A/N: Warning: References of Rape.


Chapter 7: Eve

Max

I was relocated to a dark dungeon-looking room, and as if that wasn't enough, they even threw me in a cage. My vision wasn't blurred anymore, but when I strained my eyes, well, that hurt a lot. My whole body was a mess of blood and sores, and this nostalgic scenery didn't help one bit…

"I'm telling you! When I get out of here-"

"Maximum, just face it. You are never getting out of here. This is the end of the road."

Maybe I was going to die my flock by my side, I was at a serious disadvantage. I buried my head in my weak, sore arms. I just wanted to go home. Cold tears streaked my dirty face. I felt defeated.

"Miss, are you crying?" a soft voice said from somewhere. Angel? Is it really- No, it was someone different from what I could tell. She was a young girl with long dark hair that fell down her back. I put my cool hands to my face, trying to sooth the searing pain I felt in my eyes from squinting too hard. The girl neared my cage and put her hand on my hands. I, then, looked up and tried to examine her better. Her eyes were a deep shade of purple, and she had a pale complexion.

"No! Of course not." All she did was cock her head, as if she didn't understand. I, then, looked away, embarrassed. "Is it that obvious?"

"Well, I'm an empath. It's only in my nature to understand the feelings of others."

"Oh, so were you born like that?" I asked, taking interest. If she was a lab rat like me, then maybe she could help me bust out of here.

"Yes, this has always been a part of me. A blessing or a curse?" Hm, that's kind of how I view my mutations. If had never gotten these wings, maybe I could have had a normal life. A peaceful life. No crazy scientists to worry about, only budding hormones and school. However, if I had never lived life like I have, I never would have met Fang or the flock, who have been my family and have always had a special place in my heart.

"I know how you feel."

"You do?" she replied, smiling. All of a sudden, though, she broke out coughing and wheezing. She gripped her throat tightly and blood began tainting the floor.

"Oh no," she said. Her voice was raspy, and it sounded like it hurt a lot. "I-it's wearing o-off!" Her voice was now jagged and razor-sharp, as if hearing it could cut through me. That's the same voice I heard in the white room! It belongs to a little girl?!

"Are you scared?" the little girl said, looking ashamed. I felt bad. These white coat monsters must have done this to her.

"I'm just a little shocked. I thought your voice belonged to a 30 year old woman, but your just a little kid!" I said, trying to laugh it off. Apparently I was not helping because next thing I know, there was fire in her eyes.

"I am not little! For your information, I happen to be 17 years old!" she yelled, ferociously. Seventeen?!

"Whaaa? T-that's how old I am!" I announced, shocked. Suddenly, her angry face melted and was replaced by happiness and excitement.

"Really? You know, I did feel some kind of emotional bond between us." Reminder! This was the same creepy girl that wanted to play with your body once you were dead.

I tried laughing, but I only sounded nervous.

"Hey, are you okay?" I tried, but I couldn't look her in the eye. What they did to her voice was just too disturbing. "You know, my voice wasn't always like this," she said, placing two fingers to her throat. "I actually used to be mute. I was an orphan, living in the slums, feeding off of whatever food people threw away. I always used to walk to this one playground and watch all the kids play and have fun, but I was always alone. No one ever wanted to play with me. But, there was this one day. Someone actually started talking to me! I was so excited! Although, I couldn't talk, he somehow understood where I came from and everything. We played for a long time, until he left. I dreamed about him that night, and the next day, we played again. Finally, one day, he asked me if I wanted to come to his house forever. I was hesitant, but he said that he could give me my voice back. So, I came to his house, where we watched a movie. It was amazing. He, then, carried me to his room, a-and he started taking of my clothes-" she stopped and tears streamed down her face.

"Sweetie-"

"I thought it was just another game. I thought it would be fun. He continued this for a week or so, until I wanted to leave. He wouldn't let me, so he beat me. No one could ever hear me, even if I tried screaming at the top of my lungs. He told me that he was the only one who wanted to be with me a-and that if I left, I would be alone forever."

"Only I can love you. Only I can be with you. I'm the only one who would ever want to be with something like you!"

"At the same time, he tested on me, slowly giving me the voice of a young girl. That's the only reason I stayed. All I wanted was to interact with people and have somebody to talk to when I had been alone for so long. One day, I did get my voice. This voice. He was so upset about my failure that he threatened to kill me. That's is when I knew I had to leave, and then, Marina found me. We were in a forest, and she shot at me, thinking I was a wild animal."

"Oh my God, I am so sorry!"

"It's o-okay. You were scared and thought you were in danger."

"She knew what I was and had heard my voice, but she still took me in. She helped me live, and then, took me here. The scientists took a special interest in my abilities as an empath. Since I could understand people's feelings, I could help to calm down the feelings of others as well. They immediately put me to work. My job was easy. Help calm down the experiments. In return, they would help me get a normal voice. She, Marina, takes me places when she isn't so busy around here. She shows me love and affection, and I couldn't ask for more. She is the reason I wake up everyday."

I sighed, trying to take all of this in. She had such a tough life, and still, she can put a smile on her face like nothing. She just wants to be with people. I've always had the flock right there with me, so I guess I've never really experienced what alone really is.

"You're actually the first experiment I've gotten to have a real conversation with!"

"You are absolutely right! However, I don't believe we've been formally introduced."

"You're right," she said, widening her big, innocent eyes.

"Hello, I'm Maximum Ride. What's your name?" I said, extending my arm out to her. She stared at it, but then caught on, grasping it.

"Oh, and I-I'm Eve," she said, grinning widely. We shook contently.

"So, you're not really seventeen, right?"

"Nah, just eight."

"Ohh," I said, slapping my head. Makes more sense.

"I just said that so you wouldn't shun me. Usually teenagers like to talk to people in their same age group or older. Saw it in a movie," she answered, matter-of-factly. "Hey, you hungry?"

I don't know why, but I want to make her happy. She reminds me too much of Angel and my Nudge. Although, she seems to be happy here, she doesn't really belong. The white coats will use anyone to do anything. If I'm getting out, so is she.