Splinters In Time

Kali

When Kali stepped outside, there was a large, black jeep parked in the middle of the junkyard, a woman in a smart , blue jacket and trousers leaning against the hood. "Do you live here voluntarily?"

Kali ignored the snide remark and held up a piece of paper. "I got your note."

"Oh good, I was worried it might be too cryptic."

"You wrote: 8, Meet me outside. 4. If anything, that wasn't secretive enough."

Four shrugged. "Well, I did consider writing in code, but if you couldn't crack it, that could get real awkward." When Kali said nothing, Four peeled herself off the car and walked towards her. "What, do you want to see my credentials?" Lifting her sleeve, she showed her tattoo.

Kali eyed her warily. "I know you. You're that weird older girl."

"And you're the kid they'd make me babysit when the others were doing activities we couldn't take part in due to the power difference." Four gave the younger girl an appraising look. "So, how have you been, Eight? I see you've changed your hair. I like it- the rebel-punk look is very you."

Kali bristled. "It's not Eight. My name is Kali."

"Kali." Four tilted her head. "Did you choose that yourself, or...?"

"Is there a reason you're here?"

Four smiled. "Would you believe it's simply to catch up?"

Kali very obviously did not believe that. "How did you even find u- me?"

"You're not as covert as you think. Particularly given your recent... activities. I had a hunch and followed a lead. You should be more careful, you're attracting more attention than you know."

"I don't need your warnings." Kali gritted. "So, how did you escape? Assuming, that is, that you've come here alone. How do I know that they didn't send you to come find me?"

Four smiled, all teeth. "You don't. You'll just have to trust me. ...Although, you should know, most of them are dead."

"Dead?"

"Yeah. The inevitable happened. There was a massacre at the lab. Staff and test subjects alike. Very tragic. That's how I escaped." She paused for a moment. "Wait, that sounds like I did it. I didn't do it."

"Oh, wow." Kali seemed horrified. "All those children. I'm going to make those who did this to us pay."

"Eight, you're a woman after my own heart."

"It's Kali."

"We're not there yet." Reaching into her jacket, Four drew out a notebook. "So, all things considered, I thought you might be interested in this. Names and addresses- of those who are left, that is. I had my own encounter recently, and they were woefully under-prepared. The information I got away with..."

Kali stepped towards her, but Four pulled it back her reach. "However, I do have a few... provisos."

"Of course you do." Kali stepped closer. "Alright, lets hear it."

"Well, first of all, I'd like to speak with you face-to-face." Four's hand lashed out to the air on her right and she snatched someone's arm, dragging forward Kali into view. The illusion before them vanished. "Sneaking up on me while I'm distracted with a decoy, Eight? Rude." Suddenly, Four's sleeve erupted into hundreds of black arachnids. "And I'm not scared of spiders."

With a smile, Four released her and Kali staggered back. "You've definitely gotten better at that." Four said. "Visually, it was flawless."

Blood dripped from Kali's nose. "You've gotten better too. How did you know?"

"Illusions don't have feelings."

There was a loud whoosh and the blaring of a car alarm, and the vehicle next to Four burst into flames. Four looked at it disdainfully. "Now you're just tantruming. Calm down."

"Oh yeah, that's what you did. Feelings." Kali crossed her arms. "Alright, what's your other provisos?"

Four mopped a bloody tear from her eye. "Under no circumstances is any of this to connect back to me. As much as I want revenge also, no one is to know I'm involved. I have... investments I want to protect."

"...You're arranging a hit." Kali grinned. "Outsourcing your revenge. What, are you too much of a lady to get your hands dirty?" She gave Four's suit a once over.

"Easy, girl. I'm older than you." Four laughed. "But look, this is a two-way street. I'll come by sometimes, see how you're doing and pass on any new information I find. And in turn, I expect you to do the same- tell me of anything new you find out. And given this list, I'm sure you'll find out plenty." She held out the notebook again to Kali. "Do we have a deal?"

"We certainly do." Taking the book, Kali flicked through it, checking it was as Four said. Turning, Four started back towards the car, only to be stopped by Kali stepping forward. "So... If we're both from the lab... What does that make us then? Sisters? Sisters-in-arms?"

Four pursed her lips. "...No. No, if we start off down that path, half the younger ones end up wanting to call me Mum. We're... Allies. Allies for a shared cause." She tugged on the door handle. "Oh, and I'm keeping the car.

"Change the plates, we nicked it." Kali leant on the bonnet. "Are you sure you don't want to stick around for a while?"

"Much like you, I have things to do." Four dropped into the driver's seat. "But I mean it, tell no one I was here. No one." She waved. "See you around, Eight."

A/N: So does anyone else think Kali is actually really cool? I kinda want them to bring her back in the series- not necessarily long-term, but just to wrap up her story. If they don't, I will- I have ideas!

Also, so we have a Kali, named after a goddess, and a Lilith, named after a demon. This is turning into quite the pantheon.
Then there's Henry and Jane. XD