Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

the year of 2015 in a deepsea base

Third's P.O.V:

"Who the hell is hacking into our files?! It can't be that hard to find out!" a man wearing a lab coat yelled. Angry would be an understatement of what the man is feeling. It would be blind rage.

He punched the wall and gritted his teeth before hearing his coworker, a woman wearing a lab coat who sounded scared of the man's fury, say, "We're sorry, sir! We're trying to find out who it is! It seems that whoever it is used pAInter to get into our programs."

"WELL FIX IT! EVERY SECOND WE GET HACKED, WE LOSE TO OUR RIVALS! FIND THEM! THAT IS A FUCKING ORDER!" the man yelled, stomping towards the woman. He got into her face before grabbing her face and growling. The woman understood why her boss would be angry, but he took it out on her and the others working beside him. It wasn't fair to her or the others.

"Now, is that any way to treat a woman under your care, Mr. Mowgli?" Everyone froze, hearing a voice behind them, and the man, Mowgli, was shaking before he turned around to see an older man who was wearing a suit and walking with a cane. He had kind eyes, but everyone knew that if you pushed this older man too far, he would send you to a fate worse than death.

"M-Mr. Shade! I d-didn't realize you were coming in today." Mowgli said, shaking still before he let go of the woman's face, and the woman rubbed her face a bit.

"Hmm...So, where are we in finding the hacker, Mrs. Marina?" Mr. Shade asked, slowly walking towards the woman, Marina, before she looked at him and gulped.

"W-well, sir. It s-seems that w-whoever is hacking is using pAInter's programming to get into our f-files. I...We have an idea of where they might be, but we don't know who it is." Marina answered, shaking still before she saw Mr. Shade reach his hand out, and she closed her eyes in fear.

"I see...That is good. Send a team out...Someone get Mr. Mowgli to the testing chambers of the Z-317. I believe he outstayed his welcome as lead researcher." Mr. Shade said, petting Marina's head before he walked out of the room, and Mowgli screamed in fear when he was being dragged away.

Everyone else was shaking and looking at Marina before she gulped and looked at her coworkers. "Okay...You heard Mr. Shade. Get a team out there and bring them here...Who in their right mind would hack Urbanshade company?" Marina said, looking at the screen before she sent out a team with her coworkers to bring in the person who had been hacking them.

Meanwhile, near the slum area of the city

Third's P.O.V:

In a run-down apartment, there were many rooms with different numbers, but one had a woman who looked 30 years old in front of a laptop. She was typing fast while wearing round glasses. "Come on...Come on... I'm almost there," the woman mumbled to herself before she saw her screen become completely black. She sighed. "Not again. I guess I better get going."

She stood up, walked over to the shelf of her wigs, putting on a black-and-white wig that was in a fluffy bob hairstyle, and walked to her closet. She pulled out a black cut shoulder-cropped sweater, baggy dark grey jeans, black boots, and black socks. She started to get dressed and sighed before she heard her phone ringing. She answered, "Hello. This is Runa Nessa. How can I help you?"

"Runa! Thank god! We thought we lost you for a second! Look, we have a problem!" A man yelled in the phone, sounding scared.

"Not even a hello, how are you doing from you, sir? Well, what is the problem?" Runa asked, sounding almost dead before she grabbed a torn-up backpack and put her laptop in it.

"Ubranshade knows that you were hacking them! You need to get out of there!" The man yelled, sounding almost worried for her.

Runa's eyes widened in shock, and she quickly looked out of her window to see an armored truck stopping in front of the apartment. She sighed and quickly ran to the fire escape before she said, "I understand, sir. If you don't hear from me in three months...know that I'm dead."

"Runa...we won't stop looking for you even if it was three years. Stay alive. That is an order!" The man's voice yelled, making Runa become silent before she hung up and typed into her phone. She quickly threw her phone into the room and started climbing down the fire escape before reaching the alleyway and running to the east side.

Runa knew that she had to escape. She knew that getting caught would either be death or becoming an example to other hackers. She kept running and turned around to see a group of men wearing swat uniforms, carrying guns, chasing her down before her eyes widened, and she ran down an alleyway, starting to climb a fence.

"STOP! YOU HAVE NO WHERE TO RUN, MA'AM!" One of the men yelled, running down the alleyway before she jumped down on the other side of the fence. She kept running but stopped seeing an armored truck blocking the path.

She looked around to see what she could use to escape before she saw a fire escape. She quickly ran over to it before climbing it and looked down to see some of the men climbing after her. 'Damnit, I need to hurry,' she thought, climbing faster before she reached the rooftop and quickly kicked down the fire escape. She looked over the edge and saw the guards fall down before she quickly backed up from the edge and looked at the other rooftops.

She took a deep breath and started to run before she took a leap and barely made it to the other rooftop. "Whoa!" She yelped, trying to find her balance before she finally took a step to get on the rooftop and held her chest. "Okay...not fun. Come on, Runa. Keep moving." Runa mumbled to herself before she started running and jumping from one roof to the next.

She believed that she had to keep running. That's all she has been doing all her life. Running. All she could do. And she knew that if you keep moving, she will stay alive. So she kept going until she reached a dead end.

Runa saw that she was above the train tracks, and she turned around to see if she could find another way, only to see some of the swat chasing her before she gulped and quickly backed up. She had no choice...She had to jump.

She quickly looked behind her when she suddenly heard, "Don't! You know that escape is a fool's errand. Besides, falling to your death doesn't seem a pleasant way to go. So back away from the edge, and come with us. We only want to talk to you, Ma'am."

Runa looked at the swats and let out a shaky breath before she fixed her glasses, and after a few minutes of silence, she said, "I'd rather be a fool than trust men who are murderers."

She slowly backed up when the swat took a step toward her, but she lost her step and fell over, making her eyes widen before she closed her eyes and gasped, feeling someone catch her. She opened her eyes to see one of the swats who had a captain badge on, and she tried to get away, only to feel a needle in her neck before she felt herself getting tired and mumbled as her vision blacked out, "Damn...you...Ubranshade pigs." 

Chapter Text

A few hours later, in an Interrogation room

Runa's P.O.V:

As I sat there, my hands cuffed to the table, I couldn't help but berate myself. 'How could I have been so naive, falling into the clutches of these monsters?' I muttered under my breath. I glanced up at the two-way mirror, a silent reminder that I was not alone in this room. 

'They took everything from me. They put me in this crappy grey jumpsuit, took my glasses away, and took my wig away from me. Damn, bastards... I can't give up anything to them. I must be cunning and strong. Like Grandfather said, be the fox and the wolf to stay alive.' 

I looked at my hands again and sighed before hearing the door open. I looked up and squinted my eyes to see two guards come in, followed by two people in lab coats, who I could only guess were scientists. Their presence added to the tension in the room, and I raised an eyebrow. 

"Tell us your name, ma'am," One of the scientists said, looking at me before I scoffed and looked at him with annoyance. "Ma'am, you have to answer to us. You hacked into our company and-" 

"Go jump into a pool of acid," I said, interrupting him before glaring at him, and the other scientist sighed. 

"I told you, Michael. She won't talk to us. She most likely doesn't know anything." She said, looking at Michael before Michael sighed and looked at her. 

"And I told you, Lizz, that we have to know her reason. It's under Mr. Shade's orders. Besides, we have her laptop. It was she who hacked into our system yesterday at 04:00." Michael said, rolling his eyes at Lizz's comment. 

"...You know your server is pretty much crap. It was bound to happen either way." I said, looking at the pair before a guard slammed his hand on the table and glared at me. But I stared at him emotionless and raised an eyebrow before he glared at me and growled, "Give us your name already, Hacker." 

"Why don't you ask your mother? She talks in her sleep." I snipped at him before I gasped, feeling him grab my head and slam my head into the table, making me groan in pain.

"CHRIS! DON'T DAMAGE HER! WE NEED HER TO WORK WITH US!" I heard Lizz yell before Chris let go of my head, and I sat up, spitting out some blood on the table. 'Remember...be cunning, and be strong.' I reminded myself before I looked at Chris, and he glared at me. 

"Well, answer them. Or do you want another head slam, brat?" He asked, glaring at me before I spit blood in his face, and he was about to grab my face. 

"THAT'S ENOUGH, CHIRS!" I saw Chris being held back by a taller man, and I could only guess he was in charge of this whole Interrogation. 

"SHE FUCKING SPIT AT ME, BOB! I SHOULD KILL HER FOR THAT!" Chris yelled, trying to get a hold of me before Bob pulled him out of the room. 'Looks like these guys don't play on the same team.' I looked at Michael and Lizz before Lizz sighed and left the room.

"Great...Just great," Michael mumbled, then sighed and took out a notebook from his lab coat. I watch him write things down and frown before I look up to see Lizz return with a first-aid kit and put it on the table. 'What the...What is her plan?'

I raised an eyebrow and backed up when Lizz got close to me before she opened the first aid kit, and I heard Michael ask, "Alright, let's try again. What is your name, ma'am?" 

"...Bite me! ow!" I yelp in pain, feeling Lizz wipe my forehead with some disinfected before I look at her and see she has a kind smile. 'maybe I could play nice for now...till I can find a way to escape.'

"Come on...can you at least give us a first name we can work with?" Lizz asked, looking over my head before she sighed, getting out needle and thread. 

I look at the needle and thread before I gulp, and she smiles at me. "It's okay. It won't hurt too much. It seems that Officer Chris slammed your head too hard. I just need to stitch up your forehead, ma'am."

"...Stop calling me Ma'am. I won't tell you my name, so just get on with it already." I answered, looking at her before she smiled and started stitching my head, making me hiss in pain. 

"Alright, what should we call you then? You have to give us something. How about the meaning of your name?" Michael asked, tapping the pen on the desk before I looked at him out of the corner of my eyes and rolled my eyes.

'They're not going to give up, are they?'

"Ow! How much longer do you have to play doctor?" I asked, looking at Lizz before she smiled and put the needle down.

"I just finished... and I am a doctor, Miss," Lizz answered, hoping I would give up my name. I gave her a look that screamed, 'I won't give up my name.' Lizz sighed and started to put away the first aid kit before I noticed she had a sad smile, and I began to feel guilty. 'Maybe she's one of the good ones...'

Lizz sighed and started to put away the first aid kit before I noticed her sad smile, and I began to feel guilty. I sighed and looked at my hands before I bit my lip and mumbled, "Secret Lore...That is what my first name means." I look up to see Lizz's smile brightly, and Michael sighs in annoyance before Michael writes it down.

Lizz picked up the first aid kit and left the room before she returned with my wig, and my eyes widened. "Here we go...Okay, for every piece of information you give us, we will return your stuff. I promise, " Lizz said, looking at me before she put my wig back on.

I looked at her, nodding. 'She's definitely one of the good ones. Maybe Grandfather was wrong. Some people can show mercy.' I sighed, looked at my hands, then rubbed my thumbs and frowned. "What do you want to know?" I asked, looking at my hands.

"Your name. And don't give us a damn meaning of your name again. It's like riddles, and I hate riddles." Michael demands, tapping the pen on the notebook before I grit my teeth and glaring at him. 'Okay, He's an asshole. Let's not talk to him.'

"Ask me nicely," I said, glaring at him before he glared at me, and Lizz placed her hand on his shoulder, making Michael calm down. 'She's the only one who calms him down. That's good to know.'

"Please tell us your name," Lizz said, smiling softly at me.

"See? Manners get you everywhere, Mikey. My name is Runa Nessa, Ms. Lizz," I said, looking at Lizz before Michael growled and wrote down my name, gripping the pen tightly. "Having a short fuse doesn't get you any ladies, Mikey. Then again...I get the feeling that you don't please anyone in the bedroom." 

"YOU SON OF A-" Michael started to say, standing up, but Lizz pulled him down in his seat, glaring at him before she looked at me and asked, "Thank you, Runa. Now, who hired you to hack into us?"

"I'm not telling you until I get something of mine in return. You promised, remember?" I answered, smirking a bit before Michael growled and stood up, leaving the room. I could hear him grumble under his breath when he left, and after a few minutes, he came back with my glasses before he carefully put them on my face, and I could finally see what they looked like. 

Lizz had short blonde hair in the style of a choppy bob and dark purple eyes while wearing a dark red collared shirt with a black tie and a white lab coat on. She was more petite than me. I noticed that she had a hearing aid on her ears. 'She's deaf...I wonder how Urbanshade could hire someone like her. Probably for a PR stunt.' 

I looked at Michael, and the first thing I noticed was that he was pissed. He was gripping the pen tightly. He was a bit larger than most men I know. He had tan skin and two different eye colors; one was red, and the other was blue. He wore rectangular framed glasses, a scar on his left cheek, and a black suit with a red tie covered by his lab coat. 

"Now, answer my coworker's question, Hacker!" Michael growled, glaring at me before I raised an eyebrow and sighed, annoyed. 'I swear...I don't get why people think demanding things will get what they want.' 

"And I see you don't have manners, Mikey. What makes you think that I was hired?" I asked, looking at Michael and Lizz while tilting my head before I raised an eyebrow. 

"Most people don't have a laptop under heavy security that not even our best hackers can unlock," Lizz answered, looking at me. 

"So that's how you knew it was me that hacked into your crappy server," I stated, looking at her before I sighed and looked at my hands. "I guess I need to be more careful next time. Still, I'm not giving up who hired me."

"I see...Can you at least tell us why?" Lizz asked, looking at me before I looked at them and slowly smirked.

"Because why not? It’s not like you need a reason with your so-called guests." I answered, smirking at them. I slowly frowned when I saw Michael smirking, and I got a bad feeling in my stomach. 'Something isn't right...'

"I see...I think we have what we need. Thank you for working with us, Ms. Nessa. You will be a perfect...subject for our latest testing." Michael said, standing up, making my eyes widen before I tried to pull the cuffs off, but I stopped feeling a needle in my neck, and I looked at Lizz in shock.

"This isn't personal, Runa. But we need you to be the perfect subject for our company. Think of it as an opportunity for something greater." Lizz said, smiling before injecting whatever was in the needle, and my vision started to blacken out.  

'Grandfather was right...A wolf shows no mercy.'

Chapter Text

30 minutes later

Third's P.O.V:

Chris was walking down the hallway, and he had two scientists dragging Runa to cells before he opened the cell and demanded, "Throw her in there. And keep her sedated. The higher-ups don't want her awake just yet."

"Yes, sir." The scientists gave Runa another sedative before she groaned in pain. Chris smirked until he heard, "Aww... you're not willing to tell me who the fresh fish is, Chrisy?"

Chris groaned and turned to look at the cell on the right. He walked over to it and saw Z-13 leaning against the wall in the dark before Chris growled, "And why would I do that, Z-13?"

"Aww, and here I thought we were friends." Z-13 said, walking up to the cell door before pushing his medium-length black hair and smirking, almost mocking the guard, even being at 5'10" while Chris was 6 foot.

Chris hated the Chilean American. He never understood why Urbanshade took in this gringo, but he never questioned them out aloud. He knew better.

"As if. You're nothing but a tool, Sebastian. Maybe I should add another scar on your face. Maybe I can match it with my own." Chris growled out, gripping his knife that was in its holster while glaring at Sebastian with pure hatred.

"I think it would look better on me anyway," Sebastian snipped back, rolling his teal eyes before he traced the scar over his nose and looked at Chris. "Aww, are you jealous that scars look better on me? Don't be upset, Chrisy. I'm sure people will love you with scars too...maybe when pigs fly."

"You son of a bitch!" Chris yelled, trying to grab Sebastian by his grey jumpsuit, but he was shocked by the electric bars of the cell door before Sebastian snorted at Chris's actions. Chris pulled his arm back, growling.

"Hmp...well, at least I know who the real killer is, Z-13," Chris growled out, smirking a bit before he walked away, and Sebastian gritted his teeth. Sebastian knows that he didn't kill those people, but he believed it less each day he was here. He looked at the cell out of the corner of his eyes to see the woman who was next door to him. He sighed before walking away and lying on his bed, mumbling, "Sorry, kid... You're stuck in hell with me...for whatever reason."

Three days later

Runa's P.O.V:

"Hey...Hey, are you dead? Come on...you can't die yet." I heard someone say, making me groan before I sat up and held my head.

"Mmm...my head. Where am I?" I mumble, looking around before I see that I am in a cell, and my eyes widen. What the fuck...

I slowly stood up and walked up to the cell door before I grabbed the bar and hissed in pain when it shocked me. "FUCK! THAT SMARTS!" I yelled, moving my hand away and shaking it a bit.

"Yeah, it usually does." I froze, hearing the same voice earlier, before looking at the left wall and slowly walking to it. "Hello? Is someone there?" I asked, pushing my glasses up before I heard a chuckle.

"And here I thought you would be smart enough to figure that out," the voice answered, sounding snarky. I raised an eyebrow and sighed before sitting against the wall and mumbling, "And I thought I was losing my mind to the ghost in the walls."

"Ha! Funny. My name is Sebastian Solace. What's your name, kid?" Sebastian asked, making me roll my eyes.

"My name is Runa Nessa... Where are we, Sebastian?" I answered, looking at the ceiling before Sebastian chuckled, and I heard him walking towards the wall. "We're in the Let-Vand Zone in a place called the Hadal Blacksite. It's under the ocean...about 76,400 studs. If you don't know your math, that's-" Sebastian started to say, but I interrupted him.

"That's 21.4 km...Damnit. Well, is there any way to escape?" I asked, fixing my glasses before I heard Sebastian laugh, and I felt my stomach flip at his laughter. That's not a good sign.

"Escape? That's funny, kid! Seriously, there's no way to escape! I tried. They change the guards' daily routine; there isn't a map anywhere, the cells have an electric field of 10 thousand volts, and you won't last a second outside of this place without any driver gears." Sebastian answered, laughing a bit before I let out a shaky breath and stood up, holding my head.

"There has to be a way out. If I had my phone, I could find a way to..." I mumble to myself, rubbing my head before I stop, realizing that I don't have any type of device on hand. 

Damnit...I left my phone back in my apartment, and they have my laptop. I slowly lean against the wall and slide down before I curl up as I remember the last thing that I told my boss. 

 "Hey...Runa, are you good? Or did you die knowing that you will never—" Sebastian started to say, but I interrupted him. 

"My boss...will find me. We have three months. Three months for them to find us. Keep that hope in mind, Sebastian." I said, looking behind me before I heard Sebastian chuckle, and I lay my head against the wall. 

"You know that blind hope isn't worth it...But keep it to yourself. You need to keep that blind hope to yourself." Sebastian whispered, sounding tired, before I sighed and stood up, walking to my bed.

 I lay down on my bed and looked at the ceiling before I heard Sebastian ask, "How did you end up here anyway?"

"...I hacked into their system. Their server was crap, anyway. Even my Grandfather could hack into their system. And he's dead." I answered, taking off my wig before I heard snickering and looked towards the wall. 

"Pfff...You...you're fucking kidding me! You hacked into their crappy server, and you got caught! How the hell did you think that was gonna end?! Hahahaha!" Sebastian asked while laughing hard, and I smiled softly before I put my wig next to the bed on the ground and lay down, looking at the ceiling. 

"I thought I would reward myself with coffee and get enough money to get me out of the ghetto," I answered, rolling my eyes before I heard Sebastian snickering even more, making me smile. At least he could find some humor in my capture. "Good night...Bassy." 

"HEY! WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?! DON'T CALL ME THAT!!!" I heard Sebastian yell, making me smirk before I rolled on my side and tried to get myself to sleep... I really hope I stay alive just long enough to get out of here.

Chapter Text

The next day

Runa's P.O.V:

BANG BANG

"Wake up, Z-13! Z-14!"

I flinch at the loud banging on my cell door and cover my ears before I look over to see Chris banging on my cell door with his gun and groan a bit. This is not how I want to wake up. Damn, bastard. Wait...what did he call me? That's not my name.

"Hey, Chrisy, mind not doing that. It might give you more trouble than you want." I heard Sebastian say, almost grumbling a bit before I sat up and sighed. I grabbed my wig and put it on before I heard Chris wolf whistle at me, and I glared at him.

"Well, I must say, you look better with your fake hair. Maybe if you behave yourself, I might show you a good time, sweetheart." Chris said, smirking at me before I scoffed and looked away from him. What a pig. I noticed that Lizz and Michael were behind Chris, and Michael opened Sebastian's cell before I overheard Michael and Sebastian talking.

"You have some more testing to do today, Z-13," Michael said, sounding very clinical.

"Grrrrreeeeeaaaaat. More needles. How fun." Sebastian said sarcastically.

"Yes, yes. Be lucky it's just one today," He said, annoyed by Sebastian's sarcasm. It sounds like this isn't Sebastian's first time doing that.

"Alright, Z-14. Your turn for testing." Chris said, taking me away from my thoughts before I glared at him, and he unlocked my cell. I didn't move at first, but I saw Chris point a gun at me, and my eyes widened before he smirked and said, "Come on now. Be a good girl, and come on out. Or do you want to be full of lead?"

"Sir! You can't threaten Z-14! Ms.Marina gave us a specific order not to harm her no matter what!" Lizz said, looking at Chris before Chris rolled his eyes and looked at her while I slowly walked out of the cell.

"Oh, shut up. It's the only way to get the bitch to listen. Why do you care anyway, Lizz?! She's nothing without her little laptop." Chris growled out, glaring at Lizz before I quickly punched Chris in the throat and started running.

"HEY STOP! Z-14 IS ESCAPING! I REPEAT, Z-14 IS ESCAPING!" I heard Lizz yell, which I assumed was a radio, but I didn't care. This might be my only chance to escape.

The halls were primarily blue with white trim and the company's pentagram logo on the bottom. As I ran, the few prisoners on this floor came to their cell doors. They sounded like they were cheering, but I was not paying attention—guards with guns charged into the room.

I had no time, so I slid and turned as best as I could before they started shooting. I scrambled to run in another direction. I will admit, I was winging in. There was no map, at least, as far as I know.

If I found an exit or my stuff, I would be happy. My reckless running led me to a large open room with windows showing ocean waters. I guess it was a courtyard, but I was not about to find out.

A large, imposing figure with albino hair, red eyes, and an eye patch over his left eye entered the room. Several guards were behind him, and their guns were trained on me.

"We don't have to do this. Please, just stand down and come along quietly," he said, almost sadly.

"The hell I will," I remarked.

"I don't want to fight you. "But I can't just let you go. I'm offering you a chance without any violence. You're not in any position to run or argue." he said.

I just glared at the guy, feeling his tone was just an act. But, I saw his posture never hanged, and neither did his face. It was sad, like he had just lost something very close to him, or someone.

"You won't beat the shit out of me," I asked.

"Not if you play along," he answered.

I sighed, putting my hands forward, signaling that I had given up. The man sighed and walked toward me alone. He pulled out a pair of handcuffs about halfway through and placed them on me. His face was still sad, but it was even more apparent up close. I did want to know where he got those injuries.

"There we go. Come on, up ya get," he said calmly.

"Yeah, yeah. I get it." I said, walking a bit while the man guided me down the hallway before I saw the other prisoners looking at me sadly, hoping that I made it out. I wish I made it out, too.

I suddenly heard panting and looked up to see Chris panting before I smirked, seeing that he looked pissed off, and asked, "Aww, what's wrong, sweetheart? You seem upset about something."

"You little bitch! I should kill for what you did. I bet my boss will let me feed you to the-" Chris started to say, but he saw the man holding me and froze. "Captain! I didn't realize that you were the one who caught her."

"Well, Sargent, I wouldn't have to... IF YOU DID YOUR FUCKING JOB, YOU ASS!!! THIS IS THE SIXTH TIME THIS MONTH!!" Captain yelled, getting into Chris's face before Captain pushed his hair back and sighed. I'm guessing this isn't the first time this has happened.

"Where is Ms. Lizz? Did you leave her behind, or did she go to the testing room?" Captain asked, looking annoyed with Chris while holding the cuffs to my hands.

"Lizz went to the testing room. She's waiting for Z-14. And Captain, it's not my fault. Z-14 attacked me while my guard was done!" Chris answered, trying to place the blame on me...Even though he wasn't wrong. But he deserved it.

"Hmp. And I can guess that you were making more sexist comments towards this young lady here. Now, I'll be taking her to the testing room. We will speak about this later...with Ms. Marina. I suggest you write a report. And expect a reprimanding." Captain said, leading me away before I looked behind to see Chris glared at me, and I stuck my tongue at him. Chris looked pissed off and stomped off before I smirked and looked ahead of me. Take that, pig.

A few minutes later

"I see you brought Z-14 here, Captain Blue," Lizz said, looking at Captain at a table with a notebook.

"I'm sorry...your name is Blue? Did your family hate you?" I asked, looking at Blue before he snorted and sat me in the chair that was across from Lizz.

"No. That's my last name, Z-14. And Lizz, I thought I told you to call me by my first name." Blue answered, taking the cuffs off, only to cuff me to the table before I rolled my eyes.

"Of course, Edward. I apologize," Lizz said, smiling before she looked at him and sighed. "I'll take over for now. You can wait outside."

"Alright. I'll be back for you, Z-14." Edward said, walking out of the room before he closed the door, and I looked at Lizz. I don't trust this...Something doesn't feel right.

"What's with you people calling me Z-14? My name is Runa." I said, rolling my hands into fists before Lizz looked at me and sighed.

"I will answer your questions later, Z-14. We'll only be doing some routine questions for today. Now, your name is Runa Nessa, and you lived in the city near what most people would call the ghetto, correct?" Lizz asked, removing a small recorder from her pocket before turning it on and tapping her pen on the notebook.

"Fine...I'll play this dumb game of yours. Yes, that is my name, and that's where I lived." I answered, looking at her, annoyed before Lizz wrote them. I don't get it...Why is she acting like this is nothing? She fucking knock me out with a sedative. I grit my teeth and glare at her before Lizz smiles and looks at me.

"Very good. Next question: even living in...what you call home, it seems your bank statements showed that you were well off in terms of money. Why stay in a place like that?" Lizz asked, looking at me, almost asking in a condescending tone.

"Watch it, that's my home you're talking about. It's quiet, and people leave me alone." I answered, glaring at her before I saw her writing my answer down, and I rolled my hands into fists, digging my nails into the palms of my hands.

"Oh my...It seems you hurt yourself. Let me fix up your hands for you." Lizz said, standing up before I watched her get a first aid kit from under the table, and she opened it. I watch her get some disinfected and put it on my hands before I hiss in pain and try to pull away, but the cuffs keep me in place.

I looked at my hands while she wrapped them in gauze, trying not to headbutt her, but I knew that wouldn't help anyone. "There we go. Now, back to questions. If you like the peace and quiet, why stay in the city? Not for the food, certainly." Lizz asked, putting away the first aid kit before she returned to her seat and looked at me.

"...My family. My family lives in the city." I answered, looking at my hands before gently rubbing my palm and sighing.

"I see... Okay... It seems that you went underground the second you turned 18. Why is that?" Lizz asked, tapping her pen on the notebook while smiling. Glad to see she fell for that white lie.

I looked at her and scoffed, then rolled my eyes and answered, "I never was a social butterfly. Besides, nobody wants to have a bald chick in their life..."

"I'm sure that's not the only reason. After all, it seems Chris took a liking to you," Lizz said, smiling while disgusting me at the thought of Chris even talking to me. I would rather get fuck by a fish than let Chris come anywhere near me.

"Ah...I see you hate men like Chris. Well, boys will be boys. If I may ask, what kind of men do you like?" Lizz asked, looking at me before I snorted and rolled my eyes.

"That's none of your business. I doubt you or your boss want to know about my love life," I answered, raising an eyebrow. Lizz laughed softly and smiled. "You're right. But call it natural curiosity." Lizz said, smirking before I sighed and looked at my hands.

"Curiosity killed the cat. Remember that," I retorted, looking up at her. Then she laughed softly and smirked. "But brought satisfaction brought it back," Lizz said, looking at me before I rolled my eyes and looked at my hands.

"I never thought about love. I don't think love is in the cards for me." I said, looking up at her before she wrote it down and frowned. "Now, answer my question. Why are you calling me Z-14?" I asked, glaring at her before she smirked and looked at me.

"Because that is how we catalog you. Now, I believe we are done for today. Captain Blue! Take Z-14 to her cell." Lizz answered, standing up before picking up the recorder, turning it off, and opening the door. Edward looked at her and nodded before he took the cuffs off the table and cuffed my hands behind my back.

"Oh! And Z-14. No more escape attempts, please. I don't think you want to be punished. It's quite painful." Lizz said, not even looking behind her before she walked away, and I felt shivers down my spine. I know a threat when I hear one...

"Let's go, Z-14," Edward said, leading me out of the room. It almost felt like I was being guided to the cage I had to call home.

10 minutes later

"Alright, in you go, Z-14," Edward said, uncuffing my hands before I walked into my cell, and he closed the cell door behind me. I heard him push some buttons on the side and walked away before I turned to see the electric field on the bars of my cell and frowned. Trapped...There's really no way out, is there?

"So, I heard you tried to escape and failed... horribly." I heard Sebastian say before I looked at the wall and sighed. I walk over to the wall and put my head against it before I mumble, "Yeah...I thought I could escape and prove you wrong."

"Well, A for effort. I heard that you punched Chris in the throat. Was it worth it?" Sebastian asked, sounding curious before I smirked and laughed softly.

"Oh, it was so worth it. Besides, he was being a pig," I answered, smirking. I looked around the room and noticed a small, worn-down drawer. I walked over to it and opened it to see a spoon. After an inspection, I found it was old but made of metal. "Hmm...I wonder..." I mumble to myself before I look at the wall and carefully use the spoon to crave a line.

"What are you doing now? I heard you opening the stupid drawer they gave us." I heard Sebastian ask before I looked at the wall and sighed.

"Oh, I'm making an amazing painting...What does it sound like I'm doing? Dumb ass." I answered, still craving the line on the wall before I heard Sebastian snort, and he said, "Damn. And I thought you would lie down and take my comments."

"As if. What did Micky do to you, anyway?" I asked, putting the spoon down before I put my back against the wall and slid down.

"You mean Michael, right? Funny nickname. But he didn't do anything special. He just gave me some needles...What did they do to you?" Sebastian answered, hearing him move against the wall. I noticed that his tone sounded...worried, but it was probably nothing.

"Lizz just asked me some questions, and then she threatened me that if I tried escaping again, she'd punish me," I said, looking at my hands before I sighed and put my head on my knees. "I just need to think of a new way to get out of here."

"Good luck with that, kid," Sebastian said, scoffing a bit.

"Hey! I'm not a kid! I'm 30!" I growled, looking at the wall.

"Wait, seriously?! I'm 30, too. When's your birthday?" Sebastian asked, sounding curious. I blinked and remained quiet for a few minutes before smiling and answering, "My birthday is May 21. I was born in 1993. What about you?"

"My birthday is February 3. Same year as you. What month is it anyway? I've been here since January." Sebastian asked, making me frown before I looked at my hands and whispered, "It's May...Does everyone lose track of time here?"

"Yeah...You get used to it." Sebastian whispered back, making me bite my lip to hold back my whimpers before I put my head on my knees.

"...You can cry. I won't tell anyone." I heard Sebastian say, making me gasp before I turned to look at the wall.

"How...how did you know?" I asked, trying not to let out the whimper that I was holding back.

"It's not hard to tell. I did the same thing when I came here, " Sebastian said, sounding sad. Then, I whimpered and started crying silently. "Thank you, Sebastian," I whispered, tears streaming down my face. I curled up and closed my eyes as I heard Sebastian say, "No problem, Runa."

Chapter Text

One week later

Runa's P.O.V:

"Hey, Runa...How long are you going to mark the walls? It's getting annoying." Sebastian's voice cut through the air, sparking a familiar tension. I rolled my eyes, finished carving the eighth mark on the wall, and sighed. Here we go again.

"Until I find a way to get out of here, Bassy," I answered with a hint of determination in my voice. I smirked as I heard Sebastian groan at the nickname I gave him, then put the spoon back in the drawer and sat down against the wall.

"You know I hate that nickname. It makes me sound like a fish," Sebastian said, his annoyance palpable. I couldn't help but laugh softly.

"Well, I think it fits you. Considering we're at the bottom of the ocean in a hidden black ops base," I said, the irony of our situation almost mocking us. I looked at the ceiling and sighed, knowing that even if I did escape this base, I would pretty much drown, just like Sebastian said.

"Hey, you're more snippy than normal. What's going on? Don't you like being my neighbor?" Sebastian asked, snarky, making me roll my eyes before I sighed and looked at the wall.

"I hate being here... They haven't stopped asking me the damn questions for the past eight days." I answered, looking away before I rubbed my wrist gently.

"Well, maybe if you played ball, this wouldn't happen." I heard Sebastian say, making me roll my eyes before I heard footsteps approaching our cell.

"Aww, look at this. Z-13 is actually playing nice with Z-14. This is so adorable. What do you think, Captain?"

I turned to my cell door to see Chris and Edward standing there with Lizz and Michael. Suddenly, I heard Sebastian scoff, and I rolled my eyes. "Enough, Sargent. We have a job to do. Hello Sebastian. How are you doing?" Edward said, looking almost happy to see Sebastian still alive.

That's odd. How could Edward be happy about Sebastian alive? Does he actually want us to stay alive?

"Eddy! It's nice to see you again. So what is it this time? More needles? Or do I get questioned this time?" Sebastian asked, sounding happy to see Edward but snarky when he questioned what was happening today.

"Neither. It's for Z-14. She's meeting someone today." Edward answered, pointing to me before I stood up and slowly walked to my cell door. "Wait, what...who am I meeting?" I asked, looking at Edward before he looked at me and sighed. "You'll see soon enough. Sargent, unlock her cell. She's going to meet Z-779." The mystery of this meeting hung in the air, thick and palpable.

"Who?" I asked, looking confused before Chris opened my cell, and I slowly walked out while Chris had his gun on. "None of your business, Z-14. Now, get moving!" Chris said, shoving me hard using the bottom of his gun, making me nearly tripped, but Edward caught me.

"Easy Z-14... Sargent! Do we need to go to Ms. Marina again?!" Edward growled out, glaring at Christ before Chris scoffed and looked away. "I thought so. Let's get you to see Z-779."

"Fine..." I mumbled, looking away before I felt Edward guiding me down the hall. I nearly froze when I heard Sebastian whisper, "Good luck." I was going to turn around to look at Sebastian, but Edward blocked my view. I sighed and kept walking before I looked at my hands and rubbed my wrists.

Here we go again... Another day in the mines...

A few minutes later

"Here we are. Now, I suggest you behave yourself. This is just a visit, and if you try anything, I'll have to step in. Do you understand?" Edward said, looking at me before I nodded, and he pushed a few numbers on the keypad. I watched him, and he looked at me before he said, "Don't even think about it. It wouldn't work." Edward looked at me before the door opened, and I sighed.

"Yes, sir," I mumble, looking ahead. I look confused when Edward gently guides me into the room. I look around and see an '80s computer with advanced technology—a bizarre juxtaposition of old and new—plugged in on its right on a simple desk. What caught my attention is that there is only a drawing tablet—no keyboard.

That means I can't hack into their system again. Damnit. There goes that plan.

A fence surrounded it, and I was about to get closer when I saw the screen turn on. I backed up to see a digital art program with a depressed-looking scribbled face. "What the..." I mumbled, slowly walking up to the fence before I froze, hearing it speak, "Oh...it's you."

"Holy shit! You talk!" I yelled, pointing at it before it erased the depressed look, replacing it with an angry face.

"Yeah! So do you, but I don't freak out!" the computer said, glaring at me.

"Okay, don't give me that logic! You're a computer! You're not supposed to speak unless... Are you an AI? Like a working one?" I questioned, looking at the computer before I walked around the fence, trying to find a way to get into its room.

It erased the angry look, replacing it with a smirking face, almost being sarcastic before it laughed and answered, "And here I thought you were just like the other prisoners here. I thought you were a dumb brute. Who are you anyway? Prisoner number 5000?"

"Oh, shut up. At least I have brains, unlike you. You have wires and the personality of a shoe!" I retorted back, glaring at it before it erased the smirking face, replacing it with a middle finger, and I growled, slamming my hand on the fence.

"YOU LITTLE SHIT," I yelled, glaring at it before I felt Edward's hand on my shoulder, and I looked at him. "What?! The computer started it!"

"I understand. But you can't fight with Z-779, Z-14. And Z-779, do not fight with her." Edward said to me and the computer before I groaned and looked at the computer, glaring at it. The computer erased the middle finger, replacing it with an angry look, glaring at me.

"Fine. I'll play nice." I grumble, pulling away from Edward before I sigh at the computer and cross my arms. "So...what's your name? I doubt it's Z-779." I asked, raising an eyebrow at the computer before it erased the angry face, replacing it with a curious face.

"They call me pAInter. What about you, Z-14?" pAInter answered, looking at me. I froze when pAInter said his name. This is the same AI I used to hack into their system in the first place. Oh shit.

"My name is Runa, pAInter," I said, looking at him before pAInter erased the curious face, replacing it with an angry face.

"It's you! You're the one who made me crash the other day!!" pAInter yelled angrily, glaring at me.

"First, it was a few weeks ago. And second...yeah... sorry. You were the closest thing that I could use to hack into their system," I admit, rubbing the back of my neck before I sighed and looked at pAInter. He glared at me for a few minutes and sighed before erasing his angry face and replacing it with a depressed look.

"Oh, I get it. I can't blame you. They make me mine Roblux cryptocurrency. It's mind-numbing. I don't even want to draw anymore," pAInter said, sounding defeated. I frowned before I looked at the drawing tablet and sighed.

"Then...draw me," I demanded, looking at him.

"What? Why?" He asked, sounding confused, changing his depressed face to a question mark.

"Why not? Come on. I'll do stupid poses." I retorted, shrugging my shoulders and looking at him before I saw pAInter changing the question mark to an excited face, making me smirk.

"DEAL! STAY STILL!" pAInter said, clearing his face before I did a ridiculous pose, and I heard pAInter laughing, which sounded like a chaotic laugh you would hear from an insane person. At least I got him in a good mood...

"How long have you been here?" I asked, staying still in my pose when I heard pAInter sigh, which made me look at him.

"Hey! Stay still! And...I don't know. I lost track of time," pAInter answered, sounding tired as I quickly returned to my pose before I frowned and tried to stay still. "But it's not all bad. At least I get to paint once a week..."

"Still...You shouldn't be here. You should be free. And I-" I started to say, but Edward interrupted me by coughing to get my and pAinter's attention.

"That's enough for today. Time to go, Z-14." Edward said, making me get out of my pose by grabbing my arm before I looked back to pAInter and saw him stop drawing.

"Already? But we were drawing. It's my day off," pAInter whispered, sounding upset. Edward sighed and looked at him.

"Yes, Z-779. I have to take Z-14 to her cell. If you're good, I might bring her back so you can keep drawing, but it depends. Let's go, Z-14." Edward said, dragging me away. I looked back at pAInter and whispered, hoping that he heard me, "I'm sorry...I'll try to come back. I promise."

pAInter looked at me, and I thought I saw a sad smile on his face before the door closed behind me. I looked down while I was being dragged to my cell, and Edward sighed before I looked at him, and he said, "The same thing goes for you. It's the only reason why you even got to see Z-779. Keep up the good behavior, and you'll get more rewards. That's a promise."

These people are treating us like animals...I have to get out of here before they turn me into one.

Chapter Text

A few minutes later

Runa's P.O.V:

"Alright, in you go. Get plenty of rest, Z-14. You'll need it tomorrow." Edward said, guiding me into my cell before he closed the door, and I looked at him, confused.

I was about to ask, but he slammed the cell door hard before pushing the keypad next to it and walking away. I sighed and looked at the wall before walking to the drawer, got out the spoon, and started craving a line on the wall again.

Okay, it's day nine. There must be a way to escape. My first attempt wasn't the best, but it did give me an idea of how tightly they are running this base.

"Hey, Runa...you there? I know you are. I can hear the wall craving again." I heard Sebastian say, making me smile to hear his voice. But his tone made me stop craving the wall. Why does he sound worried?

"I'm here. I'm fine," I said, looking at the wall before returning to craving it and trying to keep my voice calm. But the truth was, I was scared. What is going to happen to me after today? I know I must escape, but I have no way out.

"Your voice is shaky... What's on your mind? Is it about what Eddy said?" Sebastian asked, sounding like he knew what I was thinking before I sighed and stopped craving the wall.

"Yeah...How did you know?" I answered, putting the spoon away before I placed my forehead against the wall, and I heard Sebastian chuckle.

"Don't worry about it too much. It's just something Eddy says to keep people on their toes. I'm sure nothing bad will happen to you. And if there is, I'll try to keep you company. It's the least I can do...if you promise to stop calling me Bassy." Sebastian said, chuckling softly before I looked up and slowly smiled.

"Alright...Deal. Tell me something about yourself besides the fact that you're trapped down here and hate the nickname I gave you." I whisper, smiling a bit before Sebastian snorts and laughs.

"Hahaha! Oh, I knew there was a reason I liked having you as my neighbor! Alright, you first," Sebastian said, sounding excited. I smiled and sat down on the ground, leaning against the wall. I looked at the ceiling and sighed. I guess I could tell him this. Nobody else will know the truth.

"Alright... I'm the granddaughter of the CEO of Innovation Inc., and I like the color blue." I said, smiling sadly before I looked at my hands. But I noticed that Sebastian was quiet, and I frowned. "Sebastian, are you okay?" I asked, turning to look at the wall.

"YES! Come on! Runa, quit laughing! You just told me something that might get you killed! I'm serious!" Sebastian said, sounding worried before I frowned and looked at the wall.

"I...I never thought about it. I mean, my Grandfather told me that Urbanshade was their rival, but that's it. I never knew the horror of what they did...until I hacked into them," I whisper, looking at the wall before the realization hits me harder than a train. "If anyone knew that..."

"You would get killed right away..." Sebastian whispered, sounding serious before I covered my mouth, and I was shaking in fear. Oh no... What's going to happen to me?

"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone, I promise." Sebastian whispered, making me look at the wall before I gulped and exhaled.

"Thank you...Sebastian. And I promise to get us both out of here just for that." I whisper in return, making a promise, hoping to keep it.

Three weeks later

Runa's P.O.V:

Pain, that was all I could feel in my head. My vision was fuzzy, the kind you get when you close your eyes for so long. Green, red, and blue flashes appeared in the darkness of my eyes. I noticed the light was next to non-existent.

However, noises, muffled, faint, distant noises came from all around me. My panic rose as I kept trying to move my limbs just to see if I could. But as I did, I felt something...durable. It felt like plastic—the kind you would use for a cheap toy.

I kept kicking my legs and moving my arms until, finally, bright lights shone on me—lights as bright as the sun. They blinded me momentarily as I kept pushing the plastic material out of the way. I spent a minute or so getting it off of me, but as I did, I felt...wet...and cold. The floor felt like metal as my vision began returning. I looked upon my hand and saw that it was...well, different would be an understatement.

It was a black, clawed, three-digit appendage with visible joints. The rest of my arm was longer than I remembered, and suffered the same condition. Visible segments indicating my elbow and wrist protruded slightly.

As I looked down, my adrenalin and fear rose as I saw twitching, somewhat vestigial limbs attached to the sides of my abdomen. They were shaped like, I could only describe them as bird-shaped with a hook on the end. 

Stepping back, I tripped and saw my legs were hinged backward; they were the same texture as my arms, and my feet were gone. There was only a stub with spiked protrusions on the back. Beneath me now were what appeared to be...butterfly wings.

I scrambled to feel my face, but I could hear...someone out there.
"It appears Z-14's experimentation has yielded interesting results," said a female voice.

"Agreed," a male doctor concurred. "But this isn't what we're looking for."

"Do you think they can tell?"

"Given their panicked state, I think we should show them. After all, we have something planned."

"Send in a mirror."

After they finished, I tried to run, but I tripped and hit my head against a glass wall. I pressed against it, trying to break it, but realized it was bulletproof. A duo of people came in with the mirror they were talking about, and I could see...myself.

My head was similar to a human's shape, but I had slightly curved antennae coming out of my head, my eyes were bulbous protrusions on the side of my head, and a long, curved proboscis was below them. I tried to scream as I banged on the glass...but I couldn't...

Immediately, mechanical restraints were deployed to keep me in check. One for each of my main arms, one for my neck, and a pair for my legs.

"Alright, people, let's get this done and over with," said the female doctor.

A buzzsaw was produced and revved to life. I tried to break free by pulling the restraints but to no avail. My secondary limb was pulled forward as the buzzsaw entered the joint area. My head flailed from the pain as a green viscous substance squirted out of the wound.

"Good," said the male doctor. "Now try a leg."

And as they did, I tried to speak again, to plead with them to stop. I had no idea who they were, but maybe they could be reasoned with. Wishful thinking. The blade tore its way into my leg, spewing more of...What I can only assume now is blood.

"Looks like Z-14's about had it," said the male doctor. "Let's wrap this up. I hear it's lasagna day in the mess hall."

I shook my head as the blade came close. I tried and tried as hard as I could, but I couldn't scream. I had no mouth.

Third's P.O.V:

Runa's eyes shot open while screaming in a cold sweat. The scream was loud enough that it could have reached the surface of the ocean. She looked around as he heart raced, only to find herself in her cell with the tally marks she had made. She felt her face to be met with it being her real face.

As she calmed down, Runa let out a hard cough, trying to come to terms with the nightmare she had. She was breathing heavily and holding her chest before she heard a groan from the wall and turned to it.

"What's with the screaming, Runa? You want to wake up the entire base?" Sebastian grumbled, annoyed that he got woken up by Runa's screams.

"I...I just had a nightmare. It's not a big deal. Just forget about it." Runa whispered, holding her head before she lay on her side and curled up on the bed.

"Well, I can't since you woke me up...How bad was it?" Sebastian asked, looking at the wall before he heard Runa whimper and frown. She's been having these nightmares for weeks. What are they doing to her?

Sebastian sighed and rubbed his head before looking at his third arm growing on his left side and growling. His body had been changing. 

The first change was his skin, which became light blue instead of the light brown he was used to seeing. He couldn't stand the bright lights in his eyes. Now, he has three arms with four fingers instead of five.

Sebastian couldn't tell Runa. He knew that would scare her even more than she already is. Sebastian sighed and placed his hand on the wall before remembering how he sang terribly to his little brother whenever they had a nightmare. He hated singing, but it always brought a smile to his family.

Oh, I'm going to regret this, aren't I? Sebastian sighed and started humming softly, making Runa turn to look at the wall before she slowly got out of bed and walked to the wall. Runa places her hand on the wall and closes her eyes before leaning her head against the wall and letting tears flow down her face silently.

After a few minutes of humming, Sebastian suddenly heard Runa whisper, "Thank you...I was in the labs...but I looked different in my nightmares."

"What did you look like?" Sebastian asked, looking at the wall before he heard Runa let out a shaky breath and frown. Wait...Is she crying? It must have been bad.

"I...I don't know how to explain it, but...I was some kind of...butterfly hybrid. But then the scientists strapped me down and started to...cut me open like...like... I-I don't even know. The worst part was...I couldn't scream for help. Or...or to stop... No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't let it out." Runa explains, closing her eyes before slowly moving back from the wall and sitting against it. She looked at her hands and rubbed her wrists, trying to block out the nightmare out of her mind.

"But you had no mouth," Sebastian said, looking at the wall, frowning before he traced the wall, imagining that he was rubbing Runa's back. "Well...I wish I could make it better, but I can only say that I'm sorry."

"For what it's worth, thank you. Do you think your family is waiting for you outside of here?" Runa asked, looking at the wall and wondering what her neighbor looked like, but she decided not to ask.

"I don't know...I hope so. I...I have a mom, a big sister, and a little brother. What about you?" Sebastian asked, curious about who Runa really was. He promised to keep her secret but was still curious about her family. I still can't believe I'm talking to Innovation Inc. CEO's granddaughter. I wonder what her childhood was like. 

"Just my Grandfather...My mom died giving birth to me, and my dad drank himself to death." Runa answered, looking at her hands before she sighed and looked at the ceiling. Sebastian looked down and was quiet for a few minutes before finally whispering, "Whoa...that went dark really quick." 

"Yeah...My Grandfather taught me many things, but the one thing he taught me that sticks with me is that you must be cunning like a fox and merciless like a wolf." Runa explained, looking at the wall before she smiled sadly at the memory and sighed. 

"What fortune cookie did he pull that out of?!" Sebastian asked, looking at the wall, confused. Suddenly, he heard Runa laugh and blushed softly at how light her laugh was. Why...why does she sound so adorable?!

"Haha! Fortune cookie! That is too funny!" Runa said, smiling, and laughed softly before she sighed and looked at the wall. How come he always knows what to do to make me laugh?

"Heh. I'm glad I could make you laugh," Sebastian said, smiling at the wall. He sighed, looked at his hands, and rubbed the wrist of his third arm. He knew that she would change just like him, but he didn't have the heart to tell her...not yet, at least.

Suddenly, he heard her yawn and looked at the wall, smiling sadly. "Get some rest, Runa. You’ll need it." Sebastian whispered, looking at the wall before he placed his hand on it again.

He heard Runa hum in agreement: "Mhm...I'll get some sleep...Good night, Seb." Runa closed her eyes and slowly fell asleep against the wall. Sebastian smiled and lay down on the bed before he closed his eyes . Good night, Runa…Sweet dreams.

Chapter Text

Two weeks later

Runa's P.O.V:

BANG BANG!

"Time to get up, Z-14!" I hear Chris yell, banging on my cell door. The sound reverberates through the cold, damp walls, making me shiver. I cover my ears and open my eyes to glare at him. "Ah, there you are, sleeping beauty. Now, let's get Z-13 up," he says, his voice echoing in the confined space.

I glare at him and notice him carrying a strange, high-tech power tool with a sunlamp on it before he walks over to Sebastian's cell. Is that a flash beacon? How did he even get that? Only the super-rich can get their hands on such advanced equipment.

After a few minutes, I suddenly hear Sebastian scream in pain, 'AHH! MY EYES!' I feel a surge of fear and concern for Sebastian. What is Chris doing to him?!

"SEBASTIAN! LEAVE HIM ALONE!" I shouted, rushing to the cell door and gripping the bars before the electric current jolted me back, causing me to whimper in pain. Damn it... I forgot about the electric field.

"YOU SCUM FUCKER!!!" Sebastian shouted, prompting me to sit up slowly, breathe heavily, and turn to the wall. Chris started laughing and walked to my cell before he looked at me, wiped some tears from his eyes, and smirked.

"Aww. What's the matter, Z-14? Not happy that I messed with your friend? Too bad. It's time for another visit from the lab. For both of ya. Just waiting on Lizz and Michael." Chris said, smirking as if he was mocking me for getting worried over Sebastian.

"Fuck...you," I mutter out, holding my head before I glared at Chris and he growled at me.

"Oh, you little bitch. I should teach you some manners. But that's okay. I'll teach you another day. And I promise that you'll enjoy what I'll teach you." Chris said, smirking while licking his lips before I started shaking and backed up quickly to the wall. I don't like what he is applying...I have a bad feeling in my gut.

"That's enough, Sargent Christopher. Z-13, easy... it's okay," I heard Lizz say before I saw her and Michael approaching our cells, who looked worried. "Damnit, Chris! What have you done to Z-13?!" Lizz asked, opening Sebastian's cell before I heard her walking towards him, and I heard Sebastian groan in pain.

"My eyes...It hurts." Sebastian groaned in pain, making me worried, before I heard my cell door open, and I turned to see Michael walking up to me. "Easy Z-13... It's okay. I know it hurts. Let's get you to the labs." I heard Lizz say while I quickly tried to hide in a corner, breathing heavily. Oh shit... I have to hide! I have to hide!

I closed my eyes and heard Michael whisper, "It's okay. It's okay. We're just going to the lab today. Nothing bad will happen." I slowly opened my eyes and saw Michael holding his hand out before I slowly took his hand, and he helped me stand up, guiding me out of the cell. Is...he being nice? What the hell?

I closed my eyes and heard Michael whisper, "It's okay. It's okay. We're just going to the lab today. Nothing bad will happen." I slowly opened my eyes and saw Michael holding his hand out before I slowly took his hand, and he helped me stand up, guiding me out of the cell. Is...he being nice? What the hell?

"I'll take Z-14 to the labs myself, Sargent. You will not be responsible for waking Z-13 and Z-14 in their cells! I will talk to the Captain about this," Michael said, glaring at Chris.

"You're kidding me, right? Do you think you can tell me what to do?! You know the Captain won't do anything. We're understaffed. You know that Mrs. Marina will only tell him to punish me for clean-up duty." Chris said, glaring at Michael before Michael scoffed and guided me to the lab.

It seems Chris has always been like this. I have to find a way to get either Edward or Michael on my side so Sebastian and I can escape. I walked into the lab with Michael behind me and gulped before I felt Michael grab me and start strapping me onto the examination table.

He looked down at me and finished strapping me on the table before mumbling, "Alright...All strapped in for testing. You ready, Z-14?"

"Never," I said, looking at the ceiling before I rolled my hands into fists, and I heard Michael sigh.

"Look, I get it, Z-14. You don't like it, but I promise you that it's different this time. Unlike the five you got last time, it's just two needles." Michael said, looking at me before I looked away from him, and he sighed.

Michael walked away and opened the door before I heard a few steps into the room. I saw that there were some more scientists, with Michael leading them into the room before I looked away and tried to block out what Michael was saying, but it was difficult. After all, I am getting more needles. Michael says it's two, but I doubt it very much.

"Alright, team. Remember, we need to give Z-14 the DNA of not only Z-17 but also the animals that Ms.Marina picked out." Michael said, looking at his team before I closed my eyes and prepared myself for the needles. Another day with a painful fueled injection.

I grit my teeth when I feel the first needle through my neck and pull on the metal restraints hard, only to feel my wrist dislocating before I hear Michael say, "First needle is in. Now, we wait a few minutes to see what the effect is. Someone get Z-14's wrists back in place."

I gasped, feeling someone grab my wrists and push them back in place before I opened my eyes to only scream in pain and threw my head back. "AHHHH!!!"

"Easy, Z-14. It's just a wrist. It's not a big deal." I heard Michael say, but everything was fuzzy. It felt like I couldn't breathe. I started to breathe heavily and saw someone flashing a small flashlight in my eyes while they were talking, but I couldn't hear them. It was muffled like it was far away.

"Z-14...Z-14, can you hear me? Sir, she seems to be out of it." I heard someone say. I think it was one of the scientists.

"That's fine. That is supposed to be expected. Give her the next shot." Michael said, almost emotionless. Of course, he wouldn't care. I can't trust him...

"Yes, Sir."

I suddenly felt at least four more needles, but this time in my arms and legs, and I dug my nails into the palms of my hands before I looked to see Michael looking at me with dead, emotionless eyes.

Suddenly, I felt something around my ankles and tried to move them, but I could barely move my toes before my eyes grew heavy. Suddenly, fog filled every neuron of my brain, slowing down my motor functions, and causing my eyelids to grow heavy.

"Alright, let's stop for today. Thank you for giving Z-14 some sedatives, Lily. We don't need them fighting us. Now, you all go on your lunch break. I will personally take Z-14 to her cell." I heard Michael say before I closed my eyes.

Please...no more. I just want...to go home. Grandfather...save me. 

Chapter Text

30 minutes later

Third's P.O.V:

Michael got some of the other guards to throw Runa into her cell before they walked away. After the guards left, he closed the cell door and pushed the number pad, entering the code to start the electric bards before he walked away. He only stopped when he heard Sebastian's voice, "What did you do to her this time?"

"...Just some regular testing, Z-13. Nothing that will interest you. Now, I suggest you behave yourself." Michael said, looking at Sebastian's cell before he saw Sebastian's new form, and his eyes widened.

Sebastian was now at least 62.4 feet tall and had a body similar to a sea snake with a light blue scale and a large tailfin. Michael got closer and saw that Sebastian had anglerfish esca on his forehead, fin-like appendages replacing his ears, a fish-like mouth with sharp teeth, and a third eye on the right side of his face, which looked human while still having his short, black, wavy hair.

"Well, it seems that your testing has worked beautifully. We may have to move you to a new cell so you can move freely." Michael said, looking at Sebastian before he sighed and walked away. Maybe we can keep Z-13 and Z-14 together. Keeping them together reveals information we need from them based on what we got from the cameras.

Sebastian just growled and looked at the wall before he placed his hand on the wall and closed his eyes. He didn't want to leave Runa. He knew he had to tell her what was happening to him, but he didn't want to scare her.

He sighed and looked at his new body before he growled, about to scratch the wall, when he heard Runa groan softly. "Runa! Hey, can you hear me?!" He asked, looking at the wall before putting his fin ears on the wall. He barely heard Runa's voice.

"No... Don't... don't go. Bassy..." Runa whispered, sounding weak, before Sebastian sighed and placed his hand on the wall.

"It's okay. I promise I won't leave you behind," Sebastian whispered, looking at the wall. His fin ears twitched when he heard footsteps, and he growled.

He glared when he saw it was Chris, and he snorted at Sebastian before he said, "Damn. I guess everyone was right. You really did change into a monster, Z-13. I bet if I told Z-14, she wouldn't even talk to you then."

"Don't you dare talk to her, bastard!" Sebastian hissed out, glaring at Chris before Chris laughed and rolled his eyes.

"Calm down, Fish Boy. I'm simply going to check on her. After all, she did go through a tough time. What kind of man wouldn't check on his girl?" Chris said, walking away from Sebastian's cell before he looked at Runa in her cell and smirked. Damn, she looks sexy all out of it. I wonder if I could take a taste when she's finally ready.

"Don't you dare touch her! She's not yours!" Sebastian yelled, looking at the wall before he looked at the cell bars. He knew that if he tried grabbing them, he would be shocked. Damnit! I can't do anything from here. Unless...

"I said, calm down, Z-13. Or do you want a repeat of what happened this morning?" Chris asked, walking back to Sebastian's cell before Chris gasped, feeling Sebastian grabbing his shirt and pulling him to the bars, making Chris scream in pain. "AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Chris glared at Sebastian while being shocked by the electric bars of Sebastian's cell, only to freeze in fear when he saw Sebastian glaring at him. Oh shit…He… He's a monster!

Sebastian growled dangerously low before Chris tried to escape, only to be slammed into the bars again. Chris grabbed his radio and yelled, "I NEED BACKUP! I REPEAT, I NEED BACKUP!" 

Sebastian glared at Chris and gripped Chris’s shirt tightly before slamming Chris one more time into his cell door and letting go of Chris. Sebastian moved away from the cell door when Sebastian heard some of the guards coming down the hall. The guards walk up to Chris, and one of them asks, "What happened, Sargent? We were all in a meeting with the Captian."

"Z-13 attacked me for no reason!" Chris answered, glaring at Sebastian before Sebastian growled at him. Chris was about to grab his gun to fire at Sebastian when he felt a hand on his wrist. He turns to see Edward glaring at him. "C-Captian! Didn’t you hear me?! Z-13 attack me! I have cause!"

"Is that so, Sargent? Hmm…Z-13, what happened?" Edward asked, glaring at Chris.

"He was trying to go into Runa's cell. I think he was going to try something. All I did was slam my hand into the wall, Edward." Sebastian answered, waving his hand in the air before Chris growled and Edward sighed.

"I see...I thought as much. Sargent, you're on cleanup duty for the rest of the week. Everyone else, back to your stations. That's an order." Edward said, looking at the other guards before the guards nodded and left. 

Chris was fuming with rage and glared at Edward before he stomped off, and Edward looked at Runa's cell. I was right. Chris has set his eyes on Z-14. I will have to tell Marina about this. But to see Z-13 acting so protective of her... Now, that is something we need to keep an eye out for. 

Edward walked to Runa's cell and pushed the number pad before opening the door and walking to her. He looked her over and saw that she had vines around her legs like sports tape.

That's when he saw her ears. They were pointed like the elves in that story his mother used to read to him. He frowned and slowly picked her up before placing her in bed. Then, he suddenly heard Runa whisper, "Grandfather...can we go home yet?"

Edward froze for a second and looked at Runa before frowning and whispering, "I'm sorry. Get some rest, Z...Runa." Edward stood up and walked out of Runa's cell, closing the cell door and pushing the number pad. 

He then walked in front of Sebastian's cell door, and Sebastian looked at him before Edward sighed and said, "She's sleeping right now. When she wakes up, talk to her. She'll need it." 

"...How bad is it, Edward?" Sebastian asked, looking at him before Edward sighed and looked away.

"...Good night, Z-13," Edward said, not giving an answer before walking away, and he sighed. Edward walked to Marina's office and knocked on the door before he heard a woman say,  "Come in." 

Edward opened the door and saw Marina. She had long, dark chocolate brown hair and striking light blue eyes with dark tan skin while wearing a light blue collar shirt, black tie, small round glasses, and a white lab coat. She was writing reports at her desk and was barely paying attention around her before she looked up to see Edward and sighed. "Well? What is it, Captain? I'm quite busy." 

"I came to report to you about Sargent Chris. There's been another...incident." Edward said, looking at Marina before she sighed and put her pen down. 

"Of course there was. What did he do this time? Besides starting fights with Z-13? Not to mention flirting and harassing every woman on site!" Marina yelled, slamming her hand on the desk before she glared at Edward and sighed. Why did Mowgli hire him? He's nothing but a pain in the ass. I have to find a way to get rid of him. 

"He was...trying to do something to Z-14. Z-13 simply scares Sergeant Chris by slamming its hand into the wall." Edward said, looking at Marina before he saw Marina cross her arms and stand up. 

"Is that so, Captain? You're not lying to me to protect Chris, correct?" Marina asked, slowly walking up to Edward before he looked at her and chuckled softly. 

"Of course not, ma'am. If anything…I believe that Chris was getting Karama. But I do believe keeping Z-13 and Z-14 together will give you and the other scientists some great results." Edward said, looking at Marina before he smiled, and she smiled in return

"I thought as much. Then punish Chris however you want. I don’t want him anywhere near Z-13 and Z-14. We can’t fire him yet…I have an idea of how to get rid of him. As for keeping Z-13 and Z-14 together…I agree. Not only did Michael bring it up, but so did Lizz. I trust them both. But I prefer your thoughts on it. Tell me…Did Z-13 injure Chris?" Marina asked, walking back to her desk before she picked up her pen and fixed her glasses. 

"If I say yes...What will happen to Z-13?" Edward asks, looking at her with a cold yet amused look. Marina looked at him and smirked before returning to fill in the reports and said, "I will have to punish the idiot who put his hand in the shark tank. Dismissed."

"Yes, ma'am," Edward said, walking out of his office, returning to it, and entering it. He approached a two-way window and saw the other prisoners talking while the guards watched them from the courtyard. 

Edward sighed and took out a small cigarette and a lighter from his pocket before he started smoking. He sat down in his chair and looked out the window while smoking. Then he sighed and whispered, "I will have to keep an eye out on Chris. If he keeps messing with Z-13 and Z-14, he might die sooner than I expect. Oh well… He’s a waste of a man anyway." 

Meanwhile

Silence...that was all left in Runa's and Sebastian's cell except for Runa's breathing. Sebastian hated the silence. He hates not hearing Runa craving the wall. He hated how the silence was louder than words itself. Sebastian sighed and looked at his tail before curling up and gripping his hair tightly. How could this happen? I should've just rotten in jail. 

"Mmm...What...Where am I?" 

Upon hearing Runa's voice, Sebastian froze and turned to the wall before quickly asking, "Runa! How are you feeling?" It was quiet for a few minutes before he heard Runa slowly get out of bed and take a few steps.

"I...It hurts, " she answered in a weak whisper, placing her hand on the wall and sliding down to the floor against it. Sebastian froze in place, hearing Runa sound so tired. He closed his eyes and whispered, "...Where does it hurt, Runa?" 

"My legs...I'm trying to walk, but it hurts each time I take a step." Runa said, placing her hand on the wall before she looked up to see the wall cravings she had done, and she realized that it had been at least a month. A month...I have been in this hell for a month. How...How can anyone survive this? 

Sebastian was worried and sighed sadly before rolling his hand into a fist and gritting his teeth angrily. They are going to break her down too quickly. I can't do anything to stop it from happening. 

He was about to say something when he heard a familiar sound of the wall craving, and he was confused before he realized what Runa was doing. "ARE YOU SERIOUSLY CRAVING THE WALL?!" He asked angrily before he heard the wall craving stop for a second, but it started up again. 

"I have to...It's the only way to keep my sanity." Runa answered, slowly craving the wall with the spoon before she put the spoon down and placed her hands on the ground, trying to stay strong despite the pain in her legs. Just...two more months. I have to believe that my Grandfather already is setting up a team to save me. I can just tell whoever is coming to take Sebastian with us.

Sebastian was in shock but quiet before he looked away, sighed, and laid his head on the wall. I have to find a way to get us out of here. We can’t stay here, trapped like we’re animals. He sighed and looked at his hands before tracing his wrist, and the lure dimmed brightly. If only I could protect her from what they're doing to her. 

Sebastian looked at the wall and knew how Runa felt before he sighed and moved away from it. He was about to lie down but stopped when he heard Runa whisper, "What are they going to do to me, Sebastian? I'm scared."  

Sebastian looked at the wall and knew how Runa felt before he sighed and moved away from it. He was about to lie down but stopped when he heard Runa whisper, "What are they going to do to me, Sebastian? I'm scared." 

Sebastian was quiet. How could he answer her question without scaring her? He couldn't. He had to tell her the truth. He sighed and looked at the wall before finally whispering, "I don't know. They're probably going to run more tests on you." 

"...Is it painful?" Runa asked, placing her hand on the wall before she bit her lip to hold back a painful whimper, feeling the vines slowly growing on her legs like a python trying to kill its prey. She looked at the wall, hoping for an answer that would give her hope, even if it was false. 

"...Yes. It will be painful." Sebastian answered, sitting up while his tail was wrapped around his waist. He placed his head on his tail and frowned when he heard Runa trying to hold back her cries before he heard Runa whisper, "Damnit...I...I want to go home. Why can't they let us go?" 

"I don't know. I wish I had a better answer for you, " Sebastian said, frowning at the wall.

"I know...I don't blame you. I...Will you stay up with me, please? I...I don't want to be alone." Runa whispered, curling up against the wall while tears flowed down her face before she closed her eyes tightly.

"Yeah...Yeah, I can stay up." Sebastian whispers, looking at the wall while he hears Runa crying herself to sleep. 

"Thank you..." Runa whispered, crying silently. She felt at ease knowing that Sebastian was there, even if she couldn't see him. Before she felt tired, she curled up against the wall, trying to comfort herself with the knowledge that her only friend in this hell was protecting her. 

Sebastian waited a few minutes before he sighed and looked out his cell, whispering, "You're welcome, Runa. Don't worry. I'll protect you...the best that I can. Even if...We're monsters in the end."

Chapter Text

Two weeks later

Runa's P.O.V:

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling before I sighed. "Alright...Time to make another one," I whispered to no one but myself. I slowly sat up and went to the drawer to get the spoon. Then, I went over to the wall and started carving another line. Then, I looked at my legs, observing the vines around my ankles like sports tape. Despite the pain, I was determined to keep going.

"What did they give me to make have vines on my body?" I ask, finishing up the carving. I tentatively touch the vines, only to recoil in pain. I stare at the wall, pondering. It's been a month since I've been here. And still, no way to escape. This place is so tight, like a wire that won't untwist no matter how hard you twist it.

I sighed and put the spoon away before I heard Sebastian yawn and look at the wall. "Mmm...Morning Runa. How did you sleep this time?" I heard Sebastian ask before I sighed and sat against the wall. "Fine...I guess. No nightmares this time. But the pain does keep me up. Did I wake you?" I answered, looking at my legs before I sighed and leaned my head against the wall.

"No. I woke up to the sound of birds chirping." Sebastian said sarcastically before I groaned and rubbed my head. Here we go again...

"Yeah, okay... I'm sorry. I just...Nevermind." I mumble, looking at the ceiling before I sighed and rubbed my head. Damnit... I'm getting a headache.

"Was the pain that bad?" Sebastian asked, making me look at the wall before I sighed and glared at the wall. He already knew what kept me up. I bet he could read my mind if he had the power.

"I hate when you do that crap," I mutter, glaring at the wall before I look away and place my head on my knees. I heard Sebastian chuckle, and I rolled my eyes at him before he asked, "Yeah, yeah...But seriously, how bad is the pain?"

"...It feels like I'm walking in a field of thorns, and no matter how hard I pull them out, they just...stay on," I mumble, lifting my head before I sigh and look at my legs. I frown when I notice the vines growing tighter around my neck, and I bite my lip to hold back my whimpers from the excruciating pain. "Did you get any sleep last night?" Sebastian asks, his concern palpable in his voice.

"Barely. I kept waking up every time I felt the vines tighten up. I think I got at least an hour of sleep. I don't even know anymore." I answer, looking at the wall before I notice flowers growing onto the vines, and I quickly pick them off. What the...You know what? I don't want to know.

"Are you serious?! Why didn't you say anything?" Sebastian asked, sounding pissed off before he sighed, and I rolled my eyes.

"It's fine. I've done all-nighters before. I just need to drink something to wake me up." I said, looking at the wall before I looked away and sighed.

"News flash, Runa! They won't give you anything to wake you up. It's a reward for being good. Shockingly, we haven't been good in their eyes!" Sebastian said, sassy, before my eyes widened and looked at the wall.

"No. We have! I haven't tried to escape, and you haven't done anything that would get you in trouble...Right?" I said, slowly standing up before placing my hand on the wall while my legs were shaking from the pain in them. It's quiet...I don't understand why he's so angry. I mean...Yeah, I mouthed off a few times, but it's nothing.

Sebastian sighs, and I hear him shift. Finally, he confesses, "I got angry...I hurt Chris." The revelation hangs in the air, heavy with its implications.

"What?! Why would you do that?" I asked, looking at the wall in utter shock before I heard Sebastian sigh.

"Because he...He just pissed me off. Don't worry so much about it." Sebastian said, sounding different before I sighed and placed my head on the wall. That's odd...Is he trying to protect me?

"Hey...You know you don't have to protect me. I can handle myself. I promise." I whisper, looking at the wall before I hear Sebastian growl and move slightly.

"But you can't. You're in so much pain that you can't even move! I bet your legs are shaking right now!" Sebastian yelled, making me growl.

"...No!" I yelled in protest before I felt my legs give out on me, and I hissed in pain. I try standing up again, only to bite my lip to hold back my cries of pain. Damnit. My legs...I...I can't move them. It hurts too much.

"Your voice says otherwise! You can't be tested like this, Runa! You know I'm right!" I heard Sebastian yell, making me grit my teeth before I looked at the wall, and I felt my anger rising. I don't like that he's right. I have to keep going, even if it means fighting till I'm a monster or dead.

"I don't care! I can handle myself!" I yell back, my anger rising. I clench my fists, and Sebastian scoffs. The tension between us is palpable, and our conflicting views on the situation escalate the conflict.

"Clearly, you can't! Do you even understand what they're doing to us?!" Sebastian questioned before I gasped. I heard him slam his hand into the wall, and I saw cracks in it, making me stumble backward. It was quiet for a few moments, and all I could hear was Sebastian and me breathing heavily.

Suddenly, I heard a cough, making me turn to look over to see Edward and Chris with Lizz and Michael behind him. Oh shit...How long were they standing there?

"Great...What do you want now?" Sebastian growled, sounding like he didn't trust Edward before Edward sighed and rubbed his head.

"Mrs. Lizz and Mr. Michael are here to take Z-14 to Z-17's chambers. Z-13, Sergeant Chris, and I will take you to your new cell." Edward said, looking at Sebastian before he looked at me and sighed.

"But I see that Z-14 is having trouble standing. Is it difficult to move, Z-14?" Michael asked, looking at me through the cell door before I growled and was about to stand up to prove that I could stand, only to stumble a bit back onto the floor. Damnit. I can't even stand up...Are the vines doing this to me?

"Hmm...Michael, we may have to help her walk to the testing chambers." Lizz suggested, smiling at Michael before I scoffed at the idea and looked away. How humiliating. I don't want help to walk...I can do it. I just...

I tried standing up again, but I failed. I looked at my legs to see the vines tighten up like a viper before I heard my cell door open, and I looked up to see Lizz holding a hand out to me. I raised an eyebrow at her and groaned before reluctantly taking her hand, and she helped me stand up.

"There we go, Z-14. Now, let's take you to Z-17's chambers," Lizz said, helping me walk out of my cell before she smiled and looked at Michael. "It seems that the vines are growing faster than we wanted it to."

"Agreed. But let's see how well it goes for testing. Captain, do you have the collar for Z-14?" Michael asks, looking at Edward before Edward looks at him and nods. Collar? Why would they give me a collar? I'm not a damn pet.

I watch Edward pull out a small silver collar with black spikes. He gives it to Michael before I feel Lizz hold my head up. I hiss when Michael puts it on me because the collar is so cold. What kind of collar is on me anyway? It feels too cold to be a normal collar.

"Alright...Ah, thank you, Captain, for the remote. Let's get going, Z-14." Michael said, walking, taking a small remote from Edward before I felt Lizz help me walk behind him, and I scoffed a bit. "Don't call me that. My name is Runa." I grumbled a bit before I saw Michael look at me and sighed.

"Not anymore. You better get used to it, Z-14. Your name doesn't matter here. Especially since you are the granddaughter of our biggest rivals." Michael said, looking at me while smirking at me before I looked in shock and froze. How did he find out? I only told Sebastian. Did he break his promise?

"I...I don't know what you're talking about." I mutter before Michael stops in front of a large door, and I feel Lizz hold me still.

"Playing dumb, are we? Hmm... Let's see how long that lasts." Michael said, opening the door before I saw that we were in a large open greenhouse.

There were different plants, mainly flowers and some grass, but what caught my attention was a large tree in the center. There were orange lights to mock the sunlight, but there were large windows, and it seemed that they were covered by something. I wasn't too sure what. That's odd...Why would they have a greenhouse? It doesn't make any sense.

I look around to see gardeners taking care of vines that look human, and I gasp, feeling Lizz push me onto the grass before I glare at her and growl, "Hey! What was that for?" But Lizz and Michael didn't say anything and walked away.

I tried to stand up, but I suddenly heard footsteps behind me. When I turned to see that the humanoid vines were moving, I quickly backed away from the grass onto the walking path and yelled, "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING?!"

"Z-14, stay on the grass. We will not ask again." I heard Michael's voice before I saw Lizz and Michael on the catwalk while Lizz held a notepad and took notes.

"Are you kidding me?! No way in hell! That thing is gonna kill me!!" I yelled, feeling my fear rising up before Michael sighed and held up the remote. "And what is that going to- AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" I screamed in pain, holding the collar on my neck before I felt tears flowing down my face, and I fell over on the floor while closing my eyes.

Suddenly, the shock stopped, and I was panting heavily on the floor before I opened my eyes and saw Michael and Lizz smirking. Those bastards!

"Now, once again, get on the grass, Z-14. Or do you want another one? I'm sure it was quite...Shocking." Michael said, smirking a bit before I glared at him and growled. I slowly stood up and felt my legs shake a bit before slowly walking onto the grass.

I gasped when I saw the humanoid vines walk up to me. I froze in fear, closed my eyes tightly, and started shaking. I could feel it grabbing my arms, and I tried to stay still before I felt the vines on my legs tighten up, making me hiss in pain.

I opened my eyes to see the humanoid vine looking me over. I gulped before I saw it look me in the eye. I heard a groan coming from it, and it let me go before it walked away. I looked at the catwalk.

"Okay...I want to get off the grass now!!" I yelled before I noticed the humanoid vine returning. It had at least three more of its kind, and I froze in fear. It's coming! Why is it coming back with more?!

I tried to run away, but the vines on my legs suddenly planted themself on the grass, making me fall over into the grass before I looked behind me to see the humanoid vines staring(?) at me, and I felt my heart beating fast with fear. I don't want to die...please...Please let me live.

I saw it leaning down at me, and I closed my eyes in fear, expecting death, but I was surprised to feel it touching the vines on my legs before I flinched from the pain and whimpered a bit. I heard it groan and gasp when I felt it help me stand up before I opened my eyes and saw one of them holding a small flower. What the…

I looked at the flower and noticed it was dark blue before the humanoid vines put it in my hand, and I was confused. "Okay...What am I supposed to do with this?" I asked, looking at it before it moved my hand to my mouth.

Then I realized what these…things wanted me to do. I gulped and looked at the flower before taking a shaky breath and shaking my head. No, I shouldn't. I don't know what it does. I have to be smart about it.

"Z-14, what did Z-17 give you?" I heard Michael ask before I looked at the flower and gently touched its petals. These petals reminded me of the blue sky.

I gasped, feeling the humanoid vine removing the vines that were on my legs from the ground, and I looked at them before I quickly got off the grass and saw they were watching me like I was a rare jew...at least, I think they were. I couldn't tell since they didn't have eyes. Whatever they are, they're not coming off the grass.

"Z-14!" I turned around to see Michael and Lizz running towards me before Michael grabbed my wrist tightly and lifted me up in the air. "I asked you a damn question!" Michael yelled, gripping my wrist tighter, making me yelp in pain before I looked at him and saw that he was pissed.

"Fuck you! I don't know what they gave me!" I yelled, trying to pull but stopping when Michael pulled my wrist hard before I heard a pop, and my eyes widened. "AHHHHHH!! MY ARM!"

"Quit yelling! It's nothing!" Michael yelled, glaring at me. He pulled my wrist more but stopped for a few moments, and I saw him looking at the grass. I saw a weed grow out of the grass at a fast pace.

After a few seconds, it twisted and expanded until it grew to Michael's height. The body was a mess of green vines, thick lower legs, loose vines made up of arms with no hands, and creases were the only feature on the head. This vine monstrosity almost immediately took the same pose, as if it was trying to imitate Michael.

"What the hell..." Lizz whispered, about to walk up to the vine version of Michael, but stopped herself before she looked at Michael and sighed.

Michael tilted his head slightly to one side, and the vine person copied his movements. He then raised his hand for the copy to do the same thing. It did not take long for Michael to start acting like a monkey.

I will admit, it was funny seeing him act like that. After all of the endless torment he put me through…prodding me like an animal, using me as a guinea pig. And…what he's been doing to my body… It was about time his inner animal came out. His monkey business was done after about two minutes, give or take. He looked irritated somehow as if he didn't deserve it.

"Alright. Let's take Z-14 to her new cell. Garders! Take a picture of this quickly," Michael said, looking at Michael before Michael let me go. Lizz took me out of the room. I hissed in pain as she carried me, but as Michael turned around, the vine person slouched over.

It then let out a scream that made everyone's blood curdle. Michael was the first to turn around to see the mass of vines charging him like an animal. It jumped on top of him and began to pound Michael's face, blood splattering everywhere with three punches.

After the punches, the vines thrust their arms into Michael, and…what happened next, I could only describe it sucking his dry. Blood, sweat, everything. Until there was a wrinkled pile of dried-out fletch and bones.

I just stood there… Scare. Frozen. Lizz, on the other hand, seemed to be in awe.

30 minutes later

"Alright, here's your new cell," Lizz said, pushing me into the new big cell before I fell on my side and whimpered in pain. "Oh, you're fine, Z-14. We'll have a medic look you over. For now, get some sleep."

I heard Lizz walk away, and I slowly sat up before I held my shoulder and hissed in pain. I looked around the cell and noticed how large it was before I slowly stood up and saw a mirror.

Well... it's been a while since I saw myself. I wonder what I look like. I slowly walk up to the mirror, and my eyes widen, seeing what I look like now before I let out a shaky breath and touched the mirror. Is...Is that…me?!

I had pointed ears, and my eyes were brighter green, like a four-leaf clover, unlike the dark green that you would see in dresses while some hair was growing on my head in the colors of black and white, just like the wig I wore the day I came here. I touched the hair and gasped when I realized it was very much real.

I was breathing heavily and holding the side of my head before I closed my eyes tightly, feeling my heart beat faster. How...How did this happen? Could it be all the shots that the scientists are giving me? I...I can't face my grandfather like this! He'll hate me! I... I'll be a freak forever if I stay in this hell any longer!

"Hey...Hey, Runa, you there? Come on...Answer me." I heard Sebastian's voice getting me out of my thoughts before I turned to the wall and let out a shaky breath.

"Y-yeah. I... I'm here." I whisper, walking to the wall before I place my hand on the wall and close my eyes.

"You okay? You sound...different." Sebastian asked, sounding worried.

I must always be worrying him...I have to stay strong for him.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I'm sorry. I was…thinking," I answered, sitting down against the wall. Then, I leaned my head against the wall and closed my eyes. It was quiet for a few minutes before I heard Sebastian sigh and ask, "So what did they do to you today?"

I opened my eyes and looked at the wall before I sighed and answered, "Well...It seems that Z-17 is a brunch of vine people. It seems that they wanted to see if Z-17 would attack me. It didn't attack me. They gave me this weird flower."

"Flower? They gave you a flower… What did you do with the said flower?" Sebastian asked, sounding irritated, before I rolled my eyes and sighed.

"Nothing. It's been in my pocket. I'm not an idiot. I think they wanted me to eat it." I answered, pulling the flower out of my pocket before I traced the petals and frowned. I miss the blue sky...I took seeing the sky for granted. One day, I will see it again.

"Good...Did anything else happen during the test? You didn't get hurt, did you?" Sebastian asked, sounding worried before I sighed and put the flower in my pocket.

"My shoulder is dislocated... and Michael got killed by the vine people," I answered, looking at the wall before I stood up and saw drawers in the room. I walked over to it and looked through the drawers, hoping to find a spoon to mark the wall, only to see clothes that matched a gardener. What the hell...What is this?

I looked through the drawers and noticed a notepad with a pen before I slowly picked it up. My eyes widened when I saw what was written on it. "Welcome to your new home, Z-14. For now, you will be called the Gardener. I will personally be in charge of you. Sincerely, Sargent Christopher Smith."

No…No, no, no, no! I won't let this be my home! They can't keep me here! I threw the notebook at my door and backed up against the wall. I was holding my chest and felt my heart beating fast. I...I won't fall in line! I refuse! I...I am Runa Nessa! I am the wolf! I will show no mercy! I will… I will… I have to live!

"Runa...Runa!"

"H-huh?"

"I've been yelling at you for a while now…Did you see Chris's note as well? About this being our new home." Sebastian said, sounding defeated before I looked at the wall and slammed my hands on the wall.

"I did… I've been nicknamed the Gardener. But I won't let this be my home. I'll fight them till either I'm dead or… I've been fully turned into a monster." I said, rolling my hands into fists before I closed my eyes and fell on my knees, making my fists slide against the wall.

"... I'm called the Handyman. I don't think we'll ever escape. Face it, Runa. We're trapped down here…forever." Sebastian whisper, sounding tired before I open my eyes and look at the wall.

I let out a shaky breath and felt tears rolling down my face before I let out a whimper and whispered, "No…You can't give up. You can't give up on me, Sebastian. You're the only person I can trust. Please…Please don't give up on me." 

"...Good night, Runa," Sebastian said, sounding tired before I whimpered, closed my eyes, and curled up. Praying that someone will get us out of this hell. But all I got in return was silence.

Chapter Text

The next day

Third's P.O.V:

"I'm sorry, ma'am. Repeat what you want us to do." One of the scientists asked in Marina's office before she looked at the group of scientists and sighed.

"I want you and your group to get into Z-14's laptop. I need to know what exactly is on it. It might give us a better idea of how to deal with her when she tries to escape...again." Marina said, looking annoyed, before she stood up from her desk and walked in front of them. "Is that clear, gentlemen?"

"Y-Yes, ma'am," the scientists said, looking nervous around Marina before she nodded, and they quickly left her office.

She sighed and sat back at her desk, taking off her glasses before she pinched the bridge of her nose and muttered, "Idiots...How hard could it be to get into a laptop?" Her frustration was palpable, unbeknownst to her that she just jinxed herself.

Two months later

"Okay...We got everything set up. It's time to open this baby up." Lizz said, plugging Runa's laptop into their central computer before she looked at the other scientists, and they nodded, ready to hack into the laptop.

Lizz opened the laptop and saw a black screen before one of the scientists typed into their computer. The screen had a few words that were on standby, and Lizz gulped before she typed in a command, "Access main program, please."

The laptop made a loud beep, and the screen said, "PERMISSION DENIED."

Lizz sighed and typed in a different command, "Access main files, please."

The laptop was quiet, and Lizz had hope before it made a loud beep and said, "PERMISSION DENIED." The scientists' anticipation was almost tangible in the air.

"Oh, come on...Try this command! It has to work!" one of the scientists said, giving Lizz a piece of paper with a command that might anger Marian, but it was the only way to access Runa's laptop.

Lizz looked at the scientist and nodded before she typed in the command, "Access factory reset, please." Everyone was quiet and waited for a few minutes before the laptop made a loud beep and said, "PERMISSION DENIED. AND... YOU DIDN'T SAY THE MAGIC WORD!"

The laptop screen showed a picture of Runa, and she was smiling while showing her middle finger before the picture showed up on all the computers and said, "Ah ah ah! You didn't use my magic word! Try again, losers!"

"NOOOO! FUCKING HELL! I HATE THIS HACKER SHIT!" Lizz yelled, slamming her hands on the desk before she glared at the picture. "WE HAVE BEEN AT THIS FOR TWO MONTHS! AND ALL WE HAVE GOTTEN IS THIS STUPID PICTURE!! WHAT IS THE STUPID MAGIC SHE'S TALKING ABOUT?!"

"I don't know. We may have to ask her, but she won't answer us..." One of the scientists said, rubbing the back of his head before he noticed that Lizz had an idea.

"Maybe not us...But she has been talking to Z-13. He might be the key to getting the answer we need." Lizz said, looking at the scientist before he gulped and sighed.

"True, but he's not going to tell us. So we may have to ask her to unlock the computer itself," the scientist said, looking nervous.

Lizz sighed and said, "You're right... Let's see what we can do then. Someone bring Z-14 here! That's an order!"

"Yes, ma'am!" The scientists yelled, standing up before some ran out of the room to get Runa and the others to restart their computers again. They knew that dealing with Runa was a pain in the ass, but it was the only way to get into her laptop. The question is...would she be willing to help them?

Meanwhile

"Okay...Okay, I can do this. It's like ripping off a bandaid." Runa whispered to herself before she gripped the vines on her legs and let out a shaky breath while sitting on her bed.

She closed her eyes and slowly unwrapped the vines on her legs, stopping to let out a painful cry before she fell back into her bed. Runa looked at the ceiling and whimpered in pain, then sat up and looked at the vines that had wrapped around her legs once again but were tighter.

But what she saw caught her off guard...There was some blood on the vines, and she knew that if she tried to take the vines off again, it might actually rip off her skin. "Holy shit...I...I can't even take these vines off. What the hell?!" She growled, throwing her hands in the air before she heard a chuckle and turned to see Chris.

"Ugh...What do you want now?" she asked, annoyed to see Chris. Chris chuckled and unlocked her cell before saying, "Well, I came to get you, sweetheart. It seems that someone needs your help with a special project."

"Special project? What kind of project are we talking about here?" She asked, not trusting Chris one bit. What is he planning? I thought Edward said he shouldn't be near me without another guard.

"Don't worry your pretty little head about it. Now, come on, or...do you want another wake-up call like last week?" Chris asked, holding the remote to Runa's shock collar before Runa's eyes widened and growled. She reluctantly walked towards Chris, and he smirked.

"I knew you would see it my way, baby doll," Chris said, grabbing her shoulders tightly before leading her down the hall. She glared at him and scoffed before she looked away and felt the vines gripped onto her legs tightly, making her whimper in pain.

Chris looked at her and smirked when he heard her whimper. He thought of what she would sound like under him in the bedroom and was about to grab her ass but stopped himself when he saw Edward in front of the computer lab and sighed. He would have to wait another time to get a taste of Runa...

"Captian, I brought Z-14 as you ordered," Chris said, looking at Edward before Edward looked at Chris and sighed.

"Good job, Private. Keep this up; maybe you can get your previous rank back. Now, give me the remote to Z-14's collar," Edward said, glaring at Chris before Chris gritted his teeth and gave the remote to Edward. "Thank you, Private. Now, get back to your post."

"Yes...Captian." Chris said, walking away before he looked behind and smirked at Runa. "See you around...Z-14." He said, almost in a tone that made Runa shiver before she rolled her eyes, and Chris chuckled. Soon... I'll have her underneath me. I just have to be patient.

I swear... That pig is worse than ever... But something is bothering me. Why was he demoted? Was it because of what happened between him and Sebastian a few months ago?

Runa heard Edward sigh, and she looked at him before she saw his annoyed look. Edward said, "I swear...that man is a waste of a soldier. Now, I'm sure you're wondering why you are here, Z-14."

"Yeah...I am. What's going on?" Runa questioned, looking at Edward before he looked at her and sighed.

"It seems that our top scientists are having trouble getting into your laptop. They want you to unlock it and let them look through it." Edward answered, looking at her before she raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms.

"Are you serious right now? Why would I do that after everything you bastards have done to me?" Runa asked, feeling her temper rising before Edward simply glared at her, and she knew that she had to calm down.

"Because if you do this, you might be rewarded for your efforts. But try anything suspicious, and we'll have to use this shock collar." Edward said, glaring at Runa.

It was quiet between them, but eventually, Runa nodded. Edward sighed in relief and opened the door to the computer lab before he nudged his head, and Runa slowly walked in.

She looked around and saw the scientists looking at her curiously before she saw Lizz at her laptop. Slowly, she smirked when she saw the picture she had set up in case anyone tried to hack into her laptop. "I see you're having trouble there, Lizz," Runa said, smirking before she crossed her arms.

Lizz turned around and glanced at Runa before she grabbed Runa's arm tightly and threw her into the desk. Runa caught herself and gritted her teeth before she turned to see Lizz looking pissed and growled, "Z-14, unlock your computer right now!"

Oh, I'll unlock it, bitch. Runa slowly sat down in front of her laptop and turned it on before she saw the black screen and realized that the scientists had managed to get the command screen. Oh, this is just too perfect. Payback time, Ubershade.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Unlock it!" Lizz yelled, glaring at Runa before she noticed Runa was smirking. "Wait...What are you planning?!"

Runa didn't respond and quickly typed one simple command into her laptop: "A butterfly can start a hurricane." Suddenly, her computer turned on, showing a different picture of Runa, smirking. Before the picture, it said, "And wolf shows no mercy. Permission...Granted."

Runa leaned back in the chair and smirked while her computer quickly turned on before Lizz's eyes widened to see the picture on all of the computers, and the picture said, "Grandfather, I'm afraid that Ubershade has captured me. I have already sent the files to you on what I have gathered the day I was captured, but know that I am still alive. I love you..."

The picture suddenly glitched out, and Lizz pushed Runa out of the way before her eyes widened. She saw that Runa's laptop had wiped everything that Marina needed, and she gritted her teeth. "NO! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Lizz asked angrily. Then she glared at Runa, and Runa sat up, smirking.

"Payback's a motherfucker, isn't it bitch? I'll never give you or your boss what you want! GET USED TO DISAPPOINTMENT WHORE!!" Runa yelled, smirking before she stood up and glared at Lizz. Lizz felt her temper rising before she stomped up to Edward and took the remote from him.

"Mrs. Lizz! What are you doing?!" Edward asked, trying to stop her, but he was too late. Lizz turned the remote to the highest level and glared at Runa before Runa watched Lizz, and Lizz was seeing red.

Lizz didn't care if she got in trouble, but having such a mouthy...animal talk to her crossed the line. Lizz pushed the button on the remote, and Runa quickly grabbed the collar before she screamed in pain and fell back on the floor.

Runa kept screaming in pain and closed her eyes before she felt the tears rolling down her face. It burns. I can't...take it. Lizz kept holding the button, and everyone was shocked by her behavior.

They all saw Lizz as a sweet woman who would do anything for you if you simply asked her. But to see her actively hurting Runa was shocking. It was...almost inhuman, even for her.

Suddenly, they heard the door slam open. They turned to see Marina looking angry in the doorway. Marina quickly walked to Lizz and took the remote from her, yelling, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL Z-14, ELIZABETH?!"

"M-Ma'am! But she..." Lizz tried to say but stopped when she saw Marina glaring at her.

"I don't care! You had this at the highest setting!" Marina yelled, glaring at her. Then, she turned the remote off and looked at Runa, seeing her curl up. Marina simply looked at her and sighed before she noticed the vines on Runa's legs and how they had wrapped up her legs up to her stomach.

"Well, well...What have we here? Z-14...Can you hear me?" Marina asked, kneeling down to Runa's face before seeing Runa panting heavily, her eyes barely open, and her face wet from the tears coming down her face. She's barely breathing. That's a good sign. But these vines shouldn't have grown so fast unless...

Marina looked back at Lizz and growled before slowly standing up. Lizz gulped. "Who was the person who experimented on Z-14 in the first place?" Marina asked, pushing up her glasses before she approached Lizz. Lizz backed up into the desk.

"Um...I...It w-was..." Lizz started to stutter before she gasped, feeling Marina grab Lizz's throat and put light pressure on it. Lizz gasped and grabbed Marina's wrist before she looked up to see Marina glaring at her.

Marina tightened her grip on Lizz's neck and asked again, "Speak up, Elizabeth! Do not make me ask again."

"It...It w-was Michael, ma'am! I...I was responsible for experimenting on Z-13! Please, have mercy." Lizz choked out, tearing up as she was fearing for her life, before Marina looked at her and sighed, letting go of Lizz's neck.

"I see...Someone get Z-14 to her cell. Now!" Marina said, whipping her hand on her shirt before she walked away and gave the remote to Edward.

"Next time, don't let your guard down. That's an order." Marina said, walking out of the computer lab before Edward looked at Runa and saw her curled up in pain. 

Edward was quiet, gripping the remote tightly before he put it in his pocket and walked over to Runa. 

Runa's vision was blurry, and she flinched violently when she felt someone trying to touch her before she heard a voice, but it sounded far away, and she mumbled, "No… No, don't…"

Edward was quiet and sighed before he picked her up bridal style and held her close as a father would. "It's okay, Z-14. I won't let anything happen. Not for the day." Edward whispered, walking out of the lab before the other guards saw him and quickly saluted him.

Edward was quiet and looked at one of the guards before he nudged his head, and the guard quickly followed him. "Sir, what are we doing with Z-14?" The guard asked, looking at Edward before Edward looked at the guard and sighed.

"We are taking her back to the cell. She won't be doing any more testing for today." Edward answered, walking until reaching Runa's cell. The guard opened it, and Edward placed Runa on her bed. 

Edward looked at Runa and sighed before he walked out of her cell and looked at the guard. "Don't let Private Christopher come to this cell. Is that clear, Sargent?" Edward asked, looking at the guard. The guard quickly saluted and nodded.

Edward sighed and waved his hand to dismiss the guard before the guard ran off. Then, Edward walked over to Sebastian's cell. Sebastian had his hand on the wall that divided Runa from himself before he looked at Edward and growled.

"What happened to Runa, Edward?" Sebastian asked, slowly slithering towards the cell door, his anger rising.

"...Why do you want to know, Z-13? I thought you didn't care about Z-14." Edward asked, looking at Sebastian before he looked out of the corner of his eyes to see the camera pointing at Sebastian's cell, and he sighed.

"That shouldn't matter! She's injured, and you're responsible! You have to be!" Sebastian growled, slamming his hand on the cell's door before he hissed in pain when he felt the electric cell door shock him and shake his hand a bit. 

Damnit. I can't believe that I forgot about it. Sebastian thought to himself before he glared at Edward, and Edward glared back. It was almost like they were reading each other's

"...It was one of the scientists in charge of you. R...Z-14 talked back when she was told to do something. She'll be fine. For now, I suggest you don't worry too much. I'll leave you be." Edward said, walking away before he stopped and turned around. I'm going to regret this, aren't I?

He stops in front of Sebastian's cell and pulls out two cigarettes and a lighter. Edward then holds out one of the cigarettes to Sebastian, who looks at Edward in surprise and slowly takes it from him.

Then, Sebastian leans forward, and Edward lights one cigarette for him. Sebastian moves away and starts smoking before Edward lights the other cigarette and starts smoking it. It was quiet between them, and Edward sighed before he looked at the camera, and he knew that Marina was watching them. 

He would question her for not having said anything to him yet. Edward sighed and kept smoking before he looked at Sebastian and raised an eyebrow. "What is it, Z-13? You have the look in your eyes. You want to ask me something?" Edward said while smoking. 

Sebastian looked at him, crossed two of his arms, and used his third arm to keep smoking before finally asking, "Why are you working in a place like this? You don't seem like your line of work."

Edward was quiet. The question caught him off guard. He didn't have an answer. He would if he was younger. Edward finished his cigarette and stomped on the bud before he let out a large puff of smoke and said, "Get some sleep, Z-13. I won't tell you again."

Edward walked away, and Sebastian was quiet before he looked at the wall and finished the cigarette. He put the bud in the sink, slithered towards the wall, placed his hand on it, and whispered, "Please...please be okay, Runa. I...I'm sorry for getting angry. Just...don't leave… I… I don't wanna be alone."

All he got in response was silence. Sebastian sighed and curled up against the wall before he closed his eyes and hoped that Runa would be awake in the morning. That's all he could do.

Chapter Text

Two weeks later

Runa's P.O.V:

I was lying in bed, looking at the vines that kept me trapped in my cell, weaving into a web that encircled me into a makeshift cocoon. When I try to pull them, I can only hiss in pain before groaning and flopping backward with a huff, gently hitting the mattress. I hate this...I can't even move. The feeling of helplessness was overwhelming .

I suddenly heard my cell door open, causing me to groan as two scientists entered with a clipboard and some food. Great... Here we go again. Fan-fucking-tastic. One of the scientists was holding the tray of food, and I tried to sit up, only to hiss in pain before I lay back down and groaned, placing my hands on my face.

"Alright, Z-14. We'll just be asking some questions," one of the scientists explained, putting the tray down. I noticed it was soup and grumbled a bit. "No tests, no experiments, just a conversation."

"Alright...Now, what is your pain level, Z-14?" One of the scientists asked, looking at me before I looked at the ceiling and sighed.

"Oh, I'm peachy. It's not like I'm trapped in my bed by the vines you gave me!" I spat, my voice dripping with sarcasm, and my vocal cords starting to go rough. I glared at the scientists, my eyes burning with anger, before I flipped them off and continued to glare at them. The scientists sighed, probably annoyed by me. Well, I don't really care. I won't give them an easy time with these stupid questions they're gonna ask me...again.

"Z-14, that is not helpful." The scientist grumbled, rubbing his head.

"I'm not trying to be," I answered, sassing them before I felt the other scientist help me sit up and start feeding me the soup. My eyes widened at the taste and moved away before I stuck my tongue out in disgust.

"Ugh! Mushroom soup! I hate that!" I growled in anger before I felt one of the scientists grab my hair, which had been growing out these past few months. I attempted to pull away, but their grip grew tighter.

I bit my bottom lip to hold back my whimpers. I saw the scientists look at each other before I heard one of them mutter, "It seems that the DNA we inject Z-14 with has not only affected the production of the vines but also made her grow hair. It's amazing." Their fascination with the results of their experiments was sickening.

"I agree. Mrs. Marina will need to know this." The other whispers before letting go of my hair, and I pant softly, glaring at them.

"Do you want any more soup, Z-14?" The scientists asked, making me growl before I gritted my teeth.

"Fuck. You." I spat out, glaring at them before they sighed.

"We'll see you in the morning, " they replied simultaneously before walking out of my cell. I growled and looked at the soup bowl before grabbing the tray and throwing it at the wall.

"You really love to talk back to them, don't you?" I heard Sebastian say before I groan and lay back down, looking at the ceiling.

"Shut up, Seb. I'm not in the mood." I groan, looking at the ceiling before I look at the vines tightened around my stomach and down to my feet.

"...I know you're angry, but if you keep talking back to them, it won't help you out," Sebastian warned, making me look at the wall before I sighed and looked back at the ceiling.

"I know...I just don't know what else to do. I'm stuck to a fricking bed over here." I mutter, looking at the ceiling before I feel the vines growing slightly.

I let out a shaky breath, feeling the vine reach my fingertips. I closed my eyes, knowing it wouldn't be long before the vines reached my hands, making it even more difficult to move them.

"I get it...Just...don't tempt fate." Sebastian warned, making me open my eyes and look at the wall.

"Okay...I won't, as long as you don't," I whisper, looking at the wall before I hear Sebastian sigh.

"Okay...I promise." I heard Sebastian whisper in return before I slowly smiled sadly and closed my eyes.

Please...God. Save us.

Meanwhile, in the city

Third P.O.V:

In the offices of Innovation Incorporation, the founder, owner, and CEO, Owen Nessa, sat hunched at his desk. His hair was white from old age, wrinkles were prevalent along his eyes and cheeks, and his red eyes were bloodshot. Still, he wore a dark suit with a white shirt and a blueish-grey tie. It had been some time since he had last taken a nap.

The office that Owen was hiding in was large—bigger than a living room. It was dark, and the blinds were closed, blocking the sun, but it wouldn't matter, for it was raining. In the middle of the room, there was a desk. On the desk was a computer monitor with the company's insignia as the backdrop.

To Owen's right, a lamp sat, but it was the only light source. Pens and unsigned papers were spread across the top, and in his hands was a framed photograph. It showed him with darker hair, fewer wrinkles on his face, and a young girl with no hair and a bright smile.

Runa , where are you, sweetie? He asks himself.

Just then, a knocking was heard at the door. Owen moved only his eyes at first but slowly sat up straight.

"Come in," he ordered.

The door opened to reveal a man who was somewhere in his thirties. His hair was somewhat messy, bags hung under his tired eyes, and stubble was present on his face. His uniform was clean, but his suit top was undone.

"Sir," he hesitated in a tired tone.

"What is it, Terry," Owen asked.

"We intercepted an open broadcast transmission," the tired man hesitated. "It's from Urbanshade."

Owen lost control when he heard the name of that company. "Well, don't just stand there. Out with it already," he demanded. Terry pulled a device from his pocket, revealing it as a puck-shaped object. He placed it on the desk and pressed a circle space in the center. The room lit up with a white light.

Owen pressed a button under his desk to block out the light from the outside. With no other light source, the light revealed a holographic image of Runa. "What..." Owen asked in disbelief. "What is this, Terry!?"

"Just watch, sir," answered the tired employee.

"Hi, Grandpa," Runa whispered. "If you're receiving this, then I've been taken captive. It's Urbanshade. They have me in a maximum security prison named Blacksite. It's located in the Let-Van Zone in the Norwegian Sea. You'll have to travel nearly 72,400 studs below the sea to reach it. They've been doing... H-Horrible things. Experiments with crap we weren't meant to tamper with, human experimentation, myself included... Please... Send help... I love you."

Owen's face was lined with tears as Runa's face faded away like he had lost her a second time. Gripping his fists, Owen's face was filled with rage. "Send a team," he ordered. "I don't care what it takes, FIND MY GRANDAUGHTER!"

"Sir..." Terry groggily trailed off. "...We've already sent several units to retrieve her."

"And," Owen demanded.

"They were all failed operations," Terry explained, rubbing his fingers through his hair. "This is becoming a costly venture, sir. We are on the verge of falling into a financial pit."

Owen, surprisingly fast for an older man, grabbed Terry by his shirt and nearly lifted him off the floor. "Then you don't know the first rule this company was founded on," Owen snapped.

Terry grunted and forced Owen off. To say he was furious would not even scratch the surface.

"You know what," Terry growled. "Risk your own skin for one person! I've had enough! Fire me if you want. I frankly don't care anymore! I've been running rampant to keep this business afloat when you retreated into this god-forsaken room! Let's see how well you do without me!"

Owen began to chuckle as Terry approached the door, just enough for him to stop. Terry looked around, seeing Owen's expression change. He was sad. "I knew there was a reason I made you my Right Hand, Terry," Owen chuckled sadly. "If you still want to leave, then I won't stop you. Best of luck in whatever venture you take."

Terry thought about Owen's words for a minute. He was reflecting on the time he had spent at the corporation. He had his off days, but Runa and Owen were there in some regard.

Most of the time, he had to step in to coordinate other aspects of the business, especially when Owen was out of town. With a sigh, Terry turned back to Owen with a calmer, more reasonable expression. "So...what did you have in mind, Sir," Terry asked.

Owen smirked and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I want my family back," Owen responded. "Runa's all I have left. And you have a point. We have wasted too much manpower on this objective. However, if there's one thing I learned in all my years, there's often more than one way to solve a problem."

Terry held his chin and pondered. He was stuck on the more than one angle aspect. "Perhaps...an outside source," Terry suggested after a few minutes. "Mercenaries under contract."

Owen smirked but showed his teeth as if he knew Terry would say that. "Well played," Owen acknowledged. "Hire a mercenary. It doesn't matter who or what they ask for; just find someone who can do the job."

"It may take some more time," Terry explained. "Not everyone is tickled by going to the Let-Van Zone. Especially since Urbanshade has a chokehold on that area."

"I know, I know," Owen agonized as he held his weight on his desk. "Could you give me my cane, please?" Terry grabbed the cane off the floor and gave it to the company's owner. "Do yourself a favor, my boy, never get old," Owen remarked.

"Um...no promises, sir," Terry smirked nervously.

"Now, the message said something about human experiments, yes," Owen asked as he and Terry left the office.

"Correct," Terry explained. "The message also had an encrypted file on it as well. The IT team is already trying to crack it."

"Good," whispered Owen. "As soon as that thing is cracked, hire someone to get Runa out of that god-forsaken pit. Should any developments arise..."

"You will be the first to know," Terry finished.

"Good. Very good." Owen stated, walking around the company with Terry right behind him before they reached the front of the building. Terry saw the limo, which was already ready for Owen, before he opened the door for Owen.

Owen looked at Terry, whispering dangerously low, "If Ubershade does anything to my granddaughter...I want to burn it to the ground. Do you understand, Terry?"

Terry looked at him and nodded before he gulped, and Owen sighed in relief. I knew that I could trust Terry. He always knew what to do. Owen slowly walked into the limo and sat in the back before Terry closed the door, and the limo drove off. Owen looked out the window and sighed. Stay strong, Runa. I'll save you. I promise.

Two weeks later

"So, Mrs. Luna, why do you want to take this job?" Terry asked, looking at the young woman's file of records before he looked up at her. This was the 120th interview Terry had done of mercenaries over the past two weeks. At this point, Terry was desperate to get anyone to rescue Runa, even if it meant hiring an idiot of a mercenary.

"I don't have anything better to do. Where did you say this place was again?" Luna asked, crossing her arms before looking down at Terry, who gulped.

"W-well, it's in the Let-Vand Zone and-"

"Oh, hell no. Forget it!" Luna yelled, standing up, interrupting Terry before she walked out of the office and slammed the door behind her. Terry sighed and rubbed his head. Damnit...I figured at least one of these mercenaries would take the 100K. I guess not. Terry thought to himself.

Terry heard a knock on the door before he sighed and commanded, "Come in."

The door swung open to reveal a tall, dark-skinned man with scars on his face, an eye patch covering one eye, and an emerald-green eye. He wore a choker and had slightly messy hair. He wore a leather jacket over a white T-shirt, ripped jeans, and boots. Terry noticed the small black earrings as the man sat at the desk, propping his feet up on it.

Terry was annoyed by this but hadn't said anything about it yet. Terry sighed, and the man looked at him before Terry finally looked at him and held his hand out. The man raised an eyebrow, and Terry sighed before he demanded, "Your file, please."

"Oh, right." The man removed his feet from the desk, reached into his jacket, and pulled a file from its inner pocket. He then gave it to Terry, who looked it over.

"Okay...Mr. Hunter. Why do you want to take this job? You must have seen the other mercenaries rush out of here." Terry asked, looking at Hunter before he looked over the file.

"Yeah, well... I want to accomplish what most wouldn't." Hunter answered, getting out a piece of gum before he unwrapped it and popped it in his mouth. He starts chewing it, and Terry looks at Hunter before he sighs. He sees in Hunter's file that he tends to take risky missions, even if it means his death.

That's odd. Most people wouldn't take such a mission, but he would. He might be the one. Terry looks at Hunter and puts the file down before tapping his finger on it. He asked, "Do you want to know where the mission occurs?"

"I guess. But it doesn't really matter to me." Hunter replied, shrugging his shoulders before he blew a bubble from his gum and popped it with his teeth. Terry was surprised at this but quickly hid it.

"Well, it's in the Let-Vand Zone and-" Terry started to explain, but Hunter quickly stood up and slammed his hands on the desk. Terry jumped and looked at Hunter in shock.

"Wait, Ubershade territory?! Shit! This might be more fun than I thought." Hunter exclaimed, smiling, looking excited before Terry blinked in shock and sighed.

"I'm sorry...you're...excited to do this mission?" Terry asked, in shock, before he noticed how Hunter smiled bigger than the Cheshire cat.

"Why wouldn't I? It's just what I need to help set me apart. The first to take a crack at Ubershade and live. I'd be a fucking legend! Sign me up!" Hunter exclaimed, smiling before he saw Terry looking a bit uncomfortable, and he quickly sat back down, coughing awkwardly. "Sorry. I get excited about these sorts of things."

"It's fine. However, you do know that the job we're hiring you to do is very risky and dangerous," Terry explained in a concerned and serious tone.

"Okay, and?" Hunter countered, raising an eyebrow before clearing his throat.

Terry groaned a bit with annoyance and pinched the bridge of his nose as he shook his head in disappointment. "There are many dangers... especially with our rival company, Urbanshade. If you're sure about taking this job, then I do have to inform you about some things."

"Are there any conditions to this job or any requirements?" Hunter asked with a calmer tone.

"Yes, there are a few. First, bring Runa back in one piece. Second, collect any intel that you find left behind. Third, always rely on your instinct," Terry replied to Hunter.

"Okay...Anything else?" Hunter asked while chewing on his gum and popping a bubble.

"No. I believe you need to meet Mr. Nessa," Terry responded, standing before he fixed his tie. Hunter stood up, confused.

"I'm sorry. Aren't you the boss?" Hunter questioned, crossing his arms before Terry shook his head, and Hunter blinked. Terry walked out of the office, and Hunter quickly followed behind. They were walking in silence, and Hunter kept chewing his gum.

Terry gritted his teeth at how loudly Hunter was chewing his gum and turned around, making Hunter stop. Hunter blew a bubble and raised an eyebrow. "What?" Hunter asked, popping the bubble with his teeth as Terry glared at him.

"Spit. It. Out." Terry snarled out, glaring at Hunter and holding his hand out like a teacher would do to a student before Hunter rolled his eyes and took out the gum, placing the chewed-up gum in Terry's hand.

Terry looked disgusted and grabbed a tissue from his pocket. He then wrapped the gum in it and threw it in the trash can near the double doors.

"Now, I suggest you behave yourself in front of Mr. Nessa. He will not tolerate any childish behavior," Terry said, taking out a handkerchief, wiping his hands with it, and putting it back in his pocket.

Hunter looked at Terry and raised an eyebrow at his attitude toward him. He couldn't help but wonder if Terry had always been like this. Hunter sighed and was about to take another piece of gum out of his pocket when he heard an older man's voice from the door, ordering, "Come in, Terry."

Terry opened the door and saw Owen sitting at his desk, looking at the same photograph of Runa and himself. Before Owen could hear Terry cough to get his attention, he sighed and put the photo on the desk.

"What is it, Terry? Did you find a mercenary already?" Owen asked, fixing his tie before he looked up to see Terry standing in front of his desk, hoping that Terry had found the one to save the last of his family.

"Yes, sir. His name is Hunter. Here's his file." Terry answered, putting the file on Owen's desk before he noticed Owen barely looked at the file, and Terry gulped. He was nervous. He knew that Mr. Nessa would always judge people based on person alone. Terry always brought the file in case Mr. Nessa wanted to read it, but Runa always read it in the end.  

"Where is he? Bring him to me." Owen demanded, slowly standing up before Terry quickly gave Owen his cane, and Owen took it from Terry.

"I don't need to be brought to anyone. I'm right here… sir." Hunter responded, walking into the office, getting out a piece of gum before putting it in his mouth and chewing it, looking at Owen.

Owen looks at Hunter and slowly walks toward him before Hunter notices how the old man is walking. Owen walks slowly, but with each step, Hunter sees that Owen is walking with a purpose. It was as if there was a mission, no matter where he was going. 

Hunter had heard the rumors of Owen Nessa—how ruthless he can be. He had heard of a rule when he first became a mercenary when it came to dealing with the Nessa family from other mercenaries. 

Never ever try to kill, harm, or even poison them. It was a silent rule. He thought it was a rumor, but he first saw what happened to the mercenaries hired to kill off Owen Nessa. Hunter still remembers how everyone screamed in terror when they first saw the bodies in the middle of the street near the black market. 

"So, you're the mercenary that will save my granddaughter. Hmm...You're different than what I had in mind. But you're willing to do it?" Owen asked, walking around Hunter like a predator. 

"Yup. Your boy here already told me some of the conditions for this mission. But I have no idea why he wants me to meet you, sir." Hunter answered, blowing a bubble before he popped it with his teeth. 

"Hmm...I see. For now, I will debrief you on Ubershade and what we know now." Owen said, stopping in front of Hunter before he quickly used the cane to make Hunter kneel. 

Hunter hissed in pain before he looked at Owen and saw how cold Owen's eyes were. Hunter gasped when Owen grabbed Hunter's face hard and squeezed, making Hunter spit out his gum. 

There were a few minutes of silence before Owen let go of Hunter's face, and Hunter let out a shaky breath when he heard Owen say, "They will never be merciful like me. Keep that in mind, boy." 

Hunter looked at Owen and saw Owen meant it. Hunter knew better than to take mercy for granted. Hunter slowly stood up and nodded before he asked, "...When can I get started on saving your granddaughter, Mr. Nessa?" 

Owen smiled and walked to his desk before he sat down, and Terry immediately took the cane. "Immediately. We will have a team for you as backup. Terry, get Mr. Hunter the files on what we have on Ubershade so far," Owen ordered, smiling at Hunter before Terry nodded. Owen nodded, and Terry walked away with Hunter behind him. 

The second, Terry and Hunter were out of the office. Owen sighed, looked at the photo, and picked it up. He rubbed the cheek and whispered, "Just stay alive, my little Butterfly. Grandfather will save you. I promise." 

Chapter Text

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