The Scientist

Blood

Zedaph pov

The scream echoed through the sterile halls, slicing through the tense atmosphere like a knife. My heart raced, adrenaline flooding my system as I ran toward the source of the sound. Scar was ahead of me, his tiny vex form zipping through the air with a speed I couldn’t match on the slippery floors. I rounded the corner just in time to see him fly straight through a wall in his haste to reach Tango.

What I saw next made my blood run cold. Tango was on the ground, surrounded by doctors and scientists who were clearly not there to help him. Cub was already down, lying motionless a few feet away, and before I could process what was happening, I watched in horror as Scar was slammed into a wall with brutal force. He crumpled to the floor, his small body lying still where he fell.

Rage surged through me, primal and fierce, and I felt my sheep instincts kick in with a ferocity I hadn’t felt in a long time. Without thinking, I charged forward, my hooves pounding against the slick floor as I barreled into the group of people attacking Tango. The force of my ram sent them sprawling, and I didn’t stop. I twisted and kicked, my hooves cutting through the air, catching flesh and bone as I fought to protect Tango.

They tried to grab me, their hands reaching out to restrain me, but I was too quick. I cut them down with sharp, precise kicks, my hooves slicing through fabric and skin alike. There was no time for hesitation, no room for doubt. All that mattered was getting these people away from Tango.

“Get away from him!” I shouted, my voice a furious roar that echoed through the corridor. The sight of Tango, hurt and vulnerable, fueled my anger, turning it into a relentless drive to protect him.

I kept my glare fixed on the retreating figures, the raw intensity in my eyes enough to keep them from daring another move. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing the remnants of adrenaline that still coursed through my veins. When the last of them finally disappeared around the corner, I allowed myself a small, shaky breath of relief.

With the immediate threat gone, I turned my attention back to Tango. He was still on the floor, his breath ragged and his eyes wide with a mix of lingering fear and pain. “Zed…,” he repeated, his voice trembling as he tried to find some semblance of comfort in my presence.

“I’m here,” I whispered, my voice soft as I gently helped him sit up. The warmth of his body against mine grounded me, bringing me back to the reality of the situation. Tango needed me to stay strong—for him, for all of us.

Once I had him propped up, I moved carefully toward where Scar and Cub had fallen. They were still small, still in their vex forms, but they looked so fragile, like wounded birds. I hesitated for a moment, unsure if my touch would be too rough, but I knew I had to help them.

Slowly, I extended my hand, brushing my fingers lightly against Scar first. His small body was warm, and I could feel a faint pulse of life under my touch. He stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering open for a brief moment before closing again. I carefully picked him up, cradling him in my hands as I moved to do the same for Cub. They were both so light, so delicate, and it pained me to see them like this.

Once I had them both, I walked back over to Tango and gently placed the two vexes in his lap. Tango looked down at them, his expression softening as he realized they were still alive. His hands, though trembling, moved to cradle them protectively.

I sat down beside him, my gaze shifting from Scar and Cub to Tango, and then finally to myself. The adrenaline was fading, leaving behind the dull ache of exhaustion and the sting of the cuts and bruises I had sustained during the fight. But none of that mattered right now. What mattered was that we were all still here, still breathing, still together.