An Enemy Appears

"Gah! Dammit again. Garrick you are way to good at this game. Why is it that even with all three of us working together we still can't take you down." Darcy pouted after twenty consecutive losses.

"MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NO ONE CAN TAKE DOWN THE KING." Garrick let out a massive and hearty laugh.

Several hours had passed since the party had started. It was my the first time I had been at a party that didn't have either a client or a target involved. It was refreshing not having to do business or kill someone at an event like this.

I was observing each member of the group and getting a better read on how each of them behaved. The first thing I noticed was that despite his Gothic clothing and speech Uriel was actually fairly social. Numerous time through the night he and I had struck conversations most of which he had initiated.

The twins were a very interesting subject. The sister was bright and cheerful but was always placing herself between me and her brother in a very protective manner. The brother on the other hand is very jumpy but other than the permanent fixture of the backpack I noticed something else weird. Dean had no shadow.

Penelope gave off a very rough and tumble vibe however she was very gentle and and very caring making sure that everyone had gotten food and drinks. "So, Mordecai do you have anything planned for tomorrow or the rest of the week. Us five are gonna try to get together with the rest of the little freaks."

"Well I do have plans for tomorrow morning but I could possibly join you later. By the way why do you guys call yourselves the Five Freaks and who are the Little Freaks."

"Well the Freaks of Pantheon City are the students that are known for having great potential but either no skill to use them or it's defective with their power." Garrick cut in. "As for the Five Freaks it's because we're considered the most broken in one way or another. Like me for example supposedly I shift dimensions or something but mostly I just turn things invisible."

"What about the rest of you? What is your ability Penelope?" I asked a little sharply with doubt etching my voice.

"Ah, Sorry but we just met ya got ta earn that. Garrick here is very trusting but you just joined the group it'll take a whole lot more than just sharing a room with one of us," She stated curtly. "Anyway it's getting late the four of us should get going. See the two of you guys later."

Uriel, Darcy and Dean had put their stuff together by this point. As they started to make their way to the door Darcy came up to me with a small smile on her face. "Well it was nice to meet you Mord."

"It was nice to meet you as well Darcy."

She got on her tip toes and whispered in my ear as her face took a slightly more violent turn. And as I had suspected she was more than just a sweet little girl. "If you ever hurt my brother I will make sure that you regret it for the rest of your life."

I leaned in as she went back and whispered in her ear. "I have no intention of hurting your brother but don't ever threaten me again. You do not know who you are messing with." She looked back at me and the look on her face was a little more serious.

"You're an interesting one." Her smile changed to one of more intrigue. "Most people either laugh at me or get away as fast as possible. I think I like you."

"Darcy, leave Mr. Sharpe alone he's not going to hurt anyone." Dean chastised his sister in a very subdued tone of voice as he passed by. What happened next would have been painful if I wasn't still in a cautious state as usual. A massive black hand shot out of Dean's backpack aiming for my stomach. In reaction I jumped back and the fist instead collided with the wall. I followed where the fist had come from and was surprised to see that it originated from his back pack. "AH, NO! Bad Shadow stay in the bag."

The shadow spoke back but in some weird unknown language. "So, that's your power. Is that supposed to be your Id."

"S-s-sorry. H-h-h-he doesn't mean it. H-h-h-he just does things on his own."

"It's okay kid I've seen other similar abilities from other people. I'll be more careful from now on. How about I see you guys down and out."

"Thanks for your offer It might be a good chance to talk more. Lead the way." Uriel said taking a bow. "It also might be a way to help you not do something stupid."

"Hey you guys aren't leaving me out of this situation." Garrick stopped me before we opened the door.

"Fine but you better get off your rear then." Garrick scrambled off the couch and rushed towards the door and was the first to leave.

Immediately after leaving the room we encountered another student who seemed to be on the same floor. This person was very tall and had handsome features but the look on his face was very different. He was sneering. The three kids behind him had similar looks on their faces.

"Well, well. If it isn't the Five Freaks. Oh and they have a new friend. What freaky nature does he have."

"Go away Frank no one needs you here." Came Penelope's venomous reply.

"Or what? Is the wannabe gonna cry?" one of the thugs mocked.

"There's going to be trouble if you come don't leave us alone." Darcy piped up in response.

"The only one in you group we have to worry about is your loser of a brother. And that would ONLY be if he doesn't get the rest of you in the process."

"Hey, hey, boss," one of the others whispered in his ear. "That's the guy that the student council brought in today."

"Hey! You, new guy."

"My name is Mordecai."

"Yeah, whatever. So the council brought you in today. You must be some tough shit then. Why are you hanging out with these Freaks. If you really want to move up in the world you should hang with us."

"Thanks for the concern but I've met and worked with people like you before. I don't need your kind of power."

"Oh. You'll regret that." He seemed just about ready to do something drastic but his pal whispered something into his ear again. This time seemed more important cause he made and effort to hide it. "Tch. Mordecai was it? I'll remember this conversation and you better watch your back."