The Complete Lost Children Series

by Krista Street

  “Of course not, Raven,” Marcus said soothingly. “I told you. Lena and all of the others were born with horrible defects. I cured them. I would never hurt a pregnant woman.”

  “Okay.” A hint of doubt shadowed Raven’s words.

  If I didn’t have to pretend I was sleeping, I’d have told Marcus exactly what I thought about his ridiculous lies. We were never born with birth defects. We’d been normal children, in every sense of the word, just children born into horribly abusive families.

  Was that the latest lie Marcus was telling Raven? That he’d cured us? Did he have to concoct lies every day to keep his son in line? Hope grew in me. Maybe Raven’s beginning to have doubts about what his dad’s doing.

  They left shortly after that. I heard the door close and the lock sound. I continued to lay there. More than anything I wanted to jump up and dance in glee. The impulsive side of me itched to do it, but every other morning after they’d administered the drug, I’d been unconscious for three to four hours, usually waking just before lunch. That meant I had to lay here until then. I still didn’t know if there were hidden cameras in this room, and I wasn’t taking the chance.

  I tamped my impulsiveness down. Glee still bubbled up in me, however. From the horrible burning in my arm, I knew the drug had settled into the interstitial tissues. I’d probably have reddened skin and burning for a while, maybe even some tissue damage, but I didn’t care. One way or another, I was breaking out of here tonight.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  I waited until Raven entered with my lunch before I got up. Talk about a long four hours. Not once did I open my eyes throughout the morning. I was too scared I’d give myself away. This was the last opportunity to take control of my life. No way was I going to blow it.

  When Raven entered, I sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes. I did my best to act groggy. I could only hope he didn’t hear my galloping heart or feel my barely controlled excitement.

  Balancing the tray on his hand, Raven turned to close the door.

  It’s now or never. I closed my eyes and switched my vision.

  It clicked.

  I could almost feel the neurons firing as the dormant part of my brain once again activated. When I opened my eyes, my vision was altered.

  A beautiful, glittery cloud surrounded Raven’s shoulders. I stared in amazement. It was royal purple in color, but the glitter that shimmered in it was something I hadn’t seen before. Trying to contain my curiosity, I studied it.

  If I’d learned one thing about lost children’s clouds, it was that they pulled me into a person’s inner being, like a storyteller weaving a story. When I saw the average white, gray or black cloud, it told me how good a person’s soul was, but when I saw colors, I knew I found a fragmented soul that had been broken and put back together.

  Seeing the glittery quality in Raven’s cloud only meant one thing.

  Raven was unique.

  Something had been done to him that hadn’t been done to the rest of us.

  All of my brothers and sisters had colored clouds. Each color represented a specific drug given to us that altered our brain chemistries, but those clouds were solid in color. It was the same for Luke, Edgar and Susannah. Those three had a multitude of colors, like Father, since so many drugs had been given to them, but none of them glittered.

  Raven set my lunch tray beside the couch and gave me a worried look. His fire filled eyes always glowed a little brighter when he felt a strong emotion. I’d learned that the second day. Right now, his eyes practically glowed.

  “How are you feeling?” Guilt laced his tone.

  I swung my legs over the side of the bed. “Fine. I think.”

  I padded to his side and sat on the couch. The tray held a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup, freshly cut up fruit and a sandwich. Simple but nutritious food. Comfort food.

  “If you’re more hungry than usual, I can bring you something else. Or if certain things make you nauseous, I can make something else entirely. Just let me know.”

  I raised my eyebrows.

  “I did a little research while you were sleeping. It said pregnant women can find certain foods nauseating or unappealing. It also said it’s not uncommon for women to lose weight in the first trimester if they feel particularly sick. So, if there’s anything you need to feel more comfortable, just let me know.”

  I was so shocked that for a moment I didn’t say anything. Right. I said I was pregnant. Or rather, that I thought I was as a distraction to get the needle out of my vein. I didn’t actually believe I was pregnant, but they didn’t know that. Tucking my hair behind my ears, I picked up the sandwich.

  “Um, I’m okay right now, but thanks.”

  “I also brought you these.” He handed me several foiled tube looking packets. “Dad said to use them next time you go to the bathroom and to give them back to me.”

  Two pregnancy tests sat in his palm. I hastily grabbed them and shoved them in my jean pocket. “Right, ah, thanks.”

  As I ate lunch, Raven’s concern was a bit overwhelming. He hovered around me, plumping pillows to make sure I was comfortable, and quite frankly, acted like a doting mother hen. Once again, he reminded me so much of Flint that I wanted to cry. His older brother had acted the exact same way after Aaron attacked me back at Hideaway Hills ranch.

  “Raven, it’s okay.” He tried to lift my cup for me to drink. “I’m not incapacitated. I might not even be pregnant.”

  He nodded and ran a hand harshly through his hair. “I hope you’re not.”

  The anguish in his tone made me stiffen. I set the soup down. “Why? Did Marcus say what he’d do if I was pregnant?”

  Raven wouldn’t meet my gaze.

  Switching my vision, I felt comforted when his glittery, purple cloud appeared again. My ability was back in full force. Drawing up the energy inside me, I concentrated on joining my cloud with his. It happened readily. The power hummed within me, tethering Raven’s cloud to mine. Our swirling energies pulsed and grew. Looking out the window, I summoned the energy in the vast forest. It called to me. Its sheer power and greatness brought a humbling sense of relief. My weeks of practice in which I became more in-tuned to my ability and the clouds around others hadn’t disappeared. If anything, it had grown.

  Within seconds, a powerful ball swirled within our midst.

  I could almost taste it. Triumph made me grin. I was no longer helpless. I was no longer a mere, small woman who couldn’t take care of herself. Come nighttime, I’d be blasting a hole through Marcus’ house and wreaking as much destruction as needed to escape.

  Raven raked a hand through his hair again. He stood and paced the room a few times.

  I let the energy ball dissipate. “Is everything okay?” I pushed the tray away. Scents of the soup still lingered in the room.

  “It’s just . . .” His movements became more agitated. His eyes glowed like fire, swirling and pulsing a reddish, orange color. “I’m starting to wonder if my dad’s telling me the truth about everything.”

  I sat up straighter. “You are?”

  “He told me he’d began the Project, um Project Renatus or whatever, to help children all over the world. He wanted to create a drug that would cure disabilities and birth defects, and I wanted to believe him. I did believe him when he told me that the other day, after I asked him why he wouldn’t let you go.” He ran a hand through his hair again. “But then I overheard him this morning. Talking to someone on the phone. He said . . .”

  The silence stretched.

  “He said what?”

  “He said that he may ‘have another subject’ that they could study. He was talking about you, Lena. He was saying that you may be pregnant. He sounded so excited, and I heard something in his tone I haven’t heard before. It, uh, well to be honest, it scared me.”

  I leaned forward. “And now you believe me about him?”

  Raven stopped pacing and put his hands on his hips. With his mussed hair, olive skin and distraught expression, he
once again reminded me of his brother. I could only imagine Flint’s disbelief if he ever met Raven. The two were practically cookie cutter replicas in personality and looks. Although, Flint’s hair was chestnut not black, and his personality was more guarded. I imagined spending his first eight years of life in O’Brien’s warehouse could be blamed for that.

  “Yeah, I guess you could say that.” Raven glanced toward the window, a haunted expression in his swirling eyes. “This whole week, I’ve been trying to forget what you told me. My whole life I’ve grown up in this house with my dad. It’s been just me, him and Cecile, our housekeeper. I’ve never gone to a normal school or had friends. My dad said, because of how I was born, that I’d never fit into the outside world. He said he needed to keep me hidden to protect me, but now I’m starting to wonder if it was to protect him.”

  He sank into the chair across from me and placed his head in his hands.

  More than anything, I wanted to jump for joy and beg him to leave with me, but I knew he needed to come to his own conclusions. If he didn’t make his decisions for himself, he may have regrets. Or worse, he may blame me.

  “So what are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know.” Raven shrugged. “But I don’t feel good about what he and I are doing. I feel like I can’t let him take you to that lab tomorrow. I’ve got a gut feeling that I may never see you again if he does.”

  I held my breath. I didn’t dare tell him about tricking them into not giving me my dose this morning. I wanted to trust Raven, and in some ways I did, but I couldn’t tell him I was breaking out tonight. He was only starting to doubt Marcus’ sincerity. He still wasn’t promising to help me and join the others.

  “You’ll always be welcome in our family, Raven. No matter what happens. No matter what decision you make, I want you to know that. Di, Flint, Conroy and everyone else, will welcome you with open arms. Even if I disappear tomorrow to your father’s lab, you can still go to them.”

  I walked to the desk. From it, I withdrew a piece of paper and a pen. I wrote down Flint’s telephone number. I knew I was taking a risk by doing this. It was possible, if Raven had second thoughts or went back into denial, that he’d give this number to his dad, but I couldn’t leave tonight without giving him some way to contact us. If I didn’t, he’d have no one to help him.

  “Here.” I handed it to him.

  “What’s this?”

  “That’s Flint’s cell phone number. I’m trusting you. You can never let your dad have that. If he were to find a way to track that phone, my entire family would be at risk, but I think you deserve a chance to meet them if you decide you want to.”

  He took the paper and stared at it. His eyes glowed brighter. “I want to help you,” he finally whispered. “I just don’t know how. My dad has this place guarded so heavily. He’d catch me if I tried to help you escape.”

  My heart warmed. Just knowing he wanted to help was enough.

  “Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

  His expression said he didn’t believe that.

  “I’ve managed to handle myself just fine until now,” I added. “No matter what happens, don’t worry about me, but please consider calling Flint.” I paused, trying to figure out a way to articulate my next words in a way that wouldn’t put him off contacting his brother. “And Raven, if you call Flint, um . . . just know that he can be a bit gruff at times, especially where I’m concerned. But he has a good heart and he’ll come around. Okay?”

  His confused look made me add, “If he starts yelling, just ask for Di. She’s the more reasonable one.”

  He nodded, his face wary. “Okay.” He stood to leave. “I guess I better go. I’ll be back tonight with your supper tray. I’ll try talking to my dad again and will see if I can convince him to not move you to the lab.”

  “Thanks.”

  Before he turned, he pulled me into an awkward hug. “Thanks for everything, Lena. You’re the first friend I’ve had.”

  A lump formed in my throat. “I’ll always be your friend. Remember that. I don’t blame you for what your dad’s done.”

  He nodded but a blush stained his cheeks. He wouldn’t meet my gaze. “See you later.”

  I watched him walk to the door. When he left, I noticed a strand of his dark hair on my shoulder. I held it up and studied it. After tonight, it was possible I’d never see him again.

  I hoped more than anything that I was wrong.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  I waited until nighttime. The darker and later it was, the less chance I’d have of being caught, or so I hoped. Given I had no idea where I was in Illinois, or how far it was to the nearest town, it was possible I’d be walking for miles before finding a way to contact anyone in my family. And of course, that was only if I managed to breakout without being caught in the process.

  Since there wasn’t a clock in the room, I waited until the sky was completely black. After I’d been in bed for what I could only assume was a few hours, I got up and crept silently to the wardrobe.

  I dressed in thick dark jeans, wool socks and a fitted long-sleeved shirt, then another long-sleeved shirt, a sweater over that and then a hooded sweatshirt. The sweatshirt was dark gray, not black as I would have preferred, but at least it wouldn’t be easily spotted.

  There wasn’t a jacket, mittens, or a hat. The only shoes I had were the flimsy canvas ones from California. I cursed again that my boots had been taken. It was quite possible I’d freeze to death if I managed to escape. However, I knew layers were key. Growing up in the mountains had taught me that. The bulky attire made agile movements difficult, but I needed the warmth if I’d be walking or hiking all night.

  I briefly thought about my homeless days. I’d spent so many nights freezing by the side of a road with nothing but my hope and determination for company.

  If I could survive that, I could survive this.

  Throughout the day, I’d contemplated the best way to get out of the mansion. There was the obvious one. I could blast a hole through the wall, jump on the roof and climb my way down. From there, I would run like a fire lit my tail until I reached some form of civilization. The downfall of that plan was that it drew attention. If this place was as heavily guarded as Raven said it was, Marcus’ men would be in hot pursuit.

  Because of that, I opted for a more evasive plan. It would require subtle use of my energy balls and more stealth, but my hope was no one would notice me missing until the morning.

  When I was ready to go, I gave the room one last look around. The pregnancy tests sat unopened on the desk. A part of me had been curious to take one. After all, when Marcus captured me I hadn’t had my birth control on me. I didn’t know if that meant I could get pregnant or not since Flint and I had sex the night before my capture. Regardless, if I was pregnant, that information was not something I’d share with Marcus.

  With a swift movement, I swept the pregnancy tests into the garbage can.

  I crept toward the door, my feet sinking silently into the carpet. When I reached it, I listened for any sounds. Nothing. The entire house was eerily silent.

  I summoned the energy within me. It hummed to life. Using that control, I pulled my cloud forward and off my body, disconnecting it from my shoulders. Concentrating, I formed my mixed green and blue cloud into a narrow strip, like a long piece of beautiful ribbon. Its colors danced together and glowed in the night. Keeping my vision firmly on the door handle, I pushed the tip of my ribbon into the lock. Inside it, I could almost feel the mechanism. My ribbon, lining the lock, felt like my fingers. I concentrated on the feel of the lock and molded my energy tightly against it. With a firm push, the lock disengaged. I opened my eyes and grasped the door handle.

  It opened.

  I waited at the threshold. Nobody came running. My heart pounded as I peered around. The door must not be wired to anything. Sneaking out, I looked both ways before hurrying down the hall. The first turn I made brought me to an impressive view. Through huge wind
ows, the front yard was visible. Moonlight and pale security lights shone outside. A huge, pebbled drive formed a circle around a large fountain. From there, the drive disappeared into a swamp of trees. I couldn’t see a road or tell how far it was to the property line.

  Moving quickly, I darted down another hall until I found a set of stairs. They were narrow and curved downward, solid walls on both sides. I didn’t stop to assess anything.

  I took them down at a run. It seemed to take forever. When I reached the bottom, there was a door. It wasn’t locked.

  I opened it cautiously. The door creaked softly. Smells of lingering cooked food greeted me. A dim light shone above a sink. It seemed I was in a small kitchen or butler’s pantry. I closed the door quietly.

  Blood whooshed through my ears as I waited, listening. Once again, I didn’t hear anything.

  I figured Cecile, or whoever else Marcus had for household staff, must only be in attendance during daylight hours. Either that or she’d retired to her quarters for the night.

  The security team that Raven hinted at had yet to be seen. Walking quietly across the floor, my heart stopped when I saw the first security camera. It hung in the corner of the kitchen, its lens like an all seeing eye. A moment of panic consumed me. I stood rooted to the spot. An image of Marcus’ men tackling me and pinning me to the ground flashed in my mind.

  Move, Lena!

  I raced out of the room, knowing if anyone was watching I’d have been spotted. The small kitchen opened to a larger one, making my initial guess that the previous one had been a butler’s pantry, accurate. I didn’t bother to assess any more details. I raced to the next room and then the next. My heart pounded. Sweat dripped into my eyes. I hadn’t accounted for how warm I’d be in the bulky attire on my race out of the house.

  A hallway appeared at the end of the room as I dashed through it. Soft light washed across its floor. My eyes widened. Is someone already looking for me?