Free Copper Visions by Elizabeth Bruner Page A

about, even if it was a new type of plant, monkey or beetle. The fact that he denied the discovery means it was something he didn't want to share.”
    “You seem to have some insight into that journey, doctor,” David said, wondering how much the doctor knew.
    “I have some of your father's journals that were recovered from the wreckage.”
    “Those seem to be a popular commodity these days,” David said.
    “And something else recovered from you father's workshop.”
    “Indeed?”
    “Indeed. It's, well, quite frankly, it's the reason we even have the serum.”
    “You have my attention, Doctor Blue. I admit my curiosity as well.”
    Doctor Blue walked to a door on the other side of the workshop and beckoned David to follow him. “I would be very surprised if you'd never seen this before, David, but I will grant your astonishment at seeing it here.”
    With another flourish, Doctor Blue threw open the door and revealed a large closet with several sets of cabinets and a large metal cage in the center. In the center of the cage, looking up at him with sad eyes, was the demon.

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Chapter 13 – Sins of the Father
 
    The creature in the cage looked like a malignant cross between a dog and a child, with large eyes, a flattened nose and long ears. It's legs, while apparently ideal for walking on all fours, ended in hands which it used to hold onto the bars as it came forward in the cage to see who its visitors were. David bent down to get a better look and the creature came as close as it could and sniffed.
    “What a remarkable creature,” he said, peering at it. “I've never seen anything like it. Where did you find it?”
    Doctor Blue studied them before he answered. “You're quite sure you've never seen anything like it before?”
    “I've seen things that are like parts of it before. Its nose, for example, resembles a pug and it's eyes are rather like those cards with pictures of children with exaggerated eyes and pouting lips. I must say, this creature is a very unique collection of parts and I wonder at it being alive at all.”
    “Yes,” Doctor Blue said, nodding slowly. “It is a very remarkable creature and I wonder at you having never seen it as it was found in the wreckage of your fathers laboratory.”
    “It wasn't there when I left,” David said, standing slowly. “And he made no mention of finding a new species in his letters to me. I do wish you would stop calling him my father, Doctor Blue. While I understand the sense of whimsy you feel about my creation, it is a far from appropriate epithet.”
    “My apologies, David, but I have reason to believe it's not. However, I will refer to the good professor by his title in deference to your request. I find it extraordinary that he never mentioned so remarkable a creature to you. Its mere existence would assure a place in the study of the natural sciences.”
    “Are you sure Professor Alexander discovered it?” David asked. “It may have been some kind of scavenger, drawn by the destruction of the lab.”
    “I assure you, it was a part of the collapse, if not the actual cause of it. It was found dazed and badly injured by the people sent to find out what happened. Instructions for its care was found in the professor's papers, along with the notes for experiments he was running on it.” Doctor Blue turned to look at the creature in the cage. “The professor had gotten sentimental in his work, if not in his professional publications. He referred to the creature as though it were a part of the experiments rather than a subject, as though it had some control over what they were doing.”
    “What kind of experiments was Professor Alexander conducting on such a singular creature?” David asked.
    Doctor Blue smiled. “Why, the same kind that we are, dear professor. In the course of his work, though he is very vague as to the exact circumstances, it was brought to his attention that the blood that runs through this creatures veins