Part 12. Safe Haven
After driving for nearly eight hours they at last found a temporary place of stay hopefully concluding this brief sojourn. A spacious residence in Chesapeake Virginia looked like the ideal location to reside until they could devise a plan to firstly establish a work force of their own by convincing the guards who used to be under Spencer's employment to transfer over. All this had been easier said than done while Elias contacted the real estate agency from a motel. A mutual agreement had been made following recent departure that all should lay low for a few days until purchasing any type of accommodation.
Wynnie yanked her diamond silver strapped heels off, throwing them on the gravel parking lot. She unclasped the expensive diamond bracelet while walking over to her heels, picking one up then proceeding to smash the bracelet to pieces.
"This (smash) is what (smash) I think (smash) of your miserable (smash) gifts (smash)!"
On the last smash the bracelet looked unrecognizable, diamond pieces strewn across the sidewalk. Elias walked over when the call ended questioning what had happened.
"Wynnie, we could have sold that bracelet for good money! We're not exactly wealthy here! Why did you do that for?"
He crossed both arms, evident frustration showing all over his face.
"The diamonds are still in tact and can be sold. These heels have hardly been worn either. Don't let such small things get to you, Elias."
She rolled her eyes while picking up the stone pieces, both realizing the others watched the entire time from inside the room. No one said a word as the siblings entered Elias breaking the tense silence. Albert leaned against the wall nearest to the bathroom, Ada sat beside Frankie on the bed closest to the door while Heath got up from the second bed, putting his clothes away.
"All right, the good news is that we'll be able to view the place within the next two days. Of course the bad news is that it will be nearly impossible convincing Spencer's previously employed henchmen to join us. I suppose we could bribe them with doubling their salary although this won't be easy since we haven't even established our own organization yet. What do you all think? Any ideas, suggestions?"
"Well for starters, I want my own room to share with Frankie and Ada. It's too crowded in here."
Heath let out a sigh, responding to Wynnie while now unpacking his underclothing.
"I tried suggesting we stay at a hotel suite instead but not all of us were in agreement."
His eyes looked around the room to all save for Elias then refocused back to his current task.
Wynnie practically hissed back in response, casting daggers firstly at him then Elias.
"Well Heath, the rest of us were keeping cost efficiency in mind, unlike you two."
"Now stop that, is there really any reason to act this childish? None of us knew that the motel would be full. This might change tomorrow though. It's just one night Wynnie-"
"Maybe it is to you Elias but not to me! It's not just one night; it's a never ending hell!"
She tried running past him only to be restrained. Gentle hands firmly yet softly pressed against tense shoulders as he looked into her eyes, attempting to bend over.
"Wynnie, just settle down for a moment. Think about how much better it will be now that he's gone. From now on, things will be nothing as they were before. You don't have to worry about getting hurt while we're here, isn't that right?"
All nodded as Frankie added "There won't be any problem at all once we initiate our beneficial organization and have a nice house to stay in. Can't you just imagine how comfortable it will feel having your own bedroom all to yourself? You'll also have free will...I'm not certain how you all feel about this but that's something I've missed dearly for a good deal of my life."
Ada walked over, gently holding Wynnie's hand.
"I think we need some girl time with each other. It's something that a man can't understand, right dear?"
Wynnie chuckled softly, shaking her head in confusion.
"Sorry about that, I'm not sure what came over me. I have outbursts and...And..."
She lost consciousness before finishing her sentence falling into Ada's arms. Elias helped Ada lift her onto a bed. A tinge of jealously flashed across Albert's face which he then quickly hid, averting his gaze.
"The best course of action to be taken after leaving here is first contacting our prior co-workers then leaving them with no other option but to work for us. Our organization will then be built with the help of these men and women, along with hiring construction workers. We all have a large sum of money reserved for emergencies such as this. It would be a waste to not make efficient use of our resources and finances. I suggest we invest in the new residence as quickly as possible in order to then construct the new organization."
"Does everyone agree with Albert?"
All once again nodded except for Wynnie who unexpectedly began tossing and turning while still unconscious.
"Ada, I'll help you take her next door if that's what she still wants once she wakes up. For now I think we should wait here and keep our location concealed. I for one am however starting to feel hunger pangs. Does anyone want to eat?"
"That's fine. I do think someone should pick up food for our group as well."
Everyone's eyes naturally rested on Frankie as he smiled, standing and gesturing for another to accompany him.
"I shall volunteer myself for this, ha. I do believe it would be safer if I had a friend coming with me."
Heath shrugged, opening the door for them to leave.
"We should leave now since the sun has already set. Besides, I don't think anyone will be trailing us any time soon seeing as how most of their vehicles aren't working correctly."
Hunk smirked while raising a black face covering over most of his face, taking the car keys from Elias's outstretched hand. Albert arched a brow, impressed he could achieve such a feat alone.
"Ah, that's what you had been doing an hour before our departure."
"I overheard you three talking in Spencer's bedroom while passing by. I stuck around, posing as a guard then proceeded to complete my solo objective."
He closed the door after Frankie exited, driving away shortly thereafter. Ada remained at Wynnie's side, holding her hand while she restlessly struggled during sleep. Albert remained in his usual position as Elias sat down on the nearby bed, running a hand through his hair. After moments of silence he forced himself to tell what he knew about Wynnie's condition, even unbeknownst to his own sister.
"There's something I have to admit. I'll briefly explain while the others are away and Wynnie is unconscious. It started one day when Spencer had left on business. I had recovered for one month after having been ill with both the T and Progenitor virus for years. The guards were easily swayed upon hearing that I'd give them my first months pay if they allowed me in his research lab for a few minutes. They cut the video feed, leading me to his private lab room.
I then found documents explaining how when Wynnie reaches a certain age, the control compound inside her body will be difficult to control without proper measures taken and then will develop at a rapid rate thereafter. Her regenerative ability will be astonishing along with a major increase in strength...But the worst part is that this will all be done while she engages in combat...of a sexual nature. Her hormones must be completely unstable and out of control at this point; primarily her sexual chromosomes. This would also explain her outbursts and overall behavior."
"Then what will happen to the person who she engages in combat with?"
Elias gave a disheartened look Albert's way, shaking his head in sorrow.
"They could either die or remain under her control while being injected with the serum both her body, a certain type of bodily fluid from Spencer, yourself and Marcus along with the control compound itself has generated during all this time. I still have difficulty believing she could do anything this vicious...Damn you Oswell, damn you to hell."
"Why are you only telling us this now?"
"When would a good time have been to say anything Ada? We weren't allowed an opportunity to speak when alone."
She averted her gaze starting to stroke Wynnie's hair.
"There has to be some way to prevent this from happening. However, it's no surprise he intended to use her for a biological weapon, spreading his control globally. I suppose we're fortunate that he decided to be selfish..."
"There is a way this can be stopped. That prick almost succeeded in making his dreams a reality."
"What do you mean?"
"We should wait for Heath and Frankie to return before I say anything else. I only pray they get here soon because she doesn't look too good and our time is short."
Albert clenched his fists, saying before walking out of the door "I'll return shortly."
Elias moved closer grabbing Wynnie's other hand while sitting on her left side.
"Wynnie, you have to fight this for only a short while longer...It will be over soon, don't worry."
She groaned, gripping tightly onto both her allies hands. Small beads of sweat trickled down her forehead as she let out a blood curdling scream back arching in agony. Some strange snake-like tendrils looked as though they were trying to break through her stomach, writhing and wriggling from inside. With all of her might she pushed Ada out of the way since she was closer, appearing to withhold causing any severe harm. She fell to the floor, clutching ahold of her pained stomach while groaning "Get away from me! Go now!"
Elias moved quickly restraining her then lifted up the satin dress. She shook her head in protest, yelling "No! Don't do this! I don't want you to get hurt!"
"Wynnie, this has to be done or else not only your life but all of ours will be in jeopardy. Just hold still and this will all be over. Try to relax...I'll be gentle."
He massaged her back briefly then helped her walk back to the bed, signaling for Ada to give them some privacy. She took the hint leaving hastily. After nearly twenty minutes Ada returned with Albert; both surprised upon discovering this unforseen result playing out before them.
Wynnie and her sibling were sitting on the bed, a photo album spread out across their lap, Elias pointing at each picture. Laughter now filled the room instead of pained cries much to the other twos relief. Albert leaned back against the wall, observing from a short distance while Ada crossed both arms, standing beside the door.
"This was when we were both small children. We used to play together often and even bathe together at times. Of course we had to be separated a couple years later. Oh this one, do you remember when we went to Holsher's farm and you terrorized chickens?"
"Hah! You weren't much better! I bet the chickens you ran with over your head then tossed in the air had nightmares for weeks!"
Their laughter grew even louder as both directed their attention elsewhere, glad to see their allies safe return.
"Hey, it turns out that when the mind recalls better times then it halts the compound's growth process. Endorphins and serotonin must play a major role as well. She's fine for now but Wynnie, I still say you need to choose who you want to have as a partner. At least then you won't spiral out of control anymore. It may even buy us time to find a reversal cure which I'll start working on as soon as we build our new organization. Anyway, where did you two go?"
"I walked for a brief time through a wooded area until she accompanied me. We sat and talked for a moment, recalling various shared assignments and training experiences. It is a relief upon knowing her condition will be stagnant for some time. However, I suggest in order to prevent further endangerment to our group we find each clone soon in order to eliminate these drastic possibilities."
"I agree with Albert. It may benefit everyone if at least three members of our group begin this assignment as soon as possible."
"Sounds like a good idea. Frankie, Wynnie and myself can stay behind and get things settled on our end while you three take care of your own business."
"Actually Elias, that's what else I needed to talk with you about. I already have in mind who I want my partner to be."
"That's great then, the plan can be set into motion right away!"
"No Elias, that's not what I mean-"
"I hope you like hamburgers!"
The door opened with Frankie and Heath returning, fast food in hand.
"Then what do you mean, Wynnie?"
"I wanted Albert to stay behind...with me."
A disheartened expression quickly appeared on Elias's face then went away just as quickly. He muttered something while placing the photo album to the side, walking out of the door for a moment.
"I haven't the slightest idea what's happening but I'm going to start eating because I'm starving."
Heath scarfed down a hamburger and fries, uncovering his face mask while washing it down with a gulp of Coke. Frankie placed the drink cartons down on the table in the kitchenette, removing the drinks and serving everyone else. He took out other food items from the two bags Heath carried in, asking everyone how much they wanted since the two men decided on getting extra. Everyone ate in silence for several minutes as Elias came back, grabbing food of his own while hastily eating and drinking. When he finished he asked Frankie and Heath to step outside with him in order to explain Wynnie's situation.
Albert hid a smirk upon knowing that Wynnie chose him not wanting to verbally add insult to injury towards Elias's mental state. He must have been quite upset if that's what had actually caused him to step outside.
Ada walked to the bathroom explaining that she needed a shower. She took the hint seeing as how there was enough sexual tension between those two it could almost be cut with a knife.
"I need a shower and a change of clothes. Wynnie, you can take one after me if you'd like since I imagine you feel the same way."
"Yeah, that would be great."
She flashed a small smile her way, black shorts and tank top in hand. Wynnie awkwardly broke the brief silence saying "So..."
"Will you marry me soon?"
This question completely caught her off guard, eyes widening at his blatancy, which sounded more like a statement rather than a question.
"Well...I like you very much but-"
"Then what's stopping you?"
"Well, Elias is my older brother and even though we're not related by blood, I still have platonic feelings for him too. I want to see him happy and he should start a family first since he's older, don't you think?"
He let out a scoff, shaking his head in frustration.
"That shouldn't effect our relationship. In fact, his plans on starting one of his own have nothing to do with us. I'm ready for this and have been waiting for our chance since you were a child. Why do you think I jumped at the chance to eliminate the main threat to our happiness? Spencer was as good as dead from the moment he kidnapped me along with the ninety eight other children who didn't survive his experimental trials."
"That's right...Alexa had been the only other child to have escaped."
"Yes and she paid the price for doing so. She gave her virginity to Spencer at the age of seventeen in order to gain her freedom. But you have a choice now. There isn't any need to barter for something as simple as your own free will. The choice is simple; you either want to be together or not. Which one is it then, Wynnie?"
She sighed in exasperation, arms raising then falling back onto her lap.
"You already know how I feel about you, Al. I need some time to think this over."
He stormed over to the beds side, practically screaming at the top of his lungs.
"What is there to think over damn it?!"
She turned her head away briefly, reminded of the way Spencer used to treat her when the two couldn't agree. He not only yelled but slapped her sometimes as well or restrained her while fondling. Albert's clone also came to mind along with their uncomfortable yet passionate relationship. After a short moment he responded before laying down on the nearby bed "I expect an answer by tomorrow, otherwise, I'll decide for us both by leaving."
She rolled her eyes, turning her back to him.
"Do as you please."
He sneered when facing her again, responding coldly "You enjoy making this difficult, don't you? What shouldn't be is nearly impossible and all because of one simple answers absence."
"Albert, you need to be patient with me...We haven't even moved into a house yet and already you expect me to make such a huge commitment. I'll give an answer once we have complete privacy together. If that's not enough then so be it."
Ada walked out of the bathroom just then wearing black sneakers with her casual wear. Wynnie sighed in relief, hurriedly walking to the bathroom. Ada smirked when walking to where Wynnie had sat before, turning on the t.v. and changing to a wildlife documentary.
Just then the three outside came back, waiting for Wynnie to finish. She came out in a nearly translucent light pink slip, proceeding towards Ada then snuggled up beside her. Elias removed a golden quilt from one of the beds, spreading it on the floor then Heath followed suit, allowing Frankie and Albert their own bed. They faced away from one another just as Ada and Wynnie had. Both men sleeping on the floor rolled a jacket up and used it as a pillow. Elias provided some reassurance before they slept, attempting to brighten everyone's mood.
"By tomorrow, another motel room should be available. We spoke with the manager. We may even have the chance to see our new house as well. It will work out guys, have faith."
Ada turned off the t.v. then the bedside lamp with Albert doing likewise. They could hardly wait for tomorrow already wanting the sun to rise.