“And they’re absolutely right. We can’t do this without them,” Ethan announced much to the girl’s delight. Saia had been silent the entire time but found her voice upon Ethan’s return. “Perhaps we should fill them in?” she asked, peeking at Danica. She nodded her head in agreement. They moved to Ethan’s bedroom and pulled up the computer system before continuing their discussion. They watched as Saia placed a memory card on the side of the screen.
“MalJari means the enlightened ones.” Ethan sat next to Hunter on his bed while Danica and Saia worked the computer screen. Hadley and Abby took a spot on the floor as Saia spoke.
“They came to earth in 2036. At first only a few dozen came and for the most part, they seemed friendly. Little did we know, they were studying our planet, gathering information and sending it back to their leaders.” Ethan could see old newspaper headlines on the screen announcing the alien’s arrival.
“Most government leaders were so impressed by them that they didn’t even have proper defenses in place. The problem with the MalJari is their allure. They have the ability to play on people’s vanities. They can easily manipulate humans into doing what they want. This advantage made us an easy target.” Hunter huffed at that.
Saia pulled up a photo of earth after the plagues. The images showed a ravaged planet, devoid of nature or life. Cities had been burned to the ground and buildings were left to rubble. “There were no plagues. It was them… right?” Hadley asked. Both Danica and Saia nodded.
“They annihilated most of the world’s population. According to our research, those of us who survived were deemed viable. Some were experimented on and others were killed.” Upon hearing that, Ethan squeezed Hunter’s hand tightly but didn’t meet his stare. He kept his eyes fixated on the screen.
“This is their leader, MalHalen.”
Ethan studied the man on the screen. He appeared to be a new version of a human being. He had long white hair that ended in the middle of his back. His skin was as pale as Ethan remembered and his eyes were as vibrant and icy as ever. He was ethereal, almost angelic but the expression on his face told a different story. There was harshness and anger underneath the beauty.
“This is MalKari. We’re not sure of her role, but we know she’s important.”
This being was truly beautiful. Her hair was longer than MalHalen’s, braided intricately down her back. She possessed the same sparkling eyes but her expression was absolutely vicious. Ethan could tell she was someone who enjoyed to inflicting pain.
“And this is MalDoryn, his second in command”
He was like MalHalen though he had a certain crudeness in his eyes. They wore all white and it was exactly as he remembered; they were like ghosts. “What’s with the names? Do they all have that prefix?” Abby asked.
Saia shook her head. “Only those in important positions carry the prefix ‘Mal’. Everyone else has a one-word name. As far as we know, of course.” Hunter bit his lip. He looked around, overwhelmed by the information.
“How far away is Kowend?” Ethan asked. Saia answered, “It’s a few hundred miles from here but we have a lot to discuss before we even think about that.” Danica nodded in agreement.
“I know this is a touchy subject but there is one more serum that we need to administer before there’s any talk of you going up against them.” Hunter became agitated by this news. He stood up and got in Danica’s face.
“No way! You’re not injecting him with anymore crap!” he yelled, pushing her in the process. Abby and Hadley glanced at each other before staring at Ethan, awaiting an explanation.
Ethan grabbed Hunter and turned him around. He could see the anger in Hunter’s face and while he couldn’t blame him for the reaction, it wasn’t helping the situation. “Hey calm down. I haven’t agreed to anything yet,” he whispered soothingly. Hunter took a deep breath and sat back down… reluctantly.
“What’s in the final serum?” Ethan asked, joining his boyfriend. Danica regarded Saia nervously before turning back to Ethan.
“Um… Ethan?” Abby asked, wanting to know what all this talk about serums was but he waved her off. “Let me explain before you freak out okay?” Hunter snickered. “That’s not good.” Ethan elbowed him and asked Danica to continue.
“The final serum is the worst. It’s the most painful and most extensive but also the most allusive.” Ethan paused for a minute.
“Allusive how?” he asked.
“Well, the MalJari are intelligent beings with super senses and incredible strength but they do have something that’s a bit outside the grasp of normal human capabilities.” Ethan stared at Danica expectantly, waiting for her to continue.
“They can manipulate the air,” she said quickly. Ethan was utterly lost, tilting his head in confusion, mirroring Abby and Hadley’s expressions. “They can manipulate what?” Ethan asked. Danica let out a long breath before answering.
“They can manipulate air, meaning they can make things move by pushing the air around the object.” Ethan frowned. “They’re telekinetic?” he asked. “Sort of,” she replied.
Ethan bit his lip as he thought about what this serum might do to him. “Will it make me telekinetic?”
“It …should,” Danica said with zero confidence. “You mean you don’t know?” Hunter asked. “No one has …survived it for us to find out.” Hunter threw his hands up in frustration. “You’ve got to be kidding!” he yelled.
“But you can survive it Ethan, I know you can!” Danica pleaded. Ethan shook his head and slowly stood up. Danica was sounding more and more like Godrik and it was starting to get to him.
“That’s what Edred meant when he mentioned the other’s Godrik had killed?” Hunter’s eyes widened. Saia appeared uncomfortable by the conversation. Abby and Hadley gasped. “Ethan-”
“How many died?” Danica bow her head shamefully. “Six.” Ethan stood there, processing the information. Six people, six kids essentially had died in Godrik’s desperate attempt to change their world. “But you can survive-”
Before she could finish her sentence, gripped her arm harshly. Ethan didn’t know what came over him but he felt like getting his point across. He had never knowingly harmed someone outside of his rage but in that moment Danica needed to stop talking.
“If I decide to do this, what happens next?” Danica glanced at Saia, as if they shared the same secret. They appeared to be thinking something over. Saia made no move to answer. “If everything goes correctly, then we will use a small amount of your blood to construct a new serum for the rest of us. Since you’re human, your DNA structure should bond harmoniously with ours and then we will all have similar abilities.”
“And then?” he asked. It was Saia who answered this time. “Then we fight.” Hunter’s eyes widened. That’s what this was all about? Finding a way to fight the MalJari?
“I’ll do it.” Ethan turned around quickly, preventing Saia or Danica from speaking and left the room with Hunter running behind him.
“You’re joking, right?” Hunter demanded. When Ethan didn’t answer, Hunter grabbed him and pushed him into the kitchen. “Look at me and tell me you’re joking,” he repeated.
Only this time he said it with hurt in his voice. Ethan couldn’t look at him for fear that he would break down as well. He needed to do this not only for Hunter but for all the others who were dealt the same lousy hand.
If he was the only one who could bring an end to these atrocities than that was something Hunter would have to deal with. Of course, he hated the possibility of leaving Hunter alone but he also felt like this was the right thing to do.
“Ethan, please don’t do this.” Ethan finally met Hunter’s deep green eyes and sighed. “I have to.” Hunter shook his head vehemently.
“No, you don’t. Just stay here. Stay with me. Nothing has to change.”
Ethan smiled at Hunter and wrapped his arms around his neck. “It already has.”
“What if you die?” Tears were running down Hunter’s cheek as h
e spoke. “You can’t leave me Ethan.” Hunter’s hands were cradling Ethan’s face as their foreheads met. “Please don’t leave me.” He wanted to say, ‘don’t leave me again,’ but held it back.
Ethan pushed Hunter’s chin up, forcing the boy to behold him. “I’ll never leave you. Okay?” Hunter tried to turn his head but Ethan wouldn’t let him. “I’ll survive it. I promise.” Hunter nodded weakly. It never occurred to Ethan that Hunter wasn’t taking about the serum.
“Look at me Hunter.” Blue eyes met green and somehow that seemed to calm the boy down. “This has to end and I can do that. I can free us. Please, believe in me okay?” Hunter nodded again. “I need you to believe in me.”
“I do,” he whispered.
Ethan smiled and connected their lips. This time there was no heat or passion in the kiss, merely a show of love and affection. Each of them needed to be reassured that the other would be there, no matter what.
*****
Ethan was certain he was making the right decision, however, when he entered the room, his nerves began to attack him, forcing him to doubt himself. For this injection, the group borrowed a medical exam room from the Health Sector. It was after hours, meaning there was minimal security who thankfully didn’t ask questions since they were accompanied by Saia Reece.
It was nice having her on their side. The other leaders requested to be present as well. The outcome of this trial would determine whether they would participate in Godrik’s plan. Every ounce of pressure was on Ethan to not only survive but to mutate the serum and bond it with his own DNA.
Naturally Hunter was nervous enough for both of them. He still thought Ethan was making a mistake. This was so much bigger than Ethan could imagine. But, as usual, Hunter kept that to himself.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Hunter asked. Ethan bit his lip before answering. “I have to do this,” he replied, nodding his head. They were standing outside where there was a large window that had a direct view into the room. That was where Hunter, Abby and Hadley would stand, at Ethan’s request. He knew if the sandy haired boy or his friends were in there with him, he’d never go through with it. The other leaders stood out there as well with Edred and Connor, talking amongst themselves. Thankfully, Preston and Tyler were not in attendance.
Hunter embraced Ethan tightly, kissing him chastely before letting him go. He gave Hadley and Abby quick hugs before walking into the room, staring directly in front of him at the stainless-steel table with restraints on it. It was eerily similar to the one in his dream causing a shiver to run down his spine.
He closed his eyes to try and calm himself as he climbed on it and laid down. Godrik approached him holding a large vial with purple liquid this time and a syringe. He set the items down next to the table and fastened the metal straps on Ethan’s hands and feet. He pushed Ethan’s sleeve up, revealing the vein in his arm. He saw as Ethan swallowed hard. They hadn’t seen each other in days, but once Godrik was made aware of what Edred had done, he insisted on being involved. It was after all, his serum.
The air was thick with anxious anticipation. “Ethan,” Godrik whispered. Ethan opened his eyes and stared at the doctor. “Thank you for doing this,” he said sincerely.
Ethan frowned. “Don’t thank me yet.” Godrik nodded and was about to proceed when Ethan spoke again. “If I die, Hunter will kill you and if he doesn’t, Abby and Hadley will.”
Godrik smiled sadly. “I know.” Ethan closed his eyes once more and waited. Godrik filled the syringe, eyeing it carefully to ensure the correct dosage. “Ready?”
Ethan turned his head in the opposite direction to face the viewing window. He opened his eyes and immediately found Hunter. The pair locked eyes as Godrik injected the serum. As soon as he felt it inside his body, he shut his eyes and gritted his teeth. Danica wasn’t kidding, this was beyond painful.
His body began to shake forcefully, the agitation growing with every second. He involuntarily pulled on the restraints causing the metal table to move. Before long he was screaming.
His eyes were still shut as the tremors grew in violence. His body was arching off the table, slamming back down harshly. He would surely have bruises when it was over.
Hunter was crying against the window, shouting Ethan’s name. He began to pound on the glass, pushing off anyone who tried to stop him. Meanwhile, Ethan’s spasms continued. The damage his body was inflicting on the table was unlike anything any of them had ever seen.
After a few minutes, only Ethan’s head shook. The rest of his body had since stopped its violent assault. Godrik gasped when he saw blood dripping from Ethan’s nose, eyes and ears. The thick red liquid ran down the boy’s face, slowly pooling on the table.
“No! Ethan!”
Ethan’s eyes opened slightly only to roll into the back of his head. He was now having what appeared to be a seizure. His mouth was gasping for air. It sounded as if he was choking.
And then it was over. Ethan stopped moving completely. Everyone held their breath, waiting for him to recover but he remained still. His body was limp and lifeless. “Ethan!” Hunter screamed as he ran into the room, Abby and Hadley following closely behind.
Hunter grabbed Ethan’s head, cradling it gently. “Ethan. No, no, no!” Hunter was sobbing now, unfazed by those surrounding him. Godrik was pacing back and forth, anxiously waiting for a miracle. It couldn’t end like this, it simply couldn’t. “Please wake up. Ethan wake up!” But nothing happened. Ethan remained motionless in his arms.
Hunter cried hysterically into the boy’s shoulder, holding on to him tightly. “You said you’d never leave me,” Hunter whispered as he continued to cry. After a minute or two, he heard something.
“I’ll never leave you.” He barely caught the words but he heard them. He pulled himself away from Ethan’s shoulder and stared at him. His eyes were still closed but his mouth was twitching upward into a smile. “You, asshole!” Hunter said through a wet laugh.
Abby, Hadley and the rest of the bystanders sighed in relief. Godrik rushed over to the table to examine Ethan. They laid him back down and watched as he struggled to open his eyes.
“I knew it would work. I knew it.” Godrik repeated the words over and over like a mantra. His gamble had paid off. He watched as the city leaders walked into the room and stared in awe of Ethan. They were aware of Godrik’s past failures so watching someone survive was impressive.
But Godrik knew. He had always known. And now as he glimpsed into those crystal blue eyes, he couldn’t help but sigh in relief. It was finally time to declare war on the MalJari. It was finally time to take his revenge.
CHAPTER 11
H unter insisted on Ethan being left alone while he recovered. They brought the boy back to his dwelling and let him sleep out his exhaustion.
Godrik knew it would be futile to argue with Hunter. The boy was as fiercely protective of Ethan as he was determined to keep Godrik and the others at bay. The doctor couldn’t blame his actions, he understood their bond. He remembered what it was like to love someone too.
Hadley and Abby had volunteered to stay behind in the laboratories with Danica and Saia, determined to help them come up with any useful information on the MalJari. So far, they had learned of the alien’s powers but not their weaknesses.
Hunter had to admit he was glad that Abby and Hadley were helping them. Not only were they incredibly smart but they had such faith in Ethan. They were behind him in every way and he knew they would stop at nothing to help him.
He watched as Ethan slept soundly and peacefully like his body hadn’t been ravaged by a dangerous serum, hours before. Once they returned to the apartment, Hunter made sure to clean Ethan up, forcing him into the shower. He couldn’t very well let Ethan go to sleep with blood all over his face.
After the shower, he tucked the ailing boy into bed watching Ethan fall asleep almost instantly. That was about three hours ago. Now Hunter found himself staring out the large window in the living room thinking about how diffe
rent Ethan would be when he woke up.
What if the serum worked? Would Ethan be able to manipulate air like the MalJari? Then Hunter frowned. What if it failed? Did he go through all that pain for nothing?
Hunter shook his head. Of course, it worked. It had to. He still didn’t know what Godrik’s big plan was, no one did, but he was certain he would hate it, especially since Ethan was at the center of it. Could it really be so easy? Have Ethan donate some blood and be done with it? Not likely.
Hunter sat alone for hours, lost in his thoughts. How was he supposed to protect Ethan? He glanced over his shoulder into the bedroom and stared at Ethan’s sleeping form. He was in the exact same position as before, inhaling and exhaling deeply. Hunter sighed and got up from the couch.
He strolled into the kitchen, grabbed a cucumber water and some fruit and sat down at the dining room table. He was about to take a bite of melon when he heard Ethan scream.
He dropped the fruit back onto the plate and rushed into the bedroom. Ethan was thrashing from side to side, tearing at the sheets between his fingers. Hunter tried to stop his violent tirade but Ethan was much too powerful.
When he tried to grab Ethan by the shoulders, he was pushed away effortlessly and yet with enough strength to have Hunter hit his back against the wall. It was a hard hit but it would take more than that to hurt Hunter. He fumbled to his feet and went to the bed again.
He stared at Ethan sadly, unsure of what he could do. He could over power him but then he might injure the boy and Hunter swore he wouldn’t do that. Which left him with only one option; wait. He continued to watch as Ethan screamed over and over. Perhaps this was a side effect?
Maybe he should call Godrik and tell him what was happening? As soon as he was about to dial the doctor, he turned around, realizing that Ethan had stopped screaming. He gasped when he saw Ethan sitting upright on the bed, staring at his hands as if he didn’t recognize them.
Awaken_Ethan Drake Chronicles Page 14