Her hands bunched at her scarred knees, the collar was wrapped tighter today. Her breaths came out faster and as she tried to swallow her saliva, the leather around her neck choked her for a second. She spat out the rest.
“Look at you, making a mess on my lovely carpet. I’m going to have to punish you for two things today.”
She looked up to meet the grey of her owner, skin ashy and hair withered. His eyes were hazy with something she couldn’t place.
He opens a palm, stretched out to her and she places a hand in it.
“No paws today? Perhaps you’ll behave a little better.”
She can’t bring herself to look into her master’s eyes, so she settles for the hand that grasped around her own. The pet’s mind flashes back to the day her old owner had given her away. Too much work, he had said, still too much fight in it, you might enjoy her though.
Those same hazy eyes crinkled with amusement and that same blue-veined hand had clawed around her to drag her down and down, until she learned her place.
She was pulled into her owner’s lap. Hands reached under her thin shirt and she fought to suppress her shivers.
The massaging hands turned to scratching nails, dragging over her skin, she let out a whine before she could stop herself.
Her master’s voice was as quiet as it always was.
“I’m going to punish you for two things today, do you know what they are?”
He always had to play the game first, he played the diligent owner, working hard to train his puppy. And she always played the obedient pet, too dumb to question anything.
“I-I made a stain on your carpet.” she answered in barely a whisper. She had to be quiet too, it was part of her training. An act she had to follow, or there would be consequences.
“And the second?” he asked, knowing she wouldn’t know the answer.
“I don’t know, sir.”
There was the exasperated sigh she always hated, played up to remind her of her naivety, her lack of intelligence. Her lack of humanity.
“Must you always be so brainless, pet. It’s our anniversary, it was one year ago when you were given to me. And I have something special planned.”
“I’m sorry, sir.” She doesn’t react to the threat; she knows how to suppress her fears by now.
“No matter, it’s hard for an animal to concern themselves with something as complicated as dates, I suppose.”
She gives an affirmation by nuzzling into her owner’s chest, he pets her, a rough hand on the top of her head. She closes her eyes and a pleased hum is let out, her owner sighs in response.
She plays the mindless, obedient pet well. So well that she wonders if she had stopped playing.
It was an invitation her master usually turned down. He usually kept her all to himself.
She hadn't realised the mercy it was until it was gone.
Hands stroked through her hair, fingers danced around her neck before tugging at her collar. More hands went lower, to the hem of the red dress her master made her wear, one that stopoed just above her knees. The fingers following the slight curves of her body from her chest to her hips and thighs.
"She's a pretty one, isn't she? You can even pretend that she's human."
Her owner huffed a laugh, "Why would you want to do that?"
She's listening to the conversation when a hand went to her inner thigh and she flinched at the touch. The man's other hand went to her cheek.
"Shh," he soothes, a thumb stroking lines under her eyes, "You want this. You deserve this."
The man's thumb pulls away and she notices the wetness on it. She hadn't realised that she had started crying.
"I-I haven't done anything! I don't want-"
She's stopped by a tug to her collar, bringing her down into the man's lap.
"You're a pet, sweetheart. The only words I want to hear is 'Yes, sir'."
She shakes her head frantically and the man furrows his brows in displeasure. He grabs each side of her face and forces her head to turn to her owner.
"You better listen to what I tell you. Or I'll tell your owner that you haven't been a good girl for me."
Her master isn't even looking at her. Instead engaging in polite coversation with a woman in a blue silk dress.
This was a punishment and if she didn't obey then it was going to get worse.
She doesn't know if she could handle anything worse than this.
"Y-Yes sir..." she manages out and her head is guided to lay on the man's lap.
"There. Isn't that so much better?" he bends down and almost purrs the words into her ear. His hands go back to stroking her hair then travel down her back to glide over her legs.
Another out of her view starts playing with her collar then reaches to pull her lips apart to reveal her fangs. She sees white gloves that connect to slender arms and a woman's titter is heard above her.
"How obsene. I'd love a chance to investigate her more, perform a few tests."
"Not a chance, Linda." Her owner's voice becomes louder as he makes his way to her. "You know I don't want my pet in your lab. I don't know what she'll come back as."
"I was really hoping you'd change your mind, Kamal. You know my lab has experience with these creatures."
"That's exactly why I'm not letting you take her."
She turns her head up to her master and pleads with her eyes
Please, please make this end. I'll be good, just end this please!
His cold eyes meet hers, then he sighs.
"My pet and I shall be leaving."
The hands leave and she sighs in relief. There were murmurs of disappointment all around her.
Then her owner grins, amusement and malice bright in his all too white teeth.
"After a couple more hours."
Her eyes widen and the hands return. She sobs as her master walks away, leaving her at the mercy of the hands that had started to pull at her clothes.
She stares at the boy who burst through the door, his eyes began to search the room until they landed on her. There was a flash of horror on his face and his eyes focused on the leather around her neck. He races to her.
Was he looking for me?
She didn’t like how her heart skipped a beat at the thought so she chose to ignore it. Instead, she glances behind her to see her master and his son frozen in shock.
Her owner managed to break out of a spell before pushing himself out of chair. He stood in front of his pet, ready to stop the boy.
The boy’s golden eyes narrowed as he closed the distance between them. He throws a punch into the man’s gut and it connects. Her eyes widen and she hears a gasp from behind her.
Her master clutches his stomach and drops to his knees. The boy gets past and grabs her hand, pulling her up.
“Let’s go.” he grins.
It was the only warning he gave as he went straight into sprint, dragging her along. She finds her feet and starts running with him.
Behind them, a strangled cry from her master.
“Security!”
They ran faster.
“What’s your name?” the boy asked, breathless. His hand still grabbed tight onto hers as they raced down the maze of halls.
“Rosie.” she finds herself replying and the boy’s expression brightened. Like she had said anything worthy of that smile.
He was infuriating in the sense that he thought he could crash into her hell and try to pull her out, even if she knew there was no real escape. Hope was a risk she never took.
She didn’t try to stop him though. Those golden eyes reflected in hers spoke of familiarity, left her wanting to spend as long as she could with him.
“Look, we’re close!” the boy cheers all too loudly, interrupting her thoughts.
She finds herself following his gaze to the glow at the door. The small windows built into the wood let sunlight through and she could see a strip of blue sky.
Am I really going to be free?
No sooner had her mind betrayed her when a deep, commanding voice called behind her.
“Guards! They’re here!”
She looks back to see the piercing grey eyes of her owner’s son. She knew by now that pleading wouldn’t work.
Large men dressed in black surrounded them and stepped closer. She was ready to give herself over when she was pushed behind the back of the boy who rescued her.
“Stay back.” he growled, teeth bared.
The men began to hesitate, eyes darting to each other, hoping another would know how to handle the situation.
Then one pulls a gun with a long end and loads a dart in. Her eyes widen as she remembers the weapon used on her on her first day as her master’s pet.
She attempts to push the boy out of the way but is instead pushed against the wall by him. He holds her, back turned from their attackers.
“No, no! Don’t –“
“It’s okay.” he soothes.
Their foreheads touch lightly before the whistle of a dart is heard and the boy howls in pain, crumpling to the floor.
She falls with him and cradles the head of the unconscious figure.
A guard pulls her away as she sobs. Dragged back to her master without being allowed to look back.
He didn’t know what to expect when opening the door of the ACP, but being tackled by a twelve year old was still surprising to say the least.
The boy looks up at him, wide brown eyes narrowing in confusion.
“Oh. You’re not Zak.”
“Right here, bud.”
The kid’s face lights up and he does a second attempt at the hug. He lands this time at the right target who exhales with an oof sound, before laughter from the two boys could be heard.
Ash watches the two grin before Arthur bends down to ruffle the hair of both of them. Nasira pushes past them before pausing to mention something to the kid who freezes and turns to stare at him.
“Y-You’re...”
Ash frowns before shaking his head.
“No, that’s her.”
Ash juts his chin to the girl being walked in by Isaac, she takes hesitant steps into the building before freezing at the boy’s stare.
“W-What is it?”
The boy makes frantic gestures with his hands as his mouth moves to find the words to say.
“A-Are you a, you know...”
“A mutant?” Rosie finishes.
“Yeah.”
“Y-Yes I am. Does that worry you?”
The boy’s gestures get more frenzied.
“No! I mean, no. My name’s Max by the way. I’m a m-mutant too.”
Rosie lets out a small gasp before stepping closer to the boy, letting go of Isaac’s hand. Arthur and Zak share a glance between them.
“You’re one too...”
“How long have you been a mutant?”
“What? I was born this way.”
The temperature of the room drops. The team are frozen in time for a moment and Rosie looks around in confusion to meet Ash who shrugs.
“What? What did I say wrong?”
Arthur takes a slow, measured step towards her.
“Rosie, are you absolutely sure about that?”
Rosie frowns, “Of course I am. How can you be made into a mutant? That’s impossi- ”
She stops when she sees Arthur’s darkened expression. She looks to the others for an explanation but the others looked as confused as she was, apart from Zak who seemed completely lost in thought.
Isaac clears his throat beside her.
“So you can be born a mutant? Did MEKHA know that?”
MEKHA?
Nasira folds her arms and sighs, “It would make sense. To see mutants and try to replicate them.”
Max turns to Rosie.
“So you weren’t experimented on?”
“No. Never.”
Max gave out a small sigh of relief. Rosie shuddered to think what that might mean.
A silence fell on the group as they tried to process the information. They stood by the door, looking off in various directions. Apart from one.
“I literally have no idea what’s going on here but I would like to go to sleep.” Ash states finally.
Nasira scoffs, “Wouldn’t we all? But we haven’t sorted out any sleeping arrangements.”
Arthur and Isaac glanced at each other before Arthur spoke.
“We have. Ash, Isaac will take you to your bed. Rosie, you’ll share with Nasira.”
Rosie nods and was about to give an affirmation before Nasira interjects.
“Excuse me. I decide who sleeps in my room, not you two.”
Arthur sighs, “Then what’s your suggestion?”
“That she shares with me. See, my decision.”
Arthur groans before stretching.
“Alright, team. Let’s get to bed. We’ll deal with the rest tomorrow.”
They start to disperse before being stopped by Zak.
“Guys, I have something to say.”
Nasira takes a slow and deliberate turn back to Zak.
“Is it “I won’t run off and get captured again.”, because you should set more realistic goals.”
Zak flushes, “Shut up. It’s, um, I think I was born a mutant too.”
Arthur frowns, “Are you sure?”
“Um, yeah. I am. I’m sure I was never experimented on. I have memories of scratching my nursery toys and high chair with long nails and sharp teeth. I’m sure.”
Arthur moves back to where Zak was stood by the door and wraps his arms around him.
“Okay. Are you okay with that?”
“Um, yeah. If Rosie is like that, then I don’t mind being what she is.”
Rosie gives a soft smile before hugging the back of Zak. Max joins in and the humans watch them from the stairwell.
Zak sniffs, “Thanks for finding us. Thanks for saving me, every time.”
Arthur presses a kiss to the top of his head, “I’m here for you. Wherever you are, I’ll be there, I promise.”
Max lets out a small laugh, “We’re stuck together, aren’t we?”
“Yeah.” Zak grins, “We are.”
Rosie gives a final squeeze before releasing and the others follow suit.
The team all mutter their goodbyes to each other then head to their bedrooms.
Once everyone settles, Arthur passes through each bedroom, checking on each of them, until he arrives at his own.
Isaac sits on the other side, propped by pillows. The duvet still at the edge of the bed.
Arthur takes a step closer.
“Are you sure about this?”
Isaac gives a small smile in response.
“Arthur, I am if you are.”
Arthur sighs and sits on the other side, mirroring Isaac’s posture.
“We’re just sharing a bed, right? We’ve done this before.”
“Not permanently though. If you don’t feel ready, then that’s okay.”
Arthur exhales again, “I am. I don’t know why I’m like this.”
“Don’t do that. Just get some rest.”
Arthur shifts to lie down, facing Isaac.
“How was Ash?”
“Seemed to like my bed.” Isaac huffs out a laugh, “How was Rosie?”
“Fine, Nasira let her take the bed. She’s staying up for something or other.”
“Well at least there’s nothing new there.”
Isaac lays down, pulling the covers over him. He meets Arthur’s warm brown eyes and flushes, suddenly aware of the little distance between them.
His partner brings a hesitant hand to his side and Isaac shuffles closer until they’re holding each other.
Arthur lets out a small exhale and Isaac laughs in response.
They nestle into each other and get to sleep.
--
Rosie grunts as she twists and turns. The sinking mattress and heavy, suffocating comforter unfamiliar to her. She gives up her struggle and lays on her back, staring up at the dark ceiling.
Suddenly, the door creaks open and she turns to her side, closing her eyes. She didn’t want to seem ungrateful to people who gave her a comfortable bed to sleep on.
Even if it was a bit too comfortable for her.
“R-Rosie? Is it okay if I come in?”
Her eyes fly open and she turns to the boy at the door.
“Ash?”
He takes a hesitant step inside of the dark room and lets the door close behind him.
“Rosie, I wanted to apologise again.”
She smiles warmly and pats the bed next to her. Ash’s eyes widen and he sits at the edge of the bed.
“Ash, I forgive you. Of course, I do. You saved us.”
Ash looks to the ground between his feet.
“I didn’t, that was Zak and the others. I didn’t do anything.”
Rosie shakes her head and moves to sit beside him.
“You did something. Your injuries are proof of that.”
Ash turns to look at her, eyes wide.
“I-”
The door flies open and Rosie and Ash jolt and whip their head to the door where Zak stood, with a sheepish look.
“Sorry, didn’t want to back out.”
He moves to sit next to Ash whose confusion and judgment was evident from his face.
“Back out of what, exactly?”
Zak shrugs, “Just...this.”
Ash frowns at the response before Rosie giggles.
“You do like bursting in without invitation, don’t you?”
Zak grins back, “Only for you.”
“Could you two not flirt while I’m in the middle, thanks.”
Zak flushes at Ash’s intone, “N-No, I’m not- ”
“Why, Ash, you jealous?” Rosie teases.
“Of who? You or him?”
Rosie shrugs, “Maybe it’s both of us.”
“Wait, what are you two talking about?” Zak flusters.
Ash flops onto the bed, legs still dangling from the side of it. “Something I don’t want to think about tonight.”
Rosie tilts her head in amusement, “Do you want to stay here tonight?”
Ash sits up again, “You sure? With me?”
“Yeah, and Zak. I can’t really sleep in these beds. Not alone, anyway.”
Zak frowns, “Why not? I think they’re more comfortable than most beds.”
“That’s the problem.”
Zak makes an o with his lips in understanding and Ash looks between the two of them in confusion.
“Wait, why would - ”
“Let’s just go to sleep, Ash. Leave morning conversations for the morning.”
Ash frowns in confusion before shrugging. The three then climb into the bed and pull the sheets over them.
The guards let Ashaan and Zak out of their chains lowering them down until they crumple on the floor. Mr Vittal shoves Rosie towards the centre of the room. She looks back to see the guards walk out of the room before her owner speaks words she doesn’t hear and gives a final cold glance at her. Then he locks the door behind him, leaving her in the dark room.
She hears a groan to the right of her and runs to the source.
“Ashaan! Are you okay?”
She crouches down to his bent over figure on the floor. She sees the mess of raised welts and broken skin on his back. Dried blood collected at the waistline of his pants.
“A-Ash- ”
She stops when he looks up at her. His eyes were unfocused and dried tears 2stained his cheeks.
“R-Rosie? Is that you?”
Her eyes crease with worry and she grabs his hand.
“Oh, Ashaan. What have you gotten yourself into?”
He squeezes her hand back.
“I’m sorry I let him do all those things to you. I’m sorry I didn’t help you escape. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
The dried-up tear tracks are replenished with new, bigger tears. Ones that roll down his cheek and splash onto the floor.
“Ashaan, no...”
Rosie’s breath hitches and her eyes start to sting. She turns around to check on the other boy. He had moved from his position and was on his stomach, army crawling towards them.
She gives Ashaan’s hand a final squeeze before moving towards the other boy. She pulls him up as gently as she can and lets him rest his weight on her. They hobble over to Ashaan.
The boy looks down at Ashaan and stiffens. Then a smirk hides his worried expression.
“Told you I’d last longer than you.”
“Fuck off.” Ashaan huffs.
Rosie frowns at each of them, “Is this really the time?”
She puts the boy on the floor near Ashaan, then sits between them.
“What are we going to do?”
The boy beside her sighs, “There isn’t much we can do. The place is teeming with security now. We’ll have to wait for rescue.”
Ashaan scoffs, “Who’s coming to rescue us?”
The boy brightens at that, “My team! They’re coming for me.”
Rosie turns to him, “Your team?”
“Yeah! We’re investigators, that’s how I find out you were in here.”
“So you came to save me?”
He nods then Ashaan frowns.
“On your own?”
The boy nods more hesitantly this time.
“So where are they?”
He slumps against the wall, “I may not have told them where I was going...”
Rosie sighs and Ashaan groans. The boy curls in on himself.
“...Sorry.”
“No, you came for me. Thank you.” She smiles at him and he gives a hesitant smile back.
Ashaan turns as far as he could manage to the boy.
“What’s your name anyway?”
He pushes himself off the wall to look past Rosie and at Ashaan’s shadowed figure.
“I’m Zak. You’re Ashaan, right?”
“You can call me Ash. My mom used to call me that.”
Then a pause, “Don’t ask.”
Zak shrugs at that as Rosie masks the look of concern on her face.
“So, we’re waiting for your team then?”
“Yeah. Can’t think of any other plan.”
Ash grits his teeth.
“What if he comes back before then?”
Zak lets a small growl out, his eyes burning gold again.
“I’ll protect you, both of you.”
Rosie shakes her head, “Enough, you’ve done enough. Don’t keep throwing yourself at danger, not for me.”
“Rosie, you've been through enough. Let me help you.”
“But – ”
She’s interrupted by a groan of pain and they both turn to see Ashaan slide to the floor then stop moving.
“Ash?” Zak calls.
Rosie turns to the figure and shakes it back and forth.
“Ash? Please!”
He lets out a cough.
“We’ll protect each other.” he rasps out.
Rosie and Zak share a look before she moves to the other side of Ash and Zak shuffles closer to him.
They hold each side of him, Rosie being careful of Ash’s injuries on his back.
“Yeah.” Zak smiles, “We will.”
Rosie leans closer to Ash and he puts an arm around her. She stiffens at the sudden contact.
“Ash? I, please don’t do that.”
He retracts his arm, “Sorry.”
They lay in the dark for a while, holding each other for warmth. The fatigue from the events of the day finally washing over them.
It was silent except for the sound of quiet breathing slowing down. The shadows of the room played tricks on their eyes. The darkness almost tangible.
“It’s the middle of the night right now, isn’t it?” Zak asks.
“Yeah,” Rosie yawns, “Let’s get some sleep.”
The three slowly close their eyes and shift into comfortable positions, using each other as pillows. They start to drift to sleep.
No sooner had they fallen asleep, the door creaks open and the three jolt awake.
“No, no, no, no!” Rosie lets out a small sob.
Zak teeth clench, fangs grazing his lip. He moves over to the front of the other two captives, shielding them from potential attackers.
Ash takes a shuddering breath and waits with apprehension, eyes fixed to the door. He winces at Rosie’s vice grip on him, but doesn’t say a word.
A figure steps into the room and Ash’s eyes narrow at it. It was one he couldn’t recognise, not his father nor any of his staff.
“Hey! Is anyone in here?”
He freezes at the voice and he hears Rosie’s breath stop. He looks at Zak but finds him looking up at the figure with an unreadable expression.
“A-Arthur?” his voice hesitant but hopeful
“Zak?” a voice returns.
The boy jumps up with vigour he didn’t have minutes earlier and rushes to the man.
“Arthur!”
He gets picked up off the floor and the man holds him tight, pressing his nose into the boy’s cheek.
“Hey, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”
Zak was about to answer when the man looks up as if something suddenly came to mind.
He walks to the door, still carrying Zak and shouts out of it.
“He’s in here!”
Two more people, a man and a woman, get to the room and the four murmur between each other as Ash and Rosie watch on in confusion. They ask Zak questions as they stroke his back and hair. Then the woman suddenly turns to them.
“This is them?”
“Yeah.” Zak replies, “They need help.”
They all start moving towards the two and Ash flinches. Rosie doesn’t let go of him
The woman crouches down in front of them.
“My name is Nasira. I’m a medic, you can show me your injuries and I’ll try and treat the severe ones now.”
Rosie lets go of Ash.
“He’s got worse ones, treat him first.”
Ash shakes his head and tries to speak but pain rises through him and he moans.
“Okay, I’ll start with you.”
As she reaches into her bag, the two men crouch by Rosie and she turns to them, eyes wide with fear. She shuffles back until she hits the wall.
“Please don’t touch me. Please.”
They look at her, pain and concern in their eyes.
“They won’t hurt you, Rosie.” Zak promises.
“Please don’t.”
The man who came in second speaks, “Rosie? Can we at least take that collar off you.”
The idea of finally being free from the leather strapped around her neck nearly pushes her over the edge. But then she thinks about the man’s fingers at her neck and she shakes her head frantically.
The other man, Arthur, sighs, “Does this help?”
His eyes start to glow and Rosie’s breathing quickens.
“You’re...”
“Yeah, I won’t hurt you, I promise.”
Rosie hesitates before giving a timid nod. The other man gives him a tool and he reaches for her neck.
She squeezes her eyes shut and she feels her collar jostle around before it finally drops to the floor. She lets out a sigh of relief when the hands move away.
“Thank you.”
The glowing eyes softened, “It’s alright, we’ll take care of you.”
Rosie notices Ash stiffen in her periphery.
“I’m not going anywhere without Ash.”
Ash pushes himself up and hears the medic sigh irritably behind him.
“No, Rosie. This is my fault anyway. You should go, I’ll be fine.”
“No, Ash-“
“Why would we leave him?”
They both turn to Arthur who has a frown on his face.
“Of course we’re taking him. I’m not leaving him here.”
“I’m Ashaan Vittal! Kamal Vittal’s son! I’ve spent the last year keeping Rosie here too!”
“Ash-“
“You also got whipped and chained up by him.” The medic sighs behind him. “And what’s he going to do with you once he’s found out Rosie is gone?”
Ash winces at the words before a hand rests on his shoulder and he turns to the other man.
“Listen, my name is Isaac. We’re going to take care of both of you, you don’t have to worry about that anymore.”
Ash sighs before nodding hesitantly, Rosie wraps her arms around him.
“Not leaving you. Never.”
His breath hitches as Zak moves to his other side. The three hold each other and close their eyes, taking in the fact that it was over.
Then the door swings open and they all turn to see Kamal Vittal surrounded by security.
“Get them.” he hissed.
The guards move toward the group and Arthur stands ready to fight.
The men surrounding them hesitate at the glowing eyes.
“There’s loads of us, we can handle one of them!” one yells and they start moving to attack again.
Isaac stands beside Arthur.
“They’re right,” he murmurs, “I don’t think we can take all of them.”
Arthur turns to Isaac, his eyes glowing brighter still.
“Bring me back.”
Isaac brows bunch at the order before Arthur snarls then roars and his eyes widen.
“Arthur, no! You can’t-“
“I can be a monster.” A voice so unlike the warm tones of the leader’s voice. It jolts at vowels and stretches the end of words.
“I’ll be a monster, to protect them.”
The brown hair turns into black fur. Four legs appear, each paw weaponized with long claws. It’s grin is all white points and the whites of its eyes yellow with black holes as pupils.
It tears into the guard closest to it, teeth ripping his shoulder apart, blood sprayed as the man screams and falls to the floor, rolling in pain.
The next gets claws dug into his chest and his eyes go wide and blank, slowly looking down into the claw pierced into its ribs. He falls too.
The monster works faster, disposing of each with claws and fangs until they all collapse onto the floor, blood soaking into every part of the hard wood.
As the medic continues to work on him undeterred, Ash stares at the scene with uncomprehending horror. He looks at Rosie who had the same wide-eyed fear on her face.
“Please don’t be scared of him.”
The two of the turn to the small voice to find Zak watching the scene then turning to them.
“He’d never hurt you. Don’t be scared.”
Rosie and Ash share a look before turning back to the scene. They see Isaac walking over to the creature and crouching down to meet it at eye-level. They see his mouth move in wordless pleas before his forehead touches with the creature. He turns back, black to brown, yellow to white, until a man lays in the arms of another. They turn away, letting them have some semblance of privacy.
A final butterfly closure sticks to his back and Ash turns to the medic whose hands were greasy with ointment. She picks up a cloth from her bag and wipes her hands.
“We didn’t bring any food so I’ll find the kitchen and get some water and snacks then we’ll go.”
He nods and she gets up and starts to walk to the door. She nods at Isaac on the way who gives a reassuring smile in return.
She gets to the door when she hears a shriek and turns back. A man they had forgotten about in the commotion grabs Rosie’s wrist and pulls her away.
“You’re not taking my pet! It’s mine!”
Arthur moans from his position as Isaac tries to place him on the floor. Nasira puts a hand on Isaac’s shoulder.
“I’ve got this.”
She makes her way to Kamal Vittal who was fighting off Ash and Zak’s attempts to stop him.
“Let her go! It’s over!” Ash yells, but too weary and injured to move.
Zak’s tired arms made flailing hits at the man as Rosie wrestled to get out of his grip.
Kamal grunts at the attempts as he continues to drag Rosie to the door but comes to a stop as his path is blocked by the medic.
“I’m going to give you one last chance, Kamal Vittal.” Her voice was even but her eyes carried a dark intensity.
“Let. Her. Go.”
The man yells in rage before using his other hand to hit Nasira. She easily dodges the attack and drives a fist to Kamal’s jaw. The impact shuts his open mouth and his tongue gets caught between his teeth. His grip loosened on Rosie as he falls to floor, out cold.
Nasira sighs and her expression softens as she turns to Rosie.
“You okay?”
Rosie gives a hesitant nod and Zak crashes into her, his exhaustion making them both fall to the floor.
“Sorry,” he murmurs as he nuzzles into her.
“It’s okay,” she giggles back.
Nasira checks back on Ash to see him asleep with a smile on his face.
She then turns to Isaac and Arthur, the latter also asleep. Isaac looks down at the man laying on his lap with a warm smile.
Nasira crouches down to Zak who lifts his head to face her.
“I missed you.”
Nasira huffs out a laugh and runs fingers through his hair.
“I missed you too, dumbass. Don’t run off like that.”
She pulls out some bandages, but Zak stops her, lifting his shirt.
“S-Someone, someone already- “
“Yeah, and they did a shit job. Let me take care of you.”
Zak sighs exaggeratedly and pulls his shirt off. Nasira applies anaesthetic, sterilises wounds, wraps bandages and applies ice to various parts of his torso and neck. She’s steady and talks to him the entire time, checking on him constantly.
By the time she’s done, Arthur wakes up. He looks around confusedly before meeting the eyes of his second-in-command.
“Are you- Is everyone- Did I- ”
“Yes, yes and no. It’s going to be okay, alright?”
Arthur shifts to sit up and looks behind to see Zak and Nasira looking back at him with soft reassuring smiles. Rosie looks to the ground anxiously.
“Rosie?”
Her eyes dart up to him, “It’s okay, it’s not your fault.”
He frowns at the words before turning to see the damage around him. Blood sprayed on walls and bodies strewn across the floor.
“I- ”
Isaac moves in front of him, blocking his vision, and cradles his face in both hands.
“It’s okay. It’s over now. You did what you had to do.”
Arthur looks at the ground before standing.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Zak moves to stand, but stumbles and is helped up by Nasira. Rosie stands beside him and holds his hand.
“Who’s going to get Ash?” Rosie asks.
“And, more importantly, can we get food on the way home?” Zak grins.
Rosie shoves at him and Zak winces. She apologises.
Arthur sighs, “I’ll get him and yes, we can.”
Zak cheers and the group make their way out of the house.
The team leader pulled harshly at his hair as he rocked anxiously in the chair. He’s watched on by the team’s medic and second-in-command. His hand was swatted away by the medic who peered at him through round, wire frames.
“None of that.” Nasira’s voice clipped, “Let’s stay calm.”
“Stay calm?! How-“
He stops as he takes a deep breath, letting the flickers of anger fade away. He starts again.
“Yeah, let’s keep calm. Focus on what we know.”
His partner rests his head against him in an I’m proud of you kind of way. He ignores the heat rising to his ears.
Nasira pulls the sleeve of her jean jacket up one arm, “We’ve been asked to investigate Kamal Vittal. A man who reportedly owns a mutant.”
Isaac lifts his head from Arthur’s shoulder, “Zak really didn’t like that.” he mused.
“Maybe he tried to go after him.”
Arthur sighed, “No, he definitely tried to go after him. So how did he know where he was?”
Nasira pulls the other sleeve up then walks to the office phone.
“He must have gotten information from AC, I’ll call her.”
Isaac and Arthur began talking through various scenarios of what might have happened to the team’s youngest. They freeze when a voice rises in anger.
“What do you mean- no, no that does not make any sense! He what?! Okay, so why don’t you- Our teammate is in danger! How can you say it’s confidential?!”
Then the old office phone churns out a long beep through the dust on its speakers. Nasira slams the arched receiver back into its holder.
She turns to meet the confused looks of her team and sighs.
“She says that CCTV shows Zak taking some files from her department, everything has been collecting on Vittal including addresses and a picture of the mutant in question.”
Arthur lets out a sharp breath, “Well, that’s just perfect. So, where is he?”
Nasira’s eye twitched, “She says the information, including address, is confidential. Despite us working together, we don’t actually work at her department and we’re being treated as members of the public.”
Rage and panic swirl in Arthur’s mind, he doesn’t trust himself to speak so he looked pointedly at his second-in-command.
Isaac bites his lip, “If she says she isn’t going to help us, we find out on our own. Web searches, asking around. Zak still doesn’t know how to properly get around so he’s not too far.”
Arthur closes his eyes and puts his hands on each thigh as he stands.
His eyes open.
“We’re investigators. We can find him. And if he’s hurt, then whoever has him will have hell to pay.”
Its not just a medic who comes, but security guards pile into the room and grabs the arms of the restrained boy.
Ashaan watches as a woman with dark brown skin and a medical bag kneels before him.
“Nasira?” Zak asks groggily, trying to make sense of his blurred vision.
The woman looked confused for a second before a blank professional look reappeared on her face.
“Where are you injured?”
Zak grinned despite his weary state, “Nasira, you’re here!”
The woman frowned, “Listen, you’re confused, just tell me where it hurts.”
“Nasira, help! They’ve got- “
He’s interrupted by a slap to his cheek. Ashaan winces as the boy’s face falls.
“You’re not-“
“Evidently. Now let me do my job and tell me where it hurts.”
The boy tears up, looking younger than ever.
“Everywhere.” he whispers.
The woman sighs in response before pulling out equipment from her case.
She quickly sterilises wounds and wraps bandages before closing up the bag and immediately moving away.
Ashaan waits for the guards to follow, they don’t. The guard who held the mutant’s left arm smirks.
“What should we do with the little freak, then?”
The other guard holding an arm bends down and turns his head into the boy’s face.
“Well, what should we do with you?”
The boy tries to hit the man’s head with his own but it barely bounces off and he winces at the impact.
The guard laughed and pointed at his colleague at the door.
“Why don’t you get us the muzzle that gets used on the girl monster. They can match.”
The one at the door gave a mocking laugh before turning away.
Zak shifted against the two holding him down. They grip harshly, as a warning and he stills.
Ashaan takes a breath before he spoke.
“Father didn’t tell you to do that and neither did I. You don’t get to make decisions on your own.”
The two guards turned to each other before they share a harsh, derisive laugh.
“Look at daddy’s boy, acting tough.” One sneered.
The other’s smirk fell from their face and stared into Ashaan’s eyes.
“You speak again and you’ll end up like the mutant. We’ll be done with you before daddy dearest even notices you’re gone.”
Then the smirk returned, “Which, as we both know, is a long fucking time.”
Ashaan grimaces and steps back. The other guard appears, he holds the muzzle with two hands, leather straps pouring out of each side.
The guard on the left sticks a hand out and the device is placed in it. He lets go of the boy and Zak tries to get his arm free, but is stopped by the rope that tied him to the arm rest.
The guard attaches the muzzle to the boy’s face, he takes each strap to different sides of the boy’s head. Zak frantically twisted and turned his head but is stopped by a single hand from the other guard, gripping the top of his head, fingers clenched across the sides of his face.
He feels the bit forced into his mouth, the taste of cold metal on his tongue. The leather straps start to tighten and he twitched an eye. They tighten further until he lets out a muffled noise from his throat.
The two guards step back to admire the view. Zak shakes his head frantically before kicking his legs, tears dripping from his golden eyes.
“Fucking monsters, they’re lucky we’re here to train them.”
“You’re the monster!”
The guards frowned and turned to Ashaan who curses at his inability to keep quiet.
“What did you just say?”
“Y-You heard me! You’re the monsters here! You and father!”
“What was that?”
The hairs on Ashaan’s neck stand on end. He slowly turns to see his father glaring at him from the doorway. A whip in his hand.
Zak’s heart clenches at the thought, his chest tight as he wrestles against his restraints. The chair he’s tied to tilts and he freezes at the movement, letting it fall back to the floor. His mind casts back to an hour earlier when he had charged in to the house.
When his eyes finally met the girl who had been kept there, with a collar around her neck.
The rest was instinct, attacking her captor before grabbing her hand. He thought they were going to get out easy when that grey-eyed boy stopped them.
If I see him again, he’s in for it.
He saw how the light died in her eyes; he shouldn’t have given her hope like that.
No, we’re getting out of here. Both of us. As soon as the others get here.
But were they coming? He hadn’t told his team where he was going, once they talked about delaying the girl’s rescue, he couldn’t think straight.
Because she’s like me.
Then dread pooled at the pit of his stomach.
They’re not going to do the same to me, right?
He heard footsteps approaching the room he was held in. He’d find his answer out soon enough.
“Hello, mutant.”
Zak snarled as he looked up at the man at the doorway. Rage burned in his chest and lit a fire in his eyes.
“Let her go! She doesn’t belong to you!”
“Oh, really? How do you figure?”
“Because you can’t own people, you fucking freak.” he hisses out the words, hoping that they alone would be enough to knock the man off balance.
But instead, Rosie’s captor seemed unaffected, except for a twinkle of amusement in his eye.
“Oh, I do love the young ones, so naive.”
The man steps closer, close enough, Zak realizes, to spit in his face.
He does.
The creased lines around the man’s face run deeper as fury blazes in his eyes and his right fist clenches.
Zak’s head is whipped to the side by a punch to the side of his nose. His eyes widen before slowly bringing his head back centre.
“That all you got?”
The rage on the grey-eyed man’s face simmers away as he straightens himself.
“You monsters are slow learners. But you all learn, eventually.”
Zak’s eyes narrow at the insult, the image of his team leader flashes in his mind.
“We aren’t monsters, monsters are the ones who kidnap girls to be their slaves. Monsters are the ones who tie people up who try to save them.”
Rosie’s monster tuts before turning to the doorway.
“Ashaan!”
he called.
The grey-eyed boy appears at the door, Zak’s hatred burns bright again.
The boy’s eyes barely acknowledge him before turning to the man. For some reason, Zak finds himself getting angrier.
“What is it, father?” the boy’s soft tone carries into Zak’s ears.
At least he has a nice voice. Wait, what am I thinking?
“You bastard! Selling us out!” Zak yells out.
The boy’s eyes narrow, “You think I’m on the side of you monsters?”
“He’s going to hurt Rosie for this, you know!”
Zak catches the tiny hesitation in the boy’s expression before his blank look returned.
“Enough.” The man sighs, “Ashaan, you’re here to watch me train this mutant. It’s important knowledge in this household and you are old enough now.”
The boy nods carefully as his father rolls his sleeves.
“Train me for what?” Zak asks with a bored tone, ignoring the sense of dread at the pit of his stomach.
“Well, your first lesson is to speak only when spoken too.”
Zak scoffs, “Right, is the second lesson to be seen but not heard?”
He’s proud of that one, Nasira’s been pretty tough on feminist history lessons.
His captor didn’t seem too pleased, however.
Ashaan watches as his father, twice the size as the boy in the chair, puts all his weight into his assault.
Every punch causing skin to reverberate around it. Every knuckle heavy on the boy’s small frame. Every elbow a dagger into his victim’s weak spots.
The thuds turned to cracks. The short yelps turning into stretched out screams.
He covers his ears and shuts his eyes, but his imagination drives him further to his limit.
“Father, wait!” the words escape the his lips before he even registers them.
His father pauses, before turning to him. His eyes blazed in the way they did when he stepped a foot out of line. His facial expression contorted.
“What is it, Ashaan?” a threat hidden in the deadly quiet words.
He tries to swallow down his fear
“M-Maybe don’t break him right now. Take it slow, r-right?”
His father actually seemed to ponder this. As he did, Ashaan takes a moment to understand the consequences of the words out of his mouth.
It was just an excuse for him to stop hearing the boy screaming but as he watched him bloody and breathless, slumped on the chair, forcing back tears, he wondered if he wanted to be part of the reason he was tortured later.
Is that what this is? Torture?
“Don’t worry, my boy. I’ve been training these animals for years now.” His father’s voice break him out of his thoughts. “They’re tougher than they look.”
He lifted his fist to strike again and Ashaan felt his heart in his throat.
“NO!”
His eyes meet with the boy he just yelled with. Then he turns to face father, who’s features were contorted more now.
“What was that, Ashaan?” His father’s tone rises at his name. He let out a small whimper.
“I-I just don’t think that I’m ready for this, you know.”
“You just turned twenty, that’s plenty old.”
“M-Maybe I need to build up.” Ashaan nervously tugs at his collar, hoping he would be let off.
“This is building up, you’re not the one doing the training, are you?”
He could sense the tension in his father building.
“B-But what are you even training him for?”
“This,” his father hisses, pulling the boy up by his hair who squirms at the grip.
“This is a monster, if you don’t train them, they go savage. I told you, I hate repeating myself.”
Ashaan stares at the golden irises of the mutant blurred with tears, his mouth twisted in pain and he sees the white points of his teeth pierce his lip.
“H-He doesn’t seem –“
“Ashaan,” his father’s voice low, dangerous, “I didn’t raise you up for disrespect.”
“But, father-“
“I fed you and looked after you for twenty years. And now when I’m trying to teach you something, you decide you suddenly know better!”
His eyes sting, “N-No, father, please-”
“Stay here and I’ll come back for you.”
His father storms out of the room. Ashaan’s breaths are quick and shallow as he waits for him to return.
He looks back at the boy in the chair, his shirt now stained red and his breath rattling in his chest. The eyes look up at him and the gaze burns him. He hears the boy’s silent plea.
He calls for a medic, figuring his father has already damned him anyway
