There's something wrong with Phoebe

23 - Jack

It had all come together so spectacularly. My amazing girls had caused six explosions, and though police were now hunting me and Phoebe down, and maybe the other girls, nothing could stop us. We’d raised the awareness we’d needed. My family, if they weren’t dead, would notice what had happened. They’d always been such avid readers of the newspaper and always watched the news on television daily. They’d regret what they’d done.

“Mum, this will change lives!” I insisted, holding out the loaded syringe.

“I don’t want you taking that anywhere near anybody. It’s not right. We raised you as a good Christian boy; you’re not going to go around changing the human form!”

“Not changing but enhancing,” I stressed. “And you will live for twice the length, your bones will be stronger, reflexes quicker, muscles grow tougher and your memory and ability to learn things will increase by two thirds! If not more!”

“You learnt this by testing on animals, David,” said my Dad, in his usual monotonous voice.

“The way all drugs are tested.”

“There’s no proof this will work on humans.”

“Dad! We use animals with a similar genetic make-up to ourselves to see the effects!”

“Are you insulting humans by saying we are on the same level as an animal?” Dad spat.

“Our basics are the same. Like a shirt. They’re made the same but it is the quality of material used that makes it good or bad. I aim to improve the quality of the human form.”

“I won’t allow you to continue with this, David, and that’s the end of it,” said Dad, rising slowly to take the power.

“I need the investment to continue working on it!”

“How’s this for an investment, David? Three million pounds for you to shut up, walk away and get on with your life away from our family? You’ve already tainted our image but telling a drugs company you are going to revolutionise humans. I’ll write you a cheque, and you’ll leave in the morning.”

“I will succeed,” I said firmly.

“You’ll fail, David. Like you do at everything.”

“My humans will be the greatest race this Earth has ever seen.” The idea clicked in my head then. “Nobody will stop us.”

“Us?”

“I will find people to work with me. We shall take over this place because nobody would ever listen to us. Look out. I considered six different careers before choosing this one, right? Look out for six little signs that this was the right one.” My Dad shook his head, bewildered.

“I don’t understand.”

“Of course you wouldn’t. Now give me my cheque so I can walk out of your life.”

I’d gone over that night again and again in my head. I’d slowly packed up my belongings into a small suitcase. There wasn’t much I wanted to take with me. Most things held memories I would not want to keep with me throughout life. I was starting afresh, away from them all. And now I had my six little signs, and my army. I just had to wait and see what would happen now.

Finally, we reached the end of the tunnel. “Here we are girls,” I said, turning and smiling at them. They’d been chatting the whole way here. I had barely even realised. I’d been too engulfed in my own thoughts. I lifted up the little round, copper circle in the ceiling, moving it to the right as bright light filled the tunnel. I squinted as I pulled myself up. I was back in my bedroom.

The girls all followed me out and we walked out of my room and into the teaching room where we were met to thunderous applause. I grinned, taking a bow and holding my arm out to Phoebe. She did a delicate curtsy, rolling her eyes.

“It wasn’t easy for our Phoebe,” I said when the noise died down. “Her family were very….eager to include her.” Everyone in the room laughed though I noticed Phoebe smiled tightly. “She did the job though, and finally, I am pleased to say, we’ve completed phase one!” There were cheers again with everyone throwing their arms in the air and jumping up and down.

“What’s phase two, Jack?” said Vanessa.  

“We wait,” I replied, and everyone in the room frowned.

“To be found?” Phoebe said.

“Sort of,” I said, grinning.

“We’re going to turn ourselves in after all the damage we’ve done,” said Selina, lip quivering.

“No. My parents are going to find us.”

“I thought you said old family didn’t matter,” Lily said, narrowing her eyes. “Which is why Phoebe killed hers.”

“I never told you my story, did I?” They all shook their heads simultaneously. “That will have to wait for another day.” The room broke out into chatter before I raised my hand and they all stared at their feet. “My parents will be here in the next hour. You must all stay quiet down here for that time, as the police may come looking for you all. So stay here.” And then I walked to the door which led upstairs to ground level. There was silence as I walked up the stairs, breathing slowly, and as I shut the door behind me, still not a sound was made. I could tell the trust I’d instilled in them so strongly these past few years was slipping away. I just needed to manipulate them a little longer. They were the perfect army, and I needed them.