Hey peopleses! Here's the next chapter. Oh, and check out my C2 "Feathered Tragedies." That's all for now!
Disclaimer:
Me: Do I have to do this?
JP: #waves wet noodle threateningly#
Me: #whimpers# Okay, okay... I don't own anything you recognize. JP does. Would you put that thing away now?
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#Atri's POV#
I am Subject 1192, but Dr. Batchelder calls me Atri.
I have been a part of two experiments- Project Stabilize and Project Chimera. Tor is the only one who is like me.
We share most characteristics. Wings, retractable claws on our hands and feet, cat eyes, pointed teeth, extremely keen senses, the instinct to hunt, and incredible strength, speed, endurance, agility, and intelligence.
Or so I'm told.
I've never met any normal being other than the scientists. But we are better than any of the genetically modified humans. We can tear them to pieces- literally. Even the Erasers, who are all brawn and no brain, have no chance against us.
My name, Atri, comes from the Latin word for huntress- venatrix. That is exactly what I am. I can hear a whisper one-quarter of a mile away with my cat ears- Tor only has pointed ears. My eyes can focus on a mouse a mile away. I can smell prey from far off, and can follow a trail that is ten days old.
We were bred to hunt... and to kill.
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(A/N: Okay that was actually a chapter all by itself, but I decided to combine it with this one. So I expect double reviews. :P)
Beginnings of Upheaval
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#Max's POV#
I awoke with a start. Iggy was standing next to me. "What is it, Ig?" I mumbled, exhausted from the prior day's events. I mean, really, how often do you lose your little girl only to find out she can breathe under water?!
"I think I heard something."
I sighed. Iggy is always hearing things.
"Go back to sleep."
"I'm serious, Max. Can't you hear that?"
I sat up begrudgingly. Just because I'm the leader, I never get to sleep through-
SNAP!
"Yeah, I heard it."
"Thanks to Max's great ears, the world..."
"Oh, be quiet." I stood up. "There's something in those woods."
"I figured it was the trees."
"Could you cut the sarcasm?"
"Sorry," he muttered.
For the next half hour, Fang and I searched the woods. Nothing. No Erasers, no whitecoats... nothing.
As I fell back asleep, I heard Iggy say, "Maybe it was just the trees."
The next thing I knew, it was daylight and Ari's boot was on my throat.
#Atri's POV#
Below me are two of the Flock. I assume it is Maximum and Fang, and they are looking for us. They make a great deal of noise, but not nearly as much as the Erasers did a moment ago.
In the tree across from me, Tor is half asleep. It has been a long day, and Dr. Batchelder neglected to feed us. I almost feel as though I could drop off as well.
Our assignment is to stay in close proximity to the Flock after the attack tomorrow. If all goes well, none will be killed. I say "if all goes well" because Erasers can hardly be contained when so close to their prey of choice. We Hunters are far more self-controlled.
The Flock is now asleep, and all is quiet- except for Tor's snoring. The moon is shining brightly on the water, and... now I'm yawning...
I mustn't... fall asleep...
I... mustn't... fall...
#Tor's POV#
"Tor! You there?"
The walkie-talkie blasted in my sensitive ear. Ari's rough voice was much too loud- why was that? I realized I had been using the walkie-talkie as a headrest.
"SUBJECT ELEVEN NINET-"
"I'm right here. No need to shout." In the tree to my right, Atri blinked at me sleepily.
"You got a sighting?"
I glanced up at the Flock, who were huddled around someone lying on the ground. "Yes."
"Well, did you see it? My big fight? That was awesome. He was almost dead, and Max was actually crying! Man, if Jeb hadn't stopped me..."
Actually, no, I didn't see. I was asleep. But if they knew we had slept through it, some heads would roll... ours. So I responded briefly, "Yes. Over and out."
"Over and out."
I was about to take off when Atri said, "Wait. What are they doing?" Turning, I focused on the Flock. The kids were all taking care of- yes, that's Fang- who presumably was the one Ari fought with. The eldest girl, Max, was leaning over him with concern. I snorted. Sentimentality. Highly overrated. In the Institute, what comes, comes and what goes, goes.
Without any warning, the girl bent down and kissed the guy on the lips. She was trying hard not to cry. I then experienced something new. It's hard to explain.
It was like I felt pain, but it was on the inside. I looked over at Atri, confused and somewhat frightened.
"Do you feel it?" She nodded, her eyes huge.
Then suddenly I had a huge headache. The implant in the back of my neck got really hot, like it was overworking. "Tor? What is happening?" Atri's voice was quivering. I looked at her clutching her head, and that pain on the inside happened again.
Along with a new burst of real pain.
"I- I don't know. I think it's the implant." I flew to the ground, and she followed me. "I'm- maybe if- I'm going to take it out. If the implant is malfunctioning, the most logical thing to do... yes. I'm going to take it out."
Her face contorted in fear. "Tor, no!"
I put my hand to the back of my neck.
"Don't! Remember? You'll DIE!"
I pulled out the implant.
"NOOOOOO!!!"
The world sank into darkness.
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Okay, okay, WAY melodramatic there, I know. Tell me how bad I did with that. I'm thinking of discontinuing this story... what do you think? That's all I've got typed up right now... I'm so lazy...