Test Tubes and Freedom
The sky, adorned with countless stars, shimmered gracefully above them, accompanied by a gentle breeze and a profound silence. Zarda gazed up into the night, pondering why it seemed so vast. Maybe at last, his eyes were capable of perceiving its true splendor. He brushed away tears, hearing his mother's voice calling him home. Deep down, he understood that if he ever returned, she would no longer be alive. If she were still living, he imagined how frail and weakened Sahara would have become. Would she even recognize her son in that condition? Makana kingdom was left now, to Zarda's younger brother. If Natia didn't give birth to a male cub, his brother and his heirs would rule. The line of White mane would surely be broken. He sighed and rested his weary head on his forearms. They hung over the side, of the smooth ferry rails. He listened beneath him, at the water caps splashing against the side of the boat. Gibbs sat watching intently, on a bench behind Zarda. Gawking at the man beast's body. He was intimidated and intrigued, all together at once. Gibbs planned to make friendly with the lion, to ensure his safety. He wondered what it was like for Zarda. Did he feel everything a human experienced and what a lion knew combined? Gibbs couldn't understand a beast's mind like he could a human. For zarda to possess both, that was a very, powerful gift.
In Zarda's view, the ferry seemed to drift along slowly, but in truth, it had already covered a significant distance from the coasts of Africa to the shores of North America. The small group had been journeying for two weeks, with their destination still ahead of them. Zarda often made it a point to go to the dock, gazing up at the sky in search of tranquility. The trip had proven to be tiring, and he was trying to adapt to life aboard the ferry. The sleeping quarters were cramped, and the food left much to be desired. Intermittent sea sickness from the water ride would hit him now and then. On top of that, he was trying to understand how to use the white, suction-style seat that humans referred to as a toilet. It was quite a novelty for Zarda, and he was starting to gain a greater appreciation for it. The toilet paper, however, was another story. Zarda was beginning to feel restless. He longed to sprint and bound across the open Savannah plains. He craved the playful sparring and wrestling with his friends and his brother, Meeku. Above all, Zarda yearned for the comforting touch of his bride and the loving embrace of his mother. For two weeks, Zarda focused solely on the final chapter of his life. He no longer shed tears for anyone or anything. Fear for the future had vanished; he felt an emptiness in both his heart and mind. Zarda jumped at the deafening blast of a ferry horn. The hair along his neck bristled, and he gripped the rails with such intensity that his knuckles turned white.
The night was shrouded in darkness, devoid of a moon. Ethereal shapes flickered through the mist. From where Zarda stood, he could see faint lights illuminating a large wooden dock. Other soldiers were stationed there, keeping watch. At last, Zarda and his company had arrived on land. He had set out in search of Gibbs, With their constant surveillance lifted, he felt a sense of freedom; they had placed their trust in him, which he deeply appreciated. Zarda had developed a fondness for both Gibbs and Anderson, though his affinity for Gibbs was stronger. He valued their companionship, as it was his sole social interaction. Soldier Gibbs, too, had grown attached to the lion man. He assured Zarda that if he ever felt threatened or fell into trouble, he could count on Gibbs to help him out. Gibbs also promised that he and Anderson would make weekly visits to keep in touch. He was well aware of the realities within the Nexus labs, a situation that was not always favorable. Bells chimed from the dock, signaling the impending arrival of the ferry. Those in the vicinity remained alert, preparing to disembark and aboard the vessel. The soldiers stood by, awaiting the ferry's final approach. The captain instructed his crew to lower the temporary bridge.
Gibbs and Anderson led Zarda from the ferry onto the dock. As they made their way, two soldiers approached Gibbs—one was armed with an assault rifle, held securely in both hands, while the other stood close by, unarmed. Soon after, a fourth unusual figure appeared, joining the gathering. A middle-aged woman wearing a white lab coat stood before him, her shoulder-length fiery red hair framing her face. She adjusted her black glasses on the bridge of her nose, her expression radiating delight as she gazed at Zarda, or at least the peculiar light post above them. Zarda felt uncertain, her smile unsettlingly awkward. The woman's eyes seemed to bore into him from the darkness, almost palpable even if difficult to discern, making him feel as though they were piercing straight through to his soul. She then turned her attention to greeting the soldiers.
"Greetings, gentlemen. I am Anastasia Hopkins, a zoologist and animal scientist at Nexus Labs. Is this creature my specimen?" she inquired, glancing at Zarda from the side.
Gibbs was not fond of the title she assigned to Zarda and promptly corrected her.
"Excuse me, Hun. I mean, Scientist Hopkins. This is King Zarda. Now that you know his name, you should address him accordingly," he remarked with a hint of sarcasm.
She grinned and fluttered her eyelashes, deliberately acting as if she didn't care at all.
"Certainly. Now that we've exchanged pleasantries, please follow me," Hopkins said, pivoting on her heel.
The six of them made their way along the wooden dock, then stepped onto a rugged, uneven surface. Zarda felt a sense of discomfort as he treaded on the harsh ground. He halted, his right foot raised and hovering above the ground. Reluctant to proceed, he cast a worried glance at Gibbs.
Gibbs noticed the worry on Zarda's face. "It's alright, Zarda. We call this gravel. Does it hurt your feet?" he inquired.
Zarda nodded in agreement. He was used to the gentle landscape of the Savannah and was accustomed to the warmth of the summers there. However, the temperature here felt different. A sharp chill often swept over him, causing his body to shiver sporadically. So far, he wasn't enjoying this new environment.
"Should I get him some socks? I'm not sure if I have shoes that would fit his lion paws, but socks might help ease the texture he's not accustomed to," Hopkins said, trying to be more accommodating.
Gibbs nodded in agreement. They remained in place as Scientist Hopkins went off to check her vehicle for a pair. Fortunately, she had a few extras with her. A short while later, Hopkins returned, holding a pair of knee-high socks. They were intended for a time when the weather wasn't ideal. The socks were spacious enough to fit comfortably, yet snug enough to provide the perfect embrace. Zarda felt thankful as the scientist approached him carefully. She leaned down and slipped a sock onto his first foot pad, then gestured for him to lower that foot while raising his left one, allowing her to slide on the second sock. As he felt his feet touch the ground, he noticed a shift within himself. A sense of relaxation washed over him. Seeing him so calm brought a smile to Hopkins' face, she urged everyone to keep following her. She guided them to a black suburban, which Zarda couldn't help but think looked more like a steel cage on wheels. Though he hesitated to climb inside, he took comfort in watching Gibbs and Anderson enter before him. The two soldiers had made a genuine effort to include him in their world, easing his feelings of being an outsider or a threat. Inside, Zarda jammed himself into the peculiar device. Everything felt disorienting and uncomfortable. It was a dramatic departure from his simple existence back home. The texture of the seat was uncomfortable to touch, and the metal straps jutting out from it felt strange to the large hybrid lion.
"Zarda, let me help you learn how to use a car buckle," said Anderson.
He leaned over Zarda's waist and retrieved a long, flat strap. "This is known as a seat belt. It ensures your safety while you are in a vehicle, like the one we are currently in. Take the metal end of the buckle and slide it into the latch. You should hear a clicking sound. To ensure that the belt is secure, give it a gentle tug. If it doesn't come unlatched, your seat belt is properly secured," Anderson instructed.
He gazed at his friend with understanding. "You must feel like a fish out of water with everything new you've had to learn," Anderson said.
Zarda agreed with him, shifting uncomfortably as he tried to adjust the strap across his lap. The belt felt too tight, and he found himself wishing they could leave soon—ideally, the sooner, the better. Meanwhile, Hopkins waited for the other soldiers to fasten their seatbelts before she started the vehicle. She turned the ignition and shifted the gear into drive. The black box was not excessively loud like the army truck or ferry; instead, it offered a smooth and soothing ride. Zarda hadn't realized how exhausted he was from the long day, and the calming vibrations from the suburban made it hard for him to stay awake. He shook his head, trying to focus on the passing road lights. He couldn't quite describe his surroundings but could tell they were vast. Zarda had never witnessed anything like it before. From what he could see illuminated by the streetlamps, it was truly surreal.
Hopkins observed Zarda's joyful expressions. "Isn't it beautiful? You should see Montana when it's bathed in light. The breathtaking forest stretches as far as the eye can see. That's one of the reasons I moved here from Texas. I came to continue my studies and to pursue a new career path," said Hopkins.
The ash fault surfaced rapidly, only to be swallowed by the fog-shrouded trails behind them. Above, a pale moon glowed with a nauseous yellow hue through the mist. Hopkins navigated the winding road for almost thirty minutes before arriving at her destination. The car approached a heavily fortified, gated facility. She reached for her badge dangling from the rearview mirror and presented it to the guard for scanning with his flashlight. He then directed the light inside the SUV. He gave her an approving nod, permitting her to take back her badge as he moved through the gates. The heavy steel barrier began to slide back on its track, widening enough for vehicles to pass through. As soon as there was enough space, she impatiently drove through, skipping the final steps of the process. Fortunately, the ascent was brief. Hopkins steered the car toward a gray parking garage located on the right side of the massive building. The exterior was illuminated by several security lights, and the structure featured a façade of white bricks that contrasted sharply with the dark surroundings. They wound their way up through the garage until reaching the third floor, where she found an available parking space and parked. Once Hopkins turned off the engine and got out of the car, she walked over to Zarda's door to open it.
"We've arrived at your new home away from home. At least for a little while, I hope. My intention is to set you free as soon as possible, after we obtain the answers, we need." She clarified.
Zarda struggled to escape but found himself trapped, having forgotten to unfasten the belt that held him. Anderson pressed a button, and the belt came loose, granting Zarda his freedom. He managed to pull himself out and stood next to Scientist Hopkins, who gazed up at him in astonishment.
"You're quite a big fellow, aren't you?" the scientist said with a smile.
Zarda remained silent, waiting for his friends to join him. Hopkins guided them inside, where she pressed a red button located on a yellow cement pole just a foot from the entrance. Slowly, the two black doors creaked open. Zarda's eyes widened in fear as he took in the harsh lights, towering cages, and the crisscrossing metal pipes above. The sounds of distressed animals filled the air with coos, squawks, and growls. A medley of scents assaulted his nose, revealing hints of musky, bitter, and metallic odors.
"What kind of dreadful place is this?" he pondered. The air was thick with torment, and an overwhelming scent of fear permeated the entire atmosphere.
Scientist Hopkins stepped inside, resting against the metallic railing. Positioned on the top level, they gazed down at what appeared to be a chaotic laboratory dedicated to a mad science. The space was teeming with experimental animals connected to various machines. Glass jars filled with peculiar specimens lined the shelves, while some creatures were restrained on metal tables, wired with vibrant cables. Off to the side, other animals paced anxiously in their cages. A piercing scream of despair resonated from somewhere in the back, striking a chord in Zarda that felt unsettlingly familiar, as if someone he knew was in trouble. Intrigued, he began to track the source of the cries. However, his search was quickly interrupted by Hopkins and four other scientists approaching him. He couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. Zarda's attention shifted as the scientists ascended the stairs toward him, while Anderson and the other two soldiers descended to investigate the lab more closely. Gibbs remained by Zarda's side, and together they observed the group of scientists drawing nearer.
"Hello everyone! I'd like to introduce you to our latest and greatest member who's joining us today," Hopkins stated, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
The scientists approached, clad in jackets similar to Hopkins'. Among them were three pale-faced men and one woman. Zarda's gaze was instantly captivated by her. She was stunning, resembling a human version of Natia, he mused. With a smile, he lowered his head in greeting. The scientist shyly reciprocated his smile. Zarda took in her features closely: her full, pouty lips, striking light green eyes, and a slender, oval face. Her long brown hair cascaded gracefully past her shoulders, and when she smiled, Zarda noticed adorable dimples appearing in both cheeks. She was simply too charming, he thought.
"Stop it, Zarda. She's human; she would never be interested in a hybrid, as Gibbs called you," Zarda muttered to himself.
"Zarda and Soldier Gibbs, I'd like you to meet my colleagues. To your left is Scientist Cyrus Rodriguez, followed by Scientist Jasper Simon, and next to Jasper is Scientist Eugene Peters. Lastly, my best friend, Scientist Delilah Becker. Everyone, please welcome King Zarda and Soldier Gibbs," said Hopkins as he made the introductions.
Before anyone had a chance to respond, the black doors slammed shut behind them, and an irritating red light began to flash above. An alarm blared loudly throughout the open room, sending panic coursing through the faces of all the scientists. This was it—Zarda had to decide whether to attempt an escape or stand by and watch. He could hear his mother's voice echoing in his mind.
"Don't hold back! It's when you hesitate that mistakes occur."
to be continued, book
Into The Woods