Chapter Two

Jesse walked anxiously to his house, leading Erin along. This was way too strange. A Solar Eclipse, the strange symbol on his hand, special abilities. To be honest, it was beginning to freak him out a little. He could tell by looking at Erin that she was freaked out too. She was moving slower than normal, taking tentative steps. Jesse knew her well enough to know what that meant: This situation had her terrified. He knew the feeling: He was terrified too. Were these abilities a gift? Or would they turn out to be a curse? How had they come by them? Were there other people who also had them? And what did this strange symbol on his hand have to do with it? There seemed to be a whole lot of questions and not a ready source of answers. This was all very troubling. But they couldn't afford to panic. They had to try to figure this out. He turned to Erin and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, don't worry so much," he said, giving her a smile, "We're going to figure this out, you know."

"I know," she said, "This whole thing is just so insane." She picked up her pace a little as they approached the house.

"You're telling me," Jesse said, as his house came into view, "The front is probably locked. We'll have to go in the back door."

"All right," Erin said, following him up the driveway. He reached into his pocket and took out a key. He walked up the back steps and inserted the key into the lock. He turned it slowly and opened the door. Erin followed behind him as he entered. His eyes immediately landed on the kitchen table, where a videotape was sitting. It wasn't too unusual in itself, except for the fact that the tape was labled with the same symbol that was on his hand. It also had his name on it.

"I've got a feeling we're about to get those answers you mentioned earlier," Erin said.

"Yeah," Jesse responded, taking the video with him into the living room and putting in the VCR, "This had better not be someone's idea of a joke." He pressed the play button on the VCR and he and Erin sat down to watch. The face of a man appeared on the screen, in what appeared to be a laboratory.

'Hello," the figure said, "I am Chandra Suresh. If you are the person whose name is on this is video, then I must insist that you listen to what I have to say. First, I want to assure you that this not a prank, or a practical joke of any kind. I will likely meet my death shortly after this. I am a scientist who has been observing the rise of super-evolved humans within our population. I have sent you this video because I believe that you may be one of these individuals. If you have noticed anything strange recently, such as an ability that extends beyond human talent, then you should follow these instructions. Go to New York City and find my son, Mohinder Like me, he is a scientist and I have no doubt that he will continue my research. He will be able to explain everything. Also, beware of the serial killer known as Sylar. I do not know why, but he has been targeting people with your abilities. Be careful around strangers. I have reason to believe that Sylar will target me, in hopes of obtaining my list of people with these powers. You must seek my son Mohinder. He will be able to tell you far more than I am currently able to. Goodbye." The screen went blank and the room was silent for moments.

"It's a regular Ray Bradbury," Jesse remarked.

"No kidding," Erin responded, shuddering, "Do you think we should follow through on this?'

"Yes I do," Jesse said, "He didn't seem like he was joking. I've got some money saved up. We can buy plane tickets to New York. I'll get us some flights booked. Can you meet me here tomorrow?"

"Yes," Erin said, "When should we meet?"

"Well," Jesse said, "I think we should definitely go to class tomorrow. There will be questions if we don't show up two days in a row. So how about after school?"

"Sounds good," Erin said, "In the mean time I'd better get back home. My parents will be worried. Would you mind phoning for a cab?"

"Sure thing," Jesse said, "In the meantime, please make yourself at home." He grabbed a phone book and looked up a cab service, and then called it.

"Thanks," Erin said, sitting in one of the living room chairs.

(Mohinder's POV, New York City.)

Mohinder Suresh looked over his father's papers. This research was truly unbelievable. He knew his father had been looking into people who were evolved beyond normal human levels, but he'd never imagined it to be on this level. His father had compiled an incredibly long list. All of these names. Knowing his father, he would probably be having a lot of visitors soon. He decided to prepare himself for that eventuality.