Eden

by C J Singh

  Give me a warning next time. You tweaked something in my back.

  She twisted her waist to show where it was sore, and I laughed.

  Deal.

  Smiling, we watched each other a moment, and I wished I had kissed her when I could because, in that moment, I wanted to more than anything. But then, her smile faded.

  Do you think they really gave Tristan the animal blood?

  Dr. Hahn’s confession of creating the scourge reran in my mind, and I nodded.

  Yes. Dr. Hahn told me he’s been trying since he created you, but all he’s been able to make are the scourges.

  Dr. Hahn created me?

  Yes.

  She set her forehead on the glass, and I could see her jaw muscles working.

  Then why didn’t it work? With Tristan?

  “Good! You both are awake!” Zane charged into the lab and stopped in the small hall between our cages. LaRae, Dr. Hahn, Scott, and David followed. “So, now that we are all together, let’s try and work this out. LaRae and Scott, can you get the coms?” LaRae and Scott each went to the outside of our cages and hit a button. We didn’t need the coms to hear them, but their human ears did. “All right. Eden, I have to say, I was a little surprised at your lack of reaction to Tristan.”

  “Trying to kill you wasn’t enough of a reaction?” Eden said, sliding a claw along the glass right at the right height of his throat.

  “Well” – he chuckled – “yes. That was exciting, but no. When you saw him, it’s almost like you knew. You knew what he would become.”

  She dropped her hand and narrowed her eyes. “I knew it was possible, but I prayed it wouldn’t happen.”

  “So you have seen them before. When the people become those... monsters.”

  “Yes. We have seen them in the woods.”

  Zane’s eyebrows rose. “You have? Interesting.”

  Dr. Hahn fidgeted nervously as he watched his secret unfold.

  “Yes. There are many,” Eden said.

  Zane sighed. “Many! Well, well.” He paused a moment, the perfect picture of composure, but I could see the tautness of his shoulders. “Then, please tell me what you gave Jace, so this doesn’t continue to happen.”

  I watched Eden examine Zane’s face. She moved her eyes over his body from top to bottom, and I saw her imagining all the ways she could kill him. No doubt this was another reason Zane wanted to use the coms rather than take us out of our cages to have this conversation.

  “I told you. I used animal blood.”

  “You saw what the animal blood created, so you must have done something different. THINK!” He leaned forward with his eyes on Eden’s. His fear was non-existent with a two-inch piece of glass between them, but I remembered the terrified look on his face earlier when Eden almost let loose on him.

  “I don’t know! I gave him my wolf’s blood. I don’t know why Jace didn’t turn into a scourge, but Tristan did. You all are the scientists; you figure it out!”

  Zane stepped back. “A scourge?”

  “It’s what we call them in the woods,” Eden replied.

  Zane pivoted on one foot with his hands clasped behind his back to finally face Dr. Hahn. “Interesting.” Dr. Hahn’s eyes stay fixed to the ground. Sweat formed on his brow. He was terrified.

  I stood and walked to my window. “That’s not important now. What we need to figure out is what is different.”

  “Right,” Zane said quietly, his eyes still daggers on Dr. Hahn’s face. “Right.” He turned to me.

  “Dr. Hahn,” I said, waiting for him to look at me. When he did, I asked, “What kind of animal blood did you use when you created Eden?”

  He wiped a hand over his brow into his wild white hair. “Ahhh...” All eyes were on him, which didn’t do much for his nervousness. “Let me think...”

  “Today, Dr. Hahn!” Zane yelled.

  “Yes. Yes. Sorry. I used strays for the blood. It was a secret, yes a secret, so I had to get the animal blood from strays.”

  “Like a cat? Or a dog?” Eden asked curiously. I could feel her need to learn about herself. Learn where she came from, what she was. Dr. Hahn nodded at her.

  “All right. And, Eden” – Zane pulled her attention to him – “what animal did you use to turn Jace?”

  “Ash. My wolf.”

  “Your wolf?” Zane’s eyes widened, but Eden just watched him. “All right. And what did you use to change Tristan?” He directed his question back to Dr. Hahn.

  “B... blood from the animal farm.”

  LaRae stepped forward. “I don’t get it. They were all animals. Could it be the type of animal?”

  “Maybe,” Dr. Hahn replied, shuffling his feet. His face was lost in thought. When he got a moment of clarity, he pointed his finger at Eden. “Eden, your wolf. It’s alive, yes?”

  “Obviously. Why would I keep a dead wolf around?”

  “Dr. Hahn?”

  “Oh my. My, my, my. It can’t be that simple? A simple, stupid mistake.”

  “What?”

  “The stray I used on Eden; it was alive. Eden’s wolf was alive, but all the blood I have been using for the past years has been from... dead animals.”

  Every set of eyes was on Dr. Hahn, and you could hear nothing, not even a breath. If it was that simple, all those people, innocent people died because of a stupid mistake and a power-hungry leader. I clenched my fists.

  “You’re kidding, right?” I asked.

  “I’m afraid... not.”

  I leaned closer to the glass. “What about Derek and Brian?”

  Zane’s mouth set into an angry line as he studied Dr. Hahn, then he turned to look at me a moment. “Derek and Brian?”

  “Yes.” I glanced through the white faces of the scientists before landing back on Zane’s angry eyes. “They helped Eden and me learn about ourselves. They are like us.”

  Zane pivoted with his hands clasped behind his back and focused in on Dr. Hahn. “So, there were more than just Eden?”

  Dr. Hahn cleared his throat. “Y... yes, sir.”

  “All right then. Let’s test your theory, Dr. Hahn.” He turned back to me.

  David stepped forward. “But, sir—”

  “Dr. Hahn! Since you have trouble following orders, you will be one of the subjects. Then” – he pointed at the remaining three scientists – “eeny, meeny, miny, moe! LaRae! Congratulations. You will be the second.” Zane brushed past them and out the door.

  I watched the color drain from all their faces. LaRae put her hand on Eden’s window to stay upright, and Scott brought her a chair just when she fell back.

  “I’m sorry,” Eden said.

  “Yes... well... I suppose we better get working. Zane won’t like it if we wait too long.” David put a gentle hand on LaRae’s shoulder. “Come. I will get you both set up in Dr. Hahn’s lab.” LaRae looked up at him with wet eyes. David helped her to stand, but the moment he let go of her, she swayed, so Scott grabbed her arm and led her out. Dr. Hahn looked at me with wide eyes, his mouth moved but no sounds came out. “Come, Dr. Hahn.” David held out an arm. After a small smile, Dr. Hahn sniffed, then turned and followed David out of the lab.

  Chapter 66

  Eden

  It would be a lie if I said I wanted them to succeed. A small part of me wanted Dr. Hahn and LaRae to end up like all the poor people they have tortured and killed over the years. Like Tristan. Even if I did like LaRae, she still killed people. Dr. Hahn was worse, experimenting on them. Creating monsters, the scourges. I had no sympathy for him.

  Scott had come to inform us that they both were set up in their rooms and had been infected with the virus. When their symptoms start, they will inject them with animal blood from a live animal. Jace and I never responded. The air was thick and filled with sadness. Sadness for all the innocent lives th
at could have been spared over the years if not for a simple change that was made. Scott’s attitude softened when he realized that everyone was dispensable to Zane. His hands shook as he busied himself with cleaning the lab and sorting papers, continuously pushing his hands through his short black hair every few minutes when he lost track of what he was doing.

  After Scott left, we didn’t see him again. He was replaced by a new scientist who didn’t speak or even take the time to look at us. He brought plates of food, shoving them in the door, and left.

  When he brought breakfast to us the next day, I attempted to catch his eyes, but he kept them fixed on anything but me. “How are LaRae and Dr. Hahn?” I asked him, but he moved about the room like he hadn’t heard me. I snarled.

  Maybe he’s deaf.

  Zane wouldn’t allow that. He wouldn’t be able to listen to orders then

  The day went by slowly, very slowly. I stretched and did some exercises led by Jace from his cage, ate the food that was dropped off, and napped. My body itched for more exercise and to smell the fresh air. Closing my eyes, I imagined the sun on my face and the breeze moving through my hair, but when I opened them, it was just the bright light and ventilation.

  We need to get out of here.

  Jace stopped his leg raises and looked at me. True, but we need a plan. I don’t think now is the time.

  My head dropped, pursing my lips together. He was right. A voice of reason, just like Tate always was. My hand moved to the butterfly around my neck, and I crouched in the corner. Inspecting every groove and rounded tip as I ran my claws over it, I thought of Tate and Old Bob.

  Do you think they are still alive?

  I have no doubt.

  I looked over at him sitting in the chair next to the window, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and hands clasped. When our eyes met, he smiled and my heart fluttered at the dimple on his right cheek.

  Maybe they can get us out.

  Like I said before, it would be suicide for them to try and get in. We are better off trying to figure out a way out from here.

  He was right. I dropped the butterfly, and it plopped onto my chest like a fifty-pound weight. A weight of all my memories of the life I once had. Groaning, I moved to my cot and lay down, giving Jace my back. I needed time to cool off and sleep helped. So, I slept.

  ***

  I slept through the next day knowing that Jace would wake me if anything important happened. On the third day after LaRae and Dr. Hahn were infected, I was awakened by a loud banging. I slowly flipped over, staying snuggled under my covers, and saw Jace with his nose pushed into the glass watching whatever was making the noise.

  Something is happening.

  I stood and stretched before slowly walking over to the glass and leaning on it. Three men were setting up a rectangular black box. They moved the desk to the middle of us and had cords attached to it.

  What’s that?

  A television.

  I looked to Jace with wide eyes. Ellie and Old Bob had spoken about televisions before, and as a child, I wished every night I would get to see one. Now, I wished I hadn’t wished so hard. This was not the situation I had imagined I would be in when I finally got to see one.

  The screen flickered to light and the three men left. Jace and I silently watched an absent podium with a banner of the American flag hanging over it.

  What’s happening?

  Jace didn’t answer, but when I looked over at him, his face was almost green. He didn’t turn away from the screen, so I looked back. After another moment, the door behind the podium opened and Zane emerged. He pulled out a piece of paper from his impeccable grey suit and set it on the podium. When he looked up and smiled, Jace and I both let out involuntary growls. It worked. Zane no longer had two hallow grey eyes, but only one. The other was replaced by gold. He had changed himself.

  A crowd cheered and Zane held up his hands with a grin to calm them. “Citizens! I have tremendous news! We have found a cure!” The crowd cheered and the screen changed from Zane to people laughing, hugging, and some even crying. I drowned out all of Zane’s propaganda words and my world went foggy.

  Eden?

  I turned to Jace, whose face still hadn’t returned to his normal color. We looked at each other a moment, but the events of the past months rushed through me.

  He doesn’t need us anymore. You know what that means, right?

  We will be fine.

  His words didn’t match his face. He agreed. I paced the length of my room, thinking of any scenario where Zane would let us live, but I couldn’t think of any. We knew too much; we knew what they did to others to get to this outcome. Yes, the people knew they were researching, but they didn’t know the extent of what people went through here. If that got out, it could be catastrophic for Zane.

  There’s one thing I never told you, Eden. Something that Zane told me.

  I could see the pain etched on his face and feel the regret from holding whatever it was secret from me. I watched him and waited.

  The virus, it’s man-made. Zane wanted it made.

  That was not what I expected him to say at all. Tilting my head, I widened my eyes.

  What?

  That’s not all... Your. . .

  He closed his eyes.

  Your mother and Dr. Hahn were the scientists that made it.

  The world around me vanished into darkness. My claws pushed into my scalp as I squeezed my head, pricking my skin. I’m sure there will be blood. I screamed. How could that be true? How could my mother, the woman who Tate says loved us so much, create such a horrible thing and then use it on me?

  Eden?

  Jace’s voice was distant. I put up the walls in my head and retreated to my den. I needed time and space to think things through, without Jace. I could feel him nudging me, begging me to respond, to look at him, anything, but I ignored him, curled up in the dark corner, and slept.

  Chapter 67

  Jace

  It had been hours since she moved into her den. I called to her, but her walls were up, keeping me out. They were strong and didn’t even crumble from my pleading nudges. The weight I had in my chest from holding that information was replaced with a heavier one from causing Eden so much pain. I never wanted to see her face look like that again—that is, if she ever spoke to me again.

  I smacked a fist on the window and screamed. Looking at the faded scars on my hands, I thought of breaking through the glass again, but then what use would I be to her? Broken hands wouldn’t be able to defend.

  I kicked the glass, but it didn’t have the same effect and only caused my wounded leg to throb. Pushing my hands through my hair, I closed my eyes and focused. I focused on Eden.

  I’m sorry. So, so, sorry.

  The words came back to me as they reverberated off her walls, and I snarled. Moving to the windowed door, I smacked that. Maybe it wasn’t as thick as the wall, and I could get through with less damage to my body.

  I halted my third smack in mid-air when I met my father’s eyes watching me through the window. He was flustered and the crow’s feet around his eyes aged him ten years. I stepped back as he unlocked the door.

  “Come. We need to move fast. We don’t have much time.”

  “What?”

  He pulled me through the door. “Let’s go! I’m getting you out of here.”

  Quickly moving to Eden’s cage, he unlocked her door, but I grabbed his arm before he entered. “Wait. I better go. She isn’t particularly fond of you.” I pushed past him and entered. “Eden? It’s me, Jace.” She didn’t respond, so I slowly moved to her den door and crouched. “Eden?” Peering inside, I found her curled up on a blanket in the farthest back corner. Her back was to me, and she didn’t stir. “Eden.” She twitched. She heard me this time. “Please, Eden. We have to go. We don’t have much time.”

&n
bsp; She turned slowly and looked at me. “Jace?”

  “Yeah. Come on. Please.” I held out my hand to her with pleading eyes. “Come.”

  She sat up and stared. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

  I sighed, dropping my hand. “Because I didn’t want this to happen to you. I didn’t want you to retreat into yourself and do something destructive that could get you killed.” She watched me for a long moment, no urgency in her face.

  “Jace! Come on!” David hissed from the door.

  “Come on, Eden. You can hate me later, but right now we have to get out of here.” I held out my hand to her again, and she hesitantly took it, careful not to poke me with her claws. Scooting back, I helped her to her feet.

  “I don’t hate you, Jace. It’s not your fault what my mother did, but please don’t keep anything from me again.”

  “I promise.” I pushed her forward. “We have to go.” We met David outside her cage.

  He looked between us. “Good?” We both nodded. “Good. Let’s go. LaRae and Dr. Hahn are waiting with a car.”

  “A car?” I asked. “Cars are restricted only for the highest officials to use.”

  “I am head of research.” David led us down the hallway to the stairway. The labs were empty besides the dying subjects that hopefully now will be cured. There wasn’t a soul in sight. “They are all at the rally. This was our only chance, and our window is small.”

  We moved swiftly down the staircase to the bottom floor, rushing outside to the car waiting for us. He opened the door and Eden and I slid in. LaRae and Dr. Hahn were both waiting inside. David slid in after us and knocked on the roof when the door was shut. The car jerked forward and Eden grabbed my hand tightly, her claws cutting into my skin.

  You all right?

  Yeah, just never been in a car before.

  I watched her trying to keep a stoic face, but the tension showed in the corners of her eyes and forehead. I stifled a smirk; I don’t think that would be the best way to gain her trust back.