Finding the Answers

Everyone turned to Jordan when he spoke.

"I'm wondering if he had started experimenting on himself before I left. It's almost ironic that his blood would be the catalyst to destroy everything we started to build here. Because mark my words, he meant for me to kill everyone."

His father knew that he could control the other's: the mutated and the evolved. What his father did not know was that he could not control Jordan. Jordan had become his first safeguard once they realized the truth. Avery had been his backup. Both had succeeded with minimal damage.

"We stopped his plans this time, there is no certainty that it'll work a second time." Soren looked down at the unconscious and bandaged Avery, then turned to Madelyn. "Find out what you can about the thing he threw. Take the body to the lab, dissect it. Dissect and study the worm. Make a list of machines or supplies and I will send a team to find it.

"If there is even the hint of a chance that we can learn something. Even the smallest chance that a counter to whatever it is he's done that takes away my control can be found, then it needs to be taken."

Soren moved Avery carefully and stood. He took the pants from Ethan and slipped them on. He glanced at the three, each in turn.

"I won't let him win. I know it's fucking petty, but I don't give a damn. The first thing I remember of my father is him telling me that I was destined to destroy this world. Well, fuck that, this is my world. Mine!"

Soren picked up Avery and carried him as if he weighed nothing. He made his way up the stairs, coming across the Marsh family as he stepped onto the main floor. Soren acknowledged them with a glance then made his way upstairs.

*******

Jordan and Madelyn followed behind Soren, knowing that Jordan's family was waiting on the main floor. Ethan stayed back to open the entrance to the dungeon and carried the body to the lab.

"I-is everything ok?"

Charlotte was the first to speak up. Everyone looked just a little too pale, eyes a hint too wide. It had been a shock to see the change that had come over Soren.

"It is."

"What happened? Who was that guy?"

Reece asked, looking at both Jordan and Madelyn. Jordan shook his head in response and Madelyn echoed him.

"We're not sure who he was. We'll have to see if anyone is missing since so many new faces have come in such a short time. As for what happened…"

Madelyn looked at Jordan for confirmation. She did not want to say anything that she was not allowed to. She was still getting used to the rules.

~Tell them. Knowledge will help abate some of the fear.~

Madelyn let out a sigh and looked at each of the Marsh's in turn.

"You've had it explained to you what happened to Jordan, right?"

Charlotte nodded, "Yes. Soren walked us through it, though nothing in depth."

"The short of it is that Dr. Valle is a very nasty individual. What he did to Jordan, he did to Soren when Soren was still a baby. Soren has better control over himself than any of us. Where we may falter, he stands strong.

"Dr. Valle has created a way to take away Soren's control. If Jordan and Avery hadn't been able to stop him he would have easily killed everyone here."

Ava stepped forward, her eyes resting on her brother a moment before looking at Madelyn.

"Soren is like the mutated?"

"Yes and no. I've seen the videos and, while it's not as good as having the notes, I've seen the difference in the experiments. Soren has similarities to the mutated and the evolved, but he's more.

"Soren has promised that everyone here will be safe. He will keep that promise."

Madelyn has not decided how she feels about Soren, but she understands that she can dislike him while acknowledging the good he wants to do.

They left Jordan's family to join the others while they went back down. Madelyn grabbed the two containers she had left on the bar and went to the dungeon. Jordan stayed with her, he planned to work with her to try and solve the problem and hopefully come up with a few answers.

It had hurt Jordan to see his friend out of control again. He knew how hard Soren worked to maintain control. A lack of control meant that Dr. Valle had won and neither of them wanted that.

*******

Avery felt like he was moving through a fog as he slowly became aware of the world around him. He did not hurt, and a part of him was surprised by that fact but could not remember why. His eyes finally opened and the world around him slowly began to piece itself together. He was lying in bed, naked, with a dull throb at his neck.

When he reached up to touch his neck he felt fabric there and suddenly everything came back. He had thought for sure he was going to die. Avery was not sure why he had stepped in as he had. In hindsight, it was more than an act of suicide. If he were to put thought into it he had hoped his presence would have some effect.

Soren had talked about the benefits of the marks at length a few times. Avery knew that the marks changed his scent, though he did not understand any of it. That had been one of the things that had factored into his choice. It was a stupid gamble. I've never been one to gamble even on a sure thing.

But, it seemed to have worked. He was still alive anyway. A noise drew his attention to the side and he caught sight of Soren walking out of the master bathroom, towel drying his hair. Soren looked up and locked eyes with him.

"How are you feeling?"

"Numb."

Avery winced. His voice was hoarse and there was a noticeable twinge that promised to hurt later.

"Madelyn gave you a shot of painkillers. You have a few hours left before it wears off. I grabbed you some regular, over the counter, pain meds that you should start taking before the shot wears off."

Avery struggled to sit up and ended up with Soren helping him up.

"I feel like shit already, I don't want to experience this without meds."

Soren smiled and sat down on the bed in front of Avery.

"I plan on talking with all of the newcomers this evening and I want you to come down for it. It'll be a historical moment if we can all live long enough. I'm going to turn Mason into an evolved in front of everyone. It'll be the best way for them to understand what's going on and who they're working with.

"After that, you're taking a couple of days to rest."

Avery tried to nod but it just did not feel right, "Yes, sir."

"Hmm, I should also mention that you had to get stitches. It's best not to mess that up."

Soren reached out to lay a hand on the bandage. Avery flinched but did not move away. In a decisive moment, he had chosen to step forward and offer his life in the chance that it would stop Soren. Avery knew that he could have left with the others. He could have taken it as a distraction and ran away. Instead, he had chosen to help.

His actions had made it clear that he had thrown his lot in with the monsters.

"May I take a shower."

"Don't get the bandage wet. Are you hungry?"

"Not at the moment."

God, no. I wanna throw up, not eat. Avery felt like the contents of his stomach were trying to crawl their way back up. Soren stood and dropped his towel on Avery's lap. Avery picked up the towel and threw it over his shoulder while he carefully stood. His walk to the bathroom was slow. Even with most of the pain drowned in painkillers his body still felt stiff.

Avery closed the bathroom door and started the shower. The bathroom had a shower separate from the bathtub. He was grateful for this small luxury as he was not certain he would be able to climb into a tub.

He turned on the water, as hot as he could stand, and suddenly found himself on his knees vomiting the contents of his stomach. He had enough forethought to keep the bandage away from the water, but that was as far as it went.