Chapter 83 Property
Rafael
The message about Emma haunted Flora for days. She brought it up constantly, her voice tight with worry as she paced our quarters or stared out windows as if expecting to see the girl walking up to our gates.
"We need to find out who has her," Flora said during breakfast. "If there's another enhanced child out there, she's vulnerable to the same people who hunted us."
"Or it's a trap," I said. "Someone wanting to draw us out."
Before I could say more, Lily burst into the dining room breathless and wide-eyed.
"We have a situation," Lily said. "A man at the gate. He says he's Emma's guardian. He wants to speak with Flora specifically."
Flora was already standing. "Tell him I'll be right there."
"I'm coming with you," I said, rising to follow.
Ten minutes later we approached the main gate where a man stood waiting outside the bars. Mid-fifties with distinguished gray hair and an expensive suit that probably cost more than most people's monthly rent. He held himself with the careful posture of someone accustomed to authority.
"Ms. Marino," the man said as we approached. "Thank you for seeing me. My name is Dr. Marcus Webb."
"You sent the message about Emma?" Flora asked, studying him through the gate.
"I did," Webb confirmed. "Emma is safe. She's been under my protection since birth. But there are people looking for her. People who want to use her for terrible purposes."
"Use her how?" Flora demanded.
"As a weapon," Webb said simply. "Emma's genetic code is unique. She can manipulate biological systems at will. Heal injuries that would be fatal. Even alter DNA in living organisms with enough concentration."
My blood ran cold at his words.
"Why are you telling us this?" Flora asked.
"Because Emma needs to be with her own kind," Webb said. "She needs to understand what she is and that she's not alone in this world. And I can't teach her that. I'm just a scientist who made terrible choices."
"Where is she now?" Flora pressed.
"Safe nearby but not for long. I need to bring her here to Haven where she'll be protected by people who understand what she faces."
"And you expect me to just trust you based on a message and your word?" Flora asked.
"No," Webb admitted. "But trust Emma herself. Let me bring her here and let her meet you. Then you can decide for yourself."
Flora hesitated before nodding. "One hour. Bring her here but you stay outside the gates. Only the girl comes in."
Webb pulled out a phone and made a quick call. "Bring her now."
Twenty minutes later a car arrived and a young girl stepped out looking around with curious eyes. She had Flora's face undoubtedly but there was something different about her demeanor.
"Hello," the girl said approaching the gate without fear. "You must be Flora. I'm Emma."
"Hello Emma," Flora said gently. "Would you like to come inside and see where we live? Get something to eat maybe?"
Emma nodded with a small smile.
Flora gestured to Lily who waited nearby. "Take Emma on a tour of the common areas. Show her the gardens and the kitchen. I need to talk to Dr. Webb for a few minutes."
Lily led Emma through the gates and they walked toward the main building together.
Flora turned back to Webb her expression hardening. "Tell me the truth now. Who's hunting her and why should we get involved?"
"An organization called Genesis Corp," Webb said. "They're the successor to the original Project Genesis that created you and the others. They bought all the research and continued developing it. They're creating enhanced humans as soldiers and assassins for whoever pays enough. Emma was their first successful prototype and they want her back so they can replicate her abilities on a larger scale."
"And you were part of this?" Flora asked coldly.
"I used to work for them," Webb admitted without flinching. "I was lead researcher on the team that created Emma through genetic manipulation. But when I saw what they were planning to do with her and the others I took her and ran. I've been protecting her for eight years moving constantly and keeping her hidden."
"Why should we trust anything you say?" I demanded.
"Because I have proof," Webb said reaching into his jacket slowly. He pulled out a USB drive and held it through the gate. "Everything about Genesis Corp. Their facilities their personnel their current projects and future plans. Take it and verify it for yourselves."
Flora took the USB drive. "We'll look at this thoroughly. But Emma stays here with us until we know it's safe to do otherwise."
Webb nodded and returned to his car driving away without argument.
That night Flora and I reviewed the USB drive in our quarters with the door locked. Documented proof of Genesis Corp's activities filled screen after screen. Facilities in twelve countries across three continents. Over two hundred enhanced humans in various stages of development. Military contracts worth billions.
"This is massive," Flora said. "We need to expose them to the world."
"And put an even bigger target on our backs?" I asked. "They already want Emma back."
"We're already targets Rafael," Flora said. "At least now we know who we're dealing with."
My phone buzzed with an unknown number. I answered on speaker.
"Hello Rafael," a distorted voice said. "I see you've met Dr. Webb and taken in little Emma. How noble of you both."
"Who is this?" I demanded.
"Someone who wants what belongs to us. Emma is Genesis Corp property developed with our resources. Return her within forty-eight hours or we'll come take her ourselves and we won't be gentle about it."
"She's not property," I said. "She's a child who deserves protection."
"She's a weapon we spent eight years developing," the voice corrected. "You have forty-eight hours starting now. After that we start hurting your people one every hour until you cooperate."
The line went dead.
I told Flora everything and watched her face harden with determination.
"They're bluffing trying to scare us."
"Are they?" I asked. "Because that sounded like a credible threat to me."
We were still arguing when Emma appeared silently in the doorway having overheard everything.
"I heard what that man said," Emma said quietly. "If my being here puts everyone in danger then I should leave immediately. I won't be responsible for people getting hurt."
"Absolutely not," Flora said firmly crossing to kneel before her. "You're not going anywhere and we're not letting anyone take you."
"But how will you protect everyone here?" Emma asked. "There are so many people and only a few of you who can fight."
Flora didn't have an answer.
That's when the explosion happened.
The east wall of Haven erupted in flames and debris as alarms blared and people screamed through the compound. Smoke billowed into the night sky.
"They're here already," I said, pulling Flora back from the window. "Genesis Corp didn't wait forty-eight hours."
Through the smoke I saw figures moving with military precision armed and trained and coming straight for Emma.
Coming for all of us.