Synergy Part 10 free porn video

Synergy (A MORFS Universe Story) Part 10 Hound and Slick just stood next to me while I sat on the floor leaning against the wall crying. They didn't seem to know what to say or do. Finally Slick asked, "Isn't there someone you can contact? Maybe a friend or people that you know? There must be somebody here. You did live here for some time right?" I almost couldn't think, I was feeling so distraught. Then my mind clicked into gear again. 'Stupid girl, there is Snake, Batman, Shane. Oh my god, I forgot about Shane!' "Yes I have friends here, but I don't know their numbers from memory. But Mom is engaged to the Fire chief here." As I was speaking, I noticed a movement from the corner of my eye. I turned towards the door and there was Mom in the doorway. There was surprise in her voice as she questioned, "Maren?" while I yelled, "Mom!" I got to my feet in a hurry and stormed towards her. I hugged her so fiercely that she almost couldn't breathe anymore. I was crying again, but this time from joy that she was here. Mom was crying also, I guess she was very happy to see me as well. "I thought I lost you. You were gone for so long, and Isabel said that you had been kidnapped. And ... and ..." I just hugged her, I didn't want to let go. Well eventually I did, of course. Then Mom asked, "Who are these people, Maren?" I turned a little and pointed to Hound & Slick, "These FBI agents found me after I escaped my captors." She squinted her eyes, "Escaped your captors?" I looked down, "Long story. Why is the house empty, did you move out? Where is all my stuff? I couldn't reach you anymore." I fired my questions in quick succession at her. Mom hugged me again, "Easy Honey. Two weeks ago Shane bought a house and set a date for our marriage. Last week we moved in with him into the new house. That is why it is so empty here. Oh I'm so glad that you're back again." Hound walked up to us, "Hello Mrs. Johns. I'm Carl Bings. That is my partner Ben Weathers. We just happened to come across Maren and promised her to take her home." Mom said icily, "I'm Miss Landers. I divorced that SOB last year." Hound had such a sorry look on his face that I couldn't help laughing. Hurriedly he apologized, "I'm so sorry. I didn't know. If you want to, we can escort the two of you home. Or we can leave here now if you don't trust us. It's your call, Miss Landers." Mom relaxed, "I'm sorry for the reaction Mr. Bings. It was just that my former husband was such a bad man. And rescuing her sister is what got Maren into this." She looked harshly at me, "That reminds me, you've got some explaining to do young lady!" I swallowed, "Yes Mom. Can we go home now? I want to get some decent clothes on. How's Isabel? Wait, did you say that you set a date for the marriage?" Mom frowned, "Yes Honey. We planned to get married next month. But now I think we will postpone it a bit. I want you to have some time to get used to the idea and get ready for the things." I smiled a wry smile, "Thanks Mom. I hope Shane doesn't mind." Mom hugged me again. "He won't, Isabel and I already have him housebroken." We both laughed at that. Hound and Slick were still waiting around for us to make up our decision. Mom said that she would appreciate an escort, and soon the four of us were on our way to the new home. As we arrived there, I said goodbye to Hound and Slick and thanked them for all their care. Hound hugged me, and whispered to me, "We'll see each other again. We still have something to talk about with you. So this isn't a goodbye, but a so long." I frowned at him. But he stepped into the cab and drove off with Slick. Finally I was home, and alone with Mom. I looked at the house. It was huge and looked very nice from the outside. Mom let us in and I looked around with astonishment. It was even nicer inside. I could see that it was still new, because there were lots of things that still needed to be done, but it was already very nice. Mom gave me the grand tour and showed me the huge kitchen, living room, the den with the recliner that I expected would be occupied by Shane and some storage rooms. "Where is everyone? I can expect Shane to be on duty, but Isabel?" Mom smiled back, "She's with some friends. She had a hard time adjusting with her power and all, but now she finally has a few friends. I hope she'll be home soon." That reminded me, I had to call my friends. I needed to know how Snake & Batman were doing. But first I needed another answer. "Mom, why did you come to the old apartment?" Mom startled, "I forgot, I was missing something that I needed. And I thought I might have left it at the old house. But with you there, I forgot all about it." "We can go there again Mom. So where are my things?" Mom smiled. "Come, let me show you upstairs," and she guided me towards the staircase. On the second floor I was pleasantly surprised. There was a large bathroom with Jacuzzi and separate shower. There was also another separate small bathroom to just shower in or do morning business. No more waiting for so long to get into the bathroom. The master bedroom was big. I guess Mom was already sleeping with Shane, as I saw the whole bed messed up. And the closet was full of Mom's clothes with some of Shane's clothes on the other side. Then Mom showed me Isabel's room. Of course she had taken the biggest other bedroom. Then Mom took me to another bedroom. This one was still sparsely furnished. There was a bed, some closets and a makeup table. Also some moving boxes, but not much else. I asked, "My bedroom?" Mom nodded. "I never quite believed that you were dead. So I put all your things in here. They are still boxed up, because I couldn't make myself unpack them yet. Besides, I haven't found the time to do it yet." I didn't mind that Isabel had taken the biggest room, as this room was already so much larger than my previous bedroom. I loved it. I looked in the closets. Some of my clothes were already hanging there. Mom explained, "I unpacked one box already, Honey. I'll leave you to get changed. Want something to eat?" I wasn't that hungry even after the long flight because of the copious breakfast Maggie had given us. But I did want to eat something. "Just a light snack, Mom." She went downstairs and I went to the small bathroom first. I took off the sweats Maggie had given me and showered, then wrapped a towel around myself and went back to my room. Finally I could put on some underwear again. I even missed wearing a bra. I grabbed a sweater and medium length skirt that matched in color quite well and put them on. As I was getting dressed the front door opened and slammed shut again. 'Isabel! It must be her.' I finished getting dressed and quietly but speedily went downstairs. I heard the voices already nearing the kitchen. "You're in a good mood Mom. I could feel your happy thoughts already in the driveway." Mom was about to tell her why, but saw me coming, and I put my finger on my mouth to indicate to her to keep quiet about me. So instead she said, "And why shouldn't I be. I got some wonderful news today." Isabel snorted, "Yeah right, your wedding dress is almost ready?" I answered instead of Mom, "Not exactly Sis." Isabel turned like she had been bitten by a rattlesnake. "Maren? Maren!" She stormed at me and gave me such a fierce hug that I even lost my breath. "Oh I'm so happy that you're alright. Where have you been? What happened?" I was a bit overwhelmed, but recovered quickly. I hugged her back and held her tight. "I'm happy to be back too, Isabel. I don't want to talk about what happened yet. Just give me a little time." Mom cleared her throat noisily, attracting our attention. "Girls, I've got some snacks for you." Isabel turned quickly to her, "Thanks Mom, you're a lifesaver." She took a snack from the plate that Mom held out and I took one too. I looked at her snack. It looked like a sandwich with carrot and some other unidentifiable things. Isabel saw me looking at her snack and asked me to go upstairs. I followed her to her room where I asked, "What are you eating Sis?" She laughed like a whinny of a horse, 'Gee I will have to get used to that', before answering, "I don't like much of the meats anymore. So Mom makes me vegetarian stuff. How's your sandwich?" I tasted mine. Mom had put some kind of meat replacement on it. But it was quite good. While I was munching on my sandwich, Isabel went to her closet and took out some clothes to see what she was going to wear next. I squinted as I saw what was hanging in her closet. Most of those clothes used to be mine. "Hey Isabel. Why do you have a lot of my clothes hanging here?" Isabel looked back at me with a guilty look on her face, "Oops, busted." I tried to keep my poker face as if I was really angry at her. But when she looked at me with those cute pony eyes, I couldn't hold it anymore and started laughing. Soon Isabel laughed with me and sat down next to me. "I'm sorry big Sis. But you weren't here and I needed some clothes. Besides, I think these don't suit you." I looked at the ones she was pointing at and agreed. They weren't among my most favorite clothes. Still, she shouldn't have just taken them. "I'll forgive you little sister, but that means we have to go shopping. This time you buy me some clothes then." Isabel beamed, "Done and done ... eh, I don't have that much cash. I really want to buy you some clothes, but I don't have the money." "We'll find a way. Now about something else, why do you keep teasing Mom? I heard you make that sarcastic remark about her wedding dress." Isabel sighed, "I'm sorry. I don't mean to but I am tired of hearing her talk about that dress, and not only hers. I have to wear a pink bridesmaid's dress as well. Hey that reminds me. You don't have one, do you? I don't think we can have a dress made for you on such short notice." I held up a hand, "Easy Sis. Mom already told me that she will postpone the wedding. There will be plenty of time for me to get one. Now just promise me that you won't be such a pain in the behind again. Or to be blunt, stop horsing around." That got Isabel's attention. She searched for a witty remark, "OK, big Sis. I'll do that, if you stop being so catty." I couldn't help it. I had to laugh. In between I managed to say, "Good comeback." Isabel was laughing with me. I don't think we'd ever had such a good time together. 'It must be because we're both girls now.' A short time later Isabel joined me in my room to unpack the boxes. Together we put my stuff into closets and drawers in record time. I left a few boxes with non-clothes stuff for later. There would be time to unpack those later. As Isabel left for her own room, I looked around mine. It was still bare. The walls could use some paint, and I would have liked to put some things in here. My eye fell on another large box that was stashed a bit into a corner. I frowned, 'We hadn't opened that one yet?' I went over to it and opened the top. Inside was the empty cage that I had used for Sammi. All the sad feelings rushed me again and couldn't help getting teary eyed again for my poor squog. Inside the cage were also the toys that Sammi used to love to play with. I took out his favorite and sat down on my bed, reminiscing about the past when he was still alive. Isabel didn't come here, though I'm certain that she felt my emotions. She didn't want to intrude, maybe. I sat there for some time before I heard a sound at my door. Mom stood there in the opening. She looked at me, "I'm sorry for your loss, Honey. Snake told me what happened. He and Batman arranged a cremation and scattered the ashes at the park where you used to go with him." I smiled a wry smile, "I'm glad that he had a decent burial. That reminds me, I need to call Snake and Batman and Mandy and ..." Mom interrupted, "Just call Snake first. If he is home already that is. Spring break was last week. Anyway, he'll tell the others. But do you already feel up to going to school tomorrow?" I looked down as I contemplated my feelings. "I don't know yet Mom. I think I should go to school." Mom smiled, "It's early, we can decide later. Now, dinner is in about two hours. Shane is still busy, so he'll grab something at work and won't be home till very late." She went downstairs again and I followed her to go into the den to make the phone call to Snake. I couldn't remember his phone number, so looked for the address book first. I had to ask Mom for it and she gave it to me. I looked up Snake's number and punched in the number. "Hello?" It was Snake himself, he was home. "Hi Martin. It's me Maren. The FBI rescued me and brought me home today." I could hear Snake gasping at the other end. "Maren? You're back? Thank God! I was so worried about you. Well we were all worried about you. I helped your Mom move to the new house. Can I come over? I can be there in ten minutes." I told Snake that he could come and he hung up on me, probably speeding his way over here. Indeed 6 minutes later the bell rang insistently. I went to the door to answer and as soon as I had the door open, Snake hugged me tightly. He let go moments later, "I'm so glad that you're alright. Where did they take you? What happened?" I cut him off by inviting him inside. I kept quiet and led him to the den motioning to Mom in the meantime. She came out of the kitchen to see who it was. "Snake, I'm not comfortable to talk about those things yet. Too much happened and most of it bad. I was in the northern part of the US when some FBI men found me." I didn't feel comfortable telling him everything. I felt ashamed of what I had done and I didn't want him to become afraid of me. He might be if he heard what I was capable of. Snake looked funny at me, "I know you're not telling everything Maren. Remember my senses?" I nodded. "But I can understand that you've been through a lot. So I'll wait till you're ready." I smiled, I knew he would understand. Then I changed the subject, "How are you? I saw you get shot." "I'm fine. The bullet didn't do too much damage inside and my skin regenerates quickly and perfectly." Snake looked sad while he continued, "But poor Sammi ..." I interrupted, "I know. I saw him get blown to pieces." I gave him a sad expression back. "Thanks for giving him a decent burial. You did it with Batman, right?" Snake nodded. "How is Lance? Did he have any adverse effects from that stun beam?" Snake's face cleared up a bit, "He did end up in the hospital, but after a day he was his usual girl prowling self." I smiled, thinking how Lance could be. "Well I'm relieved that everyone is okay again." After an awkward silence, Snake asked, "So, are you going to school tomorrow?" "I don't know yet. I should go I think. But I've been away for so long. I missed a lot. I may have to double the whole year again." I made a sad face as I said that. Snake didn't know what to say. He tried to cheer me up, "I'm sure that it won't be so bad." I went over to Snake and hugged him, "Thanks for your support, Snake." "Don't mention it, what else are friends for? Besides, you would have done the same for me." I chuckled, "Remember how we started out? You hated my guts, and I wouldn't want to be seen with you." Snake smiled, "Yes, I remember. I'm glad that we became best friends." He leaned over and gave me a kiss on my cheek. I hesitated, this was acceptable right? I didn't want to give him the wrong impression. I didn't know whether to encourage him to go further or hurt him by saying that I didn't like it when he did that. Snake felt my dilemma I think, because he said, "Don't worry Maren, just a friend's kiss. I am not inclined to be romantically involved with you. I know you only see me as a friend. I'm happy with that and besides, I have a girlfriend already." I sighed with relief. "Thanks again, Snake, I think it's time for you to go home. That is, unless you want to eat dinner here with us?" Snake declined, and said his goodbye to Mom, Isabel and to me at the door as I escorted him out. As I closed the door behind him I heard Isabel chant behind me, "Someone has a crush on him." I turned to her, "Well it isn't me. I don't have a boyfriend, and don't want one either. Snake is just a good friend of mine. Besides, he already has a girlfriend. So stop implying that I'm attracted to him." Isabel was going to reply me, but Mom called out that dinner was ready. I didn't eat too much, even though Mom had made one of my favorite dishes, Chicken filet with small potatoes and salad. We retired early to bed. There wasn't much on TV and I still hadn't made my mind up about going to school tomorrow. I put on PJ's and went to bed after the evening ritual. God I had missed doing those things. I didn't fall asleep directly. I kept tossing and turning for quite a while. And then when I did manage to fall into a slumber, I woke up with a startle when I heard something. I quietly got out of bed and for a moment didn't recognize where I was. 'I don't know this place. Where am I?' I went to a door of the room and opened it . In the dark hallway I saw a man with something that looked like a rod or stick in his hand softly opening a door down the hall. 'Is he up to something that can harm me? I'll show him.' Thought blurred into action as I raised my hand and shot the unknown man with a stun beam. He went down like a log, falling partly through the opened doorway. The light went on and suddenly I remembered that I was in the new house with Mom and my sister. To my horror, I recognized the man as well. It was Shane, the fianc? of my Mom and he had been carrying a rose. Mom appeared next to Shane and looked at me standing there. Isabel's door opened also and she appeared sleepily in the doorway. I could only stand there and look at what I had done, while Isabel asked, "What happened?" Mom pointed at me, "I think Maren just decked Shane." I was mortified. 'I'm such bad girl. I should be locked up as a menace to the world.' Isabel cheered, "Way to go Maren." When mom frowned at Isabel, about to say something, she continued, "Hey Mom, just kidding." I wasn't in a mood to make jokes or say something. I just felt so awful. I turned around and fled back into my room with tears welling up in my eyes. Isabel must have felt my mood, well she is an empath. She called after me, "Maren, wait. It isn't that bad." She was about to follow me into my room, but Mom called her back. I didn't hear anything anymore as I slammed the door behind me and sat down in a corner of my bed, starting to cry. 'I'm such a menace. I shot Shane with my stun beam. He doesn't even know I'm back. How can I ever face him?' I was still crying softly when some time later my door opened. I didn't even look up to see who it was. I just felt so awful. Someone walked up to me and I felt rough hands around my face. 'Oh no it's Shane.' Shane softly said, "Hi Maren. I'm glad that you're back safely. I think a Hello would be a better greeting than shooting me with a stun beam. But I'm not complaining. It's just good to have you back." I sobbed, "Can you just go away? I'm not worthy. You're being so kind to me, and I just shot you." Shane hugged me, "I can't go away. You're upset with what you did. I understand that. Don't be too hard on yourself. I can't begin to imagine what you must have been through. All I'm asking is that you don't shut me or anyone else out. We're here for you, whenever you need us." I hugged Shane fiercely. "Thanks Shane. I'm really sorry that I stunned you." He waved it away. "That's okay Maren. It's good that someone is protecting the house. Nice shot, by the way." "Now you're mocking me Shane." I said indignantly. He looked at me, "Yes I am. Now give me a smile, Maren." I smiled wryly at him. "That's my girl. Now try to get some sleep." Shane gave me a kiss on my forehead and tucked me in. "Pleasant dreams, Maren." 'Oh why did he have to say that? Now I have to worry about my nightmares again.' I hoped that I wouldn't have a nightmare tonight. While I was thinking that I fell asleep faster than Shane could go to his bed. I was back in the chamber with my eyes taped shut. I couldn't move a muscle and that man was climbing on top of me. He excited me further and further while getting undressed. Then he entered me. It was revolting, but also pleasant. I didn't know what to do now. Then as he was speeding up, there was a muffled explosion and blood and gore splashed out all over me. I screamed! I was still screaming loudly as I woke up. Seconds later Shane, Mom and Isabel all burst into my room frightened to death by my scream. I looked at them with a bewildered look and then felt so guilty. 'I woke them all up with my screaming. Why do I keep having these nightmares? I wish they would just go away.' Shane whispered something to Isabel who whispered something back. They left my room together while Mom sat down next to me on my bed. "Bad dream Honey?" I nodded. She stroked my hair, "Do you want to talk about it to me?" I shook my head. "It's too horrible, Mom. I can't talk about it yet. I feel so awful." Mom hugged me, "It is ok now. You're safe here." My tail decided to butt in on its own and flicked against Mom. She grabbed it and started stroking my tail. Soon I was purring and closing my eyes in delight. It worked like a charm again. I fell asleep and didn't have a nightmare the whole rest of the night. I woke up slowly and stretched. 'Aah I feel so good, better than I have in days.' I opened my eyes and saw a sparsely furnished strange room. 'Where am I?' Then I remembered, 'I'm in Shane's house. Mom moved in with him and is planning to get married.' Lazily I looked in the direction where my alarm clock used to be. But it wasn't there. 'Oh no I still forgot to put my alarm clock near my bed.' Quickly I got out of bed and put on my old familiar bathrobe. As usual, I tied it with my tail and prepared to go out of my room to see how late it was. Before I could open the door, my attention was drawn by a note stuck on the door. It said, "No need to get up early, sweetheart. I will explain your condition at school. You can relax a little, but be quiet, as Shane is still sleeping. Love Mom." I smiled as I tore it from the door. 'Good old Mom. She knows me too well.' I went to the big bathroom and took a shower, hoping the walls would absorb the sounds so Shane wouldn't wake up from me making too noise. Back in my room I had some choices to make. 'What should I wear today?' As I searched through my clothes, I tried some on before discarding them. Then I suddenly realized what I was doing. I was acting like a real normal high school girl. Never in the old days would I have done something like this. I would have just picked out something and put it on. Now I was color coordinating and being watchful on how it would look. I smiled brightly. 'Snake was right. I have been growing steadily into the girl role. Now I'm just like any other girl. Well not any other girl, as they don't have such a nice tail.' It brought me into a good mood and happily I made a selection to wear today. Soon I headed downstairs quietly. I made some cereal and dug out some schoolbooks from a moving box labeled 'School stuff'. I tried to read some of it so I would be prepared for school again. But I just couldn't set my mind to it. I gave up after 15 to 20 minutes and turned on the TV for some entertainment. I put the sound low, as not to disturb Shane and watched some nature documentaries. It was about the new species that had shown up with the MORFS running around and was quite interesting. Suddenly I heard a sound and quickly turned my head. Shane just came into the room yawning widely. Then he saw me, "Good morning, Maren. Not going to school today?" "Nope, Mom thinks I'm not up to it yet." Shane sat down opposite me. "I see, so what do you think?" I bit my lower lip, "I don't know. I should be able to go to school. But I'm also afraid that I will shoot people for scaring me. Or that something will trigger a memory and I might do something even more dangerous." Shane hugged me. "You're aware of it. So it probably won't happen. But I agree with your Mom. It is better to wait a little while before you go back to school. I think you need to talk to someone." "I'm already talking to you." Shane laughed, "No, I mean a specialist, someone who can evaluate on your mental condition." "You mean a shrink. Well I don't need shrinking. I'm fine." I was a little upset now and it showed. Shane put his hands up in a defensive posture. "Don't kill the messenger." I laughed. I was making a fool of myself. I knew that Shane was right. But I just didn't look forward to talking to a shrink. "I will think about it." Then I changed the subject. "Shane what did you say to Isabel last night?" Shane smiled, "I told her to leave you alone for the moment. She is concerned for you, Maren." I didn't quite believe him, "So what did she say back to you?" "She said that she feels your emotional torment so strongly. She really is a sensitive empath. I know it isn't your fault, but when you have a bad nightmare, your sister feels it strongly as well." I frowned, "I don't mean to bother her." Shane shrugged, "I know you don't. And I know she knows that you don't do it on purpose. It is Isabel's power and curse to be an empath. It does make her easier to be around, though. At least that is what Naomi says." 'Naomi? Oh, wait ... Mom. I should know that they call each other by their first name.' I smiled at Shane. Then a thought came up into my mind. 'Does he know where my tools and stuff are?' I decided to ask him directly, "Shane, did you move everything with Mom and Isabel?" Shane nodded, "Yes I did. Why do you ask?" "I haven't seen my tools and things anywhere. I lost my hover board when I got kidnapped." Shane laughed, "I was surprised that you like to tinker with technology. I put it all in the garage in the back. Come, I'll show you." He got up and showed me the garage that I hadn't seen yet. It was very roomy and for the most part it was filled with car parts and a big tarp hiding something. There were lots of tools and machinery on benches along one wall. Then my eye fell on familiar things. To one end were some boxes with all my stuff. Everything seemed to be there, though it would take time to unpack it all. Shane asked, "Is everything here?" I turned around. "It seems to be. I'll have to unpack everything though. Nice garage you have here." "I'll help you unpack the things if you want. Want to see what is under here?" and he pointed to the tarp. "Yes please. It's a car I guess." Shane pulled the tarp away and showed me the carcass of a car that was in a state of being rebuilt. It was a Shelby GT500 Mustang. I walked around it and asked some questions about what V8 engine Shane would put in and other things. He told me everything he planned to do, especially about the engine. It would be a reworked engine to run on methanol. He said I could help if I wanted. I told him that I would like to, as long as it didn't interfere with my other things. He agreed and said that whenever I felt like it, I could help him out. Together we put the tarp back on the car and went back to the house. We were having a drink in the kitchen, talking about trivial things, when the doorbell rang. At the sound I jumped up, startled. I went back into alert mode, afraid that someone was here to get me. Shane noticed, but got up indicating that he would go to the door. I stayed in the kitchen but went to the door, so I could hear and peek at the visitor at the door. Shane looked through the spy hole before opening and then leisurely opened the front door. There were two men standing outside, but I couldn't quite make out who they were. Then a familiar voice from the man on the right said, "Hi Mr. Gannen. I'm Dean Hagleton of the school where Miss Landers teaches and both Maren and Isabel go to school. Miss Landers told me that Maren has returned, and we would like to talk to her." Shane didn't say anything, but turned his head slightly towards the second man. As he began to speak, I heard another familiar voice. "I'm his cousin Gavin Benson. I work at the MORFS center, and am Maren's case officer. I'm also a licensed psychologist." Shane was satisfied with their introductions, while I was thinking, 'Why are they both here so soon? Is Gavin here because I violated my probation? I did use my power a lot, and am so much more dangerous now.' As both the dean and Gavin came in, I stepped out of the kitchen into the hall. I looked demurely down to the floor, just peeking at both men occasionally. Gavin smiled as he saw me, while dean Hagleton just nodded in my direction. Hesitantly I said, "Hi Gavin, Dean Hagleton. We can sit in the den. Can I get you something to drink?" Both men declined, while Shane tried to make a quiet exit. I raised my eyebrow to him and with my tail motioned to him to join us. Turning to Gavin and the dean I asked, "Do you mind if Shane is present? I would like him to be here as well." Both men said that it was okay with them, so we all sat down. Dean Hagleton started, "Maren, I heard bits and pieces over what happened. Gavin filled in some of the pieces as well, but we would like to hear from you what happened." I looked down in shame and anxiety. I felt fear and anguish over the past months. But it was a reasonable request. I would not tell everything in detail, though. So I started, "As you probably know, I was with Snake and Batman in Birmingham to rescue my sister. Some people of an organization that didn't introduce themselves, kidnapped me there and took me to Idaho. There they kinda tortured me and tried to reprogram my mind. They didn't succeed, and after a disaster, I escaped and was found by some FBI agents who transported me home. I lost almost 2 months of my life during that. I feel so awful about what happened, I don't want to talk too much about it yet." I paused out of breath and looked up a bit towards both men. The dean smiled reassuringly. "I understand that you've been through a lot. Your Mom said that you weren't ready to go to school yet. I can understand that, and you've been gone a long time. But I would like to hear from you why you think that you're not up to it." I looked down in guilt. 'I would have to confess that I violated the probation.' "During my rescue I shot down a helicopter with an EMP, and after a nightmare I stunned one of the FBI men with a taserlike electrical charge. I still have nightmares, and don't feel comfortable yet." I looked at Gavin during my confession expecting him to frown or comment. But he just looked at me with curiosity. 'Is he trying to read my mind? I don't feel any pressure, like the first time he did it.' Dean Hagleton gave me a reassuring look. "I understand. I think it is wise that you stay home for a few days. But I put together some assignments for you so that you may catch up to your classes." I groaned. I would have to do a lot of homework. I didn't even know if I would graduate this year. Dean Hagleton must have read my mind, because he continued, "I know it is a lot of work and you may not catch up completely. I'm going to sit down later with you and a college counselor to see if you still have enough to graduate and get into college. What college did you have in mind?" "I don't know yet. Probably the one here in Savannah. They have a good engineering department right?" The dean acknowledged, and asked what I wanted to do later. I hadn't thought about it that much, but I did have an idea. "I would like to study structural engineering." The men all looked at me with different expressions ranging from surprise to confusion, so I added, "Maybe?" Dean Hagleton laughed, "You don't have to decide right away. Take your time Maren." Now Gavin spoke up for the first time. "Maren, I guess you're worried about me saying something about the probation and that you used your powers quite aggressively." I nodded and he continued, "Don't worry about it. I understand that you used it only when you felt it was necessary. I do want to have a long talk about what happened. I want to help you get through it all." I felt quite apprehensive about that. I didn't feel like talking to Gavin about everything that I did. 'If I confess to him like I did to Hound, that I can explode things with the force of a nuclear bomb, then he might detain me. Or worse.' I knew that I would have to talk to him. But I was saved by Shane. He suddenly asked, "Probation? Why is Maren on probation?" Gavin explained the situation when I'd used my power to generate an EMP at school and Shane frowned, looking at me sternly. I looked away and wanted to sink through the floor. 'He must think badly about me now.' After Gavin finished, an awkward silence fell in the room. I didn't feel like looking to anyone, so I just kept looking down. Shane then said, "I see. Maren, I think we need to have a talk later." Gavin was about to say something, but didn't. I didn't see the wink that Shane gave him, because I was still lolling away in shame. Gavin and Dean Hagleton got up from their seats and the dean said, "Well, we have to be going. Here are your assignments, Maren. I'll see you in school in a few days then." Gavin gave me a hug and whispered, "Don't feel too ashamed. I'm glad that you're alright. You've shown more maturity than I expected. Chin up, girl." I looked up to him and saw him smiling. I produced a little smile myself as Shane and I escorted them to the door. After they had left we walked back to the kitchen. I didn't know what to expect from Shane. 'Will he loath me? I'm such a bad girl.' Shane grabbed me from behind and said, "And now you and me girl." I felt afraid and started to power up a bit. But Shane hugged me tight, "I'm proud of you. I would never have thought of something like that, though I don't condone destroying property. You shouldn't do something like that, Maren." I felt relieved. 'He doesn't loath me. I really like him. I'm glad that Mom made such a good choice.' "Thanks Shane. I know I shouldn't use it. And I learned my lesson, trust me." We talked and joked some more before he looked at the time and said he had to get to work. With mixed feelings I saw him go. Then I saw the papers containing my assignments, and sighed. 'I have to catch up two months worth of lessons. I shouldn't have gone off to Birmingham.' But then I realized that Isabel would've been dead, and probably those people would've grabbed me some other time. So I sat down and looked at the assignments. After seeing what I had to do I sighed again. I was going to be swamped. 'Well, better get started.' So I just went to work on my homework. I only paused to make myself something to eat and drink. Time flew by and I just realized how long I had been at it, when the front door lock clicked open. I got up to see who was there and was surprised to see Isabel, with Denise and Mandy. Mandy ran towards me, "Maren! I'm so happy to see you." She hugged me quite strongly. I was a bit overwhelmed. 'Isabel is friends with Mandy?' I managed to utter, "Glad to see you too Mandy." Then Denise and Isabel joined us while Mandy finally released me from her bear hug. I gave a questioning look to Isabel. She picked it and my confused emotion up and hurried to explain. "I made friends with Denise, though she is in a higher class than me. And Denise is friends with you and Mandy. Since Denise lives just in the next street, we've become close friends now. I told them at school today that you were back and they insisted on greeting you." As she said that, alarm bells started ringing in my head. 'Denise lived near here?' I remembered something else that had been said to me a long time ago. Lance had told me, "Denise lives next door to me. I saw her practice and had a talk with her." 'This means that Lance lives near here!' As I was thinking that, the door bell rang. I had a sinking feeling that I knew who that would be. I opened the door and indeed Lance was there on the door step. He didn't lose time and embraced me while planting a kiss on my cheek. 'I hate him for getting so familiar again.' I entangled myself from his embrace and said with a cold undertone, "Hi Lance." He either didn't hear my emotional coldness or he didn't care. I guessed it was the latter. I didn't have much of a choice though, so I let him in and we all went to the kitchen to get something to drink and chat. Mandy and Denise quickly brought me up to speed on all the gossip and current events at school, with some help from Isabel. Lance didn't say too much, but kept looking longingly at me. 'He should know better. He knows I'm not his girlfriend.' I didn't know if the girls noticed the quiet battle between me and Lance, though Isabel, with her empathy probably did. An hour later we where still chatting when Mom came home. Shane was right on her heels and they greeted us all. Mom made a comment on the time and Mandy and Denise said they had to go home. Lance didn't say anything, so I said, "I guess you have to get home as well Lance?" He said, "No not really. We don't have dinner this early." Then when I looked with a menacing glare at him, he corrected himself. "I do need to get home, though. I have some homework to do." With that, all of them left and I was finally alone with my family again. Isabel pulled me to her room, and asked as soon as we got there, "What is that with Lance? Don't you like him?" I sat down on her bed. "He still thinks I'm his girlfriend. He knows that I'm not interested in him like that. I only like him as a dance partner. But he still continues to chase me." Isabel snickered, "But he looks like a real hunk." I got a little upset, "I've been a girl for less than a year now. I still don't like to date boys, so stop it already, will you?" Isabel was about to tease me further when Mom came up the stairs. She came into the room to ask us to help her with dinner. This ended our discussion and we followed her down to the kitchen. I complained to Mom, "I can't cook anything worthy enough to feed a dog." So she had me set the table and such. Well I could do that. We had a quiet but nice dinner with the family, though I caught Isabel smiling at me a few times. I glared at her, 'She should let up on me with the whole boyfriend thing.' Mom helped me out though, "Isabel, have you done your homework already?" Isabel looked up with a little fear in her big eyes. "I'll get on it straight away, Mom." Mom smiled grimly, "See that you do. Your grades aren't that good. If Maren doesn't mind, she can help you with it." Mom cast a glance at me indicating that I should say something. "I don't mind helping you Isabel. If you ask me nicely, that is." I glared at her daring her to answer. She swallowed visibly, "Okay. Maren will you help me with my homework? I have a bit of trouble with physics. I know that it is your favorite subject, so?" I smiled, "Sure Isabel, right after we are done with the cleaning the table." Shane interfered, "You go on up, I'll do the dishes. It's the least I can do around here." So moments later I went up to Isabel's room again, and we started going through her homework. During a break she asked me where I had my universal charger. The battery of her mini-DVD player was empty. I had made a universal charger when I was still a boy and we both had used it often to charge batteries. I didn't even know where it was now. It probably was still in the box of stuff in the garage. I told her, "I don't know where it is, but give the battery to me, Isabel." She gave it to me, and I started to draw in some light and graviton energy. Slowly I fed electrical energy into the battery till I sensed a bit of resistance. I guessed it was full now, though without my multimeter I couldn't be sure. I gave the battery back to Isabel, "Try it now." Isabel put the battery back into her player and it worked well again. She looked at me, "Wow, Maren. You're even handier to have around than before. I didn't know you could do this." I just smiled at her. Then it was back to her homework and I even got some of mine done. I went to bed early, but was afraid to go to sleep. I worried that I would have another nightmare, so I just tried to stay awake, thinking and thinking and without realizing it I dozed off. I was back in the chamber, and I just got free from my bonds and the controller. I was gathering more and more energy. More than I had ever had inside me before. The voices were inside me were whispering to release it, to gather even more. I listened to the one saying to get more energy. I felt the bullets coming again. But I didn't release my energy. I drew in all the energy that I could. I could feel the power surging, even screaming in me. Well maybe that was the screams of the people being ripped apart by the tidal forces of the black hole that I became. I drew in everything around me. The chamber and everything in it, then the whole mountain and as I drew in more, I wanted more, so I drew in the whole state, the whole country. Yes even the whole earth, till there was nothing left but me floating in space. But I wasn't done yet. I continued to draw in objects. Soon the planets around me came closer, Venus, Mars. Then the rest of the planets, moons and floating rocks came rushing towards me. Even the sun wasn't safe. I gobbled it up just as easy as everything else. 'But I can't hold this kind of power and energy, can I?' Then I reached a turning point and I released it all in such a big bang that I became a universe in itself. That's when I woke up, gasping and bathing in sweat. I felt so empty and awful. 'If I hadn't released the energy, would that have been possible? Am I that dangerous?' My door opened quickly but quietly. My cat-eyes made out Isabel coming into my room. I whispered, "Yes sis, what is it?" She looked in my direction but probably couldn't see me in the dark As she whispered back, "Can you be a little quieter with your emotions? It's giving me a headache." I slipped out of bed and guided her to my bed. "Sorry, but I can't control my nightmares." I felt tears leaking out of my eyes. Not only did I make myself feel so awful, I had dragged my sister into it as well. Isabel must have felt my anguish. She hugged me and made me feel a little better. "I'm here for you, big sis. I don't suppose you'd care to tell me what the nightmare was?" I sobbed a little. "It has to do with my power and what I am able to do with it. I'm so afraid of what I might be capable of. I might very well be the greatest menace walking this earth." She made a sound between a huff and a snicker, "The only menace you are is to a boy who wants to ask you out for a date." "What?" I couldn't believe my ears. Here I was pouring my heart out, and she was making jokes? I punched her shoulder. "What do you think you're doing? I am inclined to give you a good pounding." I meant it, she made me so furious. I felt actually capable of hitting her hard. Isabel smiled, "See? I brought you out of your sadness." 'Well I can't argue with that can I?' She did do that, but now I was upset with her. I told her in a semi-angry voice, "Go to your room and get back to sleep." She got up alright, but gave me a kiss on my cheek before retiring to her own room. As she closed the door I slipped back under my blankets and thought about what she had done. I smiled a little. 'She might make a good counselor someday. Now if I could only sleep without nightmares?' Fortunately my quota of nightmares seemed to have run out and I slept well enough the remainder of the night. I woke up early because of the noise that Mom and Isabel were making. I had breakfast with them before going back into the den to study a little more. Shane wasn't too late getting up either, but he excused himself and went to garage to try to rebuild his mustang. I had the place to myself again. I immersed myself so deeply in my studies that I jumped when the phone rang. My heart pounded hard while I answered the call. It was Gavin's secretary. She wanted to make an appointment with me to see him. I told her that I was free today and tomorrow. She checked his calendar and made the appointment for Wednesday morning at 10 AM. I agreed on it, and hung up thinking that I had a whole day to prepare for my meeting with Gavin. I still didn't like the idea of talking to him about what I had done. The day flew by. My doing homework only interrupted by having lunch together with Shane. He went out later that afternoon to get dinner. He came back with Chinese takeout. I did constrain myself though. 'I don't want to become a fat girl.' Isabel on the other hand, ate a lot, but all vegetarian. After dinner the doorbell rang. When mom went to the door and showed the guests in, I was surprised to see them. Snake & Leo were there. I took them up to my room and Leo was surprised how bare my room was. She commented on my lack of make-up, clothes and personal items. I told her that we had just moved here and that I had been away for a long time. She laughed while I was defending myself and then I understood. She was teasing me. Leo smiled at me, "Well we'll just have to take you out shopping then." I agreed with her, and we talked a bit more about current affairs. I could see that Snake and Leo had become quite an item. Well I couldn't be happier for them. I did tell Snake that Lance still hadn't gotten over his crush on me. And now he lived so very close to me. Snake promised me that he would have a man to man talk with him. As it was getting late, I soon showed Snake & Leo out. I didn't even think of nightmares when I went to bed. I should have though. I was back in the chamber, and I had just got free from my bonds and the controller. Again, I was gathering more and more energy. They fired the bullets again at me, I listened to the voice that said to release it, and I released all the energy. I didn't black out like before, but I still floated above the ground. As I looked down I realized something. 'What ground? There is just a big hole that is filling up with water very fast.' I floated a little higher and saw the outlines of all the United States. But the part where I was hovering high above wasn't there anymore. A large portion of the country, including some part of Canada, I think, was missing. There was a little volcano erupting near the epicenter, and the water of the Pacific Ocean came crashing into the hole. 'I blew up a quarter of North America? I'm too powerful I should just die here and now.' I stopped drawing the gravitational energy and plummeted down towards the water. I must have been at least several miles up as I fell at a very high speed. Despite my death wish, I started screaming on the way down. I only stopped when I was shaken. I found myself back in bed with Mom shaking me to wake up. Shane and Isabel were watching from a little distance. 'Oh no, I woke them all up again with my nightmare and screaming. They must hate me by now.' I started crying from shame. Mom just held me on one side and Isabel on the other. Shane had left my room, but returned a while later with some warm milk. I drank some of it, while Mom still held me. "Mom I'm so sorry that I keep waking everyone up in the middle of the night." "Honey, I know you're not doing it on purpose. We are here for you. I'd rather have you wake us up every night than not having you around." I smiled through my tears, "Thanks Mom, Isabel. Tomorrow I'll have a talk with Gavin. He's a psychologist." She continued to hold me, even when Shane and Isabel went back to their beds. I was so glad that Mom was holding me. I snuggled up in her arms and eventually fell asleep again. I woke with a startle, once more alone in my bed. 'Am I having another nightmare? It is getting light outside.' Quickly I stepped out of bed. I vowed that I wouldn't scream this time if this was another nightmare. Opening the door I heard a sound coming from the bathroom. I opened the door slightly and peeked inside. Someone was in the shower. She turned around with her long blond hair. It was Isabel. "Hey, go away you perv!" I stepped in all the way. "I'm just as much girl as you, sis." She blinked, "Okay, but still I don't like to show my body to anyone. I have a weird body with all the horse fur and such." I undressed in front of her, something I wouldn't have done if I hadn't been changed into a girl. "How weird is it really, Isabel? I mean, try waking up as a girl after years of being a boy. And having a tail to boot." She looked at me, "I guess you're right, sis. I hadn't thought of that. But why are you undressing?" "I'm offering to wash your back. And maybe you also can wash mine?" Isabel laughed, and invited me to step into the shower with her. We quickly washed each other before drying ourselves and taking turns at using the hair dryer. I was still not happy with the way my hair looked, and reminded myself that I needed to go to Lea to have my hair done. We both went to our rooms wearing only a towel around us. I was keeping it closed with my tail. Isabel had more trouble keeping her towel around her. Her tail gave her more problems, while mine was a convenience. Just as we came out of the shower, Shane opened the bedroom door. Isabel screamed in a high pitch and quickly disappeared into her room. I wasn't as embarrassed and looked at Shane. "Nice belt you've got there, Maren." "Thanks, now if you don't mind, I'll go get dressed." Shane indicated for to me to go ahead and disappeared into the bathroom himself. I stepped into my room and searched in my closets for an outfit to wear today. I didn't want to look too sexy, so I opted for pants and a sweater. I did choose some medium heeled boots though. They would look good on me. It still was a bit dangerous for me to wear them, as the walk through the woods had taken its toll on my feet. But the cream that Maggie had given me had worked miracles, and my soles barely hurt anymore. So I thought I could handle walking in these boots. I made breakfast this time, though it was only some toast. I managed to burn only a few pieces this time. 'I'm getting better at cooking.' Shane looked at his pieces before buttering up. 'I'm glad he doesn't say anything.' A while later I was home alone, as they all had left for work and school. I didn't feel like doing more homework, I had already done a lot to catch up, though I'll never be able to catch up enough. Instead I went to the garage, where I unpacked one of the boxes and put the things on an empty shelf. 'Shane must have cleared this one for me.' Then it was already time for me to go to the MORFS center for my appointment. I headed out into the city alone for the first time since my abduction and I was nervous. I looked around me all the time. I changed from bus to the water taxi and to the trolleybus and even took a PEDI cab one time. I wanted to be sure no one was following me around. Well I could have saved myself the trouble, I was just being paranoid. I even scolded myself for doing what I did. I arrived early at the center and heard that Gavin was still busy with his previous appointment. I settled in the waiting room with an old magazine when a tiny man with two huge men behind him approached me. My suspicion went up high again, but I showed a poker face with an innocent smile. The small man said with quite a high voice, "Excuse me, are you Miss Maren Zo? Johns? My name is Jerry Finch. I'm with a government agency. I would like to ask you a few questions in private if you don't mind?" Then he showed me an ID that said 'NSA science division, Jerry Finch, Researcher Level 3'. I was apprehensive, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Just in case, I decided to power up slowly already. As I followed the men to a room, I saw Gavin coming out of his office. I waved at him and he frowned but nodded, and then kept talking to the good looking young man with him. 'Good, Gavin knows I'm here.' My eye lingered a little on the young man there, but he was too far away to get a good look. Then I realized what I was doing. 'Stop it, you're checking out someone like a girl who wants to date!' I mentally kicked myself and followed Mr. Finch inside a room with the two big bruisers on my heels. Mr. Finch invited me to sit and sat down himself on another chair opposite the table. He started, "I would like to ask you to explain how you came into possession of secret government material." I looked back at him with a big question mark in my eyes. "What do you mean? I never had any secret government things." He pulled some folder out of his briefcase and took some pictures from it. "We traced this device, a field inducing projector, to you. We have been working on it for years already, and now it mysteriously shows up in the hands of a high school girl. So were did you get this? Did you steal it? Who are your accomplices?" His voice was getting higher and shriller. Meanwhile, I was getting upset myself. I glanced at the photograph and then picked it up to look at it more closely and intensively. 'It's a picture of my repulsor! Did these guys steal it? Who do they think they are?' I was quite angry now, and in a low tone said, "Where did you get this. This is my repulsor, which I built. I demand that you give it back to me." Mr. Finch snorted, "You can demand all you want. I want some answers from you, first. Then we'll see if you will be charged for stealing government property or not." I was becoming really angry now. "You'll give me back my property now, or else." He stood up, "Or else what, missy? Are you going to hurt me?" He motioned with his hand and the two big men approached, with their hands going below their jackets. 'Are they serious? Are they going to point guns at me?' Quickly I drew in heat, sound, light and gravity. My internal energy reserve spiked and I extended my fingers towards both men. They looked at me with a mix of fear and determination. They responded faster than I would have thought possible. One had his weird looking gun out of his holster, while the other was already nearly pointing his in my direction. I quickly let lose my stun beam at both of them and the fastest man managed to shoot once before collapsing. The shot went wide past me, though I think I could have handled the incoming fire. It was an electric stun beam. Mr. Finch looked at me with fear. He hastily retreated back into a corner, "Don't hurt me! I didn't do anything." Then he saw a button and pressed it. Immediately a siren began to wail. 'The bastard activated an alarm.' I drew in the sound of the alarm to power up even more. But then the door flew open and some men entered with guns drawn. Mr. Finch shouted in his high voice, "Shoot her, she's about to attack." Most men hesitated, but one man pulled the trigger and a bullet sped towards me. In a panic reaction I absorbed the kinetic energy and was so enraged that I stunned him immediately. Another man was about to take a shot when still another man said, "No, hold your fire. Nobody's going to get hurt here." Nobody made a move and I just stood my ground as well. The man who ordered the cease fire, slowly moved a little towards me and I pointed my fingers at him. He raised his hands slightly, "I'm not going to hurt you, girl. Just surrender before we have to take drastic measures." 'Hah! Drastic measures, I'll teach them not to mess with me.' In a low tone I growled, "You have no idea who and what you're dealing with," as I started to power up even more. End of part Ten, to be continued