AIO 2 . 5 • THE CODE

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CAOLAN HAYDEN

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I didn't know how to prepare for what was about happening. I cannot simply compel with Aiden's argument or points but it seemed to rouse a fact that I didn't consider my six year old child.

I know the authorities are going to do anything in their power to grasp my latest experiment but I simply cannot let them.

Growing up, I had a fondness for these.. Marvel Superheroes. There was just a unique feature about them I just couldn't put my finger on.

I have grown to adapt to watching their movies and there is not a single one I haven't watched. So, I vowed that when I grew up, I was going to be a superhero. That oath was broken when i broke my arm while aspiring to fly and the age of seven.

The doctor's prognosis were quite grim and I just had to 'rive' my vow. Then I decided I was going to be a scientist. Why be a superhero when you can make one?

I spent eight years trying to amalgamate all the kinetic powers in one. I've made a hundred and two unsuccessful attempts in total over the years.

Oh Andrea, rest her soul. She was a beautiful woman. My Italian wife and mother to my child - our child. She passed away when Alex was just a year old due to a fire outbreak.

Her screams still linger in my mind, ringing like church bells. Albeit, she was trying to yell out something, like an information but she lost.

But that fire, seemed so surreal. I mean to say, I believe it was a well detailed blueprint.

I worked on the experiment two years before we had Alex. When she was one, I decided to share my thoughts about creating a superhero by 'combining all kinetic powers' with the Institution.

The next day, I decided to spend some quality time with the baby in the park while Andrea decided to stay at the hotel and prepare lasagna for lunch.

Probably, she caused the fire? Who knows? But I've come to understand that Andrea had never been one to be utterly or partially heedless while she cooks and that occurrence was profoundly mysterious, especially when the door was locked from the outside.

I opened the door to my apartment and was greeted with the face of my child. She was busy with a book which I smiled at.

I took placid movements towards her as my appearance had not been noticed yet.

Just as I was about to startle her, she talked--

"Welcome back father"

I withdrew my hands and nodded. She was still very much focused on the book and didn't spare me a glance.

"And how did you know I was

here?"

I questioned clearly amused.

"I seem to sense a lengthy or nigh distance of someone's presence"

She informed still focused on the book she was studying.

"I love you Vixen"

I breathed out with total honesty ruffling her white hair.

"And I have a very deep regard for you father"

I shook my head and chuckled. The 'L' word is something Alex finds arduous in saying.

I took a look at the book she had been quietly delving and discovered it was my notebook.

I smiled, Alex consistently proves to me that she is not dense. I took a seat close to her and she immediately shut the book causing me to furrow my brows in confusion.

"I'm done"

She answered my unasked question.

"Father?"

She called out and I hummed for her to proceed.

"You're creating a superhero by combining all the kinetic powers?"

I smiled and nodded, confirming her question.

"Does that explain the gooey colourful substances in your lab?"

I chuckled at her choice of name and nodded my head.

"Come"

I ordered her whilst getting up. I could hear her footsteps behind me as I approached my lab.

"Something's going to happen soon. I can't stop it, but I can try to prevent it"

I explained and she nodded for me to continue. I led her towards a hidden room in my lab. It had the same painting with the walls making it hard to know that a door is fixed there.

I made this 'door-like safe' specially for this situation. Nothing much, you just need codes to access what lays inside of it - my experiment.

"You see Alex, I had been working on those 'gooey substances' two years before you were born and it is finally successful"

She nodded again and I took that as my queue to continue.

"I made a hundred and two unsuccessful attempts in total and guess what the code to unlock this door is Alex?"

I watched her as she put two and two together.

"1-0-2?"

She asked tilting her head to the side.

"Correct. Do you mind?"

I questioned looking down at her and she shrugged in response. I heaved her, bringing her the same level with the code pad and I watched as her little fingers typed down the code.

The door made a 'ding' sound and slid open for us to step into the medium sized room.

There laid a huge infrangible glass box

sealed tightly to avoid the contents fleeing from it. That reminds me, I need to find a host for my experiment.

"Is that.. It?"

Alex asked pointing at the box and I nodded my head in approval. She cocked her head to the side studying it, an attitude she's quite fond of.

"I thought it was gooey. It still retains the same colors but it's... Different"

She observed and I nodded..

"I transformed it to gaseous form"

I explained touching the glass. The colorful gaseous ball inside just floated in the middle sparking like little lightnings.

"How does it work?"

She tilted her head and I moved back to her.

"If released, it finds its closest host and serves as a cage to the brain of the host"

She hummed in understanding and there was just complete silence.

"Guess what? I have a gift for you"

I informed her squatting down to her level. I shoved my hand into my jean pocket and brought out a necklace, Andrea's necklace.

I handed it to her and she brought it to her eye level studying it then she looked at me.

"It's my mother's. Isn't it?"

She asked and I nodded. Andrea's name was imbedded on the necklace.

"Well thank you then"

She forced a smile and I helped her put it around her neck before placing a chaste kiss on her forehead.

"Now vixen. What I told you, you're not allowed to share the code with anyone. So it's our little secret."

I informed her walking up to my shelf.

"I surmised"

She pointed out with a shrug. I knitted my brows.

"And how is that?"

"It's a code isn't it?"

She quirked her brow answering my question with a question.

I laughed, Alex is someone who is immensely sharp for a six year old. I have a feeling she is going to be just like me, or better.

I took out my old diary where I pen down my experiment formulas, processes and observation. I have a nagging feeling that I need to get rid of it as soon as possible.

Or I could just gift it to Alex.

I took slow steps towards her and crouched down to her level again.

"I want you to have this too"

I handed it to her and she examined it.

"To study it or--"

"To keep it"

I stated in finality.

#6arbie#

"Heroes are made by the path they choose, not the powers they are graced with."

- Iron Man

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