009. Video - Third Flight

[gabriel_gray]

[ Here is Nathan waving a little yellow slip of paper at the video feed to get everyone's attention. ]

I realise you're all dying or whatever so I'm gonna try not to take too much of your time. My brother Peter's gone missing. Left me this note saying not to worry, hold tight, yadda yadda. All well and good. But that was Friday, and there's still no sign. Doesn't call, doesn't answer his phone, didn't leave me any other way to reach him, so I'm wondering if one of you all has any idea how I can do that, or if you've seen him.

[ He can't even explain that Peter's lost Sylar and he's probably not completely in control of his abilities right now, because where would he even start? Nevermind that Peter underlined the parts about not telling anyone where their apartment was, or that Sylar was gone. ]

Couple of other things while I'm at it. First things first: I think you're all mad for thinking that this plague has anything to do with guilt. Maybe it just makes you feel extra guilty about shit you've done when you've got it, but I can't imagine it's the actual cause. God knows I've got enough to be guilty for, and not even a sniffle. Whoever tells you otherwise is probably some asshole trying to get money outta you.

And another question--has anyone had anything weird happen to their powers since getting here? I don't know, like this place is shaking them up? Playing mix and match? I could ah... I could fly before I came, and now I can't, and I think I'm... Picking up other things like my brother can. Things I shouldn't be able to do. Don't suppose anyone's gone through anything like it?

Oh, right. And for those who're curious I passed my resit for the bar. Took them a while to get back to me after the test but with most of the city down with this sickness... Never mind. You see Peter, tell him to call me.

[ He disconnects, and a few moments later a text message is pinged from the same address: ]

Hi again. Any tips for getting cats to like you? Furry little jerk took another swipe at me.

Comments

[inthejunk]

Wait, he's your brother?

[Yep, that was a spark of interest, and from a teenager no less.]

Uh. Anyway, it's just that he's been missing before, here. I don't think you were around for it, but I'm sure it's alright.

[gabriel_gray]

[ The slightest nod. ] My baby brother. [ Stressing the 'baby' as though to stress just how worried he is about him, even though Peter's a grown man. ]

Can only hope so, right? I just know he's gone off and got himself into trouble doing something he thinks is heroic--that's just his style.

[inthejunk]

It must run in the family.

[He's an only child, so the baby brother thing doesn't have the same impression on him it might on someone who could relate, but he nods anyway.]

He'll turn up. He did before.

[gabriel_gray]

Or he could have disappeared. Might have gone home and I'll never see him again. Might not--and that's worse. This sickness, those companies, the Darkness... Anything could have happened.

[inthejunk]

I guess that's true...he seemed like he could take care of himself before, but -haku!- sorry. If you're worried about him, then looking for him is the right thing to do.

[gabriel_gray]

[ They've covered it, so change of subject. ] You got this flu thing, right? You think what they're saying about that is true?

[inthejunk]

[He's a little feverish at the moment. Or at least that's his excuse.]

What, the part about burning bodies?

[Flinch.]

[gabriel_gray]

Burning bodies? I must have missed that bit. I suppose it makes sense.

[ He grimaces despite himself, because it reminds him of home, and of how close they'd come to just that. ]

[inthejunk]

What did you mean, then?

[That's the first time someone's been as horrified about it as he feels. It's both comforting and disheartening to see an adult struggling with it too.]

[gabriel_gray]

[ A deliberate cough. And then he goes on. ]

About it being worse if you're guilty as sin about something.

[inthejunk]

...Who said that?

[And why does the thought make his stomach hurt?]

[gabriel_gray]

Guy named Crowley, first time I heard it, but it's more than just a popular idea. It's been bounced back and forth ever since.

[inthejunk]

Can so many people really have that much to feel bad about?

[gabriel_gray]

Course they can. People feel guilt over buying a pair of shoes, it doesn't take much to get sick from it.

[inthejunk]

Over shoes? [Doubtfully.]
But it makes no sense. People are dying! You can't die of guilt...

[gabriel_gray]

Evidence would make it seem like you can. [ He gives the slightest shrug. ] Guess we'll see.

[inthejunk]

[There's nothing reassuring about that at all.]

But it can't be that. It doesn't make any sense. All the people who are the sickest, and the ones that aren't sick at all...it doesn't make sense.

[gabriel_gray]

[ Nathan shrugs. ] Search me. I don't know how any of this works.

[inthejunk]

Yeah, you didn't look like a doctor.

[Sigh.]

I guess there's nothing to do except make sure people get treated.

[gabriel_gray]

Goes for you too, you know.

[inthejunk]

I don't look like a doctor, either?

[gabriel_gray]

I meant get yourself treated.

[inthejunk]

Oh...um. Yes, sir.