--

Tala walked into Boris's office.

"You called me, sir?"

"Tala, something has gone terribly wrong. The serum. . . There has been a mistake. The effects only carry on for three days, weakening with time. You must act now, or your opportunity will be gone!"

"I understand."

--

Tala sauntered towards Kai's cell, a smirk plastered daintily across his pale face. A crazed look had stationed itself in Tala's crystal eyes. It stayed there as he dragged Kai to his room.

"Kai, I have a present for you," he sang. "It's… a toy." The smirk on Tala's face grew into a dangerous grin as he pushed Kai to the floor.

"MY toy. . . Strip, Kai, right now in front of me."

Kai lips trembled at an attempt to form words. Kai's mind screamed for himself to stop, but his body paid no heed, his torn clothes dropping to the floor.

"Tala! Don't make me do this! You don't want it to be like this, I know it!"

"Aw, Kai, you look afraid!" Tala teased darkly. He raised a shaking finger to tilt Kai's face towards his own.

"I don't want to do this, not to Kai!" Tala thought desperately. But his mouth paid no heed. He had been given orders from Boris, and he knew better than to disobey.

"I can see your fear. Give me more," Tala breathed into Kai's ear. "Enjoy this. I dare you."

Tala felt the burn of shame inside of him. But, he could not resist. Kai was in front of him, ready to be taken. Who could turn away from such a beautiful child? Running his fingers across his prisoner's chest, Tala could feel lust overriding his better judgment.

"I bet you like this, slut," Tala hissed, stroking Kai's inner thighs. "Tell me that you like it."

"I-I like it." Tala slapped the boy's face.

"You will look at me when you speak!" He forcefully lifted Kai's head. "Kai…" Kai's eyes were brimming with tears, though the rest of his face remained placid. "No… this isn't supposed to happen!"

--

Tala stormed down the stone hallway.

"Oh, the almighty Tala is angry!"

"Leave me alone, Ian."

"What, can't stand the voices in your head? Afraid you're crazy?"

"Just leave me alone!"

"We're counting your sins, Tala. Judgment day is coming."

Tala shuddered and pushed open Boris's door.

"Boris. There was supposed to be no emotion!" Boris's eyes flashed, and he backhanded Tala across the face.

"Watch your tone, boy," he warned. "Don't be stupid, there is no emotion. The only way it's possible is if either the controller or the controlled cares for the other! And that's impossible," he declared, staring hard at Tala's skull. "Because we raise our boys to be perfect."

Tala felt the air stop in his throat as he immediately left the office, running to his room.

"Don't run from the truth."

He tugged at his hair, desperate to stop the voices.

"I don't understand… I am supposed to hate Kai."

"But you don't. And to think you nearly tainted him. Do you really want him to be filthy like you?"

Tala was wrapped in the argument in his head, he failed to realize there was another person inside his room.

"Hello Tala. Long time no see, eh, boy?" A hand grasped his throat and pushed Tala against the wall.

"You've caused enough trouble for me. . ."

--

Guess who?