Blue Wings {COMPLETE} {UNDER EDITING}

Chapter 10 - Liz

The fume of chemicals wafting from the lab, stings my nose as we climb the dark metal stairwell out of the dungeon.

"Shh." I stop suddenly, hugging the wall. Mack inches closer to my side, breathing heavily down my neck. I bristle, listening intently to the creaking above our position, before cautiously moving forward. Mack grabs my hand, barely able to grip it, and trembles beside me as we venture further upward. His breathing comes in short gasps against my ear, chest heaving. I need to find a way out of here, and quick.

"Hang in there." I whisper, squeezing his hand tightly, but it does not help the fear that crawls across my skin. The stench of chemicals in the air grows stronger each step we take, making my head spin. I grip Mack's hand tighter, pressing forward.

After what seems like ages of climbing tirelessly upward, we reach a metal door showcasing a glimpse of the room behind it. I stop briefly, glancing through the window before gripping the handle and turning it slowly. It clicks softly, and the door creaks open. I almost expect an alarm to sound as we stagger through the doorway, but silence surrounds us. I grunt under Mack's weight as he leans on me. His systems are shutting down faster than normal, we are not going to make it.

I glance around the room we stand in. A few tables rest along the wall with a couple microscopes and chemical filled tubes resting on them. Helping Mack sit, I return to the door leading out of the tiny room. Luckily for us it contains a lock and I switch it shut, pushing one of the tables in front of it. There is no way we will escape with Mack's condition, so we will just have to wait it out. I step back over to Mack, sitting beside him and resting my head on his shoulder. He grips my hand tightly. "Wha-What's hap-happening to m-me?" Mack stammars, taking in shallow breaths.
"Your body is shutting down and re-building itself with your new genes.. Happens to every human that they expirement on." I explain quietly, squeezing his hand in mine.
"That k-kinda sounds like th-there was an...expirement that was..wasn't human.." Mack mumbles, fading off at the end as his eyes close and his breathing slows.
"Yeah..." I murmur quietly to myself, knowing Mack can't hear me. "Me." I whisper, resting my head on Mack's shoulder and listening to his weakening heartbeat staccato in my head.

I blink my eyes open, feeling the gentle touch along my cheek. "Oh gosh, I fell asleep." I sit up frantically scanning the room.

"Relax, I kept watch. Nothing happened." Mack says calmly from our corner.

"You're up." I spin around in surprise. "How do you feel?" I ask, sitting next to him again.

"It's strange. It's like.." He pauses, staring at his palms. "I feel stronger." He finishes slowly, looking at me; curiosity gleaming in his blue eyes. I stifle a laugh, smiling at him.

"That's because you are." Mack blinks at me, cocking his head.

"What exactly did he do to me?" He whispers, hands shaking. I stare at the ground, squeezing my eyes shut.

"He made you... like me."

"You mean, I'm going to have.. wings?" I nod. He stares at me briefly, then a smile crosses his face.

"Best. Thing. Ever!" How could you not enjoy this?"

"How could you enjoy being hunted by the lab.." I mumble, crossing my arms.

"I wasn't talking about that." Mack grabs my arms, spinning me around to face him. "We can move together so much easier, and I can protect you." I feel my cheeks grow warm and turn away quickly.

"You're still sick though. It will take a bit fo-"

"I don't care how long it takes. If it lets me be with you, I'm happy to wait." He states, cutting me off. I nod my head as I stand, reaching down to help Mack up.

"Come on, bird boy, let's get out of here." He grins at me as he stands. I quickly move the table away from the door, peeking out the window. The hallway outside looks empty, but I figure with how long the scientist that I killed in the dungeon has been missing, someone is sure to come looking for him soon. We do not have much time. I put my finger to my lips as I look at Mack, then turn the door handle.

My heart skips a beat as it creaks open. Slowly it comes to a stop and we move forward, hugging the walls as we go. We walk down hallway after hallway, each no different from the rest; white tiles, and white walls, lined with metal doors. It seems almost too quiet. I flutter my feathers to ease the stress, feeling my wings for the first time since we arrived here. All of my senses stay on high alert and each sound makes me jump inside, but I continue forward, hoping we don't run into anyone...

As we turn yet another corner, I notice a door that stands alone from the rest in the hallway. With a quick glance at Mack, I stalk towards it, noticing a sign above it. I read it slowly; Mutant Birds - DO NOT ENTER. The breath catches in my throat and I stop walking, frozen in place in front of the door. Mack squeezes my hand, pushing me forward. I turn towards him and he mouths one word, nodding.
Dylan.

It seems almost too good to be true as I turn the door handle, pushing it open. As I step inside a rotten smell hits me, making me gag. As we walk further into the room we soon locate the smell, noticing a bony hand reaching out of a cage with only little remnants of skin dangling to the floor. It's enough to make me puke, but I swallow it, trembling, and step over the mess. A cage to my left rattles and I stalk towards it. Inside rests a boy with gray and white wings, roughly around the age of fifteen....
"Dylan?"