Experiment Number 7218

Chapter 16: Floor Three

Chapter 16: Floor Three

Brittany's POV:

Keith stayed near Cain the rest of the way to the apartments, refusing to let him within five feet of me. We chose the biggest apartment available, deciding it was best that we don't separate anymore. At least to no more than two or three people.

I'm currently sitting on the black 'L' shaped couch in the apartment. It's the middle of the night, and even though Ashton is safe, I still can't sleep. I keep telling myself I'm not turning, but the thought still scares me.

I don't want to be what has been trying to maul me for the past few days. I sit on the corner of the couch, hugging my knees to my chest with my pistol sitting beside me and my knife in my jacket pocket.

The doors are blocked off and the windows are barricaded completely, so we are aloud to keep candles lit. I rest my chin on top of my knees and think to myself, 'What could anyone possibly do to deserve this?'

I guess I'm having one of those "moments of doubt." I'll get over it, I guess.

A noise makes me jump and I see Cain standing in the hallway entrance that leads to the bedrooms. He doesn't say anything as he sits on the far side of the couch.

"What do you want?" I ask, paranoid of him.

He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees with his hands intertwined.

"I wanted to apologize about earlier..." He says.

I don't say anything as he keeps his head bowed, I just stare him down. I happen to glance at the hallway and I can tell someone is standing there. Probably Keith watching Cain.

"It was a.. 'defense' thing I guess.. I came here with my sister," He starts, "I haven't told anyone this, but uh.. We had to go through the factory too. I was sixteen and all I could do was stand there and watch my sister be torn to pieces by some.. Thing. I don't expect you to understand, but I'm sorry."

I sit there for a minute, surprised he was apologizing.

"If it makes you feel any better we sent that thing straight to Hell," I tell him, "And you're right. I won't understand how that feels. I'm sorry."

He finally looks up at me and just nods, standing up and heading back to his room. Looks like I'm not the only one with troubled thoughts.

I lean my head on the side of the couch and let out a sigh.

"Are you done eavesdropping?" I ask, even though I can't see anyone.

Talon then steps out of the hall and say's, "Sorry, I just don't trust him."

"Oh, I thought you were Keith." I reply.

He smiles a bit and walks over, sitting in front of me.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" He asks.

I shrug my shoulders, not wanting to talk about it. I don't want him, let alone anyone else, looking at me like I'm a creature.

"You need to sleep." He states.

"I can't." I reply.

"Well that's just not going to work, is it?" He say's, standing up. He then picks me up and I ask, "Hey! What are doing?"

He then takes my spot, leaning back and laying his legs across the couch. He lays me across him and commands, "Go to sleep."

"Hey Mister, I didn't say you could do that." I glare at him.

"Doesn't matter." He smiles and I roll over, only for him to wrap his arms around me. I'm basically laying on top of him.

I roll my eyes, knowing I'm not going to win, and lay my head in the crook of his neck. He intertwines his hands over my back and holds me against him. Eventually, I'm able to sleep.