Becoming Complete: Inchoate Book 1

Chapter 15: An Anonymous Visitor

Que continued to meet with the Professor daily over the holidays. Most of the time they'd just play a game of chess, but sometimes he would get her to open up a little more. Sharing was easier with a medium like chess or food. Que felt a sense of solidarity with the man because he knew at least some of her past. She had shared extremely personal experiences, things that had shattered her, and left her continuously picking up the pieces, even now. He hadn't turned her away, and it meant a lot to Que. Last night, she told him about Tomas and the pit. She told him how it was just a training exercise, but the officers in charge had surprised them with sounds of a disturbance. Que had only found out later that they were being tested for, not endurance as she thought, but reactions under duress and resolve to follow orders. She shared with the Professor how Tomas was killed by the fall, breaking his neck, and how she had immediately jumped down to help him.

She was swiftly punished after the event because their orders had been to stand their ground regardless of the circumstances, and the rule the children had been taught early on was to finish the mission at all costs. If someone went down in a mission and could not be reconned quickly, then the remaining team was to destroy all evidence and leave as quickly as possible. They were trained to be cold, calculating, and detached.

She contemplated these things, watching the snow fall from the upstairs window. Here she was accepted, wanted even, and people cared about her. This would be her first Christmas with anyone in almost a decade too. It had always been a time of depression and solitude for her in the past, but this year she wanted to honor her new found friendships at the mansion. They had all been so kind to her, even when she did not return the favor. What could she do?

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"Charles, I have some news on the dark matter we discussed earlier this year. You're not going to believe this," Hank said as he strode toward the Professor in the library.

"Hank, can we take this somewhere more quiet?" the Professor replied, glancing toward the door. He and Hank headed toward his study.

As he closed the door, Hank continued. "Charles, it's incredible. I don't even know how it has survived."

"Wait, slow down Hank. What do you mean?" Charles asked, looking perplexed.

"The dark matter is some form of living entity! It's amazing. It's as if the corporeal body has been dispersed as this matter. Whatever it is, it is trying to reform!" Hank said excitedly.

"Hank, how did you find all of this information?" the Professor asked, equally intrigued.

"Well, that's the thing. A few nights ago, I think it was the night the rest of the students left, the computer received a strong localized reading on the dark matter. I hadn't checked it until today," he explained. "Remember how the matter didn't extend along the east coast? The patterns have changed. It has now localized itself over the New England area. Whatever it is, is more concentrated, and get this, a few nights ago it briefly took form in our area. The computer couldn't pinpoint its exact location, but it was close. I think it could be a mutant. Maybe he or she is trying to make contact with us!"

"Hank, that is amazing! You said it happened a few nights ago?" Charles paused.

"That was the same night Que had her incident. She said she thought there was a man in her room! While Storm and I were trying to calm her down, she kept talking about a man being there and darkness. I thought it was something from her dream. Do you think there could be a connection?" the Professor asked, more concerned than excited now.

Hank's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and he took on a look of contemplation. "That is possible... I will need to run some tests. I can even check her room if you like, and if the events are connected, I have a theory. We can discuss that more later when I have some more information. How are we going to tell Que about all of this?"