Dangerous Game

Chapter eleven: Isn't Anything Simple Anymore?

"What?" Seth asked in shock, but I barely heard him.

"Aislin! Thank goodness I found you!" I heard the words of Erin in the distance. "I ran to the first vehicle I saw, but I got separated from Mal- hey are you okay? Aislin...?"

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"Dax! It's my turn with the bop-it!" I cried as my brother hogged our favorite toy. Daddy got it for us to share and he had already used up his turn.

"No way! I'm not done yet! Besides, I'm older than you so I get it longer." He stuck his tongue out at me and smiled.

"You're only two years older! I'm telling Mommy if you don't let me play." I stuck my tongue out mimicking his movements.

He completely ignored me and kept on with his game. I lunged for the toy when he was in mid bop and gripped tightly.

"Hey! No fair, you made me lose!"

"It's my turn! Let go!" I grunted trying to keep my hold but failing.

"Stop it, Aislin! I'm telling-" He stopped talking as a black van pulled up to the house. He was still holding on to the toy, but he was no longer tugging on it. I took it as my chance and yanked it out of his hand.

"Ha!" I yelled and stuck my tongue out again in victory.

"Aislin, I think we should go inside now." He said uneasily, but I wasn't listening. I had finally gotten my turn and I wasn't wasting it.

The van door slid open and a big man with black clothes leaned out of his seat. "Hello there." He said in a soothing voice. I looked up at the man no longer interested in my game.

"I noticed you fighting over that toy there." He said with a warm smile. "I happen to have a whole bunch of toys and you wouldn't need to fight anymore. You can each have your own. Here's one right here." He said, holding up brand new pound puppy.

I squealed in excitement. I had been wanting one for ages and Mommy wouldn't buy me one! I dropped the bop-it and started toward the van. A hand on my shoulder stopped me.

I turned to see Bubby with a worried expression on his face. "Aislin, don't. We don't know him."

"You're just jealous that I get a new toy and you don't"

"Now, now. There's no need for that. I've got plenty for both of you!" The man said a little faster. The thought of so many new toys made me so happy!

I shook off Bubby's hand and ran to the man. "Aislin, wait!" I heard Dax coming after me, but it was too late. Another man came from nowhere and grabbed me. I screamed and kicked but he picked me up and threw me in the van.

"Daxon! Get Mommy!" I yelled, tears streaming down my face.

"Hold on!" He started running toward the house and I knew he was going to help me. My bubby was fast and he would tell Mommy to come get me.

The men closed the door to the van and tied something on my face. I couldn't see anything and I started to really cry. "I want my mommy!" I sobbed.

"Someone make her shut up!" I heard a rough male voice say. Something weird covered my mouth and nose and I started to feel dizzy and tired.

Dax, please hurry, I thought as I finally fell asleep.

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"Aislin!" I finally heard Erin say and awoke from my deep thoughts.

I blinked away a tear and turned to Seth. He had a very worried expression on his face and he had gone pale. I looked back at the computer screen and read the details.

Subject 273.
Acquired June, 21 2002
Current Location: Experimental Facility #4, Northern Ireland

I read the information over and over. Why in the world did they send him to Ireland? How did they even get him? He was already at the house when they shut the door. All these questions were running through my head, but the biggest and most horrifying one struck me suddenly. How many more labs like the one we just destroyed are out there?

"He's in Ireland." I said shakily to Seth as he took the computer from me. I took the little girl back and scooted over so I could still see the screen.

"Wow, you two look extremely alike..." He trailed off, as he studied my brother.

"Same black hair and the same eyes." He observed quietly. "You said his name is Dax?"

I nodded, "I thought he had gotten away. He was running to get my mom when I was taken."

"I'm so sorry, Ash, but-"

"But what?"

"We just got everyone out and I know what you're thinking. It's way too dangerous for us to go all the way to Ireland." He stated carefully.

"Are you seriously suggesting we just leave my brother in a place as bad, or even worse than the place we just worked so hard to get out of?" I said heatedly.

His eyes widened, "No! But, we have to be realistic. Anyone that survived that break out is going to be after us, and they'll surely be sending for reinforcements. We have all of these escapees to think about, too."

"We helped them get out, but it doesn't mean we're responsible for everyone of them. We can't just travel in one massive group anyway. It's too suspicious." My voice was rising as I spoke.

Can we not talk about this now? He said in my head. I looked around and found some of the kids looking at us with wide eyes. I looked down at the little girl I was holding and realized she had fallen asleep. She had tear stains down her face and her fiery red hair hung in little ringlets around her face. Her lab clothes looked baggy on her small body and the numbers on her patch read 391.

I looked back at Seth and nodded slightly, but the look on my face made it clear that this wasn't over. I decided to change the subject. "These numbers...we've had these numbers since we got to the lab. Everyone has them but what do they mean?"

Seth shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe it's the lab they grew up in." He suggested.

"I don't think so. This girl's number is different. And so is Erin's," I added. She looked up at the sound of her name. "Ours start with zero, and everyone that was in that file started with zero. When I clicked on the link that led to Dax, another file popped up with numbers that started with two."

"Could it have something to do with when the person was taken?" he asked, getting interested now.

I furrowed my brows, "That wouldn't make sense because you were here before me, and my number is smaller. Plus my brother was supposedly taken at the same time and his number is completely different."

"Well maybe-" Seth was cut off by a loud popping noise. The van started shaking and slowing down. Soon we came to a complete halt and everyone held their breath. We listened intently for any signs of danger and became prepared if those doors opened and we were under attack.

Suddenly we heard Kason's voice yelling, "We got a flat!" and all breathed a sigh of relief. Seth and I exchanged worried glances and I didn't have to be able to read his mind to know he was thinking the same thing I was.

What now?

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Hello wattpadians! (I love that word!) I hope you enjoyed and I love the feedback I've been getting. Thanks so much for reading. What do you think the numbers stand for? Let me know what you think!