“Where are your brothers? I assumed they would be with you.” As he spoke, I tried to push my nearly palpable fears aside so I could focus on his emotions. I needed to read him so I would know how to proceed with this conversation. But the harder I tried to concentrate on him, the more upset I felt and the less I could sense anything besides the most obvious: This was an egotistical man who was truly happy to see me. I wanted to vomit.
“My brothers are at the police station right now. We have made arrangements. I am to be allowed to walk out of this building with our mother. A taxi will be waiting for us at the front of this main building. It will take us directly to the police station to meet my brothers. We will then disappear and you will never have any contact with any of us again.” My voice sounded to me as if it were coming from somewhere far away. It wasn’t the voice of a fifteen-year-old girl who grew up on a ranch. My voice sounded like my mother’s. Confidence reverberated from every phrase.
“What an interesting way to start a conversation, my dear,” he said condescendingly. “Why on earth would I want to see you or your mother go? You’ve only just got here. And I have so many wonderful plans for us!” Williams smiled as if all that talk about police was some of the cutest stuff he’d ever heard.
I chose to ignore his patronizing tone and continued, “If my mother and I have not arrived safely before the deadline, the local, state and federal authorities will be given highly incriminating evidence pertaining to the unethical and illegal operations you have conducted at The Institute.
“Inside an hour, they’ll be pounding on that lovely set of mahogany doors over there with warrants to search the entire campus. Oh, and they’ll have another warrant specifically for your arrest. You’ll be charged on multiple counts including the kidnapping of Dr. Margo Winter.”
I finished my speech and felt a wave of fury flash through the madman in front of me. His face turned an angry red and for the first time, I noticed a flesh colored bandage wrapped around his neck that had been somewhat concealed by the high collared shirt he wore under his suit. Inside I cringed because I knew who would have inflicted that injury. And if he was injured and not killed, then mom’s attempt failed. This must be the reason for the tremendous pain I felt emanating from her. She had been punished.
“You impudent little girl! How dare you come into my world and threaten me! Ungrateful brat! You differ from regular children; don’t you realize it was I who gave you those gifts?
“I was always there for you and your brothers. It was my gifted mind that created the original formula. My efforts brought you and the boys to live in luxury while we cared for and nurtured your new talents. Your biological parents never wanted you! I saved you from being aborted, and this is the thanks I get?”
I could feel his anger wean just enough for him to fake a syrupy sweet tone again. “Contact your brothers and invite them to come here with you. I already have my chefs preparing a delicious banquet of food in your honor. You don’t have to worry about anything anymore. I’ll take care of you, my Meg. You and your brothers will live in peace here where we can celebrate your unique gifts and provide a proper education.” His voice was completely calm again. It amazed me that he was so delusional, but I let him keep talking. The more time he wasted the better.
“You know, Meg, You three are not alone.” He said this with a conspirator’s air. At first, I thought he meant that he wanted to be with us. More of that same goo he spewed a couple of minutes before. But then, I felt something different. He was beaming with a sick kind of pride.
“What do you mean?” I broke my cool silence to ask.
“Well, there were others before you and still more after.” With a dismissive wave of his hand he added, “Not all the subjects survived, but a lot of them did, like you and your brothers. You see, Meg. You have family here, with me. Just as much love and loyalty as you feel for…oh, what are the boys’ names?” he asked as if their names weren’t terribly important to him.
“My brothers are Alik and Evan,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Yes, yes, of course. You have lots of family right here with me. Dozens and dozens of them who would love to see their long-lost sister.”
“You mean we weren’t the only ones to survive?” For some reason, I had assumed we were the only living subjects.
“The only ones!” The doctor sat up straight in his chair, grinned and leaned closer to me. “My dear, you have a very large family of siblings just like you!”
“Like me? You mean ‘Metahumans.’ You made more metahumans out of babies?” I couldn’t help it. My plan to deliver my calm speech and then remain cool until it was time just flew out the window.