Page 65 of The Dire Legacy

Letting my lids fall heavily back over my vision doesn’t help. If only I could block out the world so it won’t exist. Maybe when they pull every drop out of me, I’ll finally forget to hurt.

It hasn’t happened yet. The lump in my throat still feels like a rock that tears jagged fissures into my chest every time I picture him laying on the ground as I was pulled away.

What’s the point of trying to escape? There’s nothing out there for me. I’ll just be captured again by someone else who thinks they’re doing “the right thing”.

No one gives a shit about me. Just what they can get from me.

Except Michael. He just wantedme.The person. Not the object.

The creaking door signals someone new. Must be a change of the guards.

If only I had a little bit of play in these restraints, I’d be able to escape.

Their improvised ties ironically work better than the fancy ones the Institute has.

“Hey, doc. Good morning.” Kyle pulls his feet down from where they were propped on the table.

Well, look who took some of their own medicine. The man that was white haired and gimpy yesterday walks with his shoulders back and dark brown locks scattered with gray across the top of his head.

I’m so fucked. They’ll never let me go.

He came prepared. Pulling a large syringe out of his pocket, he taps into the line running out of my elbow and draws himself a full dose of blood.

“I’m doing very well, Kyle.” He speaks facing me, but without even acknowledging my presence.

“Hey, ya know, if you like your little drug hookup, you might want to consider a better nutrient solution. Or is your plan to just suck me dry and toss me out?” If he moves just a little closer, I might be able to bite his nose off.

His bushy dappled eyebrows bunch on his very less-wrinkled face.

“Let me make this easy, your little bump doesn’t last. It’s only temporary. If you want a supply, you gotta feed the beast. Asshole.” Being drained actually sounds like a better option.

I already feel hollow.

His lips thin, but he doesn’t reply. Only steps back and pulls up his sleeve, pushing the thick needle into his own arm.

He would look fabulous with Alpha’s jaws closing over his head.

“Fine, whatever. At least let the kid go.” I can’t believe they’ve kept the scrawny toddler here. “Bring him back to his mom.” It’s the only noise he makes, a soft whimper calling for her.

When I was at the Institute, it was bad enough hearing them cry. I never had to see them.

This? It’s a new form of torture. Being so close and not able to pat his little hand. Talking to him doesn’t seem to help.

Frankenstein here won’t even check on him.

“His mom’s dead.” Kyle stands up and swallows the last of his drink. “She died trying to keep him from helping us. He’s saved a lot of lives.”

“You’re serious. You fucks killed her just for what little bit of healing he has? I hope this dam breaks and you all drown.” Where’s an old fashioned cataclysm when you need one?

He shakes his head as he grabs the doorknob. “You wouldn’t understand. If you had seen the suffering, the pain, you’d think differently. If it was your own family, you’d do anything to help them.”

“You murdered my family!” I hope my scream carries with him when he slams the door. He took the only person who ever cared for me.

A commotion outside has the mad scientist doctor rushing towards the door when it bursts open, pushing him backwards into the room.

“Doc! Del got bit!” Two men drag a limp third person between them. They cross the room to another empty stretcher and lift the injured person on it.

Blood and torn flesh hang from his thigh.

---