The Center: Chimera
Chapter 1
What do you say when you're at the end? Do you apologize for things you wish were different? Do you smile knowing it’s finally over? I don't know what you would do, but I was calm inside and out. Surprising, once you get to know me. When you find out what really goes on in my head, regardless of what I show the rest of the world. I guess I should start at the beginning right? My life changed on a Wednesday. Funny how you remember the day when your whole life becomes something you never thought was possible.
---
"Matt! Wake up Matt. Time to get ready for school." my father shouts from the kitchen.
"You can't be late again son."
I groan and try to turn over to catch a few more minutes of sleep. I know my dad is right, but why bother? What's the point in going to school? Just another day another dollar or so my dad keeps telling me. He has this idea that every new day is a day to enjoy life. Too bad it doesn't feel that way to me. Sighing I finally toss the covers off and crawl out of bed.
"Doesn't he understand I hate school? It's so boring! Let me sleep." a voice whispers.
I look around the room startled at hearing another voice.
"Is anyone there?" The sound of my father in the kitchen is the only response. Weird, nobody should be in my room this early. I don't see anyone. Shaking my head thinking I must be imagining things. Grabbing some clothes I walk towards the bathroom. Just as I arrived, my older brother Jason gets out of the bathroom.
"Hey squirt." He says rustling my hair.
Geez, when will he stop doing that?
"The shower’s all yours.” I just give him a grunt as a reply. I'm not what you'd call a "morning person". He laughs and walks downstairs. You wouldn't think we were brothers. Him with short sandy blonde hair, typical Californian surfer boy tan, standing six foot four, with enough muscle and tone to make all the girls follow him around. Then there's me, barely five feet with thin arms and legs, long auburn hair that reaches my shoulder blades and no facial hair to speak of. Everyone tells me not to worry. That I just haven't had my growth spurt yet, but I don't believe them. At 16 both my older brothers were pushing six feet and been shaving for nearly two years. If that weren't bad enough, people seem to always mistake me for a girl. It probably wouldn't happen as often if I cut my hair, but I just won't do it. What can I say, I like my hair long. I put it up to keep it from getting wet, since I never seem to have enough time to dry it.
---
Walking into the bustle of the kitchen I see both Jason and Don devouring their breakfast. I swear if you put your hand anywhere near their plates you'd come back without a finger or two at least, if not missing your whole hand.
"Sleep well, son?" my dad inquires as he finishes up the last of his coffee.
"As normal I guess. Only woke up about a half dozen times." I mutter back. My sleeping habits have always been a concern to him. We've tried everything to help me sleep but for whatever reason I can't stay asleep for more than an hour any given night. It seems to be getting worse in the last month. I don't know what's changed but I keep having these weird dreams. Always in a different location and always the same two people. Their names are Redmond and Vickie. They both seem to know all about me and are always trying to protect me from whatever shows up in my dreams, but mostly they protect me from hurting myself. My dreams usually involve some form of suicide or other method of hurting myself, but those two always show up and stop me or do something to protect me. I can tell he's worried about me, but I've just accepted that it's a part of me. Why complain about something that can't be changed. Am I right?
"Alright guys I'm off. Jay, please make sure Matt get's to school on time today. I don't want to get another call from the office." He replies grabbing his keys and rushes out the door.
Jason only nods, not wanting to stop eating even to give a verbal response. Swallowing the last mouthful he grabs his bag and we all head to school.
---
We arrive with barely enough time to find a parking spot and walk to class. You'd think with nearly 2000 students the school would spring for some more parking. Guess budget cutbacks are getting worse. As we each split to go to our first period classes, Jason holds me back for a second.
"Hey squirt. Hold on a sec. Don't let them get to you okay? If someone is bothering you just come and get me. Don't try to take them on by yourself again. I mean what's a big brother for, if not to protect his little brother."
He's never forgiven himself for accidentally hitting me in the head with a baseball bat. To be honest, I think the fault was more with me for standing too close, but when a concussion, fractured skull, 16 stitches and a lot of blood are concerned, there's little I can do to persuade him.
"Tell him to mind his own business. God can't he take a hint. He's already got someone to help him ." that same whispering voice from this morning says.
"Oh, calm down. You know he's just over protective. It's sweet that he cares so much for Matt." a female voice replies.
I look around trying to find who is talking. Those voices seem very familiar, but it couldn't be. They were just dreams.
"Did you hear that?" I ask.
"Hear what Matt? Hey are feeling good? You look a little pale." Jason says with some concern on his face. Now that he mentions it, my head is hurting more than usual.
"Yea yea, I'm fine. You know you don't need to protect me, Jay. I can take care of myself."
He grabs my arm suddenly pulling up the sleeve on my left arm. You can clearly see the vertical scars covering my wrist.
"Yes, I see exactly how well you've taken care of yourself in the past. All kidding aside, I'm worried about you. Fuck you know Dad and Don are worried about you too. They just don't know how to talk to you or to help. You don't have to deal with everything yourself."
I twist my arm out of his grasp and pull the sleeve back down. I don't know why I bother covering them, just about everyone at school knows what I did last year.
"I don't want to see you back in the emergency room again. How many times has it been this year alone? Seven? I don't wanna lose you when I could have done something to prevent it squirt."
"What do you want me to say Jay? Do you want me to make a promise that I'm not sure I can keep? This is something you just can't protect me from. If it's bullies, then I'll try to get you. Does that make you feel any better?" I reply with a little more venom in my voice than I intended, but it doesn't faze him.
"Yup, sure does. Later squirt. Don't forget I have football practice after school, so I won't be able to take you home. If you ever wanna just talk. I'm here for you if you'd let me in." He replies as he rushes off to class.
The good thing about Jason is he doesn't pity me like the rest of my family does. I hate pity. I did what I did, it was my decision. It didn't work, so move on.
Walking slowly to class I hear the tardy bell ring well before I'm even close to my first period.
---
"Mr. Matthew. Late again, why am I not surprised." Mr. Burke says.
Even though he hasn't finished roll call yet, he never misses an opportunity to torment me.
"What excuse do you have for yourself this time? Alarm clock didn't go off? Car accident?" He sneers, "Washing your hair?"
A few kids snicker at that one. I learned at the beginning of the year that it's best not to rise to his abuse. You tend to get into less trouble that way. When he sees that I'm not going to respond he dismisses me with a wave of his hand.
"Get out. Go to the office for detention. And you better not skip out on it or I WILL hear about it, I promise you that."
And so my day begins. I'm off to the office for punishment for coming in late so many times.
---
The walk to the office isn't long but I was too busy thinking to watch I where I was going, and ran right into Him. The bane of my existence, John, the school bully. I've heard rumors that even some of the football team are scared to mess with him. Only Jason and Don seem to have the courage to stand up to him. Even though our school banned trench coats, John doesn't seem to care. From what I've heard he does what he wants when he wants. Probably why he's out wandering the halls and not in class.
"Well if it isn't little Matty." he sneers.
I have to stifle a laugh when I suddenly get the mental picture of the classic villain from old tv shows. You know the one, right? Black top hat, pencil thin curly mustache always tying some damsel in distress up to a railroad tracks?
"Aren't you gonna say sorry?"
"Sorry John. It won't happen again." I reply with my eyes downcast. No sense in aggravating him if I can help it.
"Not good enough pussy. Give me whatever cash you have on you and I 'might' forget this whole thing." He replies with a sweet smile that could curdle milk.
He starts to approach and I try to fall back not realizing I'm moving into a corner. Just when I thought I'd have to borrow some money for lunch, I hear another voice shout loudly.
"What is going on here!?"
Finally some good luck. Mrs. Swift, my English teacher. One of the few teachers who truly likes me.
"Is he bothering you Matthew? What are you doing out of class the both of you?"
John just stars daggers at her while I try to remain invisible.
Finally John replies, "I ain't doing anything. I was just trying to get to class on time when this fag almost knocks me down."
I know Mrs. Swift doesn't believe it for a moment. There have been just too many incidents that involve John, not to mention the foot in height and nearly 80 pound difference between us.
"You know we don't allow that kind of language here young man. Let's go, right now. You have a date with the principle."
I guess I'm going to have some company on my walk to the office. *sigh* It's not even the end of first period, and I just know this is going to be a long day. The headache I felt earlier starts to come back suddenly, and I start rubbing my head to relieve some of the pain.
Fight him, Matt. Even if he might win. At least it'd give you a little street cred, standing up to the bully like that. a boy's voice whispers.
Without thinking I reply, "Stand up to him? Are you crazy, he'd kick my ass."
"Matthew! Watch your mouth. All right, it looks like the both of you are going to see the principle about appropriate language during school hours." Mrs. Swift looks disappointingly at me.
I try to mutter a reply that I was just answering the other boy, but as I look around I notice it's just the three of us. Okay, now it's getting weird. I'm hearing things. I read once that sleep deprivation can cause hallucinations, but I haven't gotten any less sleep than normal. I continue rubbing my head the entire way to the office. Is it just me or is it getting a little warm today?
---
Mrs. Swift leaves us in the front room to fill out the report. It's still early, all but two chairs are taken. That leaves John and I sitting next to each other.
When she is out of hearing range, John leaves over close to me and whispers, "I'm going to kick your ass after school today. Meet me around the corner or I'm gonna come looking for you and it won't be pretty pussy. And come alone, don't go crying to your big bro or else."
What a jerk. And such language too. Sounds like someone didn't get hugged much growing up. a girl's voice snickers.
Again without thinking much I lean closer to the girl next to me, "Yea he's a royal ass. Though who would want to hug him? He's a pig."
The girl turns to me with confusion on her face. "I didn't say anything. God don't talk to me." Turning quickly her hair flapping as she turns so her back to me.
"But... I... You just said..."
Now I'm confused. If it wasn't her, who was talking to me just then? Looking back at John, oh great, he definitely heard what I just said. He takes his thumb and runs it across his throat. I am sooo dead. I put my head between my knees and start to feel sick, plus this damn headache won't go away. After seeing the principle it looks like I have a week’s detention for the language and another week for being late too many times. Joy.
---
Finally getting out of there it's just about time for second period to start.
Don't worry about it, sweetie. He's just a bully that doesn't have anyone who loves him. a girl's voice says.
Stop babying him. I wanna help him too, but he needs to get some confidence in himself. Otherwise he's going to get picked on for the rest of his life. a boy's voice replies.
Okay, this is getting out of hand. My headache doubles and I have to lean against a wall from the pain. If I didn't know any better, I would think those voices belonged to Redmond and Vickie. But that's impossible, they are only dreams. Luckily, I don't hear them talking anymore and the headache fades. I walk into class and sit down just in time for a pop quiz. Joy, pop quizzes in math. Not that it's any real sorta challenge, but still. What's the point in a pop quiz? Let's put all the kids on the spot. Maybe it's just a way for teachers to prove to themselves a kid doesn't care. Or maybe it's a demented sort of pleasure they get from seeing them squirm. Whatever. I finish the quiz in record time, much to the displeasure of the other students. It's not my fault they don't understand the material. Nor is it my fault they put me in the seniors' Trig class. Math just comes easy. Returning to my desk I just put my head down and try to keep this headache from getting any worse again.
---
The rest of school goes by quickly enough. You know the drill, periods three and four follow the second. Then lunch, and then you have fifth and sixth. You've all done it enough times right? You don't need to hear about the pounding in my head, or the fact that every classroom seems to have their heater on. Or that I kept hearing those two voices every so often, followed quickly by a huge headache. Since Jason and Don are both on the football team, I know I'm going to be walking home alone. Hopefully I can dodge John just long enough to get home safely.
---
Today is so not my day. I only made it to the corner store before running into John and his crew.
"Trying to run for it, huh Matty? I told you I was gonna kill you. And lookie lookie your brothers aren't here to protect you either. Grab him!" John shouts.
One of his buddies grabs me and drags me around the corner. Once we are out of sight John grabs my shirt and tosses me against the wall. I get the wind knocked out of me as my back hits the wall. I crumple to the ground trying to breathe. I feel hands roughly grab and lift me back up, just to have someone's fist slam into my face. I see stars and my head bounces back. If they weren't holding me I would have collapsed again. Small favors, right? I thought so too, until I felt my knee buckle under pressure. I hear a snap, and incredible pain shoots through my left leg. I know it's broken. It's not the first time I've broken a bone. This time they let me fall. All I can do now is cover my head and try to take what's coming. I feel shoes and hands hitting different parts of my body. The pain was intense, but it still wasn't enough for me to cry out. Another skill I've picked up in my youth. How many bones can you break? How many times can you get punched or kicked before you learn not to make a sound? The downside to a skill like this is when you meet someone like John. Someone who needs to hear the pain in his victim’s voice. After what feels like hours of this, they stop. I think they are done, until I feel hands lifting me back up. I can't put pressure on my left leg. I hear John's voice loud and clear.
"Hold him up."
"We have to do something before it’s too late!" a girl’s voice screamed.
"I know but what?! We can't call the cops! We can't do anything!" a boy’s voice argued back.
John leans in close. I can smell his breath. He waves a knife in front of my face.
"If I ever hear you talk smack about me again. I will use this to finish the job. Don't you ever forget it. Punk!"
He trails the knife across my cheek. I feel the metal but I can't tell if he has cut my skin or not. Just then the sound of rushing feet interrupts his little performance.
"Let's get out of here! Someone's coming!" one of his friends yell.
I hear footsteps retreat and more coming towards me.
"Hey what happened? Are you alright?" a fit young girl asks me.
"I'm fine." I wince more than a little when I attempt to stand. My left leg just can't handle the weight and I immediately collapse. Or I would have if another boy wasn't there to catch me.
"Like hell you're fine. Sit back down now. We'll take to you the hospital, you're leg looks pretty bad. Not to mention your face." the boy responds.
"Do whatever. I don't care." With that I close my eyes and pass out.
"Did he pass out?" The boy asks.
"Looks that way Ray. He got hit pretty hard. He's pretty tough. Did you see his arm though?" She pulls back my sleeve exposing my scars. "You know what these are right?"
"Shit. This wasn't in the report we have on him. How could they have missed this?"
"I don't know, but I'm going to have a talk about it back at base. In the meantime can you carry him to the SUV. We need to get him looked at before we break the news to him."
With that Ray lifts my limp body off the ground and carries me to an awaiting SUV. I woke up part-way through their little talk. Good thing too.
"What the hell are they talking about? How do they even know who I am?" I thought as I was carried off, presumably to the hospital.
"What are they talking about Red? Can we trust them?" The girl’s voice asks quietly.
"I don't know Vickie. Do we have a choice? It's not like Matt can run, let alone walk, fast right now." Red's responds angrily.
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.
Chapter 3
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Thank you very much to Wren Phoenix for help editing and as always a special thank you to Lillith for creating The Center. Without which this story would have never come about. *Hugs* for you both.
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"Did you see that?!" Ray asked, shocked.
They pull behind the wreck, a few car lengths away. Both Ray and the driver exit with pistols drawn; just in case anyone is still breathing in the other SUV. Cautiously, they bear down on the vehicle, each taking a side to ensure there are no surprises. When they get there, the inside of the vehicle is a mess. The two men pretending to be detectives are still buckled into their seats, but it's clear that they are dead. Beyond the cuts and bruises from broken glass and other items that must have hit the bodies, a single gunshot wound through each of their heads makes it fairly obvious. In the backseat they find a younger boy, or what's left of him. By elimination, he must have been the emerged. It’s not clear what happened. It looks like his body was ripped apart by something. His clothes are all torn to shreds with skin missing from most of the body exposing muscle and bone. Both Ray and the driver back up, looking slightly greener. Ray hears the girls coming up, and he motions them back.
"You don't want to see this." He takes hold of Kris and leads her away. Lily wisely follows.
"What happened, Ray?" Kris asks.
"I'm not sure. The two drivers are dead. Single gunshot to the head for them both. The kid in the back, though, I just don't know. Could Matt have done this?"
Shaking her head. Kris doesn't answer. Truthfully she doesn't have a clue what's going on. Could Matt have done this? Their report said he was an empath, but Dani is an empath as well, and nothing like that has ever happened with her before.
"Let's go see if he's still alive. We'll sort this out as soon as we can."
The driver heads back to the SUV to call in the accident, while Kris, Ray and Lily head towards Matt.
---
Is he alright Red? asks Vickie.
He feels alright physically. Well nothing worse than before. Did you see what I just did!? Red responds.
Was that you? How did you do it?
I'm not sure. I just needed to protect him and poof, he was. By the way, how'd you know what those guys wanted?
You know I didn't think about it. I was just looking at him and all of a sudden I heard it loud and clear. Their plan was to knock Matt out and take him.
Those kids said that Matt was going to have some ability. Do you think we might have one as well?
It looks that way. Shhh… here they come. Let's go find Matt, before he suffers anymore. Vickie whispers this last bit.
---
"Hold up Kris." Lily says laying a hand on both her and Ray's shoulders. "Can you feel that?"
"Feel what Lily?"
"I don't know. It feels... dark… that's the best I can say. It seems to be coming from Matt. I don't like it, and I don't think we should go near him."
"Well, we can't stay here all day. What are we going to do? Can you try reading his mind again from here?"
"I can try." With that, Lily closes her eyes and concentrates, picturing Matt's body laying nearby. With a deep breath she drops into Matt's head.
---
All at once she hears voices. Unlike before, where she could barely hear what was said; these voices come in loud and clear. And one sounds like she is distressed. Focusing on the sounds of their voice, she peers deeper into Matt's mind until she finds herself at the front door to a nice looking house. Adobe brick walls with a Spanish style roof.
Matt! Please stop. You don't have to do this. Put the knife down! Vickie pleads.
"What's the point Vickie? I'm just so tired of all this. And now I find out that I really WAS the cause of my mother dying."
Christ, Matt! You know it's not your fault. You couldn't have stopped her from dying. And you sure as hell didn't kill her. Red argues back
"Just leave me alone. It's better for everyone if I just end it here and now. Those guys who shot me won't get me. I won't have to deal with the pain any longer. It's better this way."
Red grab the knife! Keep him from hurting himself.
Red holds Matt's wrist tight keeping the knife away from both their bodies. Matt struggles against Red's grip, but it's no use Red is just too strong. Finally giving up he lets the knife drop to the ground, slumping down and crying. Vickie comes over quickly wrapping Matt up in a hug. Cooing to him. Rubbing his back as he cries.
"Hello? Is everyone alright? "
Red turns quickly to Matt's door and yells. Who's there!?! How did you get here?!?
"My name is Lily. We met a little while ago. Do you remember me?"
Slowly she opens the door to find the house is a wreck. The hallway she enters has cracks and holes in the wall. The paint is peeling and the door at the end is smashed. Red's voice rebounds off the walls but seems to be coming from the right. Walking into the next room she sees what could be a nice living room. A baby grand piano is placed in one corner with a fireplace across the room. There are two white sofas in the room but like the rest of the house they are ruined. Dirt and suspicious red stains cover most of them.
It's the witch that girl Keys told us about, the one who can read minds. Vickie, stay with Matt. Let me deal with this.
Red storms out of Matt's room and takes a quick left turn into the living room Lily is standing in. Lily is surprised to see a good looking boy in front of her. So unlike Matt. He stands close to six feet tall, with sandy blonde hair and well developed muscles on his body. What startles her most are his bright crystal red eyes. "I guess that answers where he got his nick name from." She muses.
What do you want?! Haven't you done enough! Leave now, before I toss you out on that pretty little butt of yours.
"I'm here to help. I swear. Do you know what happened? Who else is here?"
Red sneers, Of course we know what happened. We were there weren't we! And you've done wonders to help already. Look what you did to Matt!
From behind him Vickie calls out, Please stay calm Red. You know what happens when you get angry.
"Who was that? Where is Matt? Is he okay?"
That's nobody. Now leave!
Red advances on Lily fully intending to toss her out of the house with whatever force that's needed. As he reaches for Lily, he is surprised to find his hands passing right through her. He stubbles forward and passes straight through her. For a brief instance he and Lily share the same space.
What the hell!
Red scrambles back from Lily shooting daggers at her.
How did you do that?!
Taking a step towards Red, "I'm sorry, but I'm not really here. You can't force me out. Now please who else is here?"
Red? What happened? Are you alright?
Yea I'm fine. She says she's not really here. And I just fell right through her!
Finally getting tired of the bullying from this boy she strides towards him, towards the sound of the other voices. Red jumps in front of her at every step. Throwing punches, kicks, even his whole body to stop her from getting any closer to Matt's room. Nothing works and finally Lily reaches Matt's room. Inside she seems a young girl, holding a boy. It's hard to tell how tall she is but she has long blonde hair that reaches to the ground from where the two of them are sitting. When the girl looks up Lily sees her eyes. As Red's eyes are pure red, her's are a startling crystal blue.
Lily I take it. My name is Victoria. Call me Vickie. You've seen who else is here. Now leave. We have to take care of Matt. Vickie responds once she sees Lily enter the room.
Walking slowly into the room she sits down in front of the two. "What's wrong with Matt? Can I do anything to help?"
No. And this is none of your concern. Red come here and keep Matt safe.
Red rushes over and stands protectively behind Matt. Wrapping his arms around him, his eyes never leaving Lily. Vickie stands up and strolls towards Lily.
I don't know you. I don't trust you.
Reaching for Lily, her hands touch solid flesh. Quickly realizing it Vickie pushes with all her might forcing Lily back a few steps smiling. Lily stumbles back with a shocked expression on her face.
"How'd you do that? You shouldn't be able to do that!"
Seems I have some power too. Now that you know that. Are you going to leave?
"Wait. Please don't do that. Look, Matt's body is projecting something. We don't know what it is. Do you know what is happening?"
Vickie looks back at Red. Wondering what to do next. Do they trust this 'girl'? Red just shrugs. Vickie sighs and turns back to Lily.
We don't know any better than you what is going on outside Matt's body right now. You said he had a power. Something called empathy. Could this power project positive emotions? What about negative ones?
Lily thinks about it for a second. "We have two other empaths at The Center. Dani can project her feelings onto others. Though it works much better if she touches them. Negative emotions? Maybe, neither Dani nor Chris seems to, but I guess it's possible."
Vickie nods. It's beginning to make more sense. Looking back at Red again they share a silent conversation.
Red, if that's true, then it could be very bad for Matt. We need to help more if we can.
Well yeah, Vickie, but you know we can't protect him all the time. We both need to rest just like he does.
Vickie turns back to Lily.
Okay. Here's the deal. We'll trust you…for now. But if you ever come here again, you won't like what happens. You're a telepath, right? I'm guessing that similar powers work the same way. That means I have a power too. And if you come back, I'll use every bit of my power to make you wish you had stayed away.
"Okay ,Vickie. I promise you that I won't ever try to come back here again. What can I do to help?"
We'll handle Matt. I want to try something, but I'm not sure it will work. Go. If it works, Matt should wake up, and hopefully he won't be projecting anything.
Lily stands up and brushes the dirt from her clothes. "I'll be waiting. Please don't take too long. We don't know if more people will come for Matt. We need to leave as soon as possible."
With her final words Lily walks back the way she came, with Vickie close on her heels. Passing through the front door she hears Vickie close it gently behind her. Within moments Lily disappears and awakens back in her own body. Once Vickie's sure that Lily is gone, she runs back to Matt.
Okay, Red, I have an idea. One of us needs to stay here to take care of Matt. I need you to do whatever it is you do when he's asleep.
Are you sure? You know I can't do it for very long.
We don't have any choice. We have to trust them, as much as I don't want to. At least they talked to us and took Matt to a hospital, instead of shooting him with a tranquilizer dart. If this works, I need you to show me how you do it. You never know if we might need to do this again.
Reluctantly, Red releases Matt, but not before giving him a quick hug. Lily resumes her position, holding Matt close and telling him it's going to be alright. She nods to Red as he leaves the door.
Hold on as long as you can. Once Matt gets over this one, he should have enough control to not hurt himself.
---
Lily's eyes open the moment she breaks her concentration.
"Wow! That was weird."
Kris looks expectantly at her, "Okay spill. What is going on here? Was Matt responsible?"
"Yes it looks like his power emerged during the drive. We were right, he is an empath, and he seems to have strong projecting power. You remember the scars on his arm. He's depressed, and definitely suicidal."
"That's going to be a problem. How do we get him back if we can't get near him?"
"This is where you're not going to believe me. Remember when I said I thought I heard a voice when we were taking him to the hospital. I was right. I can't explain it. There are two kids in Matt's mind. A girl named Vickie, and a boy who calls himself Red. I don't know what they are, but they are there. I could be wrong but I think at least the girl might also have a power. She was starting to push me out, but that could only happen with another telepath. Anyway, Vickie said that they have an idea that might help us. We should see something soon, if it works."
"What about that scar in the road? Did he/she/Matt do it, too?"
"I'm not sure. We didn't get a chance to talk about it. If they all have a power, then it might be Red who did it, but that's just a guess."
Glancing towards Matt's body they are surprised to see him standing, even with his broken leg. He stares at them. Immediately Lily feels the 'dark' disappear. Kris, Ray and Lily rush over to help him.
Kris slows when they get a few feet away, "Matt? Are you okay?"
"Let's just get something straight girlie. I don't trust you. This is not my choice and if you do something suspicious, we are out of here."
Kris blinked, startled at the force with which he spoke. "This doesn't sound like the same boy we met earlier. Lily?"
Looking at Matt, Lily responds. "Red?"
Red nods, then closes his eyes and reaches for his temples.
"If we are going, we better go now."
Ray walks up and offers Red his shoulder. Between the two of them, Red limps back to their SUV. Walking by the flipped vehicle Red turns and spits at it.
"Bastards. You're lucky."
Getting back into their SUV, they take off towards the airport. Red sitting in the back with his eyes closed, concentrating.
---
They receive a quick clearance, and fly towards The Center. Red is sitting in the back with his leg up. Clearly he is in pain but ever since the plane took off he has said little. Suddenly, his body goes limp and he passes out. Within moments, his eyes flutter open again, and he looks around for a second.
"Are we flying?"
"Red? Are you alright?" Kris asks.
"Why are you calling me Red? How do you know that name?"
"Matt?"
"Of course! Who else would I be?! How did I get here?! Answer my question!" Matt shouts.
Kris makes a decision to keep quiet for now regarding what she learned from Lily about the other two kids. Now isn't the time, especially with Matt's physical change coming.
"Do you remember the men who took you from the hospital?"
"Yeah. Wait, where are they? What happened to them?"
"Short answer, they took you, we chased them. There was an accident, and we were able to save you. Now we are on a plane back home to The Center."
Matt looks at her suspiciously. *She's not telling me everything,* he thinks to himself. *Why did she call me Red? How does she even know about him? He's only a dream. Okay sure, I've been hearing him all day, but that's just because I'm hallucinating.*
"Is my father alright? Can I call him?"
Kris realizes she can't wait any longer to tell him about the second part of his change.
"Matt, you have to listen to me, there is one other part to being like us. This is going to come as a shock, but in a very short time you won't look anything like you do right now. You're own family wouldn't recognize you. Okay, enough beating around the bush. You're going to become a girl."
Matt's mouth drops open. "You're kidding right? You have to be. This just isn't possible. Shit, why is this happening to me?"
"It happens to all of us. I used to be a boy, so did Lily. Ray used to be a girl."
Looking at them all Matt gets a nod from each in return.
"It’ll be alright. Like I said, it’s happened to everyone. You can't change that, it will happen. As for your family, we can let you see them in time. You won't be able to talk to them, but you can at least see them. I'm sorry it can't be more. Trust me, I want nothing more than to see my father again."
Don't worry, Matt. You still have us. They can't take you away from us. Vickie whispers to Matt.
Damn right. I'll kick their asses if they even try.
Matt reaches for his head, feeling a headache coming. Seeing this Lily unbuckles her seatbelt and walks back to Matt.
"It's going to be all right, Matt. Try and rest, we have a few hours yet before we touch down."
Seeing as he doesn't have the strength to resist, he closes his eyes and passes out.
"Ray, call ahead. Have Liz meet us at the bunker. I'd like to get him healed before he transitions. Also, tell Dani I'd like her to be there when he wakes up. I think having another empath nearby might help."