The Doctor's Monster

Redemption

Sequoia National Park
Remote Research Facility.

He'll be safe here.
Over a thousand miles of open space for him to roam free.
It's a place where they can keep an eye on him, while still allowing him to be free.
People might see him, but tall tales and skepticism will take care of that.
And should someone happen to take a picture of him, filters and scanners will delete them the moment they leave the front gates.
With the world is the state it's in, there is no safe place for him.
Not yet.
People are not ready for this.
For Him.
But when they need him, they'll know where to find him.

Slowly, he starts to become aware of his surroundings.
Warm.
The room around him is silent.
His ears are the first thing that start to work for him.
He hears.
Next are his quills.
He gets a feel for the room.
Once more, he's on a table.
This one is different.
It's soft, cushioned.
There's a blanket covering him.
He opens his eyes, slowly adjusting to the light.
Samson is exhausted.
"The Captain."
He thinks to himself.
"The girl. The Child."
He lifts his head, suddenly frantic and filled with worry and fear.
Chains clink as he lifts his arm.
"No."
Immediately a thousand thoughts fill his mind.
His arms and legs are bound.
As he looks around, he sees something.
Sunlight.
The room has a window.
He isn't at Keeper's facility.
This is somewhere new.
His attention is drawn to the door as it opens.
A man walks in, mid thirties, spiky black hair, Caucasian.
He's wearing jeans with a t-shirt and jacket.
"Woah buddy, take it easy. Don't worry we'll get those chains off ya."
He says.
His voice is calm, with no fear.
Strange.
"We just had to make sure you weren't gonna...you know...grrrr."
He says chuckling awkwardly.
"They told me you can understand human speech so I'm hoping you understand me."
Samson looks at him.
Something about him puts Samson at ease.
He's on edge, but less so with this man.
"My name is Zachary Larson. That may sound familiar to you. If it doesn't, well I'm the guy who's compound you trashed a few days ago. Don't worry, I got insurance."
He says winking.
Silence.
Samson doesn't respond, he just stares blankly at Larson.
"Loosen up. You're in good hands. We're the good guys. I'm going to take care of you."
He says, his voice grows softer.
Compassion lingers in his voice.
"I promise."
Samson takes another moment.
He studies this man, looking at his eyes, his body language, posture, and tone.
"Don't worry about Keepers. I won't let him get you."
Samson's shoulders finally drop, his muscles had been tensed up without him even realizing.
"Captain Bruce Ayla is gonna make a full recovery. He and his family are safe, they're with us. They're under my protection."
Samson raises his eyes to look at Larson once more.
"C'mon. Why the long face? You're free. Your friend is safe. You did it, you saved them."
He says.
Larson walks towards Samson.
He reaches in his pocket.
With the turn of a key, the chains snap off his wrists and ankles.
He lifts his hand and feels his wrist.
Larson hides his smile.
Secretly he's so excited to see this creature up close.
To see really how human like his traits are.
"Come on. There's something I want you to see."
Larson says, beckoning Samson to the door.
Cautiously Samson gets off the table and walks towards the door.
The garage door rolls up.
Light and fresh air pour in.
Larson looks up at him.
He hadn't realized just how tall he is.
Samson towers over Larson.
He feels like a child standing next to the massive creature.
He squints as he steps out into the sunlight.
Sounds fill his ears.
His quills pick up movement all around him.
The forest is alive.
He feels the soft forest dirt beneath his feet.
Birds sing.
Animals carry on their daily lives all around him.
None of them take notice of him.
It's beautiful.
The mid morning sun casts gentle warm light on the greens and browns of the forest all around.
There's a lake in front of him about 200 feet away.
The water on the shore is a slight green color but gets clearer the deeper it gets.
The surface is blue.
Gentle ripples are formed as animals drink and play in its waters.
He opens his eyes fully.
"Hey buddy."
Says a soft voice.
He turns.
Ayla stands there, his arm in a sling.
Grace and Alan stand next to him.
He smiles at them.
Alan runs up to him and hugs one of his legs.
"Why can't he come with us?"
He asks.
Grace chuckles.
"He isn't a dog sweetie. We couldn't take care of him. This man is going to look after him for now."
She says, gesturing to Larson.
Larson nods.
He lowers himself to speak to the boy.
"And I'll tell you what. You can come visit him whenever you want. And if you want to check up on him, you just give me a call and I'll be here with him right away."
He says.
Alan nods happily.
Bruce walks toward Samson.
"You're home."
He says.
His eyes grow misty and his voice cracks.
Samson has been alive for 4 years.
Not a long time by human standards.
But to him that's all he has.
Bruce never once thought he would get to this point.
He truly believed that Samson could be something more than a monster.
And he was right.
Samson looks down at Ayla.
He smiles.
This time he doesn't hide it.
He's home.
He's safe.
For the first time, he's free.