Quinn POV

"How big is the dent we put in your plans? Hopefully, you can't come back from it." I sniffed the leaks depressing from my nose. With Gemma saving the wolf boy from misery executing their grand escape from this laboratory torture chamber, I'm stuck here with the mad scientist, aka the dummy, who raised us. It was necessary for me to understand his reasoning, so I couldn't go.

John held his hands aloft with a lackadaisical expression. "Son, I didn't mean to hurt you or your sister."

It must be comedy hour. "Open your eyes and look around - you screwed this entire family." I aim my Glock two seconds from calling him a sperm donor. Ludicrous to believe he's the same guy who raised me. The individual I aspired to be, my role model. A man asserts his emotions through action, not tears, but my eyelids burn, trying my best to suppress it. Was it his motive in the beginning to decrease my devastation so he doesn't face the guilt? Twice, I lived through a broken heart, but this pain punched its way through a dimension into my gut.

"This wasn't supposed to happen."

I clicked the gun, less to say, wiping my nose with my shoulder. "Bull. You knew what you were doing. For Gawd's sake, man, we trusted you. Have we been living a lie? Tell me the truth."

"It's a part of the job to discover new things. You comprehend that much?"

Of course, he neglects the question. I press the pistole against his chest. "The thing I perceive, you, sir, are a pathological liar and a psychotic psychopath. You need help." I've wanted nothing more right now than to hurt him. Force him to dive into what I'm holding in by knocking his brains out. The sirens reached the company as I danced backward to glance out the window, observing the Swat team rushing through the gates while still aiming at John.

"Quinn, you must leave before they take you into custody."

I peered at him with the WTF face. "Late to be a dad, huh?" I pursued out the glass again to see if they had entered the building. There's no way I can pass them. A tap on my shoulder compelled me to snatch away, pointing the pistol as he maintained his hands in the air.

"I'm serious. You need to leave. I may have done something incorrigible in your eyes. Still, I am your father, and I want you and Gemma safe."

"Wow. I'm flabbergasted. Must be tiring up there." I tapped my brain to point out his. "Fine, what's the plan?" I examine the chief coordinating his team to surround the building. "I swear if I don't make it out of here. You will reach heaven before Grandma." I reconsidered. "Never mind." They won't accept him.

John nodded. "Fair. I intend to detonate a bomb as a diversion, but before I do." He pointed towards an incubator. "Can I?" He inches closer to it, and I swayed the gun, giving him the okay. "I need you to take this portable case. Police arrival prompts investigation. We can't expose our research to the public. Do not open it." He pats the top.

"Now it makes sense. I'm your getaway driver. The f'd up crap you've been doing, it doesn't bother you?"

"Call it how you see it, but it took me years of exploration to allow my spoiled kids to ruin it."

"You are a piece of work. Give me the damn case." I snatched it away.

"Careful, those are important specimens." I eyed him as he brushed it off with his chest out and a stern eye. "When it explodes, that's your cue. Head to the rear of the building. Here's my coworker's key card. Use it, nothing else." He handed it to me, and I read David Christian. He could be a good man. "I won't ask how you got this. Gawd," I shoved it in my back pocket.

"Be honest with yourself. This discovery. Would you let it slip away?"

"The obsession is understandable, but responsibility was lacking. Now she is with the abominable snow bear."

"Passion fuels relentless pursuit. I don't expect you to understand."

I nodded my head in realization. "She does. That's the best quality hobbit received from you." He clenched his jaw, then placed the key card in my hand. "See you around, pops." I dipped out, hopping over chairs and office debris through the white halls, checking my surroundings. Damn, he unleashed havoc in this place. The cellar in my jeans fluttered. I tug it out, seeing Rudy's name flash on the screen. Now is not the time, man. Must be worried. I stepped behind a wall overlooking the lobby.

"What's good?"

"Hey, anything new?" It's Ava. I looked at the industrial ceiling, searching for the words. "They're safe, but the hobbit ghosted me. Unclear where she is." The line is silent.

"Do you think they are hiding?" Rudy mentioned this time. Doors burst open through the foyer as I glanced over the balcony, watching the swat team storm in full gear. Ugh, my luck. They head to the stairs, masking behind bullet-proof shields. I ducked into a vacant laboratory with flickering lights.

"It is possible that's Boras' plan." A loud bang erupted, rattling the dust into the room. I held my ears, for christ's sake. But my signal. "I'll call you guys with an update. Don't worry. Later." I ended the line, racing towards the building's rear from the police. I reached outside, ducking out of sight until I got to the van, but cops were searching it with flashlights. Come on! Think.

A lumber construction site is accessible through the emergency gate. Hopefully, the alarm isn't functioning. Old man, I expect this to run smoothly. With discreetness, I arrived at the fence line, stretching out to open the latch and not a bird singing. You're good for something. I disappear into the black trees, praying a mountain lion doesn't eat me alive. How am I getting back to Telluride? It's nineteen hours away on foot.

I advance on a car free roadway, weary as I scan the expanse from one end to the other. Walking, I guess, I slouched over to catch my breath.

Thirty minutes pass as I wander along the shoulder of a dark lane with only the moon to keep me company. Either the chilled or an animal threatens my safety. This briefcase is wearing my arm. I wonder what's important. I glanced around and squatted, placing it on the ground, popping it open as the crisp smoke hovered over my face. It's a multitude of DNA samples, and ninety-eight percent of them say Bora, spotting my sister's name in the bunch. This sick piece of he got a sample from her? My blood boils, and the heat of my body overpowers the frigid weather.

I'm reflecting on my life that led me to this peak event. Our parents were nothing more but a stranger on the sidewalk. My phone buzzed again. Mom flashes across the screen. I closed my eyes and pursed my lips together, at war with my outrage. You got nowhere yelling before - I sniffed while answering. "Yeah," came out of my mouth.

"Thank God. Where are you? I've been calling everyone, and no one is responding. Gemma hasn't texted since yesterday evening." Her concern irritated my soul. I couldn't help but go straight to the point.

"Did you know?" I kept myself reserved. The lapse in the speaker is everything I needed to learn.

"Aware of what?" She resonates, shakiness.

"That your husband is an f-" I caught myself. "Boras abilities?" I resisted instead, and the call went silent. I seized the phone and squeezed it, searching the sky for an explanation for the pain it bore on me. The tears slipped, freezing my cheek. Then, I brought it back to my ear.

"You guys are the perfect match for each other."

"I told your father to leave him alone. We agreed on it. Oh, heavens. What happened? Is Gemma okay?"

"Beats me, Gwen. A creature manipulated her. She might be endangered. No telling what experiments Dad did. And it's very possible Bora isn't in his right frame of mind. He ain't twelve anymore. He is this overgrown weather beast. So good job, you two; you have promoted yourselves to deadbeat parents." I stuffed the device in my pocket. She blew up my line, but I ignored it, hitchhiking for Telluride.

She's dead. It's been a week, and no sign of her, as I linger at a standstill, in tremor. Gwen impacts with a million voicemails of apologies, but I haven't bothered to answer. I had to switch rooms to avoid the harassment. The worst outcome flashes through my mind, hoping there's a body to bury at least. I lay in bed with a heavy heart and a heedless mood. My phone vibrated. I snagged it, seeing Grandma name lights the screen, the only person to trust now.

"Hey, Mama B. I have to tell you something. It's your granddaughter."

"Good, then maybe you can explain why she is sleeping on my couch, unresponsive?"

My eyes bucked as I soared. My man! He didn't eat her. "Gemma is with you?" Bora took her there. Dang, I should have checked in, but grandma is sick as there is no need to worry her.

"What do you mean, she's with me? You didn't know?"

I scratch my head. "Of course, I got confused." I subsided, switching the conversation. "So, how is she?"

"The caregiver forces feeding her, but nothing to grow enthusiastic over - it's far below the daily intake. What's wrong with her?"

"May I talk to her?" I bite my nail. If he hurt her, I couldn't do anything. He'll bear grenades if possible. She picked a boyfriend no one would win against.

"Sure. I'll get the nurse."

The connection remained silent as I delayed a response. Then, feeble breaths blew into the line. "Sis?" I called, and she cracked on the other end. "What's wrong?" She choked up to talk, but I couldn't follow her brief words.

"He's gone, Quinn." Her speech is getting denser by the second.

"Wait, Gemma, I didn't understand you."

"Bora is dead." She wailed, and a loud thud sounded, declining to muzzles.

"Hello," another voice answers. "I'm sorry for your loss." The nurse said, but I spoke over her.

"Tell her I am on my way. Let me speak to Grandma, please, and thank you for your help."

"Who died?" Heartache and trouble were evident in her words.

I ignored it to tackle the issue. "Make sure you don't call mom and dad okay?"

"I left them a voicemail an hour ago."

"Damn it!"

"Quinn Dwayne Woods. You're not too old for soap."

"My fault, Mama B, I'm catching the next flight out. See you soon." I hung up, not bothering to pack, bolting for the airport. By luck, Gwen shows up alone, but I doubt it. John's sneaky buck may plot experiments to evaluate Gemma to decide if she's carrying the wolf DNA. Unpleasant thoughts, but the prospects can't be ignored. I need to reach her before our parents do.