B27 Logs (DISCONTINUED)

[09:34]

I was pretty sure I was wearing a rut on the floor.

Nelson: She'll be fine. Her side was resealed, her vitals are normal, and Lacy didn't get a single drop of serum into Ava's body. Relax.

I tensed, glaring at Nelson's indifference.

Benjamin: And if this was Nova? Or Nick?

Nelson sighed.

Nelson: Alright. But, I still don't get why you care about her. She hates you. And, by all rights, you should too.

I sighed, brushing a piece of hair out of Ava's face, trying to find a reason that would satisfy Nelson

Benjamin: I guess, it's a sympathy thing.

Nelson: Sympathy?

I winced, realizing that was still too close.

Benjamin: Never mind. It's not that important, sir.

Nelson, intrigued: No. Continue.

I shook my head, eager to get off the topic and get Nelson out of the damn room.

Benjamin: It's not that important. Besides, I'm sure Lacy is still waiting for her punishment from earlier.

Nelson nodded, knowing he wasn't going to get an answer out of me. He left, probably to either give Ava and I space, (unlikely), or to do something work-related, such as punishing Lacy, (more likely).

After I got her in here, our medics found out her high speeds had caused her side to retear. I had watched them use one of our chemical glues, which was safe for human use, and stuck her back together. Literally.

But it had been hours ago. The test was done at 06:33. I brought her up here at 06:38. And it was now 09:34.

'When is she going to wake up?'

Aw, you do care.

Benjamin, stunned: You're awake?

Ah.. no. Not really. My brain is regaining consciousness. Pain, ow. Shit, that hurts. Ah! Brain!

Uh... Are you okay?

*Sighs* Like I said. Regaining consciousness. I don't have complete control of my thoughts yet.

Oh boy.

Welcome to my life.

Now I remember why I hated having you as my kid.

Fuck you.

I beamed. I may claim to hate Ava, but she has done a lot to make me proud. I might not understand even half of it, or her, but I'm still proud of my daughter.

How are you feeling?

I'm going to let my brain lose control for a couple of seconds. Ow! Side, pain. Shit! OW!

Okay, that answers my question.

Yeah, I know. Ben..?

Yes?

Did I really go 90 mph?

Yes. 91.45.

Oh, man.

Why did you fall? When running?

I don't know, Ben. I guess I got ahead of my feet, or something. I did that when chasing Lacy. Falling, I mean.

Hmm. And yet... going those high speeds doesn't seem to hurt you.

Why am I not surprised you turned this back to the damned experiment bullshit? But yeah. I don't get massively destroyed when I crash. Maybe that's the serum protecting me from the high speeds?

And who's turning this into the experiment?

Oh, fuck you.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

Whoa.

What?

You do have an actual sense of humor. Not just the humor of a psycho that's been on serum for over thirty years.

I felt myself turn defensive, even though I knew she was right.

I'm not a psycho!

You know you don't believe that. And, by me being in your mind, I can tell when you're lying. I can also feel your emotions. You know that your mind's slightly fucked up, Ben. You used to be a sweet, gentle person. At least, that's what I was told. But, I have never met the person I've been told about. Sorry, Ben. But, you're an aggressive person, who takes pleasure in terrorizing people and doesn't care who he hurts to get his job done. Who is even willing to ruin his body, and life even more than what it's already ruined. How you or Deb created such a kind and protective kid, I have no fucking idea. The only semblance I see between either of you in me is your dark hair. That's it, Ben.

You realize I'm the one who carried you here. So your side could be resealed.

And that justifies all the hell you've done the past thirty years? Don't be a fool, Benjamin. Someday, you might win my trust from me. But, as for right now... There isn't any.

Something told me that getting shot would've hurt less than telling me she didn't trust me.

I see. Get some rest, Ava. You should be back in your room in an hour or so.

Thanks, Ben.

I headed out of the room, my mind spinning. 'Ava doesn't trust me.' Those words circled my brain until I got into my office, forcing those thoughts, the thoughts of my daughter, to leave while I did some work.

But, it didn't last long. Ava's words haunted me.

"But, you're an aggressive person, who takes pleasure in terrorizing people and doesn't care who he hurts to get his job done. Who's even willing to ruin his body, and life even more than what it's already ruined. How you or Deb created such a kind and protective kid, I have no fucking idea. The only semblance I see between either of you in me is your dark hair. That's it, Ben."

Is that really what I've turned to, in the past 30 years?

I looked around my office, taking in all the testing equipment, feeling the shame rise. Then as I looked down at the bottles of serum, not completed, I felt the feeling grow.

Only day one, and she's already messing with your head. And you're supposed to be the one who 'does this for a living'.

I sighed, hating that those thoughts came to me, and tried to continue work. I needed to... Before Ava drove me nuts. Off in the distance, I heard Malachi's, one of the younger phantoms, phone ring.

"We're out of cream in the breakroom." He responded.