Gene XVIII: The Missing

Rough Introductions

1

The warmth of sunlight woke me, along with searing pain. I found myself in the upstairs bathroom. Fire scattered through my bones as I stood.

"Shit."

I balanced myself against the nearest wall. The mirror reflected my face as pale, void of color. All that could classify as proof of life were the streaks of dried crimson on my face. My scar was an open wound again. I knew healing would be horrendous if I didn't get stitches soon.

Limping, I made it out into the hallway. Moving numbed the hurt till I felt okay going downstairs.

"Lily? Jay?" I called out, my voice hoarse.

I was waiting for a response as I wandered. All around me was broken glass, multi-colored solo cups adding to the eeriness. I stopped for a few minutes at a time to ease my dizziness. Unsure of myself and my safety but not wanting to risk abandonment, I searched the house.

It took at least half an hour to look through all the rooms. I could never live here.

My stomach grumbled and groaned for food, but I knew there wouldn't be anything to eat. The stoners raided the food and snacks when I was busy. I realized it too late. But to my surprise, a half drank water bottle remained. My hands shaking, I grabbed it and drank til the last drop.

I caught onto the counter and balanced myself out. Outside, a male figure sat on the deck, head in his hands. I walked toward him.

"Excuse me?" I called out, it came out weak, but his head shot up.

Air ceased to exist the second I saw him. I had to stop moving for fear of throwing up. He looked worse. Almost all signs of life were gone from his face. Even at this distance, he looked more in pain than me. For a split second, I almost felt bad.

"Julian."

"How the hell are you alive?" He stood up, grimacing. "How are you still here?"

My mouth opened to speak, but nothing came out. Instead, I heard other voices approaching. They came from the side the beer pong tables stood. Once they emerged, I recognized them as the rest of his friends, Kasen, Finnick, and Ash. Kasen was the first to spot me; he nudged Finnick and gestured toward me.

"Kasen, what is going on?" Julian demanded, but he got a water bottle like a baby instead of answers.

Finnick approached me, looking grim. "How are you feeling? Thirsty?"

Words didn't seem to want to come out, so I nodded. I joined the rest of them by the deck. They all seemed as beaten up as Julian and I, except Kasen, whose clothes were damp with water.

"Is anyone going to tell me how this bitch is here?!" Julian complained

It must have been the after-effects of shock that led me to giggle at that. Because in the past, that was not my usual response to his temper tantrums. Finnick offered me a comforting smile.

"Julian shut up for once in your goddamn life," Ash grunted as he pulled his bag off his back and onto the wooden table. After unzipping it, he pulled out his laptop and sat on the spacious white day bed. Kasen handed the rest of the water out to everyone. Not meeting his eyes, I took mine and sat on an empty stretched-out pool chair.

"What's your full name, Haven?" Ash asked, peering up from his screen.

It took concentration to speak, "Haven Jade Black." My throat felt dry and scratchy, so I relished the water. Ash continued to type as the others waited. "Okay, so here's what I got. I'll skip the basics and jump right into what you want to know. Her mother, Beatrice Black, went missing last year this time. She worked in the fashion world, designing clothing for celebrities."

"She survived the smoke like the rest of us, meaning there is a high chance she has the gene. Her mother is part of the missing, so it couldn't have come from her. My guess is the Father, but I can't be sure without blood work."

Julian groaned. "Great. Great! My ex got the gene. Does that mean she's one of us?"

"It means nothing," Kasen said, pulling a gun from his back pocket. Finnick jumped up and knocked it out of his hand. "Finn, she's going to be a problem. Don't make this difficult."

The rush of fear hindered my ability to run. I was stuck behind Finnick's back.

"You said no more killing innocent people, remember?"

"Need I remind you, the only reason we're even doing all this with the Missing is for you, for Carmen! Stop wasting your time helping someone you don't know. The more time we waste gives Damian and his cousins time to continue their shit!" Kasen argued.

From that rant alone, I knew they knew more about the missing. I needed to find a way to convince them I was worth keeping alive.

I cautiously stepped out from Finnick's protection and into the open, "I could help you guys." I croaked.

Good job with the confidence Haven.

At my words, Julian fell into a fit of laughter. Like nails on a chalkboard. Kasen looked down at me, his pale blue eyes narrowing.

"You're nothing but a drunk party girl,"

I wouldn't have seen him pulling out another gun if I hadn't known better. I caught it in time to disarm him and shoot Julian in the arm. His new wound silenced his amusement.

Much better.

Kasen's eyes flashed red before he hit my wrist so hard the gun clattered. He swung my arm behind me and pulled it up, and pain shot up my shoulder. Now bent over, I spotted a shard of glass on the floor, grabbed it, and sliced at his exposed leg. He let my arm go, and I scrambled to the floor, picking up both firearms.

I got up. My eyes flickered up at Kasen's glare.

This time when I spoke, it came out clear. "In your research about me, did you notice I also went missing for three months this past year?"

Ash nodded.

"And I didn't have this scar when I came back. Am I right?"

They all looked to Ash for confirmation. "Haven Black, daughter of fashion icon Beatrice Black, went missing for three months. Recently returned with a noticeable scar..."

"Why didn't you mention any of this in the beginning?" Finnick asked, but Ash did nothing but shrug. "Whatever. Is this enough reason to keep her alive?"

The soft mutters of Julian in pain eased the lines on Kasen's face. He approached me and took the guns from my hands in slow, methodical movements. Before returning to me, he clicked the safety on for both and handed them to Finnick. His gaze wasn't angry anymore; it was soft.

"You're in 'cause you shot Julian," His smirk was getting close to a grin, but he held it back. He offered his hand to me, and I took it. "But, if you ever pull that shit again, you're dead, along with your mother and friends."