CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

EXPERIMENT 1298 IS NOT an old experiment, nor a new one. He is not the most equipped, and he is by no means an expert with his abilities. He is, however, the next best man Doctor Stevens has still on a tight leash. The only one of his more knowledgeable creatures who has not died in a gruesome battle, has not escaped from his tight clutch, has not abandoned him to follow under the lead of 752.

He has not left because he does not have his revenge.

The doctor believes he is a loyal right-hand man, the experiment for the job. He has been under the doctor's shadow for months now as his Second, so to speak. Not because he is afraid to flee or die or swear oath to someone else.

No, the doctor stole people from him, people who are the reason he had not gone through with ending it all himself years ago. Twins that go--went by the names of Ace and Spades because of their closeness, their likeness. The two twins had always been useless the moment they were created, but somehow 1298 had become an idol for them. Someone they started to look up to after he defended them once in the mess hall back at the old laboratory. That same night, he had planned to get caught attempting to escape so he would be executed. So he would not have to live this awful life.

The twins had a cell across from his, and the second he was about to break from the guards' hold and bolt on their way back from dinner, one had spoken very clearly, "Temptations are why there is weakness in the world."

A guard had hissed at him to shut up, but then the other one added, "Temptations only sound appealing temporarily."

For some reason, those mere sentences had had 1298 rethinking his entire plan. In fact--if he dared admit it--they had given him a sliver of hope that he had clung to, and remains clinging to, to this very day. Hope for a new start, a new life.

A new world.

Now, 1298 stands over dozens and dozens of fallen men, torn flesh around their necks where teeth had ripped through. Every single one of them. Then there were simple things like snapped necks or gouged eyes, things that were normal for him to see. He will confess that it is not unusual for an experiment to feed off their kill, however, the amount of feeding just one experiment savored is almost nauseating. The appetite it had to take, the endurance and strength and pure rage.

He kneels beside a random male, using the tip of his index finger to nudge his head to the side to get a better view of his ripped throat. There's hardly any blood around the experiment's head, all of it having settled in 748's stomach. There is nothing but pink skin and bits of muscles and tendons hanging out.

"1298," the doctor snaps, grabbing his attention. He swiftly stands to meet the man, hiding the hatred he feels so deep in his core with a slight bow of his head. "Check the house. There's something in there my beloved son doesn't want me to find."

He bows his head again and trots up the porch stairs, peeling back the fence as easily as he would pluck a strand of grass. He pauses before opening the front door, listening inside for any hint of movement. He isn't advanced enough to hear heartbeats from a distance such as this--none of the remaining experiments on the doctor's side are. He manages to make out muffled whispering, though. Hushed voices but he's unable to clearly hear the conversation.

He gently twists the knob, pushing the door open, however, there's not much need for sneaking if 752 or another Original is inside. They would have heard him ascending the few stairs, even though he kept his footfalls nearly silent. He can't imagine what it would be like to be an Original. He's grateful he isn't one, knows that being an experiment at all is unfortunate. But to be one of the firsts, one of the most poked and prodded and tortured and pressured--no. He really would've gone through with offing himself then, pep talk or none from the twins.

Predictably, he makes it just in front of the first bedroom's doorway when a blur of motion flies by him, then a hand wraps around his throat. Gently, so as not to potentially draw attention, 1298 is pushed into the wall, pinned. Instinctively, his hands cover the wrists of the culprit, but he knows putting up a fight would be futile, useless.

Also quite expectedly, 752 himself glares at the younger experiment, eyes dark red and burning of anger and hatred. It takes all of 1298's courage to keep from trembling.

It is then, though, that the rich smell of fresh blood floods 1298's nose, and his stomach growls naturally.

It pisses 752 off more. He presses a little harder against 1298's throat. "You can either walk out of here clueless, or you don't walk out at all," he hisses lowly, quiet yet remarkably threatening.

Somehow, 1298 gathers enough bravery to raise his hands in innocence. "I don't like the bastard anymore than you do. I don't want to do his dirty work."

A scoff. "Then what the hell are you in here for?"

"I'm trying to help."

Another scoff.

"Honest," 1298 says, surprisingly firm. He doesn't know where this courage came from, but he holds onto it if only for a little while longer. "I saw her get stabbed. You and I both know she'll die without help."

A twitch in his jaw, then he narrows his eyes. "So you think giving her to him is a wise idea, huh? You think that's 'helpful'?"

"Hear me out, okay?" He sighs in relief when 752's grip loosens a bit. He talks quickly, but quietly. "There's a group of us only staying for leverage or because we have unfinished business. Majority of us want out. He thinks we're all loyal, which is why I'm his Second. Anyways, he wants to turn her into one of you, except he's found a more efficient way of doing so. He'll save her life."

"And simultaneously end it in insufferable ways--death would be preferable," 752 adds.

1298 purses his lips. "You may be right, but I'll be in the room with him and her every visit. That probably doesn't sound like much consolation since you don't know me, but like I said, there's a lot of us that are willing to protect her as best we can."

Suspicious, 752 quirks a brow. "Do you truly believe you're being convincing right now?"

He sighs heavily. "I was hoping so, because it's all I've got to offer. Yes, living with him is like living in hell, but she'll be alive."

He could see that last part got to 752, his eyebrows furrowing in contemplation. The reluctance to agree is obvious in his dead eyes, but he chews his bottom lip in thought. He doesn't know what to do. He doesn't want to choose. 1298 can see so painfully clear that all 752 wants is to turn back time to keep from having to decide. She'll die no matter what in this house, but she'll have a chance if he lets her go.

When 752 looks back into 1298's eyes, there is nothing but dread and sorrow. "What would he do to her?" he asks in a soft voice, almost like a frightened child.

1298 swallows. "I-I'm not sure. All I know if that she'll undergo something similar to what we did, but she'll be... more."

"She doesn't deserve a life like this."

"Do any of us?"

"Some of us might. We can't remember to say otherwise."

That silences 1298 and gives him a headache. He doesn't want to think about his old life, not when this life could simply be karma. What a terrible, retched thought.

Slowly, hesitantly, 752 backs off and releases him. "I want you to make a deal with me."

Wary, 1298 frowns. "What is it?"

"I'll give her to you so he can save her life, but in return you meet with me every so often to update me. I want to know the building you're in inside and out. I want to know every entrance, every exit. Because she won't be in there any longer than necessary. When she's healed, I'll come for her."

"I don't know if that'd be smart."

"The smartest choices aren't always the ones that get chosen." 752 lifts his chin proudly, looking down at 1298. "Do we have a deal or not?"

The deal is risky as hell, but for some reason 1298 nods and shakes the elder experiment's outstretched hand.

"If she dies, so do you--an agonizingly slow death that will make you wish you were back with the doctor." There is no doubt in 752's tone, only a dedicated, completely honest warning.

A warning that 1298 does not want to make a reality.

He follows 752 into the room where the girl lays on the bed, bleeding and sweating and shivering and barely conscious. That's when he hears two other faint heartbeats, coming from the closet. His eyes dart that way, but 752 is quickly in front of him, teeth bared.

"You go out there with her, and you tell that sick bastard that I abandoned her, got it? And that there was no one else here. Understood?"

He doesn't bother questioning anything, only forces himself to nod. He hesitates before going to pick her up, glancing to 752. He stares at her with a face full of angst and regret, murmurs a soft apology, then nods to 1298 ever so slightly. Carefully, 1298 picks up her nearly limp body, situating her gingerly against his chest.

"Don't break our deal," 752 hisses, hovering the other side of the room as if it's the only way to keep him from running to her. His fists are curled tightly, but he does not move a muscle.

"I wouldn't dare," 1298 replies, and he absolutely means it. He may be many things, but a fool is not one.

He makes a silent vow to her on his way out of the house. He will not fail again at protecting someone. Someone who does not deserve any pain or suffering. He will not allow himself to fail her, because failing someone else will hurt too much and ache too deeply. Failing someone else will only prove his thoughts of being worthless and further his hatred of himself. He cannot let it come to that. He will protect her.

He will.

When the doctor notices his return and grins, an extensive anger churns his stomach yet he maintains his blank expression. Ever the loyal pet.

"There was no one else in the house?" he asks, raising his eyebrows curiously.

"No, master. I found her hidden under a bed, but the rest of the house is empty."

"No signs of 752?"

"I believe he might have fled for his own benefit. The back door was flung open and the area reeked of his scent."

The doctor considers this briefly, nodding all the while. "Much like 752 to save his own skin. He might have gone soft, but his self-worth means more to him than a pretty toy." The doctor twirls a strand of the girl's hair, as if for emphasize.

"Come. We must hurry to ensure her life, and I have other matters to attend to. When we arrive in Philadelphia, I'll need your help securing 748's enclosure. He'll be completely mad by then, and we need not leave room for escape attempts."

"Yes, master." He bows his head slightly for show.

He will play the loyal pet for a little longer, long enough to save the girl and get her out. But when the opportunity comes, when the time is perfect, he will make his move. And though it may be selfish considering so many others wish to have the doctor's blood on their hands, he will be the only one with the stains.

However, there is no uncertainty of the future.

A war will rage.

Only a few will be left standing.

He does not intend to be in that handful of people, but if he can drag the doctor down with him, his life will be fulfilled and death will be a glorious reward.