The Gifted

Dan

I'm surrounded by screens and computers as I work on the bracelet I will create for myself. Whenever I think of the new mission we will have soon, nerves start up in my stomach. What if something goes wrong? What if one of us get hurt?

I'm not sure if the girls know this but to those that have the audacity to do what we're going to do, they go to a Life Prison. Meaning...staying behind bars for the rest of their lives. Who will take on the project then? Unless they do some sort of mighty escape for us like the movies. But this is no fictional story.

Stress starts to make my shoulders stiff and I let out a sigh. I put a hand on my aching neck and fall back in my seat. What have I gotten myself into?

I hear footsteps coming to the entrance of the Lab. I look up to see my father smiling at me. He holds two cups of tea in his hands and puts one by my side. "I thought you'd need this."

"Thanks, Dad." I take a sip and let the warmth relax my muscles.

"What do you have done?" My father leans towards one of the computers and narrows his eyes.

"Oh. I just finished up separating a few molecules from Mia's blood work. The structure of her genes from her metallic gift is impressive."

"I see that you've started scanning it to create a replica. Why do you want that?"

"Just in case I mess up and I don't have to stay up all night again."

"Smart," my father says after taking a sip from his cup. "I assume you will start comparing your genes to Mia's."

"No. I'm actually going to separate my genes and see if I can start molding whatever there is in my bracelet once I've understood Mia's blood."

"Mmkay," he says. My father takes a seat next to me and starts doing some sort of work for the Lab, as usual. I do a small sigh and run a tired hand on my face. I shrug it off and continue my work again.

My father watches me from the corner of his eyes and notices my exhaustion. I sit up straighter so he doesn't see my weakness but he surprisingly says, "Dan. If you need to rest, go ahead. We have time--"

"No. We have to get this mission done as soon as possible. Don't you understand that the more time we waste, the more time there is that the government can find out what we're doing? This could mean our--"

I stop my panicked voice as my father puts a hand on my shoulder. I let out a long sigh and he does a soft chuckle. "You really need to rest. Don't worry about it. They have no idea what we're up to."

"You don't know that," I softly say. "Who knows if Gabriel or Adeline have said something...."

"I trust them just as much Kat trusts them. Don't worry about it, son. We will be okay. I promise."

I look into those dark blue eyes, and smile at their warmth and reassurance. I nod and stand up. "I suppose you're right, Dad. As usual, you win."

We share a small laugh and my father nods. "I think I saw Blake in the living room. Maybe you two can hit the beach or.... Is that how you kids say nowadays? Hit the beach?"

I laugh loudly at my father's tease and give him a pat on the shoulder as I make my way towards the dark hallway. "Thanks for the recommendation, Dad!"

He was quite surprised when I told him about our first kiss. He approved but it left me wondering the reason to his surprise. Does he really see me as the nerd that my brothers call me so much?

Whatever I am in his eyes, I know that I'm enough in her eyes as I see Blake painting her toenails in the living room. I quietly watch her and study her every facial detail. The way her soft face is relaxed and her eyebrows raised with concentration. The small curl of her lip when she blows on her toes and finishes with satisfaction to her artwork. I do a small chuckle and the sound makes her look up with surprise. My heart flies when she smiles knowing that it's just me.