53 Resolve

"Peter's in a coma?" I blurted out, disbelief seizing my body. "How on earth did that happen?"

Peter was practically invincible now, so how could he end up in a coma? It just didn't make sense.

"I'm as baffled as you are," he sighed helplessly. "I came to Odessa to pick him up after tha—your Highschool fiasco. When we got to the airport, he suddenly froze like and his eyes turned white like he was possessed. The next thing I know, he mutters something ridiculous and then faints. I rushed him to the nearest hospital after that."

"So, he's still in Odessa, right?"

"No, I flew him back home to New York after the doctors said he was stabilize," He replied. "He's in the best hospital in the state, with top-notch doctors taking care of him at the moment."

"...I see. He was perfectly healthy the last time I saw him, so this is a shock to me. Have they figured out why he's in a coma?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowing as I pondered the possible causes.

Could it be his powers acting up again? Or was it that terrible virus? No, it couldn't be; otherwise, I'd be six feet under by now...

"No, that's the issue," He said gravely. "The doctors can't determine the cause, even though their diagnosis indicates he's perfectly healthy. But I have a theory."

"What's your theory?"

"I think... it's his powers," He said tentatively, pausing briefly before continuing. "He... mumbled something before he collapsed, something unbelievable."

"What did he say?" I asked urgently, a little spooked, my eyebrows rising as a revelation dawned on me.

White eyes, collapsing, mumbling something...These were the signs that occurred whenever Isaac used his power to foresee the future.

Peter had already met him before, so this could only mean one thing: he had seen the future...

"He mentioned something about a bomb, a human nuclear bomb, and a guy named Sylar," He revealed skeptically. "He said that guy would destroy the entire city of New York. Ridiculous, right?"

The moment I heard this, my body froze, and the phone slipped from my hand to the floor. My eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

Sylar was the bomb now? But how in God's name was that even possible!? Damn, everything was spiraling out of control! That meant Ed—

"Xander? Are you alright? I heard something drop," Nathan's voice interrupted my thoughts.

I picked up the phone from the floor and pressed it to my ear. "Yeah, I'm here."

"...Okay. That's why I called you. Before Peter's... condition happened, on our way to the airport, he couldn't stop talking about you," he exhaled sharply. "He talked about how strong you are and your expertise... in these kinds of matters."

He paused for a moment and then continued, "I've been worried and confused, trying to figure out what to do about Peter's condition for the past few days.

"It was only five minutes ago that I remembered what he said about you. So, I was wondering if you might have some answers... on how to help Peter." He finished in a poorly masked somber tone.

"Peter will be fine. This is just a side effect of him glimpsing into the future. He'll wake up in a few days, give or take. Just stay by his side and be patient," I reassured him. Then, with agitation, I added as I stood up, "Look, can we talk later? I have som——"

"Wait, don't tell me you actually believe in that nonsense they've been spouting about a human nuke?" He interrupted, sounding incredulous. "That's just impossible! No human being can possibly detonate—"

"Detonate an entire city?" I cut in and sighed in annoyance as I walked to my desk, placing the phone on speaker mode and putting it on the desk's surface.

"The same way you and Peter can fly, and Isaac can predict the future, is the same way someone can emit radiation strong enough to obliterate an entire city," I explained impatiently as I retrieved one of my remaining knives from my drawer.

"How did you kn—"

"Look, Mr. Petrelli, I appreciate you filling me in," I interrupted him again, sliding the knife into my black jumper. "But there's something very important I have to do right now. So excuse me, I'll call you back later."

Without waiting for his response, I pressed the button to end the call, leaving me alone in the now silent room.

...If Sylar was now destined to detonate New York, it meant something had gone terribly wrong at Eden's end. That needed to be prevented ASAP.

I had to warn her and possibly convince her to delay Sylar's execution. Otherwise, with the way things were unfolding...everyone would be in jeopardy.

Determined, I grabbed a hoodie from my closet and slipped it on. I locked my door, switched off the lights, closed the windows, activated my power, and soared out of the house, heading towards the Company's base at breakneck speed.

After a few minutes of flying, I arrived above the well-lit Paper Company building and descended into the underground warehouse section.

Inside the illuminated underground warehouse, I paused. Armed men in black combat uniforms were systematically searching the place, their brisk footsteps echoing through the area.

Tension hung heavy in the air, and they all appeared battle-ready, fingers poised on their triggers as they held assault rifles. What was happening was going on?

The elevator dinged, drawing my attention. Mr. Bennet, looking furious, emerged from it, accompanied by The Haitian in his casual attire and a short, slightly plump man with blond hair and grey eyes, clad in a lab coat over his brown shirt and black trousers.

"How in God's name did he wake up, Harry?" Mr. Bennet demanded angrily, glaring down at the plump doctor. "Your diagnosis stated he was in a coma... and now, look at what's happened here!"

"He was. Everything indicated he was," Harry, the doctor, stammered, avoiding Mr. Bennet's gaze. "What... happened back there isn't my... fault."

"Oh, it's your fault, alright," Mr. Bennet practically growled, his face contorted into a scowl as he loomed over the doctor. "...Eden's death. That's on you." He jabbed a finger at the doctor's shoulder, pushing it backward slightly.

The Haitian observed in solemn silence, and Harry simply averted his eyes in shame, unable to meet Mr. Bennet's gaze that seemed to pierce into his soul.

My heart sank when I heard this. Eden was dead, and Sylar had escaped. I was too late, and now she was gone. The events that would lead to the future Peter saw were already beginning to unfold.

Sylar was gone...

"Before I deal with you or label you a traitor, do you have any idea how he managed to kill an Agent and escape from this facility?" Mr. Bennet questioned harshly, his tone now calmer but laced with venom.

The Haitian looked at Harry with a curious expression.

"I have a theory," Harry stammered, sweat forming on his forehead as he nervously straightened his lab coat. "We all know he possesses other abilities he hasn't displayed yet."

"Judging by the footage, it's possible he has a minor healing ability that was triggered when I administered large doses of adrenaline to revive him from cardiac arrest four hours ago," Harry explained analytically.

"He must have regained consciousness a few hours later. His body isn't fully healed, maybe around ten percent. So he can't have gone far. We can still catch him if we act quickly." Harry expressed, a glimmer of hope in his voice.

"I see. The men found a trail of his blood at the back exit. You'll take some samples and run tests," Mr. Bennet remarked dryly, his disdain evident. "If what you're saying is true, Doctor, then you'll be in even bigger trouble than you expect."

He turned to The Haitian, but before he could speak, a burly security agent approached him.

"Sir, we've searched the entire building," the agent reported loudly. "Sylar is nowhere on or near the premises. He's gone."

A deep frown creased Mr. Bennet's face. "No, he can't be. He couldn't have gone far. Listen, I want every squad scouring every inch of this town for him. No one rests until we find him, understood?"

The agent nodded gravely. "Understood, Sir. What about the body, Sir? Should we inform her family?"

"She has no family. We were her family," Mr. Bennet replied, his voice low and mournful. He removed his glasses to rub his eyes with his fingers. "Take the body to Lake Ramsey. We'll leave it for the authorities to handle. Right now, we have to deal with Sylar. His death will be our redemption..."

He turned and walked slowly toward another elevator, with The Haitian following silently behind. The agent saluted Mr. Bennet and walked away, while Harry stood there in confusion, sighed deeply, and then headed to the main elevator.

As I watched them depart, a multitude of thoughts raced through my mind, furrowing my brow as a deep resolve took root in my heart, replacing the gloom.

Sylar must have been making his way out of town by now. I didn't believe they would find him, especially after he had escaped the facility.

He would find a safe place to heal first. Then, if I had to guess, he'd head to New York in search of Mohinder.

The situation was already tough, and it was getting worse. If Sylar ended up even more powerful than he was in the show, it would be disastrous for all of us.

I couldn't just stand still. I had to adapt and change, quickly. My powers were picking up slowly and I was satisfied with that but now, that was unacceptable. It was time I had an upgrade.

Plus, I needed help, someone other than Claire I could count on wholeheartedly in the time to come. Someone else who would be loyal, powerful, and resourceful enough to cover my back.

And, luckily, I had just the thing. I had been friends with Claire long enough with no benefits.

...It was time that changed too...