Angel With Broken Wings

68 - The Interrogation of the Ride's (2)

⚠️MENTIONS OF CHILD ABUSE, KIDNAPPING, DEATH AND TRAFFICKING OF CHILDREN, ALSO SPOILERS SOMEWHAT FOR MAXIMUM RIDE (if you haven't read it)
[POV CHANGE | GAZZY RIDE]

I fidget uncomfortably in my seat in the opposite room from Kat, my eyes trained on the two older males as the room fills with a tense silence. I didn't like being away from Kat, having to obey their rules and stick by the side of Headmaster Wahlberg was one thing considering the elderly man treated me more like a grandson rather than a prisoner, but in a space where we were looked at like abominations, it made my skin crawl.

I purse my lips as I wait quietly, the blonde Visionary finally speaking up with a comforting smile, "That was a neat trick back there, you sounded exactly like Orter." I shrug at the random compliment, my head nodding as I feel the bile and sense of deja vu at the conversation, the words reminding me of Ter Bortch. "Well, it's just something I can do."

Ryoh Grantz nods at my comment, watching me carefully as I continue to tense, the other Visionary in the room remaining peacefully silent before finally letting himself into the conversation, "I don't think we've officially had an introduction...my name is Kaldo Gehenna, I would say it's a pleasure but considering the circumstances I should probably hold off."

I shrug once more, unaware on how to respond to the random introduction, the smile on his face screaming falsities as I shift once more. "Right..." The single word is uttered without another thought, my fingers fidgeting with each other in my lap before Ryoh let's out a small sigh, the blonde beginning to start his questioning,

"Well, I guess we should begin here. If you are knowledgeable, can you share why Innocent Zero's organization wants you and Kat?" The question makes me shrug once more, the words spinning through my mind as I think about the answer carefully. They never actually told us the reason, the White Coats at the School just sent us over to them without an explanation and we never received anything from the criminals once we arrived, except for maybe a few extra bruises.

"No, they never said. I think they just want to use us as human shields, hoping that you lot are weak to children." My words are honest and sincere as I respond, the blonde quirking an eyebrow up slightly as he questions once more, "There are more of you?" I nod slowly, flattening my palms against my pants and wiping the sweat off harshly as my hands shake uncomfortably,

"Yeah...there are five more, they're like Kat and I, and then the scientists from the School sent over some of their guard dogs, we call them Erasers – half-human, half-wolf hybrids they genetically created. They're the favorites." I shift once more as I feel the anxiety settle in, my head hurting from having to think about how the rest of the Flock is no doubt being treated at that place, the Erasers probably having the time of their lives getting their beatings in.

"How old are all of you?" I wince at the question, taking note of the concern circling through Ryoh's gaze as Kaldo remains quietly listening in his seat, my mouth feeling dry as I hesitantly responds, "Well, I'm nine, Kat is fifteen...then there is Angel, my biological sister, who is seven. Nudge is twelve, while Max, Fang and Iggy – he's Kat's twin brother – are all fifteen as well."

I see the two Visionaries wince at my answer, the next question sounding tight and hesitant as Kaldo is the one letting out the inquiry, "How long have they been doing this to you and your family?" I bite down on the inside of my cheek as my fingers go back to fidgeting, my body involuntarily shivering as I respond faintly, "Since birth, my parents sold me and Angel...Iggy and Kat's parents only sold Kat, while the others were all kidnapped as infants...except Max, her biological father was involved in the experiments, had her just for them."

I watch as Ryoh's hands tighten into fists, the adult letting out a deep breath as he stands and moves to grab a cup of water from the dispenser in the room. "His wife...just had their child...I'm sure he's getting upset at the thought of someone doing that to children, especially having one of his own." Kaldo's explanation at the sudden reaction makes me nod, a part of me gently relaxing as I take note of the subtle implications that the anger was one born of concern and his sense of protective duty towards children.

"Then he really won't like the rest of what they did..." My words are muttered absentmindedly, Kaldo humming slightly as he moves his gaze back towards me slowly, the male soon pushing for an answer to my words, "What else...did they do?" I shift once more, jumping slightly when Ryoh offers me a paper cup filled with water, a small nod of appreciation involuntarily leaving me as I accept the cup slowly.

"The White Coats...they kidnapped other children besides us, but none of them survived. The experiments were...too much on their bodies so they died, brutally. The Erasers are in charge of punishments and executions, so they are extremely brutal and enjoy hurting us. They kept us in dog crates the whole time we were there, Innocent Zero kept us chained up against trees around their base, but I couldn't tell you where it is. They kept our eyes covered whenever they would move us."

I take a sip of the water at the end of my words, my hands shaking all the while as I gauge the reactions of the two individuals in the room. Ryoh coughs slightly after my words, the deep anger still prevalent in his eyes as he lets out a shaky breath, his question slipping past his lips, "What else...?"

I fight back the bile in my throat as I grip the cup tightly, my fingers cold as I mutter out my answer, "I'm sure...Kat is sharing this...she always disassociates when this topic comes up, so she always answers truthfully...do I have to?" My words make the two nod, Kaldo pursing his own lips at the mention of my sister as Ryoh appears to be struggling to breathe.

"Of course, you don't have to...I'm sure what happened are simply things you wouldn't want to remember." I nod at the words of understanding from the family man, another sip of water going down my throat as I eye the two carefully.

[POV CHANGE | RYOH GRANTZ]

To say I was angry would be an understatement, the thought that anyone could do this to children felt beyond me even though I've dealt with multiple criminals while being a Visionary. Innocent Zero was planning something, and I'm sure it would involve the world in which Gazzy and Kat came from, but to use children to fight their own battles disgusted me on a deep level.

Children were meant to be protected, that's part of the reason I was so against the execution of the three lackmagics, their ages being a big factor in my decision. "What are your abilities, is that something you're comfortable with answering?" My question was soft and kind, the blonde child nodding hesitantly as he answers with a soft tone,

"Well, as you can see...I can mimic other people's voices, and I'm also really good at making bombs. All of us have wings that allows us to fly, but we all have different abilities for the most part. Kat can breathe underwater, has telekinetic abilities and can speak / understand any language, she also knows how to make bombs. Angel also has telekinesis, but she can also read minds and breathe underwater, and talk to animals.

"Nudge can attract metal towards herself and when she touches something another person has touched she can channel them, I guess...it's hard to describe. Fang can blend in with his surroundings and breathe underwater, Iggy is the best cook and can make bombs, and with his complete blindness he can hear better than the rest of us and even guide in the dark better. Max is the leader, she can fly at super high speeds and also breathes underwater.

"We all have enhanced strength and speed, so we're stronger and faster than regular human beings." His explanation was lengthy as he spoke, my ears having latched onto the fact his biological sister can read minds, and appears to be the only one among the seven of them who can. I open my mouth to speak, only to halt when the next few words leave his lips carefully, the news rattling me to my core as the words make my head spin,

"We also gain different abilities while time goes on...so we could get more at some point too."