Shortly after I turned 7 years old, Ted stopped bringing me to the lab. Instead, I started to join him on his frequent trip to the Project EDEN’s research center. At first, I was excited at the idea that I might get to finally see my father. But quickly, it became clear that there would be no family reunion. Every trip coincided with my father being away on a business errand of his own, or attending a very important, top secret, meeting. I realize, now, this was Ted’s doing… but back then, I blamed my bad fortune.

It was at Project EDEN that I met Fiori for the first time.

“This is my daughter Eva. She will be joining us here at Project EDEN and start her training.”

“How old is the child?” Fiori asked.

“She’s 7 years old and quite capable. She is good natured and obedient. It is already more than we can ask of a child of this age.”

“And does she…”

“Yes! She does.” Ted quickly cut him off. “She cannot control it yet; this is why I brought her here. She must learn and make herself indispensable.”

“And what do you want us to do with her?”

“Have Dr. Bari evaluate her. See what good she can be to the project. I have something in mind for her, in the near future. Until then, train her to fight. I don’t think this kid has ever thrown a punch. She needs to learn. And she needs to toughen up or she won’t make it into the real world.

“Eva, my dear, I have some work to attend to. You can stay here with Fiori, until I am done. There is a lot you can learn from him. I trust you will give it your best.”

On that, Ted left the room. The little girl was quite shocked. There had never been any mention of her fighting or let alone throwing a punch. Her life had, until now, been all pretty dresses, big bows, and tea parties. She didn’t mind the sudden change of course, as this seemed more up her alley. But she was confused and a little anxious at what Ted had said… He had something in mind for her in the near future, and she had no idea what that could be.

“You are Marshall’s daughter? Aren’t you?”

“Yes,” she said politely.

“I know your father well. I knew your mom too. You look a lot like her, you know.”

“I do not remember my mother. She died a long time ago.”

Fiori winced. The coldness in the little girl’s voice was unsettling. He had expected a giggling voice, a sweet little girl voice. Fiori had never worked with children before. At least not this young. He didn’t know where to start. A memory of Jefferson crossed his mind. The powerless little boy. He too had lost his mother. The poor child didn’t stand a chance. The poor child would never have been able to fight back, to ward off attackers. The little girl in front of him, either. She was thin, frail, proud. Maybe she could become a good fighter, eventually, but for now technology would have to be her best line of defense. And so, although it made no sense to be asking this question to a 7 years old, he did.

“Have you ever held a gun before?”

“No.”

“Would you like to hold one?”

“Sure.”

Fiori took his gun out and emptied the cartridge before handing it over to the young girl.

“Why did you take the bullets out,” the little girl asked as she held the gun with unwavering confidence.

“I wouldn’t want you to shoot me, by accident,” Fiori chuckle. “But I see you are quite a natural.”

“I come from a long line of military personnel.”

“Indeed, you do. Your father would be proud.”

“Do not assume anything about my father,” the young girl said with grudge.

“Alright. Let’s change the subject then. Eva, do you know where the best spot is to shoot someone.”

“In the head?”

“That would be quite effective, but the target is too small and the chance of missing too great. You are better to aim at the chest. You can always shoot the person in the head after.”

“And if I don’t want to kill the person?”

“Then you shoot the person in the legs. Both legs. I will stop them from running. They will lose a lot of blood. The target is big enough, easy enough to hit. It won’t kill them. At least not right away.”

“So, it is the best way to go if you want to torture them,” the little girl added.

“Yes. Yes, it is,” Fiori said surprised by the direction the conversation was taking.

“Teach me to shoot, please,” the little said, handing back the empty gun.

“You seem quite motivated. Is there someone, you want to shoot?”

“Yes. My father,” Eva said with a fire burning in her eyes.

Fiori took a second wondering if the little girl meant Marshall or Weatherspoon. In any case, Fiori was surprised by the young girl’s eagerness. She was exactly what the Project had been looking for. Ted Weatherspoon had once more outdone himself. He had a knack for find the right person for a job.

“I will teach you,” he said. “I promise you, when the time comes, you will not miss your shot.”

“Deal?” the little asked.

“Deal!” Fiori said.

I didn’t know back then that this man hated my father just as much as I did. Things could have turned quite differently if I had known. But then again. Fiori is the devil. Him, Ted, my father… they are all the same, they care for no one, but themselves.

***

The little girl sat on a chair in Dr. Bari’s office. She was tired and hungry. She had just spent two days there as Dr. Bari ran a slew of evaluations. She didn’t like the woman. There was nothing pleasant or graceful about her. Eva sat on the chair quietly listening to the discussion between Ted and the doctor.

“It’s disappointing to see how limited her characteristic is,” the woman said.

“Yes, disappointing,” Ted agreed.

The little girl’s stomach sank.

“The Li siblings all showed more potential than her.”

“Even Fenix?”

“Well, that’s hard to say. The boy is so uncooperative. He may or may not have potential but if we can’t turn him around. I don’t think we will ever be able to tap into his power.”

“Fear. Fear will bring him around,” Ted suggested.

“You have Eden. Do you really need the siblings?”

“One is good. Two is better. As long as the siblings live, they will be mine. Besides, I am still convinced they can help us find B-24602.”

“So what do you want me to do with the girl.”

Ted looked at Eva with a pensive look. The little girl could read the deception written all over his face.

“I don’t see the point of keeping her in the program,” Dr. Bari added.

“She can hold a gun. Fiori trained her well…”

“She could do well in military school… perhaps” Dr. Bari suggested.

“Perhaps…”

I remember the feeling of being worthless. My whole existence was being dismissed in front of my very eyes. My head started spinning, fear was gripping me from the inside. I did not care about military school. Going there would have been fine with me. What got to me was the judging. I was being put on trial, without being given a real chance. I wanted to be a good daughter. I wanted to feel indispensable. I wanted to feel worthy, loved. I should have stayed quiet. I should have swallowed my pride. But I was a child. I was naïve. I took the bait that had been set up right in front of me. I jumped on it. I consumed it. I sealed my fate.

“I can train harder! I can become better! I swear! Give me a chance. Fear! I can show fear to the boy.”

“Fenix?” Ted asked with smirk.

“Yes! Him! I can make him fear! I can make him a coward. I can!”

“Perhaps you could!” Ted smirk.

“It is worth a try!” Dr. Bari chimed in.

And that was that. Ted didn’t have to force me to go to Nova Urbi. I volunteered of my own freewill. When we left the office of Dr. Bari, I felt like I had won. I was going to be useful to Ted. Being useful was like being loved. My heart was at peace.

“You need to place your hand higher on the grip, like that,” Fiori said as he nudged the girl’s hand up.

“Am I still going to train with you, when I go to Nova Urbi?” the little girl asked.

“No. You will be on your own there. Once in while we might see each other, but we won’t have time for training.”

The little girl fell quiet for a while. She took her shot and hit bullseyes.

“I don’t really want to go there. I didn’t mean what I said. I don’t even know if I can…”

“It’s ok to be afraid. You’ll do just fine.”

The little girl sighed deeply and put the gun back down. She removed her hearing protection.

“I want to stay here.”

“There is nothing for you here. You know even if you hadn’t volunteered, that is where Ted was planning to send you.”

The little girl sighed again.

“They are sending Benagher to military school.”

“I know, I will take care of him.”

“He’s not cut for the military.”

“I know. Don’t you worry about him. I will make sur he’s alright.”

“I should be the one going to military school.”

“Project EDEN needs you at Nova Urbi.”

“I don’t want to work for Ted anymore.”

“Then work for me,” Fiori exclaimed with a gentle laugh.

“That’s not funny, you know! Ted could kill you for saying this!”

“I am not afraid of Ted.”

“You’re lucky,” she said, before adding “I’m going to run away with Benagher. I am not going to go to Nova Urbi.”

Fiori frowned.

“Why? Where would you go?”

“Benagher has an aunt that lives far from here. We are going to make our way there. I can take this gun with me?”

“No, no you cannot have the gun. You can’t run away Eva. Not now. We need you at Nova Urbi.”

“We?”

“I mean Ted needs you!”

“I don’t care about Ted.”

Fiori seemed to hesitate before risking himself. “Work for me,” he whispered. “Go to Nova Urbi and be my ears and my eyes.”

The little girl took a step back.

I might have been young, but I knew what was being asked of me wasn’t right. I knew it could get me in trouble. Working for him, behind Ted’s back was enough to warrant my death. Besides, my heart was set on running away. So, what was it that changed my mind? What did Fiori do that made me reconsider.

“You will keep Benagher safe?”

“I promise you. I will do everything in my power to keep him safe.”

“And happy?”

“And happy.”

“You will keep him away from Ted’s harm?”

“I will keep him away of all harm. In exchange you will get Fenix for me.”

“That’s all I have to do?”

“That is all you have to do.”

I changed my mind. I accepted the deal because it was my chance to get rid of the guilt I had been feeling since Benagher had moved in with the Weatherspoon. If I could guarantee his safety, if I could make him happy then it was worth it.

It remained our little secret. I didn’t tell Benagher. I didn’t tell anyone.

Time passed.

I was nearly eight years old. Mrs. Weatherspoon didn’t ask me what I wanted for my eighth birthday. Everyday I’d go for tea, but the question didn’t come. It made me worry. I became an anxious child.

A few days before my birthday Benagher was sent to military school. I was informed that I would also be leaving soon, on a Project EDEN assignment. I didn’t know much about it, but I was happy to leave the compound.

Any where’s better than here, I thought.