electric // mike wheeler

TWELVE

A long period of sleep is not always good for the mind. It can be disorientating, being unconscious for days. For some, rest never comes, for others, it couldn't come soon enough.

Tee's vision was blurry when her eyes first opened, her gaze is set on a dark sky covered in clouds, no light being allowed through their turret. It was silent, other than the wind swarming and random scuttles. Her body hurt too much to move, aching from being on the ground for so long.

Her throat was dry, swallowing proving no luck as she let out a dry cough, blinking to try and understand where she was, who she was.

There was a screech that made her jump, lugging her body into a sitting position as she looked around. She was in an empty lot, a place newly dug out with little foundation to build something new. There was not a person to be seen, not a single sign of human life, not a single sign of anyone that would be able to help.

There was then a crash of lightning, making her jump as the sky turned a violent shade of red for a second, before falling back into its dark blue. The noise was loud, sending a shock through her body as she pushed herself onto her feet, terror dripping down her spine.

"H-hello?" She called out quietly, her voice scratchy from not using it in god knows how long, "I-is anyone out t-there?"

There was a screech from behind her, making her snap her head in that direction as she brought her hands to her chest, her heart racing as her eyes tried to locate whatever was lurking in the shadows. It didn't help that her head was banging, a headache making her eyesight blurry from pain. Her pulse raising was no good, now being able to hear her heartbeat in her ears, and taste it on her tongue.

She started to move backwards slowly, keeping her eyes out for whatever had made the dreaded noise - thinking if she turned around it would get her, it would kill her.

There was another streak, now from the side of her as her head snapped towards the noise, her movements became faster then, turning to run as she tried to get away from whatever was making her so terrified. Her legs were shaking as she jumped over vines and tried her best to keep herself upright, running as fast as she could away from the scary noises.

"Hello?" She cried out again, "S-somebody help me!"

She ran into the woods, making her way through trees as she turned her head around quickly, trying to find some proof of life with her eyes, trying to find someone to protect her.

She didn't understand what was going on, she didn't understand where she was, she didn't understand anything. She was scared and she was confused.

"P-please," She cried, turning in a new direction as she panted, not used to running long distances - her adrenaline was the only thing pushing her forward, running through the trees as if her life depended on it.

It did depend on it.

She found herself out in the open, of what she guessed was a field of some sot - but there was no grass here, there were vines, and decaying wood, there was nothing to prove a sign of life.

Another crash boomed as the sky turned red once again, making her yelp as she looked up at the sky. She stopped running for a second, turning to see where the lightning had come from. The red was the only source of light, it was her only time to check for danger.

There was a screech from above, making her eyes snap to it - a bird, or some form of a bat, was flying overhead, ignoring her as it flew into the distance. Her eyes followed it, holding her breath, scared it was going to see her and turn to attack.

"Twelve."

Her head turned quickly to hear where the voice had come from. There was another crash of lightning, the sky turning red as a figure appeared up ahead. Whatever it was, whoever it was, was tall. Their body stood still as she stared at them.

"H-hello?" She called out, beginning to walk towards them slowly, cautiously. She didn't know this person, but they were her only hope of figuring out what was going on, "W-who's there?"

"You don't remember?" The voice spoke again, making her breathing freeze - the voice sounded so familiar. It was right on the tip of her tongue.

"Wake up, twelve, you're not supposed to be here."

The voice that let her live.

"Y-you..." She whispered, still not able to see their body, hidden in the shadow, "You saved me from the station."

"I saved you from more than that." The voice spoke again,  coming out from the shadow they were in. They were terrifying to look at - covered in vines, with piercing eyes. He looked deadly and dangerous, he looked ready to kill.

Tee stayed silent.

"You don't remember?" he spoke up again, taking a step closer, which made her take one back. She shook her head, her hands coming out in front of her slightly for her own protection - but the man, the thing in front of her wasn't afraid. He just simply stopped walking towards her, "They left you to die, Twelve."

"W-who left me to d-die?" Tee asked, her voice small now.

"Your friends," He answers, tilting his head slightly, "Your family."

Tee stayed silent, staring at him as tears sprung to her eyes. She didn't know what he was on about or who he was on about, she couldn't remember anything. Her memory was white noise.

"I am here to save you, to give you justice," He speaks again, seeing that she wasn't going to speak, "I can help you."

"I d-don't trust you," She shook her head, moving backwards again, accidentally tripping on a vine as another crash of lightning was heard.

"You know me," He responded, "Number One."

She stared at him with wide eyes, unable to comprehend the idea. She didn't have any memory of number one, she didn't have any memory of any of the numbers - all she knew is she was twelve.

"We're family," he continued, "And I am here to help you. Do you understand?"

Tee stayed silent, as he leaned over her, bringing his hand up in front of her face. His hand was more like a claw, with long talons covered in vines. The sight of it made her eyes widen, leaning back as far as she could as he leaned closer and closer.

"Let's proceed."

His hand then lifted slightly, her eyes turning white as she felt her body begin to shake. Her body began to lift in the air as she choked on nothing, unable to do anything to stop him as she felt something change.

As soon as it had begun, it was over, and she fell to the floor softly, her eyes turning back from white - but instead of going back to brown, they went pitch black for a second, before going back to brown.

"Come with me," He then said, moving back from her. She stood, without a fight, her gaze blank as she followed him.

A new part of the hive mind was perfectly recruited.

a/n
unedited
welcome baaaack