iStory:The Civilian/chapter summaries

The Civilian/chapter summaries
The Civilian is the fourth iStory volume.
First mentioned:	July 15, 2009
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The following is a list of chapters of the The Civilian volume of the iStory, with summaries and appearances noted. The summaries below are for each chapter, and explain what must happen in order for the reader to complete the story successfully.

Chapter 501

Chapter 501: The Civilian (released 7/15/2009)

Can you ever go home again? Around the world, former fugitives are learning how hard it can be to get their old lives back. One of them -- Rachel Mills, an ex-Marine and former government double-agent -- quietly returns to her Connecticut hometown. But normalcy is more than a zip code. Especially when your mother is Leona Mills.

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In Lyneboro, CT, Rachel Mills, now a local police officer, helps a young girl, Katie, rescue her cat, Wilbur, who is stuck in a tree. Rachel asks Katie to get some lemonade; after Katie leaves, Rachel teleports up into the tree. She notices movement underneath the tree, and sees a dark-haired, blue-shirted figure, under a tree across the street, who doesn't seem to be leaving. As Rachel ponders who he is, she begins to slide down towards the ground. Katie and her father, Ralph, arrive, just as Rachel finishes rescuing Wilbur. Ralph thanks Rachel for her help and praises her. As Rachel heads back to her truck, she notices that the man across the street is gone. Rachel then drives into town. Rachel heads to the police station, where she sees Kelly the receptionist, who reminds her to check her inbox. Rachel does so; there are three items inside the inbox. There is a typed note, which says, "Rachel: I heard you have a spare room for rent. Please fix the window and I will take it." Rachel ponders this, as she isn't renting the room, nor is the window broken. Also, there is no contact information. Aside from the note, there's also a key ring with a dozen keys, as well as a digital camera with dead batteries. Rachel then heads home, and notes that her house is pretty bland. She goes into her spare room, suspicious after reading the note in her inbox. She notices that the window has been broken and opened. She sees that someone is standing in the treeline in the backyard, looking back at me, and she recognizes it as the blue-shirted guy from Katie's house. However, he suddenly fades from view. Rachel runs outside, not knowing where the guy went. However, after Rachel ventures a few steps into the hilly backyard, the guy makes a break for it. Rachel sees that he is changing colors like a chameleon, and realizes that he has a power. Rachel teleports in front of the man, causing him to trip and fall. Rachel recognizes him as Crazy Tom from the circus. Crazy Tom tells her that Leona wants to meet. She then heads to Mable's Diner and sees Mable, the cook. Rachel walks deeper into the diner, and sees Leona. She greets her and Leona asks her if she wants some food. Rachel asks what Leona's doing here, noticing that she had used her ability recently and looked very young. Leona warns that there's a lot going on in this town, and that she should be careful. After an awkward conversation, Leona stands up and says to Rachel that it's time to go home.

[edit] Character Appearances

Wilbur Katie Rachel Crazy Tom Ralph

Mensen Kelly Chief Parker Mable Leona

Chapter 502

Chapter 502: The Neighbor (released 7/22/2009)

A boy from Rachel's hometown goes missing. Meanwhile, the truth about Rachel's mysterious next-door neighbor is revealed. Leona gets a surprising new job.

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Somewhere in the woods, a boy stumbles from an old shack and searches for a way out. He looks and then runs into the trees. Rachel wakes up in the morning and goes for her normal jog. She reflects on her life and when she comes home she begins to get ready for a shower. As she walks by her window, she notices that once again, her neighbor, Tim is once again watching her from his window next door. Rachel feels humiliated and angry so goes to talk to him. Rachel bangs on his front door and forces him to open it. Tim is nervous and excited that she has come over and Rachel's anger quickly turns into confusion when she hears a familiar voice calling her name. Leona steps into view and reveals that she and Tim have been meeting on a regular basis and that he has been helping her with "computer stuff". Rachel is still annoyed that Tim watches her undress and warns him not to do it again. Tim insists that he doesn't perv but Rachel ignores him and storms away. Later that morning, Rachel searches for Leona but finds that she is missing. Tim directs her to Mable's Diner, where Leona has recently gotten a job. Rachel asks Leona what she has been up to and why she is working as a waitress. Leona explains that she got the job to help pay for the rent and then goes on to warn Rachel to be careful. She tells her that someone in the town has recently manifested an ability and that it is spreading. Rachel asks what she means but Leona won't talk about it anymore. Rachel goes to Chief Parker and learns that a local kid, Toby, has gone missing. She asks him more about it and he tells her that Toby is Smokey's son and that he was last seen at the woods. He also tells her that Toby has a brother, Cooper, who has been in trouble with the law a few times. He tells her that if she comes across him, she should tell him immediately. Rachel promises that she will find Toby. Rachel decides to look at the park and talk to the local kids. The kids are all huddled together as if they were in a gang, causing Rachel to get suspicious. She questions them about Toby and learns that something is happening in the woods but they won't tell her what. Rachel then goes to see Smokey, who tells her that Toby always went to the woods and was never in any trouble before. Rachel asks him to take her to his fishing spot. Later that night, Rachel searches through the woods until she hears some voices. She finds the local teenage gang drinking and discussing the missing boy. They talk about another person, someone whom they are afraid of. When Rachel steps into their view, they try and make a break for the river. Rachel follows them and captures a few of the kids. They point at the body lying half in the river and Rachel rushes to Toby. As she gets closer, her throat begins to burn till the point where she is unable to breathe. A shotgun is pointed at her back and she turns to face a horribly burned man, Cooper. Cooper tells her that Toby is his responsibility now and that she should get out of town while she has the chance. Rachel asks what he means and Cooper comments on the fact that Rachel knows so little about what is happening in Lyneboro.

[edit] Character Appearances

Toby Rachel Leona Tim Mensen

Kelly Chief Parker Mable Smokey Cooper

Chapter 503

Chapter 503: The Houseguest (released 7/29/2009)

The Mills cope with an unexpected houseguest. Rachel learns the truth behind the violent local gang. Tim asks his pretty neighbor for a date but hits a snag.

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Rachel heads out for her morning jog and encounters Tim, who tries to ask her something. Rachel becomes annoyed and yells at Tim, scaring him. Tim runs back to his house, making Rachel feel bad for hurting his feelings. When she returns home from the jog, Rachel goes to sit down on the couch. She is met by a stranger, who she tackles to the floor. She pins him down and demands to know who he is. At that moment, Tim walks in. After seeing Rachel entangled on the floor with another man, he becomes visibly upset and leaves. The man then introduces himself as Marc, a friend of Leona's. Rachel tells Marc that she wants nothing to do with Building 26 or its former prisoners but Marc insists that she has to help him. Rachel throws him out and tells him not to come back. After dressing for work, she comes back down stairs and sees Tim waiting at the door. She apologizes for earlier and Tim tells her that it is okay. He then begins to compliment her, acting much more confident and charming. Rachel spots Marc on her front lawn and pushes past Tim, demanding to know what he did. Marc explains that he can alter a person's health, be it mental, physical or emotional. Tim goes back home and Rachel tells Marc to wait for her at the diner. Rachel goes to work and speaks with Kelly, who tells her to check her inbox. Rachel speaks with Chief Parker, who tells her that nothing is going on in town and that she should have an easy day. Rachel takes the camera and the keys from her inbox and heads to the school to find out who the keys belong to. After a thorough investigation, Rachel learns that the locker that the keys belong to has been removed. She is suspicious but does not delve any deeper. Rachel then notices that the camera has several photos on it. She heads to Tim, who is more than happy to help her fix the camera. While working on the camera, Tim apologizes for his behavior and tells Rachel that Leona often gets people to stay at his house. Rachel apologizes for that and when the camera is fixed, she asks to look at the photos alone. Tim leaves and Rachel finds several blurred photos of what appears to be two rival gangs fighting. Upon closer inspection, Rachel sees that there is someone who is using abilities in the fight. Rachel is shocked and heads to the park to speak with the local gang. The gang denies any involvement in local fights but Rachel asks them more questions. One of the members tells her that the city gangs are trying to take over the town but they won't let them. They tell Rachel that there will be a fight tonight so Rachel comes back to the park later. She stops the fight from happening and returns home. The next morning, Rachel goes to the diner and finds Tim there. Tim asks her out and Rachel begins to feel insignificant compared to Tim. She accepts his date and goes to the booth where Leona and Marc are waiting. Marc apologizes for using his power on her but she says that it is okay and she and Tim won't be going out. She then asks Marc what he needs and he explains that he needs help finding his cousin Amber.

[edit] Character Appearances

Rachel Marc Tim Mensen Kelly Chief Parker

Mable Leona Smokey Asst. Principal Collins Cooper

Chapter 504

Chapter 504: The Swimmer (released 8/4/2009)

Lyneboro is overrun by a large group of visitors. Rachel confronts her past. Leona has new guests who need a favor. Chief Parker lets a big secret slip.

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Rachel is confronted by Claire, who asks her why she is after Alex. Rachel apologizes for following Claire but insists that she has changed. Claire points out that Rachel has killed Alex, and Rachel sees his bloody body at her feet. This turns out to be a nightmare and when Rachel awakens and tells Leona, Leona speculates that it could be a dream manipulator or that Rachel could be developing a precognitive ability. The girls hear some motorcycle engines and Leona says that she should get to work. Before leaving, she reminds Rachel that two friends of hers have come to visit. Rachel goes to the backyard and speaks with the two guests, Cole and Mykah. Rachel asks them if they are sure their cousin Amber is in town and Mykah explains that Amber joined the biker gang when they were on the run from the government. Rachel promises that she will look into it and drives them to the diner. Cole gives her a diamond to give to Amber if she finds her. To try and get more information, Rachel goes to the police station to speak with Chief Parker. She asks if anything is going on and the Chief tells her to check on Smokey. If Rachel asks about the Chief’s project, he will tell her about a bunch of “New Arrivals” that came to Lyneboro a few months ago. He claims that the people are not normal and Rachel asks what he means. He hands her a file about Pinehearst and tells her that he thinks she knows all about it. Rachel tells him that if he does anything stupid, he will be stopped, to which the Chief asks if he is already too late. Confused, Rachel leaves and goes to the diner to talk to Leona, who confirms that during her time in LAWR, she trafficked special people to Lyneboro. At Smokey’s bar, a large group of Bikers are hanging around Smokey. Rachel tries to get close to him but she is sidetracked by Cooper, who demands to know what she is doing there. Rachel tells him that she is looking for a girl named Amber and Cooper looks surprised. Rachel tries to get some information out of him but he leaves. She then goes to the park and towards a group of bikers that have been staying there. Before she can search for Amber, she bumps into a man. She turns to apologize but is shocked to see that the man is none other than Alex Woolsly. Alex recognizes her and runs for the forest, with Rachel close behind him. When Rachel sees that Alex is trying to get to the water, she teleports in front of him, revealing her powers. Alex is startled and Rachel tells him that they can talk later at the diner. Alex agrees. Rachel returns to the tents and speaks with the bikers, who wonder what she is doing there. Rachel asks if Amber is with them and they point her to a tent. Rachel goes inside and finds Amber, who recognizes the diamond as Cole's. Rachel takes her back to the diner and reunites her with Mykah and Cole. Rachel speaks with Alex, who tells her that he is looking for a Company Agent who is after him. Rachel returns to the park and speaks with the Drifter, who runs after Rachel identifies him as Agent Mensen, the agent after Alex. Rachel returns to Alex and tells him that Mensen has been photographing people using their abilities but that she is unsure of why. She tries to get Alex to tell her why he is in Lyneboro but he still doesn’t trust her. Rachel returns to the park and finds the local gang arguing with some bikers. Rachel demands to know what is going on and learns that the bikers have found some bodies. Rachel agrees to go look at them.

[edit] Character Appearances

Rachel Leona Mykah Cole Tim Mensen Alex Woolsly

Kelly Chief Parker Mable Mort Amber Smokey Cooper

Chapter 505

Chapter 505: The Cheerleader (released 8/11/2009)

A massive motorcycle rally detours through sleepy Lyneboro. Rachel learns why after a mass grave is discovered outside town. Only with the help of an outsider can she save the town and find her own peace. The conclusion of "The Civilian".

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Rachel has several nightmares about Claire Bennet, Jason Pierce and Alex Woolsly, all of whom she begs for forgiveness. When she wakes up, she remembers that she is in the woods, at the massive body dump that she and the bikers uncovered. Rachel wishes that she had never found the dump and complains that she just wanted a normal life, away from the murders and the powers. She speaks with the State Trooper, who tells her that most of the bodies have been identified as city kids. Rachel looks at the bodies and can tell that most of them look like they have been electrocuted. Rachel then goes to speak with the Informant, who tells her that the deaths caused by the local gang will not go unavenged. Rachel asks how the local gang could have done it and the boy tells her that they are taking orders from someone who is far more powerful than Rachel. He also tells her that she should leave town because soon, the city will have its revenge. Leona, who arrived to bring food to the police officers, signals for Rachel to come over and talk to her. Rachel asks what she wants and Leona tells her to go home and get some sleep. Rachel tells her that she has to be here and Leona insists that Rachel hasn't had a full nights sleep for a long time. She also tells her daughter that her nightmares have gotten so bad that she has begun to video tape her. Rachel agrees that she will go home but tells her that she will soon be back. On the way home, Rachel remembers the photos of people using abilities. She heads over to Tim's house and uses his computer to bring up high quality images of people using powers in a gang war. She instantly recognizes Cooper, who is using an electrical ability. She also sees that he is not the leader of the group as he is taking orders from another person, Kelly. Rachel then hears Tim call for help and rushes outside to see two figures pushing Tim to safety. One of the figures shows herself and calls out to Rachel. Claire asks why Rachel is after them and Rachel tells her that the town is in trouble. The two girls have a conversation about what they did during the Building 26 era and Rachel apologizes for hurting Claire and her family. Claire forgives her and Rachel asks her for her help. They head to to the Town Hall but arrive too late, as Chief Parker has already been murdered. Store hears something outside so the three of them race to the street, where an enormous mob is waiting. Cooper is leading them and states that the end will come to the city. Kelly then appears and tries to get Rachel, Claire and Store to follow her. Rachel refuses and manages to get Kelly to call off the attack, saving the town. Later, Claire, Leona, Rachel and Store discuss everything that has happened and Leona explains that when Building 26 was after Kelly, she moved her to Lyneboro. She says that Kelly had the power of persuasion and used it to manipulate the town. Rachel says that she is glad everything is over and looks forward to a quiet life.

[edit] Character Appearances

Rachel State Trooper Leona Informant Tim

Claire Store Chief Parker Kelly Cooper

See Also

• For a summary of the The Civilian series of iStories as a whole, see The Civilian.
• For alternatives to chapter 501, see here.
• For alternatives to chapter 502, see here.
• For alternatives to chapter 503, see here.
• For alternatives to chapter 504, see here.