A Chosen Destiny (The Samantha Project Series #3) (7 page)

“When is this happening?”

“Later this week. On Wednesday.”

I knew I couldn’t get her out any faster, but I didn’t want Brittany at GlobalLife for another second. I tried not to imagine how they were treating her because I knew it wasn’t good.

The doctor arrived and gave me the okay to leave. Dave walked me back to my room, then returned to the lab. Colin went to get me some lunch.
 

“You’re finally out of there?” Erik was standing at the door to my room, looking healthy as ever. “It took you long enough. How do you feel?”

“Good. How about you?”

“Never felt better.” He came in and sat next to me on the bed. “I don’t hear that damn thing ticking in my head anymore.”

“Why did you have to go and get the procedure done first, Erik? I told you to wait. We were supposed to get it done together. At the same time.”

He shrugged. “I changed my mind. Besides, I helped you out. You almost died in there.” He said it as if it was no big deal.
 

“That’s what I hear. Sounds like Dave did some of his code-writing magic. On you, too.”

“Yeah. I think it made my dad a little jealous. He’s grateful to Dave. He just wishes he could have fixed me himself.”

“So do you feel any different? Do you notice anything now that the gene fragment is complete?”

“I feel stronger than before. And when I was in the kitchen earlier, I could hear people in that computer room down the hall. I had to focus, but still, it seems like my hearing is getting even better.”

The door opened and Colin walked in with a tray of food. He saw Erik sitting there and glared at him. He set the tray down and started to leave.

“Colin, wait,” I called after him. He left, shutting the door behind him. “I don’t know what’s going on with him, Erik. When I told him about the procedure, he acted like he didn’t care, but then he showed up. And he stayed with me the whole time. What does that mean?”

“Maybe after all this, he sees what’s important. Maybe he doesn’t care what went on between you and me.”

“I’m guessing it’s still front and center in his mind. He won’t forget that anytime soon.”

“I’m sure he’s doing all he can to forget it.” Erik paused. “Are you trying to forget it?”

“Forget what?”

He rolled his eyes. “You know what. Everything that happened between us.”

“No. Why would I want to forget?”

“Because you’re trying to get back with Colin. Aren’t you?”

“That doesn’t mean I’ll forget everything that happened between us.”
 

“Good. Well, I’ll let you eat your lunch.” He leaned over to kiss me.
 

I pushed him away. “Erik, what are you doing?”

He smiled. “Old habit, I guess. Gotta work on that.”

I knew it was a test to see if I was really serious about getting back with Colin.
 

A few minutes after Erik left, Dave came by again. “Hey, just checking to see if you needed anything.”

“No. I’m good. Have you seen Colin?”

“Yes. Just passed him in the hall. He’s going to that room with the fitness equipment. He said he has some circuit training thing that he does.”

“It’s probably his sports training workout. He likes to do that when he’s stressed.”

“Whatever it is, it works. That boy’s in excellent shape.” Dave put his hands on his oversized waist. “I should probably be in there with him. Sit at a computer all day and you end up looking like this.”

I laughed at him. “You look fine, Uncle Dave. And I don’t think you could keep up with Colin’s workout. It’s not easy. I’ve tried it.”

“I was talking with the doctor. He said you may still feel tired from the drugs. You should probably get some rest this afternoon.”

“I’m not tired. I think I’ll go walk around a little. I need to get out of this room.”

“Okay, but if you feel weak or sick or any kind of pain, you get right to the medical office.”

As Dave opened the door to leave, we saw Vince standing there. Vince was one of Owens’ employees. He’d brought me there the night Erik and I escaped from GlobalLife.

“Mr. Owens is arriving soon. He would like everyone to meet in the common area. You should head down there now. Jack and Erik are already waiting.”

“Do you think he has news about Brittany?” I asked Dave once Vince was gone. “What if something bad happened to her?”

“Let’s not assume anything, Sam. We’ll know soon enough.”

Dave and I joined Jack and Erik in the common area. Colin wasn’t there, so I assumed Vince hadn’t invited him.
 

Mr. Owens walked in. “Hello, everyone. Sam, Erik, I hear the procedure went well.”
 

Dave and Jack looked at each other, both annoyed at Owens’ comment. The procedure had hardly gone well.

“Well, then. Let me explain why I called you all here.” Owens sat down. “I have a confession to make.”

Jack glared at him. “I don’t like the sound of that, Preston.”

“It’s nothing sinister, Jack. I just feel the need to explain some things. I haven’t shared the whole story about why I brought you all here.”

Dave got angry. “What are you trying to say, Preston? That you lied to me back in Minnesota?”

“No, no. Of course not. My goal all along was to get Samantha and Erik up here, where they could be safe and get their timers stopped. That’s exactly what I told you, Dave.”

“And you also told me that you would have the genes in your possession before they arrived.”

“Yes, well, that was my plan but I wasn’t able to get them in time. I can’t help that. But we got the genes. It all worked out in the end.”

“You made Samantha and Erik get them for you,” Jack pointed out. “That was a very risky move, Preston. They almost didn’t escape.”

“I gave them the option to get the genes, Jack. I never forced them to. Isn’t that correct, Samantha?”

“Yes. I was the one who insisted we get them.”

Dave sat back and crossed his arms. “So what are you trying to tell us, Preston?”

“I had other motives for getting the genes, aside from helping Samantha and Erik. You see, I was the one who financed the GlobalLife Ag project in Greece all those years ago. When we discovered the alien remains, I could have technically taken them for myself. But I made an agreement with GlobalLife Genetics. I would give them the genes and in exchange they would provide their resources, in terms of scientists, laboratories, and so forth. This was of course with the condition that I would be involved in any research related to the genetic material.”

“So you’ve been involved in this since the beginning,” Dave said, “and you’re just sharing this now?”
 

“It had no relevance before. Now it does.”

Dave glanced over at Jack. “Continue, Preston.”

“At first, our partnership was going well. GlobalLife’s research on the genes discovered traits such as enhanced vision and telepathy. But they also found that the alien genes had curative properties. That’s why Samantha and Erik never get sick. I wanted GlobalLife to isolate those sections of the genes and help me create genetic vaccines. As you know, one of my companies is the largest manufacturer of vaccines in the world.”

“And GlobalLife didn’t like that idea?” Jack asked.

“They did at first, but then some of the Founders learned what the genes could do and they wanted the traits for themselves. Keep in mind that they had no idea that the genes were sourced from alien material. GlobalLife lied and told them they developed new genetic sequences that gave people these abilities. Anyway, the Founders wanted all the abilities, not just the illness prevention. Their interest brought additional funding to the project, and soon GlobalLife decided to reserve this technology for the Founders and other select individuals. By doing this, GlobalLife broke the agreement I had with them. But so many powerful people had signed on to the project that it was too late to change course. Promises were made and we couldn’t go back.”

Jack seemed impatient. “So what’s your plan, Preston?”

“I have to get the alien genes back. All of them. I can’t let GlobalLife have them in their possession. I can’t let them reserve this valuable material and technology for a select few. It’s outrageous! It belongs to everyone. Can you even imagine the benefits this could provide mankind? No more illness. No more pain and suffering. It could change the world.”

“And how does this involve us?” Dave asked.

“I was hoping to have Samantha and Erik use their abilities to help me get the genes.”

Dave jumped up. “You want to USE them? That’s why you helped them? You think they owe you now?”

“No. Just calm down, Dave. They owe me nothing. And I wasn’t going to involve them directly. I was only going to ask them to use their telepathy to find out what’s going on inside the GlobalLife Genetics facility in New York, where the remaining alien genes are stored. But my plan won’t work now because GlobalLife has installed the brain wave scrambling device throughout the entire building.”

Dave sat down again. “Your plan should have never involved them. They’re not your employees, Preston.”
 

Owens sighed. “I would think that getting the genes away from GlobalLife is a goal that we all share. I agree that it’s too risky to have Erik and Samantha involved, but I could use your help, Dave. And yours, Jack. I could use your computer skills to help me break open some GlobalLife files that I obtained. I think the location of the genes might be in those files. Once we discover where the genes are being stored within the GlobalLife facility, I’ll get my own people to retrieve them.”

Dave looked at Jack. “I don’t know. We need to talk it over.”

“Well, you think about it and let me know. But if you agree, I assure you that I can keep you safe. All of you. I have a house in New York where you could stay. I have a security team that would stay with you. And as soon as I locate the genes, your role is done.”

“I don’t understand this, Preston,” Dave said. “You’re one of the Founders. You’ve been trying to get investors for this enhanced genetics project for years. If you steal the genes back from GlobalLife, the Founders will be furious. And your reputation will be destroyed.”

“I’m working on both sides, Dave. Remember that. I need to stay the course and play along. The Founders assume that I know as much as they know. If the genes are stolen or the project fails, I won’t get the blame. GlobalLife will. And don’t worry about the Founders’ investments. They have plenty of money. Losing a few million won’t kill them.”

“Is that it?” Jack looked annoyed. “Is there anything else you need to tell us?”
 

“Yes, just one more thing.” He turned to Erik and me. “Samantha? Erik? I would like to invite you to stay at my house in Switzerland. Permanently. You would have the utmost security. You would have top scientists and physicians available to assist with any genetic issues that might occur as you get older. And you would have experts to update your software and—”

Jack stopped him. “You want these two to live at your house for the rest of their lives?”
 

“Yes. I’m offering them refuge. A place where they can live their lives in peace. They won’t have to keep running from GlobalLife. They’ll finally be safe. And their every need will be tended to.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Preston,” Jack said.
 

“Why don’t we let them speak.” Owens looked at us to respond.
 

Erik spoke first. “No, forget it. I don’t want to spend my life hidden away in some place in Switzerland.”
 

“I agree,” I said. “I’m not interested.”

Our answer seemed to anger Owens. With his money and power, I was sure he was used to getting his way. His speech became faster. “But it’s the only way you’ll be safe. Otherwise, you’ll always be running. You’ll always be in danger. And if something happens to your genes, you won’t have access to the proper medical care and technology.”

“Thank you for your offer, Preston, but we’ll have to decline,” Dave said. “Jack and I will get back to you about helping with those files.”

Owens stood up. “Very well, then. But Samantha, Erik. I do ask that you reconsider my offer. If you continue to run like you’ve been doing, it’s just a matter of time before GlobalLife captures the two of you.”

Jack stood up as well. “That’s not your concern, Preston.”

The comment seemed to anger Owens even more. He gave us a fake smile and went to get his coat. “Well, I’ll see all of you later then. Let me know when you’ve made a decision about the files.”

He left. Jack and Dave went to discuss what Owens had said. Erik and I went back to our rooms.

At dinner that night, nobody said a word. Everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts. Colin ate really fast, then excused himself. He’d been completely avoiding me since the procedure, and I hated it. I just wanted him to tell me what was going on with us. I knew he wouldn’t come talk to me, so I went to his room later. At first, he didn’t answer the door. I turned to leave just as it opened.
 

“Sam, do you need something?”

“I was just coming to talk. Were you busy?”

“I was sleeping. I haven’t slept the past few nights.”

“Oh. Well, I can come back later.”

“I’m up now. What do you need to talk about?”
 

Colin was distant again. The closeness we shared during my recovery from the procedure was now gone.

“Can I come in? I don’t want to talk in the hallway.”

He opened the door more to let me in. I went and sat on the bed. He sat in a chair on the other side of the room.
 

“First I just wanted to say thanks for being with me during the procedure. It meant a lot.”

“You’re welcome. But you already thanked me.”

Silence filled the room. He didn’t seem at all interested in having a conversation with me.

“I get that you don’t want to talk, Colin. And I’m not really sure what to say to you.” I felt nervous just as I had the other day. “But I guess I just thought that . . . well, it seemed like we were starting to get along better and—”