Winter's Awakening: The Metahumans Emerge (Winter's Saga #1) (5 page)

“I know just the basics.”

Dr. Andrews put on his metaphorical white lab coat and started explaining, in way too much detail, autism. He lost me pretty close to the start of it so rather than let him see me start to pick at a string on the edge of my sleeve; I decided to interrupt, “Um…Dr. Andrews, please don’t think I’m rude, but you’ve completely lost me.”

“Oh, I’m sorry Meg. I get pretty passionate about autism. It’s something I worked on for so many years.

“Okay, here are the highlights: 1) autism happens in the brain 2) we don’t know exactly what causes autism 3) the level of functionality varies a lot from patient to patient 4) the standard treatments are simply medicines that help regulate the symptoms of autism and 5) there is no known cure.”

“That was better, thanks.”

“No problem,” the doctor said with a likeable smile then continued his story, “So you can imagine how excited we were to learn that some of our work was being used to generate a serum that had a lot of promise. The company was experimenting on living subjects. They saw a lot of potential in the path your mom was going with her ideas. She was given a promotion and put on the Neurobiological team that was working on a highly top-secret division of The Institute. They called it ‘The Infinite Project.’

“I saw her the day she had been given her first tour of the facility.” Dr. Andrew’s face took on a distant, haunted expression as he remembered. “She looked grief stricken. She was going on and on about her life’s work all being ‘for nothing.’ She wasn’t making a lot of sense.

“I thought she was just over worked. I mean, it was impossible to think of Margo as incoherent. She’s the most organized, precise, detailed person I’d ever met. And here she was on the verge of tears and babbling something about ‘babies.’ I offered to drive her home, but she insisted on going back to the lab. That was the last time I saw her.” He stopped talking, but it didn’t look like that was all he could have said. I could see it in his face. There was much more to the story.

“I’m really tired, Meg. Do you mind if we continue the inquisition when we get to the house? I’d like to close my eyes for a while.” He wasn’t lying about that. It was as clear as the nose on his pale face. He needed quiet.

I nodded and looked around to check on Alik and Evan. Alik was drinking his complimentary beverage like it was the most delicious thing he’d ever experienced—actually moaning with joy. And Evan, well he was playing with the button that leaned his chair back, then upright, then back, then upright. Then he started playing with the folding trey, up and down, then up and down. The final straw was when he located the “Sky Mall” magazine in the pocket in front of him.

Oh, my goodness. I gave apologetic looks to the passengers in front of and behind the boys. I’m sure they were irritating the heck out of them with all their bumping, reclining, and generally strange noises and comments. I was feeling like we couldn’t be more conspicuous. Then I heard a loud, mournful howl coming from the cargo hold under the floor. Shut up, Maze! I yelled in mind, but on the outside I just sunk deeper into my seat. Oh yeah, we just blend right in.

Chapter 12 Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

Three black luxury SUVs rolled up to the Winter’s ranch house. Once stopped all the doors flew open and out poured men wearing nondescript black suits. They walked with a purpose to the front door. The first to arrive wasted no time with the lock. He unloaded one clean shot into it and kicked in the door.

Once in the house, they split in teams of two and swarmed the rooms. Every drawer was spilled, every closet riffled through, every mattress was tossed and sliced open and every cushion stabbed.

Margo’s computer was unplugged and carried out to the SUVs. Anything ever typed, saved, erased or received on this PC would be resurrected in hopes there was data on the metas that could be recovered.

The house was otherwise of no use and had been ordered burned. Gasoline was the chosen accelerant. The house was an inferno in minutes and the black SUVs had left as quietly as they had come.

Standing off in the field, two goats stood chewing and watching the blaze. One flicked its tail, turned and walked away. The other followed.

Chapter 13 We’re in Kansas Now, Toto

The Kansas City airport was tiny compared to DFW’s. The first thing we had to do when we got off the plane was use the facilities, though I was eager to go claim Maze. I was sure he had all the excitement he could stomach for one day, but the boys were taking forever in the bathroom.

Dr. Andrews went in to see what was taking them so long. Moments turned into minutes and my patience turned into fury. What in the heck were they doing in there?

I was not in the mood for this: Our mom is missing, we’re on the run with a stranger, I’ve left my home, I flew on airplanes, I walked through a human jungle of people at two airports, and my furry best friend had been in a cage all day. My nerves were shot. What was taking them so long in the stupid bathroom?

Just when I was about to march in to the men’s room myself, the door swung open and there stood my brothers with the doctor. Evan was wet. Not a just little wet, but…well, like he had stood in a shower, wet. Alik was a bit damp himself but he looked just as disgusted as I did.

“Oh, calm down Meg. I was just figuring out how the faucets worked—motion sensors, by the way—when I noticed one of the faucets wasn’t working like the others. Well, I thought I could fix that myself, so I found the storage closet, jury-rigged the lock, found some tools and started to get to work. It would have been fine too, had Alik not come up behind me and kicked the back of my knee. My leg buckled, my hand slipped, the faucet exploded—could have happened to anyone.” Evan said all this with his typical infuriating nonchalance.

“I’ll let someone know they need maintence in there, and quick.” Dr. Andrews looked like he was trying to keep from laughing, which was a good call because I was about ready to kick someone’s butt and at this point, I really didn’t care whose.

The special claims agent was standing nervously at the counter when we walked up. She looked from the doctor, to the soggy boys, then to me. When she saw our claims ticket was for the large, toothy canine, she was quick to process us.

The moment I unlatched the cage, Maze started licking my face like it had been smothered in gravy. Touching his warm thick fur was an immediate tonic to my racing mind. For just a moment, while Dr. Andrews loaded our bags into his personal SUV, I allowed myself to burry my face in Maze’s thick coat. I breathed deeply and felt a wave of nostalgia. I missed my home. I missed my mom. Maze can read me so well; he let out a soft whine on my behalf. I loved my Maze, and he loved me.

Chapter 14 Everyone Likes Pizza

The ride to Dr. Andrew’s house was uneventful, so I found myself watching the scenery. Growing up in Texas hasn’t exactly given me the opportunity to experience true seasons. It’s pretty much hot at the ranch. The live oak, mesquite, and pecan trees that are so prevalent at home were nowhere to be found here. These trees were huge! And the colors! I had never seen a tree make such mesmerizing reds, oranges and browns. The painted leaves danced in the breeze as we drove. What a beautiful place.

We drove south for a while. I only know this because I overheard Alik talking to Dr. Andrews.

“We live in a suburb south and west of Kansas City. It’s called Olathe. Great schools, beautiful homes, lots of shopping, not too crowded but close enough to the city. My wife, Michelle, and I bought a house together two years ago when we married. She’s anxious to meet you three, but she won’t be home till late. She’s stuck at the office right now. She’s an attorney.

“But my son Cole will be home. He’s about your age, Meg. He’ll turn sixteen in December.” I heard two things in his voice when he talked about his son: 1) He loved him very much, and 2) He felt an old sadness. I had a gut feeling so I ran with it.

“You and Michelle were just married two years ago? So, where is Cole’s mother?” As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I regretted them. The doctor’s face flinched as though I had physically struck him.

Nothing like a little gentle probing, Meg. I scolded myself. Geez!

“Cole’s mom died eight years ago. Cancer. He misses her a lot.” I could almost hear him add, and so do I. But I just felt those words; he didn’t actually speak them aloud.

“I’m so sorry for your loss.” It was clear he wasn’t over his first wife. How sad life was sometimes. Sad and unfair.

Changing the subject, the doctor started pointing out things along the way. There was the mall. Down that road was the hospital where he worked as an ER doctor. There was a yummy barbecue place he claimed was “world famous” for their sauce. That was Cole’s high school, and so on.

I have to tell you, the one thing that really seemed weird to me was the color of the houses. In Texas, we use bricks on the outside of our homes. But around here they must use something else entirely because there were houses of every color. Pink, green, purple, blue…seriously, how weird is that?

I had to ask, “So what’s up with all the different colored houses? Where’s the brick?”

Evan spoke first, “Brick is more readily available in the South, so it’s affordable. It costs too much to ship brick this far North so they use siding instead. Siding can be painted.”

“Thank you, Evan-i-pedia.” Sometimes my brother’s uber intelligence was a little annoying. Then again, I really wasn’t in the best mood to begin with. I should cut him some slack.

“Well, gang, we’re here.” I watched the house as we pulled up into the driveway. At least it wasn’t pink! The doctor’s house was a dusty blue with darker blue trim. It stood two stories tall and had large trees growing around it. One of the trees looked like it had tennis balls hung like ornaments from all the branches.

“What are all those yellow balls hanging from that tree?” I had to ask.

“Oh, that’s a hedge apple tree. Those are its fruit. Don’t try to eat them though. Pretty much, just squirrels and birds eat them. I keep meaning to trim it back. When one of those darn hedge apples drops, it can leave quite a dent in the truck.”

“Hey Cole, everything went fine. Here are the kids I told you about,” he waved his hand and pointed to each of us in turn. “This is Meg, and Alik and Evan. And this,” he raised his brows as Maze jumped out of the back, “this is Meg’s coyote.”

“Holy cow!” he yelped as he jumped back a few feet. I had to keep myself from laughing; didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot or anything.

“His name is ‘Maze’ and he’s completely harmless, unless you’re a prairie dog or a rabbit,” I added trying to lighten his mood. “I found him as a tiny pup. His mother never returned so I took him and his two sisters home and nursed them to health. The sisters took off when they were big enough, but Maze never left my side.” Okay, I didn’t know why my mouth kept talking. I kept willing myself to shut up. Instead, more came out.

“When your dad offered to come get us, I just couldn’t imagine leaving him back at the ranch. He’s too domesticated. He eats dog chow, for goodness’ sake. I don’t even know whether he could hunt if he had to.” Shut up, shut up, shut up, I thought to myself. Why was I so chatty with this guy? Who cared what he thought of me or my Maze?

“A coyote for a pet? Wow. That’s just—different. Have you taught him tricks like you would a dog?” Cole seemed sincerely interested so I answered him honestly.

“Maze can do everything a dog can do and lots more. For starters, he can understand me. Not just simple commands like sit, lie down and roll over. Maze can understand directions, emotions and conversations. He is really amazing. That’s how he got his name, after all.” I was rambling again. Ugghh!

“Hum…really.” Cole said thoughtfully. Now this was weird to me because I couldn’t tell if he believed me or thought I was making it all up. I was too worried about how my clothes probably looked all wrinkled and how his cologne smelled so handsome.

I bit my tongue to keep from adding to my nervous chatter as we walked into the house. I stopped in the foyer to take in the sights around me. There was a beautiful sitting room to my left and further down the main hall was the formal dining room. To the right, was a comfortable area with a receiving table and chair where the doctor threw his keys and wallet. Next to that was a steep staircase that must be fifteen steps up. I assumed the bedrooms were upstairs.

At the opposite end of the main hallway was an adorable kitchen and nook, with windows everywhere. They were all open to showcase the mature autumn trees growing out of the creek some two hundred yards from the back porch. Everything looked so inviting. I had to push away the nagging feeling that I arrived at a place that was somehow always supposed to have been my home. Stupid, déjà vu.

Cole and his dad were carrying our bags up the stairs. “Thanks for setting up the rooms for our guests while I was away, Cole,” he smiled at his son and continued. “Meg, the front room will be yours because it has its own bathroom. Boys, you’ll have to share this room by the hall bathroom. It’s already set up with bunk beds. I hope that’s okay. My room is down this hall and Cole’s is across from yours Meg.” He stopped on the upstairs landing and looked around at us as we stood awkwardly in our new surroundings. I’m not sure about the boys, but I know I was really tired and I missed my mom so bad I could almost imagine hearing her voice.