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Chapter 12

The boy was lying across the bottom of the tank, struggling against bonds around his wrists and ankles. He had longish brown hair and was dressed in jeans and trainers but was naked from the waist up. Needles dotted his arms and electrodes sat attached to his bare chest. A bluish liquid surrounded him and Otto was surprised that he hadn't drowned yet.

The boy twisted and pulled against his restraints. Liquid sloshed out onto the floor. Then suddenly he glanced up and his blue eyes found Otto watching through the glass. A shock passed through him, safe inside his room and he stumbled back a few steps as if he'd been physically hit.

The boy was identical to him. So Laura had been telling the truth. He had a twin brother. Rick... and he was about to be experimented on.

The boy frowned at him and bubbles rose from his lips. Across from them, the blond man looked up and caught sight of Otto. His eyes widened in anger. For a second nobody moved.

Then suddenly Otto reached forward and slammed his palm against a large red button. The door to his room that lead into the little lab swished open and he ran through it, gun raised.

The first bullet hit the tank and it imploded, shards washing onto the floor with the release of the liquid. The second bullet hit the panel to the side of the other door leading into the room with the blond man inside. Sparks flew and the door held fast.

"You took your time!" Rick shouted at him, half coughing up water.

Otto ignored him and pulled at the buckles on his bonds. With some effort he managed to undo them and his brother swung off of the table. Behind him, he could see that there was chaos in the other room.

"Come on!" Rick cried, pulling on the boy's arm. Together they sprinted through two doors and into the corridor, frantically gazing left and right.

"Which way?" The older boy asked. Otto looked at him, uncomprehending.

"Oh my gosh!" Rick continued. He gripped his brother by the arm once more and ran right, just as bullets flew through the air behind them. They quickly ducked around a bend, choosing their path randomly.

As the pursuing footsteps began to fade, Rick glanced back and stopped. He hurriedly opened a nearby door and shoved Otto in before him, closing the door quietly behind them both.

"Sir? There's an orange glow up ahead." The pilot said, peering into the gloom of the trees below. Nero was stood behind him, also scrutinising the skyline. It did seem that there was a bit too much light on the horizon, especially since it was way too early for the sun to be rising.

"Land us here then. I'd rather like to be safe than sorry." Nero said, turning away. He descended the stairs leading from the cockpit into the main body of the ship, where his three students were waiting.

"So?" Shelby asked, leaning into Wing's shoulder. He was a little pale but otherwise none worse for the possession.

"Nothing. You're staying here, while me and the pilot check out the surroundings." The man replied. He moved over to the back of the aircraft and began rummaging through crates, as the shroud dipped forward. When he next turned around, there was a gun in his hand a spare katana sheathed at his belt.

"You can't stop us coming you know." Laura said, rising to her feet. The shroud touched ground and she moved over to the door to pull it open.

"Wait!" Nero said, gripping her wrist. "This is exactly why I'm not taking you three. You don't know how to behave on something like this and are likely to end up dead. So you're staying right here."

"He's right Laura. We'll only get in the way." Shelby said, eyes averted.

"But..." The red - head petered away. "Fine then. I guess you are the boss." She moved to sit down again and Nero frowned. He hadn't expected them to give up so easily.

There were footsteps and the pilot walked down from the cockpit.

"I've changed my mind. You can stay here and watch over them." Nero said, his voice firm. The pilot looked annoyed to be baby - sitting but nodded all the same.

Nero looked around once more at the three students. They didn't meet his gaze. Then against his better judgement, he pulled open the shroud door and jumped down onto the ground.

The clearing was empty of life. He glanced at the trees around him and the shadows among them. Nothing stirred. With trepidation, he walked into the forest, in the direction of the orange glow. It wasn't long until he found a steel hatch, embedded into the floor, partially hidden by some leaves.

"Otto?" Rick was confused. Back in the corridor his brother had seemed dazed like he'd just seen a ghost or something. Now the boy was sat against the wall, eyes slightly glazed. The two of them had found their way into a little lounge room. There were sofas and a television though if it actually worked underground was anyone's guess. Other doors lead off but they hadn't decided to explore.

"Dude answer me..." Rick said, worried. He dropped to his haunches so that he was at eye level with his brother. Otto finally looked up.

"Laura was right." He whispered.

"Right? Right about what?" Rick asked, wincing slightly from the cuts on his back.

"How can you exist?" Otto said, changing topic. He was frowning, totally at a lost.

"What do you mean 'how can you exist?'? We had this conversation about a week back. Remember in the boarded up house? Near the police station after I got shot and we were attacked?" His brother said, trying to make sense of what was happening.

"No I don't. Was I by any chance electrocuted?" Otto continued.

"Yes. In H.I.V.E. mind's central processing bay. We both were. Why? Because you're seriously freaking me out now."

"I erm..." The boy suddenly looked embarrassed.

"What?" Rick asked, exasperated.

"I sorta lost my memory." Otto finished.

"You what?" Rick asked, eyes widening.

"I lost my memory. Apparently three years of it. And I wrote 'Help Me' on the wall of the Detention centre. But I don't remember doing that either."

"No that was probably me." Rick said, frowning.

"What do you mean that was you?" Otto asked, confused.

"Long story. So wait. You don't know who I am do you?" Rick said with a small smile.

"No. Laura said your name was Rick, but I didn't believe her."

"Why not? She's your best friend."

"Yeah and she also told me that the school was attacked by a giant carnivorous plant." Otto said sarcastically.

"Really? I didn't know that." Rick said, laughing.

"So...?"

"Yes I am your brother. And believe it or not I'm two months older than you so you have to do what I say."

"Two months?" Otto asked, eyes widening.

"Oh yeah. I forgot. You don't know about Overlord. Looks like you'll have to wait until your memory comes back because that story is even longer." Rick said standing up. He held out his hand and after a slight hesitation, Otto grasped it and rose to his feet.

"I have a big brother. You know you have sixteen years to make up for?"

"Yup. I'll try my best. Now..." Rick turned and stopped dead, his eyes widening.

Standing in the doorway of one of the doors leading out of the room was a girl about their age, with brown hair, styled in a french plait and hazel eyes, fiercely burning under her fringe. She was dressed in a pair of shorts, a checkered shirt and hiking boots. Rick gulped. She was pretty. Maybe even beyond that. Then he frowned as he realised that she held her hand out towards them, a gun peeking out from inside her palm.