“Boss… Focus…”

Henry’s soothing voice breaks me out of my panic and grounds me back to reality with a small spiral pendulum that sways back and forth from his hand. My breathing and heart rate slow back to a normal pace, matching the pendulum’s rhythm.

“There we go… Easy now… Calm… ”

I shakily pull my claws out from the cabinet, assessing the damage I created in the midst of my wrath and pocketing the DNA results into my lab coat. Various papers and trays lay scattered along the floor in a heap; as do shattered syringes and vials which litter the floor, blood samples and Joy Serum leaking from the cracks of them. Deep scratch marks are left through the metallic cabinets, ruining their perfect, smooth surface; one of the cabinet doors is even tilted off its hinges.

“How about we go back to your office, yeah? A break would do you good.” He coaxes, though all I give in return is an incoherent grumble in response before following him out of Kelman’s labs.

The fur along my back and arms remain stuck up with tension as Henry holds my office door open for me with a benevolent expression. I slump into my chair, burying my face in my claws; and for the first time in almost twenty years, I cry. The tears stinging at my eyes finally fall, trickling down my face in hot streams.

“Nonono…” I mutter under my breath with distress.

“Boss…” His voice is hushed. “What’s the matter–?”

“No.”

“Talk to me…” Henry pulls my hands away from my face, his eyes widening when he feels the now damp fur of my cheeks. “…Boss–?”

“ENOUGH–!” I snap, letting out a small sob as I push his hands away. “DROP IT, HENRY.”

He nods with acknowledgement, taking a hesitant step back from me and holding his hands up in a defensive manner.

“I… Apologise for overstepping. I only want to help.” Henry says, pocketing the pendulum while glancing at my hands. “Are you hurt? Your claws look a bit damaged from the–”

“I’m fine , dammit-!” I hiss. “…Now, if you’ll excuse me,” A warning growl escapes me as I stand up, my tail flicking against the floor with a clicking sound. “…I must return to my patient.”

In an attempt to regain my composure, I wipe the tears from my eyes with the back of my claw and usher Henry out the doors before he can further protest.

He can’t know.

No one can know.

I glance back at my desk and approach it, opening one of its drawers. After some rummaging, I find an old polaroid of her- My Olivia.

The photo displays her standing in her favourite rose garden, that beautiful smile of hers lighting up her face and the world around her. She’s wearing her favourite blouse; the fitted black one with the subtle gold flower print, which she accompanies with a black neckerchief and her big pair of gold hoops. Her long, auburn hair falls onto her shoulders like silk draped over a surface as she laughs.

She was so happy .

Looking closer at the image, more pieces fall into place- How did I not notice it earlier? Skyler looks just like her… The face shape, the freckles, their heterochromia… It all lines up perfectly; like a replica of the one I once loved– The one I hoped to marry one day.

Before tears sting at my eyes again, I pocket the polaroid and take a shallow breath, composing myself to a more professional demeanour before stepping out of my office and heading to the elevators.

.

.

.

My hand freezes in place when I approach the door, that ache returning stronger than ever. Swallowing that feeling, I put my keycard into the reader and enter the patient’s room with caution. As soon as I step through the doorway, Skyler is quick to shoot a glare in my direction.

“The fuck do you want from me now?” They question, irritation evident in their voice.

“…I have some questions for you.”

“Piss off, I’m sick of your bullshit!”

“-And that is entirely understandable; however, I need you to answer me. Honestly . Can you do that, just this once? ” I plead, my tone hinting desperation.

“…Fine. I’ll humour you.”

With hesitation, I pull the polaroid from my pocket and take another glance at it, looking between Olivia’s face and Skyler’s before taking a breath.

“Your mother… What was her name?”

“Keep her out of this, prick .” They snap, clenching their fists.

“Please… It’s important.”

A painful silence fills the room for a moment.

“…Olivia Jones. My mum’s name was Olivia Jones.”

My tail flicks against the floor with anguish as I feel my chest tighten. I hold the polaroid out to Skyler.

“Is… Is this her?”

Skyler freezes in place, their eyes widening before they quickly snatch the photo from me, holding it up to their face.

“Where the hell did you get this?!”

“…Did you know your father?”

“No, asshole–! And I couldn’t give less of a fuck about that absent prick! He was never there for my mum’s pregnancy or my life- he can fall dead for all I care!”

An intense feeling of guilt creeps up on me.

“I’m… Sorry to hear that. I can imagine that would be frustrating. Was that something Olivia told you?”

“All she told me was that he was ‘getting better’ or some shit. I was so young, so I believed it then- but it’s clear she was lying for my sake.” They scratch at their neck before holding the photo to their chest, as if they were hugging their mother.

“…I see.” I mutter, swallowing hard. “Does the name Miles Cedars ring a bell?”

“Miles Cedars…?” Skyler thinks for a moment, seemingly digging through their memories before tensing up. “…I could be recalling incorrectly, but I believe a Miles was mentioned in her suicide note.”

My eyes widen, tears threatening to escape me once again as I get choked up. I keep myself as composed as I possibly can, though I can feel the fur on the back of my neck begin to stand up.

“Your turn. Why are you telling me this– And where the hell did you get this photo of my mum, you creep?! ”

My tail swishes against the floor with anxiety as I reach into my other pocket, unfolding the DNA results. With a shaky hand, I give Skyler the piece of paper that will devastate them.

“What is this…?”

“…It’s a DNA test.”

“You asshole-! I knew I couldn’t trust you-!” They pause, their eyes skimming through the data on the page. “…I already told you that I don’t give a damn about my father! Who is this guy and why are you all up in my personal business?!”

“Skyler…” My heart pounds as I attempt to keep what little composure remains, my voice shaky . “My real name… Is Miles Cedars .”

The paper in their hands crinkles as it is gripped with an intense anger. Without hesitation, they shoot up from the hospital bed and punch me in the jaw with a surprising amount of strength- the impact causing the welled up tears to fall from my eyes. I stumble backwards, slightly taken aback by their outburst.

“YOU ASSHOLE!”

“Skyler, please, just listen–”

“FUCK OFF! I HATE YOU!”

“I wouldn’t have left if I had known–!”

“YOU DEADBEAT ASSHOLE ! WHY DID YOU LEAVE?!”

“Because I thought I would come back, okay?! ” I snap, a small growl of frustration escaping me as my tears soak the fur on my face. Skyler pauses, crumpling the paper in their balled fist while glaring up at me.

“What do you mean by that?” They huff.

“…The Ministry.”

They pause for a moment, their chest rising and falling in short, angry breaths. I rub my jaw with my hand, wincing at the stinging sensation that lingers from the punch.

“Your mother was telling the truth, Skyler… I left about twenty years ago to get treatment with the Ministry.”

“But why did you stay with those lunatics?!”

“They took me in when I was at a low point in my life… and they gave me a purpose. The Ministry made me believe that they were the only ones who could fix this world- the only ones with the answers and solutions . It was all a lie, of course; but back then, I believed every word they said. My vulnerability is what overtook any logic that remained- it’s how they were able to trick me so easily . It took me so long to realise that they were using me as their pawn; but I was too far deep to leave… Not like this.” I let out a shaky breath, trying my hardest not to cry more while staring at my long lost child. “I missed out on so much of your life… And I deeply regret it. I wish I’d known… I am so sorry, Skyler. Truly .”

They look up at me, anger and betrayal etched on their face.

“Get out.”

“Skyler, please– I can’t leave you alone like this… I don’t want you to end up like me–”

“GET OUT, GODDAMMIT-!” They cry out, shoving the crumpled paper in my hands and shoving me away.

My claws subconsciously dig into my palms as I try to muster a more detailed explanation, my breath hitching in my throat as my tail fully lowers to the floor. Before I can say anything to further damn myself, I turn away in defeat and exit the room.