CHAPTER TWO
DR K'S POV (past)
I was lazily sipping on a cup of my tea, finally on my (small) holiday away from work and thinking about Jessica's engagement and her mother's face when she heard the news, when I received a call from one of my informants. I quickly looked at the number before going to answer. It was my man that covered the area of LA and California, as well as some of the other locations around that side of the country.
"Dr. Krantz speaking."
"Uh...hi Sir. You told me to call if anything...weird...happened."
"Yes. What is it?" Why couldn't I have some time off?
"A young girl, a Susannah Simon, was allegedly kidnapped and beaten badly. She was found a few hours ago by the side of the road, seeming to have crawled there. The police followed her trail and came across the old building..."
I took of my reading glasses and rubbed the bridge of my nose. "And..."
"Sir, the only fingerprints they could find where in the victim's blood and the dirt on the walls, and those fingerprints had been matched to several gang men who have been listed as, well...deceased. The girl, Susannah Simon, should have been dead because of her injuries, and no normal person could have travelled that far, I mean, she probably hadn't been given food or water for days and had lost so much blood, let alone all the broken bones..."
I nod and almost wince. Poor girl. "It does sound strange. Do you have any background on her, just the stuff relevant to this type of enquiry at the moment please?"
"Yes, Sir. It's a lot. She is well known for causing a bit of a ruckus. I looked into a few of the places she's been caught trying to steal and all of them have had recently deceased personals who had lived there until their deaths. She also been in and out of hospital quite a few times, for 'typical' reasons such as falling down the stairs, though doctors have noted that the injury does not quite fit the story they have been given. There was also a case where she pushed a boy out from underneath a falling plank of wood just in time, when nobody else had seen in coming, as well as unusual activity at her school since she moved there, she was found at a burning home where a man has gone missing and has never been found though a pistol and other valuables were discovered, she was badly beaten by some boy who she..."
The list went on and on. It was surprising no one had picked up on her before. I wonder if her family knows...of course they know. How else would she explain all the trouble she gets into?
"Thank you. I'll make sure to be on the next flight to Carmel, California."
"Oh! And one more thing, Sir?"
"Yes?"
"Her Boyfriend, listed as a Jesse Hector De Silva, seems to have only been added in the system though he is over twenty years old. He didn't even seem to exist before a little while ago. No bills, no work, no nothing. There is also no record of his parents that have listed on his birth certificate either...I just thought you should know, Sir."
"Very well, send me all her files ASAP."
SUZE'S POV (present)
"Miss Susannah Simon and her family, I believe? My name is Dr. Krantz, and I have a few questions for Miss Simon, if she is feeling up to it."
I looked over him again. He didn't seem like a doctor. For one, he was in a suit and not scrubs, and for another he was looking at me some-what friendly manner (definitely not a doctor).
"Do you work at the hospital?" I ask suspiciously (and doubtfully), raising my eyebrows. Ow! Reminder: bruised forehead.
He gives a low chuckle. "I'm not that kind of doctor, Miss Simon."
"Suze."
"I beg your pardon."
"Call me Suze. 'Miss Simon' makes me feel old."
He smiles quickly and seems to be remembering something before he returns to the present.
"Very well, Suze."
Jesse, obviously sensing something of this man that I don't moves to my side and holds my hand firmly. I look up at him and see his brow frown slightly. Not good.
"Forgive me, Sir, but if you do not work here as a doctor, might I enquire about you businesses with Susannah?"
He nods. "You must be Mr De Silva," he states.
How does he know all our names?
I then remember Paul's grandfather. "You're a research doctor?" I ask, interrupting whatever was going to be said next, by who I wasn't sure.
He smiles politely. "Of sorts," he then pauses, looks towards my family and then back at me. "I'm the director of a very elite group of... specially abled agents, and I believe that if you are who I think you are you could be very valuable to my team."
I stare at him. 'specially abled'? What on earth – I pale, I can feel it. He knows. I don't know how but he knows. Was he one of us? If he was, why not just say mediators, or, shifters, or whatever?
Jesse also had stilled next to me. "What do you mean 'specially abled'?"
I send a startled look to my mother who seems to looking between us all like we've dropped into the twilight zone. My poor, poor mother. At least I hope if they admit me to Area 52, or 51 as it is supposedly known, that they'll give Doc a tour.
"Physics, mainly, Mr De Silva...if that is you true name."
My family gasp.
"W-w-what?" mother stutters out.
I grip his hand tighter. "It is. And I am not who you are looking for. I. Am. Ordinary. Capeesh? I can't tell the future or read minds, or...or..."
"There are many other gifts out there Mi – Suze. For example I know a young woman, slightly older than you who can find missing people in her sleep. Have you ever heard of Lightning Girl?"
"No! And I do not care!"
Jesse takes a step forward. "I think it would be better if you leave."
"I understand why you feel reluctance, but you and your family – "
"She says she's normal!" Doc screams out, interrupting him.
We all turn to stare at him. Poor Do – David. He shouldn't have gotten involved.
"Leave." I can't have him, or any of them, involved.
Their gazes turn towards me.
"Mum, Andy, Jake...all of you please leave."
After a few more arguments and promises later they wait in the hallway, except for Jesse whose hand I desperately clung to. I then turn my attention the Dr...Whatever.
"Look, I don't know who you are – Nor do I care. But you cannot just come in here and ruin my life – No!" I scream out as he goes to interrupt, "Don't you dare! I have spent years protecting my poor mother from the truth, and you just come in and...ugh! Who are you? Who are you really? Are you one of us?"
"One of us?" He seems puzzled. "There are more with your abilities?"
"If you do not know, don't waste my time."
"I simply want to know what you can do. I can promise you a well paying job that can help a lot of people."
"I already help a lot of people. I don't have much of a social life." I joke.
"Please Mis – Suze. I'm sure – "
"She told you no." Jesse said harshly.
"Hmm...As well as your gift Suze, I'd like to enquire about you, young man. Where do you fit in? I know that your documented history is fake..."
I watch Jesse's face as he glowers at the doctor and as my face drops once again.
"My life is no concern for you credo, and I suggest you leave before I remove you, forcibly."
I think he begins to realise it's a lost cause. "Very well, give my regards to your family, and I'm sure we will speak again soon."
He leaves and I collapse against the pillows and fall asleep quickly to Jesse humming.
I'll take care of my parents later. And Doctor...Doctor...ugh! What-ever-his-name-is!
Translations:
Credo = pig
