What's Inside?
Fandom : Dark Angel
Rating : PG-13
Character : Alec
Written for the prompt : Dark Angel, Alec, Wild
I've dabbled a little since it was first posted and tried to improve it based on some suggestions – so all thanks for the help go to my special circle of friends *hugs you all*
Disclaimer : All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.
What's Inside?
Put him in a cage and he'll fight for his life, even when his opposition is worth nothing. He's an animal, running on instinct. Predator and prey. The infamous Monty Cora. Alec sinks himself down, tucks himself away in a safe corner of his mind and lets the animal within have free rein.
There are times when a part of him wonders how much longer he can keep control, how many more times he can let the beast out and then wrangle it back into its cage inside his mind. He fights himself as much as he fights his opponent, trying to only let himself go far enough to win, never as far as Manticore bred him to go, never as wild as they wanted him to be.
Now he tries to remind himself that he is no longer X5-494. X5-494 is gone, he'd like to say dead and buried, but it's not that certain yet. He has more now, more than he did as 494. He is no longer an uncared for soldier and someone else's tool. On a good day now, he is learning and building friendships. He has people who will look out for him and help, and not just because he is a piece of equipment.
He is Alec now and Alec has hope for the future, if he can just hold on tight enough.