Very slowly, Frank began to wake up.  The first things he noticed were the pounding in his head and the fact that he felt as if he’d been chewing on a mouthful of cotton.  He tried to sit up and get a look at his surroundings, but found he couldn’t move. 

Forcing back the panic that had taken root, Frank opened his eyes and was blinded by a spotlight that was aimed directly on his face.  Hissing in pain, he quickly shut his eyes, trying to remember what had let to his current predicament.  Frank heard footsteps approach, and the spotlight was pushed to the side. When he opened his eyes again, Frank found himself staring up into the face of Gloria Sansom. 

“Yes.  It was me all along.”  She smiled down at him, reaching up to adjust something out of Frank’s line of sight.  Craning his neck, Frank tried to see what she was doing and for the first time he noticed the two IV’s leading into his arms.  Moving to the other side of the table Frank was strapped to, Gloria began adjusting the second IV, allowing the liquid to flow more rapidly.

“What are you doing?”  Frank asked, trying to remain calm in spite of the cold fear that gripped him.  “What’s in there?”  He eyed the clear, plastic lines apprehensively.

“Medication.”  Gloria replied vaguely.  “I didn’t expect you to wake up so soon.  If you like, I can give you another sedative so you won’t be too uncomfortable when they start.” She offered, seeming to be genuinely concerned about Frank’s comfort.

“When what starts?”  Frank repeated, tension evident in his voice.  “What are you doing to me?” 

“I’m taking away your gift.”

“My…gift?”  Frank asked, confused.

“Yes.  Your gift.”  She chuckled at the expression on his face.  “Come now, Frank.  Don’t be so modest.  You’re an extremely intelligent young man.  Brilliant in fact.  Some would even consider you a genius.”

She gazed across the room at something Frank couldn’t see and sighed heavily.  “But I’m afraid I can’t let you keep your gift.  Blake couldn’t keep his gift.  None of you can keep your gifts.”

“I’m really not all that special, you know.” Frank told her, trying to buy some time, hoping to come up with a way out.

“Oh, but you are.  You’re very special.”  She smiled down on him, gently brushing her hand across his cheek.  “In fact you remind me of my Blake.  He had the same kind of gift you have. But I already told you that.” Sighing again, she moved away from Frank. “He could have done so much good in this world.” 

“Then why don’t you let me go.  I can do good in his name.”  Frank suggested, grasping at straws.  He had no idea how long he had before whatever was dripping into his veins would start to affect him.

“I wish I could.”  Gloria replied, as if the decision to let him go wasn’t hers to make.  “But you all have to follow in Blake’s footsteps.  He was the first, you know.  Born at 12:01 a.m. on July 14, 1977 .  And you were the last.  Born at 11:58 p.m.   Ironic, don’t you think, that the first and last baby born on that day were both brilliant beyond anything their parents had ever hoped for?”  Gloria shook her head, smiling, before she continued.

“All Blake’s peers will have to live the rest of their lives without their special gifts, just as he will.  You were the last one on the list.  Once your gift is gone, my mission will be complete.  Justice will finally be served. You all followed him into the world on that day.  And all of you will continue to follow him.  Whatever path he takes, you will follow.  All of you – the gifted ones – are destined to be together.  Forever.”

‘She’s nuts!’  Frank thought, knowing he couldn’t possibly reason with her, and prayed Joe and his father could track him down before it was too late.  ‘ Come on, little brother.  I can’t get out of this one on my own.  I know you can do it.  I just hope you know it too.’ 

“What’s in there?” Frank asked about the IV’s again, wanting to prepare himself for whatever was in store for him.

“Theophylline.  It’s used to treat asthma.  However, when it’s administered intravenously in large doses, it causes severe convulsions.”

Frank paled as he listened to her soft, lilting voice describing what was about to happen.

“The convulsions result in permanent, irreversible brain damage.  When that happens, your gift will be gone.  But don’t worry, you won’t miss it.  When you wake up, you’ll have approximately the same mental capacity as my Blake – that of a five-year-old.  It’s only fitting, don’t you think?  You were both so brilliant.”  She sighed, wistfully.    Adjusting the IV’s one more time Gloria looked down at him with a motherly smile.  “Are you sure you wouldn’t like that sedative now?”