Enhance 2: Chapter 24

“Hey. Yumi. Can we talk?”

Yumi blinked quickly looking over at Theo as she set down another box of clothes that had been donated over the weekend. The majority of them were still sitting on the back tables ready to be sorted through and shoved away into the storage to be catalogued, handed off to people in the shelter or passed around to others in the city.

“Yeah sure,” she wiped her brow and sighed. The heat had been picking up and it was getting rough. Thankfully the air conditioner worked in the shelter but that didn’t stop her from working up somewhat of a sweat.”

Theo came over and sat on a stack of boxes, lifting himself off the ground and frowning hard at that. But he ignored it and looked at her. “Have you talked to. You know. The Black Bird.”

“The Black Bird?” she repeated confused and Theo held his finger to his lips. “What?”

“Don’t say her name too loud. Don’t want her to get into trouble.”

“Who is she exactly?” Yumi asked.

“Come on. You have to know her. The person who’s been stopping random crimes. Patrolling this half of the city. Making sure the people are safe. I know I’ve called her Black Bird a few times but other people have called her stuff like that.”

Yumi finally recognized the nickname and snapped her fingers, “Yeah yeah. I know her.”

“I know you know her. She’s mentioned you the other day. Have you talked to her?”

Yumi remembered the conversation that she had with Theo under the guise of her altar ego a few days ago. Saving the shelter and all that jazz. Something that she was very acutely aware of doing and thanks to Phase the mission was underway. “She’s working on saving the shelter. Mentioned she had a plan.”

“She does?” Theo asked and he sounded hopefully.

Yumi held her hands out, “Mostly but she’s working on getting it done. She has a plan that she’s going to put into action soon. She mentioned a few weeks right?”

Theo nodded quickly and Yumi smiled, “Yeah she did. She’d meet with me once things were okay.”

Yumi gave him a thumbs up, “Exactly. She’s going to do what she can. I trust her. Do you?”

“Kinda. Just,” he frowned hard and didn’t want to show it on his face, she watched the emotions wrestle across his face before he settled on his emotions. “I’m worried about my mom. She’s been more and more stressed about things and I want to make sure she’s okay.”

Yumi smiled despite the face that Theo made, “You’re a good son, you know that right?”

Theo looked at her and looked away sharply his face tingling with embarrassment, “Whatever. Just wanna take care of mom. Make sure she’s okay.”

“That’s awesome. And your mom’s great too.”

He rubbed his nose lightly and smiled, “She is isn’t she?”

“Hell yeah she is. A mom I wish I had. You’re lucky.”

“I know,” he smiled finally and he was proud of this one and even puffed out his chest.

Yumi smiled at him and felt some level of protection for him. She felt the need to look after him in a way that she felt for Nina. Except Nina was a little girl and she was sure against most problems this kid didn’t need her help.

Yumi held her hand out to him and held out her pinky. Theo looked at it confused but as the understanding dawned on him he stared at her in a way like, ‘Seriously,’ but Yumi was definitely serious about that. Theo made a face but smiled finally and wrapped his pinky around her own in an agreement that went back to the playgrounds.

Once their pact was sealed Yumi was satisfied, “I’m going to go find Shadeow before I finish before today. If you need anything or anything comes up find me. Alright?”

“Yeah. Definitely.” Theo flashed her a grin and she grinned back.

Yumi shoved the box toward the corner with the rest and then left the back room to go out into the shelter. Most people were occupying one of three locations. Either underneath the massive air conditioner near the TV, the groups of fans near the beds and tables or outside where a breeze at least existed.

Shade was near the beds talking to the twins, Flair sitting on her bed and Ray standing beside him. Yumi walked over and threw her arms around his chest and pressed her face against his back. “Shadeow. Why is it fucking hot?”

He reached for her hands and tried to peel her off him but she was fighting it and laughing, “Because it’s turning into the summer. And I’m hot too. Off.”

Yumi blinked quickly as she got off him but stared at her boyfriend. He looked back at her raising his eyebrow confused at the sudden intense gaze, “What?”

“You. Since when do you have an accent?”

“A what?”

“An accent. I can hear it in your voice,” she pointed at his chest. “You have an accent. You’ve never had one.”

“It’s because we were talking,” Ray said making no effort to hide the appearance of his own. Subtle inflections of another language coloring his voice. “Me and my sister sometimes speak Spanish together though it’s become rough.”

“Our own version of it,” Flair amended. “Why didn’t you introduce us to him before now?”

“Yeah. He’s certainly easy to look at,” Ray added glancing at his sister and she nodded as well.

Yumi raised her eyebrow looking at the twins and then Shade, “I interrupt something?” she asked. Shade just shrugged his shoulders. “Uh huh.”

Shade smiled and wrapped his arm around her, “Just getting to know them. They’re from my old neighborhood. At least. That general area. They knew some of the shops from back there. Like Ronolos.”

“Ronolos?”

“A burrito place. The man who worked there was cool. When he could come by he’d make us lunch for free. Shade was telling us that he’s still there working,” Flair smiled distantly. She was younger than her but that smile felt old. “We haven’t been there since we were kids.”

“You’re still kids,” Shade said shaking his head. “If you want, I can take you there sometime.”

Ray and Flair both blinked, “What?” they said in unison.

“Yeah. We could take the train. Wouldn’t be hard. I haven’t been to the old neighborhood in a while too. I’m due for a visit.”

Ray cracked a wide smile and it was mirrored on Flair’s face as she sat up and took her brother’s hand. “Remember what we used to order?”

“Extra beans and lettuce.”

“With the sauce and on the side.”

“And carnitas.

They chimed together, “For later.”

They laughed together and Yumi looked over at Shade who was smiling warmly. She squeezed his hand lightly and got his attention. Leaning up she kissed his chin and then lips lightly, “What’s that for?”

“For being a good person,” she replied and shook her head.

He smirked, “Of course. You ready to head out?”

“Mmhm,” She looked toward the twins who had got their attention on them. “I’ll see you guys next week on my shift again.”

“Wait,” Ray said looking at the two of them. “You’re going to do a job soon aren’t you?”

Yumi looked at Shade but he shook his head, “How’d you know that?”

Ray winced slightly and put a hand to his forehead. Flair put her hand on his shoulder and took his hand with her free hand. He squeezed her hand and took a slow breath, “It’s hard to explain. I just know. Or at least had a really strong feeling.”

 “My brother has premonitions. Feelings. They point him in directions. Him, me, people around us that we care about and stuff like that,” Flair frowned hard. “It’s hard to explain. It gives him headaches.”

“So you’re saying that he can see the future?” Shade asked but Flair was already shaking her head.

“No. He can’t control it. It just, hits him. The day you came back to see us, he saw we should go back there. He didn’t know why. Just knew we should have.”

“That’s weird,” Yumi folded her arms. “Really weird but interesting.”

“It’s annoying,” Ray said getting back his bearings. “But its handy when it comes up.”

Shade asked, “Why did you ask about our job?”

“Just be careful.” Ray looked at the ground. “I don’t know why but I saw Yumi. Yumis. Two of you. It didn’t make sense.”

“Two of her. Christ,” Shade mumbled. “I’m going to assume that’s a metaphor for something.”

“I don’t know. Just. Keep it in the back of your mind.”

Yumi frowned hard but she nodded quickly, “I will. Thanks.”

“It’s the least I can do,” he said softly.

“You know you don’t owe me anything,” Yumi walked over to him and also Flair. She hugged them both and smiled. “We’ve been over this remember?”

“Yes but that doesn’t change how he feels,” Flair told her and gave her a small smile. “My brother is like that.”

“Like what sister?”

“Formal and needing to repay debts.”

“There’s nothing wrong with paying back favors.”

“You act like an old man with it sometimes. You don’t have to do everything to pay someone back.”

He rolled his eyes and she laughed at his indignation. “You’re saying to act my age.”

“Yes Ray.”

Yumi separated from them and laughed at their banter. Both held onto her a little longer but let their arms drop as she slid away, “Me and Shadeow are gonna head out. For real this time. We’ll come see you guys after the job and get burritos. As a celebration.”

“One more thing,” Ray said and this time he looked a little embarrassed. “That boy. Theo. If he wanted. Could he come as well?”

“Theo?” Yumi repeated. “Of course. But why?”

“Ray’s been talking to him. A lot.” She added and smirked as her brother scowled at her. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to ask.”

Yumi smirked, “I wonder why.”

They said their goodbyes for real this time and the pair of them left. The sun greeted them outside with a harsh glare and beating heat. Yumi groaned raising a hand to block the light. “Its like. The afternoon. Whys it bright?”

“Because it the spring has finally sprung Yu,” Shade scrolled through his phone slowly and saw a message. “And Echo is almost done with the last minute adjustments. We are to and I quote, ‘Stop being young and frisky and to get our butts home this instant.’.”

“She did not say that.” Shade showed her his phone. “I love that woman. I really do.”

“If we don’t hurry we’re going to miss the train home,” Shade commented glancing at his phone.

“And I’d hate to have Echo get mad at me.”

“Can’t have that at all,” he chuckled. “She’ll put all sorts of things in our heads.”

“Like that time she was on her baby shark kick?”

“Don’t remind me.”

They made it back home just as the sun started setting, taking the train halfway there and then running the last of it. And the moment they opened the door of the balcony the house was very much in chaos. Contained and well directed chaos but still a form of it. Before they could even go far Echo’s voice immediately rang in their ears. “Your clothes are in your room and ready. Hurry up and change. See you soon.”

As the two of them went through to their room Rogue passed them in the hallway. He was wearing a short sleeved dark blue button up that bordered on black, the top few buttons open and a black jeans. He had a jacket across his arm though he didn’t look like he planned on wearing it. His hair had been washed and even oiled a little with a soft sheen.

“Looking good Senpai.”

He snorted walking past the two of them and going straight to the living room. Roxie greeted him with a bark and he tossed the jacket toward the couch. He scratched her head lightly and she leaned back into it. “You’re lucky you don’t have to go to this thing.”

“Come on Rogue. It’s gotta be more fun than that.”

Rogue looked back as Phase came down the hallway. He was wearing a black vest over a blue shirt similar to Rogue’s except with lines. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbow and he had a black jacket over his arm as well. The best he did with his hair was wash and brush it. “Looks like black and blue are the colors for the night.”

“Seems to be. I got a peak at Feint’s dress but Echo told me I wasn’t allowed to really look,” he smiled. “Hoping it’s as good as I can imagine.”

“I wouldn’t go that far Phase,” Feint said as she walked into the living room. The black dress was simple, going down to her knees. The material seemed to be flexible as it moved with her steps despite looking very close to her body. She was sporting black eye liner but nothing fancier than that. Her hair had been brushed and swept aside so that it went over one shoulder, a thin purse strap over the other. She walked over to him and stroked his cheek affectionately. “But I do dress to impress.”

“Color me impressed then,” Phase said wrapping one arm around her. He pulled her close and because of her heels he didn’t have to lean that far down to kiss her anymore. Feint kept it short though and smiled. “What? I wasn’t going to get carried away. Promise.”

“Somehow I believe that less than I would believe Yumi,” She tapped his lips lightly and pulled away.

“I feel almost insulted,” he replied.

“I think you should be,” Darren said joining the three of them. Just like they had guessed they had a black jacket and slacks, dark blue shirt and tie. They were wearing the jacket already and had the middle button buttoned. “But don’t let her hear you say that.”

“Wow. You look ready to go to a conference,” Rogue said and Darren smirked.

“I’ll take that as a compliment my friend,” they winked at him but went back to their phone.

“Wow. Sometimes I even outdo myself,” Echo walked her way forward. She wore a sleeveless black dress that had a flowing pattern that moved with the light. Her hair was tied up in a bun with strands of hair draped around her face. Across both arms she wore shoulder length black gloves. And despite being as tall as she was she was wearing heels that made her a couple inch taller. Her skin and hair were a sharp contrast to the dress that somehow made her glow and the dress blacker.

She smiled brightly looking at the four of them and clapped her hands together. “You all look amazing.”

“It’s thanks to you Echo,” Phase said spreading his arms. “I definitely wouldn’t have picked this myself.”

“Come on Echo you can’t talk about these things without talking about the fire that is me,” Yumi said stalking out of her room and leaning against the wall raising her leg up. Her dress was a black number going across one shoulder but it was shorter than the rest, only going to her thigh. The material was like sequence catching every bit of light on its black material and glittered. She didn’t do anything with her hair but freshly washed and combed it rested on either side of her head bouncing with every step of hers.

Shade walked out of her shadow his arm going around her shoulders and pulling her into the living proper. He messed with the collar of his shirt, a dark blue button up and a black vest on top of that but no jacket to be seen. His sleeves were rolled up but only to the middle of his arm. Roxie ran over to Yumi and Yumi rubbed her face slowly finally giving into her affections for the stray.

“Gangs all here,” Phase said looking at everyone and smiled. “And we’re looking pretty clean.”

“Before we leave or do anything too grand. Here,” Darren walked to the tinker room and came back with a handful of buttons. They were all masks that looked on par to the ones that they wore. They passed them out to everyone and then took the last for themselves.

“This is my new communication device. Won’t get caught by metal detectors and less conspicuous than the old ones. Try to keep it hidden and out of sight though.” They handed out small clear rings to everyone next.

“How are we supposed to hear from it?” Rogue asked turning it in his hands.

“Like this,” Darren said and hooked it over their ear and waited for Rogue to do the same. “Can you hear me?”

Rogue raised his eyebrow, “How’s it doing that?”

“Sounds are just vibrations. The badge vibrates against your skin and straight to your ear and you ‘hear’ it. It’s an experiment but this is a good field test.”

“As always. We’re your crash test dummies,” Phase said chuckling.

“How are we getting there?” Yumi asked. “I doubt Echo would let us run or swing our way there.”

“Not on your life,” Echo said quickly glaring at her.

Darren nodded, “I’ve already called our ride there. It’ll show up in a few minutes and be discreet. We’ll meet Ace and his crew at the casino.”

“Good. Don’t need to worry about some random Uber driver ratting us out,” Shade said and Darren agreed.

. Phase went toward the six of them and folded his arms. “Alright everyone. We’re doing something bigger than we’ve done before. It’s not like the last time we crashed one of these events and we just wanted information. This time around we’re actually taking something with substance. Remember your teams, remember the goal and remember the plan. But I don’t have to tell you guys this. We’re professionals. So let’s get out there and steal some rich people money.”

Yumi smirked, “Easy peazy.”