Running With the Devil (SCP Fanfic)

Chapter 12: Caged Animals

James walked through a familiar gray fog. His every step felt weak, his flesh was tired. His bones felt unfamiliar to him, like they weren't his. His head hummed and buzzed, confusion and sadness filled him like if he was a glass of water.

The fog grew darker and darker until he stopped in front of a black abyss. Two white pinprick eyes opened in the void wall. James looked up at them.

"What I've told you hasss come to fruition," a disembodied voice boomed.

James stood up straight. He looked angry.

"And now, here you are!" The voice started to maniacly laugh.

"You have found your way into imprisonment, just like myssself. But unlike me, you'll never escape because you are too righteousss!"

James gritted his teeth as the eyes of the being widened with its laughter.

"Maybe... if you were willing, you could escape but it'sss too early to sssay."

James turned around despite the toll it took on his seemingly weak body and walked away.

"Sssee you sssoon, little bird!" The voice called after him.

He exited the dream and opened his eyes to the dimly lit cell. He was being smothered by Malo holding him with cuffed paws.

He looked at the orange arms wrapped around him. He wished it was just all a dream.

"BZZZ!" An electric alarm buzzed as a red light above the entrance to the cell turned on.

A metal tray scratched against the concrete floor from a hatch under the door. James looked over at the tray. It had two metal bowls, and in between them was something else he couldn't make out.

James lifted the heavy arms that bound him down. He struggled from the weight of her restraints. He got up and made his way over to the door.

The item on the tray between the two bowls was two silver keys on a small loop. He picked up the keys and unlocked his hand cuffs and set them gently on the floor, wary that Malo might wake up from her nap.

He picked up the tray and brought it over to the sleeping Malo. He rested the tray on the floor and took the keys to remove Malo's bindings.

She started to shake and toss and turn in the metal bed. She was muttering something in her sleep. James quickly went to go wake her up as her eyes shot open, and she pounced off the bed and tackled James to the floor.

She had a feral look on her face. Growling erupted from her chest. He could hear her claws scrap the inside of her cuffs.

Malo's eyes suddenly widened, and her ears folded back. A small single whimper came from her mouth as she realized she was attacking James.

James had his head pressed against the concrete. He didn't look away from her. She scurried up and extended her cuffed paws to him.

"Sorry," her voice echoed against the metal muzzle.

"It's alright," he took her arm, and she pulled him up.

She sat down on the bed and looked down at the floor. James stepped up to her and lifted her head by chin. She looked up at him with her full moon eyes as he unlocked the muzzle concealing her face. He then lifted the muzzle off and dropped it on the floor with a heavy thud.

He then took one of her paws, unlocked the cuffs, and slid it off. He dropped it on the floor and did the same with the other paw.

Malo rubbed her aching wrists as James picked up the tray off the floor and sat next to her.