[chapter 23. Mutation Complete]
In the heat of the moment, Selena was abruptly yanked away from the dangerous fire by a firm yet gentle hand. The hand belonged to Hayate, a familiar figure to her, and she immediately sought refuge in his chest as he pulled her closer. The sound of his heartbeat and the warmth of his embrace brought her comfort and security.
Hayate's voice resounded like a hymn of comfort, his words a balm to her shaken spirit as he tenderly consoled her with gentle pats upon her back. Selena, overcome with emotion, clung to him like a lifeline, the warm stream of tears cascading down her cheeks in concert with the ferocious inferno that raged on behind them. Hayate led her away from the danger, ensuring she was safe and protected.
As they reached a safer location, Hayate stood in front of Selena, shielding her from the heat of the fire with his broad frame. The firefight men were in control of the situation, putting out the fire as best they could, while Hayate kept his focus on Selena.
Her breathing was starting to calm down, and the fear in her eyes was beginning to fade. Hayate's hand reached out to wipe away the tears from her cheek, and he looked down at her with a tender gaze.
"It's okay, moon," he said softly. "I've got you."
"I thought I lo-lost you," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the crackling of the raging fire. Tears streamed down her face as she looked into Hayate's eyes, digging for comfort and reassurance. Hayate's smile was bittersweet, a symbol of the bond they shared and the dangers they had faced together.
Despite their years of training as skilled fighters capable of taking bullets, punches, and kicks, the thought of losing each other still caused their hearts to ache with worry.
It was a mutual understanding between them, a shared fear that defied the resilience they showed to the world. Hayate's hand on her back was a comfort, grounding her in the moment and reminding her that he was there for her, just as she was there for him.
"Who are you," a voice broke their hug as Hayate tensed.
Oh fuck, I am dead meat.
He let out a nervous chuckle, his eyes darting between the seething Wilson and her.
"Call a doctor." Theodore's voice was sharp and commanding, like a whip cracking. He had yelled at Wilson to call for a doctor, his concern for his daughter's well-being taking priority over his frustration with her actions. As Wilson hurried to follow the instructions, Theodore turned his attention to the girl's burns, his heart heavy with worry.
He looked at the hard drives lying on the side table and scowled, his anger rising. "You stupid girl," he muttered under his breath. "Were they worth risking your life?"
Samuel watched the scene unfold, frozen in place. He had never seen his father so upset, and Selena's condition only added to the tension in the room.
His gaze was fixed on Selena's scorched hand, the sight of which sent a wave of concern coursing through him. The thought of her potentially suffering from second-degree burns made his stomach churn with unease.
Theodore's words hit him like a ton of bricks, and he lowered his head, biting his lip as he struggled to hold back his emotions. His eyes grew glossy. No one knew what went through his mind.
Why did she bring my thesis at the risk of her life?
Liliana gazed at her daughter with concern etched on her face. Selena sat motionless, her eyes staring blankly ahead. Nor a flinch of pain or discomfort showed on her face despite the deep burns covering her hands. Liliana's heart ached as she noticed the skin, the blistering wounds that would no doubt cause her daughter immense agony.
She reached out, gently placing a hand on Selena's chin, lifting it as their eyes met. "Please tell me, sweety, are you okay," Liliana implored, her voice a whisper.
But Selena just looked away, her gaze fixed on something in the distance- something that Liliana couldn't see. The emptiness in her eyes was frightening. "Are you in pain?"
But Selena just shook her head, her eyes still distant and unseeing. Liliana couldn't help but wonder how much she was hiding, how much she was trying to keep hidden from those she loved.
This fact made Theodore's heart clench. What did she mean by that she did not feel pain?
Hayate looked around; his jaw clenched. "Sit down," he told her, watching her rest on the couch as the footsteps of people echoed. The doctor and his team had arrived.
The worried faces of Liliana and Hayate loomed over Selena as the doctor began his examination. Theodore stood off to the side- his arms crossed over his chest; his eyes dark with concern. As the doctor worked, the room was silent except for the occasional instructions he gave to his team.
Suddenly, the doctor's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "I don't understand," he muttered, examining Selena's hands closely. "These should be second-degree burns, yet there's no sign of pain, and the skin is regenerating."
Everyone in the room exchanged worried glances, their thoughts turning to the same conclusion - something was very wrong. Hayate's fist tightened, a silent promise that he would protect her no matter what. If they thought anything awful about her- he would take her away.
As the doctor wrapped up his examination and left the room, Theodore approached Selena, and his expression softened. "What happened to you?" he asked, the fear evident in his voice.
Selena shook her head, her eyes downcast. "I don't know," she whispered, her voice filled with sadness and confusion.
----
[flashback]
The little girl was trapped, her fear palpable as she fought against the cold metal cuffs that held her in place. Her muffled cries filled the dimly lit room, a harsh contrast to the bright ring of light shining down from above her bed.
"Umm," her muffled cries got buried with her hope.
Doctors bustled in and out, administering various chemicals through her skin with quick, practiced movements.
A man dressed in white brought a syringe and administered a blue-colored liquid into her veins.
The girl's heart rate began to spike as the chemicals started to take effect, and the doctors watched with mounting concern as her vital signs fluctuated wildly.
"Note: Chemical delta is beginning to mutate," one of them called out, their voice tense.
As the chemical delta started to mutate within the little girl's body, her vitals started fluctuating rapidly. Her heart rate spiked, and her breathing became labored. The doctors frantically monitored her vital signs and worked quickly to stabilize her.
The girl's body convulsed as the unknown substance coursed through her veins, causing her to thrash against the metal cuffs that bound her to the hospital bed. A scream ripped through her throat.
Her body went in shock.
A panic stormed through the team as they frantically looked at her charts, administrating more chemicals. Her body was not responding.
"Her heart is flat lining," one of them hissed in panic.
With swift precision, they administered an electrical shock to restart her heart, watching in relief as her chest rose and fell with steady breaths again.
"Patient levels are still spiking," another doctor added, their eyes fixed on the monitoring equipment. The girl's heart rate was dropping rapidly, and the doctors worked quickly to try and stabilize her. They administered shocks to her heart to revive her, their movements frenzied as they fought to keep her alive.
Finally, a doctor said in a shaky voice, "Chemical delta has mixed throughout the patient's bloodstream. Levels are now normal." Relief flooded the room as the girl's heart rate stabilized and her breathing became steady.
The doctor's group was in disbelief, their jaws agape as they struggled to process what they had just seen. It was nothing short of a miracle, and the man in white couldn't contain his excitement. Despite the surgical mask covering his face, the manic grin was palpable, stretching ear to ear as the corners of his mouth rose higher and higher.
His hazel eyes were alight with mania, shining like diamonds as the thrill took hold of him.
"Mutation complete."
"I have got you my perfect doll."
----
"Who are you?" Garold had just entered the room, his confusion evident as he saw the presence of an unknown boy. His eyes traveled to the medicated hand of the young miss.
His chest tightened at the sight, and Wilson averted his eyes, muttering that he would brief Garold on the matter later. Wilson approached the chairman with purposeful steps and reported, "No one got injured from the left wing- everyone evacuated safely."
A sigh of relief left Liliana. "Thank God," she whispered.
Maxim tended to his sister's hand, placing a cool towel over her injury. All the while casting a distrustful gaze toward the unknown boy. Questions swirled in his mind as he tried to make sense of the situation. Who was this stranger, and how did he end up in their estate? Why was his sister so drawn to him, clinging to his side?
Maxim's protective instincts kicked in as he observed the dynamic between the two. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about this stranger and his sudden appearance.
Maxim made a mental note of every detail, every gesture and expression. He was on high alert, ready to act if necessary. Was he the big brother?
Garold's gaze sharpened as he noticed a Yakuza tattoo peeking beneath Hayate's collar. He was all too familiar with the dangers around the infamous Japanese organized crime syndicate. His mind raced as he considered the implications of Hayate's association with the Yakuza.
Garold's protective instincts kicked into overdrive as he studied Hayate, trying to gauge any signs of threat. After the military, being a bodyguard became second nature.
"Who are you, boy," this time, Theodore Mariano asked, his voice exhorting.
The boy's jet-black hair was styled in a messy, wind-swept manner as if he didn't have a care in the world. His obsidian eyes, sharp and piercing, were surrounded by thick, dark eyebrows. A smirk played on his full lips.
As he stood up, he ran a hand through his hair, a gesture that was both casual and calculated. Carrying a sly smile, Hayate stepped forward and said, "Hello, I am Hayate."
~~~~
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