The Modified (The Biotics Trilogy, #1) Read Online Free

harm’s way like your brother was,” she states, a sad smile returning to her face.
    “Here, I got you something.” I pull out a small pot of flowers wrapped in a plastic bag from my backpack. “It’s some blue poppies for your garden. I had Joey stop by your favorite flower shop in town before he dropped me off.”
    “Oh, these are lovely, Kenley,” she replies, giving me another hug and taking them from my hands. Tears come to her eyes again and it suddenly dawns on me why. “They’ll go perfectly with the red ones your brother gave me before he went off to war.”
    “I’m so sorry, Mom. I didn’t even think about that,” I reply with sadness in my voice. “I just wanted to get you some of your favorite flowers.”
    “It’s all right, dear. I love them, and I know exactly where I’m going to put these. Right next to your brother's.”
    “So, have you heard from Dad lately?” I ask, trying to change the subject before I start to cry.
    “No, but you know your father’s busy with this project of his. He’ll call when he has time, dear. I can’t wait to tell him the good news about your new assignment, though. I think he’ll be relieved to hear you’ll be safe for your two-year service with the Federation. Are you hungry? I was planning on making your favorite tonight, eggplant parmesan.”
    “I’m actually kind of more tired than anything else, but that sounds great, Mom.”
    “Well you go rest up a bit, and then let’s plan on having dinner at around seven?”
    “Okay,” I reply, trying to keep my emotions at bay. I’m bawling on the inside and it’s so difficult not to just burst into tears. I’ll be leaving my family soon, and my dad and I are the only ones who know the truth.
    After giving my mom another hug, I head up to my bedroom. On my way, I pass by Dylan’s old room. The door hasn’t been opened for months, and my mom has kept it just as he left it the day he went off to war. I realize the door is slightly ajar and hear noises coming from inside. My heart skips a beat as I push open the door the rest of the way and see Gavin sitting at the edge of Dylan’s bed holding something in his hand. I sit down next to him and he doesn’t say a word. He just continues to stare at a photo of him, Joey, Dylan, and me. It was taken the day after Dylan’s assignment. All of our faces are strained in the picture even though Mom had told us to smile. Tears come to my eyes as I remember back to the day a soldier brought this picture to our front door with a message. A message that would change our lives forever.
    “Don’t go, Kenley,” Gavin whispers.
    “I have to,” I reply as I wrap my arm around his shoulder, pulling him close. “I’ll be okay. You don’t have to worry about me or Joey, all right?” I feel him nod into my shoulder and hear him sniffle. Wiping away my own tears, I look into his eyes as he raises his head to me. “Mom says dinner will be ready at seven, so that means we’ve got an hour to play some games. What do you say?” He nods. “Well, go set it all up and I’ll be in soon, okay?”
    “Okay,” Gavin replies, wiping his eyes and handing me the picture.
    I go to put the photo back onto the mirror, but then stop to look at it once more. Tears begin to well up in my eyes again as I look at Dylan’s handsome face. He almost looks like he knew this was the last picture he would take with us. “I’ll make them pay, Dylan. You have my word.” 
     
     

 
     
    Chapter Two
    The Shrouded Facility
     
    As I pull up to our usual Thursday night hangout, my car’s headlights shimmer off the side view mirror of Joey’s old red Mustang. The black stripes on the sides of the car have almost all but worn away, and the vehicle is a little beat-up, but he absolutely loves that car. It was what allowed him to get away from his parents.
    Thursdays were barhopping nights for his dad, and Joey never wanted to be home when he returned. I’ll never forget the first night he