"I'm not a fucking animal. I'm not getting in that chair!" Benjamin heard Ninety-one yell. He got up and stepped over to the viewing window and watched as Ninety-one paced his room and waved his arms in frustration.

He understood how he felt, everything was so fucked up in this place—Benjamin had barely slept since his last meal, and he had a feeling that Ninety-one hadn't either. Every time he shut his eyes, he was plagued by images of decaying corpses and zombies. They were covered in blood and filth and missing limbs or dragging intestines. In his dreams, he was always running up the stairs in the dark, screaming for help, but they always caught him, and they always ate him. He'd wake up in a sweat and would have to walk in circles to shake the images.

Benjamin had wondered if he'd gotten sick from the uncooked meat, but he hadn't talked to the doctor about it. Aside from the dreams, he wasn't ill, and when he was honest with himself, he realized he was worried that if he'd mentioned it, the next time they fed him, it would be cooked—or they wouldn't bring it at all. To his shame, even though seeing the blood had startled him, it had tasted so utterly delicious, like a rich broth that salted and stirred the back of his mouth.

Benjamin could not believe his own thoughts—or why he and Ninety-one had been so complacent until now. They'd been held here, treated like war criminals, and still didn't have any answers or hope of leaving. He knew he wasn't the only one wondering where his family was, and whether these people were telling the truth.

"Asset Ninety-one, sit in the chair, strap in both your legs and one arm, or we will use force," Lieutenant Stevenson warned.

"God damn it, ask me like a person! I'm not a fucking lab rat. What the hell is wrong with this place? Why haven't I heard from my family? Why am I locked up in here?" Ninety-one roared back.

Benjamin blanched as he listened to Ninety-one echo his thoughts.

Stevenson stayed firm. "Asset Ninety-one, sit in the chair, strap in both of your legs and one arm, or we will use force. Last warning."

Benjamin didn't want Ninety-one to get hurt, but he had to admit to a mild excitement and curiosity. He often wondered what would happen if they didn't cooperate.

Ninety-one came up to his window, his eyes hard and challenging, "Make me."

Benjamin stepped closer to the glass. Any minute now he was sure to see Lieutenant Stevenson go in, guns blazing—but instead, he watched as Stevenson fell back, walked over to a small panel on the wall and keyed in a number code.

A heavy sprinkler system turned on and Ninety-one shook his head. "You've got to be kidding me." Benjamin couldn't figure out what Stevenson's angle was. From what he could see, the room was just filling up with an excessive amount of water. Once it reached about a foot, the system shut off.

Stevenson produced a key that hung from a chain around his neck. The keypad lifted—it was like a god damn spy movie in here. The lieutenant inserted the key, turned it, and Ninety-one screamed.

He jumped and flailed, hitting the wall and then splashed into the water.

Benjamin stared in horror—had they just shocked him?

He stepped back from his window and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Asset Ninety-one, sit in your chair, strap in both your legs and one arm, or we will use force."

Benjamin could hear splashing and the heavy breaths of Ninety-one. He looked over at the spectators and realized that while some of them were fazed by the display, many were not.

Hearing Ninety-one struggle, Benjamin felt his anger rising. It was a low bubbling, like the subtle change just before the pot boiled over, causing him to clench his fist.

Ninety-one was standing now, soaked and breathing heavily. He spit. "Fuck you."

Lieutenant Stevenson turned the key again and Ninety-one arched, jolted forward, and then fell back, screaming.

Benjamin unexpectedly slammed both his fists against the glass, causing it to rumble. He roared and hissed, baring his teeth. Two soldiers turned and raised their guns, but he didn't back down. He growled and snapped at them, delighting in seeing them jump in surprise. They kept their guns aimed at him, but he knew they were afraid of him, and it pleased him.

"Asset Ninety-two, step away from your window or we will use force—consider your next move. You have been very cooperative thus far and I see no reason for you to break character now. Rebuild trust and step away from the glass. This is your only warning," Lieutenant Stevenson instructed him in his loud, monotone voice.

Hearing him, Benjamin chose to step back, even though a part of him wanted to beat the man to death with his own arm. There was no point in both of them getting shocked though.

"Asset Ninety-one—"

"I heard you, dick, and I told you—make me." Ninety-one spoke to Stevenson but looked at Benjamin.

Benjamin found himself tensing and felt his cock twitch. He wasn't sure why he was so aroused, but he was overcome with the urge to fight or fuck, and he was not embarrassed by it.

Lieutenant Stevenson went to turn the key but in an instant Ninety-one leapt out of the water and clung to the side of the closest wall. Everyone responded in surprise except Lieutenant Stevenson.

Benjamin jumped over to his own wall but pushed off of it and was back at the glass, unable to hold himself up as Ninety-One was doing. How was he doing it? There was nothing to hold on to.

Ninety-one lifted a hand and marvelled at it, and then slowly, he stood up. He was standing straight on the side of the wall! Benjamin clawed the window in excitement.

Several of the doctors chatted amongst themselves, but the soldiers maintained their positions.

Ninety-one's hospital gown hung heavy from his body, dripping into the water below. He was so busy marvelling at his new ability that he didn't see Lieutenant Stevenson back at the keypad.

Benjamin yelled, "Ninety-one! Look out!"

Ninety-one's head shot up but there was nothing they could do. Benjamin watched helplessly as the lights in Ninety-one's cell intensified. Ninety-one threw his hands up and covered his eyes, there was a blinding blast, and Benjamin hit the ground, hearing a loud splash.

Benjamin crouched on the ground, his heart racing as he rubbed his eyes. Everything was white for a time, and he whined as his eyes strained, but eventually the light dimmed and he saw nothing but soft, sweet darkness.

"He's developing faster than previously recorded," a male physician whispered to another. As he listened, Benjamin pictured brown eyes behind glasses.

A female responded, "Take note of it in your report and collect blood. That UV blast and intense shock will incapacitate him till we can tranq him. Honestly, I prefer it this way. At least we don't have to worry about him eating all of us."

"Nurse Wong," Lieutenant Stevenson reprimanded.

"Yes, sir," she replied.

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Published by Raven's Hollow Art and Publishing

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