Generation 2, Chapter 11

Robert spent two months in the hospital under the care of Gene's doctor learning to cope with the experiences he went through.  Scientists arrived to analyze him, Robert became agitated and had to be sedated. The doctor notified William that there was nothing he could do to prevent the scientist from performing their analysis on him and suggested it might go better for Robert if he were there to calm Robert as much as possible.

William arrived early only to find armed guards waiting for him as he entered the lobby. "You set me up," he screamed at the doctor as he tried to get away.

"Mr. Bennett I'm sorry. I had no idea they wanted you too. I thought it would help your son having you here," Doctor Jankowski explained as he watched the guards subdue William and lead him away. Following behind the doctor tried to reason with the scientists hoping for a peaceful solution.
 

"You can't do this. They have rights."

"Doctor we agreed to let you observe but we will decide what's necessary. We need to know what the aliens are up to. Homeland Security trumps the rights of the individual."

The doctor had no choice but to stand down. He observed everything knowing it would help once he was left with the mental anguish to deal with.

He watched helplessly as both father and son fought against their restraints and continued to struggle until the sedatives took affect. It reinforced his opinion that whatever they endure was against their will and were more than likely tied down while the aliens had them. His next observation was startling and even without being a medical doctor he could tell that both had undergone extensive surgery and their bodies were modified. The scientists attempted to remove the modifications but to no avail as the aliens must have built in a self healing agent into the modifications so that it couldn't be removed. It must have been connected into their bodies somehow as the more they tried it weakened them and they finally had to give up when William went into cardiac arrest followed shortly by Robert.

To give the scientists their due they fought just as hard to save their lives as they did to remove the modifications. Seeing that they couldn't remove the modifications without jeopardizing their lives the scientists had to content themselves with making observations. They compared them with the other abductees to figure out why their modifications were successful and the others were not. They also discovered that Robert's body held signs that he had been taken apart and put back together. They saw this before with Mr. Middleborrow who had been severed, put back together and rejuvenated days after he had expired. If they could only discover how the aliens were able to do this, they would be able to advance medicine radically. Exhausting all their tests and analysis they wheeled them out to recovery. Once they were awake they bombarded them with questions that left William and Robert confused and bewildered.

Slowly the panic subsided and the officials ruled that the Bennett family were not threats to national security. The media frenzy continued as they competed with each other for interviews and movie rights. Despite this life slowly started to come back to normal after William and his sons were released from the hospital. They continued to see the doctor who helped them through this difficult time.

Before leaving the hospital Gene convinced Robert to be daring and try something different. When they showed up packed and ready to go home William grinned at them smothering a laugh as he noticed their changed appearance. Gene had colored his hair black and green and Robert now had an odd mix of lavender, blue and white.  Personally William thought it was awful but as long as they were happy they could have whatever hair color they wanted. Their mother on the other hand was a whole other story.

"William why on earth did you let them do that to their hair?" Jessica demanded as soon as they came home.

"Jessica calm down, it's only hair."

"But they look ridiculous."

The boys rolled their eyes at their mother bursting into fits of laughter over her reaction.

"Aren't you glad to see us?" Robert asked.

 

"Of course I am," Jessica said belatedly giving each boy a hug, trying to hide the cringe she felt as their arms went around her. These weren't her sons she thought and she didn't want them to be. They were alien to her, as good as dead, lost to her forever.

Sitting across from Gene, Jessica tried to engage him in conversation. "How was school?"

"Fine," Gene mumbled wondering why his mother was even attempting to talk to him. It's not like she cared about him. She never once visited him while he was in the hospital. Not for six months like everyone else did. It was his dad and Robert who came most often and gave him the encouragement he needed to get better. From his mother all he got was silence.

"Good that's good," Jessica took a bite of her salmon wondering what else she could say. Eyeing Gene for possible signs of agitation and aggression she nervously waited for him to attack. Suddenly she blurted out "When are you getting rid of that awful hair color?"

"I like it," Gene said into his plate afraid to look up to see that disapproving look she always gave him. He knew he would never have her approval not after that awful night. She would never believe he had changed. Gulping his food down he hastily cleared his plate and left.

Jessica sat watching him go. Sighing deeply she briefly wondered what happened to her rambunctious little boy.

William felt the gulf widening between the boys and their mother. In an attempt to help he suggested that he take her away for a romantic weekend in a little village in France. One night while they enjoyed the local cuisine William asked "Honey what's wrong?"

"What? Nothing. This is a beautiful place."

"I'm glad you like it but that's not what I meant. You've grown so distant with the boys and I'd like to know why."

Shrugging Jessica looked away "They've changed."

"Not that much. They need their mother," William fell silent as Jessica glared at him.

"Don't you think I know that? I just can't connect with them. All I see when I look at Gene is a violent, dangerous young man who attacked his father. Not my little boy, he's gone, lost forever."

"Jessica you know ..."

"I know you say he didn't mean it but I can't help how I feel," she swiped a tear from her cheek as she continued "Robert is different. The aliens changed him. He's not my son anymore."

"He's no more different than I am. You never left my side when I was abducted, why is it different with Robert?"

"I don't know. I'm so confused."

Taking her hand William said "Honey you need to talk to someone before your feelings alienate you from your children."

Shaking her head Jessica began to say something when William's phone began to ring. When the call was finished William turned to Jessica, anguish written on his face.

"What's wrong?" she asked in a shrill voice as panic gripped her.

"There's been a fire at the house," William spoke in a calm clear voice.

"Are the kids alright?" she shouted at him.

"Yes I think so. At least I hope so," William said a little confused. "They wouldn't say over the phone, just repeated we needed to get back as soon as possible."

"Oh god this can't be happening again," Jessica said collapsing into a heap on the cafe floor.

A police officer met them at the airport explaining he was there to escort them to the hospital.

Heart beating fast William gripped the officers arm asking "The officer I spoke with said the children were ok. But if we're going to the hospital someone was hurt. What happened?"

Discerning the worry in their eyes the officer gently removed William's hand from his arm as he said "the fire was caused by a meteor landing in your backyard. The heat radiating from it set off small fires. Evidently the children were awakened by the crash and went outside to investigate. Your son Gene got too close and his clothes caught fire. He has a few first and second degree burns. He apparently panicked and started to run. It could have been worse except for the quick thinking of your oldest boy, Robert. He threw him into the pool to extinguish the fire."

"But they're alright?" William managed to ask again.

"Yes both boys are ok. Gene insisted on seeing Doctor Jankowski; and Robert refused to leave his side. I promised him I would bring you to the hospital as soon as you arrived."

"The other children?" William asked.

"They're fine. Evelyn is taking good care of them."

William sighed in relief turning to Jessica who hadn't said more then two syllables the entire flight. She was shaking and pale staring blindly ahead. "Honey the children are all ok," William repeated.

Slowly her eyes moved towards him as she fell into his arms crying "I was so scared. I couldn't bear the thought of losing another of my babies."

William held her as on lookers watched. Finally the officer nudged William's shoulder "Sir we really should be going."

Gene spent two weeks in the hospital talking with Jankowski about his anxiety that had become uncontrollable since the fire. Finally agreeing to go home, Gene jumped at every unfamiliar noise and refused to go near any source of heat for fear of catching on fire. His dreams were plagued with images of fire and he'd wake soaked in sweat. Once he woke he couldn't go back to sleep, he'd lie there staring up at the ceiling. Why couldn't he get a grip on reality without having to rely upon Jankowski?

Sometimes he'd hear Robert get up and go into the kitchen. Then he'd get up and join him asking "What are you doing up?"

Shrugging Robert said "bad dreams."

"Aliens?" Gene asked.

Nodding Robert would ask "and you?"

"Fire," Gene would acknowledge.

Chuckling softly Robert said "Better not tell Mom. She'll have us into see Jankowski again.

"I wonder how Dad manages sleeping in the same room with her?" Gene wondered aloud.

"Same as you. Spend hours staring at the ceiling." William said from behind them startling both boys as they sat at the kitchen table. "I see I'm not the only one not able to sleep."

"Join the party," Robert said pulling out a chair for his Dad to sit.

They talked for a while until Robert and William felt they could go back to sleep. Gene agreed although he knew he would just lay there waiting for morning to arrive.

Gene dragged himself out of bed with enough time to throw some clothes on and race to the bus. By mid morning he was fighting sleep,  his head nodding as he lost the battle. Someone tapped his shoulder, startled Gene jerked awake.

"Dude calm down," Julie whispered "You can't afford another demerit for sleeping in class."

"You're right," Gene said shaking his head to wake himself up. "Thanks."

After class Julie was waiting for him. "I have something that might help you stay awake." She handed Gene a small bottle of pills. "Just take one and it'll keep you going all day and when it runs out of your system you'll crash and have no problems sleeping."

"That sounds like heaven to me," Gene grinned as he popped one into his mouth.

"If you need more let me know and I'll hook you up."

"Sure thanks again," Gene said as he started towards his next class.