Cole sat in a big black chair behind a desk. He was waiting for his right-hand man, David Scott, to get there. David was supposed to go pick up a package at a house last night, and Cole wondered if he got caught. He smiled to himself, imagining it. A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in," said Cole.
The door opened to admit a man, about the same size as Cole with dark hair and eyes. He was carrying a basket.
"Did you get her?" asked Cole.
The man nodded, and held out the basket. Inside, a baby girl with dark hair was fast asleep. Cole put the basket down gently and turned to David.
"You have done what I asked, and for that you shall be rewarded," he said, "You will know what your gift is when the time comes."
David nodded and left, closing the door behind him. Cole looked down at the sleeping form that was his daughter. Selena's gonna kill me he thought.
"What do you mean, you think it's him? Who's him?" asked Liya.
"Let's just say I have more to add to my story." She paused, searching for the right words. "The guy in my story, his name is David Scott. He's the one that killed my family. He found us in the factory and drove us out, cornering us in an alley. My parents created a diversion to try to save my sister, Saule, and I, but it didn't work too well, and he ended up killing my sister. David works for Cole," she finished.
"So, you're saying that Cole wants Sierra?" asked Liya.
"That's what I'm guessing, but I don't know why. I mean, why would he want a one-year-old baby, besides the fact that he's her father?"
When his boss, Jolene Harper told him that she wanted Sierra Mage, Cole had to do a double take. She had looked at him oddly, but had not said anything. When he had asked why, she had told him, "For business reasons."
After Cole had gotten out of the GSA, he went to work for the Genetic Mutation Center (GMC). He had always known that this place was more powerful than the one he had worked for before, but he never thought he would end up working for them. But, after he had put an end to that incident with Selena, he had first made sure that her and his daughter was safe, and then went away, to work.
Now though, he picked Sierra up out of the basket and held her close. Sierra felt his touch and opened her eyes.
Dadda? She asked him.
Cole nodded, his eyes watering up. A tear ran down his face as he held her even closer.
"I'll be right back," said Selena. She got up and walked down the hallway to the bathroom. She closed and locked the door behind her. She had no intention of doing anything but contacting Cole, and that's exactly what she did.
Cole? She asked him after she had found her way into his mind.
Yeah. Are you ok, what's wrong? He could feel the sadness throughout her mind.
Sierra's gone.
Gone? Cole struggled to hide his thoughts, but he wasn't quick enough, Selena picked up on them.
Where is she Cole? I know you have her, somewhere.
She's with me he thought.
And why, may I ask, is she with you?
Because my boss wants her. Cole could feel the anger welling up inside of her.
Why?
I have no idea.
Don't give me that bull Cole!
I'm serious. I have no idea why she wants her.
Who do you work for?
The Genetic Mutation Center.
You mean that place that has the GSA beat by a long shot?
Yeah.
Cole, how could you? Selena asked him. He was silent. Where are you, I'm coming get her right now.
You can't. She'll know I snitched.
You should've thought about that before you kidnapped her. And if you hurt her, I swear it won't be pretty.
I know. She'll be fine. I promise.
Yeah, you better promise.
The phone in Cole's office rang, startling Sierra. She started crying.
Selena, I gotta go. He didn't hear her answer and knew she was searching his mind for where they were. He cut her off, shutting her out of his mind. "Shh...it's ok," he said, comforting his daughter, while he picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Johnson, I want you to bring in the child right now," said a voice on the other side.
"Right away Ms. Harper," Cole said.
"I'll expect you in ten minutes."
"Yes ma'am." He hung up.
Back at the house, Selena came back to reality. I can't believe he blocked me out. But, not before I found out where he is. She smiled to herself and walked out of the bathroom, back to Derek and Liya.
"I know where she is," Selena said.
"Where?" asked Derek.
"On the other side of town. Cole works for this place called the Genetic Mutation Center. They're supposed to be stronger than the GSA, and a lot more powerful."
"It sounds like we're going on another mission," said Liya, "It's about time too, it was getting boring around here."
"Too true," Derek added, while Selena smiled again.
"Where is everyone anyway?"
"They're all still sleeping," said Liya.
"But it's lunchtime already."
"Yeah, but they don't know that."
Wake up call you guys! Selena said into everyone's mind. A few minutes later, a very sleepy Aaron, Lyndsay, and Jordan came into the room and sat down on the sofa, almost falling asleep again.
"Wake up you sleepy heads. Don't you people know what time it is?" asked Derek.
"Yeah, time to go back to sleep," said Jordan, annoyed.
"Uh, no. It's time to go save my daughter from being experimented on."
"Well, can we like go get dressed first?" said Lyndsay.
"Be my guest."
Everyone, except Derek and Selena, trotted off to their room to get some clothes on. Selena sat down next to Derek on the sofa.
It's gonna be ok you know.
I know Selena thought. She leaned over and kissed him, needing his touch to comfort her and felt his hand slip around her waist and under her shirt. He started to rub her back, making her moan in his mouth. Somebody's coming Selena thought to him.
I know, but I don't wanna let you go yet.
Selena warned him with her feral eyes.
"All right." He reluctantly removed his hands, just as Jordan came into the room. She sat down in a chair across from them and tried to start a conversation.
"So, where is she?"
"Other side of town, in a very fancy building, with Cole."
"With Cole?"
"Yeah. It's better than being with the Head of the GMC."
"True."
