Here's a Holiday treat. A new chapter! Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I've had a lot of schoolwork, after school activities, and I'm having a hard time figuring out exactly what I want to do with this story right now. Anyways, Here's the next chapter. I can't promise when I'll update because I'm not sure, but I'll try to update as soon as I know what I want to do with this story. I hope you all like this chapter and Happy Holidays!!! And a Happy New Year!

Reminder: Nothing has changed since my last update! I still don't own Mutant X!

Chapter 11: Feral Strikes Back

Brennan and Jesse made it inside the living room before Aurora. She hesitated, not sure how she would react to seeing Edward. She took a deep breath and let out a sigh as she went inside. Aurora saw Brennan, Jesse, Emma, and Adam standing to one side and a man with his back to her was off to the other side. He turned and Aurora saw him. Edward's hair was cut, his face newly shaven wearing tan slacks and a blue collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Aurora couldn't say anything. No one did.

Edward was the first to break the silence. "As much am I am glad to be out of prison, why am I here?"

Adam, Emma, Jesse, and Brennan collaborated in telling him about Shalimar's capture by Carlos. Afterwards, Edward stared at them and replied," What does this have to do with me?"

Aurora finally found her words for the first time since seeing Edward. "Your brother seems to think you know the location of something he wants. We don't know what he meant but he said only you know where it is since you hid it, or something like that anyways."

First Edward just stared at Aurora as if examining her. She seems familiar somehow, Aurora heard Edward think. She tensed up a little before relaxing again. Edward's eyes lit up. "I know what my dear old brother want."

"Would you tell us?" asked Adam.

"My brother does a lot of work with the black market, we both did. I got my hands on this new drug that was created. It's suppose to give the user a stronger high, very addictive, and lasts for a while. The creator never got around to writing down the formula. He memorized it, and created a small amount. He died soon after creating it and was unable to sell it to anyone. A lot of people such as my brother and myself heard about it and wanted it for ourselves. I was able to have the drug sample in my possession and I hid it for safekeeping. I meant to come back for it but got arrested for killing somebody, and now I'm here with you guys."

Aurora tightened up again getting upset. Jesse stood beside her and put his hand on Aurora's shoulder. His touch helped her calm down and stay focused.

"Where did you hide this new drug?" Aurora asked.

"Wouldn't you like to know," replied Edward.

"No more games! Where is it?"

"Sorry to interrupt," came Carlos's voice. Everyone looked over at the computer screen to see a video box with Carlos staring at them. "Just came to check in as I said I would." He looked over at his brother. "Nice to see part of your task has already been accomplished."

"Nice to see you too brother," said Edward, not seeming to mean it.

"Well I'm sure you're aware of the predicament they're in."

"Yes, it's nice to know you finally helped with my escape because you wanted something."

"You know how it is. Anyways, you're out now."

"And loving it so far."

At least someone is, Aurora thought sarcastically.

"As soon as you have the drug, contact me."

"I believe Edward knows my cell number and don't bother trying to trace it. I've made sure it's untraceable. Until then." He waved and the computer screen went blank.

(Back to Shalimar)
Shalimar stood pacing in her cage trying to figure out a plan to escape her cage for the past few hours. She still was unsure how to escape. A man came into the room with a plate of food. Shalimar had asked for it because she was still hungry. The blonde young man handed the plate to her. Shalimar grabbed the guy's gun from his side holster and aimed it at him.

"Get the key and unlock the door!" ordered Shal.

He took it from hid pocket, put it in the lock, and unlocked the cage.

"Now hand me the keys."

He did as she said. Shalimar waked closer to him, gun still in hand. She hit him over the back of the head with the gun and knocked him out. She dragged him into the cage and locked him inside. Shalimar noticed different tools on the table beside the cell. She recalled Adam telling her how to disable a subdermal governor. Lucky for her, she had the right tools in front of her. She took the tools and started working on it. It made a noise signaling its deactivation.

She exited the room. No one was around, which surprised Shalimar. You'd think if they wanted to keep me here there would be more security, she thought. Though no one was around, Shalimar kept her guard up. She kept the gun in her back jeans pocket just in case. Using her feral senses, she walked through different corridors without being heard. She found a door outside to the complex she was in.

Shalimar was about to step outside when she heard people behind her. "Wait!" someone yelled as Shalimar turned to fall a group of about six men. "We can't let you escape!"

"Just try and stop me," Shalimar challenged.

Two came towards her and each grabbed one of her arms she flipped backwards kicking them making them let go. Another tried to punch her. Shalimar duck and punched him in the stomach. Two others tried to double-team her; one had a taser and another put up his fists. She kicked the "taser guy" knocking it out of his hand and kicked behind her hitting the other guy on the face. Shalimar picked up the taser and used it on the one she got it from and two others. They were all down for the count!

Shalimar searched each of the men to see if they had her Comlink. Nothing. One had a cell phone. She took it and ran out the door into what appeared to be a tropical jungle.

"Am I on an island?" wondered Shalimar.

She kept moving swiftly through the trees and plants. Shalimar knew they'd be on to her at any tome. As she continued on, Shalimar dialed Brennan's cell phone number, put the sell to her ear, and waited and hoped for an answer.

(Sanctuary)
Brennan and everyone just stood there after Carlos broke contact not knowing what to say. Before someone could speak, Brennan's cell phone rang. He picked it up and put it to his ear.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Brennan?" said a familiar female voice.

"Shalimar? Is that you?" As he said it ever member stared at Brennan intently, hoping to hear that Shalimar was ok.

"Yes it's me."

"Where are you? Are you all right? Has Carlos hurt you?" As he said that, Emma and Aurora exchanged looks and smiled at Brennan. They both knew his inner thoughts and true feelings for their feral friend whether Brennan admitted them to himself or not.

"I'm fine, at least for now. I think I'm on a tropical island. I'm not sure. There's some sort of compound here. I escaped from it but now I'm in the middle of a big jungle. They stuck me with a subdermal governor but I was able to disable it. By the way, thanks Adam for that."

"You're welcome," he answered. Brennan had put his phone on speakerphone.

"How did they capture you Shal?" asked Emma.

"It was right outside the club. When I went to get some air. I tried to fight but I got drowsy. I think I was drugged."

"By who?" asked Adam.

"Well, I did get a drink from the bartender before I went outside. That's when I started to feel tired. He said the drink was on the house."

"What did he look like?" asked Jesse.

"He had blonde hair and brown eyes. He was tall. I think his name tag might have said Richard. I can't quite remember."

"It's ok. We'll check it out."

"How are things on your end?" Shalimar asked.

"Alright considering the circumstances. We're all doing our best to find you and bring you back. Carlos has basically been blackmailing us."

"I've heard. And he keeps hitting on me. He's a real jerk."

"Hey!" yelled Edward.

"Who was that?"

"Edward, Carlos's brother," Aurora replied. "He's part or the blackmail to get you back."

"Shalimar recalled a moment when Aurora told her about Edward and how he killed her mother. "I'm sorry Aurora."

"Don't be. I'm fine."

No one was convinced. Edward just looked at everyone confusedly and then went back to looking as if he didn't care, which wasn't that difficult.

"We'll go back to the club and ask around about this bartender," said Adam. "Shalimar, for now just hold on. Try not to get caught. We'll try to track the phone you're using, but I don't know if we can."

"Okay," she answered, then she read off the cell phone number.

"We'll keep in contact. Call every hour or so to give us the heads up on anything and we'll call if we find anything."

"Ok."

"We'll find you Shal," said Brennan.

"I hope so," she replied before she hung up.