Two years have passed.
The little meta-human girl known as Laura Forrest, in her second year of life, was now a resident in the local group home. It was larger than most on average compared to most around the country, with all of the trained staff and equipment to handle and care for children between the ages of five to eighteen. However, due to Laura being classified as a mutant (and a first for the medium-sized Texas city), she was labeled as a special case for care under the state. The kindly pastor and his wife still insist on wanting to keep close contact over the girl, despite being denied (under mysterious circumstances) adoption rights for her. However, their presence in the Home was not unwelcome for the staff, as volunteers are needed on a regular basis to give the children there additional guidance and knowledge of the world around them.
And indeed, the world is quite different from the normal one, where during a battle in Europe during World War II, a contingent of Nazi soldiers seeped in the belief of the occult attempted to cast a series of dark spells in order to turn the tide of the war in their favor. What came out of such, however, was nothing short of a mixed miracle: Due to their actions, magical energies long dormant and missing from the world came back, changing the laws of physics, enabling all manner of man or beast to be altered depending on by-chance mutations or their environment around them. Shortly after this incident, the first known cases of humans with extraordinary abilities started to emerge. Some took it upon themselves to abuse their newfound powers, in an attempt to conquer and subjugate their fellow man. Others, doing like those who only had the power of their natural strength, donned costumes to hide their identities, in order to combat those evil doers. The world 'superhero' has been tossed around from time to time, however it was not until then that the definition was given a true meaning. A face, which grew to be a series of faces throughout the world.
But that is merely the backdrop for this story, as the toddler, Laura Forrest, giggles and laughs and runs about in the daycare-like facility, under the watchful eye of the ever-caring pastor Peter, as well as one of the group home administrators, Lindsay Oakley.
"Tell it to me, Miss Oakley," Peter starts off, standing aside of the doorway, looking over at little Laura running about in the play area, knocking over sets of those Lego blocks left and right. The area would seem to be more tailored to kids a couple of years older than she is, however the little energetic girl is keeping quite busy playing with each and every other toy she can get her hands on, despite being the only child in the room. "Will there be anyone to take her in? My wife and I, yes we're not all that well off financially, but so far we've been the only ones who keep applying to adopt Laura, but so far all of our applications for such keep getting rejected. Why is that?"
The slightly heavy-looking Caucasian female with a slightly pronounced southern drawl shifts her weight, looking on at the child and smiling at her, before her expression turns serious when she looks back at Peter. "Pastor, I know. I know that. But it's just for whatever reason the agency does not think you are of a fit-"
Peter frowns and cuts her off: "I've heard that same song and dance a number of times. Listen, I know I'm not messed-up in the head compared to some of my buddies after Vietnam. Ruby can attest to that, as long as I've been with her. What is it that they are afraid of?"
Both Lindsay and Peter look back at the girl, where Laura runs just a little bit too fast with a stuffed animal, slips on some of the Lego bricks and falls on her butt. The adult's eyes widen and Lindsay steps forward about to possibly comfort a crying child, but stops when Laura just gets back up (slowly), lets out a happy giggle, and darts off in another part of the room, her tail more clearly visible.
Lindsay sighs. "Well, for one, this part of the state has yet to have a mutant birth, compared to around the rest of the country. Seems the guys above might want something special of her."
Peter still has a frown etched on his war-weary features. "Special, huh? Like, trying to make her into one of those costumed people running around trying to save everyone? Working for the government like a mule? And you're willing to sit by and let it happen to this little child? I thought children had a choice in the matter of what they wanted to be when they grew up and what they want to do with their life, not be forced into such things against their will, no matter who they are."
Lindsay looks taken aback by that sudden outburst of the pastor. She shifts her weight again, pulling out a notepad with some penned words in it filling one of the pages. "Well, don't get too ahead of yourself there, preacher. I mean, there's a good chance she may find a home soon enough with a loving family, even with her… mutations." She flips through one of the pages of the notepad. "We keep lengthy documentation on Laura and per the doctor's orders observe and write out what changes she is going through as she grows up. Of course her new adoptive parents will be almost required to do the same."
"Like a lab rat." Peter snorts once.
"No, not like… ugh. Listen, pastor. I actually feel you more than some of the others here. I want this girl to be in a good home just like any other child that resides here. You can't deny she's a special case, and it doesn't help that even trying to find just temporary foster homes have lead into dead ends."
Peter gives Lindsay that 'say what?' type of look.
Lindsay shakes her head. "I'm serious. Last one we did jump through the hoops to give to a family, it was only for a couple of days before she was right back here."
Peter raises an eyebrow, this being the first time he's hearing of everything that's transpired. "What could it be? Her behavior? I mean, look at her! She has a lot of energy! Maybe those folks couldn't keep up."
Lindsay shakes her head again. "Pastor, you don't have to fool me none. You know, deep down and just by looking at her, the real reason."
Both adults turn to Laura, who is now putting one of the stuffed dolls in a built-up cage of Lego blocks. She seems hard at it, her little three-quarters-foot tail waving around like that of an excited puppy. Her ears are now a bit more pointed than when she was born, and Laura's hair has grown out a bit, made into a little braided ponytail with a bow that reaches down the base of her neck. She looks over at the two adults, sees Peter, and with her brightly-showing purple eyes makes a frenzied beeline towards him, clasping her little arms around his good leg, her tail fanning the air at a tremendous pace."
"HI!" the little one squeals out, beaming in a bright innocent smile towards the two adults, but especially Peter.
The pastor stoops down, taking care to lean against one of the crutches to return the hug. He now has a wooden prosthetic leg; however, it is rather crude in design. "How's my little angel, huh?"
Little Laura happily nods, turning around and pointing at the Lego structure: "I made that! Yay!"
Lindsay can't help but chuckle and nod at the sight of the two and of Laura's boundless energy and enthusiasm. She looks down at the girl. "Now, you remember where you put everything, ok? Clean up real good before dinner, and maybe you'll get some ice cream afterwards!"
Laura looks up at Lindsay, blinking with her huge eyes, and with Peter getting a good look at them: The whole of her eyeballs were vivid in color, but what was most peculiar and striking was her pupils had a mild, vertical slit to them. Would almost remind him of a feline.
"YAY!" the little mutant girl squeals as she runs off to continue to play.
Peter stands up slowly, the wooden leg only marginally helping with his balance as he balances on the crutch. It seems to help just enough, as he only needs one crutch for most of getting around now. "She is so adorable. But, it's strange. What else is going on with her? You mentioned the doctor wanted you to look at her to see what else pops up."
Lindsay nods. "Yes, as you of course have seen, she's growing a tail on her, which a few of the older kids cannot help but pull on a few times; part of the reason why she's by herself for the time being. And not just that, but her ears also have been growing a bit more out there. The doctor says she might wind up with them pointed outwards or upwards. We'll need to make sure the kids don't mess with those as well. And also…"
"The eyes." Peter mentions, watching Laura run back and yet again make a mess out of the Lego structure she made.
"Yes, although they are quite pretty. Some of the other kids can't help but stare. As also some of the staff here as well when she's right up against them, either hugging or wanting to just chat with them about silly stuff."
Both of the adults continue to look on at the child, as she starts to straighten up a few things, though it becomes apparent she's also looking for another toy buried in the mess of Legos.
Lindsay leans against the doorframe, glancing at a clock on the wall. It reads four o' clock, about the time most kids of her age would be taking a nap. "I'll say this: she's a lot brighter than any two year-old I have encountered in all my years taking care of children. She can quickly grasp what most folks are talking about if you just talk to her normally. In fact, one of the home teachers here is quite impressed with her speed in learning new words and phrases. On some of the books here, she can even out-read some of the five year olds."
Peter chuckles. "She's going to grow up to be a mighty bright one." He and Lindsay turn toward the little girl, finding what looks to be a cartoony-looking stuffed mouse plush, holding it against her chest as she bolts off in another direction.
"Yes, she's going to be something special alright. Say, Peter, uh… you'll be here next week to fill in for Julie, right? Laura's been at different staff persons' houses, though next week most are preoccupied with other things. I mean, could you…?"
Peter smiles and nods at the woman. "But of course we watch over her. I know Ruby will be delighted, but I'll warn you, she'd be hard pressed to give her back up when the week's over with!"
The little toddler Laura lazily shoves some of the loose Legos in their original position near one of the boxes. She picks up the stuffed mouse toy, having it in a death-grip against her body; she waddles over to the adults, mouth opening wide in a big yawn, her tail just slowly fanning around. It's quite obvious that the little mutant girl is quite tired and in need serious need of a nap.
"I'm tired…" Laura cutely says, rubbing her eyes after a long small-armed stretch, her tail also stretching out to its full length.
Lindsay gives a 'humph' sound as she smiles at the girl wide and picks up her. Laura's tail briefly wags as she's lifted off the floor, before setting down and her head resting on the big woman's shoulder, quickly going from awake to sleep in just a few moments.
"Well, that was fast." Peter chuckles as he looks back into the somewhat messy room with a few Legos and dolls strewn about.
Lindsay shrugs and backs away, letting Peter out of the doorway before she turns to shut it behind her, carrying the sleeping mutant in her arms. "I'll clean up the rest later; she did enough for the day."
"How long as she been up?" Peter smirks as he hobbles alongside Lindsay down the hallway.
"Long enough. She usually takes a nap at least an hour earlier at the latest. Guess it's just one of the minor changes going on with her. Hopefully it stops at that point." Lindsay sighs, rubbing the girl's back, little Laura softly breathing and clutching the toy in her hand still.
Peter gives Lindsay a quizzical look. "How you mean?"
"I mean… well, the older she gets, the more stuff she might have pop-up on her body. Her tail might get longer, she might grow fangs…who knows? What I'm worried about is how the other kids will continue to treat her as she gets older. She doesn't have many friends right now, due to most of the other ones messing with her tail…"
Peter sighs, his expression turning slightly grim. "I see…well, I'll do whatever I can to help out and keep an eye on her. It's the least I can do…not like the state will be of much help."
"Yeah, I hear you."
It was nighttime at the home. Most of the younger kids were asleep in their assigned rooms. Laura, the little two-year old, was curled in a tiny bed in the room of one of the overnight staff members, clutching on her rodent plushy. Not far from the bedroom, was the other of that room, as well as another figure, having a late-night discussion.
"I take it we'll be granted additional funding for this as a result of her?" the larger male speaks, drinking from a bottled soda a few times.
The other person, a skinnier female responds with a nod. "They'll want updates at least every month on her 'condition.' And then bi-annual physical examinations. In return, most of everyone here will get a raise increase, as well as additional funding for the facility here." The lady shifts a bit where she stands, glancing back at the room where Laura is asleep: "Mr. Cole, what do you think the government wants to do with her? She has no parents or blood relatives that we know of on record, her blood tests have screwed up the equipment more than a few times, and at the rate of her mutations-"
The man called Mr. Cole cuts her off. "It'll be fine. I'm sure it's all just physical stuff we'll only have to watch for. Doesn't matter, that girl right there, until she turns eighteen is our big payday. As long as we play nice and keep her here and do what those eggheads say, we'll be in the money for everyone. I'm sure the extra cash will help out your ailing parents, right, Doris?"
The Caucasian femme, Doris shrugs, obviously looking uncomfortable where she stands. "I… I guess. But still, I'm worried what they might do to her when it does come around that time…"
"Bah, you worry yourself too much. I mean, most of the guys up in Washington were nice enough to help suppress the media about what happened two years ago. Most around here don't even know she exists. And who would care? She's a freak of nature. Frankly, I'd be glad if they took her out of here the next day, as long as we get paid handsomely in return."
"Mr. Cole…"
Cole waves her off: "Not now, Dory. I think you should get some rest. Big day tomorrow! Field trip for the young'uns!"
Doris watches the taller-than-her white man with the receding hairline walk off, looking quite jovial. She sighs, walking back toward the room with Laura, peeking inside. Laura has turned on her belly, sleeping soundly. Seems the little girl has been doing that a lot more for the past few months. Doris walks over and strokes the girl down her long, dark hair, a sad expression on your face.
"You deserve better than this. No matter what it takes, I'll make sure you'll make it."
Laura stirs for a moment before she turns her head the other way, seemingly smiling while she sleeps.