Dull pain and slight tugging at the edges of my arm pulled my mind into the light. Looking over a black hedgehog was finishing up stitches on my arm. He soon wrapped it up in bandage and looked into my eyes. He remained silent and still, then went back to tending to me. Once the bandage was secure, he examined the metal bangles that were fastened to my wrists. I pulled against his grip, too weak to break his hold, he read what was on them, looking at the seams. He pushed down on a rectangular panel and pushed up; the panel came off and information was inscribed on the inner plane. He flipped out a small device, a few taps and clicks were done, then it disappeared to whence it came. He slid the panel back on and left the room.

I lifted my arm and looked to the bangle myself; I had never paid much attention to what was on it. I always wanted to ignore it and the dull ache that emanated from the area whenever I focused too hard. Text was written on it, I tried to remember the small language lessons Cross used to give me in secret when it was night; 'Project: AIKIA - /07' I mouthed, sounding out the words slowly inside my head. I ran my finger along the red battered and chipped paint.

The black hedgehog came back, a bag of blood in hand. He grabbed hold of my arm and readied me to receive the blood. I pulled and whimpered, my body only sliding closer to him, my weight too light, my muscles too weak. Giving up I held my breath, closing my eyes tightly. It did not take long before it was over, his grasp slipping away; free I slipped under and hid whatever sheets that were resting by my feet. I bunched them up on my feet, neck, ears, and face, my tail following suit, covering my body. Footsteps lead out of the room, getting quieter until they remained a distant memory.

Gray's voice echoed in my head, "Aikia, that's her name. Considering it is project AIKIA, Advanced Intuitive Keen Immortal Assassin." I closed my eyes, wanting to forget. The black hedgehog's voice could be heard, but it was quiet, his words too low to make out. I tried to make it out for a few minutes than gave up. Who is he anyways? Is he with Gray and Cross…? What happened? I know there was a bright light, but after that…

A clatter of a plate hitting a table came from behind me, footsteps leaving again. Curiosity got the better of me, and I twisted around to peek out at what it was. Pain shot up and down my body. There was this strange heap of things on a plate. Is it food? I slowly sniffed the air and scrunched up my nose. It doesn't look like the food Gray gave me… it was green jelly cubes, and this is not green. I don't think its jelly. I picked up a fork that laid on the plate and poked the firm white structure in a vague diamond shape. Green, orange, and off-white spirals with red half-liquid half-solid stuff mixed into it. Hints of white flakes were noticeable on top. Movement caught my eyes, red eyes stared at me from the doorway. My stomach growled lowly.

"It's food… You eat it… with what you're holding…" The ebony hedgehog kept watching.

I slowly just sat up, taking it more like an order, and poked the prongs of the fork through the substances and ate. It wasn't all pleasant, but I ate as much as I could handle.

"It's pasta… and chicken breast. Have you not seen it before?" He asked.

I looked to him and hesitantly shook my head. Maybe he wasn't working with Gray and Cross…

He sighed and folded his arms, "Well, what did you eat?"

I hesitated, but responded, "Cubes… green… jelly… clear." I made a small square with a finger in the air.

He shook his head, "Where did you come from?"

I looked down thinking. I don't know where I am… I don't know how I got here. I don't know where I even was. I closed my eyes, thinking a little more. I shook my head, "Facility number 0-1-1."

"That doesn't tell me anything." His tone held annoyance.

I stayed silent and kept looking down, my arms gripped onto the edge of the bed and remained tense. Please don't shock me… please…

He approached and lifted my head so my eyes met his, "Where are you from?" He growled.

My heart pounded, a lump formed in my throat, my eyes dared to water. "I don't know…" I gripped onto the metal clinging to my neck.

His eyes fell to my hand and followed along the metal ring. He seemed to come to a realization and slipped his hand away, creating some distance between us. I curled up, pulling my knees close, disregarding how much pain it dealt; I curled my fingers into my hair and buried my face into my knees. Breathe, Cat, breathe…

Footsteps led out of the room, came then left again, the door creaking, but it didn't close. After a few minutes of calming down I dared to look at the door. It was cracked open an inch. I'm not trapped… Neatly folded blankets rested on the floor close to the door. I inched myself up and retrieved them, dragging the stand of blood along; scurrying myself under the blankets I hid and made myself as flat as I could to the bed. I closed my eyes and pulled the covers over my head more, leaving an opening large enough for air to pass freely. This is much more comfortable than the vat I was in. I may be able to sleep well, even if it's just this once…

Bright sun invaded, bringing me to my senses. I looked to its source, a window. It was warm and soothing. A door creaked open, drawing my eyes to it. The hedgehog stood in the doorway, a white bat at his side. I pulled the sheets closer to my body.

"She's pretty cute." The white bat rested her hand on her hip, the hedgehog ignoring her statement.

I watched them come over, the bat approaching closer than the hedgehog.

"What's your name sweetie?" She asked.

"… Which one?" I thought of the two that were given, unsure of which one to use.

"Tell me both and I'll call you whatever one you prefer." She smiled softly.

I hesitated, "Aikia… and Cat… it was Cathy… what it was short for… I… like Cat."

"Okay Cat… I'm Rouge, and Mr. Grumpy over here is Shadow." She nodded her head towards him.

"Okay…" I quietly acknowledged.

"Do you have any questions you want to ask me?" She crouched down until she was more level with me and the bed.

"Are you… part of the team…? With Gray… and Cross?" I looked at her outfit. "You don't look like you're a scientist."

She shook her head. "So Gray and Cross were scientists? Do you know anything else about them?"

Their image flashed behind my eyes, "They were oldish…"

"Nothing else?"

I shook my head. Looks were exchanged between the two.

Shadow came a little closer, "How did you get out of there?"

"I don't know… There was this light… it was really bright… I couldn't see… I woke up with green everywhere… I didn't see anyone, or anything I know." I slowly sat up.

"What caused the light? Where did it come from?" He pushed.

The machine maybe? I remember alarms. I think something malfunctioned. I think something overheated? I don't know…

"Well?" He stared into me.

"I don't know… I was in a machine… and… I think something went wrong… there were alarms…" I pulled my knees close. He sighed.

"I… Are… Do you… want to find it…?" I looked up at them. He nodded firmly. "Please… d-don't make me go b-back…" I took a deep breath and bit my lip as tears start to swell in my eyes.

"Shh… we wont take you back… everything is alright." Rouge kept her voice soft.

I breathed deeply, and pointed to the back of my neck, to a portion of the metal where a small risen area was. "Here… they put a tracker… Can't remove… don't remove…" I didn't want to talk anymore.

"Why don't you want it off?" She seemed concerned.

"It hurts… It's bad so it hurts… when I'm bad it hurts…" I swallowed hard.

Shadow left the room, a sense of purpose about him.

"Shadow…!" She called after him, wanting to follow him. She turned back to me, now on her feet, "It'll be okay sweetie… Just… rest here." She followed the path in which he had taken.

I remained, adamant on remaining warm, in the comfort of the bed. I wonder where they are going… are they already going to try and find where I came from?

The door creaked open, my attention caught by it. Rouge stood there, Shadow absent. I snuggled the blankets more. I hadn't moved much since earlier this day. She sighed and leaned against the entrance.

"Shadow wanted me to check on you. He's still out there looking around. He'll probably be out all night." She waved her hand in the air.

"Do you…" I began, my stomach quivering and rumbling, "know where food is…?"

"Seriously…? Well… okay then… I'll show you. I guess Mr. Grumpy didn't want you to know your way around." She left the doorway. I slowly got up and followed her cautiously. I quickly found myself in the kitchen. She pointed to the cupboards and walk-in pantry. "So food is in there… as well as in the fridge." She went to the counter and pointed out some sections of storage, "Utensils are in here, pots and pans are there… so feel free to make whatever you like. If he has a problem with that he'll have to go through me." She smiled.

"Um… okay… so… how does one 'make' food?" I asked and walked closer to the pantry. "And… what is this stuff?" I gestured to the stuff in the pantry. "And what are these… contraptions?" I looked to the stove, fridge, and sink.

"You've got to be kidding me…" She flipped her hand to her hip.

I shook my head, "They… the scientists… they fed me green… clear jelly… stuff." I made a small square with my hand. "I don't know what it is… where they got it… I was just given it."

Rouge sighed and whipped out a frying pan. "Alright sweetie, let's give you a little one o one about cooking."