? POV
I still don't know what's going on, why am I here? Who are the others in the glass cases? Are they like me? But who am I? None of this makes any sense but I don't think I want to be here. But what about the other?
He crawled over slowly to the base of another tube. The figure inside was limp, there head floating around like it was attached with flimsy rubber. Slowly and shakily, he brought himself to his feet. His limbs still felt numb but he had a faint idea of how to support his own weight. He leaned against the container for support and took a closer look at the other grey figure.
Their hair was the same coal black shade along with the unnatural grey skin. But other then that, they were very similar except for subtle details in there nose which was rounder and other features to small for him to notice. The only other detail they had in common was the number '4' tattooed on their shoulder in matching black ink. Subconsciously, he ran his finger across his own tattoo which was a '2'.
At that moment he felt another spasm attack strike so he backed away, stumbling onto his backside in the process. But it didn't stop more images streaking through his mind. This time they were much clearer but more painful as if something tried to drain them away but whatever it was tried to force it's way back.
He saw railroad tracks and the back of a line of coaches, then the sound of a steam whistle. Then a sudden rush of heat and a slow incline forward. Someone saying 'I can't do it!' but someone else encouraging himself and whoever was at the front of the train. 'I will do it, I will do it'. It took him a moment for him to realize that it was his voice even though he had never heard it. Then it all just stopped. He pushed himself upward onto shaky legs and tried to make sense of the images.
Not again, why does this keep happening? Were those memories? I heard my voice, but what was I pushing?
Oddly, there was something else he could recall though it wasn't something he heard in the flashback. His name; Edward. He smiled quietly to himself at the recollection.
Edward, ed-ward. That's my name, it sounds nice. Like a King or something. I wonder if I am a king? But then what would I be doing here?
Edward looked back to the tube, something about that figure seemed more familiar now but he couldn't figure out what. He still had so many questions and nothing felt certain not even his limited memories, which felt like a more like a vivid dream than anything else.
I need answers, I have to help the others and I know I don't belong here.
He began to inch towards the entrance, pressing against the cold steel. Before he could step outside the compound he took one last glance at the figures suspended like marionettes in the glass. Then walked outside and took in his surroundings.
The building was smaller then what he expected, not much bigger then an average house. It was more of a stone box then a building and there were sparsely placed windows which were smeared with dust. There was a parking lot in the front but there no cars present. Edward shivered slightly but decided to suck it up and began his trek. But to where he was uncertain.
RR-RR-RR-RR
What am I even looking for? Why should I bother trying, but I need answers. I don't want to stumble around like a lost bull for the rest of my life. I want to know who I am, what I was, who were those other people, why wer- ACK
His line of thought was derailed when he tripped on a lower branch hidden in the dirt. Edward flailed wildly but still landed face first regardless. He struggled to get to his feet, still not accustomed to his limbs. He shook his head to try and clear away the ringing noise in his ears and any dirt that clung to him. He sat upward but was met with a new surprise.
"What the heck are you supposed to be?"
Shale POV
Okay, that may not have been the nicest thing to say but seriously, what kind of person has grey skin. Whatever, I'll just give him some pants and let him wonder to wherever he's going. Still, there's something unsettling about him, other than the obvious skin problem of course.
"First I need to know two things. Who are you and why are you here?" I made sure to look him dead in the eye. Better to be feared than loved. But this guy kept on giving me this dumb look like I was the only human he's ever seen. I just rolled my eyes and pulled him upright.
"Here, put these on and tell me when your done." I (not so gently) threw the extra pants at him and sat up in the lower branches of the tree. I decided to take the extra orange I had and started eating. I left the skin on on purpose since this'll probably be the most fruit I'll have this week and I'm not about to waste it.
The guy hasn't said anything but I guessed he was done so I turned around briefly and I managed to get a good look at him in the light. He really did have grey skin (Some kinda makeup? Or side effect of a drug?) and he had a black number '2' printed on his back. I had to admit that he wasn't so bad looking - though a tad dopey. He was struggling to pull up the pants and started doing this funny one legged hop around the clearing.
Unbelievable, this guys either really high or really stupid. Why do I even bother helping him. Well, it's not like I have anything better to do. I kept going back and forth trying to decide if this was really worth the effort. In the corner of my eye I noticed that he finally got the pants on so I threw him the extra orange.
"Here, catch." I threw it vaguely in his direction. "So, what's your story, druggie?"
"Umm, my name is Edward. At least I think that's my name." He mumbled.
"You think thats your name? You must've been on something real strong. Anyways scram, the last thing I need is you leaching of my supplies" No need to get attached. So I just started climbing back up my tree until I felt Edward grab my hand.
"Wait! Please, I, well, other people need your help. There trapped in these awful glass jars and there just floating there. We-"
"Okay; first, there is no 'we'. I just happened to be feeling sentimental today. And second, if you need help so badly go back to town and you'll find everything you need there. Just keep walking straight and you'll find a dirt track that'll lead you there."
He let go of my hand and gave me a sudden hug. I was taken of guard but he had a tighter grip than what I expected. I managed to wriggle my way out and he looked genuinely sad. Did he expect me to just accept a hug from a stranger? "The hell was that for?"
"I- I thought that's what people do when they want to say 'thank-you'."
"Well my version of thank you would be you getting out of my line of sight this instant." That may have sounded cold but I needed to get him out before I started to go all mushy for him.
And just like that he bolted. Man, if giving him imprecise direction to that dinky old town was all I needed to get people of my back then I ought to start with that more often. Still, I'd be lying to myself if I wasn't at least a tiny, okay, extremely curious about where that guy came from. I may as well look around since I don't think I'll be able to show my face there after that stunt with the baker.
Beside, nothing to gain nothing to lose.
