Chapter Five:The Convict
The last thing that I remember was getting thrown into the back of the cruiser and blacked out. I must have slept the whole way to wherever we were going. Keira was still in trouble, and here I was going to hell knows where. If only I had tried to find another way to get to her. If only I hadn't been so stupid... When I woke up, I didn't know where I was. The air was foul, and the room was dirty. I got up and started to feel my way around the pitch black room. This was no room; it was a cell. I'd obviously been arrested, but why? I'm just a kid! Sooner or later Jak would find out that I was in here. And the worst part was that if Jak found out, Michael would eventually. Even though I couldn't see, I could tell my surroundings weren't friendly. I pulled out my cell phone and turned on the night light. A small cot sat in front of me. The mattress was hard, as if made of stone... Or was it? Broken chains were hanging from the legs of the bed. Some maniac must have lived here before me... No! You don't live here! You don't belong here! I shook my head and continued around the cell. Next to the cot was a water basin. It looked really dirty, so I didn't take my chances of it being drinking water. Finally, I found a switch that appeared to have someting to do with the lights. I flipped the switch and nearly fainted...
WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO ME! Much to my horror, I wasn't as okay as I thought I was. Horns protruded from my head like I was some sort of demon girl. A long tail was visible from the corner of my eye. I reached back and grabbed it. It looked like a gardening spade attached to a purple rope. The horns were purple also, like they were filled with Dark Eco. Oh...My...God... Did they inject Dark Eco inside of me? I felt like crying. Trying not to lose control, I bit my lip to stop my whimpering. A drop of blood trickled down my lip. Wait a second. I got down on my hands and knees to look into the water basin. Fangs! They looked like wolf teeth, only cleaner. Now that I could actually see myself, I got a better glimpse of the horns. They were small, but still as deadly looking as any other kind. My skin was normal color. I waited for a few moments before moving again. Well, I don't feel any different.
"We captured a new one for the project today, sir." I froze. Someone was just outside my cell. Since I couldn't see who was talking, I decided to listen instead.
"Excellent. And did the proceedure go well?" Is that... Vegar! That low lying son of a-
"Yes, sir. Everything went according to plans." What plans?
"Good. Soon, the Dark Warrior Program will spread like the Baron dreamed!" Dark Warrior Program? Don't tell me they're starin' that shit again.
"Um, sir. Only one thing surprized us during the operation."
"And what would that be?" Yeah, buddy. What would that be!
"Well, you see, the subject was really young. I'd estimate about thirteen." Fourteen.
"I see, carry on."
"Being so young, the Dark Eco had a different effect. She's not as powerful, and not as deformed, but the change was permanent, just like you asked." PERMANENT!
"Good! As long as it worked."
I couldn't believe it. Was I doomed to remain this way for the rest of my life? Jak had it bad being able to change back and forth, but just look at me! I'm a monster destined to roam around until it's shot! I had to get out of there...
Vegar and the mystery man had already left. "Hold the phone, if Kleiver claimed Vegar as his shoulder partner at the end of the game, then where is he?"
"Lookin' fa me, kid?"
I jumped and turned around. At the end of the cell was a wall made of nothing but steel bars, just separating me from the prisoner over, Keiver. He was leaning up against the bars, glaring at me as if I was some sort of freak. Well, I was a freak. Kleiver chuckled and extended his large hand. "Pleased ta meetcha', kiddo. Me name's Kleiver. And you are?"
"Why do you ask?" I sneered suspiciously.
"Heh, I like ya' style, kid."
"The name's Jordan, stop callin' me 'kid'."
"Well, Jordan, I've been sittin' here watchin' ya' lose yer marbles over yer new look. I have ta' admit, I think it's a change for the betta'." I continued to glare at him just like he glared at me. Didn't like him in the game, don't like him up close. Right now I didn't care what he said, I had to get out of here. Maybe I would come back for him later since I was such a softie. "Listen, I don't have time for this. I have to find my friends! If I do make it out of this joint, I'll come back for you on one condition." He waited a moment before answering.
"Name it."
"That you skin Vegar alive and give Jak and I his head for keeps when you're free."
"Deal!"
I nodded and searched the room for a vulnerable spot in the walls or ceiling. A vent jung above me. Maybe I'm stronger... I crouched down on the ground like Jak would before he did a big jump. As I left the ground, I drew back my hand for a large swing. Wham! My hand crashed through the vent with a purple streak, indicating that I was much more powerful than before. At the last second I grabbed a hold of the edges of the opening. Before hoisting myself through I winked at Kleiver and he winked back.
As I crawled through the vents, I thought about the guards outside of the prison. I was able to cover up the fact that I had stubby ears, but how would I hide this? My first objective was to find Jak, but how? A crackling noise came from below me. Shit, I hope that's not- The surface below me caved. Damn. I landed with a large thud on the floor.
"Hey!" Two Freedom Fighters seized me by the arms. Rage took over my body. I started to swing my arms around to break free. "She's the freak kid!" one screamed. They let go. Big mistake. Before I knew what I was doing, both of the guards lay slain in front of me. I felt sick to my stomach. I've never killed anyone before... I began to sob on the floor next to them. They never did anything to me. It's not their fault I'm this way!
One of their communicators lit up next to us. To my misfortune, Jak appeared on the screen. "Oh my God!" he yelled. I buried myface down in my hands, the horns pushing my fingers aside. "What happened?" he asked, sounding worried. I was still sobbing, so it was hard to understand me.
"I d-didn't mean t-ta'! I j-just habbened, buh-c-cause of this, this, h-horrable
power!" I threw myself down on the floor next to the communicator. Jak was yelling my name, trying to get me to stop crying. I couldn't hear him past my screaming and moaning. Everything went black...
I woke up about an hour later with dried tears on my face. I could sense a crowd around me, and I began to panic. No! Not again! Control yourself! I wasn't made for the likes of war, and I probably never would be. Despite my desprate attempts to keep myself together, I started to growl at my upcoming attackers. "Jordan! It's okay! It's me, Jak!" My eyes shot open to meet his. Oh, thank God! He appeared to be holding me like a small child. Everyone else was crowded around me, even Torn. Michael...I sat up and searched for him. He was right in front of me; staring. Again I felt like crying. Tears started to well up as I choked them back. He himself looked like crying.
"What have they done to you? My best friend!"he whispered. He quickly shook his head and tried to pretend like nothing happened. "I l-like your new clothes!" Suddenly, dying in a cage didn't seem so bad anymore. The tears still kept coming. I buried my head in Jak's chest. This probably seemed awkward to him, but he was the only one who understands! He was probably the only one who could stand to be around me without fear of being attacked. I just needed a shoulder to cry on. Again, I fell asleep.
This time, I awoke to the sweet smell of food. I hadn't eaten in a day or so. Drool dripped down on the pillow that my head rested on. I sat up and stretched. Unfortunatly, I wasn't dreaming, for my tail stretched out in front of me. The tasty aroma breezed past again. Must. Find. Food! I jumped out of the bed and ran towards the door. Explanations could come later. Apparently I was in the back of the Naughty Ottsel, for when I opened the door, Tess was up on the bar polishing glasses.
"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty!" she said, a smile spreading across her face. Yeah, Sleeping Beauty without the "beauty". Jak and Daxter were busy with the drinks laid in front of them. I meant to say "hello," but instead said, "Where's the food that I smelled?" Tess turned her head to the side. "Huh? I wasn't cooking anything!" Weird. "But I thought I smelled bread!" Daxter thought a moment and turned to Jak. "Hey, isn't the bakery over on the other side of the port?" Jak nodded and got up. "Only one way to find out!"
He came back about ten minutes later with a loaf of bread in his hand. "That's it!" I yelled, absent mindedly jumping at him. He dropped it before I killed him for it. I caught it just before it hit the floor. Without asking for a plate or silverware, I sank my long fangs into the delicious baked good. I hastily shoved it down my throat within two minutes, a record time for me. Once the bread was gone, I licked my lips and sat up. My face turned red for I was still on the floor in front of Jak. Daxter stood on his shoulder, practically laughing his head off.
"Did you see that, Michael? She went at it like a mad yakkow!" Another cackling laughter came from the east side of the bar. Mike emerged from the shadows with tears in his eyes. He dropped down on his knees begging for mercy. Once he finally stopped laughing, he stood up and wiped his eyes. "Phew! I needed that! Thanks, Jordan!" This is strange. An hour ago he looked like he never wanted to see me again! Michael held out his hand and waited for me to hoist myself up. What the hell is he doing! He knows I could attack him! I put my hands down behind me and pushed myself up. He frowned and put his hand down. "S'matter?" he asked, confused why I wouldn't let him help me. WHAT!
"What the hell are you talking about! Look at me!" I screamed, waving my arms around. I was so confused that I thought I was attacking them. I threw my arms back to my side and tried to calm down. Run! I obeyed my command and spun around. Luckily, I was much faster than Jak now, for he tried to grab me before I escaped. "Jordan!" I heard Michael scream. "I'm fine! You didn't do anything! YOU'RE NOT A MONSTER!" I couldn't turn back. I wouldn't. Why does he still like me? Why does he still care? The words kept replaying over and over again in my head as I sped past all of the screaming and panicing people of Haven. You're not a monster...
A song by the name Broken started to play in my head, for that was how I truly felt as I ran through the city of Haven...
I was depressed, cold, and dangerous when I was around them. I knew the only way to fix the problem was to run away. If I wasn't there, they would be alright. But if I wasn't there, I wouldn't be. Jak and the others would be fine without me, but I would always remain broken...
(The story's not over yet, so stick tight for the next one! Please reveiw!)
