Maximum Ride: Stay Beautiful

Chapter 2: "Isabelle"

a little girl plays with her dolls in her room as motion cameras watch her silently.

In the room next door five white coats monitor her, observing her actions carefully. A woman white coat stands in front of a huge one way mirror that shows the little girl's room on the other side.

"how old is she?" the woman asks out loud.

one male white coat turns slightly in this chair "She'll be five years old next month"

"mentally how old is she?" the woman asks just as the lead white coat walks in.

"she has the mental capacity of someone far beyond her age, but she acts her age at times to... feel in her definition... normal"

he stands next to her smiling then holds his hand out "Dr. James Templeton at your service, the little one calls me Daddy"

the woman notes that and shakes his hand "Dr. Rachel Skylar, I was told this subject-"

"her name is Isabelle and I would appreciate if you addressed her by her name during your time here" Templeton said defensively.

Skylar raises an eyebrow "you've given her a name?"

"or course not" he pauses turning towards the door to leave "her mother named her"

Skylar turns back to the mirror as Templeton enters the girls room.

"Daddy!" Isabelle shoots up running to hug him. She lets go as Templeton gets down on one knee placing his hands on her shoulders "how was your day sweetheart?" he asked.

she tucked a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear, then ran to her desk grabbing a book then gave it to Templeton "I read this book on the science behind stars, its fascinating" she flips it open showing Templeton a picture of a multicolored galaxy of stars "they're beautiful Daddy, I hope one day I can fly under a night sky"

Skylar noted how Templeton's face saddened then quickly changed as he stood grabbing her hand "come on, it's time for you to meet someone"

Templeton lead Isabelle to a small room connected to hers where two guards greeted her warmly "good morning, angel face" one of the guards said warmly as he clipped shackles to her wrists and ankles. she smiled back "good morning Tom" she said sweetly "how are things at home? have you told your wife about that girl you slept with last week?" the guards face tensed as the other let out a chuckle as Templeton lead her into the hallway "Isabelle, what did I tell you about reading peoples thoughts?" he said angrily "see, childish acts like that is the reason why the big guys upstairs wont let you begin your assignment"

Isabelle could feel the anger radiate of him "I'm sorry Daddy, but men like him make my tummy turn"

Templeton sighs he pats her head as they make it to a set of doors.

Templeton opened the heavy cell-like door leading to another room where Skylar sat across a table smiling at Isabelle. Templeton sat her across the table. "we'll be in the other room" is all he said as he kissed Isabelle on the head then exited leaving Skylar and Isabelle somewhat alone.

"Hello Isabelle" Skylar said "My name is Rachel, I work for-"

Isabelle closed her eyes then opened them, her once Blue eyes were now pure white as she looked up at the ceiling "Rachel Skylar, age twenty four, height five six, blood type o negative, born and raised in New York, you have two older brothers, your father died when you were seven in a car crash hit by a drunk driver, you work for the Criminal Investigation Agency also known as the C.I.A. you specialize in sociology and..." her eyes turned back to blue, her eyes beaming directly into Skylar's

"you know where they're keeping my mother"

"Isabelle, you can't let Sarah out!" Templeton said over an intercom "please stay calm... please do it for daddy"

she closed her eyes for a few seconds then they shot back open now crimson colored, her hair now fiery red

"shut it pops, I just want to have a little chat with her" with a flick of her wrist her shackles shatter into a million pieces.

"w-who is Sarah?" Skylar asks out loud, her voice trembling in fear.

"listen Skylar, Isabelle suffers from split personality disorder, her other personality calls herself Sarah"

"yup, that about covers it" Sarah agrees.

"Luckily, when she becomes Sarah she becomes completely blind" Templeton added "just hang in there Skylar we're going to get you out, just keep her calm till then"

"don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you..." Sarah stretches out her wings slightly as she jumps onto the table sitting down criss cross only inches from Skylar "not yet anyways, I need what's in there" Sarah points to Skylars head then quickly places her hand on her head. both of their eyes turn white as Sarah extracts her memories. the white coats try to get in but they are unable to make the door budge even the slightest. Sarah suddenly lets go of Skylar who gasps for air then falls to the ground passed out.

Sarah's eyes slowly begin to turn back blue as Isabelle takes back over.

she does nothing except begin to cry as the white coats bash through the door out of breath, Daddy rushes to Isabelle wrapping her in a warm embrace.

(later that day)

"my deepest apologies Skylar, we were so sure that Serah was... stable enough for outside human interaction" Daddy apoliges shaking Skylar's hand as she holds her forehead with her other hand

"I'm fine...I just..." she shakes her head as if something was wrong with her head "I'm quitting this assignment, if you want someone to handle that... Freak! You're gonna have to call someone else! Good day sir" she storms out without another word. Daddy shakes his head then punches the wall furiously.

"Dammit!" He yells through his teeth, he heads down the hallway to the experiment room swiping his key card allowing him in. He enters a dark room filled with different machines and rows and rows of animal cages stacked on top of each other. He walks slowly up to a special cage that sat in the middle of the room, a black sheet draped over it.

"I see the light still hurts your eyes" he crouches down on one knee with one hand on top of the cage

"Daddy...?" A faint whisper echoes through the room

"Yeah it's me pumpkin" he whispers back

"How is... Isabelle?"

"Oh she's fine, never been better" he lies "actually you both are being released in a few days"

Izzy gasps "w-what? Really?"

"Yes, it'll be best if from now on you both were in the hands of maximum ride and her flock, if not I'm afraid they're getting ready to terminate but you and Isabelle"

Izzy shifts in her cage "so... You weren't able to control her after all..."

Daddy nods "I'm so sorry sweetie-"

"Quit... You don't have to keep apologizing"

"I know I just... I wish I could've done more for not just you and Isabelle but for your whole flock"

"Daddy..." Izzy squeezes her hand through a bottom bar catching his attention, he holds her hand reassuringly "I'm going to make it up to all of you, I promise sweetie"