Part 463: And the Children Shall Lead Them
4:25 pm
Aaron hugged his knees as he rocked back and forth. He was sitting in the back truck of an SUV. For a normal adult, it would have been a tight fit. For a five year old, going on six, he fit just perfectly. His friend Brendon was by his side, continuously wiping his eyes with the handy wipes the soldiers gave him. The young boy looked over at the kid who was pretty much his brother as far as he was concerned. “You okay?” he asked him.
“No,” he grunted, “My eyes still hurt.”
“It’s the tear gas.” Aaron whispered, “It’ll pass eventually.”
“I might be having a hyperdermic reaction to it.”
“Allergic reaction.” The young boy corrected him.
“Whatever!” Brendon grunted.
Aaron looked over and gently rubbed his friend on his back. Brendon looked out the window and then glanced at the soldiers in the back seat. The small boy then turned around and closed his eyes; letting the tears flow down his cheeks. “My mom and my dad.” He whispered, “They shot at them.”
“I know.” Aaron continued to rub his back.
Brendon took a deep breath. “Why did they take us?” he sighed.
“I don’t know,”
“What do they want from us?”
“Ransom I guess.” The young blonde boy stared at the other cars, “They are gonna ask our mom and dad’s for money to give us back.”
“Because mom and dad are rich.” The young boy sniffed, “Makes sense.”
“You scared?” Aaron asked him.
“No, you?”
“Nope.”
The boys then stared at each other. Brendon smiled slightly then went back to a frown. Aaron understood; the truth was they were incredibly scared. All they had, at the moment, was each other. And the hope that their parents would come get them or pay whatever money they asked for. Brendon then looked around in the back window. The two boys could see a lot, despite the temporary plastic cover. They were seeing a lot of buildings. Mostly they were tall skyscrapers, therefore they knew they were in the city.
But where were they going?
The SUV then pulled over into a side street, then went down hill. It got dark for a second, as the two boys saw they were going into a parking structure. The big vehicle then pulled over after driving a ways and stopped. Aaron could see the soldiers exiting the vehicle. He gave Brendon one last look as he wiped his eyes. “You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah,” he smirked, “My eyes feel better.”
“Tears will do that.” The young boy smiled.
One of the soldiers then opened the back trunk door. Aaron and Brendon looked at them and all they did was motion them out. The two boys scooted forward and then proceeded hop out of the vehicle. The soldiers then put their hands on their shoulders and began to move them forward. Aaron made sure to keep his friend in sight, hoping they would not be separated. More soldiers and other strange looking people were in the parking lot waiting for them. Aaron didn’t recognize a single person, so he had no hope that someone was there to help him. However, he couldn’t fathom why so many people were involved in his kidnapping. “AARON!!!” a young girl’s voice screamed.
The young boy turned around with Brendon and he immediately saw his other childhood friend. “Bridgett?” Aaron gasped.
The small girl got away from the soldiers that were holding her. The young blonde girl ran as hard as she could toward Aaron. By the time she arrived, she immediately embraced him. The young boy then hugged her back. Normally he was repulsed by her embracing him and kissing him a lot. At the moment, he decided to forget all that. His dear friend was scared out of her mind and she needed him. “It’s all right, BreeBree.” He said, stroking her hair, “We’ll go home soon.”
“I want my mommy.” She wept on his shoulder.
Brendon then turned around and looked at more soldiers coming into the parking lot. His eyes then lit up at the sight of their other childhood friend. “Shelley.” The young boy whispered.
The three friends looked over and saw their dear friend walking toward them. Her face was squinched up as she was crying and had been for some type. Bridgett then hugged her, then Brendon joined in. Aaron paused for a moment, then gave them all a group hug. The young boy was frightened, more so than he had ever been in his whole life. Since he was the oldest, he was taught to look out for the younger bunch.
He just never thought it would be this soon.
Unknown to the children, Ben was watching them from afar. He studied how they reacted to being kidnapped, who cried and who didn’t. Pickett walked over and leaned against the wall; also observing the children. The scientist smiled, looking at his right hand man for a second, then looked back at the kids huddled together. “Children are not supposed to act like that.” He smiled, “Children do no form lasting friendship till later in their single digits.”
“The Liberators said they over heard the boys talking,” Picket smirked, “They knew what tear gas was.”
“Emotional attachments and increased intelligence.” Ben sighed, “What wonders these children will face.”
In the distance, the children then started to be hurdled toward the elevator. Aaron held onto Bridgett’s hand, who held onto Brendon’s hand and he held onto Shelley’s hand. The four children got into the elevator, surrounded by armed soldiers. Bridgett silently wept but Shelley couldn’t stop crying. They stayed together, hoping this nightmare would end soon. Little did they know, they had an old friend they were going to see.
Jack paced back and fourth in the small doctor’s office. He had no idea why it was there but they placed him in it nearly 40 minutes ago. He calmly reviewed the instruments. Medical supplies consisted of a stethoscope, various band-aids, antibiotics, alcohol, and all sorts of documentation. From what the doctor had judged by looking at them, it seemed that Ben was holding true on this threat. Jack was going to be forced to give all the kids of his friends a medical examination. But for what reason?
The door then opened up and Jack immediately saw the scientists that were flanked by Ben. Then he quickly had to look down when he her the stamping of little feet. “UNCLE JACK!!!” Shelley screamed as she ran to him.
The doctor then immediately kneeled down and embraced the little girl. The other children ran over and hugged him as well. The doctor held onto him, feeling the rage surge up from his spine. They held true to their threat; they took the kids from their parents. Jack was upset at these kids kidnapping but he was more upset over the state of his friends. What did these men do to Seth, Tanya, Charlie, Claire, Mia and Mandy? No parents would willingly give up their children. Jack comforted the kids a little bit more and then stood up. Ben stared at him from the door, very cold and calculating. “You monster.” The doctor whispered.
“You say Tomato.” Ben shrugged his shoulders.
“What did you do to their parents?” Jack demanded.
“Their parents are unaccounted for . . from what I am hearing.” The scientist then placed a folder that he was holding a nearby counter, “Jack, we’re going to need blood samples from them and a detailed analysis of how they are physically.”
“No.” Jack immediately said.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m not going to examine these kids, I’m not taking their blood, I’m not going to hurt them!”
“Doctors don’t hurt, Jack, they examine. You know these kids, they trust you.”
“I won’t do it.” He hissed.
Ben then took one step closer. Jack put his hands around the children as they circled him. The scientist looked at them and then back to the kidnapped doctor. “Let me put it this way, Jack.” He whispered, “Do you want to examine them . . . or do you want us too?”
“Jack, please don’t leave us.” Bridgett whimpered.
Jack didn’t hate many people in his life. He hated Sawyer for a time but it was a petty hate. He never really hated his father but he disliked the majority of what he did with his life and the people around it. Jack didn’t even believe in the Devil enough to hate him. If there was anybody he would kill without remorse or regret, it would be the man staring back at him. “I’ll do it.” Jack whispered, tears of rage forming near his eyes.
“Never believe for an instance you had any other choice.” Ben replied, as he started to walk away.
“Give me time to calm them down.” Jack quickly asked.
“Take all the time you need.” The scientist replied, shutting down the door.
Jack took a deep breath. He looked up at the corner of the ceiling and saw the camera; knowing full well they were going to be monitoring his actions. He then picked up Shelley and placed her on a nearby bed. He repeated this gesture with the other four kids. He then stared to check them all out. “Does your head hurt, Shelley?” he whispered with a smile.
“Uh, huh.” She whimpered.
“It’s typical of crying. I’ll see if they got any Advil.”
“I think . . . .I think they killed my mom.” The little girl cried.
Jack then looked at her abruptly. She then started to cry heavily, putting her hands over her face. The doctor was going to try to calm them down. He now wasn’t sure if he could. Not if the prospect that Mia was dead was true. Jack then fished around in the drawers of the smaller office. He then found what he was looking for; a cold chemical pack. He then crunched it up, activating the chemical reaction that make the pack turn immediately cold. He motioned for the kids to scoot over. “Lie down, Shelley and place this over your head.” He said, “I promise the pain will go away.”
The girl did what she was asked, laying her head on Bridgett’s lap. Her good friend gently stroked her hair as she rested. Jack took a deep breath and then walked back over toward the big folder with all the names of the children. “Aaron, I’ll . . .uh . .examine you first.” Jack said.
“Okay, Jack,” the little boy said, with a sigh.
Jack got his instruments and walked over to the young boy. He started to check his pulse and temperature. He then checked his blood pressure. “You are being very brave, Aaron,” the doctor whispered, “Your mother will be very proud of you.”
“Thanks, Jack, I was just . . . .”
Jack removed his stethoscope. “Just what?” he inquired.
“I was just trying to do what Eddie might have done in this situation.”
Jack smiled again as he checked his ears. “You want to grow up to be like him, don’t you?” he chuckled.
“I’ve often wondered . . .if I bother him. I suppose I just . .make jokes to show I like messing with him. But . . .I never told him . . .I love him like . . .my big brother.”
“He knows, Eddie,” the doctor assured him, “He knows.”
“When I get out of here, I’m gonna tell him anyway.” The little boy whimpered.
“I’m sure he’d like that.”
“We ARE getting out of here . . .aren’t we, Jack?”
Jack paused for a moment. He looked the boy directly in the eyes. A boy that Tony helped bring into this world on a distance Island long ago. A boy that they had all come to love as their own adoptive son. The doctor then leaned on the counter and looked down at him. “Do you trust me, Aaron?” he asked.
The little boy shook his head.
“Then trust me when I say this . . . .I know your parents. And they are not going to let these people take you anyway from them. Same with Brendon, Bridgett and Shelley too.”
“You think . . .my mom and dad are coming for me?”
“I know they are,” Jack smiled, “I know they are coming for all us.”
A good hour had past. Jack had finished his examinations long ago. Bridgett and Shelley were huddled together against the far wall. Aaron was just sitting on the bed with Jack, while Brendon kept touching his band-aid where the doctor had taken his blood. “Brendon, don’t pick at it.” Jack told him.
“But it itches.” The boy grunted.
“Brendon, do what Uncle Jack says,” Bridgett hissed.
Brendon finally stopped picking at his band-aid and leaned against the counter; crossing his arms. Then the door opened up again. Jack immediately slid off the bed and looked at the man walking in. Ben calmly looked at the doctor, then slowly at all the children. Bridgett and Shelley still huddled together, while Brendon returned the gaze in complete contempt. Aaron just stayed on the bed behind the doctor he trusted. The scientist then looked at the counter where the documents were completed, plus small vials of blood. “How are they?” he asked.
“Besides physically and emotionally drained from being scared out their wits, they are healthy.” Jack said.
“Excellent.” The scientist turned around.
“What do you want with these kids?” the doctor demanded.
Ben turned around and looked at the doctor. He took a deep breath and sighed, with a sinister smile. “Aaron?” Ben got his attention.
The boy looked at him, staying behind Jack.
“Who was the first president of America?” the scientist asked.
“Um . . .George Washington.” Aaron answered.
“Who was the 21st president?” Ben then asked.
“Chester A. Arthur.” The boy immediately replied.
Jack blinked for a second, wondering where this was going. Ben smiled with that same evil smile. “Did you know who the 21st president was, Jack?” the scientist chuckled, “I had to look it up before I came in here.”
The scientist then turned to the two young girls. “Girls?” he inquired in such a pleasant tone, “ Would one of you be so kind as to tell me who painted Starry Night?”
The girls stilled huddled together and then Shelley sniffed, wiping her nose. “Van Gogh.” She replied.
Ben then turned toward Brendon and pulled out a calculator. “Brendon, what is . . . 87, 452 divided by . . .82.2?” the scientist said.
Brendon looked at him and then looked at Jack. The doctor sighed and shook his head. The boy rubbed his eyes and thought for a second. He then whispered, “ 1,063.8929 . . .if you don’t round up.”
Ben laughed as he stood up and looked at Jack. “Have I proven my point?” he said, shrugging his shoulders.
“You’ve proven they are smart.” Jack retorted
“They are more than smart, Jack. They are vastly mostly intelligent than kids their age, probably even teenagers.” The scientist exclaimed, “And when they reach that level, they’ll be ready for college. THESE CHILDREN . . .will herald the coming a superior race!”
“All because of this stupid plant?”
“The Gratus Plant is not stupid, Jack. It’s the key to unlocking the secret of a superior evolution. My only regret is that it can’t grow everywhere. That is why if we can’t bring the mountain to Mohammed, then Mohammed most go to the mountain.”
“Jack,” Brendon grunted, “Could you make this idiot shut up? He’s giving me a headache.”
Jack raised an eyebrow at the blunt response from the 4 year old boy. For a moment, it sounded like he was channeling his father Seth. Ben then turned around and kneeled; facing the young boy. “Tonight we’re taking you away to a far away land, Brendon,” the scientist smiled, “You’ll get to see many wonderful things. You’ll meet exciting people, live off the land, maybe even see Monsters. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”
The boy then looked at him, with tears running down his face. “Not half as much fun as watching my daddy smash your face in.” the boy hissed.
Ben stood up, slightly amused and slightly annoyed. “Charming.” He concluded, as he began to walk away.
“Ben, wait.” Jack stopped him.
The scientist just looked at him. “We’ll bring sedatives for them tonight. You’ll administer them so they can have a safe flight to the Island.” He informed him.
“I got one request.” The doctor whispered.
“And that would be?”
“You can’t just dump these kids off on Island by themselves,” the doctor whispered, “Take me with them.”
Ben chuckled a little bit. “Very noble, Jack,” the scientist smiled, “But un-necessary. These children will have a chaperone.”
“I’m not trusting you with their welfare.”
“You don’t have to,” he shrugged, “But I’m assuming you trust Mr. Trascal?”
“Eddie?” Aaron’s face lit up with worry.
“What have you done with him?” Jack grunted, unaware he had already kidnapped someone other than him and Jenny.
“All you need to know that is when they get shipped out tonight, Trascal will be with them.” Ben smirked, “I’m quite sure he’ll become the big brother they already view him as.”
The mad scientist left the room and closed the door in an ominous thud. Jack looked at all the frightened children. He hope he would have the ability to stop Ben on his mad quest. However, the doctor was certain his faith in his friends was no misplaced. It would only be a matter of time before they came to the rescue.
“Hurry up, guys,” he whispered to himself.
Aaron hugged his knees as he rocked back and forth. He was sitting in the back truck of an SUV. For a normal adult, it would have been a tight fit. For a five year old, going on six, he fit just perfectly. His friend Brendon was by his side, continuously wiping his eyes with the handy wipes the soldiers gave him. The young boy looked over at the kid who was pretty much his brother as far as he was concerned. “You okay?” he asked him.
“No,” he grunted, “My eyes still hurt.”
“It’s the tear gas.” Aaron whispered, “It’ll pass eventually.”
“I might be having a hyperdermic reaction to it.”
“Allergic reaction.” The young boy corrected him.
“Whatever!” Brendon grunted.
Aaron looked over and gently rubbed his friend on his back. Brendon looked out the window and then glanced at the soldiers in the back seat. The small boy then turned around and closed his eyes; letting the tears flow down his cheeks. “My mom and my dad.” He whispered, “They shot at them.”
“I know.” Aaron continued to rub his back.
Brendon took a deep breath. “Why did they take us?” he sighed.
“I don’t know,”
“What do they want from us?”
“Ransom I guess.” The young blonde boy stared at the other cars, “They are gonna ask our mom and dad’s for money to give us back.”
“Because mom and dad are rich.” The young boy sniffed, “Makes sense.”
“You scared?” Aaron asked him.
“No, you?”
“Nope.”
The boys then stared at each other. Brendon smiled slightly then went back to a frown. Aaron understood; the truth was they were incredibly scared. All they had, at the moment, was each other. And the hope that their parents would come get them or pay whatever money they asked for. Brendon then looked around in the back window. The two boys could see a lot, despite the temporary plastic cover. They were seeing a lot of buildings. Mostly they were tall skyscrapers, therefore they knew they were in the city.
But where were they going?
The SUV then pulled over into a side street, then went down hill. It got dark for a second, as the two boys saw they were going into a parking structure. The big vehicle then pulled over after driving a ways and stopped. Aaron could see the soldiers exiting the vehicle. He gave Brendon one last look as he wiped his eyes. “You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah,” he smirked, “My eyes feel better.”
“Tears will do that.” The young boy smiled.
One of the soldiers then opened the back trunk door. Aaron and Brendon looked at them and all they did was motion them out. The two boys scooted forward and then proceeded hop out of the vehicle. The soldiers then put their hands on their shoulders and began to move them forward. Aaron made sure to keep his friend in sight, hoping they would not be separated. More soldiers and other strange looking people were in the parking lot waiting for them. Aaron didn’t recognize a single person, so he had no hope that someone was there to help him. However, he couldn’t fathom why so many people were involved in his kidnapping. “AARON!!!” a young girl’s voice screamed.
The young boy turned around with Brendon and he immediately saw his other childhood friend. “Bridgett?” Aaron gasped.
The small girl got away from the soldiers that were holding her. The young blonde girl ran as hard as she could toward Aaron. By the time she arrived, she immediately embraced him. The young boy then hugged her back. Normally he was repulsed by her embracing him and kissing him a lot. At the moment, he decided to forget all that. His dear friend was scared out of her mind and she needed him. “It’s all right, BreeBree.” He said, stroking her hair, “We’ll go home soon.”
“I want my mommy.” She wept on his shoulder.
Brendon then turned around and looked at more soldiers coming into the parking lot. His eyes then lit up at the sight of their other childhood friend. “Shelley.” The young boy whispered.
The three friends looked over and saw their dear friend walking toward them. Her face was squinched up as she was crying and had been for some type. Bridgett then hugged her, then Brendon joined in. Aaron paused for a moment, then gave them all a group hug. The young boy was frightened, more so than he had ever been in his whole life. Since he was the oldest, he was taught to look out for the younger bunch.
He just never thought it would be this soon.
Unknown to the children, Ben was watching them from afar. He studied how they reacted to being kidnapped, who cried and who didn’t. Pickett walked over and leaned against the wall; also observing the children. The scientist smiled, looking at his right hand man for a second, then looked back at the kids huddled together. “Children are not supposed to act like that.” He smiled, “Children do no form lasting friendship till later in their single digits.”
“The Liberators said they over heard the boys talking,” Picket smirked, “They knew what tear gas was.”
“Emotional attachments and increased intelligence.” Ben sighed, “What wonders these children will face.”
In the distance, the children then started to be hurdled toward the elevator. Aaron held onto Bridgett’s hand, who held onto Brendon’s hand and he held onto Shelley’s hand. The four children got into the elevator, surrounded by armed soldiers. Bridgett silently wept but Shelley couldn’t stop crying. They stayed together, hoping this nightmare would end soon. Little did they know, they had an old friend they were going to see.
Jack paced back and fourth in the small doctor’s office. He had no idea why it was there but they placed him in it nearly 40 minutes ago. He calmly reviewed the instruments. Medical supplies consisted of a stethoscope, various band-aids, antibiotics, alcohol, and all sorts of documentation. From what the doctor had judged by looking at them, it seemed that Ben was holding true on this threat. Jack was going to be forced to give all the kids of his friends a medical examination. But for what reason?
The door then opened up and Jack immediately saw the scientists that were flanked by Ben. Then he quickly had to look down when he her the stamping of little feet. “UNCLE JACK!!!” Shelley screamed as she ran to him.
The doctor then immediately kneeled down and embraced the little girl. The other children ran over and hugged him as well. The doctor held onto him, feeling the rage surge up from his spine. They held true to their threat; they took the kids from their parents. Jack was upset at these kids kidnapping but he was more upset over the state of his friends. What did these men do to Seth, Tanya, Charlie, Claire, Mia and Mandy? No parents would willingly give up their children. Jack comforted the kids a little bit more and then stood up. Ben stared at him from the door, very cold and calculating. “You monster.” The doctor whispered.
“You say Tomato.” Ben shrugged his shoulders.
“What did you do to their parents?” Jack demanded.
“Their parents are unaccounted for . . from what I am hearing.” The scientist then placed a folder that he was holding a nearby counter, “Jack, we’re going to need blood samples from them and a detailed analysis of how they are physically.”
“No.” Jack immediately said.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m not going to examine these kids, I’m not taking their blood, I’m not going to hurt them!”
“Doctors don’t hurt, Jack, they examine. You know these kids, they trust you.”
“I won’t do it.” He hissed.
Ben then took one step closer. Jack put his hands around the children as they circled him. The scientist looked at them and then back to the kidnapped doctor. “Let me put it this way, Jack.” He whispered, “Do you want to examine them . . . or do you want us too?”
“Jack, please don’t leave us.” Bridgett whimpered.
Jack didn’t hate many people in his life. He hated Sawyer for a time but it was a petty hate. He never really hated his father but he disliked the majority of what he did with his life and the people around it. Jack didn’t even believe in the Devil enough to hate him. If there was anybody he would kill without remorse or regret, it would be the man staring back at him. “I’ll do it.” Jack whispered, tears of rage forming near his eyes.
“Never believe for an instance you had any other choice.” Ben replied, as he started to walk away.
“Give me time to calm them down.” Jack quickly asked.
“Take all the time you need.” The scientist replied, shutting down the door.
Jack took a deep breath. He looked up at the corner of the ceiling and saw the camera; knowing full well they were going to be monitoring his actions. He then picked up Shelley and placed her on a nearby bed. He repeated this gesture with the other four kids. He then stared to check them all out. “Does your head hurt, Shelley?” he whispered with a smile.
“Uh, huh.” She whimpered.
“It’s typical of crying. I’ll see if they got any Advil.”
“I think . . . .I think they killed my mom.” The little girl cried.
Jack then looked at her abruptly. She then started to cry heavily, putting her hands over her face. The doctor was going to try to calm them down. He now wasn’t sure if he could. Not if the prospect that Mia was dead was true. Jack then fished around in the drawers of the smaller office. He then found what he was looking for; a cold chemical pack. He then crunched it up, activating the chemical reaction that make the pack turn immediately cold. He motioned for the kids to scoot over. “Lie down, Shelley and place this over your head.” He said, “I promise the pain will go away.”
The girl did what she was asked, laying her head on Bridgett’s lap. Her good friend gently stroked her hair as she rested. Jack took a deep breath and then walked back over toward the big folder with all the names of the children. “Aaron, I’ll . . .uh . .examine you first.” Jack said.
“Okay, Jack,” the little boy said, with a sigh.
Jack got his instruments and walked over to the young boy. He started to check his pulse and temperature. He then checked his blood pressure. “You are being very brave, Aaron,” the doctor whispered, “Your mother will be very proud of you.”
“Thanks, Jack, I was just . . . .”
Jack removed his stethoscope. “Just what?” he inquired.
“I was just trying to do what Eddie might have done in this situation.”
Jack smiled again as he checked his ears. “You want to grow up to be like him, don’t you?” he chuckled.
“I’ve often wondered . . .if I bother him. I suppose I just . .make jokes to show I like messing with him. But . . .I never told him . . .I love him like . . .my big brother.”
“He knows, Eddie,” the doctor assured him, “He knows.”
“When I get out of here, I’m gonna tell him anyway.” The little boy whimpered.
“I’m sure he’d like that.”
“We ARE getting out of here . . .aren’t we, Jack?”
Jack paused for a moment. He looked the boy directly in the eyes. A boy that Tony helped bring into this world on a distance Island long ago. A boy that they had all come to love as their own adoptive son. The doctor then leaned on the counter and looked down at him. “Do you trust me, Aaron?” he asked.
The little boy shook his head.
“Then trust me when I say this . . . .I know your parents. And they are not going to let these people take you anyway from them. Same with Brendon, Bridgett and Shelley too.”
“You think . . .my mom and dad are coming for me?”
“I know they are,” Jack smiled, “I know they are coming for all us.”
A good hour had past. Jack had finished his examinations long ago. Bridgett and Shelley were huddled together against the far wall. Aaron was just sitting on the bed with Jack, while Brendon kept touching his band-aid where the doctor had taken his blood. “Brendon, don’t pick at it.” Jack told him.
“But it itches.” The boy grunted.
“Brendon, do what Uncle Jack says,” Bridgett hissed.
Brendon finally stopped picking at his band-aid and leaned against the counter; crossing his arms. Then the door opened up again. Jack immediately slid off the bed and looked at the man walking in. Ben calmly looked at the doctor, then slowly at all the children. Bridgett and Shelley still huddled together, while Brendon returned the gaze in complete contempt. Aaron just stayed on the bed behind the doctor he trusted. The scientist then looked at the counter where the documents were completed, plus small vials of blood. “How are they?” he asked.
“Besides physically and emotionally drained from being scared out their wits, they are healthy.” Jack said.
“Excellent.” The scientist turned around.
“What do you want with these kids?” the doctor demanded.
Ben turned around and looked at the doctor. He took a deep breath and sighed, with a sinister smile. “Aaron?” Ben got his attention.
The boy looked at him, staying behind Jack.
“Who was the first president of America?” the scientist asked.
“Um . . .George Washington.” Aaron answered.
“Who was the 21st president?” Ben then asked.
“Chester A. Arthur.” The boy immediately replied.
Jack blinked for a second, wondering where this was going. Ben smiled with that same evil smile. “Did you know who the 21st president was, Jack?” the scientist chuckled, “I had to look it up before I came in here.”
The scientist then turned to the two young girls. “Girls?” he inquired in such a pleasant tone, “ Would one of you be so kind as to tell me who painted Starry Night?”
The girls stilled huddled together and then Shelley sniffed, wiping her nose. “Van Gogh.” She replied.
Ben then turned toward Brendon and pulled out a calculator. “Brendon, what is . . . 87, 452 divided by . . .82.2?” the scientist said.
Brendon looked at him and then looked at Jack. The doctor sighed and shook his head. The boy rubbed his eyes and thought for a second. He then whispered, “ 1,063.8929 . . .if you don’t round up.”
Ben laughed as he stood up and looked at Jack. “Have I proven my point?” he said, shrugging his shoulders.
“You’ve proven they are smart.” Jack retorted
“They are more than smart, Jack. They are vastly mostly intelligent than kids their age, probably even teenagers.” The scientist exclaimed, “And when they reach that level, they’ll be ready for college. THESE CHILDREN . . .will herald the coming a superior race!”
“All because of this stupid plant?”
“The Gratus Plant is not stupid, Jack. It’s the key to unlocking the secret of a superior evolution. My only regret is that it can’t grow everywhere. That is why if we can’t bring the mountain to Mohammed, then Mohammed most go to the mountain.”
“Jack,” Brendon grunted, “Could you make this idiot shut up? He’s giving me a headache.”
Jack raised an eyebrow at the blunt response from the 4 year old boy. For a moment, it sounded like he was channeling his father Seth. Ben then turned around and kneeled; facing the young boy. “Tonight we’re taking you away to a far away land, Brendon,” the scientist smiled, “You’ll get to see many wonderful things. You’ll meet exciting people, live off the land, maybe even see Monsters. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”
The boy then looked at him, with tears running down his face. “Not half as much fun as watching my daddy smash your face in.” the boy hissed.
Ben stood up, slightly amused and slightly annoyed. “Charming.” He concluded, as he began to walk away.
“Ben, wait.” Jack stopped him.
The scientist just looked at him. “We’ll bring sedatives for them tonight. You’ll administer them so they can have a safe flight to the Island.” He informed him.
“I got one request.” The doctor whispered.
“And that would be?”
“You can’t just dump these kids off on Island by themselves,” the doctor whispered, “Take me with them.”
Ben chuckled a little bit. “Very noble, Jack,” the scientist smiled, “But un-necessary. These children will have a chaperone.”
“I’m not trusting you with their welfare.”
“You don’t have to,” he shrugged, “But I’m assuming you trust Mr. Trascal?”
“Eddie?” Aaron’s face lit up with worry.
“What have you done with him?” Jack grunted, unaware he had already kidnapped someone other than him and Jenny.
“All you need to know that is when they get shipped out tonight, Trascal will be with them.” Ben smirked, “I’m quite sure he’ll become the big brother they already view him as.”
The mad scientist left the room and closed the door in an ominous thud. Jack looked at all the frightened children. He hope he would have the ability to stop Ben on his mad quest. However, the doctor was certain his faith in his friends was no misplaced. It would only be a matter of time before they came to the rescue.
“Hurry up, guys,” he whispered to himself.
posted by Jason | 5:16 AM
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