to use you for an experiment, but to outline your
capabilities.”
“Dr. Suresh….” She began.
“Please Laura, my father was Dr. Suresh, call me Mohinder.”
“Ok, Mohinder.” She replied. “What can you learn from me that you don’t already
know?”
“Well, my interest is in the fact that you appear to be capable of multiple powers.” He
continued. “I only know of two other cases where there are super genomes with
multiple powers. One man who is able to empathically absorb powers from others and
the other…well, he is somehow able to steal the powers of his victims after he kills
them.”
“Sylar.” Laura replied.
“Yes, Sylar. Otherwise known as Gabriel Gray.” He confirmed. “But you are the only
case where I have heard of multiple abilities in an otherwise natural environment. I
want to analyze your DNA and maybe I can find a link between you and the others.”
“Your not going to cut me open or probe my brain, are you?” She asked half joking.
“Oh goodness, no.” He laughed. “This isn’t a Sci-Fi novel”
Recalling her conversation with Michael, she began to laugh as well.
“Ok.” She replied with conviction. “I will submit to a blood test and maybe I’ll pee in a
cup. But you’re not getting my organs!”
“I wouldn’t dream of taking them.” He laughed. “I am staying at the Embarcadero Hyatt.
Give me a call when you are ready.”
“Ok. Good night, Mohinder.” She hung up the phone.
Her ride came to a close when the ferry pulled into the Sausalito harbor. The town of
Sausalito was a small village, the last stop in Marin County before crossing the Golden
Gate bridge into San Francisco. Even this late at night, it was alive with the hustle and
bustle of locals and tourests. She was tempted to take a walk around the village, but
her watch said 11:24. It was time to head up the hill to the lookout point. She hailed a
taxi cab and headed toward the Marin Headlands Vista Point.
**
The taxi drove through the winding roads to the top of the headlands. It was a
dangerous night due to he fog causing low visibility and wet roads. And the diver was
taking the roads a little quicker than Laura would have liked. Finally he came to a stop
at the top of the hill. Laura got out of the taxi and paid the driver.
“Are you sure you want to be alone up here?” He asked her. “It’s not very safe up here
tonight.”
She smiled. “I’ll be fine.”
“Do you want me to wait for you?” The driver asked her.
“No, it’s ok. Really. Thank you though.”
The driver left.
By herself once again, Laura began to walk around. The vista point was a popular make
out spot for the teenage crowd on Saturday nights, but tonight the fog made it a
dangerous drive up. She could see the fog was clearing and right in the middle of the
clearing stood Mr. Yamagati with his arms behind his back waiting for Laura.
Standing before him, she bowed to him.
“Did you bring the talisman?” He asked her.
She pulled the small velvet bag out of her back pack.
“Very good.” He replied bowing back to her. “Tonight will unlock many of it’s secrets.
Are you ready to fulfill your destiny, Renshi Ryan?”
“Fulfill my destiny?” She was completely confused. “Look, I just came here because I
needed to talk! I didn’t sign up for this bullshit!”
“Laura, the confusion you are feeling is because you are coming into your powers.” He
replied thoughtfully. “Your destiny is calling you and you are afraid to embrace it.
Tonight, you must let go of the fear.”
“I like my fear.” She replied. “It is safe and it is all I know.”
“Then you may go!” He replied angrily. “All of the work we have done here has been for
nothing.” He stood up angrily he started to walk away, but to Laura’s astonishment, he
removed his sword from his sheath and brought it down at her head. Laura blocked
and his sword swung out of his hand landing at his feet.
“Quite excellent!” He responded in amazement.
“Can I go now?” Laura asked angrily.
“You may leave anytime you wish.” He told her flatly.
She stood up to leave. Reaching into his coat pocked, he hurled two Kamas at her
back. She turned and grabbed them, doing a back flip. She threw them down at his
feet. “No disrespect Kiyoshi, but I am REALLY in no mood for this. I just want to go
home!”
“So, what is stopping you?” His tone was almost condescending.
“You are!” She shouted. “Every time I try to leave you throw sharp objects at me. I
really don’t want to do this. I just came here because I feel alone. I miss my mom…my
dad…Michael. You are all I have right now.”
“You are acting like a child, Laura.” His words were angry. “You have a destiny. It is
your legacy. And you want to throw it all away to go home and wallow in self pity. Your
mother would be ashamed of you Laura. And I am ashamed of you right now!”
Now Laura was livid.
“You know what?” Seething as she spoke. “You’re ashamed of me? FINE! I’m acting
like a child? Well how in the HELL would I know what that feels like? I have never
gotten to BE a child! My entire life was planned out for me! I didn’t need to be a child
because I was shoved right into adulthood. I was EXPECTED to become the perfect
fighter! It was expected of me again to go to Stanford, even thought I wanted to get
away from home and go to Harvard! I had a full scholarship, you know! And then, BOOM!
My father passes away and I am now expected to become the CEO of his company! I
wasn’t ready! I didn’t want to, but I did it! And through it all, you have all talked about
some fucking destiny that I must fulfill!”
In anger she walked toward him. “Did anybody ask me what I wanted for my life? Don’t
answer that! Nobody asked me! I never WANTED to become a CEO! I never ASKED to
become a warrior! And I never ASKED for this DAMN destiny.”
She began to cry. “All I have ever wanted was just to be who I am! I am NOT a CEO! I
didn’t ask for these damn powers! And I certainly didn’t invite these genetic experts, or
the X-Men or whoever the hell they are, or this goddamned serial killer to track me
down! I...AM...DONE, trying to fit into a mold I was never interested in conforming to in
the first place! I...AM...DONE, running the company for my father...he is never coming
back! And I...AM...DONE being put on a pedestal! I am not a trophy! I am not a science
project! I am Laura Grace Ryan! ” She screamed. “I just want to marry Michael! Get a
dog! Maybe a horse or two! Have babies! I just want out!!! I don’t want any of this
bullshit!!! I...AM...DONE!!!”
As she screamed, lightening bolts lit up the sky and the fog began to dissipate. A cold
wind swept through the headlands almost knocking her over. A glow began to grow
from under her feet and rise up through her body. She was afraid.
“What is happening to me?” She asked Mr. Yamagati.
He smiled and approached her. “The Quickening.”
“Make it stop!”
“There is no stopping it Laura. Tonight you embraced your true self. You have passed
your test.” He walked over with the Talisman in his hand.
“I don’t understand.” Confused she asked him. “I rejected my destiny tonight.”
Mr. Yamagati smiled shaking his head. “Laura, you don’t choose destiny, destiny
chooses you. Tonight you became one with yourself. You stood up to your fears,
rejecting that which holds you down and keeps you from moving forward! That was
your true test. The only barrier that has kept you from finding your true self is you. It is
you who has put up the walls. It is you who has stayed where you are. You have had
the key the entire time. But tonight, you broke down the door and ran right through.
Your powers could not fully manifest until you were ready. Well now, you are ready.”
Removing the Talisman from its velvet bag, he handed it to her. “Accept your power
Laura. It is waiting for you to embrace it.”
Taking the Talisman from him, she walked and stood on the cliff. The fog was blowing
away and she could see the Golden Gate Bridge. The lightening continued to strike.
Intuitively, she took the Talisman in her hands and raised it up over her head;
becoming one with the lightening. Closing her eyes, she felt the glow return to her
body again. This time she let it seize her. It felt warm and powerful. It rose up through
her entire body then up into the Talisman. Suddenly, a bolt of lightening shot up out of
the Talisman into the night sky. Laura spread her arms out and allowed it to surround
her. Tilting her head back, the light once again returned to the Talisman and covered
her body. Then in a flash, it was gone. Overwhelmed, Laura fell to the ground.
Mr. Yamagati ran to his student. But before he could get there, she stood up. He barely
recognized her. There was a new equanimity about her. Only a moment ago a
frightened girl had stood there. But now a confident, poised young woman stood in her
place. There was fire in her eyes.
Mr. Yamagati beamed with pride. “Let’s see what you got!” He challenged her.
“Bring it!” She smiled with confidence.
“Where are you weapons?” He asked her.
“Don’t’ need em!” She replied.
Once again he picked up his sword taking a swing at her. She jumped up in the air
hovering above him kicking the sword out of his hand.
Mr. Yamagati stood in awe. “My God!” He whispered.
“Is that all you got, old man?” She tested him.
Picking up the spear, he ran at her full force. She reached out in tiger’s claw formation;
the spear vaporized. “Sorry…I’ll buy you another one.” She laughed.
“Time to break out the heavy artillery.” He smiled. Reaching into his bag he removed
an array of weapons. Knives, Kamas, Nunchukas, etc. Picking up the knives he began
to quickly hurl them at her. Quicker than lightening, she blocked each knife. One knife
got to her quicker than she could block; to both their astonishment, it bounced off her
skin.
“Cool!” Laura beamed.
Before she could recover, he was behind her with the Nunchukas trying to strangle
her. She closed her eyes; the Nunchukas disappeared from his hands into her hands.
She came at him swinging them.j. He grabbed the ends and tried to flip her over. They
disappeared. She did a triple backflip to the Kamas he had waiting for her. “You should
leave your weapons unattended in the presence of your foe.” She mocked the words
he always tried to instill into her. Kneeling down, she threw them up into the air. She
jumped at least 10 feet into the air doing three backward summersaults and caught the
Kamas in mid air, landing with one knee on the ground.
She stood and bowed to her master.
“No.” Mr. Yamagati stopped her. “It is I who now will bow to you. Take your place
before me.”
Laura was stunned. “I can’t bow to you. You are the master.”
Mr. Yamagati sadly shook his head. “There is no more I can teach you, Renshi. You
have surpassed my knowledge. You have embraced your powers. Our journey
together ends here, tonight.”
“I don’t understand.” She began to cry. “You have been with me almost all my life.
Please, don’t tell me I’m never going to see you again.”
Standing before her, he put his hands on her shoulders. “I will always be there if you
need me, Laura. But tonight, I have taught my last pupil. You are no longer a scion. You
are now completely mature in your power.
He took his Katana sword from his hip, kneeled down and laid it at her feet.
“I can’t take this from you!” Protesting to him. “Your father gave this to you.”
“Laura, my father gave me this sword when he felt I was ready and I had exceeded his
strengths. My wife and I never had children of our own. You were the closest thing I
have ever had to having a daughter. And if you were my daughter, I could not be more
proud of you than I am tonight. Our journey has been long and difficult at times. But
you have weathered every storm.”
He stood before her one last time. “Take the sword Laura. And someday pass it on to
your own child, or one you find worthy. I know you will do it proud.” He held it out to
her. She took it hesitantly at first, but then she removed it from its sheath and studied
it.
“It is a powerful weapon.” She said modestly. “I will cherish it until the day I pass it on.”
She turned to look at him…he was gone.
Again, she was alone. But she was not afraid.
**
Mr. Yamagati walked back into his house. He stood in the doorway and began to weep.
Candice heard him come in. She stood up from where she was reading and walked
over to him. “Are you going to be ok?”
“Of course I will, my dear.” He replied patting her hand.
“Will you see her again?” She asked. “Before…”
“Yes.” His reply was gentle. “She has one more test to go through before she is
complete.”
“To kill Sylar?” Candice asked hopefully.
“No.” Closing his eyes. “To love him.”
“I don’t understand.” She asked confused. “She already does love him.”
Mr. Yamagati did not answer. He only smiled. He began to cough deep in his chest.
“You over did it again.” She scolded him. “You need to get back on the oxygen.”
Candice led Mr. Yamagati down the hall to his room which was set up like a hospital
room. She helped him into his night clothes, then hooked him up to the oxygen. She
put an IV in his arm and gently stroked his head. She knew it would not be much longer.
** END OF CHAPTER VIII **
