3/581

WINTERS STORM
Retribution

Book 2 of Winters Saga By

Karen Luellen

Winters StormRetribution By Karen Luellen Published by Karen Luellen Copyright 2011 Karen Luellen License Notes This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If youre reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the author and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Growling. An angry, guttural growl echoed from the darkened hospital room. Glowing yellow eyes only a few yards away locked on Farrow Schone and in that instant, she knew it could smell her blood, hear her heart racing, and see the pulse in her exposed neck. Farrow had never felt more like a piece of meat than she did right then. Oh, crap! She thought and began backing slowly away from the opening of the door, but as she did, the creature crouched low and coiled its legs tightly under its muscular body, ready to spring. Farrow could see now it was some kind of wild doga wolf or coyote, maybe. whatever it was, it was huge, and pissed-off.

7/581

Its piercing eyes were mesmerizing, hypnotic. Its snarling muzzle exposed flesh-tearing teeth glistening wet with saliva. There was no way she was going to be allowed anywhere near the people in that room. Not wanting to cause a scene or get mauled, Farrow made a hasty exit. Her orders were only to put eyes on the Winters and determine who was alive and who wasnt. Dr. Williams was going to be livid to know they all survived. Farrow was also to collect Gavil and catch a flight back to Germany where she had no doubt all hell was going to break loose.

Part 1
Germanys Creed

One week after the rescue of Dr. Margo Winter

Location: Dr. Kenneth Williams training camp called The Facility in Furth, Germany

1 Creed
October 10th Black laces, measured perfectly, slipped like silk through the metal holes of his military boots. Practiced fingers gripped each cross section and worked their way up the tongue until the top most position when both ends were tugged taught. He wrapped them once around, tied a quick double knotted bow and tucked the excess lace into the top of the boot. Creed Young stood and swept his large hands over the wrinkles that had quickly formed in his freshly pressed military fatigues. His olive green T-shirt stretched tightly across his wide chest, barely containing his massive physique. His chiseled face

10/581

was stoic, marble and expressionless as he reached to retrieve his beret. This was the day for which he had been trained. This was the day of his Retribution. In all the years he lived at the Facility, he had watched many Retribution Matches. Watched the two metas sent into the arena together and ordered to Kill, or be killed. The battles were brutal. Even for the audience filled with hard-core metahumans trained to believe weakness needed to be stomped out. The Matches brought out the primal, vicious and evil. This wasnt just a friendly competition to see who would come out on top. This was survival of the fittest in its most primitive sense. This was Darwinism deformed, but it was Creeds way of life; all hed ever known. And today was his day. From outside he heard the roar of the bloodthirsty crowd. His opponent must be hearing this, too. He wondered who was chosen to enter the arena with him. What

11/581

was he thinking? How did he feel about the terms of the battle? How determined was he to win? When it came down to it, Creed wondered if he would be able to kill his opponent, as required by the rules of the event. In the mirror, the eighteen-year-old stared at his reflection and tightened his jaw. Creed struggled with this part of his discipline. He struggled simply obeying an order just because it had been handed down. Every other meta just did as they were told. They were unquestioning, unthinking and uninhibited by their thoughts. Creed was different from the others, and he knew it. The hard part was making sure no one else knew it. He was skilled at disguising his thoughts and feelings with an expressionless face. He knew the consequences of being different. Over the years he witnessed several cases where perfectly viable metahumans were removed from the Facility for lesser infractions than individual

12/581

mindedness. And they were never seen again. But Creed made sure that didnt happen to him. He kept his thoughts to himself. Outwardly, he looked like the perfect meta specimen. He stood six feet, two inches and weighed in at two hundred fifty pounds. He could bench press nine hundred fifty pounds. He was solid muscle, responsive, accurate and a highly trained martial artist and weapons expert. More than just physical agility, he also had mental agility. To call Creed intelligent would be an understatement. To call him deadly would be accurate. The crowds roars echoed louder off the cement walls of the locker room in which Creed stood. It was time to begin; time for Retribution. One deep breath was all he allowed himself before he turned toward the door and

13/581

marched across the room, opened it and jogged down the hall. Stepping into the arena was mind-blowing. This was the first time he had seen it from this point of view. Previously, he was in the stands where the rowdy crowd stood now. Life was very different from this vantage point. It was terrifying, surreal and eerily energizing. He stood bracing himself against the blaring lights, the deafening crowd and the vibrations of adrenaline cutting his body like ice. Then he saw his opponent. Oh no...no, no, no is all he kept thinking as realization sunk in. There, across the arena, stood his own flesh and blood. He had been pitted against his brother, Gavil. Memories flooded Creed as he watched his brothers mouth twitch slightly in what was most definitely a smile. Powerful memories of his brothers numerous lessons that left Creed bloody and broken

14/581

on the ground, ripped through his body. Time and again the two boys, who had been told they came from the same donor parents, had come to blows. Nothing Creed ever did was good enough for Gavil. Then, as puberty sneaked up, it was Creed whose body transformed so dramatically. Creed, who had grown up as his older brothers punching bag, was taller, stronger, faster and smarter than Gavil now. Gavil would have none of it, though. He continued to torment Creed with vicious beatings until the day a year ago when Creed had enough. It was a taunting like any other. Gavil was snickering as he covered Creeds dinner in sand and laughed and ridiculed him, just as he had countless times before. But something was different that night. Something snapped inside Creed. He attacked Gavil and beat him to a whimpering, bloody pulp.

15/581

The boys had not spoken since and seemed to mutually work to avoid each other on the campus. Their paths didnt usually cross because Gavil was two years older than Creed and slept in a different part of the mens dormitory. Creed felt avenged and empty at the same time. He knew nothing of his life outside The Facility. Gavil was his only connection to the world beyond the compound. He only knew they were born overseas, in the Americas. All Creed remembered, though, was life here in their German compound. But Gavil was two years older and had more memories of when they were brought here. Creed always wanted to know what happened. Who were their parents? Why did they give the brothers up? Did they have a family somewhere? He wanted a brother to love, instead he had Gavil and he couldnt stop himself from feeling only hatred for him.

16/581

These thoughts churned through Creeds mind as he watched his brother casually stretch as if preparing himself for an easy run. A deep, bellowing horn blew, sucking all the noise from the crowd as if in a vacuum. Commander Oldhams familiar voice echoed around the silent faces. Welcome! Were here to witness the Retribution of two worthy metas. Twentyyear-old Gavil Young is defender and eighteen-year-old Creed Young is the newcomer. As some of you may know, this Retribution is especially interesting because not only are the two opponents similarly matched in abilities, but they are also blood brothers, Commander Oldhams voice rose appropriately for the juicy announcement and the audience responded. Screams of wild excitement crashed like waves over Creed. Its time to begin. Retribution-ers, you know the rules. This is hand-to-hand combat

17/581

only. No weapons, no reprieve, no mercy. To the death! Begin! Creed hadnt taken his eyes off his brother since the moment he first saw him. So, it came as no surprise when Gavil ran to attack even before Commander Oldhams order to begin. The younger brother stood in the ready position and calculated his response. One quick movement to the side and Creed stood watching his brother fly by, trying to stop his momentum, before crashing into the wall of the fighters pit. Gavil face was pale with rage. He stopped for a moment and shook his hands, rolled his neck and sneered, Hey there baby brother. I was kinda hoping it would be you in here with me. Seems like a good day for you to die, Gavil curled his thin lips at his brother. Well, as good as any other. Gavil, we dont have to do this. We could both concede and walk away with our

18/581

lives. Creeds mind was racing with possible options. Concede! Gavil spat the word like it was venom on his tongue. You want me to concede to you? Maybe I hit you one too many times in the head, boy. Why dont you just lay down right here on the ground? Ill make this quick for you, for old times sake. He was inching toward Creed. Slipping snake-like closer to his little brother until the Young men stood an arms length from each other. The crowd was shrieking wildly in anticipation. You better take my offer. Its the only mercy youre gonna get. Gavil, dont do this, urged Creed. You know what happened last time we fought. We dont have to But he didnt have time to finish his sentence before Gavils hand flashed up and under Creeds jaw, stabbing his pressure points with deliberate skill and malice. Creeds nerves shot pain into his ears and pierced his

19/581

brain. Instinctively, he slapped his brothers hand away and leaped back, recuperating from the excruciating jolt. Gavil smirked, loving how easy it was to trick his sucker of a brother. Are you ready to fight now, Bleedy Creedy? Gavil sneered, throwing out that hurtful nickname hed given his little brother for all the injuries he caused him throughout the years. So be it. Creed locked his jaw and ran full-speed not at his brother, but at the arena wall beside him. Curiosity and surprise were the only two facial expressions Gavil had time to register before he realized what Creed was doing. He ran straight up the wall, used the momentum to flip backward and caught Gavil by the neck with his legs on his way down. Creed landed on top of his brother, knee at his throat. The audience gasped in wild admiration.

20/581

Gavil glared up at his brother, spat phlegm into his face and rolled out from under his knee. He jumped to his feet and charged, head down shoving Creed against the wall and though it looked like a kind of brotherly embrace, there was nothing tender about this. Instead, there was something sinister about the way Gavils hand slipped to his boot. Still locked together in a powerful struggle, Creed began punching his brother in the stomach. Each time, Gavil was lifted off the ground with the velocity of impact. Audience members facing his back would later swear they saw it; just glints of light reflecting off a slice of metal that Gavil had retrieved from his boot. Angered murmurs rose in surprise and disapproval. Though they had been taught to feed off the weak, they had some semblance of warped integrity.

21/581

No one ever brought weapons to a Retribution Match. It was supposed to be handto-hand combat, to the death. Heck, even a monkey could be taught to use a weapon. Metas were differentabove, more. And though bloody and vicious, their society was built on very strict rules of conduct. Creeds anger was ice as he punched his brother. Not even the sound of the crowd roaring with frenzied excitement reached Creeds ears. Then it happened. Gavil pushed himself away from his brother just long enough to reposition the metal in his hand, and delivered a strategic and powerful punch into his brothers kidney, burying the shard deep into the tender skin below the ribs. Creed wailed in shock and anguish as Gavil continued to beat that same pierced spot with blow after blow. All the years of fury and hatred for his perfect little brother,

22/581

his archrival, came spilling through clenched teeth as he hammered Creed cutting him deeper and deeper. Creed slipped to the floor and curled into fetal position. Pain traced the lines of his face just as much from the metallic shard as from his brothers vicious and absolute betrayal. It was in that moment that everything became crisp and clear. The crowd roaring, the scent of his own bloodsweet and coppery, grainy dirt from the arenas floor caking to his sweat soaked skin, a deep scuff on his brothers black boot inches away from his faceeverything. And in that moment Creed discovered something about himself. He could separate himself from his pain. As he lay there, he no longer felt the weapon embedded in his side. He didnt feel winded or strained at all. He feltnothing.

23/581

As though he found a light switch in the dark, Creed simply reached out and turned off the pain. Gavil was more interested in the crowds cheers than his dying brother, so he stood with his back to Creed, arms raised in triumph. It was only the gasps of the audience that made him turn to see his opponent coolly stand, and assume the ready, fighting position. What the hell? Gavils mind screamed. His eyes shot a look at his brothers shirt and confirmed what he already knew: He stabbed his brother and beat the weapon into his skin. Blood soaked the entire side of his fatigues and even was seeping down to the waistline of his pants. What the hell was going on? I won this fight! He shouldnt be standing! Hell, he shouldnt even be breathing!

24/581

You are no longer my brother, Gavil, Creed growled softly enough to be heard only by his intended recipient. Stunned silence was all Gavil could give in retort but it didnt really matter, Creed was on him with the speed and determination of a panther on its prey. The crowd seemed to have lost their thirst for blood as they sat in shocked silence watching the bloody figure of a meta delivering strike after furious strike. Within seconds, Gavil was face down in the dirt, screaming as his arms were yanked impossibly back and behind him. Creed stood holding the helpless appendages and placed his foot strategically on his brothers head. One stomp and Gavils neck would snap like a twig. Finish him! boomed a voice over the loud speaker. It was Commander Oldham. He ran the Facility with an iron fist. His word was law.

25/581

A hushed rumble radiated from the awestruck metahumans watching the drama unfold. Creed didnt move. Creed Young, you know the rules. Kill, or be killed! Finish him, now! With one quick motion, Creed let go of Gavils arms and stepped away. No, sir! His voice had no hint of fear or pain. Instead, there was strength and absolution. I will not kill him, and he cannot kill me. The anxious audience waited to see what would happen next. This had never happened. Never had someone refused to finalize victory. Guards, escort the Young brothers to detention immediately! They will be dealt with there. Commander Oldhams voice was full of anger. The spectators were very sure this was the last they would see of the two fighters.

26/581

Friendships were few and far between in the Facility, but Creed had a loyal following and many more who admired him from a distance. It was these metas who stood in the crowd and started clapping a slow and synchronized clap. Others joined in, until nearly the entire arena boomed in unison. Six armed meta guards entered the arena. Two of them dragged Gavils limp, beaten body away, and the other four surrounded Creed motioning him to move. Creed glanced up at the crowds obvious display of support and allowed a quick smile. No matter what, he knew hed done the right thing.

2 Consequences
He fully expected to be killed for his disobedience. But he wasnt. Instead, he was taken to the Facilitys surgeons who tended to his injuries; the most serious was the damage to his kidney. He vaguely remembered lying on the operating table and hearing the weapon clink into a metallic specimen bowl after the surgeon removed it from his kidney. He remembered wondering why they were bothering fixing him up if they were just going to kill him anyway. Even as he lay in recovery, staring at the sterile white curtain surrounding his bed, he wondered about his fate. Not that he was scared. Not at all. Instead, he felt numb and distant. This was all feeling like it was

28/581

happening to someone else and he was just standing in the back of the room aware of the events, but unaffected by them. He remembered wondering if they had a medic taking care of Gavil, too. And if so, was he in a room nearby? Or, and this thought made him want to vomit, had Gavil been killed? An anguished ball of emotion churned in the pit of his stomach at the thought. Had they just killed Gavil? Was he completely alone in the world now? Having a brother who hated him was better than not having a brother at all, wasnt it? Halfway through the second day in recovery, the flimsy white curtain encircling his bed was yanked back sharply. The sudden movement jolted Creed from his disconnected daze. Commander Oldham himself stood there staring with unconcealed hatred creasing his leathery face. He was there to deliver a message, he said.

29/581

The Director of the Facility, Dr. Kenneth Williams, was visiting from the Americas. He witnessed the match and wanted to have words with Creed. He was ordered to report to the Directors office at oh-eight-hundred tomorrow. A car and an escort would retrieve him for the meeting. Creed tried to ask about Gavils condition, but Commander Oldham, obviously disgusted to be in his presence, turned and walked out of the room as soon as he finished his message. The next morning, at oh-seven-fortyfive, Creed was dressed and waiting for his escort. Thankfully, the three days of recovery and his rapid metahuman healing had afforded him the ability to walk, though gingerly. He would be damned to show up to this meeting in a wheelchair. There was an abrupt knock at his hospital room door. He remembered looking up

30/581

just in time to see the door swinging open, and thats when he saw her. Creed Young? Yes, maam. Im Farrow Schone, Dr. Williams personal assistant. Ive been ordered to escort you to headquarters for your meeting. I wont need that, he said defiantly motioning toward the wheelchair she was pushing. As you wish, she responded coolly pushing the chair aside. The car is waiting. Follow me. She walked like a soldier, but even with all her training and the unflattering fatigues, she couldnt hide her definite femininity. Her dark hair was cut boyishly short, but her full lips and smattering of freckles across her nose screamed of beauty. She looked to be a little younger than himself, but it was hard to tellshe had an agelessness about her. Creed couldnt remember seeing before. Inwardly,

31/581

he shrugged. As the Directors personal assistant, she probably didnt mix with regular metas like him. Creed noticed she discreetly slowed her pace for him. Unusual, he thought to himself. Metas, were trained not to be concerned for the weak or injured any more than necessary to complete their objective. That is, unless they had been trained to work as a team. In which case, the objective was to use every member as efficiently as possible. He was noticing the concern she showed was the kind usually reserved for a team member. Curiosity got the best of him so he asked, Why did the Director choose you to escort me? She stiffened a bit then just as quickly relaxed her shoulders. Why wouldnt he? Creed and Farrow walked in silence until arriving at the black car waiting curbside. The driver was standing beside the open

32/581

door. Farrow climbed in the back seat and slid over to make room. Another courtesy he noticed while wincing with the effort to lower himself to the seat. He had to hold the frame of the door to maintain his balance. She was watching him carefully enough to see the pain flash across his face. Recovery still takes time, even for a meta like you, she whispered so the driver wouldnt hear. Still breathing hard from the pain, Creed shot back, What do you mean, like me? Their eyes locked for a moment before the driver put the car in gear and began pulling away from the hospital. For the first time, he noticed her large doe eyes. The intensity of her observation made him feel a wave of dizziness he wanted to attribute to the overexertion. They turned away and stayed silent the rest of the short ride to headquarters.

33/581

The building, though only three stories tall, was meant to be impressive. Black granite with black windows and rounded edges gave a contrasting modern feel to the old European countryside on which it stood. Flags representing the country and the company whipped in the breeze to the right and left of the entrance. A circled driveway left room for an artsy fountain in the center island. It showcased large, marbled, geometric shapes and coursing sheets of water slipping intentionally down at impossible angles until they disappeared under the pond at the base. The driver pulled around the fountain and right up to the front. Farrow opened her door and walked around to help Creed out. Defiantly, he pushed opened the door himself and shot her a pale but determined glance as he slowly rose from the backseat. The driver nodded once to Farrow and pulled the car away from the building.

34/581

This way, please, she said turning to walk toward the doors. If it werent for the pain, these events would feel dreadfully surreal, dreamlike. Creed followed his escort and wondered what lay behind the black doors ahead. When Creed stepped off the elevator on the third floor, an older man wearing a three-piece suit came rushing forward all smiles and handshakes to greet them. Unsure of whom this man was, Creed played along and let the stranger have his theatrics. My dear boy, it is so good to see you up and around. I was just sure you wouldnt be walking so soon after your injuries, but look at you! Here you are a striking example of what all metahumans should be! Im impressed, Creed. Very impressed. And Im not afraid to tell you I was very worried there for a whilethe way that brother of yours attacked you with a weapon.

35/581

The aging man shook his head and made tisk-ing sounds with his tongue as if reprimanding a child for getting caught with their hand in a cookie jar. There are strict rules in those Retribution Matches. It was very unsportsmanlike behavior to have done what he did to you. And that hes your brother, too! The gentleman was still holding Creeds hand as he spoke while gently leading him down the hallway. Oh, my apologies, my dear Farrow, he said looking back over his shoulder at the escort affectionately, how rude of me. Thank you for retrieving our Creed. Youre free to go wait for us down in the lobby. Ill have you called up when were done with our talk. When he smiled, it looked like it hurt his face to make it twist up at the corners. Weird. Creed was getting a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach about this guy.

36/581

As you wish, Dr. Williams. And with that, Farrow bowed slightly and walked backward a few steps before turning toward the elevators. This guy was Dr. Williams? This small, fragile, unassuming weakling of an old man in this tailored civilian suit was the Director of this military-run facility crawling with the most highly trained and deadly soldiers in the world? Oh, my dear boy, we have so much to discuss, the man was gushing as he opened the mahogany doors to what was undoubtedly his office. First, have a seat. You must be exhausted. I mean, it wasnt but a few days ago when you were forced to put on a very violent display of brotherly love. How are you feeling? And for the first time, Dr. Williams stopped talking and waited for his guest to speak.

37/581

Im fine, thanks to the medical care, sir. Creed chose his words carefully; still unsure of what was happening. Yes, well, when Commander Oldham and I saw what happened in the pit that day, I told him to have you brought immediately to my personal surgeon. The yellow of the old mans teeth stood in stark contrast to the glowing white that was the color palette of his office. He wasnt very happy with my decision. He insisted that you both be terminated immediately, but I put him right in his place. I told him I had plans for such a strongminded meta. Creed wondered if he was referring to himself or his brother. Some would have cause to believe strong-mindedness wasnt necessarily a virtue. Gavil had a strong mind. Evil, but definitely strong.

38/581

Sir, where is Gavil? Creed asked the one question that was weighing more heavily on his mind than his own welfare. Gavil, your brother, is not of your concern any longer, Dr. Williams said cryptically. Dead? Creed asked. To you, hes dead. Isnt that what you said to him on the field of battle just before you overtook him? A wicked grin slipped across his old face. Creed was sure he had whispered those words on the battlefield. No one could have overheard themso, Gavil must have been alive long enough to tell someone about their exchange. Enough about him; I want very much to talk about you. How did you do it, Creed Young? The Director came and sat next to him on the white leather couch as though he were about to lean in to hear a secret of great importance.

39/581

How did I do what, sir? Creed asked confused and still thinking about his brother and that day at the match. You were down. Gavil beat you with that weapon into your side. You were on the ground, curled up and dying. I saw you with my own eyes. Then, suddenly you were standing, and not just standing, but charging and attacking with a fury Ive never seen before! If I hadnt seen it with my own eyes, I wouldnt have believed it. So what I want to know, my boy, is how did you do that? Creed weighted the moment carefully. How should he respond to this question? If he told the old man he was able to turn off his pain like flipping off a light switch, would he believe him? Would he somehow use it against him? Does his life depend on how he answers what felt like a very loaded question? I remember the match, sir. Ive been reliving it over and over, but I cant tell you

40/581

what happened to give me the ability to get up and fight at that point. I really dont know how I did it. Creed stared stone faced at the Director working hard to maintain his stoic expression so as not to give away his inner panic. Dr. Williams eyes narrowed skeptically and he stayed quiet a little too long. Maybe itll come to you, over time, he finally said. Now, as I mentioned before, Commander Oldham is pretty upset that you disobeyed a direct order: To kill your brother, as the rules of the Retribution Match so clearly states. He insists you be made an example of for the other Metahumans so they see what would happen to them should they ever try to defy orders. He offered two suggestions that would, in his mind, make things right. One, you are to be publicly tortured in the same pit where the defiance took place. Or two, to be publicly hanged, again in the same pit where the

41/581

defiance took place. He was fine with either one and wanted to leave the final choice up to me. Creeds eyes widened and he swallowed hard. Pain or no painhe didnt want to die! In a colossal effort to maintain his composure Creed had to ask, And what did you decide, sir? I decided it was up to you what would happen, but that I would add one more option for you. The Director stood from his place inches away from Creed and walked to his huge marble encrusted desk. He picked up what looked like a file and walked slowly back to where Creed sat as still as stone. One more option, sir? Creeds voice wavered, but only slightly. Yes, one more. That is, if youre interested, he stopped, put the folder to his side and looked up expectantly at Creed. II am interested, sir, Creed stammered.

42/581

The old man smiled ruefully and finished walking the distance back to the white sofa. As he sat, his wrinkled hand passed Creed the folder. This is your third option, Creed Young. What is it, sir? An old score that needs settling. Pardon? The woman in the picture there, he said motioning to a slightly yellowing photograph, stole three very precious assets from me. I want her dead, and I want the assets returned to me. What did she steal, sir? Turn the page, son. On the next page there were pictures of two small children and a baby. Beneath each picture was an M-Case number. Creed recognized the number immediately because all metahumans were given M-Case numbers. His own was M429. Only these numbers

43/581

were much smaller: M57, M61 and M74. They must have been some of the first metas. These children are metas, Creed said, thinking out loud. Yes, they are. Dr. Williams was giving Creed time to scan the documents following the pictures. They were test subjects some twelve years ago at The Institute for Neurobiological Studies in the Americas? I wasnt aware that there was another training facility, sir. Why would you be aware? But no, it was not a training facility like this one. It was the birthplace of the metahuman. It was at that Institute that the first serums were tested on human subjects and the results, all these years later, are magnificent soldiers like you. The director was smiling proudly at Creed. These meta children are the assets this woman stole from you? Creed was putting it together now.

44/581

Yes. And you want these children back? Precisely. But theyre not children anymore. They must be teenagers by now. They are. Where are they? In the Americas. Are they still with the thief? They are. Will they come willingly? No doubt that woman has worked to turn them against me; turn them away from who and what they truly are. They may need some convincing, but once the woman is killed, theyll be much easier to manipulate. The doctor was watching Creeds face carefully and loved what he saw. He knew he had chosen the right brother. Gavil was too evil, beautifully evil to be sure, but for this assignment he needed a strong-minded,

45/581

gentle hand, and Creed fit the profile perfectly. Excuse me, sir. But may I ask if there is any way to settle the score that doesnt involve killing someone? Dr. Williams glared at Creed and said nothing to ease the silent anger that was clearly his response. Its just that, I dont feel right about killing anyone. Not my brother, nor a thief. Could I just bring her back with the children? Creed asked hopefully. Let me make myself perfectly clear, son. The assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to terminate the woman and retrieve the three metas. Period. If you do not accept the terms of Option 3, there are still two other options you have from which to choose. The venom in the doctors voice was potent. His three-piece suit looked even more intimidating than a five-star general. This man had power and he knew how to wield it.

46/581

With a slow deep breath in an obvious effort to calm himself, Dr. Williams continued, However, I can appreciate a man of principles. I, myself, live by a strict code of conduct in my personal and business affairs. You do not feel comfortable taking a life. But sometimes we have to make a trade. Sometimes the ends do justify the means. So let me put one more thing on the table to help you make your decision. You have grown up here at the Facility, correct? Yes, sir. The only family you ever knew of was Gavil Young, and he wasnt much of a family. Have I assessed that accurately? Yes, sir. Have you ever wondered where your parents were? What they were like? Maybe wondered why they gave you and your brother up to the Facility instead of keeping you with them?

47/581

Creed had no idea where the old man was going with this line of questions, but he did know it was making his stomach feel like it contained boiling acid. What would you do to find them, given the chance? Or more pointedly, what wouldnt you do? If the devil himself had a face, it looked like Kenneth Williams. He was nearly giggling with joy over the painful dilemma he saw in the young man sitting next to him. Sir, are you saying you know where my parents are? Creeds voice came out in a whisper. I am. And youll tell me where to find them if I complete option three just as you say? Now youre getting the idea, my boy, beamed Williams. And if I dont agree to this assignment

48/581

Then there are always the death options from which to choose. Oh, and youd die never having known your family. Watching the conflict in Creeds eyes was sheer pleasure to Williams. Take a few moments to think about it, Creed Young. Weigh the rights and wrongs in your own mind. Im going to step out and grab a cup of coffee. Would you care for a cup? No, thank you, sir, Creed mumbled deep in thought. All right, Ill be back in a few minutes. And Creed, thats all the think time youre going to get, so use it wisely. The old doctor stood up with a grace he shouldnt have been able to manage, and walked purposefully toward the large mahogany doors, opened them and closed them quietly behind himself. Creed hadnt moved the entire time he had been in Williams presence. What was he going to do? Could he live with himself if he

49/581

killed this woman, no matter what her crimes? If he didnt kill her, then he wouldnt have long to regret it because Commander Oldham would have his head on a silver platter for all the Facilitys metas to see. Look at what individuality and disobedience gets you, everyone! You get dead, thats what you get. So, he takes a rifle and tags the thief right between the eyes long range. He would make it a fast and clean kill. She wouldnt feel pain, and he wouldnt have to hear the thump of the bullet hitting her skull. He could completely distance himself from the whole thing. Then all hed have to do is coral the meta children and bring them here. Heck, he could shoot them with tranquilizers if he had to. Thats not a lot of work in comparison to the reward of finding his parents. Hed been dreaming of them for the last fifteen years. What did they look like? Did

50/581

one of them have his blue eyes? Did he look like his father? Was his mother beautiful? Did she cry for him often and wish things had turned out differently? Were they nice people? Artistic? Musical? Athletic? There were so many questions Creed was aching to have answered. So all he had to do was this one little assignment and then the rest of his life could begin. Maybe the doctor was right. Sometimes the ends do justify the means. Williams returned with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and a newspaper in the other. Well, son? What is your decision? Im in. What are the logistics of the assignment, sir? Creeds mouth formed the words and his mind tried to grasp the meaning of what he had just chosen. His heart tightened in his chest. He was trying to convince himself that this was justifiable homicide.

51/581

Excellent choice, Creed. The doctor was beaming with satisfaction. But there is plenty of time to discuss logistics. You still need to rest. Recover completely before you take on this assignment. Ive waited twelve years for payback, I can wait another week or so. The doctor walked to his desk and lifted the black phone to his ear. Please send Miss Schone up to retrieve our guest. Creeds body ached miserably. His supply of adrenaline that had run like a faucet moments before felt completely cut off now and it left him emotionally and physically drained. Now all he wanted to do was curl up under the covers of his hospital bed and forget everything he just agreed to do. Farrow arrived with a quick knock at the door. To her credit, she had with her a wheelchair. Without a word she wheeled it to Creed and positioned it right beside the exhausted and pain-filled young man. She held

52/581

it stable while he tried to ease himself up from the couch and then down into it. Creed felt a wave of gratitude for her thoughtfulness and discretion. He wanted so badly to turn off his pain, but he didnt dare do that in front of Dr. Williams. He needed to be believably hurt, and he didnt know if he was that good an actor. So, he forced himself to suffer. Well be in touch, my boy. You just focus on recovery for now. Goodbye. The doctor shook Creeds hand and stared into his eyes. Thank you, sir, the young meta mumbled and withdrew his hand instinctively, a bit sooner than was socially acceptable. The doctor didnt seem to notice. Goodbye. And with that, Farrow wheeled him out into the hallway, down the elevators and up

53/581

to the black car waiting to return him to the hospital. Dr. Williams leaned against the edge of his custom made, hand-carved, mahogany desk and took a sip of his coffee as he watched Farrow wheel Creed Young out of his office. Once the doors shut behind them, he slowly set the mug down on a green marbled coaster, and reached unthinking into his front suit pocket. His fingers found the familiar metallic spheres. The thought of what it would be like to have Margo Winter killed made him smile with anticipation. He nearly began salivating at the idea of having the three children back so he could continue his research using their blood. To recreate their unique abilities, those that were above and beyond even the most trained meta at the Facility, that was enough for him to walk away from the desk with a slight skip in his step.

54/581

3 Justified
The wind cut against his face, bitterly cold and constant. With each breath he felt the cold invade his lungs, splash against the heat his core created and come out as a cloud of hot vapors. His legs hit that rhythm easily. His feet were pounding the gravel as consistently as a metronome. It had been one week since his Retribution Match and though he had been able to return to simple everyday physical tasks, his doctor refused to allow him to push himself to exercise until today. He had been cleared to take a slow walk around the pond, but his body was literally aching to get stretched and used. Despite doctors orders, today he was determined to get out on the path and run at least one mile. That should be completely

56/581

doable. Before the stabbing, running twelve miles in under an hour was no big deal at all. So, though he was still sporting a few dozen stitches internal and external, one mile should be fine. Besides, he was about to go crazy cooped up in that hospital room; today, he was getting some fresh air. With temperatures hovering in the teens, most of the trails usual occupants had opted for warmer, indoor exercise instead. He ignored the handful of cadets he did see and chose instead to pull his hoodie up, obscuring their view of him. Never one to feel comfortable in the spotlight, the last thing Creed wanted was attention. Lost in his own thoughts, Creed didnt notice right away that there was someone running close behind him. Once he did realize it, he studied the sound of the gravel crunching under the other runners feet and decided it must be a female meta. Ordinarily, he would have picked up his pace to pull

57/581

further away from her, but he knew he was already over doing it physically, so he opted to slow down to let her pass him. She didnt. She matched his stride and ran right beside him; their feet making unison crunching sounds into the path. Frustrated with the intrusion, Creed stopped running all together. He leaned over, and forced himself to breathe slow, deep breathsnot from over exertion, but because he had just felt the skin on his side pop open. Instinctively, he covered it with his hand. Shit. The other runner stopped and watched him for a moment. You okay? He heard her say. Fine. Great. I just dont need an audience. Creed was talking through his clenched teeth a little afraid to look at the damage he was pretty sure hed done to himself.

58/581

Ignoring that last statement, the girl kept talking, I think you over did it. Creed spun around to silence the annoying meta when he realized who she was. Oh, its you. Farrow smiled beautifully and said, Nice to see you too, Creed Young. Are you following me? Creed asked, more to change the subject than anything. Im following orders, she said flatly. Dr. Williams wanted me to see if you were fit for duty and judging by the blood on your shirt, Im thinking, not. I just popped a couple stitches. No big deal. Creed tried to say casually. Inside he was fuming with embarrassment. I think its a big deal, especially since were going to be partners. I dont want to have to carry your weight. She parked her hands on her hips and glowered at his nonchalance.

59/581

Wait, what? Hold on. Did you say partners? Dr. Williams wants us to travel to the Americas, locate Dr. Winter, terminate her and retrieve the assetsyou know, the assignment you agreed to? So soon? Hes not known to be a patient man. Right. Okay, let me just get this taken care of back at the hospital. When does he want us to leave? Creed asked worried this was happening too fast and that he hadnt had time to process everything. Ill contact you tomorrow morning with specifics, but just in case, be ready to leave before lunch. She looked again at the large blood red stain on the hoodie Creed was holding protectively and shook her head. Youd better not screw this up, Creed Young. I have a perfect record with Dr. Williams, and Im not going to allow you to ruin my career with your macho-bullshit. She

60/581

turned and ran back down the trail toward headquarters. Oh, no. Of course not, your highness. I wouldnt dare do anything to soil your pristine reputation as an ass-kisser! Creed mumbled the thoughts to himself. Oh, hey, and dont worry about me. You go on back to Daddy Williams. I have several other pints of blood I could lose before I pass out right here in the dirt, he continued. Truth be told, he wasnt mad at Farrow. He was disgusted with himself for being Dr. Williams henchmen. No matter how he tried, he hated knowing he had sold his soul to that devil, but he couldnt back out of it now. Morality had a new name and it was Justifiable. With nowhere else to go, Creed limped slowly back toward the yellow lights of the medical building. So much for doing the right thing, he sighed to himself.

61/581

Damn it.

Part 2
Winters in Kansas

Two weeks after the rescue of Dr. Margo Winter

Location: Dr. Theo Andrews hospital in Olathe, Kansas

4 The Sentries
Maze may be an exceptionally perceptive and highly intelligent coyote, but he still had to be walked once in a while. And even though it was 2:57 in the morning, he dutifully woke me with a slobbery lick to show me that his eyes were floating. The boy had to peeand he meant now. I yawned while putting on my warm boots and coat over pajamas. Maze whined impatiently at me so I didnt even bother with my wildly curly hair. Grabbing his leash we shuffled through the hospital room door and softly closed it behind us. He sneezed twice before sniffing and licking his nose clean. Maze wasnt very fond of the hospital smells, but he put up with them without complaint. It was the collar

64/581

and leash I was required to use that Maze barely tolerated. I know you hate this dumb ol leash, but rules are rules. Dr. Andrews was nice enough to allow you in the hospital under the pretext that youre a guide dog, so we have to act the part. I cooed at my best friend while scratching between his ears and neck where the collar was rubbing him the wrong way, literally. Maze looked up at me with a sour expression on his sweet coyote face. Dont give me that look, I gently scolded, youre the one who insists on staying with mom at the hospital. You could be sniffing out some yummy squirrels in the backyard at Dr. Andrews house, but no-o-o, you have to play sentry and guard mom like an overprotective mother hen. To be honest, we have all been very protective of our mom since rescuing her from Dr. Williams. We havent left her alone.

65/581

Matter of fact, weve worked out a schedule so there are always two of us with her day and night. Tonight, Evan and I are on Mom Watch as weve come to call it, while Alik keeps an eye on things back at Dr. Andrews house. But Maze wont leave any longer than it takes for him to go relieve himself outside. He may be a big ball of shedding fur, but hes a devoted big ball of shedding fur. I found myself smiling warmly at the sweet lug as I walked us into the elevator. After growing up on a huge ranch in Texas with the handsome, wide blue skies and stretches of land for as far as the eye could see, being in a small hospital room for hours on end was enough to make me feel very claustrophobic. Once outside, I breathed deeply and allowed myself to listen to the night sounds: The buildings sliding glass doors whooshed closed behind me, Mazes sniffing nose and padding feet in the Midwest grass, the cold breeze rustling

66/581

through autumn leaves. It was a beautiful night. Maze whined and tugged at the leash. Okay, buddy. Ill take the leash off so you can stretch your legs, but dont be gone long. Some of us want to get back to sleep, you know. He winked his intelligent yellow eyes at me and licked my hand as I unleashed him. Off he sprinted toward the nearest row of bushes. Wily nut-ball, I mumbled as I watched him start to chase some poor unsuspecting rodent. Its a little late for a stroll, isnt it? a mans voice asked from the shadows. At the sound, I whipped around, tense and ready for battle. Whoa, Im sorry. I didnt mean to startle you, he said with a hint of a smile as he stepped into the light. I didnt respond, choosing instead to stay wary. He stood about ten feet away from me, probably sensing that if he came any closer I

67/581

would feel even more threatened. He looked to be a little older than me, tall, dark hair, blue eyes and very muscular. He pulled his hands out from his coat pockets and held them, palms out, to his sides in a gesture to show that he meant no harm. I was just out here getting some fresh air after spending the entire day in there, he gestured to the hospital. So again, Im sorry to have startled you. But its not every day a guy sees a girl talking to what looks like her pet coyote in the moonlight. I glanced over to where I last saw Maze. He was nowhere in sight now, but I wasnt too worried. One whistle and hed be at my side ready to fight. I couldnt decide if this guy was harmless or not. Because the events over the last few weeks were underscored by some scary stuff like being followed, shot at, attacked, tricked, hunted and maimed, I guess my knee jerk

68/581

reactions were starting to lean toward paranoid. Right. Well, we were just stretching our legs, too, I said in a voice intended to give off a tone of leave me alone, buddy. I turned slightly and started walking away, keeping the guy in my peripheral vision. Well, is he? the guy called taking a few steps to follow me. Is he what? I asked not even trying to hide the annoyance in my voice. A coyote, he asked innocently. Yes, I said not offering any more information. Wow, you know how unusual it is to see a tame coyote? Theyre part of the canine family, but theyre not known to become domesticated at all, he said all this while walking a few steps closer to me. Youre not from around here are you? I ignored his questions and decided enough is enough. This guy wasnt getting

69/581

the hint and no matter how blue his eyes flashed in the moonlight, or how handsome his smile lookedI needed backup. My fingers flew up to my mouth and let out a sharp whistle. Now it was his turn to look startled. Maze flashed over the bushes some fifteen yards away and bolted straight toward him. A low whistle from me had him change course and speed. He trotted right up to my side, licked my hand and glowered at the stranger. This is Maze. He doesnt much like strangers and neither do I, I said sternly, Goodnight. I turned and walked back toward to the hospitals sliding glass doors with Maze right at my side and the strangers eyes boring a hole in the back of my head. Creed! He yelled over to me. Maze turned and growled. I stopped one last time, surprised my iciness didnt scare him into the silence it should have.

70/581

Did you just say, Creed? I called back. Yeah, its my name. Creed Young. Now Im not so much a stranger. He smiled widely, waved and walked away. That was a little weird, wasnt it? I asked Maze as we rode the elevator back up to the seventh floor of the hospital. Maze looked up at me and cocked his head to the left like he was trying to understand what my problem was. I know we could have taken him in a heartbeat so unless he had a gun in his back pocket, there was really no threat, but still. Something about that guy was scaryin a cool sort of way. Maze was ignoring me now as he sniffed a meal tray one of the patients had left on the floor just outside their hospital room door. Come on, you. No digging through other peoples leftovers. Its bad manners, I said sleepily. A few doors down, and we were back in moms room. I locked the door behind me

71/581

and checked on mom. She was breathing softly and her monitors showed her heart rate, oxygen levels and blood pressure all normal. Evan hadnt moved since I saw him last. I found my pile of blankets on my cot and flopped down. Maze curled up at my feet. The night was still, again. Back down in the lobby, Creed watched the numbers light up above the elevator she had taken. It stopped on the seventh floor. He smiled to himself remembering their conversation and how guarded she was. He began whistling as he shuffled casually out of the building and back to his rental car waiting in the lamp-lit hospital parking lot. Something about that wild-haired beauty made Creeds heart leap in his chest. Tomorrow he would have to find a way to bump into her again. Maybe this assignment wouldnt be that bad after all. Of course, there was the small issue of killing the woman. Creed shoved his hands

72/581

into his pockets frowning now against the thought. He sat in his car and leaned his head back staring up through the sun roof. The stars were faint here compared to back at the Facility. Things seemed much less clear cut. Sitting in Williams office, it didnt seem too hard to agree to terms of this arrangement: one thief killed and three metas returned in exchange for information about his long lost parents. The ends justify the means, right? Williams gets back the metas that were rightfully his. Creed gets to be reunited with his kin. Thief gets her comeuppance. He found the more he watched the Winter family and how they interacted, the more he liked them. They were good people. They were a family. And, now that he looked into the girls dark eyes and watched them flash with anger. Now that he heard her voice, angelic and soft even through her attempt at sounding irritated. Now that he

73/581

could imagine her smile, her laugh. Now everything felt as hazy as this night sky looked. In his pocket, his cell phone began to vibrate. One glance at the caller I.D. confirmed it; it was Dr. Williams. Creed touched the screen accepting the call. Sir. Status report. Surveillance still successful. First contact with M57 has been made. Excellent. Your condition? Ninety percent recovered. Its been long enough. Its time to complete your assignment. Yes, sir. click Creed sighed deeply, slipped his phone back into his pocket and started the car. He needed a little shut-eye before trying to figure out what to do next. Hopefully, Farrow would leave him alone when he got back to

74/581

the hotel. He made sure she did not have a key to his room, but she was resourceful. If she wanted to, she could be sitting on the edge of his bed ready to pounce him for information when he got back. He pushed Farrow out of his mind and focused instead on the girlMeg. Creed had to think of a way to get the girl to trust him, and fast. She was the key to the brothers. He yawned deeply. How was he going to forge more of a friendship with the girl? Maybe he should keep a steak on him next time to see if thatll win over the coyote. Or, would that seem overly anxious? Its not like Creed had ever tried to woo a girl before. Sleep, he thought. He needed sleep and then things will seem clearer in the morning. As Creed was pulling out of the parking lot, Meg rolled over in her cot, repositioned her pillow and draped her leg over Maze.

5 Fifteen-Year-Old Drivers Permit

with

Cole, you coming? Alik yelled up the stairs. Your dads already in the car. Yeah, I justdarn it. Hey, have you seen my magic thumb? Cole yelled back, sounding out of breath and frustrated. Your what? My thumb! I cant find it anywhere and thats one of their favorites, Cole moaned. You can borrow mine. Come on. Were gonna be late and you know how upset they get when were late. Remember last time, Alik gave Cole a look as he met him at the bottom of the stairs, thumb-less. I know. They drew us pictures of frowny faces. It was depressing as heck.

76/581

The boys hurried out the front door, jumped down the steps and jogged to the car. Cole tapped on the drivers side window. Dad, can I drive, please? he yelled through the glass miming the request as if his dad didnt already know what his son wanted. Dr. Andrews rolled his eyes at his teenager. Ever since he got his drivers permit three days ago, Cole had not let up about wanting practice time behind the wheel. Fine, but this time, please drive the speed limit. I dont want to get pulled over for obstructing traffic because youre going so blasted slow, Dr. Andrews teased as he got out of the car and walked around to the passenger seat. Dad! What are you saying to me? You want me to speed? Do you know the statistics on speeding and fatalities? Safety first, old man, Cole teased back. Good grief, the doctor groaned.

77/581

Changing the subject to take his mind off of Coles one mile per hour attempt at reverse down the driveway, the doctor asked, Alik, is it your turn for Mom Watch? I relieve Evan at noon, Alik responded cringing at the trash bin they were inches away from hitting. Hope everyone had a good night up at the hospital, Cole mumbled. Less talking, more driving, his dad said, only half teasing. Im sure everythings fine up there. My staff has strict orders to contact me directly if there is any change in our patient. Moms not recovering as fast as I thought she would, Alik confided. Dr. Andrews nodded softly, Shes not a metahuman with rapid healing abilities like you, Alik. And shes not as young as she used to be. Her body is doing the best it can to heal. She just needs time.

78/581

I dont mean to sound ungrateful, sir. Im just worried. Were sitting ducks right now. Williams couldyellow light. Williams could what? Cole asked Yellow light! RED! Alik yelled, pushing himself back in his seat. STOP! Dr. Andrews yelled to Cole. Four seconds of squealing tires later, they were stopped a little too far into the intersection and car horns were already honking. Sorry, bout that, Cole blushed. Son, Dr. Andrews said calmly. Yes, sir? Slowly back the car up. Yes, sir. So, you were saying, Alik? Dr. Andrews asked, trying to act calm about the whole teenager-behind-the-wheel thing. UmI was just saying how worried I am about Williams sending a henchman or five to come finish what he started. This time, he

79/581

may send another metasoldier like the one that got to Meg. Even with us standing guard, if he sent meta assassins, chances are very good theyll accomplish their task. They may even come after you two. Is that why Mom Watch schedules one of you kids to stay at the house with Cole and me every night? Because you are worried were in danger, too? Dr. Andrews asked. Alik just shrugged, trying not to worry the doctor. The truth was that was exactly why the kids had arranged the schedule the way they did. They didnt want the doctor or Cole to be defenseless if the house was attacked. It was hard not to feel responsible for everyones safety. After what happened, your worries are valid. Im just not sure what to do about it, the doctor said thoughtfully. Let me call Greg to see if he has any new information or suggestions. Maybe he knows something that will make our options more clear.

80/581

Alik stayed silent, as was his way, brooding over all that could take place. Listen, I dont want anything to happen to your mother either. I want us all safe, and Ill do everything I can to keep it that way. Well figure this out. Somehow. And with that Cole pulled safely into his fathers reserved parking spot at the hospital. Is the love-fest over? Can we go entertain the sick kids with our magic tricks now? he chirped a little over anxiously. Alik gave his friend a sideways look and thought, not for the first time, how difficult it must be for Cole knowing everyone else was expected to protect him because he would be helpless against a metahuman. I guess if I were him, Id change the subject, too, Alik thought to himself.

6 Cafeteria Food
Morning shook the fog from my mind. Did last night really happen? Did I take Maze for a walk and run into a guy outside last night? A guy who wouldnt get the hint that I wanted nothing to do with him? A guy with handsome blue eyes and a wide, dreamy smile? Yeah, thats it. It had to be a dream. Who in their right mind would go by the name Creed? I thought to myself smugly. Good grief. That was a soap opera name, not a real guys name. Still groggy, I let the morning sun from the hospital window warm my face. I slowly batted my eyes open and turned to watch my mother breathe. Her chest rose and fell faintly, but definitely.

82/581

Evan, wake up, I whispered so as not to disturb mom. Evan mumbled in response. Evan, its seven oclock, and Im starved. Do you wanna go get breakfast, or do you want me to? Her littlest brother mumbled more and rolled over on his way-too-small cot. He sure was cute when he was sleeping. That sandy blond hair falling in wisps over his long eyelashes just made him look so sweetlike he used to when he was a little boy. His birthday was fast approaching, though. He was nearly thirteen-years-old. Where did my baby brother go? I reached out and touched his unruly hair away from his eyes. Maybe I should just let him sleep. Okay, kiddo. Ill go fetch breakfast for us. You sleep, I whispered to him. Maze, you coming? I looked over at my loyal coyote fast asleep at the foot of my cot. He opened his eyes just a crack and blinked once before letting his sleepy lids fall back closed.

83/581

Okay, you guys. Ill bring back food. Just dont complain if I didnt grab your favorites, I whispered to the room full of sleeping family. After a quick kiss to my moms cheek, I turned and stepped out of the hospital room, and listened for the door to lock automatically behind me. The hospitals cafeteria was located in the basement. It usually had the standard stuff with one daily special posted on an old-fashioned green chalk board. Todays turquoise chalk proudly announced, Sausage and Eggs with Flour Tortillas, Beans and Salsa! Now, that sounds delicious! I thought to myself. I havent had good Mexican food since I left our Texas ranch. Not wanting to get my hopes too high, I placed my order. Three daily specials, three milks and six biscuits to go, please. I said to the cook behind the cafeteria-like counter.

84/581

Ah, a girl after my own heart and a hearty appetite, too! the cook chirped happily. I just smiled back, not wanting to explain that Id just ordered for myself, my bottomless pit of a brother, and my sixty-pound coyote. Wow, you must be hungry, a vaguely familiar voice laughed beside me. I turned and saw the blue eyes from my dreams; only, this wasnt a dream. We were standing side-by-side in the hospital cafeteria line under glaring florescent lights. He was real, and the immediate magnetism I felt was enough to knock me silent. Ill have two orders of the special, please, he called over to the cook. He glanced at me and added, To go. You seem to be making a habit of doing that, I said trying to regain my composure. Doing what? Sneaking up on me.

85/581

I almost didnt recognize you without your fur coat, he teased, referring to Maze no doubt. I almost didnt recognize you in the light of day, I tried to counter smartly, but came across smug instead. You never told me your name last night, he said under his breath. I told you the name of my ferocious coyote. That should be enough. I could feel his sleeve brush my arm, barely grazing the fine hair, sending sparks to my tummy. Selfconsciously, I scooted my plastic orange tray further away from him. I only have a passing interest in your coyote; its you I want to know. His voice was barely audible above the noise of the room. I had to force myself to concentrate on breathing because the room was getting very thick and my senses were feeling overwhelmed. The sounds of the clanking pots and pans, food sizzling in pats of butter,

86/581

scraping of griddles by metal spatulas, voices murmuring, laughing, talking all around me. Thatll be $30.35, miss, a female voice said. Miss? I shook my head in a feeble attempt to clear it. Oh, yes, of course, I answered stupidly while shuffling through my small purse for moms credit card. Ours are together, Creed responded smoothly and passed the somewhat impatient cashier a hundred dollar bill. The cashier looked over at Creed with a wide smile and even wider eyes. A little breathless, she said, Your change, sir. Well, good. At least it wasnt just me. This guy was more than just a little attractive. Any girl with a pulse could see how handsome this guy looked. Something about his eyes was mesmerizing. Note to self, Meg: Try not to look into his eyes.

87/581

That was very nice of you, I said awkwardly. Dont think anything of it. Hey, I know we ordered to go, casually taking my bags of food from me, but would you be willing to sit with me for a while? I stared at the cardboard drink holder in my hands, trying not to look up into his eyes. I really have to get breakfast up to my family, I said a little too hurriedly. Of course, Creeds voice dropped a pitch. I could hear his disappointment. Will I see you again? Well, my moms really sick. I dont think well be leaving the hospital any time soon, I said. What about you? Who are you visiting here? I was visiting a friend who was in an accident, but hes being discharged today. I dont imagine Ill be hanging out on the hospitals front lawn at 3am anymore. As he was speaking hed been leading me away

88/581

from the crowded dining room toward the elevators. Im glad your friend is well enough to go home, I said trying to think of a way to keep him with me for a few moments more. Something about the way he moved made me want to move right with him. I didnt mean to. I felt him leading me, but I couldnt resist. He leaned up against the wall next to the elevator, still holding the bags of food all in one hand. I stood facing him foolishly holding the tray of milk. He didnt speak for a moment, waiting instead for me to look up at him. I knew thats what he was doing. I bit my lower lip, torn between my instincts and my urges. My eyes studied the steady pulse in his throat for a moment before I gave in and dove into his pools of blue. I need to see you again, he simply said. I tried to think clearly, but his scent was intoxicating. Noon, my mouth formed the

89/581

words, but my head was screaming, slow down you dolt! Where? he smiled. On the lawn, my mouth was moving of its own volition. Ill be there, he said smiling that dazzling smile he showed me last night. He leaned over and pressed the up button for me. Immediately, the doors opened. He stepped in briefly to hand me my bags of breakfast, allowing our fingers to touch. I had to look away for a moment as he exited the small space. The doors began closing with a ding and there he was, lifting a huge masculine hand to gently wave goodbye. It didnt register till I got to my moms room and was unlocking the door by typing the code into the lock that I didnt remember pushing the elevator button. It stopped on the floor I needed, the seventh, but I hadnt pushed the button. Did Creed?

90/581

How would he have known what floor my family was on? Worry lines creased my forehead as I thought of the possibilities. No, I must have hit the button myself, and just dont remember doing it. My mind was a little preoccupied just then, to put it mildly. Its okay to like a nice guy, Meg. I told myself. Especially a hottie with dreamy eyes! Dont be so paranoid!

7 Changing of the Guards

Breakfast is served, I called over to Evan who was carefully folding up the cots and blankets. Excellent, Im famished, and it smells delicious. He walked over to the makeshift breakfast table and sat down with me. Maze was licking his chops waiting for his plateful of food, too. Okay, Maze. Here go you buddy. Dont eat too fast, or youll get hiccups like you did last time, I teased my friend while placing his plate on the floor at my feet. Wow, this is awesome. I sure have been missing authentic Mexican food, Evan said with his mouth full of eggs. Mmm, I swallowed, me, too. Wish mom could eat with us. Shed love this, Evan stopped and looked over lovingly

92/581

at his mom who was still lying in bed. Her jaw was wired shut as it healed because it had been so horribly shattered. Shell be eating with us soon enough, I said trying to cheer up my little brother. Then shell make you eat asparagus with breakfast. Yeah, that never did make sense to me, Evan smiled. Mom loves to force vegetables down our throats, I smiled at the memory. But I love her for always wanting us to be healthy. Me, too, Evan poked his fork into his rice and began pushing pieces around his plate. In an effort to get his mind off of mom, I asked, So, what are you going to do with yourself when Alik comes to relieve your duty? I dunno. Ive been really interested in the hospitals library. Dr. Andrews has been allowing me special access to all the medical

93/581

books and journals. Ive been so fascinated with medicine; the more I read, the more I want to know, Evans eyes lit up brightly as he spoke of study the way regular kids his age brightened at the thought of going to an amusement park. Very cool, Ev, I said sincerely. Maybe you could become a doctor someday? I loved the thought of my brilliant little brother helping people. Evan shrugged humbly, I dunno. I really just want to figure out how to get mom better faster. And maybe, figure out what happened to us to make us so different from all the other metas. He grinned adorably, Strictly selfish reasons, really. I think youd make a wonderful doctor, Evan. Maybe we should look into getting you accepted to a university so you could begin pre-med classes? I asked casually after finishing my last bite of rice.

94/581

First thing first, Meggie, he said in an absolutely serious tone, weve got to take care of some unfinished business. Right, I said clearing my plate. We need to talk with Alik and get a plan in motion. Sometimes, I feel like Williams could walk through that door any minute and put a bullet through moms head. I shivered at the thought. Naw, he wouldnt get his own hands dirty. Thats not his style. Hed send a meta to finish the job. Thats who we have to look out for: Some guy who looks completely out of place here; probably tall, muscular and extremely clever. Hes done with regular hired henchmen. Hed send a meta like the one who attacked you in his office, Evans eyes were too busy watching Maze chase his now empty paper plate around the floor licking every last morsel off to see Megs face pale.

95/581

Of course, she whispered thoughtfully rubbing the scar on her thigh. Thats exactly how hed do it, isnt it? Thats how I would do it if I were him, Evan leaned down and grabbed Mazes empty plate before he started to rip it up and eat the pieces, as hes been known to do. The old goat! Of course, there is still the matter of our blood. He wanted to study us to figure out what he stumbled upon that worked so well in the serum we were given. He probably still wants us. Blood samples only last for an hour or two before the fragile molecular compounds start to change and/or lose their blueprints, Evan was thinking out loud now. He was casually discussing the ideas that had scared the apple fritters out of me ever since this whole thing came to light. Ugh, again Im amazed at how nonchalant he could be in the face of scary stuff like, oh I dunno, becoming lab rats again, mom

96/581

getting off-ed right in front of us, watching a madman use us as his weapons of mass destruction by cloning us and turning the clones into mindless drones to do his bidding, you knowall the stuff that wicked, scary books and movies love to throw in their plots. How can Evan just casually speculate and project these very real scenarios and outcomes? Hum, but you know, he doesnt need all three of us, Evan stopped talking and looked pensively over at me. Just one of us would probably suffice for his purposes. As if my face wasnt pale enough, I felt myself go perfectly still at my brothers words. I stared at him, unblinking for a full minute, feeling all the terror of the last few weeks wash over me with a completely different slant on what could have happened. Breathe, Meg, Evan ordered. Meg, come on. Dont freak out on me. All of this is just me throwing around ideasyou know,

97/581

hypotheticals. I could be completely wrong. Who knows what is logical in the mind of a madman? Just then, there was a knock at the door that scared the heck out of me. Hello, there Winter family! Dr. Andrews called through the closed door. You have got to stop drinking caffeinated coffee, Meg, Evan teased as he walked to the door to let the doctor in. Good morning Meg, Evan. Hows the patient this morning? He asked us, oblivious to the tension he just walked in on. Out came his little flash light as he leaned over moms closed eyes. He gently lifted one lid at a time to expose the pupil. Quick flashes of light across her eyes seemed to make the doctor happy. Nice and reactive, he mumbled and put his stethoscope to moms chest. After a few moments he said, Good, good. Heart sounds good, lungs sound clear and pulse-ox good, he said reading a print

98/581

out from a machine beside moms bed. Blood pressure, holding steady, he said nodding to himself. Excellent. Her jaw looks to be healing on schedule. I know it would be great to be able to talk, Margo, he said to a sleeping patient. The kids would feel so much more assured if they could hear your voice, the doctors hands gently touched moms face where bruises were beginning to fade. The tenderness was so clear I had to look away because watching seemed intrusive. You didnt have to be an emotional superconductor like me to see he loved my mom deeply. Anyone with eyes could see she meant the world to him. Uneventful night? he asked. Yep, Evan answered for us. Good. Well, Alik and Cole are on the third floor doing their magic act for the kids. Do either of you want to go stand in the back of the room and make fun of them? Dr. Andrews smiled mischievously.

99/581

Ill go. Ive been cooped up since yesterday. Do you mind Meg? Evan asked thoughtfully. Hum? Oh, no. I dont mind at all, Ev. Have fun, I said thinking Id rather not see Cole right now. Good grief, I thought to myself. I know nothing about Creed, but here I am feeling guilty for having spoken with him. Well, thats not exactly true. I feel guilty because of the attraction I have for him. Besides, I dont even know if Creed is safe. What if hes working for Williams? But, if he is, wouldnt he have just kidnapped or killed me last night when he had the chance? I was completely unaware of him there in the shadows. He could have put a bullet right through me if he wanted to. This is crazy, I thought to myself. Let it go, Meg. You have enough to worry about. No time for a love life. Leave that mushy stuff to the normal girls out there.

100/581

Would you mind hanging out for five minutes so I can take a fast shower, Dr. Andrews? I asked. I dont like leaving mom unattended. Maze whined. No offense, Maze. I just need someone who can speak English, just in case. Then theres that opposable thumb thing, I teased while patting his ample flank. Oh, sure, Meg. I have a phone call to make anyway, he graciously added, reaching for the hospital phone on Margos bedside table. Great, thanks. I wont be long, I said hurrying to gather a fresh change of clothes. The moment I stepped under the streams of hot water, my mind wandered back in time. When I think back to that day at the Institute, I am still in awe we all survived. The media reported the event in all its television glory while the smoke was still billowing from the Institute. But once the ashes

101/581

cooled, Dr. Andrews best friend and police detective, Greg Burns was able to keep all details out of the news. Dr. Williams fled the country the same night his Institute burned, so the authorities had a lot of questions for him, as well. Once the fire investigators released their report noting the cause of the fire and subsequent explosions was caused by arson, even more people wanted to talk with Dr. Williams. However, he was nowhere to be found. He was last seen boarding his personal jet, accompanied by a woman named Michelle Andrews. Their flight plan indicated a trip to the Cayman Islands, but there was no record they ever landed there and an escape to a completely different location is assumed. Dr. Andrews, when he found out Michelle had left him, was quiet and solemn. He never went into the particulars with us kids, but he mentioned in a small voice once,

102/581

how upset he was with himself for allowing that rebound marriage. Something about his failed attempt of recreating what he lost when Jenna, Coles mom, died. Then when he found out Michelle was definitely conspiring with Dr. Williams, he blew his top. Who could blame him? Although I did try to warn him, I couldnt bring myself to give him the infamous I told you so speech. Especially not when I could sense he was enraged to the point of popping a blood vessel! It didnt take him long to realize she had been the one to inform Dr. Williams of his plans to help me and my brothers. And that it was she who planted the GPS tracker and audio transmitter in the SUV before we left Kansas to travel to California. He wondered, though he wouldnt say it out loud, how far back Dr. Williams influence went with Michelle. How much of his life had been reported back to the Institute by his own wife?

103/581

As I said, I knew something was wrong with that woman all along, but sometimes men need proof. He had his proof now. I also knew hes been blaming himself for Alik, Evan and me being pulled out of hiding and back in Dr. Williams radar. He feels as though he should have been smart enough to catch on to Michelles deceit. Then she wouldnt have been around the day I called asking for his help to find our mom. I have wanted to talk with him, but it really isnt my place. I have found the more I let on that I know what an adult is feeling, the less I should say about it. It seems to make them feel very uncomfortable around me. I cant help knowing, but it is maddening knowing, and not being in the position to do anything about it. Still deep in thought, I stepped out of the shower and dressed quickly. I was so engrossed in my internal commentary on life and the world we live in, that I couldnt

104/581

remember if Id washed my hair. I was still arguing with myself even as I grab my towel. Crud. My hair smelled clean, but maybe I just used conditioner and skipped the shampoo entirely. Darn it! I threw the towel down, undressed again, and turned the shower back on. Focus, Meg, I reminded myself.

8 Sleeping Beauty
After hearing the shower turn on, Dr. Andrews pressed the ten digits he had memorized for a couple dozen years and waited patiently for the line to start ringing. Theo? Hey, Greg. Yeah, its me. If anyone were listening to Dr. Andrews voice just then they would have noticed a big change from how he sounded just moments ago with the children in the room. Now, he sounded exhausted and sad. Whats up, big man? How is everyone doing? the detective asked cryptically. He was always a cautious guy; one of those habits he picked up from his job. About the same. My patient is still slowly recovering. Her kids are keeping constant vigil more for her protection than

106/581

anything. Its been a long two weeks. Any news you can share? There are a few pieces of information. Are you on a land-line? he asked rhetorically. Yeah, Im at the hospital. Of course you are. Well, if that isnt the pot calling the kettle black. When was the last time you took a day off? Listen, when your girlfriend stops pissing off the wrong people, then Ill take a break. But for now, Im a little busy. I know, man. Sorry. The kids and I are feeling like sitting ducks here. Yeah, I bet you are. Heres what Ive learned. Williams has another place he works out ofin Germany. Thats where we think hes holding up. Extradition isnt working too well, this time. He has all the right people paid off.

107/581

When you say another place, what exactly do you mean? From what I can gather, it looks like a compound. Therere half a dozen buildings on a huge bunch of acres out in the middle of nowhere-ville Germany. Were talking twice as big as that place he had in California. Oh, crap. Wait. It gets better. The guy is not hurting for money at all. We havent even traced a quarter of his holdings. He has billions, Theo. Dr. Andrews was rubbing his eyes with his one free hand. You still there? Greg asked after he only heard silence. Yeah, Theo breathed. I wish I had better news for you. Well, this is pretty much what I expected. Leave it to Margo to piss off the most evil and powerful mad scientist in the world.

108/581

Im not surprised, Theo said, trying to laugh in the dark. You guys need to move, and soon. Dont tell me where youre going; Id rather have believable deniabilityjust in case. Yeah, I understand. Good luck, Theo. Thanks, man. Iwell, thanks. Dr. Andrews stood for a moment with his back to Margo holding the receiver like it was his life-line. He was trying not to get choked up. It was so overwhelming to feel responsible for the safety of all these children and his oldest and dearest friend, and probably the love of his life. She was so injured that it was still painful to look at her through the eyes of a man instead of a doctor. Mmmm, Margo moaned softly. Theo turned and hurried to her side. Margo? Its me, Theo. Youre at my hospital and you and the kids are safe. Margo?

109/581

Mmuph, Margos eyes fluttered open. She tried to talk again, Rrrugh mmuff Try not to talk, Dr. Andrews was doing his level best not to burst in to sobs of relief at seeing Margo awake. Your jaw wasseriously injured. We had to wire it shut so it could heal properly. Margos eyes looked frantically around the room. Theo guessed she was looking for the children. Meg, Evan and Alik are all here at the hospital, but theyre fine. Everyone has recovered from their injurieswell, except you. Megs in the bathroom getting dressed. Alik, Evan and Cole are on the third floor entertaining the sick children therewith magic tricks, he added with a nervous laugh. She motioned for something with which to write. Good idea, the doctor smiled. Let me find a pen and paper.

110/581

Her wrists were still wrapped and one arm was in a sling because of the broken ribs and fractured collar bone. But even through all that, Margo grabbed the pen Theo gave her available hand and wrote two words: Thank You. The doctor blushed deeply and shook his head. Dont thank me, it was your children who saved you. Margo tipped her head slightly to the right and gave him an inquisitive look, then immediately winced from the pain caused by the movement. Try not to move too much, Margo. You still have a lot of healing to do. Are you in a lot of pain? Do you want me to increase your painkillers right now? Margo moved the pen slowly across the paper and wrote: Williams? You must have a lot of questions, and to be honest, I am probably not the best one to try to answer them. As far as I know,

111/581

Williams is out of the country right now, probably licking his wounds, Theos face grew tight with anger. Margo simply wrote: ?! Its a long story, but first, let me get the kids for you, he walked toward the bathroom door and knocked. Theyll be so excited youre awake; theyd be upset of they didnt get to see you for themselves.

9 Reunited
I heard a sharp knock at my bathroom door just as I finished pulling one of my favorite white T-shirts on. Ill be out in a minute, I called, my mind just as foggy with thoughts as the bathroom was with steam. Meg, your moms awake! Hurry up! Dr. Andrews excitement carried through the door. Moms awake? I threw the door open and bolted past the doctor, nearly tackling him because he didnt move fast enough out of my way. Rushing to my moms side I saw for myself. Her soft brown eyes glistened with happy tears. Oh, mom. Thank God youre awake! I love you so much! I felt a wave of love wash over me from my mothers heart. My connection with mom

113/581

was stronger than with anyone, ever. I could feel her emotions so clearly, sometimes it was hard to distinguish which were hers and which were my own. Im going to call down to the childrens ward. Lets get the boys up here, too, Dr. Andrews was nearly bubbling with joy. He reached for the telephone and pushed a few buttons, but I wasnt paying attention to him. I was too enthralled by my moms emotional roller coaster. She was oscillating between feelings of thankfulness and those of terror. Its okay, mom. Youre safe. We wont let anyone hurt you ever again, I looked into her still mangled face and felt her wave of worry heighten even more. Youre not worried about yourself, are you? Youre only worried about me and the boys getting hurt. Dont be worried. Well get through this. All of us will, I was holding my

114/581

mothers hand softly as I spoke. She squeezed it in response. It must have been a total of two minutes from the time Dr. Andrews called the third floor until the time Alik and Evan were grinning at their mom from her bedside. Wheres Cole? Dr. Andrews asked looking out the hospital room door and down the hall. Um,sorry about that, sir. We heard mom was awake and we both ran full speed up the four flights of stairs, not wanting to bother with the elevator. I guess Cole had a hard time keeping up. Im sure hell be along in a minute, Alik was grinning adorably at his mom the whole time he spoke. Moms eyes kept staring at each of our faces in turn, welling up with tears so often I took to gently patting them dry with tissues. Im so thankful youre awake, mom. Its been awful having all these questions rolling around in my head and knowing only you

115/581

have the answers, Evan smiled widely at his mom. You know, mom. Maze has refused to leave your side the entire time youve been in the hospital? At the sound of his name, Maze walked up to moms bed and stood on his hind legs, balancing by gently placing his paws on the edge of her mattress. His sweet yellow eyes studied moms face. He cocked his head to the right, as he does when hes trying to figure something out then let out a soft wine. I scratched between his ears and said, He wanted to be sure you were safe. Mom reached out with her one good hand and let Maze lick her fingers. Furry love; its a beautiful thing, I laughed to myself. Unnn an ur ach ish oph? mom asked incoherently. She wants to know when they can take the wires out of her jaw so she can talk, I translated to the room. Mom looked at me appreciatively.

116/581

How on earth did you understand her? Dr Andrews asked amazed. I shrugged, I dunno, I just can, I answered trying not to sound like a super freak. Margo, Ill get in touch with your maxiofacial surgeon and ask him to come examine you. Hes one of the best in the world. Well see what he says. The doctor still had that sweet goofy grin every time he looked at his recovering patient. For now, lets just stick to having you write what you want to say, or letting Meg translate for you, he said and gave me a wink. Mom sighed deeply. All the excitement was tiring her out quickly and her pain was getting too intense. She was still trying to study our faces, so happy to see all of us safe, but her body was telling her she needed to rest. Dr. Andrews, I think mom needs some pain meds now. And she needs us to let her

117/581

get some sleep, too, I said watching her face. I felt mom wistfully wish she werent so weak because she didnt want to sleep yet. Its okay, mom. Well be here when you wake up. Dont worry. You just rest and keep healing. Dr. Andrews was adjusting the speed of moms I.V. drip. Evan was smoothing moms blankets, and Alik leaned down and whispered something in his mothers ear. I looked away to give him is moment, but I knew exactly what he was saying to her. Alik may be the strong, silent type, but his emotions run almost as deep as mine. He was telling mom how much he loves her and how he will take care of everyone, just like she taught him. Then, and heres where I had to bite my lip to keep from bursting into tears, then he told her how proud he was to be her son. Evan was talking in hushed tones to Dr. Andrewsdiscussing moms current medicinal needs. That was his way of showing his

118/581

love. He wanted to figure everything out for her. My sweet little brother, the problem solver. Mom drifted off just when a knock came at the door. Evan opened the door to find Cole holding himself up against the door frame, panting. Whatd I miss? he gasped. I smiled up at Cole as he walked toward my sleeping mother and stood beside me. She woke up, Cole, and she wore herself out from all the excitement. Shes sleeping now, I studied the lines in my mothers face still feeling love emanating from her. Darn it! I missed it! he said sheepishly. Did you profess your undying love for her, dad? he winked over to his father who had been gazing with obvious affection at his patient. Thats enough out of you, Cole Andrews, the doctor said, but blushed deeply.

119/581

Lets let the Winter family have a few moments alone, he said, grabbing his son by the shoulders and directing him back to the door. Ill be in the ER if you need me, Dr. Andrews called over his shoulder while Cole continued to protest gently. And Cole will be back on the third floor waiting for you, Alik. The door closed behind them with a soft click. My brothers and I exchanged looks. We hadnt discussed how much we had all been worried about mom not waking up, not getting better. Now that we saw moms condition change for the better, we all needed time to process our emotions. Some of us more than others. Thank God she woke up, Evan said softly. My little brother was always good at stating the obvious. Alik was sitting with his hands draped in his lap, fingers intertwined. Psychologically, one might say he was feeling helpless. I knew

120/581

exactly how he felt. He cleared the emotions in his throat and said, I talked with Theo about our need to come up with a plan. Were vulnerable out in the open like this and Williams isnt done with us. Evan and I were just discussing the same thing this morning. We need to figure out a way to keep mom safe so she can finish recuperating. Shes been too fragile to go into hiding so far. I found myself looking into Aliks sky-blue eyes and comparing them to Creeds. My brothers eyes were always swimming with emotions right under the surface. The crystal blue was strikingly handsome against his darker skin. Creeds eyes had a completely different feel. His were a darker blue and seemed cunning and mysterious. Both of them had wide-set, expressive eyes. And they both had annoyingly long eyelashes. right, Meg? my brothers were looking at me expectantly.

121/581

Hum? What? Im sorry, my mind was wandering, I stammered. Keep up with us, Meggie. This is no time for day dreaming, Alik gently scolded. I know. Must be a little sleep deprived. Alik looked into my face and squinted slightly. No, theres something else going on. What arent you telling us, Meg? he asked with a scary amount of confidence. Nothing. I only know what you know, I lied. Am I that obvious? Cant I even think about a cute guy without my brothers giving me a hard time? Its none of their business anyway. Alik wasnt going to let up that easily. Meg, I can see it all over your face. Something has happened since I last saw you. Are you going to tell us, or do I have to beat it out of you? For crying out loud, Alik! We have more important things to worry about, dont you

122/581

think? Enough with the inquisition! Even to my ears, I sounded a little too squeaky. Well, it has been a while since we spared, Evan said casually. Gotta keep up our skills, Alik nodded in agreement, letting a wide grin spread across his face. We havent been able to spar because the only time the three of us are together these days is when were right here in moms hospital room, I tried to sound logical, like Evan. Shes got a point, Al, Evan agreed. I didnt care if they wanted to fight, as long as that got Alik off my back about the secret he was sure I was keeping. Heck, I wouldnt mind discussing quantum physics if that got my brothers to leave me alone. Im pretty sure we could step out for fifteen minutes. We can make sure Cole and Dr. Andrews know where we are if theres an emergency. Now that mom has awakened,

123/581

her condition isnt nearly as delicate. And her call-button is right next to her. Matter of factI bet the children on the third floor would love to see a good match. Alik smiled at his idea. Oh, thats a great idea. I dont think they were as much fascinated by Coles magic tricks as they were about laughing at him in general. Pretty sure they wouldnt mind scooting to their windows and watching us on the hospitals lawn from there, Evan concluded. Youre serious about this? I asked. Absolutely, the boys said in unison. Maybe little Megglet has lost her edge, Evan, Alik teased. Shes probably too worried about messing up her hair Evan added with a knowing nod. Or braking a nail, Alik pretended to buff his nails on his jeans then held his hand up to his face in mock adoration.

124/581

My blood was boiling. I hated it when they teased me, and they knew it! Stupid brothers! Okay, baby brothers. You asked for it. Alik, you go arrange it with the head nurse on the third floor. Evan you tell hospital security that were just performing a martial arts demonstration for the patients to watch from their windows and not actually trying to kill anyone. Ill go let Dr. Andrews know where to find us. Meet me on the north lawn in ten minutes, I said through clenched teeth. Excellent! Alik smiled widely. And after I kick your butt, you have to tell me whatever it is youre keeping secret. And if I win, you have to walk around for one full day with a sign on your back that reads I wet the bed! I growled. I dont wet the bed, Meg, Alik laughed. This secret must be juicy if youre that mad at the idea of having to spill it.

125/581

Shut up! I countered stupidly. What happens if I win? Evan piped up from the corner of the room. He was tightening the laces on his sneakers. Alik and I looked over at our little brother and laughed. Thanks Evan, we needed a little comic relief just then, Alik teased. I wasnt trying to be funny, and I could win. Evan sounded like a little kid who wanted to keep up with his big siblings, but instead was left pouting and kicking at the dirt in frustration. You could win, Ev, I said. But today, I need to teach Alik a lesson. Pft. Enough talk; lets go! Alik was already walking toward the door. Evan and I followed. Maze, you stay here and watch after mom, okay? Well be back in a few minutes, but dont be surprised if some of us are limping when we return, I narrowed my eyes at Alik.

126/581

Maze sat dutifully at moms bedside and sniffed loudly. He didnt approve of us leaving, at all, and for a split second, I sensed this could be a bad idea. Everyone would see us outside putting on a superhuman display and anyone who knew anything about us could easily conclude that our sick mom was left alone. Hey guys, I said. Maybe this isnt such a good idea. What if Are you backing out? Alik taunted, raising one eyebrow. Come on, Meg-a-Chicken! We wont hurt you too badly, Evan chimed in. I tightened my jaw knowing full well if I let the words I was thinking gush from my mouth, Id sound worse than a drunken sailor! I closed moms door behind us and listened for the lock to click. It was only then that I noticed the time. It was eleven thirty. I was supposed to meet Creed at noon. Darn it! Even if I finished

127/581

kicking Aliks butt by noon, Id end up all sweaty and roughed-up looking when I met Creed on the hospitals west lawn. Shoot!

10 Yelling Through

at

the

Drive-

Creed happened to be sitting in his truck in the hospital parking lot trying to decide what to do next. He had a half hour to kill before meeting the girl. Maybe he should pick up some lunch for them. On second thought, that may look too desperate. Besides, its hard to talk with someone when were both chewing. He started the car, drove down the street and pulled into a fast-food drive-through. Ill take your order whenever youre ready, the plastic menu said in a bored tone. Creed was still amazed at some things most Americans take for granted. There were no drive-through fast-food restaurants in or around the Facility back in Germany.

129/581

Still not sure how to do this, Creed yelled back to the voice. Yeah, hi. I need to get two drinks. Small, medium, large or extreme? the voice droned. How big is extreme? Creed couldnt help asking. Thats sixty-four ounces. Now the voice sounded less bored and a little more annoyed, as though the size of the drinks were common knowledge. Wow, thats probably way too much, Creed said to himself. Just give me two medium drinks, please, deciding that medium, by definition, seemed like a good amount. What kind of drink? the voice asked. What kind? Um, he said trying frantically to find the list of drinks on the menu in front of him. We have every kind of soda, including the diet and caffeine free versions. Cherry, lime, grape, strawberry, lemon, orange,

130/581

coconut and mint flavoring. Smoothed, creamed, iced, blended or layered, the voice rambled through the possibilities so fast it was dizzying. Can I just have water? Creed asked holding his head. The voice sighed deeply, What flavor? Flavor? I just want water flavored water! Creed was starting to get a headache. Tap, mountain river, running stream, oxygenated, carbonated or vitamins added? The voice sounded like it wanted to reach through the plastic menu and slap him. The feeling was mutual. By now there was a line of cars forming behind him, waiting to place their order. One car even honked at him. Whatuhwhats the most popular drink you serve? he asked desperately of the plastic menu. We have a lot of popular drinks here, it said, stupidly.

131/581

Clearly. Just give me two medium drinks of whatever the last guy ordered, Creed yelled. When he pulled up to the next window, as instructed, he nearly threw the pimplefaced cashier a twenty dollar bill and stared menacingly at him. Here are your drinks, sir, the fast food worker said, a little more politely now that he saw how hugely muscular Creed was. They are mint flavored creamed smoothiesthats what the last guy ordered. His skinny shoulders shrugged innocently. Fine, Creed said and drove away without waiting for his change. He was wondering how anyone would want to live with all these choices when he pulled into the hospital parking lot and saw a crowd forming on the hospital grounds.

11 Battle at Hospital Hill

I couldnt believe the crowd that had already gathered both at the third floor window of the hospital and right here around my brothers and me as we took a few minutes to stretch. We hadnt even begun the exhibition yet and we had an eager audience. What did you two do? I asked motioning to the twenty or so people standing around us and the dozens of little faces pressed into the glass of the third-floor windows. Just what you asked us to do, Evan said. We let the third-floor and hospital security know about our demonstration so I guess word spread. Worried too many people will be around to see your butt-whoopin? Alik grinned over at me.

133/581

Pft. You babies ready to play? I asked, and stood arms tight at my sides in the ready-to-begin stance. Sure thing, Alik stopped stretching and took his position between Evan and me. All three of us stood side by side facing the hospital. Hep, I barked sharply as was our way of synchronizing our starting bow. Demonstrating respect for our imagined opponent, we bowed deeply while maintaining eye contact. Slowly, we righted ourselves and began. This kata was one of moms most basic. It was a training exercise promoting proper footing, form and technique. Each movement was to be executed with precision and synchronicity among the three of us. And after years of training, my brothers and I were so familiar with the movements we could do this kata blindfolded. Matter of fact, we had done it blindfolded.

134/581

Each maneuver was performed twice. The first time fast enough to have missed if you blinked, then again slowly so the audience could study how we did what we did. We flew through a blurry-fast series of defensive hand-to-hand combat movements demonstrating exact form and footing then repeated ourselves in slow motion. We presented a series of kicksfront, side, rear, roundhousefirst fast, then repeated slowly. As I moved to the well-known kata, my body seemed to awaken with joy. I was completely unconcerned with the eyes watching me. Instead, all I thought about was how happy it made me to let myself move freely and not hold back. Whipping through these familiar motions, punching, kicking, blocking; it almost brought a giggle to my throat. My senses came alive during these moments, as though this is exactly what I was designed to do. I loved the tug of each muscle as I moved, the wind rushing past my

135/581

skin as I struck empty air. Movement is joy to me. When the kata ended, my brothers and I bowed to a cheering audience clapping happily for us. I glanced over at my brothers, whose faces looked just as content as I felt. We all loved this. Mom taught us well. Knowing we would need to defend ourselves from Dr. Williams, she trained us to be warriors. Living back on the ranch with no other kids around, we didnt know it was unusual to have the education we did from our mom. We thought lots of kids grew up with combat training. Like some kids went to soccer practice or took piano, I assumed some kids practiced and excelled in the art of guerilla warfare, like me. I was also unaware of our superior strength compared to an average human being. Only able to practice with my brothers and my mom, I thought everyone could do what I did.

136/581

Though mom was a regular human being, she had skills and training achieved through years of service as a special-forces soldier. She had trained her mind just as much as her body. She taught us how to push ourselves beyond what we thought we could do; and being metas, we could do a lot. She conditioned us to become extremely controlled, precise and if need be, lethal. I was thinking about mom in the seconds that flashed just as we completed our kata. I felt a wave of gratefulness for everything she did for us; all the sacrifices she made to protect us. But my reverie was broken when I heard Alik call, Ready, hep! It was our transition signal to begin a different demonstration. I couldnt help but smile in anticipation. All three siblings faced each other in a loose triangle. Just as we were about to bow, indicating to those watching that we were about to

137/581

begin battling each other, something caught my eye. There, standing next to a tree in the grassy courtyard, was Creed. He was holding a couple drinks looking bug-eyed surprised. And if I were honest with myself, he also looked embarrassed. Oh, good grief! Of all the stupid things my brothers have gotten me into, this was the most humiliating! I glanced away quickly. Cmon Megfocus. By the time I glanced back, Creed was gone. Maybe I was mistaken. Maybe that hadnt been Creed and my eyes were playing tricks on me. I tried to convince myself that was the case so I could complete the task at hand. Namely kicking my brothers butt! I know you two want to jump right into it, but how about we set some rules? Evan spoke over the crowd that was quickly growing around us. Half? Alik called to me.

138/581

Fine. I smiled watching my brothers carefully. Half to us meant we would hit with only half our strength so as not to cause lasting damage. We moved around watching each other carefully. Throughout the years, we practiced many two-against-one battles. So the fluidity of our movements probably made what we were doing look easy. Alik punched, I dodged and swept his leg. Alik jumped and spun into a kick to my chest and landed gracefully on his feet. Oh, come on! Quit dancing around you two, Evan chided and made the first move to strike outside the predictable. His strategy was perfect. Alik had expected him to go after me, so the double punch to his side caught him completely off guard. Even as Alik worked to defend himself, my round house kick knocked him on his back. The crowd cheered, but I was ignoring everyone except my brothers. I jumped

139/581

toward Alik and whipped my hand right into his chest. Evan came up behind me and grabbed me around the neck. One quick shift of my hips and I flipped him onto his back, but apparently this was the plan, because even as Evan was flying, Alik knocked me down face first into the cold, damp autumn grass and ranked my elbow up and behind me. His knee was digging in my back painfully. The crowd gasped. Spill it, Alik spoke softly to the back of my head. Youve gained weight, little brother. Get off me! I growled, red-faced. Not until you spill it, Alik cooed. You two ganged up on me! Evan, how could you? I called to him trying to guilt him into helping me. Evan shrugged and smiled sweetly. Its for your own good.

140/581

The crowd was murmuringobviously concerned for the poor girl getting her face planted into the ground by the brothers. I could scream. That would make you look like bullies to all these people. I tried to leverage. You wouldnt dare because that would make you look like a weak little girl crying for help, Alik chided using a voice that was supposed to sound like mine. Just spill it, so we can get this over with. Dont you want to hurry back to mom? Evan pleaded. Low blow, Ev, I said seriously. Fine, Ill say it..., and hesitated because I hated to give in to these oafs. They were not going to be okay with Creed. Any day now, Meg. Alik shifted his weight a little more heavily onto my back. Uuhhgggokay, okayI met a guy. Now let me up, I yelled.

141/581

You what? Evan looked completely shocked. Were not done discussing this, Meg, Alik growled into my ear. But stand up and wave to the crowd so they dont start panicking. He moved off my back and let go of my arm. I was glad I couldnt see the look in Aliks eyes. It was bad enough I could feel his disapproval. Both boys added to the act by helping me to my feet. I dusted off the grass and leaves from my clothes and waved to the crowd to let them think I was fine, but I wasnt fine. I was about to get the third degree from my stupid brothers about the dangers of talking with strangerswhat with meta monsters hunting us and all.

12 Moment of Reckoning
He couldnt believe his luck. This was it. The three metas were away from the target. Margo Winter was alone and unprotected. He scanned the area around the three metas. No coyote. Thats not a problem. He had figured he would have to take the wild dog out anyway and had already made arrangements for just such a job. From the looks of the growing crowd, these three would be busy entertaining for a while. Creeds mind was racing with possibilities, tactics and scenarios. He was a soldier trained to use his brain as much as he was trained to use his body. He knew this chance probably would not come again. He knew what he had to do, but just as he was about to turn away, he unintentionally caught the girls eye. For a split

143/581

second, he hesitated. He remembered her gentle touch and the scent of her hair. He remembered watching her smile up at him trusting him when she should have been running from him. How could a girl who has lived through all she has still have a naivety about her? How could she still walk around with hope and trust when her life was built on deception? She looked surprised and embarrassed just before she looked away. Damn, I wish she hadnt seen me. Creed thought to himself. If he were honest with himself, Creed would have wished he hadnt seen her. He tried to push her from his mind and focus on his target objective. He bolted to the hospital, barely pausing to chunk the drinks into the first trash can he passed. Just take things one step at a time, Creed. You know what you have to do. Play this by the book, and Williams will give you your freedom and possibly your family.

144/581

Youve wanted this forever, man. Its right at the tip of your fingers. Just forget the girl. The ends justify the means. Move! He kept this internal dialog going the entire run up the stairwell to the seventh floor and continued his silent pep talk even as he walked into the mens restroom. He walked directly into the farther of the only two stalls and quickly pulled the tile away from the wall just behind the commode. He kept his vigil as he removed the plastic bag stuffed into the small hole he dug there days ago. Even as he removed the gun from the bag and slipped it up the sleeve of his right arm, he continued to chant, move, move, move, to himself. Creed walked out the bathroom door, down the hallway, toward hospital room number 720. The nurses station was almost directly across from it, but the only two people there were deep in conversation. It

145/581

was a nurse and a doctor flirting on the job. How clich. Excuse me, nurse? Creed flashed his two-hundred watt smile at her, and she immediately blushed. Hey Susan, Ill catch up with you later, the doctor said gruffly. He obviously didnt like how his girl reacted to this guy. Okay, Jimmyer, I mean, Dr. Reese, the nurse stammered. She returned her full attention to the handsome stranger standing in front of her. His eyes were captivating; she couldnt stop staring. Susan, was it? Creed asked smoothly. Yes, thats right, she said coyly. Hey, listen, I was wondering if you could help me out? Im a friend of the Winter family, Creed said, casually pointing toward Margos room, Alik, Evan and Meg are downstairs putting on a show for a pretty big crowd of people, and they asked me to come up here and check on their mom and Maze,

146/581

their coyote, just until they get back, Creed smiled widely and shrugged as though saying, Ah, shucks, maam. Im a harmless guy with a bunch of paranoid friends and just trying to keep the peace. Oh, okay, the nurses brow furrowed slightly as she tried to remember if shed ever heard of a friend of the family that may come to visit. She couldnt think of anyone, but then, she hadnt been on duty for the last two days, so maybe there was a change in the orders. Listen, I can tell that guy, Jimmy, really has a thing for you, but between you and meyou can do a lot better. Maybe we could grab something to eat later? When do you get off? Creed leaned over the counter and let his eyes smolder at the impressionable young nurse. He may have only been eighteen, but he had an aura about him that was edgy, rough and experienced. He easily could pass for twenty-five. He didnt have much

147/581

more time to waste with the girl, so he was laying it on thick. Her hesitation was gone as she rounded the desk with a flirtatious sway to her hips and made her way Margos room. Creed ran his fingers through his hair, flashing a crooked grin at the nurse. Her fingers quivered as she typed in the code that unlocked the door. After peaking in at the patient herself, she stepped back out to the hallway and whispered, My shift is over at seven-thirty. Creed smiled widely at the girl and said, Ill see you then, Susan. He turned and closed the door softly behind him. Thats when he heard the growling start.

13 The Third Degree

I was hopping mad. By the time the crowd dispersed and we were out of ear-shot from passersby, I was ready to scream, but, so were the boys. What do you mean you met someone? Alik dove right in. What part of that sentence are you too dumb to understand? I growled back. Who is he, Meg? Evan asked simply. His face was tight with worry. Hes just a guy I met here at the hospital. He was visiting a sick friend. We started talking. Its not big a deal! I shot back. Not a big deal? Aliks sky-blue eyes flashed with fury. What if this guy is a spy sent by Williams?

149/581

Listen, you two. I know what youre thinking, and youre wrong. Hes just a nice guy. They do exist, you know. How do you know hes a nice guy? Evan asked. How do you know hes not? I yelled a bit too loudly. Lowering my voice I added, Isnt it possible a nice, normal guy would think Im cute and want to get to know me better? I felt angry tears welling up in my eyes. Well, of course. Coles crazy about you, Alik said softly. I felt the bitter sting of guilt in the pit of my stomach at the mention of Cole. Then a flash of resentment welled up. I will not be made to feel guilty for allowing myself to experience some modicum of normalcy. Let me put it to you this way, Meg, Evan said calmly. How would you feel if you found out Alik was keeping secret a relationship with a girl he just met here?

150/581

My mouth opened, but no sound came out. How would I feel? I would feel furious at him for not staying focused on our life-anddeath situation. Id feel scared for him that he was going to get hurt when he has already been so hurt by life. And I guess Id be wary of any girl who put a wedge between me and my brother when I needed to be able to lean on him the most. I looked over at Alik, understanding more clearly why he reacted this way. Oh, I hadnt thought of it that way, I said softly, trying to figure out a way to make things right. Would it help if you met him? I asked my brothers. As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I regretted them. Did I just invite my brothers to come chaperone my twelve oclock meeting with my dream guy? Yeah, actually. It would help, Alik said smoothly.

151/581

Rolling my eyes in unrestrained frustration, I began walking and my brothers followed right behind me. Look, hes just a regular guy; completely harmless. Hes been at the hospital visiting a friend who was in an accident, I explained as we walked around the hospital to the front lawn where I was to meet Creed. Let us decide how harmless he is, Evan muttered while chewing thoughtfully at the inside of his cheek.

14 The Scent of Death

The dim light from the windows curtain only partially drawn was enough for him to see the coyotes eyes and teeth. Maze was standing protectively at the foot of the womans bed, crouched and ready to attack. No amount of charm would affect this creatureCreed knew that. Animals were smarter than people in so many ways. He let the gun slip down to his hand and in the same fluid motion pulled the trigger. Maze yelped, jumped back and fell to the floor in a furry heap. Excellent, he thought to himself. He looked over at the bed and for the first time looked into the face of his target. Dr. Margo Winter lay motionless, save the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. She was completely asleep. This couldnt be any

153/581

easier, he thought to himself as he grabbed a pillow that had been lying on a neatly folded blanket in the chair beside the woman. He lifted the pillow and caught a familiar scent. Pulling the pillow toward his face, he inhaled deeply. It smelled exactly like Meg. The scent of her shampoo was on this pillow. She laid on thisslept her peaceful, nave sleep. Pressed her cheek into this pillow and closed her eyes. His imagination was crisp. Creed shook his head, trying to snap himself out of it. Quit thinking of the girl, and finish the job. When youre done with this target, you can think about her. Just finish what you started before you run out of time! He scolded himself back into reality. The idea of running out of time and being in this room when Meg came back was enough to make him feel a wave of panic. He took a step toward the woman, leaned over her, and slipped the pillow up to her face. It was then

154/581

that she opened her eyes and looked with terror into the face of her executioner.

15 He Was Just Here

Wheres he from? Alik asked How old is he? Evan asked before I could answer Alik. How did you meet him? Who is his friend? What does he know about you? For Petes sake, you two! You dont even stop asking questions long enough to let me answer! I was getting more nervous with every step. Introducing my brothers to this handsome guy I barely knew was really sounding like a crazy-stupid idea. I dont know where hes from. Hes about eighteen-years-old. I met him while taking Maze for a walk. I dont know his friend, and he doesnt even know my name! I felt myself very close to the edge of panic as

156/581

I looked around the lawn. Creed wasnt there. Well, where is this mystery guy of yours? Alik asked scanning the area. Stop calling him that. Hes no mystery, just a guy, I said trying to sound composed. I saw him at a distance while we were sparing. I dont know how much he saw, but maybe it freaked him out. I swallowed hard. You know, regular girls dont fight for fun like me, my voice trailed off. I was looking at my sneakers wondering what I must have looked like to him. I felt heat spread up my neck and burn my ears and was thankful for my long hair right about then. When you feel like a freak, its nice to have a built in veil that can hide your pain. Maybe he just had to run to the bathroom, Evan offered, gently. Not everyone has a fascination with bathroom plumbing like you, Ev, Alik said. Listen, Meg. Wed better head back to

157/581

moms room. Well meet him some other time. Okay? I felt my brothers arm drape over my shoulders in an uncharacteristically affectionate way. I couldnt help it. Hot tears of humiliation brimmed in my eyes. I couldnt look at my brothers. The first time Im to introduce them to a boy I liked, and the idiot stands me up! Who are we going to meet some other time? a familiar voice spoke from behind us. I turned to see Coles gentle, smiling face. His green eyes matched the evergreens behind him. His dirty blond hair was just getting long enough to be called scruffy, even in his halfhearted attempt at gelling it up and off his forehead. He wore a soft brown fleece hoodie and faded blue jeans. His large hands were shoved into his front pockets in an obvious attempt to keep them warm against the cold Kansas day. I loved the way his wide smile made his nose crinkle just a little at the bridge. I felt as safe with Cole as I did with

158/581

my brothers. And as I stood surrounded by my boys, I couldnt help but compare Cole to Creed. UmMeg? You wanna answer him? Or should I? Alik said in a flat attempt at being politically correct. Oh, no one important, Cole, I said walking up to him and wrapping my arm through his. I immediately felt a calmness flood through me. It was crystal clear when I was around him: Coles love for me was genuine and unconditional. Why would I allow myself to get swept up by a tall, dark stranger when I know where I should be? Why was Creeds mysteriousness so darn sexy to me? We were just heading back to moms room, I said changing the subject. So, did the kids like our exhibition? My brothers were uncharacteristically silent as they fell into step behind me and Cole. I could feel their disapproval of me.

159/581

What did they want me to say? Yeah, umCole. See, I know you love me and have proven you would risk your life for me and my family, but I kinda met some other guy and totally get hot and bothered every time he comes around. You good with that? I had to work to push their judgmental feelings away from me. The kids were stoked! They were cheering so loudly, the nurses came in and teased them that they would have to send everyone back to bed if they didnt calm down. You should have seen their faces. These little sick kids, some of them with no hair, skinny and pale, all of them wearing their hospital gowns and slippersthey looked like they could sprout wings and fly with excitement watching you three! Coles face flushed with happiness as he talked. He really did have a heart of gold. Im glad they enjoyed it, I said genuinely.

160/581

Ive watched you three spar lots of times, but it still makes me stare in amazement to see you do what you can do when, just to look at you, no one would suspect you were so tough, Cole awkwardly complimented. I looked up at him, and realized, not for the first time, that he was a pretty tall guy who probably outweighed me by fifty pounds. I raised my brow at him mischievously. Umwhat I mean is, that youre a girl; a feminine and fragile-looking girl. So when you switch into meta-mode its just I giggled to myself, completely forgetting about Creed and being stood up; basking instead in Coles adorable glow of admiration. Dude, you passed awkward a while back and are fast approaching sappy, Alik teased. Oh, be quiet, Ali, I said protectively. I think Coles observations are sweet. I hugged his arm gently while we waited for

161/581

the elevator to take us back up to the seventh floor. The elevator was already pretty full of people who were sure to be stopping at every floor between here and the seventh floor when I felt a burst of adrenaline fueled by terror. Oh, my God! Mom! I whipped around toward my brothers relaying the urgency with my eyes as I felt more terror gushing toward me.

16 Eyes Wide Open

Evan grabbed the elevator doors and pushed them back open for us to run out. Alik was ahead of me and Evan was beside me. We ran, full-speed toward the exit sign above the doors leading to the hospitals stairwell. We took the stairs two and three at a time, nearly flying, till we arrived at the seventh floor doors and slapped them open. We didnt stop running until we got to moms hospital room door. Two nurses were standing, stunned and confused in the hallway, as though they knew something just happened, but hadnt had time to register what. I heard a soft whimper coming from insideher door left slightly ajar. Alik kicked it open with his foot. Evan and I were at his heels, ready for battle. There was mom, eyes

163/581

wide with fear, tears spilling down. She was sitting up in her hospital bed, pointing to the corner of the room. My eyes scanned the room quickly to determine what she was so upset about when I saw it. There was a silver mound of fur in the corner of the room, half under a chair. It was Maze. He was panting softly, but otherwise not moving. Alik and Evan rushed to mom checking her for any injuries, bloodanything to have explained what was happening. I rushed to my best friends side and gently held his face in my hands. He was fighting to keep his eyes open and let out a whimper just for me. It was all I could do to keep from screaming in pain and fury at whatever it was that hurt my Maze. Even as I ran my hands over his fur gently, searching for a wound, blood or something, I was silently screaming at myself for having left mom and Maze alone. Damn it! If Maze is hurt, it is my fault. Im such a

164/581

hot-headed idiot! What the hell was I thinking, leaving him alone to protect mom? Damn it! I should know better! Feeling and seeing nothing unusual on Mazes right side, I slipped my hands under him to gently roll him over so I could examine the other side. My hands felt something immediately and upon me jarring the object, Maze whimpered painfully. Completing the roll, I could now see his left flank and there, right in the shoulder, was a syringe-like object still stuck in his muscle. I yanked it out and set it on the table beside me thinking I may need to have it studied to figure out what it was, but I was hoping it was just a tranquilizer. Just! Just? Are you freakin kidding me? If Maze was shot by anything, Williams is in on it. If Williams is behind this, then mom probably stared into the face of death moments ago. Hes not letting up. Williams is ready to finish what he started, Meg.

165/581

Mom, are you okay? What happened? My voice cracked with emotion. I felt torn between fear and fury. My mothers eyes were streaming tears as she slowly shook her head. The boys stood on either side of her protectively. Both of them looked like they were ready to rip the head off the person or persons responsible for hurting our family. I was right there with them. The seething anger I felt boiling deep inside me was literally making me see red. Thats it. Were leavingnow! Aliks voice was icy and absolute. I nodded in agreement, afraid if I opened my mouth to speak, Id burst into flames of rage. Instead, I turned to the small closet in moms hospital room and grabbed her suitcase. My hands began grabbing her things and throwing them in automatically. A ringing that existed only in my head muffled the voices in the room. Alik was taking charge, and I was eternally grateful to him

166/581

for doing that. I couldnt think straight through my rage. Mom was almost killed and Maze was hurt trying to defend her while I was unfocused and girly-stupid over some dork who...I shook my head hard. Stop it. Focus, Meg. Get mom to safety first then berate yourself over your stupidity. Evan, call the ER and get Dr. Andrews and Cole up here, Alik said coolly. Where are we going, Alik? Evan asked logically. Well decide when were en route. I may have a suggestion, Evan added as he picked up the hospital room phone. Dont say anything while were in this room. We may have ears listening, Alik and Evan nodded knowingly to one another. Moms suitcase was stuffed, so I dove back into the closet looking for bags I could fill with the remaining items. Finding what I needed, I rushed into the bathroom to gather

167/581

toiletries. I jumped when there was a knock at the door. Alik was there in an instant. Whos there? he barked in a voice I had never heard him use. Cole! Its Cole, our friends voice was tense and out of breath. Alik opened the door just wide enough to let our friend in. Would you guys quit doing that? Thats the second time in one day youve bolted from me and left me coughing in your dust! Youre gonna give a guy a complex you Cole stopped in mid-sentence when he saw Maze on the ground. What happened? Coles eyes widened looking around at the bags being packed. Whats going on? Williams sent someone to break into moms room while we were, my voice caught in my throat. while we were outside, and he shot Maze. Moms okay, but

168/581

terrified. I dont know what stopped him from finishing what he started, but fortunately, mom doesnt seem hurt, I managed to say with only a half-dozen huge tears falling off my pale skin. Cole had already hurried to Margo to look her over himself. Im so sorry Dr. Winter, he said while gently holding her hand. You must have been terrified. Dont worry, everythings going to be okay, he said gently patting her tears dry with fresh tissues. Dads going to be pretty upset when he finds out what happened. Between you and me, hes pretty nuts about you, you know, Cole spoke softly. My brothers and I were rushing around, preparing for a hasty departure, but Cole was sitting very still beside my mom. He was just holding her hand and carefully fixing her blankets around the I.V. tube still dripping pain medicine into her vein.

169/581

Here I was worried about my own feelings, my coyote, my secret crush, and there was the sweetest boy Id ever known who had nothing to gain from being around me or my familyand it was he who stopped to hold my mothers hand. It was Coles appreciation of a humans most basic needs that stopped me in my tracks. Was I really so selfish not to have seen my mother just needed to be held? From the door we heard a series of beeps as Dr. Andrews entered the security code and burst through the door. What happened? Whats going on?

Part 3
Seasons Change

March 1st Five months after the Winter family went into hiding. Location: Undisclosed

17 Casting Light
At 3:14am I woke from the same dream Ive been having most nights and decided I needed to get up and brush my teeth. Not wanting to turn on the bathroom light, I stumbled to the sink, felt around until the familiar mushy toothpaste tube landed under my left hand, and the cylindrical shape of my automatic brush under my right. Deciding I was still too lazy to flip on the light switch to see where the toothpaste was landing when I tried to squeeze it onto the bristles, I opted for tipping my head back and squirting some paste directly into my open mouth. Ah yes, the cleansing beauty of toothpaste. I sighed deeply as I brushed my teeth. Feeling the bristles massage my gums helped me organize my thoughts. I know that

172/581

probably seems weird to most people. But, thats just it, isnt it? Im not like most people. Heck, according to my little brothers research, Im not even human. Well get back to that later. I digress; I was going to tell you about my dreams. So, in this one Im able to fly. I know, not unusual for a dream. But, I dont just fly; I can also throw streams of light from my hands as Im battling a faceless evil. The light doesnt come from me, in my dreams, but through me. Its like I am some sort of angel of God, and Im battling against demons. Tonights dream was especially vivid. In it, I knew there were children being held captive just below the surface of the earth, and I had to go rescue them. I prayed for strength as I leaped into the air and landed hard, punching the ground with my fist. A huge hole opened, and I dove down into it. There was blackness everywhere. The blackness singed my skin, but I kept flying. I passed

173/581

droves of wicked creatures writhing in pain, but I wasnt there for them. I was being directed where to go. I had to find the children. The heat could have been suffocating, if it werent for the cool light I felt in me, protecting me. The stench from the wickedness surrounding me was horrible. I knew I was only able to survive this because of the lights pure strength. It was as though I had a suit of armor made of the most beautiful iridescent light. It was both on me and inside me so I was aware of the pain going on outside this protection, but unaffected by it. I rounded a corner and knew I had to punch through the wall in front of me to find the children. With a deep breath and intense focus, I punched the cement-like barricade and it shattered open. There were the children, cowering in the far corner. I rushed to them, gathered them and flew back through the wicked rooms of this hell.

174/581

When the shadows would try to attack me for taking these innocent, delicious souls away, I simply held out my hand, palm up, and a pillar of light would shoot from my wrist blasting all the darkness away from me and my precious cargo. I flew the children back up through the hole I had punched in the earths surface and set their feet gently on the ground. A crowd had gathered. I handed the children to these good people telling them to take care of the childrenI had to go back for more. I dove back down into the wretched, stench-filled, black hole and kept battling as I searched for more children I knew were still there. Again and again, I repeated my mission. Each time I would find two or three of the innocent ones, gather them up, cast light to clear our paths and fly them back up to the surface. Every time I had this dream, it was similar in that I was casting light against evil and

175/581

rescuing children. Sometimes the location was different, but they had a common theme: Heat, fire, burning flesh, stench, screaming, pain and innocent souls. The souls of the innocent were delicious to the demons. A delicacy. They craved them. The evil became stronger the more innocent souls they consumed. Well, now you see why I felt the need to get up in the middle of the night and brush my teeth. Some nights, Im dripping with sweat and have to take a shower, and change my sweat-soaked bedding. Some mornings, I wake and my jaw is hurting so badly I cant even open my mouth to shove that proverbial toothbrush into it. Apparently, I clench my teeth during these dreams. I have a pretty high pain tolerance, but when Ive been fighting in my sleep all night, even I feel the effects come morning. Im still trying to figure what it all means, but I can tell you one thing:

176/581

Something huge is on the horizon, and I think Im being prepared for it through my dreams.

18 The Life of the Hunted

If my family and I werent being hunted by a madman, our new life would be pretty great. We were staying with an old professor mom and Theo worked with some twentyfive years ago. This was the man who secured those fake IDs for mom when she first took me and my brothers away from Dr. Williams and the Facility as babies. This man had been a true friend to my mother all these years by keeping her secret while she tried to raise me and my brothers in seclusion on our Texas ranch. It was he who Dr. Andrews called from a newly purchased cell phone even as we drove away from the Kansas hospital that day five months ago. His name is Dr. James St. Paul, but he insists everyone call him Paulie.

178/581

Paulie lives in Hawaii and he can usually be found in one of two places: his personal laboratory at one end of his house or out on the waves, surfing. Paulie is a bit excentric. Hes always wearing his swim trunks, even under his lab coat, making him look like hes wearing a white dress with extremely hairy, tanned legs sticking out from beneath. He says you have to be ready in an instant to hop on your board if the waves are good. The man is probably sixty-five, and besides surfing and winning awards for biogenetic engineering, he also plays a righthanded guitar upside down to accommodate his left-handedness and can catch a gecko without breaking its tail. Sounds like one very cool guy, right? He is. Hes like the grandfather we never had. Not having a family of his own, Paulie seemed to love the role. Alik, Evan and Cole worship the ground he walks on. Paulie has taken them under his wing and taught them how to live like locals.

179/581

Theyve done everything from cliff diving and parasailing to whittling and hiking. Thats right, Cole and Theo came with us. Theo gave up his entire tenure and practice in Kansas to be with our mom. Cole, of course, came with his dad. What sixteenyear-old wouldnt want to graduate from high school early and go live in Hawaii rent free? It has been a season of rest and recuperation for mom, but for me and my brothers, its been a time of reflection and redirection. Once the novelty of Hawaii wore off, my brothers and I decided it was time to devise a plan of attack. We created goals together and divided the tasks. That was about four months ago. Evan was to work with Dr. Andrews and Paulie on the study of our blood to try to determine what was going on with our metahuman abilities. If Williams wanted our blood so badly, we needed to figure out why.

180/581

Alik studied plans of attack both defensive and offensive. He studied information about Dr. Williams himself, including all his holdings, associates and projects. He worked on digging up anything he could about the doctors past. Who was this guy? Where did he come from? Who was his family? What made him tick? My task was a very internal one. I worked on trying to control my ability to channel into someones emotions. I was getting better at it, but there was no way I could seek someone I only knew one-dimensionally from thousands of miles away and tune into to their feelings. That just wasnt happening. Yet. We were all beginning to feel very anxious that something big was going to happen soon. Williams would not just sit back forever while we tinkered with our meta abilities on the white sandy beaches of Hawaii.

181/581

He had plans for us and revenge in his wicked heart.

19 The Family Meeting

We need to have a family meeting. Dr. Andrews, Paulie and I need to discuss our laboratory findings, Evans eyes reflected the gravity of his request. He had come into the living room and knelt beside our much recovered mother. She and Alik were reading thick books as they sat side by side on the sofa, just as they had done for as long as Evan could remember. Margo was such a devoted mother. It was obvious to everyone she was happiest when surrounded by her children. Margo put down her book and looked deeply into her youngest sons eyes. Seeing the profound seriousness and concern there, she whispered, All right, Evan. Gather everyone here, and well talk.

183/581

Aliks previously relaxed posture immediately responded to the tone of the room and he sat ridged, as if poised to leap into protective battle. Evan caught his eye before he stood to leave. Their exchange was solemn. Fifteen minutes later, the entire household was present and accounted for. The usually cozy living room filled with local Hawaiian dcor including small palms and wicker furniture felt decidedly tense. Theo, Paulie and Evan stood fidgeting by the bay window and mom, Alik and I sat uncomfortably on the sofa. Maze whined softly beside me sensing there was something wrong. Without thinking, I reached to scratch my friend behind his alert ears. Cole paced nervously behind the couch. Evan cleared his throat to begin. Weve checked and triple checked. We even tried changing the variables and looked for environmental factors that would contribute to or

184/581

alter the results. Nothing. Its fact. The mutations created in our bodies with the serum given to us as children did give us ultra abilitiesmore than any of the other metas Williams createdbut at a price, Evans voice cracked just enough to give his emotions away. Evan, the smartest of all of them, the baby, who was all logic and no emotionEvan was trying not to cry. What Evans trying to say is that the data has indicated your life spans have been severely shortened because of the metahuman demands placed on your bodies, Paulie said with empathy in his voice. Mom looked like she had just been punched in the stomach. She was sitting on the couch, surrounded by her children. Alik and I sat on either side of her protectively. What do you mean severely shortened! Moms usual calm was gone. Instead, her voice sounded frantic.

185/581

Margo, imagine its very similar to the clich burning the candle at both ends. The childrens bodies were human. Dr. Williams super cocktail forced their human bodies to go into hyper mode. Their performance levels doubled and tripled in some areas. Our data points to a sort of countdown. The children are at or near their peak level of performance right now, Theo leaned in and held Margos hand as he spoke. How much time do we have? I asked, my voice sounding very far away to my own ears. Were just able to give an approximation, of course, Evan took a deep breath, steadying himself. And keep in mind, timelines will vary somewhat between each of us. He breathed again. Evan, spit it out! How long? I couldnt stop the room from spinning, I was so scared.

186/581

Inside eighteen months. Maybe even two years, if were lucky, Evan looked from Alik to me with exhausted eyes. Whos going to go first? my voice had no affect as I spoke to the room. Evan looked up at me almost pleadingly. He didnt have to say a word. Everyone understood thenit was me. As the oldest, of course it would be me whose countdown was further along. Im not giving up, Meggie, Evan walked over and knelt beside me. I, erwe, he said waving his hands toward Paulie and Dr. Andrews, we just knew it was definitive enough to talk with the family; to let everyone know what we have so far. Maybe theres something I just havent thought of yet; a way to slow the process or replenish ourselves... Stop, Ev. Its okay. I know this isnt your fault. Its none of our fault. This is just the way it is, even as I spoke, tears were

187/581

beginning to stream down my face. We have to think long-term, even if were not here to live it. We have to think of what kind of world were going to leave behind. We have to prioritize. If we only have I stopped to swallow a knot of emotion, a year left, we need to get to work. We need to leave this world better than we entered it. My voice was painfully steady. Maybe by pretending bravery, I gathered just a hint of the real thing. I sat up straight, brushed the nonexistent lint off my shorts and stood. We have a lot of work to do, boys. Lets get started. I began walking out of the living room and into the office where we had been collecting data on Williams. Meg, its okay to take a few minutes to let our heads wrap around this, you know, said Alik who was looking very pale. This had all been news to him, too. What good does that do? Were dying. Everyone dies! We just happen to know its

188/581

going to be sooner than later for us. My voice slipped, now edging toward shrill. Meg, calm down, Cole tried to soothe. He looked on the verge of tears. I am calm Cole Andrews. Im probably the most calm Ive been in a long time. Nothing like finding out youre gonna die to add a kick-butt dose of clarity to a persons life! What can we do to help you? Dr. Andrews offered. This isnt just about me, you know. Please dont think Im so self-centered as to think this news flash only affects me. I already know there is nothing anyone can do to help me, but, by God, I can do something to help you! I can catch this asshole Williams and stop him from hurting any more kids. I can make this a better world for you to grow old in. I waved my hands across the room at the regular humans who loved me; the humans who were staring at me with worry and fear in their eyes.

189/581

Ive got to get out of here for a while. My words came out quivering, laced with emotion.

20 My Resolution
My heart was screaming in my throat, but I swallowed hard and forced it away. I felt like I couldnt breathe. Instead of heading to the study as I had planned, I made a direct path to my room and threw on a pair of running shoes. I couldnt let myself listen to the emotions exploding inside me. And I couldnt let myself feel the pain I just created in the other part of Paulies house. I just had to run. I had to get away. Maze followed me to my room. He knew I was upset and was ready to be my trusty sidekick in whatever I was about to do. Ever since he was shot with a tranquilizer gun while protecting mom back in the Kansas hospital, he had been more protective of me than ever. He hardly let me out of his sight, but I really wanted to be alone.

191/581

I grabbed the door to my bedroom on my way out and abruptly turned back to order Maze to stay. He whined pitifully, but sat on his haunches and obeyed. I shut the door to my bedroom, trapping my best friend inside. I wasnt any sort of good company, I told myself. He will enjoy a good nap while I go work out my issues running. The screen door closed with a solid whack behind me as I tried to bolt from the trauma in my heart. This was just too much. I just found out I was dying. Everyone I love was in that room and they all know. I had no time to swallow what was being shoved at me so I did what I always do, I start yelling at the world in an emotional tirade. My efforts to seem completely in control are always sabotaged by my inability to breathe. But in the end, this isnt about me or how I feel. Im just a means to an end now. At least I get to decide how Im going to end it. I refuse to just let myself die. This is not

192/581

going to go well for Williams. Not at all. Now I know I have nothing left to lose. My feet hit the pavement with a rhythmic determination. My little brothers have more time than me. Maybe they can find a cure before its too late for them. As for me, I have already made my decision. Let me break it down: My objective is to terminate Williams and destroy his work. How can I make that happen? How can I use what resources I have to put this man out of commission? What does he value? Power? Money? The salty, thick air washed over me as I ran following the curves and hills of the road. And with every beat of my pounding heart I wished I were just a normal sixteen-year-old girl walking the halls of a normal high school where all I had to worry about was final exams and who was going to take me to the prom. I wish I could listen to music and

193/581

write in a diary and make plans for college. I wish I could dream of growing up and growing old with the love of my life, but none of that was in my future. No. Instead, my future was primed and ready to be filled with metabattles, blood, evil doctors bent on world domination and imminent death before I even make it to twenty-one. Crap! I picked up my already breakneck speed, pushing away the self-pity and allowing myself to be enveloped in anger instead. Feeling my new determination wash over and empower me opened my mind to clarity. I knew what I had to do. I need to find Dr. Kenneth Williams, and God forgive me, I need to terminate him and his work.

21 Its Not Just Nostalgia

The room was completely dark except for the images flashing on the large flat screen on the far side. In a supple, brushed, black leather recliner sat the aging Dr. Williams. His left hand was methodically rotating the metallic orbshis self-soothing technique. The doctors face was only visible because of the reflection from the screen. He looked distinctly older than he had just two years before. Stress and revenge will do that to a man. On the screen was the case study, M57, his first success. She was perched on her bed, her small, slender legs dangling several inches above the tiled flooring. In her dainty, three-year-old hands, she lovingly held a rag doll. The doll was nothing spectacular. To his memory, it was the only one he allowed her

195/581

as he was more interested in honing her fighting skills, battle tactics, problem solving, and so on. He remembered being frustrated that the experiment continued to seek that one doll out instead of playing with the brain researched-based robotics, puzzles and mazes. There she was, singing to the faceless, yarn-haired, doll. He scowled at the image wondering, not for the first time, why he even bothered with a female case study. Then, as though justifying himself, he made himself remember how much harder it was to come by the human samples on which he could carry out his research back then. Yes, times were tough, he thought. On the screen, M57 looked up, as though she heard something, and scampered under the bed, bringing the ratty doll with her. The room looked empty for several minutes before the door opened and a lab worker who

196/581

was there to collect a blood sample, walked in. He scanned the room looking confused. Look under the bed, you idiot! thought Williams, not for the first time. Instead, the white lab coat looked down at the chart in his hand and flipped a few pages up before stupidly scratching his head, turning and walking out of the room. The door closed with a loud, locking click behind him and moments later M57 crawled out from under the bed, looking quite pleased with herself. She smiled widely, held the doll up into the air, spun, then hugged it tightly. What just happened? Williams was thinking. He knew she could sense the emotions of others. That was documented and factual. But this one scene, of all the hours of footage he had videotaped of her time at the Institute, this seemed different. Did she sense the workers hesitation to do his job and collect data from what he saw as a little girl and use that against him? Or

197/581

was it something else? She was always able to sense emotions but it looked like, in this scene, she was able to manipulate his emotions so he didnt search for her. Instead, he looked full of doubt and walked out of the room without so much as seeing the subject. And if that were the case, why had she only displayed this ability this once? Why, when she came to the Institute last year, did she not just manipulate me into freeing her mother and ending our conflict? He thought. Dr. Williams grabbed the remote, clicked to rewind and began the scene for the umpteenth time. Though the event took place more than a decade before, something here was important to present events. The worry lines deepened in his brow. There was more to M57, and he needed to know what it was. The cell phone in his upper breast pocket warbled announcing a call and interrupting his thoughts. Irritated, he answered, What.

198/581

Dr. Williams. Creed here, calling with a status report. Go on, Williams barked, pressing pause on the video playback right where M57 looks up from her doll as though she heard somethingor was it felt something? Your assistant, Farrow arrived with the gift right on schedule. We are on target for secured delivery, sir. Excellent. When? Fifteen minutes. But sir, I should mention that there seemed to be a change in their behavior today. Dr. Williams sat quietly, staring at the image of the meta child on the screen, and he wondered aloud, what do you think youre doing? He rewound the scene and watched it again from the beginning. There was something here, he could feel it. Sir? Nevermind. I know you have not initiated contact with them since you located

199/581

their hideaway on the Big Island, correct? So, what brought on this change in their pattern of behavior? Dr. Williams mind was racing on two planes of thought. I observed the metas conducting themselves as usual until today when all three of them changed their routines. The oldest male looked angry and spent the entire afternoon lifting weights behind the house in the bungalow. The younger male went into the laboratory about the same time and has not come out all day. And the girl, Creeds voice wavered slightly. Yes, what of the girl? Williams snapped impatiently. The girl ran out of the house at 11:12am and kept running. It wasnt her normal jogging pace. It was obvious she was upset, sir. Yes, well of course. She is the emotional one, Williams mused. If it were just her change in behavior, I wouldnt have thought much about it; but

200/581

the other two metas behaving the way they didsomething happened to upset all three of them. No matter. After Meg gets our little gift, theyll have a new reason to be upset, Dr. Williams said, smiling to himself. Sir, we could have just as much access to either of the male metas. Are you sure you want the gift given to the female? Creed couldnt completely put aside his feelings for Meg, however important it was that he did. In the five months since he last saw her, all he could think about was her. He and Farrow tried to track them, but their trail ran cold. No one knew where they were. Not at the hospital, not the government, not the policeno one was talking. It was like they fell off the face of the earth. So Williams had ordered them to return to the Facility. He didnt like having his meta operatives away from his influence for long. Creed was sure Williams worried that if left with too much

201/581

freedom, he would lose them to the appeal of the American civilian lifestyle. It had taken months of private investigation from an outside source to locate the family that had gone so deeply underground. It was only because Williams had spared no expense in their hunt that they were found. Creed was sent ahead for surveillance and Farrow followed soon after with the special gift designed specifically for Meg. It absolutely needs to be given to her. Shes the leader. You forget, Mr. Young. Combined, these three are the most formidable metas I have ever created. Aliks strength and memory, Evans genius and problem solving, and then there is my M57Meg is what they call her, isnt it? Not very original of Margo, Dr. Williams voice dropped off. Sir? Creed wasnt sure he was following the Directors line of thought.

202/581

Well, Margo named her Meg. M57. M, then the fifth letter of the alphabet is E and the seventh is G. M-E-G. Not very original, he said condescendingly. Creeds mind easily slipped back to the hospital corridor when he stood so close to her he could smell the strawberry scent of her hair and looked into her deep, dark brown eyes. He had to force himself back to the present. And what of Megs heightened ability? Now thats the million-dollar question, isnt it? Williams half said to himself as he continued to stare at the image of the darkeyed child on the screen. She can channel into the emotions of those around her. His voice sounded very far away to Creed. Channel into emotions. Sir, what does that mean? It means she may be the most dangerous of them all. It is she who gives the other two directions; her personality is that of

203/581

leader. Without her, the two males will flounder. It is she who intends to be my undoing, he said with a strange smile in his voice that translated to Creed almost as pride. Hes proud of her, Creed thought to himself. In a sick way, he is happy at the thought of Meg wanting to kill him. This guy is one seriously demented individual. The director continued watching the image on his screen. Such a delicious morsel. What a gift I gave her Sir? Creed heard every word the old scientist muttered, but he wasnt making sense. Not for the last time, Creed grimaced at the thought of all the power this man had at his fingertips, yet how near the edge of insanity he seemed to hover. Both you and Farrow have youre your work cut out for you. Call to keep me posted, he said with an air of effortlessness that left Creed feeling nauseous and uneasy.

204/581

Creed put his phone back in his pocket and picked up his binoculars. There she was. Her dark hair pulled back in a pony. Her long strides were graceful and poetic in their strength. She looked so hurt and angry. And then she wasnt running anymore, she was spinning in the air and landing with a sick whack against a tree trunk. Farrow! he yelled. Farrow was positioned about ten meters to his right. She had been following Meg through a scope of a long-range, sniper rifle. Oh, calm down, lover boy, she said snidely. I just did you a favor by getting it over with. She was already packing her gear. Creed picked up his binoculars again and found Meg motionless on the ground. He was so struck by what just happened that he couldnt breathe. I got her in the neck, so you may want to go remove the gift before you knight-inshining-armor her back to her precious

205/581

family, Farrow was already walking away, rifle disassembled and inconspicuously set inside her hikers backpack. See you back at the hotel. Oh, and youre welcome! Creed was torn between chasing Farrow down to have it out with her and running down to check on Meg and carry her to safety. Since he couldnt take his eyes off her, he opted to go to Meg. Back in Dr. Williams darkened video viewing room, the images on the screen came back to life and he watched with horrified amusement as the child disappears under the bed, the lab coat walks in and shakes his head confused at the seemingly empty room and walks out. Williams watched the childs face carefully when she climbed out from under the bed. She looked pleased with herself and relieved. She hugged her rag doll tightly and commenced her imaginative play. But what happened with the lab worker wasnt in her imagination, or was it?

206/581

The old man sat in his chair and rewound the scene. This time he not only rolled the metallic orbs in his hand, but he worked his lips tight then puckered, tight then puckered, over and over. This little quirk of his he only showed during his most pensive, stress-filled moments. Yes, he thought to himself, this meta may very well be the most dangerous of them all. She is my masterpiecesimply magnificent, he thought, applauding himself.

22 Aliks Time Sense

He was laying on his back, muscles taught and skin glistening with sweat. He was slowly lowering a bar to his chest with hundreds of pounds of weight draped on either side. His crisp blue eyes were steeped in worry and concentration, not for the eight-hundred pounds he shouldered, but for all the responsibility he felt for his family. At fifteen, Alik looked more like an adult than he should. He had lost any hint of a baby face years ago and instead, wore his broodingly handsome worry lines casually, as though it had never occurred to him that life held anything less than one battle after another with brief interludes of reprieve between; a reprieve that was always more like the calm before another storm.

208/581

And though he loved life and felt an obligation to appreciate every moment of it, his intense ability to recollect even the smallest detail of every day since the beginning of his time had turned him in to a soul that knew how precious life was. Alik understood life was fleeting because hed already lived through so much. He had a time sense almost like a gymnast had air sense. His awareness of past and present moments were as clear to him as a gymnast was aware of ceiling and floor even as he spun in mid air. Life was pulsing ahead and he knew his reprieve was nearly over. A battle was fast approaching. Alik was in Paulies gym, a smaller building separate from the house. He was pumping iron and pushing himself to feel his muscles strain so he could live in the moment, even if it was just for a few hours. He allowed himself to focus on the feel of the metal in his hands, the scent of salt from the

209/581

ocean, the tightness in his muscles as they were forced to exert themselves against gravity. And in his mind, he heard his brothers voice explaining what he and Paulie and Theo had discovered through the research of their meta blood. He wished to God he could stop replaying the conversation, but there it was. Again and again, the strain in his brothers voice carried through, crystal clear through Aliks videographic memory. Moving to the treadmill didnt help matters. The pumping of his legs at the steepest incline couldnt force away the memory of the look on his mothers face as she listened to the prognosis for her three children. He could not control his crisp mental image of Megs face when she realized it would be she who would pass away first. Her eyes gave away her feelings, and there was no doubt in Aliks mind that she was flung into the Kubler-Ross stages of grief

210/581

immediately. She flew past denial and was right in the middle of anger. Bargaining, depression and acceptance were the last three stages, according to the theory, but Alik was pretty sure Meg wasnt leaving anger anytime soon. She ran out of the room with shadows of fury darting across her face. Well, shit, Alik thought as he pushed himself faster and faster on the treadmill. I think we all have every right to be furious right now. He allowed his pace to slow and the incline to drop so his muscles could begin to cool down. By the end of five minutes he was still steeped in thought, but finally ready to rest. Alik lay still on the padded floor of the gym with his arm thrown over his eyes, his body only moderately spent after working out nonstop over the last two hours. Reliving the events of this morning was more exhausting than his entire workout combined.

211/581

With a muffled groan, he forced himself to a sitting, then standing position and slowly walked out of the gym ready to head back to the house and jump in the shower. Just before he reached the screen door he heard someone call out, Help! Hey, you! She needs help! Alik turned to see a guy, not much older than himself, carrying a girl. It only took half a second for him to realize, even from this distance, the girl was his sister. Oh, my God, MEG! Alik ran full speed to the stranger who was carrying his limp sister. What happened? Who are you? What did you do to her? Alik yelled even as he ran so by the time he reached them, he looked like he was seconds away punching a whole through the guys neck. Wait, noI just found her on the ground a dozen meters up that way. The guy jerked his head back over his shoulder without letting his eyes leave Aliks. Honest,

212/581

man. I didnt do anything to her, the stranger said wide-eyed as he gently passed the girl to Alik. Sensing the guy was no threat, Alik allowed himself to focus completely on his sister. Meg was still dressed in the same running clothes and shoes she was wearing a couple hours before when she left the house. She felt heavy, like dead-weight. And even as that phrase jumped into Aliks mind, he fought back panic. Meg? Alik spoke her name sternly. Meg. Wake up! Come on, Meg! Alik was half running back up the path to the house, completely unconcerned that the strange guy who found his sister was right behind him. All he could think about was how much he wished his sister would snap out of it, push herself to her feet and start shouting and bossing everyone around like she usually did when she was upset. Instead, she didnt make a sound, and she didnt move.

213/581

Her head hung back and her long dark hair had come loose from the knot she tied it in to run. Her lean legs hung limp, as did her arms. She looked as alive as a rag doll, and she was burning up with fever. He could feel the heat searing through her thin clothing radiating off her like a bon fire. Oh, my God. Oh, God, Alik kept pleading. Oh, please, no. Not now. She is supposed to have more time! Were all supposed to have more time! Aliks voice was creased with anguish even as he prayed. Alik ran up the steps to Paulies house and began shouting, Evan! Mom! Someone! Megs sick! Come quick! He opened the screen door, flew into the living room, and gently laid his sister down on the sofa, taking special care not to bump her head. The whole while, he kept alternating from yelling into the house for help and talking softly to his unconscious sister, trying to get her to respond.

214/581

Meg, come on, kid. I need you. Mom and Evan need you. You cant be sick, Meg. We have work to do. Remember? We cant do this without you. Oh God, Meg, not yet. You cant leave us yet! Aliks voice choked up completely so by the time he yelled into the house again, he was hoarse with tears.

23 Consequences
Whats wrong with her? Evan had been on the other side of the house in the laboratory with Margo, Andrews and Paulie, but had stepped out to retrieve some notes from his room. It was a good thing he did too, because the lab was essentially soundproof. Evan was at his sisters side immediately. I dont know, Ev. A guy found her like this up the path andshes burning up with fever. She hasnt said a word; hasnt responded at all, Alik was watching his little brothers skilled hands as he started with Megs head and began examining her. Whats all the yelling about? Cole hurried into the room and looked around trying to determine what hed missed. His eyes found Meg lying so fragile and small on the sofa.

216/581

Cole, Megs sick. Go get everyone from the lab. Run! Alik ordered. Oh, God, Meg! Cole took half a moment to study Megs face before he bolted from the room and down the hall toward the laboratory. Should I call 911? the stranger asked from a few feet behind the sofa. Both brothers turned quickly to glare at the guy they hadnt even realized was in the room. We got it from here, Evan responded cautiously. Alik stood, hurried to the door and opened it saying, Thanks for your help, man. Really, we appreciate it. Right, Creed nodded, getting the hint. Dont mention it. Just as he slipped through the open doorway he turned and added, Hey, Id like to stop by tomorrow and check in on her, if thats okay.

217/581

Alik looked back at his sister lying on the sofa and really just wanted to get rid of this guy so he could go back figuring out what was happening to her. He turned to the stranger, shrugged noncommittally and said, Aloha, man, before letting the door shut firmly between them. Creed didnt move for a minute, thinking about what just happened. He took a deep breath before heading back down the steps toward the path. He was replaying the events of the last half hour and trying to be sure he hadnt forgotten anything. Farrows impulsive shot was right on target, and so far, the family seemed to be reacting to Megs condition as planned, but he had a nagging sensation that something was wrong. It all feels wrong, damn it, he muttered to himself. He shoved his hands deeply in his pockets and bit his lip. He was going to have to do some serious thinking tonight. He had

218/581

to go weigh his options and their consequences. If there was one thing he learned is that there were always consequences. He picked up his pace as he walked toward his rental parked down the road.

24 Uncertainty
Now that the stranger was gone, the brothers returned to their examination of Meg. Evan pulled a small flash light from his pocket, gently lifted Megs eyelids one at a time and flashed the light into them looking for pupil dilation. Well, her pupils are responsive, but sluggish. Her heart rate is extremely fast. Breathing is shallow and her lips are purple. She doesnt seem to have any bruising or lacerations I can find. Her fever is very high. Internally, Evans mind was racing with logical possibilities, externally, his face looked almost as pale as Megs. Evan, weve never been sick; none of us. Whats wrong with her? Alik was searching his brothers eyes for an answer. Evan only shook his head slowly.

220/581

They heard the family running down the corridor and moments later burst into the room. Dr. Andrews was the first at Megs side, The calculations were correct. This wasnt supposed to even begin happening yet. You knew this was how it was going to come on and you didnt warn us? Margo was seething with worry and anxiety. We need to get her back to the lab. We have to run tests on the status of her gamaglobulin and electrolytes. Maybe something set off her countdown; something that triggered this early onset, Paulie thought out loud while scratching his scruffy beard. Alik carefully lifted his sister and hurried down the corridor to the laboratory. Everyone else was right on his heels. Margo took the lead in removing her daughters clothing so she could dress her in a hospital gown. As they worked, she only allowed herself to think as a doctor. She saw

221/581

no cuts or bruises anywhere on her daughters body. Her coloring was unusual, though. She had taken on a yellowish hue to her skin and her lips were somewhat purple. That, combined with her high fever, made for very strange symptoms. Margo fought back panic because she couldnt think of any reason for her daughter to be in the condition she was in. Okay, were ready, Margo called to the other side of the privacy curtain. Evan came in with a syringe and several empty vials to collect blood samples. Dr. Andrews began setting up an I.V. so he could hydrate Meg with fluids and so there was a path already established should medications need to be administered quickly. Margo took on her motherly role and simply worked to position a surgical cap on Megs head so she could tuck in all her daughters dark curls, minimizing possible contamination to the sterile room.

222/581

Alik left the room quickly to clean up and returned fifteen minutes later to the laboratory hoping he could be of some help. He walked into the room filled with people he loved and respected rushing around his sister who laid still as stone on a white-sheeted gurney. Cole was standing in the corner looking like he was trying to stay out of the way. The boys exchanged helpless glances. Everyone else in the room was a doctor, except Evan, but he was only lacking the papers. Over the last five months, Evan had educated himself and was as versed as anyone who had gone through four years of medical school. Thats how smart Evan is. Matter of fact, he was specialized in the one area Meg needed most: Metahuman-ology. Alik, was it you who found Meg? Dr. Andrews asked. No, sir, Alik responded a little too quickly. I mean, I wish I had. But this guy

223/581

said he just found her on the jogging path and carried her to the nearest house for help. Luckily, ours was the nearest house. Did she collapse? Dr. Paulie asked. I dont know. The guy just said, Alik replayed the conversation in his mind and quoted, I just found her on the ground a dozen meters up that way. Who was he? Did you get his name? Margo asked. No, mom. He didnt say, and I didnt ask. I was too worried about Meg, he said feeling upset with himself for not having more information to give to the doctors trying to help his sister. But he did say he would come back tomorrow to check on her, Alik added, brightening at the memory. Maybe we can ask him some questions then and get a better idea of what happened.

224/581

Right, lets plan on that. Margo smiled softly at her oldest son, sensing his feelings of guilt and helplessness. Dr. Paulie spoke up, Id like to rule out anything ordinary before we jump right into her meta physical status. Does anyone remember anything unusual about Meg? Did she eat or drink something different? Was she behaving differently? Dizzy spells? Mood changes? he said as though he were gathering a typical medical history on a patient. The whole room stopped and looked over at Dr. Paulie, I mean unusual mood changes? Nothing I can think of, Evan said returning to his microscope. I cant think of any change in her behavior either, Margo added. She was typical Meg until the family meeting this morning, Cole answered thoughtfully.

225/581

Yeah this morning was rough on everyone, Dr. Andrews said even as he swabbed a Petri dish with a blood sample. Hum, Alik mused. I wonder if that was the trigger. What do you mean? Cole asked. Well, Meg is an emotional superconductor, right? She can sense the feeling of those around her. In a word, her skill is her empathy, Alik continued. So maybe she overloaded? Cole concluded. Something like that. What do you think, Mom? Alik looked to his mother who was carefully checking the I.V. bag and adjusting the pace at which the fluids were dripping. I think it is a possibility. She must have been experiencing so much of her own worries and sadness, but then to be bombarded with the emotions all the rest of us were feeling her voice trailed off.

226/581

Yes, I agree, Evans face was tight with worry. It would be a logical conclusion. Maybe this doesnt have anything to do with the countdown. Maybe this is something else entirely, Dr. Paulie offered. The possibilities are innumerable.

25 Choosing Sides
The next morning, the family was exhausted with both mental and physical fatigue. No one had slept. Though they tried to set up shifts to monitor Megs condition to allow everyone time to rest, no one was willing to leave the lab for longer than it took to grab some food and use the restroom. Everyone was keeping vigil. Even Maze howled his distress though he couldnt understand exactly what was going on. He didnt know why he was wasnt allowed to see his Meg, and he wanted the world to understand how scared and furious he was about it. Maze announced Creeds arrival. Alik was taking his break when he heard Mazes growling change to alarmed barking. Whats going on boy? he said to the coyote as he

228/581

walked to the kitchen window. He saw the same guy who had found his sister yesterday walking up the path, just as he had promised he would. Alik grabbed Maze by the collar and walked him to Megs room. Youre gonna scare the crap out of him, Maze. Stay here for now, and Ill come back to let you out in a while. Try to calm down, okay? he lectured the coyote. Alik hurried to the front door and had it pulled open even before the stranger had a chance to knock. Hey, man, Alik said with relief in his voice. Thanks for coming by this morning. We were wondering if we could ask you some questions about yesterday. Hows the girl? the stranger asked seeming genuinely worried. Not good, Alik opened the door wider and motioned for the guest to come into the house. Shes really sick.

229/581

Creed stepped into the house and walked toward the living room. A mournful howling came from down the hall that stopped him in his tracks. Oh, dont worry about him. Maze isnt too happy with me for shutting him in Megs room, Alik waved dismissively toward the sound. Weve got to tell everyone youre here. Sure. Ill wait here, Creed said. No, you wont. You have to come with me. No ones going to want to leave Meg, and theyll all want to hear what you have to say. Well just get you scrubbed in, Alik spoke while leading the way down the corridor toward the lab. Scrubbed in? Like at a hospital? Creed asked, pretending he had no idea there was a lab onsite. Well, yeah. Were pretty well set up back here in the lab. And to be sure no containments are brought into the sterile room,

230/581

youll have to get scrubbed in, Alik said matter-of-factly, as though it were completely normal to have a hospital-like clean room in an estate on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. If you say so, was all Creed could think to say. He was trying to brace himself for what was about to happen. Creed stood to the side and watched as Alik slipped a blue gown over his clothing and tied the paper-like belt to secure it. Then he ripped open a package, and took out a premoistened, blue, plastic scrubbing brush. He began working vigorously on his hands, focusing especially under his fingernails and continuing up his forearms. Creed mimicked everything Alik did. Finally, they put on light blue masks that covered their noses and mouths and were held in place by wrapping small elastic loops around their ears. Creed was feeling queasier now than ever before, which was saying a lot

231/581

considering how many times he had been put in situations of extreme stress. But this was different. He was about to see the sweet-faced girl who made his heart leap inside his chest. He was about to meet her family, and he was about to confess who he was. Nothing about the next hour was going to be easy. The first of the double doors to the lab slid open automatically, and closed behind Alik and Creed. Then the second set of doors opened. The room was large and immaculate. All the equipment looked shiny, new and expertly maintained. Half a dozen people were in the room, all dressed in the same sterile surgical gowns he wore himself. Even though each person in the room was completely covered in blue, including their faces, Creed could tell immediately who was who. His eyes stopped scanning the moment he found Meg.

232/581

She looked so much worse than she did last he saw her. Alik was right; she wasnt doing well at all. Though he could only see the eyes of those who spoke, he could read them clearly. Everyone in this room was terrified and exhausted, but they all looked at Creed with a glint of hope as though he would have some magic answer to their questions. Creed knew he wasnt going to be able to be their solution. At least, not the way they were hoping he would be. Everyone, this is the guy who found Meg yesterday, Alik announced to the room. The room murmured welcomes and thanks for coming backs. Youll have to forgive us if we seem rude, but were desperately trying to determine what is wrong with our Meg. So, were going to skip introductions and jump right in with some questions, okay? Margo began. Yes, maam, Creed responded formally.

233/581

Tell us what you saw when you found Meg, Dr. Paulie began. She was jogging. She stopped, looking like she was dizzy, and held on to a tree to steady herself. Then I saw her slump to the ground holding her head. By the time I reached her, she was completely out, Creed replayed the scene in his mind trying to stick as close to the truth as possible. Wait a minute, Alik said. Yesterday you said you just found her on the ground. Now youre telling us you saw her before she passed out? Yesterday, you looked like you were about to rip my head off for touching her. I was trying to save my own skin! Creed said, only half lying. Regardless. So you say she collapsed holding her head, Dr. Paulie redirected the conversation. Yes, sir. Like she had a migraine that came on fast, Creed answered.

234/581

Did she say anything to you when you approached her? Margo asked. No, maam. She was completely out, Creed responded. How long from the time you saw her jogging until she was on the ground unconscious? Dr. Andrews asked. Seconds, sir. It all happened fast. Id say maybe fifteen seconds, Creed estimated. Was anyone else around to see what you saw? Margo asked. Not that I know of, maam, Creed lied. These people were not to know about Farrow. That wasnt part of the plan. What were you doing on the path when you saw her? Evan asked. Excuse me? Creed asked, stalling. You were on the path where Meg was jogging. How did you happen to be there? Evan pressed. Iwell, I was. Creed stammered, unable to meet the intense gaze of those in the

235/581

room. And just like that, Creed lost all pretenses. Its not a difficult question, Evan was walking toward the stranger. Alik, completely aware of the change in the temperature of the conversation positioned himself beside his brother facing the interloper. Who are you? Alik asked the stranger point blank. Im...um, the stranger hesitated, Im not sure nows the time to get into that. Worry lines etched across his tanned face. Alik and Evan exchanged glances and without saying a word they moved themselves between the stranger and their family. Maybe youd better start talking right now, Alik warned. Listen, if I wanted to hurt her, I could have done it out there on the path when I first saw her collapse and neither of you could have stopped me. His unfamiliar eyes were both pleading and heated at the

236/581

brothers mistrust. I know who you are and where you come from, but I dont know why shes sick, the stranger said and anxiously ran his fingers through is hair. What do you mean you know who we are? Aliks eyes formed into angry slits. From behind the brothers, Margo eased her way to her daughter and put one hand protectively on her feverish arm. Her other hand was clinched into a fist. Youre metahumans, like me, he said simply. The words felt like ice down Aliks back. He was stunned into momentary silence. Evan felt punched in the stomach, so he wasnt talking much either. The stranger continued speaking. Ten years ago, you were involved in the research conducted by Dr. Kenneth Williams and were stolen by a woman who worked for his company, Dr. Margo Pullman, now going by the name Dr. Margo Winter

237/581

Dr. Andrews was at Margos side in an instant, ready to lay down his life to protect her. Stop right there. You obviously work for Williams. Did he send you to kill my mother? Aliks face could not have been redder, seething with fury. He could barely contain himself. But the logical part of him was forcing restraint knowing he needed to gather more information before he broke this guys neck. Yes, the man said simply. That was my original objective, but things havechanged. If you came to hurt anyone in my family, you will not walk out of this room alive. Clear? Aliks vein in his forehead was pulsing deep purple with absolute ferocity. Crystal. The stranger met Aliks glare unflinching. We obviously have a lot to talk about. Are you willing? Margo asked the outsider.

238/581

Evan couldnt stop staring at the stranger as though through new eyes. Of course, he was a meta. His physique was perfect. He looked like he may even be stronger than Alik. Here was the man who had been sent by their enemy to hunt them down. Instead, he just brought Meg to them, ill, but alive. Now he stood in front of them confessing his plot. This was all too surreal. So let me get this straight, Cole spoke up. This is the guy who found Meg and brought her home yesterday, unconscious, but he works for that whack-job Williams who is bent on killing pretty much everyone in this room just so he can have their blood, he was so horrified at Creeds presence in the lab, his outburst left him breathless. He forced a gasp before he continued his angry tirade, And now were welcoming him into the house and sharing a heart-to-heart talk about good versus evil over a cup of coffee? Coles voice teetered on frantic. And no one

239/581

else sees this as a bad idea? Cole blurted looking around the room at the faces of the people he cared for so deeply. If he wanted to do us harm, he would have started with Meg, Evan responded rationally. Well, if you havent noticed, shes not doing so great, Cole quipped. Margo walked to the stranger and watched his eyes as she responded to Cole. There was no tactical advantage for him to expose himself as he has, Cole. He gave up his anonymity and blown his own cover. Hes completely aware of how outnumbered he is with all of us and especially outmatched between Alik and Evan. He had no reason to do any of this, yet he did. Hes trusted us enough to offer his vulnerability. We will trust him enough to listen, Margos voice was steady and assured. Creed appreciated her ability to quickly piece together the

240/581

gravity of the situation and act in a calm, rational manner. He liked her instantly. She looked deep into his strangely familiar eyes and asked simply, What is your name? Creed, maam. He stood at attention the moment Margo spoke to him. My name is Creed Young, he responded to her questioning as a soldier would a commanding officer. Well, Mr. Young, it looks as though we have a lot to talk about, Margo smiled graciously. Please wait for us back in the living room. Okay? Maam, yes, maam, Creed nearly saluted. He turned and walked out the labs double doors with Alik and Evan on his heels. They removed their surgical scrubs and masks and continued walking toward the living room. Margo turned to the others who were left standing still and stunned in the room. I

241/581

dont know if we can trust him, but Im going to have to go with my gut feeling this time. Meg needs help, desperately. This meta soldier could be an unexpected answer to our prayers. Her stats are definitely getting scarier by the hour. Nothing weve tried has helped or even stabilized her. We need to think outside the box, and that kid is definitely outside the box, Theo said with worried tone. You know, hes been following us for a while now, Margo said aloud what shed been thinking since the moment she saw Creeds eyes. How do you know? Theo asked. How about I let him tell you, Margo began taking off her scrubs. Are you okay staying here to keep watch over Meg, Paulie? As much as Im anxious to know whats going on, Im sure Ill get the abridged version later. Meg cant be left unattended. You

242/581

go on, and Ill be right here, he said affectionately looking over at his patient like a grandfather would his own granddaughter. Thanks, Paulie. Please call us if theres a change in her condition, Margo said pulling her cell phone out of her pocket and checking the battery. Will do, the old scientist said and returned to his microscope and note taking. Cole fell into step behind Theo and Margo as they exited the lab, still believing in his heart that Creed was beyond dangerous and not to be trusted. This was his family and he was going to do whatever it took to protect them any way he could. He scowled to himself as he realized even with all his protective bravado, he was just a normal human and the meta soldier could squish him as easily as squeezing the creamy, jelly-like guts out of a cockroach. He crammed his hands deep into the pockets of his jeans and let his hair fall into his eyes as

243/581

he watched his feet walk. If he were in a cartoon, he thought to himself, he would have a huge sign hanging around his neck that read, Useless Wimp and a cone-shaped Dunce hat on his head.

26 Creeds Confessions
I appreciate your willingness to talk, Creed. I can only imagine the conflict you must feel to have taken this step, Margo began. She was praying for the right words to say to this young man so she could determine his motives and possibly even sway him to becoming an ally. Yes, maam, Creed, for the first time in his life, felt very unsure. Here was this tiny framed woman, a woman who he was moments away from killing with his own huge hands five months before, talking to him about his feelings. This was way too much. Are you hungry? Margo asked with a smile. Hungry, maam?

245/581

Yes, Creed. You do eat, dont you? she stood and waited for her guest to do the same. Yes, maam, Creed said with a half smile. Well, Im starved. Weve been keeping watch over Meg all night and havent had time to stop and eat, Margo kept talking even as she led the bunch of men into the kitchen. I know we have some sandwich meat and baby carrots with ranch dip, she said rummaging through the open fridge. Everyone wash up and lets just start piecing as my mother used to say. Creed walked to the sink to wash his hands as hed been told. What does she mean by piecing? he asked Evan as they dried their hands with soft paper towels. Oh, thats moms way of saying everyone grabs a bunch of food and comes to the table and we all kind of eat whatever we want

246/581

to put on our plates; its all very informal, Evan explained. Oh. Creed didnt know what to think of all this. It was all so unfamiliar. Growing up at the Facility, chow time was informal, but not like this. Food was scooped onto the treys and the soldiers sat at long tables. Dinner conversations were usually about someone fighting someone else, who won and how. No one worried about napkins or even utensils. There were no manners. It was fend for yourself. Sharing food or pleasantries waswell it was unheard of at the Facility. Creed watched what the other men did and tried to follow their lead. Anyone else want some left over pizza? Dr. Andrews asked the room, appreciating the break and truly just wanting to help the atmosphere stay relaxed.

247/581

Sounds great, Margo responded. Could you grab the parmesan cheese while youre in there? she asked him. Yep, gotta love stinky cheese, he said to her making a face. Youre not supposed to smell it; just eat it! she teased back. How can you eat it without smelling it? he countered. This was the playful banter Theo and Margo had with each other. If Meg were in the room, she would be blushing with happiness at how sweet the lovebirds were with one another. I like parmesan cheese, too, Creed chimed in. Everyone stopped and looked over at the previously silent guest at the table. Ha! See! This boy has taste! Margo grinned and winked at Creed. I suppose you like sauerkraut and sardines, too? Theo smiled at Creed.

248/581

Sauerkraut is kind of a staple back in Germany, Creed said shrugging sheepishly. Sardines, not so much. Using that as a gentle segue, Margo asked, Tell us about life in Germany. Creed swallowed a huge bite of turkey sandwich and washed it down with a gulp of apple juice before he spoke. Its nothing like life in the States, at least, not where I lived. Do you have family back there? Margo asked. Creeds blue eyes immediately clouded over with sadness. I did. An older brother. He was a meta too. We both lived at the Facility. What happened to him? Alik spoke up. Before now, he had still been trying to wrap his head around this whole surreal conversation over sandwiches with his enemy. I dont know, exactly, Creed hesitated, but then sighed deeply and went into the entire story of the Retribution Match against

249/581

his brother, Gavil. He tried to explain how life was at the Facility. The chain of command respected only physical and mental training for combat purposes. A soldier who followed orders with precision was held up as an example for the others. Anything less than perfection was deemed a liability in combat and therefore expendable. Friendships and alliances between metas were highly discouraged. Alik spoke up, Did you say your brothers name is Gavil? Yes. That was the name of the meta who fought Meg at the Institute. The one who hurt her with the letter opener, Alik said with certainty. I cant say Im surprised. Williams took Gavil with him when he traveled as a sort of bodyguard. Meg described him to me as a militant, testosterone-encased, Neanderthal, among

250/581

other descriptive words, Alik said, remembering how colorful his sister was as she told him the story of that encounter. Yeah, well, that sure sounds like him. But, none of you were at the Facility by choice, right? Margo asked, trying to redirect the conversation. No, maam. We were all acquired by the Director somehow, but we were all too young to have chosen that life. Creed felt exhausted and relieved at the same time to be able to talk about his experiences. The DirectorIs that Dr. Williams? Evan asked. Yes, Creed answered. And who was Commander Oldham? You mentioned him before, Theo asked between bites of pizza. His name is Rudolph Oldham, but he insists on being called Commander. Hes one mean son of a gun, he added.

251/581

They all sound mean. How did you survive all those years? Margo asked, sounding more and more like a mother. I kept my head down, tried not to make myself stand out at all besides my combat abilities. For the most part, I was left alone, except for my brother. Nothing I did ever made Gavil like me, Creed sounded like a little kid for a brief moment. Realizing it himself, he cleared his throat and said, Well, I need to tell you what I know about Williams. Then you can decide what you want to do about Meg, he began. Williams has amassed this army of metas, but rumor has it he wasnt gathering us for himself. There were outside parties interested in buying us, Creed explained. I always assumed he wanted to make metas for himself; that he was bent on world domination or something and needed the metas to do his bidding so he could make it happen, Alik confessed.

252/581

Yeah, well, thats what a lot of people thought. But it turns out, Williams has a whole other motive behind his methods, Creeds voice dropped before he continued as though worried someone would overhear. Rumor is he was married once, long ago and had a child with that woman; a daughter. The girl was born with a disability of some kind. Williams research had everything to do with trying to cure his child. The room hung on Creeds every word. Well, what happened to the child? Margo asked. Like I said, this is all rumors. But the word was that the girl had a bad reaction to a treatment serum Williams tried on her. I mean really bad. They say she was kinda normal before he tampered with her, but afterward, Creed let his voice trail off. Well, supposedly she turned into a vegetable.

253/581

Oh, no. Margo was starting to put some pieces of the puzzle together based on what she knew and heard of Kenneth Williams herself. Things were beginning to make some sense. Yeah, but thats not the worse part. The story goes his wife was so distraught about what Williams had done to their only child, she intentionally overdosed. Apparently, she left a diary filled with entries blaming Williams for everything. Creed stopped talking and took a sip of his drink. Thats messed up, Cole said. He hadnt joined them at the table to eat. Instead, he remained leaning at the counter, away from the meta. He still didnt like the guy, but he had to admit, that was one heck of a story he just spun. Whatever happened to the girl? Theo asked. Creed shrugged and said, Thats where the rumors get really sketchy. Some say he

254/581

kept her locked in a part of the Facility where no one goes but him. Some say he continued experimenting on her looking for a cure until she died of it all and now her spirit haunts him. Some say he extracted her DNA and has tried to perfect her cloning, making her a meta, Creed shrugged again. I really dont know what to believe about all that. But I do believe he was married and had a child, he said matter-of-factly. Why do you say that? Theo asked. When he called me to his office a few days after the Retribution Match, I saw family pictures on his desk. It was definitely him, though much younger and a pretty, darkeyed lady standing beside him. In her arms was a little girl, maybe one or two-years-old, Creed looked exhausted when he finished speaking. And it occurred to Margo this was probably one of the longest conversations this young man had ever been allowed to have. She thought to herself how insightful

255/581

he was for someone who wasnt allowed to have insight before now. He was only allowed to follow orders, not problem solve on his own. So hes been searching for a way to make right his personal wrongs all these years? Evan asked. Creed nodded, Thats the way the rumors go, anyway. Why sell the meta soldiers once hes made them? Cole asked, redirecting the conversation. I think I can answer that one, Margo said. Williams was a wealthy man with friends in scary high places, but after all these years, the more experimenting he needed to do, the more costly, the more he needed outside funding. Does that sound right to you, Creed? Margo asked. Makes sense, he said with a shrug. So whos buying the metas? Alik asked.

256/581

Now that, I dont know. Once a section is deployed, they never come back. How many metas have been deployed? Alik asked. Creed shrugged again, Id just be guessing. Something like four infantries. Each infantry consisted of a chief and eight soldiers. So, around fifty, that I know of. Fifty highly trained metas? Theo whistled. As trained as you, Creed? Yes, sir. I suppose so. That is one formidable army, Theo sat thinking. Yes, sir. Assuming theyre all on the same team. Oh, wow. Thats right. What if Williams was selling to more than one group? Theo realized. This could get very messy, very fast, Alik realized. You know what I dont understand, Creed began. Well, he knows each of you

257/581

three has at least one area in your meta abilities where you are even more advanced. He told me that much. But why does he want you back? He has to know you would not be willing to work for him. What can he get out of you? Creed asked. He wants our blood, Alik responded. He wants to recreate the formula he gave to us. Mom destroyed all the records before she rescued us from him all those years ago, but the data still exists in our DNA, Evan explained. So, he thinks the specific formula given to you created the heightened meta ability. Creed was beginning to understand. I wonder if he believes your formula to be the key to fixing his daughter, Margo said thoughtfully. From her jacket pocket the room heard a sharp ringing. She sound startled her from her thoughts.

258/581

Yes? She said into the cell phone. Her brows wrinkled with worry. Well be right there. Thanks, Paulie, she said. Everyone, getting the gist of the conversation, began quickly cleaning up their plates. Whats happening? Theo asked. Megs temperature has spiked and shes seizing, Margo said whisking away the tears that had already begun to fall. Oh, no, Evan moaned. Eyes wide with fear, Margo, Theo, Alik, Evan, Creed and Cole ran down the hallway toward the laboratory.

27 Brainstorming Session
Scrubbing in took a few minutes, but as soon as everyone was inside the double doors, they got to work on Meg. Her fever was hovering around 100, but spiked to 104.8. The febrile seizure lasted for about forty-five seconds before stopping. Fortunately, the side rails were up on her bed so she didnt fall to the ground. She does look to have bitten her tongue pretty badly, though, Paulie was trying to maintain his physicians objectivity, but he wasnt doing a great job of it. This little girl had been through so much already. It was breaking his heart to watch her suffer any longer. Dr. Andrews had retrieved a bulb syringe and started trying to extract the blood pooling in Megs mouth from her self-inflicted

260/581

bite wound. He looked on the verge of tears himself. Her temperature is back to 100.3 now. Ill have to reset her I.V. She yanked it out during the episode, Evan said to the room. He carefully began pulling the tape off his sisters arm and with expert movements cleaned the site with gauze and rubbing alcohol, sterilizing it. An angry purplish-blue color quickly formed where the I.V. had been pulled partially out of place. Her face was pale except for the trickle of blood that had slipped down from the corner of her mouth. This was all nearly too much for Evan. His blue mask was doing a poor job collecting the tears he cried. Everyones nerves were shot. They all loved Meg in their own way and were so scared for her. She was always so spunky and energetic; she could get a room full of people moving faster than anyone. She was bossy and controlling with the strength of spirit to

261/581

back it all up. Watching her lie on that whitesheeted gurney small, frail and broken was pushing everyone to the brink of hopelessness. Lets brainstorm, Margo said to everyone. What do we know? Good idea, Margo. We need to run this like we would any patients diagnosis, Theo brightened a little at the idea of doing something productive. Right, Ill scribe, Paulie said walking to the whiteboard in the corner of the room and grabbing a dry erase marker. Um, no offense Paulie, but I couldnt read your writing when you were my professor, Margo gently teased as she held her hand out for the marker. Paulie grinned sheepishly and passed it over. Okay, we know shes been unconscious for, Margo paused to look up at the wall clock, nineteen hours after collapsing during a run.

262/581

Her lab work indicates an increase in white blood cellswhich usually means infection, Evan supposed. Her red blood cell count was low indicating possible anemia, Paulie added. Well, the anemia could have caused the headache and fainting, Theo thought, A bleeding ulcer could cause the anemia and high white blood count, he offered. But we already performed a sonogram looking at all her internal organs, and there was no sign of bleeding, Paulie added with a sigh. Maybe we missed something, said Theo. Were missing something, thats for sure. But what? Margo stared at the notes she had written in black ink on the board. There was the fever and seizure too, she continued. Infection could cause the fever, Paulie said.

263/581

Right, but that takes us back to the question, what is causing the infection? We started her on the antibiotics how long ago? Margo asked. Evan looked at his chart. We began a full scope antibiotic intravenously at 11:18 last night. So shes been on them for twelve hours, he concluded. That should have been enough time for us to see improvement. Instead, she seems to be getting worse. That fever is scary, Paulie said. A regular human being experiencing high fevers for days on end will suffer brain damage, Alik said, as though reading from a book. This was the first he said during the entire discussion. Not having the scientific background his younger brother and mother had left him feeling inadequate. But Aliks memory was unmatched, and he was racking his brain trying to remember anything hed ever read that could be of help to the

264/581

conversation right now. So, his mind raced back to an afternoon at the ranch when he was bored enough to read an entire stack of his moms scientific magazines. Right, Alik. Im just hoping we can figure this out before too much time passes, Theo said. Theres another option, Creed said softly. He was staring at Meg and thinking about how beautiful she looked, even in her current condition. What was that, Creed? Alik asked. This time, Creed cleared the emotion from his throat before speaking, I said theres another option we havent discussed. What option? Cole asked skeptically. A whole group of specialists are out there who may be able to help her, he said letting the words sink into the room. What kind of specialists? Theo asked. Scientists who focus solely on metahumans, Creed said cryptically.

265/581

If youre talking about what I think youre talking about, the answer is absolutely not! Margos voice was raspy with emotion. Whats he talking about? Cole asked, hating again how it felt to be the only one in the room not knowing what was going on. Hes talking about the doctors who work for Kenneth Williams, Evan said evenly. What the heck? You think Williams would help Meg get better? Did he grow a heart while I wasnt looking? Cole yelled. Its just an option I wanted to be sure everyone realized, Creed said, carefully back-peddling. Im not the doctor here, so Im not the one to decide how desperate Megs condition really is. You are her family, he said almost wistfully. Since shes unable to make decisions for herself right now, its your call.

266/581

Except for the beeping of Megs monitor, the room went quiet. Creeds words were sinking in. Coles right, though, Alik said. Even if Megs condition were desperate, why would Williams be willing to help? What would stop him from taking Meg and dissecting her for his evil plans? Or use her as leverage to get me and Evan to turn ourselves in to him? Or cure her but alter her mental status and turn her against us? Anyway I think about it, the outcome would be bad. Like I said, Meg is unconscious. As her family, you have to make decisions for herhowever tough they are. I just wanted to mention the Facility as an option. Thats all, Creed said diplomatically. I dont know how much longer well have to debate the issue. Megs organs are going to start shutting down because of the low levels of oxygen carrying red blood cells.

267/581

Without oxygen, the organ tissues will begin to fail, Paulie said softly. What do you think about giving her a blood transfusion? Alik asked the room. Hum. Now theres an idea. She cant have regular blood, so that would leave Alik and Evan as the only donors, Theo said, thoughtfully. And me, Creed said openly anxious to be of some kind of help. We would have to test your bloodto be sure it would be a suitable match; but yes, theoretically, as a metahuman, you could donate, too, Margo added cautiously. The blood donations could help give us more time before her condition gets much worse, Evan said, hesitantly optimistic. On the other hand, nothing about her illness has been predictable, so its hard to say. I dont think it could hurt, he added with a hopeful shrug.

268/581

Ill go first, Alik said walking toward a chair, pulling up the sleeve of the sterile scrubs he wore and extending his arm. Okay, lets give it a try, Paulie said as he shuffled through a drawer to retrieve the blood drawing supplies. Creed, let me go ahead and draw a test sample from you so we can be working on that, too, Margo said. Yes, maam, Creed answered. He walked over to the small doctor and pushed up his sleeve exposing taut mounds of muscle. Margo had to ask, How many meta soldiers like you does Williams have at the Facility? She began sterilizing the biggest, juiciest looking vein right in the crook of his arm. A lot. How many is that? I dont mean to sound secretive, I justI just mean even Im not sure of the

269/581

number. If I had to guess, there are probably about a hundred meta men and women at different stages of training currently at the Facility. Margos eyes widened. That many? Yes, maam. She was trying not to let her panic show in unsteady hands as she wrapped the rubber tourniquet around his upper arm. She had to stretch it hard to reach around his huge biceps. What about those who have already been sent on assignment? Do you know where they might be? Or what they are doing? I dont know. Were trained to work under any condition in any circumstance by ourselves or in teams. Theres no telling where meta operatives are once they leave the Facility. Margo watched Creeds deep blue eyes as he spoke, trying to determine his true motives.

270/581

Unaware of the scrutiny, Creed continued. Once soldiers leave the Facility, they dont come back, remember? He shrugged softly. I doubt even the Commander has access to that information. Not for the first time, or the last, Margo thought back to Kenneth Williams and remembered feeling his demented evil. She was letting the idea soak in. Metas could be anywhere. Metas could be in our human military, in politics, in positions of powerall over the world. And this meta, right under her hands, could be one of the most deadly to have been the one Williams chose to send after them. Why did Williams choose you specifically to come after us? she couldnt help but ask. Creed took a deep breath before answering. Two reasons I know of: One, after the Retribution Match, he knew what I was capable of and two, he has no idea how well-

271/581

trained those three are, Creed nodded to the other metas in the room. If hed known, he would have sent an entire section after them. Margo asked feeling a wave of nausea crash over her. How do you know theyre trained? Creed felt his face flush deeply. Deciding he needed to come clean he confessed, I saw them spar, once. Margo looked deeply into his eyes. Back in Kansas, at the hospital? Creeds silence was his answer. That was you, wasnt it? Her face was pale, but her expression was resolved. Yes, maam. Im sorry. His eyes dropped and watched her still steady hands working on his arm with skill and precision. What made you stop? You could have finished me right then? Margo asked the question she had been wondering about for months.

272/581

The pillowthe pillow had Megs scent on it. Something about that was like a slap across my face. It woke me up. I couldnt kill my brother and IDr. Winter, Im not a killer. Creeds blue eyes glistened with sincerity and pleaded with her to believe what he was saying. No matter what Williams orders, I am not a monster. Creeds gripping stare unlocked as he looked back down at his arm, veins bulging. Why didnt you just run after the hospitalto get away from Dr. Williams? I thought about it, maam. I really did. But then I knew he wasnt done with you. I figured, if I stayed the course and played along, I would have the chance again toI dont know, make things right; to see Meg, and help you all. If it wasnt me, he would have sent someone else, and trust me when I say, the Facility is full of soldiers who would kill without a second thought.

273/581

So you made sure you were chosen to come after us once we were found? Margo sat knee to knee with the meta now that shed finished taking his blood samples. Her hand was methodically rocking the corked vials back and forth keeping the blood inside from coagulating. Yes, maam. Margo stared at the young meta. She knew there was more to the story, but Creeds body language was ridged now, as though he was unsure whether he had just said too much. And Margo was just as tense, unsure whether to believe him or fear him or both.

28 Margos Plan
The blood transfusion went fine, and seemed to be helping Megs organs to function, if only temporarily. Alik, being tall and weighing a considerable amount, could give a double-red donation, which basically meant he donated twice the amount of a regular donation. It also meant he wasnt going to be able to donate again for six weeks. Thank God. That bought us some time, Evan said to himself after checking his sister stats that evening. Only Margo and Evan were in the lab with Meg. Everyone else was trying to catch up on some sleep. The combination of stress and exhaustion was making everyone feel edgy and raw. Creed had returned to his hotel to get his things. The grown-ups insisted he come stay

275/581

in the guest house. The others were behaving as though Creed was accepted as a friend, but Margo was too smart for that. She just believed in the old saying, Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. Considering she still wasnt sure which label fit Creed, staying at the guest house on the grounds made logical sense to her. Margo had been thinking about Megs medical options, as any mother would. She knew she couldnt just trust Williams to do the right thing, no matter what. She had to think of a way to force him to help without giving up her children. Evan, let me ask you something, Margo said to him in hushed tones, obviously wanting to keep her conversation private. How far into dissecting your meta blood samples have you gotten? Weve done a lot of research on it already, mom, but what exactly are you asking? Evan matched his mothers hushed

276/581

volume, although there was no one anywhere within ear-shot of their conversation. What I want to know is: How far away are you from decoding the original serum that was given to you three as babies, from the blood? Her eyes flashed brightly as she spoke. Weve already done that, for the most part, though you know we were working past that and delving into the how and why of the deterioration factor we discovered, Evan said. Well, back up. Do you have the data you need to recreate the serum given to you three? You want me to create the formula? Evans eyes were wide with uncertainty. Why, mom? How would that help Meg? It wouldnt help Meg directly, but it would give us bargaining leverage with Williams, Margo said. We have the formula to offer in exchange for Megs medical

277/581

assistance. See? She looked into her youngest sons eyes pleadingly. Yes, I see, Evan rubbed his brows with his gloved hands in worried frustration. Realizing he was still wearing his gloves, he pulled them off, one folded into the other, just the way his mother taught him to do all those years ago in her lab on the ranch. That life felt very far away now; so innocent. I would need about five hours, Evan said looking up at the wall clock and estimated the necessary samples, procedures and calculations to make the serum from scratch. The product should be exactly what was given to us since Im using our own blueprint to recreate it, though you have to appreciate that I wouldnt have time to test it, his voice slipped. And we dont have room for any errors. Your calculations are always right, Ev. Ill help you, Margo stepped closer to her son and gave him a big hug. Meggie needs

278/581

us to come up with something. And though those doctors who work for Williams are on the wrong team, Creed is right. They are the greatest scientific minds specialized in metahumans on Earth, and your sister is running out of time. I know mom. Ill get you that serum, Evan said before squeezing her gently once and letting her give him a mom-kiss on the cheek. Have I ever told you how proud of you I am? Margo smiled up at her little boy. Evan smiled back and said, All the time, lady. He was exhausted, but he would find the energy it took to keep his promise to his mother.

29 The Spider and the Fly

Tell me youve made contact, the Directors voice was tight with anger. I have done much more than that, sir, Creed smiled into the phone, imagining the old mans pleased facial expression. What do you mean? The female has been given the gift as planned, and I hand-delivered her to her family. Ive gained their trust; I even sat at their kitchen table and ate a turkey sandwich with them! They think Ive turned against you, just as we planned. The female metas condition is worsening, and theyre getting desperate, Creed surmised. Excellent. Yes, you have done well. Your family will be proud to hear how resourceful and successful youve become, Dr. Williams said, dangling that carrot in front of the

280/581

young meta soldier. Have you proposed they seek help from me? Williams asked loving the anguish that suggestion must have caused his old friend Margo Winter. Yes sir, and though they summarily dismissed the option at first, I know theyre thinking about it. I wouldnt be surprised if by morning they have a change of heart, Creeds voice was intentionally devoid of feeling. By the way, theyve invited me to stay at the guest house on their estate. My, you have been welcomed into the fold! Williams laughed. Yes, I have. Sir, the female meta, Megher condition does look very precarious. The gift we gave her, it isnt going to do lasting damage, is it? Creed asked, aware his feelings for the girl were at direct odds with his directive and may be showing right through. Lasting damage? Well, if you consider death, lasting damage, then yes. Id say she is

281/581

in very real peril, Williams snickered into the phone. Alarmed at how quickly Williams could knock the air out of his lungs with just these few words, Creed blurted, Sir, that wasnt the agreement. You told me the illness was only for show and she could be cured quickly and easily. She can be cured quickly and easilyonce you bring her here, Mr. Young. Any pleasantries the doctors voice hinted to before were gone now. Bring the metahumans to me and kill Margo Winter. Thats all you have to do, and everything will fall into place, he summarized. Creed clenched his jaw. He hated working for this snake and was counting the seconds until he would be free of him. Yes, sir. Creed was just hoping the work Williams was requiring of him before he was given the information to find his biological family

282/581

wouldnt leave him permanently scarred and jaded. Call me when the family is ready to make negotiations, Williams said curtly and hung up. Creed mumbled into the disconnected phone words that made him feel better for saying, but had no bearing on his current situation. He was still at the mercy of Williams if he wanted a chance to lead a normal life. He sat heavily on the edge of the hotel room bed. The tacky, green, floral print on polyester bedspread stared back at him with mutual contempt. This all felt so wrong. Now that hed stepped across that line by allowing Farrow to dose Meg with an obviously deadly unknown toxin, the reality of his actions was stinging hornets to his heart. Nothing about what Williams was telling him to do felt like it was going to be worth it.

283/581

And what assurances did he have that Williams was going to follow through with his end of the bargain? Even if he did know his parents contact information, why would Williams give it to him? Or was he just going to keep stringing him along, always with one more loathsome task for Creed to complete? This deal was feeling more and more shaky. Maybe Williams didnt really know anything about his biological parents and was just pulling on Creeds heart strings to get him to jump through hoops. After all, Creed thought, Williams has done nothing to earn trust. I dont know if Gavils alive or dead. I was promised more time to heal before being put on this assignment. I was told Dr. Winter was a thief when its pretty clear the woman was just trying to protect the meta children. He told me the gift was just for show and now Megs life is hanging in the balance, Creed thought furiously to himself.

284/581

He felt sick to his stomach. Nothing about this was feeling right at all. The eighteen-year-old soldier continued to mumble to himself furiously the entire time it took him to pack his hotel room. And by the time he was ready to leave, he still hadnt decided what to do. There had to be a way to do the right thing, but he was very worried it was too late for him to wind up a good guy.

30 June in the Month of March

Hello, dear. How are we feeling today? Dr. Kenneth Williams leaned down and kissed the papery dry cheek of the young woman lying on the hospital bed. He didnt expect an answer after fourteen years of silence. He was just accustomed to speaking with his daughter like this in some vain hope that someday she might hear and know he loved her. He visited June often, though not often enough, his guilt-ridden conscience told him. He made sure she had the best of care in the basement of this hospital building he designed specifically around her needs. Out of habit, he checked her chart clipped to the foot of her bed. No change. Long ago, he assigned a trusted meta female named Esther to oversee his Junes

286/581

every daily need. The meta stood discreetly outside the doors now, allowing the doctor time alone with his daughter. Well, Im working on your cure, my dear. Ive sent two of my top soldiers to retrieve the serum I just know will get you feeling better, he said as he absently adjusted her sheets up around her shoulders. You remember Farrow. She is working with a meta named Creed to make it all happen. Were just days away from your cure, then well get to enjoy walks in the garden and shopping at only the most exclusive shops; just as I used to do with your mother. You have your whole life before you, my sweet June. Youll see. Daddy will fix everything for you. He smiled as warmly as his leathery face would allow at his pride and joy. June lay as still as a stone. No matter what he did, Dr. Williams felt her accusatory

287/581

silence pierce his soul, but not for much longer. Farrow and Creed would bring back the cure. They had to. Chirping came from his breast pocket. A phone call. Reporting in, sir, Farrow said obediently. Status? Williams said, still staring at his baby girl lying helpless in the hospital room bed. Creed has followed directives thus far, and were on schedule, she informed robotically. Well done, Farrow, Williams smiled at his daughter feeling more confident than ever things would be different soon. What are your feelings about Creed? Is he going to follow through? Or has he gotten too close to the subjects? Do I need to send you reinforcements? So far, he seems on target. Ill keep a watchful eye and let you know. But sir, no

288/581

reinforcements will be necessary. Ill take care of things myself if need be, Farrow concluded as any soldier would. I am confident in your abilities. Keep me informed. As you wish, sir. Her voice was like syrup on the phone, but that was exactly why he had chosen her to aid in this most important assignment. She was a valuable weapon, as he had determined female metas could be. Farrow was beautiful and voluptuous but as deadly as a viper. Yes, women had their secret weapons no man could duplicate. If you find it helpful, feel free to befriend the male metas, Dr. Williams added knowingly. I will do whatever is necessary to complete the objectives, sir. Her voice was like butter on a piece of hot bread. I know you will, Williams smiled into the phone. If Creed becomes a liability, I know youll take care of him, too.

289/581

As you wish, Director, Farrow smiled widely.

31 Professional Courtesy
Leaving so soon, Creed? a sultry voice whispered from behind him at the hotels checkout desk. He didnt even turn around. He knew who she was. He could smell her perfume. The guest relations guy, who had been helping with the checkout, stopped to look up at the exchange. He couldnt help but stare. The girl was gorgeous. Creed ignored his envious ogling and finished signing the receipt in front of him. He grabbed his large suitcase easily, turned and started walking away. You can stop following me, Farrow, Creed growled once they were out of eavesdropping range.

291/581

Oh, but I cant. I have my orders, too, you know, she said with a smile on her beautiful lips. Your orders are to follow me? My orders are to be sure your objectives are achieved. Her voice was crisp. What are you supposed to do if I dont achieve objective? I finish where you left off, she smiled innocently at her fellow meta. They had stopped walking and were staring at each other in the sunny hotel parking lot. And what happens to me? Farrows deceptively slender shoulders shrugged noncommittally. I hope we dont have to cross that bridge, Creed. She reached out and touched the collar of his shirt, as though straightening it. Creed reflexively jerked away from her. Since he first met her some six months ago, she had tried to use her charms on him.

292/581

She came across, at first, as a thoughtful, intelligent woman, but he learned those were just her weapons. She was poisonous. Fortunately, he hadnt opened up to her at all. If there was one thing he had learned about himself it was that he hated deceit. Thats probably why Megs navet struck him as so refreshing and sexy. Meg Winter was the polar opposite of Farrow Schone. Farrow was pretending to pout at his obvious rejection. He wasnt falling for it. Not one bit. Over the last six months he had watched this woman carefully. He knew she was a trained sniper, deadly fighter and extremely intelligent. Those skills, coupled with her innocent-looking beauty made her about the scariest meta Creed knew. Ive been invited by the family to stay at their guest house, he said, aware of his muscles flexing involuntarily.

293/581

Goodie, Farrow cooed. Please stay in touch. I dont want to have to come knocking on the door. She stopped, faced Creed directly, and raised one beautifully arched brow before adding, but I will if I have toor, if you want me to. She slipped a smolderingly wicked smile across her full lips. I would appreciate your showing me professional courtesy. Right, Creeds jaw tightened in anger. Just as he turned to walk away from her and toward his car, he heard her phone vibrate in her handbag. You can tell Williams that Im being a good boy and obeying all orders, he called condescendingly over his shoulder.

32 Faith
The guest house was more than comfortable, though simple enough. There was a large bed with freshly washed sheets and an extra blanket folded neatly beside four of the fluffiest pillows Creed had ever seen. In the back was a small kitchen and bathroom stocked with all the essentials. The windows were easily opened allowing the ocean breeze to move freely through the small space. Creed could even hear the ocean waves as they rolled and crashed and retreated down on the beach. But no matter how comfortable the bed, or how rhythmic the ocean sounds, or how tired his body, sleep was never easy for Creed. It was his mind that wouldnt be calm at night and it had always been this way. Back at the Facility he would spend hours

295/581

listening to the meta soldiers snoring soundly in their meager bunks while he tossed and turned trying to quiet his mind. He eventually learned to exist on far less sleep than most. Usually he could achieve a good three or four hours a night. Usually. So it came as no surprise to Creed that he lay staring out of the open window at the bright stars glowing against the velvet black night. The next morning, Creed woke feeling exhausted and drained. He was lying in musky, damp sheets now, having sweat through his thin T-shirt and shorts. A slight groan escaped his throat when he threw his legs over the edge of the bed and sat up. He wasnt looking forward to what he had to do today, but what choice did he have? He knew he had to act soon before Farrow decided she needed to take over. Creed began walking toward the bathroom as he thought. Farrows version of

296/581

achieving objectives with the Winter family and their friends would turn in to an all-out bloodbath. He couldnt let that happen. He knew he wanted to keep casualties to a minimum, preferably none at all, but he still hadnt figured out how he was going to pull that off. The hot water felt amazing on his back. Creed stood in the shower much longer than he usually would have. He let the pulsing spray dig into his skin in hopes that some great idea would occur to him, but he was procrastinating, and he knew it. Angrily, he flipped the shower off and grabbed a towel. He tried to psych himself back into the mindset he needed to get through the task at hand. This is just a means to an end, Creed. You know what you have to do, and you can do it with the least harm coming to these people. No matter what Williams says hell give you for doing this, in the end you know this family is in for trouble and it may as well

297/581

come from you so you can minimize the damage. If you really care about Meg, you need to get her the help she needs and that help can only come from Williams. Just get the metas back to Germany. Focus, Creed. Do your job because you know you have to. He stood staring at himself in the bathroom mirror, completely dressed, but still unable to get to where he was ready to leave. A knock at the front door jarred Creed from his solemn reverie. The pity party was over immediately, and his game face was on. Im coming, he called as he hurried across the room to the door. He opened it and stood face to face with Dr. Winter. Good morning, Creed, she smiled. Are you hungry for breakfast? He saw right away the dark circles under her eyes. She looked like she had aged five years in one night. Oh, Id be fine with just a glass of milk, he said trying to pretend he hadnt noticed

298/581

how haggard she looked. How about I cook something for you? Im pretty good in the kitchen, you know. Well, at basic stuff. I can fry a mean egg, he offered politely. I might just take you up on that someday, but Paulie is the chef this morning, she smiled ruefully. No telling what hes cooked up for us. He keeps trying to perfect local dishes and wellId rather not know what concoction hes created this morning. I usually end up with coffee and a piece of toast on the days Paulie cooks, she said with a tired smile. Coffee does sound good, Creed said opening the door to the house for Dr. Winter before following her in. Evan was up all night with Meg, so hes taking a nap now, and Alik is on watch. Ill be relieving him after I grab a bite to eat, Margo said as though she were casually discussing the 7am news.

299/581

How is Meg this morning? Creed asked hesitantly. About the same as she was after we gave her the blood transfusion last night. At least shes not worse, the worry lines grew deeper in her brow just talking about her daughter. The two walked into the aroma-filled gourmet kitchen. Morning, Creed, Paulie said with obvious forced chipperness. He looked almost as exhausted as Margo. Good morning, sir. Can I give you a hand with anything? Creed asked trying to be of some help. His guilt-o-meter was flipped all the way into the red range. These were good people, probably the best people he ever met, and he was here to hurt them. Crap. Yeah, can you stir the sauce over there on the stove? It just brings out the rich flavor of the squid. Youll love it! he said happily.

300/581

Margo exchanged a look with Creed that said, I tried to warn you, didnt I? Squid for breakfast, eh? he said taking up a wooden spoon to stir the sauce. Oh yeah! The locals love it! I got this recipe from a rather large Samoan lady who used to teach marine biology at the university. I tell you what, if that woman hadnt already been married I would have pursued her myself just for her cooking! Paulie looked over at Creed mischievously and winked. Creed couldnt help but laugh at the good-natured old guy. Even Margo was giggling. She really was a beautiful woman when she smiled. What are we laughing at? Dr. Andrews asked as he walked into the kitchen and headed directly for the coffee pot. Paulies telling us about his love life, or lack thereof, Margo teased.

301/581

Gee, Im glad I missed that. Theo smiled over at Margo as though they shared an intimate secret. Creed wondered how these people could be so obviously stressed and terrified for Meg, yet maintain a sense of humor and closeness. He was willing to play along, but he still didnt understand it. All three of these doctors had every reason not to trust him, but they did. They all had every reason to shake their fists to the sky and hate everyone and everything out of spite because one of their own was critically ill in the next room, but they didnt. Margo had more reason than any of them to hate, but she didnt. She had given up everything to live in hiding with three children who werent even her blood. She suffered horribly at the hands of Williams. She has to know things are going to be a whole lot worse before theyre better. How

302/581

can she feel any sense of peace? Yet, Creed could see it in her eyes that she did. What is it Creed? her voice came from the other side of his thoughtful fog. Hum? You have a strange look on your face. What were you thinking? Margo asked him even as she handed him a glass of milk. I have to ask you something, he said unsurely. Okay, shoot. Margo said. Its obvious you love your children, so how is it that youre able to keep your spirits up when we all know Meg is so sick? Isnt that obvious, too? she asked cocking her head to one side studying him even as he studied her. I have faith, Creed. Margos voice was steady and sure. Faith, maam? Yes, faith that Gods will, will be done. That is how I stay strong. My faith that Gods hand is on Megon all of us, is solid.

303/581

God. God is your strength? Creed asked skeptically. No offense, but youre a scientist. Dont you have more faith in science to cure Meg? Of course, not. Any cures that may come our way will be there because God allowed them to be there. Margo was pouring herself a cup of coffee. Hasnt anyone ever talked to you about your soul, son? Dr. Andrews was looking intently at Creed. My soul? I dont think I have one, sir, Creed responded without thinking. He had never shared his fear of being soulless with anyone before. Of course you have a soul, Creed, Margo said matter-of-factly. How do you know? Creed asked waiting for some philosophical explanation that would be easily refuted because he wasnt a human being.

304/581

Because I can see it in your eyes, she said simply. Creed stared at her as though he had never seen her before. He watched her soft, brown eyes full of sincerity. She made a pretty tough argument. Awkwardly, Creed answered, Um, if you say so. Thanks, Dr. Winter. Oh, please call me, Margo. And me, Theo. And me, Paulie. Now, lets eat! Say grace with me first, you old coot! Margo smiled widely at her old friend, bowed her head and began saying a blessing over the food. Creed wanted to crawl into a hole like the soulless snake he knew he was.

33 Final Countdown
Evan spent the night in the lab working on his mothers request. And true to his word, he was able to extract the original serum from his own DNA blood samples inside five hours. He made three sets of the serum. One, he assumed would travel with Meg, one would remain here at the lab as a backup, and the third was a backup to the backup. No one but his mom and he would know about the third batch. No one needed to know. It was a contingency plan he hadnt even concocted yet, but knew life well enough to know it is always a good idea to have a plan B. He put batches one and two in the laboratorys locked refrigerator. Before he did the same with the third, he first slipped into a small, self-contained cooling unit. As he sealed it shut, it made a sucking, vacuum-

306/581

like hiss before it locked into place. Satisfied, he put the whole unit into the fridge and closed the door. He finished cleaning up his materials before Alik arrived to take over watch. He didnt want to worry his brother any more than he already was. Hey, man, Alik called to his baby brother when he was finished scrubbing in. Hows our patient? Alik, hey. Shes the same. Stats are constant. Fever down. I just finished documenting everything on her chart, so shes good to go for you. Evans eyes looked over his sisters face and welled with tired tears. Gone were the days of stoic, detached Evan; hed cried more in the last few days than his entire life previous. Great. Good deal, Ev. I got it from here. You go on and get some sleep, okay? Alik knew his brother better than anyone else and to see his formerly unemotional little brother

307/581

suffering so deeply was making everything feel even more desperate. Right, Evan sniffed. He turned and walked stiffly out of the room. Alik could hear the whoosh of the sliding doors as his brother stepped on the sensor. Then again, the woosh of the doors closing behind him. He glanced up and saw the top of his baby brothers head as he pulled off the scrubs he was wearing and tossed them into the biohazard hamper. He pulled on his plain blue T-shirt and walked out of sight. Well, big sister, its just the two of us, Alik said, trying to pretend his sister was just sleeping and not on deaths door. He reached over and grabbed the clip board off of the table beside him. He saw his brothers notes written in his typical neat script. The last note was written about ten minutes ago. Alik put the clip board down softly, so as not to disturb his sister.

308/581

Last night he had decided to read everything he could get his hands on having anything possibly to do with Megs medical condition. He never before needed to study medicine, that was Evan and Moms specialty, but now, he felt so helpless that he was determined to at least know what the heck all these doctors were saying when they spoke. His mind was moderately dizzy with data. After all the research, the truth of the matter is that nothing was adding up. Nothing about his sisters illness made sense, at least, not according to regular human biology and physiology. Theres got to be something they were missing, but he didnt know enough to know what. Alik flipped open the laptop he brought with him and linked quickly to the wireless internet. Maybe if he kept looking, something would come to him. Two hours later, Alik was still concentrating on the

309/581

physiology and anatomy of the human heart when Megs monitors woke instantly and screamed behind him. BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Alik nearly flew out of his chair at the sound of Megs machines going off. Something was wrong with Meg. Alik looked over at her heart monitor, blood pressure monitor and pulse-ox. Oh, my God, no! Shes crashing! Two days before, Alik had worked to solve the problem of not being able to monitor his ill sister from different parts of the large house. Thats when he had designed and easily rigged an alert system that would sound if Megs machines went off. He was thanking God for his forethought because he was depending on the alarms to get help in here fast. With alarms sounding in the living room, bedrooms, kitchen and patio, everyone in the entire house leaped to their feet

310/581

and ran full-speed toward the lab. Maze howled and panted and howled again instinctively aware that something horrible was happening. Knowing every second counted, Alik jumped on the table with his sister and began compressions. One, two, three, four, fivebreathe. One, two, three, four, fivebreathe, And even as his body jumped into action performing CPR on his sister, his mind was praying fanatically for more time. Margo was the first person to arrive sprinting into the room, flush and panicked. She saw her son performing CPR on the frail body of her baby girl. Oh, dear God! No! She ran to her children and took over the breathing part of the CPR while she and her son worked as a team, trying to revive Meg. Not thirty seconds later, Evan ran into the room, and without saying a word, turned on the defibulator.

311/581

Charging! he warned. Alik jumped off the table, and Margo stepped back. Clear! he called out and placed the paddles strategically on his sisters chest, one in the center and the other closer to her left arm pit. With a loud WHOMP the machine shot a jolt of electricity into Megs heart, trying to jump-start her like a dead car battery. For a moment, everyone stopped and stared at the heart rate machine, willing it to begin beeping a rhythmic tone instead of the flatline scream it was sounding now. Nothing. Again. Charging! Evan called to the room now filled with two more doctors and Creed. Clear! Evan called as he placed the paddles again and prayed over them. The jolt caused Megs body to spasm up and off the bed for a moment, then she flopped back down and lay as still as a rag doll.

312/581

The merciless machine screamed the dead monotone as everyone watched in abject horror. Charging, Evans voice caught in his throat. He glanced at the clock and quickly calculated how long his sister had been without oxygen. Brain damage is likely after four minutes. It had been two minutes, thirty-six seconds. Megs lips were blue and her skin ashen. She already looked dead, he thought to himself and pushed the thought aside. Clear, he pushed the paddles back into place and held the jolt an extra half second. Come on, Meg! he pleaded. Wake up, Meggie! Come back to us! Its not time to go yet. Not yet, Meg! Fight with me! The room was silent, except for the sound of the machine flat-lining. Charging! Evan called for a fourth time. Time was slipping away. Beep,beep,beep,

313/581

Wait! Margo yelled to Evan. Beep,beep,beep, Evan looked back and forth from the beeping machine to his sisters lips pinkingup. Oh, thank God! Thank you, God! Evan, shes back! Margo wailed in relief. And with the strength of a bear, Margo grabbed both her sons, pulled them tightly to her, and kissed both of their cheeks. Thank you boys! Thank God for you! And then, as any mother would, she draped herself protectively over her daughters frame and cried for the preciousness of her life. Minutes passed like this, everyone lost in private prayers and thoughts, still recovering from the rush of adrenaline. Margo stood up and locked eyes with Creed. When she spoke, her voice was strong and carried a tone of unwavering certainty. Contact Williams now; tell him were willing to make a deal. If

314/581

his scientists can cure Meg, Ill give him the serum. Have him commission an ambulatory jet to leave immediately. Her bloodshot eyes shown a resolve Creed recognized and respected. Yes, maam. Creed, she called sternly. Maam? I am trusting you with my daughters life. Please take care of her. Yes, maam, Creed said solemnly. He nodded once, turned and walked briskly out of the room. He had a phone call to make.

34 Conversations at the Edge of a Bed

You cant be serious. Im completely serious. No. I am not letting you put yourself back in harms way. You dont have a choice. Dont you see how useless it is for you to go? I only see that my daughter is dying, and I need to take her to get medical help. You would do the same if it were Cole. Margo, this isnt like youre taking Meg to a regular hospital up the street or even in another country. This is Kenneth Williams hospital. Theo, I know youre just trying to be protective of me, and though I think its very sweet, it is completely misdirected.

316/581

Margo, I dont care what serum you have to offer as a trade, he still wants vengeance on you. You. Specifically he wants you, Margo Winter, dead! Why cant you get that through your thick skull? I dont care what happens to me, Theodore Andrews. I care about what happens to my little girl. And if it means I have to trade myself for her life, I would do it in a heartbeat! Theo sat at the edge of her bed, exhausted from arguing with the most illogical woman on the face of the Earth. He didnt know which hurt worse: his head ache or heartache. All he wanted to do was curl up in this big old bed and hold that precious woman until some common sense seeped into her. He just wanted a chance to love her, to take care of her. Was that asking so much? Why did everything with this woman have to be so damn complicated?

317/581

Its not complicated, Margo said, reading his thoughts. She stopped packing for a moment and sat beside her best friend. I am a mommy. My daughter is hurt. I need to get her help. Period. She reached to touch the scruffy beard that had started to grow on his sweet face. Her cool hand acted as a tonic to his soul and he felt himself melt into it. And if I havent said it lately, I love you. Thank you for all you have done for me and for our children. You are a blessing to my life, and I thank God for you, my sweet Theo. Theos bloodshot eyes glistened instantly with tears. I love you too, you crazy woman. I would go to the ends of the earth for you. So if youre going into the lions den, then I am too. You cant. You have to stay here and take care of Cole and Maze. You have work to do in the lab, too. Youre still decoding blood samples, remember?

318/581

Paulie can look after Cole and Maze, and he can work on the blood samples, too. Dr. Andrews voice had taken on a distinct pouting tone that made Margo smile widely. You know what you have to do, Theo, and I know what I have to do. Well get this all taken care of and meet back here as soon as possible. Okay? God willing, Meggies recovery will be rapid, and well all be back in less than a week, Margo said hopefully. Theo continued to sit on the edge of the bed and hopelessly watch as the love of his life continued to pack her bag for a flight leaving in less than two hours.

35 The Travelers
Okay, I think were all packed, Evan concluded as he zipped the last black bag closed. The ambulance and town car will be here any minute, Creed said checking his watch. The conversation with Dr. Williams was surreal. Creeds mind was still trying to process it. Megs condition is perilous. Her heart stopped beating for three minutes just now. Evan was barely able to revive her after shocking her with a defibulator three times. So, what? Are they ready to make a deal? he asked coldly. Yes, sir. Dr. Winter told me to call you and tell you she wants to trade. Your doctors cure Meg, and shell give you the original serum. She asks that you send transportation

320/581

immediately. I know shes worried Meg wont make it through the night. She has the serum? he asked excitedly. Sir, yes. She wants to trade it for her daughters cure, Creed felt like Williams was only hearing part of what he was saying. He had no compassion. He had no sense of morality. This man was evil. There was no other way to say it. He was pure evil. Excellent! Make the arrangements. Do what you have to do to get the serum here. Creed could almost hear him drooling in anticipation. Yes, sir. Ill make the arrangements immediately. And before he heard a click, Creed was sure he actually heard the doctor giggling. He tried not to think of Dr. Williams anymore. Instead, he focused on what had to be done to get Meg her cure. So, even as he waffled between bouts of guilt and anger and

321/581

determination, he functioned on autopilot to accomplish the logistics necessary at this point. He hurried to his guest house and used his laptop with secured wireless access to arrange for the transport of one very sick girl and her brothers who would surly want to accompany her. Since money was no object to Dr. Williams, Creed had long ago been authorized to spend whatever he had to during his objectives. Commissioning a private ambulatory jet from Hawaii to Nuremburg, Germany cost a small fortune. The flight would leave when he wanted it to. He asked for three hours preparation. The pilot was agreeable once he knew of the large cash payment hed receive. Now Alik was standing beside Evan. Evan had one hand on his sisters gurney and the other hand on her heart monitor stand on wheels.

322/581

Can I help carry anything? Alik asked his brother nodding toward Meg and all her equipment. Yeah, actually. I need us to take this portable defibulator and that case of meds. Thanks. Evan and Alik exchanged a knowing glance. They were both scared out of their minds and doing their level best not to show it. Wheres the serum? Alik whispered into his brothers back. Its in my front left pocket, he whispered over his shoulder. Would you rather hold it? Sure. You have your hands full with Meg and her stuff, he mumbled. They turned to each other and hugged as brothers do so their exchange was unnoticed by anyone in the room. They felt better about Alik holding the serum. Evan was worried hed lose it and Alik was just glad to feel some importance.

323/581

The cars are here, Creed called back in to the house from the front porch. Im ready to go, Margo spoke from behind the brothers. What? the brothers said at the same time. Mom, youre not going. Its too dangerous, Alik said matter-of-factly. Dont even bother, boys. Ive been trying for the last two hours to talk her out of this, but her minds made up, Theo sighed. Youve got to be kidding me! Alik looked furious. Mom, we have enough to worry about getting Meg and ourselves in and out of there safely. Please dont add another liability to the equation, Evan said logically. Margo, suddenly looked very small and frail. Her eyes widened and tears began to stream down her tired cheeks. She hadnt thought about it that way. She wasnt strong enough to be an asset to her children

324/581

anymore, at least, not physically, and she would slow them down. The realization struck her like a punch to the gut. Dont cry mom. Itll be okay, Evan wrapped his long arms around his mother and hugged her gently. Alik walked to them and enveloped both his brother and his mom in an even bigger hug. Well take care of Meg, mom. We promise. Well bring her home to you. The boys walked their mom to a chair and sat her down carefully. Even through her tears the boys could see fierceness in her. The three huddled together for a moment in silent prayer. There wasnt a dry eye in the room as the travelers grabbed their bags and their sister and headed for the waiting cars.

36 Whats a Guy Gotta Do to Get a Pretzel on this Flight?

Tearful goodbyes were said as quickly as possible for everyones sake. The boys carefully loaded their sisters gurney into the ambulance. Evan refused to leave her side so he rode in the back with the paramedic who was ordered, in no uncertain terms, not to touch the patient by a very intense looking Evan. Alik and Creed slipped into the town car and sat silently for the twenty-minute drive to the airport. Alik kept looking behind them at the ambulance, making sure they were still back there and that everything seemed okay. He couldnt stop recalling with his perfect clarity the image of his mother, Theo, Paulie, and Cole waving softly and hugging each other as they watched them drive away. Maze obeyed orders to stay but was

326/581

howling his worry after the doors to Megs ambulance closed. His mom kept whisking tears away from her cheeks, and Theo kept a protective arm over her shoulder. Paulie, in his own way, was terrified for everyone, but he only stood with his arms crossing his ample belly and nodded encouragingly his farewell. Cole was not at all discreet about his frustration at being left behind, again. He stood somewhat separate from the others, hands crammed into his pockets and chewing on his bottom lip. Cole had become even more distant over the last several weeks and Megs illness seemed to have pushed him further away. Alik recalled the way the palm trees danced in the ocean breeze, and the way Paulies house stood happily on the hilltop. He remembered the way his mothers brown hair whisked into her eyes and how she, without thinking about it, reached up and

327/581

tucked the errant locks behind her ear with those hardworking hands of hers. He saw Mazes body tense as he tossed his head back in frustrated howls. He loved his family so much. All Alik wanted, more than anything in the world was to have his family healthy and happy and living right here with their friend Paulie on the beach. Alik sighed deeply, so lost in thought he was unaware that hed made a sound there in the back of the town car. Theres our jet, Creed said softly as he nodded toward the medium-sized liner parked on the tarmac. Its larger than I expected, Alik said, making conversation. It has to be at least that size so it can carry enough fuel to get us stateside. Well refuel at LAX. Creed was very much aware how tense Alik was, so he was really just trying to make idle talk, too. He was also very

328/581

aware how dangerous this guy could be, especially when he felt his family threatened. He heard stories of what happened back at the Institute. And though Creed thought he could take Alik, he wanted to avoid a battle with him if possible. The time was nearly three in the afternoon local time. The pilot stood at the doorway monitoring the lift that was bringing Meg and her gurney up to the special ambulatory door on the side of the plane. Getting her settled in the plane and properly situated was less difficult than Alik imagined. Everyone was very professional and adept at their jobs. Williams had spared no expense in hiring this team to transport his precious serum and, by proxy, his ill sister. Though Alik was thankful for the smooth transition from Paulies laboratory to here, he was maintaining his skepticism. Williams was evil however you try to sugar-coat it. None of this

329/581

was out of the goodness of his heart. He wanted that serum, and he was getting it. Alik settled into a plush, burgundy upholstered passengers seat. Creed sat closer to the pilots cockpit and Evan was toward the back of the plane, where they had secured Megs gurney. He was carefully hanging a new I.V. bag for Meg and discreetly checking her catheter bag that hung below the beds mattress. Alik appreciated his brothers medical knowledge now more than ever. How would he be able to transport their sister safely without his brothers expert care? They would have had to bring another person, and that would have just complicated things, just as Evan had said to their mom an hour before. He smiled affectionately at his brother as they caught each others eyes. The three of them had always made one heck of a great team. Meg was the moxie, Evan the logical planner and Alik was the muscle. Without

330/581

thinking, he whisked a tear away from his eye. The pilot came over the intercom with a robotic hissing sound, Good afternoon, Mr. Young and guests. This is your pilot, Captain Bob Jacobi at your service. Our copilot today is my good buddy, Vince Trainer. It is, uh, three-sixteen local time. The temperature is steady at eighty-one degrees, wind five to ten knots south-south-west, and visibility clear. Please listen carefully as our flight attendant, Missy, reviews the safety features of this aircraft and proper safety protocol. The overhead intercom hissed then went silent before Missy began her spiel at the front of the plane. Welcome Mr. Young and guests to flight 310 Air Ambulance to Germany. Our first stop will be in LAX to refuel before heading on to New York then Europe. In the unlikely event there is an inair emergency there are a series of procedures we must advise you of

331/581

for your safety and for the safety of others on this plane Missy droned on in her squeaky voice to recite her memorized speech about the cabin pressure, flotation devices and exit routes while the passengers barely listened, least of all, Evan. He was too worried about Megs monitors to think about first placing the oxygen mask over his own face before assisting someone else. Missy was finally done with her canned safety speech when the overhead intercom hissed to life again. Uh,ladies and gentlemen, we have just been cleared, uh, by the tower for takeoff. So, please be sure your carry-on luggage is properly stowed in the available compartments, buckle up and double-check our patients safety harnesses as well. Thank you, and if you have any questions now or anytime during the uh,eighthour flight to LAX, please dont hesitate to push the red call button above your head and one of the flight crew will come to assist you.

332/581

Uh, again, thank you for allowing us to be of service to you Mr. Young and guests and we look forward to a smooth flight. This is your captain, Bob Jacobi, with copilot Vince Trainer, out. The engines began to roar louder as the craft taxied to the start of the runway. Alik watched his sisters I.V. bag swing gently as the plane picked up speed. A quick glance out one of the many oval windows showed the scenic Hawaiian landscape blur by. With a swift pull, the plane was up and off the ground, rising quickly. There was no turning back now. Of course, there probably never was. Alik, Evan and their dying sister were en route to a devils den.

37 Farrows Fury
Farrow hated be left behind. Williams had informed her of Creeds progress and told her to keep her distance from him as he maneuvered the metas and the serum to Germany. Keep your head down, Farrow, he hissed into the phone when she had objected. Sir, with all due respect, Creed may need to be monitored more closely. I think hes unsure of his true intentions. The family is getting to him, and he looks like hes on the fence. He doesnt even know which side he wants to be on. While I appreciate your reporting your observations, I cannot risk introducing you into the fragile mix right now. Let Creed bring them in. You will fly back separately.

334/581

Williams voice waffled between coaxing and barking. He was on the verge of an emotional breakdown, but no one knew that better than Farrow. She had watched this man spiral into depression and power almost equally as fast. Farrow had been his trusted weapon for the last year. She had seen him try to work with his daughter. She saw him use humans like test rats for his scientific purposes. He was a genius and a monster, but that drew Farrow to him. She was mesmerized by his power. Besides, being his personal aide had its benefits, too. She was privy to more information than any other meta at the Facility. Farrow, do you understand? Williams asked, disturbing her thoughts. Yes, sir. Im trusting you to follow my orders. Of course, sir.

335/581

Before you leave, take care of one thing for me? Name it, sir. Creed never got around to killing Margo before he left. Terminate that wretched woman. Farrow smiled softly, With pleasure. Call me when shes out of the picture. Ive been waiting for revenge too long, Williams voice had a tired hint to it. Im on my way to Dr. St. Pauls home now, sir, Farrow smiled widely at the prospect of finally doing something. Do you have a preference as to whether Dr. Andrews is terminated as well? No, no preference there. Hes only in the picture because Margo brought him in. He poses no threat to us, but if he gets in the way, take him out, too. As you wish, sir. Farrow, my dear. I treasure you as my assistant and look forward to many more

336/581

years of you being my personal right hand, but if you fail me by allowing Margo Winter to live, dont even bother coming home. Have I made myself clear? The old scientists voice was throaty with old anger by the end of his statement, and knowing him as well as she did, she was sure he had spittle dangling from his leathery mouth. She grimaced at the image. I understand, sir. She waited respectfully for the audible click indicating he had hung up the phone, and bit her lip furiously forcing herself silent as she waited. Click. With that sound, Farrow felt both liberated and isolated, and the thought occurred to her. What would happen if she just walked away? She could catch a flight stateside before Williams would cut off her financial support. She may even be able to buy a car when she landed in California. All she would have is her suitcase, her sniper rifle, the clothes on

337/581

her back, the cash in her wallet, and hopefully a car with a full tank of gas. Would it be worth it? Is any of this really worth it? All she had ever known was the Facility and Dr. Williams. She thought power and prestige were the world. The more she did his bidding, the more in his good-graces she was, the more power she felt she received. All the other metas knew who she was and never even thought to challenge her. Her status as Williams personal assistant kept her an elite at the compound. But she was having second thoughts now. Something about this particular assignment was making her question her personal motives. Farrow shook her head as though swatting away a pesky gnat. It was easier not to think. Just obey orders soldier, she told herself.

38 In-Flight Conversations
Only twenty minutes in to the flight and Alik was already bored. Missy came by with a tray of sodas. Is there any access to internet on the flight? he asked. Im sorry sir, but wireless devices are prohibited because they could interfere with communications in the cockpit. I could bring you an assortment of in-flight movies that are available for viewing on your personal screen. We also have a large collection of magazines and books if youd prefer. Missy smiled helpfully. Yeah, I could read something. Anything having to do with medical news or current events would be great. Ill see what I can dig up for you, she said with a wink and sashayed down the aisle.

339/581

Medical news or current events, Creed echoed. A little light reading, eh? Not much else to do, he said, obviously uncomfortable talking with Creed. We have seventeen hours to kill, he glanced up at his fellow meta warily. No pun intended. What were you planning to do? Well, I thought of taking a nice long nap, myself, Creed leaned back in his plush chair causing the leg rests to extend. Didnt you sleep well in Paulies guest house last night? Oh, well, dont get me wrong. The accommodations were great. Its just Bad dreams? Alik asked probing. Creed shrugged. Hum Whats that supposed to mean? Nothing, man. Its just not unusual for a guilty conscience to cause a person

340/581

unsettling dreams, Alik shrugged innocently. At least, thats what Ive heard. Creed shook his head and gave a half laugh. Missy was hurrying back down the aisle with her arms full of reading material. Well, we have Science Weekly, Scientific Now, and I found a Physicians Desk Reference, she said proudly. Then there are all of these I brought just in case none of the others sounded good to you. Thanks, Missy. I appreciate it, Creed smiled back at the flight attendant as he took the stack from her. She looked pleased with herself and sauntered away. Alik started sifting through the first magazine. Evan unfastened his seatbelt and walked over. Hey, Ive got to run to the bathroom. Keep an eye on Meg, will you? Sure. How is she? Stable, for now.

341/581

Do you think shes going to crash again before we get to Europe? I have no idea. I dont even know why she crashed the first time. Heck, I dont know anything anymore. He shook his head obviously discouraged. Why dont you go play with the plumbing in the bathroom? That usually cheers you up, Alik said to his little brother trying to lighten the mood. Evan smiled, but only slightly. I dont even think airplane plumbing could get me to relax right now. Evan walked up the aisle toward the cockpit to the lavatories slightly hunched over as the head room in the plane didnt allow for a tall person to stand upright without regretting their attempt. What was all that about the plumbing? Long story; you kinda had to have been there, Alik said smiling at the memory. Then his facial expression changed.

342/581

He was squinting as though trying to see something far away. Waitmaybe you were there. Alik peered over at Creed and replayed scenes in his mind. He made himself think back and ran Creeds face through sort of his own mental image search engine. I cant believe I hadnt put the pieces together before, Alik said after a few moments. What are you talking about? Creed asked, though his heart began pounding violently in his chest. You were there, at the hospital in Kansas. I saw you in several locations there: once in the corridor, again in the cafeteria and the last time I saw you, you were standing in the crowd of people watching me spar with Meg and Evan on the hospital lawn. You were the guy Meg met there. She didnt want to tell us about you, but we made her. Then you stood her up. She was supposed to meet you at noon, but you werent there. Alik was tensing his muscles reflexively and sitting at the

343/581

edge of his seat. He looked about ready to leap down Creeds throat with each new piece of the puzzle he snapped into place. Look, she was just an assignment. You were all just assignments, Creed looked heart-sick with guilt. Assignments? You were the one who tried to attack our mom that day! You shot Maze! Evan had been on his way back to his seat when he just caught the tail end of this conversation. It sent him into a furry. Before Creed knew what was happening, Evan charged down the aisle and full-on tackled him out of his seat. You piece of crap! My family trusted you and you have been trying to hurt us all along! Evan was whaling on Creed. He had him pinned against the cabin wall and was smashing his face into the leather side paneling. Evan, cool it! Were forty-thousand feet above the Pacific Ocean! Alik had to work to

344/581

pull his brother off Creed. Cool it, man! This isnt the time or place! Evan allowed himself to be separated from Creed long enough to deliver a stream of expletives Alik didnt even know his brother knew. Dude, enough. This isnt helping Meg! Beating the crap out of the guy whos taking us to get her cure isnt going to help her. Aliks hand was still on his brothers shoulder. The veins in Evans neck were pulsing and his fists were involuntarily clenching and releasing. Turning back to the stunned Creed, Alik said, I dont think Ive ever seen him as ready to kill as he is right now, so for your sake, youd better start talking. Just so were clear, asshole. If you try to deliver even a fraction of a lie to us, I will kill you, quietly, and no one will mourn your loss, Evan fumed, but held back, waiting for the vermin to speak.

345/581

Youre right, Creed nodded. You have every reason to off me now. Ive done nothing but hurt your family since the moment I snuck into your lives. Youre not helping your case here, Alik cautioned as he felt his anger surge. Remember the story I told you about the Retribution Match where I was set up to fight my brother? Creed stopped and waited for acknowledgement. That was all true. Everything right up until I was three days out of the surgery to fix my kidney. Commander Oldham wanted me dead for defying his orders in battle. Williams offered me another option. Creed explained. He said that he would help me find the rest of my real blood family and release me of duty as a meta soldier if I completed two objectives for him, Creed had never been to confession, but he felt an unreal need for

346/581

absolution from these two men whom he had harmed. Keep talking, growled Evan. My objectives were laid out by Williams. The first was to find and kill the thief Margo Winter. The second was to bring the three stolen assets back. Just to be clear, were the assets, right? Alik looked sick to his stomach. Yes. So your first objectiveto kill our mom? asked Alik. I didnt complete that objective. Williams is going to let her live? asked Evan. I dont know. What do you mean, you dont know? Alik yelled. I mean, he was so thrilled that I got you three on a plane en route to Germany that he didnt bring it up, Creed explained.

347/581

Hes not going to just let it go, Alik said, deep in thought. So this whole thing with Meg getting sick was just a convenient excuse to get us back to Williams? Evan asked, appalled. Creeds face fell. He didnt say a word. No, little brother. It was all part of the plan. Alik was revving up. What the hell did you do to our sister! Was it poison? A deadly virus? What did you do to Meg? Alik was so angry spittle was flying from his mouth and now it was Evan who was holding him back. Gentlemen, the captain asks everyone to please calm down and take a seat. Were headed for some unexpected turbulence, and youll need to fasten your seat belts. Missy, the flight attendant spoke in a squeaky voice. The looks on the faces of the three huge, fighting men was arguably the scariest she had ever seen. Without saying another word,

348/581

she turned-tail and slipped behind the blue velvet curtain. Ignoring the attendant, Evan growled, Answer him. What? Answer him! What did you do to Meg? Why is she so sick? Evans voice rose with every word until he was yelling. II dont know, he stammered, running a shaky hand through his hair. What the hell do you mean, you dont know? Creed looked painfully over at the frail waif of a girl dying because of him. Williams sent his assistant, a female meta named Farrow Schone, with something he called a gift. Farrow shot Meg in the neck with itit looked like a small, silver dart. As soon as she was hit, she fell. Whatever that dart was tipped with, that is what has made Meg so sick.

349/581

You knew all this time that Meg was poisoned and you didnt stop this Farrow and you didnt tell us so wed know what to look for? You sick freak! Alik flew into a rage. He grabbed the nearest arm rest of a passenger seat, yanked it off and started beating Creed. All the guilt and self-loathing Creed felt forced his arms to hold at his side instead of up defensively. As Alik unloaded his anger, Creed knew he deserved it. All passengers please take your seats and fasten your safety belts. Weve hit some unexpected turbulence. Im sure you noticed we are pulling up, in an effort to fly over the bumpy air. Bear with us while we get the craft to a smoother flying altitude. Captain Jacobi, out. Alik administered one more whack to Creeds neck with the chunk of plush leather wrapped around metal that was the arm rest. The three men glared at each other, not

350/581

wanting to be the first to move. Feeling more a sense of responsibility to his sister than bravado, Evan turned toward Meg and started to walk down the aisle to check her safety harnesses for the umpteenth time. Under his breath he was mumbling furiously, but he was also forcing himself to calm down and think before he said another word. Just then, the plane vibrated violently. The three men standing in the private jets passenger galley instinctively reached out to grab something to steady themselves. The nose of the jet fell into a steep decline. From all around them, plastic and metal rattled fiercely indicating a worrisome level of breakability to what only moments before had seemed like a safe aircraft. Even with the warnings, what happened next hit the three boys with complete surprise. Evan hadnt taken three steps when whole plane shook spastically and dropped a couple thousand feet, as though free-falling.

351/581

Not having heeded the repeated warnings and instead choosing to continue their furious discussion standing in the aisle turned out to be a really bad idea after all. Alik, Evan and Creed flew up and hit the ceiling of the cabin. They scrambled to regain their balance but everything was happening so fast, even they couldnt help but be thrown around the cabin. The nose of the plane dipped and with it anything that wasnt bolted or secured. The overhead compartments popped open releasing even more debris into the storm that was the inside of the private jet. Oxygen masks burst out of the panels above the seats and an alarm screamed a high-pitched, beep, beep, beep! The aircraft was making terrifying noises, sounding distinctly like metal on metal screams. Their fight abruptly interrupted, the three metas scrambled to their seats and for their safety harnesses. Even during the

352/581

brutal turbulence of the plane, Evan crawled back toward his sisters gurney. He was more worried about checking Megs oxygen levels than himself, despite the airplane safety rules. The plane was leveling off some by the time he could get the mask over his own face and secure himself in the seat closest to his patient. Everything happened in the span of no more than three minutes, but it left everyone onboard rattled and out of breath. Finally, the plane felt like it was leveling off and the sadistic screaming of the alarm stopped. Captain Jacobes shaky voice came over the intercom. Mr. Young and guests, I hope everyone is okay back there. That was a highly unusual pocket of fast forming wind conditions causing us to dropuh, thirteen thousand feet. Were now traveling at an altitude of about fifteen thousand feet above sea level, and boy, if you look out your window,

353/581

you can almost see the scales on the fish! No one laughed at his attempt at humor. Yes, well. Were going to stay at this altitude for a while, hoping to avoid any more surprises. Missy will be back momentarily to check on you and straighten up the cabin. My copilot, Mr. Trainer and I are sincerely sorry for the scare and will do our level best to make the rest of the flight as smooth as possible. The passengers were silent for a few minutes, still recovering. Alik broke the quiet. If my sister dies because of you, Im going to rip you limb from limb. Creed looked warily at Alik and took a slow, deep breath and slowly released his vise grip on his chairs arm rest. Alik was rubbing his temples as though trying to fight off an oncoming headache. The vein in his forehead was bulging as it always did when he was angry. Evan glanced at

354/581

his brother and thought how grateful he was not to be the object of Aliks anger. He was up and out of his seat again, checking Megs vitals and making sure none of her tubes or monitors had come undone during the turmoil. Once he was satisfied she was stable, he returned to his seat. He was exhausted and revved up at the same time. If Meg were awake, she would be the one ranting louder than any of us. Evan was staring at his sisters pale hand as it lay vibrating slightly with the movement of the plane. Picking up on Evans lead, Alik forced himself to calm down and think of his sister. Oh yeah, you think were upset? You just wait till Meg wakes up. And if I were you, I wouldnt even bother trying to explain yourself. Youd just better run! Alik mused affectionately at his big sister, thinking back to many an argument back on the ranch.

355/581

I saw her fight that day on the hospital lawn, Creed said. If you two hadnt ganged up on her, she would have won. Alik was smiling softly at the memory of it. Yeah, she was pretty mad. Shes one tough girl, Ill tell you that. I dont know what Id do without her, Evan confessed softly. You dont have to worry about that, Evan. Were going to get her better, Alik glared at Creed. I know it doesnt help matters, butIm sorry. I never knew what it was like to have a family. Watching you guys with your mom and Theo and Paulie these last few days has made me do some serious thinking. Creed looked earnestly from one brother to the other. Listen, guys, I dont want to be a bad guy. I really just want to make it all right, he said. Alik and Evan exchanged looks. They were trying to decide whether this guy was

356/581

full of it or if he was being sincere. This is the kind of situation where they would usually defer to Megs skill of being able to feel peoples emotions. She would be able to tell if he was honestly remorseful, or if it was just a lie. Alik squinted at Creed. Meg would know whether or not you were lying, but shes not able to help now, thanks to you. So were going to have to find another way to figure out your true intentions. Let us contact our mom to warn her that Williams knows her location and is probably setting her up as a target, Evan said calmly. Good idea. Who do you think hes sending to finish your job? asked Alik. Farrow. Shes probably still on the island. Creed said and looked down at his watch shaking his head. It could already be too late. He looked up at the metas apologetically.

357/581

If our mothers dead, then so are you, Alik said evenly. Creed nodded and flipped open the inflight phone console. He typed in a code before passing the receiver to Alik. Go ahead. Make the call, he said.

39 Love Story
In an effort to stay busy, Margo returned to the lab. Watching the car drive away with the three most precious gifts she had ever known was enough to make any mother sob silently. Knowing they werent just leaving her, but beginning a journey that was going to unfold painfully made Margo sick with fear for them. To control her anxiety, she found if she kept her hands busy, then at least she could try to distract herself long enough not to go insane with worry. Can I get you something to eat? Theo asked. Knowing Margo must be exhausted with worry, Theo had come to check on her in Paulies laboratory. Margos soft brown eyes were completely obscured by the powerful microscope in

359/581

which she peered. She was mumbling something. Margo? Are you hungry? Theo tried again. Her simple and beautiful short dark hair was tucked neatly into a protective blue cap. With as much time as she had been spending in the lab these days, her scrubs had become like a second set of skin. Perched on the edge of a stool he saw she was even wearing blue booties over her shoes. Ever the scientist, she followed protocol for a sterile environment to the letter, though their patient was no longer in the room. She probably did everything automatically after all these years. Theo thought to himself how much he adored this woman. He loved her passion for science just as much as her love for her family. All he wanted was to live out his days beside her, basking in the glow that was her aura. But keeping this love of his life safe had

360/581

been terrifyingly difficult. Most men only have to worry about their love leaving them for another manmaybe someone who made more money or had more hair. Theo had to worry about another man taking his Margo away by snuffing the life out of her. As he stood in the laboratory doorway watching her enveloped in her research, he couldnt help himself but remember how close to death she already had been. A year hadnt passed, and she was still weakened by the long-term effects from her extensive injuries at the hands of Williams henchmen. His beautiful Margo, small-framed and delicate and fiercely devoted with the strength of a lioness; her spirit made him want to drop to his knees and beg for her hand in marriage. His eyes slipped to watch her tiny, gloved hand move to adjust the view in her scope. He stood in awe of her and for a moment allowed himself to imagine that beneath that size small latex glove was a

361/581

band of gold wrapped around her finger. And engraved words inside pressed against her warm skin, two simple words of devotion: Love Story. This cant be right, Margo muttered to herself, still unaware of Theos presence. Margo? She spun in her chair and said, Theo, I need you to see something. Scrub in, quick! What did you find? Youre not going to believe me. I dont even know if I believe me. Hurry so you can see for yourself, she said and spun back to look into the microscope again. Okay, be right there. He couldnt think of anything a microscope could show her to make her sound so excited right now, but he wasnt going to argue. Instead, he hurried to put on his blue scrubs, cap and booties. With his teeth, he ripped open a sterilizing scrub presoaped package and began vigorously cleaning his hands.

362/581

Within minutes, he was sitting in the same stool that had been occupied by Margo and peering into the same microscope. What am I looking at, Margo? Remember the blood samples I took from Creed when he offered to donate for Meg? This is Creeds blood? Yes. Okay. It looks like the childrens blood. I assume the increase of plasma and white blood cells is a standard meta thing. Right. I believe it has to do with their rapid regeneration, clotting, healing and so on. Makes sense. I ran a standard workup on it and found nothing unusual, for a meta. So I went further. Paulie happens to have one of the few forensic DNA testing facilities on the island right here, she said waiving toward a complex machine in the far corner of the room.

363/581

You ran a DNA test on Creeds sample? Why? I really was just fishing. I thought maybe, being a more recent creation of Williams, his DNA might hold some information I hadnt thought of before. Theo looked at her incredulously. I know. I told you I was just grasping at straws. I really didnt think Id find anything of interest. But you did? Boy, did I. Look at this, she said excitedly waiving a computer color printout under his nose. Margo, youre going to have to help me here. Ive been an ER doctor for more than a decade. Its been a long time since we were in medical school and studied how to interpret forensic DNA strands. The first three lines are Aliks, Evans and Megs.

364/581

Okay, he said looking at the jagged lines on the page trying to compare them but not really sure what it was he was supposed to be comparing. Margo put a second sheet of paper next to the first. And this is Creeds. Okay, Theo said and began looking among the three Winter childrens DNA data and Creeds. It only took a moment for him to realize Margos find. What in the heck? So you see it, too? A match? It sure looks like it. Seven out of a possible thirteen bases including the Y-chromosome! Thats a 99.9 percent accurate result, Theo. How could that be? What are we going to do? Do we tell them? How do we explain this? And that means

365/581

Yes, the data is pretty conclusive. They share the same genetic pool. Theyre brothers.

40 A Well-Oiled Machine
It looked, at first glance, to be a wellmaintained military college campus located outside a small, rural town in Germany. The Facility covered thirty-seven acres of rich, green land. Clusters of evergreen and deciduous trees were encouraged to grow throughout offering not only aesthetic appeal but coverage from both aerial and land surveillance. A fifteen-foot electric fence surrounded the entire compound. The original architects of The Facility spent a lot of time and care to be sure they created the most efficient infrastructure. At the center of the thirty-seven acres were the buildings. There were six main buildings all surrounding a magnificent courtyard. The first building a visitor (not that there were ever very many visitors)

367/581

would come to would be Headquarters. It stood three stories tall with walls made of black, one-way windows. The building to its right was the womans barracks. It was a one-story building sectioned into three parts. Each section housed a different age group of female metasoldiers. The next building was a three-story, state of the art training facility and gymnasium. In this building, the metas had every possible indoor physical activity available to them including weightlifting equipment, basketball courts, three Olympic-size swimming pools, gymnastic equipment and a martial arts dojo, just to name some of the options housed inside. The metas also attended classes in this building. They were schooled in the art of combat, weaponry, tactical strategies and conditioning. This was one of the busiest buildings in the entire complex. It was open all day and all night and was in constant use.

368/581

Continuing counter-clockwise around the center courtyard, next to the training facility is the mess hall and commissary. This building opened at 4am and closed at midnight. Meals were served every three hours. The commissary wasnt like a standard military commissary. Nothing had to be purchased, only inventoried. If a meta needed a shirt or a pair of socks, he or she just went to the commissary, checked them out from the stockers and left with them. No soldier had money because they didnt need any. Everything was provided for them. To the west of the mess hall was the campus Research Hospital. This hospital was a mystery to most of the metas on campus except the first floor which held the triage and emergency room. In their line of work, visits to the first floor were inevitable. The building was three stories tall and was rumored to have a basement, but the metas on base didnt question what they didnt

369/581

know. They only did as they were ordered. Period. If there were things happening on the other floors of the hospital, it was on a need-to-know-basis. Most soldiers on campus didnt need to know. The last building is the mens barracks. It too was sectioned into three parts. Each section was home to a different age-group of soldiers. The youngest were age five to eleven. The next was twelve to fifteen. The oldest group was sixteen and up. All meta instructors lived in the barracks with the cadets in all three sections. Male instructors resided with the male cadets and female instructors with the female cadets. It was all very orderly, regimented and disciplined. There were never any problems with impropriety because it was made very clear what would happen to rule breakers. Forming a large rectangle around the outside of the buildings and courtyard was a road that doubled as a race track. At the

370/581

southeast corner of the compound was a shooting range. The Retribution Arena was in the northeast corner. A pleasant stream cut across the northwest corner of the campus and sported two bridges that allowed the jogging trail to flow uninterrupted around the inside perimeter of the entire campus. The south west corner of the compound was designed around a meta-worthy obstacle course. Commander Oldham stood looking out the window of his office in the Headquarters building, gazing at the majesty that was the Facility. This day was like any other on the compound, and thats just the way Oldham liked it. He watched as two platoons ran in formation across the courtyard, no doubt heading toward more exemplary training. Even through the thick, plate-glass window he could hear them grunting a familiar cadence to keep their rhythm. He smiled approvingly; through to anyone else, Oldhams

371/581

smile looked like a pained grimace. His facial muscles werent meant to smile. From the opposite side of the courtyard, a group of more seasoned cadets was carrying huge boxes of supplies into the side entrance of the hospital. A service truck lumbered into view and stopped by the Mess Hall with a squeal of breaks in need of attention. Immediately, meta soldiers were on hand to begin unloading the goods. Unquestioned synchronicity. Thats what made this place run like the Shangri-La it was. Every meta was conditioned to be exactly who and what he told them to be and the Facility was run like a well-oiled machine. He ordered the senior ranking metas and they disciplined their underlings. There was a tremendous amount of synchronicity required when scheduling which platoon would be where and learning and doing what, with and for whom.

372/581

There were all the shipments of food and miscellaneous supplies to arrange. The hospital needed constant deliveries kept completely quiet. Then there was the concern about the acquisition of new metas. There were always new-recruits being brought in and the Director just expected them to be vigorously trained and brought up to speed on how things were done at the Facility. Then there were always the concerns about what the Director was going to want from him beyond his standard duties. Oldham was completely against Dr. Williams tampering with how he handled his soldiers. The Young boys should have been disciplined immediately, with no mercy and in front of the entire meta campus so any other young gun with a miniature thought in his or her thick head would stop to smell the dead bodies before they decided to act on their own volition. Instead, Williams put both of those boys on undercover

373/581

assignments where they were out among regular people. To a man like Oldham, who respected only those who gave and obeyed orders, these two rotten apples were exactly the wrong kind of soldiers to trust. And though he had tried to express his concerns to his Director, he was immediately put in his place. All he could do is wait and hope that he was wrong about the Young boys. But in his gut, he knew it was just a matter of time and he was furious at the thought of what two rogue metas could do to his perfectly maintained world. Oldhams body was tight with anger as these thoughts coursed over him like fumes from rancid meat. Instinctively, he began to formulate a plot for self-preservation; a plot that would mean knocking some sense into Dr. Kenneth Williams. That gruesome smile etched its way across his meaty face, again. Everything he

374/581

had worked for to make this Facility the exemplary product it was depended on its leaders modeling the restraint and obedience they expected of their cadets. Anything less than model behavior from anyone in this Facility required immediate and uncompromising punishment. Commander Oldham returned to his desk and picked up his telephone. He had a few phone calls to make.

41 The Brothers Grim

Mom? Alik? Oh, thank God, youre okay. Im fine, but why are you calling? Is Meg okay? Shes stable. Were still flying over the Pacific. Oh, thank God. I thought you were calling to tell me No, mom. Listen, I have to tell you something really important. Whats going on? You need to go into hiding, immediately. What are you talking about? Mom, Williams has a meta already on the island that was sent there to kill you. How much time do I have?

376/581

None. Get out of the house now. Take the truck, drive and dont stop until youre sure no one has followed you. What about Theo and Cole and Paulie? They should disappear, too. She might use them to get to you. She? Yes, the meta is female. Her name is Farrow and shes deadly. Mom, grab your purse, the car keys, take Maze for protection, and get out of the house right now! Im going to call you in exactly thirty minutes to check on you. Its 6:05; Ill call you at 6:35. Do you understand? How do you know about the meta, Alik? Creed. Hes trying to earn his soul back. Ill explain later. Just go! I love you, Ali. Tell Evan I love him. We love you too, mom. Now, go!

42 Farrows Pursuit
The humidity and heat were extreme, but she had already calculated for that. The home of Dr. St. Paul was thirty-nine meters south, southeast of the position she chose because of its dense foliage and easy line-ofsight to the front door of the house where the doctors vehicle was parked. Dr. Winter, the primary target, had not shown her face yet, but she would eventually, and when she did, Farrow would be waiting. Lying in wait for nearly three hours now had left Farrows usually steady nerves somewhat frazzled. Under ordinary circumstances, she could stalk her target as long as necessary without the slightest unease, but this was different. Something about this assignment made the hair on the back of her neck bristle. Three hours felt like three days.

378/581

Sure she was just psyching herself out, she allowed herself a moment to look away from the sniper rifles telescopic lens and rub her eyes. Get it together, soldier, she scolded herself. This is just another assignment. Youve done this before, and youll do it again. Come on. One shot, one kill. One shot, one kill. One shot, one kill. Her mental brow-beating was halted the moment she saw movement at the back door. A male with white hair was exiting the house with a long surf board tucked under his left arm. It was Dr. St. Paul. Right at his heels was the bizarre pet the Winter family kept. She had seen him beforeback in California when she was sent to the hospital to count dead bodies. That was the growling thing that looked at her like fresh meat. Even through her scope, she got a clear picture of the coyote. He was hugeprobably fifty-five or sixty pounds. And it behaved like a loyal

379/581

dog, not a wild canine. Not wanting to alarm her primary target, Farrow chose not to fire at the aging man or the coyote, but observed them instead. The old man walked toward the beach. He lifted his right hand to his brow to block the sunlight so he could see more clearly the waves as they broke. The coyote had wandered away from the waters edge following instead an interesting scent back up toward the trail that ran beside the house. His nose was to the ground as his silver coat shinned in the Hawaiian sunlight. Not wanting to get distracted, Farrow repositioned her scope to the house. There was no movement there. By the time she panned back to the old surfer, he was already on his board and paddling out into the water. The coyote was almost completely obscured by the undergrowth along the trail. He was really after something, but it hadnt occurred

380/581

to Farrow that he may have been tracking a very familiar scent. Not until it was too late. Just as the coyote began to howl mournfully with intermittent barks, an image darted across her mind. That spot was the exact location on the trail where M57 was running days before when she had delivered Dr. Williams gift. The coyote must have been tracking the girls scent. She was, after all, his owner. He was howling like a bloody demon now. It was clear he found something, but what would he have found that had Megs scent on it? Did she drop something that day? Farrow didnt think so. Was she bleeding? Doubtful. It would have left a very small mark where the dart impacted her neck. Maybe there would have been a negligible spot of redness at the injection site itself once the dart was removed andthats when she realized what was causing the coyote to howl.

381/581

The dart. Creed, the incompetent, moony-eyed, idiot! He must have left the dart in the grass! Farrow was mentally screaming in fury over Creeds misstep that could cost them their objective. Her one last glimmer of hope was lost when it was Dr. Andrews who came running out of the house to check on the coyote, and not Dr. Winter. With an anger that seethed hotter and hotter inside her, the metasoldier watched the man run to the coyote, lean down and pick something up. The coyote jumped up and down excitedly beside him as he frowned at the object in his hand, yelled to Dr. St. Paul, who was already on his way back to shore with all the ruckus from the canine, and ran back into the house. Within seconds, all the subjects were out of sight and the gift was in their hands. This was bad.

382/581

Only afterwards did Farrow kick herself realizing she should have taken her chances and killed everyone in her scope, including the flea-bitten mongrel they called Maze. It didnt matter, because after taking a breather to regroup her thoughts, she decided her next step would be to wait until dark when she would finish this, once and for all. She had a life, and she was anxious to get back to it. Later that afternoon, when Dr. Williams name showed up on her cell phone, she ignored it. She didnt want to talk with him until her mission was complete, and she sure as hell wasnt going to be the one to tell him Dr. Winter had the gift that had so perfectly given him the upper hand in his quest. Oh, hell no. She thought to herself, cleaning her favorite handgun with deft movements. She was not going to take the fall for Creeds sloppiness.

383/581

43 Oldhams Plot
Commander Oldham, sir. Esther stood at attention the moment she realized he was walking down the hospital corridor. He stopped directly in front of her, standing a little too close for a comfortable conversation. Esther felt instantly wary of her superior officer as goose-bumps formed on her arms beneath her standard issue uniform. Not letting any of her feelings show, she saluted. At ease, soldier. As it was ingrained in her, Esther immediately clasped her hands behind her back and spread her stance slightly. Her heart was pounding, but her facial expression gave nothing away. The commander never had been down here. Esther wasnt even aware

385/581

he knew of Dr. Williams daughter or her condition. Sir. Soldier, Im here to perform an inspection of the patient to which you are assigned. An inspection, sir? I have not received any notification of an inspection. If Esthers guard was up before, it was screaming a warning now. The Director himself sent me. He flashed an important looking document in front of the young soldier. Esther frowned at the document. Never having encountered anything like this in the past, her mind was racing with possible protocol she was to follow. Maybe this is a test, she thought quickly. Sir, my orders are clear. I am not to allow anyone entry into this room without explicit orders from Dr. Kenneth Williams, himself. No exceptions. Esther tried to

386/581

speak with strength and purpose, when inside she was shaking with fear. I understand youre just trying to do your job, soldier. You have to understand that Im just trying to do mine, too. He showed his teeth in a bizarre attempt at what was supposed to be a smile. Sir, no disrespect intended. I will have to make a phone call to confirm these orders. Esthers acting skills couldnt stop her voice from quivering this time. Her hand reached to her pocket to retrieve her phone. Im sorry, but I cant let you do that. His face curled malevolently and he moved even closer to the girl and grabbed her wrist with one hand and with his other hand, zapped her with a tazor. With the fluidity of a highly trained Special Forces soldier, he caught her slumping body, opened the door to the patients room and dragged her body inside. He closed the door behind him softly.

387/581

The room was dimly lit by a side table lamp. He saw the small frame of a girl lying on the hospital bed. She did not move or make a sound. He walked to her bedside and looked into the face of the reason his Director was losing his edge. This weak, useless excuse for a human stood between himself and all his goals. The commander shook his head in disgust. Why didnt Williams understand that this diseased body was his anchor, his Achilles heel, a thorn in his brilliant lions paw? Weakness has no place in my Facility, the commander thought to himself. Nothing good can come from this gangrene. As any loyal soldier would, he was feeling compelled to help his leader in any way so their end objective was achieved. Rudolph Oldham needed to help remove the thorn in his masters paw; cut off the gangrene before it spread any further. Yes, this had to be done.

388/581

He reached into his pocket to retrieve a small black case. Carefully, he opened it and removed a pair of large latex gloves. After slipping them onto each of his thick hands, his fingers returned to the case and found a specific syringe. He popped the yellow plastic cap off carefully placing the small piece back into the case before reaching for the I.V. tubing attached to June Williams. Satisfied with himself that the entire dose was rapidly rushing through the sickly body, he grabbed his black case, turned and walked back to the female meta, Esther. She was still lying on the ground where he left her. He strategically placed her fingers around the syringe he just used on the girl being sure her prints would be found all over it, including the thumbprint on the plunger itself. He then dropped it on the floor beside her. He grabbed her arm and unbuttoned the cuff of her sleeve. With absolute irreverence,

389/581

Oldham yanked her sleeve above her elbow. He slapped her arm looking for a healthy vein. Finding one, he retrieved a second syringe from his case. This one had a red cap he deftly removed. Finding the vein he was looking for, he slipped the needle into place injecting the woman with the contents of the syringe. He repeated the process of putting this syringe into her hand, making it look as though she dosed herself. The final touch, he grabbed the folded, typed note from the black case. He left it peeking out of Esthers breast pocket; sure it would be found and read by the right person. Oldham grabbed his black case and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. Retracing his steps, he double-checked that he didnt touch anything that could have collected his fingerprints. His final chore was to clean off the doorknob to the room itself. All this, he accomplished inside three minutes, just as he planned.

390/581

Everything went perfectly, he thought happily to himself, as he removed his gloves and slipped them into his pocket before he reached the first floor. He was smiling and whistling an unrecognizable tune as he exited the hospital and walked through the courtyard with the kind of bounce in his step that could have only been achieved by a wellplanned and executed assignment.

44 The Giving

Gift

That

Keeps

Mom? Yes, honey. Im here. Where are you? Im safe, Alik. Im at Paulies still. What? Alik, listen to me. Theres been a development I need to talk to you about. A development? Are you crazy? Farrow is probably outside the house right now just waiting for you to try to get to your car! Thats exactly why Im not leaving the house, Alik. Mom, You listen to me, Alik Winter. Youd better calm down because I need you clearheaded. Meg needs you clear-headed!

392/581

Aliks face was beet-red and that vein in his forehead was bulging, again. Creed and Evan watched Alik and listened to his onesided conversation. It was clear things werent going as planned. What could possibly be so important that you are risking your life? You, Alik. You and Evan and Meggie. Feeling a flash of shame, Alik looked down at his feet and listened. Ali, Maze was sniffing around on the trail where Creed told us he found Meg when she collapsed. He found something, Alik. Maze found the dart that poisoned Meg. Theo, Paulie and I are trying to decode the poison so we can make an antidote. Do you understand, me, Alik? I think we can use the original poison to create an antidote that will cure Meggie. If we can do this ourselves, we wont need Williams. Margo waited breathlessly for Alik to respond.

393/581

Oh, my God, mom! How soon can you create the antidote? Both Creed and Evans faces lit up with equal amounts of surprise and confusion as they watched Alik talk. Well, thats hard to say. I could really use Evans help with this. Hes faster at equations than any of us. Alik locked eyes with his little brother, his mind racing with all the new possibilities. Ali, can you get the plane to turn around? You cant go to Germany, Alik. Im so scared that Meg will die there. Maze finding this needle on a mountainside is truly a gift from God. We need to get Meg home, now! Were halfway across the Pacific Ocean now mom. We may have to land in California first to refuel, but well get her home. I promise. Ill bring her back to you, mom. Hearing this, Creed turned and hurried toward the cockpit. He needed to figure out

394/581

what options they had with the remaining fuel. Even as he yanked the door open and stepped into the small, button-and-switchfilled compartment, he felt a surge of power that was wrapped in the bright light of hope. He was going to do whatever it took to get this family put back together. Captain Jacobe, Creeds voice was commanding. Umsir, if you would please return to the cabin and press the red button, Missy will come help you. The captain was unnerved enough what with the rough flight and now a passenger barges into his cockpit. Ignoring him, Creed asked, Does the plane have enough fuel to turn around? What? Trying to remain calm, Creed repeated himself, Does the plane have enough fuel to turn around?

395/581

Um, he stammered and looked over at his copilot. Mr. Trainer, could you run that calculation, please? Yes, sir. Give me a moment. Im going to have to recalculate with the flight planning system, he said flustered. Glancing over his shoulder nervously at Creed, the copilot punched furiously at the keyboard in front of him. Things are going to be different from the original plan because of the unexpected weather that caused us to change our altitude, yammered Mr. Trainer anxiously. Im using our current longitude and latitude as the starting point for the system and asking it to work its way backward to the flights origin. Using that geographic waypoint, the system is calculating all the variables that would effect the fuel measurement. Payload, operating weight empty, zero fuel weight, ramp weight,

396/581

Mr. Trainer! Creed couldnt stand the mans babbling. Sir, I appreciate that you know all about flying this plane, but I really dont have time for a class on the subject now. The copilot turned pale. Of course not, sir. Dont mind him, Captain Jacobe chuckled nervously. Hes a computer geek at heart. Okay, Mr. Young. The short answer is, yes, probably. We have enough fuel, but we will be using all our reserves. He glanced over at Jacobe worriedly. Im afraid to ask what that means, Creed ran his fingers through his hair in his typical anxious gesture. He means if everything goes perfectly on our return trip, no turbulence, crosswinds, bad weather at the airport that would delay our landingif everything goes

397/581

perfectly, well be okay to make it back. It was Jacobes turn to look pale. How many tons of fuel do we have to play with, Trainer? Jacobe asked. Umthe system says we would have an extra seven minutes of flight beyond the calculated plan. So, basically, none. We will be landing on fumes, literally. He looked sick to his stomach. You two are the pilots. You tell me. The girl back there is dying and they think they have created the antidote back on the island. Can we get her there safely? Mr. Jacobe looked at the small photograph he always taped to his control panel when he went on long flights. It showed a plump-faced little boy smiling with his arms stretched out beside him, like the wings of a planepretending to fly. Yes, sir. Well get her back. Right, Trainer? Jacobes face looked determined.

398/581

If you say so, sir. Im going to keep working with the system planner to see if theres any way I can reduce our fuel consumption. Great, you put your geek hat on; Im going to turn this big-ass bird around. He flipped a switch and spoke in his usual cocky-captain voice. Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated immediately as were about to make an illegal U-turn. Jacobe, out! Creed grinned widely as he held on to the frame of the doorway. The plane banked hard left. Watching the skyline tip was awesome. He felt a wave of happiness at the thought of heading back to that sweet house on the beach and those kindhearted people. Then reality kicked in when he remembered what else was waiting for him back on that island: One very pissed-off meta named Farrow.

45 A Significant Chunk of Sanity Just Crashed to the Floor

Things were looking up, and Dr. Williams was anxious to go share the good news with his beloved. In his boney hands he held a large bouquet of sunflowers already trimmed and on display in an equally large, some would say gaudy, pink vase. His little girls two favorite colors: pink and yellow. He adjusted the greenery slightly while waiting for the elevator. Once it opened and he entered, he slipped his small silver key into the control panel, typed a code and pressed B. The only way that button would work was with the key and the code. Otherwise, someone could stand there and push that B button until they were blue in the face and nothing would happen. He smiled to himself at his

400/581

clever security. Nothing but the best for his June, he chanted to himself with every step down the corridor toward her room. With a quick tap, Dr. Williams opened the door to his daughters hospital room as he had hundreds of times before. But this time, he knew immediately something was wrong. Esther? he called. Only silence came in response. Esther? he called again, looking toward the door leading to the private bathroom. The lights were out. He reached out to the wall switch right inside the doorway with one hand and balanced the heavy vase of flowers with the other. Then the old man realized why he felt things were wrong the moment he opened the door. It was the silence. There was always the sound of her monitors beeping softly in the background. There was always a

401/581

light on by her bedside, and Esther was always sitting right beside his daughter in that chair. None of these things were in place. As the light burst on, the gruesome scene was exposed. There was his precious little girl lying motionless on the bed. Her chest did not rise and fall. Her face was a sickening bluish-gray. And there on the floor beside her was Esther. The soldier he had given the most important assignment in the history of metas: to take care of his daughter. She lay motionless as well. It took the old man a moment to wrap his head around what he was seeing. His feet wouldnt move from that tiled spot. He stood there shocked long enough for the heavy vase to slip from his arms and smash to the floor. People who had been on the first floor talked in whispers about the screaming they heard from the hospitals mysterious

402/581

basement. Some of the metas were sure it was the ghost of Mrs. Williams. Others believed they were torturing disobedient metas down there. And still others wondered aloud about what monsters the doctors in that hospital had created in an experiment gone wrong. Well, truth be told, parts of each of those ideas was right. A monster was created in the basement that very day, and it was absolutely haunted by the deceased Mrs. Williams. All of this did happen because of experiments gone wrong, very wrong. And the typed note found tucked in the front breast pocket of the impeccably uniformed meta, Esther, contained words that cut what sanity the grieving father may have maintained into slivers of glass. Sir, I could not stand seeing June suffer anymore. Watching her wasting away year

403/581

after year waiting for you to save her was agonizing. Keeping June locked away in the basement of your life was selfish and undisciplined. I feel peace knowing I have been a true friend and protector to June and as such came to realize it was up to me to free her from your prison of shame. Now, even you can move on and focus on your brilliant scientific work here at the Facility. Esther M402

46 U-Turns in the Sky

So thats the plan. Creed said, finally. He had returned from the pilots cockpit even as the plane was still angling the aboutface to tell the others the good news. The brothers sat quietly for a moment before Alik spoke. Well, this was one heck of a way to prove your good intentions. He allowed himself a half smile of appreciation. Thank you for doing this, Creed. Evan rubbed the emotion out of his eyes wishing desperately to change the subject. Creeds face blushed as he mumbled, Its the least I could do for her. He was looking affectionately toward Meg. Clearing his throat first, Evan asked, Alik, tell me exactly what mom said. She said, Maze was sniffing around on the trail where Creed told us he found Meg

405/581

when she collapsed. He found something, Alik. Maze found the dart that poisoned Meg. Theo, Paulie and I are trying to decode the poison so we can make an antidote. Then when I asked her how soon she could have the antidote ready she said, Well, thats hard to say. I could really use Evans help with this. Hes faster at equations than any of us. Evan continued to stare at his brother deep in thought. Wow, how did you do that? Creed said looking over at Alik with his head tilted a bit to the side like a curious puppy dog. Do what? Alik said absently. He was walking toward his sister and adjusting the straps holding the gurney safely to the cabin wall. That sounded like exactly what Dr. Winter would have saidword for word! It was. Evan stood and started pacing the aisle. He was much more worried about

406/581

the implications of creating an antidote based on an unknown toxin and not having time to test it for accuracy or safety before his sister needed it. Wow, thats a cool trick. Its not a trick. Its his gift. Hes got an eidetic memory. Evan was only partially engaged in this conversation. His mind was whirling around thoughts of curing his sister. Whats an eidetic memory? I can remember everything I see, hear or read, perfectly, Alik answered for himself in a distracted monotone. Everything? Yes. How far back? Alik shrugged. He was starting to feel a little uncomfortable talking about himself so much. Can you remember your parents? I mean, your biological ones? Creed asked.

407/581

Listen, Creed. We can talk about that some other time. Right now, I need to go check on the pilots. I might know of a way to ration our fuel. He rubbed his hands on his jeans before standing and wedging past his brother who was still pacing the aisle. Let me guess, hes read a few books on how to fly a plane, Creed mused to no one in particular as he watched the meta close the cockpit door behind him. Undoubtedly. Evan murmured. You said it was his gift? I remember Dr. Williams mentioning that each of you had something special about you. Each of you had an enhanced gift. I guess, Aliks gift is his memory? Its pretty clear youre a medical genius and Meg his voice trailed off as he looked at her beautiful profile from where he sat. Anyway, he said these were the gifts he wanted back. I hadnt really thought about what he meant by that until now.

408/581

Right. Well, as you mentioned, Alik has the eidetic memory as well as ultrastrength. Meg is an empath. And I am not as much a medical genius as an engineer, though lately Im inventing, building and problem solving the mechanics of the human and meta bodies more than anything, so I can appreciate the assumption. Evan shrugged modestly. I just see everything as a puzzle to be solved. No wonder Williams wants all of you back, Creed found himself looking at the younger male meta in front of him with a whole new sense of awe and respect. You said Meg is an empath? What is that, exactly? Empath meaning empathy. Her gift is the ability to sense the feelings, thoughts and emotions of others, especially those to whom she is linked somehow. She calls herself an emotional superconductor. Evan smiled at his sister remembering how annoyed she got constantly bombarded with everyone elses

409/581

feelings and struggling to untangle them from her own. Can she read minds? Creed was very afraid of the thought that she knew what he was thinking all along. No. She reads emotions, not minds. You said she could only do this with people she is linked with? With people to whom she is linked, Evan gently corrected Creeds grammar. Like who? You? Her family? Creed asked ignoring Evan. Exactly. Only her family? No. She has a really tight connection with Maze, too. Maze, her coyote? Yes. She hand-raised him when he was orphaned back on the ranch in Texas. They are quite a team, those two.

410/581

Are we still playing, This is Your Life? Alik was walking back toward the boys with one eyebrow raised. Any luck helping ration the fuel? Creed asked. Well see. We could look around to see what we could dump. The lighter the plane, the less fuel it uses. Alik was only half joking as he looked around the cabin for something heavy and expendable. Now theres an idea! Do we really need two pilots? I say we dump the heaviest one. Evan offered. Not knowing the boys well enough to get that they were kidding, Creeds eyes widened with surprise. Alik couldnt hold it any longer and busted out laughing. You should see the expression on your face! That was priceless! Glad to help lighten the mood for you. Creed chuckled good-naturedly at himself.

411/581

Evan looked at his watch and said to the room, We have approximately 3 hours 47 minutes before we land, and we have a lot of planning to do. Right. When is Dr. Williams expecting you to check in? Alik asked Creed. He wants status reports constantly. He will be expecting me to call when we were to arrive at LAX, Creed looked down at his hands. If I dont call him, hell call me on this. From his pocket, Creed removed a sleek-looking cell phone. Okay, well, that gives us about four hours before he is aware somethings wrong, Evan concluded. What about Farrow? Evan asked. Shes ruthless. Shes probably stalking the house with her sniper rifle right now. Come dark, assuming she hasnt had the opportunity to complete her objective yet, shell switch weapons and tactics. Shell wear night

412/581

vision, have a powerful handgun with a silencer and shell find a way into the house. The brothers stared at him with wide eyes. Which is why we need to get to the house with Meg before sundown, Creed added sensing the level of anxiety bouncing off the walls of the small aircraft. Four hours from now will be just before 7pm. The sun sets at 7:22 today, Alik offered. Not a lot of room for error, Evan sighed. No room for error, Creed agreed. Farrow wont be easy to defend against. Theres a reason Williams sent her above anyone else. Matter of fact, once Williams gets wind somethings wrong hell have a whole platoon on a private jet headed right to us. Lets not think about that yet. One thing at a time, Evan said logically. Our first concern is getting Meg back to the house before

413/581

nightfall, then locking the house down so we can work on Megs antidote, safely. The most dangerous part will be when were outside the house trying to get Megs gurney out of the ambulance and into the house, Creed thought aloud. When Farrow sees us, shell contact Williams immediately. He may even order a complete take-down. It depends on how badly he wants your blood, Creed added looking at the metas in front of him. Then we cant let her see us. Evan said matter-of-factly. How are we going to do that? Creed asked. Evan had a far-away look on his face. Ive seen this look before. Give him a few minutes, then hell be ready to share the plan with us, Alik smiled proudly at his little brother and waited. The more time Creed spent with the two Winter brothers, the more he liked them. It

414/581

felt so good to know he was on the right team now, though it may only last a few more hours if Farrow has her way. There would be no reason for her to hesitate pulling the trigger the moment she saw his face. There was nothing Williams would want from a disobedient soldier who had betrayed his trust. Well, he thought to himself, if Im going to die, at least Ill die with honor fighting beside honorable men.

47 From Illness to Antigen

Malaria? Theo asked, sure he had misheard Dr. St. Paul. Yes. Genus, Plasmodium. Species, still unknown. Paulie was staring in to his highpowered microscope at the thin smear he made an hour before. There were definitely parasites there. He had her shot with malaria? Margo was stunned. Evidently. Paulie whispered. But Malaria takes weeks to incubate before the infected person shows symptoms. Meg was hit with this dart and dropped to the floor immediately. Theo hurried to the computer to look up malarias signs, symptoms and treatments. Consider the source, Theo. Williams must have created an unbelievably potent

416/581

strain of parasites. Its also possible he had this dart tipped with a cocktail of toxins, one of which knocked her out immediately and/ or weakened her immune system. Oh, dear God, Margo moaned. How did we not see the parasites before? Weve been studying her blood for days now! The parasites are most evident when the sample is taken during the infected patients highest fever. Theo summarized from the article he was reading. We studied the sample we took when she first fell ill. There must not have been enough parasites for us to detect yet, however super-mutated Williams made them to grow and spread. We didnt see them because they werent there yet. Theo was trying to maintain his cool, but he was angry. Yes, this smear Im looking at was taken right before she crashed. Her fever was up then. Paulie said.

417/581

She has been sick for four days now. How effective will any known antigen for malaria be four days into the illness? Margo asked. Ordinarily, I would say she was still within the window of successful treatment, but these arent ordinary parasites. I really dont know how effective the standard treatments are going to be on her. We probably need to prepare ourselves for the very real possibility that were going to have to create a unique antigen to fight these unique parasites. Paulie just said aloud what the others in the room were thinking. To make matters worse, Meg doesnt have a lot of time for us to play scientists with trial and error. I know, I knowPaulie! Youre not saying anything I havent already thought of! Margo was holding her head in her hands, so scared for her little girl. Margos short-lived outburst didnt faze the old scientist one bit. He didnt even look

418/581

away from the microscope as he added, Not to beat a dead horse, but on a side note, we all need to be treated against this strain of malaria, too. Its highly contagious, and weve all been working directly with Megs contaminated blood. Margos face was still buried in her hands as she sighed and said, Now that I hadnt thought of, Paulie. Crap. Having stayed quiet for as long as he could stomach, Theo couldnt hold his tongue anymore. I want to wring the life out of that wicked, depraved, immoral, poor excuse for a man! How dare he attack that innocent child! Shes done nothing to deserve his evil! I am a God-fearing man, but this is too much! I want his head on a platter! Theo couldnt contain his rage. Margo looked up at her usually mildmannered, sweet Theo and felt three things: 1) Pride in his protective nature for this little girl who wasnt even his own blood.

419/581

2) Guilt for dragging him into her fight against Williams. 3) Love for his kindheartedness, loyalty, gentility, sense of right and wrong and unwavering determination to see good prevail against all odds. In that instant, Margo decided she wanted to marry that sweet lug of a man, and she smiled to herself at the realization. Not having been a part of Margos amorous thoughts or epiphany, Theo was still seething and muttering under his breath. Theo, would you please go to the kitchen and make a fresh pot of coffee for us? Were going to need it. She reached out and touched his arm affectionately. Coffee. Yeah, right, Theo breathed through clenched teeth understanding Margo was trying to help him calm down by giving him a menial task outside the lab. The stress was getting to all of them.

420/581

Deep in thought, he didnt even notice his son sitting at the kitchen table until Cole spoke. Whats the latest? Oh, hey, Cole. Well, we think weve figured out whats making Meg so sick: malaria. His voice was strained and exhausted. Malaria? Cole turned in his seat to look at his father. Not just a normal species of malaria, either. Williams created some mutant, super parasite and tipped that damn dart with it. His hands were shaking with anger as he scooped the coffee grinds into the machine causing him to spill. Whether it was because he heard Megs name or just was lonely enough for company, Mazes large frame came lumbering into the kitchen. His nails clicked softly on the tile floor as he made his way to the first lap he could find. He draped his head on Cole and whimpered, shamelessly seeking an affectionate scratch between his ears.

421/581

What does that mean, dad? Can she be cured? Were still not sure. With four normal species of malaria, usually a smear of the patients blood would be sufficient to determine which parasite was present and subsequently, which antigen was needed to treat the illness. The coffee maker was gurgling already and the aroma of coffee was beginning to fill the room. This parasite has some of the same components as the known species, but not all. Its those unknowns that could make curing Meg very difficult. We wont know until we start to try. How soon will they get here? We have about two and a half hours before their plane is expected to land. What can I do to help, dad? Theo was leaning against the sink, arms crossed. I was wondering the same thing. Even I dont know enough about all of this to

422/581

be much help. Were really going to have to lean on Evan, Paulie and Margo as this is more along the lines of their science. Mostly Evan, I suppose. That thirteen-year-old kid is smarter than all of us combined. Im just an ER doctor. If someones in a car accident and comes in with broken bones and blood coming out of everywhere, then I can help. Meg needs a completely different kind of science. He paused for a moment before adding, Wow, what I wouldnt give to be able to think the way Evan does. Theo walked over to his son and put his hand on his shoulder. Youre doing everything you can already, kiddo by making sure the house is locked up, blinds and curtains closed and lights on. Maybe you and Maze could walk through the house again? I dont know what else to offer. Youre welcome to join us in the lab, but theres not much for you to do there, either. Yeah, right. Cole mumbled.

423/581

Ive got to get back. Heck, as it is Im just the guy they send to go get more coffee. Talk about feeling helpless. Dr. Andrews grabbed the pot of freshly brewed coffee, three clean mugs, and began walking back down the corridor toward the lab. I love you, son, he called over his shoulder. Me, too, Cole called back automatically. He got up and grabbed a broom and tray to clean up the spilled coffee grinds. Damn its hard being a regular human, Maze. Most guys are worried about how much taller another guy is, or if he makes more money, or has a nicer car. Its not even the same playing field between humans and metas. Im not smart enough or strong enough to help when the girl of my dreams needs me. With that, Cole threw the collected grinds into the trash.

424/581

Angry tears started to form, but Cole refused to cry. And Im always getting left behind, he said miserably. They left me when they went to get Dr. Winter back in California and they left me again flying off with that psychopath Creed to Germany. He looked over at Maze who was lying on the tile now with his head resting on his front paws. I guess you get left behind, too. It sucks, doesnt it? We both love Meg, but all she ever does is ditch us. The coyote whined pathetically. Cole sat on the floor beside him. Hey, at least you get to snuggle with her in bed most every night. Dont think Im not jealous of you, too. He patted the coyotes meaty flank good-naturedly, then sighed. You wanna go check the house with me again? Maybe youll get lucky and find a juicy gecko to chase. Maze stood beside Cole obediently and walked the already well-worn path around the house. As they were passing through the

425/581

living room, the coyote deviated from the path and walked to the back door. He scratched twice then turned to look at Cole. Dude, do you have to go? Maze whined in response. Humokay, but make it fast. Were supposed to be in lock down, remember? Cole walked to the door and pulled the curtains aside just enough to look out. He saw the blue of the sky and the blue of the ocean. He saw the green plants leaning with the will of the wind. He saw birds preening themselves on the telephone wires. What he didnt see was Farrow three-quarters of a mile away in full camouflage peering through her sniper rifles scope. Cole unbolted the lock and opened the door just enough to let Maze through, then closed it behind the coyote. He watched as Maze sniffed around the grassy area seven yards away from the door.

426/581

48 K.I.S.S.
I need to call mom, Evan said after a few minutes of silence. Okay. The code is 992-996, and then wait for the dial tone, Creed called to Evan who was seated next to his sister again. Thanks. Evan picked up the phone and dialed as instructed. It only rang once before he heard his mothers familiar voice. Hey, mom. Its Evan. Evan, is everything okay? Were fine mom. Were on schedule to arrive at nineteen-hundred hours. Evan and Alik had decided not to worry their mother about the low fuel issue, so they hadnt told her. Theres nothing she could do about it and they had already made up their minds to turn back anyway. She had enough to worry about as it was.

428/581

Meggie? How are her stats? Stable, thankfully. Shes been stable the entire flight. Listen, Ev. Its malaria. Not any of the normal species of parasite, but Paulies sure its malaria. He thinks Williams tipped the dart with some super mutant species he created. Were trying to figure out if any of the known treatments will work on this strain. Mutant Malaria? Doesnt this man have a life outside of his evil science? Whats next? A new plague? Mind-controlled gorillas? Flesh-eating tomatoes? Evan, calm down. Margo had to remind herself sometimes that he was just a thirteen-year-old boy, however intelligent. And sometimes he was going to have age-appropriate reactions under extreme stress. She heard him take a deep breath and exhale. Better? she asked. I guess I have to be, he resigned.

429/581

Hows Creed? Can you tell if we have his allegiance or is he still on the fence? No, hes a good guy now. He threw his lot in with us the minute he told the pilots to turn the plane around. Theres no turning back for him now. Good. I thought thats what happened, but I wouldnt have put it past you and Alik to have duct taped the boy to the wall if he tried to stop you from bringing Meg home, Margo only half teased. Duct tape probably wouldnt have held this guy, mom. Hes incredibly strong. Lets just say Im glad hes on our side now. Evan looked over at Creed and smiled into the phone. Williams is going to be livid when he finds out. Speaking of Williams, how do you guys plan to get back into the house safely? That female meta is still outside waiting for a target, right?

430/581

Yeah, thats really the reason I called. I need you to make us one heck of a smoke screen. Excellent idea. Yeah, I was thinking you could make the kind out of instant cold packs and newspapers. Remember when we did that back at the ranch? Chuckling Margo said, Oh, yes. I remember that mess! The breeze blew all the smoke right into the house! Yeah, those were some good times. Evan was grinning widely. Were going to have to time it perfectly, Margo said. Make as many as you can, mom. Smoke grenades may come in handy later, too. Will do. Ill get Theo and Cole to help me. Okay, Ill call in thirty minutes to check in. I love you, mom. I love you, more, Evan.

431/581

Click. Evan didnt hang up the phone right away. Instead he held it to his forehead, thinking. He was trying to remember everything he ever read about malaria. Thats the plan? Creed asked. Smoke bombs? Sometimes the simplest tactic is the best. Evan looked up, and shrugged at Creed. Ever heard of K.I.S.S.? Alik interjected. He had been drawing a schematic of Paulies house from memory and didnt look to have been listening to the conversations going on around him. Kiss? Creed blushed as his eyes darted involuntarily toward Meg. No, not kiss,K.I.S.S. Its an acronym for Keep It Simple, Stupid. Alik smiled widely at Creed before returning to his drawing.

432/581

Oh, right. K.I.S.S. Creed murmured as though he knew it all along. Sometimes the more elaborate the plan, the more room for errors. See what I mean? Evan said. Yeah, thats a military tactical maneuver we were taught at the Facility. One of many. It just wasnt called that, Creed thought back to his life on the campus and shook the memory from his head. How do you know about ammonium nitrate bombs? Thats not exactly common knowledge to American kids, is it? Creed asked. Not much about our childhoods could be considered common. Mom taught us how to make different bombs when we were little kids, Alik answered. Evan was still listening to the conversation, but had stepped over to the gurney and was retrieving a new bag of I.V. fluids for his sister. How did she know about bombs?

433/581

Mom knows a lot about a lot. Shes a very intelligent and resourceful person. She was special forces before she was our mom. Evans skilled fingers were checking his sisters vitals. I had no idea she was anything besides a doctor, Creed picked up the broken arm rest from their fight and pulled out a SwissArmy knife. Shes still a regular human being though she acts unbreakable. She really is just all heart with a fragile body. Thats why were so protective of her, Evan was finishing his notes on Megs chart when he heard Creed inhale sharply through his teeth. Whats wrong? Alik was up and out of his chair in the blink of an eye. Nothing. Im finejust a little tender from getting my ass kicked by two metas a couple hours ago. Creed had been kneeling beside the broken arm rest with his small screwdriver. Alik and Evan watched as

434/581

Creeds facial expression changed from a grimace to blank. Then he stood looking as though nothing had happened. What the heck was that about? Alik asked genuinely confused. Nothing. I told you; Im fine. Creed said nonchalantly helping himself to a soda from the small fridge bulk side. Anyone want a drink? Evan squinted at the meta and said, Lift your shirt, please. What? Why? Dont freak out, dude. Hes basically a doctor. Let him check you out. Creed rolled his eyes, but lifted his Tshirt up over his head. Even Alik could see the problem. Something was wrong in his lower left ribcage area. You have at least one, possibly two broken or fractured ribs, Evan said matter-

435/581

of-factly. I would need to do X-rays to be sure. It happens, Creed said with a shrug and began putting his T-shirt back on. Let me at least wrap that for you. Im fine. It doesnt even hurt anymore. Cmon, were on the same side now. You dont have to keep playing tough meta soldier with us. Im not. Look, it hurt at first, but I just turned off the pain, so Im good. The brothers exchanged looks. You turned off the pain? What does that mean? Alik asked. Creed felt embarrassed talking about himself, especially to these two guys who he really admiredand because theyre the brothers of the girl he couldnt stop thinking about. Do you mean you can turn off your pain sensors at will?

436/581

I dont know how it works, but yeah, I guess so, Creed really wanted to change the subject. Realizing they werent going to drop the subject until he explained more he said, Look, most metas are strong and smart, right? Williams always wanted you three back because you werent just strong and smart. You each had at least one enhanced ability he believed came from the formula he gave you to turn you into metas. Creed paused to shrug humbly, again. I dont know why, but I seem to have an ability, too. Nothing as cool as you three, but, Creed was fidgeting with the top of the soda can in his hands. Yeah, I can turn off my pain, like flipping a light switch. Its how I survived the match against my brother Gavil. Does Williams know about yourgift? Evan asked.

437/581

I think he suspects. After the match, he questioned me about how I could come back from being stabbed in the kidney to win the fight. I told him I didnt know. Hum, interesting, Evan said thoughtfully. What do you mean nothing as cool as you three? I cant tell you how many times I would have loved to switch off pain! I think that is an awesome ability, Alik said with a grin. Creed wasnt used to compliments at all, so he just shrugged and turned away. Missy, who had made herself very scarce since witnessing the boys fighting, timidly walked into the main cabin and asked, Is there anything I can get any of you? All three boys looked up at Missy as though they had forgotten all about her until now. The pilots insisted I offer. Her eyes darted to the floor then got huge as she caught sight of the

438/581

passenger seat that was still missing an arm rest. Food would be nice. You guys hungry? Creed asked casually. Sure, I could eat. Alik smiled innocently at Missy. Food would be a good idea, Evan said. Okay. Itll just be a few minutes, gentlemen. Missy smiled warily at the boys before turning to busy herself in the galley. That poor girl is probably going to hand in her resignation the moment we touch ground. Evan shook his head in an exaggerated gesture of sadness. Yeah, this trip has not been an easy one for her, poor kid, Alik teased knowing the lady was at least ten years older than himself. Shell probably consider suing for posttraumatic stress disorder that forced her to give up her promising career. Then shell write a book about how to survive an in-

439/581

flight threat from terrorists and make millions. Now theres an idea. Which part? The writing of a book part. Maybe after all this is over, Ill write a book about what happened to the three of us. Well Ali, you have the memory for it, but you may as well plan for it to be considered science fiction, fantasy. Yeah, youre right, Ev. No one would ever believe it really happened, anyway. There are times even I dont believe it, Evan muttered mostly to himself. Creed chuckled at the brothers, leaned back and closed his eyes. He was hoping to get a short nap before the dehydrated meals were served. For the first time in longer than he could remember, he felt hopeful about his future. Moments later the brothers heard Creed snoring softly from his seat.

440/581

49 Target Practice
The wait was getting to her. Farrow, a soldier known for her ability to stalk a target for hours on end, was feeling very itchy. Three hours had passed since she last saw movement outside the house and for three hours she had waited for her chance to finish this assignment. So, for six and a half hours, Farrow had lain on her stomach in the dirt and grass with her eye glued to her scope. It was hot and humid. She had to wipe her hands on a chalk bag periodically to help her maintain her grip on the rifle. A pool of sweat had formed in the small of her back, and the front of her uniform was drenched, but she didnt know whether it was more from perspiration or the moisture in the dirt. Yeah, the wait was definitely getting to her,

442/581

but not because of the aforementioned conditions. She wasnt getting tired. No, that wasnt the problem. She was getting very angry. This woman and her metas felt like a personal threat to Farrow, and the longer she had to think about it, the more she determined that life as she knew it was hanging in the balance here. Farrow was resolute in her intention to remove that threat. A droplet of sweat trickled down her cheek and fell to the already damp dirt below, and thats when she saw it. Movement. The back door opened and out came the coyote again. At the doorway, a humans head peeked out briefly before ducking back inside and closing the door. If she played this right, she could take out the human first, then the canine. Oh, hell yeah, she thought to herself. One shot, one kill. One shot, one kill. She

443/581

resumed chanting the snipers mantra in her mind. After missing out on eliminating three targets three hours ago because of fear that shed give away her element of surprise, she was not going to miss out this time. She didnt care which human it was. It was dead meat next time the door opened. She didnt have long to wait. The coyote finished doing its business and began trotting back to the house. The person must have been watching for the animal because the door opened when it approached. She had half a second to respond to the figure standing only partly exposed. Controlling her breathing to steady herself, she squeezed the trigger and watched happily as the figure spun around with the bullets impact and fell to the ground. It was half in, half out of the doorway with its legs still visible to Farrow.

444/581

The coyote immediately began barking; a piercing, panicked bark that carried over the distance to Farrows ears. She resisted the natural urge to stare at the motionless body that was her first target and instead quickly located the barking coyote in her scope. Again, she took aim. She inhaled slowly, again controlling her breathing, and squeezed the trigger. The coyotes yelp was instantaneous, but he didnt fall to the ground like he should have. Damn it, Farrow cursed herself for missing the kill. She wasnt given another chance. The coyote ran into the house, yelping and moments later, the body of the human was dragged back into the house. The door slammed shut, and all was still. Weighing her options, Farrow decided it was getting late enough for her to prepare her next attack. She was pretty sure that human wasnt Dr. Margo Winter because of the

445/581

size of the frame. She believed it to have been a male; either Dr. Andrews or his son. It wasnt a fat enough shape to have been Dr. St. Paul and Farrow knew of no other persons in the house. She stayed on her belly as she packed her gear quickly and crawled back down the other side of the hill until she was sure she couldnt be seen from the St. Paul house, even with high powered scopes. Because of how remote, dense and inaccessible her location had been, it took her a while to make it down to where she left her motorcycle hidden in the greenery. When she arrived, she replenished fluids and calories, changed clothing, gathered the gear she would need for this next attack and waited for nightfall. She was anxious to get her hands on Margo Winter. Even as she watched the sun get lower in the sky, she thought through all the possible scenarios and savored the idea of finishing little Miss Margo last. She may

446/581

even take pictures with her cell phone to send as a gift back to Dr. Williams. She smiled at the thought. He would really love that! And when she returned to the Facility, he would shower her with honors in front of everyone. If anyone had been nearby they would have swore they heard giggling coming from what looked to be a thickly overgrown section of the mountainside, but no one was there except a deadly Farrow in the bush.

50 Patients Without Patience

What happened? You were shot. What? You were shot, son. We need to get you back to the lab. Why am I on the floor? Cole, look at me. Theo lifted his sons eyelids carefully, one at a time, and flashed a small pen light into them checking for reaction. Do you know where you are? Apparently, Im on the floor, Coles speech was beginning to slur. Whose house is this? Paulies. Do you know what day it is? Um Cole mumbled and his eyes rolled back. Cole!

448/581

What? His voice was groggy. Stay with me, buddy! Stay awake! Okay, gosh stop yelling at me. I just got shot, ya know. Cole furrowed his brows defiantly, blinked twice, then passed out. They were on the opposite side of the house from the lab. Theo knew the others in the house wouldnt hear him if he yelled for help and Cole was much too heavy for him to carry. His eyes scanned the room for anything nearby that could help. The desk in the corner of the room had a plush rolling chair. Perfect! Though he didnt want to let go of the pressure he was keeping on the gunshot wound, he needed to get the boy on the chair and wheel him to the laband he needed to do this quickly. With a strength he didnt even know he had, he pulled the unconscious boy into a sitting position on the chair. Keeping one hand on his sons body to both steady him and

449/581

maintain pressure on the bleeding wound, and the other hand on the back of the chair, he steered as quickly as he could across the house. Theo ran directly to the sliding doors of the lab and cursed the slowness of the doors as they parted for him. He was already yelling to the two doctors inside for help before the second set of sliding doors even began to open. Coles been shot! Margo, Paulie! My sons been shot! Though Dr. Andrews had seen gunshot wounds hundreds of times in the emergency room of his hospital back in Kansas, this was completely different. This was his little boy. He was shaking violently as he rushed his son to the same gurney Meg had occupied hours before. Oh, my God! What happened? Margo had dropped what she was doing, literally

450/581

and came running across the large room to Theo. She helped him lift Cole onto the bed. I dont know. I think he let Maze out to relieve himself andoh, God. Theres so much blood. Did he say anything before he passed out? Paulie was just a few steps behind Margo and was already reaching for saline to start cleaning the wound. No, nothing reallyit all happened so fast. Theo was standing back a little now, making room for the other two doctors to work on Cole. Im starting an I.V., Margo said slipping easily into the role of ER doctor, herself. She reached for the medical cart beside her, yanked open a drawer and found the package she needed. The bullet looks to have gone right through the muscle in his upper arm. A sniper rifle did this; a long range, highpowered, rifleId put money on it, Paulie

451/581

said shaking his head as he continued to assess the damages. Damn, this bullet was traveling at one hell of a velocity, I can tell you that. Hes lucky it missed. Missed? Theo yelled in a flash of anger. Yeah, Theo. The shooter was aiming for his head. Dr. Andrews face fell silent and pale. You done over there, Margo? We need to turn him on his side so I can look at the back. Almost, she said as she grabbed white tape to secure the needle in place and covered the site with a large piece of sterile gauze. Okay, lets roll him. Well, from what I can see so far, the bullet missed the bone. Two inches north and we would have had a blown out shoulder joint. As Paulie examined, Margo set up a blood pressure and heart rate monitor. She

452/581

also finished cutting off the remainder of Coles shirt to get it out of the way. Its pretty miraculous, but the humerus looks intact. Were going to have our hands full putting his biceps back together, though. Never thought Id have to use my skills as an Army surgeon after forty years, but here we are. Theo had found a chair. I should be helping, he said weakly. You are helping, Theo. You pray while we work. Okay? Margo said soothingly. We need to finish cleaning the wound and get started on reconstructing this muscle. Margo, ready with the anesthesia? Yes, sir, she said and handed Dr. St. Paul a syringe filled with a local pain killer. Well, lets get this boy fixed up. Shall we? he said to no one in particular, and began numbing the area. Back in the living room where all the chaos had begun, Maze was crouched under

453/581

the sofa table. He was doing what any coyote would do when hurt. He was methodically licking his wound. Unfortunately, Farrows missed shot hit the wooden door right beside Maze sending an explosion of wood splinters into the air. It wasnt a bullet wound he was nursing; He had several large splinters of wood lodged in his flank, but everyone was so worried about Cole no one thought to look for Maze, and he was hurting too much to go look for them. He whimpered softly as he licked and tried to gently bite at the painful wooden shards. Not until Coles surgery was complete and he was stabilized did anyone think to wonder about Maze. Theo, do you remember seeing Maze? He wasnt hurt, was he? Margo asked. I dont know. Ive been so worried about Cole, I hadnt even thought about Maze. Theo felt guilty for inwardly blaming the coyote for his sons injuries. It wasnt Mazes

454/581

fault. Hes just an animal who was doing as he has been trained. Paulie? Nope, I havent seen the fur ball in hours; Ive been stuck in the lab most of the day, but Ill come with you to look for him. I need to get some food in this old belly of mine, he said, patting his ample middle. With a sinking feeling settling in her stomach, Margo excused herself from Coles beside and began walking the house in search of her daughters coyote. Paulie took a detour to the kitchen to throw a frozen dinner into the microwave. Maze? Maze, come here boy! She waited quietly for the familiar padding of his paws on the tile floors of this Hawaiian house that had become home, but no sound came. She rounded the corner to look in Megs room. Maze? Are you in here? she called.

455/581

In response, she heard a faint whimper from under Megs bed. Maze? What are you doing under there? Margo leaned down and reached to lift the bedskirt. Thats when she noticed the blood stains. Oh, no. Maze, come here boy. Let me see what happened to you. The coyote whimpered again, but didnt move. His yellow eyes glowed in the darkness and if Margo werent sure this coyote was perfectly tamed, she would have thought twice about reaching her hand in to touch his soft fur. Maze growled. Maze! Margo gasped, surprised and quickly withdrew her hand. Whats gotten into you? Honey, I only want to help you. Will you please come out from under there? She spoke to the coyote as though he was a child. He yawned widely, a sign of stress in canines, then whimpered apologetically.

456/581

Cmon Mazie, she coaxed. Crawling, belly to the floor, the coyote made his way slowly out from under the bed. Every movement caused him to moan and yip painfully. Thats my boy. Good boy, Maze. I know it hurts; keep coming. The doctor grimace when she saw his back and hind quarter with chunks of fur and flesh mangled with both dried and oozing blood. Several large pieces of splintered wood were still deeply lodged into his flank. Oh, you poor dear, she cooed softly. Im so sorry, Mazie. Im going to get help, okay. You stay right here. She stood slowly so as not to startle the anxious, hurting animal and hurried to the doorway. Paulie! Come quick. Im in Megs room, and Maze is hurt! Together, the two doctors worked to anesthetize the coyote, clean the wound,

457/581

remove the pieces of wood, stitch up the cuts and start him on a round of I.V. antibiotics. I dont have an Elizabethan collar for him, but we could make one if he needs it when he wakes up, Paulie was saying as they finished cleaning the impromptu operating room that was Megs bedroom floor. Well, hell need to stay tranquilized until we get the full round of antibiotics in him anyway. Im thinking two days will do. She was gently rubbing his ears and stroking his sleeping eyes. He loved it when she did that and if he were awake he would be making the cutest happy noises. Paulie stood slowly and stretched his back. I hate to say it, but Im getting too old for this. He smiled ruefully and made his way stiffly out of the room. We did good, Margo called to Paulie, thankful for his help. The kindhearted, quirky doctor turned and said, Well, were not veterinarians, but

458/581

besides knowing what kind and how much anesthesia to give a sixty-pound canine, this injury was pretty much like treating a human. He smiled wider and added, A very hairy human. Youre the best, Paulie! she called affectionately after him. Youre not so bad yourself, kiddo! he called back. Ill be in the kitchen if you need me. She heard the sound of his sandals getting further away. Margo curled a blanket around the sleeping coyote. Meg is going to be so happy to see you, Maze. Shes coming home, you know! And were going to get her all better so you two can her voice caught in her throat. Well, well all be back together. Weve always been our strongest when were together. She blinked back tears and forced herself to think positively.

51 Infinite Possibilities
Hello? a voice came from outside in the corridor accompanied by a soft rapping. Hello? Is someone in there? Is everything okay? We heardwell, are you all right? More polite knocking. When the wailing continued, everyone on the first floor of the hospital was alarmed. Determined to restore order to her hospital, the charge nurse from the first floor decided to investigate the sounds herself. Having earned her status with years of exemplary service to the Facilitys hospital, she was one of only a handful of staff who had been given a numerical code that would give access to the buildings stairwell down to the basement. This was to be used in emergencies only and in all her years of service at the

460/581

hospital, she had never had a reason to use that access until today when the screams and wails continued to echo through the floor boards. Knowing there was no other room in the basement except this one, the nurse had to assume the cries came from behind the door to which she now held her ear. When only muffled sobs answered her patient knocking, she decided she had no choice but to open the door. She reached down and tried the knob. It turned easily in her hand and sprang ajar. The sobs continued, unaffected by the light streaming in from open door. Not wanting to startle the person inside, she spoke again, Hello? Im a nurse. Can I help you? The dark room became silent for a moment. Then the innocent nurse heard a guttural, animal-like growl reverberate from the far corner. She couldnt see, but she

461/581

could hear and it didnt sound human or meta. Though very much afraid, morbid curiosity commanded her hand flip on the light switch. The moment she did, she regretted it. What looked at first to be a bundle of clothes tossed into the corner was instead a man she didnt recognize. In his arms, he held a girl. He was cradling her thin frame in his arms like a baby and rocking back and forth. When he lifted his face the nurse later swore it was the most horrifying sight she had ever witnessed, and the memory was seared into her mind even as she ran screaming from the room. Upon subsequent interrogation by the Commander himself, she swore she hadnt recognized the man. That she had never seen him before. She described what she saw and felt terrified tears stream down her face during the entire interview.

462/581

The mans eyes were sunken deep into his skull and dead, black like a sharks. He had chunks of hair ripped off his scalp leaving bloody, bald patches, she said motioning to her own head. Swallowing hard, the nurse continued, Blood ran down his face and dripped on the body in his arms, but he just kept rocking back and forth like he was going to sing a lullaby to the woman. He looked monstrous. Shaking, she reached for the bottled water in front of her before finishing. Beside him were vials. I recognized them immediately by their packaging. What were the markings on the vials? the commander asked, though he knew the answer to his question even before he asked it. They were vials of the Infinity Serum, sir. Id recognize that symbol anywhere. The commander removed his piercing gaze from the nurse, clasped his hands

463/581

behind his back and asked, Was there anything else? Did he say anything to you? The girl was so scared her mouth went dry and her heart thumped hard enough to vibrate her vision. Yes, sir. He laughed and screamed something I couldnt understanditit was a different language! Say what you remember of it! The commander was losing his patience with this witness. It was something like: Ego sus-ci-tatio bestia intus. The woman looked up with pleading eyes. And thats when I ran. Commander Oldham closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath. Please wait outside. Ill have a chaperone escort you back to your quarters. The nurse stood and began walking obediently toward the door but stopped halfway there. She turned and blurted, Sir, whats going to happen? Who was he, and

464/581

who was the girl? Did he kill her? Did the serum do that to him? Why Soldier! barked Oldham angrily. He had crossed the length of the room instantaneously and was now inches away from her face. Silence your tongue! You forget your place! he spat. Startled by his reaction, the woman nodded once and left the room to wait in the seats outside the Commanders office. Oldham walked to his desk, picked up the phone and pressed a single button. The woman seated outside my office is to be terminated immediately. Call me when its done. He slammed the phone down and sat at his computer to think. The Director had dosed himself with the Infinity Serum, that much was just confirmed by the nurse. Oldham shook his head, shocked. It never occurred to him that the scientist would react like this. He expected sorrow, surea grieving period where he

465/581

mourned the girl, understandable. But this? This wasunthinkable! Oldham wasnt a scientist, but even he knew that the Infinity Serum was only tested on expendable subjects. Hed heard there was a huge mortality rate during the initial days after a subject was dosed. And even then, each new meta was volatile and unpredictable for a while. Some went on to be added as a cadet to the Facility. Others were too unstable and were considered inadequate for meta training. Those subjects were terminated. But he never knew of the serum to be given to a subject older than fifteen. What would it do to a sixty-five-year-old man? What was Williams thinking? The more he thought, the more worried he became. He flipped open his laptop and typed in the search engine the words the woman had remembered. Of all the sites that pulled up, most of them referred to the words as Latin. Refining his search, he found

466/581

a Latin to English translator. It only took a couple attempts for him to get the general idea of Williams statement. He whispered the translation to himself and worried that he was about to get what he had wished for. Ego suscitatio bestia intus translated to I awakened the beast within.

52 Coming in for a Landing

Okay, I have some good news and some bad news, Alik said after having just spoken with his mom. I was just about to say the same thing, Evan said as he made his way back down the aisle after visiting the cockpit. Farrow played target practice with Cole. She clipped his arm. Mom and Paulie just finished reconstructing his biceps. Hes lucky to be alive. Maze was hurt, too. But thankfully, it was by flying debris from a missed shot and not directly from a bullet. Alik stared at his brother with wide eyes. Evan sat down slowly muttering, I cant wait to get my hands on that Interrupting, Creed said, Cole and Maze are stable. Farrow must be getting desperate if she missed her targets like that. Shes

468/581

usually an expert sniper. This is more telling of her state of mind than anything. What was the good news? Evan asked somberly. The good news is that mom made enough smoke bombs to give us near blackout coverage for probably four minutes, Alik said trying to sound positive. The cabin was quiet for a moment as the metas imagined being partially blinded for four minutes while trying to get Meg safely out of the ambulance and rolled up the walkway and into the house. It was going to be tricky. Evan, whats your news? Whats going on with the pilots? Alik asked. Sighing deeply to clear his head, Evan said, The pilots tell me that were going to begin our decent now. That sounds like good news. Whats the bad? Creed asked.

469/581

Were riding in on fumes, Evan said seriously. Theyve been fighting crosswinds that have taken up more fuel than the flight planner anticipated. What can we do? Creed asked the room. Well, I dont know about you, but Im going to check Megs safety straps for the hundredth time, then strap myself in. He looked over at his brother and nodded. Then were going to pray. All three boys began moving around the cabin quickly in preparation. The speaker hissed awake and the captains voice came on. Well, boyswere in for a bumpy landing, thats for sure. Ive been in contact with the tower and they have cleared the path for us to just come on in. Theyll have emergency vehicles standing by to help as soon as were down. Weve already begun our decent and can see the island in the distance.

470/581

At this time, please make sure the safety harnesses on our patient are secure then secure yourselves into your seats. Were going to do our best to keep this bird behaving as we need her to, and with a little luck we may just pull this off. Its been an honor serving you. Jacobi out. From the windows the passengers saw the ocean move closer and closer into view. From below their feet, they felt the vibrations as the landing gear was deployed and locked into place. The green of the island replaced the blue of the water. The gray of the tarmac was right below them, and then, with the softest of bumps, the tires touched the runway. The flaps were pulled up to slow the plane and just like that, they were taxing casually to the terminal. It all felt so surreal. That was it? Have we landed, or am I dead? Creed asked to the stunned cabin.

471/581

Before anyone could answer, Captain Jacobi came over the speaker laughing, Did you feel that? Guys, that was probably the smoothest landing Ive ever made at this airport. Somehow, a tailwind carried us right to the tarmac and set us gently on the ground. That was the damn-dest thing Ive ever seen! Trainer? Have you ever heard of something like this? Me either! Ill be talking about this flight for the next fifty years! That was awesome! Hang on, the towers calling me and the ecstatic voice of the pilot clicked off. Thank you, God! Alik said aloud. Amen, brother! Moms going to love this story! Evan grinned widely. You kidding? Who wouldnt? Creed said relieved. Williams. Alik smiled. Except him. Creed was unfastening his seatbelt.

472/581

Farrow, Evan added jumping up from his seat and looked at the ambulance waiting for them at the gate. and her. Creed walked over to Meg and gently touched her forehead with his hands. Leaning down he whispered, Hi, beautiful! Were back on land and taking you home. I cant wait to see you smile. Without thinking, he brushed his lips softly against her pale cheek. Hey, nowenough with the mushy stuff. Weve got to get her unloaded and on that bus down there. Alik was so thrilled to be so close to safety, he felt like running the whole way home. The ground crew was opening the special ambulatory hatch that acted as a ramp for Megs gurney when the two captains came back to help. The towers givin me a hard time about them having to pull out all their emergency

473/581

vehicles and personnel for nothing! Ha! They dont believe me that we have zero fuel left on this bird! It really was the most remarkable landing Ive ever been a part of, Mr. Trainer was saying. The two men were smiling and smacking each other on the back like a couple of football players who just threw, caught and scored the winning touchdown. They could afford to relax and celebrate now. They werent on their way to face a furious female meta named Farrow who had personalized bullets waiting for them.

53 Orographic Effects
How did you talk the driver out of giving you the keys to this ambulance? Evan asked Creed as they were cruising down the road with Meg, her gurney and all her medical equipment. Creed smiled. I gave him an offer he couldnt refuse. You dont mean Alik started, frowning. I asked him how much money he made in a year working as a paramedic and gave him double that in cash. Creed glanced over at Alik and Evan, taking his eyes off the road only for a second. Working for Williams, I had access to as much money as I needed to accomplish my objectives. All thats about to be cut off, so I thought Id go out with a bang. I also gave

475/581

the pilots and Missy double their yearly salaries each. They certainly earned it! Nice, Creed! So, how does it feel to be a good guy? Alik teased. Ill feel better once we get Meg healthy, he said changing the tone of the conversation. We all will. What is our ETA? GPS says eight minutes. Its time to text Mom. Is it just me or does it seem to be getting darker? Creed said. Oh, no. Do you see that? Evan pointed upward as they rounded a ridge. Damn it. This isnt good, Alik moaned. Is that a huge rain cloud up there? Creed said amazed at how quickly the weather changed from the crisp blue skies of the airport. Yes. The greatest influencing factor in Hawaiian weather is orographic, and here on

476/581

the Big Island, Paulies house is on the west coastgreat for surfing, but also great for rain bursts. Evan was craning his head out of the window to look upcountry. What is he talking about? Creed asked Alik. Elevation. The higher up on a mountain, the more dramatic the weather. West side of the island is wetter than east side, Alik explained. Those dense, black clouds are already starting to release, Splat! rain. Evan finished and pulled his head back into the ambulance. He wiped the big, sloppy, raindrop from his forehead with his T-shirt. This is going to pose a serious problem. Smoke bombs dont work in the rain, Alik had to raise his voice to be heard over the hugely thick droplets that had begun to splat flat onto the windshield of the ambulance.

477/581

Maybe Farrow will be caught off guard by the rain, too, Evan said hopefully. The other two boys looked back at him with raised eyebrows. Well, one can hope, cant one? Ignoring Evan and his goofy optimism Alik said, We cant call mom now. We have to maintain silence since Farrow is probably listening in on a scanner, Alik said. Do you want me to pull over and wait it out? Creed asked. Its too late. Moms expecting us now and will have already lit the bombsor tried to. Were going to have to just do this, guys, Alik said ominously. They looked at one another and nodded in agreement. Let me cover Meg, Creed said seriously. Were all going to cover her as we push her gurney and run like heck. Leave all the

478/581

medical equipment on the bus. Just worry about Alik was talking a mile a minute. Thats not what I mean. Im saying, Ill be her shield. Ill cover her with my body so any bullets will hit me and not her. Creeds eyes didnt leave the road as he struggled to see through the flapping windshield wipers. Are you serious? Alik asked. Absolutely. Youll have to be careful not to crush her with your weight, and the gurneys going to be really heavy with you on it, too. Youd do that for her? Alik asked, ignoring his brothers logistics. It makes sense, doesnt it? I am completely healthy. I put her in this position to begin with. I can turn off pain, so you guys dont have to worry about me whining like a baby if Im hitand besides, I dont want anything else to hurt her. Ever.

479/581

I think its a good idea. Evan, what do you think? Alik asked his brother while staring at Creeds profile. Hes going to have to help us unload her first. I dont think the gurney could sustain his weight and release its legs and wheels correctly. We dont want to end up on the ground out there. Okay, so as soon as we get the gurney on the ground, release the legs, I climb on, crouch on top of her and cover her as much as possible without hurting her. You guys both run along the safer side of the gurneythe side that is furthest away from the hills and greenery where Farrow will be hidingand roll us all into the house. Sound like a plan? Sounds like one hell of a plan, Alik nodded. Im going to start getting Meg ready to unload. Try to park as close to the house as

480/581

possible, Evan said as he crawled toward the back of the bus. Heck, if I could, Id drive us right to the front door, Creed said. Too bad there are all those giant palm trees in the way. Alik was already unfastening his seatbelt and climbing to the back to help Evan. Well, maybe theyll help supply some cover, Evan said hopefully. You guys ready? Were home.

54 Welcome Home
Of all the times for it to rain! And not just a regular rain shower, oh, no! That would be too simple! Margo peered anxiously through the closed window blinds, talking to herself. It had to be a torrential downpour that exploded right above their heads with no warning! Sure enough, the smoke bombs were useless in the downpour. They wouldnt even stay lit, so Margo gave up after throwing five and watching each of them fizzle pathetically. She had been praying the boys had come up with another plan, because if Farrow were standing nearby with her handguns loaded, as Margo suspected she was, she could do some serious damage despite the rain and darkened skies.

482/581

Margo was so mad at the whole situation she had half a mind to gear up and go after her own assassin, but there was no time. Right now, she had to be focused on helping her children safely in the house. After that, she wasnt making any promises that she wouldnt go take care of the wretched female meta herself! Okay, Margo. Its going to be okay. The boys are incredibly resourceful. Theyll figure something out. Theo was standing beside her trying to calm her down. Just then, as if on cue, the ambulance rounded the bend and came to a skidding stop at the end of the front walkway. Margo watched in amazement as the back doors to the bus flew open and out jumped Alik. He yanked the gurney out of the vehicle and anticipated Evan to catch the other side smoothly. For half a second, the boys were holding their sister stretcher-style before the legs popped down and locked into place.

483/581

Then, amazingly, Creed jumped carefully on top of Meg and laid his body down on her. Oh my, God! Theo was yelling as he watched amazed at what he was seeing. And then came the loud bangs of shots being fired. Pop! Pop! Pop! Handgun shots, Margo thought to herself, just as I suspected. She ran to the other side of the room and yanked the window open just enough. From the back of her waist band she pulled out her own gun. She aimed into the dense thickage, right where she would be hiding if she were Farrow, and pulled her trigger smoothly again and again. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! She was shooting in the dark, literally, but she knew the gunfire would force the shooter into a defensive position, ducking, cowering and hiding between shots. Theo stood with his hands covering his ears watching the whole scene take place as

484/581

though it were an old black-and-white western. Showers of bullets spun through the wet air. Theo flung the door open just as the boys reached it and slammed it shut right behind them. Margo continued to fire into the night for a few extra moments before she turned and looked at her children. There stood Alik and Evan, dripping wet with their T-shirts stuck to their strong torsos, smiling from ear to ear as they helped Creed off the gurney. Now that was one heck of a plan! Thanks for the cover fire, mom! Youre awesome! Alik said sweeping his mother up into his arms even as she held the still smoking handgun. My boys! she yelled and hugged them to her, ignoring how wet they were. Is everyone okay? Anyone hit?

485/581

Im good, Alik said patting himself all over making sure adrenaline hadnt disguised the pain of a bullet wound. Me, too, Evan said inspecting his clothing for blood. Creed? Theo asked. Well, I took at least one, but I shut off the pain, so I dont know if theres more, he said nonchalantly. Dont worry about me; make sure Megs okay first. What? Never mind, explain it to me later. Now, lets get you and Meg to the lab. Margo took on her motherly tone and everyone hurried across the house to the lab. Outside, lying in the mud, Farrow cursed furiously as she struggled to locate her satellite phone in one of her many pockets. She had to tell Williams what just happened. She had to tell him that the whole planthe metas on a plane headed to Germany with the serum to trade for the females lifewas dead.

486/581

The metas were back home on the island and Creed obviously chose his allegiance to them over Williams. As she listened to the ringing, she decided to just leave out the part about the coyote finding the dart. He didnt need to know that. He did need to send reinforcements though, considering she had just been shot in the stomach by one of Dr. Winters random bullets. Farrow tried to ignore the metallic, coppery taste of blood from her mouth, but couldnt. She spat angrily and heard the doctors voice mail pick up. Of all the times not to answer his phone, Farrow thought miserably.

55 The Plasmodium Parasite

We need a current blood sample, Paulie was saying as they were finishing settling Meg back into the lab. Right, Ill collect that myself, Margo said. Her hands worked as efficiently as possible gathering the supplies she needed. Well need to make another thin blood smear so we can estimate the parasite density and hopefully determine what species it is so we can treat her, Paulie was saying much of this so everyone in the room was included in the process whether they had a medical background or not. There are treatments for malaria already, arent there? Creed asked the room. Yes, for the four to seven known species of Plasmodium that have been successfully treated but the trick is to know which species

488/581

infected the patient. With Meg, things get even more complicated because we believe she was infected by a laboratory-grown super-parasitecompliments of Williams. It has behaved differently from anything I can find in documented medical cases, so were trying to determine the appropriate antimalarial treatmentthe sooner, the better, Paulie explained patiently. With her clinical status, clearly were working with a severe manifestation of the disease. Impaired consciousness, anemia, jaundice, seizurethese are all clear indicators of the severity of the disease, Evan concluded. What are you thinking, Evan? Theo asked anxiously without looking up. His hands were busy working on removing a second bullet from Creedthis one located in his side. The first struck his shoulder and was trickier to remove, clean and stitch up than this one.

489/581

Im thinking we start her on a drug combination that is recommended for treatment of severe malaria and see if that cant knock this out of her system. Well keep taking samples of her blood, and watch for confirmation of parasitologic response to the cocktail treatment. It may not kill off the parasite completely, but nothing about what I see in this smear contraindicates that course of treatment, either. Evans voice was steady and calm. He had his face pressed into the viewer of the high-powered microscope where he was studying his sisters blood. Paulie and I were thinking the same thing, but we wanted to wait to double-check a fresh smear and discuss it with you to see if you agreed, Margo said with obvious respect for her sons medical opinion. Take a look, Evan motioned to his mother as he stepped away from the microscope.

490/581

Even at first glance, I can tell the density of the parasite has definitely increased from the sample we were looking at before. Shes getting worse. Margo nodded to Paulie to come look for himself. Evans right, though we havent definitively determined the species; this is beyond doubt a kind of malaria. Her fragile condition demands a presumptive treatment. Paulie nodded to the other doctors in the room. Okay, now to create the cocktail, Evan said. He accessed a members only medical research site and began peeling through the cyber pages for what he was looking for. Both this site and the Center for Disease Control recommend either the combination atovaquone-proguanil or artemether-lumefantrine. They are both considered very effective in treating P. falciparum or Species Not Identified. Evan jotted down those names and their common brand names as

491/581

well on a piece of paper and looked up at his mother. Great, so lets get the stuff and get it started, Cole mumbled from the corner of the lab. They turned and looked in surprise at the patient everyone thought was sound asleep. Theo hurried to his son, smiling widely. Youre awake! Wow, Cole, you sure gave us a scare! His father held his right hand and squeezed gently. Sorry bout that dad. Ill try to never get shot again, he grinned weakly up at his father. Redirecting the conversation he called across the room to Evan, Is that medicine hard to get? Well, it certainly isnt over the counter. Evan looked over at Paulie. Any ideas how we can get this stuff immediately? Im sure I can make a phone call, but the problem isnt going to be finding the

492/581

medicine. Its going to be getting it here, safely. Ill go get it, Creed said casually, as though he just offered to go pick up a pizza. Dont be ridiculous, Creed Young. Youve been shot twice and are sedated! Margo shooed her hand at him dismissively. No sedative necessary, Creed said and sat up effortlessly. I really dont recommend you do anything active for at least five days, Creed. I know youre a meta and heal faster than humans, but you still have to give your body time to recover. Theo had just finished stitching the last hole and was trying to put a sterile dressing on the site, but his patient kept moving. Creed was already reaching for his T-shirt. We dont have time to argue about this mom, Alik was saying. Paulie, can you get on the phone to a pharmacy and have that medicine put together for us?

493/581

Paulie nodded and grabbed the phone from his pocket. Moments later, he was talking smoothly into the receiver sounding very convincing and matter-of-fact about needing to place an order for these medicines. He added some other meds and supplies to the list. He charged the order to the credit card they had on file and sweetly negotiated an earlier pickup time than the standard one hour. He hung up the phone with a grin and said, Okay, the meds will be waiting for pickup at the hospitals pharmacy. Theyll be expecting my courier to come by in half an hour. Smooth, Cole said. I like how you ordered the malaria medicine buried inside an entire list of other stuff so as not to draw suspicion. Clever. He smiled and closed his eyes. His energy was already depleted and though he wanted to stay awake and be a part of what was going on, his body had

494/581

other plans. He drifted to sleep thinking how frustrating it was to be a human. Excellent, Alik said looking at his watch. Well be back in about one hour. Ive got my cell, but Id rather maintain silence in case shes listening. Alik gestured toward outside. Be careful, boys, Margo said hugging Alik first then Creed just as though he were one of her sons. Creed blushed deeply at her obvious display of affection. He couldnt remember being hugged before. Ever. The burst of joy he felt because of Dr. Winters simple hug gave him wings. Sooner we go, the sooner well be back, Creed said determinedly. Alik, Creed and Margo headed out of the lab and back through the house. It was already dark outside. Are you going to be okay, mom? Alik asked realizing his mother was still a primary target.

495/581

She turned to face her sixteen-year-old who stood towering above her. You listen to me, Alik Winter. All you think about right now is getting your sisters medicine and getting home safely. Thats it. Focus. Theres just one meta out there, and Im hunkered down in here. Ill be fine. Without this medicine, your sister will die. Yes maam, Alik said meekly. And though she wasnt even talking to him, hearing Margos sheer determination and spirit when she spoke brought out a yes, maam, from Creed, too. Do you want me to provide cover fire, again? Margo had turned back to the window to peer into the darkness. I was hoping to just sneak out to the ambulance this time, but if she starts shooting, you go ahead and return fire, Alik said calmly. Youre driving Creed? Margo asked.

496/581

The eighteen-year-old boy stood just a couple inches taller than Alik and, though she didnt have time to ponder it right then, she immediately saw the resemblance between the two and wondered how she had missed it before now. In response to her question, Creed pulled the keys out of his front pocket and held them up. Feeling remiss for not already having the opportunity to tell them what she had discovered about their DNA mapping, she heard her voice say, Boys, I know nows not the best time to talk. But when you get back, I need to tell you two something. Uh-oh. Are we in trouble? Alik teased. No! Never mind, I shouldnt have mentioned it, Margo ran her fingers through her hair. Well be right back, mom. Dont worry; well have time to talk, he reassured her. Okay, on the count of three were going to bolt. No strategy except run fast, get in the

497/581

car and drive, Alik instructed. You ready mom? He asked her as she positioned herself at the window, handgun cocked and loaded. I love you, she said affectionately. Alik nodded, Love you, too. Ready, Creed? One-Two-Three! The boys flung the door open and ran to the ambulance. They each yanked their car doors open, jumped in and within fifteen seconds were peeling-out back down the long gravel driveway to the main road. We made it! I didnt hear gunfire, did you? Alik asked. No, nothing. Makes me wonder Creed said, thinking. About Farrow? Alik asked. Yeah, but we can talk about that after we get Meg started on her meds. Now, you wanna tell me where this hospital is?

56 Megs Medicine
Did the pharmacist give you a hard time? Creed asked when Alik opened the door to the ambulance holding a brown paper bag full of the items Paulie had ordered. Nope, he just handed the bag to me and said, Tell Paulie the gang has been asking about him and that he needs to stop by the hospital sometime for lunch. Dr. St. Paul is a popular guy, Creed thought out loud. Im not surprised, Alik said while shuffling through the contents of the bag. Good, her meds are here. I just wanted to be sure. Lets get home. Dont have to tell me twice, Creed said even as he was pulling away from the curb. I hope itll be just as smooth getting back into the house as it was getting out.

499/581

Me too. The drive back to Paulies house was nerve wracking. The sun had completely disappeared past the horizon so there was minimal light to help the boys follow the winding road. Now that the cloudburst had past, the night sky was clearly visible. The bluishwhite moonlight and crisp, starlit diamonds in the sky only left the two feeling small and insignificant. Creed found himself counting the yellow road reflectors strategically placed down the center of their two-way road to calm his nerves. You sure youre okay? Alik had been watching Creeds face tighten. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple causing Alik to feel this uncontrollable urge to scratch his sideburn sympathetically. Startled from his count he almost blurted seventy-two but caught himself. Sure. Im fine; just worried about everything.

500/581

I mean, Alik motioned to Creeds side. Youre bleeding a lot again. Do you feel okay? Creed glanced down at his side and shrugged. Just a couple scratches. Im not worried about me; its Meg that Im thinking about. Shes going to be okay once we start her on these meds, Alik said confidently. How can you be so sure? You dont know Evan like I do. If he says this is the answer, then it is. I trust him completely, and so does mom. And if Meg could give her opinion right now, she would tell Evan to just hurry up and do whatever it is he thought he should do, Alik said smiling at the thought. Not a whole lot of patience in that girl. Creeds face softened at the memory of the first night he met Meg outside the Kansas hospital. She looked beautiful in the moonlightluminous skin framed by long

501/581

dark curls that had a mind of their own. Even from the small amount of time I got to spend with her, I had no doubt she was a handful. Shes a fighter and opinionated, and reacts to everything in Creed paused searching for the right word. Extremes? Alik offered smiling at Creeds interpretation of his sister. Yeah, thats it. Creed was glad for the darkness if only to hide the blush he felt on his face. You have feelings for her, dont you? Alik blurted. Creed didnt have a chance to answer before the world blew up. The ambulance flew off the ground and flipped over sideways so when it landed, it was upside down in a ditch off to the side of the road that had been rigged with an explosive. They had just turned onto Paulies long private drive.

502/581

Aliks head was throbbing. He was suspended by his seatbelt upside down. In his right hand he still held the brown paper bag with Megs medicine, except now his arms were hanging so the bag was resting on the ceiling of the ambulance cab. Moaning softly, he forced his arms to reach back to release his seatbelt. They were numb and as useful with the belts clasp as a mannequin arms would be. Somehow he managed to push the release button and his entire body fell the two feet to the floor (the ceiling) with a sickening thwump. Feeling the blood rush from his pounding head made it clear they had been upside down for at least ten minutes. Ignoring his disorientation, he reached out to Creed who was also suspended by his seatbelt upside down. Creed, Alik whispered not sure if Farrow was nearby. Creed, come on! Wake up!

503/581

Ignoring the silence, Alik reached around Creeds body and found the seatbelt release button with fingers that were tingling as they regained normal blood flow. He braced himself to catch his friend as soon as he hit the button. Oooph, Creed moaned when he landed on top of Alik. Trying not to get squished under the two-hundred-fifty-pound guy, Alik shook him even harder, Dude! Creed. Wake up! We gotta get the hell out of here! Alik was already thinking through his options if he couldnt get Creed to wake up. He could run up to the house with the medicine and get help to come retrieve Creed, but what if Farrow swooped in just then and finished off what the road bomb didnt. No, he couldnt leave him, butMeg would die if she didnt have this medicine. Oh, my God. What do I do? Alik whispered his desperate prayer.

504/581

Well, you could start by helping me open one of these doors so we can get out of here, Creed whispered back, scaring the heck out of Alik. Creed, thank God youre awake! Alik grinned despite his startled nerves. Check your door and see if itll open, cause mines not budging without a fight. Alik pulled the handle and pushed on the door with no results. Creed tried his door and felt it give a bit then caught it before it slammed open. He slipped out of the overturned cab easily despite his injuries then stopped to help Alik out, too. Got the bag? Yeah, lets get moving before my mom tries to come to our rescue, Alik wiped his brow with his shoulder. And I think we should avoid the road in case Farrow left us any other surprises. Agreed. Can you run?

505/581

Yeah. Stay right on my heels. Lets go. Creed lead the way as Alik watched their backs and held on tightly to the bag containing his sisters medicine. Darkness enveloped their feet, but they kept walking toward the lights of the house visible through the thick foliage. Snap! The boys stopped, crouched and listened. That was definitely a twig or branch being stepped on, but the question was, by whom? They exchanged worried looks and continued waiting, but the noise didnt repeat itself. Hesitantly, they began moving again this time walking as quietly as possible. Then they heard another noise. This time it sounded like a thump and a voice let out a noisy breath. Oomph.

506/581

The boys looked at each other confused and shrugged. This didnt sound like the stealth meta soldier they believed was stalking them. This sounded more like Dr. Andrews? Alik whispered toward the sounds. Whos there? a scared, but familiar voice called back. The boys grinned and moved toward the voice saying, Its just usAlik and Creed. Oh thank God, Dr. Andrews sighed, obviously relieved. Your mother heard an explosion and was insisting she was coming out here to check on things, but I talked her into letting me come instead so she could stay with Meg. Alik looked smugly over at Creed and whispered, Did I call it? Yeah, you called it. Called what? Dr. Andrews asked as he patted his sweaty forehead with the sleeve of his white lab coat.

507/581

Never mind, Alik whispered, grinning. What was that explosion? Dr. Andrews asked as they turned toward the house and picked up the pace. Theo was cleaning off his glasses with a tissue from his pocket. The poor man had ripped a hole in the knee of his dress pants and had leaves sticking out of his hair. He was definitely not meant for this kind of work. Farrow left us a welcome home gift on the road. Lets just say the ambulance company may be sending us a bill. Alik glanced behind them anxiously. The hairs on the back of his neck were standing up. Someone was watching them. Creed must not have noticed because he just kept talking softly. Youre lucky you didnt run into Farrow instead of us. Yeah, I know. I wonder why she hasnt jumped out of the bushes. We havent heard a peep out of our friendly neighborhood

508/581

stalker since you all first came back with Meg, Theo explained. I wonder whats going on, Alik mused. Me too, but for now, lets just hurry up. I have the strangest feeling were being watched, Dr. Andrews stopped for a moment, turned back and squinted in to the darkness. No arguments here, Alik agreed, happy to see the house up close again. From the darkness, Farrow grimaced painfully. She was furious at herself for getting shot. Even though the metas were right in front of her, she could not do anything to take them out because of her condition. So, she had regrouped away from the St. Paul home and decided her best effort at this point would be to set some explosives on the road so anyone coming and going would trigger them. And if she were lucky, she thought to herself, she may just be able to pick off one or two of them before Dr. Williams

509/581

arrived with the soldiers he told her he was bringing. What had he called them? His perfecto rez? Whatever that meant. She didnt care what he called them. She just needed backup, and she needed it now. She looked down at her stomach and stifled a moan. Blood was oozing through her makeshift bandage from the gunshot wound. She gingerly pressed her hand against her belly and curled up on the damp earth. Farrow found herself rocking back and forth, instinctively feeling some comfort in the rhythmic motion. And even as tears pooled and spilled over, she began drifting in and out of consciousness.

57 Changes
Time? Margos voice was groggy from her nap in the desk chair. She was rubbing her eyes trying to read the clock ten feet from her. Nine, Paulie yawned. Vitals? Margo yawned back. Stable. Shes looking good. Is it time to draw another blood sample? Nearly. Lets give it another hour. The scientist stood and stretched. You need to go rest, Paulie, Margo patted her friend on the back. I think shes out of the woods, Margo, Paulie nodded slowly. I think youre right. Thank God shes such a fighter. Margo reflexively reached out to stroke her daughters hair.

511/581

She is one amazing little spit fire, isnt she? Paulie smiled widely thinking of the spunky teenager. She has so much life all packed into this small frame. Shes always been like this. When shes awake, her personality just glows around her making her seem twice as large as she is, and then I go check on her in the night, and see her little body barely lift the covers off her bed. Margos heart welled up with the kind of mothers love that cant be explained. Paulie reached around his former student and old friend and squeezed her shoulder encouragingly. You are a great mom, Margo. These kids are lucky to have you. No one could love them more. No matter what happens with that guy, Williams, you need to know you gave these children more of a chance at life than they would have ever had without you.

512/581

Thanks, Paulie, she said. For everything. Not being a man who discussed matters of the heart very often, Paulie shrugged and blushed before turning to head out of the lab. Can I send in a fresh cup of coffee for you? Nope. Im good, thanks. Margo smiled at her daughters still sleeping frame. Okay, young lady. You have slept long enough. Its time to wake up and get back to work. She moved the sheet off Megs left leg and began rubbing it vigorously getting ready to start her daughters physical therapy. Come on sweetie. We have to keep you battle ready, her mom smiled. Margo finished flexing and stretching Megs left leg, laid it back down on the bed and draped the sheet back over it before reaching for her daughters right leg to begin the process again. Her mind was wandering back to the days when the children were little. As a seven-year-old Meggie, loved to

513/581

run around the ranch wearing shortsonly shorts, just like her brothers. She was fearless and headstrong with those large soulful eyes that commanded respect even way back then. She finished working on Megs legs and rolled her chair around to work on her daughters arms. Thats when she noticed Megs eyes were open. Meg? Meg turned her head slightly to look at her mother with those beautifully dark, knowing, eyes. Meggie, its okay honey. Oh, thank God, youre awake! Meg tried to speak but all that came out was a raspy croaking sound. Hang on, honey. Let me get you some water. She hurried to retrieve a cup and slipped a straw in place just as she held it up to her daughters lips.

514/581

Meg looked very worried, but obediently took a few sips before trying to speak again. Her voice was still scratchy, but she was able to get her question out. What happened? Well, youve been very sick for about a week now. We were only able to isolate an antigen for your illness last night. We werent sure it would work but, she grinned widely. Look at you! Youre awake! Sick? Yes, very sick. What is the last thing you remember? Evan told me we werethat I was going to die because of the serum that changed me into a meta. Thats right, and then you left the house and went for a run to think things over. Do you remember what happened during the run?

515/581

Meg tried to remember, but got nothing for her efforts. Margo stood and walked over to a nearby counter where she retrieved an envelope from a refrigerated cabinet. Meg watched her mother sit back down beside her and carefully open the envelope. You were struck in the neck by this. It was tipped with a deadly parasite that quickly began taking over your system, Margo explained, intentionally leaving out much of the details. Meg reached out and took the dart from her mothers hands. In that instant, she felt a rush of emotions. Like a movie being played at twenty times the regular speed, emotions linked with images flooded her, overwhelming her senses and causing her to draw her breath sharply as though she were in physical pain. Meg! Whats wrong? Margo was on her feet and quickly snatched the dart away from

516/581

her daughters hands worried she had somehow been hurt by it, again. Meg couldnt respond right away. She was gulping for air as though she had sprinted fifty-yards. Im calling the others, Margo turned around and grabbed the phone off the jack. Theo, get everyone and come quickly. Megs awake, but somethingsomethings wrong. Hurry! Meg was quieting down, though she was obviously still upset. Meg, can you tell me what just happened? Margos brows were deeply etched with worry. Im not sureI dont know why, but when I touched the dart I could feel what the person was feeling each time they touched it. Images too. Oh, my God, mom. Williams sent a meta to deliver this to me. He called it his gift to me. Meg looked at the dart still in her mothers hand like it was a viper.

517/581

You mean you could feel what Williams was feeling just by touching something he touched? Margo looked awestruck and terrified at the same time. Meg couldnt have agreed more. Yes, but Williams wasnt the only one who touched it. A female metayes, a soldiershe was the shooter. But even before that, there were several scientists atWilliams hospital who created it. Meg reached out to take another sip of water as though she were trying to wash a bad taste from her mouth. Meg, has that ever happened before? What? she said after swallowing a large gulp of water. Have you ever been able to touch something and know its historywho touched it before and what they were feeling when they did?

518/581

Nope. Its all new to me. Meg looked around as though she was just realizing where she was and sat up. Meg, slow down! Youve been in a coma for days! You cant just Margo was trying to push her daughter back onto the bed, but her daughter easily resisted her. Mom, I think I have an idea, but my heads still too foggy. Give me a few minutes to think this through. Ive gotta get out of this, she motioned to the tubes and wires still connected to her. Then she hopped down off her hospital bed wearing only her gown and began detach herself from everything. Margo stood, jaw agape, and watched as Meg yanked out her own I.V., flung the pulse-ox monitor off her finger and peeled off the heart monitor electrodes from her chest.

519/581

Immediately, the warning system Alik had set up to alert the entire house of a Code Red began screaming. Meg turned to walk herself to the bathroom. You can turn that off now, and when everyone gets here, tell them I have to have a family meeting. Theres a lot going on and we dont have much time. Meg closed the bathroom door behind her. Margo hadnt moved, so shocked at her daughters words and actions. She was standing and staring at the bathroom door seconds later when the rest of the family came running into the lab expecting the worst. Where is Meg? Evan called from across the room after seeing the bed empty. Youre not going to believe this, she began. The bathroom door opened and out walked Meg.

520/581

Meg? Oh, my God! What are you doing out of bed? Theo called from behind Evan. Well, I have to get some clothes, for one thing. My tushy is getting far too much exposure in this, Meg blushed and motioned down at her hospital gown. And Im dying to brush my teeth. Everyone meet in the living room in fifteen minutes, please. She called over her shoulder as she hurried past the growing crowd of stunned observers. She stopped dead in her tracks the moment she saw Creed. He had heard the alarms like everyone else in the house and came running. You, she said coolly. As an unplanned experiment, she reached out to touch his hand and received an immediate jolt. Her eyes widened with an instantaneous understanding of the young man standing in front of her. You have come a long way, Creed Young, she surmised.

521/581

Just as surprised as anyone to see Meg up and around, Creed stood with his jaw slack and his eyes wide. All he could think to say was, Meg? Her knowing fingers released his hand and reached to touch one of the holes in his shirt from the bullets he took for her. His eyes followed her hand. Thank you for helping my family, and for helping me. Alik who was standing right beside Creed asked, Meg? How are you feeling? Meg smiled beautifully at her brother, I feel stronger than ever. And before she turned to hurry down the corridor to her bedroom, she demurely grabbed the gown at her back to keep it from exposing any more skin to the eyes she knew were following her. Margo, Theo, Paulie, Alik, Evan, Creed and Cole stood exchanging confused looks for a moment before Cole blurted out, Okay, it could just be the pain killers talking here, but dang, did she look amazing or what?

522/581

Remarkable, Paulie smiled at his fellow doctors. That was the fastest recovery I have ever seen. Meta, or not! Theos eyebrows were still raised in the surprised position. I dont think it was just the medicine working here, Evan said thoughtfully. Boy, you dont know how right you are, Margo said breathlessly. Whats that supposed to mean? Creed asked. Too steeped in thought to answer Creed directly, Evan walked to his computer and began working. I have a theory, butmom, did Meg seem different to you? And I dont mean different from her comatose state. I mean changed from the way she behaved prior to her illness? Evan asked without looking up from what he was typing. Evan, Megs gift seems to havechanged, Margo was still staring

523/581

down the hallway where her daughter was moments before. Changed? Evan asked. He stopped typing and turned to look at his mom. His honey eyes were crisp with excitement. Could you mean evolved? Margo exchanged a look with her youngest son that spoke louder than words. I need to work for a few minutes. Ill meet everyone in the living room; please dont start the family meeting without me. His back was turned to everyone while his fingers flew across the keyboard as if possessed. The group began walking back toward the other side of the housemost of them lost in their own thoughts until Theo broke the silence. Margo, can you tell us whats going on? Let Evan and Meg explain it. I just have a hunch right now, but what I can tell you is

524/581

that Meg is even more vibrant than she was before. Shes stronger, more capable. Megs awake. Creed whispered to his still tingling hand where she had just touched him. He felt a surge of joy and fear all at once as he quietly brought his hand to his lips. True to her word, Meg walked into the living room fifteen minutes later with Maze nudging against her bare feet. She gently rubbed his ears and was careful to avoid his still-tender and healing wounds from just a couple nights before. Maze stared adoringly up at her and whimpered happily at her touch. Fresh from the shower, she was wearing blue jeans and a simple pink T-shirt. In her hands was a towel she was using to squeeze the excess water from her long wet hair. Defiantly, her dark curls bounced right back out of place after being tugged on.

525/581

She looked radiant. The whole household sat expectantly. There was an air about her and everyone in the room could feel it. Meg had changed.

58 I Have Evolved
Thank you all for meeting me in here, I began, but noticed my youngest brother wasnt present. Where is Evan? Im right here, Meg, a voice came from the hallway with the sound of a few quickened steps. Evan was grinning as he sat next to me with papers in his hands. Everyone was staring at me expectantly so I began. I need to ask for your patience while I try something. Ive been out of it for the last week, and I can only imagine at this point all that you have gone through in your efforts to help me get better. Rather than you explain from the beginning what part each of you played in the events as they unfolded, I would like to try something, so please bear with me. I stood and carefully draped my wet towel over the back of my chair.

527/581

May I start with you, mom? I asked. Of course, but what do you need me Nothing. You dont have to do anything. Just let me hold your hand. I smiled reassuringly and reached to take my mothers hand in mine. I closed my eyes and felt the same rush of images as I did when I touched the dart, and again when I held Creeds hand just a while before. But it was different with my mother. I already have such a strong bond with her, that instead of flashing images and corresponding emotions witnessed in my mind, I actually felt her fear and anger. When I opened my eyes and looked up at my mother, finished reading her, I was crying her tears. Oh mom! I love you so much! Thank you for doing everything you could to take care of me and the family. Without hesitation, I pulled my mom into a tight hug. She was smiling at me as though we had a secret we were about to share with the rest of the room.

528/581

I knew she would already understand what I was doing. Our connection was so tight she probably received some of my own emotions and didnt just feed me hers. She knew me and she loved me. With a reassuring nod, she handed me a tissue and let me proceed. And so it went for the next thirty minutes. I held the hands of each of my family one by one and let their memories become part of me. When it came time to hold my youngest brothers hand, he smiled at me widely. Meg, we all knew you were going to be able to focus your empath abilities with practice, but that isnt your newest gift, is it? Evan kept smiling smugly at me. What do you mean, Evan? This is amazing! Ive never been able to read people like this; to just touch their hand and know what they have felt. Not like this. The memory images are so crisp and precise. The emotions attached to the images are exact! I was

529/581

feeling frustrated with my brother, but I forced myself to swallow it down and give him a chance. Instead of reaching his hand out to me he folded his arms across his chest. Why wont you let her read you, Evan? Margo began. I will, mom; just not the way she read you, Evan winked at his mother and returned his gaze to me. I know she can do this, but she needs to know it. Here, he said and handed me the thin stack of papers he was holding face-down. I went to flip the papers over to read them, but he stopped me. No, Meg. Dont read the words on the paper. Hold the paper and read it like you read their hands. Evan, what are you talking about? I asked feeling what little patience I had waning. Meg, think about it. When you first woke this evening, mom was trying to

530/581

explain what happened to you; why you were so sick for the last week. But did she tell you everything you wanted to know? She didnt have to. I said stubbornly. I was starting to feel tired. The excitement of being with my family again was wearing off and now, the fatigue this body felt still from the effects of the illness was undeniable. Why not? Evan asked. Because, I already knew. When? When I held the dart, I said exasperated. So you were able to read the dart? That doesnt make sense, Meg. Evan was egging me on, and I was not happy about it. I was just sleepy. He didnt let up. A dart is just a thing. Its an object. It doesnt have feelings for you to read. How is it that you already knew what happened to you after only touching the dart?

531/581

I dont know how, Evan, I said raising my voice a little. All I know is that when I touched it, I felt everythingeverything the others who had touched it feltat least the way they felt right when they were holding it. Evan nodded his approval. Now, read those papers and tell me what I have been feeling, he encouraged. I sighed deeply and squeezed my eyes shut concentrating on the papers in my hands and feeling a little stupid about it. After a moment of blackness, there it wasmy brother Evan feeling pride and excitement as he held the papers and hurried to meet us in the living room. Several images flashed including snapshot-like images of the words on the pages. These images were obviously captured by Evans memory. The emotions and the snippets of phrases I caught from my mental image of the document made me gasp happily.

532/581

Evan! Oh my goodness! Is it true? I beamed. I think youre living proof of it! He smiled back at his sister and finally allowed her to give him a big hug. All the other faces in the room were looking confused. You two wanna tell us the good news? Cole asked. Evan grinned at me and said, Why dont you tell them, Meggie. Its not a countdown to our death. The calculations made you all think it was a deterioration of our human cells at an advanced rate which you initially believed meant that we were headed toward a fatal end. I paused, not for dramatic effect, but because I felt so choked upso happy to have been given the chance to do all the things I knew I was still meant to do. It is a countdown, but not to death. Its a countdown to an evolution; a

533/581

metamorphosis, of sorts. I watched the faces of my mother and brother change from confused to excited and relieved. Ev, you explain the rest, I said, so happy and tired, I was afraid I was going to pass out from it all. Well, first of all. Meg, you did it! You read using only the papersobjects that themselves have no emotional abilities. Im so proud of you! He gently slugged me on my shoulder in his affectionate atta-girl kind of way. Wait, you all told us we had some time before anything was going to happen. Alik was sitting at the edge of his seat, literally. I believe Megs illness triggered an early onset of her evolution. Its not unheard of in human physiology for such a thing to happen. For example, a severe trauma such as cancer has been known to compel early onset menopause in women, Evan concluded logically.

534/581

So, youre saying that Megs empath ability evolved sooner than it would have because of the malaria and now shes? Cole stopped, looking for the right word. Evolved, Evan answered simply. How do you do it Meg? Paulie asked trying to understand. I mean, I can understand you all having a heightened intelligence and strength. Aliks memory and Evans problem solving skills are all explainable. Even your ability to be in tune with peoples emotions, Meg, isnt beyond belief even from a scientific standpoint. But this evolved ability the doctor waved his hand toward me, I dont understand. Even through the fog of exhaustion hovering around my mind, I felt a surge of frustration and even a little defensiveness. I dont understand it either, Paulie. Its all new to me, too. Can you show us, again? Creeds steady voice asked. He was sitting farthest away

535/581

from the group in a chair against the wall to my right. He nodded reassuringly. I breathed deeply, closed my eyes. Okay, but please be patient with me. Im awfully sleepy and this is a little overwhelming, I began with a disclaimer. Maybe we should start with something entirely different. I glanced around the room and stopped to look intently at Dr. Andrews. Are those new glasses, Dr. Andrews? I asked him. I had noticed he was wearing a pair of glasses with very thick, black rims. At the time, I just giggled to myself thinking how similar my mother and this man were in their taste in eyewear and thought how perfectly matched they were for each other. Theo looked a little surprised and answered, Well, yes, actually. Ive misplaced my old pair, so I had to order these. May I hold them? I asked simply.

536/581

Sure. Theo removed his glasses and handed them to me. I closed my eyes and forced myself to concentrate on the plastic in my hands. These were made in a factory where the Asian worker who assembled them was worried about her bothersome mother-in-law, I said. The room let out a nervous chuckle. You put them on for the first time when you were heading toward Paulies lab. Mom was there. She looked excited about something, but you were thinking about, I paused not wanting to embarrass the doctor by elaborating too much on his thoughts of marriage. how pretty mom looked. She waved you over to a microscope and had you look atwhat is that? A blood sample? Mom is talking fast and holding paper in front of you as if shes trying to explain something. I stopped relaying my mental images because

537/581

I felt Dr. Andrews surprise at what he just learned. My eyes flew open, and I stood abruptly, nearly dropping the doctors new glasses. I looked back and forth between my mother and Theothen to Alik and Creed. Go ahead, honey. You can say it. Theo and I havent been able to find the right time to bring it up, so you may as well put it out there for everyone, Margo shrugged. I reached down and pulled Alik to a standing position. Whats going on? he asked worried. Then I walked us over to Creed and took his hand encouraging him to stand. Put what out there? Creed asked, completely confused with the turn of events that brought him into the spotlight. I couldnt help but smilethis was so amazing. While Mom was studying your blood samples she stumbled across

538/581

something. She determined through your Ychromosomesthat you are brothers. What? Brothers? The boys looked at each other as though they had never seen one another before. Of all theyoure kidding, right? Cole blurted. Are you sure? Aliks crisp, light blue eyes flashed with emotion. Is this a trick? Creed looked around the room as though waiting for the punch line. How in the heck are we brothers? Alik looked over to his mom, pointedly. Youre my brother? Creeds dark-blue eyes were beginning to tear up. Margo spoke over the room, Now, we have no idea how this happened. All we can tell for sure is that Alik and Creed have the same biological father.

539/581

Evans eyes were wide with surprise. This is one heck of a way to prove your ability, Meggie!

59 Perficio Res
Something was going on. Though silence had been ordered across the Facility, every meta knew something was wrong. Even the veteran metasthe instructorshad never known the entire campus to be on lock down before. Sure, theyd all had drills in the past. They practiced fire and disaster drills. They had even practiced how to assemble in case of immediate mobilization. But they had never been ordered to lock down until further notice. Being creatures of habit, the cadets were anxious to get back to their routinewhatever it was they were doing when the first announcement was made over the campus-wide intercom.

541/581

The voice identified itself as Dr. Williams, though it didnt sound at all like the doctor. Everyone listening to the bizarre announcement just assumed the voice was distorted because of the intercom system. The entire campus was ordered back to their barracks, immediately and without exception until further notice. The cadets obeyed, of course, and dropped what they were doing. That was three hours, seven minutes ago. Now they looked out the windows of their barracks in restless hopes of seeing something that would explain what was going on. They murmured to each other possible scenarios that may have brought this on. Some metas couldnt hold still and found ways to entertain themselves by doing as much physical exercise as possible within the confines of their crowded quarters. Others just sat at the edge of their bunks sharpening or cleaning their weapons of choice.

542/581

The crackle of the intercom broke the anxious silence across the campus. The voice that began speaking again identified itself as Dr. Williams, but this time everyone knew something was very different. And it wasnt just his deeper, raspier voice; his behavior and word choice was different, too. But they were soldiers taught to obey their superior officers without question, so they stood at attention and listened. Metas, it is with great pride that I speak with you on this momentous day. All your diligence, your training, your expertise; all your loyalty and dedication to physical and intellectual perfection, everything you have worked so tirelessly for is to be called upon now, in our hour of need. Yes, my meta children, we are in grave danger as there are those outside these walls who hate us and want to exterminate us. Though I have known of thisterrorist cell

543/581

for years, I had hoped I could change their thinking. But alas, no. Despite years of earnest due diligence, patience and forgiveness of transgressions, it was made abundantly clear today that our love of mind, body, spirit and earth is now threatened. This terrorist cell that means us harm is mounting their forces even now. Theyre building an army, but they are going to fail in their attempts to cause us harm because they have evil in their hearts. They hate you for your perfection. They believe metas are freaksborn of a labwith no heart or soul. They blame their self-loathing on you. So they have convinced themselves to ease their suffering, to balance the scales, mass metacide is the answer. Do not fear, my children. I have foreseen their sinful stratagem and have prepared for it. If there is a battle they want, then it is a battle they will get. The first

544/581

platoon of metas leaves at oh-eight-hundred tomorrow. Tonight there will be a preflight meeting. If your name is called, you are to be proud; you are my Perficio Resmy perfect beings ready to fight the oppression come to hunt us. I began moments ago by telling you how proud of you I am, but pride doesnt even come close to explaining my devotion to you, to all of us and to our way of life. We have created what the human species has not: a perfect, orderly, powerful civilization of superior beings. We have never before had to demonstrate our power to the outsiders, but they leave us no choice. We will be teaching them a lesson they will never forget! Dr. Williams voice resounded triumphantly off the concrete walls of the barracks. The metasoldiers who previously stood in abject silence, horrified at the thought of outsiders wanting to kill them because of

545/581

their way of life, now were yellingroaring with excitement! Their frenzy didnt cool as the names of the Perficio Resthe first strikewere called. After each name, the barracks screamed in bloodthirsty pleasure, then quieted just long enough to hear the next name called. Thirteen names in all were summoned to meet in the lobby of the hospital building in precisely fifteen minutes. From his hospitals fourth floor, Dr. Williams pressed the yellow button on his landline phone, ending the intercom communication with the entire campus. He watched with dead eyes as his soldiers scurried around ground level. He saw them nod respectfully to those who were heading to the hospital because they had been handpicked for this auspicious mission. He turned around and checked the white table to be sure it looked as he wanted it to. There were thirteen syringes, each filled with one dose of the Infinite II serum. A simple .5

546/581

milligrams turned a human into a metajust like every meta walking around his campus right now. These thirteen men and women he summoned were already treated with that first .5 milligrams. This syringe was filled with precisely .5 milligrams of the Infinite II serum. Once dosed, the soldiers bodies would house twice the amount of serum required to change a human to a meta. Satisfied the room was ready, he walked out and headed toward the elevators. He didnt want to keep his guests waiting. Besides, they had a lot of work to do in a short amount of time. Even before the elevator reached the first floor of the hospital, the metas were standing at attention, staring straight aheadsilent, strong and keyed-up. Dr. Williams could smell their anticipation the moment he stepped into the lobby. He smiled at the raw anger, inhaled the blind trust and watched the red heat glowing off his soldiers.

547/581

Thank you for coming, this evening, cadets, he began. I know you have questions and concerns, and I appreciate your trust that I will explain everything to you in due time. For now, please, stand at ease. He watched as the line of soldiers stepped out with their right feet and clasped their hands behind their backs in the customary relaxed position. As they did, they allowed themselves to look at the Director. To their credit, they did not gasp in horror; only their eyes widened in surprise at his horrendous change in appearance. I realize how I must look to you. My apologies. In my efforts to correct the current situation with the terrorist cell, this is what happened to me. Dr. Williams removed the black fedora hat from his head so everyone could see and know. He looked normal from the neck down. As always, he was wearing a custom, tailored

548/581

three-piece suit. This particular one was black with faint pin-stripes. He wore black gloves, so the condition of his hands was not clear. What was clear were the injuries to his skin from the neck up. His face was swollen and glistened painfully red. His eyes were bloodied and wept uncontrollably so the doctor had to dab them with his monogrammed handkerchief. His scalp was a mangy mass of bloody bald skin and tufts of white hair. Blood was seeping down his swollen neck and stained the white collar of the button down shirt he wore. He looked as though he must have been in a tremendous amount of pain, but if he were, he didnt show it. Casually, Dr. Williams returned the black hat to his head and said, You can see we are dealing with a heartless enemy. Again, he dabbed his weeping eyes. Please dont worry about me. I am being cared for by our excellent doctors here at this

549/581

hospital. He waved as though motioning to the physicians, but no one else was in the lobby with them. The soldiers forced themselves to look away from the gruesome sight that was their leader. All of them, except one, that is. Noticing this, Dr. Williams walked over to the soldier. He was the last in the line and instantly recognizable to the doctor. Gavil Young. I did not call you here tonight, The doctors voice changed from its former soft raspiness to an angry growl. Spittle flew from his bloated, red lips right into Gavils face. Without flinching Gavil replied, Sir, I want to fight, and I will go wherever you send me. You want to fight? Why should I trust you again, Mr. Young? You failed me in California when you didnt kill M57 at the Institute, and you dishonored yourself in the

550/581

Retribution Match against your own little brother! Youre lucky I let you live! You have let me live because you know I am of value to you. This team needs a leader, someone who can think for themselves when the need arises. They are drones, I am an individual. Let me lead this group to right the wrongs done against youagainst all of us. I will not let you down, sir. You will be avenged, Gavils gaze was unwavering and determined. Inhaling deeply, Dr. Williams smelled something about this boy. He smelled intense hatred that stung the nostrils like acid. His facial expression changed at this and he smiled. Yes, Mr. Young. I do believe you have a score to settle. Your fervor may be exactly what I need for this mission. The doctor smiled his approval at Gavil revealing bloody gums. Gavil smiled back. Well, excellent, he said, then addressed the room. Our meeting will continue

551/581

upstairs on the fourth floor. Please follow me. Gavils excitement was hard to contain. He knew Williams had great things in store for him and he couldnt wait to get started. The other thirteen metas whispered softly to one another as the elevator moved up, but Gavil stood apart from them. He wasnt here to make friends or even be civil; he was here to command and be feared. It all started now and he could taste the venom of it churn in his mouth. It was delicious. Once inside the laboratory, Dr. Williams began explaining briefly what it was they were about to do. You see, children. My scientists have continued work on various subjects here on the fourth floor of this hospital. Our science has gone beyond and what is now considered standard operating procedure to us is still unknown and unaccepted outside the walls of our Facility. He was pacing the room,

552/581

gloved hands clasped behind his back as though he were giving a lecture at a university. One of the areas we have been studying is the effects of our Infinite II serum at different dosages. If X amount of the serum turns a human into a meta, then what does two times X do? Or three times X? Do you see what I mean? He stopped and looked up at his students checking for understanding, as any good teacher would. Satisfied with their facial expressions, he continued. What we found is that two times X increased the performance dramatically. The strength and intelligence factors nearly doubled. Also, a very interesting theory about Infinite II came to light. Listen carefully, my children because this is very important. He paused to look pointedly into each set of eyes watching him. His students sat motionless, completely focused on what the doctor was about to say.

553/581

The theory states that the Infinite II serum, in a certain dose, is able to exaggerate the subjects natural personality traits, he said slowly so to be sure his audience had time to process the meaning of his words. For example, if a human child came to us as a subject and they already had a propensity for athletics, once dosed, they would be a physically gifted meta who could outperform other metas in athletics. He continued to watch the faces of his audience. He was looking to see who was able to take this new knowledge and quickly apply it to themselves and those around them. He was checking for the highest levels of thinking in his students. It was no surprise to Dr. Williams when he saw it was Gavil who showed the clearest understanding of this theory and its effects even with this minimum amount of information. He smiled at the thoughts he knew were going through that violent metas mind.

554/581

If a human child was good at reading peoples body language, tone of voice and word choice, then as a meta they might be able to Read someones mind, Gavil finished in a whisper. His thoughts were replaying the events with the female meta M57. Precisely, Mr. Young, Dr. Williams beamed with a sick sense of pride. Right now I want each of you to think about yourselves. What seems to come naturally to you more than others around you? Now imagine doubling or even tripling that ability. Williams smiled as he watched each of his chosen. Gavil spoke out, What happened to the subjects who were given three times the dose? Ah, now youre thinking! The doctor tapped his temple with his finger and didnt notice when it came away bloodied.

555/581

Three times the dose did one of two things. Either it a) tripled the subjects strength, agility and fighting skills, or b) it killed the subject within forty-eight hours. However, all of these subjects were very difficult to command. Its as though they changed into mindless animals. None of them were stable enough to be released into the Facility. They were useless as soldiers and therefore terminated, Dr. Williams said coolly. What Im offering you, cadets, is a very special opportunity not only to defend your meta family and our way of life, but also to become more. He stepped aside and motioned to the table full of syringes. Now that you know the effects, you may choose to inject yourself with the Infinite II serum. Each syringe is already perfectly measured and waiting to give you more strength, more power and more of your natural abilities. The choice is yours. He

556/581

stepped back from the table, as though respecting their individual decisions in the matter, but knowing full well what they would do. Without hesitation, the original thirteen metas stood up from their seats, walked to the table, picked up a syringe and injected its contents into their own meaty arms. Gavil remained seated. Oh, Mr. Young. Do not worry, I will personally prepare your syringe. He turned toward a refrigerated cabinet and retrieved a bottle with the Infinite II symbol printed clearly on the label. He removed a fresh syringe from its packaging and began measuring carefully the exact amount. When it was to his satisfaction, he laid it carefully on a blue surgical sheet and stepped back motioning for Gavil to help himself. All eyes were on the last meta as he took the syringe and confidently located a vein in which to dose himself. Once he was done, he

557/581

looked at each of the metas sitting in front of him then back to Dr. Williams. He could feel the cold of the serum slipping up his arm and into his chest. It felt awesome. My Perficio Res, the doctor cooed at the fourteen soldiers. Youll all begin to feel the effects throughout the night. By morning, well be ready to discuss the logistics of this mission as were en route. Meet me in the courtyard at oh-eight-hundred. Our flight leaves promptly at oh-eight-thirty. You do not need to bring anything as I will have the plane stocked with supplies. Sir, what is our destination? A meta named Slider, who had no memory of a life outside the Facility, spoke for the first time. That all depends on our target. For now, were heading to the Hawaiian Islands. Dr. Williams smirked.

60 Were Better Than That

An hour or so after the big revelations, the family was still talking, but I couldnt keep my eyes open. I dont think people will understand, Theos voice sounded far away. He continued, What I mean is, we know you four. We love you and accept you just as you are. But if anyone out there knew of your abilitiesor your potential abilitiesthey could be very skeptical of your motives. Powerful people could try to manipulate you for their own purposes. Theyve already tried, Evan said with an edge of anger in his voice. Exactly. You could be ostracized or worse, hounded. We have never really discussed the social ramifications of these beyond-human characteristics you all

559/581

possess. Weve been so wrapped up in just staying away from Williams and his hunters. Theo stopped talking, and the room was silent. Then I heard my mom say: We do not need to worry about that, Theo. All we need to do is keep our eyes and hearts to heaven and let God take care of what is out of our control. Well said, mom. Alik sounded pensive. Shes out, Creed nodded toward my sleeping body. Ill carry her to her room, if you all dont mind, Creed asked hesitantly and looked to Margo for approval. Sure, Creed. She needs her sleep. Its been a very busy few hours since she came back to us. Creed walked over to my sleeping body and effortlessly lifted me up and off the couch, carefully tucking my head in the crook of his shoulder. He smiled contently at my closed lids, so familiar to him after a

560/581

week of watching me sleep, and walked out of the living room back down the hallway to my room. Can you really trust that guy with her? Cole said in a not-so-quiet voice moments after Creed was out of view. Cole! Im surprised at you! Margo gently chided. If Creed were a threat, dont you believe Meg would have read that of him? I still dont like the idea of him being alone with her, he mumbled to himself. Margo looked outside the window into the darkening sky. I wonder why we havent heard anything from that female meta in a while. I heard enough from her, thanks, Cole grimaced slightly at his shoulder as he tried to stand. Im just gonna go check on Meg. I dont know, mom. We havent heard from her since we ran over her land mine in the driveway. So its been, what, twenty-four

561/581

hours? Evan walked over to refold Megs wet towel and place it back on the chair. I want to go look for her, Margo said as calmly as if she had said she wanted to go look for a missing sock. Look for her? Youre kidding, right? Theo was studying Margos face trying to read her. Youre not kidding, he answered himself.

61 We All Make Choices

Dang it, Margo! I hate it when you put yourself in harms way for no good reason! Why on earth would you go out there and look for the person who was sent to kill you? Theo was exhausted and frustrated. With a deep sigh, Margo stood. She was tired, too, but she was also decided. Because she might be hurt and need help. Good! Good, I hope shes hurt! Then maybe shell leave us alone! You dont mean that, Theo. Margo walked to the closet and retrieved a flashlight she knew to be kept there. Why not? She shot my son, Margo! And she shot my daughter with a deadly malaria parasite. And she shot at all the children and hit Creed twice and heckshe even hurt Maze. But Theo, we cant just leave her

563/581

out there to die. Thats what Williams would do. That is wrong, and we are better than that. Margo remained standing, shoulders back and resolved. Evan and Alik quietly stood during the exchange and were now on either side of their mother, protectively. Dont worry, Dr. Andrews. Well bring her back safely. Aliks voice was steady. Evan nodded in agreement. In that moment, the two human men, Pauliewho had stayed out of the most recent conversationand Theo, were both struck by the magnificence that was Evan and Alik. They were both so much stronger than their mother. Alik looked like he could squash the life out of anything that stood in his wayso tall and built like a bodybuilders trainer. Evan had been growing like a radish seed. He stood nearly as tall as his brother now, and had a naturally athletic, runners body. He was lean, but muscular with

564/581

chiseled facial features that were beginning to need a good shave. Paulie and Theo said nothing more, so struck were they by the gravity of the moment. Margo looked up at both of her boys who followed her without question and smiled. Lets go find her, boys. The three walked out of the house and closed the door securely behind them. I dont know about you, but I have a wicked headache coming on. Paulie stood slowly and stretched, looking suddenly, all of his sixty-six years of age. Gotta go get some medicine or itll turn into a migraine. The old doctor shuffled out of the room leaving Theo alone. He held his head in his hands and tried to breathe deeply. How could he get her to understand he only wanted to protect her? Sighing deeply, he stood and walked to the window, hoping to watch for her to return

565/581

soon because he wasnt going to be able to think about anything until she did. Outside, the sunlight was fading fast. Not sure how to proceed, Margo lead the boys to where the gunfire originated the night they brought Meg home. You didnt have to be a tracker to see the bullets stuck in tree trunks and remnants of a makeshift nest where the shooter had stayed. Nor was it difficult to conclude she had been shot. There was a bloodstained, army-green cloth tossed carelessly to the ground nearby. Shes hurt. I must have hit her that when I shot blindly into these bushes. Oh my goodness, I hope shes not Margos voice caught in her throat. Shes a meta, mom. Wherever she was shot, she has a much better chance of survival just because shes stronger and probably a faster healer than a human, Evan said encouragingly.

566/581

Well find her, Alik said confidently. Shes a soldier, trained to survive. She probably had a campsite with supplies hidden not too far from here. Didnt you say the snipers shots came from up there? Alik pointed to the hill north of Paulies house. Yes, I think so from the angle Cole was shot, Margo nodded. Okay, lets try that way. Alik began walking toward the hill. Not wanting to draw attention to themselves, they decided not to call out to the injured girl. If she were okay, then she surely wouldnt answer their calls anyway. If she were seriously hurt, she was probably unable to answer their calls. Either way, yelling Farrow, where are you? across the hills of the Big Island smacked of a bad idea. So instead, the three kept watching for signs of the girl. They didnt have to go very far.

567/581

Twenty yards from the first nest they found was a secondexcept, this one was more like a ditch between a large boulder and a tree root. There was the girl, still dressed in camo fatigues, curled up in fetal position. Oh, dear God, Margo said softly. Evan and Alik exchanged worried looks. Farrow? Honey, are you okay? Leave it to mom to act as though she found a lost camper instead of a deadly assassin, Alik thought but said nothing. Farrow didnt move. Margo climbed down closer to the girl and tried to rouse her again. Farrow? Farrow, wake up. Were here to help you. Again, there was no response. Evan and Alik climbed down in to the crevice to help. Evan, ever the doctor, reached down with his two fingers and tried to find a pulse in the girls neck.

568/581

Her pulse is weak, but its there, Evan said. Look at her stomach, Alik cringed sympathetically as he could see from his angle a blood soaked area on the front of her fatigues. Her hands were holding her stomach, as though she did her best to stop her own bleeding. Oh, goodness. Shes a mess! Margo breathed worriedly. Alik, can you carry her? Sure, but lets make sure shes unarmed first. Id hate to get stabbed with a hunting knife on the trail. Carefully, Alik lifted the girl out of the mud that occupied the floor of her nest and held her while Evan and Margo checked her for weapons. They found several and removed them from the metas person. Not wanting to think too much about how beautiful the girl was underneath all that face paint and blood, Alik focused

569/581

instead on the trail ahead of him. They made quick time back to the house. When they reached the front porch, Dr. Andrews opened the door to let them in. You found her? Shes hurt, Theo. I think I shot her in the stomach and shes been like this for twenty-four hours. Margo was trying hard to stifle tears of guilt. We have to get her to the lab, now! Ill scrub in, Theo heard himself say. Shes going to need surgery.

62 What Were You Thinking?

The nagging ache in his left arm made him sour. The painkillers were wearing off, and all he could think about was trying to stop the throbbing. Just standing up from the living room couch pushed tears into his eyes. Though he planned to go check on Meg and Creed like he said to the others, he couldnt stand being thought of as weak by Creed. Especially when the meat head was sporting two bullet wounds he received acting as a metashield for Meg, and acted as though they bothered him less than a mosquito bite. Damn it! Cole reached the scrub room of the lab and tried to follow the rules by washing his hands before entering the clean room. Trying

571/581

to tear open the scrub package using his teeth and good hand just brought more tears to his eyes. Angrily, he threw the brush into the trash and walked, with dripping hands, into the lab. He knew his way around well enough to know where the meds were stored. As he walked to the back of the room toward the cabinet, it occurred to him it may be locked. He was in so much pain he hadnt even stopped to ask his dad for help. Thats not true, he admitted to himself. He hadnt stopped to talk to anyone because he was sick of needing to ask for help all the time. Watching Creed sweep Meg off her feet, literally, while Cole couldnt even open a bottle of ibuprofen made him feel more than emasculated; he felt helpless, stupid, useless and unworthy. These thoughts were swirling around in his head when he reached out to try the cabinet door.

572/581

It popped open. He remembered his dad pulling out an orange bottle with large, oval, green and pink pills. The name of the med escaped his memory, but it started with the letter M. Inside the cabinet were dozens of bottles and vials. Cole assumed the one he was looking for would be near the front, considering it was just used a few hours before. Shuffling through the items, pushing some aside and pulling some to read, Cole began to feel an itch of panic that he couldnt find the painkiller. Come on! He spoke to the cabinet as though it had intentionally hidden the pills from him. And thats when he saw it. At first, he thought it was just another vial of some unknown liquid and was already shoving it aside to look behind it before he realized what it was. The meta serum.

573/581

There it was. Right in his hands. The vial was labeled Infinite Serum and someone, probably Evan, had bothered to draw that symbol they all had etched into the back of their necks: Evan, in his haste to help Meg, had asked Alik to put the serum he was still holding from the plane trip, into the refrigerated medicine cabinet. In his defense, neither Evan nor Alik had thought anyone in the house a threat to take the serum. And yet, here was Cole, holding the vial as though he had just found his Holy Grail. Two thoughts rushed into his still aching mind. One, this was his answer to everything. He would be stronger, smarter, heal more quickly and worthy of running with Meg and the other metas. Finally, he would be an asset and not a liability. He could be a contender. And two, no one was around to stop him.

574/581

He grabbed the vial and closed the cabinet door. His mind was racing. He was trying to remember anything he had overheard when the others spoke of the serum, like how much was a dose and how it was given. He opened the first two drawers he saw looking for a syringe. He was pretty sure he remembered that much. This was to be given by needle, not swallowed. What he didnt remember was how much of the serum he was supposed to take. He looked at the bottle carefully. There was only a small amount of fluid inside to begin with; it looked to be about one teaspoonful. Sharp pangs pierced his arm forcing him to steady himself against the countertop. When he opened his eyes, all he could see was stars bursting. He blinked deliberately trying to get his vision back. Once the stars dissipated, he continued his search for a syringe. In the fifth drawer, he struck gold. Again, using his teeth and

575/581

good hand, he tried to rip open the foil packaging that housed the clean needle. Having watched his father work over the last sixteen years, he had a pretty good idea what to do next. He punctured the top of the vial with the needle, tipped the whole thing upside down and pulled the syringes plunger down, extracting the fluid from inside the vial, filling the syringe. He only stopped when he saw the syringe was beginning to pull in air instead of fluid. He separated the syringe from the vial, held it up to the light and tapped it against the corner of a cabinet, forcing the bubbles to the top. Cole then squeezed the plunger back in slowly forcing the air out of the needle tip. There was exactly .5ml of the serum in the syringe. That sounded like a good amount to Creed, who was just trying to hold himself together long enough to get this serum into his bloodstream.

576/581

Cole yanked his short-sleeved shirt up higher, exposing the flesh at the top of his left shoulder. His whole left arm hurt so badly. Coles last human thought was: The faster I do this, the sooner I will stop feeling so much pain. He quickly jabbed himself and pushed the plunger down, emptying the contents of the syringe into his muscle. He yanked the needle out, felt an uncontrollable wave of nausea, began shaking violently and saw blackness close around his line of sight until there was nothing. Some forty minutes later, when Theo, Margo, Evan and Alik came running into the lab with Farrow barely hanging on to life, they nearly tripped over the body of Cole Andrews. It didnt take but a cursory glance at the scene to realize what Cole had done to himself.

577/581

THE END

If you enjoyed the first two books of Winters Saga, I hope youll recommend them to your friends and take a moment to help maximize their exposure on Amazon.com by writing a quick review. Thank you for traveling on this roller coaster ride with me. It has been, and continues to be, an honor.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I have several spots throughout the house where I go to curl up with my laptop to write, but no matter where I am, as long as Im surrounded by my husband and kids, Im at peace enough to go create turmoil in the world of my Winter Clan.

579/581

Usually I have a glass of sweet tea within reach to remind myself to drink something once in a while. I get so caught up in my stories; the world around me easily melts away as my fingers tap frantically trying to keep up with my imagination. Strategically chosen music is loud (probably too loud *blush*) and pulsing through my earbuds. I have a giant iTunes library at my finger tips sorted by the emotions the songs bring out in me. What can I say? Im deeply affected by music, so I use it as a catalyst to help me create. Im thankful to my family for being so supportive of me as I do tend to forget the world when Im in the zone. (Thats what my husband and kids call it when Im deep in thought, writing.) Thank you for reading my books, by the way. Your supportive reviews, comments and

580/581

emails mean the world to me! Keep em coming, please!

Hugs, Karen

Visit Karen Luellens page www.goodreads.com/karenluellen Email at karen.luellen@gmail.com

at

Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ winters.saga Twitter @LuellenBooks

@Created by PDF to ePub