Strength. Protection. Power.
So why did he feel so weak?
He glanced over at the awake members of the team performing research on the young boy in the cell. How simple would it be to tell them who he really was? Who his parents told him the young Saturday was?
A lot harder than to sit back and watch. Luke had talked to his mother and father about the young boy. He was surprised to find that his mother actually knew a lot about him, and his heritage. Apparently, his mother had spent a summer at Honey Island, and had made friends with a young Soloman Saturday.
They remained in contact until they had been captured and forced to assist the enemy. During their "stay" the Saturday family had been killed. It had seemed though Zak was alive despite the attack on the rest of his family. Something that they didn't know until Spiderman had brought in the blood soaked boy into the SHIELD Helicarrier.
It had been his parents who had talked to Fury about his stay, the assurance that he didn't belong in a cell, but needed help. He had overheard his mother's upset cry when Zak had chosen the cell over therapeutic help. Though he was allowed to change at any time, being guided to a SHIELD sanctioned therapist.
Luke had taken his time to watch from a far. Occasionally, when Zak was alone, he'd sit next to him, their backs facing each other. They would just be taking in each other's breaths. He never forced Zak to speak. Zak had spoken once or twice to him. Never about what he had done, but about the creatures he had seen around the world. Cryptids of all kinds and sizes.
Luke had once seen him grow so excited in his talking, his eyes had been glowing. Not quite the radiating orange light he could achieve, but a natural brown light of his humanity mixed with flecks of orange from his life intermixing into a faux appearance of innocence. Luke wished he could bring it out more.
As it was, Zak had been more guarded after the incident since a laugh had slipped past his lips. A genuine and non cynical laugh.
It was this on his mind when he heard his parents speaking to Fury.
"He's not getting better."
"We're doing all we can-"
"It's not enough! Director Fury, this is killing him!"
Luke froze. His inner fear of letting those get hurt because he couldn't save them flashed in his mind. Was Zak really dying?
He stiffened, making a decision. Though he didn't want to possibly destroy the little trust Zak had put in him, he would not let him wither away. He was used to a large family being there for him. So, he couldn't do it alone.
He had found the awake members of the team in the study, each at a computer.
"You're not going to find what you're looking for online."
Ava and Sam jumped as Danny turned to face him. Luke felt tired as he took a seat, "The Grey men have the most documented information."
"Luke?"
"Grey men?"
"Perhaps it would be wise to explain?"
"How much do you know?"
Dammit. Fifth installment.