《MOTH MOUND》


 PROLOGUE

    IIn the year 2000, February fourteenth, a peculiar event took place upon Salt Lake City, Utah. Eight government planes flew overhead, unwarranted, and attacked the city, which was later dubbed ''Nuclear Rains.''


    There was no warning from any police, government, or broadcasts. Thus no time for shelter when the aircrafts arrived. Despite the chaos that ensued when the bronze drizzle started to fall, there was no death in relation to the radioactive spillage that day.


    That day, there was a verdict the attack was perpetrated by Iran. However, after that, despite the increasing expectations of a war, nothing was done. The world went on as typical, only now with occasional skeptical eyes were thrown here or there.


    Fifteen years from those atomic rains, on June thirtieth, twenty-four soldiers stood by a gate in a horseshoe. Slim dashes of clear rain fell. It had to have been no later than nine pm. Every man stood on an edge, guns tended to their left. At the end of the row of men, the gates were opened by two soldiers.


    A van slowly hauled in, eyes on it from all directions. Followed by more black vans. In total, seven trucks had pulled into the ports of the Moth-Mound. The tranquillity of the atmosphere was appreciated by all. The Warden, his soldiers, and the two ungodly creatures beside him knew in an unspoken truce that today was the last day of the still ambiance. From tomorrow, things will change, for better or for worse was still uncertain.


    His gruff voice spoke, "Get them in." The Soldiers spun to face the shed, a metallic eye-sore. They marched ahead, the vans followed once the steady flow of soldiers had gotten forward enough. Warden, I, and the other abomination turned, my tail swished the mud, the sensation alone made my scales shiver. I still loathe the squelch of earth.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    We had stood beneath the cover and watched as the soldiers marched in the rain. The vans trailed each other from a foot behind in a slow pace. It took fifteen years from tomorrow to finally have this day arrive, every day of that order we had known was about to be thrown away. We had no concept of the coming days when to get up, when to expect sirens, and who would be the one to start patrols.


    A monotonous presence was to change into an unpredictable hodgepodge. Or at least that is what I assumed the Warden was stuck in thought about. A man of 6''5 aloof mystery, his broad shoulders stiffened by the sudden Texan summer wind and the plow of worries it brings.


    I yearned to know his thoughts at that moment. Your maker is always taught to be brisker, more potent, and overall better than you. I deeply desired to see his mind at that time; to comprehend his mind in that minute, fifteen years of wait, and hard work all to this moment.


    Each truck had filed into their appropriate point in the shed, the door closed behind them all. Warden, Tabby, and I had already commenced our trot into the garage, steel door screeched as we took our impatient steps forward.


    The moment had arrived.


    Drivers abandoned their vehicles, skated open the black doors to the van. A ramp would slide down, tailgated by a hand truck, mounted and tied onto the dolly was a human-Virus. Black long hair snaked down their features. From the chin down, they had sheaths to confine them tightly. They were motionless by injection, as were the rest. This first Virus would be Labeled MMHV - 01, Moth-Mound-Humanoid-Virus.


    By an hour later, they had been deposited into confined cells in the Mound''s outer corners. Awoken or not, was not our business until the next day, which didn''t come soon enough.

 CHAPTER 1

    VIRUS


    DEFINITION


    A harmful or corrupting influence.


    "The virus of cruelty that is latent in all human beings."


    -


    DATE - JULY 1ST 2015


    -


    ''Hello, my name is Alvis. I am a fellow Virus; what is your name? I apologize for the note, but I am mute, as you can tell by my lack of a mouth. My disease is Third-Person, I can see through your eyes once we make eye-contact with my millions of eyes, I am seventeen. You are fourteen, and it is a pleasure to meet you. I cannot wait to become your second best friend, next to my lovely sister, only friend, and accomplice Tabby.''


    This note is what I received from Tabby, a 4''3 silicone child with a pink TV for her head. All of my seventeen eyes fix at her at once. She shrugged and made an electronic sound as she marched around the room, "Pretty legit, right?" She chirped, voice unmistakably electric, it was akin to a child vocalizing through a mediocre microphone, "I came up with the idea when I was writin'' notes for my very-ownwelcome to the moundspeech, wanna hear it?" She plucked up a paper, and I watched her before shrugged in compliance.


    She pretended to clear her throat, which sounded wretched through her speakers. She jutted out her chest, her pinkie held to her screen, the cap of plastic skin split to show her built-in microphone, "Virus, and Virus. I present to you, me, Tabby Vonelch¨¦!" She then bowed. It went still for an uncomfortable time before she whispered, "Then you clap." I went along with it and applauded a few times.


    "I am no typical Virus, in-fact, no Virus at all," She flamboyantly shifted with each tone she took on, "I am a supercomputer designed to zap yer asses if you step outta line," That was a lie for the most part, "Also, I can play you any of fifteen Bratz movies, including any episode," Only the second part had been genuine. Still, I clap anyway, "No, Alvis. you don''t clap until I''m done now." I lowered my hands and listened to her spiel advance.


    "I''m obviously equipped with VHS tapes, a camera, surveillance, email, and the sorts," She spun on her heel, "My hobbies include long walks around the Mound, and keepin'' cozy while I watch a Bratz film." She finished up with a bow. Thankfully, I was right to clap this time.


    "So, how was that?" She sang, thrilled about her self-indulgent speech. I give her a thumbs up. Tabby''s enthusiasm over the past few days had festered. Her company had only included soldiers, scientists, myself, and the Warden who would refuse to give her the time of day. Since she is, of course, a computer and tells the time herself. She doesn''t see it as much of an excuse, even though it''s blatant the Warden is busy and should not have to be burdened with us.


    She''s what the soldiers called a ''social butterfly,'' and so someone around our age with the capacity to speak is a luxury she has longed for. She does get frustrated with my slowness and lack of response. I know I was never in any way perfect company.


    The moment had come. Tabby''s screen went yellow, a reminder notification on her face. Our shared compartment had lit up with the bright display, a cause for me to cringe and flicker my eyes. Tabby removed the reminder and faked an inhale to calm herself, as well as stamping her feet. Both were habits she manifested years ago.


    Once she had pacified herself, and I had stood up, her screen met my eyes again. With her nervous voice, she asked, "Ready, Alvi?"


    I nod.


    She reached up with her bulky, white silicone hands and gripped onto my coal-black elongated fingers. With that, we passed out of the bitter metallic comfort of our shared compartment. The even more frigid hallways of the same steel welcomed us.


    Typically Warden would walk with us to another destination of the Mound, likely to give himself a sturdy look to the soldiers. But now was different from yesterday, and going forward, we knew daily expectations would change, ThatWarden''sideals would have to change.


    Thankfully, seventeen years in the Mound helped me navigate the maze well, and Tabby''s built-in directions helped us well. We were fine without him. For once, the gazes from soldiers felt more confused than fearful, maybe even more disturbed.


    When I flicked through the soldier''s vision, I often heard them discuss how they fear what I''ll do if I am not watched or contained. It''s understandable; I am, after all, listed as a monstrosity in my experiment file.


    I wondered if the other Virus had tails that dragged across the floor with spikes. Or what color their skin would be? Would it be roughly textured like mine? Human flesh? I had no clue. But we were about to find out.


    We stood before the entrance to the gymnasium hall. My gills gargled to alert Tabby of my anxiety. She tilted her screen at me, "Hey, if they''re horrible, at least we won''t feel bad when they get experimented on and tortured," She pet my wrist a few times.


    This brought me a slight comfort.


    We pushed open the door together. A loud beep had been a new addition to the room. Two soldiers stood by the door with rifles in hand. Warden stood about fifteen feet ahead of us, faced away with his eyes fixed at what we thought was a Virus. But there was zilch. Beside him was a fair few human silhouettes.


    We moved forward together, Tabby bounded over the lines and paints on the gymnasium floor used for the games of basketball that are never played.


    We reached about four feet behind the Warden, at the edge of the bleachers in the hall. From there, we could see them all, each of the six Virus.


    I first examined MMHV - 01. I only briefly saw her the night before. She was now fitted in an orange jumpsuit. Her black and greyed hair waved and hung flatly all across her face and body, which covered her petrified and grey eyes.


    What caught me most that I neglected to see the first time is her odd physic. Broader shoulders, even more, exposed now by her sheepish posture. Her body slimed the further down, little to no weight or curves... Not typical of a woman body-type. Although, very few women are here in the Mound. Maybe it was a side-effect of the Virus gene.


    Her hair with the grey strands reminded me instantly of the Warden, he''s only fifty, and his hair was more grey than it''s original chestnut color. Soldiers say it is from stress, which seemed to be reasonably plausible.


    MMHV - 02


    What I initially thought was another female, until I noticed the slight stubble and mustache hairs. He was a Hispanic lanky boy. His curly coarse hair wired about, which matched his furrowed, black brows.


    Quickly, his disease was evident. His hands had morphed into the cuffs and confines; due to his lack of concern about it, I imagine it was either his own plot, intended or not; was regular. Though, since he had not escaped, I doubt he can.


    MMHV - 3


    A girl. One who I had to pause on for an extensive period. Her appearance was the most awe-worth pure white, short, rumpled hair. Her skin was porcelain white, with small purple and red dots over the face. I was aware of them being called pimples and is unfavorable typically, but on her, it somehow complimented her. Her eyes, encased by unstained lashes, were magnificent red-pink planets that seemed so gentle. I had thought perhaps her red eyes caused by her disease as a side effect?


    Her disease was simple enough to recognize, her body was afloat about three feet in the air, her body swayed in the sky as if she was in zero gravity. Again, she seemed unphased, even bored. Her limbs were entrapped in chained cuffs that were sealed to a wheelable metal slate, to ensure she was grounded.


    MMHV - 4


    Another girl, though she seemed significantly more normal. She was Asian, with straight black hair that formed a neat bob at her ears. Her round face stuck upwards to the Warden as he stepped by, her shoulders tensed, cheeks puffed up like a creature when she was stared at for slightly too long for her liking.


    MMHV - 5


    Yet another short girl who wielded ardent blue eyes, her wild ginger hair resembled a cloud to match the storm in her eyes. She glared harshly when the Warden walked by, and I swore I saw small sparks of light spring through her frizzy hair.


    MMHV - 6


    The elephant in the room, as the phrasesupposedlygoes. Virus MMHV 6 was chained down more than the rest, was this radical boy who writhed. He was encased in a tomb of iron, with tyrants of curse-filled spiels being the only pointer to his gender. By the shade of the metal bars over the confides, I saw certain parts were made of tantalum carbide. Almost wholly heat resistant.


    The flames that flooded out of the window bars were unquestionably a disease related to fire. Other than that, I could not at all see the Virus, only hear their angered screams and threats.


    MMHV - 7


    Not present. I figured perhaps the soldiers were late bringing him from 24/7 watch? MMHV was, after all, placed further from the rest of the Virus, much like MMHV. But that would not have made sense. They were in the same precinct and should have arrived together or soon after each other.


    MMHV - 8


    Also was not present, though this one was given a reason for. The Virus supposedly had a violent withstand while being retrieved. So that Virus had been escorted to the solitary medical unit immediately.


    In front of the white card of MMHV-07, there was an unaccounted for Virus. They were meant to be brought in earlier by a squad of soldiers. But this one had no trace. Warden stood before the card, eyes pierced down.


    Tabby, who was priorly by my side, had placed herself by the Warden, "Ooo, invisibility!" She thrashed her arm into the empty space, "very, very original!" She nodded, unmistakably sarcastic while she gawked into blankness.


    "The Virus isn''t there," The Warden corrected. He swerved around and attended to his walkie talkie, a digit over the button, though no pressure was put to it, "The soldiers who were put on his watch haven''t been in contact with me since last night when the Virus arrived."


    He pressed the button, "Does anyone copy? Do we have any leads on the seventh humanoid Virus?" He gruffed out. While the static rang back, I noted Warden''s already sharp appearance was more precise than usual, his green suit had been pressed, all of his medals pinned in a straight line when they are usually never pinned at all. He only displays them when he wants to assert dominance or feels like he may need to.


    His haircut is freshly shaved and his face sterner. Though, that may just be because of the delay.


    "Ya reckon, they''ve carked it?" Tabby asked in her politely morbid tone.


    The Warden rumbled, "Can''t think of any better excuse."


    The gym went mute, aside from the screeches and roars from the fire Virus. Followed by finally, the ginger girl''s frustrated plea, "Oh my god, Adrien, shut-the-fuck, up, please!"She glared at the case, "I''m begging!" The shout grew gruff and strained near the end.


    Caused only more howls, "Fuck you, who the hells side are you on?!" which were deadened by the metal. The girl let out an annoyed growl and groan, eyes rolling with such dynamism it could be mistaken for her disease.


    "Warden, we''ve found Virus seven!"


    The doors to the gym opened, and all heads perked. Enclosed by four officers, with their guns drawn, was what must have been a Virus. Not in a jumpsuit, no visible wounds or even restraints, but instead a self-satisfied smirk with his hands in the air like a caught criminal, "Wow, the luckiest number saved just for me?"They scoffed,"Should I be honored?"


    MMHV-07 was now accounted for. His blonde, scruffy, but somehow well-kempt hair seemed to define what his personality would later tell. The orange jumpsuit was not what he chose to wear. Instead, he had stolen a military camo jacket and a turtle neck, paired with thick rounded sunglasses, which hindered me from using my disease on him.


    Virus-seven spoke,"I apologize for the delay, folks," He bowed, "no harm caused!" he held the smile, then saw the crowd of other Virus and the Warden, "Hello!" He saluted, which provoked a soldier to give him a slight nudge with the nose of his rifle.


    "Keep your hands up."One of the militants behind the Virus demanded. The Warden moved forward and observed the blonde, who just looked him up and down.


    A smirk grew from the side smile, "Hello," He greeted, obviously unbothered, "Someone''s dressed up for the occasion" He lifted a finger and flicked at a badge on the Warden''s chest.


    Another soldier''s warning arose from behind the blond"Hands off."Though the blonde refused to display a lick of concern.


    Warden then marked to the soldiers, "Where did you find it?"


    "The air-vents, sir," He began, "We had to chase him out; we also found food unaccounted for from the cafeteria, property damage, and the two escort soldiers were found deceased."


    "Hold your horses," The blonde started, "I was not fed on the way here, refrain from judgment."


    He was hastily disregarded, "Any signs of a struggle?" the Warden prodded.


    "No, sir; It appeared to be a murder-suicide," The soldier retorted. The Warden made a harsh noise to note the newfangled news. His eyes trailed down, where he discovered the Virus was gone again.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    He and the cadets jolted their heads to locate him, which they did rather quickly. Virus seven had started to study each of the other Virus, "Quite the trail mix of characters..." He pressed his fingers together, which I noticed were gloved.


    The Hispanic, long-haired Virus spoke, "Dude, you''re buggin'' me out," he paused as he scanned MMHV-7 up and down, "You''re creepy as shit, mate."


    "Could be creepier, my hands could be fleshed into my handcuffs," Was the prompt response the blonde produced, still stuck with that grin. When he saw the ginger girl, his head tilted at her when her eyes grew narrow with precaution. His eyes were then displaced to the monument of steel, which encased the fire Virus.


    "Well, hello..."He muttered coyly. He vaulted upon the wheelable platform and attempted to scale the steel container. The gloves on his hands must have been a muffle from the heat that the thick steel hadn''t suppressed.


    Warden had grasped the blonde from the back of the stolen coat, akin to how you would hold a cat by its scruff. He was quick to relocate the Virus over to its spot. Virus seven''s smile shrank into a perky surprised one as he was being held up like a cat. He stayed put once he was placed down, and his grin returned. Warden escorted himself back to the center of the room.


    His stillness prompted Tabby and me to stand at the Warden''s sides. The stares were intense on both ends. I was staring with seventeen eyes, and 12 were staring back. Since I had been mostly unseen up until that point. It was grossly nostalgic. Fear of the shun from my own species felt strangely more upsetting than a band of soldiers disgusted by my presence.


    "You are all Virus." The Warden commenced.


    Tabby, as her typical self, started to add quiet criticisms, "bold start."


    "You''re all medical abominations and have no place in regular society."


    Tabby fakely hissed, "Coulda phrased it better but alright."


    "As of this day, you will call this base home, it is known as the Moth-Mound," The name of the base cocked a few eyebrows, "It is stationed in the middle of nowhere, so any attempt to escape will be futile, and the penalties for such attempts will be worse than death."


    "very ominous," Tabby approved with a nod, "well done."


    Warden''s eyes trickledacross the line of Virus,"Your days will be occupied with experimentation and prison-like lifestyle," He blatantly eyed the Virus with the molded flesh. Virus-02 just returned with an offended and confused glance, "Your names should be forgotten, as they do not matter anymore."


    The Warden''s radio hitched, which he immediately seized as he twisted around to snap into, "This better be important."


    "Virus eight is currently- has displayed... Activity?"The female voice echoed back, "It''s- I can''t describe it."


    Warden paused for a long time, "I''m on the way, keep it stable," He added back before he turned to Tabby and I, "Alert me immediately if they arise; control them."He then fled with no spare word.


    Once those doors closed behind him, Tabby and I turned to look at the other seven Virus. It took a second or so before Tabby skipped up to them all. She scanned their faces both literally and metaphorically, "Hey, I''m Tabby!" She started before a loud bang made us all divert our attention.


    Virus seven had a screwdriver. Not even a second later, the blonde had started to unscrew the bolts from restraints for the afloat Virus.


    "Hold on, hey!" Tabby ran over to them both, "Let me finish my speech before you try to escape!"


    Virus seven fractured the last chain before he gripped the metallic twine and let himself float up with the unnaturally calm girl. They reached an air vent, and the white-haired maiden hit the roof like a balloon. She gave little to no care of it, limp like a ragdoll.


    "Shit escape attempt..." The ginger whispered quietly, intensely unimpressed.


    "I wish I thought of it." Was what the curly-haired boy said in marvel, which made the ginger wrinkle her eyebrows at him.


    The seventh Virus had unscrewed the air vent on the ceiling. The vent hit the ground with a loud clang. What I hadn''t expected were the doughy round shapes that fell from the vent.


    Bagels.


    Many bagels had started to rain from the air vent.


    The Virus had all been confused like us, except for the afloat girl, who only seemed slightly surprised at best.


    "Down, please?" The seventh Virus politely asked.


    "Kay, Kay." Was what the softly sweet, buttermilk voice of the girl replied as they began to descend. Once on the ground, the blonde had done a formal bow.


    Each of the other Virus stared at him, with MMHV-03 clapping with an impressed grin. The ginger Virus was the first to speak, "Gonna eat all of that in front of us, asshole?" She scoffed. The blond snickered, he picked up a bagel.


    "Tempting, but no," He waltzed over to the albino girl again, offering her a bagel in front of her face. She opened her mouth and casually accepted it to be placed there. He then went over. to the ginger, and began to unscrew her handcuffs, "I ate earlier."


    Tabby glanced at me, then at the Viruses. We had a comparable thought of ''what do we do?'' truth be told, neither of us wants to attack them or cause a commotion. These are fellow Viruses, and so far showed absolutely no sign of threat. An attack would cause an outbreak, it''s seven against two, and I absolutely was not and never would be a fighter, so it was more like one against seven.


    The ginger lass rubbed her free wrists. She eyed the blonde Virus as he went down the line and undid the binds for each of the Virus, which initiated some brief banter with the taller Virus.


    "Man, why did you put bagels in the vent?"


    "To feed the flock."


    "The flock, are those fightin'' words?" He tilted his head, snarl present.


    The blonde sighed in what sounds like a mix of laughter and frustration, "I''d imagine it would be hard to fight me with your hands in cuffs."


    "True, true." He acknowledged, eyes already lingered off to the side.


    "Very true, now please put your- flesh back." The blonde prodded the hands engulfed in and about the cuffs with his screwdriver.


    "Ah, yeah, right, no bothers." He clicked his tongue, quickly morphed his hands back into place. Then, with a few more tweaks to the screws, they fell with ease, clanked to the floor.


    He went down the line, and Tabby came to me, her TV head bonked against my leg, "They didn''t even let me finish my speech..." She whined, I awkwardly pet her head as a weak effort to soothe her hurt electronic soul.


    Each of the Virus had been freed from their confides and instinctually went to the bagel pile. It was likely the first time they all had eaten since early yesterday. The palest Virus, however, did not eat and instead just hovered in the air slightly as she dozed off.


    MMHV-01 had taken two bagels and stuck far away, basically scurried under the bleachers. Tabby then jolted her head up, "Oh, oh!"She pushed me away in excitement, "Hey, my name''s Tabby!" She became animal-like in her own sense when sprung over the metal bars of the bleachers to talk with the lone Virus.


    In my jumpsuit pocket, I fiddled with the small scrunched up paper that Tabby had written in my favor. I hesitated before silently started to step over. They each tensed up upon my arrival, stared up at me; I tried to hunch slightly to reach their size to be less of a threat. It appeared to work. The fear had been replaced with confusion.


    The blonde had moved away after they stared at me with an indifferent cold glower. He then retreated over to the tomb with the screwdriver to investigate.


    The ginger Virus as well rewarded me with a harsh glare, enough so to make my gills gargle, which prompted the curly-haired Virus to speak, "That''s the noise patric¨® makes when his lunch fights back."


    "patric¨®?" The ginger raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed, and slightly curvier hip jutted out, "Can I get some context?"


    "My lizard, he''s a bearded dragon." He scoffed like it was evident, "Obviously, I feed him live bugs."


    "Not when it''s not specified Patric¨®, is a lizard." She furrowed her hardly seen eyebrows.


    The Asian lass finally spoke, her voice frail and frightened, "I have a dog," She poked in, lips pursed, "But uh, I-I was saving up for a leopard gecko before I was abducted." She smiled up at the significantly taller Virus who seemed to take a while to process what she had stated.


    "Yeah, man, dogs are pretty aight, the ones in my town are fun to feed when they aren''t stealin'' shit."


    This inspired another line of questions and chuckles from the two. The ginger''s eyes had slightly softened, but the constant face of ''unimpressed'' still heavily lingered. Her focus was more on the duo who discussed towns and animals, so I felt safe to squat down by the somnolent Virus and try to offer her my small piece of paper.


    As she was asleep, she didn''t notice. So, I awkwardly pressed a finger to her shoulder, "Hey!" The ginger''s voice sharpened to a snap at me, I dropped the paper and got on all fours, and scampered away to a safer area.


    Once safe under the bleachers, I just watched through their eyes as the ginger picked up my paper.


    They had all gone silent to listen. The blonde and the fire Virus were excluded. Both started to become more frustrated, to the point where the blonde had retorted to jabs at the steel cocoon.


    "Hello, my name is Alvis, I am a fellow Virus, what is your name, I apologize for the note, but I am mute, as you can tell by my lack of a mouth. My disease is Third-Person, I can see through your eyes once we make eye-contact with my millions of eyes, I am seventeen. You are fourteen, it is a pleasure to meet you, I cannot wait to become your second best friend, next to my lovely sister." She read out in a stale, unhappy, unimpressed voice.


    I cringed. It was worse when it was from another person''s voice. I coiled into a ball, guilty and stupid. At least the frail, tired Virus was still asleep, thus did not hear the idiotic speech.


    They all eyed the bleachers where I went to hide, then back at each other. They were silent before the Asian girl spoke, "Naya, my name''s Naya." Naya inhaled, a smile slowly rising.


    Next was the Hispanic Virus, "Dexter, but you ladies can call me Papi."


    "No, Neither of us are doing that." The ginger glared harder, "And are we gonna ignore how that... that creature can see through our eyes n'' shit?"


    The tired Virus mumbled quietly in her half-asleep state, "Papi sounds cute.."


    "Ay, Papi!" Naya lightly punched Dex''s arm, followed by laughter. Dex, however, winced and clutched the spot with a hushed''ow.''Naya, who was only about five feet tall, was apparently strong for her size, which I made a quick mental note of.


    The ginger rolled her eyes, "I won''t be calling you that." She returned to the bagel pile and picked up a bread circle.


    In a desperate attempt to get her to stay, Dex flailed slightly, "Wait, wait, I can do this!" He picked up a bagel and morphed a finger through it.


    The ginger let off a slow unimpressed blink, "I noticed." She turned and walked to the steel tomb.


    "Yknow, bagels have holes, so you didn''t have to do that." Naya perked up, which made Dex''s face contort into even more disappointment.


    She approached the duo, arms crossed and back leaned against the steel tomb before she quickly retracted herself, "Careful, it''s hot."The blond warned just a tad too late.


    "Yeah, no shit," She snapped, which just made the blond cackle under his breath.


    A second or so passed before she re-asked, "How''s it going?"


    The blond Virus inhaled before he sighed, "Not too promising; it looks like the bolts have been melted into the seals here..." He dragged the now-bent screwdriver across the blacker steel, "So looks like you''ll be brother-less for a while, sorry."


    Her eyes rounded, eyebrow raised, "Hold on, how''d you know that we were related?"


    The blond grinned as he snatched the bagel from the ginger, "I noticed some personality patterns." He snickered at her.


    She snapped, "Hey, dude, the fuck?!" She grumbled.


    The blond ignored her. He jabbed the bagel onto the screwdriver and hovered it in front of the bars of the tomb. He tapped the tiny jail with the back of his hand, "Oh, matchstick, would you mind toasting this for me?"He sang.


    A few sparks after a while of silence started to flow out of the encasement. "Uh, I wouldn''t do that. He hates nicknames about... Fire.." She hissed at the last part, "And being.." She gestured to her cloud of ginger fuzz upon her head.


    "Ah, so matchstick won''t do?" The blond giggled, grin only had grown, "Better pick a special nickname for this one, then."


    The ginger lass'' eyebrows furrow even more, "He''s gonna kill you." Her voice was an annoyed sigh.


    "Not like this, he won''t." He pressed a hand to his chest, "Why, I think we will be perfect friends." Skylar''s head cocked slightly, "I can tell we''ll bond well, even if he spends the rest of his days encased in a steel tomb." He made a strange face to the tomb''s open space.


    "In fact, while he''s in this state, maybe I can even talk to him about my own ideas and problems for hours and hours!" He exclaimed, "Ah, doesn''t that sound nice, firecracker?"He leaned on the case, one leg perked up, "Hours and hours of me talking and you staying still and listening?"


    At that, everyone noticed the growing thick black smoke from the tomb''s bars, which made Dex and Naya cease their conversation and peer over.


    "And all that time can be used to find a nickname to suit you, Firehead!" He then shook his head, followed by a tongue click "Yeah, that''s a cheap one, we can do better." He waved his hand as if he had swatted a fly, "How about spitfire?"


    At this point, what was the biggest concern was the lack of fire and the growth of black smoke that lifted to the high ceiling.


    "Firemuff?" He shrugged, an eyebrow raised, everyone''s eyes were on the smoke, attention on what the blond had been up to as a close second concern, "Y''know fire-crotch is a pretty good one, kinda vulgar though, so I''m on the fence."


    The steel''s color had started to shift a threatening orange in corners, like when an old kettle burns.


    "Ah, I have one!" The blonde coughed at the smoke but proceeded to continue anyway. He gave a look to the sister. Her eyes widened as if she had a slight idea of what was about to happen. She stepped away and ushered the others away from the tomb, pulling the sleeping girl who only dragged along in float.


    "But I''ll need your permission for it, so." He leaned an arm against the tomb, smirk held steady up at the bars, "Whaddya say, hot-stuff?" The cloth of the camo jacket blackened and burned, a clear signal the blond to jump from the metal platform. But he only got one step off before the tomb literally burst, violent blue flames shifted to orange in mere seconds.


    The blond was grabbed by the collar from the now free and engulfed Virus. Within less than seconds, the nameless Virus had been slammed against the bleachers with a putrid thud and crack. I crawl out from under those bleachers and to the other ones that Tabby had seated herself on with the other Virus.


    "God, your voice fucking pisses me off, do you not know how to fucking shut up, you-," He stammered, "you annoying piece of shit!"He screamed, flames on his back, becoming more violent, "Give me one fucking reason not to blow out your brains right the fuck now, I swear, you..." Another stammer, "Why the fuck are you grinning like that?!"


    He was right. The blond had a proud smirk, even as a flamed up fist had him by the chest, and his life was actively threatened with evidence to back it up, "You''re welcome." He chirped, completely unfazed, he pointed to the tomb behind them that was a smolder of ash and orange metals.


    "You- fucking-" He started to burn more, his snarled expression leaned in closer to the blonds smug face.


    "Kiss or kill distance, matchstick." The blond said in a strange tone.


    "Adrien!" His sister scolded, a literal storm cloud was formed around her frame, and her hair''s frizz heightened.


    With that, after a growl and huff, the fire Virus dropped the other one, and the flames slowly died down, so only a few remained over his apparently fireproof jumpsuit.


    The visual similarities in the twins were uncanny; apart from the eyes, his were honey, while hers were a violent ice blue. He stood up properly, before he spotted the blond with the same searing hate, "I didn''t need your shitty pity help, asshat." He spat before he turned around and marched himself off the bleachers.


    "It was my pleasure!" The blond called out in the same chipper tone. He stood up and started to hop down the bleachers to the twin who he gave a perky smile too.


    She didn''t notice him as he approached and stood there for a few seconds, as her eyes were glued to her brother. Once she realized his presence, The blond already spoke, "He appreciates it."


    Unsure if he was sarcastic, she just scoffed, "Nearly got yourself scorched there, Bagel-boy." She had her arms crossed. The storm had slowly started to soothe.


    "Cheers, storm-cloud." he giggled in response, playfully his fingers floated by the red-heads hair, a jolt of static that visibly attached to his glove.


    They both let off a light laugh at that, then silence as they both watched Adrien hide into the corner of the bleachers where he was attended by everyone before he loudly shrieked a threat to us all. In what seemed to be unison, we all turned away. Naya had snorted quietly at the others'' overreaction.


    The ginger girl''s raspy voice spoke, "Skylar." She stated, which caused the blond to give a confused ''hm?'' in response, "My names Skylar."


    "Ah, Sky- like a cloud. That''s fun." The blond jeered playfully, his own fingers pressed against each other. Skylar rolled her eyes, smile still there.


    There was more silence, that once again, the cloud Virus broke, "And you?" The blond made another confused noise as he still watched the Virus who brooded in the corner, "Your name?"


    He smiled and held out a hand to Skylar, "Toby West." he chippered, grin proud and full.


    She accepted the handshake, a scoff followed, "How formal."


    The Virus, now known as ''Toby'' shrugged with a small noise to match. He gazed at the group with what I imagine was with fondness. Toby tucked his arms behind him. He then proceeded to walk over to the carnage of burned and sizzled metals.


    He lightly pressed his heel to the remains of the scorched bagel. He mumbled something so quietly that even Skylar from a foot or so away couldn''t hear.


    I was snapped out of my disease, Tabby''s voice chirped loudly, "Alvi!" She sang slightly, but it more or less burned out my hearing sensors. I looked to her and saw she had the shyer Virus with the slim-masculine frame held still by her arms, "Check it, this is Joslyn!"Tabby introduced proudly.


    The girl tensed up as she turned her head away, "Hello."Her voice quivered, her somewhat restrained hand waved. I blink at her, then turn to Tabby, who I imagine will speak for her.


    "I just thought you two could have a lot in common. She''s shy, dull-colored, and doesn''t really talk!" She tried to match us up. If she considers my red pupils and Joslyn''s middle eastern skin bland, then her standards are beyond me.


    All of the commotions had made me realize that not once had I even considered to look through Warden''s vision to view the final Virus. I had decided to finally switch to his sight.


    What I saw, encased in a blue chamber, was a dark-skinned boy, and only half of a face, skull and teeth visible on his left side, cheek to hairline, skin, and muscle went so cleanly. I barely took notice of the surrounding area before my hearing was bombarded with screams. Distinctly curse-filled and desperate to scare or assert dominance.


    I turn back to my own vision to see Toby already started to harass the fire Virus, with a pole, on end, a bagel that was hovered above Adrien''s head, a few stray flames had begun to toast the dough. Despite the apparent danger and state of abduction, everyone was unnaturally blissfully content for a moment.

 CHAPTER 2

    DISEASE


    DEFINITION


    A particular quality or disposition regarded as adversely affecting a person or group of people.


    "We are suffering from the British disease of self-deprecation."


    -


    DATE - JULY 1ST 2015


    -


    A half-hour had passed, and I had lingered on Warden''s vision to check for his return. Every now and again, I would Tap Tabby''s silicone TV head, only to get brushed off. She did not fear Warden''s recoils as much as someone with bruisable skin would.


    Finally, precisely forty-eight minutes later, the Warden had said his goodbyes to the scientists in that room, then stood up, and finally exited the scientific research lab, which was exactly ten minutes from the gymnasium where we were.


    My gills gargled, I got on all fours out of pure instinct and took hold of Tabby''s arm, not at all careful about the Virus who had obviously been all taken aback from my animal-like tendencies. Tabby shook me off again, "Alvi, lemme finish my introduction," She then grumbled, "So rude."


    Naya, who she had chose to recite her introduction to, furrowed her eyebrows, her head on her hand to keep herself slightly away from myself, "IsAlviok?" She pressured on my name.


    "Yeah, yeah, He''s just like- an overly anxious lady-bug," She waved her hand about, "Alvi, just keep an eye on when Warden''s is gonna get back." She pressed a hand on my face, which caused four eyes to wince.


    My gills inhaled deeply to then disperse the air into a loud whistle. It thankfully grabbed the attention of the Virus and made Tabby turn around finally, "Alvi!" She yelled, "Don''t embarrass me!" She hissed.


    "That big man on his way back," The soft voice of a slumber-full Virus had asked. "Right?" a few Virus turned their head to her, "I speak whistle when I''m too tired to speak sometimes." She mumbled her last words on a purple bubble that she had made earlier


    The door to the gym then slammed open, followed by static, "Warden, the Alvis let off an emergency whistle!" My stomach dropped. Tabby''s hands lowered as the other Virus slowly realized that we''d been busted.


    Dexter whispered, "If the fire-guy fuckin wipes him out, we can make a break for it."


    "We can''t." Toby hummed still rather cheerily, lied on his back on one of the bleachers, "He won''t do it." The soldier, followed by two more, had come into the room, weapons already aimed at all nine of us. We were dead, we were gone for. Warden would be furious.


    "Fuck you,I can!" A growl emerged from the fire Virus who had stood up, flames sporadically grown on him.


    "Oh, I know youcan, fire-crotch" Toby leaned himself up, the emphasis on can made Adrien''s gaze twitch, "But you won''t."


    "Stay seated, or we''ll shoot!" One of the soldiers warned in their raised voice, though it seemed almost like background noise to the relatively petty argument between Toby and Adrien. I gazed at Tabby, who was stuck. Her TV-head in her hands in a crisis.


    Toby was just as uninterested but afforded himself to whisper out a, "They won''t." of re-assurance


    "They have guns, I don''t feel like getting fucking shot!" He spun around, fumes already high, "That''s all!"


    Toby looked up again, quick to have the grin return. "Exactly,"He finger gunned. Adrien just made an annoyed disgusted sound as he crossed his arms.


    "I''d blow you up, though," Adrien grumbled in a brood.


    "Oh right, like you did when you threw me into the bleacher, right, hotspur?" Toby gestured to the semi-destroyed bleachers, "I am just reeling and recover-"


    "Shut the fuck-" Only in a slow second did I see it. The red light in the neck of the Fire Virus, followed by a beep. The flames ceased in an instant, his eyes grew hollow, and expression dulled as he hit the bleachers with a thud.


    Skylar had stood up, a cloud formation would appear, and electricity flickered around her hair, "Adrien?!" She started to charge down the bleachers, "What the fuck did you-!"


    The sound hit Skylar, then Naya, then the pure white Virus.


    That beep. That godforsaken beep and red light from under the skin. I gargle as I scurry under the bleachers and attempt to escape to the door before I felt my neck tingle and heard it. Beep. My eyes scanned for him: the Warden, device in hand with stickers scattered about. I thudded to the ground. Warden''s eyes pierced on me.


    Dexter had since stood up and jumped over the bleachers, had gotten his leg stuck as his body went numb from the beep. Toby stood, the smile had significantly deteriorated, replaced with a word I can only describe as a fretted animal.


    He and Joslyn exchanged glances, her eyes were broad, hands glued to her heart. Tears flooded her face. As Toby stared at Warden, he glared back as if there was a form of hushed conversation. His lips pursed as he slowly stepped down to just above Joslyn''s level. He wrapped his arms around her from behind.


    She took to it and gripped his arm tightly, something between them was whispered, but I couldn''t switch to capture it. Toby then stood up, reached into his pocket before a smirk slowly grew back.


    The beep went off, followed by a twist of the body and Toby''s form that clanked against the metal bleachers. The object in Toby''s hand fell out once his muscles relaxed. A piece of charcoal? No, the burnt bagel. His soft giggle could be heard before his voice box slowed.


    Joslyn seemed to surrender, raising her arms slightly, which two soldiers snatched her by. They forced her up and waited for the Warden''s orders.


    Tabby was the only one still standing intact, completely tense and stared at the ground, her screen pulsed, ''7/786 SEDATED.''


    -


    My spine crackled against the Warden''s boot; I gargle and try to shriek to warn him. My attempts were, of course, futile, as even if I couldn''t make noise, I was still clawing at the ground to get away. It had to be around three hours after the events of the Viruses escaping, and the Warden had taken me, Tabby, and two soldiers to watch into a corner of the Mound.


    In a space between two eyes, I felt the stock of a gun forcefully slam my face down against the metal. I forced my eyes shut to avoid any severe damage being done on my eyes. For a moment, the boot only back was raised, and I attempted to scurry away before it was immediately replaced with the other boot.


    The Warden slammed his spare foot onto my wrists, making me shriek again. I look to Tabby, who was stood between two soldiers. Her shoulders were tensed, and her screen was down. Her silicone fists clenched before she murmured, "He didn''t do anything..." I barely heard her mumble.


    The Warden stopped for a moment before he put more pressure on my spine. I crackle, and tried to dig my claws into the metal, "He didn''t do anything, stop!" Tabby cried out, much louder this time.


    The pressure stopped developing, but became stagnant, "And that''s the issue," He thudded his foot down again into my upper back, "Nothing was done."


    "Well, I didn''t do anything, either!" Tabby shrieked, "It''s my fault, I- he warned-" She stammered as the Warden turned his head to eye the computer, "It wasn''t just his fault.." Her voice became weaker as she shuffled back.


    "You think I don''t know that?" The Warden removed his boot from my back, and I briefly considered moving. Still, my body was in such a state that I couldn''t. "You''ve failed me just as much as this thing has," He huffed slightly, "If I taught you the same way I treated this vermin, the damages would come out of my pocket," He turned around and swung the boot into my jawline, and dug it into one of my eyes and forced me into the wall, "And besides..."


    The Warden rounded his finger in the air, which signaled two soldiers to step behind their boss and grab me by the under-arms. They obliged and turned around to creep off, "It''s a Virus, it''ll be better than new in a matter of days," His voice was gruff and quiet before it switched to its authoritative tone, "Take the vermin back to the cupboard."


    They eagerly responded with ''yes sir'' and took a right. Tabby, as her nature started to follow the two soldiers until the Warden spoke, "Tabitha," She immediately halted, "Follow." That''s all it took, the Warden took the other passage, and Tabby, who shrunk into herself, placed a few white words on a black screen, ''See you soon :(.''


    -


    I was thrown into my small quarters and hit the ground with a thud. My hearing was faded, but I heard the chuckle of an ''oh shit,'' and a few other comments. There was a kick at my tail to get the last of me into the room, even if they kicked it the wrong way.


    "You missed the mattress, dumb-fuc," One chortled, and hit the other over the back of the head, "No wonder you''re such a shit-shot."


    The other swatted the hand away, "Get off my cock, asshole," He took a cigarette from his chest pocket. He was silent for a moment, leaned against the door frame. The opposite gave that soldier a confused look, which prompted the one on the doorframe to gesture to me, "You wanna double tag?"


    "Dude fuck off, that''s nasty," He revolted instantly, and gave a look to match the phrase, he snatched the packet of cigarettes and walked elsewhere, "The things barely human." The two then took off down the hall. As soon as the door closed, I exhaled in relief, crawling onto the mattress shakily.


    "That never stopped the great ancestors," He disputed, following behind, "Age, gender, race, species, all was fair game."


    "You mean when people thought elephants fought dragons and everyone died at thirty," He eyed back, getting a cigarette out of the packet, the other just shrugged, "If you''re gonna be a fucking weirdo, be a weirdo who goes after human beings."If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    "What about those bastards that came in yesterday?" He asked, and took out a lighter, "The little ginger bitch is on my radar."


    "Yeah, good luck with that, they didn''t put any pro-kid fuckers on the watch for the right-wing," He slowed his walk as he searched for a lighter on himself. Upon finding he had no lighter, he turned around, "Hey, pass me that-"


    Before it registered, the gun in the others hand-fired, considering how I could still see through the eyes of that soldier, it didn''t kill him. However, out of reflex, he fell back, "Ron, the fuck?!" He snapped and slapped a hand to his face.


    Within less than a few seconds afterward, Ron aimed the gun into his mouth and shot. The splatter reached the roof. "Holy shit!" He scrambled backward on his elbows to avoid the gory debris.


    Out of the corner of his eye, there was a still silhouette. Though he was much too focused on the sudden suicide to turn his attention. The hallways light had become splattered with red, which somehow made it worse as pieces of skull and flesh fell to the ground.


    There was a cackle from the hallway, "Wow, you really were not kidding," The voice chimed as familiar. Footsteps approached, and the soldier''s head finally turned to see who it was once the footsteps made it a mere meter behind him; Toby stood with a bat over his shoulder, "He really is a terrible shot!" He laughed and stepped casually to the corpse, sidestepping so he could watch the frightened soldier the whole time.


    "What the fuck did you do to him?!" The soldier blurted and scrambled to get his own gun, which he landed on.


    Toby shrugged with a smile, "Nothing, I did nothing to him," He sighed contentedly and swiped his sleeve over his mouth, which left a smudge of blood beneath his nose. The soldier''s gun was brought out and pointed at the blonde, who''s grin remained stagnant.


    A ringing began in the soldier''s ears, and his vision blurred out of focus, "I didn''t do anything to him," He chimed again in a hushed tone, "Just like how nothing is going to happen to you." Less than a second later, I was kicked out of that soldier''s vision.


    -


    Being kicked out of a vision either means one of two things; the person passed out suddenly, or they died. As much as I was curious to know what happened, I couldn''t get back to see what happened. So instead, I looked to my body and noted the blood being expelled.


    I would be fair, I had plenty of blood, and it always took a lot more effort to kill something with Virus DNA, especially one with 95% Virus blood. In my blood patches were small black pieces of rock, so small it was comparable to grains of sand.


    I''d be ok, I knew I''d be ok. It was just going to hurt a lot for a day or so. But I would be ok. I needed something to take my mind off the pain, so I thought only for a moment before I quickly decided who''s vision I wanted to see through.


    -


    Skylar was in her containment cell, leaned against the door. The cells were barely two feet wide, and they were around eight-foot long. The bed was awkwardly crammed into the room with a rusted bed frame. Skylar''s hand raised to her neck, sighing as she looked up to the cells'' tiny window, which was barred.


    "How long do you think they''ll keep us here for?" Naya''s voice was quiet and tired.


    Skylar tilted her head, "Here as in this cell?" She nodded, "Probably, they''ll take us out every few hours for bathroom breaks, "Here as in this place, probably until we die."


    There was a faint sob in the background, and after I flicked through a few visions of the Virus, I could see it was Joslyn. Her face was in her hands, and her eyes wholly overflowed with tears. While Sky was right, it was evidently the wrong wording.


    "Psh, yeah, right," Naya''s voice re-intruded, "People would be looking for us!"


    Skylar inhaled slowly and took a moment to just acknowledge the statement, "We... Are in a government-run facility in the middle of fuck-knows where..." She clicked her tongue, "Even if people are looking for us... Nobody is gonna isallowedto find us."


    Another silence before the soft voice of Clover arose, "It makes sense your superpower is making rainclouds." This made Naya snort, followed by Dexter chuckling when he seemed to figure it out.


    Skylar made an offending sound, "it''s- not rainclouds, my breath just fucks up condensation so... I have small weather changes in my vicinity brought on by mist and clouds." She dragged out, as she realized that Clover was correct.


    "You make clouds." The pale girl reiterated, tone the exact same.


    "Shut up, you float!" Skylar barked back, "How the hell did you even get around life, floating?!"


    "I had these really heavy boots my papa gave me..." She explained, going silent for a moment, "Also floating is way cooler than making clouds."


    Skylar rolled her eyes onto the ceiling, "Hey... Naya," Naya made a hm noise to show she was listening, "What''s your power?"


    Naya had lied on the ground with her legs length-ways across the door. She had a slight snicker, "I didn''t even realize I had powers until like yesterday," She crossed her arms, "So like, ok, apparently if you punch me, or get like pressure on me, I can punch you with the same amount of power, and my own."


    It took Skylar a moment before it seemed to process, "So like an absorption?"


    "Yeah, I guess," Naya snorted, "I thought everyone was like that, but it explains a lot now."


    From Dex''s cell''s, he spoke, "Explains what?"


    "I was my baseball captain," She explained, "And I kinda was the strongest in my grade... Also, when I fell down the stairs, I put a dent into the ground." Naya started to giggle so much she could barely finish the sentence.


    From the reflection in the metal, Skylar had a slight smile slightly, "Powers are crap sometimes," She leaned back, "A girl in my class had asthma, and I always had to try really hard never to get frustrated in class," She then chuckled, "Also so that no one figured out I had powers too."


    There was a silence, and the sobbing stopped, so it was a sign that this was a good set of action. "I have an idea," Naya started, "Let''s play questions; Let''s go Me, Sky, Dex, Joslyn, and Clover," She explained, "Sound fun?"


    Everyone had their hushed ''sure'' some sounding skeptical. But regardless, Naya went for it, "Ok, ok, I''ll go first; best childhood memory?"


    Skylar was up first. She thought for a moment, "Hm, I''d say... The day I became class president," She started, "I had this sick ass debate ready and won against that bitch Sally Schaus," She chuckled, "After school that day, my parents were so proud they took us all out for Mexican Grill." She raised her wrist to her eyes, wiping out the wetness.


    "Dex?" Naya asked.


    "Hm," Dex thought for a moment, "I''d say... My last day at school," He started the story, "I was tryna get expelled. So I just went all out with pranks on teachers and the old principle," He explained excitedly, "We foiled every doorway, replaced all the whiteboard markers with permanent, and then raided the cafeteria," He sat up, "Me and my buddies put our heads under the slushie machines until those things were empty."


    "And how''d that go?" Naya asked, slightly sarcastic in her tone


    "Oh, the principal called us in, and we threw up on his desk," He chortled, "I took the fall and got expelled."


    "Why would you want to get expelled?" Skylar butted in, eyes still stuck at the ceiling.


    Dex took a moment to reply, "My brother got into college," Dex started, and he took a second before he continued, "he was the money-man and didn''t plan on stickin'' around," He explained, "My Mami didn''t let us quit school to get jobs..."


    It took a moment for that to sink in for Sky, she seemed ready to dispute Dex''s choices, but she hummed, "Joslyn?" Naya asked next.


    "I... Hm," Joslyn took a moment, "When I left home..." Upon hearing her voice using a sentence, her accent stuck out more, "It was nice to be independent."


    "You live alone, that''s pretty cool!" Naya commented, glancing at the cell window as if Joslyn would know she was watching her, "Why''d you leave?"


    She didn''t reply for a long while, in fact, she didn''t reply at all, but the air seemed to grow tense for everybody, "You don''t gotta say, if you don''t wanna.''" Naya assured.


    "Thank you..." It was barely audible but heard.


    "Ok so, Clover-"


    "Is trying to sleep, so please leave her alone," She grumbled, floating close to the ceiling.


    Naya snorted, "Ok, then Sky-"


    "Wait, what about you, you didn''t answer?" Dex interrupted, already lied back down.


    Naya thought for a moment, clicking her tongue, "I dunno..." She made a sudden ''oh'' sound when she remembered something. "The day my little brother came home," She chuckled, "I made a banner with a bunch of stapled-together paper for when they came home, then made dinner with my dad for my mom," Naya''s smile seemed to never fade, "I even had a sleepover in my parents room the first night cus I was so excited."


    They all had a comfortable silence, which seemed to turn sad for Skylar as she rested her head against the wall, deep in thought. Naya interrupted her study, "Sky, what''s your question?"


    Skylar''s eyes trailed up as she seemed to have a moment of quiet realization, "Where are you guys from- or where were you found?"


    "Kinda lame question, but ok," Dex rolled his eyes with a chortle, "New Mexico."


    Joslyn didn''t answer for a moment, "Oklahoma-Colorado border."


    Then Naya, "Arkansas."


    "Adrien and I are from Oklahoma..." She murmured as her thoughts collected together, "I think we''re in Texas."


    -


    The Warden stood in a small observation room with two other scientists. He watched into the attached white room shaped like an orb that was padded across every section. In the center was a slate of metal, atop it was a boy in an identical orange jumpsuit to the other Virus.


    I couldn''t see his face, but I had a gut feeling it was the unclaimed Virus eight. The Warden''s attention turned over as soon as a scientist called for it. The Warden walked over to the scientist who held a vile holder.


    In those tubes were blood samples with labels with ''MMHV'' and designated numbers. However, two vials seemed to stand out. MMHV-7 was empty, and MMHV-3 was a strange purple color. The scientist placed the holder onto a small temporary table she had pulled into the room.


    The Warden hummed, "So." He noticed the two significant issues and looked to the scientist.


    She sighed with frustration, "I imagine you have questions, and I thankfully have a few answers," She cleared her throat, "You see these samples were collected around about the same time as when the chips in their necks were embedded. The Warden nodded, following so far.


    "So this vial," She tapped Toby''s empty glass capsule, "Is for decoration; because the original was thrown off a cliff by a soldier that jumped immediately after."


    The Warden gave a slow nod, "I see..." His brows drew in, and he sighed, "Was another sample not collected after Virus seven arrived?"


    "No, his soldier escorts shot each other, and the survivor freed him before he got into the observation deck," She clicked her tongue, "He''s been steadily killing off soldiers, stealing food and crawling through vents ever since."


    Warden could only hum at that, slightly concerned, impressed but mostly disturbed, "So we have nothing on that one?"


    She turned around and picked up a clipboard. She threw it onto the table beside the Warden, "We have zilch, I don''t even have a name or a proper photo." The photo on Toby''s paper was blurred like the camera stand was falling over.


    "And the other blood sample?" The Warden tapped the purple vial, and the scientist sighed to calm her nerves as she regained herself.


    "You know, what''s interesting about MMHV-3 is that she''s albino," She started, "The Virus gene is purposely meant to cancel out any ''faulty'' genes like defects, disabilities, cancers, e-t-c," She picked up the vial, and slipped it from its place, "And then her being a first-gen Virus makes it all the more strange since she seemingly has no control over her disease."


    "And the blood?"


    "Isn''t even blood," She almost interrupted, "This... Is pure liquified Melatonin, and runs through her veins." Visible confusion came over the Warden''s stern expression.


    "And this is possible, how?"


    "Exactly my thoughts," The scientist scoffed slightly, and slipped the vial back, "So I did my own digging; back on the day of the Iran attacks on Salt Lake City, a few people couldn''t make it to shelters in time."


    "I am well aware," Warden''s scowl returned, "Can we get to the point?"


    The scientist gave a stern glare for a few seconds before sighing. "Fine; Clover''s ancestry shows a peculiar clash of two people from the Salt Lake attacks," She saw the Warden wasn''t getting it. "Virus MMHV is around thirty percent Virus compared to the others twenty percent," She crossed her arms, "She was conceived and born the earliest too, so she truly is a freak of obscure nature."


    "I see... So what is the difference between a thirty-percent to forty percent Virus?"


    "Oh my god, you''ve been here longer than me-" The Warden gave her a stern glare which just made her grumble and continue in a more civilized yet annoyed tone. "Project Alvis is ninety-five percent Virus, and he''s like... the way he is," She explained, going over to a cabinet and got out a vial of what I quickly recognized as my blood with my name.


    She placed the vial beside the others. "Other than the obvious black floating rocks, the blood is darker," The Warden took the vial, "In terms of disease, the higher the Virus rate, the better and more advanced the disease is," She hummed, "In fact, this explains why Clover has two diseases."


    "Virus MMHV-3 has two diseases?" Warden''s brow raised.


    "When she yawns she expels a sleeping gas," She then tapped Clover''s vial, "Chances are that all of her bodily fluids are infected with melatonin and thus affects everything else in her body."


    "Didn''t we have a forty-percent Virus vial somewhere at some point?"


    "That was aforty-fivepercent Virus sample," She hissed through her teeth, "And that would be... In the basement," She murmured, her lips were pursed, and the Warden nodded in a mutual understanding of''if something is in the basement, it is gone forever.''


    "I do still have the file on the forty-five percent baby''s file in here if you want it?" She offered, her thumb pointed to a bookshelf behind her.


    The Warden raised his hand, "It''s best not to, leave it be." The scientist grazed her teeth with her tongue as she kept the silence.


    "This information is valuable, thank you, Veronica," Warden commented, and picked up the file, "I''ll keep in touch."


    She just nodded and stepped back. She took ahold of the enormous safe door. She had gripped the two sides and pulled the door with slight effort. The outside halls were black, as night came sooner than expected.


    As the Warden walked into the darkened halls, he eyed the small temporary hospital beds, used for quick things like fainted soldiers or broken limbs. It was only separated by a wall from the hallway. As the Warden stepped into the hallway. From the corner of his eye, he noticed a red boot print on the ground.

 CHAPTER 3

    DEFY


    DEFINITION


    Appear to be challenging (someone) to do or prove something.


    "he glowered at her, defying her to mock him."


    -


    DATE - JULY 2ND 2015


    -


    "I tried to talk to him, Alvi.." Tabby''s fingers fiddled as she sat on the floor by my mattress, "It was my fault, I didn''t listen..." Tabby rested a hand on my tail that had winced away out of reflex, and she also jolted her hand back. The silence was between us as she remained in thought. "I know I''ll read you a story!" She then jumped up and scurried over to the small pile of books in the corner, "What do you want me to read to you?"


    I squinted at her, and she sighed heavily, "Cmon, Alvi, I''m tryna make it up to you..." She had a pouty tone in her voice, "Whaddya wanna read?" I eye her again after I let off a sigh; her persistence was always enough to push me over.


    However, I squinted again and forced myself to gargle to try and reference the book I''d like to read. Tabby groaned, "No way, we aren''t gonna read your dumb dictionary-nerd books!" She had slumped back. I gargle in annoyance before I turned away, which did not do much as I had eyes on the back of my head.


    Tabby seemed to notice a different book. She knelt down and picked it up, "Oh, Alvi!" She cooed as she loudly shuffled back.


    She had the book behind her back and waited until I turned my head before she showed it off, "Ta-da!"


    In her hands was a novel, with a watercolor cover and a title that read, "Oliver and the Over-sized Apricot.'' Which I now know as a crude knock-off. The book pile is littered with such shameless copies like ''Donny Plates and the Wizards amulet,'' or ''The Mishaps of Bruce Badger.'' And so forth.


    But I sigh and let myself remember the enthusiasm of Tabby as she reads out the scenes, the voices she''d do, and how she''d act and do her own adlibs. So, it was easy to give in. I force myself to shift slightly and made room on the mattress for her to sit down.


    "No need to make room, Alvi, I''m a performer, I''m born to stand!" She posed before she opened the first page. She fake cleared her throat before she began to read aloud, voice passionate and wistful as she set the scene.


    Before the third sentence was done, the door was booted open, Warden stood tall and blocked out the light from the hallway, "Tabitha." He started, but before he even spoke, Tabby was tensed in the shoulders, and her TV head hung low.


    "You ignored my messages and alerts." His voice was hollow and deaf.


    Tabby took a moment before she responded, the silence of the room made the gears in her neck all the louder, "I... I wanna stay with Alvi today; I didn''t charge properly." Her voice was quiet as the tension in the room rose.


    There was a long pause, one that felt like a challenge to break. If you spoke, it was a declaration of defeat or war. Tabby stayed hung low, while the Warden''s sharpened eyes remained stagnant on the cyborg.


    I counted twelve seconds before Tabby''s robotic legs started to walk herself out of the room, the book slowly let go on the way out, many pages surely smushed. The door shut harshly, a rattle trailed up to the hung lightbulb. A few taped papers on the wall slipped to the floor.


    With an inhale of my gils, I brace myself and reach out to the book. My body strained and stung as I pushed my muscles, maybe a tad too far. I grabbed the book, my body had collapsed at the mental relief. Thankfully, the return to my bed was much more manageable.


    The book pages were already crinkled. I pressed them flat before I laid my head on the book. By the end of the day, it would be pristinely flat. I was alone for the day, on my blood-stained mattress in the dark with the yellow lightbulb, slowly it faltered every now and again.


    My muscles, though in pain, needed to be moved to keep up blood flow. I reached for a pencil and the closest paper that had fallen to the ground. That''s when I started to write.


    -


    I switch my vision over to Naya. She was in her pitch-black solitude cell, eyed glued to the floor before the outside beep of a walkie-talkie went off.


    The door was swung open. Two soldiers stared down at the young Naya. They both swooped her off her feet and held Naya by her arms. They dragged the Virus from the bed into the hallway of what was previously the quarantine cells. Which excluded both Adrien and Toby, who were in separate confinement areas.


    Elsewhere Toby''s door was swung open, and the insides were empty. Adrien''s door was shut, with him inside it. Somehow my gut told me that Toby''s escapes may be a regular occurrence. Somehow I doubted he was far though.


    To prove my hypothesis, I flicked through the vision of several visions of soldiers until I came to the Wardens. He approached the kitchen with Tabby, who was in stride silently beside Warden as his chest was puffed out proudly. He opened the door to the kitchen.


    Inside, I proved my hypothesis. Toby was hung onto two open cabinets, feet on the kitchen board. He still wore the attire of a soldier, though this time had found a turtleneck and jeans for his smaller frame.


    The two had stared at each other. I imagined the Warden''s gaze remained untainted as if he half-expected the scene in front of him. Toby stared back as well, slightly surprised for a moment before that slow grin started to plaster, "Good morning." He jumped down from the counter.


    "That''s- really unsanitary." Was Tabby''s first comment, and she was correct. Shoes do not belong on kitchen counters, especially not when they track blood. Which then raised another issue. Soft gargles shifted the attention from Toby to the floor.


    The soldier reached up to the Warden. The gaze was met with little to no care, but an eyebrow raised look, "Tabby."


    "On it, callin'' the guys now." She replies as she reached down and started to drag the soldier away. The door was left open, which let the small room stay lit. Toby was sat on the support of a chair, boots on the actual seat. In his hands were a bowl of half-eaten cereal that had been left on the table.


    The two continued to observe each other, Toby''s slurps had become intentional to irritate the Warden. Successfully, Warden''s eye twitched, "May I ask how you escaped your holding cell?" Was how the Warden started. It was rumored that soldiers and interrogators had never been able to get any info from the blond Virus. However, that was just word through the word.


    Toby swung the spoon slightly as he finished his bite, "You may." He cooed somewhat before he returned the utensil to the bowl.


    Sass and questions added to questions were not ever taken lightly by the Warden. It was bait; bait he would refuse to accept. Especially from a Virus. So, he changed the subject, "It''s a fact that Soldier Bryant eats cereal in the morning..." He eyed the bowl, then Toby, "He happens to have been the soldier you assaulted," He acclaimed. He looked to Toby, who not even once flinched, "Or would it be a coincidence you''re using his cutlery and dish?"


    Toby eyed down at the distinct blue bowl and white-handled-silver spoon. He smirked as he spooned another gulp into his mouth. He then jumped off the chair and spun to the fridge, "Assult is your verdict, Mr. Vonelch¨¦?" Toby rummaged through.


    "Do not answer questions with questions, Virus." Warden forewarned.


    Toby shrugged with a snicker that followed, "You shouldn''t eat cereal if you can''t chew it." He likely rolled his eyes behind the sunglasses, "Wouldn''t you agree, Warden?" He dragged out a carton of orange juice. He leaned against the now shut door of the refrigerator.


    More bait. "You''ve been pesky even before you arrived at this compound." He proceeded to retake the charge. He took a step forward to tower over the barely 5''7 teenager, "Shall this be a habit, and your time here will be limited."


    Before Warden could even finish, the Virus once more peeped in, "You''re gonna kill me, Warden?" His face remained unchanged, big grin still plastered. His neck tilted up to hold the one-sided eye-contact.


    There was another prolonged silence as the two glared at each other. As if there was a conversation, I could not hear or understand.


    "He''s gonna be ok!" A shrill electronic voice snapped through the silent confrontation, "Just got some rainbow crunch-flakes stuck in his windpipe."


    Warden shifted, head turned to Tabby over his shoulder. He glared for a moment before he returned his gaze to the blond Virus. Toby had tilted his body to look at Tabby before back up at the Warden, "You will follow us to the cafeteria and not speak a word on the way there." He turned.


    "Oh, will I?" Toby almost cooed, a test in his voice alone.


    Warden swung around, "Yes you will-!" He silenced himself quickly. Toby stood with his gloved hands in his pockets. Quietly, he was proud. Warden brushed a hand over his face, in his attempt to hide any evidence of his brief snap.


    He inhaled sharply before he turned around and marched. Tabby had shrunk away, still visible but obviously tried to retract herself from the scene. The fridge opened and then closed as the familiar crinkle of the bagel bag followed. He turned once they were in the hallway to see that the Virus was not behind them. He gazed into the kitchen. Empty. The vent cover, however, was in dangle from its place.


    The Warden let out a huff, he stormed over and reached into the vent. He dragged his arm back, a small boot and jeans soon followed. He then went in with his other arm and dragged the Virus out by the collar of the camo jacket. Once out of the vent, Toby had a small perked smile. Best guess was he was surprised, though the glasses made it hard to tell.


    In his hands, he held an orange juice carton and a bagel bag. "Drop," Warden commanded.


    "You first," Toby''s grin had an early return. The Warden glared at the Virus for ten seconds. Toby would not look at him directly. instead, just he welcomed the burned gaze, "Ok, on one, we both drop." Toby let off an inhale. Warden and Tabby watched him for a second.


    "Two-one!" With a thwack of the frozen bread into the Warden''s face, The Virus was dropped. Tabby panicked and retrieved her page for Virus paralyzation onto her screen. Toby had recovered the abandoned cereal bowl and belted it at Tabby''s screen; a crack broke out across the glass. The dish was shattered on impact. Tabby, of course, shrieked as she hit the floor.


    Toby made a sprint for the door. He had virtually escaped. Warden felt his features, his hands flexed in front of his face. Blood had leaked from his nose. Thankfully, only because of reconstructive surgeries, it was susceptible to any blow. Toby did not seem that strong to begin with.


    "Sorry Warden, I couldn''t load in time!" Tabby was frantic as she got up to her feet


    "Don''t bother," He cut her off without concern, eyes glued to the door, "It''s for the best."


    -


    I flick my vision over to Skylar, who was sat along with the cafeteria table. The room was, of course, empty, as usual, the soldiers usually eat at six. It was now eight. The storm Virus prowled her eyes across the room. On her right were four Virus; Naya and Dexter were deep in discussing the complexities of using their disease or ''superpowers'' for everyday tasks.


    "I mean it''s not cheating, There isn''t a rule in baseball against usin'' superpowers to hit a ball twice as hard as it hits you." Naya opened her hands out to make a point, face exaggerating surprise.


    A huff came from Dexter, who shook his head. "I dunno, it still sounds like a cheat to me."


    Skylar raised her eyebrow, "Didn''t you say you used your weird bagel-powers for hiding police evidence in your arms?" She had her face rested on her cheek.


    He pointed at her, "Oi, the police cheated first, oight?"


    "oight?" Skylar repeated with a smirk at the strange word, followed by Naya, who snorted afterward.


    "It''s ok and alright together!" He flailed his arms up, which a soldier behind him responded to warn the Virus to remind him to keep his arms down. He obeyed and sighed, "What did you use your little- clouds for, Babe?"


    Skylar glared at Dex, who quickly shrunk away at regret for using the nickname, "Adrien and I used it to help on my dad''s farm." She gestured to her brother, "And to get Adrien to calm his shit." Adrien had been chained a few seats away. He had a few flames that flickered off him as he stared intently at the table until he felt the eyes of the others on him. He darted his attention over and made Dexter flinch back.


    Naya also made a noise of cringe, a hiss seethed through her teeth, "Yeah, what''s his deal?"


    Skylar scoffed, "I dunno, born that way?" She shrugged, voice raised rather loudly despite Adrien only being less than two feet away, "Maybe two sisters? Or maybe it''s a side effect of all his clothes burning off every day for two years?"


    "Two sisters?" Naya stuck her neck out, visibly surprised by the revelation. She then eyed Adrien again, "Yeah, I can see it." She chortled.


    "I had six." Dexter butted in, his smile proud, Skylar let off an unimpressed ''wow'' at his statement.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    The door at the far end of Adrien stormed open. Toby stumbled in, orange juice and bagels still held proudly. He took a second to get his breath back before he smiled and waltzed over, "Is this what they call fashionably late?"


    Each soldier raised their guns; in response, Toby raised his arms like a caught criminal as he went over. He noticed the gap between Adrien and the rest of the Virus, "Oh, this is cruel, you''re making me choose?" He clicked his tongue before he took the seat beside Adrien, who scowled even more.


    "They don''t want him blowing us up or whatever." Skylar shrugged before she scoffed, "new outfit, covered in dust and dead soldiers by your door." She listed, not at all surprised, "Go on another vent-expedition, bagel-boy?"


    Toby snorted as he opened the bagel bag, "That''s a fun way to phrase it." He chuckled, "The old jeans didn''t fit." He then looked to Adrien, who was already clenched at the jaw when Toby first entered the room, "Blow us up?" He tilted his head, already pestering the ginger by nudging his shoulder, "How extravagant, hot-s-" Quickly Adrien set ablaze. Perhaps thankfully, Toby flew from his seat and rested on the floor.


    "The dust and sweat don''t really work with the get-up, though. Can we expect you this gross every day or?" Skylars head tilted, unphased by the explosion.


    "I''ll have you know I care very much for personal hygiene, thank you very much." He stood up and sat back down by the firey Virus, his legs placed across the other seat, "In related news; showers are on the agenda today." He explained, which was true.


    "You know that how?" Naya tilted her head.


    Toby took out a frozen bagel and placed it on Adrien''s head, "The vents hold many secrets." He took a switchblade from his jacket pocket. He pressed the knife close to the top of the carton, effectively shanking it.


    Toby looked down to see the white-haired Virus had perked her head out from under the table. Her soft locks scrambled as if she had just woken, "Did you see any loofas?"


    The silence from the blonde made a few people worry, mostly for the homicide committed against an innocent carton of orange juice. Adrien had even decided to glare at Toby, who paid no mind, "Apologies, I did not hear of any loofa related discussions, slumber-bunny." He poked her nose, a small smile still present on his face.


    In response, she stuck out her tongue and made a fart noise before she hid away under the table again. Toby snickered with a high-pitched toothy laugh.


    With that, the door opened. A very disgruntled Warden entered the cafeteria from the same door that Toby had wandered through earlier. Everyone stopped and stared at the Warden with a mix of different glances.


    Naya was the first to whisper, "y''know he was fifteen minutes late, so legally, we are allowed to leave." I assumed this was a joke.


    "You think that''ll work on him?" Dex whispered back. Naya had raised an eyebrow, unsure if Dex was playing along or genuine.


    After a second or so of silence, the answer became more evident "No, you- what? She made a joke- She was joking." Skylar hissed through her teeth.


    "Good morning, Warden," Suddenly Toby cooed his head in his hands, "Didn''t sleep well?" His head then rested on his palm; his chin lightly tilted.


    Warden seemed on the verge of a snap, his eye twitched. Tabby then walked into the room from under Warden''s arm, a fresh new glass screen over her face. "Good morning, Virus-friends!" She stepped in and took a bow, "Excluding you!" She pointed to Toby, voice raised and furious. She spoke again, "unfortunately, due to an abnormal amount of dead bodies, broken limbs, and screens, we had to be delayed."


    It took two seconds of silence before they looked to Toby, who was the last in. Toby held an active disinterest, already focused on the bagel above Adrien''s head, held up by a metal stick. He giggled as Adrien gazed over and violently blew up, charcoaling it instantly.


    Adrien then grabbed the blonde by the collar, "Cut that shit out!" A spray of fire extinguisher alerted Adrien''s attention to Tabby who''s third finger cap had split. Toby was dropped, and Adrien turned around to escape from the floor chains, "Try that again, see what happens, shitbag."


    Tabby obliged, more white foam hit the other. Adrien sizzled, the foam slowly dissipated. His eye twitched as it became visible, teeth bared in a smile of rage.


    "Both of you, sit down," Tabby tensed, arms lowered, and chest puffed out, "Silence, murder-Virus!"


    Toby sat down and huffed, "Never laid a hand on anyone ever." he let off a perky smile. He raised a gloved hand and pressed it to Adrien''s face, "Now I have, right, hot-spur?" he snickered again as Skylar gave a perfect look of chagrin to the duo.


    Adrien screeched, flames still neglected to rise off the other "Fuck off already, Jesus!" He scrambled to his feet and grabbed the other by the neck, already slammed Toby into the table.


    Toby barely squirmed, only slightly to shift to stay comfortable, "Last I heard, I was called shitbag," He slightly laughed under his breath, much too quiet for the Warden to hear. He reached up and poked Adrien''s nose, "Or shall noncommittal nicknames be our thing now, fire crotch?"


    Adrien let off an angered growl, a hand quickly forced over Toby''s face to silence him, "Shut up, shut thefuckup, you annoying little-!" Toby merely giggled behind the hand. He gripped over Adrien''s wrist to try and pull it away.


    Dexter and Naya let off an impressed ''ooo'' as Skylar stood up and tried desperately to pull the two apart, "Adrien, cut it out!" Once Toby was free, he instantly started to annoy the other again, a finger pressed to the furious gingers cheek.


    "My, my are you always this handsy, spitfire?" He cooed, however more of an aggressive tone was in this tease, "Be careful, people talk you kn-" Adrien had finally flamed up. He grabbed Toby by the wrist and slammed him onto the floor.


    "Do you ever shut up?!" Adrien was on the other in a second, one hand covered his face as the other got into a fist. Toby squeaked and flailed his hands, to force Adrien''s face away. Adrien''s fist remained in the air as the two seemed to be stuck in a frozen tangle of attempting to fight each other. At least it sounded like Adrien was in a strain totryand hit the other.


    Naya, who was stood up, furrowed her brows, "Hit him!" She called out, which caused Skylar to make a threatful ''shush'' to her.


    "Sock his nose in!" Dex called out for her after Naya had coiled away.


    Adrien''s eye twitched. He turned his head, "Don''t tell me what to-!" Before he could finish, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the side, a red light in his neck. Toby took a second before he sat up, breath heavy. A trail of blood came from the blonde''s nose, despite he clearly had never been hit.


    Toby first looked to the Adrien, who Skylar had already sat next to, "Jesus, Adri..." She huffed and helped him onto his seat. Toby wiped the blood from under his nose. He turned to stare at Warden as he slowly breathed from his maw.


    "Uh yeah, sorry for the uh... Delay... Again" Tabby fidgeted. Warden held his gaze on the blonde as he slowly used his thumb to scrape away the excess blood. He then sat down by Adrien again who''s head was left to rest on the table.


    Warden walked over and stood in front of the table, opposite the Virus. He mentally counted each of the Virus. Joslyn sat perfectly still throughout the whole ordeal beside Dex, forgotten by the crowd, then where the sleepy Virus would sit.


    "Where is MMHV 3?" He furrowed his eyebrows. Naya tapped the table as a response. Warden seemed to get the message and trailed down the line. His eyes lingered on Toby, "You." He clicked his fingers to try and grab the other''s attention. Toby gazed up from his lint-picking with a ''hm?''


    "Other side of the fire Virus and down a few," He ordered, "You''re in order of most deadly, and you, you are a magnet for havoc."


    Toby snorted, "Havoc?" He grinned with his smug expression more tired this time.


    "Multiple murders is havoc now get down the line." He repeated.


    Toby seemed to audibly roll his eyes, "Don''t be dramatic, it was eight suspicious deaths."


    Warden held the glare, which seemed to convince Toby to stand up, with a click of his tongue. He went to the seat on the opposite side of Adrien before he was halted, "No, seven seats down."


    Toby groaned loudly, going further down the seats until he was far away from the rest. He slumped, legs crossed on the bench. Warden then glared elsewhere. He turned his back and mumbled into his walkie talkie, "Bring in the leftovers."


    A static ''yes sir.'' was repeated back.


    It took a second before Tabby spoke up, "Yo, chief. Can I go through the schedule today?" She asked as she rocked back and forth on her heels.


    "If you must," Warden refused to look in her direction, You have two minutes." He warned.


    Tabby wasted no time. She jumped onto the bench-seat, "Ahem!" She cleared her throat, which made a few Virus wince.


    "Ok! So first off, there will be showers, girls first then boys." She explained, then thinking for a moment, "I think Blondie will be separate-"


    "Don''t bother, I already showered." Toby hummed, flicking the lint off his glove again.


    "I- ok." Tabby shrugged, vaguely, she looked to Warden, who paid no attention, "Then! We have our experimentations and check-up!" Her voice chippered, "Ykno'' gotta see what your diseases are- also y''know, other people stuff."


    Joslyn''s hand trembled as it slowly raised. Tabby made a ''hm'' as she watched her. Joslyn''s hand fiddled with her hair, "I would like to bathe separately..." Tabby turned to the Warden, who gave no response.


    "Uh, yeah, no, soz'', Jos." Tabby then made a surprised noise at the rhyme she accidentally caused.


    "Also, diseases?" Skylar raised an eyebrow, cheek rested on her hand, "We know this isn''t some quarantine shit."


    "Ugh, you''re Virus!" Tabby groaned, "That little cloud thingy you do is your disease." Tabby''s knees slumped, "Keep up, girl for real." She jumped and walked up and down the length of the table, "Then, of course, background checks, gotta check you for any allergies, definable marks, yadayada... Y''know, trackable stuff."


    At the far end of the table, Naya quickly stood up, which prompted the soldiers to raise their guns. Tabby tilted her head at Naya, who promptly spoke, "Sorry, I don''t know why I did that..." She sat herself down. A weird amount of sweat was being emitted from the girl, then it was noticed from Dex as well.


    "I feel- is it hot in here? I think the uh-fire guy is like- back on again?" Dex pointed to Adrien with his thumb.


    "Really? I feel cold..." Naya added on. More people down the line started to show peculiar symptoms. It took Tabby a second before she turned to the Warden. He was sweating under the collar, eyes now glared at the furthest line member.


    Joslyn; she was pale in the face, hand her hand gripped to her hair as she had started to hyperventilate. Once she noticed the eyes on her, her shoulder clamped up, "Sorry."


    A silence went by as Tabby looked to the Warden, unsure of how to go about what was obviously Virus-activity; "Take MMHV-One in early." Ordered the Warden, and the guards shifted, "To the observation bay. Begin tests immediately."


    Joslyn''s eyes widened as she heard a pair of footsteps behind her, "No, no, no, I''m sorry I can turn it off." Once she was grabbed, her pleas ceased.


    She seemed to freeze for only a second, "I-I can tell you what I have!" She started to flail her legs, "I don''t- I don''t like needles!" was her last shriek before getting dragged out of the room.


    A full silence invaded as Naya and Dex seemed to clear up their anxiety symptoms, or at least the ones caused by Joslyn. Tabby was tense as she tried to figure out a way to continue "Uh, ok- after the check-up, I''m not too sure of uh..."


    "Times up, we''re going." Warden had already started to make his way to the exit of the cafeteria.


    Tabby looped her head back to the table and the door, "Uh-oh, ok!" She started to run her small feet and the wooden table, "Enjoy breakfast, everyone!" She called back as she jumped off the table, "Except you!" She pointed at Toby.


    A definite five seconds of silence passed, "Virus.." Skylar winced under her breath, "What kinda shit is that, honestly?"


    Each of the Virus gazed over to her as she continued, "Like- what does that even mean?" She gazed at Toby as if he''d know. He glanced over and thought, "Is it cus a virus is alive?" She thought aloud.


    Naya voiced up, "Parasites are alive, though, why wouldn''t we be called that?" She made herself shuffle to look over at Skylar.


    "Well, a Virus is a parasite... Rectangles and squares deal y''know?" She answered, in thought for a moment, "Parasites feed on a host, and I don''t- think we do that?" As Skylar was quietly in contemplation. The doors re-opened, and a trolley came in with food leftovers.


    The soldiers behind the Virus'' table moved out of the room. The cooks stayed present, guns in their belts. The chefs slid the plates of leftover food to each of the Virus; fruit, random assortments of eggs, and bread with moist potatoes. Skylar huffed, unimpressed as anyone would be with the offering.


    She looked to her brother, who was still paralyzed to the table, his eye twitched as the only expression of anger he could have given. The plate was nonchalantly slid to him, no regard for if it hit him in the face. Which it did.


    On the other side of the table, Naya had let off a ''hell yeah!'' followed by her boast of optimism, "Protein on a plate right here!" She slapped the table, which summoned the white-haired Virus to pop her head out and glare.


    Skylar huffed, "It''s shit, say it''s shit..." She snapped over to Naya, who shrugged.


    "Yo, as a baseball captain, you appreciate the worth in a chunky breakfast." She pet her own upper-arm muscle, which compared to Naya herself, wasn''t much, but when Dex raised his arm to parallel, it was evident who was the sportier of the two.


    "Softball, you mean?" Dex started.


    Naya went silent, "No, I mean baseball."


    "No, you mean softball, that''s the version girls play."


    "Softball is for sissies, poindexter." Naya scoffed, taking offense, "You think I''m some soft-skinned private school kid?"


    "Babe, guys are stronger than girls. I''m sorry, it''s just science." He shrugged, which made Skylar snort.


    Naya watched the other for a moment, unsure if he was joking or not. She slammed her elbow onto the table, "Alright, walk-the-walk then, Papi." She grinned, arm held out in a familiar position, sleeves rolled up.


    A toothy scoff came from the Hispanic as he landed his opposite elbow down in agreeance, "I''ll be gentle." He grinned.


    "Guess someone has to be." She lightly cackled in reply. Naya gripped the other hand, he slightly jolted and took a second before clasping her hand back. Naya was rather bulky in the arms for her size, regardless of what her disease was.


    Skylar opened her mouth slightly before she shrugged it shut it, deciding to watch. She assisted her brother by shifting his head to look in that general direction, which made him growl, no more, no less.


    "Count down for us, Clover." Naya gave a look to the barely awake Virus. She made a hum in agreeance. The newly named Clover raised three fingers.


    "Three."


    "Two."


    "One."


    Instantly Dex''s wrist was shoved near down significantly, then his eyes widened, and his veins popped from his lanky arm. He managed to push Naya up slightly, which was met with twice as much pushback from Naya, who sat with a smile, arm only shaking from Dex, who was struggling to stay up.


    As they arm-wrestled, Naya reached over to pick up a piece of fruit from her plate, then fragments of the omelet. While Dex struggled, even using two hands to try and push his opponent''s hand down as his own support was mere inches from the table.


    Skylar was leaned over the table, and I was forced to check through the chefs who were either too embarrassed, amused, or dumbfounded to stop them. "Dexter, please." Skylar sighed, "You look... stupidly stupid, you''re not going to win."


    Dex was red in the face and audibly pained, "Sh-shut up y-yes I can!"


    "Dex can''t." Clover had retrieved her tiny fruit bowl and was sat and watched, "Dex looks constipated." She stuck her tongue out, face visibly unimpressed, which seemed to be somewhat stationary.


    Naya slapped the table with her spare hand, "Yo, can I get seconds?!" She called out. Her plate was clean, "Josy isn''t here, so can I get hers?" The chefs looked up to their boss, who shook his head.


    She let off a quiet, "Damn," before she got an idea. She looked over to Dex''s food and smiled, "Yo, Dex, can my winning prize be your plate?"


    Dex was hunched over, face flat on the table, "Y-yeah, b-but you wont-you won''t-"


    "Cool, thanks!" Naya, in a second, slammed down the other''s wrist onto the table, "Cheers, good game, Poin-Dexter." Dex lied still, wrist in the same place. Skylar had her lips pursed as her body lightly vibrated in suppressed laughter, eyes even lightly watered before she covered them.


    Naya finished the second plate in record time, hand slapped it on top of her already finished dish, "Yo chef," She flicked her fingers before she pointed to the middle chef, the boss, "the big guy!" Naya''s elbow slammed down, "Arm wrestle for a third breakfast?"


    The boss was a bulkier and more heavyweight man with darker skin and grey, hung eyebrows. His thick arms were crossed. Charlo, he''s worked here longer than the Warden, never been on the field himself. But He''s been the feeder of over one-hundred soldiers under half his age.


    The two younger chefs looked up before they chuckled. Under their breaths, they beckoned him. They silently argued on what he should bet on. "Naya, oh my god, donot." Was Skylar''s warning, even though she lightly scoffed under her own breath, "They''re- they''ll tell the Warden." Her voice became hushed and careful.


    Naya snorted, "They''ll tell the Warden they lost to a child?" She raised her eyebrow before she thought, "How about, listen to this;Iwin, I get one custom breakfast and the spares ya got." She started.


    The wired brows of Charlo raised, "What could a better or worse hostage give me?"


    She contemplated before a wide grin consumed her, "You get the honorary title of being the first soldier here to beat a Virus in arm wrestling!" She slammed a hand into the table, and it slightly recoiled, "Name better braggin'' rights, chef!" She was overly proud, her thumb pointed at herself.


    A second of pondering was needed before Charlo took a few steps forward and stood on the opposite side of Naya, hand outstretched, "That all you want?"


    She tried to stand up but stumbled over her leg chains slightly. She then spat in her hand and slapped it to Charlo''s, her arm so much smaller than the older man''s. He didn''t seem to mind, but Skylar slightly winced, gazing to her side, "Can you believe this shit-?"


    Apart from Adrien, that side of the table was completely empty. Toby had once again disappeared. Empty food tray left behind. Skylar''s eyes darted about the room before to her brother, "Hey, where''d he go?"


    "Where''d who go?" He growled in reply, slightly sluggish as the tranquilizer slowly wore off.


    She huffed, "Toby," Adrien merely gave her a look for a second before she continued, "Oh my god, the blonde you were trying to-"


    "I know the fuckers name," Adrien spat and shook his head slightly, "Just- why should I care?"


    "Cus'' he''s disappeared!"


    "Great!" Adrien shouted, "Let''s pray that he never comes back!" He lifted his head by an inch, "Or did you forget you moved my head specifically away from his general direction?!" Adrien''s voice cracked as he snapped, "Because I can''t fuckin do any of that right now!"


    Skylar glared down at her brother for a prolonged period. She picked up an old bread piece from her tray and placed it on Adrien''s head, "Shut up and cook this for me, asshole."

 CHAPTER 4

    CONDEMN


    DEFINITION


    Express complete disapproval of; censure.


    "most leaders roundly condemned the attack."


    -


    DATE - JULY 2ND 2015


    -


    I shifted my disease to Joslyn. Her eyes were glued down to a steel table and showed no signs of any harm except her heart and breath rate was excessive. To try and get answers, I switched through more visions to try and find out who was observing her.


    Outside of the box, a buzz arose from the speakers; someone was at the door. One other scientist who was semi-focused on their clipboard looked up. The soldier I had first used to vision in darted his eyes to the scientist who had moved.


    They stared for a while at each other before the man in camo spoke, "Get it for fuck''s sake." His thumb pointed behind him towards the door, "Might be the old dog."


    -


    I flicked my vision over to the Warden. He sat in his office at his desk. Tabby sat across from him as her screen displayed a grainy video. From around a half-hour earlier at the mess hall where Toby and Adrien had their newest conflict.


    There was a soft static noise from the walkie talkie, "Sir, quick question, over."


    He picked up the walkie talkie and held it an inch or so from his face, "So make it quick." His voice was gruff, annoyed, and pre-occupied. His eyes were still on Tabby''s screen. His fingers went in a loop motion, indicating for her to repeat the film. She obliged.


    "Have you got an awol Virus?" The soldier''s static-induced voice repeated, "Specifically MMHV-7, over."


    His eyes scanned across his American-memorabilia decorated office. That comment seemed to sink in. He raised two fingers, and Tabby paused the footage. "I am not in a place to verify that." He explained, "Why do you ask?"


    I flicked back to the soldier''s view. He and the scientist were stood still, they watched vent piece that had broken off from where it should be and was now flat on the floor, "We think it dropped by, gave a bag of breakfast and a bagel to a scientist and crawled into a vent, he said he wanted it delivered to MMHV-1?"


    Warden gave a moment of silence to the apparent fact that Toby had escaped again. He didn''t reply for a while. Eyes stuck on the freeze-frame of Toby, who had eyed the Warden, right after Adrien had been sedated, "Any damage caused?"


    "Just a broken vent," He answered, "Should we try and smoke him out? Over."


    He inhaled sharply, not proud of the instruction he was about to give, "No, Just leave it be."


    "Yessir, over and out."


    Warden placed the walkie talkie down, watching the freeze-frame for longer in silence.


    "Warden... I wanna go back to my room... I''m bored." Tabby''s voice complained like a sulky child, "Pleeeeeease?" She dragged out until the Warden raised his hand.


    "Play the clip again."


    Tabby groaned, "Again? It''s the same funky deal," Her arms exaggerated, "Adrien''s a wuss, can''t hit for shit, and the blonde-"


    His fist plummetted onto the table, which provoked Tabby to recoil, "Theblondehas an unidentified dangerous disease, is completely manic and uncooperative," Warden''s voice gruffed, slowly elevating himself from his seat, "Play the clip again."


    After a second, Tabby complied and replayed the same ten-second clip, no words against him this time.


    "Slow it down."


    She complied.


    "Freeze frame it there."


    She complied.


    "Zoom into the Virus face."


    Tabby did so.


    Now Warden watched Tabby''s screen. He seated himself and took his time to examine every detail of Toby''s face when Adrien had started to throw the other to the floor. The glasses made it hard to tell, but the lack of bodily reaction seemed to show that this was not to his plan, if he had one that is.


    After a minute, Tabby spoke, "Look, Wardz'', I''m gonna be real with you; You have no clue what you''re looking for," She began to explain, the clip disappeared from her monitor. Warden lingered still, eyebrow elevated in await for the TV to continue, "You don''t even know what any of the Virus are called!" She crossed her arms, "They immediately went against orders when you left the gym too."


    "Under your watch, Tabitha."


    "Shut it, I''m making sense here, chief!" Tabby stood up on the table, and it wobbled slightly, "They don''t respect you, are all fairly cray-cray, and they''re teenagers!" She raised her arm up.


    "Your point being?"


    "My point is you don''t get them, they''re young, stupid, and probably and good at communication!" She explained, pitch raised, "Like the total opposite of you!"


    "Tabitha, Sit."


    With a huff, Tabby did so and dropped into a sit, "I''m recommending a child psychologist," She crossed her arms, "It''d keep them stable, they''d trust the psych with important possiblydiseaseorescape planrelated info."


    Warden seemed to consider it for only a brief moment. Silence ran through the room for a moment before the Warden stood up and walked around the table, "Anyone can get info from anyone with the right tools."


    "Even if theanyone, In this example, is teenagers with superpowers?" There was an intense silence for a time. "They''re not scared of you," Tabby hopped down from her chair. She skipped over and tugged onto Warden''s navy-green sleeve, "The only reason they haven''t killed''ya yet is cus they don''t see ya as a threat."


    Warden seemed to reflect upon this for longer, eyes stuck down onto a photo frame he had placed flat on a filing cabinet. The Warden jerked his sleeve back. He turned around and picked up the walkie talkie, "Get the experimentation rooms ready for the Virus before the half-hour. Over." He flatly ordered.


    "Yessir, what about MMHV-7?"


    Warden was sure to look at Tabby, who was stood by the door, "I can handle it."


    He pocketed the walkie talkie and marched out. Tabby toppled out of the way to avoid being a sacrifice to the Warden''s soundless storm. The TV huffed as she watched Warden leave, the door slowly closed when Tabby slipped out, "What the hell do I do now?!"


    "Wait in the observation deck, Be there in fifteen minutes, no less." He shouted back before he rounded the corner.


    Tabby''s joints slumped, the white and pink planet sweater drooped down slightly. Her large silicone hands raised, "Wait in the observation deck, fifteen minutes blah-blah.." She mimicked, then thought for a second, and body language jolted up, "Fifteen minutes, ey?" She began to chortle and snicker.


    It was then she saw the soldier by the Warden''s door, the one I had used to watch her hushed parade. She pointed to the soldier, who pretended to not notice her, "If you tell him anythin'', you''ll be zapped." Before she ran off down the hall. It was likely an empty threat.


    -


    Warden kept his pace up, headed towards the cafeteria where the Virus would soon be picked up from. He paused momentarily. Loud chants, cheers, and screams had become more audible the closer the lunch bay became. Warden slowly approached the double doors of the cafeteria. He hesitated before he shoved the entryway wide open.


    The scene was undoubtedly the last thing he expected. Many, many soldiers were huddled around the edge of the table. Their fists pumped into the air as they chanted the names of who they voted for. One of Naya''s hand''s was firmly clasped around a rugged soldier''s white-knuckled wrist. Naya''s spare hand was held an apple juice box that she was leisurely sipping on.


    The spare Virus had a mix of expressions. Dex''s cheer was for Naya, as expected, his hand on her shoulder and occasionally patting it when he thought it seemed like she was about to lose. Though, by Naya''s face, she was never in any danger, just putting on a show.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Clover was in the same spot, being the coach was occasionally stuffing her maw with a breakfast muffin.


    Skylar had her face in her hands, ultimately had enough, and seemed to be in some withdrawal or disappointment. Likely both. Adrien had recovered from the tranquilizer, was in a similar boat, now eating, however, which only made him seem slightly less angry.Very slightly.


    Mike''s hand was shoved into the table with a devastating shove by Naya when she seemed to be bored. A round of sighs, groans, chants, and the whole series started up. A few Soldiers started to exchange cigarettes and contraband. All while Warden watched, stood still at the door.


    He gathered enough cohesion to walk further towards the table, finally much more viewable. Adrien was the first to acknowledge him, only giving him a harsh glare as he chewed a piece of toast with his handprint. Warden''s eyes scanned the table, "It''s not back yet?" He eyed the seat beside Adrien.


    Adrien''s eyes squinted his eyes at the Warden then at the seat beside him. In response, Adrien rather literally spat in Warden''s direction. Of course, he missed entirely. Still, it was the principle that counted as the ginger gave a hideous scowl.


    Warden had nothing to say to Adrien. He merely watched him with furrowed eyebrows. Was he meant to hit Adrien? Approach him menacingly? Get a soldier to approach him? No, he could actively combust under any pressure.


    "Yo, Warde- this guy''s the Warden, right?!" Naya questioned, voice loud and radiant. The room''s energy started to decrees rapidly as each soldier finally saw and acknowledged the presence of their commander. Naya, however, continued to spiel proudly, "Yo Warden, these chumps reckon you can''t beat me!" She gestured to around her best she could with her confines, "You win; get the title of the only person to beat me,andthe first to beat a Virus in arm wrestling!" She pointed to herself, cheers behind her clearly dead and gone, excluding Dex, who was still promoting her with applause, "I win, and I get a baseball bat!"


    Skylar''s eyes widened as she darted her eyes between Naya and the Warden, "Naya, shut the fuck up!" she hissed. Her threat fell on deaf ears as Naya''s bright face barely faltered, and she remained on her feet.


    Warden''s mouth opened to speak, but a rattle in the vents, followed by a loud thud behind them, ceased the chances of that. Warden took in a deep breath and chose not to turn around.


    "And I''m back!" Toby''s voice greeted, ruffling his frame of dust, "Alright, be honest, who missed me?" He walked up behind Warden, who still refused to acknowledge him yet, "This guy did, looking for me all over, I''m flattered, thank you," He then pets the Warden''s arm as he was eyed Toby as if it would frighten him. He waltzed over to where Adrien was slowly firing back up, as he muttered curses under his breath.


    As Toby was just by the firey Virus, Adrien''s eyes were forced shut while the blonde merely smiled; he knew full well the havoc he could cause. "Wow, is it hot in here or is it just this guy?" He poked at Adrien''s cheek, which snapped him out of his purposeful dissociation. At first, the ginger went in to try and bite the other''s finger.


    "I wish you fucking died." Adrien hissed, eyes squinted at the other.


    Toby just giggled with a snort soon to follow, "Don''t waste your wishes on me, hotspur," Toby lightly shoved the other''s face as a playful-bored response, "I''m kidding, by the way, I can see there''s like thirty people in here." He mumbled as if it were a half-apology just to Adrien.


    "Bagel-boy!" Naya pointed at the blond who was now leaned on Adrien with an arm lounged over his ginger ruffles. Toby to look up at the short Virus who had attempted to stand on the bench, "You''re stealing my thunder, dude!" She exclaimed, "I''m about to win a baseball bat!"


    Toby gave an unemotive, ''wow,'' but yet, he sounded vaguely amused. A streak of fire grew on Adrien''s shoulders after ten seconds of his desperate attempt to kick it back into gear. In response, Toby just moved off the other and snuck a bagel out of his pocket. He rested the dough sphere over the fire instead of being concerned.


    Skylar glared at him, which Toby, of course, overlooked. So Skylar slapped the bagel out of his grasp, it to fell onto Adrien, the bread set alight and ruined. Toby just hummed in acknowledgment, hand still as if the bagel was still present.


    Naya cleared her throat, grin growing as she raised her arm, "So, Warden, hows'' that bet soundin''?" She offered again. Warden''s pupils dragged from Adrien and Toby to Naya, eyes thinning as he glowered at the girl in silence for a long time.


    Silence tensed the room; Clover had slid under the table, and everyone had tightened. A few soldiers even sneaked out of the room. Adrien''s fire had dimmed but never vanished. Naya''s arm had stayed splayed out, smile only wilted once she heard the doors close behind her vanishing crowd. However, her pride never fell utterly.


    Static came from the walkie talkie in the Warden''s chest pocket. He picked it out and listened, ''The rooms are ready, sir. Over.''


    "Received, Over," The Warden almost placed the radio back until he noticed Toby had disappeared from that spot and had nearly made it to the door, starting to open the door. Toby ceased movement when Warden spotted him. To the soldiers already in the room, he spoke, "Take the female Virus to the private showers."


    He clicked his fingers into a point at Toby, "Take that one to the viewing stations." Toby''s head lightly shifted to the soldiers before he darted out.


    "I don''t give a shit who," Warden quietly snapped before he pointed the walkie-talkie to the door, "get the bastard before it crawls into a vent!" Several soldiers ran out, hands-on their guns.


    "Fucker really can''t take us with him?" Skylar huffed heavily, eyebrows furrowed, "He at least freed us last time."


    Dex shrugged, "I don''t really want to follow him into a vent," He said to Skylar as her binds were being undone, "Maybe he''s like- workin'' towards that or somethin''?"


    "Maybe..." Skylar waited for the Warden to walk closer to the exit that Toby took, stood as her leg braces were undone, "He better be."


    "I''m sorry; literally, all he''s done is used us for our- what- diseases?" Adrien hissed at his sister, "Are you just gonna not care about that?"


    "He''s used ourdiseasesto get us food, and to free you, dumbass," Skylar''s gaze peered over her shoulder to her brother, "Stop being fun to annoy, and he''ll stop." Her eyes rolled.


    "That''s easy for you to say!" He tried to stand up, likely wanting to continue the bicker. He stumbled quickly and almost fell, "You''re into that shitty power-prunk shtick!" He jabbed, a grin had grown over his face.


    Dex tried his best to turn around and watch the argument ensue. Naya was the same, though she was still actively being moved out.


    Skylar froze up, the soldier behind her thudding into her, "Keep it mov-" A few light jolts of electricity came from Skylar''s frizzy ginger locks.


    She forced her body around, "Fuck did you just say?!" She shuffled out of the soldiers grasp with the help of electric jolts to shake them off. She started to storm a few steps towards, "Better cut whatcha preachin-"


    Naya''s whispered to the officer escorting her she wanted to watch, which shockingly, the soldier obliged. They were both eager to witness the teenage sibling drama with the feature of superpowers. Soldiers get bored quickly in the Moth-Mound.


    "You fuckin heard me!" He cackled, a smug grin growing, "That preppy-punk shit-tier act." He taunted, "You fall for it like all the fuckin time, Sky!"


    She let off an offended gasp as she started to storm over. The fog began to emit from Skylar''s mouth and form a cloud in her path, "That''s some bold fuckin words for someone who''s had a crush on Brendon Urie for two whole years!"


    Adrien grew flustered, looking to the small group with his startled eyes, "Y-you-you know that shit''s different!" He forced himself as far as he could go, faced off to his sister, who was surrounded by dark clouds that thickened by the second.


    The soldier who was in charge of Skylar had approached the girl, "Hey, shut it, we need to-!" As soon as his hand grabbed her shoulder, it was zapped back violently. Skylar''s head swiveled around, eyes wide with a snarl and pointed eyebrows. Adrien had an identical expression at the soldier.


    "Don''t touch me, shit-face!" She hissed after she had turned around. She shuffled her feet up to the soldier who was shaking the smoke from his hand.


    The brother pitched in, "Keep your old-man claws off my shitty sister, dickweed!" The flames on his shoulders picked up even more. What followed was collected shouts of threats, commands, and cuss-filled shames at the soldier.


    After a second of being witness to the domestic chaos, Naya snorted, "Ok, I''m good now, I can go." She gazed up to the soldier with a content smile.


    "Alright, let''s go." The soldier ordered, and Naya obliged. As she was led out where Clover was asleep and being transported like a balloon. Naya''s eyes guided down the hall on her right, where Toby was held up by his arms by two Soldiers. Warden was seemed to be giving him a rant, and Toby smiled smugly in return. The Virus'' camo jacket now shed onto the floor to show his figure, which was more petite than I expected.


    -


    Naya''s eyes trailed down to the floor as they walked up the stairs to the second level of the mound, where the private showers were located. Naya''s head raised as she noted her surroundings. A rare sight was upstairs; natural light. Naya paused as she noticed the windows, head stuck on it.


    The soldier who transported her noted the pause and the cause, "You can check out the windows on the way back, you must-"


    "Sorry!" The short girl lunged, the back of her head slammed into Troy''s chin, which seemed to be useful as he let go and stumbled back, his heel tilted on the edge of the staircase. Naya jammed her elbow into Troy''s ribs and then jabbed her foot into Troy''s tibia. He was sent back down the flight of stairs, a yelp, and a flurry of curses directly followed.


    The solider in front of Naya was already aware. He took out a walkie-talkie and quickly approached Naya, who bolted around the corner to the windows.


    Warden''s walkie talkie activated, "Backup needed on level two. MMHV four has deviated, I repeat, MMHV has made a break for it!" Warden listened, then eyed Toby as if this was his idea. His response; an unimpressed yet lightly amused ''wow.''


    He then chortled, "Fifteen years, ey?" Toby finally looked up at the Warden, "and they say hard work pays off." The way he phrased it sounded like he planned to continue the sentence. But he didn''t, that was it.


    -


    Naya had made it to the windows; it was a lovely day out, and the shade from the trees beyond the wire-walls was still crisp. Naya froze when she heard the sound of guns clicked behind her. The soldier earlier had made it to the hall quickly, and footsteps of backup were on the stairs.


    "Virus!" He started, "Do not take another step back or I will-" He cut off as Naya''s eyes darted to the window temporarily, only for a millisecond. But it was noticed.


    "Do not!" He warned. But the warning fell on deaf ears as Naya plunged her whole body into the glass. Rather than breaking it, the pane of glass had bounced out of its place and plummetted with Naya.


    Naya''s shifted quickly, reflexes getting ahold of her as she covered her face. She held her eyes open until she hit the rapidly approaching sandy earth.


    Her elbow hit first, but instead of Naya''s death or paralyzation, the ground crackled. Naya took a few stumbled before she stumbled up, arm slightly more limp than before.


    "Virus on the loose!" The voice of the soldier screamed from above before he took out his walkie talkie. Naya''s eyes widened as she made a break for it, holding her arm as she made it to the corner of the base''s barbed-wire-electric fence. She noted the sign on both sides that stated the electricity factor. But, she ignored it.


    Naya''s fingers looped around the sharp wires as she gained her footing. The electricity on the cables must not have been there. Her hands were still cuffed, but she seemed to have a strategy. She inhaled as she forced her hand to clutch and feet to be on the wire. Naya jumped, fingers taking another higher-handful of the sparked wires, then faster, and faster until she reached the top.


    "Aha!" Naya called out, "Suck it, government!" She jeered at the base as many soldiers'' watched from the empty slot of where the glass was. Naya reached into a tree and hastened down, her legs bolted through the thin layer of woods around the base, scratched by stray sticks and prickly bushes.


    Once those trees dissipated, Naya finally met the outside of the Moth-Mound. Nothing. Dead bushes, keeled over trees and miles of sand and dirt. The only sign of life being a cracked road and a rotted bus stop sign rusted and crumpled at the center. Though I couldn''t see it, I knew Naya''s smile fell when she let off a single defeated chuckle.


    I could only imagine the defeat she felt as the heartbeat in her eyes dulled quickly, breath had become slow. Then the sound came, a light beep in her nape, and with that, Naya had collapsed.

 CHAPTER 5

    EGOCENTRIC


    DEFINITION


    thinking only of oneself, without regard for the feelings or desires of others; self-centered.


    "egocentric loners with an overinflated sense of self-worth"


    -


    DATE - JULY 3RD 2015


    -


    "Hey-hey, Alvis!" Tabby''s chipper voice pitched after the door screech to our chambers "We gotta get you outside, my guy, we only have a few hours of sunlight left!" She poked me, and I lightly gargled. I looked around and saw Tabby with a low-to-ground trolly.


    Had I passed out? How long for? It was frequent for me to fall asleep if I was watching through someone who was also about to drift to sleep. But passing out was unheard of for me to copy as well, usually, I just got kicked out of the vision. Though, not many soldiers pass out on the spot for me to verify that.


    I checked my skin; dry and shriveled. I hadn''t gotten any sustenance for days. With my leftover strength, I pull myself onto the trolly. Tabby pulled my arm as a weak attempt to assist. Once on the wheeled device, I coil in my tail and let Tabby begin her pursuit out.


    The excitement of the past few days had left me malnourished, I had even forgotten I needed sustenance. As I do not have a mouth, my skin absorbs all its nutrients, water and food and all else. I have been referred to as a flower by Tabby before, and a vegetable by soldiers. Though I cannot think of a vegetable that by itself photosynthesizes.


    Instead of heading out the front of the facility and just been laid in the sun, Tabby pushed the trolly into the darkest hallway of the Moth Mound. where the lights started to flash and the newer white paintwork had ceased.


    All that was in this short hallway was the dingy elevator. Tabby stretched up to press the button which brought the elevator down while we waited, my gills gargled in protest, which Tabby noticed, "Oh yeah, the electric fence is busted it turns out." Tabby shrugged, and as she was about to continue, the sound of the elevator''s horrified, rusted screams started as it moved for the first time in an estimated twelve years.


    Tabby groaned as volume meter appeared on her face as her annoyed groans got louder, the bar on her screen grew. At full volume, she continued, "We can''t go near the fence!" She yelled, "So we''re gonna go to the roof!" She explained, her hands cupped as if it would somehow project her voice better.


    I counted the seconds of how long the elevator took. It took forty-eight seconds for the elevator to rise from the forgotten depths of the basement. The doors screeched open, and the memories came back. The memories I could practically smell.


    The yellow bars to hold you in were rusted, chipped and visibly weightless. Rotted boxes had still been left behind in the cruelly lit room. The lights had grown mold and moss, though I could not complain as it was a shock the lights even worked.


    Tabby wheeled me in, careful to avoid the rusted pulley that centered in the elevator, which took up a third of the space in the already cramped room. The elevator was somehow both claustrophobic and Agoraphobia as you could see empty walls across both sides where darkness quickly swallowed both sides. Thankfully, that was only visible on the lower level.


    The lower levels that reeked the elevator, and you could practically hear. Tabby stepped over to the control pad which featured a red button, an up button, a down button, and the ''close door'' button. Tabby pressed the up button for less than a second and the elevator jolted grossly which made Tabby shriek, and myself gargle and find the strength to panic.


    "I-" Tabby paused for a moment, "Forgot you need to hold the stupid button!" Tabby slightly ranted before she held that button and the elevator began to move upwards loudly, which sounded expectantly worse from the inside.


    Tabby''s screen lingered to me as she seemed to somehow emote the same indescribable pained emotion I was going through. This elevator is the worst thing in this Mound, with what it leads to being a close second. Thankfully, we weren''t headed there though.


    The next seventy-two seconds grueled as Tabby held a button and I listened to the screams of rusted metal. But once the sound had ceased, a rubbery cry of tires replaced it, which caused Tabby to scream in shrill.


    She stopped as quickly as she started, her screen turned to the panel, then to me, "I think we''re here." She said with haste, quick to click the green button and scurry over to me. She grabbed the trolly and refused to wait for the door to open completely before we were both out of that godforsaken elevator.


    Tabby groaned in relief as she hobbled around the trolly and in the lead, the roof key in her hand, the rope swung around her finger. Then she stopped as she saw it, but Tabby didn''t state what she saw for a good second, "Did Naya whack the doorknob?"


    She was right, the doorknob was gone; just a hole of where it would have been. It left the door to awkwardly swing back and forth with the wind.


    I gargle, a few of my eyes squinted. Naya didn''t leave through the roof, and there''s a broken window to prove it. Tabby just watched me as if I''d be able to audibly tell her. Her shoulders shrugged, as she tucked the keys into her skirt pocket.


    "Alrighty!" Tabby chirped, happy to skip back to the trolly and push it out the broken door, and it that moment I realized how much I missed the sun, even if it was low to the ground. My eyes took a moment to adjust to the natural light.


    My eyes had closed, and I heard Tabby approach me before she placed something on my head. I opened the eyes that would not be affected by the new foreign object. As I didn''t expect, was a long piece of vine. Tabby seemed to measure my head size. She charted a spot with her fingers and went back to her mat, surrounded by various colorful weeds and flowers she had collected


    A moment of silence went by as I let the sun sink in more, which gradually heated up the trolly, though very slowly considering the time. Tabby hummed quietly, which was as close to quiet she tends to get, but she seemed happy with momentarily keeping to herself.


    -


    I was deathly curious about how Naya was doing, so I switched to her. Naya was sat up in her bed, legs crossed under her white hospital gown. Her arm was in a cast, her other arm occupied as she tied up her own sling. She was successful in her attempt, though it did seem a tad too high up on her body at first. Still, that was quickly adjusted. Naya huffed and sounded proud of herself.


    The young girl looked to her bandaged hand. She flexed it to test the pain levels. She seemed to be in good shape, though I do remember how mangled her hands were after she had climbed the barbed-wire fence. It seemed Naya had a very high pain tolerance, or she was running off adrenalin.


    She shuffled her legs to face the left, seeing a line of empty hospital beds. At the end was a blacked-out window, her reflection visible. She had a few scratches on her face and an erratic bed-head. She vaguely noticed the airlock door and must have mentally summed it up as a tactic to keep her in.


    She shuffled her legs the other way and saw only another empty bed by the wall.


    Once again Naya shuffled back, she faced forward for a moment before she tilted her head to the hiss of an air-lock door opening. She noticed two scientists left the airlock of an extreme unit room at the end of the left-line of beds. Out of reflex, Naya slammed herself down into the bed to seem asleep.


    But they seemed to not even look her way. Once out of sight, Naya sat up, waited a few seconds, and shimmied off the bed. legs hurriedly scuffled to the blacked-out window, she squinted her eyes, utilizing her free hand to dull the glare of the hospital lights. She only saw a blue flash of another room, and a faint darkened view of a control panel.


    She stood back and shuffled to the airlock door, her free hand pressed to one of the inner-bars of the wheel. She experimentally pushed it. No luck, it was likely cumbersome, and code locked. Naya looked down. She thought for a moment. Her eyes then scanned to the hospital beds.


    The click of heels was heard down the hall and Naya''s body sprung up. She was quick to shuffle back to her own bed and slam herself back down as nothing had happened. The tick led into the side room.


    The heels halted and the slight beep followed by a click came from the door. Naya was faced away but I. was sure she was taking in every sound. The door was pulled open, and it was a loud door that creaked as it was dragged.


    -


    Elsewhere, an out of place metal door creak struck me out of Naya''s vision, and back to my own. I blinked to adjust my eyes back to the bright light. Tabby looked to the door where a Warden stood still at the doorway.


    "Tabby." He said, arms behind his back, "I''ve alerted you three times."


    Unemotionally, Tabby put down the flower crown and crossed her arms, "Yup, I know."


    "I''ll be needing both of you early tomorrow, put an alarm on." He growled, "Don''t ask questions and don''t complain."


    Tabby seemed interested, "Both of us?" She finally faced the Warden, "Sure, yeah, no prob-bob!" There was a bright smile in her tone.


    His eyes wandered to the door, then at the doorknob, or lack of doorknob, "What is this?" He stumbled, his finger tapped above the agape doorknob shaped hole in the door, "Where''s the doorknob?"


    "Dunno, it was like that when I got up here." She shrugged, no concern in her tone "Didn''t Naya escape this way?" The Warden took a moment to ponder this, it was false, but it led to suspicion om another culprit.


    He, however, nodded, "No... No, she didn''t," He turned around, but before he left, a murmur came from him, "Put an alarm on for three-am." He ordered before he shut the door and started his trample downstairs.


    "Wait, wait, Wards!" Tabby seemed to remember, she quickly stood and grabbed a flower crown. She trotted over to the stairwell. The Warden was only a few steps down. He turned ever so slightly, an eyebrow raised.


    Tabby shuffled over to the Warden, holding out the flower crown, "Ta-da!" She chimed, the flower crown which admittedly was very barren; but so is the desert around us. There were a few Indian blanket flowers, but it mostly consisted of flowery weeds, "I was originally gonna put sand in your desk cus you''ve been a total b-word recently," She admitted as the Warden hesitantly picked the crown out of Tabby''s grasp, "But Alvi and I decided thatif we made a flower crown it might boost your spirits!"


    He held the flimsy crown between two fingers, "So this is why you''ve been ignoring my messages?"


    "Mhm!" Tabby rocked on her heels, "Sorry it''s kinda lame, but maybe... We should start a flower patch, and make the Virus work on it... With me," She murmured near the end, "We have those abandoned veggie patches we can use!"


    The Warden only glared for a few moments before turning around, walking back downstairs, "Set your alarm, Tabitha, and don''t charge too late." He cramped the vine-crown into his pocket.


    Tabby appeared back in the doorway. she looked to me, giving a thumbs-up. On her screen she started to set up the reminder, humming happily as she did so.


    -


    DATE - JULY 4TH 2015


    -


    "Ugh, why did it have to be so early?!" Tabby groaned, already breaking the promise of ''no complaining'' instantly TV head dramatically slung back as she walked behind the Warden.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    I only had the slightest idea of what was going on. I was only ever needed when someone new was to enter the facility. It was a misconception that I needed to make direct eye contact with someone for my disease to work. However I only needed to see their pupils, whether it was through another person didn''t matter.


    It was a misconception I never planned to correct. I spent enough time in the sleeping cupboard as it was. If the Warden knew I didn''t even need to leave my room to use my disease, then he would gladly stuff me in the lower floor and let me out once a month for the sun just to keep me alive.


    We reached the final hallway. It was wide and without any wall doors or decor. Only a wide end door that led to the garage and tank storage. It took a moment before the Warden spoke, "Tabitha," He started, "Open the gates."


    "Oh em gee wait who''s here!" Tabby stopped, her feet shuffled with excitement. Warden gave a hard scowl over his shoulder which only made Tabby giggle, "Ok, ok, I can take a surprise!" She then switched her screen to the map of the first floor. The gates were unlocked with a beep from her, then the outside.


    Tabby continued to shimmy in her place, "Do you think it''s another Virus, Alvi?!" I shrugged at her question, which didn''t stop her from her excited spiel, "I hope it''s another girl Virus, the girls we got are totes not girly.." She slouched, "Which is fine I guess... Just kinda disappointing."


    Tabby then looked to the Warden and popped over, "Can I get a hint?" She tucked her hands behind her back.


    There was a distinct sound; a car rolled into the garage made Tabby squeal and forget about the hint. The Warden at some point had taken an out of character cigarette packet from his cloak, "Close the gates." He ordered with a cigarette between his teeth and a lighter in his hands.


    "No prob, boss!" Tabby gave her typical thumbs up before she turned around, she eagerly hummed as she did her task. Just as the beep went off, the Warden gripped the back of Tabby''s head. His thumb pressed to a loose plastic slide.


    Tabby flailed slightly and tried to grab at the Warden''s hand as he slid the plastic away and pressed the flat button behind it. In mere second Tabby ceased to flail as the noise of her booting down began. Her robotic limbs went flat and Tabby fell to the ground in a heap of herself.


    I couldn''t help but tense and gargle at the sight of Tabby on the floor. Warden must have forgotten I was there, which prompted him to speak, "You are to follow behind." He grumbled after an inhale of his cigarette, "Do not associate."


    The doors opened and two suited men walked in, one holding each door as a lady stepped in. She wore a white button-up with speckled pink flowers. Her hair was boyishly short and dyed black. Over her eyes were rosegold glasses that matched dangly hoop earrings.


    She was certainly someone who stuck out in this place. She fidgeted slightly as the Warden approached her and she continued to meet him halfway, "Psychiatrist Amy Fritz, correct?"


    "Sure is." She forced a slight smile and offered a handshake, "Samuel Vonelch¨¦?" The Warden eyed woman''s hand for barely a moment before he ignored it. The mention of this lady being a psychiatrist and then Tabby being on the floor suddenly stuck. It was also a surprise that this woman had not noticed the TV person heaped on the floor


    "I apologize for the short notice," Warden explained as he removed the cigarette from his mouth and stomped it on the floor. Only inches from where Tabby laid, which seemed to catch the attention of the Psychiatrist, "But we desperately needed assistance with our... Problem."


    Fritz eyed Tabby for a moment before she let off an awkward chuckle, eager to seem unphased, "Well, problem children happen to be my specialty." She grinned, which the Warden only met the joke with a hum.


    "How much were you filled in on the way here?" He turned around, advising with a hand signal for this stranger to follow, which she and I both did.


    "Oh gosh, plenty," She scratched the nape of her neck as her other hand was used to count, "TV girl, Virus, diseases and all that." She shrugged "It''s a lot to take in." She furrowed her eyebrows.


    "It was fifteen years ago, right?" She then asked, which made the Warden''s eyebrow cock slightly, "These... Children are results of the Iraq attacks, right?"


    A touchy subject, and one I tensed at, but I suppressed a gargle. Warden held the silence as he eyed the end door where the suited escorts were prior, "Was that told to you?"


    "No, no!" She frantically dejected, waving her hand slightly, "I just... It came to me." She sighed slightly.


    "Then no," Warden growled, "And it''s not any of your business otherwise."


    Fritz''s face scrunched lightly at this as she felt the awkwardness rock over. She locked her eyes onto me for a long time as her face unshifted into an empty loose look of mortified surprise. Warden noted her expression and proceeded to change the subject, "I''ll call for a soldier to come to take you to your room." He explained as he turned around and took a walkie talkie from his jacket, "You''ll start at ten, understood?"


    She pursed her lips and nodded, "Yes of course!" She straightened her posture, "What should I call you?"


    "Warden." He blatantly answered, "You''ll call me Warden."


    -


    As promised, at ten that day, Fritz was ready as she waited outside her small designated room. In her hand were a clipboard and pen. She rightly expected the Warden to meet her or she would be escorted. She watched soldiers who would occasionally trot through, and they would watch her in return.


    In the clipboard was all of the information gathered on each Virus; their photos, age, family, and of course their diseases. Her job seemed to be to fill in the blanks of those today. She continued to sigh and squiggle fake lined into the side of the board.


    "Amy Fritz the child psychiatrist." Was stated by a distinct smug tone, Fritz. looked over to see the blonde who was stood with keys in one hand, and a metal baseball bat in another. He smiled up with his signature smile as Fritz couldn''t help but eye what was obviously a child.


    She did, however, note the camo jacket that was worn by the other soldiers, "I didn''t know the Warden was recruiting children."


    "You shouldn''t put it past him," Toby shrugged then eyed the clipboard, he reached out slightly, "Mind if I see who''s up first?"


    Fritz obliged, she handed over the clipboard over to Toby who gave a chirpful ''thank you'' in return. She clearly had not read the whole way through, or she would have seen Toby''s extremely blurred photo.


    "Joslyn, ey?" Toby hummed, thought for a moment it seemed, "Alrighty, let''s go then!" He smiled at Fritz who began to walk just behind Toby. However he stopped and spun around on his heels with a contemplative expression, "You''d be better off starting with Naya." He explained, he then took out a piece of paper from his pocket, "Can I borrow yer pen?"


    "Sure thing." She offered the pen to Toby who accepted. He started to copy whatever it was from his paper, onto the other. After a minute or so, Toby handed back the clipboard and pen. There was a crude drawing of a map of the immediate area of the Moth Mound, with two thick scratchy lines used as a pathway, one with crosses through them.


    "The ones with the crosses will lead you to Naya, then the rest of the gaggle," He politely explained as he swung the bat to hang over his shoulder, "I''m sure you''ll find me on the way out." He then spun back around on his heels and made his way off down the hall.


    "Wait!" Fritz called out, quick on her feet to follow the Virus, "Couldn''t you walk me there?"


    "I probably could!" Toby stuck his hand up to stop Fritz from getting too close. Toby then swung the bat back and crashed it into the vent. Fritz jolted back, dropping the pen. "Oh right, my bad!" Toby snorted before he pointed to the clipboard, "Those maps follow vent lines!" He grinned before he got down to the floor and slipped himself into the vent.


    Fritz had objections other than pure shock and fright as Toby disappeared for a moment before Toby''s voice piped up from the vent above, "Keep the bat," He flatly said, "The amount of sexual predators that work here is obscene."


    With that, he disappeared and Fritz took a few seconds before she looked around the halls, then up at the vents. She inhaled sharply and kneeled to pick up the pen. She then proceeded to follow the map to the hospital ward.


    -


    Fritz entered the hospital and stopped for a moment; she looked down at the papers, then up at Naya who was sat up in the hospital bed with a smile as she spoke to Charlo the chef who sat on the opposite bed, and he nodded along to whatever she was on about.


    It took Fritz a moment before she approached, the click of her shoes made Charlo turn to look over, his expression slightly surprised. Regardless, he stood up, "I''ll leave her to you." He simply commented before looking Naya, "I''ll take that for you." he offered out his hand.


    Naya hummed before she took a packet of chips out from beside her, she poured the rest in her mouth before handing the packet to Charlo. Naya muffled out a ''thank you!'' with a dumb messy smile. As Charlo left, he gave a nod to Fritz, still giving her a skeptical gaze as he left. down the hall.


    She approached Naya who looked up with surprise. She as well, noticed that Fritz was out of place in the base. Fritz just stared, it took a moment to process for me as to why she would be so out of character stunned to see her when she had the photo.


    "Wow," Fritz started, and she only blinked a few times and as she fixed her glasses, "Sorry, it''s very strange to see you in person."


    "Really?" Naya eyed the clipboard, then Fritz, "Why''s that?"


    Fritz let off a sad sigh and a smile as she held out her hand, "Naya Yang, I''m Amy Fritz." She then had to switch the hand she offered, so that Naya could reciprocate the handshake. Naya kept examining the psychologist, "May I?" Fritz gestured to the spot on the bed beside Naya.


    "Sure..." Naya skeptically answered, looking to Fritz with an upturned head, "You''re... A therapist, aren''t you?"


    Fritz stiffened for a second, surprised at how Naya knew, "Y-yes, though I''ve been hired as a psychologist," She then stuttered slightly more, "More a psychiatrist but I can be considered both."


    Naya smirked slightly, but in a more friendly way compared to when Toby or a soldier would smirk, "You look like my brother''s speech therapist." She chortled slightly, tucking her knees in.


    Fritz''s smile at Naya''s grin was very shortlived as she seemed to recall something, "You were close with your little brother?"


    "Oh yeah, we''re hella close." Naya grinned more, her hand gripped onto her ankle. Naya didn''t seem dumb, she absolutely was what Tabby described as a ''jock'' but she wasn''t a dumb jock. Which made it hard to figure out why Naya was so content with the situation and happy with discussing her family. It was as if she wasn''t held captive for the remainder of her life.


    Either this was from some sickly strong certainty that she would escape, she had somehow shielded herself from the thought of not seeing them again, or perhaps her lack of emotional distress is due to something Virus related.


    For ten minutes in a repetitive fashion; Naya would get distracted while Fritz asks a question, Naya wouldn''t listen, Fritz would notice and change the subject which would catch Naya''s attention. Every time when Fritz asked a question about family, Naya would perk up and go on a rather cute blurt about her little brother and father.


    Then, as soon as Fritz tried to ask about her disease, she''d see something. A flicker of light in the end room''s blackened glass, it could be a scientist that walked in or out and even the slightest noise seemed to switch her attention instantly. It seemed boring to me, but Naya had been in that bed beside that room all night.


    She didn'' let up any new info about her disease, but she did talk about her family lot. Mother and father both immigrated from China four years after Naya was born. She also had a little brother who had a speech impediment


    After an hour or so of talking to Naya, she decided to move along. But before she left, Naya called out, "Tell them I said hey, and I''m doin'' ok!" Which somehow stuck with Fritz for a second before she agreed and went out.


    -


    Fritz proceeded down the hallway to the Virus'' main containment area, which took a while since she followed the vents. But when she arrived, she was unnerved at the safe door which was opened with the assistance of two soldiers who had stayed to watch guard.


    As Fritz walked in, she noted the forced silence. It was common for guards to witness and also repeat. Everyone was secretive so this silence was exceedingly common, especially nowadays with the Virus.


    As she stepped in, a shiver went down her spine. Likely from a mix of Joslyn''s emotional disease, Skylar''s ability was likely used to chill the room with hers, and just overall, the room was cold. The door shut behind her with its shoulder tensing sound.


    Once the door shut, Fritz turned the papers and the room was still silent for a long moment. They were all there, they had to be, as quiet as they all were, they had to be there. She inhaled sharply, cleared her throat, and spoke, "I am Amy Fritz, I am a child psychologist." She greeted, attempting to have strength in her voice.


    Dead quiet, there were a few shuffles behind the doors, but nothing else. While I wasn''t there and could not say for sure, it seemed a certain emotion was being immitted that made Fritz dead silent.


    "I just spoke with Naya." She smiled slightly in a purse and that tension in her shoulders seemed to ease, "she''s doing well and she says hello." But still, silence. It then came to my attention that the Virus was never informed of Naya''s safety or if she was even alive. It had been two days since then and no one knew apart from Toby.


    Fritz seemed to get an idea as she stepped back, she tapped her knuckle to the metal door. The door was opened slightly and Fritz hooked her head around to peer at the guards. She pressed a finger to her lips before she mouthed ''close the door.''


    They seemed hesitant but agreed. Once the door was shut again, Fritz knelt down and undid her heels before she seated herself. It took a moment but a voice perked up, "A child psych," Skylar''s voice seemed unimpressed, "Four days in and they''re already desperate."


    Dex hummed in reply, "She seemed kinda nice though."


    "She seemed scared shitless." Skylar lightly giggled, followed by Dex who lighthearted cackled.


    It took a little bit before Joslyn''s soft voice rose, "Should we have said something to her?" Joslyn took a moment before she elaborated, "I mean if Naya said hi then isn''t that a sign she''s. ok?"


    "Fuck no she''s not ok," Skylar seemed baffled at the suggestion, which by the reaction, made Joslyn flinch, "It''s a nice thought but you know damn well for her to be out here, she''s either; corrupt, worked here for ages or been paid enough money to keep her yap shut for life... So corrupt in general."


    An agreeance of silence went through the air, then Dex spoke, "How much would you have to be paid to be quiet forever?"


    In Skylar vision, she blinked a few times, her head swinging lightly against the doorway, "What?"


    "Like if you-"


    "No I heard you, I just dunno why you''re asking."


    "I dunno, I''m bored," Then it hit him, "Oh shit, Naya''s ok!"


    Skylar took another moment before she lightly shook her head and nodded, "Yeah, I don''t know if I should be shocked."


    "Was that a pun?" Dex had an expectant tone and smugness to him.


    Skylar groaned slightly after she realized the correlation, "No, it was not a pun," She furrowed her eyebrows, "Naya plummeted three stories do you think I''d make a joke about that?!"


    A silence ensued, which lasted a few seconds before once again, Joslyn spoke, "What''s an electrician''s favorite ice cream?"


    Thinking this was another strange question, Skylar took a while to think it through. "Shock-a-late." Was very meager and muttered end to the joke which made Skylar practically scream ''oh my god.'' as she slumped down the door of her cell.


    Fritz had bitten the head of her pen to keep a chuckle in. Finally, Dex seemed to get the joke after he''d repeated it under his breath. He then let off a loud cackle.


    "Can I pay both of you to keep quiet?" Skylar added on, though it was muffled as her face was in her hands.


    The banter continued for a few moments, and Fritz seemed to enjoy just casual banter between teenagers. I continued to scribble the phrases and scenes and made a mental note to show Tabby later. She''d inevitably be upset over not seeing the Virus, and even more upset after being shut off without warning.


    Fritz gazed over to a specific door on the left, which seemed odd until I realized. Two eyes were stuck on the psychologist. Two soft reddish-pink eyes that were upside down. Fritz''s smile fell quickly. She seemed to think for a moment before she stood up, took her shoes, and tapped on the door.


    The room fell silent as they heard Fritz move, and the air evidently grew cold. The door opened and Fritz slipped out of the room. I can only imagine how awkward the air was as she left


    After that, Fritz wondered the hall, in hopes she''d find the small soldier that had helped her that morning. But she didn''t, and what was stranger, is that I couldn''t locate him either. Not until nightfall at least.

 CHAPTER 6

    TRUST


    DEFINITION


    Believe in the reliability, truth, or ability of.


    "I should never have trusted her."


    -


    DATE - JULY 3RD 2015


    -


    Every night at eight pm, the soldiers must go to their quarters and stay there overnight. For certainty, Tabby had been implemented with a ''lockup'' option for the soldier''s doors. Due to incidents in the past, the door of every soldier gets locked, then at nine, the scientists get their doors locked.


    After nine-thirty, the whole of the Moth Mound goes dead silent and pitch black. It''s honestly a nightmare. Though I rarely see it, I despise it. The only thing I loathe more now is the whistle that started to come from the hallways that come from none other than the blonde Virus.


    Tonight was no exception, but I had a gut feeling. I switched my vision over to Adrien, who was in another metallic tomb. He seemed to be stuck awake. There were a few mutters outside before two gunshots. Adrien let off a groaned sigh, already aware of who was out.


    The door opened, and there he was, "Hey there, firecracker!" He sang in a chipper tone. Adrien didn''t say a word in response. He just shut his eyes in an attempt to block out the noise. But, of course, he kept talking, "Happy July fourth!"


    Acrackforced Adrien to listen. Before he noticed what was transpiring, the door swung open for his tomb. Toby stood as smug as ever with a crowbar, "Get it; firecracker, fourth of July, freedom," He shrugged and just leaned on a metal baseball bat.


    Adrien took a long moment before he stepped down from the metal tomb, only eyeing the blonde suspiciously. He looked at the doorway and where the blood leaked in. He didn''t bother to watch the dead bodies too much just yet.


    "What''s cracking, fireworks?" Toby snapped Adrien out of it, grin still there, "Not feeling festive?"


    His puns were met with a squint and cold silence. Adrien opened his mouth for a second, which made Toby tilt his head to listen. In return, Adrien shut his mouth instantly. This was weird. Very weird.


    Toby''s smile fell into a closed mouth, then he shrugged and turned on his way. Out of the door, he hopped over the blood. Finally, Adrien spoke, "What is this?"He began to step over to the doorway, eyes on the bodies finally, and the giant holes in their faces, "Holy shit, wait, they''re dead!"


    Upon looking up, Toby had already started to chew on a bagel, "Seems so," He sighed slightly in fake empathy, "If it makes you feel better, one was a child sex offender." He shrugged, then stuttered, "The other guydidhave a family of three, though."


    "How the fuck do you know that?!" Adrien started to pipe up.


    "Cus I was standing here, Pyro," He pointed to the men in order of who is was necessary to, "Soldier one shot soldier two cus soldier one found out soldier two was... Y''know," Followed by a mumbled, "Then he shot himself because he realized he would never see his family again."


    A long silence, a really long silence as Toby ate the uncooked bagel, and Adrien watched him with a frustrated and horrified look. Toby stepped over and held out the bagel, "Hey can you cook thi-"


    Adrien grabbed it and set it on fire, "Why the hell did you let me out? No one else is here?!"


    Toby still held the bagel for a moment until the gloves set fire on the fingertips, which he was quick to shake off, "Oh yeah, here," He took a pair of keys out of his pocket and threw them into Adrien''s hands, he fumbled lightly with them, "You can let the gaggle out if you want, gingersnap."


    He then did a light few pats on Adrien''s cheek, which made his eye twitch, "What the fuck?!" He grabbed Toby''s wrist, "What the hell are you doing, you dick?!" He whispers shouted, and Toby just tilted his head with a small perky smile, "You''ve got everybody fooled with your cute giggly-bagel boy shtick, what''s your game?!"


    Toby raised an eyebrow as his smirk lifted, Adrien''s eyebrows furrowed in return, "Fucks that face for?"


    "I''m sorry," Toby stifled a laugh, "Cute?"


    "I- what?" Adrien shook his head, "Don''t focus on that, dipshit that''s not what I-"


    "No, no you said it, you said I''m cute." He snickered under his breath.


    "Fuck you, I didn''t!"


    "You said I''ve got everyone fooled-"


    "Tothinkyou''re cute!" Adrien started to stumble over his words, already victim to his own phrase, "But not me!"


    "Ohohoh, no- that''s not at all what you said!" He cackled, "You said I''ve got everyone fooled because I''m cute."


    "you''re not fucking cute!" Adrien''s fire started to become visual on his shoulders, "I meant to say you''ve got everyone fooledbutme!"


    "Everyone but you doesn''t sound like everyone.." Toby''s voice turned coy and smug.


    This back and forth went on almost forever, long enough that I had genuinely forgotten what the original argument was. Was there an argument? Wasthisthe argument? Is this what normal teenagers argue about?


    Finally, Adrien realized, "Why- you dickhead, you''re getting me off-track!"


    "Cus I''m cute, right?" Toby then flinched as he noticed Adrien started to flame up viciously. Still, though, Toby just cackled.


    "Shut up holy shit, what the hell do you want?!" He rubbed his eyes. "Cus Sky isn''t here, Naya isn''t out, why the hell do you want me?"


    Toby seemed to have it click as he said, ''oh,'' and he stood back up, "Ok, so I need you to do what you do best."


    Adrien squinted, about to open his mouth to ask before he was cut off. "Be distracting," He shrugged with a smile, "The little PC creature is dead for the night, and I got errands to run."


    "I''m...distracting?" Adrien squinted down at the blonde who snorted.


    "All of you are distracting, but if I go into the right-wing, they''re gonna follow me around, and it''s gonna be a mess," He smiled and shrugged, as his voice started to coy again, "Because you know... I''m just so cute-"


    "Stop."


    "And you won''t follow me, and I appreciate that," Toby pressed his hand to his own chest, fakely thoughtful. "I mean, unless you want to drag me around like a toddler." Adrien raised an eyebrow until Toby gestured his head down to his wrist, which Adrien was still holding awkwardly.


    Adrien recoiled as if he had touched something feral, his flames heightened. Toby snorted again, "So yeah, cus the TV''s out, the cameras aren''t gonna work," He opened his arms, bat in his hand once more, "So have a happy July fourth, firecracker!"


    Once more, Adrien squinted and shook his head, "Don''t fucking call me that, asshat!"


    Toby let off a cackle, "I haven''t found a good nickname yet, apologies!" He then spun around, one hand still in the air, "By the way, don''t try to escape, they set up an electric fence."


    "Yeah, and you''ll need to use me again right, so I can''t be dead?" Adrien rolled his eyes and scrunched up his face.


    Toby looked over his shoulder with an entertained grin, "Yeah, what are friends for?"


    "We-!" Adrien had to stop himself after his voice cracked, "We arenotfriends!" But it was too late, Toby had turned the corner, though I can for certainty say he heard it from how it echoed. I heard Adrien mumble a humiliated curse under his breath.


    -


    Naya was sat up in her bed, legs crossed under her white hospital gown. The young girl looked to her bandaged hand, flexing it to test the pain levels. The past few days, it had been evident she had a very high pain tolerance, which was summed up to her being a Virus. But from hearing her talk, I am almost positive her activities and muscle build also had a play in it.


    Naya then reached up to the knot of her sling and undid it. She examined the cast and sighed. It was very thickly put on. For a moment, Naya kept her eyes on her arm before she slowly lifted her gaze to the end room.


    She shuffled her legs to face the left, observing the line of empty hospital beds. At the end was a blacked-out window, her reflection visible. The scratches on her face were gone as if they were never there.


    Without a wince, she jumped off the bed and scurried over to the door, then she side-stepped to the window. She peered in, both hands were used to keep out any possible glare. There were a few red lights from a control panel, and one door-sized dulled out blue light.


    Beside her, a voice, "You seem to be doing well." Naya let off a yelp with a jump, quick to turn to see who it was. It was a silhouette, fitted with a baseball bat and sunglasses.


    "Bagel, boy!" Naya grinned, quick to soften her body, she showed off her cast, "Yeah, it''s actually all better, brakes n'' scratches never last on me." She proudly announced before she sighed slightly, "Cast is thicker than I thought, though, and I dunno if giving up the charade is a good idea."


    Toby hummed and considered it for a moment. "They''ll be doing a bone scan on you tomorrow, so I doubt it matters." He stepped over to the airlock door, which prompted Naya to step back. Her head tilted slightly, looking at Toby up and down before it seemed to click.


    "I''m gonna be involved in one of your little rebel-ventures?" Naya grinned,


    "Nope." He knelt down and started to examine the code. He pressed the numbers, ''0453'' it seemed from Naya''s eyes and got a red alert back, which made him hiss slightly, "Are you-"


    "Bagel-boy, witness me!" He turned, and then I noticed that Naya had propped herself on top of a hospital bed, her casted arm in an awkward position. A bad idea was incoming, and by Toby''s unimpressed expression, he knew as well.


    -


    As Naya threw herself off the bed, I flinched into Adrien''s vision. He had found the right-wing cells. He saw two guards beside the door and seemed to flinch up and hiss under his breath. But the guards didn''t move. Not an inch, and I couldn''t see their pupils, nor could I switch to anyone who was there.


    Adrien''s eyes glossed down to the legs, which he finally saw were unnaturally stood. They were dead. Dead and posed. With that in mind, he looked up and saw the knives in the shoulders of the former men.


    "That''s the fucking worst," He whispered sharply, and rubbed his eyes, "The actual fucking worst." He looked up and dreaded to walk through. But, he did, only to struggle with the airlock door. Which was also a warrant for me to switch my vision.


    -


    Naya, with her two castless arms, pushed the airlock down with choppy ease. There was a shatter of the internal lock of the door as the internal mechanisms collapsed. As Naya pulled the door open, there was a screech of the broken lock being dragged.


    She hopped back and did a bow as she gestured to the door, "Ta-da!"


    "Not bad, juggernaut." He seemed to smirk before he stepped into the room. Naya quickly followed suit. It was the mini observation deck, with its bookshelves and control panel that took up most of the space.


    Though, what took Naya''s eyes was the room connected to the small space. Above the control panel was a vast, padded spherical chamber with one poll outstretched from the ground. On the pole was a metal slate.


    There was the Virus, still lied on their back atop the slate, bound at the ankles and wrists. Naya had her hands on the control panel, leaning in slightly as she continued to examine the still body. Despite the blue lights, the orange jumpsuit was clearly seen.


    "Another Virus!" Naya grinned, quick to turn around only to see Toby was going through the bookshelves. Het tapped his gloved fingers over a few books before he slipped them out of their place and let them fall to the floor.


    He then reached to the back of the shelf and picked up a manila folder. Manila folders have always been unreliable, as proven when a small photograph slips from the side of the folder. It falls face-up.


    Naya kneels down, only able to see the photo of an infant with speckled black markings for a brief moment before a bloody boot overtook the image. Naya''s. Hand flinched back, and she looked up at Toby. Her reflection staring back at her through those black lenses.


    Toby''s boot shuffled back the image, so it was out of Naya''s reach. Still, though, Naya''s eyes stayed glued onto the glasses, her vision blurred. But through the blur, I could see Toby picked up the image and walked backward out of the room.


    Once Toby had left view, Naya blinked herself back into wake. But she stayed squatted, slightly surprised as she listened to Toby walk down the hallway. However, she just stood up and looked out of the window again.


    -


    Adrien stepped into the Virus wing. He glanced between the two identical walls of metallic cells. He let off a sigh, "Sky?" He whispered, quick to flinch when the echo hit him.


    It took a moment, but there was a slight shuffle, and then a voice, "Adrien?" Skylar''s voice called from the second to last cell. Adrien shuffled over and fumbled with the keys, "How did you get out?" This was met with the door opening as Adrien pressed the keychain to a black spot on the door.


    It beeped, and Skylar hesitantly popped out, "How the hell did you get keys?" She raised an eyebrow as her gaze switched between the keys and her brother.


    This was met with Adrien rolling his eyes slightly with a stumble of words, "It doesn''t matter, let''s just go."He stepped back, but Skylar trapped his wrist.


    "We have to let the others out." Skylar stated, which made Adrien squint, "Adrien, we''re letting the others out!" Skylar reached to grab the keys.


    Adrien raised his hand out of Skylar''s reach. "Uh, no, we''re not!" He snapped, "Do you have any idea how annoying that would be?!"


    "Just because you don''t know them that well, doesn''t mean they''re annoying!" Skylar grunted as she continued to reach for the keys. Once she quit, she stepped back and crossed her arms, "I''m not escaping without them, Adrien; It''s morale."


    It took Adrien a moment before he grumbled, "We can''t escape, the electric fence is up." He lowered his arms, "But the TV kid is kinda out, so it''s completely dead out," He gestured to the door, noticing the dead guards, "Pun not intended."


    It took a moment of Skylar analyzing Adrien''s twitchy body language to finally speak, "Toby, let you out, didn''t he?" Her head tilted to the side, expecting to see him stood there.


    Adrien tensed and fiddled with the keys, "He''s not here," He took stumble of words before giving context, "He threw me the keys and fucked off."


    Skylar didn''t buy it, "After he broke you out, warned you about the gate and told you this shithole is safe?" Adrien didn''t reply for a while, and his face grew red and flustered, "You made an ass of yourself in front of him, didn''t you?"


    "He was being an absolute prick!"


    "Give me the keys, Adrien!" She tried to snatch the keys again. Adrien screeched before he unthinkably shoved the keys into his mouth.


    Skylar had to stop and give a disgusted glare, and from the cell on the right, I heard Dex mumble a ''dude'' in mild shock and disturbance.


    She took a second to try and say something before she blinked and shook her head. She went around her brother, "Where''s Toby?" She jogged out of the room. Adrien attempted to answer, only to forget he had keys in his mouth.


    -


    Naya stood before the doorless entry into the bottomless pit, "Hey!" She called out, hands cupped around her mouth, the body jolted in surprise, "How old are you?" She asked, leaned into the mic beside her. It took a while as the body seemed to hesitate, though slight movement showed he did take in the question.


    It took a long moment, "Uh, f-fuh-four-four-fourteen?" He responded, his stutter made his hands tense.


    "Do you know how to get the bridge to work?!" She called out in ask, and the Virus on the bed seemed to loosen at the Naya''s less electric voice. He hummed in thought as he took a moment to consider the question. He tapped his fingers on the bed, which is what I have seen humans do to think faster.


    "Y-Yuh-Yeah, uh, there''s li-loi-like two-two bu-" He paused for a long time, and mumbled under his breath, "Buttons a-au-and a key." He responded, huffing afterward, hands clenched in annoyance. Naya eyed the control panel, spotting two identical buttons that are oddly distant between a keyhole.


    "You know where the key is?!" Her voice called out again.


    Their hands gestured in an attempt to shrug. Naya hummed at this, then searched around the room vaguely. There was no way she was going to find it.


    "H-he-hey, you-you''re still there, r-roi-right?" He babbled out. Naya stopped. An idea came into her head as her eyes went to the body on the bed, Her feet shuffling to the door.


    "Your Virus- Or wait..." Naya hung out of the doorway slightly as she struggled to remember what the label was, "Your disease, what is it?" Naya called out and leaned out of the door slightly


    "M-my-my wh-wha-what?!" He verbally furrowed his eyebrows.


    "Yeah, it''s a dumb name," Naya sighed in a laugh, "Your powers n stuff."


    "Oh-I, ye-yeah, I c-c-can uh, t-tea- Oh my g-!" He shouted, "This stu-stutter!" He groaned loudly with a sharp inhale, quickly mumbling under his breath again.


    "Do you know any French?" Naya oddly asked, her tone surprisingly calm about it.


    "I-I- k-kinda, does it have to be French?" He asked, "Wha-What ab-b-bou-bout Japanese?"


    "Yeah, that works!" Naya smiled, tone uplifted. "Say what you wanna say in another language, then say it in English!"


    He seemed to do just that, more so quietly to himself as Naya patiently waited, testing fate with a hum in her tone. The other seemed to repeat it a few times, just to be sure. He then inhaled, exhaled a few times to calm himself.


    "Ok, ok." He said, "I-... I can control... The fabric... Of reality.." He slowed down to be sure, hands visible flexing calmly as he seemed to be soothed by getting out a sentence.


    Naya gasped and ceased her exercise, "Holy crap!" She exclaimed, "That''s so cool, what?!"


    "Ye-yeah, I jus-just... I get... A mi-migraine an-and a bloody nose..." He sighed and did not seem too impressed by his own disease, which sounds rather spectacular, "A-also, it-it''s not like... Pu-pu-permanent or anything, the lo-longest I ca-can sw-witch is like ten se-seco-conds... And it''s super glitched."


    "Hm..." Naya thought two-finger pressed to her lips, "Ok, dude. Could you use that to bring the bridge out... I only need about eight seconds." She offered.


    "I- ei-eight seconds?!" He rattled, "Y-You''ll fall, that''s not-"Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    "Make it five seconds," I could hear the smug in her voice. She stepped back a bit, "On one, you''ll do it, ok?"


    "Wa-wait, wait, wait!" He panicked.


    "Three!"


    "I- hold on, there has to be-!"


    "Two!"


    "Oh gosh ok, ok, but I warned-"


    "One!"


    Naya had already bolted, eyes forced open as her heel stepped into the room. Miraculously, the bridge was out sort of. It was flickering among what appeared to be purple fumes or blocks of static. But now, I see that those blocks were cubes of reality, the universe.


    One


    It must have taken a hell of a mental hold to not stop and stare at the room itself, which was a hideous rainbow of torn reality. Naya reached the bed, gripping the leather straps and pulling them. The buckled snapped off, or the leather tore.


    Two, Three


    Naya wasted no time. She grabbed the other Virus'' arm and dragged him out of bed, onto the unstable bridge. The other stumbled, legs likely unuse to movement.


    Four


    As promised, Naya pulled the other along and finally leaped into the room when the bridge faltered at the end, especially. She gripped Virus eight''s hand as she stepped foot into the room, quick to give a violent tug on the other to be sure she brought them in.


    Five.


    Five seconds. Naya panted, and let go of the other, and put her hands on her knees to catch her breath, and hopefully cool her heart rate. But, she eventually stood straight up, turned around, gave a smug grin and a thumbs up, "Five seconds flat."


    Virus Eight. He was, by far, the most unique as far as appearance. He was dark-skinned, heavier set, though he seemed to have sunken in cheeks, likely starved, his hairstyle was hard to pinpoint, as if it was shaved at some point, and had naturally taken on its own life since then.


    However, the pinpoint of this boy''s complexion was the patches of other colored skin. Skin that was very, very clearly, not his. The skin had singe marks around the white patches, most notably around his eye, where the most notable skin had been singed.


    "Ye-Yuh-yeah." He sighed and nodded slightly as he was wide-eyed, "H-ho-how did y-you?"


    "Oh, right!" Naya bounced around, hand out as an offering, "The name''s Naya," She grinned, her other hand on her hip, "the speed, strength thing, yeah, I was in a baseball team." Her grin went smug and half-lidded, proud of it.


    Just as Reece was about to talk, two distinct voices bickered in the background. Naya blinked before she recognized who it was, "Hey, you would wanna meet the others!" She nudged Reece''s arm before she hopped out of the room.


    -


    "He''s not like that." Skylar glared, not even hesitant, "He''s doing something to get us out, I know it," She turned completely while Adrien groaned at her ignorance. Her arms crossed, "Besides, since when were you so obedient to him anyway?"


    "I amnot, the fucker is suspicious, and when a horror villain movie says ''get out,'' you get the fuck out!" Adrien continued to rant and rave, his voice occasionally breaking. He was very likely very willing to continue before he was interrupted.


    "Hey!" Naya practically squealed, "Sky!" Skylar''s eyebrow raised, and she proceeded to follow the sound a few more steps, where Naya met them halfway between the hospital wall and the corridor. She then noticed Adrien and her demeanor weakened, "Hey, brother of Sky."


    Adrien just grumbled while Sky chuckled. It took barely another second for Naya to veer off, excited by her discovery, "Wait, check it!" She bounced around and gestured to Reece, who stood in the corner of the room, "There''s another Virus!"


    Reece flinched slightly before he waved, and Skylar waved back, "Hey."


    Adrien surprisingly greeted as well, "Uh, hey man."


    "What''s your deal?" Skylar asked, arms crossed and eyebrows raised.


    "Oh, I-I-Yuh- I''m Ree-Reece." He trampled again, hands over his face as he silently hated himself.


    Naya took this as her queue, "He tears the fabric of reality!" She tucked her hands behind her back. Then she noticed, "hold on, who let you two out?"


    Adrien''s face scrunched up as he felt his sister smugly look to him, "Yeah, Adrien, who let you out?"


    The tall ginger didn''t even need to grumble anything before Naya had it click, "Bagel boy?"


    He didn''t answer as he crossed his arms and looked off to the side, which made him notice a. bloody footprint.


    "Yeah, cus he''s just such an evil mastermind he had to free you twice," She rolled her eyes through a scoff.


    "For his own gain, yeah!" He groaned before he rubbed his eyelids, "He''s clearly a self-serving prick, Sky!"


    This went back and forth between Skylar and Adrien as both Naya and Reece watched, their eyes batting between the siblings. Finally, Skylar gestured to Naya, who jumped into realizing she was noticed, "Naya, you know Toby, you like the guy, right?"


    Naya smiled slightly, "Yeah, I like bagel-boy." She then snorted at her own weird line as she noticed Reece get even more confused.


    "See, you''re like the only person who thinks he''s-" Sky was interrupted.


    "A self-serving manipulator, because everyone else has been manipulated, Sky!" His voice turned hushed near the end.


    "Toby isn''t like that!" Skylar basically shrieked, a small bit of electricity and haze already formed at her maw.


    "Well duh," Naya snorted, eyebrow raised, "Of course he is," Skylar gave the shorter girl a glance of betrayal, but before she could say anything, Naya explained, "I mean, he uses people for sure and only talks to us for his own benefit but y''know..." She rolled her shoulders, "He hates this place as much as any of us and wants out.."


    Adrien gave a squint like he was going to say something, but Naya chuckled, "I mean, except for your brother; I think heactuallylikes to piss you off," She cackled lightly before going around Sky, "I''m gonna get a snack, you guys want a snack?"


    It took a moment, but Skylar sighed, "Yeah, sure," Just as Reece started to follow Naya, the siblings followed; Adrien more hesitant to, now noticeably annoyed and flustered.


    As they walked, the dynamic started to unravel. Naya was the extrovert, Reece and Adrien were both more or less outcasts, and Sky seemed to just be in a sour mood overall. As. they walked, Naya continued to ask questions to Reece, give context, and so forth.


    "So, Reece-boy, you split time and space, right?" Naya spun around on her heels as she talked.


    "Ju-Just spac-ce, n-nah-not time," Reece awkwardly. folded his arms for a moment, then he noted the two siblings staring at him, "What-uh, what''s your uh- what was it?"


    "Disease," Naya answered as she spun back around with a chortle.


    "Yuh-yeah, that." Reece hummed, brows drawing as if he was looking at the word in person. He then turned to Skylar and Adrien for a moment each.


    Sky hesitated, thinking for a moment. "I can turn the condensation in my breath into weatherable clouds depending on my mood," She then looked to Adrien behind her. He remained uninterested in the conversation, "and Adrien sets fire if he had a tantrum."


    Reece let off a hushed ''ah'' just as Adrien noticed what she said, "Setting fire is a little cooler than becoming a human vape!"


    "Not as much as fire adds to your teenage angst, Adrien," She rolled her eyes with a smirk, as she stops walking and turned to Adrien as he tried to stay behind, "I get to go to school, and you don''t have to leave your room to cook your toast."


    Adrien gave her a moderately disgusted look, "Don''t talk about school like it matters here." He stormed around her, still a few paces behind the group.


    Naya just snickered, "Oh, hey, where were you before all of this happened?"


    "Dallas." Reece managed to say without a stutter.


    "Really?" Naya looked around briefly, impressed until she explained, "Well then that proves the pattern theory!"


    "Pattern theory?" Reece raised a brow.


    "I''m from Arkansas, Adrien and Sky over there is from Oklahoma, Dex is from New Mexico, and Jos was found on the border of Oklahoma and Colorado," Naya explained with a smug smile, "And you''re from Texas."


    Adrien finally spoke, "Fuck does any of that mean?"


    "I dunno, but seven is a lot of coincidences, don''cha think?"


    "So best guess; Toby is from Louisianna." Naya tiptoed to a door with a window, peering inside.


    "That makes too much fuckin sense tonotbe true." Adrien furrowed his eyebrows and nodded.


    "And thuh-the theo-theory," Reece mumbled some Japanese under his breath before he repeated in English, "The theory is we''re all in different states because of an experiment on how a ''virus'' evolves under different nature-based circumstances."


    "Oh shit!" Naya gasped, "That''s why we''re called Virus, that makes sense!"


    "You didn''t figure that out?" Reece looked to Adrien like he was meant to back him up, but he just shrugged, hands up.


    "Don''t fuckin look at me, I''ve been in a tomb for two days." He mumbled slightly.


    "Nah, man, we didn''t- well, at least I didn''t crack it," Naya snickered, "You''re a real clever cookie," Finally, she turned around, "So Sky, how''s that code crack sound?" She stopped, "And she''s gone."


    Both boys turned around, and Adrien groaned, "Oh fuck me!" He shoved his hands into his hair, turning to Naya, and Reece shrugged innocently.


    -


    Through the darker caverns of the Moth Mound, Skylar stalked, her eyes on the vents. Something caught the corner of her eye; an orange juice carton with at least five stab marks and a brutal slice across the throat. Skylar stepped over and kicked the carton slightly. There was still a slight bit inside.


    Skylar sped up a few paces before she came across a darkened hallway. She slowed her pace as she noticed the silhouette of scruffy blonde hair. Skylar stayed there for a moment, trying to observe what he was up to. Her eyes adjusted, and the first thing I noticed was the all-to-familiar door of the abandoned elevator.


    Toby was sat on his knees, cutting into the stolen cargo jacket with a switch-blade. Beside him was the manila folder, bat, Glock, and his sunglasses. Sky hesitantly took a few steps forward, head tilting to different sides occasionally to see the blonde''s activity.


    She finally stopped, eyes on the knife, "Figured I''d find you in the darkest hallway in this shithole," Her voice had sass, which only proved she''d been thinking of an opener line for two minutes at least. Toby hissed in surprise before snatched his glasses from beside him, quickly putting them over his eyes.


    "Chill out, John Bender," Skylar raised an eyebrow before she smirked, "it''s just me."


    By now, Toby was turned to look at Sky, eyebrows clearly furrowed, he grumbled something under his breath before Sky tilted her head again, "What was that?"


    "Not important," Toby dismissed, taking ahold of the manila folder just before Sky grabbed it. He put it into the newly cut slit of the jacket. He took a sharp inhale before trying again, "Hey there, sunshine."


    He stood up and turned around. "Anyway," He slid the jacket back on, "How''s my second favorite ginger?" Toby awkwardly tugged the lopsided coat.


    "Second favorite-" Skylar took a moment before she scoffed, "Wait, you like my brother more-?"


    "Ah yes, your brother," He faked surprise as he picked up his baseball bat, "Where is fire-crotch, and why aren''t you with him?" Skylar eyed the bat with a cocked eyebrow, then Toby.


    "Naya and a new guy are babysitting him," She eyed the jacket, then the elevator, then Toby, "Listen; I want answers, and you need help."


    "I need help?" Toby echoed with a scoff.


    Skylar''s cheeks puffed up ever so slightly, "I''ll have you know I got the highest grades in my classes, have promised entry into three colleges, and can play the flute."


    At this point, Toby''s grin had returned to its terrible glory, "Perfect attendance, too I a?" Toby''s head tilted when Sky''s eyebrow raised. As a taunt, he knelt slightly to Sky''s level, which wasn''t that much. Still, it was the thought that counted. "Sorry, sunshine, but it''s time to kiss your scholarships goodbye," He turned around, sliding a key from his pocket and clicking it for the elevator, "I don''t need third-grade algebra or a puff of cloud to break out of a maximum-security army base."


    It took a moment for Skylar''s face to shift out of the puffy-cheeked rage. She stormed up to Toby, a dark cloud in her stride. As Toby turned around, Sky was already uncomfortably close to the blonde, "Adrien knows I''m gone by now, so he, Naya, and the newbie are already on their way," She squinted, a smug smile on her face, "And I know where you''re going, so it''s four or one, Westie."


    After a long moment, Toby sighed and walked around Sky. He picked up the Glock from the ground and handed it to Skylar. She awkwardly held it from a distance as she watched Toby go into the elevator.


    It took Sky a moment to figure it out, but she smiled and stepped into the dingy old elevator. Toby clicked a few buttons, and the doors screeched shut. Sky rightfully cringed, eyes still on the blonde. Once the screech stopped, Sky spoke, "So, where are you-"


    Toby pressed the down button, and the screech was even louder, rust practically being skinned off the wires. Sky flinched; the sound was even worse, coming down. Though Toby seemed unphased. By the sound, the smile still slightly present. It was barely noticeable, but he was humming.


    After almost a minute, the elevator let off that hideous rubbery scratch sound. Toby removed his hand from the button and pressed the green button. The doors parted ways to show a dark, shapeless room. Skylar didn''t move. Instead, she just brought the gun closer.


    On the ground was a man''s waist as the rest of him was swallowed by the dark. "You wanted this, sunshine," Toby commented, their smile still brisk, hands on his hips. When he noticed Sky''s genuinely sickened demeanor, he spoke again, "I can''t send the elevator back up, or I''ll be stuck down here."


    "Piss off, why aren''t you scared?!" Sky snapped, her anger shadowed by a scared voice crack.


    Toby shrugged before he took his first step into the room. A layer of dust swished up as the Virus stepped. Toby looked around before he made a small ''ah!'' sound when he noticed something. He reached over and flicked what sounded like a switch.


    Nothing happened, he grumbled, "The little TV goblin is off," He looked to Sky, then at the dead body that she was stuck on, "Maybe..." He trailed off as he kicked over the corpse, perhaps a little harder than he intended, as it flung into Sky''s direction, which made her scream.


    "Toby, the fuck?!"


    He the body onto it''s back, "He''s much lighter than I expected." He was bones, no skin or muscle left.


    Sky''s brows furrowed, "What the- how long has it been since anyone''s been here?" She mostly mumbled. Finally, she let herself into the room.


    "Hm, about twelve years." Toby hummed as he scavenged items off the body, finding a flashlight, "Ah-ha!" He flicked it on, and it shockingly still worked. Toby threw it to Sky, which she caught.


    "That is... Oddly specific," She turned the light around to look at the room; it was metal like the upstairs, dusty, and ironically a breeding ground for moths. The room was long, with files flooded across the concrete. There was glass run across the length of the right side of the room, but it was too dark to see inside.


    On the other side of the rooms were flung open the door to what seemed to be offices. Sky then appeared to have a slight mental click, "So no one''s been down here for thirteen years?" Her brows furrowed, eyeing Toby, who was inspecting some night vision goggles he found on the ground, "So what''s the gun for, Toby?"


    Just as Sky asked that there was a drowned shriek from elsewhere underground. Toby''s smile had left, and he faced Sky without motion, "I never feared god," Toby''s voice was drained, "I fear what God let us get away with."


    I practically felt Skylar''s blood run cold as Toby continued to have a blank look, "What?"


    Toby seemed to blink back to reality with a ''hm?'', "Oh, sorry, I was reading." Toby pointed above the elevator. Sky cocked her head up and saw those words sprawled in a dark substance. Before Sky could comment, Toby started to walk away.


    Sky let off a squeak and followed. She grabbed the blonde''s wrist, "What''s down here, dipshit?" There was athunkat the window beside them. The two didn''t look for a moment, only taking in the blue florescent oval-shape smushed to the screen.


    The two turned their heads; a face, not a human face, but a face. A handprint then pressed to the window beside the deformed expression, a hand with four long fingers, and a claw protruded from a crooked thumb. This handprint was followed by another, the opposite side of the head this time; then, two long human feet stuck to the glass with two lengthened center toes.


    It stayed still, as it seemed to observe the two. Toby took a shaky slow to inhale, "I shoulda brought a silencer." He tried to step away, but Sky was clung onto him, eyes still glued to the tall, inhuman creature.


    As Toby moved, the creature''s neck crooked around, and it''s body pressed to the glass. It was more human than thought initially. Toby hummed and looked to Sky, "I''m going out."


    "You fucking, what?!" Skylar hushed in a scream, as she snatched the blonde by his jacket, "Don''t be stupid, dumbass."


    Toby hissed a ''shh'' to Sky, "It doesn''t have a mouth, it can''t eat me."


    This was met with a slap to the face, "Fuck off withI''ll be fine, it doesn''t have a mouth!"


    There was a slight thud, then they both turned their heads to the noise. They only managed to see the creature slip off from the window. It took a moment, but Toby let off a sharp inhale, "The door''s open."


    "What?" Skylar''s eyes shifted to Toby.


    "The door''s open," He whispered back before he pursed his lips, "Turn off your flashlight," He eyed her briefly, "And don''t use the gun."


    Sky hesitated, looking to Toby to see if he was serious, "Turn off the flashlight!" He hissed as there was a soft metallic screech at the end of the hallway. She flinched and switched off the flashlight.


    The room was almost pitch black. There was a soft tapping at the distant end of the room, likely the tendered toes of the creature. There was a murdered ''shit'' from Sky as her vision was briefly taken over by her own frosty breath.


    Her vision darted from Toby to herself, then the dark grey clouds that formed against the walls and ceiling. On the walls, a thin layer of ice trailed down. Skylar gripped onto Toby from behind, her face hidden away as a throaty sound emerged from the dark. A sound akin to a crackly groan.


    Sky shivered, "Sorry, I''m sorry I can''t control it." She was on the brink of tears before Toby tapped her palm twice. Sky hesitantly looked up to see nothing, no creature. Snow fell slowly from the ceiling and onto the floor over the scattered files.


    There was another croak, this time closer. The floor became carpeted by a thin layer of ice. That''s when one, long footprint pressed into the snow. But no foot. Proceeded by another foot, with a soft crunch coming with. It took a few seconds, but the footsteps slowly approached.


    It stopped right in front of the two for a few long seconds, a croak was heard. In the snow, the handprint of the creature appeared mere inches from Toby''s boot. This seemed to be enough to spook the blonde into an attempt to shuffle back.


    With a soft curse, Skylar tripped back, hands still tightly gripped onto Toby''s shoulders. They both fell to the ground, the papers shifted about beneath them. The flashlight smacked the cold floor. It turned on, pointed to the footprints.


    Greyish skin with blue speckles became visible under the flashlight. As the body trailed up from the leg, the skin never once lost from the bone that seemed to distort. Bones seemed to form branch into itself, especially at the pelvis to the ribcage. There were long thick strings of bone going off through the ribcage bones only to randomly stop. The neck was long, and every blue artery seemed to protrude.


    The face itself was vaguely human. The jaw was elongated with blunt teeth to match. There was only the empty heart-shaped socket where the nose should have been. There were two enormous blackened eye sockets.


    The creature stared with it''s blackened eyes that shifted white by the torch''s glare. Skylar just watched behind Toby''s shoulder, frosty air drifted from her mouth at its own will. The creature''s head cooked for a second before it shifted it''s attention back to the ice.


    In its hand was a fist full of snow, moths, and eggs. Its jaw creaked open slightly, and the snow was lifted to its teeth, where it silently munched away. Toby shifted and pulled the flashlight over with his foot. The creature didn''t react and only continued to eat the snow and larve. Once it was in his hand, he flicked the flashlight off.


    After Sky''s eyes adjusted back to the darkness, the creature disappeared. Toby turned it on, the beast returned, in the exact same spot. Toby sighed in relief and attempted to stand for a moment before he spoke, "It seems being subconsciously clingy is a hereditary trait, sunshine," Sky''s eyebrows must have furrowed as she looked to Toby, "Please let go of me."


    Skylar immediately let the blonde go, and Toby stood up. He pulled his jacket back to it''s assumed spot. The blonde walked around the creature, attention glued to the snow, "Well, sunshine, I am apologetic to announce you seem to have moistened the files." He awkwardly announced and spun around with his hands on hips, "by moistened, I, of course, mean you''ve ruined them."


    "I can''t control it!" She whisper-shouted, "More importantly, what in gods fuck is that thing!"


    "Don''t yell, sunshine, we''re luckythisone only eats moths." He crossed his arms and looked to the door of one of the offices, "Maybe you can find some old tapes or something in the offices." Carefully, Toby avoided stepping on the files.


    "You expect me to be comforted by ''this one!''" She pointed to the Virus on the ground and hissed under her breath, "I don''t even know whatthisoneis!"


    "Oh, you didn''t figure it out?" Toby grinned with a snort, "But you seemed so certain of your... Academics and...Fluteskills." Toby had a strong twinge of rage behind his words.


    "Fuck you!" Skylar practically screamed, the noise itself rattled Toby enough to shut the door, he was about to hiss at her to keep her voice down, but she insisted, "I didn''t expect this!" dark clouds rifted from her mouth, her hands clasped to her head, "How the fuck was I meant to expect this?!"


    "My family gets murdered, I get kidnapped to fuck-all-Texas!" She paced the room, careful not to tread on the files, "Then I see ''oh cool, there are others with power my age, that''s fun!'' but ha-ha, jokes on me because we only exist because of some corrupt science experiment!"


    "So, youdidfigure it out?" Toby was casually flicking lint off his gloves, occasionally he swatted at a moth.


    "What?" Skylar was out of breath, eyed Toby with confusion.


    There was a hellish scream from beyond the glass, making Toby tense and quickly start to walk, "We''re going, get in the elevator." He grabbed Sky''s arm, and she didn''t seem to protest as they both scurried to the elevator.


    A creature slammed through the door, on its hands and feet. Skylar screamed as Toby hit the button to close the door in hopes it''s rusted slides would function faster. In a seconds notice, the creature bounded over. Skylar fumbled with the Glock in her hands, shaking as she forced the trigger. It startled both the humanoid and Sky enough to send them both back.


    The doors shut, and that was enough to make Sky drop to her knees, "Holy shit... Ow." She shook her hands, "Guns shouldn''t fucking hurt..."


    Toby had his face in his hands, likely frustrated before he rubbed his eyes beneath his glasses, "I think... That''s the point of guns."


    It took Sky a few seconds of watching Toby''s face to realize he was trying to make a joke. She huffed, "Shut up, smartass."


    -


    "Sky!" Adrien hissed down a hallway of the mound, making a ''tsk'' noise as he realized it was empty. But more likely, he was annoyed by his company that was a few steps behind with sandwiches and a meaningful, in-depth conversation it seemed.


    "N-No, p-uh-okemon didn-n''t use c-cards in the show, you''re thin-thinking of Y-Yuh-Yu-gi-oh." Reece explained, using his hands, to example, to two different subjects.


    "So wait, why do they sell cards of both then?" Naya raised an eyebrow.


    "Th-thuh sa-same reason b-b-baseball players have c-cards even though it''s not a ca-card game." Reece stated, and by how his tone was, it was enough to make Naya grin before the answer was out, "Capitalism."


    "Both of you shut the fuck up, I don''t care!" Adrien hissed, turned around with his hands very expressively out.


    "You didn''t care about peanut and lettuce sandwiches either, and they turned out great," Naya proudly announced, and gestured to her half-eaten one, "Reece agrees."


    "I-uh, ha-haven''t ea-eaten re-real f-food in li-ike fo-four we-weeks." He reminded, "Anything tastes good to m-me."


    "Eh, it''s still two outta three," She shrugged, smugly looking at Adrien, "Where the final contender hasn''t even tried it." She offered the sandwich to Adrien, who just grumbled, his flames got a little higher.


    "My fucking sister is missing, in here, looking for psychopath Mcgee, why are you so unempathetic right now?!"


    "Y-your sis-ter seems pre-pretty self-sufficient." Reece shrugged.


    This was followed by Naya nodding, "Yeah, she''s a smart cookie, she''ll be fine."


    "Shut the hell up, you don''t know shit!" Adrien''s flames perked significantly, and it almost made me notice what a weird sentence he had just spouted. However, the outburst prompted the two to take a step back. Adrien pointed to Naya, "Five days," Then pointed to Reece, "Two minutes!" He continued to rant, "that''s how long you both have known her. She''s an idiot when it comes to trusting people!"


    "Oh," Naya hummed contemplative, "I thought you were threatening our lives," Naya snorted, "Like I had five days left to live, and Reece had two minutes left."


    Reece chuckled, along, though he seemed a little more nervous about it. Adrien was dumbstruck for a moment before setting on fire ultimately, "What the fuck is wrong with you? We''ve been goddamn imprisoned in an army base, and you''re acting like it''s fucking summer camp!"


    This time Naya looked down and thought, "I dunno, I guess I''m not wired to be sad long term... In fact, I don''t feel a lot of things, not about my parents yet, the imprisonment or anything.." Naya shrugged again, "Maybe it hasn''t sunken in yet, maybe it''s a Virus thing, or maybe I''m a psychopath," She then took a bite of her sandwich and looked behind Adrien for a second, "Oh hey, Sky."


    Immediately, Adrien spun around. The Sky was stood, looking slightly disheveled but ok nonetheless, "Hey, Naya." She briefly waved to the group. Adrien glanced around Sky, likely looking for Toby, who was not present.


    "Where is he?" Adrien furrowed his brows.


    "Who?" Skylar''s eyebrow raised slightly, "Oh, you mean Toby?"


    Adrien gave an intense glare to her, "Who do I- yes, that asshole, who the fuck else?"


    Sky shrugged, "Dunno, couldn''t find him," she shrugged, and checked over to Naya and Reece, "Did you put peanut and lettuce in the same sandwich?"


    "Hey, don''t knock it till you try it," Naya defended her sandwich psychically.


    "You''re right, I''ll refrain from judgment and pretend I never saw it," Skylar looked to Reece, who was contently observing the situation, "So what do we do about him?"


    Naya grinned, stuffing the remainder of her sandwich into her mouth before she spoke, "Don''t worry, I''ve got it covered!"


    "He''s not going back into that chamber thing," Skylar already forewarned.


    "What, Sky, c''mon!" Adrien whined like a child, "You know you''d be leaving evidence behind?" He gestured to Reece, who awkwardly shuffled his feet, "This isn''t some jackass leaving orange juice cartons around, this is a whole ass missing person child, not a soldier!"


    "Oh, I know we''d be leaving evidence behind," Sky crossed her arms, "I also know what seared flesh looks like," She looked at Reece with skepticism.


    It only took the ''seared flesh'' comment for Adrien to droop his head slightly and back off, immediately tense at the shoulders.


    Reece pursed his lips and shrugged as he shook his head lightly, "It- I can deal wi-with i-it."


    Naya hesitated, she pressed her thumbs together, "But trust me, I know a guy who can help me, he owes me."


    "Owes y-" Sky stopped, once she realized what she meant, "You''re fucking joking, Naya, no!"


    "Hey, listen!" She waved her hands slightly, "Charlo''s cool, he came to visit me while my arm was busted," Naya cleared her throat, "And he clearly doesn''t care when me or Toby show up to his kitchen."


    Sky grumbled excessively, as she between Naya, Reece, and Adrien in hopes of a better idea. up, "Fine, fine whatever," She massaged the side of her head, "Jesus, I hope you''re not being stupid."


    Naya grinned before she seemed to get an idea, "Oh, hey, the guard people are dead, Reece, you gotta meet the gang!" She grabbed Reece''s arm, "Oh shit, I gotta re-meet the gang. They probably thought I died!" She laughed slightly, which only made Reece awkwardly laugh in compliance.


    As Naya walked off, Reece followed her, and Sky hesitated before she turned slightly to check on Adrien. He grouchily hugged his shoulders. Just as Sky turned around to follow suit, Adrien spoke, "I know you''re lying, you saw him."


    She huffed and peered over her shoulder for a moment, "I''m not dead, am I?" She furrowed her eyebrows more, waiting for Adrien to look at her or at least show a sign of budging, "You coming?"


    "I don''t know these people," Adrien sounded like he tried to hiss it, but it became a grumbled whine, "And you don''t either." His sister took a moment before sighing a ''Jesus, Adrienbefore she walked down the hall to the others.

 CHAPTER 7

    BUILD


    DEFINITION


    Incorporate something and make it a permanent part of a structure, system, or situation.


    "Engineers want to build in extra traction."


    -


    DATE - JULY 5TH 2015


    -


    From the late hours of the night, it was shown why Reece was placed in the high surveillance. Within seconds of being in the main wing, Reece could be able to remove the doors from the cells. Only for a few seconds, granted but a few seconds were all that was needed for each of the Virus to be freed from their containment.


    Despite their newfound freedom, they all chose to sit on the metallic floor in a small deformed circle. As it was already put, "We''ve already left so much evidence." So they all decided to casually sit together; with the exclusion of Clover who was afloat near the ceiling, her back arched to stay somewhat close to the conversation.


    Their conversation was a mix of trivia; They each came from different backgrounds, which ranged from Joslyn being a runaway with only the money in her pockets, Dex who dropped out to help pay for his family, Clover who was on a disability fund her whole life, Naya who went to a public school, Skylar who was in a private all-girls school, and Reece who was in an Episcopal School.


    "Oh shit, then you''re really smart then?" Was Naya''s first comment.


    "I don''t know much about schools but ''scope'' is a smart people word," Dexter was leaned back, and gazed to the ceiling, but he must have felt everyone give him a strong look, so he peered over to confirm it before he explained, "Like; the microscope, kaleidoscope, thermoscope-"


    "Yeah ok those are just types of telescopes-" Sky judge fully squinted her eyes at Dex.


    "Telescope!" Dex exclaimed, "That also has scope in it, that''s what uh Columbus guy used when he got to America, yeah?"


    Sky sighed, with a silent ''yeah, dex'' under her breath, before she looked to Reece who was fiddling slightly, "He either got in for being smart or because you''re loaded." She had a slight bite to her words. she likely noted Reece had a slight bit of shame to him.


    For a moment Reece hummed a flat note, "Yeah, my fuh-folks are ki-kinda wuh-well off," He whispered slightly, "Sorry."


    Though I never understood why Reece felt the need to apologize, Naya seemed to note Sky''s judgemental look, "Hey man, no one chooses what they''re born into!" She smiled, and looked at Sky for a moment, "Like, Sky never chose to be born with... Adrien?" Clearly she hadn''t thought through what example she was going to make, which drew Sky to glare at Naya next, "I should have said clouds- or like two siblings."


    "T-tuh-two sibl-li-ings?" Reece raised an eyebrow, "Oh... Trip-plets." Reece hummed for a second, "Th-that-tuh may-makes more s-s-s-sense now- I ju-just assumed Adrien was.." The eyes on Reece made him increasingly uncomfortable as he felt his stutter grow back, "Just boy and girl identical twins are kinda impossible." He cleared his throats, "I- uhm, where''s the other one?" He immediately changed the subject.


    There was a brief silence, sure the attention was turned to Sky but it seemed the rest of the group already knew, so the air was tenser. Clover hummed before she spoke, "It''s ok, stranger; Joslyn makes everyone uncomfortable too."


    When Reece looked to Joslyn, she shied away from a little more uncomfortable then everyone else.


    After a few more seconds, Clover spoke again, "She died in the womb." Her voice was flat and unemotive.


    Sky shook her head, "No, no she didn''t!" Her voice cracked slightly from nerves, she cleared her throat before she sighed, "Olive didn''t make it out of the house," Her lips pursed before she rubbed her eyelids, "She always said if we were ever discovered by the government or whatever, she''d use her power on herself before got her."


    "What could she do?" Joslyn hesitantly asked, her voice in a mumble.


    "Moss and vegetation used to grow off her if she was ever ''melancholy,''" She used air quotes, "She choked on her own vegetation and Adrien... She just went up." The explanations were vague and randomly strung but what she was trying to say made sense.


    There was a scarce silence, not sure where to go from that, but Naya tried her best, "Is that why Adrien is so... How he is?"


    Sky thought for a moment, "No, he''s always been Antisocial and angsty, but I think he''s different, I dunno," She shrugged, and leaned back up against the wall, "I never really saw him at home, he just sat in his room, and only came downstairs to get food and then he went back up."


    "N-No sch-school or anything?" Reece asked eyebrows furrowed.


    "A little hard to go to school when you become a breathing bonfire every time you''re mildly annoyed," She scoffed slightly.


    "That''s... Uhn-Understand-dable," Reece hummed.


    "Horoscope also has scope in it..." Dex mumbled, immediately making Naya force back a chortle.


    Sky inhaled sharply, "Dex, what the fuck, you''re still thinking about scopes?!" Before Dex could defend himself, Sky remembered something, "Hey wait, no, when were you guys born?" The immediate tone change made everyone stop, and not answer her. Sky grumbled, then looked to the white-haired angel on the ceiling, "Clover, were you born in October?"


    "Yeah, the first."


    Sky stood up to be closer to eye level with her "A premature birth?"


    Clover stared with her half-lidded eyes for a second before talking again, "Are you a witch?"


    Sky''s neck almost snapped as she turned her gaze to Joslyn, "Birthday?"


    Immediately, Joslyn jumped, panicked, "October fourth!"


    "Reece?"


    "Oh uh, th-the se-seventee-teenth..." He had a slight panic as well, "Of Oct-Octo-tober."


    "And I''m the fourteenth." She pointed to herself, then to Naya who was next in the circle, "Naya?"


    "The eighth, baby!" Naya clearly had no idea what was happening but Skylar''s energy had made her excitable.


    "And Dex?" She faced him this time, likely to get him to try and take this seriously.


    "Ninth- ninest?" He mumbled, unsure of what was occurring.


    "Cool, we''re all birthday buddies, another experiment thing you think?" Naya asked, legs crossed.


    "No, no the experiment would be if we were all different months..." She looked to Reece, expecting him to understand, "What happened nine months before Naya''s birthday?"


    Naya grimaced, "Ew, don''t talk about my parents like that."


    "No, shut up," Sky snapped, looking to Reece, "You look like you know."


    Reece inhaled sharply, and muttered something in Japanese before he stood up, "The Valentine''s day nuclear rain on Salt Lake City."


    There was a silence before Nay let out an exasperated ''ohhh'', "yeah ok that makes sense."


    "That''s it?" Sky furrowed her eyebrows.


    "I mean yeah, I''m sure that you both had it figured out a while ago," Naya shrugged, raving her hand nonchalantly, "But I mean I only realized I had superpowers like three days ago so this is all open to me."


    Sky was about to comment on that but she just sighed and rubbed her eyelids. Eventually, she looked over to Joslyn, "You figured it out, right?" She then stuttered as she realized the issue, "Not that-"


    "I- was told that the nuclear rain was Allah''s punishment to my parents for having premarital sex," Joslyn pursed her lips, accepting the looks she got, "Not that I believed that but, yeah I guess I figured it was related?"


    "Shit, alright," Sky grumbled, eyes a little wider than before, "I''m not even gonna ask you two." She glanced between Dex and Clover who just shrugged in acceptance of that conclusion.


    "Now all we gotta know is when Adrien and Toby were born." Dex said with determination, which made Sky fuss louder while Naya chortled.


    -


    Adrien walked the Moth Mound, eventually, he found the stairs. He thought momentarily before he made his way up. He noted a few dried blood spots across the steps. He passed the second floor and considered it for a moment before he looked up and saw the roof door was open.


    It took him a light grumble before he decided to head up there. He became purposely quiet as he saw Toby''s silhouette was crafting something it seemed. He continued to walk up the stairs. He observed whatever Toby was doing. He had a rope, blow torch, various pieces of metal, and random weapons which various from kitchen knives to guns with silencers.


    Expectedly, Adrien was hesitant to say anything or to approach. Instead, he just watched, looking to the door for a second before he noticed there was a lack of doorknob. He blinked a few times at the violence of how it was stabbed around the doorknob hole and then where it was shot as well.


    The next time Adrien looked over, Toby watched him with a blank look behind his sunglasses. Adrien jolted which was enough to make the blonde smirk slightly, "You both sure do like to observe," He commented loudly, "Or were you waiting for a one-liner?" Toby chortled, and put down the blowtorch.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    It took Adrien a second to process how to respond, only stuttering as a response at first. Adrien forced his eyes shut. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Toby made a high-pitched goofy giggle before there was a clank of a thrown gun.


    Of course, Adrien would be unfamiliar with that sound, so when he came to, he was understandably startled by the weapon in front of him. Toby was back to working on his bizarre arts and crafts project, "It''s fine, I know I''m intimidating," He started, and picked up the blow torch again, "Your disease isn''t very long-range so feel free to threaten me from the door, fire-crotch." He had a grin before he covered it up with the blow torch mask.


    For a moment Adrien hesitated before he picked up the gun with a squint. But just as quickly, he dropped it, "Nice try, dipshit!" Adrien shouted, "Every fucker you killed shot themselves, I''m not that gullible!"


    He stopped blow torching, in thought before he chuckled, "Well it doesn''t sound like I killed them if they shot themselves," Toby flicked up the mask with a smirk still under it, "But you make a valid argument." That was the closest to admission so far, not that it was ever needed.


    Adrien crossed his arms and carefully approached as Toby was focused on smelting a blade onto a gun silencer. Adrien examined a little closer. He awkwardly stepped over the weapons. The metallic box air vent''s hatch was open. Adrien walked over and peered inside to see a few scattered items, which included photos and manila folders. It was too dark to see inside, so he took a moment before. his hand lightly lit up.


    There was a slight noise in the background before a clack and then the sound of burst metal as a hole was pierced through the vent. Adrien screamed and forced his hand back. He glared at Toby who had the newly blow-torched weapon, "What the fuck?!" Adrien shrieked, "Did you just try to shoot me?!"


    Toby flicked back the mask, his expression blank "Not sure, did you just try to burn my stuff?" He held the gun up, the smelted blades still orange at the base.


    Adrien protectively stroked his hand, "N-no, I just wanted to see what-"


    "Coincidence," Toby interrupted, bring the gun down, "I just wanted to see how the gun worked."


    Toby proceeded to turn back around after appearing to give Adrien a glare which broke into a slight smirk as he turned. He picked up another knife and began to blow torch that one above the trigger, pointing outward.


    After a few seconds, Adrien''s breath came back as he eyed the inside of the vent, then Toby again. He picked up a knife beside his feet, lingering for a moment before he sped to Toby, who somehow noticed despite how quiet Adrien managed to be.


    He turned around just in time for the knife to clank with the mask. Adrien flinched, and Toby stayed still. He then sighed "One second," He flicked up the mask. He seemed unimpressed, yet lightly amused. He absolutely noticed the knife, he even pinched it by the blade and pressing it to his neck, "Go on."


    "I-" Adrien was taken off guard, "What the fuck is wrong with you!?" Toby''s smile lifted slightly as Adrien threw his arms up for a moment, "You''re too easy-going about murder, even if it''s you what the fuck?!"


    "I believe the word you''re looking for is nonchalant," Toby corrected.


    Adrien huffed, "Then you talk like a middle-aged supervillain," This made Toby grin and chortle, "Stop laughing, dickhead," Adrien pressed the knife back, "No more funny shit" He ordered, "talk; What''s your deal?"


    You could almost see Toby roll his eyes, "My deal?"


    "Yeah, you know; this!" Adrien gestured around the blonde who tracked Adrien''s movements, "I see you with a bat earlier, and now you''re doing some fucked up saw shit!" Adrien had small patches of fire on his shoulders, "And I don''t trust that you''re making all these right after Sky followed you to fuck-knows-where," It took Adrien a second to rephrase, "Fucking... What are the weapons for?"


    There was no reply, Toby just gave a strange look to Adrien before he leaned into the knife slightly, making Adrien wince it away. Toby just snorted and scoffed, and took ahold of Adrien''s hand to keep the knife still, "You won''t kill me, hotspur," Toby almost whispered, "But if you want to prove me wrong I won''t complain."


    Adrien''s hand shook slightly as he watched himself in Toby''s glasses. Toby reached for a gun, picking it up by the silence and offered it to Adrien, "Hell, I''ll even give you two options," Adrien didn''t even look to the gun, only focused on his own reflection, "It''ll be less blood on you if you use a gun."


    His grip tightened for a moment before he lowered his head. Toby let go of his hand, the knife lowered. Adrien''s jaw tightened as his eyes welled. Toby stayed silent for a moment, but out of the corner of Adrien''s eye, he saw the blonde open his mouth.


    Before Toby got the chance to speak, Adrien snatched the gun, aimed it to the sky and pulled the trigger. It let off a snap of a bullet being realized. Adrien''s eyebrows furrowed even further, eyes on Toby''s unphased expression, "What in God''s planet of Earth is fucking wrong with you?!"


    Adrien threw the gun to the ground, and Toby just raised an eyebrow, "What can I say?" He shrugged, grin sprawling across his face, "I guess I just trust you," He stood up and walked around Adrien, who only then tried to spot where the knife was on Toby''s neck, instead noticing a slight bit of odd black speckles, "Anyway, I''m planning on burning some government property."


    Toby lunged himself into the air vent box halfway, coming back up with a manila folder and a bag of bagels, "I hear you''re a bit of an expert, so if you wanted to join me..?" He trailed off, and let Adrien figure it out on his own.


    It seemed Adrien was rather out of it, blinking himself back before he spoke, "You... tried to give me a loaded gun because you trusted I wouldn''t shoot you?" He phrased it slowly to Toby who was already opening the bag.


    The blonde scoffed, "Firecrotch, you could have killed me at any time, gun, knife, or even without," Toby proceeded to sit on top of the vent, "And I could have made you kill yourself at any time," There was a silence as Adrien took in the info and tensed up, about to shout something before Toby interrupted, "No one will believe you, and even if they did, what would it prove?"


    Adrien accepted the silence, and even though I couldn''t see through Toby''s face, it was easy to tell that the ginger was seething by the measure of the flames around his feet. Adrien raised a hand to object, he opened his mouth to only let a noise out. Adrien just looked down as he either accepted this or was thinking of a way to retort it.


    A bagel was thrown to Adrien as it hit his arm then fell to the floor. He. looked up to Toby as he had a smug grin and a bagel in the hand that was pressed to his face, "You know what, whatever, who cares you''re right!" Adrien threw his hands up before he picked the bagel up, "At least I don''t look like a pompous douche-bag because I wear sunglasses at night!" He practically shrieked, "Or have the world''s stupidest fucking neck tattoo, to make me look like a dalmatian!"


    Toby''s smile drifted for a second as a hand raised to his neck, but Adrien continued, "And I''m taking this bagel, fuck you, you preppy-punk-bastard!" He flipped Toby off before he turned around to the stairs, a scorched spot where he stood was left behind.


    As Adrien left the roof, he attempted to slam the roof door, which obviously did not work as it just swung outside, leaving a burnt imprint of his hand. Of course, since Adrien made a fool of himself, he had started to scream again, "And who the fuck mugs a door?!"


    He angrily stormed down the staircase, bagel in his mouth as he tried to grumble more profanity.


    -


    At about four AM I fiddled with Tabby''s back panel to her TV, and I successfully unlocked it. After I flicked on her switch, her vents started to whirr and her screen brightened ever so slightly. A loading bar appeared on her face. I was unsure of her battery so I had already plugged her into the wall.


    The load bar twiddled back and forth, freezing every time it leaped. Tabby had missed so much over just a day. In my claws, I held the written transcripts I had taken from the past few days, eager to show her what she had missed. The Virus hadn''t ever really interacted in her presence nor had they ever shown interest in talking to her.


    She never let it show but I was sure it saddened her at least a little. As I scanned over the papers from last night, I felt off. The basement felt off, and the situation was Reece was certain to spiral, he was ''missing'' and the fact I was about to show it to Tabby felt wrong. I trust her, who else would I trust other than her. She understood a secret when she told me one. It was likely she only told me because I wouldn''t be able to say anything, but regardless it was a secret.


    In a random flurry of what I now know as gut instinct, I switched around and placed a few of the papers beneath my mattress. I then picked up a spare paper and scribbled down some nonsense scene where Toby blurred Skylar''s vision and promptly disappeared into a vent, then removed any mention of Naya knowing where Reece would be hidden next; no mention of Charlo.


    I felt guilty, this was Tabby and Tabby meant well and deserved to know what I knew. We were both made here, both made to serve the Moth Mound and to never, ever disobey. Perhaps that''s why I felt compelled to lie to Tabby. She was made by the Moth Mound and was programmed to never disobey, and if she did then it would harm both of us in the long term.


    "Alvi?" Tabby''s gears tipped into gear, her voice was half-booted but she was there. I swerved around, coiling my tail carefully as to not whack Tabby. Her system was always fragile after the rare event of a reboot. I blink a few times as Tabby''s static screen slowly cleared back to normal.


    She tested each of her fingers, "Was I... Rebooted?" She crossed her legs, I could only nod slightly, "What... Why, when?" Tabby''s memory box had not been updated, as it was always one of the last things to finish after a reboot.


    I sift through the papers, coming across the pages of the early hours of July 4th. I gave them over and Tabby was slow to accept. She scanned them, rather literally; her face glowed and she scanned in the note to run through her still slow-running gears.


    After an approximate fifteen seconds, Tabby seemed to kick start back, "Oh that butt-face!" She cracked, "Gosh what a sore loser!" She crossed her arms, "That''s so him..." She made a few more passive-aggressive comments, then looked to the papers, "Wait, how long was I out for."


    I raise my fingers, one with ''two'' and the other with ''four.'' Tabby curled up into a ball, "I missed the whole therapist thing then." I suspected right and now was my chance to cheer her up. I slide over all the papers, and lightly nudge her foot.


    Tabby geared over to look, head tilted. She scanned the first page and after a few seconds spoke, "Alvi!" She eagerly picked up the papers, "You''ve been logging everything?!" She started to scan each page, her fans kicked up the notch as she forced herself to scan everything.


    Proudly I gargled but tried to seem humble by shrugging. Tabby stood up, with a stumble, "You''re a mad genius, this is exactly what Warden needs!" My pride recoiled instantly, as I realized I was correct, "This will get you back in Ward''s good books for sure!" She cheered.


    She sat down again, and read further, "This is juicy goss too," She crossed her legs, "We should be reading this instead of that book!" She proudly exclaimed, again and hugged me briefly, which was awkward with her bulky rectangular head. That was the moment I began to realize, I was born at the Moth Mound, but Tabby was built here.


    -


    The Warden was fiddling with his cufflinks in his quarters when he heard his walkie talkie begin to spit awake, "Sir, Sir?!" the voice was frantic, and although it was hard to pinpoint, I had a fairly solid guess of who it was. The Warden groaned, with expectation for it to be another dead body.


    He picked up the talkie, "Yes?" He unpressed the button and almost set the talkie down before it immediately sprung to life.


    "Virus eight is gone!" Her voice stammered, "The door lock is broken and files have been stolen!" At that point, the Warden could only take in the words. He scanned his vanity and the mirror as if it would somehow help things make sense.


    "Gone?"


    The static pursued for a second before there was an audible snatch of the talkie, on the other end, "He''s gone!" Just by the tone, I could tell it was Veronica, "And if it''s any consolation; there''s a broken cast and MMHV three is gone too."


    After a long silence, Warden slammed his hand into the dresser, effectively causing several items to crash to the ground. "Sir?" Veronica repeated, unaware of the crash.


    "I''ll be down in ten minutes, don''t touch anything." He ordered and waited a few seconds in case of a response, which was never likely with Veronica. So after the fifth second, the Warden started to hurry to fix his uniform.


    -


    It was six AM when Charlo began to prepare the breakfast that day for the many breakfasts for the soldiers. I purposely waited for Tabby to leave the room before I began to check in with Charlo and begin to start logging again. Once all of the trays were set, they needed the pre-made sandwiches, juice boxes and all else that were stored in the back


    The second the doorway open, Charlo seemed to notice something was off. He''s been here longer than the Warden, so he can always tell when something amiss. He stepped in, and was sure to eye each of the shelves, high and low, and was sure to check through the middle.


    In the far corner of the food storage, two smaller bodies were sprawled across a pile of flour bags, both unconscious. The orange jumpsuits gave it away that it was two Virus. Charlo sighed and straightened up his posture before he continued around the corner of the shelves to see both Naya and Reece out cold.


    For a few seconds, Charlo just stood there in contemplation, it was unlikely he''s seen Reece. He has for certainty heard of Reece though. Of a Virus that became frantic and had to be forcibly restrained which resulted in various injuries.


    Charlo sighed and thought for a moment, but before he could come to an idea, there was an electronic pierce through the speakers, "Early meeting, soldiers report to the auditorium in thirty minutes, thank you!" Tabby chimed before the speakers went out.


    This of course awoke the two passed out Virus, Naya rose slowly while Reece struck awake at the first chortle of the speaker. He was wide-eyed, confusedly as his eyes darted around the room. Once Reece finally seemed to calm, his brows arched, breath still hurried.


    Naya had turned herself around, and faced the wall, already asleep again. Charlo took a moment, to assess Reece''s state before he spoke, "You''re not allergic to anything?"


    Reece hesitated, "Nuh-no?" He occasionally eyed Naya in hopes she''d wake up and help.


    "Alright." Charlo then turned around and picked up a box with previously made packaged sandwiches. He walked out of the food storage, closing the door behind him.

 CHAPTER 8

    ENNUI


    DEFINITION


    A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.


    "he succumbed to ennui and despair."


    -


    DATE - JULY 5TH 2015


    -


    The auditorium was small as it was old fashioned. It had only been used a hand full of times after 2000. Mostly it was used with briefings on the Virus retrieval project, procedures on how to deal with rogue Virus, and the scarce occasion to need to hold meetings with other precincts. That, however, was once in a blue moon.


    Today''s reception notes were jotted in the Warden''s notepad; it was evident that this conference heavily relied on Fritz and what her assessment was. The room was almost filled with soldiers, and Fritz had her notes written over the Virus'' files, with points that pertained to each teen.


    Around two minutes until when the assemblage was to start, Tabby hopped over to the Warden with a type of urgency, "Warden!" she sounded like she was trying to whisper, "I gotta show you something!" She tugged on his leg, "You''re gonna love it, trust me!"


    His hand swatted her back, "Later." despite Tabby''s screen for a face, I could almost see her cheeks puff up in annoyance. But of course, she accepted it and marched into the corner, before she climbed onto a chair. She crossed her arms and pouted.


    The room was filled with enough soldiers and a few scientists, so the Warden stepped up to the podium and tapped the mic. Veronica gave a thumbs up from the front line of chairs. Warden cleared his throat before he spoke. "I called you all here this morning to discuss the avid changes within the Moth Mound," The man placed his notebook across the flat slate, "There has been a spike of in-mound deaths, from one Virus particular who we have little to no data on," The Warden took a breath. He was aware of how useless his input was, "So we have called a specialist in... Child behavioral sciences to assist in an approach."


    The various scientists and soldiers were unimpressed. These weren''t children by default. They just looked like it and were aged like children. Warden looked to Fritz, who seemed slightly taken aback by how quickly she was being called to speak. She kept her papers close to herself as she walked up to the podium.


    The Warden stepped back and faced the crowd now, but his gaze remained stagnant on the psych. Fritz turned to the back page of her papers. "Good morning," She muttered as she took a moment to find her place on the form. "I only spent about a half-hour one on one with Naya; the rest, unfortunately, are; as promised, completely uncooperative for understandable reasons," She somewhat muttered the end, "However, I did figure a few things out; Naya seems to lack any form of... Sadness, guilt, or grievance." She flipped to Naya''s page, "Naya was easily distracted by her surroundings, but not in a sign of trauma," She cleared her throat, "She knows where she is and is content with it," Fritz struggled to read, the room likely getting to her. "Despite her abduction being traumatic, her spirits are bizarrely high, and for that, I have no answer."


    Before Fritz could continue, Veronica raised her hand before she stood, "You appear to be ill-informed," She started. She gave a look to the Warden, before continuing, "That''s the point," She had a bite behind her words, "The Virus gene''s causes the host have abnormally stable brain chemicals like dopamine or monoamine oxidase," Fritz picked up her clipboard from behind her, pen attached, "Are you saying this Virus was abnormally content with her situation?"


    Fritz took a long second before she gave a hesitant nod, "Y-yes, she was extremely content; Ms. Zhao seemed like she was any normal girl on any normal day," This was met with a flurry of scribbles from the scientists. "She wasn''t disconnected or anything, she expressed if anything, an almost abnormal love of family for a young girl her age," after a second, it seemed to click with Fritz, "I also suppose it was the same as the other Virus, they managed to be collectively very well stable... Sort of."


    "Sort of?" Warden chimed in before further pressing, "You said they were uncooperative."


    "Yes, yes, they were when... When they thought I was present," Fritz cleared her throat. "I did an experiment where I pretended to leave the room to see if they were to become vocal without my presence," She explained before she nodded, "It proved successful; the group in the cells have a trust with each other and very much no trust with any of the staff."


    This seemed to all be well-known info, which made Fritz coil slightly before she cleared her throat, "So I am proposing an idea..." She shuffled her papers slightly, "The Virus are more than likely to show behavioral signs when in an open environment," She looked at Naya''s photo before she continued, "Naya admitted to using her... Disease in her daily life before her abduction; in baseball," She then turned to Dex''s page, "As for Dexter, he has an arrest record but no convictions due to lack of or missing evidence," She looked up. She noted the gears turn for everyone in the room, "They use their diseases daily in daily freeform tasks so I... I think you see where I''m going." Fritz trailed up when she saw the Warden''s brazen glare.


    His voice started low, "You''re recommending we let them free reign over the Mound?" His brow arched, "The deaths have spiked since they arrived and you-"


    "A common re-occurring behavior to being contained is outward violence!" Fritz panicked out before she saw her error in how she phrased that, "These children were indeed kidnapped, contained, and labeled as freaks in what I can best describe as a maximum security... prison!" She forced out before she huffed, "I don''t know how you assumed they would act, but given the fact that they have superpowers, I am astonished this facility isn''t already ash!"


    The Warden''s glare only grew, "I think that''s enough from the professor for now-"


    "Wait, wait, Warden!" Tabby had hopped over to the podium without stepping up onto the small stage, "She''s kinda right!" The Warden''s glare went to the TV, who didn''t bother to give him the benefit of acting scared, "Alvis has logged everything from the past few days with the Virus, and I mean everything!" Her screen loaded up the scans of my writing, "They''ve been in the halls overnight, and they haven''t killed each other or caused any extreme damage..."


    Warden shifted his body towards Tabby, "You didn''t tell me this earlier, Tabitha."


    "Screw you, dude, you didn''t wanna hear it!" Tabby threw her hands up, "And I was dead until like three hours ago, thanks butt-wipe!" She then proceeded. to pull up other logs, "Also, I pulled up the chips records; Virus seven has been using his disease with other Virus, and even talks with Virus six like... semi-normally?" She huffed slightly, "It''s a shit chance, but it''s the best lead we''ve got."


    Warden took in these words, and it seemed to make him get lost in his own thoughts for a moment. His eyes returned to Tabby''s screen once he saw she had zoomed in on one word ''Reece,'' which she had circled. Warden''s brows furrowed in; Reece was still out, and he hadn''t told any soldiers to prevent hysteria and tension.


    Fritz cleared her throat, "Is there a section of this Uhm... Mound that is rarely used?" She held the papers close.


    Before the Warden could answer her, Tabby butted in again, "The third floor is pretty unused for the most part!"


    The Warden grumbled and let off a tongue click before he thought, "I''ll review it," was all he murmured on that, suddenly eager to leave the room, "Any parting advice in regards to Virus-seven?"


    Fritz let off an ''uhh'' to realize that she was still in the room with all of the soldiers, "Just... Stay out of his way, I haven''t met them yet so.-"


    "Yes, you have." Tabby corked her head, as her screen flipped to the fourth of July''s earlier hours, "You thought he was the tour guide, silly!" She chuckled and stepped over so Warden


    Warden read it with squinted eyes "You believed we hired children?" He asked as he looked to her.


    It seemed her face was flustered, "You abducted eight and killed one, what was I supposed to think?!" Fritz hissed through her teeth, purposely leaning away from the mic, "And he had the uniform too!"


    The Warden blinked, stunned, and the bite back, "It''s hideously oversized on it!" Warden hissed back.


    "Stop saying it, he''s a child, it''s not his fault Iraq bombed a city!"


    The back and forth was eagerly observed with the Soldiers and scientists, a few of them held chuckles, and the rest had sunk back into the seats as they waited for the Warden to blow up.


    "It''s killed thirty-eight soldiers in my precinct!" He started to raise his voice.


    "He''s just scared and confused, he didn''t want to get abducted!" Her voice was still hushed but was very much audible to the room.


    Tabby stepped in front of them, still on. the ground as opposed to the small podium stage, "Wait, you both know he''s in the room, right?" The two quit bickering as they eyed the computer who pointed to the right hand of the auditorium. Halfway up the stairs, Toby was calmly sat on the staircase, head rested in his hand, his smirk grew slightly.


    "He''s been here like- the whole time, I just assumed you let him in on purpose," She shrugged, looking between Toby and the Warden. Warden didn''t say a word. He only eyed the Virus who was smugly sat on the steps of the auditorium, the soldiers around him had all their eyes glued to him.


    "What in the..." Tabby turned around completely, "Did no one see him?!" She threw her arms up, "You''ve been seeing the exact same people every day for like twenty-five years and you-!" Tabby lost her words, looking to the Warden, her entire body just emitted confusion and frustration.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Warden finally let off a strong inhale before he stepped to the mic, Fritz stepped away in unison, "Unless anyone has any questions or ideas, I will call this conference adjourned," Nobody raised their hand or said a word. Hence, the Warden nodded, "Good, be on your way, then."


    The room was still for a few long seconds as everyone just darted their eyes between Toby and the Warden. No one wanted to risk being the first person to move and be subjected to an unknown disease. Eventually, Toby just chortled and stood up with a stretch.


    "Alright, alright," He forced his hands into his pockets, "I know when I''m not wanted." He proceeded to step down the stairs, a slight skip in his step as he stepped past the podium. Everyone watched him leave without a raised voice or moving even in the slightest.


    Tabby''s gears shifted to face him better after stepped past her, "See ya later, Toby!" She purposely emphasized his name. Toby stopped walking, hand on the push door. The name processed for the Warden, and he looked to Tabby, who proudly posed back.


    After a content chuckle, Toby shifted slightly to face back, "Yes, I suppose I will, Amelia." He then left the room, with Tabby making confused sounds.


    "That''s not even my name!" Tabby threw her hands up, looking to Warden, "What does that even-" She stopped talking once it processed that Warden''s expression told more. His brows were arched in from thought, and his maw slightly agape. Amelia wasn''t Tabby''s name, but it was someones.


    -


    In the back kitchen, Reece and Naya humbly enjoyed some toast and chips while Charlo was taking a fruit basket from the refrigeration section. Naya was still sat upon the flour bags, her legs crossed. Reece was stood up, leaned against a wall.


    "Yesterday was the fourth of July, do you guys celebrate here?" Naya asked out of nowhere as Charlo picked up a box of bagged pears.


    "No, no, we don''t really celebrate holidays here," Charlo answered, rather quietly.


    "Really?" Naya''s brow raised, and placed her toast down, "I figured you guys are pretty... America!" Naya forced a gruff voice and flexed with a puffed-out chest. Reece looked over with a slight smile, lightly amused.


    Charlo however, chuckled for the first time I could recall, "Sorry to shock you but, nobody''s feeling particularly patriotic these days," Naya let off a hum and glanced down slightly.


    "Y-Yuh-yeah, I ima-imag-gine child abduc-ction isn''t exactly great for m-morale..." Reece muttered slightly, his smile died somewhat as he seemed to recall something. He had a hand pressed to the outline of one of his seared flesh patches.


    At that moment, the door opened, and someone stepped in. As soon as Reece saw the camo, he flinched back slightly. Naya jolted and stood upon the flour bags to get a better look. Charlo gazed over. "No soldiers back, he-" He took one look at Toby, who was already minding his own business, likely looking for a juice box. Toby looked up at Charlo for a second before he just sighed, "As you were."


    Charlo went back to what he was doing. Reece hissed under his breath, "What do we do?!" He looked to Naya, who just ate as she watched the blonde.


    She almost said something in response until she recognized the glasses that peered back, "Oh, hey Toby!" She called out.


    "Juggernaut," Toby shrugged and returned his attention back at the fruit boxes for a moment.


    Naya jumped down from the flour bags and grabbed Reece, who immediately flinched away, "W-Wait, wait!" He panicked, "Th-That''s Tuh-Toby?!"


    She continued to drag Reece over, "Yeah!" She exclaimed, "He''s harmless... Save for the staff, of course," She shrugged before she hauled Reece around, "Yo, Bagel-boy, check it!"


    Toby glanced over, seeing Reece only for a second before he decided he was disinterested, "Wow, you stole a whole person, congrats."


    "Thank you!" Naya let go of Reece, who stayed in place, glaring suspiciously at the blonde.


    "There''s no more orange juice, it''s still frozen!" Charlo called out, and Toby made a slightly annoyed mumble.


    Naya noticed Reece''s suspicion-filled glare. She started to shift her gaze between the two, "You know him?"


    "Yuh-You... He c-came in t-t-to see me," Reece continued to look at Toby skeptically, making a slight effort to point at him. Toby grumbled and moved over to snatch a small milk carton from a long box of them.


    "Oh, that''s nice of him!" Naya smiled, blissfully unaware of Toby, who had crawled into the boxes in the corner of the room.


    Reece shook his head, frustrated as he prepared himself to explain, "N-nuh-no, li-like he used the conv-v-v-veyer belt, looked a-at me for like fuh-five seconds, and then luh-left," Reece was highly aware of Toby, who began to crawl through boxes in the background, unlike Naya who contently smiled, "H-huh-he did-didn''t say anyth-thing- and what is he doing?"


    "I dunno, never do really," Naya looked to Toby, who was back up with a screwdriver, "Toby, what''re you doing?"


    Toby proceeded to stab the tiny carton with the screwdriver, "Just getting a drink." He never took his eyes off the carton as he stabbed a few more times. He successfully shanked the carton.


    The two just watched, Naya with a slightly stunned smile and Reece with concerned disgust. Naya scoffed, "He''s just getting a drink," Naya nodded slightly, "You get used to it." Toby paid them no mind.


    Toby then seemed to notice something on the carton, "Oh, hey," He chuckled slightly, looking to the box of mini cartoons, "That''s fun."


    "What''s fun?" Naya had a bright smile, as she stepped forward slightly, "Is it one of those cartons with the mazes?"


    Toby went through the cartons for a moment, "Hm close.." The milk carton was still impaled on the screwdriver was rather aggressively flung towards the two, making Naya flinch.


    Reece made a few steps over, "That''s gr-gross, dude!" Naya put her arm out to stop him from stepping over. She kicked the carton slightly and saw a child''s face staring back at her. Naya''s eyebrows drew in as she knelt down and picked up the carton, "Nuh-Naya, that''s g-g-!" Naya raised a hand to keep Reece quiet.


    Finally, Reece noticed, and his eyes widened, "I thuh-thought they st-st-stopped put-ting mis-missing kids photos on cartons ages ago..."


    Toby picked one up and stopped, and his grin grew slightly, "I''m sure they did," He showed off the photo on the one he was holding. It was Reece, but unlike the other child''s photo, he took up the whole side of the carton, "Musta been a spike of child abductions," He shrugged, throwing the carton to Reece, "Or milk carton investors."


    Reece failed to catch it and fumbled for a moment before it fell on the ground. Naya hurried over to where Toby was; she even pushed the blonde, which he barely reacted to. Naya scrambled through the cartons, her usual smile replaced with a furrowed brow and a determined look in her eye.


    Soon enough, Reece followed over, going through the cartons as well, "Is that Sky''s?" Reece pointed to one a little far away from him. Toby hummed, reaching over before Reece spoke again, "Why''re you wearing gloves?" Toby stopped and glared at Reece with drawn-in eyebrows, "It''s-s T-Tuh-Texas... an-n-nd summer, wh-why''re you in a j-juh-jacket, turtle neck, and gl-gloves?"


    There was a prolonged silence as Toby had drawn his hand back. He defensively rubbed his wrist. Toby silently started to back away, eyed on Reece Reece intensively as he supported himself against a wall. Naya was too focused on the cartons to bother with Toby acting abnormally, even by his standards. Toby kicked his boot into the vent beside him. As expected, he crawled away through the small space.


    "Is th-tha-hat nuh-norm-mal?" Reece pointed to the vent and looked to Naya, who paid no attention to Charlo, "Is that normal?" he repeated.


    Charlo wasn''t watching intently, but he saw the broken vent and drew the lines himself, "Listen, no good ever came from a creepy white kid," He explained, "but a whole lotta bad comes from messing with a creepy white kid." He then started to move the food tray trolly over to the door, "Best to leave him to do his creepy shit and not bother ''em."


    Charlo noticed Naya searching through the cartons, "Kid, I''ll keep a lookout for your carton," He promised, "you''d best get out of here."


    She stopped, looking over her shoulder, then to Reece, "What about Reece."


    "No soldiers are allowed back here," He vaguely put at first, "Consider me an alibi." He then left the room, trolly pushing the door open.


    Naya, with two cartons in hand, sighed, as she furrowed her eyebrows as she looked down at the two she held. Reece hesitated before he patted Naya''s shoulder, "H-huh-hey, li-listen, I''m in he-here all d-day, I''ll ke-keep an eye out, o-kuh-kay?"


    "I''m... I''m not worried about me," Naya placed the cartons down, "If this Virus thing is genetic, then... What if my brother was taken too?"


    Reece seemed to think for a moment, "What''s your brother''s name?"


    "Thomas."


    "O-Ok c-cuh-cool, I''ll l-look out fo-for any vaguely A-ah-Asian kuh-kids named Th-Thomas." Reece pet Naya''s shoulder, this made Naya chuckle and snort, "S-suh-sound g-g-good?"


    "Yeah... Thanks, Reece," She pursed a smile up at him and looked to the carton lineups again before she left, she gave Reece a two-fingered salute.


    As Naya left the front kitchen, she let off a shallow sigh. A moment before, she pushed her way out into the hallway. Naya stepped out, leaned against the door. She checked both sides of her; and met a gaze with a soldier who was just passing through.


    They held eye contact until Naya just walked away, watching the soldier who continued to give a confused stare.


    -


    I reviewed the logs I had just written. I shuffled them all under my mattress again before I picked up a piece of paper. I re-wrote the scene, this time, Reece was not present, and there was no mention of him.


    Thankfully Tabby was in a meeting with the Warden and Fritz, who was going through the logs. I knew my work was sloppy, and I had no experience in deceit either, so I knew that some parts wouldn''t align. I just had to hope the Warden trusted me or at least considered me hive-minded enough to not know how to lie.


    Just as I was a quarter way done with the fake scene, the door handle to my quarters jimmied a little. I gargled and flicked through my vision to see who it could be, The Warden? No, and it couldn''t be Tabby since she was with him in that meeting still.


    A loud clank interrupted my thinking. The doorknob snapped from its place and tinked against the ground. Before it fully registered, Toby kicked the door open; his hand was a pistol with a silencer. He aimed it to my head, and my only response was to gargle and hunch my body down.


    My eyes dart in all directions; the room was barely an arms-length, and there was nowhere to escape. All I could do is level myself to the ground and observe Toby. His typical smile wasn''t present, and his glasses made his expression unreadable.


    I couldn''t negotiate, flee or fight back, so I just hoped for it to be over or for some miracle. Toby hadn''t spared any of the soldiers, which made it all the more confusing when he lowered his gun. I still remained hunched down but stayed focused on his expression for any sign of a change of mind.


    The second his lip twitched, the gun started to rise again. In a panic, I swooped my tail at his feet. He jumped up, but it, regardless, took off his balance. He stumbled slightly, focusing on the ground, so I took that moment to swoop again. This time it hit the back of his ankles.


    He fell back with a hiss. He hit the back of his head on the door frame, which made him flick the trigger on the gun. The bullet lodged itself into a spot in the mattress. Though it was silent, soldiers would recognize that distinct sound. I lunged myself at Toby, throwing both of us out of the small room.


    Toby hit the ground, and I scurried to snatch the gun while he was recuperated himself. I held the weapon and rushed back. Guns were always a challenge to maintain with my clawed, elongated fingers, so shooting it was absolutely not an option. But it''s better that I had it than him.


    When I finally turned my attention to Toby fully, he was without his glasses. His eyes were forced shut as his hand traveled to try and find them. He knew that the first chance I get to see his eyes, it''s over. My eyes darted for the glasses as well. They were above where his head landed. So I took a moment to actually observe the blonde.


    What concerned me the most was around the base of the turtle neck was creeping charcoal. What Adrien described as a shitty neck tattoo looked more like the blackness of hypothermia. I gargle and raise my arm to my vision. I compared the two; rougher texture, a dusty charcoal color, and pattern.


    The sound of soldiers approaching caused Toby to make a slight noise, but he still refused to open his eyes. In a quick of the moment decision, I shuffled around the panicked blonde who had become frantic.


    With my tail, I kick the glasses closer to Toby''s reach. He heard the skid of the glasses and immediately snatched them off the ground, planted them over his eyes, and stood up. He glanced to me, a snarl quick to form.


    He shoved me, and I let off a screech as I hit the wall. Toby sped into the small room, kicked up the mattress, and grabbed the hidden logs. He hurried out of the room, giving me an intense glare before he dodged around the corner.


    In that glare alone, I heard him threaten me. If you say a word of this, I will gouge out each of your beady red eyes, string them up and deck the halls like it''s Christmas. It was an oddly specific threat for me to just feel.


    As the soldiers came into the hall, they looked to me with the gun and quickly drew their own conclusions. I drop the weapon and scurry to my quarters. The lack of doorknob made it awkward to close the door, so I used the scrap metal as a doorstop instead.


    My mattress was turned over, and the old logs were gone. Only then did the obsceneness of what just happened began to sink in. Toby knew a lot more than anticipated.

 CHAPTER 9

    PHASE


    DEFINITION


    A distinct period or stage in a series of events or a process of change or development.


    "The final phases of the war."


    -


    DATE - JULY 8TH 2015


    -


    At the front of the facility, Fritz and Warden stood still, Fritz, with her clipboard adjusted on Adrien''s page. They had been out there for a half-hour at that point. Adrien''s photo had the ginger constrained with various chains, and he was as expected, entirely ablaze.


    "Ya sure, you wanna deal with that one first?" Tabby''s chipper voice intruded, and Fritz looked down and moved her clipboard out of the way to look at the TV, "He''s pretty intense, y''know?"


    Fritz took a while to respond, still very taken aback by Tabby''s appearance despite her being here for four days. Fritz blinked and lowered herself to be more ''eye''-level with Tabby, "Yeah, intense is something I''m used to," She smiled, "It''s best to start with what you recognize, right?"


    Tabby made a thoughtful sound, she then tilted her head, "Who else are you gonna talk to?"


    Fritz was about to speak, but she quickly shut her mouth before she flicked Adrien''s paper over onto Joslyn''s page. She looked terrified in her photo, and possibly in tears, but her picture made it hard to tell. I noticed that Fritz purposely used her hand to cover the info section as she showed Tabby, "This little lady."


    "Oh!" Tabby teetered back and forth on her heels, "Josy!" She seemed extremely overjoyed for no reason at first, "She''s my favorite; she reminds me of Alvis!"


    Again, absolutely no relation between us in any sense. Fritz furrowed her brows slightly, "Alvis?"


    "Yeah!" Tabby tucked her arms behind her back, "He''s the creature with the eyes and tail," Fritz returned her clipboard to her arm, "He looks terrifying, but he''s just a big ol'' ladybug!"


    "Tabitha!" A gruff voice rumbled from across the courtyard, which made them both look over. Out of the open garage, each of the Virus was being escorted outside. The Warden was the one who shouted, and he gestured for Tabby to leave as he was in motion.


    The computer obliged after a grumble. Tabitha waved to Fritz as she waddled off. Fritz stepped over to the Warden halfway, a pursed smile present as the Warden refused eye contact, "Do not make me regret this."


    "It''ll be fine," Fritz sighed and looked past the Warden to the right-wing Virus who were visibly confused. Fritz dodged around the Warden, which startled him, "Why are they still in tracksuits?" She hissed through her teeth, arm extended to the bunch.


    "For Identification-"


    "You''ll get them mixed up when they''re not all in the exact same clothes?" Fritz huffed, visibly unimpressed, which made the Warden''s brows furrow as he was about to retort, "No excuses; it has to be at least ninety degrees!"


    "They''re Virus, they should adapt to weather regardless." Warden stammered slightly, taken aback by being yelled at by this small woman.


    Fritz shook her head. After a few audible huffs, she went over to the Virus herself. The Warden hesitated before for once; he followed behind.


    -


    "You think they''re letting us go?" Dex asked, eyes on Skylar as if he expected her to know somehow.


    Skylar was focused on her handcuffs, which grated a rash into her wrists, "Publicly executed is my bet." Naya had a brief chuckle at that, which only made Skylar give her raised-brow glare.


    "Hey- hi, everyone!" Fritz waved, a nervous smile on her face, "How are we all doing today?"


    "I mean, I''m still held in the American-Auschwitz, and my whole family is still very much dead," Skylar sighed, her eyes sharpened, "So you tell me."


    An awkward silence proceeded for a few minutes before Naya perked up, "I''m doing good!" She smiled, and Skylar elbowed her side. Naya made a confused noise before she retorted, "She''s asked!" There whine in her tone. Skylar made a disgusted noise before she withdrew her attention.


    Fritz had the clipboard awkwardly placed to her chest, likely feeling stupid for the question. She looked to the Warden for help. He cleared his throat and spoke, "You have the day outside, enjoy it." That''s all he said before he walked away.


    The professor blinked back and forth between the Virus and the Warden. She let off a nervous chuckle before she followed him, "Is that it?"


    "There''s still two unaccounted for, compose yourself," Was his only order for a moment before he did grumble to himself. As he was saying that, Adrien, in his metal case, was brought out. "Undo the restraints." The Warden ordered.


    After the restraints were removed, everyone was ordered to step back. With a Hooked pole, the tomb door was pulled open. The Warden checked his wristwatch before he spoke, "Step out."


    "Yeah, yeah, I know!" Adrien stumbled slightly as he awkwardly shoved the door open. It was heavier than he expected, "Don''t tell me what to do." He grumbled somewhat and hugged at his own arms, blinking at the brightness.


    Fritz forced a smile and stepped over to the ginger, "Adrien Gorski," She offered out a hand to Adrien, who shuffled away, "My name is Amy Fritz, and if it''s ok, I''d like to-" Skylar brought herself in, and took ahold of Adrien''s arm. Her face bore a stronger scowl than usual.


    "Later," She growled slightly as she pulled her brother away, "You wouldn''t want to split up the only family we have left, would you, Professor?" Her eyes narrowed but blinked to almost normal when Adrien pulled his arm away, a profoundly annoyed look.


    "Both of you can kindly piss off," He stepped around them and took his own spot a few feet away from the Virus group. Skylar looked back to Fritz and scowled again, not taking her eyes off the professor as she stepped down the stairs.


    Fritz let off a sharp sigh, and Warden walked over, "It will be better to go with MMHV-1," He gruffly stated, his posture subtly steered to the Virus, "The rogue one favors them, so I''d-"


    "Where is the sunscreen?" Fritz interrupted, "And the sports equipment I requested?"


    Warden''s brows raised before they drew in, "It wasn''t deemed necessary-"


    "Sun safety is vital!" Fritz spat loud enough to get everyone''s attention, "Virus or not, skin cancer is never an after-thought!"


    The Warden rolled his eyes, "They''re Virus, they cannot get cancer-"


    "No, you shush!" Fritz raised a finger as if she had to scold a child, "You have three children here with highly sensitive skin, do you have any idea what happens to gingers when you put them in the sun?!" The Virus were all either sniggering or at least had a smirk on their face, "My goodness, you have an albino girl too, and there is no shade out here!"


    The Warden was dumb-struck. No one had told him to ''shush'' like a child, no one except perhaps Tabby, which meant little to nothing. He didn''t say a word, which prompted Fritz to utilize Naya, "Naya-hun, do you get sunburn?"


    Naya raised an eyebrow at being called out, but she smiled, "Mhm, all the time!"


    Fritz looked to the Warden with her arms crossed, and her brows furrowed, and he didn''t say a word. The psychiatrist scoffed, "Fine then, I''ll go get it myself!" She shoved her clipboard into the Warden''s hands. With that, she stormed off into the Mound through the garage.


    A silence went through the soldiers and the Virus before the latter started to snicker again. The Warden didn''t dare to look over and see the small group of children that laughed at him,


    "You seriously get bossed around by a short girl?" Dex bantered with a hint of shock in his tone.


    Skylar quickly snapped, "Shut up, Dex."


    "Ok." He coiled back, still with a smile.


    -


    The Moth Mound had two garages; the one where trucks were stored, and the garage where tanks, extra weapons, and contraband were hidden. To enter, you needed a scannable pass. Fritz did not have a card or Mound ID. There was no seen reason for her to need contraband or weapons.


    However, at the start of the slim hallway, Fritz could see the door was creaked open. She edged over and pressed her hand to the door. In a relatively lackluster turn of events, nothing was by the door. She was just greeted by the dim garage that always seemed more vast on the inside, with high roofs, slim walkways, and large tanks to emphasize what the room could hold.


    Fritz stood in silence and listened for any signs of life. After a few seconds, there were a few distant echoed steps and crashes. She closed the door without clicking it into place. Fritz called out, "Hello?"


    She didn''t need to raise her voice much, as the room carried it reasonably well. There was a pause before the sound of a scramble. Atop one of the vans, Toby had crawled up and stood. He was filthier than usual; black stains, dirt, and hair seemed a shade darker than before. He looked over at Fritz without a word.


    Eventually, Fritz spoke, "I thought you were in here," She attempted to have a spark of joy to her voice, she waited a few seconds for Toby to reply, but he didn''t, "Is there um... remains in here?"


    Toby took a few seconds before he replied, "Not as of now." He then turned around and jumped to the ground. Fritz took a mental note of his shift in tone. She also took note of the possible threat. After a breath, she carefully trotted over loose metal and discarded items.


    "I''m just here to pick up some sunblock, I won''t bother you," She promised, seeing Toby again as he leaned into the van''s broken open window. He had rested the camo jacket over the small glass shards to bluff any injury.


    There was a slight grumble from Toby that went along the lines of, a little late for that. Fritz overheard it, but it was far too grumbled for her, "Hm?"


    Toby''s head perked up with an innocent smile, "Hm?" He repeated back in a chipper tone. Fritz didn''t push it. Instead, she examined the mess over the blonde''s face, dried blood, dust a crack over one of the lenses of his sunglasses, and, overall, he was just a mess. He even had a few cuts over his face.


    Fritz had her brows furrowed. She wanted to ask what he was up to but knew she was treading on ice, "Do you know where the Uhm... Sunblock and sports equipment is?"


    As Fritz asked that, Toby had crawled all the way into the van and audibly rustled things around. He pulled out a very distinctive rifle with blow-torched blades. He forced it out of the window. Followed by more modified weapons.


    Toby then jumped out of the van via the window. Knelt down and picked up an arms worth of guns. He used a rifle to point to the overflow of stacked cardboard boxes against the wall, "The one with the bat."


    Fritz nodded and hummed and took note of the weapons, mostly, "Were you hiding those in here?" There had been various searches across the Mound for where these stolen weapons were and the files he had taken, "I won''t tell." Again, she forced a smile.


    A smile was returned, though it reeked of contempt, "Gee, thanks," He proceeded to kick the guns across the ground.


    Fritz noted the sarcasm, and I could hear her smile fall as she sighed. She followed over, though she was more focused on the boxes for the most part, "Everyones outside, y'' know?" She started, occasionally she would glance over to be sure that the guns Toby kicked at were not aimed at her, "Everyone''s wondering about you."


    Toby once again paid no attention to Fritz''s attempt to entice him into the conversation, "Warden thinks you''ll show up if they''re all outside." She seemed to catch her losses and decided to focus on getting the box with the silver bat which was lodged beneath other few cardboard crates,


    Toby didn''t reply. Instead, he just knelt down by what appeared to be a vent grate. Out of habit, the Virus tried to grab something from the jacket pocket, only to realize that Toby had left his jacket on the van. Fritz sighed when he was out of earshot. She looked up for a moment as she seemed to think, "Uhm, and everyone includes Adrien, doesn''t it?" She lightly chuckled, but it was so clearly forced.


    Regularly, saying that would have been a death sentence. But Toby knew about the logs, so this should not have thrown him off. At least not any more than he already was. Still, though, Toby made no reply. The sound of glass pieces clicked onto the ground followed, and Toby remained quiet as he walked back over to the grate. With the jacket, the blonde seemed even filthier.


    "Skylar misses you," Desperately, Fritz poked the one-sided conversation further, "I think she likes you." Fritz tried to nudge, to no avail. She pulled the box out finally and started to go through its contents.


    Toby had been distant for the past few days, not missing but certainly quieter. You''d spot him when he''d slip from one vent to another, but he had been more or less out of sight. Breakfasts were served in the cells to avoid any other escape attempts, which was likely a factor in his absence.


    The box consisted of baseballs, sunblock, a whistle, some notepads, a small first aid kit, and a very dusty water bottle. Fritz hummed and picked out the water bottle with two fingers and carefully placed it onto the floor.


    She then looked over at Toby; perched on the back of his sleeve was an obese moth. Fritz briskly strode over, and she reached out and plucked the moth. At that same speed, Toby flinched and spun around with a gun pointed to the psychiatrist.


    Fritz froze, her arms recoiled up beside her. The moth between her fingers wriggled desperately. She stammered for a second, "Sorry, there was a moth on you," Her voice was slow and hesitant like she knew she had just seen something she wasn''t supposed to, "I didn''t mean to scare you."


    They were both frozen, with Toby knelt on the ground for a few seconds. Finally, Fritz spoke, "You can trust me, Toby." She tried to smile for a few seconds until she realized Toby was still not at all interested.


    Toby quickly stood up and dislodged the bat. Fritz''s brows furrowed, "Toby, I want to help you," She had stepped back once she saw Toby was going to bust the vent open, "What can I do to help you trust me?"


    He let off a sigh-laugh before he slammed the nose of the bat into the vent once, which made a loud rattle sound. Fritz opened her mouth as Toby swung the bat again. As soon as the clanging sound faded slightly, Fritz spoke, "Toby, can you talk to me please?"


    He didn''t, he didn''t even turn to look at the psychiatrist. The doctor flinched every time the bat clanked against the metal. Toby finally had a tactic. He knelt slightly and gripped the bat at the base and halfway through. In a battering-ram fashion, he clashed the bat into it, and it dented back significantly.


    Once it dented, Toby finally made a noise, a pleasantly surprised hum.


    "Can you at least look at me?!" Fritz accidentally shouted, and for once. Toby, as expected, didn''t bother to give her any attention.


    Fritz decided to make-do with it and ramble anyway, "You''re frustrated, and you have every right to be, Toby" Her voice was dire. "But I want to help you, all of you," Her voice pursed slightly, "Or at the bare minimum make this place as livable as possible," She took a slow step forward, sure to stay in Toby''s field of vision this time, "You''re smart, Toby, I can see that."


    Toby was knelt on the ground by the vent, his hands gripped onto the slate. He pulled it, and the screech of metal-on-metal was enough to cause even me to recoil in and out of the vision.


    The awkwardly shaped grate was pulled out with a clank. Toby then picked it up and launched it elsewhere into the garage. There was an audible smash of a van window. Toby had a content smile as he started to pile the smaller weapons into the vent with a gleeful hum.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    At this point, Fritz had almost had enough, "Toby, I''m not giving up."


    Toby chuckled and picked the bat up by its broad end, the handle pointed at the psychologist, "Tell the old dog I want my stuff back."


    Carefully, Fritz took the bat from the blonde. Toby turned back to his weapons on the ground. He kicked the guns and knives into the vent. He took a look at the water bottle before he grinned and pushed the bottle into his self-made jacket pocket.


    Fritz nodded for her peace of mind. She scanned the boxes, and she hissed through her teeth as she hesitated heavily. Toby had one foot in the vent when he turned around, heavily annoyed.


    "I''ll be seeing Joslyn first," She started explained in a soft voice, "Is there any-"


    Toby didn''t wait for Fritz to finish before he gestured to a box on the left of him. He then slipped into the vent.


    Fritz clicked her tongue and nodded, "Thanks..." She mumbled before she moved over to the boxes. She mediated through them and eventually found a box of nail polish vials. With what she promised in-hand plus a bit more, she left.


    -


    I switched back to my own vision after that, just in case Tabby was talking at me. She wasn''t, but she did have her attention over my shoulder as I logged down events. I gargle and trail a few of my eyes onto her. She turned around and pretended she wasn''t looking.


    Regardless, now that I''m back in my own vision, I look around from the circle of sand that Tabby had drawn around me. The Virus had clumped themselves together at a distance while they glared at the Warden.


    The Warden noted their stares and scowled back. After a minute, Warden looked over to Tabby, "Get the logs up from July fourth," He ordered, Tabby''s neck whirred as she looked over. Warden looked over to the group, attention on Naya, "You, MMHV-03, come here."


    Naya had been kicking a stray weed, uninterested with the tension. Her eyes darted about as she tried to figure out who the Warden had referred to. She tilted her head and pointed to herself, "You talkin'' to me?"


    "Yes, you," He snapped his finger, "Come here." His tone was akin to someone commanding a dog. Naya seemed to notice the similarity as she gave an amused look to the other Virus, who seemed less impressed.


    Still, she shrugged and took a half step forward before Skylar grabbed the shorter''s shoulder, "You don''t have to, you know that."


    "Yeah, we''ll beat his ass-squared if he tries to pull somethin''," Dex reminded, in a much more careful tone than what Skylar offered.


    After less than a second of thought, Naya made a face and made a few attempts to speak, as if trying to find the words. Thankfully, Adrien decided to fill in the silence for her, "What, you''re gonna cook up a cloud for her, and Clippy here is gonna phase through him until he begs for mercy?" Adrien''s thumb-pointed to Dexter, "And Joslyn will what, make him feel bad?" He scoffed and rolled his eyes, "Pretty sure the short-shit is gonna be ok without your help."


    "Oh piss off, Adrien," Skylar hissed, "You pick those nicknames up from Toby, or did you just forget Dex''s name." The taller of the gingers grew flustered and irritated, proven by some small flamed on his shoulders and how he crossed his arms and looked away.


    "Don''t breeze it, Sky!" Naya called as she walked over backward to the Warden, "If he punches me, I punch back harder, remember?!" She waved her off and spun around, happily jogged to the Warden who had since squinted his eyes a little more at Naya at her comment. "Hey, what''s crackin'', chief?" Naya jumped into a spot, kicking up sand in the process.


    "I think you know why I called you over," Warden started, and Naya gave an innocent blink as her arms crossed behind her back. Warden gave a gesture to the soldiers in earshot who had no idea of Reece''s disappearance. They got the memo and left, "There was a breach in a mini-observation deck on July fourth."


    Again, Naya blinked innocently, "Cool."


    "It was by the side-wing hospital you were based in," He hinted, and Naya did not once flinch. An awkward silence went through as the Warden expected her to fess up, but her innocent expression was as stagnant as his scowl, "Is there anything you''d like to confess."


    Naya thought for a moment, her eyes rolled through her memories with a hum. Eventually, she popped her lips, rocked on her heels, "Nope!"


    She was a good liar, and her being a Virus with a lack of guilt, sadness, or regret made it all the more difficult. The Warden''s eye twitched, and he raised a hand signal to the soldiers to tell them to leave. Once they were out of earshot, the Warden hissed, "Don''t test my patience, Virus," He snarled, and lowered himself to slightly more eye-level to her, "I have transcripts written from that night."


    That''s when Naya''s smile dropped as it clicked for her. She looked to Tabby''s screen that was on my scanned pages. She didn''t read bother to read them to know what was going on. She looked to me for a moment as I was writing, and I couldn''t help but coil up shamefully.


    She didn''t say a word, but her frame stiffened slightly. Which was not threatening with her size, but for her cheery-self, it felt off. Warden''s scowl broke into a smirk, "Is there anything you''d like to confide before this gets worse?"


    She didn''t reply for a good second, her glare fixed until something for her clicked. she smiled again, back to normal, "Nope!" She looked over to me, "Pretty neat how your dog is writin'' fan-fiction though, so props to you, dude!" I quickly realized what clicked for her. If Warden knew where Reece was, he would not have needed to ask Naya to confess.


    She gave brief glances in my direction to show she knew. Warden just scowled, "Fiction?" His brow raised, "Alvis is designed, to be honest to the bone, it does not write fiction." He spat out the last word.


    The shorter just snorted, "Yeah, and my mom wanted me to get into neuro-sciences!" She beamed, with a giggle, "Then I became a dumb-jock, kinda weird how it all turns out, huh?" Warden looked like he bought it, which was terrible for me, but then he re-programmed himself. You could practically see his inner thoughts ''Virus are manipulative, Virus have no conscious, this Virus is lying.''


    -


    For now, I decided to flick to Skylar. Her, Dexter, Joslyn, and Adrien were surveying the situation with hushed whispers. Skylar''s hand hovered over her face, "Should we be worried?" She looked around the group, "I don''t really peg her for a good liar..."


    "I dunno, she kinda became bhessie''s with all ''em soldiers," Dex started, shrugging, "Then lunged herself out of a window, then nearly escaped."


    "Yeah, Sky, don''t stereotype, just because she''s a jock doesn''t mean she''s a dumb one," Adrien smugly retorted, eager to see Sky give a glare in his direction, "Also wait... bhessie, fuck does that mean?"


    "It''s Dex-lingo, you''ll catch up," Sky answered, eyes still on Naya as she laughed at something she said again, "Oh my god, please don''t become bhessies with that prick."


    "Don''t say bhessie ever again," Adrien''s face scrunched up, and Skylar gave him a strange look like he was stupid, "You didn''t even know you said it, holy shit." Adrien snorted. When it finally processed for Dex, he grew a big-dumb grin.


    Skylar just scoffed, "I would not say bhessy," She noticed Dex''s prideful smile, and she scowled, "Do not look at me like that, you goon!"


    In a hushed tone, Joslyn poked in, "Sorry, Sky, you said bhessie."


    Skylar rolled her eyes and groaned. "Whatever, it''s just because I''ve been in the same room with this jackass for too long," She gestured to Dex who''s smile faltered for a second, which she barely noted, "And using ''ie'' just naturally makes it catchier- and who the fuck cares, can we get back to the actual issue?!" She gestured over to Naya and the Warden, "Naya picked up the lingo worse than me anyway..." She mumbled under her breath.


    "Fly plan, Bhessie," Dex finger gunned. Skylar gave him a stern glare that said it all, but Dex shrugged with an innocent look, "And besides, if Naybles becomes bhessies with all em soldiers ''n the Warden, maybe ''e''ll let us out of somethin''."


    "Don''t be stupid, they''re all against us," Skylar hissed between her teeth, and everyone seemed to silently agree, "And don''t call me bhessie, you dolt."


    Joslyn blinked as she recognized something, "But you..." She looked to Sky with hesitancy, "You let the blonde guy give you a nickname," She furrowed her eyebrows slightly, "Why can''t Dex give you a nickname."


    Instantly, Skylar''s expression grew stunned and flustered as she knew she had been caught out. She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. However, she did stammer before she spoke, "Oh, shush, that''s different."


    "Yeah, because Toby is a cute, conceited, bastard," Adrien eagerly explained, "Just her ty-" Skylar promptly forced her elbow into her brother''s gut. Adrien keeled over, hands on his stomach, "Fuck you, bitch, you know I''m right!"


    "He nicknames everyone, it''s different!" She crossed her arms, "And he is more creative than bhessie." She visibly grimaced at the word, and Dexter became visibly dejected. Which this time went completely unnoticed, just deciding to watch Naya''s conversation unfold.


    Even with the distance, it was evident that Naya had wedged this interrogation into her favor. Or dare I say our favor. Because Warden had not bought her lie, and Naya was not even close to cracking.


    -


    "Let us go section by section," Warden purposely slowed his speech, a snarl tense on his face, "You were based next to the miniature observatory."


    "Mhm, big ol'' safe door, yup!" Naya agreed, hands behind her back.


    The Warden proceeded, "And Toby, Virus seven arrives."


    "He sure does!"


    "You help it break into the safe-door."


    "Yuperoonie!"


    "You go in, and he takes a file."


    "Mhm!"


    "And then you see Virus eight-."


    "Nope!"


    Warden grumbles heavily, his fist tightened as his snarl clenched. Naya didn''t even flinch, her arms politely tucked behind her back. Tabby''s posture was stiffened as she stood between the two, occasionally leaning back as she expected a hand to be thrown.


    Behind Naya, a voice perked up, "Hey, everyone, I''m back!" Fritz called, her voice slightly exasperated. The two boxes were mounted on top of each other in her arms.


    Naya twisted her body around to look at the psychiatrist, "need some help with those boxes, doc?"


    "No, no, it''s alright," Fritz then seemed to realize there was no graceful way to place the two boxes, "Actually yes, can you grab the top box for me please?" The doctor asked as she motioned the box out slightly before she felt it slip, and she immediately leaned it back against her chest.


    Naya only took a single step before the Warden gripped the young girl''s shoulder, "I am not done talking to you!" Naya''s face winced slightly. He then forced Naya to turn around to face him. Fritz gasped and immediately started to spout of reasons why you should never grab a child.


    However, Naya just stared up at the Warden with a flat expression, eyes wide. By the time I processed Naya''s leg lifting slowly behind her, it was too late. There was a solid thud as Naya kicked her sneaker into the Warden''s shin.


    Before anyone could process the gravity of that sentence, Naya started to shuffle back. The Warden had merely stumbled, but it was the audacity of it that would set him off. His snarl crackled across his face, "You little-"


    Naya made a squeak-like sound that devolved into a laugh. She spun around and ran, as the other Virus watched in mild awe. Save for Dex, who laughed along, "Book it, Naybles!" He chanted through cupped hands.


    She did just that but turned around just in time to see the Warden''s attempt to lurch forward only to then feel the effects of the kick. He hissed, a long toothy grunt progressed from it. Naya just laughed from surprise before she spun around the corner.


    Tabby was tense, "Hey, Woah, do you need the medic?!" Her screen showed her getting ready to call paramedics. The Warden just snarled and glared at Fritz, Tabby, me, and of course, the Virus, who were still huddled together.


    He seemed critically unsure for a moment, analyzing his options before he looked to the psych, "Watch them." Was his simple order before he limped up the stairway.


    Once the Warden was gone, Tabby quick on his tail, I felt safe to drop the pencil. My wrist was tense and sore from scratching the logs into paper all day. A trait of a high-level Virus meant I have almost an almost pristine memory, but the Warden was insistent that I took no breaks.


    I dropped my pencil and gazed up at Fritz with my own eyes. She looked over to the group before she called out, "I have some sunscreen for you guys!" She attempted to grin it off, but the group was still stiff in place, with Skylar''s glare at the forefront.


    She had already tried so hard for them to like her, and I feel somewhat like we relate to an extent, though I had accepted my fate. Still, though, I stood up and unsurely grabbed the top box. My grotesque claws made her gasp and flinch. Once she saw what I was up to, she sighed in relief and offered out the box.


    I took the top one-off, and the shake in her arms ceased slightly. She smiled. I could still see she was highly disturbed, but I appreciated it when she said, "Thank you, Alvis." The call by name caught me off guard, and I stilled for a second as a few of my eyes dodged to the psychiatrist. The psychiatrist noticed this as well, which encouraged me to awkwardly place the box down, pick up my pencil and paper before I scurried away.


    -


    Just out of instinct, I followed the Warden''s vision as he slowly walked through the halls. He paced himself as to not let any soldiers think he was injured. Behind him, Tabby tried to keep up, "Listen, I know you''re kinda like, super bugged out right now, and I don''t wanna add to that," She called ahead, "But grabbing a super-human with strength powers, was really like freaking stupid!" Her nerves swelled as she spoke.


    A fist was slammed into a wall, and Tabby jittered back, "They are not super-human," His voice cracked as he looked beneath his arm to the petrified PC, "They are not human." He spat at Tabby.


    It took the small computer a moment to recuperate herself, her frame tilted a few times as if she wanted to say something. But she was smarter than to try and make a point to him in this state. He continued to snap, "You are to keep your mouth shut, and watch the Viruses activity, nothing else," He raised a shaky finger to the computer, "Understood?"


    "You got it..." Tabby''s voice was hushed back, her extremities intertwined together anxiously.


    The heaving Warden nodded, "Good," Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed one off-strand soldier, "Get the back to your post!" He roared dryly, which was enough to echo across the walls. The soldier clearly obliged and scuttled away.


    That was all I could stomach to endure. The Warden''s humiliated rages were as rare as they were scary. It was the dry anger that was directionless, which made it unpredictable.


    -


    Outside, Fritz tried her best to encourage the Virus swarm to come over and get things from the boxes. They all remained utterly still, with Skylar at the fore-front with a scowl that only intensified by the second.


    Eventually, Fritz just settled for launching the bottle over halfway in hopes that would make one of them more comfortable to retrieve it. For a moment, it seemed like that had worked for Joslyn, who took a half-step forward before Skylar stuck her hand out in her path.


    She was stubborn, evidently. It made. Adrien scoff, which caught his sister''s attention, "You wanna say something, asswipe?"


    "Nuthin," Adrien rolled his eyes, "Little Ms dictator."


    Skylar''s teeth bared for a second, "If we take that, she''ll think we''re submitting to her and this shit hole."


    "Yeah, but you''re gonna look real fuckin stupid when that sun sinks in." He crossed his arms and started to walk away


    "Where the hell are you going?!" Skylar called out.


    Adrien spun around on his heel, "Out of the sun, have fun with your sunscreen strike or whatever." He waved his hand slightly to dismiss her.


    Skylar just groaned, crossing her arms. Fritz noticed this and gasped, frantic, "Adrien, Adrien!" She called out, which of course, caught his attention, "Could you help wheel Clover over into the shade?!"


    The ginger quirked an eyebrow and looked over to the pale girl who was stuck in the sun. He darted his eyes slightly before he complied, and. shrugged slightly, "Uh, sure..."He tried to force his hands into non-existent pockets. He quickly realized his mistake and crossed his arms tentatively.


    Once over to the metal slate, he attempted to grab it by the chains, but. he quickly recoiled and shook it, "Fuck!" He hissed.


    "I"Is it that hot?" Fritz''s prodded with concern.


    The redhead sputtered, "No, it just didn''t expect it, it''s fine!" He re-grabbed the chains, this time much easier. Fritz didn''t take his word for it and looked over to Clover''s face. It was sickly. She was red, her eyelids flickered, and there was a slip of purple-tinted saliva slipping from her mouth.


    Fritz gasped, "Adrien, I need you to hurry," She took off the coat she had resting over her shoulders and used it to stifle any heat as she grabbed the chain. Before Adrien could ask, Fritz interjected, "She''s going into heatstroke."


    For the first time since being at the Moth Mound, Adrien didn''t seem at least a little angry. He was panicked as he took a moment to take that in, his eyes scanned over to Clover''s shackles. It must have been excruciating to have her flesh forced into those caverns.


    When that sunk in, he grabbed the chains and tried to pull her out. But the wheels remained stiff, and you could only hold it for so long before the burns got to you. If you had standard hands, that was.


    Though it was out of my character, I forced myself to try and push the other side to get it to budge. With no luck, of course, Adrien seemed to have a heat-resistance as long as he was expecting it. But Fritz didn''t, and she quickly realized that. She scanned around, her breath in haste as she panicked.


    The soldiers from earlier were off in the distance, only watching, she waved her hands frantically to them, "Hey, we need a key!" She called out, "Or- can we use a gun to shoot off the chains?!" They didn''t respond or acknowledge the situation, "Just... Help?" Her voice faded as she realized they weren''t going to be of any assistance.


    She made a soft whimper as she tried to think of something. "Oh- shit, that''s heatstroke!" Naya''s voice rattled behind her. She was audibly out of breath. Fritz spun around to see. Naya with her hands on her upper-thighs.


    Fritz scurried over. "Naya, we need the chains off, can you-" Naya raised a hand, understanding. She stretched and groaned in tired agony before she came over to me and started to shove the metal slate that seemed to just grind into the ground.


    -


    From Skylar''s side, both Dexter and Joslyn were already antsy. They knew something was wrong, or they all did, and Skylar was the only uncompassionate one. Dexter was even shimmying in his spot as he felt his guilt grow. Skylar noticed this and hissed, "Don''t, we''re not on her side!"


    For Joslyn, this fell on deaf ears as her eyes darted between the sunscreen on the ground and Clover. Joslyn inhaled sharply before she sped over, with Skylar to taken aback to stop her. She grabbed the sunscreen from the ground.


    She uncapped the sunscreen rather forcibly and made a gesture to Naya and me to move over. Which we did, with a hesitancy, of course. Joslyn knelt down and seemed to mentally prepare herself before she forced the orange tracksuit leg up. We were let with a grotesque chafe-mark that had to have been materializing for days.


    Collectively, we all made a noise of horror, and Joslyn mumbled a few words in her native tongue that sounded almost prayer-like. She finally did something to make us all cringe in remorse. She slipped the sunscreen into the crevis of the metal.


    Clover''s eyes widened, and she screamed between her teeth, her eyes welled heavily as she forced them shut. Adrien stepped back and hugged himself out of horror, "W-what the fuck are you doing?!"


    Joslyn pressed her hand to the girl''s heel, she opened her mouth and hesitated to speak, "Put something between her teeth!"


    Fritz blinked as she remembered her belt. She undid and looped it. The psychiatrist then stuck it between the pale girl''s teeth and murmured a soft order to ''bite down'' if Clover needed. Fritz gave a signaling nod to Joslyn, she nodded back and proceeded to push Clover''s heel out of the restraint.


    Successfully, her foot popped out with painful cries from Clover. Just as I felt relieved that worked, Adrien brought up, "You have to do that three more times?" He sounded concerned. That made Joslyn wince as she eyed the barely half-filled sunscreen bottle.


    Dexter finally got so antsy, he couldn''t take it, he started to walk over, and Skylar tried to grab him, but he shook her off. "Listen, Bhessie," He spluttered, and he looked so conflicted as he realized he had nothing on the ready to say, "It''s- I''m sorry." He forced out of himself before he ran over to the scene.


    Skylar was left annoyed and flabbergasted as she was left alone in the field. Dexter had come over, and for once had a quick idea of what to do, "Jossy, you do the other boot, I got the hands, oight?" He assured, and rubbed his hands together as he knelt down by the girl''s wrists.


    Wordlessly, Joslyn agreed with a nod, hand already on the other confined heel. Clover whimpered slightly as she expected the worst to come. Dexter just smiled, "Don''t sweat it, sister, the hands are gonna be way less nasty," He assured, as he cuffed Clover''s sleeve, "Hijo de puta eso es asqueroso..." He mumbled, visibly disgusted.


    Adrien kneed the other in the back to keep him on focus and to keep him from scaring Clover further. He stammered and agreed. Dexter used his disease to merge his hand into the cuff, his skin to pillow the chafing metal. He muttered some other Mexican word with discontent before he gently slid the raw wrists over his own fingers.


    It still seemed like it hurt, but much less so. Fritz had her hand over her mouth, completely horrified by the situation. Every now and again, she''d look to the soldiers who had started to cackle over a smoke. Useless.


    After the final wail of the sunscreen being used on her heel, Clover was free. Throughout that whole ordeal, we all seemed to have forgotten that Clover was restrained for a reason. She started to float upwards. Thankfully Naya looped her arms around the girl''s waist.


    We all had a moment of relief as Clover was free. Naya, in her swift brilliance, carried the girl over to the shade and placed one of the boxes onto Clover''s lap. Once sat upright, Clover went unconscious. It had to have been too much for her at the time.


    After that, everyone just had to stand around and catch their breath. Fritz combed her hand through her hair as she looked around, "Everyone, ok?" She asked, and no one replied, but less out of contempt, and out of unsureness, "You did- amazingly, thank you."


    That line, however, seemed to throw off everyone, and they all started to sift apart. Adrien hid in the shade in a further off spot. Dexter looked around before heading back over to where Skylar was. Who did stay around, however, was Joslyn and Naya, who remained by Clover. Naya had already found the mini-first aid kit and was sifting through.


    Joslyn had creatively used the other box to prop-up the pale girl''s mangled feet to keep sand out. Fritz sighed and rubbed her eyes. She sat down on the metal slate, taking in those last few seconds.

 CHAPTER 10

    MEDICATION


    DEFINITION


    A drug or other form of medicine that is used to treat or prevent disease.


    "He was given medication for pain."


    -


    DATE - JULY 8TH 2015


    -


    The Warden stood in his office and spilled pain medication onto his palm. Tabby awkwardly stood by the door, most likely fumbling with her plastic thumbs. The Warden would pick out three pills and force them into his mouth before he drank from a flask to wash them down.


    After a cough from the whiskey subsided, Tabby''s whirring cleared up. She had news. The Warden looked over just in time for Tabby to cheer slightly, "Yo, Chief, check-it!" She pointed to her screen to show a graph with several peaking lines, "Everyone just had a huge disease-usage spike!"


    The Warden showed a slight interest, but not enough to get him to lean off his desk or even express it. A dry sigh escaped him before he rubbed his face. Tabby was slightly disappointed by his lack of reaction, so she followed up with, "And they all still have a pulse, so no one was murdered!" She cheered, "I mean, no Virus, at least, the Psychiatrist lady might be dead, they don''t seem like they liked her."


    Warden shifted his leg to test the pain levels. He winced with a grumble. Tabby flinched, "Woah, hey, don''t sweat it, we can check out who died later!" The machine flailed her arms, "Alvi isn''t dead, so he''d still be writing everything!"


    This brought the greying man slightly comfort it seemed. His breath was hollow and quiet before he spoke, "I have to make a call," He explained, "Call Veronica." He shooed his hand at her, and Tabby got the memo.


    However, she felt the need to have a final message, "I want it on record that the child psychologist was Tabby Vonelch¨¦''s idea," She brazenly stated as she dialed up the scientist.


    -


    At that time, I returned to my own vision. I was still scratching the logs in from earlier to catch up. My wrist hurt horribly, but I ignored it. A foot or so beside me, Clover was leaned against the wall she was left at. Joslyn and Naya were in-charge of helping Clover with her wounds.


    Surprisingly, Joslyn knew quite a lot about first aid. Just as Naya was about to use a bandage, Joslyn had butted in, "No, don''t bandage yet-" She explained, her hand outstretched to stop the other, "You need water for chafe marks."


    Naya hummed, "They didn''t give us any water," She looked around, seeing Skylar in the distance where she hadn''t moved, "Sky probably would have helped if she wasn''t so..." She shrugged, looking to Joslyn, "Stubborn?"


    Joslyn hummed and looked to the ginger who had static around her puff of hair. Joslyn sighed, eyebrows furrowed slightly. Naya let them sit in silence for a few seconds before she felt the need to ask, "Hey, why uh... That sunscreen trick was really funky," She started, "Like a really good idea, cus it worked ''n all but... How did you know that would work?"


    The way she said that made it sound like she had a hunch of why. Joslyn picked up on her tone, and her face grew somewhat anxious, which of course, spread to Naya, who doubled back, "Uh, you don''t have to answer, obviously!" Naya re-assured, "But like, I won''t judge or nothin, ok?" She offered a pensive smile.


    Joslyn let off a tense hum. With a grumble, Clover swayed her hands slightly, "Stop!'' She harmlessly slapped Joslyn in the face, "Your feelings are contagious!" Clover then looked at her hand, "Why did your face scratch me?" She stuck out her tongue with a displeased expression.


    A strike of pain went through me, and it seemed to go through Clover and Naya. It was undeniably Joslyn''s disease at work, and the emotion was unparalleled to anything else; despair, shame, embarrassment, and pain. A sad pain.


    Joslyn rather quickly shot up and clutched her jumpsuit legs out of frightened instinct, "I-I''m gonna go get water for-for Clover..." She spun around and darted up the stairs and into the Mound.


    "Clover wants iced coffee!" The sun-burnt girl called out, slightly disgruntled. Once Joslyn was out of reach, we all simultaneously let off a breath of relief.


    Naya held a concerned expression, sighing as her shoulders sunk. She then looked over at Clover with a pensive smile, "You know coffee dehydrates you," She put a hand on her hip after she had stood up, "Probably not a-"


    "Shush, I can''t hear you. I''m asleep," Clover exaggerated a snore sound, "I''m snoring because I don''t have my coffee." She whined further and hid her face in her crossed arms that she had splayed across the box.


    "I- ok, sure?" Naya snorted slightly but went along with it. She picked up the baseball bat from the box, "Ok, shout if you need me!" She waved, and Clover had an eye open to see it. After a few seconds, Naya shouted over to Dex, "Yo, poindexter, wanna place bets on who can hit the ball over the fence?"


    Of course, Dex jolted upright next to Skylar excitedly, "Hell yeah, I bet you can''t hit me!" He pointed to himself and randomly dodged around.


    Skylar made a face and moved a few steps back, "Hey, not in front of me, dumbass!" She crossed her arms, "She could hit me!"


    Dex shuffled away, facing the strawberry blonde still, "Sorry, Bhess- Ow!" He had been hit in the head with a baseball.


    "Don''t sweat, Sky!" Naya shouted out, readying another ball, "I haven''t missed a shot since I was eight!" She aimed up with her thumb.


    Before Sky could retort, Dex gasped, "Wait, Naybles, I wanna see if I can catch it in my arm!"


    Naya let off a similar gasp with a loud ''Dude!'' spoken like Dex had a stroke of genius. Skylar visibly cringed at the concept and I had to say I felt the same. Naya threw up the ball and belted it with the bat, a pleasant crack went with it.


    Dex was hit in the stomach, and it didn''t sink into his skin, but a bruise absolutely would as the lanky teenager keeled over. Skylar leaned on one leg, "You know you''re both idiots, right?"


    The shortest girl noted this, thinking for a moment, "Yeah, maybe, let''s stick to throwing them first," She picked up a ball, "Then we graduate to the bat!" She hurled the ball at Dex, who still hadn''t recovered from the whack to his stomach.


    Dex whimpered slightly, "How can a girl hit so hard?!" He then immediately regretted the choice of words as he saw Skylar lean down and pick up a ball as well, "I meant a girl- like a short girl, no, no, Bhessie- Ow!" Skylar pelted the ball at him and he had fallen over.


    -


    Adrien watched from the sidelines, legs scrunched to his chest and arms crossed over. Skylar had let out a roar of laughter as Dex was getting up and in the process of trying to run away. He would then be hit again with a ball, but that time laughed in response.


    After a few seconds of observing the others, Adrien hissed. He shook his hand a few times, then looked down at the damage. Only to find there was nothing there. He looked down at the receding shade he was sat in. It was likely he would get a sunburn later.


    He grumbled as he stood up rather quickly, "Adrien!" Fritz''s voice made the ginger jolt to look at her. The psychiatrist was visibly concerned, "Sorry, but have you seen Joslyn?!" Her clipboard was pressed to her chest.


    "I think I heard her go inside," Adrien crossed his arms, "To get Clover a drink or something?"


    Fritz made a sound of concern, looking around frantically, "I was on the walkie talkie for five minutes!" She hissed under her breath, "Adrien, honey, can you do me favour?" She placed a hand on Adrien''s shoulder.


    His eyes darted to the hand, to Fritz and back. She seemed to catch on and she flinched her hand back, "Sorry," She cleared her throat and stood back, "I just, don''t trust this place." The look on Fritz''s face made it click for Adrien.


    "Uh... Yeah, I mean it''s too hot out here anyway." He crossed his arms before he dodged around Fritz who took a hold of his shoulder again.


    "Be careful, alright?" Her smile was soft and full of concern, "If you find a walkie talkie, I''m on radio seven." She gave him a light pat on the shoulder which made Adrien less angry then I would have expected.


    Which didn''t last as Adrien''s face forcibly turned huffy, "God can everyone stop fuckin grabbing me for like two minutes?" He forced his shoulder back and begrudgingly stepped into the Mound.


    -


    Joslyn walked through the maze of the Mound, her posture becoming shallow every time a soldier passed her, and ever so slightly she would pick up the pace. She only had a vague idea of where she was going. She took almost every turn, only sure that the cafeteria was at the center of the Mound, and so the kitchen would be just behind it.


    After a few minutes, Joslyn slowed down as if she heard something. Behind her a particular set of footsteps stuck out. Considering how the corridor was basically empty, and how Joslyn had purposely placed herself close to the right wall, there was no good reason for those footsteps to be so close behind.


    The footsteps slowed, behind her. Joslyn made an audible gulp before she started to walk again. Slow steps at first, and the footsteps behind followed. Joslyn took a few more slow steps until she reached the corner.


    As soon as she met the corner and her eyes spotted the kitchen doorway, she took a slight breath. Then she spun around the corner, quick to get to the door which she slammed her small frame into to open it. Once in the kitchen, she stopped to listen for the footsteps.


    They were still coming quickly. Joslyn let off a sharp hiss, her attention darted around the room. She snatched a knife as soon as she saw it before she tried to shove her way into the food storage. The door was locked.


    Immediately, Joslyn readied her knife, her breath heavy as she had a frantic switch of either knocking on the door in a spree or holding the knife with both hands, her back against the door. The kitchen door creaked open slowly, and Joslyn''s heart thudded in her ears.


    Her voice was almost inaudible as she tried to choke out something. Once the soldier stepped foot into the room, it seemed all too quickly that the door was forced shut behind him. There was a hand gripped around her neck as he leaned over Joslyn who had shut down completely.


    The soldier said something, but there was a ringing in Joslyn''s ear that made it impossible to decipher.


    That''s when out of the corner of Joslyn''s eye, the door spasmed erratically out of existence, much like it did in the cells. Joslyn fell back, not able to comprehend what was happening even after she had hit the ground.


    The soldier toppled over Joslyn who still had that knife at the ready. Before what just happened could register, there was a blur over Joslyn''s vision. Then a thud as that soldier was lunged by the skull off of the mortified Virus.


    "Huh-holy sh-shi-it." Reece''s voice barely computed but that stutter was unmistakable. Joslyn snapped back just enough to control her eyes to look at the knife, then the soldier who was grunting in confused agony.


    The girl''s heart rate peaked again as she scrambled to sit up. With a bloodied knife in her hands, she forced the knife into that soldier''s hand, then their hip as they crawled closer to the screaming soldier. The stabs became sporadic as the camo-coated man started to die. As his screams went silent, Joslyn''s started to rise.


    As typically in snaps, Joslyn''s vision cut out frequently. I switched my vision to Reece''s as he watched in slight awe. The blood trickled across the floor and sprayed over Joslyn and the orange tracksuit she had been forced in. Reece looked down at a bag of frozen salami that I had correctly assumed was what he had used to attack the soldier.


    The chest-area of the soldier had eventually become mush and the spray of blood had ceased. Reece dropped the salami bag and went over to Joslyn who''s screams had turned into choked out grunts.


    Reece dropped the murder weapon and stepped over to the other Virus, "H-huh-hey, hey!" he desperately tried to get her attention. Joslyn paid him no mind as she kept to her violent parade. He was careful to tread around the blood, though it would have been a miracle if there was no blood tracked onto his shoes.


    "J-J-Juh-oh fuh-for fucks s-s-s-sake!" He looked over his shoulder, and to my mild surprise, Toby lounged upside-down on a crate watching the scene un-foil, "You wanna huh-help maybe?!"


    "Not particularly." Toby''s neutral expression was more surprised than usual. From his ears hung two wires that slipped into his pockets. Reece huffed heavily, looking down at Joslyn once the knife had slowed down.


    There was a choked sob-sound as her emotions caught up with herself. At the first sign of a sob, Toby spun around to sit upright, "I''m going to watch outside," He declared quickly, "Try to keep the nightjar from screaming again." He dropped off the box and made a B-line for the door.


    Reece made a face, and looked down at Joslyn, the door, and back, "Yuh-You don-don''t like... Explode wh-when you''re s-s-s-sad or anything ri-ight?" He awkwardly asked, which made me aware that Reece had no clue of Joslyn''s disease. Joslyn had stopped stabbing and left the knife in the chest of the soldier.


    Joslyn didn''t reply, only quietly crying. Reece''s breath hitched before tears flooded into his eyes. It clicked for him pretty quickly by the way he looked over to Joslyn. He forced back a few sad noises and straightened out his hands which shook slightly. He knelt down in front of Joslyn, trying desperately to blink out the uncontrollable influx of tears.


    He hesitated, mind blurred from Joslyn''s contagious emotion. He carefully reached forward and took a hold of Joslyn''s wrists. A sweet gesture in thought, however, it caused Joslyn to shudder out of her tears, grab the knife and swipe at Reece''s direction. Reece gasped and pressured Joslyn''s wrist up out of the way.


    Even though it was barely there, Joslyn''s face was harshly violent, a frightened scowl, wide eyes with thickened pupils and the splatters of red only made it worse. Reece was quick to become audible, "Yuh-You''re Oh-oh-kay, drop th-the knife!" His voice cracked from the panic. Joslyn movement''s stuttered, "St-stop, pluh-please?" Reece''s eyes twitched as he heard those words come out.


    As strange as a ''please'' was in this situation, it seemed to click Joslyn out of her mental prison. Her eyes blinked to normal, and her clenched jaw loosened. She panted as her struggle against Reece faded. The knife clanked against the ground.


    After a second or so, Reece sighed in relief and dropped Joslyn''s wrists. She momentarily collapsed, shaking slightly as her head collapsed into the half-dissociated Reece who had been trying to subtly kick the knife away from the both of them. He was forced out of that focus pretty quickly after Joslyn had clutched onto him like he was about to disappear.


    His eyes focused on Joslyn, the body that he was being forced to lean over and the blood that wouldn''t stop pooling. He hummed as he pet Joslyn''s shoulder in a poor attempt at comfort, "Th-Thuh-there, there." He whispered coherently, "It''s-s f-ine... Th-Thi-is is fine." That last line seemed more like a desperate call to himself.


    -


    Beside me, I felt a poke into just below one of my eyes. I gargle in surprise and flick back into my own vision. I was met with Clover staring directly at me with her pink eyes unblinking at me. Confused, I looked around and hoped that she wasn''t talking to me while I was in someone else''s vision.


    "You''re really weird," She started, that was the first time she had spoken to me, which would be a relief if I wasn''t offended and confused at the same time, "Come here." She made grabby hands at me, and after some short deliberation, I shuffled over slightly, awkwardly connecting my legs up to my chest.


    She shuffled herself as best she could with the box on her legs. She tilted her head at me, scanning my face which made me overly self-conscious. Eventually, she reached forward with both hands, carefully cupping my face so she wouldn''t harm my eyes, "You have so many eyeballs," She blatantly commented, which could have been an insult until she clarified, "They''re pretty."


    There was a wave of blinks as I failed to hold back a surprised gurgle. Clover noticed the noise and blinked, her eyebrows raised slightly. She looked for the spot on me that could have made the noise, eventually, she shifted her arms ever so slightly. She let off a gasp, "You have gills!" Her eyes lit up, despite there being no other detectable emotion on her face, "You remind me of an axolotl..."If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Her voice grew silent as she investigated my face and gills. I felt a slight shame at being marveled at, but it was mixed with another strange softer feeling then. She blinked a few times before she whispered a soft question, "Did you know that axolotl''s can turn into salamanders?" I didn''t know that, I also didn''t know what an axolotl was.


    She let go of my face finally, and looked at my hands, "Your hands are weird too." She put her hand up, fingers out in a splayed position. After a few seconds, I got what she was wanting to do and pressed my hand against Clover''s. My fingers were elongated, charcoal black and sharp, hers were petite, a snowy pale and her nails had been bitten back rather harshly.


    It was a little hard to tell, but she seemed extremely amused as she toyed with my hand. I didn''t at all mind, her lack of expression and words made her somewhat relatable to me. Her pink eyes also made for an interesting coincidence, which made me realize that her calling my eyes pretty could have easily been a compliment to herself.


    In the past, scientists would investigate me in a similar way, or at least the hand-to-hand gesture was common. Very rarely any compliments were thrown into the examinations. Typically the nicer scientists would also be the ones to venture the basement, so they all suffered a violent fate as a result.


    "You do a lot of scribbles, huh?" She asked, which snapped me out of my thoughts, "You''d be good at drawing, with all those eyes, huh?" She let go of my face, "Go back a little bit..." She shooed me back with her hands. I obeyed and shuffled back to give Clover some room for whatever she wanted to do.


    She pressed a finger into the sand and carefully scribbled a small circle, then added eyes, many eyes. It took me a little too long to realized that she had drawn a small version of me, but by the time my tail was added I realized. The smaller dirt version of me had their hands splayed out like I was mid-air and my tail was used to hold me up. Not realistic sadly, my tail is not that strong.


    It was a very cute drawing, and I stared at it for a little longer than intended, "You like it?" She asked, her head tilted as she tried to read my expression. Of course, I was unable to verbally reply, so it took a moment of thought on how to reply. Sure I could nod, shrug or give a thumbs up or some other gesture, but it wouldn''t meet the value.


    I shuffle slightly before I start to scribble into the dirt just beside the drawing she did of me. It''s not nearly as good and is much more stick-like than Clover''s art. She watched me scribble it, and once it was done, she hummed before she spoke, "It''s not very good." She was right.


    I had an idea, which felt somewhat rebellious at the time. I picked up a piece of paper I should have used for the logs and offered it to Clover, with a pencil included. It took her a moment to register, but she took the paper and pencil. I coiled my tail around myself, sat close as I wanted to watch her draw.


    She got the message it seemed, and she started to sketch small circles that formed cartoonish versions of characters I slowly recognized as the other Virus. Clover occasionally hummed or made a ''pop'' sound as she quietly worked. She seemed happy, even though her face didn''t show it.


    In the background of the soft sketching sounds, I heard Dex and Naya yell at each other playfully. Mostly Naya would shout warnings, then there was a click of a bat, then a loud ''OW'' or cuss from Dex, then rinse and repeat.


    -


    Reluctantly, I shifted my vision over to Adrien''s, as I still had a job to do. Adrien was making his way through the halls of the Moth Mound, on his way to the kitchen to make sure Joslyn was ok. He made sure to glare at any and all soldiers as they turned their backs.


    As Adrien was on the last corner, I made a quick realization of who was on watch at the door. Adrien peered around the corner and spotted Toby leaned against the kitchen door, one of the wires no longer hanging from his ear, instead he swung it from one of his fingers. In his hand was a small device I couldn''t see.


    "Oh, you''re fucking kidding me..." He grumbled, perhaps a little louder than he originally intended as the metal walls traveled the noise. Toby''s attention darted up, and Adrien quickly swung himself back around the corner. I could only imagine the look of sheer horror on his face.


    His back was pressed against the wall, and I could faintly hear fire crackling from his shoulders. Adrien had his hand pressed against his own face, mumbling incoherently to calm himself down.


    He forced a grumble out of him before he walked around the corner. Toby was leaned against the wall, elbow being used to prop up his smug face and the best of him in a cutesy pose. Starkly different from his mood earlier. Adrien let off a guttural pained groan before he walked over.


    Toby''s smile quickly escalated into a wide grin, "Is that sunburn or are you just happy to see me?" He taunted, and I do remember Adrien''s face being slightly pinker while he was talking to Fritz, but it must have escalated at some point.


    "Fuck no I''m not happy to see you!" Adrien kept his distance, with his arms crossed, "Surprised maybe, I thought they finally had your ass iced."


    "No, not yet," Toby leaned his whole body against the wall to keep looking at Adrien, "Can''t shoot the precious cargo, you know how it is."


    The redhead couldn''t help but scoff, "Gross, don''t call yourself that ever again." The laugh echoed through the blonde, though much more quietly. The earnest laugh must have caught Adrien off guard, as he went quiet.


    "Sorry, let me rephrase," Toby said coyly, "The cute conceited cargo." He leaned over slightly, smugness practically radiating off him.


    "Oh fuck off, pissface," He rolled his eyes, "I''m just here to make sure Joslyn doesn''t cark it, is she here?" He asked, and gestured to the door that Toby was leaned against.


    With a slight scoff, Toby leaned-off the door, spinning on his heel dramatically before he opened the door. He bowed slightly, cackling under his breath when Adrien rolled his eyes with a groan and stepped inside.


    -


    When I flicked over to Reece''s vision, I was met with the morbid sight of Joslyn carefully covering a dead body in frozen food packages. She had several make-shift binds from felt grocery bags that she used to cut off blood flow from in the appendages.


    Reece was leaned against the freezer wall, a hand rested over his mouth, "Suh-So like, sho-should I, b-b-b-be wuh-worried with how good you are with d-dead bodies or?" He tensed at the shoulders, and as Joslyn looked over, she looked at about the same level of surprise, "I muh-mean, I won''t ju-judg-dge if you-you''ve watched a few too many true-crime doc-docu-ume-me-mentaries or-" He stopped talking as he felt no sign of Joslyn agreeing with him.


    "You-you know wh-what, forg-forget I said anything..." He raised his arms up defensively, "I shouldn''t complain." A little out of his field of vision, he saw Toby and Adrien step into the kitchen. Reece groaned slightly and focused his eyes onto the center spot of the entryway.


    It took a few seconds but the door crackled slightly before it completely disappeared. Toby hopped in nonchalantly, and Adrien had to stop and stare at the sudden disappearance. The blonde eventually cackled under his breath and grabbed Adrien by the sleeve and pulled him into the room.


    "Don''t gawk, blowtorch," He sang slightly, "You''ll give Rover a brain-bleed." Adrien huffed but went along with it. Toby happily hopped along in front. Reece swept his wrist under his nose and I vaguely made out the new blood smear on his orange sleeve.


    Almost instantly, Adrien spotted the bloody face and bound hands, "Holy shit that guys fucked up!"


    Reece lamented, "It-t-t-t-t was a-an accident, don-n''t tell ok-k-kay?!" He sounded so insecure about it, and Joslyn just stood in front of the body, eyes flicking to Reece occasionally after his false statement, "Wuh-well no, it was-wasn''t, bu-but it was duh-deserved!" He stammered heavily, hands rotating to replicate how he was backtracking.


    "What the fuck did you do, asshole?!" Adrien turned to Toby, firing up at the shoulders.


    The blonde let off a sound like he was about to have a witty retort. He stopped when what Adrien had said hit him. Toby looked over at the redhead, "Wow, really, you think that low of me?" He raised an eyebrow, "That I''d kill somebody and make others clean it up?"


    "I mean- yeah?!" Adrien''s face grew a shade darker, "It''s habit, ok, I''m-I''m sorry!" He stuttered, hands up slightly, "Actually, fuck you, I''m not sorry, you''ve killed so many people in here, don''t say ''wow'' like-"


    "Ah, tah, no, Firecrotch," Toby nudged Adrien in the side, "I haven''t killed anyone here, remember?" He cackled slightly and turned around.


    "h-here?" Reece asked, looking up at Toby as he slowed down between them, "You''ve kuh-killed someone before here?"


    "Can-it, Rover, you beat a man to death with frozen salami," Toby absent-mindedly stated as he examined the body. He seemed to spot something as he strode over. The soldier had sunglasses and a small box protruded out of his chest pocket. "Ey, nightjar, scotch for a sec," Joslyn agreed, confused as ever until Toby picked up the sunglasses and carefully checked out the tiny box.


    From Joslyn''s eyes I could just barely make out that it was cigarettes, which Toby pocketed rather quickly. "Yuh-you''re ju-just gon-gonna loot a corps-se?"


    "What are you gonna tell on me?" Toby grumbled, "Not like this guy was gonna use these anytime soon anyway." He rubbed his gloved fingers over the lenses, likely to smear off any blood. Reece looked barely surprised by Toby''s attitude, only looking to Adrien with a ''can you believe this guy'' face.


    Toby then cackled at a thought of his as he waltzed away. Adrien huffed slightly and crossed his arms as he waited for the blonde turn around the corner of the shelves to walk over. Once the blond was out of sight, he looked at the dead body and winced, "Fucking christ," he averted his gaze, "Can you hurry up, the psychiatrist lady is looking for you."


    "Clover wants an iced coffee," Joslyn said, giving a sad look to Adrien as Reece passed an ice-bag into her brittle arms. She then shoved the ice bag over the body, completely concealing it.


    Reece stepped over to Adrien after that, watching Joslyn check for any visible body parts, "It''s- Is like muh-murder effi-efficiency like a thuh-thing for Virus or?" Reece asked, as he looked to Adrien who had an equal look of concern.


    "Fuck if I know..." Adrien sighed, and peered at the door with curiosity. It had been boarded shut, "I''m guessing no other soldiers get in?"


    "N-Nuh-nope, b-been using my uh... Dis-ease to oh-open the d-d-d-oor for Charlo- and now Joslyn- and... You," He explained, awkwardly, "And the blonde guy just comes through the vents," Adrien looked to the vents against the wall which were vertical all the way to the ceiling, "Makes good practice."


    Adrien chuckled, "So the prick comes in here often, I''m sorry you''re subjected to that."


    Reece shrugs, "Once yuh-you guh-get past th-the weird fuh-food ha-ha-habits it''s not too bad."


    Just as Adrien opened his mouth to question that, Toby walked back over with the new fixed sunglasses over his eyes. He had an avocado in his hand, "Hotspot, have you ever seen these weird pears with the shells?" He cackled slightly, "Look like burn victims, ey Firecrotch?" He then took a bite into the avocado top, taking the ''shell'' with it.


    All Adrien could do for a moment was stammer, "What, how?" He wasn''t even yelling, he just sounded tired, "How do you manage to get worse every time I see you?"


    Toby just gazed up with a confused look at Adrien, then at the avocado, "All the bagels are frozen," He said with a sense of honest sadness, "Actually now that you''re here-" He grew a large smirk as the idea sunk in.


    "How do you even, shut the fuck up, first of all that''s a god-damn avocado!" Adrien threw his arms up as he walked over. I could sense a dog chasing its tail argument coming on so I switched over to focus on Reece and Joslyn.


    Reece crept over to Joslyn quietly, "Yuh-you nuh-nee-needed an ic-iced coffee?" Joslyn looked up with interest, "I c-c-c-can mak-ke one fuh-for you." She vaguely looked over, eyes semi-focused on the trainwreck of an argument. She however nodded.


    He gave a smile before he stood up and picked out a tub of ice cream from the shelf that Reece leaned himself beside. He then left the freezer, carefully walking around the two arguing to not get involved. He made his way to an old spotty coffee machine that looks like it hasn''t been used in years.


    "Whuh-What''s th-the b-b-b-bet this th-thing still wuh-works, huh?" Reece says before he peered over his shoulder, likely expecting Joslyn to have followed. Which she didn''t. Reece sighed before he started to murmur under his breath, "Nuh-Nobody hear-heard you, guh-good j-j-j-job, Reece."


    Adrien turned around to look at Joslyn, arms flung in gesture to Toby, "Can you believe this fuckin'' guy?" He sounded out of breath as if he was exhausted from the argument itself and heated from the fire on his shoulders, "How the hell do you explain people shooting themselves around you?!"


    "I guess people just kill themselves around me, can you believe that?" Toby took another bite of the avocado, "Why did they replace the sticks with rocks, the sticks tasted better."


    "You know what, maybe I can," Adrien asked in an almost normal tone until he realized that Toby was about to bite the avocado pit, "God I''m gonna fuckin'' crack your new glasses if you don''t cut that shit-!"


    Reece from the corner of the room seemed to note the noise rising, so he stood in, "Uhm, hey, hey!" He called out, which caught both of their attention, "If you don''t mind, could you keep it down?"


    Toby and Adrien looked at each other confusedly, and it was likely they forgot Reece was there. Toby finally scoffed, "Rude ok, can''t you see we''re having an important discussion here, Rover?" He gestured to Adrien who blinked over to Toby with a mildly confused and annoyed expression.


    Reece shrugged enthusiastically, arms out-splayed "What- Why the nicknames, man?"


    "Why do you still talk if it''s so hard for you, Rover?" Toby''s grin went back to it''s cold self, but his tone went flat. The silence that came over was immediate. Joslyn and Adrien shot each other a look before they stared at Toby.


    "What the fuck, man?" Adrien''s voice was hushed, "Why are you such an asshole?!"" Reece seemed fairly unphased by it, annoyed at best as if he''d been enduring Toby''s attitude for a few days.


    "Rover doesn''t care," Toby shrugged, hands in his pockets, "he knows that without me he wouldn''t have a fa-" A box of cereal was shoved into Toby''s chest. Without noticing it, Joslyn had at some point stopped dealing with the body to collect a box of cereal.


    Before Toby could comment, Joslyn spoke, "Here is some cereal, go sit outside, and makeup," She demanded, stress behind her words, "Or argue more, I don''t really care but do it somewhere where we won''t be in knee-deep shit if we''re found."


    Toby snorted with a grin, "Knock me down, Nightjar," He snuck the box under his arm, "I can''t say no to a face like that." He grinned earnestly and looked to Adrien, "I''ll be off then, try not to die of boredom without me." Toby poked the taller one''s cheek as he spun around to leave.


    Adrien flared up instantly, swatting at the blonde''s hand, "You are-!" He started.


    "Insufferable, we know!" Joslyn interrupted, "You don''t need to argue about this, out both of you!" She demanded, her voice cracked deeper which made Joslyn flinch a hand over her mouth.


    There was a silence for a long time as everyone tensed and stared at Joslyn. The silence was only intercepted by a scratching noise by the door. Adrien gazed over to watch Toby try to claw open the box, completely uncaring for the situation. The blond finally noticed Adrien looking over and decided to speak, "Firecrotch, tell Rover to open the door."


    "Dude." Adrien was about to start but Joslyn raised her hand as a signal to shut up.


    "The room has fire alarms," Joslyn rumbled through her hand, "Just leave." Adrien took a few seconds but nodded, mumbling out a quenched ''sorry'' before he left the room, making sure to keep an eye on Joslyn before he slipped out of the room.


    Reece watched over from that corner, eyes on Joslyn who had her face in her hands. She didn''t look as if she were crying, but she was clearly upset. After a few seconds, Joslyn retreated back into the freezer to likely finish taking care of the body.


    After Joslyn was out of sight, Reece looked down at the paper cups beside various flavor-mixes. He let off a hum before he picked out the chocolate powder and started to get to work.


    -


    Adrien was still alight at the shoulders as he stared down at the ground. His arms were crossed sternly until there was a splash of something on his face. As expected, Adrien immediately shouted, "Dude, the fuck?!" He rubbed his eyes and glared at the blonde who was holding a familiar dusty water bottle with a smile.


    "You looked like you needed it," He shrugged before he threw the water bottle into the redhead who fumbled to catch it, "You''re red enough already." Toby then climbed onto the kitchen counter, as he fumbled through the cupboards.


    The redhead just rolled his eyes as he leaned against the wall and slid down, "You didn''t drug this, or like, use it or anything right?" He looked at the dusty water bottle, sounding slightly less angry than usual.


    Toby held the box of cereal as he crawled on top of the fridge. He awkwardly hung upside-down as he rummaged through the cold box''s contents, "No and no," Toby hummed, "You think I''d resort to poison to kill somebody?" His voice was strained from holding himself up by his waist, "We''ve established that I have no intention of killing you."


    "Oh ok, so when no one''s around you''ll talk about how you kill people." Adrien rolled his eyes before he started to take a drink.


    Toby cackled slightly, "Last I checked, you constitute as someone-" The blonde was cut short when his legs slipped from their place and he whacked onto the floor. Adrien''s immediate reaction was to spit out the water and burst into laughter.


    As Adrien''s eyes were closed as he laughed, I could only hear Toby shuffle around. By the time that the fire Virus opened their eyes, the blonde had their glasses back on. However, there was something flat on the ground that caught Adrien''s attention; the wires and a tiny flat device with a hollow circular button in the middle.


    "Wait a fucking second," Adrien pulled the device over by the wires, "Where the hell did you get this?"


    Toby shifted around, and pouted slightly, "Well there''s that surprise ruined," He clicked his tongue, "I was gonna give it to you in a few days as a... Present," His pause unnatural, as if he cut himself, "It was with the contraband."


    Visibly confused, Adrien stammered, "Yeah right!" He took the wire from his ear, "You could have shown up at any time to give it back, don''t bullshit me!" Toby only vaguely paid attention to Adrien''s rant as he cut up the box with a switchblade he had hid in his jacket.


    "Firecrotch, you''re a clever cookie," Toby''s voice was preoccupied as usual, "Can you count the risks to wins of me showing up to your cell, taking care of the guards busting you out just to give you an mp3 player," He explained, and before Adrien could answer, he added on, "Plus you don''t have any way to hide it, they''d planned on breaking it before."


    Those words sunk in for Adrien and he tucked his legs to his chest, "Yeah well-" He looked for an excuse, "I guess, it just- you don''t know how boring it is in that shitty tomb," He plugged one of the wires back into his ears.


    "I''ve been sleeping in vents," Toby snorted, as he slid the massacred box of cereal into the center of the room, "Don''t tell me what I already know, hotspot." The blonde hopped over the gingers one outstretched leg, but ended up slotting himself against the opposite cabinet.


    The two were quiet for once as Toby shoveled cereal into his hand, and Adrien seemed to just be in his own world as he listened to the music through the small device. Over the past eight days, Adrien was the one who I would be least likely to channel to. His surroundings were miserable, dark, and grey in that box.


    He sniffled and instantly wiped his eyes, "Can you fucking stop staring at me, you freak?!" He blurted as he half-glared at Toby who indeed was watching Adrien with his face pressed into his hand, "Do you get a kick out of seeing me upset, is that like your fetish or some shit?!"


    The blonde snorted, "You sure do have a perverse mind, firecrotch," Toby kicked the cereal over to Adrien more, "No, I don''t get enjoyment out of you getting upset," He explained, leaning back slightly, "Edible confetti?" He offered


    After a sniffle, Adrien took a handful of cereal, "Why do you even talk to me then?" He chipped one of the pieces of cereal into his mouth, "Sky''s the one who likes you," He grumbled out, "Why don''t you go bother her or some shit?"


    "I don''t like Little Mrs. Sunshine," Toby replied rather snarkily, "She''s too... Full of herself, thinks she has it all figured out and she can get all the answers," It was silent and Adrien must have made a face, "Don''t give me that look, it does not mean I like you," It was then Toby''s turn to make a face, "I just value the entertainment you offer," Adrien must have kept making a face, "I''m tired, you can''t judge me, you''re tired too."


    "Yeah I''m fuckin'' tired, sleeping while standing in a tomb is kinda impossible," Adrien chuckled slightly, voice softer than usual.


    "Vents are bad enough," Toby smiled in return, "The music certainly helps." He quietly added, almost unheard.


    Adrien looked up as if that phrase clicked something for him. He looked down at the other wire bud for a second, then at the blonde, "You want the other earbud or something?"


    "We both know you don''t want that," Toby smiled with a slight scoff behind it, "And I''m ok with that." It took a few seconds but Adrien nodded and muttered a soft ''thanks.'' He then plugged in the other earbud into his ear. Toby lightly nudged Adrien''s foot in a playful manner, and Adrien kicked back. Only faintly I could hear Toby''s giggle through the music.


    -


    Before I flicked outside, I decided to do one last check on Reece and Joslyn. I turned to Joslyn, who was sat in the freezer still, likely enjoying the chilled air that wasn''t offered anywhere else in the Mound. Joslyn flinched with a hiss as Reece popped his head into the freezer.


    "Sh-uh-Shoot, sorry!" He cleared his throat, eyes widened in guilt, "I- ju-just uh, muh-made you a hot chocolate," He offered a styrofoam cup to Joslyn, who eyed it suspiciously, "Whuh-which is k-kinda st-stupid since it''s sum-mer but- I just wanted t-t-t-to check if the muh-machine still worked." He rambled until Joslyn took the cup.


    "Thanks." She murmured, and let the dreadfully awkward silence sink in.


    "Uhm, if-if yuh-you d-don''t m-m-m-mind me as-asking, where''d-d-d you learn t-t-t-to do all th-that?" Reece asked as he gestured to the pile of ice and groceries.


    "Home," Joslyn answered. The silence grew more awkward, "I just wanted to be a nurse."


    "Oh, ok, yuh-you just wah-wanted to b-b-b-be a n-nurse, that''s- that''s way better than what I-" Reece laughed with a nervous surprise which he almost immediately regretted. Joslyn held a confused flat expression at him. "Wuh-Well, e-even if it was suh-something el-els-se su-su-spicious, it''s not like I can judge if you, right?" just as it felt like there was no way that the awkwardness was going to leave, Reece stepped backward from the freezer, his fingers clicked into finger guns, "I''m gonna go make that coffee now." He hit the doorframe on the way out.

 CHAPTER 11

    RESOLUTE


    DEFINITION


    Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.


    "She was resolute and unswerving."


    -


    DATE - JULY 11TH 2015


    -


    Outside, Fritz wore a fond yet concerned smile as she watched Skylar, Dex, and Naya as they hit each other with bats. Or instead, Skylar and Naya would hit Dex, and Dex would tell them to try again. These were times when being a Virus would be impeccably helpful. Bruises only lasted for no more than fifteen hours for us.


    Fritz''s eyes trailed down to her clipboard that bounced along with her anxious knee. She scanned Skylar''s paper until there was a shadow over her shoulder. As she looked up, she likely expected it to be Joslyn, but instead, Veronica stood on the staircase. In her hand, she held graph papers with scattered lines.


    Veronica held up one of the papers beside the scene of Dexter getting hit by the ball. The graph titled ''MMH-02'' had lines that had a perfect pattern of bouncing off the ground, staying level, and then flattening again to only repeat that action.


    Fritz cleared her throat and caused Veronica to look over. The scientist placed the graph back as she watched Fritz. Veronica responded with a ''hm?'' sound. Fritz realized that she had no idea how to talk to the scientist, as she had that type of energy to her, "Is something wrong?"


    "No, not at all." Veronica unemotively responded. It was then that I became aware of the fact that the head scientist was just a few feet away. As quietly and quickly as I could, I re-edit the pages to make sure that Reece was never mentioned, and I even took the liberty to exclude the mention of the dead body in the freezer.


    As I tucked the false logs away between the clean papers, I heard Fritz speak, "Have you seen the Warden?" She asked, and Veronica just nodded with another hum, as she jotted a few things down on a clipboard with her pen lid between her teeth, "Is he alright, he got-"


    "Kicked in the shins for provoking a Virus?" Veronica finished, mumbling slightly, "He took about five painkillers and passed out an hour ago," Fritz made a face and was about to speak when Veronica continued, "He''ll live." She was so calm about it, and rightfully so, he''s done this a few times throughout the years and been fine.


    Veronica peered around and clicked her tongue. Fritz noticed and made an instinct sound before she explained, "Adrien and Joslyn are inside." Veronica furrowed her brows and nodded, eyes on the graphs again. Adrien''s statistics had risen significantly a few times due to a particular blonde.


    "Holy shit, I caught it!" Dex cheered, which brought the two scientists to gaze over. Indeed, lodged into Dex''s palm was the baseball. He and Naya both cheered as Skylar stifled a laugh with her forced unimpressed face.


    To show her support, Fritz''s clapped, "Good job, Dexter!" The Doctor grinned, even though she was disturbed by the sight. Dex gave a big dumb grin, which Naya shared though Skylar just scowled at the psychiatrist.


    Fritz had slightly cowered as Veronica had raised eyebrows. However, they were both distracted when there was a click of the door behind them. Joslyn, with two styrofoam cups in her hands and a large kitchen knife in her mouth, hopped down the stairs. Only then did I remember the blood that coated her jumpsuit


    Fritz panicked and stood up, "Joslyn, no, hold on!" She rather hastily took one of the cups, and Joslyn removed the blade from her mouth. She nonchalantly ducked away over to Clover, who was still sketching away. Though when she saw Joslyn, her eyes brightened.


    With a pair of grabby hands and a rehearsed, "Thank you!" Joslyn bestowed the drink to Clover, who happily hummed as she sipped away, feet chipperly bouncing. Fritz was looking over from the staircase, "Joslyn, honey, did you see Adrien?" Joslyn nodded as she walked over, "Where is he?" it was then that she decided to note the blood and her face contorted.


    "Sleeping," Joslyn stated blandly, "Toby was with him." Fritz covered her mouth, and Veronica, in the slight distance, gave a disturbed look. Fritz echoed the word ''sleeping?'' with utmost concern. Joslyn caught onto their suspicions. She checked down at her bloody tracksuit, "Oh, that''s... Mine, my blood, it''s ok." Joslyn lied before she remembered the other styrofoam cup.


    Fritz hesitated before she gave up the drink back to Joslyn. Veronica slipped further up the steps, "Warden, pick up, we may have an emergency." There was no response, which was expected, so the scientist grumbled and continued to call in.


    "Oh, Joslyn, I meant to ask earlier, but would you mind sitting with me?" She asked, as she picked up her clipboard from the staircase, "Just a little girl chat," She awkwardly shimmied her shoulders, and Joslyn cringed back. Fritz noticed her demeanor and cleared her throat, "Come along if you want to, no pressure!" She smiled and stepped down the staircase awkwardly, purposely shifting herself so she would only face Joslyn.


    It took a few seconds, but she followed after she peered down at her hot chocolate. She took a sip before she headed to where Fritz had gone.


    Down the side of the. Moth Mound, Fritz had set up a small crate and two flattened boxes next to it, "It''s all I could put together, sorry." The psychiatrist gently smiled before she cleared her throat and gestured to the flattened box across from her. Joslyn took up the seat, crossing her legs.


    The box of nail polish that I had previously forgotten made Joslyn''s eyebrow cork. Fritz noticed as she sat down, "Ever painted your nails?" Joslyn shook her head, and Fritz offered out her hand for Joslyn''s to place into hers. Fritz sorted through and picked out many different colors that she placed on the box, "Pick a color."


    The colors were all bright pinks, yellows, blues, and glittery shades. However, Joslyn, after a long time of thought, Joslyn picked out a shimmery silver. Fritz hummed, though failed to mask her confusion. Regardless, she picked up the silver and started to paint the girl''s nails.


    Joslyn was silent for a while but seemed content with her nails being painted. Fritz eventually spoke, careful to keep her voice as quiet as possible, "I''m sorry you''re here, Joslyn," She started, lips slightly pursed, "You''ve gone through enough, you don''t deserve to be here too."


    The fourteen-year-old raised an eyebrow at what Fritz was saying, "When did you leave home?"


    "October," She was visibly hesitant, which Fritz noticed, "Two years ago." She mumbled out, and Fritz visibly coiled.


    "You ran away at twelve?!" Her widened eyes made Joslyn cease back, and likely emit an emotion, "Did you live alone?" Joslyn shook her head slowly. Fritz gave a face, concerned by the girl''s reluctancy. Though Joslyn''s expression made it obvious, she didn''t want to talk about it any further.


    Fritz noticed Joslyn''s attention was on the clipboard. "You can read it," Fritz stated as she slid the clipboard over to Joslyn, who gave a look of disbelief at first, "It''s your page anyway." Joslyn, with her free hand, took the clipboard and started to read.


    It was quickly noted by myself that Joslyn''s name wasn''t printed out as ''Joslyn'' Instead, in those printed words read as ''Jacob Abdel'' and I alone wouldn''t question the name change, but then Joslyn thumbed over the M beside ''SEX'' but besides those words were two scribbled letters. ''MTF'' it was an acronym that I had never heard, but to Joslyn, it must have meant something by Fritz''s reaction to what must have been a clench in her chest.


    Joslyn read further, eyeing the category under ''DISEASE,'' which I must agree that I was equally as interested in.


    JACOB ABDEL displays a quality example of an emotion-emitted DISEASE. During mid-to-high levels of emotion, MMHV-01 emits a strong field of emotion to people within radius. Depending on the strength of the feeling, it can cast widely and cause damage depending on what emotion. MMHV-01 frequently emits a painful emotion that is hypothesized to be DYSPHORIA.


    The last word, dysphoria, meant nothing to me. I had never heard it, so I made a mental note to look through my dictionary collections later, or ask Tabby to research it. "How do these look?" Fritz asked, which broke Joslyn out of her reading. Joslyn looked over at her glossy nails, denting her fingers upward for a better view.


    Joslyn smiled slightly for the first time I can recall, which was the first time I had seen it. Fritz let herself smile as well, "You want the same color on the other hand?" Joslyn was quiet as she once. again looked at the collection of colors before she picked out a bright pink, "Pink, very pretty!" Fritz chippered, visibly more excited than Joslyn was.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    She painted Joslyn''s nails in silence, which seemed to be contentful for Joslyn, and it seemed to keep Fritz from rambling out the silence. Joslyn''s eyes faltered to the psychiatrist''s nails, which we both noticed were painted. Poorly painted with glitter and space-themed sparkles tacked on.


    -


    After a minute or so of nothing worthy of note, I switched my vision to the Warden. It was great timing; he had just gotten electrified from one of Tabby''s purposely loosened circuits, "Jesus Christ, what the hell?!" He gruffed out.


    "Sorry chief, Vonnie''s orders," Tabby gave an animated shrug, "Sounded kinda-super important," She rocked her heels back and forth, "She wants us to meet her out front." The Warden groaned, He closed his eyes and put his head on his palm.


    Within a few seconds, Warden was already starting to phase out again, until a loud pitched scream came from the halls. A familiar voice followed the shriek, "Prick!" That was enough to convince the Warden to exit his office and walk down the aisle to the sound


    The hall connected to the kitchen illuminated an unmissable orange. There was another scream before running footsteps. A distinct blonde sprinted out from the hallway and into the wall, fixing himself quickly.


    Adrien was engulfed in flames right behind the blonde. He tried to grab the blonde and drag him down. The blonde shoved him off sprinted to a vent, kicking it open to crawl inside, Adrien grabbed him by the back of his collar. It was then discovered where that pitched shriek came from as Toby got pried out of the hole.


    Toby was forced against the ground by his collar, "What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Adrien screamed, and Toby just clambered around in response, as he tried to shove the ablaze redhead off him. Between about ten seconds of scrambles and floor fighting, Toby finally paid mind to the Warden and Tabby, who were wordless witnesses.


    That''s when his panicked tone shifted, "Firecrotch, let me go." Toby tapped the other''s shoulder to no avail, "Adrien!" He shoved the ginger''s face away.


    "Don''t shove me, asshole!" Adrien barked back, "You''re acting fucking insane, don''t even try to-!" There was a swipe before Adrien collapsed with a yelp, his hand clambering over his face. His flames burst before they completely disappeared. After a second, Adrien withdrew his hand to see a splatter of blood over his palm.


    Toby, in his disorientated state, hit the wall as he scrambled away. He made sure to shove Tabby back into the wall on his way. The other Virus remained on the ground, stunned and teary-eyed as he stared intently at his bloody hand.


    From Adrien''s perspective, I couldn''t even see the Warden walk over and grab the ginger by the collar and pull him to his feet, "What the hell did you do?!" He snarled through his teeth.


    Adrien panicked further, "I-I I dunno, he just freaked out!"


    "Bullshit, what did you do?!" He barked again, and Adrien flailed his legs. He lit up again, which caused the Warden to drop him with a hiss. The Virus fell onto his back and wasted no time to rush up and back down the hall, "Tabitha, neutralize it!" The Warden shouted back, and Tabby obliged.


    After a beep in the redhead''s neck, he collapsed in the hallway, flames cutting out completely. The Warden stepped around the corner and had to stop to marvel at the charred state of the corridor. The blackness spanned from the floors, walls, and to the ceilings.


    -


    I had just finished the logs from the Warden and expected him outside soon. I had checked over to make sure that any mention of Reece had been unmentioned. After that, I just watched Clover sketch on her page, which was oddly comforting.


    Distantly, I heard Naya and Dex''s laughs and thoughtless chatter until it was interrupted by Naya''s bright call, "Oh, hey, bagel boy!" I blinked over and indeed saw Toby hop around the corner without a smile.


    He barely acknowledged Naya. Instead, he made a B-line for me. The knife in his hand still trickled with Adrien''s blood. I forced myself not to become frigid as I swift my body around and gargle, body arching defensively. I shuffle back, but Toby steps up his pace.


    The soldiers seem to catch on and approach with weapons in hand. Veronica busted through the doors, "Restrain him!" She had her walkie in hand and had likely just talked to the Warden.


    I instantly regretted my change in focus. Toby lunged at me with the knife in hand. I shove him back with my tail and coil away. The soldiers gripped him by the sleeves, and he scrambled and screamed, swinging the knife at them both.


    With one particular swipe, a soldier grabbed his wrist and tripped him to the ground. His wrist was pinned against his back. He hissed as he hit the ground but seemed to give up for a moment.


    "Get the hell off him!" Skylar screamed out and snatched the bat from Naya''s hands. The two others gave her a confused glance. The soldier on his feet raised their guns as Skylar approached, which scared her into stopping.


    It was then that I noticed Toby looked at me, his frustrated snarl formed into his signature grin. He then slowly became a soft cackle. Confused, the soldier looked at him, "Fuck are you laughing at?" He spat, and the question only made the blonde devolve further into a laugh that became more heinous when the soldier gripped Toby''s collar and forced him to look up.


    Everyone just watched with a morbid curiosity as the scene played out. A fist was raised at the blonde, and the other soldier had been stepping as far back as he could, "Talk, asshole!" He demanded, and Toby''s laugh hitched.


    The Virus finally looked at the soldier. Blood trickled out of his nose, "My apologies." Then a gun clicked. I was kicked from that soldier''s vision only to witness the last of the blood splatter from a direct gunshot. Toby was dropped onto the ground and resumed his cackle, blood slated over him.


    The distant soldier that had shot was less than a foot from the fence, which he leaned into. There was a loud zap and bang before his charred corpse fell. Toby''s gloved hands covered over his eyes as his laughs became forced wheezes.


    He finally stood up, covered in a spray of blood that he slicked into his hair. He was swaying and limp at the arms. After a few seconds, Toby then bowed, "I apologize for the overreaction, folks!" He slurred, "Have a pleasant evening, will you?" He then gradually stepped back and away, trying his best not to seem disorientated.


    -


    The Virus were still permitted outside until the sky went pink, but they remained almost entirely quiet, unsure how to process what they saw. Adrien didn''t say a word as Joslyn helped him with the slice that started under his left eye and guided to the start of his right eyebrow.


    After every Virus was put into their cells again, Tabby, Veronica, myself, and the Warden were gathered into the large observation deck of the Mound. Tabby was scanning all of the logs that day and lining it up with the disease graphs. After each record was put through Tabby''s system, they printed from the fax machine for Veronica to review.


    "Clover seems to be symptoms of being on the autism spectrum, was that on her file?" Fritz commented as she fact-checked on Clover''s file between her rambles about how the Virus'' had improved or acted differently. The Warden just grumbled in acknowledgment.


    The Warden interrupted her, "You spoke with Virus MMHV-7," He held up the log from the contraband room for himself.


    Fritz''s posture shifted as she remembered the encounter, "I did, or spoke at rather," She gave out a stressed chuckle and cleared her throat when no one laughed with her. "You don''t need me to tell you this, but he has a clear defiance or lack of care for authority or anybody," She then hushed her tone, "I don''t want to make assumptions, but I believe it may be from prior experiences."


    "Tabitha, what''s the status on the kitchen logs before the incident?" Warden asked gruffly, accepting the next line of papers. Tabby was quiet, as they were no other kitchen logs. Warden looked to Tabby, who stood still with her hands on the last three log pages, "Tabitha." Tabby just shrugged, fumbling her fingers.


    "Joslyn said that they were both asleep, so Alvis probably couldn''t check." She explained quietly, and the Warden''s attention snapped to me, and I coiled back.


    The Warden pinched his eyelids, and his leg started to bounce involuntarily. He reached into his chest pocket and took out a prescription pill bottle. Fritz cleared her throat, "We still have a lot of other observations from the other Virus, don''t we?" She forced a smile, but her nerves were evident.


    "That one of the Virus is retarded?" The Warden groggily asked before he took a dry gulp of pills.


    Fritz, while taken aback, grew a look of disdain, "That word is outdated, and I will not allow it to be used in my presence!"


    The Warden grumbled and rolled his eyes, "Virus cannot be flawed, it''s not possible, doctor," He had his head in his hand, utterly exhausted, "With all due respect."


    "Flaw?!" Fritz cracked back, "It is not a flaw; it is a neurodiversity!" Fritz continued to rant as the Warden fazed out. He tuned out for no more than five seconds, but when he came to, I first heard Fritz say, "What''s even your evidence that radiation doesn''t cause flaws, last I checked it had horrific effects!"


    "Because Virus were designed to be perfect!" He sputtered out. His mind was so hazy that even I didn''t pick up what he let slip out.


    Fritz was still, and Veronica, who was still at the fax machine, had stopped what she was doing to look over. Fritz stammered in confusion, "Why would- Why would an enemy country bomb us with-?"


    "I think it''s best you get going, doc, it''s late, and the Warden has proved to be," Veronica was in stride over as she explained this, giving the Warden a firm glare, "Less than competent right now." She cleared her throat and gave Fritz a ''get out'' look.


    The psychiatrist nervously cleared her throat and went to pick up her clipboard before Veronica pressed a hand onto the board, "I need to make copies." she stated, Fritz had flinched back at the other''s hand.


    Fritz nodded and stepped back towards the door, not turning around until she made it to the door. As she held the door bar, she decided to speak, "I didn''t write it down there, but," She occasionally looked over, "Toby wants his stuff back."


    When she left the room, Veronica let out a long sigh, "Fucks sake, Samuel," She rubbed the point between her eyes and nose. She looked over at the Warden, who was already sluggish from the medication. Veronica then snatched the bottle away from him, "No one gives a shit if you''re high, just don''t do it on the damn job!"


    The Warden took a few seconds to realize and get angry, "Give those back you-!"


    He stood up and was about to start a flurry of insults before Veronica''s face scrunched. "Fritz was right; having the Virus all together was a phenomenal idea," She then took out a slip of paper from the pile in her hands and forced it into the Warden''s hands, "I''d be happy to explain it to you why if you were sober."


    "Two soldiers died from MMHV-7, and we learned nothing new about the bastard!" Warden rave.


    "False, we learned a lot," Veronica stated, slapping a paper into the table and sliding it to the Warden. The report read, ''MMHV-7'', and the graph depicted Toby''s disease usage throughout the day. Veronica held up a paper of the logs.


    She started to explain, "I learned that Toby''s disease patterns show he is abnormally in control of a very complex disease."


    "No shit, it''s a killing disease."


    Veronica shook her head. "No, I don''t think it is," Just as the Warden was about to argue, she explained. "He''s been using his disease minimally with the other Virus," She then placed three logs beside the graphs, "We also learned that he has quite a favoritism towards Adrien," She tapped the records from the kitchen, and it. was confirmed that they spiked and stayed that way during their conversation, and even after I left, "And feels safe enough in his presence to fall asleep around him."


    Even in the Warden''s drugged state, he could connect the dots, "You''re proposing we use that?"


    "The other Virus were also using their diseases in playful combat," Veronica said, "I want you to consider Fritz''s shared accommodation proposal," She placed down all of the logs onto the table. She shuffled them together neatly, "Preferably when you''re sober."


    Warden did seem to think for a long moment before he looked to Tabby, "Tabitha, schedule a meeting for the construction crew tomorrow."