Project Frostbite

Chapter 11

I felt something shatter inside of me. "How?" I asked, surprised at how steady my voice came out despite the fact I was ready to break down and cry.

"What do you know of Jekyll and Hyde?" Arlo asked.

"Just his name. It's rather hard to find answers round here." I answered pointedly, feeling Firestorm stiffen beside me. But I didn't care. I was numb to the outside world, and could only focus on Arlo's words.

"He used to be an advisor for President Fitzgerald, years ago when he was still new to the position. Jekyll hid his true identity well, and he was cunning and shifty. Manipulative. When the President came out with all of those peace contracts with neighboring cities to stop the wars, Jekyll felt that Fitzgerald was weak, gone soft. He wanted to make an army and take over the other cities by force. For months Jekyll went against direct orders, and began kidnapping others like him and experimenting. But when he was discovered, Jekyll was fired and banned from New York. All of his "projects" were confiscated, and the experiment put on hold. Jekyll was adamant he was doing it for the good of New York, but everyone assumed he was crazy and he was admitted to an institution until two people broke him out seventeen years ago. He went off the grid for years, and everyone assumed he was dead, until he showed up at Firestorm's apartment that day with Dagger. Martin was one of Jekyll's contacts back when he was running the show under President Fitzgerald, and Ayla got caught up in everything. Martin was going to leave when she got pregnant with you, but Jekyll found out that you were a Potential. Ayla sacrificed herself to protect you when his cronies tried to take you. Martin rescued you, but he couldn't save her."

"Jekyll won't stop until he has every single Potential in New York." Firestorm finished, and when I looked at her, she stared straight ahead at Arlo. "I know him. He won't stop until he has Tryston, or dies trying. It doesn't matter how many lives he rips apart." Dragging my gaze from Firestorm, I looked again at the picture of Ayla, and rubbed the corner with affection as she smiled up at me. I felt tears sting my eyes, and hurriedly wiped them away, standing up.

"I'll be right back." I said. "I just need a moment, alone." I looked pointedly at Firestorm as I said the last part, and she reluctantly sank back down into her seat. Turning, I put the pictures onto the couch, and headed into the hallway, searching for a balcony, or somewhere I could clear my head.

"Tryston." I turned and saw Arlo catching up.

"I just need a minute alone." I repeated, wiping the traitorous tears from my cheeks, and Arlo nodded, putting a hand on my shoulder and squeezing.

"Rooftop is three doors down on the left. It was Ayla's favorite place to go." He said, before returning to the lounge. I smiled gratefully and followed his directions.

I emerged into the cool evening air, and sighed as the gentle summer breeze caressed my cheeks as I shut the door behind me. Seeing an aged wooden bench overlooking the city, I walked over and sat down gingerly, testing the strength. When I was happy it wouldn't break, I leant back and closed my eyes, basking in the setting sun. A couple of minutes later, I heard the door open and shut. Even as she sat down beside me, I knew it was Firestorm. We sat in silence, before she broke it.

"I'm sorry about your mother." She said quietly, and I chuckled, half-heartedly shrugging.

"It doesn't matter. It's not like I ever knew her or anything." I replied, but even I didn't believe myself.

"You look a lot like her." Firestorm stated. "You have her eyes."

"What about your parents?" I asked, trying to change the subject. I felt Firestorm tense.

"They died when I was eleven." She eventually answered. "Believe me, I know what it's like to lose someone close to you. From then on, I promised myself I wouldn't get attached to anything ever again."