Chapter 2 - Hard Realities
"It's my fault. It's my fault they have her. Oh dear god..." came a weakened voice.
Shalimar had fallen asleep by her father's bedside and had been woken out her slumber by her father's cries. Drawing closer to Nicholas and taking his hand in her's, she tried to entice her father out of his state.
"Dad, dad. It's Shalimar. Can you hear me?" She sobbed, as fresh tears began to fall.
"Shalimar?" He slowly opened his eyes and slowly turned to her, "What...have...I...done?"
"I don't know...what" Shalimar was confused. Just then Adam came into the room. "Adam, I think he's coming to. He keeps repeating it's his fault and I don't know what he's talking about. Dad, what are you trying to say?"
"Shalimar, maybe we should..." Adam was interrupted by a stern voice.
"No, there's something she must know," Nicholas had come to his senses as if fate willed it, "Shalimar, you must listen. I don't have much time and there's so much to tell."
"What is it then?" Shalimar grew quick anxious.
"15 years ago, I made a deal with the devil...with Eckhart. Eckhart wanted new mutants to experiment with a procedure that Genomex was trying to perfect. A procedure that caused rapid brain growth sort of speak. It was a drug that caused the brain to learn 10 times it's normal rate. He wanted to raise a breed of super intelligent mutants. The most powerful and deadly mutants each with I.Q.'s over 165. Not only powerful in the body, but in the mind. The perfect balance of strength and intellect. Several new mutants became ticking time bombs and died as a result of the procedure. When the first batch of new mutants died during the experiments, Eckhart became obssessed with solving the problem. He became desparate for new test subjects. Idon't know if they perfected the procedure or not."
"So what's this have to do with you?" Shalimar asked.
"Eckhart, had approached me around the time your mother was pregnant with our second child," Nicholas explained.
"I remember Mom being pregnant. But she miscarried," Shalimar answered, in a confused tone.
"Listen to me. He offered me and Naxcon a huge contract with Genomex, if I gave him the baby," Nicholas replied, now overcome with guilt.
Shalimar's eyes widened considerably at this shocking confession. She knew where this story was heading.
"Without hesitation, I...I agreed to Eckhart's proposal. I...I was foolish and greedy, I didn't realize what I was doing...I deceived you and your mother into believing that the baby died at birth. The labour was unforgiving for your mother. She was in a comma for a week after your sister was born," Nicholas confessed.
"My...my sister?" was she could manage.
"The GSA had paid out the nurses on staff and arranged to collect the baby. On the night that they came to take her, I held her in my arms, rocking her, loving her, knowing I wouldn't see her again, but my thoughts were consumed with building a better life for you and your mother. GSA goons came into the hospital room where I and your mother were, had me sign my soul over and with that they were gone and I never saw her again. I lived the lie for over 15 years and now I can't die without telling you my sins. The most precious gift in the world...life and I sold it to the highest bidder," tears were now falling from Nicholas' eyes.
Shalimar backed away from her father's side and tried to process what she just heard.
"You have to find her Shalimar. If she's still alive and I'm certain she is. Especially if the Genomex corrected the problems," Nicholas coughed out.
Time slowed for an instant as a range of emotions were filling Shalimar. Absolute anger for her father's deceit and the pain that her mother went through following the "miscarriage", but mostly sadness for knowing that her own flesh and blood was in the hands of the GSA. The closest thing she had ever had to a sister was Emma and now upon learning all this, she yearned to find her and protect her, her animal instincts and loyalties were taking over, all for someone she had never met. She could never have anger for someone who was so innocent. Adam stood there silent and lost for words. He new that now wasn't the time to bring up the new mutant, but he knew that Shalimar had to be told. After hearing Nicholas' story, he was almost certain that this new mutant that the GSA were looking for, was who Nicholas was referring to.
"There is one other thing. One way to identitify her. She had a unique birth mark on her lower abdomen. It was dark with a slightly red mark in the middle, shaped like a spider. I never forgot that image, it has stayed with me all these years," Nicholas remembered.
Shalimar didn't want to hear anymore. She left the room with Adam in hot pursuit, leaving Nicholas to grieve on his own.
"Shalimar! Shalimar! Wait, I know this isn't exactly the right time to bring this up, but we need to talk," Adam pleaded with her.
"This better be important Adam," Shalimar's eyes flashed angrily.
"It's something that can't wait. And it might make sense of what your father just told you," Adam explained.
The old water tower...She knew it was only a matter of time before the GSA picked up her trail. She climbed to the top of the water tower, hoping to find temporary cover until she could plan her next course of action. Being high above the rustle and bustle of the city, allowed her to forget her troubles for an instant and calm her thoughts in order to think rationally. She sat and began to go into her thoughts...
"Well, well. The slippery little scamp is here afterall," a voice said.
"Your time has come, little one. Time to come back home to where you belong," another added.
She turned, startled, to see two GSA field agents approach her cautiously, pointing guns at her.
"Wha...how did you find me?" Willow asked, backing up slowly.
"That doesn't concern you, little one. All that matters, really, is that we found you and the reward we'll get when Eckhart has you back were you belong," the field agent laughed.
Her eyes flashed a glowing red, revealing her readiness for action.
"Now there's no need for that. We're not gonna hurt you. Just come quietly and we'll take care of you," the other field agent smiled deceivingly.
"Go to hell!" Willow yelled. She lept up in the air and kicked one of the advancing agents in the face, knocking him to the ground.
"Oooooh, the cat has claws," the other smiled, making his move, grabbing her with his arm around her neck. She then elbowed in the ribs and swung around punching him in the face. She saw the opportunity to make her escape and ran towards the edge of the tower. Just as she reached the edge, one of the agents drew a tranquilizer gun hitting her square at the base of the neck, instantaneously knocking her unconscious.
"Come on, we've got her" one yelled to the other. One of the field agents picked her up and both began to make their way to the ladder of the tower...
"Hey! We saw what you can do to little kids, now let's see how you do with a grown-up," Jesse shouted, just as Brennen released a charge on the other agent.
The agent holding Willow, drew his pistol and began to fire on Brennen and Jesse. Jesse quickly deflected the shots and advanced on the now panic stricken agent who continued fire shots until his gun was empty. Jesse then dealt the agent a deadly punched, hitting him square in the face, knocking the agent out. Jesse took Willow into his arms, just as the agent fell to the ground.
"That's what you get for picking on little kids," Jesse snarled.
Brennen approached Jesse and looked at the unconscious girl. He pulled the dart from her neck and looked at it.
"Looks like she's gonna be out for a while," Brennen concluded.
"She looks too young to be fifteen," Jesse marveled at the small figure in his arms. It's true that Willow didn't look anything over the age of 12.
"Yeah, well we can discuss that when we get back to Sanctuary. Come let's get out of here," Brennen said.
Brennen and Jesse quickly made their way back to the Double Helix, evidently unaware that they were being watched.
Back at the Sanctuary..."So you're telling me this mutant could be who my father was talking about," Shalimar concluded. "How can you be sure of that?"
"We can't. Well, not until Jesse and Brennen bring her back here, so we can find out what the hell is going on," Adam explained.
Shalimar shook her head and stared at the ground, "This all seems so surreal right now. It's just too much for me to handle. I...I just find out that my father has been lying to me and my mother all these years, and now you're telling me you may have found her. I just feel like this is all a bad dream."
"Well, I wish it were, but unfortunately, this is the reality of the situation. And I know this maybe asking much, but I need you to pull yourself together. It's obvious the GSA wants her and her abilities. We have to make sure she doesn't fall back into their hands. Whatever Eckhart has planned for her, it's something big and she is possibly the key to what happened in the safehouse," Adam stated, trying to calm Shalimar down.
"I don't know, Adam. I just...I can't believe my father would've done something like this. I would've rather not heard it," Shalimar cried.
"I think you would've found out sooner or later. Fate has a funny way of bringing things full circle. My guess is that your father wanted to tell you himself and face the consequences, rather than have you find out some other way. Unfortunately, things like this happen more often than you would think. In desperate times, people can do things unheard of. I remember reading newspaper stories about parents selling their children for drugs, alcohol or other addictions. Money must of been your father's drug," Adam said.
"Yeah well, that doesn't exactly make me feel any better," Shalimar responded.
"I know. But I need you, the team needs you. No one can change the past, but they work the present to make the future brighter. You know you're father can't erase what he had done, but he's trying to find a way to atone for his crime. The rest is up to you," Adam explained.
"I don't know how I'm gonna handle this. How I can face her," Shalimar shrugged.
"I can't tell you what to do. You have to decided how you're gonna approach this situation. But just remember, it's not her fault," Adam reiterated.
"I know. I could never blame a child for the sins of their parents," Shalimar agreed. "I just don't know how ready I can be to face her."
"Just have faith and remember that we're all in this together. You're not alone. We'll find a way through this. That's what family is about," Adam added.
Shalimar smiled at him, "Family..."
"Adam. It's Brennen," a voice rang throughout the Sanctuary.
"We're here Brennen. What's the word?" Adam anxiously asked.
"We've got her. We arrived just as a couple of GSA goons were making off with her," Brennen replied.
"Good work. What's her status?" Adam inquired.
"Well, she's resting comfortably. She was knocked out with enough tranquilizer to put out an elephant," Jesse replied. "Apparently, they got some crazy idea that she wasn't gonna go quietly."
"Alright, bring her in," Adam said as he cut off communications.
Shalimar took a deep breath. "This isn't gonna be easy."
Adam smiled at her. "Since when has anything we've ever done been easy? We may need Emma. Lord knows when Willow wakes up, she's gonna be one confused kid. How long has Emma been out?"
"Oh about two or three hours," Shalimar replied.
"Good. From the sounds of it, our guest will be out anywhere from 6-8 hours, so we'll let Emma rest. God knows, I don't want to push her, but we may need her if things get out of hand."
"Well, if we're finished here, I have some unfinished business to take care of," Shalimar said as she stood up.
"Alright, I'll be here if you need me," Adam smiled.
Shalimar planted a small kiss on Adam's cheek, "Thanks Adam."
In the Medical Lab...
"Shalimar...When you left, I though you'd never come back," Nicholas said as he let out a huge breath.
"I almost didn't. Adam and I had a long talk. Besides if I didn't leave, I would've said something I might have regretted later," Shalimar said, unsure of how to approach the situation. Talking wasn't one of her strong suits and her mind was just swimming in emotions.
"I've been a fool. What I did to you and your mother was unforgiveable. I had to tell you, to try and make things right," Nicholas explained.
"What about my sister?! You haven't mentioned anything about hurting her. All those years, she was with Genomex, with those bastards doing god knows what to her!" Shalimar yelled. "I can't understand why. To break apart a family like that and lying to our faces like that. To do something that devastated mother like that. I don't I'll ever be able to forgive you for that."
"And I don't expect you to. I am ashamed for what I have done and could never ask for your forgiveness. All I can do is try to resolve the situation," Nicholas sighed struggling for air. "I never meant to hurt y..."
Just then Nicholas started to go into convulsions. Pain shot through him as his body shook uncontrollably. Shalimar quickly ran to his side and grabbed his flaling arms.
"Adam! Adam! I need your help in the Lab!" She yelled helplessly.
Seconds later, Adam came running into the lab. He tried to help restrain Nicholas. He quickly ran over to the monitors.
"His hearts failing! I'll try to stimulate him," Adam said. "Stand clear!"
Nicholas started to calm down, but there was no air coming out. Adam zapped Nicholas several times but he knew it was hopeless. Nicholas' body laid there silently with a devastated Shalimar standing beside him. Adam shook his head sadly and walked over to Shalimar. He gently put a hand on her trembling shoulder.
"I'm sorry Shalimar," Adam said sympathetically.
A grief-stricken Shalimar turned into Adam's gentle embrace and sobbed uncontrollably. The Sanctuary fell silent, except for the sounds of a grieving daughter, mourning the loss of something she thought she had finally found.
End of Chapter Two.
Hang tough people, Chapter Three is still being written.