Chapter 4
What had changed everything? It all had been going so well. Could it had been the whole Jon being less of an arse this time? Was it getting in touch with Georgie to early or had something for the future follow the spiral back with the two. If Helen could get the travel back it would make sense that the change could've effected them as well as other things around them and that most defiantly included some of the avatars, especially considering how closely linked the spiral is between victims.
The last few days had been them going over the different scenario's in their heads of what to do, they had to worry about the constant flow of worms unless they decided to kill Prentiss early. That would be a good to prevent Sasha being replaced but it also meant that they'd have to find an alternate way of entering the tunnels, they already knew what they would find down there but this time they had a chance to hide more of what they'd find.
"Okay, we somehow need to get Prentiss before she decides to-" Jon hushed him, putting a finger up to his lips, "what?"
"I think...something is coming?" Jon looked as confused as Martin.
"I can't hear anything?" Martin reassured.
"No, i think i...I just know" Than he realised, Helen had said that the only change would be their consciousnesses, she never said that they (more specifically Jon) wouldn't have their powers as previously. It explained a lot actually, the brief moments of paranoia when researching statements, the urges he got when he knew something that he wrote off as something he learned last time.
"Do you think?" Martin had started, "It followed us?" He knew Martin was talking about The Beholding but it didn't stop the feeling that he meant something else. Jon nodded.
"I mean, i could...try? try and check who's coming" The feeling of someone approaching felt stronger now.
"I'm all for that but only if you're okay with it?" Martin comforted, Jon just replied with a soft Hum.
He closed his eyes, the visualisation of the door in front of him had been as clear as all the times he's tried before. Instead of reaching out to open the ocean from behind he found one the cracks on the door that slightly leaked with the salty water. The door looked more damaged that the last time he had seen it, the wood on the door looked more run down and had various cracks running up the sides. It looked as if it would collapse under it's own weight soon and Jon had the brief idea that this was a side affect of his past body not being able to handle the power of the beholding as future Jon would be able to. Cautiously Jon reached out the the water dripping from one of the cracks, than an image flooded his mind. A man who he hadn't seen in a long time, one who you would've though innocent if not for his power hungry craving for knowledge. The current head of The Magnus Institute, Elias Bouchard, Heading towards the archives but it could be more assumed to be Jon's office.
His eye's shot open, "Jonah".
Martin had a brief panicked look on his face before he took a deep breath, "Okay Jon, what do we so?"
"Act normal for starters, we don't know what he wants so just pretend you were updating me on a statement or something?" Jon stated. "He should be here in about ten seconds so get into character i guess" He let out a small awkward chuckle.
Jon was right, Jonah had entered when Jon said he would but the two had luckily been prepared.
"Oh Elias, what brings you down to the archives?" Jon faked interest.
"Hello Jon, Martin. Just wanted to check on how things were going" His eerie smile hadn't changed a bit.
"Well, Gertrude still left this place in a horrible mess when she left so it's probably going to take a while until we make any remarkable progress" Jon didn't know how long he would have to continue talking to him professionally but it was already starting to annoy him.
"Ah that's understandable, it comes to my attention though that we had a live statement sometime last week? I didn't know we started doing those?" Elias pushed.
"Um..yes, i believe it was brought up between the team to help make it easier to not confuse old statements with new ones" Martin replied shyly, "I cant for the love of all remember who brought it up though? Do you remember Jon?"
"I don't recall, maybe it was Tim?" Jon knew what Martin was doing, redirecting. Martin was a good actor despite what he had previously thought, right now it genuinely felt like he was speaking to twenty sixteen Martin.
"Well it's not that bad of an idea, just inform me if you get any questionable guests" And with that the man turned and left.
The two waited about a minute before they let out a sign of relief.
"You have no idea how hard i want to kill that man" Martin practically growled.
"You and me both" Jon sat in his seat, hanging his head over the back and groaning.
"Also what was that?" Martin said, probably bringing up the whole beholding situation.
"I think when we travelled back the only thing that changed was our bodies, the powers we may have received in the future remained. I can still know things and i know for a fact i could probably make people tell me things" Jon rubbed the palms of his hands over his eyes tiredly.
"Well, we can test it out just in case it was a one time thing?" Martin suggested, "We don't need to know anything big, just a few facts maybe?"
Jon smiled a little, "Okay, what do you want to know about?"
Martin grinned in response, "Tell me about some good Highland cattle".
Jon began to feel the static of knowledge flow through him, "They originated in the Scottish highlands and the Outer Hebride islands of Scotland and has long horns and a long shaggy coat. They are a hardy breed, bred to withstand the intemperate conditions in the region. The first herd-book dates from 1885; two different types – a smaller island type, usually black, and a larger mainland type, usually dun – were registered as a single breed".
Martin laughed a little, "It's kind of cute hearing you talk about animals when they aren't from a post apocalyptic world".
"Why thank you", he pretends to tip a hat and the two laugh.
A knock at the door was heard and than Tim walked in, "I just saw double boss leave, what was that about?"
Sasha appeared behind him, "Yeah, he also looked a little annoyed, what'd you do?"
The two men looked at each other before laughing, Tim and Sasha looked very confused.
"When did you two get so close?", Sasha asked with a smile.
"It all started after Tim confessed his dying love for Jon" Martin Joked.
They all laughed, it felt nice. Despite the knowledge that things were going to get more difficult for them they enjoyed the moments they spent together, it brought a great relief to them.
Everything was going to be okay.