Dim fluorescent lights shone down onto the cold concrete floor as a boy no older than ten stirred awake, a chill running down his spine. His hazy view came into focus as the sharp ring of metal scraping together pierced the silence; his dulled senses struggled to adjust to his surroundings.

“Wake up!” a gruff voice barked, followed by another loud metallic clang that sent the boy jerking upright. His gaze darted around the room, frantically taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. Glass littered the floor from the shattered windows above, while rusted metal and toppled crates filled the space in disarray. The room was in as rough shape as the boy himself. That’s when he noticed the bars surrounding him—he’s in a cage.

He pressed back against the cold metal, panic rising in his chest. He was small and thin, his skin blotched with scrapes and bruises. Dark hair clung to his forehead in messy strands, as fox ears drooped low against his head.

“Caught ourselves a beast this time,” a man said with a hint of amusement, as he paused to look the boy over. The man was broad-shouldered with a heavy jaw; his clothes were stained and wrinkled from long hours in this place.

The boy’s gaze flicked up toward the man. His mismatched eyes caught the light—one pale blue, the other a washed-out pink—though fear dulled their unusual colors.

The man smirks. “That makes you lucky number six. Let’s hope you last a bit longer than the others.” With a final scoff, the man scribbles something on his clipboard and walks away.

“W-where am I? Who are you people?” the boy cried out, his voice trembling. His plea echoed off the walls, unanswered. Two men—armed with blades—stood positioned at the front of the room. One was thickset, face roughened by stubble and old scars. The other was leaner, his stance sharp and alert. They pulled the large metal door open with a deafening screech. The child reached for the top of his head to cover his ears, the sound piercing his eardrums. His tail instinctively curled around him in a futile attempt to find comfort.

He swallowed hard, his breath unsteady. Calm down. Breathe. His arms covered his face as he curled into himself. Mai... it’s going to be okay. The words echoed in his mind, but they weren’t his. It came in his mother’s voice, quiet and reassuring, looping in his mind. He held onto it as he squeezed his eyes shut, as if reaching for it might pull him away from his reality.

But the world didn’t fade. The cold air still pressed against his skin. Mai watched as the man exchanged a few words with a guard before he continued out the door. The screeching echoed once again as the guards pushed the door shut. Securing the door, they then turned and made their way towards another cage. Only then did the boy realize he wasn’t alone—other children were scattered around the room, locked in cages just like his.

He watched as the guards unlocked one cage, forcefully dragging out a girl who looked only a few years older than him. Her wrists looked thin enough to snap under their grip, her tangled hair hanging over eyes that were already empty. She didn’t fight, only allowing herself to be hauled away.

Mai froze as he looked at the state of the other children. Most looked defeated, their empty eyes staring at nothing. Some, he wasn’t even sure if they were alive. Everything will be okay... He kept repeating it, but the words felt hollow. Mai stayed curled up, wishing that somehow, this would all just come to an end.

“You need to calm down...” a faint voice came from a cage nearby.

Mai lifts his head, searching for the source. A boy, maybe fifteen, with unkempt light teal hair slumped against the bars of his cage. His face was weary, and his eyes lifeless.

“H-How can I stay calm... What is this place?” Mai’s voice wavered, barely reaching above a whisper. He stared at the older boy, desperate for answers.

“The more lively you are, the more of a fight you’ll put up... That’s what they want,” the teen said, his voice remaining flat. He didn’t look at Mai, just stared ahead as his fingers absentmindedly traced the rusted bars of his cage.

“What do you mean... This doesn’t make any sense,” Mai cried, his voice cracking. He brought his legs up, hugging them tightly.

“They’re using us. We’re just lab rats to them... They don’t get many fighters, so don’t be one,” the teen said, shifting away from where he was leaning. His movements slow and careful, as if every inch of him ached.

Mai tried to speak with him more, but he gave no reply. He turned away; his chest began rising and falling in uneven breaths as tears formed in his eyes. His mother's voice kept replaying in his mind.

There had to be hope.

But as he glanced around at the other children, that hope felt smaller than ever.

Mai kicked the bars of his cage, rough flakes of rust crumbling off on impact. The metal rattled as the sound echoed through the silent room. “Let me out!” he yelled, his voice cracking. The guards didn’t even glance his way. Gritting his teeth, he kicked the bars again, more rust flaking off, scattering onto the cold floor.

It had been hours since anyone but him had spoken, or even moved. Mai clenched his fist, his nails digging into his palms. He needed something—a sound, a voice, anything—to remind him he wasn’t alone in this nightmare.

With a growl of frustration, he kicked the bars once again. “Stop it,” the older boy hissed, his voice low but firm as his tired eyes flicked toward Mai. “You’re just making it worse.”

Mai ignored him, lifting his foot to kick the bars once again. The older boy clenched his jaw, “I said stop!” he snapped, his body jolting up from his seated position. His fingers tightened around the rusted bars of his own cage. “You think they’re just gonna let you out because you’re loud? All you’re doing is pissing them off—and pissing me off.”

Mai whipped his head toward the older boy, glaring. “So what, I’m just supposed to sit here?” he yelled, his voice cracking yet filled with frustration. “You don’t even try! Why do you just sit there like you're already dead?” The teen’s expression faltered for a moment, his grip on the bars loosening. He tried to answer, but he couldn’t. The question lingered in his mind, pressing against thoughts he had long since buried.

But Mai wasn’t done. “Don’t you care? Don’t you wanna fight back?" Mai pushed, his tail bristling with emotion. The older boy clenched his jaw and said nothing.

The creak of a wooden door cut through the heavy silence. Mai’s entire body tensed as another guard came into the room, escorting the girl he had seen taken earlier.

The girl looked even worse than before they had taken her, but somehow, she seemed to have more energy. Her breaths were still heavy, and body still shaking, but there was something in her eyes now—not exhaustion, but something else, something sharp.

The guard brought the girl to her cell, unlocking the door. She stepped in without being told. As soon as the door shut behind her, she sank onto the floor. Mai barely had time to process before the guard turned, making his way toward his cage. Stopping in front of Mai’s cell, the guard smirked, “Your turn, beast.”

Mai backed into the far corner of his cage, hoping that whatever little he could do would make the man stop—but it wouldn’t.

The guard unlocked the barred door and forcibly reached in, grabbing Mai’s leg and dragging him out. Panic shot through him as he kicked and thrashed, but the grip only tightened. “Stop! Get your hands off me!” Mai screamed.

“The boss was right. You really are a feisty little animal, aren’t ya?” the guard said with a sadistic smile, tightening his grip on Mai’s leg. “Don’t worry, we know how to break ya.”

Mai kept clawing at the ground as he was dragged from the cell, his hands desperately clinging onto anything they could. His dull nails sharpened into claws, scraping against the metal as panic surged through him. Mai cried as he was helplessly pulled towards the creaky wooden door.

His fingers latched onto a bar of the older boy’s cell, holding on with all the strength he had. “Please! Help me!” Mai cried.

The older boy stared at him, something flickering behind his tired eyes. For a moment, his hand lifted hesitantly, but it was too late. With a final, brutal yank, the guard tore Mai away. The older boy’s fingers curled back, guilt filled his gaze as he watched Mai twist and scream.

The teen sat there in silence as the door closed, the distant echo of Mai’s screams still ringing in his ears. He huddled into himself, his arms wrapping around his knees as dread settled in. Why... Why couldn’t he just give up? His fingers dug into his tattered sleeves, his jaw tightening. I didn’t help... he needed me, and I wasn’t any help... His eyes burned, tears tried forming, but couldn’t. He just sat there, staring at the rusted floor, hating himself for doing nothing.

The boy looked around at the other children. He had been here the longest—he had failed all of them. Did they all fight like him once? He tried to remember. But he had forgotten what they were like when they all arrived. The boy clenched his fists even harder, blood forming under his fingernails. Could I have changed all this?

He threw his clenched fist into the ground. Pain shot through his hand, but it didn’t matter—the guilt he felt was eating him alive. Again and again, his fist slammed against the cold metal floor. His vision blurred with frustration and shame. Why didn’t I do something? His knuckles throbbed, but he didn’t stop. I’m fucking useless... The words echoed in his mind, each time hitting deeper. I should’ve fought harder... His body trembled, rage and resolve clashing inside him. I need to fucking change!