Celestial Bodies: Of Runts and Lycans

Chapter 45: Smaller

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Lycer's POV

There's a bitter taste in my mouth.

I open and close my mouth several times, trying to get the taste of the wolfsbane to fade. Without any water it's a hard task and instead, I find the bitter aftertaste rising back up my throat. My hand flies up to my mouth, holding back the bile that comes after a drug induced torture. If I throw up in here, they won't clean it up for at least a week. I can't count on my fingers how many times they've made me sleep next to a pile of my own vomit.

Gulping back the acidic liquid of my body's creation does nothing to ease the bitter taste in my mouth and throat.

Something's happening amongst the experiments. For some time now, they've been oddly quiet around me. Usually, they yap their mouths. Throwing comments and insults, talking of Malum in multiple ways, talking of themselves and all they'll one day be once they get more information from me. But they've been quiet, at least while I've been able to actually understand them. Actually able to comprehend their words.

I push myself over to the thin clump of fabric that they gave me as a bed. I flip over the clumpy small pillow and grab at the water bottle that was snuck to me over a week ago. There's barely anything in it but I still rip it open, turning the bottle until the meager liquid hits my tongue. It gives the smallest of reliefs but it's a relief nonetheless. Closing the bottle so I don't lose the lid, I hide it back under my pillow. I'm not supposed to have water until they allow me to but I've somewhat befriended one of the experiments. Every now and then, when his rotation actually gets him near me, he'll sneak me water or protein bars. He'll take the trash in exchange for anything new he brings me.

I push myself back into my seated position in front of the bars. I try to maintain myself as best I can in front of them. I can't let them win. Or maybe I just can't let myself lose. Not completely.

The door to the cellars slams open and I hold back the jump that itches in my skin. Even in my sluggish state, the smell that wafts in is too real. But I know it's not and now I'm doubting the heavy footsteps walking towards my cell. A smell I hadn't passed in a long time has me taking deep breaths while trying to remain subtle.

Memories of Celestial dance in my head. Her giggle echoing around the forest. Her rounded cheeks with just the slightest bit of her cheekbones beginning to pop out. Her long, unruly hair between my fingers as I pull the twigs from the locks. Her gentle touch as she would ask me to keep reading. "One more chapter, please," she would pout.

A melancholic smile finds its way to my lips. I think I laugh. I feel it bubble on my lips but hear nothing. Nothing but the footsteps that still approach me. They echo off the walls and fill my head.

One of the experiments comes into view and I know I'm hallucinating. In his arms, is my Celestial. My mouth opens and closes as the experiment saunters into view. She moves sluggishly in his arms.

They must have given me something else; something alongside the wolfsbane.