Amelia Hartford's Story

Jeanne would be lying if she said, her heart didn't lift a little at the word biological father, while she loved her dad and life in Portland, he had never hidden it from her that she was adopted, he was italian so had his wife, but she had a very distinct french accent from birth. So the thought that the one man who might be able to explain all this to them was dying, it hurt quite a bit.

The fact he refused to give them any information on the killer hurt slightly, until he explain why.
"Now I will not give you information of the killer for a few reason. One, some of you might try to go looking for him." Yeah not on Jeanne's list of things to do. "Two, a great many of you would succeed in finding him. Three, he could easily kill any of you."

While Jeanne believed herself a good fencer, she knew for a fact she would stand a chance against the killer. She couldn't help but remember back to the dream, no, the premonition, she had had earlier. She felt herself shiver as she remembered the horrid grin before the gun went off.

I am not a butler no a silly servant, on a slightly different. I am someone who is, in more ways than one, at least your equal, if not more." Was he a clone too? Or just a just genetically enhanced? "You had best heed my warning, and not discount it for petty reasons. Had we wanted to kill you, you would all have been dead." Definetly not a pleasant thought, but honest. "You've seen firsthand how easily we can access you. Had we wanted an army, your attendance would have been mandatory. But we want to help you and as much as I have tried to convince my employer you lot are entirely more trouble than you are worth, both in attitude and demeanor, he insists we offer you assistance. You chose whether to accept it now.

The others definitely seem to be contemplating all their choices. Rob was the first to decide. Her attention was turn to him when she sighed.

"Fine, I accept. It doesn't seem like the other options are going to help us anyway."

She couldn't agree with him more.

"I agree with Rob, and I sorry that is how you view us, I would like to meet our father and at least try to make his last while peaceful." She really wanted to meet the man who had created her and ask him, why? Why Was she created? Who was she created from? Was there anything she could actually contribute to the others here.

S C A R

Scar sat there watching Heralds intently as everyone asked him their questions, she was trying to gauge him. But he was very difficult to read."I am going to say this once," Scar raised a slender brow in curiosity as he seemed more stern. "And I refuse to repeat myself as it would be a waste of time. My employer - the man who began the project and created your lives by extent - is dying. Poisoned by the man I mentioned earlier. He is dying, and while he is absolutely not well enough to come here and deal with your childish antics, he is hanging on long enough to talk to each of you privately. He is, you should all be aware, the closest thing to a biological father you'd have." Pfft A father that wasn't there... that sent us out in the world to fend for ourselves, please. This "host" was not her father. Hell, just because they were all created by the same man doesn't make them siblings... it makes them lab experiments, test subjects.

"We had, nor currently have, any desire to form an army, Miss Willa, but we do have a duty to protect the lives we created. And yes, staying with your family would most certainly endanger them. However, so would staying at a hotel or such. This is the only truly safe building you will find. You are free to leave, though I'll have to insist you sign the confidentiality agreement upon leaving. " Safety? So now they were stuck in this house for their safety? We had lived for 19 years on our own just fine, why now do they need safety?

"Now, I will not give you information on the killer for a few reasons. One, some of you might try to go looking for him. Two, a great many of you would succeed in finding him. Three, he could easily kill any of you, any of you, without issue." This was the final straw for Scar, she was being polite and waiting until Heralds finished speaking but she was fuming. She clenched her fists tightly in her lap until her knuckles were white, grinding her teeth so hard that she was sure Rob probably could hear.

"I am not a butler nor a silly servant, on a slightly different note. I am someone who is, in more ways than one, at least your equal, if not more." The man paused, "You had best heed my warning, and not discount it for petty reasons. Had we wanted to kill you, you would all have been dead. You've seen firsthand how easily we can access you. Had we wanted an army, your attendance would have been mandatory. But we want to help you and much as I have tried to convince my employer you lot are entirely more trouble than you are worth, both in attitude and demeanor, he insists we offer you assistance. You chose whether to accept it now."

Scar was surprised some of the others accepted this so easily. Maybe she was difficult or stubborn, but not getting clear answers pissed her off more. Scar couldn't help but chuckle in a more taunting and aggravated manner. She entangled her fingers and began to twiddle her thumbs as she began to speak, irritation evident in her voice, "So you mean to tell me... that we are supposed to just accept this? We still don't know who our host is... calling him a father is a joke right? He created us, then abandoned us. That doesn't make him my father." Scar leaned back in her chair, now talking with her hands as she continued to speak,"I want to know how I am supposed to accept that some guy like us is trying to kill us. But I can't know who he is or what he looks like. All I know is that he apparently is stronger than us. But we don't know how because you won't even tell us what makes him so damn dangerous! Scar runs her hands through her curls, "Why in the hell should I be so scared him!?"

It was obvious now that Scar was frustrated, and she knew she probably looked like an idiot to everyone else, like she was overreacting. But she doesn't understand how they were all so easy to accept this. Maybe it's because they have people to protect, people that could be hurt by this so called threat. But Scar didn't, she had no one but herself and she honestly wasn't scared of him, she had no reason to be. Her side effect has killed someone on accident before, so what's stopping her from using it on purpose on this threat!?

S C A R

Scar quickly realizes that apparently to the reaction Heralds had she was coming off hot headed. She couldn't help it, she had anger issues and not being told everything frustrated her because It's been like that her entire life. "Scar, was it? Rather easy to see why you're so skeptical, though your rudeness leaves much to be desired. I would've expected better from you. My employer never abandoned you either. You being left there was a result as a division of interests that formed among those in the projects. My employer needed to ensure that you'd be put in the system so the other half would not be able to exploit you. Unfortunately, they managed to take and rear one child, and that is who is putting you in danger. If you choose to accept our hospitality, then you will learn things that should we give even a little information on the killer, would enable you to easily locate him. Unfortunately, we will not put you in danger like that. And if you really want to be scared of him, I suggest you read the news. The details of Mr.Vincent's demise are rather gruesome. And finally, if you are going to be frustrated about all you cannot know, then I suggest you leave. We are not your babysitters," She looked at Heralds intently, she didn't want a babysitter. "and my employer would likely react badly should you run in and start yelling at him. We have no desire to protect you if you do not want it, so go ahead, just walk right out." She wasn't the type to just barge in on a dying man and yell at him, she's not that big of a bitch. Jeez.

"I do not view you in any particular way. I have no opinions about this endeavor, though I warned my employer the energy he uses for this might just end up killing him. I will be, as such, the first to show you the door. If you will not cooperate, then simply leave now. The energy used to convince you is not worth the time." It was obvious that Heralds didn't view me in a particular way, but she couldn't help but be slightly offended by him saying she wasn't worth the time. It wouldn't have been the first tim she heard it but it still hurts every times she hears it.

Scar slumps down into her chair, and lightly crosses her arms over her chest. She nods her head slightly, no longer glancing towards Heralds."Alright Jeeves, I got it." She shrugged her shoulders slightly before crossing her legs. "I'll cooperate."

After being knocked over by a red head and then watching the girl from the plane dance over them Shawn was a bit overwhelmed by everyone and everything. He'd skimmed over the files that had come with the letter and basically gleaned that the reason he was some odd was because he was part of some weird experiment. After assuring the red head he was all right he headed in with them all only to find two guys having some sort of pissing contest. To the point of using knives, who the hell does that sort of thing. Shawn shook his head as he sat down on a chair and remained quiet. He wasn't a fan of showing off like this and he certainly wasn't a fan of getting injured. It wasn't long till some uptight bloke in a suit came in. Clearly he wasn't happy about the antics some of his other "siblings" were pulling.

"If you refrain from shouting please. I suppose you're all wondering why you're here? And don't worry about Mr.Gregory there. He'll be joining us shortly I presume. I'm sure by now you've all read the files and thus already have a basic knowledge of why you're here. If you didn't... Well too bad. You should have. My name is Evan Heralds, in the future, please call me Heralds. I am a representative of your Host, though he has been feeling unwell and retired to his rooms for now."

The only thing Shawn could think about was that this guy reminded him of the butler in those old mystery movies that played out like the game Clue. Even down to the fact that the guy in charge wasn't actually their. However Shawn refrained from asking him if it was colonel Mustard in the dining hall with the wrench. The guy seemed ticked off enough.

"It has come to my employer's attention that Leon Vincent, one of your siblings for lack of a better word, was recently murdered. And I'm afraid that it has more to do with you than you'd like. Especially as we've reason to believe you all are the next targets. And while you may not believe you can die, there are terrible ways the murderer had access to."

This sounded serious, Shawn was alright about jokes but when it came to shut like this he listened. You must have been living under a rock if you didn't hear about that guys murder. It had been plastered all over the news.

"The murderer, we know his identity. I'm afraid that while we cloned you, we also cloned him. Another of your siblings to be clear. Though he was a terrible mistake in the making. He is gifted much like you are, but he's cold, cruel and disconnected. He hates you, and hates us, and will stop at nothing to exterminate everyone in this room," He paused again, a bit awkwardly, "Thus you were summoned here. Because here is the one place we can guarantee your protection."

Shawn stayed quiet other blurted out questions, about their families, Shawn just kept his mouth shut. Frankly if his family was in danger by him being there he was grateful he left home. If anything happened to his Auntie Nadine he'd never forgive himself.


"I am going to say this once," He began, his voice low as he continued, "And I refuse to repeat myself as it would be a waste of time. My employer - the man who began the project and created your lives by extent - is dying. Poisoned by the man I mentioned earlier. He is dying, and while he is absolutely not well enough to come here and deal with your childish antics, he is hanging on long enough to talk to each of you privately. He is, you should all be aware, the closest thing to a biological father you'd have."

"We had, nor currently have, any desire to form an army, Miss Willa, but we do have a duty to protect the lives we created. And yes, staying with your family would most certainly endanger them. However, so would staying at a hotel or such. This is the only truly safe building you will find. You are free to leave, though I'll have to insist you sign the confidentiality agreement upon leaving. "

"Now, I will not give you information on the killer for a few reasons. One, some of you might try to go looking for him. Two, a great many of you would succeed in finding him. Three, he could easily kill any of you," his gaze lingered on Gregory for a moment, "Any of you, without issue."

"I am not a butler nor a silly servant, on a slightly different note. I am someone who is, in more ways than one, at least your equal, if not more." The man paused, "You had best heed my warning, and not discount it for petty reasons. Had we wanted to kill you, you would all have been dead. You've seen firsthand how easily we can access you. Had we wanted an army, your attendance would have been mandatory. But we want to help you and much as I have tried to convince my employer you lot are entirely more trouble than you are worth, both in attitude and demeanor, he insists we offer you assistance. You chose whether to accept it now."

The guy was fed up, "Listen I don't know much about the rest of you I'm not one to study all this lot. School was never my idea of fun so I just glanced over that shit. But as long as me being here isn't a threat to the people I care about the most. Then alright I'll stay, as much as it pains me to stay in one place for a while. I guess my biggest question is... what the hell are we going to do about this murderer? Are we just gonna hide out here, or try to get this guy before he gets us. You say this guy is really good at what he does, but what can he do against all of us at once?"

Gregories conciousness slowly swam back into reality as his damaged brain tissue regenerated, reconnecting segments of his brain and restarting the function of his vital organs. He was unable to move just yet, but his hearing and mental capacities were beginning to return to function, it took him a minute to figure out what was happening around him. Much to his disappointment, the attention in the room had not been centred around him, but some new man, who sounded like every butler and manservant you had ever seen in a cheesy movie. He was clearly telling the 'family' something they werent too pleased about, but Gregory was only able to capture certain elements of the discussion. Finally he felt the sparks of nerve endings reconnecting in the tips of his fingers and toes, and he tensed his muscles experimentally.
"I guess my biggest question is... what the hell are we going to do about this murderer? Are we just gonna hide out here, or try to get this guy before he gets us. You say this guy is really good at what he does, but what can he do against all of us at once?"
Gregory made a slight groan as his muscles contracted and he pulled himself up from the ground like a vampire from a coffin, "Because, dear brother, I am guessing that he was the failsafe, right Jeeves?" Gregory said, pulling himself to his feet and standing, pulling the makeshift bandage someone had misguidedly placed over his head, as if he fucking needed it.
"It was never meant to be this way, we were the experiment, and he was the kill switch, right? In case any of us went rogue, and turned on the others, or you, he was the one who could stop us, any of us, and protect the rest of the experiment?"
Gregory cocked a twisted smile at the man in the suit, "He can kill any of us because thats what he was designed for, he was created for the soul purpose of killing us, should we ever turn against you."
He turned to the rest of his siblings and gave them all a general wink, "Guess that backfired didnt it?"

"So cynical. That would have been a good idea, and if we had done it, you wouldn't need to be here. Yet, you are so very wrong I'm afraid." He frowned, "All I can say is what was intended for him to have failed. His original DNA negated and twisted the changes we attempted to make, and we only learned of it recently. He can take any of you on alone, and the reason I'd say all of you together is quite simply, because you're not trained, and to a certain extent, not strong enough."

"As for the rest, you're right. Police would be 'creamed' by him. As for his capture, our researchers, or the ones that are still left, are attempting to research a way to negate his enhancements." Heralds paused, then a slight smile crossed his face as he answered the final question, "And as for the security of this home, I'm afraid you're under delusions if you believe this is where you could safely stay. No. The proper, for lack of a better word, safehouse, isn't here. We need to know you're agreed before we'll reveal that.

Shawn smirked and shook his head at the whole James Bond feel of all this. Heralds demeanor seemed to lighten up a bit making him think guy wasn't as uptight and like a butler then he had before. "Well James, I can't speak for the rest of us but... I say bring on the rest of this... whatever the plan is supposed to be. Because if I'm a sitting duck here just as much as I am at home. I'd much rather not be, not that I'm a coward but. I know how this guy took out that other bloke, I mean it was plastered all over the news. You'd have to be pretty crazy to think you could take him on by yourself. So if you or your associates can show us how to stop him before he comes around. That's fine with me.

He probably looked like a complete ass and a coward but he really didn't care. Especially when there was these guys around that felt they had to show off the dominance. He preferred living over male machismo, and if the girls thought he was a coward too. Well either way he didn't worry about it much. The thought of being able to control his ability better than before was appealing as well. Maybe he wouldn't have these bouts where he feels like he's going crazy. He looked around the room they all had some sort of extraordinary ability or abilities. Surely if they worked together some how they might have a fighting chance. It was just a matter of swallowing the pride that they had developed over the years and admitting that this is something we all need help for. If we didn't think their was something we wouldn't have come from all over the damn world to come here.

Amelia had been listening to the man speak, taking in the comments of her apparent siblings. She wasn't going to speak up until she had the facts. When she was semi-satisfied with the information she had, she cleared her throat, and said the first words she had all evening. "I accept. After all, it isn't as though there's much of a choice. Even if you did make this fellow, like Gregory said or something of the sort, it doesn't matter. There's a fair chance someone'll come after us even if you're lying. And if you're lying, the worst case is you're going to kill us. In which case, we'd have to worry about that anyway, from other people. So it's not like we're giving up a lot."

Especially when her family was taken into consideration. Certain people could go to hell, but she wasn't going to condemn her sister or mother to death. Not like this. The details of Vincent's death had been horrifying, and she wasn't going to do something that could endanger them like that.

Moreover, she was intrigued. This was a mystery of sorts, and she wanted to piece it all together. And the only way it seemed she would be able to do that was by staying.

"My only concern is that I'm a student. I'm in an incredible program and you're asking me to give up my future on this. You're asking all of use to give up our lives for however long this will take, and there's got to be some guarantee we'll be able to pick them back up later."

Rob watched carefully as the rest of the group slowly decided, one by one, to accept. Some needed more convincing than others. Jeanne followed immediately afterward. Scar seemed really skeptical about the whole situation and challenged Heralds. But why shouldn't she? Why shouldn't everyone? Given the circumstances, there was still a lot left in the dark for them. He came here for answers and wasn't getting squat. It was almost like he was holding back information on purpose, not to protect him, but to control him. Rob was torn between sitting in this room until something happened or walking out that door and taking his chances with this supposed killer.

And yet...Rob couldn't help but notice that something in the argument didn't seem to add up...something dealing with the information given tonight and the murder of Leon. He couldn't quite wrap his head around it, but it protruded in this thoughts. The warning signs were there and that was enough for him. Heralds was the enemy to him. He couldn't be trusted...not just yet. He'd play along, but keep his distance.

Rob glanced around the room, noticing Gregory was coming to. Ah, dammit. He did have regenerative powers after all.

Suddenly, a new male voice cut through. It was Shawn. "Listen I don't know much about the rest of you I'm not one to study all this lot. School was never my idea of fun so I just glanced over that shit. But as long as me being here isn't a threat to the people I care about the most. Then alright I'll stay, as much as it pains me to stay in one place for a while. I guess my biggest question is... what the hell are we going to do about this murderer? Are we just gonna hide out here, or try to get this guy before he gets us. You say this guy is really good at what he does, but what can he do against all of us at once?"

More holes, Rob thought. What exactly made this person dangerous? If Heralds wasn't going to tell us what he looked like or where he was, then the least he could do is tell us what he was capable of and exactly how he planned to kill the rest of us.

"Because, dear brother, I am guessing that he was the failsafe, right Jeeves?"

Rob turned to Gregory, who was fully functional. God save the rest of the room's souls.

"It was never meant to be this way, we were the experiment, and he was the kill switch, right? In case any of us went rogue, and turned on the others, or you, he was the one who could stop us, any of us, and protect the rest of the experiment?"

To give the Wolverine some credit, he did bring up a good point. But this was only proven if someone could at least tell him some information about why they were created in the first place and why they carried some special abilities.

But Heralds simply told Gregory that he was wrong. "All I can say is what was intended for him to have failed. His original DNA negated and twisted the changes we attempted to make, and we only learned of it recently. He can take any of you on alone, and the reason I'd say all of you together is quite simply, because you're not trained, and to a certain extent, not strong enough."

Not trained? Not strong enough? Rob examined his hands. How many times did he have to draw back a nocked arrow to be trained? How strong did he have to be? Although he didn't look it, he could probably punch about as hard as Leo over there...and not miss. That was the key. He wouldn't miss. He couldn't miss. Every single object he wanted in a different spot he got there, no complications. So what did Heralds mean by calling us inexperienced and weak? Did they all have a conjoined power that none of the group had discovered yet? He sighed in annoyance. This wasn't giving him anything but more questions.

"I accept."

Rob realized that Amelia had flown under the radar of the group the entire time. Clever girl, he thought. Observing from the shadows. People learned a lot more that way.

"After all," she continued. "It isn't as though there's much of a choice. Even if you did make this fellow, like Gregory said or something of the sort, it doesn't matter. There's a fair chance someone'll come after us even if you're lying. And if you're lying, the worst case is you're going to kill us. In which case, we'd have to worry about that anyway, from other people. So it's not like we're giving up a lot."

"My only concern is that I'm a student. I'm in an incredible program and you're asking me to give up my future on this. You're asking all of use to give up our lives for however long this will take, and there's got to be some guarantee we'll be able to pick them back up later."

Rob didn't have too much to worry about in that department. Sure, fall classes started up again in less than a month, but Rob could easily arrange to have his classes in the spring or something like that. He didn't expect this to take that long, but he would plan accordingly. As for getting back into a normal life, Rob already thought the word "normal" had too much weight in the world. He liked change, accepted it. He calculated for and adjusted accordingly for change. It was a natural system for him. Should something decide to turn his life upside down, he'd adjust and change accordingly for it, just like everything else.

He kept his mouth quiet for now. He was rather tired of hearing what Heralds had to say. He beaded around the bush. Rob wanted to talk to his biological father already. There, he believed, lay the answers he seek.

S C A R

---

Scar sat there gauging the room in silence. Her arms were crossed over her chest, while her legs out stretched before her, right ankle lying over the left. She sat there deep in thought, listening to everything everyone was saying, but not acting. She made an ass out of herself already for speaking out against all of this. It just didn't add up in her mind but everyone else, or at least mostly everyone seemed eager to jump on the band wagon and go off to summer camp with Jeeves. I mean how do they know that Heralds isn't the killer? He could be... they know nothing about him besides he works for our "father" and wears a penguin suit. This didn't sit right with her. Scar had no problems leaving her life behind, it was nothing special anyways, but this was something of a sci fi novel.

As she sat there letting her thoughts race, Scar slowly realized that one person hasn't spoken at all. Just sat by objectively watching the entire time. Slowly turning her head, Scar looked over at Rob. His expression similar to that of, what she could image, was her own. Skeptical and calculating, trying to tie together ends while also finding holes... gaps in Heralds story. Secretly Scar hoped that her guess about his thoughts were right, that she wasn't the only one who thought this wasn't right.

That's when Heralds said it, "you're not trained... not strong enough." It clicked in her mind. Regardless of what he was saying Heralds or our creator did want an army or something. Maybe they wanted us strong enough to defend ourselves but slender man over here made it abundantly clear that we are no match for this mystery dick hole. The idea of being trained did peak Scar's curiosity though. She could already control the telekinesis, she mastered that years ago... but her anti ability? Maybe they could held her harness it, maybe turn it off and on like a switch... let her have control of it, not it have control of her. But the it still bothered her... and although she was being good at staying quiet, she couldn't when she heard that.

"We need to be trained?... But I thought you just told Willa that we're not some kind of army? I mean, you made it abundantly clear that none of us apparently hold a chance against this person, so what good would training do?... I'm just, confused." There it was... that hole she found in the story. It made her wonder and question everything. Not that she wasn't already but that was an important part, a vital piece of information that everyone needed to know. "I mean... it's just the way you're making it sound is that we would be training... to die. I mean, you said it yourself... we're no match for him." Scar wasn't angry or yelling, she almost felt like an attorney. Digging to the bottom, trying to find out the real story... the real reasons. After all, they deserve that don't they?

Gregory was mildly disappointed that he was wrong, he didn't like being wrong, and he didn't like be outmanoeuvred. Clearly their estranged sibling was a force to be reckoned with, and that even combined, as they were they would be unlikely to stand a chance against him. The concerns of the others didn't bother him, he had no school work, no responsibility, and any ties he had held to his adopted mother he had severed years ago, anyone with half a brain wouldn't bother going to her for answers. He may need to make some calls, his suppliers would miss him he was sure, but there were always plenty of kids ready to sell to make a quick buck, he was just one of the most reliable, and resilient.
"if you agree, come with me now. We're going to go meet my employer. Else, head to the door, the guards will provide you with what affects to be a legal gag." Heralds said, giving them the final ultimatum, and for the first time Gregory felt miffed that he had seemingly missed all the best parts of the conversation. Still, as much as Gregory had no ties, he did have a strong desire to keep living, and if what they had been told was anything to go on, their erstwhile sibling could even kill him outright.
Besides, there were worse ways he could spend his time, in a house with pretty girls who he was about 98% sure were not actually related to him. It could be fun, and if it wasn't, well, he could always just leave. It wasn't like any amount of bullets would stop him.
"Alright Jeeves, I'm in too, I can think of worse ways to spend a few months. Besides," He turned back to his arranged siblings, arms spread wide, "I am sure we have so much catching up to do, I'll bet I haven't seen most you you guys since we were in test tubes!"
He turned back and walked up the stairs to where Heralds was waiting, far too bouncy and excited for the grim topic at hand, "So Jeeves, exactly how much freedom will we be afforded in this safe-house?" He dropped his voice to a stage whisper, ensuring the whole room could hear his theatrical secrecy, "And exactly how genetically related am I to my 'siblings', cant have things in the house getting too incestuous." He gave Heralds a wide grin, revelling in how much more interesting this had turned out to be than he had originally anticipated.

S C A R

Scar nodded her head slightly toward Heralds as he answered her questions. She didn't particularly like this but, did she really have a choice? She lived on her own in a shitty apartment on the West side of the city. Getting to her would be a breeze if someone was determined enough... and this dude seemed plenty determined to try and kill them all. That's when she heard Gregory pipe up, "Alright Jeeves, I'm in too, I can think of worse ways to spend a few months. Besides, I am sure we have so much catching up to do, I'll bet I haven't seen most you you guys since we were in test tubes!" His arms were spread out wide like he was expecting a huge or seeing a long lost Uncle. Scar assumed he was being sarcastic but either way he made his way up the stairs to Heralds saying, "So Jeeves, exactly how much freedom will we be afforded in this safe-house?" It was a good question, Scar was definitely curious about that. She'd like to be able to leave on occasion, get some air, take a ride on her bike. Being under house arrest seems less than stellar. Scar raised a brow when she saw Gregory lean in slightly towards Heralds, obviously whispering about something. She was curious what he had asked but it wasn't her business.

Scar slipped her slender arms back through the sleeves on her leather jacket before grabbing her helmet in her right hand and standing up. She slowly made her way up the stairs, just in time to hear Heralds say, "You'll have complete freedom within it. It was after all, designed for you almost two decades back.

Scar nodded her head towards Heralds, "Good to know." Her free hand zipped her leather jacket up halfway, before she spoke again, "Can I bring my bike?" That was potentially a deal breaking question. Her Thruxton was her baby, rebuilt from scratch with her hard earned cash, arguably worth more than any of her possessions... She would kill someone without a second thought if they messed it up.

"We need to be trained?... Rob turned to Scar, who had kept quiet up to this point. But I thought you just told Willa that we're not some kind of army? I mean, you made it abundantly clear that none of us apparently hold a chance against this person, so what good would training do?... I'm just, confused."

Rob knew what she felt like. Rob was confused, but not about the dialect Heralds used to define training. He was more confused about the entirety of where they came from. They knew they were adopted. But all of this information was a lot to take in. And still he felt like he wasn't getting enough info. This man was holding secrets from them, he knew that much. It was only a matter of what he was hiding.

"I believe it was Shawn's suggestion for us to train you. Like I said, we don't want an army, so go ahead and just lounge around all day for all we care. We're here to protect you. Nothing more. But," He paused, "As it may be helpful for you to learn more. However. As I've said before, his abilities far exceed your own and moreover, we are working on a solution. Now."

Heralds started to walk toward the doorway he entered from. "If you agree, come with me now. We're going to go meet my employer. Else, head to the door, the guards will provide you with what affects to be a legal gag."

Rob looked back to the guard, guessing that he had a confidentiality agreement somewhere. What was to be said in this house was not for the ears of the public for obvious reasons. He understood he was born from DNA, but he didn't know if being born from DNA was illegal. He chuckled at the irony of preserving their illegal actions with legality.

"Alright Jeeves, I'm in too," Gregory stated overenthusiastically. "I can think of worse ways to spend a few months. Besides, I am sure we have so much catching up to do, I'll bet I haven't seen most of you guys since we were in test tubes!" Rob wondered of any of the ones here could actually remember that far. He had pretty sure belief that his assumptions were mostly right, but that didn't make him totally right.

"So Jeeves, exactly how much freedom will we be afforded in this safe-house?"

At this point, Rob had picked up his "walking stick" and walked towards the doorway Heralds came out of. So he barely heard what Gregory stage whispered to Heralds. "And exactly how genetically related am I to my 'siblings', cant have things in the house getting too incestuous." Rob scoffed at this.

"You share none of the same DNA," Heralds sighed. "The people we took the DNA from were in no way related. And you'll have complete freedom within it. It was after all, designed for you almost two decades back."

Two decades? Rob thought. What was the original intended use of that safe house before the murderer went rogue?

"Good to know," Scar said, "Can I bring my bike?"

That reminded him of something...rather someone. Johnathan. What was he going to do while Rob dealt with family issues? He assumed he'd go back to Camden, but in all honesty, he wasn't sure. Johnathan was loyal to him as much as he was loyal to Johnathan. It wouldn't be fair for him if he didn't at least try to bring him along.

But...Rob turned back to the doorway once more. Would he want to? It was Rob's life that was getting flipped upside down, not Johnathan's. Why even involve him with this? Rob decided. He would tell Johnathan to fly home. It would be the better choice, despite the possibility of losing his sanity to his "brothers" and "sisters".

"Alright, I'm ready to meet him when you are, Heralds," Rob raised a brow at the rest of the crowd, the majority of them zipping their lip.