NIGEL

[smile]

I’m thinking about what I just did to those kids. The government had asked us to take the powers away, so there was no avoiding it. But I still feel guilty.

“What are we supposed to do with the children now that we have their powers?” I ask. I am leaning against a pillar in the workroom. Xander is unhooking the holder from the power extractor. He cradles it in his arms as he makes his way to the door. I follow him out the door. I wait for his answer. He walks into the computer room and set the holder down with a THUD! He wipes his brow with his sleeve. He is breathing heavily.

“Grae Wulf didn't give specifics, I guess we’ll just throw them out on the streets, it's not like they can harm us anymore.” he finally answers. This seems cruel. I can handle taking their powers away but leaving them stranded on the street? This definitely not right.

“Could we give them some resources so that they aren't struggling to survive?” I ask Xander. His features turn hard.

“Nigel, you came here to strip their powers away and to take back what has been taken from us. Don't start doubting on me. You know what will happen if you do.” he gives me a warning glare. I gulp. I'm not really sure what he is talking about, but I'm sure I don't want to find out.

“Can't we at least give them some food?” I plead with him. He sighs in frustration. He slides his hand down his face.

“Fine. But you will not say a word of this to anyone. Understand?” I nod. I wasn't sure that he would actually say yes. I hurry out of the room before he can change his mind. I take the stairs two at a time.

Once at the top, I turn right and head into the kitchen. I open the big fridge and grab as much food as I can without it being super noticeable. I pull down a lunch sack. I stuff all the food inside: fruit, meat, bread, cheese, six gallon-waters, and little snacks that I find. I take a couple bags and put ice into it. I also get an ice pack and put all of them in the bottom of the lunch sack. I zip up the sack and I turn on my radio.

“Do you want me to release them now?” I ask into the radio.

“Go ahead.” Comes the static answer. I sigh. I hope this goes well. I know that the kids hate me. I mean, I helped kidnap them. But I want to do something good for them. I’m supposed to handcuff them. I’ll make sure that I do it loosely.

I head into the jail room. I take the key from the shelf and unlock the cell door as fast as I can. Everyone is looking at me as I open the cell door. They all have fear in their eyes. I don’t blame them. The last time this door was opened, they had just had their powers stripped away. I stand there, the door open. They all look between me and the door, trying to decide if they can escape or not. They stay put. I slowly walk forward.

“Here’s what is going to happen”, I say in my most soothing voice, “I am going to set you free.” I wait for this to settle in. There is surprise etched on their faces.

“I packed you guys food and water.” I say, pulling out the lunch sack to show them. They seem to think this through. They silently group into a huddle. They whisper, deciding whether or not I should be trusted.

Eventually they disperse and Iris nods at me. I throw the bag onto the ground in front of them.

“I’m supposed to handcuff you guys, but if you promise not to run, I’ll just kind of forget to do that step.” I offer. Felicity gives me a charming smile. I gesture with my hands for them to walk out the door. I stand behind them, waiting for them to all file out the door.

I walk to the front of the group and lead them out the door and into our big, black van. I open the side door and they all climb in one by one. I wait for the side door to slide shut, before getting into the driver's seat. I shut my door and shove the key into the ignition, I turn the key and the van comes to life. I put the van into reverse. I back out of the driveway and head off toward an unknown destination.

I'm not sure where to go, but I know that I'm not just going to throw them on the side of the road somewhere! I decide that I'm going to leave them in the forest. Then, at least they would have a better chance of survival. I drive onto a bumpy road, and I know that I am close. I am taking them far enough away from headquarters, that they won't be in any danger, but close enough that I'm not driving far. The trees are getting thicker around the van. I drive a couple of minutes longer and then stop the van. I open my door and hope out. The side door slides open and the kids file out one by one.

“I have to leave you here.” I say sadly. I really do feel sorry for what these kids have gone through. I step up to Iris.

I bend down and embrace her.

“The underground will never be the same without you.” I whisper into her ear. She wraps her arms tighter around me. She pulls away after a couple of seconds. I clear my throat.

“Well, good luck.” is all I can think to say. I rush back to the van and drive away. I am pulling into the hideout when I see Icarus’ truck in the driveway. I groan. This is going to be a mess. I take the keys out of the ignition and rush inside. As soon as I step inside, Icarus is there.

“Where have you been? And where exactly are the kids?” he gets right to the point. I sigh. I know I have to lie, or at least tell some of the truth.

“I dumped the kids off on the side of the road somewhere. I dropped them far from here so that they can't find their way back.” I answer surprisingly calmly.

“And who told you that you could?” he counters. Shoot. I don't want to get Xander in trouble. But I have to make this believable, and I am nowhere near in charge.

“Xander told me to get rid of them, so I did. He gave me orders and I followed them, sir.” I say simply.

“Thank you, Nigel. Excuse me, I need to confer with Xander.” he says and leaves in a hurry. I sigh in relief. That could have ended much worse. I walk over to the stairs. I descend to the workroom. I hear arguing coming from Icarus’ private office. I groan. I'm dead. Dead!

I never truly wanted to help with this. Icarus is very persuading. Especially when he tells me that people will say my name with pride after the project has been completed. I just wish I had known what I was getting myself into. Xander says that I've grown soft, but really, I never was hard. I never wanted to be. I was forced to if I wanted to live. Of course, I came. I've never regretted any decision I've made more than this.

I walk over to my desk and sit down in my chair. I turn on the screen. I pause. I don't even know what I'm doing! Grae Wulf hasn't given further orders. We are supposed to talk to him tonight. I need to be silent the whole time. I can't give him a hint that I released the kids kindly.

I most likely will have to speak. I can only speak when spoken to. Every time we talk, he asks me and Xander our opinion on something. I lean back from the computer and turn it off. I close my eyes and silently pray for the kids to be alright.