Another update? Wow, pat on the back! Jk, but here you go! Btw, I finally got an instagram: MelAchenbach. Also, I feel like my fans should have a name, you know what I mean? Ideas? Eh, if not, it's alright!

~Lissa

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"She shouldn't be sent on these assignments," Temp blurted, casting a glare my direction. Nearly four hours later, the three of us found ourselves surrounded by guards, speaking with Amanda at the facility. Like usual, she was wearing a tight skirt and blouse, revealing her envious curves. She was teetering in her high-heels as she slowly walked down the corridor, listening in silence. Her hair was twisted back into a professional bun and bright red lipstick was smeared across her lips. She was still a little jumpy since the werewolves had escaped the facility - because of this, she had guards following her everywhere she went, including the restroom. She must've done cruel and unforgivable things if she really believed that they were going to risk their freedom for revenge on her. "She's basically useless out there."

I gritted my teeth together and Archer bumped his shoulder against mine, catching my attention. "He's only upset because the two of you don't get along."

"He's an ass," I responded, rolling my eyes. Hearing this, Temp whipped around in anger, almost bumping into Amanda. She simply laughed and patted his shoulder, preventing him from retaliating. Archer pinched his lips together and looked down at the marble floor - taking the opportunity, I followed closer behind Amanda, smelling her expensive perfume. "I don't believe I'm useless out there, Amanda. While I don't get along with particular individuals, I just want to make sure people don't get hurt."

Amanda grinned at me over her shoulder. "You're very sweet, Blue."

"She's very fake," Temp commented, shaking his head.

Amanda looked at him. "I understand the two of you don't get along, but it's part of your job to work on assignments together. Temp, you've been complaining about Blue since the first day she's arrived; quite honestly, I haven't noticed a problem with her. She's an excellent addition to this facility and I've never met someone as smart as her before." Amanda glanced at me and I nodded my head, thankful. Flabbergasted, Temp clamped his jaw, angrily. "Whether you like it or not, you two will have to get along, especially with this werewolf we've captured in this facility."

"The one that had escaped before?" Archer asked, doubtful.

She nodded. "Indeed, he happens to be the one who nearly killed me when I was about to execute a loose end, I guess." She smoothed out the wrinkles in her blouse, quickly checking for the guards following us in seriousness. "I ran off, just before he was able to use any of his magic."

"Now, he's back here," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "Purposely?"

"Why would he want to be captured?" Temp questioned, confused.

"We don't know if that was his intention for sure," Amanda responded, quickly. "He was definitely searching for someone, though." Amanda turned down another corridor and reluctantly, we followed after her. Our heavy footsteps echoed throughout the building, sending chills shooting up and down my spine. "We haven't performed many tests on him, only because we've been waiting for you, Blue." At the mention of my nickname, I jumped in my socks and gulped loudly. With her eyes locked on me, she continued, "He's locked in one of the most protected, secured rooms in this building - we need you to enter that room and get some blood and tissue samples."

My eyes widened. "Will he be knocked out?"

"Um, I'm afraid we've had some problems," she answered, slowly. "We've tried knocking him out with our darts and medicines, but we can't get close enough."

"You want her to enter the room of a magical werewolf?" Archer asked, grasping her words. "That's a little dangerous, don't you think?"

"Why can't the guards get close enough?" Temp questioned, folding his arms across his chest. "He was knocked out when he arrived."

"But, someone forgot to give him the hourly dose of our medicine," Amanda answered, her high-heels clacking against the floors. "Thus, he's wide awake and capable of using his magic - he's been stopping our darts in midair and sending guards flying against the walls."

I gasped. "And, you want me to go in there?"

"Despite my dislike towards her, I even think it's too dangerous," Temp said, quietly. "No disrespect, but are there possible methods? Other ways? Some form of safety?" I was shocked that he was stepping forward, agreeing with me about the dangers. "We can't possibly send Blue in there unarmed - we all know he won't cooperate with us. She'll be dead before she's able to stick the needle in his skin." Trembling, I contiuned following closely behind, already regretting our quick return. Forcing a grin, Archer patted my shoulder in an attempt to comfort me; it didn't help. "She probably won't even be able to step into the room without having her blood boiled o-or something being thrown at her."

"I know the risks," Amanda said, suddenly coming to a stop. I turned my head, realizing that we had stopped in one of the laboratories. The main one had been destroyed in an explosion; ironically, the werewolf locked up was the one behind it. She looked at me, her red lips stretching into a pitiful smile. "But, science calls for sacrifice - we all take risks and this is the risk I'm asking of you, Blue. We will have cameras on you, watching everything that occurs."

"But, no guns? No weapons?" Temp blurted, shaking his head. "Watching her react with the werewolf won't keep her safe."

"I understand, but it's a risk that she needs to take for our operation to move forward," Amanda retorted, seeming frustrated. "Will you take the risk, Blue?" I realized that this decision was the most difficult one of my life, only because my life happened to be endangered. With his magic, the werewolf was definitely capable of hurting me without sneaking a glance at me or even simply raising a finger. Amanda gestured towards the laboratory door, calmly. "The werewolf is inside, behind the metal door. We just need some blood and tissue samples."

"Didn't you get samples when he was here before?" Archer asked, curiously.

"Yes, but they were destroyed in the explosion," she replied, exhaling loudly. "Please, make your decision, Blue - time is passing."

I hesitated. "Okay, I'll do it."

I'm scared.

Hearing the thought, Temp pinched his lips together, fighting back the words rising up his throat. Archer ran his fingers through his hair and blew out a deep breath. Amanda clasped her hands together happily and gently, shoved me towards the door. One of the guards opened it and guided me inside, into a room filled with beeping machines and frantic scientists. Nervously, I was holding my breath, ignoring the judgmental looks from my fellow scientists - insecurely, I covered the mark on my wrist with my palm. The guard paused and I grabbed my white jacket from the hook, slipping it on. I twisted my hair into a messy ponytail and shoved a pen, along with a few other things, into the pockets. Then, I grabbed the handle of the cart, containing all the medical supplies, pushed towards me by the guard.

Some scientists stared, others ignored. Pulling out his gun, the guard yanked open the metal door on the farthest side of the room. Impatiently, he gave me a warning gesture - shakily, I pushed the cart into the room, tripping over my ankles. My heart was hammering in my chest, a sweat was layering my skin, and the expanding of my lungs was hurting. The door slammed closed behind me, followed by a loud lock. My eyes skimmed the room, realizing only a single bed relaxed inside. Blankets scattered the floor, along with what appeared was blood. When I spotted him, I froze - his back was facing me, completely bare. His shredded shirt was at his feet and his jeans barely clung to his waist. The muscles in his back tightened as he stiffened, hearing the squeaking of the wheels of the cart. His black hair was messy, sticking out in all sorts of directions, greasy.

I found myself feeling anxious. "Um, I-I need samples of - "

"I suggest you leave," his deep voice came, causing a weird feeling to overwhelm me. I gulped loudly and squared my shoulders, bravely. "I wish to be alone."

"We all have wishes," I responded, quietly. "Most of the time, they don't come true." He froze and slowly, turned around to face me. Angular nose, sharp jawline, high cheekbones - stunning, emerald eyes that captivated me. His muscled stomach twitched and his eyebrows knitted together, confusingly. He stared at me for a long moment, almost as if he was attempting to figure out a puzzle. Uncomfortable, I cautiously pushed the cart closer to him. "I need samples of your blood and tissue." His eyes flickered towards the camera in the corner of the room, zooming in on us. He could've easily broken the stupid camera, yet it was still clearly working.

He tilted his head one direction. "What is your name?"

"What's yours?"

The corners of his mouth twitched. "I asked you first."

"Meaning, you're the one with the curiosity," I countered, raising an eyebrow. "So, you'll tell me your name if you really want to know mine." He watched me for a long moment, oblivious of me preparing the medical supplies on the cart. I was inching closer and closer, eventually reaching a few feet. It must've been the closest anybody had gotten because the sound of the camera zooming filled my ears. His emerald eyes flickered towards the needle in my hand and he stepped backwards, shaking his head. "It won't hurt too bad, I promise."

He grinned. "I'm not afraid of needles - when you've lived as long as me, those petty things seem harmless."

"Then, why did you step backwards?"

"Because, I want to negotiate," he answered, his muscles tensing. "Tell me your name and I'll allow you to take some samples."

"You want to negotiate?" I blurted, shaking my head. He nodded slowly, his emerald eyes skimming my body, lustfully. "Why? You could easily kill me right now; you could probably use your magic to have this needle - " I wavered the pointy needle in my hand, dangerously. "Fly into one of my arteries." He thought about it for a moment, before shrugging his shoulders, clearly informing me he was capable of doing such a thing. "Is my name really worth your cooperation?"

"I believe so," he responded, taking a step towards me. Fearfully, I stumbled backwards, clearing my throat in warning. He frowned, a crease line forming between his eyebrows. "You don't need to be afraid of me."

"I'll decide that," I muttered, straightening my shoulders. "And, I go by Blue."

"Blue?" he repeated, before releasing a small chuckle. "Not only am I curious by the nickname, but I want your real name."

I continued preparing the supplies on the cart, breathing deeply. "Fine, my real name is Thea." He inched closer to me, confusion swarming on his face. "I prefer being called 'Blue'."

"Thea," he muttered, thoughtfully.

"Congrats," I said, slowly approaching him. "You pronounced it correctly." He chuckled and at that moment, I noticed his dimples highlighted by the fluorescent lighting. Prepared to collect the samples, I awkwardly gestured towards the bed. "Uh, take a seat." Reluctantly, he turned around and flopped down on the bed, relaxing against the cracked headboard. His long, lean body lounged across the lumpy mattress, his right arm extended towards me. Hesitantly, I bent forward and started cleaning his arm in order to draw a pint of blood. "Now, your turn - what's your name?"

"Ethen." I forced a grin at him and gently shoved the needle into his skin. When my finger against his skin, sparks tingled throughout my body; oddly, he seemed pleased. When the warm blood started swirling through the tube, I looked towards his face, only to realize that he was staring at me. "Is blue your favorite color?"

"No," I answered, pursing my lips together. "My first day here, I was wearing blue nail-polish and for scientists, nail-polish is prohibited. Of course, I wasn't paying attention to the rules." I nibbled on my bottom lip, feeling his eyes heavy on me. "That's how I got my nickname."

"Poor nickname," he said, his emerald eyes gleaming. "I'll think of a better one." My chest tightened and my stomach knotted inside of me. He released a throaty laugh and looked up at the ceiling, his chest slowly rising, then falling. "That is, if you return here." When I received enough blood, I carefully removed the needle, not sparing a glance at him. Realizing that I wasn't going to respond to his words, he licked his dry lips and shifted on the bed. "How long have you been working here?"

Startled by the question, I froze. "Uh, two months."

"Not very long," he muttered, watching as I reached for a bandage off the cart. I peeled off the paper and when I moved to apply it to his arm, he quickly grabbed my wrist. I released a small scream and nearly crumbled to the floor in surprise - the sparks returned, shooting throughout me. Noticing my expression, he released my wrist and cleared his throat, gesturing towards his arm. "I don't need a bandage - it'll heal." He was right because within the next thirty seconds, there wasn't a hole anymore. "Better to save the bandage for someone who needs it."

I gulped loudly and agreeing, placed the bandage back onto the cart. Then, I started preparing for the tissue samples. "The tissue sample will hurt a little bit more, just a warning."

"I'm assuming you're trying to understand how I'm capable of healing so fast, like just before," he said, slowly. "Believe it or not, but I'm not so sure myself - I've heard many theories and haven't found the limit, you know?" His gaze shifted towards the ceiling, a curious expression on his face. "I've stabbed myself in the chest. . . I've cut-off one of my fingers and somehow, another grew back. . . rapid cellular regeneration is how I'd classify it, but the question isn't what is it? But, how do I have it?"

"Precisely," I mumbled, forcing a grin. "So, you haven't discovered your limit?"

"No, I haven't," he answered, honestly. "I've died several times, but my body always heals and I find myself back here." Having no idea what to say, I simply nodded and shoved the different needle into his skin. He flinched, though exhaled loudly as if it wasn't a big deal. "Humans, as yourself, probably consider it a miracle - or want it yourself, but I would never wish it for you. Not because I'm selfish or want the end of the human population. I'm not aging anymore and I can't die, so I'm stuck. Being stuck isn't a good feeling, especially during your bad days."

"That's a little sad," I said, quietly. "You make it sound as if you don't enjoy this world."

"Well, look at my position," he joked, gesturing towards his arm. I gave a nervous laugh and he crossed his ankles, calmly. "No, I've lived for hundreds of years and unfortunately, I've only seen the violent, cruel nature of humans. I've seen your wars, your selfish desires, your lies; thus, I've never been particularly fond of humans or the planet they inhabit." He pinched his lips together when I removed the needle, finally having my tissue sample. "This facility isn't changing my opinion."

"Not all of us are bad," I told him, shrugging.

He raised an eyebrow. "Neither are we." I watched as the hole in his arm healed, leaving behind drying blood. I straightened beside the bed and approached the cart, quietly. "I have my morals - I don't wish to harm anyone. But, I will if I feel endangered or my family is being threatened."

"You've killed several guards here."

"Self-defense," he answered, calmly. "I haven't harmed you, have I?"

"Not yet."

"And, I won't," he promised, grinning. I started pushing the cart towards the door and he took a step towards me, speaking. "You will return?"

I looked over my shoulder at him. "I don't know."

With that, I left the room, feeling the heaviness of my heart.