Beyond us

1995, 27th of December

The stars shone and twinkled in the night. The moon hung low and nocturnal animals roamed the area. Five children were fast asleep. Five children were about to experience life changing abilities.

Aria and Ace slept in separate rooms next to each other, toys and clothes scattered around in each. Ace was dreaming, but it wasn't a good dream. It was a nightmare about zombies and all sorts of monsters. Sweat was dripping down his forehead as he twitched occasionally. Suddenly, Aria awoke feeling the fear coming from Ace's direction, the room was starting to become light through the gaps of her curtains as the sun was beginning to rise. Why was she feeling this?

She pushed her love heart blanket off her and her feet made their way to the floor. She rubbed her eyes, trying to get the tiredness away. Aria made her way out of her room and stepped in front of Ace's. She had to check on him. Her hand reached to the door knob and she slowly turns it. Slight whimpering became louder. The door opened with a creak and being a light sleeper, Ace shot up, causing Aria to jump back.

"Ace?" Aria whispered. She continued her journey to Ace's superhero themed bed. Tears were falling from his eyes. Aria jumped on his bed and threw her arms around her shocked and scared brother.

"Ari, I had the worst dream. It was so scary." He sobbed into her shoulder. Aria pulled away but held his hands.

"It's ok.. it's just a dream, I'm here now." Aria said, like her parents have done numerous times before. Maybe it was just a twin thing, how she felt her brothers fear. She dropped the curiosity about the subject when she came to that conclusion. Eventually the siblings fell back asleep on top of each other, as it was way too early for them.

"Ari. Aria. Wake up you nincompoop." Ace softly spoke, shaking her. Aria's eyes fluttered open to the sound of his voice. The smell of bacon and eggs hit her nose straight away. Ace and Aria quietly made their way towards the kitchen. Ace abruptly stopped causing Aria to stop behind him.

"Wha-?" Aria started to speak but was interrupted by Ace's hand on her mouth. They stopped at the door leading into the kitchen but it was slightly opened, letting their parents conversation flow through clearly.

"What does the letter say?" A soft woman's voice asked. There was a rustling and unfolding of paper. A slight cough erupted from a man's mouth.

"It appears there was a meteorite in the forest out back and it had leaked some slime like substance... yaddy yaddy yadda. It says that if anyone had come across it from the time period it was there to contact this number... signed off by E-labs. Oh, and to remain confidential." A rough and tired man's voice spoke. Aria and Ace both looked at each other with wide eyes. The same substance they had put in their mouths like fools? The woman scoffs and laughs coldly.

"The same E-labs that has evidence against them for animal abuse and murder? I don't think so..." She rambled on. Aria wanted to go through and tell them they ate some but Ace put his arm up blocking her and put his finger to his mouth, shushing her.

"Exactly. If that lab wasn't protected by the government, I tell you what, they'd be long gone behind bars." The man agreed.

"Could those kids have come across this slime?" The woman inquired. Arias breathing got heavier and louder.

"Nah, they were just at the park." The man responded. The woman just made a 'hmm' sound, ending the conversation.

"We will meet with the others before we say anything, ok?" Ace whispered to Aria, who nodded in response. They pushed the door open, ready for breakfast.

•

Beer bottle after beer bottle, Antonio put them in a plastic bag, attempting to clean up the dark and messy house, which smelled of vomit and smoke. Once he was convinced he got all the finished cigarettes and other mess, he tied the bag up and approached the door. He noticed a letter on the ground, he dropped the bag beside him and bent down to pick the letter up. It had a logo of a lion head and said 'E-labs'.