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Welcome...to the Ambiguity

Chapter 6

Lullaby

—13 Months Ago—

The incubator plays host to one egg that wobbles from time to time. It's signaling that, within a few hours, there will be another addition. He hopes it's the one with the iguana DNA added, which he's already named Charlie. He's been told there're six, and they're mostly put together with different lizard DNA along with a few classified modifications—something he isn't quite sure he grasps. In any case, he's taken the liberty of naming them all but hasn't the slightest idea which order the groups of two will come in.

Owen observes his first gazing at him from the incubator. She's twice the size she was twelve days ago, but he's seen her growing slow. He wonders if that will change when her hatch mate makes an appearance.

Her breathing is similar to an infant, quick and sharp. He's made sure she's well-fed, resulting in a cute round tummy. Her amber eyes are heavily lidded as she tries to stay awake.

It isn't long before she's drifted off, and he carefully approaches. He hasn't stopped admiring her blue markings or her sharp claws. He can't get over how cute she is when she yawns and shows those pointed white teeth. She's adorable.

And she's his.

This isn't what he expected when he'd told Vic Hoskins that he'd train raptors. He'd thought they'd be full-grown and vicious. He'd thought it would be difficult. Perhaps he should have understood the fact that in order to imprint on him, they would need to be hatched.

Gently, Owen picks up his little Blue. Supporting her chest and rear, he cradles her against him like a puppy. She whimpers softly before nudging against him and sighing softly. He shifts her again, holding her like an infant. Lightly he rocks her and can't help but grin like a fool.

She's beautiful.

"Mr. Grady?"

His silly smile disappears as his attention snaps to the door where a dark-haired man in a white lab coat enters. If he remembers correctly the man's name is Henry Wu, the head geneticist, and the man responsible for the little girl he holds in his arms.

"It's Owen."

"Owen, then," the man says with a simple smile, but Owen has a feeling there's something hiding in it. "She seems to have imprinted on you."

Owen glances at his girl before looking up again. "I suppose so."

"Hopefully her hatch mate will be along within the next day or two." Wu approaches the incubator and looks at a few monitors. After grabbing a clipboard and making a few notes, he turns his attention on Owen and the raptor. "She's a gorgeous specimen, isn't she?"

"She is," Owen agrees and bites the inside of his cheek as Wu comes closer.

"Her patterning comes from the Black-Throated African Monitor. They are incredible animals and can make great pets if they're taken care of."

He looks from his girl to Wu. "I thought these weren't pets…"

"They're not," Wu comments. "I heard you've been naming them like pets, though."

"I'm not naming them like pets. I'm giving them identities. If I'm supposed to be training them, I can't call them all Raptor."

"Perhaps you feel that way about the others, but I wonder if you feel that way about this one. You seem to be paying special attention to her."

"She's new," Owen objects. "The novelty will wear off, and she'll be just like the others when they come around."

Wu gives a nod. "Hopefully that novelty will wear off quickly since by eight months, they'll be lethal."

Wu moves to exit the room but pauses at the door. "Remember, Owen. These creatures are to be trained for military application. That means in a war zone, there is the possibility of death. I wouldn't recommend growing too attached to them."

With that, Wu leaves and shuts the door behind him.

Owen looks down at the girl in his arms. He shifts her so her head rests on his shoulder, and he runs a hand down her spine. He fights off a smile as she snores softly. Running his tongue along his teeth, he realizes he's already in too deep.

Before long, he's pacing the room. How does he stop the military from gaining access when he's already agreed to help them? They're already planning on using the raptors as a tactical unit, but if he's honest, they're counting their eggs before they hatch. When these creatures become lethal at eight months, who knows if they'll take orders?

Right now, his little one is only concerned with warmth and a full stomach. He doesn't know if she'll even respond to the things he commands. She could very well eat him.

Another thought rises and pushes the others out of the way. While he hasn't met all his girls, he worries about them being killed in combat. Just because they're predators and created for this purpose doesn't mean they can just be sent to hell for the sake of it.

He stops pacing and leans against the wall closest to him. Owen looks down at his girl. His Blue. In that moment, he decides that no matter what, he will protect her with everything he has. He will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

Owen startles as the hatchling in his arms begins to gasp for air. He shifts her to discover she can't breathe.

"Blue?" He can feel his heart begin to race. "Blue?!"

With baby in tow, he's at the phone, shouting for assistance. In moments, a medical team bursts in and takes the hatchling from him.

He barely notices Barry asking him what to do as the medical team takes his girl from the room.

"Watch the egg," Owen manages to whisper as he follows them out.

｡.•°•.｡ɹǝƃunH｡.•°•.｡

—Present—

Hurt!

Hurt!

Bright lights…

SHARP!

Poke…

Sharp screeches…

Hurt!

Growls…

Cold…

Hurt!

Air…

HURT!

Sleepy…

Where am I?

Alpha…?

Alpha?!

｡.•°•.｡ɹǝƃunH｡.•°•.｡

—13 Months Ago—

His heart is pounding as he watches the medical team hook Blue up to machines. Her oxygen levels are low, and her heartbeat is slowing. God's not at the top of his list, but he's begging the Man Upstairs to save his little girl and making promises he's never made to anyone before—not even the Navy.

He bites his lip as they poke and prod her. He's not sure if she can feel it, but he can feel it for her, and he thinks for a moment he should leave. However, every time he goes to take a step, he finds that his feet are cemented to the floor.

A clock snaps loudly from down the hall, counting the seconds. It seems to mock Owen as if Blue's life is slowly diminishing with each tick. He can't help but wonder if the clock stops, does that mean his baby girl is dead?

Owen's never been a parent, not sure he wants to be. However, he can't help but wonder if this is what parents feel like when their child is sick. It's a pain he's never experienced, and he's been through some horrible situations in the Navy. This, though, this is like his heart is being crushed into a million pieces and so, so much worse than when he found out his fiancée was sleeping with his C.O.

At some point, Owen realizes he's shaking. He can't stop himself. How could he? He's scared as hell and can't think straight. In an attempt to calm himself, he begins humming softly. While he knows Blue can't hear him, he still hopes that maybe she can because she always likes when he sings. She always calms when he's got a tune going.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knows hours have gone by. He hasn't moved, but the medical team has. They've placed Blue in a baby incubator, and she apparently is stable. He's still humming when an auburn-haired nurse approaches him.

"Mr. Grady?"

He clears his throat as he looks at her, searches her green eyes for answers. "Owen."

"Owen," she responds softly. "It seems she suffered from some form of apnea, which is when breathing stops for more than twenty seconds. It can also cause the infant to stop breathing for longer periods."

"Was it because I was holding her?"

The nurse gives a small smile and shakes her head. "No. They aren't sure what's caused it. Her vital signs are very strong, but the apnea is causing an issue of bradycardia."

"Which means?"

"It's an abnormal slowing of the heart rate. It's treated by dealing with the underlying cause, which in this case, is the apnea," the nurse informs him gently. "She will be under observation for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours. I am a bit curious, though, since we know so little about these creatures. Are you under any stress?"

Owen bites his lip and shrugs.

"I only ask," she continues, "because animals are aware of emotions and if she sensed something in you, it could have affected her."

Owen's brow quirks and he thinks that's probably the dumbest thing he's ever heard. Just because he's stressed about her future doesn't mean she can feel it. Who gave this nurse a degree?

"Anyway, if you don't mind putting on scrubs, you may go in."

He doesn't need to be asked twice, partly because he's glad to put her assumptions behind him.

Before he knows it, he's dressed from booties to hat and mask. He looks a bit silly and wonders if the gloves are overkill, but if it allows him to see his girl, he'll do anything.

The baby incubator with a rocking chair next to it is hugely intimidating. That's normally used for actual human babies, and that's something Owen doesn't think he'll ever be ready for. It's a scary thought, and he's nowhere near ready to give up any of his freedom for a screaming bottle-slash-life-sucker.

The irregular beeping of the heart monitor spooks him, and his thoughts focus solely on Blue. She's out cold, and he doubts if she knows he's around. He wishes she knew he was there, watching over her. He wishes she knew she wasn't alone.

Taking a breath, he places his gloved hand in the incubator. Gingerly, he runs his hand over her tiny body causing her muscles to twitch, and the beeps become even more frantic. Owen pulls his hand back and rips off the glove. He doesn't know how, but he's willing to bet his girl thinks she's with strangers.

"Blue, please don't die. Please fight," he says softly, and his heart is pounding in his throat. Owen isn't sure what to do but he knows he can't lose her. Slipping his hand back into the incubator, he says one more prayer to the Man Upstairs and starts to hum. "If you can hear me now, I'm reaching out to let you know that you're not alone, and if you can't tell, I'm scared as hell—"

A doctor rushes into the room, and Owen holds up a hand as he watches her heartbeat steady. The more he hums, the more rhythmic it becomes.

He finds himself relaxing as her levels steady. Owen leans his head against the thick plastic as he gently runs his hand over her fragile body and continues to hum. "'Cause I have faith in you, that you're going to make it through another night…Because you're not done, You're far too young and the best is yet to come…"

｡.•°•.｡ɹǝƃunH｡.•°•.｡

—Present—

It's dark and there's a rhythmic growling bouncing against the inside of my head. I'm having trouble placing it.

There's a warmth on my stomach, and I can hear two separate breaths around me. Opening an eye, I see Delta lying near my head. She's facing the entrance, and I think she's asleep. I can't see her head, so it's hard to be sure.

My gaze slides to my body. Charlie's curled in a tight ball with her head on my stomach. My nostrils flare as I take in the scent of my sisters and my territory.

My heart begins to pound as there's hurt on my back and sides. My talons kick out as I push myself away. Charlie startles with a yelp, and Delta's up in moments, snarling.

I don't stop moving until I'm wedged in a corner of my cave. My breath comes in pants. How did I get here? Last I remember, everything was bright, cold, and hurt.

My eyes look around as the growling in my head starts again. Why can't I remember?

"Blue?"

My attention snaps to Charlie. She's whimpering softly and sniffing. I can feel my chest heaving. How did I get here? What happened?

Delta moves towards me and sniffs. "Blue, we were so worried. You were missing for nineteen suns. We're so glad you're alive."

Nineteen suns? Am I alive, though? What happens when my heart stops? Do I think I'm alive? Do I see my siblings? Are they dead?

"What's wrong?" Delta growls and begins nudging me.

Her snout hits one of the places that hurts, and I snarl, sending Delta back a leap. Charlie shudders as she lowers her body to the ground, and her tail tucks between her legs.

I find it hard to swallow as I look at both of them. They're staring, and I can see they're worried. I open my mouth to growl in response and find my throat hurts. A whimper escapes. What happened to me?

As I lean against the smooth wall of my cave, there are parts on my back that bring sharp hurt. It's hard to position my body to avoid it. I can't quite stop the hurt, but at least my breathing slows. By the time I focus on Delta and Charlie, they've moved closer for comfort but enough for space.

"What do you remember?" Delta hisses softly.

My gaze settles on her for several long breaths. Her brow scrunches, and I can sense she's fearful. I don't think she knows where I went. I don't know where I went.

"I had… stop Echo…" I finally croak, and it's difficult to growl anything. My throat burns hotter than the sun on my back. My gaze, however, rises to the entrance, wondering if she'll make an appearance. If she does, I am in no position to fight her.

"We haven't seen her," Charlie whimpers before slowly moving next to me again. Her head nuzzles against my chest. "Did you kill her?"

I can't remember. I know there was a fight. I can't grasp why. It's blurry.

"Perhaps some meat will help," Delta growls and rises.

It's with great effort that I rise onto wobbly legs. Charlie is by my side gently helping me steady myself. When I finally manage to stand, she's waiting next to me trying to anticipate if I'm going to fall. She's nearly eye level with me now, and I'm sad to have missed her growth.

It hurts to stretch, and I can hear several cracks in my bones. Have I been sleeping these past nineteen suns? If so, where?

Delta walks toward the entrance as Charlie keeps pace beside me. Normally, this would upset me since I prefer to lead. However, I can barely walk as it is and find myself relying on Charlie. In that respect, I'm glad she's grown.

As we leave my cave, I look up to spot a square black rock on the wall. It's never been there before.

"Those appeared after you fought Echo," Charlie hisses softly. "They follow our movements."

I give a soft nod as I continue on. The walk is slow and hurtful. I know I sound like the fleshlings trying to make my way through the bushes. By the time Delta stops, I'm panting and my body feels like it's going to fall apart. However, the smell of meat draws my attention, and I watch as Delta begins to dig.

"Kind Hand calls those black rocks, mrahs," Delta growls.

My jaw clenches. I'm irritated she can understand the fleshlings, especially the dark one she calls Kind Hand. It's something I've always wished for.

"From what I understand, it's a creature that can see us," she continues. "So, we need to stick to the bushes even more."

Delta backs away from the hole she's uncovered. My eyes widen as I notice it was once a fleshling.

"How did you hunt this?" I hiss.

"They've been clumsy as of late," she replies. "This is the seventh since you've been gone."

I can hear the animal in my stomach snarl and force me forward. I sniff what's left and my tail gives a hurtful swish as I lower my head and nudge the meat lightly.

Delta's left the heart for me along with some of the more filling innards. As I pull pieces of flesh from the fleshling, the rhythmic growling bounces around my head again. It seems so familiar. I've heard it before. My thoughts wander as I munch on the heart.

I think of the Hatchling Territory and all the suns spent there. Delta and I practiced leaping and growling. We would often drift off to sleep, and our stomachs never growled. The more I think about it, the more I remember the rhythmic growling and its source.

I stiffen.

The growl inside my head is what Alpha used to growl at me.

I'm in pain as I sprint toward the large jaws. I can feel Delta and Charlie on my tail.

"Alpha!" I bark. "Alpha!"

Fleshlings gather around with their lightning sticks, but none of them are Alpha.

"ALPHA!" I bark with all my might. Where is he?

"Blue," Delta hisses softly and I turn to her. "We haven't seen Alpha since Echo attacked him."

Breath doesn't enter my body. It feels as if my heart has dropped into my stomach.

That's right.

She attacked him. Was tearing him apart. Toying with him. That's why I went after her. That's why I chose to step up as beta.

I stumble sideways and find myself sprawled on the ground. Hurt is overwhelming me, but it's not all from my skin. It's from inside, and I wonder if my heart is stopping.

Is Alpha dead?

A hiss passes my twitching lips as I bark again. "Alpha!"

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