Bittersweet Reunion

Dr. Viper spent sleepless nights until he had finally created the perfect bodyguard and ally. It was not easy at all. In fact, a part of him doubted he could even pull it off, but he managed to abduct an anaconda from a faraway zoo without leaving traces, the owners shocked at how and why anyone could have stolen an infamous giant snake.

Its muscle and size were very appropriate, but this mindless reptile, which was tranquilized, of course, needed much more to be of full use to him.

With the right gene-splicing, he had finally made his vision for this animal become a reality. He stood back as it stirred from its sleep, staring straight at the confident scientist.

It knew he was part reptilian, but also part feline like the kats it used to see at the zoo. Dr. Viper wasn't the least bit terrified because as he patiently stood for it to get its bearings it looked around.

Then it looked at its body which was now purple, but what shocked it the most was it had wings and a tail feather! It flexed its new appendages slowly before it felt something on its head. It fingered it to see a violet mane. It examined its tail which had scales despite being a feather.

"I know you're completely confused," he soothed, knowing it could understand him, "but you needn't be concccerned. I've given you a new body, and a new brain, so you can comprehend my words which you could never do around normal people."

It knew he was right. It was able to know his sentient language. It had never cared about that before… but this new way of thinking… It felt like the fog in its mind had been blown away, freely clear.

It wanted answers, but it had a feeling despite its brand-new form, it couldn't communicate with him the same way.

"No, I'm afraid I couldn't give you the vocal cords with which to enable you to ssspeak as I can," he guessed correctly in regret before grinning in comfort, "but that won't ssstop you from learning it in your own way. First, I want to give you your name, Malcho."

Malcho, the anaconda thought… He grinned, liking it.

"I'm pleasssed you agree, and I am Dr. Viper, and I have much to teach you before I explain why I've evolved you."

Two nights later, Rosella rested in a hospital, in a coma and in the worst condition. Malnutrition had put her there, but her emotions kept her unconscious. The doctors told Lieutenant Feral that the horrifying truth and heartbreak with Dr. Viper's agenda was keeping her from having the strength to wake up.

She dreamed the whole time of dating Elrod, having the same fun they had. Under her covers, she was holding the scarf with the engagement ring around it in the middle. She had been clinging to it in the ambulance. She even kept an iron grip on it, keeping the doctors and nurses from taking it away from her, making them realize it was the only thing that would keep her calm enough to treat her.

All she wanted to do was hold onto her treasures that were her link to the beautiful memories that were, at the moment, the only thing keeping her alive. Being awake and facing reality would make her lose the will to live entirely…

She wasn't sure how long she had even been unconscious, nor did she care. One night, though, a presence touched her left cheek. She couldn't feel its flesh because it had a rubber glove on it.

A whisper was heard, but nothing brought her out of the abyss. There was a light touch on her forehead before something lifted her, bed and all off the floor.

Something strapped her to the hospital bed before she felt a breeze. Was someone opening the window? Why? She didn't care, though this feeling almost felt like floating on a cloud.

Was she dying? Was her heartbreak taking her life? She didn't want to leave this world… but she had no strength left to even open her eyes which shed tears.

She was sadder than ever. This was how it was going to end: leaving as Elrod a mutated threat to nature and society until either he would be captured or executed?

She felt something massaging her left shoulder before it wiped her tears. The body language was telling her not to be afraid and to stay alive.

Her heart almost couldn't go on… but she didn't want it to end this way. Still, how was she to have the courage to face the fact her love was a dangerous criminal?

She… needed more time.

The girl was brought to a very faraway location, carefully placed in a room full of herbs, medical tools and such that would be needed to treat her.

She was strapped by vines to keep her safely to her bed before they were removed. Two shadows were over her before someone leaned on her sprawled hair, her shoulders held as someone whispered in distress, "What have I done to you?"

A tapping sound was made by the third being in the room as a way of communicating with the grief-stricken male.

"I know I couldn't go back for her then, but if I had just held onto her, she wouldn't have been reduced to thisss," he cried, his voice cracking, tears falling on the left side of her pillow.

More tapping was made in encouragement.

"Yes, you're right, we have her safe with us now… and without any opposition, but they will know who undoubtedly ssspirited her away, not that it matters."

He sighed as he looked at the she-kat whose sight made him ill and his heart twisting. He gently held her face as he whispered solemnly, "I promissse, I will restore you." He hugged her as he said to his friend, "Pleassse, Malcho, I'd like to be alone with her."

Malcho understood before slithering quietly through the door he carefully closed with his scaly tail feather, getting a last look of his master Dr. Viper and his unmoving soon-to-be mate on his way out.

Elrod had her back. He had her in his arms… but this was not the reunion he wanted, but what did he expect? "You saved me from giving up on living, now I will return the favor. I refussse to let you go."

He looked longingly at her before leaning down to softly kiss her, even though he knew it wouldn't reach her. He didn't know how yet, but he would do it.

"At leassst we're together," he smiled despite the tears from his closed eyes as he leaned his head on the side of her bed, holding her delicately before falling asleep.