I woke to the sound of vigorous clanging. I was on the floor and I cowered in the corner. I shifted my way over to the bars and looked through the balustrade to the first floor. The clock's handles were stopped at 3 am. Who was awake at this hour?
I tried to locate the sound of the noise by sticking my head through the bars, but I couldn't seem to. I closed my eyes and listened to the sound. It echoed off the walls from a distance far down the hall, but it came closer each second. I could tell I was one of the only ones that were woken up by this noise, otherwise, there would be a huge ruckus from the other experiments.
I gripped the bars and looked down the dark hallway. From here I could see someone that brushed a metal pole up against the cages. The person turned on their flashlight, momentarily blinding me. They made an 'ah' sound and said, "I knew this would wake you. C'mon, off to the showers."
"...what?" I asked, confused.
"For your interview!" The person unlocked the cage and I wondered if they should be the only person escorting me out.
"Where are the others?"
"I told them I would handle it!" When they took the flashlight away from my face, I saw a young human female.
I didn't complain, I just stepped out and let her lead me to the place I was going to.
"You're... unwise..." I wanted to tell her that she was stupid, but I'm not exactly in a good position to say that.
"Why would you say that?" The woman asked, sounding genuinely curious.
"Well... you didn't clamp one of those... uh... poles to my collar. I mean... what if I attack you?"
She chuckled and turned around to look at me, "I think you're smarter than that."
We reached a section of the facility that I haven't been to a lot, even after 3 years. It looked like a sort of reception. Guards stood on either side of a large metal door. When I stepped into the room, both guards held their guns up at me. I held my paws up in mock surrender.
"What the hell Darcy?! What did I tell you about willingly trusting the patients?" One guard exclaimed as if they knew each other for a while.
"Whaaaaat? He's fine! I have it under control, I'm not a kid, you know?" Darcy wined.
"You sure are acting like one," he rolled his eyes, "he can easily overpower you."
"I've been here longer than you, I know what I'm doing."
"You haven't been here as a guard or-" he was cut off by the woman.
"Enough! We are running late. May you please let us through?"
The man sighed before nodding at his silent partner and they opened the metal door.
"Thank you." The woman huffed and walked past them through the door.
As I followed her through, the guard she was talking to gave me a threatening glance. The doors closed behind me as soon as I stepped through. The walls smelt like metal and the hallway led on for a while. The woman turned to look back at me and I sped up to catch up with her. We reached another door with a keypad.
"Look away for a sec' 23." I did as I was told.
I heard some beeping and the door unlocking and lifting. The clacking of her heels became muffled when she stepped into the room. The walls and floor were made out of wood which led to tiled showers.
"Off you go, we're on a schedule." The woman patted my back, ushering me to one of the cubicles.
I nervously stepped inside, taking my shirt off. There was a large mirror inside the shower. I glanced at myself. It was as if my purple eyes bore into my own soul. My brown fur was dishevelled and my cream belly fur was becoming grey, not enough to stop seeing the brown bow-tie birthmark in the middle of my chest. I looked away from myself. It reminded me of my confinement. It reminded me how stressed and tired I am.
The shower sputtered to life and the dirt was washed off. I enjoyed it for the little time I had, but all good things in this place end. Or die. The shower was turned off just as quickly as it was turned on. Darcy opened the door for me to step out. The woman looked me up and down with surprise on her face.
"What?" I growled at her. She flinched and then threw a white towel at me. I caught it effortlessly and dried myself. She turned away from me and started walking to a different door. I hurried to put my shirt on and followed her as she walked through the door. This time the hallway was rather long and silence filled the room.
After a while, the woman tried to start a conversation, "So, what's your opinion on the black market issue?"
"Excuse me?"
"The black market issue. You know?" She paused for a second, thinking over her question, "oh... right... you don't hear anything about the outside world do you?" The woman didn't sound like she was mocking me, I think she's just stupid.
She breathed in through her nose and stopped in her tracks. The woman then turned to face me and stuck out her hand. I looked down at it questioningly.
"I'm Darcy." The woman smiled. I scowled. She waved her hand in circles at me, "and you are?"
"...23...?"
"No, no. What do you call yourself?" She pointed to my chest.
I've never had a human ask me this before... this girl is weird.
"Froddy."
Darcy hummed and nodded to herself before continuing down the hall.
As we reached the end of the hallway, she slowly opened the door to poke her head through.
"Come in," a gruff voice comanded from inside the room.
Darcy opened the door and ushered me to go in first. When I entered the room I saw the man from yesterday sitting at a grey table. He motioned for me to sit across from him. I hesitantly sit down in front of him as he looked down at my tag.
"You are number 23?" Professor Kovid eyed me.
"Yes, sir."
"I am professor Kovid," He looked at me from above his glasses, "you may be wondering why you are here today."
I stared at him blankly, waiting for him to tell me.
Professor Kovid leaned forward and rested his hand on his cheek, "I'm interested in your attitude. I've never had a subject like you before."
"You stuck up for that little guy, the guards said you wouldn't let go of them." Darcy relayed the story.
This man gave off a creepy vibe, but I held my gaze. Professor Kovid glanced at Darcy.
"I was wanting to know what you feel for that creature." The man continued.
"Number 28?" I questioned and the man raised his brow at me, "they are my friend."
Professor Kovid hummed. I looked him up and down. I had never met one of the professors who wore a suit around, let alone order the guards around. I swallowed the dryness in my throat. Was Professor Kovid the head scientist? Why would he want to talk to an experiment? He has never associated with us before. I could feel an uneasiness settling at the bottom of my stomach.
"Are you the one running this facility?" I questioned. Professor Kovid's expression was replaced by a smile I could not explain. It creeped me out nonetheless.
"Yes. You are correct."
Professor Kovid waved his hand at her slowly, "I'm assuming you met my daughter?"
I had to stop myself from gaping at what he said. His daughter? The same man that treats experiments like trash? His daughter asked me what I called myself - a lowlife experiment? How can they be father and daughter?
I nodded and kept my composure. Darcy smiled nervously and professor Kovid patted her on the back.
"You say this creature of yours is a friend?"
"Number 23? Yes, sir."
"And you would do anything for this friend?"
"Yes, sir."
"Even risk your own life?"
"Yes, sir," I answered each question without hesitating. Professor Kovid looks stunned, but then he smiled.
"Darcy, please escort number 23 back to his cell. I will come to see him later today."
"Yes, father."
I exited the room, now becoming uneasy of Darcy's presence as we walked down the halls in silence. Before we went through the doors back to the cafeteria she turned to look at me.
"I...."
I held out my paw in front of her mouth instinctively, my claws edging close to her mouth.
"We don't have to talk. You don't have to," Darcy said quickly.
I flinched when I realised what I was doing, "I-I'm sorry, please forgive me." I bowed my head.
Years of working hard to please the officials seemed to drop when I met this woman and she's the owner of the facilities daughter for crying out loud!
I turned around in shame and quickly walked up the stairs to my area. Most of the experiments were up by now and they all watched as I passed. Whispering, chanting, mocking. Darcy followed close behind. We neared my cell and I could see each high-tier look up at me as I pass, except for Sailor who crouched under her table shivering. When she saw me, I smiled at her to give her comfort. She tried to smile back but her efforts were futile.
When we reached Scrappy's cell I stopped. Hope filled inside me. Darcy had been nice so far, would she be now?
"Can I talk to Scrappy?" I stumbled over my words and pointed at Scrappy.
Darcy thought it over for a second before nodding. I smiled when I looked over at Scrappy. They were writing something at their desk, their legs didn't touch the ground from where they were sitting. Scrappy had already hopped off the chair to see me.
"Hey, buddy." I greeted sweetly, joy filled my chest. Scrappy reached out through the bars and took both of my hands. They showed me a closed-eyed smile. I felt my short tail swishing from side to side with happiness. I had never had this many chances to see Scrappy. I was so thankful.
Scrappy squeezed my hand and pointed to Darcy. I looked behind me, still holding Scrappy's hands and titled my head, "this is Darcy."
Darcy had a curious expression on her face. Darcy smiled at Scrappy, "hello." She said kindly.
Scrappy looked at me nervously.
"She's ok, don't worry," I assured them.
Darcy tapped me on the shoulder. Scrappy looked at me with dismay.
I sigh, "I will see you soon Scrappy. I have to go now."
Before I got to stand up, Scrappy took my face in their hands. I closed my eyes against the sensation, enjoying it while it lasts.
"Don't worry," I nudged Scrappy's cheek fur with the back of my hand, "I'm right next to you."
I stood and Scrappy watched as I left. I entered my cell and Darcy stood there for a bit. Since she wasn't closing the door I did myself. Darcy looked at me in disbelief. Maybe she wanted a thank you?
"Thank you," I bowed my head and turned around.
Darcy stopped me and struggled for words. I could see a look of sympathy on her face, which infuriated me.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly.
I growled.
"I don't need your sympathy."
"So I can't feel bad for you?" Darcy threw her hands in the air.
I gaped at her in disbelief and clenched my teeth, "no."
Why would she be allowed to sympathise when she is one of the reasons I was created. I was locked up and tortured because of her father. I was made to be a toy. I decide who can give that toy sympathy.
"Just leave me alone." I clutched both of my arms and turned away from her, so I wouldn't lose my temper any further.
She hesitated before leaving.
When Darcy was gone, I cried about the unfairness of this facility. I cried over my unfortunate circumstances. I cried over my friends who's minds were forever sold to this corrupt place. This disgusting place. I couldn't cry out the anger I felt coursing through me. I tried repeatedly punching the wall over and over and over and over. Nothing. All I could do was hold myself while I cried myself to sleep.