I wanted to scream. I was at my least favorite place in the world with my least favorite person in the world. Actually, make that second least. Blondie is on top of my list.
"I haven't seen you in a while, Icy." Jeb spoke calmly and gently, but his eyes were glowing with excitement. "How are you?" I spat at him in response, watching in satisfaction as flecks of oil, blood, and saliva stained his white lab coat. He scowled and held up a small remote, pressing a button. Instantly, I couldn't move. He smiled at me, tapping the collar on my neck.
"Prototype. Complete control over the wearer, which would be you." Crap. I wanted to slice that sneer off his face with my claws. I looked him in the eyes; hoping I could knock out, maybe even kill the jerk. God knows he'd deserve it. I found myself staring into darkness. His eyes were cold and dead, as if all the life had been sucked out of him. Everything was fading, growing darker, darker…
I woke up, snapping to attention. I was tied to the table, metal straps holding me down. I glanced around, looking for any signs of life. In a large glass box with holes in it was a girl. Her skin was brown and looked rough. Leaves were sprouting out of her face and vines curled around her arms. There was a boy in a cage next to her. He had yellow eyes, white hair, and paw-like hands that included clawed fingers. They looked miserable and scared, and I couldn't blame them.
"Had a nice nap?" a scientist asked, looking frustrated. He was the only one there, and was considerably younger than the usual geeks. He had reddish brown hair and dark eyes that were staring at my face. I glared at him in response. He sighed and leaned closer.
"You look like you wouldn't tell on me, so I'll let you in on a little secret." He pulled one of his rubber gloves off and showed me his hands. I tried to say something, but it came out as a strangled gulp. At the very tips of his fingers were tiny black points that were curved and sharp.
"Scorpion," he explained as he pulled the glove back on. "I was one of the first experiments. I escaped a long time ago and came back as a spy."
"A spy? For who?"
"There's a bunch of us out there. Most of us are failures compared to what the freaks meant us to be, but I guess it's ok as long as we're alive." I blinked, trying to absorb this info. This guy was a good guy? Correction: this guy was a spy? Right, and I'm Miss America.
There was a click and the bindings came off. I sat up, rubbing my arms.
"How do I know I can trust you?" I demanded, watching as he opened the glass box with the plant girl. He paused in opening the wolf kid's cage.
"You don't."