[center][h1][color=92278f]TURN BACK[/color][/h1][/center]

Turn Back had been hanging out by the stage, kicking a piece of rubble around as the group waited for Ditch. He'd experimented with his newfound power over the past few days, holding his hand above a candle, then above the range on the stove, on the way here he had even dunked his arm into a fire barrel, freaking out the homeless people using it for warmth. Other than some singed hair though, it all seemed to be working. He had a new power, the ability to absorb heat. It wasn't fire, as he'd originally thought, but the heat itself, taking that into him and using it to power his attacks. beyond that too, he'd discovered it gave him another benefit. He was tougher when holding onto that heat energy. His hand had slipped making dinner one night after experimenting, and the knife had just bounced off his skin instead of sending him to the hospital. The more heat he held, the tougher he was. Very useful for attacks he didn't see coming... It would take some getting used to, holding onto energy longer than he liked, but perhaps it was worth it.

His thoughts turned to the events of earlier that week, specifically what had happened after he'd left his fight with Reaper. He had gone back to Scarlett's house and gathered the money still lying around, as well as the clip Reaper had been so concerned about. In all, it was about three thousand dollars, and she just didn't care. He sighed and let his thoughts move on, having found Reaper again and getting the name of the doctor she was recommending...

[i]Three days ago...[/i]

Jason Graves walked uncomfortably through the hallways of the doctors office, having gotten the address from a very tense conversation with Reaper. He finally arrived at the right door, balancing the tributes he'd brought for Scarlett. He opened the door and cleared his throat as he looked inside to the hospital style bed. [color=92278f]"Scarlett? I, uh... Well, you've got a visitor, I guess."[/color]

Scarlett sat up in the bed, head turned towards the window. The bags under her eyes and her pale skin made her look sickly, but her posture and yearning look betrayed the fact. Her arm was wrapped heavily in bandaging as well as a sling. Upon Jason's arrival, her head turned sharply, looking the vigilante over, eyes narrowed. "..It sure looks that way." She muttered, voice hoarse. "What do you want?"

Jason took a deep breath and stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He waved his prosthetic arm, hoping she's recognize him from that. He didn't like explaining that bit. [color=92278f]"I came to apologize actually."[/color] He said, extending a box of chocolates towards her. [color=92278f]"For my part in what landed you here. I panicked and didn't realize you weren't trying to hurt me."[/color]

Scarlett's gaze followed Jason's prosthetic, saying nothing but clearly remembering what had transpired. "..I appreciate the gesture, but chocolate upsets my stomach." Scarlett mumbled. "It's alright, I suppose. An understandable reaction. Giant tigers are life threatening after all."

Jason paused awkardly before putting the chocolates away, clearing his throat. [color=92278f]"Well in that case, maybe I can get you something else..."[/color] He said, producing the biggest jar of catnip he'd been able to find. [color=92278f]"There were better ways to handle the situation. I am sorry."[/color]

Scarlett blinked, staring at the jar for a moment before bursting out laughing. It wasn't a long laugh, but it was genuine. "I could've handled the situation better too," She said with a weak smile. "I can't control my powers very well, as you might've seen."

Jason chuckled, setting the jar down on her bedside table and crossing his arms. He was glad the tension had broken, and he showed the feral woman his fake arm again. [color=92278f]"Neither can I sometimes, that's how I got this. It's a learning curve I suppose, figuring out how you do what you do and why. And when your powers are connected to emotions, it gets harder."[/color]

"You lost your arm because of your powers?" Scarlett whispered. "..damn." Her free hand traveled to her bandaged shoulder, fingertips touching the bandaging lightly. "I would very much like to keep my arm. Doc says there's hope... It would've been handy to know their was a doctor that treated supers, by the way." She snorted. "Not going to get a lot of places with these eyes, huh?"

Jason chuckled at that, looking around at the room. [color=92278f]"It really would have been nice to know about this. I'm not sure how Reaper knows about this place, but... Well, let's just say I got really lucky when I lost my arm. Almost didn't make it, nobody in this city treats supers. Except this doctor, it seems. I'm glad we had Reaper with us, she knew where to get you. Actually..."[/color] Jason cleared his throat, changing the topic a bit. [color=92278f]"I'd like to ask, i you don't mind... Do you have any idea why Umbra would be after you? It's just that after you passed out, some of his goons showed up..."[/color]

Scarlett bit her lip in thought. "Umbra, huh?" She said, a small smile creeping up on her face yet again. "There's a number of reasons he could want me." She said slowly. "Hasn't he.. Been kidnapping Heroes, though? I don't quite fit the theme." Scarlett chuckled. "For my powers, I guess? For my history, for my family.. No one knows what he wants."

[color=92278f]"Well regardless;"[/color] Jason said, pulling a bottle of rum out of his backpack and setting it on Scarlett's bedside table, [color=92278f]"They didn't get you. And you're on the mend now. We'll figure out what he wants, and how to stop him."[/color]

Scarlett grinned. "Well, look at you." She joked. "Chocolates, catnip, and rum. What else ya got there? Maybe a puppy or two?" Scarlett leaned back on the pillows proposed against the headboard.  "You've got a team going, huh? Against Umbra?"

Jason laughed again, pulling up a chair and sitting beside the bed. [color=92278f]"I've got like, Mary Poppin's backpack here, you never know what'll come out of it."[/color] His expression became more serious as the conversation shifted to Umbra. [color=92278f]"We're... Trying. We have someone who seems to know a lot about him, and we're working together. Trying to, at least. None of us have ever really done the 'hero' thing before. But we're making it work. Right now it's a matter of damage control until we can pull a plan together. Saving people, staying ahead of him. I think you could do it too, if you wanted. I know you're not really the hero type, but most of us aren't either."[/color]

"I don't think I'd fit in well with your group." Scarlett said, almost wistfully. "I'm not a hero, nor a vigilante. I think you know my rep. I'm not one to save the day." She brushed a piece of bright-red hair behind her ear. There was truly no way it was her natural hair color. "S'alright. I'm better at working alone anyway."

[color=92278f]"Hell, I'm no hero either."[/color] Jason said, leaning back in his chair. [color=92278f]"I'm a pretty bad vigilante, if I'm being honest. I ain't out there to save people, I'm out there to hurt the ones who think they can take advantage. But maybe we can be better than that..."[/color] He coughed and smiled at Scarlett. [color=92278f]"Don't listen to me, I'm no idealist. Just some guy hoping for the best. If you don't think you're a good fit, that's fine. It's not my place to try and give you advice, to be honest."[/color]

"Heh." Scarlett muttered at Jason's ramblings. "Maybe some other time. I'm not fit to be doing anything right now anyway." She smiled back at him. "I, uh. Never got your name." She paused. "I mean.. I.. Well.. I might've forgotten it." She mumbled. "Sorry."

[color=92278f]"Oh, it's fine."[/color] Jason said with a small smile. [color=92278f]"We only officially met the once, when you came into my office. I'm Jason Graves. Don't go spreading that around though, I need to keep the superpower thing a secret."[/color]

"Oh, don't worry, Jason. I can keep a secret." Scarlet said with a smirk. "The media picked an ironic name for me, seeing as my name's actually Scarlett n' all." She laughed. "But, uh.. Thanks. For taking me here, and saving me from Umbra, and uh, helping me with my taxes."

[color=92278f]"That's what we're here for, Scarlett, I suppose. We're going to stop him. We're going to save the people he's kidnapped. We're going to make this city safe again. Well, as safe as it's ever been, I suppose."[/color] He said with a smirk. [color=92278f]"But I think there's going to come a day soon here, when we'll be fighting. The biggest fight of our lives, against a very powerful enemy. And I don't want to push you or pressure you Scarlett, but... It'd be nice if we had someone backing us up if we need it. If you're ready."[/color]

Scarlett stared at Jason, heavily considering, before letting out a little sigh. "The bastard needs to go down anyway. You can call me if you need me." She proceeded to grab a piece of paper from the bedside table and write down her number with her good hand. "I can't guarantee I can be there, but if I can't I'll try to send some friends your way." She nodded. "Take care, Jason. And try not to die."

Jason took the paper gratefully before writing his own number on another one and giving it to her. [color=92278f]"Thank you Scarlett. Just being willing to be there means a lot to me. To all of us. That's my number there, if you ever need anything... Well, I can't offer too much financially, but if you find yourself in trouble I'll do anything I can to help you. Thank you Scarlett."[/color]

[i]Now...[/i]

Reaper's movement and the banging at the door shook Turn Back out of his revire however, and he turned his attention to what was going on there, his eyes widening as Ditch came through the door holding a young boy, soaked to the bone. Turn Back sprang to action immediately, hopping up onto the stage where Reaper set her hoodie and pulling his off as well, reaching out to wrap the child in the warm, heavy material. He gave pause as Raven Tale tried to use her healing magic, sighing as it seemed to fall flat. He turned around and grabbed his backpack, digging through it and pulling out a bottle of water and several granola bars, laying them on the stage he was kneeling on for the child. [color=92278f]"Reaper's right,"[/color] He said, though the words pained him a bit. He was still angry with her for what had happened the other night. [color=92278f]"he needs to be warmed and he'll need food and water. Slowly though, not too much at once or he'll make himself sick. Raven, it's alright. You did what you could, and that's all anyone can ask."[/color] 

Turn Back reached out and put the back of his hand on the child's forehead, pulling at away almost immediately. [color=92278f]"He's burning up, he has a fever. Probably caught something out in those godforsaken streets. We need to bring his temperature down a little."[/color] Turn Back laid a hand on the child's forehead again, focusing his power to see if he could absorb just a little bit of the heat from the boy. [color=92278f]"We still need to keep him warm though, it's a balancing act at this point. I'll try to stabilize his fever, somebody else should check his cuts, see if there's an obvious infections."[/color]