Tomak sat hunched over, staring at the flimsy piece of paper that Naomi had instructed him to read, but he did not want to.
They had returned to the place he was willing to call home. The place Rae should have been.
A rattling snarl escaped him as he thought of how useless he was.
While Rae's friend had been scouring the area for more clues, Tomak had scanned the tracks that led out of the abandoned property. Beside them was something disturbing, a dart.
Observing it and analyzing what was left inside the cartridge, his mask had identified it as a potent tranquilizer, and if the entire tube had been filled with this specific strain there was enough that if it had been distributed to him, it would have delayed even his actions. He could only imagine what it had done to Rae. She had no chance.
He had controlled his initial response to this, but when Naomi had later returned after showing him the chains, he lost his composure. Tears had stained her soft brown face, her small hands clutching a device that had belonged to Rae. Her expression belonged to one who was mourning and it had sent him over the edge.
Much to her dismay, he left suddenly and with great rage. He followed Rae's trail for several miles before it ended abruptly.
At the top of a pine, he bellowed a harsh sound as if expecting his female to hear it and come running. Having spent himself of his energy, he remembered sitting there for hours, his chest aching in the worst way possible.
He then conceived every possible scenario of what would have happened if he had been there. The worst of them was being captured along with her, but at least then he would have been closer to her. He was confident in his skills though.
The truth of the matter was, if he had been there and kept his promise to keep her safe, she would still be in his arms. If he had actually had self control he would have never scared her away in the first place.
So simply put, it was his fault. His mistake. And she was paying for it.
By evening, he had returned to find Naomi sitting on the couch, a phone in her hand as Chase sat curled up in her lap enjoying her attention.
Tomak had only heard part of her conversation. She had been asking for a favor of some kind, her face contorted in fierce concentration, and when he had walked through, she shot her hand out, finger erect, pointing directly at him. Her eyes stared at him pointedly then, the direction as clear as glass. He was to stay right there.
He wanted to growl. What made this female think she could tell him, an elite yautja warrior, what to do?
After ending the call, she turned on him and proceeded to give him a lecture, much to his displeasure, furious about how he left her alone, how she had been forced to drive and then trek alone in the darkening forest with hardly a sense of direction.
Exhausted from his own travels, Tomak had partially tuned her out.
But when she had finished with her tirade, she dropped the folded piece of paper on the couch beside her and rose, forcing Chase to leap to the ground.
"I've got to go, but you better have read that by the time I'm back. I'm not kidding," she dared to glare at him, which only made it more difficult for Tomak to resist snorting mockingly. He would have outright chortled at her version of a warning if he hadn't been so miserable.
But after she left it wasn't for a while that he read it. In fact, it wasn't until the early hours of the morning, when he could not find sleep, that he actually listened to the young female.
Now scanning the beginning part of her message, he felt his shoulders drop further as his mask translated the text.
Tomak, I am so sorry. Please forgive me.
Paya, perhaps he was not ready to read this. Turning his eyes away from it, he felt something soft press up against his shin. Casting his gaze down he met the green eyes of the male feline.
"Mraa!" Chase purred, brushing himself against him, his back arching in pleasure as he did.
Tomak gave him a tired look. "What do you want?"
Chase lifted his paw then, batting expectantly at his leg. "Mraa!"
"Leave," he shifted his leg, pushing the cat aside.
Positioning his leg back where it was, he watched in annoyance as Chase returned.
Tomak went to force him away again, when the cat turned his head up, staring at the open cushion next to him on the couch. Realizing this, his eyes narrowed in warning, "No–"
But it was a second too late as Chase jumped up, landing right beside him. "Mraa!" He looked at him proudly, actually daring to come closer, but Tomak blocked him with his arm.
"If you think I am going to allow you to sit with me you–" he lost his words as the feline rubbed the flat part of his head against his tricep with a soft questioning purr. It was the same sound he heard him make when he usually moved to sit in Rae's lap. Purring again, Chase looked at him with questioning eyes as if asking: Where is Rae?
Sitting rigid, Tomak's posture relaxed some before releasing a burdened sigh. Reluctantly he moved his arm.
Chase immediately took the opportunity and moved to position himself in his lap, where he happily rolled onto his side, his body draped over his thighs.
Tomak chuffed irritably. "If you dig even one claw into me I will toss you into the ocean."
Chase merely purred, his eyes shutting closed, completely oblivious to the threat.
Now stuck there, unable to move, Tomak was forced to start Rae's letter over.
Tomak, I am so sorry. Please forgive me. I never meant to give you mixed signals. If I had known you weren't angry with me I would have stayed in that room with you.
He exhaled sharply, growling in disagreement. Staying would have led him to initiating the mating act, whether she liked it or not. It would have not been safe for her in the state he was in, that he knew.
So I wanted to apologize for being a coward and running. If it had been the other way around, you wouldn't have left me, but then again. I'm not as brave as you, nor as big and scary.
He snorted at that.
If Naomi explained the situation and got this to you in time, then you already know what I'm about to do. No, I do not have feelings for Damon. Not like I do you, but he is innocent in all this. He's in trouble and it's my fault, my responsibility. He knows nothing about my powers, nor does he know about the people that are actively searching for me. His only chance of escaping is if I go after him. There is a good chance that I can get us both out of there safely, but in case I cannot there is something that I have that belongs to you.
He frowned, re-reading the last sentence. She had something that belonged to him?
Before you read the rest, go into the bedroom and open my bottom drawer. There should be a package there. Open it with great care.
Moving to stand, Tomak ignored Chase's angry yowl and entered Rae's bedroom. Nearing the set of drawers he knelt down as he slid the bottom drawer open. At first all he found were clothes, but under it all was a thick package.
Using the pointed end of his claw, he cut an opening at the top where it was folded over. And ever carefully, he tilted the package to the side, letting whatever was inside to slide out into his awaiting palm. What he hadn't expected were pictures. Emptying the package, he tossed it aside and closely examined one of the images.
He couldn't believe his eyes. Somehow, Rae had captured every single one of the trophies from his ship in several photographs and had them printed for him to keep.
He went back to her message.
This was to be a parting gift for the day you would return to your people, but I'm afraid I may never get to see that day. This wasn't the goodbye I was hoping for, but no matter what happens I will never forget you, Tomak.
He could hear her saying this, and he felt his heart skip within his chest, a sensation he was unfamiliar with but craved all at once.
My only request from you is this, don't try and look for me. I don't want to think of the horrible things Price would do to you if he ever found you. I'm not worth that risk. So I'm asking that you respect my wish and stay where you are. Who knows, I escaped before, I might be able to do it again.
He growled at the audacity of her request. Did she actually think that he would listen to this? And what was he to do? Sit around and do nothing?! Did she really think him to be so weak that he would not be strong enough to get to her?
Now on the chance everything is going as planned… forget everything I put before and surprise! I had these printed for you to take with you wherever you go. I know they're not as good as the real thing, but I figured those skulls meant a lot to you and maybe this could be a little momento.
Gazing wondrously at the pictures again, he rumbled softly, his thumb swiping over the enormous length of the chrylo skull that was partially pictured at the top of every image. It was true though, every one of those skulls showed his strength and skill as a hunter. Every trophy came with a story, but these were just a small part of his much larger collection at home. He had hoped to show them off to Rae, let her see just what kind of hunter he was, that he was more than capable to provide for her, protect her.
And if everything worked out, I promise that when I come back I'll make it up to you.
That was the end of her note to him.
As upsetting as it was for her to request him to stay behind, he could at least find some comfort in knowing he had not damaged their relationship beyond repair. He had scared her, but not out of his life. If anything he was the one responsible for fixing this, not her. And he planned to. As soon as he found her, he was never going to let her out of his sight again.
Laying partially on the couch, he turned his mouth against the pillow taking in the strong fruity scent of his female's hair. He could imagine the way her curls fanned out on the surface as she laid her head down, the way they bounced when he experimentally tugged on one. It was another thing that drove him crazy about her. If she ever considered cutting it, he would tie her to the bed and give her every reason why she shouldn't. All the things he would do to her if she disagreed made him shiver in anticipation.
Tomak groaned feeling his body respond to the thought of being physically close to her again. How he craved her touch. How could such an accomplished hunter as himself be so weakened by such a small female?! He would believe it if she had the power of seduction to add to her list of abilities.
Keeping the photos close to him, he growled softly, closing his eyes with all-consuming thoughts of Rae. He considered how he would find her, how he would reach her, the destruction he would bring to her enemies, the fiery passion he wished to show her once she was safe. That had him fisting his hand angrily. More accurately, he wished to show her the control he had that he lacked before.
As impossible as it seemed, sleep did come to him. Just the memory of her soft smile slowed the war raging in his heart. And eventually so did his racing mind.
With heavy eyelids he drifted into a deep sleep, uncaring that he left his mask on, and not even cognizant of a small ball of warmth that had curled up on his chest.
And it wasn't until late morning that he was rudely awakened by the door opening and slamming shut.
He sat up with a roar halfway out of his mouth, scaring the living daylights out of Chase and the intruder.
"Oh my god," the female voice breathed a heavy sigh. "You really gotta stop scaring me like that."
His sharp eyes scowled at the intruder. He had come very close to actually killing her this time. The sound of her voice had been her only saving grace, but that wasn't saying much considering his growing dislike for the annoyingly loud and obnoxious sound.
"Did I wake you?" Naomi suddenly asked as if having an epiphany to the scene she walked in on.
Grumbling under his breath, Tomak shook out his frame, waking himself up, as he glared daggers at the blazing sunlight that was now flooding into the room.
Despite the silent hostile glare she was receiving from Tomak, Naomi continued to open up every shade in the room, before turning back to him with a hopeful glint in her eyes.
He frowned, noting a change in her. The air about her was less sad and gloomy, and he wasn't sure how to take it.
"I came in to check on you, make sure you didn't run off again," she smiled down at Chase who had come to greet her.
Even though she was looking at the feline, Tomak knew she was talking to him and he chuffed. He was not a pup. There was no need for her concern.
Peering over at him, she laughed softly, "Did you sleep with that thing on?" she gestured to his mask.
He didn't want to answer, but given the inquisitive behavior this female possessed, he was given little choice. She would just keep asking if he didn't respond.
"Yes," he growled low, moving to stand. Although this mask was not fitted specifically for him, it was comfortable enough and it brought back memories of when he would find rest on the thick winding branches of tall trees commonly found on the wild planets he hunted on. It brought him back to the days when he had no one to concern himself with, just the hunt.
Mates were as important as the hunt, maybe even more so. If hunting was considered a sacred tradition to his culture, how much more so was caring and providing for a mate. It wounded him to think his mate, if she were to have him, was held against her will.
Following him into the kitchen area, Naomi sat on a bar stool and watched him go through the refrigerator for his food. The silence did not last long between them and Tomak had to resist another grumble as Naomi began to talk about her morning, letting him know she slept poorly even though he didn't ask. He hardly understood why humans carried such useless conversations. It was a waste of breath really. But eventually she turned to a topic that did peak his interest. He turned to face her, giving her his full attention.
"I made an appointment to see an old family friend that works at the police station," she fidgeted with her fingers. "I'm hoping he can help me track where those vans came from using security footage on the roads and highways. We'll see though. It's going to be hard to not tell them anything and pretend everything is fine," she shrugged with an anxious sigh. "I hate lying, but at least I'm better at it than Rae."
Tomak saw her fear, but it was to be expected. She was doing something that she had never done before. That took courage. "Your loyalty to Rae is admirable," Tomak commented. "I can see now why she chose you as a companion."
His compliment caught her by surprise, but she shook off her initial shock and smiled appreciatively. "I only wish I could do more. I should have convinced her not to go," her eyes lowered painfully.
"Rae is stubborn," Tomak snorted. "Even if you used the most persuasive words, she would have still chosen this path."
A small spark lit in the female's eyes as she looked at him then, a playful smirk dancing over her lips. "Oh so you already figured that out, huh?" she giggled.
He allowed his own smile, though she could not see it.
"Okay," she suddenly spread her hands out on the counter top in front of him, "I have to be honest with you and just come right out with it. Rae probably won't appreciate it, but you must know the truth," she looked up at him with a mischievous glint.
Tomak leaned back against the counter behind him, ignoring the sound of it creaking, curious of what this female had to say.
"Rae is probably either too proud or too shy to say it, but she is completely head-over-heels for you."
Tomak cocked his head to the side, silent before admitting, "I am unfamiliar with this term. Is it not normal for most sentient beings to have their head positioned above their feet?"
Naomi's boisterous laugh burst forth and immediately she clapped both hands over her mouth, worried she might offend him. "I'm sorry," her smile clearly showed she wasn't, "I forgot that you're not from around here so certain phrases are probably alien to you. Um," she frowned, gathering her thoughts. "Technically being head-over-heels implies that you're the wrong way up, so," she circled her fingers around each other, "it's like her head is over her heels or…" she paused, "she's upside down essentially."
Tomak stared at her. "And what should Rae being upside down mean for me?"
"Oh, right!" she shook her head at her own stupidity before explaining, "It's a silly way of saying she really likes you and from the amount of times I've caught her daydreaming, I gather she's highly attracted to you."
A pleased trill escaped him as he folded his arms, "Is that so?" he purred.
Naomi couldn't help her eyes travel down his front, staring at the deepened crevice between his pectorals that was pronounced further with his arms crossed. Clearing her throat, she looked away, "I mean, I can kind of see why." She smiled back up at him, "I'm glad she's found someone." Hopping out of her seat she added slyly, "But you will have to work a little harder if you want to earn my approval." She smirked knowingly, seeing his confusion.
"And what would I need your approval for?" he eyed her with suspicion, his hands fisting at his sides.
"Well…" she grinned, "if you're looking to make your relationship permanent," her eyes sparkled with that mischief again, "it's first the parents' approval and then the best friend's, so you have some work to put in." She laughed seeing his arrogant posture.
"I care not for your culture, I will claim Rae as my mate with or without your approval," he growled, turning back to his food.
Knowing she was purposefully goading him she chuckled, "Whatever." Bending down to pick up Chase, she held him against her chest as she scratched behind his ears. "You are the most precious cat I have ever met. Does the big bad alien not give you cuddles?" she gushed sweetly, enjoying the disgusted growl that came from the kitchen.
Chase purred.
"Hey, has this little guy eaten yet?" she suddenly asked, holding him higher against her.
Tomak shrugged. The feline was a predator itself, it was capable of hunting and finding its own food if it required it.
Tisking disapprovingly at him, Tomak watched Naomi carry the little ball of fuzz through the house in search of food for him. And ignoring their existence, Tomak ate his fill, wanting to keep his strength up before he went to search for Rae again.
Returning to the front of the house, Naomi peered over at Tomak, "I'll be back later, hopefully with some good news," she promised. "Don't wear yourself out," she pointed at him as if knowing what he was about to go out and do.
He growled, turning his back to her. He did not care what she thought, he would do this his way. Rae needed him. He wasn't about to sit around and do nothing. Whether she wanted him to or not, he would find her even if it killed him.
Rae rolled onto her side, waking herself up.
A grimace crossed her face as she slowly sat up. Her back was aching from lying on the cold hard floor all night. If they cared so much about using her, the least they could do was give her a cot to sleep on.
Touching her hand to the wall that separated her from Damon, she pressed her ear against it, listening for him. It was quiet. Maybe he was still asleep.
Not bothering to wake him, she carefully stood, padding quietly on her toes as she walked around her cell. Both hands felt along the smooth white walls, feeling for an anomaly in the hexagon paneling. She hoped to find a weakness, something she could work with, but by the seventh pass with nothing to find she was beginning to lose hope and a sense of time.
"Rae? You still over there?" a muffled voice called.
She hurried back over to his side, "I'm here Damon," she reassured him. "Are you okay?"
"Other than a stiff back, I'm fine. I think the people in concentration camps were better treated than this."
She smiled sadly. "I'm not so sure about that."
"Are you okay?" he asked back.
"Yeah. I've been inspecting the walls of my cell. The wall between us has a seam down the center of it." Her fingers lightly touched it, feeling the slight variance to the pattern.
"I have two walls with that," he spoke up, instantly piquing her interest.
"Two?" she frowned, glanced around her room. "Mine only has one, I mean unless you're counting the door."
"No, excluding the door, I have two."
Rae ran her hand through her hair, massaging her scalp as she tried to think.
"Could it be that you're closer to the end of a hallway?" he supplied helpfully.
She turned back to the opposite wall. Could I be on an outside wall? she mused, walking towards it. Placing her hand against it, she felt for a source of energy. And she was not disappointed.
Feeling along the wall, she traced a strong electrical current that wrapped around the border of the cell, almost like a shield. It had an almost protective resistance to it that she couldn't explain. "Maybe," her eyes brightened with an idea as both her hands connected with the smooth surface. Closing her eyes she focused intently and began to absorb the energy. Feeling her cells soak in that comforting warmth, she broke away from the wall with a surprised breath.
This energy was strong.
Thoughtfully inspecting her glowing hands, she fisted them both before turning to the supposed outside wall. Taking a deep steadying breath Rae readied herself before striking her glowing fist hard against it. But the instant her absorbed energy connected with the hard surface, an electrical blast knocked her back, her body impacting hard against the opposite wall.
Rae groaned, blinking drowsily, her ears ringing from the blast.
"Rae?! Rae are you alright?!" she heard Damon's voice as if it were distant. Her head was all screwy, she shook it, trying to clear the sound.
But as the awful sound slowly began to ebb away, she was made aware of a throbbing sensation emanating from her dominant hand, the one she used to punch with.
Dropping her eyes down to her hand, she shakily held it up, staring at the blood oozing from her knuckles; her skin had been scraped off in several areas. Some looked like gauges, they were so deep.
Damn that hurts, she hissed as she moved her fingers, extending them and forming a fist as she examined the damage. She couldn't see bone, which was good, but it was not pretty.
"Rae?! Can you hear me?!" she heard Damon's voice rise with fear.
"I'm okay," she bit her lip when she shifted, her back feeling very much bruised.
"What happened?! What did you do?!"
"Nothing. I just tried to break through the wall. Didn't know it punched back," she grunted. Looking ahead, she was dismayed to see that no damage was taken to the wall, only a darkened residue of soot remained as evidence to her attempt.
Damn. How were they going to get out of this?
Before she could begin to listen to Damon's reply, the wall around the door to her cell flashed clear before becoming completely see-through. And Rae tensed seeing the woman in the white lab coat from yesterday. Amanda.
The woman looked around the cell with wide eyes, her voice coming clearly through a speaker. "As happy as I am to see you more attuned to your powers, I would appreciate it if you didn't try to vaporize yourself by testing the walls' integrity. They are designed to withstand a missile strike, the shield barrier putting off a small defensive measure, as you just experienced."
Her words registering, Rae felt her small hope regarding their discovery fade even more. Of course Price wouldn't just throw her in any cell, it had to be one that was indestructible. Why couldn't the bad guys be as dumb as they were made out to be in the movies?
Remembering her position, and not wanting to make it seem like she was in a weakened state, Rae rose to her feet ignoring the pain in her shoulders and hand. And only as she walked closer did she see Amanda's soft expression.
"Your hand," her eyes were glued to her right one, likely seeing the blood. "Stay right there."
Watching her leave, Rae took an opportunity to see outside of her cell. Pressing the right side of her face flat against the wall, she stared through narrowed eyes to the left, expecting to see the dead end of a hallway, but it appeared to keep going, scratching out their idea of her cell being located on an outside wall. Turning her head to the right however, she could make out the opening of another corridor.
Whoever had come up with the interior design of this joint should be fired. Everything was either white or gray, it was so plain it made her think about all the colors she was accustomed to seeing at home. The warm sunrise, the calming blues of the ocean, the electrifying gold of Tomak's eyes.
She leaned her forehead against the wall with a whimpering sigh as an image of Tomak entered unbidden in her mind. She loved the way he held himself, always so confident, carrying an arrogance that made her smile shyly. And his body was something else.
If someone took all the ideas and dreams of every woman on earth regarding what they considered to be attractive, that would be Tomak's incredible build. She liked how he wasn't overly bulky. He had quite a bit of muscle, but it didn't make him appear like he couldn't get around, that it hindered him from movement. And as she well knew, Tomak had a speed that she could never compete with.
A shiver ran down her spine when she remembered the towering adonis chasing after her when she had threatened him with the water balloons. Even trapped in the worst place on earth, she felt her heart racing at the memory of his arms capturing her and forcing her down in the sand.
She wanted nothing more than to be wrapped up in the warmth and safety of his arms again, not this cold, lifeless place. Tears filled her eyes as a testimony to the agony she kept hidden in her heart. It was making her numb.
Her hand clenched at her side, the sharp pain from her knuckles bringing some feeling back to her.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she prevented the tears from falling, knowing any minute the lab lady would be back. And she knew from experience, she had to suppress her emotions here. If not, Priced would use it against her.
Movement forced her upright, catching sight of Amanda walking briskly with some materials in hand.
The woman blinked in surprise, seeing Rae so close, and she hesitated only for a second. Turning to a panel Rae assumed was meant for her cell, she watched as Amanda typed in a command and then something in the center of the room rose from the floor.
Turning on her heel, Rae faced the whirring noise with distrust, only to see a cuffs attached to a waist-high rectangular platform.
"If you could put those on, please," Amanda urged from behind her.
Staring at the woman, Rae made no move to listen.
Seeing her resolve, Amanda sighed, "Listen, I only intend to give you something for your hand. I would rather not electrocute you to do that very thing. I would much rather have your trust."
Rae sneered, "Trust."
"Yes."
"And why in the world would I trust you?"
Amanda nodded silently, before answering simply. "Because I worked closely with your father."
Rae fell silent, staring at this woman accusingly. "And yet you killed him," she felt her voice break, her inner pain beginning to surface again. Swallowing hard, she tried to control herself as Amanda began to speak.
"I tried to stop it," she spoke truthfully. "Your father had valuable intel that could have helped us understand why you are the way you are. With his death we have hit a wall in our research."
"Is that all he was to you?" she spat, "A means of getting information?" Her eyes hardened in darkened rage, her heart churning painfully in her chest as she leered coldly at the woman on the other side of the wall.
Breathing sharply through her nose, she dropped her eyes to the floor as if this was a sensitive subject. "To Price, he was," she admitted. "But there were some of us that actually enjoyed the atmosphere your father created when he worked here. He was different from most men. With as many degrees as he had, I was surprised to find that he was as humble as he was. I think I admired that most about him."
Rae felt her eye twitch. No she would not give in, she would not cry.
"But at times he was stubborn," Amanda smiled softly as if remembering. "I can see he passed that trait on to you," she lifted her eyes to hers then.
At a loss of words, Rae chose to keep silent, figuring it was the wisest decision given her unstable emotions.
"Now if you please," the woman gestured to the bonds behind her. "If you could place both your wrists in those bonds I can do what I came here for."
Turning back in the direction of the platform, Rae hesitated. Although the woman made it out to be that she admired her father, she still did not trust her. Alarms were still ringing in her head. She could have very well said those things deceitfully, trying to lower her guard, make her listen.
"Trust is built on a two-way road," Amanda piped up behind her. "I can't be the only one to show it, for it to be authentic."
Looking into the woman's eyes once more with a narrowed expression, Rae walked over to the platform, circling it until she faced the door. Breathing deeply, she lifted both her wrists and laid them in the metallic cuffs. The cool metal was cold against her skin and not a moment after she placed them there, the other half of the cuff snapped on automatically, now fully circling her wrists and keeping her attached to the platform.
The door to the cell opened then and Rae watched as the woman carefully entered.
It occurred to Rae in a hazy thought in the back of her mind, that although her wrists were bound and stuck to the platform, her hands were technically free. She could use her powers if she wanted and there was almost nothing the woman could do to stop her.
But the thought passed instantly as Rae knew what the cost would be if she did in fact try to escape. There were too many unknowns and she needed a plan if she was to be successful in breaking both herself and Damon out.
Approaching her timidly, Amanda opened a small tube and began smearing what Rae could only assume was some sort of antiseptic cream over her scraped up knuckles.
Uncomfortable with the silence, Rae turned her face away, staring blankly at the wall.
Uncomfortable herself, Amanda continued their earlier conversation. "He was very fond of you, you know." She smiled as Rae turned back to her.
"Your father," she clarified. "He spoke of you often."
Getting no response, Amanda began placing pieces of gauze on each knuckle only to tape them into place. "And I appreciate you not killing me," she admitted with a nervous chuckle.
Her eyes must have widened a fraction because Amanda kept going.
"I am aware you could blow a hole right through me right now," her eyes slid to her hands. "But you're proving the guards wrong about you. You're not a monster or a killer."
The old nicknames had Rae clenching her teeth, her eyes stinging at the memory of them dragging the man she had accidentally killed out of her cell. It haunted her to know what she was capable of. This kind of power didn't belong to anyone.
The happy voice of the scientist drew her attention back to the present.
"There you go," she placed the last piece of tape with a satisfied expression.
Rae fisted her hand, feeling the tape pull slightly on her skin, but it was manageable. "No one ever cared if I got hurt before, why now?" Lifting her eyes toward the woman, she saw her eyes were wide with surprise, probably not expecting her to speak.
The woman was quick to reply though. "You are vital to this project, I need you at optimal health for any of this to work."
That piqued her interest. "For what to work?" she suddenly asked. "What is this project?"
Amanda stared at her a moment, as if trying to come up with a proper response, before her eyes fell to her hands, her brows furrowing.
Rae snorted scornfully. Was she not allowed to say? Was that it? Wanting answers, she pushed further. "Does it have to do with the creature that gave me my powers?" she prompted.
Amanda shot her head up, staring at her in shock before shutting down completely, her mouth clamping shut and her eyes wandering to the side as if she were afraid they were being monitored.
"So you know what blood was used then?" she watched the woman carefully, having seen the recognition flash momentarily in her eyes. It wasn't much but it was enough for her. Seeing her unwillingness to say anything though made her frown. "Trust is built on a two-way street, right?" she used her earlier words. "If I'm such a big part of this, I deserve to know the truth."
Turning her head, Amanda spoke softly in her earpiece and went silent. After a couple lingering seconds waiting for an answer to her mumbled question, she turned back to her with a shaky nod. "Follow me," she walked toward the cell door.
Rae frowned, wondering just how she was supposed to move, when a whirring sound came from the platform the cuffs were attached to and instantly her still bound wrists were detached, allowing her the freedom to move.
Walking behind the scientist, she watched her scan her keycard, followed by a retinal scan. Promptly the door slid open. Stepping out behind her, Rae felt her nerves spike at seeing four large security guards waiting for her. And she tensed as they surrounded her like a barrier, escorting her as she trailed behind Amanda.
As they walked past Damon's cell, Rae was surprised to find that the walls from the outside were see-through and she got a good glimpse of her friend who was leaning against the wall closest to her cell.
Anger boiled to the surface as she viewed Damon with her own eyes. He was dressed similarly to herself, only instead of a black tank, he wore a white one, with long black pants, no shoes, just bare feet. His face was tilted up, the top of his head leaning against the wall as he sat there completely lost.
But that wasn't even the worst of it, her eyes zeroed in on the deep purple bruise on the side of his face. He hadn't told her about that! She remembered him distinctly telling her that nothing happened other than a blood draw. Why would he keep this from her?
Turning back to the woman in front, she was about to speak her mind when her eyes were drawn to the next consecutive cell. Unlike their cells, this one was pitch black inside. She paused momentarily in her steps and Amanda seemed to sense her hesitation to keep moving.
Amanda looked from her to the dark cell then back to her again. "Shall we?" she directed them forward, not so much a question as it was a command.
As if in answer, one of the guards behind her shoved her forward with his weapon, forcing her to move. Rae bit back a sharp reply, but complied. But before the dark cell was out of sight, she swore she saw something move within the darkness.
"What was that?" Rae asked, a bit shaken from what she thought she saw.
"You're competition," she stated evenly, not even shedding a tinge of light for her. It was as if they were keen on shrouding everything in a cloud of mystery.
"And what does that mean?" Rae spoke spitefully, ignoring the slight jab from one of the guards. She didn't care if her tone came out as disrespectful. They were disrespecting her! Was this just some sort of sick twisted game to Price? Was she supposed to compete in an event for his pleasure and entertainment?
A small smile parted over Amanda's lips as she turned, stopping them in the center of the painfully bright white corridor. "I can see you have many questions Rae, and I can assure you that all the answers you're seeking are down this way."
Rae felt uneasy as they led her further into what was beginning to feel like the belly of the beast, the center of the labs.
Her eyes shot to her left as she noticed something different in the mirroring hallways, something distinct and almost comforting.
In the center of the wall was an elongated display case that stretched a ways down the hall. And what was displayed inside the built-in cases were varying artifacts, some whose origin she recognized immediately.
Behind the glass she saw a bronze spear that was very similar to Tomak's when it was in its collapsed form, and next to it was what resembled a shoulder cannon. Tomak had shown her his a while back, it followed his line of sight using some sort of laser guiding system. But unlike his shoulder cannon or plasmacaster, as he called it, this appeared to have a handle, like it was used as a hand-held gun. But something told her this still originated from the yautja.
The last artifact however pulled at her heart strings. Her eyes met the lenses of Tomak's mask, the one he had worn that fateful day. The same one that wore the dent she put in it.
For some reason, because she knew it belonged to him, she felt like he was watching her through it, calming her fast beating heart.
Amanda slowed noticing her intense observation. "I'm sorry if the sight of that thing is bringing back some unpleasant memories," she commented lightly. "You might not find the next sight very comforting either."
And before Rae questioned her meaning, she entered behind two large doors, her eyes growing large. She couldn't stop a gasp from escaping her as she walked in the immense space. "Oh. My. God."
Her eyes followed the thick cable wires leading down to the main floor where dozens of trucks were lined up on either side of the large alien structure in the center.
"This is the hangar," Amanda clarified for her. "And down there is–"
"A spaceship," she breathed. She couldn't believe it. They had a ship. Now whether it belonged to the yautja she couldn't be sure. She technically hadn't seen Tomak's ship from the outside, but if the exterior matched that of the interior then maybe it was of yautja origins, but she couldn't understand how it got here and why. Was it the same reason as Tomak? Had it crash landed here?
"It crashed many years ago in New Mexico. We were lucky enough to retrieve it when we did. It has expanded our knowledge in many ways."
"And was there someone inside?" Rae couldn't help but ask.
"Not as far as we can tell. We haven't been successful in opening the doors," Amanda slowed her speech, her eyes being drawn to something else.
"And now you can begin to see the recurring problem we have." That voice made her tense, her guard going back up as she turned. She didn't want to but she couldn't stop herself from meeting the eyes of the man who always stood in the center of her nightmares, the devil himself.
As if sensing her hostility, security tightened their formation around her.
Price wasn't deterred in the least, daring to step closer, his sharp eyes always so vigilant. "National security is a widespread concern, wouldn't you agree?" he glanced at her in passing, moving to stand against the railing that overlooked the hangar. "So when this thing crash landed," he directed everyone's attention back to the ship, "and officials found out that we are not alone in the universe, they created this program," he waved both hands in a general reference to the labs. "The company was dedicated to researching as much as we could on the visitors, but the more we dug up, the more afraid our superiors became. But in 1943," his voice brightened some, "not long after the Pentagon was created, they came up with a brilliant solution to our current problem. They said," and he paraphrased, "'What if we built weapons advanced and powerful enough to destroy anything that threatened our existence?' That's what started the arms race in 1949."
Rae watched the director as he spoke with conviction that bordered on the line of insanity. Not for a moment did she believe him. "The Arms Race was between the United States and Russia," she countered stiffly. "They crafted nuclear weapons so they would be the more powerful nation, not to fight against aliens."
"That is precisely what the government wants you to think. A lot of history taught in schools are coverups to the real issue. Where most people believe there was a missile crisis in Cuba, the government is aware it was actually a Predator mass murdering the natives in that region."
Predator? She frowned, trying to make sense of it. Was that what they called the yautja? She refocused on his words, as he continued with fervor.
"When the U.S Navy sent destroyers to 'quarantine' the island, Russia sent a submarine to help reinforce our blockade. And finally after everything was reported clear, Russia and the United States' governments decided to call off the race for the time being, making their citizens believe there was conflict between the two countries. If it were real, do you really think the Russian sub would have let those Americans live? And what about the space race?" he added, "What do you think the purpose of that was for?" he scoffed.
Even if what he said was true, that the yautja were a big part of history in the wrong way, what did this have to do with her? Rae felt her nerves spark anxiously inside of her. "And what part do I play in all of this?" she met his eyes uneasily.
"Is it not obvious? This," he emphasized, "is the next arms race. You are going to help us save Earth."
Rae felt an onslaught of different emotions. She wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all, but her fear and anger prevented her from doing so. "You actually think I can compete against them?" she gestured to the ship below just as a reference. "Are you insane?"
"Based on what we gathered at the ski resort," Amanda piped up from behind Price, "you appear to have already run into one of the hostile species that frequently visit here. The government nicknamed them Predators after their fierce appetites for blood, putting themselves at the top of the food chain with their superior strength and advancements in technology."
The woman was referring to Tomak she realized, and she suddenly recalled the display case in the hall. They did in fact find his mask in the wreckage. Did they think she'd won? But did they know anything else? That he was alive? That he was living with her? She ground her teeth and pushed away from that topic of conversation. No, from the sounds of it, it was unlikely that they did and she wanted to keep it that way.
"You managed to kill a Predator," Price continued, his eyes were wild, his enthusiasm almost palpable. "You are the perfect specimen to be able to answer such a threat. The perfect weapon."
She grit her teeth, her eyes itching at the threat of tears. So they did think she killed him. "You expect me to fight for the Earth?!" Anger spilled from her eyes as hot tears.
Amanda bit her lip seeing the emotions pouring from the girl's rather stony-faced expression.
"What makes you think that I would fight for you after what you've done to me?" Rae looked back and forth between the director and scientist only to hear the guards' weapons charging in sync. Her eyes darted to her side, eyeing the men who were staring at her with apprehension. They were afraid, she could practically feel it flickering around her.
Unlike the guards, Price lacked any reaction, simply folding his hands in front of him. "It doesn't matter whether I have your support or not. The truth is, you are the beginning. We aspire to make more of you, or more accurately, make our soldiers better than you."
Soldiers. She didn't want to imagine what her country would do with such power if they could control it. Corrupt rulers would take advantage of it, plunge the country into war, and what could stop them? "Which is why you need the serum," she spat, putting the pieces together.
"And as I heard it," he turned to look at his assistant from the side. "Amanda was going to show you the star of our whole show."
Rae felt her heart skip within her chest. Was this where the blood had come from? The origin of the serum? The creature or alien that passed its powers down to her?
Seeing the questions well up in her eyes, Price held his arm out directing them to the left where another door was. "Well, let's not disappoint."
Walking to the door, Price scanned his keycard followed by a retinal and fingerprint scan. An extra step Rae noted to her own cell. Whatever was behind this door was considerably more of a threat or more important to them.
What sounded next was a loud mechanical churning of a lock being undone, after which a green light lit the border of the panel. Pulling the door open, Price held it ajar and waved her in, "After you."
Two of the guards entered first with Rae following close behind. She was slow to react at first, due to peering behind the bodies of the guards ahead of her, but when they cleared out to her sides, she got an unfiltered view of just what was being held in this dark eerie room. With the lights dimmed, it created an atmosphere that wanted to suck the oxygen right out of her lungs.
She did not miss the two large tanks lining the wall, noticeably covered by a dark barrier, leaving whatever was behind them a mystery.
Price entered last, an all too pleased smile adorning his face as he walked up to the complex control panel seemingly powering the tanks. "Are you ready to thank your savior in person, Rae? Are you ready to know your father's dark little secret?" Flipping several switches, Price turned his head in time for the great reveal as the tanks' barriers finally came down.
"No." The word came out of her like the raspiness of someone breathing their last breath.
She felt her pulse jump into her throat. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't speak. Her knees shook and she felt dizzy enough to want to fall on her hands and knees.
It… it can't be, her eyes couldn't leave the first tank. It was as if she were staring directly at a ghost.
Sweat dripping down her temple, she swiftly met Price's eyes when she found her voice. "What is this?!" she demanded only to look at Amanda too. "Is this some kind of twisted joke?!"
Price merely smiled.
"It can't be," she whispered with tear filled eyes, denying the truth.
In the first tank, full of a murky green fluid was a fearsome sight, a yautja, or at least, what was left of one. She couldn't forget the mandibles, the prominent brow, the large crest, the long dark dreads.
Her eyes committed every inch of its face to a memory that would greatly haunt her in her dreams. She couldn't unsee it. The massive scarring on the side of its face, the one milky white eye, the missing upper mandible and tusk. But the real horrifying part was it was missing most of its body too, the head and upper torso making up what was left.
After a long string of silence, Price laughed openly, enjoying her horrified expression of it.
Her eyes filled with unshed tears and she squeezed them tight. She should not think of this yautja as an 'it' even if he was dead or horrendous-looking. This could have been her Tomak. As if that spurred on a new set of thoughts, Rae's anxiety returned with revenge.
Oh god, Tomak. What would he think of her if he knew she had this yautja's blood in her veins?
"This is the origin of the serum?" she choked on a sob, staring unblinkingly at the corpse. She desperately wished that it wasn't real, that this was a dream she was to awaken from.
"Yes, this monster's blood was used in several clinical tests, but only yours came back with positive results. All the other candidates died."
The joy seemed to have passed, his voice now deep in aggravation. It made Rae wonder just for how long he had been trying this for.
"The blood was too strong for them," he shook his head, before turning his eyes back on her, "but not for you; even in your weakened state." The way he looked at her made her skin crawl and the hair on her neck stood erect. "And I want to know why. How did your father do it?"
Her heart felt like it was beating too fast for her lungs to keep up. Her brain couldn't even begin to understand how it even worked. Where she hoped answers would be found in regards to her powers, only more questions arose.
Growing impatient with her silence, she watched the director straighten. "I would suggest you make it easy on yourself. You wouldn't want me to have to use other means of getting the information from you."
Although seeing and reading the visible warnings, she could hardly hear Price through the raging sound of her heart pounding. The blood was rushing to her ears as her mind registered only one truth: 'It made no sense.'
Blinking out of her fear-like state, she stared at Price with a shake of her head. "I… I don't understand. This doesn't make any sense," she muttered incomprehensibly under her breath.
Price's features sharpened, having not properly heard her, "Speak up!"
Swallowing, she managed to raise her voice. "That thing can't produce energy like I can!" She met both their eyes, hoping to break through to them the inequality of the equation. Something wasn't matching, it wasn't adding up.
"Exactly!" Price jabbed his finger toward the vat of blood that remained in the second tank, "It seems your father re-engineered it that way to give you your abilities, but all our footage shows, is of him taking it. So you've seen him prepare it, you know what has to be done to make it work. Last chance," he warned, "what did he do to it?"
All the blood drained from her face. A memory of her father entering her room with a syringe made her squeeze her eyes shut. Now more than ever she wanted to forget, to pretend like it had never happened. "I… I don't know," a tear dribbled down her cheek.
Turning his head to the nearest guard he nodded his head, "Do it."
Before she could question the man's intention, an electrical current went through her bonds. Crying out, Rae fell to her knees, her heart pounding impossibly faster.
"Try again," Price offered with a cruel smile.
Honey, trust me. I promise, princess. Just hold still and let Daddy heal you.
Still trying to catch her breath from the intensity of the memory and the electrocution, she was unable to answer. The voltage went higher and pulsed through her body, scorching the skin of her wrists. "AHHHH!" she curled in on herself.
"Tell me!"
"I-I-I- d-don't-" Another pulse went through her, cutting her off with a scream.
"Wrong again."
"Please!" she pleaded, raising her palms in surrender, not even having the strength to pick herself up. "I-I know nothing I swear! Please," she begged, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Ow, it hurts Daddy, she heard her younger self cry, making her tremble.
I know honey, I'm sorry. But it will make you stronger, I promise.
Rae opened her eyes. Did he know what it would do? Was Price right? Had her father planned this from the start?
—
Unimpressed with her response, Price looked to Amanda expecting an answer.
The woman was reluctant to respond, knowing what his reaction would be, but she couldn't deny him as much as she wanted to. Peering down at the tablet in her hands she interpreted the reading being relayed from the cuffs and her heart dropped. Slowly meeting her boss's eyes she replied regretfully, "She's lying, sir."
Price smiled, staring at the girl with evil intent and Amanda had to close her eyes and turn away as the girl was electrocuted a fourth time, her screams filling the room before falling silent.
Turning back around Amanda was greeted with the awful sight of the girl on the floor, passed out with the director standing above her prone form.
She lasted much longer this time. She expected her to go unconscious after the second hit, but four was a new record, something she took note of.
Turning to her next, Price met her eyes as she peered up from her tablet. "Collect another vial from the specimen, and prep our new recipient when it's ready. I want to try something new."
He walked past her, but she was frozen in confusion. "Don't you mean the mice, sir?" she turned on her heel, staring at his back.
"I am already aware of what it does to the mice, I mean our guest. Are my directions clear?"
It was a direct order, there was no room for correction. No thoughts or concerns. He expected only one response, complete subordination. "...yes, sir."
"Excellent," he nodded, buttoning up his suit jacket as he stepped out the door, "inform me when everything is ready."
With Price gone, Amanda frowned at the girl lying unconscious on the hard floor. Her dark curly hair was spread out like a fan over the gray tiles. Kneeling down to check on her, she reached out to touch her when Rae's eyes snapped open.
A scream filled Amanda's lungs and instantaneously one of the nearby guard's hit the electrocution button, sending voltage through the cuffs. She watched in fear as the girl spasmed on the floor before going still once more.
She couldn't believe it. She pretended to be out, waiting for a chance to escape. She was smart, and far stronger than Price gave her credit for. Looking over her shoulder she picked up the tablet she hadn't realized she dropped and went to cross off the four and replace it with a five, but hesitated, deciding to leave it. For the girl's sake, Price didn't need to know. Five electrocutions was impressive though. She didn't think a human could withstand that, but Rae was proving her wrong.
Reaching out once more she touched the back of her hand to the girl's sweaty forehead. It was a little warm, but no fever. Trailing her hand down to her arm, she instantly regretted it. She pulled back her hand with a sharp hiss as she reached her forearm.
It felt reminiscent of touching an oven top that was still hot, and yet peering at Rae's hands, they looked normal. How was that even possible? How was this not hurting her?
Everything about the girl fascinated her. No one would have ever assumed her to be dangerous if they saw her. One might have thought she was just a defenseless girl. Everything about her looks was misleading, it was beautiful.
Lifting her head she addressed the guards, "Can you safely carry her back to her cell, please?" And as they moved toward her, she quickly warned as an afterthought, "And do not touch her hands!"
Working as a unit, they lifted her up, and carried her out of the room, leaving Amanda alone to complete the task Price had given her.
Walking toward the first smaller vat that was filled with nothing but luminescent green blood, she attached two empty vials to the neck of the access port, drawing two samples of the creature's blood. Once full, she detached it capping both sets.
Taking one in her hand, she discreetly dropped the other into her pocket.
"Doctor?"
Amanda's heart seized in her chest as she spun around.
The woman blinked at her in surprise, clearly not meaning to have scared her.
She exhaled in relief. "What is it?" she straightened out her lab jacket.
"We have a call coming in for you. A nurse was on the line?" the woman frowned.
Amanda's eyes widened in understanding. "Oh um, I'll take it in my office. Tell them I'll be there in a moment," she replied briskly. "Thank you."
Nodding in acceptance, the woman swiftly left the room, trailed by Amanda who locked the door behind her, cutting off further access to the blood.
Eyeing the other scientist, she turned down another corridor, patting her pocket reassuringly as she went.
Entering the lab, she was quick to shut the door behind her with an uneasy breath. Placing the alien's blood on the counter next to a vial she had taken from Rae, she prepped two thin rectangular glass slides with a drop of blood on each. She intended on checking them for similarities, but for now they could be stored for later. Placing them by the compound microscope, Amanda shut off all the lights in the lab and went directly to her office.
The first thing she checked was to make sure the call had been transferred and at a quick glance she could see that they were still on hold. Letting out a breath, she sat down at her desk, briefly composing herself before pressing the flashing button and answering the phone. "Hello?"
"Hi, is this Amanda?" a woman was on the other end. She didn't recognize the voice of this nurse specifically, but it mattered little.
"Yes, that's me. How is Jamie doing? Is he okay?"
"Well," the lady hesitated, "that's why we decided to give you a call. The chemotherapy is being very effective, but at this stage it's not enough. This kind of cancer is aggressive so a higher dose would normally be recommended, but we're not sure your son will respond well to that."
She sighed, tears welling up in her eyes as she laid her hand worriedly on her cheek, "So what would you suggest be done?"
"At this point we're going to keep the dosage the same and just monitor him for any changes. That's all we can do right now."
"Okay," she tried to keep her voice even, but she could feel it shaking with emotion. "How is he?"
"He's a strong boy. He was a little tired earlier, but he's got some of his energy back right now. Do you want me to put him on the line with you?"
She wiped a stray tear from her eyes, before smiling, "Yes, please."
She sniffed, trying to push away the potent emotions before she heard the exchange as the nurse handed the phone to her five-year-old son.
"Hi mama," the little voice pulled at her heartstrings.
"Jamie, hi honey. How are you feeling?"
"Um… good," he had to think about it.
"You're feeling good?" she repeated.
"Yeah. Not super good," he changed his mind, "just weguler."
She smiled hearing him try to pronounce the hard word. "Just regular?" she asked.
"Uh-huh. Will you be here soon Mama?" he asked in his tired sweet voice.
"Yes, honey. Very soon. I'll be down there in," she checked her watch, "maybe an hour to eat with you and your father."
"You promise?"
She could picture his chubby little face as he asked and it made her heart throb with the need to hold him. "I promise."
"Okay," she heard him yawn.
"Go take a nap" she coaxed softly, "and when you wake up, I'll be right there with you. Okay?"
"Okay, mama."
"I love you," she smiled hearing him return the affection, before she heard sounds of the phone being handled. He must have handed the phone back, she realized because the nurse's voice returned.
"Okay," the woman said, "can we say, 'Bye mama?'"
Amanda heard a soft 'Bye mama' in the background before the line went quiet. Hanging up the phone, she sighed heavily, placing her hands on her lap. Her fingers ran over the small mass hidden in her pocket, reminding her of the vial.
Taking it out, she examined it carefully before hiding it in her bag along with one vial of Rae's blood.
Rae woke up for the second time that day though not as pleasant as the first time— if she could even call it pleasant. Sitting up with a hiss of pain, she ran her hands over her wrists feeling the burning sensation where the cuffs had rested.
So this was the reason why the scientist had been so adamant about her wearing the cuffs. Not so much to bind her, but to keep her in line. She snorted with contempt. So much for trust.
She rolled her eyes up to the ceiling. "What did I tell you," she whispered hollowly. Trust no one. It had been something ingrained in her since her youth. If you could see through the lies, you were one step ahead of your enemy.
Rotating her body into a kneeling position, she flinched hard at the sight of Price staring at her unwaveringly through the see-through wall. How long had he been standing there without her knowing? Had her senses become that dull?
Having seen her reaction to him, he laughed, the sound of his voice filling her cell.
Immediately anger flared under the surface of her skin and abruptly she rose to her feet, choosing to ignore the disgusting excitement that lit within his eyes. How dare he stare at her like some rare zoo animal?!
There were so many things she wanted to just scream and yell. So many things she wanted to do to quell her boiling anger and they were all wrong.
She wanted a reaction from him like that of McKenna when she first arrived. She wanted to see what fear looked like in his eyes, wanted him to feel exactly what she had felt for all those years locked behind these walls.
But all at once her anger was extinguished with the face of her father.
Those thoughts, those feelings. That wasn't how he taught her. And instantly guilt laced within her heart as her gaze dropped from the man. She was supposed to love her enemies, something she never understood, but always accepted. And yet, as she peered in the eyes of her father's murderer and her tormentor, she was faced with the unrelenting reality.
She couldn't.
She couldn't find it in her to love a man so evil, to forgive a debt that was unforgivable. And she felt weakened by this fact. She couldn't understand it, and maybe she never would. What did her father expect from her?
"You are conflicted," Price's voice rang out and she had to steel herself so as not to visibly show any reaction to his unwelcome presence. "Do you feel whole again," he mocked, "knowing you owe everything to a monster?"
His words ignited the flame from earlier, her mind racing as she was reminded of the sight of it all, every detail of that horrid room. But the implication of what that meant for her had worse results. Her questions, her concerns, it threatened to give her a migraine.
However, despite her emotions regarding the blood, she could not forget what was left of that yautja encased in that tank, and very quickly, she was returning Price's stare. "He's not a monster."
"He?" the director laughed, his outburst only adding to her ire. "Don't tell me you, of all people, are developing feelings for it."
That shot hit like a punch to the gut. The only connection she felt to that poor yautja was guilt, and it was only because of her view of Tomak. Had she not known him and began to kindle feelings for him, she may have seen the yautja as Price did, a monster, but she couldn't.
"Where did you find him?" she found herself asking.
He shook his head in disbelief of her inquiry, but seeing how it seemed to play at her emotions, he smiled, indulging her. "Do you recall the events in Gunnison Colorado?"
She frowned at that. Everyone knew about the horrific events of Gunnison Colorado and those who were too young to know were likely being taught in schools. She clearly remembered the news report when it first happened. Her father had stopped what he was doing to sit in front of the television, staring grimly at the screen as the images of the explosion lit up the living room. Never before had she seen him so laser focused on the news.
"What about it?" she spoke defensively, not liking the look in his eyes.
"Everyone was made to believe it was an accident, but that is far from the truth. I'll let you fill in the pieces regarding the creature's appearance," he chuckled, enjoying her horrified expression.
"What did you do to him?"
The director snorted, "Don't be ridiculous, the beast came to us that way. The explosion killed it, as well as most of an invasive species that tried to overtake the city. What remained was shipped here where we could study them and find a solution to the inevitable problem." He watched her absorb the new information.
"Was that what was in that other cell?" she questioned, remembering the dark space.
"So many questions," he admired, "but you must know by now that I like to keep some cards up my sleeve." Then his eyes brightened with realization, "Not unsimilar to yourself, Rae."
Her jaw clenched at that insult. "I am nothing like you!"
"No?" he questioned. "Do you not also keep things locked in a box, even from those closest to you?"
She felt her jaw tighten exponentially as she glared at the man, but she didn't have to say a word for him to know, and that was when his grin turned evil.
"I take it you told dear Naomi what happened to her father, then?"
His question was bait, but it worked better than any hook in the mouth could, it drove daggers into her heart and she was forced to try and swallow down her emotions, a pointless endeavor in the end. She strode closer to the wall between them, almost dangerously so.
Leaning in close she scowled. "I don't care what you say, there is only one monster here," she spoke with more venom than she ever had, her hands clenching and unclenching at her sides. "And it's not me."
She was close enough to see a rare flash of anger in his eyes. "You are absolutely right," he faced her fully. "Your father is the real monster. He was the one that created you after all."
"GAHH!" she threw her fist into the wall, directly where his face was. The result had been disappointing. Electricity sparkled dangerously where she had struck, the shield barrier holding strong against her force.
Price laughed, "You are powerless here. It will only be a matter of time until I get what I need from you."
Rae grit her teeth, absolutely seething. "I'll die before I tell you anything."
"Of that I have no doubt. But will he?" his eyes slid to her right.
The threat had been so unexpected that Rae was dumfounded at first having to physically turn her head in the direction he glanced to fully understand. He was referring to the cell next to hers. Oh god.
Damon.
Dread filled her veins at the implication. Steeling herself in place, she growled harshly between her teeth, her jaw threatening to lock up. "If you touch him, I promise you–"
"Now that sounds like a threat." He paused thoughtfully, a sly smile extending and sharpening his facial features. He almost looked impressed, "I didn't take you for having a dark side, Rae."
Her fists hardened at her sides, staring in his cold heartless eyes. Her scowl deepened, her hands beginning to glow orange. "You don't want to see my dark side."
Price was unphased, a smile still shadowing his slender lips whilst he leaned closer to the barrier as if sharing a secret. "And that, Rae, is where you're wrong."
The wall faded back to white closing off her view of him. And as soon as it did, a weight like none other filled the pit of her gut. She showed emotion. She showed Price exactly what she cared about the most. And he would use that to his advantage.
"What have I done?"
What have I done?
Tomak broke through the forest line that touched upon the sandy beach with a snarl. He had failed. Failed himself and failed Rae.
Despite having advanced technology at his disposal, he could not pick up Rae's trail within that vehicle. They had taken her too far for his scans to reach. If he had his ship there would have been no issue. It would have been fast and simple, locating her unique signature, but without it, there was nothing he could do.
With great anger, he backhanded the wooden railing of the deck, breaking it easily and sending shards of wood flying hurtling into the sand.
Fisting his hands until blood was drawn from his palms, he threw his head back and roared.
In blind rage he whirled around as the door to the house swung open behind him, his eyes landing on Naomi who looked terrified of his sudden appearance.
Anger clamped down on his heart as his hand grabbed the door intending to rip it right off its hinges and Naomi's eyes widened further in fear.
"Tomak! Tomak!" she held her arms out toward him, trying to calm him down. "Tomak, listen to me," she flinched as he stepped toward her with a menacing snarl. "This isn't what Rae would want!" she touched him lightly.
His whole body went rigid at her touch and he stepped back with a growl. "Rae is gone," he rasped, his voice already losing its power, his anger being replaced with grief.
"Yes," Naomi stepped forward, her eyes filled with sadness looking at his broken state, "but I know where she is."
He grabbed her shoulders, searching her eyes, "Where?"
Author's Note
Don't you love it when you think you've finished a puzzle only to realize you have one piece missing that completes the whole picture? Lol, sorry. Lots more still to come, this includes more answers regarding Rae. Hope you enjoyed! ;)