Extraordinary : Lost and Found

A/N: Thank you for the reviews. Keep on leaving them. I don't know how to feel about this chapter. The next one is going to be awesome. Well, tell me what you think! Read and Review!

I

Liz Sherman woke up on a lazy Sunday morning, rested and hungry. Amy was opening her door and waved.

"I'm feelin'... waffles."

The nineteen-year-old stretched, smiling.

"You read my mind."

Grinning despite the fact that she just woke up, Amy turned on the radio and waffle iron. Amy saucily swung her hips to the music, earning a soft chuckle from Liz. Brown eyes followed the woman around the kitchen. Over the months, a friendship had formed. Every time Liz thought about it too much, she felt sick and tears began to well in her eyes. During these few moments of introspection she hated herself for liking Amy Ashfield so much. It felt as if she were slighting Hellboy... as if she were trying to forget or replace him.

But... deep down, Liz knew Red was irreplaceable and unforgettable. She seldom spoke to Amy about him, never giving his name, only stating that, "He's the best man I've ever met." Amy, bless her heart, never pressed for more details, she only said, "Well you're lucky to have met him."

"Do you have any plans for tonight?"

Amy's voice pulled Liz out of her thoughts. Liz shook her head as she peeled oranges.

"No... no, I don't think so."

"Want to go out? Rick's is open all night."

"On Christmas?"

"Christmas Eve. Big difference." Amy served Liz. "What do you say? It's not one of those loud clubs. It's nice."

"I don't know..."

Maybe it was fate that coerced Liz into going out. Amy leant her a dress, a red, velvet beauty, and Amy wore navy blue. She even styled her curls. Liz came out of the bathroom, causing Amy to whistle.

"You're a knockout!" She grinned and Liz ducked her head down shyly. "I'm serious. You are going to be getting looks all night. Red looks great on you."

That statement rang in Liz's head all the way to the bar.

Red looks great on you. College kids filled the streets even as a light snow began to fall. Liz had never seen so many people in one place. Amy maneuvered her way through the crowd, smiling sweetly at the bartender.

She ordered two beers, and Liz frowned.

"Amy, I'm not twenty-one."

"Don't worry, everyone is twenty-one tonight." She bit her lip, as if just realizing something. "Oh, sorry, do you... do you not want it? I'm so rude sometimes—"

"No, no it's fine." Liz took the drink. "I'll have to try it sometime, right?"

Confidence returned to the glowing Amy Ashfield.

"Yeah. And... even though beer isn't a 'ladies' drink, I find it's better. There's less alcohol in it than cocktails and mixers, so you can have a few and not be smashed." They clinked their bottles together. "Cheers."

It certainly didn't taste good. Still, Liz swallowed it all the same. Men struck up conversations with both Amy and Liz, and Liz was polite. Then, a strong voice broke the crowd of hopeful suitors.

"My God, Liz, is that you?" George parted the crowd like Moses parted the sea. He kissed Amy's cheek, then Liz's. "You look wonderful."

"Thank you, George, you're rather handsome as well."

He smiled at that. Amy mouthed "told you" as he sat down with him, looking from one to the other.

"I like the combination. Red and Blue."

Liz almost choked on her drink, but she didn't have time to. A piercing shriek interrupted her.

II

Though Hellboy believed in God, he wasn't so sure that He was involved in his daily life. The way Red saw it, God was keeping the world in tact, not necessarily listening to every word and prayer coming out of his mouth. However, when the alarm went off and Manning said the words "harpies," and "Hoboken," Hellboy couldn't help but wonder if God was actually listening. He immediately went for the walkie talkie.

"Bauer? This is Red. I just got word that there's a bit of a harpy problem around your place."

He didn't have to wait for a response.

"Roger that."

"Hey, Bauer?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you... could you make sure that... she's okay? I just... I just don't want anything to—"

"I know. I'll be there. Liz will be fine."

As Hellboy put on his coat and loaded his gun, he noticed his palms were sweating. Professor Bruttenholm noticed his son's tail twitching restlessly. He didn't know why, but Abe did.

Blue blinked as the truck rolled down the highway.

"She's back?"

"Yeah."

"In Hoboken?"

"Yeah."

Abe was quiet for the longest time. He almost couldn't take the onslaught of emotions he was feeling from Red. Anxiety, terror, yearning, and a desperate hope that was heart-breaking. Hope that he'd see her, and hope that he wouldn't. It was so deep, so full and real that... it was killing him. Abe wasn't sure what was going to happen if Hellboy did see Liz again. Half of him thought that it would bring a spring back into his step. The other half, however, thought that it would kill him.

III

It took a few minutes for the first scream to have an impact. It was when people started banging on the windows, leaving bloody hand prints behind when people began paying attention. Everyone fell silent as a large woman that was outside ran past, then suddenly disappearing in a whirl of talons and feathers.

Not a moment later there was a fleshy thud. Nothing was left except a bare thigh. A young woman screamed, then fainted. Just like that, everyone began moving. The bartender quickly pulled down iron curtains, locking them down tight and dimming the lights. Strange animal cries echoed outside.

George stood, his big eyes wide. Amy's lips moved, but no sound came out. Liz stared at the iron curtains, flinching when something from the outside slammed against them. Police sirens were drowned out by the shrieks and wails.

Each second felt like decades. Liz closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing, but... she heard them. She heard them... and she knew that she would catch fire soon. She could feel it.

"Amy... I have to get out of here." Amy turned, mouth agape. Hot tears streamed down Liz's face, a novel sight for the older woman. "Please, please, Amy, I'm begging you, please—"

"Liz, are you crazy? You can't—"

"If you don't... if I stay..."

Her voice was cracking. A pulse of heat made the entire bar gasp. George turned and Amy nodded. She continued bobbing her head nervously up and down, teeth chattering. Every curl seemed to crackle. She reached for the bartender.

"Excuse me... is there a... back door?" When he didn't answer, George pressed several crumbled twenties into his hand, allowing Amy to continue. "Show us. Now."

Stumbling through the darkness, the bartender led Liz to a small wooden door. He left them, shaking his head. Liz exhaled shakily, heat pouring out of her.

"You... you should leave."

"Right."

George turned to leave, but Amy crossed her arms.

"I'm staying." Her green eyes never left Liz's. "Go, George. You've... you've got to. I'm staying."

He clenched his fists, pulling Amy into a tight hug. He buried his face into her neck, and Liz looked away when they began to whisper to each other frantically. She closed her eyes when George left. She opened them when she felt control slowly returning to her. Liz twisted the knob and pulled open the door, acold wind blowing her long, black hair back.

Desolation. A hushed breeze moaned in their ears. Amy closed the door behind her. The Hoboken she once knew was gone. There were no friendly faces or young crowds. Detached limbs and bodies littered the streets instead. Amy lurched forward, then fell to her knees, vomiting.

Gunfire and shouts echoed in the streets. They were close. Who? You know who. Liz didn't have time to reason with herself. A creature crawled from the alleyway, wings flapping. It looked female, but there was no trace of humanity behind its dark eyes. Its lips pulled back to reveal needle-sharp teeth. It hissed.

Amy wiped her mouth, looking up.

"Jesus Christ..."

It screeched and charged at the sick human. Liz stepped in front of Amy, summoning her fire.

"Oh no you don't." It leapt up, sinking its claws into Liz's arms. The fire spread, and Liz pulled it closer to her. "Leave her alone."

IV

The thing about harpies is that they only travel in swarms. Red clutched his arm, grimacing at the hot, sticky blood that poured out of his arm. Abe and the agents were holding their own. Hellboy found the leader, shooting it in the shoulder. It let out a cry, spiraling over buildings into another street. Red took a deep breath, waving his hand to tell the other agents to stay back.

"I got it."

The walkie talkie remained silent. He jogged to the other street, noticing that it was getting warmer. The harpy was screaming, and Hellboy rounded the corner to see... to see...

Fire.

Raging flames that twisted and fell to the ground, a monster's skeleton remaining. Yellow eyes lifted to see a glowing cross necklace and black hair. His heart stopped when she looked up.

Eternity was in her eyes. Hellboy didn't hear Agent Bauer scream, he didn't even notice the other woman on the sidewalk. There was nothing else to him. He had... he had found her. His hand traveled to his pocket, pulling out the satin ribbons.

"Liz..."

Her eyes widened and the last thing he remembered was the cry that left her throat before he blacked out.

V

Amy stared at the monster that held onto Liz, she stared at the fire that was now her friend. Amy felt no chill, Liz's fire heating up the entire street. It felt like it was summer.

"Hey!" Amy's head jerked at the voice. A man was running towards her, and at the same time... something big and red came into the street. Amy saw Liz stare at the red man... her eyes so full of surprise, love, and misery that Amy almost couldn't believe it. Almost. "Get down!"

"Wha—"

The older man tackled her, knocking the wind out of her. Through the stinging tears, Amy saw and felt the explosion. Liz let out a cry filled with lust, happiness, rage, astonishment... and love. Amy didn't care that the tip of her shoes were on fire and she didn't care that she was having trouble breathing. Her head tilted to the side to see Liz, still on fire, sink to the ground, sobbing hysterically.

She had found him. That's him. That's the greatest man she'd ever known... The man got off of her, helping her up and checked her for wounds. She barely noticed him. The red man was on the ground, knocked unconscious by the blast. Amy heard shouts.

"Liz?" Amy cleared her throat. "Liz? We... we have to go now."

The man looked at Amy as if she were nuts. Liz turned her head, shaking as the pavement melted.

"I-I-I can't s-stop! I-I can't stop it!"

Adrenalin fueled her brain, and Amy motioned to an alleyway.

"The Hudson! Come on, Liz, we can do this. But you have to move first!" The shouts and falling footsteps were getting closer. The red man began to stir. Amy sucked in a breath, terror shooting through her. If he woke up... and she saw him again... Amy was sure she would be nothing but kindling. "Come on!" Liz, transfixed with Amy's desperation, stood up slowly. Amy grinned. "That's it. Follow me."

Thus began the trek though the alleyways. The man and Amy ran in sync. The air stung Amy's lungs. The buildings opened up to a beautiful sight: water. Ice cold water. Liz fell into it, a burst of steam exploding into the air.

Wiping her brow, Amy finally allowed herself to think about everything that had transpired. Things... monsters had killed people... their bodies in the streets. Liz was on fire... she was fire. As Liz vaporized the water around her, Amy swooned on her feet.

"Whoa. Easy." The man touched her shoulders. Amy turned, her wild eyes boring into his. He met them, unfazed. "So who are you?"

"Amy. You?"

"Edward." They looked at Liz who began to breathe slower. "Did you know?"

"No. I don't know a lot of things."

The fire died down, and Liz stumbled out of the water, falling onto the bank, naked and shivering. Edward stripped off his jacket. Amy began tearing her dress, hesitating, then going through with it, exposing her legs as she wrapped the material around Liz.

Grunting, Amy lifted Liz up, walking up and onto the road. Agent Bauer panted, looking down at Amy's legs. They were... covered in tattoos. When she turned to face them, his mouth went dry. So young... She saw him staring, and her shoulders raised, she was silent, waiting for him to say something.

Instead, he said nothing, merely averting his eyes. Amy relaxed a bit. She dug around in a small purse, removing a card with a phone number on it.

"Call in twenty minutes."

She left him in the cold, a long tendril of steam spiraling into the night sky from the Hudson.

VI

"Ugh..." Red squinted. "Where am I?"

"Relax, Red. We're on our way back to the base..."

Jumping up, Hellboy hit his head on a light, causing Abe to stumble backwards. Professor Bruttenholm gasped, his hand touching Hellboy's shoulder. Red trembled, breathing heavily.

"We have to go back." When his statement was not acted upon, Hellboy raised his voice. "Turn around! Go back! Liz is—"

"Gone." Professor Bruttenholm sighed. "We lost track of her."

Manning popped his head in.

"I'm sending out a full search team in the morning, Hellboy."

Hellboy didn't hear him. He looked at his father and Blue.

"You should've seen 'er. She was incredible."

VII

Amy watched as Liz threw her belongings into a suitcase. They hadn't said a word to each other. Amy's phone buzzed.

"Hi. We're fine." Amy paused. She looked up. "Liz?" Her roommate's eyes lifted. "He wants to talk to you. He says he's Agent Bauer."

Liz's stone mask broke. She took the phone into her hands, pressing it to her ear.

"Agent Bauer? I didn't know that was you..." Amy turned away, cleaning herself up and slipping on pajama pants. "No, I'm... I think I have to go back... I've never lost control like that since... well... you know." Amy began packing Liz's things for her. "Yeah. I'll keep in touch. I have to go. Goodbye." She terminated the call. Amy closed the suitcase. "You're mad, aren't you?"

"No." Liz frowned at the curt answer. Amy sighed. "Sorry... but I'm not angry. I never asked, you never told. I like that about you." Amy dug her hands into her pockets. "Can I ask you a few questions?"

"As long as I can ask some too."

"Okay. How long have you been able to do... that?"

"I... I guess since I was born. How long have you had those tattoos?"

Stony eyes met brown.

"Since I was fifteen." Amy helped Liz put on her jacket. "Are you going to see him again?"

"Yes."

She wrapped a scarf around her neck.

"Will you write?" Everything stopped. Liz blinked, not expecting that question. "I... well... I think of you as a friend. And... yeah, you're way beyond but I like you. You're fun to hang out with. So... will you write?"

Liz smiled, tears gathering behind her eyes.

"Of course I will."

A cab waited outside. Amy shivered in the cold. She put the luggage in the truck. Liz surprised the older woman by hugging her, almost knocking her over. Amy's lips twitched. She was released shortly after. Amy shook Liz's hand firmly, just like the first time they met. "See you later, kid."

"See you, Amy."

Amy closed the door, watching the cab drive all the way down the street. Snowflakes fell, and Amy was cold.

VIII

A/N: That's all for now, folks. Tell me what you think. Was it bad? Was it good? Boring? Lame? Spicy? Read and Review!

-mia