NaLu: Just Experiments

CHAPTER 20: Unconscious

(Natsu's POV)

     I am so exhausted. I've been poked and prodded in every spot on my body for the past hours, and I can definitely say they aren't kidding when they say "thorough exam". I've had blood tests, urine tests, EKG's, MRI's, CAT scans, checkups from every doctor alive, and more physicals than I can count. I had hoped Lucy would be back by the time I got back, but she still isn't here. I've never liked it when she was away. It always makes me worry about her. I used to be afraid that she wouldn't come back, but now I know that Zayn will do anything to keep her alive.
     "Natsu?" I hear Wendy's voice call out. "Yes Wendy?" I answer. "What are they doing to Lucy?" she asks quietly. "I don't know." I say sadly. This is what worries me. They could be doing anything to her right now. It's not like anyone here has any respect for her. "I want her back here with us. She makes me feel safe." Wendy sniffs. I want to comfort her and tell her everything will be alright. But I don't know that. "Well," I sigh," maybe you could just let your big brother make you feel safe for a while." She looks up and wips her eyes, "Okay, Natsu. Thank you. I love you." "I love you too sis." I smile.
     Wendy and I have grown closer ever since we found out we were related. We have gotten to experience sibling love. It's a strange thing. So similar yet so different than the way I feel about Lucy. Love is so strange. It can't be forced or bought. It has to grow on its own. It can't seem to be stopped by anything, yet it can be so fragile sometimes. It comes in different forms too. Sibling love like how I love Wendy. Friendship love like how I've learned to love all my friends. Then there's the kind of love that only happens when you meet someone who was meant for you, like Lucy. Oh Lucy, I miss you so much.
     Well, I'm sure she'll be back soon. I'm about to look for a clock when I remember there are none. There also aren't any windows. Or calendars. Or a way to tell day from night. I hate feeling so helpless. I guess there's nothing I can do about it though. Then I hear the door open. I jump up too quickly, and I feel dizzy for a second. I recover quickly and grip the bars anxiously as I wait for Lucy to come through the door....but she doesn't. Three scientist come in instead. They walk over to the cage Wendy and Lucy share and wordlessly unlock it. "Hey! Where's Lucy!?" I yell at them. The closest one flinches and coldly says, "Experiment 1 has completed a long day of testing for Dr. Highmore, and he has decided it best for her not to be disturbed by the other experiments for the time being. Experiment 5, or Wendy Dragneel,  will be transferred to your cage for this reason." He turns back to Wendy, who by now has been dragged out of her cage.
     The other scientists proceed to nail giant glass panels to the walls of the cage while the one who I talked to pushed Wendy into my cage. We watch, hugging each other, as the scientist finish adding the glass walls."What are those supposed to do? Suffocate her?" I ask angrily. "No," another scientist grunted, "they are soundproof barriers with microscopic holes to allow air. She can breathe, but she can't hear you."
     Why are they soundproofing her cage? What have they been doing to her? "Bring her in." I hear the scientist mumble into his walkie talkie, but of course my hears picked it up. Wendy must have heard it too because she starts staring at the door intently. The first thing I see are her bare feet. She's on a table. She's unconscious. WHY IS SHE UNCONSCIOUS?!?!? She looks fine. No bruises, no cuts, no band-aids covering up places they stuck a needle into her. She's just unconscious....but why? If she's not hurt, and she wasn't training (sometimes we faint from exhaustion)....they wouldn't drug her....would they? My mind starts running through all the reasons they would drug her, but so far....I don't think they would do that. Besides, if they did, they would give it to her through a shot, but they haven't given her any shots.
I can worry about that later. For now, all I want to focus on is Lucy, her scent as the guards pick her up off the table, the sound of her labored breathing as they carry her into the cage, and the color of her hair as it swishes back and forth in tune with the guards' steps. She moans as they set her on the floor, not bothering to lock her cage, but insuring its closed all the way. For a few seconds, as the guards roll out the table, the room is eerily quiet, but as soon as the door closes, each of us spring into action. "Lucy!" I almost shout, willing her to hear me. She doesn't move.
     Wendy looks at me, on the verge of tears, "How...why did this happen to her?" Something inside me tenses at the sight of my sister's quivering chin, and I turn to Erza in frustration. "Erza, explain something to me," I demand, my voice adding tension to the air, "How are we denied basic human rights, trapped in cages and fed through tubes, while the scientists lounge just down the hall, making money off of our lives? 'Cause that concept to me seems just bit unfair." Ezra's eyes display a parade of emotions, from despair to fury, but finally land on just tired as she says in a calm but clear voice, "Natsu, I'm afraid it's all too simple in their eyes. Were denied human rights because we aren't human. We haven't been for a long time."
     My anger was burning so passionately inside me, but now...it's all but extinguished. We aren't human. It's true, and we'll all carry that with us until the day we die. These scientists have taken something from us that can never be given back, our humanity. It doesn't leave a scar or hurt as sharply as other wounds, but it does something far worse. It changes part of who we are as people, or super people I guess, and now, I think they've taken something else from Lucy.
     As if brought to life by my thinking her name, Lucy stirs, sitting up with drowsy eyes. Against my better judgement, I lunge towards her as far as my cage will allow, gripping the bars and breathing "Lucy!" She looks around the room sleepily, vague confusion taking over her features. Eventually, she manages to wobbly rise to her feet, clenching her hands together over her heart. She makes eye contact with each of us, her emotions unreadable behind the ever present look of wonder. Then she looks at the ground, her bangs falling over her eyes.
     Gray's eyes narrow, "Lucy?" She doesn't acknowledge him, not surprising since she can't hear him, but does look up again. Something heavy has been placed over my chest and it's pushing my lungs down, keeping them from getting enough air. Dread has  taken a hold of me and refuses to let go. Something is wrong with Lucy. Something is wrong with Lucy. Then, after another agonizing minute, she finally speaks, and the sound of her voice echoes in the empty air.
     "What were your names again?"