by Eve Langlais
She lurched forward and didn’t make it two steps before she was tackled. She bucked and tried to crawl, sobbing and crying out as it bit her shoulder. Her coat afforded protection to her flesh, but the tight pinch would leave a bruise.
She was flipped onto her back and got to see the monster in its full glory. Perhaps it was the horror of the moment or her mind playing tricks, but for a second, amidst the long hair flopping over its face, she could swear the thing smiled and said, “Dinner.”
Please, no. She didn’t want to die a victim of the wildlife. But she was trembling and weak. The thing knew it as it lowered its head, washing her face with its fetid breath, the hot dribble of drool landing on her chin making her whimper.
There was a distant crack then an awful pause. The creature on top of her froze. Blinked. Its mouth opened and shut without a sound. Through the tangle of hair, Margaret stared at the hole in its head and the slow leak of blood.
It collapsed on her, and Margaret unleashed a scream as she shoved the body off. Scrambling to her feet, she ran for the building, ignoring the men in black fatigues jogging past her. She gasped for breath but didn’t stop running until she was inside the safety of the four walls. Her knees gave out at that point, and she dropped down, heaving in deep sucking breaths.
“Nurse Henley.” The familiar voice drew her from her stupor, and she stared almost unseeing at the man kneeling before her. “Nurse Henley. Are you okay?”
“No,” she blurted out. She was most definitely not okay. “There was a thing.” She held back before calling it a monster. Yet what else fit?
She’d never seen the like. Not even on TV. She still had difficulty comprehending it. Like most animals, it ran on all four legs and yet there was something lopsided about its gait. Something strange about it period. Especially why it decided to attack.
“You don’t have to worry. The creature is dead,” Lowry said, his voice low and soothing.
She shivered at the reminder. She, who’d seen countless gunshot wounds, would probably have nightmares of the one that happened right before her eyes.
“What was it?” she said through chattering teeth.
“Initial reports from the guards in the field indicate some kind of hybrid beast. Reminiscent of the chupacabras down south.”
“It didn’t look like an ugly dog. It appeared almost human.”
“Simian is the term you’re looking for,” Lowry said, correcting her.
“You’re trying to tell me that thing was a monkey?”
“Of a sort. Like I said, it is a hybrid creature, probably a mix of wolf in there, too.”
The very illogic of his statement did much to calm her, and she snorted. “Monkeys and wolves do not make babies together.”
“Not under normal circumstances, however, as mentioned, we are in a protected ecosystem where the choices for mating are limited. In such a situation, it is possible,” Lowry explained.
Did he really think her that gullible? She knew how biology worked. Yet, he seemed quite serious. “Even if it were possible, how did a monkey get here?”
“Again, not a monkey, but a simian creature. Common to these mountains and that most likely spawned the Sasquatch stories prevalent in these parts.”
“Are you saying that was a Bigfoot?” She held in a hysterical giggle.
“A hybrid version, yes.”
The laughter, a high-pitched sound, escaped. “Now I know you’re screwing with me.”
“I assure you, I’m quite serious. They’re rare, which is why they mate with other species. Unfortunately, their offspring are erratic creatures.”
“I’ll say. That thing wanted to eat me. I didn’t think Bigfoot was a carnivore.”
“Their diet is varied.”
“Are they why we’re not supposed to go out at night?”
“Yes and no. They are only one example of the dangers roaming these mountains. We are merely visitors in an untamed landscape. It is why we have such strong cautions about straying into the woods.”
“I wasn’t in the woods. It came after me.” The reminder brought the fetid warmth of the breath back to mind.
Lowry kept his gaze calm and steady. “Usually they avoid exposing themselves in the daytime; however, the overcast skies—”
“In other words, my fault for going out when it was almost dark.” She sighed. Something dripped on her hand, and she looked at the red drop of blood with a moment of incomprehension. “It scratched me.”
“The infirmary should be able to do something to prevent infection and ensure there is no scarring.”
“Is it that bad?” She brought her hand to her cheek, and it came away wet. With blood. She also noticed throbbing in her body, especially her shoulder where it bit her.
Lowry helped her to her feet. “You’ll be fine. Do you know where to go? Do you want me to accompany you?”
“I’m going to be late for my shift.” Not that she felt like dealing with Luke. She just wanted to huddle under a hot blanket with a rum toddy.
Lowry uttered a soft chuckle. “Such a good nurse. But tonight, you are the patient. Forget your evening shift. Get patched up. Rest. You can resume your duties in the morning if”—he held up a finger—“and only if you feel well enough. You had a traumatic experience. It would be understandable if you required a day or two to recover.”
“I’ll be fine.” She was alive, not seriously injured, and the thing was dead. She still felt the weight of it on her when it died.
As she moved past Lowry, the door to the elevator hallway buzzing her through, she turned around and caught a glimpse of the soldiers returning, a limp body carried between them before the door closed. The head of the hybrid creature dangled down, the hair a white snarled nest, and in that tangle, a pink plastic barrette.
Chapter Ten
Sixty. Another minute passed. A hundred and ninety-two since she’d left. Luke had kept count mostly to ensure he was ready for Flo this time. He’d had time to give himself a pep talk.
I will stay in control.
No more stray erections.
I will insult her until she leaves.
Because having her stay wasn’t an option.
No more eating.
Eating made him strong, made him think about life beyond this bed.
With all those resolutions made, he found himself impatiently counting the seconds and minutes and hours until the door opened.
His attention perked at the click of locks disengaging. Given she’d left him in a seated position, he faced the door, ready to blast her with something rude.
But it wasn’t Flo who entered.
“Chimera.” He growled the name.
“Once upon a time, you called me Adrian,” reminded the other man, looking as slick as ever in slacks and a dark silk shirt open at the neck.
“You mean back when I thought we were friends.”
“Despite what you think, we are friends.”
“Friends don’t experiment on each other.”
“Not true. It’s almost a rite of passage in the teen years and college to fool around with new experiences.”
“Don’t make light of what you did.”
“What I did?” Chimera repeated. “You agreed. You gave me carte blanche to do anything to make you whole again.”
“I didn’t say you could make me your lab rat.”
“Need I remind you that the only reason you’re in here, locked up like an animal, is because of your actions.”
“Still punishing me because I tried to escape.”
“You did more than escape,” Chimera snapped. “We never did recover most of the subjects and without treatment…”
“They turned into monsters. Which isn’t my fault. You’re the one playing God with lives.”
“Are you going to start this argument again?”
No, because there was no point. What was done couldn’t be changed. Chimera saw himself working for the greater good and never mind the people he destroyed along the
way.
“Why are you here?” Because Chimera rarely visited these lower levels. He preferred to watch and manipulate from above.
“I thought I’d inform you in person that Nurse Henley won’t be coming this evening due to an unfortunate incident.”
Luke tried to surge out of the bed, but the restraints held him back. Not so his snarled words. “You bastard. What did you do to her?”
“Me?” The innocence was real not feigned. “I did nothing to the lovely lady. However, an outdoor excursion did lead to her having an encounter with a predator.”
“Is she okay?” His heart stilled at the thought she might be grievously injured.
“Shaken mostly.”
“And the thing that attacked her?”
“Dead.”
“One of your failures?” he asked with a sneer.
“No one is a failure. Everything we’ve done has taught us something.”
“Did it teach you how to not be an asshole to other human beings?”
“The science we are exploring is bigger than a few lives.”
“What happens when that science turns on you?” It could happen. Not all humans handled the treatments the same.
“There is no one size fits all,” reminded Chimera. “What we do here will revolutionize the future of medicine.”
“And who cares if you kill a few people on your way.”
“We don’t treat the healthy, you know that. All those we choose are grievously damaged in some way.”
“Is that supposed to make it all right?” Luke said with sarcasm. “Because I’m gonna tell you right now, it’s not cool.”
“Everyone who receives treatment volunteers.”
“Only because you don’t give them the entire truth.”
At that, Chimera’s expression hardened. “Are you telling me that had I told you there was the possibility you might lose yourself to madness it would have stopped you?”
The truth was Luke would have done anything for the hope of being whole again. “I’m done talking to you.” Because the conversation never changed. “If you’re done giving your message, leave.”
“Actually, I’m not done. It occurs to me that perhaps Dr. Sphinx was rather harsh in his punishment of you after your last attempt to escape. And it has been weeks since it happened.” Chimera flicked a finger at the restraints. “What do you say we take these off?”
“Do it.” Luke’s lip curled into a smile. “Right now. I dare you.”
Chimera laughed. “Not me. And not here. Too much equipment worth too much money. I’ll have you moved first. Tonight, while you sleep. Tomorrow, or the day after at the latest, you’ll be a free man. To a certain extent, of course. Can’t have you roaming quite yet, riling up the staff and other patients.”
Luke didn’t trust the sudden benevolence. “Why untie me? You know I won’t behave. What are you up to?”
“You said it. We were once friends.”
“I’ll kill you if I get the chance.”
“You wouldn’t be the first to try.” Chimera moved to the door. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to check on Nurse Henley. To extend my deepest regrets at her unfortunate incident.”
“Stay away from her.”
“Such concern. One would almost think you cared.”
“Fuck you.”
“Wouldn’t you rather fuck the lovely nurse? Maybe you’ll get a chance tomorrow.”
“Don’t you dare send her to me. You hear me, Chimera? I want a new nurse. She’s mean.” All lies, but did Chimera buy it?
“Me thinks you doth protest too much about the attractive nurse. Whatever shall you do when your hands are free tomorrow?”
Free to touch… He feared what might happen.
“I don’t want to be let loose. Keep me tied. I don’t want your fucking freedom.”
There was no reply as Chimera left, the door locking behind him. Luke growled at the empty room. Tugged at his restraints. Ignored his growling belly, which played traitor now since it had eaten once.
What game did Chimera play? Because no doubt he had some end game in mind.
Before Luke could fully replay their conversation and suss out the missing piece, the hiss of gas began. They were putting him to sleep early tonight.
He fought it. Did his best to stay awake, only to succumb, falling into a dream.
A dream of a vast green field, too perfect and artificial. Muted sunlight. And Flo.
As before, she cocked her head and said, “Why are you naked again?”
He glanced down at himself—his body whole and unmarked, his cock well represented—and grinned. “Why aren’t you?” He was rather intrigued by this new element to his drugged sleep.
She wore a nightgown this time. The cottony kind that resembled an oversized t-shirt. The cat graphic on the front being of some scraggly critter stating, “Where’s my coffee?”
“Put some clothes on,” she demanded, averting her gaze.
“Make me,” he said with a smile. “You keep saying this is your dream, which means you’re the one turning it into something dirty and erotic.”
“I don’t have erotic dreams,” she primly stated.
“Then you’ve been missing out.”
“This feels so real,” she remarked.
It did, and it was funny she mentioned it. “But it’s not, which means we can do anything we like, and no one will know.” Last time he got a kiss and fingered her. This time, maybe he’d get even luckier.
Her chin lifted. “I’d know, so don’t think that argument will get you another kiss.”
“So you remember our last kiss.”
“A dream kiss,” she said. “Which doesn’t count.”
Perhaps not to her, but it had lingered with him when he woke. “If it doesn’t count, then there should be no issue sharing another.”
He took a step forward, and she retreated, shaking her finger at him. “Oh no you don’t. I am not in the mood. Especially not after what happened to me.”
That brought a frown. “So it’s true, you were attacked?”
She looked startled. “You know?”
“Chimera told me. Are you okay?”
She hugged herself, her eyes taking on a haunted cast. “No.”
An urge to wrap his arms around her, to make promises he couldn’t keep, filled him. “He said you weren’t hurt.”
“I wasn’t, not really. Just superficial stuff. But it was scary. Its face…” She shivered.
He moved toward her, and she didn’t retreat this time as he said softly, “It’s dead now. It can’t hurt you.”
“But there are others in the mountains. Lowry said so.”
“Not all of them are savage.”
“Says you. How many Sasquatches have you had to fight off?”
He frowned. “Who called them Sasquatches?”
“Lowry did. Well, actually he said the one that attacked me was some kind of hybrid. A Bigfoot slash wolf mix.”
“And you believed that?”
She shrugged. “Not really, but it does make some twisted kind of sense. What else would explain why it appeared somewhat humanoid? Legends have claimed for a long time that Sasquatch are real.”
“They’re not Sasquatches, nor hybrids,” he retorted. “They’re what happens in this place when the doctors get the dosage wrong and go too far.”
“I don’t understand. People, not even doctors, can change a person into something else.”
“Not the ethical kind,” he muttered.
“What are you saying? That the thing in the woods was human?”
“Forget it.” He wasn’t here to discuss the annoyances with himself. Because this was just a dream, and no matter how real Flo seemed, she remained but a construct of his mind. As such, it meant he could reach for her and draw her into his arms.
“What are you doing?” She didn’t move out of his embrace.
“Holding you.”
“Why?”
“Because.”
“I thought we discussed ‘because’ not being an answer.” Her lips quirked.
“Would you feel better if I said I wanted another kiss?”
“Do you?” she asked.
More than anything. “Maybe,” he hedged.
“I’m your nurse. Kissing, even hugging like this,” she said with a cock of her head, “is crossing too many lines.”
“They won’t punish you. How can they when this is but a dream?”
“But a dream too real. What if I forget when I wake, and I do something stupid when I see you?”
“Stupid how?”
Her lips pressed tight.
“This isn’t real, Flo. And I’ll prove it. Let’s exchange a code word. Mine will be octopus.”
She frowned at him. “What’s saying octopus supposed to do?”
“Next time we see each other, I’m gonna look you straight in the eye and say octopus. And it won’t mean shit to you because this is a dream.”
She snickered. “My dream, which means I should have the secret word. And I choose filet mignon.”
“A steak?”
“Tastier than an octopus.”
“Ever had them breaded and fried?”
“No, and I have no intention of doing so.”
“You’re missing out.”
Since held her loosely in his arms, this proved to be the strangest conversation. On the one hand, his desire for her remained, but he also quite enjoyed the bantering. Even if he did imagine everything, it was a welcome relief from his shitty life.
“Do you ever have family visit?” she asked randomly.
“Nope. None of the patients do. We’re specially chosen because of our lack of ties. No close family, or friends.” He’d shoved them all away from him after his injury.
“Me either. My parents were old when they had me. As for friends…” She blew a breath. “I accepted a nursing job in Edmonton, met a guy, and well… It didn’t end well.”
“He hurt you.” He clenched a fist and practically growled.
“Yes and no. He hurt my feelings. And I’m over it. Just wish I hadn’t been so stupid and seen what he truly was.”
“He hid the monster inside,” Luke murmured, turning away from her. Just like he was hiding right now. The fact that this was a dream didn’t negate the fact he, too, carried ugliness. A beast.