10. Banana Pancakes, by Jack Johnson
Across Manhattan, a doctor wondered just how much he could trust this… thing. This creature, it seemed, was the only plausible, sane solution. That was the truth, right? But in the same breath, he walked with all the stealth and predatory attributes that made it so easy to believe that he was wrong, evil, monstrous, and deadly.
Across the laboratory there was a small recreation area, that had once been a waiting room, with a couch and a tiny, glowing box that functioned as a television. The news blared, and behind the glowing screen sat the epitome of his currents thoughts.
Eric flared up a Bunsen burner and positioned a skillet over it. With a bit of flare and a cigarette between pointer and middle finger, he poured pancake mix onto the pan. The radio croaked out some music, and he moved a bit to the beat. Outside, it was pouring.
Dana was curled up on the couch under a thick throw, the only evidence of her being a fluff of wild, spiky hair sticking up from the figure wrapped up tightly. Alex sat beside her, quickly looking irritated with the news. He pressed mute, and suddenly the rain and radio seemed to blare. He looked over at his sister, reaching out to nudge her with the remote.
"It's noon. Get mobile." Alex's voice muttered gruffly. It was obvious he just felt like bossing someone around. The blanket squirmed and a groan emitted from it.
"Like a beautiful butterfly!" Eric exclaimed as he flipped the pancake. His exclamation was directed at Dana, who was slowly unfolding from her blanket and into a full body stretch. Her mouth stretched as well into a large and unabashed yawn.
"AGH!" She yelled and spat in disgust when Alex had poked her tongue with his fore finger. Across the room, Ragland's tired face stretched into a genuine smile. He shook his head, looking back down at his pancake.
Zeus might have been a virus, a cell that had copied a dying man's genetics and taken his place. Blacklight might have been a deadly strain derived from another, engineered for so many purposes beyond man's control. It might have been many other things as well, but right now, he just seemed to be his own. Not Alex Mercer. Not a man. He was his own being. He was Zeus… Blacklight, the creature whom Dana willingly accepted to fill her brother's shoes. A creature who knew anger, sorrow, loss and pain. A creature who was slowly coming to know humor and comfort as well. A creature that seemed to understand loyalty. Ragland suddenly didn't fear for his own life in that moment. No… if Alex had wanted him or any of them dead, they'd already be dead.
-Song over-