“Won’t be much of an issue soon,” said Malcolm. “Besides, the computer that did the tracking was in our old base.”
Second Wind nodded slowly. He looked down at the clothes Malcolm had tossed over to him.
“You aren’t going to fight Rain Dancer naked, are you?” he asked.
Malcolm grinned. “Wouldn’t that be something?” he said. “But no. I’ll grab some more on my way.”
“You think it’s safe for you to stop by the apartment?” asked Second Wind.
“If they have somebody waiting for me there, I’ll just let them escort me to the church,” said Malcolm. “It doesn’t really matter at this point.”
“I guess not.” Second Wind pulled on the shirt and jeans. It made Malcolm’s head hurt a little to look at his copy wearing his clothes.
“I’m going to need you to promise me that you won’t do anything stupid,” said Malcolm.
“I’ve think you, er, we, have already hit our quota for the day,” said Second Wind.
“I’m serious. Stay with Tapestry and the others. Protect them. Promise me that you won’t break our promise to her.”
“That’s a convoluted promise to make,” said Second Wind. “But sure.”
Malcolm nodded.
“I should get going,” he said.
Second Wind nodded.
“So… Do we like, hug now, or something?”
Malcolm chuckled.
“I think I finally understand how hard it must be to put up with me, sometimes,” he said. “We have some… really good friends, you know?”
Second Wind furrowed his brow.
“Yeah,” said Second Wind. “I know. We really do.”
“Take care of them for me.”
Malcolm headed for the window instead of the door, suspecting that Tapestry might be watching and waiting for him to leave. He almost took his phone and wallet with him, before realizing that they weren’t things he’d need anymore.
This is the plan I came up with. Time to execute it. Pun intended.
He used his wind manipulation in bursts to build up height as soon as he was outside. The air felt freezing cold against his mostly naked skin, and within a couple of minutes, Malcolm’s teeth were chattering wildly.
He was a little annoyed at himself for not finding a way to reabsorb Tapestry’s power in place of Multi’s, but attempting it would have given too much away. Tapestry knew about his power absorption, and was smart enough to connect the dots and stop him from trying anything stupid.
Malcolm circled over his apartment a couple of times, eyes peeled for anyone watching and waiting for him. He figured that if there was anyone in hiding, they’d probably already seen him hovering overhead.
He almost landed at the front entrance before remembering that he also didn’t have his keys. Instead, Malcolm circled around to the back window, praying that he’d left it unlocked. Luckily, he had, and it was easy enough to slip inside.
He took his time picking out his clothes. They were, after all, the clothes he would be dying in. Malcolm put on his best pair of jeans, along with a plain black t-shirt and a thin grey sweatshirt. He wore a pair of boots along with them, which he pulled jeans down and over.
“Alright,” he muttered. “Time to make an entrance.”
Part of him had hoped that there was more to Multi’s power than just making copies. He’d never asked Wax or Multi about it. Malcolm had hoped, in vain, that maybe he’d be able to sense both bodies at once. Of course, if that had been the case, Multi would have been privy to everything Wax had seen, and they’d probably already be dead by now.
CHAPTER 39
Malcolm used his wind manipulation more intensely than he would have normally on the way to the church. It was late enough in the night for it to be considered early morning, and the euphoria mixed with his own exhaustion made his body feel simultaneously light and heavy.
It took him half an hour to get there. He landed in the church’s front yard, remembering the first time he’d been there with Rose. They’d been so naïve about what they were getting themselves into.
Organ music came from inside, the dark and forbidding kind. Malcolm walked up the steps slowly, passing through the open wooden entrance door. Immediately, he spotted Rain Dancer standing at the altar. Shield Maiden was playing the organ. Rose stood in the pews, her eyes red around the edges, and her cheeks puffy.
“No!” cried Rose. “Why?”
She rushed at him, summoning tendrils of shadow to grab at his arms and legs. Malcolm grimaced, dodging them, using bursts of wind to increase his speed.
“Rose…” He grabbed her as she came within range. “Hey!”
“Why?” she said, softer this time. “You… idiot.”
“Hey,” he said. “It’s okay. I know what I’m doing.”
He said, with only the faintest grasp of what he was doing.
“He’ll kill you,” she said. “Malcolm… You need to run. I’ll hold him off, you need to–”
One of Shield Maiden’s rainbow bubbles popped into place around Rose, cutting her off in midsentence. Malcolm sighed, hearing her muffled shouts from within. He knew it was for the best. She might very well die alongside him, if left with the option.
“I’m glad you could make it, Wind Runner,” called Rain Dancer. He hopped down from the altar and stood on the opposite end of the main aisle. He was wearing a black long sleeve shirt, along with gloves, and his dreadlocks were tied back into a pony tail.
“Yeah, well, I can never pass up a good party,” replied Malcolm.
“Malcolm!” screamed Rose. “Run!”
Shield Maiden left her spot at the organ. She used her powers to pull the bubble and Rose away from Malcolm, moving her over to the side of the room.
“I was hoping it would just be the two of us, you know?” said Rain Dancer.
“How romantic,” said Malcolm.
Rain Dancer didn’t stop smiling.
“Ms. Shadow Spryte insisted on being present,” he said. “She claimed it was because she knew all your weaknesses. I knew it was a lie, ya? But… how could I really stop her?”
“She’s just confused,” said Malcolm.
“That’s what I said,” said Rain Dancer. “After this is done, she’ll either accept it and move on, or…”
“Or you kill her in cold blood,” said Malcolm. “Like you’ve done with so many others.”
“Exactly,” said Rain Dancer. “I give everyone a chance. I gave you a chance, even. I was surprised that you didn’t take it, you know? Considering how close you and Ms. Shadow Spryte are.”
“I’m surprised that it would surprise you,” said Malcolm.
“Why wouldn’t it?” asked Rain Dancer. “We’re on the right side of history. You know that the champions kill and oppress the ‘monsters’ without reason.”
Malcolm scowled, feeling his accumulated anger finally start to boil over.
“Honestly,” he said. “You’re right.”
Rain Dancer frowned, clearly surprised.
“You’re right,” repeated Malcolm. “Demons and sprytes don’t deserve to die, just because of what they are. They don’t deserve to be watched, and exploited, and imprisoned, just because they’re different, and maybe scary, in the eyes of the public.”
Rain Dancer started chuckling.
“If you think that I’ll let you off the hook just because you’ve had a change of heart, you’re sorely mistaken,” he said. “You were given the choice to join us already.”
“And I would make the same choice now if you gave it to me again!” shouted Malcolm. “Demons and sprytes deserve rights. That’s true. But you… Rain Dancer… you’re a monster in the old sense of the word. You don’t believe in things like loyalty, or trust… giving your word. You’re a killer, and a liar, and I think deep down inside, you’re scared.”
“I’m scared?” asked Rain Dancer. “Scared of who? You?”