Plant Boy

Chapter 6 - Power

I found myself in a blurry, gray world as soon as I stepped out of the gateway. A ringing blared in my ears as I shook my head. My whole body had no feeling except for pins and needles.
"Why?" I asked softly.
"What is it now?" The doctor sighed. I turned away from the door so I could see his blurred face.
"Everything", I growled.
"Oh look", he spoke in an unamused tone. "You're mad again."
"You like to see me aggravated", I spoke calmly.
"I have no idea what you are talking about", He admitted in an innocent tone. "You were going to ask me something?"
"You like antagonizing us. That was my first question. I just got my answer", I explained as my vision gradually got clearer. My second question is why?"
"Oh shut up", He growled.
"Do I annoy you now?" I asked while showing a small grin. "Should I ask more questions?"
"I'm considering to leave you with PH-19", the scientist spoke. "Wouldn't you like that?"
"Sure", I agreed in a slightly low tone. "Can I stay with PH-14 too?"
"Maybe if you're good", he whispered as he glared at me. "Turn on your light and keep it on."
"My light?" I asked then glanced down at the device. I held it up for him to see. "You mean this?"
"Good job!" The scientist commented after he gave a fake gasp. "You win a prize!"
"Really?" I asked while raising an eyebrow.
"Sure! You can stay with PH-19 a bit longer", the scientist answered. He gestured for me to follow as he started to walk.
"Why are you obsessed with letting me stay with PH-19?" I asked as we started to walk. I made sure to press the trigger on the light and aim it at my hand.
"I have my reasons", the scientist spoke through gritted teeth.

We continued to walk through the hallway in silence until we reached a room with a gateway at the end.
The scientist stopped in the middle of the room and I stopped with him.
"What are you waiting for?" He asked. His lips formed a grin but his eyes showed a glare. I looked closely at his fake smile to see he was gritting his teeth.
"Oh look", I said with a satisfying smile. "You're mad."
My eyes widened as the scientist suddenly gripped my shoulders and used them to pick me up.
"I'll let that motherfucker deal with you! Good luck!" The doctor screamed in my face. Fear lurched through my body as he walked closer to the door.
"Wait!" I yelled. "Please!"
"Stay with him!" He screamed again. "You earned it!"
The scientist put me through the gateway as I screamed and flailed. When his grip loosened I hit a hard earth.

I coughed as my whole body felt weak from flailing. Although my eyes were shut I could tell there was no sunlight. I turned the light on as I pointed it at my right hand. As energy slowly returned I opened my eyes.
I blinked trying to focus. There was only darkness other than the ray of light I held.
From what I could see, the gateway was gone, and my surroundings were the color of sand. The gateway was gone.
The cold ground seemed to be made of stone, definitely different than both PH-14's simulation and my own.
"Hello?" I called shakily. "PH-19!"
A ripple of shock ran through my body as I heard whispers, just mere whispers.
I slowly placed the souls of my feet on the ground and stood up. Did I dare to use my light to see the unknown?
"Hello?" I called again, this time slightly louder.
"Use your eyes asshole", a voice hissed. It almost sounded if it was a talking snake.
"I can't", I spoke softly. "I don't have night vision."
"Use your light."
"I'm scared", I admitted. "Alright? I'm scared."
There was silence for a moment.
"Say that phrase again", it hissed.
"I'm scared", I whimpered.
"Pathetic. When I was told to make Nine's life a living Hell I didn't think it would be this easy."
"What?" I asked.
"You heard me. That man asked me to make your life a living hell."
"Please don't", I whimpered. I shook my head as I let a tear slip out.
"Shine the light on me", It ordered.
I tilted the light just enough so I could see PH-19 and get energy at the same time.
I stepped back as my heart skipped a beat. I witnessed a tall figure with four, skinny legs and a humanoid body and instantly aimed the light back down at my hand.
"Look at me!" It ordered.
I let a another tear slip out and forced my hand to tilt the light against my own will.
A squeal of fear escaped my mouth as I witnessed his black, fly-like eyes. A pair of bone-white mandibles were attached to his upper jaw. The ends of it stuck out in front of his mouth.
His arms were as thin as a ruler was wide. Bones were clearly defined in his skinny arms, shoulders and hands. On his shoulder he had a strap that held up a long, black tunic covering his body and upper legs. The ends of the tunic had clearly been ripped from a bigger piece of fabric.
His legs were as skinny as his arms. Each of his four legs ended in a point almost like spider legs.
The figure's skin blended well with the sandstone walls, but far from being camouflaged. All other features, like his black eyes and tunic, made it clear he was there.
The most daunting feature about PH-19 was his tail. My whole body shook as I noticed the stinger at the end of said tail. The blade-like feature gleamed in the faint light.
I gulped from pure fear as I turned my head.
"What are you?" I whimpered. I clenched my eyes as I braced for the worst. "Please don't hurt me."
"On normal terms I would just kill and eat you", Nineteen hissed. I started shaking more as I felt a metal-like object press against the top of my head.
I opened my eyes to see his stinger softly pressed against my forehead. Tears burst from my eyes as I slowly crouched to the ground. Once my rump was on the floor I wrapped my arms around my legs. I rocked back and fourth as fear crippled my body.
"Get up", He growled through a hiss. "I was saying I would eat you, but we have have a common enemy."
I lifted my head slowly.
"What?" I asked.
"You know exactly who I mean", He hissed. "Humans."
I slowly forced myself up to a kneeling position.
"Get your stinger away", I whispered. "I will talk."
"The scientist wont leave you here unless you're scared", PH-19 whispered. Though his voice was still as hoarse from before I could clearly tell he faked the menacing hiss. His voice sounded nearly human as he whispered.
"What are you getting at?" I asked. "What about humans?"
It was true that humans were a nuisance. I perked up slowly as I stared at his horrifying face.
"You go through things like both Fourteen and I. They do every little thing to make sure you suffer", he stated.
"How do you know?" I asked.
"The man wouldn't treat you any better than us two", PH-19 explained. "You're just the experiment."
"How do you know that?" I asked as my eyes widened.
"You have so many questions", PH-19 spoke. "If you help me, I can help you."
"What can I do?" I asked without hesitation.
"I'm hungry", PH-19 whispered. "I can very well end your problems if you get the bastard to come in here."
My eyes widened. "You weren't bluffing?" I whispered as my knees started to tremble. "You eat humans?"
"If you bring him to me I will tell you everything", PH-19 growled. "If you don't, I can eat you."
"If you think you can eat me you're wrong", sounded the scientist's voice.
"You don't have the balls to step in here!" PH-19 screamed. His mandibles spread like a beetles' would as he raised his voice.
"Nine", the scientist called.
"Yes?" I asked.
"Will you ever taunt me again?" He growled.
"Don't let him win", PH-19 hissed.
"I heard that", the scientist spoke. "I'm not asking you."
"What are you going to do about it?" PH-19 yelled. "Come in here a fight me?"
"I have other means of pain", the scientist admitted. "Your environment is was I choose."
PH-19 looked at me. "So what will it be?" He asked.
I looked at the dark walls to my left then back to the nightmare in front of me. Against all fear I stuck my hand out for PH-19 to shake.
"It's a human sign of respect", I explained. PH-19 stared at me with unmoving eyes.
"I know what a handshake is", he hissed. After a moment his bony hand grabbed mine. I was repulsed to shake his insect-like hand but I did it anyway. After two shakes I quickly let go of his hand.
"What?" The scientist asked. "Are you going to answer my question or not?"
"My answer", I started after a moment. "My answer is no, I wont bother you."
"What?" PH-19 growled.
"See Nineteen? I won!" The scientist gloated.
"I'm not finished", I interrupted. "Why should I bother you? You introduced me to PH-19, thank you!"
"What are you talking about?" The scientist asked. "That's a monster you're talking about!"
"Wow", PH-19 stated sarcastically. "Nothing I haven't heard before."
"He's not a monster", I said calmly. "He's my friend."
I gave a small grin as the scientist broke into a scream of aggravation.