Chapter 19, you know the drill, lol R&R and enjoy!

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19

My head was spinning out of control at that point. There was no way. Dr. Martinez…was she really in league with the School or Itex? Or even both? She seemed so intrigued long ago when she found out I had wings. But maybe this was why… Maybe she really was the bad guy. I didn't want to think about that until I knew it was true.

I stared at nothing in particular for a long time. Fang came to me and put his arm around my shoulders, but I couldn't feel it. I was numb with physical and emotional pain, and nothing would heal it for now. "Roland," I said blankly, knowing he could still hear me, "are you telling me the truth? Dr. Martinez…she couldn't really be…your wife. Could she?"

But she is. It may be hard to believe. But yes, Ella is indeed my daughter. I was married to Lisa Martinez for only a few years before she did this to me. She was curious about the human genes, and wanted someone to test it on. But I told her not to use the baby whom at that time she was pregnant with. So instead she used me! I never even got to see my own daughter born.

"I'm sorry, Roland. But that doesn't give you a right to do this."

What the hell do you know about this? You have no idea what I've been through! My wife had our first daughter whom I've never even seen, and then she goes off with some random stranger and has Ella. I have as much a right to destroy her as anyone!

Something wasn't adding up as I listened to Roland's story. "Wait, you've never seen your first daughter?"

No! After Lisa experimented with me she left with our daughter and took on her old name, Martinez. That's right, she used to be Lisa ter Bocht, but I guess she just couldn't stand being with a mutant that SHE CREATED!

Roland was yelling into the box now, I could tell because it was rattling my brain around inside my skull. I tried to tone it out but I couldn't.

Out of nowhere, Roland completely changed subject. I guess that's what I get for being stuck with a madman in my head. You're going to help me, Maximum. Why do you think I created you to be the perfect human? To save the world? Well, that IS what you've been telling me to do… No, Max, you have a much higher purpose. You're going to help me destroy Lisa. In doing so, you and I can put an end to this madness!

"I'm not going to kill her! You must be crazy to think I would!"

You'll come around in time. Trust me, Max. I created you. I know how you work. I know what makes you angry and what motivates you. Suddenly I heard a scream behind me and the Gasman fell to the floor, writhing in pain. Fang and the others were about to jump and help him when they too fell over screaming in agony.

"Stop it! Roland, stop it now!"

You know what you must do to save your disgusting flock. He was right. I knew only one thing that would satisfy him.

"Okay! I get it, Roland just stop! I'll do what you want!"

After a few seconds, I knew Roland had turned off the Torture Box. The entire flock, besides me, lay on the floor panting and holding their heads in pain.

This is why you're imperfect, Maximum.

"Just shut up!" I was sweating now, afraid of what would happen if I refused. I knew I couldn't make myself kill Dr. Martinez. But I was also curious if Roland was telling me the truth or not.

So with a sigh, I made what could possibly have been the biggest mistake of my life. "I'll help you."