Mathew sat silent even as others entered and discussed, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes as pain throbbed through his leg at regular intervals each thankfully diminishing with every pulse but all the same it wasn't a pleasant experience. The sweat on his brow had steadily lessened as he intently listened to the other 'guests', eager to get his mind off the pain.<br/><br/>Someone, no, a woman spoke up bringing into the fold the words surely everyone had in their heads. Or at least should've after receiving their 'invitation'. He tightened his grip on the handle of his cane, even now it irked him to how they found him, he was sure he didn't use them in public sight nor did he use it regularly. What ever it was, what ever was inside him wasn't something that he could use mindlessly. Mathew remember the first time it happened, he remembered the humiliation of slipping down the small set of stairs in the park, the rain that poured over his head as he fruitlessly tried to get up and then he felt something in his heart, it wasn't frustration, anger, denial or despair, it felt... foreign, almost warm in a way. He remembered the golem that slowly reached forth it's arm, offering Mathew a means to get up.<br/>Mathew shook his head for a moment to get himself out of memory lane, opening his eyes once again to look at the woman who spoke up, she was underweight, even though he himself had experienced hardships in regards to food he never was in that state. Why was that, he wondered silently.<br/><br/>By now others had joined the group in more ways it seemed as arguments had broken out, the young man simply kept himself quiet, there was no need to bring up his thoughts just yet, if he remained as he was; silent and injured there'd be no reason for them to pay him any need nor for them to ask him the questions he wasn't ready to share for the moment.<br/>Though he had to admit the current argument about the stink of smoke wasn't sitting to well with him, while he had no problem with the smoker, it was rude to give the counter argument that they simply had to open a window... when she herself entered the room with the cigarette. It seemed to Mathew that it would've been politer for the smoker to have done it herself.<br/><br/>He had begun to close his eyes again when there was a short sound of someone apparently being startled, only to announce that a 'Pink Bubastis was awake'. Taking in several deep breathes Mathew began to shift his focus inwardly again, his mind trying to piece together several unanswered and unsaid questions, why were they here? What was the purpose and who arranged this get together.<br/>That was until the same person as before was once more startled and made the accusation that someone was playing a prank on her. It only took a moment for Mathew to see and understand what she meant, his face began to glow a light red as he closed his eyes once more.<i>Pinkie seems rather content...</i>Came the first thought.<br/><br/>Any happy thought that could've been derived from that momentary glimpse he had was subsequently crushed by the arrival of one other guest; a general, no,<b><i>ex</i></b>-general. Probably retired. Fifteen years? Who did this man worked for? How long have they known about all of them? Days? Weeks? Since birth?<br/>The more the man spoke the more Mathew grew to dislike the former general, judging by the look he had received meant they truly knew what powers he held as well as the powers the others held. His mind began to click things together, even as the bastard threatened their lives if they failed to comply. The general had mentioned his powers but before that he had mentioned something else as well, fire manipulation wasn't it? Mathew wasn't sure who the ex-general had looked at. More importantly he had also mentioned that a few in this room had made contact with alien tech... or at least something related to aliens. "<i>Was that my case as well?</i>" Mathew wondered.<br/><br/>The amount of so called benefits were nice, realistically they were tempting, they made sense and appealed to those in need yet in that vein a problem lay. For those who lacked an income this 'surprise' money could not be explained. Mathew's face contorted in suppressed frustration, even now with the money so close it was still out of reach, what ever he earned could not be sent to his family without raising suspicions. This organization was not recorded by any government meaning that the money could not be explained... if his family was discovered to have this money the organization would leave them high and dry... if Mathew held any of the money for himself then he would've be able to live with himself. There had to be a way to get that money to his family.<br/>Once more his grip tightened around his cane.<br/><br/>With everything on 'the table' so to say, the bastard left and in his place was another surprise; The Innovative Synthetic Intelligence System or a ISIS as it introduced itself. It explained it's purpose, the facilities, the sleeping quarters and finally the fact this 'house' was in fact a death sentence. While the computer rather calmly told them that if they damaged this house it would respond in kind. However it failed to reassure them of the fact the head of the organization wouldn't simply just 'accidentally' flip the switch and get rid of the evidence. And just to add the cherry on top, there were cameras everywhere.<br/><br/>There weren't too many choices available to Mathew, if he refused then what chance did he have to help his family? Would they be put at risk if he refused? Knowing the bastard of a general, they would be. If he accepted then what fate lay in store for him? They... who ever they were, said this was some kind of defense force but was that even true? There was always the third option; suicide. It would deny this organization, it would prevent putting his family at risk as they would surely cover it up and his parents would be able to benefit from what life-insurance he had. Realistically it could pay for several months food, no, more as it would only be two mouths to feed instead of three.<br/>Even as the others moved about and signed the dotted line, Mathew remained seated, staring a hole in the damnable contract in front of him.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>