Resemble (Random)

9:00 in the morning, why the hell did she ask for me to come out here? I'm still shaken up from yesterday and she wants to talk.  She's late too.  Not even a message saying "I'll be there soon".

"Did you wait long?" I turned around, she stood there with a distraught look on her face.  I shouldn't be mad at her.  I should've known, somehow.  Resembles look like the real thing, feel like the real thing.

"N-no, just a few minutes" I said.  She diverted her eyes, her glance directed mine towards her now fixed Resemble.  I still saw a ragged mess of wire and metal that was left of her arm from just yesterday

"Can I sit down?" I was taking up most of the bench, I moved over and she sat next to me.  Her Resemble side away from me.

"What did you want to talk about" I said, gambling that she wouldn't get upset with me.  She didn't look at me, instead she rested her head on my shoulder.  I rested my arm on the back of the park bench, best if I didn't touch her on that side.

"Take a guess"

"You have Resemble" I said.

"Is that a bad thing?"

"I heard on the news"

"I don't care what the news says, I asked for your opinion" she got tense.

"I... don't know for certain" I said, unsure of what to say.

"Is it so bad that we make ourselves this way? Should we be looked down on for our decision?" She looked up at me, I could tell now.  Resemble was in her eyes as well, twisting and focusing on me like two little cameras.

"Without this I would be different, very different.  Like laying lifeless in my room, thinking of how that accident destroyed my life kind of different.  We would've never met if it wasn't for Resemble" She said, the end emphasized and her Resemble hand held to me.

"So you could never have lived again if it weren't for this?" I said.

"Does that make me a weak person then? That I have to lean on science to make living worthwhile?  If I didn't have this yesterday, I would be dead right now.  I would have died saving you" Her voice got loud and she leaned away from me.

"Say I didn't have Resemble, I would have either been dead or been given Resemble to save my life.  I could lie on the ground where I landed, bleeding to death.  Or a hospital bed dying.  How would you feel if that were the case? So what I have Resemble, is it that big a deal?" She put her hand over mine looking me dead in the eyes.

People with Resemble have it because they want to look normal again, to feel normal again..They don't want to walk down the street having people look at them.  Watch them live from wheelchairs or with missing limbs or eye patches or even speech impediments.  Resemble fixes all that.  If I had met her without them would I feel the same way about her? I hadn't said anything, her eyes started to well up with tears.

"Well!?" she said, pressing the question.

"How would you feel knowing that I put myself in harms way to protect you, knowing you could've been be hurt or killed?" She clenched my hand tight, trembling.

"It should have been me!  To think that you would do something like that for me, of all people.  I'm not worth your time or effort for saving" My voice cracked just a little "I thought you were dead on impact, I heard your body crumble and your arm spiral away" My chest collapsed, It felt like metric tons were weighing on my shoulders.  I trembled along with her.

"I started thinking of why I asked you out, who was I to take that opportunity away from someone better suited for you.  If I had kept my mouth shut you would still be in one piece right now, with someone better than me.  I'm such a selfish fuck!" My breathing became short and rapid, face was hot and my palms drenched in sweat, thousands of thoughts and feelings had broken through me like a blown out river dam.

"You're such a thoughtless asshole!" she said "Didn't ever cross your mind why I might do something like that for you because I wanted to?" I couldn't be possible.  Someone like her feeling that way about me? Nobody has ever felt that way about me, and I'm supposed to just believe it now? She still held my hand, though instead of being tight and assertive.  It was kind, gentle.  Appealing even.

I've never felt this before in my entire life.  What do I do? Will she say what I think she's gonna say? Is that even possible? As far as I was concerned the possibility of this moment ever happening died in me a long time ago.  What about me?  Do I even have it in me to think about someone else like that? asking her out in the first place was an accident, I didn't even think she would accept like she did.  Surprised and excited.  Is the ability to feel like that even in my DNA?  This can't be real, this can't be real, this can't.

Be real.

Combat academy Part 1 (*Random)

Combining robots, I wish something like that were possible. A collection of various vehicles forming around a single robot to create an even bigger robot.  The unfortunate truth of the matter is that its just not practical.  Weight/balance/mobility are key to a machines assets. I would know, as a pilot in training that these elements can make a difference between victory and defeat.

What, am I reciting stuff for an exam or something? I'm already late to class, Its my first day even. Not so much for a first impression, unless my impression is 'fashionably late' which its not.  At least the academy is in view now.

I park my truck and shuffle down the white and silver hallway to my first class 'close quarters combat' I open the door and like a tidal wave every head in class is staring at me.

"You're late, Mr..." The teacher said, somewhat upset.

"Wheeler, Marcus. I'm sorry for being tardy sir"

"Just shut it and take a seat" he said.  I found an empty chair close to the window, the girl next to me had the same blue and red BDU on as I did, which meant she was in the armored division.  She had long black hair with a green tint to it tied into a low ponytail. I also couldn't help but notice her whole left arm was wrapped in bandages, not a single bit of skin was showing.  Whatever, I need to focus.

Class ended soon after I sat down, the girl next to me looked at me like I had done something impressive.

"You've got guts walking into his class lake like that, he likes to douche on everyone who disrupts class" She said.

"Its not like I did it on purpose, didn't get into town till four last night.  Doesn't leave much time for sleep" I said, rubbing the back of my neck.

"So where were you shipped in from? Desert, Forrest?" We in the combat don't like to name names so we keep things simple.

"Tundra actually" I said.

"Is that so? how's the heat and humidity getting to you here?" She pulled at her uniform, the humid air made everything a little damp.

"Honestly, I'm liking it" It wasn't a complete truth but I couldn't go back on it now.

"Can't say the feeling is mutual. I'm Vela by the way, Vela Maxwell" She gestured to the girl in front of her, she was wearing a tan and black BDU, Ninja division.

"This is my friend **Whisper, ND" Whisper waved at me. She had dark brown hair and red eyes, though to be fair, everyone in ND had red eyes, and none of them went by their real names. Whisper didn't come off as a ninja, she was rather small and seemed like she would have a better chance of being in the Communications division.

"So what's your next class Marcus? Field testing?" It was in fact, I would feel better if she had that class too. "I do actually" I said. "Then we'll go together" While she was nice it seemed strange, almost a little too nice. Our division, while peaceful among'st ourselves we often get heated in the field, A little more than 'friendly competition' and I still don't know what the deal is with her arm.  I keep my guard up while we walk and Whisper disappears some point while we're chatting.

We get outside and I find I don't like the humidity all that much, while better than 60 below 0 its still very uncomfortable, at least I stayed dry in the Tundra.  We enter the abnormal vehicle hangar.  If things went as they should've my mech should be here.  We approach a desk where terminals are placed. I enter my student ID.

"Hangar 35" I said, thinking out loud."

"I'm in 30" Vela said. We hop in a shuttle and move down the aisles. While most of the doors were shut, I did get a glimpse of a few of the abnormal vehicles.  Not too many mechs from what I could see, the ones I did get a look at weren't much too impressive. Vela stops in front of her hangar, the doors closed.

"See you on the playing field" she said, leaving the shuttle. I watch her until she out of sight. I see her reach for her bandaged arm before she's gone.  I stop in front of 35 and enter.  I'm relieved to find my GGX13 waiting for me. I had it repainted before it arrived, its signature dark green and black. I liked to call him The Highwayman.  It sounds better than the model name.  While not too much too look at on the outside, its innards are what makes it stand out.

*While random now, it might become a new series. Just saying.
**Name subject to change (If I deem necessary)
BDU (Battle dress uniform) color determines division

The present (Transformers Fan-fiction)

Cybertron, how long has it been since I last sped along your highways? Since I last had a good drink at Sprockets? nowadays its damn near impossible to keep our hands on energon at all.  At least I know we're not suffering alone.  All the Autobots on this planet are having a hard time.  Things here are circuit boards more complicated than necessary, us being here has done nothing but add fuel to the fire.

These freeways are less than sub-par, not that I can complain.  At least I can move about as I wish.  Stretch has to stay in that airplane boneyard where nobody can find him.  Having a form he can't hide with on this planet anymore is killing him.  All me and Sunder can do is keep him company.  Lucky for me the freeways out here are deserted most of the time, allowing me to drive as I want, or a more appropriate statement, 'need'

Flashing lights? Authorities, pesky earth cops.  He won't stand a chance of keeping up with me, I've mastered these roads.

{Highspool, can you hear me?} Sunder said by transmission.

"What is it Sundre?" I was less than happy to be interrupted by her.

{Atmospheric radiation has been detected in our region, keep your optics open for suspicious activity} its about time things got more active around here, its been months since we last saw Atocine.  I still owe him a good Lagann impact to the chest, the bastard came close to ripping my head off.  I'll make sure to rip his optics out when I'm through.

This cop is keeping up with me, I should've lost him by now.

"Sure, I'll keep watch of the freeway for any signs of an attack" It was more sarcastic than necessary.

{You don't have to be an ass, Sundre out} she worked hard to keep things running smooth, and all I do is bash her with my sharkticon shit.  I shouldn't be so hard on her.

That cop is right on top of me now, who is this guy? This is no earth cop, they've never acted like this before. The body of the car transformed.  Weapons exposed themselves, the shape of the car became more sinister.  A new Decepticon has made itself present.

Reapers Revolt

"Which hand is your dominant hand?" He asked me. "My right" I said, holding it out to him.  He took my left hand and placed a revolver in it.

"From here on out, we'll be training you to fire from your left hand.  Your dominant hand will be busy with other things during combat so we'll optimize your off hand by training you to shoot with it" I did as he said but my thoughts were less on target practice and more on my -or should I say, our current situation.  I thought about Kaitlyn and how she must feel right now, still unable to talk.  Still very much unhappy to be with me.  About a month ago we lost contact with Scott and Mercedes, its doubtful they're together at this point.  And I've had my hands full just trying to keep K with me, though I'm sure she knows things would be worse for her if she didn't stay with me.  Alone and unable to talk.  Though being with me she's still alone, regardless of how I may treat her.

"Jane, you need to learn to aim while using just your left arm, stretch it out and take down the targets" I took aim, and dropped the targets with little effort.

"I used to be a Ranger, my marksmanship is very good" I said, reloading the weapon.

"That might be the case, but you're about a tenth of what you used to be.  Strength, dexterity, agility are all reduced, so you must learn the way your body works at this point.  Try taking down the targets while they're moving" He flipped a switch and the targets moved around at astonishing speed.

"Red target" He said, I spotted the target and fired.  My first few shots missed but I managed to put the last two through it, not pretty hits but hits nonetheless.

"Reload and fire at the green and blue targets" He said.  I opened the cylinder and dumped the empty shells.  I had to put each individual round in, which cut into my speed.

"Faster, if those were the Holy Order you'd be dead by now!" The pressure was building.  I managed to finish and took down the targets with more sloppy hits.  He turned me around and went to slug me in the cheek.  I managed to overtake him, but he came around with a gut shot.  It had been awhile since I'd felt pain like that, I was winded.

"If this was combat you and your useless friend there would be dead, those around you would likely follow suit too due to your shitty abilities.  You need to learn that you're not that powerful anymore.  The opposite in fact.  We're more vulnerable to the Holy Order now than ever before, and look at us.  We're dealing more damage now than before" I struggled to breath, the pain was still overwhelming to me.  I looked at K, she wasn't interested in what was happening.  She just sat there, lost in thought.

"This revolver is screwing me up, I can't use it"

"Flexibility in combat is necessary, that revolver may be all you have left, if you can't use it your done for" He kicked the gun out of my hand and hiked it up to his own.  He opened the cylinder and slid in six rounds before I could blink.

"Your her bodyguard, act like it!" he pulled the trigger.

<->

I woke in a cold sweat, my sight darted around the room.  A room occupied by nothing but dark mahogany dressers and white light shining through open curtains.  It was morning, and I was safe.  Well, safer than most. I removed the sheets, my clothes were drenched in sweat.  I hopped in the shower.  As I tied my hair back into its regular ponytail I noticed a particular scent in the air.  Someone was cooking what smelled like breakfast.  I couldn't be K, she wouldn't be caught dead cooking, unless 'He' asked her to.  Pestilence would rather starve than cook so she was ruled out too.  Someone was in the house.

I thew a robe on and tightened it down, grabbed my revolver off the bed and made way to the kitchen with extreme caution.  The sound of shuffling cookery and a stronger smell of real food made my stomach creak in hunger.

"If you plug me full of lead you wont get any breakfast" a smooth voice called, I rounded the corner with my gun at the ready, my aim deflected by a kitchen knife.

"Looks like someone's not hungry" Famine said as he flipped a pancake.

"Famine! what are you doing here?" I said.

"I've been ordered to deliver a message to the three of you" Light footsteps came from the upstairs hallway.

"Hey, Blueberry, are you cooking something?" I hated that nickname.  Pestilence came downstairs wiping the sleep from her eyes.  Pest has been with us for about a month now making her way back to Death just as we've been.

"Huh? Famine is that you?" she said, somewhat un-surprised.

"Yes, now would you like some eggs and pancakes?" he gave his sinister grin while holding up a fresh batch of eggs.  Pestilence leaped to the table, almost drooling.

"Why don't you go wake up the Princess Jane, she'll want to be here" Kaitlyn was still in bed, not like she had much reason to get out every morning.  She hadn't seen Death in over a year, her reason for living was so far away.

"And put some clothes on while your at it" Famine said.  I had forgotten I was pretty much naked except for my robe.  I threw on a dress shirt and some shorts from the closet before going to K's room.

"K? you awake yet?" I heard faint coughing, I opened her door and knew she was having a coughing fit like she always did if she said anything.  I saw her hit the bathroom floor, some blood met the tile where she lie.

"K! you alright?" It was clear she wasn't, but what else could I say? I went to help her up and she shoved me away.  She was in control of her fit now, she wiped her face and looked at me as if to say "what do you want?"

"You need to come downstairs, Famine is here" her eyes lit up, she rushed past me, and I followed.  Famine had the table all set with everything a breakfast could ever include.  Eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes in a few varieties.  Milk, OJ and toast.

"Enjoy, I'm sure the three of you haven't had something this good in a while" Famine said.  The three of us, while curious as to why he was here were more interested in eating at the moment.  K though, wanted to hear the news.  Famine insisted she eat some first, she groaned, and scooped some eggs to her plate.

Tool (Death Incorporated)

That day? Yes I remember it, the day I realized why it is that I am a tool for Death to use.  A mere item for him to send off to do his work.  It was years ago, before I even met Death.  I was still living at home.  The ones I referred to as my parents were, as any other day, oblivious to my existence.  Research and progress in the ways of science were more important than my well being, but it was supposed to be that way, A necessary ignorance in order to allow them to train me, to make me who I am to become.

"thats not good enough" he would say. "you need to be more aggressive, don't give me an opening to make a counter" I was young, and not very strong.  Not that it mattered to him, everyday him and the other assistants to the house put me through training that would break your average soldier, and I was still in elementary.  I took up the sword, and lunged at him again, his form so elegant and pure it made me look like a rotten sack of shit.  That day was a bare knuckle day.  His fist drove into my cheek with the force of a hammer.

"get up! we're not done yet" all the time I had with him meant I had grown somewhat used to his pain, it was required for me to break the false sense of superiority I had, I had no superiority.  Never did, never will.  A tool like me has no need for such useless mindsets, he did well to extinguish the thought from my body and mind.  If it weren't for him and his team of assistants, the world as we know it today would be very different.

Whenever I was at school, nobody asked what happened to me, the way I looked it was like I had been thrown into a cement mixer filled with hammers.  Not even the teachers asked me about my injuries.  Makeup hid most of my failures from the world but not all of it.

People were miles away from me, even when they were inches away.  He did good to make them seem insignificant, yet.  So, desirable? I walked among them but not with them, like I was alienated from them but found them so fascinating I dare not intrude upon them.  Like I could very well spoil their humble lives.

"get up Mercedes, we are not finished, now come at me again!" My children's books were replaced with fighting manuals, time with 'friends' was time with firearms, vacations were replaced with sleepless treks through mountains and deserts across the world.  Dinner time was filled with mends to wounds I had been dealt.  There was one thing, however, that did not change.  In all my time with him, with them, one thing that stayed the way it was meant to be.

Dessert.

Whether it be a slice of the most delicious cake, a handful of the best cookies in the world, a wedge of the sweetest pie, dessert was one small thing in my life I did look forward to.  If I did good I was rewarded with the finest sweets they could make.  I guess, it was a form of motivation.  As I got older, the rewards got smaller, I started to work harder to get what was given.  Then the moment came that told me what I am.

"Your holding back, focus on me and strike me down!" I talked back to him.  I was upset, angry with him that he took my reward away bit my bit.  I lashed out at him in a fit of rage, and he came back at me with the most important thing he could have ever done for me.  He parried my pathetic strike, hit me with all of his strength.  So hard he broke some ribs and punctured a lung, but those were nothing compared to his finishing blow.

"Remember your place Mercedes, you are a tool.  The greatest tool to have ever been crafted in this universe. I have the privilege of making you that tool, even if I have to break you a few times to make it perfect!" with the sword he gave me, he drove it through my leg, causing irreparable damage.  That day, was the last day I walked on two legs.

The next day he came to me, standing behind what he said.  He handed me a cane, a heavy iron cane that has since disappeared.  I stared at that cane, feeling it.  Swung it around and took its overall measure.  It might as well have been a hammer.  Thats when I realized it.

I am a tool, nothing more than a tool used for the benefit of others, a support for much more than just my existence.  A column for all the world to weigh on and more.  I am not a person, I am a tool.  The greatest tool ever crafted.  I had been awakened, been reborn.

I had been shown my destiny.

I had been broken.

White Russian (Random)

Another day, another drink on this mahogany bar I've grown so used to.  The same scratch marks, the same glasses, hell even the teasing percussion on the back of my ears felt familiar from times past.  I'm sure if I had given it my audience I would have found it to be unrecognized.

I lifted my glass and finished the first drink of the night, my beloved white russian.  I gestured the bartender who gave me his nod, the same one he's given me since my first night here.  Seems like centuries since then.  "Another white russian please" his nod I'd grown so fond of gave segue to the birth of my next glass of the night.  Vodka and coffee liqueur danced together in a spiral towards the stage of shimmering glass, flowing with the grace that is appreciated by so few as it settled around the seats of ice.  Curtain call came with the cream, a billowing conclusion to my drink of choice.  The bartender settled the drink and placed his signature nod.  I drew the glass in, admiring the scent.

I felt so at peace in this moment, the constant pace of work gave little retreat into moments like this, it would be safer to say it was void of any silent happiness to the core.  The constant rearranging of rare, exotic machinery across the country was no easy task.

Enough of that, I'm in my world now.  Here to stay as long as I need.

"So, come here often?" I heard from behind me, a smooth and majestic query settled in the seat beside me, almost as if it were a light gust flowing by.  I looked, a slight turn of the head presented a figure of which I have never seen in person.  My attention ensnared I took a full view of the intensity that has taken interest in me.  Pearl skin wrapped in a silk of red I couldn't take my eyes off.  The one thing that was more breathtaking than the deep red were the eyes.  Eyes of glistening amethyst  framed in locks darker than the grim reapers cloak.  She was unlike anything I've ever seen before, I found it hard to even think that her upward inflected statement was directed at me, if her sight wasn't latched onto me I would have never answered her.

"Often? sometimes it feels like I never leave" after I said it, I wished I hadn't.  What a stupid thing to say.

"That sounds nice" velvet letters across my ears.  Did I say something right?

"It seems like I'm burdened to never see the same faces, feel the same familiar scratches in the bar.  The glasses, the crystal on the shelves.  I envy that" her fingernail played at the scars in the mahogany, scars I was familiar with.  Memory's prodded at the back of my mind.

"So, what are you having this go'round?" She gestured at my drink with a finger.  What did I get? How stupid am I.  Getting so lost like that, I must have looked ridiculous.  I made slow retreat to a more proper, upright posture.

"White russian, my usual" A smile sailed around her porcelain skin.  She leaned in, showing her interest.

"My personal favorite" her fingers interlaced "My personal sanctuary in a world of noise" She snapped her fingers, the bartender nodded.

"A white russian please, and put his on my check if you would" The bartender nodded, did she just pay for my drink? Confusion started to make root.  I'm nobody, a regular, a head in the clouds.  Yet, somehow this, which is something that could very well be from my wildest dreams is conversing with me.  I feel frustration blooming.

Am I dreaming? Or could it be that I've dipped into a dementia like state? I feel numb, but a wave of warmth overwhelms the back of my hand.  She touched me, her thumb massaging my knuckles, one after another.  She smiled at me.  A smile so comforting, so welcoming I couldn't help but crack a smile of my own. A genuine smile, not the kind I masquerade with.  She brought her drink up to view.

"A toast, to the drink of peace and solitude in a world of ambient noise and distraction" A toast.  Well, if this is in fact a dream or a joyful moment of dementia, I have no reason not to indulge in it.  I raise my glass, give it a gentle knock against hers, and we trade another smile.  Bigger than the last.

I feel again, the faded shirt on my back, the weight of the coat behind it.  The percussion teased my ears again, the radiating warmth of her hand still holding mine.  The pulsating healing warmth drew me out of the near dead state I had occupied for years now, a state of cynicism and reality I had grown used to seemed further away for a moment.

Please, stop time.  Even just for this moment.

Rage (Homework)

My life is stressful.  Every moment of everyday.  At work is where I’ll focus cause that’s where the brunt of my stress happens.  Now I’m just a messenger, here to inform you.  You however, don’t see it that way.  What I do for work is inspect cars.  I go out of my way to look into every nook and cranny, every crevice and open space.  Any rubber pieces or rubbing metals.  This is what I do.
But the rules I work by are not of my own decision, if something is 2/32 out of spec its my job to make sure to tell you that this has to be fixed.  But instead of acting like civilized people who are respectful and understanding, they let out a form of rage equal to the power of the sun.
A white truck, just a small one.  The owner says its for his job, seems like a nice fellow.  I do my job and his turn out comes red.  I tell him of his windshield that is out of legal acceptance.  After five minutes of explaining that he has no choice but to fix it he refuses to pay.  I’m fed up by this time and allow my manager to deal with it.  Him and the customer walk out and view the situation.  I’m gone, working on other things.  After a minute I hear “Scott call the cops!” my heart races like I’ve stomped on the gas.  I whip my phone out and dial those three little numbers.  The cop appears “Pay them or come with me” lets just say he paid.
A family’s mini-van.  Dad brought it in to get its inspection.  He informs me that he has disengaged his horn cause his child has seizures or something like that.  A stupid move if you ask me, but I take it in stride.  If I decide to make him fix it he’ll just drive down the road, fix it and come right back.  I mark it in my notes and continue.  I sit in the car and almost fall into the backseat.  His seat is broken, and not in a simple way.  I mark him red for that and he leaves.  Time goes by and I have a phone call, its dad.  Talk about upset.  He thinks I’m a pushover, he doesn’t know me very well.  “I can’t afford to fix that!” he said “See if you can get a waiver from the highway patrol” I reply “I don’t think that’ll work!” “Then get it fixed” we repeat this process for a few minutes.  Me just sending him in circles and him getting even more mad with every lap we run.  He hangs up on me and I smile in victory, I haven’t seen him since.
An orange jeep.  Now this one I didn’t do personally but I was there for the storm it brought.  Daughters jeep needs smaller tires, she doesn’t really care.  Daddy however does, quite a bit.  He pulls into our lot like he’s in a race “Where is your inspector!!” he yells, making over exaggerated hand gestures.  Turns out his inspector is our manager, and he too has a short fuse.  Staying out of eyesight me and my colleagues listen in on the back and forth.  Daddy storms out to his car, arms flailing like he was on fire and our manager on his heels pointing his finger.  He probably wished it was a gun, I know I would “You people are outrageous bastards!!” Daddy yells out “You sir are out of control” manager yells back.  I don’t like our manager but its moments like this that made me glad he was around, makes things entertaining for the rest of us.
 A white jeep.  This one was pretty recent.  Surprise surprise, it’s another jeep with big tires.  This one also came over the phone.  “Those tires have been that way for over ten years and everyone has passed them!” he says with a stern and upset tone “Says here in the book its got to be dealt with” we go back and forth he wants me to pass his truck and I say no.  He hangs up and I never hear from him again.
It seems to me that people like to make me the bad guy, when in actual standing I’m not.  I’m here as a representative, a messenger.
I would like to apologize for protecting you from yourself, cause its all my fault.

Aisles (Homework)

I never thought I would’ve walked through a grocery store like that, or for what I was getting, or with what I had on me at the time.  Going to the grocery store should be like a micro celebration, gathering food and drink for the feast to come.  I preferred to do it with friends, that way I knew we would have a badass barbeque with bratwurst, steak, hamburgers and hotdogs all around.  But this adventure to the grocery store could very well be my last.
It all started last month, when a new prescription hit the market.  Promising everything under the sun.  What wasn’t expected was the result of those who were intolerant of what it brought.  I didn’t think it was something that would escalate to this level but obviously I am dead wrong.  More dead than the people.  Well, that would be wrong too.  Cause those who couldn’t handle the prescription died, they didn’t stay that way.  This felt way too much like something made just for a cheesy B-movie.
Back in the store I was what you could say, heavily armed.  As far as what a civilian with an average paycheck can get.  A semi-auto AK-47 and enough ammo to make a few days if I don’t get carried away.  Being from a former gun nut family sure has its benefits.
Lets see, there are 7 of us in our stronghold and 2 of us to carry as much as we can.  2 full shopping carts should be easy enough if we go one at a time.  My SUV should be good enough to hold our food and keep it safe for our duration here.
Back at the apartment, the rest of us were converting the floor into a fortress.  Since most people fled during the initial crisis we decided to wait it out.  A mistake? Perhaps, but we’re willing to ride it out till the military comes rolling through.  It’ll be hard for them to miss our SOS setup.  Since most of downtown had been turned into our playground we were able to make quite the vast alert and attention getting system.
But enough talk about that.  I looked at my best friend, he was ready.  We entered the grocery store fast but cautious, its condition was a little worse than we expected, but for the most part it looked to be in fair condition, we should be able to make out like bandits.  Non perishable food items first, taking the boxes that weren’t ruined in anyway.  Then to check the meats, the winter cold had kept them in a condition that looked safe, any sealed packages came with us.  Some stress essentials were also taken.  Beer, candy, snacks.  We took it all.  Well, everything that wasn’t ruined, spoiled, rotten, open, or molded.
That’s one cart down, I felt we should make our way back and begin the second lap.  A clash boomed from the far side of the store.  I pulled my gun up and looked around, the low light was very dangerous for us.  It was just my luck that flashlights were in the next aisle.  I snuck around and threw a flashlight together faster than ever. I tossed one to my friend and assembled another.  The sound of grunting and moaning was near, I started for the entrance.
During that moment I thought of the crisis from a month ago.  People running around unsure of what to do, liberals trying to demand someone else do something and the freeway cluttered to the point there was no movement, and that’s where the major death toll occurred.  The freeway is a place where people go to die right now, so many just shuffling around not knowing what to do.  The problem we have with where we set up our fortress, is that we’re surrounded by a looping freeway.  A wall of hundreds just waiting for us.  But like I said, we weren’t about to leave anytime soon.
The SUV was ready and waiting.  I opened the rear and we started throwing the food in the back, while keeping a keen eye out for our unwelcome guest.  Another crash from the store. I’m fed up by this time, I pulled my gun up to scan the dark for movement.  I never thought that juggling a flashlight and a full size rifle would be this hard, but its not important.  Another crash followed by moaning, our unwanted guest was not alone.

Vault (Homework)

Excitement in my mind is an understatement, ecstatic would be closer but no cigar.  To explain the way I feel would take more time than I had.  Dear brother was sitting there, looking bored.  It was time “Taran, give your uncle that present, right there” Taran picked up the present, or at least struggled to.  “Its heavy” his young voice wept as he hung the present low in his arms and threw it at my brother.  “Oof! Thanks a lot” He said, quoting the famous Christmas movie.  It was time, his look of shock and curiosity was making me even more excited.  He ripped the first side, then the second.  He looked at the unmarked box, unsure of what he was getting into, I knew all too well.  I started a minor hysterical laugh as I watched his face.  He pulled his knife out and severed the tape, success, he opened the right side.  “it’s a safe!!” I broke out in laughter as everyone in the room watched in surprise. “you like it? isn’t it awesome?” I asked.  “I didn’t expect you to actually get it” Our mom wasn’t too happy, this meant that her intrusions into his room would end up short.  “open it!” I said, he removed the safe from its box and took the keys out of the package.  He opened it and his eyes lit up, not only did he get the safe we talked about weeks ago.  It was pre-filled with the items he would use it for.  All of it stuff our mom would venture into his room for.  He was snickering, excited at the possibilities that await him and his new safe.  “this is awesome, thanks sister!” I knew he would like it, the extensive talk we had about how his stash would be pilfered pretty much everyday when he was away.  Now he can go to work with a clear mind that his munchies will be out of grubby hands.  As far as I’m concerned if there’s ever anything he has that I would like he would probably better appreciate that I’m asking him rather than taking it, so he’ll be more willing to share, with me at least.  This was a great idea for him, and me.

Bitter (Homework)

I stood in my room, the lingering scent of dinner still present.  It was the smell of cheese, layered with a fine breast of chicken and so called chicken ‘flavored’ rice.  I could only hope it would be gone by my return.  Dear sister and I were charged with an order to play musical cars in front of the house.  Moving Mom’s car from the garage to the empty, snow filled space beside it.

I snatched my coat off the ground, my favorite one.  Big sleeves that didn’t scrunch at the end, I felt like I should have a weapon hidden in them, there was space for practically anything.  The gold accents were the single thing I was not fond of, a taste for silver was more my taste.  I slip on my pants and shoes and meet my sister at the front door, avoiding the bitter cold for as long as I could.  She walks up the stairs, ready to rearrange our drive way.

She stopped and leapt back downstairs, forgetting her keys.  I venture out into the dark, bitter night.  I take the first step out, the second coming up short.  I plant my foot on a patch of ice unseen in the dark and skip going down the steps of our porch in natural fashion.  My back and feet land first on ice and concrete, pain trembling throughout my body.  I curse and grunt as I attempt to get back up, my fingers fail to find a surface to hold, slipping on what might as well have been wet glass.

Sister steps out and I halt her advance, giving warning to the danger of the path.  She asks me of my condition, I curse again and continue towards our mission.  She opened the garage and I grab a snow shovel, I need to clear a path for the fence to go.  Sister starts the cars and sets them on the road.  I finish relocating the snow.  I take a deep breath and look skyward, the haze and fog that came with winter made the sky harder to see, like looking through foggy glass.

I take position in the first car, sliding across the cold seat, yelping when my coat fails to take the brunt of the chill and it runs its icy fingers across my back.  The car starts and I carefully eye my sister gestures to guide me into the narrow space.  A little to the right, a little more.  Woah! Too much, wait never mind that’s good.  Her words muffled by glass.

I open the door and shuffle out, she asks me if her assistance is still needed.  Considering the most difficult part is over I figure she can go back into the warmth of the house.  I take the mission solo and finish setting the cars up in proper order.  I tread carefully across the porch steps and return to my room.  The scent of dinner long gone.

Me and Myselves (Bleeding Rose)

The wind was cold, blowing through my night shirt and over my bare legs. The hard wood floor was chilled too.

"Where is she?" Muffled voices said.

"There, outside!" one voice said in a panic. Then it donned on me, why am I not in my bed? The door opened and the screen was thrown to the side and I got groped from every possible angle while being dragged into unfamiliar territory. Before I was consumed by the house and its residents I got a good clear look at the outside, something is very wrong.  A few feet past the wooden steps of the house is some sort of drop off like a cliff.  Beyond the cliff in the far distance I could see that we were in a domed structure of some sort.  The walls were made up of cages and rotating gears, making a mild grinding sound in the atmosphere.  A bright light was shining down making the outside look rusty orange and grey, but I didn't see the light source before getting grabbed.

I slid across a tile floor and many of the hands released me, the remaining hands pulled me up to the ceiling but stopping just in time, I was planted on the ground, standing.  I'm confused, and scared, and lost, if I kept this up I wouldn't be able to stop. I was feeling many things right now, most of them I've never felt before, or to this magnitude.

"Are you okay?" someone behind me said.  I got a good clear look at those who had grabbed me. It was me... or me's, myselves? They were spitting images of me, but different, some had different hair styles, some had glasses in different frames, some happy while others not so much.  Whats going on? Am I dreaming or has my mind shut down from the stress of everything.

"Leader are you alright?" I was asked again.

"Leader?" I looked for the one asking and she was happy to let herself be found.

"Who, are you?" I asked.

"I'm Extroverted" I tilted my head to the side like a confused dog, I was too late to keep myself from doing such a odd thing.

"I... don't understand" I said.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, of course you wouldn't" she held her arms out as if to present the other me's.

"We are the aspects of yourself you have yet to conquer. I guess you could say we're your personalities. I'm your extroverted personality, but you can call me E" E went around the room and introduced me to myself. Angst, Introvert, Saucy, many aspects of my personality.

"Everyone! Stoic is playing right now, c'mon" the girls vacated the kitchen and went to the living room.  One of MooK's selves was playing a videogame of some sort.

"What is this E?"

"Thats you she's playing"

"Uh,"

"Oh! sorry again, what Stoic is doing is playing you, your physical body. Take a closer look" I shuffled through the group of me's towards the TV and got a good look at Stoic.  She had her hair braided and she had an expression a statue would have trouble keeping up with.  I looked at the TV.  The morning light that occupied the hospital made waking up at six for training so worth it. But Stoic wasn't at training, she was with other people.  It was Anna and Tesla, we're eating breakfast.

"Why, Why is she in control?"

"Because, well... your away at the moment, here with us.

"Why am I here though, what purpose does this serve?" Extroverted looked around the room until she found who she was looking for.  Me in what looked like a college professors outfit.

"Well, Philosopher?"

"I dunno, maybe she's here in order to understand an aspect of who she is, an angle of her personality she's been unable to tap into" A part of myself?

"Well in that case we should show you around the house" Extroverted wrapped her arms around mine and she took me on a tour of this house.  I was introduced to a few more me's.  Pervert, Tsundere whatever that means, and Jolly stood out the most.  From what I could tell, the house is big, it would be more appropriate to call it a mansion  for its sheer size.  Most of the rooms were similar, however, they were occupied by me's of very different types so they were all pretty unique in what each room was filled with.

"Isn't this place just so great, everyone gets along so well its nice to be able to see you too, like I'm seeing a friend I haven't seen in years" E said.

"Whats downstairs?" all activity nearby came to a halt as they looked at me.  Shy came up to me, fidgeting with a scarf around her neck.

"Uh... we, we don't go down there. Thats where the bad ones are"

"She's right Leader, we worked together to get all the crazies out of here so we wouldn't go mad from having them around.  Once we got them in there we barricaded the door so they couldn't get out but" Extroverted looked concerned.

"They can play from inside there too, we're safe but you aren't, those you love out there are in danger still" E was concerned.  I don't know what to do now.  I want to look outside again see that dome we're in.  We're on the second floor and I think I saw a balcony nearby.  I opened the door and looked out onto the shell. it looked the same as before. My personalities were watching me from the safety of the house.

"What in the world is that thing?" Nobody wanted to answer, E stepped up but cautious.

"We're, not sure MooK. Philosopher won't say anything to us about it either" I wanted to see the sun, or rather the source of light above us, but no matter where I stood I couldn't see it.

"Wheres the sun, what or where is that light coming from?" I said, getting anxious.

"We don't know, there is nowhere in the house that allows us to see it directly" E said.

"Thats insane" I walked downstairs to the porch.  The drop off at the edge of it was serious.  A straight down drop into oblivion.  I was careful to turn around, I still couldn't see the sun, like it had rolled back behind the house.  E and some others charged out and flung me back in the house.

"You can't go out there Leader"

"Stop calling me that, my name is MooK"

"Stay away from the fall, we don't know what happens if you fall over the edge" E said.

"Has anyone, jumped?" I asked, not sure whether knowing was a good idea.

"Just one.  But thats all we can tell you"

"Everyone inside, Leader take a look at the TV" One of me said. I ran in and watched the TV.

"Looks like its time for you to go, MooK" Extroverted said. Stoic looked at me from the floor, the most I've seen her move since I got here.  She held the game paddle to me.

"What about you guys?" I said.

"We'll be fine, just watch out for yourself okay?" I looked down at Stoic, her unchanged expression and posture still offered me the game paddle. I took hold of it and sat down at the table a little further away. Philosopher looked at me.

"MooK, MooK!"

"Hey MooK" Anna said to me, circling her straw in her drink. Tesla as per the usual messaged people over her phone.

"You feeling okay? You've been quiet all morning" Anna said.

"I'm fine, really I"m just daydreaming I guess" It was the best thing I could think of at the moment.

"Must have been a hell of a dream, lets finish lunch and get you a new outfit, borrowing Tesla's clothes has got to be irritating" Tesla looked up from her phone.

"Are you saying that I have bad taste?"

"I'm just making a clear statement that your fashion does not extend past your own physical appearance" Anna and Tesla started back and forth but I couldn't get past a few things. How did I get here? I remember going to bed but how did I get all the way here? And what was that dream I had? It was so bizarre I can't even remember it.

VacaMission (Bleeding Rose)

Blue sea, white clouds, and a cool PBR.  Nothing could get better than this.  Well, maybe if we were on land instead of another ship, but this ship is way different than our combat carrier.  Breech was lost in thought while staring out at the crystal sea and Ratchet was having a gearhead orgasm over how intense this cruise ship is.

"Dakka look at this! its built with the same engine as our carrier! if only I could give them a few pointers at how they could optimize the system" Ratchet was doing what she did best, and trying to get her to relax would be hard so I figured I would leave her be.

"Hey Breech, see anything good out there?" Breech was in a world all her own, she didnt even hear me.

"Breech" I said again while pressing my frozen can to her neck.  She yelped and dropped her lemonade overboard.

"What the hell was that for?" Breech's empty eyes pierced through mine with violent effect.

"Sorry, you were so out of it I thought you might just fall over the railing if someone didnt bring you back to reality" maybe I was a little too casual.

"Well thanks to you my lemonade is gone, it was the best I've ever had" Breech looked down to see if she could spot her blue glass in the water.

"Here, lets go get you a new one, I'll buy one twice the size" I shook my can to see how much was left, I could use another.

"I dont know how you can drink that crap, we're on a multi-billion dollar cruise ship and you choose to drink that garbage" Breech said.

"Says the lightweight of the team.  Maybe the FNG will steal that title away from you when we get her" I finished off my drink and started for the bar, Breech met my stride and Ratchet disappeared, looking for more info on this ship.

"When will she be ready? we need the body right away" Breech said.

"Next week, she'll finish basic training, the week after that, she's ours" I replied.

"Two whole weeks? thats insane!"

"They've been having issues with her training so its dragged a little longer.  From the stats I've read she has some bad ass skills with shotguns" I said. I opened the door to the hall leading to the bar.

"Another close quarters expert? we dont need another one"

"She isn't just being trained in close quarters, she'll be trained in every skill we have. From my assault rifle skills to your fine precision sniping, to even Ratchets mad mechanic skills. She'll be good at everything"

"But doesn't that mean she won't excel at anything? she'll be the definition of average" Breech said.

"Well like I said she kicks ass at shotguns, so we can take advantage of that by teaching her the many ammunition types available to her" if she can't be an expert in any of our skills she she better be great at something, even if its shotgun specific.

"Whats her name? I havent heard anything about that" Breech was a little eager to know.

"Its MooK"

"MooK?"

"Thats what I said"

"Thats... a little offensive, MooK the shotgun expert who also knows all our skills" Breech held her hands out like she were putting up a sign for a movie theater.

"Hey it wasn't my idea, thank the guys in basic for that one" I opened the door to the bar, why is it that bars are always so dark inside? that said how come its always so bright when the hangover arrives? its a mystery.

We took our seats and I ordered another PBR while Breech got her lemonade. Her hands were fidgeting.

"You seem tense, everything alright?" I asked.

"It just feels strange we're on company time and we're having the time of our lives"

"we're pretending to be on winter break from college, this is the one practical way we can keep an eye on our target" I started to whisper at this point no need to tell everyone what we're doing here.

"I just feel so vulnerable right now.  No gun, no badge, this is no place for a long range expert like me to be in"

"we'll get you your gun, and your nest once we get off this floating paradise, we're all about the mission.  Our drinks arrived and Breech snapped to a huge smile when she drew her glass closer and had a long sip of her lemonade.

The bar door opened and Ratchet stumbled in, she took the seat next to me.

"One white russian please" she sounded defeated.

"Whats your malfunction?" Breech said

"oh... I wanted to see the engine room but they wouldn't let me in"

"why would they? they have no reason to think you want to get in their for a good reason. For all they know you want to sabotage the engine"

"But WHY?!"

"Shhh!" me and Breech hush her in unison.

"buy why does it have to be like that, its not fair"

"just load your pipe and relax, we'll get you something to play with soon enough" I said.

"If I'm disappointed I'm going to scramble your computer when we get back"

RE-birth (Bleeding Rose)

The atmosphere among us was calm and collected, which it had never been since we started this project.  Whiskey was in its final segment of the whole construction period.  I look at the tank that holds our creation, submerged in curing agent.  This fluid will clean out everything we might have left behind during the build and seal the whole body together.



“She looks so uncomfortable in there” Nicholas said, looking at Whiskey it looked like it was holding its breath underwater.  Its arms and legs were bound to limit the movement while submerged, but I think Nicholas looks at it as if we were mobsters tossing a body in the river.



I didnt want to say anything, I just wanted to admire my work.  If you didnt know she was a cyborg it would never cross your mind, it was a perfect blend of deception, beauty, and power.  The door opened and the annoying doctor that headed the whole project walked in.



“Gentlemen, in an hour our work will be officialy over. Its been a long BUT rewarding week.  Marcus, Nicholas.  Feel free to go take a break I’ll oversee the curing and I’ll call for you when we transfer her to a regular room.”  I grab my hips and stretch my back, I was pretty worn out, a nice plate of pasta sounds wonderful.



“How about lunch Nick?” he nods, a slow and creaking turn away from the tank he follows next to me as we meander down the hallway.



“Dr. Black I have your daughters report” Barbara, Nicholas’ receptionist was waving a clip board towards us.  Nick collected the report as we walked by, he didnt say a word as he walked past her.  He sifted through the paperwork reading specific notes and numbers.  He chuckled for a second.



“Anna was claimed legally dead for 30 minutes, I’ll have to have fun with her about that”



“You enjoy teasing her quite a bit” I said holding open the door to the elevator.



“I have to bug her like that, I’m her father afterall” he smiled, I just rolled my eyes.  The elevator fell to level 2 ‘cafeteria, gifts, pharmacy’ the area was pretty vacant, a few random visitors lay strewn about the area.  We walked into the cafeteria and I grab a tray.



“I hope the pasta is chicken fettuchini, that’s got a good ring to it today” I shuffle into line ahead of Nicholas who’s looking around like he’s looking for someone, then I hear it.



“Doctor Black!” a young girl with light pink hair gallops over to Nicholas while typing on her phone.



“Tesla, how are you” Nicholas said.



“I’m fantastic Doctor, we just relocated your daughter to her new room, she’ll be up in an hour or so” she didnt stop typing throughout the whole conversation, let alone look down to see what she was typing.  Kids these days.



“I have Anna’s report right here, I was just skimming through it” Nicholas and Tesla spoke while we shuffled through the line, I placed my order for chicken parmigiana.  Nicholas made a hasted order for a bowl of clam chowder and breadsticks, and Tesla got a simple hot dog.  I grabbed a cup and filled it with that which I wanted so much, cola. I ignored the two as I searched for a table to settle at, they crept over while still chatting. Nicholas looked at me in surprise, like he forgot I was around.



“I’m sorry Marcus. Tesla, this is Doctor Marcus Wheeler, he’s been working with me on the project i’ve been busy with” Tesla sprung from her seat and held out her hand in a professional handshake.



“Tesla Watchman, aspiring Cybernetic Engineer, its a great pleasure to meet you Doctor Wheeler” I didnt want to but I would’ve felt awkward not standing up, I was being played up so well I couldn’t put a bad image on someone who was interesting in our particular field.  I returned a firm handshake and a kind smile.



“Marcus Wheeler, its always nice to meet people who are interesting in science” She gave a half curtsy before sitting down to her lunch. I got in a few bites of my chicken before Tesla started asking questions related to the field, which I for the most part was glad to give. Having been around Nicholas and other people who were well rounded in our practice didnt give me much chance to converse like this.



“What about those new accelerator cores coming out, how do you feel about the potential advantage they have for athletes?” Tes said.



“Well, given their statistical output they have been banned by numerous sponsors as an unfair advantage, there are two places they will find potential use, your average civilian can get an advantage from it.  But the Military will find it to be a great addition to any soldier upgrade” I boasted a little.



“But in natural fashion the military will work with the lowest bidder meaning the quality will be questionable. Do you remember the Madness case reported last year? the soldiers were equipped with a low quality power core upgrade and most of those soldiers went mad from side effects.  And your average civilian wont need such a high end upgrade unless they decide to put on a cape and fight crime, or even do the opposite.  Athletics and sports can gain a huge advantage from applying this technology with a little calibration regulation, we could even see the invention of a new sport or two from something like this” Tesla said.  I was thrown back, she had done her research.



“It seems to me we’ll have a strong addition to the field with her around” Nicholas said.



“More than that, she’ll be running this place in no time” we all had a cheerful laugh as we finished our lunch.  The PA system rang its polite bell across the cafeteria.



“Dr. Black, Dr. Wheeler, please report back to your stations” the message repeated again.



“Just in time” I said, excited that we were about to watch our creation awaken to its new life.  Nicholas sighed, whether or not it was one of stress or joy was hard to tell.



“Why dont you check on Anna’s condition Tes, I’m sure it would make her happy to have a friend around when she wakes up” Nicholas said.



“That was my plan from the start, I want to help her work into her new body” Tesla was working the keys on her phone again.



“I do have to say that I would prefer if you didnt tinker with these parts, their top notch” Nick asked her.  She smiled and understood what he was saying. I’m sure she was part of the reason Anna’s old parts worked like they did.



We made our way back to our station and saw a camera that was watching our project as it slept in its bed.  Whiskey would wake up soon.  Not too long after that it would be out of our hands.  Whiskey would go through basic training before being sent off to its new home at sea.

-=+=-

I was nervous, or maybe I was upset, or guilty, or proud.  It was way to hard to tell.  The way I felt about Project Whiskey was a roller coaster.  I was proud of my work, but working on an innocent girl who should be dating and getting an education was out of my moral range. The door opened to the room and Tesla walked in.



“What the hell is she doing in there?” I said.  She sat next to the other bed in the room, the one I didnt pay any attention to until now.  Anna was in the bed next to Whiskey.



“They put... my daughter... in the same room as Whiskey” I looked around at the staff in the room, they didnt seem to have an issue with it.



“Too late now, look” Marcus said. I looked at the monitor, Whiskey was shuffling in her sheets while Anna was waking to Tesla’s excitement over her new look.  Anna waved Tesla to calm down with her real arm since she had just woken from her procedure. The two girls looked over at Whiskey who was looking around the room.




“Look at that!” Marcus said. Watching our piece of work do something as minor as sit up and look around, granted she had no idea where she was or even who she was.



“Get someone in there to look Whiskey over, right now” I wanted to go in too, I want to make sure that if something bad happens i can protect Anna.



“I’m going in too” I started out the door, with a nurse in tow. Marcus grabbed my lab coat.




“Nick, everythings fine... Whiskey isnt a danger”



“We dont know that yet” I growled. I hustled down the hall to their room on the way I ran into members of the team Whiskey was going to be joining. I cant deal with them now, I need to get in there and make sure everything is alright.  I stop at their door and take a deep breath just as I open the door.  I found Whiskey flying through a small bowl of soup, like it was the last one ever.  Anna and Tesla were chatting about breaking in her new parts when they looked at me.



“Dad, look!” Anna lifted her new arm, but it looked like she was wading through molasses, she waved at me, my guard fell like a stack of bricks I walked over to her and hugged her with the kind of hug I as her dad can only give her. Tesla watched with a kind smile.



“Anna, how are you? are you okay?” I asked her.



“I’m fine dad, what about you, your sweating” I took the back of my hand and set it on top of my head. I was indeed sweating, with worry for my daughters well being with someone who has, for the most part, woken for the first time.  The nurse who tagged along was looking over Whiskey, reassuring her she was in safe conditions.  I had to talk to her, to say something positive to her in her moment of unknowing, the fear that can creep in and say things are not right. I set my daughter down, Vincents work was just as I expected it to be, incredible.



“I’m going to look at your roommate for a just a second” I step up and move to the other bed.  I had to be very careful of what I say right now, I cant say something that will bring attention to what Whiskey is, I need to focus on making sure she’s alright, not afraid of her surroundings. The nurse checks her breathing as I sit down.



“She’s just fine, breathing is normal, no abnormalities detected” she says.



“Thank you, I think I have it from here” I look at whiskey who is running her fingers through the bottom of her soup bowl.



“Do you like the soup?” I venture, she nods.



“Bring us another helping, just like this one” the nurse nods and leaves the room.  I reach for Whiskeys hand and start checking that everything is as it should be. I stand up and feel her back, measure her breathing.  I feel so strange, she feels so natural to the touch, it was eerie that she was filled with metal and wire.



“Lie down please” she does as I ask.  I squeeze her stomach and check for irregularities, again I come up empty.



“Where... am I?” she asked in a whisper I almost didnt hear her.



“Your in Van De Merve Hospital” I said.



“Who... who am I” A feeling like a baseball in my stomach hit me. I was afraid she would ask that. What do I say? what can I tell her that can reassure her she is in safe hands?



“I can answer that for you” I looked at the door to see Levan she floated in to look at Whiskey.



“Wow just look at you, your a cutie” I step away from the bed and Levan replaces my position. She poked and prodded at Whiskey who, was attempting to protect herself from Levans groping assault.  The nurse returned with another tray of soup, and swapped it with the old one. Whiskey lunged for it and ditched the spoon.  She for the most part drank most of the soup, stopping every once in a while to mix her bread sticks in.  Anna and Tesla watched as Whiskey consumed her second helping, such a small girl had such a big appetite.  There was a knock at the door, Marcus had caught up with us.



“Dr. Black, we still have work to do” I looked at Anna, then at Whiskey her eyes, those deep blue eyes were easy to get attached to. Levan walked over to me and started patting my on the shoulder.



“Dont worry about her Doc, Ill take care of her.  We’ll get every situated” I nodded in understanding.  I turned towards the door, but not before turning to Anna.



“I’ll see you later ok? Take care of her Tes” Tesla gave a mock salute while Anna waved and smiled. I walked through the door catching Whiskeys glance one more time, she smiled at me.



The same smile that Anna had.