111: Playing with Fire

[Introduction: Meredith Gordon and her brother Flint have lead a checkered life. Meredith has lost and found her daughter Claire Bennet. She's most recently allied herself as a Company Agent. Flint has become a career criminal and now is in league with Arthur's Pinehearst Company. What does it take to set a character on the road to being a Hero, or the road to being a Villain...]

(Ants are being burned with a magnifying glass.)

Flint: Look at 'em. Burn!

[Caption: Twenty five years ago]

Meredith: You better finish your chores before daddy gets home.

Flint: Aww...come on, Meredith. I was just trying to have some fun.

Meredith: Now.

Mr. Gordon: You get all them chores done?

Flint: ...

Mr. Gordon: I asked you a question, junior. You even listening to me, boy?! We gotta do this every night? I have to take my belt to you -- for you to listen?!

Meredith: Please daddy just go to bed. I'll finish 'em in the morning.

Mr. Gordon: Ain't your place to make up for his slackin', girl.

Meredith: Stop it! LEAVE HIM ALONE! (she bursts into flames, igniting the room then the entire house.)

(Outside, watching the house burn down.)

Flint: Look at it burn!

Meredith: I... I... didn't mean to...

Flint: How'd you...?

Meredith: I dunno.

Flint: I wish I could do that. (trying to make his hands flame) UNNNGHH! I can't do it, Mere--

Meredith: You have to listen to me. You can't tell anyone what happened. Promise me.

Flint: Yea, I promise. Just teach me how, Okay?

Social Worker: I know it's hard for you to understand, but under the circumstances we decided it best to place you in different homes. It's for your own good.

Meredith: (crying) I don't understand why I can't see him!

Social Worker: There are some things you just can't fight dear. I'm so sorry. Now try and get some shuteye.

Meredith: I want my brother!

Meredith Narrating: The years pass...like brushfire in a drought. Eventually, simply written off as ungrateful...only thinking about getting back to my brother. Praying somehow that'd make all this go away.

[Caption: Eighteen years ago.]

Meredith: I've waited seven years for this! Look AGAIN. Gordon, G O R...

Public Records Worker: Last names change, families move counties, we lose track of kids. I'm sorry.

Meredith Narrating: And then, just when you lose hope...

(She finds a recorded with Flints picture stating: "Minor detained as suspect for robbery and arson spree across Virginia and Maryland."

[Caption: Annapolis, Maryland.]

Flint: Well, knock me down and steal my teeth! Meredith?! You posted my bail?

Meredith: Baby brother! You know how long I've been looking for you?

Flint: Hot Damn! You sure grew up...

Meredith: I'm still your sister, Flint. Don't be crude.

Flint: Hey, Mere. Look what I can do!

(Flint ignites his hand into a blue flame.)

Flint: I've been practicing real hard, like you tol' me. See, I can make it extra hot!

Meredith: Why on God's green earth would you wanna practice something like that.

Flint: Why not? Awww, shoot. Why d'you look so glum? Come on, Mere-- Look at all these sailors. Thought that makes girls like you all weak in the knees?

Meredith Narrating: Sometimes you look so long, people aren't who you wnat them to be once you find them.

Flint: Let's celebrate, cause some trouble! Brother and sister together again.

Meredith: Guess a lil' drinking never hurt.

Meredith Narrating: Doesn't mean I'm gonna stop looking, just time to look somewhere else...