Dark Inheritance

Warning: Mature themes discussed

Author's note: I'm testing writing in a 'normal' style, hopefully it'll be as good as I want.

BELMONT MANOR, MID-AFTERNOON

JC returned to the Belmont Manor from school by midafternoon. Greeting the servants as he passed them, he stopped at a slightly open door. Inside was Alice, practicing her traditional dance routine for her students later that week. Her shoulder-length red hair cascaded around her as she smoothly performed the graceful moves.

He smiled. It had been over a week since his relatives, the Reinhardts, assaulted her family's main home and attempted one of their sick experiments. JC felt lucky he managed to get to her in time to stop them. Alice truly was a survivor, acting as if nothing had happened. Her family had assured him that another attempt wouldn't happen; the Reinhardts didn't want to draw too much attention by attacking such an influential family again. It won't happen again he thought. I'll see to that.

He continued down the hall to one of the den rooms. Numerous files, newspaper clippings, and papers with hand written notes were spread out on the table. Alice's father-in-law, Frank, had come through; the information they managed to dig up on his family's operations was very impressive. Now it was just a matter of making a game plan.

Diana, Alice's younger sister-in-law, walked in on his studies. She smiled as he worked: His deep mystical blue-colored eyes looked over the files while he took notes.

"So? How's the plan coming?"

JC glanced at her before continuing. "Your dad's been helpful. I'm narrowing down some of my family's plans in the area."

Diana came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. She rested her head on his shoulder and looked at his work pressing her short brown hair against his black. "Have you thought about how this will end?"

JC looked confused.

"I mean, you just need to get your sister out, right? That should derail their plans."

JC shook his head. "It won't be enough. She made it clear that they'll just come after her. I need to stop them completely."

Diana let go and stood next to him. A look of concern crossed her face. "How? Are you going to take out your cousin when he's not looking?"

JC gathered the info in front of him close together. "No, that won't work. Someone else will replace him. If I want to stop this project, I need to destroy its foundation." He pointed to the various headlines. "First, I'll disrupt some of their smaller operations. This will cause those running them to reveal themselves. I'll follow them back, and deal with the plans they're connected to. I'll work my way up until Marcus, my uncle, and my parents are isolated and alone. Then I'll deal with them."

Alice walked in on their conversation, looking concerned. "JC, I understand you're upset by what happened. We all are. They have to be stopped. But stooping to their level is not the way. Try to remember why you're doing this."

"I know why I'm doing this. I have to free Judith. But asking nicely won't work."

Alice walked over and placed her hand on his shoulder. "You're right. And we'll help keep you focused."

"This is my fight, Alice." JC moved Alice's hand. "I can't ask you to get involved."

"This is our fight. You're family. We are involved."

"Master JC," Jasper, their butler, had entered the room. "That item we talked about is just about ready." He held a full face mask, black in color, shaped like a hockey goalie's mask, only with large circular lenses over the eyes. The mouth piece was a mesh-style grill. "Care to try it on?"

JC took the mask and strapped it on. "I can't see."

Jasper took out a screwdriver and began to adjust the eye lenses. "The optic segments must be perfectly aligned. Let me know when you can see."

A minute later JC could see perfectly and signaled Jasper to stop. He walked over to a nearby mirror and checked himself out. He looked scary; the mask gave him a reaper-like appearance.

Jasper continued. "There's a switch inside the mouth area that can open and close the front mesh. The eye lenses can magnify and focus. And if you hit this switch here…" Jasper touched a switch along one of the lenses. "A special digital lens will capture and send a picture to your phone, making it easier to transmit information."

JC was impressed. "Jasper, where'd you learn to make something like this?"

Jasper smiled. "Mr. JC, I am merely the humble servant of the Belmont family."

Diana looked at his reflection. "Why is something like this important? Even if you're careful, your family's going to know it's you."

"Of course they will." JC replied. "But anyone else won't. Can't have the wrong people identifying me. And even if my relatives know it's me, this will scare them. Assuming I don't screw up." He removed the mask and returned to the table.

"So," Diana said joining him. "What's the first step?" She looked over the files along with him. One of them caught her eye. "Look at this. They say some virus is going around and this one hospital is offering free vaccines." JC grabbed the article and read it. He noticed the name of the hospital.

"This hospital…I remember my parents mentioned that place a few months back. Something about 'new facilities'. Maybe it's connected."

A knock came from the front door. JC and Diana looked at each other. "Who could that be?" asked Diana. Both went over to the door and slowly opened it. Before them stood a young woman, roughly the age of the two of them. Jet black hair with dark blue streaks that ended just past her shoulders, black nail polish. She was slightly shorter than Diana and JC, with a slender frame. Her face was cute, JC had to admit, round with black eyes to match her hair. She looked expectantly at the two of them.

"Can we help you?" Diana finally asked.

The girl focused on JC. A look of recognition crossed her face. She took out her phone and tapped the screen a few times. "I knew it was you!" she said excitedly. She showed them the screen: A slightly blurry photo of JC as he vaulted over an alley wall when he'd escaped from Judith's facility more than a month ago.

JC's blood ran cold. Who is she? He thought. He shook his head. "You must be mistaken. That's not me."

"Please." The girl pleaded. "I need your help. It sounds crazy, but I swear similar things have happened to me."

Alice looked over and saw the girl. "May we have your name?"

"Oh, sorry. I'm Chelsea. Chelsea Harmon." She stuck her hand out. "Nice to meet you."

JC cautiously took her hand. "Likewise." He looked over at Alice. She beckoned them all to come in.

They all sat in the living room facing each other. JC looked at her incredulously. "So, how exactly did you get that picture? And how did you know I lived here?"

"I was around the corner. I travel down that area from time to time. After you landed, I…well…shadowed you, so to speak. Not very far, I didn't know that area very well. Then I saw the news about the Perkins girl, so I looked into that school and -"

"I get it." JC interrupted. "You felt there was some kind of connection. That still doesn't explain why you came all the way here."

Alice chimed in. "Please don't mind him. It's been 'interesting' around here these past few weeks. I'm Alice Belmont, and this is my younger sister Diana" she gestured to her. "The blunt one is JC Reinhardt."

Chelsea's eyes went wide at the mention of JC's last name. "The Reinhardt family?"

"Yes." JC said cautiously. "You know them?"

"Only from the news. Their company, Genetech, has been working on breakthroughs with pharmaceutical treatments." She looked at Alice. "Are your families connected? Is that why he lives here?"

JC sighed. "It's a long story."

The group told Chelsea the basic story of what had happened over the past couple of months. They'd feared she'd think it was too fantastic. Instead she listened in awe.

"I can't believe it. They did all that? Why?"

"We don't know." Alice replied. "About what you said earlier: You said 'similar things have happened' to you? Can you explain?"

"I did something similar a while back. I felt this strength inside me, and suddenly I moved faster than I ever have, just like you did in that picture. It wore me out, and I didn't think much of it at the time. But then…" Chelsea took a block of metal out of her pocket. Placing it on the table, she placed her finger on it and concentrated. Within seconds, the block cracked and crumbled before their eyes. "I discovered I could do this a few months ago. Small objects like these are easy. But it's getting stronger."

JC looked impressed. Still, his suspicion remained. "That's pretty good, but it doesn't explain why you came to see me."

Chelsea stood up and clasped her hands together. "I need your help. Would you please come to see my brother in the hospital?"

…

Sometime later the three of them sat in the waiting area of the special care ward at the hospital. Chelsea said her brother, Shaun, who was ten, had been at the same hospital that gave the vaccines. JC saw it as a good opportunity to check the place out. He even brought his backpack with him, just in case. Diana went to inquire about the vaccines while he and Chelsea sat and discussed the situation.

"So, you guys got the vaccine?" JC asked her.

"Yeah, we both got it. He's been staying at this hospital, which is pretty convenient."

"And why does he want to meet me?"

"He's known about my 'abilities' since they happened, I didn't keep it secret from him. He'll be thrilled to see I'm not alone."

"Why is he here in the first place?"

Chelsea looked depressed. "Our family was in a car wreck. His legs were severely injured. Our mom and dad…they didn't make it."

JC sat back. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay." Chelsea composed herself. "Our grandparents have been taking care of us since. I've been visiting Shaun here while he gets his therapy."

JC smiled at her. "You're a good sister. Shaun's lucky."

"Thanks. Didn't you say you have a sister?"

"Yes." JC said despondently. "My family still has her."

The two sat in an awkward silence until Diana returned.

"I asked the hospital staff." She said. "They said that one of their labs found cases of some virus going around and offered to supply the vaccine free of charge."

"That doesn't sound suspicious." Chelsea said.

"You're right," JC replied. "But with the connection to my family's lab, there must be more to it."

Chelsea nodded. "I understand. Can you come see my brother, please?"

The three of them headed down the hall to Shaun's room. The ten-year-old was sitting up in bed, reading a magazine. He smiled at the sight of his sister. Chelsea walked over and embraced him gently.

"Shaun, this is JC, the guy I showed you in that photo."

"Hi." JC said sheepishly. "Your sister said you wanted to meet me."

Shaun looked him up and down. "Really? Can you do things like my sister?"

JC hesitated. Should I involve this kid? It may put him in danger. "Your sister said I could help you. I'm not sure how."

"I've seen what she can do. She's special. I've been worried she might be alone."

"Shaun, I'm not special. I'm sorry."

"Yes you are!" Chelsea pleaded. "My brother's been so worried I might be alone. I want him to see there are others like me."

"It's okay, sis." Shaun said sadly. "I get he can't do anything. Thanks anyways."

"Shaun, he's just shy. Just give him some time."

"I'm sorry guys." JC left the room in shame.

Chelsea caught up to him in the hall. "What is your problem? Why are you lying to him?"

"If I let him know there's people like me, I might put him in danger. You remember I told you about what happened to Alice, right? I won't let that happen again."

"Aren't you being a little paranoid? It's just a demonstration. I'm not asking you to rain lightning from the heavens."

Diana came out to join them. "Chelsea, he's been through a lot. It's hard for him."

"Look," JC added "This is something I need to think about. I'm sorry."

Chelsea nodded. "You're right. I guess I pushed too much."

"It's okay. You're just trying to help your brother."

Chelsea smiled. Then an idea occurred to her. "Look, let me make it up to you guys. Why don't you come over for dinner and spend the night? Then, if you're up for it, maybe you can talk to Shaun. Just make him feel better."

JC looked confused. "Really? You don't have to. Would your grandparents be okay with that?"

"Relax," Chelsea assured. "They know about me. They want to meet you too."

Diana took out her phone. "I'll let Alice know. I'm sure she'll approve."

JC took her aside. "Are you sure? She seems okay, but is this appropriate?"

"JC, you need to relax a little. Despite what your family did, not everyone is out to get you."

Diana had a point. He felt bad about disappointing Shaun. "If Alice is okay with it, I'm okay."

…

Chelsea's grandparents were delighted to have them over. They welcomed them and served a home-cooked meal. The two seniors chatted with him and Diana.

"Chelsea says you went to see Shaun." The grandmother said. "He's a great kid, isn't he?"

"He is," replied JC. "It's nice that he's in high spirits."

"You can thank his sister for that," the grandfather said. "Those two have always been inseparable. We try to stand in for their parents, but they give each other strength."

JC flashed back to Judith, and forced down a pang of guilt.

"Speaking of strength," continued the grandfather, "Chelsea says you're…'similar' to her?"

Again JC felt hesitant. He shouldn't get more people involved. But he also couldn't lie to these people. "I guess. I'm not sure how that's going to help Shaun. It's not like I can heal his injuries."

"That's not what he needs." The grandmother chimed in. "He's been worrying his sister might be treated like some kind of freak. If he could meet another person like that, it would lift his spirits."

"Shaun's always looking out for Chelsea." The grandfather added. "He wants to know she's going to be okay. Will you consider helping him with that?"

JC nodded. "I will. Thanks again."

Later that night everyone headed for bed. JC took the couch in the living room while Diana and Chelsea shared her room. Diana was setting up her sleeping bag while Chelsea put her pajamas on. Diana noticed a nasty scar on Chelsea's shoulder. "Is that from the accident?" she asked cautiously.

"Yes. I was lucky. Our parents died instantly and Shaun's legs were injured."

"Again, I'm so sorry. I wish there was more we could do."

Chelsea finished changing and smiled. "It's okay. I'm just glad I got to meet you guys. You're both amazing." She stood and went towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Diana asked.

"Oh, I'm just going to see if JC's okay, see if he needs company."

Diana grabbed her as she turned to leave and held her onto the bed. "I don't think so, missy."

…

He walked across the field, adorned in his silver-platinum armor, sword sheathed at his side. Four others, his Circle companions, stood with him. The one closest, his beloved, smiled. Her golden robes sparkled in the midday sun. A breeze sent waves through her raven hair. Looking into her deep, blue eyes, he moved closer, her ruby red lips coming to meet his…

JC woke with a start. Shaking the cobwebs from his mind, he looked around. No field; he was on Chelsea's living room couch. No midday sun, just the dead of night. No 'circle', just himself. His 'beloved'…why was she familiar? Exhausted, he lay back down to sleep.

…

The three went back to the hospital after school. JC and Diana met Chelsea in the lobby.

"I got something." Diana said as they walked to Shaun's room. She took out her phone and tapped the screen. "The list of vaccine recipients."

JC took a look. "You hacked the network while we were here?"

Diana smiled, saying nothing.

"Never mind, I shouldn't know."

Chelsea looked as well. "Why's that important?"

"I've checked out their notes on these people." Diana pointed out. "Most are nothing special, but some look like they're 'tagged', like when doctors follow up with patients." She tapped a few keys. "You're one of the tagged."

The three felt uneasy at this. They hurried to Shaun's room. Before they entered, JC pulled a sign out of his backpack: One of the hospital's "Do Not Enter' signs. "Where did you get that?" Diana asked. JC smiled, saying nothing. He placed it on the door before entering.

Once in Shaun's room, they told Shaun about what they'd found. Shaun told them some doctors and nurses had been in to talk to him, but none seemed out of the ordinary. "They just asked if I was feeling okay."

Again JC felt for the kid. He could understand his concern for Chelsea. Finally, he could hold back no longer. "Shaun, would you still like to see what I can do?"

Shaun nodded excitedly.

"Okay, watch carefully." JC stood at the far end of the room. Cracking his knuckles, he concentrated. He felt the small, swirling winds wrap around him. Like the time in the alley, he sprinted smoothly across the room, stopping next to Shaun's bed. Shaun's eyes went wide as JC sprinted back over to the wall, then up it, down a different wall, then back over the Shaun's side. JC smiled as Shaun looked at him in awe.

"That was amazing!" he exclaimed. JC high-fived him. Then, the door opened and a nurse entered.

"Oh, Miss Harmon. I was told I'd find you here. The doctors want to ask you a few questions. If you'll come with me…"

JC looked at Shaun and cocked his head. Shaun shook his head in the negative. JC stepped forward. "What do they need to ask her? Can't he come here?"

"I'm sorry, but this is a private matter. Please come with me…"

"Hold it." Diana interjected. "There's a 'Do Not Enter' sign on that door. You shouldn't have come in."

The nurse roughly grabbed Chelsea's arm. "Doctor's orders!" She started to pull Chelsea towards the door. "Let me go!" she screamed. JC sped at the nurse and knocked her out with a punch to the head. Chelsea stepped back and caught her breath. "What was that about?"

"I think we know what being 'tagged' means on that list." JC said. He knelt down and patted down the nurse. He took out her phone and gave it to Diana. "See what you can get." Diana took out her own phone and cloned the nurse's.

"Okay, I'll see what I can-"

Suddenly, an explosion shook the building. The lights dimmed and the fire alarm rang. JC looked out the door and saw people scrambling to get out. "Diana, get Chelsea and Shaun out of here. Contact Alice and have her send help if she can."

"No way." Chelsea interjected. "I'm going with you. I have to help."

"It's too dangerous. Besides, Shaun needs you."

"If it's dangerous, you'd better keep up." Chelsea ran off deeper into the hospital. JC rolled his eyes and ran after her. Avoiding the security guards, they headed closer to the source of the explosion. One of the distant rooms was burnt, demolished, and smelled of ozone. Several electrical burn spots covered the area. In the center lay an unconscious figure. The two ran over and checked them. It was a young woman, one of the patients. JC checked for a pulse and was relieved to find one.

"Did she do this?" asked Chelsea.

"Most likely." JC replied. "We should get her to safety." The two propped the woman on their shoulders and headed back towards the stairwell. The crowds had thinned out by now. Shortly, they heard a scream. "Shaun!" Chelsea and JC gently lay the woman down and headed towards the noise. After they were gone, a doctor cautiously approached the unconscious figure.

Inside the lobby area, Shaun was held up by his arm by a man in patient garb. Diana lay on the floor several feet away, unconscious. "Sir, put him down." JC said cautiously, inching towards the man with his hands up. The man abruptly turned towards him and growled. Yes, growled. JC looked more closely and saw the man was "off": nails long and pointed like claws, irises slit like a cat's. The most disturbing part was his face: Half of it was twisted and deformed into a mass of flesh hair. Shaun's face was frozen in fear. JC knew he couldn't use his lightning attack without hurting Shaun, and he didn't dare try to rush the guy. He still had the pistol, but Shaun was in the line of fire. "Sir, I don't know what happened, but please put him down." The man roared this time. He'd lost it.

"Let him go!" Chelsea screamed. JC had to hold her back from rushing the man. Chelsea's hands reached for the two. Her hands emitted a ripple of power towards her brother's assailant. Suddenly the arm holding Shaun seemed to contort and give out, dropping the boy. The man gripped his arm and howled in pain. Chelsea's eyes were lit up with a pale light.

Nearby, out of sight, the doctor watched the confrontation. When Chelsea attacked the man, he touched an earpiece and transmitted. "This is watcher 4. I have a visual on the test subjects. Mr. Stevens reacted but has gone feral. Miss Harmon, however, is displaying inheritor qualities. She's fully compatible! Capture her!"

The man recovered and charged Chelsea. JC raised his hands to zap the guy but Chelsea pushed past and raised hers again. A solid black wall formed between them. The feral man collided with it, knocking himself unconscious.

JC looked at Chelsea. "How did you do that?"

Chelsea's eyes had returned to normal. "I don't know. I just had this…surge of power. All I wanted was to save Shaun."

Diana regained consciousness and sat up. "We should leave while we can."

ZAP!

Chelsea spasmed and fell to the floor. Near the door, two nurses stood, one holding a taser. The wires led to Chelsea's back.

"No one try anything. We're taking the girl."

JC pulled his pistol. "Not happening. Let her go."

"Kid, this doesn't concern-"

BANG! BANG!

The nurses fell to the ground, gunshot wounds in their shoulders. The doctor, seeing this, slipped away. JC walked up to the nurse with the taser and kicked it away. "Feel like talking?"

The nurse spat at him, missing by a mile.

"Didn't think so." JC knocked her out with a kick. He approached the other. The nurse looked at him and her eyes widened. "You…"

"Give my regards to Marcus." JC delivered a kick to her as well. He walked over to Chelsea and carefully pulled the darts out of her back. She winched a little as he and Diana helped her to her feet. Picking up Shaun, the group headed for the door.

"Where'd you learn to shoot like that?" Diana asked.

"I didn't." replied JC. "I just knew how. This is starting to scare me." Leaving the room, JC looked back and noticed the woman from before was not where they'd left her. He shook his head. No time to deal with that now. The group slipped out just as the cops showed up.

…

"Amy Hanson?" Gail's pleasant voice said from an overhead speaker.

Amy woke up in an unfamiliar bed. The room was softly lit, and a medical monitor was hooked up to her.

"There's no need to fear. You're here because you're special. You have been chosen to serve a great purpose for humanity. For now, rest and regain your strength."

Amy was confused, but settled back down into a fitful sleep. From the control room, Gail smiled at the woman on the monitor. Alan sat at a control panel with Marcus standing next to him.

"Amy Hanson." Alan stated. "She's developed powers of the Storm Crow inheritors, just like JC. Not as powerful as him, but still impressive."

"Indeed." Marcus agreed, adjusting his glasses. "Not bad for a first timer."

"That Chelsea Harmon girl was also impressive. A Void Phoenix type, if I'm not mistaken."

"We'll have her in our power soon enough. Her and JC."

…

Judith watched the monitor in a different room. The new girl slept peacefully. Judith couldn't help but feel anxious for her. Behind her, Sarah, her mom, approached.

"She's a new candidate. Pretty impressive, huh?"

"Mom," Judith said with concern. "Why'd you bring her here? And how did she get powers?"

"She's here because she's special, like you, sweetie." Her mom assured. "When she's ready, you'll be introduced."

"What's going to happen to her?"

"After she gets acclimated and we assess her abilities, well begin teaching her how to use them effectively. Once the main facility is up and running, both of you will be transferred. Along with any others who join us."

"So," Judith said nervously. "I'm not staying here?"

"Sweetheart, this is hardly the place raise someone special like you. Once everything's set up, you'll all be in a wonderful environment. Especially once JC's back with us."

Judith could only shudder at that last comment. Be patient she thought to herself. Take time to come up with a plan.

…

The next day, the group at the Belmont Manor watched the news. It was late in the day when the story broke.

"…Police and medical officials are not clear on the type of compound used in the attack, but there are suspicions that water supply for the city is the source of the contamination. So far the death toll has risen to about 108 people…"

On camera, stretchers with deformed people rolled by, unmoving.

"…Numerous 'missing persons' reports are also raising suspicions that this was not some random act of terror. However, police seem to have few leads as to the party responsible…"

"Bastards." JC growled. "It had to be them. Those victims look almost like that guy that attacked Shaun."

Chelsea looked on with concern. "Those missing people…do you think that's what happened to that woman we helped?"

"Probably. That could have been you as well." JC said. Chelsea cringed.

"Don't worry." Alice assured. "Shaun's now in a new facility to get his rehab. Just watch your back out there."

Diana entered the room. "I've looked over the info from that nurse's phone. I found several calls going to an unlisted number regarding "retrieval of samples."

"What samples?" JC asked.

"Wait." Chelsea said. "When they gave us the vaccine they took a blood sample as well, saying they needed some for comparison. Could that be it?"

"There's more." Diana said, taking out a file. "My father found information on some property. An old warehouse out in the industrial district was purchased by the company TransgenX months back."

JC recalled the name. "That was a company my uncle bought out. They must have used it to cover their tracks. Whatever they're doing, that warehouse is the source." He got up.

"Where are you going?" asked Alice.

"I need to check that place out before everything's gone." JC started to head out of the room.

"Wait." Chelsea said. "I'm coming with you."

"Me too." said Diana.

"Forget it." JC shot back. "Chelsea, you need to keep a low profile for now. Diana, I need you to guide me to their system once I'm in."

Chelsea and Diana both looked down.

"Besides, it's not only easier for me to look after myself, but one person sneaking in is less noticeable than three."

Chelsea and Diana reluctantly agreed. As JC turned to leave, Chelsea came up and hugged him from behind.

"Thanks again for saving me and my brother." She said, leaning into his back.

JC suddenly felt a cold shiver run through him. Looking over, he saw Diana glaring at the two of them. He gently disengaged himself and left the room.

Jasper met him near the door. '"When you're ready, I'll arrange for transportation to the warehouse."

"Good, I'll get geared up and meet you at the front gate."

~To be continued