brutal

Chapter 24

VERENA

"Subject four is responsive, far more sharp and aware compared to the other three subjects. No adverse side effects or injuries; vitals are normal and subject appears healthy."

The man clicked his recorder once more, pausing as he turned it around and used the pen on the other end to write down the rest of his notes.

He gently placed his clipboard and recorder on wooden table behind him. Redirecting his focus on me, he smiled and placed his hands behind him.

"Four, how do you feel?" he asked with the warmth of a father.

I bit my inner cheek and kept my gaze on his shoes. They always were shiny and new. I wish I had new ones too; mine were getting too small for me and they're far too rugged for it to last any longer.

"I feel o-okay, Professor," I stammered out through a whisper.

Despite the softness of my voice, he always seemed to hear whatever it was I said. I was sure that if I were to whisper something at the other side of the room, Professor would hear it.

He nodded in understanding and quickly picked up his pen to write down on his paper. "And do you know where you are right now, Four?"

I looked up and turned around to stare at the metal ceiling full of pipes and bars. The area wasn't entirely closed off due to the lack of panels the structure of the building had. It was clear that something had caused it to deteriorate, and that this was a place that was abandoned.

There was light streaming through the gaps, which meant it was daytime. I wish I could feel the sun on my face too as I had before. Maybe Professor will take us outside?

Professor watched me assess my surroundings with fervor. He chuckled suddenly, stealing away my attention. "That's good now, child. You always were my smartest subject."

I gave him a shy smile at his compliment. I always did like it when Professor did that.

Turning around, he grabbed his pen before cutting the distance between us. He dropped to a kneel to reach my height, smiling and fixing my mess of a ponytail with his large hands. "Are you ready, Four?"

I nodded without hesitation, which he appreciated greatly. His hand reached out to his back and returned with a gun. He held it with both hands and presented it to me with a curious look on his face.

"Do you know what this is, Four?"
"Yes, Professor."

"Good." He transferred the weapon to his left hand and used his right to gently grab my wrist. Professor searched my face before placing the gun's handle around my fingers, making sure they stayed firm and intact around it.

"Do you know how to use it, Four?" he asked with his eyebrows raised.

I nodded. He stood and took a few steps back, gesturing to his left where a bunch of targets were standing still with big red marks. There were around twelve in total, all of them different in distance and size.

"Go ahead, Four," he encouraged. "Pull the trigger."

I held the gun up with both hands. It was too heavy for my little and clammy hands, but I had to prove to him that I was better than the others. I had to make sure he would see that I didn't need the 'enhancers' he gave the others. I needed to make him realize that I was different.