The Freak and The Angel

Chapter 28: Why am I Crying?

**Angel**

I might as well be in prison. Unlike the others, I'm constantly on lockdown. While they're all allowed to have free time, alone or with each other, I'm locked in my room. It really is like a jail cell, brick walls, a bed, a toilet, and a sink. When I'm not in my room, I'm with one or more guards or Papa. The only time I see the others is when we are put up against each other for training.

I can see it in their eyes when we're standing across from one another. They either feel bad for me, or they hate me. They have their own rumors about why I am secluded. I can hear their thoughts, I've been trained well, I can turn my abilities on and off in an instant at will. I can hear their whispers when they speak to one another. Some wish I would be allowed to mingle, to tell them about the outside, and others are terrified of me.

"I heard she was part of the old lab. Someone helped her get out."

"I heard a guard say she has a mate on the outside."

"Papa says she's dangerous. That she's a demon."

"That's why they keep her locked up and why she wears the collar."

"She's going to kill us all, like Peter did to the ones before us."

"I heard that's not his real name. He was really 001."

"Isn't 001 her father?"

They seem to really know about me. At least all the bad things anyway. Then again, I am a bad thing. Maybe I am a demon.

"Alright, children. Who would like to go against Angel first?" Papa asks the others who stand at attention against the wall, waiting for the training to begin.

They are all apprehensive, not wanting to end up in the infirmary or dead. Not that I can't fix it all if that were to happen. Papa made sure I live up to my name. While I've been back in this hell, I've been trained and conditioned well. I am, as my father once told me, the strongest and most powerful. Despite the labs best efforts of keeping me physically weak, when it comes to my abilities, no one can touch me. That is, as long as I obey. They still keep me compliant with the collar, tasers, and drugs.

"I will." 042 says, stepping forward, moving into the circle across from me.

"Good. You know the rules." Papa smiles as he steps aside to watch.

042 gets into position. I stand perfectly still as I look at them. They raise their hands, preparing themselves. They try their hardest to push me out of the ring, which should be fairly easy, considering I don't weigh much. I hold my own, using my own skills to lock myself in place. 042's nose starts to bleed. I feel bad for them. They're trying so hard, but I'm no match for any of them at this point.

I don't move a muscle. Before, I used to be like them, having to use my hands to direct my ability, no matter what one I used. Now, it's just a thought.

"I'm sorry." I say to 042 before they are forcefully thrown from the circle. Their body slamming against the wall. I didn't mean to throw them so hard.

Papa grins at me, proud of what he's created. Proud of what he makes me do. If it weren't for the collar, I wouldn't do any of it. I hate being forced to hurt. I only ever hurt people that deserved it. These kids are like me, trapped.

"It's okay, Angel. You can tend to 042 if you'd like." He says. Allowing me to rid them of their pain.

I make my way to 042's side, a tear in my eye.

"I'm sorry." I tell them again as I place my hand on their shoulder as they lay on their side. It's only a moment before they stand back up and move to join the others.  The look 042 gives me destroys me.