Hybrid

Chapter Two

Ireland's heart raced, and beads of sweat slid down her face. Her feet slammed on the ground hard, causing a stinging sensation to run up her legs. Ireland winced, but kept running. She could tell that she was slowing down. Her stomach burned. It felt as if it was being squeezed from the inside, but she kept running. She couldn't stop. She just couldn't, for if she did, she knew that she'd just be tazed and whipped until she passed out, or got back up to run again. Ireland stumbled, her legs buckling under pressure. She tried to continue moving foreward, but she just couldn't take it anymore. Her right leg smacked into her left one, and Ireland came tumbling to the floor.

"Ah!" Ireland cried out in pain as she crashed onto the cold hard floor below her. Waves of pain spiked along through her head as her jaw collided with the floor. Ireland gasped in pain as she slowly lifted her aching head. Ireland coughed, and tried to look around. Everything was blurred together. She could make out different blurred shapes coming towards her, and she guessed that they were probably the test runners, getting ready to taze her. Ireland blinked, attempting her best to clear her vision, and get back up on her feet. She shakily pushed off of the floor, and managed to stand up. Trembling with fear and exhaustion, she ran a couple steps forward. Ireland winced in pain as her jaw stung. Her knees buckled, and again, she came crashing to the floor.

She could hear the footsteps coming closer and closer, and tears ran down Ireland's face. Soon, she felt the whip being slapped across her back. It stung, and a burning sensation followed after as every muscle in her back screamed. Ireland grunted in agony, and struggled to get back to her feet. Then, she was tazed. She could feel the taze being pressed into her side. Electricity coursed through her as she felt the energy burning into her. Ireland yelled painfully, her body slamming onto the floor once more. She lay there in pain as the test runners whipped and tazed her relentlessly. She kept crying out in pain as she felt a fresh wound form on her bony back. Ireland's vision repeatedly came in and out of focus, and soon, all she felt was numbness. A soft fuzziness surrounded her vision, as her eyes slowly closed. And the next thing she knew, everything went black.
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Ireland opened her eyes in a panic, and a blinding light immediately shone into them. She blinked as fuzzy dots clouded her vision, and tried to get up. There was a rattling of chains, as Ireland realised that she was chained up. Confused, she looked at the little band of metal that was locked around her skinny wrist. Why am I here? What's going on? Ireland could recall that she passed out, but, the current situation still confused her. The last time she passed out during testing, she was locked up in her cage, and wasn't allowed to eat her dinner meal. But, this was different. She was alone in a room made out of stone. Her chains were connected to the wall behind her, and she had a large cloth tied tightly around her wings. Ireland bit her lip nervously. She recognised this. Or, at least, she thought she did. This situation seemed familiar, but, she just couldn't seem to remember why. Ireland took a deep breath in before allowing her finger nails to transform into long sharp talons. Ireland stuck one talon into the keyhole of her shackle, and fiddled her finger around. She lowered her face to the shackle in order to hear any sort of sound that might have resembled the opening of the clasp. A quiet creak echoed around the room as a door to Ireland's far right opened. Startled, Ireland hid her hands behind her back, and carefully proceeded to unlock her shackles.

Ireland's eyes widened as a tall, lanky woman emerged into the room. Ireland bit her lip, and pressed back nervously against the wall behind her. Ireland narrowed her eyes in disgust as she gazed upon the person before her.

Ireland nervously swallowed, her throat as dry as a hot desert. "It's been a while, Jules." She hissed angrily.

Jules smiled, and brushed her long brown hair back behind her shoulders, her deep brown eyes were locked with Ireland's. "Indeed it has Ireland." She cooed, not a hint of emotion noticeable in her voice.

Ireland suspiciously cocked her head. "What do you want?" She demanded.

Jules eyes widened in mock-hurt, and she raised her hand to her mouth to mimick surprise. "Can I not visit my best friend, Ire?" She questioned, a small smile snaking onto her freckled face.

Ireland flinched. "Don't call me that." She seethed angrily, her arms trembling.

Jules raised an eyebrow. "Oh, did I strike a nerve?" She laughed in amusement.

Ireland narrowed her eyes farther. "You are no longer my friend Jules, so I don't expect you to treat me like one. So tell me, why are you here?" She hissed angrily.

Jules laughed, delight plainly written on her face. "Nothing gets by you, does it? I'm here on important business." She almost purred.

Ireland raised an eyebrow. "Of course you are," She hissed unsurprised, "But of what sort?" She seriously asked.

Jules smiled. "I'm surprised you haven't guessed yet." She laughed.

Ireland's eyes widened. "What? Enough Jules. Just tell m-"

Jules locked eyes with Ireland once again and smiled. "Maybe I was wrong about you, Ireland. You're not as smart as I thought." Her face turned serious.

Ireland's eyes widened. "W-what do you mean-"

Jules smiled. "Why do you think you're here, Ireland?" She hissed, impatiently.

Ireland's eyes widened, and her hands trembled uncontrollably. Tears began to rise to her eyes, and Ireland blinked them away in disbelief.

Jules smiled wickedly. "So you've figured it out," She hissed in delight, "You're being relieved of your stay, Ireland. You're being replaced. You're going to be shot down like the animal you are!" She laughed wickedly.

Suddenly time went slow for Ireland. Tears softly ran down her cheeks. She's gonna be killed. She's gonna die. Ireland bit her lip, and glared at her former friend. No. There was no way Ireland would die. No way she could die. She had to escape.

Ireland's shackles fell to the ground with a rattle, and she lunged away from the cold wall. Jules' eyes widened in disbelief and she began running to the door. But, for Jules, it was no use trying to escape. Thanks to all of the painful testing that was forced upon Ireland, she was faster. She ran to Jules, and in one swift movement, knocked her unconscious.

"I'm afraid that's not going to happen, Julia."

Sorry guys! I rushed through this and I am wayyyy too lazy to edit so, if there are some mistakes and mispelled words, I am sorry. Thanks for reading!!