Awakened

November had brought with it a chill in the air that October had only hinted at. Soren wore a heavy jacket, though his body did not feel cold the same way that humans did. Avery followed just behind him and to the right, notebook and pen in hand. Avery was bundled up further with a scarf and gloves, his nose and cheeks tinged pink from the cold.

They were walking the perimeter of the sanctuary that had been named 'Starfall' by a majority vote. Soren was not sure how he felt about the name, but the people were happy with it. The last three months had seen the beginning of the wall being built. Before that space had been cleared and dozens of small houses had been quickly assembled.

They had used material from Culton and the few trips made to Kansas City. Construction of the wall would have to stop soon as the temperature had started to become consistently cold, too cold to work outside. Their numbers had raised to two thousand in a short time, though it was nothing compared to Culton's original population.

Soren's goal this afternoon was to check the state of the wall, and those who had been tasked with guarding it. So far no mutated had made it out of the city, but it was only a matter of time. It was also only a matter of time before other humans would form groups and come around to cause trouble.

The wall that was being built was a mash-up of whatever materials they could get their hands on after the houses had been built. There was wood, metal sheeting, and chain link fence just to name a few. It looked rather sad. The hope was that it would stall any invasion, whether human or mutated, long enough that reinforcements could be called to defend.

"If we had thought of it before, we should have built some type of a shelter for the guards."

Soren commented as the human guards ahead of them came into view.

"We could put something together to at least keep out the snow, but it might require fewer guards."

"That's probably better in the long run anyway. Make note of it and I'll consult with Jordan and Issac about it. If we do that then we should make certain that there is at least one evolved in each guard rotation."

They greeted the guards then continued on. When they were done with the perimeter check they went back inside and made their way down to the lab. When they walked into the lab they found Madelyn checking over Ashton while Jordan stood to the side, assisting her when needed.

"I didn't realize that Sentinel had returned."

Ashton turned to Soren and nodded his head, "We returned about ten minutes ago. Darcy should be coming down soon, it'll be his turn once the doc is finished poking me."

Madelyn rolled her eyes, "I'm checking that everything is working ok, not poking you."

The temperature in the room started to raise and Madelyn smacked Ashton's arm. "Don't you dare burn my stuff. I don't think I need to remind you how difficult it is to replace any of it is."

"Sorry, ma'am."

"How are you doing?"

Soren moved to stand behind Madelyn and watched what she was doing.

Ashton shrugged and looked down at the floor, "Most days it's under control. It's been two months, I should have a better grasp of it by now."

"You'll master it when you master it, you can't rush it. I imagine that getting upset about it only makes it harder to control. Have you been talking with your teammates about it?"

"Yes, and I probably have it easier than Gabriel."

Soren grabbed a chair and sat down, "I heard it was interesting. I believe that Madelyn decided on calling it spirit?"

"That's what they decided on its name. He's able to make himself insubstantial and no one is able to touch him. It's crazy to see and even harder to explain, but you can see him, he's still there, he is just seethrough."

Soren glanced at Madelyn who had turned to put her equipment to the side. Ashton bid them farewell and left.

"How many does that make?"

~All of Mason's team, Team Sentinel, have gained some kind of ability. They are all elemental in nature.~

"What about Issac's team?"

"Last check-in he still had two that hadn't transformed. My current theory is that the stress from being out there and fighting the mutated is causing them to mutate. I'm curious if anyone outside of Starfall has gained powers."

Madelyn finished wiping down her tools and turned to face Soren, though she kept her distance. She kept herself from looking at Avery the whole time. After the few run-ins that she had with him, she had taken to ignoring him as much as she could.

"How would that change things?"

"If it's just the humans in Starfall that are Awakening then the odds are good that it's because of the vaccine. Something about your blood is rewriting their DNA and causing them to gain powers.

"At this point, though, I am almost eighty percent certain that a stressed state is what has forced them to change. I believe that I could recreate such an environment and force someone to Awaken to their powers in a safe space."

Soren stood and put his chair back when he had gotten it, "It would be hard to find someone willing to volunteer. While it doesn't seem dangerous, not many would be willing to be put into a dangerous situation just to have powers."

"I would be willing to."

Avery spoke up and drew everyone's attention. They were all surprised.

"I'm the only human who hasn't taken the vaccine so it would give you a chance to test that part of the theory. If it doesn't work like that, I'm willing to get the vaccine and test it that way."

Madelyn was torn, she wanted to test out her theories but at the same time, she did not want to subject anyone to the methods that she would be using. When she thought about it, though, she realized that Avery had been through worse.

"Are you certain this is what you want?"

"Yes, sir. Doing this will help us grow stronger."

It'll help me grow stronger and remain useful, Avery thought to himself. When he was on even ground with the other human's he did not worry about his place. The moment that Ashton and Darcy Awakened and gained powers he realized that he would soon become unnecessary.

Avery's existence depends on his being needed and being useful. He felt strongly about the need for power. He would be able to maintain his current position and, if needed, fight alongside Soren and the other Evolved.

"Very well." Soren turned to Madelyn, "Once Issac and his team return I will be heading out with them to check on the base. I'll require Avery until then so you will have a few days to prepare. I will trust that you'll keep him alive."

Madelyn nodded, "I will do my best."

There was a knock at the door and Darcy stepped in. Soren greeted him and talked with him for a while before leaving with Avery.

Issac's team was due back any time. They had spent the past week in Kansas City and during their travel there they had swung by the army base. Issac had noticed a lack of activity and communicated it with Starfall, and Soren, the first chance he got.

They had decided to head there after his mission was completed and Soren planned to go with them. He was curious about the state of the base. A month after Issac had become an Evolved Soren had gone with his team to the prison. Ethan had made a list of names for them of people to save if they were still alive, only two out of a list of thirteen had been alive.

They had cleared the prison of mutated and killed every human that was not on the list. The cooler was well stocked at the moment. Soren did not believe that a trip to Fort Karmen would yield the same results. What he was certain about was that they could get equipment for Madelyn that would help her further understand the newest mutation; Awakened humans.