Chapter 4: Metamorphesis (Part 1)

January 1, 2008

Melissa held onto Aya with her arm over her shoulders. Holding her up as they briskly walked through a set of mirky concrete tunnels. Doing her best to keep a solid pace to avoid letting whomever was chasing them catch up to them. She'd see a nearby metal door and opened it as it creaked loudly, giving away their position. Although that didn't matter as they were merely trying to keep ahead and there wasn't enough doors and hallways for them to hide. Moving was all that was keeping them safe. Melissa made sure to slam every door they went through shut. So she'd know when the person chasing them was near. She'd be able to hear the doors open up behind her.

Aya looked weakened and dazed as she look struggled to keep pace with Melissa whom was practically carrying her. "You've got to stay with me! We're almost there...", Melissa would reply. Unsure of where they were going and was merely saying that to help Aya and herself in someway to keep them going emotionally and physically.

She'd hear the door that she closed not to long ago start to open. As they turned a corner and through another door. Which she slammed shut while hurrying along. They'd reached a larger room with what looked like some kind of water control devices. There was metal stairs that led up to a metal grated walkway. Melissa felt like it would possibly lead them out of the sewers somehow and decided to go up them with Aya.

Slowly but surely they made them up the stairs and along the walkway. They'd turn another corner and continue along it. Melissa was thankful that the room was large enough that there would be many places for them to hide. Although the chance that their persuer would take the stairs was something she'd gambled on. They'd make it to another door which Melissa tried to quietly open.

She wasn't sure why most, if not all the door down here had to be made of metal. Thankfully, this door had a lock. Which she made good use of. Then they'd continue onward, as she made her way with Aya across the room which looked like some sort of control room. Into another door as they tried to be a bit more quiet.

Aya was wearing the same dress and heels that she wore when Melissa and her first met inside Carnagie Hall. The sparkles of glitter from the New Years party they were at would speckle Aya's hair and dress. "Where are we?", she'd asked, looking around the room they were in while still in a daze. Her head would fall to rest on Melissa's shoulder. "Somewhere safe.", Melissa replied while looking around the room they were in.

It wasn't before long that she'd hear the door that was locked in the other room start to bang. Forcing Melissa and Aya to look back while standing in the other room. Although it seemed the room they were in was a dead end. Forcing Melissa to look simply stand there while holding Aya. She'd help Aya to a nearby chair and set her down. Although Aya couldn't sit up right and kneeled onto the floor with her arms over the seat of the chair while her head rested on them.

Melissa looked around for anything she could use as a weapon but couldn't find anything that might have been of use. So she simply stood ready. She was a bit glad that she decided to wear a pantsuit rather than a dress as this made the occasion much more ideal to fight in. Not that she didn't like seeing Aya wearing something familiar. The door in the other room would break open as Melissa knew she'd soon come face to face with the person following them.

With each second, Melissa stared at the door and wasn't sure what she was going to do but she held up her hand and was readying herself to use her power. The door handle of the room they were in would start to open. Melissa knew this was it. Ever slowly it started to creak open. Melissa felt herself head up as a slight flicker of green electricity would ignite around her fingertips. She'd had to concentrate a little more as a slight wave of heat would eminate from her. The electricity would ignite more around her entire hand. She was ready to shoot whatever was about to enter the room with an energy blast.

November 6, 2007

Kyle would be running down a coridor with a metal grated pathway. Wires and pipes would be surrounding him in what appears to be an underground complex. Armed guards would be chasing him. Unsure of whether or not he'd get out in time. Sweat would be pouring down his forehead while he panted from his excessive running. The adreneline keeping him from tiring out. He was glad he'd duct taped his false leg on as best he could. As it was holding up to all this running. Although he'd taken time to practice running. He was now actually putting the leg to good use.

One of the guards chasing him would go down onto one knee and aim his pistol at Kyle as he shot at him. The bullet piercing his false leg as Kyle kept running.

"Nice try...", he'd say while running for the door at the end of the coridor. With a swift swipe of a keycard. It'd beep softly and unlock the door as he quickly opened it while taking a look back. More bullets would hit the walls around him and hit the door as he was closing it.

Kyle took a moment to breath as he broke the keycard reader on his end. Hoping it'd keep the door from opening again. Looking down at a vile he'd have in his hands. It'd read, "Clone Blood 021", taking a few more deep breaths. He'd calm himself down before venturing off again to leave the underground facility he was in. Hoping to make it to his jeep and drive off before the guards got to him.

Aya had gotten up and ready for her day. She sat at her kitchen table next to a cup of coffee and the day's newspaper. She sipped her coffee as while holding the folded paper up so she could read it. On a plate next to the paper lay a small plate with some left over toast on it. Aya hadn't really felt very hungry lately, and she didn't really have that much time to make anything else. This small moment of peace was one of the few moments Aya had to enjoy before she'd rush over to the M.I.S.T. office.

The paper didn't say much either than the school that had the outbreak had been closed. While allowing students from the tragedy to remain home for the following days until further notice. Aya felt somehow relieved to know that Eve didn't have to bother with it for now and considered sending her somewhere to be safe. Knowing the situation with the city. She'd wonder at the back of her mind about asking for a evacuation notice but with the city so big and very few incidents of NMCs. It was would be hard to convince the higher ups that it was necessary.

Once she was done enough of her coffee. She'd spill the rest in the sink and throw away the rest of her toast. Rinsing the plate and cup and leaving them in the sink to clean later. As she hadn't the time to do that. Grabbing her jacket and phone. She was on her way to the office. Not sure of what today will bring.

Melissa would already have awoken awhile ago. Sitting up as she stares at her hospital food. She really didn't care for it and simply stared at it while wanting something completely different. It didn't even look appetizing. A nurse would come into the room to check on Melissa and to see if she finished her food yet.

"I see you haven't touched your food yet. Is something wrong?", the Nurse asked softly.

"I want a coffee and a cigarette. I didn't want this shit!", Melissa scoffed in a diva like manner.

"Well I'm sorry but that's not on the menu. What we've provided you is healthy and nutritious. Based on our complete meal plan for those coming out of a coma.", the Nurse replied politely.

Melissa gave the Nurse a look as though she was completely stupid and shook her head a little while looking at her annoyed and dumbfounded.

"I can walk. I don't think I came out of a coma. Like seriously!?", Melissa responded.

"Well you said, you don't remember anything since a long time ago. So I can only provide you with what is recommended.", the Nurse replied, still trying to keep her mannerism from being slighted.

"Perhaps, you still need time before you get hungry enough. I'll give you a couple more minutes and come back to check if your done eating. I'm sure you'll change you mind.", The Nurse said sweetly as she left the room.

"I'm sure I won't.", Melissa replied after the Nurse closed the door. Staring at the food not wanting to bother with a single bite.

Moments later, the Doctor who ran her tests came in.

"Hello dear. I assume your doing well?", he'd ask while looking at the charts seeing if anything was amiss.

Melissa felt some relief that the doctor didn't change. As she had grown to like him.

"I would be, if I could get a smoke and a coffee… All they gave me was healthy stuff. I understand it's good to be all health conscious and all. Although, I just got out of what feels like a decade long sleep. Even though there is no sighs of it and I'm realizing now. I'm healthy enough to go back to some of my younger habits… Rather, I am craving them. I.. really wish.. for a smoke and a coffee.". she'd whine.

"Well, maybe we can get that in order. Although it'd look nice if you looked like you ate something. Let's just throw some of that away and we'll pretend like you had something to eat. I know, not everyone enjoys the usual hospital fare that they force on you…. God it can be quite heartbreaking to see such little care in something that's meant to give us a little joy in our lives… Don't you say?", the Doctor would chime in.

Melissa would shruggingly agree, 'I guess…. What do you mean,.. In order!?", Melissa asked.

"Well, I've done some paperwork and with everything going clear. It seems your not at risk of the same type of infection that the other 'Melissa' had. So it seems your fit for release. I'll just have to run a few more tests to ensure that's all perfectly fine with the government. You know, how these things can be...", the Doctor would reply.

Melissa looked stunned, "You mean, I can leave!?". She was feeling a bit happy knowing that she wouldn't have to be poked and prodded any longer as it seemed she'd lost a lot of blood just from the persistent needles she'd have to endure on a constant basis. She didn't even seem phased by getting them anymore.

"Yeah… After we run a few more tests. To ensure your not radioactive… Ha ha haa~!", the Doctor would casually laugh as though it weren't that big of an issue, "We also have to run you through a CT scan & Ultrasound. Oh and did I mention the biopsy?".

Melissa shrugged softly, realizing it wasn't going to be overnight that she was going to be let out. Although for a moment, she did get her hopes up.

Eve checked her phone wil laying in bed. She looked at her text messages, one from Jane. "Hey! How are you!? :-)", Jane's text read. Eve replied, "I'm okay. Feeling unsure of what to think right now. It's early but I don't want to sleep anymore and kinda don't want to be alone right now."

"I feel the same way. There is supposed to be a memorial for those who didn't make it. Outside of the school. We can go to that if you'd like.", Jane replied.

"I don't think thats a good idea. Maybe we can go for coffee. Somewhere with more people but not outside. I just need to be somewhere that doesn't make me think of what happened.", Eve replied.

"Okay. Maybe I can see if other people want to meet us there.", Jane replied.

"Sure. Sounds like a plan.", Eve replied. She'd sit up and take a deep breath. In some way, all she could feel right now as guilt and depression. She wasn't even sure why she'd feel guilty but knowing about the N.M.C's and everything that happened beforehand, made her feel responsible for what happened at the school somehow.

Aya walked into the office with people doing their usual. Taking calls and writing stuff down, researching areas of potential N.M.C. related incidents. It seemed since the recent return of Melissa. N.M.C. counts have been steadily increasing in the area. Making the office seem more lively than it usually was.

Today though, Aya had wanted to train more. Keeping her gunning skill was important to her. She hadn't been at the shooting range as often due to generally not having much to do. With the recent fight with the bigger N.M.C. she'd faced in the forest a day ago, she'd realized how sluggish she'd gotten. She'd get to her desk putting her jacket across the back of her chair as she logged into her computer to check her messages.

Most would be menial stuff she'd usually read about. Chain letter about N.M.C. related combat gear and reviews along with a memo about urging people to go and get their flu shots.

Aya skimmed through most of it as it none of it had really related to her. So she got up and moved on towards the elevator to take it to the 2nd basement to the shooting range for some much needed practice.

Pierce would surprisingly be down there helping the others with setting up their shooting range practice. It seemed getting in those training hours became a bit more popular.

"Great Aya, your here. Came for some practice, I see. Wanna try the gauntlet today? I managed to set up a pretty wicked crash course.

Aya would sigh, it was mildly amusing to think about all the crazy ways Pierce had tried to outdo Aya in the training courses he'd set up. Although it was fun at times and a bit hard. She didn't feel like taking up the entire shooting range just so she could do one of his crazy set up.

"No.. I just need to get used to my gun again. Wasn't as good as I would have liked during our mission a day ago. Although I'm surprising to see you down here. Aren't you supposed to be researching?", Aya asked.

"Yeah… I felt curious and decided to come down here on my break and found that the guy who is usually down here. Called in sick today. So I decided to check things over and help the others get set up with some better training protocols. I suppose, Maeda can handle the research without me for the time being. It seems, he and the medical lady… Carol… Uh. Really hit it off and now him and her are kinda doing all the work. I'm mostly just bringing them coffee and such." Pierce would try to laugh it off casually but Aya knew he felt somehow dejected by the research team. Although seeing him down here brought back memories and felt nostalgic for Aya.

"I guess it's nice to train with you again. Aside from my standard pistol, I am also going to train with a MP7. I think it might be best to carry something with a little more firepower.", Aya would walk over to get herself set up with headgear and prep her guns.

"Booth 9 should be free. I'll set you up and you should be good to go.", Pierce would say while walking over to the set up booth that controlled the firing range.

When Aya was all set up and the signal buzzed. Aya went to work and started shooting down targets. People who were also shooting nearby would stop to watch Aya doing bullseye shots while she seemed to go into a trance as she shot down targets.

Eve had gotten herself ready and was on her way on the bus to a coffee shop that was agreed upon in her borough. It was close enough for everyone else to find nearby and wasn't too out of the way. Given the circumstances, Eve was, at first sceptical. About something being happening in the City but after the school incident. She knew it was more than she'd realized. She felt the need to warn her friends and this coffee meet was the best thing for them.

She'd greeted the first two friends and sat with them, shortly after Ben and Trixies had came. She knew she'd' wait until everyone was seated and wamed up to some kind of drink. As this usually meant for them to sip rather than drink whatever it was they had ordered. As they usually used the drink itself as a way to sit in the area they were in. So they'd often prolonge their next refill.

Once everyone was finally seated with drink in hand. Eve would stop her menial chatter and start to speak up. "So you guys … I think we have something seriously wrong happening in the city again. I know most of you heard of the Manhattan Incident that happened a few years ago. It also kinda sprouted up a few monsters every now and then but what happened. Seems to be a major repeat of that and I think despite what the news is saying. We need to start asking people to leave. Like, leave the city. I just get the feeling. This is going to get worse.".

Eve had ended her conversation there, unsure of what else to say as there was a brief moment of silence. Trixie who seemed to have made a solid recovery stared momentarily at Eve before mentioning, "That's a little easier said than done. My family doesn't have anywhere else to go. We can't afford to just up and leave on a whim. Where are we suppose to go? A shelter? It just doesn't equate to what we are financially capable of.".

The group would seem to take sides between Eve and Trixie, as the argument continued on. "I see what you are saying but if we don't leave. All of us could die from whatever is going to happen here. I'm not trying to scare you, it's just I...", Eve realized she couldn't say more than what she'd just said.

"It's just that your like all the other rich kids in our city. With enough money to get youself out in a hurry but what about everyone else? What are they supposed to do? Walk out of the city? In this cold?", Trixie seemed to be continuing the debate. Eve would shrug realizing Trixie's argument was starting to hold more ground. "Well, we can't just do nothing.", Eve replied. Ben looking slightly annoyed and angry by the conversation, would demand, "Then we fight! We gather what weapons we have and we fight this out.".

Jane would reply to what Ben was saying, "Whoa! What about that woman they found. Wasn't she the one they claimed had did what happened to the city all those years ago and suddenly the attack at the school happens right after she manages to return out of the blue? Didn't they say she died or something?". Most of them had do reports on the incident so most knew about what had happened in someway or another. All of them would think for a moment as a T.V. report on Melissa would start to play on a nearby T.V. monitor.

All of them stopped to listen in on what it was reporting. "The woman found outside of the city, has seemingly been determined to be alive and okay. With no reported injuries but authorities are investigating her disappearance from 1999. Reports suggests that she was initially found to be the terrorist in the attacks that happened duing that time here in our city. Although now there is ongoing reports that she wasn't involved in that attack and was kidnapped and held hostage while a impersonator had taken her identity and used it to stage the attack at Carnagie Hall in December of 1999. ..."

The group would remain quiet as none of them said anything. Unsure of what there was to say about what they'd just heard and how it contradicted everything they'd known so far. Breaking the silence would be Alec as he and his brother Kevin arrived. "What are you all so quiet about?", he'd ask while finding a seat. Kevin would quietly greet Jane as the two seemed to have gotten along more since meeting. Eve would reply to Alec, "It's a long story… Generally, everything we thought we knew was seemingly a lie or what we'd just heard on the news, was a cover up of some kind." shaking her head as she wasn't sure what might have been going on. "All I know is that we need to try leaving the city if we can. Soon too. I think we should warn the city somehow but no one seems to care.". she'd say while looking around at the people still going about their lives like nothing had seemingly gone wrong.

Melissa had finished all her sample taking. She'd be bandaged up and now pacing around in the room she was held up in. She had so many questions about everything and felt like being locked up only made things worse as she was eager to find out everything that happened during the time she'd passed and even noticed the technology had increased a lot with people walking around with newer flat phones with a touch screen along with other things like the T.V.'s being flat and mounted to walls.

She was starting to think about finding a way to leave the hospital. The cabin fever she'd slowly started to develop was beginning to happen. With her body in now seemingly healthy condition, she didn't have any symptoms of her previous transplant rejection. She wanted to use her knew relaspse in health to go back to what she was doing before. She even wanted to go to Carnagie and talk to everyone who managed to survive and find out what happened from their perspective and even, if she could, start rehearsing for a new show.

So many things in her mind played out that she wanted to do when she got out of where she was and the anxiety of wanting to leave was starting to slowly build inside of her. Thinking on how she could leave and wanting it so much would engulf her mind as she slowly went into a calm state, suddenly she'd feel different in someway. She wasn't sure exactly what it was but she knew. She could feel the people outside the room. Their movements and their bodies. It was different, and she felt like if she tried hard enough. Maybe, she'd be able to just demand that they let her out. Although she was also second guessing if she should.

She knew that something in her changed. Apart of her questioned it but another part of her accepted it as well. Melissa knew she was capable of something and eventually she'd have to start utilizing it. Whatever it might have been.

Eve was laughing with Jane as the two of them were laughing about something that they'd recalled happening last semester. As everyone else seemed to be in their own small conversations. The time they'd spent together seemed to eventually leave from the serious conversation to less important things that actually made Eve forget about those issues for a moment. It was then that she realized how comforting it was to just be doing this. In some way it helped, with everything they'd just been through a day ago.

She'd smile before the rush of all the bad memories of everything related to t he N.M.C.s and her memories at the Shelter in Nevada that she'd start to form tears. Her smile turned to grief as Jane watched her slowly unravel from her happy state. Eve soon curled her arms up over the table and sank her face down into it and started sulking. Bringing everyone out of their conversations as Alec tried to comfort her by putting his hand on her shoulder gently. Jane would be telling her that it was okay.

Generally, it reminded all of them of what they'd just been through and weight of knowing that people had died sank into their minds. Forcing them all out of that moment of happiness in the same moment. Eve cryingly would say softly, "I want this to all be over!". Jane simply repeating herself to help try and calm Eve down. "It's okay, … It's okay...", Jane consoled Eve with a look of sympathy, knowing that everything wasn't okay right now. She just didn't have anything else she could say to help calm Eve down. Trixie would start to tear up as she thought about what happened to her and everything she saw at the school.

Maeda had started to do test samples on the implant Aya had found. Caroline would be working on testing the samples received from the battlefield where they found Melissa. The two would compare the D.N.A results finding that both were similar but with different strains of mutation. Which they both found rather odd.

"Huh? That kinda stumps me. Maybe their from different regions?", Caroline asked.

"One is obviously A.N.M.C. and the other is not.", responded Maeda.

Caroline would sigh, "I think Pierce might have something to say on this. Where is he anyway? I didn't expect a coffee run to be taking this long."

Maeda muttered something in Japanese about Pierce's incompetence. "I'm seeing more sequencing in your samples. Might I suggest we trade workloads? I have much more interest in these new strains. As they seemed to have evolved more from previous samples.", Maeda seemed intrigued as he looked at the samples through a microscope.

Caroline had a slight smirk on her face, "Be my guest.", she'd say while looking over the D.N.A. of the implant samples.

Maeda would then look over at Caroline, "When we're done with this. I have another thing I'd like use to work on..."

November 21, 2007

Aya would find Eve out in the kitchen with her laptop open. The past few days felt monotonous as nothing out of the ordinary had happened. No new sightings of N.M.C.s as what few were still around were being hunted by the other M.I.S.T. agents. Kyle seemed to be distant on the few days he was around. Something seemed to be bothering him and Aya felt he wasn't telling her everything. Her suspicions of him and his activities were starting to make her wonder what he was doing.

"Hey"

"Hey"

"What are you working on?", Aya asked.

"Just follow quizzes from midterms. I can't believe their making us do so much after what happened. Although since we are doing everything online. I guess it's to make sure we keeping busy.", Eve replied while looking somewhat bored.

"I guess that keeps you out of trouble.", Aya replied. "So have you considered our plan of leaving town? I know I can't come with you but you'd be safer.".

"I wanted to but now I'm not so sure. I mean, what if you need me? What if there's a chance where you'd actually need me to help you somehow. Plus there is my friends and I can't just leave them too. We talked about this and most of them said they couldn't afford to just up and leave like I can. It kinda put me into their perspective and I realized that I wasn't considering their situation either.", Eve seemed to distract herself with Aya's question.

"I am not sure what to say although I remember what happened and I don't want you to get hurt.", Aya replied.

"What if… I become like her… Like Melissa's Eve. What if I end up destroying a city and am not in control. Won't I need you around to…", Eve trailed off.

"It'll never happen.", Aya replied.

"You don't know that.", Eve scorned light heartedly.

"The fact is. I've had thought about that since this all started. I wasn't sure what to think. I'm scared, I feel like I can't run away either even though I want to. I'm even worried about those implants you found. Those were right at my school...", Eve replied concerningly.

"I know...", Aya knew the implants were a huge issue and made everything worse, "I guess, that's another issue we have to worry about. That their back.".

Eve shrugged and slouched a little looking down at the table she was seated at. "Have you figured out what the deal is with Melissa? Was she the one who started all of this?".

"Their just telling me that she was abducted and she doesn't know by whom. Its honestly a lie but there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it. Eve… I mean, Melissa doesn't appear to remember what happened during the incident either so I'm started to wonder what is truly going on. Her being here and a part of this. Just add more questions that seem to have no answer.", Aya was being honest with Eve about what she knew.

Eve listened, uncaring about the slip up about Melissa being 'Eve'. As she didn't see herself in the same light, "So what do we do?", she'd ask.

"I'm still working on it. I'll eventually figure out something. We got a good team working on this. Maeda's work is the best thing we have right now, as they try to find out what might be the cause of all this but we've figured that the implants aren't connected.", Aya replied.

Eve hadn't bothered to mention this to Aya but realized she should now. "Did Melissa have any relatives here?", looking a bit concerned as she thought about it.

"No. We tried to find them but there wasn't any records of their whereabouts.", Aya replied.

"Well there's these twins at school. Their last names are the same as Melissa's. Could they be connected somehow?", said Eve.

Aya perked up, "That could be a lead. I'll have to bring them in for questioning. Is there anything else you want to tell me?".

Eve would be looking off towards the wall across the room in deep thought, "Ben's girlfriend Trixie came back to life."

Aya looked a little surprised, "What? When were you going to tell me?"

Eve phased out of her thought, looking over at Aya, "Your never around...", Eve replied shruggingly before going on, "Oh? Uh, and yeah. I tried to heal her but it didn't seem to work until later on, she just kinda woke up and was healed. Maybe it was a delayed reaction?"

"Maybe...", Aya replied. "So you started to reactivate?", she'd ask.

"Uh.. Kinda. I haven't used them since like forever. Although I did manage to do something. I also ignited a creature.", Eve looked at Aya unsure of how she'd react.

Aya stared at Eve, "Did you do anything else?"

Eve nodded as to say no.

"I guess, it was necessary. You should be careful not to hurt anyone with those powers.", Aya replied to Eve.

"I know. I will be careful. Its just weird using them again.", Eve replied softly.

"Yeah..." Aya, replied calmly. The two of them would share a brief silence, "Well I've gotta get going to work. I'll be sure to check in on those Pearce twins.".

"Aya...", Eve Replied.

"Yeah?", said Aya.

"You know it's Thanksgiving tomorrow?", Eve would look uncertain at Aya.

Aya looked blankly ahead of her as she was getting on her coat. "Oh...", she'd reply surprised. "I completely forgot… We'll get take out..." she'd reply seemingly fixing the situation as best she thought.

Eve shrugged, "I guess… Well have fun at work.", she'd reply while watching Aya leaving.

"I will, see you later.", Aya replied.

(Line)

Aya walked into the Office at M.I.S.T. HQ. Jody would run up to Aya, "Your going to want to watch this.", she'd motion Aya to follow her to the lunch area. A T.V. would be on as a newswoman would be standing infront of the Hospital where Melissa was at. A crowd of people would be gathered, mostly news reporters as they waited outside the doors of the hospital.

Jody would ask someone to turn up the volume as a small crowd had gathered inside the lunch area as well. Standing staring up at the T.V. "We're waiting for someone to come out and tell us the an official statement." the news reporter would then cut to someone walking outside of the hospital. To announce something to the reporters.

"We've determined that the woman found earlier in the month has been found to be healthy and stable while confirming that she is no longer at risk to the community and is being processed for discharge. Her relatives have agreed to take her. So without further notice. We're letting the community know. That there is nothing of concern and the woman is cooperating with an ongoing investigation as to her apparent abduction. No further comment at this time."

The news report would cut to the news reporter whom would now be taking questions from a T.V. host. As everyone seemingly disburst from the group to other parts of the office.

"Can you believe that?", Jody would ask Aya.

"No...", Aya replied, "Why weren't we informed?".

"Apparently the Director was informed but decide to keep it hush hush for reasons. No one is aware of.", Jody replied.

"I've got to get anwsers.", Aya replied while leaving the area to go to the Director's Office.

"He isn't here.", Jody would reply, stopping Aya from advancing any further.

Aya stopped and looked back to Jody, "He knew this was going to happen and now he's avoiding us!?".

"I know, I'm not sure what to make of it either but did you hear them say. She had relatives? Who are they?", Jody replied.

"Right. Them. I've gotta question them. Who is running her case?", Aya asked.

"You'll have to find that out with the Director. Since he isn't in right now. We'll just have to wait and see.", Jody replied.

Aya sighed… "That's not good. I feel like we're going no where with this. Has Maeda and Caroline found anything else regarding the samples?"

"Uh no… Although they did mention their working on something else. It's related to it and could become ground breaking but they were quiet to mention what it was.", Jody replied.

"So what are we talking about now?", Pierce would chime in.

Aya looked over to see Pierce, "They let out Melissa Pierce from the Hospital she was staying at and the Director knew all about it and didn't tell us. Plus he isn't here.".

"Oh wow. That's some big news. Where are they taking her?", Pierce asked.

"Her relatives. She has family apparently now, living in the area.", Aya replied.

"It's all slowly starting to connect the dots. Huh?", Jody replied.

"It's getting there, I have got some news on the implants.", Pierce said

"Oh!? Fill us in. Hot shot.", Jody smirked.

"It appears several M.I.S.T. agents have been finding them throughout the region and going as far down as Washington but only in small amounts here and there. Like whomever is using them. Is doing it enough so that it didn't look connected. Although it's totally connected to all this.", Pierce replied.

"That's interesting and broadens our search. I'm starting to wonder if our efforts in Nevada even scratched the surface of all this.", Aya replied.

"Well it did get you Eve didn't it? I mean, she is your...", Pierce would be stopped by Aya.

"Yeah but I mean, like did we even stop whatever it was those fanatics were doing there. If we're finding all these implants now and in this area. What if there is more places like the place we found out there.", Aya shrugged.

"We might never know until we stumble upon more. Although for now, we're making big discoveries here. So we might as well keep on it.", Jody chimed in, hoping to boost their morale.

"Yeah, What she said." Pierce replied.

Melissa would walk into the Pearce Twin's home. As their mother Sharon showed her in. "You've been quiet the entire drive here. Don't be afraid. We're family after all.", Sharon would say to Melissa.

Melissa smiled and wasn't sure what to say. She'd look around at their apartment and looked at everything. "I guess I just never expected to meet my extended family while living in New York.", Melissa would reply while looking around at the décor. "Have a seat. I'll go and get you something warm to drink.", Sharon replied.

Melissa sat down on their couch and felt weird to be sitting in some stranger's home while they refered to her as family. She hadn't known much of her mom's family and didn't know they'd lived in New York. Although from the looks of things. There was still boxes of things still laying around the house, revealing that it looked like they hadn't been living here for that long.

She'd start to have questions. "So do you live here alone?", Melissa would ask as Sharon returned with mugs of hot chocolate. "Oh now, my Husband is at work and my kids are out somewhere. I'm sure you'll love to meet them. Their nice boys. Their names are Alec and Kevin and my Husband's name is Ron. Such a wonderful time to be allowed out of the hospital. Just in time for Thanksgiving. I've already started on my potatoe salad and now I've just gotta dethaw the turkey and work on some of the other fixins. Maybe if your feeling up to it. You can help me tomorrow?", Sharon would say while sipping on her cocoa.

Melissa sipped her cocoa and smiled while trying to not to see accepting of everything. She'd nod, while hearing their names and smiled again, "Of course. It's the least I can do for letting me stay in your home.".

"Wonderful, well we have a spare bedroom that you can use. So we don't mind. I'm sorry to hear that your parents don't live with you here.", Sharon would reply.

"They… Decided to leave. While I remained here to study theater and continue my passion. I knew my health was decline due to my kidney failure but I didn't let that stop me.", Melissa would reply, she'd try to change the subject, "So how long have you been living in the city?".

Sharon looked intrigued at Melissa before snapping out of her stare, "Me? Oh.. We moved recently from New Jersey, before that it was Pennsylvania. Philadelphia to be exact. My husband got an offer he couldn't refuse. So we moved to accommodate him."

Melissa nodded, sipping her cocoa. "So are you still sick?", asked Sharon. "Uh, no. I seemed to have gone into remission."

"Oh? Okay. Well if you start to feel sick. Let me know and I can help you with whatever you need.", Sharon would reply.

"I should probably go and get my stuff unpacked.", Melissa replied.

"Oh? Right. Well let me show you to your room.", Sharon would reply happily.

Melissa brought her things over with her to her room as she followed Sharon.

"I've got some things I can give you and maybe we can make a trip to the thrift store after Thanksgiving to get you some new clothes.", Sharon would say to her while walking Melissa to her room.

"That sounds good. Thank you.", Melissa replied. She was just happy to finally be out of the hospital.

December 12, 2007

Having gotten used to living with her new family, Melissa would be sitting up early in the morning. Looking out the window as the snow fell. A sense of calm washed over everything as she sipped some tea she'd made. The warmth would feel welcoming as it went down her throat. Although after settling in and taking time to readjust to life again. She started to wonder about whether or not she'd be able to return to the Theater again. To live performances.

From what felt like a day ago, she still felt anxious somehow. Like the need to perform was still in side her. She needed to step onstage again. To see the audience, to sing, to be heard. She yearned for it and couldn't help but wonder how anyone would feel about her asking around about auditioning for a role somewhere. At christmas time, no less. It just didn't seem plausible to her at this time, given the circumstances.

End of Part 1 of Metamorphesis.