AWAKEN

{2}

I walked into, more or less stumbled, a conference room. A dusty picture of President Garth hung on the far wall above the ending chair of the large oval table. The lack of cleaning and windows led me to believe that this room was both underground and unused for long periods of time. In the chairs closest to the back of the room sat three other teens, two girls and a boy. The oldest girl, seventeen or so, had choppy blonde hair cut close to her chin and she sat with board strait posture and stared strait ahead as if waiting for a command. The other girl, the youngest around fifteen, had mid back wavy dark brown hair and looked at us in curiosity. I was startled by her light foggy blue eyes, they were flawless and scared. Lastly, the boy, around sixteen, sat hunched over and didn't flinch as Grayson, Summer and I walked in a sat down on the opposite side of the room, closest to the door. He had unruly dark hair, almost black, but in the light it was brown, I could tell. He look up and met my eyes, I shivered at his icyness and was also warmed by his deep hazel eyes. All three of the teens wore the same grey shirt and white pants.

"So, this is team Omega. I'll leave you six to get acquainted while we wait on General Heath to inform you on your duties." The woman said, she stopped at the door before walking out. "And if you get any ideas, I have six guards outside this door, knockout gas in the vent on command, and cameras are watching your every move. The guards are orders to shoot anyone who leaves to room." She gave a bitter smile and exited, leaving us alone. Immediately after she left summer and the blonde jumped up and embraced Summer, both smiling. The blonde stroked her hair and whispered something, both of them not letting go.

"So," Grayson propped his feet on the dark wooded table. " who's the hot blonde?" He directed his comment towards the boy, who merely looked at him in reply and then sat up in his chair.

"Um, Grayson, Charlie, this is my sister, Anya." Summer gave me and Grayson a wide smile and it made me feel warm, until I realized how much I missed Liam, my heart sunk.

"So this is the famous Anya I've heard so much about." Grayson stood and walked over, offering his hand to the blonde. She looked at him in disgust and took his hand, only to twist it behind his back. She whispered something into his ear and his face turned red with embarrassment. She then released him and Grayson walked back over to his seat, not daring to make eye contact with anybody. Anya then looked towards me and I felt a pang of fear. "Thank you for taking care of my little sister." She offered a smile. I laughed a dry laugh.

"She took care of me more like." I said. A few minuted passed and I cleared my throat, maybe these people had answers as to where they had Liam. But, then again, they could be working for the government so I needed to be cautious with what I said. "So, how long have you all been here."

Summer replied to me in a lighthearted voice. "Oh, maybe a year or two." She said, I noted a flash of pain in Anya's face when she said this, summer looked at her in sympathy and grabbed her hand.

"I'd like to think around six years, maybe more." Grayson boasted, as if it was a contest. Summer scoffed.

"Grayson we both know that you've been here for ten years. It said so on your physical exam last round." She rolled eyes. Grayson gave a shrug and suddenly became interested in the girl with then scared eyes.

"Hey how about you?" He asked, she looked at him startled and shrugged, then closed her eyes. An array of different colored lights formed, hovering above the middle of the table, the lights spelled out the word six and then they mushed together. The lights then stretched out to spell the word months and then flowed back towards Scared Eyes, who opened them once more.

"Was that you?" Summer asked her, she nodded. "That was beautiful." The girl smiled and looked down.

"That's Evelyn, she creates illusions. Doesn't talk often, if at all. But the girl's got creativity, should have seen her tests." Anya admired.

"Whose the glum Gus?" Grayson asked, motioning to the boy, who looked annoyed on a major level.

"Just Gus." He said. "I don't do alliteration." He looked over at me.

"Oh, Mr. Funny guy now are we?" Grayson injected. Allowing the comment to sink in, the boy opened his mouth to respond.

"I think you already have that covered. The name's James." He said, his hazel eyes seemed to warn me not to be curious about him, but it only made me want to ask questions. He looked away and down at the table, covering his left arm with his sleeve.

"Okay, not to be weird, but does anyone else have their, uh, date written for today?"Grayson's voice shocked me back to reality, he seemed to glance at Anya hopefully.

"What day is it?" I asked. He motioned to the clock that showed the time as well as the date and year. My wrist. Today's the day I meet him.

I slide my hand up, but I'm not the only one. Evelyn's hand rises and she all so suddenly seems so small and afraid. "Well, this both confusing and awkward ladies." He claps his hands together loudly." Who wants to kiss me first to find out."

"Save it Grayson, you know nobody is allowed to kiss anybody but their match, besides, neither could be matched to you. You know, that new girl janitor that we passed in the halls was looking pretty nice today." Summer intervened. I said a silent thanks to her as Grayson gave a down look.

"So, Charlie is it? What's your power?" Anya directed at me. I blinked for a few seconds. Everyone stared at me.

"Um, well." I looked up at the over head lights, I concentrated on the humming I've become so familiar with. The humming that the electricity makes as I connect my life force with it. I watched as the lights flickered and sparks rained down as I started to lose control. I blinked myself put of my trance and looked at the others. Summer clapped and Anya smiled. I returned a grin and then looked at James, uncomfortable with the attention.

"What's yours?" I asked.

He gave a bitter smile. "You'll know when you see it." I looked at Anya and she avoided my gaze, staring at the floor. At that moment there door opened and the lady from before and a largely built man came in behind her. No doubt he's in shape and has a high placement in the military, the badges and medal say so. He give a deep growl from his throat, one I can only hope he was clearing it.

"Omegas, I'm general Heath, you will address me as sir, only sir. I assume you all know why I'm here, if not, try to keep up. Follow me, helicopter's ready." He jerked towards the door and walked out. We all struggled to follow, seeing as his strides were three times mine own.

I looked at Summer, hoping she had an explanation. "Do you know where we're going?" I asked. She gave me a sympathetic look and put her hand on my arm. "The front lines of course."

I gave a hard swallow and my eyes widened. In a war we were bound to loose with the northern countries, the front lines meant death and only death. I know know what the cost is for being different. I looked at my teammates and felt pity for us all, and poor summer, no older that fourteen or thirteen. A new found hatred grew in my chest for the government, it twisted through my broken heart like briars, scratching my insides. I will find a way to get Liam back, but first I have to save myself and the others around me. I have to find my will to survive.