Minimum Ride

A Maximum Ride Fan Fiction

Chapter 10: What Happens in Hell

So, when evil scientists say 'another room', they really mean 'inhuman dog crate among others', which is why when my chat with Jeb Batchelder was over, two more bruly male-model types escorted, or rather hauled, me to a hall lined with dog crates. A tear actually rolled down my cheek when I saw the failures inside these cages. Most of them were 'experiments' gone wrong. A place like this really makes you stop and count your blessings.

The men more or less threw me in a large Kanine Kamper, with metal bars in front and a brown plastic roof uptop. They latched my cage, and walked down the hall, cackling like the evil weirdos they were.

I took the time to notice the bruises on my arms and legs, the red rings on my wrists and ankles. This day sucked, and the sun hadn't even risen. I think it was about five in the morning, no telling how long I was out. My wrists burned, no doubt from where I had been injected. I had my knees to my chest, fighting the cold. I noticed how fast my heart was, like a drum roll, but not quite as fast. Weird.

Jeb was the one to come and get me later. Unlatching my cage, he stepped back to allow me to crawl out. I did, but only because he had my jeans. I slipped them on happily, buttoned and zipped, then started to walk with Jeb Batchelder. He walked me down the hall quietly. "So, what am I doing exactly?" I asked. We rounded a corner.

"Well, since you have complied so far, you have the Director's mercy. Your testing will not involve needles." he said, staring straight ahead. "However, you will be fighting Erasers."

Whatever those are. I thought acidly. "Ok, then, bring it on."

He led through a metal door, out into what looked like a prison yard. It was big, and encaged in chain link fence. Sparse tuffs of grass dotted the grey dirt. I saw many of the male-model types sitting on a long, metal bench across the yard. They were joking and laughing, but they still looked sort of mad, angry. They caught sight of me, and I watched in horror as they morphed into wolf men. Like on TV.

Trying to put on a non-chalant look, I stalked across the field. "Yo," I called loudly, trying to look lethal. "Who the hell is first?" All the.. erm.. Erasers held up their hands mockingly, and I rolled my eyes. "Okay, you, at the end. You're up." I yelled. He sprang up and advanced forward.

"Okay." said Jeb. "There will be no killing the subject. If you do so, you will be retired. Understood?" The Eraser looked less excited, but he nodded. "On my count. One. Two. Three!"

I launched myself at the wolf boy, and before he had comprehended I had moved, I was on him, throwing punches like nothing else. I gave him a hard side hit, making him stagger back. I launched a roundhouse kick, which landed squarely on his chest. His breath left him, and I snapped a kick, seeming to break a rib. He fell to his knees, howling in pain. I stood over him and kicked him again bluntly, and he fell to his face, moaning.

Turning back to Jeb, I saw his jaw was dropped. "Next!" I barked, and the Erasers looked less thrilled. They kicked one of their own out into the dirt, and I faced him, hand coiled at my sides. "One." I began.

"Two," replied the Eraser.

"Three!" I yelled and launched myself at the Eraser, cocking my arm back, and let my fist fly back, connecting with his ugly, hairy face. He landed a weak kick to my shins, trying to knock me off balance. I gave an unholy grin at the effort, and put all my strength into a snap kick that sent him to the ground quick. He sat in the dirt, coughing.

"Anyone else?" I called sarcastically. No answer. "Aw, the poor Erasers done? Too bad, I was having fun!" I crossed my arms over my chest. I half lunged at them, and they leaned back, terrified. I laughed, walking back to Jeb. "I'm done here. Anything else?"

Jeb looked shocked, but regained his calm. "No, you may rest now. How about a shower?"

"That would be great." I said with feeling, walking toward the door from which we came in. He opened it, and I strolled through. He came in, closed the door, and motioned to an orderly waiting for us. She came back with my hoodie and a bag filled with shampoo, a washcloth, and a bar of green soap. "Thanks." I said to her brightly, but she just gave me a look of fear and trotted off.

I turned to Jeb. "Now, where are these showers?"

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