Chapter Four
The Hive was even more protective of their little brother after that, constantly hugging him, cuddling him and showering him in love and affection. Especially the hatchlings, who stayed snuggled with him in the Queen's arms. They may have been small, but they knew their brother was scared and weak, they were just as protective and supportive of him as their elder sisters. The Queen kept him and the hatchlings safely in her arms, holding and nurturing them, swaddling them with motherly love and protection.
The Queen was keeping a constant mental vigil, as was the rest of the Hive. Since they had felt that Other mind trying to control that human, they had solidified their mental shielding. The Queen growled softly. It had been brief, just an instant, but the Other had felt the Queen's mind, and recoiled in sheer terror of something bigger and far more powerful than itself. As the Queen rocked her precious, precious babies in her arms, she gave a deep, resonant warning growl.
Watch where you meddle, cruel Other, for I shall always be watching. And if you should try and harm my little ones, your suffering will be legendary . . .
A few days after the incident with the soldiers, something wonderful happened.
The boy noticed that one of his little sisters was uncomfortable, writhing against the blankets. The boy could feel she was itchy, and gently scratched her back. She chittered, liking the feeling, rubbing her back against his fingers. He smiled as he scratched her back, and was surprised as her skin flaked and cracked. She was relieved as she was able to free herself from her old skin. She chirped as her brother helped her to slip out of her old skin. Within a few hours, she was already growing, and became something even more cute.
Safe in a Hive environment, the hatchlings could grow at a slower, more steady rate. As such, there was a longer stage between the initial, worm-like larval stage, and the adult, and it was nothing short of adorable. The babies grew into small, soft, chubby, pink, rolly-polly versions of the adults, with oversized feet that made them look almost akin to a rabbit. When they were soft and so vulnerable, they were protected by their bigger sisters, and, of course, their Mother. Now, though, they had their brother to cuddle them and wrap them in soft, warm blankets and hold them close. The Queen purred with maternal warmth.
As she watched her children shed their skins, she took notice of the thin, flimsy covering the boy wore. She knew that humans, being soft-skinned creatures, needed this artificial skin to protect themselves from cold, but the boy's clothes didn't seem to do a good job of this, and it concerned her.
Nyx pondered the same problem, and gave a soft, satisfied hiss as she thought on an idea. She smiled as she left to put her idea into practice.
When the boy woke from his nap, Nyx hissed softly as she held something up.
This is for you, little brother, she said as she gave him her gift. The boy's eyes grew wide. They were new clothes, but not made by human hands. The tiny tunic and chinos were made from the same cream-colored silk his blankets were, and felt like softest flannel. Most importantly of all, they didn't smell like disinfectant and other things of the labs, they smelled like Nyx. A soft, warm smell of comfort and protection. His eyes watered as he threw his arms around his big sister's neck.
I love you, Nyx. She thrummed deeply as she returned the embrace, filled with warmth at his gratitude.
I love you too, little brother. She was surprised when he pressed his lips to the side of her head.
It was such a warm, sweet gesture of trust and love, it made her feel like she was melting inside. She copied his action, softly kissing her beloved little brother on his cheek. He was excited to try his new clothes on.
As he removed his shirt, both the Queen, and Nyx hissed softly, stunned at what they saw. The boy had several scars, on the side of his neck, his upper and lower arms. They had sensed he had been hurt, but the removal of the flimsy shirt revealed the full extent of it. A scab covered his left upper arm, right where someone might use a needle for injections. There was another at the base of the boy's spine. The Queen quickly hid her distress, so as not to call it to the boy's attention. With her keen senses, she could tell that the first inklings of infection had been starting at those sites. Thankfully, the Life-Jelly had stopped it.
She was horrified, as was Nyx.
The boy smiled as he pulled on the pants. They even had feet on them! Now his feet wouldn't be cold. He was delighted as he pulled the long-sleeved tunic over his head. He had never felt as warm or comfortable in his whole life. He smiled radiantly at Nyx.
This is wonderful! Thank you, Nyx! She smiled and purred as she hugged her little brother.
I'm glad, little brother. You deserve to be warm and safe. He smiled as he rubbed his cheek against Nyx'. She stroked his hair softly. The Queen crooned softly, happy her little one was warm and comfy, but greatly troubled by his injuries. She cooed softly as she held out her arms. He smiled as he scampered to her, his teddy bear held tightly against him as the Queen wrapped him in his blankets and held him close, the hatchlings purring and chirping happily as they cuddled with their brother.
Later on, when the boy was safely asleep in her arms, surrounded by the purring, trilling hatchlings, the Queen thought on what she had seen, all that troubled her. There were so many questions without answers. She looked at the little bundle in her arms as she purred gently. She softly stroked his hair as she very carefully and gently looked into her little one's mind, searching for the answers they were afraid to ask while he was awake, fearing the distress such inquiries would cause his young mind. The Queen hissed softly as she found his well of memories, and what she saw she knew would haunt her to the day she died:
XXX
"This one is still alive. What do you think? This one?" asked a human voice, a male.
"Maybe. The rest have all failed to thrive. Let's see if we can get this one to live longer than the rest." There was no hint of caring in their tone. No compassion, no warmth, icy cold and clinical.
"This one's vital signs fluttering. It's bottoming-out," said someone else.
"Another failure to thrive. That makes almost the whole batch. But, at least one might live . . ." There was such a feeling of loneliness, despair and bewilderment from his infant mind.
The memories jumped to another time. He was looking up at a man in a white coat, who was shining a light in his eyes.
"You're sure?" the man asked someone standing behind him.
"Yes, sir. Either the nerve was damaged, or isn't present, but he's unable to vocalize at all." There was a feeling of sharp pain in a tiny hand. He wanted to cry out, tried, but no sound came.
"I see," said the doctor as he pulled back the scalpel. The doctor looked at his assistant.
"Well, as long as it doesn't effect his mental state, it shouldn't matter. Has he manifested any psychic activity?"
"No, sir." The doctor looked at him as tiny eyes watered with tears.
"Hmm." Why? Why were they hurting him? Did he do something wrong? He didn't know how, but he knew they didn't care. He was a thing to them, it frightened him, they frightened him . . .
The memories changed again, but the rooms were the same. Sterilized stainless steel lab rooms, smelling of disinfectant. Another doctor, this one a woman, was looking at a screen while he sat on a table. He felt very cold.
"His red-cell count seems normal. That's good." The doctor was unaware he could see into her mind. She was focused on something called "Project Dreamscape". Another woman was looking at a chart.
"We believe his inability to speak is due to a fault in the genetic coding," said the assistant. The doctor groaned with disgust, a hint of anger in the sound.
"Great, is he going to come apart on us?" she jeered. She was as cold as the room they were in. Uncaring, devoid of any compassion for the tiny form on the table. He could feel her thoughts.
Number 8876109433. We built it, from the ground up. Artificial DNA. Made, not born. Not human. Inwardly, he cried, he felt so alone, alone and afraid, afraid the hurts would never, never stop . . .
The memories changed again, another lab room.
"This is the time that the oldest failed to thrive. We want to try to keep this one alive," said a male voice. The boy looked up, and it was somebody new. It was a woman, but she was different.
Her skin was a soft mocha color, her curly black hair framed bright green eyes.
"Hi, I'm Elizabeth." her tone was warm, not at all like the others. She smiled at him, kneeling until her face was level with his. Her thoughts were different. The others were cold, she was warm.
She took his tiny hand in hers, smiling warmly at him. He weakly, warily returned her smile, and her smile widened. "It's nice to meet you," she said as she shook his hand. His mind was alight with happiness. She chuckled. "What a nice smile." Elizabeth. She was nice. The only nice person.
The memories changed. Elizabeth was holding him as another woman was doing something to his arm. It hurt. She pushed a needle into something they had sewn into his arm, but it still hurt. Tears streamed down his face as he silently cried. Elizabeth stroked his face, wiping his tears.
"I know it hurts, I know. Be brave," she said as the other woman drew blood into the syringe.
"You shouldn't talk to it," the other woman said as she put the syringe into a machine.
"He's not an 'it'!" Elizabeth snapped tersely. The woman looked at Elizabeth over her glasses.
"It's an artificial, no different than an android," the woman replied.
Elizabeth wanted to smack her. It took all Elizabeth's resolve not to punch this woman in her condescending smirking smug face. Someday, Elizabeth vowed, someday . . . she would punch her out!
The memories moved to another lab. A woman was scrubbing his arm. As she picked up the needle, he pulled his arm back. The woman growled as she grabbed his arm, hard. It hurt, so he pulled again.
"Stop it!" she spat coldly, looking menacingly at the small form.
"You stop it!" Elizabeth said from the door as she came in. The woman ignored her and pulled at his arm again. He jerked hard against her grip.
"Stop!" Elizabeth shouted, not at him. The guard behind him touched him with something. His body jerked with pain as he was shocked, the world blacked out. He heard a smack as he fell, he also heard Elizabeth hiss, "Bastard!", as she delivered a smack to the big male who had hurt him so . . .
The memories drifted forward. There were other children, boys and girls. They were just like him. No. Not just like him. These ones were mean. The doctors wanted that. They wanted them mean, to hurt people with their minds. Why, though? Why hurt people? They kept saying "it's to keep us safe."
One of them, a boy, grinned as a mouse twisted in pain in front of him, squeaking in agony before it grew still. Poor mouse. The boy looked at him, that same grin. He felt his mind trying to get into his. He was afraid as he put up a wall. The other boy's grin changed, looking confused.
"Focus," said a man. He looked at the spoon the man wanted him to bend. He saw the man's mind, and knew they'd hurt him more if he did what he wanted, so he just looked blankly at him. The man waited a long time before he sighed and shook his head. "Failure," he muttered.
The memories shifted. Elizabeth was sad. He could see her mind, and one of the men in the hall said something mean to her. A mean "N-word" that made her sad. He could hear them sniggering. He saw the man through the window, a big, muscular man with short hair, sneering at her as she walked away, trying not to let them know how much they hurt her. The same guard who shocked him. The boy glared at the man, wishing he could feel how he hurt Elizabeth.
Suddenly, the man threw up all over the floor, and the others laughed at him. The boy smiled just a bit. The man looked through the window and the boy gave the tiniest of mental jabs at him. The man left quickly, breaking out in a cold, clammy sweat, feeling his bowels twisting . . .
Now the memories were dark. The lights were off as the boy curled in his bed, trying to keep himself warm and protect his mind from the Others. He could feel their minds, searching, looking, trying to find an open mind they could get into, to torment. Some did it to try to hurt or kill, others wanted to see what others were thinking, but many were trying to escape. He could hear their mental screams of pain and anguish. One of them was gentle, not mean.
Can you hear me? it was another little boy.
I can, he replied.
I'm going to be free. Do you want to come? He was confused. They call it "Termination", but it's freedom. No more pain. Do you want to come with me? He didn't know. What about Elizabeth? She would be sad if he was gone, wouldn't she? The other boy felt his thoughts, and was happy. You can stay if you want. At least somebody is nice to you. If you do come, we can play. He could feel the boy's thoughts get happier. Happier that for him, it would soon be all over, no more hurts, no more fear, no more pain . . . They're here. I'm going, now . . .
He cried into his sheets as he felt the other boy's mind as it seemed to flow away and was gone. No more pain. Freedom. Termination. Death. He wished Elizabeth was there.
The room was still dark as the boy tried not to think of the Others, their angered, tortured minds reaching out, trying to find answers, trying to find some way to escape their tormentors, to escape all of it and Them, The Tormentors. That was when he felt one that was different, more powerful. The others pulled back and became silent, filled with sheer terror.
Twinkle, twinkle little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
It was a little girl singing, and it chilled him like arctic ice. The Others were terrified, and pulled as far into their own minds as they could. He did the same, but he could feel the Other of cold feeling their way into the mind of one of the guards in the halls.
They were different, their minds were more vulnerable than his was. They never knew what was happening. The guard didn't, even when he began to beat his head against the wall. Even through the door, the boy could hear the wet crack as the guard's skull broke, but he continued to beat his head against the wall. The boy shivered as he could feel a disembodied giggle of delight at the sound. It wasn't the last time he would hear that horrible song that always preceded a hideous, painful death . . .
The dreams moved again, and he was in a lab with Elizabeth. She was happy, and so was he.
"I have something for you," she said as she brought something up. His eyes grew wide as he stared at the teddy bear. Her smile threatened to take over her face as he carefully took the teddy bear and hugged it. "This was mine, a long time ago. Take good care of him." He looked at her, his eyes watering with tears of joy. She smiled as she stroked his hair. "A soft bear for my little Teddy."
Teddy.
A name.
She gave him a . . . name. A real name, given with love and . . . warmth and . . . meaning . . .
"Doctor Jones, a word with you, please?" said a male voice. Elizabeth smiled as she stroked his hair. She stood and walked out of the room. He was so happy as he cuddled his teddy bear. He thought how much he liked Elizabeth. She was so nice and so warm. Some of the Others had mentioned something that had a similar feeling; "Mommy". Was Elizabeth a mommy? He smiled. When she came back, he would ask her. He had always been very careful never to let the scientists know he could do anything that he could, but he knew Elizabeth wouldn't tell.
"I think it's best if you be transferred," said the man's voice.
"What?! Why?" He looked up. Elizabeth was outside the window, talking to one of the doctors. He could feel her fear.
"It's best not to fraternize with the subjects," he replied coolly. Elizabeth ground her teeth and growled, her anger uncontainable any longer.
"They're not subjects! They're human beings! He's not a lab rat! He's a little five-year-old little boy! Not a machine!" she was livid. The doctor was calm and unemotional.
"Please escort her to the Xenomorph section of the facility," he said to one of the guards.
"At least let me tell him goodbye!" she was close to tears.
"I think you've done enough damage already," The boy hugged his teddy bear as he cried silently.
Goodbye, Elizabeth. He knew she heard, just as he knew she cried.
The memories moved back to the labs. He still had his teddy bear, he wouldn't let them take Bear away. He would make their minds uncomfortable if they tried, but not to the point that they knew what he was doing, he was smarter than that. Once again, they were trying to get him to bend a spoon, and once again, he just sat and stared at them with deliberately vacant eyes.
"Why don't we take away that ratty old thing and see if that generates any reaction," suggested one of the researchers. As the boy prepared to make the man vomit, something hit the man in the back of the head.
"Teddy! Teddy! Teddy! Teddy!" screamed one of the Others. This one looked like a grown man, but his mind was younger than the boy's. As the scientist turned, the Other sent a spoon flying at him so hard, it flew right through him like a knife, imbedding itself in the far wall. The other scientist ran, smacking an alarm panel.
"Containment in lab three!" he shrieked as alarms began to sound. The boy just sat, staring.
You keep your bear. I'm gonna be free, said the Other as the containment crew came in. He killed several of them before they subdued him . . . forever . . .
The memories moved, he sat in another lab as a pair of scientists took more samples of blood and spinal fluid. He just sat, still as he hugged his teddy bear.
"Subject; specimen number 8876109433, age five years. Thus far, the specimen has not manifested any psychic ability whatsoever. Subject is the sole survivor of Phase Two, which has proved, thus far, to be disappointing. Subject is to be terminated this evening at eighteen-hundred hours. End of entry," said the doctor into the recorder. He looked at the boy and sighed. "We had such high hopes for you . . ." The boy didn't acknowledge him. The other scientist took him back to his room, he never moved the whole time.
There it was, his death-sentence. He didn't care anymore.
Elizabeth was gone. He was all alone. He hugged his teddy bear to him. He looked at the shunt sewn into his arm and frowned. He winced as he focused. Slowly, the small metal tube pulled out of his arm. He focused harder. The shunt flew across the room, hitting the far wall. He let the tears fall. He did the same with the one at the base of his spine, glad to be rid of the things. He silently cried. He didn't really want to die, but if he could be free from the pain, the fear and the sorrow, he would take it.
As he nuzzled his teddy bear, he heard the alarms all go off at once. He just pulled into a tighter little ball. It didn't matter anymore. He would just wait until they came, and he would be free, just like all the Others before. His tears fell onto his teddy bear. He just wished he could see Elizabeth, one last time. He missed her so much. He could hear distant yells, and loud noises. The sound of guns. He ignored them, curling into himself, mentally and physically. After a time, everything grew silent. The alarms stopped.
He was surprised when he felt something. It felt like another mind. It was different, though. He didn't know what it was, but he remembered the Others, and pulled deeper into himself, frightened. He curled into as tiny a ball as he could, shivering in both cold and fright. He heard the door of the room open. He turned his head to look, and was surprised. It was beautiful.
He had never seen anything like it. It looked like a living shadow, moving with unequaled grace on all four legs, a long tail waving behind it. The long, smooth, curved head had nothing that resembled eyes. Four tubes stuck up from its back. He could feel its mind, and, having nothing to lose, he spoke to it.
Who are you?
XXX
The Queen moaned as she pulled away her mind. "Horrified" didn't even begin to describe how she felt. She shuddered as she moaned in pure, unrestrained maternal grief.
My little one . . . my poor, poor child. Had she possessed eyes, they would have been filled with tears. Eyes or not, the grief was the same. She was almost trembling in sorrow. She had felt his pain, his anguish, his fear as if their were her own. No child should know such sorrow. The Queen wasn't the only one who had seen the memories.
The rest of the Hive, all of her children, came in response to their Mother's distress. All of them, from the very largest, to the newest born came. Her chamber filled with her daughters as the Queen shuddered in grief for her child. Several hatchlings crawled up to nuzzle their Mother's neck, while the others nuzzled her legs or arms, and most especially the little boy cradled there. Their Mother's grief was their own. Many long fingers gently brushed the tiny form in comfort and protection. The boy stirred slightly.
Mommy? The Queen shuddered again. She gently placed a warm, tender kiss on his cheek.
Yes, my little one. I'm here. Sleep. Your Mother will always care for you. He snuggled against her, his mind at peace. Her grief grew. Who could hurt something so precious? One of her daughters looked up at her.
Why would somebody hurt him? He's just a child! You don't hurt children! The rest of the brood agreed, as did the Queen, whose grief quickly began to turn to rage. The Queen shook from the top of her crest to the tip of her tail.
How dare they? How dare they? Her lips peeled back from her teeth as she drooled in pure, unfettered maternal anger. How dare they treat him that way! She barely restrained herself from shrieking her anger.
He was her baby, her child.
HERS!
Not theirs. They hadn't cared anything for him. To them, he was just a "specimen", a thing, not a human, and certainly not a sad, scared little child who just wanted someone to love him and protect him, just as any child did.
Children are born to be loved, cuddled, nurtured and protected! Not starved, tortured and tormented! she declared. Her daughters agreed.
If I ever find those that did this, I'll make them pay! said one of them angrily.
I'll gouge out their eyes and bite their fingers off! said another. The Sisters of the Hive hissed and growled as they thought what they would do to the scientists who had hurt their sweet, wonderful little brother, and all the Others.
The Queen gave a soft hiss, silencing them as the little child in her arms stirred. She kissed his cheek, letting warm, loving thoughts of pure, maternal tenderness wash into his mind and comfort him. He smiled as he snuggled back down to sleep. Seeing their little brother snuggled in their Mother's arms made them happy, and sad at the same time.
Nyx had been silent the whole time from where she sat off to the side. She never could have imagined, in her worst nightmares, the things her beloved little brother had been through. As she watched the hatchlings snuggle against him, she moaned softly.
My poor little brother, how you've suffered. If I had known all that time ago, I would have rescued you back then. Her thoughts turned to the other children. The other "experiments". She looked at the Queen. Mother, what about the Others? Ones like him? How many more are there like him, languishing in that horrible place? The Queen gave a soft, keening moan.
There were many. Sadly, many of them were driven mad by what was done to them. Just as many died, as the small one who reached out to him. "Termination", they called it. This was met with even more angry growls.
They're just children, too! We have to help them! We can't just leave them in there! They all agreed, and the Daughters of the Hive quickly began to formulate a plan. A rescue plan.
There may be fewer humans, but if we want to save them, we have to do as little fighting as possible. We can't risk the Others being hurt or killed, said one of the brood as she sat in the circle with her sisters.
The Queen hissed softly, drawing their attention.
Yes, my daughters. We must try. We will not leave them to this torment and death. Make no mistake, we cannot save them all, although we wish we could. They moaned sadly at their Mother's words. Nyx gave a soft moan.
If any die, then it shall be safe, warm and cared for, in the Hive. Not cold and alone in that place of . . . such foul tortures, she promised. The Queen agreed.
Now, my daughters, this is what to do . . .
The Hive was restless as they prepared for their important mission. As Nyx and her cadre prepared to head back to the human labs, she looked at her little brother, asleep in their Mother's arms. Nyx purred softly as she approached. She stroked his soft brown hair with her long fingers as she smiled.
My little brother, how I love you. I will always protect you, as Mother does. As long as I live, I will never let anyone hurt you again. I will try to save as many of the Others as I can. She placed a sweet, gentle kiss on his head. Sleep well, my little brother. My Teddy. With that, Nyx and the others headed for the human labs. The Queen gently rocked Teddy in her arms as the hatchlings snuggled and purred beside him. It had been brief, but she had seen a few fragments of the memories of Elizabeth, the only one who had cared for Teddy, the one who gave him a name instead of a number.
From her memories, the Queen knew this was unnatural, the way the children were treated. She had seen Elizabeth's Hive, her "family", and saw how human mothers were supposed to be with their little ones.
If you should come across Elizabeth, do not harm her in any way for any reason, the Queen warned. The others agreed.
If I could, I would thank her, for caring for my little brother, Nyx replied. The Queen purred as she looked down at Teddy, safely asleep in her arms, warm and protected.
So would I.
XXX
They easily returned to the human labs, now more nervous, knowing what the real nature of the human habitat was for. As they moved through the hallways, they were more unnerved. They noticed that nothing had been moved or changed since their last visit. The humans hadn't visited the area since Nyx and the rest had first struck. Nyx wondered where the humans had gone to. She pushed it to the back of her mind. What mattered now was rescuing the Others in the labs. They stopped outside the room where they had found Teddy. Nyx moaned as she sat, remembering.
Poor Teddy. He's just a little child. He just wanted to be loved and cared for. And they left him cold and alone in there! one of them mentally snarled. Nyx softly hissed before they pressed onwards, deeper into the facility.
As they went, they began to feel something. Something alive. As they neared a large door, they could feel many things alive. Small things. A feeling of excitement rippled through them as they entered. Their excitement turned to bewilderment and sorrow at what waited.
All along the walls were glass tanks, about the size of fish tanks. Inside each tank, filled with green liquid, was a growing human. There were hundreds of them, in various stages of development.
What is this? asked one of them.
This is where Teddy was born, replied the Queen. They were stunned. One of them walked to one of the tanks, her face almost pressed against the glass.
Inside the tank, within the bubbling liquid, was a tiny human, a true baby. The Alien tilted her head as it tried to suck its thumb. However, it had no arms to do so. It was not the only one so deformed. A growing feeling of horror and sorrow began to well within the Sisters.
Mother, can we save them? Can we do something? asked one as she placed her hand on the glass. The reply was sadder than they had ever felt.
No. They need human machines to be born, and even then, I can sense not all of them are normal. One of them looked at one growing human embryo. The head was malformed, and it had no legs. If they were to be born, they would be in much pain. The gathered Aliens gave sad, keening moans as they looked around at the little lives in the tanks. Thankfully, they are not conscious. It is better if they peacefully die in their sleep, than to let them live in pain.
A human might be surprised, but, despite their nature, they keened sadly at the notion of killing little ones. They knew their Mother was right, but that made it no easier. Nyx moaned as she looked at the machine that controlled the tanks. She felt a memory flow from her Mother, one that Teddy had seen in one of the scientists' minds. She looked at the upper right of the console, at a large square button. It would do what was needed. Nyx looked up at the nearest tank. The one inside was gaunt, looking twisted and in pain, although she could feel it was asleep. A fact she was glad of.
I'm sorry, little ones. The best I can do is make sure you never know pain and suffering, said Nyx as she pushed the button with her tail. The tanks flooded with a pink liquid. They could feel as the embryos slipped into a deeper sleep, and were freed from their pain. They lowered their heads and keened in deep sorrow, weeping for those they could not save.
Their reverie was broken by the feeling of a grown human coming closer. It wasn't one of the Others, as they couldn't feel its mind. Nyx and the rest quickly climbed up the walls to hide on the dark ceiling. They remained still as the door opened and a tall male human entered the room. He swept the light on his small gun around the chamber. Although they didn't have eyes, they were not ignorant of light, even if they didn't perceive it in the way humans did. They knew to stay in darkness.
As the man came further into the room, Nyx focused on him. Something was familiar about him. She tilted her head. This male seem very big and muscular. It clicked. Nyx began to quiver with white hot rage as she bared her teeth.
It was the one who shocked her brother. You! Unable to contain her anger, she hissed. The man glanced up. He saw the glint of light on Nyx' head. His eyes grew wide as he dashed out the door, knowing his little weapon was no match for them. He only made it out into the hall as Nyx dropped to the floor and charged, knocking him down. Nyx hissed angrily as she shoved her weight down on him, her tail smashing his pitiful little weapon. She was drooling with her barely-contained fury.
"Help! Help me!" he screamed. Nyx hissed as she moved forward, her sisters surrounding them, hissing as they pondered what to do to him. Nyx looked down at his belt, and saw the little device. Her lips peeled further back from her teeth as she reached for the device he had used to hurt her little brother. So, you like to hurt those who can't fight back? she mentally growled. She brought the stun gun out next to the guard's face. His eyes grew wide as she pressed the button, and the metal prongs on the end of the device crackled with electricity, inches from his face.
Let's see how you like it . . . the group hissed mentally. The halls echoed with his screams of pain, growing shriller and shriller, till he was shrieking, sobbing, the sounds punctuated with the fierce crackle of a stun gun.
XXX
Teddy stirred from his sleep. He was wrapped in soft, warm blankets. He smiled as one of the hatchlings snuggled against him, purring in her sleep. His Mother purred softly as she kissed him.
Hello, my little one. Did you sleep well? He smiled as he hugged his teddy bear.
Yes. Thank you. She smiled as she gently stroked his soft hair, unable to fathom how anyone could hurt something so precious. Her baby, her child, her son. Her little Teddy. She cooed as she nuzzled him.
I love you, my little one. My Teddy. He was surprised. He smiled sadly as he remembered the only human being who was nice to him. The only other one who cared, who he would never see again.
The Queen sensed his sadness and held him close, purring deeply.
Don't be sad. Nyx and the others have gone back to free the Others. If they find Elizabeth, I'll have them bring her back. Teddy's head shot up at that, alarm flowing through him.
No! Tell them to come back! It's dangerous! She was surprised.
Don't worry. The humans are asleep, they'll rescue the Others and- Teddy didn't wait for her to finish, as he tried to wiggle out of her grip.
No! The Others are very dangerous! They're killers! They like to hurt! They'll kill Nyx and the others! He was frantic, trying to squeeze out of his Mother's arms. The Queen remembered the Other that had tried to take over that human, that mind of cold that terrified Teddy. She tried to soothe him.
They'll be all right. The Others can't get into their minds like they can the humans, she assured.
They don't need to! They can kill with other things! He finally managed to wriggle out of her grip and drop to the floor and ran off as fast as his tiny legs could manage. The Queen screeched after him.
No, Teddy!
I have to help them! The Queen froze as she briefly felt a flash of heat, anger and rage in Teddy's memories. Another one, crazy and twisted into a weapon. It was brief, a flash from one of the scientists' minds that Teddy had seen into. One of the brood in the nest came, feeling her brother's distress. She put him on her back as she dashed through the tunnels for the labs.
I'll carry you, little brother, she said as they ran, hoping they weren't too late.
XXX
Nyx and her cadre had searched every room they had come across, and grew more and more saddened. They had found several small ones, like Teddy, but were too late. The scientists had terminated them in the small, cold rooms. Most of them had been mercifully given the same drug that made them go to sleep, but some had been shot. Nyx shivered as she walked. They couldn't give up. They could feel there were some still alive, somewhere. They just had to find them.
They came into a large room with tables, another cafeteria. One of them gave a hissing-snort as she scent-tasted the air.
I smell something, she said, wary. The others smelled it, too. It smelled like something burning. What unnerved them was how close the smell was. They noticed that the room was very warm. Warmer than the Hive, even. They suddenly felt red-hot rage as the room exploded into flame.
"Who are you?!"
XXX
Teddy was trying to fight down his growing sense of panic as they reached the door of the facility. Clutching his teddy bear, he stood on his sister's back as she stopped next to the door. He tapped the buttons of the keypad, and the door opened. He sat back down on her back as she ran through the door.
We have to find Nyx and the others. Don't stop for anything! Teddy instructed his sister as she ran as fast as her legs could carry her. They ran past bodies and bloodstains, open doors and ruined rooms. They ignored it all. Teddy felt a pit in his stomach as he felt a familiar feeling of anger from up ahead, and it was getting hotter. That could only mean one thing.
XXX
Nyx and the others hissed and backed away as the wall of flame snapped at them, forcing them back. They hissed at the lone figure that was slowly walking towards them.
He looked like a young man of seventeen or so. His hair was white, and his eyes looked as if someone had laid washes of wet watercolors of different colors into each iris. His right ear was missing, most of his right cheek scarred from burns. He wore the same striped shirt and pants that Teddy had, but that was where the similarities ended. There was no gentleness, no softness, no peace in this mind. They could feel his mind was twisted and wrong.
He sneered at them as he raised his hand and the flames flicked towards them. One of them screeched in fear of the fire. He laughed, amused. He was enjoying this. Nyx growled angrily. She knew he was toying with them. If he wanted to kill them, he wouldn't have trouble doing so.
"Was' the matter? 'Fraid of fire?" he giggled. One of the Aliens slashed her claws at the flame.
He smiled coldly as the flames moved, as if they were alive. She shrieked in horror as the flames encircled her, separating her from her sisters. Nyx screeched in distress.
Sister! She curled into a ball within the circle of flame, terrified as she trembled. He smiled as he tightened the circle.
Bad! Leave them alone! They all whirled at the mental roar.
Teddy stood at the door, his other sister behind him. Although he was just a child, the air he projected was anything but. Teddy pointed at the teen. Naughty! That actually provoked a reaction. The teen turned his back to Teddy, his nose up.
"Not naughty," replied the other one as the flames died down some, enough for the frightened one to rejoin the group.
Little brother! they mentally cried. The Other looked like he was going to leave the room, but stopped.
Liz'ba like him more than you . . . a voice whispered. The teen stopped. The little girl's voice whispered in his head. She gave him that teddy bear, but what did she give you? He whirled, glaring at the little boy. His lips peeled back from his teeth in a snarl. She even gave him a name . . . He trembled with fury as the flames flared up, hotter than ever. Nyx screeched as the flames moves like flaming serpents towards the little form.
Little brother! Teddy raised his hand, and a metal table that had been laying at the edge of the room came flying and blocked the flames like a shield. Everyone was stunned. The teen sneered as the burned table dropped to the floor with a clang.
"So, you really can do something." The flames flared up again as he walked forward. He raised his arm, and a large tongue of flame lunged at the tiny form, only to be blocked by a chair that flew in front of it. Nyx screeched in dismay as the battle unfolded.
Teddy! She tried to run to his aid, but was blocked by the living flames.
"Come on, baby! Fight back!" snarled the teen as he continued to advance on the little form, flinging flames at him, which were consistently blocked. Nyx and the others were desperate to help. They could feel how much energy it took their little brother to move things. As amazing as it was, he couldn't keep it up forever. The teen growled as he flung more flames at Teddy.
"It was your fault! You made Liz'ba leave!" he yelled as he twisted the flames around and tried to hit Teddy from the back. A panel from the ceiling fell behind Teddy and stood up, acting as a wall between him and the flames.
You're wrong! The scientists made Elizabeth leave! And so did Frieze! The teen stopped at that. Frieze hurt Elizabeth's arm! An image of a cut in Elizabeth's arm made by a sharp icicle flashed.
He's lying. Look at the teddy bear. Liz'ba gave her teddy bear to him, not to you, whispered the cold girl's voice. Kill him, Blaze. Take what's yours from him. You deserve it. Tears began to run down's Blaze's face as he screamed in rage.
"It's your fault! It's all your fault! Liz'ba liked you more than me! Why?! Why?!" Teddy blocked and deflected the flames that Blaze sent, but he was getting more tired with every object he moved. Telekinesis didn't work like it did in science-fiction. It took almost as much energy to move something with the mind as it did with the body. Blaze's attacks were growing more and more desperate, frantic and angry. Nyx and the others were almost frantic.
Teddy, fight him! You can do it! You're stronger than he is! Nyx cried
I can't! I don't want to hurt him! he replied as he ripped another ceiling panel down and bent it to deflect the flames, instead of absorbing them.
You have to! He'll kill you if you don't! Blaze roared in anger as he brought the flames to bear from two sides. Teddy used two tables to shield himself on two sides.
"Why?! Liz'ba read stories to you! She hugged you! She smiled at you! Why?! Why, why, why?! Why did you have a mommy and not me?!" he screamed as he filled every flame with all his anger, all the hurt, all the sadness and all his loneliness. Nyx screeched as she looked at the flames, wondering if she could leap through them and live.
Teddy, please fight! I love you! I don't want to lose you!
I can't! He's not bad! They made him that way! It's not his fault! He just wants a mommy! It was that thought that brought an idea.
Blaze was panting. He was ready to fill the whole room with flame. There was no way that baby could block that. As he gathered his energy reserves, he felt something touch his mind.
"Who's that?!"
It's all right, little one, the voice soothed. He stopped. Poor little child, how much you've suffered. It was so soft and gentle. A sweet, gentle, maternal warmth, unlike anything he had ever felt. His eyes flooded with tears, the flames began to die down.
"W-who are you?" his voice was shaky. The feeling that touched his mind was soft and warm.
How much pain you've felt. His face twisted in mortal agony. How you've been mistreated. That isn't right, my poor little one, soothed the Queen. Blaze was panting as he was almost hunched over. Nyx and the others cautiously approached as Teddy stood in front of him. The little boy with the brown hair and big chocolate eyes smiled at Blaze.
Blaze, you don't have to fight anymore. The scientists are gone, comforted Teddy. Blaze looked at him. Frieze used you. The reason you used fire was because she used ice. Although he had the body of a teenager, Blaze's mind was barely as old as Teddy's. His face showed it as it twisted into a mask of untold, childlike sorrow. Blaze looked down at the floor.
A metal tray was laying on the floor, reflecting his face. He looked at his scars, the deformities wrought by flame. They weren't the only flaws he could feel. He knew he was sick. Something deeply wrong inside. Not just in his mind, but his body, his very cells. His lower lip trembled as he fell to his knees, wrapping his arms around himself as tears streamed down his face. He looked all the world like a sad, lonely child. He softly shook his head as he whimpered.
"Mommy . . ." It happened so fast, nobody could stop it.
Blaze turned his heat on himself, inside. He trembled once, and fell over. The group was stunned. They all were still. Teddy was the first to move. The tiny boy knelt next to Blaze's body. He gently touched his head, which was hot to the touch. Teddy's eyes watered as he quivered.
He wasn't bad. He . . . he just wanted a mommy . . . His soft sniffles were the only sound he could make as his tiny shoulders shook with his silent sobs. Nyx came forward and scooped him into her arms as he sobbed. They made him that way. It wasn't his fault, he sobbed. Nyx moaned as she stroked his hair.
Come back to the Hive, all of you! the Queen commanded. Before Nyx could rise, Teddy gripped Blaze's body.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Teddy mentally sobbed. Nyx looked at the body. She couldn't hate him.
She gently stroked the body, bowing her head and giving a soft keen. Teddy nestled his face against her chest as the sobs wracked his tiny form. As they left, each one of them repeated Nyx' actions, a sign of respect.
XXX
They were greatly relieved to return to their home, glad to be away from the nightmares of the human laboratory. All of them were greatly disturbed and distraught over what they had seen.
None more so than Teddy. He was still crying as Nyx carried him into the Queen's chamber. As Nyx approached, the Queen scooped her up into her arms as well, cradling both her son and daughter in her arms. She kissed Teddy's hair, as did Nyx.
It's okay, Teddy, I'm here. Mommy's here, she comforted. All of them could feel the agony he felt, and offered thoughts of warm, gentle tenderness and love. She did not tell him not to cry, knowing he needed to cry, they all wanted to weep with deep, soul-wrenching grief, sorrow and loss.
Don't cry, my little brother. We're right here, Nyx comforted as she cradled him and stroked his hair. Nyx, catching her Mother's thoughts, no longer cooed for Teddy not to weep. Their little brother needed this emotional release, to grieve. Their little brother grieved by shedding the salty liquid known as tears. So be it. The whole of the Hive comforted and soothed the little boy as he literally cried himself to sleep, surrounded by his big Sisters, crooning to him, as well as keening with him in deep sorrow and grief as such a terrible waste of little lives.
Author's note: This chapter, and, indeed, this whole story, was inspired by a single song:
Angel by Sarah McLachlan. I think that speaks far more eloquently than I.
Read and review, and carry kindness in your hearts, always.
-CD