"You can't possibly get away with keeping us hostages here!" Denise turned abruptly on Dr. Chickowski, as they neared the room that was to become their prison. "No one will believe this lame excuse about an epidemic."
“The few people that need to know about it accept it just fine. You see, ladies, I'm a respected scientist. People listen to what I say, and they trust me. So, if I say that the area has been closed temporarily to the public, few people even think to ask why. No, I'm afraid you're the ones who are wrong. The story will work just fine for as long as I need it. By the time anyone figures out any differently, I will have made other arrangements."
The guard opened the door and stepped aside to let the two women into the room. Chickowski entered behind them and shut the door before continuing. "Now, you can do one of two things. You can cooperate with me fully, in which case you may see your children again, or you can persist with this useless resistance, in which case your children will be only fond memories."
"You can't keep us from our children," Bridgette said.
"You're a pitiful slime of a human being," Denise spat out, her eyes burning with hate. "What are you going to do?"
"The details are not important. Let's keep it simple. I've outgrown Bio-Vita. It's getting too crowded and too public here. By leaving here, I will be researching outside of the public's eye. So I'm about to open my research facility so that I may continue my research as it should be conducted, without all this unnecessary meddling. I'm relocating the Kindred elsewhere. The question is whether you'll get to come along to take care of the little tikes."
"You're utterly mad. That's kidnapping. You can't possibly expect..." Bridgette stopped in mid-sentence as she realized the truth.
"Mad, am I? Mad as Einstein was, I am. Buried within the Kindred is humanity's destiny—the seeds of a new birth, a new generation, a quantum leap in the evolutionary ladder of humankind. Here, its full potential will never be tapped, not as long as we pussyfoot around. It's time for a real scientist to take control."
Chickowski started to leave and then turned around at the door. "Think about it. You can be a part of it. I'm going to need a couple of nursemaids to look over the nursery for a few more years. You'd be perfect for it if you agree to cooperate."
"And, if we don't?" Denise asked.
Chickowski smiled. "If you don't, your two daughters will be the first ones to go under the knife instead of the last. And, if it makes any difference, Flip will be right behind them. So think it over. I'll expect your honest answer by morning. Sleep well ladies." Chickowski slammed the door behind him.
As he strolled down the hall, he realized he had just made the most significant decision of his life. He'd thrown the gauntlet. There'd be no turning back now. He only hoped Brown would back him up. He felt sure he would. After all, Brown had been suggesting for months that he should leave and do his research elsewhere. Why not take him up on it? He'd take the Kindred; Flip too, if he could.
Let's just see how powerful our Mr. Brown really is. Chickowski refused to listen to the nagging doubts that crept into the background of his thoughts. It would all work out. He'd get them out of the country, and he'd become world famous, as he'd always imagined. The only thing that would be different would be the country that honored him.
Big Shot
"What are you thinking about?" Alp asked as she noticed Mel's eyes open as he stared out the bus window.
"I think that was too easy," he answered, turning towards her. Alp noticed it took a couple of seconds for his eyes to focus. The buzzsaw must still be busy, she thought.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. I was thinking the same thing. Do you think it's a trap?"
"I don't know. Can't quite figure out how, but one thing is for sure. We aren't home free—not yet. This bus is too predictable."
"What do you mean?" Alp asked, suddenly worried.
"It's too easy for the cops to find out which one we got on, and where it's going. Hell, they could be waiting for us anywhere along the way. We still need to keep on our toes. But, at least for now, I think we're safe. I don't see any reason they'd stop the bus before we get to Danville. That gives us a couple of hours to rest and plan our strategy."
"And, when we hit Danville?" Alp asked.
"By Danville, we better have something up our sleeve that they aren't expecting — and before you ask, no, I don't have any idea what that'll be." Mel closed his eyes and let out a sigh. "Wake me in an hour. I'll have an answer by then — I hope."
"Why the fuck didn't you fire that sorry good-for-nothing deputy?" Chunk yelled at the sheriff. His red face was only inches away from the sheriff's startled mug.
The sheriff turned his face to one side to avoid the whiff of Chunk's bad breath but said nothing for several seconds. Finally, he turned back and fixed his eyes on Chunk's eyes.
"Let's get one thing straight here, Mr. Big-Shot-Federal-Agent. In this here town of Marlington, I'm the sheriff. I decide whom to hire and fire. No one else makes those decisions, especially not some big-city-flatfoot who doesn't know what it's like around here. The truth of the matter is there aren't many folks in these parts interested in pinning on a badge, not for the pigeon feed the City Council pays. Carl ain't the best deputy in the world, I'll grant you that, but he sure ain't the worst I've seen either. So, you can keep your damned opinions to yourself.
"Besides, ain't no big loss," the sheriff continued. "We know where your kids are. I'll just call down to Danville and have a welcoming party waiting for them. If you like, I can get you down to Danville by another route that should get you there twenty minutes before the bus."
Chunk still looked like he was about to explode, so Lionel stepped in between the two of them. Smiling at the sheriff, he said: "That'll be just fine. You get us down there and be sure someone is down at the depot waiting on the bus, and we'll get out of your hair." He turned to Chunk.
"We'll get them in Danville, Chunk. What's the problem?"
"Nothing, I guess," Chunk replied as he fought to control his temper. He started back to the patrol car. He stopped a few feet away from the sheriff.
"Be sure to warn them in Danville not to take any action unless necessary. These kids are more dangerous than you know. In Danville, they could be even worse."
As they started back to the car, Lionel asked, "What did you mean by that last comment?"
"I don't know for a fact, but I'm afraid whatever powers these two have may only get stronger the closer they get to the rest of the pack. If that's true, we may not have many options left open to us in Danville. I'm calling in a special team from Richmond. They should be able to helicopter into Danville before the bus gets there."
"You really think that's necessary?" Lionel asked.
"Damn right I do. Have you forgotten what they did to their mother? These two kids are walking time bombs, of the megaton variety."
Chickowski sat in his office staring at the phone. He had never called Brown from the lab. It had always seemed too dangerous. But now with the decision to defect made, it didn't seem to matter. He picked up the phone and punched in the now familiar number.
After a few moments, he heard the ring at the other end. To Chickowski's surprise, it was Brown himself that answered.
"You've got to get me out," Chickowski blurted out before he realized what he was saying.
"What's up, Doctor?" Brown asked in a calm voice that managed to infuriate Chickowski.
Chickowski related what had happened with the experiment, finishing with the return of Denise and Bridgette. "It's too hot here. I can't continue the experiment like this. You've got to get me out—with the Kindred."
There was a long pause at the other end of the line. "Hold for just a moment." The line went silent. After a couple of minutes, Brown came back on the line.
"Okay. We'll have you out of there within the next six hours," Brown replied. "Be very clear on one thing, Doctor. We must have all the Kindred brought out with you. Do you understand?"
Chickowski smiled. "No problem. I'll have them ready."
Bridgette stretched out on one of the single beds, while Denise paced the narrow walkway at the foot of the beds. They continued this way for twenty minutes without talking. Finally, Bridgette opened her eyes and turned on her side to get a better view of Denise.
"Do you think he's serious?" Bridgette asked.
"Oh, I've no doubt Chickowski is serious. If there is any way possible, he'll take the children out of here, and if he does, we'll never see them again," Denise replied as she continued to pace."What are we going to do?"
"I don't have an answer to that one." Bridgette rose from bed and walked over to the third story window that overlooked the empty parking lot. "Well, Lionel and Chunk should be back anytime,” she said. “Surely, they'll put a stop to this."
Denise sat on the corner of the bed. "I thought of that, but the way I see it is, one, we don't know when they'll be back. There's just no telling. I suspect that if it's later than tomorrow morning, they'll come back to a research project without any subjects. Two, even if they do come back, there's nothing to say Chickowski won't be able to pull the wool over their eyes long enough to get the children out of here. He evidently has everyone else believing his silly story."
Bridgette groaned. "You're not helping my spirits any."
"I know, mine either." Denise stood and started pacing again. After a few more minutes, she fell on the other bed and was asleep within minutes.
Alp tapped Mel lightly on the shoulder. "I think we're coming into Danville. You'd better wake up."
Mel rubbed his eyes and turned to look at her. "Thanks. How long did I sleep?"
Alp didn't answer immediately but instead stared at the soft blue hue radiating from her brother's eyes. In the darkened bus, Mel's eyes reminded her of two tiny spotlights flashing across the sky, marking the location of some special sale.
"You slept a couple of hours, at least. How do you feel?"
"Great — really, a hundred percent better. I'll be fine. In fact, the buzzsaw is gone."
"Mel, you're eyes are glowing, least, I think they are. A very soft blue."
"Is it obvious?" Mel asked tightness in his voice. The two spotlights blinked out.
"Well, probably not that noticeable to anyone else, particularly if we were out in the light, but here? Yeah, I would say it's fairly obvious."
Mel reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a pair of sunglasses left over from their day of skiing. "I'll have to wear these, and you'll probably have to help me off the bus. We don't want any cries of "aliens" or anything as we come into Danville."
Mel turned to the window and stared at the passing vehicles.
"Won't be long now," he said softly. "The number of buildings is increasing, and traffic is picking up."
He paused again and then said, "The power is coming back Alp. It's stronger than ever. If those morons try to stop me this time, I'll blow them to kingdom come."
Alp grabbed his shoulder and made him turn in her direction. "No, Mel! No more killing. You've got to promise me that."
"Don't be so damned soft," Mel snapped back. Alp let go of his shoulder, alarmed by the tone of his voice. "These turkeys better not mess with me; that's all I'm saying."
After another long pause, he continued. "Ok, I'll keep my deal with you that I made before. If they leave us alone, let us pass and get to our sisters, I'll promise not to harm so much as one little hair. But if they get in our way, I'll stop at nothing to get through them. Is that clear?"
Alp only nodded. Something is wrong, she thought. It isn't supposed to be like this. She just couldn't let anyone else be hurt because she wanted to be with her sisters. But how was she to stop Mel?
Mel lifted his glasses slightly and looked at Alp. "Relax. Let's have some fun on this trip."
Alp tried to match his smile, but she wondered if it was just her imagination or were the blue spotlights already brighter?
Chunk looked up from the notepad he was scribbling on and smiled for the first time in days. "Cheer up, Lionel. We're going to get the sneaky little bastards."
"Yeah, I do not doubt that, Chunk. What I'm wondering is if they'll be alive when we're done. A team of six S.W.A.T. sharpshooters seems a little extreme just to capture two runaway kids."
"Two runaways that fried their dear mother before they left home. I would say that level of surveillance is entirely appropriate.
"Now, let's get to our station. The bus should be here any minute. We're supposed to meet someone by the name of Mitch. He's the detective the locals have assigned to the case. I pray to God he's not as dumb as the sheriff was."
They're getting closer. Tabitha thought to her sisters.
Flip knew she was right. He felt the strengthening of the distant force as well. What he couldn't explain was why he was so worried by the approach of his other two children.
When will they be here?
I want to see them.
What are they like?
The Kindred shot the questions out like a volley of gunfire. Tabitha loved to talk about the two approaching relatives since it placed her at the center of everyone's attention.
She waited patiently until the questions stopped before replying. I don't know exactly when they'll be here, but it won't be long. As to what they're like; they're like us, least in most ways. Except for the boy, he's...different.
What do you mean different? Heather asked.
Flip caught himself wondering the same thing.
He's stronger. His gifts are better developed.
How do you know that? Kristin challenged.
I just do, that's how. I couldn't feel him for a while after my hallucinations. I thought, at first, it was because I'd been injured, but now, I think it was both of us. But he's stronger now. I've never felt the bond this tightly before.
As the Kindred continued to ask questions of Tabitha, Flip's mind stayed with something his mischievous daughter had said. So his approaching son was stronger after the drug episode. How about Tabitha? Was she stronger as well, and the others? Had they experienced any changes? He thought for a moment about himself. He knew with each day his strength was returning but had there been an unexpected acceleration after the wild night of Chickowski's experimentation?
And the most nagging question of all kept returning. Why was he so worried by the approach of his only son? Wouldn't it mean they'd all be together for the first time? Maybe the added psychic force of the two would speed his recovery. Surely, only good would come from such a visit. Maybe it's just the average amount of nervousness at meeting a long lost relative. For some reason, Flip couldn't sell himself on the thought.
I've got some other news, too. Tabitha's excited voice cut through his concentration and brought him back to the conversation. I know what their names are.
You do not, the doubting Kristin said.
Oh, tell us. Please tell us. The rest of the Kindred shouted mentally.
Well, if Kristin is going to keep questioning what I say, I'll just quit sharing it with you.
Oh, don't worry about Kristin. She doesn't mean anything by it, Heather added with a note of warning: Do you, Kristin?
I guess not. Let's hear the rest of your news.
Okay, Tabitha replied after a long expectant pause. Our sister's name is Alphenius, and our brother is Melaenis.
Ugh, what awful names, Heather thought before she could hold it back.
I thought so too, Tabitha agreed, but they call each other Alp and Mel, which isn't quite so bad.
Alp—Mel. Heather tried the names out. Yeah, not bad. Certainly better than Alphenius and Melaenis. Their mother must be weird to name her children those funny names. Where is she, anyway? Is she bringing them to us?
Tabitha didn't answer at once. Finally, she replied, I don't know what happened to her. She's not with them. I know that much, but I don't know where she is.
Flip felt himself shudder. That was the problem. That was why he felt uncomfortable. He
knew Sarrah well enough to know she'd never let two such powerful children out of her care. If she wasn't with them, what had happened to her? He was afraid he already knew the answer, and it wasn't good.
Promises
The Greyhound bus pulled into the Danville station with a shudder, as the driver cut the wheel too tightly, taking the rear tire up and over the curb. Mel glanced out the window for a few seconds before turning to his sister.
"They're out there," he said with a smile that sprouted goose bumps on Alp's neck. "Be ready to do exactly what I say—understand?"
"Yeah, I understand. Remember your promise to me," Alp replied.
"No sweat. We'll just have a little fun with them."
"How many are there, do you know?"
"Not enough. Not nearly enough." Mel chuckled and placed a hand on Alp's arm as she began to exit the bus.
"Not yet. I want to be the last off the bus. Let them have plenty of time to get ready for us. Remember, do exactly what I say. Don't hesitate."
Alp nodded and tried to hide the slight shiver that ran up her spine at his touch. Mel sat back in his seat and waited patiently for the bus to clear. Alp tried to follow his example, but was too nervous, and kept squirming in her seat. After what felt like an hour, the last old lady waddled down the aisle, an armful of paper bags clutched to her breasts.
Mel tipped his sunglasses and looked over the tops. "It's showtime. Let's go...nice and slow." Alp stood and shuffled down the aisle moving slower than the old lady had. She felt like her knees would buckle before she could make it to the exit.
At the front of the bus, she noticed the driver standing on the ground waiting for her. "Well, Miss Priss, where's your escort? I expected at least the mayor would be here to welcome you."
"Stick around, bud," Mel said with a sneer. "He might show up yet." He paused in front of the driver and looked around. To Alp he said, "The two strangers, which have been following us so close, are here already, and they've brought reinforcements."
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