Chapter 10
As I collected my cellphone and keys from security and walked out of the VA hospital, all I could think about is that my life as I had known it was over and a new chapter was about to begin.
When I arrived home Ms. V and Ryan were sitting in the kitchen talking. On the way home Ms. V had texted me telling me not to say anything to Ryan about Robert.
“Hey dude, where you been?” Ryan asked.
“I just went out to run errands is all. Why, you so nosy butthead?” I joked.
Ryan was obviously annoyed, his face instantly turned red. I sat down on the bar stool next to Ryan and saw Ms. V had two place settings for me and him. She was making us a couple of sandwiches. There were two glasses of juice with some pills sitting next to them.
“Okay boys, take your vitamins,” she said.
I looked over at Ryan as he picked his up and placed them in his mouth. He swallowed a big gulp of juice. I sat there and looked at mine for a few seconds as Ms. V put our sandwiches on our plates. Her eyes squinted as she gave me a puzzled look. I picked up my pills and swallowed them with a sip of juice. After Ryan and I ate lunch, he went up to his room while I talked to Ms. V in the family room. I sat down on the couch across from her.
“Okay Jason, how was Robert when you went to see him?” she asked.
“He was awake and talking actually,” I answered.
“He was what? They didn’t let me see him while I was there. I sat in the waiting room all night hoping they would. So, I guess all they told me about his injuries wasn’t true then.”
“Oh no, it was true alright! His injuries literally healed overnight. But you already knew that would happen, didn’t you?”
“I don’t know what you mean Jason!”
I felt like Ms. V was going to start lying to me.
“No more damn games, okay? I can hear your heartbeat from over here and I know you’re lying. Robert told me everything while I was at that hospital.”
“It may not be safe to talk here Jason, let’s go outside.”
Ms. Virginia and I went outside and sat in her car.
“Yes, Robert told me all about the supplements and the experiments Ryan and I are now a part of. No more games okay? I want the truth once and for all,” I expressed.
“Yes, what Robert told you is true, but know that we never want anything to happen to you and Ryan. They said if we didn’t cooperate you and Ryan would be taken away from us. They assured us that this would make your lives better. Also, they screened the two of you when you boys came to live with us. The tests the social worker gave you both was one part of it, to see if you were viable candidates for the program. According to your scores, you and Ryan based on your past childhood experiences were perfect candidates for the super soldier program. We were told to give you the supplements daily and report the results back to them,” she said.
The questions I had for months were now finally making sense.
“Who are you reporting them to?” I asked.
“Your ROTC recruiter, Mr. Thompson. Also, Robert has healed from serious injuries before but nothing this severe and never this quickly.”
“I don’t know, but this could go so wrong really quick!” I stressed.
“Well, what changes in yourself have you noticed Jason?” she asked.
“While on the hiking trip, when I killed the bear, my reflexes were abnormally quick and without hesitation. I didn’t even blink and that bear was dead on the ground. It was like I was outside my body watching it happen. I am physically stronger and can run faster, mostly without breaking a sweat. I am more aware of my surroundings as well. My hearing is better than ever, that’s why I could tell you were lying when I heard your heartbeat quicken. I know you are telling me the truth now because it’s at a steady pace.”
“Neat trick to have, Jason.”
I know Ms. V and Robert meant us no harm and even though I haven’t seen anything but positive effects so far for myself, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be the same for Ryan. I was also troubled by the fact that they were trying to kill Robert in that car accident. But luckily, they failed.
“Okay, I don’t know all the details of the program, but what I do know is that Ryan is at the beginning stages right now. The supplements he is taking are prepping his body for the next cycle, which are supposed to chemically alter his body and parts of his brain as he goes through adolescence. Your process was sped up because of the age you were when you came to live with us. I’m sorry but the two of you were never meant to know any of this.”
“I know, but Ryan is going to have to be told later once things start happening to him. He may come to me and have questions and I won’t lie to him. I will not tell him anything right now, at least until I find out more of what is going on.”
“I think that is the best thing to do. Hopefully I will hear from Robert soon and find out when he may be coming home. Let’s go inside. You boys go back to school tomorrow and we need to go on with our lives and pray for the best.” Ms. V said.