The next morning, the group packed up their things and set out once again. After a quick discussion, they agreed to avoid the heart of the city whenever possible and stick to the outskirts — less chance of running into S.W.O.R.D. agents that way.
They searched the area around the motel and eventually stumbled upon a half-abandoned strip mall. It wasn't much, but it had exactly what they needed: a small clothing store and, conveniently, a barber shop right next to it. Hal noted that there was a chapel across the street. A chapel that Rahne seemed to look at constantly ever since they got to the strip mall.
They decided to split up. The girls headed into the clothing store to pick out new outfits, while the boys went to get their hair cut.
The boys kept it simple — just shorter, cleaner cuts. Their hair had grown unruly during their travels, and trimming it down made a surprising difference. When they finally stepped out of the barber shop, they looked almost like different people.
Meanwhile, inside the clothing store, things weren't going quite as fast.
Dani had taken charge, dragging Rahne and Illyana along as she picked out outfits for them. The two girls followed her lead awkwardly, neither seeming particularly excited about the process.
Rahne's turn came first. It didn't take long for Dani to pull together a few options and start sorting through the clothes at the counter.
Rahne shifted from foot to foot, arms crossed tightly. "Can I go now?" she asked, her voice a little tense.
"Why? Where are you going?" Dani said, looking up from the pile of clothes.
"Just… outside," Rahne muttered.
Dani eyed her for a second, then shrugged. "Alright. Just don't go too far."
Rahne nodded quickly and slipped out of the shop, leaving Dani and Illyana alone among the racks of clothes.
Dani turned toward Illyana with a grin. "Your turn."
Illyana just stood there, arms loosely at her sides, looking unimpressed. "Fine. I'll be your doll."
"What?" Dani raised an eyebrow. "No. You're picking your own stuff."
Illyana frowned. "Just pick something for me."
"Illyana, you're older than me. You should at least pretend to care about what you wear." Dani said, holding up two options — one in a muted green, the other a mix of blue and yellow. "Here. Pick one."
Illyana stared at the clothes with a blank expression. "They look… fine."
"You don't like them," Dani said, reading her easily. "Alright, how about this—"
They fell into a rhythm — or rather, a loop — of Dani pulling outfit after outfit off the racks, and Illyana responding with the same half-hearted 'fine'. It went on for almost half an hour, until Dani ran out of patience and options. Huffing, she wandered off to search another section.
Left on her own, Illyana awkwardly sifted through a few racks, not expecting to find anything. But then something caught her eye.
From the corner of her eye, Dani noticed Illyana slowing down in front of one display.
"Aha!" Dani said, her voice bright with excitement. "Why didn't I think of that?"
She snatched the set Illyana had been eyeing — a black leather jacket paired with spiked accessories, practically dripping with punk rock attitude.
"Of course it makes sense," Dani said, grinning. She turned to Illyana, holding the outfit up like a prize. "Wanna try it?"
Illyana hesitated, glancing at the clothing, then back at Dani. "…Sure."
Taking the set, she slipped into one of the changing rooms. Barely a minute passed before she stepped out again.
Dani blinked in surprise. The black leather suited her almost too well.
"You look…" Dani paused, trying to find the right word. "Rock and roll. You like it?"
Illyana turned to the mirror, studying her reflection silently for a moment. "It's… nice."
"Then it's settled," Dani said, nodding in approval. "You're getting it."
—
Roberto stood in front of a faded telephone booth, staring at the receiver like it might bite him. His foot tapped anxiously against the cracked pavement, a steady, restless rhythm. After a long pause, he finally lifted the phone, listening to the faint buzz on the other end — but he hesitated, his grip tightening. He gulped and took a few deep breaths, trying to steady himself.
"What are you doing?" a voice asked behind him.
Roberto flinched, hurriedly putting the receiver back on the hook. He turned to see Hal standing there, eyebrow raised.
"I was… uh, nothing. Forget it," Roberto muttered, shaking his head. "I was thinking about calling my parents."
"You think that's a good idea?" Hal asked, voice low.
"I don't know." Roberto said in doubt. "They're my parents. Surely they—"
He cut himself off, the words too heavy to finish.
"Their phones might be monitored," Hal said after a beat.
"I know," Roberto said with a tired shrug. "That's why I stopped. Honestly, I don't even know if it would go through. They're in Brazil. And I've never used one of these… ancient things before."
"You miss them?" Hal asked.
Roberto gave a short, humorless chuckle. "I don't know."
"Why not?"
Roberto slumped down on the edge of the booth's base. "They sent me off. Like... out of sight, out of mind. They never even tried to contact me at Milbury."
Hal sat down beside him. "To be fair, SWORD might've blocked them. They didn't exactly want you thinking about home when they were trying to turn you into a weapon."
"Exactly." Roberto clenched his fists, jaw tight. "It's just—back at Milbury, I was sure that they didn't want me anymore. And now... I don't know. Maybe they're worried. Maybe they think I'm dead. Or maybe I was right the first time — maybe they really don't care."
Hal nudged him lightly. "Look, you might get your chance later. To find out for sure. Just… don't tear yourself up over it right now, alright?"
"Yeah. Right," Roberto said, voice soft.
As they sat there, Hal's gaze drifted across the street. He spotted Rahne, hesitantly crossing toward an old, empty chapel. She paused at the door, fidgeting nervously before slipping inside.
Hal patted Roberto's shoulder and stood. "Hold on. I'll be back," he said, jogging after her.
—
When Hal stepped into the chapel, he found Rahne sitting alone on one of the pews. The place was empty — no reverend, no parishioners — just her, staring up at the simple cross hanging above the altar.
He approached quietly. As he got closer, he heard her soft voice, almost a whisper.
"Merciful God, I confess that I hae sinned against ye. In thought, word, and deed — by what I hae done, and by what I hae left undone."
Hal slowed, careful not to interrupt.
"I hae nae loved ye wi' my whole heart, and soul, and mind, and strength."
He stopped beside the pew where she sat.
"I hae nae loved my neighbours as meself."
Gently, Hal lowered himself onto the seat next to her. Rahne's eyes remained closed, her hands folded in her lap, her voice steady and low.
"In yer mercy, forgive what I hae been, help me amend what I am, and direct what I shall be, so that I may tak' delight in yer will and walk in yer ways, to the glory o' yer holy name."
With a long, shaky breath, she opened her eyes and turned toward him.
"You okay?" Hal asked softly.
Rahne nodded. "That was... a confessional prayer. I hae nae said it in a long while."
Hal gave a small hum. "I'm not exactly a religious guy, so… can't say I relate."
She chuckled under her breath. "I'm nae even sure I am anymore, to be honest."
"Then why come here?" Hal asked.
She shrugged, her gaze dropping to the worn floor. "Habit, maybe. Or... I suppose I wanted tae remember. I grew up in a chapel."
Her posture sagged, shoulders curling inward.
"Actually... that's nae the real reason I came." she admitted, voice almost a whisper.
Hal shifted, giving her space. "You want me to leave?"
"No. No, stay," she said quickly, shaking her head. "Would ye... would ye listen?"
Hal smiled gently. "I've been practically begging you guys to start releasing your repressed emotions. If it helps, go ahead."
Rahne managed a faint smile. "It will."
She sat a little heavier then, the weight of her memories pressing down.
"I was just sittin' outside, behind the strip mall... when I saw this place. And it reminded me o' home. O' where I grew up." She glanced at him. "Ye remember that counselin' session?"
"The only one I ever went to?" Hal said, scoffing lightly. "Yeah. I remember."
Rahne smiled at that, but it faded quickly.
"Ye remember what I told the group?"
Hal's expression sobered. "You said you told your reverend about your powers."
Rahne nodded weakly. "Aye. And he called me a witch. Said I caused the Snap. That half the world's blood was on me hands."
Hal reached out and laid a hand gently on her shoulder.
"He's an idiot," he said firmly.
Rahne laughed — a small, broken sound — as tears welled in her eyes.
"I know that now. But back then... back then, I believed him." Her voice cracked. "He beat me. And I thought... I thought I deserved it. That it was God's punishment. That Hell wasnae enough for me because o' what I am."
"That's..." Hal clenched his fists. "That's horrible."
"I kept questionin' meself," Rahne whispered. "If it was all true. If I really was cursed. But I didnae do anything. I tried tae be a good... Christian. I tried tae do everything right. So why would God punish me for somethin' I had nae control over?"
"You were just a kid," Hal said firmly. "The reverend... he was probably just desperate for someone to blame after the Snap. People like him — they lash out when they're afraid. You can't take his words to heart. Not now. Not ever. Your powers aren't a curse, Rahne. They're a gift. A remarkable one."
She gave a small, hollow laugh. "Those are nice words, Hal. But... ever since my powers showed up, my life's been hell. After the beatin's, he near enough sold me off tae SWORD."
"Sold?" Hal frowned, his voice sharp.
"Not officially," she muttered, a bitter smile flickering on her lips. "Just a big 'donation' tae the chapel in exchange for gettin' rid o' me. Life at Milbury wasn't bad at first — food, shelter, friends... I thought maybe things were finally alright. Till you showed me the truth. That they were groomin' us. Trainin' us tae be weapons. Made me realise... that peace wasn't real. It was just another kind o' cage."
Hal said nothing for a moment. Then he reached out and pulled her into a side hug. She leaned into him, her head resting lightly against his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," he murmured. "For everything you've been through. But none of that is your fault. It's not your sin to carry."
Rahne smiled through her tears. "I ken that now. I just... needed tae confess the real sin I made." She wiped at her face. "Believin' the words o' a cruel man ower the love o' God."
Hal stayed quiet, letting the weight of her words settle between them.
"Even after all that, you still believe?" he asked quietly.
"I believe one man's wickedness doesnae damn a whole faith," she said. "One bad tree doesnae ruin the whole forest."
Hal let out a low hum, impressed. "You're stronger than you think, Rahne. Stronger than most."
She chuckled weakly. "Cheers. And... thanks fer listenin'."
She stood up, brushing off her skirt and wiping away the last of her tears.
"Come on," she said, her voice lighter now. "Ye still havnae bought any clothes."
Hal grinned and rose to his feet. "Right. Let's get back."
Together, they stepped back out into the sunlight, leaving the stillness of the chapel behind.
—
When all was said and done, the group finally regrouped, each of them clad in the clothes they'd picked out. They'd quickly changed in a nearby alley, ditching the ragged Milbury uniforms and stashing them somewhere out of sight. When they glanced at themselves in the mirror, it was almost like looking at strangers—clothes that felt like them for the first time in a long while. They could almost forget who they had been, hiding behind hoods and loose layers that shielded their identities.
The girls had even managed to give themselves haircuts. Illyana's hair was much tidier now, with neat bangs that framed her face. Rahne's hair, once short and unruly, was thinned out along the sides, but still had that untamed look she was used to. Dani, keeping her hair mostly long, had only tidied the front, sweeping it back much like Illyana's.
With the changes complete, the decision was made: they were leaving. Fast. No more hesitation. Straight to New York. They made their way to Boston's South Station.
As they walked into the vast terminal, the weight of their goal hit them. Police officers patrolled the station with sharp eyes, their presence heavy in the air. Without thinking, everyone pulled their hoods up, pulling their faces into the shadows. Roberto approached the counter to buy tickets, while the rest of the group retreated to a quiet corner, trying to blend into the small crowd.
Hal watched Dani as her foot tapped nervously against the floor. The constant rhythm was a clear sign of her growing anxiety.
"Are you nervous?" Hal asked, his voice calm as it broke through her anxious focus.
Dani paused, the tapping stopping abruptly. She gave a tight-lipped smile. "A little," she muttered. "What if they recognize us? Or what if there are agents waiting in New York?"
"Relax," Hal reassured her, his voice steady. "Everything's going to be fine."
His eyes moved to Rahne, whose expression was unreadable but alert. She caught his gaze, and without a word, she quietly slipped away from the group. She knew exactly what Hal wanted—listening for anything that could give away that they've been located.
Minutes later, Roberto returned with the tickets, and Rahne slipped back into the group, her steps silent.
"Naething so far." Rahne reported.
Hal nodded. "Good."
Turning to Roberto, Hal asked, "So, the ticket's solid?"
"It's twenty bucks each," Roberto confirmed. "We'll be dropped off in Manhattan."
"Manhattan?" Dani frowned. "But we're heading upstate."
"There's no other cheap option, Dani," Roberto sighed, glancing at her. "The Snap hit the transportation industry hard apparently. We'll take another bus once we're there, or grab a taxi. It won't be hard."
Hal raised an eyebrow. "You've been to New York?"
"Once. On holiday," Roberto muttered. "But not... like this."
"Right," Hal hummed, accepting one of the tickets. "It leaves in thirty minutes. Let's go."
With their tickets in hand, the group made their way toward their gate, ready to embark on the next stage of their journey. The hum of anxiety buzzed in the air as they prepared for a long bus ride ahead.