Fallen Chapter One- Friendly Surprise

Cohan sighed as he opened the door to his apartment. Living on his own had always been tough; he was only seventeen, he wasn't ready. But he was as ready as he would ever be. Sighing tiredly, he walked over to his phone and pressed the blinking red button. "You have five messages," the machine announced, and he rubbed the ridge of his nose as he closed his eyes, sighing once more. He pressed the button again and the machine started to talk. "Hey Cohan, it's me," came Sohai's voice. He smiled to himself. If he had any friends in this crazy world, Sohai was definitely one of them. Sohai was his partner in this area, another one of the Active Ones. Sohai had been out of town today though. "I'm sorry I wasn't there today," the voice continued. "I should have been. But something came up; my sister was sent to the hospital. She's sick. I had to go and stay with her while our parents worked. I should be back by tomorrow though. Maybe we could play some soccer." Cohan smiled. Sohai loved soccer. He, himself, didn't really care for it, but it was enjoyable and his partner liked it. "Oh, gotta go bro," and then Sohai's message was over. Sohai was the kind of person that got along with everyone. He always called Cohan 'bro', and Cohan didn't really mind. As the next message beeped on, he shut the machine off, his stomach growling. He would listen to the rest after he had eaten something.

He went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, pulling out leftovers from the night before. Sighing, he walked over to the microwave and put the food in, setting the timer. He turned around and leaned against the counter, his cobalt eyes slipping closed. He opened them again when the microwave beeped. Turning, he opened the microwave and pulled his food out. The door to his spartment suddenly opened, and he nearly dropped his food. Setting it quietly on the counter, he slowly stalked toward the living room. Glancing around the corner, he didn't feel strange. It couldn't be a shadow. He frowned and looked around. Sohai was sitting on the couch, his feet up on the table, smiling at him. Breathing a sigh of relief, he walked into the room. "What are you doing here?" he asked. "I thought you weren't coming back until tomorrow."

He shrugged and yawned. "Meh. I cought a ride home with this hot girl. You know you really should get a better lock for that door. Took me less than a second to break it."

Cohan rolled his eyes. "Give me a break," he said. "Not everyone around here is like us, you know." He sat down on the couch next to his partner. Frowning, he noticed that Sohai was holding his arm a bit awkwardly. "What's wrong?" he asked, gesturing at it.

Sohai blinked. "Oh, that?" he asked, and then shrugged. "Nothing much. Let's just say I had a few problems getting back. There was..." he frowned. "I don't know how to say it. It was weird. Nothing happened. It's just...there..." he pulled the sleeve of his shirt back, revealing a bandaged arm. "It was just suddenly bleeding..." He shrugged again. "Oh well. It didn't really hurt."

Cohan frowned. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, m'fine," said Sohai. "So, what were you going to have for supper?" he smiled. "Leftovers again, Cohan?"

Cohan scowled. "I wish you wouldn't do that."

"Do what?" Sohai asked innocently. Cohan sighed. Each of the Active Ones seemed to have different powers, though all of them could sense the shadows. It was true they could sense them, but not everyone could see them. Sohai's brain ability was so high that he seemed to be telepathic. Cohan could sometimes levitate things if he were in the right mood, but it was rarely that he was able to do so. Sohai laughed. "Sorry, mate. Didn't mean to read your mind. You know to have your shields up around me; I can't always control it."

Cohan sighed. "I know, I know," he mumbled, rolling his eyes. "I don't have anymore food, though. I haven't gone to the store yet."

Sohai shrugged and got to his feet. "So we'll go out." he smiled and turned toward the door. Cohan smiled and gave a chuckle as he jumped to his feet and followed after his slightly taller partner. "Bit slow there mate," said Sohai as he smirked and shut the door behind Cohan. He took off running down the hall. "Last one out has to pay the bill!"

"Hey, no fair!" shouted Cohan as he rushed after him. Sohai beat him, of course, but it was close. Sighing, he shook his head. "Cheater."

Sohai only laughed and whistled for a cab. He hopped in and Cohan followed after him. "To the Pizza Plaza, please," said Sohai, getting comfortable against the seat. The cab driver nodded and began pulling away from the curb, rolling the window up that went between the front seats and the back seats. "So," his partner said as he turned toward him. "How was it today? Was it a toughie?"

Cohan paused. "No, it was pretty easy. It snapped at me and missed, and I sent it back to the base. But..." he frowned. "I don't...They seem smarter to me. It seemed to know I was there."

Sohai sighed. "Yeah, I know what you mean. I took one on a few months ago while I was on vacation. The thing nearly took my arm off." he chuckled to himself. "I told them back at base that it seemed that they were getting smarter, but them brainiacs don't think so."

"I know," said Cohan. "I told them that today." he sighed and got comfortable as well. "Man I wish I were old enough for a drink."

Sohai laughed. "Yeah I know what you mean."

The cab dropped them off at the Pizza Plaza, and Sohai paid the fare. As they entered, they found the place virtually empty. Smiling, they moved toward a booth and sat down. Soon enough a waiter came to wait on them. They both ordered a medium pizza and two large sodas. They ate their food in silence, until something tweaked Cohan's senses. From the pensive expression on Sohai's face, he had felt it too.

"...A shadow?" Cohan thought. He knew that Sohai would pick it up, as he had taken his shield down.

Sohai frowned. "Maybe," he thought back. "But it seems...different...more powerful..."

Cohan frowned too. Sohai was right. Whatever it was, it was different, and he didn't know what to expect.