Twenty-Second PSI

[a_gentle_boy]

[The events of the previous few weeks have left their mark upon Lucas.  Following mere hours after Netherlands's droning, mere weeks after his extremely painful and scarring encounter with Billy Smith, the boy hadn't been in any state to be of help during the hazmat attack.  Normally, he would have jumped at the chance to assist the injured; he would even have sacrificed his own life to do so.  But this time . . . he wasn't sure if he could have done so.  Death after death after death, and all he could do was pray that the nightmare would end quickly.  Privately, he recognized the part of him that had wished for the Russian man to be found.

He remembered his encounter with Sergei as clearly as if it had just happened.  The fear upon the man's face, the desperation in his words.  Lucas had promised that he would do everything he could to help -- Yet in the end, he had done nothing, had even hoped that the man would be discovered by his hunters.  For the boy who made emotional bonds so easily and valued human life so greatly . . . the feeling of guilt was immense.]

[He stands in front of City Hall, now, fists clenched and body trembling slightly with emotion as he stares at the corpse.   He had passed by it earlier.  Recognized it immediately.  Recoiled in horror from the sight.

At his side is a bucket of fresh water and a small pile of rags.  He will decide whether or not he dares to release the body from its noose later.  For now, he simply applies his healing PSI to close the open wounds, gently wipes away the blood with his cloth, does for Sergei what he had not been able to do while the man was still alive.

Be at peace.]

Comments

[1stonthreatdown.livejournal.com]

[Senri was walking past city hall staring at the strange decorations when he noticed a small boy tending to... a corpse? How sad, it must have been someone the kid knew. So Senri heads over there, glancing between the boy and the body. He gestures at the noose. Would Lucas like him to take the man down?]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas glances up as the unknown man approaches, lowering the wet rag. There is a few moments of hesitation before he speaks softly.]

. . . If . . . If you don't mind risking punishment.

[catbladewielder.livejournal.com]

[Vayne isn't sure what to make of the grizzly display, but he definitely doesn't like it. He's passed by it multiple times actually, but never been able to summon the courage up to actually approach it. Seeing Lucas though, he finally does.]

Um... would you like some help?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[He is wringing the cloth in the crimson water when Vayne speaks. Lucas is tempted to shake his head for a moment.]

I won't say no, but . . . they might not be too happy.

[not-oflegend.livejournal.com]

[Alice had made her way to the City Hall when she had gotten word of what was there. For a few minutes she just watches Lucas tend to the body, but soon after she walks over.]

That's really nice of you, Lucas.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[The boy shakes his head as he looks back at Alice.]

I'm just keeping a promise I couldn't keep before.

[redrival.livejournal.com]

[Even after the disappearance of the hazmats, Silver has been somewhat hesitant to explore the town, at least not without exercising proper caution. He is starting that exploration now, and his trek takes him eventually to town hall. He looks up at the hanging corpse with a deep frown, eventually approaching the blond boy tending to him.]

Who was he?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[So many new people . . . Lucas turns and hesitates for a few moments before responding quietly.]

His name was Ser -- . . . No. It was Boris. We were trying to hide him, but . . .

[ex_seventh238]

[A woman dressed in stylized Catholic nun robes will approach from behind the determined blond boy, a copy of the Bible tucked under one arm.]

... [Stepping up next to him, she raises her free hand. He may feel some sort of magic gathering, but she would look down at him first before doing anything.]

May I assist you in tending to these wounds?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[He has seen this person in school before. For Ciel, he trusts that she is aware of the consequences, and so Lucas only pauses a moment before he nods.]

Please.

[rapier-ex.livejournal.com]

...

So... is this it? Is this really how it ends?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Miss Virginia . . .

We couldn't help him, in the end. I guess . . . that's it.

[nameofexorcist.livejournal.com]

[Kresnik noticed the corpse before, but he's surprised when he notices a young boy tending to it]

...He won't come back to life through these methods.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I know.

[No PSI can raise the dead. Lucas knows that well.]

[wavewalker]

[ He's hanging back, watching. ]

... That seems wasted on a dead man.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . It's all I can do now.

[He responds quietly, his hands softly glowing with PSI as he continues to work.]

[silno-pyanstvo.livejournal.com]

[Roshian had seen the body, but hadn't done anything for him. If she ignored it, it wouldn't be real.

But now? Now she stands behind Lucas, just watching.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[He is on the alert, knowing that Grady or the Mayor may take issue with what he is doing. As Roshian approaches, he half-turns, taking a few moments to recognize her from Westport.

Luke's mother. She receives a hesitant nod as Lucas lowers his hands.]

[bluecapboy.livejournal.com]

[Luke's catiously making his way through town. The nightmares seemingly over, but he didn't trust it for a minute. Upon seeing Lucas, he heads over to where he's standing and glances sadly at the body.]

That's Sergei, isn't it.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Yes.

[Lucas drops what he's doing, turning to lock eyes with his friend before he lowers his gaze.]

Did you ever meet him?

[stephen-owling.livejournal.com]

[Nagi watches the boy silently from a short distance away, his face utterly sober.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Though absorbed in his task, Lucas isn't entirely oblivious to his surroundings. Just in case any horizontally advantaged Irish policemen came by. When he realizes he is being watched, he turns slowly to meet Nagi's gaze, a blank sort of expression on his face.

He nods in acknowledgment.]

[snackaholictank.livejournal.com]

[Shiraasan stops in front of the display, first looking surprised, and then disgusted.]

They really did get him...

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

We all heard that over the phone . . . But I guess this is proof.

[thenorthernwall]

[From down the street a bit, "droned" Olivier watches in silence.

She looks a little pissed off for a drone, though, doesn't she?]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Whether or not she does, Lucas doesn't know. He isn't aware of what Olivier has been pretending for the last few days. When he realizes she is there, she receives the same slow nod that he has given everyone else.]