Guess Then...I Kinda Got Arrested

[assassinrue]

"It can't be good whatever it is. Keep one of the photos. I get a sense we are going to need it later."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Astrid nodded. She pulled out one of the smaller photos, folded it, and tucked it in her pocket before returning the box to its corner. "We should probably get out of here before he comes back," she said.

[assassinrue]

"Right, okay." Kendrick led the way out of the rooms. He was nervous and threatened, but he also felt somewhat at ease with Astrid despite her ability to evade his powers.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Astrid closed the door behind them as they left the bedroom. Just in time, too, because about halfway down the hallway to the living room the front door opened.

[assassinrue]

Kendrick jerked back involuntarily, his heart racing a mile a minute. He'd forgotten for a moment that they were in danger.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Astrid relaxed slightly when Jonathan came into view. He raised his eyebrows at seeing them in the hallway, but he didn't comment on it. He set a bag down next to the couch. "Do either of you have anyone you need to contact?" he asked.

[assassinrue]

Kendrick couldn't help the derisive snort that came from him. "Yeah right." He muttered.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Yeah, no so much," Astrid seconded. "My foster parents probably wouldn't care if I ever came back if the state didn't pay them."

Jonathan studied them for a moment, something like empathy in his eyes. "Alright. Good." And that was that. He moved to sit down on the couch and then pulled the bag toward him.

[assassinrue]

Kendrick crossed his arms. "You still haven't told us anything."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Jonathan sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Fine. What do you want to know?"

Astrid frowned, confusion flickering across her face. "Well, for starters, what exactly is ANEW?"

[assassinrue]

"And who exactly are you?" Kendrick added.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He closed his eyes for a second before focusing on Kendrick. "I guess I should answer your question first. My name is Jonathan Reid. I'm a mutant, like you, and I've been fighting ANEW for the past few years." He paused and grimaced. "As for who they are... they're a branch of the government, ostensibly a facility for the mentally insane, but really they're a prison and testing site for mutants. Which means that, by simply having powers, you are in their radar."

[assassinrue]

"Okay so typical TV stuff. Great." Kendrick turned away from the group.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Jonathan's brow creased. "Do you think I'm making this up?"

"It does sound a little far-fetched." Astrid crossed her arms and glared at him.

[assassinrue]

"What do you want with us?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I told you that already," Jonathan said calmly. "To keep you safe. Kendrick, your powers would be of great interest to ANEW. They'd do anything to get your hands on you, and if they can't they'll just kill you. One less mutant in the world for them to fight." He scowled, and the hate in his eyes looked personal.

[assassinrue]

"Yeah, but how are you better equipped at protecting us than we are better equipped at protecting ourselves?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Jonathan raised an eyebrow, not quite looking amused but something close to it. "Yes, I do."

[assassinrue]

"How."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Jonathan shrugged. "I have some skills. Knowledge, experience. I know how to hide from these people. And eventually, I can make it safe for you to return home. You just have to give me time."

"How much time?" Astrid demanded. Not that she wanted to go home, but she didn't want to stay here forever either.