Ruby Glass

Chapter 5

The night was cold and windy, yet I felt myself sweating as me and Axel followed this mysterious stranger toward a crippled gate. My stomach twisted and turned, causing me to have stomach convulsions from fear of what we would have to deal with unarmed and unprepared. We suddenly were walking towards a run down building, that appeared to once be a huge shopping center or mall. I then recognized it as I saw a statue of a horse in the center of the lot. It was the mall my dad would take me to every year for school supplies. It was a tradition for us to go there every year and get what I needed for school and then afterwards getting Panda Express. It hurt my heart being back here after so many years. I felt so hopeless without my weapons, and it was as if I was walking into my own death. So in my jeans I hid a knife, in my deepest pocket. Grey wanted us unarmed but how could I trust anything this creature is saying. Yet Axel was going to go even without me, and I can't let them die.

The beast, Grey, lead us to the back where employees would go through. We were no longer in the open, so I put my hand over my pocket where my knife was, ready for the monster to use this perfect moment as it curled its claws over the doorknob. We heard a click. Then a bunch of weaponized robot arms surrounded us.
"NAME" the robotic voice said
"Grey, number one hundred and seven" The beast answered
"ACCEPTED...ERROR ERROR UNRECOGNIZED PERSONNEL" the robot said as it's glowing red eye pointed towards up
"They are outsiders, direct me to Alpha"
"CONTACTING DOCTOR ALPHA..."

Me and Axel turned to each other totally stunned at the amount of security this place had. It made me feel more at ease but I didn't want my hopes up.

"Yes this is Alpha" we heard a mans voice say through the robot "Ah you're home Grey! That's wonderful! Leah and Sky were just in need of service and-"

The robot turned to us for a second and we then heard a sigh from the voice box.

"Grey, I trust that what you are doing is good, but what is the purpose?" The voice who apparently was Alpha said
"I'm sorry sir. They were attacked and I rescued them. They mean no harm, even if they tried to be scary" he said
I scoffed and Axel chuckled at me punching my arm as I glared at them.
"I see" Alpha said laughing "Well fine, but if they start anything the blood is on your hands"

Then we heard quiet mechanical sounds coming from within the walls. The door opened and we walked in as I felt my stomach turn. The room was pitch black and I kept my hand over my pocket where I kept my army blade. Axel seemed to shift moods as well and I was prepared to give a firm 'I told you so'. The door slammed behind us and I took out my knife and I heard rustling in the darkness. I gulped down my stomach acid, feeling completely vulnerable but still hopeful. I felt the air get cold yet there were still beads of sweat on my head. I then felt a sharp pain in my side. I growled at the horrid feeling and then I heard Axel also make a quiet cry.
"Axel? Are you ok?" I asked in fear for my friend as I held my knife stiffly in my hand "Where are you?"

The lights then suddenly glared on as my eyes stung and I blocked them from the florescence. Then I was frozen by a unusual sight. In front of me was a strange looking man. He was covered head to toe in tattoos and was wearing a white lab coat. He had a scar under his eye and his grey hair fell to his shoulders. He seemed to be an older gentleman, well into his sixties. Still his powerful presence could almost drown you.
"Grey" he suddenly said with a deep voice "I'd expect better from you. You didn't unarm them?"
I then see Grey standing close by to the man and the beast lowered his gaze in submission. He seemed to feel weak against someone who appeared for the most part...human, but with the scar on this man's face I was guessing maybe not. Although compared to Grey he seemed stronger and much more put together. He looked showered, well taken care of, and his clothes looked washed and cleaned. I didn't understand how a beast could look so well taken care of.
"I did unarm them sir...at least I thought I did-" the beast mumbled
"You thought? You shouldn't think. You should know. Although I will say their choice of weapons are rather...interesting" the old man scoffed

I glanced behind me and saw that Axel as well had their knife. I knew that they weren't as stupid as they looked. They may have acted trusting but they always kept their guard.
"What the fuck did you poke us with?" I asked glaring at this strange man
"Oh don't worry. I was just testing you for brain bugs. Plus the machines they use in those stores are so incredibly inaccurate when detecting venom. The military never knew what the fuck they were doing"

I got disgusted at that statement as I feel my blood begin to simmer. The man then turned towards Grey fully as Grey made himself strong.
"Well then, I stand corrected. These two are no threat even if they try to be. Grey escort them to my office"
"Yes Alpha" Grey said bowing his head as he then glared at me "Come on, its this way"

Me and Axel hesitantly walked with Grey as the man disappeared behind a door. Grey looked over his shoulder towards the door and then snatched my knife from my hand then breaking it in his grip. I was appalled and then he squinted his eyes at me. "You too nerd" he growled as he turned to Axel. They nodded and handed it to him slowly. He looked at both of us with a gaze that made me shrink on the inside. "Next time you lie to me, I'll reconsider curing myself"