Kadaj:

I begged for them not to take me in. "Please," I persisted, clenching my fists tightly. My stomach churned and the nerves started up. "I'm too sick. No more, please."

One of the professors gave me a stern glance. "You can't afford to be missing these operations, Kadaj. We need to find out why you're getting sick."

Well, you're not helping, I thought. I shook my head, stubborn. The other professor, a gentle looking female, looked at me and worry flickered across her eyes. She averted my eyes when I met them with hers, and looked down at her clipboard.

"Maybe...we can skip out just this once," She told the other guy, fiddling with her glasses. She cleared her throat, and reached into her white lab coat pocket distractedly.

The male professor grunted. He had wrinkles and bold eyebrows. He didn't look as friendly as she did. "Fine," He replied gruffly, turning around and heading out of my room. The female professor remained a few seconds longer, long enough to give me a small smile.

"We're not trying to hurt you," She murmured. "Just understand that."

I wanted to talk to her more. I didn't get that much bonding time with these doctors. That way, it always seemed like they were just using me. I saw them as bad people. But this girl was nice looking, and wasn't treating me like some lab rat. "It's hard to understand exactly what you're doing," I replied.

She smiled again. "It's complex. Hard to follow. I'd tell you, but it's a long story and hard to understand," She said gently and finally left.

I wondered if I would understand. I didn't like secrets, and this place was way too secretive. Relieved that I wasn't going to the lab today, or any other operation room, I lay on my bed and remained there. Everything I did lately exhausted me so much. Even talking.

But at least that was the only thing. Headaches were now gone, and so was that fuzzy state of mind I usually had. It all started when I stopped taking my pills. My head cleared and my mind was sharpened; but the only thing now was that the operations were still making me tired.

There was a knock on my door. "Come in," I called out. I coughed and watched as Keely made her way over to my bed, carrying a paper bag.

"Breakfast!" She singed, waving it back and forth.

"Not hungry," I mumbled, which was the truth. I hadn't been very hungry lately.

"Lies," Keely scoffed, revealing a bagel from the bag and two plastic knives. "I took the time to get you this so you better eat it. I was going to wait until later but a doctor told me you weren't being operated on today." Keely had already spread cream cheese on her own bagel, and taking that from the bag as well she bit into it.

"Thankfully," I agreed, sitting up against my pillows. "I don't think I could have survived another one. Besides, they're only making me tired all the time. One day without one would be just the thing to make me better." I watched Keely carefully spread cream cheese on one side of my bagel. "Sometimes, sometimes you know," I continued, "I think this is just their plan. They don't want me better."

Keely rolled her eyes. "Don't start off with that rebel bullshit. Why else would they keep you in here? What other real purpose do they have of locking you in this room? What, to like, torture you or something? There's no 'plan' Kadaj," Keely bit her bagel again and chewed abit before continuing, "It's just taking forever for something to happen, that's why they're trying hard. There's gotta be something wrong in you, that's like, not letting you get cured or something."

I sighed, laying back down. "Well I'm growing impatient. If by now nothing's happened, then maybe I'm meant to be this way. I seriously don't want to go through with this stupid experiment anymore," I grumbled.

Keely shrugged sadly. "It's too late now, you have no choice."

"I have a choice. I stopped taking my pills because I chose too," I told her. Keely looked at me worriedly; the hand holding the bagel lowered slowly until it rested on her lap, unmoving. She stared intently at nothing, and I continued. "Yeah, I stopped. I haven't even been feeling bad about it; if you ask me, it's helping. I was going to ask you to do the same-,"

"Will...," Keely murmured suddenly, and I stopped. "Will it help? I mean, I want to get cured faster too." Tears streamed slowly down her face and I thought it was totally unnecessary. Why was she crying? Keely gingerly picked up a stray strand of her hair laying on her shoulder, twirling it around her forefinger. "I know my hair is different and all, but I still feel the same."

"Have you stopped taking those shots?" I wondered. Keely nodded slowly. I gave off a little sigh of relief; I'm glad that scary period of time where Keely was completely addicted to those doctor's shots was over. It helped with her hair, but both of us weren't at all sure what really was in those things. That goes for the pills too.

"If we stop taking all this medication they give us, we could try and come to a conclusion about things," I said, my mind already whirling with ideas and inspirational thoughts. Suddenly my mind was cleared up and some of my strength was coming back. But not all of it. Still sitting up on my bed, I reached over and took my bagel from on top of Keely's paper bag, where it had been laying this whole time.

"You want to try an experiment...within the experiment?" Keely suggested, shifting a bit from where she sat at the edge of my bed.

"Exactly," I replied, taking a small bite of bagel. I put it down almost immediately afterwards though. "The doctors won't know a thing. We'll just lie, and...," The plan was gradually forming in my head.

"Kadaj," Keely leaned forward, removed the bagel from my hand and grasped my hand in hers instead. "What's the point of not doing what we're told? We're stuck here." Her eyes searched my face.

"We'll run," I said. Somehow I think she was expecting me to say that; something told me she even wanted me to say those words. "We'll run away."

The corners of her lips turned up slightly. "Run away where?" She murmured.

"Cloud's house," I replied, nodding as the plan all came together. This was all I told Keely however. There was more, so much more, to this plan. But those ideas and thoughts were not to leave my head. I still couldn't afford to fully trust Keely, or anyone else for that matter.

♡♡

Since giving up the pills, my senses turned sharper, and I felt somewhat...better. Even when I didn't eat much, I was very strong. I didn't mind these changes. Before, I always had headaches, felt groggy, and was mellow. That's how I remember myself anyway. I liked the way I was now, and to tell you the truth, I think I've gotten more of my sense back.

I was no longer sick. Within a few days of officially not taking pills, my health returned to normal and possibly even better than normal.

The price of this better self of mine though was brief scary flashbacks. All the time I feel one coming, I'll try and concentrate on them, but it's very hard. I don't know what they mean, and they often scare me.

I have more luck with my nightmares. I get them every night. Somehow they seem connected to my flashbacks. I know for a fact they're both trying to tell me the same thing. But the thing they're telling me...scares me most of all.

Memories began to flood into my mind. Stuff from a long time ago, from before I even came to the headquarters with Keely. Stuff from way before I even knew who Keely was. Sometimes it was even stuff I could have sworn could have happened to me a few months ago...

It wasn't always my memories either. Sometimes it felt like they were someone else's. This just made me all the more confused.

This all I had to do on my own. No friends, no scientists. I wanted to figure it out by myself. I wanted to know why not taking these pills was in turn making me better, when taking the pills themselves was supposed to. I wanted to figure out the message behind all these scary incidents.

The only way to do that was to get out of the prison that was the headquarters. I no longer felt like I was human here; all my power was diminished into nothing, and they classified me as a mere specimen that no longer voiced important opinions. I couldn't do or say much of anything I wanted, and it was high time that I left this place for good.

♡♡

Walking forth slowly, I gaze about me at this new surrounding. It amazed me; giving me a sense of magic. This place felt so alive. It felt like home. And Father was awaiting my return here and I know he wanted to tell me something.

Leaves crunching beneath my feet, and the only sound other than that were faint gusts of wind rattling the trees. Everything seemed to glow, and I thought this place very beautiful.

"I need to bring Keely here," I said to myself. "I need to bring everyone here."

Still walking, and so entranced with this forest, I don't realize I have come to a lake. I almost step into the water but back away just in time. It has grown darker. The water glows. Standing on a little island of rock in the middle of the lake was Father.

"Kadaj," He says. "Why are you being so stubborn?"

"Stubborn?" I repeat, confused.

"I bring you here as much as I can. But you can't come here by yourself. Why not? Are you still afraid?"

"Afraid of what?" I wonder.

"You tell me." Father stood there, and even though he faced me I think his eyes were closed. I tried crossing the lake but the water was painfully cold.

"I want to cross this water," I tell him.

"Why?"

"Because I want to be with you." I squat down, staring at the water. I dip a finger in but pull it back instantly. It's almost as if the water is biting me. I start to cry. "It won't let me."

"You're not ready yet."

"When will I be ready?"

"When you find out your true self. When you find out your powers. When you break free from your prison. When you listen to the voice. Then...you can follow me."

"Where will you be?" I wondered, sitting down on the ground and staring angrily at the water.

"Here. Waiting."

"For me?" I asked, hopeful.

"Perhaps. If it is only you that wants to follow."

I nod and start getting up. Everything is now so simple. All I have to do is follow the voice. And find out my powers, or whatever. And all the other stuff. It should be easy. Before I completely turn around and start walking away, I look over my shoulder at Father. "Is the voice Mother?" I wonder out of curiosity.

Father had turned around too, his back towards me. He was making his way into a cave. "Yes," He replied before completely disappearing.

I woke up with a start. I blinked my eyes a few times and tried to remember what I had just dreamed. Is it him? I thought. Is it Father...?

I got up from my bed and immediately got dressed. Today was the day. I had to leave headquarters; figure out what was going on. Only one person had the answer. I had never thought of finding Father before this. He was never in my thoughts period, due to all the therapy and drugs I had been taking from this place.

They're hiding me from it, I thought. They're hiding me from everything.

Well, it's time I found it. It's time I found everything again. It's time I found Father...and found out what he wanted from me. I was tired of being called over and over again. Pulling open my room door, I looked around and saw no one was outside.

Walking briskly, my mind made up, nothing holding me back, I came upon Keely's room. I didn't forget what she said; she deserved to run away just as much as I did. I didn't want her staying here either.

"Kadaj?" A sleepy looking Keely raised her head up slightly from her pillow. I walked forward into the room a bit and just told her to get dressed. "What for? What are you doing?" Keely didn't sound all that tired anymore; she quickly got up and ran for her closet.

"We're leaving," I replied bluntly. "I had another dream. I'm tired of staying here and not ever knowing anything. I have to find Father, and I have to find out what's wrong with me." I felt as if I've said these words before. I sighed, and continued, "I'm tired of this place. There's nothing for us here. If we want answers, we need to look for them ourselves."

Keely shakily started to zip up a jacket. "We're going to look for your dad?" She wondered incredulously. "Now?"

I looked over at her. "Don't worry about it. It'll all be fine. You have to trust me."

Keely smiled faintly, giving her room one last glance around. "I'll always trust you, Kadaj. Too bad you can't say the same for me." Her smile faltered.

"I'll say the same for you...If you join me in this," I told her. "I'll know to trust you and everything."

Keely laughed hollowly. "Promise?" I nodded. She nodded too and walked over to her room door, setting an auto lock to take place in ten seconds. We left the room and she waited until the door had locked itself before joining me.

"Ok. I'm ready," Keely said, tucking her hands in her jacket pockets and looking down.

I removed one of her arms from the pocket and held her hand. "Don't be scared. I know what I'm doing," I reassured her.

"I'm not scared," Keely scoffed defensively, but welcomed my hand with a tight grip. I set to leading her down the hallway and all of a sudden I felt a wave of remembrance, and I felt suddenly familiar with my surroundings. Something told me I'd be able to pull this off.

Not a sound disturbed us, and the silence was almost unbearable. This is too easy, I thought. I looked around, but no guards. Keely took note of our somehow freedom to just walk away, and letting go of my hand, she sprinted further down the lobby.

"These people are obviously so stupid," She said softly, with her trademark half smirk on her face. "C'mon, if the alarms go off when we exit the door, we have to get ready to run full throttle."

I watched curiously as Keely closed her eyes and seemed to meditate. I didn't need such practices, all I needed to do was tell my body to run and it'd run, even more so if in a state of panic should the alarms go off. I know very well what I'm up against, but the element of fear still lingers within me.

Releasing all the air in her lungs, Keely spread her arms then let them fall limply at her sides. Her combat boots thunked heavily on the floor as she stepped closer and closer to the exit. I followed her briefly, but stayed back just incase. Keely slowly raised an arm and inched it towards the door, until the swish of its electric slide gave off and almost immediately the alarms too. Keely's legs were a blur suddenly, and before I could even act she was at least half a mile away.

Putting aside how Keely managed to run so fast, I had already started running too and soon caught up to her. As soon as I was running right beside her, she abruptly stopped and I had to stop quickly to stay with her and almost fell flat on my face.

"Wait," She breathed, placing both hands on her knees as she caught her breath. She straightened out and looked behind her. We both saw the alarms go off but didn't see anyone else. "Is no one going to see what's wrong?" Keely questioned. Before I could reply, we heard the sirens of squad cars making their way closer. Keely chuckled hollowly. "That's more like it," She muttered.

I figured we'd have no chance should we decide to run and the guards stayed in their cars. Even Keely and I, with our unusual ability to run fast, can't surpass a vehicle. Well, we never tried, but I wasn't taking a risk. "C'mon, let's hide out and wait until they pass," I suggested. It was dark outside and I barely caught Keely nodding.

The Mako Reactors loomed overhead, and the smell of pollution was heavy. Keely managed to find a small corner between a fence and an old car without any tires or windows. "How long do we have to wait?" Keely wondered, scooting over the best she could as I tried to fit in the corner too. I had to squish up against her and it wasn't too comfortable.

"Um," I replied, trying to not look at her and remember what she said at the same time. "We'll see." Keely sighed and she looked scared again, but was trying hard not to show it. I kept watch ahead and kept my ears perked up for any sounds. After a few moments, to my horror, Keely stood up. "Hey!" I hissed. "The coast isn't clear yet."

"Yeah, so? I think it is. And even if it's not, it's because the guards are being silent. They're on foot. If anything, we can outrun them," Keely replied. She turned around and bent down to help me up. I reluctantly took her hand and stood up from that tiny corner.

Gingerly, Keely tip toed around the old car. I stayed behind. She was on the main path, the one we were running through, as she looked in all directions for any signs of security. All of a sudden she stepped back where a search light almost came to her face. I sighed with relief, but nerves crept into my stomach all the same. That was a close call, and the guards were still looking for us.

"Keely," I hissed nervously, wanting her to come back to where the lights couldn't reach us. She was pushing it too far by staying out in the open like that, even if it was really dark out. I called her again and she heard me this time. I saw her long hair swish back and forth as she turned around and began walking back.

I motioned for her to hurry up, but it was too late. Guards came out of nowhere, places I least expected. Part of their plan, perhaps. One seemed to jump down from an invisible wall, and two seemed to have appeared from the old car.

"Hold it!" I heard one cry. I instinctively jumped back, and relied on the shadows around me to steer clear from their range of sight. Keely wasn't so lucky and had nowhere to hide. The guards seemed to have spotted only her, anyway. "Release all weapons. Hands above your head where I can see them!"

A flashlight bathed Keely's face in light, and I could see her expression perfectly. She looked downright pissed off, as if she had just been taking a walk in the park when officers pulled her over. "Yeah, yeah. Like I have anything," Keely spat.

For some reason she kept her eyes downcast, and it looked as if they were closed. "What are you doing here at this hour, little girl?" A guard demanded. I wondered briefly if they even recognized her. If they knew who was running away, why were they acting as if Keely was a trespasser?

"I was going to meet up some of my friends here," Keely lied, her eyes still almost closed. "We were going to vandalize the property. Happy now?"

The guards grumbled and one mentioned something about taking her home and telling her parents. Whatever Keely's plan was, it was working, until a guard suddenly stopped all his buddies. "Wait a minute, missy!" He yanked her arms down and kept a steady grip on them.

Keely struggled but another guard grabbed her from behind. "Open your eyes!" Keely shook her head back and forth, and struggled even more. Her eyes were shut tight. "Open them!" The first guard demanded yet again.

Keely had no choice. Her eyes flickered open and the guards saw who she really was. "It's one of them," A guard muttered. "Take her back in." Even though Keely struggled until the last moment, both she and I knew it was over. I contemplated giving myself in, so Keely and I could run away together again for a second time. But the look she gave me, just before the guards pushed her enough away that the darkness consumed and I could no longer see her, said it all. She wanted me to continue. She was giving me the chance.

I heard the cars pull away and I slumped against the old car. I took a few moments to collect myself, and ready myself to get up and continue my journey alone.