I walk over hesitantly. The kids sweating like a pig. The thought of doing an operation like this in such a humid place is absurd. He seemed to be in a trance like state. Eyes half open, just moaning and wheezing. I can't let Gero do this to someone else. I shut off the machines that were burdening his abdomen. Blood trickles out at my face. The kid cries out, eyes wide. They close as his head turns to a side. "Hey, are you…Can you hear me…?"

I awake…

That's always the nightmare. I can hardly sleep anymore.

I put a hand to my sweaty forehead, panting. There on the dark rock floor piled one on top of the other is notes. Past operations have all been a success. I truly didn't think we would get this far.

I've got binders of notes from past procedures and a couple of notes from this one. I'm going to keep the more accurate stuff myself. I can't have Gero ever do anything so unethical again. I sat up on my bed and took a breather.

Truth is…I'm considerably scared of Dr.Gero. Apparently he's heartless.

I don't want to make him too mad at me. And I really do need these notes. I stared down at the floor. The heavy smell of something rotting filled my room. I closed my eyes.

Thoughts of my little sister cheered me up. Playing in our back yard when we were young; catching butterflies…

The sound of heavy breathing fills the room. I look up and slowly look around the room. That kid…

I try not to really think of my recent actions and decisions.

…

We got a new one. We got him yesterday. Just like he got these two, he went out and got some other young man. But I helped this time. Baks not going to appreciate this one.

Though she's against the project she still feels a need to know every detail about what's going on. Whether it's a successful operation or just something minor. Now right behind her back we went out and got another one. Gero wanted him blue-eyed and blonde. I suppose he only wants Aryan androids or something…

I chuckle.

I lost myself…my thoughts erased by his excessive panting. My hands won't stop trembling. My whole body sweating…it's that damn kids fault.

"Damn it"

I need a smoke. After my smoke I can stay collected, at least in front of Bak and Gero.

Snow, white snow gently falling down, every fragile snow flake sticking together to make mountains of white, causing beauty and sometimes even chaos.

I look up to see a boy's back. He was trudging through the snow just ahead of me. Unmistakable jet black hair, it's my brother! I try to keep up with him, practically losing my breath. He was walking so much faster albeit the snow and all. He was heading straight, taking rather clumsy steps yet still moving at a good speed. It seemed he moved in a trance by the light, the blazing glow ahead. He was a good distance ahead and he was leaving me behind. He was just going to leave me for that damn light!

Desperately I opened my mouth to cry out to him. I wanted him to know I was here, and possibly stop or slow down for me. I called him, I was calling his name. I yelled it out at the top of my lungs. But what was his name? He stopped; just as the light seemed to swallow him up.

I awoke to darkness, everything blurred. The bars of the cell came into focus along with the light below.

"…Don't leave me…" I cried absent mindedly.

With great stealth, there stood Gero before me. He wore his usual tight smirk and that same dire gleam in his eye. He opened his mouth to speak; I caught that sound of a snapping film of saliva as he did so. "Are you lonely my little 17?" he asked in a mock sweet tone.

I didn't answer him. Besides missing my brother I was fine. Deaths darkness was my company and I welcomed it with open arms. The cells shadows cast their protective arms over me, keeping me safe from him.

"…Don't you want a new friend?" he added. I still didn't respond…

We stared at each other in silence. The darkness made it impossible for both of us to make any eye contact. Though relieved, I decided to speak up. "…I…" my voice was hoarse, and I too had that same layer of spit on my lips. "…w-want to see my brother…" I managed. Then quickly shut my mouth hoping to never have to speak to him again.

His icy eyes narrowed. "Too bad" he said barely above a whisper. There was no real regret in his voice; it was more of a low cold tone, even amused.

Gerald came in. Gerald's footsteps were always very noticeable. He had very average steps, while Baks were very light. I never here Gero come in and out though.

Hanging weakly on Gerald's small frame was a tall young man. He wasn't naked like me or my brother… he was dressed in old jumpers but no shoes. He had wavy light blonde hair that hung just over his eyes and he appeared well built. He too was extremely drugged, like when my brother and I first arrived.

Gero smiled. "Meet you're new partner, 17" he addressed me, and then turned to face the drugged boy. "This lad is 18" he stated in a matter-of-factly tone. Gerald managed the cell door open and then brutally dropped the boy down. It seemed by accident though.

I glowered at the young man. He was in my cell. Gerald did wise as he quickly left my cell, shutting the bar doors behind him. He knew it was my cell. When ever he brings me food or water in some sort of dog bowl he'll put it right by the barred door and leave that exact same second. We had a mutual understanding that this was my little cage and it was all I owned in the world.

The blonde lied sprawled out on the stony ground; Convulsions twitching in his muscles. I already hated him. He was in my cell, and only death knew for how long.

Snarling, I tried my best to approach the fair-haired young man. Gerald, being the only one who understands me at all, picked up my behavior quickly. "Uh, G-Gero…" Gerald stuttered. "Gero, she can get rather…territorial…"

Gero took no notice of Gerald's "warning", he simply watched us the way he watched my brother and I that first day. It seems that's as far back as my memories even go. I was close now to the young man who was unaware of my presence. I opened my mouth to speak. I was talking a lot today…

"Geht…out ohf mmmy…" that was all I managed. Just as I was about to grab him I heard the bar doors bang open and close quickly. Before me stood Gero, as I looked up I saw him looking down. He wore the expression of an owner mad at his dog. I've never stood this close to Gero before. Fear paralyzed me. I shook and trembled, but couldn't move.

"Move it" he muttered and at that moment I shrieked. My muscles obeyed and I crawled back to my corner; my dark little corner where death stood patiently by my side.

Gero then proceeded to kick the boy all the way to the other corner of the room; the boy groaning with every kick received. Gero managed to kick the boy into a sitting position, not really wanting to actually touch him with his own hands.

Gero, after some hesitation lifted one of the boys' arms. A shackle was placed on one, then on the other wrist. Gero sighed as he stood up, and then turned to face me. He gave me a glare; a warning look loomed in his eyes.

"Stay away from the boy!" he ordered loudly, "Do ya hear!"

I curled into a ball and inched as much into the corner as I could. Gero held his gaze, he wanted a response. Holding my breath, I nodded, just wanting him to leave. Gero accepted it and turned to leave the cell, as noiselessly as he entered.

They were gone. I could only be sure as I heard Gerald leave. Though relieved, now I had a problem…

I looked to the other corner to see the blonde handcuffed in iron. His head hung down limply as if weighed down by his hair. The low moaning emanating from him was strangely comforting. And I was relieved I wasn't in his given situation, shackled to the stony wall like that.

But it still wasn't fair. This cell was my cell. This was all I had left and now they were making me share it. But I didn't dare disobey Gero and dispose of him.

I couldn't doze into the dream state offered by death. Not with that boy there in my cell. It was too uncomforting. He was violating my space and this just couldn't do. Why did Gero give me this guy? His presence was infuriating. I wanted him away from me!

His soft moaning was disrupted suddenly. A groan escaped from deep in his throat as his head lifted. Slowly his hair cleared way to reveal small slits of blue. Looking at me now he exposed his handsome face. His full blue eyes opened. Not an icy blue like my brother or Gero or me, but an opaque cerulean that was warm and friendly. The look he gave me was one of uncertainty.

I no longer wanted him away. I was even disappointed he had to see me naked and dirty in this cell corner covered in my own excretions like an animal. Such beautiful eyes, I tried to smile.

"…H…Hi" I managed.

"…Hi…" his voice came out gruff. He blushed and turned his eyes away uncomfortably. Not only did I miss those orbs of blue, I also felt hurt. He must not want to look at me. It must be a real pain to have to look at me…

"What are you talking about?" a boy with jet black hair snarled. He was tinkered away at a broken bike. Alongside it stood a row of many broken bikes. A cup with a couple of bills stood beside a blonde girl, ready to panhandle. "Well, I never have any nice clothes…" she said sadly. A look of perplexity appeared on his face.

"What…?"

"How can you even think about clothes at a time like this?" he let out in one breath. He suddenly smiled back at her. "Doesn't matter, you look pretty either way --"

What was that name…?

She smiled slyly at him. "Of coarse you would think so. I look like you!"

Was that…some memory? I sighed. What was the name?

Without me realizing it I started crying. I have never really cried in my life. But suddenly I just felt this overwhelming feeling of tears well in my eyes and a sob caught in my throat.

"Hey! Don't cry…" his voice came out quite clear, despite the rough breathing. The blonde smiled at me, his eyes smiling too. Though one look at me and his face saddened. He hung his head down outwardly exhausted.

I stared hard at him. His breathing was awful. Maybe Gero did something when he kicked him repeatedly like that.

He eventually looked up again "How long have you been here?" he asked. I shook my head and shrugged.

Drops of water, the blondes panting and deaths teasing laugh was all there was to be heard in the damp cell which I now had to share. Other than that there was silence. I took a deep breath…

"Don't forget you're name…"

He stared at me in alarm. My voice came clear and cross. His cerulean eyes darkened. Desperately he looked up to the ceiling and began noticing the shadows. He now took in death and the purple hazes all playing in the stony cracks of the cold wall. It was the air we both inhaled.

"My name…" he repeated. His breathing became worse. He slowly hung his head, confusion candid on his face.

After a moment he playfully lifted an eyebrow and faced me, smiling. He chuckled, shaking his head no.

"…It's too late for that man"

"I can't take this anymore"

Who said that? I try to listen more closely. I turn to see Gerald. He had an unexpected cigarette hanging from his mouth. His auburn hair is shaggy and his eyes exhausted

Is he talking to me? He limply drops his notepad and slumps to the floor. Though Gerald is the only one of us who sleeps properly, he's also the one who works the hardest. Lately, he tends to lean into crazed insomniac mode as well. I suppose he has nightmares too.

"Gerald, are you alright?"

A moment

"Yes…"

I hear him get up. "Gero's talking to him again." I turn curiously to him. "The young man?" I ask.

"Yeah…"

"I don't think the guy's a vegetable. I think he can still hear and…feel. He's still responsive to touch and sound. I can tell. When I have to "tend" to him I notice his eyelids. They tremble, like he's dreaming". He looks up at me, horror lingering in his eyes.

"He's responsive…and I can't deal with it any longer".

Trying to make these things longer...