Link Six (completed)

Chapter 34 - Meet the Scientist

"You guys have grown so much since the last time I saw you," A man of medium height and stature with graying hair says to the kids as he steps through the doorway and shuts the door behind him.

The kids stare at him, no recognition crossing their faces.

"It makes sense that you don't remember me, I haven't seen you guys since you were fetuses." The man continues.

Colton's eyes widen at that statement, finding it very creepy since he doesn't know the context. He exchanges a bewildered look with Leeanna, the only other kid in the room who knows what a fetus is.

"I realize know that they may have come out as mildly creepy. I apologize, shortly after, you two -" He points at Leeanna and Emma. "-were born I received a 10 year sentence. Before that I was all of your mothers' obstetrician."

"What's an obstetrician?" Emma leans over and whispers to Leeanna.

A Doctor that takes care of babies before they're born, Leeanna explains, broadcasting to the rest of her friends as well, in case they also aren't sure.

"But, it's only been nine years," Rhea points out.

The man smiles secretively. "Nine years is long enough."

Leeanna frowns when she hears his thoughts and relays it to the others. I think he's the boss, the people here broke him out of jail.

"What do you want from us?" Emma cries, the understanding that this man is an escaped convict scaring her even more.

"From you?" The man chuckles a little. "I don't want anything from you. I want you."

"Since you already have us, are you going to tell us why you want us?" Colton asks pointedly.

The man looks at him with a queer smile. "It's amazing how you've turned into such an intelligent young man. Your mother and father sent me a photograph of you and your sister as newborns. You two were beautiful babies. I'm terribly sorry about your father, by the way. That must have been very hard for your mother."

That comment strikes a nerve in Colton.

"Don't you dare pretend you care about my mother after what you're putting her through!" Colton cries angrily, seeming about to strike the man, but Emma reaches out and puts her hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

"Don't," She whispers.

Colton takes a few deep breaths and allows Emma to push the anger out of him.

"I'm sorry if that seemed rude," The man says with a proud smile. "But, I have to say it's nice to see you guys using your abilities so surreptitiously. If I didn't know you have them I wouldn't suspect a thing."

Rhea narrows her eyes at the man, growing increasingly wary each second he talks. "How did you even find out about our abilities?"

The man laughs as if Rhea had said something hilarious. The kids exchange many uneasy looks. When the man composes himself, he looks directly at each of the kids, then his eyes settle back on Rhea.

"I knew about your powers before any of you knew you were going to have them, Rhea. Because, wait for it," He pauses for dramatic effect. "I'm the one who gave them to you."