Changed by Time ✔

four.

"I'm sorry, your parents were two members of the covert op unit?" Nolan questioned in utter disbelief. He continued to stutter as he wasn't sure where to even start with his questions.

"Yes. Twenty-four years ago, volunteers took part in an experiment where they were injected with a substance from an unknown source that was said to give normal humans the powers of gods – the Clover Program. The power to defy nature and rise above it," Wendy explained. "Thirteen of fifty-three volunteers survived the experiment due to a mutation in their genetic code, allowing them to survive the initial effects of the substance."

"And this gave them superhuman abilities?"

"Yes. My father had the power of flight and my mother could emit any vapors of her choosing off her body, whether they would knock out a person for five minutes or kill them in seconds." She let out a sigh and leaned forward against her knees. "It didn't take long for the Clover Program to turn into a covert ops unit."

"So then what happened? A horrible accident? A revolt?"

"Sort of. Three months into the team, the members realized that what they were doing for the government was less than legal. Confronting them led to conflict, and escape led to slaughter."

"Except for your parents."

"Except for my parents," Wendy repeated. "Not too long after their escape, Mom discovered she was pregnant with me. Little did they know that these experimental changes to their body acted like genetic traits."

"Wait," Nolan held up his hands, "are you telling me that you're a superhuman? You have unnatural abilities?"

"Yeah, how do you think I leapt so far and with so much force when I tackled you? I certainly didn't do track or any sports in high school."

"So you can fly?"

"Kind of."

"You can emit vapors off your body?"

"Kind of."

"What do I have to say to get a yes?" Nolan questioned exasperatedly.

"Nothing. I'm not going to fully tell you what my powers are."

"Why not?" Nolan stood up, clear irritation filling his voice. "I've told you the truth about everything and you've certainly told me the truth about others. Why is this the thing you'll hold back on?"

"Because when you leave here and add anything I say to your research project, if that's what this is really for, no one will believe you."

Wendy held her stare with Nolan. He eventually ran a hand through his own hair, pacing around the room.

"Fine, that may be true. But what do you have to gain from all of this?"

"I don't know, Nolan." She leaned back against the couch again, crossing her arms over her chest. "You tell me. What can I gain from this interaction?"

"A chance to find the truth."

Wendy quirked a brow. "What do you mean?"

"Haven't you ever wondered what the source that gave your parents their powers was? I thought that it might've been the origins of superhuman life itself, but it could be the source of these powers instead. Your powers."

"Of course I've wondered," Wendy laughed incredulously. "Anyone with superhuman abilities would wonder how they came to be with these powers."

"Well I don't have superhuman abilities," Nolan stated.

"I've noticed."

"And I'm actually on the brink of discovering just where this source may be. A source that could lead to changes in everything. It could truly change the way we view history – life itself even!"

Wendy grabbed the coffee mugs and stood up from the couch. "Okay, no more coffee for you."

"I'm serious, Wendy!" Nolan grabbed the book and made his way towards the window. "I don't know where your plans will lead you, but I know that I'm here to find out how people are able to defy the laws of nature itself. So, goodbye."

He began to open the window but was stopped as a spoon flew by and smacked his knuckles. He flinched back, letting out a hiss of pain as he held his hand to his chest. He looked back towards direction it came from, finding Wendy in a final throwing position.

"I never said that you could have that book." She made her way over to him, grabbing it from him. "I'm the one who checked it out." The two stared each other down, a smile breaking across Wendy's face. "I guess we're just going to have to work together on this."