“Tai!” I groaned, shuffled deeper under the covers, and pressed my hand irritably to the wristcom.
“Here.” The speaker paused hesitantly.
There was a grunt, and then Melodie hurriedly said, “Tai, we need you in Sector I right now. We’ve got a problem.” She didn’t elaborate, but I had an idea of what she meant. I scowled and got up, tossing the covers on the floor. It was my job, after all. Day or night. I hurried down the whitewashed hallways, my shoes echoing in the empty corridors. No one was around. I quickened my pace. As much as I hated to admit it, I was worried. It sounded like Melodie really need my help. The huge metal doors of the I Sector loomed up, and I hurried to push them open. The common scene of shiny metal pathways, tall white pillars, and children chained inside the marble circles was broken by a scene right in front of the door. Melodie, along with almost five other helpers, were struggling to hold down a wildly struggling girl with sandy hair. Her muscles flexed as she fought against the ropes attempting to subdue her, and a muzzle was fastened around her mouth. The brightly colored feathers of sedation darts poked out of multiple spots on her body, but they obviously weren’t working.
“I’m here!” I barked, grabbing a rope from a rack by the door and looping it around the girl’s waist. Her eyes locked on me, and I was startled at their brilliant orange. I braced my feet as she yanked. “Get some weak Amano darts!” I cried, fighting to keep my grip on the rope. There was no doubt: this girl was the strongest fighter I had ever encountered. On a limb I lunged forward, throwing my weight into her. I was stocky, and the momentum sent us tumbling. I wrapped my arms around her body, struggling to restrain her. She flashed her teeth at me, and I saw that the canines ended in sharp points. Definitely part Amano.
“Off!” For a moment, I lost my grip. She broke away and started running, but didn’t get very far. The zing of a dart shot past my ear, and a slender needle embedded itself in her shoulder. She cried out and tried to rip it away, but the serum was already working. Her legs buckled, and she collapsed. I frowned. Weak. Yeah, right. Melodie stared back at me, eyes wide.
“Tai! Are you okay?” she cried, running to my side.
“I’m fine,” I groaned, pushing her off and rubbing my shoulder where it had hit the ground hard. The girl didn’t stir as I knelt next to her. Her eyes fluttered weakly as bent over her. I swallowed, trying to convinced myself that my ears had deceived me. Her breath came in fast, shallow gasps, and I flipped her over on her back.
“Off…” she mumbled, half conscious. I froze, staring at her mouth.
Most of the ex-fighters we rescued from the illegal child fighting rings in Melcreed were TIDs- Trauma Induced Disorientation. In all my years, I didn’t think I had ever seen one that was literate. I stepped back as two people in long white lab coats hurried forward. They scooped her up, and I followed them as they brought her to a corner of the huge sector room. I heard footsteps behind me and turned as Melanie grabbed my arm.
“Tai…”
“Yeah. I know.” I activated my wristcom and quickly logged into the data files for the new arrivees.
“Do you know what her name is?”
Melanie nodded. “It’s Bella.”
She stayed silent as I quickly found her info and scanned through it.
Name: Bella
Race: Human/Amano
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 134 lbs
Age: 16
As a note, I added, Note: Possibly literate. I looked at Bella again. The men already had her in chains; on each ankle and wrist, her waist, neck, and one attached to her muzzle. High security. Her body jerked, and they leapt back as she lunged up, teeth snapping. Her eyes blazed as she fixed them on me.
“Kill you!” she snarled. Melodie and I exchanged shocked looks. “Every you bad! Try to kill! I not let! I fight!”
“Calm down,” I ordered, stepping forward. Her eyes widened as the chains retracted into the pillar, holding her in place. “Relax, Bella. We aren’t going to hurt you.”
“Lies,” she stated. I ignored her amber glare and continued stepping forward. She flinched as I reached out, but the chains kept her from hurting me. “Tai.” I stopped at my name.
“What?”
“Schaefer.” I paused. The word obviously meant something to her, because the glare was gone, replaced by an almost pleading look. Having a hunch, I typed the word into my wrist com and held my breath. Schaefer… my eyes widened. Schaefer was a name. I hesitantly clicked on the file. It opened, and I scanned the information. My eyes lit on two words: Least Concern. Which meant that that kid was about as dangerous as a dead frog.
“Is this him?” I asked, showing her the image. Her whole body froze. “Scha-”
“SCHAEFER!” she screamed, and suddenly the pillar was crumbling, and a storm of chains whipped toward me. A searing pain exploded in my side, and I collapsed.
Tai fell. I watched with wide eyes as his muscular body collapsed. “Tai!” Melodie screamed, racing to his side. The chains clanked dully as I slowly crawled back toward the pillar. There was no use trying to escape- the moment I ran a million darts would pierce into my side. Multiple white men approached me, and I growled. A single dart shot into my side, and I felt its effects instantly. As I swayed they quickly pulled on a blindfold and unhooked me from the pillar. The dart wasn’t meant to knock out; just to sedate. My limbs were too wobbly to stand, so they carried me down halls and around corners. I kept my ears trained for any threats, but it was quiet. A door opened, and I was put down. The drugs were wearing off. The me must have known, because they quickly slipped something over my head and pulled off the blindfold. Then, they left.
I opened my eyes and winced as pain shot through my sides. “Take it easy, man,” the young lab tech said, his black mohawk bobbing as he walked around the room, checking vitals and peering under the bandages. “She got you pretty bad. You’re gonna have some pretty bad bruises for a while, though. Kind of surprising she didn’t hurt you worse.” I shifted again and winced.
“I was kind of far back. Do you think-”
“Nah,” the tech cut me off. “If she wanted it, you would be dead. She was in complete control, and it was only through her choice that you're not worse off. Can you sit up?”
“Yeah,” I said, sucking in air through my teeth as I sat. My sides burned like wildfire where the chains had hit me. “I'll be alright.”
“Okay, but don't go straining yourself too hard. Oh, yeah, a girl named Melodie told me to call when you were up.”
He reached for his wristcom, but I cried, “No!” He paused.
“‘Kay, dude, whatever you say. But she seemed pretty scared, poor thing. Seems someone’s got a soft spot for ya.” He winked at me. Ignoring him, I swung my legs off the table and almost screamed. “I’d be careful if I were you. Just because the skin ain’t broke doesn’t mean you’re not hurt bad.”
“Yeah, I know,” I gasped, “But I need to see the Boss.” The lab tech froze and stared at me, but he didn’t try to stop me anymore. Gritting my teeth, I made my way down the halls. I slammed my hand on the elevator, and it dinged and opened with a whoosh. Stumbling inside, I sat after pressing the floor button. Pain was still starbursting across my side, but it was getting easier to ignore. I forced myself up when it opened and slid out. I stopped in front of the boss’s door. The only thing that set it apart was the metallic sheen of reinforced steel. I hesitated before knocking. The door beeped, and I pushed it open.
“Tai? How may I help you? Oh, you’re injured!” Dr. Maarten quickly got up and rushed over to help me to a chair.
“You’re the boss,” I said, waving him away. “You shouldn’t be helping someone like me.”
“Nonsense, nonsense, boy,” he chided, ignoring my complaints and helping me into a chair. “Now, what is it that you want?” He took a seat across from me, ignoring his desk. Knowing that nothing I said would change his mind, I got right to the point.
“The I sector had some new rescuees today.” He nodded. I paused, taking a deep breath before saying, “One of them is literate.” Dr. Maarten's bushy eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he didn’t interrupt. “Her name is Bella. She was the one who attacked me. Dr. Maarten, she is like nothing I’ve ever dealt with before. Her strength is amazing. She broke the chains right out of the pillar. But,” I added, finally meeting his eyes, “I think I know her one weakness.”
I killed him, I thought. I killed Tai. I had killed plenty of people before, but this thought brought me sadness. I paced around the room I was in, which was white and...that was it. I sat and tried once again to unsuccessfully wriggle out of the harness I was in. The chains retracted into a small metal box on my back, and I assumed that, like the chains in the pillar, they could be pulled in just by a press of a button on the shiny things the people wore around their wrists. Accompanying the harness were chains varying in length, but all very thick. They had gotten smart. Something clicked, and I stopped trying to escape, raising my head as the door opened. In stepped the girl that Tai was with, her gray eyes storming.
“YOU COULD HAVE KILLED HIM!” she screamed, and I flinched. “YOU ALMOST KILLED TAI YOU VICIOUS BROKEN UNLOVED UNWANTED MONSTER BITCH!!!” She stopped to let out a wretched sob. “I’LL KILL YOU!” That got my attention. A fight..?
“Fight?” I asked. Without answering me, she pulled out a seven inch long dagger. I heard footsteps as she swung down. I bunched my muscles to lunge at her, aiming for the throat. A blur of a boy threw himself in between us, following by a panting Tai who was holding his sides. In a panic, I flipped the boy to the floor, throwing myself on top of him as the dagger connected. Silver blood sprayed the floor beside me, but I ignored it, instead focusing on pressing myself up against Schaefer, breathing in his sweet scent and listening to his heartbeat.
“Bella,” he mumbled, but I held him tighter, not allowing him to speak anymore. He started to wrap his arms around me, but then flinched back. “Bella,” he said, more urgent. “You’re hurt!” He pulled away, and I tried following, but something was wrong with my right arm: it wouldn’t work.
“Schaefer!” I called, and he crouched down near me.
“Bella, you’re hurt. Stay still.” I obeyed, and Tai called out, “Keep her still. Moving could damage it even more.” He was struggling to restrain Melodie, who had dropped the dagger and just then realized what was happening: Tai had his arm around her and was squeezing. She relaxed, and the moment she did Tai threw her out and whipped the door closed, locking it. He turned to me and crouched down, eyes wary.
“She’s not going to hurt me, is she?” he asked, addressing Schaefer.
“No, she’s okay. Tai wants to help, so just stay still, olright?” After hesitating, Tai gently pressed my back down until I was flat on the floor.
“I don't wanna do this, but there's no choice. I need to remove her harness. Schaefer, keep an eye on her.”
“Got it.” He started stroking my hair to keep me calm, and I closed my eyes, savoring his touch. I could feel Tai pull off my harness, and my muscles twitched. He jerked away, but moments later he was working with my arm, the pain a small comparison to what I was used to. After a few minutes he had bandaged my arm in a swath of white cloth, but blood was still soaking through.
“Damn,” he said.
“What?”
“She needs more medical help. The harness won’t go back on with the bandage, or we risk hurting her even more.” He sat back on his heels indecisively. “Schaefer...do you think she would let me carry her?” At that, I opened my eyes and tried to rise. Balancing on my left arm, I raised my gaze to meet his. His deep amber eyes were thoughtful, and they regarded me carefully. He flinched as I suddenly put my face close to his, so any movement would have our noses touching. He stared back, frozen.
“Bella…” Schaefer started warily. I searched Tai’s eyes.
“No hurt,” I mumbled, pulling away. “Is good.” He blinked.
“Er..okay. Do you think I could carry her?”
“Bella?”
“Safe,” I said. Schaefer nodded.
Pausing, Tai suddenly wrapped his arms around my waist. I froze, but his touch was gentle. He hoisted me over his shoulder, and I pressed my face into his shirt. The blood loss was starting to make me feel light-headed. Schaefer followed us a s we exited the room. Melanie wasd gone, thank goodness, so I let myself relax into his touch. I closed my eyes and let my mind drift.
***
I was carrying her. Her. The sheer incredulity of it all made me want to laugh. Her body was warm, but I was starting to feel the liquid stain of blood spreading onto my shirt. It was silver. There was no way she was part human. I swallowed, listening for footsteps. Melodie had been gone when the door had opened, but she could just be hiding somewhere. Schaefer followed quietly, his eyes watching Bella’s unconscious form. She mumbled something, and he leaned closer.
“Bella?” His voice was a whisper, but she still stirred.
“Sche....ferrrr. Ay.”
“Bella,” he tried again.
“Darts,” she mumbled. “De wrrr. Dnnn like.” A small whine escaped her throat. I swallowed; she might be used to pain in the waking world, but when she was asleep there was no use pretending it didn’t hurt.
I hurried along the corridor, heading toward the room that i has been treated in. So far, no sign of Melodie. Internally, I hooed that Dr. Marteen had somehow been notified of what happened and dealt with her accordingly.
I had been enjoying the warmth of the covers. Like a normal person. But no, when my wristcom beeped with an incoming message, I could only/groan, rub my eyes, and then answer. iiii.
“Whaaat?”
“Tai, we need you in Sector I right now.” Melodie. I sighed, assured her i'd get down there, and rolled/out from under the covers. I knew what she needed. I just wish they'd choose better times to get their new shipments. ure, the cover of dark es was appreciated, but it was inconvenient for those of us whose circadian rhythms were not messed up by PTSD and TID. Which was most of the kids we brought in by the truckload. If Dr. Marteen didnt watch it, wed be filled to the brim with ex fighters. I dressed and slipped into the hallway, and started running. The sooner it was over. The sooner I could get back to bed.
The i sector was filled to the brim with kids. This had been a particularly large shipment. I quickly located Melodie’s long, swinging braid in the crowd. As I approached her, I noticed what she was doing. There was a girl laying on the ground. It looked like Melodie was...petting her? Getting closer, I started. The girl had ears. Cat ears. Her eyes were closed, and she looked peaceful. I knew that could mean nothing. A,manos were a rare sight, which was why most of the time I got to do anything I wanted. Tis must have been why I got called down.
“Melodie, get away. She could wake up any monet, and then you’d be dead.” My warning flew right over her head as she squealed, “Tai!” and pounced on me. Her arms wrapped tight around me.
“It’s been so long since we’ve had an Amano, isn’t it awesome? And her ears are so cute!!!” Pushing away from her, I tentatively approached and reached down. Her pulse was slow, but it was slowly speeding up. She would wake soon. I quickly checked the chains locking her to the pillar and stepped back once they were secure. Melodie and I sat on the silvery safe zone just outside of the girl’s ring, waiting for the girl to wake up. I pulled up her file.
Name: Bella
Race: Human/Amano
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 134 lbs
Age: 16
Looking at her, I seriously doubted the human part. Although, she was missing a tail. I wondered if she could transform. Suddenly, a strange tingling sensation overtook me. I looked up into luminous amber eyes. I couldn’t help but stare as she stood up, her muscles flowing under her silky skin. It was marred with darker streaks of scarring, but there was something about her that made me unable to look away. She didn’t fight. Didn’t make a noise. Just stood on all fours and looked at me. Then, she opened her mouth. A yawn revealed teeth sharpened to pints. Not a human at all. She shook, and then stepped forward. The chains pulled that, and she paused. Suddenly, she reared, using her momentum to pull forward. The chains snapped like nothing and the clang echoed in the impossibly still room. Free, she padded forward. I couldn’t move. Melodie cried out and scooted away, but I Stared as she came forward. Freckles appeared on her face, crossing the bridge of her wide nose. Her eyes were flecked with gold and had a certain intelligence that surprised me. Her nose was a mere inch from mine, yet I wasn’t afraid. She wouldn’t hurt me.
“Bella-”
Claws raked my face, sending me sprawling. Blood smeared on the floor as I rolled once before regaining my composure. She was glaring at me, teeth bared, but there was something different. She looked fierce. Her dears were back, and I realized that she had a tail. It was waving back and forth frantically. I froze as she advanced once again. This time, I was acred. My breath caught as she came forward, stopping so i was at her feet. Impossibly sharp claws protruded from where her fingernails would usually be.
Then, she spoke. Her words were hard to understand with the accent, but she said, “Nye Bella. Yin kayet Morgan. Morgan.” To prove her point, she pushed her face into mine. The blood was slowly covering my eye, but I could see her insistence.
“Yin. Morgan.” She pulled away and gazed around the room.
“Limotet?”
“Nye.”
The words flowed out of my mouth without any thought. I didn’t realize what i had done, until I saw what she was looking at. Everyone in the room was staring. At us. At me. I had just spoken the forbidden language.
“Tai…” Melodie whispered, and Morgan fixed her in a hard stare. She squeaked and shied back. Morgan stepped forward, and a million darts exploded around us. I curled into a ball and closed my eyes.
“Here.” The speaker paused hesitantly.
There was a grunt, and then Melodie hurriedly said, “Tai, we need you in Sector I right now. We’ve got a problem.” She didn’t elaborate, but I had an idea of what she meant. I scowled and got up, tossing the covers on the floor. It was my job, after all. Day or night. I hurried down the whitewashed hallways, my shoes echoing in the empty corridors. No one was around. I quickened my pace. As much as I hated to admit it, I was worried. It sounded like Melodie really need my help. The huge metal doors of the I Sector loomed up, and I hurried to push them open. The common scene of shiny metal pathways, tall white pillars, and children chained inside the marble circles was broken by a scene right in front of the door. Melodie, along with almost five other helpers, were struggling to hold down a wildly struggling girl with sandy hair. Her muscles flexed as she fought against the ropes attempting to subdue her, and a muzzle was fastened around her mouth. The brightly colored feathers of sedation darts poked out of multiple spots on her body, but they obviously weren’t working.
“I’m here!” I barked, grabbing a rope from a rack by the door and looping it around the girl’s waist. Her eyes locked on me, and I was startled at their brilliant orange. I braced my feet as she yanked. “Get some weak Amano darts!” I cried, fighting to keep my grip on the rope. There was no doubt: this girl was the strongest fighter I had ever encountered. On a limb I lunged forward, throwing my weight into her. I was stocky, and the momentum sent us tumbling. I wrapped my arms around her body, struggling to restrain her. She flashed her teeth at me, and I saw that the canines ended in sharp points. Definitely part Amano.
“Off!” For a moment, I lost my grip. She broke away and started running, but didn’t get very far. The zing of a dart shot past my ear, and a slender needle embedded itself in her shoulder. She cried out and tried to rip it away, but the serum was already working. Her legs buckled, and she collapsed. I frowned. Weak. Yeah, right. Melodie stared back at me, eyes wide.
“Tai! Are you okay?” she cried, running to my side.
“I’m fine,” I groaned, pushing her off and rubbing my shoulder where it had hit the ground hard. The girl didn’t stir as I knelt next to her. Her eyes fluttered weakly as bent over her. I swallowed, trying to convinced myself that my ears had deceived me. Her breath came in fast, shallow gasps, and I flipped her over on her back.
“Off…” she mumbled, half conscious. I froze, staring at her mouth.
Most of the ex-fighters we rescued from the illegal child fighting rings in Melcreed were TIDs- Trauma Induced Disorientation. In all my years, I didn’t think I had ever seen one that was literate. I stepped back as two people in long white lab coats hurried forward. They scooped her up, and I followed them as they brought her to a corner of the huge sector room. I heard footsteps behind me and turned as Melanie grabbed my arm.
“Tai…”
“Yeah. I know.” I activated my wristcom and quickly logged into the data files for the new arrivees.
“Do you know what her name is?”
Melanie nodded. “It’s Bella.”
She stayed silent as I quickly found her info and scanned through it.
Name: Bella
Race: Human/Amano
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 134 lbs
Age: 16
As a note, I added, Note: Possibly literate. I looked at Bella again. The men already had her in chains; on each ankle and wrist, her waist, neck, and one attached to her muzzle. High security. Her body jerked, and they leapt back as she lunged up, teeth snapping. Her eyes blazed as she fixed them on me.
“Kill you!” she snarled. Melodie and I exchanged shocked looks. “Every you bad! Try to kill! I not let! I fight!”
“Calm down,” I ordered, stepping forward. Her eyes widened as the chains retracted into the pillar, holding her in place. “Relax, Bella. We aren’t going to hurt you.”
“Lies,” she stated. I ignored her amber glare and continued stepping forward. She flinched as I reached out, but the chains kept her from hurting me. “Tai.” I stopped at my name.
“What?”
“Schaefer.” I paused. The word obviously meant something to her, because the glare was gone, replaced by an almost pleading look. Having a hunch, I typed the word into my wrist com and held my breath. Schaefer… my eyes widened. Schaefer was a name. I hesitantly clicked on the file. It opened, and I scanned the information. My eyes lit on two words: Least Concern. Which meant that that kid was about as dangerous as a dead frog.
“Is this him?” I asked, showing her the image. Her whole body froze. “Scha-”
“SCHAEFER!” she screamed, and suddenly the pillar was crumbling, and a storm of chains whipped toward me. A searing pain exploded in my side, and I collapsed.
Tai fell. I watched with wide eyes as his muscular body collapsed. “Tai!” Melodie screamed, racing to his side. The chains clanked dully as I slowly crawled back toward the pillar. There was no use trying to escape- the moment I ran a million darts would pierce into my side. Multiple white men approached me, and I growled. A single dart shot into my side, and I felt its effects instantly. As I swayed they quickly pulled on a blindfold and unhooked me from the pillar. The dart wasn’t meant to knock out; just to sedate. My limbs were too wobbly to stand, so they carried me down halls and around corners. I kept my ears trained for any threats, but it was quiet. A door opened, and I was put down. The drugs were wearing off. The me must have known, because they quickly slipped something over my head and pulled off the blindfold. Then, they left.
I opened my eyes and winced as pain shot through my sides. “Take it easy, man,” the young lab tech said, his black mohawk bobbing as he walked around the room, checking vitals and peering under the bandages. “She got you pretty bad. You’re gonna have some pretty bad bruises for a while, though. Kind of surprising she didn’t hurt you worse.” I shifted again and winced.
“I was kind of far back. Do you think-”
“Nah,” the tech cut me off. “If she wanted it, you would be dead. She was in complete control, and it was only through her choice that you're not worse off. Can you sit up?”
“Yeah,” I said, sucking in air through my teeth as I sat. My sides burned like wildfire where the chains had hit me. “I'll be alright.”
“Okay, but don't go straining yourself too hard. Oh, yeah, a girl named Melodie told me to call when you were up.”
He reached for his wristcom, but I cried, “No!” He paused.
“‘Kay, dude, whatever you say. But she seemed pretty scared, poor thing. Seems someone’s got a soft spot for ya.” He winked at me. Ignoring him, I swung my legs off the table and almost screamed. “I’d be careful if I were you. Just because the skin ain’t broke doesn’t mean you’re not hurt bad.”
“Yeah, I know,” I gasped, “But I need to see the Boss.” The lab tech froze and stared at me, but he didn’t try to stop me anymore. Gritting my teeth, I made my way down the halls. I slammed my hand on the elevator, and it dinged and opened with a whoosh. Stumbling inside, I sat after pressing the floor button. Pain was still starbursting across my side, but it was getting easier to ignore. I forced myself up when it opened and slid out. I stopped in front of the boss’s door. The only thing that set it apart was the metallic sheen of reinforced steel. I hesitated before knocking. The door beeped, and I pushed it open.
“Tai? How may I help you? Oh, you’re injured!” Dr. Maarten quickly got up and rushed over to help me to a chair.
“You’re the boss,” I said, waving him away. “You shouldn’t be helping someone like me.”
“Nonsense, nonsense, boy,” he chided, ignoring my complaints and helping me into a chair. “Now, what is it that you want?” He took a seat across from me, ignoring his desk. Knowing that nothing I said would change his mind, I got right to the point.
“The I sector had some new rescuees today.” He nodded. I paused, taking a deep breath before saying, “One of them is literate.” Dr. Maarten's bushy eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he didn’t interrupt. “Her name is Bella. She was the one who attacked me. Dr. Maarten, she is like nothing I’ve ever dealt with before. Her strength is amazing. She broke the chains right out of the pillar. But,” I added, finally meeting his eyes, “I think I know her one weakness.”
I killed him, I thought. I killed Tai. I had killed plenty of people before, but this thought brought me sadness. I paced around the room I was in, which was white and...that was it. I sat and tried once again to unsuccessfully wriggle out of the harness I was in. The chains retracted into a small metal box on my back, and I assumed that, like the chains in the pillar, they could be pulled in just by a press of a button on the shiny things the people wore around their wrists. Accompanying the harness were chains varying in length, but all very thick. They had gotten smart. Something clicked, and I stopped trying to escape, raising my head as the door opened. In stepped the girl that Tai was with, her gray eyes storming.
“YOU COULD HAVE KILLED HIM!” she screamed, and I flinched. “YOU ALMOST KILLED TAI YOU VICIOUS BROKEN UNLOVED UNWANTED MONSTER BITCH!!!” She stopped to let out a wretched sob. “I’LL KILL YOU!” That got my attention. A fight..?
“Fight?” I asked. Without answering me, she pulled out a seven inch long dagger. I heard footsteps as she swung down. I bunched my muscles to lunge at her, aiming for the throat. A blur of a boy threw himself in between us, following by a panting Tai who was holding his sides. In a panic, I flipped the boy to the floor, throwing myself on top of him as the dagger connected. Silver blood sprayed the floor beside me, but I ignored it, instead focusing on pressing myself up against Schaefer, breathing in his sweet scent and listening to his heartbeat.
“Bella,” he mumbled, but I held him tighter, not allowing him to speak anymore. He started to wrap his arms around me, but then flinched back. “Bella,” he said, more urgent. “You’re hurt!” He pulled away, and I tried following, but something was wrong with my right arm: it wouldn’t work.
“Schaefer!” I called, and he crouched down near me.
“Bella, you’re hurt. Stay still.” I obeyed, and Tai called out, “Keep her still. Moving could damage it even more.” He was struggling to restrain Melodie, who had dropped the dagger and just then realized what was happening: Tai had his arm around her and was squeezing. She relaxed, and the moment she did Tai threw her out and whipped the door closed, locking it. He turned to me and crouched down, eyes wary.
“She’s not going to hurt me, is she?” he asked, addressing Schaefer.
“No, she’s okay. Tai wants to help, so just stay still, olright?” After hesitating, Tai gently pressed my back down until I was flat on the floor.
“I don't wanna do this, but there's no choice. I need to remove her harness. Schaefer, keep an eye on her.”
“Got it.” He started stroking my hair to keep me calm, and I closed my eyes, savoring his touch. I could feel Tai pull off my harness, and my muscles twitched. He jerked away, but moments later he was working with my arm, the pain a small comparison to what I was used to. After a few minutes he had bandaged my arm in a swath of white cloth, but blood was still soaking through.
“Damn,” he said.
“What?”
“She needs more medical help. The harness won’t go back on with the bandage, or we risk hurting her even more.” He sat back on his heels indecisively. “Schaefer...do you think she would let me carry her?” At that, I opened my eyes and tried to rise. Balancing on my left arm, I raised my gaze to meet his. His deep amber eyes were thoughtful, and they regarded me carefully. He flinched as I suddenly put my face close to his, so any movement would have our noses touching. He stared back, frozen.
“Bella…” Schaefer started warily. I searched Tai’s eyes.
“No hurt,” I mumbled, pulling away. “Is good.” He blinked.
“Er..okay. Do you think I could carry her?”
“Bella?”
“Safe,” I said. Schaefer nodded.
Pausing, Tai suddenly wrapped his arms around my waist. I froze, but his touch was gentle. He hoisted me over his shoulder, and I pressed my face into his shirt. The blood loss was starting to make me feel light-headed. Schaefer followed us a s we exited the room. Melanie wasd gone, thank goodness, so I let myself relax into his touch. I closed my eyes and let my mind drift.
***
I was carrying her. Her. The sheer incredulity of it all made me want to laugh. Her body was warm, but I was starting to feel the liquid stain of blood spreading onto my shirt. It was silver. There was no way she was part human. I swallowed, listening for footsteps. Melodie had been gone when the door had opened, but she could just be hiding somewhere. Schaefer followed quietly, his eyes watching Bella’s unconscious form. She mumbled something, and he leaned closer.
“Bella?” His voice was a whisper, but she still stirred.
“Sche....ferrrr. Ay.”
“Bella,” he tried again.
“Darts,” she mumbled. “De wrrr. Dnnn like.” A small whine escaped her throat. I swallowed; she might be used to pain in the waking world, but when she was asleep there was no use pretending it didn’t hurt.
I hurried along the corridor, heading toward the room that i has been treated in. So far, no sign of Melodie. Internally, I hooed that Dr. Marteen had somehow been notified of what happened and dealt with her accordingly.
I had been enjoying the warmth of the covers. Like a normal person. But no, when my wristcom beeped with an incoming message, I could only/groan, rub my eyes, and then answer. iiii.
“Whaaat?”
“Tai, we need you in Sector I right now.” Melodie. I sighed, assured her i'd get down there, and rolled/out from under the covers. I knew what she needed. I just wish they'd choose better times to get their new shipments. ure, the cover of dark es was appreciated, but it was inconvenient for those of us whose circadian rhythms were not messed up by PTSD and TID. Which was most of the kids we brought in by the truckload. If Dr. Marteen didnt watch it, wed be filled to the brim with ex fighters. I dressed and slipped into the hallway, and started running. The sooner it was over. The sooner I could get back to bed.
The i sector was filled to the brim with kids. This had been a particularly large shipment. I quickly located Melodie’s long, swinging braid in the crowd. As I approached her, I noticed what she was doing. There was a girl laying on the ground. It looked like Melodie was...petting her? Getting closer, I started. The girl had ears. Cat ears. Her eyes were closed, and she looked peaceful. I knew that could mean nothing. A,manos were a rare sight, which was why most of the time I got to do anything I wanted. Tis must have been why I got called down.
“Melodie, get away. She could wake up any monet, and then you’d be dead.” My warning flew right over her head as she squealed, “Tai!” and pounced on me. Her arms wrapped tight around me.
“It’s been so long since we’ve had an Amano, isn’t it awesome? And her ears are so cute!!!” Pushing away from her, I tentatively approached and reached down. Her pulse was slow, but it was slowly speeding up. She would wake soon. I quickly checked the chains locking her to the pillar and stepped back once they were secure. Melodie and I sat on the silvery safe zone just outside of the girl’s ring, waiting for the girl to wake up. I pulled up her file.
Name: Bella
Race: Human/Amano
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 134 lbs
Age: 16
Looking at her, I seriously doubted the human part. Although, she was missing a tail. I wondered if she could transform. Suddenly, a strange tingling sensation overtook me. I looked up into luminous amber eyes. I couldn’t help but stare as she stood up, her muscles flowing under her silky skin. It was marred with darker streaks of scarring, but there was something about her that made me unable to look away. She didn’t fight. Didn’t make a noise. Just stood on all fours and looked at me. Then, she opened her mouth. A yawn revealed teeth sharpened to pints. Not a human at all. She shook, and then stepped forward. The chains pulled that, and she paused. Suddenly, she reared, using her momentum to pull forward. The chains snapped like nothing and the clang echoed in the impossibly still room. Free, she padded forward. I couldn’t move. Melodie cried out and scooted away, but I Stared as she came forward. Freckles appeared on her face, crossing the bridge of her wide nose. Her eyes were flecked with gold and had a certain intelligence that surprised me. Her nose was a mere inch from mine, yet I wasn’t afraid. She wouldn’t hurt me.
“Bella-”
Claws raked my face, sending me sprawling. Blood smeared on the floor as I rolled once before regaining my composure. She was glaring at me, teeth bared, but there was something different. She looked fierce. Her dears were back, and I realized that she had a tail. It was waving back and forth frantically. I froze as she advanced once again. This time, I was acred. My breath caught as she came forward, stopping so i was at her feet. Impossibly sharp claws protruded from where her fingernails would usually be.
Then, she spoke. Her words were hard to understand with the accent, but she said, “Nye Bella. Yin kayet Morgan. Morgan.” To prove her point, she pushed her face into mine. The blood was slowly covering my eye, but I could see her insistence.
“Yin. Morgan.” She pulled away and gazed around the room.
“Limotet?”
“Nye.”
The words flowed out of my mouth without any thought. I didn’t realize what i had done, until I saw what she was looking at. Everyone in the room was staring. At us. At me. I had just spoken the forbidden language.
“Tai…” Melodie whispered, and Morgan fixed her in a hard stare. She squeaked and shied back. Morgan stepped forward, and a million darts exploded around us. I curled into a ball and closed my eyes.