I scratch at the itchy spot on my back between my brand new limbs.
I bet if people realized how painful and itchy sprouting wings would be, they would never wish they had them.
I let out a heavy sigh and looked up at the large white ceiling. I guess white is supposed to be a neutral color, is it supposed to calm people or make it easier for them to lose their minds?
My eyes glide back over to the far wall, near my bunk, recounting the deep scratches I've made to try and at least keep a sense of time.
Has it really been a month?
I cross my arms over my chest as the sinking feeling of loneliness and dread returns.
Will I ever return home?
My parents probably don't even realize I'm missing since I moved so far away from home. They might just believe that I have forgotten to contact them.
I bet no one knows I'm missing.
I bet-
Clunk.
Huh?
I turn to look at the giant metal door that keeps me confined in this prison.
It sounded like someone unlocked it.
Should I...?
I turn to fully face the door as I begin to weigh the pros and cons of stepping out of the room. They could run up and hit me with those batons. They could drag me to the ground and beat me senseless.
But, I could also maybe get answers?

I slowly push the door open.
It had been a couple of hours since it was unlocked and not one guard came by. No one relocked the door. No one came to make sure I was in my cell, minding my business.
I had thought over all the possibilities and my curiosity had finally won me over. The door swings open into a hallway and I take a shaky step through the doorway. I glance down both ways, waiting for an alarm or something, but nothing happened.
The silence made my skin crawl.
I glance down both ways of the hallway.
Which way should I go?
They always dragged me to the right for more testing so then if I go left, I should find something new, right?
I shuffle my way out of the doorway and down the left side of the hallway.
The off white tile was cold against my bare feet, sending a shiver up my spine.
My wings tuck close to my body to regulate my body heat.

I wasn't sure how long I walked or how far I got, but the hallway finally led to a couple of doors that opened into a large cafeteria.
"It's huge..." My voice trembles.
I slowly step out into the open room and glance around. It was eerie seeing such a large room completely empty.
I turned around to look at where I had come from before jolting at a loud buzz echoing throughout the room. I jerk around to try and find a place to hide.
I hurried to a wall that jutted out and took cover.
I peek out and my eyes widen in shock.
Across the side that I had entered through, was another set of double doors, where groups of different people strolled in.
There are others here!!
Are they friendly?
Could they answer my questions?
I watch as the groups breakdown into smaller groups, all going to their respective seats.
If they already have groups within the group, they must've been here much longer than me.
"Long time no see!" A man in a blue shirt exclaims loudly as he pulls a man in a red shirt into a bone crushing hug.
"Easy Ty," the second man groans out, "You hug way too tight."
"Sorry about that Mark," the man known as Ty chuckles, letting his friend go. "Where's Bob and Wade?"
Mark gestures to the other side of the room to the kitchen, "Cooking duty."
"That sucks." Tyler huffs.
"Eh," Mark shrugs, "They make pretty good food."
Tyler sits down in the chair behind him and then props his legs up on the table, arms folded behind his head. I tilt my head more to get a better look at them.
Mark looked to be of Asian descent.
He had black hair and a bit of muscle.
It was hard to really get a gauge of this man when all I could see was his back.
Tyler, on the other hand, was facing me.
I could make out his brown curly mop poking out from under a grey beanie. He resembles a football player.
They started talking a bit more quietly so I was unable to make out any of the conversation.
I scan the room, taking in the different people that filled the chairs.
How many people are there?
How long has this place been doing this??

I sat down against the wall.
My stomach growls and I groan quietly.
Man, that food smells heavenly.
I glanced back at the food that people were digging into and felt my mouth begin to water.
Maybe if I wait, I can sneak out after they all leave.
But what if the food gets thrown away and I miss my chance?
Why don't I just make my way out and get something?
That last thought fills me with anxiety. I am new here. Everyone else already has a group. For all I know, they could just pounce and kill me. An empty stomach was worth the price of remaining alive.
There's also the chance that they aren't going to bring me food to my cell now that I know of this place.
I curl back behind the wall and just rest my head on my knees, What am I supposed to do?
"Ahem,"
I jolt at the sound of someone clearing their throat and snap my head up to see two guys. One a bit on the chubby side and one a little less so but not skinny nor fit. The chubby man wore a purple shirt and glasses. The other guy also wore a red shirt but he definitely wasn't Mark. This man was kinda balding and definitely wasn't Asian.
"...y-yes...?" My voice squeaks out.
"Hungry?" The guy in the purple shirt asks, setting down a tray of food in front of me.
I glance from him to the food and then back to them.
"Don't worry, it's not poisoned." The balding man blows air out his nose.
"I'm Bob, and this is Wade." Bob gestures to himself and then to Wade.
I give them a nervous smile, "Ethan." My name sounds foreign rolling off my tongue after being called subject 1212 for at least a month.
"It's nice to meet you, Ethan, would you care to join us at our table?" Wade asks.
I lean over to glance at their friends and then back to them, "Are you sure?"
"Don't worry, no one in our group is going to hurt you." Bob explains, "We're pretty chill."
I mull over their words before picking up the tray and stand, ready to follow them to their group.
"Nice." They both turn and lead the way. I feel anxiety begin to build a pit in my stomach as I step into pace behind the two men.
"Hey Mark," Bob calls out, "There's a newbie."
Mark turns around to face all three of us and I am able to see his face for the first time. His skin has a dark tan shade to it and his chocolate eyes feel like they are boring holes straight through me.
He grins, "Welcome! I'm Mark and that's Tyler." He gestures to the sleeping man behind him.
"I'm Ethan." I utter.
"I don't recall seeing you around here." Mark rubs his chin as he eyes me.
"I think I've only been here a month?" I furrow my brow in thought. I didn't actually know how long I have been here.
I shudder and jolt forward with a frightened yelp as my tray of food clatters to the floor. I jerk around to see a man gently stroking my wing.
"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." I detected an Irish accent, "I just wanted to know if they were as soft as they looked."
"O-oh..." I pull my wings closer to my body, "Yeah, they are pretty soft to the touch."
"Don't worry, you can get more food at the kitchen window." Wade chimes in and I look over at him, "How?"
"We're telepathic." Bob answers, "Mark and Jack were turned into more of..." He paused, trying to find the right words.
"Demons, you can just say it Bob, we aren't going to be offended." Jack steps forward.
"And Tyler's been turned into a stone giant." Wade chimes in again and I glance around Mark to stare at the sleeping man. He didn't look like he was made of stone.
"So how long have you all been here? Is there a way out?" I question.
"Actually I thought they stopped bringing in new people years ago." Mark shrugs his shoulders. "What's your number?"
"1212." I reply.
"See! I told you that they were reviving Project Songbird, but you didn't believe me." Wade nudges both Mark and Jack.
"Project Songbird?" I repeat.
"It's the creature that's supposed to have the ability to keep the strongest under control by singing a lullaby. In the past it had only angered the others." Bob explains, "Fueling their rampage each time. After years of failure, the scientists deemed it impossible to control them without force."
"You know what that means..." Mark groans out annoyed.
"No...?" I tilt my head.
"The scientists are going to intentionally start a fight between everyone to see if their project works this time." Jack fills me in. He seems just as mad as Mark.
"Wait, they are going to cause a fight to see if I can break it up!?" I repeat, shocked.
"Yeah, don't be shocked if it doesn't work though. And you don't have to fear Mark or Jack, they aren't going to hurt you." Bob rubs his eyes after removing his glasses.
"How many-?" I start and Wade turns, beginning to point out those who were going to be dragged into the fight.
"There's only four demons total, a few gargoyles, and some elements. They changed just about everyone into something else. Mark, Jack, Felix, and Andy are the most powerful here. Mark and Jack get along. Felix sort of keeps to his group, but Andy is the troublemaker, he thinks he has to prove himself as the strongest out of all of them."
All this information made my head spin.
"That's a lot."
Jack reaches forward and lightly touches my shoulder, "If I frighten you, I'm sorry, turning isn't pretty and it can be scary to people who has never seen the transformation before."
I nod as Mark shifts on his feet and rubs the back of his neck in a tired manner.
"I kind of wish they just gave up on this, no offense."
"None taken." I chuckle dryly.
"Oh! We need to protect Ethan, Andy loves power and if you're created to stop him; he'll most definitely try to hunt you down." Jack smacks his fist lightly onto his open palm as this thought comes to him.
"What!" I squeak.
"Don't worry, we'll show you where to hide." Wade clasps my shoulder as if this is supposed to make me feel better.
"In here?" I glance around the mostly open room. There were no secure hiding places anywhere.
"Not here." Bob shakes his head no.
Suddenly a strange, but loud sound screeches through the room.
Several people drop to their knees, covering their ears as inhuman sounds escape them.
"Ethan, run!" Jack yelps.