Alec finished his packing a few hours before it was time to leave. Unlike the first time he had prepared to go off to Helix, however, this time he felt a surge of excitement pending his return. He had gotten used to being there, was even starting to enjoy his time there — from the excellent food to the entertaining classes in which they explored different training scenarios and the many intriguing devices stored in the Armoury, to the friends he had made while there. And especially the lessons in which he learned more about his abilities. He was even more enthusiastic now, after his encounter with Proxima Venus, to find out what else he could do.

Plus, he had other priorities. There was still much more to unearth about Atropos and the Black Covenant's plans, and he couldn't do much here, where he was under constant scrutiny from both his parents and Hartley, not to mention the watchful gazes of his nosey neighbours.

But while he was excited to return, it was not the reason he had gotten up before dawn to pack. There was something else he needed to do, something quite detached from his current life dabbling in Heroics, before he could even think of embarking on another term at a school floating in the middle of the ocean.

He showered, dressed, and went down the hall, where he knocked on Hartley's door. His bodyguard appeared at the door almost immediately, his bulk almost filling the entire door frame. He had abandoned his usual shades, and his uncovered eyes peered down at Alec in curiosity, deepset and pitch-black.

"I'm done packing," Alec told him.

"Already?" Hartley looked both surprised and a little impressed. "Not bad. We might be able to make good time."

"Yeah, but there's something I need to do before we're ready to leave."

Hartley leaned against the door frame, folding his arms across his enormous chest with a sigh of resigned exasperation, as if he had been expecting something like this. "Which is?"

"I need to see Dusty," Alec said. The words came out much heavier than he had imagined they would, as if he himself was feeling some opposition to the idea. "He was a jerk last time we met, no doubt about that, but we've been friends since we were in diapers. I can't just leave things like this, knowing I'll be gone for another few months."

"And you're telling me this now because you don't want me following you around, correct?" Hartley's tone was completely blank. Alec opened his mouth quickly to explain, but Hartley held up a hand to silence him. "No need. I understand. Doesn't mean I like it though. Last time you went ahead to do something without me you ended up fighting two members of the League."

"And I learned more about my powers," Alec said, in a "look at the bright side" kind of voice.

Hartley narrowed his eyes and stared at Alec for a few seconds. "I'm gonna regret this, aren't I?"

"Most likely." Alec shrugged.

"Fine. You have an hour to meet up with your friend and say what you need to. But then you need to be back here so we can leave for the Hydraloop. And if you're not, I'm gonna come looking for you, and drag you back by the ankle."

Alec shrugged again. "Sounds fair."

Hartley held up a finger and moved backwards into the room, then reappeared holding one of the League communication devices. He fiddled with a dial on the screen, then dropped it in Alec's palm. "If anything happens — and I mean anything — call me. All right? Be careful."

Alec nodded, Hartley disappeared into his room again, and Alec hurried off to confront his best friend.

It felt strange to walk these streets again after such a long time, but the memory of where he was headed had been imprinted so vividly in his mind it was like a map had been tattooed on his brain. The roads were lined with trees on either side, their leaves yellowing in the autumn wind. Down the car-packed road he went, munching on a piece of toast he had brought for breakfast, and trying to dodge his neighbours. Alec ducked behind trees whenever he noticed movement on the verandas, started walking much faster before they could see him, trying to communicate in a polite but firm way that he was far too busy to answer their long-awaited questions about his whereabouts these past few months.

But none of it worked. In fact, the harder he tried to get away, the more determined his old neighbours seemed to become to get him to stay and talk. But he had no time for this, and as much as he regretted it, ended up blowing them off much more rudely than he had intended.

He would apologize on the way back, if anything. After escaping from another ring of neighbours, who were most intent on hearing his gossip, he relaxed. The people this far out and his own family were more acquaintances than friends, and settled for a simple wave.

The sun was rising steadily, the shadows on the ground sharpening as the rays of sunlight thickened, and more and more people were emerging from their homes, rushing off to work with their hands full of suitcases or with phones at their ears. Yet even before the building had reached his sights, he knew that Dusty's mother wouldn't be among these bustling, smartly dressed workers.

The house stood at the end of a long track of gravel, not necessarily decrepit, but also not very well furnished. The walls were a pale peach colour, in need of a repainting, or at least a deep scrubbing. Curtains had been drawn behind all the visible windows, and a small, light brown terrier was dozing on the front porch.

Bullet had always been very aggressive, but never violent enough to pose a physical threat. As Alec approached, his feet crunching on the gravel, Bullet jerked awake, and without waiting to see who dared to advance into his territory, began to bark.

"Yeah, and I missed you so much, too," Alec muttered. He exhaled. Alec began to move towards the porch, intending to knock, but then, taking him aback, Bullet wound himself through the small curves in the tiny gate and launched himself at Alec. The dog's teeth grazed his skin, but Alec reacted instinctively, kicking the animal away with a shout of pain.

But Bullet did not waver. He redoubled, then came streaking towards Alec again. Alec, who was kneeling, nursing the injured area, had the first instinct to scoop up a handful of stones and toss them at him, but at the last moment he had another idea.

He clapped his hand onto the pavement and willed the stone to cover his skin. Bullet clamped down on his leg furiously, then yelped in pain and rushed away, howling.

The door flew open, and a woman with raggedy, shoulder-length blonde hair appeared, looking cross. Luckily for Alec, Bullet was still yelping, for her eyes were drawn to the source of the noise rather than the rock-skinned youth kneeling on her lawn.

"What is going on out here?" she yelled.

By the time she caught sight of Alec, the earth had faded from his skin, but by the line of confusion that had drawn across her brow, he supposed she might have caught a glimpse of something and was wondering whether or not she had really seen it.

Alec stood up quickly. "Sorry, Mrs. Parkinson. I wanted to speak to Dusty."

"Alec?" she said, squinting at him as if unsure he was really there. "That you? You got big, didn't you? What were they feeding you up wherever you've been?"

Alec gave a vague shrug, smiling slightly.

"Well, sorry to say, but Daniel isn't here. He left about an hour or so ago."

Alec's heart sank. He had missed him.

"He said he was heading out to do something with a group of friends and be back soon. You're welcome to wait inside if you like."

"Oh, sure."

Bullet had calmed down, but while he clearly wasn't keen to resume his attack while his owner stood before him, he eyed Alec shrewdly as he passed. The inside of the house was far more presentable than the exterior, but still had its own problems. The air smelled of a peculiar mix of cigarette smoke and cleaning products. While Dusty's mother had an . . . interesting personality, she always had been a hopeless neat freak. She had never really been a "bum," per say, but she, like many others, which Alec had the utmost sympathy for, struggled, especially with the unexpected passing of Dusty's father a few years back.

She had always tried for better, but apparently nothing had ever really connected, which had dulled her vibrant personality, throwing her into a void that only the smoke could fill. And causing her to have a detached relationship with her son. Everyone coped differently, he supposed, but now it seemed like she had simply given up.

Mrs. Parkinson led him through the narrow hallways and into the living room, where she guided him onto one of the small, maroon sofa pieces, and she took the other.

"You woke me up, you know," were the first words she spoke. Her tone was so matter-of-fact that Alec was surprised. It was well past ten o'clock, and she had still been sleeping?

"Sorry," Alec said. "But this was important."

She went on as if she had not heard anything Alec had said. "I stayed up all night, waiting for him to come back."

By "him," Alec assumed she meant Dusty.

"Wasn't until six this morning that he came wandering in. I wouldn't have even known about it either, if it weren't for Bullet barking again. He came in perfectly silent, didn't say anything at all to me." She sighed. "He comes in whenever he pleases, leaves the same way. He thinks I don't care."

"Do you?" Alec said. He didn't want to sound rude, but the words came tumbling out before he could stop them.

"I do," she said, staring at the other wall. "Of course I do. But, how can I scold him for coming home late when I know it's because he doesn't want to be around me? I wouldn't want to be around me."

Alec didn't say anything, but thankfully she didn't seem to need a response. She heaved a great sigh, as if she had been holding it in for hours, and shook her head. Then, with a speed she had not shown this entire time, she wheeled around to face him and grabbed his wrist, making him jump slightly. "I don't know what's going to happen to him," she said, with a newfound urgency. "Ever since a few months ago, he's been different. Hanging out with some strange boys."

Alec suddenly remembered the group of thuggish-looking youths he had seen Dusty with, when he had first returned to the city with Damon.

"I've tried to talk to him, but he doesn't listen to me," his mother went on. "But maybe he'll listen to —"

"He won't," Alec said flatly. A mixture of shock and disappointment shrouded her face like a tangible mask. She mouthed soundlessly, looking confused. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Parkinson, but we're not exactly on the best terms. That's why I came here, to talk to him before I left again."

"Try, please," she pleaded, her eyes large in desperation. It was almost pitiful, the way she clung onto his arm like a child, the way her face was screwed up as if she was barely holding back tears, but Alec was too kind to say any of this. Instead, he sighed.

"I will."

She nodded and released him.

"Well, I'd better get going if I want to catch him. Maybe I'll find him in the town." Alec stood up.

Mrs. Parkinson nodded again, then spoke, sounding as if she had a severe cold. "Walk around the back, will you? Bullet's been of his rocker lately too."

Alec took the path she indicated, but as his fingers closed around the door handle, he turned and took one last look at her. She had returned to her blank stare at the opposite wall, but now a tear was trickling down her face. Alec sighed again, then left the room.

The walk back to his neighbourhood seemed to take no time at all. The neighbours had disappeared, thankfully, and the streets were deserted. It was almost strange, but Alec wasn't complaining. He half-walked, half-ran along the path, the abnormally hot sun searing his neck, wishing he'd at least brought a hat.

He would have to remember to pack one into his suitcase when he got back home, that was, if Helix even allowed them. As his thoughts slipped back to his school, he remembered his friends. He had received a message from them the previous evening, explaining that they would have to return home to finish their own preparations, and that he would see them at Helix.

Quite soon, his house came into view. Alec could do well with a cold glass of juice and a short nap before it was time for departure. But before he had even reached the front door —

"Excuse me?"

The voice suddenly cut through the silence, soft and covered with honey, and Alec froze. He looked around for the person who had spoken and his eyes landed on a woman standing at the end of the driveway. Her hair was long, blonde, and, unlike Dusty's mother's, flowing in sleek sheets to her elbows, over a thick, cinnamon-coloured jacket. She was a pretty woman, but unfamiliar, with large blue eyes.

That was odd. There had been no one around when he'd been walking up the street. There was something strange about her smile as well. It seemed forced, as if it was causing her some form of pain to maintain it. Alec would know. He had smiled that same smile while he spoke to most of his neighbours a while ago.

"Can I help you?" Alec said politely.

"I was hoping you could," said the woman. "I'm new to the neighbourhood, and I wanted to introduce myself. To you, that is. I've already met your parents. They told me that you're currently attending a prestigious boarding school? I'd love to hear about it."

The collars of her jacket were standing upright, completely covering her neck. But from the vantage point of the steps, he could see what looked like a sliver of a large, angry-looking lump across her neck. Between her surprisingly forward request, and the shadow of what looked like a terrible scar on her neck, he was liking this situation less and less by the second.

"I'm sorry, but I really have to get packing. I have to leave soon." Alec turned around.

"Oh, don't be like that," she said, appearing at the foot of the steps and batting her eyelashes at him. "I'm sure you can spare a few minutes."

Alec stared at her. At her long, blonde hair, her bright blue eyes, the scar on her neck, which he could see quite clearly now. . . . The scar. . . .

"I'm sorry, I can't," he said hurriedly, and he turned away again.

"You're not going anywhere," she snarled, and she grabbed his hand. Quick as a flash, he reached up and pulled back her collar, wanting to make completely sure. The skin of her neck looked as if a flamethrower had been passed over it. But the scar continued, trailing down past her collarbone. She wrenched her collar free of his grip, but he flung up his other arm and smashed his elbow into her face, knocking her onto the grass with a groan of pain.

"I'll admit, you almost had me there," Alec said. "But I'd recognize that scar pattern anywhere. You got it in a fight with Black Nova three years ago."

The woman sprung to her feet, her teeth bared in a growl.

"You're looking a little peachy, Imrys. Is it the heat?" he said, with mock sympathy.

She lunged at him, but he dashed inside, slammed the door behind him and bolted it.

"Mom! Dad! Hartley!" Alec shouted, while the Villainess pounded against the door, slamming her weight against the wood. There was no reply. Alec hurtled up the stairs, the hammering of the door echoing up behind him. He ran as fast as he could, throwing open door after door, but the rooms were all empty.

Alec came to a halt in Hartley's room. All his weapons were gone, yet there was no sign of a struggle. What could have happened?

With one final, almighty bang, the front door burst open downstairs.

Alec moved at once to the wall, ready to armour up, but even as the stone rolled smoothly over his body, he realized that he was far outmatched in terms of experience. If he was going to take on a Villain like Imrys, he would need more than what he could do right now. Proxima Venus's words floated into his mind. How what he could do was limited solely to his imagination.

Slowly, he edged his way out of the room and approached the stairs.

"Don't need to make this harder than it needs to be, kid," Imrys called. "I'm on a tight schedule. So how about you surrender, I don't have to be late, and you don't get your face melted off. Win win, right?"

"Or you could just, I don't know, let me be and get back to whatever cave you crawled out of?" Alec suggested. "Why are you even after me? What did I ever do to you, anyway?"

"Me? Nothing," she said conversationally, while Alec continued to pick his way down the stairs, his back pressed against the wall as he moved, peering around the corner. "Personally, I have a lot better things to do on my Monday afternoon."

"So why don't you?"

"Because I have to, that a good enough answer for you?" She sounded irritable now.

"Did you take my family too?"

Her answer did not come immediately. After a slight yet distinctly noticeable pause, her voice came drifting up the stairs again. "Tell you what. If you come with me, I'll let them go, unharmed."

Alec paused, almost at the bottom, remaining silent. Leaning slightly to the left, he could see a shadow stretching across the polished tiles below. "No thanks," he said loudly, and he launched a large block of stone from the wall around the corner. He heard it crash against the tiles, but no groan of pain rang out either. He jumped the last few steps and looked around, adopting a fighting stance. The room was empty.

"What —?"

A shrill laugh sounded behind him — no, above him — and he whipped around. There she was, suspended above him, with a number of long, glowing tendrils sprouting from her back, tethering her to the ceiling.

"That the best you can do?" She let out another taunting laugh.

A tendril lashed down at him like a whip, looping around his ankle, and slammed him viciously into the wall, then flung him across the room. The stone armour faded from his skin as he skidded across the tiles. Groaning a little, he looked up. She landed lightly in front of him, her hands on her hips. "Pathetic."

"Actually, no," Alec muttered, panting slightly. "That isn't all I can do."

Another tendril swooped, ready to seize him once more, but, concentrating deeply on her feet, Alec screwed up his face, and before the whip could make contact, she was launched into the air like a cork shot from a wine bottle. She crashed into the ceiling with an oddly satisfying crunch, and hung there from her back, writhing, with her tendrils lashing out around, looking like a bizarre chandelier.

"Ugh! Urgh! What — what did you do to me?" she screeched.

"Inverted gravity." It was Alec's turn to taunt, grinning widely at her while she glared down at him. "New trick I learned a few days ago. Can you believe you're the first person I've ever tried it on?"

She merely screamed at him.

"Not much for small talk, are you? Fine. Where's my family?"

She continued to struggle, the blue-white ropes of energy erupting from her back flailing down at him like live snakes, but the inverted waves of gravity repelled them effortlessly.

Finally she gave up. "I don't know where your family is! I didn't take them!"

"What? So you were lying —"

"Oh, grow up!" she said impatiently. "Of course I lied. I'm a Villain, it's in the job description!"

Blood rushed through his ears. Anger was rising up inside him like a snake, accompanied by a terrible panic. If she didn't have them, then were where they?

"If you can't tell me where they are, then you're useless to me," he hissed. And with his blood still pumping fiercely, he repeated the same movement he had done in the desert, in the company of Proxima Venus, and bent the waves sideways, then flung her into the wall. The stone cracked beneath the blow and she slid to the floor, unconscious, her hair sprawled around her head.

Alec wheeled around, moving towards the door, but as soon as he had, the brilliant sunlight that had been pouring in through the open door suddenly went pitch-black. Night had fallen in the middle of the day, and darkness was filling the room. But this was no ordinary darkness. It was moving, writhing around like snakes, as if it were alive. Before he could make sense of what was happening, the wall of blackness in front of him shifted, and a figure he recognized as Shadow Shifter materialized out of the darkness in front of him, clad, not in his typical light grey suit, but in something pure black, with white streakings. The air in Alec's lungs seemed to have vanished with the sunlight.

He couldn't breathe, couldn't speak. He could only stumble backwards as the man advanced on him, his mask-less face cold and menacing. But as Shadow Shifter reached out, a sudden flare of purple light ripped through the darkness, and a gateway of violently rippling energy burst into existence in front of them.

A hand emerged through the portal and gripped Alec's arm, then yanked him forward. As the warmth and light of the portal washed over him, he felt a stinging cold on his other arm as his hand was pulled out of Shadow Shifter's grip. Then the doorway closed, and Alec toppled over onto wet grass.

He looked up, and suddenly the air came rushing back into his lungs. Alec gasped, taking deep lungfuls, then a hand gripped his shoulder and helped him up, and he found himself looking up at Anthony Olsen.

"Tony — what —? "

"I'll explain later, but right now, you need to come with me!"