Friends

Later that day everyone was gathered in the dining room for dinner, with the exception of the four humans locked up in the dungeon. Soren sat at the head of the table, to his right sat Jordan, and Issac. To his left sat Avery, Fry and Madelyn. Avery was the only one eating regular food and feeling uncomfortable through the whole process.

Madelyn had moved into the empty room upstairs and, with Fry's help, was adjusting to her new state. The biggest surprise came from how quickly Issac had adjusted. It could be said that his years of being an agent had set him apart from others, even in such a strange environment.

Issac had hesitated when the food had been served. He did not need to be told what it was he was about to eat. His determination to become stronger and save his sister overrode whatever apprehensions he might have had.

After everyone was done eating Soren moved it straight to a meeting.

"Tomorrow will be a busy day. Issac will be heading out. Issac's main focus will be on finding his sister, but he will also be gathering people and sending them our way. Fry, Avery and myself will head out as well and check on the state of Culton.

"This means that we can expect our first batch of people as early as tomorrow. Ethan, you will take the humans and start cutting down trees. I want the clearing expanded. We need the space for the people coming and the wood will be useful later.

"Jordan, you will get Madelyn setup in the lab then join Ethan. I don't think that they'll try to run, but with all four out having an extra set of eyes will be good."

"What is the point of me being in the lab?"

Madelyn leaned on the table and turned to look at Soren.

"You're a scientist, that should be a good enough reason. We don't have any notes to go over but there are video recordings of experiments. Jordan and I can only have a surface level knowledge of what is going on. I'm hoping that with our extensive knowledge that you'll be able to gain deeper insight.

"At the very least, watching the videos will help you to understand what we're dealing with. How familiar are you with basic first aid?"

Madelyn shrugged, "Slightly more than the average person, but not extensive."

"That's good enough for now. You will be our medical personnel as well."

While under supervision. Soren thought silently. He did not trust that Madelyn would have full control over herself when it came to treating wounded humans. With Jordan, or himself, standing guard he would feel better about it.

After the discussion was finished everyone separated. Fry went with Madelyn to her room. Ethan took food for the four in the dungeon, Issac followed him. It was more to see how he would react while around humans. Issac would be sent out into the world surrounded by food. It was going to take a strong will and controlled diet to keep Issac from going feral and killing indiscriminately.

Jordan and Avery cleaned up after dinner, Soren stood to the side and watched.

"Do you want me to find your family?"

Jordan closed the dishwasher and stared down at the buttons. It had been a long time since he last saw his family. His little sister had been four when he went missing and his mother had been pregnant.

~I want to know that they're safe. I'm just scared. It's been sixteen years. I'm sure I'm barely a memory to Ava. The baby and I never met.~

Avery finished what he was doing and moved to the side to give them space. He was only able to hear one side of the conversation, but that was enough for him to understand what was going on.

Soren moved to lean against the counter beside Jordan.

"Whether or not they remember you, I can still find them and bring them here."

Jordan let out a sigh and turned to look at Soren. ~Bring them here. I couldn't rest easy knowing that we had the power to help them and just left them. But… I don't think I want them to know about me. They don't deserve that pain.~

"What? Knowing that you're alive after all these years? You deserve that. I know how much it's hurt you to be away from them. They've spent sixteen years not knowing if you are dead or alive, or worse. When they find out that you are alive nothing else will matter."

A single red tear slipped out and Jordan quickly wiped it away. He had been six when Dr. Valle showed up at school to take both boys out for ice cream. Neither of them had realized how pivotal that day would be. Jordan would not have gotten into the car if Soren had not been there. He had missed hanging out with his best friend.

He had cried for days when he realized that he would never be able to go home. Soren had tried to comfort him, but there was little comfort. They had clung to each other, only when they were alone at night could they feel any semblance of security. Soren had promised back then that he would become strong enough to protect Jordan.

"I promised you back then that I would give you your family back. I now have the ability to. Jordan, you are my brother. We have been through hell together and come out on top. Trust me on this one; I will find your family and bring them here. I won't hide the fact that you're alive, but I will make certain that they can handle it."

~Do what you feel is best.~

Jordan pressed the start button for the dishwasher and walked off. Soren stood there watching the retreating figure of Jordan long after he had disappeared from sight.

Soren could kill without remorse. He looked down on humans and did not see an issue with playing with them. But, when it came to Jordan being taken from his family Soren was filled with guilt. He felt that it was his greatest sin, even if he had had nothing to do with it. It was his fault that Jordan was taken away.

Soren turned to Avery who was doing his best to be invisible.

"Jordan is in his room, probably getting ready to bury himself in those damn shows. Go to him, sit with him. Spend the night watching. I won't look for you tonight."

"Yes, sir."

Avery nodded and left the kitchen. He found himself conflicted in a way he never thought he would be. The one sided conversation had made him like Jordan even more. But, it had also shown him a side of Soren that was not a terrifying monster. How was he supposed to process that?

Upstairs, Avery went to Jordan's room and knocked on the door. When the door was not answered after waiting a while, Avery knocked again. This time the door opened. When Jordan saw who it was he rolled his eyes and motioned for Avery to come in.

The laptop was on the bed and the website where Jordan watched his shows was pulled up, though he had not had the time to start one yet. Jordan went to the table by his bed and pulled a notebook out of the top drawer, and a pen.

'Soren send you?'

Avery nodded, "Yes. He said that he won't look for me tonight."

'It's not necessary.'

"I do enjoy hanging out, and watching your shows. They're fun and… and they help me to forget."

Jordan started to write then stopped. Instead, he moved the laptop and sat down on the bed, motioning for Avery to join him. Avery sat down and watched Jordan pick a show to watch and pull it up. Before Jordan pressed play he picked up the notebook.

'Friends?'

Jordan showed Avery what he had written and pointed between the two of them. Avery nodded.

"Yeah. I don't have much to offer. Soren had made it clear that I'm nothing without him. I-I'm adjusting. He praised me twice today, even complimented me on my cooking."

Avery felt the tears fall and tried to wipe them away, but to no avail as they kept falling. When Soren had complimented him on the food he had been filled with happiness. It was later that he realized he had lost himself.

Jordan spent some time writing on the notebook before showing it to Avery.

'I won't oppose Soren, he is my brother and I know that I don't stand a chance against him. But, if I can protect you, I will. I don't have many friends."

They watched shows well into the night. When Avery could no longer stay awake he closed his eyes and fell asleep. Jordan continued to watch his shows, his need for sleep was minimal. Whenever Jordan would look at Avery's sleeping form he would smile.