Daegelus | Volume One: Subject 0333

Chapter Forty-Three | Schricklend

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The closer they got to the compound, the faster Elijah's heart raced. He was anxious, and the dismay of his memories was consuming him. It was inside a truck much like this that he'd woken up in one morning, surrounded by other terrified kids, no idea where he was or how he'd gotten there. He remembered the smell of blood and wolfsbane, and the familiar sting of silver against his skin; he recalled trying his hardest to remember anything before he woke...but just like right now, he didn't know where he'd come from or who his parents were.

He exhaled deeply and tried to see through the small gap between the tarp and the front of the truck, but it was still storming outside, so he couldn't tell how far they were from the lab. Instead, he focused his senses, and it didn't take him long to locate the mass of human auras. They were getting nearer with every second—they were probably only a few minutes away—and that made Elijah's anxiety intensify.

Some of the kids started sniffling and crying. Most of the older ones were clearly trying to put on brave faces, hiding their fear with anger and annoyed frowns, but Elijah could see through them. He knew how they all felt, he knew how mortifying it was. But knowing that Zoe would tell her dads about this place once they were far away enough brought him a little comfort. These kids would see the outside world again sooner than they must be thinking.

He then shifted his sights to Zoe, who was looking around at the crying kids as if she wanted to tell them that everything was going to be okay, but to Elijah's relief, she kept quiet.

The truck started slowing, and every demon and lycan sitting inside lifted their heads and looked around fearfully.

Elijah heard voices outside.

"You finally made it, huh?" a man said, sounding amused.

August chuckled and replied, "Damn storm. Got turned around a bit for a moment."

"Looks like it's picking up. Better get into the loading bay before Schricklend skins us alive."

"Definitely don't want that happening," August laughed.

The man patted the van loudly. "See you later."

"Later," the fae replied.

The truck started moving again.

Elijah pulled his hood over his head and clenched his jaw, trying to calm down, but he was just seconds away from being inside a building just like the one where he'd spent nearly all his life. He could smell the pharmaceuticals, he could hear the cameras buzzing as they scanned the compound, and he could sense the desperation and agony in the air. His instincts began telling him to get out while he could, but he had to hold his ground, he had to keep his composure. Haru was inside...and he wasn't leaving until he found him.

He took another deep breath and calmed down as best he could, focusing on what he had to do once they were inside. Then, he looked at Zoe and Jake again, who both looked anxious; when their gazes met his, though, determination flickered across their faces.

The truck jolted as it drove over something; the tarp stopped floating in the wind, and through one of the gaps, Elijah saw the inside of the loading bay.

They were in the facility.

The truck halted, and the engine turned off. What Elijah knew was a security door buzzed loudly and clicked open, and then heavy footfall echoed from the right.

"All right, let's get them in," a man said.

Someone opened the back of the truck, and all the kids gasped fearfully as they turned their heads to look.