The time arrives

"Hello" John announced his arrival at the Dawson home.

"We're in the living room John." Jade shouted out.

John walked in and walked straight up to Steven and put his arms around his best friend. "You ok mate?"

"Yeah. Just a bit stunned by what I done last night. I don't remember doing it, before you ask." Steven, still disturbed by his actions that night, was still trying to come to terms with his ability. "It's like a bad dream hoping that it will have a good ending."

"Well I don't want to worry you buddy. But I stopped in the garage on the way over to fill the tank up. It's on the front page of every paper they had. People all over are talking about it. Good job my parents are in Spain. They'd know if I knew something." Turning to Jade and Jane "How are you both coping with this."

Jade spoke first. "Ok considering. Things could be worse. But they could be a whole lot better." John then looked at Jane.

"I'm alright thank you John. I'm glad Steven told you. It's good that we have someone outside of family to help deal with this. You'll have a different perspective because of it."

"I don't know about that. Steven and I are like brothers. So I look at him like he's family." Putting a hand on Steven's arm. "So, what happened last night?"

Jane was next to speak. "I'm gonna put the kettle on. But I think I could use something a lot stronger than tea at the moment. Take a seat John."

"Thanks missus D. I could help you with something stronger though if you want." Cheekily smiling at her trying to lighten the mood. Steven scowled at him.

"If you're referring to the funny stuff you smoke. I might just have to take you up on that. I need something. However, I don't want you stinking the living room out." She walked out the door towards the kitchen.

"So mate. Tell me about what happened."

Jade started. "It was my birthday yesterday..."

"Oh sorry Jade. That reminds me." John reached under his coat and pulled out a card to give her. "I was gonna come over to give this to you anyway before this happened."

Jade looked overjoyed. "For me? Oh John. You're so sweet." Jade hugged him then kissed him on his cheek. John on his part blushed due to his crush on her.

"That's ok Jade. Sorry it's a day late."

"Better late than never, Anyway. I went out with friends to celebrate my eighteenth and it was all going great until some creepy guy started harassing me. I wouldn't have minded so much if he just danced in front of me. But he pushed it too far. Starting to rub himself up on me." Jane returned with the teas on a tray. Not having heard everything but got the idea. "He grabbed my tits at one point. So that was when I went to phone Stevie and asked him to come and get me. After I phoned, I went back out to my friends and he started again. Rubbing his groin on my arse and stuff. Sasha and Jess tried to get rid him countless times but he wouldn't take no for an answer. Then before I knew it. Bright eyes over there rescued me." Jade was trying to inject some humour into the conversation but it didn't come across as funny at the time. "But he doesn't remember anything between getting there and walking me out."

"Man Stevie. You don't remember anything in the club at all?"

"No. Nothing. I'm scared guys. I could have seriously hurt that bloke. I just hope I didn't do anything that bad that caused him too much pain." He sighed. "But from what Jade tells me. He went flying across the dance floor with little or no effort from me pushing him."

"That's heavy man."

Jane then spoke. "Better start rolling John. But in the conservatory. I think I will need one after all. Just don't take the piss if I get the giggles. And please call me Jane from now on. I've never really like missus D."

"Wouldn't dream of it miss.. I mean Jane." They headed to the conservatory and sat in the loungers in there. John started to roll up his joints and passed one over to Jane.

"I haven't had one of these for years. I was still at college the last time I done this."

"Well considering the situation mum. Could I have one please John." They all looked at Jade.

"You don't smoke Jade." Jane questioned her daughter.

"To be honest mum. I've had a few with Jess before now. She get's it from the same guy you go to John. We saw you walk out of his about six months ago. Please don't be mad mum."

"I'm not mad Jade. Just surprised." Just then Steven noticed their neighbour waving to them over the fence. He was trying to get their attention. They all went outside to see what he was after. Jane spoke to him. "Hello Mr Thompson. How are you today?"

Mr Thompson was a retired army soldier and was very close to the Dawson family. He done all he could to comfort them when Steven's dad died and knew them very well. "I saw the news this morning and from the description of the man in question and the girl he left with. I know it was you Steven. But, I have got to warn you. I have just got back from walking the dog. Sorry to have to tell you but someone around the area also recognised the description. Don't know who but there's a couple of newspaper reporters snooping about. So I'd stay away from the front windows if I was you. The cops are looking for you too by the way."

Steven walked up to his neighbour. "Thank you Mr Thompson. I'm grateful you haven't said anything."

"I'm not stupid kid and I'm old soldier. Duty bound by honour. I've already worked out you was protecting Jade. So, If I can keep them off your trail, I will. You're gonna need all the help you can get."

"You better come over Mr Thompson. Just so you have the whole story."

Mr Thompson listened to everything that happened since Steven went to hospital. Now in the full picture, he was shocked at the information. When they finished telling him his only response was "You know I usually don't agree with people doing ****, but considering the circumstances. I don't blame any of you one bit. If what you say is true, then this doctor could have some serious questions to answer on ethical grounds. I understand why she done what she done. But this could ruin her career if this gets out."

"I have already thought about that. But then, If what those voices are telling me works out right. She could have inadvertently saved the world."

"We'll see. I wish you the best of luck with this Steven. I really do. Just keep your head down. All of you. If you need me to do anything, just let me know. I better get back home before I get moaned at for being to long. You know my wife can be a miserable cow at times."

Jane walked him to the gate in the back garden. "Thank you for understanding Ray. Steven's really struggling with this at the moment."

"Don't mention it Jane. He's a good kid. That's why I want to help. Just keep an eye on him in case he slips. Remember, Absolute power..."

"I know. Corrupts absolutely." Mr Thompson nodded and left Jane to go back in.

___________________________________________________________________________

Back at the lab. Ellen and her staff were still trying to figure out the apparent programme break, and still no results arrived. Another day had gone by with nothing to show for their efforts. Only Bill and Ellen remained to try and get results.

___________________________________________________________________________

Now night time. Steven walked into the living room again. Jane was sitting watching the news waiting to see of anyone had given them away. John was cosying up with Jade. Now she knew he liked her, She got closer to him. But Steven had something to say. "Mum. I need to get out."

"I know sweetie. But we can't let anyone see you."

"That's not it mum. I NEED to get out. The voices have advised me that I do. They said it was in everyone's best interest."

They all looked at each other.

"My car's outside. Jane. Can you see if anyone, like those reporters, are anywhere near. If we can get in my car quick, then they won't see us." Jane went to the front door and took a peak outside.

"I can't see anyone. If we make a break for it now. Steven can tell us why when we're moving." They all quickly got into John's car and drove. Jane then turned to Steven. "Where do we go?"

"Middle of nowhere mum. John, take us across the A14. Head up to Waterbeach down the A10. Then down car dyke road, There's nothing out that way. Just some farm fields. Get there as quick as you can, I'm starting to feel weird."

Jane then spoke again. "Steven. Your eyes. They're glowing again."

Jade, Sitting up front with John, turned to look at her brother. "That's how they were at the club last night."

John looked in his rear view mirror. "What the fuck." Was all he could say.

15 minutes later they arrived at their destination. John looked for somewhere he could park his car. A short distance down the country lane he saw a dirt track and turned down it. Bringing his car talk a halt a few metres off the road. Steven opened his door to get out, but before he could. Jane put her hand on his. "Where are you going Steven?"

"In the middle of that field mum. I have to. They said I have to be away from everyone in case they get hurt by accident."

Jade wanted to go with him. "Do you want someone to go with you?"

"No Jade. Stay here. I don't want anyone to get hurt." Just as he was about to get out of the car, he stopped himself. "By the way John. Jade wants you to ask her out on a date." He then left to walk to the middle of the field. When he got there, his entire body started to glow. Within minutes, He let out a scream that all his companions heard and then what looked like a small shockwave of blue light emanated from his body. When the glow died down. His mum screamed for him.

"STEVEN." Thinking he was now dead. She fell to her knees. Beyond the point of crying. The same was with Jade and John. They both stared into the field. Then a voice sounded from behind them.

"I am fine. We have become one."

___________________________________________________________________________

In the lab. Things started to go haywire.

"What's happening Ellen? We got surges in the grid." Bill was frantically tapping at buttons on his terminal and it seemed to be ignoring him.

"I don't know. Look at the containment unit. The haze at the bottom of it. The bots are going wild."

Both of them typing command after command trying to calm the nanobots. Not knowing what the cause was made this an impossible task. Screens flickered on and off. So did some of the lighting around the lab.

"Try shutting down the mainframe Bill. It might be our only chance of stopping this."

"I've already tried. It's refusing to shut down. It's ignoring everything I've tried."

Ellen run over to the main terminal to try herself. The same results applied. They were ignoring her admin codes. Ellen run over to Bill's terminal. Entering her admin codes into it and still, nothing happened. Just then some of the lights around the containment unit failed and Bills terminal exploded. Sending both Ellen and Bill turning in their chairs in case they got hit by any shrapnel from it. It was at that point they both noticed the main terminal flashing. The words "HE IS COMING" flashed before them.

"What does that mean? He is coming. It makes no sense. Who is coming?" Bill was almost at his wits end.

Ellen was starring at the glass to the containment unit, her reflection looking right back at her. "Steven is."

"What. How is the kid got anything to do with this?. How the hell can you say that without even knowing what's going on here."

"I just do." Ellen turned to face Bill. She looked at him. His face full of fear. Ellen looked at him with the same bright blue glowing eyes that Steven now had. She then collapsed to the floor.