Chapter 32

Beau sat in wheel chair in his apartment dorm room facing a wide screen 22 inch wall plat screen television. There was a live news footage of Rider getting out of prison. Rider walked with careful walk. His eyes were staring straight ahead as he carried his box of personal items and his duffle bag. Rider silver blue metal necklace was around his neck. He was dressed in casual jeans and white dress shirt and beat up sneakers. He doubted it was the outfit that he had went in with. It was outfit that had been assigned to him to wear for the photo shoot.

Beau took a sip from his tall glass of ice sweet tea. He grimaced wishing it was wine but then he shook his head knowing that wouldn’t a good idea. He was twenty-four months sober and trying to keep it that way for Jessica and Angel’s sake’s.

Beau watched as a camera focused on Rider. He walked up to news platform set up outside of the prison. President Smith and other politicians stood and waved him toward them to speak at the podium. Rider looked pale a lot leaner. His eyes though is what made Beau’s head began to hurt. Rider was still riding the line between control and madness. Nightmares swam behind his dark eyes.

Rider still obeyed the summons from the President. He shook hands with her. He nodded his head to whatever bullshit she said to him. He then took his position facing the reporters and looked down at the speech prepared for him to read.

Beau set his glass down on the floor. There was a beep on his communicator. Beau took a breath. “Mute Television.” He said. The plate screen and the words muted in red letters was on the screen.

Beau tapped his communicator pin attached to his jacket. “Techno here.” He said.

“Beau. Are you watching the press conference with Rider?” Martin asked.

Beau was quiet watching Rider read off his speech. He couldn’t hear the words and was thankful for it. “Yeah. I’m watching it now. He just needs to get through it before they’ll let him go.” Beau said in calm even toned voice.

“Brother. He knew what he was getting into when he took that deal. At least now he knows who these bastards really are. I know he was your friend but we did try to warn him they would turn on him.” Martin said.

Beau chuckled. “He’s not as smart as you are brother. He never saw this coming. He’s just a victim of his own ideals. The only thing I want now is for them to leave him alone. He belongs to us now. He survived though I know they had to put him through the shit. He survived.” He said.

Martin was quiet. “I’m sorry brother we couldn’t get him out.” He said.

Beau sighed and then stared at the screen as Rider lifted his hand and pointed at someone. He froze. “Volume on!” He said.

The volume on the plate screen was turned on.

Rider was speaking to a young pretty Super. The young mutant had silver blond hair, she was dressed a white suit jacket and skirt who was standing up. The crowd of reporters around her were silent. Pictures flashed but Rider held her gaze. “My time is done. Save our people. You’ve got a long fight on your hands of a different kind now. It’s a fight you will need different types of weapons to fight. Your speech and your Super noble mind. The future of our kind and generations to come depend on your wisdom and your determination. This time it’s not some dead alien. This time it’s your own government. Your own people. Your own normal country men. You fight for your children and their future. Fight to make sure they don’t fall. You want a hero to look up to look in the mirror sister. You’re a mother and sister of our kind. You’re ready to fight encourage our kind to push on when many would see us dead and gone. That’s my hero.” Rider said and turned started walking away as pictures flashed.

Beau’s mind flashed back to that moment when he was speared in the chest waiting to die finally. Wishing for it but he wanted to live. He felt it.

“Beau?! Beau are you seeing this? What the hell is happening?! Is he doing what I think he’s doing?!” Martin said in growing alarm.

Beau nodded his head. “He’s using his powers on her but his powers are expanding out through the damn camera and crowd. He’s gotten stronger. What the fuck is this!?” He said.

Beau’s phone went off in his pocket. He got it out and answered it. “What the fuck have you’ve done? He was supposed to lose his powers when he was collared.” Beau said.

E’s laughter sent a chill down Beau’s spine. “I told you brother. He would survive. The threat of his illness and his loyalty to the normals has been stomped out. He’s fully on the side of his people. Do you want to meet him?” She said.

Beau hung up on her without answering her. This wasn’t what he wanted. This complicated things and he already could see trouble for Rider once they’re enemies realized what Rider’s real powers were. This wasn’t at all what he wanted.