The room looks like it belongs in a facility.Frowning, I step forward, the soles of my feet whispering against the polished tile floor and echoing through the hollow chamber. My gaze darts around, searching for any sign of an exit, but the room appears wholly sealed off. A faint rustling draws my gaze to the far corner. My breath catches in my throat at the familiar mop of hair illuminated in the low light."Zane?" I whisper, hoping against hope this is some strange dream. But those sea-green eyes, usually alight with wicked calculation, meet mine with a detached emptiness that confirms my worst fears. He sits propped against the wall, long limbs are drawn up, and hands dangling limply between his knees like a marionette with cut strings. Dark shadows haunt his pale face, and sweat coats his skin. "Zane?" I called out cautiously, taking a few steps toward him. "What are you doing here?"Zane lifts his head, his expression curiously blank. "Ande," he responds flatly. "I should
As soon as she fades from view, I whirl to face Zane, still propped limply in his corner. Grasping his ragged sleeves, I tug him upright to meet my eyes, finding them startled but alert. "She said no one can enter without permission. Do you think that's true?" I ask low and urgent. He pins me with a look, his expression blank. "Yes. But no one's going to give you the permission to walk out of here. And no one is going to save you either. Like i said, no one can find you unless they turn the whole place inside out." He mutters.I release him with disgust, scowling."So you're just going to roll over and let them use us both?" I ask, my tone harsh.Zane scoffs, eyes bitter . "I don't know what else to do, Ande. I'm trapped, just like you."I shake my head in disgust. "Well, don't expect me to just sit back and accept whatever 'special plans' they have for me." I scan the room, searching for any potential means of escape. "There has to be a way out of this place."Zane watches me warily
But the man merely chuckled, eyes hooded, "Try to guess, my boy."I narrow my eyes at the tall man looming over my restrained body, trying my best not to show the fear building inside.Though my heart races like a stampeding herd, I keep my expression steely. "I said who are you?" I ask again, my voice coming out stronger than intended. He smiles, but it doesn't reach his dark eyes. "Now now, is that any way to greet an old friend?" Old friend? I wrack my brain but come up blank. Nothing about this man seems familiar. Before I can reply, the door slides open with a loud hiss. Everett strides in, head held high, though I notice a subtle tremble in her stride. "Father, a word if I may?" she says, her tone polite yet clipped. Father? A spark of recognition lights in my mind, followed swiftly by a flare of rage. I strain against the rough ropes binding my wrists, my words tearing from my throat in a snarl."You're the Principal? You bastard!"A flash of anger crosses his face, there
Unfortunately, I don't have time to dwell on these thoughts, however, as the doctors turn their attention back to me.They unclasp the restraints, and I slump to the floor, my muscles trembling from the ordeal. Exhaustion weighs heavily on me, and I can barely muster the strength to stand.How long had I been trapped here? What more did they want from me? As if on cue, the heavy steel doors slid open with a loud clang, the harsh sound grating against my frazzled nerves. I tense, dreading whoever or whatever has come to torment me next. To my surprise, it's not the principal that returns, but a female scientists clad head to toe in white coats. The woman immediately starts a brisk walk towards me, her jaw set in a rigid line that sends a fresh wave of fear through me. Sweat prickles across my skin as I scramble backward, putting as much distance between me and the doctors as the cramped space allows. "Stay back!" I cry, my voice cracking with defiance and dread."Don't you dare com
I finally look away from glass tube, feigning unconsciousness as the scientists as the scientists finish up their notes make for the exit. The door slides shut behind them with a soft hiss and I allow myself to breathe a sigh of relief. At least for now I am alone. I wait a few more moments to be sure they have truly left before slowly opening my eyes. The harsh lights of the lab assault my vision, causing me to squint as my eyes adjust. I glance around, taking in my limited surroundings, trying to ignore the way my body aches and throbs after what they have put me through. I shudder, hating how vulnerable I feel strapped down like a lab specimen. My gaze falls upon my bound wrists, raw and irritated beneath the thick leather straps holding me securely to the table. I experimentally tug at my restraints, grunting with the effort, but they do not budge."Come on, come on," I mutter through gritted teeth, yanking at the restraints until my wrists ache. I strain against them with al
Everything aches as I sit here on the frigid floor of the lab. I feel hollow, numb inside and out like my soul has been ripped from my body, leaving an empty shell behind. The fluorescent lights above cast a harsh glare that pierces through my heavy eyelids, yet I can't find the strength to close them. I stare blankly ahead, my mind racing with a thousand thoughts, yet feeling oddly disconnected from it all.I can't believe my mother would do this to me.My body trembles from the cold seeping into my bones but I don't have the will left to move. After what feels like an eternity, the heavy metal door hisses open with a rush of cool air. I don't even look up to see who enters, finding I no longer care what fresh horrors they have in store. Strong hands grip my arms, yanking me from the floor without care or concern. I'm tossed onto a table like a rag doll, my limbs splayed out awkwardly. Straps are secured across my wrists, ankles, and waist once more with efficient, clinical pre
My eyes crack open reluctantly, dry and gritty after whatever meager rest I managed to find strapped to this cold metal table. Every muscle aches in protest as I test the binds feebly, mouth parched and body stiff. For a moment there is blissful stillness, then the heavy doors sigh open. I go motionless, pretending the depths of unconsciousness while sharp scientist eyes scrutinize monitors. Their hushed conversation carries clearly in the empty silence."His vitals are stable, but the new serum doesn't seem to be as strong as we'd hoped," one of the scientists says, brow furrowed in concentration."We'll just have to increase the dosage for tomorrow's test," the other replies, jotting something down on their clipboard. "The higher ups are growing impatient. We need results. Fortunately, the subject seems to be recovering faster than expected."I strain to hear more, dread pooling in my stomach as I wonder what other horrors they have planned. God, what are they going to do to him
We're almost there, the exit is just down the hall. After everything we've been through, freedom is finally within reach. In my excitement, I push through the crowd with the unconscious boy in tow, my heart pounding from elation as I outrun my classmates.But just as I'm about to make my move, a familiar figure comes charging towards me - Everett, the literal bane of my existence.She blocks my path, her eyes narrowed into a menacing glare."Going somewhere, Ande?" she hisses, her eyes narrowed to slits.I scowl, tightening my grip on the gurney handles. "Get out of my way, Everett. I'm getting out of here."She lets out a harsh laugh, shaking her head. "I can't let you do that. You all belong back in the Labs, where you can't cause any more trouble.""Trouble?" I spit, my anger boiling over. "You call what you've been doing to us 'trouble'? You're monsters, the lot of you!"Everett's expression darkens, and she takes a menacing step forward. "I told you to go back ANDE."I sneer bac