Page 35 of Harris

“I realize that all of you are wondering why I returned with Jason. I’ve figured out my mutation, or at least what it is now. I’m unsure if it’ll change in time or progress further, and I wanted to join the fight against the people who made me the way I am.”

He looked over at Brick, who nodded in what appeared to be encouragement.

Darren placed his pale right hand on the wooden tabletop and seemed to concentrate on the table itself. A few team members leaned forward to get a better look. After a few seconds, the tips of Darren's fingers began disappearing. Harris shook his head and looked again. The longer he watched, the further up Darren’s fingers went until most of his hand was gone.

“You’re fucking invisible,” Shaw shouted enthusiastically. “You’re a ghost.”

The sudden response must have scared Darren, and his hand immediately became visible again before pulling it back against his chest as if protecting himself.

“It’s okay. He didn’t mean it in a derogatory way,” Brick said to Darren.

“No, man, it’s so cool,” Shaw said. “Sorry if it came out wrong. I was surprised, but I shouldn’t be anymore. I think that’s the best mutation I’ve seen yet. Well, in truth, they’re all amazing.”

Darren seemed to calm at Shaw’s explanation. “I’m not invisible, or have become a ghost. Though it’s cool to think I could. It’s more like the pigment in my skin changes to match its surroundings. It blends in until you can’t see where my skin begins and ends.”

“Like a chameleon,” Conor said.

“I guess,” Darren said. “That’s as close as I can guess. Though I kinda like the thought of becoming invisible.”

“Whoa, how did you figure that out?” Gunner asked. “That would come in handy, although I’m guessing you’d have to be naked for your entire body to blend in.”

Darren looked away and said, “I discovered this ability when I was feeling down last week and thinking it would be better if I disappeared. I’d never have a normal life. I’d always be huntedbecause somebody decided to screw with my DNA. Who’d want me? I’d be alone, unable to trust anyone.”

The sound of a chair scraping against the hardwood made Harris cringe as Conor stood from the table and walked over to Darren, pulling the much smaller man into a fierce hug.

“You are wanted. You have a home with us, and those assholes would have to get through all of us if they wanted to harm you,” Conor stated fiercely.

“Damn right.”

“You got it.”

“Hell yeah.”

The rest of the team chimed in, and a small smile slowly worked its way onto Darren's face.

“Thank you. I’ll work hard to control it so that we can use what the Group thought they could use as a weapon against them,” Darren swore.

“We know you will, and welcome to the team,” Brick said. “Now, if you could retake your seats, we have more to discuss and plans to implement.”

Everyone settled down, and Brick tossed the files onto the table.

“Grab a copy, and let’s get to work. As we are all aware, the team came to New Orleans in order to place Harris among this division of the Noah Group.”

“You mean kidnapped,” Jennifer huffed.

“Yes. That plan went up in smoke thanks to Apollo, but the mission to dismantle this batch of assholes is still a go. You’ll find in the file all the information Apollo and his team have accumulated on this division. Pictures of players we’ve already met and a few new ones. Familiarize yourself with each individual.”

“There’s Joe,” Fletcher chuckled as he held up a photo. “The man with all the moves.”

“And Jaws, the bartender,” Conor added. “Looks like he wants to tear somebody’s head off.”

“Likely more than simply looks. I don’t doubt he’d cause serious damage to anyone who got in his way,” Brick stated.

“There’s the two guys from the van that night they attempted to take Harris,” Gunner said.

“Who’s the guy behind Jaws?” Jason asked.

“That’s Soloman. It’s believed that that’s the guy running the show. Strong ties to the site in California,” Brick said.

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