Burning Flames

Cards Down

Anton did his best not to laugh maniacally. The stranger who just revealed his name to be Rafael just stood there with his hand still stretched. Audrey busied herself with the vast empty room staring at nothing yet looking at everywhere. She was fully aware of the man waiting for her response and she was content acting like he wasn't till he didn't anymore. It was just painful watching him stand there looking lost in his big empty room.

Rafael managed a smile that cracked around the edges. The smile didn't last. He switched his attention to Anton.

"Anton. To what do I owe this visit?" He asked looking sincerely clueless as to their reason for being there.

Anton had been in contact with him for a decade and he hadn't for once disclosed his name. The stranger had been satisfied staying a stranger. He didn't even care if Anton trusted him or not. Besides, Anton didn't have a choice. And now, he just saw Audrey and he was offering his name on a golden platter.

"I thought you're supposed to be clairvoyant or something." Anton winked. He was enjoying this. For once this Rafael wasn't in control.

Rafael sidestepped. "That's not how it works." His voice was flat.

"How does it work then?"

"Why are you here?" The irritation was evident.

Anton took a long breath and then went on to recounter what he had seen while tailing Audrey. He ended his story and they both looked at Audrey waiting for her part but it didn't come. She didn't feel like talking about it with Anton. She wasn't talking about it with Anton and the blue-red-eyed creep.

"So?" Rafael asked gesturing for her to say her part.

She nodded her defiance.

Rafael paced a bit taking time to digest what he had just heard. It was about time the humans knew what happened. It was time to let his cards down. Some of them perhaps.

"The lab in Cloverton worked on several experiments. Some of them are top secret. Their goal was to advance human evolution in a couple of steps. Imagine if humans could unlock amazing potential. If they could cross the limits. The boundaries." He paused waiting for his words to sink in.

"Like every experiment, there were a couple of failures."

"Let me guess. The monsters." Anton said with certainty.

"Yeah. They called them Aberro. Or Deviants. These creatures were faster than humans and obviously stronger too. They could heal and regenerate lost parts rapidly. The only downside was the rage and lack of control. They destroyed everything in their path. So they had to be contained. And they were."

"Until they weren't," Anton said with a grimace. It was hard for him to hear all this had happened to them because some scientists wanted to play God. He cast a quick worried look at Audrey. Hearing about the lab and the scientists being the cause for her life turning upside down must be hard on her. He knew why. Audrey stared on expressionless. She wouldn't let anything slip. Anton focused back on Rafael.

"There was an accident in the lab. Mistakes happen."

Rafael watched Audrey trying to weigh her but she kept he expression blank. She was a mystery to him and he didn't like mysteries since the concept of a mystery was as alien to him as the feeling of vulnerability that he had just felt courtesy of her presence there.

"Can I know who you are?" he asked unable to hold it in anymore.

"f**k off!"