Crimzon: Well, here's the next chapter. I'll try to make this chapter more entertaining and less gloomy.
Cinder: Key word is she'll try.
Crimzon: -sigh- I OWN NOTHING, ONLY OCS AND PLOT! ENJOY AND PLEASE REVIEW!
~Unknown POV~
I don't understand people. Never have and probably never will. People only see what they want to see. Hear what they want to hear. They judge by one's appearance and don't think of the consequences their own words could bring. They live out each day, ignorant to the real world around them. They don't know the real horrors that take place because they choose to turn their back and block it out from their mind.
I have little trust in people like that. I thought I could trust my family . . . oh, how wrong I was.
~Cinder's POV~
I stood there, in front of the mirror, watching the nurse remove the bandages I had covering my . . . wings. When I first walked up to the mirror, I stared in shock at the unknown figure that stared back at me. My hair was different. It used to be brown and only reached down to a little passed my shoulders. Now, it was down to just above my waist and, even more surprising, it was white. As I looked at it closely, I noticed that the odd color started to fade into a pink-ish shade and then a deep rose color at the tips. Another thing that surprised me were my eyes. Like the tip of my wings, they were a rose like color. I confronted Jeb about this. He said that it was probably the effects from the DNA they 'enhanced' me with. He started throwing a bunch of big scientific words at me so I stopped paying attention.
Once the nurse started walking away, I noticed that the bandages were gone. I turned around and noticed a few tiny scars near the center of my back and from there were my wings. I moved my shoulder blades and from there, I could feel something new that extended into my wings. They were stiff at first and it hurt, but at the same time, they felt right. I couldn't explain this feeling. I guess the best way to explain it would be that I was reunited with something I had lost long ago. Maybe it was just my mind playing tricks on me or all of the drugs they put me on that was making me feel so nostalgic so I decided to just put the ridiculous thought away from my mind.
"There, now don't you feel better without those bandages?" stated the nurse. I glared at her. The way she spoke made it seem like she was talking to a child. Without really responding to her, I grabbed the teal shirt and pulled it on . . . with some difficulty considering the wings. The nurse actually had to help me get them through the large slits on the back of the shirt. After that was done with, she sat me down in a nearby chair while she sat across from me with a clip board.
"Well, how are you feeling?" she asked in the same perky tone.
"Annoyed." She seemed to glare at me for a moment before letting out a sigh.
"I meant psychically. Any pain or soreness? Fatigue?" I stared at her, not really wanting to answer. Judging from her expression, she looked irritated. "Look, the quicker we get through these questions, the quicker you get to get away from me. Understood?" I sighed then nodded.
"A little sore and I can't extend them without a little bit of pain."
"Well, that's normal. Is there anything else?"
"Yeah, I'm feeling a slight headache coming on, but I think that's because of you," I stated with a hint of sarcasm. She just glared at me then just pointed at the door. Without much left to say, I got up and left.
I've been in this place for almost three months now. Jeb told me that after they brought me to the school, I was put in a comatose state during all of the 'experimenting.' Turns out, I was out for a month. Sure, I may seem fine about it now, but I freaked when I found out just how much time had passed. Since then, Jeb has allowed me to walk around the facility, so long as I didn't do anything stupid. Not like I could, anyway. Those monster things they call Erasers were all over the place. The fact that I could barely walk, much less fight just one of them off, was one thing to think about.
Anyway, all they have had me doing was some minor tests like running on a treadmill to get my stamina back up and lifting minor weights to build up lost muscle. In all honesty, I really don't want to be doing anything. I just want to find a way out of here, but there's a problem. Where would I go? I have no other family and even if I did, how would I hide my new 'look'? For now, I'm just going to play the good girl and do what I'm told. Cowardly? Yes, maybe, but does that mean survival? Absolutely.
As I walked down the hall back towards the room I was kept in when they weren't running tests on me, I noticed a slight commotion down one of the hallways. I stopped in my tracks, hoping to see something interesting. I saw three Lab Coats standing over a hunched-over form. I squinted a bit, trying to make out what it was I was looking at.
"Come on, this will go so much easier if you would just cooperate," I heard one of the Lab Coats state. One of them moved off to the side a little and that's when I could see who it was. He stood up from his crouched position and he was probably a foot taller than me. Short black hair fell over his eyes, making his expression hard to see. I noticed he had a straight jacket on him and, what looked like, a muzzle. I took another step forward and noticed his slight hunch back only to realize that he had wings just like me. They were folded tight against his back because of the straight jacket.
"Um, excuse me?" I spoke out without even realizing. One of the Lab Coats turned at the sound of my voice.
"Cinder? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be back in your room?"
"Oh, I was . . . I was just . . ." I trailed off as I made eye contact with the bird kid before me. That's when I noticed his eyes from underneath his bangs. They were cold - - dark, like onyx.
"Ah, Cinder!" I heard Jeb's voice call out from behind me. "There you are," he said with relief in his tone. I hardly paid him any attention because I couldn't look away from that boy's eyes.
"Ah, Dr. Batchelder, how are you?" greeted one of the Lab Coats.
"Fine," replied Jeb. "What's happening here?"
"Well, 13093 isn't really cooperating with his tests. He got loose from his restraints and attacked one of the other Doctors. We even had to muzzle him because he kept trying to bite."
"We talk about him as if he were some sort of rabid dog," I blurted without really thinking. One of the Lab Coats seemed taken aback but that was only a split second because he started smiling.
"Well Cinder, that's because he is." My eyes widened at his response. I took that moment to sneak another glance at the boy and his expression didn't change. He didn't look angry or annoyed . . . he just looked tired. "If he acts like a 'rabid dog,' as you put, then of course we have to treat him as such and detain him. Would you prefer him running around when he's a danger to others, yourself included?" This time, I was at a loss for words. I forgot that when you're living as an experiment in this place, you're treated like an animal. Jeb was quietly standing next to me the whole time. It was only when he put his hand on my shoulder that I actually looked up at him. It was then that I noticed the three Lab Coats were already walking my fellow experiment down a different hallway. That whole time, he was staring at me with those cold eyes.
~Later~
"Cinder? I was wondering if you'd do me a favor?"
"Hmm?" I was eating my lunch when Jeb walked in. I slurped up what noodles I had hanging from my mouth and answered, "What?"
"That boy you met in the hall earlier, do you think you could go talk to him for me?" he asked as he sat down in the steal chair near the bed.
"Why me?" I asked.
"Well, you noticed how he was earlier? Maybe if someone like him talks to him then maybe he'll-"
"He'll start being obedient?" I interrupted. Jeb seemed to think over his response after hearing what I said. "Sorry Jeb, but if he doesn't want to do it then it's not my place to make him. Besides, I really don't blame the guy."
"Well, the reason I ask is because . . . he'll die if he doesn't start cooperating." I dropped the spoon I was holding when I heard what he said.
"What do you mean?"
"Dr. Sinclair is losing his patients with that boy and said if he doesn't start doing what he's told, then he would be terminated."
"That's not right!" I snapped. Jeb seemed in shock from my sudden tone, but then smiled a bit.
"I agree completely. That's why I want you to go talk with him, change his mind maybe?"
I sighed, thinking to myself about the situation. That bastard Sinclair thinks he can just end a life when he sees it not reaching his level of expectations. It's wrong. He's basically playing God.
Without another moments hesitation, I pushed aside the tray table and stood up.
"Where's he being kept?"
~Later~
"You have got to be kidding me," I muttered. I turned to Jeb and pointed at the massive cages that filled the room. Most seemed empty, others looked like they were recently occupied and only a handful were being used. Jeb didn't respond to my comment. he merely started walking into the room with me following. As we passed by cage after cage, I noticed some had scratches in the metal flooring while others had bite marks on the steal bars. The rest just looked like they were stained with some liquid. Honestly, I didn't let my imagination go off on that thought because I really didn't want to know.
As we reached the end, I noticed that same boy behind similar bars. The only difference between his and the others was that his didn't stink. His actually looked like it was being cleaned. But still, that didn't make it better knowing that he was actually being kept in a cage when they weren't trying to run tests. Then another thought came to mind. What makes me different from him? Why wasn't I being kept in a cage? Was it because I was cooperating? I mentally chuckled at myself. Great, I'm actually their obedient pet.
"Cinder, why don't you have a seat?" Jeb motioned for me to sit down on the chair that was by the cage. "His name is S - -"
"Don't say my name!" His sudden outburst shocked the both of us. I looked at the nameless boy with startled eyes. He sat with his back against the bars of the cage. He was looking down at his lap, letting his bangs cover his eyes. He wasn't wearing that muzzle but he still had the straight jacket. I looked up at Jeb with a questioning look. He only shrugged his shoulders then smiled.
"Good luck," he stated as he started walking out of the cage filled room. I sighed, suddenly feeling exhausted.
"So, uh, my name is Cinder," I said with a smile. The guy didn't even flinch. "Mind telling me yours?" I asked. Still no response. I felt my eyebrow twitch in irritation. Letting out a sigh, I got up from the chair and sat down on the floor so I could be at the same level as him. I'm not really sure for how long I must have sat there, but it must have been a while considering my legs had fallen asleep. Speaking of which, I was actually falling asleep myself.
"How long are you going to sit there?" I practically jumped at the sudden sound of his voice.
"Well finally you say something!" I exclaimed.
"You're annoying," he stated bluntly. I noticed that he was looking at me this time.
"How am I annoying? I didn't do anything." He remained quiet and merely looked back down at his lap. I crossed my arms with a pout. What the hell is wrong with this guy? I stared at his solemn face, trying to figure out what he could be thinking about. He just seemed so emotionless, like he didn't care. But, now that I see him up closely, I feel that that may not be completely right. He just seems tired. I sat there in silence, thinking about what I could say to him.
In a way, I kind of knew of a way to deal with him, get him to listen. I remember my brother used to get mad at me over something stupid and give me the cold shoulder. At first, I'd just leave him alone, thinking that he'd get over it eventually. Turned out, he was more stubborn than I thought. Then I came up with the idea that I'd bug him with random stuff. I would talk and talk and he would just ignore me, but I could tell that he was listening. Sooner or later, he'd give up and we'd go back to how things were. Basically, you just have to be persistent.
I looked back up at the nameless boy and noticed that he was doing exactly what my brother would do. Giving me the cold shoulder, hoping I'd eventually walk away in defeat. That's when an idea hit me. Just by looking at him, I could see how his personality could be. Right now, he just looked like a dark figure, wanting nothing more but to fade into the shadows. But maybe, just maybe, he might just want someone to find him in his darkness and pull him away into a comforting light.
"Specter." I noticed him twitch a bit and then he looked up at me with confusion on his face. "I'm going to call you Spectre." Almost as if on cue, his confusion turned into annoyance.
"Don't call me by something stupid."
"I don't think it's stupid. You won't tell me your real name, so I'm going to call you Specter."
This time, he seemed angry with me. The vibe I was currently getting from him was telling me to not get involved, that it wasn't any of my business. His body language told me he wanted to be left alone, but the look in his sorrowful eyes told me different.
"I just want to help," I added.
"Do you? Or are you just doing this because of what that so called 'doctor' told you?" he said with scorn.
"What? You mean Jeb?" It's then that he chuckled silently to himself as he looked back down at his lap.
"You're nothing more but their obedient little guinea pig."
"Excuse me?" I snapped. I noticed that he had a slight smile forming, but it wasn't out of amusement, it was out of pity. I sighed, trying not to let myself get too frustrated. "The reason I'm even talking to you right now isn't because Jeb asked me to, it's because I want to."
"Why? You don't even know me."
"Well, considering we're the same. Being in the same boat and all, I thought - -" Spectre suddenly started laughing at the top of his lungs.
"Same boat? You think we're in the same boat? Hah, just shows what you know." This time, he looked right at me with those cold eyes. "My family sold me to these people. They sold me."
I was taken aback by what he said. I just couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that his family sold him. What kind of person is capable of something so . . . so heartless?
"Did your family give you up for petty cash too?" he questioned. But I knew he knew the answer to that.
"No, I wasn't. I - -"
"Then don't assume that we're the same." I felt tears stinging my eyes once he said that. Sure, I assumed how he got here, but so is he. I don't really know why, but at that moment, I thought back to that horrible night and then I thought back to how he was just thrown aside by his own family. Then I started thinking about if I were the one who was sold away like nothing. It's then that a few tears slipped down my cheek.
"Don't you dare cry," he snapped. I stared up at him in confusion.
"Wha- -"
"People only cry selfish tears," he stated. "Empathy. Sympathy. That's merely an illusion because in the end, people only shed tears for themselves."
"You're wrong."
"Am I?" he chuckled. "Think about it. Do you know the feeling of being thrown aside like trash by people you care about? No, right? People only cry because they unconsciously imagine experiencing the pain that someone else is feeling."
I couldn't respond. I'll admit that, in a way, he was right. Actually, he was really accurate, but he was also wrong. I wanted to argue, tell him he's just angry, that he doesn't understand, but instead, I came up with a better way of responding. With a smile, I wiped away the tears and stood up.
"Fine then. Next time I cry, my tears won't be for you," I said in the most sincere tone. For a second, I noticed the slight hint of shock in his eyes but that could have been my imagination. I started walking towards the exit when I heard him chuckle to himself.
"Wow, didn't think you'd give up so quickly." I stopped walking then and I turned around with the most serious expression I could muster.
"Oh, I haven't given up. It's actually quite the opposite," I smiled. "I'll be back tomorrow and I will find a way to change your mind."
"Hah, good luck with that. I'm not changing my mind, no matter how much you bug me."
"You wanna bet?"
"What's the point? You've already lost."
"Really? Because I feel like I'm winning."
"Meaning?" He leaned forward in his cage, suddenly intrigued.
"I got you talking, didn't I?" With that said, I turned back and left the room. From the corner of my eye, I could have sworn I saw a slight smile forming on his face.
A few days passed and it was the same each day. I'd walk in and talk his ear off. He'd sit there, annoyed. I wasn't really sure how long this would take, but with each passing day, he talked more and more. Of course, he still denied it.
Jeb was worried that I wouldn't be able to change Specter's mind. I kept telling him that I just need some time, but that was something I was running out of.
"How many times do I have to repeat myself?" sighed Specter. "I don't care."
"You don't care that they'll kill you unless you start - -"
"Cinder, enough," He interrupted. "I get that you're trying to help me, but the fact of the matter is, I don't want it."
I stood up abruptly and started stomping out of the room. Before leaving, I looked over my shoulder.
"Say what you want, but I'm not giving up on you."
"Why do you care so much?" he asked. "You hardly know me."
He was right, I wasn't even sure why I cared so much for a stranger. Instead of answering, I turned back and left.
~Later~
I was having trouble sleeping that night. I just didn't feel tired. I kept thinking back to Specter. No matter what I said, I couldn't get him to change his mind. But, why exactly was I doing this? Trying to save someone who doesn't even want to be saved. Maybe I'm being selfish. Maybe I'm just trying to stop all of the constant death around me. Just the fact that that bastard Sinclair can just take a life whenever he pleases just makes me so angry.
I yawned as I turned to stare up at the ceiling. I was just not able to sleep so I sat up and started walking around the small room. It's then that I heard someone talking outside the door. There were two deep voices and they were laughing.
"I hear they're terminating the kid tomorrow," said one.
"Yeah, it's a shame, but there's more where that came from."
I felt a chill run down my spine. I don't really know what came over me, but I ran into the hall once the coast was clear and I was basically on auto-pilot the whole time. Next thing I know, I find myself standing in front of the two doors that lead into the cage filled room. Feeling out of breath, I pushed open the door.
"They have us so restricted around here, we never get to have any fun." I noticed two Erasers surrounding Specter's cage. They hadn't noticed me yet so I just stood there, watching. One of them reached down to the lock and pulled on it, practically breaking the door open. The second Eraser reached in and grabbed hold of Specter's straight-jacket.
"And since you're getting put down tomorrow, then there's no shame in us having a little fun," chuckled the Eraser. Specter didn't say anything or even try to struggle out of his grasp. He just seemed to shut down.
"Now, where should I start sharpening my claws? Your back maybe?"
"Wait brother, his wings would be in the way."
"You're right. Guess we're just gonna have to remove them, won't we?"
The Eraser holding Specter shoved him up against the wall while the other started reaching for his wings. I don't remember what happened next. I just reacted. I felt my legs start sprinting towards the Eraser and using all the energy I had, I jumped and clung to his back with my arms around his neck.
"What th- -" I started choking him, causing him to loose his grip on Specter and drop him. The Eraser stumbled back while his brother stood there, dumbfounded. I noticed Specter on the ground, just as wide-eyed as the Eraser next to him. Somehow, that distracted me and I loosened my hold on the Eraser. He reached over with one big claw and grabbed my shoulder then tossed me to the ground. I rolled for a second before the second Eraser picked me up and held me in the air.
"Now, now, Cinder. The Doc actually likes you so why don't you be a good little bird and head back to your room?" he whispered harshly. Letting the adrenaline rushing through me take over, I swung forward then back, kicking him in the gut which caused him to stumble back. I landed on my feet then went back to the other Eraser and tried to take him out with any force I had left. I didn't want to use my fire, not yet. Not if I really needed to. Flapping my painful wings, I hovered off the floor right as I jumped and kicked at the Eraser, but he quickly reacted. He grabbed onto my leg and threw me aside like nothing. I slid on the floor and noticed I was right in front of Specter.
"Cinder, enough. Just leave," he practically pleaded. I turned and noticed the look on his face. He was giving up! I then heard the two Erasers chuckling as they approached the two of us. I hadn't realized just how much my muscles ached from today's tests and I was quickly get more and more tired. Somehow, just wanting to protect Specter, I got up to my feet and spread my arms and wings wide, trying to shield him from the beasts before me.
"So, it's going to be like this then?" one asked. Then, out of nowhere, he threw a punch at my left jaw. He was holding back, that I can say because that could have thrown me half across the room with a broken neck. Instead, it just made me spit up blood and I could already feel my cheek start to swell. Not once did I move from my spot.
"You want to get to him? Get through me first," I stated, my voice cold. I noticed the two Erasers get stiff, but that only lasted a second because they started laughing.
"I'm sure as long as we don't kill her, we won't get in trouble," chuckled one. The other nodded and they both started towards me. I closed my eyes, feeling the fire within me starting to burn. I knew that I would have to use it and risk exposure, but I needed to make sure that Specter would be safe. It wasn't just sympathy anymore. It was a gut feeling, telling me not to give up on him.
~Specter's POV~
What the hell was this girl thinking? Why does she care so much? Was she really prepared to get seriously injured or killed trying to protect me? I continued to watch as she stood there, motionless. The Erasers started getting closer and closer and she wasn't doing anything. I wanted to yell at her, tell her to just leave, but I knew she wouldn't listen. She'd probably just smile and take it.
"What a foolish girl." I heard a voice ring out, startling me. I've heard this same voice before, but it was only a vague whisper then.
"What the hell are you?" I asked it. It seemed time slowed down around me and I could feel the shadows trying to consume me.
"That can be explained at a later date. Right now, I must ask you something," it said. I stayed quite, waiting for it to respond. "Would you really be alright with this girl risking her life trying to protect your pathetic one? If not, I suggest you act."It chuckled, "I suggest you live."
Something in that moment surged through me and I just reacted.
~Cinder's POV~
I braced myself for the pain, but it never came. And I felt a strange warmth, but it wasn't from the fire I was about to unleash. I an arm around my shoulder and a pair of wings brush against mine. I looked over and saw Specter just inches away from me, using his wings to shield me from the Erasers. In only seconds, he had run to my side. I looked over my shoulder, confused at how he managed to get out of his straight-jacket. That's when I saw it. That area by the wall was covered in shadow and I noticed tiny tendrils from that shadow retracting from the shredded jacket. Does he have an ability too?
"How many time have I told you not to bother me?" he stated, but I noticed that smile he had.
"And now many times have I not listened?" I shot back. Without needing to say anything else, we both stood and faced the two Erasers, waiting for them to move. They seemed in shock, like they witnessed something frightening. I didn't bother trying to figure out what. I noticed they were about to move when suddenly, a voice stopped them.
"What are you two doing here?!" I noticed Jeb with a few other Lab Coats standing at the door.
While the Lab Coats took away the Erasers, Jeb pulled the two of us aside.
"What happened? Cinder, why are you here?"
"I had a weird vibe and when I came here, I saw the Erasers. Honestly, I just let my gut handle the rest." Jeb seemed relieved and then smiled.
"Well, as long as the two of you are alright," she said. He then looked over to Specter, "Specter, correct?" I looked over at him, wondering what he'd say.
"Yeah, I think I'll do your stupid tests." Relief seemed to wash over me.
"Really? And why the change of heart?" asked Jeb. I noticed Specter look right at me.
"Cause I don't want to deal with the guilt should this idiot do anything stupid if I died."
And just like that, the moment was gone. Jeb chuckled along with Specter while I stood there, annoyed.
Another day has come and gone and I gained a friend in this little place I like to call Hell. And with each passing day, I looked forward making Sinclair pay for what he's done, but I'm glad I won't be alone for when that day comes.
Crimzon: Well this was a major pain in the ass.
Cinder: This is a really long chapter . . .
Crimzon: You're welcome. REVIEW PLEASE!