Genius Minds

Chapter Four - To Come To Understandings

Almost as soon as Dr. Joseph had left, I willed a scalpel resting in a side tray beside Ruvel to rise. I turned the instrument so its dangerous tip was pointed directly at Ruvel, turning it horizontally where it hovered. A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips as Ruvel stopped all of his movements, looking up. The tip of the scalpel was a mere inch from his left eye. I had the strong urge to simply throw the scalpel forward, but I could not. Not yet.

"Hello," I purred, walking forward a few steps so I had a clearer view of Ruvel, who had now stood straight up. I would not allow the scalpel to lag, for it remained level with his eye. His face was blank, his jaw clenched. Ruvel's gaze would not leave the sharpened tip rotating before his eyes. Literally.

"My name is Lilith, Lily for short. I'm here to work and accomplish what had been interrupted a little while ago and if you so much as try to halt me, you'll be losing this." I had willed my voice to be sickly sweet, dangerously so.

I heard the chill-evoking sound of metal scraping metal. I turned, ensuring that the scalpel yards from me did not shift. I had turned just in time to see the pair of scissors I had used to cut the twine shoot from the tray to come to a sudden halt midair. Its dangerous tips were closed, and a mere inch from the spot just between my eyes. Of course, I flinched slightly. Watching the scissors, and ensuring the scalpel stayed where it was, I heard Ruvel's voice speak from the back of the room,

"My name is Derek Marcillino, though they call me Ruvel. I'm here to work and succeed in what I intend to be the greatest discovery and creation in the history of mankind. Attempt in any way to stop this and you will be dead." I couldn't believe my eyes, which I have trusted for so long. This man has done the same as me. Unlocked the unlockable. My mind began spinning, fitting together what this could mean. It will take me further into my research. I refused to allow my unsettled mind to show physically.

"You cannot kill me, Derek Marcillino. You need me, and I need you," I said, speaking the truth.

"Had you not just attempted to threaten me with my life?" He asked, I heard the smirk in his voice. I shook my head, slowly, as I responded.

"Merely your eye, dear sir. For you need one, not two." To my surprise, Derek chuckled. It did something funny to my insides, something I wasn't familiar with. I watched the scissors move to my left ever so slightly, positioned right before my eye.

"Then I will merely take your eye, child," he purred. I jumped, forgetting completely about the pair of scissors threatening for my eye. I spun, nearly smacking into Derek. Not possible, I had not heard him shift, let alone walk up behind me. The scalpel, still hovering at the back of the room, fell to the floor as I released its hold. To my great relief, I heard the scissors fall to the floor behind me. I swallowed my unease, my heart thudding in my chest like a trapped thing. He was standing so close to me, too close. Despite myself, I took a step back, looking up to meet his eyes.

"You cannot take my eye, Derek. I need both of them," I stated. I hated the way my voice cracked as I spoke. I had told myself then that it was because I was in close proximity with someone of equal power to me. Derek's face creased as he frowned and confusion filled his eyes for but a moment. He then turned his back on me and began walking towards the back of the room.

"Then tell me, Lilith. What is it you are working on?" I paused, thinking about the best way to answer that. I was working on multiple things.

"Currently, I am working on an attempt to bring a body back. It should be resistant to disease, for it has already died." Yeah, that worked. Derek spun so quickly I thought he might knock over one of the side trays with his coats. He narrowed his eyes at me, as if angered.

"And what had you worked on, but were forced to pause?" He asked. I shouted in anger, pressing my palms to the sides of my head, doubling over with a pain that wasn't physically existant.

"Play fair! I have not once entered your mind! This must stop unless I give you permission!" I ceased my shouting, putting my energy into blocking him out, and ensuring he never did so again. Derek shouted in pain, and I glanced up to see him doubled over in true pain, the pain I caused. He clutched the sides of his head and stumbled back, slamming into and knocking over side trays and one empty operation table.

"Alright! Alright! Enough! Just stop this!" I smirked when he begged for mercy, straightening. I released my hold upon his mind and I heard him sigh, straightening from his pained position. Derek dropped his hands to his sides as he watched me, quite intently. I turned my back upon him and walked over to my notes, answering him.

"I was trying to figure out if my," I paused to correct myself "I guess our, unique abilities were hereditary." I lifted the folder containing my notes, adjusting the papers within.

"And how far did you get before you had to pause?" Derek asked, he sounded near to me once again. I turned to face the man who stood inches from me. I looked up at him, ensuring I appeared emotionless.

"I birthed one child, but it died from a heart murmur within minutes."