Jack looked up in surprise when two guards came into his cell. He had been pretty much left alone since the gruesome surgery he had undergone. His head was still bandaged and he was walking with a limp, but physically he had emerged pretty much intact. His sister's body had died, but she still lived on. Her spirit inside of him. 

The guards approached him and he started to raise his hand toward them, but they overpowered him before he could throw a shockwave.

What are they doing? What could they possibly want now, Jack? Victoria asked.

Beats me, he replied.

The guards pinned him back on the bed and shackled his hands and feet. One of them grunted at him and then both of them turned to leave his cell.

"Great," he said out loud, tugging at the shackles. They were much worse than ordinary shackles because they kept his arms and hands twisted at uncomfortable angles so he couldn't throw shockwaves. They forced his hands into fists and locked them that way.

I'm sorry, Jack. Victoria said softly.

What are you sorry for? You didn't do anything.

Well, I can't feel it, but I know those shackles must be painful.

A little bit. It's alright. Don't worry about me.

Just then, the door swung open and a stocky guy walked in. He wasn't a scientist or doctor, but he wasn't a guard either. Jack could tell by the sharp intelligence shining in his eyes. The guards all shared a dull, confused look that he could easily recognize.

The stocky guy stepped aside to allow a dark, winged woman to enter the room. Jack's eyes grew wide when he saw her.

What is that? His sister whispered inside his head.

I don't know. A demon?

Do demons exist?

It looks to me like they might.

The woman was tall and her skin was jet black. She had golden eyes that reminded Jack of a bird and they shone from her face almost with a light of their own. Her head cocked to the side, very similar to how a bird's would, as she regarded Jack with interest and curiosity.

Jack's throat was dry, but he managed to whisper, "Are you a demon?"

He was surprised at the look of pain that crossed her strange features briefly and then she shook her head, quickly. "No. I am no demon, child."

"You've seen some subjects with unique abilities, but this boy, here..." the stocky guy said. “He’s one of our more powerful wards. He unleashes shockwaves that will knock you into next week."

The woman glanced at the man and then back at Jack. "Do you keep him shackled this way all the time?"

"Not me. I don't have much direct contact with the subjects. I'm sure they take off the shackles when he doesn't have company. He recently underwent surgery, so I imagine he's pretty weak."

She glanced up at the bandages on Jack's head and then looked back into his eyes. For some reason, Jack felt a strange peace run through him when he looked into her golden gaze. He couldn't tell whether she was enemy or friend, but she sure did make him feel good when she looked at him.

"What's your name?" he asked her.

The stocky guy started to move toward them and she held out a hand to stay him.

"Serena. What's yours?"

"Uhh, they don't have names, they..." the stocky guy tried to interrupt.

"Jack. My sister's name is Victoria. She's here too."

They would assume he meant at the facility, but for some reason Jack felt the urge to introduce his sister to this woman. This winged creature. He didn't know why and he knew he should be careful, but somehow he felt like she meant him no harm.

"Well Jack, I should be going. It was very nice to meet you."

"Will you come back?"

She hesitated and glanced back at the stocky guy. Jack saw him shrug almost imperceptibly. Then she looked down at Jack, seeming to have just made a decision.

"Yes. I will come back to see you again. Soon."

Jack smiled. He actually smiled. For the first time in who knew how long. It felt strange on his face. He laid his head back on the bed and watched them leave. His breath caught in his throat when he got a rear view of her massive black wings. The feathers seemed so shiny and soft, he longed to touch them.

When the door clicked shut, he let out a long breath.

Wow! She was.....

Amazing. I know. He smiled. She was an angel.

But so.... dark. I thought angels were supposed to be all, you know, light and white.

Angels and demons are really the same creature, you know. It's just that demons were the angels who followed Lucifer, the arch angel who defied God and was sent down to Hell, Jack explained.

How do you know all that?

Sunday school. Duh. You should have gone with me more often.

It bored me to tears. Sorry. I'm not into all that religious stuff.... So, do you really think she was an angel? Are angels usually accompanied by burly, grumpy-looking guys?

I don't know, but I'm glad she came.

Me too. Maybe she will help us.

Maybe. Maybe she can't. But as long as she comes back to see us, I'll be okay with that.

Yeah. She was cool.

The guards returned a few minutes later to release Jack from the shackles. He didn't even bother trying to throw a shockwave at them when they left. He knew it would have no effect on them. Instead he closed his eyes and imagined the golden gaze of the angelic woman he'd just met.

..........

Serena walked quietly behind Gideon as he led her toward the entrance. They were finally leaving. She contemplated all that she had seen. The children she had seen and/or met.

The first cell they had come to had appeared empty. Gideon had seen her look of confusion and nodded toward the ceiling. She had gasped when she had looked up to see a boy clinging to the ceiling upside down. His bare feet and hands were webbed. He had just hung there gazing down at her curiously.

After that she had seen children and even a few adults who had a variety of abilities. From being able float to having the ability to breath under water. Some weren't as obvious as others. Gideon told her the powers they possessed if she was unable to tell by looking at them. There was a girl who could see through anything inanimate. Anything that had never been alive, anyways, such as rock, metal, plastic. She couldn't see through wood or cloth that was made of wool or cotton.

They had come to one cell and she couldn't see inside of it. It was full of some kind of fog or mist. The boy who resided there was able to call up the mist and engulf himself in it and anything around him. Another cell that had at first appeared empty contained a girl who Gideon had to point out to Serena. After allowing her eyes to relax and adjust, she finally found the child camouflaged against her bed.

There were so many of them. So many different abilities and talents. It amazed her. She wondered how her Master had acquired all of them. Did he take them from their families? Were they orphaned or neglected? What was his ultimate goal in collecting them?

As they stepped into the foyer, Gideon turned and looked at her. His gaze was contemplative and she just stopped and eyed him back, knowing he was going to say something. Finally he spoke.

"It's best if you don't get too familiar with the subjects. They serve the purpose of the Master and sometimes that purpose doesn't end well for them. You might want to consider keeping your sympathy in check. The Master wouldn't approve of you being all friendly with them.”

"That is entirely my own business. What does he care so long as I don't interfere?"

"I'm just looking out for your best interest here. Giving you a friendly heads up. Don't get cozy with those people in there. It won't do you any good and it won't do them any either."

She regarded him thoughtfully. "I will not go against the will of the Master."

He nodded. "Good. Let's go. I don't like being here."

.......................

Everyone had arrived at the old farm house by morning. Jackson spent most of the night tossing and turning. He was worried. Worried about his alter-ego. Worried about Macy. Worried about whoever had sent the message into the sky. Finally at about 5 AM he got out of bed and went down to the kitchen. He nearly jumped out of his skin when something moved in the darkness.

He flipped on the light to find Jerome there. He was making his way toward Jackson with a glass of milk. Jackson nodded at him, eyeing the milk.

"Tya. She had a nightmare," Jerome said, gesturing with the glass.

"Is she alright?"

"I believe so. She has been troubled. Ever since the encounter with the Black Hole."

That was what they had all been calling the evil creature who had taken over Tya's mind. The Black Hole. Jackson nodded at Jerome. "I can understand why. She probably feels invaded."

"She says she feels defiled. As though he somehow corrupted her. I told her that was nonsense, but yet she continues to have horrible dreams."

"Maybe... maybe we should keep her out of this. Send her home?" Jackson suggested.

Jerome shook his head and turned toward the doorway. "I already tried. She would have none of it. She wants to help. I must get back to her."

Jackson nodded and turned toward the coffee maker. He hoped Tya would be able to handle doing what she would need to do. They planned on having her open her mind up so that she could seek out any kind of distress in the surrounding areas. This way they would have a better chance of locating whoever had sent the S.O.S.

Jackson reached back and tapped his crystal. He wanted to take a closer look at the maps and satellite images of the marshy jungle around them.

"Morning, big bro." It was Lillian's voice and it made him jump. 

"Lill."

"It's pretty early over there. Couldn't sleep?"

"No. I'm having... some girl problems."

Lillian’s laughter exploded into his mind and he grinned. "Shaddup."

She stopped laughing, but he heard humor in her voice when she said, "The girls always did fight over you."

"No they didn't! What are you talking about?"

"Yes they did! You just never noticed. I did though."

"Well, I don't really know how to handle the situation."

"You don't have to 'handle it'," she replied, her tone simple. "It will work itself out."

Jackson stared at the coffee maker as it hissed and gurgled. The rich scent of fresh coffee filled the large open kitchen as the hot liquid poured into the carafe. He pondered his sister's simple advice for a moment before shrugging and deciding she was probably right. His thoughts turned to Tya.

"Lill, have you been able to make any progress with the Black Hole?" he asked.

"I haven't found anything yet. I'm still following some leads."

"Tya's having nightmares."

"I know. Jerome got online with me just a bit ago and asked the same question. I'm working on it as we speak."

"Alright. I just don't want to put her at risk."

"I understand that, but you are all at risk, really. You can't accomplish what you are trying to do without risk. It comes with the task. For everyone involved."

He poured himself a cup of coffee and grunted at his sister. He tapped his neck to disconnect and be alone with his thoughts. He wandered out the back door and over to the porch swing. The sky was dark in this direction, but he knew it was beginning to lighten behind him. He stared into the dusky darkness and sipped his coffee.

They needed Tya. They might be able to succeed without her, but he doubted it. It would take much longer. That was for certain. Who knew how long they had. If not for the Oracle's sight, they would have to search physically, bringing more attention to themselves than he was comfortable with. Her abilities made it possible to narrow things down without any of them leaving the farm house. Unfortunately, it exposed and possibly opened her up for another intrusion. That could also be dangerous for all of them.

He mulled Lillian's words over. There really was no way to accomplish anything without risking themselves. He realized that this was likely the most dangerous investigation he and Macy had ever taken on. The thing was, you never knew exactly the danger level until the job was over.

(Votes! Comments? Sorry for the slow down in updates. Getting Book 1 ready to go to print. Very exciting!)