Chapter 2
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Thank you very much to Wren Pheonix for help editing and as always a special thank you to Lillith Langtree for creating The Center. Without which this story would have never come about. *Hugs* for you both.
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"Are you sure you wanna take him to a hospital Kris? Couldn't the doctor or Liz take a look at him when we get back to The Center?" Ray questions.

"And what if he is bleeding internally Ray. Do you think we'd know? Those jerks broke his leg. No telling how hurt he really is. No, we need to get him checked out first. I will not let him die because we delayed getting him treatment."

The ride to the hospital was pretty quick. Okay, how am I going to find out what's going on if they won't talk some more? That's just rude. And what is this place she talked about? The Center? Sounds like prison to me. I feel a small tickle at the base of my skull. Just then I hear a girl's voice in the back seat next to me.

"He's awake, Kris." She waits ‘til I open my eyes a crack. "And it looks like he has been for some time."

The girl in the front passenger seat turns around. "Oh, doing a little spying, are you? How are you feeling?"

I just stare are her.

"Not very talkative are you? My name is Kristyn Keys, but everyone calls me Kris." Pointing to the girl who just spoke, she introduced the others. "That's Lily, and that's Ray."

Looking at each, I notice Ray first. His lime green hair kinda stands out. That can't be natural. I wonder if he dyes it. Lily gives me a small wave and Ray nods. I turn back to Kris.

"How do you know me?" Suspicion clearly written on my face.

Kris sighs before responding. "I was hoping to have this talk when you were patched up." She tells me about the water bottling accident, about the Center. I nod for her to continue.

"So when our mothers drank the water while they were pregnant, something happened to us. We each developed an ‘ability’, for lack of a better word."

I look skeptically at her. "Okay, so you got super powers cuz our mom's drank the magic water. And now you're telling me I'm the same."

"Basically yes. And if our sources are correct you are going to be an empath."

"Empath? What's an empath?"

"Empathy is the ability to sense others feelings, also with enough strength you will even been able to push your emotions on others."

Joy, everyone gets a super power and I get a touchy feely one. I don't like dealing with my own emotions and now I'm going to be sensing what everyone else feels too. Could this day get any better?

"So, what can you do?" I ask her.

"I'm a electrokenetic. It means I can control electricity. Lily is a telepath she can read peoples' minds. And Ray is a mimic."

"Mimic?"

Ray pipes in, "Yes a mimic. If I see something done I can do it too."

"Anything?"

"Just about. I can't copy others powers, but basically yes anything."

"How do I know you're telling the truth. This could all basically be crap you are making up."

Kris smiles, "How about a quick demonstration. Look at my hand. Do you see any hidden wires or anything?"

I look closely at her hand, not seeing anything but a smooth palm.

"Nope. I don't see anything."

Still smirking, Kris releases a little of her power getting a spark to jump across her palm.

This is getting weird Red. Should we trust them? If what they say is true and Matt is an empath... Vickie lets the statement hang.

I don't know Vickie. It would explain why our mother died, not that that helps us any. Yea, he's not one to deal with his emotions. If things go bad...We'll have to do our best to protect him.  

Reaching up I rub my temple. Seriously why is it every time I hear those two, I get a headache? That's getting old fast.

Lily frowns as I rub my temples. "Headache?"

"No. I just like to rub my head. Yes, I have a headache."

Shhh, if it's true and she can read minds we can't let her know about us yet. Vickie whispers.

Cocking her head to the side, Lily continues to stare at me.

"What's your problem?" I respond angrily.

"Oh, it's nothing, Matt. I thought I just heard something."

Luckily this weird conversation ends. We've arrived at the hospital.

---

Ray carries me inside and up to the front desk.

"Matthew! What happened? Are you okay? Who are these people?" The head nurse fires off questions.

"Yes I'm fine. I had a little run in with a wall. Nothing serious. I guess you're going to have to call my father right?"

"Yes of course! Why wouldn't we? He'd be worried sick! Let's get you examined. The rest of you will have to wait here."

Ray gently lowers me into the wheel chair a nurse brings in. They wheel me into the back to get an x-ray on my leg to see the damage. While I'm gone Kris continues talking to the nurse behind the counter.

"So how do you know Matt?" She casually asks.

"He's in here pretty often. We all see him from time to time. It's just so sad."

"What's sad?"

"Umm, nothing. I really can't talk about a patient's records with strangers. I'm very sorry."

"It's alright. I was just curious."

"So, he's been here quite a few times. Only I have a feeling that they haven't reported every incident. I wonder why." Kris ponders as she walks back to Ray and Lily.

"They're taking a look at his leg, but it's definitely broken. And what's with the looks you were giving him in the car Lily?"

"I don't know. It's weird. I could tell he was awake, but even when I tried to read him I couldn't get anything. And the weirdest part, for just a second I thought I heard a voice.

"A voice?"

"Yeah, I don't get it either. We have to keep a close eye on him. Something feels off, but I can't put my finger on it."

---

I just finished getting an x-ray on my leg, chest and face. Looks like my leg is broken just below the knee and I have a cracked rib. Lovely, another cast and trouble breathing. Weird that I haven't had any trouble breathing yet.

"Matt, we're going to have to put a cast on the leg and wrap your ribs." The doctor tells me.

"Yea, I know the drill."

"So, what really happened? That must have been some wall."

"Look, I don't want to talk about it." I reply.

"Fine, but listen, I think I have a pretty good idea on what really happened. You need to report him to the police. One of these days he'll do more than this. He could kill you Matt."

I smile sadly, "Best news I heard all day. Thanks. So can we just get this over with and put the cast on."

With a sigh, the doctor goes and prepares the mixture for the cast and he starts.

---

Kris, Lily and Ray are over in the waiting room discussing how to handle this change to the plan when Matt's father comes sprinting through the front doors. Panting as he arrives at the nurses' station he demands to see his son.

"Please, stay calm. Matt's fine, they are just putting a cast on his leg. He's in room 109. You can go back and see him."

With that he rushes off down the hall.

"Kris, there's no way we can take him with his father here. We need a plan." Ray says.

Just then, two men walk into the hospital. They walk straight for the nurses' station and present their badges.

"My name is Detective Johns. This is Detective Adams. We are here to see Matthew Morris."

The nurse looks at the badges. "What are you guys doing here? We haven't even had a chance to call the police yet."

"Someone called in the attack. The chief sent us over here to get Matthew's statement." Detective Johns responds. "Can you tell me what room he is in? And can we get some privacy?"

"Umm, sure. He is in room 109. His father is in with him right now."

Kris is studying the two men and something is wrong. They don't look like police officers. They walk a little too upright, too stiff. If she didn't know any better she'd say they were ex-military. Could they be from the Syndicate?

"Ray, Lily. We might have trouble. I don't think those two are who they say they are."

"I think you're right Kris." Ray responds, "What do you wanna do?"

"Let me follow them. You two go outside and be ready in case they try to make a break for it."

Standing up she starts to follow the two down the hallway towards Matt's room.

"Miss! Miss! You can't go back there. Please let the detectives have a moment then you can go see to your friend."

Putting on her best smile she tries to sweet talk her way past, "I'm just worried about my friend. I wanna be there for him. You know. Offer whatever help I can."

The nurse just stares are her, wondering what to do. The detectives asked for some privacy.

"I'm sorry, but the detectives need some privacy to ask him some questions. I'm sure it won't take long then you can go see him."

Not getting anywhere with the nurse, Kris pulls out her homeland security badge.

"Look, I really need to stay close to Matt. Now please let me pass."

The nurse frowns looking between the badge and Kris.

"This can't be real. You're what 16? I'm sorry but you'll just have to wait here."

Staring dumbfounded at the nurse. Okay I guess she's never seen the badge before, but really? The idea of just tazing the nurse and walking down the hall sounds promising, but it would raise more questions. Finally coming to a decision, she decides to wait and try to stun the men if she sees them doing anything suspicious. She realizes that she might be wrong. They really could just be detectives, but she's not holding her breathe.

"Hey is there a bathroom nearby?"

"Yes." She points down the hallway in the opposite direction from Matt's room. "Down this hall. Third door on the right." She smiles knowing full well that there is a bathroom down the other hallway. The detectives told her they needed privacy and she was going to give it to them.  

Kris just smiles sweetly back and walks down the hall she indicated, while Ray and Lily walk out the front.

---

The two detectives walk into Matt's room and do a quick visual search.

"Good" The man who called himself Detective Adams thought, "No one here but the target and his father."

"Sir, we'd like to have a few words with Matthew here. If you don't mind." Detective Johns asks politely. "Would you please step outside the room for a moment."

"I'm sorry. I didn't catch your names. And no, I don't think I will leave. My son has just been hurt and he needs me right here." Matt's father replies.

I roll my eyes at my dad's protective streak.

"My name is Detective Johns, this is Detective Adams." He replies motioning to his partner. "We just need to get some facts about the assault. You don't need to leave the hospital. We just need to hear the facts from Matthew and not have any interruptions or distractions. Matthew will be fine I promise."

"Fine, but I'm not going far." With a huff, Matt's father leaves the room as Detective Adams closes the door.

Watching the whole scene in front of me and I start to think. Who would have called the cops? The only ones who even saw the assault are those kids that brought me in and of course John and his bunch. But I just can't see them calling the cops. Even they are not THAT dumb. Something doesn't feel right.

Matt, they aren't who they say they are. They're here to kidnap you! Vickie quickly tells me.

"Very stupid Matthew. This could have gone much much easier if you hadn't done that. Now if you don't mind...” With that Detective Adams pulls a gun from behind his back and fires.

I hear a *puff* before feeling something strike my arm. I look down shocked to see a dart. What the hell?!? He just shot me. I feel the effects of the dart soon enough. My eyelids are getting heavy. I'm falling asleep.

Dammit. Wake up Matt! If you don't stay awake they're going to take us all! Red's voice yells in my ear.

My arms are getting heavy, "What do you expect me to do Red? I can barely move!"

"Who is he talking to?" Johns asks Adams.

"No idea. Doesn't matter though. Let's get him out of here before someone comes in."

My eyes close and I fall back into the hospital bed. If I didn't already have enough reason to hate hospitals I have a really good reason now. Who are these guys?

Detective Johns pulls up a wheelchair and places my body on it just as my father walks back into the room.

"Are you through? I'd like to see to my...” He doesn't get to finish his sentence as Adams turns and puts another dart into my father. He stumbles and drops to his knees. Adams puts the dart gun away and carries my struggling father to the bed I just vacated. Laying him on it, he pulls the sheets up and over him. Adams turns and talks into his sleeve.

"We have him. Aero, cover our exit."

A peppy voice responds. "You got it boss! Leave it to me."

As the two open the door they hear the distinct sound of wind coming from the hospital waiting room. It increases in volume and intensity as they walk down the hall.

---

"What's with all the noise?" Kris wonders as she leaves the bathroom. She looks towards the waiting room and finds chairs, lights and other items flying around the room. It looks like a tornado is wrecking the place. "Shit, I was right. They're Syndicate and they have an emerged with them."

She radios in and reports it to Ray and Lily before rushing towards the entrance. As soon as she hits the room she is pushed flat onto her chest as the wind pushes her down.

"Ooof!" She tries to rise but the wind just knocks her down again. Looking around trying to find the kid causing all this but she can only see crap flying around. Through all the destruction she sees the two men walk calmly through the entrance with Matt. They don't seem affected by the wind at all. It's like they were out for casual stroll. She gets to her knees and raises her hands at them. Maybe she can stun them both before they get out of here. Immediately a chair rockets towards her and knocks her onto her back. When she tries again, dozens of magazines fly at her, obscuring her vision. Ripping them away she sees the men leave through the front door. The sliding doors close and a few moments later the wind dies abruptly. Scrambling to her feet she runs to the door only to see a black SUV take off. A young boy in the back flipping her off as they drive away.

"Ray, Lily. Where are you two?" She screams into her headset.

"Ummm, look up." Ray responds sheepishly.

Kris looks up to see both Ray and Lily stranded in a tree nearby. Nearly twenty feet off the ground and Ray is mostly upside down. If this wasn't the time, the whole scene would have been pretty funny.

"Sorry Kris. He surprised us and before we knew it we were up here." Ray helps Lily down a few branches before continuing down. Their own SUV pulls up as they both finish exiting the tree. Jumping in, they race after the black SUV.

---

"Capture 1 to base. We have the package. The Center kids were there but we have taken care of it. ETA 25 minutes." The man named Adams says into his radio.

"Did you see that? Hehehe! They were flying all over the place. Up and down and up and down!" Aero is clapping his hands in glee. "You guys should let me come more often. I never get to have this much fun."

"Don't let this go to your head. You were lucky you got the drop on that Keys girl."

Dropping his head Aero responds, "Yes sir."

"Now keep an eye on the package and let us know if he starts to wake up."

"We have company. SUV, one lane over, 10 cars back. It's them." Johns states calm and collected.

"Gun it. Go to route B. We'll lose them in the mountains." Adams responds.

Johns pushes the accelerator to the floor and takes off. Weaving in and out of traffic and running a few red lights. He barely misses a pedestrian in the sidewalk as he takes a hard left, the mountain road looming directly in front of them.

I feel myself waking. The effects of the dart didn't last very long. I open my eyes and see trees flying by the windows. "Who are these guys? Did they really just shoot me with a tranq dart? I wish they would just kill me and get it over with."  

After that thought my mind wanders into its dream world. The one where I'm aware of what's going on around me, but I imagine how I'd like the events to play out. I picture them taking a turn to hard, the SUV flipping over and over and crashing into the mountain bank. Pieces of glass flying and slashing my face as I bounce around the cab before breaking my neck on the side door panel. I feel my depression building inside a deep, dark, black empty feeling. Wishing it was all over.

Matt don't! Don't do this now. Please! Vickie's voice pleads with me.

I feel a little light headed and the world explodes.

---

From behind the black SUV, Kris and the others watch in confusion as the car starts to lift up off its rear wheels before setting down with tires squealing. Inside they see two bright flashes of light as it swerves left and right, then back again lifting off and slamming back down.

"What the hell?" Kris asks to no one in particular.

With one final swerve the SUV flips. Landing and spinning like a top, the wheels still revving at full speed. The back door suddenly opens and a limp body with a cast on its leg flies out. Landing hard and sliding against the concrete until it comes to a crash against the dirt mounds of the mountain. It looks like a cannonball just hit the road creating a path of destruction following the path of the body.