Chapter 9

    "It's only a matter of time before Miss Mulwray will be walking through those doors Mr. Eckhart.  We successfully brought her friend here," said Daniel Chase.

    "Excellent," said Eckhart.  "You've done something right for once.  Show me to him."

    They walked out of Eckhart's office and into one of the many laboratories at Genomex.  There he was.  Gabriel, still unconscious in a chair with his arms tied down on the arms of the chair.  Eckhart seemed pleased by this.  After all the problems he was having, his plan might work after all.

     "Okay Adam," said Brennan into his Comlink," we're at the airport.  But I don't see Aurora's friend anywhere."

    "Did you look inside?" asked Adam.

    "Yeah."

    Shalimar's eyes transformed.  They transformed into cats' eyes.  This happened whenever she was trying to track someone. "I can see what I think are his footprints."

    "Are you sure they're his?" asked Adam.

    "I thinks so, there are other footprints behind them; as if he was being chased."

    "The GSA might have gotten to him," said Brennan.

    "We don't know that," said Adam.  "Follow the footprints and tell me where they lead."

    Shalimar and Brennan followed the footprints to the abandoned bar.  "The trail ends here," said Shalimar.  "It looks like Gabriel stopped and was knocked unconscious.  It also looks like they dragged him into a car and drove off." Shalimar's eyes transformed back to normal.

    "But why would he just stop if the GSA agents were chasing him."

    Shalimar bent down and picked up a silver ring.  "I found something Adam, it's a ring.  It has his scent on it.  Gabriel was definitely here."

    "Okay, Eckhart must have captured him to get to Aurora.  Head back to Sanctuary right now."

    "Okay Adam," Shalimar answered, as she and Brennan headed towards the Double Helix.  "But his scent isn't the only scent on the ring.  Aurora's is on it too."

    "Next we have our labs that we use regularly," Jesse said to Aurora as he showed her around Sanctuary.

    "Sheesh, you have a lot of science labs in this place," Aurora commented.

    They went through a hallway where there were two doors on the left side and right side.

    "What do you guys do in these rooms?" asked Aurora.  The doors were closed and she was becoming very fascinated with Sanctuary.

    "Those rooms are where we sleep.  The two on the right are Emma and Shalimar's bedrooms and the closest one on your left is Brennan's."

    Aurora passed Brennan's door, stood in front of the other door on the left side, and pointed at it.  "So, this must be your room?"

    "Yes, it is."

    "Where's Adam's room?"

    "In a different area of Sanctuary."

    "Then where does this hallway lead to?"

    "I'll show you."

    Aurora followed Jesse through the hallway and it lead to a big room.  It was different from the other rooms Aurora had seen.  In front of her were steps that lead to another level off the ground.  There looked to be a circular platform in the middle of it.

    "What's that?" she asked.

    "Step up there and I'll show you," said Jesse as he walked up to a computer panel.

    Aurora walked up the steps and stood next to the circular platform.  Jesse pressed a few buttons on the computer panel and all of a sudden, a guy appeared on the platform in front of Aurora.  He came towards her.  He tried to punch her and she dodged him, looking a little confused.  He ran towards and she kicked him in the stomach.  The guy grabbed a pipe from his back pocket and attempted to hit Aurora.  She did a back flip so she was behind her attacker, kicked the pipe out of his hand, and through a fireball at him.  He fell to the ground and disappeared.  The pipe disappeared also.

    "Where did that guy go?" asked Aurora.

    "He's a hologram," said Jesse.  "We use this to practice with our powers.  I'm impressed.  You fought well."

    "Thanks," Aurora smiled as she walked down the steps towards Jesse.  "Brennan's not the only Mulwray who can kick some ass."

    They looked into each other's eyes. Then, Jesse stepped backwards and looked away.  "Well, I've shown you everything there is to see here.  We should get back to the living room.  Your brother and Shalimar could be back by now," said Jesse.

    "Maybe they found Gabriel," said Aurora.

    "Can I ask you something?" Jesse asked.

    "Sure, what?"

    "What's up with you and this Gabriel guy?"

    "Why do you care?"

    "It's just you seemed to be pretty upset earlier about the possibility of him being missing.  Is he your boyfriend?"

    "No, of course not!  Gabe is my best friend, not my boyfriend!  I've known him ever since I was three-years-old.  We went to pre-school together, elementary school, middle school, and high school.  He's always been there for me.  He's like the brother I never had."

    "But Brennan's your brother," Jesse pointed out.

    "Don't remind me.  If you haven't noticed, he and I don't exactly see eye to eye, or get along.  Brennan is a complete stranger to me. Based on past encounters, I don't know if I can trust him."

    "Brennan's not the same person he was.  Maybe you should try to forgive him and try to get to know him.  He's the only family you have.  He wants things between you and him to be put in the past where it belongs."

    "Maybe your right.  I'll think about."

    "While you think about it, let's go back to the living room."

    "Alright." They smiled as they headed towards the living room.