Post by maiwolf on Dec 7, 2008 23:28:21 GMT -5
December 4, 2008
Riley knew Elle knew someone who knew someone who knew this guy who knew this guy who knew a guy named Brennan. Riley decided to call this guy named Brennan to take her somewhere that Elle would never let her go. It seemed for a second that even Brennan would refuse. Why did everyone dislike this place called Pinehearst? Riley didn’t care; in fact, she had other options besides Brennan. However, Mr. Sands had agreed. Now, as Riley hung onto his neck for dear life, she decided that what she had promised herself was going to be harder than she realized. What she thought and what was really happening was much too much for a fourteen-year-old to comprehend.
“So why’re you going to that vile location?” The man carrying her asked.
Riley smiled to herself because she knew the man couldn’t see her. “I promised I’d help a man who works here.”
“Hmm. Some man. He’s not that much older than you, is he?” Mr. Sands asked, craning his neck around so he could catch a glimpse of her smile.
“No, Mr. Sands. I’m not dating him.” Riley giggled as she thought about Gabriel. She doubted he’d even begin to think of her as a girlfriend. She was how many years younger? It would never work, and she didn’t think of him that way. In fact, her relationship with him was almost exclusively work-related and as a mentor—though she could add stalker to the list, seeing as she’d seen him way too much in the last weeks.
Mr. Sands sighed, and slowed down his flight. “We are now arriving at the final destination. Please stay holding onto me until I tell you to let go, else you’ll probably fall from a high height.”
Riley laughed, “I think my arms are frozen this way. You’ll have to pry them apart.”
When they landed, Riley did have to have her arms pried from his neck. He laughingly told her that next time she should take a plane if she was so afraid of heights. She jokingly answered that she wouldn’t be so afraid of heights if he wouldn’t have gone so fast. “You said you wanted to be here quickly, little lady.” Riley heard Brennan say before he put his hand up to his ear in the not-so-accurate cell-phone impression. “Call me when you want to be picked up.” Then he was away.
Riley smiled, waved at him, and then turned to face Pinehearst’s front doors. With an explosive burst of air, Riley said, “Ookay, Riley, what have you gotten yourself into?”
She had learned from one of Elle’s friends (actually, she had eavesdropped) that Gabriel now worked in Pinehearst. And that he was now being called Sylar. ‘Sylar,’ Riley humphed, ‘what a weird name. I don’t even want to know where he got that one. Oh wait, I do know.’ Gabriel had named himself after a watch.
Riley entered the front doors and walked toward the reception counter. “Hello.” She said, smiling at the lady working the counter. “Do you know where I can find Gabriel Gray? I don’t know if he’s registered here as that name; probably registered as Sylar.”
The lady shrugged her shoulders, “You’d have to ask the boss, I’m not allowed to give… a girl such controversial information.”
Riley shrugged. “Then I’m here to join Pinehearst.” Riley said, grinning.
The receptionist raised an eyebrow. “Arthur Petrelli is out right now. You cannot join without his permission.”
Riley’s grin widened, “Then I’ll wait until he comes back. He does have teleportation, right?” Riley knew the receptionist was surprised that she knew Mr. Petrelli’s powers. She knew that from Elle, too, but only a few of them. She had really had to pry those from her sister, and that was hard work in itself. The receptionist smiled, “Have a seat, Miss--?”
Riley laughed, “Riley, Riley B—Marks.” Riley wasn’t about to give away the fact that she was Elle Bishop’s younger sister. Then she went to sit down.