The Doom that Came to Winslow: 6

Triggers are not uncommon in the aftermath of a Master event. Being Mastered, or being in proximity to those who have been mastered is one of the more traumatic incidents an individual can suffer. For this reason, interviewers need to keep in mind that 1. Mastered Victims often find it very difficult to trust others, and 2. They will be on edge and sensitive for any hint of manipulation. For this reason, while in many cases, it is better to soft-pedal the event, it is generally wisest in the aftermath of a Mastering event that resulted in a victim-trigger scenario to be absolutely honest regarding the situation, unless that is likely to create an imminent threat to life and limb…

New Trigger Interview Manual, pg. 75

Walking into the house, Colin carefully kept himself calm. The fact that the walls were covered in insects didn’t make it easy—as did the fact that the insects on the floor moved aside was he walked forward.

Hundreds of thousands—no, millions. Under her control. Can she sense through them?

If so, fighting her would be a nightmare, it’d be like fighting someone who knew exactly where you were, even if there were walls between you and her. But she had invited him in, and offered tea.

Not the sign of someone who was preparing to attack…

He had a complete record of her history—Mother killed in an auto accident. Sent to a summer camp to recover…and if their timeline was right, came back just in time to run into a Master, give or take a month.

Even for a trigger event, Taylor had been very unlucky.

Inside the living room, there were no insects—visible, that is. His visor however indicated heat buildups behind every wall and under the floor.

“I, uh… didn’t have good tea, I haven’t been in, since, you know the hospital.” She said. She was wearing an oversized sweater and sweatpants. She looked like.. Well any one of a hundred people Colin might pass on the street, perhaps the only stand out feature being her curly hair, which she evidently took care of, an indication of pride in that aspect of her appearance.

No makeup.

Her father was sitting at the side of the room, looking like he was partially in shock. Post-Mastering stress? 

Colin carefully sat down. Fortunately he was in his light armor. He remembered some embarrassing incidents with his heavy armor and normal chairs.

She handed him the tea, and he was about to put—

“Colin, drink the tea,” Dragon said. “She made it for you.”

It was a bit of a waste of time, but Colin nodded and took a drink.

“Thank you.” He said, once he put it down. “First of all, I want to tell you again, you are at no risk of being arrested. We were surprised to discover another parahuman, but the Master at Winslow is dead… which is how this all came out.”

“Master?” Taylor paused. “Dad started… freaking and then Triumph came in, but I thought you were…” She took a deep breath and shook his head. “Who, um, was it?”

“Julia Stevens.”

Taylor blinked. “But she… she wasn’t the worst…”

“Because she wasn’t impacted by her own power.” Colin sighed and hoped that he wasn’t about to be buried in bugs. “We are still investigating, but her power allowed her to put a ‘mark’ on an individual. That mark would make those around them see them…negatively. Some hate, others ignore her needs…”

“She put it on me.”

“Yes, from her diary, likely from the very beginning of school.”

“I…” She took a deep breath. “And everyone else…”

“Ms. Hebert. This is going to be hard, and I am sorry to tell you this, but victims of a Master… are not under their own control. We have the information that Sophia Hess pushed you into the locker, yes?”

Taylor clenched her hands. “In addition to everything else. She laugh—“

“She was the first one to report the presence of a Master after Julia’s death released her influence. The first person, at a time when nobody would have even thought to look at her. Her interview… She has stated, in detail, everything that was done to you.”

“Armsmaster?” Triumph said over the link. “Don’t know what you’re saying, but those bugs are getting awfully active.”

“So just forget? Sorry?” Taylor asked. She got up… “Just…”

“Taylor,” Danny said. “I—I didn’t help you. I had too many problems, and today… it was like a snap. Why was I ignoring you…” He shook his head. “And I don’t think I ever spoke to this… Julia.”

Colin had rarely heard such loathing in a man’s voice.

“And we were around her every day…” Taylor paused. “I wonder if that’s why they laid off now and then…” she frowned, as if trying to remember something. “Sometimes, after a school break, things were better… better for a few days. Maybe she had to… re-mark me?”

“That is extremely perceptive.” Colin nodded. “Yes, many Masters have to renew their effect.” She’s calmer… at least outwardly.

Meanwhile, evidently the bugs outside of the house were tearing each other to pieces.

“So, what do we do now?” Taylor asked.

“I would request that you come with us to the PRT building.” Colin glanced at the window, still covered with bugs. “Unfortunately, this isn’t exactly private and you are a non-human Master, controlling insects… do you have a range?” He asked.

“Um, I haven’t stretched, it, but about four blocks?”

Colin kept himself calm while upping her threat. The bugs were bad enough, but if she was able to sense them for that range…

“Unfortunately,” he said. “This event isn’t just traumatic for the victims, but their family and friends and while you are a non-human Master,  many people may not be logical. If you wish to stay here, we can assign a protective detail—which we will anyway—to protect your house.” Since I give it maybe four hours before someone decides to try and burn the place down.

Taylor’s father looked at her, pulling himself out of his funk. “Taylor…that might be best.”

“Yeah.” She shook her head and laughed. “You know, I was thinking about my costume… oh, and I have a diary of everything they did to me. Do you want it?”

“Yes. As an observer who was not directly Mastered, your insight would be valuable.”

“Jeezus, Armsmaster, now try to say: I am very sorry for what you went through,” Agent Howell sounded put upon.

“And it goes without saying that it will be kept private—I am very sorry that you went through this and the Protectorate failed to assist you,” Armsmaster said.

“Okay… Um… Yeah, let me get my things,” Taylor said.

She got up and left, and then Mr. Hebert was looking at Colin.

“Is she going to be okay?”

“From every bit of information we have, the Master effect ceased upon her death. Also, while we will test your daughter, I doubt she was directly Mastered.”

“God… All this, and it… was just one person? Nobody else’s’ fault?”

“The PRT will provide psychological assistance,” Colin said. “It may help you in coming to terms with what has happened and moving forward.”

Mr. Hebert gave him a flat look, and then Taylor came back in, a very thick book in one hand and some clothes in the other. She looked…

Almost relieved?  At the same time, Triumph and the troopers reported that the bugs were calming down, slowly dispersing.

All in all the situation had gone about as well as could be expected—though he’d still make certain that Sophia was nowhere near where Taylor was in the PRT… infact… He quickly sent a text via his visor’s pupil reading system, to move Sophia to the rig for now. Four blocks range…

Well, hopefully before she had to come back, things would be calmer.

With that, the three got up and headed to the waiting PRT van.