Jake and Dirk waited in the trailer for everyone to return from grabbing food. "How long till you think they'll be back?" Jake asked.
Dirk thought," I'd say twenty minutes, why?"

Jake looked of to the side," You know how I can make wings appear?"
"Yeah."
"I wanted to see if I could practice flying. We are in the middle of no where and no one looks up so-"
"Go for it."

"Can you come with me? I don't want to go alone."
"I've got your back Jake."
"Thanks Dirk." Jake hugged Dirk, wings appearing. "Oh, sorry."
"Don't say sorry, your wings are cool." Dirk looked around at the now bright trailer, grabbing a blanket before tossing it around Jake's wings," There, just in case your wings appear on accident." Dirk went to the side door, peaking outside before hopping out. Jake followed, both of them head over to the abandon building five minutes from the truck stop. "You should have about ten minutes to practice, then we run back before anyone notices."
"This is really exciting!" Jake and Dirk kept looking back, making sure no one was watching them as they walked. They reached the abandoned building, doing another look around. "I'm starting to have second thoughts..." Jake toyed with the edge of the blanket nervously.

"Do you want to head back?"

"I want to fly, it's just... What if someone sees me?"

"They'll think you are a bird or an alien, like Karkat."

Jake spread his wings before taking off into the sky. Dirk looked up in amazement, watching. Jake landed in front of Dirk," That was amazing!"

"Cool."

"I have an idea." Jake wrapped his arms around Dirk from behind before lifting into the air. The breeze carried them through the clear sky, gazing down at the world below. Jake had trouble landing carefully, but it worked out. "What do you think?"

Dirk smiled," That was amazing." Both of them turned to a noise from the wrecked house. They stood, waiting to see who it was. A skeletal figure glared out at them. "Run." Both of them bolted for the the trailer, hopping inside and closing the door.

"Where were you two?" Kanaya asked.

"Just practicing." Jake looked at the floor.

Karkat grit his teeth as a knife dug into his arm, remaining strong. "Talk." The man commanded gruffly. Karkat shook his head no, feeling another sharp jab.

"This is pointless and getting neither of us anywhere. If we are going to take a knife to him for hours we might as well getting something out of it." Doc Scratch stated, calmly sending away the man. "Your much stronger than I thought Karkat, but you will need to talk eventually. Any words, any at all? No? Well then, let's start the experiment." Scratch picked up a clipboard, speaking as he wrote ",Blood samples taken, vitals are surprisingly regular, as many files as possible recovered and prepared for the next procedure. Subject 26 in the continuation of Project BETA, name Karkat Vantas, age 21 years. Ability is instant memorization, unlimited language understanding and speeded healing for blood related injuries. Sedative used for procedure; none. Like to add anything Karkat?"

Karkat knew where this was headed, bloody pictures coming to mind. He couldn't tug free like last time, straps much tighter and stronger, holding him firmly in place. He couldn't say a word, determined not to give in. It had to be a bluff, but the erie smile across Scratch's face said it was completely true.

"I take that as a no. Tell me when you are willing to talk, I'll stop any time." Doc Scratch stood over Karkat. Karkat couldn't see what Scratch did, but he felt it. A burning pain ran down his front, fear sinking in. Karkat struggled against the pain and the fear, trying not to give in. He felt something in his chest, freezing a moment before giving in.

"I'll talk! Just stop! Stop!" Karkat.

"Is that so? Prove it."

"Subject 5, name Damara Megido, age 16. Ability is time alteration. Died from exhaustion two months after joining project." Karkat's voice cracked.

"Very well." Doc Scratch stated. The pain quickly faded from Karkat's chest, Scratch undoing the straps on Karkat's arms. "Understand that I wasn't quiet finished and can always start again if you stop cooperating. You may be smart, but you are not strong enough to get away on your own." Doc Scratch undid the remaining straps before pulling a shirt from a cabinet and handing it to Karkat. Scratch picked up his clipboard, flipping to a different page," Continue from where you were."

"Are we there yet?" Jade asked.

"Yes, we are here, but you still can't leave the vehicle." Kanaya stated.

"I'm bored too. Let's blow this popsicle stand!" Sburb snapped teleporting everyone out of the semi and trailer and onto a rooftop.

"What did you do?" Slick glared at Sburb, Deuce grabbing his arm.

"Boss, look! You can see everything from up here." Deuce motioned around him.

"So where are we headed? I don't know where the casino we're looking for is."

"I don't know about you, but I think we should hurry for once. Karkat can't hold on forever, especially with Doc Scratch grilling him for info." Sburb paused. "Too late, he snapped. We're on the home stretch here, let's go!"

"What happened to KK?"

"Ask him after we beat English. Let's go!"

"Thtill no clue where to go."

The group was suddenly in a sewage pipe. "There, now let's go!"