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After keeping an eye awhile on his target Sacha nearly wanted to laugh. He’d been told the Moore’s; a back water ranching family were elusive and near impossible to handle. Any attempt to convince or coerce them into selling even a few acers of their property had failed. But as he watched the second oldest -only son- carry the groceries to his truck. Sacha wondered if his intel was off.
For a rancher the guy looked pretty lanky. Thick dark frames, slicked neat hair, tucked in shirt. A total dork no matter how you looked. From what his current boss had shared, this nerd was the only one who went around by himself. He was also often left alone at home, while the rest of the family was busy. It’s why Sacha had decided to target him. He was the only barrier between the house deeds he needed, hidden somewhere in the farmhouse. Why the hirer hadn’t thought to do things the easy way. If they wanted to try sabotaging the farm. That wasn’t his business though.
Sacha was here to find the solution’s they couldn’t. Be the straw that finally broke these stubborn farmer’s backs. He’d been hired to provide his ‘special’ sort of problem solving. He was confident it wouldn’t take much. He watched the dork finish sorting out his groceries and set off. Sacha quickly started the beat up junker he was driving. Starting down an alternate route. Ready to set his plan into action.
He had just enough time to get to the dusty side road and pull apart the junker. Once it was smoking and wheezing anytime, he tried to start it he dusted off his hands. A perfect display of an unlucky brake down. He’d positioned himself in an ideal location where he could have just been passing through; but near enough to the ranch to ask to use their phone to call for a mechanic. Sacha had every intention to put that old southern hospitality myth to the test. If things worked out, he’d be able to steal the land deeds without much fuss.
The familiar pick-up truck came by and as expected it came to a stop. The window rolling down as a soft-spoken voice within asked if he needed any help.
Above expectation the well-behaved farm boy even towed his car to their property. Rushing the groceries in and offering a drink to Sacha before he’d even asked his name. Sacha pretended to call in for a mechanic. Though on the other end of the line was actually his backup. Upon receiving the coded all clear, they set off to cause trouble. Sacha delivering the ‘unfortunate’ news that help wouldn’t be quick to coming to help. Was surprised when the nerd offered to take a look, finally introducing himself.
“I’m Alden by the way. I can take a look at it for you. Around here you got to know how to fix your things. Do you mind?”
Sacha smiled, pretending to learn Alden’s name. Giving a false one in turn. As Alden dove into the clunker, Sacha got a closer look at the farm boy. His glasses weren’t thick. But did a good job of distracting from what Sacha was realising was a handsome face. His big brown doe eyes were only amplified in them. Distracting from his angular face.
Seemingly acting on habit Alden would reach his hand out and ask for a tool. Sacha found himself reflexively acting as mechanic assistant. Though his knowledge of most tools hadn’t included to knowing their proper names. He was sharp enough to begin guessing right after being corrected a few times. Muttering the silly names he’d known them by, to help him remember the new information.
Alden seemed to hear his mutterings and found it entertaining. Failing to contain a charming smirk as he tried to hide the laughter shaking in his chest. The two ended up getting on quite well for strangers. Soon Sacha was holding a light as Alden completed his attempts at saving the tragic old clunker. The two ending up closer than they realised as they worked. When Alden adjusted Sacha’s hand holding the light, which had begun teasing him by drifting off course every so often.
Their noses nearly bumping into each other as he’d turned to ask him to keep his hand steady. Sacha’s sharp eyes caught the way Alden swallowed as he backed away. Quick to burrow his head back into the clunker. His ears were also faintly turning red. His previously steady hands became clumsy; dropping the wrench in his hand.
A new idea popped into Sacha’s head. It was underhanded and possibly too low even for him. But the new tactic forming in the mercenary’s mind was too fun to ignore. Sacha put it into play immediately. The playful friendly atmosphere that had already been established took on a new tone. As Sacha began throwing flirtations into the mix.
As expected, the humble country boy hadn’t ever had a chance to encounter such shameless flirting. He’d no chance to build up the thick skin needed to not be affected by it. Sacha hadn’t missed how all too aware Alden had become of Sacha’s every movement. Naturally trying to keep some distance but with Sacha now intentionally brushing against him every chance he could.
Properly flustered, Alden had been obediently dragged away from the clunker and led back into the old farm house. In a daze Alden innocently answered when Sacha asked to see his room. Pointing to the door that was his. Caught completely unawares, when he was suddenly pressed against the door. As Sacha closed in, smiling with a sultry look in his eyes.
Panicking from the sudden intimate closeness, Alden turned the doorknob nearly falling backward into his room. Sacha didn’t give any time to recover closing the gap again, pressing an experimental kiss to the handsome blushing face. When he wasn’t pushed away or cursed at. He drew their faces together hovering over Alden’s lips.
Sacha was shorter than the farm boy, but had brought the taller man’s mouth to his by catching the back of his neck as he faltered. Steadily keeping their faces close together as their breath mingled. Finally feeling the Alden inch ever so closer, Sacha pressed a kiss to the other’s hungry mouth.
It was clear that though Alden was clumsily flailing his arms, he wasn’t opposed to what was happening. More like he lacked the experience to know where to put his hands, while also trying to figure out how to kiss back. Sacha found himself leaning more into the kiss as Alden began mimicking him, not doing too bad learning on the fly.
Finally, through gentle carefully timed pushes, Alden’s legs finally knocked into his bed. Sent falling backward yet again. Sacha had the farm boy’s full attention, but still made excuses to further overstimulate him. Dragging his hands across his clothes, silently surprised at the solid form that seemed to lay beneath. He guessed even nerdy farm boys must bulk up growing up on the old homestead.
Sacha nearly lost track of his true intention. Thoroughly enjoying the slack jawed and doe eyed looks Alden would give him anytime they parted for air. Sacha hadn’t even realised how roughly he’d been kissing. Or how Alden had been taking the rough make out session in stride. Not even processing when his glasses were slipped off.
Diving back in and making sure Alden’s eyes were tightly shut as he tried to process the mouth sucking on his tongue and the hands greedily groping as they pleased. Overwhelmed he was unawares as Sacha’s form began to shift. His legs lost their solid state beginning to flow away from the bed and to the door. His slowly retreating liquid form broke the door’s lock before slipping under.
Alden was too late, only opening his eyes when the kiss abruptly ended. His eye’s going wide as a strange goo-like substance disappeared under the doorframe.
Sacha had sent a part of himself off as mist when he first entered the house. Eventually scouting out the most likely location of the deeds. So, he’d easily flowed over and into the simple safe tucked safely away. Obtaining the documents and exiting the house swiftly as he reformed into a solid state.
The sun had begun its decent not yet beginning to paint the sky it’s farewell hues. The backup he’d called earlier was arriving right on time. Though they wouldn’t be necessary Sacha was eager to boast his job done. Setting the pair of stolen specs on his face. Sacha hopped into the closest truck that had come to get him. He was surprised they weren’t prescription but didn’t linger on the thought. The driver shook his head at his newly acquired accessory, one of the higher ups was sitting in the passenger seat was eager to ask how it had gone.
“Probably scared him out of his mind. He won’t be a problem-”
Before Sacha could pull out the paper’s and say job done. A crushing sound came from the open window of the car door he’d just closed. The hand that was firmly gripped on belonged to Alden who stood there furious. How was he standing there? He’d been locked in his room and the invading cars had parked a good distance away from the house. Sacha had been able to cross the expanse so quick by lightening his form and catching the breeze. How had he caught up? How could he?
Panicking the driver tried to roll the window up but the grip on the frame prevented it from raising. Somehow, he’d broken it? Sacha only then noticed then the way the door was crumpled like paper around the hand gripping it. Alden’s eyes shone with a barley concealed rage, when he spoke it was through gritted teeth.
“You’re not playing fair.”
The car crunched further as the door began to give way under his hand. Then seemingly from nowhere a little girl rushed over. Seemingly not threated by the strange cars surrounding her.
Running right up to her brother before she could say anything Alden let go of the door. Quite worked up from the embarrassment Sacha had put him through, he was unable to keep his cool. Just the thought that what had just happened between then- That it had been plotted by those greedy big-wigs. Answering the unspoken question sparkling in his little sister’s eyes. The southern twang that was usually concealed slipped out as he yelled.
“They aint playin fair!”
With one swift kick the truck’s back wheel was punted clean off. If Alden hadn’t held onto the back perhaps the whole care would have gone flying instead of just one tire. The little kid whooped excitedly. Both the boss and driver screamed as they scrambled from the truck. Before they could make into to another friendly car, the earth began to quake. The other cars in their posse began to go as the earth below them either sunk in or tossed out. The occupants of the cars sensing danger, had all barley managed to escape before their rides were delt with.
Mindfully stretching a bit before acting again. Alden kicked away a bigger truck that had been brought to steal livestock, if the opportunity presented itself. Picking up and tossing it like he was bailing hay the older brother still managed to keep an eye on the kid.
He corrected the gleeful girl, “Stop burying ‘em. I’m the one who’ll have to dig ‘em up later.”
Correcting her mistake quickly the child sent the rest away in a wall of soil. Carrying away the scrambling men who were fleeing as well. They were sent miles away in a flash, far off the property line and then some. The assailants had no choice but to flee into the distance on foot.
Watching the siblings make quick work of the convoy of vehicles. Sacha had been struck with awe at first. It only took him a moment to deduce what side of this conflict he’d prefer to be on. He’d quietly positioned himself back near the house, doing his best to portray he’d switched sides. The house deeds were snuck back into their place. He’d hoped his part in this would be mistaken as a simple distraction and not thief.
Done with the clean up Alden in the blink of an eye was across the yard. Stopping below a massive willow tree he opened his arms. A child’s laughter could be heard. He waited a moment and when the origin of the laughter didn’t come down, with a powerful leap he disappeared into the tree’s branches. A rain of branches and leaves followed him back down. There was another girl in his arms giggling. She looked about the same age as the gleeful earth mover. Only her arms were alternating from flesh to feather; as they shifted into wings. She flapped out of her brother’s arms as if trying to get him to chase her back into the tree.
“Ava if you don’t get down here. How many times does Ma have to tell you not to fly up so high. What if you get too worked up and start a fire up there. Huh? How would we put it out. Get down or I swear I’ll toss ya to the moon if you don’t listen. Get down! Why don’t go check on little Alice please.”
Ava paid the threat and nagging no mind but did flap away. Oddly not heading towards the little old farm house but further to the side. Suddenly she disappeared. Sacha couldn’t be sure but the sudden disappearance hadn’t seemed to be the girls doing. Sacha was slowly trying comprehend how so many specials existed in one family. When popping up from the earth, the other girl was now beside him.
Smiling at him the girl’s eyes were full of curiosity, “I’m Abigail. Who are you? Me an’ Ava saw you turn into a cloud before. Are you made of clouds? Do clouds taste like cotton candy?”
The kid happily began to chat away speaking a mile a minute. As long as Sacha answered her barrage of questions, she even answered a few of his. Though some things Abigail clearly didn’t have answers to, she still gave her best guess. Alden having done a perimeter sweep only noticed the two chatting away as he returned.
At first still on guard and worked up, he charged towards them. Then Seemingly to waver slows his blurred steps. Carefully he removes his sister from Sacha’s side. He tried to speak but was having trouble finding words that are age appropriate for the nosy kid looking up at him. In the end he just snarled glaring daggers at him before stomping off. After turning away and letting go of his sister’s hand, he began pacing as he tried to calm himself.
Abigail watched her brother waiting patiently. She glanced back to Sacha. Happily coming back over.
Abigail pointed to her stressed big brother, “Can he have his glasses back? They aint really special but they make him feel all calmer. You know like superman or the hulk!”
The child tries to explain in a way that doesn’t quite seem correct but Sacha gets the idea. So, the nerd look was a sort of self hypnosis. The fast and terrifyingly strong farm boy probably had taken his inspiration from comic books. So still a nerd then.
Instead of handing the glasses over directly Sacha and the kid walked over together. Tapping her brother’s back, Alden turned around. Taken aback by Sacha’s presence, he went stone still. Giving the merc enough time to carefully place the glasses back where they belong. Of course, airing on the side of caution. Sacha did so with arms outstretched unnaturally far through his own abilities. Alden had a look of revulsion on his face, probably reminded of past grievances.
Abigail’s screech of glee at seeing the semi liquid wobbly arms. Prevented another temper flare though. Instead, Alden just turned away again.
With the sun near setting the missing other adults of the family returned home for the day. The herds of animals all surprisingly neatly returning to the barn. Of the three two drove over in their tractor, another had ridden on horse back. It took them some time to lock up all the animals in their respective pens. As the siblings watched Alden turned back to him, a sinister smirk on his face as he spoke.
“Fair warnin’. Ma’s real protective. Goodluck.”
Sacha could tell he wasn’t being mislead. Even the young Abigail looked at him like she was about to get told to put back the puppy she’d found and wasn’t allowed to take home.
Sacha recalled the three who approached from their file. Louisa and Jones Moore climbed down from the tractor. The aunt, Lucille Ellis not far behind them having put her own ride to bed.
Mrs. Moore rushed over anxiously, getting right to business she began firing off questions. Asking as she pointed to the disrupted soil and scattered car wreckage where the earlier chaos had occurred. Sacha understood then where the kid got it from. She seemed upset demanding to know why powers had been used.
In response Alden pointed to Sacha, “This time they… Well, hired someone like us Ma. I thought they’d gone too far this time. I lost it for a moment, and this little chaos cadet followed suit. I’m sorry for setting a bad example Ma.”
Alden lowered his head truly seeming to repent. Beside him Abigail though copying her brothers bent head, clearly held no genuine remorse for her actions. Their father seeming content with the explanation came over and gave a reassuring pat to his son. Abigail happily diving into her father’s arms.
Mrs. Moore though had laser focused onto Sacha the moment his presence had been addressed. Her eyes began to glow, Sacha had to lower his own gaze when her eyes became too bright to look at.
He could hear the fuming mother’s sister come cover, whispering something that soothed her sister’s concern. As they both turned to Mr. Moore who had his own eyes on Sacha. Looking him up and down as if evaluating before nodding his head.
A carefree smile broke across his face, “He’s quite favoured by luck. I don’t see any chance of bad fortune for us from knowing him.”
Alden snorted at his father’s remark. Mrs. Moore relaxed further at her husbands’ words.
Aunt Lucille patted her sister, “Come on, poor Ada’s been left fixing dinner all on her own and I’m sure little Alice misses her Mama. Let’s go in Lou.”
Sacha recognized the name of the oldest Moore child. So, Alden hadn’t been alone? There’d been no one else in the house when he had searched it. As if answering his question, a big farmhouse rippled into view. It sat a bit farther back from the old house. Ah he’d been thoroughly out smarted. Surely even the safe and deeds he’d found were decoys.
He felt quite silly now, Sacha couldn’t help but laugh. The family all turned to look at him. Alden the only one still glaring.
Feeling completely at a loss Sacha spoke truthfully, “My name is Sacha, sorry for causing trouble. I have to admit, I’m really jealous of your lovely family… I wouldn’t have taken the job if I’d known.”
He’d grown up alone, feeling strange and dangerous. He couldn’t imagine what it must be like having a whole family of specials. When he’d been growing up the term, they’d used exclusively was freak. He’d never heard of anyone like him living such a cozy life like the one the Moore’s seemed to have.
Sacha suddenly felt a burning distain for the men who’d hired him. They didn’t even know what they were trying to destroy. A simple life out in the middle of nowhere was many specials greatest dream.
Mrs. Moore’s maternal nature began to stir as she watched the young man, who looked near her oldest kid’s age. Stare at them so wistfully.
“Would you like to come to dinner son?”
Alden frowned trying to conceal the look of betrayal on his face. To make matters worse his father nudged him towards the merc. Telling him it wasn’t everyday he met someone his age. Clearly hoping his son would take the chance to make a new friend.
Stuck beside Sacha as they started for the house. Sacha apologized again directly to him as they walked. Taking his time and forcing Alden to go slowly as they fell behind the rest. Alden was nearly about to accepted it. Until Sacha stealthily brushed his fingers against his hand. Trying to flirt again once his family was a safe distance away. Alden contemplated using his strength on the offending hand, but didn’t have the heart to do it. Using the excuse of his family having already offered hospitality to this crude troublemaker.
The only one who looked at him with understanding was his twin. Ada gave him a sympathetic look as they walked in. Alden almost felt better before she ruined it.
“You finally brought the son-in-law I’ve been foreseeing home huh.”
Alden tried not to raise his voice as he whispered curses into his twin’s ear. Starting to help her with dinner after venting. Though he nearly changed his mind. When he saw she’d already set a place for Sacha beside him at the table.