Prologue

My life has never been anything, especially not simple. For as long as I can remember, I've always been the one no body noticed. It seemed like everyone else eventually made something of themselves, or managed to get spotted by other people. Not me.

For the longest time, I had thought maybe I had actually mastered the power of invisibility, but it turns out that wasn't my skill. After the day I learned that, I became noticeable...But to people I much rather would have never known about...


Chapter One: Latchkey Kid

Kenneth walked down the halls of the high school, his eyes fixed solely on the ground as he moved pass the massive herd of other teenagers, unnoticed. One brushed his arm as they walked by each other, neither flinched. Kenneth looked up for a brief moment, checking to see which of his fellow classmates had made unnoticed contact with him: Zeke, the quarterback.

Zeke was the kind of guy that most of the freaks, a group Kenneth should have been in but didn't seem to fit into, feared. Dealing out random hazings, beatings, and humiliations to anyone who so much as looked at his wrong. Of course, Kenneth seemed to be immune to all this. Kenneth wondered if he could actually slap the S-O-B and if anything would happen.

Probably, that would be enough to get him noticed...If not killed. As much as he hated being a perpetual outsider, not fitting in to any groups, there was also a certain kind of good feeling to it. No connections, no worries...But also no friends or companions. It was a fair trade, he supposed.

The bell rang out, as Kenneth ducked into the guy's bathroom. He waited a few minutes, before he left the washroom and walked down the hallway towards the library. Kenneth grabbed a book off the shelve, before he collapsed into one of the old pink chairs that adorned the library. Something was different about all this, he thought as he looked up from the book and saw someone standing in front of him.

The man was dressed like a teacher, worse a principal, but that wasn't him. Kenneth looked at the man's brown suit for a moment, before taking another look at his face. The man's horn-rimmed glasses made him stick out even more.

"Hello, Kenneth." The man said, as Kenneth leaned back anxiously in his seat.

"You know me?" Kenneth asked.

The man smiled, as the library door opened and a black man entered in a loose collared shirt.

"Where's Miss Conolley?" Kenneth asked, looking to the empty librarian desk.

"My friend there made sure she wouldn't be a problem, I wanted to talk to you without being disturbed." The man said, as he looked over at the Haitian and nodded.

"I know all about you Kenneth, well almost all about you. I know that you're special, like my friend over there. The problem is, I don't know how you're special. We haven't be able to figure that part out yet...And something makes me thing you haven't figured it out either. We'd like to help." The man said, as he knelt down to be able to look Kenneth in the face.

"What are you talking about?" Kenneth asked.

The man smiled.

"That's what I thought. Usually, we don't speak to our subjects...But, this is a special case considering your age, Kenneth. Now, I'm going to ask if you'll come with us and we'll help you develop your potential...Willingly, or not?" The man asked, as the Haitian walked over and stood beside him.

Kenneth said nothing, as everything got hazy and he blacked out...

Chapter Two: All That You Can Be

Life never really works out the way one plans it. Too many random chances, things that come out of nowhere. It's funny actually, to an extent. A person who spent their life terrified that the world is on the verge of a global epidemic, is actually hit by a bus and killed. So while they spent their life worrying over the smallest possibility, they neglected the other potential dangers out there in the world.

My life was like that, blissfully ignorant of the true dangers that crept in the darkness or around the corner. But after one faithful day, all that changed.

*****

Kenneth woke up, strapped to a table as he glanced nervously around the room. He noticed the Haitian fellow standing in the corner, staring at him intensely. He looked around some more, wondering if that mysterious man with the horn-rimmed glasses was there as well. A door opened in the background, Kenneth tried to lift his head but found it was strapped down as well.

"And how are you feeling today?" An unfamiliar voice said, as a man in a white lab coat walked towards him.

"I'm Doctor Aaronson, and I'm here to help you find out a few things about yourself." Aaronson said, as he took out a clipboard from a nearby dresser and began writing down some information from a screen near Kenneth's bed.

"What's going on?" Kenneth asked.

"We're just running some simple tests." Aaronson answered, not even looking up from the board. It was as if he'd been asked that question a hundred times before.

Kenneth wanted to ask more, but he knew he probably wouldn't get any answers out of the doctor.

"Where the man who brought me here?" Kenneth asked, after debating whether or not to speak again.

"Mr. Bennet isn't in right now; family emergency. But he is most interested in seeing what you can do Kenneth, we all are." Aaronson answered, before he set the chart down and walked towards the Haitian.

"Make sure he's comfortable. He shouldn't be a threat to anyone." Aaronson said, as the Haitian nodded and he left the room.

*******

Kenneth had blacked out again; something to do with that Haitian fellow, he thought. Either that, or they're drugging me heavily. Kenneth looked around the room, or what he could see of it since he was still strapped down, when he heard the door open again. A figure slowly walked into sight, the light bouncing off the man's glasses.

"Bennet?" Kenneth asked.

"Seems someone's been dropping names around here. I'll have to speak with them about that." Bennet said, as he pulled a chair over to the bed and sat down.

"Are the straps bothering you?" Bennet asked, as he looked over at Kenneth.

"A little." Kenneth replied.

Bennet stood up as he undid the straps and let Kenneth sit up.

"Thanks." Kenneth said, as he rubbed his neck and glanced around the strange blue-lit room.

"Don't mention it." Bennet replied, as he leaned back in his chair.

"Why am I here?" Kenneth asked, as he stretched his legs then allowed them to dangle off the bed.

"I've told you, you're special." Bennet answered.

"How?" Kenneth asked.

Bennet took a deep breath then looked directly at Kenneth.

"Quite uniquely, actually. No doubt Kenneth, you've thought of yourself as invisible. A perpetual outcast who seems to be more of an observer in life than a participant." Bennet replied, as Kenneth nodded along to what he was saying.

"To an extent, you're actually right. Not about the invisible part, which isn't as fun as it sounds..." Bennet said, a certain tone in his voice expressing some regret, before he started up again.

"But you seem to be able to project a certain mind frame onto the people around you." Bennet replied.

"What do you mean, mind frame?" Kenneth asked.

"All the years in high school, you thought you just didn't want to be seen by the bullies, the jocks...Everyone else who was a threat to you. This thought, to put it simply, actually came true." Bennet replied.

"So, how is that not invisibility?" Kenneth asked.

Bennet smiled for a moment, as he adjusted his tie.

"Because you can do so much more than that. Hypothetically speaking, you can make people feel what you want them to feel. So, you weren't so much invisible as...Insignificant to those who saw you. You projected the feeling that you weren't worth the time bothering, that you weren't there to be bothered. And because of that, you essentially made everyone indifferent to you." Bennet answered.

"So...What else could this do?" Kenneth asked.

"This? We prefer to call it a gift around here...We're not sure. I'd imagine if you wanted to make some one absolutely terrified of you, you could probably emit that feeling as well. If you wanted someone to experience pure joy, you could probably do that as well." Bennet answered.

"So, I can manipulate the way people feel around me?" Kenneth asked.

"To break it down to layman's terms, yes." Bennet replied.

"So...Any feeling?" Kenneth asked.

"I suppose so. Like I said, we're not sure of your range, capacity, or power in general. Hypothetically, anything is possible." Bennet answered.

"So, love?" Kenneth asked.

Bennet's face changed for a moment, reflecting a sort of awkward surprise at the suggestion.

"Are you asking because it's something you'd like to manipulate in someone...Or because it's an experience you've worried was fake due to your ability?" Bennet asked.

Kenneth fell silent. He hadn't considered that.

"So, you're telling me its a possibility that all the people who have been my friends or cared for me at one point...Only did it cause it was what I wanted?" Kenneth asked.

"No, it's not mind control. You can't send out a suggestion and then watch it happen, you can only affect emotions. Say if one of those high school bullies finally noticed you. You could affect his emotions, make him friendly towards you or make him terrified of you. Either way, how they respond to those emotions is up to them." Bennet answered.

"Can I control it?" Kenneth asked.

"In time. That's why you're here. We're here to help you develop your power, and because of your situation..We might be able to offer you more in time." Bennet answered.

"My situation? And what do you mean more?" Kenneth asked.

"Unlike your teachers, we know your parents ran off leaving you alone months ago. That situation. As for more, should you want, you can come work with us and turn you from an observer into a participant. Find other people who have abilities, and help them develop their gift as well. Either way, the choice will be yours when we're done." Bennet answered, as he stood up from the chair and walked over to the door.

"Well; I think I'll submit my application then." Kenneth said with a smile, as Bennet nodded and walked out of the room.

Chapter Three: Your First Time

There are many firsts in life; your first steps, your first words, your first kiss, your first time having sex, the first time you drive...Things you never forget.

There are also other firsts that you can't help but wish you could forget, something I've found out can happen due to people around us. They took me in under their wing, showed me the ropes, and made me think about the things they could do, what I could do.

Of course, things change when you see the reality of the situation you've been cast in...

*******************************************************

Kenneth stood in trendy clothes, he hated them but Bennet said it helped him avoid sticking out. Kenneth didn't think it was needed, considering he'd done a very good job not sticking out for numerous years in high school. But considering Bennet seemed to be his boss, he decided to listen to him.

Bennet stood beside him, the Haitian looking around as Bennet calmly stared out at their surroundings.

"What are we here for?" Kenneth asked, as Bennet shh-ed him.

"Someone special, like you." Bennet answered, after looking around and making sure no one was too close.

"Why do you need me here? I don't think I'm ready for field experience..." Kenneth started, as Bennet turned to face him.

"Like I said, you can influence the people around you. You're here to make sure our target doesn't get out of hand. Considering what they can do, it's best if that doesn't happy. Just keep them calm and let me do the talking." Bennet said, as he turned back to where he was looking and motioned at a woman leaving a store from across the street.

"That's her." Bennet told them, as he checked the street and moved across it, Kenneth and the Haitian following close behind. Bennet "tripped" falling to the ground beside the woman's car, his hand hitting the undercarriage of the car. He accepted the help of a nearby passerby getting onto his feet, as Bennet thanked him and nodded.

The car pulled away from the sidewalk, as Bennet looked over at Kenneth and the Haitian.

"We can keep an eye on her this way. Once she's in a good location, we'll make our move. Let's move back to the car, we'll need to be ready." Bennet said, as he motioned for the two to follow him.

**********************************

Kenneth sat in the backseat of the car, watching as Bennet flipped through radio stations and the Haitian seemed lost in his own thoughts. Bennet killed the radio as he started the car and began to drive.

"She's parked at a nearby community park. It's not one of the popular ones, we should be able to grab her there." Bennet said, as he focused on the road and began to move.

"Grab her?" Kenneth asked

"We bag and tag her, run some tests, then put her back once we're done. You've read the paperwork, you know how we do things." Bennet answered, as he didn't even look back at Kenneth.

"Like you did with me?" Kenneth asked

"It depends. If she is has big a threat as we have her estimated to be, she might not see the light of day again." Bennet answered, no tone of emotion in his voice.

"You mean termination?" Kenneth asked

"If it is necessary." Bennet answered, turning the wheel of the car on a sharp left turn.

"I thought we didn't do that; only in extreme cases..." Kenneth started, as the Haitian looked back, his cold gaze silencing Kenneth.

"We do what we need to do; you have to be morally flexible in this job, otherwise it just doesn't work. We're doing what we have to do to protect the status quo, if she's dangerous to herself and others, we can't allow her to be released." Bennet said, as he pulled the car up beside the city park and shut off the car. He looked out the windshield, noting the woman's car a few cars ahead, as he stepped out of the vehicle.

Bennet walked into the park, the two men following him, as they looked around at the empty area, wondering where the target was. A few moments later, a bush shuffled as a woman walked out and adjusted her suit jacket.

"Ms. Gavin, I'm hoping to have a few words with you. I think you know why." Bennet said, as the woman scowled and put her hands together, a red current pulsating between her hands.

"Kenneth, now would be a good time." Bennet said, as the Haitian stepped back, and Kenneth stepped forward. Focusing on a calm mental image, trying to project the image onto Gavin. As her stare intensified, Kenneth broke apart, nervousness overtaking him.

Bennet could feel the emotional change; trying hard to fight the feeling of nervousness being projected upon him.

"d*** it, Kenneth! I said calm!" Bennet said, as the Haitian stepped forward and looked at Gavin, the red current disappeared as Gavin blacked out and fell to the ground. Bennet looked over at Kenneth, a look of disappointment on his face.

"Perhaps it was too soon for this. You have got to learn to control yourself, you almost could have gotten us all killed if nervousness over took us all. If you can't control yourself, you aren't the only one who's being risked. Now, gather her and put her in the car, we're taking her back to headquarters for testing." Bennet said, as he walked out of the park and towards the car, leaving Kenneth and the Haitian to pick up Gavin...

Chapter Four: Realizations

There comes a point in everyone's life when they have to lean back and assess their living situation. Everybody does it at some point; life provides too many twists and turns for a living being not to have realizations. For some people, it's realizing your heroes are not the hero you thought they were. For others, it's finally acknowledging the morality of existence and the existence of those they care about. For others, it's finally opening your eyes to the evil around you...

********************************************************************

Bennet stood behind a large glass window, sipping on a cup of coffee, as the large metal door opened behind him and Kenneth walked in.

"Ken, glad you could make it." Bennet said, as he motioned for Kenneth to take a seat. Kenneth sat down, his long hair falling over his eyes for a moment, before he brushed it aside and looked at Bennet.

"What did you want me for?" Kenneth asked.

"To show you the consequences of actions." Bennet answered dryly, as he took another sip from his coffee mug.

"Veronica Gavin, twenty-seven years old, and a rather successful investment banker." Bennet said, quoting from her file from memory.

"As far as we know, she manifested four years ago, and has been pretty successful at avoiding capture by us. During her attempted bag and tagging operations, she killed four different Company Agents, which made her my problem." Bennet said, as he turned off the light in the room and the room on the other side of the glass became visible.

There were a dozen men in clean white outfits, from head to toe, covered in blood and other bodily fluids as they stood over a large operating table.

"Veronica posses a unique form of electric current generation; it reaches extreme voltage in under three seconds, and is precise enough to strip flesh from bone without damaging the bone." Bennet said, as he motioned for Kenneth to walk closer to the window.

Kenneth peered out, noticing that Veronica was strapped to the table. Her chest cut open in a Y-cut shape, but he also noticed that her lungs were still moving.

"She's alive?" Kenneth asked.

"Yes. Like I told you, termination in only the most extreme cases. We have to be sure of what she can do, and how she does it. And, once we know whether or not she can be controlled, then we'll make that call." Bennet said, as he looked over at Kenneth.

"I told you you were here to see the consequences of your actions..." Bennet said, as he put his hand on Kenneth's shoulder.

"Vivisection isn't your punishment, it's hers. But because of what you did out there, Company policy says that you have to be taught about what your actions could have done. You, the Haitian, or myself could have been killed out there." Bennet said, as Kenneth felt his head start to drift away, finding it hard to focus on what Bennet was saying.

"Now; there's two things I could do. I could have my friend wipe your mind, erase the entire incident and we can go through your first mission all over again. But, that doesn't teach you anything does it?" Bennet asked, as a voice seemed to whisper in Kenneth's ear you want to feel your guilt, you're responsible for all this. You're worthless. rang through his head, as Kenneth let out a scream and fell to his knees.

He could feel his emotions running through everything possible, anger, guilt, fear, depression, all of them. Bennet just stood there, unaffected by the barrage of emotions pouring out of Kenneth. That's when Kenneth noticed the Haitian, standing in the corner.

"Make it stop!" Kenneth screamed as he grabbed at his ears, and tried to block out the voice.

"Eden, that's enough." Bennet said, seemingly to no body, as the voice stopped and another door in the room opened and closed. Bennet knelt down, and looked at Kenneth.

"Hopefully, this experience has taught you something." Bennet said, as he stood up and looked at the Haitian.

"Take the memory of the mission, but leave the guilt."