Alfred heard the door swung open. He squinted his eyes, making out what appeared to be a woman dressed head to toe in white. Upon coming closer, it came apparent she was actually a he. Two large guards trailed behind him.

A small hand, smoothed the hair from Alfred's face. "Alright sweety, lets get you cleaned up for your owner." He had mid length blonde hair pulled back into a bun at the top of his head."Boys, could you get the other?"

The young American was pushed from the room and through a door adjacent from the one he had just been. Ivan was dragged behind him and tossed inside after.

"My name is Felix, I am a Soulless too." The feminine blonde dabbed at Alfred's forehead with a warm wet cloth. It smelled sweet of lilacs. "You probably do not even know what I am talking about." He laughed and produced a slight smile.

"Me, you, and your friend here, are all Soulless. We do not die of natural cause, our bodies are far more durable and we stop aging when we reach maturity. Truth is our kind has always been around, but, secretive until about 600 years ago. Some of us were kept in facilities, like this one we are in. Frozen in time for science and used as test subjects in barbaric experiments. In the Great War our kind were used as soldiers. Nations would send our people to fight rather than normal humans. Afterwards, our people became considered objects. Bought and sold for sport fighting, amongst other things. However, more and more of our kind began to be born, so, 356 years ago a new law was put into place. Roughly it stated that, if the Soulless was born after the Great War, they had all the rights of a normal human being. That is why Soulless, like you cutie, are being searched for. Facilities are running low on Legal Soulless and loosing money."

The tape over Alfred's mouth was gently removed.

"So you wake us up and beat us half to death, THEN SELL US AS SLAVES?"

"Hush, hush, slave is such a primitive title." The boy dressed in white sighed. "You are a high valued possession."

"I am a human being, not a damn poodle!" Alfred spat. "Let me go!"

"Where will you go?"

Silence.

"You have no family nor life to return to." Said Felix, wiping Alfred's chest clean. "What is wrong with having someone to give your life purpose? You were bought by a very wealthy man, I am sure he will treat you well."

Alfred looked down at Ivan sprawled on the floor.

"Is it true, about his arms?"

Felix shut his forest eyes and nodded.

"It is a shame, but, he committed such a repulsive crime." He cast a vicious glare down at the unconscious Russian. "I have no sympathy for murderers."

Alfred had been cleaned and dressed in crisp new clothing. His arms were tethered behind his back. Ivan, on the other hand, was left naked still hunched in a pile on the tile. Felix kicked him with the edge of his boot.

"Up!" He demanded.

Ivan's eyes opened half way. He shifted his gaze up at the blonde and sat himself up. Looking past Felix, he saw Alfred fully dressed.

"Alfred?" His voice was raspy.

"Get up." Commanded Felix, un-patiently. He kicked the man at his feet, hard. "I said UP!"

"Hey." Alfred spoke sternly, standing up from the table. "I will help him, untie me."

Felix hesitated, then rolled his eyes letting the American free. Alfred bent beside the armless man.

"Ivan, I am going to carry you out of here. Okay?"

Ivan looked as though he would pass out any second.

"D-da." He whispered, leaning into him. His body felt warm against him.

Carrying Ivan with him, Alfred was led out to what Felix referred to as the Meeting Hall. He walked, favoring his left leg.

The boy and his father stood waiting for them.

"About time." Grumbled the impatient man, folding his arms. "Hurry it up, I do not have the whole bloody day!"

"Go on." Felix motioned with his hands. "I am not allowed any further."

The young American kept his head lowered and anger in check, continuing towards them. If it had not been for Ivan in his arms, he would have punched the caterpillar browed brit in the face, and then some.