Worlds Apart

Prologue

"Her mother is coming." came a tired voice. She emerged from the doorway, her black hair tousled as if she had tried hurriedly combing it with her hands, and her normally bright eyes were dark. The man nodded sternly in reply, squaring his shoulders as if readying himself. The dark-haired women sat beside him, slumping in her own seat, but he took no notice.

The door burst open again, but this time the women had blonde and matted hair, her face red and puffy, streaked with tears. She glanced around the room, a distant look in her eyes, until they rested upon the man, filling with fury. She screamed, rushing towards him in attack. In one swift motion, the man stood, and caught her arms before she could touch him. His hands were strong, and kept her from breaking free.

The woman glared at him, before sagging into his arms and started to sob, an ugly hiccuping sound. He guided her carefully to a seat, where she sat, putting her head in her hands. The man sat opposite of her, elbows resting on his knees. Finally she glanced up at him, the fury gone, and she wiped at her eyes.

"Why-" she caught herself before she broke out into sobs again. "If they, the tests, are good," She started faintly. The director nodded for her to continue, his glasses bobbing upon his nose. Her eyes rose to his, green and sad. "Then why did they kill my son?" She demanded.

The man looked at his hands. "We are very sorry about your son. Jake's death was not intentional. It wasn't in our control." He replied. The woman, Cara, gritted her teeth. "Everything's in your control," she replied coldly. The man watched her for a moment, studying her.

"Something's we cannot control. But your daughter, there's something special about her. They were needed."

Cara took a shaky breath, her eye lighting up with anger. "Your saying my son's death was needed?"

The man shook his head. "No, of course not." He closed his eyes for a moment. "I meant that the tests on you daughter were needed." He finished.

Cara shook her blonde head, tangled hair cascading down her back. "Are you sure-"

He cut her off. "No. To be honest with you, Cara, we aren't. But sometimes we must take risks." he sighed. "I may know many things, but I'm not sure I know the answer to that question." Cara nodded slowly, but a confused look appeared upon her features. She glanced at her trembling hands.

"Why do you want her for? To run more tests?" she inquired bitterly, lacing her trembling fingers together.

The man considered this. "No, not more tests. We need her for... other reasons."

"I'm not sure if I can do this." Cara started, her voice wavering. "I've already lost one, I don't think I can lose another."

The man nodded. "We understand. But we'd like you to take this offer into consideration." Cara nodded, her body tense.

"Why?" she asked quietly. The headmaster looked at her with his eyebrows raised in a questioning way. "Why do you need her? You never answered my question before," Cara's voice was louder this time.

The man sighed. "I'm sorry, but we can't tell you any more then I already have." He gazed at her sympathetically. Cara opened her mouth, as if to speak, but thought better of it, and instead studied her hands. "How? Why is she different?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked up to meet the man's steady gaze.

"It's simple," he replied, standing and brushing off his dark pants. "She's one of them." And with that, he swept out of the room.