Chapter 15

Sam looked small and frail as he landed with a thump in the dark room. He didn't move as his limp body hit the hard concrete but his wings still glowed faintly. Max scrambled over to him, leaving Fang sitting in that corner, watching and still trying to pull himself together. She picked Sam up and half dragged him towards the damp mattress. He was barely breathing as she lay him gently on his back, wings spread behind him he lay motionless, but for an occasional wheezing breath and mumbling in his sleep.

Jeb Batchelder walked the corridors of what was soon to be the institute for Higher Living. They would make more miracles of evolution and continue their research into altering human DNA. Even with all this lying before him Jeb couldn't help but think of that prophecy from so many years ago. After all, they had never named any of their experiments but foolishly thinking they were worth something the experiments had named themselves. That boy had chosen Sam but that hadn't worried Jeb. He was a man of science and ignored the nonsense of prophecies and the like. Why should he be worried by that boy naming himself Sam, it was a mere coincidence. So what if the natural born avian human being had exceeded any others in his physical tests? His wings glowing? Surely a trick of the light, merely a difference in his wing fibres and colour. Jeb didn't believe it could be any thing more. No, he thought to himself, being honest for the first time in a long time. Jeb tried to ignore all the signs promised by those savages but there was something inside him that couldn't help but see the truth. These fears sat there, pushed as far as possible to the back of the mind but still that constant itch meant he could never quite settle. His only comfort was the familiarity of those few remaining cells from the previous institute. In a different centre they had been saved from the destruction of a few days ago. These were all he had left to remind him of past triumphs and outwardly that was why they were kept. The reason no one but Jeb knew however went much deeper. They contained his last memories of Ari.

Jeb felt hairs on the back of his neck rise like so many pins prickling their way up his spine. If he didn't know better he could have sworn to have heard feathers rustle. That was impossible. They had them all in custody, even the original Rincanta, one was dead but, no he couldn't have survived the blast, Danny was sent in to the hospital to make sure. Jeb walked on, trying to ignore that growing sense of doubt.

"Agitated sir?"

Jeb spun round at once and froze; the only sound was that of his own quick, panicked breaths.

"You have something, or things that I want" It continued.

"Who are you?" Jeb asked, trying to mask the fear in his voice. The voice whispered,

"Veronica."

"What's wrong sir?" He looked to his right to find a concerned looking officer.

"Yes!" He snapped, confusing the man further.

"Of course I'm fine!" Jeb continued, trying to keep the authority in his quavering voice. The man hoped he was dismissed he turned and walked away. Trying to stop himself from breaking into a run.

Once the interfering officer had turned the corner Jeb turned to face the new window. He calmly observed light filtering through the half-open blinds. He let out a sigh as he saw a personification of his own life in those gaps between bars of light. He'd always tried to stay in the sunlight but had always been drawn to the areas of darkness, there wasn't hope in that place. Now he knew he could never escape that hopelessness, the constant fear and fight. His imagination had whispered her name, that voice said it. Softly, gently but certainly not without an edge of threat.

He knelt in the bars of light and realised how trapped he was. He barely remembered a time of happiness anymore but he knew there must have been a time. In that small recess of his mind there was reserved one shining memory.

"Aaron, can you pass daddy the ball?" Jeb said smiling at his little boy. The little one laughed as his father missed another of his excellent shots. Jeb bundled him up in his arms, making him laugh even more and together they fell to the ground.

"Are you two quite finished?" came a voice from the kitchen. "Lunch is ready."

She came outside, elegant as ever. Even after a child she hadn't lost her figure, she still had that playful spark in her eyes. His Veronica stood there, arms folded in mock frustration. She walked over to her two favourite men who stood up to greet her. Jeb held her head in his hands and kissed her gently on the lips, the way she loved, not too soft, not too hard. Then he embraced them both and was met with more of his child's laughter.

Laughter still ringing in his ears, Jeb stood up slowly. But crumpled back down to his knees faster. All memories after that one were of death, violence and fear. Jeb Batchelder held his head in his hands as he realised he would never be free. He would never be happy again.

Please Review. The next chapter is ready so i'll put it up now too but i've been having problems with uploading so it may take a while. Anyway, enjoy!