'Cause I need an interventionist to intervene between me and this monster And save me from myself and all this conflict
CHAPTER ONE
"Bella it's for your own good. I know you don't understand but-"
The stupidity my mom was barfing angered me beyond the point of ignoring her that I interrupted her midway through whatever bullshit she was saying.
"No, Mom! You're the one that doesn't understand. You have absolutely no idea what I'm going through! Quit trying to feed me all that crap of how things are going to get better because I know they're not, Mom! I don't even know what's wrong with me and you're all too willing to send me to God knows where the first opportunity you got. So no Mom I don't understand but don't you dare try to tell me that this is somehow going to get better and don't even try to be the consoling mother because you're the one who's putting me through this." For weeks I've been struggling, crying, and, on the inside, dying. The same speech over and over isn't going to help; it'd just be a band-aid on a bullet wound.
My mom's face contorted from her usual composed expression to a slacked mouth, teary eyes, and heavy breathing. I hated seeing her like this but, currently, I was facing a bigger battle than just hurt feelings.
I'm sorry, I am so sorry.
"Bella, you know I love you." Mom said.
That's not enough.
"Mom, just please don't make me go." My voice cracked midway, just another tribute displaying my totally lame weakness.
"I'm sorry, Bella."
Not as sorry as me.
My life sucks.
After I had said good-bye to my mom in our little apartment, the government workers were ready to take me to Union Academy. In all fairness, my mom at least had the heart to look sad that her only child was being shipped away to a federally confidential school. Even she had tried to Google Union Academy. Strangely, each time she did the computer automatically shut down. Go figure.
The dark tinted windows of the car made it impossible to see outside. I couldn't even roll them down. I guess that as soon as the luggage was in the trunk and my body was on the seat, I was just another game piece in the sick game the government was playing.
Admittedly, I was scared. When I was a kid watching movies, anything remotely foreign like a mermaid or alien would always end up in danger of government experimentation. Now, I'm the alien in this screwed up movie called my life.
Hours of drifting in and out of sleep passed by before I finally woke up to the sound of car doors slamming shut. As soon as my door opened I was surprised to see that it was night time and we were parked in front of a huge compound of buildings. Stepping out of the car I got a better look at the compound and could tell it was sort of like a mall plaza without parking lots and a lot of grass. From what I could see, the buildings were spread out in the middle of an enormous grass clearing and at the outer edges was a forest of trees.
Where am I?
"Ms. Swan?" I looked up to see a woman in a dress suit approaching me with my suitcase. "Did you have a smooth drive?" I eyed her suspiciously in hopes that she would understand that I didn't trust her whatsoever. The lady smiled, displaying pearly whites and dimples, and nodded like I was amusing her. This is so not funny. "Sorry, I'm Esme Cullen. I'm the dean of Union Academy and as we'll be spending a lot of time together I just wanted to make sure you'll be comfortable for the night." If she was a lady I met at a coffee shop I'd have no problem with engaging in conversation with her but, unfortunately, she's a government agent who supports secret schools that abduct teenage girls. In short, she was the sort of 'stranger danger' you learned about in school. "It's very nice to meet you, Bella," she continued, "And I'm sure you have a lot of questions but right now we just want to get you settled in for the night and tomorrow morning we'll have a one on one session. Does that sound good for you?" She rested her hand on the small of my back and began leading me away from the car.
Don't touch me.
I breezed past her to grab my suitcase; indirectly avoiding physical contact with her. When I turned to see her she was still giving me an expectant look.
"I'm sure you're a nice lady and all but I'm not sure what's going on and I'm just really confused and mad." I replied.
She nodded in understanding as she began leading us toward a red brick building, closest to the edge of the forest yet still a great distance away. "Well I'm sure you already know how special you are. And I bet you have some questions concerning your body changes too. I just want to assure you that this is completely normal for you and the last thing I want is for you to be afraid or mad in any way. Union Academy is a safe place for you and we're here to help you as you transition mentally and physically. I know exactly how you must be feeling but let me tell you that you're going to get through this quickly and learn how truly amazing you are."
Special?
Safe place?
Her attempts at making me feel better had the complete opposite effect and suddenly I was less than okay and everything was all sorts of wrong that my mind could no longer handle. "You have absolutely no idea what I'm going through. You work for the government; the people that bribed my mom into giving away her daughter. News flash: that's not okay! I'm not okay! You don't even know me so don't try and tell me that what I'm going through is normal because I'll tell you something I'm not normal and I'm definitely not special! You don't know what it's like waking up in the middle of the night with a body so hot you burn your clothes off and have to extinguish a fire on your bed. I can't even hug my own mom without being scared of giving her third degree burns or go swimming in public because I might accidently give everyone hypothermia! I'm hot and cold all the time and I can't even feel it so I don't know when I'm a menace! That's not typical puberty Mrs. Cullen! So please just stop. Just stop it." I was three steps from losing it. Apparently, I had stopped walking all together so I was just the idiot in front of the three story red brick building yelling at a lady I didn't even know. Taking a few deep breaths, I looked away from her annoyingly patient face to reclaim my sanity, or what's left of it. Finally, after a few seconds, I turned to her again and accused; "How can you have any idea what I'm going through?"
With a warm smile and caring caramel eyes that matched her perfectly combed hair, she rested her hand on my shoulder. I avoided the urge to shake it off. "I was in the same position as you when I was sixteen. I've felt exactly how you're feeling and even I had to attend Union Academy. Although we had to go through different obstacles we're not so different. Whereas you couldn't hug your mom, I was unknowingly manipulating mine each time I spoke. I'm not asking you to trust me right now because I know we just met but I do ask that you have some faith when I say that all will be well and that soon you're going to have a better understanding as to what's going on with you."
I shook my head. What could she mean?
"What do you mean? Can you explain exactly why I'm here and why no one in the US knows this place exists?" This is so far from ridiculous.
Opening the door to the building Mrs. Cullen waved to the man behind the counter and led me to the elevators. "Do you want me to explain everything for you right now or are you willing to wait until-"
"Right now." I interrupted her.
The elevator doors opened. As I walked in I couldn't help but feel as though I was also walking into a different world and possibly a different me.
This is so surreal.
She nodded quickly "In that case let's wait until we get to your room."
After she said that we both remained silent until the elevator doors opened again. Once they did we were met with what pretty much resembled a hotel floor; just a long hallway with multiple doors. She walked me down the long expanse and I couldn't help but hear some voices behind the doors. That could only mean that there were other people here. Were they like me..?
"Room 321. You'll be staying here and your roommate will be here tomorrow." She opened the door with her fingerprint and allowed me inside.
Roommate?
It was a pretty basic room, like a college dorm; two beds, two desks, and a bathroom. I could see the left side of the room was personalized in pink everything in, of course, various shades. Was I rooming with a six year old? On the other hand, the right side was bare with white comforters and pillows. Clearly, it was meant for me so I rolled my suitcase to the end of the bed. Looking at Mrs. Cullen I didn't even know what to do with myself so I just sat on the bed and waited for her to say something.
She smiled as she sat down on the opposite bed "Well, for starters, I know you're probably wondering why you're here."
Duh.
At my lack of response she continued "Well, Union Academy is a special school for kids with similar capacities like your own. From your own experience I think you can understand why the kids here are different than what society would consider a typical teenager. Here, every person has capabilities involving the five senses; touch, hear, sight, smell, and taste. Our bodies have pretty much evolved from the norm and gained a stronger sense of something. In my case, I speak and people listen a bit too much. I can enchant people into doing whatever I please. This appeals to the sense of hearing of others although it doesn't personally affect or have anything to do with my own hearing. You see what I'm getting at?"
Oh my, gosh, this is insane.
"That's insane, how is that even possible?" There's no way that this was just a side effect of evolution.
Do I actually believe her?
"This is possible because of your unique DNA and mind capabilities. You're a straight A student, a star athlete, and even won your towns Miss USA pageant. You're probably pretty popular too, right?" Woah, how could she even know all that? Mrs. Cullen smiled at my awestricken expression. "I read your files but that's beside the point." Creepy. "Nothing you've ever done was hard. You're body, mind, and physique better than any of your peers your age and even the ones far older than you. It's all because you, like all of us, have a deeper and more complex brain than the average human. That combined with genetic engineering created you to be the perfect weapon." At my horrified expression she quickly shook her head. "Allow me to explain. During World War 2, the United States was trying out bionic engineering on rats. Of course, nothing worked and most of the rats died but after decades of trying different variables and DNA strands the scientists finally cracked the code. As a matter of fact, my great grandparents were a part of this association. Now, these weren't just a dozen scientists trying to experiment but hundreds of them as they were all motivated to create the perfect human weapon. I guess the effects of the world war fueled their passion. They were all so incredibly dedicated to their work that after lab results proved positive for rats they're first experimentation on humans was on their own kids, my great grandparents and yours too." Wow. "Afterwards, they studied the effects of their experiment on the then 2 year old babies! Sometimes, it's still crazy for me too so don't worry." I tried to smile or nod but I couldn't even manage that. "Anyways, they thought that their experiment failed after years passed and the kids still didn't show signs of extra abilities which were the main goal. Everyone unanimously agreed that the benefits of intelligence and physical strength were enough and that they would soon ask the government for further funding on more experiments. However, that sort of process takes years. Thankfully, at the age of 14 my great grandfather was the first kid to show signs of abnormal behavior much like what you're experiencing. A year later my great grandmother had similar experiences and then everyone else soon followed. That's when Union Academy first began; to help us transition into our capabilities. That's pretty much the story behind Union Academy and our biology."
This was so much to absorb. It made sense, to an extent, and it wasn't impossible to believe. I mean, it's better than hearing that I'm an alien mutant. But could it be that the United States would just allow this sort of experiments to happen? Were they really that threatened? Or perhaps this was just for funsies that later turned into an obsession?
"How was that even legal?" I blurted out.
She smiled sympathetically and shook her head "Ever heard of a plutocracy? How are GMOs legal? Lobbying? There are so many dark sides to our government that it's best not to dwell on it too much. What matters is that the association got funding to spend on pharmaceuticals and equipment so every representative with stocks in those areas turned a blind eye. In all fairness, the goal of the experiment wasn't as awful as it sounds."
Now that I could believe. I guess it all really did lead back to money. In the case that everything was legit and no one was breaking the law it still doesn't explain why I wasn't allowed to know about what puberty would really mean for me. I could handle bigger boobs and periods but when I turned into, as Mrs. Cullen put it, the ideal weapon some heads up would have been appreciated.
"And how come I didn't know about this? Does my mom know and why didn't she tell me when I was younger?" I asked.
"Well, that's when history gets fuzzy. After we realized that this gene could be passed down by generation, the government made it obligatory to notify them of each offspring everyone has. In addition, as soon as the offspring started showing symptoms of abilities they must attend Union Academy. There wasn't upfront opposition to this but there was talk of going AWOL. Before you knew it, dozens of people with the bionic gene and their families began disappearing. This couldn't be allowed so the government began hiring students as soon as they graduated from Union Academy to be bounty hunters. In fact, your father was a bounty hunter in charge of finding your mother and her family. In the end, they fell in love and had you except you were kept a secret until another bounty hunter found you when you were three. I'm sure your mom told you that your father's in jail, right?" I nodded. "That's true. However, the reason he's imprisoned is for keeping you hidden despite his specific assignment to find you. Just know that your mom was never allowed to tell you any of this. I know you must be angry with her because it must've seemed like she willingly let you come here but please don't hold that to heart. She had absolutely no choice and was given direct orders to not tell you a single piece of history concerning your bionic capabilities or she too would be imprisoned. She's lucky that she got to raise you because usually the government is very strict when it comes to deserters. I'm happy to tell you, though, that in return for both their compliance the government has released your father and he will be meeting with your mom tomorrow."
This is so insane. I've never met my dad and my mom talked very little of him. Whenever I asked why he was in jail she only ever told me that he was wrongly imprisoned and he's innocent. After she told me that he was locked up for life I pitied the way my mom spoke about him. She would speak as though she may have the opportunity to reunite with him someday; an impossibility that only she knew would one day come. I, however, have always been under the impression that I'd never be able to see him unless it was through a glass window, talking over a telephone. I couldn't help but feel excited. Deep down, though, there was guilt. My entire life I've thought of him as the bad guy; the douche father who was stupid enough to commit a felony and leave behind his family. My mom had always been right. More so, with Mrs. Cullen's words I also dropped the resentment I've felt for my mom these past couple of weeks. None of this was her fault. Now, I started feeling the first stems of excitement.
"Wait, so now that my dad's free and my mom kept up her terms does that mean I get to meet him?" I could actually have a dad, one that could walk me down the aisle and love my mom as they grew old together.
Mrs. Cullen nodded "Yes you can. However the visiting days for Union Academy are restricted to twice a month unless parents are part of faculty. Since your parents have kept up to their stipulations I'm fairly certain that they'll soon join us at Union Academy."
"You mean like becoming teachers?" I asked, slightly confused. My mom could barely contain her patience in the pizza line; the thought of her teaching a bunch of high school students was pretty laughable.
"Not necessarily. The reason for our bionic engineering was to ultimately help our government. Although right now we're not in any serious wars, we still need to work for Union Academy. There are a myriad of careers available. Preferably: scientists, doctors, and politicians. Obviously we can't visit any hospital if we got hurt or in the case of a regular check up, that's why doctors are needed. Politicians, or lawyers, are always helpful for experimentation rights and keeping us out of the view of the public. Still, we do need teachers but those aren't so hard to come by. Usually the older members become teachers after their time in the work force has worn them down. Personally, I just love kids and I guess this job lets me keep a close eye on my own." I could tell the passion Mrs. Cullen had for kids was genuine considering the way her eyes lit up as she spoke about them. This worried me, though. I could understand that she would be happy to work for Union Academy because she loved kids but I, on the other hand, wasn't at all interested in spending the rest of my life teaching the next generation nor was I interested in being their lawyer or doctor. These thoughts lead me to my next question that I felt would ultimately determine whether this place was a prison or not. "Mrs. Cullen after I graduate high school am I allowed to go to university and not work with Union Academy?" As if she knew I would ask this question she had the answer on the tip of her lips and in just a few seconds all my worries diminished. "Bella, I promise we're not here to keep you captive. Arrangements can always be made but, trust me, this is a community you're going to grow to love and it will ultimately be something you want to be a part of. In truth, Bella, I love who I am and I know soon you'll love who you are too." Mrs. Cullen's sincerity seeped through her words at the end and embraced me in warm reassurance that she's not the bad guy. I also learned that my mom wasn't the bad guy either. The only villains in this equation are within me and it's my job to figure out a way to fight them off. Although I hate to admit it, I think I was warming up to her. In all honesty, though, I have been fighting my attraction to her friendliness for the bigger portion of my time with her but now I see there's no point. She's really someone I'm going to need if I'm going to get past my obstacles.
"Thanks, Mrs. Cullen. It's definitely a lot to take in but I do feel better, kind of." I rubbed both my hands together and tried my best to look friendly. I hope she knew that I was speaking honestly.
Mrs. Cullen stood up from her position on the bed and walked over to sit beside me "It's my pleasure, Bella. Tomorrow I'll have someone bring you to my office so we can talk about your school schedule and any other questions you may have. Your roommate's going to be here for breakfast and I'm sure you guys will get along perfectly. Sleep well tonight, tomorrow's a big day." She got up to leave and I followed her to the door. "Thanks, Mrs. Cullen." Right before leaving she turned and gave me a good hug, a momma hug. After releasing me she grinned and said "I'm Mrs. Cullen during school but for now call me Esme." With that she left and I was on my own until morning.