Evolution (The Repatriate Protocol Book 7)

by Kelli Kimble

  He hasn’t done anything, I said. Leave him alone.

  I will if you two agree to come with me, he replied. We’ll go now. I’ll help you, and you’ll help me.

  What do we get out of it? Elton asked.

  I’ll help you hone your skills, he replied. I’ll help you find your way in society when I’ve taught you everything I can, and in return, you’ll let me study you.

  We’ve already been studied, pal, Elton said. I think it’s an understatement to say we didn’t much care for it.

  It won’t be like that. I don’t have the stomach for torture. He looked away, his face pinched, as if he were in pain. I don’t like how they treated you. I know they got results, and I’ll give them that. But, the whole point was to make your talents repeatable. We can’t go treating the children of powerful people the way you’ve been treated.

  I licked my lips. Beside me, Elton was tense. He didn’t want to go with the man, and neither did I. But, I also didn’t want anything to happen to Weasel. We need to think about this, I said, only to Elton. His eyes flicked to me, and then back to the man in the kimono. Before I could say anything else, he rushed at the man, his strength propelling him forward in a blur.

  Elton ducked low and tackled the man in the stomach. The man’s feet flew out from underneath him, and the two of them landed together on the ground in a heap. Elton pulled back his arm to hit the man, but just as he was about to push his fist forward, the man pressed the object in his hand against Elton’s skin. Elton lurched away from the man, but his arms and legs stiffened, and he fell to the side.

  I don’t want to hurt you, he reiterated. You’re only temporarily paralyzed now. But, if I wanted to, right now, I could kill you with this. Remember that, the next time you decide to be a hero. He said it to Elton, but he glanced at me several times, making it clear he included me in his speech.

  We’re not going to cooperate with you, Elton said, his teeth gritted together.

  I think you will, the man said. He tapped the device, and Elton jolted into an even stiffer position.

  Stop. You’re hurting him, Weasel said. He moved to take the device from the man, but the man flicked his wrist, and a knife emerged from his sleeve and fell into his grip. He extended the knife towards Weasel, who took a step back.

  None of this concerns you, the man said. Just move along, and you won’t be hurt.

  I’m not just going to walk away, Weasel argued. He’s my brother.

  The man’s hand snapped, and the knife seemed to appear in Weasel’s leg. He let out a scream, and his hands hovered over the handle.

  Don’t pull it out now, if you want to live, the man said. You’ll bleed out before you can get medical attention. He grabbed Elton’s collar and beckoned to me. We’re leaving. He stays. He pointed at Weasel. The nearest medical center is about four blocks that way. He pointed in the opposite direction. There’s a transport behind the shed you can use. Go now. You’re losing a lot of blood. I hadn’t moved, and he pointed to me again. You. Here. Now. His thumb hovered over a button on the device in his hand. I couldn’t stand the thought of him hurting Elton again, so I obeyed him. I went and stood in the spot he’d indicated and waited for him to incapacitate me, too. But, he didn’t.

  Weasel limped behind the shed. The transport ignition turned over, and he drove out from behind the shed. It was a two-wheeled transport, the kind that was kept upright by a gyroscope. Weasel was starting to look pale. “I’ll find you,” he yelled out over his shoulder as he directed the vehicle towards the medical center. “I’m going to find you both!”

  I sighed. It was noble of him, yes. But, I knew the man in the kimono was smart and powerful. A lower-middle-class power plant employee wasn’t going to be any more annoying than a mosquito in his bedroom at night.

  The man dragged Elton over to the shed and opened the door. He pointed inside, and I went where he directed, aware of his ability to hurt either of us if he chose to. I concentrated my focus on the device.

  I know what you’re doing, he said. Don’t.

  I broke my attention away. We were inside the shed now, and he closed the door. There was no light, and I could have jumped forward to break Elton away—and hopefully, knock the device from the man’s hand—but there was a sudden pulling sensation, and I felt grounded to the floor, as if my feet were made of rocks. “What’s happening?” I asked. Fear caused me to use my voice, instead of my mind.

  Quiet, the man demanded. A moment later, he opened the door again. But, we weren’t in my backyard anymore; we were in a cement hallway that looked very much like the lab.

  Panic overtook me, and I turned on the man. I wasn’t thinking straight, and instead of trying to get the device, I directed my attention at his face. I leapt at him and managed to rip one hand down his face, my fingernails tearing at him and leaving three bloody lines on his cheek.

  But, he just smiled.

  Searing pain shot through me. My muscles clenched in every direction, all at once. I fell on the floor and fought to keep my eyes open. Beside me, Elton’s eyes were bright with fury. But, neither of us could do anything but lie there.

  You can call me ‘Father’, the man in the kimono said. It was my idea to make you what you are, and it’s my idea to complete you and make you whole. I won’t stoop to torturing you, but I’ll have your obedience. You may have abilities I don’t, but I’m older and wiser. I can see your intentions before you even know them yourselves. You’re merely children, and therefore, nearly transparent in nature. He smiled and leaned towards the floor, putting his face first near Elton’s, and then, near mine. I have your best interests at heart, just like a true father would. But, like a true father, I have to wield discipline. Don’t make me do this again. When you’re ready to continue your training, come find me down the hall. It’s all up to you now.

  He moved away from us, down the hallway, then disappeared around a corner.

  ◆◆◆

  It seemed like hours passed before I was able to move again. I felt it in my fingers and toes first; they wiggled slightly but with excruciating pain. I inhaled sharp breaths with each movement, until the stabbing sensation dulled to an ache.

  Beside me, Elton was struggling to sit up. We can’t let him get away with this, he said.

  Don’t worry; I don’t intend to, I said. But first, we’re going to let him believe he can trust us. We’re going to do what he says; we’re going to learn what he wants; we’re going to be complete, or whatever it is he thinks he’s going to make of us—and when he thinks he’s safe, we’re going to kill him.

  Elton looked at me. I couldn’t see his face because the light was behind his head. It made his tousled hair look like a halo. Are we so monstrous? he asked. His eyes were tired and sad.

  We’re not the monsters here, I replied. We’re the victims.

  He stood up and began looking around the shed. The only source of light was from the hallway, and it was dim, but it was clear we were inside a box that was slightly smaller than the shed. It had to be an elevator. He ran his hands over the walls, but he didn’t find anything. There’s no way to get it to go back up, he said.

  I don’t want it to. I winced as I sat up and moved my arms, but it didn’t weaken my resolve. Father had to die before we could leave.

  We’re not going to find a way out, anyway, he said. We’re going to have to follow his instructions. He stood with his hands on his hips, looking down at me. Can you get up yet? Can you walk?

  I shook my head. Except for my toes, I couldn’t feel my legs at all. I leaned back against my elbows, and in doing so, looked up at the ceiling.

  There was a hatch. An escape.

  Elton didn’t seem to have noticed it, and I quickly moved my eyes to gaze at the corner of the elevator instead.

  Can you look for him? Elton asked. Like you did at my house?

  I blinked; at first, I was not sure what he meant. But, he was right; I didn’t have to be limited by my physical presence anymore. I stretched my
thoughts down the hall, and I felt a sense of weightlessness, and a tethered feeling around my midsection, as if I were tied to my own body. I came to the corner and turned in the direction Father had gone. A single, weak light lit the hall there. A rat trailed along the corridor, and I cringed, even though it couldn’t touch me. There was a large, metal door standing open at the end of the hall. The room on the other side was well-lit, and I hovered in the shadow of the doorway for a moment.

  He couldn’t see me, right? I was invisible to others. At least, I thought I was.

  The room was like a living area in someone’s house; there was a couch, a coffee table, and a fireplace. A painting of a woodland scene with dogs, or maybe wolves, running between the trees was above the mantel. Father was sitting on the couch with a mug of tea in one hand and a book in the other. He had glasses on, and as I watched, he balanced the mug on the arm of the couch for a moment while he turned the page. Then, he picked up the mug and drank from it as he turned his attention to the book.

  There were other doors, but they were all shut. Nobody else seemed to be around.

  I turned my attention to the pulling sensation, squeezing my eyes shut. When I opened them, I was back in my body. He seems to be alone, in a room around the corner. He’s just sitting there, reading a book.

  You’re sure he’s alone? Elton asked.

  I shook my head. There were doors leading elsewhere, but they were shut. I don’t know if there is anybody else for sure. But, he’s alone in that room.

  Elton put a finger underneath my chin and met my eyes. We’re going to do what you said. Okay? We’re going to let him think we’re cooperating, and when he lets his guard down . . . then, we’ll escape.

  I kept my eyes locked on his. He looked like a puppy, asking for a bone. I agreed we’d cooperate with him and escape. But, I could see Elton didn’t want to kill Father.

  Don’t worry, I said. I’ll cooperate for now. Besides, if he can get our abilities to another level without torture and maltreatment, I’m ready for that.

  Really?

  Really. Come on, let’s go find him.

  Elton released my wrist and reached down for my hand instead. His fingers wove between mine, then he brought the back of my hand up to his mouth and pressed his lips against it for just a moment. It didn’t seem romantic; rather, he almost seemed to be sealing the deal we’d made.

  We moved down the hall and around the corner. The rat was gone, causing me to pause and wonder where it had wandered off to. Surely, if the rat could disappear, then there was a way out. Elton tugged gently on my hand, and we continued towards the door. It was still ajar, and Elton pushed it open with his free hand. The rusty hinges creaked as it swung open. Though the hallway had smelled faintly of must, this room smelled like firewood and coffee.

  Father snapped his book shut and stood from the couch. I was beginning to wonder about you, he said. Come in, come in. Please, have a seat. He gestured at the couch, and we sat on it, our thighs and shoulders pressed tightly against each other. I didn’t let go of Elton’s hand, and he still clutched mine.

  A mild ripple of terror ran through me. This man was responsible for the nightmare my life had become.

  But, he’d also given me great gifts. Hadn’t he?

  Thank you for putting your trust in me, Father said. I know it must have been a difficult decision for you to make.

  Can you talk? I asked. “Verbally?” I added, out loud.

  “Yes,” he said. Like Elton’s and mine, his voice was not scratchy.

  “We prefer to speak out loud,” I said.

  Speaking telepathically will sharpen your skills, he said.

  “We don’t have any trouble with telepathic communication,” I said, and leaned forward. “It’s about trust. When you speak out loud, you aren’t hiding your thoughts.”

  “I see your point,” he said. “It’s a reasonable enough request. I understand I’ll have to build some trust with you, after the way you’ve been treated.”

  “Mistreated,” I said.

  “I’d say, ‘abused’,” Elton added.

  Father nodded. He pulled the device he’d used to incapacitate us earlier from his kimono. “The first thing I’ll do to build your trust is to allow you to have this.” He handed it to Elton. “It doesn’t have an effect on me. But, you can see I have no protection from your abilities now. If you wanted to kill me with your mind, then you could.” He locked eyes with me. “I’m sure it’s tempting to do that right this moment. But, before you do, I’d like you to look through that window over there.” He gestured towards a pane of glass in the wall on the other side of the room.

  What do you think is in there? I asked Elton.

  He didn’t answer. He went to the window and looked through it. “How will this keep us from hurting you?” Elton asked.

  “It won’t,” he said. “I just wanted you to see that I intend to treat you with dignity and respect. The door’s right there; you can go in, if you like. Notice the lock is on the inside. I can’t confine you in it.”

  Elton opened the door next to the window and went into the room. Curious, I got up to look. It was a bedroom, with a real bed, nice bedding, a sitting area, a table and chairs, and an armoire, full of clothes. A curtain was pulled back to reveal the window into the living area.

  I went to the clothing in the closet and flipped through it. It was all quite obviously for Elton: Male-oriented, and large enough to accommodate his new height and muscular appearance.

  Fear uncurled in my belly, and I could feel the uncertainty sparking up my abilities. The man didn’t plan to keep me around.

  “Ah, Nimisila,” the man interrupted. “I see your unease. I haven’t forgotten you. You have your own room, over there. I thought the two of you would value your privacy. Most teenagers do, correct?”

  I went to the other room. It was similar to Elton’s, but the closet was stocked with a wardrobe meant more for a girl my size. The knot in my stomach eased.

  “My room is over there,” the man explained. “We’ll coexist down here, while we complete your training, and when I’m satisfied you’ve learned all you can, and I’ve learned all I can, then I’ll keep my promise. You’ll be free to go. All right?”

  “How do we get out?” I said.

  “Nimisila,” he replied. “I can see you are going to be the difficult one. But, I can’t tell you that. Not yet.”

  “I’m afraid to be here,” I said, pressing towards him. “They put me in a box. Did you know that? Over and over, they tried to drown me in a box. I don’t like to be confined.”

  He clucked his tongue. “Mrs. Darit did enjoy her methods, didn’t she? I understand this is difficult for you, my dear.” He put a hand on my shoulder, and I tried not to flinch. He grimaced and pulled it away. “My apologies. But, even if it is difficult, for the time being, I cannot reveal where the exit is. Trust goes both ways; don’t you agree?”

  “He’s right, Nim,” Elton interjected. “How can we expect him to trust us, if we don’t trust him?” He put an arm around me. “We agree to your terms,” he said. “But, we have terms of our own.”

  “Go on,” Father said.

  “Nothing painful—whether physical or mental,” Elton began. “We reserve the right to stop any ‘training’, as you call it, if we wish, no questions asked. I’m sure you can appreciate the reasons.”

  “Agreed,” Father replied. “Now, I think you’ve had a long day. Why don’t you wash up and retire for the night?”

  Chapter 8

  As it turned out, the training was painless. Father hooked us up to various monitors, just like Mrs. Darit and the doctor had. But, there was never any pain. Instead, he encouraged us to recognize the desired results in the output and sharpen our skills based on the data.

  It worked.

  In only a few weeks of lessons, he taught me to reliably lift and manipulate any object I wanted—even myself or another person. I could use my thoughts to apply force to the accuracy of a pin
prick, if I so chose. I could leave my body, move to another room, and sense the presence of others when I wasn’t able to see them. It was more than I ever could have imagined.

  A strange thing happened as I honed my skills under Father’s direction. The urge to destroy him, and everything he’d started, began to dampen and fade. I somehow found myself grateful for being pushed down this path.

  How else would I have become this much of a badass?

  I didn’t tell Elton I no longer felt the desire to follow through with the plan. If Father released us to normal lives, what would be the point of hurting him? The rage that had fueled our escape less than a month ago was largely gone. Anyway, wouldn’t it be misdirected to aim it at Father?

  Father could read me well, so I shouldn’t have been surprised when it finally came to a head. “Elton, Nimisila,” he said one evening, as we were sitting around the fire. “I’m pleased to say you have progressed in your studies. I believe we’ve learned all we can from each other. I’ve arranged for you each to start at school. I expect you’ll be placed a grade back from where you were; I’m sorry about that. The non-telepath school is notoriously slow in its curriculum.”

  I felt my face flush at his criticism of our prior school. I was about to point out we’d been subjected to experiments against our will, when he noticed my expression. “I’m not saying there’s a problem with the students, Nimisila. I merely mean communicating telepathically is faster, and so the teachers get through more material faster. It isn’t a criticism of you.”

  My irritation deflated—until he patted me on the knee. I wasn’t just some dog he could soothe with a scratch behind the ears.

  “They won’t know about your abilities,” he continued. “I suggest you keep that to yourselves. There is enormous advantage in what you can do, and there are those who would go to great lengths to get it. Keep it hidden at all costs. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, sir,” Elton said.

  I nodded.

  “I stood in as your guardian,” Father continued. “I’ve informed the school that you are my niece and nephew, and your parents perished in the lab fire on the north side of town. You may live with me if you wish, but I understand if you’d like to make other arrangements. Nimisila, your aunt is willing to care for you, and Elton, your brother has, of course, said he’d assume care of you. I’ve grown to care for both of you and would be deeply humbled if you should choose to stay. But, that’s up to you.” He glanced around the room. “I do have an above-ground house we’d reside in. We’re only here because I wanted to make sure your abilities could be contained while you learned to properly control them.”