"Subjects B 1-12 go to room 283. Subjects B 13-24 go to room 285. Subjects B 25-36 go to room 287..."

Hearing himself being called upon B 28 reluctantly put down the book he had picked up. Sighing as he took one more glance at the plant pictures he stood up and looked around the room as the small spark of light left his eyes. He knew that this meant his hour of free time was up. He quickly found the scientist who would lead his group to room 287.

His group (Group B 25-36) was one of the largest of all the groups having 10 subjects! His group was the one who was tested to see if giving the children time to stare at books would help them survive longer. After a year, it was implemented for all subjects.

Still, this test was made too late for some as other groups only had 4-7 subjects at most by the time it was implemented. Even though none of the subjects really knew how to read, this one hour per week kept most sane enough with just enough motivation to allow better survival in experiments.

From what he knew all Subjects A had died in experiments or were 'released' by the time he had entered. Apparently, they lowered the intensity of experiments in hopes of more survival, but now as he was older and only shorter than the scientists, the experiments kept getting harder.

None of it mattered to him anymore as B 28 simply ignored everything and walked behind the scientist leading the way. He had numbed himself enough to not care. Every subject either numbed themselves until they can't feel anything or die.

Everyone was quiet and no subject talked to each other. 'Talkative' subjects were beaten since 'words are our privilege' so the scientists claimed. Only when they wanted feedback should a subject talk. Still, those who talked when they weren't supposed to, had their vocal cords removed.

This all wasn't strange or weird just common and simple knowledge for a subject. It was just like what happened when one couldn't control their bodily urges had their sexual organs removed. Anything that the scientists deemed 'disruptive' was taken away or removed.

As he reached room, 287, B 28 saw the announcement stage that he could barely remember. This was a place he had only been to three times.

The first time he arrived was when they were telling the subjects about the test of one-hour free time once a week. He also remembered the second time he had been here. They brought everyone to show what would happen if we took books out with subject B 34 as an example as she had taken a book with her.

"Welcome subjects. We are here today to tell you all that you have graduated and will be released."

B 28 never truly believed he would be 'released' as he didn't feel any warmth from these scientists. These cold blooded scientists aren't capable of 'mercy'. He knew to be 'released' just meant death in another way that wasn't a normal experiment.

"Now I know you are all happy to be released, so I shall tell you that you only need to go through one more experiment. So! Before that you should know our hospital will be starting a new project! If you want to, you can help in the beginning stages of the project and in return, you will be able to stay with plants forever!" A large projection appeared behind the announcer that showed plants similar to the ones B 28 had seen in the picture books!

"Know this, you will still be released after the experiment, you just get to choose what will be your 'final' experiment! Just raise your hand if you want to participate."

As he finished B 28 didn't hesitate and raised his hand. He knew everything just meant death. If he could see a plant in the real world for the first time it would all be worth it! Everyone had some type of hope that kept them going, and he had his. His dream was to see a plant.

"Ah- only two volunteers? Oh well, you two can follow these two scientists and they will take you to your new rooms." Looking at the other subject, B 28 knew it was B 34 who had decided to join him. He mostly recognized him because B 34 also liked to look at the plant books.

Still, none of them said a word and only glanced at each other with some understanding flashing through each other's eyes. Soon they were led to a room with four beds with two bunk beds. "Someone will call for you when it is time to wash and prepare for the last experiment."

The two just nodded and found a bed and laid down to sleep like normal as if everything was normal and nothing changed. It was in that silence B 34 spoke a few raspy words, "T-The experiment... will kill us... right?"

B 28 was silent for a while before his equally raspy voice came out, "Y-Yes... but... I want to see a plant..."

"...Me too..."

Silence once again descended as the pair simply tried to fall asleep just as they had done hundreds of times before.

***

"HAHA! You should have seen it! Their eyes seemed to brighten as a glimmer of hope went through their eyes! I wonder how many of them really know what it truly means to be released?" A man spoke loudly with a cruel smile painting his face.

"Shut up about them already. The subjects are subjects. Not human or anything of the sort, period." The woman wore a blank expression while writing some reports.

"Tch- come on if you don't torture them thinking of them as human you can't have that much fun." 

"I like to focus on my experiments thank you."

"Fiiinne~ Tell me about the new experiment you were talking about."

"*sigh* Why can't you listen? We want to find a way to have plants connect to the human body. And using some extreme electricity to be able to control the plants. All the past experiments were all about finding ways to increase the natural human ability to use electrical signals and increase power.

Now if we are able to use these humans and attach them to plants we may create natural human gardeners or even make humans who can at least to some degree connect to plants to understand them better.

Of course, these first few tests will all be about finding the upper limit of both plants and humans to make sure they both don't die. These subjects are also way~ too resistant for any useful data, so I really just want to see how much they can take after living for 24 years being experimented on." The woman's blank expression morphed into cruelty for a moment before relaxing as she focused back on the report.

"Of course, you always have to use this trash to help you achieve your goals. Some subjects with high malnutrition are great test subjects. Since we are 'releasing' them might as well do it in a way that will aid us."

"Humph- It is all for the Etrix."

"Naturally~ For the Etrix!"