Chapter Twenty One - Reunion

Ciarán had tracked him down to a simple coffee shop in city centre. He could see Daniel in his seat from the window – the girl was gone, presumably at the counter. And the other man was missing too. Steeling himself, Ciarán entered the building, cursing the small bell over the door. Thankfully only the employee behind the till looked up, with a startling look of relief on his face.
He sat down opposite Daniel; Ciarán stared fiercely at him as he clenched his fists. “What have you done with yourself Daniel?” he asked quietly. “The guy I knew would never have lowered himself to being some madman’s lackey.”

“That madman gave me my ability,” Daniel hissed. “He made us equals, you and me!”

“Except I don’t work for somebody the way you do,” Ciarán retorted. “I’m a free man. A little different than everyone else, yes, but I’m not some slave to freak who would risk another human’s life for his own goal.”

Daniel lowered his gaze behind his sunglasses. They darted about, as if looking for some response etched onto the table. “You’re right,” he muttered, catching Ciarán off guard. “He did risk my life. He knew I might not survive. I did too. And guess what, Ciarán? I survived! I’m one of the stronger ones! You just can’t accept it, can you? That an old friend is a little different too?” He let out a low chuckle. “You always were jealous of me.”

I had been jealous, hadn’t I? He always had everything. But I’m not jealous anymore.

“It’s called pity,” Ciarán told him menacingly.

When Daniel leapt across the table Ciarán was ready.

***

Lisa sensed them coming before she saw them. She wasn’t quite sure how she had done it. Somehow she just knew they were there. It was like they were waiting for her to prod their minds. It frightened her that she might be able to get in. She pulled herself back as they approached, side by side, but not so close that Lisa would have thought they were actually walking together.

She didn’t recognise the man, but when she saw Edel, her dark red hair magnificently lit up in the sun, she knew she could trust him. Something about Edel was oddly calming. Despite what she could do, she was one of the gentlest people Lisa had ever met. She told herself she would be like that when she was older.

“Lisa,” Edel sighed, taking her by the shoulders and pulling her into an embrace. “We’ll get him back. We’ll free them all.”

The man stepped up to Lisa when Edel let go. “Carl,” he said to her quietly, his hand extended.
She took it lightly, uncertainly. Carl looked a mess. Baggy eyes, unshaven face, an odd tiredness in his movements. “It’s a pleasure,” she replied, trying her best to sound optimistic. “I’m Lisa.” A light smile came to his face. It seemed to give him some life.

“Why don’t you tell us what you know, Lisa,” Edel suggested.

Lisa took a deep breath before she began, trying her best to get what she needed to say sorted in her head before she started talking. “We set them up, Will and I. He let them take him, and we kept a link so that I could track him. It was all going fine, until it started getting weaker. We couldn’t hold it together so weakly... I think I knew something was wrong. He warned me to stay away...” She rubbed a tear from her eye. “I don’t even know if he’s alive!” she cried.

“If they’re anything like Horizon, then he will be,” Edel said firmly.

“That’s where he is!” Lisa exclaimed, much to the surprise of Edel and Carl. “An old warehouse building in a burnt down district. It was abandoned years ago because of the health hazard. It’s beyond the dessert. It’s the only thing out there that they could possibly go to!”

“Do you think... there are others?” Carl asked her.

“His friends have gone missing,” Edel explained to the confused Lisa. “One was taken right under his nose. The other... well he hasn’t heard from him in a while. We think he may have been taken too.”

Carl nodded slowly. “He had a few run-ins with them before. And with a... train driver? He was taken too. I think I remember Brock telling me about it... right from under his nose...” He shook his head. “We have to get them free. All of them.”

“Thank you,” Lisa muttered, dabbing her eyes before the tears started rolling down her cheeks.

She so desperately wanted to see Will again, she barely realised what she was feeling for him was more than what she had thought. It really was love. The word shaped into a new meaning. She would get him back. She had to.

***

Following another one of Jimmy’s gut feelings, Anne had him clutching to his seat as she sped into the city centre. Ciarán was in trouble. He sensed it. She believed him. She had to. And she knew where he would be. She knew she would have to do all the work – Jimmy couldn’t go anywhere near the place.

“Jimmy, how much further?” she asked him.

“Not too far...” His phone began vibrating beside him. “Hello?”

“Stay away from there!” the hoarse voice roared. “We warned you already!”

“We have to save Ciarán!” he bellowed into the phone. “There’s nothing you can do to stop us.”

“You are right...” There was silence for a time, as the person on the other end of the line thought of a response. Jimmy waited anxiously, seeing the cafe speed into view. “Get Jenkins out.”

“Anne... shoot at the coffee house,” Jimmy ordered. Her face twisted into one of disbelief. “Just do it! We have to get Jenkins out!” She let out a sigh as she made to lean out the window. Jimmy held tightly onto the wheel, trying his best to keep the car going straight. “Anne hurry up! We’re almost there!”

***

The table had been upturned in a flash. Daniel cared very little about anything but hurting Ciarán. When he reached him he was catapulted away by his old friend’s legs. Ciarán climbed uneasily to his feet, readying himself for a fight. The crowd had already parted. The owner had a frightened, overwhelmed look on his face.

“Come on Daniel! I can take you!” Ciarán taunted.

With a grunt Daniel fixed his suit, then clenched his fists. He began throwing wild punches. Ciarán made little work of dodging them, but was distracted by the sound of a speeding car approaching from outside. The brakes were squealing uncomfortably against the road. Before Ciarán could see who was driving, the front door shattered inwards with a spark of electricity.

The owner let out a wild scream, rivers of different coloured smokes rising from his flesh. He made to push his way out the side door when a red tendril seemed to solidify, the smoky form smashing through the thin wood on the door, sending splinters everywhere. The man was gone in an instant, not even pausing to wonder at what had happened.

This moment of distraction for Ciarán left him on the floor, nursing a throbbing head. To make matters worse, the way out was sealed by an invisible wall. Ciarán was trapped between it and Daniel. The latter’s accomplices stood at opposite ends of the counter.

As Anne and Jimmy rushed into the cafe, their attention was redirected. Jimmy wasted no time in focusing upon the man, following his instincts, reaching into the man’s soul. He placed a hatred in there, anger and fear. The uncertainty threw the man off balance as his threw a punch from across the room. A transparent ball spot from his arm, causing everything around it to shift slightly on the tables. In the end it spun into his female partner, launching her into the wall.
With a curse he made to move to her. Anne wasn’t about ready to let him near her. The lights flickered as an electrical current ran from them through her. It wasn’t necessary, she knew, but it would help her in the long run. Shooting from the car had drained her of her own energy. She felt it. And now she could feel the storm launch from her finger tips.

It spanned out in every direction, bouncing off the tables, scorching them as the sparks centred towards the man in the black suit. As they met, the man was dragged into the air. He crashed into the ceiling, falling painfully onto the counter.

This intrusion had distracted Daniel long enough for Ciarán to reach into his pocket. Focusing hard, he filled the handful of coins with energy, feeling them vibrate against each other, eager to release their hold. He threw them into the air as he leapt to his feet. Dozens of tiny explosion filled the cafe, knocking Daniel onto a chair, toppling it in the process.

By the time he got to his feet, Anne had already driven off with Ciarán and Jimmy. Daniel let out a curse as he inspected his partners. Both were struggling to their feet. They would have some explaining to do when they got back.

***

Where are my answers? Where do I belong?

Naomi was walking uncertainly down another unfamiliar road. She appreciated how it fit in with her situation. But even still, there were no answers here.

“There never will be answers,” a soft voice said to her from behind.

“And there never will be anywhere for you.”

It echoed around inside her head. It dug deep. Tore at her like a talon. Ripped out everything she held dear. “Who are you?” she whimpered. She turned to face the woman. She had the look of a woman in control, a look Naomi had lost after attacking Emily. She held her hips comfortably, a tight black suit gripping her slim figure. “What do you want with me?” she screamed.

“That’s precisely it,” a man said from behind the woman. Naomi noticed the van only then. White and haunting. A man in a long white coat stepped out from behind its open back door. “We want you.”

Naomi stared at those cold, unseeing silver goggles. “No!” she screamed. “Leave me alone!” She turned on her heel to run, but only got a few steps when a dart hit her neck. She collapsed to her knees as her legs went numb. She fell to the ground, lying flat out on her stomach.

Emily Quigley... I’m sorry!

“She’s gone. Just like you.”

[End of Part Three]

Chapter Twenty - Warning

Anne and Jimmy were following what Jimmy called a lead. He refused to tell her where he had gotten the information regarding the men in black, but insisted on her coming along. In truth it was a feeling he had gotten from the attackers. He held it at bay; he didn’t want Anne to get suspicious of his ability. But for some reason he had an uncontrollable desire for coffee, and only one place seemed to come to mind. He knew it was what he needed.

“Jimmy, where are we going?” Anne demanded.

“Jenkins,” he told her casually. She turned her eyes from the road to stare fiercely at him; she wanted more information. “The coffee place. You know it!” She shook her head. “The place everyone says they leave feel better after.”

“And why are we going there? It’s not true you know. There’s nothing in that coffee that can just make you feel better. It’s just coffee.”

Jimmy let out a laugh. “Jenkins isn’t just a coffee place, Anne! It’s an escape!” She scoffed at his words. “It’s a lead,” he said confidently. “Trust me on this.”

A soft buzzing came from his pocket. Quickly he reached in to pull out his mobile phone. “Be careful,” a hoarse voice said to him. “Where you’re going; it’s not safe. You won’t be able to control it anymore. The two that have gifts contrary cannot be near each other.”

“Who is this?” he hissed into the phone.

“A friend. Just stay away. Your ability will hurt everyone if you go near Jenkins.”

“What do you mean?” he said angrily.

“Look at your friend. You lack control. Jenkins too lacks control. He will absorb that you give out, and eventually change it to hurt others. Stay away from him.”

The phone hung up abruptly. Jimmy stared blankly at it. “What the hell was that?” Anne snapped. Jimmy was silent, taken aback by her. She shook her head. “Sorry about that... don’t know what came over me.”

Control...

Jimmy mused on the words he had heard. He knew they were true. He had done that to Anne.

“Stop the car. We’re going back.”

“What do you mean we’re going back? We’re almost there!”

“Just trust me.”

Stay away from Jenkins? Guess that makes him like us. A mutant. Small world...

***

It seemed Daniel hadn’t gone that far. Two strange people were spotted near the school. Ciarán had asked around rather casually, expecting to find out which direction they had gone. To find they had barely left was a surprise in itself. He guessed Daniel was still injured. Though, he wasn’t sure he had done that much to him.

What would they be doing here, anyway? Could they still be after us?

He kept his hand closed around some coins in his pocket just in case he was ambushed. The last thing he needed was to go down like this; hunting a lead then being picked off by it. But Daniel and the girl were close. He knew it.

You won’t get away this time.

***

The phone rang for what seemed the millionth time without answer. He decided to give up. Edel was simply out of reach. Carl, then, was still alone. He was tired. He had nowhere to stay. He had nothing in this world.

Only Emily...

He recalled again finding her slumped by her car, seemingly lifeless. It was an eternity away. A lifetime of horror and loneliness. A lifetime without Emily. All because he hadn’t made it to her on time. All because he had told her to leave the room.

The room!

He knew where he could go at last. The motel room. The one they had gotten when they were in Black Lake. She had left her credit card there to pay for the room. They still had it. Though it had been weeks, Emily was still paying for it. Which meant Carl had somewhere to sleep for the night. Somewhere else to try contact Edel from too.

He focused hard on the location. It had long ago been burnt into his memory. He closed his eyes from the strain, fatigue making any teleportation difficult. He felt himself jerk uncomfortably. He fell to his knees, opening his eyes to see Emily’s red convertible still parked in the motel parking lot. How it had remained untouched he didn’t know. But the sight of it brought back his memories again.

It hurt to see the place so empty, yet it somehow made sense. Here his love was taken from him. No one would disgrace the land here again. No one would walk this place again or disturb that which was hers.

Here only Carl would get some rest, despite the pain it brought his heart. This was Emily’s gift to him. Freedom.

***

Will was gone. Lisa was alone. It was the first time in weeks she had really been alone. It frightened her. She needed Will. She didn’t even want to see her parents. She didn’t need them like she needed Will. And she knew only one person could help her. She flicked through her phonebook, landing on the number that had been given her in case of emergency. Edel.
It didn’t take long for her to answer. “Edel?” Lisa called into the phone.

“Lisa? That you? Where’d you go?”

“We tried to track down where those guys take people,” Lisa told her. “Will had a hunch about it. He wasn’t the first one taken. But he’s gone, Edel. He had himself taken by them, but I’ve lost my connection with him. I can’t talk to him anymore.”

Edel was silent for a while. “What can I do to help?”

“Well, I need to meet up with you again. I think I know where they’ve taken him.”

“Then I’ll come get you. Tomorrow. Where we first met.” Lisa made to hang up. “I’m sorry about Will, Lisa.”

“Thanks.”

For everything.

***

Edel paced the room slowly. It wasn’t a happy place to be. She missed her old apartment. But it was gone, like everything else in her life. She had to get to the end of this. She had to help Lisa. And Carl. She rang once again. The connection went through quickly, the phone ringing. Her heart raced. She had found him.

“Hello?” a sleepy voice said to her.

“Carl? Is that you?”

“Edel?” he cheered, suddenly seeming awake. “What is it? I’ve been trying to get in touch with you!”

“I need your help. A friend needs me. And I could use you there.”

“But... Emily... she’s been taken.”

Emily too...

Edel knew what this meant. The men in the black suits had her. Like they had Will. “I can get her back. If you help me, Carl.” She let out a deep breath. “I may know someone who can find her. She’s who I need to help, Carl. Her boyfriend was taken. They staged it. She knows where he might be! But I need you to help us get there.”

“You can get Emily back...”

She really is all he can think about...

“I hope so, Carl. I hope so.”

Chapter Nineteen - Lost

Carl wasted no time in reporting Emily’s kidnapping to the hospital staff. He fought back the tears he knew were coming. He couldn’t face losing her again. “Excuse me!” he exclaimed at the front desk. A large, dark haired nurse turned to face him, bags under her eyes. “My friend Emily was taken from her room! You have to call the authorities!”

The nurse let out a slight snort. “What did you say her name was?” She moved slowly towards her computer.

“Emily Quigley!” he shouted at her, regretting he had down it by the fierce look she gave him.

“Look, young man, my job is hard enough without you shouting at me.” Carl nodded, looking away bashfully. “Quigley, Quigley... Mary Quigley did you say?”

“Emily,” he panted, losing his patience.

A frown came to the nurse’s face. “There’s no Emily on the system. Never was.” Carl stepped back in shock. “Sorry.”

“You have to be lying...” he muttered.

Emily...

***

Lisa could feel a struggle happening. Will was losing control. She sensed the connection getting weaker every minute. They wouldn’t hold out much longer. Lisa was worried that they had been discovered by the woman Will had told him about.

Will seemed to be screaming for help. She felt his presence pulsating towards her out of rhythm. Like it was trying to get away somewhere.

“Get away Lisa!”

She let out a gasp involuntarily. He was gone. Without a trace. She couldn’t find him anymore.

“Will!” she moaned.

Where are you?

***

There were no leads. No way of tracking her down. Edel had to give up. Naomi had gone missing. And with that Carl would never get Emily back. Edel had failed him. She had failed herself. She couldn’t even help one person. What did that say about her?

I have to tell him.

She let out a sigh. “Carl... I’m sorry. She’s gone.” She shook her head. “No that won’t do. Carl, I found her but she got away!” She banged her head off the table. “This is going to be harder than I thought.”

***

Daniel had vanished. Ciarán could find no other word for it. He had contacted all of their old friends. Not a single one had heard from him in two years, when he had left home after meeting with the madman Number One.

Ciarán remembered it well. His own discovery at having an ability. Daniel’s jealousy. How he had tried to show Ciarán that he was like him by going to Number One. He had spent days in a hospital bed. He had suffered, and survived. He had shown Ciarán that he was strong, faster too, than before. He had shown Ciarán the things he could do.

But Ciarán was not impressed. He was worried for Daniel’s sake.

In his hunt to be, what, equal? He forgot was he was. He forgot who he was. And he gave himself up.

And now he was gone. It was just like before. It was just like Daniel.

***

It seemed to teachers Anne and Jimmy that Horizon must have been very good at covering their steps in all things mutant related. They could find nothing more relating the men in the black suits to Horizon. Nothing to suggest they had lost an important member of their staff. Nothing at all really.

Except... there was one article. A man had lost his memory for a few days. A Horizon employee. He had been attacked, it seemed. By a mutant. That’s what he told people. A tall blonde woman. She had apparently taken his memory from him. Left him comatose. He had been the only person to have made such a claim.

“So that’s it, then?” Jimmy asked. “No more trouble at Horizon?”

“More burnt down buildings that any company of their size,” Anne pointed out. “Not a very good record to hold, is it? I certainly wouldn’t feel very safe in their hands.”

***

Carl stayed in the room the entire time, wishing silently for Emily’s impossible return. It was like she was dead. Gone forever. There was no way he could face the world like this. In a drunk-by-fatigue state, without sleep or company... Carl couldn’t handle it. He needed to talk to someone. He needed to sleep. He needed help finding Emily.

Edel... can you help me? Will you?

He didn’t know. He wasn’t sure he cared right now. He had to talk to someone. And if she couldn’t help him finding Emily she could at least give him a place to stay for the night.

Then he would chase after Emily.

Chapter Eighteen - Threads

Anne loved to read. She would read just about anything. Even tabloid papers, despite how much she complained about them. She found them an easy read after work. And it was because of this that she stumbled across a “human interest” story. A flying woman. A man with her. They had been seen after a strange explosion caused a ruckus at an apartment block. The entire wall of one of the rooms was blown outwards, glass shattering onto the road. Conveniently a photographer had been on the scene and had had sense enough to capture the pair flying away.

“It’s them,” Ciarán told Anne and Jimmy. “Daniel and the woman who brought him away from here. There’s no doubting it’s her.” He cursed under his breath. “What do you think they were doing there?”

“Maybe...” Anne muttered. Ciarán and Jimmy shared a glance and waited for her to continue.

“Well, the news stations have been talking about... mutants. How they’re dangerous. How they’re kidnapping people. Like a guy in Black Lake. Middle of the day... two men in black suits. Left the girl there for some reason.”

“So what are you getting at?” Ciarán asked impatiently.

“They’re after mutants...” Jimmy whispered. “Like us.” This caught their attention. “It makes sense. Why else would they send Daniel and the other two? They must have known I’d ask for your help. You do have a way of getting me out of trouble... If they know where Anne and I work they might know that.”

“So we’re mutants?” Ciarán asked aloud. “Dangerous! That what you’re saying!”

“Or in danger...” Anne mumbled. She didn’t like the idea of being different either. And she didn’t like that her life was at risk because of it. “What else do we have on these guys?”

***

For Edel, finding Naomi was proving increasingly difficult. She had found her mobile number eventually. But contacting it failed. It seemed to have stopped working. And she didn’t think Naomi was avoiding her. Why would she leave a contact number if that was the case?

As well as that, Naomi seemed to have learned her lesson when it came to taking peoples’ memories. It left Edel with nothing to follow. And she had no inclination as to where Naomi was heading. With that she had disappeared. No trace of her left.

Which meant Carl would have some trouble containing Emily.

***

Will had been easy to track, but difficult to keep in contact with. Lisa couldn’t communicate with him at all. She was worried for his safety; she wanted to know how he was doing. She didn’t know what they might be doing to him. She shivered at the thought of him in danger.

At least she knew where he was at all times. She knew how far away he was, in which direction. She used a map to track him through the desert on the dirt road. But there was nowhere to go out there, only some old buildings. And most of them had been destroyed in a fire years before according to all the sources Lisa had found on the internet.

One in particular caught her attention. The largest building of them all, the only one that hadn’t collapsed through entirely at some point – the building had belonged to Horizon Inc. Instinctively she knew it was Will’s ultimate destination in the back of the white van.

***

She never kept still. Carl noticed it quite easily. Emily never sat in one place too long. She was always fidgeting. She kept playing with the buttons of her blouse. She had tried to leave more than once, and Carl had had to try stopping her. Thankfully she refrained from using her ability. He guessed that she didn’t know how to use them properly.

The nurses had begun to notice him struggling with her. With looks of pity in their eyes and sympathy in their voices they suggested he get some help from a specialist doctor. Reluctantly Carl agreed. They gave him a phone number for a doctor they believed could help Emily. He was positioned in Black Lake – a private doctor, usually travelling between hospitals.

Carl took a risk and left Emily in the room by herself to use the payphone. The phone rang slowly in his head, emphasising how tired he really was. Finally someone answered. “Hello, Doctor Noel Landy’s office. How can I help you?”

“My friend... she’s lost her memory,” Carl explained in a drone. “I need help for her... please...”

“Of course,” the woman replied. “Name?”

“Carl... Carl Kenny. She’s Emily Quigley.”

“Very good,” she stated monotonously. “Now,” she said with a cheery voice,” you’ll need to bring Emily here Mr Kenny. The Doctor currently has a full appointment list and cannot afford to leave Black Lake at the moment.”

“Yes... yes of course.” He turned to check on Emily, heart skipping a beat as he saw her missing from the room. Dropping the phone he ran towards the door, seeing a struggling Emily in the hands of one of men who had taken him in Black Lake. She tried screaming but his hand was over her mouth. She kicked out in every direction, panic in her eyes. “Emily!” he screamed.

She was dragged into a white van as she finally got her mouth free. “Help me! Please! Somebody!” She was in tears as the doors closed on her, and Emily was sped away from Carl.

And once more he was alone.

***

“There is something...” Jimmy mumbled. “In New Thanes a few weeks ago I saw someone soaring through the air, but he didn’t look like he had much control. He was sort of confused as to what happened. I’d seen him the entire time, following someone I think.”

“What makes you so sure?” Ciarán asked, scepticism in his voice.

“He was dressed like Daniel. Down to the sunglasses. I thought I’d lost him in the crowds when the next thing I knew, there he was, heading down the street in mid air.” He rubbed his eyes, trying to remember more. He jerked when he thought of the note on his car. “He was here! He delivered a note!”

“He what?” Anne shrieked.

“He came here. To deliver a note. I was supposed to... kill you?” Embarrassed he looked away.
“He wore a black suit, but as soon as I saw him he vanished. Ran I think. I saw a blur. That’s it.”

“Super speed then,” Ciarán grumbled. “And all we can do is blow stuff up and shoot lightning from our fingers,” he grinned.

“And what about Jimmy?” Anne asked, staring at her colleague suspiciously. “What can you do Jimmy?”

“I don’t know yet...” he mumbled. “Anyway, there’s more. A fight in a restaurant. Some guy getting beat up by a guy in a black suit. Caused quite a stir in the place. And a tremor or two. It was like an earthquake. Then... knives and forks flying everywhere. At the guy in black.”

“A mutant,” Anne stated. “That about confirms the theory that they’re after mutants. And I suppose, they are too. It’s the only explanation for it. But I don’t understand why they want us dead...”

“Genocide...” Jimmy moaned. “Because we’re not working with them.” A gasp came from Ciarán. He was reading an old newspaper. “Did you keep that thing?” Jimmy asked Anne.

“Media studies,” she explained. “What’s gotten to you?” she asked Ciarán, grabbing the newspaper.

“A businessman killed himself,” he replied. “He was wearing the same clothes as Daniel and the others... Do you reckon he was with them?” Neither of the teachers responded. “The tracks were bent... broken really. That’s what it says. They’re not connecting the two... but as far as I know trains don’t just get back on the tracks. It’s physically impossible.”

“He’s right,” Anne exclaimed, a hint of excitement in her voice. “And there was odd seismic activity in the area! And in the area of the restaurant. The date matches the track bending.” She turned the paper around for them to see the article – journalists playing with the idea that the world was tearing itself apart. “That was no businessman, then.”

“And he probably didn’t kill himself...” Jimmy told them. “He could have gotten on the train for that if he was going to take all those people with him. Or trying to. I don’t think he was expecting the train to hit him. Where’d he work anyway?”

Anne quickly scanned the page. “Horizon.”

Chapter Seventeen - Standstill

When Carl returned to Emily’s room a flood emotions took him. At first he was overcome with joy. Seeing Emily awake for the first time since he had been taken had caught him off guard. By the time he had shook the surprise from his body, he was let down. Emily looked distant, and afraid of him.

“What’s wrong, Emily?” he asked her quietly. She shook her head slowly. “Emily?”

“Is... is that me?” Silently he fell into his chair. He held his head in his hands. “Is it?” He wished she would stop talking. He wished she would just take him in her arms, tell him she was okay. But she didn’t. She didn’t know herself... and he doubted she’d know him. “Please,” she cried, “Is that me!”

“It was...” he muttered.

This can’t be Emily... it can’t be. This can’t be it!!

He remembered seeing her there by her car. Holding her in his arms. He knew then something was wrong with her, but now... now he wasn’t so sure anything could be done about it. Emily was awake like he’d wanted... but this wasn’t really Emily. He didn’t want it to be. He wanted her to be there for him, in body and mind. Like she had been when he had escaped from the cells.

“Please... don’t be like this...” he whispered. He knew she wouldn’t hear him. “Just please come back Emily...”

***

The internet was indeed a source of knowledge. Edel had done a simple search for Emily Quigley and found talk of miracles in her hospital.

So Carl hasn’t moved her...

The article read how the once comatose Emily Quigley had woken up miraculously in the middle of the day for no apparent reason. And that was all there was to it... besides the rumour that Emily had no memory of anything, ever.

Naomi...

Cursing under her breath she searched the small hotel room. No sign of her. Or Will and Lisa.

“Damn!” she hissed, and sped out of the room.

***

The man in white knew all about mutant kind when it came to hiding places. His ability allowed him to find them in an instant. Telepaths were tricky this way. They could shut him out completely if they were strong enough, and knew how. Few of them had both strength and knowledge for such a task.

But telepaths were not the man’s target this time. The healer, Craig Mitchell, was who he was after. With him there was no way 01 could lose again. And there would be no interference from anyone else that Craig might help.

“Ms Whyte? Have an order go out. Capture Craig Mitchell. I think Hannah will be suitable for the task.”

“Where shall I say he is?”

“Hannah will find him, or do her best. If there is trouble I will inform her. But she needs to learn.”

“Of course...” Ms Whyte mumbled.

I won’t be around forever after all...

***

“Need help. Danger nearby. Jimmy”

The fragmented text message got Ciarán moving quickly. Hurl in hand he raced towards the school. Jimmy never seemed that panicked. And phone calls were more his thing. Something was definitely wrong.

He scaled the fence surrounding the school, bounding towards the side entrance. It was quiet... not like the school at lunch time... not like anywhere at lunch time. Then he saw why. A lone figure standing on the grass, all shape hidden amongst itself. A man in a black suit that didn’t belong.

Ciaran knew this man.

Daniel... what are you doing here, you fool?

He readied himself for a fight as he approached the man in black.

“My old friend...” the man muttered. “Come to help them...” His voice had the same strange pitch to it that Ciaran had come to hate in the last days of their friendship. The unnatural pitch that came with Daniel’s change.

“Daniel... you haven’t changed much. A better wardrobe I’ll admit. But not much else. Still the same back stabbing fool that left home two years ago.”

“And you’re still the same person that refused to join me.” He cracked his hand and raised his fists. “Let’s settle this.”

***

Over coffee Jimmy had suddenly paused, much to the confusion of Anne. They had been avoiding their co-workers as they spoke, and Jimmy’s silence was leaving Anne uncomfortable. “What is it?” she hissed in a whisper.

“He’s back... he’s angry...” Jimmy muttered. He struggled to understand how he knew this. The feeling just came to him. “Anne... we have to go. I had a friend come. He’s out there!” He leapt from his chair, knocking it carelessly to the floor. The other staff members were startled by his movements, and annoyed that he failed to pick the chair back up. Anne covered her face as she left, but continued to run after Jimmy.

“Who is this friend of yours, Jimmy?” Anne panted as she tried to keep up, holding her skirt up from her feet. “Why did you ask him to come here?”

“His name is Ciarán Heller. He’s here because we’re all in danger.” He reached the side doors and pushed them open. But as soon as he tried to leave an invisible force blocked him. “They want us dead, Anne. You, Ciarán, me... I think it has something to do with your... gift.”

Anne let out a gasp. “And your friend is out there, right now?” The thought of the recent attack came to her. The man had fled, even after what Anne had done to him. “We have to help him, Jimmy!”

***

Daniel’s fist knocked the breath out of Ciarán when it struck. And he didn’t stop there. Though he didn’t use his ability, Daniel still felt the superior in the fight. In his arrogance he failed to duck as Ciarán hurl swung through the air. Daniel tumbled to the grass, clutching his head. He was dizzy standing up, giving Ciarán a chance to recuperate, but even that grace was short lived.

Daniel moved back into action, throwing punched wildly, angrily. He connected with the hurl several times, ignoring the pain in his hands. With his anger he lost control, and so gradually his ability activated. The wood began to splinter as Ciarán blocked the attack. Before it shattered Ciarán parried. He gave Daniel a punch in the jaw, then another on the nose. The glasses shattered upon impact; Daniel threw them to the ground in disgust.

He glared at Ciarán with violet eyes, a trademark trait of the army he had joined. In those eyes Ciarán saw pain; he pitied his old friend for becoming like this. Taking orders from a secretive man who could bless a man with power, or strip his life away in an instant. Ciarán knew the story too well.

You gave yourself to him, Daniel... And for what? For this?

The old friends continued their fight, despite Ciarán’s reluctance to hurt his foe. He received a great deal of the punches, but always hit back hard at Daniel’s ribs and his arms, wearing down the man physically. He knew neither of them could withstand the punishment much longer. Still, Daniel was relentless, and angry. And desperate it seemed.

The man in black made an unexpected move. He tackled Ciarán into the air, shouldering him in the stomach and lifting. He thrust him up and backwards, so that he landed hard on the ground. From Ciarán pocket rolled a slither. He knew he had to make a move; he had to do something that Daniel couldn’t just block.

He grabbed the leather ball tight in his left hand, willing energy to enter it. A spark of green light shot around it before the entire object started to glow. Hurl in his right hand, he threw up the slither, striking it in mid air. It sped at Daniel as he turned around. The explosion was bigger than Ciarán had expected. Heat burst from ball as it expanded in every direction, the pieces of it becoming incinerated. A shockwave sent Daniel spinning and knocked Ciarán off him balance.

Daniel landed hard on the grass, skidding through the muck on his back. His suit was torn to pieces, his white shirt blackened. His hat had been thrown from his head, and shards of wood from the ball’s centre had scratched his face. As he struggled to his feet, dazed, he raised his left hand. A figure sped through the air, grabbing him tightly. She wore a black suit and sunglasses, but lacked the hat Daniel had been wearing. A similarly garbed man held on tight in the woman’s other hand. She seemed to struggle as she flew miraculously through the sky and over the fence, dipping down violently once she had cleared the houses.

Ciarán fell with relief to his knees as two people ran towards him. The woman, with bright red hair, looked worriedly at his condition while the man simply grasped him tightly around the shoulders – as much of a hug as either man would give.

“It’s good to see you too, Jimmy,” Ciarán said to the man, a grin on his face. “Mind telling me what they were here for?”

Chapter Sixteen - Victim

Craig Mitchell was ready to find his danger. He had been for a long time after he had had a taste of it. And now he had found it; he had found her; he had found Emily Quigley. The woman he believed would change his life. Not romantically, nothing like that. But in terms of giving himself a chance in the world, Emily was the answer. After many patients, many squashed dreams and months of horror, Craig was ready.

But was the world ready? He doubted people wanted to know about a man who could heal with his touch. He knew they weren’t ready. After all, the last person to have made that claim ended up dead, hanging from a cross in the scorching sun, bleeding from his hands, feet and head. Yes he had been worshipped for it, and the many other things he had gone through, but Craig didn’t want the fame. And he certainly didn’t want to die for his ability.

But he did want to help Emily Quigley. The odd case that no doctor could explain. The woman who wouldn’t wake up, whose very life was in danger of never being lived. She was young, and pretty. A local newspaper had shown Craig this. He wanted to help her. He had to help her.

For all those I let down... I have to do this.

He wouldn’t die for his ability. But he would certainly die for her.

Craig was ready to change the world.

***

Jimmy hadn’t slept in over a day. Not after the note. It worried him. Frightened him even. He was a teacher not a killer, despite the claims his students might make about the amount of homework he gave. He wasn’t sure who even knew about Ciarán and Anne. He certainly didn’t know anyone besides himself that knew both people.

As he trudged wearily through the hallway a blur of darkness swept into his vision. A strong fist pounded him into the wall. More punches came as Jimmy held himself in a feeble defensive position, getting angry and scared as the punches came in quicker succession. This man, he knew, was no ordinary man.

As Jimmy struggled for breath an arc of lightning shot over him. Anne made her way defiantly towards him and his attacker, fear in her eyes masked beneath sheer determination. Before her Jimmy lay crumpled into a ball by his own accord, and a man in a black suit struggled to his feet, smoke issuing from his clothes.

The man fixed his short bowler hat on his head and adjusted his dark sunglasses, a grim smile weaving its way onto his lips. From his inside pocket he pulled a gun of sorts, though it was made from plastic and didn’t appear lethal. Anne cursed under her breath.

Coward!

Anger surged within her from an unknown source. She felt her hair rise with static electricity. Her limbs outstretched themselves by their own will as an electrical surge shot from the sockets in the walls and from the overhead lights, becoming a maelstrom as it bounded towards the man in black. Startled he threw the gun towards her and ran. The plastic device blackened in an instant and burst into pieces before Anne.

With a sigh she fell to her knees, Jimmy’s attacker gone.

“Anne...” Jimmy mumbled. “What happened to you?”

***

Will always had some sort of plan under his sleeve. And as he walked purposely casual down the strange road in the distant town, there was no exception. He and Lisa had planned it, although she was initially the one to do the walking. Will objected. It was dangerous. It still was in his case.

“Be careful, Will.”

I’ll try...

His breathing was quick, no matter how much he tried to slow it down. He wiped a cool, panicked sweat from his forehead. That was when he heard it – the van. He felt strong arms grasp him quickly, silently, from behind. He knew this man already. Edward. The brute the man in white commanded.

Stay with me Lisa.

“Always, Will.”

As he was thrown into the back of the white van, he lost her words. There was the woman from the last capture. Trying to break his connection with Lisa. They kept it quiet, like turning the sound down on a radio. They hoped the woman would not notice the faint trace connection between them that they barely held still.

With it, Lisa and Will would find everyone the men in black had ever captured.

***

Naomi knew that staying with Edel was bad idea for the time being. There was that, and her curiosity into what she could actually do. She didn’t know herself, she realised. She never would have thought she would hurt people the way she did. She always imagined she’d be the model wife, as it were. She’d be beautiful, in control, but caring.
Well, two out of three isn’t bad.

Emily Quigley was her hardest victim to take. She was the one that changed Naomi back into what she wanted to be. But she was still frightened. She had to get back to Emily; she had to save Emily and in that, save herself.

But she didn’t want to put Edel in danger either. Naomi still did not have full control. The slightest mistake could ruin everything. It wasn’t worth the risk. So she left Edel, Will and Lisa, slipping a phone number onto the table where she knew Edel would find it. Edel would have to find Carl Kenny by herself.

Do I love him?

The thought surprised her when it came to her. Here was Carl – a caring, and by no means unattractive. But he cared for Emily. And Emily cared for him; loved him. Naomi didn’t know what she was feeling, or if it was even her feeling these things.

And she hated herself for it all the more.

***

The hospital where Emily Quigley rested was a small place, not accustomed to miracles or strange cases. It already had the latter, and would soon get the former. Craig would make sure of it. No matter what, he would wake Emily Quigley up. The excitement reminded him of his years as a medical student, his first year in the hospital. The people he let down in those days... he would save Emily for them.

Taking a deep breath he positioned himself nonchalantly near her room as a man walked from it, distressed and tired. Bags hung under his bleary eyes. His steps were short and slow. This would give Craig all the time he needed. Quickly he entered the room, eyes falling on the beautiful Emily Quigley who lay as still as Snow White, her bronze hair spread out over the white pillow. She looked like an angel in Craig’s eyes.

Slowly he stepped up to her side, his breath catching as he laid his hand on her chest, just below her throat. White sparkling light flowed from his hand, glittering as it encased Emily in an aura of beauty. This had happened only once before for Craig. But still he did not know what it meant. Regardless he let it continue. Her breathing became quicker, but not unhealthily. Her heartbeat became normal. And finally Emily’s eyes shot open wide.

Craig’s breath caught as he felt a light pressure on his chest. He looked down; Emily’s pale hand was missing in his chest. There was no blood, though Craig was sure she could still kill him.

Please, Emily...

He looked into her fear filled eyes. He searched for something there, anything that might spark sympathy. But it was like looking into the eyes of a puppet. They were empty, without feeling, knowledge. It was as if Emily was but a shell.

“Who are you?” she screamed.

Please...

“Where am I?” She didn’t tear her eyes from his. She kept perfectly still for a few moments. With a gasp she lowered her hand. It slid easily from his chest, leaving no mark in either his flesh or his clothes. “Who am I?”

As Craig backed away in panic, Emily screamed. Tears poured from her eyes. She covered them up with her arms, still screaming.

Craig Mitchell fled from the angel.

***

01 felt her mind stir. He felt himself grow within her. This woman was his now, like so many others. Half a mutant, half a slave. This woman was his. And he would not forget it. He could never forget it.

While the doctors of Horizon examined her, searching for cause of her peculiarities, 01 gave her instructions once more, prodding at her mind with his connection with her. She listened intently, realising what he was telling her.

I will get out of this accursed place, Ms Brady. You will assure it. And you will come with me.

01’s soldier knew her job well. Like it had always been her dream. 01 had to get free, so that he could change the world how he had always wanted. No matter the losses humanity would face at his hands.

Chapter Fifteen - Attack

01 spent days wondering what state his female doctor was in. It was evident that he had done something to her, but that was largely due to the fact that she had had a fit. But he did feel something - whether it was a twinge from his older abilities and past followers, or her rising ability connecting itself to him he was unsure. Either way, he knew she would not be able to harm him when she got back - if she got back.

None of them ever could. Whether they survived or not. 01 was, in terms of his own assembled army, safe.

***

Lovers struggled for peace when they came under attack. Lisa and Will were these lovers. After Will's escapades attacking Naomi there had been problems. They had argued, as many couples tend to do. But while Lisa was angry, Will was only too happy to see her. The dilemma was driving him crazy.

"Lisa, wait!" he shouted. She looked scornfully at him. "I... I have something I need to tell you." He looked down at his feet. "I was attacked, Lisa. I was threatened. I had to attack her. I had to kill her. They told me too."

"Who exactly? And what could they have possibly threatened you with? What could make you willing to hurt someone!" She was furious with him, evidently.
"I don't know who they were. But it doesn't matter as far as I'm concerned. What they said they'd do... what they promised me... I couldn't decline."

"And what was so important that you 'couldn't decline!'" She was breathing hard, angrily.

You.

Her lip quivered. He couldn't look at her. He wanted to... but the entire thing frightened him. It didn't matter anyway. She grabbed him tightly, hugging him. She cried on his shoulder - he wasn't sure why. "I'm sorry Will. I really am..."

***

Naomi and Edel found themselves meeting for the first time in their lives that didn't involve them having to run away. It was a pleasant experience for them, despite the topic of conversation. They had come to discussing Emily - it didn't take long for them to realise that she was one person they both had some acquaintance in Carl. From there they moved to his ill-fated partner.

"How was she... you know... when you saw her last?" Naomi asked.

"She seemed okay. She's stable. Carl's a mess though. First the cells... then Emily. And he told me he has some memory loss from before the cells... I think it's all finally getting to him." Naomi let out a depressed sigh. "Hey, don't blame yourself. Carl had his problems long before Emily. Long before you did anything."

"You think so?"

"Naomi, you can't go blaming yourself on everything. Carl told me everything. All he wants is Emily back. And I'm sure he'll understand your reasons."

Naomi took solace in that. She knew why she had done it to Emily, but she was never too sure how Carl would react. "So... what do we do about those guys in black?"

"Not too sure. We need to get Emily back to normal. That's priority. And getting those two home," she said, gesturing to the other room where Lisa and Will were talking. "We can't keep them with us through this."

"Is it safe to let them go?" Naomi asked. "I mean... they might be taken."

"Or worse..." Edel remembered the hospital, the ferals. "There are people that can do worse than just capture them. They tried to get to Emily a couple of days ago."

"Then we have to make sure that they're okay. Or keep them with us for now. We'll get in touch with their parents... pretend to be the other's mother or something. Then we'll get them home when this is over."

"This is really messed up," Edel exclaimed.

***

Craig Mitchell was, and always had been, a curious person. But he was also very kind. And when Craig had discovered his healing ability, he knew he had to do something with it. But having had to flee his home town, Craig was now looking, of all places, on the internet. There were many mysterious powers at work, he knew. And they led him to people with abilities like him - bad people. He was very cautious of them now. But he also knew that he could not avoid a person in need.

Craig Mitchell was looking for danger.

***

Jimmy Wilkes worked seriously, yet with a carefree attitude, in a school. He cared very much for his job, his students, workmates and friends. He had yet to realise the ultimate potential he had, for his ability was yet to reveal itself to him. But Jimmy always knew when something was happening. And he had a sneaking suspicion that someone had been at his car.

He ran out of the building quickly, expecting to find some students messing. Instead he saw a piece of paper billowing in the wind attached under his wiper.

"Deal with Anne Judge and Ciarán Heller. Use whatever methods you see fit. Do this, or you pay the price. Don't expect us to leave them alone afterwards."

Fearfully he looked around. He sensed someone watching him. It worried him. And when finally his eyes caught sight of a man, he ran away with astonishing speed.

Jimmy Wilkes had been found by the men in the black suits.

***

Anne Judge worked alongside Jimmy. They had a comfortable relationship, although she posed as a much more serious person. She was the disciplinarian. She was the one that students would listen to and know she was serious.

Some students came running past her. Angrily she turned to them. "Gentlemen!" she called. She knew these students. They stopped on the spot. Third years usually did. "Now," she said calmly, yet assertively, "Please tell me what the rush is."

"No rush, Miss," one of them said.

"Mr Murphy, do not attempt to lie to me." She didn't want him to get in trouble. She knew he was a good student. "Just, tell me why you were running in the halls, Liam." She didn't need him to answer. The very moment she had finished talking a gang of fifth years came running around the corner. They froze on the spot. "Move along," she said to Liam Murphy and his friends. "Now, gentlemen," she addressed the fifth years. It was an all-boys school. Everyone was 'gentleman.' Even if they weren't exactly gentlemen. "Do you mind telling me what you were doing?"

"We were just messing," one of them said.

"Just messing! You're never just doing something!" The lights flickered overhead with sparks of electricity. "Bloody things..." she muttered to herself. “No more of it," she warned them.

Plebeians...

***

When Ciarán Heller discovered his ability it had caused some trouble. Now, months on, he was struggling to gain control over it. He had seen footballs, coins, doorknobs... everything... explode upon his touch. It was enthralling, but dangerous.

Come on, focus.

He held the cent coin in his right hand tightly between his index finger and his thumb. He stared at it fiercely. He willed it to happen. He put everything he had into making the coin explode.

And finally it lit up lightly, a green light shining from the points where his fingers met it. And when he threw it into the air it exploded. The metal disintegrated as the light expanded. It became hot in a moment. The explosion was enough to do anyone damage.

But more importantly Ciarán had learned control.

Chapter Fourteen - Hunt

Edel had run away. Carl was left alone then with Emily. He didn't mind. The hospital had taken her in. She was safe. It was all going to be alright. he felt sure of it. He would find Brock. And together they would help Emily. Carl was certain of it. Nothing else mattered.

***

Edel found that finding Naomi was a lot easier than expected. She had made herself well known in the towns, and her trail of destruction could be traced close by. Edel was sure she would reach her soon.

Her phone rang suddenly. Alerted, Edel answered quickly. "Yeah?" she panted, wishing she had rented a car instead of running the way to Naomi.

"She's in trouble! Hurry Edel!"

Jesus wept...

***

Simultaneously Lisa and Will had boarded their trains. They were fast approaching Naomi's whereabouts - both had been told by their superiors of her location.

Neither knew the other was getting closer.

***

They were dispatched in the van. The two men in black. They had dealt with Naomi before. She was too slow for one, and too weak for the other. And she had to be punished for not dealing with her last assignment. Neither agreed in letting a teenager perform the deed.

Will would be removed if he interferred.

***

She didn't expect the attack. But Naomi Ryan hadn't expected a lot of things that happened that day. For instance, she didn't know that there were, at that time, five people looking for her and only two of them were working together. She didn't know that the men in black had hired a teenager to kill her, or that his girlfriend had been hired by someone else to save her. She didn't know that the woman that had freed her from the cells was on her way, sent by the same people as the young girl, to save her.

So when the white van pulled up nearby, Naomi Ryan was caught completely off guard. It took all of her willpower to get her legs to run. She didn't know what the men could do, except that they had failed to begin chasing her.

Before she knew it, Naomi was tackled hard. She landed in a bush, the person still on top of her. She was struggling to move, and his arms were feeling their way around to her neck.

"Will no!" a voice called. Lisa pulled at him, grabbing his shoulder. "Will stop! Don't kill her. Please." She tugged harder, digging her feet into the ground. Finally he came up, unwillingly, from Naomi and the pair fell to the ground.

"Lisa?"

"Who the hell are you two?" Naomi shouted. Before either could answer Naomi spotted the men in black. She cursed under her breath and pulled them up. "Come on! They're dangerous." She made to run from them, pulling Lisa and Will along with her, when the thinner of the two appeared in front of them.

"Get back!" a voice called. Straight away the man was forced aside by a bright stream of hot light. A red haired girl ran up to the group panting. "Get out of here. All of you. I'll stall as long as I can." She noticed Naomi, remmebering her from the cells. "You?" she noted out loud.

"Thank you," Lisa said to her softly, chasing after Naomi and Will.

Edel sent more blasts at the men in black. The first was up again, the second making his way closer. She moved with her instincts, sending blasts in every direction. Neither could get close, even the fast one.

"You can't keep this up forever!" the taller one yelled.

He's right... I have to get out of here quickly.

She charged the energy, maintaining it for a moment before it released wildly outwards like a wave. it destroyed everything it touched, and the men in black barely got away from it, only to be hit by falling debris from the trees and buildings to each side.

Edel took the chance to run from the hunters. She was finally free from the madness.

[end of part 2]

Chapter Thirteen - Murder

Emily's life was no longer hanging in the balance. But it was still no cause for celebration. It was, if anything, only a relief for Carl and Edel. They knew that nothing was certain for them anymore but the past; they took comfort in the idea that nothing could ever change it.

"So... you were the one that got of the cells?" Edel asked him. "The first person to ever get out." She looked at him with adoration. "Wow... How did you know... I mean... how did you get out?"

"My ability. Teleportation. That's what Emily called it. Which I guess is a pretty accurate description." He thought about it briefly. "Instantaneous transmission," he boasted.

Edel laughed along with him. "It's a lot more... peaceful than my ability. Whatever it actually is. Fission I think. You know, like in a nuclear reactor. Except... well I don't think it's radioactive. Lucky for you I guess," she joked. "When did you realise you had your ability?"

"I thought it was the cells... but I don't know. Did you ever think you had a life before then? That maybe everything was in a daze and you're not quite sure you did any of that stuff?"

"Not quite sure I know what you mean," she said to him.

He sighed, rubbing his hands over his weary eyes, trying to remember something. It was all fuzzy. He remembered everything up to six years before. Then it began to get hazy. He remembered a kind old face - not someone he knew before. But he couldn't recall a name. He rememebred a man too, older than Carl was. And a young boy. He remembered a van too, but that was the end. All he remembered then were the cells and getting out of them.

"It's like... I lived this whole other life. But I can't remember anything between six years ago and the cells. It's all a blur. Why that one gap in my life?"

"I don't know..." She knew she had made a mistake in asking the question, and that she couldn't just leave the room silent. "I was just taken in. No explanation. Just grabbed. When I was in a cell they asked me why I was there. When I couldn't answer they called me a mutant. I didn't know what they meant. They explained that people labelled mutants had abilities beyond normal human expectations. Then they asked me what I could do."

"You didn't know?"

She shook her head. "It wasn't until I accidentally burned the sleeves of those two brutes that went with the doctor that I found out about my ability. I broke out with it, melted the wall. There was another girl who got out too. I don't know who she was. But no one deserved to stay in that place. It wasn't right. It wasn't humane."

"You saved her life?" Edel nodded. "She owes you one." He took out his phone. "Sorry, you don't mind if I make a quick call, do you? It's Brock. He might still think that Emily is at the hospital.

"Fire away," she said to him.

He thanked her politley and dialled the number. Instantly the operator spoke.

"The person you have called cannot be reached. Please try again later." He ended the call and looked worryingly at Edel.

"I think something's wrong."

***

Lisa couldn't sleep. She could only focus on Will. He seemed to have no problem hiding secrets from her. But she knew he could hide nothing in his dreams. And she listened in to his unconsoius thoughts.

I shouldn't be doing this... but it's for his own good.

"I'm not a murderer..."

What?

"But I have to do it!"

What do you have to do? Tell me Will.

"I have to kill Naomi Ryan... I have to save the future... I have to save Lisa."

It's okay Will. We'll figure this out.

"Those manipulative..." she said to herself, thinking out loud. "We were both sent to find her. He has to kill the woman I was sent to save. Oh Will what have you got yourself into?"

***

The doctors avoided 01 at first. But he knew that rumours would reach him. The man had died. And now there was no more annoying doctor to watch over 01.

No one beats me... no one can beat me.

"Subject 01?" a woman called. He looked up to her - he hadn't heard the door going up. "I'll be your new doctor after... After your previous one left."

He stood up to full height. She was shorter than him, ever so slightly. She had a pretty face, if uncertain about some things. Like what she was doing in the same room as the man who had killed her predassor. "You're a pretty one, aren't you," he noted. He began circling her. The brutes weren't in the room. They too were afraid of 01. "What's your name?"

"Fi... Fiona Brady. Doctor Fiona Brady."

"What a beautiful name," he said to her. He ran a finger along her cheek. She gulped hard.

"What was it you did to him?"

"Not much. Merely... provided an upgrade."

"He's dead! How is that an upgrade?" she shouted.

"You'll see," he smirked, and grabbed her head like he had the other doctor's. His grip was too tight for her to break free. She struggled, but soon became blinded by the bloody tears that had formed in her eyes. She screamed at him - no words, only fear. And he relished in it. The fear. The pain. The suffering. And releasing the energy into her. Improving her.

She fell to the floor in a fit. "Cleanup on aisle one!" he shouted out the door.

***

Edel had found a nearby hospital. It was small, out of the way. No one would find Emily there. She told Carl about it so that he could help her. She hoped that his friend was alright. For his sake, and Emily's. But Edel could not dwell on the thought of a missing person. Her phone was already ringing.

"Ms Mooney. Alive and well thankfully." It was the wheezy voiced man. Edel couldn't understand him. But she knew he was calling for a reason. "I have a job for you."

"What's that?"

"When Ms Quigley is safe you must find Naomi Ryan. She can help Emily out of her coma. But her life is in danger. We have already sent help, but it may not be enough."

"Why not?"

"Would you trust a teenage girl to fight her boyfriend and the men that have been trying to kill you?" Edel didn't answer. There was no need to. "You have to hurry Ms Mooney. Naomi doesn't have long."

***

Brock was bound by rope. He pitied the perosn that thought it would keep him still. He focused on them, and on his flames. A small fire started from his fingertips. Quickly the ropes fell apart and Brock was free to move.

"Didn't think you were alone, did you?" a man asked. His voice was eerie, chilling. A moment later Brock felt his hand around his throat. When he made to fight back, Brock was thrown to the floor roughly. He hit his head, and blacked out. "No one gets out of here."

Chapter Twelve - Struggle

In the centre of the room was the chair, and the person they had taken. Brock Lewis. Both men that watched over him wore black suits and bowler hats, sunglasses, despite the obvious darkness of the room. Brock was unconscious, a result of an attack neither of the men could perform - an attack on the mind itself. They had experience in physical attributes; one exclusively in speed, the other in both his strength and his speed, though the amount by which they had been augmented was significantly less than the others change.

“What do we do with him?” the second of the men asked. “It’ll be hard to have him join us.”

“Like the boss would want that,” his team-mate scoffed. “There’s only one way.”

“Hannah...” the second man replied. “Should I get her?”

The first man nodded. “We’re not to use her for the others anyway. She may as well be put to some use.” The second man went to leave as the first started speaking again. “I think this is what the Doc wants anyway.” Confirmation only made things easier. Getting Hannah to work on someone wasn’t something they liked to do very often. The first man eyed Brock with anger; he would get his revenge.

***

Carl sat by Emily’s bed once more. His tears had all dried up; now he had only sympathy for her. He would do anything to save her, and he felt powerless being watchman. He wondered where Brock had disappeared to, whether he had found the woman, Naomi.

A red haired girl ran into the room frantically. “Is that Emily Quigley?” Carl nodded, standing ready to fight the woman. “My name is Edel Mooney. I’m here to save your life.”

Carl lowered his guard. “We’re not in any danger…” He eyed the woman suspiciously. “You were attacked,” he stated. “By the men in black?” She nodded. “I think they were the ones that put her like this,” he explained, placing a hand into Emily’s. “They attacked us, took me, left her open… I should have saved her…”

Edel placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s not your fault. It can’t be your fault Mr… I’m sorry, I never got your name.”

“Carl. Carl Kenny. How’d you know about Emily?”

“I got a phone call. A man. He said I save her life… but I don’t understand. What’s wrong with her? How can I help?”

As if to answer her question the doors burst open in the hospital, accompanied by howls and screams that echoed through the corridors. Edel tensed up and Carl took a tighter grip on Emily’s hand. A gang of men and women scurried through the hospital, wearing only black clothes around their wild bodies.

They came for Emily.

***

Lisa’s life was taking yet another twist. Will was behaving strangely; the boy whose thoughts she could hear, was behaving strangely. He knew she was uncomfortable with it, but he hid his reasons for oddness. He hid those few moments from her strictly, preciously. And while she thought about it, she was caught off guard by the ringing of her phone.

"Lisa Reilly?" a man asked. Without waiting for a reply he said to her, "You must block him out. The boy. Do it quickly." She grew nervous but did as instructed.

"Okay... he can't hear you," she told the man. "Who are you?"

"If you'll forgive me... I cannot tell you. You will know in the future. But only if you do precisely as I say. Your friend Will - he's in danger. Grave danger." The man spoke with a wheezy voice. It disturbed Lisa. "He has agreed to take part in something out of his ocntrol. You must help us Lisa, for the future to be saved."

"What do I need to do?" she asked nervously.

"Find Naomi Ryan. She's involved in all of this, with the people Will has agreed to help. You must find her, and save her life. Will you do this for us Lisa?"

I'm just one girl!

"And why can't you?"

The man paused, the eerie sound of his breath wheezing into the phone. "There are complications. But you must do this Lisa. Do it for Will. Set him free from his contract." The phone hung up. Lisa soon came to realise she wasn't given much of a choice in her mission.

Oh Will I could really use your help right now...

***

He was troubled by her silence. Lisa had never blocked Will before. Not even when she was having a private conversation with her friends. But he had blocked her, like he had done to her. And he realised now why she was so worried. But he couldn't waste time. He used his chance wisely and rang the man in white. "You told me to ring..." he muttered.

"Very good. There is a woman, Naomi Ryan. You must kill her William. Kill her, or we will... remove Ms Reilly from the picture."

Will couldn't belive his ears. But what choice did he have? Sacrifice Lisa? He couldn't let that happen. "I'll do it."

"There's a good boy." The line closed sharply. Will steeled himself for guilt.

***

01's cell seemed brighter that day. He knew, without a doubt, that the doctors would take action if he didn't. Things had to be done - the demonstration would have to take place. He smirked as they entered - the brutes and the doctor. The shot was in his hand ready. He looked especially proud of himself after he had caused 01 distress. this had to be reprimanded.

"I am ready!" 01 announced dramatically. "The demonstration will take place. Right here, right now!" The doctor lowered the needle curiously. "If these fine gentlemen would simply remove their hands from me... thank you." His grin stretched across his face. With one fluid movement, almost unnatural for his age, he leapt at the doctor, taking him firmly around the head with both hands. He rememebered this feeling of power, of grandeur, of supremacy. He had longed for it. To have his over used abilities return to him. He felt energy flood the doctor - the brutes were afraid to do anything. "He will die if you interfere!" he warned them, almost reading their thoughts.

The docter cried blood from his eyes. It seeped from his ears and his nose. He began to shake as 01's strange ability took its hold on him. When 01 removed his hands the doctor fell to the ground. He continued to shake on the ground, spaziming out of control. 01 smiled as the man's life began to fade away.

"Oh dear," he joked. "It looks like he won't make it. What a shame. Who's next!" he boomed. He flashed wide eyes at the brutes. Fearfully they ran past him and lifted the doctor by his arms and legs out of the room. Armed guards blocked the way for 01 to get out. Three of them, pistols in their hands. The mirror began to lower itself in front of 01 whose laughter echoed hauntingly through the building.

I'm back.

***

The ferals ravaged the hospital. The nurses screamed, the doctors screamed, the patients fainted. Men and women were killed, children toyed with before being cast aside. The wild men and women in black had taken the hospital and there wasn't a thing anyone could do. Anyone, except Edel.

"I'll hold them off!" she yelled to Carl. "If they get passed me, get out of here. They can't get their hands on her." Carl nodded and she ran from the room. Her heart was pounding.

What am I thinking? How can I do this?

She got her answer straight away. A woman leapt at her. Edel barely had time to raise her hand when a surge of hot energy shot into the woman. Instinctively Edel spun around and scorched another. A man. He had a doctor held tightly by the neck. Or at least he used to. The feral was now buried deep in a wall. "You okay?" Edel asked the doctor. He nodded uncertainly. "You better get out of here. Get as many as you can. They're not here for you."

"Who are you?" he stuttered.

Edel smiled lightly. "I'm one of the good guys." The doctor let out a soft laugh and made for the nurses station. Edel watched him leave, making sure he was okay.

"You should be watching your own back," a voice taunted. Edel spun arond on the spot as the feral leapt at her. She was tackled to the ground by him - he was heavier and stronger than her. She knew she was losing the battle - it didn't take his hands wrapped around her throat for her to realise it. Desperately she clutched at his chest and released a blast. He was thrown into the air, crashing into the ceiling light. When he fell down a few feet away from Edel his chest was blackened.

Edel tried to ignore it and searched for the rest of the ferals. It didn't take long to find they had surrounded her, and the room. She backed into the doorway, keeping an eye on Carl. "We have trouble," she told him.

He knew only one way out. And he couldn't leave her there. "Come on!" he shouted to her and took a hold of her hand. With his other hand holding Emily tightly he teleported them away. The ferals howled in desperation - all three were gone.

Carl was panting for breath when they appeared in a small, dark room less than a second later. Emily had, thankfully, landed on a bed. It was evident that leaving the hospital had caused her some distress. Her body was in shock. Edel and Carl knew it wouldn't be long before something happened.

"We'll have to take turns watching her," Carl said to Edel. "If you don't mind, I mean."

She shook her head. "You saved my life Carl. the least I can do is help you look after her."

What am I going to do?

Chapter Eleven - Love

He looked down at her pale face; it never moved. The oxygen mask was always there, firmly strapped to her face. “Oh Emily…” Carl muttered. “We’ll get you out of this. I swear. We’re working really hard, me and Brock. He thinks he’s on to something. He’s gone to find the person who put you this way…” He started walking around the room, averting his eyes from her then looking back as if to listen to her reply.

Come on Emily!

“Please… just wake up Emily. Wake up and tell me it’s all going to be okay. Tell me you’re better.” He grasped her hand tightly. “Please! I… I love you Emily. I always have. Ever since we met I’ve loved you! I don’t want to lose you now. Not ever. Just wake up Emily…” Tears ran from his eyes softly, streaming down his face. And Emily remained as silent as death.

***

Get out of the apartment… what was he talking about?

Edel was in the park, staring at her building. Her room stuck out easily, being the only one without a window. She smiled lightly at it, constantly playing the message through her head that the man had told her. She glanced at her watch. 11.59. She got up to leave the park, realising how silly she must have looked. She took one last look at her apartment…

The glass shattered first. All of it. Falling like stars to the ground. The building simply started to fall before the fire burst out. Torrents of it, pouring out through every crack in the concrete. Edel was shocked to her bones, fear gripping her tightly, holding her in place. As she made to run away, she glanced upon a person flying through the air. No wings, no machines; a black suit and long black hair. Trouble had arrived at the doorstep and removed it completely.

***

Lisa was still troubled by Will’s lack of contact the previous day. It was the first time it had ever happened. But she wouldn’t let it ruin her life. She listened as he spoke to her, until she sensed him hiding something from her. A secret… but not like before. There was excitement in his mind, like he couldn’t tell her soon enough.

“ ‘Though I speak with the tongues of men and love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.’ And it is you I love Lisa.”

Will…

She let out a deep breath, taken aback slightly.

I love you too.

***

Brock had heard many rumours lately of a man in black walking through the streets. People feared the image. It was said the man couldn’t be stopped, but Brock knew it was for lack of trying. He had stopped the man before. Now it was only a matter of doing it again.

“Looking for me?” called a soft voice. It wasn’t the man Brock knew. When he saw him, this man was taller, wider. He seemed stronger - an air of arrogance and pride hung about him. “We’ve all heard about you. The fire thrower; the one who managed to not get killed.” His smile seemed threatening. “That makes two so far. Bloody girl…”

Inside Brock’s head it was as if a switch had been tripped. “Edel! You’re the man who attacked her!”

“You don’t know Ms Mooney!” the man protested. “She’s dead anyway. Blown to smithereens!” He let out a laugh, a bellow that was off putting with his voice being so soft. “So tell me, why would the fire thrower be out hunting? Don’t you know that you can’t beat us?” The man lurched forward and grabbed Brock’s neck quickly. His hands were strong, choking the life out of Brock with ease. And he was capable of holding Brock off the ground with it. He tossed him to the side, let him struggle for breath. “My superiors want a word.” He grabbed Brock roughly, pulling him to his feet. With little effort he threw him into the back of a white van.

“How wonderful for you to join us!” a man cried cheerfully, playfully. “Edward, help Daniel secure him to the chair. And don’t forget what we discussed.” A man stepped from the darkness, holding a pair of gloves. He forced them onto Brock’s hands, not even looking into his eyes. And when both men were done, Brock was trapped. He tried to burn his way free, but the fire simply wouldn’t start. “No, that won’t work,” remarked the man. He was wearing all white, with silver goggles that reflected Brock’s own image back at him.
“Who are you?” Brock asked him fearfully.

“You won’t know my name. Never. Miss Scarlet has seen it. You will never, and must never, hear my name.” He bent down to look Brock directly in the eye. “But do you want to know something? Your friend, Miss Quigley, will never wake up. She won’t survive the night, you see. My men will see to that. Well, to be politically correct, men and women, if they class as that. Say your goodbyes now, though she won’t hear them.” The man’s wicked smile ensured Brock he was telling the truth. “Hannah, you know what to do.”

***

Edel was still in shock. She couldn’t believe what she’d seen. Her hands were shaking, and as her mobile rang she struggled to answer it. “He- hello?”

“Edel?” It was the man again, wheezy as before. “You must now leave the park. There is little time to explain. But know the future depends on it. You must go to the Black Lake Hospital, and soon. Emily Quigley resides there with her male friend. You must find them. You must help them. The people who destroyed your house are going to finish off the job they started on her. You must save her life! Do I make myself clear?”

“Who… who are you?”

“All in due time. Now go.” The line went silent, but Edel knew the man hadn’t hung up. “Good luck Edel. The future is in your hands.”

***

01 sat patiently in his cell. Patiently, but only barely. He was fast growing tired of this scene. And his abilities were beginning to return to him. While he had never fully lost them, he was one of the few mutants who could ever over exert their ability with these consequences. Even still, he would not give up his abilities. They made him something more than normal; to him, they made him a god.

The door opened once more, slowly rising to allow the doctor in. The brutes accompanied him once more. Men that were supposed to be able to stop a mutant if they tried to escape. Men who had already failed. 01 knew it to be true. Mutant energies ran high in this floor, in this building. And three had escaped. One suddenly, miraculously. Another two who simply walked through the wall. That was all 01 could sense of it. It was not his ability to see other mutants.

“Subject 01,” the doctor muttered. “Are you ready to show us your ability?”

01 smiled lightly. “Did you bring the required test subject?” The doctor didn’t respond. “Well then, no display for you.”

“We can keep this up for years 01, or do you prefer Number One? That’s what you call yourself, isn’t it. Number One? You think you’re the first! Even your henchmen know that isn’t true.”

“What do you know of them!” 01 cried. “You know nothing about my men!”

“The news reveals many things. It looks like they’re getting sloppy.” The doctor turned to the brutes. “He won’t show us anything today. But maybe, as his men reveal themselves more and more, we’ll get what we want.”

The door closed as slowly as it had opened, sealing 01 in his cell once more. This time his anger boiled ferociously. He knew he had to escape soon, or his entire operation would be foiled.

Chapter Ten - Future

Patience was indeed a virtue. Subject 01 sat in his cell each day, smiling calmly as the doctors walked in. He knew they couldn’t do anything to him. They had stopped giving him the drug when they realised that his body refused to respond to it. His immunity to their methods was startling at best… he couldn’t be stopped by them.

His abilities were his secret. They knew he was hiding something… a power that might be useful to them. And finally he was prepared to act upon it. His outside sources had told him all he needed to know, now he was ready to show the doctors his unique ability. He only wished they would hurry up so the theatrics could begin. He knew how excited they would be, like children on Christmas morning. The idea brought a wicked look to his eye, a sharp twinkle.

Finally the door buzzed open. The same doctor as always entered the room - a thin, grey haired man with glasses perched upon his nose. “Subject 01,” he began as usual. The doctor despised 01, who held an unnatural, yet human ability to frighten someone with a glance. “Are you ready to show us what it is you can do, if indeed you can do anything?”

01 cleared his throat and stood up. He was taller than the man, though a sorry sight to behold. Middle-aged, but with already grey and thinning hair. His face was slender, much like the rest of him and he looked ready to collapse. “I request a test subject,” he announced. It was the first dignified thing he had ever said to the doctor. Normally it was teasing.

The doctor let out a sigh. “We cannot allow test subjects. You are the subjects here. You and your kind.”

An interesting thought.

“Flattery will get you nowhere. Now, I will demonstrate my ability, my grand gift! But only on the fore-requested subject. And don’t come back without one!” He sat down gently, careful not to seem too uptight. That could wait until the man was at least out of the room.

The doctor grumbled as he left, otherwise quietly.

Let the games begin.

***

Naomi’s breathing was sharp as she sat perched on a rooftop. Her next target was in sight, but he wasn’t like Emily. He was alone for one thing. But he seemed stronger. He didn’t look like he could be taken down. He would certainly make things difficult. He was armed constantly in Naomi’s book - a hurl hanging in his bearish hands. He bore a wide figure, and though he lacked a great deal of height of Naomi who stood tall herself, reaching his head would present a problem.

This is ridiculous! There’s no way I’m going near that guy.

She knew she might be punished for aborting, but from the looks of things, his routine on life left him constantly with that hurl. And there was no telling his ability. A man like that was dangerous to even think of hurting, for he could more than likely hurt you far worse. She had seen his picture, and with his long hair framing his tired eyes he seemed like a cold hearted killer, rather than a member of the country’s leading Gaelic games club.

It’s time to abort.

She backed away from the ledge and took deeper breaths, throwing away the mobile the man in white had supplied her with. As it smashed into several pieces, she considered herself free.

***

Will found life with Lisa particularly easy. When he struggled with something she could help, when he was feeling down she was there to cheer him up. They would talk for hours and it seemed their lives never seemed even in school they were doing better. It all seemed too much for Will, for which he sensed Lisa was grateful.

As he made his way home, he felt two strong hands grab at him. He was lifted easily from his feet, and despite his screaming no one came to help. He could vaguely hear Lisa’s cries for him, but the signal was getting weaker, like something was disrupting it. He was hauled into a chair and a circlet was placed over his head. He lost all contact with Lisa at that moment. He looked around quickly as his arms were being strapped to the chair. The men were wearing black suits, black bowler hats, black glasses. Then they disappeared into the darkness. It was then that a man in white stepped into the dim light in back of the van.

“Hello William,” the man said to him softly. “You don’t know who we are.” It was just a statement of fact. “We know all about you. And Ms Reilly.”

Lisa…

“We need you to do us a favour, young William. Or… you prefer Will?” He didn’t wait for a reply. “Well, Will, we need you to gather a few people for us. The future depends on it. You want to save the future… don’t you? To be a hero? I’m sure Lisa would really appreciate it.”

“Don’t you dare use her name!” Will screamed at the man.

He smiled lightly in response. “Your powers are inhibited by that device, William. And my partner here is blocking your connection with Ms Reilly. You will not tell her about this. She will ask, undoubtedly. But this must be our little secret.” Will averted his eyes from the man’s, the eyes that were hidden behind the shiny goggles. A single silver eye, covering half the man’s face. His hair was grey, hanging over the goggles. His coat suggested he was a scientist or a doctor. “Do we have a deal?”

“What… what’s in it for me?”

“We will let her live. And you of course. Your families. Your friends. You will all be safe in the future.” Will nodded. “Very well. Set him loose. Edward, escort him out. Remove the inhibitor. Ms Whyte will block his link with the girl for now.”

One of the men stepped forward and pulled the circlet upwards. The straps were opened and Will was swooped into the air. The man was stronger than he should have been. His noncommittal grunts seemed wild, the suggestion of such only enhanced by the pair of fangs sticking out onto the man’s lower lip. As Will was lowered to the ground, he could feel the signal with Lisa growing stronger. Whoever Ms Whyte was, she wasn’t able to block the connection as much out here.

The man, Edward, leapt into the van and shut the doors quickly - with inhuman speed. Lisa’s voice began to echo into Will’s head.

“Will! What happened?”

I… I think I know what I have to do Lisa. I have my purpose in life.

***

Carl was sitting with Emily in the hospital. He missed her deeply. Seeing her wasn’t enough. He needed to hear her voice, feel her kiss. It hurt to see her in this state. He was lucky to have found Brock. Together they had a list. Two people… but it was list nonetheless. What they could do was still a question. And they still had no idea whether they were working together.

“Carl?” It was Brock. He looked tired, but excited. “I found out the girl’s name. The one from the apartment. Her name is Edel Mooney. It seems she arrived into town a few weeks ago. About the same time you got out of the cells.”

“You think it’s connected?” Carl remembered the cells well. Little over four weeks wasn’t enough to erase that memory. They were isolated there. “You think she was a prisoner there too?”

“Well… yes. It’s possible. You teleported out of there. Your powers obviously weren’t taken from you by whatever drug they used on you. So I’m guessing hers weren’t either. Edel could have escaped right after you and you’d never know. It’s not the sort of thing to be on the news after all.”

Carl took Emily’s hand. “Do you think she could have done this to Emily?”

Brock shook his head. Instantly his mind went back to the apartments again, before he had asked about Edel. There was an explosion. A powerful one. And a man was thrown from the building by it. He was wearing a black suit. And someone had saved his life. Clearly he had been after Edel. “I think Edel was targeted by the same people that went after you. Somehow she shot one of them out the window. Some sort of energy blast. He only survived because he had a partner. A flyer.”

Carl was silent. Now they had only one person on their list, and they only had her description. She had to be the one to do this to Emily. There wasn’t anyone else they’d come across to date. But they still had no idea where this woman was. But it seemed she was capable of putting people in comas. Carl had already met another one of her victims.

“We have to find the real person who did this to Emily, Brock. We have to get her to reverse it!”

Brock nodded. “We both miss her, Carl.”

Carl grunted to himself.

Except I love her, Brock.

***

Edel shivered in her apartment. The window was still missing. She was glad summer had arrived. At least it wasn’t raining. And it was worth losing her window if it meant she could get the man away from her. Finally she was safe.

Her phone rang. Silently at first, then the volume got louder. She looked at it fearfully before answering. “Hello?” Her finger hovered over the red button to hang up just in case.

The voice on the other end was hoarse, like an old man. “Edel Mooney?” It sounded weak. But Edel didn’t fear it.

“Ye- yes. This is her. Who are you? How did you get this number?”

“I can’t tell you. But you must know, you are in grave danger. The man who tried to take you now wants you dead. You must leave your apartment before noon tomorrow. I can promise you, you won’t survive what he had planned. Get out of there Edel.”

The man inhaled sharply before the line was disconnected. Edel had twenty four hours to live.

Chapter Nine - Present...

Rumours spread quickly. Brock noticed this over and over again. And once again it proved itself to be true. An old friend had told him that a mutant lived nearby. She was of average height, though Brock put that down to information being changed from person to person. The woman he was looking for was tall. Another difference in the two was their hair colour, though once again he put that down to the fact that rumours always change some details. He also took into account that she may have dyed her hair.

As he headed for her apartment one thought went through his head over and over again.

I have to save Emily.

***

Emily was still comatose. And Carl was still watching over her. She looked at peace, which frightened him. There was no telling the extent of the damage that had been done to her. There was no way of knowing how much rehabilitation it would take to get her back on track, if she even woke up. He knew that no one seemed to be able to wake her up. No one knew anything about her attack. But the world was soon to find out.

“A series of strange kidnappings have begun to occur across the globe in the past weeks,” announced a newsreader. Carl turned up the television in the private room. “Reports say that men in black suits, and often women too, have been grabbing pedestrians from the streets and dragging them into a van. Witnesses are hard found, and it appears that no one can describe the van. They say their minds go blank about that detail. As well as that, few witnesses can explain how the kidnappers performed their deed.”

What’s going on! How can they miss it!

“One witness does say that he noticed a woman being lassoed into the van, though this is yet to be confirmed at truth. Furthermore, a supposedly real video has appeared on the internet of one of the kidnappings. It happened right here in our own country, in sunny little Black Lake. We have it here, though viewers are told not to take it as fact.”

The screen changed over to Black Lake, with the camera shaking. Carl got a shiver down his spine as he saw himself and Emily standing before two men in black suits. He winced as the image of himself was forced into the wall, and was in tears as Emily was bound in ropes. And as she gasped for useless breaths he clutched her hand tightly as she lay on the bed. Then he was dragged into the van, at which stage he noticed the man in white - a mad doctor it seemed. And finally when Emily was alone, crying his name over and over again, the image cleared away.

“The creator of the video has been asked by the Gardaí to come forth with any information he can give.” The newsreader put a hand to her ear. “Breaking news! It seems the mother of the man kidnapped in the video you have just seen claims that her son was taken from her six years ago. She also says that since that time, only recently in fact, the woman in the video came looking for the man. The couple have been identified as mutants, which raises the question : are these attacks racially orientated?”

Carl turned off the television in a hurry. He was still crying over Emily, and now things were only worse. There was no telling how people would react to attacks on mutants. Modern media was never shown to be kind to people who are different in cases such as these. Carl only hoped that Emily wouldn’t be put in danger because of it.

***

Lisa had a flower clutched in her hands lightly, toying with it carelessly, a smile on her face. She knew that Will could feel her mood, feel how relaxed she was. In two weeks they had become so comfortable with each other they didn’t feel the need for words so often. Simply knowing the other was there was enough.

“Lisa? This power we have, this connection… do you think it’s…”

She felt him grow in fear. It made her wonder if he had seen or heard something she hadn’t. It was worrying. Not because they had a secret from one another, but because Will was afraid to tell her because it might hurt her. She read it in him, in his mood.

Do I think it’s what?

“Well… I saw on the news… people like us… mutants… are being kidnapped. And well, do you think it’s dangerous for us to be… like this?”

She let out a sigh. She had been afraid he might try break up with her. Afraid that for the all the time they spent in one another’s presence, that he was growing tired of her. She feared he wanted to be with someone else, that he was only with her because they had no choice. But she masked it as a fear for what he had asked; for what she saw him saying between the lines. Were they in danger too?

I don’t care, Will. All I want is to be with you. We’ve only ever seen each other once, but… it doesn’t matter whether we see each other or not.

“I guess you’re right.”

She felt his mood lighten. That was one barrier out of the way. No more fear. Now there was just one more matter to deal with - their families. Could they tell them? Or would they be secret lovers like Romeo and Juliet?

So what do we do from now on? Can we tell anyone?

“I don’t think so. There’s too big a risk in letting people know the truth. We’ll have to keep it a secret while there are still people being hurt in the world… while this war is still going on.”

What do you mean a war?

“Between mutants. And… between all of mankind. Humans and mutants are so different Lisa! You know that! No human has ever had the joy of being so close to another as we are. And it might scare people. Or worse; it might start a genocide!”

Will! That’s a horrible thing to say! Do you really think people would do that? In this day and age, Will!

“Actually… I do.”

***

Edel found her life settled at last. After four weeks she had an apartment, a job and fresh clothes every day. Most of the money to fund this new life though, she wasn’t sure it was completely safe. She had found the money in a train station, in a new locker that she had hoped would be the start of her new life. And it was, but it scared her still.

A sharp knock sounded from the door. Casually she opened it, expecting company from the man who lived below her. Who she say caused her heart to skip a beat - a man in a black suit, with dark sunglasses over his eyes and hat that shaded the rest of his face. He was tall, with an athletic build, and something about his horrible smile told Edel that he wasn’t a salesman.

“Ms Mooney?” She nodded, caught off guard by his soft voice. “You’ll have to come with me.” A cautious step backwards alerted him to her suspicions, and he leapt at her. With inhuman strength he threw her into the wall. She was winded from the blow, struggling to see straight. She kicked out her foot and felt it connect with his shin. He cursed under his breath and dived at her. Quickly she under his arms, glad for the first time in years that she wasn’t especially tall. There was only one exit from the apartment, and the man in the black suit was blocking it.

“What do you want with me?” she shouted at him. He straightened his back so that his suit sat perfectly on him once more. “Why did you come here?”

He pushed the door closed and began walking towards her. “It’s very simple,” he teased. “You’re a mutant.” Her pulse quickened. He knew her secret. Her new life was over already. “The war has already started!” he boomed dramatically. “Now you have to pick a side.”

He ran at her, faster than he should have been able to run. In a swift motion he had her wrist and was spinning her around, ready to throw her again. She didn’t have time to think of the consequences of her actions when she let loose a blast from her fingers. The man was shot backwards, steam pouring from his chest. With a shatter of glass he went out the window, though the other panes smashed from the explosion that Edel had caused.

In fear she couldn’t move. Her thoughts were running wild. She had learned a week ago from a scientist, a young doctor who wished to discover more about mutants and who promised everything would be kept confidential, what her powers were capable of. He had explained that she was splitting atoms, but that the reactions were so extraordinary that it would take a tremendous amount of energy to cause fission of this scale without the use of radioactive materials. She was unique, and dangerous. There was no telling what she might be able to do to someone should she use her ability on them. And it was this fact that made her fear she had killed the man in black.

***

Brock had been restless all day. He had purposely had to wait for this time in the day to make sure that the suspect was at home. Her apartment was supposed to be nearby. He readied himself for a fight, knowing that whoever had taken down Emily had been extremely dangerous. How else would they have been able to touch her?

I have to save Emily.

He was nearing the building when above him came a smashing sound. Glass. And an explosion. Light flared from an apartment up above, and a man was thrown out the window. Brock got ready to examine the body when it fell, only to see a figure in black fly by in time to catch the falling man. Blocking the sun from his eyes Brock saw they were the men in black.

She beat one of them!

He was momentarily excited, when he realised that while the girl in the apartment must be strong, she wasn’t the one who had attacked Emily. A power like that, causing an explosion so vicious, would have left a mark on Emily’s body. He left the scene quickly to find Carl. Now they had yet another person to look over.

***

Carl had left Emily’s side momentarily to get some information on the men in black. He found it difficult to find any online articles relating to them, but finally he found a website devoted to the attacks. Men and women across the world disappearing. For each name there was a link - obviously the stories of these people from those who knew them. He clicked on the page of a woman from Africa. Her picture came up onto the screen, as well as a miraculous tale of how she had turned her husband’s field fertile over a space of two weeks simply by walking through it every day.

He read another story of a teenager working in a fast food restaurant in America. Anyone who touched the food he made seemed to lose a bit of weight and become healthier. The incident was a common thing, until the boy disappeared three years ago, taken by two men in black suits.

It confirmed Carl’s fears. All those kidnapped were mutants. He knew that if he opened another story it would tell of another person who had probably been helping people every single day of his or her life, only to be taken away from the world by the same people that had taken him from Emily and left her a target for another attack. He read the name of the website for the first time, having overlooked it earlier. The Angels of a Better World. It made clear the fact that everyone on that website was innocent and that without them the world would suffer.

The war has begun…