Chaos: Thunder On High
Jessica Reynolds, Blacklight infected human, shapeshifter, evolved, mutant…Chaos. These words can all be used to describe me. Three years ago, I was infected with the Blacklight virus, or more commonly known as the Mercer Virus.
Alex Mercer, the namesake of the virus, had me battling Gentek and Blackwatch for him. His ultimate goal was for me to evolve into a superhuman equal to him and then become the 'mother of the new race'.
When I tried to leave the city, my cousin tried to stop me. I ended up killing and absorbing him, gaining his memories in the process.
Three years later…his memories are still echoing in my head.
Jessica stepped out of the airport and into the bright afternoon sunlight. She blinked a few times to clear her vision, and found a familiar face waiting for her.
"Afternoon, Jess," her cousin Lucy Johnson said cheerfully. Jessica noted her strong British accent. Not surprising, given where I am.
"Let's go, Lucy," Jessica replied. "I'd like to get some shut eye."
"You had a whole bloody flight over from DC," Lucy said as she climbed into the driver's seat of her car. "Don't tell me you actually stayed awake."
"I don't want to talk about it," Jessica said.
Lucy shook her head. "The family warned me about this, but I'll be damned if I actually believed them."
Jessica didn't respond, but gazed out the window as they rode along. The country, though part of her heritage…somewhere…felt incredibly alien to Jessica.
It wasn't until they were halfway across Tower Bridge that Lucy tried to initiate conversation again.
"So," she said slowly. "Ever been to London before?"
Jessica rubbed her temples. "No…no I haven't. My aunt recommended that I come here to blow off some steam or…get some fresh air or some bullshit. She likes to ramble a lot."
Lucy glanced her way a few times. "Okay…got any favorite bands or music?"
"You're not into heavy metal, are you?" Jessica asked her cousin.
"Maybe," Lucy chuckled. "Never figured you for one of those."
Lucy's dwelling place lay on the edge of the Southwark district of London, right next to the Lambeth district. It was well concealed from the public eye and was obviously quite modest.
"Do go right ahead and make yourself at home," Lucy said once they were inside.
Jessica collapsed onto her sofa. "Before you ask…no, I don't want any tea."
Lucy laughed audibly from the next room, but didn't reply. Jessica fell asleep within minutes.
"There's more to this," Brian said to Alex Mercer. The latter was pacing in front of a scene of destruction that stretched out below him. The handiwork of his cousin, Chaos.
"All that you need to understand," Mercer replied, "is that your sister will be the key to the future."
"And Bulldog?" Brian asked. "He's getting impatient. I can barely contain the man, and so many others seek to follow his example."
Mercer chuckled. "Let him vent his frustrations any way he sees fit."
"Jess!"
Jessica's eyes snapped open. "I'm not asleep," she said groggily. She then rolled over and onto the floor, hard.
"Dammit," she cursed as she picked herself up. Lucy was standing over her, looking genuinely concerned.
"You were fidgeting and talking to yourself," Lucy said. "I thought you were going mad when I first heard you."
"I'm fine, Lucy," Jessica sighed in reply.
"No, you're not," Lucy told her. "You're not well. Those mutations of yours might have something to do with it."
"Or Brian's memories," Jessica said under her breath.
Lucy sat down next to her. "I hope you'll forgive me, but what the bloody hell were you dreaming about?"
Jessica put her hands in front of her eyes. "I don't…God, I don't know."
"I could only make out one word that you said," Lucy said. "You said 'Mercer'. Who did you mean?"
"Alex Mercer," Jessica said. "He's the one responsible for tearing New York apart. He was in my dream, and so was Brian. They were talking about me and someone called 'Bulldog'."
Lucy sighed. "I would say that you should get some sleep, but that may not be the best thing for you right now."
Jessica shook her head. "Don't worry about me."
"Don't worry," Lucy replied. "Tomorrow I'll show you around the city. Help you clear your head a little."
"Thanks," Jessica said. "Here's hoping that it helps."
Jessica looked out the window at the lights of London beyond. So far from home, but my past follows me wherever I go.
(Okay, so obviously the new city is London. I thought it would be a good change of pace. It was either that or Paris. Anyway, I'll be explaining more about Bulldog in the next chapter. This one's short, but it's only introductory.)