#roofied

It was a simple request. Anyone with a grain of magical talent could probably pick up energy trails if they really tried. Carson tended only to look at magical energy while he was using it. His main source was the white orb of light that glowed in the center of every living being. Some were brighter than others but they all looked pretty much the same. That energy was clearly supposed to be there. When people started to move energy around and meddle with the fabric of the universe, that produced a whole array of distinct colors and textures. Magic users carry an aura around with them, something unique to their use of magic. When they spend a lot of it in one place that aura settles around that spot for a while. Carson had gone to a crime scene looking for these types of energies. When Morris found out he was not too happy with him but he could still picture the magical signature in his head. It was a deep swirling purple, just on the edge of dark magic.

Tonight was his chance to figure out who that magic belonged to. A party was being held in Manhattan, the kind that attracted the attention of any criminal with a small fortune along with the occasional musician or local rich person looking to make some less than legal business acquaintances. More than anything it was a chance for everyone to show off. Carson had no idea how Riley snagged an invitation, she surely didn't do it by flashing her badge at anyone, but she had a hunch that the suspect might show up and yet again she wanted his "opinion" on the matter. Meaning she wanted him to use his magic to look over every single party guest until his eyes bleed. Metaphorically, he hoped.

Carson took one last look at himself in the mirror. He wore a classic black suit with a skinny navy blue tie that would have been fashionable several decades ago along with a pair of shiny black dress shoes. His dark brown hair was parted on one side in a neater version of his usual style. The longer, wavier hair on top was combed back in a tousled way which he achieved by putting a touch of jell in his fingers before raking them through his hair away from his face. The dark suit contrasted nicely with his light blue eyes. All in all the look was more wedding than cocktail party but hopefully people wouldn't be paying much attention to him. Someone knocked on his door at 8pm precisely. He opened it to see that Riley had somehow turned her pretty but average looks into something absolutely striking. Her dress was an emerald green that made her eyes sparkle, actually sparkle. She had on a few pieces of thin silver jewelry that might as well have been diamonds on her fair skin. It was the hairstyle that really did it though. Her medium length, dull brown hair cascaded across the top of her head, pinned down expertly in a way that left just a few stray curls to frame her face. And though he couldn't see them under her floor length dress, she must have been wearing three or four inch heels that put her close to eye level with Carson.

Riley felt a little self-conscious under Carson's gaze but he wasn't looking at her sexually, it seemed more like he was taking in the details of a work of art. She cleared her throat to end the moment and started heading out towards the car. Carson followed a couple steps behind. What met them at the curb wasn't a limo, but Morris's honda civic was black and sleek enough in design to mostly blend in with the rest of traffic in Manhatten.

***

Carson's heart started to race as they neared the double doors at the entrance of the building where a few very scary looking guards stood on either side. A woman in a plain black dress greeted everyone and checked a list as they went in. He half expected the woman to turn them away but so far the plan went off without a hitch. They got there shortly after it officially started, leaving plenty of time to scan everyone. A server approached them with champagne, which they accepted, directly followed by another server holding a tray of finger sandwiches which Carson was more than eager to take. Riley grabbed one as he piled three onto a napkin. In total Carson almost had a whole sandwich, score. Riley ate hers slowly with a hint of both satisfaction and disinterest. She blended in well with their current company who all seemed to be having a good time but still managed to be extremely uptight as they did. As more people started to fill in the large ballroom Carson saw a few people he might have recognized. Riley made a much longer mental list of all the known criminals she saw. Carson stood behind Riley and focused his eyes, opening them to the lingering energies around them. So far nothing looked significant. A few people had a faint glow of pink or yellow, showing they had just a touch of magical talent. Random white sparkles floated around the room, just trace energies left by regular people. Carson closed his eyes and let go of his concentration, blinking the lights away.

"See anything?" Riley asked.

"Nothing yet."

A steady stream of people passed them and shook hands with Riley, exchanging polite smiles. Carson managed to fade into the background, keeping his eye on the current of people going in and out the doors. Maybe he did too good a job of fading because he suddenly felt kinda tired. He yawned discreetly, only catching Riley's attention.

"Bored already?" She asked.

"Mmm." He responded, trying to keep his eyes off the way the chandelier reflected little beams of warm light across the ceiling, fascinating. She turned to him finally, a little concerned by his lack of an answer.

"You okay?" She asked. He looked a little unsteady on his feet but Carson's face still held the serious look it always had. She stepped closer to him. Without the heels she might not have noticed his eyes and just how large his pupils were. The light blue ring was reduced to a small sliver encompassing two large saucers.

"Yeah I'm fine, must have had too much champagne." He said, sounding a little distracted. Riley had been warned that Carson was a major lightweight and was to be kept away from alcohol at all costs. Although Daniel might have been a little dramatic about that last part. Even so, he didn't even have a full glass. She distinctly remembered him put the glass, half full, on a passing server's tray. He closed his eyes tightly for a second, looking a little pale.

"You don't look so good. But I don't think it was the champagne."

Music started up from somewhere nearby and Carson's look of discomfort vanished, replaced by a dazed excitement. The band picked up and couples made subtle attempts at dancing.

"Ooh come on, let's dance. I love piano." He beamed, looking a little crazed as he did so. Carson grabbed her hand and pulled her farther onto the floor. She played along, casting a skeptical glance around the room. He pulled her against him and she put one hand on his shoulder, taking shuffling steps to mirror his.

Riley figured it would be best to get out of there as soon as possible, before Carson managed to act any stranger than he already was.

"Why don't you take one more look around and see if you spot anything like the energy you saw. Then we can leave."

Carson seemed to think about that. Somewhere in the back of his mind a warning bell went off. He'd completely forgotten about the reason they were there.

"Okay." He mumbled. Carson closed his eyes and prepared his awareness, only to find that his brain was too fuzzy to do even that much. "Bastards." He slurred.

"What?" Riley said, looking up at him with concern.

"I can't see anything. Whoever it was made sure I couldn't see them, which means they must be here." He whipped his head around wildly.

Riley swore. If the suspect's intention was to drug his drink, impairing his ability to identify them, they had certainly succeded. Okay, it was officially time to abort mission.

"Let's go. While you can still walk." She said, grabbing his arm to lead him to the door.

"No, I'm gonna get that bastard." His voice turned serious and he managed to wiggle out of her grasp. Carson closed his eyes again, putting much more energy and thought into it. When he opened them he could see faint traces of energy. Either that or he was hallucinating. His brows furrowed with determination and focus. The lights got a little clearer. He could make out the white orbs of people's souls as well as the faint yellow glow of a woman near them. But nothing looked like the deep purple he remembered.

A spike of pain went through his head and he dug his fingers into his temples.

"You're gonna hurt yourself. Let's just go, it's not worth it."

Carson was starting to agree as his head ached with the effort. He swept his eyes across another corner of the room. The pain increased threefold as he narrowed his eyes, looking for any hint of a purple aura. Something wet and warm trickled down his face.

"Do I have to call Morris in here to drag you out?" Riley threatened, already grabbing her phone anxiously.

"No... we can go." He mumbled, letting her guide him across the floor. She dabbed at his nose with a tissue she seemed to conjure out of nowhere. They were almost to the door when Carson stopped. He wavered, bending to put a hand on one of his knees for support.

"We're almost there, you're alright."

Carson was not alright. His feet started to feel heavy at the same time he started getting lightheaded. Spots started to form in his vision so he blinked his eyes to clear them. When the feeling didn't pass, Carson tried to press through it. He made it a few steps closer to the door before stopping again. Riley looked around anxiously. It was only matter of time before people started to notice them.

"I don't... I don't feel.." He breathed, swaying dangerously.

"Ten more steps. I believe in you." She slung one of his arms over her shoulder and he fought down the rising sense of nausea as she dragged him out onto the sidewalk. The cold air was refreshing for a second. But then his stomach turned and his whole body felt too hot. Riley looked up and down the street for Morris's car, he should be pulling around the corner any second now.

Riley had left Carson leaning against a stone pillar, he wouldn't have been able to stand without it. Paling even further, his stomach lurched without warning. Apparently it was convinced that whatever he'd been drugged with was some kind of poison that must be ejected. He turned around quickly to throw up into some bushes. He made an effort to be quiet but a few party goers chose to walk out at that exact moment, giving him dirty looks as they descended the stairs. He wiped his mouth off with his hand and staggered a little.

Carson yelled at them, slurring drunkenly, "Don't look at me like that. It's not-" Riley caught his arm and started to pull him away, looking absolutely mortified.

"Jesus christ, keep your voice down."

Morris's car slid to a stop in the middle of a no parking zone and he jumped out rushing toward them.

"What happened?" He asked, moving to grab Carson who was starting to sag in Riley's grip. She rubbed at her shoulder once the weight was taken off of it. Carson's eyes looked glazed over and they slid out of focus just as his body went completely limp. Morris had gotten there just in time because if Riley was still holding him then she would have dropped him on the pavement for sure.

Morris let out a huff of breath as he picked Carson up in a bridal carry so he could slide him into the backseat. "I'm too old for this shit."

Carson didn't stir as he was settled on the leather backseat. Riley took shotgun while Morris jogged around the car to the driver's side.

"Do we need to take him to the hospital?" Morris asked as he rejoined traffic.

"No I don't think so. They just wanted to keep him impaired, not kill him. It's probably some kind of roofie." She said, glancing back at Carson who was sprawled across the backseat. He moaned quietly.

"'S not fair..." he mumbled.

"What is?" She asked, barely able to make out what he'd said.

"They only drugged me. I mean, what did I ever do to them?" His voice was weak and words blurred together all over the place. Riley had seen drunk frat boys who were more coherent than Carson was now. He bolted upright suddenly, his face twisted in distress. Riley knew that look.

"Pull over." She said urgently. Carson barely waited for the car to stop before he pushed open the door and leaned out. He coughed and threw up whatever was left of the finger sandwiches, then weakly pulled the door closed again. He curled up, looking absolutely miserable and more than a little disappointed that he didn't manage to do the one thing he set out to do.

***

When they pulled up outside Carson's apartment building it was getting pretty late. Riley and Morris talked in hush tones the whole way back.

"I don't know should we leave him alone like this?" She asked.

"Not alone." Carson muttered as he summoned up the energy to pry himself off the leather bench and stumble out of the car. The thought of laying down in his bed was the only thing driving him at this point. Riley followed him up the steps to the door and unlocked it for him. Unsurprisingly, Daniel padded down the stairs with his arms crossed to meet them. His apartment gave him perfect view of the street and he'd probably already picked up on the poor state Carson was in.

"I warned you not to let him drink. At all costs." He scowled. Carson returned the look as he shuffled over to his door, a little hurt.

"What happened?" Daniel asked, softening his voice a little.

"Roofie." Riley sighed, looking a little guilty. He was a civilian and it was her job to look after him when they went on little missions like this one. She'd failed now on more than one occasion. Carson looked completely done as he leaned his head against the wall and tried to open his locked door.

"I think you need a key for that." Daniel said, taking a step closer to help.

Carson looked him in the eyes and ran his hand over the lock. It clicked audibly. "Do I?"

Carson's knees buckled as fatigue washed over him. Now was not the time to be reckless with his energy. Riley was closer but Danny was faster. His arms wrapped around him, stopping his descent to the floor. Oh well, Carson had felt cool doing it. His friend got him back on his feet and pushed the door to his apartment open with his foot.

"You guys can go, I'll babysit." He said to Riley as she headed to the door. "You looked nice tonight." He added.

"Thank you." Riley smiled.

Carson's head lolled against Daniel's chest, "What, you're not gonna tell me I look nice too?" Carson slurred.

He let out a sound much like a short hiss.

Forwarded by: Jerome Fitts Within Volume 11 of the Worthwhile Journal Magazine, we had the unique honour of interviewing a relevant story. In doing so we thought it would be fitting to introduce a particular individual that is highlighted in the film section. The independent world today, whether it is music or film due to the access of instant technology has forgotten what it takes to make…

Forwarded by: Jerome Fitts Within Volume 11 of the Worthwhile Journal Magazine, we had the unique honour of interviewing a relevant story. In doing so we thought it would be fitting to introduce a particular individual that is highlighted in the film section. The independent world today, whether it is music or film due to the access of instant technology has forgotten what it takes to make…