“Yes.Except for Rosaline,” Apollo stated.“And we’re here to help.Along with another team out of Texas, we have been helping locate survivors and getting them to safety away from The Noah Group.”
“Tom told me The Noah Group had been destroyed by the military,” Mary said.
“For a time, it had been, but factions are popping up all over the country, kidnapping survivors in order to use their abilities and gain power,” Apollo explained.
“Is that why you helped us around the farm?”Frank asked.
“No.We had no idea that Asher had abilities until earlier today.We were initially shocked as we never imagined finding anyone like us so close by.Please come back and sit down.You have nothing to fear from us,” Apollo said.
“We truly want to help,” Ellen said.“My brother protects survivors.We all do.”
Mary moved forward with Asher in her arms.“My Tom.He vanished.”
“Yes, we were discussing the possibility that someone from The Noah Group found him,” Rocko explained.
“I knew he wouldn’t leave us like that,” Mary said as tears filled her eyes.
Asher reached up and patted her mother’s wet cheek.“Mommy is sad.”
“Yes, baby, but Mommy will be okay,” she said before looking straight at Rocko.“You find people, right?”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Apollo
“I still think it would be best if Mary and her family stay here on the compound,” Renee said.
“It was their choice to return to their home,” Apollo said.“We can’t force them, or we’re no better than the Noah Group.”
“I know you’re right, but I’m worried.”
“We all are,” Apollo agreed.“They know that they can call on us if needed, and Jagger will have sensors and cameras set up around their property before the end of the week.That way, we’ll have a direct line to catch whoever sets foot on their land, and they’ll be able to raise the alarm if necessary.”
“I have a question,” Rocko said.“Why didn’t you sense Asher’s mutation when we arrived on their farm, and can you feel it now?”
“When we arrived, I felt something, but it was minor, and I chalked it up to all of us being in the area.I was also concerned with convincing Frank to let us help, but now that I know what Asher’s vibration is, I can pick it out easily.”
“Good.That way, you can sense extreme fear, in case The Noah Group shows up,” Blade said.
“Let’s hope that never happens, but yes, I will, and Rocko will be able to track all three family members.”
“Yes,” Rocko agreed.“Speaking of that, Mary will be dropping off a box of Tom’s belongings tomorrow morning so I can go through it and hopefully get an idea where we can start searching for Tom.”
“I hope we aren’t giving Mary false hope,” Ellen said.“What if the guy did take off on them, and it has nothing to do with the Noah Group?”
“It’s a possibility, but if we don’t try to find him, that entire family will never have closure,” Apollo said.“And I refuse to allow them to live their entire lives wondering what truly happened.”
“Agreed,” Rocko said.“I’ll do everything I can to find the man.”
“And we’ll help you,” Griffin said.“Whatever it takes.”
Apollo didn’t miss the surprised expression on Rocko’s face.True, Griffin had been less than welcoming to him, but it would appear his second-in-command had come to accept their visitor as part of the team.
“Thanks,” Rocko said.
“It’s getting late,” Apollo said.“Thanks for all the hard work today, everyone.”
“It turned out okay, didn’t it?”Hendrix said.
