Abnormal {Book 1: Completed, Book 2: Ongoing}

Chapter 5

Lyanna's POV

I stare at him as he stabs his fork into a slice of steak and puts it in his mouth. He chews on it slowly, meeting my gaze as he does so. Then he swallows and wipes his mouth with the corner of his napkin.

"Aren't you hungry, Ms. Collins?" His fake smile makes me want to slap him.

"No." I'm so hungry my stomach is growling, but I don't trust myself to let my guard down around him, or even eat his food. I'm planning to do the exact opposite of what he wants me to do.

He ignores me for the rest of the meal, and only raises his head to look at me again once all the plates are taken away and the table is cleared off. 

"So, Ms. Collins," The President begins. "I have an offer for you."

I stay silent, not trusting the words that will come out of my mouth. 

"I can guarantee the safety of your...boyfriend. But of course, I want something from you in return." His lips curve up into a sinister smile. 

I can feel the cold seeping through my veins, and my hands clasp together tightly in my lap, turning my knuckles white.

"I want you...to work for me."

I stop moving.

I stop breathing.

"Work...for you?" I stutter out. "How?"

"You see, your power is something extraordinary. Mind control just isn't the same as all those other powers. It's about your brain, and how you use your ability to manipulate those around you."

"But that's the same as Raven."

He chuckles humorously. "Raven..." he shakes his head, still smiling. "Raven isn't here anymore. She can't help me."

"What do you mean she's not here anymore?" I ask in a whisper, dreading the answer.

"We...had to get rid of her after she failed her mission. I gave her one simple task. Spy on you. And not only did she fail, she was unable to overpower you. When I called her, she didn't even..." He stops abruptly, face red with anger. 

This is the first time I've seen President Gray lose control of his temper, but he regains his composure quickly, reaching for his glass and taking a sip of water. 

"You are now the only person who has mind related abilities. Which means you are unique." He leans forward across the table. "And that's why we need you." 

I'm starting to lose my patience. All this fancy talk is wearing me out. "So what exactly are you asking me to do?"

"You will undergo some experiments," he says matter of factly.

Experiments.

On me.

I rise to my feet, my hands balled into fists. "I am not your lab rat," I spit out. "I will not become a 'thing' that you can experiment on. I will not be part of your research. I will not help you..."

"Then your boyfriend dies."

His words are like a dagger, cutting through all of my defenses and piercing straight through my heart. 

Adrius.

Nonono...please...not him...

"If you touch him, I'll kill you."

"I won't touch him if you cooperate."

I swallow. Clench and unclench my fists. My breathing is shallow and uneven.

"Fine. I'll do it."

He smiles hugely, and I look away in revulsion. My gaze meets Cole's and I can see his jaw tighten as he turns away and looks at his father. His expression is unreadable.

"Your first...task is to be part of our...research program for Abnormals. You will undergo daily experiments, and after a month, you will have another task. The experiments will begin tomorrow. Cole?"

"Yes, sir?" Cole responds, straightening instantly in his spot next to the door.

"Please escort Ms. Collins back to her quarters."

"Of course, sir."

Cole walks to me and rests his hand on the small of my back, prompting me to exit the room. Soon, we arrive at my room, and Cole unlocks the door for me before excusing himself. I sigh and step inside, shutting the door behind me and collapsing onto the bed. I stare up at the light purple ceiling, desperation welling up within me. How will I survive the experiments? I don't have the faintest idea as to what the experiments will be about. 

Suddenly, the wall in front of me slides open, and a screen appears. I bold upright on the bed, squinting to read the words displayed on it.  

Hello, Subject 629.

My throat feels dry, and I swallow hard. Subject?

Welcome to the Xenon Project.

My body starts shaking, and I clutch a pillow to my chest.

This is your featured presentation. By the end of this presentation, you will know all you need to know about the project.

I don't want to see this. I don't want to know what's going to happen to me. Go away. Just please go away...

The Xenon Project was first started in 2038 by President Gray. Children with supernatural abilities, also called Abnormals, underwent numerous experiments to test their physical and intellectual potential.

Images flash on the screen, pictures of operation tables and machines and brain scans and...

Text appears on the display again. 

The experiments have been modified over the years to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Researchers are gradually putting together a big picture that might be able to explain the nature of these superpowers. Once they come up with a conclusion, we will start informing our citizens about the details of the experiments. 

Remember, this is all for the greater good of the Society. 

Thank you for your attention.

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Xenon: a chemical element. The term xenon comes from the Greek word, xenos, meaning "strange" or "foreign".