Part of the Family

Chapter 2

(Two years later)
     I sit up in my cell as the lights turn on. I rub my eyes as I squint against the harsh, white lights.
    The researchers from the Connections stand on the other side of the glass, observing me.
    "Good morning, Subject V-003," one says, their voice echoing through my room from the intercom, "ready for today's session?"
    I shrug a little, standing up. I tie my hair up with the rubber band again. I rub my eyes a little more.
    "Today's we're being observed by someone you might know," the person gestures to a hooded figure standing next to him, but also somewhat behind, in the shadows, "So, be on your best behavior,"
    I can just barely make out a familiar face from under the hood. I furrow my eyebrows a little.
    "You know what's expected of you. Try not to get banged up this time," the researcher says, "Ready position,"
    I nod a little and move to the small red x of tape in the middle of my cell. I take a deep breath and feel my fingers start to tingle, almost bubble, like the fizz in soda.
    "Whenever you're ready," the researcher says, "You know what we want to know,"
    I nod a little, taking a deep breath, closing my eyes. My eyes open again, but I'm a little bit to my left. I look over at myself. I turn the head of my real form, seeing it turn from my projection's eyes.
    "Good," the researcher says, "getting better with moving while Walking...you're allowed to leave,"
    I nod a little. I move my projection toward the wall of glass, seeing the ghostly, pale blue-green form in the reflection, and I pass through the wall, through a seam in the glass of the windows, standing in front of the researcher. I then turn to the familiar figure, who's still in shadow.
    They look me up and down, impressed. They then look over at my real form, then back to me. "I can see why you call her 'Ghost Walker'," the person chuckles.
    The researcher nods. "It's a cloud of microorganisms that she releases and controls," he says, "like E-001 with the mold. We just perceive it as a 'ghost'. She can see, hear, and feel through it, but cannot speak. She can also change its form at will. We're working on multiple projections and being able to move or affect environments with the projections,"
    The figure nods.
    "Move along, V-003," the researcher says.
    I nod, and imagine a large wolf, feeling the cloud morphing. I shake myself off, and dash down the halls of the salt mines, to the surface. Once in the open, I morph into a large raven, and take flight. I circle around the Baker Estate, looking around. I perch in an open window, seeing Evie in the room.
    She smiles at me, looking much older than I had last seen her. "Hiya, Val," she says, reaching up and petting the back of my head, "spying for the scientists again?"
    I bob my head, nodding.
    "Well...here's for the journey back," she says, holding out a bit of stale bread, "I hope you can come live with us soon, like a proper family,"
    I stare at the bread, feeling my real stomach grumble a little, and look up at her.
    "Oh, right," she says, frowning a little, "Ghosts can't eat...well, can't say I didn't try. You can go back now. Tell them what you need,"
    I bob my head again, and turn away from the window, taking flight again. I fly from the house to the mine again, and into the mines, to the hidden lab. I fly into my real body, my vision going black, briefly. I take a deep breath, my eyes fluttering open. I feel that I start to shake.
    "Very good, V-003," the researcher says, "What did you find?"
    "Evie...er, E-001 is still at the Baker Estate," I say, "she looks much older,"
    The researcher nods.
    "Could I...go in there and talk with her for a bit?" the figure asks, "Ask some questions? You know, for...research purposes?"
    "I don't see why not," the researcher says, "you will be observed at all times,"
    The person nods, muttering, "Yeah, yeah, I know, I know...best behavior, and all that..." and they enter my cell through the door by the windows. He lowers his hood as he approaches me. "Hello, Val..." Lucas says, smiling slightly, "Long time, no see,"
    I gasp a little and take a step back, though my legs feel a little unsteady. "She...she got to you..." I mutter, tears filling my eyes, "...and now you work for them..."
    "But, ain't it great?!" he says, laughing a little, "I'm basically immortal, and can do whatever the fuck I want to who I want!"
    I sigh softly, and hang my head a little. I feel something drip down my upper lip, and drip to the floor.
    He gently grabs my chin, and pulls it up, so I'm looking at him. "Now, don't be like that, Val..." he mutters, "...I'm not really under her influence anymore. The Connections helped me with that, giving me suppressants," He bunches up his sweatshirt sleeve, and wipes my upper lip, leaving a dark stain on the fabric. He looks a little concerned.
    "And...she doesn't know?" I ask.
    "I don't think so," Lucas says, "I'm just...glad she hasn't gotten to you,"
    "She can't," I say, "I'm already the host of a different bioweapon...I can't hold two at the same time...that might kill me..."
    He nods a little. "You know..." he says, gently grabbing one of my hands, "I think you're already way more in control of your abilities than she is. I don't think testing is really needed for you anymore,"
    "What...what do you mean?" I ask, quietly, gripping his hand slightly. I start to feel the adrenaline from using my abilities wear off, feeling more and more tired. I take a shaking breath, and sway a little.
    He furrowed his eyebrows. "What's going on?" he asks. He grabs my elbows, keeping me upright.
    "She expended her energy for today," the researcher says, "she'll fall asleep until it's replenished,"
    "We should have her moved to the house," Lucas says, grabbing my other hand, "we don't need to test her anymore. We already know what she's capable of,"
    There are unsure mutterings from the other researchers.
    I fight to keep my eyes open, and lean forward, my forehead resting on his chest.
    He gently rests his hand on the back of my head, and I feel myself slip from consciousness.
---
(Lucas' POV)
     After putting Valerie in one of the beds in my old room, and covering her with a blanket, I take a step back and sigh. "Jesus, the hell did I get myself into...?" I mutter, rubbing the back of my head, "...she won't be happy about this..."
    "Won't be happy about what, big brother?" Evie says from the doorway.
    I turn around to see her, or a projection of her young self, standing there, her hands behind her back, rocking on her feet a little. "Er...we have a visitor," I say, gesturing to Valerie.
    Evie looks and gasps a little. "Is she here to stay?" she asks, hopefully. She walks forward, standing at the foot of the bed.
    I nod. "I think so, yeah," I say. "What...what is she?"
    "She's like me," Evie says, "but...you already knew that,"
    I pause.
    "I'm not stupid, Lucas," she says, crossing her arms, "I know you're helping the scientists study us. You're still my big brother, though...right?"
    "Of course I am, Evie," I say, hoping she believes me.
    "Really?" she says, "Prove it,"
    "How?" I ask.
    "Hmm...you know that guy with the camera that papa let you keep?" she says, "Kill him. Kill him so I know you still want to be part of this family,"
    "Consider it done," I say, "Don't worry, Evie. You can trust me," I look back at Valerie for a second, then when I look back where Evie was, she's gone.