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Description
I was thrown back into my cage, head banging against the back wall and wings almost caught by the closing door.
I was in a load of pain, despite doing my best not to get hurt. I cringed, closing my eyes shut tight as I forced my wings into my back, feeling the bones, bones, and leathery skin of my wings bend and break and change as they melded back into whatever allowed me to do this. I was different from other avian hybrids aside from my ability to speak and having actually been in the outside world before, even if I couldn't remember a lot of it. My DNA had been grafted with a vampire bat's. So, not only did I have fangs, I also had the ability to survive on blood and blood alone. Which to my dismay the lab coats had found out a few years ago, and had been forcing me to live on nothing but blood ever since. Why? I had no clue. They were insane, that's all I knew, and just about what all the other experiments understood. They didn't care that I was a fifteen year old girl; I was just their experiment that they needed to figure out.
But that wasn't all that set me apart. Somehow, I had the ability to force my brownish/blackish leathery wings from my back. And no, it wasn't “sprouting” or “growing.” They literally were forced out of my back each time I needed to use them; the bone growing, forming, and changing first every time, along with the muscle, tendons, and skin. I had no clue why this happened, but boy, did it hurt. The scientists tried to analyze and figure out this process for a while - which were also some of the worst weeks if my life - but even after all of it I couldn't understand what the hell their explanation was. It was too complex.
So because of this I usually thought it best to keep my wings out. But not this time. My cage was feeling more cramped than usual, so I had to put them back. Not to mention the fact that I was completely exhausted, and my wings had been aching. I wasn't sure if it was true or not, but I always felt like the muscles somehow ended up feeling more rested when I left them in my back.
But today's testing had not been a good one. It was another flight test, forcing me to literally go through hoops, some of various sizes, and seeing how well I did. The catch though, was that they were moving, all at various speeds, at different heights, and going in different directions. And each time it was a different, seemingly randomly selected one, only distinguishable by a small green light near the bottom instead of red, that I had to do my quickest to find, and best to go through. And each time I messed up in even the tiniest of ways - or took too long to find the next one - I was greeted with a painful shock from the ankle bracelet they put on me. Shocking seemed to be their favorite thing to use to “promote” success.
It didn't help that all of the hoops were a pinkish/red color, causing me to automatically think - if only subconsciously - that they weren't or might not have been the right ones.
And this went on for hours.
I still didn't know if they put me back in here because my testing time was up, or because I was doing so poorly for what must have been the last hour that they decided to just give it up since the shocks weren't helping me improve anymore.
Despite how I tired I felt, resting my dizzying head against the back of the cage after I just had my head smashed against it, I remembered that there was one thing of interest to the test today besides seeing how pained or least pained I could come out of it.
A few times there was a hoop close to the ceiling I'd have to go reach. The first two or three times I didn't notice it, but there was a window near the top of the wall. But not of the outside, no. There were never any windows in this facility. Certainly not to the outside, anyway. They got rid of those after some of the mutants got wily and some avians escaped. I couldn't go with them though.
I figured it used to be an observation deck, which wasn't at all uncommon here. They were always changing, rearranging, and reassembling rooms; making them bigger, smaller, or joining them together. So sometimes they just got lazy and put glass windows where something else might have been. It didn't make any difference though, there was still no escape. If anything those misplaced windows were just another tool they used to keep you fearful and in your place.
But after I realized it was there, eventually I dared to take a look through it. It was only a moment's glance, but it was still something I hadn't expected to see. A part of me dreaded, and knew, that it would be another experiment's testing. But I didn't expect it to be forcing them to fight Erasers. Even more of a surprise to me was that there was only one experiment. And he was winning.
As far as I could see he looked human for the most part. Except for his extremely pale white skin, and silver hair. But beyond that, I couldn't see anything else that made him stand apart. There were no scales or feathers, animal-like ears or tails, claws or fangs. But I also realized that I had been far away, up above, and had only a moment to take this all in before I went through the hoops again.
The next time I had managed to go up was a few minutes later, and gasped in shock at the sight, eyes widening. I looked and saw the experiment covered in blood, on his knees. I wasn't sure if any of it was his or not, but the rest was definitely the Erasers, as I saw a lot of bodies lying around, not moving. The boy with silver hair - who I now also realized was close to my age, a teenager - was looking up, obviously distressed, and appeared to be pleading with the lab coat standing in front of him. The own coat said something short, and it only seemed to make him beg harder. I wanted to know what they were talking about, seeing as the experiment could obviously speak, but was interrupted from my thoughts by a painful shock running through my body. I knew I couldn't have stayed and watched any longer, so I continued testing again.
I only made it up there one more time again, but by the time I had the boy, and the lab coat, were gone.

It wasn't a day later sitting in my cage, my body and bones aching from being pushed beyond what I was capable and not having a moment to stop, that I was snapped out of my daze by a rap on the top of my cage. I flinched automatically, startled, before looking at what stood outside. It was an Eraser, sneering down at me. I felt my blood run cold at the sight.
“Come on out of there, you vermin,” he called. It took not even a second to realize that he hadn't opened it yet. I opened my mouth, preparing to actually speak for the first time in what felt like ages, before I was interrupted by my cage being lifted and tossed. It rolled across the floor a few times, my body and head painfully bashing against both it and the floor multiple times, before I finally came to a stop, on my side. A mix between a whimper and a gasp of pain escaped my lips, cringing as I felt blood from a cut drip into my eye.
I managed to right myself and sit up after some difficulty, and looked over at my fellow caged mutants. Some were huddled, cowering in the furthest corner of their cages, fearing that it might be them in the same position I was in next time. Some hadn't even noticed, staring blankly at the same spot they had before, either because they were mentally broken or because all they cared about was what happened to them and them alone. They must have known on some way that fearing what might happen next, fearing the future was pointless because it wasn't actually happening yet, and might not at all. If only the rest of us were so lucky. Then maybe I'd actually be able to get some sleep. Others still actually were asleep, having grown accustomed to the sudden, random clashes of noise that proved to happen, or were too exhausted to be woken up from their slumber.
There were two mutants' reactions, however, that stood out from the rest. One was of my lizard neighbor, who looked at me for just a moment with those piercing yellow eyes, before turning away. It didn't seem to be in fear though, or apathy. It was sadness. I hadn't seen an expression of sadness from someone else caring for another in a long time, let alone that expression being given to me. It was always for oneself that tears were shed. Caring for another being in this place was almost certain heartbreak, which was why it was avoided. And to see it now...it was almost a foreign concept.
The other was of an experiment I'd never seen before, probably because she had been blocked from my sight from where my cage previously sat. I wasn't sure what she had been mixed with, but she appeared just a little bit younger than I. And her expression was one I never thought possible, and didn't think I'd ever see in all my life here. Her look was one of pure rage. It was a nasty look, and even made me want to flinch, if I hadn't realized that she was not an Eraser, and was trapped just like me.
Before I could dwell on the matter further though, I was roughly pulled out of my dog crate, not having heard the door open, and yanked to my unsteady feet.
“You're coming with me,” the Eraser growled, before looking me over, as if inspecting something.
“You don't look like much of a freak. In fact, you look...rather human,” he mused, before his sneer returned. “All the more ways to make you a freak.”
“Hey! Look who's talking!” A voice suddenly called out. We both turned our heads to see the younger mutant girl, whose face hadn't changed in her expression of anger and hatred. She could speak? I realized, shocked.
The Eraser blinked a moment, apparently just as surprised as I was, before quickly regaining his composure. “You want me to come over there and give you a good beating?” He threatened. At that, the girl quieted down, settling back in her cage as her expression lessened in volume.
Was she new or something? Surely she couldn't have been here for so long and I hadn't noticed her presence if she seemed to be so vocal and expressive of her hate. It was something I never expected to see, nor had even thought of doing, and it left my mind reeling. Even as the Eraser guided me out if the room and started walking down the blindingly white hallways.
After a minute or so I finally snapped out of it. Something was wrong.
“Wh...Where are we going?” I croaked out, my voice a bit rusty from disuse. I hadn't been forced to scream in pain in a while, which I supposed was good. But then again I supposed I got used to the tests in some ways. They always got a yelp or short yell from me though. Not enough practice for a voice.
“Oh, you speak, too? Well, isn't that somethin',” the Eraser said, a lot less surprised after hearing the other mutant before.
I waited a few seconds before I realized he wasn't answering. “I-I mean it...Where's the lab coat?” I asked, my voice sounding a bit better. Whenever there was an Eraser escort, there was always a lab coat not too far away that I'd be given to.
I hadn't realized it until now but we'd gradually slowed down, eventually coming to a stop which I subconsciously followed. I looked around, not finding it hard to see the multiple Erasers suddenly appear and coming towards me and the other. I looked to the Eraser who “escorted” me, only to find him off to the side and leaning against the wall, arms crossed. He just seemed to be calmly watching and waiting, an easy smirk on his face. I felt a lump form in my throat.
“W-w-what's going on?” I got out, my voice shaking not from lack of use, but out of fear now, as I looked from him to the other Erasers beginning to crowd around me. I tried to ignore the hungry, mad dog look in their eyes, and saliva dripping down their muzzles.
“Oh, you don't know, little experiment?” The same Eraser asked in a mocking tone. “You've been deemed a failure after your little antics in yesterday's flight test. Or whatever the hell it was. You've been slated for termination.”
I could just hear the joy on his voice, as my breath froze in my throat. “Failure?” Me? T-t-termination? I felt like I was about to puke, suddenly feeling dizzy and faint.
The group of Erasers closed in on me, getting closer and closer, and all I could do was barely manage a few weak steps back. I was soon backed against the wall.
I tried to ignore the putrid stink coming off their breath, as they looked at me with savage hunger and blood lust in their eyes, paralyzed with fear.
The closest one let out a growl before snapping his jaws shut close near my face, toying with me. Suddenly, something seemed to change inside me, and took over in that instant. I wasn't myself anymore, acting solely on instinct as I was reminded of the fangs I had in my mouth. I quickly snapped forward and sunk my fangs into his neck, draining him of blood in record time of less than two seconds. The body dropped to the floor while another realized what I'd done and went to take action. Before he could, however, I already sent a punch to his gut as he doubled over, before reaching over and snapping the wolf hybrid's neck with a strong thrust of my arms.
That was all I managed to do before another slammed me into the wall, pinning me there, and my fear quickly returned. I struggled against the Eraser's grip but it was no use. I tried to tell myself that it would be best if I just accepted my death right here, right now, but my racing heart said otherwise. I shut my eyes tight in apprehension.
“Hey, stop that!” A voice yelled. I felt the hot breath of the Eraser pinning me move away, probably turning to see who it was. I didn't open my eyes to see who, still expecting to die any second.
“Who the hell are you?” one of them snarled.
Why were they asking that? It was a lab coat, wasn't it? They would never be questioning them...Well, not about who they were, anyway.
“Shut up, you idiots, the lab people told us to listen to him.” The Eraser who'd taken me here, the one who seemed to be the leader of the group said, sounding less calm.
I had to open my eyes at this point, and was shocked to see the silver haired boy from the day before. Only now I could see his eyes, and noticed they were an icy blue color. The combination of his eye and hair color made a striking combination to compliment his features, not being something most mutants had. Their hair color - if they had it - was usually natural colors, whether from their human side or whatever animal they were mixed with, normally being browns, blacks, golden-blondes, or auburns. Yet despite the odd color, it seemed strangely fitting.
“And why the hell should we?” The Eraser holding me continued. “He's just another experimental freak.”
I thought I saw the boy wince just the slightest bit, but I couldn't be sure. He was silent a moment, before a hard look entered his eyes. “Oh, I'll show you why.”
Before I knew it the Eraser had one of its arms pulled back from me, snapped, before it dropped to the floor, where the boy rested his foot against the Eraser's neck. He looked down at it with a cold, empty expression, and I wondered if that was how he looked the other day when he was forced to fight those Erasers. It was an eerie look, and sent chills down my spine.
Just when I thought he was finished - the Eraser groaning in pain at his feet, or at least trying to with a foot to his throat - he wasn't. In the next instant he forced his foot down, and a sickening crack could be heard. It resounded in my ears, and all I could do was stand and stare in shock.
“Anyone else have a problem?” He questioned, looking around at the nervous and shocked faces of the few remaining Erasers. The leader seemed a bit nervous, wearing a wary smile, but also looking a bit impressed at the same time.
Finally, one of them spoke up. “Y...You can't do that! What the hell are you doing out of your cage, anyway? Maybe we should terminate you, too!”
I was reminded of the fact that they had come and intended to kill me, and began shaking almost instantly.
The boy looked over at me, before back at them, his steely gaze set, daring them to come near. Was he...protecting me? I just now realized.
Finally the leader spoke again, grumbling to himself. “I don't care what he is. Project Striker or not, this has gone way too far. Take him out.” He ordered the remaining two.
As they prepared to fight the leader backed away a bit. The remaining two Erasers snapped and snarled at the boy, but I knew that they would lose. I vaguely registered that the leader had headed down the hall, probably understanding that same fact. I couldn't focus on the sights and sounds before me as I stared out into the space, the shock and realization of how close I had been to death finally sinking in. The growls, yips, barks, and finally whines of the Erasers barely registered in my ears as the boy quickly fought them. The faint sound of a howl was slowly brought to my attention as I began focusing on it. There was another noise. Someone...
“Huh?” I blinked, snapping out of my daze. The boy was talking to me.
“Didn't you hear me? I said run, you idiot!” The boy yelled, he sounded urgent.
I hear the howling continue, before being accompanied by a few more howls in chorus. “The howling...” I said, unable to keep myself from focusing on it.
“That coward must have called for backup,” he growled, meaning the leader who'd taken off. He grabbed me by shoulders and shook. “Run, damn it. Get out of here.”
For once I could actually think of someone other than myself while trapped in this hell hole. But then again, I was on my way to freedom of this place, so I wondered if it really counted when I asked, “But what about you?”
“I'll hold them off,” he said, turning to face the direction of the hallway where the howls were getting louder, and closer.
“But – ” I couldn't just leave him here.
“Damn it just move!” He pushed me forward and I stumbled a few steps. Still I hesitated.
The Erasers would make it to where he - I - stood in a matter of seconds now.
“Run!” He screamed, with such force that I had no choice but to comply.
My feet stumbled forward if their own accord, clumsily, shakily at first, as unsure in step as my mind was. But soon I got used to it, and soon I was running. Faster and faster. As fast as my feet would take me, as fast as my body could handle. Because as I ran I heard the sound of growling and panting behind me, practically right on my heels. And it terrified me.
But what scared me more, perhaps, was the sound, further away, of the growls and barks, where the rest of the pack must have stayed. Where the boy was. And I couldn't hear any sound of him fighting back. He could have been getting torn apart that very minute and I wouldn't know.
Because I couldn't look back. If I looked back and saw those snapping jaws and murderous eyes staring into my soul right behind me I'd give into fear, and stop dead in my tracks. Then I would dead, and everything that boy had just risked his life for would have been for nothing.
And so I couldn't look back at him one last time. I could only do one thing
So instead, I ran.

Description
I was thrown back into my cage, head banging against the back wall and wings almost caught by the closing door.
I was in a load of pain, despite doing my best not to get hurt. I cringed, closing my eyes shut tight as I forced my wings into my back, feeling the bones, bones, and leathery skin of my wings bend and break and change as they melded back into whatever allowed me to do this. I was different from other avian hybrids aside from my ability to speak and having actually been in the outside world before, even if I couldn't remember a lot of it. My DNA had been grafted with a vampire bat's. So, not only did I have fangs, I also had the ability to survive on blood and blood alone. Which to my dismay the lab coats had found out a few years ago, and had been forcing me to live on nothing but blood ever since. Why? I had no clue. They were insane, that's all I knew, and just about what all the other experiments understood. They didn't care that I was a fifteen year old girl; I was just their experiment that they needed to figure out.
But that wasn't all that set me apart. Somehow, I had the ability to force my brownish/blackish leathery wings from my back. And no, it wasn't “sprouting” or “growing.” They literally were forced out of my back each time I needed to use them; the bone growing, forming, and changing first every time, along with the muscle, tendons, and skin. I had no clue why this happened, but boy, did it hurt. The scientists tried to analyze and figure out this process for a while - which were also some of the worst weeks if my life - but even after all of it I couldn't understand what the hell their explanation was. It was too complex.
So because of this I usually thought it best to keep my wings out. But not this time. My cage was feeling more cramped than usual, so I had to put them back. Not to mention the fact that I was completely exhausted, and my wings had been aching. I wasn't sure if it was true or not, but I always felt like the muscles somehow ended up feeling more rested when I left them in my back.
But today's testing had not been a good one. It was another flight test, forcing me to literally go through hoops, some of various sizes, and seeing how well I did. The catch though, was that they were moving, all at various speeds, at different heights, and going in different directions. And each time it was a different, seemingly randomly selected one, only distinguishable by a small green light near the bottom instead of red, that I had to do my quickest to find, and best to go through. And each time I messed up in even the tiniest of ways - or took too long to find the next one - I was greeted with a painful shock from the ankle bracelet they put on me. Shocking seemed to be their favorite thing to use to “promote” success.
It didn't help that all of the hoops were a pinkish/red color, causing me to automatically think - if only subconsciously - that they weren't or might not have been the right ones.
And this went on for hours.
I still didn't know if they put me back in here because my testing time was up, or because I was doing so poorly for what must have been the last hour that they decided to just give it up since the shocks weren't helping me improve anymore.
Despite how I tired I felt, resting my dizzying head against the back of the cage after I just had my head smashed against it, I remembered that there was one thing of interest to the test today besides seeing how pained or least pained I could come out of it.
A few times there was a hoop close to the ceiling I'd have to go reach. The first two or three times I didn't notice it, but there was a window near the top of the wall. But not of the outside, no. There were never any windows in this facility. Certainly not to the outside, anyway. They got rid of those after some of the mutants got wily and some avians escaped. I couldn't go with them though.
I figured it used to be an observation deck, which wasn't at all uncommon here. They were always changing, rearranging, and reassembling rooms; making them bigger, smaller, or joining them together. So sometimes they just got lazy and put glass windows where something else might have been. It didn't make any difference though, there was still no escape. If anything those misplaced windows were just another tool they used to keep you fearful and in your place.
But after I realized it was there, eventually I dared to take a look through it. It was only a moment's glance, but it was still something I hadn't expected to see. A part of me dreaded, and knew, that it would be another experiment's testing. But I didn't expect it to be forcing them to fight Erasers. Even more of a surprise to me was that there was only one experiment. And he was winning.
As far as I could see he looked human for the most part. Except for his extremely pale white skin, and silver hair. But beyond that, I couldn't see anything else that made him stand apart. There were no scales or feathers, animal-like ears or tails, claws or fangs. But I also realized that I had been far away, up above, and had only a moment to take this all in before I went through the hoops again.
The next time I had managed to go up was a few minutes later, and gasped in shock at the sight, eyes widening. I looked and saw the experiment covered in blood, on his knees. I wasn't sure if any of it was his or not, but the rest was definitely the Erasers, as I saw a lot of bodies lying around, not moving. The boy with silver hair - who I now also realized was close to my age, a teenager - was looking up, obviously distressed, and appeared to be pleading with the lab coat standing in front of him. The own coat said something short, and it only seemed to make him beg harder. I wanted to know what they were talking about, seeing as the experiment could obviously speak, but was interrupted from my thoughts by a painful shock running through my body. I knew I couldn't have stayed and watched any longer, so I continued testing again.
I only made it up there one more time again, but by the time I had the boy, and the lab coat, were gone.

It wasn't a day later sitting in my cage, my body and bones aching from being pushed beyond what I was capable and not having a moment to stop, that I was snapped out of my daze by a rap on the top of my cage. I flinched automatically, startled, before looking at what stood outside. It was an Eraser, sneering down at me. I felt my blood run cold at the sight.
“Come on out of there, you vermin,” he called. It took not even a second to realize that he hadn't opened it yet. I opened my mouth, preparing to actually speak for the first time in what felt like ages, before I was interrupted by my cage being lifted and tossed. It rolled across the floor a few times, my body and head painfully bashing against both it and the floor multiple times, before I finally came to a stop, on my side. A mix between a whimper and a gasp of pain escaped my lips, cringing as I felt blood from a cut drip into my eye.
I managed to right myself and sit up after some difficulty, and looked over at my fellow caged mutants. Some were huddled, cowering in the furthest corner of their cages, fearing that it might be them in the same position I was in next time. Some hadn't even noticed, staring blankly at the same spot they had before, either because they were mentally broken or because all they cared about was what happened to them and them alone. They must have known on some way that fearing what might happen next, fearing the future was pointless because it wasn't actually happening yet, and might not at all. If only the rest of us were so lucky. Then maybe I'd actually be able to get some sleep. Others still actually were asleep, having grown accustomed to the sudden, random clashes of noise that proved to happen, or were too exhausted to be woken up from their slumber.
There were two mutants' reactions, however, that stood out from the rest. One was of my lizard neighbor, who looked at me for just a moment with those piercing yellow eyes, before turning away. It didn't seem to be in fear though, or apathy. It was sadness. I hadn't seen an expression of sadness from someone else caring for another in a long time, let alone that expression being given to me. It was always for oneself that tears were shed. Caring for another being in this place was almost certain heartbreak, which was why it was avoided. And to see it now...it was almost a foreign concept.
The other was of an experiment I'd never seen before, probably because she had been blocked from my sight from where my cage previously sat. I wasn't sure what she had been mixed with, but she appeared just a little bit younger than I. And her expression was one I never thought possible, and didn't think I'd ever see in all my life here. Her look was one of pure rage. It was a nasty look, and even made me want to flinch, if I hadn't realized that she was not an Eraser, and was trapped just like me.
Before I could dwell on the matter further though, I was roughly pulled out of my dog crate, not having heard the door open, and yanked to my unsteady feet.
“You're coming with me,” the Eraser growled, before looking me over, as if inspecting something.
“You don't look like much of a freak. In fact, you look...rather human,” he mused, before his sneer returned. “All the more ways to make you a freak.”
“Hey! Look who's talking!” A voice suddenly called out. We both turned our heads to see the younger mutant girl, whose face hadn't changed in her expression of anger and hatred. She could speak? I realized, shocked.
The Eraser blinked a moment, apparently just as surprised as I was, before quickly regaining his composure. “You want me to come over there and give you a good beating?” He threatened. At that, the girl quieted down, settling back in her cage as her expression lessened in volume.
Was she new or something? Surely she couldn't have been here for so long and I hadn't noticed her presence if she seemed to be so vocal and expressive of her hate. It was something I never expected to see, nor had even thought of doing, and it left my mind reeling. Even as the Eraser guided me out if the room and started walking down the blindingly white hallways.
After a minute or so I finally snapped out of it. Something was wrong.
“Wh...Where are we going?” I croaked out, my voice a bit rusty from disuse. I hadn't been forced to scream in pain in a while, which I supposed was good. But then again I supposed I got used to the tests in some ways. They always got a yelp or short yell from me though. Not enough practice for a voice.
“Oh, you speak, too? Well, isn't that somethin',” the Eraser said, a lot less surprised after hearing the other mutant before.
I waited a few seconds before I realized he wasn't answering. “I-I mean it...Where's the lab coat?” I asked, my voice sounding a bit better. Whenever there was an Eraser escort, there was always a lab coat not too far away that I'd be given to.
I hadn't realized it until now but we'd gradually slowed down, eventually coming to a stop which I subconsciously followed. I looked around, not finding it hard to see the multiple Erasers suddenly appear and coming towards me and the other. I looked to the Eraser who “escorted” me, only to find him off to the side and leaning against the wall, arms crossed. He just seemed to be calmly watching and waiting, an easy smirk on his face. I felt a lump form in my throat.
“W-w-what's going on?” I got out, my voice shaking not from lack of use, but out of fear now, as I looked from him to the other Erasers beginning to crowd around me. I tried to ignore the hungry, mad dog look in their eyes, and saliva dripping down their muzzles.
“Oh, you don't know, little experiment?” The same Eraser asked in a mocking tone. “You've been deemed a failure after your little antics in yesterday's flight test. Or whatever the hell it was. You've been slated for termination.”
I could just hear the joy on his voice, as my breath froze in my throat. “Failure?” Me? T-t-termination? I felt like I was about to puke, suddenly feeling dizzy and faint.
The group of Erasers closed in on me, getting closer and closer, and all I could do was barely manage a few weak steps back. I was soon backed against the wall.
I tried to ignore the putrid stink coming off their breath, as they looked at me with savage hunger and blood lust in their eyes, paralyzed with fear.
The closest one let out a growl before snapping his jaws shut close near my face, toying with me. Suddenly, something seemed to change inside me, and took over in that instant. I wasn't myself anymore, acting solely on instinct as I was reminded of the fangs I had in my mouth. I quickly snapped forward and sunk my fangs into his neck, draining him of blood in record time of less than two seconds. The body dropped to the floor while another realized what I'd done and went to take action. Before he could, however, I already sent a punch to his gut as he doubled over, before reaching over and snapping the wolf hybrid's neck with a strong thrust of my arms.
That was all I managed to do before another slammed me into the wall, pinning me there, and my fear quickly returned. I struggled against the Eraser's grip but it was no use. I tried to tell myself that it would be best if I just accepted my death right here, right now, but my racing heart said otherwise. I shut my eyes tight in apprehension.
“Hey, stop that!” A voice yelled. I felt the hot breath of the Eraser pinning me move away, probably turning to see who it was. I didn't open my eyes to see who, still expecting to die any second.
“Who the hell are you?” one of them snarled.
Why were they asking that? It was a lab coat, wasn't it? They would never be questioning them...Well, not about who they were, anyway.
“Shut up, you idiots, the lab people told us to listen to him.” The Eraser who'd taken me here, the one who seemed to be the leader of the group said, sounding less calm.
I had to open my eyes at this point, and was shocked to see the silver haired boy from the day before. Only now I could see his eyes, and noticed they were an icy blue color. The combination of his eye and hair color made a striking combination to compliment his features, not being something most mutants had. Their hair color - if they had it - was usually natural colors, whether from their human side or whatever animal they were mixed with, normally being browns, blacks, golden-blondes, or auburns. Yet despite the odd color, it seemed strangely fitting.
“And why the hell should we?” The Eraser holding me continued. “He's just another experimental freak.”
I thought I saw the boy wince just the slightest bit, but I couldn't be sure. He was silent a moment, before a hard look entered his eyes. “Oh, I'll show you why.”
Before I knew it the Eraser had one of its arms pulled back from me, snapped, before it dropped to the floor, where the boy rested his foot against the Eraser's neck. He looked down at it with a cold, empty expression, and I wondered if that was how he looked the other day when he was forced to fight those Erasers. It was an eerie look, and sent chills down my spine.
Just when I thought he was finished - the Eraser groaning in pain at his feet, or at least trying to with a foot to his throat - he wasn't. In the next instant he forced his foot down, and a sickening crack could be heard. It resounded in my ears, and all I could do was stand and stare in shock.
“Anyone else have a problem?” He questioned, looking around at the nervous and shocked faces of the few remaining Erasers. The leader seemed a bit nervous, wearing a wary smile, but also looking a bit impressed at the same time.
Finally, one of them spoke up. “Y...You can't do that! What the hell are you doing out of your cage, anyway? Maybe we should terminate you, too!”
I was reminded of the fact that they had come and intended to kill me, and began shaking almost instantly.
The boy looked over at me, before back at them, his steely gaze set, daring them to come near. Was he...protecting me? I just now realized.
Finally the leader spoke again, grumbling to himself. “I don't care what he is. Project Striker or not, this has gone way too far. Take him out.” He ordered the remaining two.
As they prepared to fight the leader backed away a bit. The remaining two Erasers snapped and snarled at the boy, but I knew that they would lose. I vaguely registered that the leader had headed down the hall, probably understanding that same fact. I couldn't focus on the sights and sounds before me as I stared out into the space, the shock and realization of how close I had been to death finally sinking in. The growls, yips, barks, and finally whines of the Erasers barely registered in my ears as the boy quickly fought them. The faint sound of a howl was slowly brought to my attention as I began focusing on it. There was another noise. Someone...
“Huh?” I blinked, snapping out of my daze. The boy was talking to me.
“Didn't you hear me? I said run, you idiot!” The boy yelled, he sounded urgent.
I hear the howling continue, before being accompanied by a few more howls in chorus. “The howling...” I said, unable to keep myself from focusing on it.
“That coward must have called for backup,” he growled, meaning the leader who'd taken off. He grabbed me by shoulders and shook. “Run, damn it. Get out of here.”
For once I could actually think of someone other than myself while trapped in this hell hole. But then again, I was on my way to freedom of this place, so I wondered if it really counted when I asked, “But what about you?”
“I'll hold them off,” he said, turning to face the direction of the hallway where the howls were getting louder, and closer.
“But – ” I couldn't just leave him here.
“Damn it just move!” He pushed me forward and I stumbled a few steps. Still I hesitated.
The Erasers would make it to where he - I - stood in a matter of seconds now.
“Run!” He screamed, with such force that I had no choice but to comply.
My feet stumbled forward if their own accord, clumsily, shakily at first, as unsure in step as my mind was. But soon I got used to it, and soon I was running. Faster and faster. As fast as my feet would take me, as fast as my body could handle. Because as I ran I heard the sound of growling and panting behind me, practically right on my heels. And it terrified me.
But what scared me more, perhaps, was the sound, further away, of the growls and barks, where the rest of the pack must have stayed. Where the boy was. And I couldn't hear any sound of him fighting back. He could have been getting torn apart that very minute and I wouldn't know.
Because I couldn't look back. If I looked back and saw those snapping jaws and murderous eyes staring into my soul right behind me I'd give into fear, and stop dead in my tracks. Then I would dead, and everything that boy had just risked his life for would have been for nothing.
And so I couldn't look back at him one last time. I could only do one thing
So instead, I ran.