A needle jabbed straight into my arm, the bright green liquid emptying from the syringe and into my veins. Ew. The whitecoat standing above removed the needle, not bothering to be gentle, which caused me to wince.
"Aww, did I hurt the little dove? I'm sorry, I'll try to be nicer next time," the whitecoat snickered.
His long dark hair swept down into his ugly face. I hate that face. I glared at him my best death glare, clenching my fists so hard it hurt. My glare didn't seem to be working much today since the stupid man just turned and scribbled some notes down. Idiot. The female whitecoat on my other side shook her head and started to sterilize the syringe used on me. I felt sorry for whoever would be on this table next. Boredom was setting in. Great. I tugged on the restraints holding my limbs down to the operating table. Stupid white-coated freaks. Why don't they seem to have any human decency? I sighed out loud, hoping to get the dude to talk. Anything to get rid of my boredom. But he didn't even twitch. Hmm. After a few moments, I let out a gusty sigh, groaning a little for effect. Nothing. I closed my eyes, the brightness of the lights above piercing through my eyelids. I wish Zero were here with me. He's my big brother and my best friend. Ever since we got here (get ready for the clichés), we've been closer than two catfish in a skillet, thicker than thieves, two birds of a feather, completely inseparable...well, until the science freaks seperated us for testing. He's only about 3 or 4 years older than me, but he acts like he's 5. Makes it interesting, though.
Years ago, when I was 8 and Zero was almost 12, our parents had loved us. Our family was small and kinda poor, but we managed to keep our modest house and few belongings. Then, one night, they decided to go out for their anniversary to a nice restaurant. They'd been saving up for ages, and it happened to be their 45th, so it was a big deal. A taxi even picked them up. They always walked to where they needed in our small town, but they wanted to do something different.
As soon as they left, however, my brother and I were paid a visit by your friendly neighborhood scientists. All I can remember of that night was a white coat, a white cloth, and a headache that hurt like the dickens. When I woke up, we were in cages on a cold hard floor with nothing but a hospital gown they dressed us in. I remember thinking, Did those perverts undress me while I was asleep? Looking back, I laugh at how naive I was about these creeps. They did much worse than just dress us up while we were unconscious. And, nearly 4 years later, they're still experimenting. My parents must be worried sick, or think we're dead. The kidnappers haven't called for any kind of ransom, not that they could've paid it, so they probably gave up all hope of getting us back. A warm tear rolled down my cheek. I miss them so much it hurts. Why did these freaks take us away? We're nothing special. And it could've been anyone here in this cold place of evil. Why us?
Suddenly, a sharp object came close to my eye, scraping my cheek. I could feel drops of blood well up from the scrape and seconds later, pain followed. I winced. The ugly whitecoat's head loomed above me, staring creepily at me while he held a scalpel to my face.
"What's the matter, little dove? I haven't even started on you and you're already crying," he smirked.
I wanted to pound his freakazoid face into the wall so hard, but there was the small problem of mobility. So I spat in his face instead. He recoiled, reddening in anger. I almost laughed at how stupid he looked when I hawked one at him. He backed against the counter full of equipment, wiping my spit off, and he turned so red with rage he looked like a tomato. I started to get nervous. He was never this mad. And that wild look in his black eyes scared me. I almost wish I didn't do that. That feeling amplified as he strode quickly over to the operating table, raised his hand and struck me across the face. He really hit hard. I cried out and cowered away from him, my cheek tingling where he slapped me. So now I had a big red mark and a cut on my face. Aren't I getting all the luck today?
Before he could hit me again, the female ran over and grabbed his wrist. "Alan! Stop! The subject must be intact for the research." The ugly one seemed to calm down a little when she spoke. Figures. She then added, "Don't break it."
'It?' Seriously? I am not a freakin' subject! I'm a human being, and a kid! But I stayed silent, not wanting another slap. My teeth started to hurt, and I realized I was clenching them hard. Whoops.
The dude took a deep breath. "Whatever. Let's just take the freak back to her cage."
Yay. At least he didn't call me 'it.' I laid back calmly while they unstrapped me from the table. When the restraints were gone, the stupid whitecoat grabbed my arm and yanked me to my feet. I stumbled, nearly falling, but he jerked me back up.
His rancid breath washed over me as he pulled me close, growling, "Don't try my patience, dove, or you'll get more than a red face from me." I nodded, not looking at him. "Good," he grunted.
The female grabbed the clipboard with what I assume are Ugly's notes and a couple of charts, and then began to saunter down the hall. Ugly followed, dragging me along while I tried to keep up as best as I could. We hurried past some mysterious doors marked with symbols, a couple of huge windows looking into testing rooms full of unfortunate experiments, and a lounge room. Hey, I guess even whitecoats need a break.
When we finally reached the big gym-sized room where my cage resided, Ugly shoved me to the floor. He shrugged as the female frowned at him and he muttered, "Oops." I scrambled to my feet before he could "help" me up, but he seized my wrist anyway, hauling me to the other side of the room.
We stopped in front of a huge curtain. I've no idea what's behind it, but it's always there. And it stinks. Gross. Kinda like sewer. And look! My cage is clean! Wasn't that nice of them. The whitecoats unlocked the crate and opened its door. Ugly Al then decided it would be hilarious if he shoved me inside unceremoniously. Big mistake, pal.
A deep voice growled from the next cage, slow and dangerous. "What do you think you're doing with my sister, freak?" He drew out 'freak' for emphasis. I love that guy.
The whitecoat took a startled step back. "Excuse me?" Ugly spluttered.
Zero lay against his cage bars in shadow, one leg drawn to his body and an arm thrown casually over it, his large pitch black and snow white wings extended threateningly. Oh yeah. We have wings. Forgot to mention that. He leaned forward so a shaft of light caught his raven-black hair. "Are you deaf? Don't. Touch. My. Sister." My brother peered up from purple bangs with enough poison to kill an army of whitecoats.
Ugly stumbled over a box, not taking his eyes off of Zero. He looked thoroughly confused. I chuckled quietly. That's my bro! The female lightly touched Alan's arm to get him going. At the human contact, he snapped out of his stupor. "L-let's go, Martha," he stammered. She guided him away from the cages, probably to the lounge room to slap some cold water in his ugly face.
"You ok, Krys?" Zero asked when they were gone. I looked over to his cage and nodded. Concern lit his silver eyes. He tried again. "What's up?"
Glaring at the direction the scientists left, I let another tear slip down. Unfortunately, it dripped over my cut. I gasped at the surprisingly painful sting. Zero hastily crawled over to the other side of his cage and reached out his arm. His hand barely reached the bars of my prison, so I scooted to his arm, extending mine until our hands joined in a familiar shape. My brother once came up with the idea of having a gesture to comfort each other, and I thought of a bird shape. Yeah, I know. Ironic. Our thumbs would unite in the middle as the bird's neck and head and our fingers spread out as the wings. I wiggled mine at him. He laughed, grabbing my hand and pulling me over. Uh oh. I know that move. "No!" I shouted, giggling uncontrollably as he tickled me.
Zero cackled, "I got one word! Let's see if I can get a whole sentence."
By now, I was gasping for breath, ragged wheezes escaping my mouth. "S-stop! I can't take it anymore!" I puffed. He let me go and I collapsed onto the cool floor in a panting heap.
He smirked down at me, inquiring, "Now was that so hard?"
"Yes. It was," I croaked. Shaking my head, I sat up against the cage bars, my back to Zero. My cheek was throbbing. Ouch. I sighed. Numbly, I could feel Zero scrape his cage towards mine and reach around me. Something cold now rested around my neck and just below my collarbone. I looked down. A beautiful silver chain necklace hung low, each link on the chain intricately woven. At the base of the necklace was a black onyx pendant with a drop of amber in the center set with a white 'K'. I inhaled sharply. "Zero...where did you get this?" I choked.
"Happy birthday, Krys," he whispered.
Holding the pendant, I started to sob. Great, now I'm emotional. "I love it!" I squealed, spinning around and trying to hug him through the bars.
He grinned. "Been hiding it from the Freaks. It's supposed to be for your 16th birthday, but I don't want you to wait any longer."
Tears started to spill down my face freely. Uuugh. What's wrong with me today? But Zero didn't seem to mind since he just stroked my short hair gently, murmuring how awesome he was. Again, I love this guy. Soon I had calmed down, though my gown was soaked through with warm salty emotions. I heard a grunt from him and something tickled my nose. A pitch black feather shot through with a light snowy white barred design. Zero waved it under my nose.
"Here, sis. To always remember me," he breathed. I took it and tucked it behind my ear.
"One of your own feathers? Thanks, Blake." I rarely used his real name, but it seemed appropriate for the moment. Y'know, since it's so tender and touchy-feely. Blech. I reached under my cage for a small leather pouch I hid from the whitecoats. "I'll keep them safe in here. The Freaks might 'confiscate' them, and I don't want that to happen," I air quoted.
Zero smiled, "Of course."
Opening the pouch, I carefully placed the pendant and the feather in and pulled the strings to cinch it shut. Then, making sure the hidden camera we all knew was there wasn't watching, I slid it into a hole I made a while ago under the cage, safe and sound. "There," I brushed my hands together and placed them on my hips.
Suddenly, the double doors on the other side of the room burst open and a couple of whitecoats strode importantly in. Not that they were important, but they sure acted like it. And oh look! Ugly was with them! And so was Miss Queen of Science. It's one big reunion. Behind the whitecoats lurked huge, furry, hulking creatures, eyes glowing with malice and hunger. Erasers. I growled silently. Erasers were other experiments created by the scientists, but only somewhat successful. They were part wolf, part human, and could change forms. Yeah, werewolves are real, just not what you expected. I've only seen them look completely human once. They mostly stay in their halfway forms: big hairy dudes with serious muscle and claws. I've never seen them turn into anthro wolves, though. Don't think I want to.
Zero tensed up when he saw them approach, eyes narrowing. I drew my legs up to my chest and rested my chin on my knees. What now? All of our tests should be done for the day. They never do more than a few per day. Weird. They advanced on us rapidly; the Erasers sniffed the air as they shuffled along, their long sharp teeth poking through their mouth slightly. They really creep me out.
Ugly swaggered up to my cage, a stupid grin on his face. "Hey, little dove. You look sad." He squatted down to my level and poked a finger into the cage. "I heard it was your birthday. Why didn't you tell me? Maybe I could've, I don't know, let you run around the yard for a while, stretch your legs?" Ugly suggested. One of the Erasers behind him sniggered. I glared at him from under my long indigo-tipped bangs. What a moron.
Zero snarled, "Leave her alone, freak."
"Oh, don't be that way," he said, standing up. His arms stretched out to his sides and he declared, "We're here to celebrate her birthday!" The wolf-man hybrids howled with laughter while the whitecoats sneered. I became nervous. What were they planning?
An Eraser with a scar on his eye stalked up, hands deep in his jean pockets. His bare chest rose and fell unevenly as he chuckled. Amusement lit his dark wolf like eyes when they fell on us. "Yeah, kids. We're gonna do somethin' special, just for you," the Eraser remarked, winking at me. I shivered under his gaze. Abruptly, he grabbed the bars of my cage and tilted it back. I slid back to the wall with a grunt.
"Hey! Leave her alone, dog breath!" Zero screeched, reaching through his cage. He strained to touch me and his silver eyes were turning darker every second the wolf boys lingered. Something was happening with him, something bad.
The Eraser leered down at me, saying, "Happy birthday, freak. How old are you now?" I glowered as menacingly as I could at him. He merely giggled as he replied, "That's ok, my whitecoat buddies can find out for me anyway." Crouching down, he smirked, "Didya know that I'm only 7?"
Surprise sparked in me and my eyes widened. Seriously? This werewolf on steroids was just a kid? Guess you learn something new every day.
Then, a sad look seemed to creep into the Erasers eyes. "I wasn't always part wolf. I used to be a real kid, with a dad." Anger took hold in his face and his feralness grew. "But he left me to the scientists for some stupid bird kids! He never paid attention to me, his own son!"
I gasped as he suddenly threw my cage aside. My arm got caught under the bars when it landed and I cried out in pain.
Zero shouted, "Krys! No!" And what happened next was a blur. The cage beside me burst apart, metal pieces flying everywhere. I heard shouts and screams of agony. There were so many, I wasn't sure who they were from. My arm burned so bad. I think it was broken. I couldn't move, and what I was hearing terrified me. Snarls ripped through the air, a few yelps following after.
What's going on? My breath caught in my throat. I called out weakly, "Z-Zero?"
A dark figure darted to my side. "Krys, I'm going to get you out, but you have to do exactly as I say. Can you do that?" He sounded hoarse and wild, but I nodded. The bars above me were all of a sudden gone and a hand stretched down to me.
"I can't, my arm..." I whimpered. "I think it's broken."
Zero slipped over, grasping the cage. "Get ready, sis. I'm going to right the cage. As soon as your arm's free, run. Run as fast as you can. Please don't worry about me."
With a groan, I was upright. I could see my arm was bent unnaturally and it burned. Tears pricked my eyes. When I could get up, I scrambled out of the cage and ran blindly. An Eraser, howling with pain as he held a bloody shoulder, made a move to grab me, but before he could he fell over. Dead. Zero stood over him, his fist bruised and slick with a dark liquid.
"Krys!" he shrieked. I had no time to dodge as a white-sleeved arm curved around my neck and pinned me to the owner's chest. I smelled his disgusting breath and instantly recognized Ugly Al, my old pal. His other hand grasped my broken arm, causing me to caterwaul. My arm was on fire now and hot tears spilled down my face. He constricted his arm around my throat. Black was starting to edge my vision, both with pain and lack of air.
Faintly, I heard my brother speak. "Let her go. She isn't involved."
"On the contrary, my boy, the little dove tried to flee her cage. It's dangerous out there for a tiny bird like her." A mad chuckle escaped him, like he made some hilarious joke.
Luckily, though, he eased the pressure on my windpipe. I took a deep, ragged breath, coughing hard into his arm.
My brother seemed like an angel of death with his muscular black wings extended and blood spattered on his face, fists and feathers. But defeat soon entered his eyes, somehow black as his hair and wings.
"Now, this is interesting. How did you even cause this mess, boy?" my captor asked, staring Zero up and down. "You've never shown any special... talents... of any kind before."
Zero flipped his long purple bangs to the side. "Dunno, freak. Just happened. I guess you guys aren't so good at what you do," he sneered.
Ugly sighed. I screamed as he roughly yanked on my broken arm. Sobs shook my body. The pain was almost too much. Darkness welled up and I could only see my brother's face and part of his arms and legs. Spots danced across my vision. I was barely aware of Zero calling my name, a pale hand ready to take mine.
A furry shadow loomed up behind him, clutching his arms and pinning them behind his back. I dimly noticed a scar on the anthro wolf's eye. Cackling rose up from the whitecoat holding me, but all I can think about is the pain. Why does a broken arm hurt so much? Well, when some creep messes with it, I guess that amplifies it. I took a breath, trying to calm down. The spots cleared, and I could see better. Good start. Glancing up I saw a scary, dark look on Zero. I've never seen him like that. He was quietly struggling against his captor, staring at me. I mouthed, "I'm okay now." Zero nodded.
Ugly took a step forward, pushing me up. "Ari, take him out back. Show him what happens to little birdies that stray too far from the cage," he chortled.
Oh no. "Blake!" I shouted, trying to break away.
"Krys!" he exclaimed. Ari let go of his arms for a split second and grasped his hair, jerking him towards the doors. I continued to struggle and shriek, Zero swearing more than I ever heard in my life at the wolf man dragging him away. Several sorry-looking Erasers limped after him, revenge lighting their eyes. "Shame to waste all that power," the freak muttered. "Too bad he couldn't be tamed." Moments later, a joyous howl swelled from the hall and I knew it was over. I dropped my head in grief. Zero... was gone. My legs collapsed beneath me, everything turning dark. Just like his wings...
