The Experiments

Chapter One; Rude Awakening

This chapter is dedicated to my friend CherriDnD as she is the one who motivates me to continue writing.

     I stare, horrified, at Rose, strapped to the table in the middle of the normally abandoned lab. She faces the guard at the table's side, expression murderous.

     "MY NAME ISN'T ROSE! ITS ALEXIS! ALEXIS MENNA! YOU CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME!" she screeched struggling against the tight straps. We all knew she had a hard time coping with everything, and she had been unusually rebellious, but we never thought she would've so openly broken a rule like that. I think she just snapped.

     "Shad, cover River's eyes!" Alpha barked, and as always, Shadow listened. I pushed him away, but he managed to restrain me, covering my eyes. But not before I saw the guard pull out a syringe, and with Rose's bloodcurdling scream, cut off abruptly, I put two and two together.

     I began to shake my eyes squeezed shut, though Shadow had pulled me away from the window, and released me. I didn't realize I was crying, until gentle weeping became sobs. I sank to my knees, Shadow kneeling next to me, hugging me. I felt his tears soak into my shirt, but it didn't matter. I began screaming, long, agonized, terrified screams.

     "RIVER! RIVER! WAKE UP!"
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     I woke screaming hysterically, shooting up in bed. Within seconds, everyone was at my side, Kat looking weary, Alpha ready for a fight, and Shadow, who just looked extremely worried.

   Alpha scanned the room, trying to find whatever set me off, while Shadow sat on my bed, pulling me into a hug.

     "You okay, River?" Shadow asked, pulling back to search my expression. By now I had stopped screaming, but instead I was sobbing, and trembling.

     "You guys can go back to bed. I'll take care of her," he whispered, waving Alpha and Kat away. He pulled me against him again, and whispered, "Again?"

     I nod, looking down at my bed. It wasn't the first time I had woken screaming like that, but I hadn't done that for a few months. See, after disrespecting the rules, and using her real name, Rose was 'taken care of'. She was killed in front of us, trying to discourage any similar incidents, and though I had no desire to follow in Rose's footsteps, the incident left me plagued with nightmares, and I had woken every night screaming for a month afterwards. I thought I had gotten over the nightmares, as it's been at least half a year since the last one, but apparently they were back. The others had thought I was in the clear too, but apparently it'll take a while longer.

     "Hey, it'll be fine. We're here for you."

     I lay my head on Shad's shoulder, working to slow my breathing. For a while, we just sat in silence, listening to the other's peaceful snoring. I close my eyes, tired, now that all the excitement has died down. "Do you think she's happy?" I mutter, struggling to stay awake.

"Yeah. She's probably so proud of you, for staying so strong."

"Mhm..."

"Why don't you go to sleep?" Shadow sounded like he was going to say something else, but I was already following his advice. I drifted off peacefully, vaguely aware of Shadow tucking me in. "Night," he whispered.

Night, Shadow.