He fumbled with the lock, swiping his key card until the light turned green and the door clicked open.He pushed inside in seconds, his gaze never leaving his brother.He couldn’t look away.
“Garrett, it’s me.It’s Franklin.”
Garrett didn’t move.His eyes were dull and unfocused.His gaze stopped on Franklin for a moment, but there was no recognition in them.
Franklin’s heart shattered.
“Garrett, please.Look at me.It’s your brother.”He took a step forward, his hands raised in a gesture he hoped was reassuring.
Garrett flinched away, pressing harder against the wall.A low sound escaped his throat—not quite a growl, but Franklin suspected it would turn into one if he pushed.
“No, no, it’s okay,” he said quickly, keeping his voice soft.“I’m not going to hurt you.I promise.I’m here to get you out.”
Garrett wasn’t listening.His gaze darted around the cell, looking everywhere except at Franklin.It was as if he couldn’t see him at all, or worse, as if Franklin was just another threat.
Franklin felt tears burn his eyes.He’d known it would be bad.He’d prepared himself for the worst, or so he’d thought.Nothing could have prepared him for seeing his brother so lost and destroyed by what they’d done to him.
Before he could try again, footsteps echoed in the hallway outside.Franklin’s head snapped toward the door, his body tensing.Someone was coming.
A man in a white lab coat appeared in the doorway, his eyes widening when he saw Franklin.“What the hell are you doing in here?”
Franklin didn’t answer.He moved quickly, putting himself between the scientist and Garrett.
The scientist’s expression turned from shock to calculation, probably because Franklin was set to protect Garrett even though he wore a guard’s uniform.His hand moved to his pocket, and Franklin saw the glint of something metal.
“You’re one of them, aren’t you?”the scientist said.“One of the mutants.”
He didn’t wait for an answer.He lunged forward, the syringe in his hand aimed at Franklin’s neck.Franklin dodged to the side, barely avoiding the needle.The scientist was faster than he looked, already moving to strike again.Franklin grabbed the man’s wrist, struggling to keep the syringe away from his body.
“Let go!”the scientist snarled, trying to pull his arm free.
Franklin held on.He wasn’t a fighter, but he wasn’t about to let this man hurt him when Garrett was right there, watching with those terrified eyes.
The scientist kicked out, catching Franklin in the shin.Pain shot through his leg, and his grip loosened.The scientist used the advantage to shove Franklin back, sending him stumbling into the wall.
Franklin’s head hit the concrete, and stars burst across his vision.He slid to the floor as the scientist advanced on him again.
“You shouldn’t have come in,” the scientist said, raising the syringe.
Franklin braced himself, but the blow never came.Instead, there was a blur of movement, and suddenly the scientist was on the ground, clutching his arm and screaming, the syringe a few feet away.
Franklin blinked, trying to clear his vision.Garrett was standing over the scientist, panting, his hands clenched into fists.His gaze met Franklin’s.There was still no recognition in it, but there was something else that told Franklin that Garrett would protect him, no matter what.
“Garrett,” Franklin whispered.
Garrett’s gaze went blank again, and he retreated back to his corner, curling in on himself as if trying to disappear.
Franklin pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the throbbing in his head.He stepped over the groaning scientist and moved toward Garrett carefully.
“It’s okay,” he said softly.“I’m going to get you out of here.I promise.”
Garrett didn’t respond, but he didn’t flinch away this time.It was a small victory, but Franklin would take it.
He heard more footsteps in the hallway, and he hoped it was the mutants because he didn’t think he could fight, considering the throbbing in his head.Moore appeared a moment later, his expression grim.He took in the scene in the cell, from the unconscious scientist to Franklin’s state, to Garrett huddled in the corner.
“Can he walk?”Moore sked.
Franklin looked at his brother.“I don’t know.”Maybe the most important question was whether or not Garrett wouldwantto walk.
