1.8 1 ➻❥ Salvation - (dystopia au) 8/Minghao + 82/Kaia

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! TW: imprisonment, dehumanization, scientific experiments on humans !

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! TW: imprisonment, dehumanization, scientific experiments on humans !

***

"Hey."

The scraping sound of plastic on concrete made me wince, but I didn't take my eyes off the grey, scratched wall of my cage. The previous owner had had really sharp nails-or claws.

"Number 82. Here is your food."

The memory of rough hands poking and prodding my body rose from a hurricane of thoughts and emotions. They'd named me 82. They'd tagged me like a dog. They'd thrown me in a cage and fed me mush in dog bowls.

No. Go away! I wanted to scream, but my mind was too hazy to respond to my commands. I was still human enough to feel embarrassed that I was forced to eat with my two filthy hands out of a bowl, but I knew this was a fleeting sentiment. Pretty soon, I would relish it. Now, I wanted to laugh... I didn't have much time left before I succumbed to primal instinct.

"We do not have many humans," the voice said, monotonous and distant but somehow childishly hesitant.

I forced my mind to collect and looked over.

A thin boy peered at me through the cage bars. Even though he was older than me, he studied me with the intensity of a five-year-old seeing a ladybug for the first time. "Do you have a name?"

"Do you?" I asked, not answering the question. Maybe then he would shut up.

But no.

"Mr. Da said I once had a name. Now I am just 8."

I rolled my eyes. "That was rhetorical. You weren't supposed to answer. Besides, you already know my name, 92."

"82, actually. And that is not your name; it is just your assignment number."

"What's my assignment?"

For the first time, 8 showed a fraction of humanity and averted his eyes. "I cannot tell you that."

"Why not?"

"Mr. Da would punish me. Besides, you can't know or the experiment will have bias in it."

"Oh my god, an experiment with bias would be so horrible," I replied, sarcastically.

Clearly, 8 had never experienced sarcasm because he replied with sincerity. "Yes it would. I'm glad you understand." Then, he remarked, "You know, you might be one of the brightest humans we have ever had."

I blinked. It was odd knowing he was saying these things unironically. "Well, experiment boy, stick around for long enough and you'll see just how bright humans can be."

A whistle sounded, jarringly loud. 8 jumped and began to stride away.

"Bye now!" I called.

8 turned back in confusion for a moment and then continued on, disappearing around the corner. It was kind of fun messing with a person who didn't understand sarcasm.

Moments / SEVENTEEN ONESHOTS ✓Where stories live. Discover now