I hear Tyler mumble. His chest vibrates with his deep voice. I can't exactly make out who he is speaking to. I shift a bit, rubbing my eyes so I can see.
I felt groggy. I feel a hand on my head, pushing it back down to where it was resting, "It's alright, go back to sleep."
I grumble. I want to know who is in the room.
"It's just Molly." Tyler whispers.
I yawn and stretch a bit. My back was starting to ache in this crouched position, "...can we lay in bed? My back hurts."
"Of course." He replies.
I feel a different presence move closer to us and I guessed that Molly had joined us to check on Asher. She probably picked him up so Tyler can get up.
"There's a bed right down the hallway." Another voice speaks but I don't recognize it as Molly's voice.
I sit up a bit more, now wide awake.
My eyes adjust to the darkness and I see, "Agent London."
Why did Tyler tell me it was Molly?
I glanced around to see that Molly was indeed in the room, feeding Asher.
"Mr. Wright." London replies.
I stand, my leg and back throbs from the sudden movement, "Did you need something?" I cross my arms. I didn't like that she was here.
"I was just speaking with Mr. Foster," She gestures to Tyler.
"Yeah, but why are you in the nursery?" I tilt my head slightly, swallowing the snarl that was building in my throat.
"I was just doing a check on everyone as it is my job to do." She explains briefly.
"You're a strange being." I tell her, "Taking in a bunch of loose experiments, keeping us confined to a building with the notion of keeping us away from the government. Sure, we needed your help in the beginning, but now it feels like we are being hindered."
"Ethan," Tyler says but I ignore him.
"It is for your safety. The government would not hesitate to shoot you on sight." London replies swiftly.
"Have you ever thought that maybe we don't want your protection? Maybe we want to be free? Maybe we don't want to be trapped in a building while we wait for a case that would drag on for as long as possible. Maybe we want our children to live their lives beyond walls." I counter. I can feel my body shift with the anger that was beginning to stir down in my stomach. My teeth are beginning to sharpen in my mouth.
"I understand that-" She starts.
"Do you?" I interrupt, "Have you ever been strapped down to a metal slab of a table, naked, in a freezing cold room? Have you ever had bright lights shining directly in your face? Have you ever been surrounded by unknown people in strange doctor outfits poking and prodding you? Putting who knows what into your body??" I step forward with each sentence, getting closer and closer to her, "Have you ever been isolated in a room that was designed to make you feel insane while your body undergoes changes that you don't understand??"
"Uh, no-"
"No, of course not." I growl, now almost face to face with her, "So don't you say that you understand. You don't understand. You don't understand the pain and torture we've been through. You don't understand the death we've gone through. And why? All because some idiot wanted power? Some government wanted to make weapons to destroy the world and control it even more? So excuse me if we don't outright trust you. You are merely another corporation. Another building. Another wall. Just another obstacle in our way."
"Ethan," Tyler's hand clasps my shoulder but I don't back down.
"...no, no, you are right. I don't understand any of that. I have never been experimented on nor have I undergone any body changes. But I feel it is my responsibility to help you." London replies.
"Oh yeah? And why is that?" I ask.
"Travis was my father." She spills.
"Excuse me?" Molly asks before I can pull my jaw off the floor.
She nods her head, "He did a lot of important things for the government. He started off helping people, but once the government offered him the position of testing on humans to make new weapons, it seemed that the power to make whatever he wanted went to his head. He started staying later and later and eventually stopped coming home. So yes, it is my responsibility to take you in and care for you."
"To right your father's wrong?" I ask.
"Yes." She answers.
I wasn't sure what to do with the information she spilled. I step back and turn away from her.

She let out a sigh, "I was hoping to keep this information from you all but it goes deeper than you think it does."
"What does that mean??" Felix asks.
We had awakened the other leaders and now we're all stuffed into a smaller room with very sleepy people.
"Take your wife for example." London plops down a file in front of Felix. He stares at it for a second and then goes back to her. She nods for him to open it. He flips open the file.
There is a picture of a young woman.
She's gorgeous.
She had long dark hair, and rounded brown eyes. Her face is smooth but just a little sharp in her cheeks and jaw. One would believe her to be a model just off her looks. The picture seemed to be some kind of mugshot, it cut off just below her collar bone.
"Maria..." He whispers. He leans over and begins to scan whatever the document states. From the faster shifting in his eyes, whatever he was reading seemed to make him upset. He stands abruptly and slams his hand over the file, crumbling the paper, "What the fuck is this nonsense!?" Spit flings from his mouth, teeth sharp, and pointy ears flat back against his head in pure rage.
"I told you, it's deeper than you think." London repeats herself.
"That's bullshit!" He snaps, "That my lovely Maria was hand selected to fall in love with me!?"
What?
"She was." London nods, "Studied for years to make sure she was the perfect candidate for you specifically. Actually originally she was your test dummy, you were supposed to kill her."
"To kill my Maria?" He seethes.
"Yes, to kill her." She answers him, "Each one of you were supposed to get a person that was going to be a test dummy to see how well your destruction could truly be."
Felix turns around and kicks his chair across the room. It crashes against the wall. He takes a few steps away and you could see the anger and panic building from how rapidly he was breathing.
Oh, God, is he going to faint again?
I stand to make my way over to him, "Felix?"
He doesn't even blink to acknowledge me. He has one hand placed upon his chest and the other rest lower on his abdomen. He's hunched over as he gasps for breath.
"Felix!" I grab at his arm to snap him out of his state. I feel the jolt that goes through his body and he suddenly goes still. He stands straight up and takes in a very deep breath through his nose.
"A test dummy, huh?" His voice holds no emotion. His hands fall to his sides.
"That's all she was? A test dummy?" The anger was slowly pooling in his eyes.
"I'm sorry that you ever had to find out this way Mr. Werner, but it's the painful truth." London speaks softly, trying to defuse his anger. He jerks around to face her, "You're sorry!" Spit again flies from his mouth, "Is that supposed to be magic words that makes everything better!!"
"Of course not!" She defends, "I'm sorry that this ever happened to you-"
"She was ripped away from me!! Screaming and crying in pain and you're sorry!?!" He roars. "Not only that you stole my wife from me, but you took my child as well!!! I spent years stewing in lies!!!"
"You have every right to be angry-" London can barely get out her words before Felix interrupts her again, "Anger doesn't even begin to explain my feelings!!" His balls his hands into fists.
"I don't know what to tell you. My father should have never taken your lives and used you all as guinea pigs. I was merely a child when this all happened and I can only, now, start to make what he did right." She keeps her voice low. She almost looked on the verge of tears. "I know that sorry cannot fix what has been done to you. It can't bring back those you've lost. But it's all I can offer with my protection."
Felix huffs heavily, his breathing is becoming shallow again. He folds his arms, digging his nails into his skin.
"Wait, so were we monitored as well??" Jack's voice rips the tension apart.
London takes her eyes off Felix and looks at Jack, "Yes." She tossed down some more files, "You were all hand picked."
I lean over to the table and grab the file with my name on it. I nibble my lip as I open it. In the corner is my mugshot.
I must be fifteen in this picture.
Underneath it is papers of stuff.
It has my name, my weight, my height, my eye color, my hair color, my nationality. It kept going; into even more personal information.
"He made me an orphan specifically for this!?" Jack hollers.
I start to get nervous the further I read down the pages.
"Felix, let's calm down." Tyler speaks up and I look up from the papers. Felix was absolutely pale in the face. His arms were bleeding from how deep he dug his nails. He seemed to be staring off into the distance. His breathing was extremely shallow.
"Felix...?" I ask cautiously.
Tyler stands from his seat, "Think it through Felix, don't do it."
Jack stands as well, "Fe?"
Felix didn't acknowledge anyone.
His whole body was ridged. His mouth just barely opens, "...fair..."
I could only make out one word from his sudden mumbling.
In a blink of an eye, both Tyler and Felix launched forward! Felix reaches for London and Tyler reaches to get Felix.
Tyler's longer reach just grasps Felix as his hand grabs London's shirt. His grasp is so tight his knuckles turn white instantly. London jolts backwards at the speed of both men.
"Tyler," Felix huffs, "Let go."
"I can't do that Felix." Tyler replies, "Let go before you do something regrettable."
His hand starts to shake.
Tears begin to slip down the right side of his face. Black tears.
Jack moves over to London and tries to pry her loose, "Felix, please let go. It's not her fault this happened."
"J-jack..." Felix stammers.
Jack moves forward to Felix and pulls him into a tight hug, "I know it hurts, but please rethink your decision."
Jack steps back and looks at Felix with a hopefully look. Tyler slowly loosens his grip and Felix shifts backwards, his hand slowly letting go of London's shirt.
He was still shaking.
He takes a few steps back and then turns back to the far wall. He crouches, gripping at his head. His wings sprout from his back and he jerks up suddenly!
I have to cover my ears from the sheer volume of his yowl. Before anyone could jump in the way, Felix lunges across the room and grabs London. With a couple of pumps of his wings, they crash through the wall!!
"FELIX!! STOP!" Jack yells, taking off after them.

I have to crane my neck backwards to see Felix high in the sky, London dangling from his grip.
"He's going to kill her!"
"We have to stop him!"
Mark takes off from the ground, pumping his wings as hard as he can.
Suddenly everyone is surrounded by an enormous electric blue glow and Mark slows to a complete stop in the sky.
He's stopping time!
"FELIX WAIT!" Jack hollers before the glow swallows us as well. It's hard to tell what is happening now. I can make out a blood curling scream before we all stumble forward from the sudden start of time.
"I got you!" Mark yells as he races to catch up to London, who is now free falling!
Felix stays in the air before he jerks to the side and then races back inside the building that he just busted out of.
"Felix!"
He didn't slow down nor stop to acknowledge his name.
"Get a doctor!" Mark hollers.
Jack disappears from next to me. Mark lands nearby. I hurry over and gag at the sight of her missing the bottom half of her legs, "Oh God-"
"Quick! We have to slow the bleeding!" Mark snips.
I fumble taking my shirt off and wrapping it around her wounds, trying to slow the bleeding.

"She'll pull through." The doctor sighs heavily as he looks through his paperwork.
"Did he actually just do that?" I looked over at Jack as the shock was just starting to set in.
"I...I don't think he could- I think he snapped?" Jack replies, he sounds confused.
"Where did he even go??" The doctor asks.
"No one has been able to find him since he rushed back into the building. Tyler can't spot him either." Mark rakes his fingers through his hair.
Jack nibbles on his thumb, his face is kind of pale.
"Jack? Are you alright??" I ask him softly. He doesn't speak but slowly moves over to London's side and picks up some of her hair. He brings it closer to his face and then lets out a sound, "I know where he went."
"Where??" I ask.
"Felix's time ability is a lot more complicated than he lets on. He quit using it because it takes years off the users life. As a young man, he used it quite a lot. He was aging rapidly. He was trying to change fate, to bring her back, but no matter what he changed in the timeline, she was gone. He could only extend his time little by little with her. He was killing himself for her. And then it happened." He starts explaining.
"What happened?" The doctor asks.
"He couldn't go back. He was down to his last years. Out of frustration, Felix tried to force time to take him back. He struck quite a few people in his anger. Some died. I was there. Felix found out that day that he could take time from others to extend his own. But seeing that I was hurt, he stopped. Vowing to never use his ability again." Jack had brushed some of his hair to the side, showing off grey hairs that I had never seen before, "I aged at least 10 years."
"Are you saying that he took not only her legs, but years off her life?" The doctor asks.
"It's why her hair is grey here." Jack holds up the grey hair, "He probably didn't take too much so she won't die any time soon."
"How did you know that you aged 10 years?" I ask.
"Aging rapidly is a strange thing to go through. You feel it in your body and you could see it in my face. He did replace a few years, but not much." Jack explains.
"Are you saying he went back to Maria?" Mark asks.
"Probably. I mean he just learned such damning information." Jack answers, "He hasn't seen her in years."
"How many years does it take to go back?" I tilt my head, trying to make sure I understand Felix's ability.
Jack shrugs, "I don't know. If it's more than he needs for a visit, he might use the extra years for someone else."
The realization struck us like lightning.
"Hailey!"
We all looked at each other.
"Should we find her and see if he paid her a visit??" The doctor asks
"It's not like we can change anything. It would just confirm that Felix stopped at his daughter before leaving." Jack shakes his head.
"Let us let Agent London heal, we should announce to the others that Felix seems to have snapped." Mark turns to the door and makes his way over. Jack and I follow him.
Now what are we supposed to do? We were planning on escaping and now Felix is missing completely.
Mark glances at Jack, "He took years off you?"
"I kept it to myself. I didn't want you to fight him. He's been such a wreck." Jack answers, he keeps his gaze on the floor.
"How old are you??" I ask.
Jack looks back at me, "Well right at the time of Felix's attack, I was 26. But then he took 10 years," He makes a face and then counts on his fingers before pushing some down, "Uh? I think I'm like 40 something?? It's very confusing. I just try to keep it easy, I don't bother celebrating birthdays anymore."
"It messed you up that bad?" I tried to understand, "It seems like his ability could really be overpowering if he actually used it to its full potential."
"Yeah, it's overpowered, but the price it takes to be that way humbled him quickly." Jack replies.
"How come it wouldn't work in his last years?" I ask.
"You are full of questions." Mark states.
"I don't think Felix would tell me if I asked him." I reply.
"You need years to jump through time. Apparently it's a certain amount, I don't know the amount though, and eventually he just ran out." Jack fiddles with his hair before he lets out a breath through his teeth, "It wasn't pretty to watch. It breaks my heart to watch him fall completely apart. There is just no way to help him."
Mark pulls Jack against his side, "We can help him. It'll just take a long time. I think he is afraid that if he heals, he'll lose her forever."
"What if he doesn't return?" I ask and the silence is heavy. Jack shifts more against Mark, who turns his head to send me a slight glare. I make a face, trying to apologize. I wasn't trying to upset Jack, it was a pretty valid question.
We stay in the heavy silence as we continue down the hallway. Mark slows a bit and then he glances at the side.
There's a row of windows that we walk up on and he stops his movements. I nearly ran into the couple and then I turned my head to look through the windows as well.
"...it's all we will ever be."
"Hm?" Jack and I question.
"Experiments. We could try for years to change it but it's all we will ever be for the rest of our lives." Mark says. Through the windows was rows and rows desks with agents behind them doing their work. Some staring at computer screens. Probably monitoring us.
"You know we should do something to try and lift everyone's spirits." I suggest, "All of this is becoming extremely depressing."
"What should we do?" Jack asks.
"I dunno," I shrug, "I don't think party is the right word."
"Love," Jack looks up at Mark.
Mark pushes his hair back out of his face, "Yes?"
"Is there a portal you can open to take us anywhere? Ethan's right, this building is just too depressing." Jack asks.
Mark frowns a bit as he mulls over the conversation. He rubs his chin, "I'm not sure but I can see what I can do."
"I'm going to check on Tyler." I move around the couple. We hadn't seen him since Felix disappeared into the building.
"Alright, if we figure anything out, we'll let you know." Jack says as I continue down the hallway.

I felt like I had looked all over this stupid building and still had yet to find Tyler.
How can someone so large hide so easily???
"Oi! Eth!"
I look around for whoever is calling my name. I smile a bit when I catch sight of Hailey and Rose. Both walk towards me.
Hailey looks like she has aged down. She skin looked brighter. Her hair was longer again, and shiny. She smiles brightly. Rose follows her swiftly. He also looks a bit younger. His usual mohawk was changed to a shorter hair cut.
"Look at this!" Hailey holds out her arms and then gestures to her skin. "I woke up like this!"
Should I tell her?? She seems so happy with this sudden change in her appearance. I don't want to ruin her mood, especially since we aren't sure that her father is coming back.
"Wow, what kind of body wash are you using??" I lean over to have a closer look at her skin.
"I'm not using anything special. It's just some kind of something?? Also it's a little weird that my hair suddenly grew so fast over night. Is that normal?" She questions.
"Uh? I don't know. Maybe it has something to do with your testing??" I suggest. Does adding years change your hair? I would understand your skin looking younger and I'm sure your body would feel much healthier but your hair??? This time ability doesn't make any sense.
"You might be right." Rose agrees with me, "None of us are scientists so, honestly, who knows. That testing still might have side effects."
"Have you guys seen Tyler? I was going to talk to him but I can't seem to find him anywhere." I ask.
"The last place I saw he was in the nursery." Rose says.
"Have you seen Dad? I want to show him my new appearance." Hailey grins.
"No, I haven't seen Felix." I shake my head no, quickly biting the inside of my cheek over the lie.
"Hm, well I hope everything works out between you guys." Hailey smiles, "Come on Rose, let's go find Dad!"
"Right behind you." Rose smiles as well and the three of us separate ways.
I head up to the nursery and slow down when I hear someone singing.

(Verse 1)
"As I hold you close, my child so dear,
I whisper dreams into your ear.
A future bright, a path unseen,
Filled with wonders, yet to be gleaned.

(Chorus)
Hush now, my son, drift to sleep,
In your dreams, the promise we'll keep.
You'll soar high, reach for the sky,
With wings unfurled, you'll learn to fly.

(Verse 2)
In your eyes, I see a world anew,
A world of hope, a world so true.
With every heartbeat, with every sigh,
I'll be here to watch you touch the sky.

(Chorus)
Hush now, my son, drift to sleep,
In your dreams, the promise we'll keep.
You'll soar high, reach for the sky,
With wings unfurled, you'll learn to fly.

(Bridge)
Through the trials, through the tests,
You'll rise above, you'll do your best.
With courage strong, and heart so bold,
You'll conquer mountains, you'll break the mold.

(Chorus)
Hush now, my son, drift to sleep,
In your dreams, the promise we'll keep.
You'll soar high, reach for the sky,
With wings unfurled, you'll learn to fly.

(Outro)
So sleep now, my precious one,
Tomorrow's journey has just begun.
But know this, my child, come what may,
I'll walk beside you, every step of the way."
I leaned on the doorframe since the door had been left open. I fold my arms and watch as Tyler shuffles around the nursery, quietly humming the tune to the song as he rocks Asher.
I didn't know he could sing. His voice is a little rough on some notes but it's not terrible. My eyes slowly follow him.
I drink in the lovely sight before me.
I grip the shirt at my chest and squeeze slightly, I love you. I love you so much. How do I deserve you? How can you just take me back after what I said to you? I told you that I didn't want to continue our relationship. I don't understand you. Shouldn't you be angry with me? I broke your heart, didn't I?
Do you just have that much trust in me? 'As long as you stay by my side.' His words from when we had our first kiss start to bounce around my head and I feel like an utter fool. I bend my head and cover my eyes with my hand. I can feel the shame rise. I'm a complete idiot.
"Do you need something?" I hear Tyler whisper and I glance up to see him turned in my direction. He had already put Asher down to sleep in the crib.
"...ah, no, sorry to bother you." I mumble. I turn and move to head down the hallway.
"Love?"
I feel my body freeze completely.
Did he just use a pet name?? My heart suddenly pounds in my chest, shame quickly changing to attraction.
"Yeah?" I gulp, slowly turning back to see Tyler standing in the middle of the doorway.
"We haven't been able to spend personal time together, and I was wondering if you would want to, maybe? Do something together?" He rubs the back of his neck. I can hear the waver in his voice.
Is he asking me on a date?
My heart pounds again and I can feel the heat rush to my face, "Uh? Did you have something p-particular in mind?"
"I've always wanted to try to dance. I heard it was fun." Tyler answers, a smile crosses his face.
"I don't know a whole lot about dancing." I replied, "I know, maybe, a couple of steps."
"That's alright, you know more than me." Tyler chuckles softly, he holds out his hand.
"You want to try now?" I ask, taking his hand.
"Why not? It's just us." He carefully pulls me towards him, backing into the nursery. I follow him.
"How do we start?" He asks.
"Well depending on the dance," I place one of his hands on my lower back, 'We can try the waltz, it's a bit of a slow dance." I take his other hand and hold it out to the side, my free hand resting against his shoulder. Our height difference is going to make this dance interesting. His step is longer than mine.
"Okay, well this dance takes sort of small steps," I try to explain, "They might be normal steps for me because I'm shorter."
"Oh, alright." Tyler nods his head.
"Okay, first I step back with my left foot and you follow with your right." I step back but my knee gives and I stumble, "Ah-"
"Easy, I got you." Tyler steadies me.
"Right, I forgot about my injury. I don't think I'll be able to dance properly." I wince, the pain flares up.
"Oh, I forgot, I'm sorry." He apologized.
"No, no, it's alright. It's not your fault." I stand and then lean against him to take the weight of my bad leg, "Good thing my profession wasn't dancing or else this would be a bit heartbreaking." I chuckle dryly at my joke.
Tyler shifts to stand up straighter and then pulls me against his body, "Maybe just sway?"
"We could do that." I rest the side of my head against his chest, wrapping my arms around his lower back. He wraps his arms around the middle of my back. We begin to just sway very slightly from side to side. The beat in his chest began to lull the rough emotions to peace and I sigh contently.
"I didn't know you could sing."
"Not very well." He replies.
"Where did you learn that song?" I ask.
"It was a song my mother used to sing. They would play the recording for me when I was a very young child." He answers without skipping a beat, "It's all I have of her."
"I think it's a beautiful song." I whisper.
Tyler's grasp tightens ever so slightly and I can hear just a small shift in his breathing like he is recalling something horrible. I shift my head to look up at him, "Are you alright?"
His eyes flicker down to me. I can see the blur building in his eyes. He blinks and it briefly clears, "...just remembering."
"Do you want to talk about it?" I ask.
"I don't know if it's worth talking about." He hums softly and closes his eyes.
"Why not?"
"It's not a very pretty side of me."
"We're all flawed. There is an ugly side to everyone."
"I've tried hard to keep away from it. I don't want to fall back into that creature." He explains. His choice of the word creature over person makes me curious.
"Are you afraid that you'll turn back into him?"
"He doesn't know this life. This life doesn't know him and I'd rather he not know. He did so much damage to everyone." Tyler almost pulls away from me. I can feel a slight shake in his body.
"I don't think you'd turn back to him. You have a lot more experience than he does." I try to comfort him.
"What do you mean?" He asks.
"Well you have knowledge of everyone. You're friends with them, family even. You're more aware of everything. You're not just a weapon to be used. You have humanity." I answer.
"That's true, but if I give in, what happens if the humanity is just shut off? And I don't realize what's happening until it's over? I could hurt so many people that way." He said.
"Well, I'm not sure." I frowned, "I've never just had my humanity shut off."
Tyler lets out a breath, "There's something I should tell you."
"Hm?"
"I didn't see Felix during the fight. I didn't know pain would separate you from Travis." He starts, "I don't know what happened but I slipped just slightly back to him. Once I came too, your wings were on the ground next to us. I think I lied to you out of fear."
I wasn't sure what to say, "...oh..."
"I'm not sure when it happened. All I recall is being hit in the face and then it's all black." He pulls away and rubs at his temples, "It's like it's just hiding beneath the surface, waiting to be released. It's almost like all I have done to be as peaceful as possible is pointless."
"I don't think it's pointless. Look at how far you've come." I gesture to him.
"Sometimes I lay awake at night in fear that I'm just going to lose everything." He admits.
I step over to him and place a hand upon his back, "How come you didn't tell me before?"
"You have so much to worry about. I don't need to burden you with my problems." He answers.
"But you're my partner, your problems become mine. I want to be able to help you. And I can't do that if you don't let me know something is wrong. Sure, being peaceful is nice, but that could also backfire on you. Sometimes you have to release the other emotions too." I shift a bit, trying to make eye contact with him but he looks away shamefully.
"Tyler, you don't have to keep holding up this facade." I place my hand on his cheek, shifting his face back to look at me "Remember? You are your own person."
He bends down until he is sitting on his heels. He lowers his head, "I'm so tired."
I step forward and lift his face up, wiping away his tears, "That's okay. You're allowed to be." I'm just slightly taller than him in this position and pull him into a hug, "It'll be alright."
He shifts his arms to hug me back, this time he buries his face. I can feel his body shake with his quiet sobs. I rub his back, doing my best to comfort him, "I love you. I love all of you Tyler, even the parts that aren't that pretty. As long as you'll allow me to."
"Love is a confusing thing." He whispers, "To love parts of someone that they don't even like is strange."
"Love is a very confusing thing. But it's also a beautiful thing." I hum, "It has brought so much beauty to the world."
"You really love me? All of me?" He asks,  "Even after what it did to you?"
"I love all of you." I reply honestly, "Even after what it did. As long as you are willing to stay by my side, I'll love you forever."
He chuckles softly at my quote of his words. He looks up at me, a small smile on his face. I smile back at him and wipe away his stray tears, "There's my handsome man." His cheeks begin to turn red. I lean down and kiss his forehead.