Through the Gap in the Curtains

Eclipse of the Heart

Biana was floating through a fog. Around her, hands reach out and burned her, enveloping her in an all-consuming fire. Faces leered out of the dark, and she screamed. The scream jolted her back to reality, and slowly, very slowly, she opened her eyes.

Biana scanned her surroundings, taking in the cold metal walls. Along the wall that she could see, there was a cabinet. She couldn't tell what was in the drawers or cabinets, but along the top was a tank with several embryos inside it, and something that looked a bit like a potions stand that you might find in a mad scientist's lab. Strapped to her arm was an IV, and when she tried to pull it out, she noticed cuffs restraining her hands. Biana struggled, but arm motion yanked the needle in her arm around, causing her pain.

Biana calmed down, her sharp breathing the only noise in the silent room. Until she heard footsteps coming from behind her.

"Ms. Vacker." the familiar voice said. "How delightful we could have the pleasure of your company."

She tried to turn her head far enough back to see the face of her kidnapper, but her neck just couldn't do it. And it turned out she didn't need to. He strode around the cold table that she was laid out on, and Biana saw his face. The face she had grown up knowing, the five she had idolized, the face of her brother. It was Alvar.

Her shock and betrayal must have shown on her face, because Alvar's mouth twisted into an evil smile.

"That's right, little sister," he whispered, leaning in. "Are you surprised?"

Biana growled, and jerked her head forwards, smashing their skulls together. Alvar winced and stepped back. "No matter. He'll be here soon."

Alvar walked over to the tank with the embryos, studying it carefully.

"Someday, you'll pay for this," Biana blurted out. Alvar turned around and chuckled. "Whatever you say, baby sister."

Suddenly, the door burst open, and in walked Fintan. He glanced at her. "Good. You have the girl. Are the embryos ready?"

Alvar nodded. "Yes, sir. The one on the far right should be ready for the implanting."

Fintan nodded, studying it. "Good. Drug the girl... wait." he walked over to her, and stared at her.

"Who is this again, Alvar?"

He turned around, snapping on gloves. "Biana Vacker, sir. My sister. Was she not the one we agreed on?"

"You pathetic dolt!" Fintan snarled, and ripped out Biana's IV. She screamed in pain, and blood started slowly trickling down her wrist. "I told you to bring your mother! She is not your mother!" He punctuated his words with jabs in Biana's direction. "Do with her what you will, but I need someone for our creation! The Lodestar Initiative failed sixteen years ago with Keefe Sencen, and I will not be outdone by the Black Swan Resistance, of all things."

He swept out of the room, and slammed the door hard behind him, causing the room to shake. One of the vials fell of the cabinet and smashed on the floor.

Alvar cursed. He stomped over to her, and Biana braced herself for what was coming.

"Are you going to kill me?" she whispered.

He shook his head, and unlocked her cuffs. Still muttering a string of curses, he pulled her onto her feet and grabbed a piece of cloth, blindfolding her. She was dragged through the halls, soon she could feel rain on her face.

Unexpectedly, she felt the tingle of a light leap and did her best to concentrate within such short notice. As she hit the ground after it was over, she knew it hadn't been enough.