Project Radioactive

Meet Marcus

I got 2 more visits from men in chemical suits. The men explained how I got here after a group of firefighters found us at the scene of a forest fire. Our condition was mysterious to doctors and once it was found that we were covered in radioactive chemicals we were brought to the lab for further treatment. The meteorite was somewhere in the building being studied for extra information on what could have been exposed to us.

Apparently my parents weren't allowed to see me in person due to all of the dangers of radioactivity, but I found that out by reading their minds. I could imagine my dad, a highly respected doctor fight for the right to see Marcus and me. I also found out that Marcus saw mom and dad twice a week, but he was behind a thick glass. As the "recovered", the scientists homeschooled him, Jayden, and Zander because apparently mom complained about us being out of school. Now that I was able to move with less pain, I noticed doors on either side of the bed. One of the doctors told me that they lead to Jayden and Marcus' rooms. Zander's was connected to Marcus'. The lab also had a tiny kitchen for us with food in sealed plastic to keep it from also becoming radioactive.

As cool as the lab sounded, it felt like prison.

I wasn't allowed to get out of bed until the word was given, and that hadn't come yet. I couldn't pick the wires poking out of me and the TV was broken. I thought that I could lighten the mood by counting floor tiles, 576 to be exact, but that just made me super bored.

That's when Marcus came in. I realized that since it's been 3 months, his seventeenth birthday already passed.

"Oh thank God you're awake," Marcus said. He wore sweatpants and a grey tshirt. and his hair was freshly cut, looking like he always did every morning. He sat on the edge of my bed and rubbed his thumb against my forearm. "Mom and Dad have been so worried."

"Good to see you too." I noticed a scar that went from his chin, down his neck, and stopped at his collarbone. Other than that there was no sign of injury.

Marcus looked at me in the eye, serious now. I hope she wasn't affected like the rest of us, he thought. These powers are messing with us all.

"Can I ask you something?" he said. If I noticed right after I woke up, did she too?

"Marcus," I said, totally trusting my brother, "The doctor said that you guys got powers after the incident, is that true?"

Shit, he thought. Now what am I supposed to say? I mean it's not like I can just say that I have superhuman speed or the other things. "He did now?" Marcus said out loud.

"Marcus, I think that I'm not normal either," I said, deciding that I should be the one to break the ice.

Darn it! What sick thing did that stupid rock do?

"That stupid rock is somehow putting voices in my head. I can hear your thoughts, and do you really have superhuman speed?" I asked.

Marcus stared at me blankly. "What fish am I thinking of?" he asked.

"Sushi," I said instantly. Marcus nodded.

He put a hand on his forehead. "I can't control it much now, but over the last six weeks I've gotten better. Apparently we are mutants now, and whatever hit us has bond with us on a cellular level. Jayden already told me that you found out about her ability, and Zander hasn't come to see you yet." I guess its better that way...

I may not be an expert at boys, but it felt as if Zander was dangerous in Jayden and Marcus' eyes. Marcus stood. "He wants to come in, though. He's been waiting for you to wake up for three weeks now."

"Then tell him that I want to see him," I said.

"Not now. He's not allowed to leave his room, but when you can walk you two can meet." I looked at Marcus harder, trying desperately to pry information from his mind.

Suddenly, he fell down in pain, both hands pressed on his head, screaming. Jayden ran in and put her hand on his neck.

"Marcus!" I yelled desperately.

You did this. A voice that wasn't familiar said in my head. You will never be safe around people with your curiosity. Don't do that again.

Okay, so if I wasn't freaking out before, I was totally now. Marcus stopped yelling, but he trembled on his knees while holding his head between his hands. Jayden stroked his shoulder, trying to sooth the pain with her touch.

Two doctors came in, but one was wearing a white chemical suit rather than yellow like the rest. "Hilton, are you okay?" he asked Marcus. My brother nodded.

"Headache, sir," he said quickly. Insanely painful headache, he added without saying it.

Maybe an MRI, but he could be right, wait no he's rubbing his nose, yep, he's lying, oh well. I'll monitor his brain tonight. The man in white's thoughts trailed off after that. He turned to me and I backed closer to the wall in panic.

"No need to be afraid, dear," he said. I recognized his German accent from the speakers from when I first woke up. "I'm Dr. Tanner, and I'll do everything I can to help you recover."

I didn't need superpowers to tell that he was lying.