Chapter 26: The Last Gift

When the door finally opens, there was nothing but pitch black but it wasn't the reason that I was hesitant to move forward. I wasn't sure if it was out of fear, uncertainty, or something else but my body refused to move. I stayed where I was in silence for some time, trying to calm myself down as much as I could. In a brief moment, I twisted my head around to the side and allowed my eyes to catch a glimpse of the other behind me. Mostly Nebraska, Coyle, Baxley, and Nettles were curious as to what was behind the door but Rory, McKenna, and Brackett were concerned and I had a notion that they wanted to see how badly I would react. It was when I looked into Lar'ja's eyes and they were the only ones who actually stood strong for me, giving me the strength to push forward as he slowly nodded. And that is what I did.

Turning back to the open door, I moved one foot forward and then another until I was fully walking through the threshold, expecting the same scene as the hallways. With the blood and the bodies . . . I was hoping I wasn't going to see more.

But when I did, small lights came to life and filled the room so I could see everything. However, the room wasn't quite what I was expecting.

The room was relatively large for something inside a small space but then again, there was not a lot of stuff as the other rooms. It looked almost empty to me. Only cabinets near the walls and lab tables pushed close to them were the only things in the room but they took very little space in there. I kept moving forward with the others following behind and Lar'ja was at my side, which I had no idea until he spoke.

"This place looks untouched."

I agreed with him. Nothing seemed to have been moved for a long time. I walked closer to one of the tables and swept one of my fingers on it, collecting a large amount of dust on the tip. It was so dirty that I didn't even penetrate through the tough layer of dust that has caked on the surface.

"Yeah . . . This place looked abandoned well before the building's shutdown. But what was in here?"

I turned around to ask Brackett about it. I knew that she wasn't here during that time but she was with Stargazer for some time recently so my instincts looked to her for answers but she said what I had expected.

"I have no idea . . . but let's search around for the black metal box. And for the weapon since the signal came from here."

Everyone looked at each other and agreed without saying another word. McKenna, Brackett, and Rory went to the other end of the room while Nebraska, Baxley, Coyle, and Nettles went to the other end, keeping their guns ready and loaded for anything. Moving from the table, I kept walking forward and wondered what was coming next until I looked straightforward and a huge object in the very middle of the room caught my eye.

It was some sort of large container that connected the floor to the ceiling but the middle part of it was striking but familiar. A glass-made hollow was fixed in the middle of the object but contained nothing inside of it but it looked like it was designed for something. I got closer cautiously until I was in front of it, staring down at the small panel that was connected to it. Lar'ja comes to my side again and observes the panel as well. But even he had no idea.

"What is it, Anya?"

I couldn't give him a straight answer but I tried. "I'm not sure but it seems . . . familiar. I can't put my finger on it."

That nagging thought kept scratching the inside of my head and I was silently going mad from it. That is until my finger swiped away a piece of dust from the top of the panel, revealing the numbers #T49320 that were inscribed on it. My hand froze along with the rest of my body and a piece of my memory from watching the videos made me realized that this was the place. It was here!

"Anya?"

Lar'ja shakes my shoulder a little rough and I snapped out of it but my shock wasn't completely gone and I guessed that he could see it just as clearly as anyone else in the room. He leans his face down so he could get a good view of my face but I didn't glance into his eyes entirely. My mind was still reeling over the recent revelation but I tried my best to tell him.

"This is . . ."

The words in my throat were trapped, unable to break free until Lar'ja moves his hand from my shoulder and goes to rub my cheek as he begins to purr gently.

"It's okay. Take your time."

His encouragement helped me in the most effective way. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, clearing my throat and opening my eyes to look back down at the panel.

"This is where I was created. Where everything began."

I moved my fingers across the panel and up to the container that I remembered now from the videos. Looking back, it was definitely the same room with the exception of having collected dust for more than two decades and all the tables had moved. I didn't dare to look at Lar'ja's reaction, afraid of what I might see but he doesn't move at all. I could only guess that he must of let me have my moment of silent peace until I was ready. I was glad that he let me have that moment.

"Anya! Lar'ja! I think we found the weapon!"

Both of us turned our heads towards the direction of Rory's voice and a closer inspection showed me that Rory along with everyone else was standing in front of a large, metal object that was easy to misplace since it was all the way in the back and the lights could only reveal so much for some of them didn't work. I didn't move but I could see that it was almost the size of an ooman. Kind of reminded me of a pod of some sort but the structure of it was definitely Yautja, especially with the Yautja language engraved all over it.

"Is that it, Lar'ja?"

"It is. Must have crashed onto the roof some time ago, which I expected it to do. Doesn't look too damaged so the weapon must still be intact."

I chuckled a little at his technical tone to the discovery. Serious but analytical as well in his observation but was some solace to my fragile mind. Lar'ja began to his walk towards the pod and I decided to follow suit. But then, something caught my attention from the corner of my sight and I stopped immediately in my tracks.

Just behind the incubator, a huge, black metal box sat idly like it was meant to be found but hidden at the same time. The description that my mother had left in her message fits it and somehow, it was drawing me to it. Diverting from my original path, I turned to walk to it and Lar'ja was the first to notice when he turned around and saw I was separating from him.

"Anya. Where are you going?"

I didn't answer him. I kept on walking and walking until my feet were just touching its base. It was very solid when I slammed my toes on it but only went up to my knees. It definitely was made of some type of metal as the lights shined on it, giving it a slick look to it. However, there were no carvings or any writing on it. I kneeled down to take a closer inspection but there was no indication that it had a lid or even a lock to it. It's just a plain box. How do I fucking open it then?

I moved my hands around it, trying to find anything that could help me to open it but nothing. I was so focused and yet frustrated that I didn't even notice Lar'ja kneeling beside me along with Rory. My fingers scrambled around it but nothing was budging and my frustration was turning into anger. Why can't anyone leave any fucking instructions!?

"Anya. Take a moment to relax. Messing around with that won't work and might do something worse."

I slammed my hands down on the floor and I turned towards Lar'ja, giving him a low warning growl that sounded like his own in some way. Lar'ja was taken aback and his golden eyes widened and Rory did the same. Even the rest of our group who were far away jolted and turned towards our area but didn't move. They probably figured that I was too angry.

"I need to get this box open! This is the last thing that my mother left me and I can't even get it fucking opened!"

I was about to slam my hands on the box, hoping that it might trigger something until Lar'ja grabs my hands, holding them in his own. I wanted him to let me go but then he pulled my hands to him and placed them on each side of his face. It shocked my entire being and he closed his eyes and purred. I didn't know if he did that just so he could calm me down or that he's conveying his feelings for me. Either way, it did the trick in calming me down.

His smooth skin pressed against my hands and his warmth traveled through my arms and into my chest. I missed that warmth and my breaths became deep and slow, almost returning to normal. When he noticed this, Lar'ja opened his eyes once more and spoke to me.

"Don't worry, Anya. We will find a way to get this open. I'm sure your mother wouldn't have told you this if it was meant to be locked away forever. I promise."

I kept my stare into his eyes, looking for any signs of something else but not quite sure what. When I only saw the sincerity in him, I nodded at him and he released my hands so they fall to my sides. He's right. Acting like this won't do me any good.

"You're right. I just wished I knew how."

I looked back to the black box and gently placed my hand in the middle of its top. Suddenly, a glow began to grow around my hand and I immediately pulled it away, gasping in response. Lar'ja comes to my side and pulls me back a bit as the glow begins to fill some markings that were invisible before. And then, a voice calls out from it but not in English but in Yautja. The same language that I heard the Bad Blood said to me but it was easy to understand for me.

"DNA recognition. Admission of subject Anya recognized. Access granted."

Then, the glow from the box disappears entirely like someone had turned the light switch off and nothing happens. Lar'ja kept me close so I couldn't move much but I looked inside a little more out of curiosity. In an instant, the box hisses and begins to change shape.

A thin gap in the middle of the top emerges and increases in width until two side panels swing open like doors but the inside of the box lifts up until it's above the outline frame of it and more hissing erupts. Another two, smaller panels open like the one before but as it did, smoke or something like that is released and covers the box in its shroud. I was getting nervous at this point and clung on to Lar'ja's arms for support. He held me without hesitation but we both kept our eyes on the box until . . . it stops.

"What the fuck?"

I turned my head around beyond Lar'ja's side and saw McKenna and everyone else transfixed on what was happening but scared at the same time. Rory had the face of a child's curiosity but didn't move any further towards us. He stayed right by McKenna and that is where I wanted him to be if anything bad happens.

I moved back to see that the box laid opened on the ground but the smoke was still clinging on the inside of it, concealing whatever it held. When moments passed and nothing happens, I decided to just go for it. I let go of Lar'ja and walked cautiously towards it in case something jumps out of it. I had no idea why I was thinking like that but it was instinct to be cautious but I had to silently curse myself for being a scaredy cat.

Once I was back in front of it, I bent down to my knees and leaned over it to get a better view. The smoke was still obscuring my vision so I figured that by blowing on it, it would dissipate and sure enough when I did it, the smoke dispersed and faded away. I put my face closer to it and what I saw inside took me by surprise. It was nothing that I've ever seen before.

Placed tightly inside were two wrist gauntlets that matched each other in design while a beautiful, silver knife laid just above them. I was transfixed on them, admiring their beauty and elegance shining off from them.

"What is it?"

"Anya, what do you see?"

Everyone was asking the same question all at once but I ignored them. With both of my hands, I reached for one of the wrist gauntlets and lifted it out of the box. It was a little heavy but light at the same time. I studied its features and noted that they were similar to Lar'ja's with few exceptions. It had bright, silver lining patterns all over it with the underside of it having a darkish grey color. The patterns formed all around it but on the sides, they created a shape that almost looked like two dragons coming to the end of the gauntlet. But they looked brand new . . . like no one had ever used them before.

I moved to the side a little so that everyone could get a clear view of the gauntlet in my hands. Everyone's eyes lit up like they just found jackpot in some unknown area and I looked at Lar'ja and he was just about the same except more surprised than happy.

"Is that what I think it is?"

Brackett came from behind everyone and stood there looking at the gauntlet in my hands. I nodded slowly to her in response.

"Yes, it is. Is this what my mother wanted me to find?"

Lar'ja kneels down beside me and takes a closer look, grabbing the gauntlet from my hands to which I let him. He turns it around, sideways, upside down until he caresses all over it. I was curious to what he was figuring out in that brain of his but it must be important. I was getting tired of waiting and was about to ask until he answered.

"These gauntlets are genuine. Flawless in their making but the metal that was used is very rare. I've never seen anything like it before."

"Rare? In what way are they rare?"

He inspects it a little bit more before returning the gauntlet into my hands, looking back into my eyes.

"For starters, the metal used was probably forged from the heart of a dying star and it's difficult if not dangerous to get it. Too many risks involved so that's why our weapons are different. But if made correctly, they can create the strongest weapons ever. And the craftsmanship is incredible. Whoever made this had great knowledge as a forger."

Although it sounded impressive, it doesn't make sense to me how they got to this place.

"But . . . how did my mother make this? It sounds impossible for an ooman and no metal like that exists here."

"They weren't made here. Definitely somewhere else and most likely another Yautja. I'm also curious as to how something like this got here."

I went back to looking at the gauntlet before me, turning it around in all angles until I saw some sort of mechanism on the inside of it. Curious, I played around with it and when I applied a little pressure to it, huge wrist blades came out of them, making everyone jump in surprise. The design of them was just as impressive as the gauntlet. It has a smooth surface on the blunt ends of them but on the sharp ends, they were jagged and reminded me of shark teeth that were poised to kill. There were little line designs on the blade itself and I could tell that it was done with great precision. Lar'ja notices my fixation on them and points something out.

"But they are yours now. I can tell that they were made for you since they are about your size. Maybe a little bigger but still enough."

I nodded at him and proceeded to gather the rest of the things in the box. I looked towards Lar'ja and moved the gauntlet to him.

"Can you hold these for me?"

He grunted in approval and grabbed the gauntlet, holding it with one hand while I went for the other gauntlet in the box and then giving it to him as Rory helped to place them comfortably in an empty bag that I believed McKenna provided. I picked up the knife next and pulled it out a little from its sheath, seeing the same details on the blade as the others except less extravagant. I sheathed it back and tied it to the side of my hip, tugging to make sure it was secure. I was sure that I got everything from the box but I took one more look and realized that there was something else.

There was a tiny hole in the box that seemed to hold something inside. I didn't know what it was but I wanted to know. Is there more that I needed to see?

I reached for it and using my nails I pulled a piece of black metal that I figured acted like a lid. I removed it, placing it on the side and moved my fingers into the hole. When I got to the bottom, I felt the cold metal touch on my skin and with that, I slowly pulled it out from the hole. What emerged was some sort of necklace that dangled in my hand. The metal, rectangular part from before was connected to a firm string that was woven together and made from some sort of fur but I couldn't really know.

"What is that?"

I didn't notice that Rory had come to my side and was kneeling down, looking at the necklace as well. I moved it around a bit until the front part of the metal piece was in my sight. Like the blades, this one also had little patterns on the edges of it and much more detail as well. However, in the middle of it, it only had a carving on it that was made of small lines. But then I realized that they were in the Yautja language.

"Something is written here. I've seen this before."

Although I wasn't the best translator of the Yautja language despite being more exposed than anyone else here, these symbols brought an old memory that I had long since forgotten. I didn't think I would remember it after all this time but from looking at this, my mind went back to that time . . . all those years ago.

"Momma! I don't wanna learn these things. I have no idea what they are."

I was only a small, seven-year-old self when I began to learn of these strange line symbols that made absolutely no sense to me. They were just stupid drawings to me and I wanted nothing more to do with them but my mother insisted on me learning what they mean. Her blue eyes giving me a 'listen to me' look that I ignored purposely, pouting to her so that she can see that I didn't want to listen.

"Anya . . . You need to. It's important to understand them cause they might prove useful in the near future."

"But I want to play now! This is no fun!"

I crossed my hands in front of my chest and hanged my head down to show my annoyance about this. My mind was already thinking about going back into my room to draw some more instead of being in this white, boring room that has nothing in it. I heard my mother sigh in frustration but then she grabs my hands in hers and I looked up to see that there was a light in her eyes and she was smiling.

"I want to show you something."

She pulls out a piece of paper that was completely blank and I lifted one of my eyebrows in confusion. I thought she was trying to fool me.

"Is this a game, Momma?"

She chuckled and shook her head in a side to side motion and I just stood motionless in front of her.

"No, sweetheart. We're going to do something else. I want to show you one more thing and then you can play."

That piqued my interest and my smile beamed over my face and my mother gave the same smile back. I hop over to her and she sat down with her legs crossed and I didn't hesitate to fall into her lap, giggling as she wrapped her body around me. I snuggled into her more to get that warmth I desired. But then, she took the piece of paper and began to write on it.

"Momma? What are you writing?"

"You'll see."

I tried to poke my head so I could see but she kept pushing away the paper and after a while of being frustrated, I began to wail so that she could give up this 'chase' of hers.

"Momma!"

She chuckles a bit. "Alright, sweetheart. I can show you now."

As soon as she turned the paper, I saw that it was those symbols again but were only four. However, I gave her a look of displeasure since I didn't want to play this game anymore. I was about to say something until my mother stopped me in my tracks.

"Now . . . Before you say anything, I want you to just look at them. They got a special meaning to them."

As much as I wanted to leave, I followed my mother's words and looked closely at them. The first one had just three dashes with two almost connecting to the middle. The second one had several with three making a three-way shape connected to one center. The third only had four dashes that were connected together and finally, the last one had the same triangular shape with two dashes hanging on from one of its points. But I had no idea what my mother wanted me to see.

"Momma . . . I don't get it. They're just lines."

My mother tilted her head so that it was hanging above me and I looked up at her. She smiled and caressed one of her hands to my cheek.

"They are more than that. They may look silly by themselves but together . . . they create a name in this language."

"What name, Momma?"

She pulls her head back and then lifts my tiny body up so that I was curled into her chest and I could get a better look at her. Her warm smile radiated into me and I giggled a little, enjoying this moment together but she wasn't finished with this just yet.

"It's a name that had great meaning. You may not understand it now but when you are older, it will help you greatly in finding out who you are."

"Who . . . I am?"

I never really thought about it like that. To wonder who I was really inside. It was a lesson that didn't really make any sense but my mother thought it was really important so I kept listening to her.

"Yes. There will be a time when you are lost and can't find your way. When it comes, this name will provide you with the strength you need to get back on your path. Don't ever forget it."

I looked back to the symbols on the paper and tried to burn it within my little brain but it was difficult. But a question kept gnawing in my head that I really wanted an answer to.

"Momma?"

"Hmmm?"

"What does it mean?"

Her eyes widened a little but upon seeing my face that was filled with curiosity, she smiles once more and holds me more tightly, keeping her sights on me.

"Oh, I was supposed to tell you. Well . . . the symbols make a name and it's called—"

Before I could go any further into deja vu, my shoulder was shaking violently and I opened my eyes to see Rory with a worried look along with Lar'ja who was just behind, staring into my eyes as I blinked them.

"Anya."

Rory called out to me and I blinked my eyes to realize that Rory was the one shaking my shoulder so that he could grab my attention. I looked at him for a minute, noting the different shades of brown in them before looking back at the necklace.

"I know what they mean."

"You do?"

Although Rory was the one who asked, I glanced around and everyone's faces were asking the same thing too. Lar'ja probably already knew what they meant but wanted to hear it from my own mouth.

"It's a name. It's called . . . Ta'kasa."

I swallowed a bit to clear my throat a bit before I finished what I was about to say.

"It means . . . balance."

I didn't bother looking behind me but the gasps and mumbles told me that either everyone else didn't understand the meaning behind it or just curious. Rory and Lar'ja were the only ones who studied the necklace in my hand with great detail but they probably were just as clueless as the others. As for me, it made sense.

"Is that the name you mom wanted to call you before?"

I nodded. "Yes. My mother told me about this a long time ago but I didn't think much of it until now."

With that, I stood back on my feet and gripped the necklace in my hand, holding tightly to my chest. I slowly looked up at everyone all at once. They all seem to understand the situation even if only a little bit. I was still trying to figure all this out myself. My mother left these things behind but . . . why? The name . . . the gauntlets and knife . . . Did she know something like this was going to happen? I have no fucking idea . . .

But I threw those thoughts into the back corner of my mind, focusing on the real reason why we came here in the first place. I turned towards Lar'ja and he straightened himself as soon as our eyes made contact.

"We got everything here. Why don't we get that weapon of yours and get out of here?"

I motioned my head to the pod and he followed it, coming back to me with a slow bow of his head to me in a show of respect.

"You're right. I'll go and see to it."

He didn't move immediately. He just watched me intently with his piercing eyes that looked for any sign of distress on me. I knew he was worried for me, especially after finding out everything in one night. But . . . I didn't hurt anymore. There were things beyond my understanding that I wouldn't have believed back then. In some way, I was glad that I wasn't alone for this or else something worse might of happened or I wouldn't have known at all. Everything started when I met Lar'ja and the elation that I was able to meet him grew.

I smiled, trying my best to convey my feelings in some way and sure enough, he got the message and smiled back awkwardly. I chuckled silently so no one else could hear except for the two of us.

"So you finally came home."

In a blink of an eye, I turned around to see where that voice came from or who it belonged to. The chilling tone of it was already an indication of who it was but I wanted to see for myself. Lar'ja came to my side and wrapped his arms around my shoulders, growling at the intruder that was hiding behind the shadows. I saw everyone else ready their guns while Rory ran behind McKenna for protection. We didn't even need to call who it was as the figure came through but I was prepared for it. I knew that voice anywhere and wished that I would never have to hear it again.

"Traeger . . ."

He comes strolling in like he was taking a walk in the park, making me sick to my stomach. His signature smirk was still on his face and made me think he really did plater that ugly mug to his face. Dickhead . . .

"Why are you here?"

I made sure he knew I was displeased by making my own little growl but came out like Lar'ja did. Great. Now I can sound like a Yautja even when not in that form. Traeger just grinned even harder and added a small chuckle to it.

"Are you that naive? We've been tracking you since that big hunter attacked your little group that night. I had to admit . . . I was surprised at your transformation into a Predator. Didn't think you can pull it off. After all, we've tried for years with you to do what you did just a few weeks ago."

He stepped forward but Lar'ja roars at him, stopping him dead in his tracks but surprisingly, Traeger didn't even flinch. Not one bit and showed no signs of distress, only his smirk again but Lar'ja wasn't done with him.

"You better stay where you are, filthy ooman. Take one more step and your skull is mine."

I just remained in his arms, holding tightly to him but just so he wouldn't try any stupid. The reason why is that I noticed something unusual with Traeger. He always had his 'little' toy soldiers with him for his protection. However, this time, he was alone and wasn't scared that it was eight against one without Rory. We were all armed but Traeger had nothing. Something's wrong.

"Hello, big boy. It's been a while since I got a good look at you since the lab incident. You took lots of my men's lives when you escaped."

"And I will take yours next if you lay a finger on Anya. I know what you have done to her."

Although his voice sound threatening, his body was shaking badly as it rattled mine as well. I gripped him harder and realized that he was scared but not because of Traeger . . . no . . . it was because of me. He was worried that Traeger was here for me and since Lar'ja knew everything about my past, his protectiveness of me grew. I closed my eyes briefly to catch his scent of spring rain and it eased me a little. I looked back to Traeger looking somewhat amused. I growled at him again.

"Feisty. As much as I like discussing with you, I'm here to collect the weapon along with the interesting items you have recovered from the black box. Plus, she's our asset that was are merely taking back since she's rightfully ours. If you do so, we will let all of you go unharmed."

I wanted to spit at his proposal and kick him in the dirt but something in my mind told me that he's got something planned. After all, this was Traeger that were are facing and he usually has something up his sleeve. I was merely going to ask him something but I was interrupted before I could.

"Why don't you go fuck yourself?"

The voice of Rory called out, shocking me at least. I turned my head to the side and saw Rory had popped out from McKenna's back, putting himself between us and Traeger. He stood taller than ever I've seen before from him. And then, all the guys followed his lead, walking to Rory's side with their guns ready. Coyle and Baxley were on one side while Nettles and Nebraska were on the other. Brackett and McKenna stood to me and Lar'ja's side, making a protective circle around us. I was shocked by what they were doing.

"Guys . . ."

Rory calls out again. "Anya is more than just your asset. She's a real person just like the rest of us. Despite what you say, she decides what to do with her own life and no one else. She's our friend and my sister and we will defend her from you!"

All the guys cheered in unison and I couldn't believe what they were saying and doing. They're protecting me . . . All of them . . . for me . . . The happiness inside me grew and a single tear falls down my cheek. Before it could leave my body, a single clawed finger catches it gently and I followed it, looking up at Lar'ja who was showing the same protectiveness as the rest of the guys.

I smiled and looked back at Traeger, growling again with much menace than before. All he did was sigh heavily and shook his head at us.

"I see . . . In that case, I guess I have no choice."

He lifts up his hand and before we knew it, Traeger flicked two of his fingers down and then everything turned upside down.

Soldiers that were hiding in the shadows lunged forward into the light with their guns cocked and pointed at us. The guys scrambled all around them but there was no escape. They had us surrounded with numbers that overpowered our own. Lar'ja holds me even tighter but I struggled in his grip, wanting in on this fight in case if it does come to that. But all of a sudden, Lar'ja's body convulses and he roars loud into the air.

That startled everyone and Traeger took the opportunity to ambush. With a nod of his head, some of the soldiers darted forward like a swarm and grabbed Coyle and Baxley first, binding their hands with metal cuffs. Nebraska and Nettles followed suit while one soldier grabbed Rory in his massive body. McKenna screams and goes for his son but is tackled to the ground by two other soldiers and the same was done with Brackett.

As much as I was worried for them, my attention focuses on Lar'ja who was tensed for a moment before he relaxes. His hold of me loosens and before I knew it, I followed him as he suddenly fell to the ground hard. A shot of pain radiates through my side and I yelped but I kept my grip on Lar'ja. As soon as we were both on the ground, I scrambled to my knees and used my hands to fell him and see if he was hurt.

"Lar'ja! What happened to you? Are you injured?"

All I got were grunts and growls from him. I could see that he was struggling to move even his arm and he was shaking badly. I shook him with all my might, trying to get any response from him. It was then that I caught something protruding out of the side of his abdomen. I reached for it and pulled it out, revealing that it was a dart. Small but had a thick enough needle to penetrate through him. They drugged him.

My heart began to race and my breathing was following suit. I was terrified for Lar'ja. He was in pain and struggling to stay awake. His eyes were unfocused, closing and opening rapidly but kept their sight on me. His hand comes up to cup my cheek in his and I grabbed it eagerly, pressing it harder. He knew I was scared and this was his way of calming me down. And then, his hand goes limp and his eyes finally close and his body relaxes.

I gripped his limp hand, not even noticing the soft footsteps coming from behind me but I knew it was Traeger coming to me. I didn't turn but I let my anger show, tightening the muscles in my shoulder and grinding my teeth loudly. I could still sense his smirk piercing into the center of my back.

"What have you done to him?"

"Rest assured. We merely put his to sleep for now. We don't want to break our new subject as well. We still have so much to learn about his kind."

He laughed and I just wanted to tear his face apart and let the wolves eat him. This man has been a plague in my life and I just wanted to destroy him like an insect. Seeing Lar'ja in such a weak state only turned my anger into rage.

"But fear not, we have much more in store for you. Much more . . ."

I had enough and I turned my face around so that I could lunge at him but I wasn't quick enough. Before I knew it, my face was met with the bottom of his boot, knocking me out cold as my vision turned into darkness.

The last thing I could feel was the smooth skin of Lar'ja's arm and I held on to it . . . until there was nothing.

Hi Readers!

This is not good! We got stupid Traeger ruining a great moment and being the dick as usual. But now, Anya's true name has been revealed and it will become very important during the story if no one else had figured it out yet. But it's got a meaning that I personally believe throughout my life. Plus, she's got some wrist gauntlets of her own and a knife (Yeah!) but how were they made if Anya's mother didn't have the means to do so? Who else was involved? So many questions . . .

Anyway, Traeger is back to being an asshole and is about to do something terrible to Anya and the rest of the group. Will she be able to escape once more or will she finally be trapped and become a lab rat once more?

Find out when Chapter 27 comes along! :)

P.S. I have created an Instagram account ( dark_one_09) that will serve as notifications for current/new stories that will come up in FanFiction (making it easier instead of waiting for a chapter to arrive) but it will also serve as a place where guests and readers/authors can come and request stories that they want to include. I hope that all of you can come and see it.

Also, if anyone of you knows someone who can draw great pictures (like Deviantart), please let me know or can show me how to edit things so I can give a visual description of all my characters.

Thank you! :)))