'Now!' The sprinter yells, glaring at her daughter and the shapeshifter.

Jenny rubs her eyes for the millionth time, her mouth still agape. How is this possible? I thought shapeshifters were a myth. Her eyes glow amber as she watches the shapeshifter step back. I wonder how composed his mind would be. She tries to read his mind but stops when her eyes begin to hurt. Why am I so bad in entering other people's minds? She scoffs in her head while rubbing her eyes.

You just need more practice. Tom replies as he transmutes into a middle-aged man. He glances at the astounded telepath. Oswald Popkin took twenty years in mastering telepathy and mind control, but in the end he was one of the world's most powerful telepaths.

Meanwhile, Amelia manages to drive her curious daughter back to her room. Why did he have to do that? She zaps to the stroller and takes it to the relieved telepath. Watching her eyes glimmer purple for a moment, she turns back to gaze at the shapeshifter who returns to his original self. 'Jenny, babysit your cousin till I come,' she says, her glaring eyes fixated on him. She nods and hums as she walks away with the stroller, her cousin still giggling. The sprinter steps closer to face the outsider, 'Why are you here?'

She flinches when Eliza steps out of the room. 'I'll terminate the lock mode,' The technician stutters, rubbing her cold hands. Brr, that was freezing cold. She watches the twins' mother glare at her uncle as she closes the door. 'What did he do now?'

Tom turns her head to face her, 'Nothing. She's just angry because I came back after a very long time.' She nods, 'Hmmm. Even I'm angry.' She glances at the sprinter, 'I'll join you in fifteen minutes. ' Her uncle notices something when she walks away. Fred contacted her. He muses when he sees her eyes glisten green for a second.

'Answer me,' Amelia demands. 'Tom,' A voice calls from the other end of the hallway. The sprinter steps sideways to see Anthony approaching. 'You knew about him?' She says, annoyed. 'It's a long story,' he says as he reaches the duo. He shifts his gaze to his brother, 'Follow me.' The sprinter stops him, 'Tony, let me handle him. I know how to get him talking.' The shapeshifter rolls his eyes. Yeah, right. 'I want to do this,' the physician replies. 'Okay,' she nods. 'I'm here if you need help.'

'Thanks,' Anthony says. The two friends turn to see the yawning shapeshifter stretch his hands. 'What?' he says, shrugging his shoulders. 'I've been working for the last seventy-two hours.' The sprinter mutters an indecipherable curse as she glares at him. The physician shakes his head in disappointment, 'This way.' He points to the other end of the hallway and treads in that direction.

Amelia stares at the unwanted guest who gazes at her son's door, 'What?'

'Nothing,' Tom says, shaking his head. 'At least answer his questions for your niece's sake,' she says when he faces her. 'Okay?' He nods and glances at his shoes as he follows his brother. Why did Fred contact her through telepathy?

...

Eliza strides down the wide hallway, glancing at the numbered doors on either side as she heads to the staircase, 'Why didn't he tell Jessie to notify me?' She rubs her forehead. 'My head was already throbbing before he called.' Fred's telepathic message flashes in her mind.

I need help in finding my book collection that I stored here. I'll be waiting near Room 6.

She walks past Room 1 when a biting wind howls across the hallway. 'Oh first, I'll terminate the lock mode.' She turns on her heels and enters the room while rubbing her hands. She heads to the station where Alexa worked earlier, her gaze falling on one of the screens.

'I wish I could remember what happened,' she sighs when she watches her dad and uncle walk across the hallway, the former clearly portraying vexation in his stride. She tries to organize the bits and pieces of fuzzy memories in her mind as she codes.

'Now, Justin can rest and recover easily,' The technician leans back as she watches three screens - each showing a portrait-door open into a well-lit staircase. She taps her earpiece, 'Jessie, please inform everyone that the gates are now open, and that they can return to their rooms.' 

A buzz brightens her haggard state. 'Notified,' her virtual assistant replies. 'So glad to have you back,' She says. 'Sorry, your mother's file went missing while it was being transferred. It will take a few days for me to retrieve it.'

'Oh,' Eliza says, straightening in her seat. 'It's okay. Many things have happened tonight,' She gazes at the clock before her. 'By when do you think you can find the file?'

'Three days,' Jessie replies. 'Minimum.' The technician nods, 'Okay. How's the guest doing?'

'He's currently standing in the hybrid room, a few meters away from his sister. He hasn't moved for quite some time.' The technician places her hands behind her head, 'He's still processing what happened.' She leans forward and glances at a corner screen that displays the interiors of Room 16. Once Jason and Carrie return, everything will be resolved.

'Eliza?' her assistant calls. 'Yup, I'm still here,' she says, straightening her posture. 'Please take care of the Manor tomorrow. All the important tasks-'

'I'll take care,' she answers. 'You all have gone through a lot today.'

'Thanks,' she taps her earpiece when it buzzes. The technician rubs her bare left wrist when she glances at the screen displaying the second floor hallway. So it was all done for me to meet you. She relaxes her tensed back as she shifts her glance to the atrium, recollecting her uncle's voice message.

'Eliza?' She turns back in her chair to see the old telepath at the door. 'Why were you taking so long?'

'Oh, Fred. I was-' She freezes. What?

I'm sorry, Elizabeth. He replies as he closes the door behind him. He snaps his fingers, causing the technician to black out. He sighs as he approaches her, 'I didn't want to do this.' He places the brown briefcase he carried, on the desk. He opens it and glances at the assorted vials and syringes placed inside.

'Don't worry. I will make sure it doesn't hurt.' He says, retrieving his gloves. He injects a yellow fluid into her right shoulder,' Now it won't hurt.' A weak grin appears across his face as he gazes at his slouched patient. 'Okay, you'll need to sit straight now.' Eliza straightens subconsciously in her seat when the telepath mutters something under his breath.

'This is for your own good,' he says, taking out a small pouch from his coat. He examines his patient as he places the pouch on the table, 'Okay'. Fred whimpers as he taps her forehead, 'Reveal.'

A wavy ribbon begins to emanate from her pale forehead as he steps back. The room glows blue as the elongating ribbon levitates. The telepath opens the bag as the end of the memory ribbon draws out of her. He inspects the hovering entity around him and taps the rim of his glasses, causing his eyes to look magnified through it.

He glances at the grey blanks between the adjoining blue pieces. It is for her benefit. He takes out a capsule and examines its strong, pink glow. He flits his gaze to the unconscious technician, 'This are Jason's memories from when he was eight years old.' He brings it closer to her. 'I know his past is different from yours but,' he pauses, taking another capsule from the bag. 'These memories can help me restore yours.' He shows the flickering blue capsule in front of her.

...

Anthony and Tom enter Room 15. 'Why do you need to take Carrie Smith?' The former asks, closing the door behind him. He glances at his brother who scans the room. 'Hello, Tom. How have you been? It's been a long time. Wait,' the shapeshifter faces him with a worried look. 'How did you escape?' He sighs in dismay and plops on the couch. 'First tell me, what is Grandma's mirror doing in a hybrid room?'

'What?' Anthony says, feigning confusion. How does he know? 'What are you talking about?'

'You know she threatened Jason to bring Liz to her.' Tom replies, rubbing his forehead. 'I thought you would have discarded the mirror years ago.'

'I had my reasons.' He says, looking away. Thanks for reminding me. The shapeshifter leans back, 'Okay, now why did you alter Liz's memories?'

'That's none of your concern,' He replies. 'Explain why you came here.' His brother stares at him for a moment, 'I came here for the patient. Her family doesn't know she's alive.'

'Tell me the truth.' Anthony says, leaning against the wall. 'Why are you here?'

'You know she's the President's daughter.' his brother replies. 'I know you guys didn't play a role in organizing the attack, but the President doesn't. So once they find out you saved Carrie, that and the evidence I've collected, will prove that Pearl Manor isn't behind the January attacks.'

'That's one reason. What's the other?' The shapeshifter grins, 'You asked for it.' He ponders for a moment, 'I think I know who's behind last year's attacks.' Anthony straightens, 'Who is it?'

'First tell me what you've discovered.' Tom says, 'I've seen you checking out the International Database and covertly trying to contact the ICJ*.'

'You've been spying on us for a year?' He says, baffled. 'That's not the point.' He replies, 'Now, it's important that you tell me what you've found.'

Ping!

Anthony taps his wristband as he glances at the shapeshifter. He sighs as the screen buffers, 'I found a few black scars on the back of Carrie's neck.'

'Like this one?' His brother asks, showing the mark on his left wrist. He nods, 'She wasn't abused physically-'

'But her mind was disoriented.' The shapeshifter replies. The physician reads the notification that finally appears on the screen, 'We have to go upstairs.' He glances at his brother, 'Eliza's calling a family meeting.' Tom nods, deep in thought. Those people were present when I arrived, so there I'm right. And tonight, the person I saw- He halts his train of thoughts when he sees his younger brother head out of the room. 'Where are you going?' He says, rushing out of the room.

'Eliza wants us all to assemble in the atrium,' His brother replies when he catches up to him. He checks his watch, 'Won't everyone be asleep by now?' He yawns as the clock beeps 12.48. 'Everyone's wide awake thanks to you,' The physician replies as he climbs the staircase.

The Banks brothers step out of the portrait door gate, the younger one checking his wristband. 'What?' Tom says, staring at the portrait before him. His brother stops, tracing his gaze to the family photo. 'No wonder she doesn't remember me,' He scoffs when he gazes at the family of three flashing marshmallows over the campfire. The physician sighs as he heads to the atrium. 'Not even one photo of mine is here,' he says, inspecting the gallery wall before him.

'You coming?' His brother calls from the end of the hallway. 'Yup,' he answers and heads away with a sagging head.

Eliza stands in the hub of the atrium, waiting for her fellow residents to arrive. Mark, the first to come, glances over his shoulder to see his old mentor, 'Hey-' He pauses when he views the unwanted visitor approaching. 'Did I miss anything?' Anthony says, glancing at the physician. 'No,' He replies, glancing at Tom and then at him. 'Eliza was waiting for the rest of the family to arrive.'

'Now that everyone's here,' The owner says with a hint of excitement in her tone. 'I wanted to tell you guys, that we have guests who will be living with us for the next few days.' She taps her new wristband, causing a large screen to materialize behind her. She steps away for everyone to see the screen, 'This is Jason and his older sister, Carrie.' Everyone moves closer to the two figures on the hologram. 'They will leave after their treatment is done.'

'Do they have powers like us?' Morgan chimes in. 'I don't know about Carrie,' She replies, looking at the screen, 'but Jason does have a minor ability.' She turns to see her uncle in the group. 'Ah, and all of you would have met him by now,' she points to him. 'And since you all know him, I won't waste time in introducing him,' she ends with a soft giggle.

Something's off. The Banks brothers realize as the owner of the manor steps forward. 'Now you can return to your original rooms. I've cleared tomorrow's tasks so that you can take a day off. I'll explain what happened tonight once we're all refreshed and energized.'

Everyone nods, exhausted, and head to their rooms. 'Anthony,' Amelia calls, approaching him. 'Can you check Justin? He caught a nasty cold this time.' The physician glances at his daughter who turns back, 'Let's-'

'Wait,' Mark says, noticing his senior's behavior. 'I'll check Justin. He has to check on the new patients.' The sprinter glances at the junior physician, 'Then please come.' She zaps away, leaving a gust of wind in her place. Mark glances at his mentor with concern but refrains from saying anything. He nods as he walks away.

Meanwhile Tom notices Fred keeping an eye on his niece. He steps forward but stops when he receives a call. I did say that Jason's here. He muses, reading the caller id. And I told them not to call when I'm inside. He picks up the call. 'Inform the Owner that the President will be late by half hour,' Laura says over the phone.

'What?' The shapeshifter says, baffled by the unexpected disclosure. 'With traffic it might take us longer to arrive but we'll make it by 9.30 tomorrow,' The Chief of Staff says. 'She's coming here?' he replies. 'Yes, the Owner herself called,' she says. 'Her name's Elizabeth Banks, right?'

Tom's eyes widen. She couldn't have contacted her. She was with me until- He turns back to see his niece and the telepath gone. 'I'll call you back later with the confirmation. Don't do anything till then.' He hangs up the call and rushes to Anthony who taps his wristband, 'Where's Liz?'

'She's gone upstairs to her room-' They both look up when they hear a loud thud. 'That's from her room,' he says and sprints to the staircase. His brother follows, tapping his wristband. 'I think Fred did something to her.' The shapeshifter says as he rushes to his niece's room. 'Why do you think he did-' the physician pauses when he hears banging sounds from Eliza's room.

'Liz, open the door,' The shapeshifter says, trying to unlock her door. Anthony swipes his card hurriedly on the card lock. 'ACCESS DENIED,' The voice announces. 'I don't want anyone to come in!' They hear her coughing inside. 'Eliza, it's Dad,' he says as his brother pulls out a long, slim device from his coat.

'Step back,' Tom says, when he attaches the device to the card lock. Anthony's eyes widen as he identifies the device, 'Are you craz-' The card lock blasts, opening the door. 'Liz,' her uncle calls as he enters. The physician follows his brother in, 'Eliza!'

'Step back!' She says, wrapped in her blanket, terrified. 'First calm down,' Tom says in a calmer tone. 'Get out,' She says. 'Please.' She trips as she gets off her bed and falls on the carpeted floor. His brother's eyes widen when he views a long, spiky tail sticking out of the blanket.

The unstable technician drapes herself completely with her blanket.'Please get out,' she stutters. Tom glances at his petrified brother and then at his even more petrified niece. He steps closer, 'Liz, it's okay.' He stops when he hears a gruntle coming from the blanket.

'Close the door,' The shapeshifter whispers, realizing what's happening. 'And don't make any sound.' He looks back at his immobile brother, 'Do it.' Anthony nods and slowly closes the door. How is this happening? He turns to see him staring at the jiggling blanket. 'Now, no matter what,' His older brother glances at him through the pair of glasses he just put on. 'Don't scream.'

* ICJ - International Corporation of Justice