"Paula I can't stand by and let you do this anymore. I couldn't stop you the first two times but now …I won't let you get our baby girl involved in this; I don't want this life for her," Arthur Carlin stood in front of his wife. It wasn't the first time he ever stood against her and but he knew this time he would make her listen. He knew was making the right decision. For the past couple of years he watched as his other two children were tortured day in and day out. Now he had made up his mind, he wasn't going to back down this time. He was going to spare his little girl this life and try to set things right. Needless to say Paula did not back down.
"Arthur really could you just stop now. We both know you are powerless to stop me. You know…you never fought for this long with the other two. Why now, why this girl?" Paula demanded. Arthur sighed; she wouldn't even refer to her own children by name. For as long as he could remember she was devoted to her work and nothing else. Sure she once had a heart, he married her because of it, but now…all that was left was greed and the hunger for power.
They were both at the top of their class and immediately out of college both were hired to work for the military. At first it was just simple projects, little weapons that would help change soldiers chances in the war. Arthur never really did like the job but it paid well and he was with the love of his life. As the years went on though they were both transferred into a top secret group, it still connected to the military but its goals were far different. At first they merely built weapons to help soldiers survive wars, now their task was to design weapons of destruction, things that caused death. Arthur immediately refused to take the job but somehow Paula talked him into it. Reluctantly he agreed to take the job and over the years he watched as his love slowly became another person entirely.
At first it was her lack of concern for fellow human beings, she became distant from everyone. The ideas she came up with, new weapons that would effectively kill more people, chilled him to the bone. It was nine years ago, when she was pregnant with Glen, that Project Carlin came into mind and Arthur knew she was no longer his wife. It was named this not because it was her idea but it was her own children that she used as test subjects. The formula was intended to create a superhuman; one that didn't need weapons to fight, the person themselves would be the weapon.
It began with one year old Glen. He was the first to be introduced to her formula. Arthur tried to stop it of course but his wife had become so powerful in those years. He watched helplessly as his first born slipped into madness because of the faults in the formula. The poor boy was powerful but could not control it. It sent him into huge fits of anger and showed that there were huge flaws in the formula. Not satisfied with the results Paula continued on through the years trying to perfect it. She tried to persuade him to have another child with her but knowing that they would only be used to further the sick experiment he refused her. She continued to work nonstop on the formula, not relenting at all.
One year ago she brought eight year old Clay to live with them. Glen was nine at the time and he was still unstable as ever. He had to be contained in the lab at all times. Arthur couldn't understand at first why she had brought Clay around and one day confronted her about it. She broke down in tears and gave him some sob story about how she was sorry about what she did to Glen. She told him that taking care of Clay was her way of trying to make up for the things she had done…oh what a story. And what a fool he was at the time for believing her. The two reconciled that night, weeks later though he discovered that she ordered Clay to be injected with the new formula. When confronted about it she merely told him to back off, it was so sure to work with Clay and if not…she had another child she could soon use. She was pregnant with Spencer, she had used him.
The formula used on Clay worked but not as well as Paula had wished. He wasn't as powerful as she wanted but at the time was satisfied with the results. Still she continued to twist and perfect the formula even more; Arthur knew a day would come when she would try to use it on Spencer. That day had come. Spencer was only a year old, Clay nine and Glen was now ten.
"Paula I won't let you do this anymore, let me go to Spencer. I'm taking her, Glen and Clay and getting the hell out of here," Arthur shot back. He was done trying to appeal to her soft side, she no longer had one. This women was no longer his wife, she was no longer human.
"And how do you expect they'll spend the rest of their lives? Clay would be wasted if he was just to be given a normal life and Glen! Glen can't even leave his containment cell without people dying!"
"Whose fault is that?! You've destroyed their lives Paula but not Spencer, I won't let you have her!" Arthur stepped forward only to be stopped by two large security guards. Paula stood before him and smirked menacingly.
"It's too late, she's already mine," she hissed and Arthur's face went pale. Oh no, had she already gone through with it? The guards released him and he took off in a dead sprint towards Spencer's room. As he got to the door a few doctors were leaving, once he got inside he broke down besides the young blonde's bed. He was too late.
"Spencer…I'm so sorry baby. I couldn't stop this from happening to you but…I can give you a better life. It's all I can do for you. I'll stay here and look after Clay and Glen, it's my fault, and I couldn't save them but you…" He stopped talking as the young girl woke up and gave her father a genuine smile. Picking her up in his arms he cuddled her for the last time.
"This heart, it beats, beats for only you,
this heart, it beats, beats for only you,
my heart is yours"
"In major news today part of a research facility went up in smoke and officials have yet to determine the cause. All that was released to the press was this simple statement "An experiment got out of hand and the area is now contained. There is no need for alarm, the incident suffered no casualties." More on this later tonight." The young blond turned the t.v. off and walked over to his wife who was playing with the new addition to their family. Before making off into the night with the young child he promised his best friend that he would take care of his daughter not matter what happened to him.
Spencer woke up to the blaring of her alarm clock. Groaning at the obnoxious sound she slammed it onto the ground and the offensive noise stopped. She pulled her blanket back over herself and settled back into sleep, or at least she tried.
"Spencer, I don't care if you are 18 today it doesn't mean you can be late to your first day of school. Get up," her father said as he turned the lights on in her room. She once more groaned as the bright lights hit her eyes. Minutes later she was out of bed and into the shower. Dropping all her clothes onto the ground she untied her long blonde hair and placed her head right underneath the flowing water that came from the showerhead. She let out a sigh and fumbled around for shampoo. For some reason she couldn't get to sleep as easily as she normally did last night. Something kept her up, a nagging feeling that did not show promise for the day ahead.
After spending a good amount of time getting ready, she really didn't need it, Spencer made her way downstairs. Her mother was the first to greet her, pulling her into a large huge. She gladly embraced her and when they broke apart she smiled.
"So then, 18 years old, feel any different?" her mom asked as they made their way into the kitchen. Spencer grabbed an apple that sat on the tray and bit into it. After chewing for awhile she swallowed the piece and shook her head.
"Not really, everything's still the same," Spencer never looked forward to her birthdays after her tenth birthday party. She had a huge party with friends and at that time she thought her life was just beyond perfect. Later that night before bed, she walked over to her parent's room and overheard them talking. She didn't understand a lot of what they were saying but one thing rang clear in her head. They weren't her real parents, she was adopted. After hearing that she tried to be angry at them for not telling her but it didn't last long. Rebecca and Tom she swore were the nicest people alive. They loved and cared for her as if she truly were their own daughter and so to her they truly were her parents. Still, not knowing who her real parents were made celebrating her birthday not pleasurable.
"I know you've been telling us all these years you hate birthday parties but aren't you at least going out with Kegan to celebrate. It's really not good that you sit in your room all day Spencer, especially on your birthday," her mom continued to talk as she pulled out several items in the refrigerator. She placed several pieces of bacon on an already heated pan and soon the delicious smell flowed throughout the whole house.
"Five, four, three, two, one," both Spencer and her mother counted and suddenly a large brown haired man entered the room, his nose taking in the smells.
"Ah what a wonderful thing to wake up to in the morning," everyone laughed as he walked over to kiss Spencer on the forehead," Happy birthday kiddo."
"Thanks dad. Well I'm going to head out; Kegan wants to meet me there early to go over schedules. He's afraid they're going to separate us because we've had class together every year now and he's ready to fight someone," Spencer giggled and took another bite into the apple and disappeared out the door. Both parents greeted each other good morning and Tom walked over to the small t.v. and turned it on. Once the scene before him registered in his mind he dropped the remote and it landed on the floor with a loud thud. Rebecca peeked out of the kitchen to see what had happened and her eyes froze on the building that was being featured on the news. Her eyes continued to focus on it as Tom quickly made his way into the kitchen and his fingers fumbled as he dialed a number. Realization hit him and he ran to the front door, Spencer was already gone, the other line picked up.
"They've escaped."
King High. Spencer hated this school with everything she had. It was nothing but a torture chamber for her day in and out. Ever since she came out last year people started to treat her different and she realized her "friends" for what they really were, fake. Her coming out wasn't even her decision but it happened. She was dating someone at the time, a girl, who decided she just wasn't ready for a relationship with a girl. So she broke up with Spencer because she was afraid of people finding out she was gay…in a very public place (the school)…very loudly. The moron girl basically announced to everyone both of their sexualities then left Spencer by herself to face the aftermath. Slowly but surely her friends stopped hanging out with her and the name calling began. Since then she kept to herself as much as she could, not everyone was that ignorant but still she hated the place.
"Spencer! Happy birthday!" a tall blond haired boy smiled as he walked over to her and wrapped her up in a large hug.
"Kegan…Kegan! I made it through 18 years of life don't end it now by suffocating me to death with your meat hooks!" Spencer whined and he squeezed her even tighter in response.
"Excuse me, I'll have you know my hands are as slim and slender as a 17 year old girl," Kegan pouted as he let his best friend go. Spencer took a minute to regain her breath and muttered out a "17 year old my ass" comment then smiled. Kegan, now there was someone she trusted. They boy was also gay but with his looks she was sure he could also get any girl he wanted, if he wanted to. He looked like the stereotypical surfer guy; blond hair that past his ears and sharp blue eyes that could look into your soul. From the moment she met him though she knew he was his own person, he was kind to everyone around him and Spencer trusted him with everything. He was there for her when she found out she was adopted and he was there to calm her while she tried to figure out her sexuality. He was always there and she was so grateful to have him.
"So then, I say we hit up the town. Nothing too big, maybe we could go dancing?" Kegan suggested as he placed an arm over her shoulder and they both contemplated the idea as they leaned against Spencer's car. Before Spencer could agree to the idea a loud shrill voice interrupted their peaceful morning.
"Dear god they let you come back to school? Seriously what are they thinking letting people like you continue to go to school here," Madison's voice announced her arrival. Her minions followed close behind her and her boyfriend also appeared. Behind him was Aiden who held the hands of a very beautiful looking brunette. Spencer looked over to her, Ashley Davies. She hadn't seen her since last year, since the last time they spoke.
"Give it a rest would you Madison? I'm getting really tired of your crap," Aiden told her off. Deciding to continue this later on Madison surrendered for the time being and walked away with the others following suit. Aiden gave Spencer a friendly nod which she returned with a smile. Aiden wasn't a bad guy and Spencer appreciated the times he told Madison off for her. Soon he turned to leave and she started to notice that the brunette had remained standing in front of her. Spencer turned to look at her and when their eyes meet a smile came to both their faces. Kegan stood there with his arms crossed smirking at this exchange; oh Spencer had SO much to explain after this.
"So cutie, how's your 18th birthday going so far?" Ashley asked her voice was nothing else but flirtatious. Kegan held back to urge to interrupt, Spencer had SO SO much to explain.
"It's like any other day, nothing special," Spencer responded simply but also put as much feeling into the statement as she could. Something about Ashley just made her feel…well she didn't know what it was yet. She watched as the brunette thought for a minute and then smile.
"Well, we're going to have to change that aren't we?" and with that she walked away. Spencer couldn't help but watch as Ashley made her way towards the school, her hair, her clothes, the way she moved, Kegan was now pinching her…
"OW, goddamnit Kegan what the hell?!" Spencer flinched and rubbed her cheek. Her best friend stood there, the hugest smile imaginable was on his face. She sighed and unlocked her car.
"Let's go, I'll spill while you buy me breakfast." Kegan laughed and hopped into the car and soon the two were off. At the entrance of the school a lone figure stood with his arms crossed. He had watched Spencer the whole time and now she was gone. No matter, he was patient. Soon the time would come. Spencer had no idea that her world was about to come crashing down on her.