by Dee J. Stone
I clench my jaw. He’s reading me. Everything. Exposing my deepest thoughts and feelings. I wish he’d get out, but Scar always does as he pleases.
There is a lot I need to tell you.
My gaze snaps to him. His brown eyes are on me, intense and dark. “What are you talking about?” I ask. “You knew Vlayne had a daughter?”
I did not.
It doesn’t make me feel like less of an idiot for trusting her and falling for her, as I thought it would. “Do you know what she wants from me?”
I do. His eyebrows are creased as though he’s pondering how to tell me. After a few seconds, he says, Fifteen years ago, a child was born with an ability to infect humans—those without abilities—with a virus.
I’m familiar with him. Four months ago, when Kale, Stretch, and I suspected Lightning of being a spy for the Blades, we thought their plan was to release Virus Boy to the public and wipe out the normies. We were wrong. Their plan was to assassinate Samson. Fortunately, that didn’t happen, but I did lose Stretch.
Vladimir Amador, leader of the ShadowBlades back then, got his hands on this boy—who was only a baby. He planned to infect the humans with the virus and wipe off the human race. At that time, Vladimir’s daughter, Vlayne, was in love with a human man. Her father had no knowledge of this. When Vlayne learned of her father’s plan to infect all the humans, she feared for her love’s life. Vladimir hated humans who had no abilities, and she knew he wouldn’t spare his life. Thus she convinced her father not to release the virus. She claimed the boy wasn’t strong enough as an infant. It would be wiser to wait a few years so the virus could strengthen.
He pauses, his eyes on me, asking if I’m following. I nod for him to continue.
Killing her father wasn’t an option, but she hoped she could buy some time to figure a solution. One day, Vlayne caught her boyfriend with another woman. She was hurt, crushed, but most if all, furious. She had prevented her love’s death. She had protected him. Yet he hurt her. Vlayne wanted to use the Virus Boy on him. She did not wish to kill him, but to make him suffer.
He looks at me again. Your mother was the best scientist working for the ShadowBlades. Vlayne ordered her to alter the strain of the virus to gradually kill her boyfriend over a period of years.
“My mother wasn’t a scientist,” I say. “She worked in real estate.”
His gaze on me is so intense I feel it burning in my head. Your mother’s lab was located at your house—
“What are you talking about?”
You were adopted, Ray.
“What?”
Allow me to finish.
I shut my mouth. Even though I have a million questions spinning in my head, I need to hear him out.
Your mother refused. She wanted no part in causing another person to suffer. Vlayne threatened to harm her loved ones, and your mother realized she had no choice but to create the virus for Vlayne. However, in addition to the virus she had been secretly working on an antidote. She was aware of Vladimir’s plans and she did not want the virus to kill off the human race. With the antidote, the humans could be cured. It was important for Vlayne not to discover this antidote. She would destroy it, kill your mother and everyone she cared about. Your mother requested I conceal the knowledge of this antidote in her mind, in the event Vlayne would scan her thoughts and discover its existence.
I look at him. “You? You knew my mom?”
She was a child genius who specialized in the genetics of those with abilities. At a young age, prior to her working for the ShadowBlades, she was working with the government on experimentation on such individuals. What the government did not know was that she was secretly working against them, to try to put an end to these experiments. I met her as child and we formed a close friendship. At age sixteen, she helped me flee, and fled as well. A few years after that, she was taken to work for Vladimir.
“Did the Keepers know about Virus Boy?”
Not at the time, no. I did not tell Samson because I did not trust him. For he had ties to the government.
“But—”
Allow me to continue. Vlayne administered the drug to her boyfriend, and his body began to deteriorate. A short while after that, she learned that she had been mistaken. The man did not cheat on her. Vlayne regretted her actions and took her anger out on your mother, since she was responsible for creating that strain of the virus. Vlayne destroyed the lab, unknowingly destroying the antidote as well—the antidote that could have saved her love’s life. Vlayne then killed your father before your mother’s eyes and killed your mother next. Had your mother not requested I hide her thoughts on the antidote, Vlayne would have scanned her mind and learned of its existence and request your mother recreate it.
Scar lowers his eyes to the floor. I’m about to open my mouth, but he continues. As she was near death, your mother begged me to take the formula for the antidote. She had memorized it and asked me to reach into her mind and take it. To keep it in my head so it would not be lost forever. She knew how important it was. She expected Vladimir to eventually release the virus once the child matured. Without the antidote, all those without abilities would be annihilated.
I wanted no part in this. I did not care about humans. They had caused me much pain and harm. But your mother begged me. Her dying wish was for me to safeguard the formula.
An image enters my head. I’m sitting on the floor, holding a black-haired woman in my arms. She looks frail. “If you won’t take it, lock it in Jericho’s mind,” she says, her weak, brown eyes on mine. “Please, Sebastian. You know how important this antidote is to the world. They’re going to kill innocent people. Please protect it.”
It takes me a second to realize I’m in Scar’s memory. The woman is my mother.
Scar nods. You were a baby. Vlayne had spared your life. Your mother asked me to hide the formula in your mind.
“Why didn’t Vlayne kill me?”
I do not know.
I don’t know what to think of all this. Learning I was adopted, that the man and woman I grew up with weren’t my real parents. That Vlayne killed my mother and father. That Scar and I have a deeper connection than I thought.
This is too overwhelming.
I had fulfilled your mother’s last wish, Scar continues. I hid the formula well inside your mind. I then took you to an orphanage because I couldn’t care for you. A month later, a couple adopted you. I checked on you regularly to ascertain you were being taken care of. I knew you were not happy living with your adoptive parents, but they cared for you, something I couldn’t do. I watched you run away from home and live on the streets. I still did not have the means to take care of you. After a year, I founded a home in the sewers for myself and others like us, and I invited you to live with me.
I stare at the floor as I absorb all this information. I was never alone. He was with me. Watching me. Looking out for my safety. I owe him my life.
Ray, the formula is in your head. That is what Vlayne seeks.
That must mean her boyfriend is still alive. “How did she find out about it?” I ask.
He’s quiet for a bit. When I invaded Vlayne’s mind four months ago for information, it consumed a lot of energy and power. I did not realize it at the time, but the telepathic walls I built around my mind grew weak. As I invaded Vlayne’s mind, she invaded mine. I am still not certain what information she took, but I am almost positive she learned about the antidote and that it is placed in your mind.
“I don’t understand why she needed to send her daughter after me. Why didn’t Vlayne kidnap me months ago?”
Scar’s quiet again as his eyes wander around the barren, gray walls. The formula cannot be removed from your mind without your permission. You must willingly hand it over, lest it be damaged. Vlayne knew you would never give it to her. I assume her daughter’s role was to convince you to relinquish the formula.
Because I loved her. Vlayne knew I wouldn’t think twice before handing it over.
“But she did t
ry to remove it,” I say. “When I was captured, I couldn’t give it.”
She must have realized you had no knowledge of how to relinquish it, thus she resorted to prying it from your mind, even though it would damage you. And the formula as well, though I suspect it was a risk she was willing to take.
She would have killed me. Stealth freed me before she had the chance.
I jump to my feet. “I don’t want this in my head.”
Scar doesn’t respond.
“Get rid of it, Scar.”
I’m afraid only you have the ability to do so. If I were to pry it from your mind, it will damage the formula and your brain.
“Okay, I’ll get rid of it myself.”
Such a task requires patience and practice. You may injure your brain otherwise.
“Then help me.”
I want no involvement.
“You’re already involved. You’re risking everyone’s safety by letting me stay here.”
Yes, because I can protect you. But I do not wish to be further involved in this.
“Scar—”
Ray. His eyes grow intense. Aside from keeping you safe, I want no involvement. This formula does not concern my family, and I don’t wish to be bothered with it.
I stare at him. Open my mouth, but stop. He only cares about his family. Since the formula doesn’t affect people with powers, he has no interest in it.
If he won’t help me and I can’t remove the formula on my own, it’s going to stay in my mind. I slide down to the floor. “She’ll never stop hunting me. I won’t give it to her.”
I don’t care if she’s got some humanity in her by still being in love with that guy. She’s caused too much pain in this world. To Stretch, Glen, Kale. To me. She’ll only cause more. Why should she get what she wants?
Scar stands. I look up at him. “If you knew Vlayne years ago, then you must have known she was Vladimir’s successor. The League killed him four years ago. Why didn’t you and Samson expect her to come for revenge?”
Vlayne had been my sworn enemy for years, and yes I knew she would lead the ShadowBlades after her father. But she had faked her death. The League and I assumed the ShadowBlades were defeated.
That would explain why Samson didn’t believe us when we told him the Blades returned.
I’m quiet as I think things over. Then I look at him again. “You said my mother was forced to work for the Blades?”
Because of her expertise, Vladimir threatened to hurt those she cared about in an attempt to force her to work for him. He provided a house for her and your father, which contained a lab for her to work in. Once you were born, both Vladimir and Vlayne kept her in line by threatening to kill you.
I fist my hand. Damn them for making her do their dirty work.
Vlayne had always been evil, Scar continues. But as a result of what happened with her boyfriend, she worsened. She was determined to improve and strengthen the ShadowBlades.
“If that messed her up so bad, why didn’t you think of giving her the antidote?” I know she’s a villain, but maybe she wouldn’t be so wicked.
Scar shakes his head. Vlayne, like her father, wants all humans dead. All except for her boyfriend. If she were to get hold of the antidote, it would cure her love and cause him to be immune to the Virus Boy. He pauses. There would be nothing stopping her from releasing the virus and killing every human on the planet, since it would have no effect on her boyfriend. As long as she does not have the antidote, she won’t unleash the virus. That’s why it’s vital the antidote remains locked in your brain.
That would explain why the Blades never infected the normies. The Keepers must have taken Virus Boy from them years ago, because Samson kept him contained somewhere where no one could reach him. Even though he’s dead now—a few weeks after Stretch’s death, I overheard Samson and Cindy discussing that Virus Boy had taken his own life because he knew how dangerous he was—I’m sure the Blades still have his DNA and could infect the normies one day. But not unless Vlayne’s boyfriend gets cured.
When Kale, Stretch, and I discovered that Lightning had been spying on the League for four years, I didn’t understand why the Blades never killed off the normies. Now I understand. Vlayne would never release the virus because her boyfriend would die. She’d need the antidote first.
“If you don’t care about the humans, why do you care about all of this?” I ask.
I only wish to keep your mother’s request—to ensure the safety of humans.
I touch my head. Something powerful is in here. Something I can control. As long as I’m alive, she’s not getting this. I won’t let her take any more lives. She’s done enough.
“How exactly does this antidote work?” I ask.
It contains two components. One, it completely removes the virus from the infected body. Two, it regenerates the damaged cells.
Regenerates the damaged cells? The words ring in my head. It’s similar to what happened to Kale. His brain cells need to be regenerated. Would the antidote…
It is a high possibility, Scar says.
My gaze shoots to his. Did I hear him right? “This cure could work on Kale?”
Yes. However, the antidote was created to cure humans. Kale has an ability. I am not certain what affect the antidote will have on him.
I stare at the floor as his words make sense in my head. This cure might not be a cure at all—not for Kale. It might kill him. Do I take that chance?
I’ve got to. If not, Kale will die anyway.
I leap to my feet. “We need to get the formula to him. Brain and the other scientists at the League can work on it. Maybe they can recreate it.”
He doesn’t say a word.
“You’ll help me get it out?” I ask. “From my head?”
No response. He stares at the walls.
“Scar?”
He’s still quiet.
“You won’t help me? He’s my best friend. The only person I have left. We can save his life.”
His eyebrows are a bit furrowed, and I know this means he has his reasons.
I plop down on the floor. “Why?” My voice is rough and filled with anger. I clench my fists on my knees. “Please, Scar. Why are you against releasing it? I don’t understand.”
He faces me, his eyes dark. I don’t want the antidote to be exposed. If they fall into the wrong hands, the humans may die. I must uphold your mother’s last request. You must only release it if the humans are at risk and are in need of a cure.
“Vlayne won’t find out about it,” I say. “We get the formula from my head, recreate it, give the cure to Kale, and then hide the formula.”
Scar doesn’t say anything. He still won’t help me. I’ll have to take it from my mind on my own. Even if I have to stay up day and night trying. I am going to save Kale.
I get up and head for the door. “I’m willing to take the risk. This is my best friend we’re talking about.”
I won’t fail him like I failed Stretch.
***
I spend a few minutes saying goodbye to my sewer mates. Blaze thumps my back. “Getting sick of us already?” He laughs. “Good luck with everything. I hope Kale recovers.”
“Thanks.”
We stare at each other for a bit before he pulls me into his arms. “Bye, bro.”
“I’ll see you.” Even though I’m pretty sure I won’t.
“Ray.”
I turn around. Phase is standing before me. “Will you be back?”
I don’t answer, because I can’t. These people will always be special to me, but I don’t belong anymore.
She hugs me. “Have a good life,” she says before returning to her room.
I start toward the exit. Leaving everyone for a second time isn’t any easier. I’m going to miss them terribly.
Ray.
I turn my head. Scar’s standing beside me. I’d like you to have these. His eyes narrow and images fly through my mind. A man dressed in a black suit, a woman in a white wedding dress. I
recognize her as my mother. The man must be my father. He has light brown hair and green eyes, and he’s smiling widely at the camera as he holds his bride close. Next is a video, also from their wedding. Scar’s memory. He’s standing on the side as the bride and groom dance and kiss. The next image is the two of them smiling even more widely as my mother holds a black-haired baby in her arms. Me. Only a few weeks before their deaths.
Scar also gives me images of my parents when they were younger. Scar is in some of them, but from his memories, I know he usually stood on the side.
“Thanks,” I say.
He nods. I’d like to accompany you to the League and inform Samson and Cindy of our plans. His eyes flicker. You don’t have to do this alone.
“But you don’t believe in releasing the formula.”
Your friendship with Kale Zenith is important to you.
He doesn’t elaborate and I don’t press him further. Together, we head for the Tower.
Chapter Thirty
They’re staring at us with eyes and mouths wide. Samson’s arm is wrapped around Cindy’s shoulder as they drink in Scar’s words like they haven’t tasted water in days. We’re in Samson’s office. Scar is sitting across from them with one leg crossed over the other. No emotion is on his face.
“Why haven’t you told us of this antidote?” Samson asks.
I did not wish for anyone to discover its existence. The less people knew the safer it was. Had the ShadowBlades indeed unleashed the virus, I would have informed you of this cure. Since they did no such thing, I kept it a secret.
Samson and Cindy exchange a glance. I know what they’re thinking—Scar does what he does and there’s no reasoning with him.
My eyes wander to the hospital room. I watch Kale sleep. I try to shoot thoughts into his head, telling him we found a cure and he’ll be as good as new in no time. He doesn’t even blink.
After what feels like a century, Samson clears his throat. He frees himself from his wife and walks over to his large office window. He peers out. “How sure are you of this cure’s success?” he asks, his voice hoarse.
I am not certain what effect this antidote will have on a person with an ability. It may kill him.