Rat Records - "Behavioral Order"

Behavioral Order

*Author Note - this story was written a long time ago, and was the third thing I had ever written- It's not my best talent but I enjoy the vibe I created too much to not share it. I apologize for any grammatical errors as I didn't bother to touch up on this old work.

Behavioral Order

Short Story - Ava West, Charlotte Young

 SMACK- A loud noise fills the empty room, echoes bouncing between the walls. "I've had it with you, West." A tall mature woman spoke as she leaned over another smaller younger woman who was strapped to a chair - one that looked prepped for a surgery. "Trying to dismantle my empire.. All because you're scared to lose her? Shameful." The mature woman continued, her tone indicating that she wasn't exactly playing around. The words stung to the young girl, as she knew it was in reference to someone close to her - Valentine. She would do anything for Valentine.

 The mature woman is Charlotte "Lake" Young, head and founder of a mercenary organization that goes by the name, "The Exiled." The other girl was a younger one, a student. Ava "hot-headed" West. She sat within the confines of the chair, with the inability to move properly. Normally she'd use her shapeshifting to slip out, but something wasn't right. She couldn't control herself. She looked at Charlotte with a scowl, but her expression was also mixed with a bit of hurt as she thought about the slight bond they formed before this moment. Things weren't always so hostile - in fact, Charlotte almost saw Ava as her own.. Until Ava started to bite.

 The way Charlotte sees things - it's time to put a muzzle on this- "Mutt." Charlotte muttered as she backed away from the chair. She then turned to face someone standing at a table full of hardware and operating systems. "Aves, begin the cleansing, now." Charlotte said as she straightened her outfit and hair. The figure, "Aves" did as told and with the sound of clacking from a keyboard, an automated voice began to blare through the intercom speakers in the room. 

 "Command received, authorization; Lake. Beginning 'Behavioral Order' process." 

 Charlotte looked up at a screen that was displaying a percentage - presumably the percentage showing how far along this process is. She finished straightening her outfit and began walking away until Ava finally spoke up. "So that's how it is, huh?! All this time we've spent n' you're just some generic business lady who can't share any compassion. Absolutely wunnerful. Hope you're happy." Charlotte stopped in her tracks and it admittedly took a lot for her to not slap the girl again, but she remembered that any interference may ruin the process. "Silence. You don't know me. You never did." Charlotte spoke in a tone so frustrated that her voice was shaking. Deep down she knew the girl was right.. Why did Charlotte care so much? More importantly, why is she letting it ruin her life? "After what you've tried to do? You're dead to me, West… but I'll make you useful." The last couple of words sounded sinister. Sickening. Twisted. Ava felt a chill down her spine and even though she couldn't see Charlotte's face, she just knew there was an evil grin on it. Charlotte then began to walk off, headed toward the door. Her heels clicking sent a shiver down Ava's spine with each tap. With that, Charlotte was gone, and all Ava had to do was wait for this process to be over.. Or does she??

 "Hey, you. Could be amazin' if you turn this machine off." Ava said to the mysterious figure that Charlotte addressed as Aves. The desk was poorly lit, you could see their arms which were resting on the desk but their face and body was pitch black - almost as if they were some villain in a cartoon. They took their left hand and reached under the desk before grabbing what seemed to be a mask. They released a few pins and lifted the mask to their face. The sound of the mask connecting to their face was.. Unsettling. Almost like the air brakes on a school bus - or a decontamination room blasting air on you. Once the mask clicked into place, Ava saw nothing but a pair of red eyes lighting up in the darkness.