Last But Not Least

~3~

Douglas POV

***

As Krane drove me to my new home, I couldn't help but feel bad and guilty the more the words Donnie said to me rung in my head, sticking with me, every word. He was right. Why did I ever build that stupid machine? I was envious and jealous, but why does that poor kid have to suffer because of my stupidity?

I began subconsciously scratching my arm and I stared out the window, my eyes scanning over the trees of a giant forest and a large field that stretched out further than I could see. The ride was bumpy because of the gravel road but I didn't care. Guilt was eating me alive.

I looked at Victor, who was in the drivers seat beside me, and couldn't help but glare at him, hoping he sensed the uneasy tension radiating from me. This was partially his fault. I had no intention on pressing the button and then he goes and kills my son.

I'm so sorry Chase.

I feel something on my arm and I turn unexpectedly to see Victor with his hand on my arm, a sad smile on his face as he gave me a look of sympathy. I scoffed and returned my attention back to the beautiful forest outside.

"I will do everything in my power to find an antidote." He said, fixating his eyes on the road once again. I shifted in my seat and turned to him quizzically. "Why would you press the button?" I asked. "Even if you want to find an antidote so badly, why do the mess in the first place?"

His hand squeezed my arm harder and I could tell he meant to hurt me. I snuck a glance at him and almost turned my attention away, for his glare was locked on me and he did not look nice. His eyes burned with power and I gulped, shrinking into my seat.

"I want you to know that I am in charge." He growled, his voice sending shivers down my spine. "You will give me power, and I will achieve great things for us. That, is why I pressed the button."

I nodded hastily, relaxing once his hand was removed from my arm, and I rubbed it, the pain beginning to kick in. It wasn't unbearable but I did sting.

I turned my attention back to the wilderness beside me and tried studying each tree, taking in the greens and blues and pinks of the flowers. It was stunning.

The car was driving to the end of the forest when it made a sharp turn into the forest itself. The more I squinted, the more I could see the hidden path, and the more I smiled about it. If you were driving by, you'd have to really focus on it to see it. That was cool, I thought.

The car stopped in front of a modern looking black house that seemed to melt into the surroundings, barely noticable. The sky was beginning to darken and the trees began to make me feel uncomfortable and uneasy as I got out of the car and walked around, stretching my legs after such a long trip. At least twenty four hours we spent in the car.

Victor stood at the front door and placed his hand on a pad beside the door, scanning his hand as a lock clicked and the door opened in a swift swing, and he stepped inside. I scrambled to make it in before the door swung shut and locked, making me feel less safe by the moment.

"Alright, the first door to the left is my room. And it is off limits." Victor barked, taking off his shoes. "The first door to the right, however, is the lab. There is a bed and clothes for you, along with all the equipment you will need to give me bionics." His rigid laugh filled the air and I cringed, refraining from covering my ears. "Now get to work."

I nodded shakilly as he sauntered into his room, swinging the door shut as I hesitantly walked into 'my room' and closed the door behind me, quickly turning on the lights.

As I looked around, I couldn't help but feel at home. The walls were painted camo, and the bed had blue covers and sheets, with a large chest at the foot of the bed containing clothes for me to wear. The lab part of the room had metal scraps, wires and tools, plus everything else I needed.

I sat down on the bed and pulled out my phone, sighing as I set it beside me. The screen lit up and I turned to it, seeing my screen saver as me and Donnie holding Adam, Bree and Chase, proud smiles on our faces as the photo was taken. I smiled and felt sadness and guilt build up in my stomach along with grief and anger. Donnie kicked me out of his life, and now I won't ever see the kids. And Chase...

He'll die. In maybe ten or more years, his death will take place, and he will die a painful and slow death. And I will be stuck here, giving bionics to that lying dirtbag of a man who blackmailed me.

I sighed and picked the phone up in my hands, hovering over Donnie's number, torn on whether or not I should call him and tell him about what happened to Chase, but half explain it wasn't all my fault. He'd never trust me agin, but the kids life was hanging by a thread, and I needed to turn that thread into a bungee cord.

I clicked the button and squirmed in my seat as I waited for Donnie to pick up, also half expecting it to go to voicemail.

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

"This is the Donald Davenport, famous inventor, billionaire, and all that jazz. Please leave a message after the beep for Donald Davenport, the Donald Davenport. Thank you on behalf of Davenport Industries run by me, Donald Davenport, famous inventor. Bye now."

I heard a beep and I cleared my throat, my voice catching in my throat for a second as I pondered what to say.

"Listen, Donnie. I know what happened was bad and you may think it was all my fault but it wasn't." I lowered my voice. "I made a machine that sends a deadly virus to Chase's chip that could possibly take ten or more years to give him a slow and painful death." I paused. "But I didn't press the button. I never wanted to. By this guy I'm working with now pressed it and now Chase will die." I sighed. "I know you think I'm a bad person, but I want you to know that I am sorry."

I was about to hang up when I heard shuffling and a sigh on the other end, followed by Donnie's voice. "Why did you make it in the first place then?"

I smiled, knowing I got somewhere by talking to him. At least he wasn't ignoring me, granted I did practically kill Chase but still. "I don't know. I was caught up in our fights and I made it out of pure anger and hatred. I truly am sorry."

He sighed again, shuffling coming from the other side, followed by (in a muffled voice), "Shhh, Bree go to sleep. Yes, everythings fine. No, Chasey isn't going to die. Shhhh. Night."

I smiled slightly to myself before Donnie's voice came back, crisp clear. "Sorry bout that. I can tell your sorry but..." He sighed, "you keep pulling my family in danger and-and I just think it's best if you stay out of it. I'm sorry Douglas, just please stay away. Thank you for everything. Goodbye."

And the line went dead. I dropped my phone and was barely aware of Victor calling my name as shock filled my body. Feeling like trash, I picked up my phone and smashed it on the floor, shrugging it off. I could just fix it later. Those were the perks to being an inventor.

I stared at the wall as the two words played over and over in my head, making me feel so useless and weak.

His family.

His.

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