Feb 10th – 05h00

Arms hanging limply at her sides, hands flexing, feet pushed into the sifting grains of the beach sand at the edge of the patio. Breanna felt the painkillers working as the sun rose. How long had she not slept? Two? Three nights?

Her busy mind mulled over the details of the last few days. The ever-present tactical whiteboard in her head flashed pros and cons. She carried it with her always; it demanded attention. Seeing all the angles seemed to come naturally, an ability Darcia had … what was the word she used … tweaked. The question was: were the enhancements here to stay? Up to this point … it seemed so.

Breanna worried about the level of permanency. Unlike other experiments, she had no clue what had been done to her. Right now, she wanted relief from the build-up of pain at the base of her skull.

"Coffee?" a mug appeared in front of her, the freshly brewed aroma winding through her senses, drawing an appreciative sigh from her. Turning in the direction of the extended arm, she took in Valencia's tentative smile, "I made it. No one came near the pot until I poured it, and Jesse stood guard until I brought it to you."

"You must think I'm paranoid," Breanna said, accepting the mug and taking a grateful sip, "guess everyone is scared of me after the display downstairs."

"Nah, I would say in awe of your legendary abilities. If they are scared... it wouldn't be a bad thing. Bre, I don't blame you for being paranoid," Valencia smiled, sipping her coffee, "with a sister like Darcia, I'm surprised you allow anyone near you." Valencia hesitated, "I have a question that may seem a little weird, "I still cannot get anything from Jesse. Why do you trust him?"

Breanna smiled, "Still trying?" the women grinned at each other, "after all these years, Val? You don't give up."

"Of course not," Valencia grinned, "now answer my question."

"You know Jesse has a private mind," Breanna said, "I trust him 'cause I know his heart."

"Ahhhh, you read his emotional responses," Valencia nodded, "that's how you know he is still to be trusted ... sneaky … sneaky."

Heavy, awkward silence sat like the Grand Canyon; Valencia shifted.

"Bre, I'm sorry I yelled at you. I understand why you did the retrieval on your own, but when you walked in looking beaten up, bleeding and shredded..." Valencia cleared her throat, "I … lost it."

Breanna chuckled, "I did look a mess …. I was an ass, I'm sorry. On the way home, I realised the reason for the last few days," Breanna shook her head. "My anger was uncontrollable, and ... you were the first attitude I met on my arrival."

Both women swallowed hard before hugging.

"Are we friends again?" Valencia asked.

"Always," Breanna whispered.

Breaking apart, they smiled in unison before turning to watch the ocean.

"Maybe David should have said something," Valencia grinned.

Breanna chuckled as she bumped shoulders with Valencia, "I don't think Jesse would have intervened if he had."

"I saw Jesse talking to David before I came to the kitchen," Valencia whispered, "they were talking about you."

Nodding, Breanna took in the crashing of the waves.

"What do you think about all of this?" Breanna waved her free hand in the air, "from David dropping through the window onwards?"

"Well, let's see ... we have a mad scientist turned wannabe world dictator trying to bring you in for an unknown procedure. Possibly gene splicing. While trying to manipulate you into complying with her wishes by causing chaos and killing off those she sees as "traitors" for escaping while sporting the next level of technology in their head. She doesn't want or isn't ready for anyone to know whatever she is doing. Plus, we have to guess her next diabolical step," Valencia sighed dramatically, "all pretty routine for us. You know … in a day's work."

Breanna chuckled, "Okay, my crazy sister is causing problems for the world at large, not something new. The problem is how it's affecting everyone here. What are we going to do about her effect on this group?"

"Do about it?" Valencia turned her incredulous expression on Breanna.

"Well," Breanna shifted uncomfortably, "who else is going to do something?"

"The people who let her start this," Valencia said, placing a hand on her hips, "don't you think?"

"Point … but I don't think those people know about her?" Breanna pointed out, "what if they are in the dark as much as everyone else in the world."

Valencia frowned thoughtfully. Silently watching the crashing waves.

"How is everyone coping with the curveballs so far?" Breanna asked.

"The group as a whole …." Valencia frowned, "... scared, unsure and very nervous at the moment. Some of them are taking each moment as it comes. Others have no idea where to go from here. Some of them have never lived without rules and structure or leadership. It's generally terrifying for them."

"What do you suggest?" Breanna sipped her coffee, "I've gone over every option, but I'm not seeing a clean exit for any of us."

"What about another option," Valencia sipped her coffee, "you said you want to do something about Darcia. What about taking Darcia out? A frontal attack. Take out the Madhouse and Darcia all at the same time."

Breanna's eyes snapped to her friend's innocent-looking profile.

"Tell me that is your idea of a joke," Breanna whispered, "you cannot be serious. You know why I can't do that."

"Come on, Bre," Valencia said quietly, turning to her, "you won't be alone. The group will follow you against Darcia. Will you do it?"

"Val, it's too dangerous," Breanna shook her head, "I was thinking about a non-tactical option."

"That's great, non-tactical. Haven't we been doing that? It hasn't gotten us much further in dismantling your nutty sister. I'm very serious, Bre," Valencia said, "this group has been …. designed by your sister to be used in tactical procedures against … I guess whoever she wants. We are the only thing standing between many innocent lives and Darcia. Besides both, Jesse and I think you would be the perfect person to do this. No one knows, understands and anticipates Darcia as you do. Besides … you are our fearless leader."

Breanna took in Valencia's serious expression extending the truth-seeking ability around them on the sea breeze. She wasn't joking. She truly believed Breanna could lead this group against Darcia. Turning toward the ocean, Breanna considered Valencia's words.

Jesse suddenly appeared on her left as though he had popped up from the ground. Looking between the two, she couldn't help but smile. They seemed like an old married couple, and she was the bed. Both had a side to stand on, Valencia on the right and Jesse on the left.

"What is this? You two are behaving like a couple with designated sides," Breanna grinned widely.

"No, just your perspective," Jesse grinned, "Val is right. What is needed at the moment is a strong leader. Someone to show them what it looks like to have a choice in life. Especially when it comes to your actions. Not a description but what it looks like in real life. Not the day to day stuff. We've all got that sorted. To choose to do what we want with what we have," he said as Valencia nodded along with him. "They need to see they have a choice, especially regarding their abilities. Using them or not using them. They need to know they can choose and stand by it. Most of them don't know anything but Darcia and her world. They need to know their abilities can be used for good."

"Can't they do it on their own?" Breanna asked, "you two did."

"Perhaps we did. It took Val and me a long time before we realised we had any choice at all. Think about this. Does a baby know how to walk without being taught?" Jesse said.

"Bre, Jesse has a point. Some don't know how," Valencia whispered.

Sighing, Breanna nodded, "You two must get together and rehearse."

"This time … no, but it is something we can look into," Valencia chuckled at the wink from Jesse.

"I understand what you're saying," Breanna said, "but I'm trying to think of anything else to help them. I don't want to go back into that life. They have no idea what I'm truly capable of or what my past contains. You both know why I read all those spy novels and watch movies. At least I can pretend it's normal. Like normal people do."

"We know that," Valencia gently touched Breanna's arm. "To this group of people, everything is grey. There is no definition. No right and wrong. No black and white. Just what you're told to do. That kind of "normal" caused Jesse to break up a fight between Scott and Kyle over a pool game. Darcia has made their world void of absolutes. They have no anchor Bre. They are stressed, barely holding their unravelling emotions together in all the uncertainty around them. They need something to hold onto, ground them, and help them find their feet. That something is you. You are that anchor."

"We both believe you have the strength to lead; show them that our kind has the power of choice. That we are not the monsters we have been made out to be," Jesse said.

Breanna looked between the two, reminding her of those Talk Show programmes on TV. Her eyes narrowed while a frown puckered between them.

"Did I miss an invitation to a talk show?"

"No," Jesse and Valencia grinned.

"Pep-talk aside," Breanna shook her head, "I'm not my sister. This is something everyone needs to decide. Together."

"Fair enough," Valencia nodded, "we can do it this morning."

"Reilly, Oran and Cara need to come back from dropping off the parcel. Once they have, we can assemble everyone," Jesse said, gently squeezing Breanna's shoulder, taking her empty coffee cup and holding out a hand to Valencia.

Valencia's flushed before accepting the hand and moving around Breanna.

"Oh yes," Jesse paused with Valencia at his side, "that report you asked me to run on your gun. I'll have results shortly."

"Thanks, Jesse," Breanna said, watching them walk away.

A grin spread over her lips. She knew they were friends, but she felt there was more. A pair of green penetrating eyes clashed with her own.

David.

Breanna froze, her smile slipping from her lips. David stared at her with a warmth that scared her to her core. Breathing in, Breanna turned back to the view. She took in the small amount of green grass her garden afforded before disappearing into the golden sand. The beauty of the blending colours mesmerised her. Storing it away for those moments, she knew she would need inspiration.

"Beautiful view," David said, stopping next to her, "do you come out here often?"

"Depends," Breanna said, "why are you out here?"

"Looking for you," he said, taking in the view, "I wanted to know if you were okay."

"Really?" Breanna asked, "somehow, I'm finding that a little hard to believe."

"I know. You have no reason to believe me. There is something off with you. Since you've been home, you're edgy and tense. Although you appear to be part of the group, you stay apart. Plus, after that amazing mental knockout, you looked like you needed pain relief," he murmured.

Breanna felt an alarm going through her. How did he see so much?

"I wanted to find out how you were when you got back earlier, but you're always around other people," he said, "I'm glad I finally found you alone."

"You can see for yourself," she said, spreading her arms to each side of her, "I'm fine."

"You found painkillers," he glanced at her gently smiling, "would you mind me asking, what is going to happen to everyone here?"

"Why?" Breanna asked, her quick sideways glance catching the tick in his jaw muscle.

His sudden interest had her questioning everything he said. All her abilities sprang to life. He was worried. Tense. Nervous.

He sighed, "I'm curious about these safe house refugees. Where do they come from? Are they all experiments? What will happen to them now?"

"You want me to believe you care about what happens to them?" Breanna turned toward him, her hands propped on her hips. "Why do you want to know? What is your sudden interest in them?"

Alarm bells in her head sounded louder than a jailbreak. Why did he want this information? For himself? For Darcia? Perhaps hand it to his military contact?

"Like I said … just curious," he said.

"Where they come from, what they are or what will happen to them has nothing to do with you, nor does it concern you," Breanna said.

Turning, she walked toward the house, changing direction after noticing Jesse moving into softer shadows near the palm trees.

"What?" she snarled, stopping in front of him.

"Ticked off again?" he quipped.

She sighed, "David pushes buttons."

"When are you going to admit he gets to you?" Jesse smirked, "the guy hasn't been here a week, and there is friction. Admit it. You like him. I'm talking on a different level. Plus, I get the impression the feeling is mutual. One that has nothing to do with the situation we're dealing with."

"Jesse, get to the point of the file in your hand," Breanna huffed.

"Just think about it, okay," Jesse spoke gently.

Breanna glowered at him.

"Ah ... yes," Jesse cleared his throat, trying to hide his smile, "you asked me to look at your gun. The reports are in."

"And?" Breanna became alert.

"It was fired," he said.

"I know I fired it," Breanna said.

"Once or multiple times?" Jesse shifted uncomfortably.

"Just once," Breanna frowned, "why?"

"Are you sure you didn't clean it or reload at any time? You haven't touched it since you shot it?"

"No. I got home and handed it to you," Breanna shifted, "holster and gun in one. What are you saying?"

"I need to make sure you haven't had any … lapses," Jesse said, "like before."

"No, I remember firing one shot before I re-holstered the weapon and engaged in close combat. I had to physically fight my way out. I heard other gunshots, but I knew it wasn't me firing. My gun was in the holster. Besides, I couldn't locate the shooter."

"You only pulled your weapon once?" Jesse spoke emotionlessly.

Breanna felt the cold seeping into her bones.

"I just said yes to that question," Breanna whispered, "what is going on? What did you find?"

"The gun fired more than once," Jesse said.

"What?" Breanna frowned, confusion coursing through her, "that's not possible."

"Bre, the gun fired until it was empty," Jesse said, meeting her worried gaze.

"How?" Breanna frowned. "I didn't feel it move. I would have known if someone pulled it from the holster."

"I'm not sure how it could have happened," Jesse said, "but I found some residue inside the holster as if fired from inside," he took a deep breath, "and there are foreign fingerprints."

"That doesn't make sense," Breanna shook her head, "I never touched my gun after ... hold on. Whose fingerprints? We need to find them; they will know something."

"Slow down, Bre. I don't know whose they are yet. I ran them against everyone in the group and found nothing," he took a step closer, "I'm running them against various databases. A few partials have returned, but not enough to pinpoint the owner. Here is a file with everything I have so far. Perhaps you may see something I didn't."

Taking the file, Breanna stared at him with a strange look on her face.

"What?" Jesse prompted, "did you remember something?"

"Maybe," Breanna whispered, "remember the shadow on the side of the building when I was in the back of the van?"

"Yes," Jesse nodded, "you think that was a person?"

"I'm not sure," Breanna sighed, "what if there is someone like us out there who is on the run?"

"Anything is possible," Jesse nodded.

"If they have been on their own," Breanna shook her head slowly, "that takes a strong person. But who could it be?"

"If there is someone out there," he pointed toward the file, "with this kind of ability. We need to find them and let them know where we are."

"What if they are working for Darcia?" Breanna asked.

"Why help you? Why not kill you ?" Jesse asked

Breanna nodded, "Too many variables don't fit. Perhaps the answers are in the file. I'll let you know if I find anything."

"Bre ..." he waited a moment before continuing, "this points in the direction of you being conscious. None of this means you blacked out again," Jesse said quietly, "we know it used to happen, but it hasn't happened in a long time. The other fingerprints clear you."

Nodding, Breanna looked at him, "We need to know what we are dealing with, whose side they are on and if they need our help."

"Have you considered that your memory thing may be residual from your days of being controlled," Jesse said. "Your abilities have been lying dormant for a while now. You are using them because you want to. You aren't experiencing blackouts because you have control."

"You could be right," Breanna said, "thanks, Jesse."

She moved past him into the house, humming with activity. People ate breakfast in the dining room, chatted in the lounge, played pool in the hallway. Everything looked strangely normal — just another day in the lives of ordinary people.

Feb 10th – 10h00

What had she been thinking? Glancing at the clock on the wall, Breanna shook her head. Still awake and going on a day that had been anything but typical. No sooner had she put one fire out there was something else requiring her attention. The responsibility she held for all these lives had begun to sink in between dawn and now. Valencia and Jesse were correct; someone needed to help the others find their feet; their words echoed in her mind. She needed to find her own feet before getting everyone a direction.

"Val," Breanna grasped her friend's wrist as she walked past, "can you take something off my sinking ship?"

"Sure," Valencia grinned, "what can I take off your deck?"

"There is so much that needs attending," Breanna sighed, "I'm not getting any closer to looking into the information to get us all moving forward."

"You want me to organise everyone," Valencia's eyes sparkled with excitement, "do I have the right to order everyone around?"

"Valencia, we do not order anyone around, we ask and suggest, but yes, you can organise," Breanna struggled to stifle her grin.

Valencia squealed with excitement, hopping up and down, clapping her hands together in delight.

"No problem," she hugged Breanna quickly before taking the clipboard, "I have your back."

Breanna watched Valencia bounce away happily. Shaking her head, she turned toward the loud cheer around the pool table. Near the front patio window, a competitive board games session was happening while Valencia could be heard giving directions and instructions.

Could this group of people stand against Darcia?

Did they have reason enough to want to?

She would probably find out soon enough. Darcia had to be stopped; it was something that sat in her thoughts and now had to be put into action, even if it meant doing it alone.

Looking around, she took in the relaxed, smiling faces. Stories written about liberation came to mind. There was something to be said about rebels taking on the dictator. It was a song sung continuously in the history books. She smiled to herself. This group was disgruntled and unappreciative of their dictator.

"Scott, do you know where Clio is?" Breanna asked a tall pool player sporting a black eye and a bruise on his left cheek.

"In the basement … I think," he said as he chalked his pool stick, "thanks for letting us play. Don't remember the last time I enjoyed a game or company."

"Any time," Breanna smiled, moving toward the kitchen. Passing Jesse and Valencia as she entered the kitchen, she motioned for them to follow, "we need to find out how far Clio is."

David caught his breath while sitting on the patio, a cold glass of water gripped in his hand, his elbows resting on his knees. The run on the beach hadn't helped to clear his head. He had seen the file Jesse had given Breanna earlier this morning. His sensitive hearing caught the conversation about the shadow. Memories of conversation fragments danced on the edges of his mind — conversations about a shadow.

David vaguely remembered a file he had seen on Darcia's personal computer. The memory lingered at the back of his mind. The information was about a shadow enhancement she was developing and a molecule design. If he remembered the person's natural ability correctly, they would not be seen. While in that state, they could overhear and physically do anything. It reminded David of a wallflower from those historical books his sister loved to read. Hopefully, that would be something she still liked to read after this fiasco of a mission.

There were moments when he thought …. he would not allow his thoughts to continue ... glancing in the general direction Breanna had gone, sighing heavily. Why now? He didn't understand his biological workings at all. He had experienced a lot of training to pinpoint anything not functioning as it should.

But this, nothing had prepared him for his emotions doing as they wished. What was happening here was … another level. It scared him. He didn't know where it was going or how it would work out. Everything in him hoped it would work out well. Shaking his head, he tried to focus. Who knew how anything would work out when it came to emotional entanglements. Perhaps a swim in the ocean would help. Stripping off his shirt and running shoes, he jogged down the beach. Wading through the cold water until he was waist-deep before diving below the incoming waves.

The sun sat high in the periwinkle sky, heat rolling across the sand in silent humid waves. Some of the ladies had taken over the kitchen. Others were relaxing on the patio behind her more and more gathered as it neared lunchtime. Standing on the terrace in the shade of the indigenous fauna, Breanna watched the swimmer in the ocean.

She became fascinated with the swimmer's style as he approached the shore. She knew that form, those broad shoulders, those thickly muscled arms. He rose from the water, standing knee-deep in the foaming white of the waves.

David.

The name slid through her mind as she watched the water sluice off his body. She swallowed hard against the tightening muscles in her throat. Oh, he was delicious. The bunching muscles in his thick thighs and broad shoulders had her hands itching to follow the water droplets and explore the captivating terrain.

He tossed his head, flicking water in a rainbow arc above his spiky cropped hair. She inhaled sharply. Images of drying him with her lapping tongue ran through her fevered mind. He walked toward her, striding confidently in the sand. Yearning pooled low in her abdomen as her gaze devoured him.

He stopped directly in front of her, his nearness surprising her. Her hungry eyes took in the rise and fall of his chest before moving up to meet his amused, heated gaze.

"Are you going to drink that?" he pointed to her forgotten coffee cup.

Breanna blinked quickly, glancing down at her hand holding the half-filled cup.

"Ah, no," she handed it to him absently, "you can have it if you're thirsty."

"Thanks," he took the cup, his eyes never leaving hers. Slowly he lifted the cup to his wet, full mouth. Mesmerised, Breanna watched as his throat muscles rippled as he swallowed.

What was wrong with her? Glancing away, she cleared her throat. She had to get a grip on her rioting emotions and hormones.

"They are busy with lunch inside if you're hungry," her voice a husky rasp in the space between them.

"Sounds good," he smiled slowly, his smouldering look taking in every flushed feature of her face, "shall we?"

Moving ahead of him, Breanna forced herself to breathe as she fought for control over her mind and body. Stepping into the bustling kitchen, she hoped that the others could not read her thoughts.

Feb 10th - 21h00

The day had been a long one. Physically and emotionally. Breanna sighed as she sank into her comfortable bed. She could get used to a lifetime of comfort and luxurious amenities, but all of that would not make her life problem-free.

She had to find out who the shadow was. What it represents, and what information was public enough to know who this person was? While in The Madhouse, there had been a lot of talk around shadow abilities but no actual name. That would be groundbreaking.

Carefully she opened Jesse's file and began reading. The information was along the lines of what she already knew. However, after a few lines, she frowned. She read quickly, turning the page, finding pictures. Gasping, her hand rose to cover her mouth. It could not be. What was Darcia thinking? Her sister was genuinely insane, and she had no moral compass. Reaching for the phone, she punched the speed dial.

"Jesse," her breathing accelerating a little, "can you come to my suite? Yes, right now. I think we've been looking in the wrong place for our shadow."