Program: Superhuman *ON HOLD*

Chapter 10: Program: Superhuman

"I was one of the people they kidnapped. But... when they came to erase my mind... It didn't work. The power they gave me was rapid healing. The moment they put me asleep and cut into my skin, I would just heal again. They tried for hours, but nothing worked. When I finally woke up and found I could still remember everything, something snapped in me.

"I knew before that I could heal incredibly quicker than the average person, but I was always... well... I guess too scared to try anything. But not anymore. I managed to escape, granted with a few bullet wounds, but otherwise fine. I rescued Gale from the process, but no one else. Ever since, we've been trying to find other superhumans like us."

I didn't say anything for a while. I had a feeling where this conversation was going. And I wasn't sure I liked it. Everything my uncle just seemed so unreal, so surreal. But I had seen the proof right before my eyes when Caspar rescued me from the burning inferno of Warm Oaks High.

"What about Mom?" Arden asked.

Uncle Forge grunted. "I was afraid you were going to ask me that. Look, kids... truth is, your mom never went through the program. She didn't even know about it until I told her and your father, Auden."

My brother's expression turned confused as he asked, "Why? If we weren't involved in Program: Superhuman, then why would you tell her?"

My muscles tensed when Uncle Forge switched his gaze to me. I knew the answer right away. Even if Arden didn't believe me.

"I went through the program," I said. It wasn't a question. But Uncle Forge nodded, anyway. "I'm... I'm not her... her biological daughter, am I?"

"What?" Arden asked. "Willow, stop. That's ridiculous. Of course Mom is your biological mother." He looked to Uncle Forge. "Right?"

The man sighed deeply. "I'm sorry, Willow."

My jaw clenched. I felt no emotion. Only numbness. I stayed in my position.

"But... Uncle Forge..." Arden tried desperately.

"And I'm not your real uncle," he said, looking at both of us with regretful eyes. "Kylee and Auden tried to have a child for years, but they never could. Finally, they resorted to adopting. Willow, you were still a baby when PS put you up for adoption again. Your parents chose you without even a second thought."

"Wait," Arden interrupted once again. "Does that mean I'm...?"

Uncle Forge just continued his story. "Only a few months later, though, Kylee became pregnant with you, Arden."

He didn't answer. I could tell from his expression that he was relieved Mom was his real mom. But before I let myself get wrapped up in what Uncle Forge said about me being adopted, I asked, "How did you know I was a superhuman?"

"Gale and I managed to see a few places PS was sending the people. We tracked down the orphanage you were in."

"Then why did you pretend to be our uncle?"

"I confronted Kylee and Auden and told them about PS. At first, they didn't believe me. But... then..."

My eyes widened. "Did... did Program: Superhuman kill Dad?"

Uncle Forge hesitated to answer. Gale put a hand on my shoulder and I glanced up to her.

"When Forge and I escaped PS, we also managed to see something else. Well... we heard it, at least." Gale walked over next to Forge, where she leaned against the desk and crossed her arms. "A few scientists were talking to each other. They were the leaders, the heads of the operations. They said that they would send people to follow the superhumans throughout their lives, and if their powers ever surfaced, then the superhumans would be terminated. We believe that the person following you killed your father in the hit-and-run."

"So Dad's death was my fault?"

"No," Uncle Forge said. "Willow, you can't blame yourself."

I snorted. "And what would you know? You've been lying to us our whole lives. Why didn't you tell us earlier?"

"Because there was a chance your powers would never surface," Macy interrupted. "I never was in the program, and I've only heard stories from Gale and Forge, but I know that the power suppressing thing didn't really work as well as the scientists wanted it to. I mean, just look at Timber and Caspar. One's half fox and the other can turn invisible."

Timber snarled, emitting a low growling sound. Inside her mouth, I could see thin, sharp teeth.

"If Forge had told you and your powers never did surface, then you would be a part of a world you wouldn't belong in. You would be in danger all the time."

"You're one to talk," I responded. "If you were never in the program, why are you here?"

"That would be our fault," Gale and Forge both said at the same time.

"We thought because of her genius intellect and knack for skipping grades, we thought she could be a superhuman," Uncle Forge said.

"Not to mention her habit of hacking into things," Caspar said with a roll of his eyes.

"But, we later realized that she really was just an ordinary human," Gale finished.

"Gee, thanks," Macy said.

"So why now, then?" Arden asked. "I mean... Willow's "powers" haven't started yet." His eyes widened and he slumped. "Oh, man. The fire."

"I blew a hole in the ceiling," I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "That was my power, wasn't it?"

"Unfortunately," Gale said. I glanced up to her. She shrugged with a wince. "Sorry."

"Well, then, what is my power?" I asked.

"We're not entirely sure yet," Uncle Forge admitted. "But that's what this place is for." He pointed around. "This room was built for superhumans like you to get used to your powers."

"How many of us are there?"

"We don't know. A lot. But, so far, these are the only people we've found. PS hid them well."

"So what do I do then? If the person that's apparently "following" me finds out that I have powers-"

"You'll come here. Learn how to control your powers."

"But I don't even know what it is yet!"

"That's why we'll be here to help," Gale said.

"Then... when do we start?"

Uncle Forge smirked slightly with a raised eyebrow. "How does right now sound?"