Marrok wandered through the forest, enjoying the summer warmth. He sat at the base of a tree and leaned his face to the sun.
The crunch of a fallen branch made him jump to his feet and scan his surroundings. He yelped as a dart embedded itself in his neck, then crumpled.
Several suited figures moved in and picked him up, then carried him away.
Ailsa got to the Sanctuary and glanced around.
Tet ran up to her in a panic. "You didn't happen to run into Marrok, did you?"
"No? Want me to find him?"
"Please. He went out for a walk six hours ago and no one's seen him since."
She nodded and focused, a ball of light floating. She began following it.
She ended up at a drab olive colored building, a uniformed man standing guard.
A set of double doors opened briefly, a protective suited figure exiting and walking off.
Before the doors closed, she could hear screams.
She approached the guard, "Hey there. What is this place?"
"Doom Division Scientific Center. Who are you?"
She frowned, "My friend is here."
"What's their name? I'll page them."
She stared at him carefully, "Marrok."
He paused above his radio. "No one here by that name. There are scientists and subjects. Subjects don't get visitors."
Her eyes quickly turned black.
His eyes widened and he scrabbled for his radio. "I need so-"
She shot him with a blast of darkness before heading to the door.
The screams were louder as she entered. There were numbered doors going up to fifteen.
She began opening the doors, taking out anyone who looked like a scientist.
Several guards came running toward her.
She gathered a burst of darkness and shot it towards them.
They shrieked and fell dead to the floor.
A bullet slammed into her shoulder, another guard shakily pointing their gun at her. "Stay where you are!"
Ailsa struggled to focus through the pain, but managed a weak shot of darkness at him before opening more doors.
There were whines and squawks now along with human cries.
One of the rooms was filled with occupied cages.
She began opening the doors to the cages, "Run for it!"
The creatures rushed past her toward the building exit.
She continued trying to find anyone else needing saved even though she was beginning to feel dizzy as more blood soaked her shirt.
"You're hurt.." A man was exiting a room, his arm wrapped around a pale and semi conscious Marrok.
"Marrok. There you are.."
"Ailsa.." Marrok's eyes blinked slowly at her.
"Let's get you home, okay?" She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
"Let me take care of that wound first." The other man set Marrok down and approached her slowly. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, pressing it to her shoulder.
She gritted her teeth against the pain. "Who.. are you?"
"My name is Aubrey." He tore a strip from his shirt, tying it over the handkerchief. "That should last until you get to where you're going."
"Thanks." She tried to smile before trying to help Marrok up.
"I hope you make it." Aubrey retreated.
"Where are you from?"
"Far away. I can not return. I will remain here."
"Want to come with us?"
He stared at her, startled. "You know nothing about me. I-" He flinched and clamped his mouth shut, turning away.
"I can learn about you on the way. Come on."
After a moment, he shook his head. "I dare not endanger you further."
"What are you?"
"I was made Strigoi. I used to be Elven."
She nodded, "Alright. We don't have any Strigoi but we do know a dhamphir.."
"One lives?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Want to meet him?"
He hesitated. "I do not wish to cause harm."
"I'm sure you'll be fine."
"Alright." He easily took Marrok from her. "Please, lead the way."
She moved slowly, finally getting to the Sanctuary. She entered and started toward the infirmary.
Ryon came toward her, his face concerned. "What happened to you?"
"Got shot.."
"By who?" The elf paused, looking at Aubrey and going pale.
"There's some asshole scientists who took a bunch of people. I was looking for Marrok. Found this Aubrey too."
"You're dead.." Ryon shook his head at the Strigoi. "I saw you die!"
Aubrey winced, handing Marrok to her and preparing to flee.
"They turned him into a Strigoi. Don't know what else happened, though." Ailsa informed. "Don't let our new friend run away.." she turned and took Marrok into the infirmary.
Aubrey tried to get past Ryon, but the elf kept blocking him. The Strigoi bared his fangs in anger. "Move."
"Nope. Not until she says so."
Ailsa came back out, looking pale. "You are free to stay. Don't let whatever happened in the past affect things. But I also won't keep you hostage, so if you do really want to leave, you're free." She leaned on the door frame.
"Ailsa, go lay down. I'll deal with Aubrey." Ryon ordered.
She sighed, "Alright."
Ryon grabbed Aubrey and shoved him into the infirmary.
The elf quickly set up a transfusion, operating to remove the bullet in Ailsa's shoulder. He then tossed a blood bag to Aubrey, threatening to tie the Strigoi down if he attempted to leave. He then exited.
Ailsa weakly opened her eyes and glanced at Aubrey, "Hey.. So what's up with you and Ryon? You knew each other?"
"Yes. We were battle brothers."
She nodded slowly, "Why don't you want to stay?"
"I do not wish to be a burden or cause disturbance."
"You're not going to be a burden and I doubt you'd cause a disturbance. The sanctuaries are for people who need a place to go, and you seem like you need a place."
He dropped his eyes. "Ryon doesn't need reminders of the past. He should focus on whatever future he wants to create."
"I think he wants you to stay. I'm sure he's missed you."
"Are you sure?"
"Well.. I don't see why he wouldn't have." She said softly. "But I think you should talk to him about it."
"I will stay. For now." He settled back in his chair. "You should rest."
She nodded slightly, her eyes closing.
She woke a while later, feeling a little better but still really sore. She sat up and glanced around.
Aubrey had moved to a bed and was sound asleep. Gaelin was asleep in a chair beside her. Marrok was not in the room, but she could hear him and Conri talking outside.
Ailsa leaned back against the pillows, watching Gaelin.
His brow was furrowed, his eyelids moving rapidly. Both fists were clenched and he muttered her name under his breath.
She reached out and gently touched him, "Gaelin?"
He flinched, his eyes flying open as he sat up quickly. "Ailsa! How are you feeling?"
"Pretty sore.. but better."
"Good. Now I can yell at you without feeling bad. What were you thinking?! Going alone into an unknown situation?"
She sighed, "I was just trying to save Marrok.."
"Why didn't you take someone with you?"
She tried to shrug but winced when she moved.
Gaelin sighed. "Next time, take someone will you?"
She hung her head, "Sorry.."
"I just don't want to lose you.." He embraced her gently.
"I know." She sighed. "I'll try to be more careful."
"What information did you find out? Is this something we have to stay worried about?"
"Well, they had at least Weres and Strigoi.. So who knows what else they'll go after. We should probably keep an eye on them."
"Is this a wizard or someone worse?" Gaelin's eyes were worried.
"They were scientists. I'm guessing humans?"
The fairy growled. "Scientists?!"
She nodded, "I don't know why they wanted people.."
"Experiments most likely." Gaelin tried to reign in his rage.
"Well.. we'll warn everyone to keep an eye out and see about getting more intel on them just in case."
"How dare they! Aren't we endangered enough?" He stood and paced, his hands clenching and unclenching.
She sighed and stayed quiet.
"Calm down." Daiki entered. "We don't need to rebuild any of the walls."
Ailsa winced slightly remembering the hole she made. She then looked up at her brother, "Hey.."
"Glad to see you awake." He kissed her cheek softly.
"How are you?"
"Other than trying to keep him calm? Just wondering how many problems we have now."
She sighed, "We'll take care of whatever comes our way."
"I hope so." He glanced at Gaelin, who was taking deep breaths.
"What's the address?" The dark fairy demanded.
"You're not just going to go attack it on your own."
"They need to be shown we won't let them get away with this!"
She shook her head, "And what if you get hurt?"
"But.."
"We'll make plans to raid them again and destroy the building. But you're not going without me and I don't think you'll let me go right now."
"You got that right. But we shouldn't give them the chance to disappear."
"Alright. I'll talk to Tet and we'll set up shifts to keep an eye on the building."
Gaelin scowled, then stalked from the room.
Daiki swore softly.
Ailsa shook her head and sat back once again.
"Should I go after him?"
"Give him a few. Maybe he'll calm down.."
"You're optimistic." Daiki sat down beside her.
She sighed and blinked slowly. "I think I need to sleep a bit more.. hopefully he's calm when I wake up."
Daiki chuckled and tucked her in. "Rest. I'll deal with him."
She gave him a small smile before closing her eyes and falling asleep.