CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

I moved to the side with the flute clutched tightly to my chest. "What the Hell are you doing?!" I didn't want to hurt him, but I wasn't sure if I was going to have a choice if he didn't let up. "Stop this, Jared. I'm not interested in you. It doesn't matter what you are."

"So you are fucking them?" he spat.

"I didn't say that!" I hissed back. "What I'm saying is that I will never want anything to do with you because of that wretched attitude. This – what you are doing – is exactly why. Now, can you stop this madness?"

He was beyond reasoning. He lunged once more towards me and I kicked the chair to impede him. He crashed heavily into the wooden structure, but it only managed to anger him further. He tossed it aside with a growl.

I had to get out to where he wouldn't be able to hurt me.

Once I was able to switch our positions, I ran for the door, swinging it open, but before I could leave, he grabbed my wrist. "Let go!" I wrenched my arm away, but he quickly seized my hair. "Stop this!"

When he still refused to listen, I swung my fist, completely forgetting that the flute was still clutched tightly in my hand.

The silver metal brushed the bridge of his nose before sinking into his left eye. There was a horrible cry and a very audible pop as the eye burst. The fluids were everywhere – blood and pus, splattered on the walls and floor.

He immediately let me go to cover his wound. "Fuck! Fucking bitch! Look at what you've done!"

"What's going on?" one of the colonists, Greg, stopped in front of the hut.

"The dumb bitch tried to kill me!" Jared shouted, pointing a bloody finger at me.

I shook my head. The flute fell from my hand with a soft 'clink.' "H-He came in. He tried to rape me when I said I wasn't interested. I… I didn't mean to… I just wanted to get away, but he grabbed me and pulled my hair. I never wanted this to happen…"

Greg let out a long string of curses. "We'll get you fixed up, buddy, and then, I want to get to the bottom of this."

I silently watched as the large man dragged Jared out.

By now, there was a small crowd congregated just outside. I could feel all the eyes and whispers.

"Cassandra, are you okay?" Margie came over with a warm huge.

I nodded, burying my face into her shoulder. "I… I'm okay." But I was on the verge of a panic attack. I hadn't felt like this for so long. No, that was wrong. I had never felt anything like this. Sure, I feared for my life many times before, but nothing like this.

"We'll have to figure out what happened here," Linus said to the mob.

Margie glared at him. "Isn't it obvious what happened? He tried to rape her!"

"And she took out his eye!" he argued.

"It was self-defense!"

I found David standing amidst the chaos. His blue eyes were dark with anger. I wanted to go to him, but he was gone before I could even open my mouth.

"We should give this a proper discussion. This is the first crime we've had – either committed by Cassandra or Jared. We have to decide as a group what we should do." Tennessee had finally joined the group. "We'll get this sorted out alter after Jared receives some medical attention. Now, let's leave Cassandra alone."

I gave him a small, grateful smile and he returned it with a nod.

Once everyone finally dispersed, I chopped on to my bed with a heavy sigh. I still couldn't believe what almost happened. Hadn't they vetted all the colonists before accepting them for the mission? Clearly, not all of them were mentally stable.

"It seems that Mr. Finley had broken several furniture in your home," Walter stated, observing the damage done to the hut. "Would you like me to repair them for you?"

"Do whatever you want," I groaned, falling on to my back.

He smiled. "If the door hasn't broken, I would very much like to comply. Unfortunately, we do not have the privacy you desire."

You.

The way he said it almost implied that he didn't mind an audience. David had really corrupted the poor thing.

So instead of doing what I wanted to do, we began to clean. There were several irreparable items, including the flute that I refused to put against my lips. I was going to have David make me a new one.

I picked up the little statuettes and put them back on to the wall shelves. My mind was still reeling from what had occurred.

When I first met Jared, he wasn't such a bad guy. He was a rather charming man. David kept roiling him, until he managed to lose his temper and tell the synthetic off.

Our second encounter went less smoothly. He had basically cornered me in the showers. It was creepy. There was no reason for him to approach me at that moment.

I never anticipated that he would just attack me like that. I didn't even think that any of us were capable of it. Perhaps I had been too confident with the company's method of vetting the colonists. There were definitely people with violent mental issues here with us.

"Hey, I know you're not in the mood anymore to join the festivities tonight, but… I want to see you there and have fun," Jeff said as he came by with a crudely made string instrument. It was nothing like the ones David made, but… the thought made me happy. It was nice knowing that not everyone thought I was the one in the wrong. "About Jared… We know it's not your fault. I think Gregg just wants to make sure that everyone is entitled to a fair trial. I understand his point. We need to start with a good foundation and – "

I fought the urge to roll my eyes or shoo him out of my home because I knew that he meant well, but I didn't need his long monologue while I was still trying to recover from the assault.

"I know, Jeff. I understand why they're doing what they're doing," I sighed. "I'll be prepared for whatever they decide."

He gave me an encouraging smile. "Good. I hope you'll play a few sets with us next time."

I nodded. "Of course."

There wasn't much else to be said, so he left me to sulk, waiting to see what the outcome would be for the so-called "trial."

Who was going to be the judge, jury, and executioner? There was obviously no one actually qualified – human that is… But I had a feeling they weren't going to allow David or Walter to decide. Speaking of Walter… Where had he gone off to? Didn't he know that I didn't like being by myself?

"Are you there?" I whispered into the communicator. Where was he? He saw what had happened. Why wasn't he here? Didn't he know how much I needed him? "Please. I need to see you."

There was nothing on the other line. It didn't even sound as if he was listening. "David, I really need to see you. I… I don't want to be alone, right now. I can still feel his hands on me and those eyes… I think he was willing to kill me to get what he wanted."

"And I would've killed him first."

I gasped when the voice came from the doorway, instead of the communicator. A part of me didn't actually think that he was going to come, but I was glad that he did.

With the sun burning behind him and casting a fiery orange glow, he resembled a vengeful angel, full of anger and power.

He was beautiful.

My heart thud against my chest. It felt as if I was falling in love with him all over again. How could a synthetic do this to me?

Hew as across the hut in three long strides, staring at me with those piercing blue eyes.

His lithe fingers sank into my hair and pulled my head up. "You're mine, Cassandra," was all he said before he slammed his lips upon mine.

I moaned, opening my mouth to allow him entrance before rationalisation returned. "D-David!" I panted after wrenching my lips away to breathe. "This isn't the time!" I was looking for some emotional support!

He observed the way I glared at him before chuckling. "No one is taking you from me, especially not that pathetic excuse of a man. There is no more need to worry about him. He shall never bother you again."

My eyes widened. What did he mean by that? "David, what have you done?"

He gently laid me back on the bed, his body covering mine like a thick, warm blanket. "I have taken him out of the equation. Fear not. No one will suspect us."

"Cassandra! Cassandra!"

David had slipped off and looking perfectly composed by the time Daniels came running in, while I still looked frazzled. Fortunately, she assumed that I was still traumatised by the events of today.

"Cassandra, I'm so sorry. I don't know how this could've happened!" she exclaimed. "We put him in one of the quarantine cells on the ship, but he somehow managed to get away." The way she looked at me told me that she felt responsible for what happened.

I glanced quickly at David before looking back at her. "Thanks for telling me. Walter said he was going to fix my door, so I'll feel safer with it. I'm going to have him put in a couple of locks too. I'll be fine.

She pursed her lips. "I can stay with you here. Being alone is probably not a good idea right now. I don't want anything else to happen to you."

Her concern was appreciated, but unneeded. From what David said, Jeff was going to be in no position to be anywhere near me and I trusted him. "Don't worry about it. I don't want to bother you."

"Not at all!" she cried. "It'll only be until we find him or… maybe…" She looked around and set her eyes on the synthetic who was standing quietly to the side. "You can stay with her, Walter! You're probably the most capable to keep her safe."

David smiled at her. "Of course. I will do everything in my power to keep her out of harm's way."

She beamed back at him. "Thanks, Walter!"

"It is no problem at all. Keeping peace in the colony is one of my duties," he pleasantly replied. If I didn't know any better, I would've also believed that he was Walter. As it was, it was horrifying how well he played his part. "Please, rest easy. There will be no troubles to befall Miss Cassandra."

Daniels nodded. "It's all up to you now!"

I watched her practically skip away as if there was not a care in the world. I wasn't sure how she did it when so much had happened to her.

"Well, Miss Cassandra. I believe that there is quite a bit of work for me to do while I reconstruct your door and locks. I do so hope that this won't be a normal occurrence," he stated, moving to gather wood, while I followed closely behind.

I crossed my arms. "Believe me, I have no intentions of repeating today. If I could help it, I would've loved for it to be just a stupid nightmare."

He didn't even acknowledge me as he continued his work. I hated when he did that. It felt as if I was nothing but a nuisance for him and I didn't know how to show him that I could do more than just follow him like a lost puppy. It was depressing.

Within an hour, he had installed the door and was nearly done with the locks. I ran my hand over the designs he had carved into the wood. It was beautiful. He had taken note of what I liked and made it the centre piece. I knew I often over thought of how he would treat me, but I couldn't stop them from happening.

I laid my cheek on his shoulder. "Thank you, David."

He attached the final piece in the third lock and completely stilled.

"David?"

Abruptly, he stood up and disappeared into the forest, leaving me to wonder what I had said or done to make him run away as he did.

…

David was furious. He knew that Jeff Finley was up to no good ever since he found him speaking to Cassandra. He should've gotten rid of that pile of useless flesh when he had the chance before Jeff had the opportunity to touch what belonged to him.

"I hope that fleeting moment was worth it," he said to the man gagged and bound at his feet in the cave. "Because that will be the last pleasant memory you shall ever possess."

"Mmph!" Jeff struggled fervently, staring at him with wide, frightened eyes.

David left out a condescending sigh. "If you had only kept your hands to yourself… I really had no intentions to use you, until much later. It is a waste that you decided to pursue what is mine instead of contributing to the good community that will have to go without you now."

The knife came down quickly, but he took his time widening to wound and letting the blood flow. He wanted this to be as torturous as it had been for her. He wanted this man to never forget what he had done – who he tried to take from.

Once he retrieved enough blood, he stored it in an empty, sterile jar and placed it with the rest of his collection.

He found that some of them were completely incompatible with the parasite, while others had a higher tolerance, but he was not able to duplicate the same results he had with Cassandra.

Picking up one of the first containers of blood, he re-examined it. There was something about the antibodies that made it too reactive to the intrusion. Perhaps if he had an immune-suppressant, it would make them more accepting.

No, he wasn't going to use the ones at the med bay, unless there was a way to manufacture more. There was so much he had to do and take into account when there was more than just Cassandra to worry about. He couldn't afford to run out of specimens.

He knelt by Christine, the first of his captives. She had given up struggling. Her dull eyes were glazed over. If her chest wasn't moving, she could be mistaken for dead, but she wasn't. He was careful to keep them alive.

He had also found a large variety of edible goods that were native to the land.

He didn't know the long term effects yet, so he refrained from informing anyone of his discoveries. It was best to be cautious, lest he wanted to be alone once more with only Cassandra and Walter. That would greatly stunt his progress.

"Eat," he instructed the broken woman. "This is a new red berry that I have found nearby." It grew on low bushes and had a coat of thin, short hairs. He had scanned it and found traces of compounds that were similar to vitamins and minerals found on Earth. It was possible that either these plants were introduced there or vice versa. They seemed very closely related, but evolved differently over time.

She robotically opened her mouth and he fed her as if she was a pet. That wasn't too far from the truth. These people were little more than lab rats, existing only to satiate his curiosity.

He was certain that Mr. Weyland would be proud of what he had accomplished. If he had only waited a little longer, David would've been able to grant him the same immortality he had given his daughter. But this impatience was inherent in humans. They wanted much in very little time.

"Drink." What he poured into her water was not water. It was a concoction he had invented to keep them docile, while having all the electrolytes needed to maintain their bodies in optimal condition.

He had found that there were many herbs in the area with medicinal properties. Once he could determine the long term effects, he would bring them to the colony.

Suddenly, he stopped when he detected an unexpected disturbance in the cave. He moved towards the entrance to find the creature slowly sniffing around. He had named it "Leomorph." It was a simple name that could be easily remembered and followed a system he was already well versed in.

He had not gotten his hands on one since Cassandra had foolishly made contact with it. That body had long since decayed and was no longer useful to the cause.

He was able to look at a tissue sample through his microscope. It had a unique property that was similar to those of the parasite – to that of Cassandra's.

Its defense mechanism consisted of highly corrosive blood and rapid self-healing properties. He couldn't find out what he creature's original DNA could've been. The genes were completely integrated with the parasite's and they had mutated to become symbiotic.

He wondered if there were others that were still untainted. It would help him slowly purify this land. It would help give him more power over this planet. He only wanted a controlled environment of the infection. Anymore and even he wasn't going to be able to do anything if it grew out of control.

The antidote he had made for Elizabeth Shaw was still an option. It was slow, but since these creatures were not on borrowed time, he would be able to experiment more.

Instead of sedating it like he did last time, he snuck up on the Leomorph and gave it a swift whack at the base of its neck, rendering it unconscious.

He didn't have a lot of time before it would wake up, but he had already made several cells to hold them.

"I hope it fuckin' eats you!" Jared snarled as David dragged the large body past the line of prisoners.

David didn't honour him with a reply as the creature was placed gently inside its confines. Even though he had found a way to render it unconscious without risking himself, he still needed to find a way to properly dissect it without dissolving his tools.

"Look at me, you bastard! I know what you and that little slut have been doing. Do you think we're idiots? We know you've been fucking! You're no better than those love bots. Is she using you to do this too? She uses your dick and then sends you out to be her errand boy?"

He reached for a scalpel and moved calmly towards the mouthy man.

"W-Wait! What are you doing with that?!" Jared shouted, trying to scoot backwards, but he was already pressed against the wall and quickly losing his bravado.

David smiled at him. "I do not require your tongue attached to your body for what I have planned."

He snatched the slimy organ form the man's mouth and slowly sawed through squirming muscle. It was slow and painful for the man who was trying to shake him off.

Once the tongue was out, he carefully placed it into a tray and walked back to Jared. He was going to bleed out if nothing was done and there were still things David needed from him, so he took a lighter and cauterised the wound, ignoring the gurgling screams before the man passed out from the pain.

That was better.

Now, he couldn't contribute to pollute the cave with his incessant chatter any longer. The tongue also provided a large surface to experiment upon.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Sorry how long this has taken me to update! I was trying to finish my AHS series, which is semi-done for now until I find more inspiration.

I'm hoping to get into some sort of schedule for this story and to complete it. I have quite a bit planned, while still hoping for a third movie to come out. I want it to happen so badly… Until then, I'll just have to let my imagination run wild.

Thank you Elvira Silver, kingdomhearts49120, Zerousy, nanabeastie273, Panda Nyxus, cmcarthur992, CamiStark13, Third Destiny, crazypo, EvieHana, Larita1976, lolistarkiller, Raeanne Bedard, lauren souliere for reviewing!

Thank you as well to everyone who has favourite and followed this story!