Disclaimer: Not mine. Never was. Sad now :(
Note: Well, here's chapter 2. Thanx to you guys who reviewed - this is by
far my favourite story that I've written, so it's good to know that other
people appreciate it too :) Anyways, I know this chapter is slightly
shorter than the last, but I had to cut it there so it would make sense.
Also, whoever can tell me who the song in the chapter ("Fall") is by will
get a cyber-cookie :) (And no Alison and Elinor, you can't guess!)
Gilette, Wyoming 2005 Manticore breeding and genetic experiment facility
As a young boy, all I ever wanted was to help people through science and technology. Now look at me. All I can do is create these creatures, and hand them over to Manticore, to do with them what they will. And who knows what they'll do to this one. They already took 452 away from me, they can't take her!
But they will. I know they will. I watch the surrogate as she sleeps. She's past 8 months pregnant, and in Manticore that's enough for a C-section. I know that they'll take her, most likely within the next hour or so. They'll cut her open and take the child. The one that I need. The one that will help me to end this evilness once and for all.
I stand in the shadows when they take her. I follow them to the delivery room. I see her when she comes out. She doesn't cry. She just looks at the people around her. I smile sadly. They don't know that she can sense how they feel, the evilness within them.
I can do nothing but walk away. One day I will return, and my projects - 452 and the empath will fulfil their destinies. They are, and forever will be, all that stands between life and death, dark and light. If only they knew.
Seattle, 2021 Six's apartment 2:19 AM
I am dreaming, I know I am. This is just another part of my 'gift' I guess. I see things, in dreams usually. Sometimes I see the past, sometimes I see the future. Once in awhile though, I see the present. That's what I'm seeing now.
I am in an apartment. A pretty expensive one at that. There are two people. When the picture in my mind clears, I see the couple from the Crash - the sad ones. They are sitting, staring out the window, and not speaking. Again, I can feel how they both feel. Empty. Alone. I shudder, wanting desperately to do something to stop these feelings of despair.
For some reason, I know what they are thinking, and suddenly it all becomes clear. Virus, Manticore, Eyes Only. And now I understand. It is clear to me that these two need help, and I want to be the one to give it.
I wake up, and write down the man's address. Logan, Eyes Only. I have to go and talk to him. But, it will have to wait until today's concert and practise are finished. I sigh and get out of bed. Time to go and cheer up the crowd.
Seattle 2021 Sebastian's lab 3:15 PM
I hear a knock at the door and sigh, knowing that I will have to wait for one of the lab techs to open it. It always seems rather ironic to me, that despite my intelligence, I can't open a door. Oh well, what's done is done I guess. I just need to get on with life the best way I know how.
As soon as my (Rather greasy) guest arrives in my office, he asks me for a signature, and hands me a package. I wait until he leaves to open it. Inside the brown cardboard box are the blood samples I asked Logan for. I know that I probably won't be able to cure his and Max's virus, but I may be able to shed a little light on the problem.
If I can't though, I don't know what I'll do. It's not like I can just go out and find another scientist to help me. And I can't get anyone else to find me one. No, this virus has to be kept a secret. Who knows if Manticore planted a spy in the scientific community, just waiting until someone asks about a genetically targeted retrovirus. I'll just have to hope that I can do something, or if I can't, that help with miraculously come my way.
Seattle 2021 The Basement 4:15 PM
As I finish playing the introduction to the song, I step closer to the microphone, and begin to sing.
You were the question I needed answered You'd never know how scared I was Falling in love
You would talk softly You are a riddle And I felt so innocent Standing in your eyes
So hear me now I'll scream out loud Can't figure out how you Entered into my world and I fall down
You are the vision I'm always seeing And being alone right there with you Left me satisfied You're all I need in life
So hear me now I'll scream out loud Can't figure out how you Entered into my world and I fall down
And I fall down And now what can I say I'm so far away Waiting for the day when I'll be Standing in your eyes In your eyes
So hear me now I'll scream out loud Can't figure out how you Entered into my world and I fall down
And I fall
After we finish the song, the band falls silent. "That was beautiful" Jules says, sniffing. I grin at my (Lovably gay) drummer. "I know" I say. "Now what's next?" I ask, changing the subject as quickly as possible. I hate to admit it, but Max and Logan's emotions are making me play these kinds of songs. Which is OK, but we have other things to practice. Plus, I wouldn't want the band to see me emotional or anything.
We continue to practice and I keep think about how I'm going to go about curing this virus. I'm pretty sure I can do it, given the right equipment, and some blood samples. I chuckle to myself. Thank God I got my X5 Mother's scientific smarts.
I figure I need to see Logan again, and ask him if they're working on any leads for the virus. And I might ask Max if she knows anyone else from Manticore who might know who my mother is.
Seattle 2021 Logan's Penthouse 8:30 PM
I wish Max would trust me when I say that we WILL find a cure. I have to find a cure - or die trying! This thing is killing me. Get on with your life, she says. Find a nice normal girl, she says. Like I could. I know that I can't love anyone except Max. From the day she entered my life, it's like nothing, no one else existed for me. Doesn't she get that?
Even if she didn't know the extent of my feelings for her, she knew at least that they existed. Maybe she'll wait for a cure. I hope she will. I sent our blood samples to Sebastian this morning. Although he warned me that he won't be able to cure the virus, I hold out some hope that he'll find someone who can.
Seattle 2021 Max's apartment 8:33 PM
I don't know why that whole song thing freaked me out so much. I mean, it's not like I haven't heard the song before. I even like the original singer - Michelle Branch, I think her name is. But it still freaks me out. Cindy says it's because I (And I quote) "Love that rollerboy so damn much" - But I don't know. I mean, I do love Logan, no doubt, but I think the freaky vibes had more to do with the singer than the song.
I just need to find out who she is. I need to know how she knew what I felt. A thought strikes me. Maybe she's Manticore. It's not like it's above or beyond their evil capabilities to create a mind reader. But if she's Manticore, what does she want? I mean, she can't have escaped with the rest of them, she looks too settled. I mean, she's practically a guitar expert for God's sake! But those freaky mind reading capabilities can't be anything but Manticore really. It's not like that could occur naturally, could it?
I am just so tired. The virus, Logan, all the Manticore creations - they all tire me out. Not to mention this girl. I pause. I wonder what her name is. I shake my head. Where did that come from Max? Why should you care what her designation is, let alone her name! Now that is just confusing. There is definitely something suspicious going on, and I'm so gonna figure the bitch out. Just as soon as I have.. a little... reeeeeeeeeesssssssst.
OK, I just wanna do my little voting hall of fame, cos it's fun! So here we go: Big Hugz and thanx to
White Kittie (You know I'll read any story with a Michelle Branch song in it!) Margaret (In fact, you always review my stories - Thankyou!) Hay25 Bonita Eleah Black Rose (You know A Nation Is Born totally rocks!) Scmalison (Better keep reviewing - I know where you live! Hehe)
Gilette, Wyoming 2005 Manticore breeding and genetic experiment facility
As a young boy, all I ever wanted was to help people through science and technology. Now look at me. All I can do is create these creatures, and hand them over to Manticore, to do with them what they will. And who knows what they'll do to this one. They already took 452 away from me, they can't take her!
But they will. I know they will. I watch the surrogate as she sleeps. She's past 8 months pregnant, and in Manticore that's enough for a C-section. I know that they'll take her, most likely within the next hour or so. They'll cut her open and take the child. The one that I need. The one that will help me to end this evilness once and for all.
I stand in the shadows when they take her. I follow them to the delivery room. I see her when she comes out. She doesn't cry. She just looks at the people around her. I smile sadly. They don't know that she can sense how they feel, the evilness within them.
I can do nothing but walk away. One day I will return, and my projects - 452 and the empath will fulfil their destinies. They are, and forever will be, all that stands between life and death, dark and light. If only they knew.
Seattle, 2021 Six's apartment 2:19 AM
I am dreaming, I know I am. This is just another part of my 'gift' I guess. I see things, in dreams usually. Sometimes I see the past, sometimes I see the future. Once in awhile though, I see the present. That's what I'm seeing now.
I am in an apartment. A pretty expensive one at that. There are two people. When the picture in my mind clears, I see the couple from the Crash - the sad ones. They are sitting, staring out the window, and not speaking. Again, I can feel how they both feel. Empty. Alone. I shudder, wanting desperately to do something to stop these feelings of despair.
For some reason, I know what they are thinking, and suddenly it all becomes clear. Virus, Manticore, Eyes Only. And now I understand. It is clear to me that these two need help, and I want to be the one to give it.
I wake up, and write down the man's address. Logan, Eyes Only. I have to go and talk to him. But, it will have to wait until today's concert and practise are finished. I sigh and get out of bed. Time to go and cheer up the crowd.
Seattle 2021 Sebastian's lab 3:15 PM
I hear a knock at the door and sigh, knowing that I will have to wait for one of the lab techs to open it. It always seems rather ironic to me, that despite my intelligence, I can't open a door. Oh well, what's done is done I guess. I just need to get on with life the best way I know how.
As soon as my (Rather greasy) guest arrives in my office, he asks me for a signature, and hands me a package. I wait until he leaves to open it. Inside the brown cardboard box are the blood samples I asked Logan for. I know that I probably won't be able to cure his and Max's virus, but I may be able to shed a little light on the problem.
If I can't though, I don't know what I'll do. It's not like I can just go out and find another scientist to help me. And I can't get anyone else to find me one. No, this virus has to be kept a secret. Who knows if Manticore planted a spy in the scientific community, just waiting until someone asks about a genetically targeted retrovirus. I'll just have to hope that I can do something, or if I can't, that help with miraculously come my way.
Seattle 2021 The Basement 4:15 PM
As I finish playing the introduction to the song, I step closer to the microphone, and begin to sing.
You were the question I needed answered You'd never know how scared I was Falling in love
You would talk softly You are a riddle And I felt so innocent Standing in your eyes
So hear me now I'll scream out loud Can't figure out how you Entered into my world and I fall down
You are the vision I'm always seeing And being alone right there with you Left me satisfied You're all I need in life
So hear me now I'll scream out loud Can't figure out how you Entered into my world and I fall down
And I fall down And now what can I say I'm so far away Waiting for the day when I'll be Standing in your eyes In your eyes
So hear me now I'll scream out loud Can't figure out how you Entered into my world and I fall down
And I fall
After we finish the song, the band falls silent. "That was beautiful" Jules says, sniffing. I grin at my (Lovably gay) drummer. "I know" I say. "Now what's next?" I ask, changing the subject as quickly as possible. I hate to admit it, but Max and Logan's emotions are making me play these kinds of songs. Which is OK, but we have other things to practice. Plus, I wouldn't want the band to see me emotional or anything.
We continue to practice and I keep think about how I'm going to go about curing this virus. I'm pretty sure I can do it, given the right equipment, and some blood samples. I chuckle to myself. Thank God I got my X5 Mother's scientific smarts.
I figure I need to see Logan again, and ask him if they're working on any leads for the virus. And I might ask Max if she knows anyone else from Manticore who might know who my mother is.
Seattle 2021 Logan's Penthouse 8:30 PM
I wish Max would trust me when I say that we WILL find a cure. I have to find a cure - or die trying! This thing is killing me. Get on with your life, she says. Find a nice normal girl, she says. Like I could. I know that I can't love anyone except Max. From the day she entered my life, it's like nothing, no one else existed for me. Doesn't she get that?
Even if she didn't know the extent of my feelings for her, she knew at least that they existed. Maybe she'll wait for a cure. I hope she will. I sent our blood samples to Sebastian this morning. Although he warned me that he won't be able to cure the virus, I hold out some hope that he'll find someone who can.
Seattle 2021 Max's apartment 8:33 PM
I don't know why that whole song thing freaked me out so much. I mean, it's not like I haven't heard the song before. I even like the original singer - Michelle Branch, I think her name is. But it still freaks me out. Cindy says it's because I (And I quote) "Love that rollerboy so damn much" - But I don't know. I mean, I do love Logan, no doubt, but I think the freaky vibes had more to do with the singer than the song.
I just need to find out who she is. I need to know how she knew what I felt. A thought strikes me. Maybe she's Manticore. It's not like it's above or beyond their evil capabilities to create a mind reader. But if she's Manticore, what does she want? I mean, she can't have escaped with the rest of them, she looks too settled. I mean, she's practically a guitar expert for God's sake! But those freaky mind reading capabilities can't be anything but Manticore really. It's not like that could occur naturally, could it?
I am just so tired. The virus, Logan, all the Manticore creations - they all tire me out. Not to mention this girl. I pause. I wonder what her name is. I shake my head. Where did that come from Max? Why should you care what her designation is, let alone her name! Now that is just confusing. There is definitely something suspicious going on, and I'm so gonna figure the bitch out. Just as soon as I have.. a little... reeeeeeeeeesssssssst.
OK, I just wanna do my little voting hall of fame, cos it's fun! So here we go: Big Hugz and thanx to
White Kittie (You know I'll read any story with a Michelle Branch song in it!) Margaret (In fact, you always review my stories - Thankyou!) Hay25 Bonita Eleah Black Rose (You know A Nation Is Born totally rocks!) Scmalison (Better keep reviewing - I know where you live! Hehe)