by E S Richards
Although she realised Heather had given away one answer in her story – the purple armbands did signify the leaders. And from looking around the room and what she had experienced in the scanning room the day before, she was almost certain the red armbands were assigned to the soldiers. A small smile broke out on Zahyra’s face as she comprehended she was beginning to piece some answers together herself, and she wasn’t going to stop with the armbands.
When Heather finished eating she led Zahyra out of the mess hall, leaving their plates and mugs on the table. Zahyra saw a woman wearing a grey armband move over to the table to clear it as they were leaving, although she was still unsure exactly what people with grey bands did.
“Are you going to explain T128 to me now?” Zahyra questioned as they walked back through the main atrium.
Heather said nothing but turned to lead Zahyra through a new corridor and down a set of stairs. They only passed two other doors on their way down before Heather stopped, leading them through a door simply marked with a letter T. This must be the place Zahyra thought and steeled herself for whatever was awaiting her inside.
The door opened to another corridor. On one side there was a glass wall showing similar rooms to the ones Zahyra had seen on the lower level the day before. The other side of the corridor was not made of glass but housed three other doors equal distance along. Zahyra followed Heather through the third door and then opened her mouth to speak as Heather quickly stepped around her and exited back through it, closing the door with a click behind her.
Another locked room, Zahyra thought, what a way to make a girl feel safe. She looked around the room she had been trapped in, again. It didn’t hold much: two chairs, a small bed attached to one wall above the floor – although it was nothing like the bed Zahyra had slept in that night – and a desk with various items strewn across it, the most peculiar a dark black screen. She sat herself down in one of the chairs facing the door and waited.
Heather soon reappeared followed by a woman wearing a black armband. The two of them closed the door behind them and stood, staring at Zahyra. She stared back, unwilling to break the eye contact first.
“So this is the girl I presume?” The new woman asked Heather, who nodded in response. “Looks strong. Healthy. We can definitely work with that.”
The woman then moved across the room slightly, leaving Heather standing alone by the door. She leant against the bed so she was stood just in front of Zahyra and placed her hands on her hips.
“Zahyra?” She didn’t wait for a reply. “I’m Professor Welbeck, deputy chief scientist of the safe haven. I am very pleased to meet you.”
At this point she paused expecting a response from Zahyra. Instead Zahyra simply raised her eyebrows, copying a look from Heather and stared at the professor.
“I’ve been told you’ve agreed to take part in the T128 trial and well, I have to say I’m delighted. It’s been a while since we’ve had the chance to get a new participant.”
“What?” Zahyra suddenly interjected. No one had told her T128 was some kind of trial, nor had she technically agreed to it.
“Will someone please tell me what T128 is?”
She almost shouted her question, the frustration of not knowing anything once again bubbling up inside of her. Professor Welbeck looked taken aback and shot a look towards Heather who simply shrugged in response.
“Now,” the professor began, “there’s no need to get upset. I can assure you that everything that happens in my laboratory is safe and for the good of the people. Perhaps you would feel more comfortable discussing this alone?”
Professor Welbeck looked at Heather again who shrugged once more and reached for the door handle.
“I’ll be placing a guard outside,” she said curtly, “and I’ll be back soon to take her to her medical examination.”
Once the door was closed Zahyra relaxed a little and she could see the professor did too.
“I’ve never been a fan of that woman,” the professor smiled, making Zahyra relax even more. “Now: T128.”
Zahyra swallowed, preparing herself for what was to come.
“T128 is an experimental trial we have developed here at the safe haven. It is something we need Zero’s,” the professor paused, an embarrassed look crossing her face. “I’m sorry – pure humans – for, in order for it to be successful. You see our aim here at the safe haven is to save the world from the carnage the higher developed mutants cause. We believe, well in fact we know that there is something in the DNA of pure humans that can be extracted and given to the more developed mutants in an attempt to lower their generation numbers and make them more, compliable shall we say?
“Now you of course don’t have to take part in this trial, Zahyra. However it is very rare that we encounter a pure human these days, so we would be extremely grateful if you agreed to take part.”
“Aren’t you all Zero’s here?” Zahyra interjected, “I mean, none of you appear to have any mutations?”
The professor laughed, “I’m pleased to hear you say that. But you are wrong I’m afraid. Everyone working in this facility has a genetic mutation of some kind, but it is down to my work – and the rest of my team of course – that we have been able to develop a way to keep these mutations in a sort of dormant phase. It’s not perfect, but with the help of people like you we would be able to make it perfect. And then we could move on from controlling minor mutations like those belonging to the people within this facility, to controlling mutations found in Gen 4’s and Gen 5’s.”
Zahyra froze for a moment. What Professor Welbeck was describing was exactly what Cain needed. A way to control his mutation so that he could be himself. So that he could be himself around her and they could truly be together. Zahyra’s heart leapt inside her chest for a moment before she grounded herself back to reality. Although the professor seemed honest, Zahyra was still wary to trust her and her explanation of the T128 trial. For all she really knew this could be an elaborate trap, but if there was some way of saving Cain… she had to do it.
“What would I have to do?” She asked cautiously. “And, what’s in it for me?”
“It’s quite simple really,” the professor smiled. “Once you’re cleared from medical I will run some small tests on you. Take your blood; see how you react in certain scenarios, implement some mental stimulants. It’s all very routine and very safe I assure you.
“As for what’s in it for you – well you would be helping the world return to its original and safe state. You will be housed here, in safety. And – if that’s not enough for you – I am told you came here with two companions who were unable to be housed due to their mutations? Well if you help us to progress with these trials then I promise you, once they are perfected your two companions will be amongst the first to benefit from them.”
Zahyra mused over what Professor Welbeck had said for a moment. If she was right – and honest – then Cain and apparently even Asher could be saved from the results of the T128 trial. She had even said she would help administer the cure to them, although that was something Zahyra didn’t completely believe. Still, if she could help create the cure then she could escape with it and find Asher and Cain, administer it to them herself.
A knock on the door pulled Zahyra from her reasoning and she looked up to see Heather once more.
“I’ll give you some time to think about it,” Professor Welbeck smiled at her. “I hope I’ll see you again soon.”
Zahyra gave the professor a half smile and rose from the chair. Heather looked past Zahyra to the professor, a stern glare emitting into the room. Despite how little trust Zahyra had felt for Professor Welbeck, there was still something about her which made her more reliable than Heather. That woman seemed to show no emotion, no concern for anyone around her and Zahyra wondered what genetic mutation she carried as she followed her back up the stairs to the main atrium.
Now that Zahyra knew everyone in the safe haven carried a mutation of some sort, she looked at everyone sli
ghtly differently. She knew there could only be those of Gen 3 and below housed here, or else Cain would have been allowed to stay. But how many of them were being treated by Professor Welbeck to keep their mutations hidden and how many of them were simply harmless.
She wondered whether people still had their brandings on their right arms, and realised unless they were born here they must do. Zahyra hated not knowing the truth about these people and vowed not to trust anyone until she had learned more about the facility.
When the two of them reached the medical area of the safe haven Heather caught the eye of a young medic who came rushing over to them.
“This is Medic Tapton,” Heather said in her signature monotone voice. “He will conduct your examination to assess whether you are healthy enough to begin the trial.” She then turned to the medic, “Beep me when you’re done.”
Zahyra watched Heather walk away and breathed a sigh of relief to be rid of her, even if it was for a medical examination. She looked at Medic Tapton, who can’t have been more than a year or two older than she was. He had a thick mop of blonde hair and sparkling green eyes. Most people would have regarded him as attractive, but as that thought crossed Zahyra’s mind all she could then think about was Cain.
Medic Tapton flashed her a smile and indicated for her to follow him into one of the side rooms, separated from the main corridor with a curtain.
“You can call me Grant,” he smiled again. “Now, how’re things with you?”
Zahyra stumbled at Grant’s question, realising it was the first time anyone had actually asked her how she was doing since she’d arrived at the safe haven. She didn’t even know how to answer it. Mentally she was devastated. She’d lost everyone she cared about and was in a place far from anything she regarded as safe. Physically she was doing better, but she still ached from everything she’d been through. The bruising on her ribs was still a vibrant colour, her knuckles hurt and her whole body felt like it could give up at any moment from exhaustion.
Grant seemed to assess her from the look on her face and nodded, his mouth setting into a thin line.
“Could you remove your top for me please?”
Zahyra’s mouth dropped open. Why did he need her to remove her top? Again Grant read her expression and began to explain.
“I’ve been told you’ve experienced some injuries and I just want to check you over. I’ll look away while you change if you like?”
The young medic turned around and Zahyra dutifully removed her top, feeling exposed and afraid as she waited for him to turn back to face her. His eyes grew wide when he saw the bruising all over Zahyra’s ribs, chest and stomach.
“How long ago did this happen?”
Zahyra paused for a moment, “The first bit about two weeks ago, then again not long after I guess.”
Grant mumbled something beneath his breath and began checking her over. His fingers were cold against her skin and Zahyra flinched on several occasions as he touched her bruising. The skin was still sore and she hated being poked and prodded like an experiment.
Once Grant had examined her bruising he allowed her to put her top back on. He then fastened some bandages around her knuckles to stop the skin from breaking open again and used some strange contraption to listen to her heartbeat. The whole examination went on for longer than Zahyra had hoped and by the time Heather appeared she was starving.
“How’s she looking?” Heather asked Grant bluntly, completely ignoring Zahyra herself.
“She’ll have certainly been in better condition,” Grant mused, “but there’s nothing serious at the moment. I’d recommend rest and rejuvenation before she starts doing anything too strenuous. At least for a couple of days.”
“Don’t worry,” Heather replied, “there’s nothing too tiring on the list for a while.”
Grant nodded although his brow furrowed slightly at Heather’s response. Even so he signed a piece of paper and handed it over to her then stepped back, nodded to Zahyra and walked out of the room. Zahyra watched him go almost longingly. She didn’t particularly like the medic, but he had been the first person to show genuine care for her and that was something she realised she already missed.
With no time to waste Heather began to walk out of the medical area meaning Zahyra was forced to follow. As expected she was led to the mess hall and followed the same procedure as that morning with collecting her food and sitting down. This time however Heather chose an entirely unoccupied table, so Zahyra was forced to eat in silence with no conversations to listen in on and unwilling to make conversation with Heather.
The food was similar to what had been left in her room the day before. A bowl of stew and some bread, nothing quite as extravagant as the spread that had been laid out that morning.
“I’ll take you back to your room,” Heather remarked once Zahyra had finished eating. “As you don’t have a band or any responsibilities yet, you’ll have to stay there until I collect you for supper.”
Zahyra’s heart sagged at the thought of being locked in her room all afternoon. She was itching to explore more of the facility and discover what went on behind the countless closed doors. Nonetheless she obediently followed Heather back there, escaping from her seemed impossible while she was being watched like a hawk.
“I suggest you take your time to consider the T128 trial.” Heather said as she stood on the other side of Zahyra’s door. “If you agree to proceed, you will begin tomorrow morning.”
Zahyra nodded, agreeing that she needed to take time to think about what could possibly be her future. With no more final words Heather took a step back and closed the door, once again sealing Zahyra inside a locked room.
Chapter 4
“I’ll do it.” Zahyra said firmly. Heather’s face barely broke out into a smile in response, she merely turned and started leading Zahyra downstairs, back to Professor Welbeck’s lab.
After supper Zahyra had been up half the night thinking about the T128 trial. Even despite what Professor Welbeck told her the day before, she still knew very little about it. The results that could be created sounded incredible. If she could really find a way to cure Cain of his mutation then nothing would stop them from being together.
It could also cure Asher too apparently. Although Zahyra was still suspicious of what mutation the safe haven believed her brother to have. Another reason for her agreeing to go ahead with T128 was that she hoped she could find some explanation for Asher being ranked a Gen 6 down in the lab. It was definitely the most advanced area of the facility she’d encountered so far, and that gave her hope.
Heather guided Zahyra into the same room she’d met Professor Welbeck in the day before. She was early, the professor was on the third shift for breakfast and wouldn’t be down for another twenty minutes, but Zahyra was happy to wait.
At breakfast that morning Heather had given her something they called a timekeep. It was an incredible contraption; using magical powers Zahyra hadn’t ever even dared to dream still existed. A thin strip of metal encircling her wrist that when touched or shaken would light up with the time of day. Like so many things in the safe haven Zahyra simply couldn’t grasp how it worked or how the people here had managed to develop such amazing technology when the rest of the world was in ruins around them.
It was obviously a result of the safe haven being set up in The Before Time but Zahyra still knew so little about then that she marvelled at each new discovery. That was another thing she’d decided upon last night: that when she had some free time – and Heather hadn’t trapped her in her room – she was going to visit the study area to try and discover more about what the world was like before the bombs.
“Zahyra!” Professor Welbeck grinned as she opened the door of the room Zahyra was waiting in. “I’m so pleased you’re here to go ahead with T128. The things we can do… well you’ll find out soon enough. Now, Medic Tapton has cleared you physically, but said to take it easy for the first few days. So the first thing I’m going to need to do is take some bl
ood, that alright?”
Zahyra nodded sheepishly. She had no idea how the professor was going to take her blood and really didn’t fancy being sliced open.
“If you could just jump up here,” Professor Welbeck indicated to the small bed in the room, “and lie down. It’s just a small needle so it won’t hurt much.”
Zahyra did as she was told and tried to get comfortable on the bed. Half of it was propped up at a weird angle, causing her to feel like she was half sitting and half lying down. She watched carefully as the professor moved around the room opening cabinets and withdrawing specific equipment. None of it looked familiar to Zahyra and she had to remind herself again that this whole world was completely new to her.
“Extend your right arm for me please, oh and remove your top first.”
Zahyra continued to follow orders, uncomfortable once again by having to remove her clothes. The professor didn’t turn away like Grant had the day before, but she looked so unphased by Zahyra’s half naked body that it put her mind at ease slightly. Professor Welbeck then began attaching a tight piece of fabric around Zahyra’s bicep when she froze.
“I’m curious… how did you manage to get yourself branded as a Gen 1?”
Zahyra swallowed. She had hoped this question wouldn’t come up. But with the whole reasoning for her being in the T128 trial to do with her status as a Zero she couldn’t be too surprised.
“My err, my mother helped me,” she stammered, knowing full well what a terrible deed it was in the outside world to carry a fake branding. “She knew I’d be hunted if others knew I was a Zero so she did it to protect me.”
“Brave woman,” the professor smiled.
“Is there any way to find out if my mother is here actually?” Zahyra suddenly remembered. “She was supposed to be making her own way here, but I haven’t heard from her and well, I’d really love to see her if I could.”