The Unseen

Chapter 11

Shae sat in the back of the van, constantly checking his surroundings with his aura.

"Well," he thought to himself, "Looks like parking in front of a bar and hiding was a good idea."

He glanced at his company, which was asleep beside him in the trunk. Robert had stayed in the front, as well as Sarah, while Miranda had curled up at Shae's feet. He wished he could sleep. It would make half of his banishment practically disappear. He wanted to see her. He couldn't live without her. He rolled up his sleeve, exposing a tattoo on upper arm that moved, showing a calendar and clock in the style of his fiance's homeland.

"Two more years, Melissa," he whispered to the night sky, "Only two more years, right?" Shae sighed. Only two more years! What was he thinking? They would be the longest of his life.

Shae's thoughts were interrupted when Miranda began to stir. She let out a quiet grunt, opened her eyes, and sat next to Shae.

"Can't sleep?" Miranda asked Shae.

"Yeah. For my whole life," he replied, "You okay?"

"I guess," she sighed, massaging a numb foot, "I'm just worried."

"About what?"

"I'm just worried... about our future. I mean, are we screwed now? Are we going to live out of this grocery grabber for the rest of our lives?"

"If things continue in this pattern," Shae answered, "Yes. And that doesn't take into account the longetivity of your life, either." She nodded bitterly, and stared at her feet.

"I'm sorry, Miranda," Shae apoligized, "But I won't be able to protect you forever. I wish I could. Their resources are too powerful, too innumerable."

"It's okay," Miranda smiled, resting her head on his shoulder, "Goodnight, Shae."

"Goodnight, Miranda."

{|[----(-)----]|}

Miranda awoke the following morning. Her father was already driving, and Sarah was chatting about where they were going to go next. She noticed her arms had wrapped around Shae's chest.

"Oh! Sorry, Shae. I guess I must've-"

"It's fine," he replied, staring out the front window. His brow was furrowed, as if he was thinking intently. Miranda, sensing his disturbed emotion, left her arms where they were and her head on his shoulder. They drove for a few more hours, before Shae spoke again.

"Pull over," he told Robert, "Now."

"Why?"

"Do it." With the car pulled over, Shae turned around, forcing Miranda to let go.

"There's something I need to tell you three..." he began, "I'm not the only one wanted by the lab."

"Well, obviously. That's why we're all being-"

"I thought at first the only reason you were in danger was becaue of your involvement with me," he continued, interrupting Sarah, "But that isn't the case."

"What do you mean?" Robert asked.

"Mr. Oakland," he replied solemnly, "Your daughters are both products of our pursuers." The trio simply stared at him in confusion.

"Let me explain, Mr. Oakland" Shae went on, "First, Miranda. She has purple eyes, which I can't say is exactly normal down here on Earth. The only place this phenomenon is seen is in the laboratory, and is known as the Genesis. It gives her plasmatic powers, enhanced eyesight, more efficient body systems, and a life span of 150 years. She is also a telepath, as you are, but that isn't as pertinent as the Genesis. Sarah, on the other hand, has bird wings capable of flight. Her bones are hollow, her lungs and heart more efficient, and her metabolism is very high. These animal-human combinations are only seen in the laboratory. Thus, you are either educating them for the lab's purposes, Mr. Oakman, or the laboratory has been somehow unaware that two of their most important test subjects have mysteriously disappeared." The girls turned to their father, and her father looked at the floor of the van as Shae glared at him.

"I... I didn't know any of this," Robert trembled, "My daughters, my precious daughters..."

"Yes you did," Shae growled, "You've hidden it from them for years. Years!"

"What?" Miranda asked, "You mean, we were from this lab Shae's talking about?" Sarah turned to her father, tears welling in her eyes.

"Dad?" she asked, "Is it true? Is Shae right?" Shae had quietly moved back to the trunk, and was again staring silently out the back window. Robert continued to stare at his feet, and nodded.

"Yes, it's true. "I'm sorry, girls. I'm so, so sorry. I thought I could protect you, I thought you wouldn't have to know..." He wiped his brow, nervous, "I was so selfish. So stupid." Sarah began to cry, and Miranda retreated to the trunk and Shae.

"Drive," Shae told Robert, "We've stayed too long."

Robert put the car in drive and steered it back on the road.