The Ghost

Chapter 19 - The Ghost

He stared at the figure in the mirror ands shuddered. The effects of the drug had left him quite frightening to the naked eye. Where previously there was nothing, he now cast a rather sinister-looking silhouette. In parts. Those being the parts that he could see. Most of his face was visible but he looked much older now, more drawn. The eyes had lost their lustre and colour. He guessed he must have weighed little more than 140 lb. Ryan shook his head. 140lb! Takes me back to my sophomore year. His skin had lost its strength and elasticity. He had lost his strength vitality. The wounds and scarring had healed completely. There wasn't even a trace where Falconi had ruthlessly sliced his chest open on the operating table back in Room 6. But again, only his upper left chest reflected itself.

In the fortnight since discovering the lab, Ryan and Lexi had worked tirelessly to figure out what was happening to his body. They knew from the men they saw back on the ward that life expectancy for those subjected to MRG-241 was less than a month. Ryan's signs and symptoms were text book. Ageing cells, semi-transparent torso, weakening of the muscles and a lack of energy.

But during their time in the lab, they had also had time to learn a little more about Mike's work. What was evident was the direction he was heading - bioweapons and gene manipulation. If his work at BioChem was the yin, then this was the yang. He was trying to heal people whilst simultaneously attempting to create super human soldiers of the future. Soldiers who would be immune to pain, need no sleep, and have super-intellect, strength and stamina.

Ryan was a dead man walking so Lexi's suggestion that he "should just try anything and everything" to survive was a no-brainer. Not only did this save Ryan's life, it breathed new life into him: superhuman strength, speed and durability. He could now bench 750lb, cover 40 yards in just 4 seconds, and the regenerative abilities he already possessed had now been enhanced tenfold. He wasn't immortal, but he was far from a mere human being. As he looked at himself in the mirror he knew that Ryan was gone. Falconi and his cronies took care of that. "From this day forward, my name is Ghost! Only you shall ever know my true identity."

Lexi stood motionless, and a sense of awe and wonder passed over her. She had saved him! Her father's work lived and breathed. But the excitement and pride she felt was tinged with fear. She was a big believer in karma. But Ghost was hardly likely to show the world (and and Falconi) that his life was getting better. Let the players play, let he haters hate and let karma handle their fate. She remembered her dad's wise words. It followed her throughout her school life. She placed a hand on Ryans shoulder. "You know Ry- er Ghost. My dad always told me that a person would not be punished for their anger, but would be punished by their anger."

"Lex. I am angry. I'll suffer everyday as that anger is a constant reminder of who and what I lost. If that is my personal hell then so be it. But mark my words! This suffering is nothing in comparison to that which awaits those who did this to me. And anybody else who brings pain and suffering to others. All will pay."

Lexi backed off. Ryan was truly gone. Ghost's eyes glowed red as he stared at her.

Petrified, she took a step back.

"I can hear your heart beating. Relax. You are my friend and ally. No harm will ever come to you."

A single tear ran down her cheek. She ran into his arms and clung on tightly. She was worried for him, for herself, and for the future.

He held her close to his chest. "All men and women have feelings of superiority but these are just illusions. Some may live as though they are exempt from every law. But death makes everyone equal, because it does not spare anyone. Not the famous, the wealthy or the talented. It is the great leveller."