The infected

9. Maxwell

JACOB

The elevator door opens and they step into the third floor. They walk past the logo with the little golden writting spelling out Knight Pharmaceuticals. They spent several days workshoping that name before Elena finally agreed on this one. She's walking ahead of him now as focused and driven as always.

"Hey you remember the day we finally picked the company's name?" He asks.

Elena doesn't look back but he can hear the smile in her voice.

"You had the worst ideas" she says.

Jacob catches up to her and they walk side by side.

"I don't know. I still think Knight medicals is way better."

Elena laughs.

"Yeah, sure it is" she says.

Sarcasm, a trait Elena clearly passed on to their children. They reach the door with people stepping out of the way when they seem them comming. A man steps out of the conference room and blocks their path.

"Andrew, what's wrong?" Elena asks.

Andrew shifts nervously on the spot.

"There's someone waiting for you in there. He's...not friendly." He says.

Jacob takes a peek behind him amd sees a man sitting alone.

"Who is he?" Jacob asks.

"He says he's an old friend of yours. Security checked him out and found nothing." Andrew says.

Elena turns to Jacob and judging by the look she doesn't know who it might be either.

"We'll talk to him. Just make sure we're not disturbed" Elena says.

Andrew nods and steps aside. Jacob opens the door for Elena and they walk into the conference room. When the door shuts behind him Jacob takes one look at the man and the blood in his veins turns cold.

"Hello doctors. How lovely to see you both again." He says.

The sound of his voice triggers memories Jacob has tried most of his life to bury for good. The horrible pain in his arm, Jasons crying and the slipper muddy road.

"What the hell are you doing here" as the words spill out of him the fear from his memories turns to anger.

Maxwell stands up slowly. He's always been intimidating, it's the first thing you notice about him. When they first met him he has this essence to him of authority and raw physical power. He's huge with muscles that stretch his black suit, he's eyes are brown like Jason. But while Jasons eyes reflect happiness and joy Maxwells eyes instill fear.

"Oh come now doctor. We all knew this day would come eventually. Or were you really expecting me to leave you alone after you stole from me" he says.

Anger pulses within Jacob and he takes a step foward ready to charge. Elena puts her hand on his chest and glares at Maxwell.

"It's been 16 years Maxwell, our son is too old for you to take him from us anymore." She says her voice stern amd calm.

Elena has always possed the ability to stay calm in moments of extreme distress, it's one of the things Jacob admires most about her.

"You have a lot of nerve, considering how the boy never belonged to you in the first place." Maxwell says.

Voilence. It seems to radiate around him like an aura, Jacob has seen first hand how out far that voilence can push Maxwell. He'd be damned if he's going to allow him anywhere near Jason.