TNG: Iblis, the First Hero

Chapter 2: Genesis (Part II)

Genesis, Part II

Cid and his parents were now gathered in the living room. Mr. Rodgers was the first to break the silence.

"Okay... So I'll start things off by saying that I am a research agent for your mother's science lab..." he declared.

Well I guess I know what he does now, Cid told himself, nodding in response to his father's statement.

His mother was the next to speak. Sighing, she began her statement. "There was an accident at the Oracle Science Center, where your father and I work. The entire building is in flames..."

Cid failed to see the significance of the statement, and it showed on his face.

His mother continued, ignoring obvious look of confusion. "So... Your father and I are most likely unemployed now," she continued, obviously hesitating.

Mr. Rodgers scoffed and shook his head. Becoming flustered, Mrs. Rodgers began to have a breakdown.

"I'm trying to tell him, okay?!" she practically shouted.

At that point, Cid could make out tears forming in his mother's eyes. She was crying, something Cid had neither seen, nor heard of her doing. Then, his mother stood up from her chair and calmly walked to the basement stairs, disappearing into the basement and slamming the door behind her.

Mr. Rodgers sighed, "She told me she was ready, Cid. We'll try again tomorrow," he explained.

Cid was becoming impatient... "Dad? What's going on? Why did mom freak out? Mom never freaks out. Now I'm freaking out. How come you aren't freaking out? How can it be so bad that it is making even mom cry?" he asked, desperate for answers.

Mr. Rodgers shook his head. "This is not my story to tell. I have been against it from the beginning, but it was over my head. Your mother will tell you when she's ready."

"So I'm not adopted, right?"

Mr. Rodgers chuckled warmly as he stood to leave. "No, you are not adopted. You are our biological child, through and through," he declared reassuringly. He placed his hands on Cid's shoulders. "Your mother will tell you when she is ready. I promise you."

Reassured somewhat, Cid nodded to show that he did understand. It was something that only his mother could tell him.

"We love you, kiddo, and we only want what's best for you," his father said, which was profound because Cid's parents had never even mentioned the word love, even to each other. It was then that Cid detected a hint of sorrow, of resignation, in his father's façade, bringing that sinking feeling back to the pit of his stomach.

This must be really bad, Cid told himself, trying to think rationally despite the overwhelming surge of emotion he was feeling, but to his father he said "I know, and I understand."

With that, his father nodded and made his way to the basement door, presumably in an attempt to talk to his mother. Cid then stood up to make his way upstairs.

He entered his room and flopped on his bed. He then found himself staring at the wall, lost in his own thoughts. What are they trying to tell me? It's bad enough that they lost their jobs, but they make it seem like their current unemployment is the good news... What could be worse than that? And how could it be so bad that it made my mother, the "woman who never cries" completely lose her mind?

If the Science Center was on fire, then it'll be on the news, he deduced.

He turned on the television and flipped to the news channel. The screen glowed bright orange as a large burning building appeared on the screen. The blonde reporter at the scene seemed frantic. The adrenaline and excitement was evident in her voice as she spoke.