She stammers for words in her angered state. Dad just stares at his feet. He knew this argument was a long time coming. She takes a few heavy breaths, "Let's just go home and put it all behind us." She was speaking through her gritted teeth.
"I told you no. Dad is welcome to stay here or if he goes home with you, he is welcome back here. But you are not welcome here ever again." I state.
"You can't ban your own mother!" She turns away from me and grabs her purse, "Let's go Marvin, I'm done with this conversation." Dad shuffles awkwardly towards the door as Mother makes her way back over to me and grips my wrist, "Now we are going home!"
"Let go of me!"
She doesn't listen and turns away from me and heads towards the door. I stumble after her, my bum leg hurts as she jerks me along, "Let go!"
"We are going home!" She repeats as she literally drags me down the hallway, through what looks to be a living room, and out into the outside world. The sunlight hurts my eyes and I feel disoriented, "Let go of me!!" I struggle against her vice grip upon my wrist.
"Quit being so difficult." She growls as she turns around to face me. Instantly I'm teleported back to the first time she said these words to me. I was six. It had only been a few weeks after my mother had passed away. My stepmother was angry that I was avoiding her and her group of friends that she had invited over. She dragged me into the kitchen with the exact same vice grip and growled those exact words. It terrified me back then, but now it only enraged me. I jerked against her hold, "Let me go."
"We're going home!" She wasn't listening and it fed my rage.
"I said let go of me!" All I could hear was my heartbeat pounding in my ears.
"Quit this." She narrowed her eyes.
"ENOUGH!" I feel my wings break through the skin on my back. Her grip is released and she stumbles backwards with a very audible gasp.
"I'm not going home with you ever!" I hiss. I feel my tail lash out in my anger.
"...so it's true, you are a demon." Her face had drained all the color.
"Get out of here and don't ever return. As far as everyone is concerned, I'm dead." I glare at her. She grabs her purse and makes her way away from me. "Marvin, let's go."
Dad looks between the two of us. He swallows thickly, but gives me a look of sadness. "I still have to take care of your younger siblings, I can't stay but I wish I could tell you that I love you, Son." Bob or Wade must've shared his thoughts with me as he quickly follows after my stepmother like a kicked puppy. I watch them leave before I collapse. Tyler catches me before I hit the ground.
"Are you alright?"
I don't bother to say anything. So much just happened in such a small amount of time. Tyler carefully picks me back up and his calm aura relaxes me. The wings and tail retreat back into my body.
"I shouldn't have left you alone but I didn't think your parents were violent." Tyler apologizes and I shake my head, "Don't worry about it." He takes me back into the little house that I had been dragged out of. Tyler sits me on the couch at my request. I didn't feel like going back to that room. He stands off to the side, "Do you want me to get you a new bowl of broth?"
I sigh softly and nod my head. I hadn't realized in my haste to get up, I had spilled my food and drinks all over the bedroom floor. Tyler moves almost silently out of the room and over to the kitchen. I place my hands over my face before raking them through my hair, "I cannot believe the audacity of that bitch. Who the hell does she think she is? Coming here, dragging my poor father along, and demanding I return home with her?"
"Your mother?" Tyler questions as he makes his way over and I lean back against the couch cushion. I scoff, "She wishes. My poor mother passed away when I was a young boy."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Tyler sets the bowl down on the coffee table, "Careful, it's hot."
I lean my head back to stare up at the white ceiling, "I was told my whole life that my mother loved me dearly, all the way up to her death. I didn't know until after she passed that my birth is what weakened her. It was a tough birth."
I jerk my head slightly to rid myself of the sudden memories that bubble to the surface, "Ugh. It's so bright in here." I cover my eyes with my hand. There was a click and I moved my hand to see that Tyler had turned off all the lights that were on. He was silent. Offering me an ear to tell the memories, to tell the grief that I never really got a chance to process. "...she was the most beautiful person I ever had the pleasure of knowing. Not just in her looks, but in her daily life. Never in my life had I ever seen a tear or a frown. She was always smiling. I wish you could have met her, I think you two would have really gotten along." I wiped away the tears before they could slide down my face.
"You think so?" He whispers.
"Yeah, I really believe so." I whisper before picking up my bowl to begin to eat my dinner. It was hot but I felt so cold. The hollow feeling in my chest aches as I think over the argument between my stepmother and me. I think over the memory it had brought up. Six years old. Dead mother and a brat of a stepmother. She always gripped me in that vice grip and then would dress me in those stupid clothes just to show off to her wealthy friends and family; especially her father.
I wonder if anyone is caring for Mother's grave? I wish I could see her. I wish I could take her flowers and let her know that her son is alright.
"Would you like me to find Amy so we can check your leg? It must've hurt when she dragged you." Tyler's deep voice is tender. It doesn't shatter my thoughts but gently cradles them.
"Please."
He nods and gracefully leaves.
How is such a large man so quiet? How is he so peaceful? He carries himself with such force, yet he always keeps his power away. He had the ability to intimidate anyone but chooses not to. He's graceful.
My saddened thoughts are now overwhelmed with thoughts of Tyler and just how he carries my heart. I feel bittersweet between the thoughts of my passed mother and the possibility of a relationship with my friend. I shift to lay on the couch, propping my bum leg. I'm exhausted. I cover my eyes with the crook of my elbow. As much as I wished sleep would greet me, sleep wasn't ready to.

"Ethan?"
I jolted up.
"Easy, it's just me." Amy pats my arm gently. All I could feel was the crick in my neck. I blink a few times and yawn.
Sleep must've greeted me but it wasn't restful. There were no dreams. Only black.
"Are you alright?" She asks and I just grunt in reply.
"Tyler told me that she dragged you out of the house." Amy says and I confirm with a nod of my head.
"Not in the mood to talk?"
I looked up from the floor and squinted in the low lighting that was coming from the setting sun outside.
"Do I need to talk to have you look at my leg?" My voice is gravelly and I feel parched. I lick my lips, trying to wet them.
"No, you don't, but I'm just trying to get an assessment of your condition. You may have just woken up but that doesn't mean the infection had completely cleared out of your system. You might still have a fever." Amy says as she runs her thermometer over my forehead. I let out a sigh and lean back against the couch, sinking into the cold cushion behind me. Momma, I miss you. Why'd you have to leave me so soon? "Ow fuck!" I jolt up and glare at Amy. She had moved my leg slightly.
"You can feel that??" She questions.
"I don't know what I'm feeling except anger." I hiss.
"Well calm down, I have to move your leg. Maybe some of your nerves are retaining their pain receptors. That's a good thing." She replies calmly, not bothered by my sudden burst of anger. I go to retort before I'm sidetracked by Tyler handing me a glass of water.
I take it. How'd he know I was thirsty?
I take a sip of the cold water and it sends a shiver down my spine as the water travels down my parched throat.
"Where's your mom buried?" Tyler utters.
"...in a meadow that was just a short walk from her birth place. She adored that place. I can just recall her words about it." I whisper. "In the gentle embrace of the meadow, I sit with you, my dear. The sunlight dances upon the wildflowers, casting a soft glow on the canvas of nature. Despite the fragility in my voice, I paint vivid tales of vibrant blooms and fluttering butterflies, weaving a world of enchantment for you, my precious one. Each rustle of the grass carries the promise of hope, and in this serene haven, I find solace in sharing the beauty that surrounds us, cherishing the moments with my only son." I close my eyes to try and remember the meadow through her description. A fleeting memory.
"That sounds beautiful." He murmurs.
"It was. I don't know about now. I haven't been able to visit her. I was there for the burial and that was the last time I was allowed to go. My stepmother did everything in her power to completely erase her from us." I rub my eyes.
"Sounds like a terrible woman." Amy chimes in, "Your fever hasn't broken yet but it did come down. We should get you back into bed to rest."
"I'll stay with you." He mumbles, somehow able to sense my discomfort with being alone. "Would you like anything else to eat or drink before we go back to the bedroom?"
I think about his question. I don't feel hungry, the broth did wonders. "I'm pretty thirsty."
"I'll bring some more water while Tyler gets you into bed." Amy stands and takes the empty glass from the table. I hadn't even realized I emptied it. Tyler shifts in front of me, "Are you ready?"
"I guess." I huff out some air. He carefully positions his arms around my body to pick me up. I must weigh practically nothing to him. He shifts to make sure I'm comfortable before he makes his way out of the living room and down the hallway to the bedroom.
Once in the room, he steps around the previous bowl of soup that was now staining the carpet, and places me back in the bed. Amy follows shortly after with two glasses of water, "I'll be back to check on you in the morning. Do try and get some rest. I understand that it's been a stressful time but now we don't have anything to worry about."
"I'll do my best." I roll over onto my side to face the wall, pulling the blankets up to my shoulders.
"I'll come get you if anything happens." Tyler reassures Amy.
"I know you will Tyler. How's your shoulder?" She's quick to sneak in a health related question.
"Stiff but it's nothing a bit of stretching won't fix." Tyler replies, "Amy, you should also take a break, maybe find someone that will study under you so you don't overwork yourself as our only doctor."
Amy was quiet for a minute before she lets out a soft breath, "I've been thinking about it. Anyway, goodnight you two."
"Good night Amy." We both reply.
I hear a bit of shuffling in the room and turn to see Tyler cleaning the mess I had made earlier, "You don't have to do that."
"I know." He didn't bother to look up from the floor where he was trying to scrub the soup out of the carpet. I glanced around the room, "Where are you going to sleep??"
He shrugs, "I dunno, chairs are comfortable. I might lay on the couch in the living room."
I thought back to the couch. It was the perfect size for me but Tyler was much bigger than me. He probably wouldn't fit comfortably on it. I look down at the bed I'm on. It's either a king or a queen. I can't tell which, "Why don't you sleep here in bed? It's big enough for both of us."
He looks up at me and tilts his head slightly, "Are you sure? I can make the couch work."
"I don't want you to try to squish yourself on that tiny thing." I shift as carefully as I can to get closer to the wall, "There's plenty of room up here."
"I'll join you after I get this cleaned up." He replies and then goes back to trying to clean the mess out of the carpet. I lay back down and close my eyes. Why does it feel like I ran a marathon? All I could hear was my heartbeat. Am I nervous?? Well I did just invite Tyler to sleep next to me... I can feel the heat rush to my face and I bury my face into my pillow. Dear Lord.
I don't know how long it was until I felt the bed sink next to me. Tyler must've sat down on the bed. It moves a bit and I guess he laid down next to me.
"Thank you for sharing the bed."
"You're welcome." I felt a bit awkward but also calm. How does he always have such a calming aura?
"I'm doing okay." He speaks.
"Hm?"
"You asked me earlier today how I was adjusting to everything. Adjusting to change isn't too hard for me."
I roll over to my other side to see Tyler laying on his back. He had removed his shirt and the beanie; one hand resting on his stomach as the other was under his head as a makeshift pillow. He stares up at the ceiling. I take the opportunity to just get a closer look at his body now that we aren't in a stressful environment. I have to wait for my eyes to adjust to the darkened room. Tyler shifts a little bit getting more comfortable on the bed. Maybe it was strange for him to not be all hunched over on a chair or squished on a tiny couch. I was just beginning to drift off when I heard Tyler whisper something. I blinked a few times and then yawn, "I didn't hear you."
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. Just kind of talking to myself." He replies.
"You talk to yourself?"
"Sometimes, just to get an understanding of my thoughts before I go to sleep. It's a habit I picked up over the years."
"Oh, okay." I shrug.
"Can I tell you something?"
"Sure."
"I haven't told anyone this before, but I feel I don't know how to. It's very personal and I feel I have to share it with you because you shared very personal information earlier." He explains.
"You don't have to share it with me just because I told you about my sad childhood." I didn't want him to force himself to tell me something personal just because I said something personal.
"No, I think it's time I tell someone." He lets out a heavy sigh.
"Okay, I'm listening."
"...I'm barely human."
I was confused, "Well we're all barely human."
"No, I mean barely. You all come from the world outside of the hospital. You all have friends and family. Have childhoods to look back at. Mothers and Fathers."
I frowned as I tried to understand what he was telling me.
"Those few weeks outside in the mountains were the first time I had ever been away from the hospital." He continues.
"But you told me that you used to do odd jobs and that's when you were kidnapped." I recall.
"That was a lie. A false backstory I was given to tell anyone who asked where I had come from."
"Wait," I sat up, now wide awake.
"I was born there." He reveals, "I was the first, I have seen everything."
"You were born there?" I question.
"Yes, the experiments started before I was born. They would inject their testing into my mother to alter me. After I was born, they didn't need her anymore. Being raised there was pretty harsh, nothing but testing; day in and day out. And beatings when it didn't go the way they planned. When Andrew arrived 15 years later, they became slightly more humane. He had become the head scientist and he's daughter was pretty sweet. She had found out what the others had been doing to me for years. Most were fired. But someone convinced him to be a volunteer and once he was changed they went right back to the way things were. It's why pain doesn't really bother me, why I have a hard time with being still and taking breaks. I was never given an opportunity to rest in the beginning."
His words shook my core. I thought we all had about the same treatment, but I was wrong.
"They never gave me a number because at the time, it was just me. They started to give out numbers when they began to bring in more people. I would watch from the lookout. It was interesting watching everyone interact with one another despite what had happened to them, they seemed happy. Something I didn't know anything about. I still don't know much about it either. Everything changed when the incident happened. I was deployed as a safeguard against them but scientists died. I was only one person, yet they expected me to take care of everyone. I couldn't. Scientists died. And sealed my fate. They shot me, and threw me away like trash. Bob and Wade heard my dying thoughts and dug me out of the garage. Mark extended a hand of peace to me, declaring that I didn't have a right to die just because of the fight. For weeks, I could do nothing. For weeks I kept to myself. I didn't know how to react to others." He takes a breath. His story was so sad. "Eventually I opened up when they allowed me to stay after I healed. They held no ill will against me. And the rest is pretty much history."
I didn't have the words. What was I supposed to tell him? How could I ever comfort him? I had been this way for maybe a month or two, he had suffered his entire life. I look at him as I try to pull my thoughts together and reassure him or something but nothing comes to mind. It was a blank slate.
"You don't have to say anything Ethan. I know it's a lot of sad information. I know you probably want to comfort me about it but I have sort of come to terms that this is my life." He pats my arm, "I'm just glad I finally got to tell someone the truth." He stretches a bit and then rolls onto his side, facing away from me, "We should get some sleep."
"Uh, yeah," I lay back down as I processed everything that had been told to me.