The Eden Projects (EDITING)

Chapter 51. Three Blind Mice.

- Kasper -

I know he's breathing. Just beyond the wall.

Kasper stood with his head pressed to the doorframe of the storage room, listening. He hadn't left his exact spot in over a day. The key to the hardly jail-like door cut into his palm with its jagged teeth as he turned it over and over against his skin. He was listening. Every now and again there would be a rustle, a small cough, a sharp inhale, and he was sure that the boy was dead again. But a few moments later, another noise would change his mind.

"What do I do now..." He muttered. "If I go in there, I have to face it." The it being his past. How he wanted never to think of it again.

The sound of footsteps tugged him around.

"It's been a day, he should be awake right?" Kasper turned.

Zak slowed and put his head to the door. "I'd say so. If you go in there. Be careful, you said he didn't know you. So don't expect him to act like he does."

"Mh."

"Go slow, it's been years for him. Who knows what they did and for christ's sake don't scare him."

Kasper nodded and held the key ever tighter. He had imagined how this would go, and none of the outcomes were any brighter than the others. Zak nodded and walked away. "I'll be back in a half hour. Gonna help with the load up for a scout." He shouted, leaving Kasper there alone again.

"Right. Let's say hello." 

His heart pattered in his chest and slowly he unlocked the door. 

It seemed for so long he had been closing them, and it felt unnatural to now unlock one. 

A very important one. 

The sleeve of his over shirt tugged up, revealing his bite scarred forearm. He had come a long way from that scared sixteen year old boy... now he was older; had done egregious things that would make even Adam blush and yet he was still just as scared. 

Only now, he hid it better. Kasper wondered if he would ever be free of that gnawing fear. "Breathe." With a shove the door creaked open and he braced for conflict. It swung with a gentle whine. When it hit the coarse wall behind it, he took the first step gingerly.

The room was dark, except for a steady stream of sunlight that filtered through the singular grated window at the rooms rear-center. The light coursing through the plated gaps filtered down to Zero, who sat just beneath it, his head tilting upward to the beam. Black veins covered his neck and face. Kasper's body fluttered to life, preparing for a fight. "You're awake." Kasper said hoarsely, letting the door close behind himself. He stayed as calm as he could. "Zero." His heart softened. It's him. It's really him. He knew the curve of his brother's small shoulders well. "Z."

Zero didn't move. "Why am I here?" He asked calmly and his voice trembled.

Kasper tilted his head, watching him shiver softly. He lowered, crouching. "Are you cold? Do you need a blanket?" He put out his bare hand. The room was warm to him.

"No."

"Then why are you shivering?"

"Sustenance. I need it."