Experiment 101 (Aris x Reader)

21)

You stared at your white wall, eyes glazed over with something dark. Despite the freezing temperature, you didn't shiver, too far gone for that at the moment. Your face remained neutral, the trauma you endured already becoming another everyday experience.

You knew you needed food. You hadn't had a bite of anything for at least eight hours. While your stomach was rumbling, there was no hunger pains or nauseous feeling to force you to pay attention.

The back of your hand was crusted with dry blood that trailed down fingers. A loose nail had found its way under your flesh, causing you to hiss as you grabbed it. It was a natural reaction, a human need to protect your exposed injury, but that didn't matter to them.

As you were fixated on that one spot, the door opened behind you, a quiet creaking that almost blended into the fan. Remaining still, you waited for your next instruction.

Shutting the door, the guard walked away without a second thought, leaving you completely and utterly alone.

Aris’s P.O.V

The hill was the worst thing to ever exist. I could literally die out here, and I’m suffering because of climbing. I climbed through vents! I swung around like an idiot! This shouldn't be happening to me!

Sand is very movable. Just as you get somewhere, surprise. You're back where you started.

I’m having so much fun right now. This is amazing. No really. I love being out here.

The Safe Haven better have an incredible view. If it's not a paradise with clear water and lush grass, I’m going to walk right back into death.

As we were right there, somehow so close, there was a panicked shriek. When I turned around, I found Thomas grabbing onto the nearest thing (Minho) to try and stop himself from stumbling down.

Surprise, surprise, to the bottom they went, kicking up the devil dust on the way. They each landed with a thump, the more coordinated friend completely on top of the other. He groaned in response, audible through his face that was buried in sand.

“What the shuck is your problem? Just because you suck, you drag me down with you?”he snapped, stumbling to his feet. Brushing his shirt off like there was anyone to impress, he threw the guy who was just now sitting up a harsh glare.

“I’m sorry, alright? It was an accident,”he excused.

“No, Thomas. No. It is not alright. I am exhausted, I am malnourished, I am thirsty-”
The list went on and on. It seemed like this was less frustration at Thomas and more needing to scream at the world. To be fair, if I was the one grabbed, I might just lie there and never get up.

When I glanced to the side, Y/N gave me a look that I swear asked what these idiots were doing, and honestly, I was wondering the same thing. I get it. The entire situation sucks.

But staying at the bottom of the hill, still bickering with each other, cannot be making it better.

Your P.O.V

The official top of the dune was both the same as the rest of the trip and completely different. Deserted cars littered the streets, hidden under layers of harsh yellow. Buildings were collapsing, shattered windows and peeling paint buried and slanted.

As we were taking it in, there was yet another thump. Turning my eyes to the bottom of the hill, I found Winston groaning as he covered his face.

Figuring it was the fastest way there, I sat down. With my legs out straight, I let myself slide down what we worked so hard to get up. I have to be there sooner or later. There's no harm in checking on someone.

I was there before I could blink, my pants no doubt ruined. Seeing as that was hardly on the list of problems, I patted his shoulder as normally as possible, even remembering to make sure my arm wasn't completely stiff.

“Are you okay? We can bandage you up if needed,”I assured him.

“Besides the hit to my pride, I’m thriving,”he sighed, leaning back and closing his eyes. I heard him take a deep breath like he was recharging under the sun.

“Ya’ ain't got to answer it. Not like it cares,”he grumbled. When I looked up at him, he lightly kicked his foot, just enough to send sand in my face.

“This is why you're dying alone,”Minho rebutted, giving him a simple shove. He tripped into the dirt, his elbows grazing it.

I get the sensation of throwing up when he talks to me like that. There's that subtle burn in my throat while a foreign and banned taste fills my mouth. It makes it hard to breathe, like my brain has forgotten every basic skill.

Standing up, I held my hand out. Winston accepted, muttering a thanks as I pulled him up.

“We ready to see what this baby holds?”Fry exclaimed, clapping his hands together. Seeing as the answer was obvious, I gave a small nod while already continuing on.