Disclaimer: I own only my plots, places, items and characters (etc) that I create, nothing else.

Chapter 17; Terrors

Oliver lay on his bed, pushing away his unease. Something . . . something wasn't right. He felt a storm brewing, but couldn't place it. However any contemplation on the subject was lost as he fell asleep, sleeping into the world of sleep.

The instant the guard re-entered the room, everybody tensed. They all just hoped it wasn't another 'Experiment'. The experiments were normally wiped from the Letters' memory, whether it's purpose was to help them cope or keep them in the dark wasn't known to the Letters, but always had side effects. Nasty ones. The guard didn't say anything just resumed his post by the door.

A long silence. Then-

"Experiment O."

Oliver swallowed hard. That meant it was his turn for his treatments. He slowly walked toward the guard, sweating in dread. Cold sweat at the mere thought of what awaited him. Alicia and Rufus gave him comforting glances butt knew better than to move or face punishment..

The guard quickly grew impatient and fired a shot into the air. That hurried Oliver up. He walked to the open door and the guard pushed him through. The doors shut ominously, clangin behind him.

The room inside was the same cruel grey as he remembered. A guard, one that Oliver didn't even recognize, stood frowning by a door on the opposite side. Various medical tools and devices were spread out in the room. None of them looked friendly.

"I don't see why. It's a waste." A cynical voice snapped, echoing the quiet rooms. Oliver couldn't pinpoint its origin.

"They're just kids. Just give 'em the sedative. It'll save trouble." This voice sounded a bit kinder, almost having a compassionate tone to it. "Even if you lack a beating heart, then do it to reduce their struggling. Please."

"Fine." The first agreed reluctantly, foulness corrupting his speech. "Trank him and get started. I'll be back."

Then the world spun and Oliver's vision went black, swallowed by the dark abyss.

Sore muscles seemed to crack and pop as he moved. His blood burned but the sensation was rapidly fading as he came to. A quick glance at his arms revealedseveral incision marks, some bandaged, others not and all sickening to look at. With a dry heave, Oliver forced himself to sit up.

"Hold up, buddy." Rufus said, the fellow Letter placing a hand on his shoulder. "You just had some type of surgery. You've been out for a couple hours. Stay down to recover or you'll regret it later."

"Fine. How long?" Oliver knew Rufus would know what he meant by asking how long, since no to experiments lasted the same amount of time. From a couple minutes to even days, the longer ones normally accompanied by excess amounts of pain, migraines or worse.

"'Bout a half day in surgery. Only an hour or two with you out like a light here. How ya feelin'?"

"Like I got run over by Tank. But I'll live." Oliver blinked his hazel eyes trying to clear a fog, probably a side effect from surgery. "Where's Alli? Is she okay?"

"Yeah, she's was just the next unwilling volunteer." R sighed and flipped his pirate coin. "She'll be fine."

Oliver felt rage boil. They can mess with him all they want to. Cause him pain. Just he hated it that his friends went through it too. And more and more, he especially hated it whenever Alicia was in pain. He knew she could handle herself but. . .

"Snap out of it. I know what you're thinkin'. But we're not helpless, you know." Rufus said. Then he added softly. "And she'll be fine, Ollie."

"I know she'll be fine. . .but I still worry about her. . ." Oliver admitted in a whisper and absently noted that Tank and Tam were fighting. Again. These two might be twins but they fought like cats and dogs.

"Hey, Rufus?"

"Yo?"

"Do you really think we'll all be fine? All of us make it out?"

"Ya, we'll make it. I promise you that we'll make it out. Even if I have to stay." Rufus said. Oliver frowned. The kid was normally such a clown but yet, he said stuff like this that made him worry about the klepto. These bouts of serious stoic-ness.

"No. If we leave, we go together. No man left behind." Oliver replied.

Rufus nodded solemnly. But he was too goofy to stay serous for long. "So, are you gonna make a move on Alicia?"

If Oliver was drinking water, an amazing spit-take would have just occurred. "Wha-What?"

"C'mon, I'm not blind. I've even got X-ray vision! I know you like her." Rufus said wiggling his eyebrows. "Spill."

Oliver blushed a deep red and went with the safest course of action in this situation. Deny everything. "I have no idea what you mean. She's a friend. Just a friend, nothing more."

"Uh-huh. Just friends. Liar. You like her." He said in a sing-song voice. "Oliver an' Alicia sittin' in a tree..."

"I'm gonna hurt you."

"K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

"Badly."

"You like her."

"With fire. And do not. . ."

"You liiiiike her."

"And more fire. Fiery death."

Rufus cat called. That got some stares. "You know I'm right. You. Like. Alicia."

"Do you WANT to die?!"

"Admit it."

Then the door opened again and the guard tossed Alicia onto the pristine white tiled floor. She crumpled like a crushed can on the floor and lay still. Rufus and Oliver exchanged quick glances before rushing over to help her, the teasing from seconds ago dissipated.

Author's Note; Man, it's been a while for this story. I've just lacked the drive to get it rolling again. Luckily, I got a bit of a wake up call and got this out and anther update lined up for soon-ish. So, thanks for bearing with me, I really appreciate the support, it means the world to me. You guys are great. Until next update, Baldore out.