The Experiments

Chapter 12

When I woke up the next day, I realized I was the last one up. Everybody was eager to get back to work. On the table next to my bed, I found a plate of food. Alexander brought it to me. I took a piece of toast and ate quietly, listening to the excited chatter of the others.

"Reagan, I have a question for you." I jumped. Johnny came up to me and I somehow didn't notice. What's the point of feeling vibrations if I don't pay attention?

"Yeah, sure," I said.

"Is something going on between you and Simon?" Anger was evident in his voice.

"What do you mean?"

"Well he kissed your cheek yesterday."

"Is that what he did?" I asked incredulously. "I really don't know what a kiss means, Johnny, but I don't think anything is going on.

"A kiss is a touch with the lips to show... affection." He informed. "And it really seems like something's going on. Anyway, finish eating, then get to work. Ryan needs you on the Bridge for today." His eyes were sad and something else was there. I didn't know what though.

I nodded and he left. So Simon kissed me? And that's a sign of affection? Isn't affection another word for love? My eyes widened. Simon loved me?

No, he hardly knew me. He liked me. And what was up with Johnny?

I shook it off and finished eating. Ryan needed me and I didn't want to be late.

Arriving on the Bridge, Ty saw me and said, "Captain, Reagan is here."

Ryan turned around and smiled. "Reagan! If feels like it's been forever!" He beamed.

"You saw me yesterday," I said confused.

"Really? It feels longer than that. But anywho, I need your help today. Ty take over while I'm gone, okay? Thanks." Ty didn't even have time to answer before Ryan put a gentle hand on my back and led me to the door.

Ryan led me through winding halls I had never been in before. We came to a stop at two big doors at the end of a hallway. Ryan punched in a code and the doors opened.

Inside there were other rooms that had a bed and only a bed. Except one of them. One of them had Jake Conan in them.

I backed toward the door slowly. "Why is he here?" I asked terrified.

"He's our prisoner. We had a guard capture one of Dr. Forman's guys and bring him here." Ryan said nonchalantly.

"Why do you need my help with him?" I asked, still terrified.

"He won't speak, so I figured a little mind reader could get the information we want." He smiled at me. I nodded. "Good, we need to know what was in the serums they put in you."

I locked into Jake's mind. "Potassium, adrenaline, silicon, and lead." Jake looked mad that I figured that out.

"Lead? Wouldn't that kill you or make you really sick?" Ryan asked.

"They're mutants," Jake angrily stated. Ryan threw his hand up and said, "He speaks!" but Jake talked over him. "They're practically indestructible. A little bit of lead wouldn't kill them."

"We're not indestructible," I shot. "A lot of us are dead. And Dr. Forman wants us dead."

"Boo-hoo." Jake mocked. "You brats weren't supposed to be out of the Compound or Admon."

"Admon?" I asked.

"The planet you were on. Gosh! Don't you stupid kids know anything?" Fired Jake.

"Calm down Conan-" Ryan started.

"NO!" Shouted Jake. "You're the reason all of this got messed up! We finally had a breakthrough and you messed it all up! Those brats should be dead! You should be dead." He pointed a threatening finger at Ryan. "It's a good thing all those kids are dead. It's less kids to track down."

The anger was building up inside me. He kept ranting about how my kind should be dead. Until I snapped.

Or until he snapped.

I snapped his leg with a twist of my hand.