Chapter 1
*ALERT**ALERT*
Something is... different?
*ALERT**ALERT*
What's that sound?
*CODE BLUE*
Why is it so... cold?
*EMERGENCY LOCK DOWN*
Are we under attack again?
*ERROR**POD LOCK ERROR*
The world seems to brighten with a hiss, accompanied with the jarring sensation of falling onto smooth metal.
*ERROR**ERROR*
It's all too bright, too loud. The air I can't seem to gulp down fast enough-I can't breathe-burns as it fills my starving lungs.
*ERROR**ERro-
I slip my hands in front of myself, pushing past the feeling of thick cords, feeling around for the wall. Ignoring the churning of my stomach, only made worse by the sounds of my ragged breathing, I pull myself forwards to get better reach.
There's nothing but wires.
It's still too bright. It's too loud. The metallic smell and lukewarm air reminds me of blood...
Slipping down pale arms to drip off slender fingers...
A tender smile that hides crimson soaked teeth...
Tears fall from my closed eyes as my lungs jerk for a panicked breath.
I can't think like that right now. I need to find h-
"-elp..."
The word feels like sandpaper. Swallowing any spit feels like drinking lemon juice on the sandy wounds. My stomach wants to rebel against it.
"Help," I manage with a cough. I can't yell, but it feels like something, like an inkling of hope.
"Help."
There's no wall, but I can touch what might be a metal pedestal. While it's not a door to freedom it is an escape from lying prone on the cold floor.
I drag myself over, inch by painful inch, managing to lean my mass of quivering muscles onto the object.
I can't yell and my body is in no condition to move. I can already feel the heavy blanket of exhaustion settling over my shoulders. I won't last long.
I want to cry, to scream, to kick, to fight my way to freedom. I don't know where I am. Where would I even go if I had managed to get out?
Hiss-tch
Metal slides open behind me. I push myself closer to my support as I hear the footsteps enter and draw closer. Whether it's from fear or a pitiful attempt at staying awake I don't know.
Sleep is calling more insistently now.
"Looks like Egghead went poking around for old government scraps again," contemplates a male voice.
"Yeah," breathes another male, this one younger than the first and closer. "But I thought GUN sent out teams to clean all this up after the invasion."
"Guess they didn't get it all, little buddy," chuckles the first.
I have to take a chance, right?
"Maybe I can find something to-AAH!" screams the second.
I still have a reason to live, to go on.
"Tails?"
"Body!"
I need to find him.
The duo steps closer, slower, almost timid this time.
I have to take a chance.
Ignoring any words coming from the two boys I use what little energy I have left to breathe out a simple plea.
"Help."
I just barely feel hands on my shoulders as the void takes me.