Settling in

The rest of the trip was without incident. When they came into range, Soren let Jordan and Ethan know they were coming. He had them take the four mercenaries back to the dungeon. While he had yet to decide what to do with them long term, he did not want to allow them around the new people.

Soren had yet to decide if they would continue to live, or if they were more useful dead. He foresaw problems if they were integrated with the newcomers. The newcomers would see Soren as the other's as the ones who saved them. This would inspire trust and open the lines of communication for Soren's future plans. The four only cooperated due to fear, this would not help him if they decided to try and turn the people against Soren.

Another issue was the fact that Jordan had locked himself away in his room. He refused to come out and meet his family, too afraid of their reaction to how he now looked. Soren planned to use Jordan's interaction with his family as a test run for everyone in the sanctuary aware of his existence. Soren wanted Jordan to have a halfway normal life.

"For now, Ms. Kelly and the kids can stay in the basement with Charlotte and Bentley. Ashton and Darcy will be camping out in the living room of the main floor."

Soren spoke up as he parked the van, he then turned around to address the group.

"If you're all up for it, I'll have you get the vaccine right away. I don't trust that the virus isn't still in the air."

"It can be caught that easily?"

Soren nodded, "A bite, if done under the right conditions, can spread it. That's the quickest way to mutate. The current spread of the mutation virus is due to it being released in the air. It can take up to five days to go from human to mutated, it's also in that period where they're most likely to spread the virus to others.

"Right now it's the number one way this thing is spreading. With the sudden increase I'm thinking that it was reintroduced into the air somehow because the government had isolated most of the initial infected."

"Wait, someone did this on purpose?"

By the time Ashton's brain made the connection and he spoke up, Soren had already exited the van. The rest of the group looked to Fry who simply nodded her head. Avery opened the door and Fry moved to unbuckle the children.

~Madelyn, five vaccine's. Meet us in the basement.~

Soren also sent orders to Ethan to move one of the beds in the basement so that the room Kelly and the kids stayed in had two beds. With limited space, people would have to start sharing spaces. He was already considering if he should have Madelyn and Fry share space and if he was going to take in enough evolved to put bunk beds in the three upstairs bedrooms.

Soren had already decided that he and Jordan would not share their space, even if he already was. He meant for Jordan to be a leader, and a leader should not be expected to share their space with, say, a soldier.

Soren pulled Avery to the side, "I want you to talk with Jordan and try to convince him to come down and see his family. He's locked himself in his room and is refusing to come down."

"I-I'll try my best."

Soren was not certain if Avery could talk Jordan into facing his fear. If Avery was unable to succeed he was more likely to force Jordan to do it. He would rather it be Jordan's choice.

Avery separated from the group when they entered the house and made his way upstairs. Soren led the rest down to the basement. The hole in the floor of the living room was open and Soren pointed to it as everyone gathered around him.

"Down there is off-limits to all but a few. It's mostly a storage area, but it's also where all our medical things are kept. If it's open that means that someone is down there. Madelyn, here, is as close to a doctor as we have at the moment so don't be afraid to speak up if you have medical training."

Madelyn was standing by the entrance to the dungeon with a tray holding the syringes. About that point Ethan walked out of the first bedroom. He stopped in surprise when he saw the group of people and children standing in front of him.

"Hey, boss, the room is ready."

"Excellent. Ms. Kelly, if you would follow me, the kids as well."

Soren took her to the bedroom and motioned inside, "I figured that you and the kids would rather stay together so most of the room is taken up by the beds. We'll have to figure out something for little Neve."

Kelly walked into the room with the kids. It was a plain room with bare white walls and two full sized beds. There was a door to the right that led to a small walk-in closet.

"Thanks. Will the kids be getting a shot, too?"

"No. I don't plan on giving it to anyone under ten. Strangely enough, while airborne the virus will not infect children. It will still infect them through blood, but only in that way. I don't know what the vaccine will do when they're this young."

He led her back out where the other's were sitting at the bar while Madelyn gave them the vaccine. When she came to give Kelly her shot Soren noticed red leaking into her eyes, and the fact that her eyes were taking on a glossy appearance. He was reminded that she had not been around humans since her consciousness had returned after evolving.

Soren had not noticed if any of the humans had injuries. When he took into consideration her previous state, just being around humans in general, the smell of them could cause her to regress to a feral state.

"Ethan, Fry, why don't you take everyone upstairs and get them something to eat. I'm sure the kids are hungry at least." Soren turned to Kelly, "You should let them play outside after they eat. Let them have some fun."

Kelly nodded and followed after the other's. Charlotte stood to the side and waited until the other's were gone before saying anything.

"What about Jordan? When will I get to see him."

Madelyn was facing away from Charlotte, which was good since her eyes had completely shifted to red. Madelyn gave off a low growl that could only be heard by Soren, his presence was the only thing keeping her from going after Charlotte.

"You may have to give him some time. He's scared. He's changed a lot and is worried that he will scare you when you see him."

"He's my son, I'm not afraid of him."

"You say that now. I don't even have much faith in the reactions of others to Jordan. Be patient. It's been sixteen years, a few more hours won't make much difference. When you do see him take it slow and be kind. Our lives here were not easy."

Charlotte nodded then left to join the others. Soren was glad to see her go, the last thing he wanted to do was explain to Jordan why he let Madelyn kill his mother. Madelyn's growl started to grow louder as Charlotte walked away. Madelyn did not like that her prey was getting away.

"You're not allowed to hurt the humans."

Soren took the tray from her and tried to steer her to the stairs. His plan was to either pull her out or lock her up if that failed. Madelyn growled and tried to attack. Soren laughed at her attempt and gave her a shove. The push was hard enough to move her back and cause her to lose balance and fall down the stairs to the dungeon.

Soren made his way down the stairs, his eyes never leaving Madelyn. The moment she landed at the bottom of the stairs she stood, her body crouched low and ready to attack. Soren set the tray on the steps and continued down. When she launched herself at him, Soren growled and held his right hand out to stop her.

Up against Soren, her strength was nothing. He was able to hold her in place with one hand. Madelyn continued to growl and tried to reach for him, Soren responded by sweeping her legs out from under her and dropped her to the floor.