The Evolution

By Kristin Damon

Led by Creed Alexander, the Nation is a strong, organized group of elite superhumans with two things in common; they've all received a dose of the enhancement vaccine EA-7, and they all want to see affected people around the world protected and happy. Unfortunately, their enhanced power makes them all targets. A gang of affected criminals wants the EA-7 formula for themselves. Brynn Moore, Creed’s girlfriend, gets involved in the pursuit of the EA-7, and before he can stop it, Creed's world is turned upside down.

Dangerous threats, some personal and some wailed at the Nation as a whole, hover over Creed like a black storm cloud, blackening his vision and dampening his hope. Just when he thinks his cause is lost, an unlikely hero comes to his rescue. But even with small victories, the forces of evil persist, and Creed succumbs to a place of pain and regret he never thought possible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kristin Damon
• Release date: Jul 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311430069

Kristin Damon

~ Loves soda and reality television. Hates clowns and pessimism. Can’t eat anything blue. Would live at Disneyland if she could. Loves short road trips, the smell of fabric softener and to laugh uncontrollably. Can’t wear dark nail polish. Loves to hear her daughter sing. Thinks her son is the most talented illustrator/animator on the planet. Thinks her husband of nearly two decades is cute. Says she has “Sith” eyes. Self-diagnosed dentalphobic. Normal in a weird way. Sports fanatic. Obsessed with her keyboard. ~

Book preview

Prologue

Creed, moving in slow motion, emerged from the greenhouse. Holding a broom stick with a white pillowcase attached to the end of it, the Rev simultaneously exited the passenger side of the van. The two men slowly walked to each other.

They both stopped a few feet from the other. In silence, they visually sized each other up. Creed, wearing what looked like SWAT gear, shook his head at the Rev’s dated, powder blue tuxedo. What are you wearing, Rev?

You don’t like my tuxedo? It was the only thing I could find that fit me at the thrift store. You see, I was recently forced from my home.

Oh, like my wife Brynn was. That’s a shame, Creed said, pointing at the broom. What’s with the flag? Are you surrendering?

No, I’m calling a truce. I know that I can’t win this battle with you and I’ve got people I’m responsible for, just like you do. Someone’s bound to get hurt and I couldn’t live with myself any more than you could if it was a member of my gang.

"My gang is sick to death of your crap, Rev. Believe me, it didn’t take but a single discussion for everyone to come on board with this plan."

Everyone? Where’s the guy with wings? I think you call him ‘Hemi’. And the young one, who’s sure that she’s going to die soon. I know she’s not here.

Some of us are here and some of us are working support at different locations. All in all, Gary was the only scumbag to turn on us. He’s a much better fit with your crew than ours.

Yeah, he didn’t work out so well. The HMSC picked him up. Thanks for sending them, by the way.

Hey pal, you’re welcome, Creed replied smugly.

The Rev looked at the greenhouse. I’ve spent many nights in Silus’s greenhouse. It’s quite lovely. I think I’ll marry Brynn in your childhood home … then consummate our nuptials in there, he said through a smirk.

Creed took a deep breath and closed his eyes, reminding himself silently not to lose control. He looked at the Rev. Oh, you can’t marry Brynn. See, she’s already married to me. Plus, she told me you are most definitely not her type. She likes strong men, the strongest man. She desires superiority and you know what, Rev? I’m sure she’s got it.

"You’re so full of yourself, Creed. Your enhanced trait has made you not only as jealous as they come, but overly confident. Brynn doesn’t want the superior companion, she is the superior one. She’s stronger and braver than both of us combined. You’re so wrapped up in yourself, you can’t see it. You think it’s going to be me or you that will determine the outcome here? You’re wrong. It’s Brynn. Brynn is going to be the determining factor in all of this."

Let’s hope she does the right thing then, Creed said. He turned and within a second, was invisible.

Game on, the Rev said to his back.

Chapter 1

Brynn wrung the steering wheel, staring at the back of her brother Sean’s truck and wondering what he was doing parked in her carport. The mere sight of his truck immediately put her on the defensive. Brynn huffed. She took her time gathering up her groceries and reluctantly started for the back door. With each step she contemplated turning around and fleeing to her car to avoid Sean. Brynn wasn’t in the mood to visit.

Brynn, I need to talk to you, he said from the bench of a picnic table near the back door of her home.

What? she coldly returned. Juggling the bulky bags of groceries, she struggled to keep hold of her house keys.

Sean stood and helped her carry the packages into the kitchen. Like a foggy October morning in Maine, the silence that followed their entry into her kitchen was blanketed with tension. She quickly put the groceries away, refusing to look at him, much less talk to him. Brynn was successfully ignoring him when a commotion from the mudroom startled her.

Brynn? a woman’s voice called out.

We’re in here, Sean replied.

Brynn shot him an angry look like a bullet from a gun. Sean whispered, Go ahead and hate me. We just care about you.

No, you’re just in my business to take the attention away from your own problems, Brynn said. She walked to her dining table, pulled out a chair, and fell into it. Her demeanor was clear evidence of how unexcited she was about the upcoming conversation. Brynn loudly sighed.

Brynn, you act disappointed to see us, her mother said, sitting down across from her daughter at the table followed by Baker, Brynn’s father.

I’m not disappointed to see you, she turned and gave Sean another dirty look before revolving back to her parents and adding, but I don’t have to be happy about what we’re presumably going to talk about.

Sweetheart, we just want you to hear us out, Baker added.

Sean sat down next to Brynn who was beginning to feel vaguely claustrophobic. Before Baker could continue, the back door opened and closed with a bang. Chandler, Brynn’s ex-boyfriend, entered the kitchen. Now in a full-blown sulk, Brynn didn’t look directly at anyone in the room. She sat with her arms folded and her eyes focused on the fabric of her sweater.

Brynn, come on now, Baker said. He reached across the table and tried to touch her arm but she leaned back and glared at him for a moment. Baker, with his weatherworn face and gentle smile, looked at his wife before turning back to his daughter. You know that we love you.

If you all love me so much, why are you ganging up on me right now?

Chandler slowly sat down directly across from her, and his cheeks flushed. Brynn could feel his eyes boring a hole through her left hand where her engagement ring sat. She couldn’t imagine this being any more uncomfortable. Whose idea was this, anyway?

This intervention was Sean’s idea, June softly said.

Intervention? Mom, you talk as if I am addicted to alcohol or pain killers. Interventions are for people that have hit rock bottom, that can’t make rational decisions for themselves, that can’t see past their immediate needs, even if that need is ultimately going to kill them.

Brynn, dear, we just want to talk about your decision to stay with Creed.

"Your bad decision to stay with him," Chandler quickly interjected.

Brynn turned to him. I thought out of everyone, you were all right with my decision.

I want you to be happy, Brynn, but I think you’re setting yourself up for another failure and more heartache, Chandler said.

Look at it from our point of view, dear. You and Creed have been together for a long time and to us, it looks like it’s been a very rocky road for you. You’re hurt in a car accident and Creed disappears. You find him in bed with another woman, yet you still plan on marrying him, Baker said.

Brynn was angry. They treat me like a child, she thought. She didn’t want to have the conversation at all, and definitely not without Creed. I can see your point … but I think it’s only fair that Creed has the chance to defend himself. There’s a lot to him, to his life, that none of you even know about.

I think we need to sit down with him and talk then, Sean said.

We? No way. Just me, Creed, Mom, and Dad. I’m sorry, Sean, but your involvement ends here, Brynn said. She turned to Chandler. You, too.

Chandler stood and walked through the mud room, slamming the back door on his way out. When the door hit the frame, Brynn jumped, the loud bang echoing throughout her older home. Sean immediately launched into a counteroffensive. What? Why! I’ve been nothing but supportive of you, Brynn, he snapped.

I thought you and Creed were friends, Brynn said.

Sean didn’t respond, which infuriated her. Brynn stood and walked to the counter where her purse sat. She found her cell phone and dialed Creed’s number. As she quietly spoke to Creed, she glanced at her mother. June, who dearly loved Brynn, was looking at her daughter and smiling. Always on a diet, June appeared to have lost some weight, and her kind face was complimented by her caring demeanor. Brynn’s warm feelings for her mother were laced with frustration that her mother didn’t trust her to live her own life.

Brynn finished the phone call and returned to the table. He’s on his way.

Sean poked her upper arm with his pointer finger. Hey, he said. She waved at his finger without looking at him. He poked her again. Hey! he teased.

Brynn was not amused. Sean, I’m not nine. Cut it out.

I have no personal objectives here, said Sean. I’ve always like Creed. I still like him. He’s a nice guy. But he either needs to marry you or let you find someone that is going to. You’re not getting any younger.

Coming from a guy that was just poking me like we were little kids sitting in a pew and misbehaving at church? You of all people have no appreciation of age-appropriate behavior, she said, glaring at her oldest brother with eyes that looked just like his.

Sean stood, walked to the door, and glanced over his shoulder. I love you, Brynn. I just want the best for you. He exited the house through the backdoor.

Brynn and her parents sat at the dining room table and waited for Creed in silence. Past her parents and through the window in the mud room, Brynn watched for him. When his vehicle pulled into the carport, she stood and went outside to meet him. Relieved by his arrival yet worried, she rapidly walked to him. As she got closer, Brynn could see him inspecting her. Like a hundred times in her past, his gaze thrilled her and made her feel peaceful at the same time. He was a rollercoaster ride and a cozy fire on a winter’s night all wrapped up in a package that made her heart somersault every time she saw him. She strained to remember how much effort had gone into her appearance before her early morning shopping trip at the same time she wiped under her bright, blue eyes. Two steps from him, she gathered her shiny, thick light brown, and moved it behind her shoulders.

My parents want to talk to us and I don’t mean a pleasant afternoon tea chit-chat, she said, and though she tried to keep her expression relaxed, she could feel her forehead wrinkling with worry. Although she’d found new confidence from the troubles of the last few years, she was annoyed that she still had a tendency to become overly stressed at times.

Is that anyway to greet the man who’s madly in love with you? Creed teased. Where’s my kiss?

The soft grin on her face instantly morphed into a full, upbeat smile. She lifted up on her toes, offering her lips to his. He kissed her and wrapped his arms around her, talking directly into her ear. Let’s tell them about my trait.

Brynn pulled back, her worried expression back in full force. She shared an intense stare with him, and could tell he was serious. Are you sure?

"Yes. It might make things unpleasant for a while, but in the long run I think it will make things easier on you and on them," Creed said. He hugged her again and walked with her into the house.

After telling them of Creed’s family, Creed and Brynn gave a brief history of what had happened over the past few years. Like Brynn had anticipated, her parents were confused.

Brynn, why would you do that? her mother asked in shock.

I had to. I had no choice, Brynn explained.

You weren’t in a car accident. You— June took a moment to collect her thoughts. You jumped from the back of a moving car to get away from a Marcus High—

Marcus Hightower, yes, Brynn interjected.

And he wanted you for … June stammered.

To get to me, Creed replied.

"Because you found a—a cure for the … thing inside you," June said emotionally.

Creed grabbed Brynn’s hand. Yes.

And your thing, June said.

The mutagen, Creed responded.

Yes, your mutagen. What is it? What does it do to you?

Creed’s visual proclamation of his powerful trait stunned Baker and June.

No! June said. She reached out to the place where Creed had been holding his hand. She gasped. Her hand wrapped around what looked like air. She could feel his skin, but she couldn’t see it. Creed! she said in shock.

His face reappeared. He manipulated the temperature in the room—to a bitter chill, then back to normal, then to scorching hot—while Brynn watched a myriad of emotions cross her parents’ faces. "I’ve wanted to tell you about this, about me, for a long time. I know what it must have looked like all this time, me in and out, here and there. The fact of the matter is this: I love Brynn more than my own life. We will be together always, marriage certificate or not."

Baker hadn’t said a word. Who else has this?

My dad, for starters. My mom doesn’t carry a mutagen, but I, my dad, and both my brothers have traits. My grandfather Edmond passed the condition down from one generation to the next. Dallin and my cousin Aspen are both affected, Creed explained. June wiped moisture from underneath her eyes.

Mom, are you okay? Brynn asked.

All along, I thought that your problems with Creed were for common reasons, like being scared to commit, or the Nancy thing. Never in my wildest dreams did a scenario like this even cross my mind.

Well, Mom and Dad, Brynn said, taking a hand of each of her parents. Now that you know, you need to try and understand that there’s more to Creed’s life than what you think there is. He is in charge of a group of people like him that manage their own regions throughout the world. They act as liaisons between the affected and the outsiders, including the government, and Creed is the one person they call when there’s trouble. That’s why it’s taken us so long to marry. That’s why it looks like Creed’s stalling. But he’s not. He just has a lot on his plate and he needs everyone’s support and unconditional love.

Her mother reached out for Creed’s hand. He gently placed his hand in hers and she gave it a squeeze. Forgive us. We didn’t know, she said.

Baker patted his wife’s back. Creed smiled at her and nodded at Baker but Brynn’s father didn’t offer acceptance as easily as his wife had. I need some time. This is too much for me to digest all at once.

Do you have questions, Dad? Brynn cautiously asked.

Baker looked at his daughter, the determined expression on his face confirming that he did. Hours full of countless inquiries passed before her parents politely excused themselves and left Brynn’s home through the front door.

At the same time, a county away, a similar intervention was taking place.

It’s most necessary, in every way.

I just don’t see the benefits of bringing him on, Boaz, one of Creed’s younger brothers, said.

The Rev ran his thumb down a heavy gold lighter, the click loud and the instant flame tall. He waved the fire underneath the end of a new cigar and talked with the lit cigar in his lips. Silus would be a benefit to us, brother. You have no need to feel intimidated by this.

Listen Rev, my argument isn’t personal. I have the interest of our group at heart here, but I know for a fact that Silus won’t turn on Creed. We’ll be wasting our time and resources on this quest.

I need you to execute this request, Boaz. We need as many playing cards in our hand as we can get. Creed’s strong. His Nation is strong. We need to weaken his cause and strengthen ours.

Boaz was torn. He felt his argument was legitimate and coupled with a secret desire to avoid messing with his family outside of his older brother Creed. He didn’t want to comply but knew he had to. Fine.

Fine, The Rev repeated. Now, let’s go grab a bite to eat and discuss Silus’s trait.

Boaz followed his boss from the conference room to the exit of the building to venture into town for some food.

While sitting at her desk within the main building of the small military base in Houlton, Maine, Brynn was placing her personal belongings in a box. She glanced around. She knew she’d miss working at the small, underutilized facility, but more importantly, she knew it was time to move on to something else in her life. Her gaze landed on a photo on the corner of her desk that hadn’t yet been placed in the box. Brynn and Creed were sitting close to one another at her parents’ dining room table. A huge holiday meal had just been consumed by Brynn, Creed, and her family, and from the photo, it was obvious that she and Creed were having a good time.

In the photo, Creed was wearing a nice shirt and tie, a tie that Brynn had bought him for his birthday. His thick, dark brown hair was cut short at the time and he wore it a bit messy, which Brynn liked. Despite the suffering he had gone through, his face was still youthful. A strong jaw line hinted at hidden reserves of strength. Here was someone it would be unwise to underestimate. Not for the first time she marveled at the tender feelings Creed stirred in her. Through the photo, Brynn could smell Creed and her eyes followed his dimples to his bright smile.

Her cell phone rang. When she answered, Creed skipped the hello and jumped right into the conversation. So, how did the farewell party go?

Brynn laughed. Like all the others. Cheap cake, watered down punch, and a bunch of professional hugs and wishes of luck. Pretty typical farewell bash for the base.

Have you talked to your parents since this morning?

Yes. My mom called and told me how much both she and my dad care for you and that they will always be there for us. She promised to back off and to tell Sean and Chandler to back off, too.

Chandler?

He came to the house today and was involved in the first part of that whole fiasco. I asked him and Sean to leave so my parents could talk to us alone.

What’s Chandler’s deal? Creed demanded.

She could tell he was instantly upset. Creed wasn’t half as concerned with Sean as he was Chandler, a reminder to Brynn that Creed’s obsessive jealousy was always going to be an issue. He doesn’t have a deal, not with me anyway. He’s probably going to be moving to Alaska soon.

Good. It can’t happen soon enough, Creed snapped.

Creed, stop. You know that’s old news. Brynn intentionally put a chuckle in her voice. She needed to make light of the situation. She waited for Creed to respond, crossing her fingers that Creed would drop the discussion of Chandler.

I know. Are you about done for the night?

Brynn sighed. I’m about done for forever. I’ve just finished packing up my desk, she said and she looked around again. I might actually miss this place a little.

The tasks on Mrs. Larson’s to-do lists? Or the pay? Creed teased, now chuckling himself.

Oh, the to-do lists for sure. But in all seriousness, I think it’s a good time for me to start down a new path in life, she said. She stood and reached across the empty desk, grabbing the photo before placing it gently in the box. I’m on my way out. I’ll call you when I get home.

They exchanged goodbyes and Brynn closed her phone. She threw her bag over her shoulder and lifted the small box from her desk. With bittersweet emotions, Brynn punched out of the Army base for the last time.

On her final drive home from the base, Brynn was consumed with relief. It had been a long hard month for her, and quitting her job was one less unpleasant task she had to take care of. She was planning to work for Laxar Eden, Creed’s company, and she was looking forward to being with him more. The changes were exciting, but not all were welcome for Brynn. Even with the ring on her left hand, the subject of marriage hadn’t been discussed, and on Brynn’s part, wasn’t going to be anytime soon.

Brynn’s excitement about being engaged, planning a wedding, and her marriage to Creed was constantly tainted by memories of Nancy. Sent to Creed to obtain a valuable formula for an enhancement serum, Nancy had temporarily destroyed Brynn’s relationship with Creed. Brynn often wondered if Nancy had permanently ruined her wishes to marry Creed at all.

Chapter 2

Along with the stress of giving her notice, Brynn had been under a great deal of pressure from her parents, Sean, and Chandler. The conversation that had taken place at her dining room table between her parents and her fiancé had been a good thing, although she considered it would surely cause its own set of problems down the road. Brynn’s parents were old-fashioned and things that were different in anyway were often met with resistance. Brynn appreciated that they would need a great deal of time to digest what Creed had revealed.

Brynn wanted everything to work out for everyone. Her wish was for her family and friends to be happy and supportive of her choices. She wanted them to love and respect Creed the way she did, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that that day might be a long time coming.

Pulling into the driveway, she sighed. Brynn’s home had been left to her by her beloved Grandmother Ruth who had passed away from old age over a year before. Brynn had spent a great deal of time and money refurbishing the entire property. She had the interior gutted and cosmetically rejuvenated with new flooring, paint, lighting, doors, and hardware, along with an entirely new kitchen. She had the exterior restored and refreshed with stucco and stone. The overall transformation from the old house she had spent many childhood days in to the home she occupied as an adult was unbelievable.

The Moorest was a multi-acre parcel of land that sat behind Brynn’s home. Covered in thick trees, mostly ash and every kind of maple under the sun, the forest, or Moorest as it was called by the Moore family, was one of Brynn’s favorite places to hide as a child. The tallest trees had taken over the Moorest, causing little pockets of clearings where the sun never touched the ground. There were thick roots that twisted and bent above the earth that made for good seating, and the trees made a sanctuary that no other outdoor location could replicate. As an adult, she had experienced both good and bad encounters inside the thick trees, but the Moorest was a dependable sanctuary for Brynn, regardless.

Her line of sight bounced from the tallest trees of the Moorest to the uncovered carport where Chandler’s old truck sat. She suspected that he wanted to talk to her about what had happened earlier but she was in no mood to exchange words with him.

She climbed out of her car and began to wrangle with the box of belongings from her desk, making her way to the back door. In a stream of moonlight, she could see Chandler sitting at the picnic table by the back door. He’d obviously been waiting for her a while.

Hey, Brynn said, walking to the table and setting the box down. She located the key to her house and reached for the box. Chandler grabbed the box and, without saying a word, followed Brynn into the house.

What’s this? he asked, inspecting the contents in the half empty box.

It’s from my desk at the base. Today was my last day of work there.

For good this time? Chandler asked. He set the box on the table.

Brynn walked to the fridge and grabbed a can of juice. She held the can in his direction and he accepted it. Yes. I know I’ve been back and forth there for the past few years, but it didn’t bother Mrs. Larson or the base authorities. It was a good thing for both of us for a long time, but I need to move on and experience more than logging weather data and dusting control panels.

Who did they find to take your place? Chandler asked, taking the last sip from the can. Brynn smiled, the weight of the can in her hand noticeably unchanged from before it was opened it.

Ruby, until Mrs. Larson can fill it, Brynn said. She took another drink. Ruby’s dating Silus.

Chandler nodded once. Yeah, those Alexanders are taking over Houlton. First you, then Chelsi … now Ruby. They’re most definitely Maine’s most eligible bachelors.

"Formerly—formerly eligible," Brynn added, not enjoying the conversation in the least bit. The room fell tense and silent, and Brynn had a hard time looking at Chandler. Standing tall and as solid as a linebacker, Chandler was a large man. His dark, thick hair and light beard lent him an air of rough attractiveness. There had been a time when the sight of him would have made Brynn’s heart beat faster, but now she felt nothing beyond friendship for him.

Yeah, well, I just wanted to make sure you aren’t too upset that I talked to your parents with Sean, he explained.

No, I’m not angry with you.

That’s good … because I’m moving to Alaska for two years with my dad.

You got the contract! That’s great, Chandler.

I guess. I wasn’t going to go out there, but you … well, you sort of made my decision for me.

Me? What do you mean? Brynn asked, knowing full well what was coming next.

You made your choice and it wasn’t what I wanted. It’s too hard for me to be here, Brynn, to see you with him, to want you so badly and know that no matter what, you will never leave Creed! With every word, his tone became increasingly intense. Brynn had known for a long time that he still harbored deep feelings for her, unable to let go of their shared past. She wished she could find the words to help Chandler move on with his life, but nothing came to her.

She looked at the ground at her feet and Chandler walked to her and roughly embraced her. I will always think about you and I will always be your friend, he said. He kissed her cheek. Don’t ever forget that, Brynn. No matter what the future holds, we’ll always be friends. He leaned back and looked her in the eye. "But I can’t be around you. I can’t be just friends when I’m near you.