0 comments/ 4906 views/ 0 favorites Year-The Future By: EgyptsGoddess Luan's eyes twinkled as she stared steadily into Daire's face, his abilities had grown strong since she had last felt this alive in his presence. Her body tingled and her heart raced, her own powers seemed awakened; even more-so then when the explosion occurred. In the aftermath of the horrible explosion Luan, Daire, Ethan, and the handful of gifted people that remained melted into the landscape. They lived off of what nature gave them, coming across bodies, ruins, cities, towns, wildlife. All had perished in Luan's Bomb, that's how earth's new history began to be re-written. As the band traveled they came across numerous people who had survived, because they had strong gifts. It was during these brief wanderings that Daire began to notice Luan's rapidly failing condition, it came and went. She would recall faces and names but had no memory of location, on the good days she could remember everything, but on the bad days, she fought for her life. Making war with the party that she had been traveling with for weeks at a time with, Ethan and Daire did their best to try and help her remember, they desperately attempted to keep her mind grounded; but it wasn't until the first time she ran off that the two men realized the depth of Luan's prior abuse and torture. Daire meditated and prayed every night and every morning for her return, Ethan became his co-leader, assisting in keeping balance and order among the group, half of which were apart of the original LOCK. Daire was the one who never lost hope that Luan would truly return to the community again, no matter how long it took, he would remain true to her. Luan's eyes glistened with tears of recognition as she came up from her trance of memories, or rather their memories. "Daire." she whispered. "Oh Luan!" exclaimed the man, he jumped up and snatched the woman into an eager tearful kiss. Luan cupped the back of his head, kissing him back. "I never thought I'd remember, Daire I - I'm so sorry." she murmured between their lips. "Shhhh, shhh. I have never resented you and I have never forgotten you Luan. I knew you would come back." said Daire soothingly. Luan broke the kiss and looked out at the erotic happenings. "So what are they doing?" she asked, feeling clear and free from the darkness that she had been under. "Everyone has a life partner, and there is a mating session once every month, to see who gets pregnant. Ever since you ran away, we have been people searching, looking for survivors, gifted or human. We have rescued over a dozen so far. Now we must focus on bringing more life into the world." explained Daire honestly. "And this is all my fault." stated Luan as she moved to the edge of the doorway to gaze up at the black starless sky. "But it is not the end Luan, we will continue to search and rebuild." returned Daire as he joined his beloved. "How?" "Just like I did. One day at a time. But come you must be tired my love. Do you think you will be alright?" "Yes I know I will be alright this time." answered Luan as she let Daire lead her into an inner room. The two spent their first night together in five years. Luan Nyla Ailis frowned as she held the lifeless limp body of the five year old in her crouched embrace, this wasn't the first time for the young woman; Luan was only 22 and yet she had seen more death then some of the oldest war veterans. Luan wasn't positive what year it was though the destruction told her awestruck mind that something had hit the town of Mattison extremely hard... the word extreme didn't even begin describing what had befallen the woman's hometown. It had been years since she had last seen her childhood town, and the chaos and devastation was caused by her. Was this war zone really the future now? Or could it be something more like Daire had told her. Luan now remember everything that her trapped pain-stricken mind had not been able to for so long, she was now a free woman, free from her past, clear head. Gifted people would be the next step in the Earth's history books. Laun Ailis looked back down at the dead boy in her arms... yes she would be here to help rebuild, she would find more survivors. She didn't know the exact date but she would make sure that it would all be written, this wasn't just mere history... it is the year of the future. Year-The Future (After) *AFTER* "What happened after you gathered your army?" asked Luan softly as she looked deep into her lover's eyes. Her gaze told Daire that this time she might truly be recognizing who he was, and putting the pieces together in her own mind. It had taken five years to get this far with her, after rescuing Luan and then experiencing the final blast that sent the world into chaos like it was now, in 2020. Luan's tormented mind had been so messed up that she suffered from severe bouts of amnesia, and would run off putting herself in such danger, with no recollection as to where she was or who she was with. But by some miracle or by her own inner strength the young woman would come to, and find her way back to Daire, and Daire had remained faithful to the woman of his dreams, to Luan his first love, five years of being reunited and then have his beloved loose all sense of self and time. May of 2020 would mark her fifth year of recovery, Daire prayed silently within himself that this would be the moment that Luan would finally come back to him; just as he had prayed every year from the time that she had experienced her first episode. The couple were safely tucked away in the dugout, in a private corner away from the erotic sexual happenings so Daire could focus on maybe bringing his Luan back to the present, for good. Daire looked into those gorgeous shimmery green eyes, reminding himself of her touch, her voice in his ear, all of the fun times that they had had together before any of this had occurred, back when the world was once normal. The man gingerly took her hand in his as he continued recounting what he had gone through to rescue her. LOCK was continually growing as Ethan and Daire made the trek to the state boarder, men and women of all ages, gift strength, shape and size joined the ranks. The group, well actually it had turned into a community, didn't have a strong attack plan and all Daire's heart was set on was finding Luan as he led the march. Living off of the wilderness was the most exhilarating thing that Daire and his followers thrived on, they became somewhat nomadic by the time they reached the edge of the canyon where the MSR camp was hidden at the very bottom. "I remember!" exclaimed Luan, squeezing Daire's hands hard. That emerald metallic gaze bore into him, the young woman trembled from head to toe as she winced snapping her eyes shut, a nearly invisible rush of power and emotion rolled over Luan's being, up her arms and into her hands. This is what Daire had been waiting to see for five years, his keen eyes followed the soft light as it went from her body into his own hands. It was a glow of power and emotion, only those who were strong enough could see and transmit a visible light. With a smile of happiness Daire closed his eyes to fully understand what had happen to his Luan while she was held captive. Luan woke up in a dark place, her mind felt foggy and her eyes refused to focus as she opened them, it was so dark that even her hypersensitive eyes couldn't see anything, other then black in front of her. Feeling numb she attempted to move but big heavy chains stopped the girl, they held her suspended from the ceiling, wrapping around her arms so she couldn't even move them a tiny bit and her head had been secured to the chains around her arms with a thick collar about her delicate neck. Luan closed her eyes and focused on identifying where she was and if there was anyone nearby to help. She was in one of four massive cells, and she wasn't the only one in the dark. Strung up identically to herself, Luan sensed four other females, two on either side of where she was, but spaced far enough apart so that they could not see each other to know of their presence. The girl focused harder, just on the cusp of going into a trance, there were guards and scientists, torture rooms, and mating chambers, cages and gallows, huge bird cages, and a small muddy fighting arena. Science labs and growing rooms. There was a general public courtyard, with an electric barbed-wire, high tech domed fence. Inside the complex there were large rooms sectioned off for the many different gifts and then their intensity levels were sectioned off even more. There was a monsters pit, where all of the experiment trials gone wrong got thrown, those that survived the transformations whether they were physical, emotional or psychological- but were an immediate threat to the scientists, those monsters were thrown in the pit to duke it out; the victors then died of starvation. Luan gave a whimper of fear and shock as her sensitivity went into overload as she continued to realize her situation, the screams of woman being ravaged and tortured echoed into foggy mind, the cries of children and men being pumped full of mutative drugs and potions. A scream wrenched from Luan as she sensed some of the stronger monsters and men that survive the abuse and the experiments; they were being given women and girls in a large cage to torment and use as they please, the ones that resisted were abused and ravaged even harder until they were dead or their spirits had been broken; leaving them literally like rag dolls. Luan heard and shuttered violently as the men that had just come in, some were immediately sent to the mating chambers where they were strapped down to a table, teased to erection and then as the scientists forced couplings of them, making sure that they would fill the females with semen. Luan sagged in her chains, though they bruised her arms, she relied on them to hold her up as the weight of the entire complex rushed to smother the young woman. Luan's captors had yet to discover how powerful she truly was, she could not only hear, and literally feel everything that was happening, but on an emotional level it was as if it were happening to her personally. Luan had worked so hard to control how much she let herself feel from everyone that surrounded her, and now as she discovered where the MSR helicopter had brought her, the young woman was painfully shocked into the reality of being a captive with no way out, and yet knowing what was to come. Daire exhaled as he remembered how he and his troops had stormed the complex. "Come on! For Luan!" cried Ethan as he rushed the fence with the crowd, a little girl named Helen simply walked over to the electric fence, touching it she disarmed the high voltage so the others could climb to the small opening at the top of the dome. Daire paused to watched as the girl merely drew the electric energy into herself like she was a human engine, the young man was amazed, never had he thought a physical gift could be so powerful especially in one so young. Daire ran to catch up with the fight as a small armed guard emerged from the underground camp with tear gas and firearms. Battle cries rang out as the LOCK dropped from fifty story heights onto the armed humans, who had been ordered to capture as many as possible but to kill if necessary. Daire dodged flying darts and spinning bullets as he crested the opening at the top of the done, the raw roar, sounds of breaking bones and bodies being pierced or ripped open made his head spin but he plunged in anyway; drawing his guns once he had slammed into the ground. Men on all sides of him were fighting for their lives. Several guards rushed Daire but he was faster, easily put a bullet in each of their foreheads. Blood spewed everywhere as Daire scanned the fray for Ethan, the boy had just broken his hand in a punching frenzy but was still doing damage as he went from one guard to the next. "Ethan!" Daire hollered just as he found an entrance into the complex, hidden behind several cages of hideous looking creatures, that may have once been human. Daire checked his six to make sure Ethan was behind him as he battled his way towards that single door. The closer he got, the stronger that faint vibe that he had felt was becoming, warning lights flashed everywhere as the two men snuck behind corners and giant boxes, avoiding each new wave of guards that were pouring from the inner building. Scientists were running wildly shouting orders and telling everyone what to do. Ethan and Daire crept passed a couple of white coated figures as they began unlocking the cages! "Daire quick!" bit out Ethan as they ducked into the door, slamming it shut, Daire found an axe to bolt the door closed. "We'll have to find another way out." he said as they advanced down the long corridor. "Where do we go?" whispered Ethan as he flanked his friend. "I'm following Luan's trail, she called it a vibe, a series of little internal shock waves that carry a single message. She knows I'm here and is sending one the best she can, but she is so weak." said Daire. "Look out!" cried Ethan. A scientist had suddenly appeared around the corner, armed, thinking fast Ethan had tripped the man than knocked him out with the but of his gun. "Thanks." murmured Daire, his focus was on Luan as he turned that same corner entering a dimly lit ball room. "Luan!" cried Daire as his eyes beheld her, she was chained to the middle of the floor. Tears coursed down the young man's face as he finally felt Luan, it was one thing to actually see her and a whole different level to "feel" her. She was battered and broken, lead weighted chains held her securely to the cold marble floor. "Fuck what is this place?" muttered Ethan as he nudge Daire to look around the room. The pair had paused at the main double door entrance. It was an amphitheater/ballroom theme. Rows and rows of seats lined the walls, while whoever was the entertainment was looked down upon with hundreds of eager, satanic eyes. Luckily Daire's attack on the complex meant that everyone was either fighting or escaping to save their own skin, so the room was empty of an audience. "It looks like they rape, torment, and kill for pleasure. And my Luan was the victim." comment Daire as he slowly approached his beloved. Ethan followed but was more concerned about watching his friend's back. "Go ahead Daire, I got you covered." he whispered, his eyes glanced at his sister, and instantly his heart broke. She was alive but barely recognizable . Daire knelt down by her side. "Oh Luan, Luan can you hear me?" he asked. The young woman was covered in blue and green bruises, some were as big as his hand. Her hair was matted, covered in blood and only God knew what else. Her eyes were fixed, they were dim and appeared lifeless. Daire gently took her hand in his, praying that she would return his sensation. He pictured the day that they had spent the day on the beach, playing in the water and making love in the surf, the sensations then were transferred threw his hand into her's. The love, trust, safety, and tranquility of that day was what he was trying to give to her. To remind her to live. To wake up. He glanced up at Ethan, who grimaced. "Luan wake up!" commanded Ethan in a low determined voice, his brows furrowed, he recalled a conversation that he had had with Luan and mom once. How Luan was explaining what to do when she was in a deep trance, mom was there to confirm that it was the correct method. "Quick Daire, we have to get her conscious or we will all die before ever trying to get out of here." spoke Ethan suddenly. "What do you mean?" "I mean, the wave that you were following to find my sister, it's not just a distress signal, it's a shock wave bomb!" answered Ethan. "A What?" "The exact power of the shock bomb is unknown, it's never been calculated. But it will kill anything that isn't as strong or stronger then it, meaning stronger then Luan." explained the boy. "Oh my god is this an episode of superman or something?" Daire grunted in frustration. He had never heard of this, why hadn't Luan told him. "So how do we stop it? Will Luan be alright?" asked Daire. "There is no stopping it. Yes Luan will be just fine, but...." paused Ethan, he placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. "What now?" sighed Daire. "You can't stop the shock bomb, all you can do is bring it to completion, make it happen faster." "Huh? How? Is this suppose to come out of Luan?" "Yes it comes from her subconscious mind, it is unused energy, untapped, stored for protection. Except it takes a while for it to accumulate, that's why it hasn't been physically apparent until this very moment. And to answer your first question, you have to make her orgasm." Daire stood and turned to Ethan. "I have to have sex with her! Ethan do you not see that she has been used enough! What the fuck do you mean?" his face was contourted with disgust, pain, and anguish. Ethan had a similar expression, but he nodded in reply. "This entire thing makes me sick, just sick." growled Daire, his pain had turned to anger. "Now you understand how I feel." returned Ethan simply, his voice had lost feeling, it was deadened to what needed to happen so that his sister could live. All the while knowing what would accompany the aftershock. "Just one more question. How powerful is your family's line?" questioned Daire. Ethan faced his friend, his eyes reflecting the fury within them both. "Since Luan was the first born, she holds the most power. Which is limitless. But as you and I know better than anyone, it is her blessing and her curse, her gift and her pain. She will win this battle for us. But at the same moment devastate the entire world." answered Ethan solemnly. "Have any advice as to um well...." Daire cleared his throat as he began to relax, he slowly unzipped his pants, internally he didn't want to do this, he only wanted to rescue his Luan and help her get better; he loathed himself for having to do this. Ethan took a step back before answering. "For now help her forget the pain Daire." then Ethan turned his back to give some privacy, while readying to defend his sister and best friend. Daire swallowed hard trying to keep himself from throwing up as he pulled his all too flaccid penis from his jeans, the thought of coupling with Luan this way repulsed him, every fiber of his being screamed for him not to do it, she needed to be nursed back to health not fucked, she needed his help to recover mentally, emotionally, physically from this, not pleasured to orgasm. Her body had been beaten, tormented, scorched, and chained... and it showed all too well as Daire released his woman from those heavy chains and took her into his arms. Never had she been so limp in his embrace, never had her skin felt like mush, never had she winced and moaned in pain as he barely touch her. Daire desperately tried to be gentle, but his attempts to be soft only made it worse when she gave a small mew of such pain. Daire trembled harshly as he began to kiss her swollen cracked lips, while his free hand tried to stroke himself erect. His shuttering was of his own pain and tears. "Daire, its okay. You... must." Luan spoke to Daire for the first time in months, her voice was so washed, drained that it was as a brief whispering wind. Daire forced himself to remain conscious, she had spoke to him and that is all he needed to hear, to know that she knew it was him. "Yes my sweet Luan, I promise to take care of you. I want to help you feel better. I will make you strong again Luan. I promise." he spoke, tears streamed down his face as he kissed her softly, all the while his hand working his semi-hard cock now. Luan was aware of him, and she attempted to sooth and arouse him with her empathic abilities. Sensations of love, trust, hope, passion, faith, safety flooded threw Daire's body as he then began to slowly work his nearly erect cock into her battered vagina. A sudden outcry and more tears sprang to his eyes, as Daire pushed into her, feeling the damage, feeling the tormented walls of her womanhood. The old scars and the new scars, the internal buised sensitivity of her cervix, Daire could feel everything with his cock as he began to gently stroke in and out of Luan. Luan moaned, her hands and arms came to life and wrapped around his neck, her eyes began to appear more focused. Daire could feel the waves from within her grow stronger with each of his thrusts. "Luan its okay, its me, its Daire. Oh you're so sweet. I've missed you so much my love." murmured the man as his tempo increased and some how, by a miracle Luan's natural lubrication began to flow, coating him and making him slick. Her vaginal muscles slowly awoke, began to squeeze his now very hard cock. They were weak and beyond exhuastion, Daire could tell but he kept up his speed. Her fingers worked deep into his hair, gripping, holding on. Daire loved the sensation of her hands intwined in his hair, the feel of her in his arms, safe and enjoying his touch, deriving pleasure from his cock. He watched in amazement as her eyes slowly became more bright, more alert. That pulsing wave becoming more powerful, more intense as she seemingly was coming back to life. "Luan." her head snapped in the direction of his voice, those sharp bright green eyes zeroed in on his gaze faster then ever before. Daire kissed her, full of passion and recognition. Luan began to glow in his arms, a visible green light that had a pulsing rhythm, it was the shock-wave taking a physical form. Luan kissed him back, her fingers gripped his hair tighter, Daire in turn began truly fucking her, fast and hard. Feeling her muscles trying to keep up with his momentum. Her voice returned in loud groaning and short gasping mewls. "Oh Daire ohhhhhhhhhh Daire!" she cried out, her voice was husky and needy. The green light kept expanding, finally engulfing the couple, that ever pulsating matching their rhythm. Her whining, mewling cries of passion filled the room. Daire held her tighter as he gave Luan everything he had. Their eyes were locked, and she was in pure ecstasy. "Yes Luan, cum my love. I want you to cum. Cum on my cock. Cum as I fuck you. Cum Luan..... cum." Daire whispered to her. Instantly he felt, heard, and saw her. The young woman was screaming his name as she came harder then she had ever cummed in her life. At the same second that green light went off, literally like a ticking time bomb. It spread out fast in every direction, knocking out all the windows, electricity, killing everyone and anyone that was not as strong as she was, all across the globe. As her orgasm subsided, and as Daire held her, everything went dark around them. As if there was no light anywhere, no moon, no sun, no stars. What was worse... silence. Year-The Future (The Beginning) Luan Nyla Ailis frowned as she held the lifeless limp body of the five year old in her crouched embrace, this wasn't the first time for the young woman; Luan was only 22 and yet she had seen more death then some of the oldest war veterans. Luan wasn't positive what year it was though the destruction told her awestruck mind that something had hit the town of Mattison extremely hard... the word extreme didn't even begin describing what had befallen the woman's hometown. Luan was just an ordinary girl back in 2009, friends, family, a senior in high school with a steady boyfriend, and a brand new Mercedes Benz for her 18th birthday. Luan's family history had been one of wealthy noblemen who openly and honestly shared all of their inherited riches with those who weren't so fortunate, her father owned a successful hunting/armory company; while Luan's mother ran a jewelry/tattoo parlor. Luan's parents inherited their money and heirlooms true but the couple decided to continue with the motto of 'live long, laugh often, and work for all that you have'. The Ailis' outward appearance denoted much finery and splendor, yet the internal family affairs were that of a middle class status, they lived truthfully and honorably; earning all that they had in life. Luan had had a spectacular senior year and graduated from high school in 2010, meanwhile her twin younger brothers, Ethan and Marcus were pumped up to begin high school the following year. Luan knew why her parents' had chosen her name, they had hand picked her name because of its significance, by origin the Ailis' were Scottish and so Luan Nyla Ailis in Gaelic meant; Warrior- Champion- Of Noble Kind. What prompted Mr. and Mrs. Ailis' to deem their eldest daughter with such a title, Luan had not a clue but knowing the family took much pride in the significance of names, the recent graduate had learned to take personal pride in the beauty of her naming, instead of forming a severe dislike for it Luan chose to embrace it. Her boyfriend, Daire Max Carlton, had devoted himself to Luan since they had become friends in sixth grade, the pair finally began a more intimate relationship during their Sophomore year at his parents' prompting. Daire was a very good hearted young gentleman, he had fallen in love with Luan from the moment that they had laid eyes on each other and once both families had agreed to his courting Luan; she became his priority in every way. Luan was just as thrilled to be able to open up her heart and trust someone who truly cared for her, she knew that Daire was her's from the moment that they had shared their first kiss. But once Daire and Luan had shared a bed together, the problems started, the relationship didn't change it was Luna that began to sense something working its way threw her body. This sensation, this feeling had begun to blossom the moment that she and Daire had consummated their love, the feeling wasn't fuzzy or slow in it's undeniable dispersion. Luan couldn't find the words to describe what was happening to her, she did her best to translate to Daire at the time it was occurring. It wasn't harmful or painful the feeling had started in her sub-conscience and rather quickly worked it's way from the very depths of her mind to the rest of her body. Once the sensation had dissipated to Luan every tiny thing about her being seemed to be hypersensitive to everything that surrounded her. She could hear every conversation that was happening in every household for three miles in all directions, including her own, she heard Daire's soothing curious words as if they were amplified, she could tell where a spider was busy making a new web in the basement corner. Luan inhaled slowly, trying to remain focused as it all struck her nearly speechless. The young woman felt each spec of dust in the air as it landed on the skin of her fingertips, her neck was warmed by the small desk lamp that was on the opposite wall of her bedroom, the hair on her back raised with the emotions that charged the air between herself and Daire. Daire simply watched his love, he monitored her breathing and her pulse knowing that alerting her parents' would only cause something bad to happen. He hitched a breathe as Luan's eyes zeroed in on his own, they seemed to shimmer with a metallic coating which enhanced her deep green eyes. They had been laying in her bed, naked beneath the covers just holding each other after their first time of making love, then suddenly Luan had sat up as calm as ever yet her body trembled slightly and she had begun telling him what was happening within her body in a hushed voice. Daire wasn't a believer in supernatural powers like bat-man or the X-men characters, but he did believe in super-humans, and if that meant things like the X-men were real then what was happening to his beloved girlfriend was the real deal. Luan's heart rate was normal and her entire demeanor was very still as she looked into Daire's gaze, the boy ran his eyes over her checking the rest of her body for any signs of fatigue or injury, nothing seemed wrong but on his way back up he saw that her nipples were points of desire and her skin was slightly flushed with internal heat. She hadn't spoken in a whole two minutes, yet Daire's nostrils flared as he caught the lovely sweet scent that came from the very core of her womanhood; that now familiar taste that made him grow instantly hard with his own desire. "Daire, I can... I mean- I think I can feel you- I feel your love, your desire for me, I feel your heartbeat, your trembling anticipation, your thoughts as they give way to emotions..." as she spoke Luan began to trace Daire's face with her fingertips while ran his hands lovingly and calmly down her sides, over her thighs, encircling her beautiful breasts... "the way your skin warms with the heat of my touch, the zing of love and arousal that floats on the air currents. Do you feel anything that I'm describing to you?" "Yes I do feel what you describe, but I don't think I'm feeling it as deeply as you are, mentally, emotionally or psychologically." "Do you think I'm crazy?" "No, never Luan, I think something very unique has just happened to you, to us." "What?" "I'm not sure sweetheart, but I want to be apart of it, I want to be with you every step of the way, if that is what you wish of me." murmured Daire as he moved in to layer gentle kisses over her lovely face. "Yes Daire, I want you to be with me, always." whispered Luan. "What do you think it is, baby?" "I'm not sure but it feels like-well-maybe it's something like Empath. Like in the X-man films." "That was what I was thinking as well sweetheart. What would you like to do now?" asked Daire, he pulled back slightly to get a good look at his beloved. Her eyes had stayed that metallic green, which was kind of freaky and hypnotic all at the same time. "I want to find out what has happened to me, maybe see if any one else has had this happen in my family, and if it has, go searching for any others' that may have what I have or something different." answered Luan decidedly. "Alright then, let's go." Daire had started to get up but Luan gently stopped him. "What, not now silly, it's 10:30 at night." giggled Luan as she tugged him back onto the bed, playfully climbing atop his lengthy muscular body. He wasn't the macho buff kind of guy, he was a cross country runner, he also did gymnastics so he had a lean body that was toned and well proportioned, his messy toffy colored hair complimented his bright hazel eyes, as he stared up at Luan. "You're laughing at me aren't you!" exclaimed Luan in feigned dismay as he cracked a goofy smile, the kind that she loved to see, his intelligent eyes only added charm to such a grin. "Am not, you're just so damn beautiful that's all... just look at you, perched up there as if you own the world." said Daire in an admiring tone as his eyes looked her over. "Well thank you very much, I do enjoy this thrown of mine." purred Luan as she wiggled her hips, effectively brushing her most private parts against his own very ready member. Over the course of the following year Luan and Daire discovered that there was a long line of Empathic abilities within the Ailis family, in a wide variety of strengths. Meanwhile Luan was gearing up to go to college in Florida, and Daire was staying in Mattison to attend the local community college. There were more then two odd things about Luan's immediate family, aside from her parents' both owning two very strange businesses, her mother was an empath as well but not a very attuned ability as Luan's; mother and daughter became much closer over the summer. Luan hung out at her mother's shop during the day learning valuable history as well as earning a few tattoos, acquiring a rather exotic taste in style and manner, and she took a weapons firing class at night in her father's personal firing range. Daire was there with Luan most of the time learning right alongside her as he had promised, while Luan would describe all that she would sense, audibly, visually, tactilely to him. The couple were even closer then before, both learning every moment of everyday about each other's thoughts and feelings. Daire moved into the Ailis' for the summertime, paying them a small rent from his part-time job as a gymnastics teacher's assistant, and Luan worked the weekends at the local bar; Roy's Club N' Bar serving drinks. Daire and Luan made love every night that was available for themselves. As the summer dwindled into autumn, the Country wasn't getting any better, the stock market wasn't gaining like the claims had stated, and everyone seemed to be on edge as if something unknown was about to strike. Technology was not just in it's blueprint stages any longer, advances such as 3D t.v. soon became 3D everything, Hovercraft Tech. Corp. or H.T.C. burst onto the public scene on March 13, 2011. Weapons advancement was the scariest when the CNN News revealed it's discovery, micro machines harboring some of the most deadly plagues known to mankind, were being considered by the United States government as a source of combating terrorism or any other foreign powers that meant the U.S.A. harm. Meanwhile Space science was still working on inhabiting Mars, just as sustainable ways to begin life on the moon made major breakthroughs in the scientific community. Medical science were developing fantastic ways to repair the human body, including the mind, heart, and eyes. While some more daring doctors were attempting to find a way to keep people younger, in mind, body, and spirit. Super-human abilities quickly became exposed to the rest of the world, once some asshole wanting fame and glory decided to leak it to the Press. A completely new era had begun with that singular exposed fact, science immediately tried to duplicate these pure natural occurring abilities, all attempts failing until the President passed the 'Mutant Search & Research Bill', or MSR. The bill only stating what the science community could take, instead of making preventions and protections for this "New Class" of people, it did the exact opposite. Life hummed as normal, yet Luan couldn't ignore the ever increasing waves of dread and deep depression that continuously washed over her entire being, now that she had control over her newly developed abilities the young college student could typically filter through the onslaught of emotional and mental turmoil. "How do you feel tonight sweetheart? I miss you so much Luan." Daire's voice sounded over Luan's cellular earpiece. Cellphones had phased out completely by the end of May 2011, now the cellphone was a small in-ear device that was the size of a triple AAA battery available to the entire public for one yearly payment of $45.00 to H.T.C. Texting had all but vanished when H.T.C. had developed a way to simply make 3D projections of the caller to caller basis using the newly worshipped, N'Ear Cell. "The darkness is coming more often Daire, it makes me terrified to not know what the hell it is. On the surface society seems to be going as normal but beneath it all- I-I just don't know... things are going way too fast and with the MSR in place, none of my kind will ever have a "normal life" again." Luan admitted. She was doing her Naked Yoga in her dorm room, it was 7:30 p.m. and she was nervously relaxed. Talking to Daire always helped sooth her yet tonight was different. "God Luan I had no idea it was that bad..." Daire gave a sigh, he had become very sensitive to Luan's "Sensitivity" as the family chose to call it, and he could feel her anxiousness and worry, the tone of her voice told him that there was more going on then she wanted to share immediately..."Luan Ailis what's really wrong, you know I am tuned to your body sweetheart, please share with me?" asked Daire gently. It had been a year since Luan had left for college, and since that time the pair had longed for one another as well as make provisions for the Ailis and the Carlton's underground, in case of an immediate endangerment of the families on the surface. "I've been getting loads of pressure from the professors and the science geeks here at school, being that I'm the only MSR "creature" here on campus. Yet the only thing that keeps them from dragging me down to the basement to run experiments on me is because I'm a student, therefore I'm technically protected by law." Luan said as she easily shifted from her froggy headstand to the lotus position. "WHAT! Oh no, no, no, no this will not happen. I'm coming to get you right now Luan." growled Daire, his blood boiled and his heart beat with fear and anger at anyone who might even dream of harming what was his. Luan shivered at the shock wave of emotions coming from her lover, his undeniable urge to protect her was like being hit by lightening. She felt him as he moved swiftly and determined, his money, ID, passport, handguns, and utility belt. A small pack of items for herself, knives, handguns, tampons, change of clothes, necklace, a few chains of various sizes. He had everything and was out the front door in less then ten minutes. "Daire I'll be fine-I..." "What motor do you want me to take?" the man interrupted. "My Yamaha take it, it'll be the fastest, and it's far more powerful then any of that hovercraft tech." Luan said rather seriously as she also began to catch his emotional charges, they screamed a warning to her, to get away, she wished that things were back to the way they were. No segregation, no tests, no murders or MSR hunts; things had changed so fast. It's as if the entire world had turned to hell over night. "Where will you be?" muttered Daire, Luan heard him start the motorcycle, the engine roared then hummed beautifully, he mounted. "Meet me at the county line, there's an old castle church." answered Luan. "I'm on my way."-Click. Year-The Future (Then) *Then* Luan Nyla Ailis frowned as she held the lifeless limp body of the five year old in her crouched embrace, this wasn't the first time for the young woman; Luan was only 22 and she had seen more death then some of the oldest war veterans. Luan wasn't positive what year it was though the destruction told her awestruck mind that something had hit the town of Mattison extremely hard... the word extreme didn't even begin describing what had befallen the woman's hometown. It had been three years since Daire brought her back to Mattison... Or had it been longer? Luan couldn't remember as she sat crouched holding the dead boy, all she recalled was seeing Daire ride up to her at the old church and then she had felt this overpowering, all-consuming surge of pain strike her mind from out of no where, then all went dark and there was nothing. The next vision Luan remembered seeing once opening her weary eyes was a creepy pock marked, sore covered man who had cataracts, he was inspecting her stomach, pressing and tapping it with his gooey sick looking fingers. He hadn't noticed her awakening, so Luan had shut her eyes not needing them to assess the situation. She was naked, spread eagle, hair matted and filthy as was the rest of her, she was lying on top of a jagged stone table top, there were five other nasty looking males surrounding her, all were bare. Mentally Luan groaned as her stomach turned upside down with extreme sickness. She had minor scrapes and bruising, several cuts over her back, arms, and legs. The young woman figured she had another minute before she would be raped and most likely killed by these hideously gross creatures, Luan would rather die then become such a victim of chaos and savagery. Her senses clamored to find any kind of human life outside of this deathtrap, nothing, there was no one to even send a vibe to for help, but her weapons had been tossed stupidly in the far corner of the room in which she was being held captive. In a matter of thirty seconds Luan had determined, due to the current circumstances, that she would rather come out alive. Luan's heart began to race as her skin tingled with the nearness of those ugly perverse hands to her lushes breasts, lightening fast she improvised on her yoga training and fighting skills, executing a shoulder-stand swiveling her torso around to catch the bastard's neck between her legs twisting her back and ankles just so, snapping the creatures neck as if it were a mere twig. Instantly the commotion brought the remaining five right where she wanted them, shoving herself upwards as hard as she could the woman clasped the ropes that were holding her legs suspended in mid-air, climbing them until she was nearly standing upright on her tightly secured ankles a good six feet above the dumbfounded monsters' heads. Luan's metallic gaze reflected the dim stream of light that poured into the darkened room from a slight crack in the ceiling, the moon was just ascending to it's masterful thrown above the horizon of earth's devastated surface. A soft smile of confidence spread across the young woman's face. "You want me... Come n' get me!" she taunted in a husky tone. Growling in anger and lustful rage the five sick men quickly climbed and as each came to stand atop the stone table Luan killed them, snapping their neck or delivering a deadly hand chop to the middle of their throats; every movement was precise and survival driven. Luan relaxed her mind just a bit as she hung in the two ropes, her legs straight out to her sides as she executed a perfect well balanced split, true her ankles hurt like hell with rope burn but she needed to be sure there was nothing else that might attack her; at least for the moment. Once the area had been monitored from her perch for an entire three minutes and thirty seconds, Luan then set to figure out how to undo her confined ankles all the while keeping her every sense on full alert. Spotting a sharp piece of rock the girl snatched it up and began to saw threw the thick binding rope, it only took her half an hour to break loose of those awful things. Dripping with sweat and chilled once she hit the cold hard floor Luan scented the air smacking her tongue and lips as the stench of rotting life consumed her, the taste left her wishing she hadn't inhaled as deeply but as she gathered her weapons and dressed herself, again she clucked her tongue giving her a sudden splash of the nasty scent. Among the filth and rotting flesh Luan tasted human sweat, male and female, they had to be somewhere within three miles of her own position, they tasted fresh and healthy. Strapping one gun holster to her back and one to her waist she secured her weapons, one on her back between her shoulder blades and the other on her left hip. She then laced up her black and neon green nylon spandex pant legs, and tied her matching corset more tightly. The corset laced completely up the back and then halfway from the bust line on down, it was designed by Daire himself, meant to be sexy, revealing, and practical for all weather and all types of strenuous exercise. No air resistance and the fabric was breathable so sweat wouldn't become a hindrance. Luan smirked, she was reminded of the movie Aeon Flux as she then entwined her dagger holsters into the lacing of her pants, finally tying an unbreakable knot around her waist. The slight memory faded instantly as she slotted her prized eight set dagger collection, this was nothing like a movie. Everything within a three mile radius of her belonged to her multiple honed senses, and at the moment the only thing alive was 45 degrees south of Luan about two and a half miles away. Luan heaved a heavy sigh as she began to climb threw the ruins of the dilapidated two story building, as she ascended the moon's brilliant light bathed her body until she broke her way to the surface only to have her entire soul stunned into silence. There was absolutely nothing, the only objects visible were that of shadowy empty remains that once was Mattison, buildings looked dangerous and haunted, the streets were cracked and uprooted in most places; any signs of life simply wasn't there. No trees, no grass, no vines, not even the dead skeletons of these things remained, no thorns, no underground root systems. Luan glanced skyward, no visible stars, the night sky looked of smooth undisturbed black glass the only thing powerful enough to break threw the blackness was that precious light from the moon. Though as Luan scanned the horizon line for her intended direction, she saw a soft glow emanating from the scent she was going to follow. The light was a campfire, and now that she was on the surface Luan scented and heard, there were multiple males and females about fifteen and they were... Luan shivered as the powerful hormones struck her, all of them were engaged in erotic intercourse save for one; the man who stood guard. Luan began to tremble violently as she hopped down from her perch, she instantly touched her fingertips to the ground and thrust her neck out to gain full advantage of her sight and auditory abilities. The group of people were nestle in an large dugout of earth, meanwhile the guard was standing on top at the surface pacing back and forth, holding his arms to his chest as he hummed to himself. Daire... Luan gasped, honing in on his scent, his body language, his voice... DAIRE! The second her thoughts had named him the man's face jerked in her direction, he then bolted for her in no time at all. Luan shouted for pure joy and was off running to meet him reveling in his familiarness, two miles seemed like nothing as the reunited couple reveled in each others presence. They sank to the ground, Luan seated in his lap her arms wrapped securely about his neck. "I knew you would rock this suit babe." smiled Daire, his eyes were a metallic white-silver, the moon caused him to look unearthly. "Daire what the hell has happened, where is everyone? Where are the towns, the cities? The stars? Why are they having sex?" Luan's voice shook. "Mutants, like you and me Luan caused the blackout." "WHAT! You a mutant? What do you mean? If it had been empathic waves that caused the whole world to blow up... apparently that's what happened from the looks of it, I WOULD HAVE KNOWN!!!!" growled Luan. Daire took her face softly between his palms, looking her right in the eyes, calm, intense and aroused. "Luan, you said it yourself 'the world's gone mad, why should we'... Luan shuttered trying to remember..."yes you did, I was with you when the explosions went off." Daire stared at her as if he were desperately willing her to remember. Luan felt as if her mind was blank, empty and yet her conscience was spinning out of control, her empath was on the fritz suddenly in her attempt to recall all that had happened, she felt as if she were floating outside of her body, like her mind was somehow lost in the effort... like she was going insane; but most importantly... Time. "What time is it, the year?" Luan nearly screamed, or at least that's how it sounded in her own head. "May of 2020." Daire swallowed hard as he told her, as if he was waiting for some hysterical outburst, his mind tingled with thoughts, memories. Luan gasp and gasp slamming her eyes shut not believing, the electrical 20,000 volts of emotions that he was unintentionally emitting to her nervous system was nearly numbing with it's extremity. "No." whispered the woman, Daire's eyes merely widened yet he didn't move, Luan screamed a sound of utter pain as she broke their connection forcing herself into a corkscrewed backflip round off. Crouched on her hands and knees, her eyes were like lasers in their intensity, she had only moved a mere four feet away from where the pair had been seated. Daire had gotten the brute force of her extended legs as he simply spat the blood from his mouth, standing slowly, calmly. As if he had gone threw this before, he smiled lovingly and sadly at his beloved. Luan shot upright and only seconds before she had moved, Daire tackled her to the dusty ground holding on as if he had anticipated her reaction to escape, confining her body within his impossibly strong grasp as if he had known how much pressure to exert; like this whole thing was a replay! Luan stilled the second her sharp mind formed this thought, allowing her body to absorb and be encased in his violent trembling body. The energy it was taking for Daire to hold her and bombard her empath with his history, on such an emotional level was too much but Luan snarled within herself determined to remember the truth. Daire had just picked her up at the old church, they were headed back to Mattison when Luan got a call from her mother, the woman was hysterical and frantically crying, begging them not to come back then someone cursed and struck Luan's mother effectively killing the call. Daire sensed his partner's distress and emotional wave patterns, he increased the speed of the motorbike. "My parents, my brothers are being held against their will Daire." "What!" They were drawing closer to Mattison with each passing mile. "They want me." "Fucking bastards!" growled Daire. "Oh No!" cried Luan as a scout MSR helicopter zeroed in on them just outside Mattison city limit, targeting her with a stun gun. Milliseconds before the dart struck Luan, "Find me soon Daire, find me in the future and remind me of all that I've lost no matter what I've become, no matter how long it takes. The world's gone mad, why should we." she whispered into his ear, just as she was hit and dragged like a rag doll up into the copter by a hooked line. "LUAN!" screamed Daire, he turned the bike as fast as he was able to, speeding after the helicopter following it late into the night. He came to a screeching halt at the edge of a canyon, his eyes ablaze his heart beating so hard it hurt, as he watched the helicopter swoop low enough into the crevasse to literally drop her sedated body into a electric fenced arena, which was filled with hundreds of partially drugged bodies. Tears streamed down Daire's face and his mind felt like it was going to explode from the pressure built up by being emotionally crazed. "An MSR Concentration Camp." he choked out, as he watched men in full body white suits come out and start stripping the bodies, tossing the clothes in a huge burn pile while other men in blue suits loaded the people onto several large garbage trucks. Helpless, feeling completely defeated the young man vowed he would free Luan and the other survivors, he turned the motorcycle around and headed back to Mattison to see if he even had a chance at saving her family members, and his own for that matter. Pulling up to the Ailis' house he knew he was too late, the house looked as if a tornado had struck it right threw the midsection, jumping from his vehicle Daire raced into the giant hole that led into the building. "Mr. and Mrs. Ailis! Ethan! Marcus! Ethan, Marcus, Max, Angelica! Anyone are you here! Hello! Hellooooooo!" called Daire as he looked over the wreckage. He was picking threw the large objects searching, calling for the next hour, until he sensed something while standing in the upstairs parlor. A soft moaning, almost an inaudible noise, Daire fought threw the destruction to get to the individual, calling out each of there names to identify who it was, it was Ethan! "I'm here Ethan, I'll get you out buddy, hold on, keep making noise, Ethan come on, I'm here for you." groaned the man loudly, as he picked, pushed, shoved, and lifted remnants of household items to get to the boy. There buried beneath what was left of the grand piano and half an antique writing desk lay Luan's youngest brother, three gunshot wounds, a six inch piece of piano protruding from his right hand, blood everywhere. On top of it all that, Ethan was contorted in an sickening way, as if he had been thrown across the house, his lower body was suspended dangling by curtains that had entangled themselves around his legs, while his torso was rather lopsided amongst the piano damage. "Oh Ethan oh my dear boy!" gasped Daire as he set about to untangle his legs. The boy groaned and writhed in pain as Daire lowered his legs as slowly as possible to the floor, Daire then took on the task of resetting any broken bones right there, Ethan's screams of anguish would forever be seared into Daire's memory as he worked to get Ethan out of the devastated home. Daire had taken Ethan up into the nearby mountains, to a cave that he knew no one knew of then he went back to find his own parents; fearing the worst. He gathered everything he could think of that he and Ethan would need, food, keys, weapons, clothes, radio, mini t.v. set, and water. Daire's fears were confirmed the second he walked threw the front door of his own home. The young man didn't even bother walking threw his home, he simply turned and headed into the main part of town. As he ran threw the little town of Mattison, gathering anykind of supplies, he got things for future needs, things that he would need as well as others. He gathered fabric, blankets, sewing supplies, shoes, winter clothing, tents, fire starters, rope, knives, solar panel generators, anything else that his frenzied mind was able to spot in his trek threw his hometown. Meanwhile the townspeople simply watched him in his seemingly crazed rush, they murmured and gossiped as he ran in and out of stores, as he babbled some excuse to individuals that had known him for years, having no clue as to the explosion that would soon befall them as well. Daire felt as if he was out of his own body in his haste, like his mind had switched most of his thinking and motor skills to autopilot, he raced back to the Ailis' and took the Hummer in order to transport all of the supplies that he had accumulated outside of the gas station. His mind's singular thought screamed, LUAN, while his sane mind told him to calm down to take care of himself and Ethan first, to gather information and make an effort to make a plan before running headlong into his own personal tornado. He piled all of the things into the back of the Hummer and then he drove to Mr. Ailis' shop, the main door key in hand, he prayed that none of his other staff was on duty, he hoped that he would be able to hijack most of the stores contents, knowing that it would be necessary. He loaded the weapons and ammunition in stages, in company boxes, to make it appear as if he was doing something with the owner's permission, once he'd finished it was mid-afternoon and he had over fifteen boxes of heavy duty weapons to very minimal equipment, like barbed wire. Daire then stopped by the Ailis' and his own home to gather his and Luan's more personal collection of weapons and clothing, he managed to find most of Luan's things in the wreckage as well as recover clothing and first aid kits for Ethan. Lastly he locked all of the doors to the mansion, securing all motor-vehicle and safe keys in a small box to keep in his possession, then he gathered as many gas filled cans as he could find in the garage. On his drive out of town he noticed four men dressed in all black suits pull up to the Mattison courthouse, ducking low so they wouldn't see him, Daire watched as the men looked around at the town and then slowly walked into the courthouse. Daire didn't stop to see what would happen he stepped on the gas petal, while flashes of Luan and that MSR camp nearly blinded him with grief, he sped along ignoring all people and cars. He was half way up the mountain when a massive shock-wave rocketed from behind him, the car and he lurched forward as it rolled across the area. Glancing in the rearview mirror Daire was stunned to find Mattison had nearly been flattened, it didn't look like much had happened, but all metal and glass objects were broken or bent out of place, trees had been blown to bits. The majority of the damage had come from inside the courthouse, which was now crumbling and slanted. The four men Daire had seen earlier walked out of the shattered building as if they were merely leaving a business meeting, they got back into their car and drove north. Daire growled and focused on navigating threw the thickening forest back-roads. He drove until he literally couldn't drive anymore which was nearly on top of Ethan's location in the cave. Daire jumped from the truck, snatched the first aid and went to Ethan as fast as possible, Ethan had managed to sit up against a bolder that was in the cave, his hand cradled in his lap. "It's okay Ethan, it's me Daire, I'm going to get you cleaned up and fed alright. It's okay." murmured Daire as he stooped to help his brother. Laying out his kit Daire began to clean the open wounds and cuts on Ethan. Finally he made the boy a sling to support his hand, Daire stood and looked up to gage the time, the sun was just beginning to set. "I'm going to get you some water and food Ethan but then I have to do a few things before it gets dark alright, I'll be nearby so if you need my help you call for me okay? I won't leave you, you hear." said Daire. Ethan nodded leaning back against the rock for support, Daire jogged to the truck returning with water and nutrition bars for Ethan. He then set to work securing the area, marking trees, burying weapons nearby, and suspending food and gas cans from high strong trees. He left some of everything in the Hummer, and then began to transfer necessaries to the cave by the time dusk had set in. He set up torches around the mouth of the cave and a small cooking fire inside the entrance of the cave. He then set to searching threw the cave, inspecting every inch of it, finding that the cave was not too deep, and fairly dry within it's shallow depths, no animals inhabited the hollowed cavern just a few species of bugs. He then helped Ethan change into some warmer clothes, and started a pit fire for food, wrapping a blanket around Ethan and checking his wounds. Year-The Future (Then) As Daire poured several cans of baked beans into a pot and placed it over the fire's heat, Ethan shifted closer to the fire's warmth. "That's right, get as warm as you can, it's going to be cold up here tonight. How do you feel Ethan?" asked Daire as he set up a sleeping area for the two of them within the cave. "I'm okay, thank you so much Daire, I don't know if I would've made it much longer without help." "Ethan, is it too soon for me to ask what happened? I must know." Ethan turned his gaze to Daire, his eyes pained and confused, he nodded though his body quaked. "There was a knock as the door this morning at like five maybe six, which was so rare since it's Sunday, da went to answer it, there were four men in black suits. They are the ones that ruined the house, and us. They didn't say anything, they just started to attack us. Mom was the last to go, I - I stayed as still as I could praying that they wouldn't find me after the biggest one had tossed me. The men had strange voices, like they were reptiles or something, or like a scratchy throat. They had white eyes, like they had cataracts and... Where's Luan?" Ethan paused suddenly becoming even more aware of the situation. "They took her Ethan, MSR caught us last night just as we were riding into town, I trailed them all the way to the state line..." Daire's body trembled with anger, his blood boiled with fear for his beloved, " they are taking the gifted people, like your sister to facilities, like concentration camps to run tests and do experimentation on them." his voice had gone dark, almost dangerous as he thought of his Luan being abused and hurt. "What do we do Daire? We have to get her out, I won't let her be destroyed by those damn scientist. I've heard rumors and...." Ethan couldn't finish as he nearly choked on his own rage, "I never liked the idea of enslaving and tormenting another human, like Hitler did." he managed to say. "Don't worry, let's get you better before we go anywhere, but while you are healing, you can watch camp and help me by coming up with a plan to bust her out, because by the time we get to her who knows what devilish things will have been committed on her." encouraged Daire he stood up to serve supper up for the boy, then some for himself. "Good. Thank you Daire, I love my sister more then you know." "I know Ethan, we must be so careful, do not trust anyone no matter how long you've known them, and don't give any information out, this is beyond us, it's beyond Mattison its only a matter of time before the entire world will be bare. Luan felt it, we, I have to save her, she is by far one of the stronger Empathians." spoke Daire. "Are all the gifts empath?" "No boy, there is an array of gifts, just like the X-Man films, or like the super heros in comic books, but I've noticed that the abilities stem from the mind, the psychology of the human being. That's what makes some more powerful then others, it has to do with the individual's mental strength, the strength of their spirit. It's why the gifts are only emotionally or physically based, like Luan, her superior senses is both emotional and a physical element, while others are either just physical or emotional. Does that make sense?" explained Daire. "Yeah, like being super strong, or shape-shifting, that's a physical. While sensing other's emotions or being able to touch another person's thoughts is emotional." remarked Ethan as he finished eating his dinner. "Yes, that's exactly it." Daire took Ethan's bowl as the boy stood slowly, timidly to go to his sleeping bag, Daire quickly got up to assist him. "I don't know if I can sleep Daire." "You will, I'll watch out for you. I'll be here when you wake up in the morning alright, I promise you Ethan." Daire went to clean out the pot and dishes before returning to sit near the fire, every so often looking back to check on Ethan, who had dozed off into a fitful sleep. The boy whimpered and moaned all threw the night, wrestling with the nightmares of reality. While Daire wrestled with the visions of the restless, he drifted in and out of consciousness as he stared up into the starlit skies high above, trying desperately to find Luan in that emotional realm that she seemed to find peace in, when reality got to be too much on her system, people called this being in a trance. Deeper and deeper he went, trying to channel all of his emotions into his effort, when suddenly the young man was hit with bold whispered visions, visions that could barely be seen or heard. Luan's screams struck the young man's very soul, she writhed and struggled against the restraints holding her to the table. The hot rod of a branding tool searing into the delicate flesh of her right thigh... her tormented whimpers and painful moans, the way her body heaved and thrashed in protest as she was raped and molested... the machines and emblems that were forced into her arms as she dangled from chains. The multiple genetic formulas that the scientists' were concocting from the many different blood types of the captives'... the way the captor's would place several of the more powerful women and girls into a cage filled with perverted monsters, that had been previous experimentations for them. Their screams and cries of total emptiness as their bodies were ravaged and battered... the male captives had it just as bad, being forced to mate with multiple women. The drugs and formulas that were pushed into every individuals' blood in hopes of creating a new genetic being, most failed resulting in countless deaths, but those who survived were either a monster or an entirely altered person with a stronger gift(s). Luan was alive! Her tormented eyes seemed dimmer then usual as she searched for her place of peace amongst the onslaught of pain, her gaze seemed to find his own... Daire woke shuttering so violently, tears streaming down his cheeks, his hands clenched into tight fists just as the sun broke over the morning horizon. His breath came heavy as if he had been running at full speed, his heart beat so hard it was painful, his body slick with a cold sweat. Luan had survived the first night, as had he, she had seen him Daire just knew it. "Daire, are you alright?" someone put a hand on his shoulder, it was Ethan. Daire gasped jumping slightly as he was startled from his visions, he turned his face slowly to glance up at Ethan nodding in reply to the boy's concern. "I'm alright Ethan." he whispered. "Did you see her? You are an empath too, if you can see the person that you are looking for it means that you have considerable power Daire, my mom told me so, only because she could never fully achieve the feat. You're a Searcher, like she was, da was always there for her no matter what to protect and support mom." spoke Ethan as he recognized Daire's potential. "What me? An empath, no I'm not, I've just spent so much time with your sister that's all." Ethan merely shook his head, he knew better but thought best to let Daire believe what he may. "So where do we start today?" the boy inquired as he took a seat closer to the fire. "I'm going to Braneson to use the library. I need to research the MSR facilities and get blueprints, I need you to stay hidden, don't go anywhere for any reason, don't talk or look for anyone. That shock wave that you felt yesterday knocked the whole of Mattison off of the electrical grid so no in-going or out-going transmissions could be sent. I need you to stay armed and build a perimeter, and then begin drawing out an escape plot for Luan, got it?" answered Daire. "Yeah, I'm good. Let's meet up here at noon, and then you can go back, but just so we check in with each other alright." Ethan took up a pen and paper as he spoke, then he glanced at Daire who was smiling gratefully. "What?" "I'm glad I don't have to do this alone. Ethan you're awesome. I'll be back at noon sharp." Daire said as he changed his clothes, slipping guns and knives in hidden unnoticeable places beneath his garments. He then trotted off into the forest headed for Braneson. At a jog the trip took him an hour, but once he got into town he crept in the shadows keeping hidden from anyone as the young man made his way to the library. Daire peeked around a brick building that was only twenty feet from the library entrance, two strange men stood guard at the double doors, Daire thought it odd until he watched several people from the town enter without any trouble from the two men. Hair on the back of his neck rose and his fingertips tingled vibrantly as he cautiously stepped from behind the protection of the brick corner. As he approached the door Daire kept his eyes alert and his head held high, his adrenaline zinging through his veins as he finally came to stop before the two guards. They glanced at each other only seconds before the young man felt them make their choice to attack. Both men came at him with head-on swinging blows, Daire avoided them by completing a backflip, instincts he never knew he had shot up from the very depths of his inner being as he armed himself with his dagger and hand gun. The enemies were circling close, Daire swung his blade at them forcing them back just enough... he threw his dagger hitting it's target in the arm pinning him to the building just as the second man rushed the boy. Daire smacked him in the face hard enabling him to complete low fast swivel on his left heel... Daire's nerves felt like fire, sparking with an uncommon strength and he watched as his body reacted while it seemed his mind couldn't comprehend what was happening. On the rounding of the swivel, his arms shot out while his wrist and hand made a fluid flicking motion his finger pulled the trigger at the most powerful point of this entire reaction, the young man watched as if time had slowed for him, as the bullet curved in a tight circle striking the attacker in the temple killing him instantly and once threw the bullet's path was perfectly in line with the enemy that had been trapped by Daire's dagger. Daire exhaled calmly as if he had simply been holding his breathe, in reality the whole event only took about two minutes, he didn't feel bad or even strange, the young man felt alive more alive then he had ever felt before in his life, like an entirely new person had been birthed in that mere two minutes, he didn't even look at his victory he simply walked over to retrieve his dagger and then entered the library casually. Daire didn't know how he had just did the things that he had done outside, all he knew was it came naturally, on second nature as if he had been doing it all his life, then again in some ways maybe he had... with Luan. Daire spent three hours researching the MSR history as well as the new codes and regulations that were being enforced, he found sketches and basic layouts of the facilities that were being built in all states, thirty had already been enabled and supplied. MSR hunts were only allowed once a month, but there were men in powerful positions in the American government that were looking into gaining full access to hunting all year round. Daire also gathered as much information on Mutants as he could, making many duplicates from history books and magazines, text books and picture albums. He took as much as he could stuff into a duffel bag. He took information on plants and survival tips, he glanced at the clock just before ten a.m. and growled needing more time yet knowing Ethan would be waiting. The young man snuck out of the library and worked his way out of Braneson, then picking his was threw the forest was a breeze, ending back at camp at noon just as he promised. "Ah there you are, did you find anything to work with?" Ethan was cooking lunch in one hand and jotting ideas down on his paper with the other hand. "Yes I found more then enough, you won't believe what happened before I had a chance to get in though..." Daire then went on to tell Ethan how he had defeated the two men in black, then he showed the boy all that he had found, as Ethan in turn shared his ideas the two ate rather quickly eager to assemble a basic plan for a rescue attempt. Over the course of a month the two partners' refined their plans, Ethan healed while Daire continued to go to near-by towns and gather information and replenish supplies as needed, finding that a few individuals took too much interest in him at times, only to discover that they were Gifted and wanted to follow the cause that Daire very subtlety promoted in every town that he stopped in. He would visit rallies of mutants and use his ability to sense and convey emotions, by merely standing amongst the crowds that would always be present, he also picked up on what was being spoken about, which he then would take back with him to tell Ethan. It kept them up to date on the outside world and it's ever changing events. Those in the crowds that were strong enough to recognize Daire's ability and took sincere stock in his ideals and morals had the choice to join himself and Ethan. By the end of November Daire and Ethan had a band of forty-five loyal followers and Ethan was strong and healthy again, all of the members weren't accepted willy-nilly no it came with a price, each individual was branded with a tattoo on the inside of their right and left wrists. It was a tribal celtic tattoo, a lock and key, half of the lock was on each wrist with vines entwining themselves around it. Ethan was the one who had suggested branding everyone as a marked sign to all else, he also was the one who designed and did all of the tattooing, earning the boy the nickname "Ethan Tattoo." The group deemed themselves, LOCK, Liberating Our Common Kin.