Lucas’ forehead began to hurt somewhat as he rested it against the solid, unforgiving concrete. His hip and shoulder hurt too as he lay uncomfortably, but no more than his new injury, which now became nothing more than a dull throb. The strange being was running his hands along his bare waist, having lifted his shirt up to see the injury. The stranger examined the flesh where Lucas had been cut, slowly healing him.

It didn’t hurt so much anymore, in fact he felt ok.

The man, if he could be called that, ordered Lucas to sit up. His tone was short and sharp. Lucas obeyed before he realised he had, kneeling now. He removed his shirt on command and the stranger began to wrap around Lucas’ waist a roll of bandage. He wound it around and around his torso until he came to the end of the roll, where he tied it off. Lucas’ shirt, torn and bloodied was discarded. Reuben waited nervously nearby, pacing back and forth.

‘How do you feel?’ Culture asked.

‘Surprisingly good’ Lucas replied rising gingerly.

The stranger grunted.

‘I would have done a better job at healing the wound, but I don’t have a lot of strength right now….I am weak.’ Culture rose to a stand. ‘The injury is mostly healed. I suggest you keep discrete about it until it’s healed fully. You would have a hard time I'm sure explaining to others how you got it.’ He sent a thin jet of fire towards Lucas’ shirt which lay on the floor nearby, completely destroying it in the blaze and leaving behind only ash.

Lucas stared wordlessly up at him. His glaze slid past the stranger and to the skate park around them. Despite all that had happened in the last few minutes, the scene around them, had not changed.

Bizarre Lucas thought to himself.

‘You're very young’ the aberrant noted. ‘I've not often met a guardian so young.’ He glanced at Reuben, who continued his pacing.

‘Brothers I assume’ he said.

Lucas examined himself; the bandages looked clean and new, as if they had only just left the hospital. He studied the black skinned man before him, and saw that his wings were folded neatly back, now looking so much smaller than they had before. They reminded Lucas of a bat.

‘Thanks’ Lucas said awkwardly. ‘Where did you get these?’ he indicated the bandages.

‘I can summon objects from afar’ Culture said.

‘It was good of you to help me.’

Reuben quickened his pace, continuing back and forth.

‘Any good man would have done the same’ Culture purred.

‘But you are not a man are you?’ Lucas said. ‘You're an aberrant.’

The aberrant paused.

‘There are many different kinds of aberrant that exist’ he said. ‘Some of them look a lot like myself, like a human. Others look like beasts, like the one you just saw. They are not intelligent. For the most part.’

‘There are many aberrants?’ Lucas asked.

‘Oh yes’ Culture replied slyly.

‘Lucas I'm so sorry’ Reuben cut in huskily, suddenly interrupting them. ‘I froze up, it was weak of me…you got hurt because of me…it was stupid I'm sorry…!’

‘Hey’ Lucas smiled gently, speaking in a calming tone. ‘It’s not your fault.’

‘I was stupid’ Reuben repeated.

‘Everybody makes mistakes’ his brother told him.

‘A mistake that could have killed you.’

It sounded more than he intended like a verbal attack. Reuben forced himself to relax and took a slow, deep breath.

‘Are you going to be ok?’ he asked.

‘He’s going to be fine’ Culture told Reuben. ‘Just take it easy’ he said to Lucas, ‘and don’t do anything too strenuous.’

Culture turned away.

‘I had better be going now; I've got to find the others.’

‘The others? Lucas rounded on him. ‘You mean there are more of you?’

‘The rest of my group’ the aberrant replied.

Lucas and Reuben exchanged a glance uncertainly.

‘How many are there?’ Reuben asked.

‘Four of my group including myself’ Culture answered. ‘And more.’

‘More?’ Lucas echoed.

He took off without warning, flying away before Lucas had another chance to toss him a new question.

I don’t understand Lucas thought.

The aberrant moved through the sky with the ease of any bird, he soared over the town, quickly growing smaller until he vanished from sight entirely.

‘I forgot to ask his name’ Lucas trailed off in the following silence.

‘It doesn’t matter.’ Reuben turned to him. ‘Are you sure you're going to be ok?’

‘I’ll be fine. And don’t keep asking.’

Reuben took another slow breath. ‘We should go home.’

‘I think so.’

Reuben moved close to his brother, helping to support him as he walked.

‘I’ll be fine.’

‘That’s not what he said’ Reuben retorted. ‘You have to take it easy from now on.’

Lucas groaned with the effort, moving slowly and carefully, and putting most of his weight on Reuben as he did so.

‘You know you're really heavy.’

Lucas smirked. He hunched over suddenly, throwing back his head and laughing. His mirth quickly subsided into tense moans as he clutched at his side. He relaxed, and straightened up again.

‘What the hell do you find so amusing?’ Reuben asked, giving him a strange look as if he were mad.

‘There are abnormal magical creatures in this world now, and we’re worrying about finding food?’

Lucas sighed shaking his head.

Reuben looked to the nearest group of people; they were doing wheelies on their skateboards and spinning in the air as they took off from the ramps.

‘Blind fools’ Reuben cursed them with a glare. ‘After all that and they’re all completely oblivious.’

‘It’s better they don’t see anything’ Lucas replied. ‘We wouldn’t want that kind of attention anyway.’

‘It makes you think though doesn’t it?’

‘Does it?’

‘How can they not see a guardian’s magic or aberrants?’ Reuben voiced aloud. ‘They must have a spell of some sort put on all of them.’

‘I guess we’re not going to meet Drake and Lauralie after all’ Lucas sighed as they shuffled along, sounding not in the least bit disappointed about it.

‘I guess not.’

Lucas slouched tentatively forwards, supported by his brother. He felt uncomfortable without his shirt, reluctant to be seen with these bandages on, especially by somebody he knew. Looking down at himself he could see spots of blood were already seeping through the bandages.

‘Give me your hoodie’ Lucas said suddenly, ‘I don’t want to be seen walking around bleeding everywhere…wouldn’t want that kind of attention.’

Reuben immediately complied, and they walked very slowly back home. Reuben supported his brother the entire way.