Whumpee had barricaded the door.
They huddled fearfully on the opposite side of the room. Tears threatened to fall as they held up a knife.
They managed to steal it off of one of the guards.
Whumpee jumped when a pounding knock came to the door.
"Whumpee, I have all of the guards surrounding this room. I really don't want to break this door down. It's really expensive to replace. Can we just talk this through? We can maybe come to an agreement. Do you need something special to help cope with the recent experiments", Whumper leaned against the door, "come on, I know you can hear me. Open the door, you won't get hurt."
"You're going to yell at me. Then I'm going to get a tranquilizer nap", Whumpee yelled. They tried to control their shaking, but it was getting worse by the second.
"I won't yell at you... I promise", Whumper gently jiggled the doorknob so not to alert Whumpee.
"Its unlocked, they probably have something in front of the door", Whumper whispered to the lead guards, "I'm going to try again. I would like them to come out willingly. Don't sedate them unless necessary."
Once everyone agreed, Whumper tried again.
"Whumpee, I really need you to open the door. The guards are in position. You can stop everything by just opening the door. The guards can even help push it open if you need", Whumper talked gently, "we can talk this out."
"I have a knife", Whumpee shook, "I'll kill myself if you come in here."
"Alright alright. We definitely don't want you to do that", Whumper sighed.
"You'd lose", Whumpee frowned, "you don't like to lose."
"You're right, I really don't like losing, and I don't want to find another test subject. You're just so good at it", Whumper still remained calm, "just think though... do you really want to be the cause of someone else getting captured and brought here?"
"I'll be dead...", Whumpee yelled hysterically.
"There is a gun on them", one of the lead guards whispered, "they got in through the vents. Say the word, and Whumpee will be sedated."
"Do they have a knife?", Whumper sighed, "how did they even get a knife? Honestly, how did any of this become a possibility?"
The lead nodded after a few seconds.
"They have a knife, it's currently raised at the door", the lead looked around, "it's your call."
"I don't want them to hurt themself or worse, but if we tranquilize them, they may fall on it and get hurt", Whumper frowned, "I've been bested by a labrat."
Whumper frowned, "let's get me into the room. Tell the guard to continue being aimed at Whumpee. Don't shoot unless I can't talk them down. I don't think Whumpee would actually kill themself, but I think their judgment is clouded by fear. If they make any moves, sedate them. I'll stitch and bandage whatever gets cut."
Whumpee jumped when the door started to get pushed in.
Their barricade wasn't exactly the strongest.
They raised the knife to their throat when Whumper finally squeezed in. The door shut behind Whumper.
Whumper climbed over a shelf, "It's just me. I just want to talk. You can lower the knife... I'm unarmed. I don't even know how to use the tranquilizer gun. Just you and me", Whumper started to walk toward Whumpee.
Whumpee held the knife even closer. It somewhat dug into their skin now.
"Don't", Whumpee warned.
"Alright, alright", Whumper paused, "I'll take a few steps back even. Just lower that down."
Whumpee blinked away their tears as they lowered the knife slightly.
"There see. Everything is alright", Whumper smirked.
"No, it's not", Whumpee glared, "none of this is alright."
"What can we do to make it better? Hmm, what can I do to help you?", Whumper looked at them curiously, "I know it's not fun being locked up and not listened to. I'm listening right now. You have my full attention."
Whumpee's lip quivered, "I don't want to be experimented on anymore. I-it hurts."
"Okay, noted", Whumper nodded, "I can see if I can work out something so it won't hurt as much."
"I don't want it at all. Don't you get that?", Whumpee yelled. They waved the knife angrily, "yes its not fun being locked up. No one cares about me. Just put in my cage until I'm needed what kind of life is that?"
Whumper nodded, "I get it. I do. I'm sure you're lonely. If I find you a friend... maybe that might help."
"I don't want anyone else to be here", Whumpee frowned, "I don't want to be the cause of someone else's torture."
"You won't be. I won't blame you at all", Whumper nodded, "I'll just bring them here with nothing else said."
"No", Whumpee whispered. "Please."
"There is nothing to be afraid of. We can fix all of these issues today", Whumper nodded, "just set the knife down."
Whumpee shook their head no, "please don't come any closer. I'm afraid you'll hurt me."
"I'm not going to hurt you. You got a little stressed and this is were that led. You needed to be heard and needed something like this to get my attention", Whumper sighed, "and right now, we are talking civily. I see that you are lonely and I'll will gladly fix that. I'm not unreasonable."
Whumpee couldn't help but nod... they were very lonely.
"Just one thing to do beforehand", Whumper chuckled lightly.
Whumpee looked up nervously. They hadn't paid attention, but Whumper had slowly crept closer and closer to them.
Whumper hurried and grabbed at Whumpee. They gripped tightly around their wrist and forced the knife to fall.
"That's better", Whumper hissed.
Whumpee sobbed as they fell to their knees.
Whumper still gripped their wrist.
The guards broke into the room and arrested Whumpee.
"Take them to their cage", Whumper wiped their hands on their coat.
"I-I'm sorry.... please don't be mad at me", Whumpee cried as they were pushed out of the room.
Whumper turned and looked down at the knife.
"Leader, figure out who this belonged to, and how it ended up in Whumpee's possession, and how long it has been missing", Whumper spoke to the lead guard.
Whumper sauntered into the room where Whumpee's cage was.
Whumpee huddled into the back of the cage.
Whumper peered in at them.
Whumpee looked up with a messy face, full of snot and tears.
"You look pitiful", Whumper cooed as they opened the door.
Whumpee cowereded away, "please I'll be good. I'm sorry, I just... just uhm."
"Like I said. You're not in trouble darling. We all have breakdowns. You needed to have a moment to express your needs. The guards and I were not paying enough attention to you", Whumper sighed, "here step out here. Let's clean you up a little. Labrats have needs and wants, too."
Whumpee watched as Whumper stepped back from the cage. They slowly unfolded their legs and slid out.
Whumper walked to the sink and grabbed a towel. They let some cold water run on it before carrying it back.
Whumpee stood shyly while Whumper sat in front of them and started to wipe their face off.
Whumpee's lip quivered as they fidgetted with their shirt.
"How about this... you can ask for three things", Whumper sighed, "you have had a rough time lately, so I'll let you have some rewards. The guards are also going to find you a friend to keep you company."
"No please", Whumpee pleaded.
"You didn't care earlier", Whumper smirked.
"Because I would have been dead. I don't want to cause someone else's imprisonment", Whumpee begged.
"You won't be the cause, I am. At least when they get here, they automatically get a friend. You've been here by yourself for a while", Whumper started to inspect Whumpee, "I'm glad you didn't cut yourself. Anyway, it has already been decided that you are getting a buddy. You don't get a say in the matter. Now, what are your three wishes?"
"C-can I have my big room back?", Whumpee was quick with the first request, "you said it would only be a couple days in the cage.... it's been a month since I've been in my room."
"I kind of forgotten about that. It's been easier not having to wrangle you down every time I need you", Whumper laughed, "but yes, we can make the sacrifice. We will get your room cleaned and move you in tomorrow. That will be good as well since you'll be getting a friend."
Whumpee looked at the cage sadly, "I don't know what else to ask for."
"Well, I guess I put you on the spot. Also, you're probably tired from all of the excitement you caused. Go ahead and think it over", Whumper stood, "dinner will be brought in here soon. Do you want to walk around in here while I work? I'll give you the rest of the day off. I don't need you to do anything for me."
Whumpee nodded quickly.
Whumper watched them for a few minutes before they sat down at their desk to work.
A guard came in after an hour. They looked at Whumpee disapprovingly then went to Whumper.
Whumpee looked down timidly.
It was the guard they had gotten the knife off of.
They watched Whumper and the guard talk out of the corner of their eye. They pretended to play with a toy ball Whumper had given them.
"So how on earth did Whumpee manage to get that knife?", Whumper whispered harshly.
"I have no idea. The stupid rat needs to be punished", the guard looked over at Whumpee again, "they can't be allowed to shut down your entire lab with a tatrum over a little bloodwork."
Whumpee shuddered as they looked up toward Whumper.
"Punish them for your mistake? You guards are supposed to be elite... top class. A labrat managed to sneak a weapon off of you and use it. They almost injured themself because of this. Do you know how screwed up my experiments would be without them", Whumper talked louder, "go to your In-charge and see what your new job will be. You will no longer be allowed to deal with Whumpee. If you ever harm Whumpee... you will be taking their place. I have an experiment that I'm just itching to do. The problem is that it will kill the test subject. Maybe then you can see what a little bloodwork feels like. Clear?"
"Yes Whumper", the guard grumbled, "I understand."
"Good, now get out", Whumper pointed to the door.
The guard left and Whumpee's dinner was carried in at the same time.
"Here, you little scamp", the person handed them the tray with a smirk.
"How is the hunt going Leader?", Whumper looked up.
Whumpee happily looked over the tray; all of their favorites had been made. Often that would be the apology.
"Uh, going well. They are tracking down the person of interest right now. We should have them by morning", the lead sighed.
Whumper eyed Whumpee while they talked with the guard.
"I think they will be surprised", Whumper whispered, "both of them."
Whumpee was being led back to their room. Guards held on tightly to either side of them... fearing they'd run again.
Whumpee looked ahead and saw that another set of guards were leading someone else past them.
"That must be my.... Caretaker?", Whumpee screamed and started to pull against the guard's firm grip.
"Whumpee?", Caretaker looked up worriedly and started to pull.
"Don't let them touch", Whumper's voice came from behind, "the new one needs to be cleaned, disinfected, and examined before I let them near my test subject."
"Test subject?", Caretaker paused and looked at Whumpee, "is this where you've been for... so .... long?"
"That it is.... they've been a very good labrat for me. You should be proud. You'll be able to talk later", Whumper looked at the guards, "carry on."
Whumpee nervously stood by the cage door of their room. They glanced up and down the hall as far as they could both ways.
"How could they take Caretaker. Out of everyone out there.... I would think Caretaker would be the hardest to get. Also, the most influential. This is my fault", Whumpee leaned their head on the bars to think.
Whumpee was eating their lunch when Caretaker was brought in.
They were naked.... only wrapped in a light blanket.
"Your clothes will be brought soon", the guards uncuffed Caretaker, "wait patiently until then."
Whumpee stared at Caretaker with wide, terrified eyes. Tears stung to be allowed to fall.
"My Whumpee", Caretaker finally knelt down, "it's okay, I'm so sorry."
"No I'm sorry", Whumpee whimpered, "you were brought here because of me.... I-I didn't know", their lip quivered, "I would have behaved had I known they would do this."
"Whumpee, what do you mean", Caretaker cupped Whumpee's cheek and wiped a stray tear.
Whumpee explained everything that had transpired the day before.
Caretaker only smiled.
"Why are you smiling... aren't you mad?", Whumpee whispered.
"A little upset at the situation, but not at you. It seems you grew a bit braver while being here", Caretaker patted Whumpee's head, "at least now I know where you've been."
Whumpee thought for a second before nodding, "I had to... you have no idea what they've done to me."
"I'm here now. Don't worry", Caretaker sighed, "hopefully I'll get some clothes soon. We can start planning our escape."
"I don't know about that."
Whumpee jumped at the familiar voice.
The door to the room opened, and Whumper stepped inside.
Caretaker was handed a stack of clothes.
"Those are for you", Whumper walked past and knelt next to Whumpee, "sorry about the cleaning process, I can't have you contaminating my rat."
Caretaker looked at the stack of sanitary scrubs judgmentally, "cozy", they grumbled.
"See an escape is not possible. I need my darling labrat to stay put. You were brought here as an incentive for them being good lately. At least for the most part. This reward can just as easily be taken away. I am actually a very nice person when everyone follows the rules. Don't make me be mean. Whumpee will agree that I am nice right?", Whumper cupped Whumpee's chin roughly.
Whumpee quickly nodded. They looked at Caretaker nervously.
"What have you been doing to them?", Caretaker frowned, "why have you brought them here?"
"That's only for me to know", Whumper stood, "don't make this hard. I truly don't want to be mean, but now I have leverage. You'll be good because you don't want Whumpee to be punished. My dearest rat will continue being good and helping with my experiments, or Caretaker gets it. Am I clear?"
"No please", Whumpee pleaded, "this is a punishment from yesterday. Please, I-I..."
"This is not from yesterday. I kept my word that you wouldn't be punished. This is just a precaution to keep you in line. Next time you act out you will receive a punishment", Whumper warned.
Whumpee shook as Whumper stood and looked down at them.
Caretaker watched as Whumpee hugged against the wall.
"Have I made myself clear to both of you?", Whumper walked toward the door, "any questions?"
"Nope", Caretaker looked at the clothes again.
Whumpee continued to huddle against the wall.
"I see they now understand the terms and conditions as well", Whumper chuckled, "very good, let's see if my lab has anymore outburst."
Caretaker sat down next to Whumpee once Whumper had left.
They sat quietly and just listened to Whumpee's breathing.
"I knew they would get back at me for yesterday. They went around the bush, but they did it", Whumpee wiped their eyes, "now you've been dragged here because of me. I'm so sorry."
"Whumpee, I'm not worried about that. I'm just happy to have found you. When you went missing... I couldn't sleep at all", Caretaker reached over and pulled Whumpee close, "I don't know what you've been through, and I am happy to listen to everything. We will work together to make sure nothing happens, at least until we hopefully get rescued", Caretaker talked lowly, "I need you to teach me what the rules are so we don't get into trouble. I don't want them to go as far separating us or worse. Can we try to survive until we get our escape."
Whumpee rested their head against Caretaker. The first ounce of comfort they had received since coming here.
"Whumpee, did you hear me?", Caretaker cuddled them even closer.
"Yes I heard you. I'd do anything not to lose you again. I'm sorry you were brought here, but I'm happy you are here with me now", Whumpee whispered, "I missed you."
"I missed you too", Caretaker smiled, "I'm sorry you've been alone for so long."
Caretaker sat quietly for a while until they could hear Whumpee's snoring.
They carefully moved Whumpee until they were comfortably rested next to them.
Whumper came to the door and opened it.
Caretaker quietly got up and walked toward the opened door.
Whumper led them down to a different hall... far from Whumpee.
"You have your Whumpee back, and you have my undivided attention. Now you need to hold up you part of the bargain", Whumper warned.
"I requested Whumpee to be kept safe. I think I need to know a little more about what you've done to them before I hold my deal", Caretaker frowned.
"That's not the deal", Whumper got a little louder.
"I wouldn't. You have no idea who of the guards here are on your side and who are mine", Caretaker watched a few guards walk past, "I can bring down your entire lab with one command, is that what you want?"
"You gave me Whumpee to use for my experiments. I had to do what I had to do. You knew that would come with risk", Whumper paced back and forth, "I'm almost tempted to tell Whumpee about everything. How much you really care about them. Sent them to an illegal lab and have them experimented on by the evil scientist because your lab is too good for illegal purposes. You just wanted to see if this would work, and it does. I just need your research now. We are so close to this being done."
"I care about my Whumpee. Even if you did that, I would just wipe their memory again", Caretaker frowned, "just do your job so I can get them out of here. They like my lab better anyways. They are a helper there. Not a lab rat. The password to the document is *******, use that, and you will get everything you need."
Whumper frowned, "once I get what I need, I should have everything finalized in a week or so. I will stage it so you will be able to get out of here with them safely."
Caretaker nodded and turned, "I suppose you'll have to take me back for this to look realistic."
"So you really have people hiding out in my lab?", Whumper questioned, "wouldn't Whumpee know them?"
"Yes, I sent ten guards to sneak in here. They were to make sure Whumpee was kept safe and that you held your part of our bargain", Caretaker nodded, "your guards all wear face coverings. Whumpee wouldn't know any different."
"I wonder if Whumpee purposely got the knife from one of your guys then", Whumper started to walk.
"I doubt it, Whumpee isn't allowed to have weapons. They would never give them one purposely", Caretaker frowned, "I still can't believe they managed to do that."
Whumper nodded.
Caretaker quietly sat next to Whumpee again and ruffled their hair lovingly.
"I'm sorry for everything you've gone through. Just know it was for the greater good."
Whumpee reached for Caretaker's arm and cuddled it close.
"My dear lab rat", Caretaker whispered, "sleep well. You deserve it after what you've been through. I'm sorry I caused this. It was for the betterment of mankind... I promise."
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