Legacy: Part 8

“You could at least pretend to keep a lookout,” Renee said. Looking back at Lucas as he traced over the blue lines buried by sand. “I know Reg doesn’t see the point either, but it’s not like you’re doing anything.”

“As a pose to who? Yourself?” Lucas asked. “We all know who is going to fire off the flare first. And I've done enough pretending for my lifetime.”

Renee slid over next to Lucas. “How did that end up happening, anyways?”

“How else does an 8 year old fit in? When he knows everything everyone wants to hear?” Lucas replied, and Renee grabbed his shoulder.

“You’ve tried being a 5 year old who loved hair dye?” Renee replied with a smile.

“You can stabilize yours, I can't. I knew every answer. Knew my way around every bully, and what they wanted. I started making copies in advance until they were all afraid it was cursed.” Lucas began. “And no he hasn’t seen anything. He is just as bored as I am.”

“Just jumping here to say hi are we, Strike?” Renee asked, neither turning around.

“How do either of you do that? No wonder you were considered creepy.” Strike said.

Renee giggles burst into a full on laughter. Lucas slapped his hand into his face, but soon after started laughing along with her. Strike stood there with a grin on his face. “I do more than bulldoze through the problems you know?”

“Bulldozing with words is not something I thought you capable of.” Lucas replied. “But that doesn't mean it isn’t still bulldozing.”

“What else is he going to do? It’s the same with everything else he doesnt understand.” Renee said.

“You’re wrong.” Strike stated, and both turned to look at him. “I always thought it was cool. Breaking through walls. Getting punched square in the face, and not feeling a thing. Didn't realize until middle school that they were all just using me.”

“I sometimes wonder if they were gonna do that anyways.” Renee replied. “I mean why us? Why anyone at all?”

“What, like it had a purpose for all of this?” Strike asked. “It is a sword, Renee. Why would it be able to think?”

“Why not?!” Renee asked. “You can shift your strength like it’s nothing. Lucas and Melody can read minds. And and…”

“And you can shift your dna.” Lucas said as he stood up. “And there is our resident psychic.” Lucas closed his eyes, and gave a few gestures.

“Wait, you and then Strike?” Renee asked.

“That’s what he said.” Strike replied. “Lead on then, Lucas.”

Renee opened her mouth as Lucas jumped down. Then darted after him but slipped on a rock. Strike grabbed her during his sprite, and jumped down with Lucas. “Am I going to be left out of the loop every time now?”

“You say that like I knew this was gonna happen.” Strike said landing feet first on the train. “Reg!?”

“Follow, Lucas!” Melody replied. “Reggie said to wait here, so the girls are in this together!”

“Well?” Strike replied.

“He went down the ladder to your left.” Renee said, grinning. “In a manner of speaking, anyways.”

“Not as easy as it seems is it?” Strike replied, jumping down the open hole to his left. Setting Renee down shortly after. “Then again going with the flow was always my speed, and never yours. Guessing that’s what you like about him?”

Renee stopped in her tracks and spun around. “Shut. Up. he was going this way. Probably because he feels another person.”

“Oh it is most assuredly because he feels another person's presence.” Reginald said as he opened the door. “And—”

“Strike! Catch!” Melody shouted as dropped through the same hole as the others. “It was pretty obvious the rock face we were on was going to collapse.” Melody explained with a grin. “Timing has always been more Reggie’s speed, so I left it to him.”

“What exactly do you do?” Strike asked with a laugh.

“The present.” Renee replied. “Reg sees various points ahead of us. Melody sees everything around her, currently, in more ways than one.”

“And can shift it!” Strike replied. “That's why there are 3 shapeshifters among us.”

“We are wasting time!” Reginald replied a bit annoyed. “I know Lucas was going in danger for a few seconds but—” 

Strike punched him in the stomach, letting Melody run ahead with Renee. “You can see parts of the future, so you’ve got no excuse to be denser than me! Now, come on!”